PAGE 6 Clash brings enjoyment, little plot
The The East East Tex Texan
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Thursday, April 8, 2010
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Student runs for council Rohrabaugh hopes to be city representative TIFFANY BAILEY staff writer
A&M-Commerce student Douglas T. Rohrabaugh will be running for a seat against incumbent Billie Biggerstaff on the Commerce City Council in the upcoming elections. Rohrabaugh is a senior history and political science major. “I decided to run for city council after completing an internship with
Construction near SRSC will upgrade paths for pedestrians
the city of Commerce in the summer of 2009,” Rohrabaugh said. “The internship opened my eyes to some of the challenges, which our great city is faced with. I would like to help overcome some of those challenges by serving on the Commerce City Council.” Adam Haney, also a senior at A&MCommerce, is Rohrabaugh’s campaign manager and thinks Rohrabaugh could bring some big changes to Commerce. “Doug brings fresh new ideas with
determined energy to make Commerce t he best it can possibly be,” Haney said. One of the issues Rohrabaugh would tackle, if elected, is the condition of the roads in Commerce. “The main object of any elected official is to address the concerns of the citizens; here in Commerce the biggest concern of the citizens is the condition of our streets,” Rohrabaugh said. “As of right now, the city is not in a position to
improve the conditions of our streets. My goal would be to find a solution to our street problem that does not place a financial burden on our citizens.” Rohrabaugh also thinks the relationship between A&M-Commerce and the city needs to be strengthened. “The Commerce I dream of is a place where the university and the city work ha nd-i n-ha nd towa rd t he com mon goal of improving the quality of life for everyone See STUDENT page 3
Commerce girls go wild
JASMINE BROWN staff writer
Construction on the next phase of A&M-Commerce’s walking mall began during spring break and is scheduled for completion in May. Accordi ng to Exec utive Director of Facilities and Support Services David McKenna, the project is anot her phase in t he walking mall’s extension through campus. “ We a r e c ont i nu i ng the walking mall presence through campus that we currently have,” he said. “This will be a con nection with it, and have the same look t hat you see on campus.” The construction is concentrated on Neal Street between the Sam Rayburn Student Center (SRSC) and the Science Building, on Stonewall Street between the SRSC and the Ag-IT Building, as well as just east of the Ag-IT Building. Some students like senior music education major Stacy Chadwell question the decision to begin construction during the middle of the spring semester. “I don’t understand why they’re doing it now while students are busy rushing around campus,” she said. According to McKenna, construction was started in order to complete the project as soon as possible. “Any time we do construction, it’s an inconven ience across campus,” he said. “What we were hoping to do is get it done, and then have it ready for the summer. A lot of times there’s just not a good time to do construction because of the inconvenience. It’s just a matter of getting it done, and getting it behind us so that it is done and presents a nice walking area for everybody.” The projected mid to late-May completion date will be followed shortly thereafter by the beginning of another one. “The next phase is scheduled for this summer, and will extend the mall around the new music See CONSTRUCTION page 3
Thursday H: 67 L: 43
Friday H: 72 L: 48
BECCA WHITT / THE EAST TEXAN
Two of the participants in Thursday’s Girls Gone Wild Event kiss during the foam party. The event was held at The Rail and close to 200 people attended the event. There were mixed feelings about the adult film company’s presence throughout the community and A&M-Commerce. Editor’s note: This photo was selected as the main photo for this story because the content, although graphic, accurately depicts the events which transpired during the Girls Gone Wild Event.
Adult film group brings antics to Commerce bar Jared watson Chancellor Mills Jessica Rush James Bright
Commerce residents, A&MCommerce students and others went out to The Rail Bar and Grill Thursday night to check out the “foam party” event that was being put on by the adult film company, “Girls Gone Wild.” Despite some initial shock and disbelief from residents, the “Girls Gone Wild” crew saw a turnout of at least 200 people for their event. The event was a “foam party,” which consisted of flooding The Rail’s dance floor with a pool of soapy suds a few feet deep. Some people in attendance, like Commerce resident Dianna Holt, were originally skeptical of the legitimacy of the event but still came out nonetheless. “Everyone thought it was going to be an April Fool’s joke, but I drove by The Rail and the bus was actually here,” Holt said. “I mean how often does
Saturday H: 75 L: 50
‘Girls Gone Wild’ happen in Commerce? So I had to come up here just to see it.” As the main attraction of the evening, the “foam party” provided a bit of entertainment for Holt, who spent a short time dancing amidst the foam. “It was actually a lot of fun,” Holt said. “I’ve never been in a ‘foam party’ before. Glad to say that I got to participate.” Despite having her share of fun, Holt was disappointed when she tried to fling some foam off her arm and accidentally threw her $6,000 wedding ring off into the foam. The ring was recovered late the next morning. For some, this event was a new experience to have under their belt. For others, like junior
BECCA WHITT / THE EAST TEXAN
Two of those in attendance dance in the foam during Girls Gone Wild’s foam event. The foam
See ADULT page 3 was pumped onto the dance floor of The Rail, so those who wanted to avoid it could.
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OPINION
Thursday, April 8, 2010
www.theeasttexan.com
Above the Law Lazy students lower Rule sidesteps democracy
JOSH LAW STAFF WRITER Just when I thought I had heard every ludicrous thing the government of the United States could do, I get slapped upside the head with the “Deem and Pass” rule, also known as the “Slaughter House Rule.” What is going on? Article 1, Section 7 of the Constitution says that in order for a bill to become a law, it shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate. Is this not clear? Is the language not concise enough? The “Deem and Pass” rule is, in effect, a rule set in place to help expedite House action in disposing of Senate amendments to House-passed bills, and has been used in the past in this capacity. My problem is the way that Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi was trying to use this rule to pass something as serious as the Health Care Bill. This is blatant abuse of this rule. The “Deem and Pass” rule attempts to allow the House to pass the Senate bill, plus a bill amending it, with a single vote. The senators would then vote only on the amendatory bill. But this means that no single bill will have passed both houses in the same form. If Congress can now decide that the House can vote for one bill and the Senate can vote for another, and the
final result can be some hybrid of the two, then we have abandoned one of the main checks and balances of our governmental system. More importantly to me, we would be spitting on our Constitution because of a desire to further President Obama’s “legacy” that is so important to him. It is not that I believe that health care should not be reformed; I simply believe it should be done in the democratic process that was established by our forefathers some 234 years ago. To attempt to abuse our system and force an issue that everyone is so divided on makes me absolutely furious. How can any of us expect something so important to bare good fruit if the seed that was used was bad to begin with? I am not partial to any particular political affiliation, but the way the Democrats handled this issue was ridiculous. At the time this issue was at hand a couple of weeks ago, Nancy Pelosi actually said, “We have to pass the bill, so that you can find out what is in it.” I feel like my brain is going to explode! Yes, she actually said those words. Have we gotten so desperate in this country for political gain and legacy that we will abandon the things that make this country so great? The processes we have used for over 200 years are there for good reason and whenever anyone tries to step on my Constitution, I will defend it until my last breath, because I believe in this country and the ideals it represents. Please do not allow any political party in the future to use this rule against you.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The East Texan welcomes readers to voice their own opinions. Send an email to the editor at theeasttexan@gmail.com or comment on an article at theeasttexan.com. Content may be edited for length. Response to STUDENT PROPOSES .... I ride as well and I believe that motorcycle parking on this campus is a good idea- but, “reduce the number of motorcycle thefts”? Really? Please, do some homework and make some legitimate arguments. Let’s show that this is not just a ploy to be able to park closer to buildings for those of us that ride on two wheels. — John Tabblebrook
Response to PUBLICITY SLOWS .... this is probably one of the most despicable articles yet not to mention contradicting if 27.7% of people between ages 18-24 are using marijuana then maybe it isn’t so bad if you want to waste your time / money arresting people for something that over 1/4th of the country is doing well that is just plain stupidity... first of all it isn’t even a drug it is a naturally growing weed...oh and James Bright, do some research paper before writing this type of garbage from now on, ok kid? — Boggled blahblahblah 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.
