The Tech Talk 11.10.16

HOMECOMING EDITION

Frankie Ballard

The Tech Talk presents its 2016 Homecoming Edition for students and alumni

Take a look at the Revelry’s latest country concert PAGE 7

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VOLUME 91 • ISSUE 8

English professor publishes novel ISABELA PALMIERI Staff Reporter | ipa001@latech.edu

President-elect Donald J. Trump speaks at a rally in New York on Wednesday, Nov. 9.

Photo courtesy of AP/Evan Vucci

Tech reacts to elected Trump STAFF REPORT

Tuesday night marked the culmination of arguably one of the most divisive presidential elections in recent history with Donald Trump defeating Hillary Clinton in an upset.

In the face of America’s historic decision, Louisiana Tech students have expressed a variety of reactions.

Catherine Seabaugh, a senior political science major and president of Tech College Republicans, said she is excited about the Trump administration.

“A lot of Americans, myself included, are just tired of the way things have been going,” she said. “I think people are just tired of the bureaucracy and nothing getting accomplished.”

Seabaugh said she is also believes the results of the election will lead to less political gridlock.

“With Obama there was a big stalemate between the parties,” she said. “But now the Republicans have the majority in the Congress, and Trump is in the executive branch. I think people will agree a lot more than they have in the past. Not on

everything, but I think more will get done.”

Nick Smith, a senior political science major and Jackson Parish Democratic party chair, said he was upset upon learning the results.

“It’s devastating, obviously,” he said. “Not at all the outcome I anticipated, nor is it the outcome we wanted.

We have Democratic states that flipped Republican for him. I am still dealing with it – very distraught, not going to lie.”

Smith said he is pessimistic about the Trump administration’s effect on the state.

“Louisiana is among the

poorest states in the union,” he said. “We have banked so much on the oil and gas industry, and because of that – and because the industry isn’t doing so well – we are really struggling. Our communities are struggling. Not to mention that the affordable care act is jeopardized.

We have a republican congress, we have a republican senate and we have a republican president-elect who ran on the platform of repealing Obamacare. It is going to devastate our state.”

> see TRUMP page 6

To accompany his first book of poems based on his grandfather’s seven wives and 27 children, Genaro Kỳ Lý Smith, an English instructor at Louisiana Tech, published his second novel “The Land South of the Clouds” this past October.

“It is a story of immigrant families meshing into the fabric of American culture, their memories of the old country weighing on their conscience and the repercussions they feel even from thousands of miles away on another continent, in another world, another life,” Smith said.

Smith read from his recently published novel Nov. 1. The reading was held at George T. Madison Hall and was open to the public.

Lori Bandy, a sophomore English major, said Smith was well-spoken and gave the audience plenty of opportunity to ask questions after the reading. She said the reading was beneficial for students who wish to become writers one day.

“It showcases what the great professors of Tech are capable of,” she said.

“I think reading his book would also help students that are interested in writing become better writers. Reading always helps

people become stronger writers and his book seemed really interesting.”

Smith said he hopes students who read the book learn about the history of Vietnam but also have fun reading it. Smith also said readers often ask him what part of the story he writes in his books are fiction or reality.

“First and foremost, I hope students will be entertained – to believe what they read,” Smith said.

“Many people who have read both of my books constantly ask me what part is true. And I can’t tell you what part is true, because it ruins the experience for the readers. But if I can get people to think so much of it is true, I have done my job.”

Smith said the novel was inspired by watching his mother receive letters from her relatives about the state of Vietnam during the war.

“They were a prosperous rich family,” he said.

“To see them be brought down to a level of poverty was heartbreaking for her to read about and learn about. So that was the inspiration, the idea that a character would want to abandon her own family in America and go back to Vietnam. Regardless of how corrupt the system is, she is willing to go back to be with her father.”

> see SMITH page 6

Women’s history course to return to Tech STARLA GATSON Staff Reporter | sjg021@latech.edu The Louisiana Tech history department will focus on women who shattered the social norms of their time with the revival of the women’s history course.

The class will be reintroduced during winter quarter and will be taught by Kristen Burton, a visiting professor of history.

Burton said the course will fo-

cus on historical narratives that are not typically studied as well as the way women rebelled against gender norms of the period.

“The class itself is going to be focused on the 17th through 19th centuries, roughly,” Burton said.

“It’s going to look at the history of women involved in what I’ll be referring to as the Colonial Atlantic world. We’re looking more specifically at the way women engaged this history and kind of

shook it up in a way that a lot of people don’t really think about.”

Burton said the class’s title, “Witches, Pirates and Patriots: Women in the Colonial Atlantic World,” refers to a few of the course’s main study points, including women being tried as witches and women in battle settings.

“Going along with the title of the class, we’re going to look at the way women were accused of

witchcraft, why specifically this outbreak happened and what kind of role women played in perpetuating these accusations,” she said. “We’ll also be looking at the way women engaged in warfare, specifically women disguising themselves as soldiers and fighting in the Revolutionary War or in a more subversive way as pirates.”

Burton, a research fellow at the Waggoner Center for Civic Engagement and Public Poli-

cy, said preparing to teach the course gave her an opportunity to research a subject she had not previously studied in detail.

“It’s not a class that I’ve done before,” she said. “But I’ve taught in this area, as I’ve taught a course on the history of alcohol in this time period, and I wanted to do something where I could get back in that period again.”

> see HISTORY page 6

NEWS

2 • The Tech Talk • November 10, 2016

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An old-fashioned brawl KAILEE COURTS

Staff Reporter | kec029@latech.edu

Students gathered in Dudley Circle with foam weapons in hand to participate in medieval style combat fighting.

The event was held by the Louisiana Tech Medieval Combat Club and was based on the game Dagohir.

Mohamed Mohamed is the president of the club and has held combat events since before the club was formed.

“I got started my freshmen year with a friend,” he said. “I was a resident assistant and made medieval combat fighting my event for residential life.”

Mohamed said the number of students attending the combat events has grown since he started four years ago.

“We first started with 50 or 60 people coming,” he said. “Now we have enough people that we were able to become a club.”

The Medieval Combat Club became an official organization on

Photo by Brian Blakely

Cameron Surrat, a senior mechanical engineering major, takes a swing at an enemy fighter during the Medieval Combat Club’s foam fighting event.

Tech’s campus during spring quarter.

Aminah Smith, a senior biomedical engineering student, said the combat event has been in the works for a few months.

“We have been excited about this event for a long time now,” she said. “A lot of planning and a lot of commitment have gone into making this event happen.”

Smith said most of the weapons used at the event were handmade, as well as some of the clothing that was worn.

“I’m the seamstress for the club and I made our flag and some of the clothing the guys have on,” she said.

“The clothes and the weapons give it the illusion that it is actually medieval combat.”

Morgan Kinney, a

freshman computer science major, said she enjoys watching the fights.

