Tuesday, February 3, 2015 | The Appalachian | Vol. 89 No. 31
Michael Bragg
Dean of Students J.J. Brown is responsible for communicating with the families of students who pass away. When he’s about to reach out to them, he takes time to close his eyes, relax and think about how the family will react to the news they’re about to receive.
Remembering Mountaineers Over the course of the academic year, nine students have died at ASU
by Michael Bragg Enterprise Editor
R
ight outside of the Student Development office, Cindy Wallace walks by a sizable list of student names every day. As she scans the names mounted on a plaque on the first floor inside the B.B. Dougherty Administration Building, the vice chancellor skips randomly from name to name, pointing to a student she met once or knew very well. Wallace will say something she remembered about them, doing so with a nostalgic smile on her face as she remembers each student differently. And then, with a slight change of tone and mood, she recalls how these students passed away,
the reason why their names have been given a spot on the wall. The more than 150 names on the Appalachian Student Memorial Plaque immortalize the students who have died, on- or off-campus, during their time at Appalachian State University since the plaque was created in September 2001. “When you know the student individually it’s even harder,” said Wallace, who has been in Student Development for 11 years and worked in academic affairs prior to that. “There are any number of cases where I have known the students personally. I have taught them, I have advised them in a club or an organization, and that probably is a whole ‘nother depth of kind of sadness.”
Student diagnosed with leukemia by Thomas Culkin News Reporter
The lives of an Appalachian State University student and his family changed unexpectedly last month when he was diagnosed with leukemia. William John Chapman, a sophomore English major, was diagnosed Jan. 16 with an extremely rare form of leukemia known as Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL), which, according to the United States National Library of Medicine, makes up
The most recent names added to the memorial, which now spans across three boards, are four of the students who died during the fall 2014 semester, including freshman Anna Smith. Altogether, nine students have died this academic year with the most recent death of senior Michael Cameron Schmitt on Jan. 30. This number may seem higher than what has been reported in the media in the past few months, but that could be due to the fact that the university will not release the names of currently enrolled students who died if the family decides to withhold that information. “I think that as a university community we all want to know
Intern News Reporter
Courtesy of Melissa Burgess
roughly 10 percent of all acute myeloid leukemia cases. “I was in so much shock that I couldn’t speak,” Chapman’s mother Melissa Burgess said.
Burgess has created a GoFundMe page, which can be found at www.gofundme.com/ ktkro0 to help cover the expenses of gas, food,
SEE FUND PAGE 3
SEE REMEMBER PAGE 6 & 7
iPALS geared toward cultural awareness by Madison Barlow
William John Chapman lays in his hospital bed.
what took place and transpired when we lose a student, but I also respect the family’s decision to keep that private, should they choose to do so,” said Dean of Students J.J. Brown, who has the responsibility to communicate with the families of students who have died. In recent years, eight students died between the fall 2012 and summer 2013 semesters, while seven died between the fall 2013 and summer 2014 semesters, according to numbers provided by the Office of the Dean of Students. “[W]e don’t anticipate, no one does, that going to college involves that sense of loss,” Wallace said.
When junior biology major Jane Hamrick first began getting involved with iPALS, she didn’t realize that she would be making a lifelong friend. iPALS is a club on campus affiliated with the International Education and Development department that matches international exchange students with current, domestic students to encourage
friendships and cultural exchange, according to www.international. appstate.edu. Hamrick said she found out about iPALS after attending a Baptist Campus Ministry meeting last semester. “Some iPALS members were at the meeting, and were asking for volunteers to pair with international students to help them with English and a better understanding of America,” Hamrick said. “I knew it sounded like a
good opportunity to get involved internationally, but I never thought I would find a friend like Mimi.” Hamrick was matched with Japanese exchange student Mimi Takahashi. “The first thing Mimi and I did was get lunch,” Hamrick said. “Even [though] there is a cultural difference, we clicked from the beginning. I didn’t get the opportunity to study
SEE IPALS PAGE 3
news
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ALE targets underage drinking in Boone by Mary Wood Intern News Reporter
Laney Ruckstuhl News Editor
The North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement, better known as ALE, is a branch under the State Bureau of Investigation that regulates underage drinking and purchasing of alcohol. ALE makes regular visits to Appalachian State University and surrounding establishments in the town of Boone to regulate the sale and purchase of alcohol and other products. “We have several goals, some including the regulation of agerestricted products including alcohol, tobacco, lottery [tickets], etc.,” said state ALE officer Oscar Qureshi. Qureshi said ALE works with University Police and Student Judicial Services. The
two sides of the job are criminal business and regulatory business. “We have come to campus a couple of times and conducted several campaigns and found several underage persons,” Qureshi said. University Police Captain Johnny Brown said ASU police does not have its own separate ALE officers. ALE focuses more on private establishments than campus itself. Last year, changes were made in Boone when many local bars and restaurants made a switch to only allow 21-and-up customers after 10 p.m. “We did not personally change the bars to 21-and-up,” Qureshi said. “For liability reasons we prompted the owners to change it due to excess drinking tickets, getting both students and the business’ in financial issues with the law.”
Brown said the 21-and-up change has not made a substantial difference in the amount of drinking tickets University Police has given out over the past year. “There was a small decrease last year, but nothing that has been huge,” Brown said. “The majority of what we deal with comes from Housing.” Qureshi said rumors that their officers go undercover at tailgates and other events and offer drinks to students to trick them into getting drinking tickets are false. “We do not go undercover, we wear what we would normally wear about 99% of the time,” Qureshi said. “We do hire minors for complaints of alcohol from individuals and from businesses.” Brown said ALE has decreased their presence on Appalachian’s
campus in recent years due to lack of resources. “Maybe three or four years ago they worked every home ballgame, but the last couple years, it seems like they just haven’t had the resources to be able to help us,” Brown said. Concerning what an ALE officer is specifically looking for before questioning students, Qureshi said it boils down to a couple main signals. “Some of it is the youthful appearance and we can check IDs based on that,” Qureshi said. “Another indicator is if they are falling down or getting sick.” ALE does not promote underage drinking, but supports the usage of beepers and the buddy system. Although they do not believe those sources should be an excuse for underage drinking, they believe caution is key, and to remain safe under cer-
tain conditions is vital. “If people are choosing to drink underage, keep it at a reasonable amount,” Brown said. He said he would also like people to be aware that they can call the police for help if they are ever around someone who is drinking and reaches a dangerous level of intoxication. Due to medical amnesty laws, students can call the police if they or a friend is in trouble and they will not be penalized under the law for underage drinking. ASU police want all students to remain safe and smart when it comes to drinking underage or drinking in general. If anyone has questions and/or concerns, he or she is encouraged to talk to Boone Police at (828)262-9600, or ASU Police at (828)-262-2150.
