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TUESDAY FEBRUARY 14, 2017

The

Day!

Reflector

131st YEAR ISSUE 34

THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1884

MSU welcomes the SEC leadership program

by Sean McCarthy Staff Writer

The quest to identify and foster leaders on college campuses can be difficult, which is why a variety of programs have emerged to address the significance of developing leadership within universities.

This year, from Wednesday, Feb. 22, to Friday, Feb. 24, Mississippi State University will host the Southeastern Conference Academic Leadership and Development Program.

This program will see a variety of administrative and academic faculty from all 14 SEC universities come together to share ideas, incorporate policies and discuss academic success.

The SEC leadership program is in its ninth year of operation. The program is approved by the provosts and presidents of the various SEC institutions. Its mission is to identify, develop, prepare and advance SEC personnel to assume leadership roles within

SEC institutions, and to encourage academicians to commit their careers to SEC schools.

The program seeks to stimulate academic leaders to think critically and teaches them managerial skills while increasing their knowledge of academic leadership in the 21st century.

The idea for the SEC leadership program stemmed from concern over a lack of experienced and qualified people within the SEC to assume highlevel, leadership positions within their respective universities.

Each SEC institution submits up to four nominees each spring to represent their university at the program’s workshops, held in the autumn and spring. These nominees are then appointed fellows in May and serve in that capacity for an entire academic year.

There are two components to the program.

First, SEC leadership program fellows join together at the bi-annual workshops to corroborate on ideas pertinent to universities.

Oftentimes, the host university will present ideas

1

Identify the dominate economic,

community, and ecosystem challenges to sustainable water resources in the southeastern U.S.

2

3

Identify policy and practice paths forward that will maximize the heath and vitality of the region through water stewardship

Engage the best and brightest scientists and

engineers of the Southeastern Conference with other national and international experts in water resources. source: secconference.msstate.edu

Jenn McFadden, The Reflector

they have incorporated, and explain their successes.

The second component sees each fellow utilize established, on-campus programming facilitated by the administrators on their own campus. On the MSU campus, fellows can attend executive meetings and dean’s council meetings.

MSU fellows also read “The College

Administrators Survival Guide,” by C.K. Gonzalez, and meet once a month to discuss the scenarios presented by Gonzalez.

This program has created a lasting impact on previous program fellows.

In speaking with Dr. Rebecca Long, professor Beth Miller and Dr. David Morse, the immense importance of the SEC

ALDP in developing the careers of administrative leaders was evident.

Dr. Long, associate dean of the School of Graduate Studies and an SEC leadership program fellow from 2014 to 2015, said the program helped her reach out to administrators from other universities.

“I really enjoyed the

idea of interacting with other administrators, not just on MSU’s campus, as I had done before, but with administrators from other universities,” Long said.

Long acknowledges that many administrators face the same difficulties, and therefore, this program fosters a forum to develop solutions.

“In a very real sense, we all face exactly the same problems, and it benefits to see other perspectives on how to deal with those continuing issues,” Long said. “One thing, for example, is the (session at the) University of Missouri Journalism School; who operated a case study, wherein students from the journalism school presented us with a scenario; ‘the press comes to your campus, how do you deal with this?’ And that was very instructive.”

Long found the program was overall useful and wishes there were more opportunities to visit other universities within the program.

Long also commends the program’s ability to establish relationships and to interact with colleagues within one’s own university environment.

SEC ADLP, 2

Music Makers presents new, local artists to the community

opportunity for musicians to grow has been a huge motivating factor and a Staff Writer sense of fulfillment for me personally,” Coats said.

Music Makers Presents Daniel Neely, a is a monthly collaboration previous participant of project between Music the Music Maker Presents Maker Productions, competition, said he has MSU’s campus radio personally benefitted station, WMSV, from competing in and the University this competition “My favorite part about Television Center. by having the Local and regional opportunity to Music Makers Presents is musicians are featured showcase his talent as in the University an artist and present being able to be a part of Television Center and original songs. film original, acoustic Neely said he a totally unigue program performances. is thankful for the that gives local and According to opportunity he had Alex Coats, senior to play his music and regional musicians an public relations major have others hear it. and Music Makers “It’s easy, fun, opportunity to have their Presents’ booking pretty cool, and you agent, Music Maker get to be on TV,” art heard and seen.”

Productions began as Neely said. “Really, an initiative for new what’s not to love?” programming for Neely also said -Alex Coats, Music MSTV and has grown the opportunity Makers Present’s booking to be an integral part of to perform live all three organizations. made him realize agent “It’s a great way the importance of for Music Makers to practicing music provide a platform beforehand– an for Mississippi and he has loved being a part epiphany he said was southern artists to perform of it ever since. common but seemed to be their music,” Coats said.

