The Tech Talk 2.16.17 by The Tech Talk

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FEBRUARY 16, 2017

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VOLUME 91 • ISSUE 15

Threat of immigration ban affects Tech students KAILEE COURTS News Editor | kec029@latech.edu

Photo by Ashley Kober

Bobby Dowling, Lambright director, cuts the ribbon and opens the new hammock center in Hideway Park.

HANGING out at HIDEAWAY Geaux Hammock and Intramural Center set up group hang for Tech students

DILLON NELSON Staff Reporter | djn005@latech.edu

pring is just around the corner and, Louisiana Tech`s Intramural Center is encouraging students to let it all hang out with a little help from a Tech alumnus. Tech’s Intramural Center has paired with Geaux Hammock and its owner Clark Smith to set up hammock stations around campus. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held in Hideaway Park Wednesday, Feb. 8 before the prototype area was opened. Bobby Dowling, head of the Intramural Center, spoke before the ribbon was cut. “This is our test site that we’re going to begin with before we set up more around campus; we see many of them using the trees, but this makes it where they can get in a little community, talk and do homework together,” he said. “Students can now come up to Lambright and show us their ID, they can come here and then bring it back at the end of the day.” Dowling said he wanted to work with Smith because he was a Tech graduate. He said he also thought his idea sounded straightforward and beneficial to both entities.

> see GEAUX page 6

Emily Essex, Lambright events and intrumural coordinator, enjoys the new hammocks donated to the Lambright.

On Friday Jan. 27, President Donald Trump signed an executive order banning travel from seven Muslimmajority countries for 90 days and suspending all refugee admission for 120 days. This order came one week after he was officially sworn in as president. Although the ban has been temporarily blocked by federal courts, many Ameri- “When I first heard cans and immigrants alike are the news about still trying to the executive figure out what order, I was conthis means for cerned because the future of we work so hard our country. Daniel Er- to make internaickson, the tional students director for feel welcomed Inter national Student and here. Scholar Services, said there DANIEL are around 18 ERICKSON students that director for internawere affected tional student and by the ban, scholar services with 13 of the students being Iranian. “When I first heard the news about the executive order, I was concerned because we work so hard to make international students feel welcomed here,” he said. “It is sad that these students feel singled out now because of this.” Erickson said the students who have come from these countries have seen many different levels of security just to get to Tech. “It is a long process for students to go through before they can even get to America,” he said. “After they are accepted by the university, they then start getting background checks and all the other necessary precautions, and it does not stop there. Once they are in America, immigration services check back every quarter.” Erickson said the international student office is working hard to make sure the students from the affected countries know they are still welcome here. “[Tech president Les] Guice released a statement about the events and he has worked hard to express how welcome these students are,” he said. “Now it is our turn to show them that.” Mehdi Mofidian, a doctoral student in microsystems engineering from Iran, said he was shocked when he first heard the news.

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2 • The Tech Talk • February 16, 2017

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Black Student Union hosts fashion show MIA HESTER Staff Reporter | msh061@latech.edu Fashion can be expressed in many different ways, from exhibition shows to everyday wear. On Wednesday, Feb. 8, the Black Student Union at Louisiana Tech held its fashion show to celebrate Black History Month. The fashion show featured mostly Tech students and local designers. Some of the students who were in the show included Ashwin Anderson, a senior nursing major, and Staffanie Edwards, a junior education major. While some people are scared of getting in front of crowds, Edwards said she is not like that. “My favorite thing about being in the fashion show was walking in front of the crowd,” Edwards said. Edwards also said she enjoyed getting ready for the fashion show, because she likes getting pampered. “Black history was represented because it was a show to show all different types of black excel-

Photo by Danny Do

Students walk the runway during the Black Student Union Evolution Fashion Show. lence,” Edwards said. Anderson was in the show as well and said that black culture was in the fashion show. “I liked the opportunity to try something different and get in-

volved with black culture,” Anderson said. There were different parts of the show and each part featured its own theme. Denise Lewis, a sophomore

Tech students to design mural for city of Ruston STARLA GATSON News Editor | sjg021@latech.edu

have been helping to guide them, but for the most part, it’s like they’re working with the city as a client. It’s their unique style in the Many college students long to leave a design, so it’s been awesome to see them lasting mark on their cities, and two Loui- step up and take this on professionally.” Pleasant said the idea behind the mural’s siana Tech School of Design students have design is to show the diversity of Ruston the opportunity to do just that. Larry Pleasant and David Reid, who are and its residents. “The idea for the design was basically to both senior graphic design majors, have partnered with the city of Ruston and the combine both of our styles and encapsulate Ruston Lincoln Parish Convention and Visi- the overall look and feel of Ruston and the different personalities here,” tors Bureau (CVB) to design a mural to be unveiled this “I think it’s important he said. “We’re also trying to the excitement of each fall. for the city to display show different area and make fun, Nick Bustamante, studio whimsical things that people art program chair at Tech, artwork like this can be interesting in looking said the mural is one of three because it’s a good that will be painted this year thing for people to be at.” Pleasant said he thinks the and is the only one designed aware of the fact that mural will give Ruston resiby students. “This piece is going to be Ruston wants to be a dents a chance to see what local artists are creating. between the service roads part of the art com“I think it’s important for underneath Interstate 20,” he munity.” the city to display artwork said. “The city and the CVB like this because it’s a good are combining efforts to thing for people to be aware make this happen. The wall LARRY PLEASANT Senior graphic design major of the fact that Ruston wants size is 200 feet by 17 feet.” to be a part of the art comBustamante said the mumunity,” he said. ral has been a work in progReid said he and Pleasant have been ress since summer of 2016. “Sometimes people think when they see working on the design for a few months and large pieces of art like this that you just grab said working to bring their ideas to life is an a paintbrush and go for it, but I was meeting ongoing process. “We spent like two weeks doing initial with officials of the city in August,” he said. “They’ve been working on this for quite a sketches and exploring style and probably while. They’re still going to be working on spent another two or three weeks coming this through next quarter, and we will have up with layouts and compositions for the all the designs wrapped up by May, then my whole thing,” he said. Reid said he has enjoyed seeing the demural painting class will actually paint it in sign come to life during the planning stage, the fall.” Bustamante said designing the mural has and is eager to see it once completed. “It’s exciting,” he said. “It’s cool to see given Pleasant and Reid the opportunity to gain invaluable experience with working something we made on such a large scale, and I think it’s going to be really exciting to with a client and leading a design project. “It’s been awesome working with these see what it looks like blown up to a huge guys,” he said. “Tom Futrell and myself scale.”

