Feb. 21 Issue

TIPS FOR THE PERFECT RED LIPS LIFE 4B Feb. 21, 2013

Volume 81, Issue 21

www.FlorAla.net

Student newspaper of the University of North Alabama

CITY GOVERNMENT

UNA GOES CLUBBIN’

CAMPUS CRIME

$1,450 in bikes stolen from campus ALEX LINDLEY

6M_[ 5IVIOQVO -LQ\WZ ITQVLTMa(]VI ML]

Within a two-day period last month, three bicycles were reported stolen to campus police, according to crime reports. Since then, three UNA students have been referred to the UNA Student Conduct Board for judicial review, said Bob Pastula, UNA police chief.

No arrests have been VOIDING made in the cases so far, Pastula said.

HEFT All three • USE STRONG stolen bikes were recovMETAL LOCK ered at the • LOCK IN HIGHbike shop TRAFFIC AREAS on Tennessee Street, • PLACE BIKE IN according to LIT AREAS police reports.

The suspects were apprehended after police discovered the names of three individuals who sold the bikes in question to the shop.

A 26” green bike, a 26” purple Schwinn bike and a 26” black and gray bike were stolen, with a reported total value of $1,450, officials said. The incident is considered second-degree theft of property, punishable by one to five years in prison, according to police reports.

The UNA students stole the bikes by cutting the locks securing them to bike racks outside of Rice Hall, Pastula said. Pastula said the thefts were crimes of opportunity.

“There isn’t really much you can do (to prevent this kind of bike theft),” Pastula said.

Zach Teutsch, author of an article on preventing bike theft on GreaterGreaterWashington.org, said there is no perfect way to keep bikes from being stolen, but there are some preventative measures bike owners can take to decrease the chances of theft or increase the chances of recovery.

Teutsch said bike owners should

A

T

photo by ALLI OWNBY I Staff Photographer

City Planning Director Melissa Bailey presents the resolution to council members that would rezone the property UNA’s partner Shenqi Medical College is interested in purchasing to build an integrative health center.

Council rezones country club considered for UNA health program JOSH SKAGGS

-`MK]\Q^M -LQ\WZ R[SIOO[(]VI ML]

The Florence City Council unanimously approved a zoning change Feb. 19 during their regular meeting that will put UNA and its partner college Shenqi

Medical College closer to their goal of obtaining the Florence Golf and Country Club.

The council unanimously voted at their Jan. 8 meeting to approve a resolution authorizing Florence Mayor Mickey Haddock to negotiate the purchase of the land for the university’s new integrative

health program and residential village.

The vote Feb. 19 allows the university to move forward with the purchase negotiations, officials said.

“The economic implications alone and … some of the social implica-

;MM +4=* XIOM )

PARKING

Officials crack down on handicapped parking ANNA GRACE USERY ;\]LMV\ ?ZQ\MZ I][MZa(]VI ML]

UNA ADA Coordinator Lisa Reburn said she is putting her foot down when it comes to reprimanding violators of handicap parking.

With a price tag of $50 a ticket, students need to be aware of the facts, she said.

Reburn is now in charge of issuing tickets to students who illegally park in

INSIDE

this week’s paper

handicap spaces without a valid placard after UNA police officials gave her the authority to issue citations, she said. She said she circles campus randomly during the week and even on the weekends.

Reburn said she has heard every excuse in the book of why students, faculty and staff misuse handicapped spots and access lanes.

“People have told me they’re just running in, it was only for a few min-

NEWS................2A IMAGES..............4A VIEWPOINTS.........7A

;MM 8):316/ XIOM )

LIFE...............1B SPORTS...........5B EXTRA.............8B

photo by ROGER WANG I Student Photographer

ADA Coordinator Lesa Reburn issues a ticket on campus.

;MM *13-; XIOM )

ʻMUSCLE SHOALSʼ TO PREMIERE FEB. 28... 8A

2A NEWS

Feb. 21, 2013 • The Flor-Ala

WRITERS’ SERIES

Renowned authors booked for WritersĘź Series CORINNE BECKINGER ;\INN ?ZQ\MZ KJMKSQVOMZ(]VI ML]

UNA’s 29th annual Writers’ Series will feature Nikki Giovanni and Trudier Harrison March 13 and 14. The poets have focused many of their works on African-American subjects and have amassed several literary accomplishments that made them ideal guest speakers for the series.

“They both are towering, celebrated and respected figures in their fields,� said Daryl Brown, UNA associate professor of English. “The committee simply felt that the pairing would be a once-in-alifetime opportunity for UNA.�

Some English professors at UNA are eager to see and listen to the two authors present and discuss some of their work. “I know it won’t be boring or typical,� said Lisa Graves-Minor, UNA pro-

fessor of English. “Our students will have the rare opportunity of hearing from the poet (Giovanni) herself as well as hearing from one of the premier scholars in African-American literature.�

The two-day event introduces the UNA and Shoals community to authors who have had a significant impact on their field of study. Giovanni and Harrision will read and discuss portions of their works with community observers.

�

THE COMMITTEE SIMPLY FELT THAT THE PAIRING WOULD BE A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY FOR UNA.

DARYL BROWN ;MM ?:1<-:; XIOM )

HIGHER EDUCATION

Annual statewide student rally calls for more funding

file photo by KAYLA SLOAN I Chief Photographer

UNA students march through Montgomery during Higher Education Day 2012. Higher Education Day is a way for college students across Alabama to come together in support of more funding for higher education. Higher Ed Day 2013 will be held Feb. 28 in Montgomery.

BLYTHE STEELMAN 7VTQVM -LQ\WZ J[\MMTUIV(]VI ML]

SGA Senate members, alongside many other UNA students, will be traveling to Higher Education Day in Montgomery Feb. 28.

Higher Education Day is a way to make studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; voices heard for more funding for higher education, said Gordon Stone, a representative from the Higher Education Partnership, during the Feb. 7 Senate meeting. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is almost like a pep rally for the colleges in Alabama,â&#x20AC;? said Sarah Emerson, chairperson of the Legislative Affairs Committee in Senate.

Rallying for increases in funding will be the dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s central concern, she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is about adopting all of educa-

tion, not just K-12 education, to a level playing field,â&#x20AC;? Stone said.

Emerson said schools from all across the state will be present. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There will be students from UNA, Alabama, Auburn, Montevallo â&#x20AC;&#x201D; everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s there,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And even though weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re all from different schools, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re all rallying for the same thing â&#x20AC;&#x201D; more funding for higher education â&#x20AC;&#x201D; which is really cool.â&#x20AC;?

The percentage of the population in Alabama over the last 25 years with a four-year degree is 21 percent, while the national average is 27 percent, he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no reason for Alabama not to be the best state in the country,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Work ethic is not a problem in Alabama, but without funding, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll never be able to keep up with the changing in-

dustries and businesses in America. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have to have the best, brightest and most competitive work force we can find.â&#x20AC;?

While the basic schedule is the same year-to-year, Emerson said students will still be surprised by the events of the day. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You go down there, and you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really know what to expect,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But the people are genuinely interested in you and in what youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re doing. They come out to see what youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re doing and want to know more about it. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The best part about last year was just the awareness I gained of state funding for education. I also learned that there are senators and representatives who are really interested in working with higher education, not just K-12 education.â&#x20AC;?

The biggest thing Emerson said she is

looking forward to this year is the impact that will be made through this day. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re bringing about 75 students from UNA alone,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I would say there are going to be several hundred, if not almost a thousand, students from across the state there.â&#x20AC;?

