The Optimist - 03.21.14

Sports Page 8

Freshman Phenom vol. 102, no. 45

friday, march 21, 2014

Hannah Null throws a perfect game for ACU

1 SECTION, 8 PAGES

BENNETT

INSIDE

THERE

ARTS Multiple local galleries offer quality art shows with both student and renowned artists

DONE

THAT

Page 5

NEWS The author of the children’s series, Hank the Cowdog, visits the ACU library Page 3

OPINION The Editorial Board urges students to think and act intentionally towards Abilene’s homeless population

Page 6

SPORTS Baseball takes on Alabama A&M this weekend

deanna romero chief Photographer

Work begins as construction crews gut the interior of Bennett Gymnasium. Bennett wil be repurposed as an engineering laboratory for the Department of Engineering and Physics and is planned to be finished by Fall 2014. Bennett was constructed in 1929 and was one of the first buildings on campus.

ACU Drive to be abandoned University petitions to re-zone property across Ambler Avenue

Page 6

NEWS Red Thread hosts a 5k to raise funds and awareness Page 3

NEWS SA voted to fund a senior candlelight devo Page 3

OPINION Madeline Orr becomes a victim of karma after her bike is stolen Page 6

SPORTS Women’s tennis starts their Southland Conference schedule this weekend Page 6

ONLINE VIDEO Watch the JMC Newscast for an update on the latest news on campus

Read more at acuoptimist.com

denzil lim student reporter The university has not wasted time preparing for construction of an oncampus stadium.

ACU petitioned the city of Abilene to re-zone property north of Ambler Avenue and abandon ACU Drive, which cuts through the land.

The university owns the plot of land on both sides of ACU Drive across Ambler.

Although renderings of the

new stadiums on the north side of campus show a parking lot on that plot, the only construction that will take place for now as a result of the city’s approval will be to remove ACU Drive and consolidate the land. Legally, the city owns the street and the university had to petition the Abilene City Council and the city’s zoning commission to abandon the property.

Any changes to the street is not legal until the university has completed the petition process.

Kevin Roberts, vice president for planning and operations, said the university is now awaiting the city’s decision to make the changes.

Petitions for changes go to the Abilene Planning and Zoning Committee, a sub-set of the city council.

That committee reviews plans to decide whether they are passed on to the city council. Upon receiving the petition, the council has to organize an open meeting to read the petition. A period of one month is given for the public to present their sides on the plan before the council returns to vote for the approval or rejection. see drive page 4

Exxon Mobile VP to give advice to COBA jimmy isbell sports reporter Mark W. Albers, senior vice president of Exxon Mobil Corporation, will speak at ACU next Wednesday, March 26, for the College of Business Administration’s Distinguished Speakers Series.

“I’ve listened to him speak over podcasts a while ago and he truly believes in keeping your faith in the marketplace,” said Jake

Mulder, senior marketing major from Spring.

Albers resides in The Woodlands and works with different government programs around the world, encouraging them to allow Exxon to help them work, explore, develop and produce successful products in different countries.

Albers graduated with a bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering from Texas A&M University. He devotes his time to assuring the

younger generations in the business world and to make their faith a part of who they are at home and especially at the office.

Although a man of faith in every aspect of life, he is happy with his success at Exxon Mobil. He was featured in Forbes magazine in 2004 and has served on the United States Council for International Business.

“We’re really excited for Mr. Albers to come and speak with COBA students

because he will speak about how to keep our faith within the marketplace—one of the more difficult ideas to keep hold of after we graduate from ACU,” said Hunter Haley, senior accounting and finance major from Rockwall.

Albers will speak about how his own faith-based decisions have affected his life.

“Ever since I was a freshman here in COBA, our professors have always repeated the importance of keeping our faith in the marketplace,”

Mulder said.

The Distinguished Speakers Series thinks Albers will encourage students to listen to the other speakers a part of the series.

COBA announced on Wednesday there are only 50 tickets left for the event. For pricing and more information visit the COBA website at blogs.acu.edu/coba. contact the optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu

Theatre to rehearse musical in 24 hours linsey thut features writer The Theatre Department will perform a free musical at 6 p.m. Sunday in Fulks Theatre to raise money for water relief efforts. There’s a catch however - the cast has only 24 hours to rehearse.

Matt Silar, senior theatre major from Chicago, Ill. will direct the 24 HR Musical and said the 40 cast members in this production won’t know what the play is

until Saturday at 5:30 p.m.

They start rehearsals 30 minutes later and have until 6 p.m. on Sunday, when the show starts, to perfect the musical.

“We announce the show, and they’ll get their roles, they’ll get their script and they’ll get their music,” Silar said. “Then at 6 p.m., we send them off to rehearse 24 hours straight.”

Silar and other organizers posted a list of 10 potential musicals on the 24 HR Musical Facebook

“

We were staggered by the fact that it’s a 24-hour event, and in that 24 hours over 5,000 children under the age of 12 will die from waterborne illness.”

page, and that list has been winnowed down during the week. The final musical will remain on the Facebook page at 6 p.m. on Saturday.

Silar started the 24 HR Musical with the non-profit theatre company Awaken in

Abilene Christian University

Matt Silar senior theatre major from chicago

Chicago, and this is the first time one will be performed on a college campus. The production is partnering with Alpha Psi Omega, the theatre honor society, which conduct fundraiser each year to raise money for

charity. This year, that cause is water relief efforts.

Silar, treasurer of Alpha Psi Omega, said water relief effort is important to him because it is a basic right that everyone deserves to have, yet so many don’t.

“We were staggered by the fact that it’s a 24-hour event, and in that 24 hours over 5,000 children under the age of 12 will die from waterborne illness,” Silar see musical page 4

friday 03.21.14

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friday

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All day - ACU Track at Angelo State University

24

sunday

saturday

10 a.m. ACU Track vs.

War Hawk Classic

2

monday

8 p.m. Is Chivalry Dead? in Campus Center Living Room

12 p.m. Men’s Baseball at Alabama A&M University 1 p.m. Women’s Softball at University of the Incarnate Word

Chapel checkup To date:

Announcements Remaining:

62 38 @acuoptimist The Optimist optimist@acu.edu

Registration for the Kirk Goodwin Run is open. Applicants can register for the Run the West half-marathon for $80 or the classic 5k for $20. The race will be on April 26. To register, visit www.kirkgoodwinrun.com.

ACU Rodeo registration is open in the Campus Center.

The rodeo will be hosted by the Agricultural and Environmental Science Club at the Taylor County Expo Center Horse Barn on March 27. Cost is $100 per team of four. General admission is $5 or $8 for two.

Sigma Tau Delta is sponsoring a poetry contest with a first place award of $100.

Students may submit up to three poems, or three pages, to participate. Submissions should be turned into Chambers 308 by 5 p.m. on March 31.

The Images of Aging Photo Contest deadline is today.

For more information, visit blogs.acu.edu/imagesofaging, email imagesofaginf@ acu.edu or call 325-6742350.

Law school scholarship applications for Baylor and Pepperdine Law Schools are available through the political science department in Room 220 of the Hardin Administration building. Application deadline is at 4 p.m on March 26. For more information, email Carmen Price at cjp11a@acu.edu or call 325-675-2005.

Upward Bound Summer Academy is seeking students to work as student advisors this summer. For more information, contact D’Angelo Sands at 324-674-2514.

Hispanos Unidos will host a Latin dance workshop fundraiser from 1:30-4:30 p.m. on March 22 in the Student Recreation and Wellness Center.

Competitive Latin dancers will teach Salsa and Bachata. Lessons cost $5.

Women for ACU is offering a $2,000 scholarship for men and women. All applications and materials must be submitted by March 21.

For more information, visit www.acu.edu. WACUscholarship.com.