Horse Helpers lacks hay to feed starving horses by Chamian Cruz Intern News Reporter
As part of the MLK Challenge on Jan. 19, Appalachian State University students devoted time volunteering at Horse Helpers of the High Country, a non-profit equine rescue organization, but the organization is now financially struggling to provide sufficient hay to the animals. HHHC was started 11 years ago by Anita Gomez, a retired Animal Control officer and the help of others in order to protect and save equines that have been abused, neglected or abandoned. “Our Animal Control laws kind of let farm animals fall through the cracks, because there’s really not enough laws to protect them,” said Amy Hudnall, president of HHHC. Hudnall, also a history lecturer at Appalachian State University, said animal protection laws in North Carolina are adequate, but may be interpreted differently by county. On average, HHHC rehabilitates horses physically and emotionally for a year although the conditions in which the horses arrive in vary. The organization has brought in horses with rain rot, ulcers, stomach and hoof problems, cancer, starvation, malnutrition and a poor immune system, Hudnall said. After rehabilitation, individuals looking to adopt a horse go under a background check, are asked to come spend time with the horse and learn what and how the horses have been
Chris Deverell
Amy Hudnall, ASU lecturer and president of Horse Helpers of the High Country, embraces one of the horses the organization has rescued from abuse, abandonment or neglect.
taught before taking them to hopefully permanent homes. Healthy horses cost about $2,500 a year, not including housing or training, but rehabilitating a horse costs about $5,000 annually, Hudnall said. Last year, the organization had between 20 to 24 horses and spent more than $12,000. Currently, 13 horses are under the care of the organization, but hay is scarce this season and therefore, prices have nearly doubled. “Next month, I think we’re going to really start seeing people with starving horses, because they can’t get hay,” Hudnall said. HHHC needs hay to feed
their animals, but also to provide horses off the property with hay due to the shortage, Hudnall said. Since hay is scarce in the area, HHHC is having to bring in hay from other places, including Canada, only increasing the cost more. During winter, the horses require extra care so that they stay warm, don’t dehydrate due to the frozen water or get colic. HHHC has started a donations page on www.loveanimals.org/2014-hay.html. HHHC’s income goes into the maintenance of the horses, the property and less than one percent goes to their one employee who works part-time or
about 15 hours per week. There are 25-30 regular volunteers that help to do various things and an estimated 50 volunteers come and go throughout each month, but the work is so endless that they are still in need of more volunteers, Hudnall said. “I can’t even count how many personnel hours it requires to keep an organization this big running, because you’re not just dealing with mucking stalls,” Hudnall said. “You’re dealing with keeping up fences, publicity, fundraising, board meetings, planning and it’s all done by volunteers. I’m so amazed by my volunteers.”
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ASU professor fills community desire for dance studio by Clare McPherson Intern News Reporter
An Appalachian State University adjunct dance professor passed a warehouse one day, went in and was then inspired to open her own dance studio. Sayward Grindley opened the studio, SG Ballet, Jan. 3 off of Highway 421 in the warehouse she discovered that day. Marissa Stockstad, an Appalachian junior psychology major and apprentice at SG Ballet, described the space as unusual. “It’s not a typical dance studio [space],” Stockstad said. “Sayward makes it feel more like a dance studio.” Grindley said she opened
the studio to fill a community desire. One of her goals is getting as many people in the community dancing as possible. SG Ballet offers lessons for all ages and ability levels. “There was a need for additional dance resources,” Grindley said. “This gives opportunities for adult dancers or students that are not able to get into dance classes on campus.” Grindley said her biggest passion is community building and the want for SG Ballet to be as beneficial for as many people as possible. Stockstad, who is a member of the student dance organization Momentum, said she wants to dance more than she could if she just at-
FUND CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 lodging and other amenities to keep Chapman’s family close by while he receives treatment at the Carolina Medical Center in Charlotte. “People’s normal lives are complicated enough and expensive enough, but when you factor in something like this, you can’t pre-
iPals CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 abroad, so iPALS gave me the opportunity to experience another culture here at home.” Jerry Zhang, founding member of the organization and senior computer information systems major said the club was originally formed to help raise cultural awareness on campus. “My Korean friend Michelle came to me with the idea in the fall semester of 2013,” Zhang said. “Michelle was an exchange student and thought that there needed to be a better
tended Appalachian’s dance classes. “I wanted to be able to take class every day from both [adjunct dance professor] Regina and Sayward,” Stockstad said. “I wanted to continue studying with both perspectives.” Appalachian students can take classes through the university and at SG Ballet, but Grindley said the programs are independent from each other. “All students are welcome to take the classes,” said Grindley. “I try to keep everything very separate from the actual department.” Grindley credited other dance faculty members for aiding in her success, referring to them as her mentors
pare for it,” Chapman’s father Jeff Rhyse said. Burgess said keeping Chapman’s family, from Columbia, South Carolina, close was vital to her. “John was going to be [at Carolina Medical Center] for so long, and I didn’t want to leave him here alone,” Burgess said. “I’d do anything to keep his family close by him.”
international network for students, so that’s what we set out to do.” As of right now, Zhang said there are about 40 international students and 40 domestic students.The pairs are matched up based on similarities and interests after profiles are run through a computer system. “It’s almost like a dating system,” Zhang said. “After we have all the applications in for the domestic and international students, we enter their preferences in to a computer system. Then matching takes about two nights, and then emails are sent out to the students in-
and people that she asks advice from. Rachel Clark, an English professor at Appalachian, has a 13-year-old daughter who takes the adult-intermediate class at SG Ballet. Clark said she has seen changes in her daughter, Steely, since joining, such as becoming stronger and more engaged. “Sayward’s vision for her company and studio is more about doing things that aren’t already offered in town,” Clark said. “[It] is a great find for the Boone community and the ASU dance program.” Clark added that she believes Sayward’s studio, which 135 students have enrolled in thus far, could even be beneficial for Ap-
Fortunately, APL is a treatable form of the disease if detected in its early stages. “If they can make through the first 30 days, there’s a 70 to 80 percent chance [of recovery],” Burgess said. Chapman’s family said they’re hopeful he will make a full recovery. “At first we thought the diagnosis was worse than what it is,” Rhyse
viting them to an iPAL meeting to meet their match.” Hamrick said she would describe her experience through iPALS as rewarding and that her favorite part about being Takahashi’s American pal is getting to show her the ins and outs of American culture. “It was the little things that were so fun with Mimi,” she said. “I took her home with me for the week after exams, and we had so much fun. She had never pumped gas or gone to a car wash. And she had never had her nails done at a nail salon. She loved that, and wants us to go back. Mimi thinks
palachian’s existing dance program. “More importantly, her company can offer highly skilled ASU student dancers the opportunity for paying dance work if they’re seeking that, which might boost the ASU dance program brand, as they’ll be seen in farther-flung venues,” she said. While Grindley does groom some dancers to become professionals, she said this is not her main goal. “My training doesn’t only train dancers to dance professionally,” Grindley said. “It teaches work ethic, selfdiscipline, confidence, poise, grace under pressure and how to deal with stressful situations in a calm way.”
