OCT.
20 2016
AROUND THE WORLD PAGES 8-9
INSIDE
NEARLY NAKED RUN SPLIT RAIL RECORDS KEN BONE’S LEGACY
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The Appalachian
September 22, 2016
THE TEAM Carl Blankenship @carl_r_blank EDITOR-IN-CHIEF EDITORIAL MULTIMEDIA BUSINESS
Aleah Warner @aleahwarner MANAGING EDITOR Victoria Haynes @victoriahayness CHIEF COPY EDITOR Sammy Hanf @sammyhanf NEWS EDITOR
Jacob Oller @ollerifyouhearme BUSINESS MANAGER Jordan Boles @jorddb MARKETING DIRECTOR
Katie Murawski @murawskikm A&E EDITOR Jason Huber @_jasonhuber SPORTS EDITOR
Olivia Wilkes @theappalachian ADVISER
CRIME LOG CAMPUS OCT. 17
OCT. 12
12 p.m. | Possessing/Concealing Weapons Stadium Parking Lot Student referral
9:50 a.m. | Chemical Spill Wey Hall Information report
7 p.m. | Vandalism Rivers Street East Tunnel Leads Exhausted
OCT. 15
OCT. 12 9 a.m. | Vandalism Rivers Street Parking Deck Leads Exhausted
OCT. 11
7 p.m. | Vandalism Hamby Alley/College of Ed. Leads exhausted
12:15 a.m. | Vandalism Outside Plemmons Student Union Leads exhausted
OCT. 14
OCT. 10
7:10 p.m. | Communicating Threats Sanford Hall/Estes Building Cleared by arrest
11:59 a.m. | Larceny Justice Hall Further investigation
OCT. 14 11:15 p.m. | DWI Rivers Street Cleared by arrest
Maleek Loyd @maleekstuff VIDEO EDITOR Sydney Spann @spannooo GRAPHICS EDITOR Braxton Coats @brxcoats22 WEB MANAGER
Lee Sanderlin @lee_sanderlin ENTERPRISE EDITOR
OCT. 15
Dallas Linger @dallingerphoto PHOTO EDITOR
OCT. 3 7 p.m. | Larceny Plemmons Student Union Further investigation
SUBMIT ANNOUNCEMENTS
App News is a service of the Division of Student Development. Email wilkeso@appstate.edu for submissions with subject line: APP NEWS PAGE. Submissions should not exceed 100 words and must include the event title, date/time, location and cost, and a contact email, phone and/or URL. Announcements will be edited as needed and will run as space allows. Preference is given for events that are free or have a nominal cost.
WHAT TO DO GET PUBLISHED
SNCURCS
Calling all artists, writers, designers, musicians! The Peel Literature and Arts Review is accepting submissions for review and possible publication. Final deadline is Nov. 1. Visit thepeelreview.com for info!
The Office of Student Research would like to personally invite you and your students to submit abstracts of research and creative endeavors (performance, plays, readings, exhibits, displays, etc.) for presentation at the 2016 State of North Carolina Undergraduate Research and Creativity Symposium (SNCURCS) to be held at North Carolina Central University on Nov. 5. To submit an abstract or for more information please visit www.sncurcs.org.
DOCUMENTATION WORKSHOP Do you have a visual art piece that you would like to submit to The Peel but wish you had a better way to photograph it? Come to our Documentation Workshop, and we will take pictures of you creative work for free in Katherine Harper Hall, room 107 on Oct. 22 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
VISITING WRITERS SERIES The Fall 2016 Hughlene Bostian Frank Visiting Writers Series will take place with craft talks and readings. Book sales and signings will follow each event. • Nov. 3: Graphic Novelist Carol Tyler, 12:30-1:45 p.m. Craft Talk in Three Top Mountain Room, PSU. 7:30 p.m. Reading in Turchin Center Lecture Hall, TCVA-1102. • Nov. 10: Novelist Robert Olen Butler, 2-3:15 p.m. Craft Talk in Table Rock Room, PSU. 7:30 p.m. Reading in Table Rock Room, PSU.
LEADERSHIP COFFEE HOUR The Leadership Development foundation of Student Engagement and Leadership is sponsoring a Leadership Coffee Hour every Monday from 9-10 a.m. in the McCaskey Center, PSU 244. All are invited to the conversation. Coffee and tea will be provided. Please invite others to join us. Every week we select a new topic to discuss about leadership!
FREE LEGAL ADVICE The Student Legal Clinic, in suite 324 in Plemmons Student Union, offers confidential advice, information, and referrals provided by a licensed attorney. The attorney can meet with any currently enrolled Appalachian State student and can advise students on any issue that is not directly adverse to the university. Make an appointment by calling (828) 2628284. More information at legalclinic.appstate. edu.
WEEKLY LYRIC OPEN MICS A free and open event for all, Lyric hosts weekly open mics oriented around poetry and other word based art such as music, story-telling, etc. Join every Wednesday from 8:30-10:30 p.m. at 3rd Place.
VOTE.APPSTATE.EDU This site is a non-partisan resource for students at Appalachian State and the voters of Watauga County. Through this website, students will have access to the necessary resources to register to vote and learn about issues at stake in upcoming elections.
FAFSA DAY
ENTROPY DANCE CREW SHOWCASE
SEX POSITIVE WEEK Wellness and Prevention Services presents Sex Positive Week Fall 2016! Sex Positive Week is designed to promote positive and sexual experiences and promote healthy relationships. Throughout the week, students will have the opportunity to engage in open and inclusive conversations regarding sexual health. For info, visit AppSync.
ASU CAMPUS FARMER’S MARKET
NPHC HOMECOMING STEP SHOW
Come out and support your local farmers, artisans, and community during the ASU Sustainable Development Student Alliance hosted Appalachian State Campus Farmer’s Market! We are sponsoring three markets this semester! The dates are Oct. 26 and Nov. 16.
