The East Texan STUDENT NE WSPAPER OF TE X AS A& M UNIVERSIT Y- COMMERCE SINCE 1915
XCVI, No. 15, 8 pages
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Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012
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campus Page 4 and 5 Texas Country rising stars The Backroad Bandits talk about their journey toward the top. Also read up on the latest from SGA.
entertainment Page 6
Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds in the same movie? We had to be all over that. Also, for all you ladies, we reviewed ‘The Vow’ to balance things out.
sports Page 7 and 8
Women’s golf began their season in sunny San Diego. Basketball is coming down to the wire, as the men search for a late conference tournament birth.
Students, faculty say more is needed for LGBTQ fear Staff Writer Rachel Bailey In the aftermath of a program designed to educate students about the LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning) community, students and faculty have said A&M-Commerce and the surrounding community has struggled to accept the presence of those new lifestyles. On Feb. 1, the Wellness Lecture Series hosted Straight Answers for Gay Questions, an information session for those who wanted to learn more about the LGBTQ community. Since then, Vice President of Student Access and Success Mary Hendrix highlighted a need for students to feel safer on campus. “Although I have not witnessed or been a part of injustices to the LGBTQ community, students have shared their fears with me,” Hendrix said. A&M-Commerce student and transgender male Nick Albritton thinks the rift between
the LGBTQ community and Commerce as a whole has a lot to do with lack of education. “There is a big difference between those who are educated on the subject and are accepting and those who do not understand or simply oppose,” Albritton said. The Bible-belt religious ideals in the region of Commerce are another cite for its resistance to the LGBTQ community according to Albritton. “Commerce is highly religious,” Albritton said, “A lot of focus is based around worship, which can lead to LGBTQ students being unnoticed or opposed. By no means am I saying that every religious group opposes our presence, but I honeslty feel like the majority are not accepting. This prevents the LGBTQ community from making ourselves visible or gaining momentum. Our ability to
Students robbed at gunpoint in alley Editor Adam Troxtell Two A&M-Commerce students were robbed at gunpoint in an alley on the 1800 block of Mayo Street around 9:45 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 8. The men had their student ID cards and cell phones taken. No one was injured in the incident. They told Commerce Police two males wearing black ski masks and black clothing approached them displaying guns and demanding money. One suspect was described as a black male just over 6-feet
make coalitions or actually get heterosexual allies is where we will find our strength on this campus.” According to Albritton, there are many scenarios that the university has not considered when it comes to supporting an LGBTQ community on its campus. Albritton says that, as a transgender male, even going to the restroom on campus (where family restrooms or unisex restrooms are not common) has been a struggle. “Whenever I enter the women’s restroom I have literally frightened women on more than one occasion and I hate that feeling,” Albritton said. “Not only do I have to say words that I do not feel to be true – ‘I am a girl’ – I have to make sure they are not going to run out of the bathroom screaming. Now if I attempted to go into the males’ restroom,
“It is disheartening to feel like a student on this campus that has no place.”- Nick Albritton
I face the possibility of physical harm or even school officials being involved because I am not biologically male.” Albritton has also found that attending class or campus events on campus can be difficult due to a concept called “homonormativity,” – the idea of set lifestyle norms where people fall into distinct and complementary genders. “It is disheartening to feel like a student on this campus with no place,” Albritton said. “There is an added weight on our community whenever we attend classes. I have found it preventing me from putting my heart into my work for fear of teachers not accepting my sexuality or gender expression. Another thing that needs to be addressed on this campus is the idea of homonormativity in marketing towards its students. A lot of people may not notice because it does not directly affect them, but this idea is created in a lot of school events.”
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Year of the Dragon
tall and about 200 lbs, and the other was 5 foot 10 inches tall and approximately 170-180 lbs. The suspects drove away in a black van or SUV that had a “noisy engine.” The university has taken this opportunity to remind students to remain alert when walking across campus at night and be aware of blue-light emergency phones and their locations. Anyone with information about the identity of the suspects or the vehicle that may have been seen leaving the area is advised to contact the Commerce Police Department at (903)886-1139.
ADAm troxtell / the east texan Stands for the new amphitheater would face toward the Bussiness Administration Building, with a platform in the center of the area.
Amphitheater to replace East Cirlce by Fall 2012 Editor Adam Troxtell A&M-Commerce has announced plans to redevelop The East Circle into an open-air amphitheater. Currently, few students use The East Circle since the Rayburn Student Center was built, moving the center of campus with it. The idea is to turn that area into something more useful and make the campus more aesthetically pleasing. “Right now, it’s a nice green space, but it could use a little work,” Executive Director of Facilities and
Support Services David McKenna said. “The amphitheater idea I think is really interesting for that area.” The East Circle has been used for events before, but that required booking the venue long in advance. “I couldn’t tell you how many times we set up the stage for events in that area,” McKenna said. “This way there would be a stage already there, and it can serve a spontaneous use. Students can get out there and use the stage and have an area for fans or people to sit and watch.”
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amanda luke / the east texan Students and community members brought in the year of the dragon with a Chinese New Year celebration at the Morris Recreation Center. The event included Chinese food, acrobats and a dragon that interacted with the crowd.
MRC sees attendance spike at New Year party Entertainment Editor Jordan Wright A&M-Commerce students and faculty, as well as local Commerce residents, paid a visit to the Morris Recreation Center on Feb. 7 to celebrate Chinese New Year. Attendees marked the year of the dragon with a night of traditional Chinese games, music and cuisine, sponsored by the Morris Recreation Center and the Chinese Student Association. Once inside, the guests were welcomed to Chinese music played through the loud speakers and décor on the walls of the Gymnasium.
Tables set up around the area featured many attractions for the attendees such as traditional Chinese games like Mahjong and Go. Other attractions provided partygoers with the opportunity to play with a Chinese yo-yo, as well as have their name written in Chinese. As they entered, each attendee was given a red envelope as they entered the gymnasium. The envelope is a symbol of good luck and is believed to ward off evil spirits. Contained within the envelope was a gold coin with the image of a Chinese dragon and a raffle ticket. Three raffles were held during the
celebration, offering an IPod Shuffle, the “Transformers” Double Pack on Blu-ray, and a PlayStation 3. The event also provided food and drinks for its attendees. The celebration offered a selection of Chinese food, such as fried rice, orange chicken, beef and broccoli, and egg rolls. The traditional dragon dance began at around 8 p.m. The dancers were accompanied by live music and performed various dances and martial arts, culminating in the arrival of the Chinese dragon, which made its way around the
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OPINION
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Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012
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Random mall theft changes columnist’s outlook
Opinion Editor Savannah Christian If you saw someone drop a wad of money, would you pick it up or leave it? Would you try to catch up to the person to return it or go to the nearest authority to turn it in? Would it cross your mind to keep the cash? Would it matter if it was seven one dollar bills
or seven one hundred dollar bills? These are some questions I began to think about after an event I witnessed this past weekend. I never thought those were questions that really needed to be considered by people. I figured if someone dropped a personal possession right in front of a person, that witness would naturally pick it up and immediately return it. Apparently, that is not a universal train of thought. Although still immoral in my mind, it is somewhat understandable for someone to keep money that is found on the ground in a deserted area. The chances of the money getting back to the owner at that point are pretty slim. However, all questions are erased when you watch the money fall
out of someone’s bag and grab it while they are still 20 feet from you, unaware they have just lost their money. My friend Erika and I were catching a break on a bench in the mall this weekend when two teenage girls walked by us. Just as they were crossing our path, one of the girls lost a roll of money from her purse, but did not realize it had fallen to the floor. Before I could get up to grab the money and run over to the escaping girl, a woman carrying a massive bag full of brand new (and expensive) shoes darted over to the money and put it in her purse, looking me in the eye showing no shame. Not only did this woman watch the girl drop the money just as I did, she didn’t even stop to think twice about the
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horrible act she was committing, not even after my look of disgust I shot in her direction as she stuffed her stolen treasure into her bag. With people standing all over the place and the owner of the money literally 10 steps from her, she jumped on that cash so fast I didn’t even have time to react. How is it that someone can have no moral conscience? I wish I could make sense of it. For someone who was wearing nice clothes, gabbing on an iPhone and carrying a bag full of expensive shoes, she sure did seem desperate for some money. I imagine she was probably disappointed to find that it only amounted to about $7, which wouldn’t get her too far in the mall. Looking back, I wish I had
by Arielle McMahon
reacted fast enough to rush over to the money before that thief did so that I could have returned the cash to the girl, even if it was only a small amount of money. It all happened so fast that the money was in the purse and she was gone before I could even look around to try to track down a mall cop. (which, by the way, there were none). Although I feel guilt for not being quicker on my feet than a thief, I don’t really know what is to be done about something so malicious. So, after the fiasco, as I sat in shock trying to process what had just happened and why I hadn’t been the one to leap on the cash, I found myself questioning her motive. Is she poor, addicted to stealing, immoral or an adrenaline junkie? What, if
DRUGS, a mosh pit and self discovery
Graphics Editor Jessica Martin
Editorial: students can prevent future crime We at The East Texan feel as though the recent crime involving two students being robbed at gunpoint could have been prevented. Although it is unfortunate that such a crime was presented against the students and we do feel sympathetic toward their situation, precautions should be taken to avoid such circumstances. The University Police Department sent out a campuswide email following the crime in an effort to disseminate information on various ways to prevent crimes such as being robbed on the street. First of all, to avoid situations such as this altogether, students should stick to campus during nighttime. We understand that the students were near campus, but maximum safety can only be ensured within the perimeters of the university. It is recommended not to walk at night, but to drive instead; however, we do realize that not everyone has a vehicle, so if you do have to walk somewhere, be sure you do it with at least one other person. Also, do not go to unfamiliar areas or buildings that you do not know your way around. You never know who or
ARIELLE MCMAHON / THE EAST TEXAN
what you will find. Make sure that you always note where the nearest blue-light emergency phone is located and memorize the number for UPD. Those tools and people are on campus to help and need to be properly utilized.
