a student newspaper of the university of tulsa
april 1, 2013 issue 21 ~ volume 98
New AD Gragg hopes to improve compliance after Parmley firing Dr. Derrick Gragg brings high expectations, a history of integrity to TU. Steven Buchele Student Writer
O
n March 22, the University of Tulsa announced that Dr. Derrick Gragg would be the next vice president and director of athletics. Gragg will fill the position left by former Athletic Director Ross Parmley, who was fired in December after being named in an FBI investigation into an Oklahoma City gambling ring. In a press conference introducing him as TU’s new AD, Gragg described himself as a “man of
Courtesy of KRMV
Dr. Derrick Gregg, formerly athletic director at Eastern Michigan University, will replace Ross Parmley as TU’s director of athletics in addition to serving as Vice President.
integrity.” According to TU’s athletic department, Gragg authorized two Title IX studies at Eastern Michigan, bringing the school into better compliance with gender equality rules. “I’m one of the few athletic directors in the country to have that kind of compliance background,” Gragg said of his time at University of Missouri, University of Arkansas and University of Michigan. “(I’ve seen) what kind of damage could be done when you don’t follow the rules.” As the director of intercollegiate athletics at Eastern Michigan University, Gragg oversaw the hiring of ten coaches, the construction of a new indoor athletic practice facility and the development and day-to-day affairs of a Division I athletic program. He has been recognized at events like the NCAA Presidential Summit, Future Coaches Academy, Champions for Athletic Directors and Football Coaches and the NCAA Annual Convention. Gragg has also participated in organizations like the NCAA’s Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee, Big Brothers/ Big Sisters, the NCAA Legislative Council and Black Coaches and Administrators. “Anyone that knows me knows that I’m ... student athlete-centered,” Gragg said. He also said he was impressed with TU’s student athletes’ performances both in and out of competition and that he intends to continue that culture of achievement and service.
“We are going to take care of the student athletes,” Gragg said. “In taking care of the student athletes, we expect them to do something and give something back.” As athletic director, Gragg has high expectations—“demands” he
called them—for the students he will be responsible for. “First and foremost,” Gragg said, “require them to go to class, obtain knowledge and earn a degree.” Gragg also expects student
athletes to “train like (champions),” while remaining part of the mainstream campus society. Gragg envisions student athletes being more than “just jocks” and
See Gragg page 3
Imagine Dragons rocks TU
Oscar Ho / Collegian
Imagine Dragons delivered the largest concert in both TU’s recent memory and the history of the band Tuesday at the Reynolds’ Center. In addition to an estimated fifteen hundred students, who were let in half an hour early to take the floor, 5,150 nonstudents purchasing $77,250 worth of tickets attended the concert. For more Springfest coverage, see p. 4.
Delivery truck driver shot at Papa John’s Robert Horton, 53, was killed outside the Papa John’s at 11th and Delaware. Cara Dublin Student Writer
A
s most university students dozed off the memories of Friday night, a far more somber event took place around 6:15 a.m. on March 23 outside the Papa John’s Pizza at 11th and Delaware. Delivery truck driver Robert Horton, age 53, of Arlington, Texas, was shot twice by in what police say was a robbery attempt by three teens, who drove off, leaving Horton on the pavement behind the restaurant. Horton worked for UPS, but he had held a regular subcontract for
eight years to deliver dough and other pizza ingredients to Papa John’s restaurants across Oklahoma and North Texas, based out of Papa John’s distribution center in Grand Prairie, Texas. He and a co-worker from Dallas arrived in a semi truck to complete the standard delivery. His partner was inside the restaurant when he heard a loud crashing noise outside, and thought that Horton had fallen or dropped the pans as he was unloading. Tulsa Police Department Corporal Dan Miller told news sources that there was definitely “some kind of altercation.” The partner ran out the back door to find Horton lying on the ground near the truck, and initially believed that Horton had suffered
Courtesy of Oklahoma News on 6
Robert Horton, pictured with his wife Lisa, left behind two children when he was shot outside the Papa John’s on 11th street.
Courtesy of KRMV
Tragedy struck at the familiar Papa John’s on 11th Street when delivery trucker Robert Horton was shot in the chest while waiting outside. Police have charged teenage boys Jermaine Savoy, Damain Anderson and Frankie Jackson with the murder.
a heart-attack. He called EMS and began giving CPR until the ambulance arrived. At St. John’s Hospital that morning, Horton was pronounced dead after two gunshot wounds were discovered in his chest. A hospital nurse used Horton’s own cell phone to call his wife, Lisa Horton, with whom he had recently celebrated his 30th wedding anniversary. Picking up the phone, Lisa expected to hear Horton’s own voice, but was instead told that her husband had been shot in the chest.
“Is he alive?” Lisa Horton asked. “No, ma’am,” said the nurse, according to Lisa Horton’s account given to media sources. Surveillance videos from nearby businesses revealed a grainy picture of a small, dark-colored SUV which the shooters had driven past the restaurant. Tulsa police put out a watch for the vehicle, and spotted it on Peoria around 1:30 a.m. on March 25. It was apprehended near 41st and Harvard later that morning. The driver was a 15-year-old, who was
interviewed and released. The two 17-year-old passengers and a third teenager of the same age were arrested and taken to the Tulsa county jail. Jermaine Savory, Damian Anderson and Frankie Jackson have been charged with first-degree murder. Each has a prior juvenile arrest record, and none are known to have confirmed gang connections. While media sources and the Tulsa police have theorized that
See Shooting page 4
K-Dub Food Truck Festival Volunteers are needed at the Kendall Whittier Food Truck Festival on April 6th at the corner of Lewis and Admiral. The events start at 9 A.M. for before-event set-up, noon–5 P.M. for during events, and 5 P.M. for after-event tear-down. Kendall-Whittier Testing Kendall-Whittier Elementary will begin state testing soon and many volunteers are needed to monitor class rooms. Volunteers are needed April 10 th, 11th, 12th, & 16th from 8:15–11:30 and April 17th, 18th, & 19th from 8:15–11:30. Children’s Book Drive Reading is the foundation for success in school and life, yet many children do not have books within their homes. April 1st – April 12th we will be collecting books for Pre-K thru 6th grade to benefit the Lighthouse Charter School in north Tulsa. Collection bins will be placed in Chapman Hall, Helmerich Hall, McFarlin Library, McClure Hall, Collins Hall, Oliphant Hall, and Holmes Student Center. Anyone interested in any of these or other volunteer opportunities should contact Kathy Shelton in the True Blue Neighbor Volunteer Center at kathy-shelton@utulsa.edu