BOONE CREEK CLEAN-UP Join the ASU Sustainability Council in demonstrating our commitment to sustainability in the community! The Council has adopted the section of Boone Creek that flows past Appalachian Mountain Brewery and Boone Mall. To fulfill this commitment, we hold creek cleanups twice a year. We invite ASU faculty, staff and students to participate. Volunteers will receive a 10 percent discount on purchases at Appalachian Mountain Brewery for the rest of the night. Thanks to AMB for being such a supportive community
FRIDAY, OCT. 21
SATURDAY, OCT. 22
“Ghostbusters” screening
Homecoming Parade
The Peel’s Doc Shop
7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. I.G. Greer Auditorium $1 advance, $2 door
6 p.m. Downtown Boone
10 a.m.-1 p.m. Katherine Harper Hall, Room 107
“Ghostbusters” screening
“Ghostbusters” screening
7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. I.G. Greer Auditorium $1 advance, $2 door
7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. I.G. Greer Auditorium $1 advance, $2 door
“Silence of the Lambs” screening
NPHC Homecoming Step Show
7 p.m. Greenbriar Theatre $1
7 p.m. Schaefer Center $5
9 p.m. Legends $15 advance, $20 door and non-students
Homecoming Lip Sync Competition 7 p.m. Schaefer Center
The Office of Student Financial Aid will hold FAFSA Day Oct. 29 from 9 a.m. to noon in 265 John Thomas Hall.
Entropy Dance Crew is hosting their second annual Fall Scholarship Showcase! Our showcase features performances from dance crews and organizations from across the region to help raise money for the Entrpy Dance Crew Scholarship. Come out and support your fellow dancers and a great cause all in one! Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. in Varsity Gym, Studio 208.
THURSDAY, OCT. 20
Corey Smith
partner! The clean-up will take place on Oct. 27 3:30-5 p.m.
In addition to registration and voting information, all of the voter registration and engagement events being held across campus are housed here. Our vision is to implement voter education activities and increase student participation in local, state, and national voting and election initiatives this year and in future elections.
Appalchian State University’s National Pan-Hellenic Council presents the Annual Homecoming Step Show on Oct. 22, 2016, in the Schaefer Center at 7 p.m. Music is by DJ Diesel from 102 Jamz, the hip hop station. If you are looking for the main event, look no further. You can purchase tickets online via the Schaefer Center’s website or at the PSU Information Desk. Tickets are $5.
SUNDAY, OCT. 23
Entropy Dance Crew Showcase 7 p.m. Varsity Gym, Studio 208
MONDAY, OCT. 24
TUESDAY, OCT. 25
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 26
Leadership Coffee Hour
Sexual Health Resource Fair
Lyric Open Mic
9 a.m. McCaskey Center, PSU
11 a.m. PSU Contact Table
8: 30 p.m. 3rd Place
“Sex(ED)” screening 5 p.m. Belk Library, Room 114
THURSDAY, OCT. 27
Oct. 20, 2016
Michael McGee standing outside the gas station restroom he used to shower in every morning.
DOWN AND OUT IN THE HIGH COUNTRY: MICHAEL MCGEE SAMMY HANF NEWS EDITOR
M
ichael McGee
tries to nudge himself into a comfortable position in the front seat of his 1992 Dodge Neon, hoping to catch some sleep in the Wal-Mart parking lot he called home. McGee, a former history major at App State, went to school on disability money as a non-traditional student. Personal problems and not finding a job post-graduation left him with nowhere to stay but his car. McGee said he decided to go back to school after suffering a stroke. “It’s weird because I’ve been shot at and stabbed twice in my life, and I was never as scared as when I had my stroke,” McGee said. “I was really honest scared and I think the reason why is I made peace at a very early age with the possibility of dying but the stroke didn’t scare me for dying, it scared me of what kind of life would I have after.” McGee said that even routine tasks like cooking a meal left him too tired to stand, forcing him to spend the better part of two or three years recovering. He decided to go to school after being
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a substitute teacher. He had a background in teaching martial arts and wanted to apply that experience to teaching history. He started at Catawba Valley Community College and said studying there motivated him to apply to a four year school. He started looking around in the area and instantly fell in love with App State. “I really enjoyed Boone, when I went up there the people were very helpful, very positive,” McGee said. “They really cared and they legitimately seemed like they cared about me getting a degree. They were very friendly, they gave me the prices, ‘cause I was concerned about the money and everything, where the other universities were not like that.” But during his time at App State tragedy struck. His wife died in a car accident on her way to Charlotte with her mother. Their car struck a tree going 70 mph, and his wife was brought to Charlotte where she died an hour and a half after the crash. McGee was driving back from ASU when the crash happened and said the news tore him apart. “I had lost my mother, I had lost my
aunt, my grandmother and I have lost friends, but my wife was so close to me and I didn’t realize how much of a part of me she was until she died,” McGee said. Finding out how she suffered pushed him over the edge. McGee said after that a part of him died and he turned to alcohol to numb the pain. “It was just a case of I did not care, I did not give a shit, I wanted to die,” McGee said. “I was too chicken and it’s against my religious belief to take my own life, but I would go and put myself into situations where somebody else could do it easily.” McGee was still attending App State and said his attitude and his drinking had an adverse effect on both his grades and personal relationships. His son left the military to take care of him but McGee said their relationship became strained, sometimes breaking out in fights. McGee became estranged from his daughter, saying that his behavior drove a wedge between them. “I can’t describe how cold hearted I became and very few people could even communicate with me at that point in
my life, even my kids, I even was cold to them,” McGee said. McGee said he always strove to help people but his wife’s death left him afraid to care, afraid to experience that pain again. “I know that tomorrow I’ll get up, I’ll go to work and I’ll start trying to get myself in a position to where I can help somebody again,” McGee said. “More importantly to where I want to help somebody again.” Able to graduate from App State in December 2014 but unable to find a job, McGee said he burned through his savings, eventually losing his house. “I lost everything,” McGee said. “I lost all the furniture, I lost knick knacks that were in the family history for years, bibles that were my great-great grandfather’s. Things that I can never get back.” After that, McGee said he drove off in his Neon with whatever clothes he could grab and set to figuring out how he was going to survive. He settled in a Wal-Mart parking lot because it seemed safe and he could use the bathroom during the night. “When you’re homeless your day is
Photo Credit: Sammy Hanf
Oct. 20, 2016
The Wal-Mart parking lot where Michael used to sleep.
