the Tabor College
View February 2018
INSIDE: #metoo Jeremiah Randall “The Greatest Showman” Review Cover Photo by Shannon Martens
3 JAYLINES 4 SHARI FLAMING CENTER 5 “IS IT BUILT YET?” 6 PLP 7 ADRIENNE’S/JAYWASH 8 INTERTERM TRIP 9 MOVIE REVIEW 10 #METOO 11 TABOR SURVIVIORS 12 JEREMIAH RANDALL 13-14 SPORTS FEATURES 15 SPORTS UPDATES
Who is your celebrity crush? why? Billy Wiser, freshman
“My celebrity crush is Betty White because she’s a beautiful, kindhearted and funny woman.”
Gallagher Martin-Chavez, sophomore
“Taylor Swift, because she’s everything I want in a woman and more.”
Naima Mexen Murra, junior
“My celebrity crush is Roger Federer because he is the best tennis player in the world, and he’s a great person on and off the court.”
Lindsey Stroud, senior
“Matthew McConaughey, because he’s “‘alright, alright, alright.’”
Brad Vogel, Vocal Music Professor
“Anne Hathaway. She’s a good actress, she can sing—as they say, ‘Anne hath charm, Anne hath will, Anne Hathaway.’”
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Shari FlAming Center For The Arts By Ben Wieler
Tabor College’s new Center for the Arts is in line to be completed by the beginning of March. The building, which includes several amenities that have been well publicized, is meaningful to both the immediate college and the community of Hillsboro at large. To the college, the art building is a concept 50 years in the making. Suitable for hosting both small artistic classes and large public performances, Tabor’s website notes that the College aims to use the building as “A place of learning,” that possesses classrooms and practice facilities for students. “A place of community,” where those associated with the school can gather. “A place for the arts,” that will allow for the performance of theater, music and the display of visual works. A current Tabor College student and choir member noted the significance of the new arts building to current students: “The new arts building will benefit many current students, especially those involved in the arts. The quality of the facility is important in terms of both a place to practice and to perform choral pieces.” To the community, the art building will serve as the hub for local culture. Culture that has a tendency to remain hidden behind sporting will now be able to be produced and displayed for large audiences. The arts building will also allow Hillsboro to support acts from out-of-town performers that will influence the culture of Tabor College and the city of Hillsboro. Another current Tabor student was born and 4
raised in Hillsboro and has already seen the effects from the completion of the new arts building has had on the city: “People from the Hillsboro area now have the ability to gather and experience the arts in way in which was not previously possible. This ability is a positive for both the community and Tabor itself.” The new coffeehouse located within the atrium of the building has led to one of the more visible changes. The shop attracts members of the local community who now have a reason to spend time on campus. Furthermore, it enables interaction between community members and students of Tabor, Hillsboro High School and Hillsboro Middle School. The relationship between a College and the community it lies within is never straightforward and the increased communication between the two sides usually benefits the relationship. The arts building should work to attract prospective students and third-party rentals. The grandeur and the features of the building will appeal to high school arts students looking for facilities that will allow high-level practice of their interests. The modern auditorium should draw regional performance groups. The atrium may entice conferences and gatherings that are looking to meet in the area. The new Center for the Arts seems poised to serve as a meaningful project for both Tabor College and the community of Hillsboro.
“Is it Built yet?” By Ben Wieler
Sometime in June of 2016 the Is it built yet? account joined Twitter. Is it built yet? describes itself as “an account to tell you whether Tabor College’s new music, theater, and art building has been built yet. 50+ years and still waiting.” Over the next one and a half years, Is it built Yet? produced 396 tweets that attracted 176 ‘followers.’ Many students saw the account’s witty and often redundant notes as humorous. School leadership seemed to take a different view on the matter. VP of Athletics Rusty Allen blocked the account on Twitter and President Jules Glanzer offered to give a personal tour of the building in its construction stages to the curator of the account. Unfortunately for both parties, the offer came during summer break and geography prevented such an event from occurring. The creator of the notorious Twitter account had intentions other than humor or annoyance. Is it built yet? hoped to shine light on a repetitive issue that has plagued Tabor for years. This problem was highlighted in a letter Is it built yet? penned to the View. “Here’s the pattern that runs through all of this. Every step of the way, the administration has told us that things are a certain way when they’re not. And after a while, I had an important realization: they had no idea what was going on.” The letter goes on to explain further, “One thing was
for sure, though: they were definitely not just moving the goalposts all the time in order to give the illusion that things were going as planned and to hide the fact that they said they would be done in 2014, and again in 2015, and again in 2016, and again in 2017, and failed to do so each and every time. No, an honest, transparent administration like the one at Tabor would never do that. It had to be a simple issue of communication. They just needed someone to let them know what was going on.” Laced among the sarcasm of the letter one can see goal of the Twitter account’s creator: attempting to keep an often-private administration honest about the actual events that were occurring surrounding the Center for the Arts. The creator donates a portion of their letter to defending the account’s actions, “I’m not making fun of anyone. I’m not trying to start any arguments. And I’m not reporting anything that isn’t true. I’m only keeping everybody up to speed on where we’re at with the building.” Thankfully, for both Tabor College and the creator of Is it built yet?, The Center for the Arts has now been built. And who knows, maybe a niche Twitter account that had most of its tweets consist of the same four-letter word had an effect on the timeline for the new building. Some people are very sensitive to public opinion: that is what makes them act privately in the first place.
