The Optimist - Feb. 27, 2009

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Friday, February 27, 2009 :: Vol. 97, No. 40 :: 1 section, 8 pages :: www.acuoptimist.com

Inside This Issue:

Pg. 3

Pg. 5

SA Congress debates lowering Executive Officer scholarships

Pg. 8

Local theater to project week-long Independent Film Series

Former ACU offensive stars catch scouts’ eyes at NFL Combine

ACU appeals ‘excessive’ NCAA football penalties

By Grant Abston Sports Editor

Nearly two weeks after the NCAA penalized the ACU football and track and field programs for several violations, the university has weighed its options and de-

cided to appeal the ruling that would vacate the football program’s wins and records from the 2007 season.

ACU was penalized Feb. 2 and had 15 days to decide if it would appeal the violations.

After making the decision to appeal, the university will

have a 30-day window to submit an appeal to a sub-committee of the NCAA Division II Management Council.

Dr. Royce Money, president of the university, said the decision to appeal was his alone, and he made the decision after seeking the advice

of other ACU executive officers as well as director of athletics and compliance director Jared Mosley and ACU’s own legal council.

“We had a window of opportunity that we had to declare See

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Our main concern is that the 2007 season was vacated, and we think that is an excessive penalty.

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:: Dr. Royce Money, president of the university

Appeal page 4

Race on the Table

CBS Sports producer chosen as Alumnus of the Year

By Michael Freeman Managing Editor

Zak Zeinert :: chief photographer Kenneth Dinkins, senior Bible youth and family ministries major from Toledo, Ohio; Eric Powers, graduate student from Houston; Arielle Collier, freshman vocal performance major from Mesquite; Vincson Green, freshman theater major from Vancouver, Wash.; Anna Peters, senior ministry to children and families and elementary education major from Houston; Caleb Robinson, freshman theater major from New York, N.Y.; and Sherrita Gardner, sophomore journalism major from Dallas, sit at the table for dinner in Melting Pot.

Production explores issues raised by interracial dating Historical Show The 12th annual Essence of Ebony Black History Production, Melting Pot, will debut this weekend in Cullen Auditorium. The play was written by five ACU students.

Showtimes: n Friday, 7:30 p.m. n Saturday, 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $3 in advance and $5 at the door.

By Katie Gager Student Reporter

Essence of Ebony will present the 12th annual Black History Production, titled Melting Pot, at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday in Cullen Auditorium.

This year’s show will focus on the topic of mixed race relationships and the difficulties two families experience to reach acceptance, said the show’s director Byron Martin, senior psychology major from Mesquite.

“There are two big lessons to be learned from this show,” Martin said. “One is to be aware of what you learn from generations that came before you, and the second is to realize that we are all alike and have the same issues and problems.”

The show was written by a group of five students, including Byron Martin, Kenneth Dinkins, Anna Peters, DeMarco Howard and Shelby Coates (’06). Work on the show, including actors and set building, be-

gan in January when classes resumed.

“This year, we have the most diverse cast we’ve ever had in a Black History Production,” Martin said.

The show tells the story of a black girl dating a white boy and the difficulties both families have accepting their relationship. Because of the nature of this year’s theme, the show will include an “audience talk back” session directly after Friday’s show, Martin said.

“This provides the audience a forum in which

there can be basic interactions about what is seen in the show,” Martin said.

“After seeing the show, there are going to be a lot of thoughts and feelings that need to be discussed.”

Martin said he thinks no matter who views the show, everyone will be able to recognize someone they know represented within each of its characters.

“I’m pretty sure at some point in the show you will See

Production page 4

Lance Barrow will never forget last Sunday.

He said he will not forget the laudatory remarks from his close friends and family, the congratulatory video from sports commentators Phil Simms, John Madden and Jim Nantz and the honor of Barrow being selected as ACU’s 2008 Outstanding Alumnus of the Year.

“It’s a blessing to be honored by a university that you think so much about and that you love so much,” Barrow said. “The awards I’ve gotten at Abilene Christian mean more than any award I’ve gotten in my professional life.”

Barrow, a 10-time Emmy award-winning producer for CBS Sports and ACU alumnus (’77), was honored as the Alumnus of the Year by the ACU Alumni Association in the Bob and Shirley Hunter Welcome Center on Sunday.

The award recognizes ACU alumni who through lifetime achievements bring honor to the university in their personal and professional lives.

See

Barrow page 4

Fire scorches more than 1,000 acres

By Tanner Anderson Page Designer

Dark clouds of smoke blanketed the sky because of another grass fire Thursday afternoon. The relentless blaze was found in the Mulberry Canyon area, where two helicopters and 13 fire departments from Dyess Air Force Base and the Texas Forest Service battled to extinguish the flames that consumed more than 1,000 acres and threatened at least seven homes and 12 buildings.

Several wind turbines stood within the mass of billowing smoke, but officials said it was too early to tell whether any of the turbines had been

damaged by the fire in southern Taylor County. A handful of houses and families also were evacuated, but so far, no injuries have been reported and no houses have been damaged, said John Ussery, a volunteer with the Nolan Fire Department.

Ussery said numerous acres had burned inside Taylor County and authorities closed off County Road 618 and evacuated residents in the path of the fire.

Allen Craft, a Public Information Officer for the Texas Forest Service, said the origins of the fire stemmed from a previous fire two days ago.

Local officials and the community had been monitoring the area,

acuoptimist.com See more photos of Thursday’s grass fire and photos from a blaze in Callahan County on Tuesday but current conditions caused the blaze to reignite. The origins of the first fire was created when a transmission line fell and ignited nearby brush and dry grass.

The Texas Forest Service and 13 other departments battled the blaze with an air and land assault using two See

Fire page 4

Zak Zeinert :: chief photographer A helitanker gathers water in southern Taylor County while smoke from a grass fire fills the West Texas sky. The fire started after a transmission line fell and set dry grass ablaze.

acU wEatHEr

Online Poll :

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

High: 69 Low: 38

High: 58 Low: 28

High: 62 Low: 37

a. Manna from heaven. b. It won’t put a dent in my bill. c. It does not affect me. d. What a waste of money.

Videos :: Podcasts :: Slideshows Department of Journalism and Mass Communication ::

Abilene Christian University

Does ACU have a chance to win its NCAA appeal?

acuoptimist.com ::

Serving the ACU community since 1912

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Campus Day Friday, February 27, 2009

Calendar and Events

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Friday

7-9 p.m.

Color Me Impressed, the senior art show, will take place in the Shore Art Gallery. The show will include live music and food.

7:30-10 p.m.

The Melting Pot will be performed in Cullen Auditorium. Tickets cost $5 at the door.

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Saturday

7:30-10 p.m.

Little Women will be presented by the Department of Theatre in Fulks Theatre. To purchase tickets, call 6742787 or go to www.acu.edu/theatre.

7:30-10 p.m.

The Melting Pot will be performed in Cullen Auditorium. Tickets cost $5 at the door.

acuoptimist.com

Noah Project, a center for victims of family violence, needs volunteers to answer its hotline

Online News Cast

from 6-10 p.m. Training will be provided, and after completing training, volunteers can sign up for time slots. Volunteers can sign up as often as needed.

Find out volunteer opportunities by visiting the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center’s Web site at www.acu.edu/vslc and clicking on Volunteer Opportunities. For more information or to sign up to help, contact the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center in the Bean Sprout.

Monday

9 p.m.

A fire devotional will take place in the Amphitheater. The first 90 attendees will receive a free backpack.

Log on to www.youtube.com/acuvideo to see videos about the Wildlife Expo, The Melting Pot and the Wishing Well Concert.

Announcements Making Choices Week, sponsored by the Peer Health Education and Counseling Center, will take place Monday through Friday. The week is dedicated to helping students make wise choices about their activities over spring break, and the weeks, months and years ahead. Events will take place immediately after Chapel in the Campus Center and will include a free health food fair, a drunk driving course and a sleep and stress management course. A Food, Fat and Fear forum will take place Friday from 7-9 p.m. to end Making Choices Week.

Little Women will be presented by the Department of Theatre in Fulks Theatre on Friday at 7:30 p.m. To purchase tickets, call 674-2787 or go to www.acu.edu/theatre.