speech pathology major, said black culture was represented in different way that she would never think of. “I liked the fashion show very much,” said Lewis. Lewis said that what made her

like the show was the music and the clothes. “My favorite scene was when the girls came out in their dressy clothes, the colors they were wearing were very whimsical and colorful,” Lewis said. Lewis said that she wanted to get the clothes that they were modeling. Jazmine Wright, a sophomore kinesiology major, said that she liked the spoken word the most. “There was spoken word and what I like about black culture is embracing something that’s a part of me that’s not really not favored in America,” Wright said. Wright said that she thought it was nice of the BSU to bring students together. “The outfits were all different each time they had a new collection on the show floor,” Wright said. Wright said that should have never guessed that the show is going to be as interesting as it was. “I do not go to fashion shows often, so I did not know what to expect,” Wright said.

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UPCOMING EVENTS FRIDAY

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• Bulldog Basketball v. FIU, 6 p.m. @ the TAC

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• Midnight Pancakes 9-10 p.m. @ Chi Alpha House

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7 PM - 9:30 PM @ Catholic Student Center

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• Midnight Pancakes 9-10 p.m. @ Chi Alpha House

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February 16, 2017 • The Tech Talk • 3

Legends collide at League club CALEB DANIEL News Editor | csd020@latech.edu

The basketball team may have been on the road, but last weekend Louisiana Tech was home to a different sort of student competition. The evening of Feb. 11 saw the culmination of the Tech League of Legends club tournament, hosted at the College of Business building and streamed live on Facebook, YouTube and the gaming video platform Twitch. Incorporating 60 players on 12 teams, this video game tournament was spaced out over several weeks and reached its climax with the semifinals Feb. 10 and the finals the following evening. Brian Greber, a sophomore cyber engineering major, played on the team known tongue-incheek as Insert Name Here. Despite stiff competition in the final round, the team emerged victorious. Greber said tensions ran high as the final competition progressed. “During group stage, we were joking around the whole time, but today was different,” Greber said. “Today was all about the game.” An extremely popular competitive video game, League is played by teams of five players each controlling a single “champion” character. These champions gain money and get stronger over time, with the objective of destroying the enemy stronghold to achieve victory.

“You kill stuff, you make money, you get stronger and you destroy the base,” Greber said. “That’s probably the game on the most basic level.” The League club had been dormant for several quarters, but club president Todd Laprairie and the other officers now have it up and running. Laprairie said while tournaments and competition are a big part of what the club does, their main focus is elsewhere. “We’re a gaming club, but at its core we want this to be a social thing,” he said. “That’s the big challenge for us. This game takes place online, so it can sometimes be hard to convince people to come out of their rooms. We’re working on ways to entertain people and have them come together.” Laprairie said his personal reasons for playing League tie in to his motivations for the club. “League is a social thing,” he said. “Getting people to come together and engage with friends, classmates, and clubmates is the best way to play the game.” Darryl Rayborn Jr., the secretary of the League club, said he was encouraged by the amount of students who participated in the club tournament. “This is the first tournament where we’ve been able to have so many teams compete,” he said. “I remember the first tournament they had only incorporated four teams, so this increase is phenomenal.” Rayborn, a junior computer

Photo by Danny Do

Above: Fans look on as players from teams Insert Name Here and Deus Volt engage in a match during the finals of the Louisiana Tech League of Legends club tournament. Below: The members of Insert Name Here coordinate their strategy during the final series of matches. They would end up winning first place in the tournament.

science major, said he hopes more League players around campus will consider taking part in club activities. “Come to League club – we offer a very friendly environment and community aspect,” he said. “We want you to be able to experience the atmosphere of playing with so many friends. We have people in the club who would love to help you grow in the game so you can enjoy it even more.”

Tech hosts LA Regional Science and Engineering Fair MORGAN BERNARD Staff Reporter | mrb056@latech.edu

enjoyed looking at every student’s work. Lindsey Keith-Vincent, a Elementary, middle and co-director of the fair, said high school students from she believed everyone inall around north Louisiana volved in the event had fun. “I think the students, judgcame together at Louisiana Tech Feb. 9 and 10 to par- es and viewers of the fair all had a great ticipate in the time these two Louisiana Redays,” Keithgion 2 Science Vincent said. and Engineer“It varies year ing Fair. to year on how Hundreds many particiof students pants we have, presented their but it was quite projects to a large number judges in the this year so it competition, was exciting to and the high see all the peoschool winners ple.” also received She said it the chance to “Since Tech is the is an honor to bring their proj- premier science have the reects to state and engineering gional fair at competition. Tech and beR e b e c c a school located in lieves it is the Roberts, an at- North Louisiana, perfect place to tendee of the have the comfair, said she it makes sense to petition. was impressed have the regional “Since Tech by many of the fair of engineeris the premier presentations science and given by the ing and science here on campus.” e n g i n e e r i n g students. school located “All of these in North Louikids have really LINDSEY siana, it makes amazing proj- KEITH-VINCENT sense to have ects,” she said. Director, Science and the regional fair “Some of these Technology Education of engineering are topics that Center and science I would never here on camthink about, so it is awesome to see what pus,” Keith-Vincent said. Mary Livingston, a judge their brilliant minds can of the fair, said the faculty come up with.” Roberts said it was her in charge of the competifirst year attending the fair in tion looks forward to it every support of her son, and she year.

