COLLEGIAN THE CA M ERON U N I V ER SIT Y
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
News
Informing the Cameron Family Since 1926
Volume 84 Issue 2
Cameron unveils Shepler Suites By Kyle Luetters Collegian Staff
Construction completion around corner. SEE PAGE 2
A&E
This semester, Cameron students have another style of campus living to consider. In addition to the Shepler dorm rooms and the Cameron Village, students will now option of suite-style living on the seventh f loor of North Shepler. The new living option was the brainchild of Student Housing Director Casey Case. “The idea came from a drawing I made back in 2005,” he said. “I was thinking of ways to improve Shepler and I put that on a piece of paper and gave it to Dr. [Larry] Kruse, who was the Vice President of Students Services at the time.” With the Business building moving their offices out of the seventh f loor of North Shepler, Case was given the opportunity to put his plan into action. Construction on the new suites began within weeks of the spring semester. Physical Facilities stepped in and helped to improve Case’s plans as construction moved along smoothly. Depending on the size of the suites, a full or twin size bed, desk
Three-Bedroom Suite
Photos by Jim Horinek
and chest of drawers populate the individual quarters while a living room connects the rooms together. “The best way to describe the seventh f loor is that it is a mix between the old Shepler dorms and the village apartments,” said Michael Faggett, the f loors Resident Assistant. Even before they were completed, the suites generated a great deal of interest. “There are a total of 37 spaces on the f loor and they filled up much faster than any of the other f loors in Shepler,” Case said. The 37 spaces are divided into two, three and four bedroom units. The four-bedroom unit is priced between the cost of a double room and a single room in the Shepler dorms. The two and three bedroom units are a little bit more expensive.
New digs: (Above) Shepler resident Josh Bernstein and RA Michael Faggett relax in the common area of a three bedroom suite. The suites are a new addition to campus housing this year.
See SUITES Page 3
Tuition unchanged despite state allocation cut
CU clubs make plans to go overseas. By Justin Cliburn SEE PAGE 5
Sports
Battle of octagon takes center stage. SEE PAGE 6
Voices
Collegian Staff
Cameron University’s fiscal year 2010 budget was approved by its governing board at the regularly scheduled meeting on June 22 in Ardmore. The operating budget, totaling $46,166,432, was approved by the board of regents for The University of Oklahoma, Cameron and Rogers State University. It will keep this academic year’s tuition and fees at the same rates as the 2008-2009 academic year. Among the initiatives included in the 2009-2010 budget is “Plan 2013: Choices for the Second Century,” which has four goals: to become the university of choice, offer the college experience of choice, be the location of choice and the partner of choice. “The momentum generated by the Centennial Celebration combined with ‘Plan 2013’ propels
Cameron forward into its second century and is the foundation for the fiscal year 2010 budget,” said Cameron University President Cindy Ross. “Building a budget that continues the Centennial momentum, moves forward on the ‘Plan 2013’ goals and maintains Cameron’s commitment to provide students a quality education at a reasonable cost is challenging.” The task of building that budget fell to Vice President of Financial Affairs Glenn Pinkston, who, along with the rest of the Cameron administration, had some last minute shuffling to do in order to balance the budget. “The 2009-2010 budget was due June 12,” Pinkston said, “and we were notified May 24 that our state allocation was being cut by approximately $1.7 million.” The state-allocated funds that Cameron receives every year has not grown at the rate of inflation, thereby resulting in a net loss for
Cameron. After the $1.7 million budget cut, there was some relief in the form of $799,000 allocated by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The approximately $1 million shortfall is a cause for future concern as Oklahoma revenues continue to fall. “The state of Oklahoma had projected July 2009 collections to be down 18 percent from July 2008,” Pinkston said. “However, collections in July 2009 were actually down 26 percent.”
See BUDGET Page 3
Rush week ushers increased Greek life campus presence By Brad Franks
Newswriting Student
Documentary producer reminisces his need for speed. SEE PAGE 4
MCT Campus
Greek Rush begins this week as Cameron students interested in membership in one of the Greek fraternities or sororities attend sponsored events. Sorority Recruitment starts at 6 p.m. today with Fraternity Rush at 6 p.m. Friday. Alpha Phi International Fraternity, a woman’s organization, Sigma Alpha Omega Christian Sorority, Sigma Tau Gamma National Fraternity and Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity are nationally recognized social Greek organizations chartered with Cameron University that participate in Rush. Students wishing to join one of the organizations need to fill out a Rush Registration form at the Office of Student Activities. There is no cost to enter Rush this year. Students attending Sorority Recruitment or Fraternity Rush will
participate in social events designed to form friendships and provide information about the organizations including philanthropies, leadership opportunities and networking. Greek Adviser Robin Martin says things look good for he future of Greek life at Cameron. Martin, the Head Cheerleading Coach, took the responsibility of Greek Advisor last year. “I have seen much improvement from the Greeks in my first year as Greek Adviser,” she said. “The Centennial Celebration helped us gain some great Greek Alumni support. We have a long way to go, but the recognition of the Centennial year will lend a hand.”
See GREEK Page 3
2
News
September 8, 2009
Campus construction entering final stages By Megan Carothers Collegian Staff
Home stretch: The exterior of the McMahon Centennial Complex nears completion. The building is on schedule to be completed in January.
