Vol 67 | Number 06
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CAMPUS NEWS page 2
WENDY DAVIS ENCOURAGES TSU STUDENTS TO VOTE DURING CAMPAIGN TOUR
THE TSU HERALD | October 29, 2014
August Alsina
d om in at e s t he s ta g e d u r ing 8 7 t h hom e com ing conc e rt
LIFE & STYLE page 3
STEP UP OR STEP DOWN: GREEKS BATTLE IT OUT FOR HOMECOMING STEP SHOW
SPORTS page 5
Photo credit: Buck Bedia TIGERS SUFFER A BITTER LOSS DURING HOMECOMING GAME
OPINION page 8
HOMECOMING EDITION
page 4
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Campus News Wendy Davis encourages TSU students to vote during campaign tour BY CAMBRAI ROBINSON Contributing Writer time,” Congressman Shelia Jackson Lee reminded students that TSU is an institution that votes. Jackson-Lee also told students the reasons why Wendy Davis was the best choice for Texas Governor. Wendy Davis gave a very uplifting and inspiring speech providing students specific reasons why she is the best candidate for Texas Governor. Davis expressed her interests at hand and vows to work for all hard working Texans. Wendy Davis said, “The time is now and the future is in each of our hands. We can be the ones to say enough, that the Greg Abbots of the world have had their time, and their time is over.” Davis encouraged students to bring awareness to campus, their families, friends, and surrounding communities on the importance of voting, and being aware of the future of Texas if we don’t vote. Davis promises to honor her plan to provide full day safe and quality pre-school for toddlers, access to college for every high The TSU Herald is published by the school student regardstudents of less of their income, Texas Southern University. increased minimum Opinions expressed are those of the wage, equal pay for writer and do not necessarily reflect those of the admin- women for equal work istration. The newspaper is printed and access to Medicaid Expansion to the Afbiweekly, except fordable Care Act. during holidays and examination periods. Crystal Owens, For additional information, call (713) Student Government 313-6710. Association Vice President of Internal Affairs believes “TSU made a remarkable history point by not only allowing Wendy Davis to come speak but making sure our voices are heard and that we
Midterm Elections are drawing near and candidates are hot on the campaign trail. Texas Southern Student Government Association presented an Early Voters “UNITY RALLY” where Democratic Candidate for Texas Governor; Wendy Davis made a very special surprise appearance on campus. Hundreds of fired up TSU students welcomed Davis, rallying the importance of getting out and rocking the early vote. Many TSU alumnus and politicians running locally and statewide were present. Texas State Comptroller Democratic Candidate Mike Collier, Railroad Commissioner Democratic Candidate Steve Brown, County Clerk Democratic Candidate Ann Harris Bennett, the honorable Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, and State Senator Rodney Ellis. “I am a graduate of Texas Southern and one thing they taught me to do-VOTE, every
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF MECOLE’ HAYES Managing Editor LENZI CAUSEY Campus News Editor MARIEA BOYD Life & Style Editor KENNETH WARE JR. Sports Editor SIDNIE HOLMES Opinion/Politics Editor LINDSAY GARY Publications Manager TIYOSHA TURNER Advisors SERBINO SANDIFER-WALKER MICHAEL BERRYHILL
come together as one to vote.” TSU was credited for registering over 1,500 new student voters since the start of school in August. Immediately following the “Unity Rally,” buses were provided free of charge to take any students ready to vote. Many students rushed to the polls, taking advantage of the ride accompanied by Wendy Davis. Early voting goes on now until October 31st Midterm Elections will take place November 4, 2014. Maroon and Grey fashion show broadcasts tsu students’ designs BY LENZI CAUSEY Managing Editor Pulled together by Student Government Association President, Terrance Bolton, the Maroon and Grey Fashion Show took place at Sawyer Auditorium Friday, October 24th at 1:30 p.m., aside from the Homecoming Festival. Its purpose was to showcase the designs and fashionable ideas of students here at Texas Southern. It was opened by models styled by JustJacorolynstans Styling, a company owned and operated by TSU’s own, Jacorolynstans Harper, also known as Carol. There was a vast array of dazzling tops, fringe dresses, and bright colors to meet the eye. Other lines featured during the show were Private School, that featured staple prints, leather, and several other trends, and Finesse Gang Designs, which featured graphic tanks, tees and sweatshirts. DJ Bluetooth played hits during and between each line, and hosts Demetrius House and Jacoby Joseph let out playful quips to entertain the crowd. The show was a small success in such a busy time, and was a part of a wonderful line of events for this year’s TSU Homecoming.