Second Amendment more of a quandry than a right Editor Adam Troxtell I have never really understood guns; never want to buy one, shoot one, be around or really have anything to do with them. That is probably why – and I know the entire state of Texas will be coming after me for this, so please get your pitch forks – I do not see the relevance for the Second Amendment in this day and age and any “right” we have to bear arms. The only justification for its existence at this point is the fact that we have had it for so long. Now, we are stuck in a society filled with weapons and our only choice is to deal with it the best we can. The very existence of guns immediately makes an area
more dangerous, and the ideas behind having them aren’t as sound as people make them out to be. Take, for instance, the armed robbery that recently happened across the street from campus. Let’s say one of the two men who were mugged was legally carrying a gun. He whips it out, the two criminals start firing, he fires back, and now what? At least four people could be killed by flying bullets, and then we must consider any innocent people near enough to the carnage. I know the arguments for guns now. What if your home is invaded? You live in a dangerous neighborhood, you need protection. That’s all well and good, but when it comes down to it and you’re
The East Texan, official student newspaper of Texas A&M University-Commerce, is published 12 times per semester during the Fall and Spring by students in reporting and editing classes. Content is solely the responsibility of the student editors and writers. The comments and views expressed in The East Texan do not necessarily reflect the beliefs of other students, staff, faculty, administration, or the Board of Trustees. The East Texan is located inside the Journalism building on the east side of campus in room 113. Single copies are available in Journalism 113 for an additional 25 cents. Letters to the editor are welcome and should be limited to 250 words. They will not be edited for spelling, grammar and libelous or malicious statements. We reserve the right to refuse publication. Letters should be typed or e-mailed and must include a signature, legal name, classification (grade level) and telephone number. Mailing address is The East Texan, P.O. Box 4104 Commerce, Texas 75428.
faced with having to shoot someone, you still have to pull the trigger. Even then, police will investigate. They still have to determine if that was done in self-defense. And what of the criminal’s family (that’s right, they still have people who love them)? They certainly won’t see the justification behind you gunning down their loved one. In the end, having a gun can still create a mess. The only ones who deserve guns are the officers who protect us and the brave men and women on the front lines. These are individuals who have been trained to not only use a gun but to also use their brain at the same time. Unfortunately, no matter how much I may desire for a gun-free society, it will
not, and at this point cannot, happen. The Second Amendment – created to ensure the newly free people of America could guard against any attack on them by the British and to maintain their ability to form a militia – has been around too long and provided the opportunity for law abiding Americans to proudly own guns. Sadly, the presence of guns in society means both good and bad people have them. Good people might give them up, but the bad people won’t. So, we are eternally faced with having to deal with guns in society, and our only choice is to take the most extreme measures possible to ensure only the right people can own them and pray our judgment is sound.
The East East Tex Texan an The Established 1915 Adam troxtell Editor Savannah christian opinion editor
Jordan Wright Entertainment Editor
cliff gibson Sports Editor
nick bailey CAMPUS LIFE EDITOR
leah allen assistant news editor
ARIELLE MCMAHON STAFF CARTOONIST
At 20 years of age, I have found my limit on what my body can withstand. Mosh pits are not one of those things. This past weekend my boyfriend and I went to a concert in Dallas – at The Door – to see one of our favorite bands, Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows (DRUGS). However, there were five other bands playing on the tour. I was super excited to see DRUGS play and we go to the venue super early so we could be the first ones in. The crowd was pretty gentle at first; a little bit of jumping around, mostly polite as we listened to bands that we’d never heard of. But apparently the fourth band, Like Moths to Flames, was a band that everyone had heard of. And they were an angry band. Immediately the singer comes out and starts screaming and throwing profanities and middle fingers. I could already tell this was going to be interesting. As soon as their set began, I realized that I was in way over my head. This was the first mosh pit I’d ever been in, and to be frank, I was somewhat terrified. I just remember bracing myself with my elbows out and trying to maintain breathing space, whilst also trying to refrain from squashing the 90-pound 16year-old girl in front of me. Halfway through the set, I had been kicked in the face, used as an armrest for the guy behind me to get closer to the lead singer,
and kicked and stepped on numerous times. Luckily, being only five feet tall, I was able to avoid the majority of the violence that is crowd surfing going on above me. I wish I could’ve said the same for my boyfriend. After the fourth or fifth time he got kicked in the face and punched in the kidneys, we’d had it. We pushed through the crowd and finally made it to the back and had to cool down because we were both so angry at the other concertgoers that we were both about to pop. We ended up hanging around at the back and listening to our favorite band at a distance from which we could actually hear the lead singer without busting our eardrums. It made the experience much better, in its own way. I have never understood the hype that comes with moshing, and now that I’ve experienced it, I definitely don’t understand. It really is a scary thing, and the pain that comes with the experience the next morning is something I could live without. Maybe it’s because I’ve never been a violent or angry person, and maybe it’s because I’m a baby when it comes to pain, but moshing is just not my thing. Especially when all the people moshing and crowd-surfing around you are 12-year-old girls that are getting chunked around, losing their shirts and shoes and getting dropped on their heads. I had much more fun hanging out at the back, scoring free waters from the bartender and munching on fries while listening to the bands and actually being able to hear them rather than the roaring from the speakers. It just doesn’t seem to be my thing, and it saddens me to say that I’m starting to sound like those old people that tell you to turn your music down. I’m not ready to grow up yet. But my aging body is telling me otherwise.
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any, situation justifies stealing from another person, especially with them right in front of you? Sure, this lady didn’t exactly hit up a bank or steal a car, but I don’t see much difference in that and what she did. With no guilt and no regard, she duped that innocent girl, slightly altering my view of the good in society. Although the girl probably should have been more careful with her possessions, she still has growing up to do and will hopefully learn her lesson when she goes to American Eagle and realizes she has no money. The point: take care of your stuff, don’t drop your money on the ground and don’t be the person to steal with no shame - you are no more worthy of that money than anyone else.
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Fred Stewart Faculty Adviser fred_stewart@tamu-commerce.edu
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Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012
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bilgrimage.blogspot.com
Creating safe spaces on campus is a stepping stone for acceptance of the LGBTQ community both on campus and in the surrounding community.
