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Thursday, March 3, 2011 Issue 36

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Boxers brace for Golden Gloves exhibition Participants, spectators anticipate exciting atmosphere at renamed Ace Miller Golden Gloves Arena Gentry Smith Staff Writer This weekend, the overhead lights of the Golden Gloves Arena will once again illuminate a spectacle unlike any other at the University of Tennessee. When the first bell rings, the annual Sigma Alpha Epsilon Boxing Tournament will commence.

With gloves laced, lucky trunks on and training completed, the field of fraternity boxers will step into the ring with hopes of capturing the coveted champions’ belts as well as the overall team trophy.

Blake Cowan, SAE’s Public Relations chairman, spoke to the importance of Golden Gloves and its assistance with the tournament.

“Golden Gloves started this 31 years ago,” Cowan said. “Ace Miller and his staff know exactly how to run a tournament and how to run it successfully and safely. They provide the resources, the trainers, the arena, the equipment and the boxing ring.

“They’re the main benefactors because they provide the most resources to us. This wouldn’t be possible in any other way without Golden Gloves. There would be no profit margin if we had to rent all of the things they provide.”

Ace Miller, a loyal Knoxvillian and chairman of Golden Gloves, provided insight not only on how to throw a perfect combination in the ring, but on the importance of pursuing philanthropic endeavors as well.

“Golden Gloves of America started in New York City in 1923 on the basis of helping people out,” Miller said. “We got started in 1964 and aimed to turn peoples’ lives in different directions. We benefit several entities that we select, and we go with things to better others’ wellness.”

Miller’s attitude seems to have worn off on those in charge of this tournament. SAE has managed to avoid letting the tournament and subsequent attention become bigger than the philanthropy itself.

Michael Shoptaw, SAE’s sponsorship and sales representative, praised Miller’s influence.

“Not enough people know the name Ace Miller,” Shoptaw said. “He is a humble man who dedicates his life to making others greater individuals. In February, the Knoxville Parks and Recreation Department dedicated Golden Gloves Arena in his name, officially making it the Ace Miller Golden Gloves Arena located on Ace Miller Way.” Ace Miller Golden Gloves Arena creates the ultimate atmosphere, philanthropically and socially, for UT’s Greek system.

“You look around once the bell rings and everyone starts roaring, and all you can think is, ‘Here we go again,’” Shoptaw said. “It truly is an awesome experience.”

into it blind is interesting.”

lege boxing career.”

Welterweight Houston Carbaugh, junior in marketing, of Pi Kappa Phi on his expectations: “My freshman year I got second, so I want to do better than that, which really only leaves me

Middleweight Matthew Forster, undecided sophomore, of Pi Kappa Alpha, on last year’s result and this year’s, his second, campaign: “I don’t like to end on the bottom. I want to end on the top like anybody else. This year I’m going to come back, do better, come out on top and hopefully take first place.”

Junior Light Heavyweight Wyatt Lindsey, undecided sophomore, of Fiji, on his motivation: “There’s nothing else like this tournament, getting up in front of 4,000 people and having so many of them chanting your name. There’s not a whole lot else you can do in college like this.”

Light Heavyweight Elliott Pinson, senior in logistics, of Alpha Tau Omega, on potentially boxing a defending champion: “The fact that (Brad Butkowski) is a two-time defending champion does not significantly affect my preparation other than watching him a little closer to formulate a strategy, if he wins.”

Weighing in on some of the weight classes: Featherweight Bener Oguz, sophomore in finance interest, on the fight for the tournament host, Sigma Alpha Epsilon: “I believe, as the host, we do have high expectations. I also believe that each fraternity in turn has the same expectations for their fighters.”

winning. I’m not going to go into this thinking I’m going to lose — ever.”

Lightweight Nick Zasowski, senior in sport management, of Sigma Chi on his first matchup: “I’ve never even seen the guy I’m boxing Friday, so it’s interesting going into a fight that you’ve never seen your opponent. Kind of going

Junior Middleweight Austin Neel, senior in logistics, of Sigma Phi Epsilon, attributes success to others: “The main people that have helped me are my dad and mostly my trainer, Jay Dudley. Jay’s definitely been the biggest help through my col-

Heavyweight Jonathan Lucas, junior in political science, of Kappa Sigma, on his pre-match preparation: “I put the left glove on first and then the right.

I write a bible verse on the left hand wrap and a verse on the right hand wrap.”

Whether event coordinators, a boxer or a spectator, everyone in attendance can share an experience at the SAE Boxing Tournament, Blake Cowan said, which he sees as the most remarkable facet of it all.

“One of my goals throughout the tournament has been getting as many campus organizations involved as possible,” Cowan said. “I think one of the really unique aspects of this tournament is that it’s not a philanthropy exclusive to SAE. We have 62 boxers this year from 12 fraternities. It really is a campus event.”

Ad Club to host business discussion Blair Kuykendall News Editor UT’s Advertising Club and the American Marketing Association will host a panel discussion on contemporary business issues Friday at 4:30 p.m. in the UC Heritage Room.

Five business professionals will discuss relevant topics ranging from social media for businesses to digital and online marketing.

Professionals in the advertising, entertainment and media industries will offer pointers on jobsearching as well.

Professionals representing a range of distinguished corporate entities will be participating, and students should dress in businesscasual attire.

“This will be the best opportunity all year for business majors to interact with and learn from high-ranking, branding professionals all in one place,” Wes Nelson, AMA president, said.

Planners for the event took an unconventional approach, hoping to facilitate more interaction between students and panel members.

“We wanted to have an event with a little more interactivity, because we’ve found that guest speakers often turn into more of a class lecture, so the panel gives students a chance to hear about topics important to them and to mingle with the professionals,” Stephanie Weirwille, vice president of the Ad Club, said.