Police log SELECTED ACUPD CALLS FOR THE WEEK 03/12/2014 1:34 p.m. ACUPD assisted APD with a disturbance involving prescription fraud in the 1000 block of North Judge Ely Blvd.

03/12/2014 11:56 p.m. ACUPD contacted a resident in response to a complaint that she was playing her TV too loud.

03/14/2014 9:32 p.m. A citizen reported that their vehicle was egged while it was parked on Hilliard Circle.

03/14/2014 9:47 p.m. ACUPD investigated a loud noise complaint – recurring problem – in the 1300 block of Westheimer. Final warning issued.

03/15/2014 9:54 p.m. ACUPD & APD investigated a disturbance with fight in the 800 block of EN 12th Street.

03/16/2014 2:27 a.m. ACUPD assisted APD on a noise violation. A subject was riding an ATV at 2 a.m. and loud radio. Warning issued.

03/16/2014 12:51 p.m. ACUPD assisted APD in searching for a shoplifting suspect in the Walmart area.

Weekly Stats For Week of March 11 - March 18, 2014 - Total Events: 276 ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIVITY 6 ALARM 4 ASSIST 2 BACK UP OFFICER 1 BUILDING LOCK/UNLOCK 15 BURGLARY (RESIDENCE) 1 CHECK BUILDING 165 CRIMINAL MISCHIEF 1 DISTURBANCE 2

DOMESTIC DISTURBANCE 1 FIGHT 1 FOOT PATROL 8 FOUND PROPERTY 1 INFORMATION REPORT 2 INVESTIGATION FOLLOW UP 6 MAINTENANCE: UNIV ASSETS 1 MOTORIST ASSIST: JUMPSTART 5 MOTORIST ASSIST: OTHER 1

MOTORIST ASSIST: UNLOCK 6 NOISE VIOLATION 3 OTHER 4 PARKING LOT PATROL 11 PATROL VEHICLE: MAINTENANCE 4 PATROL VEHICLE: REFUEL 7 PUBLIC SERVICE 1 RANDOM PATROL 8 REPORT WRITING 2

SOLICITING 1 STOLEN VEHICLE 1 THEFT (NON VEHICLE) 1 WELFARE CHECK 2 Police Tip of the Week: While locking bikes is the best deterrent to theft, please use approved bike racks only.

Locking bikes to sign posts, trees and handrails is prohibited.

Volunteer Opp0rtunities Belyway Park Baptist Church is seeking volunteers to help with special needs children in their program Kingdon Kids.

Volunteers would be needed on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings. For more information, contact Sharla Sanders at 325-692-6540 or sharlasanders@beltway.org.

Grace Point Church is looking for creative students with craftsmanship skills to volunteer for Vacation Bible School.

Volunteers will be creating props, sets and decorations in preparation for the program. For more information, call Ruth Gregory at 325-675-5060.

The Center for International Education is looking for one male and one female volunteer to serve as conversation partners with ACU scholars who are looking to improve their English language skills. Volunteers will be required to spend one hour a week practicing conversation, but the day, time, and location are up to the students to decide. For more information or to volunteer, contact Leanne Moore at 325-674-2821 or lmm10b@acu.edu.

New Life Alliance is searching for tutors, Khan Academy coaches, junior acheivement teachers and volunteers for its upcoming Easter program. For more information, contact Ashley Parker at 325-672-1636 or aparker@newlifealliance.org.

The International Rescue Committee in Abilene needs your help in welcoming refugees to our community. We are seeking the following donations: hygiene and cleaning supplies, bed linen, towels and kitchen items (dishware, silverware, pots/pans etc). Donations are accepted Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 2-4 p.m. or by appointment.

Their office is located at 3303 North Third Street Suite D in Abilene, Texas. For more information contact MariePascale Manishimwe at 325-675-5643.

Treadaway Kids is looking for more students and volunteers to join the group. For more information, contact Carly Henderson at cah10a@acu.edu.

JUMP @ Abilene North Apartments is seeking students to asssist in teaching the Gospel to at-risk low-income children. Students must be avaliable to volunteer from 4-5:30 p.m. on Mondays. Service opportunity begins Jan. 27 and lasts until April 28. For more information, contact Caroline Thompson at 281-782-2956 or crt12a@acu.edu.

Friends for Life is seeking volunteers to help with both elderly residents and independent living elderly.

Nursing home service opportunities include visiting, playing games, reading to the blind and assisting in arts and crafts. Independent living service opportunities include mowing lawns, grocery shopping and changing light bulbs. To volunteer contact Cecilia Barahona at 325-672-2635 or cecilia@friendsforlife. org.

Volunteers are needed to help with daily activities organized by the staff at Chisholm House. This could involve playing board games, helping with arts and crafts and helping with a walking club. For some of these tasks volunteers may be asked to lead a group or work along side a staff coordinator. Volunteer opportunities are from 2-4 p.m. or 6-8 p.m. daily.

Contact Larissa Blankenship at 817-578-9296.

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.

Christian Ministries Food Pantry needs volunteers to help with tasks such as cleaning up, stocking shelves and bagging flour. It is looking for students who can make a commitment of 1-3 hours a week. For more information, contact Becky Almanza at 325-673-5295 or balmanza7@sbcglobal.net.

Love and Care Ministries is looking for volunteers to help with sorting clothing, stocking their food pantry, assisting in prayers in their prayer room and serving food to the homeless. For more information call 325670-0246.

The Noah Project is seeking volunteers to help with tasks such as answering phone calls, providing child care and doing maintenance and housekeeping. To volunteer call 325-676-7107.

The Betty Hardwick Center is seeking volunteers for the Human Resources Center to help with filing and organizing. This job requires someone with attention to detail who wishes to learn more about Human Resources. The job is open Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. If you are interested, please contact Martin Walker at 325-690-5235 or mwalker@ bhcmhmr.org.

House of Faith is an organization that seeks to take Jesus to neighborhood children. Volunteers are needed to help with the various programs they do throughout the week. Backyard Bible studies are hosted Mondays and Wednesdays and a youth program takes place on Thursday evenings. The organization is seeking volunteers who can commit to a specific day a week. House of Faith lasts from 3-5:30 p.m. To volunteer or gain more information contact Amy Jeffers at abj09a@acu.edu or call 832-331-5324.

Breakfast on Beech Street is seeking volunteers to help set up, prepare and serve breakfast to homeless/lower income folks any Monday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday at 5:30 a.m. or Tuesdays at 5 a.m.

B.O.B.S. is located at First Christian Church on 3rd Street and Beech Street 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 325-6950092 or jharvread@aol.com. To serve on Thursdays, contact Margaret Beasley at 325-692-4149 or mbeasley5@suddenlink.net. To serve on Fridays contact Terry Stremmel at terry.stremmel@acu.edu.

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

The Christian Service Center is seeking volunteers to help with filing requests for items such as clothing and bedding 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 1-4 p.m. For more information, contact Roberta Brown at 325-673-7561 orrobertabrown51@hotmail. com. For more information on the program visit http://www.uccabilene.org/ministries/csc.htm.

Big Brothers/Big Sisters offers two volunteer programs. Lunch Buddies pairs volunteers with a little brother or little sister to have lunch with once a week for 30 minutes. Lunch Buddies has a preferred time of 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. The Community Based program pairs volunteers with a little brother or little sister that they will hang out with two to four times a month.

Both programs require committment to the program for 12-18 months. To sign up, stop by the Big Brothers/Big Sisters office at 547 Chestnut St. or contact Randy Woods at 325-674-3102.

Meals on Wheels Plus needs volunteer drivers to deliver afternoon meals to seniors and adults with disabilities Monday-Friday 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.

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

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news

friday 03.21.14

Hank the Cowdog author to visit campus Tommy Evans student reporter John R. Erickson, author of the well known Hank the Cowdog children’s book series, will speak at the Friends of ACU Library Spring Event on 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday in the Hunter Welcome Center.