Community still working toward acceptance Continued from Page 1... not alone. A&M-Commerce – as identified through the Faculty Handbook – is an “affirmative action/equal opportunity institution.” However, even faculty have struggled at times with being members LGBTQ community. Literature and Languages Professor and Co-Chair of Safe Spaces Robin Reid thinks that there are many factors contributing to the struggle of the sense of community for LGBTQ students at A&M-Commerce, one being the university’s location. “The LGBTQ community is generally tied with urban areas and Commerce is a very rural town,” Reid said. “Rural areas like this also will generally support ideas that are more traditional and conservative.” Although receiving tenure through the university is protected by the Faculty Handbook – saying there will be “no promotion or tenure decision influenced by bias on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, age, veteran status or disability” – it fails to note discretion related to gender expression or sexual orientation, which can make some members of the LGBTQ community (where gender can differ from biological sex), like Reid, hesitant. “There were many reasons that I moved my confession about being
bisexual from the first page of my dissertation to the fourth page,” Reid said. “I was uncomfortable with it being one of the first things people would see and thought that if they waded through four pages of gender theory then they wouldn’t mind reading that I was bisexual.” The idea of releasing her confession about being bisexual on page 1 of her dissertation made Reid nervous because there “is really no legal protection on sexual orientation. It just doesn’t exist.” Concern about her bisexual orientation being unveiled isn’t the only struggle Reid has encountered while teaching at Texas A&M-Commerce. “I used to teach a women’s literature course where I used some works that involved the mixing of multicultural elements along with sexuality,” Reid said.”I had a colleague who expressed some evaluative concern about these elements. It was because of the evaluation that I must admit I stopped teaching those things for a while. Although my colleagues support academic freedom, I have known others who have had similar problems.” Reid cites Hendrix as a tremendous supporter of the growing LGBTQ community here at Texas A&M-Commerce saying she has even been able to contribute funds to the cause. Hendrix believes that with new
programs like the SAFE SPACES and ANGLES, there will be a better effort to “acknowledge and accept students’ differences which will result in trust and trust will result in more communication and more tolerance of differences.” “We had our first SAFE SPACES meeting last spring,” Reid said, “ This is a program that will help students and faculty know where they have safe space to express themselves on campus.” SAFE SPACES and other programs like it are a hope not just for many LGBTQ community members but also for their allies. “I think the program will provide the LGBTQ community with assurance that there are ‘safe’ environments in which to share problems and concerns,” Hendrix said. Although Albritton has had many struggles because of his LGBTQ status, he said his expectations are high that less students will experience similar situations in the future. “I have never had more hope for our community. Our university now has several programs like SAFE SPACES that are working to better our situation. I have met more straight allies this semester alone than in any of my previous years here on campus. Our voice is here, it is just not being heard yet. Conditions will improve, it will get better, I have hope for that, after all, its my quality of life we are talking about here.”
amanda luke / the east texan
Attendees were greeted with Chinese decorations, food, and attractions.
Rec party marks Chinese New Year Continued from Page 1... gymnasium. The Draggon proceeded to interact with those that crossed its path in various ways, from chasing children to mimicking movements of people. The celebration brought in attendees of all sorts. In addition to the students of A&MCommerce, there were several families along with children who attended as well. “A lot of parents bring their kids out to this and it’s great to have that interaction with everyone,” Event coordinator Sarah Cunningham said. “It’s always great to see everyone learn something new.” Cunningham said that there were at least 1000 people in attendance, a significant increase from last year. The increase has been noticed by some attendees of
previous years. “This was fun last year and it’s even more fun this year,” Stan Goodman said. “We come here every year and it’s more crowded this year.” Several of the activities, particularly the raffles, were well received by the guests in addition to the rest of the celebration. “It’s been fun, with very good food,” Ujwal Tamrakar said. “I would say the prizes and the dragon were best.” As the attendees began to take their leave, Cunningham expressed her gratitude to everyone in attendance for making the night a success. “I’d like to thank everyone who came out tonight and I hope that they all had a good time,” Cunningham said. “This I was very excited to see such high a high attendance.”
New Venue to serve many purposes Continued from Page 1...
ADAm troxtell / the east texan
The East Circle used to host public speakers and concerts, like a blue grass festival and a presidential candidate.
Corner of Mayo and Lee Streets 903.886.0322
Head of the Mass Media, Communication, and Theatre Department John Dempsey said The East Cirlce used to host festivals and public speakers, much like any other outdoor venue. “At one time, bluegrass festivals were held in the summertime on the circle, and drew large crowds sitting on the grassy slopes,” Dempsey said. “And in 1988, Democratic presidential candidate Michael Dukakis made an appearance outdoors on the east side of the old student center, drawing a very large crowd on the circle and up the slopes to
the Halladay building and the Gee Library.” Dempsey said while some extra planning would still be needed, the amphitheater could be used by the theatre program for future productions. “It seems to me the amphitheater could be a great place for plays, presuming that the lighting was adequate,” he said. “It would be interesting to know how voices would carry in an outdoor setting, so there are a number of things to consider, but it’s an exciting prospect.” The majority of the work will be done on the northeast corner of the area. McKenna said
“Several tiers will be developed in there, with a rock face in between each tier and there will be somewhere between and 18 to 20 foot platform area,” he said. “So, there’s a lot of room for people to sit or bring a chair. There will also be ADA seating on top of the walking mall. The plan is to have the amphitheater ready for use by the time students return to the campus in Fall 2012. “We’ve got some preliminary sketch ideas roughed out. We have to go through pricing mechanisms and get some project estimates, but the idea is to start after commencement and get it done this summer.”
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LION ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT Head Dance Coach Ashley Rocke is working on forming the Lion’s Dance Team which will have its first auditions in March.
New coach is ‘Rocke’ of Lions dance team Assistant News Editor Leah Allen
Rocke stated, “It just adds nothing but energy to the whole Field House when you have stands full of students and everybody cheerNew Head Dance Coach for Texas A&M ing. It makes everybody play better, we dance University-Commerce Ashley Rocke’s evi- better, and it’s just part of university life…It’s dent passion for dance has taken her far be- the stuff you remember for a lifetime.” yond just being a coach. Even though Rocke has been here since OcForming the Lion’s Dance Team is not her tober, the dance team will not be completely only profession in dancing. formed until April. “I go as a self-contracting person and do cho“There’s a lot of groundwork reography for different dance teams,” she said. and foundation that you have to “I do a lot of dance team training anyway, and put in place,” she said. I’m the choreographer for TG Hair Company. I Official tryouts for the team are on March go worldwide and do events for them.” 24. Those who make it past preliminaries Having careers in dance has will go on to finals on April 21. led Rocke to discover another “I can accept probably up great passion of hers. to 20 people, but I’m thinking “I love being at home as in my head anywhere from 12 much as I love to travel beto 15,” Rocke said concerning cause I thrive off of meeting all the size of the team. “It just decultures of people,” she said. pends on who auditions and “I feel like I’ve been blessed depends on who comes. You to go really far on the other can only make the biggest cake side of the world just through as the ingredients you have to dance, and that’s something make the cake with.” I’ve found out I really, really Once the dance season belike.” gins, Rocke plans to be comRocke shared about her muting to the campus to visitation to Asia when train the team Tuesdays and she got to see the Forbid- MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS Thursdays. “We’ll select our den City in Beijing. She also got to ex- team, and we’ll start training, learning perience the scorching temperatures choreography.” There’s a summer lapse, in Dubai. but they will report back and start trainIn addition to being a world-traveler, ing again in August “nailing out” choreRocke also has what she believes is a full- ography and routines. They will be ready time occupation at her home in Dallas. “My for the first basketball games right around biggest job at home is I’m a mom,” Rocke said November and possibly events before then with pride about her 13-year-old daughter such as Homecoming. who also dances. In her past dance experience, Rocke has Dance has always been a part of Rocke’s life. worked with the Dallas Maverick dance “I started dancing when I was 3,” she said. team and other various dance groups. “I’m “I’ve always had dance in my heart. I always a dance hustler. I like to take on projects. It’s kept it as a thread through my life.” the invitation to be creative that makes me go A&M-Commerce gets to experience for it sometimes.” Rocke’s expertise in dance with the formaAs excited as Rocke is about the future of tion of the Lion’s Dance Team. the Lion’s Dance Team and enjoys reflect“We’re going to create a dance team ing on her past adventures, she prefers to here to support the basketball pro- take life one step at a time. “I live for the gram,” Rocke said. “We’ll be support- moment, that’s my most memorable thing. ing men’s and women’s basketball with Just love the present moment that you’re in halftime entertainment and spirit.” because it’s the only thing that you With a positive outlook on the future, have control over.”
Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012
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WWW.PHIOTA.INFO Phi Iota hosted an opent-mic night consisting of English and Spanish poetry readings to honor an icon.
Faternity honors figure at Froyo Staff Writer Josh Stoltenberg On Feb. 2 the fraternity Phi Iota Alpha held an open mic night at local frozen yogurt joint City Froyo. The open mic night consisted of poetry readings, some in English, some in Spanish, and some in both languages. Phi Iota Alpha, which is a predominantly Latino fraternity, was founded on Dec. 26, 1931. “We are the oldest Latino frat in existence,” Hugo Macias, a member of Phi Iota Alpha, said. “The fraternity has not received its official letters yet from the university, but it is recognized as a colony.” Phi Iota Alpha decided to hold an open
mic night largely in honor of Don Jose Marti, one of the pillars of their fraternity. Marti, who was born on Jan. 28, was a noted poet and journalist from Cuba. “We held the open mic night mainly because of Jose Marti,” Fadhl Al Matari, a member of Phi Iota Alpha said. “We are doing it because he was a poet, and we’re doing mainly poetry here, and also we’re doing it on this day because it is close to his birthday.” “I’m not from Latin America, I’m from Yemen, but I joined Phi Iota Alpha because I like the cause,” Al Matari said. “I think Pan Americanism is something that we need to strive harder to achieve, and that is one of Phi Iota Alpha’s primary goals. Pan Americanism is the unity of the Americas.”
WWW.TAMU-COMMERCE.EDU The bi-annual Mane Event Preview Day is an opportunity for incoming students to get a preview of the university
University hosting Preview Day Assistant News Editor Leah Allen The Mane Event Preview Day is scheduled to take place on March 3. High school juniors and seniors along with transfer students are invited to the event for a preview of the Texas A&M University-Commerce campus. It is an opportunity for the university to showcase what it has to offer for future students. It will give the students a glimpse into
campus activities and academics. According to tamu-commerce.edu, the event will also hold opportunities for the students to speak with representatives from Admissions, Residential Living and Learning, Financial Aid and Scholarships, Veterans and Military Services, Hispanic Outreach, and many other student organizations. The tentative schedule shows registration beginning at 8:30 a.m. and events until at least 1:30 p.m.
SGA names Gosby as new senator Staff Writer Josh Stoltenberg
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The Student Government Association swore in a new senator and discussed other university issues at their meeting last week. On Feb. 8, the senate nominated and inducted Donna Gosby into the senate. Gosby is a graduate student in the political science department at Texas A&M University-Commerce. She has been attending the university since 2008 and has been involved with the student government at the university before. “Last time, I had to leave because of health reasons, but I am better, and I am ready to help out again,” Gosby said. “I love student government. I am passionate about trying to make a difference and trying to make things better for the students, and that’s why I’m asking to be considered for the senate.” The senate also discussed creating an archive. The archive would be made available to all students of the university and would
include “foundation documents and operational provisions of the organization” along with “documents produced from each general meeting of the senate as well as any video or audio collected at SGA meetings or events.” The archive may also include “various historical documents from or about the organization, as well as other collected documents and media items that hold important significance to the students of Texas A&M University-Commerce.” The senate also spent a good amount of their time discussing the purchase of a storage unit and debating whether they should get a climate controlled unit or a normal one. They ultimately decided to go with the climate controlled storage unit because it would be more useful for storing paper. Otherwise, in a normal unit, paper could be easily destroyed. The reason for deciding to rent a storage unit in the first place was because there were items being stored at senators’ houses, and it “wasn’t fair” for senators to have items stored at their houses
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Ca mpus Life
Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012
‘Bandits’ on the path to Texas country music fame Staff Writer Mitzi Y’Barbo
for the band,” Prewitt said, ‘Backroad’ had to be in it, since that’s who we were.” The second part of their name comes from simple wordplay. “We’re not really bandits or crooks, Bandits just started with a ‘B’ so we used it,” Owens said. All of the members, except Smith, went to school together in Sulphur Springs. They met Smith when all but Prewitt attended A&M-Commerce. Prewitt is planning to attend Fire Academy in the future, but is currently “working
With only a year under their belts, The Backroad Bandits have come a long way from their Sulphur Springs roots. The band has acquired a loyal following that continues to grow, and their experiences have taken them across the state of Texas. They classify their music as “genuine, homegrown Texas country music.” Member Jordan Owens said. “It’s country in a sense, but grittier,” Owens said. Along with Owens is Colton Joe Smith on bass, Heath Robinson on electric guitar, keyboard and rhythm, Matt Prewitt lead vocals and guitar, and Jacob Mazoch on lead guitar. Robinson, Mazoch and Owens played together in band at Sulphur Springs High School. They used to get together to play a more of a rock and roll style of music. Prewitt said, that rock and roll sound “creeps into our music, with a hint of Lynard Skynard now and then.” Prewitt said that in high school, while others cruised the Sulphur Springs strip and hung out in parking lots, they used to hop in his truck and go riding through back roads in the county. “When it PHOTO COURTESY OF BACKROAD BANDITS came time to Lead vocalist Matt Prewitt showing some of his talent find a name with his guitar.
to support my music habit.” Each member juggles a heavy schedules of classes, jobs, practice and shows. “It can difficult balancing the band, work, school, family, girlfriends, etc., but luckily we’re surrounded by the most supportive people in the world,” Robinson, who joined the band in May of last year, said. “They understand us and stand by us.” Each has been willing to give their efforts toward the ultimate goal of becoming a big time country band; but, these hopes are coupled with the reality of the music business. “All of us want to make it big,“ Mazoch said, “but as we all know it’s a lot easier said than done, which is the reason we all have back up plans.”
The first show the band played was at Muddy Jake’s in Sulphur Springs, with just their usual customers in attendance. Since then, their fan base has grown tremendously. They now travel across Texas and will have a show in Oklahoma at the Wormy Dog later this month. Prewitt said their fans travel with them to shows, and when performing at East Fork, there can be as many as 400 or so there to see them. In September 2011, the band released an EP titled “One at a Time” of six origi-
nal songs. Owens said the title represented how the music should be heard. “Although they are all generally the same style,” Owens said, “they all have a distinct sound and personality and should be considered independently.” The songs may stand out individually, but all of the members provide the inspiration that creates them. “Everyone in the band is capable of writing lyrics and music and does,” Prewitt said. “Sometimes in practice, one of us will have an idea, then we all start ripping on it and end up with a new song by the end of practice that night.” Mazoch said the chemistry that goes into creating the songs stems from the fact that all of the band members are so close. “One thing we have over most other bands is that we are all best friends,” Mazoch said. “Since this is the case, we stick with each other during the rough times and always have a great time. Making it big as a band is one thing, but to do it with your best friends makes it even better.” Combining this togetherness with one thing they enjoy the most, Robinson said, is what makes Backroad Bandits a worthy cause. “I honestly don’t want to do anything else in life than to play music,” he said. “I love playing music and I love my friends. That’s what the Bandits are about. I think the best thing about the Bandits is, at the end of the day. We are all still great friends.”
Student organization to host program celebrating history, cultural background Campus Life Editor Nick Bailey This year, one of Texas A&M University-Commerce’s newest student organizations will be stepping into the spotlight as it hosts a program honoring black history. Young Energetic Spirits (YES) is hosting the program in honor of black history month this year, and plans to feature various organizations from the A&M-Commerce campus as well as students who would like to perform. “We are asking that [students] come out and support some of the students at TAMU-Commerce as we put on a show,” YES President Alexis
Merritt said. “Different organizations, including some of our Greeks, will be performing. There will also be performances from students who are not representing any organization, but just want to share their respect for what this month represents and those who made what we have today possible.” YES has performed for the Commerce community before, singing and dancing at a local retirement home during the Christmas holiday season, but this will be the organization’s first on-campus event, and Merritt is beginning to feel the pressures of leadership as the date draws near. “I am really under pressure trying to make sure everything goes smoothly,”
Merritt said. “We want this to be big. Not neccessarily to promote us, but moreso as to start a tradition on campus and to emphasize the significance of this month.” While the event is celebrating the history and culture of black people, Merritt hopes to be able to include other races as well. “Right now Alex [Thornton] is the only white student in YES,” she said. “But I have been asking some of the ‘predominantly white’ sororities and fraternaties but so far we have not got any definitive answers, but it’s open to everyone.” The event will take place Feb. 29, in the Fergusson Auditorium beginning at 7 p.m. and is free to attend.