“My favorite part highlighted in front of a Coats said Music about Music Makers live audience.

Makers is continuing to Presents is being able to be Music Makers Presents grow the program with a part of a totally unique is considered an outlet, the end goal of it being program that gives local in this sense, to allow completely student-run, and regional musicians musicians to not only which would be “totally an opportunity to have practice their music, but unique” to our university their art heard and seen. also perform in front of a since there is no one else Being able to give that live audience.

by Laken Vickers

in the SEC doing this type of programming.

Coats has been a part of Music Makers for three and a half years and served in different capacities from Old Main Festival chair to publicity chair. He applied his freshman year and said

Emily Morgan | Courtesy Photo

Students prayed over every box packaged before they were sent to feed hungry children in Haiti. The packages contain rice, pinto beans, a vitamin mix and dehydrated vegetables giving children the correct amount of nutrients needed.

Feed the Hunger packs meals for the hungry Feed the Hunger at Mississippi State University packaged 36,969 meals last Friday and Saturday.

Those packages will feed 154 children for an entire school year.

Emily Morgan, president of Feed the Hunger at MSU, said there were 180 college students who assisted in the packing.

Morgan, sophomore political science and criminology major, said the Packathon was a success.

She said Feed the Hunger is hoping to triple their event next year and package over 100,000 meals.

Morgan said peoples’ reactions to the event was her favorite part.

“A lot of the volunteers had never participated in one and so it was fun to see them get the hang of how easy and fun listening to music and dancing while packing food,” Morgan said.

Emmalyne Kwasny, News Editor

MUSIC MAKERS, 2

Weather

Reflections

Griffin Hardy, Campus Connect Forecast (Department of Geosciences)

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

HI: 57 LO: 39 SKY: Cloudy

HI: 51 LO: 42 SKY: Rain

HI: 57 LO: 30 SKY: Sunny

POP:30%

POP: 80%

POP: 0%

FORECAST: Mostly cloudy skies for Tues., but rain moves into the region Wed. morning.

Much of it will taper off later in the afternoon.

Turning cold & clear overnight into Thursday.

Readerʼs Guide: Bad Dawgs Bulletin Board Opinion Contact Info

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Policy: Any person may pick up a single copy of The Reflector for free. Additional copies may be obtained from the Henry Meyer Student Media Center for 25 cents per copy.

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THE REFLECTOR TUESDAY FEBRUARY 14, 2017

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NEWS SEC ADLP

Sunday February 5, 2017 4:40 p.m. A student reported recieving a fake check from an unkown person she met via text message.

7:13 p.m. A student reported his vehicle keyed while parked at Fresh Food parking lot.

MUSIC MAKERS PRESENTS Allie Nichols, sophomore secondary education major, has been a part of Music Makers since her freshman year. Nichols has been on the Artist Relations and Publicity committees and has done everything from selling merchandise, scanning tickets, setting up dressing rooms, putting up posters and anything in-between to make sure the concerts at Mississippi State are a success.

“My favorite part is watching the TV center guys

do their thing. They make it look so easy,” Nichols said. “Local artists should definitely look into it because they have the opportunity to show off their talent for free and have these professional recordings to keep.”

These performances are released in episode format every week through the university’s cable television channel, MSTV, and WMSV. They are also featured on the Music Maker’s channel vimeo.com/channels/ musicmakerspresents and at their website www.msuconcerts.

CONTINUED FROM 1

com/music-makers-presents/.

The episodes include a short set and an interview.

If students would like to be featured on Music Makers Presents, they can email msummp@gmail.com to be considered. New episodes can be watched on MSTV every Thursday at 7 p.m. and listen to new episodes on WMSV every Saturday at 9 p.m. Students can email msummp@gmail. com or come by the Music Maker’s office in Suite 314 in the Union for more information.

Professor Beth Miller, head of the Department of Interior Design and a fellow from 2010 to 2011, agrees with Long on the benefits of observing different administrative hierarchies within various SEC universities.

Miller discussed her specific experiences during her program sponsored visit to Louisiana State University.

“What I found, from this, is that the administrators were very forthcoming with what they told us,” Miller said.

“They talked about the good things going on in their university, and the challenges.”

Miller admired the learning communities at LSU, an idea she believes MSU may benefit from implementing on its campus.

“We walked through the dormitory, we saw how that worked for them,” Miller said. “The study spaces, the student collaboration, and the community for these students. My career has been predominantly at Mississippi State, and to see administrators speak, was very insightful.”

Miller said she also appreciated the frank discussion around campus difficulties, such as budget management and crisis aversion. Miller also

CONTINUED FROM 1

left the program with a network of female leaders from other universities to corroborate with.