“It is cool because you can see the different styles of fighting people use,” she said.

“You can point out who the new people are and who the veterans are just by the way they are fighting.”

Kinney said she has seen combat fights like this before, but it is al-

ways nice to see different people having fun by fighting.

“There are lots of different people who come out to combat events,” she said. “I think it is kind of like a cool escape from reality.”

Michael Arnold, the combat club vice president, said practices are held every week.

“Practice is open to anyone who wants to come,” he said. “We get together to practice our skills and to learn to fight.”

Arnold said they start practice at 12:30 p.m. and end when everyone is ready to stop playing.

“The thing about medieval combat is once you start, you can’t stop,” he said. “I started eight years ago and it has been the best thing ever.”

Mohamed said the club is open to anyone who wishes to join the fighting.

“Once you pick up a sword, you are a fighter,” he said. “We are equal as fighters, and that is the cool thing about the club.”

RHA hosts Freshman Fiesta MORGAN BERNARD Staff Reporter | mrb056@latech.edu Freshmen met in the quad Nov. 3 to hang out with their friends, sing karaoke and eat free tacos.

The Freshman Fiesta, hosted by the Residence Hall Association, was a freshmen-exclusive celebration for the end of fall quarter. Free tacos and karaoke were available for students who attended.

Stephanie Clingenpeel, a junior forestry major with a concentration in wildlife, served tacos at the fiesta. She said the resident advisers like herself wanted to give freshmen more opportunities to be involved on campus and enjoy their time here at Tech.

“We have started planning a lot of events for the freshman class,” Clingenpeel said. “We are trying to get them more interested in coming out to things like this.”

She said this was the first freshman event held by the RAs for their residents and they plan to do more throughout the year.

“The plan is to have at least one freshmenonly event every quarter,” Clingenpeel said. “But we

will also have events for everyone to attend, like our Christmas potluck in winter quarter.”

Clingenpeel said she thought students enjoyed themselves at the fiesta and especially liked the free tacos.

“When you advertise free food, there is always a pretty good number of people that show up,” she said. “Then once they’re here and start having fun, they tell friends and even more people show up. I think it’s great because the more people that come, the more fun everyone gets to have.”

Clingenpeel said she wished she would have had more opportunities like the fiesta provided for her during her freshman year.

“I feel like when I was a freshman I had more free time than I do now,” she said. “So if there would have been events like this going on, I definitely would have enjoyed going and meeting new people.”

Noel Lee, a freshman civil engineering major, said she enjoyed the event and loved hanging out with her fellow freshmen.

“I like that they want-

Photo by Brian Blakely

Aasiyah Williams, a freshman marketing major (left); Marissa Roberston, a freshman indeterdisciplinary studies major (middle); and Raven Harlen, a freshman biology major (right) sing karaoke at the Residence Hall Association’s Freshman Fiesta. ed to give us a chance to celebrate our first quarter,” Lee said. “Your first quarter or semester at college is a big deal, so it feels good to celebrate it with people in the same situation as you.”

Kennedy Conlee, a freshman mechanical engineering major, said she loved the fiesta and had fun singing karaoke with

her friends.

“I had a great time with my friends and even met some new people here,” Conlee said. “It’s cool because I may have never met some of these people in other majors, so I would have missed out on knowing some great people.”

Conlee said she loved her first quarter at Tech

and she is excited for quarters in the future.

“It was a little crazy at first, but I think we’re all learning what college is like now,” she said. “I’ve gotten to know some amazing friends here at Tech. I love it here, and I definitely look forward to the rest of my time here.”

Tech Theater gives tour experience STARLA GATSON Staff Reporter | sjg021@latech.edu High school juniors and seniors got a glimpse into life as a Louisiana Tech theater student during the A Day with LA Tech Theater recruitment event.

The event, held Nov. 3, allowed the high school students to meet faculty members and sample six theater and performing arts courses, including stage combat and dance class.

Ashley Davis, a student recruitment coordinator for the theater department, said the day allowed the visiting students to learn more about the program before committing to the university.

“It’s a time where the juniors and seniors can tour our facility, get to meet the faculty and get to meet their future peers if they decide to come here,” Davis said. “So they kind of get a taste of what to expect when they come to school here.”

Davis said she thinks campus visits are important for prospective students to help them decide which university and major is right for them.

“I personally believe that when you are looking for colleges, it’s so important to go to the actual program and see what to expect and see if you fit there and if you like it,” she said. “This gives those high school students exactly that opportunity. It gives them a really good picture of all the things we represent here as a program.”

Jane Wallace, a teacher from Choudrant High School, said she brought her students to the event to give them a chance to see what resources and job opportunities would be available to them if they pursue careers in performing arts.

“I think it’s so important for the kids to see that there’s more that’s out there available, and they have these opportunities to be involved in the arts and in lots of different capacities,” she said. “They have dancing, they have stage management, they have fighting and they have acting. There are all different types of options for what you can do in the performing arts.”

Wallace said her students most enjoyed taking classes from faculty members because it allowed them to get advice from industry professionals.

“We came last year, and the kids loved it,” she said. “They enjoyed meeting new people, and they really enjoy seeing and hearing stories of people who have worked professionally.”

Kirsten Hutto, a junior at Choudrant High School, said she enjoyed the event because she was impressed with Tech’s theater curriculum as well as its faculty members.

“Overall, I think Tech has one of the greatest theater programs I’ve ever visited at a college,” Hutto said. “And it makes me want to come here even more because that’s what I’d like to major in. They’re really fun classes, and they seem to know a lot about what they’re doing.”

Davis said she hopes the students appreciate the smaller size and familiar atmosphere of Tech’s theater department.

“You’ve got those really big programs where you end up being a number instead of a name, and we’re kind of a smaller program that’s more family-like,” she said. “When I went to an event like this at a bigger school, I was a little overwhelmed. But I came here and saw it was so different, and I felt like I fit here more. And I think a lot of these students will feel that way as well.”

UPCOMING EVENTS FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

• Lady Techster basketball vs.

LSU, 6:30 p.m. @ the TAC

• Bulldog football vs. UTSA, 2:30 p.m. @ Joe Aillet Stadium

• No events scheduled

• Tailgate Olympics, 5 p.m. 8:45 p.m. @ Argent Pavilion

• No events scheduled

• No events scheduled

•Fall Quarter classes end

• Midnight Mocha @ the BCM, 8 p.m. - 12 a.m.

NEWS

www.thetechtalk.org

November 10, 2016 • The Tech Talk • 3

Tech seminar highlights observatory clear sky for deep sky photography.

Noah Michaels, a freshThis week, students man electrical engineerlearned about a not-so ing major, said he believes well known site owned by Tech should be more proactive in their efforts to Louisiana Tech.

On Nov. 3, John Shaw raise awareness about the gave a seminar on the his- observatory.