“Students are encouraged to submit questions and topics that they would like to see discussed.”

Students who want to ensure that their particular question is answered are encouraged to send these ideas to utkadclub@gmail.com.

Participants will be free to raise questions during the panel and speak directly with panel members as well.

“Dr. Courtney Childers, professor in advertising, will serve as the moderator for the panel and will field questions,” Wierwille said. “This is also a unique opportunity in that we’re allowing time for students to meet the panel members, mingle and create relationships while light snacks are served. We’ve tried really hard to make it a professional networking event instead of a guest-speaker lecture.”

UT students from all colleges and majors are invited to attend the session.

“We wanted to create a round-table discussion with professionals that would appeal to students in a wide range of majors. It’s a great chance to network and learn about the jobs George Richardson • The Daily Beacon that are out there,” Michael Dean, Ad Club Tristan Solies, junior in exercise science, and Joel Fugate, senior in civil engineering, lift president, said.

The panel will be comprised of highly qualGrant Wood, senior in political science, during a rugby match against Miami University on Saturday, Feb. 19. The men’s rugby club travels to Atlanta to open up the start of the ified individuals to engage students across their various disciplinary interests.

Premier League season against Life University on Saturday, March 5.

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“Our goal in organizing and promoting the event is to bring professionals to campus with real-world experience and a fresh perspective so that students can learn about the industry and prepare for a career,” Wierwille said.

“Each of the panel participants are leaders in the marketing and business world. We’re honored to bring them to campus. David Bohan is the CEO of (a) leading Nashville ad agency, and Susie Norris is the CEO of Knoxville ad agency Orange Apple Branding. Jeff Cuellar represents AC Entertainment, Knoxville’s music promotions company that generates a great deal of buzz on campus. Chris Casteel of Knoxville News Sentinel focuses on the changing face of business due to digital media, and Michael Goeke of Knoxville News Sentinel provides insight in sales, business growth and media.”

As one of its major selling points, the panel was structured to appeal to students interested in diverse career paths.

“Whether you’re interested in working in the music/entertainment business, the media, marketing, business, sales or you want to be the next Don Draper from Mad Men, coming to this event can help get you started,” Wierwille said. “All of the companies involved offer jobs and internships for UT students.”

The Ad Club is sponsoring this particular event, and it engages in a variety of different activities on campus.

“Ad Club offers workshops, guest speakers and ad agency tours,” Wierwille said. “Recent workshops include a portfolio workshop, personal branding workshop and an Adobe Creative Suite tutorial.”

The club is engaged in travel and learning experiences offered on campus to enrich its course studies as well.

“In January of every year, about 20 students travel to New York City for a week to visit top advertising agencies and media companies,” Wierwille said. “Dr. (John) Haley, a professor in the advertising department, organizes the trip every year and schedules internship interviews for students. This past January, students got to meet with members from the team (that) developed the famous Betty White Snickers commercial. This May, 25 students will travel to Atlanta to visit marketing companies such as the Atlanta Braves and Chick-filA.” Co-sponsoring the event, the AMA has a presence on campus as well. It currently holds weekly meetings and invites guest speakers.

The association also hosts competitions, provides internship opportunities and sponsors networking lunches. The group’s main focus has recently been on exploring online marketing and strategies for research. Practical advice for job hunters is a priority as well.

NOW LEASING FOR FALL 2011

2 • The Daily Beacon

InSHORT

Thursday, March 3 2011

Francis Glynn • The Daily Beacon

Matt Ramsey lays out for a foul ball during a game against Canisius on Friday. Stellar pitching by Steven Gruver helped give the Vols a 4-0 victory in the first game of the weekend series.

1887: Helen Keller meets her miracle worker On this day in 1887, Anne Sullivan begins teaching 6-year-old Helen Keller, who lost her sight and hearing after a severe illness at the age of 19 months. Under Sullivan’s tutelage, including her pioneering “touch teaching” techniques, the previously uncontrollable Keller flourished, eventually graduating from college and becoming an international lecturer and activist. Sullivan, later dubbed “the miracle worker,” remained Keller’s interpreter and constant companion until the older woman’s death in 1936.

Sullivan, born in Massachusetts in 1866, had firsthand experience with being handicapped: As a child, an infection impaired her vision. She then attended the Perkins Institution for the Blind where she learned the manual alphabet in order to communicate with a classmate who was deaf and blind.

Eventually, Sullivan had several operations that improved her weakened eyesight.

Helen Adams Keller was born on June 27, 1880, to Arthur Keller, a former Confederate army officer and newspaper publisher, and his wife Kate, of Tuscumbia, Ala. As a baby, a brief illness, possibly scarlet fever, left Helen unable to see, hear or speak. She was considered a bright but spoiled and strong-willed child. Her parents eventually sought the

advice of Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone and an authority on the deaf. He suggested the Kellers contact the Perkins Institution, which in turn recommended Anne Sullivan as a teacher.

Sullivan, age 20, arrived at Ivy Green, the Keller family estate, in 1887 and began working to socialize her wild, stubborn student and teach her by spelling out words in Keller’s hand. Initially, the finger spelling meant nothing to Keller. However, a breakthrough occurred one day when Sullivan held one of Keller’s hands under water from a pump and spelled out “w-a-t-e-r” in Keller’s palm. Keller went on to learn how to read, write and speak. With Sullivan’s assistance, Keller attended Radcliffe College and graduated with honors in 1904.

Helen Keller became a public speaker and author; her first book, “The Story of My Life” was published in 1902. She was also a fundraiser for the American Foundation for the Blind and an advocate for racial and sexual equality, as well as socialism. From 1920 to 1924, Sullivan and Keller even formed a vaudeville act to educate the public and earn money. Helen Keller died on June 1, 1968, at her home in Westport, Connecticut, at age 87, leaving her mark on the world by helping to alter perceptions about the disabled.