said. At press time, the GoFundMe page had raised $895 out of a goal of $5,000. “For it to be fully funded would show that the Appalachian community cares and will help their friend,” Burgess said. “We’re under so much stress right now, and for that to be one less thing to worry about would be life changing.”
that everything in America is so great. It makes me appreciate what I have a little more.” Takahashi agreed that the experience has been rewarding for her as well. “My favorite part about going to Jane’s after exam week was experiencing a little bit of a traditional American Christmas,” Takahashi said. “It was really special to meet all of Jane’s family. They made me feel like family.” Zhang said he has big hopes for iPALS in the future. “I hope that we can make iPALS more known on cam-
pus,” Zhang said. “Getting more international students would be great. In the long haul, though, I’d love to see iPALS partner with other campus organizations to make for a more diverse campus.” As for Takahashi and Hamrick’s future, though, Hamrick said she would like to visit Takahashi in Japan. “Mimi has already invited me to come to her home and experience her culture,” Hamrick said. “I hope I can visit Japan one day. Either way, we will definitely stay in touch. Mimi and I are good friends.”
OBITUARY
Michael Cameron Schmitt Editor’s note: The Appalachian has published this obituary at the request of the family. Cameron, 23, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, Jan. 30, 2015 while a student at Appalachian University. Born Oct. 4, 1991 in Charlotte, he was a son of Fagia Kline Schmitt and the late Herbert Paul Schmitt. Following graduation from Myers Park High School in 2010, he enrolled at Appalachian and was scheduled to graduate in May. In 2010, Cameron received his Eagle Scout award from Troop 33 at Sardis Presbyterian Church. He was an avid Tarheel basketball fan and watched every game. Cam loved the outdoors, snowboarding, trail driving in his Jeep (Shelby) and Game of Thrones. He was a fiercely loyal friend who never met a stranger and was loved by all. In addition to his mother, Cameron is survived by his twin brother, Tyler Schmitt; aunts and uncles, Harriett and Maurice Wilson and Susan and Bob Kempf; and his cousins, Lauren and Will Kempf; as well as an army of loving friends across the state. A service to celebrate Cameron’s life will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 6 in Harry and Bryant’s Chapel in the Oaks, at 500 Providence Rd., Charlotte. His family will receive friends at the home of Ben MacDermott following the service. His memory will live on in the lives of his friends who will await their reunion with him at the gates of Heaven.
opinion
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Oil drilling plan poses uncertainty, risks Kevin Griffin Opinion Writer
A recent convergence of factors has increased the likelihood that North Carolina may see offshore drilling within the next decade or so. North Carolina Senators Thom Tillis and Richard Burr added an amendment to the recently passed, though unsigned, Keystone XL pipeline that would allow for leasing of drilling sites in the Atlantic, according to WRAL. The Obama administration also came out with a proposal to auction leases off the Atlan-
tic Coast beginning in 2021, according to WRAL. The proposal will involve research into what the effects of drilling would be if leases were auctioned off, and a 50-mile buffer from the coast would be established for the drilling sites. Often, the prospect of oil drilling is synonymous with economic growth and energy independence. Tillis and Burr cite an industry study saying the state may gain up to 55,000 new jobs and bring in $4 billion between 2017 and 2035, according to WRAL. Gov. Pat McCrory echoed the sentiment that drilling would make North Carolina an energy leader and further the goal of American energy independence, according to WRAL. Despite the optimistic tone of proponents, there is doubt about how much benefit drill-
ing would actually bring to the state and the region. One important factor is that we are unsure how much oil there is in these areas. Vox reported the number of estimated oil reserves in the Atlantic are far less than for other already approved drilling areas. The potential for environmental and economic consequences for the East Coast are also valid concerns. From a broad perspective, however, the biggest problem this approach shows is a commitment to an established mode of energy production at the expense of much-needed advances in alternative energy. Proponents of offshore drilling are speaking as though this were an enormously innovative undertaking. However, given the present and future challenges associated with cli-
mate change, the truly innovative actions we should undertake involve moving away from fossil fuels. Instead of oil as the only option, we should branch out and try to develop alternatives. Information from the environmental advocacy group Oceana suggested offshore wind energy could create more state jobs than drilling. The primary takeaway is that we should all be skeptical about the drilling proposal. There are environmental risks associated with drilling, and we are not certain what the economic impact will be. Above all else, it only furthers the status quo in energy policy that we need to get away from. Griffin, a junior journalism major from Madison, is an opinion writer.
‘American Sniper’ fails to strike a balance in character Madison Seale Opinion Writer
Oscar-nominated “American Sniper” has made more than $204 million at the box office. In the movie’s wake, however, there’s been a surge in anti-Muslim hate speech. The American Arab AntiDiscrimination Committee reported huge increases in threats against the organization and Muslim communities, and as entertainment news stories do, the controversy spread like wildfire. The film is based on the memoir of Chris Kyle, a Navy
SEAL credited with more than 160 kills in combat, making him the most lethal sniper in American history. He is portrayed as a selfless soldier who joined the military for all the right reasons. He has a one-track mind, thinking only of his duty as a soldier. He is the classic archetype of the patriotic man. There are a few things wrong with this, though. In his memoir, Kyle refers to Iraqis as “savages” multiple times. While this type of speech is more predictable when in the heat of battle, there is a difference between saying it in a war and writing it in a book. In reality, Kyle was extremely prejudiced and anger-driven, and the movie glazes over this with only a few half-attempts at creating a balanced charac-
ter. The opportunities to portray Kyle as more than just an American hero were quickly covered by something else, which is disappointing. The virtues and vices of Kyle’s life should be shown. The Iraqis aren’t given any depth, either. Kyle’s targets – given it’s a movie from his perspective – are introduced with an air of suspicion. The movie was not as antiMuslim as much as it was anti-terrorist specifically, but the lack of depiction surrounding Iraqis that didn’t pose a threat was limited, unfortunately leaving it up to the viewer to decide what the movie’s sentiments were. As for the anti-Muslim influx on Twitter, I think people see what they want to see in movies. Those who came out with hateful viewpoints likely en-
tered with them. It’s clear the movie is not pro-war. Anyone who left the theater with this notion only saw it at a surface level. Although it’s a movie about war, battle scenes are extremely raw, with no glory attached. Kyle’s PTSD is portrayed effectively and there is an apprehension about war that stems from the characters. I can imagine director Clint Eastwood’s message being easy to miss, and I’m disappointed he didn’t go all-out. There was real potential for a strong anti-war film with a balanced protagonist, and it just didn’t reach that goal. Those theatrical missteps had real repercussions. Madison, a sophomore psychology major from Charlotte, is an opinion writer.
