Issuu

’ THE LION S ROAR

FEBRUARY 3, 2015 VOLUME 86, ISSUE 18

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

Arts & Entertainment Page 4

Sports Page 6

News Page 8

Krewe of Omega may roll for last time BY ALLISON CRADY Assistant Editor

The Lion’s Roar / File Photo

Krewe of Omega have been spreading Fat Tuesday joy and shenanigans straight from New Orleans to neighboring Louisiana parishes since their establishment in 1986.

Faced with a shortage of members, the 29th Krewe of Omega Mardi Gras parade may be their last. The parade will feature 10 professional ﬂoats, cars, jeeps and local ﬂoats all united under a horror movie theme. This year the krewe is offering a discounted price of $100 for anyone who wishes to ride in the parade. After a daylong trek through neighboring parishes, the parade will roll through Hammond on Friday, Feb. 6 at 6:30 p.m. “The Krewe of Omega brings a real New Orleans type parade to the Hammond area,” said Joyce Smith, captain of the Krewe of Omega. “Our members are very generous with throws, and we have a wonderful group of people. There is nothing like riding in a parade and throwing to the children and adults.” Smith believes the shortage of membership stems primarily from a lack of awareness, pricey membership fees and general life interferences, such as familial responsibilities or a lack of time. Attempting to increase membership, the krewe has been expanding their communication efforts. They worked with WWL TV to air a news segment, and The Daily Star has run an editorial and several stories highlighting the krewe and promoting awareness.

“We sent a letter of request to all members of the Hammond Chamber of Commerce asking them to sponsor a member or a band,” said Smith. “We are talking to as many people as possible and working on Facebook.” The Krewe of Omega is a non-proﬁt social organization, initiated in 1986 by the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity of Southeastern. The normal membership dues are $325 per person or $550 per couple. According to their website, “The Krewe of Omega’s exclusive purpose is to advance business and commercial interests to Tangipahoa Parish and the surrounding areas by encouraging, fostering and promoting tourism in this area.” Membership perks includes invitations to the annual parade and ball as well as several other social events held throughout the year. “We usually have a gathering at Wise Guys on University (Avenue) where we bring hot dogs or hamburgers and just have a fun get together each month that we do not have something else,” said Smith. Though costumes are provided, members are responsible to supply beads or other items they wish to throw. “A lot of people don’t realize that anyone can join and that there are yearround activities,” said Soline Holmes, 29th Krewe of Omega Queen. “We’ve

Editor in Chief

Starting out as Corks ‘n Canvas in Mandeville, Painting with a Twist is now a national franchise with over 190 locations. Today, the Painting with a Twist Hammond location offers community members the opportunity to sit back, sip a glass of wine and create their own masterpiece. “Painting gives me peace of mind in the chaos of life,” said Trevor J. Nixon, currently an instructor at the Hammond location. “I’m able to let go, yet still be in control, and that’s an amazing feeling to have when doing something you’re passionate about. Even if you’re not a great painter, the act of painting is what makes it truly an enjoyable experience, not just the end result.” The Hammond location has been open since Sept. 2009. According to the Hammond Painting with a Twist owner Elizabeth Stokes of Covington, the experience is “fun art, not just ﬁne art.” Painting with a Twist offers two and

three hour classes for adults, families and kids, as well as the option of hosting a private party. In addition to offering community members something fun to do, Painting with a Twist also gives young artists the opportunity to gain experience in the craft while still in college. The Hammond location currently employs three Southeastern students: senior communication major Nixon, senior art major Hannah Dean and senior Regina Caulking a health and physical education kinesiology major. “It’s certainly an entertaining learning experience,” said Dean. “I’m learning a range of different things, from people skills to teaching, more little hints about acrylic painting to what wines are popular nowadays. As an artist it’s nice to work with art both in and outside of classes.” Occasionally, the business offers a holiday-themed course, but Stokes said that due to the lack of attendance at past themed events, the business has scaled back on holiday classes. This year the

Staff Reporter

The Southeastern baseball team will be facing off against former players in the annual Alumni Game. The game will be Saturday, Feb. 7, on the Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field, with batting practice starting at 10:30 a.m. and ﬁrst pitch at 12:00 p.m. Admission will be free. The Alumni Game allows the current players to hear words of wisdom from previous players who have been through the ﬁre, who have played games and who know what it is like to win championships, through hard work. The game allows [the alumni] to share their stories with the boys and encourage them for their upcoming season. The Alumni Game has been a tradition

at Southeastern for many years, despite being temporarily banned by the NCAA, only to resume again four years ago. “We are very thankful to the NCAA for allowing us to continue the Alumni Game,” said head coach Matt Riser. Southeastern’s baseball team currently holds the title of Southland Conference Champions, and the players plan to repeat that accomplishment again this season. “Our hopes are the skies; we are shooting for the stars. Last year we won the championship and that was our goal that we set forth to accomplish every day. We want to repeat that but our hopes are beyond the ring [this season],” said senior Kevin Carr. The ﬁrst game of their ofﬁcial season will be Feb. 13. The Lions will unite against Louisiana Tech on the Pat Kenelly Diamond.

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The Lion’s Roar / Emily Stephan

see ART pg. 4

The Lion’s Roar / Tamara Alexander

see LADY LIONS pg. 7

Budget for state higher than expected BY WILLIAM SCHMIDT Staff Reporter

The Lion’s Roar / Tamara Alexander

LaVon Samuels, a native of Loranger, concentrates on the body of her rooster as she finishes her session of Painting with a Twist. only themed day for Mardi Gras is a gator-themed family day Sunday, Feb. 8 from 2-4 p.m. In honor of the upcoming Valentine’s Day, a class entitled “To the Moon and Back” will talk artists through painting a heart around the moon. This class is being offered Tuesday, Feb. 10 from 7-9 p.m. Stokes said more faculty than students attend Painting with a Twist classes, but she and her staff think painting is something fun that college students

should take the time to experience at least once. Although some students might argue it is too expensive, the student instructors even stated that the experience is well worth the investment. “It’s nice for any student who’s interested in painting without wanting to take an entire class on it,” said Dean. “It’s a very relaxing atmosphere and only takes two or three hours, depending on which class you take, and you get to

see PAINTING pg. 6

Alumni to return for baseball kick-off BY HEATHER JEWELL

INSIDE THE ‘ROAR’

see OMEGA pg. 7

Business offers twist on fine art of painting BY SARA PATRICK

LionsRoarNews.com

“It’s our last season, my last chance to do something special at Southeastern, and I’m looking forward to going out with all my brothers and doing it again,” said senior Kyle Keller. For the Alumni Game, any competition is fun, and the players look forward to seeing the previous players come back. They can still throw, they can still play, and they offer a great challenge for the current team to play someone other than themselves. “[The alumni] have always been a big part of our identity and the boys want to make them proud.” said Riser. The alumni game also gives players the chance to see friends who have graduated; among the alumni attending this game will be Brock Hebert, Stefan

see ALUMNI pg. 6

Weather Tuesday H 53 L 40

The Lion’s Roar / Sara Patrick

Brett Hoffman, a senior infielder on the 2015 Lion baseball team, started all 62 games in which he played in 2014.

