OBU Signal – Nov. 20, 2014

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Signal

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11.20.14 Volume 123 Issue 10

Ouachita Baptist University

Dr. Wesley Kluck z Courtesy Head Coach Todd Knight smiles in front of fans, coaches, players and media after beating Henderson State Saturday evening at Carpenter-Haygood Stadium. The Tigers defeated Henderson St. in the 88th Battle of the Ravine 41-20.

Tigers headed to playoffs

By DIXON LAND Sports Editor In the 88th Battle of the Ravine, the Ouachita Tigers secured their first-ever playoff berth by defeating Henderson State Reddies 41-20.

The Tigers rushed for 215 yards on 55 carries and four touchdowns. They also threw for 177 yards and scored two passing touchdowns. With the win, the Tigers finish the regular season at 10-0 and will advance to the NCAA Division II playoffs.

“Not only did we win, but we left no doubt about it,” said Dr. Rex Horne, president of Ouachita. “There’s no doubt who the conference champion is this year. We beat Harding and Henderson on their home fields and I’m so proud of our coaches and our team. They showed a lot of character

throughout the season and tonight that showed.”

The Reddies started the game by scoring a touchdown on a rush from Ryan McDonald up the middle from two yards out. The run came after Zack Mitchell broke up a pass from Kevin Rodgers, but the play was ruled pass interference. Houston Ray made the extra point to give the Reddies a 7-0 lead with 8:08 left in the first quarter.

The Tigers responded with a touchdown of their own, when Kiehl Frazier hit Jalen Jones across the middle who would take the ball 38 yards for the score with 6:16 left in the first quarter. Shelton Wooley’s extra point was good, tying the game at seven.

On the Reddies’ next drive, Rogers found JaVante Mack in the back of the end zone for another Henderson State touchdown. The drive eclipsed 70 yards on six plays, taking up 1:57 of

the clock. The Reddies led 14-7.

At 2:43 left in the first, Houston Ray tacked on three points for Henderson State to make the score 17-7.

With 9:34 remaining in the second quarter, Steven Kehner ran up the middle to score a touchdown for the Tigers, shortening Henderson’s lead to just three points. The run came after a pass from Frazier to Drew White put the Tigers deep in Henderson territory. Shelton Wooley hit the extra point and the Reddies led 17-14 with 9:34 remaining in the half.

On the next Ouachita drive, Kehner burst through the line and found a hole to run through. He scored from 45 yards out to give the Tigers a 21-17 lead with 6:25 left in the half.

Ray kicked another field goal as time expired in the first half to make the score 21-20 at halftime.

With 6:21 remaining in the third

quarter, the Tigers drove the ball down the field, taking up 5:20 of the clock, and scoring on a pass from Frazier to Drew White. The score gave Ouachita a 28-20 lead with 1:01 remaining in the third quarter.

Following an interception by Zack Mitchell, Frazier ran into the end zone for a touchdown with 12:52 remaining in the game. With the score, Ouachita led 34-20.

After a Henderson fumble at their own 10-yard line, Kehner scored once again making the score 41-20 with 10:20 remaining in the game. Following the score, Ouachita got the ball back and ran out the clock.

Frazier went 12-22 for 177 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 67 yards and a score. Kehner scored three touchdowns on the afternoon see PLAYOFFS z 6

Jon and Glenda Secrest wrap up 21 years as opera co-directors

By CHELSEA WHELPLEY News Bureau

S News 1-2 n S Opinions 3 n S Features 4 n S Sports 5-6 n

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In this Issue:

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Tyler Rosenthal z The Signal

Senior Josh Wayne and castmembers during Ouachita’s production of “The Mikado.” The show opens tonight in Jones Performing Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. It will also show Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased at the box office or at www.obu.edu/boxoffice.

Students receive one free ticket with their student ID.

Ouachita professors of music Jon and Glenda Secrest have directed the school’s opera production for the past two decades. But when the final curtain falls on this year’s production of “The Mikado,” it also will mark the end of the Secrests’ roles as co-directors since 1994.

After 21 years of building the opera program, the Secrests have decided to hand over this responsibility. David Stanley, instructor of music and a former student of the Secrests, will take over direction of the opera productions after this year. Stanley will be assisted by John Alec Briggs, adjunct instructor of music.

“Through the dedication

and commitment to training professional singers, the Secrests developed the now renowned opera program at Ouachita Baptist University,” said Dr. Scott Holsclaw, dean of OBU’s School of Fine Arts.

“Ouachita is one of the few universities in the region to produce a fully staged opera each year. A program of this caliber does not just happen but is nurtured by committed teachers and professionals in the field. Dr. Jon and Dr. Glenda Secrest embody this in their work with students.”

“We’re looking forward to seeing the evolution of the students’ characters and the culmination of their work,” said Dr. Jon Secrest, reflecting about his final opera production. “This process of growth see SECREST z 2

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this weekzCALENDAR PROJECT THANK YOU will be going on until Friday, from 1-4:30 p.m. on the ESC Bridge. For more information, contact: Patty Jones at jonesp@obu. edu.

REFUGE is tonight at 9 p.m. at Second Baptist Church. Meet at 8 p.m. for prayer. For more information, contact: James Taylor at taylorja@ obu.edu.

MEN’S BASKETBALL vs. Texas A&M Commerce University tonight at 7 p.m. in Bill Vining Arena.

