The Optimist - 02.17.13

Features Page 7

The Purple People Eaters vol. 101, no. 38

Sunday, february 17, 2013

1 SECTION, 10 PAGES

Legacy family continues unique tradition mandy lambright chief photographer

INSIDE OPINION A new age of consumerism: you don’t own your software

Page 6

NEWS Rec Center installs palm readers for students who forget their IDs Page 4

NEWS Abilene Discovery Center housing Titanic exhibit Page 3

SPORTS

Men’s, women’s tennis teams sweep home doubleheader

CLEAN SWEEP

Page 10 Above: Nick Tatum, senior family studies major from Plano and director of the senior act, celebrates with the rest of the senior performers when they’re announced the winners of the mixed voices. Below left: Matt Bowman, senior vocal music education major from Brookhaven Miss. and Trojans director, holds the men’s club’s first Sing Song trophy before the club’s performers.

Below right: Jessica Welshans, senior music major from Spring and Sigma Theta Chi director, raises her arms in triumph when the Siggies are named the women’s voice champions.

SPORTS Men’s basketball team can’t pull off the upset in overtime

Senior class goes 4-4, Trojans win their first, Siggies win close battle with Kojies

Page 10

mandy lambright chief photographer

Adrian patenaude staff photographer

NEWS Shinnery Review accepting submissions until March 15 Page 4

NEWS Alum, faculty create inner-city workout group Page 5

staff report

NEWS Study Abroad to conduct interest meeting on Monday Page 3

ONLINE VIDEO Lindsay Palmer, our arts editor, finds her match using ACU Cupid

acuoptimist.com

PHOTOS Check our Flickr for more shots from Sing Song

Nick Tatum and the class of 2013 swept the competition with their fourth Sing Song victory Saturday evening.

The men of Trojans won their first Sing Song title and the women of Sigma Theta Chi won their 18th.

The seniors and Trojans took every category for

mixed and men’s competition this year, respectively.

The senior class has seized overall victory for the previous three years as well.

Tatum, family studies major from Plano, has led the class of 2013 all four years.

“We just feel incredibly blessed to have done this,” Tatum said. “I think the bonds we’ve formed and the experiences we’ve

had are really even more important than the trophy that we got, but altogether we’re truly grateful to God for allowing us to have this experience.”

Elle Whitaker, senior management major from Plano, said it felt indescribable to win.

“We’ve worked so hard for four years, it’s something see winners page 5

SING SONG 2013 WINNERS Overall Winners

Originality

Appearance

Entertainment

Vocals

Men’s Division:

Men’s Division:

Men’s Division:

Men’s Division:

Men’s Division:

1st: Trojans 2nd: Gamma Sigma Phi 3rd: Galaxy

1st: Trojans 2nd: Gamma Sigma Phi 3rd: Galaxy

1st: Trojans 2nd: Gamma Sigma Phi 3rd: Galaxy

1st: Trojans 2nd: Gamma Sigma Phi 3rd: Sub T-16

1st: Trojans 2nd: Gamma Sigma Phi 3rd: Galaxy

Women’s Division:

Women’s Division:

Women’s Division:

Women’s Division:

Women’s Division:

1st: Sigma Theta Chi 2nd: Ko Jo Kai 3rd: GATA

1st: Ko Jo Kai 2nd: GATA 3rd: Sigma Theta Chi

1st: Sigma Theta Kai 2nd: Ko Jo Kai 3rd: GATA

1st: Ko Jo Kai 2nd: Sigma Theta Chi 3rd: GATA

1st: Sigma Theta Chi 2nd: Ko Jo Kai 3rd: Alpha Kai Omega

Mixed Division:

Mixed Division:

Mixed Division:

Mixed Division:

Mixed Division:

1st: Senior Class 2nd: Freshman class 3rd: Junior Class

1st: Senior Class 2nd: Junior class 3rd: Freshman class

1st: Senior Class 2nd: Junior class 3rd: Freshman class

1st: Senior class 2nd: Freshman class 3rd: Sophomore class

1st: Senior class 2nd: Freshman class 3rd: Sophomore class

events

SSWA preparing Second Chance Dance flickr.com/acuoptimist

megan robinson student reporter

OXFORD Marissa Jones, our Oxford correspondent, details her latest experiences abroad theoxfordcommablog. wordpress.com

“

Our sponsor went to a private school and never had dances, so this is also a second chance for people who didn’t get the high school dance experience.”

ACU will have its secondever dance on March 1 in Bennett Gym from 7-10 p.m.

The Student Social Work Association is putting on the Second Chance Dance to mestic-abuse victims. collect donations for doThe Second Chance

nifer Carpenter, senior social work major from Fort Worth and vice president of SSWA, is in charge of planning the dance.

“A member had an idea jennifer carpenter that we should have a forvice president of sswa mal and we started throwing ideas around and Dance is the big spring we decided we needed a event for the SSWA. Jen- purpose and started talk-

Abilene Christian University

ing about second chances,” Carpenter said. “Our sponsor went to a private school and never had dances, so this is also a second chance for people who didn’t get the high school dance experience.”

The theme of second see dance page 5

Sunday 02.17.13

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Sunday

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Monday

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Tuesday All day - Golf - UIW Spring Tournament

10 a.m. Softball

Wednesday

10 a.m. LinkedIn Profile Photo Booth

All Day - Golf - UIW Spring Tournament

12 p.m. Softball

2

All Day - USAA Interviewing in Career Center

2 p.m. Baseball at McMurry

5:30 p.m. Women’s Basketball vs TX Woman’s U

Chapel checkup

34 65 @acuoptimist

Around Abilene Feb. 17

Feb. 18

Feb. 19

Feb. 20

12 p.m. Military Appreciation day celebrated by a festival at 133 N. William St. Buffalo Gap, TX. It is free to active and retired military and their family.

All Day - Free tax preparation is available by appointment at the West Central Texas Center for Economic Opportunity, 1102 N. Third St. Call 325672-8980.

6:30 p.m. Ed Allred, workshop facilitator with Workforce Solutions of West Central Texas, will conduct a free workshop, “Hone Your Job Search Skills,” at the Abilene Public Library’s main library, 202 Cedar St. Subjects will include self-evaluation, networking, making a resume and completing applications.

6:30 p.m. The Key City Squares will sponsor a square dancing workshop at the Wagon Wheel in Tye. Beginning lessons will be 7:30-9 p.m.

The Optimist optimist@acu.edu Police Log Announcements ACU Leadership Camps is looking for college students to serve on summer staff. Pick up an application in Room 10 in the lower level of the Campus Center.

Abstract submission for the Undergraduate Research Festival is now open. The 5th annual ACU Undergraduate Research Festival will be Apr. 4-5. To submit your abstract or get abstract writing tips and ACU Theatre presents its winter musical information on the review of abstracts comedy, [title of show] in Fulks Theatre go to the Research Festival Blog at blogs.

Feb. 22-23. For tickets, call 325-674- acu.edu/researchfest.

2787.

The ACU Career Center is now on PinSpots are still available on Spring Break terest. Go to pinterest.com/acucareerCampaigns going to various locations. center to begin following the boards For more information contact Liz Lurz from the ACU Career Center Pinterest at evl09a@acu.edu, Wilson White at ww- today. w09a@acu.edu or stop by the SBC office in Bible 322.

Recycle Mania will be on Feb. 22 in the Campus Center. Bring all of your recycling to the vehicle by the Campus Center to support ACU sustainablility.

Wishing Well is hosting an art competition open to all students to support their next clean water well project. Submissions are to be inspired by the water crisis and all are due on Feb. 23 from 9 a.m. to noon in the Shore Art Gallery next to Cullen Auditorium. All forms of media are acceptable. Two-Dimensional art must be framed. The show will be hung in the Center for Contemporary Arts for the months of March and April and a reception will be held on March 21. Look to www.wishforwater.com for inspiration if needed. Contact Director Brandy Rains at blr09a@acu.edu with any questions.

