Sept 22, 2016

The East Texan

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Sick of Insurance

Tap Water Terror

Photographer Jason Nam seeks for answers as to the reasons behind the sharp increase in health insurance prices for international students.

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Complaints over odd tasting water at Prairie Crossing leads to “town hall meeting” with the director of safety and risk management.

www.issuu.com/tamuc.easttexan

Sept. 22, 2016

Beefing Up

Dig for Glory

By breaking away from the Department of Scence and Engineering and by ramping up their recruitment efforts, enrollment in the Ag Department has grown by 20 percent.

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Lions Volleyball enters another heavy game week, facing A&M-Kingsville’s Javelinas and St. Edward’s Toppers.

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Walking the Line Page 3

Discussing pedestrian safety in Commerce

Kerry Wilson Opinion editor

Photo courtesy/ Flickr

Banding together for Amber

Photo courtesy/ Tamuc Bands

Christian Aleman Staff reporter The Pride Marching Band showed support for freshman horn player Amber Johnson, who was struck by a car at the Whitley Hall crosswalk on September 10, by wearing yellow ribbon during their rehearsal this past Thursday.

“I think it’s in times like these, that you feel alone kind of, especially if you’re in a hospital for a really long time,” Christian Guillen, senior and undergraduate intern, said. “You have your parents there naturally, but then you see a group this big that cares-it means a lot.”

After rehearsal the Pride took a picture with all the members forming a heart on the field to commemorate the display of support for Johnson.

“The importance is that we’re a family so you always have to show that you love someone,” Katie Petty, junior in the Pride Marching Band, said. “Like you’re always there for each other like even if there are difficulties going on in life, we’re a family. We back each other up, we care about one another, and we’re always going to be there for each other throughout the rest of our lives, and that’s the family that we’re in.”

Petty, who said she “broke down and started crying” after she heard of the incident shared the meaning behind the color choice of the ribbon.

“Yellow because her nickname is Tweety Bird because she makes a little tweety sound, and so we all wear yellow because of that,” Petty said.

Thai-Tu Nguyen, junior and a drum major for the Pride Marching Band, said he and his friend rushed over to Whitley as soon as they heard about the incident.

“It didn’t matter like who it was, I was going to do whatever I could to help even though in the back of my head I knew that there probably wasn’t much I could do, but I needed to know for myself,” Nguyen said. “It was kind of crazy actually.”

When it came to wearing the yellow ribbon and taking a picture of the whole Pride in display of solidarity, Nguyen said that it’s not just for her or the Pride, but for her family as well.

“We want her family to know we’re here for them as well,” he said. “The family atmosphere reaches past us; it reaches to everybody else’s family as well.”

Johnson is in the hospital, and an MRI shows that brain damage occurred. As of Tuesday (9/13) she “has been moving her extremities,” according to the Commerce Journal on reports by Johnson’s friends.

Within the past two weeks, two Texas A&M University-Commerce students have been hit be vehicles while using the crosswalks on campus.

The first incident took place at the Culver Street crosswalk in front of Whitley Hall on Sept. 10, while the second occurred in front of the Rayburn Student Center on Sept. 16. Lt. Jason Bone, UPD, said crosswalk accidents are not a new thing to A&M-Commerce.

“Unfortunately it is fairly common,” Bone said. “It does happen at least once a semester, unfortunately. It would be easy to point the finger and blame, but you can’t really do that.”

Bone said he thinks crosswalks are natural danger zones.

“I think crosswalks in general are inherently dangerous, which is because you’ve got pedestrians crossing a road meant for cars, and I just think you’re going to have issues,” Bone said. “And the one at Culver especially so, because it’s at the top of a hill, so you’ve got some vision issues. We have a lot of 18 wheelers that are coming from the aluminum plant down here, so those guys are fully loaded a lot of times when they’re coming through the crosswalks. And, I’ve had had them call here and complain.

They’re like, ‘Those students just step out and they don’t realize it takes me three times longer to stop than it does a car.’”

While examining crosswalk accidents in general, Bone said the cause behind accidents most of the time is because of neglect from drivers and pedestrians.

“A lot of times it’s on both sides,” Bone said. “Drivers either not paying attention, or sometimes pedestrians just step out in front. Technically, does the pedestrian have the right of way? Yes. But, we still have to use common sense too. If a guy is doing 40 miles an hour and you step out in front, he’s not going to stop.”

Bone mentioned that precautions from drivers and pedestrians, alike, should be taken.

“I always tell people that it takes two people to have an accident,” Bone said.

“And like I said, I’m not placing blame. I don’t want to get into the finger pointing, because there are things that could be done on both ends that could help stop this.

Drivers could pay more attention. They could slow down.”

The Culver Street crosswalk has seen many close calls pertaining to pedestrian crossings. Bone said that part of the problem involves the location of the crosswalk in relation to the sun, affecting drivers’ vision.

“That road, Culver Street, it’s an eastwest road,” Bone said. “Okay, so there are times of the year, like in the evening when you’re going toward Wal-Mart, you’re driving right into the sun, so you can barely even see the crosswalk. There are also times of the year when you’re coming from

Wal-Mart the other way in the mornings – when you can’t see. It’s just unfortunate, the fact that it’s east-west. It is what it is, but unfortunately it happens at least once a semester. It’s really sad.”

With the problems surrounding the Culver Street crosswalk, questions are often raised as to whether or not the school will build a bridge to alleviate the problems. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has asked for the funding for that this year, according to Bone.

The idea of building a bridge reminded Bone of a problem he experienced first hand at Kilgore College.

“I went to Kilgore Junior College for just a summer,” Bone said. “They have a similar problem to us. Highway 59 runs right through their campus, so the highway department put in an overpass. But the students, half of them don’t use it, because why would I go up the spiral and over when I could just cross the street? I’m not saying we shouldn’t do it. We should, but it needs to be done right to the point where it’s fenced off and you have no choice but to go over it, or we’re still going to continue to have people get hit at crosswalks.”

Bone said a fence is a forceful way of getting students to follow the rules.

“If you had to go walk way around a fence as opposed to just going up some stairs and over, people are going to just go up the stairs and over. But, if you don’t have a fence, they’re not going to go up the stairs. It’s the same thing at Kilgore. I mean, you can get a ticket there, but how many times have you seen people still walk that anyway.”

In the past, A&M-Commerce had a tunnel for students to walk through instead of crossing Highway 24. Crosswalk accidents like the two recent ones leave students wondering if the school will ever decide to reopen another one.

“At one time we had a tunnel underneath the highway, but it goes back to what we were kind of talking about with Kilgore – nobody used it,” Bone said. “Now it’s been closed up.”

Concerning whether the school will reopen another tunnel, Bone said like a bridge, something must be done so that students will utilize it.

“It is possible that somebody someday will choose to reopen it, but unless you do something to funnel students into it and make sure that they use it, it’s going to be like it always was.”

Bone said his message to students and drivers is to yield caution to each other.

“If you’re driving a car, go slow,” Bone said. “It’s better to hit somebody at 10 miles and hour than 20 miles an hour. Just go slow, because you never know when someone is going to step out, especially at night.

