Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
IslandWavesNews.com
JUST DANCE
News
President issues ‘Muslim Ban’, students react Page 3
Islander Dance trains for championship
Also
by AMERICA SEGURA • Page 8
February 16, 2017 Volume 28, Issue 4
Opinions Page 2 Entertainment Page 7 Sports Page 10
2 Opinion STUDENT PUBLICATION OF TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITYCORPUS CHRISTI
02.16.2017
How to survive Singles' Awareness Day MIKAYLA OELSCHLEGEL @mikaylaMOG
With Valentine’s Day, or as I like to call it "Singles AwareISLAND WAVES STI | ISLANDWAVESNEWS.COM | VOLUME 26 ISSUE | 08.27.15 ness Day," just20 around the IslandWavesNews.com corner, grocery stores are stocking up on heart shaped Editor-in-chief chocolates and huge stuffed KACI ALVAREZ animals, while jewelry stores are making sure they have Web engagement rings of every MIKAYLA OELSCHLEGEL, editor shape, size and color. JEFFREY THOMAS, on-air talent Coming from someone who MITCHELL JACKSON, vid. editor has never had a Valentine, I do not understand the big deal Copy Editor with this one day out of the KATIE MEZA year. You, or your significant other, will spend a pretty penVisuals ny on chocolates that you will IZZY SNEED, editor not eat all of or a stuffed bear, ZACH ALDRIDGE dog or whatever animal is made for the holiday that will Layout get tossed in the corner and KARA HERRERA, editor forgotten. You might even get proposed to on the same day Reporters as at least four of your friends GERI LEMMONS, features because it is the "day of love." JONATHAN FORNEY, sports For me, being single on ValMELISSA RODRIGUEZ, news entine’s Day is not entirely fun SARAH REEVES, news when my Facebook timeline is full of couples declaring their Advertising love for each other. What BRADY BURNS, manager is fun, however, is all of the half-priced chocolate covered Graduate Assistant strawberries on the day of and BRADY BURNS day after. But if you are like Faculty Adviser WENDY MOORE
ABOUT ISLAND WAVES Island Waves is a studentproduced publication at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. The newspaper is printed weekly, except during summer sessions. Any student or University employee may submit material and opinions for publication consideration. To become a contributor, e-mail or call the Island Waves editor. CONTACT US 6300 Ocean Drive Unit 5783 Corpus Christi, TX 78412 (361) 825-5862 editor@tamucc.edu ads@tamucc.edu
me and have no Valentine’s date, here are some ways you can spend the day: 1. Treat yourself- Is there a new movie out you want to see? A new restaurant you want to try? How about that pedicure/manicure combo you have been dying for? Go for it. Who says you need a significant other to treat you on this “special day?" 2. Get a new 'do- This kind of goes along with treat yourself, but what better way to say “I do not need a man/woman" than by getting that new
hairstyle you always wanted to try? Want to try being a blonde? Go for it! Red head? My all-time favorite hair color to date is red. 3. Girls/ Guys Night OutGrab a couple of your fellow single ladies/fellows and paint the town red. Go see a movie or eat at a nice restaurant and then go dancing. The night is entirely up to you. What I plan on doing for Valentine’s Day... Buy a big bottle of wine, order pizza and plantmyself in front of the computer screen with my guilty plea-
sure of Netflix binge watching. If you plan on drinking, please be reminded that legal drinking age is 21 and over. Valentine’s Day is referred to by many as the “Day of Love." For some of us, however, we do not have a significant other. So, if you are reading this and happen to be dating someone, please remind yourself that you too have friends that are single and do not want to be punched in the face every time a couple so “hopelessly in love” pops up on their timeline.