— This Day in History is courtesy of history.com

March 1

Crime Log

A UT student reported that some items had been stolen from her vehicle while it was parked in the N8 parking lot near Reese Hall between 6:45 p.m. on Feb. 28 and 1:18 a.m. on March 1.

A student reported that some items had been stolen from her room on the fourth floor of Melrose Hall some time between 10 a.m. on Feb. 19 and 10 a.m. on Feb. 26.

A student reported that some of his possessions had been stolen from the basketball courts in the TRECS some time between 5 p.m. and 7:50 p.m. on Jan. 19.

A student reported that some items had been stolen from his room in North Carrick Hall some time between 9 p.m. on Feb. 19 and 11 p.m. on Feb. 26.

A student reported that some items had been stolen from the intramural fields some time between 5:15 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Feb. 23. The report stated that the value of the stolen items was $1,500.

— Crime Log is compiled by Robbie Hargett Compiled from a media log provided to the Daily Beacon by the Universty of Tennessee Police Department.

All persons arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. People with names similar or identical to those listed may not be those identified in reports.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

UT to host Honors Symposium Members of the Chancellor’s Honors Program or a departmental or specialized honors program will have the opportunity to present their research at the second annual Honors Symposium.

Presentations can be from a thesis (it can be a work in progress), an exemplary class project or any independent research project.

Scheduled for Saturday, March 26, the Honors Symposium will be a day-long event featuring the work of 30 or more honors students.

Presentations will be 10 to 15 minutes each, followed by a question and answer session.

Applications are due by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 9 to the Chancellor’s Honors Program Main Office in Melrose Hall F-101. You can also email the form to jbledso4@utk.edu as an attached PDF with “HONORS SYMPOSIUM” in the subject line.

Christine Jessel joins WUOT Christine Jessel has joined UT’s public radio station, WUOT 91.9 FM, as an education reporter/producer.

Jessel’s two-year appointment is funded through a grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) that created a local journalism center, called the Southern Regional Education Desk.

The Southern Regional Education Desk comprises eight Southern public radio and television partners. The partners will share the $1.2 million CPB grant, which allows each to hire a journalist specifically assigned to report on the unique educational challenges of the Southern region as well as examine potential solutions. In addition to reporting and producing broadcast content, the partners will create an interactive website and Web modules that will distribute and curate content, and will undertake community engagement activities through events, partnerships and social media.

Jessel began her radio news career as a contract reporter for WNOX-FM and WIVK-FM in 2003.

She was an anchor and reporter for WIVK-FM, WNOX-FM and WNML-FM and ultimately was promoted to news director for the stations in 2006. She has been a freelance writer/reporter for seviercountynews.com. Her broadcast and print work has been recognized with awards from the Tennessee Associated Press Broadcasters Association, the East Tennessee Society of Professional Journalists and the Radio-Television News Directors Association.

Jessel also has served as new media communications manager for the Girl Scouts of Tanasi Council, where she developed a social media presence for the organization, managed Web content, developed an electronic newsletter and was part of a team that produced print and online materials.

Jessel earned her master’s degree in communi-

NEWS

The Daily Beacon • 3

cations from UT. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature from Vanderbilt University.

WUOT’s partners in the Southern Regional Education Desk include WBHM-FM in Birmingham, Ala.; KEDM-FM in Monroe, La.; Georgia Public Broadcasting in Atlanta; Alabama Public Television; Louisiana Public Broadcasting; Mississippi Public Broadcasting; and WNPT-TV in Nashville.

Listener-supported WUOT 91.9 FM is licensed to UT. WUOT is a member of National Public Radio and a Public Radio International affiliate.

The station’s primary format is classical and jazz music, news and public affairs. WUOT serves listeners throughout East Tennessee and parts of Kentucky, North Carolina, Georgia and Virginia.

The station broadcasts 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and streams on the Web at wuot.org.

WUOT’s second audio channel, WUOT-2, is available on HD Radio™, Internet radio and on the Web. UTPD to host memorial golf tournament The University of Tennessee Police Department will host a scholarship fundraiser this spring to help children of UTPD staff and retirees attend UT. The fifth annual UTPD Memorial Golf Tournament will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, May 20 at the Three Ridges Golf Course. Team registrations received prior to March 15 will receive 10 percent off of the entrance fee.

The tournament is a four-person team event and costs $400 per team. For the entry fee, team members will receive greens fees with cart, a hospitality bag, golf shirt and a catered dinner upon completion.

Sponsorship opportunities also are available.

Hole sponsors are $250, and cart sponsors are $100 for businesses or $25 for an individual.

For more information about the event, visit http://web.utk.edu/~utpolice/Memorial_Scholars hip_Fund.html or contact Capt. Jeff Severs at 865974-3111 or by e-mail at jsevers@utk.edu.

NIMBioS combines math and biology with music When a singer-songwriter sits down to write lyrics and create an accompanying melody, math and biology usually don’t make their way into the musical equation.

However the songwriter-in-residence program at the National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis (NIMBioS) at UT, science makes the cut every time.

NIMBioS is sponsoring the program to encourage the creation and production of songs involving ideas of modern biology and the lives of scientists who pursue research in biology. The singer-songwriters spend a month at the institute, interact with scientists and compose songs based on the experience.

Jay Clark, songwriter-in-residence for January, has a Ph.D. in wildlife ecology and has been a parttime wildlife researcher for the Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries at UT. In a miniconcert performed for NIMBioS scientists and staff, Clark revealed a song from his residency repertoire called “Sexual Selection.”