Senate will be in charge of a 55-passenger bus that will take students to Higher Ed Day, as well as several cars full of students. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a first-come, first-serve basis for the bus,â&#x20AC;? Emerson said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Students just have to sign a waiver before we leave.â&#x20AC;?

The bus will be leaving for Montgomery at 6 a.m. from the GUC parking lot, Emerson said. The day will include a parade/rally, guest speakers, and free breakfast and lunch, as well as a free Tshirt.

NEWS 3A

Feb. 21, 2013 • The Flor-Ala

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Staff member among first to integrate RHS pull her hair as she was walking down the hallway.

“If no one says anything when someone is bullying, (the bully will) think it’s OK,” she said. “Back in that time, if someone had spoken out about it, they would’ve been called a (expletive) lover.

I did not tell anyone about (it) because if I said something to my parents, they would have pulled me out.”

She said old superstitions and social norms made the first year of integration very hard.

“Even today I can’t stand when people don’t make eye contact with me,” she said. “We would have square dancing in P.E. and the other students would have to touch us. People would think that if they touched a black person the blackness would rub off on them.”

These problems were not confronted in the first year, but the situation got better as more African-American students began to integrate to the school, she said. photo by KAYLA SLOAN I Chief Photographer “Russellville is a small town — peoMargaret Farley, one of the first five students to integrate Russellville High School in ple just dealt with it whether they liked 1966, works in her office at UNA. grated class at Russellville High School, it or not,” she said. “(People’s behavior) didn’t matter because I was there for a PACE HOLDBROOKS 23 miles from UNA. ;\INN ?ZQ\MZ “It was me and four other people that purpose. I think that made me strong, but PPWTLJZWWS[(]VI ML] integrated back in 1966,” she said. “I was I don’t know what I would do if I could Although UNA and the state of Ala13 and in the ninth grade. It was scary be- do it over again.” bama are considered ethnically diverse She said she has yet to attend a high cause we were entering into waters that by many, some may forget that racial inschool reunion due to her memories of had not been tested.” tegration is only 50 years old. the time.

Farley said she remembers being verMargaret Farley, senior administra“If we ever have another one, I think bally abused regularly during her first tive assistant of Teacher Certification and I will go, but I just couldn’t think of any year at Russellville. Students would ofClinical Experiences at UNA, was an Afgood memories of that at the time,” she ten blow spitballs at her during class or rican-American member of the first intesaid. “I think back then, if I had spo-

?:1<-:; KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM ) Students and community members will also be invited to ask questions during the question-and-answer sessions.

“The purpose is to expose students to highly successful professional writers, as well as to simply provide the campus with an opportunity to enjoy the work of writers dedicated to their craft — writers who are both entertaining and thoughtprovoking,” Brown said.

According to the Writers’ Series website, the event aims to encourage amateur or professional writers to create more material. Giovanni and Harrison were selected as the series’ premier authors because of their expansive backgrounds.

Both authors are renowned for their works in African-American literature with Giovanni writing nearly 30 books including the children’s book “Rosa,” which went to No. 3 on the New York Times Bestsellers list.

“It is hard to describe what Nikki Giovanni does — she reads from her poetry, lectures, comments on topical events, speaks and, in some ways, preaches,” Minor said.

Harrison has toured the world for her lectures concerning African-American folk tales in addition to authoring and editing more than 20 volumes of work concerning African-American literature.

The board hopes the authors’ impressive achievements will inspire others.

Minor is also interested to hear the dialogue the two create during group discussions.

ken out I would’ve been the bad guy. I wouldn’t have said anything because it wouldn’t have changed anything.”

Farley said she believes people have made progress, but racism and bullying are not dead.

“I’m sure there’s still bullying — they call it harassment, but it’s not just black or white,” Farley said. “If you find out something is going on, it’s up to you to change it. If something’s going on and you can see it and don’t stop it, you’re just as guilty.”

Alonzo Dukes, president of the Black Student Alliance (BSA) at UNA, said he agrees that racism still exists because people are unwilling to leave their comfort zone. Dukes said BSA is dedicated to promoting education and unity while raising awareness about standing social issues.

“Racism is nothing like it was, but it is still here,” Dukes said. “Schools should be a little more integrated and people need to get past preconceived notions of (race). I see UNA on a great path, and I like the diversity programs that they are starting to initiate.”

He said he sees Farley as a pioneer for students and hopes others will follow her example of getting out of the comfort zone.

“That took a lot of courage because most kids would ask their parents to pull them out,” Dukes said. “She took adversity and did something with it. I look up to that.”

”

THEY ARE PRE-EMINENT FIGURES IN AND OUT OF THE PROFESSION. THEY ARE DEDICATED TO SCHOLARSHIP, TO CRAFT AND TO SHARING THEIR WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE.

DARYL BROWN “They are pre-eminent figures in and out of the profession,” Brown said.

“They are dedicated to scholarship, to craft and to sharing their wealth of knowledge and experience.”

The UNA Writers’ Series will kick off March 14 at 9:30 in the GUC Performance Center with Harris reading and discussing a few of her works. Giovanni will read from her works at 11 a.m. A book-signing and a reception will follow in the Loft.

10 Test Drive

$

Every Bed - All Week 10 *

$

Any Regular Spray Tan $10

Giovanni photo courtesy of NIKKI GIOVANNI

*Enjoy one session each – Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond for $10 or any Regular Spray Tan for $10.

Valid for new customers only, one time only. Sunbed sessions must be used within 7 days of date of purchase.

Beds vary by location—substitutions may apply. Regular membership rules apply. Sunless session must be used at the time of purchase. Must present coupon to receive offer. Offers cannot be combined with any other coupon or offer. See salon for details. All rights reserved.

Offer expires 3/31/13.

FLORENCE 403-409 Cox Creek Pkwy., Ste. B&C Florence, AL 35630 256-764-1820 No contracts. No commitments. Open extended hours 7 days a week.

PBTI-35502.6

4A IMAGES

Feb. 21, 2013 • The Flor-Ala

FOUR-LEGGED FRIENDS

by Staff Photographer Alli Ownby When there’s nothing to do on the weekends, I like going to the animal shelter. Unfortunately, I can’t adopt any pets because I live in the dorms on campus (a pretty lame rule, if you ask me), but I still love going and giving the animals some much needed attention.

The Florence-Lauderdale Animal Shelter isn’t open on Saturdays, so I made the trek up to my hometown in Savannah, Tenn., last weekend. There is a whole room full of kittens as soon as you walk in the door, and they’re absolutely adorable. The cats are sometimes let out of their cages to climb things all over the room, and that’s how they were when I got there.

There were cats on the floor, cats lying in little beds and cats all the way to the

ceiling on scratching posts. I adore cats, so I was in absolute heaven. My 8-yearold sister, on the other hand, dislikes most animals, and she was totally freaked out by all the claws and meows, which was pretty amusing (I’m a supportive older sister, I know).

After I left the cat room, I went to visit the dogs. I wasn’t allowed in any of the pens with them, but I could pet them through the fence. They were all very friendly and excited to get some attention. Convincing my 12-year-old brother that we didn’t need any more dogs at our house was quite the task, though!

All in all, it was a really fun visit. It’s always rough to see all the cute animals without homes, but I love knowing that I could give them some love and attention.

NEWS 5A

Feb. 21, 2013 • The Flor-Ala 8):316/ KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM ) utes, or it was their first time ever parking in the spot,” she said.

When students who utilize handicap parking began calling her and saying they missed class due to no open spaces, she said she knew something needed to change.

“People who can easily walk 200 extra yards to class instead of parking in handicapped spots deserve to get ticketed,” said Callie Henderson, UNA student. “I’m late for class, too, but I don’t take up parking spaces that are meant for other people. Whatever happened to good-hearted courtesy?”