Construction for the Bentley Gardens and the McMahon Centennial Complex on Cameron University’s campus is going full force. The Bentley Gardens, which encompasses 2.6 acres, includes a pond, gazebo and a new lighting standard that is being used throughout all of Cameron’s new construction. “The university has developed and put in with the Business Building a new lighting standard, which is a black, steel and iron pole, fluted, with an acorn shaped glass luminaire,” said Vice President of Financial Affairs Glen Pinkston. Pinkston said that the light fixtures have a Cameron theme added to them. “We kind of Cameronized that by putting a gold band
around it, as well as a gold finial on top, and that lighting theme will be carried throughout the gardens into the walkway lighting that we install around the McMahon Centennial Complex,” he said. There will also be green areas with benches for people to sit and relax and pathways that wind throughout the garden. The Bentley Gardens is on track to be completed before the end of the semester. “We expect the Bentley Gardens to be done before the end of the fall semester, hopefully November,” Pinkston said. “Construction workers are currently laying the sidewalk and working on the pond.” The McMahon Centennial Complex will house many different things, Pinkston said, including a ballroom that can seat up to 400 people, the Cameron Bookstore, One Stop Shop, food court, Post Office and many breakout rooms. The McMahon Centennial Complex will also house Student Activities offices, including the Director of Student
Activities, Student Government, Programming Activities Council and a student organization work room. Pinkston said the two-story building will have a balcony outside of the ballroom that will look over the Bentley Gardens, with a patio below for students to sit under and eat lunch. The McMahon Centennial Complex is set to be completed sometime in January. The exterior and roof of the McMahon Centennial Complex is basically complete, Pinkston said, so the construction crew is now working on the interior. The construction crew is currently installing the sheetrock and completing laying the tile in the bathrooms, among other things Project Superintendent of the McMahon Centennial Complex Russell Coleman said. Students can expect to see wood trim, black granite accents and top of the line audio and visual technology all around in the McMahon Centennial Complex, Pinkston said, to just name a few things.
Photos by Jim Horinek
Major changes: (above) The initial landscaping and concrete work is underway for the Bentley Gardens. The Gardens are slated for completion during the fall semester. (Below) The western side of the MAC is also undergoing some of the final stages of construction.
See page 3 for solutions.
3
News
September 8, 2009
SUITES continued from page 1 The transition to the new suites was relatively smooth, but small problems cropped up as the date for students to move in loomed. “We did not have the mattresses for the rooms until the Monday before classes started, which was the first official day to move in at Shepler,” Faggett said. “Phones, cable, Internet have been challenges, but those issues have been resolved for the most part.” Other concerns for the students have been the lack of space or storage in some of the rooms and assigning all of the residents’ mailboxes. “Mailing has been an issue but we are in the process of getting that all worked out,” Faggett said. Many students have lauded the new style of
living for its look, style and as an alternative to the other forms of housing currently on campus. With a hit in progress, Case mentioned that another floor could be due for a suite style makeover. “Since it appears to be a huge success, it is likely that we will build at least one more floor similar to this one next summer in South Shepler,” Case said. Students share Case’s sentiments. “Personally, I like the concept of the new suites,” Faggett said. “I think it’s safe to say that we will see the same style of living changed on another floor in North Shepler and a couple floors in South Shepler.”
Two-Bedroom Suite
Four-Bedroom Suite
Photo by Jim Horinek
Fresh paint: A newly remodeled room awaits its first tenant. The bedrooms in the suites received a total makeover. New furniture and carpeting as well as paint and lighting were installed.
GREEK continued from page 1 The end of Cameron’s first 100 years saw Greek involvement dwindle down to just two organizations, Alpha Phi International Fraternity and Sigma Tau Gamma National Fraternity. The success of the university’s Centennial Campaign drew the interest of Sigma Alpha Omega Christian Sorority and Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity to establish chapters at Cameron. The addition of two more Greek organizations is a good sign for student involvement in university life. “The University takes pride in its diversity of students,” Martin said. “When students are actively involved on campus it leads to better involvement in Greek organizations.” Stephen Jester, a graduate student at Cameron, is a Sigma Tau Gamma Alumni and the local chapter’s adviser. “Joining a Greek organization today is not
like it was in decades past. Rushing a fraternity used to involve acts of hazing, overconsumption of alcohol and other rights of passage to prove you were worthy,” Jester said. “Today fraternities have adopted new membership education programs that focus on the original foundation for fraternities, social and civic involvement.” Oklahoma is one of 44 states that have passed anti-hazing legislation. New member programs, such as Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity’s True Brother program and Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity’s Path of Principles program were developed out of a need to transform the way fraternities were operated. Martin said that Greeks help bring life to the university. “The more Greek organizations grow the better it is for Cameron,” Martin said. “Greeks promote active student leaders and those leaders are a must for a growing university.”
BUDGET continued from page 1 The statewide revenue shortfall, among other factors, accounts for the cuts in state allocations, Pinkston said. The news is not all bad, however. The high number of incoming freshmen has resulted in many more hours’ of tuition revenue for the school. “The dramatic increase in
student enrollment caught us by surprise,” Pinkston said. “We’ll have to wait until after spring semester to see if the enrollment remains high.” One initative listed in the 2009-2010 budget is specifically aimed at Cameron freshmen. “Introduction to University Life” is a pilot freshman
orientation course that is being offered this fall for the first time. The course covers all aspects of university life and is team taught by faculty, staff and peer mentors. The cost for the pilot program is just under $52,000. Included in the budget for all CU students is the “Student Wellness Center.” Cameron
will soon be partnering with Southwest Family Medicine Residency to offer on-campus health care services beginning in the spring semester. The cost of renovating the Student Activities Building to include a Wellness Center are estimated to be just over $80,500.
