The Optimist Print Edition: 11.19.2014

Student goes south Our reporter in Uruguay tells story in two languages Features Page 5 vol. 103, no. 25

wednesday november 19 2014

1 SECTION, 6 PAGES

TESTING THE WATER

what’s INSIDE NEWS Meek Blood Center buses bring blood drive to campus

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SPORTS Late field goal completes Wildcat upset to end the season

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OPINION Madeline Orr reflects on Reagan’s Summit meeting this day in 1985 and how it compares to last week’s in Australia Page 4

NEWS Theatre holds auditions for 24 hour musical Page 3

OPINION What would you do for a Chapel credit?

We’ve entered that time in the semester where every credit counts

Top left: The women of Ko Jo Kai circle up before their waterball game. (Photo by Mariana Cedillo) Bottom left: Katie Barrow, sophomore education major from North Richland Hills, guards Abby Altom, junior from Hunstville. (Photo by Mary Melissa Keil) Right: Women on the Sigma Theta Chi waterball team match up with women on the GATA waterball team in the deep end of the pool. (Photo by Mary Melissa Keil)

Track, soccer complex takes shape reese gwin staff reporter

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SPORTS Men’s basketball rolls in win vs. Hillsdale in opening game Page 6

The rubber track and grass field were laid in the new track and soccer complex on the North side of campus last week.

The project is beginning to look the part as the two athletic surfaces nearing completion. The track is still without lanes, and the field has yet to fully take root, but the once pile of dirt is now a clean field of green grass and purple track.

hannah null

Liberty in North Korea ministry to spoke on campus last Friday

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what’s online VIDEO ISA brings together groups across campus to perform in Ethnos

inside the stadium, it adds an element of danger,” said Jerrod Cook, the throws and multi-events coach.

“This new facility will be safer and more convenient.

Obviously, people would rather compete in front of the fans in the stadium, but with throwing, that’s not a major concern.”

Another alteration to the plans occurred when the long jump and pole vault runways were installed.

The runway did not leave enough space between the two events and

needed to be longer to accommodate all athletes.

The result was another safety issue, Cook said.

“We think we solved the issue with a portable runway we can set up for meets,” Cook said. “Pole vaulters love that because a portable runway gives you a little more spring in your step and can accommodate wind conditions.”

While the competition areas are coming together, the surrounding elements of the stadium have yet to take shape. The stands as well as the track and soc-

cer offices still need to be built.

“The stands should be completed around March,” Cook said. “With the offices and locker rooms, it could be anywhere from February to May.” The plan is for the complex to be completed in time for ACU to host the Wes Kittley Invitational on April 11. The stadium has not yet been named.

contact gwin at erg12a@acu.edu

SA lightens the load during finals week staff reporter

NEWS

“We were so excited to show up to workouts and see the new field,” said Allie Gerner, a sophomore soccer player from San Antonio. “We can’t wait to play in front of all the fans that the new stadium is going to bring.”

There is still has plenty of work to be done, though.

Plans for the final product have changed as construction has progressed.

For instance, all throwing events will take place on the North side of Ambler Avenue.

“If we kept the throws

The Students’ Association will conduct Lighten Your Load Week to help students de-stress during the week before finals.

With the tension high and pressure on, the Student Association wants to help their students take a load off before stepping into their test rooms.

“Lighten Your Load Week is something SA started last semester as a means to help

alleviate the overall stress and anxiety that finals week brings to campus,” said Beau Carter, executive vice president of Students’ Association. “The idea is that, as students prepare for their papers, projects and tests that finals brings, SA can help calm students down in preparation for the hectic time. More importantly, we want the students to know that SA has your back, and we want to do what we can to serve the student body.”

The week will consist

of festivities that will keep students warm during the December chill and get the campus in the holiday spirit.

Students will have a chance to collect free Scantrons, coffee and tea during the week, and there will be chili offered in the Atrium in the library the Friday before finals.

The biggest event of Lighten Your Load week will be Thursday night at the ACU Christmas Slam.

“We invite all of the stu-

dent body to come together as a community to celebrate Christmas and the holiday season as well as to cheer on our basketball team and grow our school spirit,” Carter said. “We think that in this hectic time, nothing is better than coming together in community to take your mind off of your work to simply enjoy a night with your peers and to engage in your school spirit alongside the rest of the student body.

In the Christmas spirit, we will have pictures with San-

ta and hot cocoa at all of the concourses.”

There will be a few big giveaways on behalf of SA during the Christmas Slam as well. There will be an opportunity to walk away with $100 in Bean Bucks and a new iPad Air 2.

“On top of that, we have teamed up with Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization for this event, and they are offering the chance for one person chosen from the see SA page 3

‘Startup Week’ brings alumni to town sarah stephens student reporter

The Griggs Center for Entrepreneurship and Philanthropy recognized Startup Week with its annual ACU Entrepreneur Network Dinner Tuesday evening at the Hunter Welcome Center.

The event brought toRead more at gether visiting alumni and acuoptimist.com members of ACU’s chapter

of the Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Association with fellowship and food. It gave students the opportunity to gain wisdom from experienced entrepreneurs to and hear their stories.

Students were given the opportunity to elect the entrepreneur they wanted to sit with before arriving, which provided an ideal opportunity for personalized Q&A with a professional in the student’s field

of interest.

“I think that this event says a lot not only about the Griggs Center and their commitment to fostering entrepreneurship within ACU, but also about ACU’s alumni and their willingness to give back to people they don’t even know just because they are a part of the larger ACU community,” said Allison Phillips, senior marketing major from Abilene.

Abilene Christian University

Phillips is the founder and CEO of A.R.G., a student-run market research firm that conducts primary and secondary research in order to help clients develop strategies to deal with whatever problems they may be facing.

Instead of following past traditions, this year one alumni served as a “host” for each table of CEO students and younger alumni and had the opportunity to

speak about their experiences and give insight.

Among the various hosts was Elise Mitchell, CEO and founder of Mitchell Communications Group.

“I was very fortunate to have mentors in my life who told me I could build an agency of my own some day. There’s no ideal time to become an entrepreneur.