Go big for Valentine's Day, spend less GERI LEMMONS @GeriLemmons
It should not take a ton of money in order to have a good time on Valentine’s Day, especially when it comes to finding things to do with someone you care about. These are just a few date ideas that will not break the bank, but won’t be any less special. One of the things that one could do is have a picnic. This idea is easy and cheap because one could use food that
is already in the refrigerator. It could also be a bonding experience to prepare the food together. Even if the weather outside is too windy or hot, one could just take the experience inside to sit next to a fireplace or create romantic lighting with some candles. If there is a chance that one would have to bring the picnic inside due to weather, another date idea is to have a movie night. There are so many different streaming services out there with endless choices as to what to watch. There are even ways to make a do-it-yourself screen projector using household items
like a box, magnifying glass and a paper clip. This way one could make the date more special by doing something a little different to a classic pastime. It will feel like the movie theater is at home or you could project it outside. Try a new place the both of you have never been. Try a local place that is not so expensive. Trying a place that is a little bit obscure and out of people’s comfort zones is an experience to share. It could either turn out to be a new favorite restaurant or another place to mark off the list. If you are trying to include
others, have a couples game night. Each couple could bring their own favorite game or you could make up your own games. The winners of the games could get a cheap, maybe silly, prize from the dollar store. This idea is made to be interactive and a way to have fun with friends as well. If you are going to have a couple’s game night, plan a potluck dinner as well. Have each couple prepare a dish together to bring. This way there is lots of food to share and even though you are all together, each couple still has their time to spend with just each other.
News 3
02.16.2017
President issues ‘Muslim Ban’, students react GERI LEMMONS @GeriLemmons
O
n Jan. 27, President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order regarding immigration. The executive order, according to CNN Politics, keeps citizens from seven majorityMuslim countries from entering the United States for 90 days. The order also spends the admission of all refugees for 120 days. “I understand the logic behind it, I just think that there are better options,” said Gypsie Alvarad, senior mechanical engineering major. “I understand it is temporary, but it sets a negative scope on an entire group of people.” The countries that were impacted by the ban are Syria, Iraq, Iran, Yemen, Libya, Somalia and Sudan. On Jan. 28, confusion plagued several major airports and many people coming in from those countries were detained. Along with that came protests and conversation of what this ban is about and who does it really affect? While some have called it a Muslim ban, President Donald J. Trump rebutted the statement, saying it is not a Muslim ban. “This is not about religion. this is about terror and keeping our country safe,” Trump said. “I think the ban is a rushed
Contributing writer
T
he STD/HIV Clinic in Corpus Christi is presenting a special offer of free STD and HIV testing for college and high school students this month. All that is required that students bring is a valid student ID to Nueces County Health Clinic at 1702 Horn Rd. from Feb. 1-14. The clinic will test chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomonas, syphilis and HIV at no charge.
Island Waves News .com
Student Support Services hosts FAFSA night
Photo courtesy of GOOGLE.COM
Americans from all over the country took to the streets to protest President Trump’s executive order to ban people from entering the United States from certain countries.
executive order on the behalf of our executive due to the fact that it was conducted without consulting the members of our congress,” said Francisco Gallegos, junior political science major. Nathen Fisher, junior geology major, said all of the issues that has been going on with it has made it hard to even watch the news. He said it can be hard to want to pay attention without getting a little bit angry. “I feel like its halfway be-
tween ridiculous and thinking when is the show going to be over,” Fisher said. “I don’t think that it is a good idea because if he keeps restricting and putting up walls, it is not only financially bad but bad for the cultural diversity here.” Sydney Moreno, junior environmental health and monitoring major, said she does not want to be one that watches what is going on and not do anything about it. She thinks the best way to give
people a voice is to protest and stand up for what they believe is right. She thinks people should stand up for things when they know that certain people in the country are being oppressed. “Now that we are at this point where our president is just shooting out executive orders we need to do something about it,” Moreno said. There is nothing to do but protest and call my local senators and give a voice to those that don’t have one.”
Corpus Christi offers free STD/HIV test for students AMBER CASTILLO
O N L I N E
“Depending on how many people there are at the clinic and what you want to be tested for will determine how long your visit will take,” said Noe Rodriguez of the Nueces County Health Clinic. “This age group is more sexually active so they are at a high risk, which is why it is important they get tested.” Kaci Frederick, graduate studying science at TAMUCC, said she thinks offering the free service will entice more students to get tested.
