The Special Fall 2015
Inside This Issue
Fall 2015
The Other Half of Playing the Game by Gary Lazard Jr.
The Benefits of Intramural Sports
by Tristen Harris
Toni Pulu: The Mighty Lion of Polynesia by Kourtlynd Buggs-Torres
Men’s Basketball Ready to Roar into New Season by Harrison Wagner
Lions’ Softball Blasts into Second Season by Baileigh Whitlock
Carthel Signs New Contract Through 2018 from Lionathletics.com
Photo by Aaron Hwang The Special is an online magazine produced by journalism students at Texas A&M University-Commerce. Content and production are the responsibilities of the students. The Special is produced during the fall and spring semesters. Contact: The Special, Texas A&M University-Commerce, Box 4104, Commerce, Texas 75428. Staff: Gary Lazard Jr., Tristen Harris, Kourtlynd Buggs-Torres, Harrison Wagner, Baileigh Whitlock DESIGN: Todd Kleiboer Faculty Adviser: Fred Stewart (Fred.Stewart@tamuc.edu)
The Other Half of Playing the Game By Gary Lazard Jr.
Sports teams have an extra teammate at every practice and every game who doesn’t get into the action, but plays one of the most important roles on the team. From making sure the athletes have plenty of water to drink to tending to the variety of aches, pains and bruises, the athletic trainers are always there to provide the best care for the athletes. Individuals planning a career in athletic training, receive a solid education and experience in college. Students work as student trainers then once they complete their fouryear program, they must pass a test for certification in order to be an official trainer. Tests include BOC (Board of Certification) and the LAT (Licensed Athletic Trainers). Texas A&M University – Commerce student trainer Brittney Fortenberry said, “You have the best of both worlds.”
Photo by Gary Lazard Jr.
Trainer Felicia Beanvides said, “The sports that require a lot of running and jumping does a lot to the lower body, so a lot of treatment is required towards that area.”
The lower body takes a lot the trainers play major roles. With of punishment for the football play- proper care an injured athlete ers. comes back when the injury wellness permits and the trainers give Offensive lineman Jason their approval. Osei said, “The game was last Saturday and I’m still sore.” Women’s basketball player Angelle Simon had an injured knee Rehab and treatment are where
Photo by Gary Lazard Jr. sideline her. “My recovery time was three to four months but the trainers put me through a lot where I came back in three months instead of four,” she said.
By Tristen Harris While many colleges and universities have intercollegiate athletic programs, students who just want to participate in sports turn to intramurals, recreational sports ranging from basketball to ultimate Frisbee. In addition to sports participation, intramurals provide social interactions between the students. Darrien Brown, a sophomore who plays intramural football, said he chose to play because “ it was a way to meet people who also had a passion for football like myself and possibly learn new things from them.”
The Benefits of Intramural Sports tramural flag football was a healthier diet choices, which great transitional activity for also promotes good health on me and it made the change from campus. high school to college an easier process.”
One benefit of intramuPlaying intramural sports can also be rals participation is the health a good way for students to get comfortable benefits as students stay active while doing something they with the campus. enjoy. In order to compete on Theodis Sims, freshman said, “Ina high level, students make
Students also participate to release the stress and frustration caused by their academic careers. Cameron Johnson, junior said “[intramural] sports is a good way for me to stay fit,
have fun, and play against my friends.” Students also like the entertainment value of intramural sports and how close they feel to the players. Jaylon Owens, junior, consistently watches intramural football games. “I like watching the games because I actually know the players,” he said. “With our school football
team, you barely see them, but with intramurals, I could have class with the quarterback. And not to mention the competition for bragging rights is very entertaining.” Darien Wilson, who also likes to watch the games said, “Intramurals is good thing for all students to get away from studying 24/7 and actually enjoy the college experience.”