You do it when the opporsee startup page 3

Wednesday 11.19.14

19

20

wednesday

21

thursday 7 p.m. Women’s basketball game at University of TexasSan Antonio

saturday

Turkey Throwdown

5 p.m. Turkey Throwdown 8 p.m. Senior bonfire

7 p.m. Sing Yo Song Pajamathon

7:05 p.m. Men’s basketball game at University of Tulsa

7:30 p.m. Guest artist recital: Jerry Reed, piano

Chapel checkup To date:

22

friday

10:30 a.m. Guest artist masterclass: Jerry Reed, piano

2

Around Abilene Remaining:

Nov. 20

Nov. 21

Nov. 22

7 p.m. Cover to Cover Book Club at Abilene Public Library. Join us at the library where the featured selection for November will be the bestseller The World’s Strongest Librarian by Josh Hanagarne.

Be sure to read this book and come ready to discuss it with other avid readers in the community at your library. For more information, contact us at 325676-6025.

8 p.m. Abilene’s own regional ballet company, Abilene Ballet Theatre, presents its annual lavish production of the holiday classic ballet, The Nutcracker, at the historic Paramount Theatre. The ballet will run through Sunday.

10 a.m. DIY class at the Grace Museum. Come and go in a festive atmosphere and make a variety of affordable, creative, and modern handmade gifts you would actually want to receive. Pay only for the projects you make and receive a free handmade gift tag with each gift you create. All projects range in price from $5-20. No craft or art experience needed – we will teach you everything you need.

Nov. 20

63 9

10 a.m. Keith Carter: Ordinary Mysteries at the Grace Museum. A selection of Carter’s masterful photographs described as magic in the mundane and poetry of the commonplace. An east Texas native, Carter is an internationally acclaimed photographer whose work has been exhibited in more than 100 solo exhibitions in 13 countries. The exhibit will run through Feb. 15.

@acuoptimist The Optimist optimist@acu.edu Announcements Seekers of the Word Drama Ministry meets for Chapel on Thursdays in the Bible building, Room 104. Our Chapel is open to everyone. Come study the Bible, pray, worship, talk and laugh with us, and get a Chapel credit in the process!

Don’t get sick and miss out on any fun (or classes) this season! Flu shots are now available in the ACU Medical Care Center for $20. We accept cash, check, credit, debit or you may bill it to your ACU Banner account. Office hours are 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.

For 31 days of December, the women of International Justice Mission are wearing dresses to raise money and awareness for women who have been exploited for their femininity. Please consider donating or getting involved with the cause! Contact jem11c@acu. edu for more information. You can sign up at www.dressemberfoundation.org.

Come to Chapel on the Hill Thursdays for Drenched a cappella chapel. See you there for a time of fellowship and reflection!

Need a little extra cash? Participate in cognitive psychology research! You can expect to earn $5-10 in 30 minutes!

Email arp10d@acu.edu to sign up.

SSWA is collecting donations for the Community youth outreach in Conroe until Monday. You can place your donations in the box in the Campus Center.

Items like toiletries, small notebooks, pens, sunscreen, repellent, bandages, hand sanitizer, Tylenol and clothes for 16- to 24-year-olds are welcomed!

Dead Man’s Cell Phone is the Cornerstone production by ACU Theatre. The play will run until Sunday at 7:30 p.m. in Fulks Theatre. There will be a talkback after every performance. Recommended for ages 13 and older.

Struggling with time management, stress, motivation, studying or test anxiety? The Academic Development Center is here to help. Schedule an appointment with an academic coach today!

There’s still time to enter the Miss Frontier Texas scholarship competition.

We’re inviting all freshman, sophomore and junior women to experience the Texas frontier first-hand in this oneof-a-kind scholarship opportunity!

Registration is now open and extends through Nov. 26. Visit www.missfrontiertexas.com to register.

Intramurals

Putting together intramural playoff picture THE VAGABONDAGE REC-COVERING SAMANTHA SUTHERLAND ADDICT

DANIEL BLOCK

In this penultimate intramural column of 2014, we’ll take a look at the final volleyball standings and preview the playoff pictures. The waterball regular season is also over, and results from last night’s games are available online at imleagues. com.

Women’s Champ Volleyball Surprise, surprise. Kojies and Siggies are two of three teams tied atop the league with identical 4-1 records. The third team is Notorious D.I.G., comprised partially of former ACU volleyball players.

Kojies beat Siggies, Siggies beat Notorious D.I.G. and Notorious D.I.G. beat Kojies, meaning there is no favorite for the women’s title. The league is open as wide as a Kojie pop-out.

Notorious D.I.G.’s ability to hypnotize its opponents may lead to victory, but the players will have to exercise caution. The

mo’ money they come across, the mo’ problems they’ll see. See what I did there? Notorious D.I.G.’s first playoff game will be Thursday at 10 p.m.

Both the Kojies and Siggies lost three sets total en route to their 4-1 records, but Ko Jo Kai’s victory in the rivalry game secured them the No. 1 spot.

Kojie Jodi Gaines knew her team’s final game against the Siggies was for more than just first place and bragging rights.

“My life depended on this victory,” Gaines said.

“I was told that if Kojies lost, then we would be kicked off campus and I would never see my friends or family again.

So maybe don’t print that in a newspaper article because I may go missing.

But it certainly mattered since it is my last intramural volleyball season to ever play.”

Now one of the favorites to repeat as champions, Gaines told me Kojies’ secret to preparing

for the playoffs.

“We’re eating a lot of gluten, carbs and processed f lour products,” Gaines said. “We rarely work out and mainly stay indoors, away from the court. We’re using the technique of ‘vision.’ If you envision a ‘W,’ you get a ‘W,’ so we’re taking that approach.”

Gaines also commented on the target Ko Jo Kai has on its back because it is the defending champion.

“Please dethrone us so we don’t have to come up with another unique color combo for the Intramural Championship T-shirt,” Gaines said. “There’s too much pressure to be original, and there are only so many shades of pink and green. Also, may the odds be ever in your favor.”

Gaines even offered advice to her opponents heading into the playoffs.

“Jordan Moore, who used to play for the ACU volleyball team, is our weakest link,” Gaines said. “If you target her, we’re sure to lose. She’s the absolute worst.”

Playoffs start Thursday with all teams in action except Kojies and Siggies, which have received a bye into the second round.

WOMEN’S CHAMP VOLLEYBALL STANDINGS

Men’s Champ Volleyball Monday’s first-place showdown between 4-0 GSP and 4-0 She Set Yes ended in a two-set victory for She Set Yes. This game very well could have been a preview of the championship game, and if you ask GSP’s Alan Songer’s Facebook status, it most certainly was.