DISNEY TRIVIA NIGHT is Friday from 7:30-9:30 p.m. at Dr. Jack’s, sponsored by CAB. For more information, contact: Jimmy Phillips at phillipsj@obu.edu.

THE MIKADO opens tonight at 7:30 p.m. in JPAC. Cost is $12 per person and students receive one free ticket with a student ID. Shows are also Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. For more information, contact: Jon Secrest at secrestj@obu.edu.

ETA ALPHA OMEGA CHRISTMAS SERENADE Sunday night will begin at 9 p.m. and go to all of the women’s residence halls. For more information, contact: Logan Kuhn at kuh51366@ obu.edu.

Meet the Editors

the people behind the bylines

Emily Terry Editor-in-Chief @emilymterry

“‘Anything made by my mom.”

Ouachita to launch 3-year Biomedical Scholars Program

By TRENNIS HENDERSON News Bureau

For highly motivated students interested in pursuing health-related graduate programs following graduation, Ouachita is introducing an accelerated three-year Biomedical Scholars Program.

The new program, available to incoming freshmen beginning in the fall of 2015, is the first of its kind in the region, according to Dr. Lori Hensley, Ouachita’s J.D. Patterson Professor of Biology.

According to Hensley, the university’s recent shift to 120hour degree programs “makes a three-year degree much more possible.”

“With much national attention on student debt and time to graduation,” she added, “this program allows us to offer a meaningful degree that is packed with experiential learning while saving the student one year of time and tuition expenses.”

Participants in the Program will earn a Bachelor of Science degree in biomedical sciences with a minor in chemistry.

Components of the high-intensity program include clinical shadowing, experimental research, study abroad options, community service and mentoring designed to equip graduates for professional degree programs.

The competitive academic program will be limited to 10 incoming students per academic year. Application requirements include a 30 ACT or higher and at least six hours of transferrable college credit prior to admission as a Ouachita freshman.

“Six or more transferable hours accomplishes two things,” explained Dr. Tim Knight, chair of Ouachita’s Patterson School of Natural Sciences. “First, it has hopefully given the student a taste of college level course work as opposed to the typical high school. Second, bringing in two or more college level courses provides flexibility in scheduling, especially in the first year.”

“Having the six hours will allow students to earn the required 120 hours in the threeyear period while still allowing time to study abroad and complete summer research,” Hensley added. “Additionally, we are really looking for the kind of student who has thought ahead, is preparing for college and is already demonstrating that they are highly motivated and capable of more than the average high school student.”

Knight said practical benefits of the program include “immediate immersion in shadowing experience as well as research-based courses and labs.” He noted that students in most programs don’t have those opportunities until their sophomore or junior years.

Hensley said additional benefits for students are that “they can start the professional program of their choice a full year earlier, and they save a full year of tuition.”

The Program “is not for everyone,” Knight acknowledged. He said it is specifically designed “for those students who are really focused and have a firm desire to pursue professional school after their undergraduate experience.” n

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The strip of hair on the back of Robert Pattinson’s head Candy corn Sauerkraut Anything falling off your face from No Shave November Turkey guts

What would you eat for your last meal?

Noah Hutchinson Opinions Editor @hutch15

Dixon Land Sports Editor @dixoncland

“‘Steak nachos and sweet tea. Beef, beans, cheese and the American dream, all on one plate.”

“A Huey’s Burger. For those that don’t know, Huey’s is a local burger joint in Memphis. Their burgers are so greasy, but so good. ”

Tanner Ward Former Editor (‘12-’13) @TannerWard

“Definitely the meal at Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede. That soup and cheesy biscuit are two of my greatest weaknesses.”

Things you shouldn’t stuff your Thanksgiving turkey with

SECREST

z Continued from Page 1 is what has kept us excited about teaching and directing together over all these years.

“Our enthusiasm for opera is not going to change because we aren’t directing anymore,” he added. “Now we’ll get to come and watch the efforts of our colleagues and be a part of the group that appreciates the final product.”

Noting the dedication and hard work the Secrests have given the opera program, Stanley said, “OBU is an institution I wanted to return to and influence the next generation of performers. I believe much of this is owed to my mentors having such a profound influence on me during my time as a student.”

The Secrests will continue to teach both in the classroom and in the applied lesson setting.

“In our private lessons we get to see a transformation that occurs in our students’ musical lives and in their performing abilities,” said Dr. Glenda Secrest. “This period of growth is so important to them. The evolution they go through is incredible.”

In two decades of teaching at Ouachita, the Secrests’ impact on the lives of students has been profound.

“The Secrests mean the world to me,” said Todd McNeel, a senior mass communications major who performs the title role in “The Mikado.” “They have really invested in me during my time at Ouachita and have always been encouraging to me. They truly care about the opera department and invest a lot … to make sure we put on professional quality productions.

“I am honored to have worked under them these past four years and I am so happy to have my last opera ever at OBU be under their direction,” McNeel added.

Affirming the support that the Secrests have given him over the years, Jacob Watson, a 2011 Ouachita graduate, said, “They push you to be your best, to be professional, all while maintaining an atmosphere of creativity and fun.

“Dr. Jon Secrest never wanted me to sound like someone else,” added Watson, who recently performed in the Broadway musical “Violet“

and is now on the Broadway National Tour of “Chicago” as Amos Hart. “The Secrests always believed that I could make an impact, not only at OBU, but in the professional world as well.