I mean, it’s hard to see at night. And then pedestrians, give it respect. That’s definitely my message. Both sides need to use some good common sense safety things.”

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Concealed Carry online poll results: East Texan online tamuceasttexan.com

43%

41%

15%

1%

It’s terrible

It’s great

It doesn’t matter

Clueless

Opinion

Sept. 22, 2016 You have an opinion. Voice it.

Vote in weekly surveys on tamuceasttexan.com

International Student Insurance Woes Gwiwon Jason Nam Staff Writer Take a look at these numbers: 750, 846, and 947. Guess what these are. They are the amounts of money international students have paid for school insurance premiums during the fall semesters of 2014, 2015, and 2016. You can figure out how the premium significantly increased.

Insurance premiums were a controversial issue at the check-in and welcome sessions among the new international students. Texas A&M University-Commerce’s International Students Service & Scholars office (ISSS) had been sending emails to the international students to provide information about the insurance, but many new international students have argued about the amount of the fees.

School started about four weeks ago, but some of the international students are still uncomfortable about their insurance premiums.

One anonymous international student said, “I paid an insurance fee, but I did not want to pay because it is a heavy burden for students.

But we don’t have choice. We must pay unless you can get exceptions,” he said. Once, there was a rumor that growing car accidents by international students is a specific cause for increasing premiums among the students.

What do you think about international students’ insurance premiums? For me, as an international student who pays that fee per semester, it is truly expensive. And the real problem is that the fee is gradually increasing,

and I have never used this insurance before.

Then what if I don’t have insurance? The answer is that it is impossible to enroll in a class without having insurance. According to the Texas A&M System Regulations, international students entering the U.S. with an F or J student Visa/Status are required to be covered under the Texas A&M University System Student Health Insurance Plan (SSHIP) or have equivalent insurance coverage as described below.

According to Cynthia Todhunter, Human Resources benefits coordinator of the A&MCommerce Human Resources Department benefits office, “ the A&M System office determines what company we use for the insurance and that company is who decides the price rage.” For the international students’ insurance, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas (BCBST) is the insurance provider. The Academic Health Plans (AHP) provides management for the A&M system. The A&M System Office of Risk Management and Benefits Administration handles the decision process.

Todhunter admitted that the international student insurance premium is expensive, and she said “as employer’s plan, we have such a large group because we are A&M-Commerce.

At Texas A&M University, College Station, the large of the group plan is a better premium you can get, because more people are in it. I am not part of enough to speak of the cost, but international student insurance plans are more individualized,” she said. Based on her statement, I think if international students

belong to large groups, then the premium might be cheaper.

According to John Mark Jones, director of A&M-Commerce International Student Service & Scholars (ISSO), “It has always been required to have insurance for the international students,” Jones said. “In the past, it was a little bit different. Since the A&M system has gone with the mandatory enrollment in A&M system insurance, there has been a significant increase.”

Jones has been here at ISSS for 9 years. As a director, he has conversations about academic care plans and the A&M system. “When I have had discussions about increases, their explanation to me is because of the Affordable Care Act, basically what you call ‘Obama Care.’”

When the Affordable Care Act came into place that changed a lot of our insurance woks in the United States. And their response to me was is the part of the reasons there is a continuous increase is in relation to that new law that we have here in our country.

I think there are so many reasons for the increasing premiums, and there is no evidence that car accidents are a specific cause for increasing premiums. But, we need to think about the solutions rather than complaining about premiums. I have two ideas to change the situation.

First, students can come together with one voice to express their thoughts to the A&M system.

“Students need to let their concern known.

That could be one way, then certainly you would get their attention and open up and create an opportunity to have a dialog in discussion about international student insurance premiums.”

I believe they will evaluate and reconsider about it.

Second, students should actively make use of their insurance plans. Many international students do not use their insurance. Some others don’t know how to use it. If you feel sick, students should go to hospital.

One of international students said, “This is school policy, so we don’t have a choice, but at least we should make the best use of it.”

A&M-Commerce Student Health Services office offers affordable health care to students.

Currently enrolled students may visit here for free except for labs, x-rays, minor procedures, etc.

I paid only $369 during the fall of 2012, my second semester at A&M-Commerce. According to Jones, all the new and current students pay the same in the spring semester, because they all have same coverage period. But during the fall, current students start on September 1, because they have a previous insurance. New students have to start on August 1, because the international students get to school early. That’s a requirement. So, it is more expensive in the fall.

Eliminating Separation Kourtlynd Buggs-Torres Staff Writer “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that”

– Dr. Martin Luther King

E ast Texan/Todd K leiboer

Yearly insurance rates for international students have skyrockted in the past few years from 2012 to 2016.

When I hear this quote, I think of its stunning relevance 48 years after MLK’s death. I can’t help but feel uneasy that we have had to continue the fight for “Civil Rights” for more than half a century. As American people, we have allowed silence to create a divide in our country. We’ve

allowed companies, news networks, and political figures to exploit emotional topics for monetary gain. But, where has this benefitted us as a country? We have grown increasingly apart and emotions and tensions are at an all-time high when all we would have to do is work together, as Dr. King suggested in the quote mentioned above.

We must shine a light on all injustices against the brothers and sisters of this country and unite to make things better for everyone, because the only thing that can stop dark acts is light being shined upon them. I read a quote in Dr. Robert L. Green’s book “Out of a mountain of despair is a stone hope.” We must find our stone of hope.

Campus Comment: What does Black Lives Matter mean to you?

“Black Lives Matter is a movement where we become fully aware of these injustices and proclaim that we matter too.”

-Elese Campbell, Junior

“By understanding the intentions of the Black Lives Matter Movement, we can work to make America a better place.”

-Seth Harred, Sophomore

The East Texan Staff

Editor Travis Hairgrove Managing Editor Alissa Silva Sports Editor Ricky Moser Opinion Editor Kerry Wilson Entertainment Editor Imogené Wofford Web Editor Todd Kleiboer Photographer Kristen Taylor Copy Editor/Distribution Manager Kyria Aho Distribution Assistant Michelle Whitehead Faculty Adviser Fred Stewart Phone 903-886-5985 E-mail theeasttexan@gmail.com East Texan Website

tamuceasttexan.com East Texan Print Issue Online issuu.com/tamuc.easttexan

“I think it’s very important to remember all lives matter, but I do support the cause.”

-BJ Laudermilk, Junior

The East Texan, official student newspaper of Texas A&M University-Commerce, is published 11 times per semester during the Fall and Spring by students including journalism students in reporting classes. Content is solely the responsibility of the student staff and writers. The comments and views expressed in The East Texan, in print or online, do not necessarily reflect the beliefs of other students, staff, faculty, administration, or the Board of Trustees. The East Texan is located in Room113 of the Journalism Building. Single copies of The East Texan are free, additional copies are available in The East Texan offices for an additional 25 cents each.

“To me, in my personal opinion, all lives matter. I understand the importance, but all lives matter.”

-Matt Allen, Senior

Letters to the Texan Letters to the Texan are welcome and should be limited to 350 words. They may be edited for spelling, grammar and libelous and malicious statements. The East Texan reserves the right to refuse publication. Letters should be typed or emailed, must include a valid signature and contact information, and can be sent to theeasttexan@gmail.com or PO Box 4104, Texas A&M University-Commerce, Commerce, TX 75428.