structured, but it’s not,” McGee said. “It’s hard to explain, you have to think ahead and try to make plans but the majority of your time is spent on how to meet the essentials of life, how are you going to stay warm, how are you going to eat, how are you going to bathe, how are you going to do these things that are essential that I’ve always taken for granted.” Finding the essentials proved difficult. McGee said he would often spend much of the day in a McDonald’s, using their Wi-Fi and eating off the Dollar Menu. “Try eating on a dollar cheeseburger and that’s all you get for the day, that and a Coke, your stomach shrinks up,” McGee said. He had a hard time getting the nutrients he needed. Unable to prepare food, he would largely subsist on Pop-Tarts and Vienna sausages.
Photo Credit: Sammy Hanf
“You would be very surprised how difficult it is to eat when you’re living in a car because you can’t cook, you try to heat food up on your engine and that gets mixed results,” McGee said. Cold nights and a cramped car made for a hard night’s sleep, with constant disturbances from the traffic outside shattering whatever peace could be found. “That was a hard time, in some ways you grow because everything else stops and you have time to reflect on yourself,” McGee said. “But on the same time you have to be very careful because depression can set in and all the hopelessness can set in and it’s in those time where you really have to tell yourself, ‘No more, I’m gonna change it.’” While he would spend whatever time he could filling out online applications, McGee said that getting a job presents other logistical hurdles when you’re
homeless, like getting clean clothes or finding a place to bathe before the interview. McGee said he was able to bathe and borrow clothes from a shelter to interview for a manager’s position at Popeye’s, but when he went to Charlotte for training he couldn’t find a place to bathe. “I had to be at work and I needed a bath so I pulled up to this old condemned car wash where luckily the hose was still working,” McGee said. “I pulled in the back and I was taking a bath and I needed to change out of my underwear, and when I did this I turned around and there’s this little old black lady just watching me and she had a smile on her face.” While he got the job at Popeye’s, McGee said his first week was tough, drawing complaints for his messy clothes and unshaven face.
“I figured I was gonna be fired anyway so I explained to them why I was unprofessional, that I was doing the best I could until I got my first paycheck,” McGee said. “The trainer took pity on me and he turned around and called his boss and the company got me a hotel and they gave me $100 to go and get some food.” He is currently living in a hotel, working at Popeye’s and said he is planning for his next step, looking to find a way to use his degree and hoping to return to school in the future. While he’s doing better now, McGee said it is still an uphill struggle to get back on track. “I’m still trying to dig myself out,” McGee said. “This is by no means over; we’re just in a better place than we were six months ago.”
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Oct. 20, 2016
NEARLY NAKED MILE HELPS CLOTHE THE NEEDY ADRIENNE FOUTS SENIOR A&E REPORTER
he second annual Nearly Naked Mile, a charity run hosted by the Appalachian Student Ambassadors and Student Government Association, was held on Oct. 17 at 4:30 p.m. Chris Maples, a senior psychology major and publicity chair for the Ambassadors, said the goal behind the Nearly Naked Mile is for each runner to donate at least one article of winter clothing in order to participate. Maples said the donated clothing would benefit people at the Hospitality House of Boone, an organization that serves the homeless in Boone. The participants then run a mile “nearly naked,” in whatever a bathing suit would cover, to advocate what it would be like to not have clothing in cold weather. “Now, granted, today’s really nice outside, which I’m not complaining about, but that’s the idea behind the run,” Maples said. Maples said that the Nearly Naked Mile will be an ongoing event, and this year was the first time it has been held during homecoming kickoff. He said that last year, the event was unofficially put together by a couple of Ambassadors. “What we’re hoping is that this will eventually be an official part of homecoming, where groups can participate to win points for their organization,” Maples said. Many of the runners wore bathing suits and painted their bodies with the names of their organizations or with sayings like “If you can read this you’re losing.” The race started at Sanford Mall; runners then looped around Durham Park, went down U.S. Route 321 to Hardin Street, then up Howard Street, past the library and back around to Sanford Mall to finish. Although there were no prizes for winners, runners got free pizza and drinks after the race, and a DJ and games provided entertainment on Sanford Mall. Maples said the biggest challenge they faced in organizing the event was raising awareness and getting the word out. He visited several Greek chapters and other organizations to encourage participation in the race. Runners had to donate one coat or two other winter clothing items, including hats, gloves and scarves, to participate. Last year, Maples said, over 100 people ran and the event yielded over 400 donated clothing items. “The Hospitality House has told us this is one of the largest clothing drives they have before winter really hits,” Maples said. Todd Carter, director of Hospitality House, spoke to the runners before the race to stress the importance of the cause they were helping. He said that 31.2 percent of Watauga County lives in poverty and that 77 percent of children in the county don’t get three
T
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The participants of the Nearly Naked Mile begin their run at Sanford Mall on Oct.17. The Student Ambassadors hosted the run for the second year as part of the Homecoming kick-off. Participants were asked to donate clothing to the Hospitality House upon registering for the run. meals a day. “You are standing in the number one county for poverty levels in North Carolina,” Carter said. “Besides having fun, you’re helping us with our mission of fighting poverty.” J.J. Brown, Dean of Students, said the
Nearly Naked Mile was a great way to kick off homecoming week. The definition and traditions of homecoming and welcoming people into a community is who we are at Appalachian, he said. “It’s a good opportunity to help the local community,” said senior political
science major Devon Tucker, who ran in the race. “Watauga County gets really cold in the winter, so this is a great way to help out the families in need.”