They made it clear to me what I am capable of, but also how much hard work and dedication it really takes.”

“We are so blessed to be available to work with these students during such an important time in their life,” Dr. Glenda Secrest noted. “We will continue this work even though our time as directors of opera is coming to a close.”

The Secrests said they feel a sense of fulfillment in how they have been able to lead the opera program’s growth. Their first opera production at Ouachita was “Amahl and the Night Visitors,” with a cast of six students. Two performances were held in Verser Theatre with about 100 people in attendance. By 2010, the Secrests were producing operas that were fully staged and costumed with audiences totaling more than 1,000.

They have even staged productions with lyrics sung in Italian such as “Don Giovanni.” Dr. Jon Secrest described that production as “the mountaintop experience that we’ve had here.”

Caitlin Secrest, who grew up with an insider perspective as the daughter and student of the two directors, said, “The level of professionalism, passion, care and outside time that they put into their successful productions is shown in every last area of consideration: musicality, acting, staging and more.”

Describing her parents and voice instructors as “selfless and generous,” Caitlin Secrest, a 2014 Ouachita graduate with a major in vocal performance, said, “They have sacrificed so much of their lives to build the opera program from the ground up.”

She added that “the legacy of what they have created, along with the help of all the musicians, accompanists, technical directors, assistant directors and students of the past 20 or so years, will live on in an ever-inspiring way.”

Their final opera production, “The Mikado,” will run Nov. 20-23 in Jones Performing Arts Center. Tickets can be purchased at www.obu. edu/boxoffice. n

“They push you to

be your best, to be professional, all

while maintaining an atmosphere of

creativity and fun.”

S3 opinions n

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Thursday, November 20, 2014

Man wisdom: The Brad Pitt Rule

By NOAH HUTCHINSON Opinions Editor

@Hutch15 “I don’t know,” Julie said. “I know I said we’d go out this weekend, but my friend Beth really needs me to help her wash her car Saturday night, and next weekend I’m going to have to do the stuff. Can I just get back to you on this?”

“Sure,” Craig replied, his soft smile matching his body language as his backbone melted like a stack of marshmallows. “Yeah, that’s fine. That’s really ok.

I’ve also gotta do the stuff next weekend, so it’s really not a big deal. Just text me or whatever.”

At some point, when you’ve tried to ask someone out on a date, this has been you. You worked up the courage to make your move, invested the time to make sure that they’re single and establish that they don’t hate you and when the time finally came, they just really weren’t all that interested. But they didn’t say no. And you still like them. There might be a chance. You’ve already come this far. What are you supposed to do?

In these instances, I’d advise you to employ the Brad Pitt rule. When somebody gives you that wishy washy answer that’s just enough to keep you holding on to hope, ask yourself a question: If Brad Pit asked this girl out, would she have given him the same answer? Pitt may not be the best example for our generation, but you can substitute the name for Bradley Cooper or Chris Hemsworth or whoever it is nowadays. You get the point. If the answer to the question is no, walk away right then and there. Don’t try to see her side of it, don’t try to be reasonable. Toss the blossomings of your ooey-gooey feelings into the

void and ride off into the sunset.

Some of you may recognize this from “The Art of Manliness” and yes, that is where it originated from.

But their post was a blurb at best, and as much as this gem has come in handy, I felt like I should elaborate on it. I find myself referring my male friends to the Brad Pitt rule all the time. It’s one of those classic pieces of man wisdom like “always cut with the grain” or “never roll in a shotgun fight.”

Deep down, every guy has this idea that he’s Khal Drogo. Think about it. If I walked up to you on the sidewalk, shoved you in the dirt and told you to give me your lunch money, you probably wouldn’t take it

“Ask yourself a question: If Brad Pitt asked this girl out, would she have given him the same answer?”

sitting down. Why then would you let your potential, if not unenthusiastic, sugar dumplin’ to be so carelessly render you helpless after you’ve offered her a lovely evening?

You aren’t Khal Drogo though. And you aren’t Brad Pitt either. You’re not a bred in a lab super hunk who makes blockbuster movies and adopts impoverished foreigners. But you might be funny. Or caring. Or make the best poached eggs this side of the Mason Dixon line, or you might be so trustworthy that you

could make a golden retriever look like a used car salesman. Whatever it is, you’ve got your thing that you’re better at than Brad Pitt, and some people are really going to appreciate that about you. For the people who can see it, you’ll be their Brad Pit, and you shouldn’t take anything short of a Brad Pitt answer when you ask for the date.

The “everybody’s a winner” nonsense is really only half of the picture though. The immediate enjoyment of the Brad Pitt rule comes from how cool you feel when you get to do it. Just a second ago, you were a chump. You were the bottom of the barrel option that some desperate girl was mulling over in her head, trying to decide whether or not to throw you a bone. But then you pulled the trigger. You’ve gotta do the stuff next weekend? That’s ok, we can always reschedule for never. Have fun not getting doted over.

In that moment, you’ve gone from chump to gladiator. You just left them there with their mouth hanging open. Anyone will be at least a little taken aback if you Brad Pitt rule them. Some will even get angry. It doesn’t matter though. When they tried to leave you hanging, they showed that they were a jerk, and you don’t need to spend your time and money on that.

I will admit that there are exceptions to this. Some girls are worth reaching for. If your Christina Hendricks comes along and isn’t swept off her feet the first time you try to take her to the Olive Garden, I’m not going to judge you if you make another run at it.

