FIND US ON THE WEBVisit our website to participate in our latest poll or post your comments on the stories in this issue at HoustonianOnline.com

INDEXViewpoints.................page 2

Special.......................page 4

Sports.........................page 6

Entertainment............page 5

Theatre, Page 5

The Independent Student Newspaper of Sam Houston State University

Vol 117— Issue 17 Thursday, March 24, 2011

Local pipe and tobacco shops are continuing to sell spice/serenity containing synthetic cannabinoids to the public even though Huntsville and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration have passed laws illegalizing some of the chemical mixtures in these substances.

Smoken Joe’s at 1501 Sam Houston Ave. has a spice product for sale under the brand name “Demon.” This new spice does not contain any of the chemical mixtures, which are known as analogs, banned by Huntsville or the DEA, but still contains other potent synthetic cannabinoids that are similar in chemical structure.

SHSU Forensic Science Program Director Sara Kerrigan, Ph.D., performed a toxicology test on the spice under the brand name of “Demon” and found what seems to be the analog known as JWH-210 and another analog that is brand new.

The DEA placed similar analogs

JWH-018, JWH-073, JWH-200 and CP-47,497 as a Schedule I. This means that these analogs now sit alongside LSD, MDMA (Ecstasy), heroin, crack and are unlawful to use, possess, purchase and distribute. Classifying the analogs as Schedule I was performed in order to “avoid an imminent hazard to the public safety,” according to the DEA website.

Because new synthetic cannabinoids can be created and distributed as soon as the old ones are illegal, the DEA’s efforts stop the flow seems to be a losing cause.

Huntsville also passed an ordinance making JWH-081 and HU-211 illegal. However, the ordinance states that “similar structural analogs” would also be considered illegal to sell or possess.

The owner of Smoken Joe’s said that the Demon product does not contain any of the analogs banned by the Huntsville ordinance and that the product was tested by an independent company called Tulane Drug Analysis Laboratory.

— See HAZY, page 3

Mike Silva | The Houstonian

Football, Page 6

Synthetic cannabinoids sold in Huntsville despite recent ban

With the launch of the new Houstonian Android Application, staying connected with the latest campus news is even easier and more convenient.

The new app delivers campus news straight to any Android device. Also, stay updated with the latest Bearkat sports information and listen to the weekly podcast put out by the Houstonian Sports Show.

Using built-in GPS, getting lost on campus will become part of the past with the Houstonian App. With the Campus Guide, locate buildings anywhere on campus and the Houstonian will guide the way.

The Houstonian App is also available in the Apple App Store.

By Hugo LopezContributing Reporter

Saturday at Sam

New analogs found in spice

By Erin Petersonepeterson@houstonianonline.com

Kats dish out ‘Kones’

By Kolby Flowerskflowers@houstonianonline.com

Jared Wolf| The HoustonianHITTING THE ICE. Game time for “SHSU Night with the Houston Aeros” is scheduled for 7:35 p.m. at the Toyota Center. Even before SHSU President Dana Gibson drops the puck to start the game, the event will offer a wide range of pregame activities including a VIP meet-and-greet, “Sam Jam” festival and a student broom ball game at 6 p.m. Sammy Bearkat and the SHSU Spirit Squad will also attend the game. Ticket prices are $10 for end zone seating and $30 for center ice seating, exclusively for SHSU affiliates. Additionally, each ticket purchased for the event also includes a free ticket to another Houston Aeros game. Discount parking passes are also available for $7.

Bearkats ready for AerosBy Jared Wolf jaredalanwolf@hotmail.com

Bearkats will hit the ice at Houston’s Toyota Center on March 25 for the first ever “SHSU Night with the Houston Aeros”

The promotion will offer discount tickets and special events for members of the Bearkat community.

All of this wouldn’t be possible if it were not for the graduates at SHSU working around the clock to make this happen.

Planning began on the first day of the spring semester. While many university students were receiving syllabi and assigned seats, students in assistant professors Brent Estes and Ryan Zapalac’s classes were already getting to work.

Within the first few weeks of school, the students were widespread from Huntsville to Houston, booking venues and meeting with local businesses.

Zaplac said the graduate sport management program offered at SHSU gives students the chance to put their best foot forward in the professional world through a course that is 100 percent hands-on experience.

