Niner Times- February 28th, 2012

NINERONLINE.COM

TUESDay, FEBRUARY 28, 2012

SPORTS

Spring Break options There are several different ways to enjoy spring break as a college student, whether it is partying at the beach or doing good.

Also look for different ways to stay in shape during the break. p.8-9

Anthony Davidson Tennis captain

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Senior and tennis captain, Anthony Davison reflects on what brought him to the Queen City.

From Derby to Charlotte Davison followed his dreams of playing tennis.

p.11

Image courtesy of Charlotte Sports Information

NINERTIMES Tuesday, Februar y 28, 2012

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Niners take the series agaist Toledo Travis Durkee

Alumna puts dreams on hold Ryan Pitkin

@ T R AV I S D U R K E E

ae @ n i ne r o n l i ne . c o m

Charlotte baseball (5-2) claimed the rubber game of their three-game series against the Toledo Rockets (3-3) 3-2 Sunday afternoon at Hayes Stadium.

Charlotte sent sophomore starter Tyler Barnette to the mound against Toledo’s Jared Locke in what would turn out to be a pitchers duel between Locke and Charlotte staff.

The Niners had an early threat snuffed

by Toledo shortstop Dan Zuchowski. Charlotte’s Toy Montalbano came to the plate in the bottom of the first inning with runners on second and third with only one out and rocketed a ground ball towards the second base bag when Zuchowski made a diving stop to begin a 6-4-3 double play to end the inning.

Barnette would only pitch two out into the second inning before he was pulled in favor of Chad Rothlin due to an apparent injury to his pitching hand.

Baseball p.11

Hopes of shining in international competition

As award-winning freelance journalist Rhiannon Fionn-Bowman stands in front of the Occupy camp on Charlotte’s old city hall’s lawn, it’s hard to tell who the “occupier” is.

She’s standing with a young man wearing blue jeans and a hooded sweatshirt depicting Sesame Street’s Cookie Monster.

His clothes are spotless, but a look at his mud-caked shoes makes it clear he’s not new to this scene.

Rhiannon, often called Rhi, is wearing sweatpants, a fleece sweater vest and a pulled back ponytail. She is staring out at the muddy lawn with the boy, who doesn’t look to be out of his teens. The city council vote deciding the fate of the occupiers is happening in a couple of hours and she is wondering where all the protesters are.

She asks the boy if he is willing to go to jail for the movement and he quickly nods his head in response. Five minutes later she asks what he will do if police storm the camp after the vote. “I will probably go back to my brother’s,” admits the kid.

It’s conflicting answers like these that define the things Rhiannon puts up with on a daily basis. She seems drawn to stories that branch off in many different angles, even within a single source, such as this

way from the camp across the street to city hall. “It’s hard because I know at least one or two people there are moles for whoever wants one in there, but who that could be I have no idea.”

Rhiannon is up close with these sources because of the way she does her job. It’s the type of attitude that won her the 2011 Gold Gamma Award for a story she wrote about the Catawba Riverkeeper, David Merriman.

Historic lake drained Malcolm Carter

USGBC

confused protester.

The Occupy camp, which Rhi has been covering since its development in October of 2011, is a shadowy place, even for someone as familiar with it as her. While some look to her for information on their own movement, others are quick to pull away for lack of trust.

That trust issue can go both ways. “It’s frustrating,” she says as she makes her

OCCUPY p.3

mca rte 7 2 @ uncc . e d u

Two Solar Decathalon 2011 entries this past fall in Washington D.C. Photos courtesy of

One of the seven arrests made by the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department on Jan. 30 at the Occupy Charlotte protests. MCT Campus

Two years ago the draining of Hechenbleikner (hek-in-bl-eye-k-nur) Lake began.

The lake was named after Professor Herbert Hechenbleikner (Dr. Heck for short) who orchestrated the creation of the lake in the 60s.

Facilities Management on campus noticed issues that were arising with dam, which made the lake and acted swiftly to avoid the risk of flooding nearby Broadrick Blvd.

“I noticed that the dam was being undermined on the downstream side, so we

took action to lower the water level off the dam wall,” said Jeff Ross, Civil Designer at UNC Charlotte.

The first lowering of the water level was done as a temporary fix, serving to decrease the water pressure on the already weak dam.

“The dam was being compromised due to a blocked overflow of the original lake overflow system. The lake does not freely flow downstream. Only if it gets above a certain elevation will it pour into the overflow and flow downstream,” said Ross.

The final draining of the lake was made as the rest of the dam began to deteriorate under the main road into campus.

The lake, located at the front entrance of the university, was not on the original blueprints of the campus. When the school was founded in 1946, the impounded area on which the lake is located was created with it, but not as a lake. According to Ross, the basin was a construction plan designed to help contain storm water runoff.

Dr. Heck, a biology professor that had been with the school since its inception, sought to make the desolate area of land into a beautiful lake. He implored the help of students with knowledge in the use of heavy earth-moving equipment and started the project.

They cleared the lake bed of trees and HECK LAKE p.3

Elizabeth Bartholf eba r t h o 3 @ uncc . e d u

Lifestyle

Sustainable energy and the green movement are two trends sweeping across the world, changing the way people everywhere think. One new student group at UNC Charlotte looks to build up the university’s image by promoting green architecture.

“Buildings take up way too much energy and emit way too much carbon dioxide. We need to fix that, whether it’s with existing buildings or new buildings,” said architecture graduate student Allison Schaefer.

Schaefer is president of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Students, and SOLAR p.3

Opinion

My Big Chop:

Blogger Maurii Davenport shares the first step of her transition from relaxed hair to natural hair. Visit NinerOnline to see the slideshow of her transition.

Campus Trend Alert:

After spending an evening at Tremont Music Hall, the realization that UNC Charlotte’s students thankfully aviod all being ‘hipster’ gives our campus character. p.11

Opinion

A&E

The Dreaded Parking Pass

Act of Valor: Is this latest movie an action flick or Navy Seal recruitment propaganda?

Is buying a parking permit a wise college expense or can you attend UNC Charlotte without the precious sticker?

Minus the Bear: A review of last weekend’s show at Tremont Music Hall.

Know your options, and remember that planning your trip to campus can save you the pain of walking.

newest horror flick’s classic style balances the need to scare and a great storyline.

p.6

The Inkeepers: Ti West’s

Dear Norm,

p.11 p.5

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TUEsDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2012

NINERTIMES

NINERONLINE.COM

TUESDay, FEBRUARY 28, 2012

SOLAR from p.1 organization which aims to connect students to the green building movement.

Schaefer anticipates USGBC members will primarily be students with architecture, engineering, construction management and business as a major seeking careers in sustainable building.

USGBC plans to expand current green initiatives on campus, including partnering with the Charlotte Green Initiative, which fosters sustainability on campus and allocates funds from a green student tuition fee.

Schaefer said one goal of USBGC Students is to bridge the gap and bring groups promoting a green campus together.

One major step will be joining the UNC Charlotte Solar Decathlon team, which will work for two years designing, building and testing original solarpowered houses.

