April 14 issue

FLOR - ALA The

April 14, 2016

INSIDE

Volume 84, Issue 28

NEWS . . . . . . . . 7 VIEWPOINTS . . . . . 10 this week’s paper LIFE . . . . . . . . . 11

www.FlorAla.net

SPORTS . . . . . . . 13 CALENDAR . . . . . 15 EXTRA . . . . . . . . 16

GIRLS

WHO GAME PAGE 11

Student newspaper of the University of North Alabama

UNIVERSITY REVENUE ......9

FLOR - ALA The

Please recycle your paper.

2 Students’ Choice

Staggs Grocery serves awardwinning burgers MELISSA PARKER Life Editor life@florala.net

Anyone looking for a satisfying homemade burger need look no further than Staggs Grocery.

The almost five-star rating on Facebook and the number of automobiles lining the street each morning and afternoon are sure signs you are in for a wonderful treat.

UNA students voted Staggs’ hamburger the best above both City Hardware and Legend’s Steakhouse burgers.

This was not the first honor for the flat top griddle-fried treat. Voters selected it fourth in an AL.com North Alabama Top Cheeseburgers poll in 2014.

I decided to give this award-winning burger a try. I entered the business around lunchtime on a recent Tuesday. People crowded the establishment, filling every seat and standing around waiting on takeout orders.

Since I had never been there before, I took a long look at the menu.

I ordered a small cheeseburger for $3.99. That seemed like a lot for a cheeseburger, but my hopes were high it would not disappoint me. I also ordered a side of fries for an additional $2.19.

Rather than eat there, I brought my lunch back to the Student Publications building to enjoy. When I walked through the door, my coworkers immediately asked what I had that smelled so good.

When I told them it was a burger from Staggs, they were all jealous.

I sat down at my desk, gathered my napkins and beverage and opened the styrofoam container releasing the smell of freshly grilled ground beef into the air.

The first bite of the burger was messy and dripping with grease. It was delicious. The person in charge of preparing my burger did not slack on the toppings. The tomato and lettuce were fresh, and the bun had just the right amount of condiments slathered across it.

Each bite was messier, and even more wonderful, than the previous.

I shared fries with my coworkers, but the burger was all mine. I devoured it quickly, but realized near the end of the carnage that the bun was getting too messy and difficult to handle. I removed the bun and toppings and ate the meat.

This burger, even on its own, was wellseasoned and fried to perfection.

I would put Staggs at the top of the list next time you are craving the taste of a home-cooked burger. While it may not be as cheap as fast food, the service is quick, and the portions are filling. Its location on Huntsville Road, just a short drive from campus, makes it a good choice for a quick lunch.

April 14, 2016 • The Flor-Ala

Rice Box offers inexpensive meals JASMINE FLEMING

Managing Editor managing@florala.net

Members of The Flor-Ala staff ordered four meals at Rice Box Asian Cuisine for under $20. It is no wonder the restaurant won over 52 percent of the votes for best off-campus restaurant.

Chicago Café placed second with almost 24 percent, and Ricatoni’s Italian Grill’s came in third with 19 percent of the votes. Because of this victory, incoming staff and I ventured to Rice Box Asian Cuisine March 17 with one goal in mind: Finding cheap food.

Associate Life Editor Monday Sanderson, Graphic Designer Michael Meigs, Junior Graphic Designer Jackie Willis and I arrived at Rice Box around 8 p.m. We had previously decided to order the cheapest meals we thought we would enjoy to see how little a group of four could spend on quality food at the restaurant. We had all eaten at Rice Box before, but finding ways to make it more cost efficient made it an adventure.

After a 10-minute wait, a waitress sat our party at a corner booth. After perusing the menu, we discovered the cheapest option would be ordering from the kid’s menu.

Jackie and I ordered honey sesame chicken, and Michael and Monday ordered sweet and sour chicken. Everyone ordered rice as the accompanying starch, varying between fried and white rice.

All meals without tax were $3.50, and Monday added two eggrolls for 99 cents to her meal.

The eggroll appetizer arrived first, and the four of us managed to split it.

From the two bites I had, I found the eggrolls fresh, crunchy and flaky. That, combined with sips of my free water, temporarily staved off my hunger.

Ordering from the kid’s menu proved to be a smart decision. When my meal arrived, my first impression was there was plenty of honey sesame chicken, broccoli and fried rice to fill me up.

The chicken, drenched in almost too-sweet sauce, still maintained its crunchiness. When the food arrived, it

was still steaming. Although I would have liked more egg in the rice, It was filling and had a sufficiently fried flavor.

I also wished for cooked broccoli as well, instead of having cold sprouts on the plate.

With Monday’s sweet and sour chicken, she said although the carrots were “a little dry,” overall her kid’s meal left her “full with plenty to go.”

Michael said he preferred more than bell peppers and carrots as the vegetables in his dish, but he found it “delicious” nonetheless.

To find out the rest of the staff’s thoughts on their meals, visit florala.net.

MONDAY SANDERSON I Associate Life Editor

Junior Graphic Designer Jackie Willis prepares to eat her honey sesame chicken at Rice Box. The location in Seven Points won the most votes for best off-campus restaurant.

Wildwood Tavern is ‘best bar in town’ KAITLYN DAVIS

Associate News Editor news@florala.net

Students voted on their favorite bar in town, and Wildwood Tavern received the honor with 58 percent of the votes.

On The Rocks followed with 29 percent, and FloBama placed third with 9 percent of the votes.

A few members of The Flor-Ala staff grabbed a booth at the bar to check it out.

Managing Editor Jasmine Fleming, Life Editor Melissa Parker, Associate Sports Editor Justin Jefferies and I scoped out the bar’s new menu.

The server did not waste time carding us. Instead, we ordered and immediately started taste testing.

Jasmine tried Eternal Sunshine, a citrus vodka concoction. Parker went with The Regulator, a mixture of honeysuckle vodka, Malibu rum and juice. Justin opted out of the cocktail trend and tried Sierra Nevada Otra Vez, a sour beer. Since I did not go to the beach over spring break, I brought the beach to me with the Groovy Notion. The drink was a mixture of vodka and pineapple juice.

M: (The Regulator) was not too strong.

I like it. Actually, that’s really good. (The server) said it was potent though. I’m not tasting all the alcohol yet.

JF: I am. (Eternal Sunshine) also tastes very sunshiney so that’s good.

K: Give us your first impression.

JF: I could taste a lot of the alcohol in

it. It’s very fruity, and it makes me think of SunnyD. It’s pretty good.

M: I like The Regulator because I don’t like a strong alcohol taste, and I don’t have that. Although he said it was potent, so it may kick in here shortly.

JF: I also enjoy it’s a dollar off for the happy hour special.

K: What about you, Justin? Do you like (Otra Vez)?

JJ: Yeah, it’s in between wheat and lite beer I would say. It’s not bitter. So it’s not like a stout or an IPA or anything, which is good for me.

JF: Also, I like that there’s so much fruit in here because it kind of makes it feel like it’s healthier, you know?

K: It tricks you.