“Being near the fourth largest city in the nation gives our students the rare opportunity to train and network with some of the biggest names in the sports industry,” said Zaplac.

SHSU graduate student Justin Humphrey works as a liaison for the event between the Houston Aeros and the university.

— See ICE, page 3

The Visitor’s Center will hold their 51st Saturdays @ Sam event this weekend to help prospective students and their parents with their questions about the university.

The event, sponsored by the SHSU Visitor Center, will begin at 8 am Saturday morning in the Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum with a parent coffee, followed by a 30 minute opening session at 9 am.

According to Clint Lockwood, director of the Visitor’s Center, almost 2000 prospective students are registered to attend the event.

“This event is a great opportunity for prospective students and their parents to become more comfortable with the university and get some of their questions answered,” said Lockwood.

During the event, students and their parents will be able to meet with academic advisors at the SAM Center, have academic sessions with colleges of potential majors, visit the Go Kats Go Center and apply online for free, tour residence halls and the campus, attend an organizations fair, and get information from various departments on campus.

Danielle Hanel is among many prospective students who will be attending the event this Saturday.

— See SAM, page 3

There’s a new business in town.

One year ago, mass communication major Matthew Elliot and business majors Nick Hester and Garrett Sakhel sat down and put their heads together. Then, on Monday, March 21, 2011, the three SHSU students hosted the grand opening of their very own snow cone shop, Eat ‘Em Up Kones, which boasts 75 different flavors.

— See KONES, page 3

MIDNIGHT MAYHEM

STAND UP. Comedian Ty Barnett entertains a crowd of almost 200 students at the Recreational Sports Department’s premiere event Midnight Mayhem last night in the Johnson Coliseum.

Jessica Gomez| The Houstonian

Jessica Gomez| The HoustonianCLASSIFYING ANALOGS. JWH-210 was one of the analogs found in a university toxicology test for Demon Spice, along with another chemical mixture that has not yet been named in official databases.

News..........................page 3

Page 2Thursday, March 24, 2011Viewpoints

houstonianonline.com/viewpoints

The individual opinions on the Viewpoints page are not necessarily affiliated with the view of The Houstonian or SHSU. The Houstonian is published semi-weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It is a news publication of Sam Houston State University, a member of the Texas State University system, and is produced by students. It is self-supporting and welcomes all advertisers. Those interested in placing ads or classifieds should call (936) 294-4864. The Houstonian is a member of the Associated Press.

Dear Sam Houston Students, Staff and Faculty and Alumni:

The Houstonian would not survive were it not for the continued involvement and dedication of the SHSU student body. We welcome all column submissions and letters to the editor. If at any time you feel the need to express an opinion, please do not hesitate to email your thoughts or drop by our office in the Dan Rather communications building. We look forward to hearing from you and thank you as always for your continued support of the Houstonian.

Stephen GreenViewpoints Editorsgreen@houstonianonline.com

Letter to the Student Body

The housTonian sTaff

SECTION EDITORS

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Editorial

Mike Silva.............................................................................Senior EditorJessica Priest.......................................................Multimedia/Web EditorErin Peterson..................................................................Associate EditorStephen Green..............................................................Viewpoints EditorBrandon Scott.........................................................................Sports EditorThomas Merka........................................................Entertainment EditorJared Wolf.................................................................Graphic Coordinator

Meagan Ellsworth...............................................................936-294-1505

STAFFKolby Flowers..................................................................Senior ReporterLotis Butchko.................................................................Sports ReporterJessica Gomez......................................................................PhotographerApril Sanders............................................................................Copy Editor

BUSINESS MANAGER

ADVERTISING MANAGER

HEAD ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

PRODUCTION MANAGER

Robin Johnson.......................................................936-294-1499

Advertising

Brittany Hampton..............................................936-294-1500

Branden Price.......................................................936-294-1503

Chelsea Boyd................................................................................

Chanel Montgomery...................................................................

Faculty Adviser

Advertising Deadlines Tuesday’s Issue............... Friday at 2:00 p.m. Thursday’s Issue........... Tuesday at 2:00 p.m.

While millions of college students spent their spring break drinking, partying and tanning, seventeen students and I, along with two faculty members, broke away from the norm and went on an alternative spring break.

The objectives of an alternative break program are to involve college students in community-based service projects and to give students opportunities to learn about the problems faced by members of communities with whom they otherwise may have had little or no direct contact.