education standards
BECCA WHITT PHOTO EDITOR
our peers. We have given
The average day of a college student usually goes something like this - Get up. Class soon. Five minutes late. Boring lecture. Next class. Test. Didn’t study. Pray to pass. Teacher is a jerk. Break. Last class. Lab. Way too long. Zone out for three hours. Done. Nap. Food. Friends. Homework on occasion. Pray to pass. Texas is ranked in the 50th percentile for educational achievement in the nation and 63% of full time college students that attended a Texas High school require remedial courses. Why? In the face of abundant knowledge we have reverted our mindsets to “let’s just get this over with.” We are boastful and proud in this ideology where minimal effort receives the recognition of
way to complacency, and in this, hindered the purpose of the pursuit of a higher education. Fourteen terabytes of information are stored in the Library of Congress alone and all of this is available to us as students. But it seems that the more advantages that are presented to us by our nation, the more disadvantaged we make ourselves by succumbing to complacency. The most dangerous aspect of apathy is the damage it causes to the educational system as a whole. Texas has the third lowest cumulative SAT score in the nation. Even worse, the average SAT score in Texas dropped eleven points between 2005 and 2008. Because of the plummeting averages, in-state standards are lowered and curriculum is watered down in hopes to raise GPAs and pro-
Texas is ranked in the 50th percentile for educational achievement and has the third lowest cumulative SAT score in the nation.
vide more time to “teach the test”. As a result, public colleges suffer as well. Entrylevel classes are geared to the educational level of the majority, and therefore, the lower high school standards have equated to lower college standards. Students who explore the potential a fully developed education has to offer succeed in individual growth and development, possibly surpassing the highest projected standards of the opportunity itself. They are rewarded with unlimited resources
and the knowledge of how to apply newly sharpened skills. But this does not seem to be the case for most. To the students who are striving to take advantage of every opportunity college has to offer, I applaud you and hope that you continue to move forward. To those who have allowed themselves to be complacent, I present you with a challenge: see the potential before you and strive to attain it. The horizon is golden with opportunity. All you have to do is reach out.
Tyler Perry’s “House of Quotes out of context Payne” program furthers stereotypes of blacks “OK. I’m going to tackle Editor
you,” Jared Watson, Online
“I’m gonna friend request Jesus. I like that guy,” James Bright, Editor
CHANCELLOR MILLS CAMPUS LIFE EDITOR The list of people who make me laugh or produce things that make me laugh is a long one. On this list are entertainers such as Adam Sandler, Judd Apatow, Chris Rock, the writing team of Broken Lizard, Tina Fey, Tracy Morgan, Jim Carrey and so on and so forth. If you were wondering where Tyler Perry and his so-called “comedic” works lie on this list…they do not. I have been painfully aware of the existence of Tyler Perry since the inception of his television series “House of Payne” in 2006. Since that time, I have had no interest in watching that show or the most recent show he produced called “Meet the Browns.” Furthermore, I have yet to see why these shows are still even in existence. The thought that is probably crossing your mind has crossed mine as well. Perhaps I have just not given these shows the fair chance they deserve. This is not the case. I cannot speak personally of “Meet the Browns,” but as for “House of Payne,” the show does not seem to be one of any redeemable value. I caught an episode recently, and the main
issue dealt with was that the pubescent, teenage son Malik Payne had developed the habit of masturbating in the shower. That’s it. While I’m sure this is pertinent information for parents of pubescent boys, this is not the subject matter I wish to view in the middle of the morning on a Wednesday. Another issue I take offense to is these shows seem only to further a negative black stereotype. These characters appear to be ignorant, overweight, driven by petty motives, are verbally or emotionally abusive toward their families and so on. While these qualities are common in people of all races, they are stereotypically associated more with blacks. Stereotypes are generally seen as accurate only because, for some segment of the population, these stereotypes occasionally align with reality, and Tyler Perry’s works are doing nothing to counteract those racial assumptions. I won’t deny that there are probably parts of Tyler Perry’s shows that are worthwhile, but I can’t find them. I have noticed some character depth here and there but nothing all that noteworthy. I can understand the appeal of a generic sitcom. With these shows, as with all sitcoms, it is easier for the viewer to relate to the characters, because that is how the characters are designed. Despite these minor pluses, I remain steadfast in my assumption that the only exemplary attribute about Tyler Perry and his shows is that he is still considered an entertainer, and they are still on the air.
The East East Tex Texan an The Established 1915
JAMES BRIGHT Editor JESSICA RUSH Managing Editor
JARED WATSON ONLINE Editor
ADAM TROXTELL Sports Editor
BECCA WHITT Photo Editor
CHANCELLOR MILLS CAMPUS LIFE EDITOR
MEGAN CAREY ARTS SCENE Editor
MELISSA ARCHER STAFF CARTOONIST
“IT’S A ROAD NOT A SIDEWALK,” Megan Carey, Art Scene Editor “It’s a European chair. If you sit in it, ‘you’re-a-peein’ for the next week,” Chancellor Mills, Campus Life Editor. “Do the cop kow?” Jessica Rush, Managing Editor
Editorial: “Girls Gone Wild” is effect of college town The college experience is an ill-defined period that most American youths go through for at least a little while, a mythical rumspringa where they explore their own definitions of religion, freedom, education and sexuality while working hard towards becoming competent and exceptional in their chosen vocations. Of course, beer pong and frat parties are as intrinsic to the general perception of college as study sessions. Any time a population of young, energentic people are given more responsibility and freedom than they’ve ever had before, questionable decisions will be made. But one of the most important aspects of the college experience is the relative cushion it gives to young men and women who need to develop into fully-functioning adults. College students must learn from their mistakes, not be insulated from them. The fact that “Girls Gone Wild” came to Commerce is not one that A&M-Commerce and Commerce city leaders were very happy with, which is understandable, considering that the company profits by objectifying women. Sororities forbade their members from attending, some going as far as to cover the signs outside of their housing to further dissuade any visits from “Girls Gone Wild.” But as A&M-Commerce seeks to grow in attendance and prestige, the city of Commerce must come to grips with what it is: a college town whose entire economic structure is based on the bank accounts of students. With every textbook purchase, Big Mac and improved road, A&MCommerce students build into the local economy, whether they’re aware of it or not. You can’t have good without the bad, if you want to call it that. “Girls Gone Wild” coming to Commerce is merely a sign that the university is expanding its overall influence. It was held at a local bar whose clientele are, as a majority, not going to be offended by “Girls Gone Wild.” Hate it or love it, Commerce, the university is here to stay, and “Girls Gone Wild” is merely a side effect in a long list of benefits. Note: These opinions are a collaborative effort reflecting the editorial board of The East Texan.
