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Spring Makers Fair

ARTISTS AND CRAFTSMEN FROM THE AREA DISPLAY THEIR WORK AND PRODUCTS TO RUSTON LOCALS

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VOLUME 90 • ISSUE 19

SUMMITT FALLS FROM GRACE Lady Techsters’ head coach resigns admist scandal MATT VALCHO Sports Editor | mvv002@latech.edu

Last week, former women’s basketball head coach Tyler Summitt resigned from his post after only two years in charge, citing an inappropriate relationship, the university announced.

The 25-year-old Summitt went 30-31 in his two seasons at the helm of the Lady Techsters, never making it past the quarterfinals of the conference tournament in his short tenure.

Since the news broke of Summitt’s resignation, each day has brought new bits of information to light that has helped piece together what brought about his resignation.

The day the news broke, a press release was sent out by the school announcing the move with two statements, one from the athletic department and the other from Summitt himself.

“It is with great regret that I resign from my position as head coach of the women’s basketball program at Louisiana Tech University,” he said in his statement. “I am profoundly disappointed in myself for engaging in a relationship that has negatively affected the people I love, respect and care about the most.”

Later that night, the website SwishAppeal published an article that claimed that the inappropriate relationship was with a former player and that this player was pregnant. SwishAppeal did not name the player in the story.

The following day, April 8, Tech athletics director Tommy McClelland held a press conference to address the future of the program.

“Please understand that there are just certain things that I am not going to be able to say, as it gets into personnel and privacy issues,’’ McClelland said.

“There will be questions that you want to ask that I

Photo courtesy of La Tech Communiations

Tyler Summitt resigns after two seasons as head coach of the Lady Techsters basketball team.

just cannot answer. I am sure you understand that.”

During the press conference, McClelland announced that former women’s basketball standout Mickie DeMoss had been named interim head coach and would be taking control of the team for the foreseeable future.

“I am not in coaching search mode right now,” McClelland said. “Part of that is that I need to talk to Coach DeMoss and figure out where her head is at and where mine is at in regards to the program. She and I need to sit down and talk. If she is interested in the job, she will be a candidate, just like anyone else that is interested.”

DeMoss was a part of the first women’s basketball team at Tech and was a part of Pat Summitt’s coaching staff during the legendary coach’s time at

Tennessee.

The next day, the start of the weekend brought with it more media attention including articles from national outlets ESPN, Sporting News and USA TODAY Sports. The stories published by USA TODAY painted a picture of what life was like in the locker room under Summitt and said that the perceived preferential treatment of junior guard Brooke Pumroy caused the locker room to be divided.

“She could mess up a million times and (Summitt) wouldn’t take her out,’’ Risha Moten, the mother of junior forward Kevione Moton, told USA TODAY Sports.

“There were so many things where Brooke could do anything she wanted to do and still stay on the court. Brooke, she had the green light on everything.’’

Tech professor publishes book on career ISABELA PALMIERI Staff Writer | ipa001@latech.edu

WIlliam H. Green turned a collection of short stories gifted to his grandchildren into a published book.

Green, a Louisiana Tech professor of agricultural sciences, has published a book based on his experiences as a veterinarian titled “Doc, Did I Wake You Up?” Green, interim director of the School of Agricultural Sciences and Forestry at Tech, said the idea for the book came from uncommon stories he collected

throughout the years.

“I was in veterinary practice for 27 years,” Green said. “When I would go on a call or to the clinic and I had something unusual happen, I would write these stories and collect them in a box. I looked into compiling these stories and binding them for my grandchildren to read.”

Green said he started researching on the Internet about self-publishing and reached out two publishers in Louisiana. They both turned him down, but a publisher in Oklahoma saw potential in his stories.

“I didn’t give up,” Green said. “I thought I really had

something.”

Green said the most exhilarating part of this journey was finding out his book would be published.

“I worked hard to get these stories together, and the most exciting thing was when I sent these stories to that publisher and they told me it had been accepted for publication,” Green said.

Gary A. Kennedy, who wrote the foreword for Green’s book, said it is a gratifying read.

> see GREEN page 10

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2 • The Tech Talk • April 14, 2016

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Spring Maker’s Fair draws out locals STARLA GATSON Staff Reporter | sjg021@latech.edu

Judah and Remy Sharpton play connect 4 at the kids booth.

Photos by Brian Blakely

One of the 57 vendors the the Spring Maker’s Fair, Mystic Moonrise sold tank tops in their booth.

Levi Rozelle gets his face painted by Lorrie Jassop.

Dianne Abraham speaks to College Republicans U.S. Senator Ralph Abraham’s wife visits Tech to discuss the importance of the millenial vote JENNA PRICE Staff Reporter | jmp073@latech.edu

boomers.”

Abraham said since millennials top the number of baby boomers, young AmeriPresident of the College Republicans cans hold more power than they realize.

“Millennials are the largest voting Tiffany Easter introduced Dianne Abraham, wife of U.S. Senator Ralph Abraham, group in the nation,” said Abraham. “They at the April 4 meeting. Abraham spoke on have to vote. Millennials cannot sit back the importance of the millennial vote in and not worry about the nation.”

Wesley Pope, a member of College the upcoming presidential election.

Republicans, said he was enthuAbraham began her speech siastic that his first presidential with addressing the current state vote fell during a time when the of the country. millennial vote was so crucial.

Abraham said she would “I think the millennial vote watch the nightly news with her will cause a pivotal moment in husband, hoping the country’s our nation’s history,” said Pope, progressive decline had reached a sophomore political science a climax. pre-law major. “This next presi“Ralph and I would shake dential election will decide what our heads and say, ‘It can’t get path this country’s going to worse,’” Abraham said. “But it take.” did.”

After drawing attention to Abraham said she is still opthe importance of the miltimistic for the country’s future, “For the first lennial vote, Abraham gave not only because her husband time in history, ways for the members to is serving in Washington, but campaign on the local and because of her faith in the im- millenials are national level. pact millennials can make in fifty percent of Abraham said she recogthe voting polls. nized the influence young “We are in a time in our the vote. We people have over each other. country where we are about to are no longer “Share your views with reach the tipping point, and we may not ever come back,” said behind the baby your friends,” Abraham said.

“Your numbers are very imAbraham. “Millennials are go- boomers” portant, and your friends that ing to carry this next election. you talk to are very imporRalph and I are passionate TIFFANY EASTER tant. Get active right now.” about getting people your age President of College Pope said he enjoys disin politics.”

Republicans cussing and debating politiEaster, a junior political scical issues with his friends. ence pre-law major, said she is “I encourage my friends to ask me not surprised millennials will be a major deciding factor for the 2016 presidential questions about my view on current events and popular political issues,” Pope election.

“For the first time in history, millenni- said. “I also encourage them to find where als are fifty percent of the vote,” Easter they land on the political scale, conservasaid. “We are no longer behind the baby tive or liberal.”

ond time she has attended the Makers Fair, and she enjoys seeing the diversity among the artists.

“It’s fun to walk around and see what Many of Louisiana’s artists and craftsmen met in downtown Ruston to share everybody’s doing,” she said. “I think since their creations with the community at the the last one, there’s a lot of new booths and more people interested in selling their Spring Makers Fair.

The all-day event was April 9 and fea- work. There’s always new things to check tured food, games and merchandise from out.”

Raybourn said she was most impressed 57 vendors, including Rosalynne Love, Southern Smith and Day Old Blues Re- by the woodworking and pottery booths.

Rebecca Gardner said cords. the Makers Fair gave her Joshua Mitchell, the Makers “We really get to the opportunity to share Fair coordinator and owner of her organization’s misJodami Design, first started the know who lives sion and merchandise event last fall to bring local art- and works in with Ruston residents. ists and vendors together and “We’re based in Baton give them the opportunity to Ruston. Making those connections Rouge, and I heard about share their products. this from Rosalynne “The purpose of it is to bring is really benefiLove,” Gardner said. the arts community together “We came in the fall and and to showcase the different cial because I get connected with all the styles of art in this area,” Mitch- to share my work local people, and it was ell said. with them.” awesome. The response The makers sold items such we’ve gotten from the as clothing, original artwork, Ruston community has woodwork and natural skin care LIZ ZANCA Oil painter been great.” products.

Gardner is the foundLiz Zanca, a Ruston-based er of Hands Producing oil painter, said both the fall and spring Makers Fair events have allowed Hope, an organization dedicated to raisher to share her pieces with a wide variety ing money for mission work, education and life-skill development in remote comof people.

“I feel like last year did really well,” munities in Costa Rica and Rwanda.

Mitchell hopes the Makers Fair events Zanca said. “I’ve gotten a lot of exposure, continue to encourage artists to share and I believe every maker here has.”

Zanca also said this event has brought their creations.

“There are a lot of talented people in a sense of community to the makers and this area, and I think a lot of them are shy customers.

“We really get to know who lives and about sharing their work,” Mitchell said. works in Ruston,” she said. “Making those “I think events like this make you want to connections is really beneficial to me be- show your talents and make it easier. It’s cause I get to share my work with them. a relaxed atmosphere, and everyone can just hang out and really show everyone I really love the camaraderie that forms.”

Bethany Raybourn said this is the sec- what they can do.”

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April 14, 2016 • The Tech Talk • 3

Ruston hosts Dinner and a Movie event DILLON NELSON Staff Reporter| djn005@ latech.edu

Photo by Ashley Kober

AJ Johnson gets a balloon animal made by Rainbow the Clown.

fire department is here and the area is pretty secluded, because we want them to have fun and feel safe.”

