Freshman running back Jalen Hurd doesn’t let hype faze him. SPORTS >>pg. 6
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Wal-Mart first of new stores to open near campus McCord Pagan Copy Editor (@McCordPagan)
INSIDE
Review: ‘Boyhood’ captures the essence of childhood in an extraordinary film
Ninety-seven years ago, UT alumnus Weston Fulton built an industrial park next to his alma mater, a factory that years later would be better known for its significant industrial contamination. This morning though, Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero will open a Wal-Mart at the new University Commons, a sprawling complex on the same site that will host a Publix, a branch of the VolShop and over half a dozen other stores and restaurants. Under construction since 2013, the site was once considered a brownfield site – a step below the more dangerous Superfund ranking one contaminated by chemical waste but with the ability to be restored.
Wal-Mart is only the first of the stores in the University Commons to open, several more are still being finished. The opening of the Wal-Mart is also a homecoming of sorts. Store Manager Janet Bales is a UT graduate and is back in Knoxville after years working in separate WalMart chains across Kentucky and Tennessee. “It’s like coming back home,” she said. The Retail and Consumer Science Department and its Rocky Top Institute - a brand development initiative by students in the major cooperated with Wal-Mart in helping pick out products for their stores, selling their products - such as an orange t-shirt with a logo modeled after a Jack Daniel’s bottle - in the retail giant for the first time. See COMONS on Page 2
Wal-Mart is the first business to open in the new University Commons, with Publix and others expected to receive customers soon.
Tennessee struggles with opioid addiction Coaches praise improved athleticism on defense Katrina Roberts • The Daily Beacon
SEE
Issue 10, Volume 126
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
Samantha Smoak • The Daily Beacon
@UTKDailyBeacon
ARTS & CULTURE >>pg. 3
Nathanael Rutherford Contributor (@Mr_Rutherford)
History credits multiple downtown tragedies to a white mule. Is Knoxville still cursed?
Organizations are looking to alleviate prescription drug addictions and assist with recovery for young adults in Knoxville Megan Yoakley Contributor
A plan implemented this summer by the state of Tennessee aims to address the abuse of prescription drugs, especially opioids, which the state considers a serious problem. Though it has seen slight decrease, young adults aged 18-25 in Tennessee are using prescription drugs at a 30 percent higher rate than the national average, and one in four 18-20-year-olds are non-medical prescription drug users, according to the Prescription for Success: Statewide Strategies to Prevent and Treat the Prescription Drug Abuse Epidemic in Tennessee report. Of the nearly 5 million adults in Tennessee, nearly 221,000 have used prescription opioids, also known as pain relievers, in the past year for non-medical pur-
ARTS & CULTURE >>pg. 3
Ethan Wolf and Daniel Helm look to bring consistency to the tight end position
Sports Editor (@PatrickMacCoon)
SPORTS >>pg. 5
SPORTS >>pg. 6
“We certainly hope that by combating the drug use in Tennessee, it will affect college students in a great way,” said Angela McKinney Jones, director of prevention services at the department of mental health and substance abuse services. “The Metropolitan Drug Commission in Knoxville will also join in to help those affected.” The Metropolitan Drug Commission, a non-profit organization that serves as the drug abuse prevention, professional training and public awareness arm of Knoxville and Knox County, strives to be the leading influence on substance abuse issues by identifying solutions and providing direction to the community. Media Relations and Project Director, Deborah Huddleston said the Metropolitan Drug Commission is pleased that the issue has garnered attention. See DRUG USE on Page 2
Week in review: Fall football camp Patrick MacCoon
Five new faces to watch for on Team 118
poses. Over 69,000 of those that have used prescription opioids are addicted to opioids and require treatment for abuse. The other 151,900 are using opioids in ways that could be harmful and may benefit from early intervention strategies. Agencies across state government have come together to produce Prescription For Success: Statewide Strategies to Prevent and Treat the Prescription Drug Abuse Epidemic in Tennessee, a plan to rid Tennessee of the prescription drug abuse problem. The plan aims to decrease the number of Tennesseans that abuse and overdose on controlled substances and the amount that is dispensed in the state. Additionally, it aims to increase access to drug disposal outlets, early intervention treatments and recovery services. The expansion of collaboration and coordination within the state and among other state agencies is also a goal.
