The Optimist - Oct. 1, 2008

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Pg. 6 See how hot air balloons filled the Abilene skies this weekend

Wednesday, October 1, 2008 :: Vol. 97, No. 12 :: 1 section, 8 pages :: www.acuoptimist.com

Inside This Issue:

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ACU President participates in recruiting tour throughout Texas

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ACU Ultimate Frisbee team prepares for upcoming tournaments

Nationally ranked Wildcats maintain undefeated record

Abilene representative votes against bailout bill

By Daniel Johnson-Kim Editor in Chief

Congressman Randy Neugebauer (R-Tex.) voted on Monday against a bill in the House of Representatives that would have approved the most sweeping government intervention in the United States’ financial markets since the Great Depression.

Neugebauer is the representative of the 19th Congressional

District, which includes Abilene. He joined 228 congressm e n — o f which 95 were Democrats and 133 Neugebauer were Republicans—in shooting down the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act, which would have given rough-

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We must consider all alternatives prior to making a final decision. :: U.S. Rep. Randy Neugebauer, 19th Congressional District

ly $700 billion to the federal government to rescue the financial industry. The bill failed 228 to 205, and Congress members scrambled

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Tuesday to change parts of the bill so it could immediately pass.

“I have been studying this very carefully, I’ve talked to

people, I’ve talked to bankers, I’ve talked to people on Wall Street, I’ve talked to economists, I’ve talked to a former FDIC chairman, trying to get my arms around this issue and trying to determine what is the best course of action,” Neugebauer said in a conference call Monday.

The Dow Jones Industrials dropped a record 777 points See

How THEY Voted Congress shot down the $700 billion bailout bill that would have been used to rescue the financial market. n Yes: 65 Reps, 140 Dems n No: 133 Reps, 95 Dems Source: www.house.gov

Bailout page 7

Education professor remembered for faith

By Michael Freeman

In 1972, Coates and his family moved to Abilene, where he began a career as a professor and a pulpit minister at Westgate Church of Christ. That same year, Jane also began teaching in ACU’s Department of Education.

“My mom and dad always highCoates ly valued Christian education and as life-long lovers of Churches of Christ they were very well acquainted with Church of Christ schools,” said Dr. Neal Coates, assistant professor of political science. “They really liked ACC’s possibilities for growth and how it was influencing students, and when the opportunity came up in 1972 to move here, they did.”

Coates and his wife continued teaching in the Department of Education until Jane retired in 1993. Coates kept teaching and served on a number of committees, including the Faculty Senate.

He retired last August.

“They were a team,” Neal Coates said. “By the time they had both gotten their master’s degrees, they had pretty much set on this great interest in teaching people and bettering people by instruction.”

Managing Editor

For 36 years, Dr. Edward E. Coates, professor emeritus of education, helped ACU students and fellow church members by teaching, listening and imparting Biblical advice.

“Ed touched many students’ lives in a positive way through the years,” said Dr. Colleen Durrington, former dean of College of Arts and Sciences, in an ACU press release. “When I think about Ed, I think of his faith, patience and positive thinking in difficult times.”

Coates died Saturday in Abilene after a sevenyear battle with cancer. He was 74. His wife, Dr. Jane Coates, professor emerita of education, survives him along with their children Nancy, Nick, Nelson and Neal. One son, Nathan, preceded Coates in death.

Memorial services will be Sunday at the University Church of Christ.

Coates was born in St. Louis in 1934. He grew up there until he attended David Lipscomb University, where he earned bachelor’s degrees in biology, Bible and speech.

Coates then received a master’s degree in education administration and elementary education from Middle Tennessee State University in 1962 and a doctorate in education from the University of Tennessee in 1970.

See

Coates page 7

Zak Zeinert :: chief photographer Spectators watch a mock dorm room be engulfed in flames during Residence Life and Physical Resources’ annual “burn room” presentation Monday.

Annual ‘burn room’ draws crowd

By Zak Zeinert Chief Photographer

A crowd of students gathered in the grassy mall area in front of Moody Coliseum after Chapel on Monday to watch a residence hall room go down in flames.

The “burn room” is an annual ACU event sponsored by

Residence Life and Physical Resources to educate students on fire safety and demonstrate to them how quickly a fire can start and spread.

The room is outfitted with typical dorm room items like bedding and curtains to fully simulate a real dorm fire.

Gary Hamner, public education officer, said the event has

Queen nominations to open Wednesday

By Tanner Anderson Page Designer

A few events always will be associated with ACU’s Homecoming. As soon as alumni walk onto campus they are ready to attend parades, musicals, social club breakfasts, football and the crowning of a new Homecoming Queen. Although many students will have to wait three weeks for these proceedings to begin, they can nominate their choices for Homecoming Queen starting Wednesday.

Students can nominate

potential Homecoming Queens until Friday by logging onto www.acu.edu/ queen. This year the Homecoming theme is “Go, Cat, Go,” which is an excerpt from Elvis Presley’s hit song Blue Suede Shoes.

The director of Alumni Relations and GATA sponsor Betsey Craig has been working to contact not only the social clubs but all of the student groups and organizations to make them aware of the nomination process.

“Social clubs are always big participants; we’ve been sending e-mails and infor-

ACu wEATHER

mation to all the groups and student organizations.

It doesn’t take a big social group to get nominees,” Craig said.

Last year 10 women were nominated for Homecoming Queen; Craig said there is no set number to how many nominees the school takes; it all depends on where the votes break. In previous years the school took as many as 14 nominees.

On Oct. 24, all of the Homecoming nominees will be presented in Chapel and will participate in the Queens’ tea that afternoon.

More from the

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Choose The Queen Log onto www.acu.edu/ queen to nominate women for the title of 2008 Homecoming Queen. There is no limitation on the number of women that can be nominated.

The following day, all the nominees will participate in the Homecoming Parade; and at 2 p.m. when ACU plays Tarleton State University, the Homecoming queen See

Queen page 7

annually lit up the campus for the past four or five years.

“We do it every year because we have new students and new freshmen that come in, and they need to see an impact on how quickly it can spread,” Hamner said.

Darren Curry, assistant See

acuoptimist.com Watch footage of the ‘burn room’ mock dorm room engulfed in flames and students reaction to Monday’s event.

Burn page 7

JMC Network stories, videos accessible in iPhone format Type in m.jmcnetwork. com into your iPhone or iPod touch Web browser to gain access to an interface designed to bring Optimist readers campus news in the palm of their hand.

Add the interface — which includes links to stories, videos and photos — to your iPhone or iPod touch home screen by touching the plus sign at the bottom of the browser and then pushing “Add to Home Screen.”

Online Poll : Log onto www.acuoptimist.com or www.youtube.com/acuvideo to see weekly News Casts and Sports casts from the JMC Newtork News Team and videos profiling various videos around campus and the Abilene Community.

What should Congress do about the bailout bill?

a. Re-vote and pass the bill. b. Include more oversight in the bill. c. Stop bickering and find a solution. d. Give the money to consumers.

acuoptimist.com Department of Journalism and Mass Communication ::

Abilene Christian University

::

Serving the ACU community since 1912

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Campus Day Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Calendar and Events

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Wednesday

7 p.m.

ACU Volleyball at Dallas Baptist

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3

Thursday

6 p.m.