“One of my hopes is that [USGBC officers and advisory board] get people who are interested in USGBC to be interested in the Solar Decathlon so we can help and get hands-on experi-

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OCCUPY from p.1 ence with green building,” said Schaefer.

UNC Charlotte has been selected to compete in the 2013 Solar Decathlon, hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy. Twenty collegiate teams were selected from around the world.

UNC Charlotte will compete against schools including George Washington University, California Institute of Technology, Stanford University and Vienna University of Technology.

The teams will take their houses to Orange County Great Park in Irvine, California for judging in 10 contests, including architecture, market appeal, affordability, appliances and home entertainment.

“You don’t understand [a building] until you see it.

You can look at pictures but it’s not the same as when you experience the space yourself,” said Schaefer.

In the appliances contest, houses are evaluated on the efficiency and effectiveness of appliances powered by solar energy.

Refrigerators and freezers must maintain designated functional temperatures and dishwashers and

clothes washers and dryers must complete full cycles.

2013 Solar Decathlon will learn valuable skills by building their own houses as well as assessing houses of their competitors.

As part of the home entertainment contest, teams host two dinner parties for other contestants and VIP guests, such as media and government employees. All meals must be prepared in the houses using the solar energy powered appliances.

Dinner parties are evaluated according to the quality of the meal provided and overall setting and atmosphere of the house.

With these contests ahead, the UNC Charlotte team begins tackling the first of many challenges on the path to the Solar Decathlon. “[In architecture] you have a problem and there are [so many] different ways can you solve it. You have to pick the right one, or the better one, and go with it and stand behind it,” said Schaefer.

For more information about USGBC Students, email usgbcstudents@ uncc.edu.

HECK LAKE from p.1

The construction site where Hechenbleikner is being drained and redone due to the compromised dam that is affecting the surrounding environment. Photo courtesy of Ciera Choate brush and made the dam, on top of which now lies Broadrick Blvd. With the trees and other vegetation gone from the small valley, water from a nearby inlet quickly filled the area.

“The magic of the water added to the ambience of the campus,” wrote Ken Sanford in his book “Charlotte and UNC Charlotte: Growing Up Together.” Dr. Heck even bought a pair of swans to occupy the lake. Once construction began on the Rowe Building the swans fled the area. Dr. Heck, who would not stand for the loss of his swans, took a plane around the county in an attempt to find them.

He could not, and shortly after the Canadian geese found their way to campus.

The takeover was swift.

Although an integral part of this campus and nearly one of the first things visitors see upon their arrival, Heck Lake’s story is poorly known amongst 49ers. It’s not the only story forgotten by students after its genesis. The amnesic quality seems prevalent amongst the students at UNC Charlotte.

“The history of the university needs to be transcribed in one place, like a document or booklet for students to seek out,” said homecoming king and co-founder of Niner Traditions Matt Murrow.

Did you know:

Fast facts and a lie about UNC Charlotte Fact: Before 1970, the university

ran out of water several times, resulting in cancelled classes.

Fact: There is a graveyard on campus.

Fact: Charlotte College’s mascot was an Owl. Fact: Charlotte College began at Central High School which is now the current location of Central Piedmont Community College’s downtown campus.

Fiction: The Belk Tower was originally supposed to be a pen and ink well.

The truth: The Belk Tower was built to be “reaching towards excellence,” and the so-called ink well was supposed to be the location of the bell.

A protestor on Jan. 30 yelling at the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department for taking down a makeshift tent and arresting fellow protestors. MCT Campus Although she claims not to care about journalistic awards, she takes pride in one judge’s comments. The Gold Gamma judge told her, “You could have made it preachy.

You took us into these peoples’ lives.”

This is what Rhi calls covering a story from the inside out. “What it’s about is amplifying the peoples’ voices,” she said. She recalls reading a story about Occupy Wall Street when it first began in which the journalist quoted anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan.

This reporting seemed lazy to Rhi. “What the hell does she have to do with anything? Give people equal weight,” said Bowman.

To “amplify people’s voices” is why she now stands here with a confused and standoffish young man not sure if he will be spending the night in a cell or a wet tent.

Rhi, heading to the city council meeting in sleep-ready clothes, has a similar lack of knowledge when it comes to where she will lay her head tonight. In her car, parked a block or so down the road, she has packed enough sandwiches to stay on site for two to three days. She has blankets and even a fold out desk in the back seat in case she needs to get some work done.

“You need to be prepared,” she says, wondering whether Charlotte will turn into scenes similar to those happening in Oakland, New York and other Occupy sites. “[The police] sort of wait until everyone stops paying attention, then they move in.”

This is not the place Rhi would like to be spending a chilly Monday night. She has other things she would like to be working on. Her top priority professionally is to push the book ideas that she has been working on to publishers in New York and across the country. However, she feels that she is needed here.

This feeling is ingrained in her personality, according to Kim Lawson, an editor at Creative Loafing, where most of Rhiannon’s Occupy work was published. Kim also calls Rhiannon a good friend. “She’s just a great storyteller that cares about community issues,” said Lawson. “She’s very aware, but she’s smart about being aware.”

She loves hiking but hasn’t been able to lately because of her busy work schedule.

“I have been doing a lot of urban hiking,” she says, referring to her coverage of the Occupy Charlotte movement.

A car accident two years ago fractured her spine and made it nearly impossible to do one of her favorite activities: tent camping. She toughed it out, however, through a night of camping with a group of protestors early on in the Occupy movement.

“I definitely paid the price,” she said. “I was in serious pain for a couple of days.”

That was just another way of telling the story from the inside out. “I just felt like someone needed to be out there without a bright light and a camera. [The Occupiers] weren’t media savvy at that point.”

It’s almost as if she hears a calling when a story breaks; a calling that tells her nobody else will tell this story if she doesn’t.

“She’s so thorough and some stories have so many different sides to tell,” said Desiree Kane, a friend of Rhiannon’s. “That sort of thing will suck in any good journalist.”

Rhi remembers the day she heard about the Occupy Charlotte camp forming on Twitter. “I was really looking forward to having a Saturday to myself, but I knew

that I had to go. I just feel this strange obligation to my community to tell them what’s happening,” in a tone that makes it hard to tell if sarcasm is prevalent or she really finds her own feeling of obligation strange.

Rhiannon’s husband, Dan, has seen the way stories like this can envelope her.

“She needs to know, ‘How did we get to this point?’ Once she starts down that path, it consumes her,” he said. “It’s her passion.”

At the meeting, the city council passes a measure that will have the occupiers legally ousted from their camp on the following Monday. As certain controlled chaos breaks out inside of city hall, with most of the occupiers in attendance now chanting slogans, Rhi zones in, seemingly in her natural habitat.

Rhiannon is a full head shorter than most of the people in the lobby, but her presence is known by everyone. She slips comfortably between multiple conversations; interviewing police about the way the eviction will be carried out, phoning a lawyer who had threatened to sue if the measure was passed, carrying on nonchalant conversations with occupiers to find out their next move. Everyone in the building, it seems, knows her and is comfortable talking to her.

One occupier, Robby, is telling her that he is comfortable with the decision and he already has bigger plans than camping. When she asks him for more details he smiles and says, “You gotta wait for our next move.”

