Issuu

USF

College Monthly A print production of USF student media.

Mind Games a novel by TJ Moore

October 2015 Volume 3 Issue 2 | usfcollegeweek.com

content F E AT U R E S

USF Student Tracy Moore writes and publishes mystery-thriller novel

2 | COLLEGE MONTHLY

Get Spooked for Halloween with Student Compositions

Celebrate Your Teamâ€™s Victory with Football BBQ Essentials

Second Year Athletic Direction Brings New Athletic Culture

Simple Yet Stunning Caprese Salad Recipe by Nick Poppens

Ingredients: 2-3 Roma Tomatoes 5 Slices of Fresh Mozzarella Handful of Fresh Basil 2 tbsp Extra-Virgin Olive Oil 2 tbsp of Balsamic Vinegar Glaze Kosher Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper (Garnish Options: Sliced Radish, Green Onions, or Chives)

Slice the tomatoes and arrange them around your plate. Overlap with slices of fresh mozzarella. Add basil leaves torn by hand. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic glaze (replace with regular balsamic vinegar if necessary). Garnish with radish, green onions, or chives if desired. Sprinkle with salt and black pepper to taste. Enjoy!

Student Composition

Shallow Dead Bolts by Shane Fisher I checked the doors twice, three times, Then I climbed into bed. Are they still locked, I wondered I hope so, how many times have I forgotten I wrestled myself up, embarrassed by my fear Both locked as I suspected, shallow dead bolts Wouldn’t stop anyone if they wanted to I jammed a chair under each knob. Still only wood, wouldn’t stop anyone if they wanted to

I couldn’t sleep, paranoia sets in early these nights I turn on the tv, break in, kidnapping, murder, All cold, just did it, Manson parole coming up next Maybe I can’t watch the news by myself either. The worry takes a toll, my eyes grow heavy I dream the usual, losing orders at my job Not shifting on a hill, rolling back into cars behind me Falling, in deep abyss, my feet catching the wall Telling me how far I have gone

Funeral March of a Marionette by Ellery Krueger The torturous soul, I abandoned my hope in dust filled thoughts collected while I sat waiting to be used again by the hand that grasped a stick and moved my arms and legs in a twirling dance, but no gesture was given to this immortal soul... -Sigh- I felt tossed. So whilst I lay empty inside, a final finale of my demise, slowly withering away in the box they forgot me, I hopped out of my coffin, popping nails. These splintering old bones became limber and decided to remove myself from this dismal existence. Good fortune happened to abide me! My master was gone, he left the fire in the furnace lit, brightly burning with a violent thought!

I sit up in my chair, the tv is static, my Cable is nothing to be proud of I start my walk upstairs, checking the doors As I suspected they are

So I waltzed in a jolly ol’ stroll and thrust myself into its unforgiving embers intently, no emotions expressed, but one morbid and searing, until I was chard, smoldering into ash. Out with the trash!

Unlocked, Had I forgotten The knob in front of me was turning, Three steps to reach it, I grasped The brass wriggled in my hands Like a snake fighting strangulation The knob behind me, was turning, Twenty steps to reach it I felt the power behind the convulsing knob The chairs were flimsy and would not hold if I left I closed my eyes, prayed I was still dreaming The dead bolts wouldn’t stop anyone if they wanted to Except for me, and I laid the trap they wanted

Good bye cruel world, close the curtain, take a bow, the show is over

4 | COLLEGE MONTHLY

Sincerely, The Marionette no more

Story by Paige Petersen | Photos by Christin Vander Pol

ATHLETICS

NEW ATHLETIC CULTURE

The evidence of change is all over campus. The seasons are shifting from their summer heat to the chill of fall and students are transitioning from relaxed kids on summer vacation to stressed college students preparing for their first exams of the year. But the weather and mental stability of our students is not the only thing changing. Our USF campus is making some upgrades, especially in the athletic department. Josh Snyder, Director of Athletics, has just begun his second year at USF and the evidence of his work is already apparent.

From new turf on the football field, air conditioning in the Stewart Center, and the addition of full time assistant coaches for various sports, it’s obvious Snyder has been working nonstop to improve our campus and athletics to make USF a recognized name in all areas of Division II athletics.