Reburn said students should to be aware of what types of inconveniences they cause to students with disabilities.

“The giveaway sign of parking misuse is the emergency flashers,” Reburn said.

Reburn said she issued 19 tickets after only two rounds of circling campus.

Students should be aware the university is unrelenting when it comes to upholding the law, she said.

The university is issuing one-time $50 tickets but will begin implementing the actual disability law, which states that the second offense is $200 and an attachment of community service and the third offense is $500, Reburn said.

The qualifications for a handicap placard are specific, she said.

“Individuals must not be able to walk 200 feet without assistance or without stopping to rest,” Reburn said.

This placard may encompass a variety of different disabilities and impairments, and students should know that not all disabilities could be seen from the outside.

“Also, students who are using a placard registered from someone else, whether it’s grandma, dad, aunt or grandpa, are committing a Class B Misdemeanor

photo by KAYLA SLOAN I Chief Photographer

ADA Coordinator Lisa Reburn issues a ticket on campus. Reburn and UNA police officers are cracking down on parking violations involving handicapped spots, she said.

which is punishable by a $1,000 fine and six months in jail,” Reburn said.

Reburn said she is teaming with university police, and they will begin running placard ID numbers to see if they are legitimate.

Child development major Ashley Spurgeon said her visual impairment doesn’t require her to get a placard.

“My husband won’t let me get one, and he’s right,” she said. “Even though I can’t see, I can walk just fine.”

She said it was not right for students

who do not have a disability to illegally park in the allotted handicap spaces.

This is an issue that every student could potentially be faced with.

“Accidents happen every day, and many of the students who utilize handicap parking were not born that way,” Reburn said.

Reburn said, contrary to many opinions, the ticketing is not a tactic to raise money for the university.

“Bottom line, this is not about making money,” Reburn said. “This is about

consideration for others.”

She said she will continue to write tickets until justice for these students is served.

UNA’s parking facilities have a limited number of handicap spaces, Reburn said. These spaces are larger than regular ones, giving students with disabilities premium accessibility to get to class on time, she said.

For a complete list of the location of handicap spaces, the university has placed an ADA map on UNA’s website.

know their bikes’ serial numbers and leave identifying marks, such as engravings or a rolled up note in the seat tube, to help identify the bike if it is stolen.

Victims of bike theft should also check Craigslist and local bike shops to see if the thief has put the bike up for sale, according to Teutsch’s article.

“If you determine that it is your bike, be in touch with the person selling it and

arrange a time to meet,” according to the article. “Contact (local police) for assistance in recovering it and apprehending the thief or person who has received the stolen property.”

Victims of bike theft can also register their bikes as stolen on the National Bike Registry. Teutsch said he recovered his bike four years after it was stolen using the registry.

Officials at the University of New Mexico recommend always locking bikes in high-traffic areas and using more than one type of lock.

the city earlier this year.

“Chairman Zhang sees in this venture a world-class learning center that will form the nucleus for adding botanical gardens, a visitor center, clinical outreach and continuing education,” said Bill Cale, UNA president, in a release earlier this year. “The natural beauty of the city of Florence, warmth of the regional community, support of local

and state leaders and the commitment of UNA combine to create a foundation from which an exciting future will emerge.”

Approximately one year ago, Cale and other officials withdrew their interest in the property after certain council members voiced their opposition to the sale and partnerships with Chinese companies.

*13-; KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM )

photo illustration by KAYLA SLOAN I Chief Photographer

+4=* KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM ) tions on our campus and in our community will be (great),” said Barry Morris, councilman.

The integrative health program was approved by the Alabama Commission for Higher Education in 2012 and will

begin this fall.

The agreement to create the program and build the structures was made with Shenqi Ethnic Medical College in China. Chairman of the college Zhang Zhiting has agreed to purchase the land and fund the building of the center.

Zhang placed an offer with the city for $2.1 million with a promise of $50,000 in earnest money to be paid to

6A NEWS

WOMEN

Feb. 21, 2013 • The Flor-Ala

ONE BILLION RISING

Students and faculty perform in flash mob to raise awareness about abuse PACE HOLDBROOKS

;\INN ?ZQ\MZ PPWTLJZWWS[(]VI ML]

Crowds gathered to watch a group of UNA students, faculty and supporters in a flash mob performance in the GUC Atrium Feb. 14 during lunch hour. The performance, organized by the Center for Women’s Studies, UNA students and Rape Response, is a part of the One Billion Rising global movement.

“One Billion Rising is the brainchild of Eve Ensler, who’s popular for doing ‘The Vagina Monologues,’” said Emily Kelley, coordinator for Women’s Studies at UNA. “There’s a statistic that one in three women will be raped or beaten in her lifetime. Based on the population of this planet, that roughly relates to 1 billion, hence the title One Billion Rising.”

The message of rising against violence toward women is very important at the Center for Women’s Studies, Kelley said. Rape Response and the Center for photo by KAYLA SLOAN I Chief Photographer Women’s Studies cooperated in planning UNA students participate in a fl ash mob in the GUC Feb. 14 to raise awareness about violence against women for One Bila flash mob to draw attention. lion Rising, a global movement.

“The reason I wanted to do (the flash mob) is Eve Ensler’s organization called lion Rising,” Marlow said. “I thought it have been so many attacks on people. It’s onebillionrising.org or get on YouTube to V-Day, who do an event every Valen- would be a great opportunity, so I told such a big cause that I do want to raise watch other dances across the world. tine’s Day to raise awareness about the her that I wanted to start a flash mob.” awareness about it.”

“It’s an incredible way to organize so abuse of women,” said Kassie Stanford, Marlow said she learned the dance Representatives for One Billion Ris- many people that are passionate about Victim Services Assistant of Rape Re- on One Billion Rising’s website and then ing remained in the GUC after the perfor- the same thing on a global scale,” Stansponse. “This year it was a call to dance. simplified it. Participants in the flash mob mance to answer questions. ford said. “To come together on one day I’m not any good at it, but I figured it would attend Marlow’s class to learn a “I thought it was really good and im- and to support all the women who’ve would be a fun way to get involved.” new step each week, with an instructive pactful,” said Whitney Johnson, a junior. been victimized in our lifetime really Stanford is responsible for bringing video being recorded by attendees of the “Everyone over here was looking and I says a lot. I’m just honored to be a part the One Billion Rising event to UNA class. want to see what it’s about.” of it, honestly.” while the dance used in the flash mob “I think now that people have seen Phillip Blevins, a sophomore, said Stanford and Kelley said they hope was partially choreographed by Olivia what this is capable of doing and that the flash mob took him by surprise, but students will research the topic for themMarlow, a freshman at UNA, Kelley said. the flash mob is really fun, I definitely he understood its purpose after talking selves. They also wish to reach out to “Kassie (Stanford) emailed all of want to do it again,” she said. “I just feel to people who knew what was going on. students on campus who are in need of the dance teachers in the SRC, asking if like since I’ve moved to Florence, there Stanford said students can log on to www. support, Stanford said. we wanted to be a part of the One Bil-

DINING

Chick-Fil-A, Starbucks to attract off-campus customers ELISE COFIELD

;\INN ?ZQ\MZ UKWNQMTL(]VI ML]

The dining options to be offered in the Academic Commons Building will likely become an attraction to clientele outside of the UNA community, university officials said.

The building, scheduled for completion in spring of 2014, will offer full-service Chick-fil-A, Starbucks and Frostbite dining locations on the ground floor.

“I think this is an opportunity to bring people and connect them to UNA,” said David Shields, vice president for student affairs.