“The observatory is a tory and importance of very interesting and useTech’s astronomical obful tool for students, but, servatory.

“At Tech, we’re very I hadn’t known we had one prior to fortunate,” said Dr. Shaw’s lecShaw, a physture,” Michaels ics lecturer at said. “Even one Tech.

“Most of the faculty universities only members said have telescopes he didn’t know. for their physIt would just be ics programs, a good idea for so they’re conthem to prostantly having mote it better.” to disassemble Blaine Rutand reassemble land, a senior their equip- “I think it’s physics major, ment. One of important for said that the the nice things my students to observatory is about our obs e r v a t o r y see things with beneficial for though, is when their own eyes. students.

“The obsereverything is It’s one thing vatory encourworking cor- to talk about, ages students rectly, you can but its another to get involved just open up the thing to see it.” in extracurdoor and go.” ricular activiShaw said JOHN SHAW ties, such as the past six Physics lecturer a s t ro n o m i c a l months have research,” Rutbeen abnorland said. mally slow for the obserRutland said that he, vatory, which in previalong with the rest of ous years had been used the astronomy club, had monthly, but he would like previously been a part of to reintegrate it back into the efforts to renovate the his teachings. building.

“I think it’s important “I decided to help out for my students to see with repainting and the things with their own cleanup of the observaeyes,” he said. “It’s one tory because I’ve always thing to talk about, but it’s been interested in asanother thing to see it.” tronomy,” he said. “It gave According to Tech’s me an opportunity to help website, the observa- students in the future.” tory site sits directly in As for now, however, between Grambling and Shaw said there are no Simsboro at Camp Rus- immediate plans for the ton, an old WWII pris- observatory. oner-of-war camp. The “Right now, my big plan property was cleared of is to get more people intrees in the 1980s and is volved in the type of work now part of the Louisiana that we do there,” he said.

Tech Livestock Unit of “Having an observatory that can do the research Tech Farms.

Despite the close prox- ours does, and is availimity to Grambling, the able for undergraduate relocation has provided a search, is pretty unique.”

AMBER HARRINGTON

Staff Reporter | anh038@latech.edu

Photos by Ashley Kober

Above: Courtney Nash (left) a Tech alumi, and Hannah Aycock (right) a senior education major, perform a dance the Wesley Foundation’s music and arts festival at Railroad park.

Wesley Foundation hosts arts festival MORGAN BERNARD Staff Reporter | mrb056@latech.edu

Downtown Ruston was filled with the sound of music and the images of art Nov. 5 for the Wesley Foundation’s Art and Music Festival in Railroad Park.

The festival held an art show with works from several local artists for sale. There were also music, poetry and dance performances from other local talents. Free games and food were also provided for attendees.

Kendall Durr, a senior studio art major, said she saw the festival as a way for the Ruston community to come together while also expressing the work of local artists.

“We love the atmosphere at things like the farmer’s market, so we wanted to bring something like that to the

community,” Durr said.

“It’s also a great way for new artists to share their work. We have a lot artwork from fellow Tech students, and even preschoolers from local schools had their work added to the gallery.”

Dasia Canales, a ministry intern of the Wesley Foundation, said the foundation wanted to share individuals’ talents to express how they see God within art and music.

“We wanted to display these gifts that people in our community have because we see them as gifts given to them by God,” Canales said. “We believe we can experience Him through a lot of things like music, art and dance, and we wanted a way to show the rest of our community the way we experience it.”

Canales said she thought many people en-

joyed the festival’s arts and hoped for the same reaction at future events Wesley will host.

“I see families with their kids having fun at the games, and lots of people came when they heard the music,” she said. “We always publicize to Tech students, but we also wanted to get the Ruston community involved in things we do.

So, I think we succeeded in that today.”

Daija Frazier, a freshman business marketing major, said she enjoyed seeing people’s different talents at the event.

“This is a really cool way for people to show their creativity,” Frazier said. “You can hang out with friends, meet new people and check out some amazing art and music.”

Jamie Williams, a junior architecture major,

said she enjoyed the festival.

“My favorite part has been listening to the performers on stage,” Williams said. “I really like the poetry speakers and the music is pretty good too.”

She said the festival was a great time for the Ruston community and Tech students to come together.

“I think it’s great because it’s a chance for people who don’t normally go on campus to be able to see what kind of stuff we do outside of class,” Williams said.

“You may even meet some other students who you normally wouldn’t talk to on campus and become great friends. It’s awesome how we can come together as a community, and get to know each other a little better, while also having fun.”

Ruston Happy Holiday Market hosts local vendors KACIE KAUFMAN Staff Reporter | kjk019@latech.edu

The holiday season appeared in Ruston along Farmerville Highway in the form of booths offering an array of items from gifts to holiday-themed products.

The Happy Holiday Market, Arts, Crafts, and Vintage Fair featured over 60 vendors from the area on Nov. 5 hosted by My Happy Place Vintage Market.

Summer Hammons, owner of the market, said the event was a chance for people to transition into the holiday sea-

son and meet holiday shopping needs. The event even featured pictures with Santa.

“We wanted the holiday spirit to fill the air,” she said.

Hammons said the day was a way to bring in a greater number of vendors than she was able to normally highlight in her store.

“We come into contact, being in this kind of business, with so many wonderfully talented people,” she said. “We wanted to come up with an ideal way to feature them and utilize them, seeing as we only have so much store.”

Hammons said she was glad

to do her part in offering a venue for area artists and businesses to showcase their products.

“I hope that people will continue to do things like this so these people will have a way of spotlighting their work,” she said.

Rachel Sims, a Tech alumna, had a tent at the event for her business, Mystic Moonrise. She said she sold her products online and at markets and fairs.

“It’s just good to have several events in Ruston that allow artist to showcase their work,” she said.

Sims’s unique offerings in-

cluded artwork and dyed clothing items.

“Mandalas are my body of work, so geometry and patterns in nature are what inspire my work,” she said.

Sims said the market also helped give college students more options for weekend activities.

“I think college students just like to have events to come to on the weekends,” she said. “They can do something different and get off campus.”

Jordan Whaley, a senior fine arts major, said the market had diverse offerings to choose from.

“I think it’s really great because there are different booths here. We like to go to a lot of these (markets) and some of them are all craft booths. But they have antiques and clothing places here so it’s a wide variety.”

Whaley said she hoped to get her Christmas shopping taken care of early through the event and find one-of-a-kind items for friends and family.