“There are several big projects, as well as several smaller ones,” Snyder commented, “but truthfully, the main focus, the thing I’ve been trying to imprint on our staff, is we need to do things with a customer service slant and think about how athletic departments at our level handle business.” Snyder is no rookie when it comes to handling the business side of things. Before USF, he worked in minor league sports and at the collegiate level at institutions such as the University of South Dakota and Iowa State. With all that experience under his belt, Snyder still had one dream to achieve. “Becoming an athletic director was my goal as well as having the opportunity to come to a Division II school so that I could be in a situation I thought had better balance and had priorities in the right places,” expressed Snyder. continued on next page

continued from previous page

Being just that, USF won over Snyder while searching for a new place to call home. Pam Gohl, Associate Athletic Director for Compliance and Senior Women’s Administrator at USF, agrees that he is a good fit for the university. “We feel really fortunate to have him,” Gohl said. “I think he’s done a good job of leading and getting more things done as far as the athletic department.” Gohl was also impressed with how Snyder approached his new position as Athletic Director as well as the execution of his plans. “When he started he didn’t want to just change everything, “Gohl expressed. “He met with a lot of people and talked to a lot of people. He really took the time to figure out USF’s traditions and what we were all about before deciding what changes needed to be made.” Though there is still some difficulty in transitioning Snyder’s family to a new place, he is pleased with how USF has welcomed them.

6 | COLLEGE MONTHLY

“

As welcoming and as wonderful as everyone is, we still need to have as much support for our student athletes as possible.

”

“That’s the biggest thing I’ve noticed from day one is the people,” Snyder said. “From a professional standpoint, our life with USF, it’s fantastic.” But, all that aside, there is one thing Snyder would like for all of the USF community to know. “As welcoming and as wonderful as everyone is, we still need to have as much support for our student athletes as possible. Most schools can rely on getting five or ten percent to have a good student section but we need at least 40 or 60 percent to have a good turn out. So hopefully we can keep pushing that spirit.” Current USF student athletes are still paving the way in Division II athletics, and in order for the programs here to be successful, Snyder and his athletes need your help. With a valid student I.D., all USF students can get into home athletic events for free. So come out and support your fellow Cougars!

OCTOBER 2015 | 7

8 | COLLEGE MONTHLY

Football bbq

OCTOBER 2015 | 9

TJ Moore has written and directed several feature films including Special Delivery, Slick, and Vecto. In order to bring realism to his fiction, he studied Forensic Psychology and interviewed local detectives. He lives in Sioux Falls, SD and is from Brookings, SD. TJ Moore is 22 years old and finds his inspiration through mystery and suspense literature and films. Find his book online at Amazon.com.

Mind a novel story by Simon Floss photos by Christin Vander Pol

Games

Summary In San Francisco, CSI Photographer Cameron Frost spends his nights capturing evidence from the latest crime. And heâ€™s good at it. So when San Francisco citizens start to disappear, Cameron and his team jump on the case. But the trail of missing people leads him straight into the den of a self-proclaimed mastermind bent on one terrifying goal. Cameron and his team must outwit the evil at the center of this crime web before time runs out. TJ Moore tells a gripping and thought-provoking story of manipulation and twisted motives in this beat-the-clock thriller.

Moore makes his entrance to the literary circle with “Mind Games,” a mystery-thriller set in the city of San Francisco. On Tuesday, October 13th, the members of the USF community can get their hands on a first edition copy. Moore says he acquired a fascination for mystery and suspense at a young age. “Even when I was young I have always been inspired by mystery and what’s around the corner. I was really interested in magic tricks growing up because they make people smile and there’s that question of what’s going to happen next,” says Moore. 12 | COLLEGE MONTHLY

structures of “Ifthethehuman mind remain

unchanged, we will always end up re-creating the same world, the same evils, the same dysfunction. -Eckhart Tolle

“

In a world where it’s exceptional to find a young author, Tracy Moore, a USF Media Studies Marketing student, is publishing a novel under the pen name TJ Moore while finishing his undergraduate degree this year.