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Tabor Welcomes Prospective Presidential Leadership Program Candidates By Madison Byrd
Tabor College hosted the 2018-19 Presidential Leadership Program candidates on campus Feb. 18-19. While on campus, 24 high school students participated in different activities, interviews and team assignments in hopes of being selected into the two-track program for the upcoming year. PLP scholars and fellows have different roles and requirements to fill. Four leadership scholars will be awarded $22,000 stand-alone scholarships annually, while invited leadership fellows will be awarded a $4,500 scholarship along with other pending aid. The Presidential Leadership Program at Tabor has a lot of opportunities and value to many students on campus. Each year during the month of February, a new group of leaders are selected to start and build their leadership experience here at Tabor. The program has a goal that identifies students who want to focus on their leadership skills. Some have had high school leadership responsibilities and now they know it is an area of strength. “The Presidential Leadership Program creates a learning community around leadership and provides leadership expo-
sure for the participants,” said President Jules Glanzer. “The program is a four-year, eight-semester program. The world is our classroom. Experiences, networking, exposure, reading and mentoring are hallmarks of the program. The being/ doing model of leadership is taught and caught.” Leadership development is an experience that begins with ideas, involves participation, requires reflection, needs relationship and is best built through entrepreneurship. The goal of this process is to select student who are willing to be challenged, influenced and mentored by their fellow peers and leaders. Before being selected to visit the campus, each applicant must submit a PLP application, be accepted into the school, and submit an updated resume. After selection, they are invited onto campus for further evaluation an tasks. When selecting the candidates, Tabor staff evaluates credibility such as GPA, ACT, leadership skills and ability to work well under pressure with others. If selected, each individual will either be a scholar or a fellow in the program. During the competition weekend, each individual is interviewed by Presi-
dent Glanzer and Erin Barocio, who is the director of presidential leadership fellow program and also the women’s basketball assistant coach. Beyond success in the classroom, Tabor is also looking for candidates who are helpful and successful in their communities. These leaders are people who are willing to go into their communities and help those around them. PLP members meet regularly to look over goals and assignments for the program. Scholars are assigned different tasks and work with Glanzer in the process while the fellows complete their tasks under the advisement of Barocio. The mission of the program is to prepare students to be persons of influence, learning how to lead and lead well. The vision of the program is to create a leadership learning community that provides experiences, networking, exposure, mentoring and literature for today’s young leaders. “The Presidential Leadership Program has benefited me in many positive ways,” said freshman Taytum Lankford, a PLP fellow. “It has helped me to become a more outgoing and sociable person.”
The View STAFF Editors-in-chief: Megan Voth, Ricky Benavides Staff Writers: Bailey Kaufman, Maryn Robson, Benjamyn Wieler, Micah Richert, Madison Byrd, Kara Schlotthauer, Joseph Baker Page Designer: Megan Voth Photographer: Shannon Martens Adviser: Aleen Ratzlaff The Tabor View is the official student publication of Tabor College in Hillsboro, Kan. It is published by Print Source Direct, LLC, 116 S. Main, Hillsboro, Kan., 67063. The opinions expressed in The Tabor View are not necessarily those of TheTabor View staff. Photos by Vance Frick, unless otherwise noted
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Adrienne’s Coffee Shop By Bailey Kaufman
The Shari Flaming Center for the Arts’ coffee shop, officially named Adrienne’s, opened Jan. 4 to a crowd of Tabor faculty, staff and students as well Hillsboro community members. The coffee shop, which was named after the donor’s late wife, operates under the “We Proudly Serve Starbucks” label, serving menu staples such as Frappuccino, and is commonly referred to as “Starbucks.” According to Tabor College President Jules Glanzer, the Starbucks helps fulfill one of his goals for the new building: to bring more community to Tabor. “We hope it will be a place to build community on the Tabor campus,” Glanzer said. “It will be a place where all of the students and all of the faculty and staff will be able to gather. We also want it to be a gift to the community that they will feel at home to come here.” Glanzer said he specifically chose Starbucks for three reasons. The first was “to provide a reflective and comfortable place for students to gather.” “This is a reflective, quiet place,” he said. “This is where you come and have a cup of coffee with a friend and have a serious conversation, come and read a book, come and sit and enjoy a cup of coffee, relax and be reflective.”