Monty Python’s Spamalot will be at the Abilene Civic Center Feb. 19 at 7:30 p.m.

Student tickets are $22 available one hour before the show.

Submit your poetry, short fiction, nonfiction, photography and other art works to The Shinnery Review, ACU’s undergraduate literary arts magazine, for a chance to be featured in this spring’s edition!

Email submissions to shinnery@acu. edu. Deadline for submissions has been moved to March 15.

The ACU Wind Ensemble and Concert Band will be in concert Thursday, FebSMU poet Greg Brownderville will read ruary 21, 7:30 p.m. in Cullen Auditorium, from his highly praised volume GUST featuring music by internationally recFeb. 21 at 8 p.m. in the Core classroom. ognized composer-in-residence Carter Pann. Admission is free.

Volunteer Opp0rtunities The Center for International Education is looking for conversation partners for international students to practice English, conversations and cultural learning.

Partners meet for one hour each week at a time and place determined by the partners. For more information contact Laura McGregor at 325-674-2821 or laura.mcgregor@acu.edu.

St. John’s Episcopal School is seeking volunteers to paint metal playground equipment anytime Monday-Friday after 3 p.m. and Saturday anytime. For more information contact Rebecca McMillon at 325-695-8870 or flores@ stjohnsabilene.org.

Center for Contemporary Arts needs a gallery assistant to greet patrons, answer phones and answer basic questions about the Center and its programs. This opportunity is open Tuesday-Friday. The Center for Contemporary Arts is located at 220 Cypress Street. For more informa tion contact Jessica Dulle at 325-6778389 or visit: http://www.center-arts. com/.

Rescue the Animals is seeking volunteers to take pictures and videos in preparation for the launching of their new website as well as maintenance of the site after the launch. This opportunity is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. For more information contact Kathy Walker at 325-677-7722 or rescuetheanimalsvolunteers@yahoo.com.

The National Center For Children’s Illustrated Literature is looking for volunteers to greet patrons, assist with art activities, sell books and make visitors feel welcome. Help is also needed for special events like Artwalk and exhibit openings.

The NCCIL is located at 102 Cedar St. For more information on times and dates contact Debby Lillick at 325-673-4586 or visit: http://www.nccil.org/index.htm.

The Christian Ministries of Abilene: Food Pantry is searching for volunteers to greet

and interview neighbors, do computer entries, shop with neighbors, take groceries to vehicles, bag, stock and pick up orders on Mondays and Fridays from 9:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. and 1 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. and on Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m.

- 11:45 a.m. The Food Pantry is located at 701 Walnut St. For more information contact Becky Almanza at 325-673-1234 or cmapantry@aol.com.

1726 Butternut St. For more information contact J.D. Alonzo at 325-677-1408 or visit: www.satruck.com.

The Christian Service Center is seeking volunteers to help assist with filling requests for items such as clothing, bedding, kitchen utensils, etc. from the donation center, sort and organize donations and occasionally pick-up donated items.

Volunteers are needed every weekday and the first Saturday of each month between 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.

For more information contact Roberta Brown at 325-673-7561 or at robertabrown51@hotmail.com. For more information on the program visit: http:// www.uccabilene.org/ministries/csc.htm.

The International Rescue Committee is seeking volunteers to work with refugees who recently moved to the U.S., teaching English, helping with homework and mentoring. Contact Susanna Lubango to make an appointment at 325-675-5643.

The Food Bank of West Central Texas needs volunteers to help sort and stock food and other items any weekday Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. The Food Bank is located at 5505 N. 1st St. For more information contact Janice Serrault at 325-695-6311 or abfoodbk@camalott. com.

Meals on Wheels Plus needs volunteer drivers to deliver afternoon meals to seniors and adults with disabilities MondayFriday between 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Drivers must be at least 18 years old and have a valid driver’s license. Training is provided.

For more information contact Samantha Barker at 352-672-5050 or visit: http:// mealsonwheelsplus.com.

The Salvation Army is looking for volunteers for a variety of needs including sorting and pricing items in the thrift store, helping in the kitchen and/or doing yard work. Times are flexible. Volunteers are needed throughout the week MondaySaturday. The Salvation Army is located at

The House That Kerry Built is looking for volunteers to assist in the day care of medically fragile children any day Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. or 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. Contact Keith Loftin at 325672-6061.

The Covenant Place of Abilene is seeking volunteers to lead singing and/or play piano for residents. For more information contact Ann Erwin at 325-793-1144.

University Place is seeking volunteers to help with the resident birthday party for residents the third Wednesday of each month at 2:30 p.m. For more information contact Linda Tijerina at 325-676-9946.

Breakfast on Beech Street is seeking volunteers to help set up, prepare and serve breakfast to homeless/lower income folks any Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 5:30 a.m. or Tuesday at 5 a.m. B.O.B.S is located at First Christian Church on 3rd St. and Beech St. Service times must be scheduled in advance. To serve on Mondays contact Jody Depriest at 325-669-3312 or jody.depriest@gmail. com. To serve on Tuesdays contact Allen Daugherty at 325-660-6949 or ale.al@ suddenlink.net. To serve on Wednesdays contact Jane Harvey at 325-695-0092 or jharvread@aol.com. To serve on Thursdays contact Margaret Beasley at 325692-4149 or mbeasley5@suddenlink.net.

To serve on Fridays contact Rachel Brown at rdb08a@acu.edu.

Christian Homes & Family Services is seeking volunteers to do minor landscaping such as raking, trimming bushes,

minor apartment repairs and general upkeep Monday-Saturday from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. For more information contact Shaylee Honey at 325-677-2205 or Shoney@ ChristianHomes.com.

The Abilene Public Zoo is seeking volunteers to help clean/feed animals, assist zookeepers and assist with educational classes any weekday any time between 12 p.m.-4 p.m. They are also seeking volunteers to help with general labor such as grounds cleanup and painting any weekday at any time between noon and 4 p.m. For more information contact Joy Harsh at 325-676-6487.

Hill Resources is seeking volunteers to encourage and entertain mentally delayed individuals Monday through Friday any time between 10 a.m.-2 p.m. For more information contact Michelle Espinoza at 325-673-3346 or mespinoza@ hillresource.com.

The Oaks at Radford Hills is seeking volunteers to participate in activities, go on outings and provide social stimulation for residents any day at any time. For more information contact Michelle White or Sonia Serrato at 325-672-3236.

Rescue the Animals is seeking volunteers to work at the adoption center doing a variety of tasks including cleaning, socializing and grooming the animals Monday - Saturday from 1 p.m.-5 p.m. For more information contact Mindi Qualls at 325698-7722 or rescuetheanimalsvolunteers@yahoo.com.

The CAC Department is seeking volunteers to participate in Special Olympics, by helping mentally/physically challenged people play games and sports Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. For more infomation contact Angel Seca at 325-690-5235.

For additional volunteer opportunities visit: www.acu.edu/campusoffices/ccsl/ ministry-service/volunteer-opportunities/

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news

sunday 02.17.13

internships

Professor seeks WWII enthusiasts britanny jackson student reporter

mandy lambright chief Photographer

Frater Sodalis member Andrew McClellan, senior computer science major from

Ten internship spots are still available for the East Anglia Air War Project. More students’ help is sought by Dr. Vernon Williams, professor in the Department of History.

The project focuses specifically on the personal relationships formed between the American soldiers of the 8th Air Force bomber, fighter and cargo groups and the British citizens where they were stationed. Hundreds of interviews and memories have been collected since the beginning of the project in 2001 and now need to be further compiled into print and film format.

