The Auburn Plainsman 02.13.14 issue

The Auburn Plainsman A Spirit That Is Not Afraid Thursday, February 13, 2014 Vol. 120, Issue 33, 14 Pages

People pick Powell

Online

Gymnastics vs.

Florida See ThePlainsman.com for game updates Feb. 14

campus

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Chicken Salad Chick coming fall 2014 The new dinig option will be added to the Foy Dining Hall restuarants

Community

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Zach bland / Assistant Photo Editor

Friends and supporters celebrate Logan Powell’s victory as Auburn’s next SGA President Tuesday, Feb. 11, after callouts on the back steps of Cater Hall.

Logan Powell wins SGA presidentail election with 72 percent of student vote

New businesses join South College Uncle Maddio’s Pizza joint will open in the new shopping centeracross from CVS

Sports

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Baseball’s opening day is on the way Golloway talks depth chart, starting rotation ahead of Tigers’ weekend tournament in Florida

intrigue

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Derek herscovici campus reporter

Freezing rain couldn’t keep the crowd off of Cater Lawn for the results of the SGA and Miss Auburn elections Tuesday, Feb. 11.

Logan Powell is the new SGA President, Olabode Anise is SGA Vice President, Richmond Gunter is SGA Treasurer and Caroline Stephens is the new Miss Auburn.

“The basis for this decision was my love for Auburn and my passion for listening to the student body,” Powell said. “I believe that this is the best role for me to serve Auburn. Win or lose, I knew I should at least give it a shot.”

Powell campaigned on a platform of increasing communication between SGA and the student body, an idea that remains central to his mission as president.

“When I sat down to create a platform I realized that I was one mind out of more than 25,000,” Powell said. “It was very humbling to not only set goals for the upcoming year but goals that keep evolving after.”

When asked whether his opponent, Hayden Harrelson, would serve in some capacity within his administration, Powell said he was optimistic.

“When you run for SGA president, win or lose, you’re doing it for a reason,” Powell said.

“You’re doing it because you see something that needs to change. So I don’t think that just because you don’t win the election those opinions should be swept under the rug. Whether it’s an official capacity or not, I would love to keep hearing from him.”

“

I believe that this is the best role for me to serve Auburn. Win or lose, I knew I should at least give it a shot.”

—Logan powell

sga president elect

For Harrelson, the experience was still incredible, regardless of the outcome.

“It’s something I can definitely build from, and I still hope to better the Auburn community and use my platform and my visions to see what I can do,” Harrelson said.

Harrelson said he’s definitely interested in helping Powell initiate his platform of creating a mobile application to locate late-night security shuttles on campus.

“That’s a conversation he and I need to have,” Harrelson said. “Our platforms were very similar. I’d like to see what I could do to put myself in a position to help him out.”

Harrison Mills, the standing SGA president, believes Powell is well suited to take over when he leaves.

“He’s coming in with the right mind set, with humility,” Mills said. “He will continue to serve Auburn as he always has.”

» See SGA A2

Are you curious about The Fox? Opelika shop sells lingerie, promotes local artisans and more

INDEX

Campus Opinion Community Sports Intrigue

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Ray Maye / Design editor

War Eagle Girls and Plainsmen surround Caroline Stephen after her Miss Auburn win.

sarah may / assistant photo editor

Winning vice president-elect Olabode Anise is congratulated by his girlfriend, Leah Seay

Campus A2

The Auburn Plainsman

DUI ARRESTS For feb. 5–feb. 11, 2014 Anthony Edwards Feb. 6, 1000 North Donahue Jacarius Wright Feb. 7, South College Street Benjamin Holmes Feb. 7, North Dean Road and Annalue Drive

Gabriel McKenzie Feb. 8, South College Street and East Thatch Daniel Newell Feb. 9, North College Street Travis Latham Feb. 11, North College Street

Erin Bundy Feb. 8,West Magnolia Avenue and South Donahue Drive

Feb. 5, 12:56 p.m., 1200 Block of South Donahue Drive Second-degree forgery and first-degree theft of property Feb. 5, 5:30 p.m., 100 Block of East Glenn Avenue Shoplifting Feb. 5. 1:06 p.m., 300 Block of Webster Road Third-degree criminal trespass

Feb. 5, 6:39 p.m., 700 Block of West Veterans Boulevard Third-degree theft of property

Charles Underwood Feb. 8, South College Street Savannah Rundquist Feb. 8, Downs Way and West Longleaf Drive

Police reports for feb. 5–feb. 11, 2014

Feb. 5, 6 p.m., 1600 Block of South College Street Third-degree theft of property

Lawrence Nourzad Feb. 8, South College Street

Feb. 6, 7:38 a.m.,Three 19 Bragg Criminal mischief- damage to private property –Reports provided by Auburn Department of Public Safety

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Feb. 6, 11:25 a.m., 1700 Block of South College Street Second-degree criminal mischief

Feb. 6, 3 p.m., 1400 Block of Lee Road 10 Second-degree theft of property

Feb. 8, 1:26 p.m., 200 Block of West Longleaf Third-degree criminal mischief

Feb. 7, 11 a.m., 400 Block of Opelika Road Second-degree criminal trespass

Feb. 8, 2:19 p.m., 1400 Block of Saugahatchee Road Third-degree theft of property and third-degree criminal mischief

Feb. 7, 3 p.m., 900 Block of North Donahue Third-degree criminal trespass

Feb. 8, 3 p.m., 300 Block of West Glenn Avenue Third-degree theft of property

Feb. 7, 5 p.m., 100 Block of Burton Street Third-degree theft of property

Feb. 9, 12:01 a.m., 300 Block of Opelika Road Third-degree criminal trespass

Feb. 7, 4:54 p.m., 2100 Block of Richland Road First-degree theft of property Feb. 7, 5:07 p.m., 1100 Block of Gatewood Public lewdness and third-degree criminal trespass Feb. 7, 11:40 p.m., 100 Block of West Magnolia Third-degree theft of property and third-degree criminal trespass

Feb. 9, 11:17 a.m., 500 Block of Perry Street Second-degree theft of property Feb. 11, 10:26 a.m., 1100 Block of Stonegate Auto breaking and entering Feb. 11, 2:56 p.m., 1700 Block of South College Third-degree theft of property

Feb. 8, 1 p.m., 100 Block of North College Street Third-degree theft of property

Gloria Steinem to speak at Extraordinary Women Lecture Series Keely Shearer Campus Writer

Gloria Steinem, activist and author, came to Auburn to give a lecture in the seventies and is returning Feb. 18 to kick off the fifth annual Extraordinary Women Lecture Series as part of Auburn University’s Women’s Studies Program.

“Gloria Steinem is probably the most influential woman in the United States,” said Barbara Baker, executive editor of the Women’s Leadership Institute. “She has been for my entire lifetime, and I’m not young. Really, she is a key figure in a struggle for equality for all people. She has worked in every facet of all race, gender and every other kind of inequality you can think of for 50 to 60 years.”

The lecture will take place at the Auburn Hotel in the Dixon Conference Center at 4 p.m. and

sga

» From A1 Mills, Powell and other members of the present and future SGA cabinet will ease the transition of power from one administration to the next at a retreat at Calloway Gardens in the coming weeks.

Among those attending the retreat is SGA vice president-elect Olabode Anise, who garnered 63 percent of the vote (3,827) to his opponent David Wisdom ‘s 37 percent (2,261).

“To say I’m excited would be an understatement,” Anise said. “It’s been three years, and it has always been my dream. I am just so excited.”

Anise, a junior in computer science, said he hopes to implement his campaign platform soon. “[I want to] start working and go to the office of the Provost and office of Information Technology and get this show on the road,” Anise said. “Auburn students are really active and really want to elect candidates that will make sure to make a difference.”

Despite the loss, Wisdom had nothing but praise for his campaign team and hopes to continue working for Auburn’s student body.

“The best part about campaign week was the friendships I made with everybody else,” Wisdom said.

“I think the platform that I had set forth is something that Auburn needs, so it’s something that I’d like to see move forward.”

Though he ran unopposed, Richmond Gunter received 5,901 votes to secure his place as SGA Treasurer-elect.

“I think the experiences I’ve been fortunate enough to have on this campus prepared me to step into this role,” Gunter said. “[I’m] ready to lead on day one and ensure we balance our budget and spend the money in a way that is fair and balanced for all students.”

Gunter called his election to treasurer “an opportunity and an obligation” and looks forward to keeping SGA’s budget in the black.

“I’m just excited for the way the Lord has blessed me to have an opportunity to serve this university,” Gunter said.

Caroline Stephens won out over Rebekah Davis, Jazmin Carr, Kinsey Crow and Sloane Bell to be named the 2014 Miss Auburn.

Caroline Stephens, junior in political science and psychology, attributed her victory to

is open to the general public.

The first woman to speak at Auburn’s Extraordinary Women Lecture Series, Leslie Kennedy, was an Auburn graduate and the first woman three-star general in the United States Air Force.

“Our lecture series has been a trajectory,” Baker said.

Since then, Lily Ledbetter, woman’s right activist who the Fair Pay Act is named after; Marie Wilson, founder and president of the White House Project; and Maya Angelou, renowned author and poet, have all come to Auburn to partake in the lecture series.

“This year, our goal was to bring as many of the units across campus together as we could,” Baker said. “We wanted to see if we could get everybody on board together to get behind somebody. So, we got somebody that really has a su-

the strength of her campaign platform: serving others through random acts of kindness.

“I think the great things about random acts of kindness is it’s contagious, and so one thing that’s really neat is that we can just do it,” Stephens said.

“It doesn’t cost money. All it takes is a little time and effort. One thing we’ll do is we’ll keep randomly doing random acts of kindness and then more than that, too, we’re going to teach Auburn students about what it is and just keep doing [it].”

Stephens called her campaign experience humbling and says she is excited to get to work in the upcoming year.

Runner-up Rebekah Davis said campaign week helped her understand the true meaning of family and friendship and wouldn’t trade that for anything, regardless of the outcome.

“Caroline Stephens and I are actually very close and I can think of no one more deserving,” Davis said.

“I look forward to helping her in whatever she needs and just being there for her over this next year.”

Jazzmin Carr, another runner-up, said the entire experience was nothing if not a lesson.

“I learned to better serve Auburn, and I learned everything has a divine purpose,” Carr said. “I’ll help [Stephens] with whatever she needs.”

Runner-up Sloane Bell said her favorite part of campaign week was watching everyone come together to do something tangible and raise awareness for various causes.

Bell said she still plans on helping Stephens implement her campaign platform in the future.

“I think her platform is great, [and] we can all do a little more to help out,” Bell said. “Auburn students already love to do random acts of kindness for each other, but I think she can really help live it up.”

For Kinsey Crow, the final runner-up, just the opportunity to run and bring attention to her platform issue was worth it, regardless of the outcome.

“I have been encouraged by the Auburn University student body’s response to my platform,” Crow said.

“I think we did a great job this week of just bringing light to something we can improve on in the Auburn Family. We succeeded in our mission. It’s been an honor just to run for Miss Auburn.”

per indisputable reputation as a national icon and legendary figure.”

Steinem is the co-founder of Ms. Magazine, the Women’s Media Center, and the National Women’s Political Caucus, among other foundations.

Steinem has also received numerous awards, such as the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and written five books, with As If Women Matter, being the latest.

“What I think the catch here is [that] you have the opportunity to be in the presence of an absolute legend, an icon, somebody that not everybody gets to be in the presence of everyday of the week,” Baker said.

Mary Elizabeth Woodward, junior in hotel and restaurant management, serves as a mentee for the Women’s Philanthropy board and at-

tends similar lectures and luncheons offered by the Women’s Studies Program.

“I think they’re very beneficial,” Woodward said. “It’s really awesome that we have the opportunity, as students, to hear from all these really cool people who make a difference, through all these different programs that Auburn offers.”

Students such as Lauren Romano, sophomore in elementary education, heard about the lecture series through her professor in in her human developmental life studies class.

According to Romano, most of her class will be attending the lecture.

“We know how families and relationships work,” Romano said. “I think it’s an opportunity for us to see how women have been influential not only in society but managed to run a family, have children and do both.”