Photo Credit: Halle Keighton
Oct. 20, 2016
RUNNING WITH PURPOSE W
Senior Andrew Vandenberg
JASON HUBER SPORTS EDITOR
hen App State
senior cross-country runner and Boone native Andrew Vandenberg was named Sun Belt Conference Runner of the Week on Sept. 28, not only was he recognized for having a strong race at the Panorama Farms Invitational, but for succeeding in a sport that he almost wasn’t able to compete in. Facing a multitude of medical issues growing up, Vandenberg discovered a passion for running in the sixth grade. His life took a sudden turn in 2011, however, when he was diagnosed with Common Variable Immune Deficiency. A disease characterized by low levels of serum immunoglobulins and antibodies, CVID causes an increased susceptibility to infection and almost stopped Vandenberg from doing what he loved: running. Vandenberg was introduced to Charlotte’s infectious disease doctor, Dr. Niraj Patel, who resides at Levine Children's Hospital. Vandenberg’s life was changed for the better with Patel’s help and initiative in helping him. Committing to run cross-country at App State, the school where his aunt and father, Peter Vandenberg, ran and were enriched in the Hall of Fame, Vandenberg has not only become one of the Mountaineer’s top runners, but has become an inspiration to the rest of his team. “For whatever reason, one day I decided to run as fast as I could up and down the hill we lived on a few times,” Vandenberg said. “It was so much fun that I decided to do it the next day and the next day. I found a lot of enjoyment in pushing my body everyday in training and still do.” The road wasn't always easy for Vandenberg and he had to fight through a lot more than just running. Suffering small seizures soon after he was born, Vandenberg was put on medication for the first six months of his life. Dealing with thyroid issues, lypodystrophy and seizures that returned in the second grade, Vandenberg’s doctors diagnosed him with liver disease in the
sixth grade, the same year he began running. It was only the beginning of health issues for Vandenberg. While he was running track in high school, a bad cough, respiratory issues and random bouts of sickness began to affect him while he was running. “He had a horrible cough that was diagnosed as exercise-induced asthma,” Vandenberg’s mother Wendi said. “He really had a hard time breathing in races, even when he ran well.” After visiting multiple allergy specialists and still unable to figure out the issue, the Vandenberg’s were recommended by Dr. Hugh Blackman to visit Patel. “The first time Andrew saw Dr. Patel, I knew Dr. Patel had taken an interest in helping him,” Wendi said. “We appreciated that so much. Andrew had labs drawn, and we expected to hear back in a week or so.” Just a couple days later, Patel let Vandenberg’s family know that the numbers were very alarming and he was surprised that Andrew was running the way he was. “Prior to my diagnosis, there would be periods in the year where I would be unable to run because I was so sick,” Vandenberg said. “That meant my training and performance suffered a great deal.” Vandenberg and his mother said they had no clue what Patel was talking about, leaving them worried and clueless. They soon found out about Common Variable Immune Deficiency. “Andrew went to Levine Children's Hospital for his first infusion,” Wendi said. “The nurse could not have been nicer, and Dr. Patel came over to check on Andrew himself. We decided to learn to do the subcutaneous infusions at home every week as opposed to an infusion in the hospital every month.” Learning to do subcutaneous infusions himself, Vandenberg began to notice improvement with his upper respiratory issues. “There was a great sense of relief,” Vandenberg said. “We had seen multiple doctors for the previous two years trying to figure out what was wrong
Photo Credit: Brian McWalters and App State Athletics
with me and why I kept getting so sick. To finally find out what was wrong and know that there were treatments to fix it was a real blessing.” After running for Watauga High School through the health issues and being treated with the infusions and antibiotics, Vandenberg signed with App State to continue his running career and fulfill a lifelong dream. Vandenberg was also awarded the Eric Marder Scholarship, an award created in honor of Marder, who died from complications with CVID. In 2010 Patel began a group called “Team IDEA” which stands for Immunodeficiency, Education and Advocacy and has helped become a resource for patients like Vandenberg. “Back in 2009 and 2010, there was really no group in town for patients to get educated and learn off each for resources,” Patel said in an interview with Vandenberg last week on the WCNC Today Show. “This group provides resources for patients and families who have Immune Deficiency.” Patel said with CVID being so difficult to diagnose, most patients wait for an average of 12.4 years before finding out they have the condition. “We began having meeting for patients to get more information on treating CVID,” Patel said. “One of our goals was to spread awareness and I think we have done an excellent job doing that.” Continuing to visit Patel for treatment, Vandenberg continued to run for the Mountaineers and listen to head coach Michael Curcio, a former teammate of his dad, for advice. “I do what everyone else does to stay in shape,” Vandenberg said. “Just stretch, listen to my body, do what my coaches say.” Now in his senior season, an upper respiratory sickness set Vandenberg back and caused him to miss an invitational and some time practicing, but Patel once again took time to focus on Vandenberg and help treat him properly. Just a few weeks later, Vandenberg placed 42nd out of 113 runners and first for App State in the Panorama Farm’s
Invitational 8K with a time of 25:26.90, a personal best. “I am very proud of Andrew,” Curcio said. “He has had to deal with some health issues that kept him from racing at the Mountains to Sea Duals Invitational. I know he really wanted to be a part of that. He was very patient and worked his way up through a pretty talented field last Friday. With the weather being fairly hot for us, he really played it smart and got pretty close to his PR on a tough course.” The strong performance led to Vandenberg being awarded the Sun Belt Conference Runner of the Week. “We prayed for someone to help Andrew even before we knew what was wrong and the extent of it,” Wendi said. “We believe Dr. Patel is an answer to many prayers. We appreciate him so much and we really believe that Andrew may have already died from pneumonia or suffered severe lung damage without the care Dr. Patel has given to him.” While most people may know Vandenberg as a star cross-country runner at App State, not many know the struggle that he has had to fight since the day he was born. Patel said it is not common that people with CVID can run at the level Vandenberg does. “Dr. Patel has allowed me to perform at a level that I could never have without him,” Vandenberg said. “Thanks to Dr. Patel I could train more consistently, which translated into much better racing performances. I would not be running for App right now or been able to do everything I’ve done running wise if it had not been for Dr. Patel figuring out what was wrong with me.” Not only did Vandenberg find a doctor who helped possibly save his life, but also he found a mentor who truly cares and has helped him achieve success at a collegiate cross-country runner. “He appreciates his help and care so much,” Wendi said. “We have been to many doctors in his life, and Andrew recognizes someone who takes an interest in him and goes the extra mile, or 100 miles, to help him.”