The Honors College will sponsor a murder mystery dinner Friday from 4:30-6 p.m. Tickets cost $10. For more information or to

To ensure that an item will appear on time, the announcement should be sent at least 10 days before. The Optimist may edit items for space and style.

Corrections and clarifications of published news articles will be printed in this space in a timely manner.

Help reduce traffic accidents around campus by driving carefully, and by paying attention to yield signs and pedestrians.

Police Log

8-10 p.m.

Open Mic Night will take place in the Barret Hall classroom.

Webcast

Watch a video about the 2009 ConnectED Summit.

Volunteer Opportunities Meals on Wheels is looking for volunteers to deliver meals to some of the homebound members of the community. The commitment is once a week. Volunteers will pick up the meals from the Meals on Wheels building and deliver them to people around Abilene. It takes one hour each week. Call Mitzi McAndrew at 6725050 to volunteer. Remember that this project is approved as a Faith in Action Chapel exemption project.

9-10 p.m.

Nine O’clock, the weekly praise service, will be at University Church of Christ. Free drinks and snacks follow the service in the Family Room.

The Optimist maintains this calendar for the ACU community to keep track of local social, academic and service opportunities.

Groups may send announcements directly to jmcnetwork@acu.edu or to the Page 2 Editor at sar06g@acu.edu.

ACU Police Tip of the Week

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Sunday

About This Page

purchase tickets, call 674-2728 or go to Room 216 in the Hardin Administration Building.

The Master’s in Global IT Leadership interest meeting has changed to March 30 in the Campus Center after Chapel. Free lunch will be provided.

Midterms will take place Monday through Friday.

The Women for ACU are accepting scholarship applications for the 2009-10 school year through March 20.

The scholarship is up to $2,000 a semester. Applicants must be a sophomore or junior, have a GPA of at least 3.0, be a male or female major in Biblical Studies or a female in any major and an active student in the university. For more information, e-mail wacu@acu.edu.

Edited for space

Monday, Feb. 16

Friday, Feb. 20

10:48 p.m. The ACU Police attempted to locate a reckless driver in the Edwards Hall parking lot but was unable to find the suspect.

10 a.m. Someone reported a suspicious subject at the Campus Center, but the ACU Police were unable to locate the subject.

11:59 a.m. Someone reported an elderly male fell and was injured in the “World Famous Bean.”

Tuesday, Feb. 17 4:20 a.m. The ACU Police assisted the Abilene police with a burglary at Dollar General on Judge Ely Boulevard.

2:19 p.m. The ACU Police issued a traffic stop on Campus Court because a subject was speeding.

Wednesday, Feb. 18 3:15 p.m. The ACU Police assisted the Abilene Fire Department with traffic surrounding a grass fire on Cottonwood Street.

Thursday, Feb. 19 4 p.m. A fire alarm sounded at the Campus Center, but the ACU Police did not find a fire.

Sunday, Feb. 22 8 a.m. The ACU Police recovered a missing ARAMARK golf cart behind the Connections Café.

4:11 p.m. Someone reported skateboarders at the Hunter Welcome Center, but the ACU Police were unable to locate anyone.

11:06 p.m. Someone reported a noise violation in the Sherrod parking lot, and the ACU Police found subjects honking car horns.

Always report suspicious activity to ACUPD at 674-2305 or 674-2911.

Chapel Checkup Credited Chapels to date:

34

Credited Chapels remaining:

39

CAMPUS NEWS

Friday, February 27, 2009

Empty Bowl Project raises charity money

By Lezlee Gutierrez Student Reporter

Charity Bowls

ACU joined with 26 local companies this Saturday to sponsor the Empty Bowls Project at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 1741 Sayles Blvd.

Local artists made ceramic bowls to be sold at the event as a fundraiser to fight local and world hunger. More than 900 bowls were donated to the event, and all sold out by 5 p.m.

Aldersgate UMC sponsored the fundraiser for the second year and was very excited with the turnout.

“It’s wonderful that a simple concept has such a big impact on our community,” said Tim Palmer, college and outreach minister at Aldersgate UMC. “We appreciate that the majority of the help we get for this event comes from college students.”

Local organizations will receive 75 percent of the funding raised at the event, while international organizations get 25 percent.

Local organizations include Shackelford County Community Resource Center of Albany, United Methodist Food Pantry/First United Methodist Food Pantry, Abilene Hope Haven, Methodist Children’s Home, Meals on Wheels Plus, The Food Bank of West Central Texas, Breakfast on Beech Street and Heart of Texas Good Samaritan Ministries of Brownwood. International organizations include Sanctuary Home for Children, which is based in Abilene and operates in India, and Heifer Project International.

Fourteen faculty and staff members from the School of Social Work, along with their

The Empty Bowls Project is raising money for several local organizations. A few of these organizations include: n Abilene Hope Haven n Methodist Children's Home n Meals on Wheels Plus n Breakfast on Beech Street

families, purchased ceramic bowls from Mine By Design at half price and painted the bowls themselves to donate to the fundraiser.

“We wanted to contribute a little bit to the project,” said Stephanie Hamm, assistant professor for the School of Social Work. “We always want to be a part of any project or organization in the community that contributes to ending hunger.”

Mine By Design, 4150 Southwest Dr., is a pottery and art studio that allows customers to pick out their own ceramic pieces and create their own art by decorating the pieces with paint and glitter.

Several bands that contributed their form of art to the event included Ballroom, Ballroom, Jennifer Fuentez, Timothy Palmer, Reagan Patton, Red Wise and Seven Storey Mountain.

The Empty Bowls Project sold 650 bowls last year and raised more than $8,500. The projected goal of the Empty Bowls meal in combination with the silent auction this year was about $12,000.

For more information about the Empty Bowls Project and how to contribute to the event, visit www. emptybowlsabilene.org.

E-mail Gutierrez at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu

SA Congress debates officer salaries

By Michael Freeman Managing Editor

Travis Meadors did more than simply attend the Students’ Association Congress meeting in Hart Auditorium on Wednesday. He walked up to the front of the room to debate a by-laws amendment on how much SA officers should get paid next year.

“It seems to me like y’all are missing the point of this whole thing,” said Meadors, freshman art major from Austin, who is not part of the SA Congress. “Y’all aren’t about how much you get paid; y’all are about what you do for the students. It just seems ridiculous that y’all are all arguing about what they used to be paid and what they’re paid now.

It just seems to me that y’all would do everything you could to funnel more money to the students.”

The amendment, which was presented by Sophomore Sen. Tony Godfrey and Hardin Administration Building Rep. Jordan Hancock proposed the pay rate for the executive and administrative officers of the SA Congress be readjusted as university tuition costs continue to rise. Executive officers, who include the SA president, vice president, treasurer and secretary, make a yearly amount of $8,046. The amendment proposed to reduce the amount to $6,973.20. The amendment also recommended the administrative officers, who include the parliamentarian, chief financial officer and chief communication officer, have their yearly pay amounts dropped from $4,023 to $3,486.60. The proposal would not come into effect until next year.

Students focus on making wise choices

By Kaitlyn Sellgren Student Reporter

As part of their Christian leadership program, students sometimes are looked upon to make good decisions. A special week each year is set aside to encourage people to think wisely about their choices because good choices equal a good outcome, said Steven Rowlands, director of the University Counseling Center.

Making Choices Week, sponsored by Peer Health Education, helps to start off students’ spring break by encouraging good choices. This year’s theme will be “Catch the Fire” and will be March 2-5.

This annual event has occurred for at least the last five years and encourages the whole student body to participate.

This week covers topics on how to manage stress because the spring brings about new levels

of activities for students, Rowlands said.

The special events for this week will begin Monday with a food fair in the Campus Center after Chapel. Last year, nearly 400 people participated, and this year the sponsors are expecting many more. Monday will also feature a fire devotional at 9 p.m. in the Amphitheater. The first 90 students to show up will receive a free backpack, said Naomi Mandel, Peer Health coordinator for the University Counseling Center.

Tuesday’s activity, drunk -driving awareness, will be in the mall after Chapel. Students can go through a drunkdriving obstacle course to simulate a real life situation and the dangers of driving while intoxicated.