Dr. David Morse, head of the Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology and Foundations, and a fellow from 2014 to 2015, agrees with the sentiments expressed by Long and Miller.

“When you leave the program, you’ve got, at your fingertips, a list of resources from other universities,” Morse said.

“It is developing a cadre with folks you can consult and exchange ideas with.

It was a very valuable experience.”

Each former fellow expressed similar viewpoints. The SEC leadership program granted them the exceptional opportunity to interact with, learn from and present ideas to administrators and faculty from other SEC universities.

With the 2017 spring session being hosted

by MSU, Dr. Peter Ryan, associate provost, identifies a variety of aspects that will make this session a highly successful conference.

“The program, this year, is very focused on issues that are impacting campuses across the country; cybersecurity,

managing campus crises, etc.,” Ryan said.

The fellows representing MSU at this year’s spring session are: Dr. Angi Bourgeois, head of the Department of Art, Dr. Teresa Jayroe, associate dean of the College of Education, Melissa Moore, head of the College of Business’ Department of Marketing, Quantitative Analysis and Business Law, and Scott Willard, associate dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

MSU’s three day session will highlight the PROMISE student program, a dean’s panel, a cybersecurity workshop, and several walking tours of key campus locations.

When asked what administrators and fellows can take away from MSU, all three former fellows concurred on one aspect: hospitality.

Long summed up MSU’s penchant for amiability best.

“Building community and trust,” Long said. “I can’t tell you the number of employers, parents, etc. who, in one way or another, all say the same thing; ‘Everyone is so nice. The hospitality is amazing;” I think that hospitality, that concern for others, is primary in effective leadership.”

I am Top Dawg.

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3 THE REFLECTOR TUESDAY FEBRUARY 14, 2017

CLASSIFIEDS The deadline for Tuesday’s paper is 3 p.m. Thursday. The deadline for Friday’s paper is 3 p.m.

Tuesday. Classifieds are listed at $5 per issue. Student and staff ads are listed at $3 per issue, prepaid. Lost and found items: Found items can be listed for free; lost items are listed at standard ad cost.

HELP WANTED Boardtown Bikes is seeking a bicycle mechanic.

Mechanical experience and involvement with

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MSU GAMER’S GUILD MSU Gamer’s Guild is holding a NBA 2K and Madden tournament in Butler Hall this Saturday at 2 p.m. For more information, email vgcmsu@gmail.com

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OPINION

THE REFLECTOR TUESDAY FEBRUARY 14, 2017

Mississippi and the death penalty: Firing squad is not the answer, abolition is being released to the public, because this could lead to ethical problems.

According to a Buzzfeed News report, in 2015, Texas attempted to purchase a lethal injection drug from a company in India.

The state was, however, unable to do so before the Indian government raided the company, which was consisted of five 20-year-old men, producing narcotics in a small apartment.

Other states, such as Nebraska, have also attempted to illegally purchase lethal injection drugs that were not approved by the FDA. Most importantly, the bill represents a moral departure from global progress on the issue of the death penalty.

Instead of searching for new methods of execution, Mississippi leaders should remove the death penalty altogether.

The United States is currently the only developed country that still executes its citizens.

According to Amnesty International, the United States ranked fifth for most executions for 2015, sitting quite cozily between Iraq and Saudi Arabia.

The United Nations voted in 2014 for a resolution calling for a moratorium on the death penalty, but the U.S. was one of only 38 countries who opposed it.

Even beyond basic support of capital punishment, the United States has lagged behind other countries on

Holly Travis

is a senior majoring in political science and criminology. She can be contacted at opinion@reflector.msstate.edu.

I would like to say I was surprised when I read the headline last week stating Mississippi was considering the firing squad as a method of execution, but I was not.

Unfortunately, Mississippi is not the only state taking two giant leaps backward on the issue of capital punishment.

Since the sole provider of sodium thiopental– an anesthetic that is part of the cocktail used in lethal injections–stopped production in 2011, states have been scrambling to find other means of execution.

As a result of this shortage, Mississippi has not had an execution since 2012, according to the Mississippi Department of Corrections.

HB 638, which passed the Mississippi House with 74 votes last week, would provide Mississippi with alternate forms of execution including the gas chamber, firing squad and electric chair.

Additionally, the bill would prevent the names of any parties associated with the execution, including drug manufacturers, from

more specific aspects of capital punishment.

It was not until the 2002 Supreme Court ruling in Atkins v. Virginia that executing an intellectually disabled individual was ruled unconstitutional, or until 2005 Roper v. Simmons that sentencing a juvenile was no longer permitted, taking the U.S. nearly three decades to comply with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Mississippi’s move towards expanding execution practices stands in

life without parole, the state would save approximately $5 billion over a 20 year period.