Erickson, an awardwinning author, has published 75 books and more than 600 articles, including the popular children’s series, Hank the Cowdog. He drew most

“

Erickson is an author many of us read as children, and it’s fun to get to re-live his stories years later.”

of his inspiration for the series from his experiences working as a ranch cowboy in Texas and Oklahoma, according to his website.

Erickson and his wife also founded their own publishing company, Maverick Books, that first

rebecca Fowler senior english major from coppell

made Hank the Cowdog popular.

“I think it is great that ACU is bringing such a well known author come to campus,” said Rebecca Fowler, a senior english major from Coppell said.

“Erickson is an author

many of us read as children, and it’s fun to get to re-live his stories years later.”

Dr. Jonathan Camp, associate professor of communication, serves on the FACUL board as vice-president and said that Erickson is one of the better-known speakers they have had at their events.

“We have had people such as Bible scholars come speak in the past, but Erickson is the most well known by the general public,” Camp said. “It

should be very family friendly in the sense that all ages will enjoy hearing him speak.”

The FACUL Spring Event is an annual dinner and fundraiser that helps fund the library’s special collections.

Erickson is being brought to ACU through his friend and ACU alumna Sandra Morrow, a retired librarian who runs Crown Book Awards, a children’s book award program.

Morrow informed FACUL that because of his ties to West Texas, Erickson was

interested in visiting ACU. “We anticipate him to do some readings from his body of work and give us a bit of backstory to his writings,” Camp said. “I think it will be a very entertaining presentation.”

Tickets are $15 for children 13 and under and $25 for adults. They will be on sale until Friday and can be purchased at http:// blogs.acu.edu/facul/. contact the optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu

SA develops senior candelight devo jc peeples student reporter The Students’ Association passed a bill that will allocate funds to host a candlelight ceremony to graduating seniors.

The bill will allocate $1,300 from the Congressional Project fund to host this event. $700 will go to buy the candles and $600 will go to purchase plastic to cover the steps near the Tower of Light.

The date of the event has not been announced.

The bill was proposed

by Andrew Tate, junior class vice president, and Connor Osborn, COBA representative.

Osborn said this is a capstone for the traditional freshman candlelight devo during

Welcome Week.

Tate and Osborn went to the first year program to understand how to host the Welcome Week candle light service.

“That is where we got a figure of how much this would cost,” Osborn said.

“The plastic is to make sure we do not stain the stone on the steps.”

Dylan Benac, SA president and senior political science major from Boerne, said the candle light service is a good way for seniors to reflect on the four years they spent at ACU. “It will be a nice transition for seniors who are about to transition from being a student to being an alumni,” Benac said. “We have not had a ceremony like this in the past. It will be a good last moments with your

friends.”

Osborn, Tate and Benac proposed that during the ceremony there will be a guest speaker. That speaker is still undecided, but Congress had a chance to collaborate who they thought would be a good fit.

After spending time trying to decide who would be a good speaker, it was agreed that seniors should have a say in who speaks at the ceremony.

The bill says the cere mony will establish a tradition on the campus, but does not mention a continuation of this event.

The bill was passed

by Congress with a 22-member approval.

contact the optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu

ACU hosts preacher regional festival daniel zepeda sports editor ACU is set to host the 2014 Texas Regional Festival of Young Preachers March 28-29. The event is open to aspiring preachers from ages 14-28. Those who register will be given the opportunity to listen to seminars, work on their individual talents and be granted a 15-minute time slot to preach a sermon and receive feedback.

“The festival is designed to let young people try preaching on for size in a safe environment,” said Tim Sensing, associate dean of the graduate school of theology.

“Some may discover that preaching is not in their futures, and that’s OK. For others, the festival could be just the venue for them to explore and discover a passion that cannot be quenched.”

Some of the keynote speakers for the festival include ACU graduates and undergraduate students. Faculty from the Graduate School of Theology will offer their knowledge and advice to hopeful preachers. Dr. Mindi Thompson, Dr. Jeanene Reese, Dr. James Thompson, and Randy

Harris will all look to advise during the festival.

The main speaker for the event is Jonathan Storment, preacher for the Highland Church of Christ in Abilene, a church highly attended by ACU students and faculty.

“When the Academy of Preachers asked me for a recommendation for a speaker, I immediately thought of Jonathan,” Sensing said. “His interest for young preachers is exemplified in his mentoring of them each year at the Highland Church of Christ. Jonathan connects with young preachers because of his great passion for the gospel.”

Storment will look to focus on a few key topics in his address to the participants of the festival. He plans to offer advice on how preaching is incomplete, how all preachers experience enlightenment in their sermons and even offer a brief history lesson.

Storment said he will likely draw on experiences of Dr. Martin Luther King.

“I’ll probably tell them about how Dr. King’s sermon was actually something he had worked on for days, written down in manuscript form, rehearsed and practiced,

The Optimist

@acuoptimist

Austin Kilcullen Staff Photographer

and right before it was his A Tri-University Career Fair works to connect students to businesses and organizations time to speak, he handed in the city’s area. It was hosted at the Civic Center on Thursday. his notes to a friend, stood up and gave an entirely different sermon,” Storment said. “This is one of the best examples in recent history of the Holy Spirit in preaching, Dr. King gave a dream, because a dream was given to him.”

Storment has earned the reputation of being one of the most active mentors for young and growing ministers. He has worked with many biblical text majors and has given many of them the opportunity to gain experience in preaching.

“We’ve got a program for students and young adults who want to be preachers,” Storment said. “They get a chance to preach, to serve a local church and get involved in ministries that they are passionate about. I grew up in a 10-person church that called me to preach.

The churches I’ve been a part of have been very generous to me and helped me find my calling and my voice. I can’t imagine not passing that on.”

contact zepeda at djz11a@acu.edu

optimist@acu.edu

ACUOPTIMIST.com

news

friday 03.21.14

4

Drive: ACU waits for approval to re-zone from page 1 “ACU intends to abandon ACU Drive for the purpose of beautifying the surrounding area as people enter Abilene to head toward campus and the city,” Roberts said.

ACU is working with local engineering firm Hibbs & Todd as its representative to handle the paperwork that is required. This also includes the petition and surveys, and to outline any gas, water or electrical lines that go through the land and to chart out the changes that will occur and how will it be done.

Surveys were collected within the neighborhoods

near the land, Roberts said. Those housing areas, such as Country Meadows and Roundtree Lane, gave positive feedback toward the removal of ACU Drive because it will improve traffic and reduce speeding near Judge Ely. The city council would refuse the petition only if the communities living near the land are against it, Robert said. But according to the surveys, the nearby neighborhoods are in favor of the plan.

“We worked very closely with the city to try to make sure they’re OK with it,” Roberts said. “They don’t want that road either.”

Because of the legal side of abandoning the road,

even if the city council is in favor of ACU’s plan, the process of permitting it has to be followed, he said.

Ben Bryners, development services manager with the city of Abilene’s Planning and Development Services Department, said the denial of the right-of-way to abandoning the street, if any, is due to any negativity from the community.

“We had some very specific meetings with the folks of the surrounding neighborhoods,” Roberts said. “We just explained our plan to them and ensured them that we weren’t going to be building the football stadium right beside their homes, and they seem

happy with it.”

ACU has made special considerations to the community to guarantee the entrances to their homes will be protected.

“We want to ensure that they will still have good access to their neighborhood, which they will and it will be easy for them to get in and out,” Roberts said.

Before 1993, the ACU Drive used to be North Judge Ely Boulevard. This same road ran through campus, between Elmer Gray Stadium and the present site of Crutcher Scott Field. The street used to run straight through the university property. Because of ACU’s

expansion across old Judge Ely and the construction of new Judge Ely, the street was renamed. This change created what we now know as North Judge Ely Boulevard, which runs along the east of campus.

