05.30.13 edition of The Auburn Plainsman

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The Auburn Plainsman A SPIRIT THAT IS NOT AFRAID ThePlainsman.com

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Pawlowski strikes out after 5 seasons

ONLINE

Justin Lee WRITER

Stay posted for updates of the men’s golf team on ThePlainsman.com

NEWS

Vol. 120, Issue 4, 8 Pages

A3

Oklahoma tornado narrowly misses student’s family home

INTRIGUE A5

Jay Jacobs is entering yet another search for a head coach. For the third time this academic-calendar year, athletic director Jacobs changed the head coach position of an Auburn sports team. Former head baseball coach John Pawlowski was dismissed just four hours after his team’s season ended without a spot in the NCAA tournament regional. Pawlowski joins former head football coach Gene Chizik, dismissed in December, and former head softball head Tina Deese, dismissed in May. “I have concluded it is time for our baseball program to move in a new direction,” Jacobs said. “We have a rich baseball heritage, and our goal is to compete for championships. I believe a change is necessary

I appreciate the opportunity I had here at Auburn and I wish nothing but the best for this program and Auburn University.” —John Pawlowski FORMER BASEBALL HEAD COACH

to help us achieve that goal, and I look forward to finding a coach who can get us there.” Pawlowski ended his tenure on the Plains with a 167126 overall record throughout his five years, including a 7179 mark in SEC play. In 2010, the Tigers won the SEC West and hosted a regional, but that was the only time Pawlowski took his team to an NCAA tournament. This season, the Tigers fin-

ished with a 33-23 overall record, earning a 10th seed in the SEC tournament before losing to archrival Alabama in the tournament’s first round in Hoover. Monday morning’s NCAA tournament selection show revealed the Tigers would not be among the nine SEC teams awarded trips to the postseason, ending Pawlowski’s time as head coach. “I appreciate the opportunity I had here at Auburn, and I wish nothing but the best for this program and Auburn University,” Pawlowski said. “I am grateful for the student athletes that have played in this program and wish them all the success in the future.” The move came just weeks after Jacobs revealed Deese would be dismissed following a 17-year tenure with the Auburn softball program and months after Chizik was

» See PAWLOWSKI, A2

‘Height’-ened sense of security One year after a shooting claimed three lives at the apartment complex formerly known as University Heights, Tiger Lodge boasts new ownership and a renewed focus on resident safety

Fantasy author to speak and read from novel at The Gnu’s Room

Aaron Lake WRITER

OPINIONS A6

Our View: Bike and Segway police officers a waste of time, money

SPORTS

A7

FILE

Almost one year ago, University Heights was torn apart by a shooting that resulted in three deaths.

Two football recruits commit at Big Cat Weekend

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

ANNA LEIGH GRAFTON / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR

Now under new ownership, Tiger Lodge has made residents’ concerns a priority.

What experiences have you had with bike or Segway police officers? Answer on Facebook, Twitter or ThePlainsman.com

INDEX News Intrigue Opinion Sports

A2 A5 A6 A7

FILE

During his five seasons at Auburn, John Pawlowski’s team had a mediocre 167–126 record and went 71–79 in SEC play.

Last June, a shooting at a local apartment complex left the Auburn community shaken and University Heights’ name synonymous with tragedy. Today, the complex where University Heights stood looks nothing like it used to. In January, Realco Capital Partners purchased the property and immediately began changing the attitude and appearance while including the residents in the culture change. Realco also decided on changing the name from “University Heights” to “Tiger Lodge at Auburn” to reinforce the rebranding efforts. Realco has put $1.5 million into renovation efforts for the 10-year-old property. Renovation initiatives have included clubhouse upgrades, a new fitness center, new furniture packages for the units and an upgraded Closed-Circuit Television security camera system. “I applaud them for their efforts,” said Wade Manora Jr., senior at Auburn University. “It’s hard to see the resemblance to University Heights.” Manora signed a one-year lease in May 2012 under the previous ownership. He said the transformation of the property has been nothing short of remarkable. “They are trying to get away from the past,” Manora said. “They’ve done a great job lifting the appearance of the

community and erasing the connection to the past.” While the upgrades in appearance are welcome, Manora said he has been more impressed with the professionalism and caring attitudes among the new management staff, Campus Apartments, when compared to the previous management company, The Preiss Company. “The management staff put forth an effort to hear what we had to say,” Manora said. “When the old ownership left, we all received personal letters right away and (the staff) ensured us that we would have a say and be protected.” Stephanee Heitkamp, regional leasing specialist for Campus Apartments, said Manora’s sentiments have been echoed throughout the community. “Our focus has been on rebranding and moving into the future, and the residents have given us great feedback on what they want and expect from us,” Heitkamp said. Security and peace-ofmind are large factors for many current and prospective residents, and the new management has done a lot to reassure them. “The front gate actually works now, and we have all been given passcodes to get in if the card reader doesn’t work,” Manora said. “They haven’t advertised the security so much, but we all feel pretty safe.”

» See HEIGHTS A2

Auburn resident arrested following Friday shooting Andrew Yawn NEWS EDITOR

Auburn Police revealed they have arrested the man allegedly responsible for shooting Opelika resident Jimmie Greene, 27, Friday night in the 1600 block of South College Street. Auburn resident Roctavius Todd, 24, was arrested Saturday, May 25 according to the news release.

Todd is charged with discharging a firearm into an occupied vehicle and second degree assault in the parking lot of College Street Bar and Pockets. Greene was shot in the arm and drove himself to East Alabama Medical Hospital. However, he has been treated and released, according to the Police. An eyewitness said a group

of people was walking around the end of the parking lot area behind Zaxby’s when the first shot was fired in the vicinity. Four to five more shots were heard shortly afterward. The source said that prior to the shooting, there was no sound or sign of a confrontation among those seen in the area of the shooting. The investigation is still open because police have not

yet determined the catalyst for the incident. Following the shooting, Police sectioned off a portion of the parking lot. Approximately an hour later, a recent model black and yellow Camaro was towed away from the area. Todd has been transported to Lee County Detention Center and his bond has been set at $8,000.

TODD


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