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Oct. 20, 2016
Team photo in Venice, Italy at Saint Mark's Square in front of Saint Mark’s Basilica.
MOUNTAINEERS BLAZE NEW TRAILS IN EUROPE TYLER HOLTZ SPORTS REPORTER
W
hen App State
basketball head coach Jim Fox took over the program in 2014, he was looking to change the image of the App State basketball program in more ways than one. Coming from Davidson College, Fox learned many things on staff under head coach Bob McKillop. Of the many lessons he learned in his 13 years at Davidson, one that quickly made its way into the Mountaineer basketball program
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was “building bridges” anywhere you can. When at Davidson, McKillop stressed the importance of giving players and coaches an experience to play teams from other parts of the world. In his third season as coach of the Mountaineers, Fox took his own team to Europe to face off with foreign competition. As soon as Fox took the position, he began pitching the idea to then athletic director Charlie Cobb, who gave Fox support in playing abroad. After Cobb
left in 2013, Doug Gillin took over as AD, and fully supported and helped organize the trip before this season. In early August, the Apps traveled to Slovenia and Italy, playing two games in each country. The Mountaineers finished 2-2 on their trip, winning one game in each country they played. Instead of going through an agency to schedule their games, Fox contacted his own friends that lived in Slovenia and Italy to set up games, where his motto “building bridges” paid off again.
“It is important to hang out with some old friends [in Europe] and talk basketball because they have some amazing basketball minds over there, and it is good for our team because I think our coaching staff got better over there,” Fox said. “In terms of our players, it was an incredible experience for them because I want them all to be pros one day.” The Mountaineers faced some of the top talent in Europe, including the Helios Suns from Slovenia and AS Monaco from France Ligue 1. The Suns won the
Photo Credit: Appalachian State University
Oct. 20, 2016
(Top) The men's team poses for a photo with several of their international opponents. (Bottom) Team huddle in the game vs. KK Cerknica.
Slovenia League Championship this past year, while AS Monaco is one of the best teams in the top tier of French basketball. Falling to both teams, the Mountaineers pulled out impressive results over their other two opponents, KK Cerknica, a basketball club in Slovenia and Sondrio All-Stars from Bormio, Italy, winning 117-68 and 97-62 respectively. A promise that Fox has been offering to some of his recruits paid off, especially to junior guard Jake Babic, who happens to be the only player on the App State team from outside of the United States. Babic grew up in Oakville, Ontario and played high school basketball at The Kiski School. “The last game we played against Monaco had probably my favorite moments, and they will probably be one of the best teams I play against in my life,” Babic said. “So, seeing how true professionals making millions of dollars
can go about it everyday is really cool to compare yourself to and see how you can get to where they are as well.” While in Europe, the Apps got to experience much more than just their time on the court. Over the eleven day trip, the Mountaineers took their team name to heart, exploring both the countries they got to visit. Fox especially remembers two situations on the trip, both of which dealt with crucial teamwork from his players. In Venice, Italy, Fox and his players had to walk through large crowds of people to find a train station to get to San Marco, and he said his players “leaned on each other” to navigate through town. When in Bormio, the bus driver took the team to the wrong location near Lake Garda, but Fox’s players once again impressed their head coach. “Our bus driver took us to the wrong spot so I was kind of upset, but our guys
Photo Credit: Appalachian State University
found these boats that we could rent and go on the lake and they had the time of their lives,” Fox said. “A mistake lead to one of the best times for us on the trip.” On the court, the Mountaineers got early exposure to in-game experience, something a team with only one senior can benefit from. According to NCAA rules, a team can travel overseas every four years. When that team travels overseas, they are allowed 10 additional practices to prepare for the trip. Having the extra practices was helpful for the Mountaineers, and the in-game experience helped prepare them for late-game situations even before the season started. While the Apps experienced different cultures in Europe, they also saw some differences on the basketball court. “They play a much more aggressive style of basketball, and they would foul you in the open court to stop a fast
break,” Babic said. “They were just so aggressive and playing against those guys even before we had our preseason will really help us in our non-conference and conference schedule.” Fox stressed how the teams they played in Europe showed a lot of versatility. A major difference Fox saw was similar to what his players experienced: the teams they played were so physical, prompting Fox to say that they “fouled the crap out of you.” Through it all, the Mountaineers got to know more about the world, but they also got to know more about each other and also themselves individually. “College students whether athletes or not should definitely try to experience something like this,” sophomore guard Ronshad Shabazz said. “We get to compare our lives and see how blessed we are compared to some other countries, and that is a big reason right there why [it was special].”
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DEFEATING THE VANDALS The Mountaineers will play their Homecoming game against conference rival Idaho after looking unstoppable on defense in their last two games. Coming off their first shutout of the season and allowing three total points in their last two games, the Mountaineers look to move to 16-1 in their last 17 Sun Belt games and 21-4 in their last 25 games. The last time App State has allowed three or fewer points in two games was in 1998, when they gave up zero points during a two game span. Holding a 39-13-2 record during their annual Homecoming game, the Mountaineers hold a 12-2 mark in the last 14 years. App also holds a 2-0 all-time record against Idaho since they joined the Sun Belt, the most notable coming last season when they won 47-20 in Idaho and then-running back Jalin Moore broke out for 244 yards. Averaging 46 points the last two meetings, App will need a big performance to stay undefeated in the Sun Belt.