But will his guarantee come true? The Gammas will likely have to go through the Trojans to get back to the final, and the Trojans had more success against She Set Yes than GSP managed.

If I were a member of She Set Yes, I would rather play GSP. Just because GSP always wins everything and would be more fun to beat.

Don’t count out Sub T, though. After starting the season 0-3, the Subbers came back with consecutive wins, including a hard-fought victory over Trojans.

Women’s Waterball It has been brought to my attention that threetime defending champion GATA has come out with a new look this year. Custom caps. Yes, those silly looking hel-

4-1 4-1 4-1 3-2 3-2

Elite, volleyBABES, GATA, Eta Pi, Magic Spike,

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

day.”

Men’s Waterball GSP and Galaxy faced off Tuesday night to determine first place. Both teams had destroyed their competition thus far and hadn’t faced a tough test yet. No matter the outcome Tuesday, look for those two teams to meet each other in the final.

Sub T-16 stands the best chance to create waves in the playoff pool, sitting in third at 2-1. After an opening loss to GSP, the Subbers have rattled off two straight wins, including a 34-20 victory over Trojans on Monday.

Wait, this sounds a lot like volleyball…

As of yet, no men’s team has been spotted with custom caps with its team name embroidered on the front. Although, I could see the men of Galaxy getting monogrammed swim suits if they secure their fourthstraight title.

contact block at djb13a@acu.edu

MEN’S CHAMP VOLLEYBALL STANDINGS (AS OF 6 P.M. NOV. 18)

(AS OF 6 P.M. NOV. 18)

Ko Jo Kai, Sigma Theta Chi, Notorious D.I.G., Ancient Aces,

Alpha Kai,

met things the players wear on their heads must have been far too primitive for the likes of GATA, so the team purchased new red caps and embroidered “GATA” across the front. They probably needed new caps anyway because the ones in the Rec likely didn’t fit after all that winning went to their heads.

The defending champs were in first place heading into last night’s matchup against secondplace Alpha Kai Omega.

Should Alpha Kai win or tie, it would take over first place.

Eta Pi sits alone in third at 1-1-1, and captain Marissa Mueller believes her team has a shot at dethroning the defending champs come playoff time.

“We may not be the biggest fish in the pool,” Mueller said. “But we are the most willing to drown the competition (or ourselves) for the win.”

In fact, Mueller welcomes the opportunity to take on the GATA powerhouse.

“I don’t want to rock the boat,” Mueller said.

“But if we see evidence of these so-called ‘GATA head caps,’ it will definitely be the catch of the

She Set Yes, GSP, Trojans, Sub T-16,

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

Hakuna Matata, 2-4 Galaxy, 1-4 Notorious D.I.G., 1-4

3

news

friday 11.14.14

Blood Drive pricks student interest

Emily guajardo staff photographer

Students, faculty and staff donated blood to the Meeks Blood Center throughout the day Tuesday.

Justice groups bring North Korea advocates Hannah Little student reporter ACU Red Thread Movement and International Justice Mission introduced Liberty in North Korea during a special Chapel in Hart auditorium last Friday.

Liberty in North Korea is a California-based nonprofit organization that works with North Korean people to promote and accelerate change.

The group rescues and provides resettlement support to North Korean refugees.

Natasha Wiens from Vancouver, Canada, is one

leader of the organization who has always been interested in North Korea.

“I have always thought it was something so secretive and a place that no one knew much about,” Wiens said. “I watched a lot of documentaries and read a lot of books about it, and through that I was introduced to the organization and thought it would be a good way to learn more.”

Liberty in North Korea helps refugees reach freedom from political persecution and economic hardship. The group has a goal of making 200 more rescues this fall. Students who join the organization

“

I hope to be able to make people more aware of the situations in North Korea. I hope they wouldn’t just focus on politics but also on the people so that we can raise funds to help rescue refugees in hiding.”

Natasha wiens leader of liberty in north korea from vancouver, canada

are able to help by donating and being a part of the organization.

During the summer time, two-month in-office internships are offered.

Wiens said students get to know the staff more and said Los Angeles is an “awesome place” to be during the summer.

“I hope to be able to make people more aware

of the situations in North Korea,” she said. “I hope they wouldn’t just focus on the politics but also on the people so that we can raise funds to help rescue refuges that are in hiding.”

Abbey Moses, founder and chaplain of ACU Social Justice Chapel, first heard of Liberty in North Korea while she was

working at a non-profit called Invisible Children in California. Moses then began contacting and reaching out to anyone involved to help bring the group to ACU. “I decided to bring them to ACU because I believe there is an ignorance surrounding North Korea,” said Moses, junior political science major from Abilene. “So many Americans view North Korea as a nuclear crisis rather than a humanitarian crisis, and I hoped that by bringing LiNK to campus, students would be able to better connect the North Korean crisis to one of real human lives.”

Last Friday was the first time Liberty in North Korea has visited campus and hopes to come back as many students showed interest.

“Hopefully this is something that can happen again,” Moses said.

“Speaking as the founder and chaplain of ACU Social Justice Chapel, I would be honored to host them again as they share the hopeful stories of North Koreans now f lourishing in their new lives.”

contact the optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu

ACU athletes receive academic honors Reese Gwin staff reporter Three athletes were named to Capital One Academic All-District 7 earlier this season.

Senior Angel Lopez, senior Neely Borger, and sophomore Kelsie Roberts were chosen for the honor by the College Sports Information Directors of America. The district included Div. I. athletes from Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Idaho, Colorado, Montana, Nebraska and New Mexico.

Lopez, a defensive back and biology major from San Antonio, was named First Team All-District for football and will have his name put on the ballot for the Academic All-American to be announced Dec. 4.

“I am so very honored and blessed to be recognized for something academic,” Lopez said. “It shows that all my long nights and hard work to trying to be a biology major and applying for dental school under all the stress of football and life was

worth something.”

Lopez finished the season 4th in tackles in the Southland Conference after leading the Wildcats in tackles the previous season.

Borger and Roberts made the second team for their respective sports.

Borger, middle blocker on the volleyball team is a marketing major from Amarillo, while Roberts, a defender on the soccer team, is a biochemistry major from Lucas.

“This is a great honor,” Borger said. “My grades

are a top priority for me, and I’ve been blessed with great professors who have been able to work with me and my volleyball schedule.”