Applications are open to all students. Applicants should be used to following deadlines and be able to work 5-7 hours a week. No previous experience is required; all of the skills necessary will be taught to the students.

Kendra Oregon, freshman international studies major from Mesquite, has been working on the project since last semester.

“I was really bad with computers, coding and everything, but it was really nice because the application said no experience was needed,” Oregon said. “Dr. Williams was really great about it and showed me everything I needed to know.”

Interns will be working directly with letters, diaries,

photographs and verbalized memories. Students may also have the chance to publish articles or produce films that may be used to educate grade-school students in North London of their country’s past.

“It’s not just the dry, sort of statistical facts, dates and things of World War II. What we are working with here is the human experience,” Williams said.

Students interested in being an intern for this World War II project should contact Williams at vwilliams@acu. edu to request an application. contact the optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu

study abroad

2013 interest meeting to be conducted Monday melany cox online managing editor An interest meeting for the Study Abroad program will take place Monday from 3 - 4:30 p.m. in the Campus Center Living Room.

Stephen Shewmaker, interim director for the Center for International Education, said all Study Abroad programs through Spring 2014 will be presented at the meeting.

“We are particularly focusing on Fall 2013 and the exciting opportunities students have in South America and Europe,” he said.

Rachel Brown, Study Abroad coordinator, said the meeting is to provide information for anyone interested in one of the upcoming programs. She said “anyone is welcome to at-

tend.”

“We’ll talk briefly about some study abroad FAQs, and then open it up to alumni from various programs and interview them about their experiences abroad.” Brown said. “We’ll also be taking questions from the audience, and then have some time at the end for people to talk in smaller groups with the alumni, as well.”

Brown said all of the semester programs in 2013 and 2014 will run as usual.

The Montevideo and Oxford programs will be open during the fall semester, and Montevideo, Oxford and Leipzig during the spring semester.

Brown also said there are six different Study Abroad programs this summer: journalism and mass communication and psychology in Germany,

COBA, English and biology in Oxford and French in Lille, France.

The Study Abroad office is currently accepting applications for the summer programs.

Study Abroad alumni

“

We are particularly focusing on Fall 2013 and the exciting opportunities students have .”

Stephen Shewmaker interim director for the center for international education

have been invited to come to the meeting and speak to those attending.

“I will be speaking for a few minutes, but alumni will be speaking for most of the time, so it’s a perfect opportunity for interested students to get to ask the alumni questions about

their first-hand experience,” Brown said.

Applications for the summer and fall 2013 programs are due by March 1.

Brown said students are welcome to visit the Study Abroad Fair Monday Wednesday from 11:30 a.m.

- 1:30 p.m. in the Campus Center. At the fair, information will be provided about the programs and students will be able to write notes to those currently studying abroad. Alumni will also be present at the fair to speak with visitors.

Brown said special promotions are happening for students applying for programs next fall. She said anyone interested should get in touch with her for more details. contact cox at mkc09b@acu.edu

local

Titanic remembered in Abilene exhibit elizabeth weiss staff reporter The Abilene Discovery Center is currently housing a Titanic Remembered Exhibition. It is open Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Saturday from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m.

The exhibition opened last April during the worldwide centennial of the sinking of the great ship. Carolyn Walden, one of the owners, explained why the exhibition has not closed yet.

“The public response has been so positive that we plan to keep the exhibition open for an undetermined amount of time and are continually adding special features to it,” Walden said.

The Discovery Center shows a different side of the Titanic tragedy through the eyes of morality and what they believe God wanted us to learn from this event.

There are 18 different explo-

ration spots that guests can enjoy, but should plan on spending at least an hour and a half in the exhibit, according to Walden.

Some of the parts of the exhibits include a film called “Search for the Titanic,” a room of special memorabilia of all of the victims, a touch-and-see experience with an iceberg display, an opportunity to send an SOS on a wireless teletype and full-sized hanging copies of newspapers that were published the day after the tragedy.

A special feature of the exhibit is The Jack Grimm Memorial Room that houses the memorabilia of the late Jack Grimm. Grimm was an Abilene oil tycoon who financed and participated in three expeditions in the 1980s to find the missing ship.

The exhibition is recommended for families with elementary students, as well as other students and adults.

“Currently all groups are guided by one of our volunteer staff,” Walden said. “In April, we will add TourMate tour wands that guests will be able to use to hear 60 different stories or information spots on the wands.”

An upcoming special Titanic event will be taking place Monday evening, April 15 at the Paramount Theater. In addition to live music from “The Third Class Musicians,” the audience will enjoy a dramatic art presentation of the sinking of the ship, live dramatic enactments and enjoy viewing Mr. Grimm’s second film, Return to the Titanic. The event will be free to the public.

For more information, you can go to www.evidences.org or visit the exhibit located at the corner of South 8th and Butternut.

contact weiss at emw09b@acu.edu

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news

sunday 02.17.13

4

rec center

Palm readers installed Staff report The Money Student Recreation and Wellness Center has installed palm recognition software that replaces the use of student IDs. The change was inspired by a tour of the recreation center at Texas State in San Marco about a year ago. Dr. Jeff Arrington, Dr. Kerri Hart and Joel Swedlund noticed students using a hand key recognition system to access the facilities.

“I inquired about the technology with their senior staff and realized all the upsides of bringing this technology to ACU,” said Swedlund, executive director of the Rec Center.

Swedlund said the implementation was the result of a group consensus with multiple Student Life personnel.

“The cost was minimal, especially considering the benefit to all students,” Swedlund said. “Based on conversations with others that have used it, it has been as reliable and even more reliable than the card readers.”

Maria Morrell, rec center student service representa-

tive, said student reaction to the change has been positive.

“We had this system implemented for the purpose of being able to allow students to access the facility when they forget their cards, because it happens all the time,” said Morrell, junior nursing major from Bryan. “It’s an inconvenience and we didn’t really like turning them away once they’ve gotten here just because they’ve forgotten their card.”

To enroll in the hand key system, students must register their banner number and palm. The process must be repeated on future visits.

Student memberships to the Rec Center are free.

Spouses of students can purchase semester memberships for $100; individual alumni can purchase memberships for $120; and alumni and their immediate families can purchase a group membership for $180. All others can purchase day passes for $7 as a guest.

Tyler Salter and Joshua Garcia contributed to this report. contact the optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu

mandy lambright chief Photographer

Elle Whitaker, senior business management major from Allen, Emily Jones, senior business managment major from Cedar Park and Hannah Thompson, senior elementary education from Midland, celebrate with their fellow Ko Jo Kai sisters after their successful Saturday afternoon performance.

campus

Shinnery accepting submissions britanny jackson student reporter The Shinnery Review is a completely student-run literary magazine that focuses on getting students to expand their artistic horizons. Its modern format and interesting content has kept the magazine in publication for 18 years.

Consistent in its production, it has won national competitions, including two state awards two years ago at the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association convention.

Students from every major and classification are welcome to submit their work. Short stories, poetry and photography are published in the printed version of the magazine. There is also an online version which features short films and musical

submissions as well.

Dr. Shelly Sanders, associate professor in the English department, said, “This is a great opportunity for a student in any grade or major see their work get published in a really awesomely designed literary magazine.”

As one of the faculty sponsors, Dr. Sanders gets to see a lot of what goes on behind the scenes of publication.

All published students who are featured in the magazine are also invited to perform their art at the debut event, the Black Tulip. Family, friends, staff and more are welcome to attend the event towards the end of April. Located at the Shore Art Gallery, there will be food, poetry readings, musicians and an open mic opportunity for those who missed submitting to the magazine.

The literary magazine differs from a literary journal by allowing more freedom in embracing different styles of work, such as offering more music and art. Therefore, the staff encourages all students to submit their work, to enhance the artistic value.