The Revenue Estimating Committee declared that Louisiana’s budget for the current fiscal year is higher than expected. The Revenue Estimating Committee is a state panel that determines how much money Louisiana government can spend. The committee’s new midyear budget cuts will total $103.5 million. On Monday, Jan. 26, it was determined that the state budget hole for the next financial cycle has grown to $203.8 million which will bring next year’s projected financial shortfall to roughly $1.6 billion. Natural gas and oil are Louisiana’s main sources of income and the drop in oil barrel prices is the main reason for the budget hole. Another source of income for Louisiana is sales tax and by using the savings at the pump of commerce, this budget hole can be filled somewhat. “Lower gas prices certainly provide opportunities for consumers in that they have additional available cash due to their savings at the pump,” said Chris Broadwater, District 86 Representative. “Should consumers choose to put that money back into commerce through the purchase of other goods and services, that would be beneficial.” Though commerce purchases may help the economy issue arising in Louisiana, higher education is feeling the impact. “Higher education expenditures from the state in Louisiana have certainly been hit hard over the last few years,” said Associate Professor of Economics and Interim Assistant Dean Dr. Jay Johnson. Talk of some state universities and technical colleges having to close has surfaced, but some are fighting hard to ensure the least amount of harm comes to higher education. “The message coming from the Governor’s office that they may propose

see BUDGET pg. 8

Reminders Wednesday H 57 L 44

The last day to apply for spring graduation is Feb. 18. The fee should be paid at the Controllerʼs Ofﬁce.

CAMPUS LIFE

PAGE 2 FEBRUARY 3, 2015

Conduct office strives to make model students BY EMILY STEPHAN Copy Editor

This semester, the Office of Student Conduct staff is trying its best to engender a desire to follow the Student Code of Conduct within students. This code is an agreed upon standard for all university pupils. The Office of Student Conduct is a division of Student Affairs, which has a purpose to “[work] with students to encourage honorable behavior that models the Student Code of Conduct.” This ideal is what the office’s new Know the Code campaign centers around. According to itself, the campaign shows students that knowing and adhering to the Student Code of Conduct helps students “conduct themselves in a manner which supports the

educational mission of the university.” “A few years ago people asked, ‘What do you do at Southeastern?’ I told them, ‘I work for the Office of Student Conduct,’ and almost every person said the same thing, ‘I did not know there was an office like that on campus when I was a student,’” said Antoinette Alack, assistant director of the Office of Student Conduct. “I knew then that the office needed to be promoted in some way, thus the Know the Code campaign was established in 2008 to educate the campus community on the Code of Conduct standards and University Policies.” Alack detailed the amount of work that went into spreading the word all over the Southeastern campus. “Beginning the first week of each semester our outreach efforts to inform the public include; attending

THE LION’S ROAR

Courtesy of Antoinette Alack

The Office of Student Conduct staff set up a table at the Student Union in order to inform students about the campaign for Know the Code. The campaign’s goal is to help students become more aware of the Code of Conduct standards and University Policies.

SOP (Summer Orientation Programs), mass student e-mail notices, placing ads on the webmail page and passing out our Know the Code awareness cards in the Union with a quick access (Quick Response) code,” said Alack. “The code makes it easy for a student to scan with a smartphone and immediately get directed to the policy. Also, when a student enrolls in classes they are prompted to review the Student Handbook and check off that they read it before registering for classes.” According to Alack, the campaign has had a notable effect on campus behavior. “Not only did we reduce our recidivism rate (the act of a person repeating an undesirable behavior) from 5 percent to less than 2 percent, we increased students’ awareness of their student rights and their

knowledge to file a complaint in time of need,” said Alack. Many students never read over the Student Code of Conduct through undergraduate and graduate years. Alack urges this to be corrected, as knowledge of the Student Code of Conduct can benefit not only their academic life, but one’s personal life as well. “It is important that students understand that there is a Code to follow. College is the time to rise to the next level from adolescence into adulthood focusing on achieving a degree while being responsible,” said Alack. “Understand that college is fun but there are rules to follow.” For more information on the Know the Code campaign, visit the Office of Student Conduct in Mims Hall room 211.

Professor talks parasites The ladies of ΑΣΤ Alpha Sigma Tau have been very busy

this week with our spring recruitment. We held our Spring Social on Sunday, Jan. 25 and our interest party on Tuesday, Jan. 27. Thanks to our Vice President of Growth, Bridget Gaffney and our Director of Structured Recruitment, Chelsea Breaux, our chapter gained ﬁfteen new members. Our Spring 2015 new members are Sierra Ponvelle, Tara Forsythe, Kayla Chaisson, Samantha O’Neil, Gabby Kern, Ashley Knapps, Sidney West, Yuna Choi, Jessica Lavender, Alexandra Mohr, Kathryn Burkhardt, Ivy Ainsworth, Addie Peer, Valerie Mena and Kacie Ducote. We are so excited to welcome these girls into our chapter. Our Spring Bid Day will be held on Thursday, Jan. 29.