The organizers of the event also hired a clown.

The clown, Rainbow, said she was happy to be there and The Ruston Junior Auxiliary Club held its seventh annual “Dinner and a Movie” event Saturday at the Women’s Softball was especially glad children were not too afraid of her to make balloon animal requests.

Complex.

“I always have a great time at events like these in Ruston. I Several non-profit organizations from around Ruston set enjoy getting to be a colorful bit of fun for chilup booths at the event. dren,” Rainbow said.

Jennifer Haberkost, gatekeeper and member As the event promised, there was a movie of the Junior Auxiliary Club of Ruston, said the “This event is a shown to the kids at dusk. club always attempts to gather groups primarily really fun event DeShae Pardon, assistant to the public relaoriented toward children. tions chair of the city of Ruston, said that she “We’re a nonprofit who tries in whatever way because the believes “Inside Out” was a very good choice possible, to help the community, the kids and community gets for the year. family of Lincoln-Parish,” Haberkost said. “We to have a night of “We always choose to play an animated are just a group of women who want to volunfamily fun at little movie because this is fun for this type of age teer our time for them.” group, that would enjoy these type of events we Groups like Young Entrepreneurs Academy or no costs.” have out on the field,” Pardon said. “You can’t were there with candy and sack-tossing games while the Ruston High cheerleaders were on SUMMER HAMMONS really go wrong with a Pixar movie.”

She said that movies like “Inside Out” are hand to perform a routine. There was also a Vice president of able to manage a good balance of entertainDisney trivia contest on the field. public reltations for ment while teaching about emotional maturity.

The Rotary Club of Ruston was also present the city of Ruston Summer Hammons, vice president of public to serve hamburger and hotdog plates to the atrelations in Ruston, said she loves how perfectly tendees. the “Dinner and a Movie” event always goes.

Fletcher Hyacinth, president elect of the She said the event was funded by a yearlong fundraiser Rotary Club of Ruston, said he enjoys the opportunity that the event represents for helpful organizations around Ruston. and was happy to declare little money was needed by at“This is one of our best opportunities during the year. It’s tendees.

“This event is a really fun event because the community great family time,” Hyacinth said.

“Our different organizations can have fun together with the gets to have a night of family fun at little or no costs,” said children and their parents. Also important, the city of Ruston Hammons. “We simply want to serve out our community.”

CEV hosts Spring Break Bash KEIERA BELL Staff Reporter| klb072@ latech.edu Campus Evolution Village hosted its third annual spring break bash, April 6 for its residents and other Louisiana Tech students.

Sarah Tuma, CEV general manager, said organizers planned the event to get CEV residents out of their rooms to interact with neighbors and possible new ones.

“I think activities like this build a fun and connected atmosphere for residents to feel like they are a part of one big family,” Tuma said.

She said last year they invited Photo by Colin Fontenot future and current CEV residents to join them, but this year decid- From back left: Chloe Laugric, a junior business management major; ed to send a message to all Tech Dominic Lewis, a freshman biology major; Brandi Dibbin, a junior kistudents along with their resi- nesiology major; and Labrandice Small , a freshman nursing major, eat dents to go eat some crawfish.

Tuma said this year they had crawfish at the Campus Evolution-sponsored Spring Break Bash. more people attend the event and had some last minute chang- it went smoothly and ended soon- dents and other students. er than we expected since we ran He said unlike CEV’s Taco es.

Tuesday, this event was more “Ben Christmas Crawfish had out of crawfish so quickly.”

He said CEV hosts events like beneficial for them because it was something come up at the last minute and said they couldn’t the spring break bash all the time, open to others.

“I feel the idea of getting free serve for us,” Tuma said. “So the so they have to utilize their vendors and keep residents crawfish was a great way for them CEV staff and one involved. to attract potential residents,” of our residents got Washington said said Thompson, a junior comtogether to hand out things have changed be- puter science major. plates of crawfish.” cause they used to have He said his only concern was Stanley Washingbands, games and water how they advertised the event ton, CEV assistant balloon fights, but resi- because some residents did not general and marketing dents always attend their know about the event until after manager, said he had events and have fun. it was over. to plan for the event “We want to have proThompson said he believes and handle any changgrams for our residents mentioning events at least two es. to enjoy and connect weeks in advance would help He said he had to with each other,” Wash- students organize their schedules make sure the tables TUMA ington said. “With that to make an appearance at future were set up and that our number one goal is Campus Evolution eve the crawfish would be “I think them publicizing and on time an hour before the event to help our residency retention.”

Terry Thompson, a CEV resi- advertising events more would was supposed to start.

“Nothing ever goes as expect- dent, said he thought the crawfish definitely bring in more students,” ed,” Washington said. “But I think was nice to have for current resi- Thompson said.

Nursing students advocate for Louisiana ‘Butt Kicking’ REBEKAH BARNES Staff Reporter| reb0335@ latech.edu In light of Louisiana Tech’s smoke-free campus policies, the cigarette trash that used to litter the school has been replaced by signs reading, “Kick butts with Louisiana Tech.”

This quarter, Tech’s Nursing 114 class, taught by Dwanna Blake, participated in National Kick Butts Day for its service-learning project.

“We were trying to bring awareness to tobacco use, the harmful effects of smoking, the consequences of secondhand smoke and third-hand smoke,” Blake said. “We also shared information with students about incentives for not smoking by passing out gum.”

Blake said third-hand smoke is a lesser-known consequence of smoking, and children in smoking families are often involved.

“The children are exposed to secondhand smoke,” she said. “Those children go into their classrooms at school, and they have the smoke in their clothing, hair, backpacks and books. All the kids in their classes are being exposed to third-hand smoke.”

She said all nursing courses incorporate community service or service-learning projects into the curriculum because education is an important part of the healthcare profession.

“The students felt like the people they encountered on

campus were very receptive and asked some questions,” she said. “And a number of faculty stopped by and said, ‘Thank you for sharing this information.’”

Taylor Wilson, a junior nursing student, passed out information about second and third-hand smoke on campus for her project.

“I feel like tobacco affects so many people that our project would be easy to get people’s attention,” Wilson said.

She said many people did not know about third-hand smoke, so she was able to educate them.

Jordan Wyatt, also a junior nursing student, said smoking can be more than just an addiction to nicotine, but also a habit.

“They relate it to stress, cutting grass, deer hunting,” he said. “A lot of people relate nicotine or tobacco in general to aspects of their life then they try to quit. The next time they go to do anything they used to relate to smoking cigarettes or dipping, they think about it.”

Overall, the students said they felt like they were successful at communicating their research and explaining the consequences of tobacco.

“Current evidence-based practice says that prevention, education, offering incentives and raising the tobacco sales tax have been successful strategies in reducing tobacco use,” Blake said.

UPCOMING EVENTS FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

• Women’s Tennis; LA Tech vs. Central Arkansas at 3 p.m.

• LA Tech Footbal Spring game at noon.

• Softball: LA Tech vs. UTSA

• No scheduled events

• Baseball: LA Tech vs.

Northwestern State at 6 p.m.

• Softball: LA Tech vs. Louisiana Monroe at 6 p.m.

• No scheduled events

• Baseball: LA Tech vs. FIU at 6 p.m.

at 1 p.m.

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4 • The Tech Talk • April 14, 2016

The

TechTalk

FROM THE EDITOR

MANAGEMENT

The issue with adjuncts

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Rachel Maxwell

MANAGING EDITOR Caleb Daniel

NEWS EDITOR

Blake Branch

FEATURE EDITOR John Sadler

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Ellie Moslander

SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR Payton Potter

SPORTS EDITOR

Matthew Valcho

PHOTO EDITOR

Brian Blakely

PHOTOGRAPHERS Colin Fontenot Devin Dronett Ashley Kober Avery Bryan

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Dr. Reginold Owens T. Scott Boatright Dr. Judith Roberts

ADVERTISING ADVISER Michael LeBlanc

PRODUCTION MANAGER Michael LeBlanc

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

W

e all know about the rise in tuition and the cuts to higher education.

Universities are in a financial bind, and students are not the only ones feeling the brunt of it.

Adjunct hiring is skyrocketing, with part-time appointments up by 300 percent since 1975.

In that same period, tenured and tenure-track professorship has only risen by 26 percent.

Those in charge of delivering the education many of us are going into upwards of $30,000 in debt for are making less than most bar tenders.

We cannot afford for the education we’re getting to be sub-par; we need professors who feel backed by their university and dedicated to their students.

Administrative bloat has taken a

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The Tech Talk welcomes letters to the editor. However, we reserve the right not to print anonymous letters. We also ask that each letter be accompanied by a telephone number, address and classification or title. We will not print the telephone number.

Viewpoints should be mailed or brought to The Tech Talk office, 138 Keeny Hall, by 4 p.m. the Friday prior to a Thursday publi­ cation. Letters should be mailed to The Tech Talk, P.O. Box 10258, Ruston, LA 71272. Emails should be sent to techtalk@latech.edu.

You can also submit letters online at www.thetechtalk.org/home/ lettertotheeditor/.

Louisiana Tech University is com­ mitted to the principle of provid­ ing the opportunity for learning and development of all qualified citizens without regard to race, sex, religion, color, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or veteran status for admission to, participation in, or employment in the programs and activities which the University sponsors or operates. For Title IX information, see University Policy #1445 at http://www.latech. edu/administration/policies­and­ procedures/1445.shtml.