Rhi rolls her eyes as the man walks away. Her response may be based on the seemingly obvious fact that he has no clue what his own next move will be. More probably, she is coming to the realization that there is no end in sight for a reporter so far inside the story. It’s the awareness that Lawson mentioned, a brick wall that is nearly impossible to slip anything past.

“Rhi is who she is all the time, so when you meet her you get a pretty good sense of who she is,” said Kane. “If you ask Rhi a question she is going to give you a straight up answer whether she’s known you for ten years or ten minutes.”

Three weeks later, Rhiannon is at her home going through files. She’s “stepping back” to write a more broad story on the entire Occupy Charlotte movement for Charlotte Magazine. The deadline for the camp has come and gone and seven people have been arrested.

Rhiannon spent the day of the raids at the camp as a reporter. She spent that night as a patient in the emergency room.

She had been working for 30 hours straight with only a 30 minute nap in between. “It was just pure exhaustion,” she says of that hospital trip. The doctor left a note in her paperwork pleading for her to “not do anything for a week.” She took his advice.

Now, as she gets ready to tackle the big picture of Charlotte’s Occupy movement, she thinks her recent hospital visit has put things into perspective. “I’m realizing that life is short and you have to do what makes you happy,” says the woman who dropped her job selling annuities to pursue a writing career in 2006.

“You need to be able to pay your bills and stuff but don’t get into anything for the money,” she says. “God knows nobody gets into journalism for the money.”

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NINERTIMES

TUEsDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2012

NEWS BRIEFS

Police Blotter Calls for Service

property that was left unsecured and unattended.

Hit and Run

• Gray’s Bookstore, officer assisted CMPD in reference to a front door glass break.

Burglary

• Lot 25, victim’s vehicle was damaged while parked and unattended.

• East Deck 2, subject attempted suicide by jumping off the second level of the parking deck.

• Martin Village, an unknown subject entered common area and removed property without permission.

• Martin Village, fire alarm was activated by known subject pulling station handle.

• Martin Village, an unknown subject entered an unsecured room and removed property without permission.

Feb. 18

Feb. 20

Feb. 19

Feb. 21

Feb. 20

Larceny Feb. 18

• Sanford Hall, an unknown subject removed property from an unsecured room.

• Lot 8, an unknown subject removed victim’s antenna from vehicle.

Feb. 19

• Storrs, an unknown subject removed property that was left unsecured and unattended.

Feb. 22

• Cone Center, an unknown subject removed property that was left unsecured and unattended.

• Rowe, an unknown subject removed

Feb. 19

Feb. 20

• Student Union Lane, victim’s vehicle was damaged while parked and unattended.

ACCIDENT Feb. 21

• Hunt Village, an unknown subject attempted to pry open a door.

• Darryl McCall Circle, driver struck another vehicle while backing out of a parking space.

ARREST

• Lot 18, driver crashed into another vehicle while making a turn.

• Old Concord Rd., known suspect had a weapon concealed during traffic stop.

Vandalism

• Flat River Dr., officer served a warrant for assault.

• Cameron Blvd., an unknown subject threw a rock into a van window causing it to shatter.

Feb. 22

Feb. 19

Feb. 22 Feb. 23

Feb. 23

Feb. 22

• N. Tryon St., an under aged intoxicated subject failed to carry license while in operation of a motor vehicle.

Concealed weapon causes arrest

Student arrested for assault

Underaged drinking violation

Julius Griffin, 22, was arrested on Old Concord Rd. during a traffic stop Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012, around 4 p.m.

Authorities say he had a concealed gun when officers stopped him. This charge is a misdemeanor.

Griffin is not a UNC Charlotte student.

Eden Creamer

Charlie Lamprecht, a 20-year-old UNC Charlotte student, was arrested Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012. The arrest occurred around 9 p.m. on Flat River Dr. Lamprecht was served a warrant for assault. Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department’s online arrest inquiry database says Lamprecht was served the warrant for assault on a female. Eden Creamer

Rachel Beron, 20, was arrested Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012, at nearly midnight. Beron was arrested on N. Tryon St. for driving while impaired, consuming alcohol while under the age of 21 and driving without her driver’s license.

Beron is not a UNC Charlotte student.

Eden Creamer

Fire and police perform simulation The Charlotte Fire Department and the UNC Charlotte Police and Public Safety Department, along with other area emergency responders, participated in a simulation to test the response of these groups to a medical emergency Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012.

The simulation occurred on Toby Creek Greenway, a two-mile stretch which links UNC Charlotte’s campus to the Mallard Creek Greenway and surrounding shopping areas.

The goal is to allow emergency responders to test their response times and their abilities to work together to transport an injured individual in a timely manner.

Eden Creamer

Professor receives mentor award Claudia Flowers, professor in UNC Charlotte’s College of Education, has received the 2012 Harshini V. de Silva Award.

This award is given to a professor who serves as a mentor to graduate students in the college.

Flowers was recognized at the award ceremony Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012. Eden Creamer

Chancellor discusses engagement

UNC Charlotte Chancellor Philip Dubois participated in a panel discussion hosted by the N.C. Campus Compact for the tenth anniversary of the Civic Engagement Institute.

The discussion, “North Carolina Presidents Share Their Vision,” was Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012, in Chapel Hill, N.C. At the discussion, Dubois spoke about ways to merge the community and the university, including the Democratic National Convention and the Levine Museum at the New South. Eden Creamer

NINERONLINE.COM

TUESDay, FEBRUARY 28, 2012

OPINION NINERTIMES Volume 24, Number 39 A Product of

Is it worth buying a parking pass on campus?

Haley Griffin. “My classes don’t start until 2:00 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and being a commuter student who lives twenty As college students, most of us are minutes away I sometimes have to leave an pretty anal about where are money goes to hour and a half early before my class just to and what we spend it all on. be able to park. A lot of the time parking is I mean, come on, I know most of us so tight that you could easily get your car decide to spend it on stupid things but at messed up.” the same time who wants to waste it on a UNC Charlotte has a huge amount of parking pass? commuter students and you can tell from After going to school for three years and how full the parking lots always seem to be.

Not to mention all the faculty and staff always, and I mean always, getting free parking, it was a huge change to find out who also have to pay for their own parking. just to park on campus I had to pay $335 It’s constant chaos everywhere in the for a full year of parking. parking lots. As soon as classes get let out I tried to figure out if there was a way I in the afternoon cars are zooming in and could carpool with someone and split the out trying to get away from the school or cost or even if there was free parking that even trying to get in.

I’m not going to lie though, it seems like wasn’t on campus. It was easy to figure out but not right away. we have so many parking spaces available I heard about students parking and on campus. The only thing is finding one taking a shuttle on to campus but then that is close to your classes. Everyone even you’d have to worry about shuttle times warns you to keep an extra roll of quarters and whether or not you could make them. in your car in case you have to park at a The pros and cons of parking on and off meter if you’re running late for class that day. If you don’t have early classes you’re campus goes on and on and on.

Campus parking is pretty limited most likely going to be walking a long depending on where you need to go and at distance. what time.