ΑΟΠ

has so many exciting things to start off the new month. Last Friday, a group of sisters attended one of our favorite philanthropy events, Panda Drop Off. Panda Drop Off allows us to travel to the Children’s Ward at North Oaks Hospital and donate stuffed panda bears to children in need. Southeastern Emerging Leaders Retreat will be hosted Feb. 27-28 by the DSA Leadership Ambassadors. We encourage our sisters to sign up for this opportunity to enhance leadership development and become more involved with the university. The sisterhood of Kappa Tau chapter was also informed that The Big Event will be hosted on March 28. This will be an all-day service event allowing Greeks and other student organizations

and virus,” said Font. “Then, we them here. On the other hand, I’m Organizational News is due on the Friday BY MEGAN SIMON work with worm parasites and going to talk about local parasites. Campus Life Editor before publication by 10 a.m., with a limit talk about arthropods, which are People don’t think about it much, of 150 words. The world of parasites will be important, such as ticks, flees and but there are still many parasites featured in the first Science on Tap things like that. We talk about around that we have to deal with.” seminar of the semester. parasites found on the surface of Discussing topics like these, The lecture will be given by the body that serve as vectors of even though they are not a direct and individuals to reach out to semester, please send an email William Font, professor emeritus disease, such as ticks, which cause problem for the United States, the community. AOII is excited to the fore mentioned email. of biology. lime disease.” are still important to the country to kick off the second semester The event will be held In his seminar for the series, and its citizens. Parasites have with so many activities. We wish The Ladies Tuesday, Feb. 3 for 7 p.m. at Tope Font will be discussing various the ability to play a large role in everyone good luck as they adjust of Theta Phi Alpha would like Lá Catering, 113 East Thomas St. subjects covered in his course but economies they do not occur in. to their new schedule. to welcome our Southeastern “If you know how parasites family back to campus for the in Hammond with doors open at they will all be pertaining to the 6:30 p.m. The presentation is free community in some way. are transmitted, you know spring semester. We would and open to all ages. “The Science on Tap series is how to avoid those means of stands also like to invite women The Science on Tap series is a for people who are scientists to transmissions,” said Font. “Also, for the National Alliance on interested in Greek life to set of seminars given by various take what they teach and make it it will give people an appreciation Mental Illness. Our chapter is attend our interest parties Feb. professors and researchers found accessible to the general public,” of how parasites play a role in dedicated to promoting mental 5 and 8 at 6 p.m. at the Theta at the university ranging from a said Font. “What I’m going to do this economy. Parasites that don’t health and reducing stigma on Phi Alpha house. To keep up wide spectrum of subjects in the is take the parasites that I talked occur here still affect us because Southeastern’s campus. Our with our chapter this semester, science community. The goal about in my medical parasitology it causes poverty and misery first meeting will take place follow us on Instagram and of the series is to bring attention course and make it understandable in the world and that indirectly Wednesday, Feb. 4 at 2 p.m. in Twitter @ThetaPhi SELU, and determines how America reacts to the White Hall conference room “like” us on Facebook: Theta and inform the community and by taking out all the jargon.” students on various areas in the Font will also be going over other countries.” on the first floor. We will discuss Phi Alpha-Beta Epsilon. community, in a way, sharing the parasites that transmit diseases. Font will be discussing this semester’s goals, events and knowledge. An example of this is malaria various parasite problems more fundraisers. If you are unable to The Southeastern The title of the presentation parasites, which people contract common to the community, such attend the meeting but still are Christian Association is “People, Pets and Parasites” through mosquitoes. Despite it not as pinworms and lice, and will be interested in joining us, please The Southeastern Christian and will be given by Font, who being present in the United States, explaining how to prevent and get email President Melanie Mann at Association would like to still does research on campus. this parasite is still a major issue rid of them. Melanie.mann@selu.edu. The Science on Tap series will Mental health fact of the welcome back our fellow When he was a professor, one of in the world, especially in tropical Lions for the spring semester. his responsibilities was a course countries. be having two more lectures for the week: Without adequate We would like to invite you to called medical parasitology, the “People frequently encounter spring semesters, which are “What treatment, young adults join us for our many activities study of parasites. The main focus parasites in their companion came fi rst, the chicken or the egg? experiencing a mental health and events that will be taking of the class is human parasites. animals, so I thought I would add The importance of development” issue are more likely to receive “In parasitology, we usually that to the talk,” said Font. “The on March 3 and “The Beauty of lower GPAs, drop out of college place this semester. We have Bible studies every Wednesday deal with the protistan parasites, parasites I’m going to talk about the Brain” on May 5. For more or be unemployed than their at 7:30 p.m. at the Student single celled and membrane are some that occur globally, some information on the lecture series, peers who do not have a mental Union Food Court. Come bound, nucleus-containing of these occur in topical countries visit the Southeastern Biology health challenge. join our growing fellowship organism, as opposed to bacteria so we don’t have to worry about Seminar Series Facebook page. of Christians as we strive to build and provide a sense of Members, our first official community and belonging meeting will be held on Feb. to both Christian and non- Editor’s Note: The date of the Big Event 2015 was changed after publication of the Jan. 22 in White Hall room 222 at Christian students interested in 27 issue. The new date is Saturday, March 28. Check with SGA for any updates. 3:30 p.m. In the future, please Christianity. Our meetings are a look for further information in place where students can come The Lion’s Roar. Also, flyers together in a social Christian will be hung in White Hall as setting by connecting Christians the first meeting approaches. to other believers and providing If you have any questions a place where they can speak about PSI CHI, requirements and interact with one another in to join or need to get in contact a way that promotes unity as a with an officer of PSI CHI, group and strengthens members please email psichi@selu.edu. as individuals. All Southeastern In addition, if you ordered students are invited to be a part an international T-shirt last of what we do.

ΘΦΑ

NAMI

PSI CHI

Correction

OPINIONS

THE LION’S ROAR

FEBRUARY 3, 2015 PAGE 3

SPEAK OUT Let’s make everyone ‘Real World Ready’

How is Southeastern preparing you for your future career? Bree Scott Sophomore, Art Education Seeing a lot of bad and good teachers has helped me see the kind of teacher I want to be. Jay Daigle Freshmen, Nursing

As members of the support group introduced themselves to me, I had no idea what to expect. I am not permitted to disclose which support group it was for confidentiality Melanie Mann purposes. Staff Reporter As a social work student, I’ve never shown interest in working with the elderly. It’s not that I don’t like older people; rather, I have always felt it would be difficult, as a young person, to relate to the problems they face. Yet there I was, listening to the stories of individuals aged 60 and older. Although I’ve heard plenty of groans from students and instructors, I’m a big fan of Southeastern’s Quality Enhancement Plan and the goal to make students “Real World Ready.” Within my own department, the university is doing a great job of meeting

this goal. Thanks to my classes, I’ve heard the experiences of social workers in various areas of the field, proposed a new mental health policy to state legislators and conducted research with professors. My only complaint is that the “Real World Ready” policy doesn’t seem to extend to freshman and sophomore level courses. My curriculum requires courses such as political science, sociology and psychology. While I have learned a lot from these classes, I was disappointed when my political science instructor never actually discussed current events, or when my sociology class was void of community work and observations. Though I’m not a political science major, hands-on projects would have exponentially improved my learning experience and been relevant to my field of study. Additionally, incorporating “Real World Ready” objectives into lower level classes could help freshmen who are stuck in limbo as they struggle to choose a major.

