The East Tex an
S TUDENT NE WSPAPER OF TE X AS A& M UNIVERSIT Y- COMMERCE SINCE 1915
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XCV, No. 8, 8 pages
“Little Hercules”
Thursday, Oct. 14, 2010
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provides no power
Compliance committee checks research Work with small animals tops priority list for federal regulations chance mills opinion editor
A&M-Commerce has a plethora of research going on behind its walls and every study requires an administrator. In every department that conducts research on campus, there is a committee of faculty members to ensure that the research is being conducted in an ethically and legally
Officer works to keep drivers safe on campus chance mills
opinion editor
Motorists on the A&M-Commerce campus may have recently seen a new method of seatbelt law enforcement being utilized by the University Police Department. UPD bicycle patrol officer Michael Benson enacted this unorthodox strategy of seatbelt enforcement, in which he rides his bicycle alongside vehicles to see if the occupants are wearing a seatbelt. If they are not, Benson will pull them over to issue them a traffic ticket. A recent change in Texas traffic legislation by the Department of Public Safety in September, requires all passengers to wear a seatbelt, regardless of age or where they are sitting in the vehicle. Benson started his new practice on the heels of this legislation, after noticing a distinct pattern among Commerce drivers. “I noticed numerous seatbelt violations during the first few weeks of school, and decided to enforce the provisions of the transportation code,” Benson said. These provisions allow for Benson or any other officer to enforce laws – including traffic laws – from various modes of transportation. “There is no limitation under the law as to how an officer enforces law, whether it be from horseback, foot, car or bicycle,” UPD Crime Information Officer Lt. Jason Bone said. Although Benson may be legally justified in his bicycle patrolling, not everybody views it in a positive light. “I think that this is a stupid idea, really,” a junior political science major said. “This [officer] shouldn’t be riding through traffic on a bike. I think that generates more danger than it’s worth.” Other students, like sophomore sociology major Sarah Hays, understand how Benson’s method may be seen as
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conscious manner. “Research compliance is a very important aspect of research,” Dean of Graduate Studies and Research Dr. Allan D. Headley said. “There are various committees at the university that have oversight of various aspects of research.” One such committee is the Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC), which exists to make sure
that all research involving vertebrate animals are conducted according to specific federal guidelines. “Our most frequent job is to review all applications from people planning on working with vertebrates in research or teaching, and working with them if necessary to be sure that they are conducting their research according to guidelines,” IACUC Chair Dr. Lani Lyman-Henley said.
According to Lyman-Henley, the IACUC is facing some issues this year that they have not had to deal with previously. “Small animal research is still fairly new here,” he said, “so we’ve been building our program, tracking down who on campus is using live vertebrate animals, and making sure that both the animals and the people
See COMMITTE page 3
Running aids cure
JAMES BRIGHT / THE EAST TEXAN
A pink treadmill was installed last week in the Morris Recreational Center to raise money to cure breast cancer. Cybex, the company that built the machine, will donate 10 cents for every mile run on the treadmill over the course of the month. Graphic designer for Cybex Nellie Stepamove said several pink treadmills were created and placed at colleges across the country. Stepamove said
she was not sure why A&M-Commerce was chosen as one of the schools. Calls to the marketing department to find out why the treadmill was installed were not returned at press time. Student Supervisor Aaron Kinney said the treadmill is being used regularly. “There have been people on the thing all the time,” he said. Cybex will remove the machine at the end of the month.
Mane Event could draw large crowd this year Jordan wright staff writer
A&M-Commerce’s fall 2010 Mane Event Preview Day will be held Saturday, Oct. 16. The biannual event is designed to attract prospective students by providing information on academics, financial aid and other student affairs, as well as opening the campus to tours. Mane Event overseer and Dean of Enrollment Management and Retention Stephanie Holley hopes the event will inspire prospective students to pursue an education at A&M-Commerce. “We will kick off with a welcoming session and continental breakfast,” Holley said. “During the morning, surrounding the
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welcome, we will hold sessions on admissions, financial aid and scholarships, the university college, and residential living and learning.” Holley said the day will begin with a general public information session to orient attendees for the rest of the scheduled events. “There will also be a Hispanic outreach program at that time,” she said, “and then we have the academic information session, so that’s an opportunity where they choose two academic departments or presentations that they’d like to hear.” According to Holley, there will be 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. information sessions followed by lunch, an information fair, a live band performance and scholarship drawings.
Holley said at least 900 potential students have registered for the Mane Event, with two weeks of registration remaining, which brings the attendance goal of the Department of Enrollment Management and Retention close to a reality. “We have a goal of 10,000 students in 2010, and 11,000 in 2011,” Holley said. “We are charted for growth and prepared for growth.” Holley thinks the Mane Event is beneficial to the university community as a whole. “Mane Event is an exciting time for us because it is a great opportunity to share with the outside world all of the wonderful things we have to offer at A&M Commerce,” she said. “It allows us to put our best foot forward and show people what we are made of. ”
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SUDOKU STYLE * Every row of 9 numbers must include all digits 1 through 9 in any order * Every column of 9 numbers must include all digits 1 through 9 in any order * Every 3 by 3 subsection of the 9 by 9 square must include all digits 1 through 9 Puzzle courtesy of: roseburg-sister-cities.org
Last Week’s Solved Puzzle: 7 8 2 4 1 3 6 5 9 2 7 6 9 8 5 2 1 3 1 7 2 9 7
3 7 1 6 2 9 8 4 5
2 4 7 6 4 9 5 2 5 1 3 4 2 5 1 3 8 6 3 2 7 1 9
Writer commends laundry upgrades JORDAN WRIGHT STAFF WRITER One year ago, I wrote a story echoing the criticisms of students who were having problems with the dorm laundry system. With the frustrations ranging from an ineffective washer and dryer, to a general lack of convenience regarding the time required for cycles on either machine to run their course, I was ready to accept such an unfortunate circumstance as a con of dorm lifestyle. Despite the current imperfections of the dorm laundry system, however, I find myself pleasantly surprised to say that the improvements made during the previous semester have addressed the more crippling issues of the original system. On Oct. 9, 2009, my coverage on the then-current status of the laundry facilities of the residence halls was published. Supported by student interviews, the criticisms covered every aspect of the flawed system including, but not limited to, the overpricing of the machines, the low capacity of the washers, and the poor effectiveness of the dryers. These severe flaws had me returning home
to do laundry or going to one of the off campus laundromats every 2-3 weeks. Fast forward to the spring 2010 semester and I’m left surprised at the improvements of the overhauled system. The performances of the machines are far better than their predecessors, allowing for a larger capacity of clothes in both. The length of time needed to wash has also been reduced. A new interface keeps the operation of both machines simple as well, with cash cards becoming far easier to add money to, as well as purchase. One of the largest improvements of the system, however, is without a doubt, the dryer, which now contains temperature settings that fully dry clothes within 45 minutes. I must applaud the acknowledgement of such a broken system by the housing department. Rather than let the complaints keep coming, they have now made living in residence halls more tolerable. I wish that the prices for the machines would take a small drop. However, that is a minor complaint in an otherwise significantly more polished laundry system.
Thursday, Oct. 14, 2010
Writer disappointed by network television KAT HUFFINES GRAPHICS EDITOR From looking at the TV Guide, nothing really shocks us anymore. Network television constantly pushes the envelope, but nothing jumps out and shocks us because we have become so desensitized to sex and violence on the tube. We have “Desperate Housewives” doing God-knows-what on Wisteria Lane, surgeons screwing anyone that’s alive in the hospital, and serial killers getting more creative with their murders. But recently, I was surprised to see a nerdy engineer get his manhood stuck in a robot’s “realistic” hand on a Thursday night CBS show. Yep, you read that correctly. On the season premiere of “The Big Bang Theory,” Howard Wolowitz, played by Simon Helberg, got his Jewish jewels squeezed a little too tight by artificial intelligence. As one of the biggest fans of “The Big Bang Theory,” I knew what Howard, a sexually perverted, geeky engineer, would try to do after receiving a shoulder massage from the robot and saying, “Oh! That feels just like a real hand!”