I, unlike most students, refuse to pay “They definitely need more parking. the price to park on campus. As an out of If you don’t get to campus at 8 a.m. it’s state student I already have to pay extra so difficult to find a parking place close just to attend school at UNC Charlotte so I to where I need to be,” stated sophomore don’t feel it’s necessary to park on campus Caitlin Evanson

cevans o n @ uncc . e d u

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and pay the fee.

Instead, I walk. I really don’t mind it though because after getting rides with friends on days when I’m at school later in the day I’ve realized I walk just as far as my friends do, and I don’t pay a cent for it.

I’m not trying to diss on anyone or say anything rude; it’s just that I don’t have the money to spend on a parking pass.

It doesn’t seem fair that we are getting charged such obnoxious rates just to park our cars for the day.

“I park in lot 6A because it was the cheapest and closest parking lot,” said Junior Emily Langston, a commuter student at UNC Charlotte.

“I just know that I walk across lot 6 and through a lot of woods.” Lot 6A is &235 to park in. Only $100 cheaper than being able to park anywhere else on campus. It doesn’t seem fair that these students have to walk through some crazy, dark woods that could potentially be dangerous for any student or faculty member.

“We have campus shuttles, safe ride and more to help students and faculty commute from their parking spots,” said Carol Ross from the Office of Transportation when asked if they were doing anything to help make the walk to campus any easier on us.

“We have safe ride for students and faculty to use if they don’t feel safe walking from anywhere on campus.”

Letters to the Editor

NEWSROOM: 704.687.7149

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

PAGE 5

Dear Norm, Dear Norm, I think I might be pregnant. I’m afraid to tell my parents or go to my doctor. I’m only a junior and I don’t want to have to drop out of school or anything. Are there any services on campus, which can help me? Sincerely, Knocked Up Niner Dear Knocked Up Niner, The first thing I can tell you is not to feel alone. College students go through a lot of “secret” problems that we keep all bottled up inside as long as we can.

These “secret” problems are issues that we think that nobody else experiences but in fact college students have been enduring the same types of problems that we endure today generations and generations back.

Many people have gone through the trying time you are enduring right now. That doesn’t take away from the difficulty and pressure of your situation at all though.

First, in regards to a possible pregnancy, be careful not to jump to conclusions too quickly, and just stop and take a deep breath. Many girls fear pregnancy after having unprotected sex, especially if you usually have protected sex with the overwhelming fear of becoming pregnant.

Your suspicion of being pregnant may or may not be true, but stressing about it only has the possibility to hurt the situation. Being stressed can actually inhibit

your period, so your fear and nerves about the uncertainty may actually be causing the absence of your period. This might make your fear of being pregnant worse, and it is just a downward spiral from there.

The second advice I can give you is to be honest with yourself. If you are pregnant, bringing a child into the world is a great thing and never feel like a child is a mistake. Just take a pregnancy test by yourself and if it comes out negative you have nothing to worry about.

If it’s positive, be open with yourself and with others. Go to the doctor or to the Student Health Center to get things checked out and tell your parents. Under no circumstance should you just abort the child on accord of your own decision. The child that could be inside of you is not just a clump of cells; it is a unique person who has the potential of having a wonderful life with your help or with the help of adoptive parents if that is your choice.

The third advice I can give you is to seek counseling on campus. Counseling on campus is free and this is a great resource for any of us to use for a variety of problems. Many people have the idea that going to counseling or therapy means you are weak but that could not be further from the truth. Seeking counseling means that you are strong enough to realize that everyone needs help sometimes. Visiting the Coun-

seling Center is the best resource on campus that I can recommend to you.

In closing, if you are pregnant remember that that child inside of you is a precious baby with the potential of having a magnificent life. Don’t shortchange him or her by resorting to abortion. If you keep the baby, that is great but there are other options if you don’t feel comfortable raising a child at this point in your life.

If you keep the baby and raise him or her on your own, its going to be hard but not impossible. Many people go back to college as adults while having kids and a full time job and they somehow get by.

When life throws us into tough situations, the funny thing is that we somehow rise above the circumstances and get by somehow. If you decide to put the baby up for adoption there is nothing wrong with that.

In fact, that may just be what is best for the child depending on your situation.

The great thing is that you don’t have to have the decision made right now. Right now, you just have to stop, breathe, seek counseling, take a pregnancy test and be honest with yourself.

I hope this gives you hope and guidance to apply to your situation!

Sincerely, Norm

Got something to ask Norm? Send it to editor@nineronline.com

PAGE 6

NINERTIMES

TUEsDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2012

A&E

LIVE MUSIC:

NEW IN THEATERS

3/1 - North Mississippi All Stars 3/6 - Iced Earth Neighborhood Theatre, $20, 9 p.m. The Fillmore, $20, 7 p.m.

3/2 - Wale The Fillmore, $48, 10 p.m.

The Innkeepers March 1 (Crownpoint Stadium 12)

3/8 - The Dream Amos’ Southend, $17-20, 8 p.m.

Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax- March 2 Project X- March 2

Act of Valor:

A dispay of heroism or American propaganda?

Photo courtesy of Relativity Media

Matthew Blihar mb l i h a r @ uncc . e d u

The United States military service has always been there for stability and protection of the country and its citizens first and foremost. Most people don’t think about the day-to-day basis of what these brave soldiers have to go through to protect our country from threats by risking their lives in active duty.

That being said, “Act of Valor” has failed as the blockbuster movie it wanted to be.

Some movies portray the grit, grime and heartbreak involved with serving our country very well (Think “The Hurt Locker” and “Saving Private Ryan”).

“Act of Valor” tries to accomplish a grittier version of this, as we meet a group of Navy Seals on their mission to rescue a captured officer from the CIA and stop a terrorist plot against the U.S. while they’re at it.

Sadly, the movie didn’t bring the realism of the Navy Seals as they advertised and instead, served as a fast-paced action propaganda flick.

Mike McCoy and Scott Waugh first created “Act of Valor” to be a recruitment video for the Navy Seals. Later

they changed their minds and decided to make it into a very realistic action film.

However, it was clear from the film direction that they were looking for people to join up for service.

The post-9/11 fear factor was fully apparent from the start, thanks to the narrator’s dialogue during the opening and editing credits, which showed names of people who died in their own “acts of valor” after 9/11.

While the sacrifice these people gave and the daily reminder their names stand for can’t be denied, the effect of this ploy made the movie feel like nothing more than a propaganda piece instead of a realistic insight into Seal’s lives.

It was clear that the influence of the Armed Forces told them to make it into a positive light no matter what the circumstances were. They always came off as the victors despite the odds and for the most part, had none of their troops killed.

The film depicted the Seals’ tightknit, brotherly bond in the beginning of the film before they went back on duty together. They build up this range by always being there for each other in times of need.

The emotional range of the movie begins to grow in the beginning. The Seals then leave their families to do their part and the personal growth dies quickly following that.

Instead, the movie turns in favor of action sequences and the Navy Seal’s sense of duties on the job. This is not a horrible thing, but the action sequences are fairly unbelievable when they jump into fighting scenes without knowing how many men they are facing.

