The
S TUDENT P RINTZ www.studentprintz.com
SERVING SOUTHERN MISS SINCE 1927
April 18, 2013
Volume 97 Issue 53
SPORTS
Southern Miss to be outfitted by Russell Josh Campbell Printz Writer Southern Miss Athletics celebrated the beginning of a new era Wednesday at M.M. Roberts Stadium as they unveiled the new Russell Athletic uniforms for the upcoming season. Russell and Southern Miss announced the agreement of a five-year deal that will pay Southern Miss $2.75 million once their contract with Nike expires. Russell uniforms will be donned by all 16 Southern Miss athletic programs. The main uniforms that were displayed during the press conference were for the football and basketball programs. The baseball team will be completely dressed by Russell when its contract with Under Armour runs out. The football team will have a revamped look as they attempt
to rebound from last year’s disappointing season. The senior class helped Russell design the new uniforms. The uniforms will take some getting used to but should grow on the fan base. Pieces of the new look include helmets that have yellow flakes in the black paint and pants that have a two-tone color scheme. The uniforms have state-of-the-art features, including MSC fabric, which allows for more comfort and flexibility. The basketball uniforms are a replica of those worn by the 1987 NIT Championship team. It brings a classic look to the program, which is trying to keep improving after an impressive season that resulted in a No. 1 seed in the NIT tournament. “This is an extremely exciting time at Southern Miss and this partnership with Russell Athletic further solidifies our future” USM Athletic Director Jeff Hammond said.
Christopher Little/Printz
Southern Miss student athletes Bruce Johnson, Deron Wilson, Neil Watson and Jerrold Brooks display new uniforms designed and selected for the 2013 football season and 2014 basketball season. The USM Athletic Department held a press conference for the release of new uniforms and the new contract with Russell Athletics on Wednesday morning.
The Southern Miss football team will debut their new uni-
forms Aug. 31 when they take on Texas State at The Rock un-
der the leadership of new head coach Todd Monken.
ON CAMPUS
Miss. STD rates climb, USM pushes awareness Carly Tynes
April is STD Awareness month, meaning it’s time to educate, inform and aim to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases and sexually transmitted infections. More than 20 million sexually transmitted diseases are transmitted each year, with Mississippi ranking at the top of almost every category of disease. According to information released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than $16 billion are poured into treating the some
20 million STDs transmitted each year. Mississippi ranked No. 6 in the United States for highest rate of new HIV infections, with Forrest County ranking third in the state. Seventy-five percent of those newly diagnosed with HIV are men. Mississippi also ranked No. 1 in the U.S. in cases of chlamydia and gonorrhea. It is vital for those who are or have been sexually active to get tested, Kathy Garner, executive director of the AIDS Services Coalition in Hattiesburg, told WHLT in an interview. Garner said when one has sex with someone, he or she is also
sleeping everyone they have slept with. “If you don’t treat those diseases, they can get worse,” Garner said. “It is important that everyone is made aware that HIV is not the only sexually transmitted disease that can and will progress into something worse if untreated or undiagnosed.” Jodi Ryder, health educator with Student Health Services at the University of Southern Mississippi, said the key to effective treatment of STIs and STDs is early detection. Ryder said it is vital that if you are sexually active or are with a partner who has been sexually active that
you and your partner each get tested. “STIs, which are sexually transmitted bacterial infections such as chlamydia and gonorrhea, can be treated and cured if caught early,” Ryder said. “However, some can be caught so late that they can leave a woman infertile.” Ryder said that STDs like HIV, HPV and herpes are not going to completely be cured, but can be placed in a dormant stage with some medications. It is during this dormant stage that most do not realize they are still able to spread the disease. Students at USM are encour-
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aged to educate themselves, others and, most importantly, get tested. Students, faculty and staff can take advantage of free HIV testing offered at the clinic on campus, as well as reduced fees for testing for sexually transmitted infections. “People should always be aware that sexual intercourse is not the only way to spread or contract an STD or STI,” Ryder said. “The spreading of an STD or STI can happen through oral sex and genital to skin contact.” According to the CDC website, half of all new STD diag-
See STD, 4
INDEX
Calendar ........................ 2 Crossword ...................... 2 News .............................. 4 Feature ...........................5 Arts & Entertainment......6 Opinion ............................7