TOP LEFT: Miss Auburn candidate Rebekah Davis hugs a friend after SGA Callouts. (EMILY ENFINGER / PHOTOGRAPHER TOP RIGHT: The War Eagle Girls and Plainsmen sing the Alma Mater around the new Miss Auburn, Caroline Stephens. (RAYE MAY / DESIGN EDITOR) BOTTOM RIGHT: SGA vice president Olabode Anise celebrates with his fraternity brothers after the results of the SGA election. (SARAH MAY / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR

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Thursday, February 13, 2014

The Auburn Plainsman

Campus A3

sarah may / assistant photo editor

Whatchawant hot dogs give you whatcha need

The Whatchawant hot dog stand offers a range of toppings, including sauerkraut, bacon, chili, Doritos, the classic ketchup and mustard, and many more.

Becky Hardy Campus Editor

Doritos, sauerkraut, ketchup, bacon, chili, and pickles can all be found on one hot dog, if that is “whatchawant.”

Although the Whatchawant hot dog stand has only been on campus for approximately two weeks, Danny Daniels, founder of Whatchawant, has been creating connections with Auburn students since the 2013 football season.

“I really got my name out there with the students, and the students would ask me every night when I would be on campus,” Daniels said. “[The business grew because of] the love from my fans, and all the students have really supported me. I love the University, and I love the students.”

Daniels first got the idea of starting a hot dog cart when he visited New York City with his fiancé, Sade Daniels, co-owner of Whatchawant.

“I saw a couple of carts and thought it would be something cool I could bring to Auburn,” Danny said. “I’ve always been into food and wanted to started a couple of businesses when I graduated.”

Danny is only selling his 100 percent beef dogs on campus now.

“Getting back out downtown now depends on working with the city, but game days would really be the time to park it outside the bars,” Danny said.

Whatchawant gets new customers to its cart everyday.

“This is my first time [eating the hot dogs], but after this first bite, I’m coming back for many more,” said Chris Denson, senior in business administration.

Danny said he recommends his Whatchawant hot dogs to the every day student and person on campus, including the Tiger Transit bus drivers. “[The food] gets you away from the norm, on

the way to class or a quick transit break,” Danny said. “I don’t like calling them hot dogs because they’re not normal hot dogs. I recommend it for faculty, staff, students and open to everyone.”

Danny said he does not compare his businesses to similar hot dog restaurants. “[My business is] me providing an experience, and I’ll give you exactly what you want,” Danny said. “That’s why it’s called Whatchawant.

I want you to be as creative as possible with the condiments on my cart. You come to buy an experience, not a place to buy a certain meal. Anything you’re mind comes up with I’ll make it for you.”

Sade said their most popular selling hot dog is a chili cheese hot dog.

“We have basically any topping you want,” Sade said. “It’s not a normal hot dog.”

Daniels said he takes pride in selling his 100 percent beef hot dogs.

“They’re something you can’t buy in the store,” Daniels said. “I want to sell high-quality dogs, and I make my chili fresh every morning.”

Denson said he is friends with the owners and recommends Whatchawant to everyone.

“I’m definitely going to spread the word for everyone to come here,” Denson said. “They’re great hot dogs.”

The hot dog stand may be one of many in the near future.

“We’re hoping to get another cart started on the other side of campus,” Sade said. “By the end of the summer, hopefully we’ll have one on the other side.”

Whatchawant hot dog cart is open Monday– Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. next to the Student Center by the Tiger Transit stop.

“I want to let all my fans know that I love them and thank you for all their support,” Daniels said.

“Without the students, I wouldn’t be here.”

Sarah may / assistant photo editor

Sade Daniels prepares a Whatchawant hot dog with ketchup and mustard for Chris Denson.

Board of Trustees approves Toomer’s Corner makeover Derek Herscovici Campus Reporter

The mourning period for Toomer’s Corner is over.

The Auburn University Board of Trustees met at Auburn University Montgomery campus Friday, Feb. 7, to approve funding for the removal of the contaminated soil beneath the corner and remodeling of the brick area behind the historic gates to the school.

“Once the trees were determined that they needed to be removed, we went through a number of different committees and processes to figure out what to do with the University’s corner in [downtown] Auburn,” said Dan King, vice president of facilities management.

The board approved $900,000 from the University’s general fund to complete the makeover in two phases across the next two years.

The first phase comprises all of what King calls the “hardscape” work: removing the bricks and pavers on the existing corner, digging, cleaning out and safely removing the contaminated soil, and completing the construction changes to the new area.

A new feature of the corner will be the circular seat wall set behind the existing gates and path to Samford Hall.

“Right now, Toomer’s Corner is one of our most iconic spaces on campus, but if you want to go hang out there, you can’t,” King said. “There’s no place to sit. There’s not good lighting. You’re right at the corner where traffic is coming

back and forth. The circular seat wall is set a bit back [from the street], and I believe that it’ll become a nice addition to the campus and create another little gathering place that’s people friendly.”

“

Right now,Toomer’s Corner is one of our most iconic spaces on campus, but if you want to go hang out there, you can’t.”

—Dan King

Vice president of facilities management

Though the construction should not cause problems for traffic at the intersection of College and Magnolia, King said it will drastically affect pedestrian traffic between campus and the rest of downtown Auburn, which is why development won’t begin until after graduation in May. King said he estimates the “hardscape” work will be completed in time for the start of the 2014 football season, but the second phase of the project, planting the new trees, will come after.

“The trees will take a little longer because we have have to identify the exact candidates, go through a process called ‘root pruning,’ which causes the root ball to get bigger and denser and increases the likelihood of the tree being replanted

successfully,” King said. “Everything before transplanting the trees constitutes phase one.”

King said despite being extremely poisonous to plants, Spike 80DF, the herbicide used, is non-toxic to humans and there are no health concerns posed to the Auburn community before its removal.

A redesigned, tree-lined walkway leading to Samford Hall will be the last completed component to phase two in the summer before the 2015 football season.

“I can probably say with a good deal of certainty that the day we plant trees we will certainly have an event that brings out a lot of people,” said Mike Clardy, director of University communications.

Harrison Mills, SGA president, said in designing the new corner, the University reached out to various groups for ideas last year. “[2013 President] Owen Harris and his administration were heavily involved with facilities in the development of that master plan,” Mills said.

“Throughout the development they had a lot of student and faculty input in facilitating the design concept.”

The Board of Trustees also approved the construction of a graduate College of Business building, a recycling and service support facility on campus and an aviation school located next to the Auburn airport.

A $750,000 budget was approved for the graduate college of business building, in addition to individual contract firms for the projects.

contributed by christina brown, former graduate assistant

The Young Women’s Leadership Program mentors middle school girls from Auburn Junior High School.

Students mentor community girls Keely Shearer Campus Writer

Female students on Auburn’s campus are given the opportunity to help guide middle and high school girls into becoming young women every day.

The Auburn University’s Women’s Resource Center developed a research-based mentoring program called the Young Women’s Leadership Program in 2010.

Each woman involved in the program is paired with one middle school girl from Auburn Junior High School or Loachapoka High School.

‘Big sisters’ are required to meet with their ‘little sister’ at least once week for a minimum of one hour.

However, many times, students like Megan Skipper, sophomore in human development and family studies, visit with their littles above the required meeting hours.

“I’ll meet with her twice a week, maybe about two hours each time, and that is in addition to the time we spend together at the junior high school, with the other big and littles in the program,” Skipper said.

Through activities, mentors are able to help their mentees with the everyday challenges dealing with family, friends, relationships and peer pressure.

Ashley Edwards, junior in social work, has been involved in the Young Women’s Leadership Program for two years.

“The things that we teach them are things

that I never knew,” Edwards said. “So, I learn a lot from the curriculum, such as how to solve conflicts and how to deal with messy relationships.”

While the program benefits middle school girls by helping their transition into becoming a young woman, it is also a great opportunity for Auburn’s college students to grow.

“I have been involved with this a whole semester now, and I’ve already seen a few changes in myself, in my leadership abilities and how I talk to people,” Skipper said. “Also, the friendships that you make are just incredible and long lasting.”

According to Edwards, the program is beneficial to the community as a whole because it provides outreach to at-risk adolescents, virtually at no cost.

“Another thing you wouldn’t expect to gain by being involved in this program is an awesome support group of people who attend Auburn too,” Skipper said.

Many of the college students already involved in the program hope to continue with it in the future.

The Young Women’s Leadership Program also allows graduate assistants to engage in the program.

“I would love to still be an instrumental part of this program,” Skipper said. “If that were in the plans and worked out for me, I would love to continue my involvement with the program.”

To read more about the Young Women’s Leadership Program visit ThePlainsman.com.

Campus A4

The Auburn Plainsman

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Coming to a dining hall near you

Chicken Salad Chick will come to campus starting Fall 2014 Juan Price

Campus Writer

emily brett / graphics edtior

College of Business MBA valuable across the board Kate Seckinger

Contributing Writer

Auburn’s MBA program knows how to get down to business.

In its most recent rankings, the graduate program at the Raymond J. Harbert College of Business placed second in the nation for “Best Financial Value” by “U.S. News and World Report.”

The esteemed survey revealed Auburn MBA graduates had the second highest salaryto-debt ratio in the nation, with a score of 6.72.

In other words, an MBA graduate from Auburn makes a starting salary 6.72 times greater than their average debt.

“Our mission statement says that we are dedicated to producing highly desired graduates,” said Bill Hardgrave, dean of the College of Business. “We’re purposely doing things to make the students more attractive for the industry, which pushes up the salaries of our graduates.”

Even in hard economic times, Auburn’s business school has been successful in keeping its cost in check, and, most importantly, maintaining its value.

“Our students are deciding to spend a year and a half where they’re not working, so that’s a huge investment of time and money on their part,” said Stan Harris, associate dean for graduate and international programs. “We want them to feel like the time they’ve taken to do this program is ultimately worth it. The investment is more than just money.”

According to data collected by U.S. News, the average Auburn MBA graduate earns an average starting salary of $57,169 while having an average debt of $8,500.

The average graduate school debt totals more than $30,000, which is thousands more than an Auburn graduate’s debt.

To keep that number low and the salary-to-debt ratio high, the Harbert College of Business offers a generous number of graduate research assistantships.

In the fall of 2013, 26 of 28 entering MBA students had an assistantship, or were paid a salary to attend Auburn while they worked for faculty.

“The student gets money, the faculty gets help and the student gets hands-on learning and work experience,” Harris said.

“It’s a win-win for the faculty and the student.”

While assistantships provide opportunities, the last thing

they provide is free money.

On an assistantship, students work an average of 14 hours per week to give back to the College of Business, on top of their regular coursework.

Even so, finances aren’t the only things that make a program valuable.

“Great programs start with great students and great faculty,” Hardgrave said. “I’m not trying to over simplify it, but it really is that simple. If you have great students and great faculty you will have a great program. I would put our students and our faculty up against any in the country.”

Accomplished MBA student Lauren Little, graduate student in business administration, feels the U.S. News ranking is justified, but not just for the low price she’s paying.

“I’m learning a lot, and I feel like what I’m learning is really helpful and applicable to the career I want,” Little said.

“Auburn professors seem to be very experienced and have a lot of knowledge of the business world.”

Little said she agrees it is rare to find administrators who care as much as hers do.

“I know it’s very cliché, but in this program you definitely feel the sense of the ‘Auburn Family,’” Little said. “From the administrative staff to the professors and students in the program, you have a feeling that everyone is really supporting you and doing everything they can to help you succeed.”

In the fall, Auburn’s MBA program helped Little be nominated for the prestigious Mitchell Scholarship.

“We use assistantships as recruiting tools to recruit the best and brightest students,” said Jim Parrish, director of MBA Admissions and Operations.

“If a student has a strong background and test scores and they fit the ‘Auburn brand,’ then we want them in our cohort.”

Parrish said Auburn’s MBA program has great students, faculty and financial cost, but what makes it truly valuable is up to personal opinion.

“I think a huge asset of our program is that any student would benefit from the people that are working in it,” Parrish said. “From the folks who do the academic advising to our professors and faculty, they all have a unified front to help Auburn students succeed. Taking care of people on an individual basis is the Auburn way. The personalized approach to our MBA program is the thing that really sets Auburn apart.”

In fall 2014, Chicken Salad Chick will be welcomed to campus. It has already created a lot of buzz, including a tweet from SGA President Harrison Mills, who proclaimed his excitement about the restaurant coming to campus.

“I know students will enjoy this dining venue,” Mills said.

Glenn Loughridge, director of Campus Dining, credited Mills’ platform as part of the reason Chicken Salad Chick is coming to campus.