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

Pissed off about Panama

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trative jobs are comparable to work that gets outsourced regularly in the corporate world. I don’t know that I completely agree with the idea that the work administrators do could be handled by unskilled temps, but I definitely don’t think teaching college-level coursework should be treated that way either.

By eliminating tenured positions in favor of cheaper part-time slots, universities are sending the message that quality of instruction is not important and professors are quality of an institution is not contingent on its professoriate.

This could not be further from the truth.

As my tuition rises, I would like to know that the quality of my education goes up, not just the salary of my administrators.

THE ELLIEPHANT IN THE ROOM

Michael LeBlanc

Tech Talk subscriptions are $25 a year. Mail to: Tech Talk Subscrip­ tions, P.O. Box 10258, Ruston, LA 71272.

lot of the blame for rising costs, and one suggestion that has been made is a move toward adjunct administration.

Institutions would see a lot of benefits with this kind of move, and Lord knows higher ed is in need of change.

It makes more sense to treat administration the way we currently treat faculty.

Some administrators make over 10 times the salaries of professors, while many adjunct professors struggle to make ends meet while raising families.

Education has never been a field for those seeking high wages, but we should not be abusing those who are passionate about academia by treating them like they are nonessential to the university.

It is not like administrative work is less suited for part-time employment than teaching is.

It has been argued that adminis-

ELLIE MOSLANDER

Entertainment Editor | emo012@latech.edu

T

he Panama Papers, a massive information link of confidential documents, recently exposed how some of the world’s elite class has been using offshore bank accounts for their own financial benefit.

These accounts were set up in “tax-havens” through the Panama City law firm Mossack Fonseca.And now the informed public is restless.

With recent terrorist attacks in Brussels and Paris, and news of ISIS spreading, many people have become nervous, and there has been an increased sense of unrest within our society now only heightened from the release of the Panama Papers.

Many leaders, politicians, businessmen including Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson, the prime minister of Iceland were named in the papers.

The Panama Papers have given

names and faces to those committing crimes.

We knew these things were happening, perhaps just not on as large of a scale as it really turned out to be.

This is the biggest information leaks of all time.

The Panama Papers released more information than even the Wikileaks information leak. After the release of the Panama Papers, many things have started to happen.

For instance immediately after the Icelandic prime minister resigned.

Many accused in the papers have denied the claims as false, and Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is one of these.

He has claimed that America is behind this information leak.

As with any historic event, many conspiracy theories surface as well and one is that Putin created the Panama Papers as a way to cause distrust toward the United States be-

cause nothing as been released on a mass scale of major U.S. businesses and leaders.

As of now, the papers claim there is information on the U.S. and it will be released at some point.But as of now we are left to wonder where are the Americans?

A known American whistleblower, Bradley Birkenfeld, has claimed the U.S. CIA is behind the Panama Papers. As investigations begn all we can do is wait.

In this age of technology information leaks will continue to occur, exposing those who think they are in the shadows.

This is simply the age we live in, where information is limitless and mostly all of it is accessible in some form or another.

No one is safe, no one is secret.

Ellie Moslander is a senior journalism major from Albuquerque who serves as Entertianment editor for The Tech Talk.

BLAKE IT FROM ME

How should we remember Kobe?

BLAKE BRANCH News Editor | mbb029@latech.edu Kobe Bryant played the final game of his 20-year NBA career Wednesday night in front of a capacity crowd at Los Angeles’ Staples Center, ending can only be described as a rollercoaster career.

Throughout his career, which began at age 18 when Bryant was taken No. 13 overall by the Charlotte Hornets and immediately traded to the Los Angeles, the Ardmore, Pennsylvania, native was as polarizing a figure the sport had to offer.

Bryant’s relationship with the media has been up and down, his every move, and mistake, well-documented off the court.

On the court, Bryant’s status as an all-time great is unquestioned.

The latest in a long line of Laker legends, Bryant’s accomplishments have him in rare air. He is an 18time All-Star, 15-time member of All-NBA a teams and two-time NBA scoring champion. Alongside 11-time NBA championship head coach Phil Jackson, Bryant accumulated five championship rings, three of which came with fel-

low Laker great Shaquille O’Neal.

There was also help along the way from Derek Fisher, Pau Gasol, Robert Horry, Lamar Odom and Ron Artest (Metta World Peace), to name a few.

But none of those mentioned above could fill it up like Kobe.

There was a 55-point outing in his final matchup with the Michael Jordan-led Wizards. In 2007, Bryant was unconscious for a three-game stretch, topping the 50-point mark each night. And who could forget Bryant lighting up Madison Square Garden in 2009 to the tune of 61 points? Of course, nothing tops the Black Mamba’s ridiculous 81-point performance against the Toronto Raptors in 2006, the second-highest point total in NBA history.

Now, back to off-the-court issues.

Bryant was under fire in 2003 when a 19-year-old employee of a Colorado Spa Resort accused him of rape. Bryant, who was in Colorado prepping for knee surgery, admits there was a consensual sexual encounter, going so far as to say public fallout played a role in his wife’s 2003 miscarriage.

A Colorado judge dismissed the

sexual assault charge against Bryant after the accuser refused to testify in court, but an out-of-court settlement was reached in a following civil suit, conditional to Bryant being able to maintain his innocence.

Kobe’s marriage survived the slip-up, but it would not be the final rocky relationship of Bryant’s playing days.

Bryant and O’Neal feuded openly for the entire 2003 season, prompting O’Neal to leave the Lakers for the Miami Heat. Former teammate “Smush” Parker blasted Bryant as a teammate after his release from L.A. in 2012. Then, there was the Dwight Howard fiasco where public perception suggested Kobe never wanted Dwight to be a Laker. Howard skipped town for Houston after one season.

It is an intriguing dynamic. One of the best to ever play the game, a troubling, adulterous past and a knack for being a real jerk. How do we frame Kobe?

I believe we need more time to answer that question.

Blake Branch is a senior journalism major from Minden who serves as editor for The Tech Talk.

Was Tyler Summitt’s age to blame for his behavior?

O

n April 7, Tyler Summitt resigned as head coach for the Lady Techsters basketball team.

The married coach stated he was leaving for engaging “in a relationship that has negatively affected the people I love, respect and care about the most.”

Many news outlets around the country reported the relationship resulted in one of Summitt’s players getting pregnant.

Soon after, player Ashley Santos also posted on social media denying rumors that she was the player involved with Summitt.

Soon after the news broke, many people across social media platforms blamed Summitt’s actions on his age.

The Tech Talk staff is split on the issue of Summitt’s age having been a major contributing factor to the incident.

Some editors believe his age would make it inherently harder to coach college basketball, as he was too close to his players’ age to manage effectively.

Another said it was not hard to see how Summitt would be attracted to the girls as they were close to his age.

One editor cited an interview with Tommy McClelland in USA Today after Summitt’s hiring in which he said the hiring would not have occurred at 99 percent of Division One schools.

The editor said that comes with good reason.

Other editors were more dismissive of Summitt’s age as a factor, however.

One said many 23-year-olds would not give up a marriage, reputation and six-figure salary for an inappropriate relationship.

She said to say a person can’t mentor someone in their own age group is like saying someone like Tech President Les Guice should not be allowed to oversee middle-aged women.

All editors agreed that Summitt’s decision will make it harder for younger prospective coaches to break into the field.

His reckless behavior will be on potential hirers’ minds when they interview younger applicants for coaching jobs.

One editor said he would like to think other young coaches should not be penalized for Tyler’s mistakes and teams should weigh the risk and reward of coaching candidates individually, but that it would likely not be the case going forward.

Other editors agreed that it should not affect younger coaching applicants, but it unfortunately would.

Regardless of Summitt’s age, his actions were unprofessional and left a stain on Tech athletics.

Though the staff is split on the issue of Summitt’s age, all agree that Tech’s next hiring will be extraordinarily important.

Summit’s actions have drawn increased scrutiny to the Lady Techsters’ program on a national level.

Whoever takes over the coaching position after Summitt must be cognizant of said scrutiny.

The age factor aside, the school cannot afford another mistake on the same level.

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April 14, 2016 • The Tech Talk • 5

Lady of the Mist victim of ‘The Chalkening’ JENNA PRICE Staff Reporter | jmp073@latech.edu

Photos by Adam Mullins

Tech’s Lady of the Mist was one of many targets of pro-Trump graffiti last week. The string of vandalism has been dubbed “The Chalkening.”

Conclave club satisfies Tech’s nerdy needs REBEKAH BARNES Staff Reporter | reb033@latech.edu

Louisiana Tech’s Conclave club is open to science fiction fans, gamers, readers and students with a variety of interests.

“You definitely can’t take yourself too seriously if you want to fit in,” Cecilio Mata said.

Mata, a senior history major, is in charge of organizing and cataloguing movies and media for Conclave. He said the club officially meets three days out of the week to play board games, Magic the Gathering and Dungeons and Dragons, with a science fiction and fantasy movie night on Thursdays.

“My favorite movie night so far has been the time I advertised it as a B movie night, like a B-list movie, but instead I showed Bee Movie,” Mata said.

Mata said he has been the club’s praetor of media since it began four years ago with its original 15 members.

“This entire club is nothing but chaos,” he said. “It’s so hard to wrangle the nerds.

They all want to do their own thing, and if you try to stop them for a second they will ignore you.”

He said it is easy to find people with shared interests in Conclave, and members often break out into smaller groups when they find something in common.

“One of the best things about Conclave is that if you wedge yourself into one of the groups, they’ll never leave you alone,” he said. “You’ll have friends for the next four years, or three years or however long you’re here.”