“The opportunity to encourage young students who are interested in research is one of the things we enjoy most about the fair,” said Livingston, a psychology professor at Tech. “It is important to encourage and recognize young students in many dimensions such as art, humanities, music, sports and science, so they can develop their full potential.” Livingston said she feels judges, and others who participate in viewing the students’ projects, learn new things from many of the students. “The level of innovation and excitement that the young students bring to their projects is inspiring,” she said. “I have been told that some of the students’ projects have actually been commercialized and manufactured, which is an incredible accomplishment.” Livingston said by having the science and engineering fair at Tech, it has become very important in forming the futures of the participating students. “If you ask many of the science professors at Tech where they started, you will find many of them participated in the fair as young people,” she said. “The science fair is an important experience for recruiting for STEM disciplines. Encouraging the next generation of scientists and scientifically informed voters with critical thinking skills is something that benefits us all.”

Photo by Danny Do

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4 • The Tech Talk • February 16, 2017

THE DAILEE KAILEE

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I will ever loyal be

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have dreamed of the day I would receive my university diploma for a long time. For a while, it felt like the day would never come, but now it is here. I will be graduating from Louisiana Tech in a week and I am a bundle of mixed emotions. I am ready to be done with school, but I am terrified because that is all I have ever known. This will be the first time I am completing a year of school and do not have to think about going back. I am going to miss Tech and everything it has to offer. I am going to miss pulling allnighters in Tolliver and hanging out in the Union Board office. I am going to miss chicken bowl Wednesdays and all the Aramark workers who constantly have smiles on their faces. My time here has shaped me into the woman I am today, and I will forever be thankful for that. I am grateful to have gone to a university staffed with professors who do whatever it takes to see their students succeed. I am especially thank-

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now I am planning a graduation party. Because of my time here, I feel I am ready to take on the world. I am ready to finish this chapter of my life and start a new one. Life is full of milestones, and graduating college is one of them. It is time for me to see what the future holds, but before I can do that, I want to say thank you. Thank you, Louisiana Tech, for the last five years. It was not always easy, but I am thankful for the hardships. A lot of people told me not to change too much when I moved away for school, and I told them I would try not to. Looking back, I have changed a lot as a person, and I am not sorry for it at all. I am thankful to have been able to attend a university that allows its students to learn and grow in the best way possible. Thank you for the great memories, Tech. I will ever loyal be. Kailee Courts is a senior journalism and French major from Lake Arthur who serves as layout designer for The Tech Talk.

SK TODAY

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ful for Dr. Dolly Hurtig and Dr. Judith Roberts; these two professors have helped me map out my life goals and have been encouraging and inspiring every step of the way. I honestly would have been lost without them. I am thankful for the opportunities I had to serve on campus. Being a part of the Union Board gave me lifelong friends, as well as experiences and knowledge I will use in my career. Getting free T-shirts was definitely a plus, too. Being a student recruiter gave me a new appreciation for our university. I was able to learn more about the history and show future bulldogs the beautiful campus. Writing for The Tech Talk has been a journey. I may not have always liked it, but it has helped me become a better writer and person. It helped me find my voice. I will never forget the fun times I had playing intramural sports, even if I was not very good. I may not have attended football games regularly, but I am going to miss cheering on the Bulldogs in the Joe. It feels like just yesterday I was attending freshman orientation, and

My thoughts on the Grammys SARAH-KATHERINE SEMON Staff Reporter | sks033@latech.edu

hat’s my favorite season you ask? Award season. So far this award season has been sort of underwhelming, whether it be that I am not as invested as usual in nominees or the celebrities aren’t bringing their A-game to the red carpet, I’m just not impressed. So when the Grammys approached, I crossed my fingers in hopes that this award show would pull me out of my award season slump. Unfortunately, that was not the case. In years past, the Grammys have sparked Internet memes and inspired deep conversations. This year the whole tone of the show was sort of serious and dragging. Despite previous interviews with James Corden, host of the 2017 Grammys, who claimed to want to make the show a fun experience for everyone involved, his best efforts didn’t succeed.

His slap-stick opening and his carpool karaoke bit was a brief moment of comic relief before almost every celebrity who took the stage put in their two cents about the state of our country. The whole show was one big political statement, which I felt was unnecessary. Every chance a celebrity got they fired off their political standpoints and their personal feelings, and to me it overshadowed the point of the whole award show, to celebrate the year’s musical sensations. But fear not, the show was not a complete disaster: Beyonce and Adele were our knights in shining armor, here to save the Grammys. Beyonce’s golden, glowing performance was unearthly and breathtaking. What she brought to the Grammy stage was the definition of a performance. It made you want to watch, listen to and experience everything that was on the screen. Adele’s two performances were perfection, and though they were not

the production that Beyonce brought, she filled the Staples Center with her amazing voice. Despite the fact that she had technical difficulties at the Grammys for the second year in a row, she embraced it like only Adele could and stopped mid-song and asked for a do-over. All of the performers were really great, those who are well-known and those just getting their name into the music world. The tributes were touching, the music was powerful and the Grammys was somewhat of a success. There were surprising winners and winners we saw coming from a mile away. Of course, like with any award show, there were cringe-worthy moments, there were laughable moments and there were moments that will go down in Grammy history. Sarah-Katherine Semon is a sophomore journalism major from Shreveport who serves as reporter for The Tech Talk.

GUEST COLUMN

We need to talk DONNA THOMAS Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Department Chair

e need to talk. Those four words typically signal a serious conversation. Indeed, this conversation is difficult. I want to talk about something that most people don’t want to discuss — suicide. Talking about suicide is awkward. It’s unnatural. But we need to be willing to talk about suicide because remaining silent might mean losing someone we love. According to recent data from the Centers for Disease Control, a person in Louisiana commits suicide approximately every 13 hours. It is the third leading cause of death among people aged 15-34. If talking about suicide can lower the statistics, let’s talk. People who are depressed, anxious or use substances in a problematic way are at risk for suicide, especially when their problems are not addressed. People who experience stressful or traumatic events, or

those who endure prolonged stress such as bullying harassment, or serious relationship problems, are at increased risk of suicide. Diagnosis and treatment of mental health problems are critical steps to prevent suicide, but you don’t have to be a mental health professional to make a difference. So, how can you tell if someone is at risk? Potential warning signs are changes in the way a person talks, behaves or feels. Individuals at risk for suicide often speak as if there is little or no hope for the future. They may begin to isolate themselves from others, increase their substance use or behave irresponsibly. They may be increasingly sad, anxious, irritable or angry. You can help an at-risk friend or loved one by asking simple questions: “Are you OK?” “Can I help?” “Is something bothering you?” You can help by listening, and letting them know you care and that they are important to you. You can make a difference by offering to stay with a person so he or she won’t be alone