“It’s a very good thing that the clinic is offering this to students because being broke college kids, it definitely affects us being able to go and get tested,” Frederick said. “I think students definitely need to make it a point to be more aware of these kinds of situations.” The event has been going on for several days already, and Roriguez said she has seen several Islanders take advantage. “The Health Department strongly enforces students to
take advantage of this special while they can,” she said. “Many TAMUCC students have already taken action.” So far the clinic has advertised the free STD screening through news and interviews. They hope to get more high school and college students take advantage of the free service. For any information or questions you can contact the Corpus Christi Nueces County Health Clinic at 361-826-1307.
For the third time, TRIO SSS Teacher Prep hosted it’s FAFSA night, in which students got one on one assistance from an actual Financial Aid officer from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. FAFSA Night was a workshop created to inform students about Special Circumstance forms and to encourage students to fill out their FAFSA applications. A financial aid officer was also onsite to speak one on one with students to assure all questions they had were answered. The event was held late afternoon on Thursday, Feb. 2 at the Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) room 211. Read more at islandwavesnew.com.
Islanders grind out fourth straight win The Islander men’s basketball team defeated the Lions of Southeastern Louisiana 80-75 at the American Bank Center earning their fourth consecutive victory in conference play. The team improved to 13-9 on the season and 6-5 in conference play. The victory was a team effort as all five starters scored in double figures. Additionally, the team had 17 assists on their 27 made field goals. Continue reading at islandwavesnews.com.
ON THE COVER: Photo from ISLAND WAVES ARCHIVES
4 News
02.16.2017
Community, students prepare for ROTC 5K
ZACH ALDRIGE
Contributing writer
T
he Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Islander Army ROTC program will host a 5K run on campus to help promote the ROTC program and get the local community more involved with the university. The event, which is happening during the university’s Homecoming week, will take place Feb. 18. The course winds along the hike-and-bike trail which is paved and makes the race wheelchair accessible. The race itself kicks off at 7 a.m. for the wheelchair participants, and 7:05 a.m. for the general race start. After the race is complete, there will be a two-minute push up contest, judged by Army drill sergeants. “It’s an important event because we not only get to promote the university, but it’s also an opportunity for us to show the community what the ROTC program is about,” said Nick Hathaway, race director and junior criminal justice major. Individuals can register for the
event in person on Feb. 17 from 11 a.m.-7 p.m., or before the races begin on the day of the event. Registration can also be completed online at rotc. tamucc.edu. The cost of registration varies depending on which event participants plan to attend and also based on age. Discounts are available for students. “We just want the students to know that they are really welcome, and we’re hoping a lot of students come out,” said Alissa Mejia, communications specialist. Hathaway agreed with the importance of student participation in the event. “Trying to bridge that gap between the ROTC program and the general population [student body] is another goal of this race,” he said. Proceeds earned from the event will go toward the Islander Army Cadet Club, which gives cadets the ability to participate in special activities and to get extra training. Dog Tag Medals will be awarded to participants at the top of each age group and also to the overall winners.
BIG SCREEN TV’S • FREE WI-FI DAILY BEER SPECIALS
$8.50 LUNCH $9.50 DINNER
Awards will also be presented to win ners of the male and female who win push-up challenge. For more information about the event such as pricing, directions, registration and detailed schedules visit: rotc.tamucc.edu/events/5k. Also, if you have any questions concerning the event you can email rotc@tamucc.edu.