ACU Soccer at Dallas Baptist 6:30 p.m.

Sterling Volkswagen Street Eliminator at the Abilene Dragstrip. Call the Dragstrip at 673-7223.

acuoptimist.com

ACU Wildcats Volleyball will play against West Texas A&M Saturday at 2 p.m. in Moody Coliseum. Come support the ladies as they battle the nationally ranked team. Free T-shirts will be shot out of the air cannon, and students will have the opportunity to win food from Papa John’s.

A free movie will play in Cullen Auditorium Friday. Kung Fu Panda will start at 8 p.m. Cokes will be 50 cents, and candy will be 25 cents.

Sixth Annual “Empowering Women with Tools to Dream” luncheon fundraiser for the Alliance for Wom-

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8 p.m.

Free movie playing in Cullen Auditorium. Kung Fu Panda will play. Coke and candy will be sold.

8 a.m.

ACU Volleyball at Pittsburg State Tournament 6 p.m.

ACU Football versus East Central Oklahoma (Home)

Check out videos highlighting the Empty Bowls Project, Summit and Bid Night.

Log on to www.youtube.com/acuvideo to see the changes to on-campus cafes, the Empty Bowls Project and the making of the Optimist, Newscast and Sportscast.

Volunteer Opportunities

en and Children will be Thursday from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Abilene Civic Center. Call 677-5321 and ask for Kristina Jones for more information or go online at http:// www.AllianceForWomenAndChildren.org.

West Texas Hip Hop Coalition concert will be at the Abilene Civic Center Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Admission is free, and there will be door prizes and T-shirts given out.

Call 864-9372 and ask for Darrell Session to get more information.

Intercollegiate Tennis Association Wilson Regional Championships D-II will be at ACU Friday. Call 674-2591 and ask for Coach Hutto Jones to find out more.

Credited Chapels remaining:

4:30 p.m.

Style Your Sole concert in the mall area outside of Moody Coliseum.

Saturday

Webcast

ChapelCheckup Credited Chapels to date:

Wildcat Preview Day

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Key City Kiwanis’ annual fish fry needs volunteers Oct. 3 and 4 at the Abilene Civic Center. Help is needed Oct. 3 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Oct. 4 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. with cooking, serving, cleaning tables and trash pick up.

Volunteers receive a meal ticket to eat meals while working. All proceeds benefit local organizations.

ACU’s radio station KACU-FM needs volunteers to act as ushers Oct. 18 for the Prairie Home Companion performance in Moody Coliseum. Help is needed from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Breakfast on Beech Street is an opportunity to help set up, prepare and serve breakfast to homeless/lower income people.

Volunteers will have the opportunity to talk to those in attendance.

Serving time is 6:30 a.m. to 7:15 a.m every weekday with clean up afterward. Volunteers should be finished no later than 7:30 a.m.

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 mab07d@acu.edu.

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.

ACU Police Tip of the Week

Online Newscast

Announcements Students can join other students and faculty for a time of unified intercession Mondays at 7 a.m. at Jacob’s Dream. For more information, e-mail kdl04a@acu.edu.

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Friday

About This Page

ACU Alumni office needs volunteers on Homecoming weekend to work the booths at the carnival Friday from 4:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. or 6:15 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. For more information contact Jama Cadle at Ext. 2627.

The Abilene Preservation League needs volunteers Saturday beginning at 9 a.m. In February 2008, a fire devastated one of the most historical houses in Abilene. The Abilene Preservation League is in the process of buying the house, and it needs help cleaning up debris from the home.

For more information on this opportunity, contact Diana Burk at 676-3775.

For more information regarding any of the above opportunities, contact the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center in the Bean Sprout.

Please help the ACU Police solve the recent noose incident. Anyone with information can call the ACU Police at 674-2305.

Police Log Edited for space

Monday, Sept. 22 2:15 p.m. Report of a subject soliciting money in the Campus Center parking lot; unable to locate.

8 p.m. Fire alarm at Zellner Hall; Abilene Fire Department checked it out.

9:21 p.m. Medical emergency at the Zona Luce Building.

11:45 p.m. Violation of the noise ordinance; contacted residents, and they were warned.

Tuesday, Sept. 23 11:45 a.m. Report of a suspicious note left on a vehicle at the Big Purple parking lot.

Wednesday, Sept. 24 4 p.m. Assisted Abilene police with traffic during a house fire.

8:15 p.m. Report of suspicious subjects using a welder at 1600 Treadaway Blvd.; contacted subjects who were installing a front door.

8:20 p.m. Attempt to locate a missing student; reported by parent.

Thursday, Sept. 25 10:39 a.m. Report of a vehicle with its radio left on at East North 15th Street and Washington Boulevard; contacted owner of the vehicle.

2 p.m. Report of suspicious subjects soliciting money at 500 College Drive.; vehicle was gone upon arrival.

2:21 p.m. Report of subjects harassing females at University Park parking lot; contacted two

subjects that were moving a student out and warned them.

7:37 p.m. Abilene police reported seven incomplete 911 calls at Zellner Room 218; staff was warned.

11:20 p.m. Medical emergency at Gardner Hall; female transported to Hendrick Medical Center.

Friday, Sept. 26 12:09 a.m. Report of an intoxicated driver at The Grove; vehicle was located, but unoccupied.

7:28 p.m. Report of a male urinating in the yard at 700 E.N. 14th St.; contacted the subject.

Saturday, Sept. 27 1:10 a.m. Report of a noise violation at The Grove in apartment 212.

Noon Fire alarm at Williams Performing Arts Center; alarm silenced.

1:54 p.m. Incomplete 911 call at McKinzie Hall Room 130; misdial.

Sunday, Sept. 28 1:20 a.m. Report of a loud party at 400 College Drive.; spoke with resident and advised to take party inside.

1:25 a.m. Report of a loud party at The Grove, building 4; resident was warned.

2:05 a.m. Gave student access to Morris Center to retrieve lost item.

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

Reflections Chapel encourages women

By Ruth Ramsey Student Reporter

A new small group Chapel now meets from 11 a.m. until noon every Tuesday in the Counseling Center Resource Room.

Reflections is a group designed for women who are tired of “battling their reflections” and need a place for support, said Naomi Mandel, the counselor who organized the meetings.

“Reflections is for female students at ACU who struggle with the emotional, mental and spiritual aspects of being a Christian and the pressures to be a certain way,” Mandel said. “But I want to make sure students know that it isn’t

about body issues because I feel women know enough about that. This group is for Christian women who don’t feel they can be themselves because it doesn’t fit the Christian mold.”

The group already had its first meeting and about five students attended, Mandel said.

“There have been a lot of girls who have e-mailed me and want to come to the meeting next Tuesday. The first meeting went really well, and the girls seem excited about what we have already learned.”

Reflections begins every week with Scriptures and messages about how to overcome the struggles of not staying

true to oneself, Mandel said.

Group discussion takes place at the end of the hour.

Mandel said she saw a need for this type of group among the female students she encountered.

“There is a definite need for this group, because for the year I have been a counselor at ACU I have seen a lot of the same struggles and worries and it has also been a personal battle, so I can bring a different perspective on the topic,” Mandel said.

Justina Wheeler, senior speech pathology major from Alamogordo, N.M., attended the first Reflections meeting and said she felt refreshed after hearing new scriptures that directly related to her

personal struggles.