or to accompany someone when he or she needs to seek help. You might save a life by letting an at-risk person’s loved ones know that you are concerned for that person’s wellbeing. If you’re worried that someone you care about may be at-risk for suicide, you are in a position to help by talking to that person, or to someone else who cares for the individual. If you know someone who may be at-risk and need some guidance or if you are a person contemplating suicide, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-2738255 or, on campus, contact Counseling Services at 318-257-2488. The Counseling Services is located in Keeny Hall, Room 310. We need to talk. Dr. Donna Thomas is the department chair over psychology and behavioral sciences and the George and Jean Baldwin Endowed Associate Professor. She also serves as the university’s NCAA Faculty Athletics Representative.

Let’s talk about love Valentine’s Day, in its original form, was a religious celebration called Feast of St. Valentine. This holiday remained humble and was a celebratory day of feasts for a long time. Several stories of martyrdom have been connected to the holiday over the years. Most famously, the story of St. Valentine of Rome sees him healing the daughter of his jailer before his execution for performing illegal weddings. After this selfless act, he is said to have written a letter to her which read, “Your Valentine.” While this act should have produced a holiday which promotes loving your fellow man, we believe Valentine’s Day has changed for the worse, ironically mutating into something selfish and hollow. Unlike the selflessness of St. Valentine’s legendary act of universal love, his namesake holiday has widely devolved into a chance for lovers to gain points with their significant others by spending money on each other. While this is not an inherently negative idea, companies continually bludgeon people over the head to drive home their point that these frivolous gifts are the best way to prove true love to each other. If you do not do something for your main squeeze, you are not doing it right. Notice how little you see advertisements informing consumers to think a little harder and do nice things for their both significant other as well as everyone else. This holiday and the industry associated with it perpetuate an unhealthy standard for what “love” means. Love should be an everyday feeling whether it be romantic or platonic and should inform most of what we do. The idea should not be worshipped and strictly adhered to on a designated day. We as a society feel like we need to make grand statements and give gifts on this day or face the consequences of losing love and dying alone. Basically, it has become an unfortunate make-or-break situation. The enlightened, reasonable people of the world are able to recognize that his holiday has been commercialized to the point of meaningless. They recognize the holiday for what it is: a humble holiday, blown out of proportion. Valentine’s Day also serves to make those who do happen to be single unhappy because they have not achieved what everyone else around them has. They do not get to have the “love” that Valentine’s Day has put up on a pedestal. What was originally a Christian holiday meant for all men is now a holiday inclined toward exclusion and false ideals. This day should be something more slight and thoughtful if it must be anything at all. It should serve mainly as a love memo of sorts. Otherwise, gestures of love should be meted out throughout the year in sober, small and selfless gestures. Though Valentine’s Day has passed, keep this in mind and try to love proportionately throughout the year. Maybe you’ll fall in love, maybe not, but we guarantee you will feel more comfortable with the concept in time.

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February 16, 2017 • The Tech Talk • 5

‘Hidden Figures’ showcases women in science MORGAN BERNARD Staff Reporter | mrb056@latech.edu

“Hidden Figures” is a story based on the lives of three African American women who used their brilliant mathematics and engineering skills to serve the NASA program in several of its most famous missions in history. Katherine G. Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer) and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe) each played a major role in sending the first American, John Glenn (Glen Powell), into space. In the setting of early 1960s Virginia, a segregated state, these three women overcome the barriers of race and gender as they work their way up through the ranks of the space program. From a male police officer (Ron Clinton Smith) who is in disbelief that women work for NASA, to the white woman adviser in charge of the computers (Kirsten Dunst) and is harsh to the black women workers, the audience can sense the waves in society early on in the movie. The film begins with a small backstory of each woman that explains each

20th Century Fox

Janelle Monáe, Taraji P. Henson and Octavia Spencer play the three African-American women engineers behind NASA’s most famous space missions.

of their unique talents that they use for their positions in NASA. Katherine Johnson is a mathematical genius and hard-working mother who is perfectly portrayed by Henson. She showed a love for math from childhood, and her quickness with work, confidence in her skills and love for her family make her a character that anyone can

look up to. Mary Jackson, played by Monáe, is an expert in engineering who is never afraid to speak her mind. She also lets nothing get in her way of getting the engineering education she wants. This character’s bravery and diligence are shown throughout the whole film. Dorothy Vaughan is also involved in the engineering

field. Her handy mechanic skills and eye for problem solving helps NASA program the first IBM machine that changes the space program for years to come. Spencer did an excellent job of showing her character’s leadership skills as well as her patience. The main characters face several challenges, and even other characters, on

their way up to new spots in NASA. By having these many obstacles to conquer, the film was able to show how much work these women put into getting what they wanted. It also gives the audience a sense of inspiration and a want to put more effort into what they may have to battle in their own lives. The story of these

three incredible women is one that was untold for years and has finally made its way out into the world. This film, directed by Theodore Melfi, had the power to bring this important piece of history into the light it deserves. Melfi was able to show the love and strength behind each character through scenes with their families, but also showed their everyday battles with racism and gender inequality. “Hidden Figures” is an excellent portrayal of these women’s lives and what it was like for them during times of segregation. The main characters did not ignore the racial issues in their workplace but instead fought against them using grace, intelligence and patience rather than arguments or protests. This is one of the factors that makes this film so unique. Not only is it based on actual history, but the way these women created this history is something different than the audience will see any other film. “Hidden Figures” inspires as well as entertains. It acknowledges racial divisions while insisting that there is more than one way to fix them.

