Optimist Print Edition 01.25.19 (Volume CVIII, Issue XVII)

OPTIMIST

@acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist

COUNTDOWN

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A student publication of Abilene Christian University since 1912

Volume CVIII, Issue XVII

Friday January 25, 2019

News

Sports

A new Abilene support group started at Brookhollow Church for kids with incarcerated parents. ACUTV worked with the Office of Spiritual Formation to start recording chapel in Moody.......................Page 2

Tremaine Jackson left his position as defensive coordinator to become the defensive line coach at Texas State. Luke Anthony was named Southland Conference Student Athlete of The Year.......Page 6

F S S M T W T Gallery Locals gathered on Monday in celebration as they marched across the Martin Luther King Jr. bridge. The Black Chamber of Commerce held a banquet in King’s honor..................................Page 4

Photo by LAUREN FRANCO EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Members of the Abilene community walked across the Martin Luther King bridge in honor of MLK day.

CAMPUS NEWS

Former student arrested on child porn charges LAUREN FRANCO EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

For the second time in just over a week, the Abilene Police Department alongLinares side ACU Police Department arrested a former student regarding child pornography distribution and possession.

Jonathan Linares, 22, was taken into custody in Nashville on Friday after detectives contacted the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force to secure the arrest.

Linares was interviewed while he was in Abilene and charged with distribution of child pornography via the social media platform, Tumblr, according to a press release sent out by APD Public Information Coordinator Rick Tomlin.

According to the press release, the Cyber Crimes Unit worked with ACUPD to identify the suspect while he was still in Abilene. Linares was allegedly distributing child pornography in both Abilene and Nashville from July 2018 through December 2018, while he was a student at the university.

Because the sites attributed in the APD press release SEE ARREST PAGE 2

Monday small group Chapels canceled LAUREN FRANCO EDITOR IN CHIEF

The Office of Spiritual Formation canceled small group Chapels on Mondays in an attempt to cultivate community among the university.

Cyrus Eaton, dean of spiritual formation and chaplain, said the decision was made to give students, faculty and staff a time to meet as a family.

“We’re working toward adding value to everything we do by hav-

ing one hour per week where we really focus on growing in our depth of understanding of who we are becoming and how we hope to transform our students through Chapel,” Eaton said.

Eaton said he wants to support small groups but preserve the communal identity of “why we gather.”

Because Tuesdays and Thursdays are typically considered small-group days and Friday is praise day, Monday was the best

option to bring the campus together.

Because the construction in Cullen was postponed until summer, Immersed Chapel will still be in the auditorium.

In addition to the changes in Monday Chapel, small-groups are required to sign in on paper only. Eaton said the Quest app, which was introduced during the fall semester of 2018, was not serving the function for which it was intended.

“It wasn’t adding credibility or accuracy or accountability,” Eaton said. “In fact, it was taking away from all of those things and there was this season when no one was on Chapel probation because of the lack of functionality, so we went back to the Stone Age.” Eaton said the office is entertaining conversations from people who push an app-based signin product, but it will not be used until it has

been thoroughly tested.

One of Eaton’s goals for the semester is to make Chapel more personal. By recording each Moody Chapel through ACUTV, Eaton said it creates a level of community and intimacy.

“The goal of small groups is that people find a place of belonging, and our goal in the overall Chapel program is that it helps us find our place in the story that God is writing,” Eaton said.

SPORTS

Wildcats lose lead in closing seconds

MAX PRESTON SPORTS DIRECTOR

The men’s basketball team traveled to face preseason favorite Stephen F. Austin Wednesday and lost 61-60 in heartbreaking fashion after senior guard Shannon Bogues hit a game-winning three-pointer to give the Lumberjacks the win.

ACU was in control for most of the first half as they found an 11 point lead at the 11:19 mark.

The team stayed in a considerable lead for the remaining time and took the momentum into halftime after senior forward Hayden Farquhar converted a layup right at the buzzer.

Coming out of the gate in the second half,

the Wildcats quickly lost its eight point lead when SFA went on a 10-0 run in the first five minutes making the score 35-33.

The men would respond in the next five minutes, however, with a 17-7 run of their own to take back the eight point lead.

In the remaining ten minutes of the game, the Wildcats kept a considerable lead and entered the final 30 seconds being up by seven (60-53).

ACU would then proceed to turn the ball over twice and allow five points. With 12 seconds left, junior guard Payten Ricks was intentionally fouled and went to the free throw line.

Ricks would miss the free throw, however, and SFA rebounded the ball.

Bogues then knocked down the three with five seconds left to go.

The Wildcats had a chance to inbound the ball and get a shot off, but Ricks couldn’t connect on a three-point attempt.

Senior guard Jaren Lewis said the team has to keep its head up and focus on the next game.

“It’s extremely important that we keep moving this season,” Lewis said.