On Wednesday after Chapel, a sleep and stress management session will be in the Campus Center. The events

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for Making Choices Week are especially emphasized during this time of year, but Peer Health education always wants to do things throughout the semester, Mandel said.

Mandel will speak in Chapel on Monday. She will inform people of this event that will be concluded Thursday night with a guest speaker at 7 p.m. The speaker will discuss eating disorders.

Participants can receive prizes all weeklong; the prizes consist of items that students can intentionally use in everyday life to help them remember to make good choices, Mandel said.

“This week is about helping us all,” Rowlands said. “We all need to think about our choices, and college is filled with wisdom, and that wisdom matters no matter what age you are.”

E-mail Sellgren at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu

Zak Zeinert :: chief photographer SA parliamentarian Caleb Archer inquires Off-campus Rep. Kyle Moore on a bill he presented Wednesday during the SA Congress meeting. The bill proposed changing the deadline for when presenters need to submit materials for the weekly meetings. The bill failed 3-27-4.

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It just seems to me that y’all would do everything you could to funnel more money to the students. :: Travis Meadors, freshman art major from Austin

Some Congress members were impressed by Meadors’ debating of the topic.

“I’ve never heard of a student coming to a meeting to debate,” said Junior Sen. Daniel Burgner. “He showed up here to debate this, and it’s what he wants, and he elected us. It’s his money. Let’s give him what he wants.”

SA President Daniel Paul Watkins also debated in favor of lower pay rates.

“This isn’t about trying to skew anybody next year out of money. The weekly difference in the pay is $35.80,” Watkins said. “If this passes today, I can make $35.80 per week for the rest of the semester for a non-profit or-

”

ganization that you choose that I’ll donate that money to. This position is for public service, not about making big money.”

For the time being, Watkins will not have to donate his weekly $35.80. The SA Congress voted 28-4-2 to table making a decision on the amendment until next week’s meeting. Several Congress members expressed concern about rushing to vote on the amendment when not all Congress members were present for Wednesday’s meeting.

“We need to take time to table this, so we can figure out exactly which way to go and have enough people to pass it and pass it proper-

ly,” said Senior Sen. Byron Martin. “Let’s do the smart thing: take time. We have time; let’s use it wisely.”

Before the debate on the amendment, COBA Rep. Kyle Smith and Off-campus Rep. Kyle Moore presented a bill requiring all pertinent materials and paperwork in discussed with regularly scheduled meetings to be submitted to the parliamentarian at least two days before the meetings. Moore argued Congress would be better informed when making legislative decisions if Congress members had the information before the meetings instead of receiving it at the meetings. Most Congress members argued the current system works well, especially for topics that arise a day or two before the meeting.

The bill failed 3-27-4.

E-mail Freeman at: mxf04b@acu.edu

FROM THE FRONT

Page 4

Friday, February 27, 2009

Appeal: University officials think penalties are harsh Continued from page 1 our intent to appeal, and we wanted to take the last couple of weeks to thoroughly look at the case and go back and look at other cases that were similar in nature at other universities and see if there was anything to move forward with in the appeal process,” Mosley said. “After looking at all that, we determined there was enough to go in and appeal the football-vacationed wins and associated records in the 2007 season.”

The NCAA penalized the university after two prospective student-athletes received academic assistance by mem-

bers of the football coaching staff to help them attain academic eligibility at the university. Mosley said the university agreed they broke the rules, but thought the penalty to vacate the wins and records, which is only a part of the penalty, were harsher than necessary.

The football program also is limited to no more than 60 official paid visits during the 2009-10 and 2010-11 academic years, and members of the football coaching staff will be required to attend a NCAA Regional Rules Seminar within the first year of probation. ACU will not appeal those punishments, Money said.

“

We feel it’s definitely worth our time and effort to see the process through. :: Jared Mosley, director of athletics and compliance coordinator

“We had stated from the beginning that we thought the football penalties were excessive and that the evidence we presented did not match the severity of the penalty,” Money said. “Our main concern is that the 2007 season was vacated, and we think that is an excessive penalty.”

The university will work the next 30 days to put its

”

case together and pull the information required to submit to the NCAA subcommittee. After filing an appeal, ACU will have another 30-day window for the NCAA Division II Committee on Infraction to review the case, the same committee that heard the initial case.

That committee will have 30 days to respond, but Mosley

said he believes the process could take up to 90 days, assuming no delays occur due to other windows built into the process for rebuttals.

Due to confidentiality, Mosley would not elaborate on other cases the university reviewed in making its decision to appeal, but the decision was made after looking at very specific cases and researching databases it had access to, he said.

“We feel it’s definitely worth our time and effort to see the process through,” Mosley said.

If the university’s appeal is successful, the football program would not vacate all its wins in the 2007 sea-

son, and statistics and records set during that season would be counted.

“We will work with our own legal council on campus and an outside legal campus that has been working with us throughout the process,” Mosley said. “They will advise us on the format and how to go about putting this together, and I’m sure the extent of having been through this process should take a better part of 30 days before having the final report to submit.”

E-mail Abston at: gda04b@acu.edu

Barrow: Alumni Association applauds alumnus Honors College offers research opportunity

Continued from page 1

A representative from Fort Worth also declared Feb. 22 as Lance Barrow Day for the city of Fort Worth — Barrow’s hometown.

“Lance Barrow joins a proud list of outstanding alumni who have received the honor over the years,” said Dr. Royce Money, president of the university.

Barrow, who is the 51st recipient of the award, works as the coordinating producer of the NFL and lead game producer for CBS Sports. He has produced sporting events such as the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship, the Daytona 500, the 1994 Winter Olympics, the Masters Golf Championship and Super Bowl XLI. “I’m proud to represent this university anywhere I go in this world and tell people, ‘I went to school at Abilene Christian’,” Barrow said.

At Sunday’s ceremony, Barrow’s daughters, Katie, senior advertising/public relations from Colleyville, and Caroline, a high school senior, introduced

Dick Schissler :: staff photographer

Dr. Royce Money, president of the university, and Tim Yandell, president of the ACU Alumni Association, present Lance Barrow (’77) with the 2008 Outstanding Alumnus of the Year award on Sunday. a video featuring 14 colleagues, which included Simms, Madden, Nantz, golfer Davis Love III and Sean McManus, president of CBS News and CBS Sports.

“He’s just a special guy,” Madden said in the video.

“When I first started in broad-

casting, Lance was already there. He was working with Pat Summerall, and he helped me get started. In every area, he was always the best at what he was doing. But even more than that, any place you go in this country, everyone knows Lance

Barrow. How does that happen?

You could go to some small town in Iowa or something, and they’ll know Lance Barrow. And the answer is that as good as he is at what he does, he’s even better as a man.”

After the video, friend Chris Hatchett (’88), brother-in-law Kelly Moore (’79) and college roommate David Woods (’77) all spoke about how they came to know Barrow and what they thought of him as a person.

They applauded his commitment to his family, his work and to the university.

The Alumnus of the Year Award has not been the only honor Barrow has received from ACU. In 1994, he received a Gutenberg Award from the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, and a year later, he was awarded the Young Alumnus of the Year Award.

“The honor today was surreal,” Barrow said. “It’s something that I never expected.”

E-mail Freeman at: mxf04b@acu.edu

Fire: Dry conditions, high winds fuel blaze Continued from page 1 helitankers, six dozers and four single engine air tankers.

Fire departments on the scene included Mulberry Canyon, Nolan, Buffalo Gap, Anson, Comanche Shores, Tye, Hawley, ECCA, View, Merkel and Trent. Dyess AFB and the Red Cross were also on the scene.

Craft said Abilene’s current weather conditions played the main factor in the

fire’s ignition.

“There’s a mixture of low humidity, high temperatures, drought conditions and powerful winds; when you add all of these factors together, any small spark or ignition can cause problems,” Craft said.

Craft said that about 10 percent of the blaze has been contained thus far and that fire departments and other resources will continue defeating the grass fire through-

out the entire night. Craft said if the current weather conditions continue, then it will maybe take several days to permanently distinguish the fire.

According to the Abilene Reporter-News archives, there have been fires located in Erath, Stephens and Taylor counties throughout the week.

A fire in Erath County burned eight acres Tuesday afternoon, while a fire consumed

a home in Coleman; another house fire was extinguished in Clyde Sunday.