(Spoiler alert) All foes are vanquished all too quickly and easily. If there’s anything the American people have learned from America’s recent wars, it’s that nothing is accomplished without sacrifice.

“Act of Valor” uses the contents of realism loosely. The actors are real offduty Seals but the acting is expectedly unbelievable.

The story line, however, is all over the place and contains immense sets of action scenes that completely corrupt the good bits of the story.

They also move very fast between locations.

The Seals travel from Iraq to Russia and Mexico. The plotline involving a threat towards the U.S. from both Middle Eastern terrorists and Russians

is strange and a bit off the wall.

The Seals take advantage of a new type of explosive that can’t be detected by electronic scanners but can cause a much larger explosion than C4. This was another annoying plot device that made the contents of the film more unrealistic.

The combat and first person shots were mediocre but were very brief and made everything look like a real life version of “Call of Duty.”

“Act of Valor” is a bit too much to endure. There are better movies that depict the military standard of realism that won’t tease you in the way this film does.

It’s infuriating when a movie doesn’t deliver on its aim. “Act of Valor” hardly serves as any more than acts of mediocrity mixed with some military propaganda. This is a movie that audiences have seen a million times before and it will most likely just fade into the background never to be heard from again.

If you want a disguised action movie failing to pay the role of an intelligent military movie then this is the film for you. If not you can dismiss this one, soldiers.

Minus the Bear mini tour stops at Tremont Music Hall Barry Falls Jr

bfa l l s 4 @ uncc . e d u

Tremont Music Hall was full to the brim last Friday night of indie music fans eager to feast their ears on Minus the Bear’s energetic performance.

“It’s always a pleasure coming to Tremont Hall,” said lead singer Jake Snider, trying his best to pronounce Tremont.

Minus the Bear was not on tour per se, but they managed to find the time to take a break from recording to do a show in Charlotte N.C. and Norfolk, Va. Harvard opened the show debuting songs from their forthcoming record, the band’s first new album since their

2009 release “Inevitable and I.” For those who missed last Friday’s show, the Charlotte-based five-piece is aiming to have their new album produced and released this summer.

The venue started out packed and only grew more crowded before Minus the Bear took to the stage.

Tristen, the next act, last performed in Charlotte at Snug Harbor last year on their way to Bonnaroo.

Tristen manages to bring a unique blend of energy and charm to the stage, arguably the highlight of the night.

Minus the Bear took to the stage and a roar of applause followed. Minus the Bear opened with “Knights” and played into the prog-rock’s other hits including

“Into the Mirror,” “Memphis & 53rd,” “My Time,” “Hold Me Down” and “Drilling.”

“We’ve been in the studios and kind of recording songs and shit. We’re going to play you one. We hope you like it,” Snider said.

Though the band has been gaining recognition since 2001 for their unique sound, towards the end of the night each song began to seem to blend together.

The band ended the night with fan favorites “Pauchuna Sunrise” and “The Fix” as people began to crowd-surf.

Yes, Minus the Bear was the headliner, but the most engaging performances that night definitely came from Harvard and Tristen.

Minus the Bear’s newest studio album “Omni”

Photo courtesy of Minus the Bear

NINERONLINE.COM

TUESDay, FEBRUARY 28, 2012

The Innkeepers generates old-fashion frights

PAGE 7

Director Ti west

By the Numbers

121 Sara Paxton and Pat Healy

Photos courtesy of Magnet Releasing

Barry Falls Jr

bfa l l s 4 @ uncc . e d u

Following a slew of horror movie remakes and sequels, a demand for original horror films has been on the rise.

And writers and directors like Ti West are using the opportunity to establish themselves as story-tellers who Photo courtesy of Magnet Releasing can generate genuine scares and more importantly, box office revenue.

In 2008, director Ti West and his production crew spent two months at The Yankee Pedlar Inn in a town in Connecticut while they shot “The House of The Devil.”

The cast and crew soon began hearing stories from staff and visitors that the hotel was haunted.

As West recalled, he and the rest of the staff soon began experiencing the supernatural presence for themselves.

“It was really an overall vibe- like someone was in the room with me.

There were nights when I was in my room and it would just feel like somebody was in there with me, near me,” West admitted. “It may sound bogus and I’m a skeptic as it is, but I don’t ever feel that way in my life. Ever.”

After the release and moderate success of “The House of The Devil,” the young writer-director began working on a pitch for a new movie based on the folklore about the inn.

West thought it would be interesting to tell the story from the perspective of two bored, simple-minded young characters who had little to no knowledge of ghosts or hauntings.

The final draft of the story was structured around three chapters and

an epilogue which told the story of the last remaining employees of The Yankee Pedlar Inn- Claire (played by Sara Paxton) and Luke (played by Pat Healy) who are determined to uncover proof that the hotel is haunted before it shuts down for good.

As the inn’s final days draw near, odd guests check in as the pair of “minimum wage ghost hunters” begin to experience strange and alarming events that may ultimately cause them to be mere footnotes in the hotel’s long unexplained history.

The inn itself plays a character all on its own. Featuring rustic decor, restored period furniture and old pictures that line the hallways and tell the history of the hotel, The Yankee Pedlar Inn is an eerie yet believable location ideal for a ghost story.

The Innkeepers incorporates a few archetypes of the genre- the curious and adventurous female lead, the apathetic male skeptic and the sagely old lady who has the ability to make contact with the spirits.

Sara Paxton does a great job of portraying a bored boyish female lead who is facinated by the idea of ghosts.

She seems to have no aspirations in life, yet she seems content that way as long as nobody points it out.

When the supernatural entities of the inn begin to appear in the film, her character’s sense of curiosity lightens the atmosphere and gives the film a youthful vibe.

West certainly deserves props for not taking the Hollywood route by casting a busty blonde whose only purpose in the film is to do partial nudity.

Kelly McGillis as a mysterious inn visitor The Innkeepers also manages to implement some of the classic horror film elements while avoiding many of the clichés.

Still, The Innkeeper has its flaws. For one, a mother-son duo is introduced to the story seemingly without any lasting reason.

It could also be argued that the supernatural dwellings of the film also recieves too little face-time. Over-use of haunted badies can distract from the story, but “The Innkeepers” could have benefitted from a few more “Shining”like encounters.

While ultimately the climax may disappoint those looking for big scares and intense suspense, those looking for a traditional-style horror tale told well should be satisfied by the film’s unstructured pace and genuine characters.

Charlotte’s Back Alley Film Series will be featuring the film at Crownpoint Stadium 12 Thursday March 1st.

“It’s very different from ‘The House of the Devil,’ and it’s very different from what I’m going to do next, but you can still tell The Innkeepers was made by me,” West said.

“It will be very interesting to see how it’s received. There’s enough of it that feels familiar to understand what you’re getting, but it’s not what people are going to expect.”

With “Trigger Man” and “The House of the Devil” on his resume, Ti West has proven over the years that he can produce decent horror flicks from strong stories and small budgets.

Hopefully the success of “The Innkeepers” will merit a big-budget production for West in the near future.