“They’re in love. You guys are just jerks,” Megan Carey, Art Scene Editor. “When I was a Civil War era vampire, I got so much tail,” Jared Watson, Digital Media Editor. “These shoes make me feel bouncy,” Megan Carey, Art Scene Editor. “Pregnant is the new black,” James Bright, Editor.
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, classification (grade level) and telephone number. Mailing address is The East Texan, P.O. Box 4011 Commerce, Texas 75428.
After watching a recent episode of “The Big Bang Theory,” columnist Kat Huffines is disappointed by how obscene TV is becoming.
But, I don’t feel that the writers should have gone as far as they did. The show reveals the robot at Howard Wolowitz’s bedside peeking from the blanket that covered the connection. Yes, there is still mystery covering up Howard’s business, but the image wasn’t necessary. The episode goes further to fully humiliate Howard by having him go to the hospital to be freed from the robot’s iron clasp. I was definitely shocked the writers went this far. I’ll admit that it was a pretty hilarious turn of events and even set up future jokes in the show, but come on guys, leave some things to the imagination. “The Big
Bang Theory” is known for its intelligent jokes, social awkwardness, as well as its fair share of innuendos. The writers could have completely left the audience in the dark about whether Howard actually went through with his idea. The audience could have easily visualized - safely in their own mind - what happened to Howard. The show should allow the audience to ponder and think for themselves and not just mindlessly show everything off. I hold the writers of “The Big Bang Theory” to a higher standard. I feel that how they handled Howard’s incident dumbs down the show. I’m not saying we shouldn’t have
any sex or violence in our television shows. Sex and violence is entertaining, but some things hold more weight if left to the imagination of the audience. For example, in our society, we wear clothing to appropriately cover our bodies. You see that girl wearing an off-theshoulder blouse. It shows some skin, but not the whole package. Then, you see another woman wearing a t-shirt without a bra. I know every guy wants to see a chick’s nips, but that’s really inappropriate and lacks class. You have to leave your observer or audience wanting more. If you reveal all of the goods, you have nothing left to offer.
Editorial: UPD bicycle officer reinforces better driving habits We understand how frustrating it is to be caught breaking the law, even on the smallest levels. When the officer is not even riding in a motorized vehicle, it must be even more embarrassing. The University Police Department is here to keep us safe, and while some students may question the efforts of Officer Michael Benson to catch seatbelt violators while on his bicycle, we believe
Quotes out of Context “I can’t read analog clocks anymore. Digital has ruined me,” Chancellor Mills, Opinion Editor.
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he is well within his legal rights. Technically, bicycles are road vehicles and must respect the traffic laws, and be respected by motorists. While his method may be less traditional for policemen in rural areas, he still has a duty to uphold the law, whether he is on foot, or on two or four wheels. Those living by the theory ‘no visible cops, no worries’ should take
Officer Benson’s efforts as a warning. Just because there are no police cars around does not mean officers are not present. Regardless of their mode of transportation, they can and will catch you for breaking any traffic law. The best way to fix any problem one may have with the way policemen conduct their methods is simple: don’t break the law. Wearing a seatbelt
even at the lowest speeds, especially on a campus full of more students and, as a result, more cars, just makes life easier for everyone, including the policemen who are charged with making sure laws are followed, no matter what kind of transportation they use. Note: These opinions reflect the consensus of the East Texan editorial board.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Dear Editor, Oh yeah. If I were a parent of a potential college student, I would so be looking at Linsay Lohan’s t-shirt to help me make the right decision for my kid’s college. Whatever. Is this the only way Goddard can get quoted in the paper? Give him a story, for god’s sake. He obviously needs one. Badly.’Cuz this isn’t one. -kristinkat
Dear Editor, That photo was from ‘07? So if it was from a week ago then fine we would have maybe an issue. It was 3 years ago. Her friend’s, friend’s, friend has it in their closet now for all we know. Why don’t we spend more time creating a health fund for the wheezing ducks of Gee Lake. Our time would be better spent there. -Jax2b
The East East Tex Texan an The Established 1915 JAMES BRIGHT Editor Caleb slinkard Managing Editor
JARED WATSON digital media Editor
ADAM TROXTELL Sports Editor
kat huffines Graphics Editor
CHANCELLOR MILLs opinion editor
MEGAN CAREY ART SCENE Editor
jasmin brown copy desk chief
stephanie norman campus life editor
ARIELLE MCMAHON STAFF CARTOONIST
Dear Editor This is absolutely stupid! You can’t even tell that that is an ETSU t-shirt. Parents wouldn’t think to relate it back to TAMU-C, so it is this Goddard that has done that and is helping to pinpoint a sullied name for our school. No wonder our administration didn’t want to comment. I would be ashamed if they did! Our school has more important
things to worry and concern themselves with then a Hollywood actress with problems that do not relate to our campus! -Nicole
Note: These comments are in relation to the Oct. 7 article, “Goddard takes issue with Lohan,” by Caleb Slinkard.
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...committee seeks compliance CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
working with them are protected and treated in a humane fashion.” Another committee that helps in research compliance is the Institutional Review Board (IRB), which works to ensure the protection of human subjects in research. Human subject research can involve anything from distributing a questionnaire or survey to get people’s opinions on something, or to involving human beings in medical research, according to IRB Interim Chair Dr. Robin Reid. “One of the main functions I do is review all of the protocols that come forward that involve human subjects research at [A&M-Commerce],” she said. According to Reid, research protocols are the descriptions of the research being done by a researcher. They include whom the subjects will be, where the research
will be taking place, what the subjects will be experiencing, and so on. “One of the most important elements of the IRB ethical standards is that [subjects] will be told up front exactly what to expect,” Reid said. “So they know what they will be asked to do. And they can withdraw at any time.” According Reid, if research involves subjects who are considered to be particularly vulnerable, such as minors, convicts or pregnant women, then those research protocols go straight to being reviewed by the full IRB. However, as interim chair, she can sign off on most research protocols without having to involve the entire board. “Much of the human subjects research is what we call ‘exempt from full-board review,’ which means it doesn’t have to go to the full Institutional Review Board,” she said. “I can just review it to make sure that it does
not violate any ethical standards.” Reid said violation of any research guidelines – otherwise known as “non-compliance” – in her department could consist of anything from not submitting a research protocol to the IRB, or turning in a research protocol without including everything the researcher would be doing, and that can lead to ethical dilemmas in research. “On the ethical side, as an academic researcher, one would hope that people are dedicated to the concept of not harming human beings in their research,” she said. Reid said there are also two legal issues that could result from non-compliance. “One of the legal issues that would be of concern would be that if one of the human subjects were injured or hurt in some way, they could sue the university as well as the researcher,” she said.
avert.org The Research Compliance Committee works to make sure all research done on campus is up to par with federal regulations. One area the group looks into is small animal testing.
The second legal issue is one that could impact more than just the researcher in question. According to Reid, if the non-compliance were severe enough, it could affect all research on campus.
“If the federal government came in and did an audit, and found that we were in non-compliance, they could declare a number of penalties, the most severe of which being yanking back of all federal funding for the
university,” Reid said. “If that were to happen, all of the scholarships that are funded by those federal grants would grind to a halt. This is why research compliance is so important.”
...driving safety is cop’s priority CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
dubious in some way, but do not share that belief. “It’s a bit instinctual to consider that the officer on the bike is trying to target people for the violation of a simple law,” Hays said. “However, the law is still the law, and no matter what speed you’re driving, it’s illegal to not wear
your seatbelt.” So far, Benson has not seen a marked difference in the number of seatbelt citations issued. However, with a fine of $135 per citation, Benson remains optimistic. “I have not really noticed any improvement in people wearing seatbelts yet, but it is still early in the semester,” he said.
avert.org President of the Student Government Association Taylor Fore looks over a document presented to him during a meeting. SGA meets every Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. to discuss business affecting the A&M-Commerce community.