The group’s vice president and senior general studies major, Joshua Armstrong Krews, said the club started with general meetings on Fridays, but as time went on they added more slots and events to the schedule to fit everyone’s interests.

“We get a lot of interesting characters around here,” Krews said. “That’s really

Photo by Ashley Kober

Members of Conclave club share stories and laughs at a recent club meeting.

what you should come for. The games are nice, but they’re just a way to facilitate the personalities of the people, get to know them and build friendships.”

Conclave’s president and senior computer science major, Mark Hall, said Conclave has an ambitious scope of activities.

“A lot of clubs have a singular interest, like anime club or the extreme sports club, or they’re student associations,” Hall said.

“Conclave has a broad set of things that we want to do.”

Hall said they meet up more often than their official meeting times because they are all close friends, and the group has plans to go to a Renaissance fair.

“I personally think everyone is a nerd in some way,” Hall said. “Just come to Conclave to find out what you’re really nerdy about.”

but it’s a farcical one.”

There was speculation that the College Republicans was responsible for the Lady of On April 3, Louisiana Tech University was the Mist “Chalkening,” and shortly after the featured on the Twitter account of Old Row, photo went viral, president of the organizaa fraternity-culture brand, with a picture of tion Tiffany Easter was seen removing the “Trump 2016” scrawled across the chest of chalk from the statue.

Tiffany Easter said the organization does the Lady of the Mist.

On their April 6 radio podcast, Old Row not endorse a candidate before the Republimembers said they created a competition can National Convention in the summer.

“In no way, shape or form is that assoamong universities after pro-Trump messages were written in chalk on Emory University ciated with the College Republicans,” said campus. Old Row said the “The Chalken- Easter, a junior political science pre-law major. “Honestly, I do not know who ing” competition was designed it was.” to enrage liberal students.

Easter said “The Chalkening” “It would be funny if we could “The Lady of on the university icon misrepreget one college outraged like the Mist repEmory,” said Swig, a host for the resents the en- sents Tech.

“The Lady of the Mist repOld Row Radio podcast.

According to Old Row, Tech tire university... resents the entire university as a whole,” Easter said. “Donald was one of the 150 campuses Donald Trump Trump does not. It’s almost takthat participated. ing advantage of our democBen Rice, a sophomore Eng- does not.” racy.” lish major, said he believes “The Easter said she removed the Chalkening” has less to do with TIFFANY EASTER message off of the Lady of the the upcoming election and more political science Mist. to do with students drawing at- pre-law major “Annie Johnson and I tention to themselves.

“It seems like mass hysteria about a po- scrubbed off the chalk,” Easter said. “It’s litical candidate,” Rice said. “I don’t know if their right to write it on there, just as much these students are going to vote or if they as it is our right to take it off. It’s defacing Tech property.” are informed enough.”

Rachel Vizza, a senior studio art major, “The Chalkening” became a top trend on said she encourages students to research for Twitter during the April Fools’ weekend.

Dan Scavino, Donald Trump’s social themselves what beliefs and public figures media director, promoted The Chalkening they support.

“I believe our generation’s biggest downthrough his Twitter.

Drew McKevitt, a history professor at fall that is we believe in everything we read Tech, said today’s “outrage culture” is ex- on social media,” Vizza said.

According to Old Row, the competition pressed by our society as a chance to fire off a series of enraged tweet about small per- dissolved when The Chalkening went into a different direction. ceived injustices.

“Trump’s social media manager had “To believe that some chalk on a statue is a radical act is to be ignorant of the truly people who weren’t even in college chalk radical things college students have done in cities,” said members of the Old Row Radio the past,” McKevitt said. “Today’s ‘outrage podcast. “At that point, our contest was no culture’ is an echo of the 1960s movements, longer really relevant.”

What this Ta

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April 14, 2016 • The Tech Talk • 6

Union Board hosts trivia game night AMBER HARRINGTON Staff Reporter | anh038@latech.edu

music, TV, movies, celebrities, and pop icons, as well as academic topics such When Louisiana Tech as art, literature, science, freshman Will Gibson woke math, geography, and hisup April 5, he was not tory.

The questions were aware he would be going to bed that night with an extra posed in several styles, including multiple choice, $200 dollars in his pocket. think faster, exThanks to a tra-sensory perone-hour event ception, music in Tolliver Hall, video, and “pay however, he did attention.” Once just that. asked, each team On April 5, would dial in a Union Board held number on the a trivia game for remote given to students called their team.

Think Fast, in Johnny C., which 61 teams the producer and participated. master of cereThe winner took ROBERTSON monies said, “It’s home a grand toeducational and tal of $200.

Gibson, a biology major, very entertaining, it’s great competed as a one-man for students. Why not get team he called “Cabbies.” out and win some money?”

Throughout the game, He finished the game with students were also given over 118,000 points.

“I’ve always loved com- the chance to impress their peting in trivia events,” peers with their dance Gibson said. “I came to see moves and singing skills in how I did, I didn’t think I’d a contestant judged competition. win.”

Lane Robertson, head The event was hosted

by TJohnE Productions, a of the special events comproduction company which mittee said Think Fast is brings educational and in- the newest addition to the teractive entertainment to list of functions Union Board organizes throughcollege campuses.

The trivia consisted of a out the year. Students can series of questions ranging look forward to a concert from topics such as sports, this April and a movie night

Photo by Avery Bryan

Yorel Baker (left) and Dylan Whitlock (right) work together to come up with the answer to a trivia question. in May. “Special events like these get a lot of people, the people who wouldn’t usually go to events, included,” Roberston said.

Robertson said these

events go beyond just getting students involved, they also serve as a quick and easy way for students to make friends.

“If you’re a freshman living in a dorm and all you

do is go to class, you’re going to go insane,” he said.

“With games like Trivia Night in Tolliver, you can join anybody’s team, and there you go, you just made a friend without trying.”

Gibson said he feels the game did just that.

“Trivia Night gave the university a sense of community,” he said.“Without it, no one would get out of their dorm room.”

SPEAK MAGAZINE

Photo by Keiera Bell

The letters of both new organizations displayed by Argent Pavilion.

Tech to gain two more of the ‘Divine Nine’ KEIERA BELL Staff Reporter | klb072@latech.edu The National Panhellenic Council is an organization comprised of nine historically African American, Greek lettered fraternities and sororities, which creates the Divine Nine, and Louisiana Tech is in the process of adding two more of the organizations to their ranks.

Tech’s NPHC only has four of the nine organizations and has the chance to rebuild both Zeta Phi Beta and Phi Beta Sigma so they can be amongst the other Greeks and give students new groups to choose.

Vanessa Johnson, director of the medical technology program, said she became a member of Zeta Phi Beta at Tech in the Spring of 1996. She said she encountered a true family dynamic while being part of the organization.

“I think Tech needs the Zetas and Sigmas on campus,” Johnson said. “I would love students to have those experiences like me and everyone else had being in Zeta Phi Beta and Phi Beta Sigma.”

She said for her the most pressing issue will be getting recognition on campus again so they can take in members. Johnson said once the Zetas and Sigmas are fully recognized, it will open new doors for the remaining NPHC organizations and their alumni to find their way back to Tech.

“I think having all of the Divine Nine would be great because it allows all legacies to experience the life of being in a sorority or fraternity,” Johnson said.

Tytiana Browder, NPHC president, said she served as the neutral party to make sure students were aware of their options and what the Zetas and Sigmas have to offer Tech’s campus.

“I want to make sure students know these two organizations do have support from

NPHC,” said Browder, a senior secondary education in math concentration major.

She said she felt ecstatic about the possible re-addition of the Zetas and Sigmas because they are important to the NPHC. Browder said the return of the two organizations would give students the chance to join, build themselves and excel.

“I think their return will enhance Tech because it is a different atmosphere and an organization new to the area but with just as much drive to serve the community, which is one of the many reasons why Zetas and Sigmas are historical organizations,” Browder said.

Sindy Cameron, a sophomore English major, said she always wanted to join a Greek organization when she came to college. She said she thought it would be difficult to choose one of the four Divine Nine sororities because she heard of and researched all of them.

“My freshman year I figured there would be a lot to do before I make a decision, but they only had Alpha Kappa Alpha and Delta Sigma Theta,” Cameron said.

She said she could not decide on one of the two because she felt they were not for her. Cameron said a few people she looked up to were either a Zeta or Sigma and always mentioned how they were family.

“If my mentors became who they are now because they were a part of those organizations, then I want to do the same,” Cameron said.

Like Cameron, Johnson said she believes in making a change and being able to benefit the lives of students and help build them into better people.

“Bringing the Zetas and Sigmas back will enhance African-American life on campus, and it will give opportunities for alumni to be men2 | SPEAK magazine tors for Tech and students,” Johnson said.

is available digitally on issuu Go to issuu.com/speakmagazinemedia or download the issuu mobile app and search for SPEAK Magazine

April 14, 2016 • The Tech Talk • 7

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Singing sergeants perform at Tech

STX Entertainment

The entire band performs on stage during the songs of each military branch.

Photos by Brian Blakely

AMBER HARRINGTON Staff Reporter|anh038@ latech.edu On April 10, the United States Air Force Concert Band and Singing Sergeants from Washington, D.C., performed in the Howard Auditorium at Louisiana Tech University.

The performance, presented by the Louisiana Tech University’s School of the Performing Arts and The Ruston Daily Leader, was the seventh stop of a twelve-show tour throughout Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee.