5 31 35

Years The Yankee Pedlar Inn (the setting of “The Innkeepers”) has been open

Total films West has directed including “The Roost,” “Trigger Man” and “Cabin Fever 2”

Age of the young writer/ director from Wilmington, Delaware

mm “The Innkeepers” will be screened in March 1st by the Back Alley Film Series

PAGE 8

NINERTIMES

TUEsDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2012

Where a Niner’s spare moments go

WE WANT TO KNOW

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SONG TO EXERCISE TO? WHAT GETS YOU PUMPED AND READY TO GO? EMAIL LIFESTYLE@NINERONLINE.COM

Keeping in shape over spring break:

Campus Trend Alert

A very hipster evening Haley Twist

a 49er workout guide

L i fest y l e @ n i ne r o n l i ne . c o m

I went to a concert at Tremont Music Hall over the weekend with my boyfriend, and as soon as we arrived I was taken aback by the hundreds of large no-lens glasses, boots paired with socks, earthy colors, fedoras, beads and fringe.

It summed up the scene perfectly when my boyfriend described it as a “hipsterfest,” and I couldn’t help but laugh. Of course going to a huge university like UNC Charlotte I see hundreds of people every day, each with his or her own style. But it was interesting to see such a massive group of people with the same style in one place.

I admit that I spent much of the concert with my eyes on the crowds instead of on the bands to see what everyone was wearing. While I saw an assortment of items that I liked and would have worn myself, I also saw some things that I did not quite like.

My style is different than that of most of the people from the concert, but one outfit in particular stood out to me and was actually quite inspiring. It consisted of maroon skinny jeans, a blue jean material buttonup, various bracelets and necklaces, a warm brown fringed side-bag and a pair of lace-up booties in the same color as the bag.

The outfit looked cute, casual and perfect for an everyday look. It was definitely my favorite look of the evening. Some other trends I found favorable were comfortable-looking oversized t-shirts in creamy colors such as off-whites and light blues, worn-looking leather jackets and leggings of all colors.

Then there were some particular outfits and trends that I did not like as much. I saw some people who had a bit too much layering going on for my taste. Some had two or three tank tops layered with a t-shirt and then a jacket. While I love layering tops, I do think it is best to stick with two items.

I saw a lot of sheer tights and leggings paired with shorts. I feel like that always ends up looking ragged and sloppy, especially when the shorts are disheveled and fringy.

There were also various vestwearing individuals walking around the venue. I love vests on both guys and girls, but I prefer them to be on top of a shirt or tank top. Instead of seeing that I saw vests being worn as shirts altogether.

Some were mono-colored and some were made up of wacky vintage designs and patterns. These were items I would have liked had I not been thrown off guard by the lack of clothing underneath them.

Whether it was a trendy do or a bizarre don’t, I learned a lot and enjoyed myself at the weekend concert.

Samantha Glenn sglenn 1 1 @ uncc . edu

With spring break upon us many are heading off to different ventures for the nine days that we are off.

Some students may remain on campus while others head home to be with family, take a trip to the beach or find themselves on a cruise.

In short spring break is a recipe for disastrous overeating and not exercising.

The worst thing to do is to fall into a trap of bad habits, and while we are resting and relaxing, the potential for that to happen remains high.

Some basic tips to survive break include continuing to make healthy food choices, makimg a daily appointment with yourself to exercise and not drinking too much.

And remember the most important thing: you are about to be seen in a bathing suit whether it’s over spring break or during summer which too is just a few short months away.

There’s no better time than now to keep or make that commitment to yourself.

As a pre-kinesiology/exercise science major, I was able to take some of what I’ve learned in class in addition to what I learned as a competitive swimmer to combine it into a “staying healthy guide,” complete with a workout playlist to get and keep you motivated.

Make sure to eat 3 solid meals daily and two smaller ones, and don’t forget to keep a balance of lean proteins, healthy carbohydrates and fats and plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Stay away from cream sauces, dishes laden in oil, fried foods, fatty meats and other foods that equal a clogged artery’s best friend.

Remember, spring break is only 9 days long. No one wants to spend 3 months undoing the damage from 9 days of making poor choices. Be safe, healthy and enjoy this time off!

Spring Break Exercise Playlist • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

“Check it out” Nicki Minaj “I Can Only Imagine” David Guetta “Good Feeling” Flo Rida “Breathing” Jason Durelo “You Make Me Feel” Cobra Starship “The Motto” Drake “Where Them Girls At” David Guetta “We Found Love” Rhianna “Strange Clouds” B.O.B. “Take Care” Drake “Can’t Get Enough” J Cole “Real World” Matchbox Twenty “Drink in My Hand” Eric Church “Lets Don’t Call It a Night” Casey James “Slide” Goo Goo Dolls “All For You” Sister Hazel “Big Machine” Goo Goo Dolls “Domino” Jessie J “No Sleep” Wiz Khalifa “International Love” Chris Brown “Dare You to Move” Switchfoot “Move Like Jagger” Maroon 5 “Barefoot Blue Jean Night” Jake Owens

*The first number is sets, the second number is reps (i.e. 3 sets x 8 reps)

Monday

Upper Body (use a weight that is comfortable to you) • Bicep Curls (1 second up, 3 seconds down) 3x8 • Tricep push downs on the machine (1 second down, 3 Tuesday seconds up) 3x8 • Run two to three miles • Military Press 3x8 on treadmill or outside • Pushups 3x10 • Stretch and rest

Wednesday Lower Body • Squats 3x8 • Weighted Lunge 2x10 (5 each leg) • Leg Extensions on the machine 2x5 • Leg Press 3x10 • Hamstring curls on the machine 3x8 • Calf Raises on machine or with weights 3x8

Thursday Rest! Have a lazy day and relax

Friday Back (squeeze your shoulder blades together for each exercise) • Lat Pull Downs 3x5 • Bent over rows 3x5 • Back extensions (hold for 20 seconds for 2 times) • Reverse Fly’s 3x5 Core • Planks 2x45 seconds each • Side planks (L + R) 2x30 seconds each • Bicycle 3x30 seconds • Hip Raises 2x12 • Exercise Ball crunch 3x10

Photos/ MCT Campus

NINERONLINE.COM

Going viral: the Charlie Todd experiment Michele Karr mkarr 1 @ uncc . edu

YouTube has made it possible for anyone to upload their videos for a shot at 15 minutes of fame.

Hundreds of thousands of clips and videos flood the internet daily.

So with all the competition, how do you achieve success through the internet?

That’s the question that UNC Charlotte students asked when they attended Charlie Todd’s lecture this past week According to Todd the key is to have content that everyone can relate too.

You want your video to appeal to as many different types of people as possible.

This way you can attract a large audience, resulting in more views.

Todd says it is important not to offend people and their opinions or hurt anyone’s feelings.

This is particularly important in his line of work, which involves pulling practical jokes on the general public.

Todd has stayed true to these guidelines and produced many successful YouTube videos that are good, clean fun.

Todd first started this knack when he first moved to New York. He is originally from South Carolina and attended UNC Chapel Hill for acting. The hustle and bustle of city life inspired him to make people stop and smell the roses.