I know several people who had difficulty declaring a major as freshmen, so they took a bunch of random courses, hoping to find something they liked. It’s difficult to find something you like when freshman courses don’t provide opportunities to see what the field is actually like. Also, “Real World Ready” courses may spark interest in a subject the student never previously had. After I attended the support group, I left with newfound appreciation for the elderly population. An experience like that could never be replicated by reading a textbook. In only an hour, participants of the support group opened my eyes to the hardships older adults face. The support group taught me that no matter what age, we all suffer, we all love and we all need one another. For my future career, geriatric social work still isn’t my first choice, but you will never hear me say, “I can’t relate to the elderly” again. That’s what being “Real World Ready” is all about.

I believe college is helping me by teaching me the responsibility I need for my later job in life. Mathew Reed Sophomore, Communication I am in SGA and a fraternity; it is building me to be a better person as a gentleman in the real world. Andrew Evans Sophomore, Graphic Design Southeastern is preparing me for my future career by allowing us to use the computer lab for graphic design. Chase Blank Junior, Mathematics It’s teaching me computer science and mathematics so I can do engineering jobs in the future. Caitlyn Daigle Sophomore, Communication Outside of class, they are helping me locate internships which give work experience needed for most jobs. Alexis Dunn Freshman, Music Performance I’m learning how to be a better musician and I’m learning a lot of new things I didn’t learn in high school. Nikki Chrisman Sophomore, Marketing It’s helping me make more connections for my future career.

Eddie Cooper IV Masters, Education English and History It’s giving me all the necessary tools to be a better teacher so I can better impact the future of our kids. Jesse Salminen Freshman, Marketing It is helping me get closer to reaching my major.

Technology in the classroom I’m not making a call Just write it down

Sitting in class can be boring, so the first thing I do is take out my cell phone. I admit my phone is a distraction, but most of the time I use it to benefit my studies. I find it better to take my phone out and record a history lecture because I may miss something important otherwise. I listen to my professor’s lectures, but sometimes he speaks so fast that I cannot write down everything. This is where using my phone Morgan Ledet during class comes into play. Staff Reporter After I get home from class, I sit down and listen to his lecture again. I look at my notes and make sure I have all the important facts. Using an iPad in class is also helpful, since I can type faster than I can write. Typing can be easier when a professor speaks quickly. I can type without having to scratch out or turn a page. Typing my notes keep them neat and organized for when it is time to study for an upcoming test. Most professors do not like when you use your cell phone, iPad or computer in class. They tell you to put them away, but most students do not. I am a good example of this student. I may put my phone “away,” but that just means it is sitting in my lap rather than on top of my desk. I may have an important phone call come through, or maybe I just do not want to put it in my bag. When using a cell phone in class, you have to be careful. Some professors will call you out. One of my professors used to call us “drug dealers” if she caught us on our phones. She loved how technology was advancing, but thought we could go without our phones for an hour and 15 minutes. This was a disadvantage, because sometimes I was confused in her class; being able to record her lecture would have helped. Some teachers think students just use their phones for social media. I will admit to having social media apps, but when I am in class, I am using it to my academic advantage.

THE LION ’S ROAR - STAFF

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES The Lion’s Roar is the official newspaper of the students of Southeastern Louisiana University. It has been in continuous publication since 1937. Submissions and letters to the editor are welcomed, but the editor of The Lion’s Roar reserves the right to edit all submissions for grammar, libel and available space or refuse publication without notification. Submissions must include the author’s full name and either phone number, e-mail or other contact information (not to be published). Faculty and staff members should include their title and department. Students should include their classification and major. By submitting an article for publication, the author understands

that the submission will be edited. Organizational News space is provided at no charge as a courtesy for university recognized Greek and Student Organizations. The space of such articles is limited to 150 words. Submissions of this Organizational News must adhere to the same polices as other submissions or letters to the editor, but must also include the name of the organization. All views expressed in The Lion’s Roar are those of the author or, if unsigned, those of the staff of The Lion’s Roar. These views should not be interpreted as the views of the administration, faculty or students of Southeastern Louisiana University. A single issue of The Lion’s Roar is free.

As I started taking my spring 2015 courses, I was going through each one of my syllabi, getting a feel for my professors and their expectations. Most professors throughout my college career put in their syllabus to take notes using the latest technology. None of my professors so far have had a problem with the use of most devices, until I came across my art history class where my professor does not allow the use of technology. Tamara Alexander He firmly believes in a notebook and pen or Staff Reporter pencil to take notes for his class. The class as a whole was pretty surprised that he did not allow technology. Everyone’s face gave off the indignant “how could you” sentiment. Of course technology is here to stay and has helped make the world a better place in some respects. What I do not agree with is technology being used by students to take “notes.” Technology is a huge distraction in the classroom. It is a temptation to do everything other than taking notes. Now they are dividing their attention between the lesson and everything else going on. Are they truly learning? How can you truly grasp the concept on the lesson and do all other business with your technology? You can’t, because you are more preoccupied with Facebook or Twitter. Recent Princeton University and University of California studies took into account the differences between taking notes on a laptop and taking note with a notebook and pen. “The act of typing effectively turns the note-taker into a transcription zombie, while the imperfect recordings of the pencil pusher reflect and excite a process of integration, creating more textured and effective modes of recall.” Even though a laptop may help you get more notes, it never registers unless you write it out yourself. Students that take notes the “old-fashioned” way usually do better on quizzes and tests than students who take notes on their laptops or tablets. I commend my professor for banning technology in his class. This way students will learn and succeed in the classroom.

Additional copies may be purchased for 50 cents in Mims Hall Room 128. Annual mail subscriptions are $35 within the continental U.S. The Lion’s Roar, in its print form, associated Web sites and CD/DVD versions are designated public forums. Student editors have the authority to make content decisions without censorship or prior approval. The Lion’s Roar also defends the rights of student journalists relative to freedom of speech and press as stated in Amendment I of the Constitution of the United States of America. The Lion’s Roar is published through the Office of Student Publications, part of the Division for Student Affairs. It is published weekly during regular semesters and monthly during the summer semester.