Borger won an all-district citation her sophomore year as well. She was a three-year captain on the volleyball team and was named the Lone Star Conference freshman of the year five years ago.

For all three athletes, academics have always been an important part of their lives.

“My parents were both

Theatre begins preparation for 24-hour musical callie oliver student reporter The department of Theatre has begun preparation for its 24 HR Musical in March.

Theatre students will have 24 hours to rehearse and perform the musical. Until March 21 at 7 p.m., only the leadership team will know what the musical is about.

Casting and preparation for the leadership team began Sunday.

“We keep the show a secret until the day of the performance,” said Joel Edwards, 24 HR Musical producer and artistic director. “This is true even for cast members which means that they must learn the entire musical in 24 hours with no preparation work.”

Edwards, junior musical

theatre major from Tyler, is in charge of leading the leadership team, securing musical rights, organizing the production and making sure each part of the production comes together well.

The show will take place March 22 at 7 p.m.

Kelsey Brown, junior theatre directing major from League City, will co-direct the show. She will stage the large ensemble numbers and scenes and coordinate the schedule for the 24 hours and be stage manager during the production.

24 Hour Musical is an established company based out of Chicago and was founded

by ACU alum Matthew Silar.

This is the second year ACU will produce the show. It is put on as a charity fundraiser

by Alpha Psi Omega.

Last year, at ACU, the musical raised more than $900 for the water crisis. One hundred percent of the donations given at the free performance will be given to Living Water International, a nonprofit organization that builds wells in Africa.

The theatre department’s goal is to give students a chance to use theatre to serve others, and having a fundraiser musical is a way to obtain that goal.

“When people are weak, they have no choice but to rely on Jesus,” Edwards said.

“There is nothing as exciting as seeing someone quietly being a servant or someone stepping up to take care of an issue at 5:15 a.m.”

Brown and Edwards said the show takes a lot of work and effort and can be a stress-

Startup week: alumni network with students from page 1 tunity presents itself,” said Mitchell when chosen as a Distinguished Alumni Citation Recipient in 2011.

Mitchell graduated from ACU in 1983 and funded Morris & Mitchell,

the university’s studentrun advertising and public relations agency.

She said was excited about sharing the entrepreneurial journey of Mitchell Communications Group with the students and loved learning more about their ideas

and plans for future businesses.

“I’m passionate about entrepreneurship and delighted to be participating in ACU Startup Week.” contact the optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu

SA: Congress to serve students during finals from page 1 crowd to make a series of shots to win a year of free tuition,” Carter said. “This is an event we get excited about every year, and we want everyone to come out and show their Wildcat and

Christmas cheer.”

SA hopes to see people take the study break on Dec. 4 to join in on the festivities that are offered at the Christmas Slam.

“It is our goal that during the chaos of finals season students feel supported

and appreciated by their Students Association,” said Rodney Johnson, executive president of the Students’ Association. contact the optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu

ful process, especially with the lack of sleep.

“There is something so exhilarating about watching an entire musical come together in 24 hours,” Edwards said.

“Every dance step, every note and every line is learned within that time period, and when it finally comes together just minutes before show time, it is truly breathtaking.”

contact the optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu

in the military, so I grew up with some military values and part of that was to always take pride in everything you do, finish anything you started and strive to be the best,” Lopez said. “I took that approach in both academics and football.”

Borger attributes her success to similar sources.

“My parents and my professors have been an awesome support system,” Borger said. “They have instilled in me confidence, empowering me to work on the court and in the class-

room.”

Borger and Lopez have played their last for ACU, but both have promising futures ahead with graduation dates set for May 2013.

Lopez is waiting to hear back from dental schools across the country while Borger is searching for a job opportunity in nutrition or marketing.

contact Gwin at erg12a@acu.edu

Opinion

Friday 11.19.14

4

editorial

What would you do for a chapel credit? the issue We are entering that seaon of the semster where every Chapel credit counts as you try to rack up your 55.

our take Our question is: how desperate are you? What would you do as an alternative Chapel credit?

It’s crunch time. That /55 on your myACU homepage glows at you with dismay. Collecting those Chapel credits is the last thing you want to worry about right now, but the threat of Chapel probation means you have to.

It seems like there could be some alternative. Is there not something else you could do in lieu of those thirty min-

utes? It begs the question, what would you do for a Chapel credit?

Would you adopt a feral cat? Participate in a Kitten-Chapel credit exchange program? No, probably not. Not worth the risk of catching ringworm like the group of freshmen girls last year who thought feral cat adoption in the dorms was good idea.

Would you take a swig from the GATA Fountain?

This would definitely be the quickest and most efficient way to earn a credit, were it offered.

But then again, ringworm is probably a big risk here too.

Would you trade in a worthy sum of your Bean Bucks? This is tricky because there are two categories of Bean Buck users. There are those that ate at Chick-Fil-A way too often and have run out, and there are those who have so many that at this point in the semester they will never use them

all, so they begin giving their ID to those in the first category to use. So, depending on which category you are in, this may or may not be doable.

Would you read an issue of the Optimist? No, that would just be too easy and more entertaining than Chapel. Give me a challenge!

Would you attend an ACU basketball game?

Oh wait, they actually already did offer Chapel credits for this. Their best turn out yet. I mean for basketball, not for Chapel.

Would you walk across

DAILY doodle dosage

Ben Todd

“

Would you attend an ACU basketball game? Oh wait, they actually already did do that last year.”

hot coals? OK, so that’s a little drastic and definitely more painful than going to Chapel but would honestly be a lot quicker.

Some of you look like you’re standing on coals waiting by the card readers for the final “Amen,” anyway.

Would you go to the li-

brary and work on homework? Yes. Yes, dear Chapel office, that is what we would honestly love. I will be going to meet Jesus anyway after some of my finals, so ACU’s responsibility to cultivate spiritual life through Chapel might be best achieved through study.

Maybe these are a little drastics. Maybe the most sensible thing to do is, stock up during Summit.

contact The Optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu

Column

Putin wasn’t a fan of the koalas at G20 VAGABONDAGE THE ORRACLE

SAMANTHAMADELINE SUTHERLAND ORR

Column

It takes the 20 seconds I don’t have

Well, ladies and gents, this is my last column of 2014. I put a lot of thought into what I wanted this to be about, since we have so much coming up. After all, Thanksgiving is almost here, and I could write about what to be thankful for. Christmas is on the horizon, and I could write pages about commercialism or the birth of Christ or the improbability of Santa Claus. I’m also about to begin my last semester of college and my last season as a collegiate athlete, and nostalgia is flaring up alarmingly quickly.