Being completely immersed into diverse environments enables participants to experience, discuss and understand social issues in a significant way. Alternative Spring Break (ASB) trips have been planned by universities for at least 50 years, but this is the first year SHSU has held one. Nine students and one faculty member spent the week in New Orleans, Louisiana working with children in a head start program. The other nine students and faculty member worked around the Gulfport, Mississippi area on various projects.

To some, spending a week volunteering in a new city with nine strangers

seems lame, but in reality it is fun and very interesting. We came back with tons of inside jokes ( “ S w e e t b a b y J e s u s ! ” ) and learned r a n d o m things about each other. We became closer to each other through our experiences not only at the job site, but also through our interactions with the “natives”.

To understand a little of why I was so excited about planning and participating in this trip, you have to understand my volunteering history. I started when I was in the seventh grade at the library back home.

My mom wanted my brother and I out of the house during the summer and thought that was a great place to “dump” us for a few hours. I loved it and spent a lot of my free time volunteering at the library (hence why I now want to be a librarian).

Fast forward a couple of years to Hurricane Katrina. I wanted to help but didn’t know how. My aunt was working for the St. Bernard’s parish government and

got me a volunteer job the Christmas after Katrina. I wound up doing body

s e a r c h i n g t h r o u g h h o u s e s damaged by the storm. (No I did not find any dead bodies, but I did discover I have a strong s t o m a c h when it comes to d i sgus t ing smells.

I also found out that death has two smells, but that is something completely different in and of itself.) The following Spring Break I volunteered at a free clinic in the parish, helping with administrative work and proving that just because I’m from Texas does not mean I can speak Spanish.

From those two trips to Louisiana, I got a firsthand look at the destruction and chaos in the area. (I also got the worst hick accent ever, but thankfully it went away about two weeks after I came home.) It was while I was there in the parish when I first realized the difference I was making in peoples’ lives.

Sure, I had fun and met some interesting characters (one of whom is now my

uncle), but what stuck with me the most was the sense of accomplishment I felt afterwards. I couldn’t wait to share that with others, and got the chance this year with the ASB trip.

The group I went with to Gulfport came back with a sense of accomplishment, and random sunburns. We got to see an elderly lady almost cry with gratitude because we spent our spring break helping others.

We saw a survivor of Hurricane Katrina have hope renewed about living in her house again. We spent a day on an island, protecting the nesting area of the Osprey birds. We had our fun, crazy, exciting spring break, but we did it in a safe manner while helping those in need.

For next year, the ASB (Alternative Spring Break) program is planning on hosting about five trips. The locations will be decided this summer and applications to participate will be available sometime in the fall. I encourage all students to break away from the norm next spring break and go live out our school’s motto of “The measure of a life is its service.”

Breaking from the norm’Christina Smith wants everyone to get involved in volunteer efforts on campus

- Christina is a Senator for the College of Criminal Justice and director of Bearkat Impact.

All cartoons courtesy of creators.com.

Comedy Corner

A year ago this week, President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act. The law enacts significant health insurance reforms that will take effect over the next several years. But one very important piece of that law is already in place. And it may directly benefit you.

The Affordable Care Act ensures that college students and young adults can stay on their parents’ employer-provided health care plans until age 26. Before, many health plans and issuers dropped young adults from their parents’ policies because of their age.

That left countless college students, recent college graduates and other young people with little recourse, and worse: no health insurance. Historically, some 30 percent of young adults have been uninsured, a rate far higher than that of any other age group

But young people don’t need health insurance, right? The statistics say

o t h e r w i s e : o n e - i n - s i x young adults today is faced with a chronic illness such as cancer, diabetes or asthma. And nearly half of uninsured y o u n g adults report p r o b l e m s paying medical bills.

The new law ensures you have an option when it comes to your health care. This is important as you continue through school, and as you transition into the job market, since you may find that health care coverage is not immediately available through your employer.

Or you may work part time. You may choose to continue your education and go to graduate school, or take time off to travel and pursue volunteer opportunities.

It allows you to remain on your parents’ plan, or

rejoin it until age 26, even if you no longer live with your parents, are not a dependent on their tax return or are no longer a student.

The new flexibility even applies if you are married. You are guaranteed the

same benefits and at the same price that is available to other dependents.