SGA meeting looks at homecoming Alex Germain staff writer
The Student Government Association (SGA) meeting on Oct. 6 raised questions regarding a new survey for students, a website which aids in the transition of freshman and transfer students, and the nomination of a homecoming king and queen. Laurel Flores, Graduate Assistant of Organizations, spoke about a new website based on helping organizations on campus. Orgsink.com is a website that campus organizations can link up to, to find information regarding their organizations. Flores plans to hold a training session to help people with the website. The main goal of orgsink.org is to encourage freshmen and incoming transfers students to become involved with campus organizations. Every freshmen or transfer will take an assessment test that will match them with the organization on campus that best suits them. “I’m excited about it,” Flores said. “It’s kind of been my baby.” SGA President Taylor Fore’s officer report touched on the reminder
of blue and gold Wednesday and more information about the C-sab surveys. A new survey will be sent out via e-mail, with the hope of a five percent participation of the student body. Vice President Marcus Graham announced which committees new members were assigned to. An ongoing issue about bikes on campus came to a resolution. The result was that the University Police Department (UPD) will recognize bikes as vehicles. They are therefore not to be ridden on sidewalks. “UPD has said bikes must have headlights and reflectors,” Head of Campus Safety and Security Tim Houston said. There will now be a link to the SGA website on the myLeo homepage. The Food and Housing Committee addressed two issues that students have had with the Cafeteria, the first of which involved the return of straws to the Cafeteria. The second request was that another meat choice be added to the menu. Both requests were met and approved. Issues regarding financial aid disbursement were also brought up at the meeting. Students have
been concerned about the delay of funds, saying they do not have the luxury of purchasing textbooks on Amazon.com. Federal regulation states that funds cannot be released before a minimum of ten days before the semester starts. The financial aid office also said students are not filling out their FAFSA in a timely manner, and there has been an increase in enrollment, but not an increase in employment. Jordan McCarty, junior soccer player and member of Honors College, showed her interest by attending the meeting and announced her plans to join SGA. Rachel Evans and Johnny Kirkpatrick were nominated to represent the organization in the running for homecoming king and queen. The homecoming float will be themed to a certain decade. Everyone on the float will be dressed accordingly. A proposal was submitted regarding what to do with the space of the old Music Building after its demolition. The proposal was not discussed, however, as they were about to lose a quorum. It will be addressed at the next meeting. The meeting adjourned at 6:59 p.m.
Look for the upcoming special editions of The East Texan. We will be bringing the best of homecoming, Halloween and political news as they relate to Commerce. Join us election night Nov. 2 for election results as they come in at theeasttexan.com.
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Three examples of A&M-Commerce professor Michael Miller’s artwork, which were featured at the Barry Whistler Gallery in Dallas. Miller’s artwork will be featured in an exhibit at A&M-Commerce on Jan. 25, 2011.
A&M-Commerce professor unveils pop culture artwork ALEX GERMAIN STAFF WRITER
Michael Miller, A&M-Commerce Professor and Director of Graduate Studies, recently returned from a faculty development leave of absence for the spring 2010 semester. Miller spent the leave compiling a large collection of pop culture artwork. Miller completed six 72” x 72” paintings on canvas during his faculty development leave, in an addition to fifty-one 26” x 24” paintings on paper that he had already started early in the year. Miller said the faculty development leave rejuvenated him, enhanced his skills as an artist and allowed him to present these new experiences to his students. “One teaches from what one knows, and being constantly thrown back into the ring allows me to bring that new knowledge into the classroom,” he said. These large pieces created while on the faculty development leave, as well as the other fifty-one pieces, are part of an exhibition entitled “Michael Miller: Today I am Thankful for all I Have.” The exhibition was first shown at the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston this summer, and started off the season at the Barry Whistler Gallery in Dallas. The exhibit ran from Sept. 11 to Oct. 10. This opening exhibit of the season is more significant than meets the eye. Miller said he met Dallas art gallery owner Barry Whistler as a junior in college.
Whistler was a juror at a student exhibition in which Miller won first place. Whistler even bought the drawing Miller won first place for. When Whistler opened his own gallery in 1985, Miller was among the first artists he signed. “It sort of made perfect sense as I’ve been with the gallery those 25 years, and have shown with Mr. Whistler even before he started his own gallery,” Miller said. Miller has shown work in many collections around the U.S., and said he has received a positive response from viewers on this recent exhibit. “I’ve found myself standing near the door during events at the gallery and folks will walk in and gasp or say, ‘Oh, wow,’” he said. “That’s when I introduce myself and say, ‘Thank you.’ Mission accomplished.” According to an essay on his website, Miller combined daily affirmations and gang slang found in a police report to produce his exhibit. Miller compared being an artist to being a gang member – like a gang member, an artist does not know what he is getting into until he passes the point of no return. Like most artists, Miller said that while creating his pieces, he doesn’t exactly how they will come together until they’re finished. “The challenge is in creating beauty from extraordinary ugliness,” Miller said, “and I never know where any piece will go until it gets there.”
A&M-Commerce receives grant to support programs focused on increasing Latino graduation rates ALYX DAVIDSON STAFF WRITER A&M-Commerce has been awarded a $68,000 SEMILLAS grant to support the growth of programs aimed at increasing graduation rates among Latino students. Only five colleges and universities nationwide were selected to receive the grant from the non-profit organization Excelencia in Education, and A&M-Commerce was the only institution chosen from Texas. The other universities selected were: Colorado State University, San Diego State University, the University of Arizona and Palm Beach State College. SEMILLAS is Spanish for ‘seeds,’ and is an acronym for Seeding Educational Models that Impact and Leverage Latino Academic Success. The SEMILLAS grants are a part of Excelencia’s “Growing What Works” initiative, which is being sponsored this year by the Kresge Foundation, also known as Kmart. “We’re thrilled to receive the Kresge SEMILLAS grant,” A&M-Commerce President Dan Jones said. “The grant will add value to our efforts of providing student success to Latino students, and transforming their lives and the lives of their families through higher education.” As director of Hispanic Outreach and Student Programs, Luis Franco represented A&M-Commerce at the summer workshop in Washington, D.C., where the grant was discussed. “There were about 25 different schools represented in
D.C., from small community colleges to four-year universities, both public and private,” Franco said. “We were told the grant money should be used to support the retention and graduation of Latino students. Then we were given 4-6 weeks to come up with a proposal for where we thought the money could best be spent and a budget for the activities we decided on.” Franco returned to D.C. in September, along with the other recipients to accept the grant money and discuss how it would be used. Franco and his committee decided to use the money in three areas. “First, we will create seven internship positions with our office on campus,” Franco said. “We wanted to be prepared as we grow to service more students, and this will give us an opportunity to increase our staff with the best advocates and the best helpers, which are current students.” According to Franco, another portion of the money will be used to hire ten student-tutors for the new Supplemental Instruction program. “By growing this program, we hope that more Hispanic students will be reached,” he said. “The tutor and internship positions are open to anybody, with the goal being to serve particularly Hispanic students.” The final portion will fund a newly expanded marketing outreach. “We’re focusing on creating videos using current student actors that will serve as mini-tutorials,” Franco said. “They will be on our website, as well as available to our Facebook group, and
can be used by anyone.” The program officially began Oct. 1 and will continue through the 2010-2011 academic year. “Our goal is to have our interns hired by mid-October and our videos up as soon as possible,” Franco said. “We will start training tutors for the spring semester.” Franco said he hopes to have served an additional 200 Latino students or more by the year’s end. “Current students, especially first-generation Hispanic students, are our main focus,” he said, “but we want to prove that these programs will continue after this year. We only have about 900 Hispanic graduate and undergraduate students now, but we hope to one day be a recognized Hispanic-Serving Institution.” Franco’s committee decided to name the program SALSA, which stands for Supporting Achievement for Latino Success Ahora. Ahora is Spanish for ‘now.’ “Ahora sends the message that we are willing to actually implement these programs, not just talk about them,” Franco said. “We want to have these programs available for future students to create a positive recognition for the university by serving as an example to other schools.” The SEMILLAS grant award recipients will share their results on program successes in D.C. next fall. Those interested in learning more about SEMILLAS may contact Franco at 903886-5067, or go to edexcelencia.org/initiatives/ growing-what-works/full for more information on the “Growing What Works” program.
