Cozy cafe gathers friends for unlimited coffee and laughs ARTS & CULTURE >>pg. 5
@UTKDailyBeacon
Editorially independent student newspaper of the University of Tennessee since 1906
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Friday, November 14, 2014
Bowl hopes on the line when UT and UK matchup SPORTS >> pg. 8-9
Issue 61, Volume 127
Iconic rivalry symbol stirs questions, controversy Tanner Hancock Copy Editor Not all Volunteer traditions are meant to go on. The “Battle for the Barrel” was the name given to the now defunct trophy game once contested between the Tennessee Volunteers and Kentucky Wildcats. The trophy, which resembled a beer barrel painted partially orange and blue, recorded and displayed in paint on the surface the scores from each contest dating back to 1925. The trophy was discontinued for the 1998 season, however, after a drunk driving accident left Kentucky lineman Artie Steinmetz and his friend Scott Brock dead. While the current location of the trophy is unknown, it is rumored to be in the possession of Phillip Fulmer or possibly stored somewhere on UT’s campus. Tom Mattingly, author of several history books on UT football, recalled the exchange of the trophy was always met with much fanfare from both competing sides. “When it changed hands, as it rarely did, it was a big deal for the winning team to be able to show it around the field,” Mattingly said, citing UT’s 1984 loss to the Kentucky Wildcats as one of Kentucky’s highlights of the rivalry. While Mattingly said he supports the revival of some sort of trophy between the teams, he remains hesitant to insist on the barrel’s return. “It doesn’t necessarily send the right message,” Mattingly said of the former trophy, noting a non-alcohol related prize would likely be more appropriate. “I’d like to think we could fill it with something, but no one seems to have any idea what that something is.” Looking ahead, senior defensive lineman Jordan Williams said he understands the importance of not underestimating Kentucky’s ability to compete in the SEC. “Every year teams change,” Williams said “Two years ago Auburn went worst to first in the SEC. Kentucky has definitely changed this year, and we have to attack them like every other week.” Should the Volunteers lose Saturday, Williams’ senior teammates will be the first to lose to Kentucky twice since the freshman class of ‘81. Cam Musil, a senior in marketing at the University of Kentucky, said he still feels a rivalry towards the Volunteers despite the absence of the Beer Barrel trophy. “The biggest (rivalry) is probably Louisville -- it’s probably the only school we don’t like more than UT,” Musil joked. “It’s not considered a successful season unless we beat UT in football.” See BEER BARREL on Page 2
Discrimination complaint sparks federal investigation Hanna Lustig Managing Editor A federal investigation began Thursday in response to a formal complaint of disability discrimination filed by former UT employee Lesli Rowan. Rowan was a training coordinator in the Office of Research and Engagement for 9 years until she was fired last spring due to
alleged professional misconduct. Rowan, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2010, filed the complaint after months of ongoing conflict with her supervisor, Associate Vice Chancellor for Research Gregory Reed, during the 2013-2014 academic year. Rowan’s complaint detailed perceived discrimination, insufficient accommodation for her disability by the university, harassment by Reed and inequitable departmental wages.
Prior to 2013, Rowan worked most closely with Bob Porter, who was the director of research development at the time. Although Reed remained her designated supervisor, Rowan was assigned to Porter as his “primary assistant coordinator” to provide help facilitating professional training workshops. “I always found her tremendously reliable and very professional,” Porter said. “She was quite open about dealing with
some mental health issues, but I never found any of that diminished her work performance in any way.” It was only after Porter retired in June 2013 that Rowan began interacting more directly with Reed. The complaint was submitted on April 21 to the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, a division of the U.S. Department of Labor that investigates “individual and group
complaints that allege discrimination based on disability and veterans’ status,” according to the agency’s website. Prior to her termination, Rowan received a final written warning in February and a pretermination letter in early May, both of which cited inflammatory emails sent to Reed from Rowan, hostile behavior toward fellow colleagues and insubordination. See INVESTIGATION on Page 2
Vols in vogue Athletes take pride in UT gear
Melodi Erdogan Copy Editor
Josh Richardson’s swagger on the basketball etball court is undeniable. The senior guard averaged 19.3 points per game in i the NCAA tournament last year and is the only return returning ning starter for UT’s basketball team this season. “He plays with confidence,” first-year head coach d coac ch Donnie Tyndall said during a preseason mediaa avail-ability in October. Richardson’s confidence, however, isn’t solely olely used against SEC opponents. It also translatess to his personal style on campus – an aesthetic he summarizes in a single word. “Versatile,” Richardson said. “I wear a lot of Vans, Converse, then I might turn around and nd wear Jordans or some crazy colored Nikes. I wear ear skinny jeans or joggers one day, and then another her day I’ll wear sweatpants, just a lot of different stuff.” uff.” But not every student athlete puts as much h thought into their sartorial decisions as Richardson. ichard dson. Some admit it is hard to maintain a unique style tyle when w they’re part of an SEC team on a campus like the University of Tennessee. For most players on UT’s 18 NCAA-sanctioned nction ned teams, the decision of what to wear is based ed on a combination of convenience and practicality. It’s no not ot an obligation but a habitual choice for players to o reach h for team-issued gear before heading to class. Theirr apparel, typically orange and white with the power wer T stitched on the chest, provides the players with pridee and exclusivity as a part of a Tennessee team. Student athletes receive team-issued gear at thee start of every year and can be distinguished from other students by the apparel they sport. Soccerr players in gray sweat suits, baseball players in match-ing orange polo shirts and football players with th tags gs on their backpacks indicating their name and numbe number er on the team. Opportunities like the Vol Walk and the Volscars scars allow a student athletes to display their individual style tyle in n more formal settings, but for Richardson, dressing uniform uniformly mly with the team – even when uniformity limits his personal ersonaal expression – is good for the game. “It keeps you as a team; it doesn’t let anyone ne go off as an individual,” Richardson said. “Nobody thinks that they’re hat th hey’re better than anybody. It keeps a focus in a lot of ways.” ays.” Although there isn’t a formal dress code, student tudentt athletes are required to wear team-issued gear at practices, acticees, before games and at special events. But more often than not, on a daily basis, they reach r for their practice sweats as a default outfit. See ATHLETIC STYLE on Page 7
Report: Tyndall to meet with NCAA on Tuesday Troy Provost-Heron Sports Editor (@TPro_UTDB)
Tennessee men’s basketball head coach Donnie Tyndall will meet with NCAA representatives on Tuesday, according to a report from ESPN’s Jeff Goodman. The meeting will be held for the two parties to discuss the NCAA’s investigation of the Southern Miss men’s basketball program and potential violations that occurred
while Tyndall was the Golden Eagles’ head coach. The violations being investigated deal with the NCAA’s ‘Proposition 48’ rules, which deals with academically ineligible players who still attend school in an attempt to raise their grades to a high enough level to play. The Bleacher Report article that first broke the news of the NCAA’s investigation states the violations “center around how tuition, living expenses and other fees were paid for recruits who signed with the Golden Eagles but were academically ineligible out of high school or junior college.”
Tyndall stated Nov. 6 he would cooperate with the NCAA “100 percent” if asked. Athletic director Dave Hart also mentioned the NCAA could speak with “whoever else they deem appropriate.” The ESPN report went on to say Stuart Brown, of Ice Miller’s Indianapolis-based Collegiate Sports Practice, will be Tyndall’s legal counsel, while Southern Miss will be represented by William King of Lightfoot, Franklin and White Llc., located in Birmingham, Alabama. The Vols play their season opener against No. 15 VCU in the Veterans Classic in Annapolis, Maryland, on Friday.