This trend in costs holds true for other states as well.

According to the Death Penalty Information Center (DPIC), the majority of capital cases stem from only 2 percent of U.S. counties, which shifts the exorbitant cost of executions to the entire state. However, in some cases, the high cost means raising county taxes to foot the bill.

A Wall Street Journal article pointed out that in

“It is a luxury to view people through only the veil of their crimes —when they have a name and story, the issue becomes more complex. ” stark contrast to the global trend on this issue.

If you are currently thinking that a global trend is not sufficient reason to alter domestic policy, then you are probably right. Which is why there are plenty of other reasons Mississippi and the United States should alter their position.

Firstofall,thedeathpenalty is extremely costly. A 2011 study conducted by Federal Judge Arthur Alarcon and Loyala Law School Professor Paula Mitchell found that the death penalty cost California taxpayers $4 billion dollars and by commuting those currently on death row to

the 1990s Quitman County, Mississippi raised taxes three times, and then still took out a loan in order to pay for the capital trial of two men.

When resources are spent on the death penalty, it detracts from other programs. Being a state with budget problems, Mississippi quite literally cannot afford this.

For how much we spend on the death penalty, it is severely ineffective at deterring crime.

In a 2009 survey of “former and present presidents of the country’s top academic criminological societies, 88 percent of these experts rejected the notion

that the death penalty acts as a deterrent to murder. Even though the South accounts for 80 percent of executions, FBI reports still show the region has the highest murder rates.”

Many death penalty advocates argue that if we speed up the appeals process and number of executions per year, the death penalty’s general deterrence would be more effective and less costly. Or as author Edward Abbey puts it, “The death penalty would be even more effective, as a deterrent, if we executed a few innocent people more often.”

DPIC reports that there have been 157 people exonerated from death row since 1973 with the most recent occurring on January 19, 2017.

Mississippi accounts for four of these exonerations, with one being a Starkville man who was exonerated of two capital murder charges as recently as 2015. The risk of executing the innocent is simply too great. In addition, the system has proven to be racially biased.

A 1984 Stanford study found that the defendant’s odds of receiving a death sentence were five and a half times higher if the victim were white. The ACLU reports that blacks currently account for a disproportionate 55 percent of those currently awaiting execution. By combining the global trend towards abolition with the cost, deterrence,

rate of exonerations and proven racial bias, it is compellingly clear why the United States and states such as Mississippi must also choose abolition.

Even when considering these facts, I am still often asked, “but what if it were you whose loved one was killed, wouldn’t you want the death penalty then?”

Alexis Durham responds to this in the Northwestern Law Review by asking instead this: “Should society be content to accept retributivist emotions as worthy of normative preservation and codification in law simply because such feelings have been a regular part of human reactions?” The answer is no.

Ultimately, it is a luxury to view people through only the veil of their crimes —when they have a name and story, the issue becomes more complex.

I have sat in jail across the table from individuals who were facing a looming death sentence or execution. I saw this complexity fi rsthand because each time I sat there, I was consistently confronted by how blatantly human they were.

When Mississippi legislators consider what this bill will cost us, I ask that they also consider what it will cost us morally, as a state. The question they must ask is not whether people deserve to die, but rather, whether we as a state deserve to kill.

The answer again is no.

Parents should avoid social media “sharenting” Chris Lowe

is a sophomore majoring in business information systems. He can be contacted at opinion@reflector.

Anyone that reads my articles knows I have a lot to say about social media.

It is so easy to abuse, and a lot of people make a habit of doing just that.

One of the most irksome ways people misuse these sites–Facebook in particular–is by creating a digital identity for their children before they are old enough to consent.

Far too often, excited mothers and fathers chronicle every aspect of their child’s life and post them for the world to see, doing away with any sort of privacy for the child.

This behavior is actually common enough that it has spawned its own word: “sharenting.”

The Atlantic claims

that 90 percent of all two children on social media, everywhere. year olds in the United but Medical Daily states, Parents must come to States have some form of “28 percent of parents realize that children are an online presence due to discuss trying to get their not pets, and that parents sharenting, and I do not kids to sleep, 26 percent must be more careful about think this number is a share advice on nutrition what they post regarding reassuring one. and eating tips, 19 percent their children than they Sharenting creates a share about discipline, are about themselves. wealth of problems for 17 percent about daycare People can and will younger generations that no one has ever had to deal with in the past. For the same reasons that taking and post“Excited mothers and fathers chronicle ing a picture every aspect of a child’s life, doing away of a random stranger is `with any sort of privacy for the child.” wrong, posting excessive pictures of your child is wrong, too.