While several departments are currently putting forth efforts to exterminate the fire, another fire is burning in Shackelford County. The Nail Ranch Complex fire is composed of four separate fires and has burned around 300 acres.

E-mail Anderson at: tsa04a@acu.edu

By Shelby Holt Student Reporter

Following a national movement in experimental learning, the Honors College is sponsoring an undergraduate research festival this spring that will give undergraduates of all majors an opportunity to share their research.

This research festival is the first of its kind on campus.

The festival is April 13-15 as a part of Honors Week, which recognizes high-achieving students at ACU. Participation is not limited to Honors College students. The deadline for proposals from students is March 4.

“ACU is ramping up its encouragement of undergrad research,” said Dr. Chris Willerton, dean of the Honors College.

Willerton organized the event with assistance from a committee of 14 faculty and staff members who collaborated with the Honors College, Adams Center for Teaching and Learning, McNair Scholars Program and the Brown Library.

One of the task-force members, Dr. Autumn Sutherlin, assistant professor of chemistry, said she hopes people see research can be done by undergraduates who are their friends.

“It will involve departments that are already good at bringing their students into research and encourage other departments that are building their research culture,” Willerton said.

Participating students and their mentors will be treated to a buffet lunch April 13, featuring guest speaker Dr. James O’Brien of Missouri State University. O’Brien, a prize-winning chemistry professor, will speak on “famous mad hatters.”

Students presenting at the festival can give an oral presentation or design a poster to display. Many of the posters will be on display in the Learning Commons throughout Honors Week.

About half-a-dozen students already have submitted proposals, but Willerton and Sutherlin are expecting more proposals in chemistry, psychology, education and biology. Willerton’s goal is 50 presentations.

Willerton and Sutherlin said they wanted to encourage students to come to the festival and watch their friends make presentations. They said they agreed the festival is expected to open new doors for ACU to build its academic reputation.

The festival is free, and it is open to the public as a service to the whole campus.

“I hope it will honor the students and show people this research is valuable, not just a side comment,” Sutherlin said.

Students interested in submitting a presentation of their own research or those wanting to learn more about the festival can visit www.acu.edu/researchfest.

E-mail Holt at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu

Production: Students prepare for show Continued from page 1 see one, two or maybe more of your family members or friends,” Martin said.

Assistant director DeMarco Howard, junior art major from Houston, recognizes the importance of this year’s theme and how it relates to students on campus.

“I want people to learn

something from this,” Howard said. “Mixed race relationships are something people will have to start dealing with. It’s important to try to do your best to deal with it and support the people that are in those relationships.”

Tickets will be on sale this week in the Campus Center for $3, they will be

$5 at the door; children under 5 are free. Group rates for 10 or more are available in advance, organizers said.

“Come out and see the show,” Howard said. “It’s a

great show. We’ve been working really hard, and the actors are telling a great message.”

E-mail Gager at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu

ArtsFriday

February 27, 2009

Page 5

Students hold benefit to help water crisis in Africa

By Heather Leiphart Student Reporter

Heather Leiphart :: staff photographer

Wishing Well, a nonprofit organization, uses donated art and the generated funds to promote awareness about Africa’s water crisis and build safe wells.

Four student bands performed Tuesday night as part of “A Night at University Park,” presented by the ACU chapter of Wishing Well. The event also featured an art show and nonprofit organizations, including TOMS, Handbags of Hope and 25 Cloth. University Park provided free food and drinks.

“We thought it would be a good idea not only to help our residents by providing entertainment and free food, but also to help the community and the world by getting the word out about these organizations,” said UP resident assistant Stephanie Stryhal, junior marketing and management major from Chicago.

Wishing Well is a nonprofit organization that builds wells to provide clean drinking water to people in developing nations. Safe, parasite-free water is not an option for more than one billion people worldwide, causing five million deaths each year, according to the Wishing Well Web site, www. wishingwellafrica.com. As little as $1 can provide someone a yearlong supply of water.

Students Ben Fulfer, junior sociology major from Cordova, Tenn., and Steven Powell, junior accounting major from Abilene, created the ACU chapter of Wishing Well last semester to help this cause. Tuesday’s concert is one of many fundraising events the group plans to organize.

“Our biggest goal is to make sure ACU students can use their talents for something bigger

than themselves,” said Casey Monsees, junior history major from Denver.

The organization primarily uses donated artwork to create awareness for the water crisis.

Wishing Well displayed and sold pieces of art during the show, as well as T-shirts and pins. Members also collected monetary donations.

Swing the Lead, Paul Knettel, Krissy Heavin, Robby Brown and Andrew Duge provided free entertainment in the UP clubhouse during the event.

“We played really well tonight and we’re very happy to support Wishing Well,” said Matt Tate, bassist for Swing the Lead and junior graphic design major from Arlington.

In the courtyard outside the clubhouse, the event included several other nonprofit organizations. Handbags of Hope

provides women in Mozambique with a source of income and livelihood through handsewing purses, which were available for purchase. TOMS shoes gives a pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair bought, and 25 Cloth uses proceeds from T-shirt sales to feed children in Liberia.

“The Wishing Well benefit concert was a good way for us to be globally involved without having to go anywhere,” said Jordan Ziemer, junior communication major from Spring.

ACU’s chapter of Wishing Well plans to organize a walk this spring, along with several other fundraising events.

The group also meets every Thursday for small group chapel in Room 112 of the Biblical Studies Building.

E-mail Leiphart at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu

Carmike theatre offers a chance to experience indie

By Lydia Melby Arts Editor

Now that the Oscars are over, movie buffs may be feeling somewhat lost. The Watchmen premieres next week, but after that, movies are looking bleak for a little while, at least in terms of originality (did they really remake The Last House on the Left and Twelve Angry Men?).

However, fellow film fanatics need not waste away until April, when The Soloist and the new X-Men come out. Beginning Monday, the Carmike Cinemas right here in Abilene will be serving up something a little different.

The Independent Film Series will run for twelve weeks at the Carmike Cinemas’ Park Central 6 on Clack Street and will feature a different film every week. The upcoming selections, those that have been chosen so far at least, offer a wide range of genres from drama, comedy, documentary and religious. The series also is still accepting submissions from those hopeful young directors ready to ‘make it big.’

Judging from the previews provided on the series’ Web site, a few of these cinematic offerings may have been produced on the same budget one might use for a FilmFest submission.

However, a few that still of-

fer some promise, whether in storyline, subject matter, or all around quality. Bad For Business may pique enough interest with its zany premise for one to be able to ignore the poor editing, acting and cinematography, while Waiting For My Real Life promises a unique take on the obesity crisis of America.

However, if you want quality acting, directing, storytelling and camera work and still get that indie-movie buzz, the headlining film Remarkable Power! would be the one to see.

Remarkable Power! is a bright, twisted little gem of a comedy that could never be considered Oscar quality, but has played at more than 20 in-

Magic man to visit Abilene

By Linda Bailey Student Reporter

Jordan Ellis grew up loving magic, so he was excited to hear that illusionist David Copperfield will be performing in Abilene.

“My dad is a magician, and we watch David Copperfield on TV together,” Ellis said.

Ellis, sophomore youth and family ministry major from Atlanta, said he wanted to see the show and plans on attending the performance.

“David Copperfield is a great magician, and to see him live would be a great privilege,” he said.

Other students are glad Copperfield is coming but say the ticket prices might be too steep for their budgets.

Bonnie Worley, sophomore undeclared major from Mount Vernon, is one of these students.

“I wish I could go because it sounds really exciting, but as a college student, I don’t have that much extra money to spend on entertainment,” Worley said.

However, she said she appreciates the variety of entertainment possibilities offered in Abilene.

“I think it is really great that Abilene brings in different kinds of entertainment,” Worley said.

The illusionist will perform two shows at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. Saturday at the Abilene Civic Center. Tickets range in price from $34.50 to $54.

Copperfield will be in Abilene during his An Intimate Evening of Grand Illusion tour, which began at the beginning of the year. His show will let the spectators watch their “dreams come

true” before their eyes, according to his Web site. It is an interactive show that allows the audience to “participate in illusions that blur the line of magic and reality.”