“The dramatic increase in student enrollment caught us by surprise.” — Glen Pinkston Vice President of Business and Finance
September 8, 2009
When in Rome
A&E
5
Cameron clubs plan next trip abroad By Rachel Engel Collegian Staff
This year, the Law and Politics Club, in a joint venture with the History Club, plan to continue their tradition of traveling abroad over spring break with a trip to Italy. After a successful trip to Greece last year, students wanted to continue the exploration of ancient democratic governments, and Italy was the next logical step. “It’s a huge political center,” said Assistant Professor of Political Science Dr. Melody Huckaby. “The Roman city-states such as Rome and Venice had these very powerful governments experiment with democracy and Republican government. The monuments that continue to exist remind us of two things: one, that we’re not that unique; and two, the power that a lot of these ideas have.” The tentative schedule of events includes two days in Rome, a day trip to Pisa, two days in Florence, a day trip to Venice, and a day trip to Pompeii before returning to Rome for a departing flight. “The details are still fuzzy,” Dr. Huckaby said. “We are working with a travel agent downtown at Adventure Travel and at our first planning meeting on Sept. 3 we would like input from those planning to go.” The trip is estimated to cost $1,500-1,600, which includes the cost of airfare, hotel expenses, breakfast and Eurorail passes, as well as the cost of some museums and tours, Dr. Huckaby said. Fundraising is planned for later in the semester with the possibility of a garage sale in October or November. “Last year we had some good
fundraising with garage sales and book sales, and we managed to raise around $1,000,” Dr. Huckaby said. “We felt like we had accomplished something. But when we held the date auction, we spent around $200 on food for the event and only earned $120. What I think we need is a joint operation with the Economics or Business departments because we are choosing poorly in terms of our business ventures; any and all fundraising ideas are welcomed.” Though the trip will be sponsored by the two groups involved, all students, faculty and their families are invited to join them. “There is not a cap on the number of students allowed to go on the trip,” Dr. Huckaby said. “Students are just now starting to hear about it, and of those who went on the trip to Greece last year, half of them have already said they plan on joining us to Italy. You do not have to be a member of either group to participate; last year we had students as well as some of the spouses of students come, so that is welcomed.” Due to the amount of places the group plans on visiting,
MCT Campus
students should be aware that the trip will most likely take up their entire spring break. “We’re hoping to leave either the Friday or Saturday before spring break,” Dr. Huckaby said. “We hope to leave in that window so we can do all of the things we plan to, otherwise we’ll have to shorten it, and we will most likely return the Sunday before classes resume. Nobody gets much of a break, but I think it’s worth it if we can spend an extra day in Pompeii or travel to Tuscany.” Last year’s trip elicited an overwhelming response, with 16 students and faculty making the trip to Greece. “I’m a military historian, and I was able to see arrowheads that had been dug up from the Battle of Thermopolis,” senior Bryan
to travel Nies, who participated “You learn so much more more now because of in the trip than you ever would have to Greece the culture just from the experience last year, I was able to see and said. “Some of being there. You can of my learn.” memorize facts about favorite Knerr culture, but you will never will be memories were from fully understand unless you joining seeing the the group travel and see it firsthand. to Italy as Monasteries It’s amazing to experience at Meteora. well. “You They were something bigger than situated on learn so yourself.” a cliff side much more than you and some were only — Ali Knerr ever would accessible Junior have just by rope from the ladders.” experience of being For some students, the trip was a once there,” Knerr said. “You can in a lifetime opportunity. memorize facts about culture, “It was pricey, but but you will never fully you don’t get to do those understand unless you travel kinds of things too often and see it firsthand. It’s amazing in the real world because to experience something bigger than yourself.” of work,” junior Ali Knerr said. “The experience makes me want
MCT Campus
Comedian hypnotist entertains, fascinates Cameron students By Andrew Osborne
laughed, providing obvious hilarity as the audience laughed at his demands. Collegian Intern After the show, I waited patiently into late On Aug. 29, Cameron welcomed a hypnotist hours of the night while Mr. Lornitis signed onto its campus, and I was there to cover it. autographs, sold merchandise and personally With all the excitement of an amateur, I was advised those participating in the aforementioned prompt, perhaps too prompt as professionals are activities. After twenty-odd minutes of these never punctual. I waited on a bench outside of activities, I seized my chance to interview the man Shepler scribbling questions onto an otherwise himself. blank sheet of paper, waiting for this man to I introduced myself as Andrew Osborne. I was show up. As my friend and I tried our hardest with the Cameron Collegian. We shook hands, in the cooling night air to relax, I noticed the and I was afraid to look deep into his eyes. building was fast filling up with fraternity I asked him when he had decided to become a hats and leis, and that I was losing my hypnotist. spot up front. I made my way into the He explained he started out as building and asked freshman Andrew a comedian, and it was a friend Kendall how he felt about being who introduced him to the idea of hypnotized. “Pretty fantastic,” hypnotism as a form of comedy. Kendall said as the man next Lornitis went on to describe to him agreed. what his best audience of all The doors were supposed time. to open at 8:30 p.m. but He remembered a at 8:37 p.m. the crowd time where he performed smashed up against the at a Microsoft corporate MCT Campus door in anticipation of catching event. Afterward, Bill Gates the best possible seats. But by 9:00 p.m. the commented, say something along the lines of pop music gave way to a 13th century Gregorian Mr. Lornitis’ act being the funniest he had ever chant layered with spacey keyboards and some seen. He also recalled an event where the turnout reverb-ridden beat. Hypnotist Dan Lornitis was poor due to bad weather, and out of the made his way onto the stage and explained the volunteers in the audience, none successfully went premise of hypnotism as being a subconscious, into a hypnotic state. self-induced trance in which a person was simply Lornitis’ act is not rehearsed, so much as it is more willing to follow outlandish suggestions. This an ad-libbed routine taking some aspects of typical was contrary to popular belief, and I found myself acts all hypnotists use as well as falling back upon digging this vaguely hippie idea. his comedic background. The evening began with a plane ride where the He explained that some of the ideas such as passengers were subjected to various extremes of suggesting the participants were hot or cold were hot and cold and enjoyment and embarrassment. stock ideas many hypnotists used, but, other then The audience observed a cow-milking contest, that, they were just improvisations stemming from a big wheel which traveled at 130 mph, and a his background in comedy. conversation in an alien dialect between two Lornitis went on to say that he wants everyone apparent strangers. to know how much he enjoys going to college At one point, one of the entertainers of the campuses, and I left the interview fearing him a evening was told that he was the “laugh police” and little less. it was his job to insure that no one in the audience
6
Sports
September 8, 2009
Cameron student goes UFC Portland style
leading up to the fight. Duffee is a big man, Hague must believe in his skills. 7 Seconds Later The UFC has a new fastest knockout in franchise history as Duffee punches Hague deep into dreamland. If you don’t have something nice to say, keep your mouth shut or you will get your teeth punched in; lesson learned. Hague stays out cold for about 25 seconds. Most fans are cheering this. I’m concerned for Hague; I respect these guys and don’t want to see any injuries. Hague finally gets up. I’m relieved. 6:30 p.m. The final prelim features Portland native Ed Herman. The crowd screams for their hometown fighter like there was twice as many of them. I’ve lost the ability to hear. Herman rewards the fans with a lackluster effort. 6:34 p.m. At the end of the first round Herman is taken down hard, he grimaces noticeably on the way down. The round is up and Herman can barely hobble back to his corner. The ring doctor checks with Herman’s coach before the next round and decides he can fight on one leg. The crowd roars their approval, the guy behind me dumps an entire beer down my back. Now I’m disappointed by two things in the last second: Herman should not be allowed to keep fighting and these guys behind me need to stop being sold $7 Bud Light. Herman starts round two with a kick. He pivots on his bad knee, and it gives way, fight over. I think I have more credentials to be
making medical decisions than the guy that just cleared Herman. The UFC shows zoomed in replays of Herman’s knee. You can actually see the ligaments stretch and then pop and his leg liquefy. Why does the UFC think that I’m the type of person who wants to see this 17 times? 7:35 p.m. Next up Portlander Chris Leben is taking on legit wrestler Jake Rosholt. Portland gets incredibly loud for it’s favorite son. Leben follows up his heroes welcome by getting dominated in every aspect of the fight. 7:50 p.m. Late in the third round Rosholt gets a takedown and quickly sinks in an arm triangle, a corotid artery choke. Leben tries to fight it, is unable to, and taps before passing out. The referee, watching the same fight I am, chooses not to stop the fight for four extra seconds. Leben is unconscious and his body visibly twitches a few times before he comes to. I am livid with this incredibly dangerous move by a referee that should know better. That’s two times fighters’ well beings have been compromised. I’m starting to think that I’m the only one who cares about their health and safety. The replay is shown on the jumbo-tron of Leben going into dreamland, the crowd cheers; I’m alone in my principles. 8 p.m. Demian Maia vs Nate Marquardt is the next fight to determine who gets a Middleweight (171-185 lbs) title shot. Marquardt is the most terrifying Middleweight I have ever seen, Maia is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu wizard who ties people in knots; a classic clash of styles. 21 seconds into the fight Maia throws a kick, Marquardt has it timed with an overhand right. Maia goes down doing a barrel roll like he was just shot with a cannon. Marquardt is classy and doesn’t throw any more punches. Unrepeatable words escape my mouth; Maia gets up immediately, which is the only positive thing I can take away from this. The people behind me spill more beer on me and jeer about my Maia pick. I briefly consider re-creating the 21 second knockout in the crowd, but refuse to become just as terrible of a fan as they are. 8:50 p.m. After a co-main
event that was more of a beating than a fight, Thiago Silva by crushing knockout, the lights went out in the Rose Garden. First out was “Minotauro” Nogueira, a Jiu Jitsu Blackbelt, whom Portland fans greet with a smattering of cheers and boo. Then Couture enters the arena, the crowd gives him the loudest ovation in human history. My brain hurts, it’s so loud it ceases to be noise anymore and my chest is actually pulsing due to the sound. Portland has Couture’s back. Bruce Buffer, octagon announcer reads their stats. Nogueira is 10 pounds heavier; Couture is 13 years the elder. Couture started his renowned career at a later age than Nogueira is fighting at currently. Even so, pre-fight commentary is about Nogueira possibly being too old to be competitive at 33. 9 p.m. It takes 10 minutes to expound upon all of the fighters accomplishments including multiple championship belts for each. Both fighters deserve every bit of accolades they receive, but UFC commentator Mike Goldberg used the word legend 17 times in a minute; that seems excessive. 9:02 p.m. The bell rings and both fighters charge into the center of the octagon and exchange wild punches. Two serious problems in Couture’s game are apparent right away. First, no head movement means he’s an easy target, and second, he looks slower than the last time he fought. Couture gets knocked down by
