2013_02_07

The

S TUDENT P RINTZ www.studentprintz.com

SERVING SOUTHERN MISS SINCE 1927

February 7, 2013

Volume 97 Issue 36

ON CAMPUS

Bennett visits campus, IHL to announce decision Mary Margaret Halford Executive Editor The preferred candidate chosen to take the reins at USM has wanted to be a college president since his undergraduate days at Middle Tennessee State University, and today he will introduce himself to the community of students and faculty he will likely serve as the tenth president of the University of Southern Mississippi.

“The thing I’m really looking forward to is letting people see who I really am,” Rodney Bennett said in an interview at the Ogletree House Wednesday night. “I want people to get to know the passion I have for higher education and helping young people be successful.”

Bennett was announced as the preferred candidate for the USM presidency Friday by the state’s Institutions of Higher Learning Board of Trustees after a 20-step process that began when Martha Saunders abruptly resigned in April 2012, a process that will most likely end today.

Beginning at 8 a.m. Bennett will speak at forums for faculty, staff, students and community members this morning in the Thad Cochran Center Room 218, and the IHL Board of Trustees will meet at 12:30 p.m. followed by a press conference at 1 p.m. concerning Bennett’s selection.

“You’re not going to find a person more excited than I am about being here,” Bennett said.

“I feel like I’ve been sent here for a specific purpose; I feel like this is where I’m supposed to be.”

Bennett currently serves as the Vice President for Student Affairs at the University of Georgia.

“I am extremely proud to see another University of Georgia

SCOTT ROBERTS

“

You’re not going to find a person more excited than I am about being here....I feel like this is where I’m supposed to be.

Dr. Rodney Bennett, preferred presidential candidate

”

Mary Alice Truitt/Printz

Dr. Rodney Bennett shares his vision for Southern Miss after a reception in the Ogletree House Wednesday night. Bennett will be on campus today meeting with students, faculty and staff before a press conference at 1 p.m. that will likely announce him as the university’s next president.

vice president chosen to serve in a presidential position,” UGA President Michael Adams told “The Red & Black,” the university’s newspaper. “Rodney brings a breadth of experience, talent and dedication to his work, and I wish him well as he begins this new leadership role.”

Though Bennett was not sure of when he would make the move from Athens, Ga. to Hattiesburg, he said he will most likely come sometime in March.

However, despite uncertainty surrounding his starting date, Bennett knows that one of his first official actions as president

will be to hire a chief financial officer for the university.

“That is the head business person who keeps up with money coming in and out and makes sure we don’t overspend,” Bennett said. “We don’t have a person in that role permanently, so my first order of business will be hiring a chief financial officer.”

Since his announcement Friday, Bennett has been making national headlines for possibly being the first black president of a major Mississippi university.

MICROBREWERIES

SIGNING DAY

See BENNETT, 4

Mary Alice Truitt/Printz

Bennett speaks to a prospective freshman and his mother at a reception Wednesday night in Hattiesburg.

WEATHER Thursday

74/52 Friday

72/44 Saturday

Page 4

Page 5

Page 6

71/52

INDEX

Calendar ........................ 2 Crossword ...................... 2 News .............................. 3 Arts & Entertainment......4 Feature ...........................5 Sports...............................6

Calendar

Page 2, Student Printz

The

Student Printz

Serving Southern Miss since 1927

Executive Editor Mary Margaret Halford mary.halford@eagles.usm.edu 601.266.6431

Managing Editor Hannah Jones hannah.jones@eagles.usm.edu Chief Copy Editor Stormy Speaks stormy.speaks@eagles.usm.edu Copy Editor Jeffery McClendon jeffery.mcclendon@eagles.usm.edu News Editor Tyler Hill a.t.hill@eagles.usm.edu Sports Editor Kyle Smith kyle.s.smith@eagles.usm.edu Design Editor Lisa Gurley lisa.gurley@eagles.usm.edu Art Director Mary Alice Truitt mary.truitt@eagles.usm.edu Webmaster Chris Greene chris.greene@eagles.usm.edu Designers Taylor Fesenmeier Gerri Ducksworth News Content Adviser Chuck Cook 601.266.4288 chuck.cook@usm.edu Ad Graphic Designer Katherine Frye katherine.frye@eagles.usm.edu Ad Sales Representative Carolyn Lewis carolyn.a.lewis@eagles.usm.edu Advertising Manager Lesley Sanders-Wood 601.266.5188 lesley.sanders@usm.edu Advertising e-mail printzad@usm.edu

Find us online at: www.studentprintz.com

The Student Printz is published every Tuesday and Thursday during the fall and spring semesters. Signature Offset of Hattiesburg provides printing services.