Clark’s song aired on WUOT 91.9 FM, UT’s public radio station, on the March 2 episode of Studio 865. The show also can be viewed on Comcast channel 194 or campus cable channel 65.

Gabi Caballero • The Daily Beacon

Students watch as a competitor navigates a route during the Crankin’ for Access Bouldering Competition at the HPER climbing wall on Sunday.

4 • The Daily Beacon

Thursday, March 3, 2011

OPINIONS

LettersEditor to the

American institutions on ‘brink of collapse’ During the past few weeks, I’ve found it increasingly difficult to remain focused on my schoolwork as revolution flares up around the world and this country sets a radically new pace for itself with a heavily Tea Party-influenced House of Representatives. I am sure I am not alone.

While there are some changes that I cheer, as with the overturning of the Egyptian authoritarian Moubarak, there are also changes that, frankly, scare me to death.

When I think about those changes that really frighten me, I want to find someone who has supported the Tea Party or other conservative groups in America and talk to them. I want to know my “enemy,” which is too often defined for me as my fellow man. I want to work with them and come to a consensus.

I believe that this is my activism, and it can produce incredible results as this country, and our world faces economic, social and environmental collapse.

On to what scares me, though. Many of this country’s social programs are at risk of being wiped away with the flick of a pen. Though a deficit like this country has is nothing to ignore, the focus of these cuts that could be made in future months is inspired by a conservative clinging to the ideals of capitalism, which is in the process of falling apart as its infinite growth model is smacking up against a limited amount of resources and patriarchy, which has been threatened for years by growing social movements. The wiping away of federal funding for Planned Parenthood will not address any endemic faults in the U.S. economic model, but it could seriously impair young women’s access to basic health care and family planning, therefore further weakening this country’s population of low- and middle-income young women.

There are even more programs that are being opposed. The EPA is the focus of attacks, but it helps grant us access to clean water and air. Headstart is crucial for low-income families. Collective bargaining, which hundreds of thousands are fighting for in Wisconsin, gives workers a chance to redress grievances with their employers. That seems pretty American to me. What is happening is that eager representatives in Congress, as well as many of the Americans who supported their candidacy, are grasping at anything they can get their hands on to save the current paradigm from collapsing. Sometimes, this grasping is to a dead notion of the poor being subjects of the rich and of women being subjects to men.

It’s a reasonable reaction to the crumbling of the world we know as we have all gotten too big for our britches, but that doesn’t mean it’s right. The institutions we know and sometimes love are on the brink of collapse. Can we shift the dialogue? Can we lay all the cards on to the table and be honest with each other?

Ryan Bliss senior in computer science rbliss1@utk.edu Associated Press stories appearing ‘sensational’ Just wanted to comment on the front page of the Feb. 21 issue of The Daily Beacon.

A picture of Sharon Thompson speaking about how international issues can affect our food supply was very timely. In light of the fact that much of the current unrest in the Middle East has a connection to rising food prices and lack of same, I feel the Beacon missed a chance of an interesting article that could have accompanied the picture.

The huge article about the New York man killing four certainly is not as instructive or pertinent to most of our students as the coming issues of food shortages around the world (and a lot of other concerns).

Please keep these kind of articles out of the Beacon as there is so much more important and interesting news to print, and they just seem so sensational and little more.

Nancy Neilsen research associate in the College of Veterinary Medicine nneilsen@utk.edu SCRAMBLED EGGS • Alex Cline

THE GREAT MASHUP • Liz Newnam

Columns of The Daily Beacon are reflections of the individual columnist, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Beacon or its editorial staff.

Friendships identify true Christians Immut abl y Right by

Treston Wheat This is a column for the Christians on campus. A serious issue plagues the Kingdom that few wish to address: the hostility of our own members among each other. If we supposedly belong to one body, then it is time we starting treating each other as friends. This is not even about the theological differences between the different denominations. Those schisms are superfluous compared to the problem of friendship.

Friendships typically require something from people.

If we supposedly believe that we were all made in God’s image and that we should do unto others as we would have them do to us, then it is imperative that we do not let our friends slip through the cracks. Often people fall away within the Church because Christians fail to see and love on them when they need it most.

We should treat people as having value and worth; they cannot be invisible.

Often those called to “ministry” forget that it is not about them. It is about the Lord, and if their eyes are not open to see and love people the way Jesus does, then it becomes unfruitful and ineffective, which is essentially pointless. Real friendship within the Body of Christ should be sacrificial. If it does not cost us — whether it be time, convenience or emotion — then it is not friendship and certainly is not love.

I think there are several relevant Biblical passages and verses that demonstrate this point. The first is the relatively famous one from the Gospel of St. John where Christ says, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.” The distinct foreshadowing of this passage is clear because of Christ’s ultimate sacrifice when he died for the salvation of humanity.

Today we get upset if someone steals our pew at church or if that new person takes your parking spot.

Do these problems not seem completely trivial in the grand scheme of life and eternity? I cannot understand why we are so unwilling to help those, even when it inconveniences us. I know you, my Christian

brothers and sisters, know your friends that are hurting.

If you truly care about them then you should give them a call and ask, sincerely, how you can help them. Christ gave for you; it is time you gave back. God blesses us so that we can be a blessing for those around us. Like God told Abram, “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.”

The other fantastic example is in the early Church after the day of Pentecost. For those Christians who do not know their Bible, this is after Christ has ascended into heaven and while the Church still resides in Jerusalem. During Pentecost, or Feast of the Weeks, St. Peter gives a rousing speech to pilgrims in the city, where he converts nearly 3,000 people. Afterward, the people “who believed were together and had all things in common.”