Toni Pulu:
The Mighty Lion Of Polynesia
By Kourtlynd Buggs-Torres
The Polynesian islands with palm trees and clear blue water have long been looked upon as vacation destinations. The islanders live in paradise in the Pacific Ocean but oftentimes have a hard time leaving when they want to, however, for some, football has presented the opportunity to break out successfully. Polynesian athletes are often praised in football because of their size and build. At 6-feet, 3-inches and weighing 285 pounds, Toni Pulu, of the Kingdom of Tonga, has played football at Texas A&M University-Commerce and has seen his share of success. He has seen football as a way to receive an education and eventually help his family through education or hopes to continue his football career. “Where I come from, people don’t much think football is a big get away,” Pulu said. “That and is also seen as a lottery to all Polynesians that play.” Coming from where ideals aren’t necessarily as materialistic as they can be in the states, many Polynesians hold family near and dear, which provides a foundation for many of the athletes. Everything comes back to not only doing for you, but doing for everybody. Family also encourages them to play football as Polynesian parents often have their children pick up a football at a young age. “Parents push their kids a lot towards football,”Pulu said. “Sometimes (they push) too hard,
Photo courtesy of Lionathletics.com but a lot of Polynesians in America live in poverty so it’s often seen as a way out.” Something that can quickly be recognized on Polynesian players are the tattoos, unlike those most commonly seen in the states where individuals create their own meaning in the tattoos they display. Polynesian athletes have a deeper meaning as tribal tattoos can show what island an individual is from, significant things to represent their family, and
Photo courtesy of Lionathletics.com even the individual’s faith. Pulu sports a large tattoo on his left arm stretching from his shoulder to his mid-forearm.
“Mine is more of a freehand
gained national recognition.
“In some case it (the Haka) is seen as disrespect, being that Based on the tradition of the those war dances are sacred and world champion rugby team, the New Zealand All Blacks, the Haka dance during pre-game and postgame activities has been adopted by high school and college teams alike.
The high school team from Euless Trinity started performing the Haka more than 10 years ago as something to strike fear into the hearts of their opponents. Trinity has a large number of Polynesian The traditions of the Polynestudents and players, so the Haka sian Islands are varied and interestbecame the team’s trademark and
Photo Courtesy of Flickr. com
design, in which I chose certain designs to represent certain things,” he said. “For example, I have Tongan designs to show that I am Tongan. I also have some Samoan designs to represent my Samoan family… I also have three points to represent the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.”
ing to Americans including one in particular that has been adopted by mainstream sports teams.
Pulu’s Stats 2014-2015
Total Tackles: 53
Unassisted: 24
Assisted: 29
Tackles for a Loss: 19
Yards Lost By Tackles: 85
Total Sacks: 7.5
Photos courtesy of Lionathletics.com some of the Amercanized words can give off a wrong meaning,” Pulu said. “But it’s never intentional.” Even though Pulu has enjoyed success in football A&M-Commerce, he still misses things about home. He speaks of a place where everyone respects their elders and women are held in high regard. Morals are also emphasized in Polynesian culture, giving the people a strong sense of character and poise, everyone is taught right from wrong and live by it because on the island - it is a way of life.
“My favorite part of my culture is the morals,” Pulu
said. “Religion and family drive me in everything that I do.”
“Religion and family drive me in everything that I do” -Toni Pulu
Unassisted: 6
Assisted: 3
2015 Total Tackles: 47
Unassisted: 14
Assisted: 33
Tackles for a Loss: 5.5
Yards Lost By Tackles: 27
Total Sacks: 2.5
Unassisted: 1
Assisted: 3
Men’s Basketball Ready to Roar into New Season By Harrison Wagner Key players from the 2014-2015 LSC Men’s Basketball Conference Championship team have returned for their senior season as hungry as ever for not only a conference championship but a national title. Three players from last year’s team - point guard Ant Adams, shooting guard JR Owens and power forward Everrett Pleasant reviewed the champi-
can come back up and see the banner, all of that hard work and sweat is embedded in that banner and there isn’t a person that can take that from us.” Pleasant, 6-6, 220 with a 41-inch vertical jump, plays the game fast and always in attack mode which means his body has to recover daily from the physical play in one of the best defensive conferences in the
onship run. Pleasant, who averaged seven points and four rebounds while playing just 16 minutes a game, looked back at the first Lions team to win a conference championship in a decade. “It was history,” he said. “Knowing that we
country. “I can’t give any slack,” he said. “I know the game is at a faster pace and I always have to have an edge.” That edge refers to his relentless energy towards the game. Pleasant is known for his crowedPhotos courtesy of Lionathletics.com
hyping dunks and opposing team silencing blocks. “I just have to stay on point,” Pleasant said. “I feel like if I don’t bring my energy, then the team won’t get their energy. I have to stay aware and focused at all times whether I’m on the bench or on the floor. Having the most energy on the team forces me to keep my teammates up to speed on their focus and precision.” One player who knows how important it is to be focused and that size doesn’t matter is starting point guard Ant Adams, who at 5-7, 165, averaged 12 points, four assists and two steals a game last year on 28 minutes a game. “ Its all part of my game,” Adams said. “I just go out and play the game how I’ve always played it. I’m never going to change anything up.” Adams is also one of the team’s go-to players as illustrated by his play in the conference champion-
ship game against Angelo State University. He had a tough first half but came back in the second half with an 18-point performance. “It was my favorite moment of the season,” Adams said. “I knew all of that hard work and pain in the gym was for this moment and I couldn’t let my team down. I couldn’t have played that well in the second half without those guys. “The media time-outs help me out a lot. We get a break every four minutes and I can always look up at the clock and know when a timeout is about to come,” Adams said. Another player that knows about focusing when the time comes and seizing the opportunity is JR Owens, who started 27 of 32 games and averaged eight points per game last year. “Its easy to lock in,” Owens said. “I love the game, so whenever coach needs me to do something,
its nothing to do it. That’s how I have always played the game.” Late in the season when the Lions were playing away games before packed houses, the players had to stay focused to block out all the noise and distractions. “ It sounds easier than it looks,” Owens said. “But aside from the late nights in the gym or the shooting sessions after practice, I would mentally
prepare myself for those moments. I would see myself taking shots and block out the defender. It is all about repetition when I shoot. Other than that, I learn to adjust and get it done.” “It (focusing) was all simple for me,” Owens said. “I wanted to win so bad. I would do anything to make sure that I was focused and ready to perform during the game. I would just lock in and nothing else mattered.”