Opinions expressed in The Student Printz are those of the writer and not necessarily those of The Student Printz, its publications manager, USM, the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning or the USM Board of Student Publications.

7

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Mark Your Planner 8 9 10 11

11 a.m.

AASO Valentine’s Day Giveaway Union Lobby

11 a.m.

NPHC Valentine’s Day Giveaway Union Lobby

11:30 a.m.

Enactus Valentine Dinner Giveaway Union Lobby

11 a.m.

Air Force ROTC/Eagle Booster Club Tabling Union Lobby

Happy Saturday!

Happy Sunday!

All Day Mardi Gras break no classes

6:30 p.m.

Secular Student Alliance Movie Night LAB 203 6:30 a.m.

Alpha Kappa Aplha Mr. Esquire 2013 Information Wilber Stout A 7 p.m.

RUF Large Group Bible Study Stout Hall B 8 p.m.

SMAC Flicks at the Fountain Centennial Lawn

FOR RELEASE FEBRUARY 5, 2013

The Student Printz hopes you have a great Mardi Gras break!

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

ACROSS 1 Iraq’s main port 6 Nonspecific feeling 10 Ukr. and Lith., once 14 Find repulsive 15 Waffle maker 16 Be on the mend 17 Dine 19 Hathaway of “Les Misérables “ 20 Afrikaans speaker 21 Creator of Q and M 22 Chicks together 23 Back muscle, familiarly 24 Commonly controlled substance 27 ’50s flop 29 His #4 was retired by the Giants in 1948 30 Social suffix 31 Sink below the horizon 33 Public hanging 34 Pontiac muscle cars 35 Roy Orbison classic 39 __ even keel 40 Glasgow veto 41 Shelley’s “To a Skylark,” e.g.

42 Reunion gp.

43 D.C. figure 44 Inviting door sign 48 1967 Human BeIn attendee 53 Gardner of the silver screen 54 Country bordered

by Niger and Nigeria 55 Binary digit 56 WWII British gun 57 __ Grey tea 58 Awe-inspiring place where you might find the ends of 17-, 24-, 35- and 48Across?

61 “__ sow, so shall ...”

62 Sword with a bellshaped guard 63 Upper body 64 “So __ say” 65 River down under?

66 English Derby site

2/5/13

By C.C. Burnikel

DOWN 1 Go on and on 2 Like an American in Paris 3 Some linens 4 Howl with laughter 5 First animal shelter 6 Like superpopular YouTube clips 7 Goodnight girl of song 8 Fluffy wrap 9 Terminate 10 Broken piece 11 Title for Miss Mexico?

12 Deserted 13 Big hammers 18 Cartoonist Keane 22 Lunch menu letters 24 Robert of “The Sopranos” 25 Like many gangster movies 26 When tots become terrible?

28 “Pardon the Interruption” channel 32 Opera hero, often 33 Gobbled up

Monday’s Puzzle Solved

(c)2013 Tribune Media Services, Inc.

34 FBI guys 35 Being walked, say 36 Deli order 37 After-shower powder 38 Pigged out (on) 39 Quirky 43 Ink holder 45 Volga region natives 46 “Yeah, but ...”

47 Hit-or-miss

2/5/13

49 __ Post, first pilot to fly solo around the world 50 Sweetie pie 51 Book end?

52 “Life of Pi” director Ang 56 Sow’s supper 58 Four-time All-Pro Patriots receiver Welker 59 Choose (to) 60 Numbered hwy.

WHERE’S SEYMOUR?!

THIS WEEK’S WINNER!!

Zachary Bennett

LOOK FOR SEYMOUR AGAIN IN TUESDAY’S EDITION OF THE STUDENT PRINTZ!!

