by Brandon RiddleNews Editor

UCA President Tom Courtway spoke about paying off debts from a weight-training facility at a tense faculty senate meeting Feb. 12.

UCA is currently in contract negotiations with Coca-Cola for a pouring rights contract with the university.

Courtway said money received from the Coca-Cola contract could be used to pay off debts acquired from building an indoor weight-training facility. A decision has not been made by the university on how revenue from the contract would be used, although Pepsi contributed to athletics in the past. In 2003, the university entered into a 10-year contract with Pepsi. A $500,000 cash payment made up front

and, under the terms of the contract, $120,000 was guaranteed in sponsorship and commissions.

“The $500,000 was applied to the construction of what is now known as the Pepsi indoor practice facility,” Courtway said.

Courtway said the remainder of the facility project was bonded at an amount of about $680,000.

“Of the $120,000 that has been paid in the Pepsi contract each year, $70,000 was allocated to athletics, $25,000 was allocated to the Student Center and $25,000 was allocated to the housing department,” Courtway said.

Courtway said money was given to

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Wednesday

Volume 106 — Issue 5

Kum & Go approval gets mixed reviews

Opinion:Campus Life:Voice: SGA’s refusal to fund annual event shows independence

4page 8

Reynolds: Herm Edwards discusses importance of leaving behind positive legacy 4page 4

Fountain

4 Opinion

44 Campus Life4 Entertainment 7

Index: Contact Us:

Phone: 501-450-3446E-mail: ucaechoeditor@gmail.com

Next Issue:Students receive National Who’s Who Among Students honor

4 Sports 9

© 2013 The Echo, Printed by the Log Cabin Democrat, Conway, Ark.

Abolishing deferred rush

February 20, 2013

Board of Trustees Sets Feb. 22 Meeting AgendaThe UCA Board of Trustees will discuss room and board rates and pouring rights pertaining to Coca-Cola contract negotiations at its Feb. 22 meeting. Other topics of discussion include the naming of the UCA Honors College, university retention policy, a financial update and contract review procedures. The meeting will be at 10 a.m. in the Wingo Hall Board of Trustees Conference Room.

Spring Enrollment Up 1.5 Percent From Last YearAccording to UCA figures, the university has 10,147 students enrolled for the spring 2013 semester, a 1.5 percent increase from last spring. In spring 2012, 9,998 students were enrolled. Of the 10,147 students, 7,833 are full-time and 2,314 are part-time.

International Engagement Hosts Trip to Crystal BridgesUCA students were invited to join the Division of International Engagement on a trip to Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art Feb. 17. While in Bentonville, Ark., students toured the museum’s works of art such as American artists Norman Rockwell and Andy Warhol.

Toad Suck Review Releases New Edition At LaunchapaloozaThe third annual Toad Suck Review Launchapalooza, held Feb. 15 on the rooftop of Michelangelo’s Restaurant, ended the week-long ArkaText literary festival at UCA. This year’s review features a 3-D cover with glasses for viewing. The Toad Suck Review was recognized as one of the 10 best literary journals in 2012 by Library Journal. For more informaton about the literary journal, visit toadsuckreview.org.

Culture Talk On Love And Relationships Celebrates Valentine’s DayUCA’s Division of International Engagement hosted a Culture Talk Feb. 14 in the McAlister Hall Mirror Room on different cultural perceptions of love and relationships. Culture Talk happens once a month with a different topic at each session. The next Culture Talk will be March 14 on beauty, art and entertainment.

View More Stories at MyFountainOnline.comStories featured include articles written by Fountain writers.

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SPREADING THE LOVE

- L E G I S L A T U R E -

rendering courtesy of City of Conway Planning and Development

Inside:

Freshmen should be able to rush greek organizations in the fall

page 8

Newsof

Around Campuspage 4

by Brandon RiddleNews Editor

The Arkansas House of Representatives passed a bill Feb. 15 that would allow faculty and staff with a permit at public colleges, community colleges and universities to carry a concealed handgun.

House members voted 70-11 in favor of HB 1243, the concealed carry bill introduced by District 84 Republican State Representative Charlie Collins of Fayetteville.

Collins amended the bill last week to allow public colleges and universities to opt-out from allowing handguns on campuses.

According to an Arkansas Democrat-

Gazette article, Democratic Gov. Mike Beebe said he would likely sign the bill into law if the legislature sends it to him.

The bill went to the senate after house approval.

Following recent shootings at schools and universities, the discussion of gun control and individual gun rights has been a major topic of discussion.

If HB 1243 were to become law, Arkansas would become the 23rd state in the United States to allow public universities and college campuses to decide on concealed carry gun rights for faculty and staff.

UCA is currently designated as a gun-free zone. Students, faculty and staff are not permitted to bring handguns on campus,

even with a concealed carry permit.UCAPD Project Manager Arch Jones

said the university will not comment on the proposed legislation. UCA President Tom Courtway did not return calls Feb. 18 from The Echo for a comment on the bill.

In a Jan. 30 article from The Echo, Jones said UCAPD does not support the right of students, faculty and staff to carry concealed handguns on campus.

“It is the UCA Police Department’s position that guns on campus would detract from the healthy learning environment on our campus and create additional risks for our students,” he said.

A similar bill was passed by the Arkansas legislature earlier this month that allows church members to carry handguns

with a permit.Beebe signed the “guns in churches”

bill into law Feb. 11 after the house passed the measure 85-8 and the senate passed with a 28-4 vote.

At the national level, Democratic President Barack Obama spoke about gun control in his State of the Union address Feb. 12.

“Senators of both parties are working together on tough new laws to prevent anyone from buying guns for resale to criminals,” Obama said in his address to the nation. “Police chiefs are asking our help to get weapons of war and massive

National convenience store Kum & Go will be located at the corner of Dave Ward Drive and Donaghey Avenue. Location of the building, traffic flow and architectural design were considered during the pre-construction process.

See Faculty - page 2

Sports:

4page 9

Baseball: Bears open season with three-game sweep

by Clark JohnsonSports Editor

Construction has begun on a new Kum & Go convenience store, which will be located at the entrance of UCA.

The Conway Planning Commission worked closely with the Conway City Council to address residents’ concerns, such as the noise and traffic the store would create.

The store, which will sit at the northeast corner of Dave Ward Drive and Donaghey Avenue, is expected to service the UCA community. The location formerly served as one of Textbook

Broker’s book stores, but has since been torn down to begin construction on the nationwide chain’s convenience store.

The nationwide chain began forming plans for building the store near UCA’s campus in spring of 2012. After drafting plans to present to the planning commission and city council, Kum & Go changed its approach multiple times, submitting new requests.

UCA was consulted on the project to help Kum & Go’s architectural design match the university’s nearby buildings. Two design schemes were considered and the first was chosen.

At a July 16, 2012 planning

commission meeting, UCA President Tom Courtway said Kum & Go representatives were forthcoming in meeting university design requirements.

The design includes brick-wrapped canopy columns, an eight-foot fence to screen the convenience station from neighboring houses and brick signage at the corner of Donaghey Avenue and Dave Ward Drive. Bricks to be used are described as “UCA blend” from ACME Brick, according to the planning and

See Bill - page 2

by Marisa HicksAssociate Editor

UCA’s Student Life Committee and Student Government Association unanimously approved a room and board rate increase proposal, which the UCA Board of Trustees will vote on at its Feb. 22 meeting.

SGA Vice President senior Jovana Ilic said the rate increases were necessary in order to stay competitive with other four-year universities in the state as well as other universities within the Southland Conference.

Ilic said the increases will help fund renovations and repairs to housing facilities, which include university apartment complexes and residence halls.

The proposed rates, which will go before the board of trustees, include a 2.96 percent room rate increase and a 3.2 percent increase in board rates.

For a standard room, room rates would increase $156.29 and board rates would increase $168.96 for an academic year. With the rate increases, room and board costs would be $5,585.55, which is an increase of $305.55.

Summer housing renovations include installing privacy stalls in bathrooms and adding sprinklers around Hughes Hall as well as updating kitchens in Farris, New and Baridon halls.

“[Privacy stalls] have been well-received in the buildings we’ve added [them] in,” Director of Housing Stephanie McBrayer said.

Renovations also include updating

Room, board rate increase expected

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- A D M I N I S T R A T I O N -

Faculty discuss weight-training facility funds, Coca-Cola contract at meeting

Bill to allow concealed carry for faculty, staff passes Arkansas House, goes to senate

See Approval - page 3 See Rate - page 2

photo by Pham Minh

Sophomore Wells Thompson holds a puppy at the UCA Humane Society event, “Smooch a Pooch,” Feb. 14 in front of Lewis Science Center.

Student cited for possession of marijuana; substance found inside glass container

Student DeAndre Price, 19, received a citation for possession of a controlled substance at 12:14 a.m. Feb. 18.

UCAPD made contact with the Resident Assistant that was on duty at Conway Hall about the smell of marijuana coming from room 302.

Upon arrival, UCAPD went to the third floor on the men’s side where they smelled marijuana. UCAPD identified room 302 as the source of the smell. The RA keyed into the room, but it was empty.

No weapons or drugs were in plain view. UCAPD and the RA left, locking the door on the way out. While UCAPD was talking with the RA, Price walked up the north stairwell and entered room 302.

UCAPD told Price his room smelled of marijuana. Price said he had just smoked a blunt. UCAPD said

it smelled of marijuana prior to his arrival and that it was fresh. Price said he did not have any in his room or on him.

Price gave consent to be searched, but UCAPD did not find any contraband on him.

Price was told housing would do an incident report on him based on the smell and because he was the only resident.

UCAPD asked Price if they could search his room. Price gave permission and told UCAPD they might find a switch-blade knife. UCAPD found the knife in the medicine cabinet, which they threw away at the police station. UCAPD also found a small glass jar filled with 0.20 ounces of marijuana in a dresser drawer, which Price called his “smoke stash.”

Price was arrested and transported to the UCA police department.

UCAPD cited Price and released him on his own recognizance because he was compliant and cooperative.

Citation issued for intoxication in front of Stadium Park Apartments

Student Kristen Davis, 18, was issued a citation for public intoxication at 2:12 a.m. Feb. 17.

UCAPD made contact with Davis, who was crying and lying on the ground in front of Stadium Park Apartment 103.