Fa c e b o ok is not a photo album to be kept stashed Jenn McFadden, The Reflector in a closet. It is a medium or preschool, and 13 use sensitive information that gives, at the very least, percent about behavior against others, and hundreds of people access problems.” As any person parents have to be aware to potentially sensitive old enough to have been before they throw caution information. in middle school knows, to the wind.

One might think that information like this Embarrassment is parents are responsible in will create a sense of glee only the least damaging what they post about their in the hearts of bullies outcome of sharenting,

CONTACT INFORMATION Editor in Chief/Kaitlin O’Dougherty

Life Editor/Alexandra Hendon

325-7905 editor@reflector.msstate.edu

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managing@reflector.msstate.edu

Online Social Media Editor/Taylor Bowden

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letters to the editor should be sent to the Meyer Student Media Center or mailed to The Reflector, PO Box 5407, Mississippi State, MS. Letters may also be emailed to editor@reflector.msstate.edu.

Letters must include name and telephone number for verification purposes. The editor reserves the right to edit or refuse to publish a letter.

The

however. It can also result in real danger for children.

With the information commonly posted on social media, people with malicious intentions can easily find out everything they need to know about a child, and unfortunately, that list of people also includes criminals.

An article from the Wash i ng ton Post states, “parents may be divulging not just their struggles in raising their children, but also their child’s physical location and habits, which can be fodder for predators.” Yes, it is not terribly likely that anything will happen, but why leave an online paper trail directly to your child if you do not need to?

Aside from real-life consequences, there

are instances of people engaging in “digital kidnapping.” This entails downloading pictures of another child and using them to pretend as if they belong to one’s own child.

It is easy for us to take the internet for granted, but children are unable to defend themselves and take their digital footprint into their own hands.

Because the internet is a place of anonymity, it is easy to fall victim to the bad intentions of others, and it is almost impossible—even as a parent— to know something like digital kidnapping is happening to your child.

It is simple to remedy the problem: do not take the risk. We owe it to younger generations to allow them to have control over their own digital destinies, just as the rest of us do.

It is impossible to know what consequences may occur as a result of sharenting, and it is wise to not risk incurring unnecessary grief for children in the future.

Reflector

EDITORIAL POLICY

The Reflector is the official student newspaper of Mississippi State University.

Content is determined solely by the student editorial staff. The contents of The Reflector have not been approved by Mississippi State University.

CORRECTIONS

The Reflector staff strives to maintain the integrity of this paper through accurate and honest reporting. If we publish an error we will correct it. To report an error, call 325-7905.

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THE REFLECTOR TUESDAY FEBRUARY 14, 2017

‘Silent Sky’ to light up Starkville Community theatre

by Sam Gibson Opinion Editor

Joy Cariño fi rst entered the Starkville Community Theatre’s Playhouse on Main as a child. She fi rst attended the company’s Saturday morning children’s theatre productions, but shortly after she became part of the cast. Her fi rst production was about putting the wolf from “Little Red Riding Hood” on trial, and she was excited to fi nd herself playing the judge.

“It was the fi rst time I was on stage, and felt confident, and worked with so many different kids,” Cariño said. “The heart of theatre is collaboration—working with so many different people to make something beautiful, and here was the place I fi rst learned all of that.”

This month, Cariño, a freshman majoring in english and math at Mississippi State University, will take the Starkville Community Theatre (SCT) stage for her fi rst role as an adult in “Silent Sky,” written

by Lauren Gunderson and directed by Jo Durst.

“Silent Sky” tells the true story of Henrietta Leavitt, a female astronomer working at the Harvard Observatory in the early 1900s. Leavitt, along with three other female astronomers, was responsible for discovering a new method for calculating the distance of stars. However, because she was a woman, Leavitt received no credit for her ideas at the time and was forced to accept her male boss staking claims on her discovery.

Director Durst thinks the play is especially relevant today because of “the emphasis on STEM and pushing girls into those areas and saying ‘they’re not off-limits—they’re open to all, to everyone.’”

Durst, a former MSU theatre professor who has been involved with the SCT for 15 years, said theatre is important for pushing

boundaries. “[Our play selection committee] is looking towards bringing in a more diverse audience and more challenging plays,” Durst said. “We want to present more challenging concepts, ideas, and relationships to different characters than what you might expect to see.”

Each year, the SCT play selection committee presents their play choices to the general membership, which is made up of a fairly established group of patrons and volunteers, who then get to vote on the season line-up. Although plays are selected with the SCT’s established audience in mind, they are also working to present shows that will bring in a more diverse audience and volunteer base from the Starkville community as a whole.