JF: Well just for the record, I feel like the glass is smaller than I expected, and I feel like I got less than I would at other places.

M: I’m on my second.

JJ: I’m trying to keep pace.

M: Amateurs.

K: OK, so my overall take on Groovy Notion was it’s a groovy B plus.

M: So Jasmine is done with her beverage.

K: I am too. These packed a lot of punch for being so small.

JF: I definitely agree. I feel kind of like I had something much larger.

KAITLYN DAVIS I Associate News Editor

To read the rest of this story go to florala.net

The Regulator (left), Eternal Sunshine (middle) and Groovy Notion were the staff’s picks for the taste test. The staff’s over all favorite was The Regulator.

STUDENTSʼ CHOICE 3

April 14, 2016 • The Flor-Ala

KALI DANIEL I Editor-in-Chief

Chicago Cafe’s Pesto Chick pizza is topped with pesto, mozzarella, chicken and basil. Students and the community chose Chicago Cafe as the best pizza place in Florence.

KALI DANIEL

Editor-in-Chief editor@florala.net

I had always heard the pizza was too saucy and too cheesy, but 69 percent of the votes for best pizza went to Chicago Cafe, so I went to find out more about the pies.

This was not my first time at the tiny location next to Wildwood Cafe. I walked into a small seating area, a chalkboard with a drawing of 2-D from Gorillaz and a smiling face behind the counter — and I can attest this is the way it usually is.

Any time you walk into Chicago

Café, you will see an interesting character on the blackboard, which local artist Channing Morrow draws, adding a phrase about hot dogs. For this week’s Gorillaz-themed drawing, I read, “I’m not happy or feeling glad unless I’ve got hot dogs in a bag.” The drawings certainly intrigue you as you grab a menu and explore the items.

Ironically, these pizzas aren’t Chicago’s signature deep dish, but closer to New York-style thin crust for one (9”) or one hungry (12”).

For this trip, I ordered the Hawaiian, complete with pineapple, chicken, mozzarella and green bell peppers. I

sat and read local news as the packed location thrived on a Friday night at 10 p.m.

The pizza was, as my friends warned me, smothered in cheese, but to me that is a benefit, not a deterrent. As someone with an aversion to pizza sauce, I did not find the pizza too saucy, and the flavor combination was perfection. Each bite had a sample of the toppings, and the size was perfect to feel full.

The real test of this pizza was the morning-after test: I had to refrigerate it and eat it for breakfast the next day, naturally.

I ordered a Pesto Chicken, complete

with a basil pesto sauce with chicken, mozzarella and extra basil, to-go.

The next morning, I enjoyed the pizza, again, with plenty of cheese and a fair amount of sauce. The edges were a little burned, which was not ideal for cold pizza. However, the basil appeased me long enough to forget the fiery misdeed.

Chicago Cafe is not my personal favorite local pizza maker. But with my favorite bar next door, employees I feel well-acquainted with and hours ideal for night owls needing a snack, it is by far better than any other late-night alternatives.

Rivertown serves most popular coffee ANNA BEAHM

News Editor news@florala.net

Since 2004, Rivertown has been serving downtown Florence quality coffees and treats. However, Rivertown is not just a coffee shop. It is so much more, and that is why I think UNA students chose Rivertown Coffee as the best coffee shop in Florence.

The shop is a great companion for UNA because of its proximity to campus, unique products and late-night hours.

Here are three reasons why Rivertown Coffee is the best coffee shop in Florence.

They also provide noncaffeinated drinks such as a variety of hot and herbal teas, and frappes served without espresso.

Aside from coffee, Rivertown serves more “grown up” drinks, too. They have a variety of craft beers from across the country and here in town, including Singing River Brewery’s drinks.

3. Food If your soft spot is a coffee and muffins, Rivertown Coffee might be your new vice. Every morning, the shop

bakes fresh muffins. Some of the muffin flavors include blueberry and apple cinnamon. If you get there before 8 a.m. (on weekdays), the muffins are still warm. That’s one morning pick-me-up I personally cannot resist.

Aside from muffins, the shop makes a variety of sandwiches, soups, salads and even fresh pizza (starting at 6 p.m.). 80 The food factor makes Rivertown the perfect place to meet friends for a snack and a drink or having an all-day study session.

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1. Location and hours Location is a big factor for a college student looking for an afternoon pickme-up and a study spot that is not the library. Rivertown is less than a mile walk from campus and offers free WiFi and ample table space essential for studying in comfort.

The shop is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday. These hours make the shop the place to grab breakfast before class and the place to go for an evening study session.

2. Drink variety Rivertown offers the classic freshbrewed coffees, frappes and cappuccinos

BEST happy hour

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TORI PATTERSON I Volunteer Photographer

A Barista takes orders at Rivertown. The coffee shop received the most votes for best coffee.

1.3% 4% 18.9% 75.8%

Other French Quarter Yumm Thai: Sushi and Beyond On the Rocks

4 Students’ Choice

April 14, 2016 • The Flor-Ala

Students vote Collier best study spot MONDAY SANDERSON Associate Life Editor life@florala.net

Being a busy college student comes with challenges. One of these is finding the time and motivation to study, but having a nice location to hit the books helps.

The Flor-Ala recently conducted a survey, and, with 74 percent of the votes, participants chose Collier Library as the best local place to study.

The library has Wi-Fi throughout the building, 75 computers, two black -and-white printers, one color printer, 18 laptops and three scanners, said Access Services Librarian Doris McDaniel.

The library also has services for disabled students, said Dean of Library Services and Educational Technology Services Melvin Davis. “(We have) adaptive technologies,” he said. “We have two of the visuallyimpaired machines.”

It is a good place to study because of the furniture and noise level, said sophomore Julie Heflin.

“The quiet helps me focus more on my work,” she said. “They also have large tables that I use. I love these because I can lay out all of my work without it feeling cluttered.”

To read the rest of the story, visit florala.net.

McFarland tops list for napping students ANNA BEAHM

News Editor news@florala.net

When students chose their favorite locations on and near campus, I now know why they chose McFarland Park as the best place to take a nap.

McFarland won first place in the best places to nap category, with Collier Library and The Commons coming in second and third, respectively.

I spent one beautiful Saturday afternoon napping at McFarland. I brought back some tips for getting the most out of napping outdoors.

Here are four things you will need to get the best out of your nap at McFarland Park: 1. Proper surface Sprawling out on the soft grass sounds like a great idea until bugs, ants and dirt join the fun. The park is usually well-manicured, but a layer between you and the ground is necessary.

My personal surface of choice is a suspendable hammock like the ENO DoubleNest or a similar item. The hammock hangs between two trees and keeps you off the ground and in the breeze. Plus, there’s nothing like the soft sway of a hammock to put you right to sleep.

To read the rest of the story, visit florala.net.

photo courtesy of Shannon Wells

The campus community celebrated the first Light the Fountain ceremony March 21. Students voted the Laura M. Harrison Fountain the No. 1 campus landmark over the George H. Carroll Lion Habitat and the Memorial Amphitheater.