UCAPD asked Davis her name, but she did not want to give it to them. Davis was not wearing shoes. Davis said she did not know where her shoes were. Davis said she was trying to get inside and go to bed but that she lived in Carmichael Hall. UCAPD informed Davis that the people in the apartment did not know who she was and did not want her in their apartment.

UCAPD led Davis to its car to keep her warm. UCAPD made contact with student Emily Trower, 21, who informed them she did not know Davis.

Davis had difficulty walking and reeked of alcohol. Davis did not know where her keys, phone or other property was.

She said she had driven to Stadium Park to hang out

with her friends and to sleep. Davis’ story was hard to follow and her rambling made it difficult for officers to understand.

Davis’s maroon Chevrolet Impala was parked on the north side of building six of Stadium Park.

UCAPD placed Davis under arrest for public intoxication.

Davis was transported to the UCA police department for processing.

Student found stumbling, swaying, arrested for public intoxication

Student Manuel Carbajal, 23, was issued a citation for public intoxication at 11:45 p.m. Feb. 16 southwest of Conway Hall.

UCAPD noticed Carbajal was stumbling and swaying as he walked from the cafeteria toward UCAPD.

When Carbajal noticed UCAPD he took his phone out and acted like he was talking on it. He also altered his course to walk much further around UCAPD. When he passed UCAPD, Carbajal put his phone in his pocket and looked back.

UCAPD saw him trip and stumble several times. Carbajal also walked into a sign at Student’s Lane and stumbled, stepping off the curb and into the street.

When UCAPD made contact with Carbajal, he had red, glassy, watery eyes and smelled of alcohol. UCAPD asked him where he was going and he said he was going to Bear Hall.

UCAPD told him he was walking in the opposite direction.

Carbajal then told UCAPD he was going to the Bear’s Den. UCAPD asked if he had drunk any alcohol recently and Carbajal said he had two drinks at Bear’s Den earlier.

Carbajal was placed under arrest and was transported to the UCA police department. After receiving his citation, Carbajal was transported to Faulkner County Detention Center.

Multicolored marijuana pipe found in student’s Carmichael Hall dorm

Student Ashley Head, 18, was issued a warning for a drug violation at 1:51 p.m. Feb. 13 at Carmichael Hall.

After arriving at Carmichael Hall, UCAPD met with Resident Coordinator Danielle Badgett.

While Badgett was checking Ashley Head out of room 146, she discovered a small, multicolored marijuana pipe.

Badgett handed the pipe to UCAPD and advised then that Head had been moved to room 152.

UCAPD went to room 152 and made contact with Head. Head said the pipe was located inside a dresser drawer.

Head said the dresser was used by her former roommate and she did not know what was in the dresser.

Head said she never used the pipe and did not know how it had gotten in her room.

The pipe was destroyed at the UCA police department.

2 / February 20, 2013 NEWS ucaecho.net

The following reports and arrests are from the UCAPD docket. UCAPD reports any tickets issued as arrests, according to ucapd.com.

Police Beat Bill: Proposed law would enable universities, colleges to decide on legality of handguns; Arkansas legislature also considers lottery scholarship changes4 Continued from page 1ammunition magazines off our streets, because they are tired of being outgunned.”

In response to Obama’s remarks, National Rifle Association executive Wayne LaPierre said to the media in a news conference that the president failed to mention “school safety” efforts to combat gun violence.

The NRA, according to its website, wants public schools to adopt a School Shield safety program, which would have public safety officials at schools

across the country to monitor potential threats.

Former Arkansas Republican congressman Asa Hutchinson will lead the project.

While the proposal intends to target K-12 schools, UCAPD monitors campus safety at UCA.

Other proposed legislation during the 2013 Arkansas legislative session includes a bill that would change the award amount structure for lottery scholarships.

Students qualifying for the Arkansas Academic Challenge

Scholarship would receive $2,000 as a freshman; $3,000 during their sophomore year; $4,000 as a junior; and $5,000 during their senior year.

Courtway said at the Feb. 12 faculty senate meeting that the proposed legislation would be a “significant change.”

Currently, students are awarded $4,500 per academic year at a four-year college and $2,250 at a two-year higher education institution.

“This is something we need to watch out for,” he said.

flooring, painting, lighting fixtures and toilets in Stadium Park and Bear Village apartments.

McBrayer said six of 10 buildings in Bear Village will be converted to single-single rooms, housing two people for each suite. She said changes to the building are not expected to be an issue for students in need of housing.

The Student Life Committee and SGA approved higher rates. They proposed a three percent room rate increase and 3.25 percent board rate increase.

Vice President of Finance and Administration Diane Newton

said the university seeks input from the Student Life Committee and SGA when dealing with room and board increases.

“Beginning with the 2011-12 budget, changes in room and board rates have been carried through the SGA process for their input and consideration,” she said.

Although SGA approved a three percent room rate increase and a 3.25 board rate increase, Newton said lower increase rates were proposed to the board of trustees from what SGA approved and proposed “due to minor changes in the rounding of the rates.”

If passed, the proposed 2.96 percent room rate and 3.2 percent board rate increases would be effective for the 2013-14 fiscal year. Each year, room and board rates increase. However, last year a three percent room rate increase was initiated and board rates stayed the same.

“Since I’ve been on [the SGA] senate, room and board rate increases have only gone up by three percent at the most,” Ilic said.

She said that last year’s room rate increase was the only increase as far as room and board rate increases are concerned because the Aramark contract

renewal was up for consideration.“In general, the university is

looking forward and to the future to renovate current housing facilities,” Ilic said.

She said renovations were necessary to appeal to freshmen as well as upperclassmen.

The board meeting will be held at 10 a.m. Feb. 22 in the Board of Trustees Conference Room in Wingo Hall.

Rate: Dorms, apartments will receive renovations over summer break with increased fees; Six Bear Village apartments convert to single-single rooms for fall 20134 Continued from page 1

athletics because of its portion to the debt service on the bond issue of the building.

A memorandum of understanding effective March 11, 2011 states that the University of Central Arkansas Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization, would provide the necessary funds to construct a weight-training facility adjacent to the Pepsi Americas Building.

According to a foundation proposal, prospective donations were to be made in $100,000 payments on or before June 30 each year through 2020.

Courtway said $1 million in funding through private donations for the project fell through, leading the university to evaluate options for paying off the construction.

The project began under the leadership of former President Allen Meadors prior to a signed agreement to provide the $1 million necessary from a private donor. Faculty senators expressed concern over the decision-making process. Courtway said he does not Meadors or anyone else for the lack of funds. Meadors pleaded guilty Jan. 15 to violating the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act and received a $250 fine after it was discovered that he got a $700,000 gift from Aramark for renovations to the president’s house. Courtway stepped in as interim president Sept. 2, 2011 after Meadors resigned under pressure.

UCA entered into beverage

contract negotiations with Coca-Cola earlier this month after the university chose to end its contract with Pepsi. The current UCA Pepsi contract ends in May.

Courtway said money received from the contract could be used to pay off debts acquired from the weight-training facility project and stressed that by taking care of existing burdens, the university would be able to move forward in addressing academic needs.

“Should it have been built as soon as it was?,” Courtway said. “Maybe, maybe not.”

Construction on the 8,000-square-foot weight training facility began in June 2011. The project was completed in early 2012.

Courtway said the presence of Athletic Director Brad Teague was not necessary.

“These decisions, whether you like them or not, rest in one seat,” he said.

Courtway said that although construction began without a donor’s signature, “you have to live with it.”

According to a Sept. 28, 2011 article in The Echo, Teague said commitments for skyboxes in Bear Hall in the form of private donations would be used as additional revenue to fund the building.

At the meeting, faculty senators expressed frustrations that the money might go to paying off the weight-training facility instead of going to academics. Faculty Senator Lynn Burley said she was concerned about the procedure for relying on hope without a set-in-stone agreement.

According to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, the UCA Foundation took out a $2.7 million loan to pay for skyboxes and the weight-training facility. The loan was originally planned, according to UCA records.

Faculty: Courtway says university must move forward in paying off debt, suggests pouring rights money as potential method4 Continued from page 1

Attention Students Nominate your favorite faculty member for the annual Faculty Excellence Award!

Nominations are now being accepted until March 8th

Teaching Excellence Research, Scholarship & Creative Activity Public Service

Nomination forms and additional information

may be found on line at http://uca.edu/academicaffairs/academic-information/

or send an email from your uca account to provost@uca.edu or simply use this ad to complete your nomination by checking

the box above for the appropriate award and by answering the following :

Faculty Nominee______________________________Department______________________

Reason for nomination (additional sheets may be added)_______________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________ Cut out and send this completed form via campus mail to the Office of the Provost, Wingo Hall 213.

development commission.Many meetings were held

through the commission and council to debate the location of the store.

With neighbors in the area voicing concerns about an already steady traffic flow and possible noise problems, it wasn’t a quick process to rezone the area.

According to a June 18, 2012 Conway Planning and Development report, a traffic study estimated 3,721 vehicle trips per day could be expected as a potential traffic impact.

Central Baptist College student Jonathan Kaufman lives at the corner of Baridon Street and Dave Ward Drive.

The new convenience store will be less than 100 yards down the high-traffic road from his house.

Kaufman said while the store will provide a great service, he’s concerned about the increase in traffic near his home.

“It’s hard enough to get turned out on Dave Ward nearly any time in the day,” Kaufman said. “With people trying to turn in and out of there and hitting their brakes, it’s just going to be a headache unless something is done to make the traffic flow more easily.”

Kaufman also voiced his concern about a possible increase in noise, especially during the late hours of the night.

“If a nice, clean gas station like that is going to be open 24 hours, I’m sure it will stay pretty busy through the late hours,” Kaufman said. “I’m not exactly worried about this for myself and my roommates, but I’m concerned for the older residents in the area.”

Kaufman said that while the traffic increase may cause problems, he will benefit from the construction.

“People will fuss about it for a little while, but once they get used to it I think everyone who lives around here [in the Conway area] will use it a few times a week,” he said.

On July 24, 2012, the Conway City Council gave its approval

to build the convenience store. The council voted 5-3 in favor of rezoning the lot to a C-2 property to allow construction.