Photo courtesy of ROTC
ARCHIVE/ Island Waves
Members of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity pose for a photo after completing the ROTC 5K
Patrons experience city art KATELYN GERLACH Contributing writer
I
slanders got to mingle with the Corpus Christi community to experience all things art related at the monthly Art Walk Feb. 3. The Art Walk is hosted in downtown Corpus Christi, and is on the first Friday of every month. Everyone is mostly familiar with the festivities that the city of Corpus proposes, but one aspect of these events tend to go unnoticed: the preparation and pride that comes from the vendor booths. Sienna’s Treats and Things was one of the first vendors displayed upon entering the Art Walk. Her shop presented multiple paintings and wood work. The paintings represented cartoon characters from Mickey Mouse all the way to anime characters such as Pikachu. The presentation of the booth included items illustrated on wood. “My mom illustrates the paintings and I create the wood work to display, but the work is equal and rewarding,” said Sienna, the namesake and daughter of the owner. The owner’s creations will be displayed at future art walks and for those unable to attend, she has a Facebook
page under the name “Sienna’s Treats and Things” that patrons can visit and even purchase items. “It’s low key, it’s quiet, but eventful nonetheless,” said Conor Baker, Junior at Texas A&M University- Corpus Christi. The Art Walk contained more than 20 vendor locations and each site represented a specific product. The merchants’ booths were designated to the corners of the Art Walk while live music filled the middle space of the event. Larry Running Turtle Salazar featured a display of Native American artifacts right by the walk’s entertainment. He had jewelry, clothing items and antiques that were shown and listed with an explanation of the relics’ histories. Salazar presents his items is the Corpus Christi Trade Center located 2833 SPID and the only time they are not open to the public is once a month when the Art Walk is taking place. The next Art Walk will take place March 3. There will be the usual vendors and possibly some new first-time retailers. The walk is open to all ages and entrance is free. Be sure to bring some money for food and purchasing art, but there are lots of opportunities to experience art and music for free.
News 5
02.16.2017
Graduate studies provide student workshops SARAH REEVES @SreevesR
T
he Graduate Studies program is striving to provide an interdisciplinary space for graduate students to build networks amongst a close-knit community, the GROW: Student Workshop, at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. Students will participate in workshops that promote professional development, and to have a relaxed environment to succeed in their graduate studies. “Professional development has been a major goal of the college of graduate studies and GROW has provided the venue to do that,” said Dr. JoAnn Canales, the dean for the College of Graduate Studies. The program started in May 2015, and in the following fall, it was moved into the library. GROW became fully functional in Spring 2016. But even now, many graduate students are not aware of this enriching program the Island offers. Canales is the founder of GROW. She has been the official graduate student dean since 2013 and has always been
inspired to create a space specifically for graduate students at the Island University. Dr. Steven Seidel, professor and Graduate Studies faculty fellow, also had a role in the development of GROW. “Our main purpose is to provide an interdisciplinary space, networking for students, professional development and building all sorts of workshops,” Seidel said. “The main challenge is getting the students to actually come and take advantage of what we have to offer.” Allie Sherwood, a graduate assistant, said because of the majority of graduate student’s hectic schedules, GROW is open to students as when library is open. “Even if we’re not there, students are always welcome to come in during library hours,” Sherwood said. “All they have to do is run their sand dollar card, and the space is theirs.” GROW offers many resources to graduate students, including limited free printing, if students bring their own paper, double monitors on computers and a coffee maker ready to brew to students’
content. Faculty also has direct feedback with students to see what is helpful and what isn’t. “We’re moving towards a certificate program increasing the number of professional development offerings, capitalizing online resources and increasing our faculty, who are so skilled,” Canales said. GROW already has a busy calendar of events for this 2017 spring schedule. “GROW always has lots of projects and events going on,” said Raymond, Cabrera, a sophomore undergraduate. “Unlike other resources on campus, where they find one thing and stick with it, GROW is always changing.” Even undergraduate students participate in workshops with GROW. In April, there is a graduate student appreciation week, which gives undergraduates an insight into the graduate studies that the
university has to offer. “Students will leave here with a well rounded skill set that will make them marketable for the workplace,”Canales said. For more information, visit GROW’s official webpage at grow.tamucc.edu, or visit the GROW workspace itself, which is located in the Mary and Jeff Bell Library, on the 2nd floor.