Editor in Chief Assistant Editor Campus Life Editor Sports Editor Copy Editor

Sara Patrick Allison Crady Megan Simon Jay Love Emily Stephan

Distribution Tyler Kennedy Advertising Assistants Ashley Guillot Administrative Assistant Heather Collins Coordinator Lorraine F. Peppo Director Lee E. Lind

CONTACT General Offices Mims Hall Room 128 Mailing Address The Lion’s Roar SLU 10877 Hammond, LA 70402 E-mail lionsroar@selu.edu Telephone Numbers 985-549-3527 (newsroom) 985-549-3842 (fax) 985-549-3731 (advertising) www.lionsroarnews.com www.selu.edu/lionsroar

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

PAGE 4 FEBRUARY 3, 2015

Shattered Illusions

Dana Arthur in Concert

Music student performs solo to raise awareness for a cause BY MEGAN MCCORMICK Staff Reporter

BY WILLIAM SCHMIDT Staff Reporter

Review Marvel recently took back the writing rights for Star Wars, which were lost “a long, long time ago,” but even they could not have predicted the outstanding success their first issue would meet when it hit shelves. Star Wars #1 sold a million direct sales, a feat which the comic book industry has not seen since Batman #500 in 1993. I am pleased the new comic’s author Jason Aaron decided to begin this new comic series directly where the original 1977 “Star Wars” film left off. We see Luke Skywalker and friends on a mission for the rebellion, which gets complicated when Darth Vader makes an unexpected appearance. As you open the first page, you are greeted with the iconic message that you are “in a galaxy far, far away” as well as the opening crawl that appears before every Star Wars movie. All of the characters are kept true to their original portrayals. One great example is the way Han Solo is written. He was seen by many as a cocky, arrogant, sarcastic rogue who turned out to be a hidden hero with a touch of charm. Aaron captures everything from the character’s quick wit to his overconfidence in his own abilities. The art and coloring by John Cassaday and Laura Martin immediately bring the comic to life, capturing the realistic representations of your favorite characters. Your eye flows smoothly from one panel to the next, fully engrossing you into the story. While this is a good and promising start, I have fears for the comic’s future. One of my fears is that we do know how the story ends. When Luke says something like, “We may die if this fails,” or something similar, it will take all my strength not to throw down my comic in frustration. The $4.99 cover price also raised issues. I am thankful for the extra pages, but with a double-page splash title, and the two pages of roundup, I did not feel as if I was getting bang for my buck. All in all, I would highly recommend picking up this issue to see how the rebels will take on the imperial forces. The suspense will leave you with questions, causing you to want to run and get the second issue.

THE LION’S ROAR

One student pianist took a stand against breast cancer through her first solo concert featuring popular covers as well as original songs. Southeastern’s Presbyterian Campus Ministry sponsored Dana Arthur, senior vocal performance major, who performed last Thursday in Pottle Auditorium. Though Arthur has performed with other groups on campus, she was nervous about playing a full solo concert. “It took lots of practice. I will be featuring some of my original songs tonight. I’ve worked hard to calibrate with other musicians and balance school with practicing,” said Arthur. Before the concert began event coordinators Brent Goodrich, a Visual and Performing Arts graduate student and PCM president,

and Analynn Sober welcomed the audience and introduced Arthur. A family member with breast cancer has affected both Arthur and Goodrich. Both relatives were young and the sickness was unexpected. The benefit concert was held in their honor. “It’s not about raising money. It’s about spreading awareness. I want others to realize that you’re never too young to stay informed and involved,” said Arthur. One of Arthur’s original compositions throughout the night was “You’re the Reason,” a song dedicated to soldiers. She noticed that a recording of hers put on YouTube attracted a particular demographic. “I’m not a YouTube star, but one day, I went to see how many views I had on my song,” said Arthur. “I saw that I had views from Afghanistan. I like to believe that the soldiers listen to the song and are inspired while they’re away.”

The show kicked off with a performance of Queen’s “Somebody to Love.” Throughout the familiar chorus audience members joined

Arthur in singing. r Arthur plans to host other campus activities and work with other cancer societies to continue to raise awareness

about breast cancer. For more information, e-mail the event coordinators at brent.goodrich@selu.edu or analynn.sober@selu.edu.

The Lion’s Roar / Megan McCormick

Dana Arthur, a senior vocal performance major, dedicated her first solo concert to breast cancer awareness. In addition to coves of a few popular songs, she performed some of her original works.

Mandeville author claims political novel has topical significance BY MEGAN MCCORMICK Staff Reporter

“Maximum Devastation” is a novel which promises to take readers on a ride of political intrigue and thrills. Penned by St. Tammany Parish attorney, parish council member and author, Neil C. Hall, “Maximum Devastation” is a story inspired by a current global issue that continues to unfold almost daily in news headlines. On June 19, 2014, one month before the release date of “Maximum Devastation,” the Associated Press Headline read, “Iraqi forces fight for control of oil refinery. Iraqi soldiers and helicopter gunships battled Sunni militants for a third day on Thursday for control of Iraq’s largest oil refinery, the Beiji facility, which normally produces about 300,000 barrels per day.” The novel is the action-packed story of a conspiracy

trying to regain control of the power and oil in Iraq by planting a nuclear weapon above the English Channel Tunnel. The time remaining on the nuclear clock puts pressure on NSA Agent Jake McCune and his partner, IOA Special Agent Leanza Bardot from France to find and disarm the dangerous bomb. Hall hopes his novel will take the reader on an unforgettable adventure, opening the reader’s eyes to the reality of an America that relies on those who should not be trusted. Hall believes his novel is of relevant interest to readers of all backgrounds and ages, including college students. “I think the book provides insight into America’s involvement in the Middle East and just how much the oil in that region dictates the policies of so many countries,” said Hall. “It has been said that ‘oil runs the world.’”

Hall has been concentrating on “Maximum Devastation” while his previous novel, “Extreme Consequences,” has potential script development by New Wave Entertainment. In 1997, when serving as an Assistant District Attorney and representing St. Tammany Parish Government, the Parish council and various boards and commissions, Hall was forced to pause progress on both novels. Now, Hall is retired and is given the chance to focus on his writing. With author and attorney under his belt, Hall has also written briefs that have filled the state and federal district and appellate courts. To purchase “Maximum Devastation,” check out the Amazon website or your local book retailer. For more information on Neil C. Hall, check out his biographical page on the novel’s website, maximumdevastation.tateauthor.com.