“You can find unique things for yourself, for your house, or for your friends for gifts,” she said. “It’s a good way to spend your Saturday.”

www.thetechtalk.org

4 • The Tech Talk • November 10, 2016

The

TechTalk

FROM THE EDITOR

The real winner

MANAGEMENT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Rachel Maxwell

RACHEL MAXWELL Editor-In-Chief | ram049@latech.edu

MANAGING EDITOR Caleb Daniel

FEATURES EDITOR Payton Potter

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Payton Potter

SPORTS EDITOR

Matthew Valcho

PHOTO EDITOR

Brian Blakely

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Colin Fontenot Jonathan Shaul Ashley Kober Danny Do

ADVISERS

T. Scott Boatright Dr. Judith Roberts

D

onald Trump was not the only winner this Tuesday night. Racism won. Sexism won. Xenophobia won. Rape culture won. All those bad things that we’ve been fighting against for decades, all those things won.

If that sounds dramatic, think about what implications Trump’s presidency actually has on our society. Because even if Trump’s presidency is not disastrous for our country on a policy level, the social damage has already been done.

I hope Donald Trump does a great job the next four years. I

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F

rom Mac and PC consumers to Democrat to Republican voters, there is no doubt the world is getting more and more polarized. I have seen people on Facebook argue over religious ideas, celebrity scandals and cell phones. I have seen divisive and often cruel tweets shared between blue and black lives matter supporters. And I have been shockingly disappointed in the behavior of the people involved in creating this division.

I believe this ever-growing divide has been caused by social media. Almost everyone has immediate access to a number of different social platforms, and very rarely does anyone hold themselves back from using those platforms to publicize their opinion.

Take, for example, the shooting of the Cincinnati Zoo’s gorilla, Harambe. In mere hours, the internet exploded into a Harambechasm of people siding with the gorilla and people siding with the

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zookeepers. Suddenly, everyone was a gorilla expert or a parenting expert.

I have to admit, I have been guilty of polarized posting. Even as recently as the Harambe incident, I remember firing off a tweet or two in support of the gorilla.

But the constant divide is becoming harder to ignore, and the impact is becoming frightening.

Here is an example of what I mean. When I publish a Facebook post in support of Harambe or against Donald Trump or about my trusty Apple computer, my followers and friends can classify and qualify me based on my opinions and interests. Likewise, I form an opinion about them when I see where they stand on issues.

Sometimes, I might even comment on their posts, creating an argument. As the 2016 election rolled around, more and more social media users began posting about who they supported and who they despised. As information about the candidates began to surface, it seemed like an already divided America began to pull even farther apart.

It is natural to desire affirmation. That is why we, myself included, surround our selves, whether in real life or online, with people who agree with us. It feels good to talk with like-minded peers, but it easily turns into an usagainst-them situation that results in a stalemate. We might even believe we are entitled to our own way of thinking – or that someone with a dissenting opinion has no right to speak it. But to believe and perpetuate this selfishness only widens the divide and disrupts our lives and interactions.

Differences in opinion are okay – cruel comments are not.

Facebook posts are okay – name calling is not. Supporting a movement is OK – disrespecting others is not. Luckily, a solution is simple.

Respect and understanding go a long way, and self-censoring your online presence with mutual respect in mind can begin to heal our divided country.

Payton Potter is a senior journalism major from Farmersville, Texas, who serves as features editor for The Tech Talk.

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Rachel Maxwell is a junior journalism major from Benton who serves as editor-in-chief for The Tech Talk.

Polarized posting

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has no meaningful consequences.

We have told minority groups that their safety comes second to our distaste for “political correctness.”

We have told a whole generation of young Americans that the way you treat other people does not matter at all.

So, I hope that President Trump does a great job. But that won’t take back the message that we have already sent. Because even if he is everything we could ask for in a President, the American people chose the person he was during the election.

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hope he doesn’t embarrass us internationally. I hope he does not continue to incite violence against oppressed groups. I hope he magically transforms into the type of person suited to run a major global power.

He has a lot of people monitoring him now, and his acceptance speech does make me hopeful that he will actually be a better person during his presidency than he was during his campaign. However, even if he does a fantastic job, we have still sent a very clear message to everyone in America.

By electing President Trump, we have told men in America that objectifying, verbally abusing and even sexually assaulting women

Double check those rankings MATT VALCHO Sports Editor | mvv002@latech.edu

I

n the latest Associated Press rankings released this week, five undefeated schools remain, four of which make up the top four: Alabama at one, Michigan at two, Clemson coming in at three, and rounding out the top is Washington at four.

The final undefeated school is the Western Michigan Broncos.

WMU plays in the Mid-American Conference, which barely registers on anyone’s radar as one of the premier conferences in the country. That makes it all the more ridiculous that WMU is sitting at 14 in the AP poll.

Of those five left without a loss, the obvious one out of place would have to be the Broncos.

They’re one of only two group of five schools to be ranked in the AP poll, the other being Boise State at number 24.

WMU’s schedule was in the

middle of the pack in difficulty in the preseason, including non-conference matchups with Illinois, Northwestern, Georgia Southern and FCS foe North Carolina Central. The FBS schools in that list are a combined 11-16 so far on the season.

That being said, I find it insane that Western Michigan is sitting as high as they are in the AP poll.

The College Football Playoff poll has them at 21, which is a bit more realistic of a team of their caliber.

Boise is sitting right behind them in the CFP poll at 22.

There is no easy way to rank Group of Five schools like Boise or WMU. Their schedules are usually weaker and their conferences lack competition. The games they play against Power Five schools are usually one sided except for the occasional upset.

I personally find it hard to believe that an undefeated WMU is better than a three loss LSU or

Arkansas. Bring the Broncos into Fayetteville or Death Valley on a Saturday night and the number next to their name will disappear the next week.

WMU or Boise could probably come to Ruston and either have a close game with the Bulldogs, or blow them out. There’s no true answer. But I think it would be a close game. So why doesn’t Tech get any recognition nationally despite some big blowout wins?

Sure, Tech lost to the Power Five schools, but their opponents are arguably tougher than WMU’s.

I could easily be wrong, but until I see evidence of that, I think the ranking system needs some tweaks and some new factors added to the equation. Even then, there’s no way everyone will be happy with outcome. Myself included.

Matt Valcho is a senior journalism major from Benton who serves as sports editor for The Tech Talk.

Should news sites allow clickbait links?

For years, reading news online has meant seeing rows of links labeled “Around the Web” or “Recommended for You” that do their best to draw readers in. Interesting – and sometimes fake – images are combined with snappy headlines to entice that all-important click.

Now, news publishers are beginning to reconsider whether allowing this type of advertising is really in the company’s best interest.

Last month, popular outlets The New Yorker and Slate stopped their running of these ads.

Slate president Keith Hernandez cited the unprofessional connotations associated with the ads as a reason for this decision.

“It is not the right look if you’re trying to say you’re a high-quality, upper-tier website — if you have something like this on it — and I think it’s time for us to be honest about that,” Hernandez said.

Even with these outlets dropping out of the clickbait ad game, a study by nonprofit ChangeAdvertising.org found 41 of the top 50 news sites embed widgets from “content-recommendation” companies such as Taboola and Outbrain.