News

Sept. 22, 2016

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Commerce Trials with West Nile Counseling Corner

Who am I?

Brenda Perez Staff Writer The city of Commerce recently confirmed two human cases of the West Nile Virus within their city limits.

The West Nile Virus is a mosquitoborne illness. Most people whom are infected with the virus do not display any symptoms but those who do may develop common symptoms such as headaches, body aches, fatigue, back pain, and occasionally a skin rash. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention found that less than 1% of people who are infected develop a serious illness, but for those who do it can be fatal.

With that information in mind there are precautions residents of Commerce can take to protect themselves from mosquito bites and the risk of contracting the West Nile Virus. Because there is no vaccine currently available to protect from the virus it is especially important to take precautions to guard against the virus.

“The most effective way to avoid West Nile virus disease is to prevent mosquito bites,” said Mary Rodriguez in an email sent out to students, faculty and staff of Texas A&M University- Commerce. “When weather permits wear

Photo Credit/Flickr Creative Commons

long sleeves, long pants. Mosquitos may bite through thin clothing, so spraying clothes with extra repellent will give extra protection,” she added. While there are several repellents to choose from and they can all seem to be the same thing, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends “the use of products containing DEET, and some oil of lemon eucalyptus”. Using the repellent every time, you go back outside is another way to ensure the effectiveness of using the repellent.

The CDC also recommends draining any water that is stagnant as mosquitos like to breed there. By draining any water that collects around the home can help keep mosquitos from finding their

way into homes.

Many people may assume that mosquitos automatically disappear when the weather starts to cool off, but mosquito season can last through October so it is important to remain vigilant with using mosquito repellent and taking other necessary precautions. Anyone who lives in an area where the virus exists is susceptible to catching the disease.

The city of Commerce began spraying on September 6 shortly after the cases were discovered, and continued for three days. The chemicals used were meant to reduce mosquitos but residents of Commerce should still take all necessary precautions to avoid contact with mosquitos.

A Journey toward Your Authentic Self

Agnes Gonzalez, M.S.

College life – freedom and independence! Now finally you can be whoever you want to be – no restrictions, no outside limitations.

These may have been some of your thoughts before starting college or even during the initial period of excitement and exploration.

Things may have started shifting for you though – slowly or even in an instant. Now all of a sudden the picture is not so clear and the freedom is not so limitless. Once you got used to living without the restrictions of your teen years, you may encounter new ones, such as tight finances, limited transportation, or lack of support.

You may also find it a daunting task to figure out how to use your new found freedom. After all, you have spent years pressing against those limitations, which took a lot of your energy and focus, and redirecting them can be a challenge.

Not a Drop to Drink Todd Kleiboer Web Editor Students residing in Prairie Crossing voiced their questions and concerns at a town hall meeting organized by the Department of Safety and Risk Management Thursday in response to a water quality report in December 2015.

“Is the water safe to drink?” Safety and Risk Management Director Derek Preas said. “Absolutely it is without a shadow of a doubt. It doesn’t mean it’s going to taste good, but it’s safe to drink. My dogs, my family, my kids-we all drink the water.”

The annual water quality report released by the city and the university explained that the city’s water supply, both from underground wells and Lake Tawakoni, exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for haloacetic acids (HAA5) and total trihalomethanes (TTHM), both byproducts of water disinfection. The university’s water supply, chiefly pumped from underground wells, had no violations.

“The city has well water and some surface water, and as a general rule, the well water doesn’t react with the disinfectant to create the TTHM and HAA5...but it’s the surface water you should worry about. They [the city] have a different set of issues because of the surface water,” Assistant Director John Harris said.

Contrary to Preas’ remark, the report states that “some people who drink water containing haloacetic acids in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer” and “some people who drink water containing trihalomethanes in excess of the MCL over many years may experience problems with their liver, kidneys, or central nervous system, and may have an increased of getting cancer.” The exact number of years or the exact increase in risk is not given.

While most of the university buildings’ water are supplied by the university’s wells, some of the outlying buildings are tied to the city water supply. Those buildings include not just Prairie Crossing, but Henderson Hall, One-Stop Shop, and Rayburn Student Center. No other residence hall is tied to the city water supply. The reasons for these supply differences are due to geographic and financial reasons.

“The one’s that are set up on city water right now are the

ones on the border,” Preas said. “It depends on when we put that building on campus, where’s the closest tie-in? It would have been a nightmare to get Rayburn Student Center on the university water supply as well. When it comes to finan-

Also, you may have gotten used to defining yourself by who you are not – the expectations you so disliked; the obligations you could not stand. Now the coin flipped and you got a fresh start; but how will you choose the things that are really true to who you are?

Here we are at the question we started with: who am I? You may answer this question by what you are passionate about; what you see yourself doing in the future. Or you may think it’s more about the people you surround yourself with.

You may notice though that there is some more space left somewhere in between. It can feel so intangible; so hard to pinpoint.

But if you take some time out and are really honest with yourself, you know it is there. You know you are more than what you do or who you hang out with. You can sense that there is something unique about your way of being, thinking, and relating; something that is more than just the summary of these parts.

Take time to find this space within and to allow it to grow and show you different facets of your authentic self. Treat yourself with kindness and compassion so your unique identity can have a stable foundation from which to flourish. Be a loyal friend to yourself especially when challenges come along, the foundation gets shaky, and it is hard to tell up from down.

You are the one who has access to that special core even if it goes hidden. Tend to your precious foundation and trust that it will show you the way yet again about how to be your unique self in each situation that comes along in your personal and academic life.

If you think that it is too hard to access and stay true to your authenticity, consider sharing this journey with a supportive counselor. Our free services are a once in a lifetime opportunity for you to embrace.

cial reasons, do you want to pay $100 to run that line [to the city supply] or pay $50,000 to get it on the university line?”

Students asked about the year delay between the release of the water quality report and the meeting, and Preas admitted to being complacent in his job when no complaints were at first raised by those living on campus and a professional oversight of the problem.

“It wasn’t until we got the third [report] that we’re like ‘hold on, this is the third one in a row. Let’s set up a townhall,” Preas said. “The very first question we got about this [report] was the very first day I met our newest President [who lived at Prairie Crossing for a while].”

The taste of the city’s water was also raised by students, and Groundwater Operator Keith Luke explained that there are differences between surface water and groundwater, both of which the city supplies to its residents.

“Groundwater and surface water have vastly different tastes,” Luke said. “If you’re used to drinking groundwater and you drink surface water, you’re going to swear that’s something wrong, and that’s because of mineral content and so on. It’s a groundwater versus surface water issue.”

The water quality report detailed the results of tests from January 1st to December 31st of 2015, and it is available to all students at http://www.tamuc.edu/facultyStaffServices/ riskManagementSafety/environmental/water-system.aspx.