CONTINUE LOCKDOWN DEFENSE:
NO SECOND HALF WOES:
RUN IT:
App State’s defense has looked unstoppable the last two games. Aside from allowing 45 points to then-ranked Miami and 38 to Akron, the Mountaineers have only given up 12.5 points a game. Idaho comes in heavily relying on their offense and has scored 89 points in their last two games. Coming off a game where quarterback Matt Linehan threw for four touchdowns and 476 yards, Linehan is red hot and will hope to put an end to the App’s defensive dominance. UL Lafayette was able to pick up yards last week, but thanks to strong third and fourth down defense, the Cajuns were unable to score. App will need to take advantage of the Vandal’s weak 35.6 percent third down conversion rating and prevent them from scoring. If the Mountaineers keep up their shut down defense, the Vandal’s will have no chance.
One of the weak spots for the Mountaineers this year has been the second half. Scoring 95 points in first halves this season, App has only scored 45 in second halves. While games against Old Dominion and Lafayette had big leads entering the second half, if opponents are able to gain any type of confidence it can hurt the Mountaineers. With their strong offense, the Vandals will not be afraid to come right back in the game if the Apps have any second half letdown. Defensively, the Mountaineers have come out just as strong in the second half, but their offense has to make sure they are keeping pace because any comeback is possible, even with a big lead.
Head coach Scott Satterfield is hoping this is the week running back Marcus Cox will return after missing the last three games. Even if he doesn’t, Moore, who has led the team with 660 yards in Cox’s absence, knows the Vandals very well. Last season against Idaho, Moore filled in for Cox and ran for a then-career high 244 yards. He broke that this year, but Idaho was the game that put Moore’s name on the map. Allowing 180.4 rushing yards per game, Idaho hopes to stop a strong Mountaineer rushing attack, but so far this season no team has had an easy time accomplishing that. If App can hit the ground running, they will be a tough team to beat.
BY JASON HUBER SPORTS EDITOR
PIGSKIN PICK EM’
JASON HUBER Sports Editor The Appalachian 17-12
APP STATE VS. IDAHO #17 ARKANSAS VS. #21 AUBURN
TCU VS. #12 WEST VIRGINIA MIAMI VS. VIRGINIA TECH MICHIGAN STATE VS. MARYLAND
CARL BLANKENSHIP Editor-in-chief The Appalachian 16-13
SHERI EVERTS Chancellor App State 17-12
JAYLN HOWARD President SGA 17-12
GREG CALARCO Sports Dir. WASU 20-9
TRAVIS STANLEY Apps Sports Bar Host APP TV 17-8
GAME DAY GAME 7 | SATURDAY, OCT. 22 | 3:30 P.M. | KIDD BREWER STADIUM | ESPN 3
IDAHO 4-2, 2-0, SUN BELT
4-3, 12-0, SUN BELT PLAYER TO WATCH
2016 AVERAGE PASSING YARDS PER GAME
172
233.29 #28 DEVAN STRINGER
2016 POINTS PER GAME
23.3
19 TACKLES IN THE LAST TWO GAMES
25
2016 AVERAGE TIME OF POSSESSION
33:51 30:43 MAKE OR BREAK STAT
OPPONENT RUSHING YARDS ALLOWED
134.7 180.4
27 42 TOTAL TACKLES
SOLO TACKLES
Oct. 20, 2016
In his office, Joshua White holds one of the issues of National Geographic that his work was featured in.
ART PROFESSOR’S PHOTOS FEATURED IN NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MARY ELIZABETH MYRICK A&E REPORTER
hotographer and art
P
professor Joshua White’s work was featured in National Geographic in August 2015, along with various exhibitions across the country. White said that he is interested in the research process that teaching at a university allows, which he believes heavily influences his personal work. White received an BA in photography from Northern Kentucky University and an MFA in photography from Arizona State University. When beginning his undergraduate education, White intended to study forensic science. During the eight years he spent completing his undergraduate degree, White changed his major multiple times. Before deciding upon photography, White spent time focusing on microbiology, which he initially planned to major in. From a young age, White loved science of all kinds. For Christmas one year, about three years into his undergraduate degree, White’s mother gave him a point-andshoot camera for Christmas. After
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experimenting with the camera, White decided on photography. He said that receiving the point-and-shoot was the moment he realized he wanted to pursue photography. White didn’t have extensive exposure to art before college. “I had a class in high school that was just art, and it was taught by the assistant football coach, so it wasn’t amazing,” White said. “I wasn’t previously interested in becoming an artist.” It was during an art foundations course at Northern Kentucky University when White realized that he also wanted to teach. “In my very first foundations classes, I had a professor named Nick Bonner, and he just really changed the way I thought about the world - the way that I thought about how I could create things, how I could communicate with people,” White said. “It made me think, ‘I want to be able to do that.’ I loved that idea, how he changed my life with just the way that he talked about a couple of things.” While student teaching, White decided that teaching was the right choice for
him. He knew that teaching at a university would allow him to research and teach simultaneously without sacrificing one for the other. Shauna Caldwell, a senior art education major and White’s research assistant, described that being his research assistant gives her the opportunity to learn from him as a professional artist as opposed to who he is as a professor. “He’s not only an inspiring artist and teacher, but one of the best human beings I’ve ever met,” Caldwell said. “He’s really pushed me as an artist and forced me to think about myself and work in ways that I will carry through the rest of my life.” White became fascinated by the process of dark room and other photographic processes, which he enjoyed because of their relation to chemistry. Initially, White’s photographic work dealt with personal relationships, family members and friends. White explains a series of photographs he did that documented his grandfather’s deterioration as he died, which he said let him “know him more
as a person, less as the figurehead of the family.” At this time during his life, the ideas of loss and mortality became major points of research that began to seep into his various projects. White became interested in influencing how viewers interacted with his work and desired for his pieces to create a conversation between the viewer and the art. I an attempt to create a specific experience for viewers, he experimented with different materials on a photo of a friend that he took at the Grand Canyon. “I dipped it in beeswax and put lavender oil in the beeswax to make people think of something when they saw it, to act as a trigger for their own memories,” White said. When entering graduate school, White became interested in the study of memory and neuroscience, which became an important theme within his work. White explained the process of memory and how the brain makes pathways to specific memories. “The more you remember something, the more it kind of gets damaged and buried deeper and lost,” White said. “The
Photo Credit: Mary Elizabeth Myrick
Oct. 20, 2016
Examples of Joshua White’s photographs not featured in National Geographic. Top left: Dog Day Cicada Wings, Tibicen canicularis. Top right: Rhododendron Flower, Rhododendron sp. Bottom: Dog Day Cicada Nymph Exoskeleton, Tibicen canicularis.