More health care improvements are on the way—and many may also directly benefit you. Already, coverage cannot be denied for those under age 19 because of a pre-existing condition. By 2014, denying coverage to anyone based on a pre-

existing condition will be banned.

Annual dollar caps on care, which are already limited, will be prohibited; and state-based health insurance exchanges will create a new marketplace, giving more employers and millions of Americans the ability to purchase affordable coverage.

The Affordable Care Act is based on the simple belief that every American--and that includes college students—deserves access to high-quality, affordable health care. One year after it has become law, that belief is becoming reality.

- Hilda was appointed by President Barack Obama as the 25th United States Secretary of Labor.

College students’ case for healthcare reformHilda Solis wants to educate students on the insurance options available to them

“I also found out that death has two smells, but that is something c o m p l e t e l y different in and of itself.) ”

That’s been the question plaguing the western world lately. Recently, when western nations involve themselves in the affairs of the Middle East and the Arab world all that results is increased resentment on both sides.

The world sat back and watched as the people of Tunisia and Egypt rose up against and overthrew their oppressive dictators. The Arab world cheered them on for doing it on their own, without our help. The difference between that situation and the current situation in Libya is the ruthlessness of the tyrant in question. Under the scrutiny of the international media, Egypt’s Mubarak chose to call off his special forces, while Gaddafi instead responded with increased bloodshed.

What’s a country to do? Do we sit idly by while a madman murders his own people? Do we ignore the growing humanitarian crisis? Our conscience tells us no, but for a month we waited to see if the rest of the world would join us in helping the people of Libya.

And when the Arab League asked us, we responded. Now it seems they’ve either changed their minds or we have overstepped our bounds, and we are no longer welcome.

What’s a country to do? What happens when this takes longer than a few days to resolve? What happens if we don’t finish what we started? We don’t have the resources, or desire, to involve ourselves in a bloody civil war.

No one wants that. What small capital we gain in the Middle East by ousting a bloody despot will be spent within a few months and we could be right back where we started. Do we instead arm the opposition forces? Many people say yes, including Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei.

So do we take our enemy’s advice? Remember that most of the people that shoot at our soldiers stationed in the region are using weapons we gave them. But how can we step aside and watch the horror?

What’s a country to do? Right now this situation has more questions than answers. We’re between a rock and a hard place. Once again the United States is faced with a choice and neither option will be universally loved. Do we sit back and watch a crazed, blood thirsty dictator murder his people? Or do we, once again, meddle in the affairs of the Arab world?

What’s a country to do?Karmen King addresses the problem that many countries are now facing

Hilda SolisU.S. Secretary of Labor

- Karmen is a recurring columnist for the Houstonian.

Have a question for the Houstonian Staff?

Email sgreen@houstonianonline.com with your question and the Houstonian staff will respond to you! All emails are subject to publication.

After receiving a full-time internship with the hockey team in January, Humphrey said he is happy to have this opportunity to help out SHSU.

“This is such a great opportunity to get the SHSU community more visible in the Houston area, and I really enjoy every bit of getting to do this while working for the Aeros,” said Humphrey.

Game time for “SHSU Night with the Houston Aeros” is scheduled for 7:35 p.m. at the Toyota Center.

Even before SHSU President Dana Gibson drops the puck to start the game, the event will offer a wide range of pregame

activities including a VIP meet-and-greet, “Sam Jam” festival and a student broom ball game at 6 p.m.

Sammy Bearkat and the SHSU Spirit Squad will also attend the game.

Attendees will be encouraged to wear SHSU apparel and will also be able to display organizational flags and banners from their respective organizations.

“Just seeing the SHSU community come out and enjoy themselves would mean a lot to everyone who has helped put this together,” said Humphrey. “I know that being able to see our alma mater out there in big numbers is going to be a really special moment.”

Ticket prices are $10 for end zone seating and $30 for center ice seating,

exclusively for SHSU affiliates. Additionally, each ticket purchased for the event also includes a free ticket to another Houston Aeros game. Discount parking passes are also available for $7.

Tickets may be purchased online at Ticketcentral.com with the promotional codes “SHSU,” “KATS,” “SAM” or “HOUSTON” (all provide the same discount) and also through SHSU’s Sport Management webpage at http://www.shsu.edu/~hp e_w w w/sportmanagement/, or use your TagID on your smart phone to follow the link.