But don’t be a door mat for every girl without the guts to cut you loose when she’s not feeling it. Use your best judgement.

The next time somebody gives you a “meh,” refer to the Brad Pitt rule. Kindly make the decision for them and move on immediately. Unless your Christina Hendricks comes strutting through your life. Then feel free to break all the rules. I’d do anything from cutting against the grain to writing a 400 page essay on how “Predator” was just ok if it meant getting a date with a woman like that. n

Fury blows minds, literally Elders learning the Internet: Pitt butches it up as always Bad news, or trying their best?

By NOAH HUTCHINSON Opinions Editor

It may have taken him five years, but Brad Pitt finally made good on his promise of, “Doin’ one thang and one thang only. Killin’ Nazis.”

“Fury,” Pitt’s newest WW2 movie, which was released last weekend, had more jaw-dropping Nazi slaughter than an R-rated “Captain America.”

However, don’t go into it thinking it’s going to be your run-of-the-mill action movie.

The trailers paint “Fury” as the typical war movie. The leader who’s been around the block a few times, the crazy guy, the driver, the religious guy and the greenhorn noob fresh off the truck all pile into a tank and go on some big quest across Germany, having all kinds of brave and enlightening adventures along the way. That would make a pretty good Netflix summary, but you need to know that you’re getting into a lot more than that before you watch this movie. “Fury” is incredibly dark. Loss of innocence is a pretty big theme in war movies, but it’s usually conveyed through teary eyed monologues as the group camps out in a fox hole. “Fury” just shows it, and it can be pretty ugly.

It’s not anything subtle that you’ll have to watch closely to try and catch.

It basically vomits the idea that war is horrible and will pretty much always change people for the worse right into your lap. The characters and the journey they go on, both physically and spiritually, manage to make it all heartbreaking enough to be worth watching, though.

The entire cast does an outstanding job. There were audible gasps from the whole theater when characters who may have had three lines got gunned down. The main tank crew, however, were especially great. Logan Lerman (Charlie from “The Perks of Being a Wallflower”) did a perfect job as the

squeamish noobie. He managed to make me hate him in the beginning when he was too scared to shoot anyone, and then feel bad for him by the end. The rest of the main cast, made up of John Berthnal (Shane from “The Walking Dead”), Michael Pena and Shia LaBeouf did a fantastic job acting as foils to Lerman’s sitting duck of a character. Berthnal, who’s character was so far gone that he barely had a scrap of humanity left, managed to create some truly haunting moments when his lack of empathy smashed straight through the new guy’s tender little heart.

Because of the soul-crushing darkness that permeates almost every second of the movie, “Fury” also has some incredible comic relief. The jokes among the crew and a few ridiculous misuses of high explosive tank rounds made it so that when I was describing a few moments from this movie to a friend, they said it sounded fun. I certainly wouldn’t go that far, but this movie has a firm grasp of how dark it gets at some points and makes sure to interject a funny line every now and then to keep it from getting bogged down.

On top of all that, the look of this movie was beautiful in its own grungy, mud-soaked way. The people who came up with it knew exactly what they wanted. Everybody on screen looked really tough and really miserable, which is perfect for establishing the ambiance of a movie that’s split halfway between Nazis getting run over with tanks and a boy’s transformation into a hateful killing machine.

Even though “Fury” may be a sad movie, I still liked it. If you aren’t into emotions and all that other sissy stuff, Nazis get run over with tanks and they devote around fifteen minutes to a .50 cal machine gun massacre towards the end, so it’ll definitely slake your thirst for Nazi killin’. It’s basically got something for everyone. n

facebook.com/obusignal twitter.com/obusignal instagram.com/obusignal

By ROBERT DESOTO Staff Writer

P

osted to Facebook by Robert DeSoto on April 6, 2009: “is about to eat eggs.”

If you’re ever looking to feel bad about yourself, go back a few years and look at your Facebook statuses.

Remember those days when you began every status with is? Remember those days when you had to Picnik all of your photos? There’s no denying that you’d love to go back in time, pick yourself up by the collar and ask what you were thinking.

With the world and technology continuing to change, our media skills and patience continue to change as well.

The individuals using social media are also changing. That aunt that favorites all of your tweets? The woman from church who has no idea how to crop a photo? Your mom who has to comment on any thing that you post to Facebook?

You should probably get used to them.

And while we’re still coming to them with our hand out like one of the Gross sisters from “The Proud Family,” we lack patience when we see adults who don’t know how to properly use social media. But, if you recall, that was us not too long ago. Go back far enough, and you’ll find over-filtered pics and utterly lame statuses that make you cringe. The obvious difference between us and adults is that we are children of the internet age; they had to learn it.

When you find so much information for parents about keeping your babies safe from predators and spam and Tinder and being called ugly by Amanda Bynes, who teaches adults how to be safe online?

In other words, who teaches adults, those that just mastered Apple products after switching from the Samsung Razor, how to use filters, take panoramic pics that aren’t shaky, hashtag and not break the Internet (certainly not in

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the Kim Kardashian sense, though you might also have to explain that one to adults). Adults need someone to teach them how to download purchases from iTunes without ending up with a situation like “Smart House” (the Disney Channel original movie—don’t act like you don’t remember that one) or accidentally downloading Skynet software and unleashing Judgment Day. Lingo is also important. You wouldn’t want your dad tagging you in a photo of you and your sister and captioning it, “I’m so proud of my ratchet kids.” Distant relatives should also avoid writing “bae” on your Facebook wall or complimenting your eyebrows when they’re “on fleek.”