Fountain wins campus landmark honors EMILY KAZUNGU Online Editor online@florala.net

The Flor-Ala conducted a survey, and students voted the Laura M. Harrison Fountain winner of the best campus landmarks. The George Carroll Lion Habitat and the Memorial Amphitheater earned the second and third spots, respectively.

1. Laura M. Harrison Fountain

Laura M. Harrison Fountain is a splash of uniqueness on UNA’s campus.

Many people take graduation, wedding and prom photos around the fountain.

Each fall, UNA students observe the tradition of dipping pencils in its waters for good luck.

The fountain is named after 1955 graduate Laura Harrison. She and husband Donald Harrison gifted the fountain and Harrison Entrance to the campus in 2002, according to an article in UNA Magazine.

The Laura M. Harrison plaza represents her desire to support the university and provides a place of beauty for everyone to enjoy.

Students, faculty, staff and alumni celebrated the first Light the Fountain ceremony March 21.

Vice President for Student Affairs David Shields and Student Government Association President Nick Lang collaborated with the Departments of Grounds Maintenance and Facilities Administration and Planning to

create a remote device to activate the lights and water in the fountain, according to a recent The Flor-Ala article.

2. George H. Carroll Lion Habitat

It all began 42 years ago, when Former UNA President Robert Guillot brought a 35-pound lion cub to live on campus.

“Since 1974, The University of North Alabama has been the only U.S. college whose mascots are live lions,” according to an article on roadsideamerica.com.

UNA dedicated the habitat Oct. 7, 2002, in honor and memory of the late owner of Pressure Concrete, Inc. George H. Carroll, whose firm constructed the space for the campus mascots, according to the Office of University Relations.

Pressure Concrete, Inc. donated labor and materials to the project and encouraged others to do the same.

Multiple individuals and businesses made contributions that led to the construction of the habitat.

“This Habitat was constructed under the exceptional leadership of President L. Potts, who was an active advocate and supporter of this project,” according to the George H. Carroll Lion Habitat “Facts in a Nutshell” pamphlet by Daniel Howard, former vice president of university advancement and administration.

FOX Sports named Leo III and Una No. 6 out of 25 best live animal mascots in the U.S. in October 2015.

3. Memorial Amphitheater

Grass, trees and benches surround the amphitheater. It is not hard to find students reading, talking, eating or napping around the amphitheater on a warm, sunny day.

The Florence community used the amphitheater beginning as early as 1836, according to the UNA World War I Memorials Pamphlet by Robert Steen, a former director of human resources and affirmative action at UNA. Locust Dell Academy students held their outdoor assemblies at the amphitheater, including the annual May Day program.

Locust Dell Academy once stood where Willingham Hall stands today.

The creation of the stage occurred in 1919 when the college changed its name from LaGrange College to Florence State Teachers College and moved to its current location, according to the UNA World War I Memorials pamphlet.

A total of 288 State Normal School students left school to fight in World War I. The school lost six former students during the war. There are six columns on the amphitheater stage, and one of them honors all six students who died during the war.

Former faculty member Susan Jones Price suggested the construction of the amphitheater stage, according to a 1956 article in The Flor-Ala. Though her initial plan to have six pillars in honor of each of the six boys who died in the war did not happen, a plaque in front of the amphitheater honors her vision.

Students’ Choice 5

April 14, 2016• The Flor-Ala

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BEST student musicians

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The end. Theatre owner Scott Long speaks to an audience at Boxcar Voices. The end. Theatre is the students’ and community members’ choice for best live-music venue.

Theatre provides entertainment for music lovers JASMINE FLEMING

Managing Editor managing@florala.net

As the end. Theatre approaches its seventh birthday May 15, owner Scott Long can also add its winning position for the best live-music venue to its list of accomplishments.

With 163 votes, the end. beat 116 E. Mobile’s 46 votes and FloBama’s 32 votes.

Local and out-of-state musicians journey to the end. to perform their music, and Long said he makes the price to perform affordable for the “underdog” performers.

“There’s the kind of thing that’s just mainstream, that everybody can get behind, because there’s just no rough edges to it,” he said. “But, the rough edges are so moderate that no one gets terribly upset. I like the things that terribly upset people.

“They’re processing something big, and something passionate, and something that is equal parts beautiful and terrible.

And, I’m their cheerleader.”

Junior Jeremy Smith, who has worked to organize events at the end., performs at the theatre as well. He said his involvement has spanned three years.

“The type of music I write is sometimes experimental and almost always esoteric,” he said. “In other words, I’m not a guy with a guitar. Scott at the end. has always been great about giving me a place to present my work.”

The end. lets artists express their

individuality, Smith said.

“We talk so much about the rich musical heritage of the Shoals, but the end. is providing a place for musicians and artist to experiment and push us into the future,” he said. “If all we support is the past, we will cease to be a music town and become a music history town.”

”

They’re processing something big, and something passionate, and something that is equal parts beautiful and terrible. And, I’m their cheerleader.

Scott Long

Owner, the end.

Smith’s was the most recent show senior Hailey Blankenship saw at the theatre, and visiting the end. was an enjoyable experience, she said.

“It is like nothing I have ever seen before, and I love that the owner is giving local musicians a chance to showcase their talent,” she said.

Long came up with the idea of creating a theatre company as a project for his arts management class as an undergraduate theatre student at UNA. Originally, he named it The Enchanted Theatre Company, he said. He later changed the name to the end.

“There’s a degree of finality and a

degree of intensity to the title ‘the end.,’ and it hasn’t always worked in my favor, but it is true of what we do,” he said.

“There’s nothing half-measured about what we do.”

Although Long originally worked with other UNA students to open the theatre, he said he now runs it solo as most of the original team is “spread all over the place.”

In addition to the name, visitors will notice another characteristic to the theatre: secondhand couches and seats.

“For every two people who go to see a play, one of them doesn’t want to be there,” Long said. “They want to be anywhere else. But, they’re here because this is what they’ve agreed to do. So by god, if they’re going to pay for their ticket, they should be able to sleep in comfort.”

The couches came from a variety of areas including yards sales, estate sales, recently married people, and even Long’s home, he said.

Overall, the theater’s “welcoming” environment makes it a place visitors want to return to, said junior Sherree Weakley, master of ceremonies of the spoken-word group Boxcar Voices, which performs biweekly at the theatre.

“It gives a venue to people who wouldn’t have another place to perform,” she said. “I don’t see (Boxcar Voices) exactly fitting in another place in the way that it does at the end.”

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2.6% 2.6% 13.4% 81.4%

Jordy Searcy OLDSPORT Rachel Wammack Other (41% Sailor)

BEST bookstore

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3.4% 25.6% 26.5% 44.4%

Other Ariana’s Book Exchange UNA Bookstore Books-A-Million

6 Students’ Choice

April 14. 2016 • The Flor-Ala

North Alabama Ink provides pleasant experience MADI WINKLER

Associate Online Editor online@florala.net

Like many students and Shoals citizens, I went to North Alabama Ink to get my tattoo kicks and piercing pricks.

A year ago, after hearing high acclaim from friends and fellow students, I decided to consult North Alabama Ink to finish an incomplete tattoo on my right side.