“I wasn’t sure if I was going to commit to going for the full semester but after the first meeting I saw how I can beat myself up about certain behaviors. During the meeting I realized how to see myself through God’s eyes and discovering God made me this way,” Wheeler said.

The Counseling Center Resource Room is on the lower level of McKinizie Hall. Students who attend Reflections will receive Chapel credit. To learn more, contact Mandel at ext. 2719 or e-mail her at naomi.mandel@acu.edu.

E-mail Ramsey at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu

CAMPUS NEWS

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

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Students receive more Bean for their buck

By Elizabeth Spano Student Reporter

The new meal plan system is a topic of debate among students concerned about getting what they pay for; however, officials say it is a better deal for everyone.

After conducting many surveys and studies among students, dinning representatives came up with a new meal plan model, which came into effect this semester.

The purpose of the new program is to make on-campus dining more convenient for both students and faculty.

“We have had a significant evolution of dining service over the last two years,” said Chief Auxiliary Services officer Anthony Williams. “We’re really allowing the students to drive everything we do.”

The updated dining pro-

gram allows students one beverage, one entree and one side item for each meal location around campus like at the Hilton Food Court. It clearly is different from the model last year, when multiple amounts of one item could be purchased to fill a meal plan.

Although the new meal exchange program at convenient locations may seem to be less lenient than last year’s, Williams assures students it makes sense. “[The meal plan] is a moving target; we try to put together a model that has flexibility,” Williams said.

One reason is simply convenience. When students try to fill a meal plan to maximize their allotted amount of money, it causes confusion and disorder for cashiers and others in line. Instead, students now have the choice of

three items, which eliminates confusion, balances the meal and saves time.

Also, with the price of labor, individual food packaging and shipping required for meals at convenient locations, the price of food goes up. For this reason, ACU must evaluate the meal plan exchange so expenses balance income.

“At a convenient location, you have more labor that goes into that model [when compared to a dining hall], thus the retail point is higher than what it would be otherwise,” Williams said.

In addition, ACU is constantly striving for quality food when it comes to oncampus dining. Elite and experienced chefs on staff provide a variety of fresh produce and meal options in both convenient locations and the “World Fa-

“

Today’s answers may not address tomorrow’s questions, but we constantly evaluate dining and constantly make change. :: Anthony Williams, Chief Auxillary Services officer

mous Bean.” Instead of filling a meal plan with chips and candy bars, students are now given the opportunity to make healthier choices.

Some would argue the new system is cheating students out of the money they pay for meal plans; however, when broken down, meal plans do give students their money’s worth. For example, Meal Plan A for students who eat frequently on campus costs $2199. When Bean Bucks are subtracted from this amount, the cost is $2079. When this amount is divided by the number of

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meals times the number of days in the semester and tax is subtracted, the cost per meal ends up being $5.72. Compared to prices at any other restaurant, it is clear students are getting a reasonable meal for their expenses.

ACU is going to great lengths to satisfy students with improvements such as these, as well as more options to make an enjoyable food experience on campus.

This includes specialized events such as Sushi Sunday at Java City (The Den) located in Barret Hall. Every Sunday from 8-12 p.m., stu-

dents can use a meal plan to enjoy custom created sushi by renowned sushi chefs.

In addition, dinner hours in the Bean were extended as of Sept. 21. The cafeteria will now be open until 8 p.m., so that students can eat dinner later. “[ACU’s dining program] is a constant conversation,” Williams said. “Today’s answers may not address tomorrow’s questions, but we constantly evaluate dining and constantly make change. Our objective is to offer a premier dining experience, and our work is not done until we achieve that.”

E-mail Spano at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu

President Money tours Texas for prospective students

By Elizabeth Coffee Student Reporter

“An Evening with the President” began its tour of Texas Sept. 9 with 150 prospective students and parents. The event was designed to entice men and women to visit ACU. Opportunities offered include a chance to mingle with faculty and staff, a drawing for a $3,000 scholarship and a photo with Dr. Money. The tour will continue on to Dallas, Ft. Worth, San Antonio, Austin and Houston.

“This event was designed to meet them where they’re at,” said Jenni Williams, ad-

“

Dr. Money did an excellent job with relating to the prospective students and letting them know how much we want them here. :: Jacob Martin, director of University Relations

missions’ events coordinator. “We go out to cities to bring them to campus.”

The last edition of “An Evening with the President” took place two years ago in San Antonio. While it was a success, the Admissions Office had a different agenda for last year. After one year on staff, Williams decided to

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bring the tour back.

“We mirrored these events after the first one,” said Jennifer Golden, director of Campus Recruiting.

The main change made to the event was the size. It was originally more one-on-one but has been changed to encompass more people. When the event was sponsored in

San Antonio, it took place at the La Cantera Country Club. To maintain the same feel, the event took place at the Abilene Country Club this year. “‘An Evening With the President’ met all of our expectations,” said Jacob Martin, director of University Relations. “Dr. Money did an excellent job with relating to the prospective students and letting them know how much we want them here.”

The campus decided to measure the effectiveness of the tour by monitoring the number of students who visit ACU. “We’ve already had a great

response,” Golden said.

From the past event in Abilene, 10 students signed up for a campus visit and several came to Wildcat Friday on Sept. 19.

The rest of these events will be presented in Dallas on Monday, Ft. Worth on Tuesday, San Antonio on Monday, Austin on Tuesday and Houston on Oct. 30. The prospective students and their families are informed of these events by personal invitation from counselors or schools but also by word of mouth. Current students are encouraged to spread the word to prospective students. The ACU Web site

provides information for the upcoming events.

This is a great opportunity for current students to participate, Williams said. She encourages students to sign up to attend these events in an effort for prospective students to hear first hand what it is like to attend ACU. For more information on how to get involved, contact Jenni Williams at (jenni.williams@acu.edu.)

E-mail Coffee at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu

CAMPUS NEWS

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Page 4

Dining Services promotes nutrition, healthy living

By Kelsi Williamson Student Writer

ACU Dining Services recently hired Melissa Horn to assist in health conscious endeavors around campus in an effort to provide students “fresh and healthy” dining choices.

Horn, senior nutrition major from Abilene, began working for Dining Services this past spring when she assisted in plans for the newly renovated “World Famous Bean”.

She currently is working on several nutrition-focused programs around campus and is offering general nutritional counseling to students, faculty and staff.

“We have lots of plans as we see the need,” Horn said.

“We’re trying to offer as much guidance as we can.”

Future plans include a fitness club that will meet 15 minutes, twice every month.

Horn said the club, “F-15 in the Bean,” is still in the planning stages but will be an easy way for the ACU community to learn how to be fit while having fun.

“It won’t be real formal,” Horn said. “I want it to be a kind of club where people can build relationships and meet their goals.”

Besides general nutritional information, the club will discuss healthy options for students to eat when they are stressed or staying up late to study. Horn said the first meeting is Oct. 13 at 11:30 a.m. in the Bean.

“My goal in nutrition counseling is not to place a student on a nutrition plan, rather to provide information, facilitate goals set by the individual and give per-

sonal encouragement as the individual reaches his or her goals,” Horn said in an e-mail.

Counseling is free to students with a meal plan and is available by appointment only.