“Coach Golding does a great job of keeping us focused and stresses the importance of bouncing back. We have bounced back every time after losses this year, but this next game is the most important because it’s the next game on our schedule.”

acuoptimist.com

With the loss, the men fall to 16-4 overall and 5-2 in conference, while SFA improves to 10-8 overall and 3-3 in Southland.

Coming off the bench, Farquhar scored the most points on the night with 19. He was 8-9 from the field and 3-4 from behind the arc. Senior guard Jaylen Franklin also was a top performer with 15 points, six assists, four rebounds and two steals.

The men will now get to return home after the loss to face Central Arkansas Saturday. UCA is 10-10 overall this season with a 5-2 conference record, which ties ACU for second in Southland at the moment.

Heading into the game, the Bears are on a four-

game win streak after defeating New Orleans Wednesday, while ACU will put its perfect 9-0 home record on the line.

Lewis said it will be good for the team to come back home after a loss.

“It will be really nice to come out to Moody Saturday,” Lewis said.

“We have been getting great support this year and we really appreciate it. We will focus on taking care of the ball and bringing intensity Saturday. Us players know we have to do a much better job of taking care of the ball.”

Tipoff against UCA is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.

Coverage of the game will air on ESPN+ and 98.1 FM.

Page 2 | Campus News Events

Wednesday 01/23 1. Women’s Basketball vs. Stephen F. Austin Saturday 01/26 1. Women’s Basketball vs. Central Arkansas 2. Men’s Basketball vs.

Central Arkansas 3. Marissa Lietz Senior Instrumental Recital Sunday 01/27 1. Key City Winds at Heavenly Rest Monday 01/21 1. Last day to request credit/no credit and pass/fail Tuesday 01/29 1. Recital-Derek Brown Wednesday 01/30 1. Men’s Basketball vs.

TAMU-CC

41

days until Spring break

Friday, January 25, 2019 ABILENE NEWS

The ‘Who’s who?’ of TEDxACU 2019 DILLON DANIEL STAFF REPORTER

Four headlining speakers for the TedxACU conference were confirmed: Justin Goldston, Ryan Pemberton, Clint Schumacher and Brad Gautney.

TEDxACU has had a four-year history of highlighting topics that deal with business and the economy, scientific discoveries, the impact of art and how as a community, people can better live their lives. With those that have been announced to speak, there is a large range of diversity in the topics that will be discussed.

Ryan Pemberton, minister of university engagement at the First Presbyterian Church

of Berkley in California, had a successful career in marketing and pubPemberton lic relations before leaving to pursue his calling. “If you knew you’d fail, would you go anyway?” Pemberton will discuss how the ups and downs of his journey dramatically redefined how he understood the role of success and failure.

Clint Schumacher, an attorney at Dawson & Sodd in Fort Worth, has been in legal practice for 21 years, being named in the elite Texas SuperLawyer list. His talk, “The Resiliency Decision,” will ask the audience to “consider how life might be different if they decided it didn’t matter how

many times they had b e e n knocked down, but focused inSchumacher stead on what it would take to get back up again and again.”

Brad Gautney, founder and president of Global Health Innovations in Dallas has dedicated his career in pediatric nursing to providing life-saving interventions for mothers and their babies living with HIV/AIDS. “What If We Can Change The Narrative: Ending Pediatric HIV/AIDS” will explain his journey on ending this epidemic, partnering with John Hopkins School of Medicine and the Kenyan government to treat more than 120,000

women and children.

Justin Goldston, senior management Gautney consultant at Ultra Consultants in Boston, has spent most of his career working with international organization leaders as they implement productivity software or “enterprise application.”

Goldston’s topic will be “Blockchain: The ‘True’ Sharing Economy,” which will consider some “ifs” of Blockchain’s future impact on the “sharing economy.”

Events like TEDxACU have introduced students on campus to new ways of thinking, helping to impact them and they way they

approach school, work and life.

Donte Payne, a senior DET Goldston major from Killeen, said, “Having TEDx events keeps us informed on topics most people are not knowledgeable on, often being conducted by sources well-versed in these topics.

While many of the talks may not challenge ideas, they introduce new ones that have the audience thinking.”

TEDx2019 will take place at Fulks Theatre on March 1 from 4-9:30 p.m.

General admission tickets are available online for $30. Students can register for $20 at www.tedxacu. org.

ABILENE NEWS

Local group supports kids with incarcerated parents ASHLEY ALFRED SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER

A new support group, Kids With Incarcerated Parents (KWIP), is open to children in the Abilene community who have a parent or loved one who has been or is currently incarcerated.

Tracy Brown, an Abilene resident, created KWIP after her childrens’ father was sentenced to prison for 50 years.

Brown said she saw how her children were struggling and started the group to help other kids in Abilene come together in a safe space to discuss their similar backgrounds.