Copperfield began performing magic when he was 12 years old. Some of his biggest illusions include making a jet and the Statue of Liberty disappear, levitating across the Grand Canyon and escaping from a straightjacket while hanging 10 stories from flaming ropes over a bed of flaming spikes. He also performs an assortment of sleight-of-hand tricks.

Copperfield performed in Abilene in 2006. His performances Saturday, as described by his Web site, will be “an evening of wonders you’ll never forget.”

E-mail Bailey at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu

ternational film festivals and should get some recognition in its own right. It features fresh, first-time directing and writing, but fairly experienced acting (which is where most independent films tend to stall). The plot’s layered style brings to mind another indie cult-classic, Brick, although it tends to be slightly more predictable and cluttered. However, this is the type of movie you can go watch and laugh at the craziness, but still be mildly interested in the plot.

The plot centers on latenight talk show host Jack West, played by Kevin Nealon (you might know him from Weeds), who finds out in the same day

that his wife is having an affair and that his 15-year-run show is getting cancelled. He hatches a plan to get revenge and save his show, and this plan has rippling effects on the rest of the crowded population of Los Angeles.

The storyline then widens to include characters such as Ross, played by Evan Peters, a pot-smoking doofus; Athena, played by Nora Zehetner (the girl from Heroes), a photographer who makes a living by taking pictures of dead people; and Preston, played by Kip Pardue (‘Sunshine’ from Remember The Titans), a porn star who dreams of a better life.

There is plenty to see in Remarkable Power!, although many of the characters and plot-points could have been compressed or left out (i.e., the Jewish mob lord). However in the end, everything comes together in a neat, ‘should’ve seen it coming’ fashion. This film offers something you don’t see in everyday cinema and the dark humor and fun soundtrack are worth the price of admission.

For more information go to www.independentfilmseries. com. Remarkable Power! will play at the Park Central 6 location from March 2-7 at 4 p.m. daily.

E-mail Melby at: lgm05e@acu.edu

ViewsFriday

Page 6

February 27, 2009

Black History Month marks time to reflect on past

D

ating back to 1926, Dr. Carter G. Woodson had a dream; no, not just like Dr. King, but each man’s efforts have contributed to the advancement of African Americans. With the passing of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we enter a month honoring African Americans known as Black History Month. But for this celebration, we should turn our attention to the lesser-known Woodson; perhaps his efforts outweigh Dr. King’s — at least in February.

Woodson founded the Study of Negro Life and History in 1915, hoping to prove Africa and its people played an important role in the development of civilization.

The Harvard-trained Woodson established a scholarly journal, The Journal of Negro History, and aimed to counter racial falsehoods

and alter whites’ views of the black race.

However, a decade into his effort, Woodson began to sense that scholarship was not transforming race relations and whites still kept the same general viewpoint toward blacks. By 1926, Woodson decided to expand his efforts and help begin Negro History Week. This prompted the creation of many black history clubs, and Woodson helped to meet the demands of the newly formed clubs, providing photographs and portraits, plays and other means to re-educate blacks on their history.

After his death in 1950, Woodson’s association continued the celebration of black History Week, which had become a central part of African American culture and had a significant impact on educat-

ing Americans on the impact blacks had in society. By 1976, 50 years after its first celebration, the association sponsored the first Black History Month, recognized by all presidents after its creation by issuing Black History Month proclamations.

Woodson’s accomplishments are often overlooked, and the importance of Black History Month seems to have lost impact over the years.

While this actuality can be attributed to a number of factors, we must remember one thing during the month of February — African Americans have played an important part in shaping American society, and their influence in many different areas of life should not be overlooked.

In society we celebrate many different months to recognize different cultures and events through-

out the year. We celebrate Hispanic Heritage and Disability Awareness Month in October, Women’s History and Irish American History Month in March, Holocaust and Jazz Appreciation Month in April and Universal Human Rights Month in December. However, the one that sticks out is Black History Month in February.

We tend to recognize certain months and celebrations while leaving out others, so we must make a better effort at recognizing the significance of all months. While some months are more relevant than others to certain individuals, the significance behind the celebration has played an important part in shaping our society, and these effects should not be ignored. We must recognize

The issue:

Dr. Carter G. Woodson created Negro History Week in 1926, prefacing the later creation of Black History Month.

Our view:

Woodson hoped to inspire education of the past to motivate change.

The solution:

Regardless of race or ethnicity, we should allow Black History Month to inspire reflections on the past to enlighten the future. each celebration and honor them equally, understanding their importance and appreciating each holiday for the role its leaders have played in society.

Perhaps a quote by Woodson best sums up the importance of remembering the past ideas that have helped shape our society, no matter our ethnic background.

“Those who have no record of what their forebears

have accomplished lose the inspiration which comes from the teaching of biography and history.”

Let us remember past accomplishments and become inspired to follow Woodson’s primary principle — becoming educated. Only then can we truly appreciate our past.

E-mail the Optimist at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu

Doll encourages outstanding values Fifty years ago, a fashion icon was born.

An icon that exemplifies poise and sophistication. An icon that promotes the all-American woman.

An icon that brings hope to little girls all over the world that they can Love and the have any caUniversity reer they put

By Sommerly their minds Simser and hearts to and look good while doing it. Fifty years ago, Barbie was born.

March 9 will mark the small, but iconic doll’s 50th birthday. Some are probably laughing about this, but in all seriousness, one of the biggest toy inventions of our century and a significantly influential role model to women of all ages is still going strong after 50 years. Now that is something to celebrate.

Barbie was created in March 1959 by Ruth Handler, wife of Elliott Handler, co-founder of Mattel, after Ruth noticed the need for such a doll. She realized this one day after she saw her daughter playing with her dolls. Ruth’s daughter was giving her dolls grown up roles even though all the dolls at the time resembled babies.

A family vacation to Europe initially led Ruth to the idea of a more modern doll when she came across a popular German doll named Bild Lilli; the doll was exactly what her daughter and other daughters across America needed. Bild Lilli represented the modern German woman, fashionable, confident and successful. The same principles Barbie represents today.

No one could have expected after the initial launch of Barbie in 1959 that she would ultimately become the No. 1 toy of all time with sales reaching more than a billion dollars.

It is no surprise that she was flying off the shelves after her inception. Who wouldn’t want to play with a fashionable beauty that exuded the ideals little girls admired?

Not to mention having a gorgeous, steady boyfriend and plenty of siblings and friends to surround herself.

Barbie lived out the hopes and dreams of what little girls

Feminism misrepresented by common stereotypes For years, I was what I like to call a ‘closet-feminist.’ Up until a year or two ago, I would preface anything I wanted to say about women’s rights in the church or equal pay for equal work with the disclaimer, “I’m not a femiYour (A)Typical nist or anything, but…”

Coffee Addict Eventually, I grew

By Lydia up and reMelby alized that identifying with the feminist movement doesn’t mean I need to stop shaving my legs or quit dating, but rather identified me with a passionate, yet rational group. The term ‘feminist’ has a horrible connotation, especially on our conservative campus.

It shouldn’t be this way, so for the enlightenment of the masses, I’m going to go over some popular myths about those scary, liberal, sharptoothed, family-eating monsters you call feminists.

Myth: Feminists are all bra-burning revolutionaries.

Nope. This myth comes from a story circulated in 1968. In an effort to compare the women’s protest to the draft card-burning protest of the Vietnam War, a group of feminists protested the Miss America pageant by picketing, ceremonially crowning a

“

The term ‘feminist’ has a horrible connotation, especially on our conservative campus. It shouldn’t be this way...

pet sheep and then dumping ‘feminine articles,’ including high-heeled shoes, cosmetics and brassieres, into a “freedom trash can.”

Also, we (feminists) are not all revolutionaries. While most, if not all, feminists believe aspects of our society do need changing, we also participate in the established government and political systems that already are in place. Most feminists are not interested in creating a completely new system of operation for our society, but rather just want equal rights and opportunities within that system.

Myth: Women can’t be feminine and be a feminist at the same time.

Honestly — do I even need to address this one? Let us just all have a good laugh at the people who think this.

Myth: Feminism only liberates women at the expense of men, and all feminists are just out to emasculate the men in their society and take over the world.