Dr. Steven Moore, associate professor in the English department, said, “It’s so interesting for me to hear about stories where people believe that they had nothing of value to contribute… They were very shy about their work, or believed that it didn’t matter, or didn’t have anything significant to offer the world, and then they said they were so thankful that they took a step out on faith.”

Dr. Moore said he is thankful to be working alongside the organization as a faculty sponsor.

In addition to publishing its own literary magazine, the English department offers many opportunities for students to get involved. Each semester the department puts on events that allow all students to share their works of art, whether that be slam poetry, standard poetry reading or musical performances.

The deadline for submissions is March 15.

“Right now we’re just trying to get the word out…submit, submit, submit. We’re pleading for people to submit,” said Dr. Moore.

For more information on how to enter their specific form of art, students can email shinnery@acu. edu. contact the optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu

pre-law

Apps available for pre-law hopefuls melany cox online managing editor Scholarship applications for Baylor School of Law, Pepperdine University School of Law and Texas Tech University School of Law are now being accepted.

Applications became available last week and must be turned in to the scholarship committee by 5 p.m. on Feb. 26.

Dr. Neal Coates, chair of the Department of Political Science, said these scholarships affect present and future ACU students.

“ACU students right now can know that a num-

ber of schools are interested in them,” he said.

Coates said students who graduate from ACU and attend law school at Baylor, Pepperdine or Texas Tech have the opportunity to have their law school bills paid for them.

Coates said while there is competition to get into law school, fewer law school applications are being submitted so there is more opportunity to get into law school.

“We’ve always pushed our students to get into the very best law school that they can and to have several choices - three, four, five choices - and that gives them selections

as they think about where God’s going to take them,” he said.

He said ACU students have a good preparation for law school. The percentage of ACU students who get accepted to law school is high and 99 percent of political science students who apply to law school are accepted.

Coates said students who complete the application process will meet with a committee of on-campus lawyers during the afternoon of March 5 in the Jack Pope Fellowship Room in the Hardin Administration Building.

10-15 students are expected to apply to the law schools, based on experience from the past several years.

These scholarship applications are only available once a year and are tied into ACU graduates.

“These aren’t just people trying to get into law school, these are people who have solid LSATs and solid GPAs,” Coates said.

“So these are difficult scholarships to acquire from these law schools. It’s a prestigious set of three.

We’re one of the very few schools in Texas that has any sort of set up like this, and it’s a testimony to the pre-law advisor, Mel Hailey, and the many years of work that he has done in developing relationships and also listening very carefully to what law schools want in college students.”

Coates said it’s important to Baylor, Pepperdine and Texas Tech that ACU students continue to see them as potential law schools.

“They also know the value of our ACU grads. These are not typical college grads who simply want to go to law school. These are students who are a cut above and who are going to make fine attorneys.”

contact cox at mkc09b@acu.edu

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news

sunday 02.17.13

service

Alumnus and faculty start workout group gabi powell features editor Drawing a tie between Crossfit and Church, ACU alumni opened The Pit gymnasium in hopes to engage inner-city kids and the Abilene community.

Having always been interested in health and fitness, Chad Walters, Physical Therapist at Hendrick Hospital and 2000 ACU grad with BS in Biology, had taken up Crossfit-style workouts. After reading an article about the similarities between Crossfit and Church, he saw community to be the link between the two.

“I asked around to see if anyone had a building they would be willing to let us use,” said Walters. “Within one hour, Becky Almanza from Highland had offered part of the warehouse behind Christian Ministries of Abilene. Since then it has really started to take off.”

Both Walters’ and David Pittman, Director of Recruiting at ACU, 2003 ACU graduate in psychology, founded the Pit gymnasium, giving it a name from the Bible verse Psalm 40:2: “He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire. He set my feet upon a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.”

Walters said this is the pur-

pose of The Pit- to work together in community to overcome the workout no matter how tough.

“We want to remind each other that it is God who pulls us through,” he said.

The Pit offers a group “workout of the day,” which follows a Crossfit style model. These workouts can be made to fit any level of participant really, but are always challenging, Pittman said. Eventually they would like to add other activities like basketball or maybe even some other class types.

“We are open to ideas from other people who want to get involved. Last week someone even volunteered

to come lead Zumba for our folks,” Pittman said.

Part of Walters’ and Pittman’s plans for The Pit involve developing a mentorship program of being paired with a workout partner to encourage through workouts and keep in touch.

“I would love for students to come in and partner with us in the vision and come up with brand new opportunities for people in the community to become engaged.

Any student who has an idea, we would love to hear about it.”

“As former ACU students,” Walters said, “we know that we are encouraged to think about chang-

ing the world. Sometimes that seems far off or too grand to think about. But opportunities are always right around us if we are willing to look for them.”

Walters and Pittman both push for students to get involved with one of the many Abilene volunteer organization opportunities from The Pit, to World’s Backyard, to Big Brothers and Big Sisters and Wildcat Kids.

“We want ACU students to join in this vision and dream with us about new ways to reach folks in Abilene,” Pittman said. “It is also a great opportunity for students to engage with the Abilene community.”

The gym is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 5:45 a.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays at 12:15 p.m. and 4:15 p.m., and Saturdays at 1:00 p.m. Hours are subject to change. The Pit is located at 701 Walnut St. sharing the building with Christian Ministries of Abilene.

If you would like to get involved with The Pit or contact Pittman or Walters to volunteer, they are available online at Twitter @ThePit40 or Facebook.com/ThePit40.

contact powell at gmp10b@acu.edu

sing song

Winners: Seniors, Trojans sweep categories Siggies and Trojans gathered on the stage after the like I can’t even put into final performance to sing words,” Whitaker said. “I’m their club songs. just so excited at all our Trojans won every cathard work and all our dedi- egory for the men’s compecation and the love we have tition. for each other translated Matt Bowman, senior into that tonight.” vocal music education maThe seniors will be do- jor from Brookhaven, Miss. nating their $1,000 prize and director of Trojans, said money to the Dr. Jinkerson his reaction to the club’s Scholarship Fund. first win was “shock” and continued from page 1

“pure joy.”

“We worked to hard to push ourselves everyday,” Bowman said. “I’m so proud of my guys. They did great.”

Bowman said the Trojans aren’t sure which charity they will donate their prize money to. He said they will try to decide if they want to split the money between the Jinkerson family and Lindsey Smith’s family.

Siggies took second place in the entertainment category, first in vocals and first overall to win their 18th title.

Hannah Henderson, junior graphic design major from Tyler and member of Sigma Theta Chi, said she was proud of her club sisters and her friends.

“We just worked so hard and just put our heart and

soul into it,” she said, “and we really dug deep and tried to sing through Christ and find this victory through him. We couldn’t have done it without our amazing choreographers, director, props person; it’s such a team thing and it’s such a God thing. Without him none of this would have been possible.”

Henderson said Siggies

are also planning to donate their prize money to the Dr. Jinkerson Scholarship Fund. Dr. Jinkerson’s daughter is a member of Sigma Theta Chi. Melany Cox and Joshua Garcia contributed to this report. contac the optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu

events

Dance: Organizers ask students to shop thrifty continued from page 1 chances is in every detail.

All decorations will be purchased from a thrift store, and students are encouraged to wear second-hand clothes to the dance.

“People buy expensive dresses for ACU formals,” Carpenter said. “We want

to encourage people to go to the thrift store for our dance. I’m really hoping to see some awesome ‘80s prom dresses. I’m planning on wearing one myself.

“The Swing Cats are also helping us and will be there dancing the night away. There will be country music as well as

a hired DJ. I’ll even say it: there will be some pop and whatever else DJs play,” Carpenter said.

Admission for the dance is a new hygiene product such as soap, deodorant, or toothpaste.

These products will be donated to help give domestic-abuse victims a second chance.