Currently, the nearest Starbucks to Florence is located in Athens, nearly 50 miles away. Chick-fil-A and Frostbite already have popular locations in the Flor-

ence area.

Alan Kinkead, general manager of Sodexo Dining Services at UNA, said the high demand of these dining franchises will draw attention from surrounding cities.

“I really think it might be a good thing for the local area,” he said. “I think it could possibly bring more people not only to that building but also to the general downtown area.”

Kinkead said members of the general public already have access to on-campus dining locations, since UNA is a public institution; however, crowding, limited parking and limited hours of operation can be a deterrent.

“We’ve tried some late hours before, and nobody comes,” he said. “We’d love to be open 24/7 if the demand was there,

”

I THINK IT COULD POSSIBLY BRING MORE

PEOPLE NOT ONLY TO THAT BUILDING BUT ALSO TO THE GENERAL DOWNTOWN AREA.

ALAN KINKEAD but it is a business, and you have to run it based on when the demand is there.”

Shields said the building’s location at the entrance of campus and the mouth of Court Street, the main artery of traffic flow downtown, will make it accessible and convenient for the community.

“I think it makes us a stronger community, it helps us to recruit and retain students, and it provides an econom-

ic benefit and vitality to the downtown (area),” Shields said.

University officials have considered the parking dilemma this could create, Shields said.

The design of the Academic Commons Building does not allow for a drive-thru. Shields said the solution will be “quick parking,” spaces that only allow 15-minute parking for shoppers to come and go without causing traffic or parking issues.

The number of “quick parking” spaces has yet to be determined, Shields said.

He said business from the community will benefit students, since businesses with a high amount of revenue can have longer hours of operation.

;MM )<<:)+<176; XIOM )

VIEWPOINTS 7A

Feb. 21, 2013 • The Flor-Ala

STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF UNIVERSITY OF NORTH ALABAMA

THE

JOSH SKAGGS EXECUTIVE EDITOR ALEX LINDLEY NEWS/MANAGING EDITOR ANN HARKEY LIFE EDITOR MALISA MCCLURE SPORTS EDITOR JARED MCCOY COPY/OPINION EDITOR BLYTHE STEELMAN ONLINE EDITOR LAURA IVIE BUSINESS MANAGER CORTNEY OLIVER GRAPHIC DESIGNER ALEX GOUIN AD REPRESENTATIVE MATTHEW WILSON CIRCULATION MANAGER KAYLA SLOAN CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER CHRISTINA COVINGTON MICHAEL REDDING ALLI OWNBY STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS REBECCA WALKER ADVISER

Postgraduate job search looks bleak

Letters Policy The Flor-Ala welcomes and encourages Letters to the Editor.

• The deadline for submitting letters is 10 a.m. Monday, the week of publication.

• Letters must not exceed 400 words.

• Letters must be accompanied by the writerʼs name, mailing address, phone number and email.

• The Flor-Ala prefers to publish your letters exactly as written, but reserves the right to reject slanderous or libelous material.

• The publication of any letter is left to the discretion of the Editorial Board.

• Priority is given to letters critical of The Flor-Ala, or written in direct response to an editorial, a column, or a news story.

• When the editors deem it necessary for ease of understanding or to clarify facts, an Editorʼs Note may accompany a letter.

• Address correspondence to The Flor-Ala. UNA Box 5300, Florence, AL 35632.

Email: florala@una.edu.

• Phone: 256-765-4364 Copyright © 2013 The Flor-Ala All rights reserved.

First copy free.

Additional copies $1 each.

JOSH SKAGGS

-`MK]\Q^M -LQ\WZ R[SIOO[(]VI ML]

Jobs, money, bills, debt and graduation. These themes seem to be a recurring around the student media office here lately.

We are all searching for jobs, and for me at least, with little luck.

I have applied on LinkedIn, Monster and every other job site you can think of.

Am I the only one who thinks this whole process is harder than people make it out to be? My parents made looking for a job look easy, but boy, did they lead me astray.

What can we do? As far as I am concerned — stay positive.

Positivity is all we have.

Last week, I had the pleasure of listening to a speaker from one of the companies I would die to work for talk about the job search. The rep from Creative Artists Agencies told all of the entertainment

students in my class that positivity will keep you in the job market for the long run.

When searching for a job, students shouldn’t give up after their first rejection — they should keep trying, said Blake McDaniel, a booking agent with CAA and former UNA student.

McDaniel said he lucked out one day after having no luck in the industry and stumbled upon a temporary job that led to his job today as a fulltime agent with the leading booking company.

I am trying to stay positive and listen to McDaniel’s advice, but it’s hard to do when all you hear on the evening news is negative about the job market. With Alabama falling at the middle of the pack as far as unemployment numbers go, our prospects as future employees look slim to null.

As of December, Alabama has a 7.1 percent unemployment rate. Hopefully, this number will improve for those of us needing a job right out of school.

I talk to students every day that are equally as worried about the job market and are unsure of their futures. This whole epidemic of the horrible state of our job market is scary.

To begin with, our teachers tell us conflicting things about applying for jobs ranging from our resumes to cover letters.

Do I put an objective on my resume or not? Do I write a generic cover letter? Do I apply on job sites? All of these questions continue to run through my mind daily.

Many job sites say one thing and then the other. I am going to just trust UNA’s trusty career planning office, and follow their examples.

Also, am I the only one that is confused as to why I can apply for 500 jobs and not hear back from one of the employers?

When it comes to my future career, I have started to fall into the YOLO mentality. I have applied everywhere and in every city. I will work wherever it takes to get me to the next level.

One of my professors always tells each of his classes, “If you want to go there, just go there,” when referring to where students want to live postgraduation. I think I am going to take his advice and have a U-Haul packed on graduation day.

Let’s hope the job market eases up for the sake of us all.

Interested in writing or taking photos for The Flor-Ala? Come to our writers meeting every Monday at 6 p.m or photographer meeting Tuesday at 5 p.m. Take a story, shoot a photo and get involved.

PAWS UP, PAWS DOWN

Calling it like we see it Bonnaroo Music Festival announced its lineup for 2013, including Paul McCartney, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, Mumford & Sons and Wilco.

The NCAA is honoring former UNA All-Americans Rachel Price Bell and her sister Ronda Price Brinley as part of the 40th anniversary of Division II athletics.

UNA is hosting the 4th Annual Alabama Regional Graduate Conference in English, entitled “No Laughing Matter: Exploring the Art of Humor,” Feb. 22 and 23.

Approximately 100 people, many of them University of Alabama students, had to be arrested Feb. 19 for alleged drug possessions following a sweep of the campus in Tuscaloosa.

8A NEWS

Feb. 21, 2013 • The Flor-Ala

FILM FESTIVAL

Lindsey Fest to premier ʻMuscle Shoalsʼ documentary TRISTA IRVIN

;\]LMV\ ?ZQ\MZ \QZ^QV(]VI ML]

The 16th annual George Lindsey UNA Film Festival will premier the documentary “Muscle Shoals” and include a filmmaker’s workshop for aspiring middle-school filmmakers Feb. 28 through March 2.

“Muscle Shoals,” which screened at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, recounts the history of the Shoals music scene. The feature film will be screened twice for audiences: once as a VIP event Feb. 27 in the Marriott Shoals Conference Center and again as the official opener of the festival March 1 at 6:30 p.m. in Norton Auditorium.

“The premier of ‘Muscle Shoals’ is the festival’s special guest this year,” said Jason Flynn, assistant professor of film and digital media production and

)<<:)+<176; KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM ) He said his desire is to see the Academic Commons Building fill a need for a late-night gathering spot on campus for students and community members alike.