The council also voted 7-1 in favor of a permit to allow gasoline pumps to be brought with the store.

Demolition of the existing Textbook Brokers building has finished and cleanup is under way at the location for the future convenience store at 2050 Dave Ward Drive.

Two entrances have been laid out, one coming off Dave Ward Drive heading west and one off Donaghey Avenue heading south.

Junior Cebron Hackett said that the new store would add some value to the area.

“It’s going to be nice to have a place like that at such a close proximity to campus,” Hackett said. “Aside from the Shell station on Farris [Road], no other convenience stores are located so close to the campus.”

A feature of Kum & Go that students around campus are talking about is the food selection.

The company website has a complete listing of items available in the food section of the store. This includes breakfast items, made-to-order pizzas, subs and many other items.

Sophomore Bill Swartzwelder said the Kum & Go convenience stores are some of the nicest he has seen and that he is excited about the addition being near the university.

“It’s going to be the nicest gas station we have in Conway,” he said. “Every one I’ve been in is always kept up really well and is very clean. The food from Kum & Go isn’t your typical gas station food.”

The Iowa-based chain has been servicing the central part of the country for over 50 years. Kum & Go currently has stores in 11 states including Arkansas, Iowa, Colorado, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Wyoming.

Conway Police Officer

Craig Culliford lives near the intersection of Dave Ward Drive and Donaghey Avenue.

He said he could imagine traffic problems arising once the store opens.

“With how busy that intersection is at nearly every hour of the day, putting a large gas station like that in that location seems like it might cause some issues with traffic flow,” Culliford said.

He said the close proximity of the entrance onto Dave Ward Drive and the traffic light could prove to be an issue.

“Once the light directing Dave Ward traffic turns red, you already get a good amount of cars piling up,” Culliford said. “Multiple people trying to leave at the entrance is going to throw it all off, and could possibly cause some wrecks if drivers are trying to merge when people are coming in and out.”

Kum & Go is building a second station in Conway at the southeast corner of Meadowlake Road and Donaghey Avenue and a third location near Hendrix College.

Residents in the area voiced their concerns for the same issues residents near the UCA location did.

The convenience stores are approved to be 24-hour locations.

2 / February 20, 2013 NEWS ucaecho.net ucaecho.net NEWS 3 / February 20, 2013

by Andy RobertsonAssistant News Editor

The Student Government Association Housing and Food Services Committee discussed eliminating the $8 limit on purchases made with block meal plans and updates to Hughes Hall Monday.

At an Oct. 15, 2012 SGA meeting, Colby Qualls, sophomore class president, said the $8 limit was not the same as having $8 to spend.

“It is simply a ceiling for the options that are provided,” he said.

The $8 limit will be taken away so that more options are available to students.

Senior Food Service Director Jim Nabors said he does not want money to be an issue and that the price of sides shouldn’t eliminate them from being available as part of an entree. A list of available

entrees and sides will be posted in the Student Center.

Each entree comes with two sides; Nabors said drinks may become a side option. Pie will now be included as a side and Chick-fil-A sausage biscuits will be included as breakfast options for meal plans.

Qualls said students have complained about the hours of operation of food vendors on campus. Moo-Yah’s closes at 5 p.m., Einstein Brothers closes at 6 p.m. and Pizza Hut, Chick-fil-A and the Christian Cafeteria close at 8 p.m. Qualls said students would like to see vendors stay open later.

Junior Class Vice President Ashley Ross said the Wi-Fi connections on campus are not consistent and reliable.

Ross said Hughes Hall will undergo renovations, with updates added to the lobby and dressing areas installed in the bathrooms.

- G O V E R N M E N T -

SGA announces meal plan changes

rendering courtesy of City of Conway Planning and Development

The design scheme for Kum & Go near UCA features a brick exterior to match nearby university buildings. The 24-hour location is the second of three to be built in Conway.

Approval: Students express concerns, support for new convenience store near UCA; traffic flow, building architecture addressed by Conway City Council, planning commission4 Continued from page 1

Now you can use your BearBucks on gas and

get ten cents off every gallon. Or fi ll up your

own tank with drinks and snacks inside the

store. We even have free wi-fi .375 E Oak Street

Conway

801 Hogan LaneConway

WITH TEN CENTS OFF EVERY GALLON.

Offer good through 3/31/13.facebook.com/roadrunnerstores

“It’s going to be nice to have a

place like that at such a close proximity to

campus”

— Junior Cebron Hackett

MOMENTS IN FILM

photo by Sean Shrewsbury

Senior Marcus Ester films the UCA basketball game Feb. 14. Ester, a film major, works with the athletic department to broadcast games onto the jumbotron as well as to television.

Campus LifeFebruary 20, 2013

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AroundCampus:

Change Is NearJohn Murphy, professor of psychology and counseling, will be speaking on “How to Help People (and Yourself ) Change: Lessons from Psychotherapy and Counseling” at 2 p.m. Feb. 20, in Torreyson 215 as part of the Faculty Presentation Series hosted by Torreyson Library. Light refreshments will be served.

A Lovely Sunday The UCA Theatre Program will continue presenting “A Lovely Sunday for Creve Coeur” at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 20-22 in Snow Fine Arts. The one-act play by Tennessee Williams centers around a young school teacher who dreams of marrying her “Prince Charming,” who also happens to be her boss.

Poetry SlamContinuing Black History Month, the second annual Unity Poetry Slam will be at 7 p.m. Feb. 25 in the Student Center Ballroom. The event will host def poet Dana Gilmore, Foreign Tongues and eight amatuer poets.

Fiction Frenzy Artist in Residence Jennifer Egan will host a public reading and book signing at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 26 in the College of Business Auditorium. Egan, who is famous for her literary fiction writing, won a Pulitzer Prize for fiction and is an international best seller.

Money TalksGeorge Selgin, a professor at the University of Georgia, will present “What are the Alternatives to the Federal Reserve Bank” during x-period Feb. 28 in College of Business 107.

American BoychoirThe world renowned American Boychoir will perform at 7:30 p.m. March 1 in Reynolds Performance Hall. The group, featuring boys from grades four through eight, travels the world as one of the world’s best boy choirs.

Scholarship TimeUCA Alumni Association & Foundation Scholarship applications are available for 2013-14. Scholarships are available for current and incoming UCA students. Brochures can be found at uca.edu/go/alumnischolarships or pick one up at the Student Center Information Desk or at Buffalo Alumni Hall. The deadline is March 8.

SubmissionsPlease submit events for Around Campus in 50 words or fewer to ucaechoeditor@gmail.com. Include basic who, what, when and where information as well as contact information.

by Spencer GriffinCampus Life Editor

Herm Edwards, ESPN analyst and former National Football League head coach, talked about social relationships, passion and focusing on goals Feb. 12 in Reynolds Performance Hall. Edwards appeared as a part of Public Appearance’s Distinguished Lecture Series.

Edwards said setting goals is important. He said aspirations and having the drive to succeed in those aspirations is one of the most important aspects of life.

“A goal without a plan is a wish,” he said. “Everyone gets the same amount of time each day; you must decide how to use it.”

Edwards used anecdotes throughout his speech to illustrate the importance of friendships.

He said it’s imperative to have friends who feel close enough to you to tell you when you’re doing something wrong.

Some of the stories Edwards used were full of humor and made the audience erupt with laughter. However, one of his more effective stories was serious.

To illustrate the importance of leaving behind a positive legacy, Edwards told the audience a story from his childhood.

Edwards said when he was eight years old, his father, a military man, handed him a broom and told him to sweep the backyard.

He said he swept the yard, but as his father inspected his work, he realized he had forgotten to sweep the corners.

“Dad, nobody knows.” he said.

Edwards said his father’s rebuttal has stuck with him throughout the years.

“Son, you know,” his father said.

Edwards told the audience members to always do their best because they will know deep down if they don’t. He said everyone has corners they need

to sweep out.He said his father gave him

some vital advice that at the time he was too young to fully appreciate.

“We don’t have a lot of money, so I can’t give you a good bike,” he said. “I’m going to give you something better, a good name. Don’t screw it up.”

Athletic Director Brad Teague said over 400 student-athletes attended the lecture.

Quarterback junior Wynrick Smothers said he was excited to get to attend.

“[The team] got to hear from someone who has been through the NFL and he knows what it takes to make it,” he said. “I hope

the team got a great experience from it and gained knowledge.”

Smothers said Clint Conque, UCA’s head football coach, made the team’s attendance at the lecture mandatory.

“I think Coach Conque made us go because I think he knows what knowledge we could gain from it and hopefully apply it to the program here,” he said.

Edwards said he advised students to be themselves.

“Don’t try to make your career off of others’ misfortunes and be yourself,” he said. “Words are hurtful; you have to be careful.”

Edwards said the main part of being an analyst is asking “why.” He said most people report on what happened and how it happened, but a lot of people forget to talk about why it happened.

He used ESPN analyst Skip Bayless as an example, saying Bayless is outspoken on television, but that he backs his information up with facts and why he believes something even when he is wrong.

He said that when Bayless is wrong, he is not afraid to admit it and he will apologize.

Edwards used football analogies and stories to convey his message.

He also used Martin Luther King, Jr. as a prime example with his quote about the importance of where people stand in controversy.

He used this quote to challenge the audience at the end of the presentation: “Martin Luther King, Jr. lived his life to make a difference,” he said. “What’s your plan? Once you determine your plan, will you make a difference?”

Former National Football League head coach and current ESPN analyst Herm Edwards visited the university Feb. 12 giving inspirational advice and stories about his past and about football to prove his point about succeeding in life.

Herm Edwards uses anecdotes to give advice

Photo courtesy of Ashley Love

Junior Brandon Cummins Freshman Braden Jones

story by Spencer Griffinphotos by Sean Shrewsbury

“I’d probably say read your material before class and check Blackboard every day.”

Sophomore Sharetta Criner

Students Say“Do your work before you hang out.”

“Prepare yourself. It’s different than high school.”

“Don’t try to knock out all your Gen Eds at once because when you’re a junior or senior and you need cushion, you’re screwed.”

Junior Kayla Wilson“Take Gen Eds first before you decide on your major so you don’t get behind.”

Senior Megan O’Neal

“Time management.”

Freshman Destini Thomas“Get to know your teachers very well.”