“Student feedback, especially from Harrison – it was one of his platforms last year – so, he was instrumental in getting us moving forward,” Loughridge said.

According to Loughridge, the new on-campus restaurant will be placed in a new expansion attached to the Foy Dining Hall.

With the new addition, campus dining hopes to give students more options.

“It’s a healthier option, and that is something that we’ve had a lot of student feedback on, which is to have a healthier, lighter option on campus,” Loughridge said.

The Chicken Salad Chick franchise has been in Auburn for six years and has more than 60 restaurants around the Southeast, according to their website.

“I am excited to see a new place open up on campus,” said Kevin McCulloch, freshman in mechanical engineering. “I can try something new and hopefully will come back a lot.”

The company was founded by 1999 Auburn grad Stacy Brown. Since the first store opened, the franchise has opened stores across the South every year. Although the restaurant seems to be growing, the owners stuck to their Auburn roots and established the headquarters in Auburn.

“I am interested to see what the restaurant has to offer that will be different from other restaurants on campus,” said Chris Barnes, freshman in computer science.

Campus Dining continues to add restuarants to campus, including Chicken Salad Chick, to join the brand name restau-

sarah may / assistant photo editor

Chicken Salad Chick will become an extenson of Foy Dining Hall in Fall 2014.

rants on campus, such as Chick-fil-A and Papa John’s.

“We are expecting it to be very successful,” Loughridge said. “This is an Auburn brand, these are Auburn folks that created a restaurant. They love this place.”

Mills said the restaurant will be a quality dining experience for students and will give students the chance to enjoy a popular local restaurant on campus.

For the future, the restaurant hopes to become more than just a dining venue for students to enjoy during the school year.

According to Loughridge, the plan for the restaurant is to make it available for football game days, which will launch the

brand even further for football seasons to come and allow more people to enjoy what Chicken Salad Chick has to offer.

“There will be an opportunity for some catering out there for game day tents and people who want to have something to walk to their tailgate with,” Loughridge said.

According to Loughridge, Chicken Salad Chick will open in November, with construction slated to begin soon.

Other plans for the University that students can look forward to include a Starbucks that will replace Lowder Lounge and provide a study space for students in Lowder.

Alumni business benefits current students Derek Herscovici Campus Reporter

You’ve distilled everything about yourself, your dreams and your accomplishments into a single, approximate page, but is it really you?

Myunfold.com, a portfolio building site, still in Beta form, allows students to supply a colored-in, rounded summary of themselves, providing recruiters and potential employers with a customized view of what they want them to see.

“We wanted to create a place where students can upload things and they know that it will add value instantly to them, coming off on the best foot forward professionally,” said Yujin Ghim, co-founder of Myunfold.com.

Combining the customizable ease of social media with the professional intentions of LinkedIn, Myunfold.com allows users to design their own multimedia portfolio and describe themselves in detail while still maintaining the professional credibility their experience demands.

“When I was putting mine together, I used information that might not be appropriate for every single resume I’m putting together but it gives people a rounder picture of who I am,” said Ashley Berglund, new Myunfold.com user.

Berglund, a 2011 graduate from Western Washington University, works as the director of a sailing club and says her role in management has given her a new perspective on profile-making and the hiring

process from the other end.

“I’m in a position where I hire people,” Berglund said. “If I know a little bit more about those people, or they have a resource list on myunfold, I’d be more interested in learning about them.”

Jonathan Henson, Myunfold.com cofounder and 2008 AUM graduate, said an added feature set to arrive once the website is complete is a type of “skills marketplace,” where companies can search for different users based on the experience and skills described in their profiles.

“Essentially, when you post something in your portfolio on Myunfold it gets tagged with certain skills,” Henson said. “You can also can take tests online or put in certifications, jobs and all of that goes into validating a skill score for a certain set of skills. Our algorithm will move you to the top of the search results for recruiters, and actually recruiters will make a job posting with the skills that they’re requesting and get a list of candidates in priority order.”

Even though there is no “right” way to writing a resume, the process can often be complicated by college career centers.

Myunfold puts control back in the hands of the applicant while taking away the stress of cutting a career down to a single page.

When the site is out of Beta mode in a few weeks, it could seriously change the way college students can begin their careers, Henson said.

emily brett / graphics editor

“This way, students can look for jobs instead of applying randomly and hoping that they get it,” Ghim said. “They can apply knowing that they’re qualified for the job and that they have a good shot at it.”

Professor discovers differences between religious and non-religious human brains Garrett Kizer

Contributing Writer

For years, scientists and teachers all over the world have called the brain “the final frontier.”

This month, Gopikrishna Deshpande, assistant professor in electrical and computer engineering, performed research on the brain activity of self-proclaimed religious and non-religious people.

Deshpande’s study with the National Institute of Health, NIH, found there are some regions of the brain that communicate differently with each other depending on if the person is religious or not religious.

“It’s really not the activation of different brain regions, but rather how different

brain regions communicate with each other,” Deshpande said.

Deshpande said the research he and the NIH performed takes a huge step down the path to completing the journey of mapping the brain.

“A lot of questions remained unanswered, and if you really did something, it really impacted people’s lives,” Deshpande said.

Deshpande said he and the NIH collaborate with many medical schools and other groups to perform their research.

The NIH and Deshpande’s research supports a theory that the human capacity for religion is due to development of certain brain regions during evolution.

“These connections [in the brain] how

strong they are or how weak they are– [are] actually controlled by both genetic and environmental factors,” Deshpande said. “So I think some people are born with a predisposition to be more religious, but that is not set in stone; your upbringing does matter.”

Adam Jortner, assistant history professor, said he helps prove humans are the only creatures with the capability for religious belief.

“Religion is probably as old as the human race,” Jortner said.

Raj Mohan, sociology professor, studies religion.

“Religion is a source of unification as well as a source of conflict and diversification,” Mohan said.

Opinion

A5

Thursday, February 13, 2014

ThePlainsman.com Our View

The do’s and don’ts of Valentine’s Day

Love on the Plains

grin and say “I love you.” Which might be a bad idea because…

Many people actively believe they know everything about love.

Luckily for you, we actually do know everything about love.

Couples struggle when it comes to coming up with romantic ideas on Valentine’s Day. Hold up, ladies and gentlemen!

Before raiding the neighboring village for… uh, ideas; take some of our advice. Take The Plainsman’s advice with our do’s and don’ts during this year’s holiday of love.

This week’s social media on the plains will feature candygrams sent using the #LoveOnThePlains Elise Mercer @Greg_Giraud is in love with @laceygossett and @lindsay_ryan01 #LoveOnThePlains

Don’t pull your phone out on a date.

We know the familiar itch in your pocket, but don’t forget you’re on a date with the person in front of you, not the people on your phone.

Our generation gets type-casted as narcissistic agorophobes; don’t let that be you. Interacting with a person who is, at a minimum, mildly interesting far exceeds the social currency obtained from texting.

From Jacob Clemmentine to Claire Kubilins Started as just friends… Now so much more :)

From Shea Davis to Amber Franklin My #LoveOnThePlains is my soup snake @a_franklin22

From Jonny Green to Leila MacCurrach

Don’t spend too much.

This should be fairly obvious.

Naturally, we all want to do something special. Look at your tuition and that should fix this problem.

You don’t need to go over the top and pop out of any food. Which leads us to our next point…

This is my girlfriends only valentines day present so let’s hope it makes it to print #LoveOnThePlains

From Austin Philips to The Plainsman Dear @TheAUPlainsman I love you. #LoveOnThePlains

Don’t say, “I love you,” just to say “I love you.”

“I love you” is reserved for those who actually mean it. Couples in the budding stages of a relationship are likely to feel a warm, fuzzy sensation. This feeling is more likely indigestion than actual love. We recommend Pepto-Bismol.

Emily Brett / graphics editor

Don’t pop out of any food.

This advice might not be so obvious. Popping out of food seems like a great idea. It’s spontaneous, exciting and delicious. However, wheeling out a giant cake anywhere other than a bachelor party leaves much to be desired.

Do get chocolate flowers.

Two birds, one stone.

Don’t propose on Valentine’s Day. It’s cliché. If you must propose,

do not place the ring inside any of her food. The last thing you want is for her to swallow it, which would make putting the ring on her finger… difficult.

Do test all of your chocolate for poison.

Check the packaging for breaks and tears. If you want to be sure, you need to taste test each, individual piece of chocolate. Your date might get a bit upset at you when you hand him or her a halfeaten box of chocolates, but just

Do show you care.

How, you might ask? Figure it out for yourself. This step requires you to do something personal enough only your significant other would appreciate. If she wants to stay in and watch that movie you hate, do it. If he has a collection of tacky camouflage hats, get him one. If this means doing research, you’re already behind.

Don’t see any made-for-Valentine’s-Day movies.

No man in his right-mind wants to see one of these movies. Ladies, if you care about your man, do not subject him to this sadistically gushy torture. Furthermore, going to the movies on Valentine’s Day is too easy.

Do something special and creative. Just don’t pop out of any cakes.

Her View

Intervention: cute couples face extinction Caitlin Shostak Assistant Online Editor

In response to our tweet “POLL: Which SGA president do you feel had the most impact?

Cody Sanders “I WAS THE SGA PRESIDENT!”

Current poll question: Who will you be with on Valentine’s Day? • My significant other • Just some friends • Me, myself and chocolate • Jack Daniels

Last poll results:

I’ve been cute-couple-kicking for at least a decade now. I don’t remember when my aversion to cute couples began, but something about the blissful titters, amorously glazed eyes and surreptitiously flexed biceps has always driven me bonkers.

Luckily, I discovered that a few flinty kicks on the back of a flirty couple’s seat was usually enough to snap a couple out of their trance.

Those were the simple days before we all had smartphones in our hand and the latest Twitter update only a finger tap away. It’s increasingly difficult to find cute couples so entranced with one another that they’ve forgotten the world and, consequently, how impossibly annoying they are.

Instead, they’ve been replaced

by couples whose eyes swivel constantly from the face of their partner to the siren glow of their phones. Their laughter sounds absentminded despite the agility of their busily tapping fingers on smartphones.

It’s sad to watch these preoccupied couples who are too distracted to become properly enraptured with one another. There’s nothing cute about them, nothing kickable.

There were a few moments this semester that made my feet tingle with hope. For instance, last Friday, a couple in the student center loudly discussed what love meant to them while I was trying to study.

They seemed like perfect candidates and I could practically feel my foot twitching. Peering over my classwork, I peeked at them and could see the girl glancing at her phone as she spoke. Disgusted, I left to study elsewhere.

Feeling a little nostalgic, I remembered the loud giggles and nauseating smooches of the “ador-

able” couples of yesteryears.

It was annoying, but their excessively starry-eyed delight with one another also happened to be the very thing that made them cute.

They were so joyfully mesmerized with each other they forgot to take those around them into consideration.

Unfortunately there is nothing adorable about individuals so selfabsorbed that they’re discourteous to both their partner and their peers.

Similarly, a few weeks earlier, the upcoming reunion of an acquaintance and her long-distance boyfriend gave me concern.

She planned to introduce us, but I worried I would feel uncomfortable witnessing the two exchange gooey regards when they reunited.

But, after the initial greetings, sufficiently sappy embraces and my introduction had finished, each partner began to thumb-fiddle their phone.

I was dismayed. The guy had

traveled 3 hours to visit his Auburn sweetie. With that kind of time commitment, I assumed he would have wanted to make the most of their fleeting moments together.

Love, both romantic and friendly, seems to be suffering from our culture’s endless technology obsession. An incoming text merits more devotion than a loved one or a moment of genuine intimacy.

As Valentine’s Day approaches, maybe it’s time to reassess our values and how much uninterrupted attention our loved ones deserve from us.

As for my twitchy feet, I’d gladly return to the days of careless cute-couple-kicking but, frankly, I’d be so relieved to see them return that I’d probably give the sport up for good.

Until then, I’m considering kicking habitual phone users. You never know, maybe it will cure their technology addiction and give them the time to truly love and appreciate someone special.

His View

Which SGA president do you think has had the most impact?

15% Harrison Mills 2013-2014

Focus on finding the Beyoncé to your Jay-Z Derek Herscovici Campus Reporter

22.7% Owen Parrish 2012-2013

39.5% Kirby Turnage 2011-2012

22.7% Kurt Sasser 2010-2011

The Plainsman wants to hear your voice!

Send us your tweets, photos, Facebook posts and letters to the editor. We want to know what you think about the issues.