Campus

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Sept. 22, 2016

Passing the Inspiración Flame Evangelina Morales Staff writer “Inspiration is not a resource that is taught. You cannot be “taught” to be inspired, but you can witness it, you can observe inspiration, make magic in our own lives and sometimes, we end inspiring others. It’s like a flame; it’s passed from one inspired person to another,” Assistant Dean Dr. Fred Fuentes said.

Inspiration is a word that can mean a lot to so many of us. The Office of Hispanic Outreach and Retention hosted the 2nd annual Student Art & Photo contest to showcase student talent and to inspire students to keep going, to achieve their educational goals, and to never give up.

“I wanted to reflect a theme that is common among people who work to achieve their academic goals, and a word that comes up often when I engage with students and families is the inspiration, to continue, to achieve their dreams!” Dr. Fuentes said.

This year’s contest was open to all undergraduate students who wanted to participate. Students who were interested in participating had to submit their original art by emailing it to the Office of Hispanic Outreach and Retention.

“The art & photography contest will inspire students to share their passion for art, their methods of communicating their “why”: why are they enduring time from home, time from friends, or deciding so many hours to studying? Their “why” is their inspiration,” Dr. Fuentes added.

The contest began August 29, and the deadline was September 11.

Judging began September 12, and winners were awarded on September 15 in the Club for final contest announcements.

“Inspiration could be anything to pushing you to keep moving forward to achieve your academics goals,” junior Jacob Cisneros.

What is your inspiration?

Ag Department Sees Steady Rise Imogene Wofford Entertainment Editor Texas A&M University- Commerce’s School of Agriculture has had a 20 percent increase in student enrollment, graduate students making up most of the new enrollees with a small amount of undergraduates.

The increase in graduate enrollment is contributed to the recruitment program that offers free tuition for degrees related to agriculture. Many of the graduate students are high school agricultural teachers who come to the campus for either one or two nights a week or take online classes for their Master’s Degree in agricultural education.

“A&M-Commerce has a rich history with teachers,” Dr. Randy Harp, director of College of Agriculture, said. “There is tremendous potential for degrees in agricultural education. There are more agricultural teaching positions than teachers can fill, and

the positions are specifically for teaching grades 9-12.”

The school of agriculture has 402 undergraduate students and 55 graduate students.

“The farms serve as hands-on labs for the students. We have a 1600 acre farm for lab and research,” Roger Skipper, farm manager, said.

“In the future we will have workshops for TAMUC alumni,” Harp said.

By breaking away from the Department of Science and Engineering and starting as a separate department, the School of Agriculture began.

“The programs for experimental learning serve the needs of the students, and can provide a will to continue growth,” Harp said.

There are many clubs and organizations that provide activities for student engagement.

“It is critical for students to come and get involved,” Harp said.

The clubs and organizations include Women in Agriculture, Latinos in Agriculture, Ag for Life, an organization that displays diversity in agriculture, Horse Judging, and Ag Ambassadors.

The School of Agriculture received a 164-acre research farm that’s located in Greenville and 95 new cattle.

“We have a cooperative, hands-on agronomy lab with CCRI [Cereal Crops Research Incorporated] in Fairlie, TX. The students get their own 10-acre plot, and they get on the tractor, do the harvesting, etc,” Harp said.

15-20 percent of all jobs in the United States are agriculture related.

The School of Agriculture has a Facebook page for the livestock farm, “Texas A&M University- Commerce Livestock Farm” and one for the blueberry farm, “Texas A&M University- Commerce Twin Oaks Blueberry Farm.”

How to...

SGA Bangs Gavel Start a Campus Club for New Year Brenda Perez Staff writer The Student Government Association on Texas A&M UniversityCommerce is starting off their year with plenty to keep them busy.

The SGA’s close association with the President of A&M-Commerce and cooperation with other organizations on campus helps to maintain communication open between the groups.

At their most recent meeting on Wednesday, President Dr. Keck gave a brief speech letting the SGA know that he is available to them and will help with anything the University needs.

“I hope SGA will take ownership of the Speaker’s Series for this fall,” President Dr. Keck said. “I hope you bring scholars to this campus, not just entertainment but people who have academic work.”

Gary Lazard, a member of Phi Beta Sigma, approached the SGA asking for a collaboration between the two organizations to host a presidential debate watch party in The Club.

The SGA voted in favor of collaborating with Phi Beta Sigma, and the debate among the presidential candidates will be aired at The Club on September 26 at 7 p.m. All students and faculty are invited to attend.

“I feel like the SGA plays a big part when it comes to election year,” Lazard said. “And after Jackson Daily [SGA former president and Phi Beta Sigma member] graduated, I felt it was best to come together with SGA to show there is still a bond between both organizations.”

Refreshments will be served for anyone who attends the presidential debate party. The members of Phi Beta Sigma will also be handing out forms with information as to where people can register to vote.

College students are the future, especially the upcoming freshmen since they should now be able to vote, and we need to know what the candidates have in store for us,” Lazard said. “We need information to decide who to vote for.”

The members of Phi Beta Sigma encourage everyone, regardless of their political affiliations or lack of, to watch the debate and see for themselves what the Presidential Candidates have to offer. They also encourage everyone to be prepared to vote come election time in November.

Isabella Garcia Staff Writer

If a student has ever wanted to join a Pokemon Go club, but realized that that club doesn’t exist - there’s nothing stopping them from starting one. On Sept. 29 from 5-7 p.m. in the Rayburn Student Center Conference Room A, there will be a New Student Organization Workshop. This event will be an opportunity for students who are curious about starting up their own organization or improving one that is currently running.

Jeremy Sippel, the assistant director for SGA and student organizations, as well as Skyler Lang, will be in charge of informing and motivating any students with ambitions of introducing their own organization but don’t know where to start.

“We’ll be discussing the specific process of starting your own organization; so having your constitution, doing registration through ManeSync, possible [sources of] funding for startup organizations, and what the probationary period is about,” Sippel said.

A student organization is not required to pay dues to any department at the university, so whether or not officers choose to have their incoming members pay a fine is up to them to decide. The probationary period is a 6-month time frame where the organization can build themselves and the university really assesses them to check that they’re being a purposeful group. In some cases where an organization that was once active has since become dormant, the registration process can be slightly different, where they have to do is reactive the ManeSync portal and update the information.

Essential information to know before starting up a student organization is having an advisor, a full time faculty or staff member, at least 5 other students who are interested in that same theme, and checking that there isn’t already an organization with a similar purpose. This prevents students from duplicating any organizations that might target the

same audience.

To find all the student organizations that are currently in action on campus, a student can look on the tamue.edu\ studentorganizations website or go through their MyLeo and log into ManeSync. There are eight categories that an organization can be placed in: academic, cultural, political, fraternity and sororities, religious, community service, sports and recreation, and special interests.

Other than the planning that goes into starting up a new organization, they will also be discussing the perks of becoming more involved. Being a member of a student organization comes with a lot of responsibilities, but opens up a copious amount of possibilities that would have been harder to achieve otherwise.

“Also, we’ll be talking about the benefits of being in a student organization, because sometimes students don’t know if they want to be involved or not since it can be time consuming,” Sippel said “There’s a lot of leadership development and personal growth that can happen, being a part of a student organization can help with getting experience, can help you with your major and also getting a future job with an employer.”