Freshman Keshia Grooms“Understand your need for society, but weigh that at the risk of your academics.”

Junior John Dickey

“What advice would you give to future UCA students?”

Seniors Kaitlin Davidson (left) and Connie Steele talk, laugh and enjoy the sunshine while having a lesiurely lunch between classes Jan. 30 in front of McAlister Hall.

Photo by Darlecia Williams

LEISURE BEFORE LEARNING

CONRAD AND SYD BY JENNIFER HICKS

ucaecho.net CAMPUS LIFE February 20, 2013 /5

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- I N S P I R A T I O N -

Kidsfest Superhero Race will be hosted in April for abuse victims

by Andy RobertsonAssistant News Editor

Kidsfest Superhero Race, hosted by Children’s Advocacy Alliance April 6 in Conway, will feature a 1k and 5k run, a costume parade and an awards ceremony.

Kidsfest activities start at the Faulkner County Courthouse with a 5k fun run for all ages and a 1k Superhero Race for kids 10 and under.

Chip timers are available for the 5k race.

Parents are allowed to participate in the 1k race.

After the race, the event moves down the street to Simon Park for the awards ceremony and costume parade.

The Children’s Music Festival — which features choirs, dance teams, baton twirlers, gymnasts and Faulkner County cheerleaders — will begin immediately after the awards ceremony.

Simon Park will be filled with activities for kids of all ages, including a bounce house, face painting, arts and crafts, games and more.

There will be plenty of vendors on hand to provide food and drinks for attendees.

All park activities are free, but vendors will likely charge a fee or request a donation for food, drinks and merchandise.

This year’s theme is “all kids need a hero. Abused kids need a superhero.”

“The purpose for the event is to raise awareness in support of Child Abuse Prevention Month,” Children’s Advocacy Alliance Development Director Kat Duvall said. “We want to

have a family-friendly event that sends a message of hope to those children in our community who are abused and neglected.”

Proceeds from the race will benefit the Children’s Advocacy Alliance, a partnership between Court Appointed Special Advocates and the Children’s Advocacy Center.

Duvall said she expects a large turnout.

“Between race participants and activities at the park, there will be more than 600 people participating on the day,” she said.

The race registration fee for the 5k is $25 for those who register before March 22 and $35 after early registration ends.

The 1k registration fee is $10 until March 22 and $20 after early registration ends.

For parents participating in the 1k, the fee will be the same.

The fee includes the cost for T-shirts.

There will be no charge if you assist a small child.

Check in and registration is at

8 a.m. The 5k is scheduled to start

at 9 a.m. on the courthouse lawn and the 1k superhero race starts at 10 a.m.

The awards ceremony will begin at 10:45 a.m. at Simon Park and the costume parade will be at 11 a.m.

Music festivals and other activities will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Prizes will be given for men’s and women’s 5k first- through third-place finishers.

Prizes will be given for girls and boys first- through third-place finishers.

For the boys and girls 1k race, those who place first through third will be given prizes, but all participants will receive a Superhero Participation Medal.

Prizes will be given to the best mini costume, which is awarded to boys and girls under eight; best junior costume, which is awarded to boys and girls aged 9 to 12; best super girl or boy costume for ages 13 and up and best family super hero.

Run to begin at Faulkner County Courthouse, end with Simon Park costume parade, awards ceremony

by Hunter BrooksAssistant Sports Editor

Undergraduate writing students read and performed original works of prose, poetry and hybrid works Feb. 11 at the annual Arkatext literary festival. The event, which took place in Thompson Hall, was hosted by UCA’s writing department.

“Arkatext is a celebration of Arkansas writers in which we bring renowned artists to visit with students and faculty,” Mark Spitzer, associate professor of creative writing and editor-in-chief of the Toad Suck Review, said. “But mostly, it gives the students the opportunity to meet and work with established authorities in their field.”

Writing professor Greg Graham said students performed on a voluntary basis.

“It’s great to see so many students want to read,” he said. “These students weren’t forced by teachers or any other influence to do it. It was a matter of choice. That’s what writing is about. It’s good to be aware, but don’t worry how or if people judge you. Just write for yourself.”

Graham, along with Spitzer, Writing Instructor Robin Becker and Writing Professors Stephanie Vanderslice and Terry Wright performed original works.

Spitzer, Becker and Vanderslice all read fiction pieces, Graham read nonfiction and Wright performed poetry.

“I think you can learn something about a writer when

they read aloud,” Wright said. “There’s something you take in from seeing them perform it that you can’t get from looking or reading a piece of paper.”

Arkatext continued Feb. 13 with a craft talk from H.K. Stewart, founder and host of the Little Rock Poetry Slam.

Stewart read and performed a number of original pieces in the Grand Foyer of Thompson.

“I’m not a slam poet,” Stewart said. “I figured that out by doing it. But I see the passion when slam poetry is performed. That’s what I love about it and why I opened the Poetry Slam.”

Fiction writer Phillip McMath held a craft talk Feb. 14 in Thompson Hall 331. McMath focused his speech on writing historical fiction. After the craft talk, McMath read historical fiction in the Grand Foyer. Bryan Borland, editor-in-chief of the Assaracus Literary Journal and founder of Sibling Rivalry Press, was on hand Feb. 15. Borland discussed publication and how it relates to writing fiction, nonfiction and poetry. The Arkatext Festival concluded Friday night with the third annual Toad Suck Review Launchapalooza at Michelaneglo’s Rooftop. Editorial staff from the Toad Suck Review publication and contributors to the latest 3D issue of the Toad Suck Review shared original pieces at the event.

Louie the Kid performed blues after the reading, followed by jazz from sophomore Simona Donova and Geography Professor Michael Yoder.

- L I T E R A T U R E -

Arkatext readings show writing talent from students, faculty

(Top left to right) Graduate student Louis Lands acts as emcee and seniors Zachary Long and Sarah Jane Rawlison read their original works during the Arkafest Literary Festival Feb. 11 in Thompson Hall. (Above) Writing professor Greg Graham reads nonfiction to the crowd Feb. 11.

Photos by Pham Minh

ucaecho.net CAMPUS LIFE February 20, 2013 /6

M HChoose your roommate(s)!

A PICKGet your same room: February 6-10. Doubles and quads pick: February 18-22.Open room selection: February 25- March 10.

EATBegins February 6th on myUCA

LIVE!Move in day is August 18, 2013

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On myUCA now!

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Reapplying for

is asEASY

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Questions?Contact the Housing Department at: (501) 450-3132or E-mail us at: housing@uca.eduand visit our website at: uca.edu/housing/reapply

as

UCA HousingWhat’s New for 2013-2014!

-Single Rooms and Deluxe Single Rooms are now available in Bear Village!-Elizabeth Place and College View will no longer be leased by UCA.-Baridon Hall will house freshmen and sophomores.

Play features all-female castby Andrew McClainStaff Writer

UCA Theatre’s production of “A Lovely Sunday For Creve Coeur” opened at Bridges/Larson Theatre last week.

The play is one of Tennessee Williams’ final plays and features an all-female cast, (except for two male voices that come from off-stage) and pertains to the goings-on of one day in the life of two roommates in an apartment in the West End of St. Louis, Mo. in the 1930s.

The two roommates, Bodey and Dorothea (played by senior Geneva Galloway and freshman Jordyn Daniels) are two women of differing ages and social backgrounds sharing an apartment.

Bodey is from a German family and is constantly trying to set up Dorothea (whom she calls “Dotty”) with her brother, Buddy, who is never seen onstage, but is voiced over the telephone by

sophomore Xander Udochi. UCA graduate Ashli Brown

plays Helena, a coworker of Dorothea’s who is trying to persuade Dorothea to move to a more fashionable part of St. Louis with her, even though Dorothea cannot afford it. Junior Katie Stogsdill plays Miss Gluck, a German woman from upstairs who is hysterically grieving the loss of her mother throughout the play.

“I think the show has a very poignant message that transcends time – it’s about heartbreak and denial and the kind of loneliness we all deal with, as well as the relationships that women have with each other, and what being alone means to a woman, which is still relevant today, even though the class-related issues aren’t as strong today,” Galloway said. “The four women in the show represent four different archetypes, four different avenues a woman can go down, from socialite to spinster.”

The play also deals with tensions between classes, as Dorothea aspires to be accepted by the high-society group that her beau (and the principal of the school she works at) belongs to, while Bodey is clearly from a working-class background and lacks awareness that anyone might think that to be a bad thing.

“The play is a comedy with plenty of drama at certain times, so that means that it can depend on a warm audience, but on a good night there’s lots of laughs,” junior Schafer Bourne, technical assistant for “Creve Coer,” said.

UCA graduate Matt Duncan voices the landlord Mr. Schlogger, and sophomore Maddie Arey voices Mrs. Schlogger.

The play is directed by Rebekah Scallet, with set design by graduate Elizabeth Weatherford, sound and lighting design by Professor Greg Blakey, costume design by senior Jennifer Hicks and props design by junior Sara Sharos.

- T H E A T E R -

LET’S TALK ABOUT LOVE

Photo courtesy of uca.edu/international

International students discuss different culture’s perceptions of love and relationships at the Feb. 14 Culture Talk in the Mirror Room in McAlister Hall.

EntertainmentFebruary 20, 2013

7

The Top Five Ferrets of the

Entertainment Industry

1. Puppy the ferret(2010)

Puppy has made a name for herself on YouTube and Reddit with videos and pictures showcasing her many tricks and sleeping poses. The video “Puppy the Ferret Shot Dead” has 678,340 views as she plays dead when her owner says “bang!” Puppy makes it to No. 1 on my list because her cute little face is everywhere on the Internet. She has not made it to the silver screen, but became one of the world’s first ferret celebrities.

2. “Along Came Polly” (2004)

Rodolfo the ferret is all throughout this romantic comedy starring Jennifer Aniston and Ben Stiller. Polly, played by Aniston, keeps Rodolfo as her pet, but she loses him and her keys quite often. Stiller’s character, Reuben, gives Polly a key finder, which she attaches to Rodolfo’s harness in case of emergencies. The ferret’s big moment is when Reuben finds him stuck in the door of Polly’s apartment, which affects the outcome of the movie.