Second, Glanzer wanted a place that allows the community to come to campus on a regular basis. In addition, Glanzer said he believes the Starbucks brand name helps promote the college and increase the number of students. “When our admission counselors are on the road,” he said, “and they say we have a Starbucks on campus, it’s like, ‘Oh wow, you must be OK.’” Former Tabor student Emma Roberts was hired to manage the Starbucks, and she is responsible for marketing the shop and hiring students and community members. Roberts said she hopes the shop fosters community on campus and that students use the opportunities the space provides. “It’s a big space and we can have Bible studies and a quiet place to do homework,” she said. “I hope we can bring the community and Tabor students together here.”
Since its opening, the space has already become a hub for conversations and quiet reflection for both students and community members. Junior Alyssa Abbott said the coffee shop has become a go-to meeting place for many people. “It’s trendy and it fits our college culture,” she said. “I think it’s great how it has brought community in beyond just Tabor students.” The Starbucks is open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday-Friday and 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday.
Students Speak Out, Facility Operations Answers By Kara Schlotthauer
An article previously published in the Tabor View sparked Facility Operations to give the Jay Wash a refreshed appearance. The article pinpointed problems with the laundry room and included student testimonies, which made Terry Ens, head of Facility Operations, decide that it was time to make some changes. “We’ve always known that that room needs some TLC, but the article prompted us to act faster than we probably would have,” Ens said. Since the article’s release in December, updates have already been made to the Jay Wash. Recycling has been relocated to the trash enclosure, tables and leftover junk have been removed and the facility has
received a fresh coat of paint. Not only has the recycling’s location altered but also the method of recycling pickup, thanks to the city of Hillsboro’s generosity. “We did not have a good system, so I thought, ‘Let me just call the city and see what resources they have,’” Ens said. “So I called them, and they said, ‘Well, we’ll come pick it up for you for free.’” Facility Operations also plans to add folding tables, replace the overhead lights with LED bulbs and fix the entry doors. Ens said he hopes to have the project finished in early March. The Jay Wash’s looks will continue to improve by closer monitoring of cleaning done by student workers.
“We’re going to definitely step up our game to make sure that they’ve got the resources to do that,” Ens said. Facility Operations has responded to over 1,000 requests since Aug. 28, and the desire to serve the Tabor campus is not lost on Ens. “When you have something to say, it’s in my nature to make sure that I do whatever I can to respond to that,” Ens said. “That’s just how I am wired.” The quick response to student voices serves as an example of Facility Operations’ eagerness to ensure the satisfaction of Tabor’s residents. “I want students and faculty to know that we are very intentional about your requests and about making this a better place.” 7
Interterm Class Offers Aid to Hurricane Harvey Victims By Kara Schlotthauer
A pair of students and their professor chose to leave the comfort of Tabor during Interterm to lend helping hands to Hurricane Harvey victims. Dr. Karol Hunt traveled to Houston, Texas, with students in her Disaster Relief Service Interterm class, junior Katherine Coleman and senior Benjamin Loewen, through the Samaritan’s Purse program to help repair damage from the Category 4 storm in late August. Choosing the destination for her 11th Interterm trip wasn’t challenging for Hunt. “I just saw all the devastation,” Hunt said. “Out of all the places to go that Samaritan’s Purse had set up, this was the area that needed the most help.” After the trio’s first week of Inter-
term training in the classroom, they departed for their two-week trip on Jan. 6. Hunt said she was surprised at the lack of outer damage in the city upon arriving. “The rain was over a four-day period of time, so the water rose gradually and then it subsided gradually, so the damage is on the inside of the houses,” Hunt said. “You don’t see external damage.” The team set to work laying tile in the home of a pastor named George, which continued for the majority of the trip and quickly became monotonous, according to Coleman. Hunt said that each team member took turns laying the tile in straight rows, trying to do as professional of a job as possible armed
Karol, George, Ben, and Katherine pose for a photo during a quick break
with unprofessional knowledge and experience. While the team worked hard most of the trip, they took time to gain cultural experiences at a few museums in Houston and visit the Gulf of Mexico at Galveston beach. Even through natural disasters like Hurricane Harvey, Hunt said she saw God work through the people’s unity and desire to do whatever is necessary to get people back into their homes. “I think that it strengthened their faith rather than threw everybody for a loop,” Hunt said. For those interested in disaster relief, Hunt had two pieces of advice. “Just be willing to go and be willing to do anything that needs to be done,” she said. “God uses ordinary people.”