Dear Brett Favre, I’ve always been a loyal fan of yours, even when you singlehandedly ruined any chance the Carolina Panthers had of making history as the only team in their second year to go to the Super Bowl. I believe you eventually brought about the end of Dom Capers as a respected head coach in the NFL. But who’s to say that wasn’t coming anyway? Ever since the days of the reddish-brown hair and no beard, I’ve always considered you one of the best quarterbacks in the league. Even with high-priced overrated prima donnas like Eli Manning and Donovan McNabb, you stood for the game and played your hardest. Much like Kurt Warner, you’ve always been a class act and someone who still wants to play, even though your light is fading. I’ve grown up watching the NFL and it’s hard to imagine a league without you. I remember your first game with the Green Bay Packers and I remember your last game with them as well. I never was a cheesehead, but it was still great to see a quarterback come out onto the field and play for the love of the game. You hold just about every major cumulative passing record there is, even the most career interceptions. But when a quarterback plays as long as you have, and stays healthy as
much as you have, it’s hard not to accumulate interceptions, especially when your receivers have butterfingers. Not every quarterback can have receivers like Steve Smith or Terrell Owens. With all of this being said, you are making me a sad panda. I grew up watching you play. I idolized you as one of the few NFL players who wasn’t out to get the biggest endorsement deal or the highest contract. You always struck me as an honest man who just wanted to play the game and have fun. That game that you played against the Oakland Raiders in 2003, the day after your father died, was nothing short of special. I haven’t enjoyed a game that much since the Panthers nearly won the Super Bowl. But, for the love of the game, retire already. Don’t go down like the next Jerry Rice or Emmitt Smith. Both players are legends of the game. The mere mention of their names should induce respect and awe, but their last seasons were embarrassments. There’s nothing worse than seeing a guy try to get out and play the game and know that he’s beaten by a younger, faster guy. It doesn’t matter how much natural talent you have. When you get older, you lose a little something. The edge is gone and Favre, your edge is becoming as dull as a butter knife.
I stood up for you during the 2008 offseason when you went through your on-again-off-again retirement phase. I told everyone who hated you that you were still a man of the game and you just wanted to play. I still say Aaron Rodgers is a hack and will never make it in the NFL, even though I had him as my fantasy football quarterback last year. I always said Mike McCarthy didn’t know how to utilize you. The guy doesn’t know a halfback from a cornerback, and he somehow gets a job as an NFL head coach. When a less talented (short of Adrian Peterson) Minnesota Vikings team outplays the Packers and wins the division, the head coach should feel ashamed of himself. It would almost be as bad as losing to the Detroit Lions. I understand you were never a good fit for the New York Jets. Eric Mangini was an idiot. He already proved that by taking a head-coaching job for the Cleveland Browns. He didn’t know how to utilize you and he tried forcing you into an offense that you didn’t understand and weren’t good at. One may be able to teach an old dog a few new tricks, but one can’t expect said dog to learn a new offensive playbook. After the season, you retired again and the Jets let you out of your contract. Alas, the days of Favre in the NFL were over. It
Photos courtesy cagepotato.com
Brain pain: Ultimate Fighter veteran Chris Leben (left) lands a hard left hook in his controversial UFC 102 bout.
By Bennett Dewan Collegian Staff
UFC 102: Couture vs Nogueira, held in Portland, Ore., was an ebb-and-flow of emotions from start to finish. I knew I would be writing about specific details of the event later so I kept a detailed journal throughout Aug. 29, in order to remember each detail of the fast-paced action, ring antics and fan insanity. 4:50 p.m. Entering Portland’s Rose Garden along with 16,000 other fans through only one ticket area. It feels like human pinball as people try and jostle their way more towards the front. From a distance this must look hilarious, but amongst the crowd it looks like someone in charge of event planning needs to be unemployed. 5:10 p.m. I’m inside. By the time my brother and I reach our seats the first preliminary bout is over. Good thing the fighters were relative no names or I would have lost it already. Another pre-lim is halfway completed inside the famed octagon. The first reaction is how hard these guys hit. We are in the first balcony above the floor about 16 rows up, by no means next to the cage but still very good seats with good visibility of all the action, and we can hear every blow echo as it’s landed. This is going to take some getting used to. 5:17 p.m. Tim Hague vs Todd Duffee is set to begin. I don’t know much about either fighter but Hague talked some serious trash
a perfectly placed hook, and the crowd groans thinking this is the end. Couture recovers somehow as Nogueira continues to pummel on the grounded fighter. Nogueira switches for an Anaconda Choke, which is just as painful as it sounds, and sinks it in tight. The crowd sensing the impending doom chants “Randy, Randy, Randy,” and it works. Couture slips his head out of the choke and gets back to his feet as the round ends. Round two looks eerily similar to round one. 9:14 p.m. The third and final round brings a little desperation from Couture. Punches are flying in the cage as Nogueira continues to dominate the boxing. A big left hook turns Couture’s knees to jelly and his eyes roll into the back of his head like they’re looking for something. The referee makes a questionable call by allowing the fight to continue as Nogueira lands repeated punches. Couture reverses the position and ends up on top but Nogueira ties him up. The fight ends, Nogueira by Unanimous Decision. It comes out later that Couture has signed a six-fight contract extension. Couture showed tons of heart but has slowed physically and now has a suspect chin. That mixed with continued fighting sounds like a coctail called brain damage. That’s it for UFC 102; a night full of wild fights and unruly fans, or was it unruly fights and wild fans?