Friday, Aug. 1: Day one of practice went well for Tennessee, and like Butch Jones forewarned, the players were the ones coaching their peers. Senior running back Marlin Lane was very vocal and supportive with the younger men on the roster. Running backs coach Mike Gillespie will have a lot of talent to work with in the backfield, as the team can work well with their three freshman backs in Jalen Hurd, Derell Scott and Treyvon Paulk. To see Lane come out and be vocal and tell them what they were doing right and wrong was an early positive sign. The quarterbacks had a rough first day with 62 incompletions throughout practice, and Butch Jones said a great practice for the signal callers consists of 18-20 incompletions. Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Jordan Williams and Dontavius Blair are three players that coaches challenged to improve their strength and weight this summer and they all completed the task. Freshman kicker Aaron Medley was quickly thrown in the fire, but executed a game winning field goal challenge to end the
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first day of practice. Saturday, Aug. 2: Freshman Josh Malone was taking first team reps at wide receiver with highly touted JUCO transfer Von Pearson and third team All-SEC receiver Marquez North. Josh Smith and Vic Wharton have received praise from wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni in camp. Hurd drew great praise from his head coach and acknowledged that he realizes how many freshman running backs have run for 1,000 yards the last few season, but said he is focused on doing whatever he can to help his team win. Sunday, Aug. 3: After occasionally getting on to his team in the first two days of practice, the Vols second-year head coach was not having any laziness on the field on day three. The players were in pads for the first time in camp, but they lacked a mental focus and leadership was non-existent to begin practice. Strength coach Dave Lawson took a group of 14 leaders down to the “timeout pit” or “trouble zone,” where they did sit ups for not leading the right way. Quarterback coach and offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian made it known his quarterbacks are not anywhere close to where he wants them to be, and that they must play with a greater sense of urgency.
The quarterbacks had many overthrows and passes hit come short of their receivers in practice. They just need to play “pitch and catch.” Monday, Aug. 4: Nine players were scheduled to talk to the media after practice, but after a rough day on the field, only Jones spoke. Jones said before camp started that their patience would be tested and the first signs appeared on Monday. Malone is one freshman in particular that the coaches have been calling on to break bad habits, such as jogging in practice and not keeping a steady focus on the field. Through the first four practices not a single position group has shown solid consistency. Tuesday, Aug. 5: Championship practices. That’s what the team is looking for. Jones was much happier with this practice than the past two days, as the team came out ready and excited to play football. Brian Randolph intercepted a pass in a goal line situation at the beginning of practice and broke up several other throws. Justin Worley has been taking reps as the first team quarterback. Vic Wharton, Josh Malone, Von Pearson, Jacob Carter, Cameron Sutton and Alton “Pig” Howard are in the mix for returning kicks.
“Socializing is crucial to enjoying college, as well as your post-grad life. So fine-tune your conversational skills and start collecting memories.” OPINIONS >>pg. 4
One thing the coaches of the Volunteer football team wanted to improve heading into this season was team speed, especially on defense. The lack of quality speed on the defense last season was glaring, especially against the competitive programs on Tennessee’s schedule. Hardly a week into fall practice, and the team speed and athleticism has already taken a massive leap forward, the assistant coaches said this week. Defensive coordinator John Jancek oversees the entire defense, and he said he has noticed big strides in the team’s overall athleticism. “I see progress athletically,” Jancek said. “It’s helping us make progress towards what we ultimately want to become, and that’s to be big, strong and athletic.” Tennessee’s defensive backs coach, Willie Martinez, echoed Jancek’s emphasis on athleticism and versatility. “The more versatile you can be,” Martinez said, “the better chance you have of playing good defense.” Part of that newfound athleticism has come with the infusion of young, versatile players from the 2014 recruiting class. All the defensive coaches praised their youngest players, lauding their ability to play multiple positions and their overall positive demeanor. Martinez applauded the leadership some of the freshmen are already showing, highlighting their championship pasts from high school. Players like Todd Kelly Jr., Elliott and Evan Berry all played on teams who won championships in high school, and Martinez said having players like that on the roster helps the team. “We want to develop good habits,” Martinez said. “Being around champions means you’re going to get championship practices, championship meetings, championship everything.” Defensive line coach Steve Stripling, in charge of some of the biggest players on the team, said he craves athletic defensive players. “I prefer athleticism over size,” Stripling said. Another thing the coaches noted has improved over last year’s defense is the vocal leadership of the unit. See DEFENSE on Page 6
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