Thursday, February 7, 2013

ON CAMPUS

News

Student Printz, Page 3

Award-winning poet to speak at USM Arielle Edwards Printz Writer The University of Southern Mississippi’s Center for Writers will be hosting poet Don Bogen Friday, where he will do readings of his own work. Bogen is author of four poetry collections. He most recently wrote “An Algebra,” and “A Necessary Order: Theodore Roethke and the Writing Process.”

Bogen said he has been interested in poetry since his childhood.

“I loved the Dr. Seuss books and still keep a picture of him on my bulletin board,” Bogen said. “But I didn’t really write poems until high school.”

Bogen says that he didn’t write anything worthwhile until he was in his mid-20s.

“I actually started writing regularly in junior high, but it wasn’t poetry,” Bogen said. “I produced a number of perfectly terrible science fiction stories after hearing a talk by Ray Bradbury.”

The recipient of several prestigious awards such as the AWP Anniversary Awards Grand Prize, a Poetry Society of America Emily Dickinson Award and grants from the Ingram Merrill Foundation and

the NEA, Bogen is humble about his work.

“Recognition is a pleasure for anyone, of course, especially because writing is such a solitary activity,” Bogen said.

Bogen enjoys giving readings and meeting students and fellow poets.

“There’s also a pleasure in the act of writing itself- the sense of discovery and of adding something, however small, to the world of poetry,” Bogen said. “You never know who might read your work, but I like thinking that someone I don’t know at all in some place I’ve never been may get something from a poem I wrote, just as I’ve deeply enjoyed reading the work of others.”

Bogen also gave some advice for aspiring writers or poets.

“Read, of course, both systematically in courses, including old work and new and on your own, finding favorite writers and exploring new directions.”

Bogen said that taking classes focused on writing will help as well attending as many readings and events as possible.

“Subscribe to a literary magazine like ‘The Cincinnati Review,’” Bogen said.

In fact, Bogen is the poetry editor of “The Cincinnati Review.”

“Check out online journals like ‘Memorious’, which is now edited here at USM,” Bogen said.

The most important thing Bogen stressed is to keep writing.

“Ray Bradbury recommended a thousand words a day for fiction, not poetry, and share what you write with others,” Bogen said. “A community can make a real difference.”

Because writing processes vary among individuals, Bogen believes that an individual has to explore himself in order to find the right process.

“I’ve actually written a book about the poet Theodore Roethke’s writing processes and studied other poets’ ways of working, so the topic interests me,” Bogen said. “My own process can vary a bit depending on the poem, but I suppose the key point is that I start, like many poets, with some small bit of language, an image, or a pattern of sound rather than a large overall topic. Then there is a process of exploration and discovery until I begin to see some of the shape and focus of what’s developing.”

Bogen tends to speak the lines of his work aloud over and over as he writes “to get a feel for their music.”

Revision is a necessary part of writing, which Bogen enjoys “when

I’m not tearing my hair out.

“Because of this, it takes me a good while, years in some cases, to finish any given poem, and many things never get finished or even close.”

This is balanced by the fact that Bogen is always working on several poems at various stages of completion.

“I keep notes and drafts in folders, so when I sit down to write I can plunge into work on older things or see what I can generate from the blank page.”

Assistant professor in the Department of English Rebecca Morgan Frank said her favorite works from Bogen include his most recent work “An Algebra” and “Luster.”

“Don Bogen has contributed to poetry with his original works of poetry and his translations, as you can see by the numerous awards he has won,” Frank said. “He also has done important work in the field as the poetry editor of the literary magazine ‘The Cincinnati Review.’”

Seven poems from the magazine were selected for inclusion in the 2012 Best American Poetry Anthology, rivaling only “The New Yorker” in the number of poems in this selective and well-respected anthology.

Frank said this event is a wonderful opportunity for creative writing students to meet and work with an established writer and editor.

“Poetry is not just for poets; it is for all of us, and I think his visit, as well as the rest of the Visiting Writers Series, offers a unique cultural opportunity for the members of the USM and Hattiesburg communities to share.”

Southern Miss will also be host to several other award-winning writers, including Peter Orner, author of “Love and Shame and Love: A Novel” as well as two other works of fiction. He will do a reading of his works on Feb. 27 at 8 p.m. in International Center Room 101.