Brown started the group in September and tried to keep a limited number of attendees until recently. Although the group is open to ages 10 through 18, Brown said the oldest is 15 years old, and younger siblings of attendees

that are not yet 10 years old have joined meetings on days that are less emotional.

Each meeting has anywhere from 5 to 15 children in attendance, with three consistent families. New sign-ups are expected at the next meeting.

“We originally kept a limited group, because I didn’t want to get in over my head with children that I was not prepared to help,” Brown said. “I didn’t want to do more harm than good, but I feel like we’re there now.”

Brown said despite being at the Brookehollow church, discussions are not focused on religion, but faith is often a point of reference in personal discussions.

“I’ve found that it can be very difficult to get some of these kids to talk, and some of them don’t have boundaries,” Brown said. “After I figured

out that that was going to happen in some of those situations, I diverted to having a speaker come and talk with the group.”

Brown said having speakers join the group for discussion gives the kids a chance to hear a new perspective on a situation similar to theirs, and to open and speak up if they can relate.

“I don’t want to do group therapy all the time with these kids – that’s really not what this is about,” Brown said.

“It’s more about them being able to make friendships and bond and to have a peer group that they feel equal to because they all have friends outside of this, but they don’t all have friends they can relate to.”

Brown said although they sometimes sit down and have heavy, emotional conversations, it is much more effective to listen to other people and

know that you’re not alone.

The group meets twice each month with different plans each time. One of the monthly meetings is focused on a heavy discussion for one hour, and the other on quality time. The second hour of each meeting is a time for fun and fellowship.

Brown said the group focuses on activities and games that build trust and relationships on days where there is no speaker. The group has also begun having “family days” more often.

Family days are an opportunity for regular attendees to bring a guardian and their siblings to the meetings.

During these events, the families participate in activities, like skate parties and cupcake baking challenges.

Brown said they are always changing up the activities and meetings to keep it interesting

so the kids will want to continue building relationships.

Brown said she is seeing a genuine bond growing between the kids and ease with the group that didn’t exist in the beginning.

“I just found out one of the kids is texting another one on the regular now and they never would have met in real life,” Brown said. “Now they’ve become a support system for each other outside of the group, and that’s exactly why we’re doing this.”

Brown said some of the children are very open and some struggle to participate in group conversations, but many will share their stories among friends they’ve made in the group.

“The purpose of the group is there to bring these kids together and to help them develop the skills they need to build and create good relationships

“

It’s more about them being able to make friendships and bond and to have a peer group that they feel equal to because they all have friends outside of this, but they don’t all have friends they can relate to.”

TRACY BROWN FOUNDER OF KWIP

so that when they leave the group they’re better prepared to support themselves and each other.

“At the end of the day, these kids are going to have to learn to stand on their own two feet, and that’s what we’re here to help them do,” Brown said.

KWIP meets twice each month on Sundays at Brookhollow Christian Church. For more information, contact Tracy Brown at (325) 7255946.

CAMPUS NEWS

Students begin recording Chapel in Moody Coliseum through ACUTV ASHLEY ALFRED SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER

ACUTV started taping Chapel in Moody Coliseum at the start of the semester.

Starting next week, the student production team at ACUTV will film Chapel on Mondays, Wednesdays and certain Fridays for the remainder of the semester.

Cyrus Eaton, dean of Spiritual Formation and campus chaplain, said he is looking forward to working with ACUTV to bring a better Chapel experience to students. “[Eaton] contacted me in January and said we would like to give Chapel a different feel and look and that starts with video production in his mind,” said Hutton Harris, director at ACUTV. “He is basically contracting us to come and shoot

“

The biggest goal in working with ACUTV was to confront one of the challenges we face in Moody Coliseum which is how impersonal and disconnected and far away everything can seem.”

CYRUS EATON DEAN OF DPIRITUAL FORMATION AND CAMPUS CHAPLAIN

every other day.”

Eaton said he hopes students do not feel as though the speakers are 100 feet away, but rather a sense of community.

“Right now our biggest focus is on the functions in Moody that best serve our students, so ideally when we’re in Moody Chapel we want to partner with ACUTV to make that room feel more intimate.”

Eaton said with the service and support of students, Chapel improvements and

Photo by ASHLEY ALFRED | SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER ACUTV films MLK remembrance Chapel in Moody Coliseum.

changes are already being implemented – starting with ACUTV. “We have so many avenues for us to improve in – improving on our use of social media, how we tell the story of what this semester looks like, who’s

coming to campus and how we can even archive and store past speakers and presentations,” Eaton said. “The full scope of where we want to go is probably as far as we can find students who are willing to help us get there.

“If used well, media and technology should help us connect on a deeper level – that’s my conviction,” Eaton said. “But I also know technology can become a distracting sometimes, so we want to be careful not to

overuse our media outlets when it comes to serving our students in Chapel.”

Harris said the main goal for ACUTV is to provide students with a professional video production experience, so they are prepared to take on any job after graduation.