Exhibit shows off faculty work BY EMILY STEPHAN Copy Editor

Students and guests gathered to appreciate the work of the art department’s faculty at the Spring 2015 Faculty Art Exhibit. The opening reception was hosted Thursday, Jan 29 at the Contemporary Art Gallery. There was a variety of art on display, from sculptures to abstract paintings to experimental film. Those who had gathered at the exhibit partook of fruit, cheese, beverages and other refreshments as they strolled through the gallery. Much of the consensus proved positive, with students excited to see their instructors’ artistic prowess on display in a gallery setting. “So far, I believe the

work on display here is just amazing,” said Savannah Perrin, sophomore graphic design major, during her tour through the exhibit. “You can see all of the faculty put a great deal of hard work into what they’ve done. The fish sculpture piece here in particular is amazing to me; it really feels like you’re under the ocean with them.” Painting instructor Jim Graham, one of the faculty members with work featured in the exhibition, explained his style. “My work usually compares to two dissimilar categories,” said Graham. “The piece of mine that you see in the show features a green garden hose as well as a piece of toast with drizzled honey on it. Also, I used both abstraction and representational modes of art

within the piece. It compares things formally; something very natural compared to something very unnatural.” Some of the students touring the gallery singled out Graham’s work in order to praise it, the word “abstract” coming up often in conversations around his paintings. “[The exhibit] is very impressive,” said Anna Fernandez, new media and animation major. “[My friends and I] were talking about Jim Graham’s paintings. It’s like a foggy, hazy memory. It’s all very skillful.” For more information on future exhibitions or other matters related to the Contemporary Art Gallery, contact the gallery Director Dale Newkirk via e-mail at dale.newkirk@selu.edu.

The Lion’s Roar / Emily Stephan

The Faculty Art Exhibit featured works of painting, pottery, new media and sculpture. Students relished the chance to see their instructors’ artistry.

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THE LION’S ROAR

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

FEBRUARY 3, 2015 PAGE 5

Iktus Duo performs

The Lion’s Roar / Heather Jewell

Originally from Buglaria, Hristina Blagoeva was the first in her family to abandon the violin and take up the flute as an instrument. Since then, she has won various awards in Louisiana and her home country.

BY HEATHER JEWELL Staff Reporter

The Lion’s Roar / Megan Ferrando

Singer, guitarist and song writer Kris Hill enjoyed the release of Redemption Family’s first full CD. The folk style band found influences from bands such as John Mark McMillan and Mumford and Sons. They are currently working towards pursuing their music career full time.

Local Christian band hosts CD release concert Dubbed Redemption Family, a local Christian band of Southeastern alumni have upheld the meaning behind the name by creating a family within fans and themselves. Emerging from a college student ministry on campus, Redemption Family held their first CD release concert at the Baptist Collegiate Ministry on Jan. 30 with local band Modern Language opening. The folk/indie/worship group is now pursuing their musical career, with their first CD release headlining it. “The name of the band is Redemption Family, but we take the family aspect really, really heavy,” said Kris Hill, singer

and guitarist. “It’s a big, giant family band. We have about four members and then a bunch of other extended family that can come in and play with us at any time.” Some of the base members of Redemption Family include Hill, Nina Schultz on vocals, Barry Carpenter on harmonica and more, Travis Schroeder on banjo, Andrew Stoner on drums, and Jordan Beard on bass. “It’s been a long journey. Four years. It’s just a nice relief to be able to put music in people’s hands,” said Hill. “I can’t stress enough how excited I am we are releasing something finally. Our fans have been really, really supportive. They’re just die-hard. I’m really grateful for everyone who has helped us get to this

ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Your natural Arian leadership qualities make you the person others will follow in tackling that important project. But don’t get so involved in the work that you neglect your personal life. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Aspects favor sorting through your possessions, both at work and at home, to start giving away what you don’t use, don’t need or don’t like. Relax later with someone special. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) The issues are not quite as clear as they should be. That’s why you need to avoid getting involved in disputes between colleagues at work or between relatives or personal friends. CANCER (June 21 to July 22) You’ll get lots of support from others if you own up to your mistake quickly and include a full and honest explanation. Learn from this experience so that you don’t repeat it. LEO (July 23 to August 22) There might be some early confusion over a major move, whether it’s at work or at home. But once you get a full breakdown of what it entails, it should be easier to deal with. Good luck. VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) Creating order out of chaos, even in the most untidy spaces, should be no problem for organized Virgos. So go ahead and do it, and then accept praise from impressed colleagues.

LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) Whether it’s for business purposes or just for leisure, a trip might be just what you need right now. You would benefit both from a change of scenery and from meeting new people. SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) While things generally go well this week, a romantic situation seems to have stalled. But you can restart it if you want to. Then again, maybe this is a chance to reassess the situation. SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) A meeting that was promised quite a while back could finally happen. So be sure you’re prepared with everything you’ll need to make your case sound convincing and doable. CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) A workplace blunder could create a problem down the line unless you deal with it right now to see how and why it happened. Don’t be surprised at what you might learn. AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) This is a good time to re-sort your priorities and see if adjustments are called for. Be honest with yourself as you decide what to keep, what to discard and what to change. PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Letting yourself be bathed in the outpouring of love and support from those who care for you will help you get through a difficult period sooner rather than later. Good luck. BORN THIS WEEK: You have an uncanny gift for reaching out to all people and creating bridges of understanding among them.

BY MEGAN FERRANDO Staff Reporter

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PAGE 6 FEBRUARY 3, 2015

THE LION’S ROAR

Athlete reflects on black history month

The Lion’s Roar / Jay Love and file photos

Freshman cross country runner Isaiah Gilbert (left) placed several times in only his first season as a Lion. Junior thrower Misha Frazier (right) continues to etch her name into the Southeastern record books. The New Orleans native captured the women’s indoor weight throw school record earlier this season. Robert Alford (middle) was the first Southeastern football player to be drafted since the program was revived in 2003.

BY HEATHER JEWELL Staff Reporter

What is the month of February known for? As a child, you learn it as the second month and then it becomes the weirdlyspelled month. However, since 1976, February is also Black History Month. It has been celebrated in the United States, but also in Canada, Germany and the United Kingdom. Founded by historian Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History in 1926, it was originally celebrated on the second week of February because it coincided with Abraham Lincoln’s birthday. In 1976, it expanded to encompass the entire month. For years, it has sparked a debate on the continued usefulness and fairness

of a month dedicated to only one race’s history. Controversies aside, it is a time that is seen by some to celebrate AfricanAmerican’s past and by others to educate themselves on the contributions AfricanAmericans have made in society. “To me, African-American History month is a time of reflection,” said senior track and field athlete Misha Frazier. Just in the past 100 years, there have been famous men and women who achieved greatness by furthering the advancement of civil rights, making impacts in entertainment, government, science and sports. When speaking of athletes, famous names such as Muhammad Ali and Althea Gibson come to mind. Gibson was the first colored athlete to advance past the line into international tennis.