On April 16, Brooklyn poet Farrah Field, author of two books of poetry, including “Wolf and Pilot,” will read with poet Jared White.

On April 5, Skip Horack, author of the novel “The Eden Hunter” and the story collection “The Southern Cross,” will be brought to campus by the English Graduate Organization and C4W, the Center for Writers graduate organization.

The readings are free to the public.

Page 4, Student Printz

Local

Arts & Entertainment

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Twelve Oaks to host local author Caitlin Seale Printz Writer Science teacher Scott Roberts has taken a break from his busy schedule to pen his latest book, “The Last Days of Neil Armisted.” Roberts is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi, and this new release will be his third full-length book. On Friday, Twelve Oaks Accessory Garden in downtown Hattiesburg will host an in-store book release party complete with refreshments and store discounts to celebrate the new manuscript.

Jason Le Viere, co-owner of Twelve Oaks, is excited to welcome the local writer to the store.

“We were thrilled to be able to

Courtesy Photo

host S.D. Roberts for the launch of his newest novel,” Le Viere said.

“While the specific content may not be what our business is all about, the final product certainly falls

right in line with what we love at Twelve Oaks: local art. These books are written in Hattiesburg, and the materials that make each book are made of recycled products. We love when something old becomes something new.”

Each physical copy of the book is held together within the cover of old, discarded books that Roberts has saved from local libraries or thrift stores. The covers have been hand-painted to give a face-lift to these old copies.

Roberts had this idea with his first novel.

“When I wrote my first book, I came up with the idea to bind my own book into a forgotten book,” Roberts said. “I think it brings the old books back into the light

while giving a new book that old book smell that a lot of people really enjoy.”

On the day of the event, nine of these repurposed books will be ready for sale at 20 dollars each.

The stream of consciousness story revolves around the inner thoughts of the main character, who has decided to commit suicide within the first line of the book.

“When writing, I have often enjoyed writing nothing but dialogue between characters, and at times I feel that I have hidden behind that,” Roberts said. “This book was an attempt to take the stream of consciousness to another level than I am used to. There was no dialogue to hide behind. I could only make this character speak.”

In the story, the character finds himself making arrangements to get to the Walnut Street Bridge in Tennessee after becoming obsessed with it. The protagonist meets a host of characters throughout the last days of his life, from his girlfriend and landlord to a tattooed coffee shop barista.

Roberts hopes that the journey of this character will speak to a wide audience.

“Everyone struggles with life and all the things that make up life, and, frankly, everyone at some point sits down and questions the validity of life and the point of it all,” Roberts said. “At least I hope they do.”

The book release party will last from 6 until 8 p.m.

Music

Nappy Roots branches out to the ‘Burg Paul White Printz Writer Hattiesburg has managed to land best-selling hip hop group Nappy Roots to entertain the town’s pleasure seekers tonight at Benny’s Boom Boom Room.

Country and proud of it, Nappy Roots is an alternative Southern rap quartet that was founded in 1995 around a sextet of students attending Western Kentucky University, according to an interview with the group by SOHH.com, a premiere hip hop news website.

The core of the group consists of Kentucky natives Skinny DeVille, B. Stille and Ron Clutch

and Georgia native Fish Scales.

In 2007, Oakland, Calif. native R. Prophet left the group, and in 2012 Kentucky native Big V left, both pursuing solo careers, according to HipHopDX.com.

Nappy Roots released their independently produced full-length debut album “Country Fried Cess” in 1998. The group’s talent and distinctive twist on Southern bounce quickly reeled in the big fish, landing them a deal with Atlantic Records.

In 2002 they released their label debut: multi-platinum best-selling album “Watermelon, Chicken & Gritz,” which featured popular singles “Headz Up”, “AwNaw,” and “Po’Folks.” The follow-up album

“Wooden Leather” came out only a year later, after which they left Atlantic and started their own label, N.R.E.G. (Nappy Roots Entertainment Group) with distribution rights through Fontana/ Universal Music Group.