Michele Crescenzo, who plays a housekeeper-turnedastronomer in “Silent Sky,” said the theatre is a great place for bringing people together, a view echoed by many other SCT volunteers.

“Working together for a common goal, with people of all different ethnicities and backgrounds, working together just to make something nice, to entertain people—that is the american way,” Crescenzo said. “I mean it. When you’re in a cast with somebody and you rehearse every night, and nobody likes the person— there’s usually one— if that person goes on stage and makes a mistake, everybody backstage is like ‘oh no.’

You’re all rooting for each other.”

Although one might assume the goal of the SCT is purely to provide Starkville with entertainment, it also aims to build a supportive and educational environment for all those involved.

Abigail Voller, SCT president, insists this is really the underlying goal of theatre as whole.

“You have a cast and they all have to work to together, and if they don’t the show is

going to be horrible. They also have to understand their characters and their characters’ motivations, and to me that demonstrates an aspect of empathy,” SCT officer, Voller said. “Theatre in itself is always trying to reflect what’s going on in an effort to educate. It’s meant to reflect what’s going on so that way people can see it and consider it.”

In addition to reflecting the outside world by producing plays, the SCT also hosts other community events in response to the political climate. The most recent of these was The Ghostlight Project, which is part of a larger national move to uphold inclusion, compassion and diversity in the theatre. A “ghostlight” is a light that is always left on in a theatre for safety.

On Jan. 19, community members gathered around the SCT’s ghostlight at the PlayHouse on Main, and shined their own lights in solidarity and acceptance of one another, no matter their racial, religious, or ethnic background, age, gender, or sexuality.

“The idea is that we’re all welcome and all included,” Crescenzo, who attended the ceremony, said. “It’s a topic that’s been relevant after the election.”

Voller, whose fi rst production with the SCT involved an invitation to join the play’s cast presented literally on a silver platter, said from that moment on she knew the SCT was a special group. She wants it to grow as a special group everyone can be involved with.

“Our main goals for the next five years are fostering diversity and unity,” Voller said. “They seem like opposites but they work together. We just really want to build up our volunteership, and we want to be welcoming. We want to move beyond our space.”

The SCT’s production of “Silent Sky” will run from Feb. 14-18. Tickets can be purchased at the Playhouse on Main’s box office, between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

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SPORTS

THE REFLECTOR TUESDAY FEBRUARY 14, 2017

Tyson Carter shines in loss to Gamecocks

by Hunter Sciara Contributing Writer

From the time Ben Howland took the coaching job at Mississippi State University, hopes have been and continue to be high throughout the town of Starkville in men’s basketball.

Even though this season has not been exactly what fans were hoping for, things are looking to take shape in, what looks like, a skillfully loaded basketball team for the next few years.

After the Bulldogs’ loss to South Carolina in a fascinating game of three point barrages and controversial calls, many hometown fans hung their heads. However, what seems to be more of a headliner than another tally in the loss column is the play of multiple young stars, specifically that of true freshman Tyson Carter.

Carter is a native of the Starkville community and graduated from Starkville High. Ever since he committed to play at Mississippi State, Bulldog fans look to him to be a key part in a

potentially-loaded basketball team.

Carter came into the big game against the nationally ranked Gamecocks with limited experience in D-1 basketball. His minutes have been on the lesser side of things and he has never scored over 17 points in a single game.

However, after some players picked up early fouls, Carter saw his opportunity.

He was the sole factor in keeping the Bulldogs relevant in the game, and almost broke his own scoring record in the first half.

Carter banged home four three-point bombs in the first half along with a pair of deadeye jumpers from mid-range, which combined for 16 points in the first half. Howland seemed excited for the young baller and his true dedication to the game.

“He played with a lot of confidence,” Howland said.

“He’s been working hard and keeping a positive attitude at the same time.”

Carter’s scoring ability has always been evident, even in high school. Therefore, many fans have questioned Howland and even Carter himself as to why his minutes have been so meager up until

now. Carter came out after Saturday’s game and responded with a maturity that few true freshman exhibit.

“That’s not the most important thing; offense is not the most important thing,” Carter said. “Defense is the main thing and I got to come in and do my best on defense.”

Carter’s defensive outing was not the best part of his game Saturday, but he did acquire both a block and a steal that helped add to the 11 turnovers South Carolina committed in the game. He said he thinks his defensive game has continued to get better as the season moves on.

Carter and the Bulldogs have come extremely close to winning some big time games this year, including a seven point loss to Kentucky that really was a nail biter until the last 45 seconds. He realizes how close they are to winning these big games and the potential they have of becoming a great team.