This may come off as some socialist, communitarian or utopian agenda, but it is far from that. Rather, it is where the more wealthy members of the community sold their possessions and gave to the poorer members of the group. In case you did not get that, they sacrificed for their fellow Christians. This was not some “Let’s go to church on Sunday, arrive late, leave early and hope to beat the Methodists to the Dairy Queen,” kind of Christians. They offered what they had to help those less fortunate.

People will often say, “God helps those who help themselves.” Here is a news flash: That is from Ben Franklin’s Poor Richard’s Almanac, not the Holy Bible.

When Jesus said that there would always be poor amongst us, he did not mean for that to mitigate compassion. Rather, God calls us to compassion because we are to show how much He loves us by loving others.

I know this is not particularly political, but it is not meant to be. Sometimes, quite often, Christians do not act like they are supposed to act. This is not shocking, but it is time to get things straightened out. Those who profess Christ as their Lord and Savior should begin to actively engage their friendships so that people know they are loved. Then they can turn and love those who are not within the Christian community. They need to stop being wimps and start being spiritual Spartans who will live out their faith.

—Treston Wheat is a senior in political science and history. He can be reached at twheat@utk.edu.

Scholastic elections mock true democracy Off the Deep End by

Derek Mullins

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The Daily Beacon is published by students at The University of Tennessee Monday through Friday during the fall and spring semesters and Tuesday and Friday during the summer semester. The offices are located at 1340 Circle Park Drive, 5 Communications Building, Knoxville, TN 37996-0314. The newspaper is free on campus and is available via mail subscription for $200/year, $100/semester or $70/summer only. It is also available online at: http://utdailybeacon.com.

LETTERS POLICY: The Daily Beacon welcomes all letters to the editor and guest columns from students, faculty and staff. Each submission is considered for publication by the editor on the basis of space, timeliness and clarity. Contributions must include the author’s name and phone number for verification. Students must include their year in school and major. Letters to the editor and guest columns may be e-mailed to letters@utdailybeacon.com or sent to Zac Ellis, 1340 Circle Park Dr., 5 Communications Building, Knoxville, TN 37996-0314. The Beacon reserves the right to reject any submissions or edit all copy in compliance with available space, editorial policy and style. Any and all submissions to the above recipients are subject to publication.

It is getting closer and closer to spring here at UT. With the impending season of rebirth and booming sales for the manufacturers of allergy medications come a few time-honored traditions. Some examples of these Big Orange customs include nail biting over our basketball team’s survival in the SEC and NCAA tournaments, spring practice for the football team, the subsequent Orange and White Game and a rush to try to secure summer employment or internship opportunities. Despite all the prominence of the aforementioned events, I have never found anything that comes close to matching the entertaining, hypocritical and frivolous nature of the elections for the Student Government Association.

Now, scholastic democracy is something that most of us have had pounded into our heads since the day we stepped into the kindergarten classroom. In elementary school, you “vote” for candidates in mock presidential elections; in middle school, you might elect class officers and/or members of a homecoming court; in high school, you definitely are encouraged — if not required — to participate in homecoming and student class officer elections. All of this is supposed to instill a sense of citizenship and electoral participation in the minds of young Americans.

The same is theoretically true about SGA elections. Candidates collect names on petitions to gain entrance onto the ballot. After that? Well, they can attempt to run as independents, but they generally get sucked into running on the ballot for one of at least two ridiculously named, usually Greekbacked “parties,” like “Fuse,” “Inspire,” “Move” or “Transform.”

In the weeks leading up to the elections, the parties take to the Pedestrian Mall and try to entice prospective voters into choosing their party. They hand out drinks, foodstuffs and shirts, trying to more or less buy the vote of their fellow students. On more than one occasion, I have witnessed unaffiliated students walk between the various parties gathered in front of Hodges Library and quite loudly ask, “Who is going to give me the most free stuff?”

Sorry, but that is not how democracy is supposed to work. Elections at all levels, according to Founding

Fathers like Thomas Jefferson, require the participation of informed voters who make their decisions based on a weighing of the various options and selections that are not based on greed.

What happens when the elections are over, you ask? The SGA becomes a mere afterthought for the rest of the current school year and for much of the next. Several reports and accounts that have been printed in this very publication have repeatedly said that the organization suffers from poor attendance and member participation. Why? I would imagine it is probably because the members realize that they have no power and have never and probably will never be able to do anything substantial.

Please, if you disagree with me, name three major things that the SGA has accomplished in recent years … Don’t worry, I’ll wait.

The only things that leap into my mind are the designation of parking spaces for easy ATM access, a faculty evaluation system that most students do not take seriously and about which they could not care less, and the use of part of the tuition of every student to fund frivolous meetings and useless activities.

Its failures? They are much easier to recollect and include such examples as failing to pressure the university to stop raising tuition costs, failing to do anything to pressure the athletic department to prevent the imposition of payments for student tickets to home football games and failure to put pressure on the state government to extend the Hope Scholarship to students who study in the summer.

It failed at all of this because it is a useless body that has no backing from the student population and is mostly made up of officers and senators who only ran so they could have something extra to put on their resumes.

If the SGA could only admit to that last point, disband and let its share of the Program and Services fees go toward funding worthy causes and programs on campus, we would all be better off.

If you simply must participate in the impending democratic sham, I suggest you write in the name — in every available category — of the only man to invigorate and inspire this campus over the last year … Tyler Bray. UT’s freshman quarterback sensation brought back a feeling of hope and optimism to UT football that has not been seen in almost a decade. Will he get anything done if elected?

Who knows, but he could not do any worse.

—Derek Mullins is a senior in political science and history. He can be reached at dmullin5@utk.edu.

Thursday, March 3, 3011

The Daily Beacon • 5

ENTERTAINMENT

‘Live’ to celebrate African-American culture Performance to offer variety of genres, to trace development of music in black history Brittney Dougherty Staff Writer High school band director Don Roberts was inspired to create “DRUMline Live” after working on the set of the 2002 movie “Drumline.”