Since then, they have released two more albums. In 2008, the much-anticipated album “The Humdinger” was issued and was the first not to feature member R. Prophet. Their most recent full-length album, “The Pursuit of Nappyness,” was released as a quintet in 2010.

Last June, the remaining four Nappy Roots released their mix tape “Sh!t’s Beautiful.”

“We wanted to make a project

that’s able to promote our upcoming releases, as well as introduce the world to the individuals who make up the collective Nappy Roots,” member Skinny Deville told AllHipHop.com. “We try to make the best music possible and hit as many cities as we can, and without fans’ support, none of that would be possible.”

Their exceptional commitment to the fans might be why Hattiesburg is a stop on their tour, but fans are aflutter with excitement, and apparently the band is too.

“The Nappy Roots are just as excited about this show as we are,” said Boom Boom Room owner Ben Shemper.

“It’s going to be a good day for

gree, not whether or not we have the first black president.”

Hank Bounds, Commissioner of Higher Education, said the choice to hire Bennett had nothing to do with his race but everything to do with his qualifications.

“I really don’t care the color of their skin, whether they’re short or tall,” Bounds said Wednesday night. “We were looking for talent and Rodney

fit that bill.”

Bounds added that everyone who has had the chance to meet Bennett has quickly become a supporter.

“If you just spend a few minutes with the guy you quickly recognize that he’s brilliant, quick on his feet and has a real passion for students,” Bounds said. “He has very good experiences from an institution that has been very successful, so he

has had an opportunity to see what good looks like.”

When asked what he wanted students to know about him, Bennett said he is the type of university leader who will be hanging out in Subway and the Fresh Food Company.

“I want students to feel like I’m their president, and I’m not this mystical person in the dome removed from day to day student life,” Bennett said.

us po’ folk,” said Hattiesburg local and fan Amanda Terry, referencing two of the groups songs. “It’s only $15 to see a legendary group, and I’m pumped.”

The Facebook event page alone suggests that over 200 people plan to attend.

“You can pretty much guarantee a sold out show,” Shemper said. “Their manager actually asked me for advice on how to promote shows. I was flattered but told him I didn’t do a thing.

It’s the Hattiesburg scene.”

Presale tickets are $10 and regular tickets are $15 at the door.

Doors open at 9:30 p.m. with local DJ group Ca$h Fountain setting the stage.

bennett, from 1 For Bennett, however, the historical significance of his hiring is not something he wants to focus on.

“I was a little concerned that the focus was going to shift from what it really should have been about, and that was really providing high quality higher education to students,” Bennett said. “Most students are thinking about the cost of attendance and of getting a de-

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“I want to be in the residence halls and at Greek Life functions.”

“Southern Miss has diversity of majors, small classes and plenty of outlets for social activities,” Bennett said. “When I found out this job was available I thought it was the perfect place. I knew someone needed to become president, so why not me?”

Just scan this code or visit our website to fill out an application.

Feature

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Student Printz, Page 5

Local

Southern Prohibition brews downtown Ashleigh Johnson Printz Writer In the heart of downtown Hattiesburg, in a furniture warehouse from the 1940s comes the beginning of great things for Hattiesburg. Previously located in Keg and Barrel on Hardy Street, the craft beer company, Southern Prohibition, is expanding to East 2nd Street.

“Demand was so high for the craft beer coming out of the Keg and Barrel, along with an overall love of craft beer,” said Emily Curry, outside sales of Southern Prohibition. “The law changing in July was the last kick for Quinby (Chunn) and John (Neal) to pursue their dream together.”

The law Curry is referring to is the craft-beer bill, which was approved last April to become legal in July. The bill allowed for beer to contain up to eight percent alcohol where previously, anything above five was illegal.

Since the passing of the law, Hattiesburg has seen the emergence of two local craft beer companies, Southern Prohibition and Gordon Creek Brewery. Southern Prohibition has more than 20 barrels in the warehouse and plans on having at least three different types of craft beer, including a seasonal ale which they will switch out in the fall.

“We are pleased with the addition of two new breweries to the downtown area,” said Betsy Rowell, director of Historic Hattiesburg Downtown Association. “ I believe this new industry will be important to attracting visitors downtown.

With that in mind, we are planning for the addition of a beer festival to enhance our FestivalSouth series in June.”

