The Optimist - Oct. 22, 2008

Optimist the

a product of the JMC

network

Pg. 8: Win over West Texas knocks ACU up to No. 2 in nation

Wednesday, October 22, 2008 :: Vol. 97, No. 18 :: 1 section, 8 pages :: www.acuoptimist.com

Inside This Issue:

Pg 3

Pg 5

Student groups perform, learn at Prime Time dancing event

The other white meat: Thousands gather for Brady’s annual goat cook-off

Policy prohibits posting of ads

Pg 8

ACU soccer team wins two straight games during weekend

Students don Asian fashion

By Zak Zeinert

By Daniel Johnson-Kim

acuoptimist.com

Chief Photographer

Editor in Chief

Students looking to get the word out about activities on and off campus will have to find somewhere beside campus doors, walls and walkways to post advertisements — the university is throwing out the old advertising techniques.

Beginning Wednesday, the university will implement a new policy that prohibits the posting of announcements, advertisements and fliers on sidewalks, doors, walls or trashcans. The policy also prohibits chalk-written announcements on sidewalks.

Dr. Royce Money, president of the university, said the new policy mirrors policies at higher education institutions he and other administrators See

Ads page 7

Frats haunt again after year hiatus

See a video of students walking down the catwalk at the Ajisai fashion show

and a display of traditional and modern Asian clothes.

Jonie Lee, communication liazon for the Office of Multicultural Enrichment, said the idea for the fashion show first originated last fall after a group of students saw “Exposed: A Fashion Story.”

“

Company in talks with ACU for farm

Student Reporter

By Tanner Anderson

With Halloween just around the corner, many students may be looking for some exciting and frightening fun around town. The Frater Sodalis social club has the solution with its annual haunted house at the Play Faire Park family fun center.

The house will be open on the weekends of Oct. 23-25 and Oct. 30-31, from 7:30 p.m. until midnight.

“It is a fun community-wide event every one can enjoy,” said Chris Derrick, junior criminal justice major from Monahans.

This is the 27th time Frater Sodalis will sponsor this event, and 30 members will be work every night with other clubs and freshmen to continue their tradition.

Page Designer

The winds of change soon may blow through the Department of Agriculture and Environmental Science at ACU through a new partnership with Juhl Wind Energy.

Juhl Wind, a company based in Woodson, Minn., focuses on community-based wind power and is in the early planning stages to develop a wind farm project at the Rhoden Field Laboratory, an ACU student farm near Albany. The agriculture and environmental science See

Record turnout for mobile voting

The project has a very good chance of being successful. Best case scenario is 18 months from now we’ll be generating wind energy.

”

:: Dr. Jim Cooke, professor of environmental science

Wind page 7

acuoptimist.com: See footage of the ‘Prairie Home’ broadcast

‘Prairie Home’ show features ACU elements

By Daniel Johnson-Kim Editor in Chief

Managing Editor

Election Day is scheduled for Nov. 4, but some ACU students wanted to cast their ballots early in the Campus Center Monday afternoon. Forty-nine students, faculty and staff members lined up to vote in the five mobile voting booths that were available from 10 a.m. to noon.

Monday’s voter turnout dwarfed the number of students who participated in early voting on campus two years ago for the midterm election. Only six people voted in 2006 compared to the 49 who voted Monday.

“It was great compared to years before,” said election worker Patsy Smith.

“We’ve been here several

Fashion page 7

Emily Jorgenson :: staff photographer

Fright page 7

By Michael Freeman

See

Wind energy may blow to campus

By Lezlee Gutierrez

See

Zak Zeinert :: chief photographer Shiwon Tajima, junior exchange student from Kyusan University in Japan, and Kim Martin, biology major from New Zealand, walk the runway during the Asian fashion show Friday.

Four hundred and fifty students packed into the Teague Special Events Center Friday night to watch friends and fellow students strut their stuff on the catwalk.

“Ajisai: Four Seasons of Fashion” was sponsored to benefit the fight against breast cancer and raise awareness while also showcasing Asian fashion.

The show included classic Asian dishes such as sushi, a performance by SHADES step group, musical performances

“A lot of Americans were saying that we had cool clothes, and we just wanted to show it,” Lee said.

Planning the event officially began last spring break, and rehearsals began earlier in October.

The Office of Multicultural Enrichment sponsored the event and dedicated the show to Beverly Rama, the wife of art professor Ronnie Rama.

She recently was diagnosed with breast cancer.

“Many of the team members were art students also,

Mobile Boost The turnout for the mobile voting booths on campus squashed turnouts of the 2006 midterm election. n 2006: 6 students voted n 2008: 49 students voted

times. And we’ve come out here before, and nobody even knew where we were supposed to be.”

Jared Perkins, freshman political science major from Waco, also helped voters cast their ballots.

“It’s the largest turnout we’ve had since we’ve been doing mobile voting at ACU,” Perkins said. “I think See

Voting page 7

ACU WeAtHeR

Jozie Sands :: staff photographer Garrison Keillor sings in front of an audience of more than 3,000 in Moody Coliseum during a live broadcast of A Prairie Home Companion on Saturday.

More from the

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

High: 62 Low: 40

High: 63 Low: 40

High: 71 Low: 47

Joyce Pace has listened to A Prairie Home Companion for more than a decade, and Saturday, the variety radio show came alive for the 77-year-old fan.

Like countless shows before, host Garrison Keillor and the Prairie Home cast performed various skits, sang classic songs and thrilled their audience with its radio techniques of old. This time around though, Pace and an audience of more than 3,000, saw it live, in-person in Moody Coliseum.

“It was much larger than I assumed with more people,” said Pace, who came to the show with her husband Rudy Pace, a fellow fan. “Now every time I listen to it, I’ll know what it looks like.”

Saturday’s show, which was broadcast to more than 4 mil-

lion listeners on various public radio stations across the nation, incorporated Abilene, ACU and West Texas into its classic format of song and comedy. Keillor and company did not stray from controversial topics in their comedic segments, poking fun at Texas traditions, the relatively small number of Democrats in the state, religion and politics. One skit even featured equestrian flatulence.

“I can’t believe we had a horse tootin’,” said Fred Newman, who was an actor and created sound effects for the skits. “We got away with a lot tonight.”

Although the show is based in St. Paul, Minn., Keillor and the cast performed songs from the West Texas area and made sure the show was full of Abilene and ACU See

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

Prairie page 7

Do fliers and signs on doors and sidewalks litter the campus?

a. Yes, they are a nuisance. b. No, they brighten the buildings. c. Only the badly designed ads. d. Yes, tear them down.

acuoptimist.com Department of Journalism and Mass Communication ::

Abilene Christian University

::

Serving the ACU community since 1912

2

Campus Day Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Calendar and Events

22

Wednesday

11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Men of Strength and Style is a luncheon recognizing men of strength in character who are positive role models in the community. Call 677-7895 and ask for Diane Dotson to hear more about the luncheon and fashion show at the Abilene Country Club.

23

24

Thursday

6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Track and Field Awards Banquet at Hillcrest Church of Christ honoring the 2008 team.

Tickets are $15 each and can be purchased by contacting Coach Don D. Hood at 674-2711.

7 p.m.

ACU Volleyball vs. Southwestern Oklahoma State

acuoptimist.com

39

Credited Chapels remaining:

Congratulations to the 2008 Homecoming Court: Hayden Huey, Kylie Jennings, Sarah Lane, Suzanne Langston, Syndey North, Anna Peters, Jennifer Rasco, Sarah Sparks, Jamie Lyn Spires and Valerie Walker.

Congratulations to the 2009 Sing Song Hosts and Hostesses: Coy Greathouse, Adrienne Linge, Jessica Patterson, Donovan Plummer, Jennifer Rasco and Sam Souder.