Miller said he plans to create a compilation of the artwork, which will show how the paintings relate to one another and “cross-pollinate” differently in the three different exhibits they have been in. Scott Wilson, A&M-Commerce junior studio art student, attended the exhibit’s opening night at Barry Whistler and said it was an interesting presentation of pop art. “It’s taking pop art to another level,” Wilson said. “I thought it was cool how he used a lot of common things that are found in society, and incorporated it together with things from his childhood.” Although Wilson is a ceramics major, he said positive comments from art professors and fellow students prompted him to experience Miller’s work himself. “People were saying really good things about his work,” Wilson said. “So, I thought I had to see it for myself.” Miller said he wants his students to learn a specific lesson by attending the exhibit. “You understand that hanging one’s work on the wall of a gallery is not just a privilege,” he said, “but, rather, it is the final stage in the art making process – presenting one’s art to peer review just as any other academic field of study. It is part of the job being an artist, as is being the artist at the opening.” The next exhibition of Miller’s artwork will take place at A&M-Commerce beginning Jan. 25, 2011.
The Pickens’ Report JARED PICKENS SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR The College of Business and Technology is pleased to team up with The East Texan to begin providing semi-monthly columns pertaining to personal finance. This column is intended to help students at A&MCommerce become more financially literate and allow them to make better financial decisions, during and after your college career. You might have seen the freecreditreport.com commercial on television, in which a young man sings about “his posse getting laughed at” because his credit is “jacked.” Although the commercial alludes to the idea that if you check your credit report often you may be able to afford a fancy car, the reality is that your credit report is much more important than that. Your credit report, which can be obtained for free at annualcreditreport.com, provides a detailed history of your financial responsibility or lack thereof. Your credit report dictates many things in your life: the amount of interest you pay on your credit card or installment loans, the amount of the deposit required to turn on the electricity in your apartment, how much you pay for auto insurance and even your ability to get a job. Checking your credit report often is important because it contains information that is used to calculate your credit score. The higher your credit score, the less you pay for things like interest and insurance. There are two important factors that determine 65 percent of your credit score. The first is your payment history. A strong history of making payments on time makes up 35 percent of your total credit score.
By simply making an effort to make all your payments on time, you can increase your credit score. The second important factor is called your debt utilization ratio, which compares how much debt you have to your total credit available. The higher your utilization rate of debt, the lower your credit score will be. For example, if you have one credit card with a $2,000 credit limit, and you keep $1,500 charged on the card from month to month, your debt utilization ratio is 75 percent. To maintain a good credit score, you want this rate to be no more than 15 percent – 20 percent. Another very important reason to check your credit report, especially as a student, is that students are very prone to identity theft. Students’ mail, including credit card statements and offers, often gets lost in transit because they move residences so frequently, which means there is a higher chance that someone can steal their personal information and open new credit cards under their name. You can make sure that you are protecting your credit by getting a free copy of your credit report at annualcreditreport.com. Remember that by simply making your payments on time and monitoring your debt-to-credit ratio, you can keep your credit score healthy, which will pay off in the long run. It may even make the difference in landing your dream job. If you are interested in learning about educational events or taking an elective in personal finance from the College of Business and Technology, contact Personal Finance Instructor Jared Pickens at jared_pickens@ tamu-commerce.edu.
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Thursday, Oct. 14, 2010
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All photos by James Bright / The East Texan
A&M-Commerce pre-med major Mary Jane Watkins plays her eclectic music on campus. She was inspired to start playing music many years ago by her uncle. She claims music is essential to her well being.
Watkins’ music and style attracts her audience JAMES BRIGHT EDITOR
Music strikes the interest of people around the world because it is eclectic, and many of the musicians who create such cacophonies of sound are equally eclectic. One such arbiter of arranged tones is A&M-Commerce pre-med major Mary Jane Watkins. Watkins said her interest in music was sparked after she spent time with an uncle. “My uncle used to play songs to me, and two years ago, I decided to start playing my own music,” she said. Born in Pennsylvania and raised in El Paso, Watkins has two fathers, one who is Hispanic and adopted her at any early age and taught her to speak Spanish. Watkins said although she had a somewhat liberal
“
upbringing, she still has some conservative roots thanks to her mother. According to Watkins, her lyrics come to her “naturally” and are predominantly politically based. “I used to work for a renaissance fair, and I would get bored sitting in a tent all day, so the songs would just come to me,” she said. Although she does not own a television, Watkins said she stays abreast of current events via the Internet. “I hear a story and I go look it up,” she said. Watkins has managed to utilize tragedy as a means of musical expression. One of her closest friends, Nathan Spataro, was killed by a drunk driver a little over a year ago, and she said music has helped her cope with the accident. “I feel like he’s watching me and I don’t
I’ve had kids approach me and ask me to sell them pot. I don’t sell pot.
”
- A&M-Commerce pre-med major
Mary Jane Watkins
want to let him down,” she said. As common with many musicians, Watkins sports a unique personal style, the most striking facet of which is dreadlocks. Watkins said her appearance has attracted unwanted attention at times. “I’ve had kids approach me and ask me to sell them pot,” she said. “I don’t sell pot.” Watkins said her appearance has also netted her to an association with a group, which she thinks is unwarranted. “People say I’m a hippie,” she said. “I’m not a hippie; I bathe every day.” However, Watkins said most of her interactions in Commerce have been positive. “I’ve made so many friends here because of my appearance,” she said. Her hairstyle carries a symbolic meaning beyond just a fashion statement. Watkins said her dreadlocks symbolize her commitment to her education and to others. “Back in the 50s, people like Bob Marley did their hair like this to say they were going to put others in front of themselves,” she said. “My hair is my reminder that I’m not going to give this up. I take school and education very seriously.”