“The United States Air Force Concert Band and Singing Sergeants have a three-fold mission,” Lang said, “to honor those who have served, inspire American citizens to heightened patriotism and service, and positively impact the global community on behalf of the U.S. Air Force and the United States of America.”

The band consists of 184 members from around the nation. They were divided into six groups: Air Force Strings, Airmen of Note, Ceremonial Brass, Concert Band, Max Impact and Singing Sergeants. Col. Larry H. Lang commanded and conducted the orchestra through a series of works by Steven Bryant, Kenneth Alford, Martin Ellerby and others, in a theme named “Journeys.”

The Singing Sergeants, one of the six groups and the official chorus of the United States Air Force, performed excerpts from Disney classics including “Hakuna Matata” from “The Lion King” and patriotic tributes such as “God Bless America.”

Senior Master Sergeant Blake Arlington performs a clarinet solo.

In efforts to fully complete each part of their mission, the band has launched the Advancing Innovation through Music (AIM) program. The program is designed to help elementary through college age students with their musical talents.

“Our main goal for AIM is to instill patriotism,” said Capt. Joseph S. Hansen, associate conductor. “We’re able to say thank you for the support, as a way to give back to the community. It’s also really neat working with the students.”

AIM gave music students the opportunity to perform on stage with the orchestra and the singers. Connor Howington, a junior computer science major and member of Tech’s choir, was one of those students.

“I never realized my art of singing would be something that would lead me into such incredible opportunities,” Howington said. “I just would’ve never imagined.”

Senior Sgt. Blake Arrington, a clarinet player for the band, said though the performances are an amazing way to involve students, the people who benefit the most from them are the veterans.

At the end of the show, veterans in the audience were encouraged to stand up and join in the singing of their service march.

“There are veterans who may have never had anyone thank them for their service,” Arrington said.“We try to recognize and thank them. That gives us all a sense of community.”

Monroe-based implosion percussion group debuts at Tech STARLA GASTON Staff Reporter|sjg021@ latech.edu The sounds of drum beats, xylophones and marimbas filled Howard Auditorium when Monroe-based ensemble Implosion Percussion Group made its Louisiana Tech debut on April 5.

The group consists of members Mel Mobley, Gregory Lyons, Brian Bass, James Waller, John Pirkey and Michael Holdiness.

Implosion Percussion was established in 2008 by Mobley, an associate professor of music at the University of Louisiana at Monroe, and two of his former graduate students, Pirkey and Holdiness.

“They were looking for more opportunities to play, and wanted to perform some of the more professional ensemble literature that isn’t normally used in an undergraduate course,” Mobley said. “So we began performing new literature and it gradually snowballed from there.”

The ensemble performed there was a wide range of pieces including Daniel Levi- “I thought it sounds and songs, so it tan’s “Marimba Quartet” and was really took me by surprise.” two original pieces, “Xylopho- interesting.

Hall said concerts like bia” by Mobley and “Green these can provide cultural It opened Monkey” by Waller. experiences for students Lyons, an assistant profes- my eyes to a and make them aware of sor of music, said he wanted new sounds and styles they to give the audience a new ap- new kind of have never heard before. preciation for a style of music music.”

“I thought it was really they might have been previinteresting,” Hall said. “It ANNA HALL ously unfamiliar with. opened my eyes to a new “We hope to give them a senior kind of music.” some excitement about all the psychology major Lyons said another readifferent sounds and all the son for the concert was to possibilities that you can get promote a new area music from percussion music,” he said. event: The New Music on the Bayou Anna Hall, a senior psychology Summer Festival, which will feature major, said she had never listened to guest composers and scores from all pieces played only with percussion in- over the country. He said he hopes the struments and the concert introduced percussion concert helped gain supher to a new and interesting style of port for the music festival and gave music. the audience enthusiasm about new “I’ve never been to a concert like music. this,” she said.“It wasn’t what I ex“We’re hoping to give them some pected. They used the marimbas a lot, excitement about new music and and I was expecting mostly drums. But about percussion music,” he said.

HARDCORE HENRY DILLON NELSON Staff Reporter| djn005@latech.edu

“Hardcore Henry,” the action movie, first-person shooter hybrid, is a great video game film, in the way it captures the look and feel it was going for.

However, as a standard film there is a lot be desired, despite some undeniably brilliant moments.

Video games are difficult to categorize as art and so is “Hardcore Henry.”

There isn’t much time in the movie for any real character development or time to think for that matter.

The film is about a ruined super soldier operation, and Henry has apparently been awakened to become part of that program.

The film attempts to establish an emotional center in the kidnapping of the his wife Estelle, played by Haley Bennett, who he barely remembers.

However, the journey to retrieve her is just one convoluted, breathless sprint wherein nothing ends up mattering.

A stereotypically nasty Russian psychopath, Akan, played by Danila Kozlovsky, is the final boss literally.

The former head of the whole super soldier operation, his telekinetic powers render him untouchable even as he touches whoever he wants.

He seems like a character designed to disgust and not much else, but I did appreciate his House of the Dead-boss fighting style.

Like a typical video game aimed at the teen demographic, “Hardcore Henry” is sometimes too immature for its own good.

The onslaught of sexual references wear thin rather than adding color, and the relentless gore only gives way to a handful of truly clever kills.

Much of the pleasure in watching “Hardcore Henry” comes from some more clever nods to other action movies and is similar to concepts found in popular video games.

Despite a slightly tone deaf musical number, these nods are memorable and seamless.

Such things like Henry’s attempt to mount a horse is a particularly fun sequence and a “Terminator” reference comes just at the right moment, adding to the film.

The best aspect of the film has to be Jimmy, played by Shartlo Copley, and his clones.

Akan’s spurned scientist in the super soldier program, he and his varying personas essentially amount to the main characters and the driving force of the narrative.

Because Henry is silent, like many other firstperson shooter characters, Jimmy essentially talks him through his own mission and, in the process, gives details on himself.

The Jimmys end up having the clearest of arcs throughout, as we can feel for mostly just them by the time only confusing finale begins.

As a matter of fact, Jimmy is the source of the film’s only thematic thread, however muddled.

The idea of achieving a higher self is paid reasonable lip service by Jimmy, but with the character existing as the only fully realized character(s) in the film, there are no other perspectives to help this thread resonate.

However little I felt for the characters in the movie, the ending was undeniably satisfying, and the movie was thrilling for much of the runtime.

That is all this type of movie really needs to be.

However, I could see a more mature sequel easily surpassing this mixed bag of an experiment with a slower pace and a main character who can speak.

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8 • The Tech Talk • April 14, 2016

W&NBRIEFS WORLDNEWS Bakery celebrates Equal Pay Day CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — A New England bakery chain is charging female customers 79 cents on the dollar to illustrate the pay gap between men and women.

Bono urges Congress to act WASHINGTON (AP) — U2 frontman Bono brought his star power to Capitol Hill Tuesday as he called on members of Congress to take swift action to deal with the global refugee crisis and violent extremism.

Syrian journalist attacked by IS dies ISTANBUL (AP) — A Syrian journalist who was shot in the Turkish city of Gaziantep in an attack claimed by the Islamic State group died from his wounds Tuesday, a close friend said.

The death of Halab Today TV presenter Mohammed Zahir a-Sherqat marks the fourth assassination of a Syrian journalist in Turkey claimed by the extremist group.

STATENEWS Vigil planned for college students BATON ROUGE, (AP) — Southern University in Louisiana held a candlelight vigil Tuesday night for two 19-year-old students who were shot and killed at a party outside an off-campus apartment complex.

State has first whooping crane since ‘39 NEW ORLEANS (AP) — For the first time since 1939, a whooping crane chick has hatched in the wild in Louisiana.

Whooping cranes are among the world’s most endangered birds. Only about 600 of the graceful 5-foottall birds exist, all descended from 15 in Texas.

Parish sheriff’s deputy fired LAKE CHARLES, (AP) — A Calcasieu Parish sheriff ’s deputy has been fired after he was accused of inappropriately touching a woman.

Sheriff ’s spokeswoman Kim Myers tells KPLC-TV that Cody Onxley faces charges of sexual battery, misdemeanor sexual battery and malfeasance in office.

Saints coach angered over gun laws ASSOCIATED PRESS

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton is angered over the nation’s gun laws and derides as “madness” the idea that everybody needs a gun.

“I hate guns,” he said in an interview with USA Today Sports.

Payton spoke following the shooting death of Will Smith, a 34-year-old former Saints defensive lineman. He was killed Saturday night after an argument following a traffic accident in New Orleans.

Payton said he drove to the scene of the shooting at 5:45 a.m. Sunday because he was unable to sleep. The coach said he’s not an “extreme liberal” and often will “find myself leaning to the right on some issues. But on this issue, I can’t wrap my brain around it.”

Payton understood that his opinion might be unpopular, but he wanted to speak out.

“I’ve heard people argue that everybody needs a gun,” he told the newspaper. “That’s madness. I know there are many kids who grow up in a hunting environment. I get that.

But there are places, like England, where even the cops don’t have guns.”

White House press

AP/Gerald Herbert

Notes, flowers and balloons are left at a makeshift memorial on April 11, near the spot where former New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith was shot and killed, and his wife wounded by gunfire, after a traffic accident in New Orleans last Saturday. secretary Josh Earnest said on Tuesday that since Smith’s death is still under investigation, it’s unclear if tighter gun laws could have prevented the shooting.

But he did say Smith’s death showed that gun vio-

lence is “too common in our society.”