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @TheAUPlainsman.

The phrase “Game Recognize Game” isn’t usually applicable to romance.

An adage used among pro-athletes and rappers to confer mutual respect for the other’s talents, abilities or accomplishments, it can also be used to determine a potential partner’s worth to you.

The power couple Jay-Z and Beyoncé is a good example.

Jay-Z spent most of his life before Beyoncé embodying “the hustle”: waking up every day in the face of adversity to go out and make that paper, dealing with fake people and leeches who want to celebrate your accomplishments

but not hang around when you fail.

The message of songs like “99 Problems” and “Can I Live” hold true not because we have 99 problems, but because we have too much to do to be distracted right now.

Beyoncé’s career has been a lesson on the power of a strong, independent women. Songs like “Irreplaceable” and “Upgrade U” speak to modern feminists everywhere that lesser options will fall away if you hold out for the right person. “Thought that I would fail without you/ But I’m on top/ Thought it would be over by now/ But it won’t stop,” Beyoncé sings on Destiny’s Child smash “I’m A Survivor.”

In 2008, Beyoncé Knowles married Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, bringing together two of the most dynamic and in-

The Editorial Board Kelsey Davis Editor-in-Chief

Cat Watson Online

Emily Brett Design

Elizabeth Wieck Managing Editor

Becky Hardy Campus

Chandler Jones Community

Jordan Hays Opinion

Justin Ferguson Sports

Kristofer Sims Multimedia

Anna Claire Conrad Anna Grafton Copy Photo

Opinion

Maddie Yerant Intrigue

Mailing Address Auburn Student Center Suite 1111H Auburn, AL 36849

Contact Phone 334–844–4130 Email opinion@theplainsman.com

fluential people in contemporary pop culture at the peaks of their careers.

Personally, I’ve been in and out of love more times than the entire Kardashian family, but its been a while. When I signed up to write this column, I actually forgot Feb. 14 was Valentine’s Day. Whether that makes me qualified to talk about love is your decision, but I’ve definitely learned a few things, the most important being that not everyone is worth your time.

Some people might like one side of you and not the rest, or they only call late at night when everyone else that they would rather talk to has gone asleep; they’ll go out, but not want to stay home some nights when you’re broke.

People will make whatever decisions they want to, but don’t ever forget that they’re still a real

Submissions The Auburn Plainsman welcomes letters from students as well as from faculty, administrators, alumni and those not affiliated with the University. Letters must be submitted before 4:30 p.m. on the Monday for publication. Letters must include the author’s name, address and phone number for verification, though the name of the author may be withheld upon request. Submission may be edited for grammar and/or length. Please submit no more than 400 words.

person, with their own feelings and their own set of ideals. The moment you try to bend someone to your will you will lose them.

So get to work. Forget that girl that never texts you or that guy flirting his way through the roll call in your class. Work on yourself and people will recognize your progress.

Don’t forget that you busted ass to go to college and you can still name the people who never made it, or that love never paid your bills or saved your grade and that you’ve been single for a hell of a lot longer than you’ve ever been with someone.

You’ve accomplished so much, and you shouldn’t settle for anything less than perfection.

Someday you will find the Beyoncé to your Jay-Z, and the results will have you feeling so “Crazy In Love.”

Policy The opinions of The Auburn Plainsman staff are restricted to these pages. This editorial is the majority opinion of the 13-member editorial board and are the official opinion of the newspaper. The opinions expressed in columns and letters represent the views and opinions of their individual authors and do not necessarily reflect the Auburn University student body, faculty, administration or Board of Trustees.

Community Thursday, February 13, 2014

A6 ThePlainsman.com

Community

New tastes for an old town Nick Hines

Community Writer

The Heart of Auburn development on South College Street will now include a new twist on an old college-diet original.

Uncle Maddio’s Pizza Joint opens in early April, introducing build-your-own pizza to Auburn.

“It’s a similar concept to Moe’s Southwest,” said Michael DiChiara, owner and manager of Auburn’s Uncle Maddio’s.

“You come in, you go down the line and you watch us actually build your pizza from the ingredients that you’re looking at.”

After six minutes in the oven, the pizza is brought out.

DiChiara said he is counting on students’ input to plan promotional specials.

“We want to hear from students about the drink specials we will have on beer and wine,” DiChiara said. “We are trying to really cater to students and what they want to have.”

Ideas include Thursday trivia nights and drink specials, according to DiChiara.

Uncle Maddio’s will look to students for employees. DiChiara expects to hire an above average number of part-time staff members because of the limited times students’ can be available to work.

Auburn is saturated with pizza places, from Mellow Mushroom and Little Italy’s downtown, to Johnny Bruscos on University Drive; but Megan McDowen, deputy economic development director, said she believes Auburn has the room.

The former location of the Heart of Au-

Emily Enfinger / Photographer

Uncle Maddio’s Pizza joint looks to open in spring.

burn Hotel now holds a CVS. Uncle Maddio’s and a Birmingham-based Greek restaurant Taziki’s will soon fill the empty business spaces neighboring the new CVS. McDowen said she believes adding the CVS may have generated interest in the Heart of Auburn building and said development had much to due with its proximity to campus was also a draw.

DiChiara said she believes the location will help draw customers to the new businesses.

“It’s almost like being downtown,” DiChiara said. “But we actually have parking where people can get in.”

McDowen also said she believes being walking distance from students, faculty and staff will be the key to success for the new businesses.

Katie Knell, sophomore in apparel merchandising, said she usually chooses Mellow Mushroom when deciding where to get pizza. However, Knell said she be-

lieves Auburn has enough room for more pizza restaurants.

“I think [Uncle Maddio’s] will be a fine edition,” Knell said. “It’ll be another way to create community in Auburn.”

Johnny Bruscos owner, Kevin Bobo, said he is not concerned about the new competition.

“Obviously, it’s going to have a little bit of an effect,” Bobo said. “But at the same time, restaurants open everyday in this town, so I don’t see it being too big of a deal.”

Auburn is growing, and interest in new developments, such the rennovated Heart of Auburn, show the city is an attractive option for small business owners, McDowen said.

“It is just a really thriving place,” DiChiara said. “It’s a great place to live.

It’s got an SEC school. Everybody is very tied-in and pro Auburn. Once you embrace that Auburn side of things, you really feel like you are part of the university.”

Blues and beer enter the atmosphere Ashtyne Cole

Community Reporter

The Opelika Event Center will be brewing up a good time Saturday, Feb. 15, with its second annual Winter Brewfest: Rhythm and Blues.

The Brewfest, brimming with vendors, allows guests to sample multiple beers from the region, including many IPAs. A ticket to enter the Brewfest costs $25 per person. Each guest receives three drink tickets, with one ticket being equivalent to one drink.

“We decided to allow the tickets to be exchanged for wine and well drinks, not only beer,” said Lisa Ditchkoff, owner of the Event Center Downtown.

Ditchkoff also said because the event falls on Valentine’s weekend, he and his staff wanted to accommodate the spouses or girlfriends who prefer wine or a mixed drink to beer.

While this is only the second year of the Winter Brewfest, Ditchkoff predicts to have many more people attend, compared to the 250 who attended last year.

Ditchkoff said he believes attendance will grow due to the popularity of the event.

The Brewfest offers more than 40 different beers to sample. Westbrook, Caldera, Whole Hog, Ass Kisser, Blue Moon, Sweetwater, Thomas Creek, and Good

Contributed by Opelika Event Center

Attendees enjoy the creative environment of laster year’s Winterfest.

People will bring the winter-themed beers and IPAs. “The doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the featured bands, Trace Pridgen and Josh Adams, will begin performing at 7 p.m.,” said Clemon Byrd, director of entertainment. “We are very excited about the

event.”

According to Ditchkoff, Trace Pridgen band will begin playing at 7–9 p.m., followed by Josh Adams.

“Pridgen is a 24-year-old Opelika native with a big following base, and he gets booked for a lot of parties,” Ditchkoff said. “Josh Adams is an Auburn Police officer and a singer-song writer. They’re both as cute as they can be.”

The bands will play cover music and original songs during the craft beer tasting from 7-9 p.m.

Regular beers that the Center carries will be provided and the house wines will also be available.

“This event should be a big thing for both our bands,” Pridgen said. “We’re going to do a lot of intermingling during the show, it’s always a lot of fun when two local guys or bands get the chance to perform together.”

Pridgen even said she promises those who attend the event “Wagon Wheel” will definitely be played, along with many other covers the crowd can sing along and dance to. Pridgen said the event promises to be a great time for all attending.

The Brewfest offers the Auburn and Opelika area a night to try new beer and mingle with vendors and other beer lovers while listening to good music.

Sara May / Assistant Photo Editor

Patrons of the Vault enjoy many of its features like TVs and billiards.

A look back at...

The Vault

Ashtyne Cole

Community Reporter

Not many college towns can boast a bar that was once a historic bank, but Auburn can.

In downtown Auburn, The Vault stands among restaurants and boutiques and resembles a typical college bar. But behind the beer and tacos lay years of history, serving customers inside Auburn’s first bank.

The Bank of Auburn began construction in 1906 and opened its doors Jan. 3, 1907.

The location of the Bank, situated across from Toomer’s Drug Store was no accident.

Sheldon Toomer, the owner, decided it was time for Auburn to be home to a bank.

According to Auburn history, Toomer and Auburn locals had to travel seven miles to the nearest bank by horse and buggy. These trips became tiresome and Toomer decided he would open a bank to benefit Auburn and the University.

Over the years, the bank building has seen many different businesses come and go.

From a cigar shop to a coffee shop and now a bar.

The Vault has a unique aspect all it’s own, the incorporation of Auburn history. Auburn values history and tradition above all else, and the Vault is no exception. The original bank vault is still remains in the exact spot and now used for something a different than money.

“We still use the old bank vault,” said manager Ben Barley said. “It houses our dry storage, supplies and serves as a li-

quor cabinet.”

Historically, the Vault also has a strict 21 and older policy, attracting an older crowd in downtown Auburn. But throughout the years, The Vault’s policies have changed.

“We’ve always been a bar that was 21 and up,” Barley said. “But when Sky Bar and 17/16 came along, we had to adjust the age limit.”

During the week, The Vault allows those 19 and older to enter.

“You would think the history of this place would be widely known around town,” Barley said. “But it’s not. We’re more of a chill place to hang out, not a party party place like all the 19 year olds want.”

Bodega, also a bar, inhabited the Bank from 1999–2009, when The Vault took over.

“Before I graduated, I would go to The Vault with people from class and we could work on group projects at a table,” said Cameron Traylor, Auburn graduate. “It is a lot different from any other bar in Auburn.”

Barley said the laid back atmosphere sets The Vault apart from other bars in the area.

“I just like how the whole bar seems like a place you can sit around and hang out with your friends,” said Faith Woodruff-Blinn, junior in general social sciences. “It is a relaxed place.”

The businesses inside the Auburn Bank vault have changed throughout the years but has always remained a place for the residents of Auburn to gather and commune.

Auburn Activities Monday

Sunday 16 Josh Adams. War Eagle Supper Club

17 Free Pool and $4 pitchers. 17/16

Tuesday 18 Catechist Meeting.

St. Michael’s Catholic Church. 5:30-8 p.m.

Karaoke. Sky Bar. 9 p.m.

Wednesday 19 $4 Dinner. Wesley Foundation. 7– 8 p.m.

Blackberry Breeze and Ty Reynolds Band. SkyBar. 7 p.m.

Thursday 20 $3 Dinner and DIVE worship service.

Auburn United Methodist. 7 and 8 p.m. $2 Dinner.

Auburn First Presbyterian Church of Auburn. 5:15 p.m.

Friday

Saturday

21

22

Creativity and Charlie Muncaster. Sky Bar. 7 p.m. $2 Wells

25th Annual Love Your Heart Run & 7th Annual Crank Your Heart Ride Chewacla State Park.

1-mile and 10k distances. $25. For more visit Loveyourheartrun.com

Thursday, February 13, 2014

The Auburn Plainsman

Community A7

Musician playing to the tune of his crowd Ashtyne Cole

Community Reporter

Contributed by Trace Pridgen

Pridgen commonly performs country-music covers.

Local musician Trace Pridgen prides himself on providing a good time for all every time he steps onstage.

An Opelika native, Pridgen knows what the residents of Auburn, and the surrounding area, want to hear. He tries to condense his description of his music style as “southern rock-ish,” but his motto strives to not be limited to one genre – “but he strives to not limit himself to one genre.”