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Life & Style Step Up or Step Down: TSU Greeks battle it out for the 87th homecoming step show BY TONY MONK Contributing Writer Students and alumni poured in to the HP&E Arena awaiting the start of the Greek Step show as part of Texas Southern Universities 87th homecoming. The Greek Step show is a homecoming event to showcase the stepping talents of each fraternity and sorority aside from the usual strolling many are used to seeing, as well as performances from local high school step teams. “This step show was one of the best I had seen in the past few years, definitely one to remember,” senior Breanna Barnes said. And as one of the best, the show went off to a hot start with a performance from the Royal Duchess, a step team from Westfield high school. Their flight themed performance had the entire crowd tuning in. The showdown between the TSU Greeks was main focus of the show, as the high energy from the men of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated took the stage first with their class room skit, a crowd that was already well into the show had become sold by the Omega’s performance. The host for the evening was 97.9 The Box personality, Amir Diamond as well as DJ Mr. Rogers who was in the mix for the night. Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated were next to take the stage switching the focus with an entertaining video entry. They also had a humorous moment using the voice from the viral video “P.O.P HOLD IT DOWN,” along with their flashy body suits to put a spin on their “Hunger Games” theme. Though not a part of the actual competition, the surprise team from 5th Ward, Men of Distinction, brought more energy pumping up the crowd with their skit “Little Rascals.” DJ Mr. Rogers would soon follow up with another round of music that would get the crowd and Greeks hype. Later, the ladies of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated switched the competition up a bit with their performance that was centered on the “IPhone 22’ act.
The ladies came out in futuristic space suits that added to their future iPhone theme and stole the entire show. Following the Deltas, the men of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated took the stage next with their performance “time traveling” theme that resembled a 1970’s R&B group. Mixing in some old school along with some classic stepping, the result of their skit had the Alphas proud of their outcome. “Honestly, I feel like we had a great performance, we went through our theme for the entire duration of the sow, and as far as strictly stepping I feel we did great,” senior and Alpha Phi Alpha member, Robell Tocruray said. In the end it deemed their performance would not peg them as the victors as it was the Deltas who would take first place on the night with the $3,000 grand prize. The Alpha’s were runner-ups coming in second place with a $2,000 reward, behind them were the Omega’s who placed third and won a prized totaled at $900, and the Zeta’s who placed fourth winning a prize totaled at $500. “Countless hours, effort and sweat can never amount to the success achieved by our performance, all glory to the most high for leading us to the victory,” junior and Delta Sigma Theta member, Tammy Richmond said following their win. The overall turnout of the step show have many eagerly awaiting for next year’s step show as each group to step gave more than enough to look forward to next year.
“Countless hours, effort and sweat can never amount to the success achieved by our performance.” - Tammy Richmond
The hard stepping ladies of Delta Sigma Theta during their homecoming performance.
The men of Alpha Phi Alpha holding their pose during their step show routine.
The men of Omega Psi Phi came to teach the student body a lesson in fraternalism during their step show skit.
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Cover Story
August Alsina dominates the stage during the 87th homecoming concert BY MARIEA BOYD Campus News Editor Superstar August Alsina dominated the stage Friday night at Texas Southern University’s 87th homecoming concert. Just moments after the greek step show “Step up or Step down,” hundreds of students and alumni flooded the front stage area awaiting for the R&B singer to emerge from backstage. “I was excited to see August Alsina; I’ve been listening to his music since his first single “I love this,” senior accounting major Artavia Harris said. Alsina began the show with one of his newest singles “Get Your Money” from his most recent album “Testimony.” Just weeks before the concert August Alsina was reported in critical condition after collapsing off stage during a concert September 15 in New York City’s Irving Plaza. Reports say that the The 22-year-old was performing at Irving Plaza when his body went limp and he tumbled off the stage into the crowd. August was on his “Testimony Live” tour when the incident occurred. “I just want to say this is my first time on stage since I got out the hospital and it feels good to be in front of TSU students man,” Alsina told fans during his performance at Texas Southern. He revealed that he was actually in a coma and it was exhaustion
that caused the accident. After a heart-filled moment with his mother on stage August turned the crowd up another level performing hit songs “I Love this,” “From the Ghetto,” and “Kissing on my tattoos.” August Alsina is a New Orleans native who moved to Houston, Texas after the destructive hurricane Katrina flooded the city. Alsina went to Worthing High-school in the sunnyside south of Houston, while involved criminal activity as he expressed in his music and single “Just Like You.” He encourages people that they too can make it out of the ghetto and be something better in life. After the release of the album “Testimony” on April 15, 2015 by Def Jam Records, the album received many praises from critics of both genres rap and R&B. Erin Lowers of XXL gave the al- bum an L rating, saying, “In comparison to several R&B
records released this year, August Alsina offers an honesty in his music related directly to his life. “He’s neither afraid to rejoice in his accomplishments nor is he scared to speak on his mistakes. Finding the balance between sex, love, and ratchet, Testimony is truly a testament to a new era in R&B that shifts safe lyrics to smooth street tales,” Lowers said. As a rookie in the industry, Alsina is on the fast track to being a household name. “In my 3 years of being a student at TSU this was the best homecoming concert yet,” Brandon Walker, sophomore in the School of Aviation said.