Adults, too, should take some advice about social media. For example, unless you whipped something up that’s really fabulous or accidentally baked your child in a cake, don’t post a picture of it or share the recipe. Do you actually feed that delicious-looking stuff that you share to your family?

Also, don’t notify everyone about the serial killer or rapist on the loose.

We’d probably rather hear about the killer from someone else, even if the killer happens to be in the house already. And no amount of posting about your child/grandchild/niece/ nephew/hubby/wifey/pet anything/ baby mama will make your friends or followers think that they are even half as cute as you think they are.

A lot of these, though, can still apply to my generation. But what I want you to understand, adults, is that even after all this ranting, you shouldn’t give up. You’re adults, but you aren’t in the ground just yet. Be willing to learn.

My message is truly a tripartite one.

Young people: be patient and respectful. Adults: have an open mind. Me from 2009: people don’t care that you’re eating eggs, and they certainly don’t care about Lady Gaga as much as you think. n

The Signal is the student newspaper of Ouachita Baptist University, and is published every Thursday during the fall and spring semesters when school is in session. The newspaper is distributed free of charge; 1,200 copies are placed in more than 20 locations across campus.

Opinions expressed are those of the writer and not necessarily those of the newspaper staff or university. The Signal is a member of the Columbia Scholastic Press Association and the Associated Collegiate Press and is printed by the Hope Star.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Letters to the editor are encouraged and accepted, unless libelous, irresponsible or obscene. Letters should be typed and include a signature and contact phone number, and must be less than 500 words. The Signal reserves the right to edit letters for space and style. Letters should be sent via campus mail to Box 3761 or via e-mail to signal@obu.edu.

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Haley Hatcher plays for more than soccer

By RAGAN LEDBETTER Guest Writer

S

he puts on her black Ouachita Baptist soccer uniform, pulls up her shin guards and socks and ties her neon yellow soccer cleats into perfectly knotted laces. She begins to follow the team’s normal warm-up routine and gets her mind mentally ready for the inevitable. As she stands at the centerline with her teammate for kick-off, she notices this is not a typical game. Haley Hatcher was not only playing against Harding, but she was facing her twin sister, Larkin Hatcher, as her opponent.

Hatcher has invested soccer for 18 years, with her father always being her coach prior to college. She grew up knowing sports are a way of life, and having a detailed schedule most of her days. In other words, Haley is always busy. Her days constantly consist of eating healthy, staying in shape and running whenever possible. You won’t hear excitement from her when she says, “I’m going to workout,” but she never fails to keep her health in tip-top shape.

Hatcher has played soccer for her father’s club team, the Mighty Bluebirds, since she was 3 and started her Central Arkansas Christian Mustang high school career her freshman year in 2009. She also played basketball, but something about soccer kept her coming back for more.

Haley also had the opportunity of playing both sports with her twin sister, Larkin, all 18 years.

“It was really fun to be able to share this experience together and also to cherish friendships we made through sports. It also helped keep us close as sisters,” says Hatcher.

As both their high school soccer and basketball careers were coming to end, Haley now had to decide where she would attend college and what sport she would pursue.

“I knew from the beginning I would be playing basketball in college, until my senior year where I changed my mind to soccer,” Hatcher said.

After deciding to play soccer, now it was time to decide where she would play it. While Ouachita had been on her sister’s mind, Haley had mainly thought about going to a D1 school. Her older sister, Kelsey, attended the University of Arkansas and played basketball. This guided Haley’s decision to give Arkansas a fighting chance as she wondered what being a Razorback would be like. As Larkin decided to pursue soccer at Harding, Haley then began to think about what being a Tiger would be like.

She bounced back and forth about going to Ouachita or going to Arkansas. The phrase “you’re a big fish in a small pond” rings true for Haley. She was one of the best athletes in the state, playing at 5A school and receiving All-State three years and All-Conference all four years. And the

idea of her battling between a D1 and D2 school almost seems silly. She knew if she went to Ouachita, she would have a better chance of playing more, but would have to work much harder to gain playing time at Arkansas. “ With Arkansas I wouldn’t have a social life,” Hatcher said, “but at Ouachita, I would be able to do soccer and be involved in other campus activities like a social club.”

The summer of 2012 had ended and so had her decision-making process.

Haley decided to give being a Razorback a chance. She did not want to look back on her 19 years of playing soccer and regret not playing for a D1 school. How awesome is that? To be able to say, “I played on the Arkansas Razorbacks Women’s Soccer team.”

Hatcher explains, “It was a really fun experience; I got to play on ESPN, which was so cool. And it definitely pushed me in a way that I didn’t even think I could get pushed.

It helped me become tougher. I really liked that.” Reality began to set in when she played her first game in Fayetteville. “I remember being really nervous. Competition level was so different than in high school, and I learned that right off the bat,” said Hatcher.

Hatcher explained that playing for a D1 school was not an easy task. “I would wake up, go to practice, and then go to class, go to another practice, do my homework and go to bed during preseason. I barely had a social life, let alone time to do anything,” said Hatcher.

Soccer became a job to Haley, and this was a new perspective she had never seen.

It didn’t take long for her to realize the Lord was calling her somewhere different.