FX delivers the series of the century KAILEE COURTS Staff Reporter | kec029@latech.edu The case of The People v. O.J. Simpson is said to be the crime of the century. It was a time when tension between the Los Angeles Police Department and African-Americans was high, and news media was taking off. In February 2016, FX aired the television series “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story.” The series follows the case from the time of the murder to the verdict, showing the point of view of the lawyers who worked the case. It highlights what America in 1995 was like, especially what it was like in Los Angeles. The verdict of the case is no secret, but FX has you on the edge of your seat with the end of each episode. In the first episode, “From the Ashes of tragedy,” the bodies of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman are found, and this is when the police name O.J. (Cuba Gooding Jr.) as a suspect. Marcia Clark (Sarah Paulson) is the lead prosecutor for the case, and plays a crucial role in the trial. The series features lots of big names in Hollywood, including John Travolta as Robert Shapiro and David Schwimmer as Robert Kardashian, both good friends and lawyers

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FX Studios

O.J. Simpson, played by Cuba Gooding Jr., awaits trial at the Los Angeles courthouse.

for O.J. Simpson during the trial. The producers has no problem showing the first time the Kardashian’s experienced fame. The series did a good job of showing the perspective of the lawyers during the trial that went on for over a year. Episode three, “The Dream Team,” is when we meet the group of hotshot lawyers who Shapiro assembles to represent Simpson in court. The team representing Simpson did not have much going for them in the beginning because all signs pointed to their client being found guilty. They had to come up with something to convince the jury Simpson was innocent, so they used the issue of race to

drive the case. The media was highly involved in this case. Some say they helped to shape the outcome of the verdict. One person that was targeted by the media was prosecutor Marcia Clark. In episode six, “Marcia, Marcia, Marcia,” we see how Clark had to deal with being a woman in a court full of men. Because of the media’s constant hounding, she changed the way she dressed and acted in court to appear more feminine. The producers of the show did a good job showing the emotions of the lawyers. This was not something that was to be taken lightly, especially because it was a double homicide with a famous ath-

lete as the suspect. By the final episode the series has you wondering what the outcome of the case will be even though everyone already knows. The lawyers problems become your own; their emotions become your own. Simpson was ultimately found not guilty of double homicide. The series has you questioning if the decision of the jury was correct. The People v. O.J. Simpson was named the case of the century, but was more of the case of the current time. FX produced a show that perfectly depicted the emotions during one of the most famous cases in American history. It is the series of the century.

WE ARE

6 • The Tech Talk • February 16, 2017

WEEKLYHOROSCOPE www.horoscopes.com.net

Aries March 21 – April 19 Your connection with others is especially strong today, Aries. You will enjoy an important nurturing role. Reconnect with your mother and let her know how you’re feeling. Curl up with loved ones tonight and surprise someone with a romantic gesture. Try something unconventional. Your feelings may be strong and erratic. You may be feel like pulling back into your protective shell. If so, do it. Taurus Apr 20 - May 20 You might feel especially playful today, Taurus. You can expect to feel a great deal of love and affection from others. Be aware that you will have a strong tendency to indulge in food and drink, so try to keep things in moderation. You may have an aversion to work and lack self-discipline. Overcome this by looking forward to intimate plans with someone tonight. Gemini May 21 - Jun 20 The bizarre nature of the day may leave you feeling a bit bewildered, Gemini. Don’t sweat it. Focus on your romantic nature and incredibly nurturing heart. Use your instinctive healing abilities to care for a close friend in need. Today is an especially good day to connect with others and openly share your feelings. Confide in people you trust. Consider calling your mom. Cancer Jun 21 - Jul 22 You will be in an especially affectionate and loving mood today, Cancer. Your romantic nature is heightened and your nurturing qualities are strong. You’re extra sensitive and receptive. You might find that you have no problem communicating your truest feelings to others. Connect with those you feel especially close to, and enjoy an intimate evening. Leo Jul 23 - Aug 22 Annoyances of daily life may rub you the wrong way today, Leo. Other people’s strong opinions and odd quirks may be difficult to swallow and your fuse may be a bit shorter than usual. Emotions could also run high, and you may do battle with the feelings in your own heart. Perhaps someone you care about deeply is creating unnecessary friction in your relationship. Virgo Aug 23 - Sep 22 Be open and honest about your feelings toward others today, Virgo. Your receptive nature should be ready. Take a break and let others come to you. Unexpected events may pop out of nowhere. Opportunities for new growth in love and romance are definitely at your fingertips as long

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as you’re ready to receive them. Don’t try to force the issue if the time and place aren’t right. Let it flow. Libra Sep 23 - Oct 22 Your heart beats extra strong today, Libra, but it may not seem like anyone knows it but you. You may feel like you aren’t really fitting in with the energy of the day. Don’t get down on yourself for it. Realize that not everything is going to go according to your plans. Let things come to you. The unexpected is bound to happen, so don’t try to resist the impending change. Scorpio Oct 23 - Nov 21 This is a fantastic day for you, Scorpio. Join close friends and share a night on the town and fine meal. This is a chance to begin a new cycle of romance. Reflect on past relationship problems, examine their causes, and toss them away so you can invite in a new, uplifting energy for the next cycle of romance. Start a new relationship or strengthen the one you’re in. Sagittarius Nov 22 - Dec 21 Your warm, sensitive nature is perfectly suited to today’s aspects, Sagittarius. Your emotional energy is strongly tied to your heart, and you will find that there’s a longing to be close to others. Indulge in conversation with close friends and let your imagination run wild. Your creativity is especially piqued today, so start an art project or write a song that inspires or perhaps changes the world. Capricorn Dec 22 - Jan 19 You will enjoy a great deal of affection from others today, Capricorn. You radiate an air of love and beauty. Love will come in strong, erratic bursts and you should be on the alert to expect the unexpected. New people will pop out of the woodwork to share their feelings. All group activities are favored, and you’re sure to be the life of any party. Aquarius Jan 20 - Feb 18 Your heart may be especially sensitive today, Aquarius. You may feel a bit vulnerable. Your romantic nature is particularly strong, so treat yourself to a pampered evening, including a good meal with someone you love. All relationships with women will go smoothly now. You might want to give your mother a call if you haven’t spoken with her in a while. She would love to hear from you.