It is important to think about the reasons why a student would want to start an organization, and the actions they would take in order for it to continue to stay active. A student organization can be registered anytime throughout the entire academic year, as long as they follow the process. Being a member of a student organization can help you build connections and get involved with various events. A founding member of an organization leaves a special mark at the university that is proof of their accomplishments and handiwork. For extra information or questions, Jeremy Sippel and his assistant Brandon Palmar can be found in the SIS room on the second floor of the Student Center.

Page 5

Features

Sept. 22, 2016

Commerce’s Common Cricket Invasion Explained Travis Hairgrove Editor Most people who have been in Commerce for three or more years are well familiar with how severe cricket invasions can get in the early fall. The wall-covering blankets of chirping insects and the foul odor one notices before even setting eyes on the swarm is one of those things that A&M-Commerce students have come to expect (but dread).

The crickets seen (and smelled) around campus are black field crickets (Gryllus assimilis), and while the conditions that cause cricket outbreaks are not fully understood, they tend to happen when a summer drought is broken by rainfall (as was experienced three weeks ago).

“There’s not a ton of research on these types of crickets, so sometimes we don’t know how to explain why you’ll have influxes some years, and other years you won’t,” Erin Fortenberry, the manager of the university greenhouses and a lecturer for the horticulture program said. “Usually, when there’s a lot of rain in the spring, continuing throughout the summer, your cricket and grasshopper population will be lower, because of fungal diseases and other things that can attack them when they’re in their nymph stage, which is their baby stage.

We had a really wet spring, but then it got really super dry, crickets and grasshoppers kind of thrive in dry weather,” Fortenberry added. “Also, when we had that cool spell in August, when it was unseasonably cool for August…when it was nice outside instead of 105 degrees, they were probably doing better then, so a larger population lived. We will probably have a really large cricket population this fall.”

While weather conditions can create an environment in which more eggs and young crickets (nymphs) can survive, the universal drive to mate coupled with an insect’s characteristic attraction to light, account for why so many crickets often congregate on walls and sidewalks outside of public buildings.

“This time of year, the end of the summer and the beginning of the fall is their reproductive time,” Fortenberry said. “They’re all getting together for that reason. That’s why you see large quantities of them.

The second thing that’s going on is that they’re attracted to

light at night, so anytime you have a light on, they’re attracted to it,” Fortenberry continued. “On campus, probably for security reasons and to make it safer to walk around at night, we leave the lights on all night. So, they’re all coming together for mating purposes, and they’re all attracted to light, so that’s where they’re gonna gather.”

Of course, due to their odor and their ability to make public buildings unattractive in appearance, crickets are often a nuisance to humans.

“As far as cleaning them up, they can be nasty,” Fortenberry said. “When they defecate, it leaves stains…especially inside your house and on sidewalks, so it can definitely be an issue that needs to be addressed. They’ll eat anything, so there’s no telling what’s inside of them.

Also, they can actually, when they come inside your house or apartment, eat fabrics,” Fortenberry elaborated. “You’ll see that they’re really attracted to your

Photo Courtesy/Flickr Creative Commons

clothes, like you’ll find them in your laundry basket or any pile of clothes…especially worn clothes. I don’t know if it’s the body sweat, but they’ll be attracted to it and eat on your clothes, then poop and pee on them, so they can actually do damage.”

Finally, lot of students and staff members may often catch a whiff of cricket even without seeing them, and this stems from them sometimes finding their way into tight spaces and being unable to find their way out.

“Sometimes, they get in spaces like the bottom of an elevator shaft,” Fortenberry said. “They’ll fall down in there where you can’t clean them out, so it stinks on campus sometimes because of that.”

Benefits of Standing

Photo Courtesy/Flickr Creative Commons

Liliana Vasquez Staff Writer According to local chiropractor, Texas A&M University-Commerce faculty and staff are doing something right by using standing workstations and desks.

Several buildings around the university have standing workstations in the department offices. Faculty and staff stand more often instead of sitting the entire time.

“With the seating position, all the disks in the lower back have the most amount of pressure,” Commerce chiropractor Dr. Craig Jensen said. “Standing gives you better energy. There is an increase in respiration, digestion is better, and your energy is better because you’re not squashed over in the seated position.”

Starting his 26th year of practice, Dr. Jensen supports the idea of standing workstations. Even though standing proves better health, people enjoy sitting more.

“I prefer to sit. It doesn’t really matter to me, it actually comes down to wherever the computer is,” university student worker Thomas Lawson said.

Jenson’s advice is that the problem comes with the position of your monitor and that your gaze should be looking into the top third of your screen. “It doesn’t have to look pretty, you can stack some books and place the monitor on top of them in order to reach the proper view,” Jensen said.

Standing workstations allow you to flip-flop between standing and sitting as needed. Jensen recommends that people take a break for every 30 minutes spent standing or sitting, a practice known as posture reversal.

“Although standing in one position is hard on your body, you can take all the pressure off of one side of your spine and it will give you rest,” Jenson explained. He demonstrated how to relieve pressure from your feet by placing some of the weight on a chair while standing. “We are not meant to stand or even sit for longs periods of time, but standing increases the energy in a person.”

“If the energy level is good in an office environment per each individual, you’re going to be more productive,” Jensen said. “And, this is why you’re seeing some of the big companies doing it, and it’s taking off and trickling to everybody else.”

Entertainment

Page 6

Sept. 22, 2016

Coming Soon

Sept. 22, 2016

Source...Movie Insider

Five members of the Cricket City Improv troupe pose for a photo.

Photo Courtesy/CricketCityImprov Facebook

Whose Lion is it Anyway

The Magnificient Seven

Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt, Ethan Hawke Rose Creek is under control of an industrialist, so they hire seven bad guys to protect them. (PG-13)

Cricket City Improv group brings interactive comedy to TAMUC

Alex Medrano Staff Writer “Whose Line Is It Anyways,” “Saturday Night Live,” and “MadTV” made comedic-improv popular in the 1990’s.

Today, improv has grown to comedy clubs and improv troupes in every major city. A group at Texas A&M UniversityCommerce, Cricket City Improv creates a safe space to mix being weird with a talent of making people laugh.

The name Cricket City was coined after Saturday Night Live’s popular Second City improv group in Chicago with living legends Tina Fey, Bill Murray, and John Candy. Brennan Jones is a graduate assistant and member of The Crickets. His style of improv is based on Norm MacDonald’s Burt Reynolds impersonation on Celebrity Jeopardy on “Saturday Night Live.” SNL and Comedy Central made a home for quirky people quick on their feet and able to adapt to the circumstances thrown at them.

Comedic improvisation (or improv)

is live theatre with actors that make up a scene or story on the spot. It helps build confidence, public speaking, and problem solving skills, which not only help in social situations, but many companies are also looking for these specific traits.

The Cricket City Improv is not just for theatre majors or minors. Anyone and everyone is always welcome, with members ranging from computer science majors to education.

Ron Leonard, senior and president of A&M-Commerce’s Cricket City improv group, said “Cricket City Improv is something that everyone can enjoy. Everyone needs a laugh now and then, and we are more than happy to deliver.”