“We can’t prevent every act of violence from occurring but we can certainly take some common sense steps that would reduce gun violence that

don’t undermine the constitutional rights of law abiding Americans,” Earnest said. President Barack Obama “believes strongly that those measures should be taken and he’s going to continue to advocate for

Stephen Hawking joins futuristic space venture ASSOCIATED PRESS NEW YORK (AP) — With famed physicist Stephen Hawking at his side, an Internet investor announced Tuesday that he’s spending $100 million on a futuristic plan to explore far outside our solar system.

Yuri Milner said the eventual goal is sending hundreds or thousands of tiny spacecraft, each weighing far less than an ounce, to the Alpha Centauri star system. That’s more than 2,000 times as far as any spacecraft has gone so far.

Propelled by energy from a powerful array of Earth-based lasers, the spacecraft would fly at about one-fifth the speed of light. They could reach Alpha Centauri in 20 years, where they could make observations and send the results back to Earth.

They might discover a planet or planets there — experts think there may be some, but there’s no proven sighting yet — and possibly even find signs of life there or elsewhere, said Milner and a panel of experts at the announcement. The three stars that make up Alpha Centauri are the closest stars to our star — the sun.

“We commit to the next great leap into the cosmos,” Hawking said,

AP/Bebeto Matthews

Internet investor and philanthropist Yuri Milner shows the Starchip, a microelectronic component spacecraft, during a press conference on April 12 in New York. “because we are human and our nature is to fly.”

Hawking has joined Milner and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg on the board of the project, called Breakthrough Starshot, which includes a team of scientists. Milner said his $100 million will go to establish the feasibility of the project, and that a launch itself would require far more money.

Hawking is also part of a project Milner an-

nounced last summer to use earthbound telescopes to seek intelligent life in outer space.

For the Starshot project, the tiny spacecraft would be boosted into space by a conventional rocket, and then set free individually. They would capture the energy from the earthbound laser array with sails a few yards wide. Milner said recent advances in electronic miniaturization, laser

technology and fabrication of extremely thin and light materials have made such a mission realistic to consider.

“We can do more than gaze at the stars,” Milner said. “We can actually reach them.”

Avi Loeb, chair of Harvard’s astronomy department and member of the Starshot project’s management and advisory committee, told reporters that scientists have scrutinized the technical obstacles and “we don’t see any showstoppers.... We think we can overcome all these challenges.”

Hawking, of Cambridge University, said the plan fits in with what he said makes humans unique, which is transcending limits.

“With light beams, light sails and the lightest spacecraft ever built, we can launch a mission to Alpha Centauri within a generation,” Hawking said.

The project was announced on the 55th anniversary of the flight of Russian Yuri Gagarin, the first human in space. Milner was named after him.

Lisa Kaltenegger, an astronomy professor at Cornell University, who is not involved in the project, said in an email, “I think it is inspiring on this date to plan our next journey to the stars.”

them.”

Payton said he spent much of Sunday at the hospital with Smith’s family while Smith’s wife, Racquel, underwent surgery.

She was shot and injured while with her husband.

Navy secretary: Women in combat irreversible ASSOCIATED PRESS CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (AP) — Navy Secretary Ray Mabus had a simple message Tuesday for 1,500 Marines and sailors: The decision to let women compete for all military combat positions is as irreversible as earlier edicts to integrate blacks and allow gays and lesbians to openly serve.

It was Mabus’ third visit to a major Marine Corps base to explain the issue to rank-and-file audiences since Defense Secretary Ash Carter said in December that all combat positions would be open to women.

Mabus repeatedly emphasized that standards won’t be lowered.

“Marines, we’re past the decision now. The secretary of defense has made the decision. Now we’re into implementing,” he said Tuesday at Camp Pendleton in California.

Marine Corps leaders had sought to keep certain infantry and combat jobs closed to women, citing studies showing combinedgender units are not as effective as male-only units.

Carter, backed by Mabus, overruled them.

W&N

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April 14, 2016 • The Tech Talk • 9

Syria talks to resume amid escalating violence ASSOCIATED PRESS

BEIRUT (AP) — Indirect peace talks between Syria’s warring parties were scheduled to resume in Geneva on Wednesday, the third round this year. There are two main groups at the negotiations in Switzerland, in addition to others that were invited by the United Nations as advisers.

The U.N. envoy for Syria says the talks this time are to focus on a political transition in the war-torn country, but chances for a breakthrough are slim as distrust and continuing disagreements between rival factions remain deep.

Here’s a look at the talks: The talks this week resume amid an escalation, with clashes underway mainly between government forces and militants, mainly near the northern Syrian city of Aleppo. The fighting could endanger a truce brokered by Russia and the United States that has mostly held since going into effect on Feb. 27. The first round of talks collapsed earlier in February amid a government offensive on Aleppo, Syria’s largest city and once its commercial center. U.N. special envoy Staffan de Mistura said after talks with officials in Damascus earlier this week that keeping the truce was key, describing the ceasefire as fragile and stressing that all sides “need to make sure that it continues to be sustained.”

The main players are the Syrian government, which is backed by Iran, Russia and Lebanon’s Hezbollah group, and the main opposition faction, the High Negotiations Committee or HNC, which includes groups that are backed by Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. The Islamic State group and al-Qaida’s branch in Syria known as the Nusra Front are not taking part in the talks because they are opposed to negotiations and are considered terrorist organizations by the U.N. The Syrian government delegation is headed by the country’s ambassador to the U.N., Bashar Ja’afari, while the HNC’s chief negotiator is Mohammed Alloush of the rebel group Jaysh al-Islam or Army of Islam.

Other opposition groups are taking part in Geneva as well, including members of the internal opposition that has been tolerated by President Bashar Assad.

All opposition groups other than the HNC were invited to Geneva by de Mistura as advisers so as not to anger the HNC, which considers itself the sole representative of the opposition.

The Syrian government delegation says the priority in the “proximity talks” should be on fighting terrorism while the HNC says the focus should be on setting up a Transitional Government Body with full executive powers in which Assad will have no role. The government says Assad was

AP/Vahid Salemi

U.N. Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura briefs media after his talks with Iranian deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian in Tehran, Iran, April 12. elected by the people and any talk about removing him from power is a red line.

Over the past months, Syrian troops have captured wide areas from militants under the cover of Russian airstrikes. Syrian legislator and member of Assad’s ruling Baath party Sharif Shehadeh says “the problem of the opposition is that it ... is still talking about a transi-

tional government. This will not happen in Syria under any circumstances, even if this means prolonging the war for one hundred years.”

The Syrian Kurds, or rather, the Kurdish Democratic Union Party, PYD, and its military wing known as the People’s Protection Units or YPG have not been invited to the talks. The U.S.backed YPG has been the

most effective force in fighting the Islamic State group in northern and eastern Syria. Although they consider themselves opposed to Assad, the HNC considers the PYD and YPG as pro-government. The Syrian Kurds’ move to set up a federal region in northern Syria has angered both the government and the HNC. The Observatory said

dozens of troops and progovernment fighters were killed in Tuesday’s clashes in Aleppo province, without providing precise figures.

Also Tuesday, a Russian helicopter crashed near the central Syrian city of Homs, killing the two pilots.

Russia has been carrying out airstrikes since Sept. 30 in support of Syrian government forces.

New Orleans Saints radio analyst Howard Gajan dies ASSOCIATED PRESS NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The color analyst of New Orleans Saints radio broadcasts and a former Saints player, Howard “Hokie” Gajan, has died.

He was 56.

Diane Newman, operations manager and program director of WWL AM, the flagship station of the Saints radio network, said Gajan was diagnosed with cancer last year. He died Monday night, Newman said.

Gajan was an all-state back at Baker High School and later a back at LSU. In 1981, he went from being a 10th-round draft choice to a prominent runner with the Saints.

“Hokie Gajan was a true New Orleans Saint, as a player, a valued member of our scouting staff and later as a broadcaster,” said Saints Owners Tom Benson and Gayle Benson.

“Overall, he impacted our whole organization and had a special relationship with our fans for 36 years. We will miss Hokie dearly and our thoughts and prayers go out to Judy, their four daughters and the entire Gajan family.”

LSU sent a tweet Tuesday offering condolences, adding, “Gone too soon.”

AP/Jeff Reinking

In this Sept. 29, 1985, file photo, New Orleans Saints’ Howard “Hokie” Gajan carries against the San Francisco 49ers in an NFL football game in San Francisco. Gajan, a color analyst on Saints radio broadcasts and a former Saints player, has died.

Gajan played in 45 career games as fullback for the Saints and posted career totals of 252 carries for 1,358 yards (5.4 avg.) with 11 touchdowns and

added 63 receptions for 515 yards with two touchdowns, also passing for a 34-yard touchdown in 1984.

Gajan’s yards-per-carry average ranks second all-time

in Saints record books.

Gajan suffered a knee injury that sidelined him for the entire 1986 season and following a subsequent injury to the other knee in

1987, he retired and immediately transitioned into a 14-year career as a scout for the club.

Following the 2000 NFL Draft, Gajan took over col-

or analyst duties for WWL, where he utilized his perspectives as both a former player and scout for Saints games, and handled the station’s coverage of the NFL Draft, offseason and training camp practices and other club-related programming.

Veteran broadcaster and the Saints play-by-play announcer Jim Henderson, in a statement released by the radio station, described Gajan as “a man’s man.” Henderson called Gajan “true and genuine.” ‘’He’s one of the most original people I’ve ever met.”

Former Saints quarterback and WWL radio host Bobby Hebert met Gajan in 1972 when his high school team, South Lafourche, went up against Baker in the playoffs.