The transformations that occurred are possible because ACU owns most of the land that surrounds the campus. The university is waiting for the onemonth period to end and is waiting for a city council vote, which will take place April 10.

“Once the city abandons the property, ACU will have to re-plat the land before any construction or improvements are to be made,” Bryners said.

The university will have to redraw all the permanent records and maps to remove ACU Drive. The process is called “replatting” and will take about a month to complete.

Plans for any construction on the land will not take place anytime soon while the university concentrates on fundraising for the stadium and buildings on campus.

As far as a parking lot and crosswalk is concerned, ACU has made considerations to it but will not be taking action soon, Roberts said. contact the optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu

Musical: Students create play in 24 hours from page 1 said.

Rachel Faulkner, president of Alpha Psi Omega and choreographer of the musical, said she hopes students come to enjoy a great night with friends even if they can’t give a donation.

Faulkner, senior theatre major from Bloomington, Ind., said the audience should expect to see the actors make many mistakes because of a lack of sleep and short preparation time.

“There will be so many lines dropped,” said Faulkner, “and dance numbers where they

get in the middle of the choreography then they just stop because they can’t remember the rest.”

Silar said the unfinished quality of the production is part of what makes the 24 HR Musical fun for participants and attendees.

“This is an opportunity to accept that the show is

not going to be perfect,” Silar said. “People are going to see the cast flub.”

Some of the lines or numbers may even be completely unrehearsed due to a lack of time, Silar said, and it will be completely up to the actor how that piece turns out.

“I promise there will be

songs, numbers and scenes that are beautiful because they are so raw and honest,” Silar said.

Silar said the 24 HR Musical is a chance for students in the theatre department to do what they love for a good cause.

“Everybody comes together to see that it’s so

much more than just the show that night,” Silar said.

“It’s about doing what we love for a bigger purpose.”

contact thut at lct10a@acu.edu

Sexual assault receives nationwide attention kirsten holman copy editor Florida State freshman quarterback Jameis Winston, second freshman to win the Heisman trophy, was part of an on-going investigation of an alleged sexual assault crime dating back to 2012. This young star was accused of engaging in “sexual assault battery” on Dec. 7, 2012, according to ESPN. ESPN said Florida State Attorney Willie Meggs decided not to charge Winston after further investigation, but cases of sexual assault are prevalent on many college campuses.

“Sexual assault is a definite problem on university campuses nationwide. It’s not an ACU-specific problem it’s a nationwide problem; it’s a cultural problem,” said ACU Police Chief Jimmy Ellison. “It’s a problem throughout our society.”

The issue of sexual assaults on college campuses has received renewed attention in the past year, with federal legislation mandating increased reporting by universities, and ACU has responded by complying with those laws and taking its own measures to prevent the crime.

According to a 2014 White House report, one in five women in America will be the victim of some form of sexual assault at some point in their college career. And women are not alone in this victimization. One in 71 men have been raped at some point in their lives, according to the

same report.

ACU is not immune to the crime. This semester, a student reported to ACUPD that a sexual assault was alleged to have occurred in Edwards Hall. Such reports are rare, with ACUPD having received no sexual assault complaints for the three years before 2013.

However, Ellison said, national statistics indicate only one in eight sexual assault victims actually file a report.

The Campus Sexual Violence Elimination Act

“

violence and stalking to the Clery Act, which requires educational institutions to report crimes according to EduRisk Solutions.

“It is up to us to ensure victims of sexual violence are not left to face these trials alone,” said President Obama in April of 2012, according to the 2014 White House report.

“Too often, survivors suffer in silence, fearing retribution, lack of support or that the criminal justice system will fail to bring the

It’s not an ACU-specific problem, it’s a nationwide problem; it’s a cultural problem. It’s a problem throughout our society.”

(SaVE Act) was passed in March of 2013 by Congress and signed

by Obama as part of The Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (VAWA), expanding the scope of what ACU is already doing under the Clery Act and Title IX according to EduRisk Solutions.

Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 is a federal law that applies to all educational institutions that receive federal financial assistance. The university is obligated under Title IX to take certain measures aimed at preventing and responding to situations of sexual harassment or discrimination, including sexual assault. The SaVE Act added crimes of domestic violence, dating

Jimmy ellison chief of acupd

perpetrator to justice.

We must do more to raise awareness about the realities of sexual assault; confront and change insensitive attitudes wherever they persist; enhance training and education in the criminal justice system; and expand access to critical health, legal, and protection services for survivors.”

Obama’s legislation for sexual assault crimes impacts the way the university will deal with sexual assault in the near future. The university is taking steps to help prevent sexual assault occurrences and encourage victims to come forward about sexual crimes.

“ACUPD is responsible for accurate Clery

reporting,” said Kaci St. John, director of Judicial Affairs. “Legal Services and the Title IX Committee, in conjunction with other departments on campus, are responsible for ensuring the university complies with the regulations of the SaVE Act.” Chris Riley, associate general counsel and compliance coordinator, said ACU will have to start requiring new students to undergo training.

“This will require a more across-the-board training for incoming students and also employees related to that,” he said. “The law has been passed but the regulations have not been finalized yet, so we are waiting for those to come out either the end of spring or early summer before we make any big changes related to that.”

Riley said training for new students could entail a one-hour online training course during Welcome Week that resembles the harassment training university employees have to comply with. Nothing is finalized for new student training, but it could be implemented as early as the fall, Riley said.

“Any cases of sexual assault or harassment are taken very seriously by the university, and we work quickly to make sure that students understand what their options are, that they know that they can pursue a formal investigation or an informal investigation and that there are things we can do to make the situation better immediately,” she said.

To help St. John gain insight into the wellbeing of students, ACU chose to send out a nationally recognized survey for data collection on campus earlier in the semester.

“The survey that we used was created by a researcher several years ago and has been used by multiple institutions across the nation and over several years,” St. John said. “And the reason that particular instrument was selected was because it was found to be a very valid method of gathering information.”

The survey was detailed and specific because of the varying definitions and interpretations of rape.

“Many people might consider rape to be one of those things where a guy grabs you out of the bushes and you have physical bruising and physical injuries and it’s a violent occurrence,” St. John said. “And so the specific nature of the questions asked in

the survey are really why we thought it would be helpful, because it’s not a vague, left-up-to-theperson definition.”

Victims of sexual assault have two reporting options on ACU’s campus: criminal complaint and investigation through ACUPD and/or administrative complaint and investigation through ACU’s Title IX Coordinator.

These steps involve a three-pronged system: criminal investigation by ACUPD, Title IX protection investigation by ACU Title IX coordinators and Judicial Affairs regarding potential sanctions against the suspect, if the suspect is an ACU student.

“The first priority in the process is determining if we do in fact have an allegation of a crime, of sexual assault,” Ellison said. “Once we determine that we do have a criminal offense allegation, ACUPD works closely with the victim and gets the criminal side of the investigation going immediately, while also making sure that the victim has the appropriate resources and advocates to support her.”

“

Nobody is going to be judged, nobody is going to be ostracized. We want to investigate that crime.”

Jimmy ellison chief of acupd

The next step is determining if the allegation has Title IX implications, or judicial affairs/student life code of conduct violations, Ellison said.

“So while the police are investigating the criminal aspects of the crime that was alleged, the university administrative side is also required by federal Title IX law to determine whether or not there are any Title IX implications associated with that crime,” Ellison said. “If so, the university may need to reach out to the victim and make sure the victim is given reasonable accommodations, reasonable protections and due process.”

The ACUPD, Title IX Coordinators and Judicial Affairs work together to make sure victims of sexual assault crime are protected and accommodated, Ellison said.