Lions Softball Blasts into Second Season
By Baleigh Whitlock History was made when former Texas A&M University-Commerce athletic director Ryan Ivey announced the Lion athletic program would add softball to begin in the 2014-15 season. Ivey initiated the program to help bring attention to the popularity of softball in East Texas and give players a platform to show off their skills close to home and also to satisfy Title IX requirements. Scholarship opportunities regarding sports have to equally been given out and offered between men and women according to the law. Sex can’t be the reason for exclusion of participation nor will discrimination be accepted by any federally assisted program according to Title IX. Ivey had to secure fundraising dollars to start the program and those funds contributed to the construction of a facility that would become the John Cain Family Softball Field. Softball student-athletes were given a redshirt season to work on skill and conditioning during the 2013-14 season. The fall 2014 was spent competing in exhibition games which abides by NCAA rules
Photos by Baleigh Whitlock
that the team’s first season is not an NCAA season. The Lions were the final school in the Lone
in NCAA Division II softball. Bruister’s mission for the team was to have a
Star Conference to sponsor the sport, which made
winning season as well as a winning GPA. He wanted
A&M-Commerce’s sixth women’s sport along with
to win the conference championship and go on to win
five men’s sports.
the highest GPA in the conference with his team.
The freshly minted John Cain Family Softball
The program has much to offer including the
Field opened Feb. 1, 2015, just in time for a double-
ability to stay competitive with other softball pro-
header against St. Edwards. It was the first game of the
grams in the conference, state of the art facilities and a
A&M-Commerce softball program’s history and the
sense of family support and pride from the community.
Lions started off with a pair of wins.
Academics are also vital to the success of the program.
The inaugural season featured several highlights in building tradition for the program. The highlights included Tyler Oppenheim being named Lone
During their first season the Lions led all LSC softball teams in GPA with a team average of 3.536. The playing field features a section of reserved
Star Conference Player of the Week, the Lions record-
seating and a general admission section holding 800
ed 20 wins at the John Cain Family Softball Field, the
people altogether. The facility hosts three turf batting
Lions were the 6th seed in the LSC championship, the
cages with hitting stations and bullpens on each home
team hit 45 home runs during the season and finished
and visitor side.
in the Top 50 in the NCAA. Richie
“I’m excited for our program because I know what we can
Bruister, hired
become in the
to coach the
near future.
first-ever
The legacy of
softball pro-
Lion softball
gram, brought
will continue
a winning
to grow,”
background
catcher De-
to Commerce
cember Rivers
as the all-time
said.
winning coach
Carthel Signs New Contract Through 2018 (From Lionathletics.com) Texas A&M UniversityCommerce President Dr. Dan Jones and Director of Athletics Tim McMurray announced that Head Coach Colby Carthel has signed a three-year contract that keeps him at the helm of the Lions football program through the 2018 season, with opportunities in the agreement to extend it through 2020. Under Carthel’s direction, the Lions have claimed back-to-back Lone Star Conference Championships for the first time since 1958 and 1959 seasons with the 2014 and 2015 crowns. His team led the NCAA in points scored on the offensive side and in tackles for loss on the defensive side in 2014. The Lions also set an NCAA Division II record with 986 total yards of offense in the 2014 season opener. Sixty-seven of Carthel’s Lions earned All-Lone Star Conference in his three seasons, with six Lions claiming All-American status.
Photo by Aaron Hwang