Hebert called Gajan “the common man’s favorite football player, as tough as they come.”

“I always enjoyed doing shows with Hokie, because he was always straightforward, no BS.” Newman, who hired Gajan as color analyst, described him in a statement as “Authentic. Honest. Purely Hokie. Tougher than tough, yet innocent & tender ... and funny, even in intensive care. That’s why we all love him so much.”

www.thetechtalk.org

10 • The Tech Talk • April 14, 2016

WEEKLYHOROSCOPE www.horoscopes.com.net

Aries March 21 – April 19 Love and romance are definitely on the agenda for today, Aries, and you should be feeling warm, passionate, and particularly sexy. You’re likely to be looking quite attractive, too, and romantic partners or potential partners could seem especially attractive to you. This is a wonderful day to shop for new clothes, have your hair styled, or prepare a candlelit dinner for someone very special. Go for it!

Taurus Apr 20 - May 20 A friend or family member could be feeling rather grim, taciturn, and not open to communication. He or she could have you wondering if you’ve done something wrong, or they’re angry with you. If you use your warmth and generosity of spirit to induce this person to open up, Taurus, you’ll probably find that the issues have nothing to do with you. You might even help relieve them! Tonight, prepare everyone’s favorite meal.

Gemini May 21 - Jun 20 A warm, loving phone call or letter could come your way today from a lover or close friend who’s presently out of town. You’ll wish with all your heart that he or she could be home! In the meantime, you’re likely to keep yourself quite busy, Gemini. Creative projects, activities in your community, or both could keep you too busy to miss anyone too much. Tonight, spend some time alone.

Cancer Jun 21 - Jul 22 Today you could discover a talent for investment, real estate, or other form of money management that you never thought you had, Cancer. The opportunity to make an investment or cash in on one could enable you to take strides toward making your money grow. This might be a good time to buy or sell any type of property.

You might also want to do some reading on future investment opportunities.

Leo Jul 23 - Aug 22 You might wake up today feeling a little grumpy and out of sorts, Leo. You could aspire to nothing more strenuous than spending the day without any distractions other than a good book. However, by the middle of the day a warm and loving letter or phone call is likely to snap you out of your reclusive mood. You could spend the evening strolling through your community, visiting shops or restaurants. Enjoy!

Virgo Aug 23 - Sep 22 Some pretty heavy soul searching could reveal that the time has come to make use of a talent you may have always had but never developed. This could involve nothing more than a little practice, or you could decide to get some formal training in the skill. This is a positive

sign, Virgo, but your determination could waver over the next few days. Don’t hesitate - stay with it!

Libra Sep 23 - Oct 22 You’re looking good and your social skills are at their peak, Libra. Therefore, social events and group activities that you might attend today could well be the most satisfying and beneficial you’ve known in a long time.

People you meet should be impressed with you, and you could make a lot of new friends. If you aren’t romantically involved now, a new love could come your way.

Scorpio Oct 23 - Nov 21 Today you could find yourself brainstorming a way to put your inventiveness and ingenuity to work so that you can advance your career by leaps and bounds and increase your income. You could also become involved in artistic projects of some kind. Don’t be surprised if great ideas come to you with little effort. You’re very intuitive today, Scorpio, so enjoy it.

Sagittarius Nov 22 - Dec 21 An intense study of philosophy, religion, or some other exalted school of thought could find you involved with a group that shares your interest in the subject. You could make a new friend today, or if you aren’t currently romantically involved, meet a potential romantic partner. This should be a very satisfying day on both mental and emotional levels. Remember how it all came about, and enjoy yourself!

Capricorn Dec 22 - Jan 19 Sex and romance should be at the top of your priority list today, Capricorn. You should be feeling especially warm, loving, and passionate. Romantic novels and movies could be especially appealing, as could an intimate evening with a lover! Career and money matters look fairly strong and stable at this time, although it might take a little effort to keep them that way. Go for the gold!

Aquarius Jan 20 - Feb 18 A lack of communication on the part of your mate or perhaps a business partner can cause you to feel uncertainty about the relationship. Don’t fall into this trap, Aquarius. Use your warmth and understanding to open up the communication between you. You’ll probably find that all is basically well. Your partner just needs some space. Take some space for yourself, too! A little solitude might do you some good.

CROSSWORDPUZZLE Across 1. Devilment 9. Mouth stuff 15. Constrain 16. Tooth covering 17. Stimulus that causes strain 18. Forward 19. Paint layer 20. Small piece of lean meat 22. Critical evaluations 26. Exit a railroad conveyance 27. Summer drink 29. Tic-tac-toe win 30. Tough wood 31. Chicken breed 33. Pass 38. Flies 39. Tenth month of the year 41. Big name in copiers 42. Stain 43. Sucker 46. Oh yeah? ___ who?

47. Worked (up) 48. Highest singing voice in women 52. The end of ___ 54. SE Asian country 56. Able to see right through 59. Greek island in the Aegean Sea 60. Diplomatic mission 64. Shining with light 65. Slipper 66. Come out 67. Add besides Down 1. Like some Fr. nouns

www.bestcrosswords.com 2. ,in analogies 3. Pivotal 4. El Greco’s birthplace 5. Towel word 6. Officeholders 7. Self 8. Frond plant 9. Sequence 10. Render physically insensible 11. Modern surgical tool 12. ___ man with seven wives 13. Starbucks size 14. Pilgrim John 21. Name of a feudal Japanese clan 23. Prophecy 24. Shredded 25. Juniors, perhaps 27. Controversial orchard spray 28. Hindu mother goddess 32. Ten of these equal one dong in Vietnam 34. Cambodia’s Lon ___ 35. Islamic scholar 36. Part of a bird’s beak 37. Waste allowance 39. Greek peak 40. “Fargo” director 44. Having a handle 45. Luau serving 48. Look happy 49. Loose fiber used for caulking 50. Position 51. Less common or less cooked 53. Helicopter part

DAILY U

LAST ISSUE’S SOLUTION

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

Pisces Feb 19 - Mar 20 The right moment to ask for a raise or apply for a promotion or new job could come your way today, but you’d better make use of it or the opportunity could pass you by. A chance for a romantic encounter or fun evening with friends could also come up. Whatever pleasant things arise today aren’t sure things, Pisces, so don’t let them escape. They could be significant milestones for you.

WEEKLYWEATHER

www.accuweather.com

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

HIGH 72 LOW 57

HIGH 72 LOW 56

HIGH 72 LOW 58

HIGH 75 LOW 60

HIGH 74 LOW 59

HIGH 79 LOW 50

HIGH 70 LOW 55

>

55. Heidi’s home 57. Spilled the beans 58. Like a line, briefly 61. ___ de Cologne 62. Econ. indicator 63. Bolted down

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

GREEN from pg. 1

“Dr. William Green’s collection of rural “Dr. Green is one of those rare faculty veterinary stories is a joy to read,” Ken- members who is well balanced and highnedy said. “The content of the stories has ly productive in all three areas of teachspecial meaning if you are from a small, ing, research, and service to veterinary rural town in the South.” profession,” Kennedy said. “Dr. In his foreword, Kennedy said Green’s service to the veterinary the collection of short stories profession is exemplary.” makes the reader feel as if he or Blair Bennet, one of Green’s she were one of Green’s students. students, said he is one of the “Like his students, you will main reasons she chose the presee a glimpse of what it is like vet program at Tech. to practice veterinary medicine “He is the best professor in in a rural area and how that exthe world,” Bennet said. “He perience is typically far from dull brings so much passion about or routine,” Kennedy said. “He the veterinary industry to peoshows that working with animals ple and he loves his students and GREEN is rewarding and interesting, but wants them to succeed. No one working with animals, people and has inspired me to be a vet more the situations that they create takes it to a than him.” completely different level.”

The book sold over 250 copies at the Kennedy said Green is not only a great first book signing alone and can be found author, but is also a highly successful pro- on Amazon, Barnes and Nobel and the fessor as well as a veterinarian.

Tech Bookstore.

WE ARE

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

April 14, 2016 • The Tech Talk • 11

www.thetechtalk.org

More Talk

Hayden and Brandy Legg have honed their homebrewing craft PAYTON POTTER Staff Reporter | jpp017@ latech.edu

Photos by Ashley Kober

Hayden Legg loves beer.

He loves it so much, in fact, that he makes his own beer in an operation he calls Old Bottle Brewery.

An avid home brewer, Hayden Legg, along with his wife Brandy Legg, said his fervor for brewing began with his father.

“My dad got me interested in beer in the first place,” said Hayden Legg, a senior aviation management major. “He was really interested in craft beer in the late nineties during the craft beer renaissance. One year for Christmas, he got a kit to brew his own beer. Later, he bought me a kit and had it sent to the house.”

Although his first few attempts at brewing were not successful, study and practice helped him improve his craft.

“After we got the kit, we brewed one or two beers and they were both terrible,” he said. “We stopped for a while, and I read up on it and figured out what I was doing wrong. In the last year or two, we have been trying to do it as much as possible.”

With some experimentation, Hayden Legg discovered all-grain brewing, a form of brewing he said allows him to better manage the beer.

“When you brew, there are two different ways you can go,” he said. “One is extract brewing where you get a jug of syrup, mix it in with water, add hops and ferment it. Then, there is the all-grain way which is more complex and needs more advanced equipment. But, you have more control over the beer. When you do that, you need a kettle with a false bottom so you can put the grain in and let it soak, then pull the grain out and strain it.”

Hayden Legg said all-grain brewing is an involved process that requires multiple steps.