6/28/2016

Puzzle #1 for June 16, 2016

CROSSWORDPUZZLEBestCrosswords.com Puzzle #1 for June 16, 2016 Go back | Print | Help

Across 1. Jazz genre 6. Lou’s “La Bamba” costar 10. Tailor’s line 14. Solo 15. Intellectual faculty 16. Arthur Ashe’s alma mater 17. More current 18. ___ noire 19. Film ___ 20. State in the W United States 22. 554, in stone 23. “Orinoco Flow” singer 24. Meadow 26. Actual 30. Stoker 34. Glorify 35. What you do to a joint, prior to a heist 36. Opposite of NNW 37. Lounging slipper 38. On one’s toes 40. Gds. 41. Takes too much 42. Object of devotion 43. Whispered sweet nothings 44. Is unobliged to 46. Takes into custody 48. Neighbor of Syr. 49. Juan’s water 50. Plaintiff 53. Boldly assertive 59. To ___ (exactly) 60. Scottish hillside 61. Mythical hell 62. Hair goops 63. Take it easy

64. Incident

Across 65. Gal Fri. 1 Jazz genre; 6 Lou's "La Bamba" 66. Watched intently 67. Acts costar; 10 Tailor's line; 14 Solo; 15 Intellectual faculty; 16 Arthur Down Ashe's alma mater; 17 More 1. Judge’s seatnoire; 19 Film ___; current; 18 ___ . Zenoinofthe ___W United States; 202State . Basin 223554, in stone; 23 "Orinoco 4. Dedicated toMeadow; the ___ Love Flow" singer; 24 26 5 Without any flaws Actual; 30 Stoker; 34 Glorify; 35 6. Early stage What you do to a joint, prior to a 7. City Tuscanyof NNW; 37 heist; 36in Opposite 8. Word that can precede Lounging slipper; 38 On one's toes; war, biotic and climax 409.Gds.; 41 Takes too much; 42 Visionary Object of devotion; 43 Whispered 10. Ice cream topped sweetwith nothings; syrup 44 Is unobliged to; 4611. Takes Earthinto Daycustody; subj. 48 Neighbor of Syr.; 49 Juan's water; 12. Et ___ 5013 Plaintiff; 53 Boldly assertive; . Sportscaster Albert 5921 To. Thunder ___ (exactly); 60 Scottish Bay’s prov. hillside; 61 Mythical 25. Before, before hell; 62 Hair goops; 63spirit Take it easy; 64 26. Evil Incident; 65 Gal Fri.; 66 Watched 27. Radiate 28. Wrong intently; 67 Acts;

29. Pub preference

30. At a great distance Down LAST ISSUE’S SOLUTION 46. Consented 31. Windows 1 Judge's seat; predecessor 2 Zeno of ___; 3 Basin; 4 Dedicated 47. Feel bad about to the ___ Love; 5 Without any flaws; 6 32. It’s a good thing Early stage; 7 City in Tuscany; 8 Word that canintently precede war, biotic and climax; 9 Visionary; 10 Ice 49. Staring 33. Food andwith water cream topped syrup; 11 Earth Day subj.;tale 12 Et ___; 13 Sportscaster Albert; 21 Thunder Bay's 50 . Long 35. 25 Animation prov.; Before,unit before; 26 Evil spirit;. 27 Radiate; 28 Wrong; 29 Pub preference; 30 At a great Western Indians 38. Awwww! Cute! predecessor; 51 distance; 31 Windows 32 It's a good thing; 33 Food and water; 35 Animation unit; 52 . Congers . DestinyCute!; 39 Destiny; 40 "The Simpsons" bartender; 42 Connections; 43 Collided; 45 3839 Awwww! 54. Between white and black 40.desperate; “The Simpsons” bartender 47 Feel Most 46 Consented; bad about; 49 Staring intently; 50 Long tale; 51 Western 55. Rescue 42 . Connections Indians; 52 Congers; 54 Between white and notion black; 55 Rescue; 56 Nice notion; 57 Sell; 58 56. Nice 43. Collided Ballpark figs.; 57. Sell 6/28/2016

BestCrosswords.com Puzzle #1 for June 15, 2016

45. Most desperate

DAILY U

http://www.bestcrosswords.com/bestcrosswords/printable/Home,printable.sdirect?formids=loadSolution%2CpuzzleNumber%2CpuzzleDate%2CDatePicker%2Cforma...

www.accuweather.com

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

HIGH 63 LOW 40

HIGH 66 LOW 49

HIGH 71 LOW 53

HIGH 79 LOW 54

HIGH 76 LOW 55

HIGH 70 LOW 52

HIGH 67 LOW 49

“We like his hammocks because they are really durable,” Dowling said. “It costed us hardly anything to put the station up either.” Dowling said it is amazing how many people already frequent Hideaway Park. He said everything the group does is to lure even more people outside, and this hammock area is the first in a planned expansion. “We have a beautiful indoor facility here at Tech but what we`re trying to do is increase the amount of activities outside,” he said. Smith said, along with Tech, he has worked with Louisiana State University and University of Arkansas, with plans to work with University of Lafayette as well. “I’m excited because our market is the college student,” he said. “They’re the ones that buy more of these than anyone.” Smith said one particular quality which makes his hammocks perfect for these sort of areas, is their 11-foot length as opposed to the typical 9-foot length of other hammocks. He said this length allows for optimal comfort for the user.

58. Ballpark figs.

Across 1 Wagers; 5 Mogul capital until 1658; 9 Swiss peaks; 13 I cannot tell ___; 14 Less common; 15 Champagne name; 16 Subterranean room; 18 Ripe for drafting; 19 Foolish persons; 20 Contemptible; 22 Fewest; 23 Make ___ at; 24 James ____ Jones; 26 Beer and lemonade; 31 Delivery room docs; 34 In order (to); 37 Refrain in a children's song; 38 In spite of; 42 Confusion; 43 ...baked in ___; 44 Kauai keepsake; 45 "Misty" composer Garner; 47 Invitation letters; 50 Relaxes; 53 Chair designer Charles; 57 Handrail; 61 Fervent; 62 Teen follower; 63 A reactionary; 65 Switch ending; 66 Relaxed; 67 Internet writing system that popularized "pwn3d" and "n00b"; 68 Bluish white metallic element; 69 Cambodian currency; 70 Stumbles;