The intramural 4x4 soccer deadline is Oct. 27. The cost is $125 per team. Participants must bring their completed team

3 p.m.

ACU Soccer at Texas A&M Commerce

2 p.m.

ACU Football vs.Tarleton State 8 p.m.

Homecoming Musical “All Shook Up” at the Abilene Civic Center

Webcast

This week’s newscast highlights the football game against West Texas A&M, the women soccer teams’ most recent game.

Log on to www.youtube.com/acuvideo for highlights from A Prairie Home Companion Saturday and the Asian fashion show Friday.

27

Announcements The Medical Clinic is offering flu shots to students, faculty and staff Nov. 20 in the Campus Center’s Living Room from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Those who had the flu last year should not delay.

Shots also are available in the clinic Tuesdays and Thursdays during regular clinic hours. Shots are $25 and can be paid by using cash, check or by charging to a Banner Account.

Wildcat Premiere Weekend

Online Newscast

Chapel Checkup Credited Chapels to date:

Saturday

Wildcat Premiere Weekend

8 p.m.

Homecoming Musical “All Shook Up” at the Abilene Civic Center

rosters and payment to Bennett Gym. Games will begin Nov 4.

Class Senators will conduct interviews for Class Sing Song Directors Oct. 20-24. Students interested in directing a class Sing Song this year can contact a class senator or visit the Students’ Association office.

Be sure to check the Student Events Calendar for information regarding the upcoming Criminal Justice & Military Career Fair Oct. 28 and the Graduate School Fair Oct. 29.

The Campus Activities Board will decorate the Campus Center this week for Homecoming. Any students interested in helping can get volunteer service hours.

Students can contact cab@acu. edu for more information.

Volunteer Opportunities St. John’s Episcopal School needs volunteers at various times from Oct. 20 to Oct. 26 to help set up, run booths and tear down its carnival.

The annual G. V. Daniels Recreation Center Fall Festival needs volunteers Oct. 31 from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Volunteers will assist with game booths and hand out candy to kids. Appropriate costumes are allowed.

The ACU Alumni Office needs volunteers to help with various aspects of the Homecoming Carnival Oct. 24 from 4:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. or 6:15 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. Help is needed to control the inflatables, paint faces, hand out candy or walk around in Elvis costumes.

Rose Park Recreation Center needs volunteers for its Halloween Carnival Oct. 31 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. This will be a safe alternative for trick or treaters, and volunteers are needed to operate booths and pass out candy.

The Junior League of Abilene needs volunteers for its annual

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

25

Friday

About This Page

Christmas Carousel, Style Show and Kids Event beginning Nov. 6 through Nov. 9 at the Abilene Civic Center. Help is needed different times each day for a variety of jobs.

Proceeds from this event benefit local charitable organizations.

The Grace Museum is always in need of volunteers. Volunteers play a vital role in the daily operation of the museum. The minute visitors walk through the door, the experience in the museum relies on capable and trained volunteers. For more information about volunteer opportunities at The Grace, please call 673-4587.

The Center for Contemporary Arts needs volunteers to greet patrons, answer phones and help with gallery shows. Three-hour shifts are offered every Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and/or 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The gallery is located on 220 Cypress St. in downtown Abilene.

For more information, contactSaybra Giles at 677-8389 or check out the organization online at http://www.center-arts.com/

Be a good neighbor. Keep parties and gatherings within reasonable noise levels and hours.

Police Log Edited for space

Monday, Oct. 13 11:18 a.m. ACU police cut the lock at 100 College Drive for a student who was locked out of his or her apartment.

6:55 p.m. ACU police assisted the Abilene police when shots were fired at 300 College Drive.

7:52 p.m. Someone reported a suspect shooting from a vehicle in front of 1800 Lincoln St.; the vehicle was gone upon arrival

Tuesday, Oct. 14 10:45 a.m. ACU police placed a boot on a vehicle in the Teague Special Events Center parking lot for citations; they were unable to identify the owner.

11 a.m. Someone reported a forgery case in the Campus Center parking lot.

2:30 p.m. ACU police randomly patrolled around 1800 Lincoln St. in reference to a call about the shots that were fired.

7:23 p.m. ACU police stopped a car at 2100 Campus Court because it disregarded a stop sign.

Wednesday, Oct. 15 4:15 p.m. ACU police inflated a student’s bicycle tire on ACU Drive.

Thursday, Oct. 16 2:05 a.m. Someone reported loud music playing at 600 College Drive; ACU police did not House of Faith needs volunteers to participate in the after school Backyard Bible Club Tuesdays, Wednesdays and/or Thursdays for elementary children. Also, it needs assistance with its new Thursday Xodus program for middle school kids. For more information, contact Denise Davidson at 370-3642.

issue a violation upon arrival.

9:32 a.m. Someone reported a theft in the Campus Center Food Court.

4 p.m. ACU police cut the lock off a bike because a student lost his or her key.

8:04 p.m. ACU police assisted an Abilene police officer who was detaining a subject at the Big Country Liquor Store.

Friday, Oct. 17 2:29 p.m. A student was locked in his room at Edwards Hall, so ACU police contacted Physical Resources to ask them to remove the lock.

3 p.m. ACU police checked on a student who had a gun in his vehicle.

Saturday, Oct. 18 1:43 a.m. ACU police assisted a resident director at Mabee Hall with an intoxicated student.

3:11 p.m. ACU police handled the burglary of a motor vehicle at the Mabee Hall parking lot.

11:25 p.m. Someone reported shots being fired at 2600 Rountree Drive; the suspects were gone upon arrival.

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

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.

Breakfast celebrates years of service by volunteers, leaders

By Kelsi Williamson Student Reporter

The Volunteer and Service-Learning Center (VSLC) and the Service Action Leadership Team (SALT) will celebrate its 10 years of community involvement and service at an honorary breakfast Saturday.

A reunion for former SALT members, the breakfast also will present certificates of appreciation for 10 of the VSLC’s servicelearning partners in the Abilene area, after a short address by ACU President Dr. Royce Money.

“Student leadership is such an integral part of ACU,” said Nancy Coburn, director of the VSLC. “It just seemed to make sense to celebrate the landmark.”

The VSLC began 10 years ago in order to provide an office to coordinate ACU student involvement in the Abilene community, Coburn said. Over the years, the center has acted as the connecting point between the needs of community agencies and students looking to serve.

“Students have learned this is where you come to find out about service opportunities,” Coburn said.

She said many local non-

profits do not have the staff to handle their workload.

“Students ease the load, fill the gap and are the hands and feet of different agencies,” Coburn said.

These students, such as SALT administrator Katherine Lewis, rely on the VSLC for serving opportunities.

“SALT has been one of the main contributors in helping me to live a servant lifestyle,” said Lewis, junior social work major from Wichita, Kans.

The VSLC also has played an integral part in developing ACU’s servicelearning program as a part of the university’s mission “to educate students for Christian service and leadership throughout the world.”

“ACU needs the VSLC because service is so much a part of ACU’s mission,” said Sarah Frazier, senior social work major from Bristow, Okla.

With the help of the VSLC, service-learning classes are able to connect learning objectives with service objectives, Coburn said.

Saturday’s celebration will recognize many of the VSLC and SALT’s achievements through a visual timeline of major milestones, photographs of past service events and brief comments and presentations by former and current SALT members.

Several neighbors from the community involved in SALT’s Neighbor for Neighbor program also will be present.

“I am excited to meet the people who were shaped and molded by this organization throughout the past 10 years,” Lewis said.

E-mail Williamson at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu

CAMPUS NEWS

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Page 3

Dance event introduces students to diversity, style

By Elizabeth Coffee Student Reporter

Ethnic dances intertwined at Prime Time last Saturday during the event “Cultural Rhythms,” sponsored by members of ACU’s Milonga Latin Dance (MLD) group.