JONATHAN FORNEY
president of the Victoria Islamic Center. Support has come by other means, as well. Local churches and a synagogue have offered their facilities to the Islamic Center members in the meantime so that they may continue to hold worship gatherings. The state government, namely Governor Greg Abbott, has made little mention of this incident. Neither has President Trump who drew criticism that his executive order led to the fire. “It would be a nice gesture if [Abbott] would call and ask what he could to, but the local government has been absolutely phenomenal,” Ajrami said. Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi students have felt the effects of the incident and its encouraging support. “I was sad to hear about [the fire],” said Joshua Hunter, junior communication major and Victoria native. “Seeing the center raise over a million dollars in such a short time is awesome.” The rebuilding efforts have already begun and Victoria residents are hopeful for things to come. “They will rebuild and continue to worship just as everyone with faith should be able to do.” Hunter said. “You can react or you can act,” Ajrami said. “We chose to act.”
SARAH REEVES /Island Waves
Texas community finds hope among the ashes @jb4nay
F
ollowing a fire that burned down the Victoria Islamic Center in Victoria, Texas, support from all over is helping its members rebuild. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but the Islamic Center has previously been targeted by vandals. Compounding this, the fire took place just after President Donald Trump’s controversial executive order banning travel from seven Muslim-majority countries. “We hope we get this call that the fire was electric,” said Abe Ajrami, board member of the Victoria Islamic Center. “We’ll leave this up to law enforcement for now.” Immediately following the incident, a GoFundMe page went up to help raise funds toward a rebuilding effort. The group set a goal of $850,000 and eclipsed that in a day. At the time of this writing, the funds raised stands at $1.1 million. The donations have come from more than 23,000 people all over the world with varying religious backgrounds and belief systems. “It just gives you a confirmation of the faith in humanity; that is all it is, there is much more good in this world than bad,” said Dr. Shahid Hashmi,
Homecoming Headquarters Destination
Mc
Ard
le R
d
eda
Ocea
n Dr
St
TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY CORPUS CHRISTI
Dr
lam
Nile
Now accepting applications for Fall 2017! SA
Apply online today at
LIVEMOMENTUMVILLAGE.COM
Phase II Opening Fall 2017.
Not just a place to live a place to belong. · · · · · · ·
Fully furnished apartments & townhomes Private bedrooms & bathrooms 24-hour state-of-the-art fitness center At the Momentum Campus Shuttle Service to Island Campus Individual liability leases Roommate matching available
Texas A&M University Corpus Christi
Managed by Amenities & utilities included are subject to change. See office for details.
Entertainment 7
02.16.2017
Communication professor travels to teach others AMERICA SEGURA Contributing writer
D
epartment of Communication and Media professor Nicholas Manley attended the University of Massachusetts for his undergraduate degree in film production and later decided to attend Emerson College in Boston for his graduate studies. Although his upbringing was diverse as far as where he has lived, places including New York, Ohio, England, Italy and Chicago, he opted for a job where he could explore, travel, create and all around learn and teach. “I wanted to travel most of all, and create and teach others too,” Manley said. “I had an epiphany at a very early age that this is what I wanted to do.” For the most part, Manley is relatively new to the Island and although he has only been working for about four months, he says he is loving every second of it. “It’s really great,” Manley said. “The movies that are being made by students here are really fantastic.” Despite being new to Corpus Christi, Manley is not new to teaching. Manley began teaching in Boston at various institutions such as Emerson, Massachusetts College of Art and Design and Harvard. Manley said he loves each individual course that he teaches for its differences and what it brings to the table. “It’s kind of like your kids, you can’t really pick a favorite you just sort of love them each for what they are,” Manley said. Despite the short term of being a professor, he has been an asset to the Island University as far as being an aid to the Media Production department. Manley has taken it upon himself to pass on his knowledge through various workshops in which students are able to come in outside of class schedule and have the
ARCHIVES/Island Waves
Nick Manley works hands-on with students during a two-hour Lighting Workshop in fall 2016. This is the first of a series of out-of-class workshops Manley plans to provide to any students interested in learning more about cinematography skills outside the traditional classroom.