“I look forward to walking past that coffee shop ... and that building is filled with students in there talking, hanging out, interacting — we don’t have that now,” Shields said.

According to their website, Starbucks

co-director of the film festival.

The festival will also be sponsoring a Young Filmmakers workshop for 25 theater students at Florence Middle School.

The workshop will be held March 1 in the Communications Building and will be conducted by Mary Ellen Latropoulos, director of education at the Children’s Media Project in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. The students will have the opportunity to produce and edit a short film within the four-hour conference.

The three-day festival serves as an independent competitive film festival that takes submissions from around the world in categories ranging from young to professional filmmakers in a range of genres. This year’s film festival includes more short films in the line-up, which allows the festival to show more films.

“There are very few opportunities to see individual films, and the audience considers their cafes “neighborhood gathering places” with an atmosphere conducive to both work and social gatherings.

Shields and Kinkead said that with seating for 30 inside the Starbucks cafe, plus additional seating in the lounge and patio areas, the building will have ample seating accommodations.

“Our expectation as a university is that they are going to be open until 9, 10 o’clock, maybe 11 o’clock at night,” Shields said.

can expect to see a wide range of films at the festival,” said Cynthia Burkhead, assistant professor of English and codirector of the film festival.

“October Sky” and “Walk the Line” actress Natalie Canerday will serve on the festival’s advisory board as well as the MC of the award show March 2.

In addition to the film screenings, the festival also has a competition for screenplays. There will be a table reading of the winning screenplay March 1.

“The audience can expect good quality and also expect to not have expectations, which, to me, is a part of the appeal of a film festival,” Flynn said. “(The Communications Building is also) pretty kick-ass and an upgrade from venues in the past.”

Free tickets will be available for UNA students on a first-come, first-serve basis when they show their student ID at the

”

WITH OUR SUITCASE OF A COMMUNITY, A LOT OF STUDENTS GO HOME ON THE WEEKENDS. DONʼT GO HOME ON THIS WEEKEND; STAY IN TOWN THIS WEEKEND AND TRY THE FESTIVAL OUT.

JASON FLYNN Student Engagement Office in the GUC, and all other tickets are $20. Proceeds will go to the Southern Music Foundation, which works to benefit the music entities of the Shoals area with special consideration going toward the Alabama Music Hall of Fame.

“With our suitcase of a community, a lot of students go home on the weekends,” Flynn said. “Don’t go home on this weekend; stay in town this weekend and try the festival out.”

AT A GLANCE • ACADEMIC COMMONS BUILDING TO BE COMPLETED

BY APRIL 15, 2014 • IT WILL FEATURE CHICK-FIL-A AND STARBUCKS • ATTRACTIONS WILL BE OPEN TO STUDENTS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC

LIFE

SECTION B

Feb. 21, 2013 â&#x20AC;˘ The Flor-Ala â&#x20AC;˘ Life Editor: Ann Harkey 256-765-5233

WhereĘźs the leaf?

photo by ALLI OWNBY I Chief Photographer

Vegetarians and vegans should be sure to include plant-based protein sources in their diet. Beans, nuts, peas and soy products have protein in them.

Students lack vegetarian, vegan options at UNA CORINNE BECKINGER ;\INN ?ZQ\MZ KJMKSQVOMZ(]VI ML]

Vegetarian and vegan students at UNA have become concerned that the meatless options in the GUC are forcing them to sacrifice their diet and health to eat during the day. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The GUC is convenient and popular for many students,â&#x20AC;? said Alieshia Morris, student. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have dietary concerns or an alternative dietary lifestyle, the options are satisfactory. However, if you are vegetarian, choices are limited. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m sure vegan students find the options laughable.â&#x20AC;?

UNA student Lauren Kirby agrees. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mein Bowl only sometimes has one veggie entrĂŠe option,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My vegan friend can only eat the apples and bananas there, and as far as Einstein Bros. goes, their only vegan options are maybe ciabatta bread and mustard.â&#x20AC;?

Kirby became a vegetarian in the fall but does not feel she could completely eliminate any eggs or dairy from her diet to become a vegan because she depends too much on the convenient location of the GUC. A vegetarian does not consume any meat products, while a vegan does not consume any animal products of any

kind, including dairy products. Because of their diets, vegetarians and vegans have to find protein in meatless options. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They need to include plant-based protein sources in their diet such as beans, nuts, nut butters, peas or soy products,â&#x20AC;? said Jill Englett, UNA human environmental sciences instructor. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They need to practice protein complementation (which means) combining two plant-based sources of protein to achieve 100 percent of the essential amino acids. If they are not vegan, they may include milk products and eggs as a protein source.â&#x20AC;?

For vegetarians and vegans, ensuring

they consume and maintain iron, calcium, zinc and vitamin levels is crucial to their diet.

Many students, however, are worried the GUC options are preventing them from being able to maintain a healthy diet, which has led some to completely avoid the GUC for food during the school day. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I sacrifice my diet almost each time I eat in the GUC,â&#x20AC;? Morris said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For me, being vegetarian is more than just not eating meat â&#x20AC;&#x201D; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s about trying to balance each meal that I eat with a variety of foods. I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do that with the choices

;MM >-/)6 XIOM *

HEALTH

Officials urge emergency training for students HALEY WRIGHT

;\INN ?ZQ\MZ P_ZQOP\ (]VI ML]

photo by MICHAEL REDDING I Staff Photographer

CPR mannequins are used in first aid training classes to teach people how to properly perform CPR.

Many students are unaware of what to do in the event of a medical emergency on campus even though knowing what to do could be a matter of life and death.

UNA sophomore Andy Page recently had an epileptic seizure in his dorm room. Out of the nine of his friends who were there, only one knew what to do. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think Kali (Daniel) was the only one who knew what to do,â&#x20AC;? Page said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think some of them knew I had epilepsy.â&#x20AC;?

Chad Miller was there to witness Pageâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s seizure. He said he had never seen someone have a seizure before, so

he just froze. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When my roommate and I came to ourselves, he called 911 and I went to get our floorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s CA,â&#x20AC;? Miller said.

An experience like this can be scary, so if someone has epilepsy or any medical conditions, it is important to tell people just in case something happens, Page said. They need to know what to do.

In the event that someone is having a seizure, the person helping is supposed to lay them on their side so they can breathe. Page said it is not unusual for someone to turn blue if they are seizing because itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hard to breathe while on their back, but people who are having a seizure typically do not need CPR. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just better to turn them on their

;MM +8: XIOM *

2B LIFE ENTERTAINMENT

ʻSide Effectsʼ worth seeing in theater

Feb. 21, 2013 • The Flor-Ala

LOCAL FOOD

More than a hole in the wall

STEPHANIE FITZGERALD ;\]LMV\ ?ZQ\MZ [NQ\bOMZITL(]VI ML]

Everyone has heard the end of a drug commercial where a monotone-voiced man speeds through the list of side effects from a new antidepressant. He says, “Some common side effects are headaches, nausea, insomnia, hair loss and low sex drive.” What he doesn’t include in the list is murdering your husband.

“Side Effects,” directed by Steven Soderbergh (director of the “Ocean’s Eleven” series) and written by Scott Burns, has everything you would expect from a psychological thriller and nothing you would expect from a Channing Tatum movie, due to the fact that he’s killed off near the beginning. Jude Law and Rooney Mara were fantastic and believable as always, while Catherine Zeta-Jones came off a little hammy.

The movie follows the aftermath of Emily (Mara) killing her husband (Tatum) under the influence of the antidepressant that her psychiatrist Jonathan Banks (Law) prescribed to her. Consequentially, Banks’ life falls apart over criticism for prescribing her the drug.