From 10 a.m. to 4:40 p.m., a salsa dance workshop was available for ACU students and the Abilene community.

From 7:45 p.m. to 10 p.m., presentations of other dances and their histories were made.

“The purpose of the event was to learn about the cultural and ethnic diversity of dance,” said Darrien Grays, senior information technology major from Cedar Hill.

Grays was inspired to coordinate “Cultural Rhythms” after learning various partner dances, including some Latin dances and swing dance.

“I’ve been dancing salsa for a while but I never really understood what it was about, where it came from or its roots,” Grays said.

MLD’s funds were limited this year, making it impossible to take all of its members to a salsa conference, he said.

“Even though we were given money to go, there isn’t enough to take everybody in our organization,” Grays said. “If I can’t take the people to the conference, then I’ll bring the conference to the people.”

Roughly 40 people attended the event, 10 of which were members of the community and not associated with ACU. For both the workshop and the evening event, the turnout was greater than last year.

“One thing I wish I had done better would have been to advertise earlier,” Grays said. “I wish there had been more people there.”

Members from ACU Swing Cats and SHADES participated in the event, presenting the history of their dance and giving a demonstration.

“We talked about the influence of swing and the different styles of music as

it progressed through time,” said Baron Smith, senior information systems major from Irving. “It’s more than just dance…it’s where it came from and how it’s influenced the culture.”

Smith did a swing dance duet to Jersey Bounce with Casey Woods, senior English major from Apple Valley, Calif. Both said even with their familiarity with swing dancing, they were able to learn more by watching other styles of dance.

“It was really interesting to learn about other dances because I know a lot about my own, but I don’t know about the others,” Woods said. “We don’t get a lot of opportunities to talk about the roots of the dance and the music behind it.”

Unlike salsa and swing, which are both partner dances, SHADES specializes in step. The head captain of SHADES, DeMarco Howard, said similarities existed among the dances presented.

Howard, junior fine arts major from Missouri City,

said “Cultural Rhythms” helped him better understand different styles of dance and how to get involved with the different groups.

“I would love for students to come and participate,” Grays said. “No matter your skill level, you’re going to have fun and learn something.”

Grays already has started thinking about next year’s program. He said he intends to provide more presentations and demonstrations of various dances in the future.

He said he also intends to change the community’s view of dancing.

“For the community, in general, people have a bad vibe about dancing,” Grays said. “I’ve found that dance has changed my attitude about my role in the kingdom and working as a unit. You can learn how to become a better Christian just by knowing how to dance.”

E-mail Coffee at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu

Jozie Sands :: staff photographer Baron Smith, senior information systems major from Irving, and Casey Woods, senior English major from Apple Valley, Calif., dance during a workshop Saturday at Prime Time Family Entertainment Center.

Gutenberg dinner to honor journalism alumni with awards

By Elizabeth Spano Student Reporter

The Department of Journalism and Mass Communication will honor three distinguished alumni Thursday at the 16th annual Gutenberg dinner in the Teague Special Events Center.

The honorees will receive a scale-size model of the Gutenberg Press, which has been given each year since 1993 to chosen alumni based on their outstanding achievements in the field of journalism or mass communication. Dr. Charlie Marler, professor emeritus and senior faculty, constructs

the award every year from kits purchased in Europe.

This year’s Gutenberg award recipients are Kenny Wilson (’74), Becky Sundling (’91) and David Stotts (’96).

Wilson is the market president for central and south Texas Bank of America, San Antonio; Sundling is in charge of user experience design lead for the Microsoft Corporation in Beijing; and Stotts creates motion graphics and is senior editor and host of “Drive Thru History” series by ColdWater Media, Richardson.

“We always seek each year to choose a group of people that represent some variety in

Gutenberg Honorees This year’s recipients of the Gutenberg award will be: n Kenny Wilson (’74) n Betty Sundling (’91) n David Stotts (’96)

the direction career paths can take,” said Dr. Cheryl Bacon, chair and professor of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication.

This year’s honorees represent both traditional and nontraditional mass communication career paths, Bacon said. Although a career

in banking or marketing is not a traditional career path for a JMC major, the journalism field provides a good foundation for a variety of careers, she said.

The honorees also are involved in creative undertakings with video and document production on a national scale as well as on a global scale for a prominent company in China, Bacon said.

Recipients also must be alumni for 10 years or more and have used their education in journalism or mass communication to achieve higher standards in their fields.

In addition to honoring alumni, the Gutenberg dinner gives JMC students the

opportunity to network with professionals in their field and also see what success looks like, Bacon said.

The theme of this year’s Gutenberg dinner is “Technology from Gutenberg Press to Today.” Along with a sit-down meal for students, community members, faculty and alumni, the evolving technology since the time of the press’ invention will be a topic of discussion.

Award winners will give video presentations, and the recent remodeling of the Morris Center will be honored. Students also will be recognized and awarded

for achievements within the department. “[The dinner’s purpose] is to show honor to those where honor is due,” Bacon said.

Dr. David Hogan, instructor of Journalism and Mass Communication, said he expects about 200 people to attend.

“It will be a very nice evening,” said Hogan, whose media tactics class organizes the dinner. “We have made this available because we think it’s important to come and get a chance to see alumni and hear what they have to say.”

E-mail Spano at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu

SPORTS JUMPS

Page 4

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Football: No. 17 Tarleton State up next Soccer: Wildcats face Continued from page 8 for us and kept drives alive and scored some touchdowns and really did a good job,” Thomsen said.

With one of the top offenses in the nation, the Buffs would not go quietly, beginning the second half with a five-play, 65-yard touchdown drive. After the touchdown, Scott scored his first rushing touchdown of the game on a 47-yard run to answer the Buffs. With two minutes remaining, West Texas A&M made its biggest comeback effort of the night. After Null threw his second touchdown, the Buffs recovered an onside kick and scored on the very next play to cut the Wildcats’ lead to 10 with just more than two minutes remaining in the third quarter.

After getting down to the 2-yard line to end the third quarter, the Wildcats faced a fourth down and goal to begin the fourth. On fourth and

goal, Malone faked a handoff to Scott and ran around the left side of the field for an easy walk into the end zone for his second touchdown of the night, extending the Wildcats’ lead to 17 again.

However, the Buffs responded with a 63-yard drive to cut the lead back to 10. After stopping the Wildcats on the ensuing drive, the Buffs marched down the field and tried to find Martin to pull within three. But cornerback Craig Harris intercepted Null on the 2-yard line, giving the ball back to ACU. “We have good depth at that position,” Thomsen said.

“Craig has been out of football a few years but stepped up big in the game, made big plays for us and forced another fumble.”

With just more than five minutes remaining, ACU made the Buffs pay after Scott scored on a 65-yard run to end any chance at a comeback, putting the Wild-

cats on top 52-35. Scott finished with 400 all-purpose yards, breaking his old LSC record for all-purpose yards in a game. Scott earned LSC South Offensive Player of the Week honors after rushing for 259 yards and two touchdowns while catching seven passes for 141 yards and one touchdown.

“It was a really big performance, and [Scott] stepped up big in a really big game and did a good job,” Thomsen said.

Malone finished with 386 yards passing and five total touchdowns, while Knox recorded his second straight game with more than 200 receiving yards, catching 10 passes for 203 yards and two touchdowns. The offense finished with 641 yards and did not turn the ball over or allow a sack.

Defensively, the Wildcats did what they have done best all season: force turnovers.

Harris finished with two interceptions, while Harbison

Volleyball: Cats defeat Texas Woman’s in four Continued from page 8 match. It was good to see them get out there and make things work even in a lineup that’s not normal for them.”