Roberts was the technical advisor and executive band consultant for the film. It was while on the set that he came up with the idea to expand the idea to theater.

“I just knew that there was something else beyond the movie,” he said.

In 2005, Roberts started the show Halftime Live. While on tour in Atlanta, a director told Roberts that he had a great idea but he needed to learn the theater essentials like lighting and sound technology.

Roberts started learning these theatrical concepts and started again with the new name, “DRUMline Live,” in 2008.

Toward the beginning of this new tour, Columbia Artists Management Inc. gave him an offer to provide help with marketing and financial backing.

CAMI has worked with widely popular shows like Chicago and the Blue Man Group, so the call meant a lot to Roberts.

“That was really when I knew we had something special,” he said.

According to Cormesha Johnson, a dancer in the show since 2005, CAMI did not ask to alter the content at all.

“I would say the biggest thing that’s changed is just the amount of places we get to go, because more people are finding out about it,” Johnson said.

The production is about two hours long and showcases music that celebrates black culture.

“We take you back to Africa, to the creation of the drum, and we bring you all the way up to American soul music.”

Roberts said. “Then we take you back up to Will.i.am and Usher with a few other stops on the way, like, we make a big band jazz stop.”

The performance also teaches the audience about historically black colleges and universities. These are schools that were established before the Civil Rights Movement, which provided more opportunities for higher education to the AfricanAmerican community. Most of these schools are in the Southeast and are known for high-quality marching bands.

“One of the main goals would be to get people to understand the HBCU marching-band culture and to spread this all over the world,” Johnson said.

Another performer, percussionist Tovah Lovely, has also been involved in the show since it started in 2005. He now works as the assistant percussion director as well as a performer. Lovely says the show is excellent because it appeals to people of all ages.

“It’s just one of those shows that you can enjoy and have a good time with,” Lovely said. “There is something for everyone, partly because of the wide music selection.”

Lovely also said he thinks the show is entertaining because of the high energy. Performers go out into the audience multiple times, and crowd participation plays a large role.

“We have a big ending, too, that I don’t really want to give away, but everybody has a good time,” Lovely said.

The cast and staff agreed that people should expect an exciting and fun show. They advised the audience that the show is not just like the movie “Drumline,” but something even better.

“The thing about our show is that they (the audience) can’t prepare themselves,” Roberts said. “The comment we get the most is that it exceeded expectations.”

“DRUMline Live” is Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at the Historic Tennessee Theatre. Tickets are $5 for UT students and are available at the University Center Central Ticket Office.

• Photo courtesy of Central Programming Council

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NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD • Will Shortz Across 1 Deliberate

34 Standard tobacco wad?

5 Rice with three rings

38 “___ take arms against …”

10 Prepare to sing an anthem

41 “That really hurts!”

14 Not out of the running

43 Woo President Arthur?

15 One of a literary trio

46 Pillager, maybe

42 In ___ (actual)

47 16 Part of I.M.F.: Abbr. 48 17 Mean, illegal 51 wrestling hold?

19 Dog command

Go bad Piles Where Panasonic and Sanyo are headquartered

20 Like poorly cleaned 53 It’s billed as “The Place for Politics” glasses 56 Clichéd cry 21 One with a yard stick?

58 Stylish 23 Certain pipe joint 24 Musical syllable singing system

60 Noted earthquake locale 62 Satisfy

27 “Dune” director

63 Fat fool?

29 Moore in entertainment news

66 Landlocked land of Africa

31 Hip-hop’s ___ Fiasco 33 Granting that, briefly

67 Coke is used for this 68 “Salus populi suprema lex ___” (Missouri’s motto)

ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE

69 Speechless

12 Stiffens, in a way

70 Clinton defense secretary William

13 Screen swinger Ron

71 Copy cats

18 P.L.O.’s Arafat 22 “Family Ties” son

Down

25 Blooms

1 Thick

26 Q5 and Q7

2 One way to stand

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3 “Yes ___!”

4 Kitchen extension?

5 Onetime tabloid nickname 6 Kind of alcohol 7 Euripides character?

8 Seoul soldier

30 El Cid foe 32 One with stressing work?

35 Tickle Me Elmo manufacturer 36 Yawn-inducing

37 Michael of “Superbad” 9 River that begins in Nord 38 ___ Rios (Jamaican resort) 10 Perilous 39 “The Sleeping 11 How metric units Gypsy” painter are divided

40 Lunch counter order 44 Bolshevik target 45 Multivolume ref., usually 49 Leaf through 50 Appear that way 52 ___ Bell, witch who was a fellow student of Harry Potter at Hogwarts 54 Celt or Cav 55 In the worst way 57 [Bam!] 59 Shortening used in recipes 61 “Don’t you forget about me” 62 “Yum!” 64 U.S.P.S. abbr.

65 Contraction that sounds like a conjunction

6 • The Daily Beacon

ENTERTAINMENT

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Current, former students to exhibit dance company

Will Abrams Arts and Entertainment Editor It’s hard to keep a good dancer down.

The Boss Dance Company, composed of 32 current and former UT students, will host its spring showcase at Austin East High School Thursday through Saturday.

Originally, many members of the group were affiliated with the university’s own dance company, but after budget cuts scrapped the program in 2010, the dancers decided to keep things running on their own. As they learned through producing Wade Rackley • The Daily Beacon their own show, there’s more to dancing than just choreogMelvin Goins hypes up the men’s basketball team before the start of a game against South Carolina on Wednesday, Feb. 16. The Vols look to raphy. get another win over the Gamecocks on the road in Columbia, S.C., tonight “We went from having a department with a dance staff and an artistic director that was employed by the university to being a completely student-run organization,” Lauren List, junior in enterprise management and vice president of the dance company, said.