In writing Mind Games, Moore used his personal interests to help spark his creative process. It was important to him that his work expressed his interests. Included in his novel are examples of his curiosity towards the criminal justice system, forensic psychology, and CSI work. For a number of characters, Moore placed emphasis on the motives. “Because there are places I want to go in the scenes, and things I want to say—they’re not things I would say, and they’re not things I would do, but as the storyteller it’s a platform to let those things happen,” Moore says. Works by authors such as C.S Lewis, Dean Koontz and Steven King inspired Moore and helped put this project into motion. Instead of personalizing the story, he worked diligently to allow the characters and the story to naturally develop. Moore placed an emphasis on not dictating the plot, but rather, letting the characters manipulate the story. Moore says he remained organized throughout the process because of his deliberate use of foreshadowing. Being knowledgeable of what was to come later in the book was invaluable in forming his mystery-thriller style.

Moore says this novel proved to be a tremendous learning experience; one of the biggest takeaways being character development. Moore’s discovery about making readers love the characters allowed him to have freedom within individual character developments while still enticing readers to continue. In addition to writing, Moore has written and directed several feature films including Special Delivery, Slick and Vector. In order to bring realism to his fiction, he studied Forensic Psychology and interviewed local detectives in Sioux Falls, SD, where he lives. Be on the look out for TJ Moore’s “Mind Games” available first on Amazon on Tuesday, October 13th. Be the first to get get your hands on a copy or become the owner of one of the first editions by attending the official booking signing Thursday, October 15th at 10AM in the Jeschke Fine Arts. “Mind Games” will also be available for purchase as an eBook on Amazon eBook/Kindle store in late November 2015. Moore would like to extend a special thanks to his sister Jodi Andrews for editing his novel and USF Alumni, Kaitlynn Wornson and Cassandra Swenson for their help in the publishing and marketing process.

“You cannot rely on inspiration or your mood. You have to sit down and write,” says Moore.

It was dark now, and the heavy rain pelted the underbelly of the vehicle as Cameron hung upside down, face against the cracked windshield, harnessed in by his seatbelt. In the misty distance, Cameron saw two men in yellow rain jackets emerge from the trees. The first man carried an oil lantern, and the second man toted a wheelbarrow.

SHOPPERS ON A BUDGET

TOP 5 PLACES TO THRIFT IN SIOUX FALLS By Ben Gertner

1. { Plato’s Closet

Photo courtesy of JAM Art Supplies, Lost Marbles and Kristine Reiner

Plato’s Closet doesn’t only offer the widest selection of used men and women’s clothing, but will also give you cash for the clothing you don’t need anymore. Do yourself a favor and browse the aisles of gently used, brand-name outfits.

2. { St. Vincent de Paul Society

Although St. Vincent de Paul Society is a smaller thrift store, they make up with their selection of clothing and merchandise with their prices. If money is tight this month, drive over to the shop and purchase the cheapest secondhand clothing in town.

3. { Lost Marbles

Lost Marbles Antiques is vintage heaven for Sioux Falls thrifters. Their selection includes vintage clothing, hats, accessories, jewelry, furniture, records, books, glassware, and even a section called “Unique and Unusual.”

4. { Savers

Savers has just about everything a college student needs. From couches to secondhand clothing to Halloween costumes, Savers will get you what you need without putting a hole in your wallet.

5. { JAM Art & Supplies

Are you an artist on a budget? Art supplies are expensive, but JAM offers cheap supplies for those who need them. JAM is for the community of artists in Sioux Falls—it allows artists to connect about upcoming events and make connections every third Thursday of the month.

14 | COLLEGE MONTHLY

Top 3 Campus Activities

October 9th | Cougaret II: Night at the Movies

2. Football 2:30pm

October 24th | USF vs. Augie

3. Carving Contest 7pm

October 24th | Pumpkin

Top 5 Community Events

10th Annual Zombie Walk October 24th

There’s an App For That! Visit your app store and search University of Sioux Falls to download

FREE!

Right before the 2015-16 school year The Cougar Activities Board at USF launched a mobile app that is available in the App Store and Google Play. Now, there’s an app for USF as a way to better unite the students and staff and enrich the college experience at USF.