Battle scars: Randy Couture’s face shows the wear of a grueling three round fight with Antonio Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira. Couture, now 46, is a former UFC Heavyweight and Light Heavyweight Champion.
Words of wisdom for Vikings Favre
Courtesy MCT Campus
Fantastic Mr. Favre: Brett Favre evades tacklers during his first ever preseason game with the Minnesota Vikings.
was a sad time for most fans of the sport. It was like Michael Jordan retiring for good from the NBA. But it was something that had to be done. But no, you couldn’t let that happen. You had to come back again. Why? What more is there to prove? The reddish-brown hair is gone, replaced by a poster boy face for Just For Men. You still have the arm strength, but why continue to come back? Do you want people to ridicule you? I’m even having a hard time defending this action. It’s no secret you wanted to go to Minnesota when you decided to un-retire and McCarthy put the block on your plans. But retiring and then swearing you’re not going to come back until the last minute looks like you’re trying to get back at your old team. You have nothing to prove. Rodgers will self-destruct on his own and you’ll always be known as the better quarterback. But it’s time to move on. Much like Rice and Smith, you need to take a long look at your career and leave. Continuing to play will only damage your Hall of Fame reputation. Do like John Elway and retire while you have dignity and while you’re on top. It’s the only way. Sincerely, Joshua Rouse The Cameron Collegian Newspaper
Sports
September 8, 2009
7
Volleyball team starts season on winning track By Saman Samii Collegian Staff
The Cameron Aggie Volleyball team traveled to Russellville, Arkansas, this past weekend for the Spikefest Invitational tournament hosted by Arkansas Tech University (ATU). The 2009 season could not have started better as the ladies went on to win the tournament winning all four matches in decisive fashion. The Aggie women were in control throughout the whole tournament. On Fri Aug. 28, the Aggies took on the Bearcats of Southwest Baptist University (SBU) in their opening match. The ladies were on fire as they won in straight sets. The final score was 25-14, 25-19, 25-20. A standout in this game was senior right-side hitter Lindsay Paziuk with12 kills. Coach Brianne Smedley said she was extremely pleased how well her team started the season. “The first match of the year is always the toughest one, but the girls did a great job of handling the pressure,” Coach Smedley said. “It was a great start to our season.” Their second match was a completely different story. The Aggies took on ATU and were pushed to five sets by the hosting
team. After a tough battle and coming back from nearly being eliminated in the fourth set, Cameron won the match by the score 34-32, 14-25, 12-25, 29-27, 15-11. Coach Smedley said this was definitely the toughest match of the tournament. “It was a real battle out there,” Coach Smedley said. “At one point in the match we were down, but it was impressive to see how the girls played as a team and that was the key to our success in that match.” On Sat Aug.29, the Aggies opened up the day by taking on the Chargers of University of Alabama-Huntsville (UAH). After a struggling start and losing the first set 27-29, Cameron bounced back to win the following three sets 25-23, 25-23, 25-17, to capture the match. In this match, four players were able to have double-digit kills as Malyssa Acton, Adrienne Lawson, Kellie Dickerson and Paziuk achieved the feat. In addition, senior setter Laura Ellerbrock had an outstanding match where she contributed with 43 assists. “I was worried we were going to be a little fatigue since we played a long five set match the night before, but once again the girls showed tremendous determination and
were able to bounce back from an early set lost,” Coach Smedley said. The most impressive match of the tournament came in the tournaments final match where the Aggies crushed the Dustdevils of Texas A&M UniversityInternational (TAMU-I). The final score was 25-17, 25-15, 25-16. With momentum at a high from their previous matches in the tournament, The Aggies was on top the whole game and never gave their opponents a chance to get back in. Coach Smedley said she is was pleased to see the great start to the season. “This was a great start to our season,” Coach Smedley said. “If we keep working hard and play our type of volleyball, we will be very successful this year.” Next stop for the CU volleyball team is on Sep. 4 where the women travel to Abilene, Texas to participate in the Abilene Christian Wildcat Invitational tournament. In two days, the Aggies will take on teams such as Western New Mexico, Lubbock Christian, Western State University and Pittsburg State University. With a great weekend of competition, The Aggies are more than ready to bring home yet another title.