Ben Loewen hard at work
Photos courtesy of Karol Hunt 8
Movie Review: “The Greatest Showman” By Maryn Robson
The timing for “The Greatest Showman” could not have been better. With Barnum & Bailey Circus and Ringling Brothers officially closing up shop in 2017, the musical commemorates the showmen who invited people to lose their sense of truth and fiction. The film is a splashy production with vibrant colors, stellar acting and excellent music that draws the audience into the world of P.T. Barnum where they allow themselves the pleasure of a few hours’ hoodwinking. In the film, Barnum rises from poverty to fame by bringing abnormal people into his circus, providing a place for them in a world that rejects them. While performing various acts that may or may not be exaggerated, Barnum is not only unveiling people who were once invisible—he is also making a fair bit of money. Some may think this musical covers up the reality of exploitation. This idea rears its ugly head when Barnum enlists the service of a dwarf later given the title General Tom Thumb. Laughed at his whole life, Tom at first refuses Barnum’s offer, saying “Everyone will laugh at me,” to which Barnum bluntly replies, “Of course they’ll laugh at you.” Indeed, parading curiosities and oddities before a crowd to make some money is less than noble, but history should taken into account. During the 19th and 20th centuries, the circus was a place where invisible, unwanted people found a place. When society rejected them,
the circus accepted them, and just as Barnum pulls away the sheet hiding the Bearded Lady’s face, his show lifts the veil his performers once hid behind. The strength of the film is in its actors, led by the enthralling Hugh Jackman. Although many know
Photo Souce: imbd.com
him as Wolverine, he started his career as a musical man, performing on the Broadway stage as well as in musical films such as “Les Miserables.” His strong baritone and precise dancing make for an outstanding performance and exhibits his versatility as an actor. Other big names among the cast include Zac Efron and Zendaya, whose riveting song “Rewrite the Stars” leaves audiences in awe as they swing across the expanse of
the circus tent. Efron, previously seen in the “High School Musical” trilogy and other films such as “Hairspray” and “The Lucky One,” demonstrates a new level of skill in “Showman” as Barnum’s partner, Philip Carlyle. For Keala Settle, her role as the Bearded Lady is her biggest screen role to date. She shows just what she can do in her song “This is Me,” revealing a powerhouse voice and a presence that fills a room. There’s no denying the musical numbers are catchy. Written by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, who also composed the music for “La La Land,” each song rings with vibrancy. The percussive elements, the wild beats and the smooth ballads are memorable, and their pop style resonates with modern American culture. However, the hip music does not fit the content of “Showman.” The movie is about the circus, but the music neither reflects the circus nor the style of the time. For some, this is disappointing. For most, I think it’s safe to say, the music is so appealing that it does not matter. “Showman” is a lighthearted film for the family to enjoy. While it skirts difficult issues such as poverty, exploitation and societal expectations, this reflects the purpose of the film: to blind the audience of what is real for a few hours. The critic in the film says to Barnum, “Does it bother you that everything you’re selling is fake?” to which Barnum replies, “Do these smiles seem fake?” 9
#MeToo: Break the Silence at Tabor By Maryn Robson
Silence is bondage. Millions of people have experienced sexual assault, coercion, intimidation and yet survivors believe that what happened to them is something they should be ashamed of—to be silent about. So they keep their mouths closed, moving unseen among us. But truth is power. Words are the doorway to understanding and change. Tarana Burke knew this when she started “Me Too” in 1996, a simple phrase that gave victims the courage to speak out about what happened to them. In 2017, #MeToo went viral when Alyssa Milano, one of the many actors abused by director Harvey Weinstein, used Twitter as a platform to urge survivors to speak out about what was done to them. That day, millions of people retweeted #MeToo. Young girls and boys, women and men are sexually assaulted every day. More people than we realize are hiding an ugly truth that someone forced them to carry. But when that truth is revealed, change happens. And that change needs to happen here, on Tabor College’s campus. Statistics report that one in five women and one in 71 men in the U.S. will be raped in their 10
lives. On college campuses one in five women and one in 16 men are sexually abused. Because of the prevalence of sexual assault, it has a found an unwelcome place at Tabor. Erica Haude, counselor and director of Student Success, encounters cases of sexual assault each year. “We want to think we’re in a bubble,” she said, “like these things don’t happen in our spaces.” What’s even more staggering than the numbers of people being sexually violated is the silence. Ninety percent of cases are not reported. “I think there’s a misunderstanding of the power of shame,” Haude said, “and how people’s shame can silence them. And when you’ve been hurt or wounded, shame can really keep people from ever speaking out.” Survivors often think people won’t believe them, that they’re alone in their story. But #MeToo proved that when survivors of sexual assault realize they’re not alone, they are more likely to tell their story, bringing the issue to light and revealing the perpetrators. #MeToo is not a campaign—it is breaking the silence and unveiling the magnitude of sexual assault in our country.