Horn has worked to help improve the food variety and selection as well as educational information available in the Bean and other food locations around campus. She said all vegetables served in The Home Zone of the Bean are cooked without butter or salt.

Trans fat is no longer used in any menu items. Horn also said all sandwiches and salads available around campus are made fresh daily.

Horn encourages students to use the pamphlets available on the nutrition table at the Bean’s entrance and the calorie counter signs placed by menu items as flags for healthy choices.

“Maybe you didn’t think about what you were going to eat for lunch, but with this information, it’s easier to make decisions,” Horn said.

The Dining Services’ Web site, www.acu.campusdish. com, also is a way for students to guide their nutritional needs for every day and every meal of the week, Horn said. The Web site includes locations, menus and prices for all of the campus’ dining venues; however, some of the links still are unavailable.

Many health conscious students are excited about the recent changes and future plans for nutrition on campus.

“I think it’s good they’re making strides to make things better,” said Sarah Jay, junior nutrition major

from Georgetown.

Jay, a member of the Student Dietician Association, believes good nutrition is essential for disease prevention.

She said using the nutritional information provided by the Dining Services is a good way to help fight off health problems ranging from kidney disease to heart disease.

“One of the major problems we have is lack of knowledge.

People don’t even know what they’re eating,” Jay said.

Corbin Pierce, freshman business marketing major from Coppell, said that because he exercises regularly and eats healthy, his overall outlook on life has improved. He said the options provided by the Bean are better than those offered in previous years when he attended summer sports camps at ACU. Although satisfied with the Bean, he said the variety still could improve.

“If you’re trying to be really health conscious, there are still not an overwhelming amount of options available,” Pierce said.

He said he thought the nutritional information provided by Horn and her future program plans would be helpful to students trying to stay healthy.

“If you want to be more informed, you can be,” Pierce said.

In order to stay informed, Horn suggests students let Dining Services know what areas it can improve.

“We want feedback so much,” Horn said. “We’re just going to get better and better.”

Zak Zeinert :: chief photographer James Woodruff, junior interdisciplinary major from Brentwood, Tenn., practices tossing a frisbee Monday.

Frisbee team trains for year

By Linda Bailey Student Writer

The ultimate Frisbee team’s new leadership has made changes this year that will affect the team’s endurance and spirituality.

This year, students from the team will lead a small group Chapel on Thursdays. The Chapel will help teammates bond on a spiritual level rather than just a surface level, said Elizabeth Coffee, vice president of the team and sophomore advertising and public relations major from San Antonio.

“Now we are like a community; not just a team,” Coffee said.

Another change was made this year to incorporate running into practices. Last year, James Woodroof, team president and junior interdisciplinary major from Brentwood, Tenn., noticed the team was tiring more quickly than its opponents. Woodroof said by running during practice

he hopes to build the team’s stamina during tournaments.

The ultimate Frisbee team’s first tournament takes place this weekend in Arlington. It is specifically designed for new players. It will allow new members of the team to experience a tournament without all of the pressure of a regular tournament, Coffee said.

The team will compete in tournaments about once a month throughout the fall semester. All tournaments are out of town, and the ultimate Frisbee team usually takes two teams consisting of 12 to 15 players on each team. There must always be five guys and two girls on the field.

It is never too late to join the ultimate Frisbee team, and no prior experience is necessary, Coffee said.

“Last year I came into this having never played before and now I’m an officer,” Coffee said.

Cadence Smith, freshman sociology major from Escon-

dido, Calif., said more experienced players are really encouraging to new players. She said they take the time to show how to improve on skills.

Because she is one of only eight girls on the team, Smith said at first being a female member of the team can be intimidating, but there is no reason to be nervous about joining.

“They treat you with the same amount of respect as other guys and they include you in plays,” Smith said.

Practices take place Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. on the old intramural fields. To join the team, Woodroof said to come to practice and start playing.

“It’s a lot of fun,” Smith said.

“I encourage you to come out.

They really make a family for you out here.”

E-mail Bailey at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu

Siggies go pink with Ever Fit

E-mail Williamson at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu

By Lydia Melby Arts Editor

The women of Sigma Theta Chi traded their traditional yellow shirts for pink last Saturday.

The social club teamed up with Ever Fit outdoor fitness program to give students a chance to help a goodwill cause while benefiting their health. The two organizations offered a free Pilates class to raise awareness and money for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Susanne Langston, senior education major from Kaufman and the president of Sigma Theta Chi, said she instantly was drawn to the original premise for the event, which was a nationwide initiative with Shape magazine, called “Pilates in the Park.” It was meant to promote both personal fitness and research on breast cancer.

“We have several Siggies already active with Ever Fit and we felt like it [was] something we should support and something that would be really rewarding to get involved with,” Langston said.

The event partly was put on by Sigma Theta Chi’s new pledges as their “Squig service project,” and Langston said the pledges were in charge of advertising and were responsible to set up and prepare the class.

Holly Morris, the owner of Ever Fit, said the event was “a great way to support the cause…since Ever Fit works with a lot of women.” She said it resonated with her and with Ever Fit’s mission, which is “to empower people to be healthier in mind, body and spirit.”

Morris said that when she decided she wanted to put on a project like this, she contacted all the female clubs’ presidents, and Sigma Theta Chi was the first to respond, and they seemed “really excited about it, really interested in the cause.”

Mickey McCloud, junior communications major from Tulsa, Okla., and the chaplain of Sigma Theta Chi, said, “We were looking for a good opportunity that the girls would be invested in and care about…I know some of the girls in our clubs have been personally affected by this

in their lives, so we thought this would be something that would hit home a little more.”

McCloud also said they were excited to work with Morris and support her organization because Morris is a Siggie club alumna.

The class was at 9:30 a.m. last Saturday on the grassy area outside the Williams Performing Arts Center, across from Jacob’s Dream. The class was free, but Siggies accepted donations to the cause.

Morris said the event went very well, and she was pleased at the turn out. Roughly, 125 women came for the class, and the event raised more than $250.

“The whole area was just a sea of pink T-shirts,” Morris said. “This was so successful; hopefully we can start doing this every year.”

E-mail Melby at: lgm05e@acu.edu

FocusWednesday

October 1, 2008

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up

up

Up and away!

Adriana Planes :: contributing photographer

Zak Zeinert :: chief photographer

Zak Zeinert :: chief photographer

Above left: A girl watches as the balloons float towards the sun.

Festivities at Rosebud Park began hours before the sun started to set. Above right: Twelve balloons decorated the sky at Abilene’s 14th annual Big Country Balloon Fest. Left: Glen and Darlene Cox were one of hundreds of couples and families who attended the event. Below: Spectators were able to get as close as a few feet to the balloons. Children watched the balloons in awe, many of them ten to fifteen feet above their heads.

Zak Zeinert :: chief photographer

Above: Many of the balloons are privately owned by working people who consider themselves balloon enthusiasts.

Right: After the sun set and the sky was dark, all the balloons gathered in the center of the field and burned their flames in unison.

The balloon glow is a Balloon Fest tradition.