Junior outside hitter Michelle Bacon and Curry played in positions that they normally don’t play, but Mock said she was impressed by their performance.

On Tuesday, the Wildcats traveled to Odessa to play Texas-Permian Basin, but results were unavailable by press time. The team will play Southwest-

E-mail Abston at: gda04b@acu.edu

Banquet: Dinner will recognize champions

ern Oklahoma State Thursday at 7 p.m. in Moody Coliseum. This will be the Wildcats’ first home game since Sept. 27.

“It’s very exciting to be home and to have some fans who are rooting for us,” Mock said. “I’m glad we are getting the chance to play at home on Homecoming. I am looking forward to watching the girls get back on a roll and playing well.”

Continued from page 8

Emily Jorgenson :: staff photographer E-mail Harris at: tch05f@acu.edu

added one; defensive end Willis Hogan and defensive back Quintin Wilson each recorded a fumble recovery. Harris also earned LSC South Defensive Player of the Week honors after recording six tackles, two interceptions and one forced fumble. Linebacker Mike Kern led the Wildcats with 11 tackles, while safety Nick Fellows finished with nine. Defensive ends Vantrise Studivant and Aston Whiteside led the team with one sack apiece.

“Defensively, the big key was the turnovers we forced again,” Thomsen said. “The key to the game was to protect the ball on offense and force turnovers on defense, and we did that.”

The Wildcats will now turn their attention to No. 17 Tarleton State (7-1) on Saturday for ACU’s Homecoming game. The Wildcats will play Tarleton State at 2 p.m. at Shotwell Stadium.

Libero Amy Wilson looks to return a ball during practice on Friday.

their skills, compete and hear speakers and lectures on how to be better coaches and trainers. Fraley is also in his 28th season at Fresno State and has made quite a mark on the pole vaulting world with the Summit.

“Fraley will be a highly motivational speaker, talking in relation to goal setting and chasing dreams,” Hood said. “It will not be solely track and field related; it will be a good chance for students to hear a talk on being a Christian in the sporting world.”

Fraley will also be speaking at a student-athletes’ Chapel on Thursday, and all are welcome Hood said.

The banquet is open to the general public and is meant to honor the track and field teams for their accomplishments throughout the year.

The banquet will be at 6 p.m. Thursday at Hillcrest Church of Christ. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased through Hood by calling (325) 674-2711. It will be catered by Danny Fleming’s BBQ.

Track Banquet Tickets may be purchased by calling 674-2711. n Cost: $15 n Time: 6 p.m. n Place: Hillcrest Church of Christ n When: Thursday E-mail Touchette at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu

TAMU-C on Friday

Continued from page 8 victory] gave the girls the confidence that they really can play with anyone in this league,” head soccer coach Casey Wilson said.

Early on in the match, both teams missed good opportunities to score. In the 11th and 13th minutes, midfielder Jackie Gentile missed several close shots that barely went over the crossbar.

In the 27th minute, goalie Crissy Lawson made an impressive one-handed save that would have surely been a goal, had the ball not hit off her fingertips and go over the crossbar.

Courtney Wilson finally broke a scoreless tie in the 54th minute as the ball trickled by the goalie. In seemingly slow motion, Wilson beat the Broncho defender to the ball and scored on the open goal.

“It was finally good to have one of those go our way,” Coach Wilson said.

In the last thirty seconds of the game, Central Oklahoma gave the Wildcats a scare when a shot missed closely.

“Everyone was so excited not only because we won, but we outplayed them,” midfielder Jordan Reese said.

“Sometimes in soccer the better team loses, but this is a deserved win.”

Midfielder Alyse Ritchie said she did not see it as an upset because of the

team’s effort.

“We knew we were good enough We played a wellfought game and came out on top.”

On Sunday, ACU was victorious against the only winless team in the LSC, Southwestern Oklahoma State, with a score of 3-1. All three goals came in the second half after the Wildcats outshot their opponent 11-2 in the first half.

Kendall Cooper, Lyndsey Womack and Courtney Wilson all scored goals, while Reese increased her team lead in assists this season, posting two more.

With both victories, ACU moves into the playoff race, sitting fifth in the conference with the top-six teams getting a spot in the LSC Tournament.

Last year, ACU failed to make the playoffs in its inaugural season but hopes to change that this year.

“We need to keep winning or at least tying to get some points. Because Angelo and Midwestern have tiebreakers on us, I think we need to take two or three out of these last four to make it to the playoffs,” Coach Wilson said.

The Wildcats will try to increase their four-game non-losing streak this weekend with games at Texas A&M-Commerce and Texas Woman’s University on Friday and Sunday.

E-mail Gwin at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu

Tennis: Hudson, Nunez finish fourth Continued from page 8 Amber Chandronnait (6-7, 6-2, 6-3).

ACU’s other representative at the championships was the men’s doubles team of Ryan Hudson and Juan Nunez. The pair was no stranger to the national stage; last year they came in third at the national championship and they entered this year’s championship with higher expectations being the top-ranked team.

Hudson and Nunez easily won their first match (6-2, 6-1) but were upset in the second round by Julien Carsuzaa and Alessandro Sarra of Lynn University (6-2, 7-5).

This loss proved to be no fluke as Carsuzaa and Sarra went on to win the national championship, while Hudson and Nunez finished in fourth place.

“I am actually pretty disappointed after finishing third last year,” Hudson said. “We went in wanting to get first but we knew it would be hard. I don’t think we played our best but I still recognize it as a pretty good

success for the season,” Hudson said.

Nunez echoed his partners’ disappointment but like Hudson also saw some positives.

“It was a little disappointing to be honest,” Nunez said.

“We had bigger expectations after last year; we expected to at least get to the finals. It’s always a good statement to finish fourth for the spring, which is the team semester.

People will recognize a good team with good players.”

With the individual competitions of the fall complete, the ACU tennis team will turn its eyes toward the spring.

The team hopes its individual successes will pay dividends this next semester as the teams compete as a whole.

While individual events are important, Nunez issues a reminder of what collegiate athletics mean, putting it all in perspective.

“We were lucky to get to represent our school,” Nunez said. “But it is not all about us; it’s about our school.”

E-mail Craig at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu

October 22, 2008

FocusWednesday

Page 5

Mystery Meet Grill masters gathered in Brady to serve up racoon, bear, rattlesnake and goat — competively.

By Camille Vandendriessche Assistant Copy Editor

Once a year, Brady doubles its population. Every Labor Day weekend, the “Heart of Texas” becomes the Mecca of barbecued goat-lovers, and 7,000 to 10,000 people gather in Richards Park for the World Championship Goat Cook-off.

On the eve of the barbecue competition, men and women compete in washers and horseshoe tournaments.

Tattooed players show off their dexterity at throwing discs and horseshoes with one hand, while keeping their beer going up and down with the other hand.

Boots, jeans and cowboy hats dominate the dress code; some pitchers wear shirts that say, “Hardly Ever Sober” or “Genius By Birth, Slacker By Choice.”

On Friday night, a few couples scatter across the dance floor, while 150 registered cooking teams get their barbecues set up for the big day; on Saturday, Brady’s Richards Park sponsors the 35th World Championship Goat Cook-off.

The goat cook-off began in 1973 as a fundraiser for the Jaycees. The first edition recorded 16 entrees; now the number is limited to 150 cooking teams and 100 vendors.

A crew of 37 judges examines and tastes 30 pieces of meat per team and grades each team’s 10 best pieces. The criteria for best meats are appearance, aroma, taste, texture and aftertaste. The team with the best average wins; the winning team went home with $1,000 this year.

Charles and William Cooks, brothers from Brady, have teamed together for 35 years. They grill their meat

Camille Vandendriessche :: assistant copy editor Attendees enjoy a friendly game of washers, while the meat cooks.

on a barbecue that has the shape and the size of a goat.