It’s time the silence is broken at Tabor. “We are foolish if we think that the greater culture around some of these issues doesn’t affect us here at Tabor,” Haude said. With cases being reported every year at this school, sexual assault is not an issue that can be ignored. Tabor provides counseling services and financial assistance for referrals. While these services are provided to help survivors heal, they are also a way for them to find their voice, to reveal what lies under the surface at Tabor, and to bring about justice. But there are more ways we can break the silence. Support groups, walks across campus, forums, even our own hashtag— these are ways Tabor students can take the initiative and reveal the injustices on our campus. These are ways that we can change the course of sexual assault, but it starts with awareness and speaking out. To those who have been sexually assaulted, abused or intimidated, you do not need to be ashamed of what someone else did to you. Speak out, because the world needs you. Speak out, because you are not alone.
Tabor Survivors By Maryn Robson
Kelsey Ballou-Lyngstad Survivors of sexual assault often feel isolated. Josie Patterson, a senior from Charlotte, N.C., and Kelsey Ballou-Lyngstad, a junior from Edwardsville, Kan., know this feeling, and this is why they share their stories openly: so survivors will know they are not alone. “When it happens, it takes away a piece of you,” Patterson said, “and it makes you feel less than.” Patterson has pride in being a strong person, and when she was assaulted, she suddenly felt powerless because she did not have a choice in what happened to her own body. Even as she realized that what happened to her was not her fault, she feared victim blaming, that people would think she was lying, that they would assume she wanted it. For Ballou-Lyngstad, this fear was grounded in reality. “I felt shame at first because (people) were blaming me,” she said, “and I was losing friends over it, and I thought, ‘Well maybe it is my fault.’” Another survivor, who will be unnamed, said that her shame came from what the perpetrator said to her after the assault. “He tore me down as a person, made me feel like I was just an object,” she said. “He made me feel really bad about myself. I believed everything he said, and part of me felt like I deserved it.” These three survivors sought counseling with Erica Haude after the incidents, and for each of them, Haude
Josie Patterson
helped them understand they were not to blame. “Part of me felt like I could have done a lot to change it,” said the unnamed survivor. “But (Haude) kept reminding me that it wasn’t my fault.” For Patterson, talking with Haude empowered her. “Never once did she make me feel isolated or alone,” Patterson said. “She was always there if I ever needed her. She really focused on me, which was something I was not prepared for.” Up until that point, Patterson had felt like a victim, but through counseling with Haude, Patterson’s mindset began to change. “I think (Haude) was the first person to say the term ‘survivor,’” Patterson said, which made her feel strong again. She realized that even though someone had violated her, that didn’t mean he had stolen her strength. Ballou-Lyngstad appreciated Haude’s direction through the situation. “Erica held my hand the whole way,” she said. “She told me what I needed to do, she helped me type out the report, she went with me to talk to Jim Paulus and Dr. Johnson about it, and they were both very supportive.” Knowing there were people on campus who cared about Ballou-Lyngstad encouraged her to take action. Speaking out was difficult for Patterson and Ballou-Lyngstad, but once they did, they realized there were more
people than they knew who had also been sexually assaulted. “Once you tell your story, the amount of people that you will find out have gone through the same thing is heartbreaking and eye-opening,” said Patterson. “But then they feel like they can come to you.” More survivors walk Tabor’s campus than we know. “I know there are girls here that this has happened to, and they are very silent, and the only reason I’m reporting it is because I don’t want this to happen to someone else,” said the unnamed survivor. Furthermore, survivors are not to blame for what happened to them. No means no, and “consent is only consent when it’s given,” added Patterson. Ballou-Lyngstad said, “I wanted other survivors of sexual assault to know that it is OK to come forward, that they didn’t do anything wrong and they are not to blame.” Patterson and Ballou-Lyngstad are more than willing to meet with any survivors who need someone to talk to. They know what you’re going through, and they believe your story. For survivors on Tabor’s campus, Patterson has a message. “Survivors, reach out, talk to somebody—you’re not alone. It gets better. I know everybody says that. It’s cliché, but it does. It’s hard to see it right now because you’re in the pain of it, but it does.” 11
Alumni Spotlight: Jeremiah Randall By Joe Baker
From Moundridge, Kansas, to World Series champion, Jeremiah Randall never envisioned his career to reach success quite like this. “I just wanted to be around competition and a team environment,” Randall said. “Being a head trainer of an MLB team was never a goal of mine, but I’m fortunate to have this job.”