Likewise, Jones added, “When you see what makes someone laugh you find a lot about them.”

The Crickets end every session with a distinctive signing off with a pat on the shoulder assuring to each fellow member, “I’ve got your back,” mixing a physical assurance with mental.

“Improv is not a singular mindset, you

have your partner, your group to think about, and no one is going to let you drown,” Jones said.

Shows happen about every month and the next planned show is October 27th, which is Halloween themed, and a Thanksgiving one proposed. The shows usually cost $2 each, but if you show up in costume they could be half off, depending on how good someone’s costume is.

And, during the season of giving, donating canned goods could get audience members a discount to the November show. During the spring semester, Cricket City will team up with The American Cancer Society’s “Relay For Life,” where half the proceeds from Cricket City shows will go.

Secret shows pop up every now and then, but those interested can check with a member or their Facebook page, “Cricket City Improv.”

The Crickets will keep chirping on social media, bulletin boards, or flyers to keep A&M-Commerce informed.

Storks

Andy Samberg, Kelsey Grammer Storks have stopped delivering babies, and now deliver package. Junior does something on accident...now it’s up to him and his friend to fix it. (PG)

Queen of Katwe Lupita Nyong’o, David Oyelowo, Esther Tebandeke

The 2016-2017 Cricket City cast works hard at their first practice of the year. Cricket City is preparing to start another year of entertaining A&M-Commerce students.

Photo Courtesy/CricketCityImprov Facebook

10 year-old chess prodigy, Phiona Mutesi, uses her skills and knowledge of chess to fight for her family to have a better life. (PG)

“What’s my Age Again?” as I Listen to Blink-182 Alex Medrano Staff Writer Early 2000’s rock gods have all reawaken in the summer of 2016. Weezer released an album that flashes back towards their early mixes as well as Taking Back Sunday has released a new album.

Blink-182 is a reason why pop punk is alive along with other classics like New Found Glory and Green Day. The new album “California” is the first album without Angel & Airwaves’s frontman, Tom DeLonge. In his place Matt Skiba from Alkaline Trio has taken over as guitarist for the entirety of the latest album, “California.”

Coming off the fresh tour with A Day to Remember, Blink-182 was the headliner filling out major venues. They released their hit single “Bored To

Death” off “California.” The promise of going back to early 2000’s roots is fulfilled with this teaser.

The album dropped on July 1st this year with a 16 song list.

Although lengthy it holds some gems throughout.

The first song “Cynical,” is fitting for anyone who has grown up since Blink first came out but still not ready to be an all-encompassing adult.

The top half of the album remains the strongest with “Bored To Death,” “She’s Out Of Her Mind,” “Los Angeles,” and “Kings of the Weekend.”

“Built This Pool” shows that although they have aged and they do go through mature issues, they are still the immature boys that make sex jokes that made “Just About Done,” “Transvestite,” “Ben Wah Balls,” and “Family Reunion” gems.

Photo Courtesy/medium.com Album cover for Blink-182’s album, “California.”

Page 7

Sept. 22, 2016

finalscore 5-1

hotshot 6

West Texas A&M Lady Buff’s soccer dominate this game with three goals in the first 16 minutes against Southern Nazarene.

Western New Mexico’s QB Javia Hall scores all six touchdowns in their victory over Oklahoma Panhandle State.

Volleyball

ASU athletes claim all three weekly awards

2016football

Team Conf. Overall Midwestern State 1-0 2-0 A&M-Commerce 1-0 2-0 West Texas A&M 1-0 2-1 Tarleton State 1-0 1-2 East. New Mexico 1-1 1-2 West. New Mexico 1-1 1-2 A&M-Kingsville 0-1 2-1 UT-Permian Basin 0-1 2-1 Angelo State 0-1 1-2 O.K. Panhandle 0-1 1-2

Schedule

September 24th East. New Mexico AT Angelo State Tarleton State AT West Texas A&M O.K. Panhandle AT Midwestern State West. New Mexico AT UT-Permian Basin A&M-Kingsville AT A&M-Commerce

women’ssoccer

Team Conf. Overall Texas Woman’s 0-0 4-1 Angelo State 0-0 4-1-1 Midwestern State 0-0 3-1-2 A&M-Commerce 0-0 3-2 West Texas A&M 0-0 2-2 East. New Mexico 0-0 0-3-1 UT-Permian Basin 0-0 0-3-1

Schedule

Photo Courtesy/L onestarconference .org

Angelo State went 5-1 with a record setting week as they climbed to the No. 8 spot in the AVCA rankings after upsetting both No. 2 Wheeling Jesuit and No. 6 Central Missouri. No. 2 WJU was the highest ranked team defeated in program history.

Heading into Lone Star Conference action this week, three teams - ASU, Tarleton State and Texas A&MKingsville - have just one loss.

League play starts Friday with five LSC contests.

LSC volleyball teams are 56-38 overall this season.

The squads are currently 14-9 combined versus Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference

teams, and 14-3 against the Heartland Conference, which are the other leagues in the NCAA South Central Region.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: OFFENSIVE Mallory Blauser, Angelo State University, SR, Round Rock, Texas, Round Rock Christian HS Blauser dominated on the court for the Belles this week, as it upset a pair of AVCA top 10 teams. Having been selected to the Colorado Premier Challenge All – Tournament Team, the senior totaled 114 kills for the week averaging her 5.43 kills per match for a .322 clip. She

recorded two games with 20-plus kills apiece, which included a season high 28 kill performance against No. 2 Wheeling Jesuit. From the service line, Blauser was second on the squad with five service aces. Defensively, she totaled 50 digs and nine blocks overall. The Round Rock native added two double-doubles to her accolades for the week, as she tallied 13 digs against No.6 Central Missouri and 12 digs against No.2 Wheeling Jesuit.

DEFENSIVE Brianna Sotello, Angelo State University, JR, San Antonio, Texas, O’Connor HS Sotello was a rock for

MSU, ASU athletes honored

ASU’s defensive efforts this week against several AVCA top 10 teams. With 91 digs, the junior recorded double- digit digs in all six matches this week including a season high 22 digs against No. 2 Wheeling Jesuit. This averaged the junior outside hitter 4.33 digs per match and helped hold opponents to a .166 hitting percentage.

Sotello also added eight total blocks to her defensive numbers. Offensively, she was second on the team with 65 kills and led the Belles with nine total service aces.

SETTER Meghan Parker, Angelo State University, FR, San

Antonio, Texas, Johnson HS Recording another strong performance this week with 243 total assists, Parker averaged 11.5 assists per match as the Belles upset a pair of AVCA top 10 teams.

The freshman chalked up a career high 53 assist against No. 2 Wheeling Jesuit. She also tallied four service aces and 43 total digs. Adding a pair of double –doubles to her numbers, she continues to lead ASU with five on the season. Finally, Parker recorded 10 total blocks for the week. For the week, ASU recorded a .245 team hitting percentage.