For many people, the term feminism has a negative connotation. People imagine a stereotypical image of an an-

Editorial and letter policy Unsigned editorials are the opinions of the Optimist and may not necessarily reflect the views of the university or its administration.

Signed columns, cartoons and letters are the opinions of their creators and may not necessarily reflect the viewpoints of the Optimist or the university.

The Optimist encourages reader response through letters to the editor but reserves the right to limit frequent contributors or to refuse to print letters containing personal attacks, obscenity, defamation, erroneous

information or invasion of privacy.

Please limit letters to 350 words or fewer. A name and phone number must be included for verification purposes.

Phone numbers will not be published.

Address letters to: ACU Box 27892 Abilene, TX 79699 E-mail letters to: jmcnetwork@acu.edu

”

gry, man-hating, unattractive woman with hairy armpits, screaming irrationally about imagined insults and leading other ‘closet-feminists’ to voice their opinions without identifying with the cause.

This is a shame because our philosophy has much to offer both men and women.

Feminism does not just liberate women; it also liberates men by breaking down the standards which society has put in place for both sexes. Socially constructed rules cause everyone to be socially confined, not just women.

Feminists also are an incredibly diverse group and are not limited to only being lesbian or angry, or even female for that matter. We all have our own concerns and causes, but most feminists are not out to take over society or even wrench all forms of autonomy or power from males. I’m sorry if a male feels emasculated because he is used to having power just based on what sex he was born as, but frankly, this is not our fault, and it might help him understand what it is like growing up on ‘the other side.’

Myth: Feminists don’t respect women who choose their families over their career.

Feminism is principally about choice. Most feminists not only respect stay-athome moms for making the choice they felt was right for them, but they also respect stay-at-home dads, career women and career men, all for doing the same thing — making their own choice.

The point is, just because you don’t believe the same way or you are frightened by a stereotype you feel threatens you and your way of life, that does not justify the demonization of a group whose cause is just as valid and important as something like racism or age-discrimination. Feminism is not about wresting power away from anyone just because they are a certain gender; it is about giving everyone the ability to make the choices that affect their lives. The freedom to choose and the freedom to live unobstructed lives are ideals that our American Constitution upholds, and I believe if people would just take the time to unmask those who are different from them and see them as fellow human beings, then change could really begin to take place.

E-mail Melby at: lgm05e@acu.edu

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want to be when they grow up.

She has kept numerous careers throughout the past 50 years that sometimes were considered unfit for a woman to possess. Barbie took a spin at being a NASCAR race car driver, doctor, dentist, horse trainer, astronaut, and in the year 2000 before the likes of Sarah Palin or Hillary Clinton, Barbie was elected President of the United States. She also has served in every branch of the military.

Even with that impressive resume, a newly developed modern figure and the adoration of girls and women all over the world, the last decade has proven to be a rough one for Barbie. The development of Bratz Dolls and the new Hannah Montana craze are just two of the most recent merchandising obsessions that have impacted her overall sales. This past month, Mattel Inc. reported that Barbie’s sales were down 9 percent already this year.

It is a sad reminder that Barbie no longer tops the charts. Rumors are flying that Barbie will not last to see another 50 years. And even with the celebration of Barbie’s semi centennial, there is no guarantee that Mattel Inc.’s goal to “Reinvigorate Barbie’s brand,” according to its 2009 annual report, is going to make a lasting legacy.

“

...she would ultimately become the No. 1 toy of all time...

”

So on March 9, perhaps you should take a trip to your local toy store to buy a new Barbie for a little girl that has never dreamt of being something bigger or better than what she has been lead to believe. Help to start a new wave of Barbie lovers that aspire to be the next female astronaut or the first female President.

Or at the very least, take a moment to remember your childhood best friend: the one that drove the pretty pink corvette and wore all the latest fashions, who topped the corporate latter and never stopped smiling — I know I will.

E-mail Simser at: sas04d@acu.edu

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SPORT JUMPS

Friday, February 27, 2009

Page 7

Baseball: Wildcats look to avenge LSC Tournament losses vs. TAMU-Kingsville Continued from page 8 led the team with three hits, while Hall had a game-high 3 RBI. Starting pitcher Preston Vancil earned a no-decision after pitching seven innings, allowing three runs on five hits, while striking out 12.

In game two, the Wildcats used their own rally in the top of the ninth inning to win 12-8, keyed by a two-run home run by third baseman Davis Page. The Bronchos scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to

tie the game at seven, but the Wildcats scored two runs on passed balls before Page hit his first home run of the year to extend the Wildcats’ lead to four in the ninth inning. Relief pitcher Andrew Yacek pitched the final two innings, allowing one run on one hit to earn his second win of the season.

Hall led the Wildcats with four hits, while catcher Jordan Schmitt had two hits and a game-high 4 RBI. Page finished with two hits and two RBI, while designated hitter Travis Latz added two hits.

“I didn’t get off to a great start, and it wasn’t really how I would have liked to hit the ball early on [in the season], but I stayed relaxed, and luckily everything fell into place this past weekend,” said Hall, who finished the series with 12 hits to raise his season batting average to .431.

In Tuesday’s non-conference matchup against St. Mary’s, the Wildcat offense carried over, as ACU scored 11 runs on 10 hits to win 11-7. ACU broke the game open after scoring nine runs in the first five innings to

take a 9-2 lead. Starting pitcher Cameron Watten got his first collegiate start and went 4 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on two hits. Relief pitcher Kevin Justice earned his second win of the season after pitching 1 1/3 innings, allowing no runs on no hits.

First baseman Bret Bochsler led the Wildcats with 2 RBI, including a two-run home run in the second inning. Hall and Page led the team with three hits, as every Wildcat starter recorded a base hit.

“Watten got first collegiate

start, and it’s that time of the year when we have Tuesday and Wednesday games, and we need to develop another starter.”

The Wildcats return to action Friday when they play Texas A&M-Kingsville at home. The Javelinas are 5-7 overall and 3-5 in conference after being swept

by Southwestern Oklahoma last weekend and defeating UH-Victoria on Tuesday. The reigning LSC champions defeated the Wildcats twice in the postseason conference tournament last season to win the LSC championship.

“They beat us twice in conference tournament to win the conference championship and we have that on our mind,” Bonneau said. “When you have a two-game lead in conference and have four home games, you want to extend that lead.”

The Wildcats will play two games Friday at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. before finishing the four-game series Saturday with a doubleheader at 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

E-mail Abston at: gda04b@acu.edu

Softball: Gregoire named LSC South Pitcher of the Week, leads team to three wins Continued from page 8 St. Mary’s on Tuesday and swept a pair of games with Incarnate Word on Wednesday.

On the final day of the South Central Shootout, the team lost 2-1 to Pittsburg State. The Wildcats led 1-0 in the top of the seventh inning with their ace, Jacque Gregoire, in the pitcher’s circle. Outfielder Erin DeStefano hit a go-ahead tworun home run. Despite the home run, Gregoire allowed two runs on eight hits and only one walk.

“We had hit great all weekend and you can only stay on a roll for so long,” said Chantiel Wilson, head soft-

ball coach. “Gregoire pitched great, and they beat us. We didn’t beat ourselves.”

In the second game Sunday, the team defeated Newman (Kan.) 6-2 behind a strong outing from pitcher Kim White.

White allowed two runs on five hits, while striking out five.

Catcher Jessica Shiery hit her third home run of the season in the bottom of the first to give the team a 2-0 lead, and the Wildcats never looked back.

On Tuesday, Gregorie was honored as the Lone Star Conference South Division Pitcher of the Week. Gregoire went 2-1 in the South Central Shootout with a 0.78 ERA and 15 strikeouts in 18 innings pitched.

“This is a huge accomplishment for Jacque,” Wilson said.

“She had a back injury last year, and I’m proud of her hard work over the summer and the fall to get healthy. She has been a big key to all of our wins.”

Following the announcement Tuesday, Gregoire led the Wildcats to a win over St. Mary’s 5-1 in the first game of a doubleheader. In the sixth inning, the team had RBI hits from Shiery and outfielder Brooke Whittlesey. Infielder Nancy Sawyers added an insurance run in the seventh with an RBI. Gregoire allowed one run on five hits and struck out eight Rattlers.