Zak Zeinert :: chief photographer

acuoptimist.com: See a video profiling events at the Optimist Club’s Balloon Fest last weekend

ViewsWednesday

Page 6

October 1, 2008

Global, national issues demand informed presidential votes

U

nprecedented voter turnout in the primaries, swarming crowds at Obama’s speeches, both parties’ national conventions enjoying record viewership: this is a historic election year, not only because we the people may elect an African-American as president or a woman for vice president; this election is historic because the man we vote into office must have the leadership to battle a mounting number of serious threats at home and abroad.

Anything can happen in the next 35 days leading up to the presidential election in November. In only the past few weeks, we have seen our economy fall into what many have called the “worst financial crisis since the Great Depression,” a record

“

Right wing radio and far left blogs cannot be the only sources for news.

bailout of $700 billion for the financial industry and a Russian invasion of Georgia.

In the past months we have seen a growing subprime mortgage crisis, increased concern over the state of our healthcare and a tremendous rise in oil prices, leaving us to wonder about our energy future and an Iran with nuclear ambitions.

In the past 8 years, we were attacked by terrorists on our own soil, went to war against the Taliban in Afghanistan and ousted a dictator and occupied a country, likely entangling us in conflict for many years to

”

come. At home we have seen the number of undocumented immigrants swell to as many as 12 million, according to the Pew Research Center.

During the next four years, we face possible war with Russia or Iran.

This is no time to stay home on Election Day. This is not the Great Depression. We have not seen another Sept. 11. We are not at war with Iran or Russia. Not yet. But depending on the decisions of the next president, these dangers are very real. Come inauguration day, Jan. 20, 2009, some-

one will be sitting behind the desk in the Oval Office. That person will face an economic crisis, healthcare reform, the war in Iraq, an energy emergency and a host of other issues.

This is no time to stay home. This also is no time for people to vote based on biases and misinformation.

The decision for which man will lead us in this time of crisis must be an informed one.

Thankfully, information readily is available to voters. Both candidates have listed their proposals and policies for their campaigns on their respective Web sites (barackobama.com, johnmccain.com). They participated in a debate last Friday, which is readily available on the Internet, over foreign policy and national security. A vice

The issue:

Our nation faces unprecedented global and national issues.

Our view:

Circumstances require and modern technology enables voters to seriously consider and research the two presidential candidates who could run our country for the next eight years.

The solution:

Voters must use their voting rights to make informed decisions Election Day. presidential debate is Thursday, a presidential debate with a town hall format is Oct. 7 and a debate over domestic policy is Oct. 15.

With an abundance of information about the candidates comes an abundance of spin and false stories. Voters must be well-informed. Right wing radio and far left blogs cannot be the only sources for news.

One of our greatest enemies is not al-Qaeda waiting at our door step. It is not the looming recession or healthcare or rising oil prices. What is the greatest enemy this coming election cycle is voter apathy.

It is time to make an informed decision.

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

Palin’s inexperience endangers nation Saturday Night Live comedian Tina Fey’s impersonation of Alaskan Gov. Sarah Palin is spot on—smiley, clueless and dangerous.

Dressed in Palin’s now infamous rimless glasses, the comedian’s imitation of Sen. John McCain’s vice In Case You presidential Wondered pick is a hit with AmeriBy Daniel Johnson-Kim can audiences and has even joined the campaign coverage.

But the joke will be on the American people if the governor from Alaska is given the opportunity to invade the executive branch.

It is not ludicrous to assume that 72-year-old McCain might not live through four years in the White House. If the cancer survivor and Vietnam War vet does die while in office, it would leave this country, which is in the midst of a war and an economic crisis, in the hands of the inexperienced “hockey mom” from Alaska. That’s not funny; it’s terrifying.

The McCain campaign has kept Palin away from the press and has limited her to a handful of interviews with members of the national media, and rightly so. In her most recent interview with CBS anchor Katie Couric, Palin revealed why the McCain campaign is keeping her away from the media— she doesn’t know what’s she talking about.

Among a long list of important topics, Couric pressed Palin on the bailout bill that was shot down in the House of Representatives on Monday.

Her question was simple: “Why isn’t it better, Gov. Palin, to spend $700 billion helping middle class families who are struggling with health care, housing, gas and groceries; allow them to spend more and put more money

Bike thief fails to fulfill creative expectations One of my friends skipped Chapel on Friday to wait outside the Brown Library for someone. Luckily for everyone involved, that someone did not show because my considerably muscular friend had a few choice words for Your (A)Typical the person who thought Coffee Addict it would be a great idea to

By Lydia steal his bicyMelby cle out of his front yard and drop it in front of the library’s entrance.

My first thought, while he explained to me why he was standing in front of the library for no apparent reason, was one of disbelief: Who would do something so stupid? I mean, seriously, if you’re going to jack someone’s bike from his front porch, don’t just leave it lying around.

The culprit, unfortunately, didn’t show, so my friend

finally just rode his bike to his next class and locked it to the nearest bike rack.

I find myself extremely disappointed in you, Mr. Bike Thief. While I wouldn’t necessarily nominate you for a Darwin award, your inanity gives petty thieves everywhere a bad rap. You had successfully boosted a pretty sweet bicycle and you threw it all away.

So, since I am assuming you will now be on the market for another ride, let me give you some tips on how to really steal a bike—and maybe keep it this time.

First: never just grab whatever bike is left unlocked.

Sure, you see them everywhere in all different colors and sizes, haplessly thrown in the direction of the nearest bike rack, left free for the taking by their negligent owners who for whatever reason couldn’t take the ten seconds to lock them down. I know it must be tempting for someone as inept as you, but c’mon, taking an unlocked bike is just lazy lifting. Be-

Letter to the Editor New Summit format calls for humility from hosting party

Like many students I have spoken to, I appreciated the “talk-back” sessions introduced at this year’s Summit. However, several of the questions posed to the guest speakers troubled me, and my anxiety increased as I began to hear angry conversations around campus that

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

acuoptimist.com Log online to hear Melby podcast her column.

sides, the owners can’t really complain because they know it was partly their fault, and that takes all the fun out of it. Another one of my friends had his bike pinched in broad daylight, off the front porch of his apartment. That crook trudged up and down two flights of stairs unnoticed, apparently used a hacksaw or something to cut through the chain and accomplished the entire heist in a space of half an hour. Now there’s a criminal we can all admire. You should try carrying a hacksaw in your backpack, so next time you get the klepto urge, you can do it admirably.

Next: skip the generic mountain bike from WalMart and the cliché brightly

discounted the responses given by these speakers.

The dialogue model is excellent for learning in a university setting, but it is not without flaws. Too often, we try to ask leading questions or to usurp the role of teacher, rather than being content as a fellow inquisitor. We would do well to strive for humility in our conversations, always trying to learn more than we say.

Humility means that you consider others to be experts

colored lady’s bike complete with wicker basket and grab something with personality—preferably the most recognizable bike on campus.

Make sure the owner put a lot of work into this bike and maintained it; not only will it not fall apart, allowing you to make your triumphant getaway down Judge Ely, but it’s just so much more delicious when you know the owner will actually miss the bike and probably needs it in place of the car he or she doesn’t have. This also has the added charm of making you think on your feet when you explain to the irate owner where exactly you got the bike once she or he recognizes it, and let’s face it, who doesn’t love a good challenge?

So keep your chin up; you may have failed this time, but I believe idiocy is a curable disease. Get out there and find something new, and for God’s sake, put a lock on it this time.