app news
5 Submit Announcements App News is a service of the Division of Student Development. Email dycheab@appstate.edu at least two weeks in advance. Submissions should not exceed 100 words and must include the event title, date/time, location and cost, other pertinent information and a contact(s) (email, phone and/or URL). Announcements will be edited as needed and will run as space allows. Preference will be given for events that are free or have a nominal cost. Free tax assistance ASU’s Walker College of Business in partnership with the IRS will provide free tax assistance for individuals or families with a combined household income of $60,000 or less. Anyone can prepare and e-file their own federal and state income taxes for free using www.myfreetaxes.com. (If income is greater than $60,000, modest charges will apply.) The Free Tax Help Lab, will be held 5-7 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, Feb. 3-April 15, room 2014, Peacock Hall. IRScertified volunteers will provide one-on-one assistance for those who need help or have questions. For more information, visit the MyFreeTaxes website or email hofmannma@appstate.edu. Red Flag Campaign The Red Flag Campaign is now accepting applications for the 2015-2016 academic year. Open to students who want to edu-
cate Appalachian’s community on being active bystanders and are dedicated to ending violence. Visit redflag.appstate.edu to learn more about the responsibilities and role of being a Red Flag Educator. Applications are due March 6. For more information email hartmanep@appstate.edu. Ski specials ASU’s Outdoor Programs is partnering with Appalachian Ski Mountain to offer ASU students deals on lift tickets for the Jan. 16, Feb. 6 and Feb. 27 Midnight Blast sessions. Each session lasts from 5 p.m. to midnight. Lift tickets are $15, and rentals and group lessons are discounted as well. Show your ASU ID to the ticket window on these dates to receive discounts. Students can also purchase two Midnight Blast sessions, and get a third one free. An Evening with Julian Bond The 31st Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration: An Evening with Julian Bond will be held at 7 p.m. Jan. 23, Schaefer Center. Bond was a founder of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and is a former Chairman of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). He has been an active participant in the movements for civil rights, economic justice, and peace and an aggressive spokesman for the disinherited. In 2002, he received the prestigious National Freedom Award. He has also been named one of America’s top 200 leaders
by Time Magazine. In 2008, he was named a “Living Legend” by the Library of Congress. For more information, visit multicultural.appstate.edu or email multicultural@appstate.edu. Expressive Arts Group for Veterans The group is open to any faculty, staff and student veterans at Appalachian State University. The group’s purpose is to allow for the establishment of community amongst veterans and to offer creative outlets to explore through multiple modes of expression. No art or music skills are necessary to participate, and there is no cost. For more information, email falckms@appstate.edu or call 828-2622696. All sessions will be held at 5:45 p.m. in room 306, College of Education. The dates are: Jan. 27, Feb. 10, Feb. 24, March 17, March 31, April 14 and April 28. Suicide Prevention Training Learn how to help someone who is showing signs of emotional distress. By the end of this training, participants will know the warning signs for suicide, how to intervene, and where to go for more help. All training sessions will be held in Three Top Mountain, PSU. • 4-6 p.m. Jan. 29 • noon-2 p.m. Feb. 23 • 6-8 p.m. March 25 • 10 a.m.-noon April 21 • 5:30-7:30 p.m. April 22 • 6-8 p.m. April 27 • 3-5 p.m. April 28 • 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. April 29
Media Studies The Department of Curriculum & Instruction in the Reich College of Education offers many courses in media studies. Take one class, or continue on for the Media Studies minor. Students don’t have to be education majors to register for the classes. Class subjects include digital photography and imaging, audio documentary, media literacy, and media image and influence. The new building on campus is equipped with a Mac-based Media Lab, where students can access software like Adobe Premiere, Lightroom, Dreamweaver, and Photoshop. Students enrolled in our media courses may also borrow equipment like digital SLR cameras, video cameras, and lighting equipment. To learn more, check out the undergraduate course catalog for offerings, or email a Media Studies faculty with your specific questions: goodmanjm@appstate.edu, redmondta@appstate.edu or hensonja@appstate.edu.
Business Club Expo 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Jan. 27, second floor Boyles Lobby, Peacock Hall. Representatives from 20+ clubs and organizations with a “home base” in the Walker College of Business will be on hand for the information fair-style event. Learn about social, service and networking opportunities. All organizations are recruiting new members for spring 2015. Open to students of all majors.