Score Recap

Football: Italics denote winner September 17th

O.K. Panhandle AT West. New Mexico

44-21

A&M-Commerce AT East. New Mexico

49-10

Angelo State AT Tarleton State

35-5

Midwestern State AT A&M-Kingsville

32-30

September 18th West Texas A&M AT UT-Permian Basin

Women’s Soccer: Italics denote winner

48-14

September 12th East Central AT Texas Woman’s

1-0

September 13th East. New Mexico AT CSU-Pueblo

2-0

September 14th Colorado Mesa AT Angelo State

1-0

September 15th

Photo Courtesy/L onestarconference .org

Lone Star Conference teams continue non-conference play this week.

Texas Woman’s and Angelo State remain unbeaten at 4-0 and 3-0-1, respectively.

The women’s teams are 12-11-5 overall this season. The squads are currently 7-7-4 combined versus Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference teams, and 3-2 against the Heartland Conference, which are the other conferences in the NCAA South Central Region.

OFFENSIVE- Hanna Mattinson, Midwestern State University, FR, Forward, Burleson, Texas, Centennial HS Mattinson recorded her first collegiate goals in a 2-0 week for Midwestern State. The forward from Burleson tallied five points with one game winner to help the Mustangs to a road win over Texas A&M International (2-1) and a victory over Fort Lewis (1-0) in their home opener. Against the Dustdevils, Mattinson netted the first score of the contest with a breakaway from midfield. She also assisted on Jaden Green’s game winner in the 86th minute, just one minute after TAMIU netted the equalizer. Mattinson

added to her scoring against FLC by converting a penalty kick in the 40th minute to lift the Mustangs to the win.

On the week, she placed four of her five shots on target. Mattinson currently ranks fourth in the LSC in goals and fifth in goals per game, points and points per game.

DEFENSIVE- Ashley Exford, Angelo State University, SR, Fort Worth, Texas, Defender, Keller Fossil Ridge HS Exford led the Angelo State defense to two more shutouts this weekend, pushing the Belles’ to three overall.

The Belles confounded the opposition Friday night, allowing only seven shots with only one coming on goal in their matchup with Fort Lewis, and they prevented New Mexico Highlands from getting off more than eight shots with five coming on goal in the Sunday match as well. The senior out of Fort Worth is one of only four Belles to start all four games this season and leads team in minutes played with 360. She anchors a back line for ASU that has allowed only one goal this season and since has shut out opponents for 350 consecutive minutes.

West Texas A&M AT Southwest. O.K. State

Cancel

Southern Nazarene AT Midwestern State

2-0

September 16th Angelo State AT Western State

2-1

Oklahoma Baptist AT Texas Woman’s

1-0

Harding AT A&M-Commerce

3-0

September 17th Southern Nazarene AT West Texas A&M

Volleyball:

5-1

Italitcs denote winner 3-0

September 13th East. New Mexico AT Lubbock Christian

2016volleyball

Team

Angelo State

CONF Overall 2-0

11-1

A&M-Kingsville

2-0

10-1

Tarleton State

2-0

9-1

West Texas A&M

2-0

6-4

Midwestern State

1-1

5-5

UT-Permian Basin 1-1

5-6

West. New Mexico 0-1

8-4

A&M-Commerce

0-2

5-6

East. New Mexico 0-1

4-6

Texas Woman’s

0-2

3-7

Cameron

0-2

2-8

Schedule September 23rd A&M-Kingsville AT A&M-Commerce Tarleton State AT West Texas A&M Angelo State AT UT-Permian Basin Cameron AT West. New Mexico Midwestern State AT East. New Mexico September 24th A&M-Kingsville AT Texas Woman’s Tarleton State UT-Permian Basin Angelo State AT West Texas A&M Cameron AT East. New Mexico Midwestern State AT West. New Mexico A&M-Kingsville AT Dallas Baptist St. Edwards AT A&M-Commerce September 27th Dallas Baptist AT Texas Woman’s West Texas A&M AT UT-Permian Basin September 28th West. New Mexico AT East. New Mexico

Men’s & Women’s Cross Country Women’s

September 12th A&M-Commerce AT Dallas Baptist

September 23rd Midwestern State AT Angelo State West. Texas A&M AT Texas Woman’s East. New Mexico AT A&M-Commerce September 25th Midwestern State AT UT-Permian Basin West Texas A&M AT A&M-Commerce East. New Mexico AT Texas Woman’s September 28th A&M-Commerce AT Texas Woman’s

3-2

September 16th West. New Mexico AT A&M-Kingsville

3-0

West Texas A&M AT Cameron

3-0

A&M-Commerce AT Tarleton State

3-0

UT-Permian Basin AT Midwestern State

3-0

Texas Woman’s AT Angelo State

3-0

September 17th Texas Woman’s AT Tarleton State

3-0

A&M-Commerce AT Angelo State

3-0

East. New Mexico AT A&M-Kingsville

3-0

UT-Permian Basin AT Cameron

3-0

West Texas A&M AT Midwestern State

3-1

St. Edward’s AT Midwestern State

3-2

West. New Mexico AT A&M-International

3-0

September 24th Cowboy Jamboree UT-Permian Basin West Texas A&M Cameron Texas A&M Invitational Tarleton State

Men’s

September 24th Cowboy Jamboree UT-Permian Basin Roy Griak Invitational Midwestern State Texas A&M Invitational Tarleton State

Page 8

Sept. 22, 2016

Sports

Game schedule

Sept. 23: Soccer vs East New Mexico (6 p.m.)

Sept. 23: Volleyball vs A&M-Kingsville @ (5 p.m.)

Sept. 24: Football vs A&M- Kingsville (7 p.m.)

Sept. 24: Volleyball vs St. Edwards (2 p.m.)

Sept. 25: Soccer vs West Texas A&M (1 p.m.)

Sept. 30: Volleyball vs Cameron ( 6 p.m.)

Lions poised to face Javelinas & Toppers

Volleyball hopes to score two more wins this season.

Alissa Silva Managing Editor

2016 Volleyball r oster

!

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

Chasiddy Hill Jaryn Wacker Ashley Mireles Courtney Baldwin Sydney Reyes Layne Little Gabriela Rosa Savannah Himes Daisge Smith Taryn Driver Neka Nelson Rylie Fuentes Lacie Jessup Payton McMillan Shanon Park Myia Price Shantel Norton Karli Thornton Jaslyn Wacker Bina Njikam LaRaysha Hall Savannah Rutledge Alyssa Clay Cheyenne McCartney

OH/DS MB DS OH/DS MB OH S RS/OH OH RS OH S L MB OH L/DS OH S/RS MB MB RS/OH L MB S

5-8 5-10 5-3 5-10 5-10 5-11 5-7 5-10 5-10 5-10 5-9 5-6 5-5 5-11 5-10 5-6 5-8 5-9 5-10 5-10 5-10 5-3 5-10 5-8

So. So. Sr. Fr. Jr. So. Jr. So. Jr. Sr. Jr. Fr. Jr. So. So. Jr. Jr. Jr. So. So. So. Fr. Fr. Fr.