He commented on what he thinks is missing in order for this team to reach their ultimate goal.

“It’s just the small mistakes, just the little things like missing an open shot or

Olivia Zeringue | The Reflector

Freshman Tyson Carter scored his career high against South Carolina with 22 points. He averages 7.5 ppg so far this season.

an open layup or not getting an offensive rebound that could be a big play in the game,” Carter said.

Carter however, did not make many of those small mistakes he talked about. He shot almost 62 percent from the field and 50 percent from the three point line during his 27 minutes on the floor.

Although the Bulldogs’

season at this point in time is not Cinderella-like, there is still plenty of basketball to be played, including a possible run in the SEC tournament.

He understands the talent and ability this team has and how they continue to get better each and every week. This quickly developing athlete knows hope is not lost and that many good things are

yet to come.

At the end of his press conference Carter was asked just how close he thinks this team is from winning these big, nationally-televised games. He responded with a facial expression full of determination and unwillingness to give up that was almost frightening and said, “real close.”

Reigning SEC champs open against Texas Tech

by Amber Dodd Staff Writer

With the baseball season beginning on Friday, head coach Andy Cannizaro discussed topics including the team’s condition, goals and mindsets about their matchup against No. 17 Texas Tech and Western Illinois this weekend.

Cannizaro said he looks forward to playing such a wellrounded team as Texas Tech

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and sees the Diamond Dawgs doing well against them.

“To be able to start my head coaching career against them is going to be a really cool opportunity,” Coach Cannizaro said. “It’s going to be a tremendous challenge for our team and it’s one that we’re really excited about. We’ve had a tremendous last two or three weeks of practice.”

He said he can feel the cultural pressure Starkville presents him, with many people watching practices from Left Field Lounge, itching to get

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a glimpse of the highly anticipating Diamond Dawgs.

Cannizaro proudly referred to Mississippi State as the “Mecca of college baseball.”

“We had Cowbell Yell the other night where 1,000 people showed up,” Cannizaro said. “It was a college baseball pep rally. That doesn’t happen anywhere else in the country.”

There is speculation going on around the young team, as many see Mississippi State as the baseball team with much rebuilding to do to replace Reid Humphreys, Dakota Hudson, Austin Sexton and other greats that left for the MLB. The pitchers of Mississippi State have a lot to prove.

Along with with their new faces, Mississippi State hired a new pitching coach, Gary Henderson. The Bulldogs will have a great sense of direction under his successful 28 years of experience and talent.

CannizarosaidtheBulldogs and staff are ready to tackle the challenge. He announced that Friday night’s starting pitcher will be Konnor Pilkington.

Cannizaro thinks the 6’3”, 230 pound, left handed pitcher has

potential and will be the next great Mississippi State pitcher.

“We’re going to have him for the next two years,” Cannizaro said. “His best is yet to come. I think he’s going to have a chance to leave here as a high first round draft pick guy. He will be our Friday night starter.”

Pilkington said it is an honor to play for Mississippi State and pitch the first game against Texas Tech with help under Henderson’s tremendous impact on their techniques.

“I was ecstatic,” Pilkington said. “‘I’m really looking forward to it. Texas Tech is ranked high in everything, but it really doesn’t mean anything to me.

I’m just going to go out there and give them all I have.”

The returning players for the Diamond Dawgs are looking forward to getting another shot at a College World Series appearance. At preview day, Redshirt senior Cody Brown said being one of the veterans is about giving guidance to the players to form a team.

“Having some veterans on the team like myself, Josh Lovelady, and Brett Rooker is

important to give some guidance to such a young class.”

Brown said. “I’ve been in the league for four years now going on my fifth, so I know the ins and outs of both sides.

I see where I can help the younger guys to progress and move forward. We have to get right with our game.”

Brown said he looks forward to the game and believes Mississippi State has a solid roster that is willing to compete. Reigning SEC Freshman of the Year and First Team All-SEC Jake Mangum is another returning Diamond Dawg who is set to excel for the 2017 season.

Mangum said Cannizaro is a coach with great skill and uses an approach to put the team in the direction of success.

“He’s able to top the game and let you know immediately, hey, this is what you need to better if we’re going to win.”

Mangum said. “He’s going to win a lot of ballgames, he’s going to a great recruiter, coach, and just a person to lead this program where it needs to go. I can’t wait to watch him do it.”

With a win this Friday, it

will help the Bulldogs jump into the Top 25 Rankings, as they stand at No. 32.

They ended the season at No. 11 after losing to Arizona in Super Regionals.

At No. 32, Cannizaro said it puts Mississippi State in position to do better than projected, making him and his player’s performance even greater.