I met with artist Mike Norton who has since relocated. I told him exactly what I wanted, and soon after, I made an appointment to get some fresh ink.

The shop is capable of making stencils of what the customer wants, and they made one just for me. He placed the design before he started, simply to make sure I was happy with what I decided to permanently etch into my skin. It was almost like the peel-and-stick tattoos we got when we were children.

After I was satisfied with the location, I got comfortable. He opened fresh needles right in front of me, as it should be. He poured the ink, and it was time to begin.

Considering the placement, I knew this would be a long and painful process.

Since the art I wanted was detailed, it took about two and a half hours, including a short break. For that length of time, we

listened to the stereo playing the band of my choice.

The entire experience was great, and I would recommend North Alabama Ink to anyone interested in getting a tattoo or piercing.

With five skilled tattoo artists on hand, North Alabama Ink is not short on talent. You can contact Daniel “Dan-o” Freeman, Rich Griggs, Adam Freeman, Russ Wood or Stan “Stogie” Stogner.

The shop displays their work in-store and on North Alabama Ink’s Facebook page.

North Alabama Ink is a very wellrun and clean establishment. Each staff member is kind and approachable, and all of the artists are extremely talented.

They are ready and willing to answer questions, while providing excellent customer service.

North Alabama Ink at 3655 Cloverdale Road is a convenient and short drive for students on and around campus. The shop closes Sunday and Monday, opens Tuesday and Wednesday noon-8 p.m. and opens Thursday through Saturday noon-10 p.m. You can make appointments or ask questions through Facebook messenger or by phone call at (256) 349-2618. You can even stop by when the doors are open. At North Alabama Ink, your art can have a permanent home.

BEST athletic venue 61.7% Braly Stadium 29% 9.3% Flowers Hall

Mike Lane Field

photo courtesy of North Alabama Ink’s Facebook

Tattoo artist Stan Stogner works with a client. Voters chose North Alabama Ink as the best tattoo parlor in Florence.

BEST clothing boutique 17%

37.6% The Eclectic

Coco’s Boutique

15.6%

Sassy and Classy Boutique

29% Other

NEWS 7

April 14, 2016 • The Flor-Ala

LOOKING FORWARD Officials predict enrollment increase in 2016 ANNA BEAHM

News Editor news@florala.net

The record freshman class of 2015 sparked new hope and growth at UNA, and university officials said they think that growth will continue.

For the first time in five years, enrollment reached over 7,000 students last fall. This increase is the beginning of another “peak” in the life of UNA, said President Kenneth Kitts.

“I think there is so much here that has already been accomplished that we can be proud of,” Kitts said. “And yet, I just get the sense that there is an energy building around UNA and that we can work together and attain even bigger and better and greater things.”

Kitts said he has focused on tracking enrollment factors since coming to UNA last year. Keeping track of where the university is now and where it was this week a year ago is important to planning for the next academic year, he said. “(It) makes a lot of sense to track it because that’s our budget,” he said.

“That’s our single largest source of revenue these days is students paying tuition and fees. How in the world can you plan a budget for the upcoming year if you have no idea how many students (are coming)?”

Some of these enrollment factors include the number of applicants, accepted applicants, registered students for student orientation and registration and reserved rooms in the residence halls.

Kitts said the number of transfer and freshman applications are up right now compared to last year.

Right now, Mattielou and Olive halls are over 90 percent full, said Director of University Residences Kevin Jacques.

The popularity of the freshman halls caused the administration to begin planning for the future of housing on campus, said Vice President of Student Affairs David Shields.

“I know we are going to spend a lot of time over the next six to eight months really working very diligently on the next plan for us,” he said. “We are operating on speculative data. All signs early on indicate very positive things for us when it comes to students living in the halls.”

While new students are beneficial for the university, Kitts said an even better sign is the retention rate, or how many students return to UNA after their freshman year.

“In a lot of ways, I think that’s better news than the freshman numbers because that tells you not only that we’re attracting students, but once they’re here, they’re happy with what UNA has to offer,” he said.

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I THINK THERE IS SO MUCH HERE THAT HAS

ALREADY BEEN ACCOMPLISHED THAT WE CAN BE

PROUD OF. AND YET, I JUST GET THE SENSE THAT THERE IS AN ENERGY BUILDING AROUND

UNA AND

THAT WE CAN WORK TOGETHER AND ATTAIN EVEN BIGGER AND BETTER AND GREATER THINGS.

KENNETH KITTS PRESIDENT

Retention rates for the first-year freshman cohort has been rising since 2011 despite the decline in overall enrollment, according to statistics from the Office of Institutional Research, Planning and Assessment. Kitts said he thinks retention will rise with enrollment next year.

Kitts said expected enrollment increase fell short after UNA created the 2010 master plan.

The plan predicted a 40 percent increase in enrollment by 2020. That prediction would put UNA close to a 10,000-member campus, he said.

“When people have asked me about our long-term enrollment, I want us to continue to grow because growth is good, but I

JACKSON TOWNSEND I Staff Photographer

President Kenneth Kitts said he expects enrollment to increase again in the fall. “When people have asked me about our long-term enrollment, I want us to continue to grow because growth is good, but I want it to be manageable growth,” he said.

want it to be manageable growth,” he said.

“I think there’s something very unique and beautiful about the size of UNA that I want to protect.

“There’s a personal quality to the education here.

There’s intimacy and friendliness to the campus here that you lose when you’re a school of 20,000. I’d rather us grow very deliberately in order to protect what makes UNA, UNA.” To read the rest of the story, visit florala.net.

8 News

April 14, 2016 • The Flor-Ala

Student Engagement Center complete, move-in begins KAITLYN DAVIS

Associate News Editor news@florala.net

The Student Government Association and the Office of Student Engagement stepped foot into their new home and began the moving process April 8.

The Student Engagement Center is a new workspace for SGA, Student Engagement and Registered Student Organizations. The space is in the Guillot University Center and previously housed the on-campus bookstore. “(SGA) officers will have their offices in (the Student Engagement Center),” said SGA President-elect Sarah Green. “Then (SGA) will be connected to Student Engagement. So we’ll have our adviser in the same office as us. It’ll be a lot more efficient because we’ll all be together.”

The space offers many benefits, said Vice President for Business and Financial Affairs Clinton Carter.

Advantages include “permanent, centrally located student gathering areas and office space, custom designed and specifically tailored for the needs of the SGA and Student Engagement,” Carter said in an email.

There is still much to be done in the new space, said Director of Student Engagement Tyler Thompson.

“We’re going to have an open house in the fall when we get stuff together,” Thompson said. “We’ve still got to order furniture.”

Thompson said employees will work

between both locations until the end of the spring semester.

Currently, SGA offices are on the bottom floor of the GUC adjacent to the Lion’s Den Game Room. The SGA Senate, Freshman Forum and the University Program Council meet in GUC 200, Green said.

“But now, the Student Engagement Center will house what is our GUC 200,” she said. “So, it’ll be like our meeting area and the office.”

SGA occupies GUC 200 three times a week for their meetings, Thompson said.