“There is a gap in funding for hygiene products,” Lauren Land, SSWA president and senior social work major from Prosper, said. “Food stamps don’t cover hygiene.”

Hygiene products will be donated to Chickasaw Nation’s family resource center.

“A group of social work

students will be going to Ada, Okla. to visit the Chickasaw Nation during spring break and learn more about their culture and get hands-on experience in the many different fields the profession of social work can provide,” Land said. “The dance reflects social work students’ desire to serve peo-

ple in unique and creative ways.”

The first 25 people through the door will receive a free t-shirt. To RSVP to the event go to http://www.facebook.com/ events/209962985814037/. contac the optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu

Opinion

sunday 02.17.13

6

Editorial

But I paid for it. How do I not legally own it? pened when computers and the Internet came along, however. Companies claimed consumers did not own the software that they

the issue A recent change to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act makes it illegal to unlock smartphones.

our take Times are changing and we have to roll with the punches, or go for the legal jailbreak.

Remember the old days when we could buy something and then it was ours forever? Thanks to the Internet that time has passed.

The First-sale doctrine, legally recognized since 1908, has allowed us to redistribute copyrighted products for decades. Mix tapes, libraries, used video

games, gifting Homeward Bound on VHS; none of these things would be legal without this doctrine.

First-sale gives the buyer of copyrighted material the legal right to resale, lend, or gift said purchase. Essentially, you own what you paid for and can now do whatever you want with it.

A curious thing hap-

sell it. This is where those lovely software license agreements come in that no one reads. They state that the consumer merely leases the software. MicroThe DMCA has been soft Word, Adobe Photoupdated to make it illegal shop, Call of Duty, Apple OS X and the operating systo unlock a smartphone tem on cell phones are not without permission from owned by the consumer, borrowed. one’s service provider.” only This brings us to the iPhone. The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) has been in effect since 1998 and has been bought. Thus resale and revised every few years lending of the product was since. As of January this illegal. What about First- year, the DMCA has been sale? We bought it, we can updated to make it illegal

“

to unlock a smartphone without permission from one’s service provider.

To unlock a smartphone means to enable it to work with any other cellphone service. Does that sound unfair? Well, technically it is not. Unlocking is a software thing and consumers do not own their phone’s software.

In reality, this change to the DMCA is not a terrible inconvenience. Cellular service providers will likely give permission for consumers to unlock their phones once their contracts have run out. But this does mean that corpo-

Evan marks

evan’s marks

rations have another level of control over their customers. Scary.

All is not lost though.

The DMCA still says jailbreaking, allowing a smartphone to run custom software, is perfectly legal. If the next software license agreement you read seems too oppressive, feel free to jailbreak that phone and frolic through the digital fields of independent software. Just remember, if you have an iPhone this voids your warranty with Apple. contact the optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu

column

Homeschooled, not friendless CALL ME, MAYBE

LINDSAY PALMER

column

Best of science still yet to come CROOK IN THE GUT JOSHUA GARCIA

As long as men like Carl Sagan and Neil Armstrong lead the way, the best scientific accomplishments are yet to be had.

Wait, what?

It seems that both Sagan and Armstrong died without bothering to tell me.

The future of space exploration is now a bit more dubious.

The era of popular interest in interstellar space travel was during the Cold War, in which American scientific desires were fueled by both a voracious curiosity and bitter rivalry with

the Soviet Union. Now, scientific endeavors are more often ridiculed as wastes of money, despite their potential to unify and advance humanity.

What American hero and demigod Neil Armstrong did cannot be downplayed.

Neil, who according to my in-depth research was the uncle of sly cyclist Lance Armstrong and grandfather of staff videographer Brance Armstrong, was the first person to set foot on the moon. After Neil and Buzz Aldrin beat up Michael Collins and forced him to stay

in the command spacecraft, an ancient dream became reality.

Billions had dreamed of it. Billions still do. The average person has more scientific knowledge than at any other time in history, but passions have waned.

No one has walked on the moon in over 40 years. Mars still eludes us, endlessly beckoning to astrophysicists and astronauts.

There is enough interest in space travel to make it a conversable subject, but little enough interest to actually do something about it. Leaders like Armstrong and Sagan hyped the masses and produced waves of professional action. Who are the leaders in popular astronomy now?

I guess we can all see where this is going. All right.

I’ll probably resist at first

due to my complete lack of experience and knowledge, but secretly, I would love to be your new scientific leader, human race. I’ll do it.

What’s that? Oh. Fine then. Never mind.

Astrophysicists like Neil DeGrasse Tyson have taken up Sagan’s banner and kept science interesting and understandable for the average consumer. Their efforts have kept the dream of space travel alive for the people who have the power to act upon it. We may never return to the “glory days,” but Sagan and Armstrong’s passions, discoveries and accomplishments can never be divorced from society.

And with science, the best is yet to come. contact garcia at jtg10b@acu.edu

hashtagACU 11:46 p.m. Feb. 16 11:16 p.m. Feb. 16

Just looked in the mirror and scared myself. #singsong

@torimcfadden

11:26 p.m. Feb. 16

Overall Winners of my heart: SUB T-16. #SingSong2013

@erportt

The most important takeaway from #SingSong2013 - Ricoh, the #wonderpup, made it into the show.

Hi, my name is Lindsay Palmer and I am socially awkward. If you actually know me, then you probably know that isn’t true at all. However, what you may not know is that I was homeschooled for all of my life. The only times I stepped foot in a school was for speech therapy when I was 5 and for three months of second grade.

In high school, when people would find out I was homeschooled, I always got the question, “Well, do you have friends?” Or, “Why aren’t you weird?” “Do you get to wear your pajamas to school?” One of my personal favorites was, “How do you meet people?”

These questions always made me chuckle a little bit on the inside.

“

In the end, I just embrace the stereotypes that come with being homeschooled all my life.”

Yes, I had friends in high school (besides my five siblings), no I didn’t wear pajamas to do school work, and I am actually weird. These statements are amusing but what’s actually funny is how people place stereotypes and labels on everyone they know and they believe them.

In high school, my neighbor thought about homeschooling her children so she pulled me to the side

I don’t care what anyone says, Sub-T sing song act will always be my absolute favorite. #SingSong2013

Bummer, looks like #ACU decided not to use the logo I submitted.

@PWoolfolk

10:51 p.m. Feb. 16

well, at least only a few thousand people saw me bust it walking on stage

@em_brynn

@zachmoses

11:30 p.m. Feb. 16 11:29 p.m. Feb. 16 11:36 p.m. Feb. 16

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.

@Sh4zam

@bpbailey

published by the department of journalism and mass communication editorial and management board

Address letters to: ACU Box 27892 Abilene, TX 79609 E-mail letters to: optimist@acu.edu

Way to go Seniors!!!!

Can’t believe I’m washing off my last Sing Song face makeup :(

It feels incredible to make history in two different acts. #FTIW #2013Sweep

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

Hurry up and post all your sing song gym pictures on Facebook...

I can’t wait to see how many photo-bombs I got.

@DudneyD

@lindsay_vandy

10:34 p.m. Feb. 16

Wow my sister was introduced by name in front of everyone at sing-song and tripped/ fell up the stairs... #disgrace

contact palmer at lsp10b@acu.edu

12:20 a.m. Feb. 17

11:44 p.m. Feb. 16 1:50 p.m. Feb. 15

and asked me how homeschoolers have friends. I explained to her that sometimes when I go to events, I meet people and I actually talk to them. I say that with sarcasm now but my neighbor genuinely believed that all homeschoolers were doomed to be socially awkward.

I explained to her we have a common misconception that every person who is homeschooled is weird. However, homeschoolers aren’t that different from “normal people.”

We have compete in sports, we hang out with friends and sometimes even go on dates (gasp).