“We’ve been here since the first year; it hasn’t changed a lot,” Charles said.

“Back then the entrance fee was $25. Now it’s $150, but it’s still the same spirit.”

To entertain the public, several teams transform their cooking spot into a party place. This year, the “New Orleans” team — all of them are from Texas — dressed in purple and yellow costumes and distributed hundreds

of colorful necklaces to celebrate Mardi Gras.

“It’s one of the very few goat cook-offs in Texas,” said Wendy Ellis, the event’s director. “It has grown and changed over the years, but much of it stays the same.”

One of the changes in 2008 was the “mystery meat” contest; judges and spectators had the opportunity to taste rattlesnake, bear and raccoon.

“The event has always had a great sense of humor about itself,” Ellis said. “It’s great for reunions with family and friends because of the laid back atmosphere.”

Brady Young, sophomore business major from Brady, said a lot of people who have moved away from Brady travel every year to come back for the cook-off.

“I see people that I have not seen since high school,” Young said. “It’s like a big reunion.”

Ellis said the goat cookoff marks the last chance to gather for fun and fellowship at the end of the summer, and being scheduled on a long weekend is one reason for its success.

Eddie Sandoval, a counselor at Hurst Community College, said he used to

compete at the goat cookoff but now is among the judging crew.

“It’s the start of a new year, kind of like a Homecoming,” Sandoval said.

Melvin Hees, another competition judge, said he met people from Australia and Russia in the past editions.

Goat meat aficionados and curious visitors come to Brady from all over the states and even from abroad. This year, the farthest visitor was from Finland.

Brady earned its name of “Heart of Texas” because it stands as the closest city to the geographical center of the state.

Interestingly, the goat cook-off is a free, convivial event where people invite each other to their tables to share some good meat, drinks and friendship.

“All kinds of origins and backgrounds are represented,” Hees said. “We’ve had a banker, a dentist, a teacher, a fireman and even a state representative.”

Hees works as vice president for an armored car company. The Plano resident said he was introduced to the cook-off 26 years ago by relatives who live in Brady.

Rob Britton, another judge from Dallas, said

Camille Vandendriessche :: assistant copy editor Left: The “Cooking Team” from Lake Grandbury gather around a cutout of Texas, with many of the state’s iconic locations marked. Right: A representative of Lampasas-based Tractor Cookers keeps an eye on his tractor-turned-grill, while the meat cooks inside.

most people hear about the event by word of mouth.

“I was invited by a friend, and it’s been 18 years that I come,” Britton said.

Some participants have become nationally famous for their prowess behind a barbecue grill.

Jerry Baird, a winner in 1976, said he participated in the first goat cook-off in Brady but did not do too well because he was drunk and did not really care about what he was doing. However, Baird has won many barbecue contests since then; in 1988 he won the Superbowl, a competition open to cookoff champions only.

“Goat is healthier than other meats; it’s a low-blood, low-cholesterol meat,” Baird said. “To win, it’s gotta be tender, juicy and not too dry.

It takes about eight hours to cook and let it cool down.”

In 2006 and 2007, Baird, who also owns a business selling barbecue spices and gourmet seasonings, was featured on the TV show Texas Country Reporter. He was featured cooking from his chuck wagon for some “ol’ greasy-belly cowboys” at a ranch in West Texas, according to his Web site, www.jerrybairds.com. “Jerry Baird’s” exports internationally, but Baird does not exactly look like a businessman.

Standing next to his shiny, white truck, the old man looks rougher than his picture on his company’s logo. Even though he is not competing this year, his red, craggy face resembles that of the cookers who stayed up all night to watch some smoke come out of their barbecues. Unlike Baird, most of them will never be goat cook-off world champions, but chances are they will still come back next year.

E-mail Vandendriessche at: cxv06a@acu.edu

ViewsWednesday

Page 6

October 22, 2008

Drop in gas prices indicates success of increased frugality

I

f you drive a car, you’ve noticed falling gas prices. In Abilene, prices have receded at least as low as $2.56, and it’s not just Abilene, gas prices everywhere are dropping.

Oil slipped under $70 last Thursday, which is less than half the price it was only three months ago. At $3.08, the national average price of gasoline has fallen roughly a dollar since the July record of $4.11.

Many reasons exist behind the dramatic fall in gas prices. The optimistic explanation is Americans began to curb their gas consumption and drive less when confronted with rising prices. People began to take responsible action in the form of carpooling, biking and walking and simply cutting back on gratuitous trips to everywhere and anywhere.

“

We only have been given a break, and it may be a short one. If we fall back into our bad, gas-guzzling habits, we easily can expect to see prices sky rocket once more.

A more cynical explanation to the price decline would be people are hurting financially from the economic downturn, and when people hurt, they cut back on unnecessary outputs like gas consumption. Those who recently saw their investments and savings take a heavy hit are less likely to take a cross country road trip in the near future.

The economy may be a factor, but a purely economic explanation ignores the fact that gas prices began to fall as early as the beginning of August, before

”

the current economic crisis became a constant top story in the nightly news.

Whatever the contributing factors, a major cost and concern to Americans all across the country clearly has receded.

Prices likely will rise in the coming winter months, and those who already are struggling with rising medical and food costs will suffer. Yet, on the whole, the “energy crisis” has become more of an energy concern.

This is not an end to the conversation about our energy future, however.

We only have been given a break, and it may be a short one. If we fall back into our bad gas-guzzling habits, we easily can expect to see prices sky rocket once more.

We still have to pursue new resources for our energy needs. We still must figure out a way to make wind, solar and hybrid technology financially viable methods to siphon off our dependence on foreign oil.

We have allowed politically unstable countries and oil companies gluttonous for profits dictate our energy supply for too long.

What many Americans learned through this energy ordeal is that while a necessity, we probably overconsume this natural resource.

As with many other blessings we enjoy in America, we can cut back. We can prioritize and make proper

The issue:

Despite economic suffering in other sectors, gas prices have been on the decline for months.

Our view:

While both economic and personal factors may play a role in the decline of gas prices, personal factors seem to have the most significant effect.

The solution:

In order to preserve the trend of declining gas prices, we in turn must preserve our recently adopted gas-saving habits.

adjustments.

Hopefully, this lesson will translate into our current economic crisis spurred by self-indulgent lending and spending practices. As a country, we spend money we don’t have and we consume more than is necessary. This is a trend we need to fix.

The current pattern of declining gas prices hopefully will mark a phase in American culture in which we no longer treat a gratu-

itous amount of our natural resources as a necessity. Perhaps we can come through our current crisis with a renewed sense of stewardship.

Our current status marks two trends, one of an increasing sense of national responsibility and one of subsequently declining prices. We can only hope that both will be long lasting.

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

Facebook ads further offensive stereotypes It’s always there, that little box at the corner of your screen, a slight annoyance while you just want to chat, socialize and stalk in peace. It isn’t enough that Mark Zuckerberg is continuously changing the format of Your (A)Typical our favorite online social Coffee Addict network, but

By Lydia now we have Melby to be subjected to “personalized” advertisements that can range from ironically funny to ridiculous to downright insulting.

After all the Beacon controversy, the ads have been toned down a little, and Facebook changed a lot of the privacy settings to appease the huge mass of users who suddenly revolted in protest. However, some of the ads are still quite obviously tailored to the viewer’s interests and demographics.

You see ads that make you chuckle whenever you log on: those that are spelled horribly wrong (“Nead a place to stay?”), those that try too hard but just don’t apply (“Is your credit whack?”) and those that promise prizes and scholarships upwards of $10,000 if you just enter their contests. The best are always when you have two ads stacked one on the other, and the top one says, “Become a Ministry Leader,” while the bottom asks, “Need Drinking Money?”