There’s plenty of fuel for the literary engines in my brain.

But then I thought about the idea of a new start. New

Year’s Day, 2015, and the resolutions that come with it. What do I want to do with my next year, the year in which I begin my life in the real world?

And I thought back to a movie I saw very recentlyWe Bought A Zoo. There’s a part where the main character, played by Matt Damon, tells his son what can be accomplished with just 20 seconds of insane courage.

I have led a small lifemeaningful, but small. I have followed a pattern and taken care of business, fulfilling every expectation that has been set for me, or by me, since I was very young. But I have never been courageous. I have

hashtagACU Nov. 17 9:58 p.m.

Welcome to ACU. Where even our bathroom graffiti references C.S. Lewis #acudifference

@LaneLuttrell

Nov. 18 5:46 p.m.

“Sweater weather” aka Chapstick weather

@laurelrosee

Nov. 16 5:23 p.m.

I just cancelled all my classes tomorrow

@treytres3

Nov. 16 9:38 p.m.

A collective cheer could be heard across Mabee when the delayed start text went out.

never been one to take risks or jeopardize my future for something outside of my plan that could add to my happiness. And why? Because it may not work.

Well, I’ve realized that’s just stupid. I will certainly never achieve something I don’t try, so why not reach for something greater? As Wayne Gretzky put it, “you always miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”

What could I do with 20 seconds of insane courage every day? What if I started to take chances?

Would I stand up for myself to those who think I am incapable of achieving my dreams? Would I apply for jobs I know I have zero chance of getting? Would I make new goals I never thought possible within my lifetime? Would I tell that one person what I think or how I feel despite the reaction I know I’ll get?

Sometimes I wish I were

Nov. 16 10:28 p.m.

the “are you still watching” prompt on netflix is taking on a more and more judgemental tone lately

@BrainOfJake “He goes to chapel with me even though he has all his chapel credits, so I guess you could say it’s getting pretty serious.”

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

For all you meterology minded people: what are the odds this weather keeps me in bed all day tomorrow?

@marafleet

newsroom (325) 674-2439

sports desk (325) 674-2684

resolutions produced isn’t the best measure of which meeting achieved more.

Reagan’s meeting was not seen as a breakthrough at the time. But as he stated at the summit’s conclusion, “The real report card will not come in for months or even years.” They succeeded in building trust and opening a dialogue, which made future breakthroughs possible.

It was the very beginning of a conversation that would lead to other significant achievements such as Gorbachev’s 1986 commitment to eliminating nuclear weapons by 2000. And of course, the tearing down of the Berlin Wall in 1989.

None of the 800 reforms passed at G20 were directed at Russia or included the sanctions that have been threatened against Putin.

And they shouldn’t have been. I’m glad they focused on strengthening the world’s financial systems and workforces.

But I don’t think there was a positive dialogue addressing tensions with Russia, even ones that indirectly help out later down the road like Reagan intended with Gorbachev. It was reported that Putin had cold, blunt encounters with Obama and other leaders, and that he left the summit early, hopping on his plane ahead of schedule. Reagan didn’t have koalas at his meeting like the G20, but in a few years we will see if the things said, or not said, at G20 made an impact comparable to 1985.

Nov. 17 2:01 p.m.

Nov. 18 5:59 p.m.

If you have a monster energy sticker on the back window of your large truck. odds are you are well liked and widely respected

contact orr at mco10b@acu.edu

Drive thru line at Rosas is currently stretched out onto Judge Ely. We take Taco Tuesday seriously here in Abilene

@TotesCourts

@hannzzle

Forget ring by spring, I’d be okay with just going on a date by spring.

YikYak

@LambornPhillip

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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Nov. 16 5:14 p.m.

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

braver. Courage is never comfortable, but I’m about to take a huge step out of my comfort zone after graduation anyway, so I’ve started to consider what I could lose by being brave. The answer is nothing. There is nothing to lose and everything to gain.

And so, faithful readers, as I leave you to your holidays, I encourage you to find your bravery. Even if only once, suspend all thought and take a chance on something you never thought possible. Be brave.

And remember that, regardless of the result of your insane courage, God always has your best interests at heart.

Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, and a very happy New Year.

On this day, November 19, in 198,5 President Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev attended their first summit meeting together in Geneva. The two produced no earth-shattering agreements, but it was a clear signal of their desire to mend relations and keep the nuclear arms race under control.

“Summits” of world leaders are still happening today, attempting to address issues on a global scale. President Obama just returned from the G20 Summit in Australia, where he met with leaders from 20 major economies.

After cuddling with Koalas for a bit, leaders created action plans for issues like poverty, Ebola, increased GDP, trade, youth unemployment and global growth.

Although different in size and manner, there is at least one major similarity between the Reagan/ Gorbachev meeting and last week’s G20 Summit, and it has to do with our Cold War friends over in the Tundra.

President Putin’s presence was a dark cloud at the Summit, with leaders criticizing him and calling on him to back down in Ukraine. Although tension with Russia isn’t anything new, I’m predicting that any resolutions achieved with Russia will unfold quite differently than they did in the ‘80s.

The difference between the two gatherings is that at Reagan and Gorbachev’s meeting there were no major treaties signed or agreements made, while the G20 Summit resulted in the Brisbane Action Plan, a package containing more than 800 reforms.

But maybe the number of

Took the liberty of cancelling my 10AM class since my 8 and 9 were cancelled. Why not?

Trojans hate girls.

Gammas hate Trojans.

Moonies hate Gammas.

Subbers hate Moonies.

The law hates Subbers.

YikYak

YikYak

YikYak

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Features

wednesday 11.19.14

LA TERCERA VIAJE ES EL ENCANTO (THIRD TRIP’S THE CHARM) Mandy Rama, native Uruguayan, returns home with ACU study abroad group Brittany jackson latin american correspondent On Aug. 27, Mandy Rama boarded a plane to finally return home, alongside 10 other students.

Rama, a sophomore family studies major, has a different experience than her classmates – she was born in Montevideo, Uruguay, and has been waiting to return for the last 13 years.