In the 1950s, she won the Australian, French and United States openers as well as Wimbledon; she was voted the Female Athlete of the Year by Associated Press in 1958 and indicted in the International Tennis and Women’s Sports Halls of Fame. Ali is a former professional boxer and recognized for his feats in the ring as well as the values he embodied outside of it. Religious freedom and racial injustice are just two controversies he faced. He was deemed Sportsman of the Century by Sports Illustrated and Sports Personality of the Century by BBC. Perhaps the greatest success story to come out of Southeastern athletics is Hammond native Robert Alford. The current Atlanta Falcon put Southeastern athletics on the map after being drafted in the second round of the 2013 NFL

Draft. In the literary world, famous authors were Maya Angelou, Lorraine Hansberry and Louisiana native Ernest Gaines, who has won over a dozen awards including the National Humanities Medal and Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. Civil Rights Leaders and Activists included, but are not exclusive to, Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X and Ella Baker. As part of a race that were, for a time, considered the property of another being, individuals such as the afore mentioned have worked to ensure that similar indiscretions not to be repeated. However, role models are not limited to ﬁgures who have text books written about them, but include those in one’s everyday life. “My role model is my mother. She is

a strong, passionate, intelligent woman who instilled those same characteristics in me. She raised me to be strongminded, steadfast in my beliefs and independent. Thanks to her, I refuse to be a victim to any situation. Just like her, I can overcome any obstacle thrown my way,” said Frazier. Unlike some organizations, such as the NBA, hosting events in honor of Black History Month, like “Barrier Breakers,” Frazier doesn’t believe that Southeastern’s athletic department should host similar events in the month. “I may not speak for all AfricanAmericans, but I do not want to be treated like a child that requires special attention once a year. Our history should be recognized year round, therefore events should be held year round,” said Frazier.

Track team shines at Cameron Meet BY MEGAN MCCORMICK Staff Reporter

The Lions’ track & field teams continued their success this past weekend, taking home eight first place wins. The Lions had standout performances Friday in Lake Charles. They performed at the Cameron Communications College Indoor Meet hosted by McNeese. The men throwers completely took over the meet, placing in first, second and third. Junior Alex Young placed first with a mark of 68-05.75. Junior Jonathan Kinchen came in a close second behind his fellow teammate, Young, with a mark of 68-04.50. Third place was senior Brett Olsen. He placed in the event with a mark of 58-00.25. Young was the only player from the team to place first in two events. He won the shot put event with a distance of 53-09.75. His teammate, Olsen placed third in the shot put event, tossing for a distance of 49-05.00. “This prep for this competition was minimal,” said head coach Sean Brady. “We treated this competition as if it were a very competitive practice.”

The women also succeeded this weekend. Junior Misha Frazier won the throw event with a personal best record, a distance of 63-02.75. Frazier was not the only player to have a new personal best. Senior teammate Amber Darville won the women’s shot put event with a distance of 47-02.50. This beat her original record by three feet. Frazier also placed second in this event with a mark of 45-11.25. “I prepared for this meet at practice working on my technique for consistency,” said Darville. “It felt great to ﬁnally throw over 45 feet. I am all smiles.” Daijah Washington, freshman, placed ﬁrst in the 200-meter dash with a time of 27.16. Placing in two events, sophomore Kayla Quincy won the 400-meter dash. Her time was 1:02.46. She also helped fellow teammates Bayleigh Butler, Vanessa Williams and Domonique White win the 4x400-meter relay. Their time was marked at 4.10.96. Butler also placed second in the 400-meter dash with a time of 1:03.55

PAINTING continued from pg. 1

ALUMNI continued from pg. 1

Recently Stokes has decided to offer a $5 discount at the Hammond location to Southeastern students who contact her and show their university ID. “It’s spending money, but it’s spending money on something that’s different than what [college students] normally do,” said Stokes. “It’s a fun experience, and they get to take a ﬁnished masterpiece home and hang it on the wall.” Courses include the canvas, paint, paint brushes, aprons and wine glasses. Adults ages 21 and up need only pay the registration fee and show up with whatever they wish to drink during the class. To see a calendar of events, view locations and register for upcoming Painting with a Twist courses, visit www. paintingwithatwist.com or call 985-345-3747.

Lopez and Wade Miley who will be an honorary coach for the team. “Some of those guys want one last hoorah at it and their girlfriends or their parents will come and want to poke fun, let them know they’re watching them for any mistakes,” said Riser. Unlike the Alumni Game, tickets for the First Pitch banquet costs $50 and begins at 7 p.m. The banquet following the game will be held in the third floor ballroom at War Memorial Student Union. The First Pitch banquet has been running for over eight years. Throughout the night head coach Riser will present the Lion for Life Award, given to an alumnus who has been recognized for their continued involvement with the baseball program. Seniors Carr and Keller will also be speaking. Riser selected both for the occasion. Riser saw great development in Keller over the last few years. “Kyle has been here for four years and has really matured from his freshman to senior year,” said Riser. “I thought it was really important for Kyle to get to speak; it would be

and Williams placed third with a time of 1:04.20. The Lion’s also had players place in the pole vault. Devin King, freshman, placed second for the men (16-04.75). Junior Sharon Ann Ourso and Sophomore Whitney Adams tied for third place for the women (11-05.00). “As a whole we had a great meet. The results do not reﬂect how well we executed and the level we operated as a group under these conditions,” said Brady. “However, both teams had several athletes who had season best and personal records.” Other top ﬁnishers for the Lions were Raeven Scott, (women’s high jump, 2nd, 5-01.00), Bernadette Derosier, (women’s triple jump, 2nd, 36-09), Charlyn Miller (3rd, women’s 55-meter hurdles, 8.43) and Kaelynn Smith (women’s 200-meter dash, 3rd, 27.98). In two weeks, Track & Field will compete in the 2015 Southland Conference Indoor Championship in Birmingham, Alabama. For more information and news about Lion’s Track & Field, go to lionsports.net.

special for him to have his family from New Orleans come and hear him speak about his time here and the program.” When speaking of Carr, Riser praised his maturity on and off the baseball diamond. “Kevin is very mature,” said Riser. “He is one of our team captains on the field and off the field. I think a lot of people respect him; he’s a guy from far off and I think it shows that guys nearby can play here and guys far off can play here; it kind of becomes a second home for them.” Both players would like to continue playing baseball as long as the opportunity grants them to as well as continue their education. Kevin plans to get his masters degree in communication after graduation and Kyle will pursue a degree in law school. Alumni and their families will attend the banquet as well. It allows them the opportunity to hear the seniors speak about their time here and reminisce on their own. “This is one date I will definitely put down to make a trip back down here, suit up, play my boys again and bring back some of the good memories,” said Carr.