He makes it his goal to vindicate his actions and prove that the drug was not the problem. The only complaint that I have with Law was that he just didn’t seem all that distraught when his family left him. Maybe he didn’t like them that much.

After watching the film, I wasn’t surprised to see that Burns also wrote “Contagion.” Like “Contagion,” most of the movie has the same feel as watching a movie trailer. The scenes seem to skip around, leaving you hoping that there will be a moment of clarity. I was immediately interested in the storyline of the movie that I read before seeing it; however, I was surprised at my feelings of indifference for the plight of the characters. When it came down to it, I didn’t really care who went to jail.

What I was interested in was the health care issue addressed. Discussing kickbacks received by doctors for prescribing drugs can be a sticky topic, but it is relevant. It is never settling to walk into a doctor’s office and just happen to be prescribed the same drug that is on the wall posters and all the ink pens in the office.

The movie not only brought feelings of doubt about our health care system but also our legal system. They just couldn’t seem to figure how who was to blame. Law had to be the unkempt, losing-his-mind vigilante, running around to piece together the mystery, to no judicial avail. In the end, Law quite literally has to prescribe a dose of revenge in pill form.

I think the movie is worth the matinée price. It delivers some suspense, plenty of good acting and a hot lesbian make-out scene.

photo by CHRISTINA COVINGTON I Staff Photographer

Staggs’s Deli is located on Royal Avenue and is open from 5:30 a.m.to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Staggs’s Deli a “must-try” for Florence residents ANNA GRACE USERY ;\]LMV\ ?ZQ\MZ I][MZa(]VI ML]

Staggs’s Deli, east Florence’s most popular stop-and-go breakfast and lunch joint, is a sight for sore Southern eyes.

Tucked neatly in the middle of a timeworn strip mall on Royal Avenue beside the House of Vacuums, it’s quite easy to miss.

This current hole-in-the-wall eatery, open from 5:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday to Friday, started out as a grocery store in 1936. Local owner and operator for 13 years Lynn Staggs said the store became a deli in 1980.

“This used to be the hub of the city,” he said.

Upon my arrival at 7 a.m. sharp, my senses awakened as I stepped inside the door and received a whiff of my childhood: coffee, cigarettes and bacon grease. I drowsily poured myself a cup of strong, freshly brewed coffee into a Goodwill-type mug and returned to a round table with an array of jellies and a coffee-stained roll of paper towels. The atmosphere of the deli is fairly plain with outdoor-type tables and chairs, a

truck-stop style grill and coolers usually sighted in concession stands. The table I chose was not named, yet to my left was the “Liar’s Table” and to my right the “ROMEO” (Retired Old Men Eating Out) table.

“What’s good here?” I asked.

“Just about everything,” said the waitress.

I spotted chocolate gravy and biscuits on the breakfast menu, yet I was disappointingly informed this local favorite is only offered on Fridays.

“Well, if you’ve got a couple minutes to wait, she’s making some fresh,” she said.

“I’ve got all the time in the world,” I said.

As I waited hungrily, I observed the overwhelming hustle and bustle of local personnel stopping in to grab a quick breakfast. Yet, for the older generation located on the ROMEO table, wasting time by drinking coffee and chatting with other locals was a treat they looked forward to.

Over the course of an hour I sat and overheard what “that Obama” said last night, jokes their wives probably wouldn’t appreciate, and how that damn dog got loose and tore up everything in the house last night. These conversations deeply rooted in Southern prattle could only be humored by a true Alabamian.

While sipping my third cup of coffee, a woman with a cell phone pressed tightly to her ear came barreling in to place her order. Something told me I’d like her, so I offered her a seat next to me.

“Try the omelets,” she said. “That’s almost always what I get.”

Shortly after our conversation, she was back on the cell phone, however, my attention was focused on the approaching Styrofoam plate piled high with butter soaked biscuits, crowned with made-from-scratch chocolate gravy. The waitress plopped the plate down in front of me.

“These’ll make you slap your grandma,” she said.

At first glance, I feared she was right. The slow-cooked, sweet chocolate gravy looked to be heaven on the heart but hell on the thighs. Paired with three greasy slices of crispy bacon, my taste buds screamed with satisfaction. After one bite, I gave the cook a “thumbs up” and lavishly absorbed every ounce of goodness on my plate.

For a meal that’s prepared by the hands of an expert in country cooking and an atmosphere saturated with Deep South heritage, head over to Staggs’s Deli to try the chocolate gravy and biscuits or a bacon cheeseburger for lunch. As for grandma, let’s hope she’s prepared for the blow.

LIFE 3B

Feb. 21, 2013 • The Flor-Ala

FINANCE

Prepaid cell phone plans offer cheaper alternative to contracts

photo illustration by CHRISTINA COVINGTON I Staff Photographer

Prepaid plans are highly customizable based on text, talk and data amounts.

EMILY KAZUNGU & ANN HARKEY ;\]LMV\ ?ZQ\MZ 4QNM -LQ\WZ IPIZSMa(]VI ML]

With more cell phone providers emerging to challenge the bigger companies such as AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile, prepaid plans are becoming more popular.

“I use a prepaid phone with AT&T,”

>-/)6 KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM * in the GUC. Some days, I just pack snack food to get through the day and avoid eating in the GUC altogether.”

UNA student Sarah Calvelage agrees.

“Cheese pizza, French fries and lettuce sandwiches are not a good diet,” she said.

Because of the concern voiced by students, UNA student Senate met with Sodexo in the fall to discuss improving the options for vegetarian and vegan students.

“The main problem we have run into with Sodexo is that they have contracts

+8: KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM * side and maybe put a pillow under their head,” Page said.

In any medical emergency, calling 911is always best. While waiting on emergency care, it is best to stay on the phone with the operator and stay calm in order to answer questions about the injured person, according to WebMD. WebMD offers a check list for emergency situations: “Recall the facts: How long has the person been sick? How long has he been unconscious? When and how did the accident happen?”

Any facts or information that is provided for the medical professional can

said Kihyun Kim, a UNA exchange student from South Korea. “I like it because, before I came here, I heard a lot about AT&T and that’s why I chose it. I pay $25 each month to get unlimited texts, 150 minutes and no Internet because there is Wi-Fi (on the phone).”

He pays $25 more to add a data plan when he is away from school. with the restaurants that are currently on campus and some of them may not have the healthy options already on their menus,” said William Nash, student senator.

With the unsuccessful attempts made by the Student Government Association (SGA) to improve the conditions in the GUC, one student found successful results with voicing her opinion on social media.

“I made a comment a while back on Twitter that the only options available to vegetarians were boiled eggs, yogurt parfaits or bagels, and it seems that ever since I wrote that they have tried harder to keep other options in stock like PB&J sandwiches and fresh fruit,” said Jennifer Brinley, student.

be beneficial, but knowing basic first aid techniques can make a difference.

UNA offers a first aid class during fall, spring and summer terms for 3 hours of course credit.

While enrolled in this course, students will learn the basic Red Cross course, first aid, CPR and basic rescue breathing.

Dr. Thomas Coates, department of health, physical education and recreation chair, said always to dial 911 or contact campus security immediately if an injury occurs on campus.

“It’s important to enroll in a first aid class, whether it be on campus or in the community with American Red Cross or American Heart Association,” he sai For sake of full disclosure Kali Daniel is a staff writer for The Flor-Ala.

Many companies provide prepaid phones for customers who don’t want to sign a contract.

“I use AT&T and I like it,” said Adeyemi Adewolu, a UNA student from Nigeria. “I was using NET10, then later changed to AT&T because it was a prepaid phone and I wanted a contract phone. I am happy with it. I pay $79 to get unlimited calls, unlimited texts and unlimited Internet.”