Ask SGA CALEB CULVER SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR
Originally an English major, Watkins said world famous journalist Christiane Amanpour inspired her to pursue a medical degree. “I met her on a Phi Theta Kappa trip and in essence she is the reason I decided to change my major,” she said. “I want to be able to be that person who can do something.” Watkins plans to transfer to a school in Mexico within a year to obtain her medical degree. Although she looks forward to working as a doctor, Watkins plans to do some volunteer work with Doctors Without Borders first. Shilpa Gopisetty, Watkins’s best friend and a graduate computer science student, said Watkins’s best qualities
C3 offers Sunday services on campus STEPHANIE NORMAN CAMPUS LIFE EDITOR Commerce Community Church (C3) has become known for bringing individuals of diverse ages and backgrounds together for worship for almost four years. C3 meets every Sunday at 6 p.m. on the second floor of A&M-Commerce’s Sam Rayburn Student Center (SRSC). The C3 college ministry is university approved, a recognized student organization, and has some of the rights and services of being a campus organization. After starting with 20 members, C3 now records nearly 70 members in attendance at each of its Sunday services. “It was a small group, but we grew fast,” C3 pastor David Ferguson said. C3 originally began
meeting at non-vocational pastor Ron Peron’s house, and then at the Holiday Inn and Commerce High School before their current location at the SRSC. Ferguson said C3’s ministry encompasses students and members of the Commerce community, and offers an inviting “come as you are” atmosphere. “I don’t think there is anything in life that matters more than pointing people in life to what is real,” Ferguson said. “If there is anyone looking for an understanding of what life is about and why they exist, then I would invite them to consider [letting] Jesus Christ into their life. Commerce Community Church is a great place to witness that.” Ferguson said C3’s services are designed to encourage student-
community interaction, as well as foster fellowship between different age groups. “C3 worship services allow students to engage and interact with families living that next step in life,” he said. “What’s next is a mystery. This helps students not be isolated to their age group.” C3 collegiate intern and A&M-Commerce graduate Justin Turner said he has benefited from being in a peer mentor position. “I have benefited most from the position by being able to form relationships with students,” Turner said. “As a student myself, I love being able to teach and show other students how living for Christ is not independent from who they are as students, but instead, who they are in Jesus gives them their
identity in every area of life, even being a student.” A&M-Commerce student and C3 member Derrek Irwin has attended services for about a year. “To me, it’s more than just a church,” Irwin said. “I’ve been challenged and I’ve grown over the last year in ways I couldn’t have imagined due to the teaching and discipline that I’ve received at C3. I love the people that go to C3, and they are much more my family than just fellow church members.” Ferguson said he also appreciates the family aspect of C3, as well as the opportunity for spiritual growth it has afforded him. “I encourage people to be a part of community groups because it’s a way we live life together,” he said. “I think this church has served me more than
So what’s up with the missing trays and takeout boxes in the Cafeteria this semester? This question was brought to the attention of the Student Government Association (SGA) recently. In an effort to get to the bottom of this issue, SGA is working closely with Sodexo Dining Services Manger Charles Lear. Both Sodexo and SGA want dining patrons to be aware of changes being implemented in dining services. A ten-student panel are her kindheartedness has been assembled from and her steadfast across campus so that adherence to her beliefs. Sodexo can get student “She’s not a hypocrite,” feedback on dining Gopisetty said. “What she services. At its initial says is what she is.” meeting, the group Gopisetty said that decided that it would meet although she has not on a bi-weekly basis. interacted with many Another important other Americans, she issue discussed was the considers her time with decision to eliminate Watkins an enlightening the takeout option in experience. the Cafeteria for the fall “There are so many semester. Reportedly, this topics we talk about, and is due to changes that we talk all the time,” she were made to the said. “We have both “unlimited meal plan option.” The bottom line experienced many is that the management at hardships, and it is easy Sodexo is concerned that for us to relate on that students with unlimited level.” meal plans may abuse the Watkins said her love takeout option to provide for music will always food not just for accompany her in her themselves, but others passion for helping others and in her drive to as well. In an effort to become a medical doctor. keep dining costs in line, Sodexo chose to “Music is essential to my well being,” she said. eliminate the takeout option entirely. Along those same lines, it was also decided that trays would be removed from the Cafeteria. Students who have comments or questions regarding dining services are encouraged to attend SGA Senate meetings, which are held Wednesdays at 6 p.m. in the Pride Room of the Sam Rayburn Student Center (SRSC). Committee information and minutes can be obtained by following the Student Government Association link via the SRSC website: tamu-commerce. David Ferguson edu/srsc/. SGA is seeking student I have served it. They (C3 input on a whole range of issues related to student members) shape me as life. Current committees much as I shape them as we all walk with the Lord include: Academic Affairs, Campus Security, Food together. We delight and Housing, Financial ourselves in Jesus Christ Aid and Services, and and glorify ourselves External Affairs. Students around him.” wishing to voice a concern C3’s office is located at are encouraged to attend SGA Senate meetings, stop 2104 (D) Monroe Street by the SGA office located in Commerce. Those on the second floor of interested in learning the SRSC, or e-mail SGA more about C3 may visit President Taylor Fore at C3FORCHRIST.org or call taylor_fore@tamu-commerce.edu. 903-513-2699.
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Art Art Scene Scene
Thursday, Oct. 14, 2010
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Fromage du Jour A weekly look at film cheese
FLIXRAY.COM DIVXPLANET.COM
Zach Galifianakis (right) is featured prominently in the trailer to “It’s Kind of a Funny Story,” but his performance fails to really carry the film.
Emma Roberts surpasses Galifianakis in an otherwise lacking “Funny Story” JARED WATSON DIGITAL MEDIA EDITOR Advertisements for “It’s Kind of a Funny Story” portray it as a thoughtful movie, with a lot of names and faces audiences will recognize, centered around a depressed teenager who checks himself into a psychiatric ward. Though on the surface, that is true, there are a lot of diversions and asides along the way. Furthermore, the star power never really pays off in a movie that, while charming, fails to totally satisfy. The movie, based on a 2006 novel by Ned Vizzini, stars Keir Gilchrist as Craig, a high school student who is under constant pressure to get accepted into a prestigious summer prep school; so much so that he considers suicide. Terrified that he
may actually do something awful to himself, Craig goes to a psychiatric hospital, and is admitted for what he discovers is a minimum of five days. Zach Galifianakis costars as Bobby, a patient in the ward. He’s the movie’s big draw, as his face is instantly recognizable in the post“Hangover” world. As the quick-witted, but legitimately disturbed Bobby, he has plenty of screen time. Yet, he doesn’t add much to the story, and his scenes aren’t particularly memorable. As a big Galifianakis fan, I was disappointed, and I’m beginning to question if he can really carry a movie on his own. Emma Roberts, as Noelle, another patient, is a different story. She doesn’t have nearly the screen time as her costars, but leaves a much bigger impression as
Craig’s primary love interest. Her star is on the rise—which is no surprise given the fact she is Eric Roberts’ daughter and Julia Roberts’ niece—and this role will do nothing to slow it. With all the talent gathered for this movie, the elements are there to make an entertaining film, but it never really gels. The biggest thing detracting from an otherwise engrossing story is the film’s propensity to cut away for minutes at a time for often meaningless flashbacks and musical numbers. Instead of just explaining Craig’s back story, the movie opts instead to go into a confusing segment about public schools in New York. Also, in what I’m sure the director thought would be the signature moment of the film, the entire psych ward comes
together for a fantasy music video of Queen’s “Under Pressure.” It adds nothing to the film, stops it dead in its tracks, and is memorable only because Keir Gilchrist bears more than a passing resemblance to Adam Lambert. All that said, the thoughtfulness of the movie still shines through in the end. It’s full of psych ward comedy clichés, and the ending will surprise no one, but “It’s Kind of a Funny Story” is still a well-crafted meditation on priorities, and not letting others control your life. I left the theater feeling better about myself, which is never a bad thing, but I think other filmgoers will be able to have the same feeling when this movie ends up on their Netflix queue in a few months.
AEROPAUSE.COM
NBA 2K11 goes where no NBA video game has before with the inclusion of Michael Jordan as a key player, as well as making his performance a main focus.
NBA video game presents Michael Jordan for first time CALEB SLINKARD MANAGING EDITOR That should be enough of a review to get you to go out and pick up a copy of the latest installment in the 2K franchise. After all, Jordan’s appearance in video games throughout the past two decades has been almost non-existent. Although gamers have occasionally been able to play as Jordan in games like NBA Street, Vol. 2 and early NBA Live games, NBA 2K11 is the first game to utilize Jordan in such an allencompassing way. In case you are curious about the other improvements and drawbacks of NBA 2K11, here they are. The Good: NBA 2K is
by far the best NBA video game franchise on the market today, easily beating out NBA Live. They upped the amount of realism in the game, making dunks and layups much more fluid than they’ve been in previous games. As always, the graphics are better than last year’s. The Association mode, which is where I spent the bulk of my time in the game, is updated with all of the most recent trades and draft picks. The menus for the 2K series have always been a little confusing, but this year’s is perhaps their most functional yet. 2K expanded their pregame by showing players walking into the arenas and they continue
the quarter and halftime highlights and statistics from previous games. One of the most impressive additions to the game is the expansion of the “Jordan Player of the Game” highlights (although it is kind of strange when Michael Jordan is awarded this). This post-game highlight reel is much more organized and dynamic than in previous games. The Bad: It is practically impossible to make any kind of interior pass after half-court. The amount of turnovers in this game is almost laughable. I can understand why the developers did this: they’re attempting to make the game more realistic (in the previous 2K games you could just
kind of waltz to the top of the key and pound the ball inside, regardless of the opposing D). But it simply frustrates players and makes backdoor passes extremely difficult to complete. During some in-game highlights, the camera pans to the crowd, which is a good concept, but since the crowd is so poorly animated, the result detracts from the intense realism of the actual game play. Overall: NBA 2K11 is a seamless transition from 2K10 and represents the most impressive NBA video game to date. The improvements far outweigh the occasional drawbacks. This is a must buy/rent for any NBA video game fan.