January
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tuesday 12
wednesday 13
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friday
thursday 15 “Boyhood” screening, 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., I.G. Greer, $2 Welcome Back Hot Chocolate Bar, 2-4 p.m., Roess Dining Hall, free
saturday 16
“Sleepless in Seattle” screening, 7 p.m., Greenbriar, PSU, $1
17 “Boyhood” screening, 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., I.G. Greer, $2
“Boyhood” screening, 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., I.G. Greer, $2 Midnight Blast ski specials, Appalachian Ski Mountain, 5 p.m.-midnight, $15 lift tickets/students Last day to add a class
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19 State holiday
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Alex Boatwright/ “Philadelphia” Winter Club Expo, Guest Cello Recital, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., PSU, screening, 7 p.m., Greenbriar, PSU, $1 6 p.m., Recital Hall, free free The Infamous Chrome Scene and Stringdusters, 9 p.m., Legends, Sensation of Falling, $10/advance/stu- 9:30 p.m., Legends, dents, $12/door $4/advance/students, $6/door
23 “Gone Girl” screening, 7 p.m. and 9:45 p.m., I.G. Greer, $2 “Philadelphia” screening, 7 p.m., Greenbriar, PSU, $1 31st Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration: An Evening with Julian Bond, 7 p.m., Schaefer Center
24 “Gone Girl” screening, 7 p.m. and 9:45 p.m., I.G. Greer, $2
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‘We don’t anticipate, no one does, that going to college involves that sense of loss’ The current state at Appalachian
Counseling and coping
Brown has been working in higher education for 20 years. In the span of those two decades, Brown said the disappearance of Smith and the three deaths that took place within the span of one week in January were some of the most difficult challenges he has faced in his career. “The impact this year has been significant and certainly with the loss of Anna, I had never experienced a search for a missing student that extended the way that did and how that permeated and touched all of us in different ways,” Brown said. Smith’s disappearance was reported by the university Sept. 4 after she had not been seen in her residence hall since two days prior. The search for her took place for more than a week until her body was found in a wooded area not far off of campus Sept. 13, according to reports from The Appalachian. It wasn’t until November that the North Carolina State Medical Examiner’s Office ruled her death as a suicide, according to a press release from the Boone Police Department. There are some deaths this year that were labeled as unattended deaths, including those of freshmen Jeremy Sprinkle and Mary-Catherine Johnson, who were found on-campus in Lovill Residence Hall and the Appalachian Panhellenic Hall, respectively. The official causes of death for these cases are still pending investigation. “Unattended death” is a law enforcement term that is applied when there is no sign of foul play. The term could mean anything from suicide, drug overdose, natural causes or an accident. “Unattended death is the term that most law enforcement agencies would use, unless we knew it was a homicide, as an example,” University Police Chief Gunther Doerr said. But the term can come with some confusion, concern or assumptions until an official cause of death is determined by a medical examiner. “That delays things and that makes it harder to feel comfortable because you don’t know what unattended death means, and even the police don’t know,” said Dr. Dan Jones, director of the Counseling Center. “They might guess at what happened, but until there’s an autopsy it’s not a fact.” While only Smith’s death has been officially ruled as a suicide, that issue has become a prominent topic at Appalachian this year. Suicide, which is the second-leading cause of death among college students — car accidents are the leading cause — can have a number of factors attached to it, such as mental illness or stress in a new environment. Most mental illnesses, such as depression, anxiety or schizophrenia, typically manifest between the ages of 17 and 24, Jones said. And while things may have been very manageable in high school, the added freedoms and unstructured environment of college can be a shock to some students. “It’s an unstructured environment and you have to make decisions and discipline yourself, and some students have never had to struggle,” Jones said. “Some students have never had to feel uncomfortable.” Anything from a first major breakup and feeling broken-hearted to failed assignments can trigger symptoms of depression, Jones said, including change in sleeping habits, loss of appetite, a loss of interest in things that used to interest them, loss of motivation and suicidal ideation. Jones said Smith’s disappearance and apparent suicide at the time of her discovery seemed to set a tone for how the news of the following deaths this year would feel to the university. “Nobody knew where she was at, and that disappearance seemed to have more fuel to it than the other deaths because nobody knew what was going on,” he said. “To have something like that start off the year and then have multiple deaths follow that, I think made it darker and more emotional because of the way things started off.” Carson Rich, Student Government Association president, said he’s struggled this year thinking of how students can cope with the news and reality of the deaths that have taken place. “We’re not clinical psychologists, we don’t have degrees in student development,” he said. “We don’t know how to professionally deal with situations like this.” Rich expressed concern that the high frequency of deaths this year could potentially result in a sense of numbness on campus. “I think that we’re kind of getting into a scenario where sadly these student deaths are becoming so normal that one will happen and then we just wake up the next day, go to our 8 a.m. [class] and act like nothing occurred,” he said. “And that’s not how I want this environment to be shaped just because it’s never affected my personal life.”
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STUDENT SAFETY COUNSELING RESOURCES NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE
UNIVERSITY POLICE EMERGENCY LINE
1-800-273-TALK 828-262-8000
*CAN CALL AT ANY TIME FOR AFTER-HOURS COUNSELING
GENERAL STUDENT COUNSELING
828-262-3180
FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO: appcares.appstate.edu OR DOWNLOAD THE APPCARES APP
Infographic by: Charlotte Wray
Michael Bragg
Dan Jones, director of the Counseling Center, encourages students to use counseling services on campus if they ever feel they are in need of help. He said Anna Smith’s disappearance earlier this year and the multiple deaths to follow made the year darker and more emotional because of the way things started off.
Communicating, notifying and remembering Anytime an enrolled student passes away, on or off campus, the university has a system for notifying certain people within administrative levels and — if that information can be shared — to the campus community. The process begins with university police, who are either contacted by an outside law enforcement agency if the incident took place off campus, or will begin the investigation themselves in the case of an on-campus situation. After family has been notified of the passing by the police, university police will communicate with Brown, who will then reach out to the families to how the university can assist them, Doerr said. “And then we would make sure that the administration was notified in the case of the vice chancellors and the chancellor,” Doerr said. In some cases, a family might not want information about a student’s death to be released by the university, which has happened this academic year. In these instances, Appalachian will respect the family’s wishes and refrain from releasing information to the campus community. While Doerr said university police would not release the name of a student without knowing the family had first been notified, there are scenarios where they would release details in the aftermath of an incident on campus in the case of rumors or social media “triggering a whole lot of potentially incorrect information.” “We might do an alert to the campus without a name just to clear the air that there was no foul play involved and that there was no threat to the campus community to make sure everybody is not getting some misinformation and reacting unnecessarily,” he said. “But again, we would withhold that name until we were sure that the family was notified first. Micki Early, who handles special projects in Student Development, is in charge of putting together the announcement of a student’s passing, getting the memorial book for students to sign in Plemmons Student Union and managing the names on the memorial plaque. Early said she can understand why families would not want the student’s name or information released in the aftermath of their passing. “Personally, I would feel like it is just too hard to even talk about or to put out there for anybody,” she said. “They may not be able to relay their feelings at that time, so much less put it out for everybody.” Even if a student’s name is withheld from a campus-wide announcement or if a memorial signing book is not placed in the student union by the family’s wishes, their name will more than likely be hung on the memorial plaque in the administration building. The Appalachian Student Memorial Plaque was created in 2001 in conjunction with Barbara Day, the dean of students at the time, and parents of students who had passed away. Families are invited back to campus every year for an annual Memorial Program in B. B. Dougherty to honor the memories of students who have passed away while enrolled at Appalachian. “I always tell the families that no matter what these circumstances, they will always be a Mountaineer,” Brown said. “It’s part of what we do with our memorial program, is that they will always be a Mountaineer, and I think that’s really, really important.”