“For me, the everyday goal is to give our students a great professional and college experience,” Harris said.

Eaton said he hopes the partnership with ACUTV confronts the challenge faced in Moody of students feeling disconnected from the speaker and worship.

“Having a live feed of a magnified version of what’s happening on stage helps students connect and feel like the room is a little smaller,” Eaton said.

POLICE LOG SELECTED ACUPD CALLS FOR THE WEEK 01/16/2019 2:00 a.m An alert ACUPD officer observed a non-student looking at the bicycles parked in front of Smith-Adams. The subject was ID’ed and advised to leave.

01/18/2019 1:48 a.m.

ACUPD & APD Officers responded to a reported discharge of firearm. Officers checked the area but were unable to locate anything.

01/20/2019 12:32 a.m.

ACUPD Officers responded to a large party involving loud music, and party trash in the yard and on the porch. The tenants were identified and advised of the complaint and closed the party down.

911 CALL............................................................1 ABANDONED VEHICLE....................0 ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIVITY........................................................36 ADVICE...............................................................1 ALARM...............................................................3 ANIMAL CALL.............................................0 ASSIST.................................................................1 ATTEMPT TO LOCATE..........................0 BARRICADES..............................................5 BOOT/UNBOOT VEHICLE...............0 BUILDING LOCK/UNLOCK.......................................10 BURGLARY(RESIDENCE).................2 CART PATROL.............................................6

CHECK BUILDING............................324 DIRECT TRAFFIC......................................3 DISTURBANCE............................................1 DOMESTIC DISTURBANCE..............1 ESCORT............................................................4 FOOT PATROL..............................................1 FOUND PROPERTY..............................12 HAZING.............................................................0 INFORMATION REPORT...................2 INVESTIGATION FOLLOW UP...............................................13 LOST PROPERTY......................................2 MAINTENANCE: UNIV ASSETS.................................................1 MEDICAL EMERGENCY.....................3

MONITOR FACILITY/ LOT......................................................................16 MOTORIST ASSIST: INFLATE TIRE................................................1 MOTORIST ASSIST: JUMPSTART..................................................7 MOTORIST ASSIST: UNLOCK...........................................................2 OTHER...............................................................2 PARKING LOT PATROL....................31 PARKING VIOLATION..........................11 PATROL VEHICLE: MAINTENANCE.........................................6 PATROL VEHICLE: REFUEL...........................................................10

PROWLER......................................................0 RANDOM PATROL.................................0 REPORT WRITING................................18 SEX OFFENCE..............................................1 STAND BY.......................................................0 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY.........................2 THEFT.................................................................2 TRAFFIC HAZARD...................................0 TRAFFIC STOP............................................6 TRAINING........................................................4 VEHICLE COLLISION............................3 WELFARE CHECK...................................3

TOTAL...........................................................568

Chief Ellison’s Weekly Tip Start your semester off with remembering to call ACUPD anytime you become aware of a crime occurring.

Friday, January 25, 2019

News | Page 3

STUDY ABROAD UPDATE

Study Abroad: Getting there is the hardest part ALLISON HARRELL STAFF WRITER

Submitting my application to Study Abroad was a last-minute decision for me, but I believe in the importance of regular risk-taking to remind yourself that you can do all the things that your subconscious may be telling you otherwise.

Sometimes it is best not to wait around making the lists of pros and cons and instead let yourself experience the pros and cons. It is likely the pros will be far greater and memorable, and the cons will make good stories to tell later.

A few months before the applications were due, I heard about a Study Abroad opportunity to Oxford, England, that would give me class credits that were in line with my major in Convergence Journalism. I quickly rearranged all my plans for the spring semester and said yes to an unknown adventure.

The few days we had left at ACU leading up to our

departure were spent sitting in the pews of Chapel on the Hill and listening to stories of what our future experiences might bring. It was absolutely terrifying.

I was in Abilene, but only for a limited time.

Somehow it felt like I was beginning a normal semester. I was seeing friends again for the first time after break, getting coffee in the library Starbucks and going to Chapel with friends, but I had to do it all at a distance with the realization that I would be leaving in a matter of days.

It seemed surreal. I told myself that it wouldn’t feel real until I stepped off the airplane but honestly, it still feels like a dream.

We left ACU on Jan. 16 with both the Oxford and Leipzig groups, after saying our last goodbyes to friends and family. The bus ride to the DFW airport was mixed with nervous chatter about what to expect and weird silence from everyone’s thoughts of, “What have I done?”

After frantically grab-

bing our bags from the bus, following others to print boarding passes, and praying our suitcases fell under the weight requirement, we made our way through the bustle of airport security.

Once we were through, we slowly congregated in front of our gate with anxious anticipation. It was a weird mix of friends and acquaintances.