Talent show adds fashion to lineup Campus Life Editor Nick Bailey Its time again for Texas A&M University-Commerce students to bring their talents to the forefront as the National Association of Colored Women’s Club (NACWC) prepares to host the annual Baby Boomers Talent Show. “it’s an old school talent show that includes the 60’s - 90’s decades,” NACWC President LaTasha Hawkins said. “We have it every year and this year it’s a talent and fashion show.” Hawkins explained that this year’s addition of a talent show will add a different dimension to the event, and she believes that it will help bring more people out to the event.
“It’s not just a talent show like we have every year,” Hawkins said. “We’re allowing people without a talent to participate in the fashion show for fun.” This year’s event will have multiple hosts including A&M-Commerce student Fred Williams and participants in will be competing for a cash prize. All proceeds from the event will be going towards NACWC’s Adopt-a-Family program to help a local family in need. Students who would like to participate in the talent show or the fashion show may contact a member of NACWC or sign up at the NACWC table that will be in the Rayburn Student Center leading up to the event between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
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Counseling Corner Building better relationships Special Contributor Rick McCraw This is the time of year when we celebrate love and the relationships we have with the people in our lives. Why does entering into a relationship seem so effortless for some and such an exercise in frustration for others? What are successful relationships made of and what makes them last? People who successfully build intimate relationships with friends and/or a significant other often utilize the 5 following skills that can foster closeness with others: Be Yourself. Don’t try to relate to others by acting like you think they would want/expect you to. Being real from the start gives each person a chance to see if they can be comfortable with each other’s beliefs, interests, looks, and lifestyle. Communicate Better. This is an essential skill in a good relationship of any type. • Use “I” statements when talking to others about your thoughts or feelings. This promotes ownership of what you are saying, which establishes a strong, direct position. • Self-disclose at a slow, but steady rate. This is the art of sharing your private thoughts and feelings with people you trust. Revealing too much too soon can cause the speaker to feel overly vulnerable and the listener to feel uncomfortable and obligated to reciprocate. Take your time. You can increase your rate of sharing as you get to know the person better. • Ask for what you need/want. Limit your expectations that the other person should be able to guess what you prefer out of their affection for you. The best chance of receiving what you want is
to speak up and ask for it. • Check out your assumptions. You are no mind reader either. M i s u nde r st a nd i ng s can arise from acting on what you guess your friend/partner wants. • Give each other permission to peacefully refuse each other’s requests at times. Resolve Conflicts. Take the relationship from my way/ your way to our way through negotiation and compromise. Start the problem solving by listening to and respecting each other’s point of view. Conflicts are more easily addressed when both people participate in the solution, instead of one person dominating the decision making process. Aim for a balance of power. Reciprocate. Give equal importance to the feelings, interests, and needs of each person in the relationship. Develop the skill of both giving and receiving emotional support. And last, Enjoy Each Other! Let good humor and fun together be a part of your regular schedule. This week we not only celebrate Valentine’s Day but also Random Acts of Kindness Week. The Counseling Center staff plan to use the week to promote healthy, nurturing friendships and relationships. Join us at The Club Feb. 16th at 4 p.m. for a Spirit Button Event titled The Relationship Roadmap: Navigating Rough Terrain. The event will include an interactive presentation, games, and exercises to promote healthy relationships. A grand prize basket full of items such as dinner for two gift certificates at local restaurants and two 30-minutes massages at MRC will be given away during the event.
Ideas or questions for the Counseling Corner? Drop us an email at: counselingcornertamuc@gmail.com.
We’re online!
PHOTO COURTESY LATASHA HAWKINS The talent show will feature talents such as singing, dancing, and poetry.
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Entertainment Entertainment
Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012
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Fromage du Jour A weekly look at film cheese
EMPIREONLINE.COM
According to Jordan Wright, “Quarantine 2: Terminal” is the best film reviewed to date KIDULTY.COM
According to Nick Bailey, “Safe House” maintains a high level of exciement and unpredictability that may even warrant a return trip to the theater.
‘Safe House’ yields high energy complexity Campus Life Editor Nick Bailey Going into any movie that has Denzel Washington or Ryan Reynolds, you know it’s going to be good. When you put these actors together on the screen, you get a type of amazement that can’t really be explained. Such is the case with “Safe House.” The movie follows Reynolds’ character Matt Weston, an overlooked and underestimated CIA-operative whose job is literally to sit around at a secret location all day in case the CIA sends someone there. Things become interesting when Weston is informed that he will be having a guest; Tobin Frost, played by Denzel Washington. We learn that Frost is a rogue agent who’s wanted by every major government. From the moment he gets into the safe house, things get complicated. I’m not going to say much about what goes on during the movie but I was extremely impressed with the storyline and the acting throughout
the entire film. It was one serious rollercoaster ride of pure excitement throughout the film, leaving me asking, “what just happened” and then trying to figure out how the movie would carry on afterwards. The twists and turns in this film never seem to stop. Lies upon lies make this a story that really requires some thinking. They didn’t really explain why Frost made the decision to turn himself in to begin with but you quickly forget that part of the story after people start getting killed. The acting in the films was great, which is expected given the star-studded cast. Reynolds did a great job as the lead role, and kept things believable. I will say that Washington did a great job too but he seemed very distant throughout much of the film. Maybe it was just the CIA persona but it was difficult to make much of an emotional connection with his character. The few times they did give any insight to his personal life were quickly interrupted by gunshots.
If there’s one thing I learned from this movie is that you cannot trust anybody involved with the CIA. After watching Weston run all over the city and get shot at by pretty much everyone he talks to, I start to feel bad for him. He seriously can’t catch a break in this film. He goes from a mundane life with no real excitement from his job to getting shot at, stabbed, beat up by everybody, and having to kill people in what’s basically a business week. I do wish that they had expanded on the plot a little more to deepen some of the characters but many of them didn’t live long enough to tell their stories. Needless to say, I’ll be going to see this movie again. But if I go missing for a while, its because I’ve decided to create a safe house of my own, pretend to be a CIA-operative, get shot at by a lot of people, kill another operative, and save up about $6,000 to give to my girlfriend (who I’ve lied to about everything) so she can relocate and I’ll catch up with her in about a week. Challenge accepted.
ONLINEMOVIESHUT.COM
According to Leah Allen, “The Vow“ is held back by its clichés despie solid performances by Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams as the lead roles.
Nicolas Sparks film hindered by clichés and plotholes Assistant News Editor Leah Allen “The Vow” was basically a predictable revision of “The Notebook.” After a well-portrayed car accident, amnesia strikes Paige (Rachel McAdams) and her husband Leo (Channing Tatum) is left with one of the most difficult struggles anyone could go through—trying to make his wife remember what they once had together. The previews giving away the line, “I have to make my wife fall in love with me again” doesn’t seem to leave much for the imagination. However, I was caught at a surprise when a majority of the movie was based around her rejection of his love. My presumption that Leo would fight for Paige like there was no end and persevere through making her love him again was actually shot down. It was nice to have a little twist from what I assumed would happen. It was odd to me how Paige just so happened to have complete recollection of her relationship with her ex-
fiancé, Jeremy, played by Scott Speedman but no recollection of the break up. She also had no recollection of her relationship with her husband, Leo or family drama that caused her to reject them for so many years. The story left out major details when it came to revealing the specifics of Paige’s relationship with Jeremy. By “left out” I mean they made no revelation of it at all. “The Vow” could have been more emotionally captivating when it came to Leo’s feelings about the situation. A small brawl at a wedding was about the most intense it got when showing how hurt Leo was that his wife no longer loved him. I was, again, shocked that he wasn’t more persistent in getting his wife back to loving him. I’m not sure if “The Vow” would have very high ratings if it wasn’t for the movie’s two main stars. McAdams and Tatum are both experienced actors and played the roles they were cast in well. It was a smart move to put Tatum in
his role because women everywhere will probably see this movie solely because he is it. The movie conveniently had occasional shirtless scenes and a view from behind which undoubtedly grabbed attention from the crowd. McAdams was an obvious pick for the role of Paige seeing that she played a very similar one in “The Notebook,” which is also a Nicholas Sparks movie consisting of a man striving to make his wife fall in love with him again. “The Notebook,” however had a much more emotional ending. I expected more of a resemblance to “50 First Dates,” but thankfully, that was not the case with this movie. While the movie had a fairly predictable ending, it was a perfect showcase to set the mood for Valentine’s Day which occurred just days after the film’s debut. It gives the “heart melt” feeling that every girl wants and brings a desire for love. The revelation at the end that it was actually based on a true story did make it slightly more heart touching.