“I want so badly to leave here feeling like this is home, but I still realize there are so many things about the culture that I don’t understand,” she said. “So that’s difficult, because I want to feel at home, but I know it’s not something I can force.”

Her father, Ronnie Rama, associate professor of art and design, was born in Uruguay and left to attend college in the U.S. when he was 18, vowing to return.

In 1990, he and his wife, Beverly, pledged to serve with Southern Plains Church of Christ in Lubbock as missionaries in Uruguay. They packed up their belongings and moved their two children at the time, Eric, 2, and Ana Meg, 3, to the southern hemisphere.

Once they settled in Montevideo, the Ramas began to help with Iglesia de Cristo and start their new life. Four years later, Mandy was born, an Uruguayan native like her father.

For the next seven years of her life, Mandy grew up in the church. She watched her father create the church’s stained glass window, learned to ride a bike in the gymnasium and attended Bible class each week.

In January of 2000, Mandy watched her father renovate the space next door to the church. Ronnie said he and his wife spent hours laying the wooden floors, shoveling gravel and cleaning out the junk left from previous owners, while Mandy and her siblings found something to do – or something to mess up. On Saturdays, church members joined them for a workday.

“We’ve always been hands-on,” Ronnie said. “That building was no exception, and it was always a community effort.”

Then, in the fall of 2000, she and her family helped welcome the first ACU Study Abroad group to Montevideo.

Later that year, the Ramas moved back to the United States. After a year at Texas Tech, Ronnie Rama was offered a job at ACU. Mandy returned to Montevideo in 2010 at 16 years old when her father was the professor in residence for the study abroad program in the fall.

Then again in 2012, after her mother passed away.

Each visit, Mandy could only spend a limited time in her old city, barely getting acquainted before she had to return to school and her life in Abilene.

Now, on her third return since moving to the U.S., Mandy is finally able to be immersed in her hometown.

The first Sunday in the city, Mandy walked into the Iglesia de Cristo only to be greeted by friendly smiles and warm hugs. The congregation clamored to talk to her, to ask about her family and to stare at their grown-up girl.

“It’s funny because a lot of things have changed, and a lot of things have stayed the same,” she said. “People still sit in the same rows and everything.”

With the church community on her mind and heart, Mandy set her goals for the semester: to reconnect with her church family, with her childhood friends and with the culture she was born into.

As the semester progresses, she has attended dinners at church members’ houses where they’ve talked of old times and sent her home with hands full of old photos.

“Reconnecting with people from when I was younger has been the best thing about this trip” she said having visited an aunt and spent many weekends with her old friends over the course of the semester.

And with almost three weeks left until the group returns to the United States, she isn’t ready to leave. She will extend her visit to Dec. 26 and will stay in the church building. She said she’s looking forward to experiencing the city on her own, without her classmates.

“I feel like I understand myself better because I have a better idea of where I’m from,” she said. “If I could, I would stay four months more. But coming back and being able to see it, staying a longer amount of time and seeing through a young adult’s eyes, I understand why my parents moved. Uruguay was home, but life can just be difficult here. There aren’t as many opportunities, and my parents knew that.”

Brittany Jackson is studying abroad in Montevideo, Uruguay, this semester and she wrote this same feature in spanish to the right.

De el 27 de agosto, Mandy Rama entró un avión para regresar a su hogar, con 10 otros estudiantes.

Rama, un estudiante del segundo año de los estudios de familia, está teniendo otra experiencia de sus compañeros de estudios en el extranjero-nació en Montevideo, Uruguay, y ha querido a regresar desde 13 años.

“Yo quiero mas que nada irme sintiendo como soy uruguaya, pero al mismo tiempo se que hay muchas cosas de la cultura que no entiendo,” dijo Mandy. “Por eso, es difícil porque es algo que viene naturalmente.”

Su padre, Ronnie Rama, profesor adjunto de arte y diseno, nació en Uruguay y salió a asistir una universidad en los Estados Unidos cuando tenía 18 años, y prometió volver. En 1990, él y su esposa, Beverly, comprometieron a servir con Southern Plains Church of Christ en Lubbock como misioneros en Uruguay. Prepararon todo y movieron a sus dos niños, Eric, 2, y Ana Meg, 3, al hemisferio del sur.

En Montevideo, los Ramas empezaron a ayudar con la Iglesia de Cristo y construir su nueva vida.

Cuatro años más tarde, nació Mandy, un natural uruguaya como su padre.

Mandy creció en la iglesia para los próximos siete años de su vida, veía el trabajo de su padre en la iglesia, practicaba a andar en bicicleta en el gimnasio y asistía la clase de Biblia cada semana.

En enero de 2000, la renovación del edificio al lado de la iglesia empezó, que pronto se hizo Casa ACU, por el programa de estudios extranjeros en Montevideo. Ronnie dijo que él y su esposa pasaron muchas horas poniendo los pisos de madera, moviendo con pala la grava y limpiando la chatarra dejada de dueños anteriores mientras Mandy y sus hermanos encontraron algo para ayudar- o algo para estropear.

Y cada sábado, los miembros de la iglesia juntaron con ellos por un día laborable.

“Siempre éramos trabajadores,” dijo Ronnie, “y el edificio no fue una excepción, y siempre era un esfuerzo de la comunidad.”

Luego, en el otoño de 2000, ella y su familia dieron la bienvenida al primer grupo del programa de estudios extranjero de ACU.

photos contributed by mandy rama

Eric, Mandy and Ana Meg Rama moved to Uruguay with their parents in 1990.

Más tarde en ese ano, los Ramas volvieron a los Estados Unidos. Y después un ano en Lubbock, ACU ofreció a Ronnie Rama un trabajo.

Mandy regresó a Montevideo en 2010 cuando tenía 16 anos, cuando su padre fue el profesor en residencia por la programa de estudios en el extranjero.

Luego, otra vez, en 2012 después del fallecimiento de su mamá.

Cada viaje, Mandy soló quedó el tiempo suficiente para empezar a familiarizarse con su ciudad natal antes de que tuviera volver a escuela y su vida en Abilene.

Ahora, de su tercer vuelta desde se mudó a los Estados Unidos, Mandy finalmente puede ser sumergido en su ciudad natal, y la cultura.

En el primer domingo en Montevideo, Mandy entró la Iglesia de Cristo y fue saludado por amigables sonrisas y abrazos fuertes. Los fieles clamaron para dirigirse a ella, preguntar sobre su familia y contemplar la vida de la crecida nina.