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Thursday, April 8, 2010
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...adult film group comes to Commerce CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
business major Ricky Callentine, Thursday night’s event did not quite measure up to previous experiences. “It’s kinda lame,” Callentine said. “But I knew it was going to be lame ‘cause I’ve been to a ‘Girls Gone Wild’ party before.” About an hour into the event, the crew of “Girls Gone Wild” brought out their own official cameras and walked throughout the bar, encouraging patrons to “go wild.” Per a compa ny-w ide pol ic y, t he members of the “Girls Gone Wild” crew were not allowed to make any statement on the events of the evening. However, one crew member was able to debunk the rumor that “Girls Gone Wild” would be paying a visit to sorority houses on campus. “It sounded like something unique for us to do,” ma nager of The Rail Shan Milhon said. “We’re always doing interesting stuff.” Accord i ng to M i l hon, representat ives of Girls Gone Wild contacted him recently about the possibility of one of the group’s tours coming through Commerce. “Their buses run all over, a lot like a touring band,” Milhon said. “It sounded like a great marketing opport unit y for us.” M i l hon s a id he i s awa r e of t he opinions people may have over t he Girls Gone Wild company, which sells adult-themed videos depicting young adult women in sexual situations, but he does not think the reaction will hurt his business. “The people [the event] is going to offend aren’t going to come here anyway,” Milhon said. “The people that are going to be judgmental are the people that think we shouldn’t serve alcohol in Commerce in t he first place. All [this event] does is spark an interest in the club.” Milhon is not sure what made the company choose Commerce as a destination, but said he intends to use the company’s promotional tools to help drive interest to The Rail, which has recently come under new ownership. In
the future, the bar plans to host several new events, including volleyball tournaments and an expansion of the bar’s restaurant menu. “In a college town, the classes keep changing and new people come in,” Milhon said. “We can’t keep doing the same things over and over.” Sororities, Administration react The Girls Gone Wild brand claims to be “all about fun, freedom, and youthful expression.” With the company’s appearance, the university administration urged students to be cautious. “The students have rights as individuals to decide if they participate or not,” Vice President for Student Access and Success Dr. Mary Hendrix said. “I would just caution them that any time they agree to be filmed that they sign a release, and they really read over the release and find out the capacity with which it’s going to be used.” Hendr i x recom mended st udents think about the far-reaching implications of what some might consider a fun night to be forgotten the next day. “Students would not want to engage in any behavior that would be embarrassing to them now or in the future,” she said. “In this state of media and how quickly things are posted on YouTube, any actions that they engage in could be filmed, and anyone out there in the public could see it now and many years from now.” Because college girls have been targeted to star in Girls Gone Wild videos in the past, many sororities on campus took a proactive approach by setting parameters for their sisters ahead of the event. The Girls Gone Wild event was discussed Monday, March 29, at the Pan-Hellenic meeting. “I have advised them to use their best judgment—just being classy and not trashy,” Coordinator of Greek Life Amber VanLue said. VanLue said she was not excited when she found out Girls Gone Wild was coming to Commerce. There was the potential for something to happen that would be detrimental to someone’s
...student runs for office CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
w i t h i n t h e c i t y, ” he said. A&M-Commerce st udent and Texas College D e mo c rat s Pr e sident Kaycie Clark thinks Roh rabaugh would set h i s ma i n foc u s on i mprovi ng Com merce for its residents. “It is very important to Doug to strengthen the relationship between the university and the city, although his first priority will be to the City of
Commerce and its constituents,” she said. Rohrabaugh and H a n e y t h i n k it i s i m portant t hat A&MCommerce students b ecome i nvolved w it h this election. “I bel ieve t hat t he most important election you can vote in is your c it y elec t ion s,” Roh rabaugh said. “Cit y elections affect you directly, and students should voice t hei r concer n s about t he cond it ion of Commerce by voting in t he
local election.” As a husband, father and student, Rohrabaugh wants to see Commerce meet t he needs of all its citizens. “I want to ensure that Commerce remains a safe, small town to raise a fa m i ly i n wh i le pro viding the employment, entertainment and commercial needs of a college town,” he said. “I believe that with hard work and God’s blessi ng we ca n make Commerce a great place to live and grow.”
...construction continues CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
b u i ld i ng ,” Mc Ke n n a said. Sophomore Bentley Hick man t hinks t h a t w h i l e t h e w a l king mall itself is a good idea, construction is an inconvenient necessity. “I like the idea of the walking mall,” Hickman said. “It’s a cool idea, but the main road that went through to the BA building was used a lot. Also, it is a big inconvenience hav i ng to wa l k a l l t he way around the student center, Science Building, or Ag-IT Bu i ld i ng just to get to the other side of campus.” Chadwell also thinks t he con st r uc t ion i s a n inconvenience but said it w i l l b e a n a s s e t t o
the university. “It makes the traffic by the New Pride and the student ’s center a little dangerous,” she said. “I think it will be wonderful when it’s done, but as wit h any construct ion, it’s kind of a pain right now. It might have been nice had they started in May, but I can understand the jumpstart.” Another ongoing con st r uct ion project, the connection of campus’s chilled water loop, wh ic h wa s b eg u n l a st Decemb er, fel l b eh i nd it s i n it i a l m i d - M a r c h completion date. “It’s taking much longer than we thought, but we got so much rain in that process that it’s rea l ly slowed us dow n,” McKen na said. “That ’s
j u s t a n o t h e r ph a s e o f con st r uct ion, a nd why you k i nd of go a head, because you never know what Mother Nature may have in store for you once you start.” Ac c or d i n g t o Mc Ken na, t he delayed loop construction is not being conducted at any additional fees to the university, and is now expected to be completed by the end of May. “We a re not pay i ng anything additional,” he said. “It’s a paid contract, so it ’s ju st up to t hem to get done and get out. We’re working as quickly as we can, but these things take time. Hopef u l ly, it w i l l b e a head of schedule, but that remains to be seen.”
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future career goals for participating in an event like Thursday’s foam party. Disciplinary action for going to the event or engaging in on or off-camera stunts is up to the personnel of each chapter, and VanLue said some chapters have already warned their sisters not to participate. “They’re trying everything they can to promote a positive image of themselves, and that’s the last thing they need,” VanLue said. Some students raised concerns about t he crew com i ng on-campus to get shots of girls for their popular video series. The university does not have a policy of barring groups from coming on campus. “It’s a public institution, so anyone can come,” Hendrix said. Hendrix said the crew would have to get releases to use someone’s image, although some chapters went a step farther, saying they would be going to classes on Thursday but not answering their doors. “We will not be going out on Thursday night,” President of Kappa Delta sorority, Jewel Malick said. Community opinion split Members of the city of Commerce’s government and certain establishments have expressed mixed feelings about adult video company Girls Gone Wild‘s presence in Commerce. Mayor Q uay Th r og mor ton s a id he welcomes free enterprise, but is not very familiar wit h much of t he company’s work. “All I have seen is the commercials late at night,” he said. Safety is a concern with events such as these, but Throgmorton said he is sure the Commerce Police Department was up to the task. “I’m sure they will ensure nothing illegal happens,” he said. A representative from CPD said the police have no comment on how they handled the event. Throgmorton said in addition to the police doing their job he is sure the owner and staff of The Rail did e ve r y t h i ng t h e y c ou ld to pr e ve nt
illegal activity. Mayor Pro Temp Billie Biggerstaff said she had not heard the film group was com i ng to Com merce a nd was shocked to find out. “I don’t mea n to laug h, but I’m just so surprised to hear about this,” she said. Although Biggerstaff laughed when first hearing the news, she said it is still a serious matter. “I can laugh about it now, but I do not think it’s funny,” she said. “It’s just a shock.” Biggerstaff said it’s okay to have organizations such as Girls Gone Wild come through town sometimes, as long as it does not become commonplace. “We don’t want this kind of element in town all the time,” she said. Throgmorton agreed with Biggerstaff. “Things like this are okay now and then as long as it does not become a regular occurrence,” he said. Pastor of The First Presbyter ia n Church in Commerce Mary Lyman had a different opinion. “I would caution women in Commerce not to get involved, it’s degrading,” she said. Throgmorton said women who are thought about or participated in the event should consider possible future ramifications. With the advent of computer tech nolog y and videos being put on the Internet, Throgmorton said women who let themselves be videotaped could suffer consequences well into the future. “I would encourage these folks who are t hink ing about participating to think about it for awhile before taking action,” he said. “One day you may have children and they may see the video.” Throgmorton said although Girls Gone Wild is a legal business, he cautioned anyone who attended the event to use good judgment. Biggerstaff said despite the stigma that goes with the group she does not think this event will do any damage to Commerce. “It won’t hurt our reputation as long as they come and go,” she said.
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Ca mpus Life
Thursday, April 8, 2010
www.theeasttexan.com
The Office of Career Development holds events throughout both the spring and fall semester, including a job fair, resume workshops, business etiquette dinners and groundhog job shadow days. A&M-Commerce students watch as a model walks down the runway. The A&M-Commerce Office of Career Development hosted their third annual Dress for Success Fashion Show. The purpose of the show was to educate college students on proper interview and business atire.