Hulk Hogan plays Zeus in the “Little Hercules,” but don’t expect much accurate Greek mythology.
Awful Hulk Hogan film fails at herculean effort JARED WATSON
DIGITAL MEDIA EDITOR
If you only know of Hulk Hogan from his career as a wrestler and reality TV star, then you have missed his many attempts to atomic leg drop the silver screen, in classics such as “Suburban Commando,” “3 Ninjas: High Noon at Mega Mountain,” and, of course, “Santa with Muscles.” His latest attempt to break back into Hollywood is the children’s film “Little Hercules,” and let me be the first to say, it definitely upholds the Hulkster’s legacy of cinematic ineptitude. The film actually stars Richard Sandrak, who was best known as a freakishly muscular child who was nicknamed “Little Hercules.” As he’s aged, his career has waned, but now he’s back in this film as, you guessed it, Hercules. He seems to look a lot more like Amanda Bynes than he used to, and spends most of this film looking perplexed at everything going on. In the plot, as if it matters, Hercules wants to leave Mt. Olympus and live with humans in present-day earth. He uses an accidentally created portal to jump into Los Angeles, and hijinks ensue. The Hulkster plays Zeus, Hercules’ father, and is joined in Olympus by Hera, played by Diane Venora, and Socrates, played by a shouldhave-known-better Elliot Gould. Apparently, someone gave Venora a note on the set that Hera had a Russian accent, because she delivers all her lines like she’s Natasha from the Rocky and Bullwinkle show. Hercules quickly runs into Curtis (Marc John Jeffries), who takes him back to his mother’s house to stay. After some confusion, Curtis’s mother (played by Robin Givens) allows Hercules to stay. The writers should be ashamed of how they try to shoehorn in urban lingo to try and seem hip. In the first fight scene, Curtis’s bullies tell he and Hercules that “Kobe and
Shaq can hurt us.” What? That reference is ridiculous, and six years out of date. Hollywood Hulk Olympian then appears to Hercules to advise him that he will have to choose whether he wishes to remain a human or an immortal, and that he will only be able to use his super strength three times. His method of communicating is to appear in the toilet. No, seriously, the king of the gods makes phone calls via the big white courtesy phone. I can’t make this up. Hogan is not the only WWE alum to appear in this movie, as Paul “The Big Show” Wight is the movie’s big bad guy, a Babylonian god named Marduk, bent on sabotaging Hercules’ adventures in southern California. He pops up at various times to wreck Herc’s chances on the high school track team and brings in a runner named Kintaro (not to be confused with the four-armed Mortal Kombat character) to challenge him in the final showdown. The movie’s only saving grace is Judd Nelson, who, as the high school music teacher, acquits himself as the only competent actor in the entire movie. Scenes including him are the only ones that are even remotely watchable. It goes without saying that if Bender from The Breakfast Club is your acting heavyweight, your movie is in trouble. Anyway, even though Hera tries to help Marduk kill moose and squirrel, I mean defeat Hercules, he manages to triumph, chooses life as a human, and lives happily ever after, or at least until his eventual death, because of the whole, you know, mortal thing. This movie is garbage. None of it makes sense, it is at least 50 percent green screens, and the acting is so atrocious it is painful to watch. If you even rent this for your children to watch, I feel like they would be justified in running you over in your own car when they eventually get learner’s permits. No court in the world would convict them.
Verdict: Half a Shat
Just...don’t.
-Jared Watson Digital Media Editor
Next week on “Fromage du Jour”: “Metal Man”
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SPORTS
Thursday, Oct. 14, 2010
Page 7
Lions soccer plagued by weekend defeats ADAM TROXTELL SPORTS EDITOR The A&M-Commerce women’s soccer team dropped both of its conference games last weekend in a 1-0 overtime defeat to Angelo State University on Friday night, and a 3-1 loss to the University of the Incarnate Word on Sunday. In the Friday night loss, A&M-Commerce started on the front foot, immediately applying pressure to ASU senior goalkeeper Melanie Peterson’s goal. Lions junior Devon Herrman had a close range header saved off the line by Peterson in her first of many crucial saves on the night. After halftime, A&MCommerce began to push ASU back and apply more pressure. Senior Chelsey Haight had a point-blank shot saved by Peterson. By the end of regulation, the Rambelles goalkeeper had eight saves. ASU did not record a shot in the entire second half, but the Lions could not find a way to score. The opening 10-minute overtime period failed to produce a result, but four minutes into the second frame, ASU found their goal. Junior Brandi DeBacker was left unmarked at the back post on a Rambelles corner kick, and sent a header bouncing into the net from six yards out. Commerce out-shot
the Rambelles 15-6 in the match. Coach Piper said he thinks the stats don’t tell the complete story. “I don’t feel like it got away,” he said. “I don’t think either team created too many chances. Maybe, on the run of play, we had one or two better chances. Their keeper made some good saves, but it was a pretty even game. We just made too many mistakes.” Freshman Amber Guenther opened the scoring for Incarnate Word in their win over A&MCommerce. After a scoreless first half, Guenther scored off a centering pass from senior Lauren Evans in the 51st minute. Two minutes later, senior Keri Dawson turned a free kick in and over the head of Lions senior goalkeeper Stacey McDaniel. Freshman Sydney Solomon got the Cardinals’ third goal, sending a shot low to McDaniel’s left and into the net. Haight did manage to get one goal back for the Lions in the 66th minute, but it proved to be too little too late. “We knew what they were going to do coming out, and it just seems like we weren’t here as a team today,” A&M-Commerce senior and team captain Megan Monroe said. “We have to learn from this game. That’s all you can do as a team is just learn from it, fix the mistakes, and hopefully come out better next time.”
Football suffers loss continued from page 8 touchdown pass of the game on a 16-yard throw to give the home team a 31-7 lead. Farkes then threw his third interception of the game to freshman linebacker Jack Gray, ending the Lions following drive. Farkes was 13-25 for 74 yards in passing for the afternoon. There were question marks before the game began about his fitness after he injured his thumb in practice. “He got his thumb hit on a helmet again this week, and was really sore,” Morriss said. “But, I don’t think he would use it as an excuse, and I’m not either.” NSU could not do much with the possession, and were forced to punt. The Lions had to do the same, and this time the RiverHawks put together a 14 play, 74-yard drive, finished off by a 5-yard touchdown run by junior running-
back Chris Davis. The NSU offense had 487 yards on the afternoon, compared to the Lions’ 188 yards off of 53 plays. “We just didn’t play very well,” Morriss said. “Nobody showed up today. We emptied the playbooks, everything on those wristbands was called. It’s a combination of a lot of young players too, that are making mistakes. But, for us not to play hard, that’s the thing really troubling me.” Graham said he put the poor performance down to lack of motivation. “I think everthing worked, what it really comes down to is heart,” he said. “We’ve got to play with hearth, always think positive, and even when we feel bad we can’t give up.” The Lions are now second from bottom of the LSC-North Division ahead of a televised game against Tarleton State University at home this Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
Sophomore Rachel Robertson (left) tries to block a Tarleton State player from getting a point during A&M-Commerce’s five set victory over the weekend.
Family a key part for volleyball star ADAM TROXTELL SPORTS EDITOR Tall people are often thought of as having a natural ability for sports, specifically basketball. This is especially true for women like 6’ 1” A&MCommerce sophomore volleyball player Rachel Robertson. “I grew eight inches between eighth grade and ninth grade, so I had a huge growth spurt,” Robertson said. “My parents are both pretty tall.” Robertson’s height made her stick out during her time at Princeton High School, where she was best known for playing three sports. She set a regional record in the high jump event in track and field, and also played soccer as a goalkeeper. “We didn’t really have a strong track program,” she said. “I had a choice not to do high jump. My parents said, ‘Well, you would not want to regret not doing it.’ So, I went out my senior year and jumped the best I ever had. It’s kind of fun. I miss it sometimes, but I’d rather be playing volleyball than outside in the heat jumping around.” Robertson said she did spend time playing basketball, but the sport she is best known for now became more of an obvious choice as high school began. “I did play basketball before I played volleyball in junior high,” she said.