Pridgen began his music career at the piano keys and did so through high school.

“I quit playing for a while until my freshman year of college,” Pridgen said. “I picked up a guitar, then after a while realized playing wasn’t enough for me. I wanted more. I wanted to perform.”

Prigden began performing at favorite local hangouts, including Toomer’s Coffee and Shakey’s Pizza. Pridgen said he begged to play in some places, learned the ropes of the industry and went from there.

“When you first start out in music, the word ‘benefit’ is thrown around a lot,”

Pridgen said. “‘Will you play this benefit?’ means ‘I’m not gonna pay you.’ As you go on, the less benefits you have to do.”

As he advanced in his career playing weddings and fraternity parties, Pridgen began to make a name for himself in the community.

“Trace is very popular and has a big following,” said Lisa Ditchkoff, owner of the Opelika Event Center. “A lot of people book him for their parties.”

Pridgen performs Saturday, Feb. 15 at the Event Center’s Winter Brewfest at 7 p.m.

At the event, Pridgen will perform with his usual band, but with a band comprised of locals Josh McKenzie, Cory Spicer and Jimmy Green.

Pridgen and the band perform at venues, such as Niffer’s, and private parties. When Pridgen travels to Birmingham or Atlanta, he has a chance to perform original songs.

Pridgen dedicated his time to his first EP. Pridgen said he believes it will be produced and released on iTunes during the summer.

The EP will feature three original songs and two covers.

This week’s happenings in Auburn

From the desk of:

Chris Warren

Director of Libraries for the city of Auburn • Chris Warren started working for Auburn Libraries as Director 14 months ago. Warran said since coming to Auburn, he’s found the community “welcoming” and “fantastic.”

• Warren said right now the library plans to continue expanding its e-book collection which currently stands at 1,803, and those uses are up nearly 32 percent.

• The semi-annual Friends at the Library book sale will be Saturday, March 22 between 8 a.m.–1 p.m. at the Dean Road Recreation Center. It will sell books from novels to textbooks ranging in price from hardback books at one dollar and 50 cents for paper back.

All proceeds go to library activities.

• Reading Recommendations:

If on a Winter’s Night a Traveler by Italo Calvino

Girl Who Stopped Swimming by Joshilyn Jackson

nw Zadie Smith

Warren said:

“We’re trying constantly to anticipate what the community needs and continually inspire, amaze and enrich people’s lives.”

Chris Warren 319 9.888x10.0 Newspaper Ad J.pdf

1

2/10/14

2:01 PM

Next week: Forrest Cotten, Planning Director

As for a favorite song, Pridgen said “not Wagon Wheel.” According to Pridgen, the band usually plays “weird” versions of older songs, such as a bluesy rendition of “Superstitious” by Stevie Wonder and a unique performance of “Come Together” by The Beatles.

“The Auburn area likes country music and are not too kind to original songs,” Pridgen said. “Honestly, no one gives a crap about originals, so we stick to covers to make the crowd happy.”

Pridgen said his favorite part of performing would be the immediate response of a song. Pridgen said playing a song that has been in the works for a while and seeing people dancing and singing along to the music matters more than standing on the stage and singing.

“I’ve known Trace for years,” said Amanda Enloe, senior in english. “He’s just a cool and ‘real’ guy.”

In the upcoming months, Pridgen said he plans to perform at the Auburn Color Run, sponsored by Four Corner’s Ministries at the end of March, and at a venue in Augusta, Ga.

Crime Time

Staff report

Sunday, Jan. 26, the Auburn Police Division arrested Reginald McClendon, 23, Zederic Andrews, 24, and Dcrawford Toles, 21, all of Montgomery, on burglary charges.

The APD also charged Andrews with receiving thirddegree stolen property and carrying a pistol without a permit, according to a Feb. 10 news release At approximately 4 a.m. officers responded to a suspicious noises and persons incident reported in the 1500 block of Kendal Court.

Based on a description, responding officers arrived in the area and located McClendon, Andrews and Toles still in the vicinity.

Numerous items, determined recently stolen, were located within their vehicle.

The stolen items come from residences within the 800 block of W. Longleaf Drive and the 100 block of Harmon Drive. Various property, including electronic devices valued at over $4,500, was recovered by police.

Victims told officers an unknown individual entered their residence while they were away.

All three suspects were transported to the Lee County jail. McClendon and Toles both have a bond currently set at $3,000, and Andrew’s bond is currently set at $15,000.

Sports

A8

Thursday, February 13, 2014

ThePlainsman.com

Sports

scoreboard men’s basketball

Ryan Tella (CF)

Jordan Ebert (LF) Dan Glevenyak (SS)

Anfernee Grier (RF) Damon Haecker (2B)

11-10 (3-7 SEC)

Daniel Robert (1B)

Damek Tomscha (3B)

LAST WEEK Win vs. S. Carolina, 79-74 Loss at Georgia, 87-80 THIS WEEK Feb. 15 vs. Miss. St. (13-10)

Keegan Thompson (SP)

women’s basketball

Dillon Ortman (SP)

Trey Cochran-Gill (SU)

Blake Austin (C) Terrance Dedrick (CP)

Michael O’Neal (SP)

graphic by raye may / design editor photos contributed by auburn athletics

Opening Day is on the way baseball

13-10 (4-6 SEC) LAST WEEK Win vs. Miss. St., 51-43 THIS WEEK Feb. 13 at Vanderbilt (17-5) Feb. 16 vs. Missouri (14-10)

baseball

Golloway previews depth chart and rotation as the Tigers prepare to open season at Snowbird Classic Kyle Van Fechtmann Sports reporter

THIS WEEK Feb. 14 vs. Indiana State* Feb. 15 vs. Ohio State* Feb. 16 vs. Connecticut* Feb. 19 vs. Alabama State *Snowbird Classic in Port Charlotte, Fla.

softball

LAST WEEK Tie at Troy, 5-5 Win vs. N. Dakota St.*, 11-3 Win vs. Morehead St.*, 12-0 Win vs. UL-Monroe*, 9-2 Loss vs. Notre Dame*, 3-2 Win vs. Tennessee Tech*, 8-4 *Plainsman Invite in Auburn THIS WEEK Tiger Invitational: Feb. 1416 vs. Marshall, Loyola, NebOmaha, W. Illinois, Winthrop

gymnastics

Ranked No. 12 in nation LAST WEEK Win at Air Force, 195.950193.025 THIS WEEK Feb. 14 vs. No. 5 Alabama

After three final inter-squad scrimmages, the Auburn baseball team’s lineup is set, and the Tigers are ready to open their season in Port Charlotte, Fla. this weekend, Feb. 14-16.

“I thought we played three intersquad games that were really clean,” said head coach Sunny Golloway following their last preseason scrimmage Feb. 9. “They were hard fought contests. Nobody swept the series, both teams were very competitive.”

Although the first-year head coach was impressed with the competitiveness of the three scrimmages, Golloway was more focused on how both teams played out the weekend series.

“They’re executing,” Golloway said.

“We’re laying down drag bunts, we’re hitting and running, and we played really good defense.”

Throughout the weekend, both teams combined only committed two errors in the field.

That level of clean baseball in the field is important to Golloway, who expects Auburn’s defense to lead the way in 2014.

Although Golloway was impressed with defense, he said his team needs to

improve on pitching by throwing more first-pitch strikes and being smarter with their pitches.

One pitcher who stood out to Golloway in the weekend series was freshman starter Keegan Thompson.

“Guys got into scoring position against Keegan, and you’d think he was a junior out there,” Golloway said.

“I would say senior but he won’t spend his senior year in college because he’s too talented.”

Thompson got the start in the Sunday scrimmage on Feb. 9, just like he earned the start on the mound for the Tigers’ game Sunday, Feb. 16 against University of Connecticut.

In the final scrimmage, Thompson pitched five complete innings while only allowing one run and two hits.

“His pitching performance was no surprise,” Golloway said. “We left yesterday saying if the series is tied one game a piece, it’s nice to know you’ve got Keegan Thompson to go on Sunday. And that’s why he’s there. He gives the whole club a little bit of a comfort zone.”

When he’s not pitching in the Sunday spot, Thompson is expected to have a starting spot in the field at first base.

The freshman is also expected to play

as a designated hitter in some games.

When Thompson is pitching, freshman Daniel Robert will play first base.

Other freshmen have also earned spots starting in the field.

Damon Haecker will start at second base and Anfernee Grier will start in right field.

“Over the weekend, we’ve had five freshmen running with our number ones at any given time,” Golloway said.

“They’re freshmen on the field because they’re talented. There’s a reason why they’re on the field. They can play, and we think we’ve done a pretty good job of teaching the game, so let’s get them out there and show their ability.”

Although there are going to be at least a few freshmen starting this season, they would not be there without the senior class’ leadership.

Auburn’s 2014 senior class also makes up for more than half of the starting lineup.

Senior captains Dan Glevenyak, Damek Tomscha, Blake Austin, and Ryan Tella will start at shortstop, third base, catcher and centerfield, respectively.

The opening day starter on the mound will be senior right-hander Dillon Ortman, and senior left-hander Mi-

chael O’Neal will start on Saturday games.

Terrance Dedrick, also a senior, will be Auburn’s closer.

The only starter, as of now, who is a not freshman or senior is sophomore left fielder Jordan Ebert.

Junior Trey Cochran-Gill will be the setup man in the pitching rotation.

Five seniors will be sporting the ‘C’ on their jerseys this season because Golloway wants his captains to step up when things get tough on the diamond.

“Those are the guys I think have done the best job of leading our young guys, showing them the right way to do things. And that’s not just on the field,” Golloway said. “They were chosen by the team, one of them was chosen by our coaches, they’re there for a reason.”

After a successful fall adjusting to a new system and new head coach and then successful preseason scrimmages, the team is finally ready for opening day, Feb. 14, against Indiana State.

“The most important game we play all year might be our first game,” Golloway said. “These guys have worked very hard in the weight room, they’ve worked really hard doing everything right and I want them to see the reward for their hard work.”

Women’s basketball

Ready to make a run down the SEC stretch David McKinney Sports writer

With just six games left in the regular season, the Auburn women’s basketball team knows what lies ahead of them.

With a 4-6 mark in the Southeastern Conference, Auburn holds the ninth spot in the latest league standings.

Auburn will play three of its last six games at home, and senior guard Tyrese Tanner said the team knows it needs to finish strong.

“Our practices leading up to the games, we have to be really focused,” Tanner said. “If we have bad practices, we have bad games, but if we have good practice, then we have good games.”

The Tigers are currently on a two-game winning streak that started when the team snapped a four-game losing streak at Arkansas on Feb. 9.

jenna burgess / photographer

Senior Tyrese Tanner leads Auburn’s fast break offense against Mississippi State, Feb. 9.

For that run to happen, Tanner will have to be at the top of her game because, for the most part, as goes Tanner, so go the Tigers.

“She is their leader,” said Auburn head coach Terri Williams-Flournoy. “They feel

comfortable when Tyrese is playing well.”

According to WilliamsFlournoy, Tanner’s leadership isn’t just limited to the offensive side of the ball.

“When she does score, it makes everyone else feel even

better on the defensive end,” Williams-Flournoy said.

Defense, Williams-Flournoy said, is what it’s going to take to make that down-the-stretch run the Tigers need.

“We have to realize that it’s our defense that’s going to

win games for us,” WilliamsFlournoy said. “When the ball leaves your hand [to take a shot] it’s 50-50, but defense is nothing but effort and heart.”

The last two games, Auburn has held their opponents to under 50 points, after allowing over 70 in each game of the four-game skid.

“Our team philosophy is defense, we get a lot of energy off the defense,” said junior guard Hasina Muhammad. “Once we get one steal, we just got to get another. Obviously, it’s a lot easier to score in transition rather than setting up a play.”

Williams-Flournoy reiterated the importance of the Tigers’ ability to create turnovers.

“That’s what we do,” Williams-Flournoy said. “sThat’s the way our press is designed.

We want to cause havoc; we want to make the game as ugly as possible.”

Thursday, February 13, 2014

The Auburn Plainsman

Sports A9

gymnastics

Tigers ready to break ‘The Streak’ against rival powerhouse Alabama Kyle Van Fechtmann Sports Reporter

Coming off of three exhausting road meets, which featured two ice storms and trips to Baton Rouge, Fayetteville and Colorado Springs, the No. 10 gymnastics team is ready to finally be home and looking to snap Alabama’s 106-meet winning streak this Friday night, Feb. 14 in Auburn Arena.