Two weeks into the spring semester of 2013, Haley packed her bags at the U of A and was on her way to Ouachita. She would now know and feel what being a Tiger was like.

Haley knew she would still have to work hard in order to gain a starting forward position, but believed it would be worth it.

Hatcher said, “Since I transferred in the spring, practices were different than during season. I was a little nervous that I came so late and that my Arkansas teammates might be mad that I left the team. I was so happy to be at Ouachita, though.”

As Haley began to settle into the Ouachita bubble-like atmosphere, she found a new place to call home. She became friends with her coaches and teammates instantly. “My first game at Ouachita was actually during the spring, so it was a lot different and definitely not as exciting as Arkansas,” explained Hatcher. Playing at Ouachita meant she would be playing against her 16 year teammate, Larkin. “It was super weird playing against her,” Hatcher said, “Especially since she guarded me. But it was fun and we kept each other laughing. I do think we would do really well if we played with

each other though. I definitely miss that.”

The Tigers faced Harding three times this season and it was a battle every time. The first game resulted in a hard loss for Ouachita at home, but they battled hard for their next game. They defeated Harding 5-3 while playing at the Bison field. Because of the season results, the Tigers would play Harding in the first round of the Great American Conference Championship. They defeated the Bison again with a 1-0 game result.

As Haley has finished up her second year of playing for the Tigers, she has been nothing short of successful. She has received GAC Offensive Player of the Week three times this year and received 2014 GAC Player of the Year overall. Even though Haley had some big decisions to make and several obstacles to overcome, like playing against her sister, in order to get where she is today, she will never regret becoming and staying a Tiger. n

2014-2015 Juried Show

entry deadline dec. 3 wednesday

works photographed

and emailed to

$5 due Dec. 3 entry fee

obuartclub@gmail.com to the OBU art Department

cash prizes available

sports 5

www.obusignal.com

Thursday, November 20, 2014

18 players named to All-GAC teams, West hits Coach Knight named coach of year game winner as Tigers defeat UAFS

By KYLE PARRIS

Sports Information Director

After completing the first 10-0 season in program history, a conference-best 18 members of the 2014 Ouachita Tigers football team received All-GAC honors.

Six Tigers were named to the AllGAC First Team, including unanimous running back selection, Steven Kehner. Head Coach Todd Knight was the unanimous choice for GAC Coach of the Year.

Senior Steven Kehner ran for 1,080 yards this season and set a Great American Conference single-season record with 16 rushing touchdowns. Kehner averaged just over five yards per carry and 108 yards per game. The threetime GAC Player of the Week led the conference in rushing yards and rushing yards per game.

Joining Kehner on the First Team offense are a trio of offensive lineman, seniors Aaron Sprinkle and Brent Calhoun and junior Michael Russell. These three anchored a line that enabled the Tiger offense to average 232.6 rushing yards per game, second best in the conference and 19th in Division II. The line also finished third in the GAC, allowing only 1.2 sacks per game. This was Sprinkle’s third All-GAC selec-

tion and second consecutive First Team selection.

Senior safety Zack Mitchell was selected to the First Team defense after finishing the season with a career-high six interceptions.

Mitchell led the conference in interceptions and finished 11th in the nation in that category. Zack also had two fumble recoveries and 45 tackles.

Senior return specialist Etauj Allen led the nation with three returns for touchdowns and finished second in the nation in averaging 18.7 yards per return. Allen set the Ouachita single-season record in punt return yardage this season with 392 yards.

Senior quarterback Kiehl Frazier was selected to the All-GAC Second Team after finishing with 2,357 yards of total offense and 21 touchdowns. Frazier threw only four interceptions this season, the fourth-lowest total in Division II. Senior wideout Drew White earned second team honors after averaging a team-best 58.43 receiving yards per game. He caught 26 balls in 2014, three going for touchdowns. Junior receiver Ke’Vontae Pope was named the second team utility player after turning in a career-high, 527 receiving yards and averaging 99.8 all-purpose yards per game.

Senior defensive end Kyle La-

mothe was named to the second team after a career-year that saw him earn two GAC Player of the Week honors. Kyle set career highs in sacks with seven, tackles for loss with 9 and defensive touchdowns with two on fumble recoveries.

Joining Lamothe on the second team defense is senior tackle, Dion Young. Young finished 2014 with 27 tackles, including three tackles for loss and two sacks.

Senior cornerback Jeremy Small earned All-GAC Second Team honors. Small finished the regular season with three interceptions and seven pass break-ups.Small had 22 tackles and one tackle for loss.

Senior kicker Matt Ehasz went 10-13 on field goal attempts and 34-34 on extra point attempts, earning him a second team roster spot. Ehasz hit the game-winning field goal in overtime to defeat Harding at Searcy.

Freshman punter Shelton Wooley also earned All-GAC Second Team honors. Wooley averaged 37.2 yards per punt, dropping 21 inside the opponents 20 yard line.

Senior fullback Spencer Knight, junior tight end Jonathan Powell, and linebacker Mike Williamson and senior long snapper Eric Ashburn all earned honorable mentions for their efforts in 2014. n

GAC All-Conference Selections All-GAC First Team QB Kiehl Frazier WR Drew White WR Ka’Vontae Pope DE Kyle Lamothe DT Dion Young K Matt Ehasz P Shelton Wooley

All-GAC Second Team RB Steven Kehner C Aaron Sprinkle LG Brent Calhoun LT Michael Russell S Zack Mitchell PR Etauj Allen

All-GAC Honorable Mention

FB Spencer Knight TE Jonathan Powell

LS Eric Ashburn LB Mike Williamson

By BRANDON SMITH Sports Information

After a missed free-throw from the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith’s Jasmine Brainard with 16 seconds to play, the Ouachita Lady Tigers received the ball for one more possession.