Southern Prohibition plans to can the craft beer, which will be sold in a four pack of 16 oz. cans instead of the average six packs.

“Canning craft beer is a rather new concept to Mississippi,” Curry said, “and we are eager to change the perception beer drinkers have of the can.”

Southern Prohibition is set to open in mid April and is eager to share their craft beer with Hattiesburg. Launch parties are being planned for the company as well as pairings with other breweries in the South region. With their downtown location, they plan on having a tasting room, hold brewery tours and even plan for multiple beer crawls.

“There are a few things up our sleeves, just keep a close eye on us (Facebook or Twitter) and wait,” Curry said. “We want Southern Prohibition to be a common name in the community.”

Gordon Creek Brewery, in size, is a much smaller brewery but has similar ambitions. The brewery hopes to have 2-4 dif-

Christopher Little/Printz

Southern Prohibition Brewing Company has already stimulated the local economy with its hiring of Ben Green and Emily Curry.

Christopher Little/Printz

From left to right: Quinby Chunn, owner; Emily Curry, sales; John Neal, owner; and Ben Green, brewer plan their next step inside what is to become Southern Prohibition Brewing Company.

ferent beers on a regular basis and hold weekly beer tastings to get the community involved in perfecting their product.

“Beer geeks travel to try new beers and with two local breweries, a local brew pub and Hattiesburg’s rich culture, I expect we’ll see a lot of tourism from it,” said the Gordon Creek brewer, Sam Sorrells.

Sorrells is the brewer for the company, where his wife Kathy

Sorrells, owns the business.

They will have five barrels and be placed among the smaller breweries, but Sorrells is excited about the possibilities.

“Small scale brewing is much more the norm in places like the UK and Belgium,” Sorrells said.

Although they are opening much later than intended, Gordon Creek looks to open around March.

Page 6, Student Printz

FOOTBALL

Student Shout-outs

Printz Writer

I scoffed while reading the line in the article about Superbowl commercials which implied that older generations are responsible for “creating” the behavior of the current one. It’s time for this generation to take responsibility for its actions rather than blame those who came before them. You create your future.

Shout out to Campus Book Mart for having Tracey Lampley and Gerald McRath signing autographs before the basketball game on Saturday #SMTTT To the cute drummer I met on Saturday night, you played to the beat of my heart. We should do that again sometime. -A So there I was walking up to the bookstore ate 6:39 about to buy a drink. The bookstore was closed at 6:40, but they’re not supposed to close till 6:45. I was frustrated, all I wanted was an Arizona Tea and all I could think was IWTGBTP! If you see kay Tell him he may See you in tea Tell him from me I’ll take The Who over Beyonce any day.

I’m pretty sure it’s a first come first serve lot but you people parking in the drive waiting for a spot is rediculous. Move on and stop blocking others so you won’t have to actually walk. Lazy!!!

I ordered a vegetable sandwich from Starbucks on campus and got a messy egg and cheese thrown between two pieces of bread. When I took it back, they said that’s what a veggie sandwich is at Starbucks. According to google the technical term I should have used was “panini.” Maybe then they would have known what I was talking about because a sandwich and panini are sooooo different. My bad. (said sarcastically)

”

To see your anonymous comment in The Student Printz, submit it under the ‘Contact’ tab on studentprintz.com.

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Nat’l Signing Day a walk to remember Ben Welch

“

Sports

I am an ACC apologist stuck in an SEC fan’s body, and, yes, it is as bad as it sounds.

I grew up an ACC fan before attending Alabama for my undergraduate studies. (I’m currently here as a graduate student).

I’m not one of those guys who couldn’t get into LSU but still wear an LSU hoodie on campus when it gets cold, and, yes, guy in the LSU hoodie, your actions are frowned upon.

Before my freshman year of college, National Signing Day did not mean anything to me. I did not care what recruits did until they were sleepwalking through an upset loss on the road at NC State. And, yes, that’s also as bad as it sounds.

For some insight into the average Saturday for an ACC fan, I was actually encouraged when Florida State beat Wake Forrest 52-0 this year. Why? Because that meant they showed up on the road and beat a lesser team like they were supposed to. That is ACC football.

Those are our trap games.