“Not only is it better that the girls get back and get to rest up, we’re exhausted, we’re beat up,” head coach Jeff Graba said. “They get to sleep in their own beds. But it’s also we get to be in front of our fans, that’s a lot of energy that these people bring.”

The Auburn-Alabama rivalry is not only in full-swing nowadays with football. The Iron Bowl of gymnastics this Friday in Auburn will pull fans from both fan bases. “[The home crowd] has a huge impact,” Graba said. “That’s why Alabama is bussing fans down. They’re trying to make this their home field advantage.

“So, we need the student section to show up because it’s a huge rivalry for us, and we draw a lot of energy off of the fan base.”

As they prepare, the team is doing their best to focus on only what they can control, but is not ignoring the importance of a meet like this against a top-five team, which happens to be their rival.

“Not only is it just Alabama, it’s also that they’re a multi-time national champion and sort of a juggernaut in gymnastics,” Graba said. “It’s a huge opportunity for our program to prove to the rest of the country that we’re competitive with a top five program.”

On a relatively young team with many freshmen having an impact on the final scores, the upperclassmen have guided

5.55

File

Bri Guy performs her floor routine during a SEC meet at Auburn Arena last season.

them on how to handle the pressure that comes with a meet of this magnitude.

“The nice thing is, going to LSU and Arkansas on the road,” Graba said. “I think our freshmen are now starting to listen to our upperclassmen because they were able to say what kind of environment that’s going to be and how aggressive it can be on the road.”

Luckily for the freshmen, their first Alabama meet of their careers will be at home, and they will not have to deal with the Tuscaloosa road environment until later in the season.

Not only does having a home meet help

with drawing more fans than the visiting team, it also helps Auburn with the event rotation.

“That’s the advantage of being at home, the away team has to finish on beam in a hostile environment,” Graba said. “It’d be good if our fan base was there and loud and aggressive.”

Graba said the meet could be decided during the final rotation of the night and is confident this team will be able to handle the pressure.

“To me, the identity of this team seems to rise to the occasion, so I’m expecting us to be really good this Friday,” Graba said.

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The Auburn Plainsman

Please recycle The Auburn Plainsman!

Sudoku Level:

By The Mepham Group

1 2 3 4

Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Nichols Lewis

ACROSS 1 Exemplar of cruelty 7 Approach furtively, with “to” 14 Split and united?

15 2001 Disney film subtitled “The Lost Empire” 17 Pioneer transports 18 Animal’s paw warmer?

19 Boston-toProvidence dir.

20 Strauss’s “__ Rosenkavalier” 21 Neighbor of Ger. 22 Subject of a China/India/ Pakistan territorial dispute 26 Tokyo airport 29 Animal’s hiking gear?

30 Animal’s laundry?

31 Put in a zoo, say 32 Tippy transport 33 Suffix like “like” 34 Sets the pace 36 Marcel Marceau character 39 Indian spice 41 Assistant professor’s goal 44 Animal’s golf club?

47 Animal’s undergarment?

48 Like some bagels 49 Undoes, as laws 50 Heart lines: Abbr.

51 Brief life story?

52 HEW successor 54 Animal’s apartment?

58 Melodic 61 Wet ink concern 62 Night noises 63 One on the lam 64 Hot spots DOWN 1 Stitches 2 The Palins, e.g.

3 Animal’s timepiece?

4 Wall St. debut 5 Obama, before he was pres.

Solution to last Sunday’s puzzle

4/21/13

Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders)

6 NFL stats 7 More secure 8 “Do __ else!”

9 CCLXXX x II 10 Trail 11 Lab blowup: Abbr.

12 Paradise 13 Turns on one foot 16 Psalm instruction 20 Cartoonist Browne 23 Health resort 24 Crone 25 Neil __, Defense secretary under Eisenhower 26 Continuous 27 Past 28 “The American Scholar” essayist’s monogram 29 Portuguese king 30 Swindled 32 Low islet 35 Coastal flier 36 Animal’s instrument?

37 It surrounds the Isle of Man 38 Vigor 39 Gp. in a 1955 labor merger

40 Coffee holder 42 Ram’s mate 43 Ultra-secretive org.

44 Burns bread and butter?

45 Tips may be part of it 46 Lively Baroque dances 47 Corp. head honcho

49 Fingerprint feature 51 Ruination 53 Cong. meeting 55 Anatomical bag 56 Victorian, for one 57 Die dot 58 Donkey 59 Biological messenger 60 Debtor’s marker

ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE:

xwordeditor@aol.com

By Mark Feldman (c)2013 Tribune Media Services, Inc.

01/23/13

01/23/13

Sports A10

The Auburn Plainsman

Thursday, February 13, 2014

football

‘You will never have another moment like that’ Auburn play-by-play announcer Bramblett reflects on the football Tigers’ 2013 turnaround, their run to the BCS National Championship Game, and the two calls that changed his career

Eric Wallace Sports Reporter

Few Auburn fans will forget the shock they felt when Ricardo Louis hauled in Nick Marshall’s 4th and 18 Hail Mary against Georgia.

Even fewer will forget the pandemonium that followed Chris Davis’ 109-yard Iron Bowl winning field goal return.

The plays lasted just a combined 29 seconds, but Auburn broadcaster Rod Bramblett’s passionate radio calls forever captured the collective shock and pandemonium that rippled through, not only a fanbase, but the entire nation.

“It’s the type of moments that, as a broadcaster, you get in the business and you try to prepare yourself for those kind of moments,” Bramblett said. “The majority of us never get a moment like that, much less two, much less two, in backto-back games.”

One year after Auburn had finished a program worst 3-9, which Bramblett described as the “hardest job that I’ve ever had to do,” backto-back ‘miracles’ and a turnaround season had thrust Auburn back into the national spotlight.

Standing alongside in that spotlight was the voice of those Auburn Tigers.

“I’m not going to lie to you, it was cool,” Bramblett said. “I was happy for our broadcast crew and for Auburn to get all that positive attention out of the national media. Auburn was the darling of the country there for about a week.”

While the ending to the Iron Bowl may have convinced some that the world stopped spinning, Bramblett was back on the job early the next morning, unaware of the impending media storm.

“I had to get up the next morning to fly to Ames, Iowa to do basketball,” Bramblett said.

“From the time I got on the plane in Auburn and I got off the plane in Ames, it had just gone off the deep end. I think part of it was the way that it ended.

“You just don’t ever see that, the ramifications of the game, and then the call and reaction afterwards.”

In a week he described as a total “blur,”

“

Most teams will have that game where they either don’t show up or take a step back, but this team just got better every single week, and that was really neat to watch.”

—Rod Bramblett

auburn img network play-by-play announcer

Bramblett made numerous appearances on national radio and television shows, including Fox and Friends, the Dan Patrick Show and the Tim Brando Show.

The national media swarmed over Bramblett, hungering to hear from the man who’d been the voice for what was being deemed one of the greatest endings in sports history.

“It got to the point where I had to start telling people I couldn’t do it,” Bramblett said. “That whole following week was just surreal.

“It was one of those things when you look back that you wish there was a way you could’ve just recorded every single thing you did because you will never have another moment like that.”

All in all, Bramblett’s radio calls from the Iron Bowl and Georgia games earned the 11year veteran the Alabama Sportscaster of the Year and Sports Illustrated Play-by-Play Announcer of the Year awards.

Those awards, Bramblett said, speak as much about the quality of color commentator Stan White and the rest of the Auburn IMG broadcast team.

“We all get along so well that it’s kind of like having a second family in the fall,” Bramblett said. “On the air, Stan brings that expertise that I will never have because he’s been through it.

I totally rely on him for the X’s and O’s, why they’re doing this or that. It’s something I have no knowledge of.”

Though Bramblett received most of the notoriety for the Iron Bowl call, White’s shriek-

contributed by auburn athletics

Rod Bramblett talks with head football coach Gus Malzahn during a “Tiger Talk” radio show in 2013.

ing ‘Oh my God’ is a perfect addition to the Iron Bowl call, according to Bramblett.

“What’s funny is when he says ‘Oh my God,’ our engineer turns his microphone off,” Bramblett said. “It’s an unwritten rule that on a big play like that that you don’t step on the playby-play guy.

“I thought it was perfectly timed, it was just enough and the funny thing is that even though his microphone is off, you can still hear him in the background.”

The Tigers eventually came up one miracle

short in the BCS National Championship Game, but Bramblett said he has never experienced anything quite like the 2013 season.

“Win or lose, that last game, the national championship game, I said, ‘This season was probably the most fun and rewarding season that I’ve been a part of,’ just because of where they came from and where they ended up,” Bramblett said. “Most teams will have that game where they either don’t show up or take a step back, but this team just got better every single week, and that was really neat to watch.”

club sports

Women’s rugby club on the rise in Auburn Kane Grimster

contributing writer

sarah may / assistant photo editor

Chris Denson celebrates in The Jungle student section after Auburn’s victory against archrival Alabama, Jan. 30.

men’s basketball

Students sound off on ‘The Jungle’ and the future of the Tigers’ program Wesley Baker

contributing writer

When did the “Cameron Crazies” decide to be crazy?

At some point in history, Duke Blue Devil basketball became the national titlewinning program it is today.

And sometime during the mid-1980’s, the students of Duke University decided their team needed a student section to complement their team’s effort on the court.

The arrival of Coach Mike Krzyzewski, more easily pronounced and spelled “Coach K,” ushered in a championship era of Duke basketball.

The Blue Devils’ new attitude transferred over to its student section, and the group known as the Cameron Crazies found they had become the “blue” print for every college basketball student section in the nation.

Through their creative and consistent cheers, The Crazies have seen their be-

loved “Dukies” go on to win countless rivalry, tournament and championship games.

Auburn’s latest football season has turned several fans into somewhat of dreamers when it comes to their Tigers on the hardwood after they came close to beating a ranked Florida team and then went a three-game SEC winning streak.

On the Plains, a few students believe Auburn’s The Jungle section could one day become like the Cameron Crazies.

“Psychologically, the students give the opposing players an intimidating atmosphere while hyping up our team,” said Dustin De La Garza, senior in mathematics education. “A good student section gives our team a better chance to win.”

Others say the student section could only grow in size and prestige if the team continues to perform well.

“It has to be a two-way deal between the players and the students,” said Auburn student Willard Armstrong.

While some basketball-loving Auburn students look to the section at Duke’s Cameron Indoor Stadium — which has some architectural similarities to Auburn Arena — the football stadium across the street from the Tigers’ newest facility could be another source of inspiration.

“Jordan-Hare Stadium gives me chills when the student section is full, and that has to do something for our football team,” said Stephen Bradford, senior in health services administration. “We need the same effort [at basketball games], and maybe more tailgating.”

Although football has most of the year-round spotlight on campus, several fans have called for a well-rounded student section like the one at the University of Florida, which won both football and men’s basketball national championships in the 2007-08 season.

“I believe in Auburn and I believe we can win anything,” said Austin Baker, sophomore in communications.

Rugby is not a popular sport in the United States, but a group of women on Auburn’s campus are trying to change that.

After a few years of low membership, the Auburn women’s club rugby team has seen a growth in its numbers, which has breathed new life into the team.

Drew Cash, junior in rehabilitation and disability studies and philosophy, has been a member of the team for the past three years and contributed to the team’s recent rebuild.

“When I was in high school, I played on an AllStar team with two girls that played at Auburn,” Cash said. “I was already planning on coming to college here, so I got involved and helped keep it going, because there [were] a couple years where we didn’t really have a quality club.”

The team has rebuilt by recruiting other women around campus.

Karen Dillon, sophomore in exercise science, was also recruited to the team.

“I was just sitting at a basketball game with a couple of my friends, and two of the girls on the rugby team just turned around and started talking to us,” Dillon said.

“They invited us to practice.

I went and I got hooked.”

Dillon, who had no experience playing rugby prior to college — only two women on the team did — said rugby is a combination of more popular sports in the United States.

“There are the tackling aspects from football and the fast-paced movements from soccer,” Dillon said.

Although there are similarities to other team sports, the game can sometimes be

tough to explain to American newcomers.

“When people ask, I tell them to picture football field with two end zones,” said Helen Custodio, sophomore in industrial engineering. “You’re trying to get the ball to the other end, but you throw the ball backwards, and you continuously play, you don’t have to stop after someone gets tackled.”