“National polls are just based around guys that they know are coming back,” Cannizaro said. “We have really good players coming back. We have really talented guys that a lot people just don’t know about yet. We have guys who are hungry to prove themselves and who are going to have really big years for us.”

Cannizaro and the Diamond Dawgs will take Dudy Noble Field on Feb. 17 at 4 p.m. against the No. 17 Texas Tech.. To continue opening weekend, the Bulldogs will play against Western Illinois Feb. 18 at 4 p.m. and Feb. 19 at 12 p.m.

They will conclude with a game against Texas Tech Feb. 19 at 3 p.m.

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THE REFLECTOR TUESDAY FEBRUARY 14, 2017

Pitching dominates opening weekend

Bulldogs drop championship game of tournament

by George Crook Contributing Writer

In the opening weekend for Mississippi State softball, the Bulldogs experienced many different kinds of games. MSU won two games on shutout performances, won one game on a walk-off victory and lost the championship game in extra innings.

Pitching dominated the entire weekend, and MSU only gave up five runs in five games. Regan Green and Alexis Silkwood starred on the mound, and MSU ended the weekend with a .90 ERA in the opening weekend.

On the other hand, the Bulldogs struggled heavily at the plate and finished with a .221 batting average for the weekend. The lone star for the weekend was Silkwood.

She hit .545 over the weekend with six hits and three doubles.

The Bulldogs made it to the championship game of the tournament with clutch hits and outstanding pitching. On the opening day, the Bulldogs shut out Georgia State 4-0 and Stephen F. Austin 2-0. The next day, MSU dropped a 0-1 game

to Western Kentucky and defeated Stephen F. Austin 2-1 to make it to the championship game.

The Mississippi State Lady Bulldogs dropped the final game of the Bulldog Kickoff Classic in a 12-inning defensive duel against Georgia State (4-1) this past Sunday afternoon.

Despite the unwanted result, heads were still held high and positivity was flowing through players and coaches. Coming into the game, pitchers had been making very impressive performances, and they did not let up today. Consistent outings in the circle left a good impression on the head coach.

“I thought all pitchers threw well,” coach Vann Stuedeman said. “Of course, we would like to hold everybody to zero and give us an opportunity to score, but they all gave us an opportunity to win every game. Really proud of the effort they gave and really proud of the effort that everyone gave.”

Green started in the circle for the Bulldogs. Green pitched five solid innings, only allowing one stray hit in the fifth inning, which led to a run for the Panthers.

Holly Ward took over in the sixth, piecing together seven

strong innings and allowing the defense to shine.

Although being credited with the loss, Ward kept the Bulldogs in the game with dominant strike zone control. The five hits given up

by Ward were hard earned and fell into hard-to-reach positions.

The Panthers matched the Bulldogs strong pitching performances with two of their own. Kinsley Jennings earned the win for GSU after coming on for Emily Soles, who pitched 10 innings of 1 run ball.

The game started out at a fast pace with both sides recording outs in minimal amounts of pitches. The first hit from either side was not recorded until the bottom of the third inning, when MSU Junior, Bevia Robinson, outran a throw to first on an infield single.

The Bulldogs took this slight momentum into the next inning, piecing together a string of hits to strike first on the scoreboard. Morgan Bell roped a one out double to left center, immediately followed by a single from Silkwood and capped off with an RBI single to right field from Sarai Niu to put MSU up 1-0.

GSU responded quickly, putting up their own strand

Alayna Stevens | The Reflector

Sophomore Madison Cousineau tosses the ball back to the pitcher. The Bulldogs are sitting at 3-2 overall after opening weekend.

of hits that ended up tying the game in the top of the fifth inning. Both teams would then return to a pitcher’s duel for the next six innings.

The Panthers finally made a move in the top of the 12th inning. A leadoff single started the rally, followed by a fielder’s choice to advance the runner to second. The next batter drove a single

past the shortstop, driving in the go ahead run. GSU would go on to plate another run during the inning, giving MSU their 3-1 deficit.

While the pitching was locked down throughout the weekend, offensive struggles look to be resolved in the near future.

“This game, we left 10 runners on in 12 innings,”

Stuedeman said. “So, definitely just got to figure out how to do some situational hitting.”

The Bulldogs will return to Nusz Park on February 24th to face North Florida. Until then, they will be traveling to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, to compete in the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge this upcoming weekend.

Photo Credit: Colby Williams

Dominique Dillingham scored 12 points to help lead Mississippi State over Ole Miss 66-44. Ranked No. 3 in the nation, the Bulldogs are 25-1 overall, 11-1 in SEC play, and 2-0 against Ole Miss.

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THE REFLECTOR TUESDAY FEBRUARY 14, 2017