The Wildcats did not fare so well in the nightcap, as they lost

Golf team places ninth in Austin

By Chandler Harris Assistant Sports Editor

The golf team finished ninth at the St. Edward’s Invitational in Austin at the Grey Rock Golf Club on Monday and Tuesday, after an average score of 80.6 in the final round knocked them off the No. 8 spot.

“Overall, we didn’t play very well,” said Mike Campbell, head golf coach. “The conditions were cold and windy, but that is no excuse because the conditions were the same for every golfer on the course. We just didn’t play up to our expectations.”

Cyril Bouniol led the Wildcats, finishing in 20th place overall with a three-round score of 234 (77-76-81). Hilton Funk

and Charles Levitte finished just one stroke behind Bouniol with a 235. Levitte shot the low round of the week for ACU with a 74 in round one, followed by a 76 and an 85. Funk shot a 7681-78 for his three rounds.

Patrick Hanuer finished in 53rd place with a 242 (81-81-80). Morgan Johnson rounded out the scores with a 248 (84-85-79).

Campbell said after a performance like this, the players realize they have a lot of work to do to get better and get to the point where they want to be.

Dallas Baptist University won the tournament with a composite score of 908. DBU finished 13 strokes ahead of the secondplace school, St. Edward’s University, the tournament’s host.

The St. Edward’s JV also had a strong showing, finishing in third place just four strokes behind the varsity team with a 925. ACU finished with threeround total of 940.

The team will travel to Mission Viejo, Calif., on March 9-10 to compete in the Southern California Intercollegiate at the Mission Viejo Country Club.

“This is the strongest field we will play all year,” Campbell said. “Half of the teams in the field will be ranked in the top 20. The way we look at it, if we want to be one of the best teams in the nation, we have to compete against the best teams in the nation.”

in six innings 11-3 on account of the run rule. The team began strong with a home run from infielder Jenny Kulp in the first inning, but things went downhill from there. The Rattlers scored all 11 runs in just five innings, including five in the fourth inning alone. Shiery hit a two-run home run in the fifth, but it was not enough to bring the Wildcats back. Gregoire started once again, but allowed two earned runs in three innings and was credited with the loss.

On Wednesday, the Wildcats scored 14 runs in each of their two victories over Incarnate Word in a doubleheader. In game one, the

Wildcats defeated the Cardinals 14-4, despite giving up a grand slam in the bottom of the first inning. Gregoire recovered and allowed only two hits in the final six innings of play to pick up the victory and improve to 8-2 on the season. Shiery, first baseman Katie Corneilson and Kulp each had 2 RBIs. In the second game Wednesday, the team defeated the Cardinals 14-12, as Shiery connected on yet another home run, driving in three runs. The Wildcats scored all 14 runs in three innings with six in the second, four in the fourth and four in the sixth. Kim Partin came on

in relief for the Wildcats and earned the win.

The team returns home Friday to begin Lone Star Conference play against West Texas A&M. The teams will play a doubleheader Friday, beginning at 5 p.m. at Wells Field with the second game scheduled for 7 p.m. On Saturday, the teams will wrap up the three-game set at noon.

“They are a very good hitting team and are off to a real solid start at 13-1,” Wilson said.

“We have to be aggressive at the plate and get our bats going.”

E-mail Harris at: tch05f@acu.edu

Wildcats: Sisters combine for 31 points Continued from page 8 eight minutes left in the first half. The Zias began to chip away and cut the ACU lead to one point at the break. In the second half, the Wildcats pulled away. With 12:43 left in the contest, ACU went on a 13-0 run to bury the Zias’ chances. The Zias’ have now lost 23 consecutive LSC South games and have compiled a winless conference record on the season.

ACU center Audrey Maxwell-Lively set the pace against ENMU, scoring a game-high 18 points while collecting a game-high 13 rebounds for yet another double-double.

The forward tandem of Jody Meyer and Jamie Meyer also

put in good performances, combining for 31 points and 19 rebounds.

“The big thing tonight [Wednesday] was being able to play our game at both ends of the floor and really maintain control,” Lavender said. “We shot a lot of free throws and got their post players in trouble.”

The Wildcats’ regular season finale will take place Saturday at 6 p.m. in Moody Coliseum against LSC South champion West Texas A&M. At the conclusion of the season, the Wildcats will join seven other LSC opponents in Bartlesville, Okla., for the conference championship.

The Wildcats were ranked No. 8 in Wednesday’s NCAA

Division II South Central Region poll. ACU needs a win or an Angelo State loss to secure the No. 2 seed from the LSC South Division before the LSC PostSeason Tournament. The tournament will take place March 4-7 and will determine who will represent the LSC in the NCAA Division II Regional Tournament.

E-mail Craig at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu

E-mail Harris at: tch05f@acu.edu

Combine: ACU to host pro day March 13 Basketball: Season finale Saturday Continued from page 8

Continued from page 8 because I know it happened for a reason.”

Knox and Scott are the first two ACU athletes to be invited to the event since Daniel Manning earned his ticket in 2006.

Their invitations also mark the first time two Wildcats have been invited to the combine in the same year.

Manning was drafted by the Chicago Bears with the 42nd overall pick in the ’06 draft and started in the 2007 Superbowl for the Bears.

Knox and Scott are not pro-

jected to go quite that high, but both players caught the eye of the combine selection committee and each earned an invite to this year’s premier scouting event.

The consensus coming into the weekend was that Knox would be a middle-tolow round pick and that Scott was a fourth-round talent but would be a low-round pick or a priority free agent after the draft because of his off-thefield issues. After their workouts, both were listed in the NFL Network’s coverage of the combine as top performers at

their respective position.

Knox and Scott must now prepare to work out during ACU’s pro day, scheduled for March 13. Both players will join quarterback Billy Malone in working out for NFL scouts and teams again to improve their numbers.

“I’m going to do all the workouts again; I have been told I don’t have to re-do my 40 but I know I can run faster,” Scott said.

E-mail Tripp at: bjt07a@acu.edu

Sencanski left the game for good, leaving the Wildcats with only eight healthy players.

ACU fell behind early by 11 points, but was able to scratch back to within two by halftime.

After a back-and-forth game that had 11 lead changes, ACU went up 61-58 with 1:10 left in the game after a layup by guard Ean Wagner.

But the Greyhounds tied the game with 46 seconds left after a three-pointer by guard Jimmie Marshall.

Misses by Wagner and center Kendrick Johnson at the

end of regulation sent the game into overtime.

Early in overtime, guard Dante Adams fouled out, leaving the Wildcats with only seven players. With only 90 seconds left on the clock and down by one point, Wagner buried a three-pointer to give the Wildcats the lead for good.

The Greyhounds missed a jumper to tie it, and ACU forward Ben Wharton grabbed the rebound and was fouled.

Wharton made both free throws and sealed the win for the Wildcats.

Wagner stepped up for the Wildcats, setting a career-high

in points and leading the team with 26 on 8-22 shooting. Adams finished with 14 points; forward Cam Holson had 13 points and Wharton finished with six points ACU plays its final game of the season at home Saturday at 8 p.m. against West Texas A&M. The Buffaloes are 6-5 in LSC play and beat the Wildcats 77-63 in the first matchup between the two teams in Canyon on Jan. 17.

“We just want to go out there strong and see if we can get the upset,” Copeland said.

E-mail Gwin at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu

SportsFriday

Page 8

SCOREBOARD Standings

Cats take three of four from UCO, beat St. Mary’s

By Grant Abston Sports Editor

Men’s Basketball Team MSU Angelo St. TAMU-K WTAMU Tarleton St. ACU ENMU

Div. 9-2 8-3 8-3 6-5 5-6 3-8 0-12

Overall 20-6 20-6 18-8 16-10 17-9 9-16 4-23

Women’s Basketball Team WTAMU ACU Angelo St. Tarleton St. TAMU-K MSU ENMU

Div. 10-1 8-3 7-4 6-5 5-6 3-8 0-12

Overall 22-4 17-9 16-10 15-11 15-11 8-17 9-21

Baseball Team

Div. 7-1 5-3 5-3 5-3 4-4 WTAMU 4-4 Tarleton St. 3-4-1 ENMU 3-5 Central Okla. 3-5 TAMU-K 3-5 East Central 3-5 NE State 2-5-1 ACU Cameron SE Okla.