“Our first goal is always the victim; to make sure the victim is safe and accommodated,” Ellison said. “And then second we want to make sure the university is in compliance with all of these complicated federal

laws that seem to change every year.”

Often students are afraid to come forward because of broken codes of conduct.

“When a sexual assault victim comes forward, regardless of the circumstances, regardless of the surroundings, they are protected,” Ellison said. “At the same time, we have to also remember that the accused has rights and the accused has rights to due process.”

The university’s Title IX Anti-Harassment Policy, policy V. E., gives immunity to the complainant and other reporters afraid of being charged with policy violations. This policy encourages students to come forward about sexual crimes.

“While violations to policy cannot be completely overlooked, the university may provide education options rather than other consequences, in such cases. This applies equally to other reporters, who witness and/or offer assistance to others in need,” according to policy V. E. A recently developed mobile app is available to download for anyone who finds themselves in a bad situation. It is called the Circle of 6 mobile app.

This app provides a two-click way and alert system for a student caught in a situation they don’t desire. It allows them to secretly contact their circle of friends, instantly providing friends with information of their location and how they can help.

Even though cases of sexual assault are a problem on college campuses across the nation, recent legislation mandating universities to increase the reporting of sexual assault crimes was passed to help reduce the problem of underreporting and encourage students to stand up for themselves.

“First and foremost I need victims to come forward and report crimes that have occurred,” Ellison said.

“Nobody is going to be judged, nobody is going to be ostracized. We want to investigate that crime, protect that victim and if the accused is in fact a predator or a criminal, we need to deal with that and get that person off campus so no one else is jeopardized down the road.”

To find out more about how to file a sexual assault report in person or anonymously visit www. acu.edu/titleIX. contact holman at keh09c@acu.edu

5

arts

Friday 3.21.14

THE ART OF ABILENE

This Week Friday, March 21 The Awards Gala for ACU’s tenth annual Film Fest will take place at the Paramount Theatre at 7:00 p.m. Dress is black tie.

Saturday, March 22 The Abilene Idol Finale will be taking place at the Paramount Theatre. The show begins at 7 p.m. and entrance is $10 a person.

Come celebrate the opening of The Majestic, a new event venue, at The Majestic Launch Party. The party will take place at 173 and 181 Pine Street from 4:00 to 9:00 p.m. Entry is free.

Sunday, March 23

ashlyn Anthony staff Photographeri

The Center for Contemporary Arts sponsors many activities and events to promote the arts.

Museums are alive and well in Abilene Alikay Wood

ACU Theatre is putting on ACU’s first ever 24 HR Musical. The show begins at 6:00 p.m. in the Williams Performing Arts Center and all proceeds will go to water relief efforts.

Thursday, March 27

arts editor Every month, downtown Abilene offers an ArtWalk to celebrate culture and the arts. It is an opportunity to experience the cultural heritage of Abilene and also to discover that our city has a surprisingly large art selection. There are several museums across town to and numerous opportunities to get involved in through events and classes.

The Grace Museum is one of the most recognizable museums in Abilene because of the building’s lengthy history and dual purpose as an event center.

What we now know as The Grace was converted from an abandoned hotel as part of a project to rejuvenate Abilene’s downtown in the 1980s. The museum is well respected in the art community and displays both classic and boundary-pushing art. The Grace is currently displaying two special collections “Black and White: Masters of the Darkroom” and “Drawn In/Drawn Out” until April 19.

A lesser known, but equally respectable museum is The Center for Contemporary Arts. They provide educational opportunities and are the corporation responsible for Abilene’s monthly ArtWalk. The Center for Contemporary Arts has five galleries that rotate frequently, one of which is an Emerging Artists gallery specifically designed to showcase

The annual rodeo put on by the Agricultural Sciences and Environmental Club will be taking place at 6:00 p.m. at the Taylor County Expo Center. General admission is $5.

OUT

NOW MOVIES Ashlyn Anthony staff Photographer

The Grace Museum doubles as an upscale event center. the work of new artists. “The Face of India” is on display in the photo gallery through March 22 and the Creative Arts Club, a group of local artists, will display their work through April 26.

The National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature is an interactive museum focused on children’s books. The museum is currently displaying an exhibit entitled “Allen Say: A Sense of Place,” which focuses on the drawings of popular artist Allen Say. The National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature puts on a variety of events

for both children and adults including summer camps, opportunities to meet the artists and reading sessions. This unique experience is completely free, making it an even more appealing option.

The Clover Virginia Shore Gallery is run by ACU’s Department of Art and Design and features the exhibitions of ACU students and faculty. The gallery is on campus, making it a convenient stop for students. The student exhibits are especially creative, providing a lively, youthful vibe that enhances the gallery’s at-

mosphere.

Most of these museums are located in close proximity to each other in Abilene’s Historic Downtown. They offer high quality art that connects to Abilene locally and draws the community in through events and interactive exhibits. Together, they prove that art is alive and well in Abilene.

Rated PG-13 contact wood at akw10a@acu.edu

139 min.

Divergent

Rated PG-13

132 min.

Need for Speed

MUSIC ashlyn ANthony staff Photographeri

The Shore Gallery exhibits student and faculty work, 1460 is the current show on display.

Musical Preview Theatre to prepare show in 24 hours for charity brantly houston arts reporter The ACU theatre department will rehearse and perform a full-length musical within a 24-hour period this weekend as a charitable fundraiser.

Rehearsals for the show, of which the title will remain secret until Saturday, will begin on Saturday at 6:00 p.m. and the show will be performed on Sunday at 6:00 p.m. Admission is free but Alpha Psi Omega, the theatre department’s chapter of the national theatre honor society, will accept

donations to benefit Living Water International.

Matthew Silar, senior acting and directing major from Chicago, Ill., will direct the show. Silar, treasurer of APO, started 24 HR Musical in his hometown in August of 2011 when he approached a friend about doing a show in a 24-hour period as a fundraiser.

“It went a little bit viral in our community,” Silar said. “People were really jazzed about it—the idea of seeing a show that was put together in only 24 hours and then on top of that it being a charitable event. “

The first 24 HR Musical production of “The Drowsy Chaperone” raised more than $4,000 for the water crisis. Since then, the 24 HR Musical in Silar’s hometown has produced “All Shook Up” and “The Wedding Singer.”

Rachel Faulkner, senior musical theatre major from Bloomington, Ind., and president of APO, said APO is required to host a charitable fundraiser every year.

“We’ve gone through cycles of what charity event we do and we just never seemed really passionate about many of

them,” Faulkner said. “We approached Matt about bringing [24 HR Musical] to the university and he said, ‘Yes.’” Faulkner said the theatre department is excited about the fundraiser and she hopes it is one APO can continue in the future.

The 24 HR Musical Facebook page has been updating a show countdown list. The list had been reduced to “Godspell” and “Urinetown” as of Thursday evening. One of the shows will be performed in Fulks Theatre on Sunday evening.

Silar and Faulkner

stated their excitement to share the show with an audience.

“The show is a blast for the audience for two reasons,” Silar said. “When things go wrong it’s awesome and when things go really right it’s amazing.”

Silar also said the show will be a memorable one.

“There are going to be be some moments where you’ll forget that it was done in 24 hours,” he said.

contact houston at arts@acu.edu

AM Foster The People Supermodel

Taking Back Sunday Happiness Is

Opinion

Friday 03.21.14

6

editorial

Addressing homelessness requires action the issue Abilene has a significant homeless population and there are different ideas about how to address the issue.

our take No matter which idea a person shares, the only way to tackle the problem is to stop waiting and start working.

Just like any other city, Abilene has problems. One of the city’s problems that can be seen every day is the issue of homelessness.

A taboo problem, yes, but important nonetheless. Homelessness affects the person suffering the predicament and others in the community.

Two main thoughts have

emerged on this issue. As followers of Christ and decent human beings, we can either show homeless people kindness or we can take greater steps to solve the problem.