is similar to being a trainer at the highest level of baseball.
Before all of this success being a trainer at the highest level of baseball, Randall was a member of the men’s Bluejay basketball team. “Playing basketball is what drew me to Tabor,” Randall said. “I wasn’t concerned about much else but basketball.”
Randall credits his internship with
“I really loved the competition and team environment from basketball,” Randall said. “I knew I wasn’t going to play professional basketball, but I still wanted to be involved in sports, because of competition and team work.”
Shortly after receiving his education, Randall was an intern for the Seattle Seahawks, New England Patriots, and Atlanta Braves. After being an intern, Randall was with the Los Angeles Dodgers organization for two seasons and served as an assistant trainer for the Pittsburgh Pirates organization for four seasons. When asked about having a passion for baseball, Randall stated what he experienced in basketball
When asked what it is like to work with professional baseball players on a daily basis, Randall sets high standards for his training staff. “Our athletic training department helps prepare players for a ‘marathon’ of a season,” said Randall. “We are all about keeping players on the field through training and mental training during an 8 month span.” Through the hard work of Jeremiah Randall, his training staff and the rest of the Houston Astros organization, the Astros achieved something special during the 2017 season, becoming World Series champions for the first time in franchise history.
Randall considers coming to Tabor College the best decision he has ever made in his life. He also credits the quality individuals that influenced him during his time at Tabor, such as coaches, staff members, students and professors. Shortly after graduating Tabor College with a degree in biology, Randall would move on to the University of Kansas and graduate with a degree in athletic training. He would also graduate from the University of Miami with a doctorate in physical therapy.
prep routines with players an hour and a half before game time and post game work, Randall usually leaves the stadium around 1 a.m., concluding a 13 hour work day.
“To be honest it hasn’t even sunk in yet,” Randall, exclaimed. “Even being three, four months removed, it was such an unreal feeling.” When asked if he ever envisioned himself to be in the position he is in today, Randall says he just wanted to be around competition and a team environment.
Jeremiah Randall, Head Athletic Trainer for the Houston Astros
the Atlanta Braves in 2005 to spark his interest in baseball and into being a trainer for baseball. This was Randall’s first exposure to professional athletics.
“People have invested in me and have given me really good opportunities,” Randall said. “Being a head trainer for a Major League Baseball franchise was never a goal of mine, but I am fortunate to have this job.”
Currently in his third season as head athletic trainer for the Houston Astros, Randall’s job is no easy task. “I usually get to the stadium around noon, meet with coaching staff, manager, strength and conditioning staff and medical staff,” said Randall.
Jeremiah Randall and the Houston Astros organization will look to repeat as World Series champions in 2018.