Stepping up: Sophomore Outside Hitter Malyssa Acton goes for a spike in the Aggie Gym during last season. At the Spikefest Tournament Acton tied for a team leading 12 kills as the Aggies went 4-0.
out due to injury and illness. This season, if the Aggies can overcome injury, they look to have an outstanding season with a possible Division II regional appearance. “Last season we had three runners that were sick during the final meet, two of which did not compete. This season we have a lot of potential. If we can overcome our injuries we’ll be just fine,” said head coach Matt Aguero. The Aggies opened up their cross country season at the Midwestern State Mustang Stampede on Sept. 3 in Wichita Falls, Texas. Every Aggie runner will compete in
the 6k run which is just less than four miles. Saturday, the Aggies host the first annual Aggie Showdown in which CU will host three teams of great quality. East Central, Midwestern and Oklahoma City University look to compete against CU in the first-ever event. Another notable meet that the Aggies will be participating in will be in Stillwater, Oklahoma at the Oklahoma State Cowboy Jamboree. Oklahoma State holds an incredible national ranking of 4. Cameron will have another
chance before the Lone Star Conference championship meet to gain some recognition when the team travels to Fayetteville, Arkansas to participate in the Arkansas Chile Pepper Festival. The Razorback men’s cross country team is nationally ranked 3. “We will see the best. OSU and Arkansas are top five teams. Over 30 teams will be at both meets,” Aguero said. Aguero has many talented and athletic runners on his squad for 2009, but the one player he is most excited about is senior Josh Stewart, who missed some races due to an illness last season but has
Photo by Bennett Dewan
Aggies to host first cross country running meet By Jeramy Eidson Collegian Staff
Last season the Aggie cross country team, coached by Matt Aguero, finished the season with an astounding ranking of 8th in the region after winning the Midwestern State Relay. This accomplishment was a feat that CU had never before achieved. This season, the Aggies begin with that same ranking. With the 8 ranking, the Aggies’ expectations are a lot higher than at the start of last season. In 2008, the Aggies ended the season on a string of bad luck with some key runners
worked hard and is in terrific shape according to Aguero. Aguero would love nothing more than to see his squad push past the Lone Star Conference championship and into the Division II regionals. “There are a lot of good teams in our region. The top three go to the Division II nationals. Four teams in our region are ranked in the top twenty-five,” Aguero said. With the returning talent that CU possesses, the expectations are high for Aguero, and he believes this year’s squad has the potential to go very far and achieve many milestones.
Golfers get back into swing of things
Photo by Bennett Dewan
Precision and power: Senior Marrik Wooten drives the ball off the 18th tee-box at the Territory Golf and Country Club in Duncan. Wooten and Kass McGrath will provide leadership for the women’s team while Robbe Trout, Peter Svajlen, Brett Leavell and Michael Lee will lead a large roster for the Men’s team.
By Jacob Russell Collegian Staff
Cameron University’s men’s and women’s golf teams are tuning up for another successful season. With the experience of the returning talent and the skill level of the new recruits, expectations have been raised for both teams.
“This team has the potential to be the best team that Cameron has ever had,” said men’s head coach Jerry Hrnciar. “We have a lot of talent, experience and depth, which sets us up for a great opportunity.” A large part of the talent and experience will come from AllAmerican, Peter Svajlen, who
has been granted a fifth year of eligibility by the NCAA due to his wrist injury that sidelined him for the majority of last season. Returning with Svajlen are three other seniors from last years team, including former walk-on Brett Leavell, who stands a very good chance of joining Svajlen this year as an All-American. Coach Hrnciar brought in one of his largest recruiting classes in years. Seven new players are coming to join the Aggies, including two All-Americans: Jason Timmis, who transferred here by way of Paris Junior College; and Elrick van Eck, who came from Shorter College. These new faces will pair up with seven returning players, five of whom started most of last season. This leaves coach Hrnciar with a lot of players to evaluate and set up in a position to take this team as far as it can go. “We have more talent than any team we will face,” stated Hrnciar. “I’m looking at redshirting the freshman, so they can use a full year of eligibility later in their career, but there are a couple who could help us out now if needed.” Heading up the recruits is Lawton native Kaden Bressman, one of the players that coach Hrnciar believes could contribute to the teams success now, as well as Jayson Hand, Brady Porter, Cale Johnson and Trey Lawson. Many of these young players may not see action this season, but all bring the chance to stay competitive for years to come. The Lone Star Conference is strong as usual with Abilene Christian and St. Edward’s both
bringing in good recruits to match their already strong lineups. The goals of this year’s team look further than the LSC title. The Aggie men are looking to improve on their 25th national ranking last season and have everything on their side to accomplish just that. “I will be disappointed if we are not in position to win every tournament and compete for every championship,” exclaimed Hrnciar. “You have to keep them from thinking they are the best; they can always get better. We have to focus on playing to our potential regardless of the circumstances.” For the lady Aggies, championships may not come as easily, but they are in a position to compete heavily in the Lone Star Conference. “Our goal this season is to make regionals and qualify for nationals,” said women’s coach Rick Goodwin. “We finished last year sixth, we are ten now, but we are constantly looking to improve that and the only way to do that is by playing great golf.” Last year’s run deep into the LSC playoffs really helped add to this years team. After the loss of Renee Breeze, the lady Aggies have 5 returning players from last year’s team who look to build off of their experience to improve their play this season. Kass McGrath and Merrick Wooten are the only two seniors returning to the team, but juniors Megan Whan and Blaze Petty both had strong showings and really came on strong last season. Junior Tori McCollum is also returning and hoping to build
on her opportunities during last season. Joining those five returners are three incoming freshman: Kylie Johnson who played at Fletcher High School; Johanna Holden from MacArthur here in Lawton and Bethany Heinen from Lawton High. “Kylie Johnson and Johanna Holden will step up and produce for us now,” said Goodwin. “These girls all make us a better team and we are ready to see them in action.” Coach Goodwin is a firm believer that you have to take advantage of playing in the fall. The courses are nicer and friendlier to those playing. Goodwin says he should have a good feel of how the team is going after the first couple of tournaments. “The goal is to tune up for spring; we have to get our stroke averages down,” stated Goodwin. “You really have to take advantage of the conditions; when you come back for spring the courses just are not as good because of the end of fall and winter. Conditions really don’t start getting better until you are halfway through your schedule.” Coach Goodwin will get a chance to see what his ladies have to offer very soon. The women’s golf team opens up their season in Dallas, TX at the Dallas Baptist Invitational. This will be the first chance for Goodwin to see how his team will fare in competition. The men’s team opens up play on the same weekend in Abilene, TX at the Coody/West Texas Intercollegiate tournament. Both teams are scheduled four tournaments this fall in an effort to tune up for the big spring season.