A&M-Commerce focuses on fashion AMANDA JOHNSON CAITLIN MASON STAFF WRITERS Students are in-style at Career Development’s fashion show. A&M-Commerce’s Office of Career Development hosted their third annual Dress for Success Fashion Show. Held throughout the spring and fall semesters, the show began in the spring of 2009 and was the idea of Director of Career Development Tina Boitnott. The purpose of the show is to educate students on how to “dress for success,” by offering examples of what to wear and what not to wear to job interviews and within the workplace. “Everyone has their own concept of what is considered appropriate to
wear to an interview or at a job,” Boitnott said. “I feel like the fashion show is helpful because we all learn and interpret things differently, so to see what is right and wrong visually helps.” The fashion show consisted of three categories: business professional, which had examples of what to wear to an interview or a job fair; business casual, which had examples of what to wear once hired; and what not to wear, which showcased examples of outfits appropriate for weekend wear. Belk in Rockwall donated all of the clothes worn by the models. Six students and one employee, three young women and four young men, modeled in the show. A&M-Commerce junior Carla Montanares participated in the show as a stu-
dent model and discussed the importance of showing students appropriate workplace attire. “I feel like a lot of students and job applicants don’t know exactly what to wear to an interview or at a job,” she said. “These events help them in the professional world so they don’t make fools of themselves.” Career Development Coordinator Gregory Sherley emphasized the importance of the fit of clothing in each of the models. “Before you buy something walk around and sit in it,” Sherley said. “What fits standing up, might not fit sitting down, and you don’t want to be in the middle of an interview and have your pants rip.” Career Development hosts different workshops throughout the spring
and fall semesters that provide students with the fundamentals needed to survive in a competitive job market. Aside from the fashion show, events include a job fair workshop, a resume workshop, business etiquette dinner, groundhog job shadow day, and mock interviews. A complete list of workshops, including dates, is available in the Career Development office, and on the university’s website. Individuals interested in these workshops can sign up in the Career Development office or online through Lion Tracks. For more information on Career Development or upcoming workshops, contact Director of Career Development Tina Boitnott at Tina_Boitnott@ tamu-commerce.edu.
Six students and one A&M-Commerce employee participated in Career Development’s fashion show: three women and four men.
Easter remains a relevant holiday JASMIN BROWN STAFF WRITER
Members of the Indian Student Associaton honor the holiday Holi. The ISA currently celebrates four holidays: Holi, the Ganesh festival, Deepvali and Diwali. Other campus religious groups include the Baptist Student Ministry and the Muslim Student Association.
Campus religious groups plan celebrations JAMES BRIGHT EDITOR Religious groups are not in short supply at A&M-Commerce and some of them are not shy about celebrating their respective holidays. Indian Student Association President Rajesh Arroju said the ISA celebrates several native Indian holidays. “We celebrate our tradition and culture, though we are far from the motherland,” he said. Arroju said the group currently celebrates four holidays. Holi runs through the month of March, the Ganesh festival for three days in August or September, Deepvali in October and Diwali in November. “We arrange fresh parties every fall and spring,” he said. Most parties are sched-
uled on the third Friday of every semester according Arroju. For each party the group does multiple things to draw an audience. “For every festival we try to provide different kinds of traditional snacks and sweets,” he said. “We also show our interest in wearing traditional clothes.” Students with Indian heritage are not the only ones attending these events though. “All non-ISA members are allowed to attend the Holi festival and Deepvali,” Arroju said. “Since Ganesh festival celebrates our god only ISA members are allowed to attend.” There are still plenty of options available for nonISA members though. “It just depends on a student’s personal interests,” he said. Arroju said the univer-
sity has been instrumental in helping the ISA put on their events. “The university is helping us a lot in providing all the resources and facilities in celebrating our culture,” he said. “We really appreciate their concern to provide these resources.” ISA is planning to expand their celebrations as well. Arroju said they are planning a winter tradition. “We are planning to have a camp fire every year in January,” he said. The ISA is not alone in their religious celebrations. President of Campus Crusade for Christ Phillip Slaughter said although the group does not celebrate holidays they do meet every other week for Bible study. “We look at the bible, which lets us know how we can clarify Jesus in our lives,” he said.
The group meets every other Monday and aside from that Slaughter said he invites members of the group to attend church with him. President Tiffany Floyd of Lions for Christ said her group holds a Christmas party every year. “We have a white elephant gift exchange and we decorate a tree,” she said. Floyd said in addition to the parties the group holds Bible study on Wednesdays. There are multiple other religious groups on campus such as the Baptist Student Ministry and Muslim Student Association. Students interested in joining any religious group can get information about any group on campus from http://campusactivities.tamu-commerce. edu/orgs/default.asp.
Chocolate bunnies, packages of artificial grass and egg dyeing kits are familiar signs of the approach of Easter Sunday in the United States. Celebrated by many Christian denominations as the commemoration of Jesus Christ’s resurrection, Easter has also come to be associated with such activities as egg hunts, gift giving and family gatherings. Easter is also a notable force in the U.S. economy. According to the National Retail Federation’s (NRF) 2010 Easter Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, “…holiday celebrants will spend slightly more this year with the average person expected to shell out $118.60, up from $116.59 last year. Total spending is expected to reach $13.03 billion.” Some, like junior math major Christine Taylor, think that the commercialization of Easter serves to diminish its religious significance. “Just like the secularization of Christmas, I believe it cheapens the deep and powerful message of the holiday,” she said, “but since Christians go along with the fun and are not offended, the world continues to have its influence.” Senior photography major Philip Clark said he does not think Easter is a relevant holiday. “I haven’t really had anything to do with Easter since I was a little kid,” he said. “The whole eggs and bunnies thing, and what that has to do with
Jesus and being reborn, never really made sense. If you research it, a lot of the things that are Easterrelated are pagan traditions that got carried over into Christianity.” Associate Pastor of First United Methodist Church-Commerce (FUMC-Commerce) Aleze Fulbright agrees that many non-religious symbols have come to be part of celebrating Easter in the U.S. “As Easter time rolls around, we see the stores adorned with the bunnies, eggs, chicks, the pastels and pretty dresses,” she said. “In our conditioned minds, we relate these symbols to that of Easter. Unfortunately, we do a disservice to the sacredness of Easter if we get stuck on all of these secular signs.” Fulbright said she strives to teach the meaning behind the celebration of Easter. “As a Pastor, I strive to teach the full story, not only the Resurrection,” she said. “Easter for the most part is the celebration of Jesus Christ’s Resurrection. And so in my teaching, I strive to relay the point of God loving humanity so much that God sent Jesus, the Christ, for us.” In fact, Fulbright said the true message of Easter is something to be celebrated all year. “Easter is not about all of the frills that commercialism has conditioned us to believe,” Fulbright said. “Once we understand the message, and once the ‘signs’ are gone in the stores, we can continue to celebrate every day as Easter people.”
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Ca Campus mpus Life Life
Thursday, April 8, 2010
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Holiday brings out pranking spirit CHANCELLOR MILLS CAMPUS LIFE EDITOR
Robert Taylor of East Texas Radio Group gives advertising advice to high school and college students at the second annual Mass Communication Career Day while NBC Universal Account Executive Aimee Holcomb and KDFW TV Graphic Designer Steve Daniels look on.