He wanted to do extraordinary things in ordinary places. Todd realized that he could achieve this by finding a common ground between people and humor and filming the acts and people’s reactions. “[When reviewing your film] choose the best scenes and best reactions because you can’t capture everything,” said Todd.

One prank that became very popular and now occurs annually is riding on the subway with no pants on.

The first time this took place there were only about a dozen people who participated.

They each entered the train at a different location, fully dressed above the waist, but only wearing underwear below. This trend even caught on in other countries.

Todd’s videos have reached over 200 million views on YouTube. His MP3 experiment, which was carried out on campus last week, acquired over 4,000 participants when it took place in New York.

Participants download the instructions onto their MP3 players and meet at a predetermined location.

They all bring balloons to inflate and wear blue, red, green or yellow shirts.

The people are given a series of tasks to do and create quite a colorful scene. This event is an example of how he wants to bring people together.

People of all ages participate and enjoy Todd’s work. At his lecture there were students and teachers of various ages and races.

Todd claims his secret is mass appeal.

His pranks have been reenacted on TV shows and several companies have contacted him to do high budget productions.

Todd says he tries to stay away from that, however, because he doesn’t want his work to turn into advertising.

Todd has stuck to his morals to tackle goals and his comedy is enjoyable for all types of people.

Humor is a great way to connect people because laughter is the same in every language.

TUESDay, FEBRUARY 28, 2012

REDEFINE your Volunteering for an important cause could be a worth-while way to spend your spring break Michele Karr mkarr 1 @ uncc . edu

When you hear the words “spring break” the typical image that comes to mind might be the one MTV and other media have cemented into our heads: young adults partying and living it up on the beach.

As much fun as this may seem to some, it is not how everyone wishes to spend their vacation. Alternative spring breaks give students the opportunities to enrich their lives and do something meaningful in their free time. Several organizations and clubs on campus are preparing for their upcoming missions over the break.

One successful reoccurring expedition is the STARS Haiti trip. STARS Computing Corps is a non-profit organization with a goal of creating a diverse and efficient national computing workforce.

More or less they want to teach computer technological skills to as many people as possible. This is a nationwide organization that operates in over 40 universities. They mainly reach out to the youth in hopes of inspiring the young innovators of our future. But in the trips to Haiti they provide so much more.

Twelve undergraduate students along with six faculty and community mentors will visit Haiti during the week of spring break and for the week after.

One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) has funded the group with kid-friendly laptops they will give to students from three schools in northern rural Haiti. Members of STARS will teach students how to use to the computers along with basic computing skills.

They will also help locals with their English and establish school improvement projects.

I spoke with Dr. Tiffany Barnes, one of the faculty guides from last year who will also attend this year’s trip, about the excursions and how they first started.

She said when she first heard of the partnership between the other organizations involved in this effort she thought it would be an amazing experience for the members.

“Not only would this be an excellent leadership opportunity but they would also expand their international relationships,” said Barnes.

I asked her what were some of the most memorable moments and she told me about some young Haitians playing soccer outside of a school and orphanage.

“They were playing with no goals, no shoes, and no ball: just a lime. But they were joyful. We were inspired to help provide them with opportunities to build their own futures,” she recalled.

STARS is not feeding the citizens of Haiti, they are teaching them how to fish. Not only are the citizens provided with computers but they are taught how to combine the computers into their teaching methods and schooling.

STARS members help to compile lessons and merge the computers into the Haitians’ curriculum. They also teach high school students how to show others to work with the computer. This makes it possible for them to continue learning and progressing even after the STARS group leaves.

While many people are in need of a mental breather when spring break finally arrives and the idea of spending the time volunteering might not appeal after everyone just got finished with their strenuous midterms, it is important to remember that others out there are in the constant need of outside help.

Volunteering for a cause can be such a growing experience for the people who give their time and for those helped.

My Big Chop: Transition to natural hair a year-and-a-half later an exerpt from Nineronline.com’s “Knowledgeable Naturals” blog Maurii Davenport mdaven 1 4 @ uncc . edu

I sat quietly in a computer chair, and listened while my mother prepared to cut away at my limp, relaxed hair in an attempt to show my natural texture. She twirled my seat around to face her, just to verify that this was my true desire; a one inch hairstyle rid of all damage and chemicals.

I nodded my head slowly to assure her, I was ready. With her left hand she held up the first piece of hair, and moved the scissors towards me with her right. I clinched my teeth to avoid screaming and then, snip.

“Wait!” I yelled and spun around in my chair, but I was a second to slow. That chunk of jet-black hair fell by my side, and I faced forward again. I fought back tears.

“There’s no turning back now.”

My mother continued.

She had to check on me periodically,

Dear Norm,

Got something to ask Norm or need some advise?

Send it to editor@nineronline.com

Photo/ Holli Garrido

PAGE 9

just to see if I was still breathing. But she kept cutting. My eyes were locked straight ahead, only blinking when necessary. She cut more. Finally, I turned my gaze towards her face after noticing she had placed the scissors down. “I’m done,” she said.

I took my time standing up, removing the hair-covered towel from off my shoulders and looking at the ground as I walked in the bathroom towards the mirror. After a moment or two, my eyes gained enough courage to look at my reflection.

I couldn’t be seen in public that way and my research did not prepare me to deal with hair I wanted to conceal. My go-to ponytails nor buns were feasible, so hiding was not an option. My mind went racing and my heart jumped up and down with panic, but my body did not move. I stood still.

Slowly I grabbed the tiny, black scissors my mother chopped away all of my confidence with, and leaned in close to my

reflection. I snapped a single photo to capture this moment because I knew things were about to change drastically. Near my ear, a particular straight piece of hair, hanging lifelessly on a curl caught my eye, and I quickly chopped it away. And suddenly, I could breathe.

That solitary curl bounced back from my fingers after it was freed from the remaining relaxed hair.

Read more on Nineronline.com under Knowledgeable Naturals

Maurii Davenport after her haircut.

PAGE 10

NINERTIMES

TUEsDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2012

DOWNTIME 28

Tuesday

What’s in Your Wallet?

Fretwell Rm 310

12:30p.m. - 1:30p.m.

Charlotte Youth Wind Ensemble Robinson Hall Anne R. Belk Theater 7:30p.m.

29

Wednesday

Free GMAT Strategy Workshop UNC Charlotte Center City 6:30p.m. - 8:30p.m.

Disco Black-light Putt Putt Student Union Multipurpose Room 7:00p.m.

01

Thursday

Flash Mob for Syria Belk Tower

12:00p.m. - 12:30p.m.

International Coffee Hour

02

Friday

WEEK IN

March 01, 1932 Lindbergh baby kidnapped

March 02, 1904 Dr. Seuss born

March 03, 1887 Helen Keller meets her miracle worker

March 04, 1933 FDR inauguratedt

March 05, 1963 Hula-Hoop patented

March 06, 1899 Bayer patents aspirin

Saturday

Charlotte 49ers Baseball vs. Wagner

SAT Verbal Booster Review

4:00p.m.

9:00a.m. - 12:00p.m.