With four seconds remaining, Ouachita’s Ashley Johnson found Katherine West, who heaved up a shot from behind the three-point line with 3.9 seconds on the clock. West’s shot banked off the backboard and through the net, giving the Lady Tigers the 79-78 win.

The Lady Lions of Fort Smith (1-1) controlled the first half, outscoring Ouachita 37-29. UAFS posted a field goal percentage of 40.6 percent in the first half, while the Lady Tigers were only 33.3 percent on field goal attempts, including 20 percent from three-point range.

The first half, which featured eight lead changes and six ties, remained close until the Lady Lions took over with a 13-1 run with 5:23 remaining in the half. UAFS claimed its largest lead of 12 twice, but Ouachita was able to reduce the lead to eight by the end of the first half.

Despite multiple runs by the Lady Tigers, the Lady Lions kept the lead their lead throughout the second half, and with 9:11 remaining in the contest, Fort Smith claimed another 12-point lead. Immediately after, a three-point basket by Morgan Miller sparked an 18-6 run that eventually tied the game at 71.

West then gave Ouachita a 72-71 lead after a made free-throw with 3:24 to go. The rest of the game featured three lead changes and one tie, until Ouachita finally claimed the 79-78 lead with no time remaining. West scored seven of the Lady Tigers’s final nine points, including the game-winning three.

The Lady Tigers scored 50 points in the second half, compared to only 29 in the first. Ouachita posted a 56.7 percent field goal percentage in the half, including 7-11 from beyond the arc.

A key to the Lady Tigers’ success was the limiting of turnovers. Ouachita committed 25 turnovers in the previous game but only 18 against UAFS. Katie Kapler and Taylor Bowles led the Lady Tigers with 13 points each, and Kapler added eight rebounds. Johnson, who recorded the final rebound and assist of the game, finished with six points, a game-high 12 boards, three assists and three steals. Breanna Harris also scored in double-digits, adding 10 points.

The Lady Tigers (2-1) will travel to Commerce, Texas on Saturday, Nov. 22, to take on the Texas A&M Commerce Lions. Live stats will be posted on the women’s basketball team schedule. n

Why sports are important

By DIXON LAND Sports Editor

@DixonCLand “Sports really aren’t that important,” she said as I entered the classroom. I knew that I had been late and that she didn’t care what the excuse was, so when I had told her that my mid-day football practice was the reason, she slowly rolled her eyes and whispered under her breath that she couldn’t understand why sports were so important.

Well, here’s my take on the subject. Sports can be so momentous that they change outcomes and determine precedents in other areas. For example, when the United States hockey team won the 1980 Olympic Gold Medal, they beat the Soviet Union in the semifinals (most people don’t know that it wasn’t the gold medal game). The game had a major impact on the morale of the United States. It put us ahead of them in the cold war.

Why is it that every single year, the President of the United States throws out the first pitch at a baseball game? Personally, I think it is to see if our president can throw a baseball like a girl or can throw it like Randy Johnson. But I digress.

Sports has a way of uniting people. I absolutely love the Olympics. I think the opening ceremonies every year are the most interesting thing ever. So many athletes, so many countries. All proud of their efforts and the countries they represent.

Sports brings people together. I truly believe that one of the main reasons why racism was ended in Alabama was because Bear Bryant said it should be.

Jackie Robinson. Arthur Ashe. Texas Western Basketball team.

Sports is the reason we have Wrigley and The Green Monster, Neyland and Notre Dame stadiums and the Garden and the Palace at Auburn Hills.

Sports brings us to our knees at the greatness of history, compelling us to sit in awe of the great players that made fantastic plays like Bobby Thompson hitting the shot heard round the world. Or when

Montana found Clark for “The Catch.” It’s moments like these that makes us live for the game.

It brings a grandmother to curse words and a grown man to tears. Nothing makes my mother tense up more than watching the Auburn Tigers play football on Saturday and Zach Parker is a sight to see on Florida State gamedays.

Sports are a tradition. Sports represent pagentry.

Think of the amazing tradition behind the Yankee organization. It doesn’t matter where you are in the world, it isn’t uncommon to see a Yankee’s ball cap on someone. The organization stands for more than

“Sports brings us to our knees at the greatness of history, compelling us to sit in awe of great players that made fatastic plays.”

-Dixon Land

itself. Tradition. It stands for the United States (As much as I hate to admit that).

When I played high school football, I played with some of my best friends. I also played with some people that my high school self would never have associated with outside of football practice. But

when you unify yourself towards a cause and go through adversity, it bonds you together – no matter how much discommunity you may have on the outside. Sports has the power to do that. That’s what makes the Army so successful. That’s what makes sports teams so sucessful.

Sports are the only place you see people that have nothing to do with the team going crazy over the success of that team. My father was more excited after last year’s Iron Bowl than I have ever seen him.