“It frees up (GUC) 200 for other people to be able to use because SGA takes up 200 Monday, Wednesday and Thursday,” Thompson said. “(GUC 200) was (unavailable), so we’re going to be bringing a space for people to meet.”

RSOs will have a new home in the space, too, Thompson said.

“Student groups have more places where they can come if they are brainstorming and need to have a meeting,” Thompson said. “It’s more resources for them.”

Not only will the Student Engagement Center create a think space for RSOs, SGA and Student Engagement will have more storage space, Thompson said.

“We haven’t had space to do what we need to,” Thompson said.

The current SGA offices were previously a faculty and staff lounge, Carter said.

To read the rest of the story, visit florala.net.

HILLARY TAYLOR I Student Photographer

Treasurer of the Student Government Association Mallory Hayes, Student Leadership Consultant Kayla Land and intern Hailey Holke carry SGA materials into the new Student Engagement Center. The official move-in began April 8.

Trustees simplify Early College program payments KAITLYN DAVIS

Associate News Editor news@florala.net

Have you ever had a high school student in one of your classes and wondered what they are doing there?

Chances are, they are a part of the Early College program, a program for high school students designed to give them a jump-start on college by offering classes at reduced rates.

“It is a way to help students who are in high school get a few classes under their belt, to see what college is all about, to help make sure they are college-ready coming out of high school and to give them a taste of college so they would consider coming to UNA and consider pursuing a college career,” said Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Christopher Maynard.

The university wanted to simplify the billing process for high school students and parents, Maynard said. Instead of paying $150-plus fees, students now pay a flat $250 fee, he said. “(For) some classes it would be slightly more, (and for) some classes it would be slightly less,” Maynard said.

“It just depends on what kind of fees are associated with that class.”

The program is not for every student,

said trustee Libby Jordan, chair of the Academic Affairs and Student Life Committee for the board of trustees.

If the student’s grades are good and they think they can handle the workload, then the program has many benefits, she said.

”

It will help them in the long run when they leave high school (and) move on to college. For them to have these college credits ahead of time is going to save them a tremendous amount of money.

Libby Jordan Trustee

“It will help them in the long run when they leave high school (and) move on to college,” Jordan said. “For them to have these college credits ahead of time is going to save them a tremendous amount of money.”

Instead of not knowing exactly how much tuition and fees are going to cost, parents and students will know the amount and be able to budget, Jordan

said.

“They can plan ahead because they’ll have this one set fee of tuition that includes everything,” she said.

High school students and their parents have a hard time understanding the price differences in college courses taught at high schools, on-campus at UNA and online, Maynard said.

“We didn’t want the amount to fluctuate from location to location,” Maynard said.

High school students also have the option of taking college courses within the comfort of their high school through the First 30 program, Maynard said.

“All the students at that high school are taking the same class,” Maynard said.

“It’s not as intimidating because they’re taking a class with all of their high school classmates. Whereas our other Early College courses oftentimes have both college and high school students in the same class.”

Deshler High School senior Sean Minetree is taking a government class online this semester and took Introduction to Sociology last semester with Deshler senior Maggie Inman.

“I thought it would be a great experience to figure out what college is like before I go there,” Inman said.

She said she thought the fee was

reasonable for the college credit she received.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for Deshler,” Minetree said. “I just wanted to try to get ahead as much as I could before I got started. If I’m going to be in school for the next four years, I want to get ahead as much as I can.”

He said he thinks learning more about a college environment while in high school is important.

“Our professor, (Andrea) Hunt, was fantastic,” he said. “She was a perfect example of what’s going to be different between a high school teacher and college professor.”

Although the Early College program is beneficial because it allows students to graduate early, it might not be for everyone, said senior James Rainey.

“Their young age may present difficulties in a more mature learning environment,” Rainey said.

UNA offers First 30 students additional support in their college-level classes and attend orientation during the summer, Maynard said.

“We go over even things as basic as how to use Canvas, what resources are available on campus in terms of the library, writing center, math tutoring center,” Maynard said.

April 14, 2016 • The Flor-Ala

NEWS 9

design by MICHAEL MEIGS I Graphic Designer information gathered by KALI DANIEL I Editor-in-Chief

10 Viewpoints

April 14, 2016 • The Flor-Ala

FLOR - ALA Self-motivation necessary for success The

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Kali Daniel

MANAGING EDITOR Jasmine Fleming NEWS EDITOR Anna Beahm ASSOCIATE news EDITOR Kaitlyn Davis LIFE EDITOR Melissa Parker ASSOCIATE LIFE EDITOR Monday Sanderson SPORTS EDITOR Mike Ezekiel ASSOCIATE SPORTS EDITOR Justin Jefferies ONLINE EDITOR Emily Kazungu ASSOCIATE ONLINE EDITOR Madi Winkler BUSINESS MANAGER Jordan Byrd GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Peyton Lawler Michael Meigs Kelsey Weathers JUNIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNERS David San Miguel Jacqueline Willis CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER Kaitlin Douglass STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Amandalyn Dorner Shay Redd Jackson Townsend ADVISER Scott Morris

Editorial Policy Content is determined by the student editorial staff of The Flor-Ala and has not been approved by the university.

Corrections The staff strives to maintain the integrity of The Flor-Ala through accurate and honest reporting. To report an error, call 256-765-4364 or email editor@florala. net.

Letters Policy Letters to the editor should be emailed to editor@florala.net or mailed to: The Flor-Ala UNA Box 5300 Florence, AL 35632 Letters must include name and telephone number for verification. Please limit letters to 400 words. The editor reserves the right to edit or refuse to publish a letter.

EMILY KAZUNGU Online Editor online@florala.net

There are different ways to find motivation. But how effective are these methods?

As I approach the end of my term as the online editor of The Flor-Ala, I realize that one major determiner in my success has been selfmotivation.

Looking back, I realize how

self-motivation is essential.

The first thing I do when I run low on motivation is talk to God. It does not matter where I am at the moment. I will make my problems known to my creator. As I wait on God to fix the situation, I talk to myself and give myself a pep talk.

While I was still pondering on these thoughts, I realized apart from talking to God, talking to myself also helps me.

You are your own motivation.

Constantly encouraging yourself and staying committed after motivation leads to success, according to an article by Fareed Siddiqui, individual member of Institute of Management Consultants of India.

If, for instance, there is someone who is always

encouraging you and they happen to leave, your motivation might leave with them. This keeps you from reaching your goals.

“One of the main reasons why self-motivation is important in your life is it does not let you depend on others, and you can achieve success in your own goals and objectives that you set on the basis of your abilities, while it aids you to eradicate your weakness that hinders your success,” according to the article.

Self-motivation requires a lot of positive thinking and strong will to act on one’s goals. I force myself to think positively in all situations and to really guard my thoughts.

My thoughts shape me.

In order to love others,

you need to love yourself first.

In order to motivate others, you need to motivate yourself accordingly. It needs to come from within, and it will shine on the outside. Whatever you tell yourself shows on the outside in the way you talk, the things you say and the energy you bring out. These are all contagious.