8
Variety
September 8, 2009
Review by Joshua Rouse In the world of video games, Batman has always seemed like he would be a perfect fit. He’s vengeful, he’s not afraid of violence. He likes to brutally hurt people, and he’s got so much anger and frustration built up within him that it’s amazing he’s not inside Arkham Asylum next to Joker. How hard could it possibly be to make a video game that utilizes the best aspects of the Dark Knight? Apparently, pretty hard, judging by previous attempts. Outside of a few games, namely Activision’s “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” and the “Marvel Ultimate Alliance” series, comic book superheroes just cannot seem to work well with digitized characters. Thankfully, fairly unknown developer Rocksteady stepped in to take an interesting premise and make not only the greatest comic book game of all time, but the first true contender for game of the year. “Batman: Arkham Asylum” does what other video games have utterly failed to do: instead of adapting the character to the video game, Rocksteady adapts the video game to the character. Batman doesn’t have to be a gun-toting womanizer. He doesn’t have to be a sword-wielding ninja. He is who he is and that’s a perfect character to be digitized, in the proper way. Joker escaped Arkham Island and took the Gotham City mayor hostage before Batman intervened. He gave up almost without a fight, and Batman takes the Clown Prince of Crime back to the asylum. Once there, Joker escapes and draws Batman into a trap. The inmates are running the asylum and Bats is the only person who’s able to stop them. If you’re a fan of games like “Metroid Prime” or “Bioshock,” you should definitely take notice of “Arkham Asylum.” The game is built around exploration. In a “metroid-vania” style, Batman explores the island and its many mysteries. Some areas might not be accessible at first, but you’ll eventually discover and unlock items that allow you to go back to those areas and unlock new mysteries. Batman’s main mission is to recapture Joker and return his minions to their cells. This is easier said than done, considering hundreds of goons have escaped and they’re all looking to even the score. Thankfully, you’re the Batman and you have decades of fighting experience at your disposal. Combat is similar to “Assassin’s Creed.” Enemies gather around you and eventually attack. Lightning bolts appear above their heads to let you know they’re preparing to strike. Hit the counter button at the right moment, and Batman will unleash a combination of punches and kicks that will make them wish they never set eyes on him. But, since the best defense is a good offense, Batman has plenty of fighting skills of his own. Combat is all mapped to one button. Continually mashing it will launch wicked and beautiful attacks against everyone around. String together enough punches and you’ll increase your experience points, which allow you to upgrade your combos and gadgets. Often, direct combat isn’t the wisest, or most fun, choice. Stalking unsuspecting enemies in the shadows is just as entertaining. Strategically placed gargoyles are all over the island. Batman can perch on these and hang by his feet from them. When an enemy walks underneath, Batman can grab them and string them up by their legs. Anyone else in the area will soon become scared and will make mistakes that will make it easier for Batman to take them out. Batman has always had the most interesting rogue gallery and most of the villains are put to use in the game. Joker is the main antagonist of the game and he loves tantalizing the Batman. He’ll randomly come over the intercom babbling about taking over the island and barking orders to anyone left conscious by Bats. He’ll often show up in person to harass Batman and taunt him while he’s down. But Joker isn’t the only person Batman needs to worry about. Other characters from throughout Batman’s history show up and make their presence known, though Joker is the star of the game. Mark Hammill brings the character to life in a way that would embarrass Heath Ledger. The game runs off the Unreal Engine 3 and still has that glossy look that most games are noted for. Still, that doesn’t stop the graphics from looking spectacular. The character models all look like action figures, but this is a game based off a comic book. The animations are smooth and lighting hasn’t been this good on an UE3 game since “Bioshock.” The game’s only one true fault is its lack of a “New Game+” feature. In most action games, this feature allows the player to go back through the game with abilities and gadgets previously unlocked. It would be much more fun to fight the hordes of enemies with Batman’s fully upgraded abilities. Alas, it’s only one small knock against a wonderful game. “Batman: Arkham Asylum” is a fantastic game made even better by its creative use of the “Batman” license. You don’t have to be a fan of “Batman” to love this game. The well-balanced combination of smooth action and exploration makes this game a must-have for any action game fan. Likewise, this is one Batman experience no Batman fan should miss. Forget the Nolanverse, forget Christian Bale, “Batman: Arkham Asylum” is the Batman experience.