Angelo St. SW Okla.

Overall 11-3 11-4 8-5 9-6 9-6 8-6 6-8-1 7-7 6-7 5-7 4-7 6-8-1

Softball Team

Div. 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 ACU 0-0 TX Woman’s 0-0 Angelo St. WTAMU TAMU-K ENMU Tarleton St.

Overall 19-2 12-2 12-5 11-5 11-5 13-6 11-10

Scores Sunday Softball Pittsburg State 2, ACU 1 ACU 6, Newman 2

Baseball Central Oklahoma 8, ACU 7 ACU 12, Central Oklahoma 8

Tuesday Softball ACU 5, St. Mary’s 1 St. Mary’s 11, ACU 3

Baseball ACU 11, St. Mary’s 7

Wednesday Softball ACU 14, Incarnate Word 4 ACU 14, Incarnate Word 12

Women’s Basketball ACU 85, Eastern New Mexico 70

Men’s Basketball ACU 71, Eastern New Mexico 65

Upcoming

February 27, 2009

Dick Schissler :: staff photographer First baseman Bret Bochsler looks to tag St. Mary’s Tyler Migl on Tuesday.

The Wildcats wrapped up their four-game series with Central Oklahoma on Sunday, splitting a double-header before winning a non-conference matchup with St. Mary’s University on Wednesday to improve to 11-3 overall and 7-1 in the Lone Star Conference.

After taking three of four from Central Oklahoma, the Wildcats jumped from No. 15 to No. 8 in the Collegiate

Baseball Baseball NCAA Division II poll. The Wildcats’ No. 8 ranking is their highest since beginning the season at No. 11.

ACU will continue conference play Friday at home in a fourgame series against Texas A&M-Kingsville.

“It was a typical UCO-ACU series,” head coach Britt Bonneau said. “It was two teams that play each other very well and two teams that never give up on each other.”

In game one on Sunday, the Wildcats’ eight-game winning streak was snapped after the Bronchos rallied for five runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to take an 8-7 win. ACU took a two-run lead in the top of the eighth but could not hold off the Bronchos in the bottom half of the inning after a three-run home run to give the Bronchos their only win of the season.

Second baseman Chris Hall and left fielder Anthony Walsh See

Baseball page 7

Standout Performances

Former RB, WR perform well at NFL Combine

By Brandon Tripp Broadcast Assistant

After establishing themselves as two of the top athletes in Division II, two former Wildcats continued to turn heads in the next phase of their football career: the NFL Combine.

Johnny Knox and Bernard Scott took full advantage of the opportunity to impress NFL scouts and coaches from around the league.

“I think they both did really good, and I think they both helped themselves for the draft,” ACU head football coach Chris Thomsen said.

Knox ran the third-fastest 40-yard dash at the combine, running an unofficial 4.25, which was the fastest until having his time adjusted to his official time of 4.34. Knox also was a top 10 performer in the broad jump and in the 20-yard shuttle. Knox improved his draft stock some 60 slots, according to Sports Illustrated’s writer Tony Pauline.

Scott showed he was one of the most agile running backs in this year’s draft by recording the fastest 20-yard shuttle among running backs and second-fastest overall at the combine at 4.08 and the fastest 3-cone drill time out of all the running backs with a 6.82.

Scott also was a top 10 performer among running backs in both jump drills, the vertical with 36” and broad jump with 10’5”, and posted a 4.56 official 40-yard dash but unofficially ran a 4.47.

“I think I did pretty good, and it was a good chance for the scouts to evaluate me with the big school players,” Scott said.

Knox also put on a show in his positional drills, dropping just a few balls and taking extra reps to make up for the drops he made.

Players who were invited to the combine not only went

Emily Jorgenson :: file photo Above: Bernard Scott runs upfield against Texas A&M-Commerce on Sept. 13. Below: Wide receiver Johnny Knox gets tackled against West Texas A&M.

Football through a battery of positional, agility and strength drills but also were taken through interviews with teams that were interested in drafting them, as well as the Wonderlic Test, which is the accepted way to determine a player’s learning ability and problemsolving capabilities.

During the combine, not only did Scott have to show teams he was physically capable of playing in the NFL but also that he had moved on from his past. He missed out on his senior year of football in high school because he was kicked off the team for an off-the-field fight; he also was arrested at least five times and has attended four universities since high school. But Scott told teams he was past all that.

“It was at a point in my life where I made some bad choices; I was young and did dumb things,” Scott said. “But I wouldn’t change anything See

Combine page 7

nfl combine stats 40-yard dash n Bernard Scott- 4.56 (8) n Johnny Knox- 4.34 (3)

VERTICAL JUMP n Bernard Scott- 36.0 (11)

broad jump n Bernard Scott- 10’5” (3) n Johnny Knox- 10’2” (9)

3-cone drill n Bernard Scott- 6.82 (1)

20-yard shuttle n Bernard Scott- 4.08 (1) n Johnny Knox- 4.15 (5) n Knox’s 40-yard time was thirdbest overall.

To see highlights of Knox and Scott from the NFL Combine, go to nfl.com/combine and click “Videos.” *Rank by position in parenthesis.

Source: nfl.com/combine

Friday Track & Field ACU at NYU Last-Chance Meet, TBA

Men’s Tennis ACU at Western Kentucky, 10 a.m.

ACU wins Wildcats use late run Basketball team ends six-game slide five of six to pull away from Zias

Baseball ACU vs. TAMU-K, 4 p.m.

ACU vs. TAMU-K, 7 p.m.

Softball ACU vs. West Texas A&M, 5 p.m.

ACU vs. West Texas A&M, 7 p.m. :: Home games listed in italics

Briefs n Catcher Jordan Schmitt earned coLSC Hitter of the Week honors after recording eight hits, Schmitt three home runs (including a grand slam) and 13 RBI against Central Oklahoma last weekend.

By Austin Gwin

Basketball

Sports Writer

ACU pulled out a 71-65 overtime victory against the winless Eastern New Mexico Greyhounds on Wednesday night and ended a sixgame losing streak despite having only seven p l a y e r s available by the end of Copeland the game.

ACU improved to 9-16 overall and 3-8 in the LSC South, while the Greyhounds fell to 0-12 in the LSC and 4-22 overall in their final game of the season.

“It was good to get the win,” head coach Jason Copeland said. “We went over there with nine kids, and it was great for them. Ean (Wagner) really stepped up for us, and Dante (Adams) played really well. It was about time something good happened for those guys.”

ACU traveled to Greyhound Arena minus two key players, starting point guard Riley Lambert and forward Milos Kilmovic, out for injuries.

Midway through the first half, leading scorer and rebounder Dejan Sencanski went down with severe back spasms.

See

Basketball page 7

in Durant

By Chandler Harris

Assistant Sports Editor

The softball team split its final two games of the South Central Shootout on Sunday, finishing in second place in the largest NCAA Division II tournament in the nation. Overall, the Wildcats finished the weekend 5-1, including victories over No. 19 Central Missouri and MIAA preseason favorite Nebraska-Omaha.

The team then traveled to San Antonio where it split a pair of games with See

Softball page 7

By Jeff Craig

Basketball

Sports Writer

The women’s basketball team took another crucial step toward clinching the No. 2 seed in the Lone Star Conference South Division playoffs by crushing Eastern New Mexico 85-70 on Wednesday.

After losing consecutive games against Angelo State and Tarleton State, the Wildcats now have won two games in a row and sit at 16-9 overall. Head coach Shawna Lavender said she thinks her team’s two-game losing streak was just a blip on the radar of a very successful season to this point “When we looked at the big picture after those losses, we realized that we had just had

a slump for one-and-a-half games,” Lavender said.

The win over the ENMU Zias improved ACU’s LSC South Division record to 7-3, good for second place in the South behind West Texas A&M, which already has clinched the top seed with a 10-1 record in conference. The Wildcats have one final regularseason game remaining and will clinch the No. 2 seed in the playoffs with a victory or a loss by Tarleton State.

About midway through the first half, the Zias kept a one-point lead. However, the Wildcats roared back to take a 9-point lead with just under See

Wildcats page 7