University hosts annual career day BRIANNA JACKSON STAFF WRITER On Thursday, April 1, the National Broadcasting Society, in conjunction with Career Development, hosted their second annual Mass Communication Career Day on the second floor of the Sam Rayburn Student Center. The conference contained a series of workshops held by professionals in the mass communication industry, who dispense information about working in the field to students. High school students from around the area attended, such as Rockwall-Heath High School and Commerce
High School. “We hosted a luncheon for the professional presenters and the mass communication faculty and assisted with the marketing,” Career Development Center Director Tina Boitnott said. The speakers and additional practical experience events were coordinated by the NBS. “We started planning this event last year,” Blanca Duran said. Duran is a senior radio-television major and the president of NBS. “The speakers were mostly all of our faculty adviser Dr. Tony DeMars’ contacts he made in the field and connections of members of NBS.” The events of the day
lasted from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a total of eight workshops held. There were several speakers from different companies, news stations and news corporations, such as the Dallas Morning News, NBC Universal and KDFW in Dallas. Boitnott said she was especially excited about the connections students could make at this event. “The information was outstanding, and the networking opportunities were priceless,” she said. “In today’s job market and the competitive nature of mass communications, it is vital that students take advantage of every opportunity to network and learn all they
can about their chosen career and how to land a job.” Junior public relations major Candace Foots attended the conference as well. “I am happy that I attended this event this year,” Foots said. “It was more of a reality check than I had expected. I am more prepared to enroll in classes, seek internships and pursue experiences.” Duran hopes the NBS will continue to hold the event again every year. “I feel like today’s event was a success,” Duran said. “The students were participating and asking the speakers questions.”
From new, creative pranks to old favorites, playing practical jokes on friends or family is an almost essential part of April Fool’s Day. The holiday originated in 1582 when Pope George XIII ordered a new calendar to replace the Julian calendar which would move New Year’s Day from April to Jan. 1. Then, for some reason, people still continued to celebrate New Year’s Day on April 1. As a result, these practitioners were mocked as traditionalists and sent on “fool’s errands.” Although most do not know the historical origins of April Fool’s Day, students of A&M-Commerce continue to uphold the pranking part of the Holiday. With increased integration of social networking mediums in recent years, it has become easier and easier for people to fool their friends. “One year, I had a friend who put up on Facebook that she was pregnant,” junior marketing major Rachel Payne said. “It was funny because all of her friends were freaking out.” Some pranks on April Fool’s Day are considered quite innocent and harmless. Other pranks, however, can involve bringing harm to others in the name of celebration. “A good one is to put
Tabasco sauce on a padded chair,” junior animal science major Wes Young said. “Then when the person sits down it will soak through their pants and burn their ass.” While some people may decide to go the route of physically harming or humiliating a person, others will sometime choose to take a more emotional tactic. “I once told a guy that we were friends,” junior environmental science major Michael Shaw said. “And then I said ‘April Fool’s.’” Some campus publications even got in on the action, running newspapers with fake headlines or fictitious stories. For instance, New York University ran a story stating that the institution would soon be holding a “Jersey Shore” conference, during which faculty would be exploring the scholarly issues surrounding the popular television show. The pranks did not stop there, however, as the comedy website collegehumor.com played a joke on the city of New York. The website and its staff funded a hoax to convince the people of New York City that In-NOut Burger, a well known burger franchise on the West Coast, would soon be opening a new location in the Big Apple. The group even went as far making posters, making flyers and hiring actors to dress as employees.
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Printing facility on campus shuts down AMANDA GOODMAN STAFF WRITER
Anonymous blogging site JuicyCampus.com came under criticism last year for being little more than locker room gossip published online.
Blogging site tests limits of free speech JOSH LAW STAFF WRITER Blogging and social networking has increased in popularity over the years, and as its applications and uses diversify, so do its ethical and legal issues that come along with the expansion. JuicyCampus. com was a website dedicated to gossip, rants, and rumors about campus life at over 500 colleges and universities in the United States. Any user can log on to the site and post comments anonymously about anyone or anything related to college life. This type of blogging has caused major controversy about the difference between free speech and libel in blogs, and exactly how to go about dealing with the issue. Typical categories discussed on the site range from topics such as “who is the biggest slut on campus” to
tales of a rape victim and how she “deserved it.” Names and addresses were used at times, and many personal attacks occurred on individuals in sororities and fraternities, which brought investigations and lawsuits. The website is currently protected by a federal law that prevents the absolution of any website based on what their users post. While its proponents argue the point of free speech, some students at A&M-Commerce believe this type of blogging is uncalled for. “I think these sites were intended for good use, but the hearts of the individuals using it are different than the ones who created it,” sophomore history major Shane Bennett said. “You have the right to free speech, but you also must have respect for others.” Despite the popularity
of the site, JuicyCampus. com was plagued with financial difficulty and shut down in February of 2009. “While there are parts of JuicyCampus that none of us will miss - the meanspirited posts and personal attacks - it has also been a place for the fun, lighthearted gossip of college life,” Former president of JuicyCampus.com Matt Ivester said on the organizations website. “I hope that is how it is remembered.” Other sites have now sprung up to fill the gap in this new field. CollegeACB.com is one of the frontrunners in the field currently, and is suggested as the official replacement site for JuicyCampus.com on their official blog site at www.juicycampus. blogspot.com. According to their official blog site at www.
collegeacb.blog.com“The CollegeACB, or College Anonymous Confession Board, seeks to give students a place to vent, rant, and talk to college peers in an environment free from social constraints and about subjects that might otherwise be taboo.” While the statement is clear in its wording, at least one student at Texas A&M-Commerce believes it is misleading and the new site will not be any different than its predecessor. “I am pretty sure it is going to be the same as the other site, because if it looks like the same thing, and sounds like the same thing, it is probably the same thing,” junior sociology and psychology double major Kristen Jarrell said, “It is just another venue for people to make others feel bad.”
The University Print Shop will permanently close its doors on May 31, 2010, because of possible economic concerns. An e-mail sent to faculty and staff by Assistant Vice President for Business Rex Gidden on March 25 stated the print shop would close. The notice was designed to prepare faculty and staff for the closing, and to inform them of whom to contact for future printing needs. According to the e-mail, “The purpose of this notice is to advise departments for scheduling and planning. All print jobs after May 31 will be outsourced to external printers. Jobs to be outsourced will be bid on as required by purchasing rules and regulations. Departments should allow adequate lead time for the bid process as well as for print time.” Director of the Printing, Copy and Postal Services Blake Shaw said he is disappointed with the changes, but is eager to begin his new tasks. He said he has seen many changes in the printing programs during his time on campus. “Printing Services moved into the building that currently houses the One Stop Shop in 1978 (later named the Staley McBrayer Instructional Printing Facility),” Shaw said. “We moved to the old MSC annex (former bookstore location) in June 2009.” Shaw said the print shop has had several workers retire over the
years, and currently staffs four employees in printing services and two in copy and postal services. Manager of the Digital Copy Center Carolyn Nitson graduated from East Texas State University in 1981 with a printing degree. She has been an employee of the university since then, and is sad to see the print shop close. “We have to be ready for change,” she said. There are four student workers who assist the facility. Currently, little to no work is conducted in the print shop as it is prepared for closure. “We have two production press operators, one composition and typesetting worker, and myself,” Shaw said. “The length of time our staff has spent working together certainly makes the shop closure hard on us all.” Shaw said he will still be in charge of handling campus printing needs after the print shop closes, though at a different location. “Blake will be moving to the Purchasing Department and will continue oversight of Composition Services, the Digital Copy Center, and Campus Postal Services,” Gidden said in his e-mail. “Debbie Raney will be available to handle print jobs requiring or needing composition work and those services will be billed separately from the printing costs.” The copy center and post office will continue to provide their current services.
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Art Art Scene Scene
Thursday, Mar. 11, 2010 www.theeasttexan.com
MEGAN CAREY ART SCENE EDITOR Lady Gaga- “Telephone” The number one YouTube video this month is probably the strangest video to be put out by Lady Gaga, and that is saying something. “Telephone” can be described in two words: ‘product’ and ‘placement’. In the first three minutes, Lady Gaga’s own brand of headphones, a Virgin Mobile phone and several Diet Coke cans in her hair make an appearance. I know I shouldn’t be, but I’m surprised that out of all the videos on YouTube, this was the most popular.
IMAGES.ALLMOVIEPHOTOS.COM
Sam Worthington, who portrays Perseus the demi-god in 2010 remake of “Clash of the Titans” is a star on the rise. He has garnered praise in “Terminator: Salvation”, where he stole the spotlight from lead actor Christian Bale, and for his role in “Avatar” both well-known films.