Those for showing kindness view acts of giving time, money and materials as having an impact on the issue, regardless of how small. Those for solving the

problem usually refrain from small acts of kindness in order to tackle the bigger issues, like why so many people are on the streets.

No matter which perspective a person takes, a homeless person is still a human being. Everyone has a different story from where they were to where they are now. Those who live in homelessness are not helpless, but many times their circumstances have an overwhelming impact on their lives, as they do with us.

If you were to sit down and talk with a homeless person, you might hear about how they fought in

Vietnam only to return to find no work, or how one woman’s mother left just before she turned 18, leaving her to raise her siblings and forsake an education.

We are still called to address the problem, not to criticize those who suffer.

Deuteronomy 15:10-11 addressed the issues and the reservations people have toward the less fortunate when it said, “Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart, then, because of this, the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. There will always be poor people in the

land. Therefore, I command you to be open-handed toward your fellow Israelites, who are poor and needy in your land.”

So, regardless of how you approach the issue of homelessness, from small acts of kindness to in-depth acts, it’s time to start working.

It’s time to stop procrastinating, waiting until we have a better paying job to hand out one dollar bills to those at stop signs. Waiting until the next time we see that homeless person outside your favorite fast food place. Waiting until we have an easier schedule. Because things will never get easier,

and we will always look for that “next time.”

Programs are set up to help our brothers and sisters in these situation.

Pick up page two and read the volunteer opportunities: Breakfast on Beech Street Mon. - Fri., Love and Care Ministries and the West Texas Food Bank.

God gave us hands, he gave us feet and he continues to give us ample opportunities to do his work. It’s time to start acting like his children. contact The Optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu

DAILY doodle dosage

Column

Ben Todd

The vicious cycle: A bike saga THE ORRACLE MADELINE ORR MANAGING EDITOR

You must be loyal. If you find yourself on campus on this Friday afternoon, your first-Friday-afterreturning-from-springbreak afternoon no less, reading the Optimist opinion page (and not just for the tweets), you must be one of our most loyal readers.

And if you’re a very loyal upperclassman, you may remember (but honestly, there’s no way you would) that around this time last year our former managing editor Josh Garcia wrote not one, but two stories, and a column about campus bike thefts.

And I made fun of him for it.

“Josh, no one cares about bike theft,” I said like the snarky copy editor I was. “Just because your bike was stolen doesn’t mean everyone is suddenly concerned about one of the most common misdemeanors.”

Oh how I mocked him.

I laughed at his growing relationship with ACUPD and at his growing bitterness toward all Abilene cyclists.

Well karma has reared its sardonic head and I now owe Josh an apology because yesterday my bike was stolen. The bully became the victim right before my eyes as I stared at my severed bike lock lying on the ground, still recoiling from its late night encounter with a pair of bolt cutters.

I’m not in Abilene. I live in a large city where these occurrences are expected to happen. But you never

“

The bully became the victim right before my eyes as I stared at my severed bike lock lying on the ground, still recoiling from its late night encounter with a pair of bolt cutters.”

expect them to happen to you. And city or suburb, the bitterness is just the same.

As I reflect on some of the recent memories with my transitive pal, I am thankful for the time we got to spend together touring the insanity that is the South by Southwest festival in Austin. You maneuvered me in and out quickly, avoiding all the traffic endured by so many tourists who come for SXSW. Sure, you may not have been the most valuable bike on the market, or the most stylish, often overlooked by UT students with cool hipster street bikes. But you served me well and I know that after your captor sells you to a pawn shop for Taco Bell money, you will serve your next owner just as loyally.

And thank you, loyal reader, for following this bike theft saga I’m continuing on. And for loyally riding along. contact ORR at MCO10B@acu.edu

Column

Confessions of a coffee addict wafts through the kitchen. I fear the appliance is threatening to combust.

Just throwing it out and buying a new one isn’t that easy because it’s not just any coffee maker.

Choosing a new coffee maker is almost an art form.

There are numerous brands, models, sizes and colors. I could spend anything from $20 to more than $100.

When I found myself at Walmart comparing prices on coffee makers (and feeling downright treacherous) I realized why the decisionmaking was so hard.

After four years of college, my life is about to be turned upside down. I’ll be graduating in May which means moving out of my apartment, finding a new job,

DISTURBANCE IN THE FORCE

MELANY COX OPINION PAGE EDITOR

We’ve been together for four years. Our relationship has been through thick and thin, but lately we’ve hit a rough patch from which there is no recovery.

It’s time for me to break up with my coffee maker.

Trust me, it’s easier said than done. My coffee maker has always been there supplying me with hot, caffeinated nectar of life and I’ve grown quite attached to it.

First, it’s pink. Who else has a pink coffee maker?

Second, it was a gradu-

ation present from one of my best friends who also shares my love of coffee.

Through late nights, early mornings and middle-of-the-day pick-meups, my coffee maker has never failed me. Until now.

The plastic clasps that hold the bowl in place have snapped off. I have place a heavy object on top of the lid to keep it in place while the pot fills up.

Recently, whenever I try to brew a fresh pot of java, the faint scent of smoke

possibly moving to a new city or a new state. The future is so uncertain that I’m trying to hold on to as much consistency as possible.

I’m beginning to realize the importance of decision making. It’s time to be assertive and separate the big decisions from the little ones. Buying a new coffee maker? It’s not a lifetime commitment. Just pick one.

As for the big decisions, I can’t just jump into them, but that doesn’t mean I can’t have some fun while making them. The future is daunting, but it’s still an adventure.

Sounds like I’ll need a lot of coffee. contact Cox at MKC09B@acu.edu

hashtagACU March 18 11:40 a.m.

March 18 11:26 a.m.

These people are talking during chapel. How rude. You are supposed to passive aggressively tweet about it.

@LambornPhilip

Oh my god. @Whataburger just followed me.

Possibly the best day ever. Now all I need is a honey butter chicken biscuit... Hook a sister up??

@LizCMcKay

March 19 10:22 a.m.

March 19 10:20 a.m.

March 19 11:35 a.m.

March 18 11:42 a.m.

@LizCMcKay We wish we could. I mean the love is there, but breakfast is over.

@Whataburger

ACU is 100% effective in making the school seem 200% better than it is in 95% of its statistics. #acuprobs

Some guy just hit me with the door & then got in front of me in line. #ACUDifference

@scottdye8

@toriFaith43

Totally just walked out of my room in only my boxers while high school seniors and their parents are touring my dorm haha #oops

@Kendall_Kerns

March 20 3:15 p.m.

College education, you tease. First and email saying, “you’re clear to walk!”

Followed by an email saying, “HERE ARE YOUR STUDENT LOANS!”

March 19 9:04 a.m.

March 19 12:08 p.m.

Holding the door and she doesn’t acknowledge you, #NotWifingThat

@Kailebuh

March 19 3:07 p.m.

Cajun Cones is open! #hallelujah

@AimeePhill

March 19 10:28 a.m.

Props to you, girl looking up pugs in babushkas in lib. #ACUDifference

@bowenarrow43

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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.

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Week 9: Still can’t remember what time my Thursday lab starts.

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sports

Friday 03.21.14

7

Wildcats begin conference play at UIW Hannah little sports reporter The ACU softball team will begin Southland Conference play Saturday and Sunday as they travel to San Antonio to play against the University of the Incarnate Word.

The Wildcats are 1015 going into conference play and are coming off of a four-game winning streak.

ACU has spent the last several games on the road and have been competing against tough schools.

The team looks forward to beginning conference play and will have more home games than earlier in the season.

Head coach Bobby Reeves is confident with the recent play of the Wildcats and is treating this game with the same mentality as any another game.