things we love the most we risk damaging the most by remembering them over and over.” In August of 2015, White was recognized in National Geographic for one of his latest projects, titled with the Instagram handle “a photographic survey.” The project began when White found a maple seed outside of his house on a trashcan. White photographed the maple seed, and was inspired by the result. “As that started to develop, I thought about how that related to my memories of being a little kid and finding stuff in the yard, and how that relates to my love of science,” White said. On the Instagram account, White documents local subjects that he comes across, primarily consisting of plants and insects. During the accounts’ beginnings, White posted photos in black and white, but wanted something better. After scrolling through Instagram’s selection of filters, he applied “Earlybird” atop of
Photo Credit: Mary Elizabeth Myrick
the black and white images. Immediately, White decided upon the filter because it reminded him looking through a microscope, or a scientific pin-specimen. With over 33,000 followers currently, White was surprised at the overwhelming reaction. “I clearly remember being in my backyard and thinking ‘This is a stupid thing for a grownup to do,” White said. While working with National Geographic, White said the process took about a year. He explained that the editors asked him to identify the subjects of 75 of his photographs, which required the assistance of botanists, people from the university and others from across the country, since many of the photographs only showcased small fragments of species. Along with being published in National Geographic, White’s work was specially featured on Instagram and on other blogs, including a site titled Muy-
bridge’s Horse, which helped his account gain followers. Recently, White has also shown his work and spoken at various places throughout the country, such as in Cincinnati for the FotoFocus Biennial of October 2016. White encourages students who are interested in photography to simply start photographing. “Photography is not art,” White said. “They should not make that a statement, that a way of creating something is the same as creating art. They need to use the tool of photography to service creating art, which I think happens between the people who look at it and the person who makes it.” Sarah Jayne Kennelly, a sophomore art education major, explained that White’s advice helped both her professional and artistic approach to photography. “One thing he said that really stood out to me was that in photography, you
are responsible for capturing a very small part of this huge world,” Kennelly said. “Out of all the things in the world to capture, you choose that one specific moment in time for a reason and are responsible for it.” As a professor, White says that one of his favorite classes to teach is called alternative processes. White likes that the class is process-driven and allows students to experience a variety of different processes, such as darkroom. The class gives students the opportunity to experiment and develop a series. White said the class often has students from different majors and backgrounds, and only basic camera knowledge is needed to take the class. In the spring of 2017, White will be teaching alternative processes, along with additional photography classes.
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Oct. 20, 2016
The Split Rail Records class, taught by Kim Wangler, meets twice a week to promote local artists, plan events and learn more about the music industry.
SPLIT RAIL RECORDS DEBUTS STUDENT MUSICIANS RECORD LABEL ADRIENNE FOUTS A&E SENIOR REPORTER
or students seeking ex-
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perience in multiple aspects of the music industry and for local artists hoping to further their musical career, Split Rail Records exists to meet those needs. Split Rail Records is Appalachian State University’s on-campus, student-run record label that focuses on signing and recording local musicians. The label was founded in 2005 as a required class in the music industry studies program and is now in the process of becoming an official club on campus. The label’s executive board is usually chosen in the class, but involvement with Split Rail is also open to any other students who want to join. Students are split up into teams and learn skills such as marketing, recording and the legal aspects of running a record label. Kim Wangler, director of the Music Industry Studies Management and Promotion program, teaches the Split Rail class and advises the students involved with the label. “Kim will obviously oversee the label, and she provides us with a lot of guidance,” Chris McGurrin, a senior music industry studies major and Split Rail’s vice president of marketing, said. “Which is nice, especially with all of her experience in the music industry.” Split Rail accepts demo submissions from local artists each fall and then chooses one to sign. After negotiating a contract with the artist, the label will record an album in the spring semester.
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This year’s demo submissions were due Oct. 17. “Once we have the demos in, we’ll listen to the music and try to assess the drive of the artist, if they’re serious about trying to take this further,” McGurrin said. The musicians signed to the label don’t necessarily have to be Appalachian State students, said Split Rail president Casey Wilcox, but the label likes them to have some sort of affiliation with the university. There also isn’t a specific genre that the label focuses on. “We’ve had country, we’ve had rock, but it’s really just whatever we think will be the most prosperous,” Wilcox, a sophomore music industry studies major, said. “We’ll listen to all of them and whoever happens to be the best, that’s just what it is.” When the artist is signed to Split Rail, the label will sit down with them and make a business plan, Wilcox said. Details involving studio time as well as legal and financial details are put into the contract with the artist. Come spring semester, the artist and recording team are usually ready to create a full-length album. The album is recorded in the Robert F. Gilley studio on the fourth floor of Broyhill Music Center. Split Rail has a vice president of recording and its own recording team, and often pulls in other recording majors who are not involved with the label to give them experience as well.