In the past, the group was assisted by the university when it came to setting up rehearsals and finding choreographers. These responsibilities now fall squarely on the shoulders of List and Caitlin Burke, the company’s president.

“It’s absolutely overwhelming when you think about the magnitude and caliber of things that we have to do as students,” List said.

As is often the case when programs are cut, students like List who came to UT specifically for the dance program had to adapt in order to keep doing what they love.

“We’ve had to become more resourceful with our spending and venues, and we’ve had to be creative in order to keep the show going,” Burke, junior in mathematics, said.

“Ever since freshman year, I’ve just wanted to fight to keep the program around because of everything it’s done for me.”

Despite no longer being a UT program, the members of the company have received some guidance and assistance from UT faculty.

“Casey Sams (assistant professor in the UT Department of Theatre) has been an incredible advocate for our situation and for our organization, and she’s just been there for a lot,” List said.

“The support (from faculty and friends) has grown exponentially as a result of not having the program.”

Because of the group’s limited resources, most of the year is spent in preparation for its spring show. The collection of works choreographed by friends and other assistants will embody most of the group’s talent in various forms of dance.

Preparation for the show’s 10 different pieces began in mid-September, Andrea Wilson, one of the company’s choreographers and a UT alum, said.

Although there has been stress with the more bureaucratic side of the production, the dancers also face the tough schedule of preparing each artistic piece.

“For a lot of dancers, you don’t just have one rigorous rehearsal,” List said. “You have four rigorous rehearsals back-to-back.”

In order to fully showcase the company’s talent and to provide a wider variety of genres, the show will feature pieces from jazz, hip-hop, ballet and others.

“Instead of having a show theme, it’s more about showing different types of dance,” Wilson said.

The evening will also display the creativity of Austin East students, as they will perform a piece they put together last fall.

In light of all the company has been through during the last year, the dancers are thrilled to have an opportunity to perform in front of an audience, List said.

Regardless of what obstacles the company faces in the coming months, the group is devoted to keeping things running.

“I think there will definitely always be a dance company as long as there are dancers who are dedicated enough to put forth the kind of time it takes to run a company,” List said.

“We’re still here,” Burke said. “We still have a voice.

We’re still fighting for what we love to do, and it’s not going to change.”

The Boss Dance Company’s first performance is at 7 p.m.

Thursday. Tickets for UT students are $5.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

The Daily Beacon • 7

SPORTS

UT men’s tennis set to open SEC play Conkic-Smith duo take top spot in national doubles, team ranked No. 2 Staff Reports Tennessee seniors Boris Conkic and John-Patrick Smith took over the top spot in the national doubles rankings, the ITA released Tuesday.

Conkic and Smith have been a perfect 9-0 since teaming up at the No. 1 position in the Vols’ lineup, but they are no longer the only Tennessee representatives in the national doubles list. All three of the Vols’ regular teams are now ranked, with Matteo Fago and sophomore Edward Jones at No. 52 and sophomores Rhyne Williams and Tennys Sandgren at No. 55.

In singles, Tennessee relinquished its hold on the top ranking for the first time since June as Williams slid to third, but five Vols still remained in the top 125.

Smith checked in at No. 13, followed by Sandgren at No. 35, Fago at No. 41 and Conkic at No. 113. The rankings help determine participants for the NCAA Singles and Doubles Championships in May. The Vols (10-1) remained second in the national team rankings, which was conducted with computer calculations for the first time this season, rather than using a coaches’ poll.

Back to No. 1 For Smith, Tuesday’s release represented the fourth time in his career that he has been at the top of the doubles rankings. He and Davey Sandgren were the No. 1 ranked team in the final 2009 rankings and spent several weeks of the 2010 season occupying the top spot.

Smith and Conkic have been undefeated at the top of the Vols’ doubles lineup and enter Southeastern Conference play Friday with a nine-match winning streak.

They have a 13-1 record this season, which includes four wins against teams ranked in the top 15.

Before Tuesday, Conkic had been ranked as high as fourth with both Smith and Williams.

It is rare for a team to have all three doubles pairings in the rankings, but the Vols can enjoy that luxury for the time being. Sandgren and Williams joined

forces for the first time in their collegiate careers to begin dual-match play and have a 7-1 record, earning a spot at No. 55.

Fago and Jones, who have built a 21-5 record at the No. 3 position the last two years, debuted at No. 52 after a 7-1 start to the year as well. It is the first national collegiate ranking of any kind for Jones.

Fago had not been ranked since his sophomore season, when he was 21st with Conkic.

Upward Trend While Williams fell to third after a 3-2 record since the last ranking period, four Vols moved up on the list.

Smith, the preseason top-ranked player, advanced four spots to 13th in the rankings. He leads the Vols in wins with a 27-9 record, including 14 against ranked opponents.

Although Sandgren missed nearly the entire ITA National Team Indoor Championships with an illness, he still gained ground in the rankings, thanks to two more ranked wins. His new ranking of 35 is a career best, and much of that is based on what he has accomplished since January. He is 5-1 against ranked players this spring and now has a 19-4 record and a seven-match winning streak.

Fago bounced back to 41st in the rankings in part because of his three-set comeback victory over Georgia’s Sadio Doumbia — then ranked 31st — at the National Indoors. Fago has a 20-6 record and is on pace to at least match his junior win total of 34.

Since returning to Tennessee in January, Conkic has done little else besides win. He has a 15-1 record and is riding a career-best 12-match winning streak into SEC play. The former top-20 senior has been playing on courts 4 and 5, where he has a combined 9-0 record.

SEC Opener The Vols start the march for their first back-to-back SEC titles in program history on Friday when they host Alabama to begin the conference season. The match starts at 2 p.m. at Barksdale Stadium.