It all begins with you. I encourage you all to be your own No. 1 fan. Monologues are essential. When all else fails and the world is against you, have yourself to fall back on. Former football coach Homer Rice said, “You can motivate by fear. You can motivate by reward. But those methods are only temporary.

The only lasting thing is selfmotivation.”

Interested in writing?

Stop by our writers’ meetings Sundays at 4 p.m. in the Student Publications Building 643 N. Wood Avenue behind Willingham Hall

Congratulations to our Writer & Photographer of the Week!

Melanie Hodges & Jonathan Slatton

LIFE 11

April 14, 2016 • The Flor-Ala

AMANDALYN DORNER I Staff Photographer

UNA Video Game Association members (from left to right) Blake Dahlke, Codie Griffin and Katie Kelsoe battle one another in a game in the Lion’s Den. Female gamers account for 48 percent of people who play video games, according to a Pew Research Center survey.

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design by PEYTON LAWLER I Graphic Designer

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Females face harassment in gaming community MONDAY SANDERSON Associate Life Editor life@florala.net

When people think about gaming, most think about guys playing Call of Duty. However, this is not all gamers.

Fifty percent of men and 48 percent of women play video games, according to a Pew Research Center survey.

Despite this close margin, some male gamers treat female gamers differently, said senior and President of the Video Game Association Katie Kelsoe.

“You will have people that won’t want to even play on your team because they associate my gender as making them a bad player,” she said. “On the other hand, sometimes other players will actually be relatively nicer to me or offer me advice on how to improve my play. It’s really a mixture.”

”

GAMING IS STILL SEEN AS

SOMETHING MEN TAKE PART IN AND THAT IS NOT SEEN AS SOMETHING THAT

WOMEN SHOULD CARE ABOUT OR ENJOY.

BECAUSE OF THIS, IT CAN BE SHOCKING

TO SOME PEOPLE TO HEAR ABOUT WOMEN PLAYING VIDEO GAMES.

KATIE KELSOE

PRESIDENT, VIDEO GAME ASSOCIATION She said the treatment from the rude players is harassment.

These gamers use harassment to show their dominance, said Sociology professor Andrea Hunt.

“Harassment is a form of power-based violence where the primary motivator is to exert power over others,” she said.

Hunt said some male gamers harass female gamers because people see video games as masculine.

“Gaming is still seen as something men take part in and that is not seen as something that women should care about or enjoy,” she said. “Because of this, it can be shocking to some people to hear about women playing video games.”

Kelsoe said other gamers have verbally harassed her before.

“At first, it was honestly very difficult (for me) to manage because you’re trying to get at least decent at this new game, and you have some players that you make one mistake and it is downhill from (there),” she said.

“I’ve heard it all, from being

cussed out to being told to go commit suicide because I wasn’t good enough.”

Sexual harassment is, unfortunately, a common issue in online gaming, said senior Sean Fritts.

“Inappropriate comments, private messages — it almost always falls around sexual harassment when the case exists,” he said.

Twitch is a broadcasting network that shows gamers on livestreams. The female gamers who stream content receive more comments than nonstreaming girl gamers, he said.

“This could be due to showing their faces on camera, which seems to draw in quite a few male gamers,” he said.

“While many are respectful, you do tend to have those few that will spam the chat with inappropriate comments, many of which get the offender

removed by an admin from the streaming channel in question.”

Kelsoe said video game companies have made steps to stop harassment.

“I know for instance in League of Legends, the game I most frequently play, after so many reports your account is deactivated and you aren’t allowed to use it for periods of time, and can even have your account completely shut down,” she said.

Hunt said a way for gaming companies to stop this is for more women to get involved with game design.

“There are also many games that sexually objectify women, so this may lend itself to subcultural practices that devalue the participation of women,” she said. “This will help normalize that women can be interested in gaming.”

12 LIFE

April 14, 2016 • The Flor-Ala

design by PEYTON LAWLER I Graphic Designer

JACKSON TOWNSEND I Staff Photographer

Jeremy Cole, co-owner of Blank Coffee, Comics and Records, enters the shop in Seven Points. Cole and other co-owners, UNA alumni Corey Mauter and Patrick McDonald, plan to fill the spot Pegasus Records leaves with its closing April 16.

When one door closes, another opens... ʻImportant landmarkʼ closes doors Comics, record store to open in May MONDAY SANDERSON Associate Life Editor life@florala.net

Since 1980, the record and comic book store Pegasus Records has been a staple in the community. The locals lose its service when the doors close April 16.

Eli Flippen is the owner of Pegasus Records. He decided to close the store to spend more time with his family.

The closing of the store is set for National Record Store Day. Flippen said he did not plan to close it on this day.

“I had actually chose the closing day to be March 31, but the outpour from the community was much greater than I was expecting,” he said. “With (Record Store Day) being just two weeks past when I wanted to close it down, everybody had asked if we could just stay open and at least take part in one more RSD.” It is sad this influential store is closing, said sophomore Jessica Danielowicz.

“I feel like we are losing an important landmark, but I do wish the family the best in their future endeavors,” she said.

Flippen said the store will have a farewell party with local businesses setting up.

“I will definitely be going to this event,” said junior Cameron Balentin. “I like how the businesses in Florence are coming together to celebrate this store.”

Flippen said Pegasus was born out of an idea his father had while taking a marketing class at UNA. “He did a thorough enough job with

the background of the project that he and his professor felt it was a viable business option,” he said.

Flippen bought the business in 2007.

Danielowicz said the staff is friendly and willing to give suggestions.

“They remember you when you come in frequently, and they really have the vibe of a ‘local music store’ that seems to otherwise only be true in Hollywood,” she said.

Flippen said the store started as a music store, but it expanded to comics two years ago.

“We had actually looked at adding comics a few times over the past,” he said. “One of the main reasons is it being because I’m a huge comic collector. Several of the people who have worked for me over the years have been comic collectors.”

While Pegasus Records will close, it will not disappear. Some of the store’s merchandise will transfer over to a new local store, Blank Coffee, Comics and Records.

“They have already taken our back issue stuff and will be getting the rest of the comics on (April 10)” Flippen said. “They had asked about buying the comics for their store, and I thought it was a great way for things to stay local.”

Flippen said while the store is closing, he hopes to use the name Pegasus Records to help the community.

To read the rest of the story, visit florala.net.

MONDAY SANDERSON Associate Life Editor life@florala.net

The owners of Blank Coffee, Comics and Records plan to fill the spot Pegasus Records leaves with its closing.

Jeremy Cole and UNA alumni Corey Mauter and Patrick McDonald are the co-owners of Blank Coffee, Comics and Records.

“For the past five years or so, we’ve been talking about opening up some type of business,” McDonald said. “This opportunity just sort of popped up. The location is perfect for what we wanted to do, and we decided it was now or never.”

Mauter said the store will appeal to many interests.

“The main focus will be comics, but that will not be the only thing we have,” he said. “We plan to also sell coffee, smoothies and records.”

It sounds as if the store will have a good atmosphere, said junior Maggie Killen.