The question remains: should news publications allow this type of advertising?

In addition to the general negative feeling toward these links that Hernandez cited, these ads can also lead to an embarrassing or offensive case of juxtaposition. An article about cutting down on cyber-bullying could be followed by a link to a “story” titled “10 Savage Roasts You’ll Want to Save for Later.”

These ads can also lead to clickbait sites featuring even more ads and inappropriate content. Some say this leads to a loss of credibility for the original news site. People often associate these links with cheap entertainment or clickbait sites rather than first-class news publishers.

On the other hand, this form of advertisement is a large moneymaker for many publications.

“As this space has grown up, this is becoming a very significant percentage-wise revenue source for publishers,” said Matt Crenshaw, vice president of product marketing at Outbrain. ““We have been told from major, major publishers that we have become their No. 1 revenue provider.”

Perhaps the possibility of legitimate publications having to shut their doors outweighs the potential bad publicity of these clickbait ads.

Even if use of these ads should continue, some say the publications should change how they are presented. They are very clearly advertisements and should always be labeled as such. Current labels like “Around the Web” may not be very clear with what they are offering.

Time will tell whether these decisions from The New Yorker and Slate are mere outliers, or if they mark the beginning of a revolution in online advertising. It is safe to say readers will be better off without clickbait, but what about the publishers?

November 10, 2016 • The Tech Talk • 5

www.thetechtalk.org

‘Doctor Strange:’ A Strange new world CALEB DANIEL Managing Editor | csd020@latech.edu

The world of Marvel is big.

From the streets of New York to other galaxies to the realm of the Norse gods, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has continually expanded the scope of stories from which it draws.

Rather than running out of room, Marvel’s newest release introduces fans to a whole new world: the multiverse.

“Doctor Strange,” directed by Scott Derrickson, is a fast-paced, sometimes trippy tale of extradimensional conflict that lives up to its name. Instead of following the same old formula to box office success, the film adds some new twists and risks to the Marvel method while still maintaining the same feel that makes these movies so lovable.

Stephen Strange, played by the always-delightful Benedict Cumberbatch, is a brilliant, conceited neurosurgeon whose career ends abruptly after a car accident leaves his hands permanently damaged. Strange heads to the East, hoping to learn how he might be cured. Instead, he

Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios

learns how to wield magic from other worlds.

This magic is the most dominant and eye-catching aspect of the film. Sorcerers bend reality in mind-blowing special effects that make “Inception” seem almost normal. Gravity, time, space and many other forces are thrown outside of their usual bounds to create refreshingly new types of action.

This action is the first way in which “Strange” departs from the routine superhero film. Opening up so many new ways for the

characters to interact with their surroundings led to some truly unique and creative fight scenes.

These scenes were a welcome break from the usual beat-’em-up superhero method.

While Strange’s magic was mind-bending and otherworldly, its origin is grounded in something that almost resembles science. The doctor’s mystic power comes not from some unexplainable hocus pocus; instead, it is power drawn from other dimensions, an idea that, while fictional, sounds almost within our broad-

ening realm of possibility. Multiverse theorists will have a fun time dissecting this one.

Though wildly popular, the MCU has met with its fair share of complaints. In “Doctor Strange,” Derrickson seeks to address several of these.

Marvel movies have been accused of focusing on the heroes to the expense of the villains.

Rather than the usual, one-dimensional villain bent on world domination, Kaecilius (Mads Mikkelsen) is given layers of motivation and development.

In addition, while still two hours long, the plot of “Doctor Strange” is more streamlined than the usual winding Marvel path. One plot development quickly leads to another without bogging the reader down in background and distraction.

Superhero movies have also been accused of leaving too much collateral damage in the wake of their stars. Without spoilers, I can say the climax of “Doctor Strange” is quite on-the-nose in its addressing of this issue.

Despite the many ways in which “Doctor Strange” strays from the beaten path, it is still a Marvel movie. Cumberbatch’s protagonist is in the same arrogant-but-silly vein as Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man. This is still a story of a normal-guyturned-hero thrust into a dire situation to save the world.

As several references (including some exciting ones in the after-credits scenes) seem to indicate, Doctor Strange appears to be along for the ride in the grand Avengers-led story arc that Marvel has led us down for years. As a fan of the comics, I believe this is one character who badly needed to be included before the final showdown.

With Strange now on board, I am more excited than ever to see what the MCU has in store for us next.

‘A Capella Fever’ spikes at Tech theater department the Dixie Center for the Arts opens French classic ‘Tartuffe’ AMBER HARRINGTON

Staff Reporter | anh038@latech.edu

This week, folks of all ages were given a little taste of the past with some barbershop favorites.

The Dixie Center for the Arts hosted “A Capella Fever,” featuring: River Cities Jubilee Chorus, Rhapsody, Bayou Blend Quarter and Piney Hills Harmony Chorus Nov. 5.

The groups sang various classics such as: “Dancing Queen,” “Under the Boardwalk” and “Life is a Highway.”

They also turned some attention to more spiritual pieces like “Swing Low Sweet Chariot” and “Shut the Door, Keep Out the Devil.”

“I think this is a wonderful way to get the community involved in the arts,” said Sheila Nugent, the director of Piney Hills Harmony Chorus. “These types of events sends the message that art is alive and well in Ruston, and we should do everything we can do keep it flourishing.”

Nugent said this year the event served as a fundraiser for MedCamps of Louisiana, a one-week summer camp for children with chronic illness-

es and disabilities. the Dixie Center, Libby “Every year we do a English, said the Dixie show, we benefit a dif- holds a very important ferent organization,” she place in the community said. “Medcamps is a and the town. great cause, and we’re “The Dixie is a place happy to raise awareness to showcase all the talabout it.” ent around Ruston while Jerry Sapp, a Louisiana also being a place for kids native and and families conditioned “I think these to come out concert goer, and enjoy said beyond fundraising themselves,” just enjoying events let the she said. “It’s the perfor- community know a win-win mance, he situation, likes to at- that people really and that has tend these do care about been our vievents to see each other. It’s a sion since some of his the day we small reminder friends. refurbished “The mu- that nobody is the theater sic is great, forgotten.”

10 years but I espeago.” cially love to English mingle with JERRY SAPP also encourthe people,” concert attendee ages Louihe said. “You siana Tech never know students inwho you’re going to run terested in being a part of into.” the efforts, or even those Sapp also said he’s pursuing careers in the grateful for the Dixie Cen- arts, to volunteer at the ter and its willingness to theater. support local fundraisers “Students interested in such as Medcamps. volunteering can help us “I think these fundrais- take up tickets, seat peoing events let the com- ple, paint props or things munity know that people like that,” she said. “Espereally do care about each cially, for students who inother,” Sapp said. “It’s a spire to be an actor or acsmall reminder that no- tress, or anyone with any body is forgotten.” artist abilities, there are a One board member at lot of opportunities here.”