Custodio said rugby is a multi-skilled sport, as it involves a mixture of speed, strength and endurance.

However, team members said the tackling and contact nature of rugby was what attracted them to the sport.

“I’d always wanted to play football in middle school,” Cash said. “But when I tried out for the team, they told me I couldn’t go on the field for liability reasons.

“So in eighth grade, I started playing rugby because I really wanted to play a contact sport.”

But according to Dillon, there is as much to be gained off the rugby pitch as there is on it.

“It’s not just about tackling,” Dillon said. “There’s good team camaraderie and a great amount of sportsmanship.”

Cash said rugby has given her the opportunity to meet people from all over the world and make friends she’ll have for the rest of her life.

Anyone looking for further information about the women’s club rugby team can go to the AUinvolve website, where the team’s contact details can be found.

“If anyone is interested in playing, they don’t have to know anything about the sport at all,” Cash said.

“We’ll teach them everything they need to know. So, come out and don’t be shy.”

Thursday, February 13, 2014

The Auburn Plainsman

Sports A11

contributed by auburn athletics

Junior Lukas Ollert hits a return shot during a match in 2013’s fall schedule.

This Week in Auburn Sports Men’s and Women’s Tennis

No. 24 Auburn battled back from an early deficit for the second straight match as the Tigers knocked off Florida Gulf Coast, 5-2, on Friday, Feb. 7, at the FGCU Tennis Complex.

Auburn (8-1) dropped the doubles point for the second straight match, but quickly regained ground in singles play against FGCU (15). Dennis Lengsfeld was the first Tiger off the court with a 6-2, 6-2 win on court two over FGCU’s Tianyu Bao. Petar Tomic cruised to a 6-3, 6-0 victory on court three to put the Tigers in front 2-1.

No. 89 Dante Saleh moved his winning streak to 11 straight matches, taking down FGCU’s Lucas Vaz 6-1, 6-4. Oliver Plaskett provided the clinching win to claim the match for the Tigers, posting a 6-4, 6-5 (5) win on court six over the Eagles’ Lance Lvovsky.

No. 112 Daniel Cochrane provided the highlight of the night, ending the nation’s longest winning streak as the senior downed FGCU’s No. 66 Jordi Vives 2-6, 6-4, 6-2. Vives had not lost a match since Oct. 13, while the win was Cochrane’s ninth straight victory.

The No. 21 Auburn women’s tennis team picked up a pair of wins on Sunday, Feb. 9, knocking off Georgia Southern, 7-0, before topping Samford, 4-0, at the Yarbrough Tennis Center.

“Georgia Southern made us play every point,” said Auburn head coach Lauren Longbotham Meiser. “I think they got a lot of balls in and they made us earn the point.”

The 60th-ranked duo of Michala Kucharo-

va and Reka Muller moved their record to 5-0 in dual match play with an 8-0 victory on court one. Pleun Burgmans and Lindsey Whitehead also claimed an 8-0 victory on court one.

Men’s and Women’s Golf

Jake Mondy shot a final round 68, his second round in the 60s on the weekend, and the Auburn men’s golf team finished the Amer Ari Invitational in sixth place.

Auburn shot a three-round 274-279-283-836, minus-28, and finished one shot out of third as Oregon, TCU and Southern Cal each shot a 835 (minus-29). Oklahoma State won the event with an 819, minus-45 and Washington was second at 831, minus-33.

“We got off to a slow start today but the guys battled back and finished strong,” said Auburn assistant coach Evan Osteen. “We need to continue to improve our putting and our par-5 play.

Overall it was a good start to the spring in a very competitive tournament field. We are excited and looking forward to the rest of the spring.”

Sophomore Alex Harrell tied for first as the Auburn women’s golf team completed play at the Lady Bulldog Individual Playing Championship in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, Feb. 8.

Harrell fired a two-round total of 147, finishing 3-over to tie for first with co-medalist Chessey Thomas of Tennessee.

“I was pretty excited to come out here,” Harrell said. “Finally, everything came together today. I had support from my team and I was excited to play well.”

Compiled by Justin Ferguson

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Intrigue

A12

Thursday, February 13, 2014 ThePlainsman.com

Intrigue

Shanna Henderson rises above bullying

The Auburn grad, former contestant on The Glee Project and rising star shares her story of cyberbullying, staying positive in the face of adversity and some of her plans for the future

Becky Sheehan Intrigue Reporter

contributed by SHANNA HENDeRSON

Henderson performs with Charlie Lubeck on The Glee Project, Season 2.

contributed by SHANNA HENDeRSON

Henderson placed sixth on The Glee Project.

After being eliminated from Oxygen Media’s The Glee Project in 2012, Auburn musical theatre graduate, Shanna Henderson, has stolen Nashville’s heart as a blossoming country music star.

Her delicate Southern dialect, blonde hair and bright blue eyes could be misleading, but Henderson is nothing close to an antebellum damsel in distress.

Besides her powerful voice, the Real Town, Ala. native has a fierce stance against cyberbullying. Her life experiences have proven her to be nothing short of a warrior for change.

“Bullying is so different now,” Henderson said. “Everyone is hiding behind their computers.”

In an age without iPhones or Twitter, the bullying Henderson experienced was upfront and personal.

“The bullying I endured was about truthful facts,” Henderson said. “People thought they knew my story, but they didn’t know me. It was hard to overcome that.”

Because of her mother’s struggles with drug addiction, Henderson said her peers degraded her by calling her a “crack baby.”

The bullying, which began in kindergarten, reached a climax in high school when Henderson found the severed head of a deer in her mailbox.

With it, a note said, “You’re next.”

Henderson said despite the torment, her grandparents encouraged her to avoid living like a victim.

“They said, ‘You are not a victim,’” Henderson said. “‘You will not be a victim. You will move forward and you will be okay,’ and it really was their continued

PLAINSMAN PICKS PLAYLIST:

this week, our staff members chose their favorite love song for valentine’s day. to listen to their picks, visit spotify.com and follow the auburn plainsman.

maddie yerant, intrigue editor

“an irreverent but funny take on a love song. sharp, funny and surprisingly spoton, it’ll have you laughing as long as you’re not easily offended.”

“SUNDAY KIND OF LOVE” by etta james becky sheehan, intrigue reporter

“soulful, sophisticated and sweet - this is the perfect love song.”

“MAKING MEMORIES OF US” by keith urban kailey miller, intrigue reporter

“a classic love song. he sings about all of the different things he would do for his love, but not in a tacky way that many country love songs can come off as.”

“INCHES AND FALLING” by the format adam wolnski, intrigue writer

“i love love; i love being in love. i don’t care what it does to me.”

“YOU MAKE IT LOOK SO EASY” by eric church lynsdee leach, contributing writer

eric church wrote this song for his wife on their wedding day. he took a more

honest and open approach to avoid creating a love song cliché. that element has allowed me to appreciate this song that much more

- it’s more relatable.

“HOW COULD I WANT MORE” by jamie lynn spears janiee rush, contributing writer

“i think the lyrics are really sweet and meaningful. jamie lynn sounds really good and i like the texture of her voice. great love song!”

Jennifer Bohler, Henderson’s manager and publicist.

Also an Auburn graduate, Bohler has worked with artists ranging from Reba McEntire and Little Big Town to the Troubadour Kings.

“She understands things many people twice her age have yet to figure out,” Bohler said. “I think there is no limit to what she will accomplish in the entertainment world.”

Alger, Henderson’s writing partner and mentor, described his first songwriting session with Henderson.

“After an hour or so I also realized I was sitting across from a terrific soulful singer—the kind that has seen some things and survived, but is still full of hope,” Alger said. “She is obviously young, but wise; full of crackling energy, but also focused.”

Henderson, who is also working on film projects and plans to write a motivational book, has kept close friendships with her Auburn Theatre classmates.

Henderson has completed the pilot for Auburn grad Kat Grilli’s series “Broken Things” and lives with her best friend from her graduating class at Auburn.

Henderson urged anyone seeking a career in the arts to maintain positive relationships by helping other artists.

Through it all, Henderson has proven to be a woman of substance, firmly rooted in the belief that any bad circumstance can turn out to a blessing in disguise.

Henderson is becoming known for her resilience as an artist and as a human being. When asked about it, Henderson replied matter-of-factly.

“You share what you are with other people,” Henderson said. “I’d rather share a smile with someone rather than my pain.”

Play it safe with tornadoes Janiee Rush

Contributing writer

“LOVE IS” by bo burnham

understanding that helped me do that.”

Sharing her story on The Glee Project, a reality show in which the winner appeared on the television show Glee, set Henderson apart from her competitors in a way that revealed the drive and depth within.

Henderson placed sixth in the show.

“One of the best things I learned at Auburn through [her degree] was about finding those experiences that really trigger an emotion and using those for your benefit and turning it into a positive,” Henderson said.

When she isn’t recording with famed songwriter Pat Alger, who wrote songs for Country greats such as Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, Henderson said she visits local schools to share her story of triumph over bullying.

“A lot of those kids that bullied me have apologized, and I’ve forgiven them because I guarantee to the victim of bullying - [that] if you just continue to push through and ignore, you will come out on top on the other end - you will win,” Henderson said.

As a motivational speaker, Henderson said she is occasionally approached by students who are being cyberbullied.

“I’ll never forget a little girl coming up to me after hearing my story and giving her a little bit of hope,” Henderson said. “Even if it wasn’t enough hope to really change her perspective, it was enough to give her a little bit of light.”

Her ability to seek out the positive in the midst of negativity allowed Henderson to see her elimination from The Glee Project as an optimistic turning point in her career that solidified her goal to pursue a life in music.

“With one meeting and performance, Shanna Henderson got my attention,” said

April 27, 2011 will always be remembered as the day when one of the deadliest and destructive tornadoes tore through Alabama. As the F4 tornado ripped through Tuscaloosa, it destroyed thousands of homes, businesses and other buildings. At least 53 people died, according to AL.com. No one could have imagined the devastating aftermath.

Tornadoes can be unpredictable, so it’s important to take the proper precautions. In the event of a tornado, staying in buildings such as apartments and trailers can be risky.

College students, in particular, should always some kind of safety plan.

Auburn Public Safety Director, Bill James, suggested those who live in non-sturdy structures, such as mobile homes, should try to get out when they hear warnings.

James said the safest places to go are those made of concrete and steel.

“A lot of the people that live in the trailer parks out on Wire Road will go to the vet school just because you have a lot more of a sturdy structure there,” James said.

“Some of the parks also have a more permanent structure at their office, and if that’s as far as you can get, then at least get there.”

Once a tornado warning has been issued, those who live on the upper floors of apartments should

“

Everyone should stay alert for changes in the weather and prepare to seek shelter should a warning be issued —Susan McCallister

associate director of the department of public safety

try to get to a lower floor or the complex clubhouse if possible.

The Auburn University Department of Public Safety and Security recommends staying away from windows and doors to prevent injury from glass or other flying objects and also using heavy items to protect your head.

Lauren Massey, senior in finance, lives at The Grove apartment complex where and she and her roommates have a self-designated place to go during tornado warnings.

“We decided that when there is a tornado warning, we will go to my closet,” Massey said. “It’s the only room in our apartment that doesn’t have an outside wall.”

Once there are signs of severe weather, it’s always a good idea to be watchful and cautious.

Auburn University established an efficient alert system to keep students up-to-date with the weather conditions.

This system includes AU Alert messages, tone alert radios on campus and a weather monitoring radar system, which tracks storms across Alabama.

Lee County also has outdoor tornado sirens that signal tornado warnings.

Along with listening for the sirens, you should also keep an eye on the news and listen to the radio.

More recently, phone apps have been a useful tool to stay updated with the weather, such as The Weather Channel app.

Both tornado watches and warnings should be taken seriously.

“During a tornado watch, it’s business as usual on campus, but everyone should stay alert for changes in the weather and prepare to seek shelter should a warning be issued,” said Susan McCallister, associate director of the Department of Public Safety and Security.

The University also provides shelter during severe weather conditions to those who need it.

Greene Hall on Wire Road and the University library are both open for students, employees and visitors.

For more information about tornado safety and risk management visit the Department of Public and Security page on Auburn University’s website.

The Auburn Plainsman IS HIRING Advertising Designers & Advertising Account Executives The Auburn Plainsman is currently looking for ambitious and hard-working individuals that would like to work in sales or ad designing! No experience necessary! Looking to hire immediately and must be available through Spring 2015.