Lions’ sophomore Morgan Moeller (left) tries to get a point over TSU’s Monica Hamel and Flynn Harrell.
“I thought I was going to play basketball in college. Looking at the possibilities of playing basketball, most girls in my position had 30 or 40 pounds of muscle on me. It kind of upset my parents, because they really like basketball. But, now they both like volleyball and have accepted the fact I’m not going to play. I didn’t play in high school and just stuck with volleyball.” William and Karen Robertson can usually be found at most A&MCommerce volleyball games, according to their daughter. “My parents are at every home game, and my dad actually surprised me in Amarillo when he came out there,” Robertson said. “They’re really supportive, and they were at all my games in high school. My dad’s the first person I hug after every game.” Robertson came to A&M-Commerce when Mark Pryor was head volleyball coach, and had a productive first year. She led the team in hitting percentage with .264, and was second on the team with 281 kills. With 2.20 kills per set, she was second among freshmen in the entire Lone Star Conference. After that season, Pryor left and Craig Case took the reins. Robertson said it was not difficult adjusting to a new style of coaching, but it was unsettling to see Pryor leave. “Coach Case is a little
more passive, and he’s more into the details and explaining everything,” she said. “Personally, I feel I’ve learned more this year based on his coaching style than I felt like I learned last year. At the college level, I was surprised I was recruited by Mark [Pryor]. He told me he would be here, and then he just up and left. It was more of a harder time, not so much the volleyball part, but outside of it. Someone new is coming in and what if they don’t like me or the way I play. But, it’s all volleyball, so as long as you do your job, you should be in good shape.” Case said he liked what he saw from Robertson even before he settled in as head coach. After Pryor left, Case said Robertson contacted teammates to encourage them to stay on board with the program. “She’s got natural leadership abilities, and it was important for me to hear her taking that chance on me,” he said. “She had faith things could work out and this was going to be a good place for everybody to be. She put herself out there, and I really did appreciate that.” Case also said he likes Robertson for her ability to take what he says and apply it at the right times. “She’s a fun player to coach,” he said. “She’ll experiment and try new things when she has the opportunity to, and then when it’s time to play and
not think, she just goes out and plays. As a coach, I’m never worried about telling her too much.” Robertson has already begun copying her efforts from last year, leading the team with 2.68 kills per set and 45 total blocks. She said having a good first year gave her more confidence to perform well in the second. “It wasn’t so much added pressure, but it was an expectation I set for my self,” she said. “If I could do this good my first year out of high school, then having another year under my belt, I should be able to do a lot better. It’s easier to be more focused for games. I already know what’s coming and the style is a lot faster than high school.” Despite an 8-9 record overall, the Lions are currently 1-5 in LSC play. Robertson said the team has the ability, but needs to get the right things going for them in order to turn their fortunes around. “We have everything we need, it just hasn’t come together yet,” she said. “We have the physical ability, we have the talent, we have the volleyball IQ you need. It’s just a matter of everything meshing together and falling into place. All those pieces are starting to fall into place, because we just won our last three games. That’s definitely going to give us momentum when we start back up in conference.”
COLTON BLACK STAFF WRITER
the TexAnn’s rallied to tie the score 20-20. However, the Lions persevered and won the second game 25-21. Game three went in a different direction and Tarleton took control. Led by Rachel Wolf, who had 14 kills and 16 digs, Tarleton quickly extended their lead over the Lions. After trailing the entire match, the Lions lost 25-13. The fourth game appeared to be on a more even keel until Tarleton gave itself some breathing room with a 7-3 start and continued to build their lead, winning the match 25-15. Tarleton’s defense made a significant impact, with 7 blocks and 68 digs. “I had concerns because we looked really tired,” Case said. “Not that we were playing lazy, but I was worried about us just being too tired.” The Lions started with a
4-0 lead in the final game. The TexAnn’s used both of their timeouts early on to try to slow the momentum, but the strategy was ineffective as the Lions clinched a 15-11 victory. Freshman Kayla Bond, who had two kills, said she was glad to have gotten this crucial win. “It was good, intense, and scary at some points, but we really needed it,” Bond said. Coach Case commented that he “felt blessed to have a great crowd supporting the team.” He also attributed much of the team’s success to Ciara Holmes, whom he called “a special player,” and Rachel Robertson, who had 16 kills. A&M-Commerce will start a four-game road trip with a non-conference match against Southern Arkansas on Oct. 11 and an Oct. 14 trip to Central Oklahoma.
Lions drop Tarleton in five The A&M-Commerce volleyball team extended their winning streak to four games, beating Tarleton State University 3-2 on Saturday, Oct. 9. The victory was the Lions first in Lone Star Conference play, and pushes them to a 7-10 (1-5) record. The Lions started game one with the lead. It quickly became a back and forth battle with six lead changes and a tied score twelve times. With the Lions up 23-22, Tarleton called a timeout, and after a quick talk with A&M-Commerce Head Coach Craig Case, the Lions took the first game 25-23. Riding momentum from game one, the Lions gained a five point advantage in game two, maintaining the lead until
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sports
Thursday, Oct. 14, 2010
www.theeasttexan.com
Box Score:
LSC Football Scores:
TAMU-C v. N’eastern State
Midwestern State-28 Abilene Christian-31
TAMU-C...........0.....7....0....0_7 NSU.................10....14...7....7_38 First Quarter NSU_Patton 25 yd Field Goal, 6:58 NSU_Randle 27 yd pass from Davis (Patton kick), 2:05 Second Quarter A&M-C_Graham 8 yd run (Abo-Mahmood kick), 14:04 NSU_Lewis 12 yd run (Patton kick), 10:22 NSU_Randle 6 yd pass from Davis (Patton kick), 4:05 Third Quarter NSU_Donahue 13 yd pass from Davis (Patton kick), 7:55 Fourth Quarter NSU_Davis 5 yd run (Patton kick), 8:47
A&M-Commerce-7 Northeastern State-38 Southwestern Oklahoma-35 Southeastern Oklahoma-42 Central Oklahoma-31 Eastern New Mexico-49 A&M-Kingsville-28 Angelo State-21 Tarleton State-17 West Texas A&M-48 Incarnate Word-27 East Central 13
Standings North Division 1) NE State, 3-3 (2-0) 2) Eastern NM, 3-3 (2-1) 3) Central Okla., 2-4 (1-1) 4) SE Oklahoma, 2-4 (1-2) 5) East Central, 1-5 (1-1) 6) A&M-Commerce, 2-4 (1-2) 7) SW Oklahoma, 1-5 (1-2) South Division 1) Abilene Christian, 6-0 (3-0) 2) West Texas A&M, 5-1 (2-0) 3) A&M-Kingsville, 5-1 (2-1) 4) Midwestern State, 5-1 (1-1) 5) Angelo State, 2-3 (0-3) 6) Incarnate Word, 2-4 (0-2) 7) Tarleton, 1-5 (1-2)
LSC Volleyball Scores: Oct. 7 SW Okla. 0, ASU 3 Cameron 0, W.T. A&M 3 SE Okla. 3, A&M Kings. 0 Tarleton 2, Texas Woman’s 3 Central Okla. 0, ACU 3 East Central 2, Incarnate Word 3 Midwestern 3, Eastern NM 1 Oct. 9 Midwestern 0, W.T. A&M 3 SE Okla. 0, Incarnate Word 3 Central Okla. 0, ASU 3 East Central 0, A&M-Kings. 3 Tarleton 2, TAMU-C 3 SW Okla. 1, ACU 3 Cameron 0, Eastern NM 3
Standings 1) ACU, 16-3 (6-0)
2) West Texas A&M, 13-7 (6-0)
3) Angelo State, 9-10 (5-1) 4) Midwestern State, 10-8 (4-2) 5) Central Oklahoma, 14-7 (4-3) 6) Incarnate Word, 7-7 (4-3) 7) A&M-Kingsville, 8-9 (4-3) 8) Texas Woman’s, 6-13 (3-3) 9) Tarleton State, 14-7 (2-4) 10) Eastern NM, 9-10 (2-4)
11) Cameron, 7-12 (2-4) 12) SE Oklahoma, 5-11 (2-4) 13) A&M-Commerce, 8-9 (1-5) 14) East Central, 3-18 (1-5) 15) SW Oklahoma, 6-15 (1-6)
A&M-Commerce sophomore wide receiver Taylor Fore tries to make a catch in double coverage against Southeastern Oklahoma State.
