September 27, 2016 Volume 88, Issue 07
’ THE LION S ROAR S O U T H E A S T E R N L O U I S IA NA U N I V E R S I T Y
A Student Publication
Campus Life Page 2
Opinions Page 3
BSU and NAACP discuss how ‘My Life Matters’ By Nate Callaway Staff Reporter
In light of the recent events in Charlotte, Baton Rouge, Orlando and Dallas, some believe that there has never been a more prominent time to discuss the importance of all human life. This was the goal of the “My Life Matters” event held last Wednesday in the Student Union Ballroom. The event was put on by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the Black Student Union. NAACP President Ciara DeVaull and BSU President Josten Milan were in attendance with university’s Student Excellence Advisor Dr. Gabe Willis acting as mediator. The night opened with a slideshow showcasing a variety of photos. Everything from victims of past violence to the demonstrations that rose in their wake were included. Pictures of African American women holding signs asking, “Does my son matter?,” a man
standing proudly in a crowd of protestors, texts reading “Pray for Orlando” and “Blue Lives Matter” all set the tone for the session. This was followed by a video consisting of a variety of different students being asked why they believe their life matters. Answers ranged from, “I have a purpose” to “I am a human being.” The theme continued throughout the night with Willis who has three academic degrees and experience in the field of encouraging self worth and dealing with racial bias. Willis wanted to go beyond the idea that all lives matter. He wanted to encourage everyone to look into the bad that happens and the good that comes from it. According to Willis, when it comes to African-Americans’ difficult history, “On a daily basis, I look back not just into the oppression but to all the progress in the midst of the oppression.”
see LIFE pg. 8
Arts & Entertainment Page 4
LionsRoarNews.com
De Noux presents at Derringer awards By Jonathan Rhodes Staff Reporter
and the fans were behind us. It couldn’t have been a better thing to pull out the win.” The offense collected 539 total yards. Senior quarterback Justin Alo achieved 251 passing yards and three touchdowns in his second career start. “I think he is getting more relaxed the more game experience he gets,” said Roberts. “He throws a good ball and he rushed for 90 yards and that was huge too.” The two targets for Alo was Acker and junior wide receiver Juwan Dickey who had 96 yards and one touchdown. Acker scored two touchdowns for 90 yards. The highlight for Acker was the diving 42 yard catch at the goal line that set up a touchdown run by sophomore running back Julius Maracalin. “We just try to execute and make plays for the team and do things right,” said Acker. After having a lead of 21-6 at halftime, the Demons tied up the game in the third quarter scoring 15 points. “Nobody in this conference is going to lay down,” said Roberts. “You have to nail the coffin shut. We’re growing as a football team. I think this is a huge step forward for us.” The defense caused three turnovers in this game. Two were fumbles and one was an interception. The interception was caught by junior defensive back Javon Tillman and he forced a fumble that
Writer University Police Department Investigator O’Neil De Noux, after years of being awarded for his works, was selected to present the Derringer Awards at the annual Bouchercon World Mystery Convention. The Convention was held in New Orleans on Thursday, Sept. 15 through Sept. 18. “It was a nice honor being a presenter to a national award at a national convention,” said De Noux. “I did not have a story nominated this year even though I had the home field advantage. The World Mystery Convention was set in New Orleans and I’m a New Orleans writer. I’ve won the Derringer before and was nominated for two others so I was a known entity.” De Noux won the Derringer Award in 2009 for Best Novelette for his short story “Too Wise.” The Derringer Awards are given out by the Short Mystery Fiction Society. “The Derringer’s are given out to recognize excellence in short mystery fiction,” said De Noux. “Anybody can join the society. Readers, writers, editors and publishers. So when you do get nominated, it’s mostly from your peers or people who read a lot of mysteries.” De Noux presented the five Derringer Awards: Best Flash Story, Best Short Story, Best Long Story, Best Novelette and Lifetime Achievement. De Noux wanted to not just present the awards, but the city of New Orleans as well. “It went surprisingly well,” said De Noux. “The people that went before me just got up and talked about their awards, but no one said, ‘Hello, welcome to New Orleans.’ So, I knew what I was going to say.” In the introduction, De Noux talked about the city of New Orleans, what the city means to him and why it was
see FOOTBALL pg. 5
see O’NEIL pg. 4
The Lion’s Roar / Tamara Alexander
With a win, Head Coach Ron Roberts remains undefeated in home openers at 5-0. The game was the Lions Faculty and Staff appreciation day where faculty were able to receive two free tickets to the game. The sidelines were filled with members of the Lions athletics family and former players of the football team. Staff Reporter
The Lion’s Roar / Nate Callaway
News Page 8
Home Game Win
By Jonathan Rhodes
Junior psychology major Ty’Desha Hall speaks on why “My Life Matters.” During her speaking on this issue, Hall told fellow audience members why they should be comfortable in their own skin.