80s camp classic remake clashes with viewer BECCA WHITT PHOTO EDITOR
After the cinematic masterpiece Avatar awakened moviegoers to the potential of beautiful 3D imagery, theaters have been flooded with second-rate copies covered with the 3D format in post production. “Clash of the Titans” is no exception. Though mildly entertaining, it lacks the dynamic experience offered by the original movie released in 1981. The film’s plot is threadbare and bland as demigod Perseus (Sam Worthington) goes on a quest to slaughter the
Kraken, and save the fallen city of Argos and their princess Andromeda (Alexa Davalos) from the wrath of the gods. Plot twists include a slue of giant scorpions, and the intense battle within Medusa’s temple in the Underworld to spice up the lack of character depth and make up for the original plot, which is lost in a sea of chaotic and explosive battle scenes. On top of this, the Greek mythology behind the plot is surprisingly inaccurate. The time line for the events, traditionally stretching over years, is condensed to a single week. Furthermore, the entire premise for the
war between the human race and the gods is a figment of a script writer’s imagination. Finally, the addition of the character Io (Gemma Arterton), a beautiful Grecian woman cursed by the gods with agelessness, is a clever, but ultimately ineffective plot-device. Io is used to break up the formerly all-male band that travels with Perseus, and her ageless status qualifies her as an endless source of knowledge, which allows her to serve as a voice for exposition. However, she lacks the vital information that Perseus needs to defeat the Kraken and is essentially useless. She also becomes
the love interest of the faithless hero, contradicting the mythology where he asks for Andromeda’s hand in marriage. This results in an abrupt and hokey end to a long, drawn out climax. The 3D imagery does nothing positive for the movie either. The film was shot in 2D and was retrofitted for 3D after the fact (unlike the master piece Avatar), and the effect is not worth the extra cash it will cost you. Arguably, the imagery does heighten the more epic aspects of the film. When the Kraken, a beast so terrifying “even the gods fear it”
comes on screen, the audience plays witness to a very imaginative CGI creation. Over all, the movie does its job by capturing the attention of its audience, but this is not a hard task. Balloon animals would have had the same effect. Ultimately, the inaccuracy of the folklore and endlessly dull plot fall short in comparison to the original 1981 film, and the 3D rendition does nothing to save its slowly sinking ratings. Titans fans beware, this movie will leave you confused and disappointed.
ACESHOWBIZ.COM
The quartet of time travelers gaze at the hot tub with horror or apprehensiveness, which is no surprise due to their debaucherous adventures because of the body of water.
“Hot Tub Time Machine” surprisingly hot, hilarious JARED WATSON ONLINE EDITOR There are some things you never want to hear yourself say, like “I’m looking forward to that root canal” or “Man, I love that new Nickelback song.” I recently found myself forced to utter one of those phrases, which I had only just recently added to the list. “One for ‘Hot Tub Time Machine,’ please.” I expected this movie to be dreadful. I hated the trailer, I hated the “retro” ‘80s plot idea, and, above all, I hated the title. So, when “Hot Tub Time Machine” turned out to
be a smart, well-executed and flat-out hilarious comedy, nobody was more surprised than me. The plot of this movie is almost beside the point. It stars John Cusack, Rob Corddry and Craig Robinson as a group of buddies who, unhappy with the way their lives have turned out, decide to rent a room in a ski resort they frequented when they were younger. The hot tub in their room malfunctions, they pass out and wake up in 1986, right in the middle of their debaucherous heyday. The movie clearly and unapologetically borrows from all of the time-travel films that have come before it. Lines refer-
ence “The Terminator,” “Timecop” and “The Butterfly Effect,” and Crispin Glover (George McFly from “Back to the Future”) has a minor role as a one-armed (and sometimes two-armed) bellhop at the resort. In fact, “Back to the Future’s” hands are all over this film, as plotlines about children fading in and out of existence, making money betting on future events and using music from the future in the past, all staples of the “Future” trilogy, make appearances at various times throughout the film. What makes this movie work so well is that it is always aware of how ridiculous it is.
At one point, Craig Robinson recites the name of the film in a line, and then immediately looks into the camera to let the audience know he’s in on the joke, Eddie Murphystyle. In fact, it’s only when the movie tries to be serious or thoughtful that it falls flat. In particular, John Cusack, who seems to have been cast as a throwback to ‘80s nostalgia, is totally wasted. He is not involved in any of the humor, and his romantic subplot is unconvincing and ineffectual, serving only to interrupt the fun. And there is a lot of fun to be had in this film. “Hot
Tub Time Machine” earns every bit of its “R” rating with gratuitous lewd humor, nudity, drug references and enough “f” bombs to sink a battleship. If the ‘80s were even a third as fun as this movie made them out to be, I certainly wouldn’t mind paying a visit. Potential movie-goers may be turned off, like I was, by the silly trailer and even sillier title of this movie, but they would be doing themselves a disservice if they skipped the film. It is genuinely funny, full of nostalgia, and the most enjoyable movie experience I’ve had this year.
Twilight: Eclipse Trailer Not surprisingly, “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse” trailer has captured the elusive second most watched video of the month. Watching it in its entirety for the first time has made me ashamed to have once claimed to be a Twilight fan. “Eclipse,” which will be released in early summer, is both pathetic in appearance and content. Apparently, “it all begins with a choice” between love suck, I mean sick, Edward and jerk werewolf Jacob. If I were Bella, I would just kill myself and get it over with. Life with either of these guys seems horrible. Needless to say, the trailer leaves something to be wanted: an entirely different movie. OK Go- “This Too Shall Pass” OK Go has kept up their pace with revolutionary videos that test the limits of music video history. However dramatic that may sound, the video for their song “This Too Shall Pass,” is indeed something I’ve never experienced in a music video. While the band sings their song, the most elaborate mousetrap/chain reaction mechanism is unfolded. Sadly, I became more interested in the constantly evolving machine than the actual song or the band members at all. Sorry, OK Go, but your song kind of sucks. Have a nice day. Twilight: Eclipse Teaser The fourth most popular video this month was a 10 second teaser for “Eclipse.” This video’s only purpose is to set the stage for the epic battle for Bella’s love and soul within the most anticipated movie of the summer. Edward says he knows the consequences of Bella’s becoming vampiric, and Jacob claims he’ll keep fighting for Bella “until her heart stops beating.” It’s all very sweet, but I’m more interested in how the director is going to compensate for Kristen Stewart’s Joan Jett haircut from her movie The Runaways. Will it be a wig, extensions, or… something more mystical? I guess I’ll just have to watch the movie and find out! Justin Bieber’s New Video Justin Bieber is a prepubescent child musician who needs to go away. His last single “Baby” was salvaged by the Ludacris duet element. However, there is nothing to save the song “Never Let You Go.” He’s so young, and his sad crooning about love and angels taking him to heaven leaves me skeptical to whether he thinks he’s a legitimate artist or not. The video is chock full of inspiring images of him on a beach in the wind and him touching, but not touching, the girl he’s singing about. In fact, the girl looks like she’s three to four years older than Bieber. Now that’s creepy.
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SPORTS
Thursday, April 8, 2010
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Spring 2010 Intramural Softball Schedule Thursday, April 8 Women’s League: Kappa Delta v. Tough Cookies, 7 p.m., Field 1 Toxic v. Chi Omega, 7 p.m., Field 2 Chi Omega v. Gamma Phi, 8 p.m., Field 1 Alpha Phi v. Toxic, 8 p.m., Field 2 Men’s League 1: Phillies v. Sigma Chi 2, 9 p.m., Field 1 Delta Tau Delta v. Kappa Alpha 2, 9 p.m., Field 2 Men’s League 2: Aftermath v. Sigma Chi 1, 10 p.m., Field 1 Skullz v. Kappa Alpha 1, 10 p.m., Field 2
Tuesday, April 13 Women’s Division Tough Cookies v. Chi Omega, 7 p.m.. Field 1
Toxic and Tough Cookies begin the intramural softball season as they play their first game on March 30. The season runs to April 14, and is followed by a week of playoffs.