‘Quarantine 2’ bests bland prequel with tension and gore Entertainment Editor Jordan Wright
“Quarantine 2: Terminal” is one of the best films that this job has ever drawn me to, plain and simple. The state of shock and surprise I find myself in prevents me from making a cleverly drawn out remark to introduce what I have just been treated to. I’ve stated previously that I’ve been waiting for that perfect film for almost half a year but never in my life would I have expected it to come in the form of the direct to video sequel of a film that I despise. Released in 2008, moviegoers were treated to “Quarantine,” a remake of the critically acclaimed Spanish film “REC,” which helped in kicking off the found footage trend. Unlike better films of its ilk however, “Quarantine” was sheerly mediocre. Where “REC” was a creepy, gritty, and realistic horror film that relied heavily on the threat of the infected within a tense and claustrophobic atmosphere, “Quarantine” was a Hollywood film with a clean look that used the found footage style to rely on cheap jump scares. Whether it was the need to work on an independent budget or the complete lack of any studio support, “Quarantine 2: Terminal” somehow rises above the weak quality of its predecessor by falling onto the factors that actually made its source material, “REC,” good. The film follows the immediate ending of “Quarantine” with a story that parallels its own occurrence. “Terminal” forgoes the found footage style of its predecessor in favor of a more traditional narrative. Gone is the character narration of everything through the obnoxious use of a hand-held camera, and it was at this point that I had to instantly let go of any preconceived expectations that I had towards this film.
“Terminal” follows flight stewardess Jenny, as she tries to keep order amongst her passengers aboard a flight to Las Vegas gone wrong. One of her passengers somehow becomes infect by the virus revealed in the previous film, causing a gradually building outbreak amongst the group, once the plane lands. Jenny and the passengers find themselves quarantined by the government to the maintenance area of the gate that their plane docked in, forcing them to find some way to sneak out of the building without being found and shot by the soldiers keeping them in. The independent feel of “Terminal” makes all the difference. The sense of unpredictable tension and grit that made “REC” such a great film is all in full effect here. The sense of sterility and overblown budget of “Quarantine” are completely missing, providing the audience with moderately sympathetic characters that are decently acted and a strong unwavering feeling of suspense that prevents the film from being entirely predictable, without the cheap and gimmicky camera effects of the original to drag down the final product. “Terminal” even steps up in the department that was nonexistent in the PG-13 “Quarantine;” the gore. From head bashings to flesh ripping, this is a film that does not shy away from the graphic violence. By the same token however, it never exploits gore as a substitute for its worthwhile thrills. “Quarantine 2: Terminal” is one of my biggest surprises of this year. This column has provided me with endless amounts of entertainment that I’ve never necessarily been able to call good, until today. This film averts every mistake that a horror film can make, unlike its predecessor and I intend to seek a copy for my shelf.
Verdict: Four Shatners
Bottom line: For the first time in my life, I sought out a B-movie only to discover an Alevel of quality at the end of the search.
Page 7
Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012
numbersgame 1-43
hotshot 6
LSC record for the A&M-Commerce women’s basketball team over the past two years
Blocks in one game by A&M-Kingsville’s Marshall Bond III vs. A&M-Commerce
Lions ink QB-heavy class for 2012 season Sports Editor Cliff Gibson After a number of injuries plagued the Lions at the quarterback and secondary positions, Texas A&M University-Commerce coach Guy Morriss addressed the depth issue with the latest football recruiting class, which was released two weeks ago. Morriss and his staff announced the signing of 23 players in all, 19 incoming freshmen and four transfers, who will help add depth at some key positions in the near future. “Overall, we feel really good about this class and feel we’ve addressed some key needs,” Morriss said. “Our goal was to go out and find those players that we felt would best fit our system and were excited about coming to play here. We feel we reached that goal and are looking forward to getting these kids out on the practice field.” The Lions should have all the depth they need at the quarterback and defensive
back positions entering spring workouts, after the Lions added five quarterbacks and six players to the secondary on signing day. A&M-Commerce also signed four wide receivers, a pair of offensive linemen, two defensive linemen and two linebackers. “We feel this class is as strong as any we’ve brought in and stacks up well with any of the classes before,” Morriss said. “We are expecting all of the transfers to be competitive in spring workouts and there are a few high school players that have a chance to compete for a starting job as well.” The Lions brought in five quarterbacks from three different states – three from Texas, a transfer from California and another from North Carolina. The Lions will begin spring practice in April and the 2012 Blue and Gold game will be Saturday, April 21 at 2 p.m. A&M-Commerce kicks off its 2012 season at home on Saturday, Sept. 1 against Southeastern Oklahoma State.
LSC Overall 12-1 21-2 13-2 20-2 9-5 15-6 10-6 14-9 9-7 13-9 6-8 13-10 6-10 11-14 3-11 11-13 3-11 10-14 2-12 7-15
Points Player
Avg./G
Rebounds Player
Avg./G
Assists Player
Avg./G
Steals Player
Avg./G
Milton Garner, CAM........................ 19.4 Reggie Nelson, ENMU.................... 16.2 Keenan Coleman, ASU................... 15.4 Desmond King, A&M-C.................. 15.4 Ashton Brown, A&M-K................... 15.3
Donald Sims, WT...............................9.6 Chris Johnson, UIW...........................8.3 Fabian Wilson, TSU...........................6.7 Robert Williams, A&M-K....................6.6 David Terrell, MSU.............................6.3
Lionel Foster, WT...............................7.7 LaBree Sledge, A&M-C.....................4.8 Michael Lloyd, MSU...........................3.7 Gilchrist King, ASU............................3.6 Devone Davis, ENMU........................3.5
Shawn Umeh, UIW........................... 2.2 Lionel Foster, WT.............................. 2.1 Devone Davis, ENMU....................... 2.0 David Terrell, MSU............................ 1.9 Keonte’ Logan, MSU........................ 1.8 PHOTO COURTESY OF LONE OAK ISD
Trever Lasseter (shown here in a 2011 playoff win over DeKalb) is one of five quarterbacks signed by A&M-Commerce in early February. Lasseter finished his senior year with more than 3,000 total yards and 32 touchdowns at Lone Oak High School.
LSC baseball teams off to hot start in ’12 Baseball season started last week with half of the Lone Star Conference teams in action. The season continues with a full slate of non-conference games this week. LSC baseball teams are 14-2 overall this season. In the NCAA South Central Region, the men’s teams are currently 11-2 overall, including 3-0 combined versus Heartland Conference teams, 8-2 opposed to the Great American Conference and 0-0 against the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA). Players of the Week HITTERS: Quaid McKinnon, Angelo State, Junior. McKinnon led Angelo State with eight hits and six RBI in 13 at-bats as the Rams
swept Ouachita Baptist in a four-game series. McKinnon is hitting .615 and has scored seven runs through the first four games of the ASU baseball season. PITCHERS: Rick Reyna, Angelo State, Senior. Reyna led Angelo State to a season-opening win with a 12 strikeout performance where he went six innings of scoreless baseball against Ouachita Baptist. The senior right-handed pitcher allowed only three hits and held OBU batters to a .143 batting average. Pete Perez, Tarleton State, Senior. Perez threw a onehitter gem against McMurry in the second game of the series. In six innings of work, Perez gave up a single hit, walked no one and struck out six to lead Tarleton to victory.