RiverHawks soar in dominating win ADAM TROXTELL SPORTS EDITOR The A&M-Commerce football team suffered their first loss to Northeastern State University since 2006 on Saturday afternoon, falling on the losing end of a 38-7 result in Tahlequah, Okla. The result comes as somewhat of a shock, as the RiverHawks were picked to finish 5th in the Lone Star Conference North Division compared to A&M-Commerce’s first place prediction. The Lions are now 2-4 (1-2) on the season, while Northeastern State moves to the top of the LSC North table with a 3-3 (2-0) record. “I think we’re to a cross-roads,” Head Coach Guy Morriss said after the surprise loss. “We’ve got to make up our mind: do
we want to be a football team, or are we just going to be a bunch of wannabes.” After trading punts, Northeastern State junior cornerback Nate Robinson made a onehanded interception on Lions quarterback Adam Farkes’ pass. This gave the RiverHawks’ offense great field position on the A&M-Commerce 7-yd line, but the Lions defense held firm, forcing NSU freshman Drew Patton to kick a 25-yard field goal to put the home team up 3-0. The Lions’ next possession ended with a threeand-out. Behind junior quarterback Kenny Davis, who was 13-23 for 212 yards, the RiverHawks drove 75-yards, and senior wide-receiver Ben Randle caught a 27-yard pass from Davis for the game’s first touchdown.
After the point-after try was good, NSU went up 10-0. On the following offensive drive, A&MCommerce put together their best offensive display of the afternoon. An eight-play, 55-yard drive in the second quarter ended with an eight-yard touchdown run by junior running back Marcus Graham, who had 79 yards off of 20 rushing attempts on the afternoon. NSU responded with a rushing touchdown on the next possession. Senior running back Josh Lewis ran in a 12-yard touchdown to cap an 8-play drive and put the RiverHawks up 17-7 with 10:22 left in the first half. Lewis was among the top players for the NSU offense, with 15 carries for 96 yards. Randle got his second touchdown catch of the
That Sports Thing: Cotton Bowl or Jerry-world?
ADAM TROXTELL SPORTS EDITOR While the current football season is under way, talk of next year’s schedule is already coming out. With a number of Oklahoma teams leaving the LSC, conference commissioner Stan Wagnon has developed a plan to hold a 10-team “festival” between LSC and Gulf South Conference teams at none other than Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, according to a story in the Corpus Christi Caller-Times. This would undoubtedly include A&MCommerce, should they choose to take part. Word has it the Lions are also going to hold another
Harvey Martin Classic at the Cotton Bowl, despite the fact the contract at the stadium does not currently extend into next season. It would be fantastic if both of these things happened, but the question is whether A&M-Commerce wants to make two trips to the Dallas area in one season. Chances are the schedule would allow for it, but is that an option worth taking? Personally, I feel should the situation arise where they would have to choose, it would be best if the Lions ditched the Harvey Martin Classic next season in favor of a trip to Jerry-world. What more motivation does a player need to give his all than a state of the art, professional stadium? How amazing would it be to watch our Lions on the massive hanging-screen while sitting comfortably on the lower levels of one of the most expensive stadiums around? I would gladly exchange a long trip to Arlington for a day at one of the most famous stadiums in the nation.
potential to increase the team’s prestige and namevalue. It is easily the most impressive venue that A&M-Commerce plays at and the potential to attract football fans in the Dallas/ Fort Worth metroplex, especially during the Texas State Fair, is immense. So far, A&MCommerce’s performance and attendance at Harvey Martin Classic Games has left a lot to be desired. But CALEB SLINKARD MANAGING EDITOR that doesn’t mean that the Harvey Martin Classic couldn’t be an event that As A&M-Commerce A&M-Commerce fans, looks to expand its enrollment, facilities and alumni and players all prestige, an integral char- look forward to with anticipation. acteristic of such a uniObviously, a more conversity in Texas is a succentrated and dynamic cessful and well-known marketing approach to football program. While enticing A&M-Commerce a win-loss record has as students would result in much to do with this as more fans, although the anything else, there are certainly other important university did amp up the festivities this year. ingredients of a promiHolding the event during nent football program. the Texas State Fair would These include: a large also improve attendance. fan base, well-known coach, star players, strong Scheduling high-ranked alumni involvement and opponents would increase the game’s prestige. venue. The Harvey Martin While A&M-Commerce Classic can be a great is hit-or-miss in these event for A&M-Commerce, categories, the Harvey but it definitely needs Martin Classic has the more work.
game with just over four minutes left in the first half. Davis lobbed a pass to the back corner of the end zone, and Randle went up to complete the 6-yard touchdown under pressure. With the pointafter field goal complete, NSU took their 24-7 lead into halftime. The third quarter started with a breath of life for A&M-Commerce. On the kickoff, the ball bounced off the chest of an NSU player and Lions freshman Cortney Craig recovered it at the RiverHawks’ 41-yard line. On the seventh play of that drive, Farkes threw his second interception of the game. Northeastern State’s Robinson caught the underthrown Farkes pass for his second interception of the afternoon. Sean Donahue then caught Davis’ third see Football page 7
A&M-C NSU First Downs..........10...........26..... Total Yards..........188.........487.... Rushes-Yards....27-112...52-241. Passing..................76..........246.... Punt Returns.......0-0.........6-72... Kickoff Returns..6-107.....2-46... Interceptions.......0-0..........3-44... Comp-Att-Int...14-26-3...20-30-0 Sack-Yds Lost.....1-11.........0-0.... Punts...................7-46.4......3-47.7 Fumbles-Lost.......0-0..........2-1.... Penalties-Yds......4-27........5-32... TOP.....................26:36......33:21..
LSC Women’s Soccer Scores: Oct. 8 East Central 2, UCO 3 NE State 1, SW Okla. 2 W.T. A&M 1, ACU 4 Incarnate Word 1, TWU 0 Eastern NM 0, Midwestern 1 ASU 1, TAMU-C 0 Oct. 10 Incarnate Word 3, TAMU-C 1 Eastern NM 1, ACU 3 East Central 0, SW Okla. 1 ASU 1, TWU 2 NE State 0, UCO 1 W.T. A&M 1, Midwestern 2
Standings 1) Midwestern, 10-1 (5-0) 2) Abilene Christian, 9-2 (4-1) 3) Incarnate Word, 6-3-2 (4-1-0)
4) Angelo State, 7-4-1 (4-1-0) 5) Central Oklahoma, 7-5 (3-2) 6) W. Texas A&M, 4-3-2 (2-1-0) 7) Texas Woman’s, 4-7-1 (2-2-1) 8) A&M-Commerce, 6-5 (2-3) 9) SW Oklahoma, 6-6 (2-3) 10) N’eastern State, 4-5-2 (0-4-1) 11) East Central, 4-6-2 (0-4-1) 12) Eastern NM, 3-9 (0-5)
Lions Sports Week Thurs. Oct. 14
@ East Central 4 p.m.
@ Central Oklahoma 7 p.m.
Friday Oct. 15
Saturday Oct. 16
Sunday Oct. 17
Monday Oct. 18
Tuesday Oct. 19
v. Tarleton State 3:30 p.m.
Chilli Pepper Festival Fayetteville, Ark.
@ SW Oklahoma 2 p.m.
@ N’eastern State Noon
DBU Golf Classic First Round
@ Okla. Panhandle 6 p.m.
DBU Golf Classic Second Round DBU Golf Classic Third Round
Wed. Oct. 20
Listen to From the Bench Friday nights from 6 to 6:30 p.m. on your station 88.9 KETR with Jared Watson and Caleb Slinkard