While some students are perfectly happy with their cell phone providers, others want to switch to new providers to find better talk, text and Web rates with the most coverage.

“I am with T-Mobile,” said Destini Robinson, a UNA student. “Service is not good everywhere I go. I live in Rivers third floor and I only get service on the ground floor, and that sucks. I can’t say I’m happy; neither can I say I’m not happy. But it sucks when there is no service everywhere I go. I’m waiting for my plan to expire; then I’ll get a new plan (with another provider).”

Some students are still on a family plan.

“I have a contract with Verizon; it’s on a family plan,” said Blain Robbins, a UNA student. “My mom, dad, sister and I have 1,200 minutes, unlimited texts and unlimited Internet combined. It’s $120 for the minutes and $10 each for the three other phones.”

His phone is free so he helps his parents by paying the $10 every month. In total it’s $150 per month for his family.

“I use Verizon and I like it,” said

David Augustus, a UNA student. “I’ve used it for 14 years. I’ve never changed because I don’t know a lot about other plans. I’m within a family plan with my parents and that’s cheaper. I pay around $20 a month to help my parents out with paying the bills. I don’t see a reason to move because commitment is important to me and I’m committed to Verizon.”

Prepaid options are enticing students to consider switching from providers they have used for years.

“I use AT&T and it’s OK for me; I’ve never tried another cellular company,” said Alla Irelan, a UNA student. “I pay $150 and sometimes $100 every month.

It’s not less than $100 to get unlimited texts, unlimited calls and 4 GB Internet.

I think it’s too much to pay; I’m thinking of changing and use something cheaper in the near future.”

Some students, even in this digital age, don’t have a cell phone.

Daichi Shigematsu, a UNA student, said that he doesn’t have a phone.

He said he doesn’t find a cell phone to be important enough to carry around all day because it can be a distraction. The computer is more than enough to stay connected, he said.

PREPAID PROVIDERS • • • •

AT&T T-MOBILE VIRGIN MOBILE BOOST MOBILE

4B LIFE

steps to the

Feb. 21, 2013 â&#x20AC;˘ The Flor-Ala

5perfect red lips STEP 1: Apply a wax-based lip balm to lips and let it soak in for 5 minutes.

STEP 3: Apply lipstick straight from the tube.

STEP 2: Line and fill in lips with a matching red lip liner. Take your time to get the shape perfect.

STEP 4: Blot with a tissue.

Make sure to use single ply to avoid fuzz sticking to lipstick.

STEP 5: Smile!

SPORTS 5B

Feb. 21, 2013 • The Flor-Ala

FOOTBALL

BASEBALL

Unlucky three

Spring practice turns new leaf for Lions JAMES DUBUISSON ;\INN ?ZQ\MZ RL]J]Q[[WV(]VI ML]

With the memory of four straight losses in the fall still fresh on their minds, the UNA Lions football team strapped on their helmets and gym shorts for the first spring practice of the year Feb. 18.

Coach Bobby Wallace is returning as head coach for his 12th year at UNA and second since coming out of retirement to fill the spot left by Terry Bowden.

Wallace said the team is already further ahead than they were last year at this time.

”

I JUST WANT TO TELL THE FANS, ʻHEY COME OUT FOR EVERY GAME, BECAUSE THIS IS GOING TO BE A GREAT SEASON.ʼ

DIAMOND SIMMONS “At this point last year, I didn’t know half of these guys’ names and half of them weren’t even here — they were still in high school,” he said.

Wallace said spring practice is very important in evaluating the young players on the team.

“We had 70 freshmen last year,” he said. “We only had them for a couple of weeks before the first game so we didn’t really have the opportunity to evaluate guys.”

Sophomore running back Diamond Simmons said spring practices are to get better and grow closer.

“We come out here to pursue for excellence,” he said. “Everything we do out here is to get better and lead ourselves. So as we go on the field and play, we play as a family.”

Wallace also looks to add some new packages to the offense this offseason.

“We are going to put in some new things; we didn’t get under center at all last year, so we are going to put in a couple of plays this year that put the quarterback underneath center,” he said.

The ground game is important to Wallace, on the offensive and defensive side of the ball.

“One thing we want to be able to

;MM .77<*)44 XIOM *

IN THIS SECTION

6B

photo by ALLI OWNBY I Staff Photographer

Members of the UNA Baseball team sit in the dugout during the season opener at home Feb. 13, in which the Lions swept LeMoyne-Owen in a doubleheader. The Lions went on to suffer a weekend sweep at Florida Southern College Feb. 23-24.

Weekend brings three losses at Florida Southern College BLYTHE STEELMAN 7VTQVM -LQ\WZ J[\MMTUIV(]VI ML]

The UNA baseball team was swept during a three-game series against Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Fla., Feb. 15 and 16.

The Lions suffered their first loss of

GAME 1 FSC - 6 UNA - 1

GAME 2 FSC - 7 UNA - 4

GAME 3 FSC - 8 UNA - 4

the season during game one, falling 6-1 to the Moccasins.

The 3-0 lead taken in the first two innings by FSC left UNA scrambling to recover.

The lone run for the Lions came in

LIONS DROP RANK Basketball sees rough weekend

the third inning, following a two-out rally. The Mocs walked catcher Thomas Lundborg, while outfielder Josh Doyle followed with a single. Eric Wilson then hit a single that drove Lundborg home.

Despite UNA’s efforts, FSC starter Clay Chapman struck out Bradley Noland with runners on second and third.

The Lions had only five hits the entire game, while FSC scored six runs on 10 hits.

UNA starter Chad Boughner pitched five innings, giving up three runs on three hits and walking four. He struck out eight players before relief pitcher Jacob Westerhouse started in the sixth, lasting only a third of the inning before allowing three runs on three hits. Sophomore Brantley Claunch pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings, while Drew Mobley rounded out the game with a scoreless eighth.

During Saturday’s doubleheader, UNA brought in a total of eight runs.

FSC used the first innings of both games to gain a lead on UNA that resulted in a 7-4 loss during the first game and a 8-4 loss during the second.

UNA starter Michael Watkins gave up three runs on three hits during Saturday’s first game and FSC catcher Brad Carlton later hit a two-run homerun.

7B

WEEKLY ROUNDUP Preview this week’s UNA sports

After tying the game 4-4 in the top of the fifth, UNA allowed two runs in the bottom of the fifth and one more in the seventh for FSC’s 7-4 win.

Making his first start for the Lions, junior Cade Medley pitched the first 5 1/3 innings of the second part of the doubleheader. He gave up seven runs on eight hits before Claunch came in for relief and allowed one run on three hits.

The Lions fell to FSC 8-4, despite one two-run home run from Dylan Boston and two single home runs from Andrew Almon and Josh Cyr. “The downside of playing a good team (like FSC) is there’s a lot of room for error,” said Mike Keehn, head coach.

“But once our pitchers got into it, there was potential.”

One of the bigger problems during the weekend series was with hitting, Keehn said.

“There wasn’t any room for big hits,” he said. “We couldn’t hold leads. And after they scored, we didn’t continue to score. If they score, we have to score, too.

;MM *);-*)44 XIOM *

@FlorAlaSports

6B SPORTS

Feb. 21, 2013 • The Flor-Ala

BASKETBALL

.77<*)44 KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM *

Teams drop in ranking after weekend losses JAMES DUBUISSON ;\INN ?ZQ\MZ RL]J]Q[[WV(]VI ML]

The UNA Lions basketball teams had a rough weekend as they fell in ranking after losses to Union Feb. 16.