opportunity to learn more in depth about cameras, lighting and the management of other important tools and features as far as media production is concerned. Madeline Brast, communication major, says it is evident that Manley loves what he is doing and has a deep connection with his profession. “Mr. Manley is really great,” Brast said. “You can totally tell he loves what he does and the time and effort he puts into having his students learn in and outside the class room is legit.” Brast said one of Manley’s most profound characteristics as a professor is his push towards students to find their “voice” as an artist.
Friday, Feb. 17 Friday Fiesta 3:30p–6:30p // East Lawn Islander Alumni Association Annual Meeting 5:00p // UC Oso Room Lighting of the “I” 6:30p // Anchor Plaza Baseball vs Bradley 6:30p // Chapman Field Alumni Honors Banquet 7:00p // UC Anchor Ballroom
Saturday, Feb. 18
#IslanderForever homecoming.tamucc.edu For more information, or to request disability-related accommodation, please contact (361) 825-2707 or homecoming@tamucc.edu
Islander ROTC 5K 7:00a // Hammerhead Parking Lot Islander Baseball vs Bradley 12:00p // Chapman Field Islander Women’s Basketball vs. Lamar University 2:00p // American Bank Center Homecoming Tailgate and Block Party 4:00p // American Bank Center Parking Lot Islander Men’s Basketball vs. Lamar University 7:00p // American Bank Center Valid through 12/31/17.
8 Entertainment
02.16.2017
Dance team heads to championship
AMERICA SEGURA
Contributing writer
O
n April 5, the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Islanders Dance Team will head to Daytona, Florida for the National Dance Association (NDA) Collegiate Dance National Championship. The competition will take place from April 5-9 and is composed of several divisions and categories. The Islanders will compete in two categories this year. “We have 21 on the current team,” said Melanie Lowery, head coach. We are taking two routines this year, 15 on pom and 15 on jazz.” Competing in Division I for both pom and Jazz has never been done before by the Islanders. Lowery is excited for this year’s Islanders dance team to strut their stuff on the stage. “I’m really challenging them from the beginning of the routine to the end,” Lowery said. Lawrie said the dance team has been looking forward to this event for
a while. Since having learned their routines from a Chicago choreographer back in December, they have continuously had long and hard practices three days a week. Lowery said they will only continue to intensify practices as the date gets closer. This year’s routines are meant to push the Islanders to the next level. Carrie Fulgham, junior dance captain, is leading the team to the championship this year. Fulgham has been captain in years past but is currently leading the team solo. This year will be Fulgham’s third year to compete in Florida. “I’m super excited about this year,” Fulgham said. “The past two years we’ve had really good teams but this is definitely the best team we’ve had since I’ve been here,” It is evident that the talent this year’s team possesses has overpassed past expectations and that is why this year’s team has taken it above and beyond in order to fulfill the opportunity to compete with two routines. Also, the dance numbers are not only different
Photo courtesy of CW PHOTOGRAPHY
Islander dance team performing during a men’s basketball game.
in their categories, but are also sort of “risky” as far as being outside the team’s typical comfort zone. Fulgham said the routines the team has competed with in the past are contemporary jazz, compared to this year’s routine, that consists of more straight jazz and is more upbeat. “I’ve never done anything like Collegiate Nationals,” said Allie McCaughey,
rookie dance team member. “I’ve done lots of competitions in the past but this is my first one that is actually big.” Allie said as part of a university dance team everything is so sharp and clean, which is different from her personal style of dance. Nonetheless, she strives to work at the pinnacle of her abilities in order to become unified with the team and program.