Alsina shares an intimate moment with his mom during his performance.
Alsina stops to take a memorable selfie with fans during the homecoming concert.
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Sports Tigers suffer a bitter loss during homecoming game BY SIDNIE HOLMES Sports Editor A blocked 37-yard field goal attempt broke the hearts of Texas Southern Tigers everywhere on Saturday afternoon. “I thought we came out and matched with intensity, and it came down to the wire but the ball just didn’t bounce in our favor,” Head Coach Asberry said in a post game interview after seeing the 38-37 score for the last time on his notes. Both coaches stated that the Tigers, according to statistics, had beaten the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff. “We beat them up and down the field, except on the field, well the scoreboard,” Coach Asberry told interviewers. With the Tigers keeping the ball on the ground with 39 rushing attempts, the Tigers racked up a net total of 249 in major contrast to Arkansas-Pine Bluff 226 yards.
Total Offensive yards for the Tigers stacked up to be 582 to APB’s 514. Even with the possession time being well over ten minutes more than UAPB, the Tigers missed out on three red-zone attempts while capitalizing on four. Daveonn Porter, a senior, exploded the rushing game with 187 yards and dominated the game with that. University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff Coach Monte Coleman spoke highly of him in post game interview. “I don’t know him, but whoever he is, I hope we don’t have to face him next year, he is a complete running back.” Porter also added 41 yards to his receiving statistics. Homer Causey was able to come back from an injury and hadn’t seen field time since before playing Alabama State and came out with a
smoking arm, throwing out three touchdowns, and passing for a total of 333 yards. Steve Carpenter led the receiving charts with 91 yards. Defensively the second half was a lot better. The third quarter, the Tigers were able to keep the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Lions from scoring. Managing to only give up a touchdown, Darveon Trahan collected four solo tackles, while the entire defense totaled up to 59 tackles. Coach Asberry still believes that the road to the championship has to come through the Tigers’ stadium here in Houston “and everyone must focus, clean house, and play with a sense of urgency.” The Tigers play Grambling State on Saturday November 1st at the BBVA Compass Stadium at 5:30 p.m.
Sports Rundown BY TONY MONK AND SIDNIE HOLMES Contributing Writer and Sports Editor Cross Country The Lady Tigers Cross-country team participated in a dual meet at Prairie View A&M this past Thursday. The team overall is showing a lot of promise for the season placing five of the top three runners in the event. The Tigers next event will be at the SWAC Championship to be held in Clinton, Mississippi. Basketball The TSU men’s basketball team is gearing up for what is to be another promising season, after being picked to finish third in the SWAC preseason poll. The team has two new additions to the coaching staff, Donnie Marsh and Kevin Missouri. The Tigers will look to catch their first
win of the season against Eastern Washington on November 9th. Volleyball Lady Tigers Volleyball team is 5-0 in SWAC Conference. Prairie View came out on top during the first match stepping on the Lady Tigers 2520, but the Lady Tigers were able to bounce back and recover winning the next three games by at least seven points. Kali Fluke led the chart in kills with 14 of her own, and Sarah Wooten aiding the team with 24 assists. Taylor Dickerson had a total of nine kills both two of them were set ending against the Lady Panthers. Soccer Lady Tiger Soccer team fell to Jackson
State on Friday, but picked up a win on Sunday against Southern. Remember to support the team on Friday on October 31, at 7 p.m. at the Durley Stadium for ‘Pink out’.