E-mail Melby at: lgm05e@acu.edu

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are quick to assume that you misunderstood the other’s answer and slow to assume that the other misunderstood your question. Humility means you are willing to consider that this Western dialogue model may not in fact be the best way to learn, and humility means you understand that the conversation approach might be inappropriate for guests from other backgrounds. Humility means that after reading verse after

of their own fields, and especially of their own lives, even if the courtesy is not reciprocal. Humility means that you often allow the other’s agenda to guide the conversation.

Humility means that even though you invite others into your house, you step down to let them play by their own rules. Humility means you do not ask questions which advertise to the other that you will only accept one kind of answer. Humility means you

into the economy instead of helping these big financial institutions that played a role in creating this mess?”

Here is Palin’s incoherent response: “That’s why I say I, like every American I’m speaking with, were ill about this position that we have been put in where it is the taxpayers looking to bail out. But ultimately, what the bailout does is help those who are concerned about the health-care reform that is needed to help shore up our economy, helping the—it’s got to be all about job creation, too, shoring up our economy and putting it back on the right track. So health care reform and reducing taxes and reigning in spending has got to accompany tax reductions and tax relief for Americans. And trade, we’ve got to see trade as opportunity, not as a competitive, scary thing. But one in five jobs being created in the trade sector today, we’ve got to look at that as more opportunity.

All those things under the umbrella of job creation. This bailout is a part of that.”

Come again?

In case you don’t understand Palin talk, I’ll translate for you: “I know nothing about the economy or the bailout bill but I have a head full of rhetoric and talking points my advisers say I should stick to.”

Palin is a politician with little experience and does not deserve her place on the ticket.

McCain’s choice was a foolish attempt to excite evangelical voters and ultimately will leave the senator embarrassed, with lipstick on his collar.

If McCain dies in office, America could be in the hands of a woman unable to lead. I have no problems with a woman president, just this woman.

McCain should have chosen a running mate who could have added depth to the ticket; instead, the Arizona senator will be dodging hockey pucks until November.

E-mail Johnson-Kim at: djj04a@acu.edu

verse in the Bible that is diametrically opposed to everything you have been taught all your life and throwing the book across the room, you walk back, pick it up again, and continue reading.

We would do well to give future guest speakers as many chances to transform our thinking as Sam Solomon gave to Christianity.

Joshua Alkire senior Bible major from Abilene

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FROM THE FRONT/SPORTS JUMPS

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Page 7

Football: Undefeated 4-0 season still intact

Golf: Hanauer leads golf team to win

Continued from page 8

each of his golfers and particularly his champion, Patrick Hanauer.

“This is Patrick’s senior year; he’s always been one of our more solid golfers but he has raised his game to another level this year,” Campbell said.

Campbell was particularly proud of his team con-

is providing us with big plays and has done a nice job.”

Whiteside earned LSC South Defensive Player of the Week honors after recording four tackles, one sack, one tackle for loss, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one fumble return for a touchdown. Whiteside has had two defensive touchdowns in the last three games and has recovered a fumble in each of the last three games.

The Greyhounds cut the Wildcats lead to 21-8 after running back Terrence Griffin scored on a 2-yard run.

The Greyhounds converted the two-point conversion but would not score another touchdown on the day.

Scott scored his second touchdown of the game with 50 seconds remaining in the first half to push the Wildcats’ lead to 28-8 at halftime. Scott finished with 147 yards on 17 carries, three touchdowns and one catch for 20 yards.

“Overall, the offense was pretty good, and the offensive line made some strides,” Thomsen said.

ENMU opened the second half scoring with a 30-yard field goal, but the Wildcats scored 28 straight points to close out the game. After ENMU’s field goal, the Wildcats scored on a one-play, 74-yard drive after Malone found Gates for his second touchdown of the game.

Gates finished with game-highs of eight catches for 164 yards and two touchdowns.

“He’s the fastest guy we have and a guy that is a threat from anywhere on field and he provides a lot of punch,” Thomsen said. “He’s a very

explosive guy.”

ACU’s defense scored its second touchdown of the game with six minutes remaining in the third quarter when linebacker Casey Carr stepped in front of an option pitch and found the end zone from three yards out to make the score 4211. The Wildcats, who scored zero defensive touchdowns in 2007, have scored five defensive touchdowns this season.

“I feel like [the defense] just getting points is huge and is a big time momentum shift,” Thomsen said. “We’re not only taking ball away but we’re scoring, and it has a psychological effect on other team.”

Scott scored his third touchdown of the game on a 24-yard run with two minutes remaining in the third quarter, and running back Chancy Campbell finished the scoring for the Wildcats after scoring on a 1-yard run with nine minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.

Kicker Matt Adams earned LSC co-South Division Special Teams Player of the Week after going eight for eight on PATs. It was the sixth time in Adams’ career that he has made at least eight PATs in a game. His eight PATs give him 169 for his career (162 conversions), which breaks the LSC all-time record of 161. Adams also broke the LSC record for PAT conversions, which was 154.

The Wildcats will now turn their attention to East Central University. The Wildcats will face the Lions at Shotwell stadium on Saturday at 6 p.m.

E-mail Abston at: gda04b@acu.edu

Continued from page 8

sidering the difficulty of the course they were playing on. The Emerald Falls Country Club has the third most difficult slope rating in Oklahoma, meaning that the course is ranked as the third most-challenging course in the entire state. However, despite the course’s difficulty, the Wildcats found success particularly at the par-5 15th hole,

where Patrick Hanauer put an 80-yard wedge shot in the cup for an eagle, and Senior Hilton Funk would chip in an eagle of his own there as well.

ACU’s next stop will be at the Grand Canyon Fall Invitational in Phoenix Oct. 6-7. The Wildcats will be looking to defend their title in the desert since they won that tournament last

year. Coach Campbell feels the team’s recent success will serve as a springboard as it continues to press on towards regionals in May. “Our recent play gives us confidence,” Campbell said.

“Patrick and Cyril played so well; they’ve finished top three twice this year. The future looks bright for sure.”

E-mail Craig at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu

Coates: ACU professor served Queen: local churches, community Students Continued from page 1 Outside of his university career, Coates instructed fellow Abilenians as he served as an education minister, counseling minister and elder at Highland Church of Christ for nearly 20 years. He also worked as a part-time private counselor and spoke at seminars on human sexuality

and marriage at churches across the nation.

“He helped hundreds of individuals, couples and families with a variety of problems,” Neal Coates said.

“He helped people get their heads on straight and figure out how God’s grace could help them be strong.”

Coates’ love for learning did not stop at academia; his interests ranged from

science to weather to technology. He would read every issue of Popular Mechanics from cover-to-cover, Neal Coates said.

“He was one of those people who just had a quest for learning and he had a love for God’s people,” Neal Coates said. “He was a good teacher.”

E-mail Freeman at: mxf04b@acu.edu

Burn: Demo reveals dangers Continued from page 1 director of housing, also believes it is important to understand how fast a fire can spread.

“One thing about the burn room is that there’s nothing in there that’s not in a typical dorm room.

There’s nothing in there that will accelerate the fire, just bedding and clothes,” Curry said.

He said the room’s ac-

cessories come from various places such as donations and even items left behind in residence halls from the previous years.