DILLON NELSON

Staff Reporter | djn005@latech.edu “Tartuffe,” the classic 1664 comedy by French playwright Molière, ran from Nov. 1 to Nov. 6 at the Stone Theater. Attendees laughed along to the tale of Tartuffe, a religious hypocrite, and his attempt to finesse himself into high society.

Collin Cagle, a senior theater major and the titular scoundrel himself, said the reason the character is such an effective one is because of how he can change his persona from believer to deceiver on a dime.

“One moment he’s this big, religious, pious figure and the next he’s alone with one of the girls and he’s that totally different, swindler,” he said. “I felt like I should play both sides of the coin as over-thetop, one just as far as the other.”

Cagle said his character’s delayed entrance is part of what helped him really sell his character.

“It was really nice to see the other characters set the scene because they see Tartuffe for exactly who he is; this is all except for Orgon,” he said. “It gives me a chance to think, ‘just how slimy can I make this guy?’ and try to play off of them as I enter.”

Travis Fontenot, a graduate theater student, played Orgon. He said he considers his character to be obsessed with Tartuffe and someone who can see no fault with him at all.

“He made Tartuffe his passion, and, as he says in his lines several times, he even cared more for him than his wife and children,” Fontenot said. “I think I related to him because theater is my passion, and I was able to take that same passion and use it to play Organ.”

Michele Dormaier, the costume designer, said she is a longtime theater student and big fan of Molière. She said

she was giddy for the opportunity to design for a Molière play because she has always had a good idea of the costumes she would design for them, especially “Tartuffe.” She said she really wanted to capture the spirit of the post-Elizabethan, Restoration theater-style comedy the play was written with in mind.

“It’s a great period and rich with a lot of detail, meaning and opportunity to be creative and give people an idea of what the upper class looked like,” Dormaier said. “I mostly wanted to be fun and to reveal insight into what types of characters these are and what their relationships with each other are.”

Dormaier said she specifically wanted to bond Valere and Mariane, the two young lovers whose relationship is threatened by Tartuffe, through their whimsical costume colors. She said strengthening this relationship by these means really instilled a sense of stakes in the play “He had pink bows on his shoes to match all of her pink for example,” she said. “Touches like these allow the audience to subconsciously see that these two are really meant to be together; we wanted them to seem incomplete when not on stage with each other.”

Cherrie Sciro, the director of “Tartuffe,” said she does one play for Tech each year and decided to do “Tartuffe” because it is a play she has admired for a long time. She said the dynamic between gullible Orgon and the duplicitous Tartuffe should resonate to all audiences, no matter what time period.

“Everyone has their own convictions and things they think they are absolutely sure of, and we want people to take stock of that and say, ‘Oh gosh, I know that person and am that person at times’,” she said. “I think it’s rather funny that we can look at and laugh out loud about it while learning a lesson from it.”

www.thetechtalk.org

6 • The Tech Talk • November 10, 2016

WEEKLYHOROSCOPE www.horoscopes.com.net

Aries March 21 – April 19 Is there someone persecuting you, Aries? Is there a situation that feels unbearably oppressive? Today you won’t have any trouble identifying the source of your problems. And the great news is that is the first step toward obtaining release from them. But you can’t expect it to be easy. The day ahead may feel somewhat overwhelming.

Taurus Apr 20 - May 20 Although your current mood is somewhat reserved and modest, you probably feel tempted to strut your stuff every once in a while. However, if you try to show off today, Taurus, you may not be very pleased with your reception. It’s natural for you to want to impress people, but you must try to do it with genuine qualities and simplicity. That’s true good taste!

Gemini May 21 - Jun 20 Obviously, you have an important role to play, Gemini.

The mood today may be somewhat frustrating, but the way you handle it will earn you rewards and recognition in your workplace or at school. Your strength, self-control, and stability made the difference between success and failure. You can and should be proud of yourself.

Cancer Jun 21 - Jul 22 You will feel as though your back is against the wall, Cancer. And this particular wall is impeding your progress. Others will ask you questions and ask for your opinion. You may want to tell them the “truth” as you understand it, and you could be tempted to do so humorously. Humor isn’t your forte right now.

You can always try, but for now a sensible approach is the best one.

Leo Jul 23 - Aug 22 Today is likely to be a bit gray, Leo. You won’t be able to see how you can get out of your current situation.

You may have some financial or physical problems at the moment. If this is the case, it’s because you don’t rely enough on your abilities and good sense to pull you through. It’s possible that you don’t take care of your body as well as you should. That’s easily remedied.

Virgo Aug 23 - Sep 22 You’re wasting your energy, Virgo, and you know it.

You go out to dinner, attend parties and shows, but you’re never really present. You listen to people but what they’re saying doesn’t interest you in any fundamental way. Yes, you’re bored, and you’re afraid

to admit it to yourself. The depth of your inner search requires that you use a lot of energy to reexamine your life.

Libra Sep 23 - Oct 22 It isn’t always easy to think about how your life is going, Libra. Imagine if you were alone in the world, with nothing to hold you back or force you to do anything. At least once a month dedicate an hour to visualizing what your life would be like under these conditions. This will help you figure out what’s impeding you today.

Scorpio Oct 23 - Nov 21 Now is the time to be thinking about your professional orientation, Scorpio. You may need to get some more fun in your life and experience pleasures that you’ve never had before. You have a certain tendency to separate the two worlds of work and play, but there’s no need. In fact, your work will prosper once you discover ways to make it more playful.

Sagittarius Nov 22 - Dec 21 You may be worn out, Sagittarius, but you will have to push forward anyway. You’re entering a long period of work and perseverance. This definitely isn’t the moment to be late or balk. If you’re still in your pajamas at noon, you should be ashamed! Do what you can to wake yourself from your recent daze. It’s time to get up and get moving!

Capricorn Dec 22 - Jan 19 In a series of days that have tested your patience to the limit, here comes the moment of truth that could make or break you. You can expect a high-pressure day when you will be induced to express your deepest motivations. A confrontation with an authority figure could trigger an outburst. Do your best to remain levelheaded, Capricorn.

Aquarius Jan 20 - Feb 18 Are you hankering for a little fun and longing for a little experimentation and perhaps even childish play? Tempting as these prospects are, you will have to ignore them. Aquarius, you simply don’t have the time, at least not today. You will be too busy coping with numerous little emergencies that crop up and having to justify your decisions throughout the day.