“Basically, you’re just making a tea out of grain and hops,” he said. “When you’re

done, you transfer it into a container like a jug or plastic bucket or carboy; then, you add the yeast. The yeast eats the sugar in the solution and produces alcohol and carbon dioxide.”

Hayden and Brandy Legg also make homemade sodas, which they sell at Ruston Farmers Market.

“Soda is the same as beer, but you don’t have to go through the fermentation process,” he said. “With soda, all you have to do is make some kind of sweetened drink and add carbon dioxide. For the first farmers market day, which is May 7, we’re going to do root beer in bottles and a keg of honey lavender soda.”

Brandy Legg said she likes helping her husband make their beer.

“I like to think of myself as the assistant brewer which, fortunately for me, consists of drinking beer and hanging out while it heats up, cools down and boils,” she said.

“Then I usually do some cleanup.”

She said her favorite part of brewing is experimenting with different varieties of beer.

“I really like working with different flavors to find cool ones to match up,” she said. “That’s my favorite part of brewing, and working different flavors into a beer that you wouldn’t normally expect is always exciting.”

Hayden Legg said he and Brandy hope to expand their beer and soda flavors by partnering with other local businesses.

“We’ve been talking to Jennings Apiaries about making some mead,” he said. “We’re also talking about getting with Railway Coffee to do a coffee cream soda.”

Hayden and Brandy Legg also make and sell dog treats at Better Living Market in Ruston and online through Etsy. According to their Etsy profile, the couple uses beer and other brewing ingredients to craft the treats, and uses the proceeds to fund their brewing ventures.

Hayden Legg said his goal is to one day become a full-time brewer.

“It was a hobby at first, but I’ve now pretty much decided my dream is to own and run a brewery,” he said. “It went from being a hobby to a lifestyle.”

www.thetechtalk.org

12 • The Tech Talk • April 14, 2016

THIS WEEK IN

BULLDOG

FOOTBALL

The Louisiana Tech football team will participate in its annual spring game at noon Saturday in Joe Aillet Stadium.

SPRING GAME

KEEP AN EYE ON: Holes to fill on defense

The Bulldog defense graduated all five of their top tacklers including Beau Fitte, Nick Thomason, CJ Cleveland, Bryson Abraham and Kentrell Brice. Jaylon Ferguson and Xavier Woods are two of the few returning players that started a game last season.

The battle at backup Senior Ryan Higgins goes into the spring game as the de facto starter for the season opener at Arkansas next season, but following close behind for the backup spot are redshirt freshman J’mar Smith and redshirt sophomore Price Wilson, as well as early enrollee Jack Abraham.

Open spot in the backfield Former RB Kenneth Dixon is on his way to the NFL, leaving a big hole to fill in the backfield. Dixon’s backup, junior Jarred Craft, is looking to fill that hole.

Redshirt junior Boston Scott is right behind him though after a strong performance in the NOLA Bowl last season. Redshirt freshman Bobby Holley is also looking to throw his name in the mix.

Newcomer at receiver Redshirt freshman receiver Alfred Smith is having a great spring. The Destrahan native signed a national letter of intent with Utah before deciding to stay in state.

Coach Holtz has talked a lot about Smith saying, “he’s made more progress than anybody out here.

Softball looks to end strong KERRY WAGUESPACK Staff Reporter | kfw005@latech.edu After a hot start to the season, the Lady Techsters softball team is looking to get back on the right track after a rough few weeks in the heart of the schedule, with an 11-game home stand.

The Techsters started the season off with a 15-5 record before having to cancel or reschedule four games in a row, including the opening series of Conference USA play.

“It’s tough when you have to cancel a conference series we feel we had a good chance to win,” head coach Mark Montgomery said.

“Then we played some tough teams, but we feel very confident moving forward.”

He said the team is excited to finally get to come home and play in front of their own fans for the next few weeks.

“We had a real tough road stretch of games after the rainout series, playing in El Paso one week and then at Florida Atlantic the next,” Montgomery said.

He said his team feels that it can play with anyone in this conference, after coming up one run shy of knocking off nationally ranked Florida Atlantic.

“This team can finally relax and play like they are capable of playing, we have a lot of younger players who are starting to get the hang of things,” Montgomery said.

Senior utility player Anna Cross has been providing a spark for the Techsters in the line-up, batting .409 with 11 home runs to her credit.

Cross said they come out to practice every day and work as hard as they can because they know if they want to have a chance to win the conference tournament it will take a full team effort.

“Once I stopped looking at the sport like a job I was finally able to relax and just have fun, which has gone a long way to the success I am having this year,” Cross said.

She said although the team is young, it is a very close team, and also a very deep team. Everyone understands their roles and has confidence that no matter which one of them is in a big situation, they will succeed.

Montgomery said this team is deep enough that it does not just stick the best nine players on the

with Matt Valcho

Summitt was a mistake

L

Photo by Darrell James/LA Tech Communications

Senior Anna Cross swings at a pitch in the loss to in-state foe LSU. Cross leads the team in hits and home runs this season. field at one time.

“I feel like I have at least 14 girls that can be in the lineup all the time, which gives me the freedom to use different types of lineups depending on the team we are playing,” Montgomery said.

Bailey Allen, a sophomore pitcher, has been a key component to the Techsters pitching staff, posting a 2.81 earned run average and a 7-4 record.

“A big part of our pitchers’ success is not getting fatigued late in games,” Allen said. “We were throwing a lot pitches in the offseason to

make sure that didn’t happen.”

She said to be in a position to make a run at the conference championship, the team will have to continue to improve with each series.

Montgomery said the team, while young, still has the imprint of senior leadership all over it. The seniors are showing the underclassmen how the game should be played in different situations.

“This is the first senior class that I have had for four years, and the girls are starting to buy into the way we want things done around here,” Montgomery said.

Hamilton plays in senior showcase NEWS SERVICES

FROM THE SPORTS DESK

USA (James Kelly of Marshall, Trey Freeman of Old Dominion and Adrian Diaz of FIU) and one of two After a stellar career at Louisiana Tech, Alex Ham- players from the state of Louisiana (Shawn Long of Louisiana-Lafayette) invited to the tournailton has been chosen to participate in the ment that features the nation’s top college 2016 Portsmouth Invitational Tournament. seniors.

The guard was one of 64 seniors invited The 64 seniors are split into eight teams from across the nation to participate in a of eight. Every team is guaranteed at least four-day, twelve-game tournament in front two games for players to showcase their of representatives from all 30 NBA teams abilities in front of NBA scouts. in Portsmouth, Virginia.

Hamilton will be a part of Team Mike Hamilton recently wrapped up one of Duman’s Auto Sales along with Stefan the best seasons and best careers in proMoody of Ole Miss and Elgin Cook of Orgram history. egon.

He finished the 2015-16 season averagAlso involved in the event is NCAA touring 19.8 points per game while tallying 654 nament star and Stephen F. Austin standout total points, fourth most in school history.

Thomas Walkup.

He also averaged a team-best 6.2 assists The NBA pre-draft showcase is now in its per game and 1.97 steals per game which 63rd consecutive year of existence. ranked 15th and 33rd in the country, reHAMILTON The PIT has been a showcase for five of spectively. the 50 greatest players in NBA History (Rick The Chipley, Florida, native went on to Barry, Earl ‘The Pearl” Monroe, Dave Cowbecome the all-time winningest Bulldog in program history with 106 wins while also becoming the ens, John Stockton and Scottie Pippen).

It has helped many other participants go on to NBA first player ever to rank in the top five in careers points, stardom including Chicago’s Jimmy Butler, Toronto’s assists and steals.

Along the way, he helped garner three conference DeMarre Carroll and Dallas’ Wesley Matthews and J.J. regular season titles while making four trips to the post- Barea.

The tournament started Wednesday and runs season.

Hamilton is one of four players from Conference through Sunday.

et me preface this by saying that I absolutely love my school.

Louisiana Tech has become my home and I’m proud to be a Bulldog.

That being said, what has transpired on this campus in the past week involving Tyler Summitt has myself and Tech faithful across the country wondering how Tech ended up in this compromising and embarrassing position.

Tyler Summitt was hired

by Tech as a 23-year-old assistant from Marquette.

His only previous college coaching experience before that was his time as a student assistant on his mother’s, Pat Summitt, team.

Had he inquired about a job in the men’s game with that experience, he would have been laughed at to his face. That lack of experience is a serious red flag to most. But not Tech. We welcomed him with open arms.

Athletics director Tommy McClelland told USA TODAY, “This isn’t a women’s basketball hire at 99 percent of the universities in America. This is Louisiana Tech, the Lady Techsters.”

That reasoning should raise even more questions as to why a program with one of the most prestigious histories in women’s college sports would hire someone like Summitt.

Why would anyone hire a 23-year-old coach with that little coaching experience? Was he impressive in interviews? Does he have a good mind for the game?

Or is it because of his last name? While all these factored into Summitt’s hiring, his last name probably created some rose colored glasses for some in the hiring process.

The last name Summitt comes with a legacy that has been built over many years and with the work of multiple national title winning teams. Pat was a legend in the women’s game and a pioneer of Title IX. The headlines write themselves. Hiring a legend’s son at a young age.

Tech passed over other more qualified candidates that have been working their whole careers to coach at a historically good program like this one.

Tyler Summitt has single-handedly brought down the family name only two years after getting his first head-coaching job. Louisiana Tech took a calculated risk by hiring Summitt, but I don’t think anyone could have guessed that this would have ended the way it did.