The labels that are put on homeschoolers are merely a stereotype. Merriam Webster defines stereotype as “A widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing.” We do not realize it but we see see stereotypes every day.

We see something and we assign a label to it, whether it may be true or not. I hate to break it to you, but not all homeschoolers are socially awkward. I know this may be shocking but some homeschoolers actually have friends.

In the end, I just embrace the stereotypes that come with being homeschooled all my life.

My name is Lindsay Palmer and I am socially awkward.

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Getting confused when not all the tweets on ur feed are sing song related... #singsong2013 congrats Trojans, Siggies and seniors!!

@Merry_AKO

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[ 7

featureS

Sunday 02.17.13

A

CU is famous for a campus teeming with family legacy.

For Tom Fullerton, Lucy Hamilton Fullerton, their four children and 10 granddaughters, lineage takes the form of a stuffed plush toy.

In 1953, Tom Fullerton returned to what was Abilene Christian College at the time, from his short time in the military. Lucy Hamilton was in her junior year at ACC. They met that semester and were married within a year. In 1957, during their senior year, Tom graduated and Lucy had their first child, Cliff.

Fifty-two years later in 2009, Lucy finished her last three courses and also became an ACU graduate at the age of 75. This was after the ACU graduations of their four children: Cliff (’79), Shawna (’81), Doug (’84) and Brad (’86), and their four granddaughters: Jenny Fullerton (’05), Haley Wolf (’07), Melanie Fullerton (’07), Cara Fullerton (’10) had graduated from ACU. Granddaughters Karissa Wolf (‘11) and Becca Fullerton(‘12) graduated soon after. Currently at ACU, they have two other granddaughters, Alaina Wolf, a junior communication science and disorders major from Coppell, and Anna Fullerton, a junior psychology major from Garland.

The Fullerton family added three more to their purple ranks when two of their children and one of their granddaughters married ACU grads: Cliff to Beth Garrett (’79), Jenny to Chris Thompson (’05) and Brad to Holly Hill (’86), who gave Tom and Lucy two greatgrandchildren and probable, future purple Wildcats.

In the fall of 2001, the first Fullerton granddaughter, Jenny, was leaving for her freshman year at ACU. While shopping in a toy store, Tom spotted a solid, purple stuffed animal called The Purple People Eater. The plush toys were on sale and the store had only eight left.

Tom picked one up, squeezed its paw and it sang the famous tune back. He immediately bought all eight and presented the first one to Jenny as she was leaving for Abilene.

In the following years, five other Fullerton granddaughters left for ACU and were ceremoniously presented with their Purple People Eaters.

During the fall of 2010, Anna and Alaina, granddaughters number seven and eight, graduated from high school, bound for ACU. Tom went up to the at-

tic to retrieve the old box that contained the last two Purple People Eaters. Unfortunately, one of them would not sing the song. He immediately searched the web to find the manufacturer, Gemmy Industries, then called the company to ask where he could get it repaired. They explained that the item was made in China and had been discontinued several years ago and no longer were parts or repair services available. Gemmy In-

to tell Tom the company president was flying to the factory in China the next day. He suggested taking the broken Purple People Eater in hopes they might be able to repair or replace it. Tom dropped everything and immediately took it to them, finding his story was the talk of the office and thanking them profusely.

Two weeks later, Tom and Lucy woke early, packed their luggage and put on their purple and white garb to attend

]

it, she said.

“I didn’t grow up with a family,” Lucy said, “so family traditions are especially dear to me. When Tom and I were married, I had to learn. I was starting a whole new life over, how to start a family, how to be in a family.”

All eight girls have held onto their Purple People Eaters, except one. Cara Fullerton, granddaughter number four, thoughtfully passed hers on to her cousin, Hannah Hendrix, when she became an ACU freshman in 2009. Hannah is the daughter of ’81 graduate Becky Garrett and gradaughter of ’49 graduate Dr. Dick Garrett.

But the ACU blood runs beyond the family realm, the Fullertons said. Like them, ACU was the site their children and granddaughter found their spouses, and made lifetime bonds.

“No matter where you go, you run into ACU people, it’s inevitable,” Lucy said.

“We can not overemphasize the importance of having relationships,” Tom said. “ACU is like church, having people around you all the time as your growing up and developing. A community there encouraging you, giving you more confidence.”

For Alaina Wolf, ACU was the natural choice for school selection.

“Since I can remember, I knew I was going to ACU,” she said. “Not because I felt like I had to because i was pressured, but because it felt like home. I had visited so many times as a child that I didn’t need a campus tour.”

“I kept my purple people eater in my dorm room on display,” Wolfe said. “People didn’t understand, but I enjoyed explaining my grandparents’ tradition.”

The passing of a Purple Eater to the next ACU student-to-be is just the FullerStory by: Tom Fullerton ton’s story of many family legacies preEdited by: Gabi Powell served by ACU purple, and in their case, a stuffed, plush monster.

“We usually would present it at a dustries had their home office in Cop- ACU’s homecoming. As they were leav- meal,” Tom said. “It gave us a little pell, prompting Tom to visit the next ing, the phone rang. Answering the call, chance to support the ACU choice by day, bringing with him the two Purple the resurrected tune of the damaged telling them what they have to look forPeople.

Purple People Eater sang back through ward to. We wanted to tell them this is After telling the receptionist his story, the telephone. The stuffed toy had re- a wonderful place where you will make several other employees heard the music turned from China and was wanting life-long relationships-the Purple People that played from the one working toy and to go to Abilene. The Fullertons made a Eater will remind you of that.” became involved, going between offices, detour for Gemmy Industries as they left Tom and Lucy would end the ritual trying to find a solution for the one Purple for Abilene, taking the family trophy to by pressing the toy’s ear to hear, “He was People Eater that could not carry a tune. his new home on ACU campus. a one-eyed, one-horned, f lying, Purple No solution could be found, so Tom reFor Lucy, this Fullerton tradition car- People Eater.” turned home dejected. ries a greater impact. The way ACU fosThe next day, a Gemmy employee called ters family legacies is how God intended

PURPLE PEOPLE EATERS [

]

Tom Fullerton and grandaughters ACU junior Alaina Wolf, junior Anna Fullerton and Karissa Wolf (‘11) pose with one of the Fullerton family Purple People Eaters.

Top photo: Tom and Lucy Fullerton on ACU campus for Sing Song 2013.

Bottom photo: The newlywed Fullertons- September 1954.

SING SONG

sunday 02.17.13

stephen reyes staff photographer The junior class comes to an emphatic end in its second-place act, “Americans in France: Tourism at its Finest!”

8

mandy Lambright chief photographer Lindsey Odle, senior elementary education major from Coppell, gets into character for the senior class act.

VACATION GETAWAY

A look back at the performers, costumes and fun of Sing Song 2013

mandy Lambright chief photographer Jonathan Bryant, junior management major from San Antonio, directs Galaxy’s third-place “Breaking Out” act.

mandy Lambright chief photographer Corinne Morris, senior Ad/PR major from Abilene, directs GATA’s third-place act, “Tales from a Trusty Travelling Tote.”

mandy Lambright chief photographer A member of Sigma Theta Chi surfs the crowd of other Sing Song performers in the Sing Song version of the “Harlem Shake.”

Top 100 Chinese Restaurant Worldwide Abilene Reporter News Reader’s Choice Award

3425 S. 1st • 325/673-9100

9

sports

sunday 02.17.13

women’s basketball

Wildcat women whip Aggies in Oklahoma daniel zepeda sports reporter The ACU women’s basketball team faced off against Cameron University on Saturday and earned the win 72-53.