Number of
student
deaths Infographic by Malik Rahili
For anyone affected by the deaths this year, there are resources both on and off campus to assist them. The Counseling Center has walk-in hours Monday through Thursday from 1-4 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday from 8:30-10 a.m., and Friday from 1-3 p.m. Since last semester, the center has seen an increase in walkins, counseling sessions and after-hours emergency phone calls. But the center is always readily available to students in the case of an emergency. Jones said if a student came and communicated a sense of urgency to the front desk, anyone who was not with a client or otherwise engaged in a meeting would drop everything to provide help for that student. “One of us would cancel that appointment and see you,” he said. “We always respond to emergencies.” Students can also be connected with a counselor after hours at any time by calling University Police. If there is a situation that counseling services on campus cannot fully address or needs additional help, Jones said the Counseling Center will make referrals to resources off campus. “If we can’t help them, then we’ll find somebody who can because we know how to assess and refer,” he said. Among those services outside of the university is Daymark Recovery Services, which provides “psychiatric services for the treatment of a mental illness, substance abuse problem or developmental disability,” according to its website. Daymark’s Watauga Center is located in Boone off of the Poplar Grove Connector. In addition to counseling services is App Cares, a mobile application that contains resources for student health and safety. The app, which is free for iPhone and Android devices, includes contacts and information for police, safety and counseling, as well as suicide and assault hotlines. For faculty and staff who might be facing some of the same struggles and challenges as students, a counseling center is available to them as well. For many people, the simple company of others can aid in the grieving process. Rich said whatever a person’s support system is — family, faith, friends or anything else — they should find that system and use it. “For me, I’m in a bible study,” he said. “I would go to them and I would express that I’ve been really down in the dumps and I’m just having a hard time figuring out how I’m doing.” Brown has different ways of coping with the news of a student death and how he processes it. When he’s in his office, he’ll often close his eyes and reflect on the news and the family of that student. “I’m just going to close my eyes for a second and take a deep breath and think about what I’m always thinking about, is that family and the news that they’re going to get,” he said. “I’m thinking about what that means and what that looks like.” But when he comes home from a day like that, Brown just wants to hug and kiss his boys and tell them he loves them. “It hits home in a different way as a parent for me personally than it used to when I wasn’t a parent,” he said. One of the ways Wallace believes in addressing loss and grief is to look for the positives in life. “Grief makes that really hard to do because you have that dailiness of missing somebody, particularly if you knew them closely,” she said. “But the positive things on a college campus always far outweigh the tragic.” As the name plates for the other five students come in over time, people will continue to pass the memorial plaque every day, including Wallace. Anyone who looks at the plaque may not know as many of the names of the students or have the connections that Wallace has had with some of them over the years, but their names will nonetheless forever be enshrined in their memory on Appalachian’s campus.
Michael Bragg
Vice Chancellor Cindy Wallace looks over the more than 150 names on the Appalachian Student Memorial Plaque, which holds the names of students who passed away while they were enrolled since September 2001.
10 5 0
8
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Fall ‘12 - Summer ’13
Fall ‘13 - Summer ’14
Fall ‘14 - Spring ’15 Source: Office of Dean of Students Source: ?????
Rainbow Kitten Surprise signs record deal
a&e
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by Lovey Cooper Senior A&E Reporter
A
ppalachian State University’s own Rainbow Kitten Surprise signed a recording and licensing deal with the university’s Split Rail Records on Friday, with hopes to release a new single this month and a full album in April. The five-piece alternative pop group best known for their brief claim to fame as one of 24 finalists on VH1’s “Make A Band Famous” competition last year has now been provided with the capabilities to record the album. The university provided the upfront money to cover recording costs, advertising on all available channels and 1,000 physical CDs. “RKS has been on our radar since they first came to Boone, specifically because of the large turnout at their shows, their catchy songs and their overall unique and fun per-
sonality,” said Rachel Mullins, senior music industry studies major and president of Split Rail Records. “We haven’t worked with this style of music or this size of a group in a while, and we feel that RKS has a lot of talent and potential that we’d like to help them develop and showcase.” The band has sold their records consistently since their first release a year ago, and Spotify streaming of their other work has gone up in play counts more recently. Ethan Goodpaster plays lead guitar for the band, and said that Mullins first approached the group in hopes of using them for a music industry class assignment. After some failed show bookings and a revamp of their social media presence, the band was a little skeptical to sign on at first, but changed their tune once they realized the potential of what the university had to offer. “Our last album we recorded in a bedroom, and before that it was a dorm room, so to
have a really high-quality studio is really great,” Goodpaster said. “Through Split Rail we are able to make money, make the album, get publicity – it’s beneficial for everybody.” He said the band had never signed any documents before, and had to do their own research to understand the legality of the deal. “Split Rail exists to give our students experience dealing with real-world issues – including the excitement of signing a new band,” Kim Wangler, director of music industry studies said. “I love [RKS’s] music and I would love to see us help them take their careers to the next level.” In the past the label has signed singer/songwriters as well as various rock, metal and country acts. “We don’t – can’t – really compare bands. We look at each one individually and try to line them up with a great engineer and producing team to get the best artistic product
we can and then look to connect them with the right audience,” Wangler said. Samuel Melo, junior dance major and lead vocalist and keyboardist for the band said the group has played very few shows since their VH1 appearance in hopes of avoiding “playing out” their new material before it’s entirely finished and under copyright. “We’ve been working on this album for so long, that to just be getting started on it again now is a little nerve-racking,” Melo said. “We want to be able to put something good out.” Following the recording process and release of the album and depending on its success, the band plans to tour the East Coast this summer, hitting venues in major cities the band has been in contact with through their popularity on Reddit and among podcast listeners. For more information about the band, you can find Rainbow Kitten Surprise on Facebook and Soundcloud.
Former student creates ‘Room 17’ web series
by Casey Suglia
Intern A&E Reporter
Morgan “Smurphy” Stewart had a plan – a plan for a film series. Stewart was formerly an English major at Appalachian State University, but left the university for financial reasons. While in school, he was involved in the theater department. After he left, he still had a “creative itch” to write and create. This itch turned into the development of a web series, called “Room 17.” The film series takes place in a motel room and is developed, directed and funded by Stewart. “‘Room 17’ is a web series,” Stewart said. “Karen Sabo from Invisible Theater was asking if she wanted to start a movie part of their division and reached out to me. [I] had this idea in my head for a while but they didn’t want to go in that direction so I went with it anyway.” With the plan in motion and a few scripts written, Stewart reached out to his friends to assist with writing the series. There are now 15 scripts total. “Morgan and I have been friends for 12 years now and we’ve been making movies together for almost as long,” said Jason Edwards, a scriptwriter
for the series. “After I moved to New York, I didn’t think we’d be able to work on anything together, so I was excited when he told me about this project.” Stewart gave the writers a lot of freedom with the script, he said, just as long as the scenes all took place inside the same motel room, “Room 17.” “A lot of the films are about 20-somethings at some point in their life, because they’re written by current or former college students,” Stewart said. “There is one found footage style film. There is another that is a documentary about the hotel room, but I just told everyone to write and they came back with five or six pages of script for me.” Junior English major Katelyn Sabet said she was excited to write for the project. “I thought it was very helpful to be given a time limit and a setting limit,” Sabet said. “Sometimes as a writer you’re kind of thinking all over the place, but it was nice to be limited to such specifics.” Auditions were held Jan. 26 and Jan. 27 and were open to actors of all experience levels. Stewart said he was looking to cast around 30 parts. “I thought that there were people who were
really good actors but had not [gotten] their chance to act, and not be glossed over in auditions because they haven’t paid their dues yet,” Stewart said. “If they want to act, they can just act. They don’t have to go through six months of rehearsals – everything is just fun. It’s fun to do. It’s something unique.”
