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ATHLETICS
STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION
SGA president resigns Vice president confirmed as new president until May ALEX NIBLETT
Assistant Campus Editor
Student Government Association President Ernest Ezeugo resigned from his 2013-2014 presidential term Wednesday, citing unforeseen personal circumstances. Ezeugo and his vice president, Madeline Grunewald, came into office with a mission to unite the student body in the fight against increased costs of higher education and increase the responsiveness and transparency of the student government, things
Ezeugo said he’s proud to have seen accomplished during his term. “My biggest goal was to, in some way, shape or form, increase scholarship revenue, whether it was creating a scholarship or adding money into a scholarship that wouldn’t have normally been there,” Ezeugo said. One of his proudest ERNEST moments while pres- EZEUGO ident was when SGA added $500,000 to the student government fund, allowing more scholarship opportunities for students.
“I’m definitely very sad that this is how my official journey with SGA will have to end, but I’m grateful that I had this opportunity for myself and those around me,” Ezeugo said. Ezeugo is confident Grunewald will be a successful president and believes the SGA will continue serving the student body to the best of its ability. He said he does not plan to run for the SGA presidency in the future, but he is thankful for the experience. “We respect Ernest’s decision and I appreciate the positive leadership he has provided during his service as SGA president,” OU President David Boren SEE SGA PAGE 2
WRESTLING
OU looks to rebound against West Virginia
Sooner Nation welcomes new recruits to OU 26 athletes from 11 states sign national letters of intent to join next years roster JOE MUSSATTO
Assistant Sports Editor
The college football recruiting whirlwind suddenly stopped swirling with rumors on Wednesday as the top high school prospects from around the country signed their national letters of intent. Feelings of relief and satisfaction radiated from the Oklahoma coaching staff as it addressed the media following the busy morning. Barring any unforeseen late signees, the Sooners will add 26 newcomers to next year’s roster. The class features several top-10 nationally ranked prospects: No. 1 running back Joe Mixon, No. 4 wide receiver Michiah Quick, No. 5 safety Steven Parker and No. 6 quarterback Justice Hansen, according to Rivals.com. “I believe it’s one of the better recruiting classes we’ve had through the years,” Stoops said. “It’s hard to compare when you’re looking at 15 years of doing it, but I feel this ranks up there with any of them.” Stoops stressed the national presence the OU program has within the college football landscape and the opportunity it allows himself and his staff to widen their recruiting trails. The incoming freshman and junior college athletes come from across the nation, representing 11 states. With five signees from California, including Mixon and Quick, the staff continues to have a foothold in the West that began with coach Barry Switzer. “When you look at the success the players from California have had here, I think it makes a difference,” Stoops said. “Players recognize that and recognize the opportunity as a positive one.” Stoops said recruiting is all about connecting with players, and as tactics constantly change, running backs coach and director of recruiting Cale Gundy said the staff is concentrating much harder on social media. With each commitment the Sooners received during the process, Stoops tweeted “BOOM” followed by the prospect’s area code. “Times have changed, and if you are not willing to adapt, you will get left behind,” Gundy said. “We’ve all SEE SIGNING PAGE 2
JACQUELINE EBY/THE DAILY
Senior Kendric Maple takes his opponent from Missouri to the mat Thursday night at McCastland Field House. The Sooners fell to the Tigers 18-15. (See page 3 for a wrestling preview)
Increase in classroom performance leads to higher grade point averages
SPEAKER
Prominent writer, host to speak at the College of Education’s lecture series The host of “NOVA Science Now” will speak as part of the College of Education’s Cathey Simmons Humphreys Lecture Series on Feb. 20. David Pogue will discuss Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, or STEM, Education, said Christine Frank, director of communications and events coordinator for the College of Education. “STEM education is important for the U.S. in order to improve economic prosperity and remain competitive in world markets,” Frank said.
Athletes set new records, standards
The event will take place at 1:30 p.m. in Oklahoma Memorial Union’s Meacham Auditorium, according to the press release. Pogue covers consumer technology for Yahoo and is also a technology correspondent on CBS on Sunday Morning. He also wrote for the New York Times as well as for the Scientific American, according to a press release. Caitlin Schachter, PHOTO PROVIDED Campus Reporter David Pogue, the host of NOVA Science Now poses for a photo. Pogue will speak as part of the College of Education’s Cathey Simmons Humphreys Lecture Series on Feb. 20.
Opinion: Gov. Mary Fallin needs to devote state funding to higher education. (Page 4)
MIKE BRESTOVANSKY Campus Reporter
Student-athletes are performing better in the classroom than they have in the past, achieving an average fall GPA above 3.0 for the first time ever. To be eligible to compete, athletes must have a GPA of 2.0 or higher. For fall 2013, the average GPA among all student-athletes was 3.01, OU President David Boren said at the OU Board of Regents meeting Wednesday. The new GPA is up from 2.98 in fall 2011, according to The Daily’s archives. Additionally, 318 of the current 542 athletes earned the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll, meaning they achieved a 3.0 GPA or higher, said Pete Moris, assistant athletics director of communication. “These recent statistics help illustrate the achievements of our student-athletes in the classroom,” Moris said. “No doubt, their hard work and their ability to utilize the many resources available to them are the principle reasons for these record-setting numbers.” Moris added that while the term GPA is a record high,
L&A: Short attention span? Check out these 30-second plays written and performed by OU students. (Online)
SEE GPA PAGE 2
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