“We are going to go into the Southland just like we’ve approached the last couple of weeks” Reeves said. “I tell our girls everyday ‘You need to be the best you can be, each one of you. Be the best you can be that day and we are going to put it together and hopefully get some wins.’”

The Cardinals have an overall record of 11-15 and are coming off of a two-game losing streak.

Last season ACU won one game and lost two

paige otway Staff Photographer

Sophomore infielder Demi McNulty swings for ACU.

against Incarnate Word and are looking to bounce back and earn their gain.

“We’re no stranger to Incarnate Word and neither are they to us,” Reeves said. “We are going to go down there with some confidence and get things done to carry over into next week.”

Senior pitcher Peyton Mosley has made an impact on the team’s success in her time at ACU and for this season.

Mosley pitched her best game in almost two seasons against Oklahoma City last Tuesday in the second game of the doubleheader.

Coming off of an incredible win against OKC, the Wildcats will strive to

continue their winning play into the weekend.

“It’s going to take pitching, defense and offense,” Mosley said.

“Right now we’ve really got all three of those things clicking and so that’s what it’s going to take the rest of the way to get there.”

The series against Incarnate Word will start off with a doubleheader Saturday beginning at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., followed

by Sunday’s game at 1 p.m.

contact little at hll12a@acu.edu

Women conclude memorable DI season Reese gwin sports reporter With nine new freshmen and the Wildcats making the jump to Div. I, it was a year of rebuilding for the women’s basketball team with new members, establishing themselves as a competitive program.

Four months and 30 games later, ACU finished 18-12 on the season and 8-6 in the Southland Conference. They competed against 23 Div. I schools and beat 12 of them, including Texas Tech in Lubbock.

“As a coaching staff, I think we did expect to be successful this season, but probably no one outside our program thought we would,” head coach Julie Goodenough said. “I had an idea that our freshman class would be pretty good.”

The nine newcomers ended the season ranked second in the nation in points by a freshman class.

Only the University of North Carolina had more.

Guard Alexis Mason led all freshmen in scoring with 12.4 points per game. Freshman forward Suzzy Dimba also averaged in double figures with 11.3 ppg and her 47 blocks far and away led the team. Guard Lizzy Dimba (9.8 ppg) had the highest shooting percentage at 50 percent among all new Wildcats women’s basketball players. The bench was bolstered by freshmen Sydney Shelstead and Jessica Elkins who provided consistent minutes and production.

Despite the efficiency by the rookies, it is no secret that the upperclassmen led this team. Sophomore Whitney West owned the point guard position all year and the offense hinged to her tempo. Senior Renata Marquez led the team in scoring (14.8), steals (1.9) and assists (3.9). Her leadership and experience was irreplaceable to such a young team.

“These girls never played like freshmen,” Marquez said. “They all wanted to win, and every

deanna romero chief Photographer

Sophomore guard Whitney West brings the ball upcourt in the Wildcat’s game against Sam Houston. The game was broadcasted on ESPN3 as part of ACU’s Div. I move to the Southland Conference. The Wildcats finished their first season of Div. I with a 18-12 record and an 8-6 conference record. West was one of the main catalyst for the team, as she was the starting point guard all year long and controlled the offense. day in practice we pushed each other to do better, which transferred on the court.”

Marquez is passing the torch to next leader, but more than one name rises to the top. The Dimba sisters, Mason and West have

potential to lead the team.

Next year’s team looks to have multiple players in significant leadership roles.

Next year, ACU will again be ineligible for the NCAA tournament, but they can compete for the

Southland Conference regular season title. In addition, they could receive consideration for an invite to the WBI and WNIT tournaments.

“Going into the 20142015 season, our goal will be to win conference and

Track begins outdoor season emily seidel sports reporter After a brief break from competition, track and field will begin its outdoor season Friday in Abilene at the War Hawk Classic.

The meet, which will be at the Wilford Moore Stadium at McMurry University, kicks off the second half of track and field’s season after their impressive showing at the Southland Conference Indoor Championships. Both high schools and colleges will compete.

College events begin Friday at noon with men’s pole vault, and finish Saturday afternoon with running events starting at 3 p.m.

The Wildcats’ most recent competition, the

Southland Conference Championship, was at the end of February, giving them time to prepare for the outdoor season.

“We had four or five days off just to give our bodies a bit of a break,” said junior Daniel Block, one of ACU’s top performers at the conference championships.

“But the last two weeks have been pretty high quality and intensity in terms of workouts.”

Based on their accomplishments at the championship meet, the Wildcats look like they are in a good position to start their outdoor season off strong.

The men’s team placed sixth, with a handful of all-conference honorees including Osie AlleyneForte (4x400m), Devan Brown (4x400m) Johnathan Farquharson (60m,

4x400m), Luke Woods (heptathlon) and Block (800m, 4x400m).

The women’s team placed ninth out of 14 teams, but is now losing the leadership and talents of senior Reyare Thomas, a two-time conference champion who has used up her NCA A eligibility. Thomas, who attended the 2012 London Olympics on the Trinidad and Tobago team, brought invaluable experience and skill to the Wildcats’ roster.

Despite the loss of Thomas, the ‘Cats have high expectations for their young team which includes 17 freshmen.

Some of the leaders and standouts include veteran throwers Lauren Hartwick, Amelia Mitchell and Shalaina Lakey in addition to Lexus Williams in the hurdles and

Emily Hill in middle-distance events.

Well-rested and prepared, ACU hopes to dominate in the War Hawk Classic to start its outdoor season, which will be longer and more competitive than the indoor season. The Wildcats look forward to the challenge.

“I’ve always preferred outdoor season because I feel it’s a more accurate representation of an athlete’s abilities,” Block said. “The competitions are often a lot bigger and I find them to be more fun to compete in. When the average person thinks of track and field, they think of outdoor track.

In my mind it’s how the sport was meant to be.” contact Seidel at EKS13b@acu.edu

compete in a national tournament,” Goodenough said.

With a year under their belts, these athletes will bring tougher competition next year. While NCAA rules may not allow the

‘Cats to compete in the Big Dance again, that is not stopping them from dreaming big. contact gwin at erg13a@acu.edu

sports

Friday 3.21.14

Baseball set to take on Alabama A&M Collin Wieder Assistant Sports Editor The ACU Wildcats will travel to Normal, Ala., Saturday for a three-game series against the Bulldogs.

The ‘Cats are looking to rebound after a stretch of games where they lost eight of their previous nine games.

A tough schedule over the last few weeks against Div. I opponents should prepare the Wildcats for their first year in the Southland Conference.

ACU enters the weekend series with a 7-10 record while the Bulldogs come in with an 8-15 record.

Head coach Britt Bonneau believes the game will be a good chance for some younger guys to get some playing time.

“Over the next five games we’ll be playing a lot of guys trying to see who wants to compete a little bit,” Bonneau said. “Some guys haven’t gotten a lot

of at-bats so we would like to get those guys some atbats, and maybe see if they respond a little bit better than the other guys.”

The Wildcats will need help from seniors Seth Spivey and Kyle Giusti, and freshman Brandon Grudzielanek to beat the Bulldogs.

Spivey has dominated at the plate this season with a .462 batting average, 19 runs and two home runs. Kyle Giusti leads the team in runs batted in with 13 and is second on the team in runs with 12.

Grudzielanek has started off his collegiate career batting .373 going 22-for59 at the plate in his 16game appearances.

“He’s been doing good,” Spivey said. “We can’t ask him for much more for how well he has been competing and we just need some others to step up in big time situations.”

ACU will need every bit of help from both the batting order and the bullpen

austin kilcullen Staff Photographer

Freshman pitcher Austin Lambright delivers the pitch in a game at the Crutch for ACU. against the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs bring in a solid starter in Joshua Freeman who has a 2.25 earned run average and leads the team in strikeouts.