Stewart hopes to start filming in March once the main stage theater productions die down. He plans to release one episode per week of the web series through the video hosting site, Vimeo. Stewart said that he hopes people are inspired by his series to create films of their own.
“Filming is easy to do now. Every computer in the library has the resources and requires such little work,” Stewart said. “If you tap into something people enjoy, they’re going to want to see it. I hope people are inspired to create something after watching it, even if it is to do it better than I did.”
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Q&A: Poet Steven Reigns, curator of ‘The Gay Rub’
learning and growth and it seems well placed.”
by Lovey Cooper Senior A&E Reporter
Steven Reigns, a Los Angeles-based poet and educator, held workshops and talks on campus Wednesday through Friday last week in connection with his curated exhibition “The Gay Rub,” currently on display in the Smith Gallery. The collection consists of over 100 rubbings of crayon on fabric taken from public monuments, signs and tombstones paying homage to prominent moments of queer history all over the world. The concept might have been hard for people to wrap their heads around it at first, Reigns said, but it now has mass appeal and rising engagement, especially on college campuses. “As an educator I feel like we have the responsibility to show the rights of all people,” said Jody Servon, director of Smith Gallery and associate professor in the art department at Appalachian State University. “This is a way to show who has come before us and how artists are interpreting that information and making it new. It inspires to think about what’s around us every day – do we see the prejudice and discrimination? Do we see the markers of our past?” The Appalachian spoke with Reigns about this collection and his own work. The Appalachian: Can you give me a little bit of background information about this project? Steven Reigns: “I came up with the idea five years ago this month – I know that because I keep a journal. I discovered that a plaque about a mile away from my house in West Hollywood was dedicated to transgendered vic-
Justin Perry
Steven Reigns, a Los Angeles-based artist, showcased his collection of rubbings that document queer history in the Smith Gallery in Plemmons Student Union. “The Gay Rub” will be on display from Jan. 20 to Feb. 13
tims of hate crimes. I found out that it was the first in the world, and I thought ‘I wonder how many other plaques are out there in the world, and what do they look like, who do they honor?’ Then, right away I came up with the idea that I should collect rubbings of those. It was interesting because the last time I had done a rubbing was in 1986 in summer camp, where most people do rubbings, and the time before that was in kindergarten, where we would take a leaf from the playground and trace it. It seemed like it was a perfect way to show the plaques and the markers as opposed to photographs, which might rub the tactile nature. It also takes someone interacting with it, and it’s amazing to spend the time it takes just to do the rubbing – its almost like meditation. I have two friends who were in Germany doing a rubbing of a big triangle plaque that translates to
‘against forgetting.’ When they were doing it, an older woman stopped them and was very concerned. She didn’t really speak any English but she wanted to communicate with them that this marker dedicated to the gays and lesbians lost in the holocaust, that they weren’t damaging it at all. It took them a while with their limited German to show her what they were doing, but when she realized she was so happy that these Americans wanted to take some of this back. Little does she know that the rubbing is now traveling around, and people get to see it. It’s a way of bringing queer history to people. It’s a way of exposing people to forgotten artists and reminding people of the gayness that is present in our history.” TA: How much of this is artistic, and how much is historical, for you personally? SR: “I think that it embodies both, and I think that’s
why it is so well-suited to universities. There’s the interactive component, and there’s something about people going out and engaging with public commemorative markers and that’s rarely done. We’re learning about history. There have been so many great strides with marriage equality and those seem shaky. It’s really easy to forget how it was even 1969, the birth of the gay civil rights movement, how recent that is. That was only six years after my birth. It’s such recent history and I don’t think the LGBT experience gets adequate recognition or air time or respect.” TA: What’s your goal in bringing this to universities? SR: “With universities you have people committed to intellectual dialogue and artistic expression and exploration, so it seems a really good fit in that regard. People are here with an enthusiasm for academics and
TA: Can you tell me a little more about the workshops you’ve been teaching while you’re here? SR: “I’ve been teaching autobiographical writing workshops, and so far it has been only with the art classes, which has been great. Artists are going to use text in their visual work at times, and they’re always going to have to write artists’ statements or writing about their own work. There’s a power that goes with autobiographical writing. We’re not in a culture that encourages creativity or self-disclosure, so it’s a bold, transgressive act to do that. The writer is unfortunately positioning themselves to have their craft criticized as well as their personal life criticized, and I think that’s why we don’t see it as often as I would like.”
TA: What do you hope people take away from your time here, and what do you hope to take away? SR: “I want people to come to the exhibition and look around with an open mind and read the accompanying booklet and just to take whatever they want from it. In a way, it’s a very quiet exhibition. It’s very stark and I think the rubbings are very haunting – the white fabric with the black markers – it’s not very loud and it’s not screaming or demanding attention. That’s one experience that I might want someone to have, but another one is for it to spark discussion and conversation.”
“The Gay Rub” will be on display from Jan. 20 to Feb. 13 in the Smith Gallery in Plemmons Student Union.
Holy Ghost Tent Revival returns to Boone by Molly Flinchum Intern A&E Reporter
The horn-driven rock ‘n’ roll band Holy Ghost Tent Revival will return to party with old and new faces at Legends on Feb. 5 at 9 p.m. Their most recent album, “Right State of Mind,” was released on Bandcamp in September. The band formed through the chance rooming of two guitar players who shared a bathroom with two horn players at Greensboro College in 2007. While guitarists Stephen Murray and Matt Martin said they had a history of setting off fire extinguishers and placing birds’ feet
in their suite-mate’s beds, Hank Widmer risked it and joined up with them to form Holy Ghost Tent Revival. While they describe their music as horn-driven rock n’ roll, the band also relates their sound to the rockers of the late 1960s and ‘70s. “We’ve taken a Motown turn,” trumpet player Charlie Humphrey said. “As a horn player, I really enjoy it.” Drummer Ross Montsinger said it was in Boone that the band found a sign saying something along the lines of, “Coming soon: Cecil B. Hamby Holy Ghost Tent Revival.” They then proceeded to use the text as
their band’s name, thinking it was a cool name for their group. In addition to Legends, the band has played at Boone Saloon and Black Cat, and enjoy the town. “I’m going to shoot for good feelies,” Humphrey said about the upcoming show. “But also I hope the crowd is moved to move if ya dig what I’m saying. It will be a homecoming of sorts for me since I haven’t been back to Boone in a while. Hopefully people will be as happy to see us as I am to see them.” The band will play a mix of their discography, including songs from, “Right State of Mind.”