“I major in Interior Design, and I would love to see how they will lay out the room with the coffee, comics and music,” she said. “If their coffee is good, I will go frequently.”

McDonald said they have yet to choose a specific date to open due to their added ideas.

“I would expect to see a grand opening around the second or third week of May,” he said. “Right now, we’re in the middle of moving shelving over from

Pegasus, and we’re adding windows.”

Mauter said the store is in Seven Points, which makes it close for students.

“We’re in a really good location,” he said. “We’re two doors down from the tanning salon, and they have a lot of traffic coming through. We hope to attract them with the coffee and then see where it goes from there.”

Mauter said some of their inventory will come from Pegasus Records.

“We originally thought about getting the entire Pegasus building with the records and everything,” he said.

“Jeremy actually came up with the idea of just doing the comics. We’re going to try and get some of our records from Pegasus, but most will come from an independent vendor.”

Most of the records will be from local musicians, Mauter said.

McDonald said while they will focus on local acts, they will also have records from other musicians.

“We will have new, popular music in stock,” he said. “Just expect to see what you see at Pegasus.”

Mauter said they plan to expand the business to other locations.

“We’re looking to create a couple more stores,” Mauter said. “Not all (of them will) necessarily in Florence, but around in the area. We might open a store in Madison and branch off from there.”

McDonald said they have a mobile unit they are working on.

To read the rest of the story, visit florala.net.

SPORTS 13

April 14, 2016 • The Flor-Ala

SCOREBOARD Administrative assistant pursues degree APRIL 6-10 ” MIKE EZEKIEL

Sports Editor sports@florala.net

April 6 Baseball at Spring Hill 11-2 Win

April 7

Tennis at Alabama A&M 6-1 Win (M), 5-2 Win (W)

April 9

Baseball vs. Miss. College (DH) 13-2 Win, 3-2 Win Softball vs. Miss. College (DH) 10-2 Win, 8-0 Win

April 10

Baseball vs. Miss. College 5-4 Win (F/11) Softball vs. Miss. College 6-2 Win

UPCOMING Softball

April 14 at Tuskegee (DH) April 16-17 vs. Union April 23-24 at Christian Brothers April 28-30 GSC Tournament

Baseball

April 16-17 vs. Union April 19 at Stillman April 23-24 at Christian Brothers April 26 vs. Trevecca Nazarene April 30 - May 1 vs Valdosta State

Peggy Wingo is a full-time staff member, part-time student by day and a full-time wife, mother and grandmother by night.

Wingo, the Flowers Hall administrative assistant and a senior majoring in accounting, decided she wanted to finish her degree, even if she does not need it.

“I’m not going to use (the degree),” Wingo said. “I did it for myself. Years ago, when I first started (working for athletics), students would ask me, ‘Mrs. Peggy, what is your degree in?’ How can I tell students to work hard on their degree when I’ve never experienced being in college?”

Wingo said although accounting interests her, she plans to spend the rest of her career working for the UNA Athletics Department.

“I love working for the athletics department,” Wingo said. “I want to stay with the athletics department. I did (the major) because I like accounting work. I love working with numbers.”

Juggling her job in athletics and her student life is difficult, but Wingo said she is grateful to the people who help her along the way.

“My family has been awesome and encouraging,” she said. “So are all of the people (at the university). They tell me, ‘You can do it,’ and they’re all kind because they know what goes into (earning a degree).”

Wingo’s coworkers notice her hard work, said Hal Self Field House Administrative Assistant Jacinta Mastin, who

works with Wingo daily.

“We have a really nice friendship here,” Mastin said.

“Going back to school shows the determination in her. As an older person, when you go back to school, you have a lot on you. She gets up at 5:30 a.m. to study, and I commend her for that.”

Wingo brings a positive and productive vibe to the workplace, said UNA Athletics broadcast and video coordinator Eddy Forsythe.

“She is a very sweet lady,” Forsythe said. “She’s a hard worker and one of the nicest people I know.”

In the classroom, Wingo’s positive attitude carries over from work to school, said senior Faith Coogler.

“You can ask anyone that’s in class with us, everyone looks up to her,” Coogler said.

“She works so hard. She goes straight to work, then to class.

She’s one of those people that will stay up until 10 o’clock at night studying with us in the Commons, then will wake up at 5 o’clock to study before work.”

Coogler said she looks up to Wingo because of her determination to succeed at her job and in the classroom.

“We don’t hang out much outside of class because of work and class in our lives, but she’s fantastic,” she said. “I really respect her, and I hope I’m that strong when I’m at that point where I’m working and have grandkids and kids.”

After being around scholars, Wingo said she does not see herself any different, but has a

I (WENT BACK TO COLLEGE) FOR MYSELF. YEARS AGO, WHEN I FIRST STARTED (WORKING FOR ATHLETICS), STUDENTS WOULD ASK ME, ʻMRS. PEGGY, WHAT IS YOUR DEGREE IN?ʼ HOW CAN I TELL STUDENTS TO WORK HARD ON THEIR DEGREE WHEN IʼVE NEVER EXPERIENCED BEING IN COLLEGE?

PEGGY WINGO

FLOWERS HALL ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT newfound respect for students.

“I have a new admiration for people that go to college,” she said. “I know I’m not the only person that works and goes to school.

I’ve met a lot of nice people I have class with, and basically all of them work just as much as I do.”

W i n g o said she plans to graduate from UNA next December.

Tennis

April 14 GSC Tournament (M&W) in Montgomery

Track

April 15 Mountain Laurel Invitational Sewanee, Tennessee April 21-23 GSC Tournament Clinton, Mississippi

Golf

April 17-19 Gulf South Conference Tournament in Ford City Games continued at roarlions.com

SHAY REDD I Staff Photographer

Flowers Hall Administrative Assistant Peggy Wingo completes paperwork for UNA Athletics in her Flowers Hall office April 6.

Wingo is a full-time worker in the athletics department, but also is working on finishing her accounting degree.

14 SPORTS

April 14, 2016 • The Flor-Ala

Softball team continues hot streak JUSTIN JEFFERIES

Associate Sports Editor sports@florala.net

With a 40-5 overall record and a No. 6 ranking in the national poll, the UNA softball team is experiencing the best statistical season in school history.

With the April 9-10 sweep of Mississippi College, the Lions improved to a 24-3 conference record and are in position to host the Gulf South Conference tournament April 28.

“These girls are just so much fun (to coach),” said UNA head coach Ashley Cozart. “It’s just someone new stepping up everyday.”

The Lions have added multiple accolades to the trophy case this season.

Senior first baseman Brooklynn Clark broke the school’s single season record for RBIs April 10 with her 53rd of the season. Junior pitcher Hillary Carpenter shattered the career mark for most wins by a UNA pitcher earlier in the season, earning win No. 59 April 9.

Numerous players, including Clark, senior outfielder Courtney Shields and sophomore shortstop Reagan Tittle, have received GSC player of the week honors throughout the season. Cozart hit a milestone of her own, earning win No. 100 as UNA’s coach, as well as No. 300 in her head coaching career.

Clark said team chemistry is the key to this season’s record-breaking pace.

“This team is special,” Clark said.

