SEPTEMBER 20, 2016 VOLUME 88, ISSUE 06
’ 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
Arts & Entertainment Page 4
Sports Page 6
News Page 8
LionsRoarNews.com
Soccer defends home turf University holds
91st birthday party BY JONATHAN RHODES Staff Reporter
The university turned 91 years old last Wednesday and the birthday was celebrated in the Student Union Breezeway where cupcakes and a photo booth was provided by the Campus Activities Board.
putting together all of the displays and decorations outside the bookstore. Students took part in the celebration in between their classes walking through the Breezeway. “We got all of the decorations up timely and smoothly in the morning,” said CAB student assistant
The Lion’s Roar / Megan McCormick
On Wednesday, Sept. 14, Campus Activities Board threw Southeastern a 91st birthday party. Students were able to join in on the fun in the Student Union Breezeway. President John Crain and Miss Southeastern 2016 Alexis LaPlante, above, also attended the celebration. President John L. Crain and 2015 Miss Southeastern Alexis LaPlante, were there to kickoff the celebration in front of the bookstore. “91 years is a long time,” said Crain. “It’s incredible to think about it being that long ago that people in the community came together to advocate for the creation of a college here in Hammond. It’s also incredible to think about how much Southeastern has grown and evolved since then, from a tiny college to Louisiana’s third largest public university.” CAB was in charge of The Lion’s Roar / Elizabeth Brown
The Lady Lions picked up their fourth win of the season in their first conference matchup of the season against McNeese State. The night was also special because it was the Lady Lion’s Faculty Appreciation Night. David Faucheux, Chris Bentley, Ron Traylor and Christine Mitchell were all invited by the players to attend Friday night’s game.
BY JONATHAN RHODES Staff Reporter
Senior forward and midfielder Casey Peacock scored her first two goals since her injuries in the Lady Lions second conference game of the season. The Lady Lions defeated the McNeese State Cowgirls 3-1 last Friday in Strawberry Stadium on Faculty Appreciation Night. The win brings the Lady Lions record to 4-4-1. “We played a very good first half with keeping the ball out of the defensive third, scored a goal about fifteen minutes in and
that really set the tone for the first half,” said Head Coach Blake Hornbuckle. “They came at us in the second half which we knew was going to happen. They put a lot of pressure on us. We were able to pick a lot of the second balls and generated that into a couple of opportunities to finish and we really did.” Peacock suffered two injuries in the past. One in 2014 and another in 2015 that kept her out both seasons. Peacock scored two goals in the second half and clinched the victory for the Lady Lions. “It’s really big for me,” said Peacock.
“I haven’t had the best non-conference stretch so far. I’m still trying to get back into the swing of things, but this is huge for me and my confidence. For my team to believe me and my coaches and all that. It’s been three years so it feels really good.” Her last goal was made on Sept. 27, 2013 against Incarnate Word in a 2-0 victory. Coach Hornbuckle believes that Peacock is in the right position to produce offensively.
see SOCCER pg. 7
Lions place in top four for third time BY JONATHAN RHODES Staff Reporter
The Lions cross country team took fourth place at the LSU Invitational at Highland Road Park. Six of the runners for the Lions finished in the top 30. “I felt that we ran really well,” said Head Coach Sean Brady. “We had to run a pretty muddy course. It was wet and the times weren’t really fast, however the team competed very well.” The Lions finished with 119 points. Freshman Ben Vasterling was 21st in scoring
and 22nd overall finishing at 16 minutes, 28.61 seconds in the 5K. “True freshman Ben Vasterling continues to impress,” said Brady. “He just seems to be getting better and better every week. He was our top guy today.” Freshman Grant O’Callaghan finished 23rd in scoring and 26th overall in 16:49.12. O’Callaghan fell behind in the race due to another runner slipping and falling. “He got taken out on one of
see CROSS COUNTRY pg. 7
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The Lion’s Roar / Tamara Alexander
The Lions cross country team has shown that they can compete with the best in the region. The Lions have finished in the top fourth in their last three meets.
Weather Tuesday H 93 L 67
Alyssa Arceneaux. “CAB did all of it: the photo booth, the cupcakes and drinks. Roomie actually came and yearbooks were given out. We also had the big birthday card to sign for Southeastern.” Students not only got to enjoy the refreshments, but also had a chance to take part in the history of this school. “I think it’s awesome that it has been 91 years,” said Alexis Quackenbush, a senior political science major. “This is my fifth year so I am glad I could celebrate with
see BIRTHDAY pg. 7
Alumnus of the Year is most successful basketball coach BY MORGAN LEDET Staff Reporter
This year the university is honoring the most successful basketball coach in university history. Billy Kennedy has been named the 2016 Alumnus of the Year. Currently working for Texas A&M University, Kennedy was surprised to hear the news. “It’s very humbling,” said Kennedy. “I’m thankful and honored and surprised.” Kennedy graduated in 1986 with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Studies Education while also playing basketball. He is originally from Metairie, Louisiana and he attended Holy Cross High School in New Orleans before venturing to Hammond. Kennedy will return to Hammond on Oct. 21 during Homecoming Week where he will be honored at the Alumni Association’s annual Awards Evening. He shared what he is looking forward to when he returns. “I’m gonna be there Friday, I’m not gonna be there Saturday, but really just to see some old friends and to just see how much Hammond and the university has changed with
all the new buildings and the development of the school,” said Kennedy. Kennedy has not been to campus in a while and he misses the relaxation of Hammond. “It was a laid back, relaxed environment, it just had a slower pace than real life,” said Kennedy. Just over a decade after graduating, Kennedy came to Southeastern as the head basketball coach. He coached the men’s team from 1999 to 2005. Leading the Lions to two Southland Conference Championships, he took the team to the first NCAA tournament in school history and was named Coach of the Year by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association, the Louisiana Association of Basketball Coaches and the National Association of Basketball Coaches for District 8 back-to-back years. The Southland Conference also named him Coach of the Year in 2004. Although he does not get to visit often, Kennedy stays in contact with his roots. “Not only did I coach there
see ALUMNUS pg. 7
Reminders Wednesday H 94 L 69
The first home football game will be this Saturday against Northwestern State at 7 p.m. at Strawberry Stadium.