The lady Tiger Soccer team celebrate after scoring a field goal against Jackson State.
Texas Southern University Excellence in Achievement
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ES OF OUR TIGERS 3.
As the weeks go by here at Texas Southern University, our photographers have captured all of the moments and current events. 1. UPC President, Jordan Morris and Miss Junior, Brooke Lewis enjoying the kick off to Homecoming during Student Appreciation Day.
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2. Students from the art department create portraits and other forms of art in front of the student center during Student Appreciation Day. 3. Students created a blissful mess during the first paint run to ever be done on the campus of Texas Southern. 4.Texas Southern University’s Royal Court at the King and Queen presentation during the annual yard fesitval. 5. The ladies of Sigma Lambda Gamma decorating pumpkins with UPC during their annual Breast Cancer Week. 6. Miss Publications, Lenzi Causey during her introduction for the Kings and Queen presentation.
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7. The men of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. enjoying the homecoming festivities. 8. Members of the Raaw Materialz dance crew during their performance at the yard festival. 9. Students were able to enjoy a life-size game of Twister on a bouncing board during the festival 10.The Royal Duchess of Westfield High School set the tone as the openers of the homecoming step show. 13.
11. The Men of Distinction from 5th Ward, Texas during their very entertaining performance at the homecoming step show. 12. Step show host and 93.7 The Box Radio Personality, Amir Diamond entertained the crowd as each team prepared to perform. 13. The lady Tiger Volleyball team went out to support to Tiger football program during the homecoming game against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Photos courtesy of: Cameron Butler, Joedicy Simms and Kurt Brinson
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What’s Happening on campus & around town
Monday - 10/27
Tuesday - 10/28
Wednesday - 10/29
Thursday - 10/30
The Root presents: Free Lunch & Bible Study 12 p.m. Room 237 SSLC
Friday - 10/31 UPC Presents: Fright Night TBA
The Weekend 11/1 & 11/2 Homecoming Game: TSU vs. Grambling 5:30 p.m. BBVA
UPC Presents: Breast Cancer Awareness Week Monday - 11/3
Tuesday - 11/4
Wednesday - 11/5 The Root presents: Free Lunch & Bible Study 12 p.m. Room 237 SSLC
Thursday - 11/6 Lady Tiger Vball vs. Grambling 7:00 p.m. Lady Tiger Soccer vs. SWAC Champ TBA Huntsville, Ala.
Friday - 11/7
The Weekend 11/8 & 11/9 Tiger Football vs. Southern University 6:00 p.m. Baton Rouge, La.
Our calendar is reserved for the advertisement of on and off campus events. If you are interested in having your event placed on our calendar, then please stop by room 221 of the Student Center or call us at (713) 313-6710.
20 Questions Homecoming Edition 1. What happened to all of the homecoming events? Anonymously 2. Has anyone seen James Fortune, because we sure haven’t? submit your 3. How come the admin. won’t let rappers come to campus but intended to have James Fortune? questions via 4. Isn’t that just as bad, if not worst? 5. Why are the Sigma’s always trying to fight at homecoming? Ask.Fm 6. Can it be a rule that after arguing for 5 mins. if you’re not going to fight to just let it go? 7. Who and what is Cardnial DiNardo and how exactly does he relate to the student body? 8. You just showed up at Student Appreciation day for the food huh? 9. Why was the SGA president at the step show and not the gala? 10. When did SGA become UPC? DISCLAIMER: The questions are 11. Since when do they host fashion shows? submitted by the student body and 12. What exactly did the homecoming budget go towards? are not the views of The TSU 13. Did the students do a better job organizing HC than faculty and staff? Herald or Texas Southern University 14. Will there ever be another homecoming like 2010 or 2011? as a whole. Feel free to bring your 15. Was anyone surprised that the Delta’s won the step show... again? questions to room 221 of the Student 16. Did anyone else nearly fall asleep during the Zeta’s performance? Center. Questions are printed at the 17. Why was tailgating shut down at 9:30 when it was already ending earlier discretion of The TSU Herald. than last year? 18. When did tailgating become, “free,all you can eat”? 19. Were you pleased with August Alsina’s performance? 20. Can someone tell the guy who was on stage with August that he did entirely too much?
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