3. “The Big Lebowski” (1998)

In “The Big Lebowski,” Jeffery “The Dude” Lebowski, played by Jeff Bridges, is constantly punished for activities a millionaire with the same name partakes in. The ferret, in a studded harness, appears when a nihilist group interrupts The Dude’s bath by dropping the polecat into the tub to teach him to pay the debts attached to the Lebowski name. Neither Bridges nor the ferret were harmed in the making of this scene.

4. “Kindergarten Cop” (1990)

“The Kindergarten Cop” is one of my favorite movies with a ferret. Arnold Schwarzenegger plays Detective John Kimble, who has a nameless sable fuzzy sidekick that sporadically pops in and out of the film, directed by Ivan Reitman. This ferret puts a trance on the kindergarten class, darts out of backpacks and helps save a little boy with one heroic bite to the neck of the antagonist drug-dealer dad played by Richard Tyson.

5. “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” (2005)

Other than being hippogriff food, the ferrets of Harry Potter consist of their magical polecat cousins named “jarveys” and a scene from the fourth movie in which Alastor “Mad-Eye” Moody transforms Draco Malfoy into a small white ferret, whips him about and shoves him down Vincent Crabbe’s pants after he tries to curse Harry. Even though it was punishment, Draco’s little ferret face makes the list of top five.

List compiled by Peyton Olsen

New This Week

Feb. 26 — Immortal Ever After: An Argeneau Novel by Lynsay Sands

Books

Feb. 22 — Dark Skies, directed by Scott Stewart, starring Keri Russell, Josh Hamilton

Feb. 26 — The Dance of the Seagull by Andrea Camilleri

Feb. 26 — Rich Food Poor Food: The Ultimate Grocery Purchasing System by Jayson Calton, Mira Calton

Feb. 26 — The Best Man by Kristan Higgins

Feb. 26 — Red Velvet Cupcake Murder by Joanne Fluke

Feb. 26 — Beauty Awakened by Gena Showalter

Moviesby Tanner SmithStaff Writer

1988’s “Die Hard” is considered one of the best action films ever made, and its sequels have had their shares of thrills as well, though it’s hardly a secret the first film’s exhilaration has diminished with each sequel. Unfortunately, its fifth installment, “A Good Day to Die Hard,” is evidence enough that the franchise is dying hard.

“A Good Day to Die Hard” doesn’t even seem or feel like a “Die Hard” movie. It just seems generic. Here’s a conflict no one should care about, here’s a few generic bad guys who love to shoot everything up and here’s a load of explosions. Add the wisecracking hero and an annoying sidekick and, that’s it? The other movies had more going for them than this. They had characterization, proper setups and payoffs and memorable villains. Those elements are what made “Die Hard” and some of its following sequels fun to watch. They added to the excitement of the action sequences so we cared about what was happening on-screen.

But at least we have Bruce Willis, again playing the hero cop,

Detective John McClane and again finding himself in one unusual predicament after another. And to be fair, he’s the best thing in this movie. Sure, he’s noticeably aged, but his wisecracking personality is still welcome. (He even says his “yippie-ki-yay” line). However, there’s one question regarding his character, and that is why is he suddenly invincible?

Remember in the first movie, his feet were torn to shreds after having to escape barefoot on shards of broken glass? Now whenever he crashes through plate-glass windows or survives car crashes, he only has a few scratches.

The action takes place in Moscow, Russia. John’s son Jack, played by Jai Courtney, a CIA agent, has been arrested for murder and is awaiting trial. John and Jack haven’t spoken to each other in years but John wants to travel to Russia for unclear reasons.

It doesn’t matter because as John gets to the courthouse all hell breaks loose and Jack manages to escape Russian justice. Along with him is a political dissident, Komarov, played by Sebastian Koch, who has some sort of object that a band of terrorists are trying to

get their hands on. John ends up in the mix, and we get to add awkward father/son bonding to standard, generic, shoot-em-up, action-movie elements.

While the “Die Hard” movies have had some pretty effective villains, there is no real villain in this movie. There are just certain villainous characters, along with several henchmen who seem to one-up each other for complicated reasons. When the top villain is finally unmasked, however, it comes as no surprise. Motivations are clumsily written so it’s hard to follow everything that’s being thrown at you.

Willis is still Willis, and he’s likeable as always. But as his sidekick in the action, Courtney is just a crushing bore. He’s whiny, annoying and ultimately bland. He’s the central figure of this “Die Hard” movie—not John who is merely there for support.

The film has a few good-looking action sequences and director John Moore is evidently a capable action director. But the main thing missing from this action film is the energy and creativity from the original film.

“A Good Day To Die Hard” runs at 97 minutes, is rated R and is playing at the Cinemark Towne Center in Conway.

Daniel BeckerPhotography Editor

The cult favorite NBC show “Community” has returned for a miraculous fourth season after nearly being canceled. The show continues on in its fourth season staying true to its ridiculous themes and characters.

The study group wasted no time getting caught up in a wild “Hunger Games” scenario that was orchestrated by the flamboyant Dean Pelton, played by Jim Rash, to get seats in the class that they need. The episode also had a crowd-pleasing side story with Abed Nadir, played by actor Danny Pudi, becoming once again lost in his own television-driven world full of laugh tracks and animated cut scenes after Britta Perry, played by actress Gillian Jacobs, tried to be his therapist and sends him to his happy place. However, Nadir keeps a greater insight on the situation than any other member of the group.

The comedy legend Fred Willard made a guest appearance in Nadir’s “Happy Place” perspective of the show by playing the character of “Pierce Hawthorne” instead of the usual actor Chevy Chase. This may be a foreshadowing of how they will replace Chase because he left the show after filming the first 11 episodes of the season. The show

has had other problems including its creator, Dan Harmon, being fired by NBC after the finale of the third season. Many have been skeptical whether the show will be able to maintain its unique personality after these heavy hits. The premiere has proven, however, that the show has not only kept its charm but is also continuing to develop with the budding relationship between Jeff Winger, played by Joel McHale, and Annie Edison, played by Alison Brie, and also Troy Barnes, played by Donald Glover, and Perry.

They are also keeping their roots with the group working out problems that have nothing to do with their classes and having their unofficial leader Winger make a speech at the end of the episode to reassure them that they can pull through whatever problems they are dealing with.

It is likely that this is the final season of the show with a comment from Winger where he announced that he is one class credit away from graduating and moving on from the Greendale Community College. The other characters also repeat several times that it is their senior and final year so they are determined to make it count.

The show will continue to be the show that its fans know and love despite the difficulties they have been having. The show airs at 7 p.m. Thursdays on NBC.

by Andrew McClainStaff Writer

Music isn’t interesting without narrative. If, as an artist, you aren’t developing from album to album, you aren’t doing anything worthwhile. Toro y Moi is a great example of this.

In 2010, a blissed-out indie electronica sound became very popular, and was jokingly named “chillwave” (a play on “New Wave”) by the music press. Neon Indian, Washed Out and Toro y Moi all released albums in this vein and became the eminent figures in this movement that wasn’t really a movement. Also called “glo-fi” or “bedroom pop,” most of it was made on laptops rather than in the studio.

Each of these artists did their best to break out of the “chillwave” box by releasing follow-up albums that deviated in sound.

Toro y Moi (real name Chazwick Bundick) shocked plenty of listeners by appearing on popular “live-in-the-studio” sessions website Daytrotter to play songs from his first album acoustically in a very spare, folky way.

Then he released “Underneath The Pine” in 2011, and it felt similar to his previous work, but recorded with a full band.

This year, Bundick released his third album as Toro y Moi, “Anything In Return” and he has perfected his sound. His first album, “Causers of This” was murky, sedated, and heavily

influenced by the late hip-hop pioneer J Dilla, while his second was a little sepia-toned and anemic due to its being largely acoustic – both were great, but not the kind of great that he has now achieved by applying what he has learned through making those albums.

“Anything In Return” is rich with a blend of acoustic instruments and digital programming that couldn’t be more inventive.

He has invented a unique kind of sedated funk with some of the most unique synth sounds since the LCD Soundsystem. He also still wears his hip-hop influences on his sleeve, with vocal chops and 808 drums.

The album is much more dynamic than anything Bundick has released to date, with heavy synths and acoustic instruments blended together in ways I can’t even comprehend, and at the same time being able to call back to the stuttering, hiccuping electronica of J Dilla.

The first single, “Say That,” has vocal samples and a driving synth line, but keeps the mood laid back. “Studies” has one of the most unique guitar sounds I’ve ever heard. “Cola” and “Touch” especially are direct warm homages to British post-dubstep impresario James Blake, and “Touch” is absolutely one of the album’s highlights, along with singles “So Many Details” and “High Living.”

It’s a perfect album to take out for a sunny afternoon drive, so I highly recommend listening to it that way.

by Spencer GriffinCampus Life Editor

Joe Budden flew solo with the release of his new album Feb. 5, “No Love Lost,” and had decent success.

Many are used to seeing Budden perform and record with Joel Ortiz, Crooked I and Royce da 5’9” in their group “Slaughterhouse,” but Budden decided to record an album alone.

“Slaughterhouse,” along with many other rappers, including Lil Wayne, Kirko Bangz, Lloyd Banks, Omarion, Twista, Wiz Kalifa and French Montana are still on the album but only as featured artists.

While “Slaughterhouse” is known as a relatively loud rap group with gangsta rap sounds usually, “No Love Lost” with just Budden gives a different type of vibe.

Budden is usually the more mellow member of the group when it comes to sound, which shows throughout the album.

Most of the songs on the album are a slower tempo with R&B touches that creates a different sound from what we are used to hearing from Budden’s group.

One of the best-sounding tracks on the album is “NBA,” featuring Wiz Kalifa and French Montana.

In the song, the rappers reference the NBA as the National Basketball Association for one use, as most would expect, by alluding to the league and giving basketball and team metaphors. The other use of the acronym that the rappers use is “Never Broke Again,” speaking of their success in the rap game.

Another song that should be considered as one of the best on the album is “Tell Him Somethin.” This song is perhaps the slowest, but one of the most catchy when it comes to tempo.

The track is telling a story through Budden’s eyes about what a girl should say to her man to break up with him and get with Budden.

The song is the longest on the album, at six minutes and 51 seconds. The song could definitely be cut shorter because the end of the track has Budden repeating one line.