Enough of an apology. Now back to the league the wins National Signing Day: the SEC, the league where your trap game is coming home to Texas A&M after battling LSU in Death Valley, the league that has won the last seven national championships and the league that, based on this year’s recruiting, is nowhere near ending that streak.

This year, no matter what site you look at, the SEC has placed six recruiting classes in the top ten nationally. Kentucky, the second worst class in the SEC, would place fourth in the Big 10.

What is happening in this conference is unheard of. This year’s recruits were in fifth grade the last time an SEC team did not win a national title.

My time at Alabama changed my view of National Signing Day. I now see it as a fun day of bragging that gives college football fans an excuse to delve back into the sport during the off season, much like draft day for the NFL. I’m not one of these crazed fans who live and die by the decisions of high school seniors. I still wait for them to strap on the pads before I get too crazy. This year, I followed NSD all day long for you, the reader. And now, our walk to remember....

Monday, February 4, 2013, around 9:50 p.m.

A tired me, who has to be at work at 8 a.m. the next morning, is not trying to fall asleep for the night. I’m watching “The New College Football Show” on Fox Sports South waiting to hear where the best middle linebacker in the country, Rueben Foster, will be playing football next season.

A kid who has already decommitted from Alabama and Auburn, only to keep both schools in his top three choices. A kid who, before decommitting from Auburn, got a tattoo of the Auburn logo that takes up his entire left forearm. A kid who will probably fail freshman year English yet still make more money than me in my lifetime.

Foster ultimately chose to recommit to Alabama, but the smart fans (which I know are few and far between) will not feel comfortable with his commitment until the fax machine girl in the houndstooth skirt receives his letter of intent on Wednesday.

Wednesday, February 6, 2012, around 8 a.m.

I woke up, checked the photo I was tagged in on Facebook, and logged onto Twitter, where I spent the rest of my day.

Robert Nkemdiche, the consensus number one player in the country, had already announced his decision to play at Ole Miss

next year. It was a huge get by the Rebels and smart of him to announce early. Now, recruits who were on the fence about where to announce have a bearing on where the number one guy will end up and could base their decisions on that. Dominoes could fall quickly and early.

Fax machines around the country had already started blowing up by the time I woke up.

Southern Miss received its first letter at 7:18 a.m. and put a solid class together. As of 8:20 a.m., the Golden Eagles filled needs on the defensive side including five defensive backs, three defensive linemen, and a linebacker.

Wednesday, a little after noon While I was eating lunch, today’s crazy story surfaced. There’s always one. Alex Collins, a fourstar running back from Plantation, Fla., committed to Arkansas over Wisconsin and Miami on Monday on the same show Foster did, ironically. Apparently his mother wasn’t happy about it.

It came out that Arkansas had yet to receive his letter because his mom had stolen his letter. As of noon, she’s not happy with his choice to go so far from home and he can’t find her. This is ridiculous to me, and I feel sorry for this young man.

The Eagles currently have the fourth best class in C-USA, according to Rivals.com. Southern Miss had 22 recruits signed today, with another two who enrolled early in January. Two quarterbacks have their names on this year’s list: Nick Mullens of Hoover, Ala. and Parker Adamson of Oxford, and both will mostly likely get a shot to help stop the revolving door the Eagles had at that position last season.

Southern Miss best ranked recruits will all fill areas of need.

The Eagles boast seven three star recruits at the moment with another one committed. Three of those play on the defensive line,

one is a tight end, two are wide receivers and an offensive lineman signed with another defensive lineman committed.

Wednesday, slightly before 6:00 p.m.

My day is done and so is Southern Miss’s. Rivals.com still has the Eagles ranked fourth in C-USA. The cornerstones of this year’s signing class are found on the defensive line. Christopher Robinson out of Shreveport, La., is rated as a four star defensive tackle by ESPN. Rod Crayton of Dadeville, Ala. is a three star defensive tackle who recorded 157 tackles, four sacks and six fumble recoveries during his senior year. Dylan Bradley of Macon is rated as the tenth best recruit in the state and recorded 21.5 sacks during his senior year.

Those three, with the rest of the 12 defensive recruits, should help sure up a porous Eagle defense. In total, Southern Miss signed 25 incoming freshmen who bought what Coach Todd Monken was selling.