At this point, we had all spent a significant amount of time together undergoing a highly emotional transition process, but still didn’t know what our Study Abroad group dynamic would look like once we arrived at the houses.

After the nine-hour flight to the London Heathrow Airport, we said rushed goodbyes to our friends heading to catch their layover flight to Germany.

Once we got our luggage and boarded the bus, we drove on the wrong side of the road as we read weird road signs from the window. We got assigned our rooms and floors. It was like we were moving

in for a summer camp, the slightly awkward unknown had made everyone anxious to settle in, but the tight community and new place seemed to promise good stories and growth.

The most challenging part of the Study Abroad transition is surrendering your plans. They will not tell you exactly what to expect, who is teaching your classes, what days your classes will be held and where, or what your rooming situation will be like until you step onto the

foreign ground.

However, in the few days I have been here I have already become a different person – no, a better person.

I have learned new things about myself through being forced to reevaluate who I am outside of my culture and the familiar.

I have learned new things about the people around me, both the other students here and the strange and unique ways of the British people. I have learned new things about God, that He is still here,

working just the same. But He is even bigger now than my American God. The experience is oncein-a-lifetime and even though it takes a big sacrifice to make the decision to Study Abroad, it is undoubtedly worth it and more. I believe that the students around the world right now proudly sporting ACU would agree that, although we feel sudden pains of missing home, submitting that Study Abroad application is a decision of no regret.

ABILENE NEWS

Professors open local ice cream shop BRYCE LURKENS STAFF WRITER

The Two Professors Ice Cream shop has captured the hearts of many and the taste buds of even more.

Carley Dodd, CEO of Two Profs Ice Cream shop, opened the restaurant recently after he and his son and co-owner bought out the original store originating in Sweetwater previously called Terry’s Ice Cream. Terry Frye, the original owner of Terry’s Ice Cream, sold the building, equipment and recipes to Carley and his son Matthew Dodd.

The father-son duo has since opened the new shop in Abilene.

The new shop, located near Highway 351 next to Heff ’s Burgers, is known for its gourmet ice cream and incredible customer service.

Currently sitting at a five stars, the gourmet ice cream shop has already won the favor of numerous satisfied customers.

“We hope the store will be a destination for friends, fami-

The father-son duo work as business partners at 2 Profs Gourmet Ice Cream.

lies and community moments to enjoy a great product while visiting and engaging with each other,” Carley said. “We want it to be a place of connection.”

Carley retired in 2018 after 38 years at ACU to turn his focus toward the shop.

Carley said decision to open the Two Professors Gourmet Ice Cream is a dream come true for him and his son.

“I never thought I’d be manufacturing and selling ice cream both wholesale and retail, but since I grew up in the ice cream world with my dad working for Borden’s in San Antonio, my love of ice cream won out,” Carley said. “Our entire family has always loved ice cream, and this product was so good, we decided to buy the company.”

Carley said he hopes

this business is passed down through his family for generations.

“My goal is not really for me, but a chance to use leadership skills to develop a company that can be passed on as a legacy for Matthew,” Carley said. “In fact, our entire family tells us how proud they all are.”

The Dodds’ ice cream endeavor is surrounded by much prayer and thought.

“We started this business with tons of prayer and continue to ask the Lord to show us the way, all while serving others as a goal, if not ministry,” Carley said.

He said he and his son Matthew look forward to the future, and hope to bring as many smiles as possible to every single customer’s face.

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Page 4 | Special Edition Gallery

Friday, January 25, 2019

MARCH ON

Abilene community members walk to remember Martin Luther King Jr.

Photos by: LAUREN FRANCO | EDITOR IN CHIEF

Students and Abilene community members marched across the Martin Luther King Jr. bridge downtown on Monday. This was the 12th anniversary of the march.

Mayor Anthony Williams spoke before the march across the Martin Luther King Jr. bridge.

A rainbow American flag was held by an Abilene community member during the march on Monday morning.

A boy plays with an American flag after the march during a time of prayer and reflection.

An Abilene community member held up an American flag during the walk back across the bridge.

Friday, January 25, 2019

Opinion| Page 5

EDITORIAL

It’s time to end the longest government shutdown THE ISSUE

OUR TAKE

President Donald Trump shut down the U. S. federal government over a month ago in an attempt to force Congress into funding a wall on the southern border.

President Trump should reopen the government, with or without border funding, due to the detrimental effects on federal employees and federal agencies.

Optimist Editorial Board | editor@jmcnetwork.com As of today, the U. S. federal government has been shut down for over 35 days, surpassing all previous records. Often, Presidents of the past have used shutdowns to force agendas, such as President Obama’s 2013, 16-day government shutdown to convince Congress to fund Obamacare.

In this shutdown, there are essentially two sides from a government perspective. One side, led by President Trump, argues for $5.7 billion for a border wall. This side holds the power, since as President, Trump can effectively shut down the government to get his way.

On the other side, House Democrats and supporters hold out against funding this wall.