The loss is the Aggies ninth in a row. The Wildcats move to 19-4 overall and 14-3 in LSC play while Cameron falls to 4-19 and 3-14 in the LSC. Nineteen wins is the most since 2004-05 when the team went 20-10 and made an NCA A D-II South Regional Tournament appearance.

The win gives ACU the sole title of first place in the Lone Star Conference

with three games left in the regular season.

ACU currently holds a half a game lead over second place Midwestern.

Junior Mack Lankford led all scorers with 16 points, as she continued her hot shooting from beyond the three point line with four threes.

Over the Wildcats’ last three wins, Lankford has averaged 26.6 ppg., including a 31 point performance against Tarleton, and a 33 points against Midwestern.

The entire game proved to be the Wildcats’ as they dominated early and went into halftime with a 31-13 lead. ACU held Cameron to 3-22 shooting in the first

half and wouldn’t allow much more in the second.

ACU would go on to outscore Cameron in the second half, 41-40 on the strength of three point makes and efficiency from the free throw line, the squad only missed two free-throws all game.

As a team, the ‘Cats shot 13-14 from the charity stripe in the second half, and 16-18 for the entire game.

ACU out-rebounded Cameron 37-27 and scored 17 points Freshman Whitney West continued her great play of late with 15 points, 12 of those coming from beyond the arc.

Junior Renata Marquez

finished with 13 points, 11 coming in the first half. Senior Kelsey Smith also contributed with 12 points and 10 rebounds, her third double-double of the season.

The Wildcats will face off against Texas Women’s at home on Tuesday.

ACU defeated them 75-50 in their last meeting on Jan. 9.

The team will look to finish the season strong and secure first place in the LSC, as two of their final three games will be played at Moody Colosieum.

contact zepeda at djz11a@acu.edu

division I

Tuition: Block scheduling enhances athletes’ life from page 10 given their schedules.”

Mosley said the sports most affected by block tuition are ones where the roster sizes are larger than the number of scholarships coaches have to offer.

Football is the most obvious. Men’s and women’s track and field and baseball and softball are also hurt more than other sports.

Scholarships before block tuition were defined as 30 hours by the NCAA. Mosley said there were few athletes who would take the full 15 hours each semester so there would be some left over.

Those extra hours would be used for partial scholarships to provide depth on rosters.

“When we made the switch to block tuition, it changed to one price,” he said. “We can’t take that savings and offer it to somebody on the back end.

In essence, we have fewer student athletes receiving athletic aid. That hinders sports where you need depth.”

“Several of our sports have seen those challenges in this first year,” Mosley said. “They are trying to understand how to navigate that and are rethinking how we award scholarships.”

“In football we are probably going to have 8-10 less athletes receiving aid.

It definitely cuts into the quality of your backups.”

Fortunately, moving to Division I helps ease some of the pain brought on by the block tuition plan. D-I levels the playing field for football, men’s and women’s basketball and baseball.

“In Division II we split scholarships up a lot and tried to get a lot of people on to maximize our dollars,” Mosley said. “In Division I there’s limits on how you can do that. Block tuition won’t affect us as much with the Division I regulations.”

The Football Perspective Block tuition has more impact on football than any other Wildcat sport, which is why Coach Collums was more emotional when he learned ACU was moving that direction.

“After I got up off the floor after fainting,” Collums said jokingly, “I pouted a little bit. The words block tuition at a place like this, where the cost is already high, adds to a major challenge.”

Division I FCS regulations allow football coaches to hand out up to 63 full scholarships per year.

They can divide and conquer those 63 any way they see fit as long as they do not surpass 85 total players receiving financial aid.

“Block tuition, in our department, basically caused the cost of tuition to go up about $6,000 per year,” Collums said. “We only had 57 guys on scholarship last season. That is 11 or 12 below what we had

“

It’s an even greater commitment on the athletes’ part because we’re making so much of an inventsment in them.”

the previous year.”

“I had to spend money on keeping my own guys instead of going out and finding new players. That’s why we had only 57. Ideally in a Division II school, you want between 75-78 guys.

That’s a healthy squad.”

Collums said block tuition at the D-II level over a long period would be very challenging.

“It would be hard to keep the success we’ve had,” he said. “It was already hard enough recruiting against schools that cost only $16,000. For education though, there’s nothing better.”

The move to D-I will free up more money for scholarships.

Collums said ACU will still have less guys on scholarship than other schools in the Southland Conference because of our cost.

“We probably won’t ever come close to the 85 max players on scholarship, but going Division I allows us, in recruiting, to match other schools dollar for dollar on the cost of the kid,” he said. “That kid isn’t going to owe any money to go to school.”

The Volleyball Perspective Block tuition does not have quite the same impact on volleyball as it does with some of the larger sports.

Volleyball is a headcount sport in Division I and regulations allow up to 12 full ride scholarships per team.

That is compared to eight full scholarships available in Division II, although those eight can be broken down and distrib-

Kellen Mock Head Coach ACU volleyball

uted in any way the coaches desire.

“There are some challenges in regards to managing scholarships since we aren’t paying by the hour anymore,” said head coach Kellen Mock. “But I love block tuition. It allows for our student athletes to have tremendous flexibility in how they take care of their hours.

Athletes have never been able take summer classes and have them paid for.

Under the annual block tuition model, that is now possible.

“Few of my girls take more than 12 hours in the fall because we are on the road so much,” Mock said.

“Most of them were having to take summer school anyway and pay out of their pocket.”

“Our athletes are now getting a more complete ACU experience,” she said. “They aren’t taking summer courses at community colleges.”

Mock said for her sport, block tuition is not a bad thing.

A majority of her players come with more of an academic mindset than an athletic one since there is not a promising future beyond college volleyball.

“The girls aren’t coming here to play professional volleyball,” she said. “So our sport is different than a lot of the others.”

“I’ve got a lot of players who’ve had academic success in high school and have been awarded a good scholarship. That saves our program money. But I will say, block tuition and Division I go hand in hand. It makes everything clean and crisp in the Di-

vision I model.”

Mock said head-counter sports are very simple since you can only have so many players on scholarship.

She hopes to have a roster of 15 once they go to D-I. “It’s easier to attract a walk-on student athlete in Division I than it is in Division II simply because they’re going to get D-I experience,” she said.

“We’re all going to be able to cover the cost of more athletes’ educations in Division I. At the same time, it’s an even greater commitment on the athletes’ part because we’re making so much of an investment in them.”

contact isaacs at jei08a@acu.edu

mandy lambright chief Photographer

Freshman guard Whitney West looks past a defender.

sports

sunday 02.17.13

standings

men’s basketball

‘Cats lose heartbreaker matthew sloan assistant sports editor The men’s basketball team travelled to Oklahoma with hopes of upsetting a talented Cameron team, but could not steal the game, losing 6762 in overtime.

For the second time in three games, ACU hit a three with less than a minute left to force overtime, only to fall short in the final five minutes.

Freshman Parker Wentz buried a shot from long range to tie the game at 5353 after an ACU steal, and the Wildcats could smell a much-needed road victory.

In the overtime, the Wildcats scored nine points, but they were unable to slow down a potent Aggie offense that controlled the entire overtime with a flurry of scoring.

The Wildcats never gave up, fighting off several deficits throughout the game and showed their heart as they have all season.

ACU was down by eight points at the intermission 31-23 because of tough Aggie defense. The Wildcats shot just 31% in the game, and missed 19 three-point attempts.

After halftime ACU came out looking to cut into the Cameron deficit, but were unable to narrow the gap.

For most of the half, Cameron held a two or three possession lead, but the ‘Cats were undeterred. With 50 seconds left, Elliott Lloyd drew a foul from behind the arc, earning three free throws.

After knocking down all three shots from the charity stripe, Lloyd had trimmed the Aggie lead to three.

From there, a Dosh Simms lay up and the Wentz three gave the ‘Cats their first tie since the first half.