CROSSWORDPUZZLE

HIGH 71 LOW 42

>

65. Texas shrine 66. Ethereal 67. Terminates 68. Thermoplastic yarn

Across 1. Surgery souvenirs 6. Pulverize potatoes 10. “Carmina Burana” composer 14. Infield fly 15. ___ fixe (obsession) 16. Skater Lipinski 17. Omit in pronunciation 18. Zip ___DooDah 19. Coup d’___ 20. Like a dog 22. Remove from action 24. Ball belle 26. Aztec god of rain 27. Antiapartheid activist 31. Green prefix 32. Furnishings 33. Secret supply 36. Involuntary muscular contraction 39. Fly high 40. Verbal exams 41. Ho Chi ___ City 42. Bambi’s aunt 43. Bit of wisdom 44. Artist Matisse 45. Hawaiian food 46. Flexible 48. King of pop 51. Kyoto currency 52. Interpose 54. Throughout the duration of 59. Trent of the Senate 60. Somewhat 62. I agree!

63. Let’s just leave ___ that 64. Grime

Down 1. Blueprint detail, for short 2. Soft drink choice 3. Neat as ___ 4. Designer Gernreich 5. Big consumer 6. Actress Farrow 7. Puts two and two together 8. Now you ___...

9. Careless 10. Verdi opera 11. 2:1, e.g.

12. Former French currency 13. Destiny 21. Conger 23. Per 25. Iraqi port 27. Gds. 28. Long time 29. Final Four org.

30. Type of mouse 34. Cigarette ingredient 35. Kind of cat 36. Windshield option 37. Crucifix letters 38. Modish 40. An amorous glance 41. Parisian possessive 43. Needy 44. Sacred langur 45. Attractive 47. Conducted 48. Benjamin 49. Rose oil

DAILY U

50. Kind of kitchen 52. Hip bones 53. American football measure 55. Count (on) 56. Romance lang.

57. Hurler Hideo 58. Continue 61. Skid row woe

LAST ISSUE’S SOLUTION

Have any ideas for future comics or feedback? Email dwyer@latech.edu

Pisces Feb 19 - Mar 20 Do you feel as though your self-expression is being stifled, Pisces? Perhaps you need more time to choose a direction in life. Today, you can expect to feel a lot of pressure from someone close to you.

You will feel forced to satisfy this person’s demands.

Annoying as this may be, you can take comfort in the knowledge that he or she has your best interests at heart.

WEEKLYWEATHER TODAY

www.bestcrosswords.com

FRIDAY

HIGH 76 LOW 47

www.accuweather.com SATURDAY

HIGH 68 LOW 43

SUNDAY

HIGH 69 LOW 48

MONDAY

HIGH 75 LOW 51

ELECTION from pg. 1

TJ Pittman, a junior political science major, said the mood on campus after the election was tense.

“It’s a new energy, because Donald Trump isn’t a politician,” he said. “I feel like that’s what spoke to a lot of people.

One thing I think Hillary Clinton didn’t capitalize on as much was being relatable and human to the people. I wouldn’t say the mood is positive or negative I just think people are anxious to see what he will do.”

Seabaugh said she hopes Trump takes a reassuring tone in the coming days.

“I want him to show that he doesn’t hate minorities,” she said.

“I feel like everybody thinks that he does, and I really don’t think that is true. He’s made some outlandish comments and so

TUESDAY

HIGH 74 LOW 47

> people have jumped to that conclusion. He needs to try to unify the country more. He needs to show that he’s not a white male elitist, because I don’t think he really is.”

Smith said despite his disappointment in the results, he is hoping for the best.

“He has promised to be the best and the greatest,” he said.

“While I hope he is the president for all of us, I’m very skeptical.

But Hillary called us to have an open mind. That’s all I can give him right now. As any American, even if you voted against Obama, you should have hoped the best for his presidency because that directly affects every single one of us. I hope the very best for Donald Trump and his presidency, because, like it or not, he is the president-elect.”

SUDOKUPUZZLE Difficulty HARD

WEDNESDAY

HIGH 73 LOW 46

LAST ISSUE’S SOLUTION

Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 grid contains the digits 1 through 9.

HISTORY from pg. 1

Burton said she believes the course’s subject matter is significant because the topic of women breaking gender norms in history has long been avoided, and the acknowledgment of it as a historical subject is a relatively recent development.

“A lot of people don’t talk about these narratives,” Burton said. “For a long time, women weren’t even a part of historical studies and narratives. It wasn’t until the 1970s that historians even began looking at women as not just a topic of study but as a historical subject in their own

www.sudoku-puzzles.net

right.”

Burton said she hopes the course will allow students to gain a better understanding of the women they will study and apply the issues they faced to the current age.

“I want to see students think about the way people identify gender and the expectations of gender roles for both women and men,” she said. “I’d like the students to come away from this class with a more critical view of women’s roles and what it means to be a woman in today’s society versus in the past.”

>

SMITH from pg. 1

Critics said Smith’s novel engages readers while bringing issues from the Vietnam War to the surface.

“Smith skillfully balances the philosophical and the surreal in a powerful novel that explores identity in post-Vietnam War America,” said Eric Nguyen from diaCRITICS. org. “His unforgettable cast of characters ache with life and humanity as they struggle to find a place where they belong and the love that they deserve.”

Neil Connelly,

author of “The Midlife Crisis of Commander Invincible,” “Buddy Cooper Finds a Way” and “St. Michael’s Scales,” said Smith successfully portrays complex issues such as race and war in his novel.

“Part comingof-age, part historical family drama, part love story, and all good,” he said.

“Smith bravely tackles the tribulations of being biracial, the impact of a mother’s abandonment, and the far-reaching consequences of war.”

www.thetechtalk.org

More Talk

November 10, 2016 • The Tech Talk • 7

Ballard’s

Ballads rock The Revelry L

KACIE KAUFMAN Staff Reporter | kjk019@latech.edu

ouisiana Tech students and Ruston community members packed the floors of The Revelry of Ruston in anticipation of the night’s concert.

Frankie Ballard took the stage at The Revelry Nov. 4 and serenaded the crowd with country hits such as “Young & Crazy” and songs from his new album, “El Rio.” Bailey Castille, a sophomore English major, said The Revelry created a unique concert experience.

“I think the outdoor feel adds to the very country atmosphere, and so do all the wood and barnlike qualities of it,” she said. “I think it lends itself to country music more than some other types of music.”

Castille said she had grown up listening to country, and although she listened to other genres, country music remained a favorite. She said she was excited to see Frankie Ballard perform live.

“I love country music, I love Frankie Ballard and his songs and what else is there to do on a Friday night?” she said.

Castille said she was looking forward to hearing “Sunshine & Whiskey” and “Started with a Beer.”

“They’re just catchy and ‘Started with a Beer’ is so romantic,” she said.

Res Clayton, a sophomore mechanical engineering major, said The Revelry is a distinctive hangout for Tech students.

“It’s The Rev, and everybody knows it — everybody who goes to Louisiana Tech,” he said.

Clayton said he does not frequent The Revelry often, but he usually attends when there is live music and a concert atmosphere available.