LSC softball season affected by weather LAURIE WHITE KING
A&M-Commerce guard Esteban Arriola looks for space between two A&M-Kingsville defenders during a recent loss to the Javelinas at The Field House.
Six clinch tournament berths games and extend its win streak to 15 games. The LSC men have a 12585 overall record so far this season, with Tarleton having just one loss. In the NCAA South Central Region, the men’s teams are currently 2914 overall including 17-12 combined versus Heartland Conference teams, 8-1 opposed to the Great American Conference and 4-1 against the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA). The LSC women are 112111 overall, with MSU at 14-4 with the overall best record. In the NCAA South Central Region, the women’s teams are currently 2719 overall including 17-11
Team Tarleton State Midwestern State West Texas A&M Incarnate Word Cameron East. New Mexico A&M-Kingsville Abilene Christian Angelo State A&M-Commerce
Individual Leaders
Nowhere to Hide
The Lone Star Conference basketball season has hit the home stretch, with only 23 days until the LSC Championship tips off. At this point, four men’s – Tarleton State, Midwestern State, Cameron and Incarnate Word – and two women’s teams – Tarleton and MSU – have clinched a berth in the tournament to be played Feb. 29-March 4 in Allen. Incarnate Word handed Tarleton its first conference setback on the men’s side, to end the Texans’ 17-game winning streak. Tarleton has just a half-game advantage over MSU for the men’s title. On the women’s side, Tarleton posted two more wins last week to remain unbeaten at 14-0 in LSC
men’shoops
combined versus Heartland teams, 9-5 opposed to the Great American and 1-3 against the MIAA. Some interesting facts about LSC basketball this season include the following: The TexAnns pushed their current win streak to 15 games, which is the second longest in school history. The Tarleton State men top the nation in scoring defense (54.4) and field-goal percentage defense (35.8). Texas A&M-Kingsville’s Ashton Brown is shooting 96.8 percent from the free throw line (90-of-93), which leads the nation. LSC play continues this week with a full slate of games.
Softball season started last week with all but one Lone Star Conference team in action despite the wet weather. The games continue with a full schedule of nonconference contests this week. LSC softball teams are 16-13 overall this season. In the NCAA South Central Region, the LSC is currently 15-11 overall including 11-4 combined versus Heartland Conference teams, 4-7 opposed to the Great American Conference and 0-0 against the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA). Players of the Week HITTER: Keanna Winkfield, Abilene Christian, Junior. Winkfield led the ACU offense this past weekend at the four-game St. Mary’s Tournament, batting .583 with seven hits, four runs, a double, and a RBI.
She also stole two bases on as many attempts. Winkfield singled and scored in her first two ACU games vs. East Central and St. Edwards, and then teed off vs. Texas A&MInternational, going 4-for-4 with an RBI-double and run scored. She reached base twice more in the 2-1 win over No. 11 Rollins, scoring the eventual game-winning run in the third inning. PITCHER: Lindsey Brown, A&M-Kingsville, Senior. Brown got the season off to a fabulous start in the circle for the Javelinas going 3-0 with a 0.50 earned run average. She opened the season with a five-inning shutout against TexasPermian Basin. On the same day she pitched two scoreless innings of relief to earn a win over SE Oklahoma. She started the opening game of a doubleheader at A&MInternational and picked up a complete game victory.
Schedule February 8
Eastern New Mexico at Angelo State* Abilene Christian at West Texas A&M* Incarnate Word at Midwestern State* February 18 A&M-Commerce at Eastern NM* Tarleton State at West Texas A&M* Central Oklahoma at Midwestern St. Incarnate Word at Angelo State* February 19 A&M-Kingsville at Abilene Christian* February 21 A&M-Commerce at Abilene Christian* February 22 Tarleton State at Angelo State* Midwestern State at West Texas A&M* Cameron at Eastern New Mexico* February 25 Abilene Christian at Tarleton State* Angelo State at A&M-Commerce*
women’shoops Team Tarleton State Midwestern State West Texas A&M Cameron Angelo State Texas Woman’s Incarnate Word East. New Mexico A&M-Kingsville Abilene Christian A&M-Commerce
LSC Overall 14-1 17-6 14-2 18-4 12-4 14-8 10-7 14-8 9-7 11-11 7-9 12-10 7-10 12-11 6-10 8-14 6-11 7-16 4-12 9-13 0-16 1-21
Individual Leaders Points Player
Avg./G
Rebounds Player
Avg./G
Assists Player
Avg./G
Steals Player
Avg./G
Mack Langford, ACU...................... 20.4 Precious Herrin, ENMU................... 16.2 Savannah Carver, MSU................... 15.9 Jessica Hanna, TWU...................... 14.6 Kelsey Smith, ACU......................... 14.6
Sabelle Diata, CAM............................9.5 Breanna Harris, A&M-C.....................9.5 Jessica Hanna, TWU.........................7.8 Inekka Stevenson, A&M-K.................7.5 Kelsey Smith, ACU............................7.5
Cambria Smith, TWU.........................7.6 Nicole Pendarvis, CAM......................5.2 Shelby Adamson, TSU......................4.8 Joni Unruh, WT.................................3.6 Jocelyn Jarmon, UIW........................3.6
Joni Unruh, WT................................ 3.1 Ashlyn Green, UIW........................... 2.7 Cambria Smith, TWU........................ 2.3 Casey Land, WT............................... 2.0 Andrea Carter, MSU......................... 1.9
Schedule February 18
Midwestern State at Texas Woman’s* A&M-Commerce at Eastern NM* Tarleton State at West Texas A&M* Incarnate Word at Angelo State*
February 21
A&M-Commerce at Abilene Christian*
February 22
Tarleton State at Angelo State* Midwestern State at West Texas A&M* Cameron at Eastern NM* Texas Woman’s at A&M-Kingsville*
February 25
Angelo State at A&M-Commerce* Abilene Christian at Tarleton State* Incarnate Word at Texas Woman’s*
sports
Page 8
Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012
www.theeasttexan.com
Coach’s guarantee turns into another loss Sports Editor Cliff Gibson
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A&M-Commerce guard Michelle Sutton managed just eight points during Saturday’s loss to Texas Woman’s University, but it was enough to pace the team in scoring.
It takes more than a guarantee to actually win a game, just ask Nicole Anderson. The Texas A&M University-Commerce women’s basketball coach made a bold prediction prior to a Feb. 6 game against A&M-Kingsville, but couldn’t back it up on the court as her team lost for the 17th consecutive time, 79-66. Despite a game-high 16 points and eight rebounds from sophomore forward Breanna Harris, the Lions (1-20, 0-15 LSC) let a lead in the first half slip away, and never regained form. Five players scored in double figures to help the Javelinas sweep the home-and-home series and up their record to 6-15 overall and 5-10 in the LSC. A&M-Commerce took advantage of poor shooting by the Javelinas, which allowed the home team to keep the lead for most of the first half. However, a six-point lead midway through the first half quickly evaporated and turned into a seven-point
deficit with just a few minutes left in the opening stanza. A&M-Kingsville led by as many as eight in the first half before settling for a 38-31 lead as the teams left for halftime. The Lions were able to close the gap to five points early in the second half, but the Javelinas regrouped and went ahead by a 59-48 score with 11:40 to play. A& M-K i ng s v i l le e ve nt u a l ly stretched their lead as far as 18 points with less than seven minutes remaining in regulation, before leaving Commerce with a 13-point victory. C h i n a P ippi n m ade fou r 3-pointers and finished with 14 points, La’Tisha Hearne aded 12 points and Michelle Sutton added 11 points for A&M-Commerce, which is still without a victory since late-November. Amanda Haven and Jackie Stanley each scored 13 points to lead the Javelinas. A&M-K 76, A&M-C 65 (men)
An early run by the A&MK i n g s v i l le s q u ad g ave t h e
Javelinas all the room they needed to sweep a home-and-home series from A&M-Commerce. With just three lead changes all night, A&M-Kingsville took the last one early and held on for a 76-65 win at The Field House. Unfortunately, the action on the court was not the focal point of the evening. Instead, a devastating injury late in the game left many in attendance holding their collective breathe. With a little more than four minutes to play, senior guard LaBree Sledge received a hard foul on a fast break, sending him to the floor hard on his right foot. Sledge immediately grabbed for his right leg and ankle, and received attention from coaches and members of the training staff. Sledge did not return and is expected to miss the rest of the season. Ashton Brown led all scorers with 25 points. Desmond King led the Lions (7-15, 2-12 LSC) with 17 points and 11 rebounds, Devondrick Walker added 11 points and Brad Hambrick also tossed in 11 points.