“Me causa gracia porque muchas cosas cambian, pero el mismo tiempo quedan igual,” dijo ella. “Como la gente que todavía se siente en el mismo lugar en la iglesia y todo.”

Con la comunidad de la iglesia en su frente y corazón, Mandy definió sus objetivos del semestre: para unirse de nuevo con su familia de la iglesia, con sus amigos de la infancia y con la cultura que nació.

Durante el semestre, ella ha asistido a cenas en casas de los miembros de la iglesia, hablado del pasado y vuelto con manos lleno de fotos.

“La reconexión con gente de mi pasado ha sido el mejor parte de este viaje,” dijo, vio a una tía y pasó muchos fines de semana con sus viejos amigos durante el semestre.

Y con casi tres semanas en Montevideo, no está lista para volver los Estados Unidos.

Ella va a extender su viaje hasta el 26 de diciembre, y dice que tiene ganas de experienciar la ciudad sola, sin sus compañeros.

“Siento como me entiendo mejor porque tengo una una buena idea de donde soy,” dijo ella. “Si pudiera, me quedaria cuatro meses más. Pero volviendo y poder verlo, quedandome por más tiempo y viendo lo por ojos de adulto, entiendo porque mis padres hicieron la decision para mover a los Estados Unidos. Uruguay fue hogar, pero la vida aca puede ser difícil, no hay tantas oportunidades, y mis padres supieron eso.”

brittany jackson staff reporter

Mandy enjoying her week off of school in Rio de Janiero, Brazil.

Above: The Sun of May is the symbol on the flag of Uruguay.

sports

Wednesday 11.19.14

Mason, ‘Cats scorch Payne for second win collin thompson sports reporter The ACU women’s basketball team started off its season with a 91-64 win against Wayland Baptist University in Moody Coliseum Nov. 15.

Sophomore guard Alexis Mason led the team with 19 points, 13 of which came in the second half, while the Dimba twins combined for 33 points and 18 rebounds.

“It feels good just to get a game under our belt and see everybody playing,” said Julie Goodenough, head coach. “I thought the effort was really good and everyone came out and played really, really hard. We didn’t play really smart every possession,

but that’ll just come with chemistry and getting lots of playing time together, but overall I was really pleased. Any win’s a good win, but it’s nice to win at home and get that first win.”

The Wildcats, who struggled offensively in the first half by shooting 37 percent, came back and scored 51 points in the second half and shot 50 percent in the second.

Goodenough said regardless of the final score, WBU played tough basketball on the court and gave the Wildcats real experience playing against a good opponent early in the season.

“I thought Wayland did an excellent job crashing the boards and I think it’s going to give us good vid-

eo to show that we’re not really blocking out very well,” Goodenough said.

“That’s something that we’ve got to get better at, just being real physical to get rebounds.”

Ball movement was the name of the game for the Wildcats as the guards were able to keep Wayland on their toes throughout the game.

“I thought in transition, our guards did really well, pushing the ball, getting the ball down the floor and seeing open players,” Goodenough said.

“I thought our post players did a good job posting up and I’d like to see our guards feed them a little bit more.”

The team scored 27 points from behind the arc and went 9-36 while two

“

6

standings football Standings

I think our players came in ready to play tonight. We Team SELU played good team basketball again, making that extra SHSU pass for a UCA better shot.” Lamar

of their main three-point specialists, Mason and junior guard Whitney West, combined to go 6-19.

“We’re going to shoot three-pointers when we’re open,” Goodenough said.

“We didn’t hit as many as we would’ve liked to tonight, but our guards did a really good job of being shot-ready and seeing the open shots.”

Sophomore Suzzy Dimba had a double-

Div.

Ovrl

6-1 8-3 6-1 7-4 5-2 6-5 4-3 7-4 SFA 4-3 7-4 McNeese St. 4-3 6-4 julie goodenough NSU 4-3 6-5 head coach ACU 4-4 6-6 acu women’s basketball UIW 2-6 2-9 HBU 1-7 2-9 double with 16 points 0-11 and 11 boards. West had Nicholls St. 0-7 nine points all from threemens basketball Standings point makes.

The Wildcats’ next Team Div. Ovrl game will be at the UniTAMU-CC 0-0 1-0 versity of Texas San AntoACU 0-0 1-0 nio Wednesday.

SFA 0-0 1-0 UIW 0-0 1-0 Lamar 0-0 1-1 SHSU 0-0 1-1 NO 0-0 0-0 contact thompson at Cnt13c@acu.edu Nicholls St.0-0 0-0 HBU 0-0 0-1 MSU 0-0 0-1 NSU 0-0 0-1 UCA 0-0 0-2 SELU 0-0 0-2 womens basketball Standings

Team

Div.

ACU 0-0 NSU 0-0 MSU 0-0 UIW 0-0 TAMU-CC 0-0 UCA 0-0 Lamar 0-0 NO 0-0 Nicholls St.0-0 SHSU 0-0 SELU 0-0 SFA 0-0 HBU 0-0

Ovrl 2-0 1-0 1-1 1-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-2

Who’s Hot

paige otway Staff Photographer

Junior Jonathan Epps has been a dominant player in all three phases of the game. He is second on the team in all purpose yards (933) and has two interceptions, compiled 30 tackles as a cornerback and been the lead return man with 681 return yards. He has also caught a touchdown for ACU.

Late field goal completes Wildcat upset Collin Wieder sports Editor ACU football finished it’s first official season in the Southland with a heartpounding win as it toppled Stephen F. Austin, 37-35.

The Wildcats improved their record to 6-6 overall and 4-4 in conference, while the Lumberjacks fell to 7-4 and 4-3 in conference.

The Lumberjacks were looking for a win to keep its playoff hopes alive and seemed to be doing that early on as they forced and recovered a Parker McKenzie fumble. SFA went down the field easily and scored an opening drive touchdown, but the Wildcats would respond quickly with a 66-yard De’Andre Brown rushing touchdown.

An offensive shootout would ensue from there

and the teams would continue to trade scores, when late in fourth quarter ACU was trailing SFA by one.

SFA punter Nick Bruno shanked a 16-yard punt to give the Wildcats the ball at the ‘Jacks 41. The key play of the drive was a defensive pass interference call against SFA that moved ACU into the red zone.