That combination usually brightens my day. And honestly, I’m not complaining about those. What would Facebook be without these little momentary distracters? Definitely, not nearly as fun and maybe a little less interesting.

The ads that are a little more irritating are the ones that are obviously so tailored to the member’s profile. Since I have “writing” listed as one of my interests, at least half of the advertisements that pop up on my page go something like “Want to be a writer? Publish yourself for free on our Web site!” The best one I came across so far featured a very unflattering picture of

Alarm clocks plague student’s quest for sleep Beep-Beep.

ScreechScreech! The dreaded alarm clock shouts a rude awakening, like little jackhammers drilling into the sleeping brain.

Every morning without fail, the monster attacks, snarling and growling until starGot Your tled fingers Grammar Talk discover the snooze butBy Kelline ton or trip Linton across the off switch.

Sometimes I change my alarm settings to radio mode, tuning it to the most atrocious sounds I can find – plain static or drawling country music.

Either one pries my glued eyelids open.

Other times, I wake early and watch the digital clock flip its numbers, the minutes slowly disappearing. I stare at the red alarm sign with repulsion, wanting to turn it off before the beast awakens but fearing my groggy mind will betray me back into a state of sleep.

How I shudder at the choices.

That shiny black clock, so sleek and modern – it haunts my dreams. The

“

The alarm. It is the bane of my life.

Without such a fiend, I would sleep until noon, curled in my blankets like a warm, hibernating bear.

alarm. It is the bane of my life. Without such a fiend, I would sleep until noon, curled in my blankets like a warm, hibernating bear.

Imagine the possibilities.

No matter how late professors force me to stay awake, writing papers, reading English stories and typing lab assignments, I could sleep my fill in the morning.

No more sleep-deprived migraines. No more yawning epidemics. No more Chapel naps.

I would awake with a sense of renewal, feeling refreshed and ready to tackle anything and everything.

Instead, Taqi al-Din decided to invent the first mechanical alarm clock in 1559 for the Ottoman Empire.

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

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

”

And then, Levi Hutchins followed him in 1787, creating an alarm clock in the United States. Unlike al-Din, I admire Hutchins. He had the decency to only make the device for himself, using it to awake at 4 a.m. every day for his job, but French inventor Antoine Redier could not leave well enough alone.

He was the first to patent an adjustable mechanical alarm clock, in 1847.

So the nightmare invaded American houses on a large scale, forcing school children to shudder in terror, until the spring of 1942 when alarm clocks ceased production as the factories that made them were converted for war work during World War II. I am sure many rejoiced for the end of the abomination.

Until November 1944, when the factories resumed clock manufacture for civilian use. By that time, a critical shortage of alarm clocks had developed due to older clocks wearing out or breaking down. Workers

constantly were late or even completely missed their scheduled shifts in jobs critical to the war effort.

To counteract this trend, in a pooling arrangement overseen by the Office of Price Administration, clock companies began to resume production before the war even ended.

So the cycle continues.

The alarm clock blares, the student awakens and classes begin.

We college students cannot escape the early morning ritual, especially at ACU where numerous absences mean a drop in the class.

My best advice for us latenight diligent people trying to balance school and social responsibilities?

Embrace the monster, relish the rude awakenings and survive the attacks because retirement is only in 45 more years, when a person can safely throw the alarm clock into the nearest trash bin and run for the hills without fear of reprisal.

E-mail Linton at: krl04b@acu.edu

Optimist the

Published by the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication

Newsroom: (325) 674-2439

Sports desk: (325) 674-2499

a frightened-looking young woman and told a quick story about how she was stuck goat-farming in Arizona until she published a story online, and is now, allegedly, quite successful. That “heart-warming” ad always made me smile (and snicker).

My main problem with Facebook’s use of tailored ads is that a good deal of the advertisements I see are trying to get me to try some “supermodel diet” or a new product that promises to give me a body like Kim Kardashian’s.

For some reason Facebook, or Beacon, or whoever is in charge of these profiled ads, thinks that because I am fe-

“

It really hacks me off that because I have my gender listed on my Facebook profile, I get reminded constantly how physically lacking America thinks I am.

”

male, I automatically would be interested in these things.

It really hacks me off that because I have my gender listed on my Facebook profile, I get reminded constantly how physically lacking America thinks I am. I get ads for underwear, I get ads for breast supplements, I get ads for weight loss and I get ads for engagement rings and breakup counseling when I’ve never even had my relationship status posted.

So really, where should we draw the line? I hesitate to criticize Facebook, since it is a free network, but honestly, one would think that after the huge Beacon and Newsfeed controversy, its makers would be more anxious to not alienate those who use it.

E-mail Melby at: lgm05e@acu.edu

Editorial and Management Board Laura Acuff

Grant Abston

Editor in Chief

Opinion Page Editor

Sports Editor

Michael Freeman

Daniel Johnson-Kim

Cody Veteto

Kenneth Pybus

Chief Videographer

Adviser

DeLaina Parker

Cade White

Zak Zeinert

Lydia Melby

Managing Editor

Chief Photographer

Arts Editor

Broadcast Manager

Sommerly Simser

Colter Hettich Features Editor

Kelline Linton

Molly Byrd

Mult. Managing Editor

Photo department: (325) 674-2499

Advertising office: (325) 674-2463

Chief Copy Editor

Multimedia desk: (325) 674-2463

Page 2 Editor

Subscriptions ($40/academic year): (325) 674-2296

Adviser

Christi Stark Advertising Manager

E-mail: jmcnetwork@acu.edu

FROM THE FRONT

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Page 7

Ads: Administration views posters, signs as trash Continued from page 1 frequently visit, adding the new policy will help improve the appearance of ACU’s campus.

“It does create a trashy look to parts of the campus after posters have been walked on,” Money said.

Money said Dr. Jean Noel Thompson, vice president and dean for student life, already has a group of ACU staff working on ways to help student groups and students find other methods to advertise events

and communicate their messages to the ACU community.

Money offered the option of posting advertisements on the MyACU Web page as a good venue to advertise but said he realizes more ways for students to get the word out may be necessary, and Thompson and the Student Life staff will work with students to find affective techniques.

“Here is a campus that is on the cutting edge of technology in higher education, surely we can figure out bet-

ter and more creative ways to communicate important information,” Money said.

Daniel Paul Watkins, Students’ Association president and senior political science major from Fredericksburg, Va., said when he campaigned for student government, the posters and ads that littered the Campus Center entrances bothered him.

“I think those dirty up the campus and look ugly,” Watkins said.

Watkins said the new poli-

cy also might help reduce the waste of paper, which is often thrown out or ignored. He said he also was glad to hear the Student Life office was eager to help students and student groups find alternative and possibly innovative methods to advertise on campus.

“The consumer is changing, so it seems like the marketing to that consumer should change as well,” Watkins said.

But not all students think the new policy is a good move.

Stephanie Robles, senior

psychology major from Mesquite and president of Hispanos Unidos, said the new policy drastically would diminish student groups’ ability to advertise upcoming campus events.

She said she does not believe the advertisements on glass doors and sidewalks make the campus look “cluttered,” and instead they generate a feeling that things are actively happening on campus.

“I understand they want [the campus] to look clean and nice, but how are stu-

dent organizations supposed to effectively advertise and make it welcoming to students?” Robles said.

Although she is critical of the policy, Robles admitted it may be a good opportunity to test what advertising will work on campus.

“I guess we can try it out and see,” Robles said. “It could be a good experiment and see what works and what doesn’t.”

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

Prairie: Show receives an ACU twist Fashion: Success Continued from page 1 references. The skits were set mostly in Abilene, and in one segment titled, “Guy Noir, Private Eye,” Keillor was an investigator hired to moderate a debate about God’s existence at “Abilene SecularHumanist University.”