A&M-Commerce women remain winless in conference basketball Texas Woman’s 63 • A&M-Commerce 49 Staff Writer Ridges Munnerlyn The Te x a s A&M University-Commerce women’s basketball squad hosted Texas Woman’s University at The Field House on Saturday and fell short once again, 63-49, the Lions’ 18th-consecutive loss of the season. The Pioneers (12-10, 7-9 LSC) started out the second half with a 10-point jump on the Lions (1-21, 0-16 LSC). Near the midway point in the first half, the Pioneers shot 58.3 percent from the field connecting on 7-of-12 shots. Just after the midway point in the first half, the Pioneers had reached their largest margin in the half with a 14-point deficit with 9:42 remaining. Texas Woman’s had control throughout the first half inside the paint scoring 16 points. They also took advantage of the Lions’ nine first half turnovers and turned them into 10 points along with eight secondchance points. The Lions closed out the first half with a 6-0 run, but still trailed at halftime, 30-22. The Lions finished the first half shooting 38.5 percent from the field, connecting on 10-of-26 shots overall and 2-of-4 shots from long
range. Freshman guard Devin Oliver and senior forward Apreia Booker both led the Lions in scoring with six points at the half. La’Tisha Hearne also threw in four points along wit h t hree steals to end the half. After halftime, the Lions quickly came out and closed the margin within three poi nt s w it h 14 m i nutes remaining in the second half. But midway through, the Pioneers answered with a 14-4 scoring run of their own, including a pair of 3-point shots from junior g ua rd Br it t ney Nu z u m and freshman guard Toree Mason. The lead was stretched back up to double digits with 11:54 left in the second half. The Lions continued to battle throughout the second half with freshman guard Michelle Sutton pitching in eight points knocking down 4-of-5 shots from the field along with three assists and a steal. The Pioneers capita lized once again and took a 17-point advantage, which was their largest margin, with two minutes left to play in the game. Three Pioneers finished the game with double figures, led by Nuzum who
finished with 18 points and four assists. Jessica Hanna cashed in 11 points along with seven rebounds and five assists, and Tabbatha Thurmond scored 10 points with seven rebounds as well. The Pioneers finished shooting 45.3 percent from the field and 71.4 percent from the free throw line. As the Lions finished shooting 37.3 percent from the floor, it was a quiet night for leading scorers for the Lions. Danielle Dixon was only able to put up five points as well as five rebounds, four assists, and three steals. Breanna Harris finished 3-of-7 from the field scoring just seven points and a season-low of four rebounds. Mic helle Sut ton led t he Lions in scoring with eight second half points. As the second half came to a close, Texas Woman’s took charge and controlled the game for the rest of the half. They went on a scoring run advancing their lead back up to 14 points by the end of the game. They kept control in the paint and kept a good defensive stand to top off the win and put the Lions away.
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A&M-Commerce sophomore Chelsea McCoy led the women’s golf team during their first tournament of the 2012 season last week in San Diego, Calif.
McCoy cracks Top 20 in San Diego Sports Editor Cliff Gibson Sophomore Chelsea McCoy fired an 11-over 83 in each round of the 2012 Super San Diego Championship and helped A&M-Commerce earn a 12th-place team finish Feb. 7 at the Riverwalk Country Club in San Diego, Calif. For McCoy, it was her third career top20 finish and first of the season, as she finished 16 th overall in the individual standings with a 22-over 166. McCoy finished four strokes in front of teammate Chantry McMahan, who finished 39th overall after ending the twoday event with a 28-over 172. Sara Diaz tied for 48th overall. Holly Jenkins and Haley Green finished in ties
for 64th and 69th, respectively. The Lions were in ninth place after day one, but fell out of the top 10 on the final day, shooting a 59-over 347, six strokes more than its opening round of 341. A&MCommerce finished seven strokes behind 10th place California Baptist. Cal Poly easily took the team title, strolling to a first place finish after day one and following that by knocking eight strokes off their pace on the second day. Cal Poly (58-over 634) finished 24 strokes ahead of second place Grand Canyon 82-over 658). The Lion women will return home and have two weeks to prepare for their next competition at the Lady Rattler Round-Up in San Antonio on Feb. 20-21.
A&M-C coach Bledsoe not suited for retirement Sports Editor Cliff Gibson The average person is either retired or looking to it in the near future when they reach their 70s. How they respond to retirement is an entirely different story. For Texas A&M UniversityCommerce golf coach Louie Bledsoe, retirement ended up being a shoe that just didn’t fit comfortably. “I haven’t done well with retirement, it just hasn’t suited me,” the 73-yearold Bledsoe said. “I’ve been retired three times and each time I end up bored with it.” When lo ok i ng at h i s resume, it’s not hard to see that Bledsoe prefers to stay busy, wit h jobs ranging from high school principal, to radio announcer, to parks and recreation supervisor. But there’s no doubt that golf is his passion. “I started as t he golf
coach here in 2004, so I guess I’ve been here eight years now,” Bledsoe said. “It’s something else, everyday is something a little different than the last.” Before taking over the golf job here in Commerce, Ble d s o e ’s t r ek to Hu nt County was a lengthy one. A graduate of Adamson High School in Oka Cliff, Bledsoe attended the University of North Texas in Denton and started teaching elementary school in Dallas. He later moved to Cedar Hill High School, where he was the principal for six years. However, a unique situation helped him make t he decision to move to Commerce. “Cedar Hill was very political, and I don’t play politics very well,” Bledsoe said. “A couple of us eventually had enough, and it just happened that our assistant band director took a job in Commerce.
He told me I needed to look at the opening they had for principal. I came, applied and got the job.” Bledsoe told the school boa rd at Com merc e he wasn’t looking for anything long term and stuck to his word, retiring after just three years as principal. “What I was look i ng forward to was ret iring and playing golf 4-5 times a week,” Bledsoe said. “So I joined Sand Hills and wound up getting elected to the board.” After a brief retirement, Bledsoe tried his hand at a number of jobs, including working for KETR as a sideline reporter and color commentator for a handful of years until retirement called again. Bledsoe returned to golfing frequently, but soon got the itch to go back to work, joining the Parks and Recreation department in Commerce for a brief stint.
“I was just getting bored with the daytime stuff that comes wit h retirement,” Bledsoe said. “I did the parks job for six years then got involved with timing games for the university.” It was during that time when he heard of the golf job becom i ng ava i lable. Once again, Bledsoe got the itch to work, ditching retirement once again and taking over in 2004 as the golf coach, a part-time job with full-time hours. “I love this job, dealing with the different kids and personalities,” Bledsoe said. “It’s been trying at times, but I love it. It’s a lot of fun and very intriguing.” The workload has taken a toll on Bledsoe’s body for sure, something he has no trouble explaining in great detail. “I’ve had about 20 operations in all,” Bledsoe said. “Nine knee operations, both
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A&M-Commerce golf coach Louie Bledsoe (shown here giving instruction to a Lion golfer) has tried his hand at retirement a few times, but was always more comfortable keeping busy.
knees replaced twice. I’ve got rods running down the tibia and up the femur, both shoulders have been cut on, my back and neck have been fused, and I have a battery in my butt with wires running up my spine.” Despite all of that, Bledsoe is still anti-retirement, and
plans to continue as long as the powers that be will keep him around. “I’d love to continue, but I’m at the fate of the athletic department,” he said. “I’m not sure if there’s a mandatory retirement age, but I’d like to keep doing what I’m doing for as long as I can.”