They also bring in a solid hitter in Andrew Utterback who leads his team

with a .408 batting average, three home runs and 25 runs batted in.

ACU is still looking for players that will compete in the Southland Conference, Bonneau said.

“You know, for us coaches, it’s still an evalu-

ation period on who can play at this level and who can’t,” Bonneau said. “So we have to get these guys a shot.” contact Wieder at cpw11a@acu.edu

Hannah Null set to bring wins to ACU Jimmy Isbell sport’s reporter

daniel block

The ACU women’s tennis team will have their first two Southland Conference matches of the 2014 season this weekend, with games against Northwestern State University and Stephen F. Austin University. The Wildcats enter the weekend with an 11-2 record overall, and are 3-0 in Southland play, with all three wins coming over spring break.

The action starts Friday at 10:30 a.m. as the NSU Lady Demons visit the Wildcats. At 11-3 overall, including a perfect 4-0 re-

Baseball Standings

Team

Div.

Ovrl

SHSU MSU SELA NSU Nicholls St. TAMU-CC Lamar UCA HBU SFA ORU ACU UIW NO

3-0 2-1 2-1 2-1 2-1 2-1 1-2 1-2 1-2 1-2 1-2 0-0 0-0 0-3

16-5 12-7 12-8 9-9 10-11 10-13 14-8 10-8 9-8 9-10 8-10 7-10 6-14 4-12

Team

Div.

Ovrl

Lamar UCA MSU NSU SFA SELA SHSU HBU TAMU-CC UIW ACU Nicholls St.

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

9-10 14-17 18-9 12-12 12-14 9-8 12-15 6-14 7-20 11-15 10-15 8-22

Who’s Hot Sophomore women’s tennis player Nada Marjanovic has played exceptionally Marjanovic for the Wildcats. Marjanovic has a 13-2 record and is on a seven match winning streak, as she is 9-1 over her last 10 matches. She is 10-6 with her doubles partner, senior Emily Conrad.

briefings As a team, the men’s baseball team is fourth in the Southland Conference with a .293 batting average.

Senior Renata Marquez and freshman Suzzy Dimba each were named to the Southland Conference’s Honorable Mention List for their play in ACU’s first Div. I season.

Dimba also earned firstteam all defensive team, as she was the only freshman to earn that honor.

wyatt morgan Staff Photographer

As a freshman, pitcher Hannah Null has a 2.80 ERA, a 7-5 record, 80 strikeouts and an opposing batting average of .250. On Feb. 28, Null tossed a no-hitter against Rhode Island in the WIldcats’ 9-1 win. done with it after I rehabbed in high school, but when I’m pitching it gets sore and every once in a while it affects a pitch or two.”

As a softball pitcher, Null must have strong hips to give her more control and especially speed behind her pitches. Null struggles with her past injury every once in a while.

“There are certain times where I feel it on a certain pitch and all I would think is, ‘I wish this didn’t happen

because that pitch would’ve been better,’” Null said.

Injuries aside, Null has made ACU softball history.

The last no-hitter recorded was 14 years ago at the arm of Rebecca Eldridge. She joins three others, Shelly Owen (four no-hitters combined in 1997 and 1998), Amanda Cobb (one in 1999) and Eldridge as well.

Her success has made ACU a better team.

“We played really well against Sam Houston State

after losing to them twice in the series, but the third game, I think we surprised them forcing it into extra innings,” Null said. “Courtney Flanary used to play for SHSU and I think that’s what made us want to go down with a fight.”

Null threw four perfect games in high school and one of her long-term goals is to throw one while at ACU. We’ll see if she makes history with the second perfect game in ACU’s history.

Back in 2008, Kim McDonald pitched a perfect game against Delta State.

Null is 3-4 on the year, but continues to work on her pitches and plays through the stress her hip flexor brings.

“I just want to get back to a winning record as of now — that is what seems most possible now,” Null said. contact Isbell at jri10a@acu.edu

Tennis to take on Southland rivals sports reporter

standings

Softball Standings

No-hitters, no problem On the final day of February, ACU freshman softball pitcher Hannah Null pitched a no-hitter against Rhode Island University to add to her young collegiate resume.

If you asked her if she has been there before, you could count her no-hitter totals on two hands. Before stepping onto the rubber at Poly Wells Field, Null threw nine nohitters, four of which were perfect games at her alma mater, Flower Mound Marcus.

“In high school, a lot of the times I played teams where throwing a no-hitter was almost expected — but I never thought I would throw one in college for a long time,” Null said.

Null carried her former team to a No. 5 national ranking, but fell short her senior year to district-rival, Lewisville Farmers, in the regional final playoff round after a controversial strike was called a ball, and the Farmers responded to the call.

At 4-12, Null is not satisfied with the overall success of the Wildcats, but three of those four wins are credited to her arm.

“Until this past weekend, I feel like we’ve been really timid and almost afraid to play—but even though we only won one game we played like we wanted it more,” Null said.

Although Null has had success in the circle at ACU, a past injury still haunts her.

After finishing her regular season at Marcus at 12-0, she strained her hip flexor muscle late in the last game, forcing her to visit rehab for a month. The injury came at a time when her team needed her most.

“I’m still playing on it,” Null said. “It’s kind of annoying because I thought I was

8

Two-time state champion pole vaulter Kami Berryhill has signed a National Letter of Intent to begin competing for ACU’s Track and Field program starting in 2015.

Follow @OptimistSports on Twitter for more stories and the latest ACU sports news.

Upcoming Women’s tennis will host Northwestern at 10:30 a.m. Friday in Abilene.

Track starts its outdoor season Friday at McMurry.

Baseball hits the road to play a doubleheader against cord in conference match- said. “[The girls] are doing son.

“We are definitely moti- Alabama A&M at 1 and ups, the Lady Demons are well by showing up every “We have to continue vated and energized to get 4 p.m. Saturday in the only team currently day whether it’s a practice, to stay strong and push to play them this Friday,” Huntsville, Ala. above the ACU women in the Southland standings.

NSU has won nine straight matches, with their most recent victory coming at the expense of Texas A&M Corpus Christi. The Lady Demons will prove to be a strong test for the Wildcats.

ACU assistant coach Juan Nunez expects his team to be up for the challenge.

“I expect us to come out and show that we are a consistent team, and that [last week] wasn’t just a good week but that we are an established team,” he

match or playing a top team. We expect them to stay hungry and humble.”

Leading the way for the Wildcats is senior Micah Hermsdorf. She, along with her sister, sophomore Kaysie Hermsdorf, have been perfect in doubles matches this season, compiling a 12-0 record along the way. Micah is 10-3 in singles matches and plays in the No. 1 spot for the Wildcats.

Like Nunez, Micah Hermsdorf knows how crucial it is to remain consistent and stay positive over the course of the sea-

ourselves to compete and stay tough every match,” she said. “We have been doing well at this, especially in our match against Southeastern La. when all three of our doubles lines were significantly down to start. We all made amazing comebacks, and I think a huge part was our persistence to stay positive as doubles teams and as a team as a whole.”

ACU lost to NSU during its last meeting, which was at the beginning of the 2013 season. This time around, the Wildcats will look for redemption.

said Micah Hermsdorf.

“I think it will be a great match. The competition will be tough, but ACU tennis is all about staying tough and battling it out until the end.”

Saturday’s match starts at 10 a.m. as the 6-6 SFA Ladyjacks (3-1) take on the Wildcats. SFA is coming off a 4-3 loss to TAMUCC. The matches on both days will be played at the Eager Tennis Pavilion on ACU’s campus. contact block at djb13a@acu.edu

Softball will play a double-header against the University of Incarnate Word at 2 and 4 p.m. in San Antonio.

The men’s golf team will travel to Little Rock, Ark. to compete in the First Tee Classic against the Universtiy of Little Rock Arkansas on Monday and Tuesday.