Simms finished the game with a double double, 13

Continued from Friday’s issue The Move to D-I and Block Tuition’s Affect on Athletics The NCAA has categorized every sport in Division I as either a head-count sport or an equivalency sport.

In Division II, all programs are equivalency sports. Scholarships in head-count sports can only be given to a set number of athletes and they have to be all full scholarships. So for instance, if a sport offers 10 scholarships, 10 athletes on that team can receive

The women’s and men’s tennis teams took on a double header Saturday, challenging Hardin Simmons University and Western New Mexico University.

“We need the matches, even though we have a few recovering from injuries,” Head Coach Hutton Jones said.

The energy was high as the day started with doubles matches against Hardin Simmons. Nada Marjanovic is currently No. 1 for the lady’s team and Borja Cortes at No.1 for the men’s team.

Hach Hans and Nicklas Wingord started their doubles match strong, continuing their streak from the matches against Tennessee.

In the fourth set, Winford made a last save attempt, which with huge surprise was in. The duo defeated Michael McCullough and Nathan Chavez 8-1.

The men’s team made

Ovrl.

13-2 11-5 8-5 7-6 7-7 6-7 6-7 6-8 5-11 2-13

17-5 15-6 12-9 14-7 10-12 13-10 10-10 10-8 11-13 5-18

Team

Div.

Ovrl.

ACU MSU TSU UIW WTAMU ASU Commerce ENMU TWU TAMU-K Cameron

14-3 13-3 12-3 11-4 10-6 7-9 6-10 5-11 4-12 3-13 3-13

19-4 18-4 16-5 15-6 14-11 10-12 8-13 6-18 6-16 5-17 4-19

Former ACU cross country runner Fabian Wessel-Terharn passed away earlier this week in Germany. Terharn was a German native and had returned last semester to live there.

ACU released their Lone Star Conference Era starting five centers this week.

Melanie Carter and Andre Prince received points to go along with his snagging 15 more rebounds played more than 40 min- chance to make the tourna- the award. curtis christian Staff Photographer

Point guard Eric Lawton drives to the basket against a Tarleton State defender in Moody Coliseum last week.

Wentz hits clutch three to force OT, ACU falls short 13 rebounds. Eric Lawton led the way offensively for ACU, tallying 17 points. Lloyd had 12 points and T.J Brown scored nine points off the bench.

The Wildcats hammered Cameron on the boards,

and keeping ACU in the game from the painted area. The ‘Cats 20 offensive rebounds gave them easy looks at the basket and allowed them to hang in the game despite a poor shooting night.

Lawton and Lloyd each

utes, carrying the brunt of ment. the work in the backcourt.

ACU will be back in action The loss puts ACU’s Lone February 27th in San AntoStar Conference tournament nio against Incarnate Word. hopes on life support, but wins against Incarnate Word contact sloan at and Texas A&M Kingsville mes10b@acu.edu would give the Wildcats a

scholarships each year.

For equivalency sports, there is also a set number of scholarships, but teams are allowed to divide those scholarships between multiple athletes. For example, a team that can offer a total of six scholarships could award three full rides, divide the fourth and fifth between two athletes and split up the last one between three or more athletes.

ACU is moving to D-I in the fall of 2013, so some coaches and players will be dealing with head-count rules instead of just equivalency across the board.

The sports which will be changing to head-

“

They can take a large number of hours and spread it over the full calendar year. That’s great for the student athletes given their schedules.”

count are: men’s and women’s basketball, women’s tennis and volleyball. All other sports will remain equivalency.

Football is a little tricky because in D-I it is the only sport that is divided into two subdivisions, Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).

ACU is moving to FCS

Jared Mosley Director of athletics ACU

which is still categorized as an equivalency sport.

FBS on the other hand, is head-count.

“In the head-counter sports it really levels the playing field in a sense,” said Jared Mosley, Director of Athletics. “Even between public and private schools that cost difference is still there and it’s a little bit of an impact but not near as much as

in Division II. We have been splitting scholarships and trying to compete with schools that are half of what we cost.”

Mosley said athletics kept the university from going to block tuition sooner than it did.

“There are some pretty significant impacts that block tuition can have on the competitive nature of our programs,” he said.

“But there are benefits that the students are going to get as well.”

“They can take a large number of hours and spread it out over a full calendar year.

That’s great for student athletes, see TUITION page 9

Teams sweep HSU, WNMU at home sports reporter

Div.

MSU Cameron IWU TSU ENMU Commerce TAMU-K WTAMU ACU ASU

The ACU athletic department unveiled their first logo change since 1997 Friday at chapel. The logo was created by Rickabaugh Graphics.

Tennis

brittney johnson

Team

briefings

New Block tuition builds flexibility sports editor

men’s basketball

women’s basketball

Division I

edward isaacs

10

this weekend their chance at redemption, winning all of their singles and doubles matches when challenging HSU. After injuring his wrist last weekend, Borja Cortes, managed to still bring the heat, defeating Michael McCullough 6-1, 6-3.

Nicklas Wingord and Jason Proctor added to the excitement of the morning, each with a 6-1 straight victory against Nathan Chavez and Frankie Sanchez.

The ladies did not even break a sweat against HSU. Like the men’s team, the ladies won all of their singles matches and both doubles matches.

Hannah Kelley won by default. Kaysie Hermsdorf, Emily Conrad, and Jamie Lee Denton all won with an astonishing 6-0 straight victory.

Hardin Simmons proved no threat against the Wildcats with the men 9-0 and the women 7-0 against the cowboys.

Later in the afternoon,

both teams faced WesternNew Mexico University.

The Wildcats held on to their momentum, ending with a 9-0 victory over the mustangs.

Two ladies that added to the strength of Saturday were Nada Marjanovic who defeated Claudia Osuna 6-1,6-3 and Kaysie Hermsdorf, who took on Diamond Morril, 6-0, 6-2.

The men’s team went 8-1 against Western-New Mexico.

The match to see was that of duo Nicklas Wingord and Kyle Plum as they went up against Matthieu Covizzi and Jorge Carretero.

Fans could feel the tension and high energy in the air that surrounded the last of the doubles matches as Wingord and Plum pushed their limits in the “sudden death” match.

They finished with a welldeserved 9-8 victory.

The match up of Cortes and Covizzi proved difficult as the pain from his recent injury took the best of Cortes.

Who’s Hot Junior baseball player Kyle Giusti has been swingGiusti ing the bat well to start the season. In the first eight games for the ‘Cats, Giusti is hitting .438, and doing damage with every swing.

The infielder has eight RBIs, which lead the team to go along with his team-high seven hits. He is also making some noise on the bases, stealing three bases in three attempts, which also leads the team. Giusti will look to continue his hot start today againt McMurry University on the road.

Upcoming The baseball team will travel to McMurry University for a game at 3 p.m.

The softball team will play the last two games of their tournament today in Tucson, Ariz.

Friday, the baseball team will start their series against New Mexico Highlands University at 7 p.m. All games in the series will be played at home.

Tuesday the women’s basketball team will play host to Texas Women’s University at 7 p.m. in Moody Coliseum.

Saturday, the softball team will play a stephen reyes Staff Photographer double-header against University of Texas Senior Laura Mongin prepares to hit a forehand. if the Permian Basin.

Cheering for her teamThe University of the mate, Marjanovic was one Southwest and University of Games start at 2 p.m. of many trying to encour- Texas of the Permian Basin at home. age Cortes during the will be the men’s next double match. “Sometimes you header as the women face just need to stay positive.” Butler University.

She said. Covizzi defeated Cortes 7-6, 6-4.

The men’s team is now contact johnson at 5-4 in the conference and the baj12a@acu.edu women’s team is 6-1.

Saturday and Sunday, the track teams will compete in the Lone Star Conference Championships.