After working with players for two and a half hours, batting practice, Photo Source: houston.astros.mlb.com
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Ratzlaff Resigns After 19 Years of Coaching By Megan Voth
Amy Ratzlaff, head Tabor volleyball coach, has decided to step down after 19 seasons of coaching, and will assume the role of assistant professor of health and physical education in August. “The No. 1 thing I will miss about coaching is my team--I love the sport but leaving my players will be difficult,” Ratzlaff said. “My best relationships in life are from the sport.” Ratzlaff played in college and earned an education degree, but never thought of pursuing coaching originally. However, in 1999, the head volleyball coaching job was open at Tabor College and Ratzlaff was asked to help out for three months. “I fell in love with coaching and my athletes,” she said. “God opened the door and coaching found me.” Coach Ratzlaff coached a total of 148 players, who in turn have had 115 children. Seventy-six players were academic all-Americans and 38 of those players have gone onto coach their own teams. “I’ve always wanted to affect kids lives as a teacher by making a difference in how someone sees motherhood,” Ratzlaff said. “A big mission of mine was being a role model for a Christian mother and see players have their own kids.” She said her most memorable moments throughout her coaching career was definitely the team bonding activities that grew her players together, while most coaches would say winning a huge rival game or earning the last point that sent the team to the National tournament. “One team I coached convinced me to have a team sleepover in the locker room after a big win, and I loved those moments,” she said. Ratzlaff said she had always been blessed with great women every year, while players 20 years ago would even fit into the team today. She has always been passionate about the program and was called by God to be the head volleyball coach for 19 years. Looking ahead, Ratzlaff is still putting all the pieces together of her life will look like without coaching. “God’s timing for the changes are his timing and I will love being in the classroom and being available for my family,” she said. “I do put my family first and I will be able to make sure I follow through on my values for how I see myself as a mother.” Next fall’s returning students will experience Ratzlaff in a different role. “I’m glad I get to stay at Tabor, and hopefully the good times continue,” Ratzlaff said. “I will enjoy working with the general population of students where I can influence Tabor’s campus on a broader scale.”
Tabor Brings Back Golf and Hires Coach Jamieson By Joe Baker
Tabor College recently announced Mike Jamieson as head coach for men’s and women’s golf. Jamieson was a Tabor College graduate in 2005 with a degree in sports psychology and knows what it takes to provide the school a winning golf program and has the experience on the golf course. During his time here, Jamieson received First Team All-conference honors for four seasons; he was also named to the All Regional team. After his time as member of the Bluejays golf program, Jamieson took his talents professionally and had a stint on the mini tour. Asked about what his plans for the golf program here at Tabor for now and in the future, he had trouble containing his excitement. “The first year we are wanting to have both a men’s and women’s team,” Jamieson said. “Obviously starting recruiting in January we don’t expect to have a full women’s team the first year, but I expect to have a full men’s team this first year for 2018.” Jamieson has high standards for his golf program and has the expectation to be a contender to win conference every season. About the roster size of both golf rosters, Jamieson said he expects to have approximately 15-20 men’s golfers and around 10 women’s golfers. Recruiting can be a difficult task when starting a new athletic program, but Jamieson embraces the challenge ahead. “It’s a little different right now, because starting up a new program I’m putting in new things in place,” he said. “Recruiting has been 90 percent of my job right now. Recruiting has been a lot of phone calls, getting in touch with coaches.” Jamieson said he believes he will have no issues bringing in talent to his program. “I feel like our program is a step above others,” he said. “My experience playing in the KCAC, playing at the next level in professional tournaments, as well as my sports psychology background is unique.” Jamieson also said he believes his sports psychology background could benefit his players. “What that sports psychology background brings is a mental conditioning program that I feel like no other golf program provides,” he said. After the golf program here at Tabor taking nearly a 13-year hiatus, Jamieson will look to revive the golf program to its winning ways.
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Shevon Blair: Rising Track Star By Micah Richert
From Jamaica to Butler Community College to Tabor College, this young athlete has found success everywhere he’s been. Shevon Blair arrived at Tabor second semester of the 17-18 school year as a transfer junior from Butler Community College due to coach Dave Kroeker and God. “I felt like this is where God wanted me to be and Coach Kruger didn’t just care about track and field he cared about me as individual. He really sealed the deal for me,” Shevon said about how he decided to come to Tabor. Before Blair was a track star, he began his career in soccer as his first love. It wasn’t until a track coach in Jamaica that saw his potential that Shevon decided to pick up track. “I didn’t do it because I loved it. I did it because the coach asked me. But over time I started to love it,” Blair stated about his first experience with track. His first experience with success in track was in High School in 2014 while he was still in Jamaica in front of 30,000 people. “I’ve had quite a few accomplishments in track but one of my favorites was at the Gibson relay in Jamaica,” Blair said about his favorite memory when his mother watched him run for the first time. “We were running a 4x8 (relay) and I was hand14
ed the baton at 15 of 15, and I was able to win us the event.” Blair’s main events are the 400-meter, 400-meter hurdles, 800-meter and the 1500-meter but his specialties are the 800 and the 400-hurdles. Blair said his mother was also a star track athlete in Jamaica, but she was not given the same opportunities as he was. “My mom was a good athlete, she had the opportunity to compete in the Olympics for Jamaica, but her mom wouldn’t let her because her parents believed work was more important than athletic,” Bliar said, proud of the work ethic and skill she passed on to him. “Her parents even denied her to take on a full scholarship to go to college to stay home and work.” Since then, Blair has a record time with his 4x8 relay team at Butler and on his 4x8 team in high school. He has been an All-American four times, a regional champion twice--a first a first for Butler Community College, as well as Academic All-American, all at Butler Juco. Blair is humble about all of his accomplishments, but he’s more focused on his education. “School is first, track and field is second,” he said. “I want to graduate with a bachelor’s degree.”