Courtesy of Kristin Knupp with Evoke Emotion.
Holy Ghost Tent Rivival plays at the Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia on Jan. 16. The group comes to Legends Feb. 5.
“We may even play some songs that are yet to be released,” Montsinger said. Tickets are $6 in advance and $8 at door. Tickets for an event at Legends can be
purchased in advance at the Information Center in Plemmons Student Union, across for Cascades, with cash, credit card or by using an App Express account.
classifieds
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CRIME LOG BOONE
Feb. 2 11:26 a.m. | DWI - Alcohol and/or Drugs Rivers Street An arrest was made for a DWI involving alcohol and/ or drugs. Feb. 1 11:44 p.m. | Possession of Marijuana Rivers Street An arrest was made for the possession of marijuana. Jan. 31 12:23 p.m. | Underage Consumption of Alcohol Cannon Hall An arrest was made for underage consumption of alcohol.
Jan. 31 11:56 p.m. | Possession of Marijuana White Hall An arrest was made for the possession of marijuana. Jan. 30 1:40 p.m. | Larceny - From Building Mt. Mitchell Fitness Center This incident is under investigation. Jan. 30 3:05 a.m. | Possession of Marijuana Hoey Hall An arrest was made for the possession of marijuana.
Jan. 29 12:30 p.m. | Simple Physical Assault Legends This incident is under investigation. Jan. 29 11:00 p.m. | Larceny From Buildings Legends This incident is under investigation. Jan. 28 11:40 p.m. | Possession of Marijuana Appalachian Heights An arrest was made for the possession of marijuana.
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WHO ARE WE? The Appalachian, a student-run publication at Appalachian State University, strives to provide fair and accurate news for the campus community; to inform, entertain and create a forum for ideas; to provide an outlet for reader's opinions; to be a champion for student, faculty, staff, and community interests; and to remain independent, exercise and ensure its First Amendment rights.
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Babic fitting in as freshman, providing depth by Ben Cogsdale Sports reporter
T
he first Sun Belt season for App State men’s basketball has had its ups and downs. The learning curve for a new coaching staff against a new slate of conference teams creates obstacles that the Mountaineers have looked to overcome. Despite these barriers, the Mountaineers have had many bright spots this season, including the play of freshman guard, Jake Babic. The most promising part for Babic is that despite playing a high number of minutes in his first collegiate season, he has seemed confident and poised. Babic is averaging 20.5 minutes per game coming off the bench while offering valuable guard depth to the rotation. His ability to play both guard positions – point guard and shooting guard – can offer the necessary rest for junior point guard Frank Eaves who is the regular starter. “[Babic is] very versatile,” junior guard Chris Burgess said. “He can play point guard, shooting guard and sometimes we even have him at stretch four. When he comes in, it’s a matchup problem for most teams.” At 5 feet, 5 inches tall, Babic possesses larger-than-average size at the guard position and has shown glimpses this season of his ability to do a vari-
ety of things on the court. On Dec. 4, Babic tallied a season-high 13 points in 22 minutes while grabbing five rebounds in a 67-56 win over Jacksonville. The early success was a sign of the good things to come. Babic has appeared in all 19 games this season for App State, averaging 4.2 points per game which ties him with junior forward Jacob Lawson for fifth on the team. Considering Babic’s athletic pedigree, however, his early career success should come as no surprise. Hailing from Oakville, Ontario, both of Babic’s older brothers were star football players in Canada. In particular, Babic’s brother Robert Babic was an allCanada receiver and 2011 National Champion at McMaster University while Marcus Babic was a 2010 Yates Cup champion at Western University and competed for Team World in the 2010 U–19 USA vs. The World game. The sports pedigree has certainly contributed to Babic’s high sports IQ level that junior guard Frank Eaves referenced when asked about the mental side of Babic’s game. “His IQ of the game is pretty high, especially for a freshman,” Eaves said, “He’s very witty on the court as well. I love playing with [Babic].” Babic said he has goals higher than just performing well as a player. He wants his team to play to their fullest potential.
Justin Perry Freshman guard Jake Babic dribbles around a defender in a game against Georgia State. Babic is tied for fifth on the team in scoring.
“I want to get this team to the best possible place it can be,” Babic said. “Eventually, I want to be a Sun Belt champion and be in the NCAA tournament.”
Babic and the Mountaineers have won four of their last five games and look to continue their success with a road game at Louisiana on Thursday. Tipoff is set for 8:15 p.m.
Deflate-gate should be a warning to NCAA by Jason Huber Intern Sports Reporter
Deflate-gate. Lately, this seems to be all the world of sports has been obsessing about. The NFL’s New England Patriots, who defeated the Indianapolis Colts 45-7 in the AFC Championship game before knocking off the Seahawks 2824 for their fourth Super Bowl in 14 years, were accused after the Colts game of deflating the NFL regulation-size footballs, which are required to have a pressure between 12.5 and 13.5 pounds per square inch, to 11.5 PSI. The scandal was front and center in the buildup to Super Bowl XLIX, but with the game completed, the discussion may die down. However, this scandal leads us to question not just the NFL, but also the NCAA College Football regulations and the policies on how cheating and football weight go hand-in-hand. With all the focus on the Patriots, some may not realize that college football was the first to be subject to accusations of deflating footballs during a game. In November 2012, the University of Southern California
fired third-year head coach Lane Kiffin for deflating footballs during a game against Oregon. The university was fined and now Kiffin is the offensive coordinator at the University of Alabama. A long-time, unnamed college equipment manager said in an interview with Yahoo! Sports that he believes deflating footballs in college is not that big of a deal. In fact, he said it happens quite often. “Honestly, I don’t think anybody ever thinks twice about doing it,” the anonymous source told Yahoo! Sports. “It’s normal. Its kind of the game day process.” When a cheating scandal like deflating the footballs happens
in the NFL, more people seem to take notice. It seems nobody is really discussing it at the college level, even though it may be happening with some teams. The NCAA has the same football size regulations, and has the balls checked the same way that the NFL does. The NCAA has proven to take handling rule violations very seriously, but some don’t look at deflating the ball as “cheating” because it happens so often. Former Heisman Trophywinning quarterback and South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier said he believes many college teams have gotten away with the trick of deflating footballs in college.
“All the ball boy has to do is carry their little needle,” Spurrier said in an interview with USA Today. “That’s all that needs to be done. You know that.” As the NFL tries to look more into the situation of the footballs being deflated, the NCAA should also try to look more into their own policies, too, just in case. Ultimately, the NCAA can learn a lesson from the NFL here. Now is the time to zoom in more on issues like this in college football. It is time for NCAA to double-check that all of their policies are being upheld – before we have another scandal in the sports world.
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