One might find this frustrating and want to skip to another song after a while.

Right when one thinks it ends, Budden keeps the same line coming. Other than the end of the song, it is a beautiful sound that soothes the mind.

Budden gives us another new sound through the use of electric guitars.

Most rap songs do not include this instrument, let alone make it

the centerpiece of a song. The use of instruments can be

heard in the “No Love Lost” outro. The sound has a Carlos Santana feel with Budden rapping with it.

It is something that some may not get used to and may not appreciate, but it sounds tremendous and provides some diversity within the album and within the rap game in general. Do not be surprised if more artists begin using different types of instruments like this to provide a new sound to the rap world.

The first full song in “Top of the World,” featuring Kirko Bangz is probably the best song on the album. The track is about Budden’s success as a rapper and how he is living on “top of the world.”

The album is available on iTunes and Google Play for $9.49 and provides the listener with 71 minutes and 57 seconds of run time. With 17 total tracks on the album, one will not regret the purchase and will have something new to listen to and share with others.

The sounds on the album are unprecedented to any other in the rap game today.

Usually performing in a group, Budden has broken onto the scene now as an individual rapper, but don’t expect him to be leaving “Slaughterhouse” any time soon.

photo courtesy of techfleece.com

“A Good Day to Die Hard” is the fifth installment in the “Die Hard” series. The movie is directed by John Moore and stars Bruce Willis, Jai Courtney and Sebastian Koch.

Chazwick Bundick, an up and coming pop artist, released his third album as Toro y Moi titled “Anything In Return.”

photo courtesy of www.rawkblog.net

Music

Feb. 26 — Mowgli - Mister Lies

Feb. 26 — The Messenger - Johnny Marr

Feb. 26 — Somewhere Else - Sally Shapiro

Feb. 26 — Green Is Good - The Sharp Things

Feb. 26 — The Raven That Refused to Sing - Steve Wilson

Fifth ‘Die Hard’ continues saga decline

Bundick’s third perfected

‘Community’ will likely end

Feb. 26 — Spirits Of The Western Sky - Justin Hayward

Feb. 26 — New York Sun - Young Boys

Feb. 26 — Old Yellow Moon - Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell

- M U S I C - - T E L E V I S I O N -

- A L B UM -

Feb. 26 — Borderland 2: Add-On Content Pack, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3

Feb. 22 — Snitch, directed by Ric Roman Waugh, starring Dwayne Johnson, Susan Sarandon

Video Games

Feb. 26 — Carnaval De Vénus - Twenty Two Hundred

Feb. 26 — Thumbtacks + Glue - Woodpigeon

Feb. 26 — MUD - FIM Motocross World Championship, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3

Feb. 26 — Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 Plus, PS Vita

Feb. 26 — Miracle Temple - Mount Moriah

Feb. 26 — AMOK - Atoms For Peace

‘No Love Lost’ wins over listeners, critics; Budden introduces audience to newer sound

Feb. 26 — Golden Grrrls - Golden Grrrls

Feb. 26 — The New Life - Girl Names

Feb. 26 — KUNST - KMFDM

A big change in Greek Life could be coming to UCA next fall.

The Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Council have recently passed a resolution is get rid of deferred recruitment.

Deferred recruitment basically means freshman must have 12 hours of school credit to rush and pledge a fraternity or sorority. While a select few hours count, most concurrent credit classes students take in high school do not go toward the 12-hour limit.

Because of this, freshmen have to wait until spring recruitment to join a Greek organization. Without deferred recruitment, freshman would be allowed to rush in their first semester of college without having any completed college hours.

The IFC governs the traditionally caucasian fraternities while the Panhellenic Council governs the traditionally caucasian sororities.

If all of the governing bodies including the National Pan-Hellenic Council and the Independent Greek Council vote to end deferred recruitment, it would then be presented to the board of trustees to be voted for change in the school handbook.

This may seem like a big change, but this style of recruitment is already implemented at the University of Arkansas and many schools across the nation.

Some may argue it is better for college freshmen to get used to the college way of life their first semester before they jump right into a Greek organization.

Being Greek myself, I’ve noticed there are many

misconceptions about Greek life. I’ve heard from non-Greeks that freshmen will

flunk out of school if they join a Greek organization a few weeks into school. What many don’t realize is that most fraternities and sororities require a certain amount of library hours for their pledge classes.

Greeks at UCA have higher GPAs than non-Greeks. The all-university GPA for the fall 2012 semester was 2.795 while the all-Greek GPA was 3.073.

The same can be said for cumulative GPA. The all-university cumulative GPA is

2.809 while the all-Greek cumulative is 3.130.

Also, nationally, 71 percent of all Greeks graduate, while only 50 percent of non-Greeks graduate.

I can’t tell you how many freshmen I meet every year during the fall semester, only to never hear from them spring semester

because they failed already.I believe not having deferred recruitment

will help retention rates at UCA because of the accountability Greek organizations will have on the freshmen if they decide to rush.

Also, it will make Greek life even bigger due to the retention rate. This, in turn, will finally get the new Greek Village built that the school has in plan.

Another important aspect of this to remember is freshmen still have the choice of rushing in the spring should deferred recruitment be abolished.

In the end, it is still the freshmen’s choice if they want to rush, but having the option to do it just a few weeks into college would be a great way for students to get involved on campus early and meet life-long friends.

I don’t understand how UCA became so prone to have a corrupt administration. However, I must say I am impressed with how well the rest of the university is able to carry on through it all.

Faculty and staff must feel outraged, knowing so many figures “above them” have stooped so low below them, with the past two presidents pleading guilty to criminal charges along with the rest of the bustle going on in the sad excuse of administration this university has. I’m not saying all personnel within UCA’s administration are corrupt, and I feel bad for what they’ve had to put up with as well.

Since I have been a student at UCA, it seems that as far as the administration is concerned, this campus has snowballed into a blizzard of corruption.

Beginning my sophomore year, there was the incident with Meadors and Aramark, with the $700,000 “gift” to renovate the President’s House turning into a seven-year contract renewal bribe. This deal ended with former board of trustee chairman Scott Roussel and Meadors’ resignations. The university bought out Meadors’ contract, and I thought ‘well that was a small bump in the road for this university.’ However, it was not the only hit this university has taken recently.

With Meadors pleading guilty to a misdemeanor charge regarding the Aramark incident, it seemed like that was the end of Meadors as far as UCA was concerned. Meadors, who lives in North Carolina, also has a lust for pornography. Apparently the best way to view this is on a university iPad while overseas, in

your office and in the President’s House. University money paid for Meadors’ porn viewing. What kind of president asks his university to feed his porn lust? And how can you defend yourself by saying it was because your wife had moved back to North Carolina? I wouldn’t be as disgusted with Meadors if he had paid for his porn viewing with his own money, not the students’ money.

Meadors isn’t the only one within UCA’s administration to give the university a bad reputation.

Former Chief of Staff Jack Gillean did a pretty good job when he gave former student Cameron Stark his master key and ID, which

Stark used to steal Adderall from Andrew Linn, former assistant director of scholarships, and exams from his professors. What started out as a few break-ins being reported has unraveled to be a big mess between the three.

I must say, however, that I am very impressed with the way faculty

and staff have dealt with all of this. Professors and other workers have just gone with the flow and have continued to do their jobs. They have so much to complain about and I rarely hear any complaints. I don’t think I’d be able to hold my ground and continue on with my normal routine like they have if I were in such a position. I’m hoping the academic department will catch a break soon and receive some extra funding from the upcoming Coke contract. They deserve it. Surely another mistake made by Meadors won’t hinder the academic department from receiving some additional funding. The athletic department has means for private funding, so hopefully someone will notice that and give Coke revenue to academics.

For the past two years, SGA has funded the Night of Distinction, a fundraiser run by the UCA Foundation to raise money for some scholarships for UCA students. This year, SGA voted 18-34 to reject giving $5,000 for the event.

The goal of the fundraiser is commendable, but SGA showed its independence by rejecting the proposal.

SGA’s money is for students, and while raising money for the foundation eventually goes to students, it is not the sphere SGA should concentrate on when spending student fees.

SGA is funded entirely by students; therefore it should concentrate on funding things useful to students, like the new amphitheater and student organizations.

SGA helped fund several projects in the past few years that have directly affected students’ experiences on campus.

The amphitheater is a prime example of this. The project was expensive, but the final result was a great place for students to spend time and watch small performances.

Generally, SGA does a good job dispersing funds for student organizations. When mistakes are made, SGA is usually quick to fix them.

Last year, when several members of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity failed to abstain from a vote to give money to a concert hosted by the fraternity, former SGA President Austin Hall admitted his mistake and forced the senators to abstain for a re-vote.

This candor shows that SGA takes its job as a conduit for all students seriously. Hopefully, they will continue on this path in the foreseeable future.

As with all student-run organizations, there is pressure from faculty, staff and administration to bend to their will when making important decisions. It is good to see student organizations standing up for what they believe is right and not basing all of their decisions on other sources’ coercion. Setting itself apart from the university is important for any student organization.

Of course, SGA faces challenges and influence from other sources, such as Recognized Student Organizations and private corporations, but it has managed to generally stay above the board when dealing with them.

The student government of any university is important, but UCA’s SGA continues to show its willingness to pass resolutions and fund projects that students can enjoy and use.

While money is not the only important thing SGA deals with, it is the most prominent. While SGA was late in forming a diversity committee for UCA, it is here now and hopefully will continue to do a good job and push for solutions to problems the groups may face.

As long as SGA continues to put student issues first, there should be no doubt that the money and resources available to them are in good hands. However, there will always be scrutiny and campus media outlets will continue to watch and report everything good and bad that SGA does.

Opinion u c a e c h o e d i t o r @ g m a i l . c o m8

The VoiceRejection of funds shows dedication to students’ issues

The Echo is printed weekly at the Log Cabin Democrat in Conway, Ark. Decisions about content are made by the student editors. The views published are not necessarily those of the University of Central Arkansas. All material is subject to respective copyrights.

February 20, 2013

It is good to see student

organiza-tions stand-

ing up for what they be-

lieve is right and not bas-

ing all of their decisions on

other sources’ coercion.