Islanders face cardinals QUENTIN ESQUIVEL Contributing writer
W
ith Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi homecoming week in full swing, Islanders eagerly anticipate the week worth of events leading up to the men and women’s basketball game against Lamar University on Feb. 18.
ARCHIVE/Island Waves
Spirit team cheers on basketball team players during halftime at the 2016 Homecoming basketball game.
Students and staff await the 7 p.m. game set to take place at the American Bank Center. Many fans say this game often sets the tone of the rest of the regular season for the men’s basketball team. Coaches and athletes hope for a victory that ends the homecoming week on a high note. Several students said they were excited about the game, and Islanders guard Kareem South appears confident in his team this year. “Absolutely we can win again,” South said. “Lamar is a good team, but we have a lot of momentum right now and a lot left in the tank.” A steady win streak has distilled confidence into the players as well as game patrons and student fans. Senior Dante Leal said this is the second time the Islanders have met up with Lamar this season. “Yeah, we can definitely win again, second time around the team should know what to expect,” he said. The Islanders are confident they can walk away with a win come game day and continue on at a high pace for the rest of the season. “We haven’t reached our peak,” South said. For more information about the islanders basketball teams, visit goislanders. com.
10 Entertainment Patriots win Super Bowl LI with historic comeback
02.16.2017
MELISSA RODRIGUEZ @__melisssaaaa
S
uper Bowl Sunday fell on Feb. 5 this year, as the nation tuned in to watch the New England Patriots battle it out against the Atlanta Falcons in a surprising comeback game leaving the Patriots on top as Super Bowl LI champions. This year, the Super Bowl was held at the NRG Stadium located in Houston. The game itself began at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, but celebrations began as early as Friday, Feb. 4, as the city of Houston provided fans many forms of entertainment. “It was definitely fun because there was so much to do and interact with,” said Hannah Nguyen-Cao, freshman allied health major who went to Houston for the weekend. Regardless of team affiliation, Houston welcomed fans from all over by setting up events such as the NFL Experience at the George R. Brown Convention Center and a free attraction area at Discovery Green where fanatics could enjoy food, live music/broadcasting and Super Bowl memorabilia. “I think the Super Bowl to so many Americans is like a second Christmas,” Nguyen-Cao said. “People love getting together, betting on teams, ordering/making food and the anticipation of seeing who wins.” Super Bowls tend to generate lots of media coverage as both fans and nonfans tune it to see what all the buzz is about. “I watched the Falcons all season but not the Patriots,” said Victor Ochoa, freshman marketing major. “[I’m] not really [affected by the results] because my Dallas Cowboys weren’t in the Super Bowl.” As time winded down, NRG Stadium filled up and nationwide people turned on their televisions to watch as the 51st Super Bowl commenced. Luke Bryan opened the game with his performance of the National Anthem, followed by the coin toss by former president George H. W. Bush and the kick off. During the first half, Falcons took a strong lead as they recovered a Patriot fumble scoring the first touchdown of the game, and subsequently scoring two more while the Patriots fell behind with a three-point field goal. After Lady Gaga’s half time performance, the players took back to the field starting the second half at 21-3. Both teams came back strong in the third quarter, as the Falcons scored their fourth
Crowds gather waiting to see the Falcons and Patriots play at Super Bowl LI.
touchdown and the Patriots finally managed to run the ball across the end-zone. Entering the fourth quarter with 28-9 on the score board, the tables turned and the Patriots came back to tie the score 28-28 with less than a minute left in the game. The game went into the first Super Bowl overtime in history. The Patriots fought all the way to the end-zone scoring the final and deciding touchdown from a two-yard run into the end zone. After a 25-point deficit and all odds against them, the New England Patriots claimed Super Bowl LI as their 5th NFL championship title. “[Most memorable] was the comeback since [Patriots] came back 21 points and that has never happened NFL Super Bowl history,” Ochoa said.