“It’s a very nice studio and they definitely work with professional equipment and people who know what they’re doing,” McGurrin said. Last year, the label was put in the tough position of losing the band they were in the process of signing. Split Rail had to pick up another artist quickly, McGurrin said, so local band Arson Daily was chosen as the alternative. Because Arson Daily didn’t sign with Split Rail until spring semester, they had to record their album in a much shorter amount of time than usual. “We were down to the wire with that one,” Wilcox said. “I think there was one weekend where they were in the studio for around 24 hours. We got it done and had a really successful release show, but that’s why we try to start in the fall to avoid all that.” Zach Dunham, senior music industry studies major and member of Arson Daily, said that the rushed recording process was stressful, but that the engineers on the album worked extremely hard to make ends meet and finish the album. Split Rail is also still working with Arson Daily in some areas, including getting them a gig at the Appalachian State vs. Miami pep rally. “I definitely think that being signed to Split Rail has gotten us some more campus-wide recognition,” Dunham said. “They’ve definitely gotten our name out.” In addition to signing and recording artists, Split Rail also features local art-
ists on Thursday nights at Lost Province Brewing Company. In the past, the label has also done singer-songwriter nights at Chick-fil-A, which they are working on starting up again this year. “I would say the main short-term goal right now is just looking for bands to sign for the year,” McGurrin said. “We’re also in the process of thinking up some ideas to help promote Split Rail, because we really want more students to be aware of us and what we do.” Dunham, a former president of Split Rail, said the main thing he got out of his work with the label was better connections with his peers in the music industry program. “The music industry is 99 percent about networking,” Dunham said. “After being with Split Rail, it opened up my ability to talk more with my peers, and it made me more goal and results oriented. We were very good about setting a goal, channeling our resources and creating a plan to reach that goal.” Other than providing music industry experience to the students who work at the label, Split Rail’s overall goal is to promote and support Boone’s local music scene. “Split Rail is here to help people who have any interest in progressing their musical career,” Dunham said. “The skills I’ve learned with them I’ll carry throughout my life.”
Photo Credit: Adrienne Fouts
Oct. 20, 2016
F
THE BONE IDENTITY
rom first glance he
looks like the definition of an “average joe,” but what he embodies is something much greater: the unadulterated American spirit. His name is not one you’d give to your kid, but neither is it one that goes overlooked. A name so provocative that it stops you in your tracks and makes you think, “Shut up… what’s his name? That guy must be special.” The man in the loud red sweater, meant only for a Christmas dinner, is none other than Ken Bone. During the second presidential debate of 2016, irritated viewers became first witness to his cultural inception. The biggest viral entity since Harambe the gorilla, but his message is much more important than an ape gone too soon, a crying Michael Jordan head photoshopped onto everything and memes of irrelevent candidate Gary Johnson asking, “What is Aleppo?” Bone, an operator at an Illinois coal plant, got up from his chair at Washington University in St. Louis with the poise and gusto of an actual politician, and asked, “What steps will your energy policy take to meet our energy needs while at the same time remaining environmentally friendly and minimizing job layoffs?” Asking the most hated candidates in U.S. presidential election history about the country’s future energy policies, in regards to how they’d be environmentally friendly while also sustaining coal jobs, Bone showed us how to truly express bi-partisanship. His example was heard loud and clear, especially with the help of that enticing mustache and a
Angelo Errico is a senior journalism major from Concord, North Carolina. comb over that puts Donald Trump’s to shame. The symbol that is Bone has opened the eyes of the millions of Americans who watched as he confidently asked the demagogic pervert that is Trump and the stereotypically corrupt politician that is Hillary Clinton a question that encompassed both party’s issues. Was his question answered? Of course not, because they both are ludicrous individuals who were at each other’s throats all night instead of staying on topic. But for all of us watching, we like to believe that that adorable little man who just screams “I’m a momma’s boy,” was content with Clinton and Trump’s ambiguous responses. Bone woke up that morning with the intentions of going under the radar, with a well-developed and commonplace question in his olive-green blazer pocket. Then, as he heard the tear of polyester below his groin, everything in Bone’s life began to change. The suit he declared as an outfit that would have made his mother proud had torn. He blamed his weight gain for the wardrobe malfunction, while being interviewed on CNN, so he grabbed his
plan B outfit and he became the highest trending hashtag on Twitter. Our eyes were hypnotized by the bright red that seemed to burst through our TV sets, and forced us to focus on a man who’d be ignored in any other situation, like a nightclub, bar or pretty much any social gathering. He became the embodiment of an adjective that should never be used to describe Sunday’s debate, which is “interesting.” Was the debate entertaining? No doubt. About as entertaining as two siblings arguing over their dad’s iPad. But interesting? Not even a shred. Everything each candidate said was nothing out of the ordinary in this current political spectrum. Per usual, Trump defended himself poorly over his countless scandals, and Clinton avoided talking about her deleted emails and Benghazi. Clinton ignored “the Donald” in her reserved demeanor as he yelled over moderators Anderson Cooper and Martha Raddatz, while constantly bringing up said emails to hide from his own reprehensible past. The only other interesting part aside from Bone was that Trump brought some of Bill Clinton’s accusers to confront him during the debate. But these three women were not discussed after Trump’s first mention of them in the beginning of the forum, because the Commission on Presidential Debates struck down his attempt, according to Vice. I was excited for that drama, because unlike Bone I’m immature and have accepted that this election is only worth its tabloids. Bone, an undecided voter, knew
Trump’s “uncalled for” distraction was to stray the media away from his current idiocracy of verbally stating on an Access Hollywood hot mic that he often gets away with sexually assaulting women because of his celebrity status. This is why Bone is special. He cares, he understands both sides, but he can smell an entitled brat a mile away. Bone is an entity of true American politics, demonstrated through a simplistic man who documented his time at the town hall debate with a disposable camera. And yes, it’s 2016 and disposable cameras are still sold. He showed us all how to be undaunted in accordance with our views, but to also hear one another’s outlooks so that someday we will not be as divided through the “leaders” we must unfortunately stand behind this day and age. Little did Bone know, this was only the beginning of his fame. The beginning of his further exemplification of America’s once mature political climate, through his now popular Twitter influence and already multiple TV interviews. But most significantly, the beginning of his future campaign in 2020 against Kanye West. Be honest, do you doubt it? Sadly, Bone is not who we thought he was. After hosting a Reddit AMA on his personal account, StanGibson18, redditors discovered Bone’s unruly internet past, which included misogynistic posts and declaring the death of Trayvon Martin justified. I know what you’re thinking. Can we not just have one uncorrupted, adorably pudgy man to keep us sane in this outrageous political climate?
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