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

WEEKLYWEATHER

GEAUX from page 1

Puzzle #1 for June 15, 2016

Go back | Print | Help

Down 1 Pesto ingredient; 2 Evade; 3 Big bone; 4 Bristly; 5 Swiss river; 6 Seize; 7 Queen of Spain; 8 "Gunsmoke" star; 9 In a frenzy; 10 Burt's ex; 11 Hammer end; 12 Adult male deer; 14 Monopoly quartet: Abbr.; 17 Bluesy James; 21 White as a ghost; 23 HI hi; 25 They appear before U; 27 Help, resource; 28 Singer Sedaka; 29 Take a meal; 30 HannaBarbera bear; 31 On a single occasion; 32 1922 Physics Nobelist; 33 The closest one to us is the sun; 35 Nile biter; 36 Agitates; 39 Court; 40 Capri and Man; 41 DDE opponent; 46 Second of two; 48 ___ Beach, Florida; 49 Flatbladed oar; 51 Caravansary; 52 Uneven, as if gnawed away; 54 Gangster Lansky; 55 Computer key; 56 Cancels a dele; 57 Woodstock singer Joan; 58 Farming prefix; 59 Noble gas; 60 Camaro model; 61 City official: Abbr.; 64 Hair goop;

Pisces Feb 19 - Mar 20 All aspects of love and romance will go especially well today, Pisces. You might take this opportunity to make a bold move toward the object of your affection. Go with an unconventional approach and move fearlessly. Your relationships will go well. Nurture your romantic side and communicate your feelings. Love will act suddenly and unexpectedly. Go with the flow.

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“ENO hammocks or Grand Trunk, those are the two national brands, all look exactly the same with 9-feet, 4 inches,” he said. It’s harder to get that diagonal lay because the hammock is shorter.” Smith said there is only one piece of fabric in his hammocks, which is another differentiating factor. “With every other hammock on the market, there’s three pieces of fabric,” he said. “These three pieces are sewn together so you have this tight seam going under your arm and the back of your shoulders that is just uncomfortable.” Kathy Wyatt, director of the Technology Business Development Center, said she came to the ceremony because she wanted to support a local entrepreneur. “For Ruston, for us, entrepreneurship is outstanding and wonderful,” she said. “Any kind of collaboration the university can have that supports economic development is just an added bonus.” Wyatt said this project should be the start of several nice additions to the Tech campus. “I think it’s wonderful that people will have a place to relax and enjoy the outdoors,” she said. “It just a great environment and it will encourage people to use the park more.”

BAN

SUDOKUPUZZLE Difficulty EXPERT

1/1

www.sudoku-puzzles.net LAST ISSUE’S SOLUTION

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

from page 1

“I really did not know what to think at first,” he said. “I know our countries have not had the greatest relationships but I did not think something like this would happen.” Mofidian said he was planning to invite his family to America, but he does not know if that is a possibility now. He said he has been contacted by different American friends to show their support during this time. “This is not a conflict between the American and Iranian people; it is a conflict between governments,” he said. “We have not committed any terrorist activities, so why are they treating us like we have?” Mofidian said he hopes students will use this time to think about what is going on in the world around us. “We are all educated people here,” he said. “We all come to learn and better ourselves; I hope the other educated people will see that.”

Students are not the only people being affected by the ban; university staff members are being affected as well. Mahboubeh Madadi, an assistant professor of industrial engineering, is from Iran and is planning to visit her family in late summer. “I have been in the United States since 2011 and have not been able to see my family in almost six years,” she said. “Now with this executive order, I do not know if I will be able to go home to see my family.” Madadi said she thinks the executive order is very unfair and does not do anything to help fight the threat of terrorism in the United States. “Iranians are very friendly people; we are contributing a lot to the United States, especially in academia,” she said. “This ban is affecting good people who are helping and serving the United States. It is unfair to be treated like this.” Madadi said while she does not agree with the ban, she understands that it is important to pro-

tect the border and the American people. She said she thinks the ban, however, has nothing to do with what is going on. “I have never thought I was not wanted here until this executive order,” she said. “I don’t think it is the people who have a problem with each other; it is the governments. This is all just politics.” Madadi said although this executive order has been scary, it is heartwarming knowing there are people standing up in support of the people from the affected countries. “All of the movements happening around the nation have made me feel more calm,” she said. “We just have to be positive and pray for the situation to settle down. We all want better relationships between the countries.” Madadi said the one thing she wants Americans to know is Iranian people still love America. “We are just people,” she said. “Iranian people do not have a problem with American people. All of this is just politics and I hope it gets smoothed out soon.”

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February 16, 2017 • The Tech Talk • 7

More Talk

Citizenship The path to

Isabela Palmieri shares her journey of becoming a U.S. citizen KACIE KAUFMAN News Editor | kjk019@latech.edu Each year in the United States, many who hold the status of permanent resident decide to begin on the path of naturalization and move toward being a citizen. Isabela Palmieri, a communication major at Louisiana Tech, and her family are currently undergoing the process of becoming citizens of the United States. The family moved permanently to the states from Brazil in the summer of 2008, when Palmieri was 12 years old. They have had a green card for six years and made the decision to move toward permanent citizenship in the fall of 2016. “I mean, we pretty much are all on the same page in the fact that we are not going to move back to Brazil,” Palmieri said. “Our life is here now, my brothers and I are all integrated into school and life here, so my parents said, ‘Why not go ahead with the citizenship?’ We know we’re going to live here basically for the rest of our lives. So, we might as well go ahead and do it.” Palmieri recently took the naturalization test, and said she and her family will wait until they are contacted further. “So now we just wait to hear back,” she said. “That’s the kind of thing where it’s kind of a waiting game.” Palmieri said although her rights will not change substantially when her status goes from permanent resident to citizen, she is looking forward to gaining the ability to vote. “I’m really excited that I get to vote because I kind of watched this election closely and I wish I could have partaken in it, you know?” she said. “And being a poli-sci minor, obviously I have a lot of opinions as far as things that are going on. It’s just kind of frustrating to have all of these opinions, but not be able to act on it and be able to go out there and vote and everything like that.” Palmieri said her family moved to the United States in part because her father, Celso Palmieri, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, encountered a job opening at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Shreveport. She said initially