Jeanette AndertonEditor

Spencer GriffinCampus Life Editor

Chase BlasingameWeb Editor

Marisa HicksAssociate Editor

Hunter BrooksAssistant Sports Editor

James JohnsonEditorial Cartoonist

Brandon RiddleNews Editor

The Echo Staff

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w w w

w w w

Andy RobertsonAssistant News Editor

Going Greek early helps students get involved

Faculty, staff holding strong during admin woes

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A wild pitch in the 12th inning by Murray State allowed the UCA baseball team to complete the season opening series sweep over the Murray State Thoroughbreds.

The Bears took game one of the series Friday night with a score of 10-1. They scored in six of their eight innings, including four straight innings with two runs each. The Bears finished with 12 hits.

Senior right fielder Forrestt Allday went three for five, scoring three runs. Junior center fielder Jonathan Davis and senior catcher Michael Marietta collected two hits each, with Davis scoring twice. Marietta and senior third baseman Garrett Brown knocked in two runs. Senior pitcher Caleb McClanahan pitched seven innings, allowing just one earned run on five hits.

Game two of the series was Saturday afternoon. The Bears won 13-1 on seven hits.

Senior pitcher Jeffery Enloe gave up one run on three hits through six innings. Enloe struck out seven batters and walked one. Three other pitchers, sophomore Griffin Glaude, freshman Taylor Wallace and sophomore Conner McClain, combined for the three hitless and scoreless innings.

Senior second baseman Blake Marchal went one for two with four RBIs. Junior outfielder Logan Moon went two for three

and scored two runs.The Bears had two extra-

base hits. Davis collected an RBI when he hit a triple in the bottom of the third Marietta knocked Davis in with a double. Murray State committed two errors and walked 13 batters.

The Bears won the third game, 6-5, in 12 innings. The Bears were down by three runs in the ninth inning. Four Bears drew a walk and one hit by pitch in the ninth inning.

Allday hit a two-run double in the ninth to give the Bears momentum.

“That hit was huge for us,” Allday said. “I just thank God, he blessed me with a great at-bat there, series and [give] all the glory to him.”

The next batter, Marchal, hit a sacrifice fly to center field. Allday advanced on a throwing error by freshman Murray State center fielder, Taylor Matthews.

Junior first baseman Doug Votolato struck out swinging to end the inning. Both teams were held scoreless for the next two innings.

In the bottom of the ninth, Marietta led the inning off with a double.

Marietta advanced to third on senior designated hitter Ethan Harris’s out.

Marietta scored on Murray State freshman pitcher Sheldon Baxter’s wild pitch.

The Bears walked 30 times and stole 12 bases on 14 attempts during the series.

Davis and Marchal led the

team in steals for the series, with four each. Marchal’s six RBIs led the team, while junior shortstop Justin Treece led the team in walks. The team committed three errors.

“I feel that one of our team

strengths is that we have great team speed and will probably continue to run the bases aggressively all season,” Allday said.

The Bears take on the fourth-ranked Vanderbilt University

Commodores today at 4 p.m. in Nashville, Tenn.

The Bears will return home Friday for a nine-game homestand startimg with a three-game series against Jackson State University.

SportsFebruary 20, 2013

9

Baseball opens season with Murray State sweep

Senior pitcher Caleb McLanahan on the mound over the weekend at Bear Field. McClanahan started the Bears off with a win in the first game of the series.

photo by Robin Sparks

- B A S K E T B A L L -

Men fall to Islanders, Bearkats, lose four straightBy Clark JohnsonSports Editor

After dropping two consecutive road games, the UCA men’s basketball team failed to get back to winning ways at home, falling to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and Sam Houston State last week.

UCA 68, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 75

The Bears (9-15, 4-10 SLC) failed to get a consistent offensive rhythm going against Southland Conference strugglers Texas A&M- Corpus Christi, falling to the Islanders 68-75 Feb. 14 at the Farris Center.

The Islanders (4-19, 3-10 SLC) came into the game with only two wins on their resume this season. Their second win came days before their victory over UCA, downing McNeese State at home.

While the Bears got off to a slow start, both teams were

able to put up points in the first half, resulting in a series of lead changes early in the game.

The Bears kept up with their signature full-court press defensive scheme, but Texas A&M-Corpus Christi was able to find holes in the back court of the Bears’ defense to keep up with UCA in the first half.

UCA went into halftime down 37-36 after Islanders freshman guard Brandon Pye sank a jumper with under one second remaining in the half.

The second half proved to be where the Bears lost the game.

The Islanders shot 61.9 percent from the field in the final twenty minutes of the game, including going 4-5 from three-point range. In the second half, the Islanders were led by sophomore guard Johnathan Jordan, who netted all of his 11 points in the second half. Jordan earned the majority of his points at the free-throw line, shooting 7-8 in the half.

Including Jordan, the

Islanders had four players score in double digits.

Sophomore guard Hameed Ali paved the way for Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, scoring 18 points on 7-10 shooting.

Though the Bears trimmed the Islanders’ lead to three with under three minutes remaining, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi never gave up their halftime lead to down the Bears.

Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Head Coach Willis Wilson said his team played with precision that he had yet to see from them.

“I don’t think we could have played a cleaner basketball game,” Wilson said. “When you don’t turn the ball over and don’t take bad shots, the game is yours to win.”

UCA senior guard LaQuentin Miles led the Bears in scoring in the loss, tallying 20 points. Miles also had eight rebounds and five assists.

Junior guard Robert Crawford added 15 points for the Bears, while senior forward Jarvis

Garner had 14 on the night. UCA 75, Sam Houston State

80

UCA dropped its fourth consecutive game Feb. 16 against the Sam Houston State Bearkats, falling 75-80.

The Bearkats (14-11, 7-6 SLC) relied on scoring runs to down the Bears. Sam Houston State outscored UCA 13-4 in the final six minutes of the first half to go into halftime with a 35-27 lead over the Bears. The Bearkats used another late scoring run to down UCA.

After taking the lead with just over six minutes to play, the Bears could only muster one point in the following four minutes, but gave up 15 points from the Bearkats. The Bears were down 70-58 with two minutes remaining.

Late scoring from UCA helped cut the deficit, but the Bearkats held onto their lead to earn their seventh conference win of the season.

Crawford led the Bears in

scoring with 21, shooting 3-7 from three-point range. Crawford was the only UCA player to make a three-point attempt. The Bears shot 3-21 from three-point range on Saturday.

Bearkats junior forward James Thomas led all scorers with 26 points. T

homas was able to get to the free-throw line often in the game, shooting 12-18 at the line.

UCA Head Coach Corliss Williamson said the scoring streaks from Sam Houston State made it difficult for his team to get a win.

“We could never extend our lead,” Williamson said. “Every time we’d get a lead, something would happen on the other end.”

Williamson said he credited the Bearkats’ defensive effort.

“You have to give them credit, they did a good job of getting up on our shooters,”he said.

The Bears return to the Farris Center on Saturday to take on Southern Illinois-Edwardsville on Saturday.

- H O O P S -

Sugar Bears go 1-1 at Farris CenterHunter BrooksAssistant Sports Editor

The UCA Sugar Bears got back in the win column with their 71-51 victory over Sam Houston State Feb. 16 at the Farris Center.

Junior Center Courtney Duever had a career-high 28 points and 10 rebounds. It was her 10th double-double of the season.

“I was just in the zone,” Duever said. “To be honest, I was tired of losing. We all were. I knew I needed to step up and it happened. We were in danger of not making the conference tournament and desperately needed this win. It’s a much needed momentum boost at this point in the season.”

Duever was 9-17 shooting from the field and 10-13 at the free throw line.

“Courtney had a really good game for us,” UCA Head Coach Sandra Rushing said. “We needed someone to step up with Micah being out. When you lose your starting point guard, it really affects a team. Courtney filled that void in a big way.”

The win was UCA’s first since beating Lamar in overtime on Jan. 26, snapping a five-game losing streak and improving the Sugar Bears to 14-11 overall and 7-7 in Southland Conference play.

UCA’s 19-3 scoring run in the

first half gave the Sugar Bears a 37-23 lead at halftime.

The loss knocked the Bearkats to 13-12 on the year and 9-4 in conference and out of first place.

Senior forward Megan Herbert added 19 points and 13 rebounds. It was the 79th double-double of her career, moving her into third place for most by a Division I player.

Herbert’s 19 points moved her into fourth on the Southland Conference career scoring list. She needs three rebounds to move into second in league history.

Senior forward Britney Gowans was 4-5 shooting from 3-point range to add 14 points.

Bearkats senior forward Britni Martin, who is fourth in the league in scoring, was held to just 10 points on 3-of-11 shooting.

The Sugar Bears committed a season-low six turnovers, and scored 13 points off nine turnovers from Sam Houston State.

“We played our most complete game of the year,” Rushing said. “We were very smart with the basketball and that showed in having only six turnovers. The past few games have been a different story but I’m very proud of the way our team played, especially against a good team like Sam Houston.”

The Sugar Bears began the week losing 60-58 in overtime to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Feb. 15 at the Farris Center.

Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (3-20, 2-10) is in last place in the Southland Conference standings.

The Sugar Bears never led in the game, trailing by as many as 19 in the second half.

UCA tied the game with 30 seconds left on a turnaround jumper by Duever and stopped the Islanders on their final possession of regulation to send the game to overtime.

The Sugar Bears were held scoreless the final two minutes of overtime.

Herbert had a season-high 35 points and a game-high 15 rebounds, but rimmed out a potential game-winning shot at the buzzer.

Herbert had 22 of UCA’s 27 points at halftime. The rest of the team shot just 24 percent from the field with none scoring in double figures.

Junior guards Taryn Gregory and Ashley Darley each had 12 points for the Islanders. Freshman guard Janae Blount added 10 points.

The Sugar Bears start a three-game road trip before returning to the Farris Center on March 9 for the regular season finale against Oral Roberts.

Men’s BasketballSaturday vs. Southern Illinois-Edwardsville. 4:30 p.m.

BaseballToday at Vanderbilt. 4 p.m.

Friday vs. Jackson State. 6 p.m.

Saturday vs. Jackson State. 1 p.m.

Sunday vs. Jackon State. 1 p.m.

SoftballToday at Mississippi Valley State. 4 p.m.