When asked during his introductory press conference in December about what he would sell to recruits after an 0-12 season and having no head coaching experience himself, Monken responded, “Eighteen of the last 19 years, you’ve had a winning season. That’s still damn impressive.”

With this National Signing Day in the books, fans around the country have been taken on another roller coaster ride, but that’s what you get when you’re hanging on the words and decisions of 17 and 18 year old players.

Ultimately, fans need to be reminded that a good recruiting class is nice, but it will come down to the players and the coaches on whether these classes will pay off or disappoint. I will know whether they’re worth it when they play at NC State on a Thursday night in October.

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Sports

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Southern Miss football signing class 2013 Devin Farrior

6’5

300

CJ Perry, Jr. 6’2

225

LB

Kelsey Douglas

5’11 175

DB

Tyre’oune Holmes 5’11 170

ATH

Branton Lee 5’8

163

WR

Jomez Applewhite 6’1

175

Tyler Sarrazin

6’3

190

OL

Wayne County HS

Bessemer Academy Bessemer, Ala. Hightower HS

Missouri City, Texas

Tylertown HS Tylertown, Miss.

North Florida Christian DB K/P

Tallahassee, Fla.

Bassfield HS Bassfield, Miss.

Dutchtown HS

Geismar, La.

300

DT

Dadeville HS Dadeville, Ala.

Cameron Tom

6’4

285

OL

Catholic HS

George Payne

6’0

200

RB

St. Luke’s Episcopal Mobile, Ala.

DB

Baton Rouge, La.

New Hope HS Columbus, Miss.

Ja’Boree Poole

6’2

230

DE

Brookhaven HS

Dylan Bradley

6’1

255

DL

Noxubee County

Evan Osborne

6’3

198

DB

Pearl HS

Jalen Square 5’10 180

DB

McGill-Toolen HS

James Cox

WR

Northridge HS

6’1

193

Brookhaven, Miss.

Mobile, Ala. Tuscaloosa, Ala.

180

WR

Jerry Harris 6’3

295

DT

Hueytown HS Hueytown, Ala.

Southern Lab Baton Rouge, La.

Nick Mullens

6’1

185

QB

Spain Park HS

JaMarcus Revies

5’11 175

WR

Petal HS

Draper Riley 6’4

245

West Jefferson HS

6’2

270

Parker Adamson | 6’4

205

QB

DL

Harvey, La.

Woodlawn HS

Oxford HS

Shreveport, La.

Oxford, Miss.

Box Score: Men’s Basketball 02/6 at UCF L, 60-58

Upcoming Games: 02/07/13 02/08/13 5:00 & 7:00 p.m. Softball at Cal State Fullerton 11:00 a.m. Softball at UC Davis Fullerton, Calif.

Fresno, Calif.

4:00 p.m. Softball at UC Riverside 02/09/13 Fresno, Calif.

All Day Track and Field at Vulcan Invite Birmingham, Ala. 02/10/13 12:00 p.m. Women’s Tennis at Mcneese 11:00 a.m. Women’s Tennis at Northwestern State State Natchitoches, La. Natchitoches, La. 1:15 p.m. Softball at UC Davis 11:00 a.m. Softball at Sacramento State Fresno, Calif.

Fresno, Calif.

3 p.m. Women’s Basketball at UTEP 3:30 p.m. Softball at Fresno State El Paso, TX Fresno, Calif.

1 p.m. Men’s Tennis at Troy Troy, Ala.

Hoover, Ala.

Petal, Miss.

Southern Miss Sports

3 p.m. Men’s Basketball vs. Memphis Hattiesburg, Miss.

Head football coach Todd Monken speaks to fans at the Signing Day Social held at the Lake Terrace Convention Center on Wednesday.

Pearl, Miss.

6’2

Christopher Robinson

Christopher Little/Printz

Macon, Miss.

Marquise Ricard

TE

FOOTBALL

Waynesboro, Miss.

Rod Crayton 6’1

Trae Collins 5’11 181

Student Printz, Page 7

Gras

Page 8, Student Printz

The Student Printz

Thursday, February 7, 2013

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