However, it is also important to consider how American citizens feel as well. According to CNBC News, 66 percent of Americans blame President Trump for the shut down and think he should reopen the government with or without border funding. 71 percent of Americans surveyed also feel that the border wall is

not worth the chaos that this has caused. In addition to regular citizens, none of the congress members who represent land along the Texas-Mexico border support the addition of a wall, according to the New York Times.

We argue that the government should reopen, primarily because of the amount of ordinary Americans this crisis affects. Many reports, including one by NPR, estimate a minimum of about 800,000 federal workers that have not been receiving pay for their work this last month.

It’s easy to sit back and watch the federal news until we is affected by it personally. This feeling has hit many hard-working American citizens this past month, whether they be Coast Guard employees, Congressional employees, or TSA workers in airports.

As college students, we understand the difficulties that come with managing multiple responsibilities, from school to internships and other jobs. But federal employees are having to work multiple jobs this past month in order to not be

evicted from their homes and feed their families.

Despite lack of pay, most federal workers are still required to go to their federal jobs in order to maintain

employment. At this point, their work is voluntary.

Our government was created to be by the people, for the people. It seems ironic that in this time of

shutdown, the worst happens to the innocent people who need the government to support them.

President Trump should reopen the government to

pay federal workers, as well as ensure that American citizens are receiving the treatment and benefits that they deserve.

STAFF COLUMNS

Abilene should participate in Furlough Fridays AMBER CHAVEZ VIDEO DIRECTOR

Sunday February 10, 2019 12:00-5:00pm

•

Abilene Convention Center

Walk down the aisle to Abilene’s winter bridal show for a fun cocktail hour, runway fashion show, great giveaways and Abilene’s best wedding professionals ready to create your dream wedding!

Cost $15 per person, children 12 and under are free.

Online Registration is Now Open! www.AbileneWeddingVendors.com THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

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 79609 E-mail letters to: optimist@acu.edu

THE

Since Dec. 22, I have paid my rent, utilities, filled up my car twice, bought groceries for myself and two roommates, bought many textbooks and paid some leftover tuition that my loan didn’t cover.

If I were in the shoes of a federal employee that had not received a paycheck since mid-December, I would not have been able to pay for any of that. And that’s a huge problem. Luckily, it’s a problem we can help fix.

In the midst of the longest partial government shutdown in U.S. history, some individuals have taken it upon themselves to help out their furloughed neighbors. In New Jersey, one furloughed worker received packages of diapers, baby wipes and shampoo after he posted on Reddit about his family’s struggle to stay afloat after his wife gave birth to their second child six days after the shutdown began.

A little closer to home – Killen’s BBQ in Pearland participated in Furlough Friday – where the restaurant gave out free food to all government employees affected by the shutdown. Other Texas cities have found ways to give back to federal employees who have been temporarily laid off or forced to work without pay.

For the remainder of the shutdown, Abilene should join in and help out our government-employed neighbors by participating in Furlough Fridays.

With the many churches, nonprofits and restaurants in Abilene – there is certainly a way for all local federal employees to receive some form of help during the shutdown.

Restaurants like Vagabond could offer free pizza on Fridays for the workers. Meals on Wheels could partner with restaurants to deliver food. Churches could work together to raise money or start donation boxes for food or other items needed by each family.

The six colleges and universities in Abilene could also lend a hand. The Student Government Association could draft a bill that allocates funding to be used to buy food or other necessities for families affected by the shutdown.

We can work with one of the churches – like Hillcrest or University Church of Christ – to start donation boxes for the workers in need.

It’s unfortunate that the shutdown has gone on for so long without any signs of reopening.

We, as Christians, should take steps to help these workers in their time of need.

O PTI M I ST

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Page 6 | Sports FEATURE

Friday, January 25, 2019

FOOTBALL MASTERMIND

Anthony shows his smarts with Southland Student-Athlete of the Year award MAX PRESTON SPORTS DIRECTOR

Under the lights of Wildcat Stadium, you will surely hear his name called many times while on offense, but redshirt sophomore quarterback Luke Anthony also has his name included on the Dean’s list regularly.

He received the honor of Southland Conference Football Student-Athlete of the Year after being voted on by a panel of each school’s head coach, sports information directors and an academic/ compliance staff member.

Anthony said he’s thankful for those who guided along the way to earning the award.

“It’s really a testament to the teachers and coaches that we have here,” Anthony said. “They’ve set a good culture here and put a strong emphasis on being great in the classroom as well as on the field. Ultimately, my teammates have also helped me work harder.”

In his first full year as the starting quarterback, Anthony finished first in Southland in completions (319) and completion percentage (65.9). He was also second in passing yards (3019) and touchdowns (23).

Photo by RILEY FISHER CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER Luke Anthony, along with four other Wildcats, led the conference in all-academic selections.