“It’s the friends, the music — just getting to be outside,” he said.

Alex Eddy, one of the owners of The Revelry, said concerts held at the venue have the goal of bringing more entertainment choices to the population of Ruston.

“Whether it be a date night or a night out with friends, it’s just more options and things to do in Ruston,” he said. “That’s us trying to do our part.”

Eddy said they sought out artists like Frankie Ballard who would bring energy and a wide audience to The Revelry.

“We try to pick artists who will appeal to everybody, not just one demographic,” Eddy said.

He said a main goal of The Revelry’s owners was to create a destination that suited the city’s needs.

“It’s just something that we’ve tried to tackle not just to own it to own it, but make it ours,” he said. “So we try to be in touch with what we think everyone wants from us within reason, and we do everything we can to make it accessible and fun.”

Eddy said he moved from New Orleans to Ruston to be part of the bar’s ownership.

“I moved up here to do this, and it’s something we’ve fully embraced and something we really take seriously,” he said. “We’re very hands-on for a reason, and we try to be in touch with our client base.”

Frankie Ballard pumps up the crowd during his performance at The Revelry.

Photos by Colin Fontenot

www.thetechtalk.org

8 • The Tech Talk • November 10, 2016

Dunkin’ Dogs ready to tip off season ALEX HEARD Staff Reporter | amh072@latech.edu The Louisiana Tech men’s basketball team enters yet another season without the Conference USA’s best player on the team.

Alex Hamilton, shooting guard and the C-USA’s reigning Player of the Year, graduated and was recently drafted third overall by the Santa Cruz Warriors in NBA Development League Draft.

Last season, Hamilton averaged 19.8 points, 5.7 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game.

Tech’s need to replace an exceptional guard comes just one year after they wondered how they would replace Kenneth “Speedy” Smith, point guard and the 20142015 C-USA Player of the Year.

Eric Konkol, head coach at Tech, said it will take a team effort rather than an individual player to replace Hamilton.

“Anytime you lose a really good player there is a transition period and I am comfortable with several guys stepping into new roles,” Konkol said. “You don’t just replace a great player with one guy – it does not automatically happen that way.

We have several players ready to elevate their games, one being Derric Jean as a sophomore, and he played big minutes as a freshman.”

Last season, Jean, a point guard, came off the bench and averaged 7.3 points, 3

rebounds and 2.2 assists per game. His shining moment was his full-court buzzer beater to beat Marshall in Huntington, West Virginia.

Konkol said he expects a breakout season from Jean this year.

“We are anticipating great growth from him this year,” Konkol said. “He will assume the point guard position and be able to provide some of the things Alex could provide for us.”

Konkol said a couple of newcomers will also bring a spark to the point guard position.

“We have some freshman that will play the guard position: D’Quan Bracey and Jalen Harris,” Konkol said. “They are going to be asked to play the guard position and have some playmaker responsibilities.”

Harris is a three-star recruit from Duncanville, Texas, while Bracey, also a threestar recruit, is from Baltimore, Maryland.

Konkol said he looks for two role players from last season to play even bigger roles this year for Tech.

“We need Jacobi Boykins and Quidar Davis to increase their production,” Konkol said. “Whether it be scoring points or rebounds or assists, we need them to do some of things Alex did.”

Tech opens the 2016-17 season against the South Carolina Gamecocks at 5:30 p.m. Friday in Columbia. The game can be heard on Z107.5 FM and will be broadcast on the ESPN SEC Network.

Photo by Donny Crowe/LA Tech Athletic Communications

Photo by Tom Morris/LATechSportsPix.com

Head coach Eric Konkol gives his team orders from the sideline during a game against Charlotte last season in the TAC. Konkol is in his second year at the helm of the team.

Erik McCree had a game-high 19 points and nine rebounds in the exhibition win against the Southern Arkansas Muleriders last week.

Blue Dogs beat Red Bulls in Fall World Series NEWS SERVICES For the second consecutive game, the Blue Dogs provided an offensive barrage in the first inning, on their way to a 12-6 victory over the Red Bulls to clinch the 2016 Fall World Series.

On Friday afternoon, it was the Red Bulls who struck first, stringing together three consecutive hits from Raphael Gladu, Jonathan Washam and Brent Diaz to move ahead 1-0. The Blue Dogs would get that run back and more in the bottom half of the first.

Parker Bates drew a leadoff walk and scored when Jordan Washam followed with a single to left field. Chase Lunceford stood in next and doubled off of the top of the centerfield wall, bringing home Washam and giving the Blue Dogs a 2-1 lead. After Cody Daigle was hit by a pitch and Colby Hamilton reached on a fielder’s choice, Mason Robinson stepped in with the bases loaded.

The junior college transfer from Wallace-Dolthan Community College blasted a grand slam over the wall in left center to put the Blue Dogs on top 6-1, all before the Red Bulls could record even an out in the first.

The Blue Dogs tacked on three more runs in the second inning, first on an RBI-single from Hamilton. Later in the inning, Robinson delivered another RBI on an infield single and Seth White followed with an RBI-single to centerfield. When the dust settled, the Blue Dogs led 9-1 after two frames.

“I thought the first inning was pretty indicative of the entire ball game,” head coach Lane Burroughs said. “Austin Harrison has been really good for us throughout the fall

and for whatever reason, his tempo tonight was not there.

Red jumped out early and ran themselves out of an inning. I was proud of them for jumping out and competing.

Austin has been good, but he could not find his tempo. The blue team took some great swings. Jordan Washam has been tremendous, especially in two-strike hitting. He had a couple more tonight. Chase Lunceford had the big home run and Mason Robinson had the grand slam. You get a six run lead and it is going to be hard to overcome it.”

The lone run in the first was the only run allowed by Tyler Follis, who tossed four innings with four strikeouts for the Blue Dogs.

“Follis was outstanding,” Burroughs said. “He has been that way all fall. We are excited about him going into the spring and he is battling for a weekend rotation spot.”

Casey Sullivan came on in relief for Harrison and threw four innings including three scoreless frames in the third, fourth and fifth inning.

“I will tip my hat to Casey Sullivan. I thought he calmed the storm,” Burroughs said. “We were looking at a run-rule and he came in and gave his team a chance throwing up three zeros. They battled back.”

“Marshall Boggs is banged up, so he isn’t moving around well. Holcombe is banged up, but he still had two quality at bats after his injury. They competed and kept battling.

I thought it was a good ball game, even though the score won’t indicate it.”

The Red Bulls struck for two in the fifth inning on a sacrifice fly from Diaz and an RBI-single from Matt Holcombe but those runs would be erased on a two-run home run courtesy of Lunceford.

Photo by Ken Robertson

Senior Jordan Washam stands at the plate during a matchup last season. Washam registered three extra-base hits in game one of the Fall World Series.