Those attending the match are asked to park in lot N-15, which can be accessed from Terrace Avenue.

George Richardson • The Daily Beacon

Scotty Hopson rises up over South Carolina defender RJ Slawson on Wednesday, Feb. 16.

Hopson’s dunk earlier in that same game has him nominated for the 2011 Papa John’s Dunk of Year. Fans can vote online for the dunk at facebook.com/dunksoftheyear.

Weekend gives UT runners last chance Staff Reports Tennessee will send seven athletes to last-chance qualifying meets this weekend, and the Big Orange teams also have a couple of tweaks to their outdoor schedule, UT Director of Track & Field J.J. Clark announced Wednesday.

On Saturday, the UT track and field athletes will be competing at two different meets, hoping to improve their times enough to merit qualification for next week’s NCAA Indoor Championships, held March 1112 in College Station, Texas. In South Bend, Ind., five members of the program will be competing in the Alex Wilson Invitational at Notre Dame, while two more will be in action at the Virginia Tech Final Qualifier in Blacksburg.

Senior Peter Sigilai, who was third in the SEC men’s 800 meters last weekend in a career-best 1:49.84, will try to move closer to the automatic qualifying standard of 1:48.00. He currently ranks 37th nationally and would need to be among the top 20 and at least in the low 1:48s to have a chance at nationals.

He is slated to run around 12:50 p.m. on Saturday.

The Lady Vol 4x400m relay combination of junior Ellen Wortham, sophomores Martinique Octave and Nijgia Snapp, and freshman Kianna Ruff stands 18th with a mark of 3:36.16 that the group generated to place fifth at the SEC meet. The auto standard is 3:34.00, but a second’s improvement would likely be enough to punch their ticket. Race time for them is 2 p.m. on Saturday.

In Blacksburg, redshirt freshman Dentarius Locke and true freshman Jarael Nelvis will try to improve their stock in the 60 and 200 meters between 12:30 to 3 p.m. on Saturday. Locke ranks 19th nationally in the 60 at 6.66 and 22nd in the 200 at 21.02 and would appear to be seeking readouts of 6.64 and the low 20.90s to assure passage to College Station. Nelvis, meanwhile, is not in the top 50 at either distance with times of 6.86 and 21.33, but he is working his way back from an injury suffered in high school last season and is looking for progress as he prepares for the upcoming outdoor campaign.

Speaking of the outdoor slate, Clark announced a couple of changes, both of which impact the throws group. Tennessee will no longer begin its outdoor campaign at the 49er Classic on March 17-19. The opening weekend for all event groups will now be March 25-26. Most of the squad will be in Orlando, Fla., for the UCF Invitational that weekend, while the distance corps will be in California at the Stanford Invitational.

Later in the season, UT’s throwers now will take part in the Drake Relays, April 28-30, in Des Moines, Iowa. The rest of the team will be in Philadelphia that weekend, as scheduled, taking part in the Penn Relays.

The Vols and Lady Vols will play host to only one home meet the entire season. That event will be the annual Sea Ray Relays, held April 13-16 at UT’s Tom Black Track at LaPorte Stadium.

8 • The Daily Beacon

THESPORTSPAGE

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Duffy key part in early Diamond Vols’ success Senior third baseman brings experience, speed to fast-starting UT baseball team Lauren Kittrell Staff Writer Senior third baseman Matt Duffy, instituting the team’s aggressive base-running philosophy, has helped the Volunteers achieve their best season start since 2003.

One of the top shortstops and hitters in the Northeast coming out of high school, Duffy earned America East Player of the Year honors at Vermont before transferring in 2009 to join the Vols for the 2010 season.

His arrival has given the team a step up in several areas, including, as one of five seniors, experience.

The Vols have started 5-1 this season.

After finishing a three-game sweep against Canisius on Sunday, coach Todd Raleigh said the team has made minimal errors and he is impressed with Duffy’s performance.

“Honestly, in six games we’ve made three errors, two by pitchers,” Raleigh said.

“The one yesterday was a freak play with Khayyan (Norfolk) on a line-drive double play. Our double plays were the difference today. Not only that, but Duffy made a couple plays today that were unbelievable.”

The 225-pound player from Milton, Mass., went 3-for-3 at the plate, drew a walk, collected three RBIs and scored two runs. He also helped the team steal nine bases, a feat the Vols have not achieved since 2003.

Joy Hill • The Daily Beacon

Matt Duffy warms up on deck against Milwaukee on Friday, Feb. 18. Duffy helped lead the Volunteers, going 3-for-3 with three RBIs and three stolen bases, to a 6-2 victory over Canisius on Saturday to cap off the weekend sweep, improving the Vols to 5-1 on the season.

Although the team has started a few games shakily, it has managed to come out with the win in most cases. Raleigh said that a big part of the Canisius win was the standout performance of freshman Carter Watson, but Duffy’s experience has also been a factor.

“We dug ourselves a hole early on,” Raleigh said. “It was kind of déjà vu of last Sunday, but we were able to cut it off a little bit.”

The team faces a difficult slate between now and the end of the season, but with its promising start, the coaches and team are hopeful. Ash Lawson, assistant coach of infielders and recruiting, said the team is eager to improve, which should continue to provide an advantage during the season.

“The guys in the program have been very impressive to me,” Lawson said. “Just their willingness to try new things and their desire to get better.”

Duffy performed well against Canisius, which helped the team mark several high scores, a performance Raleigh said was exceptional.

“Other than the first inning, we had a tremendous weekend,” Raleigh said. “We had at least four double plays and stole a lot of bases today. To me, that was the difference in the game.”

Even with Duffy on the field, the Vols face another difficult weekend with games on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.