she looked forward to the relocation. “At first, obviously everything was new, so I was really excited,” she said. “Because when you hear ‘the United States,’ everybody has this idea of like, you know, the American dream and I thought, ‘Oh wow, it seems so cool.’” Palmieri said although the culture shock was not immediate, it did set in gradually. “It’s not a culture shock in the sense that oh you walk out of the airport and it hits you in the face,” she said. “It’s more like when you start meeting people and you start seeing people’s traditions and the way they live and the way they think about certain things.” Palmieri said the level of affection was different than in Brazil. “But one thing that you immediately notice is how people here are less affectionate in a sense,” she said. “They want more of their personal space, and in Brazil it’s very much not like that. Nobody is scared to show affection between family members of friends: you greet each other with a kiss on the cheek, like, a side-hug is not a thing.” Palmieri said both places had their own unique aspects that she is drawn to. “Here’s the reality though: once you’ve lived in both places, you know the best thing of both places so it’s like sometimes when I’m here I’m thinking of Brazil and my family and you know, thinking, ‘Oh, if I were there I could be doing this or doing that,’” she said. “But then when I’m there I’m thinking of here, and I’m thinking of my car and my friends, because there I don’t drive. So, it kind of like, the grass is always greener on the other side, and when you’ve seen both sides you’re just torn in between.” Right: Isabela (center) with her mother, brothers, and father. Photo courtesy of Celso Palmieri Photo by Colin Fontenot

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8 • The Tech Talk • February 16, 2017

Photos courtesy of Darrell James

With help from the pitching of Krystal De La Cruz (27), Tech defeated Samford 9-3. De La Cruz, who followed starting pitcher Bailey Allen (26), retired 14 of the 15 batters she encountered during the game.

Softball sweeps home tournament ALEX HEARD Staff Reporter | amh072@latech.edu Much like soldiers during the Civil War, the Louisiana Tech softball team held down the fort. Tech defended their home turf and won all five games of the LA Tech Invitational. Teams like North Dakota, the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff and so on were unable to win a game in Ruston. On Friday and Saturday, Tech won lopsided victories as its pitching shined. The game against North Dakota was called off after 5 innings as Tech built a 10-2 lead. Bailey Allen, a junior from Pineville, avoided trouble during the first two innings, stranding base-runners and avoiding any damage. Allen did not allow a run until the last inning. Allen got the win, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks while striking

out three. Next, against Incarnate Word, Tech’s pitching was lights-out as neither team allowed a hit through the first four innings of the game. Preslee Gallaway, a sophomore from Pilot Point, Texas, picked up where she left off last season and didn’t allow a hit until a bunt single with two outs in the top of the sixth inning, but she struck out the next batter to extinguish any scoring threat. Gallaway went on to pitch a completegame shutout, allowing two hits and one walk while striking out four. Tech won narrowly 1-0. Saturday began similarly as Tech experienced déjà vu, as its pitching dominated vs. UAPB. Krystal De La Cruz, a sophomore from Eagle Pass, Texas, got the nod to pitch for Tech and picked up the win. Cruz threw 4.0 innings while allowing one hit and no

walks while striking out five. Jenny Chapman, a freshman from Paducah, Kentucky, saw the first action of her collegiate career, allowing one hit in one inning. The defense surrounding Tech’s pitchers did their part as Jazlyn Crowder, a sophomore from Kennedale, Texas, ended the game with diving, run-saving catch. Saturday’s finale compared to Friday’s as Tech won a close call against Missouri State 5-4. Tech ended its tournament Sunday against Samford, winning 9-3 to complete the weekend sweep. Katie Smith, a junior from Bossier City, and De La Cruz were named CoMost Valuable Players of the tournament while Morgan Turkoly, a sophomore from Sanger, Texas, and Gallaway also made the 13-person all-tournament team.

Morgan Turkoly (21) slides for a base.

Rebounding, McCree are the key to on-the-road success ALEX HEARD Staff Reporter | amh072@latech.edu Robitussin or NyQuil were not involved, but the Louisiana Tech men’s basketball team gave the University of Texas-San Antonio a taste of its own medicine. UTSA came into Saturday’s game as the ConferenceUSA’s best rebounding team. However, that statistic meant nothing to Tech as the Bulldogs outrebounded the Miners 35-32 helping result in a 72-66 road victory. Eric Konkol, head coach at Tech, said out of all of the game’s silver linings, rebounding was the most impressive and the biggest key factor to the victory. “I am most happy about our rebounding,” Konkol said. “This was an elite rebounding team we were facing. I thought our guys’ focus was at a very high level with what we needed to do defensively. It was the difference.”

The victory was not a complete domination by any means as Tech found itself in a similar situation to what it faced the last time the two teams met. Just like that game back in early January, Tech held a lead for the majority of the game until UTSA was able to hit a couple of late 3-pointers to pull to within a possession of tying things up. Konkol said the two games were eerily similar, mostly because a certain similar, difficult shot being able to find a way in the basket. “There was some déjà vu because they hit a really tough three off the glass and we knew they were going to keep coming as us,” Konkol said. “The experience has been good and sometimes even the heartbreak has been good (with playing in close games). It allows you to take a look at things and see what you can get better at.” In addition to rebounding, yet again in another game, the outstanding play of redshirt senior forward Erik Mc-

Cree down the stretch helped Tech close it out. After UTSA’s miraculous shot, Tech closed the deal in large part due to McCree, who had a game-high 25 points, hitting a career-high six 3-pointers. He also came through big defensively with a key block in the final seconds to take the victory inside the Convocation Center, completing a road, C-USA sweep of UTSA and the University of TexasEl Paso. Konkol said the more season progresses, the more McCree’s play does as well. “I think Erik is getting better and better,” Konkol said. “He is so focused on doing whatever it takes to be successful. Today, it was rebounding and scoring. He made all of his free throws, he had three assists. He is growing as a player and as a coach that is what you always want for your guys.” Tech plays Florida Atlantic University at 6:30 p.m. today in Boca Raton, Florida.