Central Arkansas Tournament.Friday vs. Creighton.5 p.m.

Friday vs. Northern Iowa. 7 p.m.

Saturday vs. Northern Iowa. 1 p.m.

Saturday vs. Grambling State. 5 p.m.

Saturday vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff. 7 p.m.

Sunday vs. Ball State. 1 p.m.

Track & FieldFriday at Southland Conference Meet. Norman, Okla. 10 a.m.

TennisSunday vs. Rockhurst. 9 a.m.

Sunday at Missouri-Kansas City. 1 p.m.

Upcoming games

Week at a glance

The UCA baseball team opened up the 2013 season with a three-game sweep over the Murray State Thoroughbreds. UCA downed Murray State 10-1 Feb. 15, 13-1 Feb. 16 and 6-5 in 12 innings Feb. 17 to start the season at 3-0. The Bears take on fourth-ranked Vanderbilt today in Nashville.

The UCA men’s basketball team continued its losing skid over the weekend at the Farris Center. The Bears fell to the Texas A&M- Corpus Christi Islanders 75-68 Feb. 14. Two days later, UCA fell to the Sam Houston State Bearkats 80-75 to bring its streak of consecutive losses to four, losing five of their last six.

Baseball starts with sweep

Men lose four straight

Softball goes 1-3 in Mobile

After downing Ole Miss 4-2 Feb. 15 in its opening game of the Mardi Gras Invitational, the UCA softball team dropped three straight to finish the tournament.

Sugar Bears split at home

The UCA women’s basketball team split two games at the Farris Center. The Sugar Bears fell to last-placed Texas A&M- Corpus Christi 60-58 in overtime Feb. 14, then downed Sam Houston State 71-51 Feb. 16.

photo by Robin Sparks

Senior forward Desiree Rogers goes for a lay up at the Farris Center against Sam Houston State on Saturday. The win was the Sugar Bears’ first win in four games.

10 / February 20, 2013 SPORTS ucaecho.net

Softball downs Ole Miss, drops last three in Mobileby Clark JohnsonSports Editor

After going 2-2 to open the season at the Belmont Invitational, the UCA softball team went 1-3 at the Mardi Gras Invitational in Mobile, Ala. last weekend.

UCA 4, Ole Miss 2

The Bears (5-5,) kicked off the weekend with a 4-2 win over Division I Ole Miss Feb. 15 in the first of two Friday games.

The Rebels (3-6) were able to score before the Bears.

In the top of the fourth inning, Ole Miss junior first baseman Londen Ladner singled to left field to score sophomore third baseman Allison Brown and give her team a 1-0 lead going into the bottom of the fourth.

UCA was quick to respond. In the bottom of the frame, senior catcher Melanie Bryant doubled to right-center, scoring senior pinch runner Cristin Curl to tie the game at 1-1 heading into the fifth inning.

The Bears held the Rebels scoreless in the top of the fifth inning. Bryant delivered for the Bears again in the bottom of the fifth.

Bryant’s three-run homer to left field scored twin sister senior Melissa Bryant and freshman outfielder Amy Gunnels to give the Bears a 4-1 lead with two innings to play.

The Rebels added another run in the top of the sixth off an error, but were unable to generate more offense as the Bears won their first game of the invitational.

Immediately after the win over Ole Miss, the Bears took the field again to face South Alabama.

UCA 2, South Alabama 11

Melanie Bryant got the Bears off to a hot start when she homered for the second time on Friday, sending a deep shot over the right field fence to give UCA a 1-0 lead in the top of the first.

The home run gave her the UCA record for career home runs.

South Alabama scored eight

runs in five innings after Bryant’s home run to stretch its lead to 8-1 after the fifth inning and put the Bears in a big deficit.

UCA got back on the board in the top of the sixth when sophomore first baseman Ashley Boswell’s right field single drove in Melanie to trim the lead to 8-2.

However, the Bears failed to tally more runs as they fell to the Jaguars 11-2.

UCA 1, Jackson State 2

The Bears faced Jackson State for the second time this season

at an 11 a.m. game on Saturday. In their previous meeting, the Lady Tigers fell to UCA 7-3 in the Belmont Invitational. In round two, Jackson State downed the Bears 2-1.

The Lady Tigers struck first in the contest when a double from senior third baseman Sabeana Romero drove in freshman catcher Canessa Swanson in the bottom of the first.

Jackson State added to its total in the bottom of the second when freshman infielder Chelsea Smith sent a home run over the right field fence to bring the score to

2-0 in favor of the Lady Tigers. The Lady Tigers held UCA

scoreless through the sixth inning. In the bottom of the seventh,

the Bears tallied their only run of the game when freshman right fielder Sam Forrest scored from third base off a single from Melanie to bring the score to 2-1.

The Bears failed to tie the game to go down for the second time in the invitational. The loss was the season low run total in a game for the Bears this season.

UCA 4, South Alabama 7

The Bears wrapped up the weekend on Sunday with their second loss to South Alabama, falling 7-4 in the second meeting. UCA had to play from behind early in the game.

In the bottom of the second inning, sophomore catcher Alex Breeden’s double to left field scored two runners.

UCA answered with two runs in the top of the third, once again from the bat of Melanie.

Her left field double scored Forrest and freshman second baseman Sarah Birej to tie the

game 2-2. UCA claimed its only lead of the game in the top of the fifth off a bases-loaded hit by pitch.

The Bears didn’t generate any more runs as they fell 7-4 to end the invitational.

Melanie’s double kept the Bears in the game early, as she has many times this season.

Her batting average sits at .375, the third highest on the team.

Melanie has three home runs through 10 games. She has also brought in 11 RBIs this season.

The loss to South Alabama marks Armstrong’s sixth complete game pitching this season, bringing her record to 3-4 as the Bears starting pitcher.

UCA Head Softball Coach David Kuhn said he felt his team performed better at the Mardi Gras Invitational than the previous games.

“We played better this weekend than last weekend,” Kuhn said. “But we really need to improve our defense. We are giving up too many runs.”

The Bears travel to Itta Bena, Miss. to take on Mississippi Valley State today before returning home to Farris Field for the Central Arkansas Tournament.

UCA will host two games, starting at 5 p.m. Friday against the Creighton Lady Jays followed by a 7 p.m. game against Northern Iowa.

The Bears will play a triple-header on Saturday, starting with a 1 p.m. game against Northern Iowa.

They follow with a 5 p.m. match against Grambling State, then face Arkansas-Pine Bluff at 7 p.m.

UCA closes out the invitational against Ball State at 1 p.m. Sunday.

Armstrong said the first two trips have helped the team gain a sense of its identity going into the rest of the season.

“We learned valuable things from this weekend that will help us prepare for the rest of the season,” Armstrong said. “I am so excited for the rest of the season and for our first home games so we can start having our family and friends surround us as we play.”

Career-changing injuries are nothing new to the world of sports.

All too often, athletes sustain injuries so tough in games that they change the outlook of the athlete’s life.

Kentucky center Nerlens Noel is the latest victim of this sad occurrence.

A standout freshman for the Wildcats’ basketball team, Noel was considered by many to be the favorite to be claimed number one in the next NBA draft and set to make millions of dollars at the age of 19. That all changed Feb. 12 in Gainesville, Fla.

Noel was tracking down a member of the Florida Gators team on a fast-break turnover when, after rising up for a block, he landed awkwardly on his leg, causing a 90 degree turn from the bottom of his kneecap to his feet.

The diagnosis showed no bone damage but was one of the most feared injuries in sports: a torn ACL.

The anterior cruciate ligament is one of the four major

ligaments in the knee. it controls a lot of sudden twisting and turning movements, hence it being a common injury in sports.

The injury used to be a certain career-ender, but with advancements in sports training, it has become a somewhat manageable setback.

Notable athletes sustaining the injury include Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose and Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III.

Peterson is one of the only athletes to have sustained the dreaded ACL tear to have a productive season the following year.

Peterson came within eight yards of breaking the NFL single-season rushing yardage

record. Now that I’ve laid out some

background on the injury, here’s what I’m getting at: The situation for Noel is very different than the situations of the other athletes. Had the one-year minimum college rule not been in place, Noel could have been in a situation where he could have at least had some financial stability.

There’s a good chance that Noel may never be quite the player he could have been once his knee is repaired.

This could, in turn, affect his draft stock and ability to make a living in the NBA.

I’ve never been a fan of the mandatory college rule. Think about it- what’s the point of going to school for one year? If you know you have the talent to play in the NBA, why should an athlete have to go to college for one year? In a good situation, the athlete will pass 30 hours of classes.

With this recent injury, it will be hard for any NBA team to even consider taking a chance on Noel without seeing him play in the

college ranks after rehab. Thus, Noel will most likely be forced to play another season in Kentucky.

Noel is a seven footer who possesses dominant defensive skills in the paint.

His unrivaled blocking ability resembles Dwight Howard’s presence down low, along with his frame.

You can see the effect Noel had on his team by how they’ve performed since his injury over a week ago.

Since Noel went down, the Wildcats have looked like a team with absolutely no chance at making a run in the NCAA tournament.

After getting embarassed 88-58 by the unranked Tennessee Volunteers, the Wildcats have begun a downward spiral down a long road without Noel.

The loss against the Volunteers was the third worst loss as a head coach for Kentucky’s John Calipari, the worst since his first year being a head coach.

Look back on the Greg Oden situation.

Oden was drafted with the number one overall pick in 2007 NBA Draft, but a micro fracture surgery on a consistently ailing knee basically destroyed any chance of a career that Oden had, though he’s rumored to be attempting a comeback.

I’m just hoping Noel’s situation isn’t a 2013 version of Oden’s.

Noel had all the potential in the world to be a dominant big man in the NBA in a time when the league is hurting for centers.

Had the one-year rule not been in place, Noel could have at least been earning a steady income to help facilitate a living if his injury turns out to be one that permanently hinders him from being the superstar he was on his way to being.

Devastating injuries continue, Kentucky’s Noel latest victim

Under Review

By Clark JohnsonSprots Editor

Senior pitcher Kelsie Armstrong throws a pitch over the weekend at the Mardi Gras Invitational. Armstrong pitched 20 innings for the Bears throughout the four-game invitational.

photo courtesy of ucasports.com