The Colored Museum

SAT Math Booster Review

Robert and Mariam Hayes Stadium

Prospector Faculty/Staff Dining Room Robinson Hall for the Performing Arts 4:00p.m. - 6:00p.m.

Black Box Theater 8:00p.m. - $6

THIS

03

UNC Charlotte Main Campus

UNC Charlotte Main Campus 1:00p.m. - 4:00p.m.

04

Sunday

No Events

NINERONLINE.COM

SPORTS

TUESDay, FEBRUARY 28, 2012

From Derby to Charlotte

Senior and 49er tennis captain, Anthony Davison looks back on what brought him to America Alice Swinehart G uest W r i te r

While attending UNC Charlotte it is common to have classes with the athletes who proudly represent the school.

They stand out in a crowd wearing their sports gear representing the sports they play.

Many of these athletes excel both in and out of the class room; Anthony Davison is a prime example of this. He is the lone senior and captain of the tennis team.

Davison is from Derby, located directly in the middle of England.

He currently lives in the University City area while taking classes and playing tennis, on scholarship, for the Charlotte 49ers.

He was born in England on March 16,

Above Senior Anthony Davison. Photo Courtesy

of Charlotte Sports Information

Baseball from p.1 Rothlin ended up pitching 4.2 scoreless innings for the Niners without allowing a hit to a powerful Rockets line-up that blasted three home runs the night before.

Locke stifled another threat by the Niners in the bottom of the second with runners on second and third and one out.

Locke struck out Charlotte’s Brad Elwood for the second out of the inning and forced Justin Roland into an inning-ending fielder’s choice.

Montalbano scored the game’s first run in the bottom of the sixth after hitting a single to left and advancing to third on a throwing error by Locke and sacrifice bunt

by Derek Gallello.

He finally scored on a fielder’s choice off the bat of Justin Seager.

Charlotte led 1-0 until the top of the eighth inning when the power of Toledo’s line-up reappeared with a tw0-run blast from the Rocket’s Joe Corfman.

The homer was given up by Charlotte’s Wes Hatley who took over for Jordan Hudson in the top of the seventh. Corfman was the last batter Hatley faced.

Montalbano and Gallello reached base

1990 to his mother Linda, father Peter and has an older brother, Steve.

When Davison was 8 years old his father would bring him to his tennis club. He would watch his father and his friends play tennis at first and then slowly started learning the game.

Then Davison’s life changed, “a scout came and kinda looked at local schools looking for young players who could play a little bit. He picked me out as one of the people and offered me free lessons and stuff. I picked it up at 8 years old and have been playing ever since, really.”

Tennis has opened many opportunities for Davison. He has been fortunate enough to have traveled all across Europe and the United States.

“In America, I’ve been quite a few places; I’ve been to LA, to New York. Those are my two favorite places; I’ve taught tennis in both of those places,” he said.

“I’ve been over Europe, Switzerland, Spain, France, all over Great Britain. I’ve been traveling Great Britain for 10 years every weekend for tournaments. Netherlands, I’m probably missing a lot of places, Eastern Europe and North Africa.” He still hopes to visit Australia and parts of South and Central America.

Davison also understands that without tennis he would not be in the United States.

He started receiving offers from and interest from Division II schools.

Davison explains that he started doing research about the schools that were interested in him. Among these were the University of Central Florida, the University of Illinois at Chicago and Queens University in New York.

After a trip to the UNC Charlotte campus, he knew Charlotte was for him. Former head coach Jim Boykin, needed him for his team.

Billy Boykin believes his father wanted Davison because of his, “amazing foot speed, competitiveness and he saw real potential for improvement.” He was ranked in the top 20 in Men under 18 and in the top 60 for Men’s ranking when in England.

Davison said that he didn’t realize how big of a city Charlotte really is.

The way the coach spoke to him and the scholarship that was offered to him made

in the bottom of the eighth frame for the Niners when Seager grounded a highbouncing ground ball to third base that Toledo’s Corfman couldn’t handle allowing both runners to score.

The crowd at Hayes Stadium erupted as the 49ers retook the lead 3-2.

Charlotte’s John Hamilton sat down the Rockets in order in the bottom of the ninth to secure the win for the Niners.

The 49er pitching staff allowed only three hits to a powerful Rockets team.

All of Charlotte’s runs were unearned as they took advantage of Toledo’s three defensive errors.

Montalbano went two for four and scored two runs to lead the Charlotte attack while Seager knocked in all three unearned runs.

Locke threw 7.2 innings for Toledo allowing six hits and striking out five, however he was not pegged with any earned runs.

Charlotte contiues play on Tuesday, Feb. 28 when the travel to Rock Hill, S.C. to take on the Winthrop Eagles and return to Hayes Stadium for a four-game series against Wagner Mar.2.

him want to be a part of Niner Nation.

His parents were impressed with his choice to come to the United States; they have supported him and stood behind him.

“Really they thought it was impressive,” he said, “that I got out of there and move on and experience a different culture and country. Whenever I get back now they are telling me they are proud of me. It’s not like I went to a school close by and see them all the time, when I see them now it makes it more special,” Davison says.

He adds, “In England? It was good I love England; I can’t wait to get back there because everyone is there. My life was a lot different then what it would have been here. I don’t know how to explain it but like culture and everything. There are different sports and different norms that we have.

The people are different in England.”

When Davison walks around campus it is not unlikely for someone to stop and say, “Hello”.

He has built strong connections to the community and with his friends and teammates.

Krzysztof Kwansniewicz is Davison’s teammate, roommate and best friend. He is from Poland and feels very lucky to have met Davison.

He said his favorite time with Davison is, “sitting out on the porch and exchanging stories from growing up and getting his opinion on aspects of his life now.”

Davison is excited about the men’s tennis team this year, “We got a good team this year,” he says. “We have four new freshmen in and they are all good players. We lost a few good guys but I think we have a chance to make the NCAA tournament as long as everyone is tuned in and playing at 100 percent. I want to have a good year, it’s my last year.”

He will graduate in May with his bachelor’s in Communication Studies on a Public Relations track.

He hopes to be able to extend his Visa and stay in Charlotte for another year. He wants to go home, to England, when he is ready to leave, not because he is forced.

Anthony Davison is a humble, and very proud athlete here at UNC Charlotte. He hopes that the future is as good to him as the present and the past.

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Sports Schedule

Tuesday Men’s Baseball @ Winthrop 4 p.m.

Men’s Tennis @ Presbyterian 2:30 p.m.

Wednesday Softball vs. South Carolina 5 p.m.

Men’s Basketball vs. Duquesne 7:30 p.m.

Thursday Women’s Tennis @ Wofford 2 p.m.

Sports Results Men’s Tennis

WIN

vs. Davidson

5-2

Softball

WIN

Boston College

12-2

Softball

WIN

vs. Towson

7-3

Men’s Basketball

LOSS

vs. St. Bonaventure

56-72

Women’s Basketball

WIN

vs. Richmond

77-62

Outfielder Tony Mantalbano had two hits and scored two runs against the Toledo Rockets Sunday afternoon. Photo by Chris Crews

PAGE 12

TUEsDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2012

NINERTIMES