Intramural softball season underway ADAM TROXTELL SPORTS EDITOR
The first A&MCommerce intramuGamma Phi v. Alpha Phi, 8 ral softball games were p.m., Field 1 played last night, as the new spring season got Toxic v. Kappa Delta, 8 p.m., underway. A total of 26 Field 2 teams in the women’s, men’s, and co-ed diviMen’s League 1: sions will play at least three games at the Cain Kappa Alpha 2 v. Sigma Chi Sports Complex between 2, 9 p.m., Field 1 now and April 14. Playoffs will then begin the Phillies v. Delta Tau Delta, following week. 9 p.m., Field 2 “I’m not sure how many teams we had last year, Men’s League 2: but I would say they are probably pretty compaSigman Chi v. Skullz, 10 rable numbers,” Assistant p.m., Field 1 Director for Intramural and Club Sports Michelle Kappa Alpha 1 v. Rainbow Wentzel said. “It’s probBright, 10 p.m., Field 1 ably the most co-rec teams we’ve had in any sport for Co-ed League 1: a while now. Normally we average about five Sailor Moon v. Team or six.” America, 7 p.m., Field 2 Wentzel said there are 11 teams in the co-ed division this season.
With softball being played in the spring, the issue of rain has the potential to postpone games. Wentzel said the games were scheduled with this in mind, and she assures the recreational sports staff is doing their best to prevent a frustrating season. “Hopefully, if we do have to reschedule, we can at least finish the season,” she said. “I think that was a struggle they had last year, and I don’t think softball even finished. I believe we incorporated about two weeks’ flexibility to reschedule, so we cut it down to basically a three week season. Everyone is guaranteed at least three games.” She also said those in charge of calling off the games due to weather would attempt to do so in the timeliest manner possible. “It depends on the rain, but if we get a downpour
Freshman T.J. McColl tees off for the men’s golf team. The men were in Goodyear, Arizona, March 29-30.
Golf competes in Arizona KARLTON BROOKS STAFF WRITER At the Grand Canyon Thunderbird Invitational, the A&M-Commerce men’s golf team finished in 12th out of 17 teams. The Lions posted an 887 (293-293-301) through the three rounds of golf. Coach Louie Bledsoe said he thought the team, overall, had a good tournament. “We were tied for seventh place after the first two rounds, but we slipped a bit in the third round,” Bledsoe said. Senior Danny Jun led the Lions with a 54-hole total of 216 (73-71-72), which was tied for 21st overall. Jun posted two eagles that led the tournament, and he was one of the top players with his six-under par play on
par 5 holes. “He is getting back on his game,” Bledsoe said. “This was the first tournament in the spring where his wrist hasn’t bothered him.” Senior Eric Westeran played a decent tournament as well. He posted a 221 (73-71-77), which was good enough to tie for 40th. “Westerman was one under after the first two rounds, 71, 72, but the first nine of the third round got him,” Bledsoe said. “He did come back on the back nine and shot a two under 34.” Junior Dustin Gideon placed 63rd after a 228 (73-77-78), and freshman T.J. McColl shot a twoover par 74 in the final round to finish with a 234 (78-82-74) to finish 77th. The tournament ended
early for Tyler Duffy, as he had to withdraw due to illness after posting 74 in both the first and second round. California State University-Stanislaus edged Chico State for the team title by two strokes with an 846 (278-281-287). Joseph Stewart of CSUStanislaus won the individual title with a nine under par 207 (69-70-68) for a two-stroke victory. Bledsoe said the men still have room for improvement before they being play at the Lone Star Conference tournament on April 18. “We have to be more consistent in our ball striking and be more mentally tough,” he said. “Everyone must continue to work on our short game skills including chipping and putting.”
we normally call people as soon as we can, send out an e-mail, and also post it on Facebook,” Wentzel said. “We try to wait as long as possible, but we try to do our best to keep in mind people traveling and keep that frustration down to a minimal.” According to Wentzel, about half of the around 150 games played on the Cain Sports Complex fields were affected by rain and inclement weather. While the fields did suffer to an extent, she is confident they are up to standards. “The fields took quite a beating just because of the water,” she said. “They held up pretty good for how we did reschedules, so the fields are, I would say, in excellent condition. Any rainfall we get has a pretty big impact because the ground is still pretty saturated.” Wentzel said she is confident the softball season
will be carried out, which is positive not only for players but also potential fans. She said softball is a good sport for spectators, and encourages students to come watch. “Basketball was the first out of all our sports that we had a packed gym,” she said. “Softball, I’m hoping, will be kind of that same thing. It’s more of a relaxed atmosphere and we have the setting for it with the bleachers. We’re doing our best to try to be able to keep enticing the spectators to come out, because it makes it fun for everyone. I know it’s fun for my staff and the players to have those big crowds out there cheering them on.” Senior health education major and intramural softball player Kevin Brooks also thinks it is beneficial for spectators to enjoy the games just as players do. “It gives you something to look forward to, even if
you just enjoy it,” Brooks said. “If you like to support a baseball or softball team, then you’re going to enjoy it no matter what.” Brooks said he likes the spring atmosphere of intramural softball the most, but other players get a different type of buzz. “I’m a competitor; I love to compete,” junior sports and recreation management major Robert Spencer said. “It’s a chance to win something. As long as you stick to the principles of the game and everything, that’s what makes it the best.” While the competitive nature of the sport is attractive to some, students like business management and English double-major Alison Goodwyn are less driven toward winning. “I enjoy the fellowship, being with my friends, and getting out there and actually doing something,” she said.
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sports
Thursday, April 8, 2010
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That Sports Thing? Will Flozel or Hamlin be missed more? ADAM TROXTELL SPORTS EDITOR The words Flozell Adams and false start have been synonymous ever since the 338 lb. offensive tackle was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in 1998. For well over a decade, he provided probowl level protection for a number of quarterbacks. Now we must say goodbye, but will this hurt the Cowboys more than help them drastically reduce their penalty yards per game? In order to justify this move, Dallas will have to bring in someone to replace Adams who can effectively do his job at a similar level. They can do this two different ways: rely on fourth-year Pat McQuistan to rise up and use what he has learned from Flozell to adequately fill the left tackle gap, or go out and trust a draft pick to take the open spot. Both are potentially dangerous, especially since the only way quarterback Tony Romo can be at his best is through good protection by his front line. The top rated offensive tackle right now for the 2010 NFL Draft, Oklahoma State senior Russell Okung, will most likely go earlier than the 27th pick Dallas currently holds. Regardless, bringing in a tackle fresh from college and throwing him into the lineup right away is a very risky move, too risky for a team like the Cowboys who are trying to build a Super Bowl winning team. Adams is 34 years old. Sure, it’s a bit high for a pro sports player. But, he has the experience and the skills to remain a top offensive lineman. It appears Dallas should have just kept Adams, drafted another offensive lineman to learn for a season or two, ensuring Romo still received the same kind of protection he got in 2009. Now Cowboys fans will just have to find some other way to get their false start fix on Sundays. Wherever you go, Flozell, we know your horrible yet loved habit of racking up more penalty yards than any probowl lineman should will be appreciated.