Sports Page 5
The Lions football team ended their six game losing streak from last season by defeating the Northwestern State Demons 34-24 in Strawberry Stadium this past Saturday. “It was a big win for us,” said Head Coach Ron Roberts. “We had been on a little skid going back to last year. There were some huge plays tonight. We came out of the gates here early, and the offense was really clicking and doing well. We’re not where we want to be, but I think this was a huge stepping stone. I don’t think there is anything better than a conference win against an in state rival. Really happy for our guys.” The game was played in front of a capacity crowd of 6,406. Family and faculty were in attendance as well as former players who returned to see the team play their first home game of the season. One former player that was there was Arizona Cardinals cornerback Harlan Miller. “It’s good to see all of my old teammates and to see them get the win,” said Miller. The Lions recorded their fifth straight conference opener win under Coach Roberts. Their record for home openers since the return of the program in 2003 is 13-1. “It felt good,” said senior wide receiver Brandon Acker. “I couldn’t wait to get back to Strawberry Stadium. We were just glad to be back home where we are comfortable at. The atmosphere was great
Lady Lions win first SC match but drops ball at game two By Jonathan Rhodes Staff Reporter
Five back-to-back set matches tested the fortitude of the Lady Lions last weekend as they defeated Lamar University 3-2 but lost to Houston Baptist 3-2. The Lady Lions record is now 2-12, and 1-1 in Southland Conference play. “It’s been really tough,” said Head Coach Jim Smoot. “We tried to really focus on conference play. I think they did good focusing on that and realizing that it is going to be a battle for them.” The Lady Lions lost 11 straight games before winning against Lamar. Most of these losses came during the three tournaments that the Lady Lions participated in. “It feels so good to finally win,” said redshirt freshman setter Elyssa Purcell. “We were 1-11 in preseason. So to get our first win in conference and at home, it feels really good.” Purcell recorded her third triple-double of her career against Lamar with 10 kills, 23 assists and 10 digs. Freshman outside hitter Chloee Holden recorded her career high 14 kills. Senior middle blocker Rachael Bunn had five of the nine team blocks. “I was happy with my performance,” said Purcell. “I thought my teammates did really good too. Our defenders really stepped up today
and took control.” The second game went similar but had a different ending. Purcell recorded her fourth triple double of the season with 10 kills, 25 assists and 17 digs placing among the best in the nation in this category. The assists and digs were her career best. “I think I did alright with my performance,” said Holden. “I guess with the loss, it wasn’t all of that obviously, but I think I made my statement to them.” Unfortunately, the Lions lost a 2-1 match lead as HBU pulled off a comeback. “In the third and fifth set, I think we kind of let up,” said Holden. “We tried to cruise through the game rather than pushing out. We stopped talking. You got to talk in volleyball to win, so our communication went a little bit low.” Smoot believes that the team has a lot to work on if they want to reach the next level in the conference. “It’s funny if you work on something one day you’re gonna be good, but something else goes bad,” said Smoot. “I think there were times we were setting the ball into their biggest blocking when there were weaker sides. We kind of played into their hands at times so we need to work on our gamesmanship.” The Lady Lions will hit the road this
Follow the Roar Stay connected. Like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram @lionsroarnews.
Saturday, Oct. 1 to face Abilene Christian. They will return to the University Center on Saturday, Oct. 8 to face in-state rivals the University of New Orleans. “I hope we continue to win,” said Purcell.
The Lion’s Roar /Kelonda Dixon
The Lady Lions won their second game of the season in a five set match that went to the wire against Lamar. The Lions promotion, Dig the Lions, was where the first 200 students received a free T-shirt and pizza. However ,they had another match against Houston Baptist that went all five sets losing off of a penalty.
Weather Tuesday H 90 L 64
“But you can’t just assume that you are going to win. You always have to work for it and prepare. Basically, we are going to go into practice and start over like this never happened. We have to prepare for our next team.”
Reminders Wednesday H 90 L 61
Voting for Homecoming Court and Freshmen Senators ends tomorrow at 5 p.m.