Many of the materials are recycled from the year before, said Ricky Brown, safety manger for Physical Resources.

Kevin Claypool, residence director of Edwards Hall, said the “burn room” shows why residence halls have certain rules.

He said the fire took

two minutes and 40 seconds to completely consume the room.

“We’re just trying to give students an awareness of just how fast a fire can build in their rooms,” said Greg Goettsch, Abilene Fire Department public information officer. “Maybe they’ll think twice about lighting a candle or leaving it unattended in their room.”

E-mail Zeinert at: zaz05a@acu.edu

can vote online Continued from page 1

for the 2008-09 school year will be unveiled at the halftime show.

The voting for the queen will be Oct. 15-17 online.

Each student can vote for five different women for Homecoming nominations Wednesday, but when students actually vote for the Homecoming Queen, they only can vote once.

Only students are allowed to vote for the queen, and each student must submit his or her banner number in order to vote.

“Homecoming is a fun tradition and it brings alumni back to campus,” Craig said. “It’s hard to have Homecoming without a Homecoming Queen.”

E-mail Anderson at: tsa04a@acu.edu

Volleyball: DBU next Bailout: Neugebauer rejects bill up for 12-3 Wildcats Continued from page 1

Continued from page 8 Lady Buffs had at least 10 digs in the victory.

“We played the best defense that we played all season,” Mock said. “We played clean volleyball but we struggled to put the ball away. We did not terminate and put the ball on the floor on their side of the net when we needed to.”

The Wildcats are now 12-3 on the season and 2-2 in league play. The team will not have another home game until Oct. 23.

Mock said the Wildcats are working on hitting the ball and their offense. The team has five matches scheduled next week, all on the road.

Mock said if her team can hit the ball well then they will have a very successful week

ahead of them.

The Wildcats’ next game is Wednesday night in Dallas against Dallas Baptist.

“They [Dallas Baptist] are a pretty solid team,” Mock said. “They have lost some matches that have surprised me and they have won some matches that have surprised me. They have a solid group of juniors and beating them on their home court will be a challenge.”

Mock said she hopes her team will play like it has after its previous two losses.

In those matches, the Wildcats defeated their next opponents 3-0.

E-mail Harris at: tch05f@acu.edu

Monday after the bill failed and rebounded Tuesday more than 400 points. Monday’s drop was the largest in the history of the stock market.

Neugebauer cited his uneasiness with the specifics of the plan and the haste in which the plan was put together as his reasons for voting against the bill.

Neugebauer and other Congress members who voted “No” went against the urging of President George W. Bush and Congressional leaders who said the bill was needed to prevent a financial collapse.

After the bill failed Monday, leaders of both parties blamed each other for the bill’s inability to pass the House and give the Treasury Department the need-

ed funds to buy up the bad bonds that were hurting the market. Neugebauer said it was unfair for taxpayers to carry the burden of mistakes made on Wall Street.

“The American taxpayers did not cause this problem and should not have to shoulder the responsibility of bailing out the ones that did,” Neuguebauer said in the statement released by his office.

Scott Dueser, President Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of First Financial Bankshares, the only publicly traded company in Abilene, said the current state of the financial system will not affect consumers on “main street” for a couple of months, but Americans should be concerned; the financial system is in danger if some government inter-

vention is not taken soon.

“I have seen [Neugebauer’s] explanation on that, and he and I had personally visited; he thinks there is a better way to do it,” Dueser said.

Dueser explained that the liquidity of credit available to large banks was shrinking, and that could prove dangerous to the market.

“You can’t sit out there very long and not have credit; it’s like not having oxygen,” Dueser said.

He said partisan politics have no place while Congress tries to figure out a plan that will appease both sides of the aisle and pass a bill that would help resolve the financial crisis.

“These guys need to leave the politics out of it,” Dueser said. “This is not a time to be political; it’s a time to work together.”

According to the Associated Press, congressmen in the House were trying to amend the original bill Tuesday afternoon for a re-vote, and Neugebauer assured his constituents he would work to make sure it was the best plan for the American people and Wall Street.

“I am committed to working with my colleagues in Congress and the Administration to pass comprehensive legislation that helps support our economy,” Neugebauer said. “However, we must consider all alternatives prior to making a final decision.”

E-mail Johnson-Kim at: djj04a@acu.edu

SportsWednesday

October 1, 2008

Page 8

SCOREBOARD

Angelo St. defeats Cats 1-0 in conference opener

Standings

By Ryan Cantrell

Football Team

Div. 1-0 1-0 1-0 0-0 0-1 0-1 0-1

WTAMU ACU MSU Tarleton St. TAMU-K Angelo St. ENMU

Overall 5-0 4-0 4-0 5-0 3-2 2-3 1-4

Volleyball Team MSU WTAMU Tarleton St. TX Woman’s TAMU-C

Div. 3-0 2-0 3-1 3-1 3-1 2-2

Overall 18-0 15-2 11-6 10-6 9-6 12-3

ACU* *7th out of 14 teams

Women’s Soccer Team

Div. WTAMU 1-0 Angelo St. 1-0 East Central 0-0-1 NE St. 0-0-1 TAMU-C 0-0 Central Okla. 0-0 MSU 0-0 TX Woman’s 0-0 SW Okla.

0-0 ENMU 0-1 ACU 0-1

Overall 6-1-1 6-3-1 4-3-2 1-4-2 6-1-1 5-2-2 5-3 4-3 2-7 6-4 4-3-1

Scores

Saturday Football

ACU 56, Eastern New Mexico 11

Volleyball ACU 0, West Texas A&M 3

Upcoming Wednesday Volleyball ACU vs. Dallas Baptist, 7 p.m.

Thursday Soccer ACU vs. Dallas Baptist, 6 p.m.

Friday Volleyball ACU vs. Central Missouri, 1 p.m.

ACU vs. Missouri Southern, 7 p.m.

Women’s Tennis ITA Central Regional, 9 a.m.

Saturday Football ACU vs. East Central, 6 p.m.

Volleyball ACU vs. Pittsburg State, 4 p.m.

ACU vs. Newman, noon

Cross Country OSU Cowboy Jamboree, 9 a.m. :: Home games listed in italics

NOTES Defensive end Aston Whiteside earned LSC South Defensive Player of the Week honors after recording four tackles, Whiteside one sack, one tackle for loss, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, one quarterback hurry and one fumble return for a touchdown in ACU’s 56-11 win over Eastern New Mexico. Whiteside has scored two defensive touchdowns and three fumble recoveries in the last three weeks.

Kicker Matt Adams earned LSC South co-Special Teams Player of the Week honors after converting all eight PATs in ACU’s Adams 56-11 win over Eastern New Mexico.

Adams became the LSC all-time leader in PAT attempts (169) and conversions (162). It was the sixth time in Adams’s career he has made at least eight PATs.

Soccer

Sports Writer

The Wildcats lost their conference opener Friday to Angelo State. The Rambelles scored one goal in the game and played good defense to win 1-0. Lauren Moore was the lone scorer of the game, coming at 3:48 into the second half.

The Wildcats got off to a slow start in the first half and missed a few opportunities to score. Bree Craig launched a shot from 35 yards out that just missed, hitting the crossbar in the 10th minute of the game.