These numbers were good enough to land Anthony a Southland honorable mention spot behind firstteam quarterback junior Chase Fourcade for Nicholls and second-team quarterback freshman Jon Copeland for Incarnate Word.

Alongside Anthony’s achievement, four other Wildcats received all-academic team honors which led the Southland Conference next to Houston Baptist, Nicholls and Southeastern Louisiana’s three selections.

Head coach Adam Dorrel said he was happy for his

quarterback and the four other all-academic players.

“I was proud of all our guys that made academic all-conference,” Dorrel said.

“I’m very proud of Luke, that’s a prestigious award and I think it speaks to the type of year he had.”

Anthony has earned a perfect 4.0 GPA to this point in his academic career and has three more semesters left to see if he can keep it. He said this semester’s classes will bring a challenge to his straight A’s.

“This semester’s going to be my tough one, I’m in 15 hours and it’s all business

classes because I’m past the stage of electives,” Anthony said. “I’m going to try my hardest though and it’s a good thing my hardest semester is this spring.”

With the football team’s season just over two months gone, offseason is in full swing for the 2019 team. Dorrel has been holding meetings and workouts with Anthony and the Wildcats since the end of the 2018 season.

The Fort Worth native said he feels confident for the upcoming season.

“I think we put some really good guys around us especially on the offensive side

of the ball,” Anthony said.

“We had a great early signing period and we’ve had a bunch of transfers hop in, so I think those guys are going to help elevate my game as well as our whole team.”

Anthony will enter the 2019 season for his second year as the full-time starter while Dorrel will experience his third year as head coach. Both are coming off a successful season finishing fourth in the conference at 6-5 overall and 5-4 in conference after being projected to end the year in seventh.

Dorrel said he’s pleased with how the team has geared themselves towards success this offseason.

“It’s gone really well so far even though we’re still in the early stages of the process,” Dorrel said. “We’ve outlined all our spring goals and so far so good. Our attitudes our great, the effort is good and the strength coach and I are pleased.”

Spring football, starting in late February, will be the first time Anthony and Dorrel take the field to start piecing things together and leading their team to the start of the 2019 season. Friday, April 5 is the official date for the team’s purple-white spring game.

STANDINGS Women’s Basketball Team

Ovrl.

SFA Lamar ACU Nicholls TAMU-CC SHSU SLU McNeese UCA NSU HBU UIW UNO

Div. 6-0 6-0 5-2 5-2 4-2 3-2 3-3 2-4 2-5 1-4 1-5 1-5 1-6

15-3 13-4 12-6 11-8 10-7 8-7 8-9 4-13 7-10 6-10 6-10 1-16 5-11

Men’s Basketball Team

Ovrl.

SHSU ACU UNO TAMU-CC UCA SFA Nicholls SLU NSU McNeese Lamar UIW HBU

11-8 16-4 9-8 9-10 9-10 10-8 10-10 6-12 7-12 6-13 8-10 6-12 5-11

Div. 6-0 4-2 4-2 4-2 4-2 3-3 3-4 2-3 2-4 2-4 1-4 1-4 1-4

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Basketball

FOOTBALL

Jackson out as defensive coordinator, accepts job at Texas State MAX PRESTON SPORTS DIRECTOR

After coaching two seasons as the defensive coordinator for the Wildcats, Tremaine Jackson announced Tuesday morning he was leaving ACU to become the defensive line coach at Texas State.

Jackson tweeted his message to the Wildcat defense around noon just after the team met to discuss his departure: “A message to the #212Defense! This is and always will be about you!”

Jackson said on his Twitter post. “I love you guys so much and I appreciate everything you allowed me to teach! Thank you! Always

remember, nothing just happens! F.A.M.I.L.Y.” The Houston native took over the defensive coordinator position in the 2017 season, the same year Adam Dorrel became head coach.

Dorrel said he valued the time he was able to coach with Jackson.

“I had to meet with our players about it and obviously they were disappointed,” Dorrel said. “He’s been a great ambassador for our football program. I think he’s a very good young coach and I think he has a good upside. He’s going to do great in this profession.”

In his time at ACU, Jackson coached one first team All-Conference player, two second teamers and three

honorable mentions.

ACU’s defense finished fourth in the conference in total yards allowed (3,230) and yards allowed per game (358.9) after the 2017 season.

Last season, Jackson helped the defense finish fourth in points allowed per game (26.9) and third in yards allowed per game (385.5).

Two highlights from the 2018 season included holding Nicholls, the Southland champions, to 12 points and Sam Houston to 10 in Huntsville.

Jackson noted his emotions and thanked ACU for the opportunity on Twitter.