Along with the sentimentals, sports generate revenue. Take these numbers in perspective. An average face value ticket for the 2013 Super Bowl ranged from $850-$1,200. The Superdome, where the event was held, seats around 73,000 people. So just on ticket sales, the ticket is around $73 million. One 30-second add was between $3.7 and $3.8 million. CBS payed $622 million for rights this season. Estimated Super Bowl revenue for CBS? $263 million.

Along with the revenue, more people tune in to watch sporting events on a normal basis than anything else on TV. Sports unify unlikely groups and brings people together. Grandmas scream and yell with their grandsons on Saturday afternoons. Houses become divided for an afternoon in November.

“Sports really aren’t that important,” my teacher told me. But, I will continue to argue that sports are one of the most important social, economic and fiscal factors on the world scale. Sports bring us all together under a cause. Just ask those in the World Cup. It helps us get away from the tragedy that daily encompasseses the world. But, sometimes it helps to solve that tragedy. It always makes a statement. There is always a clear winner and loser.

So to my teacher who told me that sports could never be as important as math, remember this: Sports are something that millions participate in every year.

And that’s a calculation I am sure of.

For a young boy that wanted to grow up quarterbacking the Auburn Tigers to a national championship and a Heisman trophy campaign, covering sports is a close second for me. Sports create a sense of belonging. Sports unite. Sports give us hope. It’s something to look forward to all week. n

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sports

Thursday, November 20, 2014

www.obusignal.com

PLAYOFFS

z Continued from Page 1 and rushed for 137 yards. Drew White received five passes for 89 yards, some of those coming on key third downs, and also scored a touchdown.

Ouachita will play the winner of Northwestern Mo. St. and Minnesota-Duluth on Saturday, Nov. 29 at 12 p.m.

Northwestern Mo. St. (101) is averaging 36.6 points a game, only allowing 13.8 opponent points per game.

With a ballanced attack on offense, the Bearcats average 228.4 yards rushing and 214 passing yards per game. They have scored 19 TDs passing and 31 rushing TDs. Since losing to Pittsburg St. on Oct. 18, the Bearcats haven’t lost a game since, beating opponents by an average of 27.8 points.

Robert Burton leads the Bearcat offense in rushing with 652 yards on 153 carries this season. He is averaging 4.1 yards per carry. He also

has scored nine touchdowns on the season. Brady Bolles has thrown the majority of the passes for the Bearcats. He has thrown 317 passes, with 185 completions. He has thrown for 2228 yards and 18 TDs this season.

The Bearcats rely mostly on three starting recievers: Bryce Young, Jason Jozaites, and Korey Jackson. Young averages 15.9 yards a catch, while Jozaites recorded 239 yards receiving this year. Jozaites has also scored two touchdowns and has played all 11 games.

Jackson, is averaging 11.1 yards on 38 catches. He has caught three touchdowns and averages 38.4 yards per game.

On the other side of the game, is Minnesota-Duluth, who is 11-0. Their margin of victory is 26.6 points.

Logan Lauters leads the team in rushing with 1245 yards earned on 160 carries. He averages 7.6 yards per carry and has 11 touchdowns on the season.

Quarterback Drew Bauer has thrown for 1833 yards this

Dr. Wesley Kluck y Courtesy Brandon Marks speeds past Henderson State defenders a Spencer Knight blocks for him. Marks rushed for 62 yards on 17 carries for the Tigers last Saturday.

season on 151 completions. He has also thrown for 20 TD’s and ran for 875 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Ouachita is in the toughest regional by far. With multiple teams that have won national championships including three of six teams. Pittsburg St. and Minnesota-Duluth have both won national championships before, and Northwest Mo. St. is the defending national champion. The team, which returns many starters from that winning team, knows how to win into December.

But the Tigers have improved drastically since they began in September. Against Henderson State, the Tigers played significantly better than their season averages. The Tigers scored 41 points, on the season average of 37.

They also rushed for 215 yards, and hit 392 yards of total offense.

In order for the Tigers to win in a region that is as experienced as this one, the Tigers will need to continue to do as they are doing. n

Dr. Wesley Kluck y Courtesy Drew White catches a pass from Kiehl Frazier on one of many third down passes completed to Drew White last Saturday. White, a senior, extended drives on Saturday evening to give the Tigers a 41-20 win over the Reddies.

Dr. Wesley Kluck y Courtesy

Players celebrate following a 41-20 win over Henderson State during the 88th annual Battle of the Ravine. The Tigers will play the winner of Minn. Duluth/Northwest Mo. State next Saturday, Nov. 29.

Current Playoff Bracket: First Round November 22

Second Round November 29

Quarterfinals December 6

Semi-finals December 13

Championship December 20

1 *Concord 4 *West Chester 5 Slippery Rock

SUPER REGION 1

3 *Virginia St. 6 LIU Post 2 *Bloomsburg 1 *Ouachita Baptist 4 *Minn. Duluth 5 Northwest Mo. St.

SUPER REGION 2

3 *Pittsburg St. 6 Harding 2 *Minn. St. Mankato

Kansas City

1 *Lenoir-Rhyne 4 *North Ala. 5 Valdosta St.

SUPER REGION 3

3 *Tuskegee 6 West Ga. 2 *Delta St.

1 *Ferris St. 4 *Colorado Mines 5 Ohio Dominican

SUPER REGION 4

3 *Michigan Tech 6 Angelo St. 2 *Colorado St.-Pueblo

* Denotes the Host institution.

NATIONAL CHAMPION