Courtney Wilson also

Volleyball team splits homestand

missed a direct kick right outside the box, sailing over the net in the 32nd minute. The first half was played back Wilson and forth, and the Wildcats never established their normal game flow.

“We played the first half out of our game,” said head coach Casey Wilson. “We came out in the second half flat, which is not what we wanted to do.”

Early into the second half,

Angelo State pushed up the ball and applied pressure on the net. The ball bounced around the goal line before trickling over the line, resulting in a goal. It appeared the Wildcat defense thought that Angelo State was offside as it let up, costing ACU a goal and the game.

The Wildcats picked up the intensity after they gave up the goal but could not get anything past Melanie Peterson as she recorded the shutout for Angelo St. In the 60th minute, Lyndsey Womack had a breakaway chance that was denied by a good play by the Rambelles goalie. Jordan Reese had a

left-footed shot right outside the box in the 65th minute that went over the goal. The Wildcats had their chances but fell short in the end.

“Ultimately, Angelo State just wanted to win more than us,” Wilson said. “We just need to learn to show up and play at a higher level of intensity to be able to win.”

Angelo State’s win avenged an overtime loss versus the Wildcats last year in conference play. The win improved ASU’s record to 6-3-1 and dropped ACU to 4-3-1.

The defense for the most part looked solid along with a great effort by goalie Crissy Lawson. She record-

ed six saves on seven shots and kept the Wildcats in the game in the second half.

“We need to step up and put our heart on the field and every player just go out hard and play,” said defensive captain Micah Merrill-Johnson.

The Wildcats will look to improve their record in their final non-conference game against Dallas Baptist University in Dallas on Thursday before facing conference opponent Midwestern State on Sunday.

E-mail Cantrell at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu

Wildcats improve to 4-0 overall

By Chandler Harris Assistant Sports Editor

The ACU volleyball team played two games last week in Moody Coliseum, going 1-1 for the homestand.

On Thursday night, the team defeated Eastern New Mexico 3-0 (25-18, 25-22, 25Mock 21).

On Saturday, the Wildcats lost to the No. 3 team in the nation, West Texas A&M, 3-0 (2515, 25-19, 25-12).

The win over Eastern New Mexico was the Wildcats’ second-straight home victory and seventh consecutive victory over the Zias, dating back to the 2004 season. The team hit just .120 as a team, but it was enough to get by because the Zias hit just .015.

Sophomore middle blocker Shawna Hines led the Wildcats with a .323 hitting percentage, 12 kills, five blocks and six digs.

Sophomore middle blocker Jordan Schilling added 11 kills; freshman outside hitter Jennie Hutt had seven kills and junior outside hitter Michelle Bacon had six kills in the victory.

The Wildcats had eight blocks as a team. Sophomore setter Ijeoma Moronu had 35 assists and nine digs alongside junior defensive setter Amy Wilson, who recorded 20 digs on the night.

Schilling had all four service aces for the Wildcats.

“We played a really good defensive game,” said head volleyball coach Kellen Mock. “We did a good job of picking up the tips. They tried to capitalize on one of our weaknesses, but we were able to adjust and win.”

The loss to West Texas A&M coincided with ACU’s lowest team-hitting percentage of the season. The Wildcats hit just .029 and had only one player, Hines, finish the match with a positive hitting percentage (.263). In contrast, WTAMU hit .210 as a team in the victory.

Schilling led the team in kills with nine followed

by Hutt with eight. Moronu recorded a double-double in the loss with 26 assists and 11 digs.

The Wildcats actually led early in the first set 8-7, but WTAMU scored 11 of the next 13 points to go in front for the rest of the match. At one point in the second set, ACU charged back from an 18-12 deficit to pull within 20-18, but the Lady Buffs won five of the last six points to take the set. The third set was all WTAMU with the Lady Buffs recording 17 of the 25 points on kills. Three See

Volleyball page 7

Photos courtesy of Creative Services

Top: Running back Chancy Campbell makes a run against Eastern New Mexico during ACU’s 56-11 win over the Greyhounds on Saturday. Bottom Right: Defensive end Aston Whiteside forces a fumble during No. 4 ACU’s fourth-straight win.

By Grant Abston

Football

Sports Editor

The fourth-ranked Wildcats got two more touchdowns from their defense and 147 yards and three touchdowns from running back Bernard Scott Saturday night to defeat the Eastern New Mexico Greyhounds 56-11.

The Wildcats remained perfect on the season, improving their record to 4-0 after winning the Lone Star Conference South Division opener for both teams. ENMU fell to 1-4 on the season and remains in last place in the South Division. The Wildcats’ 4-0 record puts them in a three-way tie for first with West Texas A&M and Midwestern State.

“I think overall our guys responded well on the road

again,” said head coach Chris Thomsen. “That’s three out of four on the road, and we won but we’re looking forward to getting back home for a few weeks. I’m proud of how they responded on the road in a tough place.”

The game was never in doubt for the Wildcats after jumping out to a 21-0 lead at the end of the first quarter. Quarterback Billy Malone found wide receiver Edmund Gates for a 17-yard touchdown pass six minutes into the game to give the Wildcats a 7-0 lead. Scott extended the Wildcats lead to 14-0 after scoring on a 76-yard touchdown run with two and a half minutes remaining.

With the first quarter

winding down, the defense stepped up again, scoring a touchdown to give the Wildcats a three-touchdown lead.

Defensive end Aston Whiteside stripped the ball from ENMU’s quarterback J.J. Harp on the 10-yard line, recovered the fumble and returned it 10 yards for the touchdown to

make it 21-0 with just more than a minute remaining.

“Aston is doing well and providing us with some big plays,” Thomsen said. “Like any other young player, he’s just a redshirt freshman and has a lot of areas for improvement but he See

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ACU earns come-from-behind win

By Jeff Craig

Golf

Sports Writer

The ACU men’s golf team continued its successful season by winning the Northeastern State Men’s Golf Classic last week. The tournament, which took place at Emerald Falls Country Club near Tulsa, Okla., consisted of 15 teams of five players competing in a threeround par-72 tournament.

The Wildcats won the competition with a composite team score of 17-over-par 881 (299298-284), while Central Oklahoma finished just on the heels of ACU with a score of 18-over-par 882 (296-298-288). The Wildcat men’s team currently ranks 18th in the nation, and head coach Mike Campbell feels his squad took yet another step forward last week.

“I was very pleased,” Campbell said. “It was a strong tournament with regards to the field; some of the top teams in the region were there, and to

get a win against those teams was encouraging. We had wins over two nationally ranked teams in Washburn and Central Oklahoma as well, so I am very pleased.”

The overall scores were determined by adding up the four best individual scores during each of the three rounds. Wildcat Patrick Hanauer won first place with a score of 4-underpar 212 (71-73-68), and teammate Cyril Bouniol finished in second place with a score of 3-under-par 213 (74-72-67).

The three other members of the team were Zach Sadau, who finished 46th at 18-over-par 234 (85-77-72); Charles Levitte, who finished 52nd with a score of 19-over-par 235 (77-76-82); and Hilton Funk, whose score of 21-over-par 237 (77-8377) placed him 58th. Coach Campbell was pleased with See

Golf page 7

Brian Schmidt :: file photo Charles Levitte scans the green last season. Levitte and the Wildcats won the Northeastern State Men’s Golf Classic last week in Tulsa, Okla.