“We have good team chemistry, and I think that goes a long way in all the success we’ve had this year.”

Many players credit the power of positivity to the historic run, said senior infielder Harlie Barkley.

“Nobody ever really has a bad attitude about anything, and everybody is always positive,” Barkley said. “I think chemistry can be a lot more important than talent, and this team has the best chemistry of any team I’ve ever been a part of. We’re a family on and off the field.”

The team has won 23 of the last 24 games, with the one loss coming against Alabama-Huntsville April 2. After a home loss to Truman State Feb. 20, the loss before the 24-game stretch, Cozart said she decided to make the practices more enjoyable for the players.

“After (the losses), I said, ‘We are going to start having a purpose behind our practices,’” she said.

Cozart said she started using themed practices during the week, such as “Mendit Monday,” where the team works on improving individually, and “Team Tuesday” where the team participates in fun but competitive competitions.

The goal was to reap the most out of her players while making sure they are always having fun, she said.

Cozart said in the preseason she had a hunch this team would be special.

“I think all along I knew that we were going to be good,” Cozart said “It’s just you never know until you put it all together.”

The Lions look to stay hot April 1617 as they host Gulf South Conference foe Union University at the UNA Softball Complex.

photo courtesy of Sports Information

Freshman right fielder Destiny Wright fields a ground ball during the series finale against Mississippi College April 10 at the UNA Softball Complex. The Lions have won 23 of their last 24 games and hold the No. 6 ranking in the national poll.

TRENDING

Baseball team snaps long losing skid JONATHAN SLATTON Student Writer jslatton@una.edu

Before pulling out an 11-2 win against the Spring Hill Badgers April 6, the UNA baseball team suffered a ninegame losing streak dating back to March 19 in a loss to the West Alabama Tigers.

After starting the season with a 15-8 overall record, the Lions fell below .500, but now hope to be back on track with a weekend sweep against Mississippi College April 9-10. UNA holds a 19-17 record and is four games outside the Gulf South Conference tournament.

The losing skid was mostly from an inability to close out games, said UNA baseball coach Mike Keehn.

“We didn’t win close games and could not finish,” Keehn said. “Out of the nine losses, we only had two terrible games. The rest of the losses were just a couple of bad innings late.”

Although a goose egg appeared in the win column through the ninegame stretch, it seemed the offensive production from the Lions continued.

“We have guys who are hitting well

obviously, like (Kevin) Hall and (Taylor) Hayes, who have been all year,” Keehn said. “So the talent and potential to win games is there. We just need more guys to step up.”

Hall, a senior outfielder, leads the team with a .426 batting average.

Hayes, a senior who typically bats as a designated hitter, along with sophomore first baseman Kyle Hubbach, lead the Lions with 17 combined home runs.

Two more seniors, outfielders Dylan Calhoun and Heath Wood, are each batting above .350 as the first and second hitters in the usual batting order. Calhoun also owns a 20-game hitting streak for the Lions.

“We haven’t been playing bad baseball, but we have just not been able to find ways to win,” Calhoun said. “(Keehn) was just telling us that we need to start finding ways to finish games and win again.”

Hayes said beating Spring Hill and sweeping Mississippi College boosted the locker room’s morale.

“We are just trying to have positive attitude and be confident in the situations when we need to come through,” Hayes

said. “I feel like all of that happened on Wednesday (against Spring Hill) for sure. We were all hitting the ball well as a team, and our pitching staff was lights out again,” The GSC tournament consists of the top six teams at the end of the season based on conference record. UNA is in eighth place behind Lee University (2314, 13-9). Alabama-Huntsville holds the No. 6 spot with a 15-9 GSC record.

The Lions hope to carry their newfound momentum into the rest of the season, as the margin for error is small, Hayes said.

“Well we have definitely made it hard on ourselves for sure,” he said. “But (making the tournament) is definitely possible. We just have to come to the ballpark with the right mindset and be ready to play. When we are all on the same page as a team, we are very hard to beat.”

Keehn said the team cannot afford to look ahead if they want to survive.

“You can’t think about (the playoffs) right now,” he said. “We can only take it one game at a time and not worry about it.”

EXTRA 15

April 14, 2016 • The Flor-Ala

Thurs., April 14 10 a.m. — 1 p.m.

Phi Kappa Alpha GUC Atrium 10 a.m. — 2 p.m.

Phi Mu Casino Night Tickets GUC Atrium 3 — 4 p.m.

History Colloquium Stone Lodge (Upper) 4 — 5 p.m.

Circle K meeting Stone Lodge (Upper) 5 — 7 p.m.

CSI Initiation GUC 208 6 — 8 p.m.

SAFE Show GUC Performance Center 7 p.m.

Northwest Alabama Reading Aides Spelling Bee Trinity Episcopal Church 7 — 8 p.m.

Omega Event Amphitheater 7 — 10 p.m.

The Well Coffee Shop Stone Lodge (Upper)

Fri., April 15 5 — 8 p.m.

UNAfy 2016 Stone Lodge (Upper) 5 — 9 p.m.

UPC Reality Check GUC Banquet Hall

photo courtesy of Sports Information

UNA senior first baseman Brooklynn Clark makes contact with the softball against Mississippi College April 10. The softball team will be in action for its final weekend series of the regular season, hosting Union University April 16-17.

Sat., April 16 1 and 4 p.m.

Baseball vs. Union Mike D. Lane Field 2 and 4 p.m.

Softball vs. Union Softball Complex

10 — 1 p.m.

Women’s Studies’ Equal Pay Day GUC Atrium

1 — 5 p.m.

Education Networking and MI Day GUC Banquet Halls

11 — 2 p.m.

NPHC Awareness GUC Atrium

4 — 9 p.m.

NPHC Greek BBQ Amphitheater

7 — 9:30 p.m.

Sun., April 17 UPC Movie Series “Dirty Grandpa” 1 p.m.

Amphitheater (GUC Softball vs Mississippi Performance Center if College rain occurs) Softball Complex 7:30 — 9:30 p.m.

1 p.m.

UNAfy 2016 Baseball vs Mississippi Stone Lodge (Upper ) College 8 — 10 p.m.

Mike D. Lane Field Fellowship of Christian 8 — 9:30 p.m.

Athletes ENCOUNTER Commons 307 Stone Lodge (Upper)

4:30 — 5:30 p.m.

Hispanic Culture Organization Stone Lodge (Upper)

Tues., April 19

4:30 — 6 p.m.

SAFE meeting Stone Lodge (Upper)

Mon., April 18 10 a.m. — 2 p.m.

Phi Mu Casino Night Tickets GUC Atrium

ALL DAY Research Day 2016 GUC Atrium and Stone Lodge (Both Upper and Lower)

Wed., April 20 11 a.m. — 1:30 p.m.

Cross Point Church of Christ Amphitheater 11 a.m. — 2 p.m.

Wind Down Wednesday Amphitheater

8 — 9:30 p.m.

ENCOUNTER Stone Lodge (Upper)

16 EXTRA

SOCIAL MEDIA OF THE WEEK

April 14, 2016 • The Flor-Ala