MELISSA RODRIGUEZ /Island Waves
Sports 11
02.16.2017
Islanders basketball teams play ABC JONATHAN FORNEY @jb4nay
B
oth Islander basketball teams kicked off February with a game at the American Bank Center. The women’s team fell short 72-59 to Abilene Christian University, while the men’s team defeated Houston Baptist University 90-79. The ladies took the court first and started strong, finishing the opening quarter with a 19-8 lead. The lead was supplemented by a quick six-point scoring burst by freshman guard Dae Dae Evans. Senior guard Kassie Jones once again started at point guard. “Moving [Jones] to the point has been the best thing for our team,” said Royce Chadwick, head coach for the women’s team. Abilene woke up in the second quarter and came out firing. The Wildcats hit five of their six three-point attempts in the second after missing all four in the first. These shots helped spur an 11-2 run to give them the lead going into the half. “I think games are won and lost in the first 5 minutes of the second half,” Chadwick said. “We talked about being more vocal [on defense] at halftime.” Unfortunately, the Wildcats pushed their lead to double digits in the third. Additionally, the Islanders ran into turnover issues. They had four turnovers in the third; as many as they had in the whole first half. Their shooting woes persisted and the lead grew as high as 20 in the fourth quarter. “The shots we were missing began to be bigger and bigger,” Chadwick said. “I thought we got good shots, we just didn’t hit any of them.” By the end of the game, the threes kept falling for the Wildcats, connecting on
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi’s Kareem South splits the defenders to try for a layup.
nine as opposed to three for the Islanders. Jones and redshirt senior forward, Ashanti Plummer, were the only Islanders in double figures scoring with 16 and 10 points, respectively. Additionally, Plummer had a double-double with 10 rebounds for her team. “I thought [Plummer] had her best game of the year. She did a really good job setting the tone,” Chadwick said.
JONATHAN FORNEY/Island Waves
Dae Dae Evans gave her team an early spark with her six quick points off the bench
Following the women’s game, the men’s team took the court earning its third straight victory. The lead changed hands repeatedly, 13 times in total. The Islanders finished the half with a 40-39 lead thanks to a buzzer-beating three by redshirt freshman Kareem South. “Kareem’s shot at the half, probably, was a bit indicative of that it was a different game,” Said Willis Wilson, head coach for the men’s team. In the second half, junior forward, Rashawn Thomas woke up. After scoring seven points in the first, Thomas went on to finish the game with 34 points. This offensive output was due in large part to midrange jumpers which seemed to be falling the entire half for the Oklahoma native. “Lately, I know that I’m not going to be able to get to the rim like I would like to,” Thomas said. “I’ve been putting a lot of time in, [midrange jump shots are] my goto right now.” The Islanders began to pull away in the second half, but missed free throws left the door open for the Huskies. The team finished the game 22-33 from the line compared to 13-17 by their opponents.
ZACH ALDRIDGE/Island Waves
“Free throws are what allowed us to extend a lead,” Wilson said. “We had moments where we’re trading ones and zeros for twos and threes.” The Islanders withstood a huge 20-6 Husky run to tie the game with eight minutes remaining and went on a run of their own to pull out the victory. Keeping their turnovers low and ratcheting up their defense sealed the victory. Conversely, the team capitalized on Husky turnovers, scoring 22 points off such opportunities. “It’s a game of runs,” South said. “We just know we’ve got to get stops and come out and execute.” South finished with a career-high 22 points (4-4 from three), Thomas had a double-double with 34 points and 12 boards and junior guard, Ehab Amin, contributed 14 points and added 7 assists to his stat line. Redshirt senior, Jake Kocher, rounded out the Islanders’ double-figure scorers. “This is the stride we were talking about three games ago,” Thomas said. “We’re playing basketball. If we just keep this going, we’re going to be in good shape going into March.”
Think you might be Pregnant?
You’ve got this. We’ve got your back. Pregnancy Test • Limited Ultrasound Cost Free • Confidential • Consultation 361-991-2008 • ccpregnancy.org
TO CLAIM OFFER: Email your confirmation receipt to islanderdining@Tamucc.edu