Apply at Tiger Recruiting Link or email your resume to kaylie@theplainsman.com If applying for Ad Designer, please include at least 3 samples of work.

Thursday, February 13, 2014

The Auburn Plainsman

Intrigue A13

Discover Your World!

Celebrate Peace Corps Week with currently serving Volunteers.

February 27, 2014 | 3:30 p.m.

Auburn University Comer 109 Auburn, AL 36849 The best way to learn about Peace Corps is to chat LIVE with those who are serving.

What does The Fox sell?

emily enfinger / staff photographer

You are invited to attend this special Peace Corps event to video-chat with Auburn alumnus Andrew Jenkins who is currently serving overseas in Panama.

The Curious Fox sells a variety of lingerie, soaps and other luxurires in Opelika, including artisan jewelry and handcrafted items.

Becky Sheehan Intrigue Reporter

The Curious Fox is as intriguing as its name suggests.

Tucked away in Downtown Opelika, walking into the intimates boutique is like stumbling upon a treasured secret. Hardwood floors creak as you walk in. Artisan jewelry and delicate lingerie are displayed on cream-colored walls like art hung in a museum. The aesthetic is minimalist and inviting. Eucalyptus and spearmint waft from a candle burning on the front desk.

The smiling brunette behind the counter is Saramia Arenas, an Auburn native who studied photography at Savannah College of Art and Design.

“When you think of a woman as a fox, it’s a woman that’s beautiful, confident, cool,” said Arenas, who serves as manager, sales associate and buyer for The Curious Fox. According to Arenas, intimate apparel plays an important role in boosting women’s self-confidence. Taking the time to treat herself and feel attractive can change how a woman feels in and out of the bedroom.

“We aim to provide an experience that makes women feel empowered—a place where women can come to celebrate being a woman,” Arenas said.

Pieces by Simone Perele, Mary Green and Montelle Intimates are laid out with simplistic visual merchandising.

The airy hues, handcrafted lace and China silk are presented to the shopper as delicate heirlooms—a far cry from flashy, overtly sexual designs found in major retailers.

“The idea from the beginning was to be the complete opposite,” said Phil Moody,

owner of The Curious Fox. “I just felt like we didn’t want to give any kind of image to the women. I didn’t want to project anything to them so they can just come and be whoever they wanted to be.”

As a small business, The Curious Fox is a champion for shopping local. From pushing customers to sign up for credit cards to impersonal customer service, Moody explained that retail chains are treating shoppers like numbers.

“We as consumers are getting smarter and we’re not falling for that as much,” Moody said. “I think they’ve hit a tipping point where they don’t deserve to be around. I think places like this deserve to be around, where knowledgeable staff will come help you and spend time with you.”

Moody, a graphic designer from Lafayette, La., transformed the former office space in September 2013. While the boutique was his vision, Moody has handed the reins over to an all-female staff to ensure customer comfort and privacy.

“I want people to think of Saramia when they think of the Fox,” Moody said.

In addition to promoting female empowerment and local business, The Curious Fox has a commitment to supporting local artists.

“People don’t realize how important art is,” Moody said. “Artists tend to be mini profits. They bring trends to the area because they see things and create things and if they’re artists who are also businessminded, man, they can really do things.”

After carrying Opelika-based artist Kate Manning’s line of scarves and knitwear in December, The Curious Fox decided to seek out more homegrown artistic talent.

“We’re a store, but we like to think of ourselves as very curated, similar to an art

gallery,” Arenas said. “We’re always on the lookout for something cool and unique.”

Arenas pointed out two fox paintings hanging on the wall by R.C. Hagans, an Opelika native. A curtain sewn and decorated by Jane Randall of Opelika’s Jane Sweet Jane designates the dressing room area, and Oxford shirts designed by Moody’s friends, Jonathan and Holly Powell, hang on a silver rack.

“I like the idea of investing in art and people, so I’ll always have a piece of RC in here. I’ll always have a piece of Jane. I’ll always have a piece of Jonathan and Holly in here,” Moody said.

Moody has also invested in the talent of Auburn University student, Ashley Kickliter. The junior in graphic design was recruited to produce editorial photography for The Curious Fox. Kickliter said she was thrilled to be part of this small business.

“I’m a photographer and I’ve had a portrait business here since I was 16, but fashion photography is what I really want to do,” Kickliter said. “They hired me to a shoot for them with models in their products and gorgeous sleep shirts.”

The Crious Fox views their lingerie as an investment, and prices of apparel start at $20.

“Hopefully, the idea is that when people buy a piece, they love it, so it’s almost like a piece of art that they’ve taken home,” Moody said.

The Curious Fox also carries handcrafted luxury items from Freedom Soap Company and The Green Bottle Candle Company from Birmingham and artisan jewelry from Red Earth Trading Company.

Open only on weekends, The Curious Fox is located at 711 Ave. in Opelika.

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Help celebrate Peace Corps Week during February 23rd March 1st. The Peace Corps community will honor all the ways Volunteers make a difference at home and abroad and renews its commitment to service.

Submit an online application by March 1st to be considered for programs departing before March 2015! www.peacecorps.gov/apply For more info contact Emily Whitfield at ewhitfield@peacecorps.gov | (404) 562-3454

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Intrigue A14

The Auburn Plainsman

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Local restaurants help bring romance on Valentine’s Day Kailey Miller INTRIGUE@ THEPLAINSMAN. COM

Valentine’s Day is here, and Auburn restaurants are ready for the influx of couples to wine and dine for a romantic evening. Some places are even providing live music.

If your cooking skills aren’t up to par, or if you want to impress your significant other with a nice dinner, here are some restaurants in Auburn providing special Valentine’s Day menus.

Ariccia Italian Trattoria & Bar is having a special menu with two options. One column says, “for you,” and the other says, “for two.”

Each option is $49 per person. The “for two” column starts off with a choice between a dozen blackened chard grilled or raw oysters. Another option is the spinach and goat cheese ravioli.

The second course can either be a mixed grill, which includes salmon, shrimp, chicken, Alabama sausage, NY steak, market vegetables and roasted potatoes; or a rack of lamb with herb crust, cast iron potato au gratin, spinach, roasted market vegetables, and olive jus.

1

For desert, they will have a chocolate and barista station with a variety of chocolates, a chocolate fountain and coffee.

2

Amsterdam Cafe will release a special menu closer to the holiday. The pricing will be similar to its regular menu.

3

Hamilton’s will also have special Valentine’s Day features in addition to their regular menu available on Valentine’s Day.

4

Acre Restaurant’s Valentine’s Day menu starts off with deep fried brie with puff pastry and red wine; cherry sauce and arugula; broiled Virginia oysters with pork belly crumbs and fennel butter; gulf blue crab and corn chowder with bacon bits and chives; or strawberry-walnut salad with bleu cheese, bacon, spinach, and sherry-honey vinaigrette.

The entrees include a butterpoached grouper with crispy fried Gouda grits and a pickled red onion-arugula salad topped with lemon-herb sauce.

They will also offer seared diver scallops, fried pork belly, picked grapes, sweet potato puree, sherry molasses, and fresh basil.

The final two entrees are a crab and lobster pasta with an-

gel hair noodles, vegetables, tomato-basil butter and Parmesan cheese, or a grilled filet mignon with whipped potatoes, haricot verts and crimini-cabernet sauce.

Finish the night off with sweet potato bread pudding, chocolate bette noire, or a raspberry sorbet “float.”

5

Zazu Gastropub will be setting a romantic atmosphere with a live violinist to go along with their fixed-price $50 dinner menu.

The meal will start off with one of three appetizers; lump crab cakes and a fried green tomato with house-made remoulade and baby arugula, sautéed langostino tails, or porchetta with pork tenderloin stuffed pork belly with shaved parmesan and baby arugula.

The next portion will offer soup and salad options including shrimp bisque, mixed greens, Caesar salad, baby spinach, and baby iceberg.

The entrees are pan-seared filet mignon, pan-include duck breast, mahi-mahi scallopini over house made papparedelle, roasted airline chicken breast, or low country shrimp and grits with Andouille sausage.

Finally, for dessert, it has crème brulee, chocolate and hazelnut pudding or strawberry liquor-soaked sponge cake.

KRISTEN HARLIN / ASSISTANT GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Are diet soft drinks safe?

Janiee Rush

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Kailey Miller

INTRIGUE REPORTER

The invention of Siri for iPhones brought a new way to find restaurants, get directions and ask random questions only Siri would know. AroundMe is an app with similar qualities, but you don’t have to depend on Siri deciphering your question before you get an answer.

AroundMe works for both travelers and locals. With 19 different categories, such as banks, gas stations, hotels, movies, and more, it can be can be beneficial for anyone who is trying to save money or try new things in a familiar area.

Once the app is opened, it uses your GPS to locate things in each of these categories in a close radius. Some of the categories, such as nearby, which tells you what buildings are nearby, have a description of what the building is used for, how much it costs and when it was built.

If you want to figure out what bar to go to in a new city, you can click on the bar and see comments from other people via Foursquare. For Toomer’s

CONTRIBUTED BY KAILEY MILLER

AroundMe helps users locate important conveniences like hotels, gas, information and more.

Drugs, one of the comments says, “Enjoy a glass of freshly squeezed lemonade. It is an Auburn Tradition.”

The app also tells you how far the destination is from your location and shows you a map of how to get there.

Some of the categories include relevant information, such as the phone number and the website where users can

find more information.

Foursquare also links photos users have taken of the location if they are available, so you can see if a place is ideal for a date or if it looks subpar.

The deals category, powered by Groupon, tells you places nearby with good deals.

Another useful category for travelers is the gas stations section, which lists the prices for each gas station divided by unleaded, midgrade, premium, diesel, and nearest. It also tells you the last time the price was updated.

The hotels category is rated by stars, lists the price and allows you to book your room by transferring you to booking.com.

If you’re in a hurry and need a place to park, the app will show you places nearby and include the format of the parking and any restrictions on parking.

Although free, you can elimiate advertisements with a $2.99 upgrade. It’s a simple app that doesn’t have too many distractions.

You can get the information you need fast and efficiently.

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We’ve all heard the controversy about diet soft drinks and how they might be unhealthy, but regularly consuming these drinks lead to serious health risks such as obesity or even heart problems?

The common concerns that make diet soft drinks questionable to some people have to do with a key ingredient: artificial sweeteners.

People who typically drink diet soft drinks are those who are looking to lose weight or consume less sugar.

These low-calorie beverages are offered as an alternative and contain 99 percent of water and artificial sweeteners.

Some believe that because diet soda contains artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame and saccharin, they are allowed to consume more calories in their diet.

Auburn University Nutrition Professor, Dr. Kevin Huggins said recent research has suggested artificial sweeteners are also thought to cause a certain signaling to the brain that will ultimately cause an increase in caloric intake.

“From what I understand, that’s very preliminary re-

“

If you’re really trying to diet and get healthy, then you wouldn’t want to be putting that crap in your body anyway.”

search, and we really don’t have a good handle on that,” Huggins said.

Shape magazine infers that diet soft drinks alone won’t necessarily cause weight gain or weight loss.

Allegedly, weight gain will most likely depend on the individual’s overall health.

Laurel Lee, junior in elementary education, enjoys having a diet soft drink every now and then.

“I like the taste of Diet Dr. Pepper better than regular,” Lee said. “And the idea of zero calories is more appealing than consuming a ton of sugar in one drink.”

The supposed health risks of diet soft drinks make them not even worth drinking to some people.

Savannah Weber, sophomore in building science, said she believes diet soft drinks are counterproductive and would recommend drinking

Crepe Myrtle Cafe Sweetheart Special

Longstem red roses arranged in a vase

—Savannah Weber

SOPHOMORE IN BUILDING SCIENCE

water instead. “[Diet soft drinks] may not have any calories, but the things that they put in them are so bad for you that you might as well just drink a regular one,” Weber said. “If you’re really trying to diet and get healthy, then you wouldn’t want to be putting that crap in your body anyway.”

Although there are many speculations floating around about diet sodas, no major health risks have been proven thus far.

Ultimately, as long as consumers are moderately drinking a can of diet soda, serious health concerns shouldn’t be an issue.

“Of course, you know, if you do a Google search on these things you can find all sorts of people linking [diet soft drinks] to bad health issues, and that’s probably anecdotal, and you can’t really rely on that,” Huggins said.

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