“As I leave ACU, I leave with a heavy heart because

Maxwell

Photo by GRANT BRADY STAFF CONTRIBUTOR Tremaine Jackson leaves to coach defensive line at Texas State.

of the relationships that were built over the last two years,” Jackson said. “I am indebted to you and I truly thank you for allowing me to be the leader of the UNIT!” Texas State’s new addi-

tion to the staff leaves the Wildcats after their most successful season in Div. I finishing at 6-5 overall and 5-4 in Southland. He joins the Bobcats after a 3-9 season with a 1-7 finish in Sun Belt play.

MEN’S BASKETBALL PREVIEW 2018 STATS

76.0

POINTS PER GAME

72.6

15.9

ASSISTS PG

10.4

32.3

REBOUNDS PG

36.8

63.6 POINTS ALLOWED PG 64.9 NORTHWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY (7-10)

ABILENE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY (15–3)

MAX PRESTON SPORTS DIRECTOR

OWEN SIMPSON SPORTS REPORTER

BREVEN CAMPBELL SPORTS REPORTER

BRIAN SWEET STAFF REPORTER

The Wildcats keep throwing curveballs at everyone in this league as far as starting players go. The best part of this team is that it seems someone different steps up every night. Coming back from a suspension last Wednesday against Houston Baptist, Jalone Friday scored a team-leading 21 points. On Saturday, however, B.J. Maxwell took on a huge role in his team’s victory over Northwestern State. This team is unpredictable, and every player has the talent to show out each night.

ACU is coming off an absolutely devastating loss to Stephen F. Austin on the road Wednesday, falling in the closing seconds of the game.

Although this was a heartbreaking loss, the Wildcats controlled every bit of that game up until the closing seconds when they fell apart with turnovers. The men will come back home and play angry in front of its Moody Crowd Saturday. Central Arkansas is coming off a four-game win streak after defeating New Orleans Wednesday evening, but I don’t think they’ve won against talent quite like ours yet. UCA will push the Wildcats, but ultimately ACU comes away with the victory.

Midway through the season, the Southland conference is still up for grabs ,and ACU only trails by half a game for first place. Central Arkansas will have its hands full at Moody Coliseum as they also are battling for control of the conference only trailing by 1.5 games from first. Much is at stake for both these teams. ACU has won nine out of their last 10 games and many of those decided late in the second half. They’ve shown us time and time again this season that they’re perfectly capable of winning the close games. Until Jalone Friday and Jaylen Franklin stop scoring at an efficient level like they currently are, the Wildcats keep winning. UCA keeps it close, but ACU prevails.

The Wildcats are on a f ive-game win streak after the loss in the conference opener to Sam Houston State.

ACU will put its 5-1 record on the line against Central Arkansas. The Bears are looking to prove themselves against ACU, only one game behind the Wildcats in the standings and 1.5 games out of f irst.

Central Arkansas’ DeAndre Jones is averaging 12.4 points and 4.9 assists per game and leading the team in both categories. Jones will have a great game, but the Wildcats will be too much for the Bears.

It’s almost midway through the seaso, and the Wildcats are cruising along at the top of the conference. The Wildcats seem to be clutch in the second half of the game, especially if the game is within ten. They will have to shut down UCA’s top players, DeAndre Jones, Hayden Koval, Eddy Kayouloud and Thatch Unruh in order to beat the bears. Coach Golding just has to keep calling Jalone’s number as he is on a scoring tear right now. The Wildcats will get revenge against UCA for the buzzer-beater they made here last year and remind them which team wears Purple and White better in this conference.

FINAL SCORE: ACU 76 UCA 70

FINAL SCORE: ACU 80 UCA 72

FINAL SCORE: ACU 79 UCA 65

FINAL SCORE: ACU 75 UCA 55

Redshirt junior guard B.J. Maxwell put up an impressive stat line and helped his team get a comfortable home victory over the Demons Saturday against Northwestern State. Maxwell finished with 19 points, seven rebounds, five assists and one block in the game.

He also went 6-9 from the field (66.7 percent) including one three-pointer and was a perfect 6-6 from the free throw line. Maxwell and the Wildcats will be back in action when they return home to face Central Arkansas.

Basketball

Farquhar Senior forward Hayden Farquhar put on a strong scoring performance in the Wildcats’ loss to Stephen F. Austin Wednesday night. He ended with a team-leading 19 points and also grabbed f ive rebounds in the game.

Farquhar was eff icient hitting eight of his nine shots (88.9 percent) along with converting on three three-pointers out four attempts. His shooting performance helped lift the Wildcats as they toatled 44.2 percent f rom the f ield and 35.3 percent f rom beyond the arc.

Basketball

Golightly Junior guard Dominique Golightly put on a strong showing this week against Northwestern State and Stephen F. Austin. Against the Demons, she led her team with 19 points finishing 7-11 from the field (63.6 percent). She also came away with eight rebounds and four assists.

When facing the Lumberjacks, Golightly and senior guard Sara Williamson topped their team with 15 points each. She grabbed five rebounds while adding a steal and a block.

Golightly and the women will next host Central Arkansas Saturday.