The women’s team fell behind with 14:13 left in the first and never could recover.

“Union did a great job defensively of taking away our strength, which is our inside game,” said Terry Fowler, head coach.

Union led 29-15 at the end of the first half and held the Lions off for the rest of the game, as the Bulldogs pulled out the 66-46 victory.

“They forced us to shoot 3-pointers, and we couldn’t make enough of them to loosen up their defense,” Fowler said.

The Lions were 2-10 from behind the 3-point line.

“We didn’t play well … period,” Fowler said.

Jennifer Towne led the Lions with 13 points on the night. She also grabbed six rebounds and two steals. Nichelle Fillmore scored 12 and rebounded seven in the UNA loss.

Fowler remains confident in his team despite the tough loss.

“We feel when we play our best that we are as good as anyone,” he said.

The Lions women’s team fell to second place in the GSC as Delta State won two games last week to take over the first

spot in the race. UNA is now 16-8 on the season and 9-5 in the GSC. “I think there are about three teams who think they are the best team,” Fowler said.

Union is 16-6 on the season and 11-3 in conference play but is not eligible for the postseason until the 2014-2015 season.

The men’s game was closer as it took the Bulldogs an extra period to send the No. 24 ranked Lions home with a loss.

The loss caused the Lions to fall out of the top 25.

The game was close for all 45 minutes. There were 13 ties and 12 lead changes. The lead never reached more than six points for either team.

The Bulldogs led 46-42 at the end of the first half and tied the game at 86 after the second half.

The Lions led by four with 43 seconds left in the overtime period.

The Bulldogs, who have the worst record in the GSC, then scored six straight points to pull off the 101-99 victory over the Lions.

The Lions are now 2.5 games behind UA-Huntsville after the Chargers split their two games last week.

Marquel Darrington led UNA with 26 points and nine rebounds. DeAndre Hersey had a double-double as he scored 22 points with 10 rebounds.

Both teams will travel to Rome, Ga., to play Shorter Feb. 21 before they host rival UA-Huntsville Feb. 23.

do is run the ball and then stop the run on defense,” he said.

Chris Alexander started last season as the starting quarterback, but midway through the season Luke Wingo took over as the starter.

“There is a big quarterback battle; in fact there is more than two” Wallace said.

“We redshirted Jacob Tucker last year and he has a lot of skills, too.”

Alexander took snaps with the first team on the first day of spring practice, but Wallace will look to utilize more than two quarterbacks in the fall.

“We’ll obviously utilize two and sometimes three (quarterbacks) in different situations,” Wallace said.

Many players who will not see the field on Saturdays in the fall were on the field, but they are important to the team, Wallace said.

“Everybody on this team is important,” he said. “That is something I stress

to our team all of the time — if you are out here, you are very important to the football team, whether it is playing on Saturdays or preparing those who do play on Saturday.”

Simmons said spring practices are all about preparation.

“In the spring we get prepared for the fall, and in the fall get we prepared for the season,” he said.

Simmons said the coaches are important in that preparation.

“They work hard; I really hope the fans appreciate our coaches because they are always in their offices every minute, working hard, putting plays together for us,” he said.

Simmons had something to say to the fans.

“I just want to tell the fans, ‘Hey come out for every game, because this is going to be a great season,’” he said.

GSC Basketball Top 3 MEN’S ALABAMA-HUNTSVILLE (12-3) UNA (10-4) CHRISTIAN BROTHERS (10-4)

WOMEN’S UNION (11-3) DELTA STATE (10-4) UNA (9-5)

*);-*)44 KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM * “We need to be a little more refined; I think this was a little bit of a wake-up call. You can’t just throw things over the plate and get people out.”

Overall, the catchers played well and the team played well defensively, Keehn said.

Looking to this weekend, though, he said the Lions will approach the series like they do with any game.

“We’re going to continue quality pitching, good defense and improving our game,” he said. “We need to continue to work on the execution part of the game.”

Keehn said he will also be trying to determine a line-up still.

“We’re still moving things around,” he said. “You’ll see some of the same players, but in different orders.”

The Lions will take on Kentucky State University at home during a threegame series this weekend. Games one and two will be played as part of a doubleheader, beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday, while game three will start at 1 p.m. on Sunday.

photo by MICHAEL REDDING I Staff Photographer

Junior defensive end Dmitri Orr and freshman quarterback Luke Wingo embrace during the Oct. 13, 2012, home game against Valdosta State. The 2012 season ended on a rough note for the Lions, and the team is looking forward to a better 2013 season.

SPORTS 7B

Feb. 21, 2013 • The Flor-Ala

SPORTS BRIEFS

Weekly Roundup: what to look for in UNA sports SOFTBALL

BASKETBALL

The undefeated Lions softball team will host the UNA Invitational Feb. 2224 at the Florence SportsPlex.

The event will include 14 teams.

UNA will face Southwest Baptist and Wisconsin-Parkside Friday and Trevecca and Drury Saturday, before facing Southwest Baptist again and McKendree on Sunday.

The Lions are coming off a successful weekend, leaving the Feb. 15-17 UAH Charger Chillout with a perfect record.

The Lions are currently 10-0 in overall play and will begin conference play after the UNA Invitational, when they travel to West Florida March 2.

The teams host rival UA-Huntsville at Flowers Hall on Saturday, Feb. 23.

Both the men and women defeated the Chargers in Huntsville Jan. 19, and the Lions are currently right behind UAH in GSC rankings. UAH is ranked No. 1, while UNA is ranked No. 2.

The UAH women are currently three behind UNA, being ranked No. 6 while the Lions are ranked No. 3.

Saturday’s games will begin at 1 p.m. with the women’s game, followed by the men’s game at 3 p.m.

BASEBALL After having a rough weekend on the road, losing three straight games to Florida Southern College, the Lions host a three-game series against Kentucky State Feb. 23-24.

Kentucky State is currently 1-4 on the season, while the Lions are currently 2-3. Coach Mike Keehn said he believes the Lions have a good chance of winning.

The series will include a doubleheader Feb. 23 and a single game Feb. 24.

TENNIS The 1-3 Lions host GSC team Christian Brothers Feb. 24 at 1 p.m.

Both teams were swept at Division I Lipscomb Feb. 16. The men lost 7-0 while the women lost 6-1.

The UNA women (1-3, 1-0) are fourth in the GSC, while Christian Brothers (0-3, 0-3) are in last place The men (0-2) currently hold last place (No. 8) in the GSC, and Christian Brothers (0-2, 0-2) are only one spot ahead at No. 7.

photo by MICHAEL REDDING I Staff Photographer

Softball player Shelby Goodman warms up as she waits her turn to bat during the Feb. 8 game against Miles.

8B EXTRA

Feb. 21, 2013 â&#x20AC;˘ The Flor-Ala

Tweets of the week

PRESENTS

Walk with Me A lecture/recital inspired by Carolyn Maull McKinstryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s memoir While the World Watched: A Birmingham Bombing Survivor Comes of Age during the Civil Rights Movement and to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the bombing Presented by Terrance Brown, baritone; Tiffany Bostic-Brown, soprano; Kevin Thomas, tenor; Eleanor McClellan, narration; and Karen Cantrell, piano

9GFPGUFC[ (GDTWCT[ Ćž 0QQP Music Building Recital Hall

For more information, contact the Department of Music and Theatre at 256.765.5122 or visit the web at www.una.edu/music-theatre.

DISCLAIMER: The tweets below are public tweets found on Twitter by searching hashtags and keywords involving UNA, Florence, Shoals and other university-related topics. Want to see yours on here? Be sure to hashtag UNA and Shoals in your tweets.