The Week in Lions Sports Friday, April 9 Football Spring Practice- Full Gear; Memorial Stadium 6:30 a.m. Saturday, April 10 Track and Field- North Texas Spring Classic; Denton; Hosted by the University of North Texas, All Day Football Spring PracticeScrimmage; Memorial Stadium, 9 a.m. Sunday, April 11 Women’s Golf- First round, TSU Coca Cola Classic; Granbury, Texas; Hosted by Tarleton State University, All Day
STAFF REPORTS Last Friday the Dallas Cowboys finally made an important off season move, cutting five-time pro-bowler left tackle Flozell Adams and probowl safety Ken Hamlin. Both moves are risky ones because of the high production level that both players possessed in past seasons. Dallas will need to draft or sign players to fill both holes, but the loss of Ken Hamlin will be a tougher need to meet, and, ultimately, the worst of these two moves. Let’s be honest: Ken Hamlin was not the player in 2009 that he was in ‘07, but safety is not a position that is easy to fill. The Cowboys would probably have to trade up to get a safety that can start right away, a player like Taylor Mays of USC, while there will be plenty of talent at tackle in the late first round. Hamlin may have not been the best safety in the league, but he was a proven veteran who could get the job done while the Cowboys shored up their offensive line, which was one of the main reasons they lost to the Minnesota Vikings in the playoffs. Another reason that Ken Hamlin is a more hurtful loss than Adams is that Adams has consistently stalled Cowboys drives with false start penalties. While a good run blocker, Flozell has lost a step or two over the past few seasons, which accounted for the Cowboys’ poor line play in the playoffs. Hamlin didn’t hamstring the Cowboys nearly as badly. He is only two seasons removed from his ProBowl caliber year, and he’s still relatively young at 29. Even if Hamlin plays subpar in this upcoming season, Gerald Sensabaugh is a solid safety, while the Cowboys don’t really have any answers at left tackle. To make a long story short, Ken Hamlin is a decent placeholder as the Cowboys develop talent that they either draft this year or sign/draft next year. Adams needed to go, and that position needs to be upgraded as quickly as possible.
Sophomore Shagayla Petty (left) was one of three A&M-Commerce runners to compete at the Texas Relays in Austin on Thursday, April 1
Trinity, Texas relays dominate track weekend SPORTS INFORMATION
Men’s With three members of the Texas A&M University-Commerce men’s and women’s track and field team at the Texas Relays, the remainder of the team traveled to San Antonio on Friday for the Tiger Relays, hosted by Trinity University. For the second straight meet, the men’s team was led by strong performances from the middle distance duo of senior Robert Reed and junior Brandon Womack. Reed (pictured) won the 1,500-meter run in a time of 3:59.60, followed by Womack, who was second in 4:01.21; additionally, senior Tyler Tyndell finished ninth in a time of 4:05.17. Both Womack and Tyndell set personal bests with their performances. Womack also finished second in the 3,000-meter steeplechase (10:25.35) and junior Cairo Thornton claimed third in the 400meter dash (49.97). In the 110-meter hurdles, sophomore Demetrius Holmes and freshman Craig Shelton
were third and fourth in times of 15.80 and 15.84, respectively. Holmes was also sixth in the 400meter hurdles, followed by freshman teammate Akeem Jackson (seventh) and Shelton (ninth). The Lions landed three in the top seven in the 100-meter as senior Cody Bolton was fourth, sophomore Justin McGuffey was fifth and sophomore Kyle Weaver was seventh. The Lions also performed well in relays events, winning the 4x100meter relay and sprint medley relay and finishing second in the 4x400meter relay and third in the 4x800-meter relays. In the field events, Weaver was second in the javelin with a throw of 159-10 and senior Anthony Valle was third with a throw of 146-4. Valle also finished sixth in the 200meter dash in a seasonbest time of 23.00. In the shot put, freshman Josh Howe was sixth with a toss of 43-3.75, followed by junior teammate Marquis Stimpson in seventh with a toss of 43-3. The Lions next compete in the North Texas Spring
Classic in Denton, Texas, on April 10. Women’s The women were led by sophomore Charnita Hollands, who placed fifth in the 100-meter dash and sixth in the 200-meter dash in times of 12.72 and 26.19, respectively. Junior teammate Makesha Brewer (pictured) was sixth in the 400-meter dash (1:00.11) and seventh in the 200meter dash (26.55). Both were involved in the sprint medley relay, which placed second in a time of 1:51.53. The Lions next compete in the North Texas Spring Classic in Denton, Texas, on April 10. Texas Relays Texas A&M UniversityCommerce sophomore Shagayla Petty posted an NCAA Division II provisional qualifying time in the 100-meter hurdles at the 83rd annual Texas Relays in Austin, Texas, on Friday. Petty finished seventh in her heat, which consisted entirely of Division I
Head Coach Neil Piper has recruited five new players to the women’s squad so far. Monday, April 12 Women’s Golf- Second round, TSU Coca Cola Classic; Granbury, Texas; Hosted by Tarleton State University, All Day Tuesday, April 13 Women’s Golf- Final Round, TSU Coca Cola Classic; Granbury, Texas; Hosted by Tarleton State University, All Day Football Spring Practice- Full Gear; Memorial Stadium, 6:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 14 Football Spring Practice- Full Gear; Memorial Stadium, 6:30 a.m.
Five commit to Lions soccer SPORTS INFORMATION
Texas A&M UniversityCommerce women’s soccer head coach Neil Piper announced today the signing of Tareyn Blanton, Elle DeFreitas, Taylor Hunt, Brionna Minde and Brittni Ong. Tareyn Blanton is a 5-5 forward from Hurst, Texas and a three-year starter at L.D. Bell High School. LD. Bell won the district during her sophomore year and won the Emily Hunter “Fish Bowl” and Judy Hammond/Irving schools tournaments in 2009. “Tareyn is the type of player who never gives up,” women’s soccer head coach Neill Piper said. “She is always chasing down
ball and can me dangerous going toward goal.” Elle DeFreitas is a 5-6 forward has been a four-year letterwinner at Flower Mound High School. She earned alldistrict honors as a junior and played on the winning 2010 Plano Tournament of Champions team. “Elle is very athletic who I describe as a slashing type player,” Piper said. “She is always looking for gaps to get behind the defense. Elle is also good at taking on the last defender.” Taylor Hunt, a 5-3 forward, has been a twotime all-district selection at Sherman High School as she currently holds the school record for goals
scored in a career. She recognized as the district Newcomer of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year as a freshman. As a freshman, Sherman won the bi-district title. Her grandfather, Dusty played football for two years at SMU. “Taylor is a very fast and aggressive player,” Piper said. “She will help put pressure on the opposition. I believe she will develop to be a very good player in the Lone Star Conference.” Brionna Minde is a 5-8 forward, who comes to A&M-Commerce after spending the last four years at Richardson High School. Minde has been a four-year starter, where
athletes with the exception of herself, in a wind-aided (2.2 meters per second) time of 14.50. Although her time was wind-aided in terms of national rankings, the NCAA allows winds of up to 4.0 mps when qualifying for the national meet. The allowable wind for nationally ranked times and records is 2.0 mps. The NCAA has two qualifying methods for Division II athletes – automatic and provisional. Athletes who run the former are automatically eligible for the national meet. Athletes running the latter, however, must wait to see how many participants are accepted into the field of their respective event at the national meet. The automatic time in the women’s 100-meter hurdles is 13.90 and the provisional time is 14.55. Additionally, senior sprinter Chad Washington and freshman sprinter Jakesia King posted season-best times in the men’s and women’s 100-meter dash, respectively. King ran a 12.69 in the women’s event; Washington ran a 10.96 in the men’s. she has been a three-time all-district selection. As a junior in 2009, she scored 14 goals and assisted on another en route to first team all-district and team co-MVP honors in her first season as a forward. Minde started her high school career as a defender, where she earned second team all-district honors as a sophomore and team defensive MVP recognition and first team accolades as a freshman. She also is a member of the National Honor Society and her brother, Joshua plays football at Texas State. “Brionna is a strong, athletic forward who will fit into our system perfectly,” Piper said. “She is going to make it hard on opposing defenders for years to come” Brittni Ong is a 5-7 midfielder from Keller Central High School, where she was named the team’s most improved as a junior. She also earned second team all-district recognition. She is a three-year letterwinner and two-year starter. In addition to her participation on the soccer team, she ran cross country as a freshman and sophomore and is also a member of the National Honor Society “Brittni is a versatile player who can play up front or outside midfield,” Piper said. “She is a very good passer of the ball going forward and is good at finding the open space.”