Grand Prairie, Texas Austin, Texas Georgetown, Texas Missouri City, Texas Lantana, Texas Abilene, Texas Bayamon, Puerto Rico Greenville, Texas Ewa Beach, Hawai'i Montgomery, Texas Mesquite, Texas Robinson, Texas Irving, Texas Denton, Texas Buda, Texas Rowlett, Texas Houston, Texas Lubbock, Texas Austin, Texas Keller, Texas San Antonio, Texas The Woodlands, Texas McKinney, Texas Leonard, Texas

Texas A&M UniversityKingsville and St. Edwards are coming to town this weekend to face Lions volleyball Sept. 23 and 24.

The Lions will take on the Kingsville Javelinas Friday at 5pm and battle it out with the St. Edward’s Toppers Saturday at 2pm.

“We learn quite a bit in our pre-conference played matches,” Head Volleyball Coach Craig Case said. “We Grand Prairie HS findVista things that Ridge HS work really well for us and some things Georgetown Newwe’ve Mexico State a few steps we have to get HS better at, you know taken Ft. Bend Christian HS through that they’ll have us ready for these matches.”

Denton Guyer HS HS Vernon College InAbilene orderWylie to prepare for the matches, the team looks at Navarro College stats,Guamani breaksPrivate downSchool the film, figures out how they want to Greenville HS Kansas Wesleyan match up against the opposing team inCollege certain areas, and Moanalua HS Navarro HS someMontgomery areas to attack.

Practice consists of individual skill Mesquite HS work, team HS building, team drills, and ultimately playing Robinson HS a lotNimitz of volleyball everyday they don’t have a game from Denton Guyer HS 7:30am to 9:30am.

Jack C. Hays HS Midland College “IRowlett thinkHSthe biggest change with this years team is we Madison HS haveLubbock so many upperclassmen, they’re just a lotCollege more mature Titans Frank Phillips Ridgethey’re HS and Vista I think capable of handling things differently thanKeller theyHS did two years ago,” Case said. “The maturity [of Holmes HS Panola College College Park HS McKinney HS Leonard HS

Lions jump to No. 6 nationally in AFCA Coaches Poll

Lion Athletics

On the strength of Saturday’s 49-10 win at Eastern New Mexico, the Texas A&M University-Commerce Lions’ football team has jumped to the No. 6 national ranking in the American Football Coaches Association Division II Coaches’ Poll, which was released Monday morning.

The Lions achieve new heights for the program with the No. 6 ranking, which marks the Lions’ best in this poll since it was initiated in 2000. A&M-Commerce passed Ferris State in this week’s ranking to reach the new program high. The Lions earned 566 points in this week’s poll, while Ferris State earned

the team] gives us a lot of advantages in what we’re trying to get done.”

With three seniors and nine juniors, this year’s roster makes up 22 players. Their focus for this year is on ball control, serving, passing well, and defending at a high level.

“I like this year’s team. I think we have all the ingredients to do some great things in the league this year. Like any other team, it doesn’t matter if you have all the talent, you have to actually use the talent, and I think that’s the thing this teams starting to figure out; we have a lot of depth in every position,” Case said. “I think the challenge for our players from last years team on this years team is having that readiness to get in and start because we may be changing the line up for a variety of reasons.”

Even though their starting line is basically set, their coaches are rotating players for two or three positions.

With a goal to win conference and the championship, Case said, “If we’re gonna build it to do it, we need to go out and do it.”

“I’m often really impressed with the poise of our team and the commitment level our players have, and we’re at a high level mark since I’ve been here in our program, in terms of their commitment and the types of players we have across the board of our program,” Case said. “I’m excited to see what sort of results that yield in terms of wins and losses, and I’m pretty confident we’re gonna have a lot of wins.”

550. That switch was the only change in the top nine spots in the poll.

A&M-Commerce has now been ranked in 17 straight AFCA polls, dating back to the 2015 preseason poll. This is A&MCommerce’s 23rd all-time appearance in the AFCA poll since its inception in 2000.

The Lions (3-0, 1-0 Lone Star Conference) return home after two weeks away, hosting Texas A&M-Kingsville (2-1, 0-1 LSC) in the annual battle for the Chennault Cup. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Commerce. Tickets are still available for the key LSC matchup by calling (903) 468-8756 or visiting http://www.WeAreLionsTix.com.

2016 American Football Coaches Association Division II Coaches' Poll – September 19 Rank 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

School (1st votes) Rec. Northwest Missouri St. (30) 3-0 Grand Valley St. (Mich.)

3-0 West Georgia 3-0 Shepherd (W.Va.) 3-0 Ashland (Ohio) 3-0 TEXAS A&M-COMMERCE 3-0 Ferris St. (Mich.)

3-0 Henderson St. (Ark.) 3-0 Indiana (Pa.) 2-0 Slippery Rock (Pa.) 3-0 Midwestern St. (Texas) 2-0 Tuskegee (Ala.) 3-0 Central Missouri 3-0 Sioux Falls (S.D.) 3-0 Azusa Pacific (Calif.)

3-0

Pts. 750 713 687 655 627 566 550 539 493 476 426 386 376 333 309

Prev.

1 2 3 4 5 7 6 8 9 11 12 13 14 15 16

Soccer Turns Game Around for 3-0 Win Ricky Moser Sports editor

Photo courtesy/ Lion Athletics

After an hour long lightning delay Friday night, the Texas A&M University-Commerce soccer team defeated Harding University 3-0 in front of a home crowd.

The Harding University Bison, located in Searcy, Ark. entered the game 3-1 while A&M- Commerce had a record of 2-2.

Early on in the game, both offenses got deep into opposing team territory and had good shots on goal.

A&M-Commerce sophomore goalkeeper Caitlin Duty stopped two threatening shots in the early minutes, one of which had to be scooped up off the ground, and the second forcing Duty to jump and extend both her arms above her head to make the save. She finished with five saves to help the team get its first shutout.

One player for Harding, junior forward Rachel Bacon, continued to find gaps in the defense for the Bison and seemed to be the biggest threat to A&MCommerce in the first half.

The score would remain 0-0 going into halftime. “[Bacon] is getting the ball because we’re not defending well off the set pieces on the throw in’s so we’ll just take care of that so she won’t get the ball again,” A&M-Commerce Head Soccer Coach Neil

Piper said. “I’m thrilled to be tied. I actually thought they were the better team in the first half. We’re not playing up to our capabilities, so I’m disappointed in that but I’m happy it’s still tied because I thought we were outplayed that first half.”

Sophomore defender Delaney Benselmeyer got the scoring started for A&M-Commerce in the second half courtesy of an assist from Sophie Haywood. Haywood’s corner kick from the keeper’s right was delivered in front of the goalie box where Benselmeyer then knocked it in the back of the net to put the first point on the board and A&M-Commerce never looked back.

Less than two minutes after the first goal, A&MCommerce scored again on Anitra Wright’s laser shot from near the edge of the penalty box that was placed into the upper corner of the goal on the far side.

The Lions would continue to have great scoring opportunities off set pieces throughout the night.

With seven minutes left in the game, Wright was tackled in the penalty box by her defender in what was a physical matchup all night. Senior forward Savannah Grasser took the penalty kick as a result of the foul and scored the third and final goal to seal the team’s victory.

The team will try to win its third straight home game Friday night as they begin Lone Star Conference play against Eastern New Mexico.