If Blair’s academic career goes the way he plans he will be the first in his family to graduate with a bachelor’s degree. He is currently studying in Athletic Training with a minor in Social Work. Even though Blair’s first focus is on academics, he also has goals for this upcoming season in track and field. “My aim is to win the 600-meter in NAIA Nationals and and make finals in 800 meter, then we’ll see from there,” he said. Blair’s inspiration in track are David Rudisha, the Kenya Olympic runner who has the record for the 800 meter and Sebastian Coe. “Those two inspire me because they are always in the front of the races leading the way, and that’s the way I like to run in my events,” he said. “All of my achievements wouldn’t be possible without God, and I’m just using the talent that he has blessed me with to bring glory and honor to him. My goal is that whenever anyone sees me as an athlete who’s using his talent to praise God rather than to be accepting the praises of men.”
Sports Updates
By Micah Richert
MEN’S BASKETBALL In February the men’s basketball team has closed their regular season 4-1 to boost their record 14-14 overall and 13-9 in the KCAC. As the regular season comes to a close, Julian Winston led the team with 22.8 points per game and 3.4 assists per game while Diontre Cutliff led the team with 5 rebounds per game. The Bluejays finished seventh in the KCAC and four games out of first place as they head to Bartlesville, Okla., for the KCAC tournament as a seven seed. The men’s team will take on the two-seeded Oklahoma Wesleyan Eagles Feb. 22, as they continue their search for a KCAC championship.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL The women Bluejays were able to come out on top of their regular season finale with a big win over Ottawa University, putting them in a tie for sixth with Kansas Wesleyan University in the conference. The team finished the regular season with a 15-13 overall record and 12-10 in the KCAC. Morgan Ediger led the Jays with 16.4 points per game. Kristyn Wedel led in rebounds with 6.2 and Taylor Deniston led the team with 3.2 assists per game. Two-seed Bethany College will host the seven-seed Tabor College for the first round in the KCAC tournament on Feb. 26 at Hartman Arena in Park City.
SWIM The Tabor swim team traveled to Fort Dodge, Iowa, to compete in the Midwest Cup Feb. 9-10. The men’s team placed second in the meet with a score of 375 behind Iowa Central, who finished with a score of 717. Evan Bell finished first in the 200 freestyle with a time of 1 minute 50 seconds, while Danny Smith was able to finish fourth with a time of 2 minutes 3 seconds. Nicholas Bradley was able to get a new personal best in both the 100-meter breaststroke, with a time of 1 minute 4 seconds, and the 50-meter freestyle with a time of 23.9 seconds. The women took first in Fort Dodge with a score of 613 and 430.9 points over the hosts, Iowa Central. Three of the Lady Jays swimmers placed in the 50-meter freestyle. Kelly Smith finished first with a time of 25.5 seconds. Mariana Nassuno Alves finished second with a time of 25.58 seconds, and Kianna Hinerman finished fourth with a time of 28.6 seconds. The swim team will begin the NAIA National Championship Tournament Feb. 28 in Columbus, Ga., to compete for the championship.
CHEER The Tabor cheer squad competed in three regular season competitions where they finished fourth in the Tabor Invitational, third in the Bethel Invitational, and first in the McPherson College competition. The cheer team hosted three of their competition, including the KCAC Conference Championship that was held in the new Richert Auditorium Feb. 16 where they were able to finish third overall. The team was successful in receiving awards with one Champion of Character for Alyssa Matney. Five Honorable Mentions included Devon Fisk, Haley Falk, Josh Evans, Maddi Eck and Donald Harris Jr. Alyssa Ruth also received All-KCAC First Team and coach Daryl Green received Coach of the Year. The cheer team travels to Belleville, Ill., Feb. 23 to compete in the Regional Championship as they try to further their season and be the first Tabor cheer squad to go to Nationals. 15
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