Sports info / Randy Bergeron

Senior thrower Amber Darville was victorious in the Cameron Communications College Indood Meet last weekend. Darville finished first in the women’s shot put and eighth in the women’s weight throw.

SPORTS

THE LION’S ROAR

FEBRUARY 3, 2015 PAGE 7

Lady Lions end losing streak against Demons BY HEATHER JEWELL Staff Reporter

The Lion’s Roar / Heather Jewell

Junior forward Nanna Pool battles two McNeese defenders under the rim during last Thursday’s game against the Cowgirls. Pool led the team with eight rebounds and tacked in 12 points.

After suffering four consecutive losses, the Lady Lions basketball team finally put an end to their losing streak this weekend when they faced off against the Northwestern State University Demons. Before the Demons came to Lion country, the girls had been consecutively defeated by both the McNeese Cowgirls and the Corpus Christi Islanders on their home turf. When facing off against the Islanders, the Lady Lions seemed to be in favor of the win in the first half of their game with a score of 33-29. During the first 10 minutes of the game, both teams had their share of fouls and promised a tough game for both players and those watching in the stands. In the initial 20 minutes, Southeastern was shooting 13for-25, while McNeese had 12-for-41. In the second half, McNeese pushed forward to a 32-28 by halftime. Senior guard Elizabeth Styles led the Lady Lions and sophomore wing Amber Donnes proved her counterpart on the McNeese team. Junior Erica Hernandez mirrored Styles. Each player accomplished 13 points apiece throughout the game, contributing to the majority of the team’s scoring. “Elizabeth Styles played the whole game and Erica Hernandez played 38 minutes,” said head basketball coach Yolanda Moore. The increasing number of offensive rebounds helped push McNeese forward, coupled with their consistent scores.

The Lion’s Roar / Tamara Alexander

Senior guard Annessa De La Cruz drives to the rim during the game versus McNeese. Cruz finished with seven points against the Cowgirls. This placed them ahead of Southeastern, thus ending the game with a 78-57 win for the Islanders. The Islanders’ victory was the third home defeat the Lady Lions suffered this season, and the fourth in a line of consecutive losses they had been facing. But when facing the Northwestern Demons, the Southeastern team would suffer no more. They celebrated a 58-52 victory this past Saturday when they played the reigning Southland Conference Tournament champions. Junior forward Nanna Pool led the Lady Lions in the beginning

of the game with 13 points. Following Pool, Styles and Hernandez each added nine points to the score and alongside them was sophomore forward Dani Fielder in her first career start of the season. In the first 20 minutes, the Lady Lions had the upper hand with a score of 33-29 and in the second half, the Northwestern State slowly caught up, resulting in a 47-46 score. The Lady Lions refused to let them take advantage and for six minutes they deflected all chances of Northwestern State scoring and increased their lead to 53-46.

But the Demons would not give up easily and carried out their final shot with just over a minute left in the game, bringing the score to 53-52. Then, with merely 46 seconds left, Southeastern’s Hernandez shot a 12-footer and scored; a feat that was immediately followed by senior forward Jameika Hoskins. Hoskins performed a layup with only 11 seconds left in the game bringing the final score to 58-52. The next game for the Lady Lions will be home Wednesday, Feb. 4, against Central Arkansas at 7 p.m. The first 250 students to arrive will receive free T-shirts.

Lions fall to Demons in conference play BY MARIA GODDARD Staff Reporter

The Lions put up an intense ﬁght, but the Northwestern State University Demons walked away with a 88-73 win in a recent Southland Conference game. This game was dedicated to celebrate Military Appreciation and St. Joseph’s Day. Fans from St. Joseph Catholic School received discounted tickets and also heard head coach Jay Ladner give the Hardwood Club speech prior to the game. All those who served in the military were asked to remain standing after the national anthem was sung on Saturday in the University Center.

Unfortunately, the celebration was cut short because the ﬁrst half saw less defense than was needed from the Lions. This helped the Demons take the lead. “In the ﬁrst half, I didn’t think we defended with a lot of intensity and it was just too easy on Northwestern,” said Ladner. “We didn’t get after them aggressively enough on defense. I thought we did a much better job in the second half.” For the whole game, the Lions made 46 percent of regular shots, 12.5 percent of 3-point shots and 61.9 percent of free throws. Most of these shots were completed by senior center

DeVonte Upson, who scored a total of 19 points. Zay Jackson also lit the net aﬂame with 17 points, four assists and one block. Upson rebounded the ball 10 times and junior forward Daniel Grieves also displayed his quick reaction time with nine. “I tried to do more rebounding and I tried to get more points on the inside,” said Upson. “We could have beat them, [but] they were very effective.” The game increased in excitement and aggression during the second half. Lion’s fans roared with cheers when the Lions scored slam-dunks. They did not hesitate to protest with booing when the referees continued to call fouls on the Lions. “The referees played a little unfair, but other than that, it was a good game,” said Lions fan Tamaira Williams of Hammond. “The referees were calling fouls that weren’t supposed to be called. The exciting part [however] was a lot of dunking [from the Lions].” In response, the Lions coaches called several timeouts during the second half in an attempt to regain control. “That’s a constant thing that

happens,” said Ladner. “We were trying to correct things that are happening in the game and adjust to some things that the other team were doing that were new to us. At the end we were doing it to give our guys a break, to get the breath back under them and kind of recharge a little bit.” Ladner also utilized the time-outs to encourage the Lions to play with tenacity. “[Coach told us], ‘Stay in it, ﬁght hard and play defense,’” said Upson. Ladner expressed that he and his team hope that progress will come as a result of a close assessment of the team’s strengths and weaknesses. “We have to try to correct the things we’re not doing so well and continue to do the things we’re doing well,” said Ladner. “It’s a constant evaluation and re-evaluation process every single day. I hope we will continue to improve as the season goes. The most important thing we stress is to play as a team and to put the team above self.” Next up for the Lions will be a trip to Texas to battle against Abilene Christian University on Saturday. On Feb. 10 at 7 p.m., the Lions will take the University of Central Arkansas to their home court.

The Lion’s Roar / Maria Goddard

Senior center Devonte Upson makes a slam dunk during the first half against Northwestern State University Demons. Upson tied a career high with 19 points and 10 rebounds. OMEGA continued from pg. 1

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