The Wildcats would stall in the red zone and have to settle for a field goal. Nik Grau punched through a 31-yard field goal, his third make of day, with 5:48 remaining in the game.

SFA quarterback Zach Conque led a clock-killing drive that lasted 4:24 and went down to the ACU 9-yard line. Jordan Wiggs set up for a 26-yard gamewinning field goal with a little more than a minute remaining in the game, but he missed the chip shot, and the Wildcats took over.

ACU would burn the clock down before they punted to give SFA one last shot with two seconds left. Senior defensive end Nick Richardson pressured Zach Conque into an incomplete pass to end the game.

“This is a huge win for several reasons,” said Ken Collums, head coach. “It’s a huge win because we came off a disappointing loss last week, and the second reason is because this is a good football team and they can beat anyone in our league.”

ACU’s offense looked like a completely different unit against Stephen F. Austin. The offense put together an efficient game after last week’s 10-point, five-turnover outing. Parker McKenzie was 19-for29 for 267 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions. McKenzie’s final game gave him 3,084 yards

on the season, making him only the sixth passer to do so in ACU history. Brown topped his game against UCA with 22 rushes for 256 yard and three touchdowns against the Lumberjacks.

The receiving corps came up with a huge performance as junior Jace Hudson, who changed his number to 20 for this game, had his best game of the season with five catches for 105 yards and one touchdown. Cade Stone also caught five passes for 64 yards and in Demarcus Thompson’s final game as a Wildcat he caught four passes for 66 yards.

Thompson moved into the top 10 in career catches in ACU history with 120 receptions passing the great Johnny Knox.

ACU’s defense struggled to stop the high-octane Lumberjack offense but it pressured Conque with

four sacks.

Senior Nick Richardson recorded a sack in his final game falling just short of the record but making him second all-time in ACU history with 32.5 sacks.

Senior Justin Stephens led all players with 16 tackles. Stephens swapped numbers with Hudson so he could wear number 17 the number his dad wore when he played for ACU. “I am so proud of these seniors they have carried this thing from day one,” Collums said. “They have walked on a lot of gravel so our guys could have nice stuff in the Southland. I am so pleased, 6-6 is a good deal when it could be 5-7 so we will take it regardless of what our record is.”

contact Wieder at cpw11a@acu.edu

Men’s basketball rolls in win vs. Hillsdale Daniel Zepeda sports Director The Wildcats started the season 1-0 after Friday night’s blowout win over Hillsdale Freewill Baptist, 101-61 in Moody Coliseum.

Junior guard Parker Wentz led all scorers with 23 points and added five rebounds and five assists.

ACU shot 57 percent from the field and was 48 percent from beyond the three point line (12-25).

Senior guards Harrison Hawkins added 20 points, including four three-point makes, and LaDarrien Williams notched 16 points on 7-10 shooting.

“Like all games, I thought there were some good and some bad,” said Joe Gold-

ing., head coach. “I have been really impressed with how unselfish this team has played this early in the year.

We do, however, need to get better at guarding without fouling and rebounding the basketball.”

The Wildcats started slow against the Saints, but were able to take the lead and never look back. Early full-court defensive pressure rattled Hillsdale’s cage, forcing the Saints into 12 turnovers in the first half, eight of them coming off ACU steals. At halftime, the Wildcats led 47-26 after holding Hillsdale to just 26 percent shooting.

In the second half, ACU would continue to turn defensive turnovers into offensive scores, as the Wildcats bumped the lead up to

69-38 with 13 minutes left in the game. Wentz came out of halftime firing, sinking two three-point baskets and then a midrange jumper for eight points in the first two minutes and 15 seconds of the second half.

Defensive hustle and three-point shooting continued to push the ACU lead, as the win was assured with around eight minutes left to play when ACU led 78-48. Sophomore guard Michael Grant recorded a steal toward the end of the game and ended the competition with a dunk.

It was the second year in a row ACU played Hillsdale Baptist in its home opener, and the outcome was the same. Last year, ACU routed the Saints 93-53, in which Hawkins, Williams

and Wentz led the team to the victory.

Earlier this week, Golding said the team would play 10 men deep on a regular basis, forcing new faces to play significant minutes.

Freshman backup point guard K.J. Maura, freshman Isiah Tripp and junior transfer Duran Porter combined for 40 minutes in their first game as Wildcats.

Maura had 10 points and four assists, Tripp had seven with a three point make and Porter added solid defense in the paint. Freshman forward Christian Albright put in seven points, three rebounds and was aggressive on both ends of the floor during his 12 minutes of action.

“I thought the new guys played well,” Golding said.

“We were able to get them all in the game so they could get game experience. They continue to get better every time out, but I’m pleased with where they are.”

The Wildcats won the battle of the glass, 39-30, committed eight less turnovers and put up 24 more shots than Hillsdale Baptist.

However, the team committed 11 more fouls and gave up 39 free throws.

ACU will now prepare for the trip to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where the team will face an opponent who played in the NCAA tournament last year. The game will tip off at 7 p.m Wednesday.

contact zepeda at djz11a@acu.edu

Frehsman running back De’Andre Brown compiled 256 rushing brown yards and three touchdowns against conference opponent Stephen F. Austin. Brown averaged 11.6 yards per carry on the day and recorded his fourth 100plus yard rushing game of the season.

briefings The football team swept conference awards this week with senior linebacker Justin Stephens (Defense), sophomore Nik Grau (Special Teams) and freshman De’Andre Brown (Offense) earning players of the week.

Men’s basketball announced the addition of four recruits for the 2015-16 season.

Guard Jaylen Franklin from Arkansas, Jaren Lewis from Florida, forwards Hayden Howell from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Hayden Farquhar from Throckmorton.

Women’s basketball announced Friday the addition of four recruits for the 2015-16 season.

Guards Sara Williamson from Rockwall, Breklyn Wentz from Lubbock, forwards Shelby Jones from Clovis and McKenzie Martin from Allen.

Be sure to follow @OptimistSports on Twitter for more stories and the latest ACU sports

Upcoming Women’s basketball hits the road to take on UTSA Wednesday. The game will start at 7 p.m.

Men’s basketball travels to Tulsa, Oklahoma, Wednesday to take on the Golden Hurricanes.

The game will start at 7:05 p.m.

Men’s basketball will play Duquesne on Saturday at Moody Coliseum. Tipoff at 4 p.m.