“People ask me ‘why would you go to do a show in Abilene?’” Keillor said on stage. “This is one of the most conservative parts of the country, and there you are, a Minnesota Democrat.”

Keillor explained to the audience that differences were a good thing.

“I like to be with people who are different than myself,” Keillor said. “I don’t get along with people like me so I thought I’d try something else.”

Dr. Jack Reese, chair of the College of Biblical studies, joined Keillor on stage for a short question and answer segment, where the two had an unscripted back

Photo courtesy of John Best

The crowd watches host Garrison Keillor, Gospel singer Jeralyn Steele and members from the ACU A Capella choir sing during Saturday’s performance in Moody Coliseum. and forth about the ACU and the Church of Christ doctrine and tradition.

“We are committed to scripture,” Reese explained to Keillor.

“What are you saying about us Episcopalians?”

Keillor replied.

Audience members chuckled at Keillor’s heartfelt jabs at ACU, joking that there was “no dancing on campus,” and explaining

how students attended daily Chapel. He took jabs at Abilene too, citing in a skit there were no saloons in town and that every corner had a church.

“The fact that he comes from such a different area and came in here and everything was just entwined, you’d have thought he’d been living here a couple of years,” said Evelyn Mayfield, who came to the show

with her 89-year-old mother Lavern Mayfield.

ACU women students from the ACU A Capella choir sang backup for Keillor and Gospel singer Jeralyn Steele for country and gospel ballads during the show.

Emilly Pallostro, senior visual communication major from Austin, said she was honored to perform with Keillor and Steele, and although she did not listen to the show in the past, she will be a frequent listener in the future.

After two hours of songs, skits and stories, the cast, the ACU A Capella and a packed Moody Coliseum helped Keillor close the show with the country classic that holds this West Texas town’s name.

“Abilene, Abilene, prettiest town I’ve ever seen. Women there don’t treat you mean in Abilene, not in Abilene,” the stadium sang together.

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

Voting: Students can Fright: Club expects still cast early ballots to scare, excite visitors Continued from page 1 it shows the significance of the election and the impact that the youth vote can have if they really come out and start voting.”

Both Smith and Perkins credit the voter turnout to the publicity of this year’s presidential election and the advertising of the campus mobile voting booths.

Recent issues such as a struggling economy may have influenced more students to take a trip to the polls, Perkins said.

“I think over the past eight years, we’ve realized that a president does make a large impact,” Perkins said. “If we can choose our next president, we can help decide some of the policies that they make and how they affect us.”

Monday’s event was the only opportunity for stu-

dents to cast their ballot early on campus.

If students still wish to participate in early voting, several places are offered around Abilene where they can vote until Oct. 31. The Taylor County Plaza on Oak Street, the Books A Million in the Mall of Abilene, the Hastings on South 14th Street, the K-Mart on South 1st Street and the United Supermarket on North Judge Ely Boulevard will all have early voting available for the next two weeks. Hours for all locations except the Taylor County Plaza will be from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. this week. Taylor County Plaza hours will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Next week, the hours for the locations will change to 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

E-mail Freeman at: mxf04b@acu.edu

Continued from page 1 “This is one of the great ways we can get to know our pledges and build relationships with local businesses,” said Nathan MacDonald, senior advertising and public relations major from Hillsboro.

The social club’s haunted house has been at several different locations in Abilene, including the Grace Museum, formerly the Drake Hotel, in the 80’s and the Spirits Haunted Island in 2006, where visitors took a short boat ride to the island while listening to the island’s legends followed by a hayride through the haunted cemetery.

“We set the bar pretty high in 2006, but this year we hope to deliver,” MacDonald said. “We have to make this haunted house even better to make up for not being able to have it last year.”

Club members last year were unable to have their haunted house due to conflicts with the site’s new landowner. The landowner felt the haunted house contradicted with his beliefs, and without another location available, the club was forced to cancel.

“I love Halloween; it’s my favorite holiday, and the Frat’s haunted house is supposed to be awesome this year,” said Colleen Ashley, sophomore political science major from the island of American Samoa. “It’s a cool way to spend fall break this year.”

Play Faire Park is located at 2300 North 2nd St. behind Andrews Furniture. Tickets can be purchased at the entrance or later this week at the Campus Center for $8.

E-mail Gutierrez at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu

stems from novelty Continued from page 1 and she and her family are very dear to many of the international students,” Lee said.

Landon McCaig, sophomore undeclared major from Silver Springs, said the best part of the show was the fact it was something unusual.

“It was fun to do something different,” McCaig said. “I got a lot of compliments.”

McCaig was first approached by Caroline Conwell, a model coordinator,

and asked if he would like to participate.

“I had never done anything like it before, but it seemed fun. I was a little nervous though,” McCaig said.

Lee said the show might take place again next year because of its success.

“It was a great success,” Lee said. “We’re even considering starting a fashion club on campus.”

E-mail Zeinert at: zaz05a@acu.edu

Wind: Project could provide more than energy Continued from page 1 department uses this location for its applied curriculum.

“The addition of the Abilene Christian project brings our total announced project count to 20 as of today,” said John Mitola, president of Juhl Wind, in a press release. “As we have stated before, we expect strong growth in the college and university market and we are actively working on other projects as well.”

Jack Rich, head of investment researches for ACU, contacted the up-and-coming wind company to organize a feasibility project to determine if ACU could handle a potential wind project.

The focus of the feasibility study is to determine the project’s size and cost, how many turbines can be used and how many megawatts of energy they will distribute. These factors also will affect the overall cost of the project, and the amount of turbines and megawatts used will determine if the project has the potential to continue. The study already has begun and will be concluded in the next six months.

Dr. Jim Cooke, professor of environmental science, said the potential project would bring many great outcomes for the campus. The wind project could help conserve natural resources while simultaneously demonstrating Christian stewardship by preventing the use of low fossil fuels and natural resources. Energy prices also are on the rise; the past year ACU spent $2.5 million on energy expenses. The use of wind farm energy would help relinquish the stronghold grip the current economy has when it comes to using natural resources. Since the project would be local, all of the revenues saved would benefit the community, Cooke said. The project also would serve as an academic tool benefiting students who major in agriculture and environmental science.

“In my opinion, it has to be done, and it’s the right thing to do,” Cooke said.

“The project has a very good chance of being successful. Best case scenario is 18 months from now we’ll be generating wind energy.”

E-mail Anderson at: tsa04a@acu.edu

SportsWednesday

Page 8

SCOREBOARD Standings Football Team

Div. 3-0 3-1 2-1 2-2 1-2 1-2 0-4

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

Overall 7-0 7-1 7-1 5-2 5-3 3-5 1-7

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

Div. 6-0 7-2 5-2 5-3 5-3 3-4

Overall 22-3 17-7 21-6 16-9 13-8 15-8

Volleyball team improves to 3-4 in LSC after win

By Chandler Harris The volleyball team snapped a three-match losing streak on Saturday as it defeated Texas Woman’s University 3-1 (21-25, 25-17, 2515, 25-22).

The Wildcats are now 15-8 overall and 3-4 in the LSC, good for eighth place in the conference.

The team dropped the first set to the Pioneers 21-25 as TWU hit .341 as a team. Then the Pioneers struggled offensively the rest of the match, hitting .000 in the second set, -.029 in the third set and .163 in the fourth set.

Div. 6-1 4-1-1 4-1 3-2-1 3-2-1 TX Woman’s 3-2 MSU 3-3 NE St. 2-2-2 ENMU 2-5 East Central 0-5-1 SW Okla.

0-6

The Wildcats, on the other hand, hit .226 as a team for the match. The team had 57 combined kills and just 20 attack errors. Freshman outside hitter Jennie Hutt led the team with a doubledouble consisting of 16 kills and 14 digs to go along with two block assists. Sophomore middle blocker Jordan Schilling also put up big numbers with 13 kills, six digs and five block assists.

Junior outside hitter Erin Curry and redshirt freshman outside hitter Britni Golden both added nine kills apiece.

“It really helped to have Golden play a good match offensively and defensively,” Mock said.

Despite the changes in the lineup due to recent injuries, Mock felt the team played well.

“We had a new lineup without Shawna Hines but we came out and played well,” head coach Kellen Mock said.

“In the first game, TWU was on fire and won the game, but we played well. In the second game, the girls had a good time and took care of the ball and won. Then, we got on a roll and won the See

Volleyball page 4

Emily Jorgenson :: staff photographer Outside hitter Britni Golden digs a serve, while outside hitter Aubree Vick watches. The Wildcats defeated Texas Woman’s 3-1 Saturday.

Breaking Away

Women’s Soccer WTAMU Angelo St. TAMU-C Central Okla.

ACU

Volleyball

Assistant Sports Editor

ACU* *8th out of 14 teams

Team

Overall 12-2-1 10-4-2 10-2-1 9-4-3 7-5-2 8-6 8-6 5-6-3 8-8 4-8-2 2-13

Cats finish fall season with ITA matches

By Jeff Craig Sports Writer

Scores Friday Soccer ACU 1, Central Oklahoma 0

Saturday Football ACU 52, West Texas A&M 35

Volleyball ACU 3, Texas Woman’s 1

Sunday Soccer ACU 3, SW Oklahoma State 0

Upcoming Thursday Volleyball ACU vs. SW Oklahoma State, 7 p.m.

Friday Soccer ACU at Texas A&M-Commerce, 3 p.m.

Saturday Cross Country LSC Championships, 2 p.m.

Football ACU vs. Tarleton State, 2 p.m.

Volleyball ACU vs. Central Oklahoma, 7 p.m. :: Home games listed in italics

NOTES n Running back Bernard Scott earned LSC South Offensive Player of the Week honors after rushScott ing for 259 yards and two touchdowns and catching seven passes for 141 yards and one touchdown in ACU’s 52-35 win against West Texas A&M. Scott’s 400 all-purpose yards broke his own LSC single-game record for all-purpose yards. n Cornerback Craig Harris earned LSC South Defensive Player of the Week honors after recording six tackles, two interceptions and one forced fumble to lead ACU over West Texas A&M. Harris’ first interception came at the end of the first half and kept the Buffs from scoring. His second interception came with 7:18 remaining in the game and set up Scott’s final touchdown to seal the win.

October 22, 2008

Zak Zeinert :: chief photographer Above: Wide receiver Johnny Knox looks to run after a catch against West Texas A&M Saturday. Knox caught 10 passes for 203 yards and two touchdowns in ACU’s 52-35 win. Below: Running back Bernard Scott looks upfield against the Buffs. Scott finished with an LSC-record 400 all-purpose yards.

ACU wins LSC showdown to claim No. 1 spot in the region

By Grant Abston Sports Editor

After passing their first major test of the season in week one against Northwest Missouri State, the Wildcats passed arguably the biggest Lone Star Conference regular season test in their history, defeating West Texas A&M 52-35.

West Texas A&M entered Saturday night’s game ranked No. 4 in the nation, one spot behind ACU, but No. 1 in the regional poll, one spot ahead of ACU. However, the Wildcats jumped out to a 21-point lead en route to keeping their undefeated season intact and starting 7-0, their best start since 2006.

ACU jumped to No. 1 in the regional poll and No. 2 in the nation in both the d2football. com poll and the AFCA poll after Saturday’s win, the pro-

Football ACU 52, WTAMU 35 gram’s highest ranking ever in Division II. “It was a big win for our guys and for our program,” head coach Chris Thomsen said. “I’m proud of the way our guys responded in a tough environment, but a lot of work has to do be done nonetheless.”

In front of a crowd of nearly 20,000, ACU’s offense jumped out early and never slowed down. On their opening drive, the Wildcats marched down the field on a seven-play, 85-yard drive capped by a 22-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Billy Malone to wide receiver Johnny Knox. Malone scored his first rushing touchdown of the season on a 1-yard run with 26 seconds remaining in the first quarter to put the

acuoptimist.com See video highlights of ACU’s win over West Texas A&M Saturday

Wildcats ahead 14-0 after the first quarter.

On West Texas A&M’s ensuing drive, defensive back Alex Harbison intercepted Buff quarterback Keith Null to turn the ball back over to ACU. The Wildcats took advantage, scoring on a 34-yard pass from Malone to running back Bernard Scott. The Buffs would answer after Null found wide receiver Charly Martin for a 4-yard touchdown pass with six minutes remaining to cut the lead to 21-7. However, ACU closed out the first half on a 10-0 run after kicker Matt Adams made a 29-yard

Wildcats win two at home

By Austin Gwin Sports Writer

field goal, and Knox caught his second touchdown of the game with 22 seconds remaining, putting ACU ahead 31-7 at halftime. “[Knox] really played hard and made some big catches See

Football page 4

ACU tennis fell short of its championship aspirations but still performed well at the ITA Small Colleges Nat i o n a l Championship in Mobile, Ala. The 2008 season was a successful campaign for the WildJones cats with many members of the squad winning tournaments throughout the year including Irene Squillaci and the tandem of Ryan Hudson and Juan Nunez. Squillaci, Nunez and Hudson claimed South Central Regional championships and earned spots at the ITA National Championship. Squillaci represented ACU and her region in the women’s singles; while she did not win, she was pleased with her overall performance but felt she had more in her.

“I had a tough match in the first round; my opponent ended up going all the way to finals,” Squillaci said.

“You always want more; that’s competitive nature. I did my best but I feel still could have done better.”

Squillaci put up a good fight in her first-round battle, losing (6-3, 6-2) to eventual runner-up Suzanna Cavalcante of West Florida, who was defeated

by West Florida’s Sona Novakova in the final round.

After her first-round loss, Squillaci moved into the second half of the bracket, where she would end up finishing in sixth after losing a three-set match to Southern New Hampshire’s See

Banquet to celebrate national championships

By Laura Touchette

Jozie Sands :: staff photographer Midfielder Courtney Wilson dribbles the ball against Central Oklahoma on Friday. The Wildcats defeated UCO 1-0 and are 3-2-1 in LSC play.

The Wildcats continued to stay hot in Lone Star Conference play after winning two home games against Central Oklahoma and Southwestern Oklahoma State with 1-0 and 3-1 victories.

On Friday, the Wildcats upset one of the best teams in the LSC with a 1-0 win. The Bronchos of Central Oklahoma came into the game having lost their first regular season game since 2004. The Wildcats took advantage of the Bronchos’ recent loss and handed them their second loss in as many games.

“It was definitely a big win for our program; [the See

Soccer page 4

Tennis page 4

Track & Field

Sports Writer

The men and women’s track and field teams have done it again, both winning national titles at the NCAA Division II outdoor championships in May. It was the men’s seventh straight title and the women’s first title since 1999.

The track and field awards banquet takes place this Thursday to celebrate the achievements of both teams and the athletes.

“There are so few chances to see and honor these guys and girls who have done so much for the team,” head track and field coach Don Hood said.

“The banquet will be a great opportunity for the general public to honor the track teams and hear an impressive motivational speaker,” said Ryan Howman, senior management and marketing major from The Colony.

The speaker will be Robert Fraley, director of track and field at Fresno State University and founder of the Pole Vault Summit.

The Pole Vault Summit is a yearly event for pole vaulters and athletes around the country to learn about the art of pole vaulting, improve See

Banquet page 4