- Jared Wolf is an employee of the Rec Sports department.

Page 3Thursday, March 24, 2011News

houstonianonline.com/news

Please recycle your copy of The Follow us on Twitter

@HoustonianSHSU

Become a fan on Facebook

STUDENT GOVERNMENT UPDATE

Tuesday’s meeting brought about a new piece of legislation and two new approved nominations.

The latest piece of legislation, The Nnamadim Writing Center Act, guarantees that SGA will donate $300 every year to assist in purchasing items for the Writing Center’s annual event that raises scholarship money for students. SGA has donated this same amount of money to the Writing Center for the last several years, so the act

simply makes it official.Karneisha Johnson, junior banking

and financial institutions major, was elected as the newest student supreme court justice.

Dera Eneh, freshman criminal justice major was elected as a senator to the College of Criminal Justice.

For immediate coverage of each week’s meeting, catch our live blog on our Facebook page every Tuesday at 6 p.m.

From ICE page 1

Photo courtesy of Eat ‘Em Up KonesSNO CONE FEVER. Huntsville’s newest business, Eat ‘Em Up Kones, launched on Monday, March 21, and is owned and run by three SHSU students: mass communication major Matthew Elliot and business majors Nick Hester and Garrett Sakhel.

An employee provided documents from the labo-ratory showing the analogs that were tested for the ille-gal chemical mixtures. The results were negative.

Tulane did not reply to a request for comment.

Despite the questionable legality of new spice prod-ucts, students nationwide are still using them.

“I smoked a joint of [De-

mon],” said Oscar Mar-quez, Mechanical Engineer-ing major at University of Texas at El Paso. “I got very horny and started halluci-nating. I was also having a bad trip because it seemed that my heart was beating really fast, and I thought I was going to die from a heart attack or something. I was freaking out.”

Kerrigan said there isn’t much research on these ana-logs and that she is not wor-ried about the toxicology

of them causing too much harm to the human body. Kerrigan’s main concern is that people will drive while intoxicated on these sub-stances.

Dragon Spice Ultimate, the company that sells De-mon and many other spice products, refused to dis-close the analogs for securi-ty reasons. A representative also said that the company only tells its retail custom-ers what analogs are in its products.

“I hope to see Huntsville grow and become a better place,” Elliot said, who hopes to help that growth by “making snow cones that benefit the community.”

The snow cone stand is bright and seems to pop off the side of the road, as it is painted in orange and

blue to represent SHSU and show Bearkat pride.

The stand also boasts reasonable prices. Its largest snow cone costs only $3, and one of their big specials is mixing up any three flavors at no extra cost.

For an additional $1, customers also have the option of “sno-cream” and other extra and “unusual” toppings.

For those wanting to show their support, Eat ‘Em Up Kones also sells t-shirts, available for $12 each.

Eat ‘Em Up Kones is located at 1219 14th Street and open from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. every day.

For additional information about the business, contact Eat ‘Em Up Kones by email at eatemupkones@yahoo.com or call 832-275-1611.

From KONES page 1

“I’m looking forward to everything about Saturday @ Sam,” said Hanel. “I’m really excited to be able to tour the campus and I hope I get a chance to talk to some of the professors too.”

Hanel plans to attend SHSU as an education major and become a Kindergarten teacher.

“I have heard nothing but good things about SHSU,” said Hanel. “It’s a beautiful campus and I can’t wait to be a student there.”

Lockwood says he receives calls from parents after the event thanking the university for making it easy for their questions to be answered.

“After the event a lot of parents come back or

call us and say how great of an event it is and how comfortable they feel with sending their kids to come to school here,” said Lockwood. “They get to talk to professors and see first hand what programs their children will be apart of.”

The event started in 1984 and is usually a bi-annual event. The next Saturdays @ Sam will be November 19th.

From SAM page 1

Meagan Ellsworth | The HoustonianSTRUTTIN’. Junior biology major Kaylia Tucker poses during Zeta Phi Beta’s 3rd Annual Hair Show. Contestants competed in three categories to win a gift basket.

From HAZY page 1

The Lambda Eta chapter of Zeta Phi Beta hosted their 3rd annual Illustri-ous IllusionZ Hairshow on March 23 as apart of their 2011 Finer Womanhood Week . The event was hosted outside of the front steps of Austin Hall where the models walked down a white runway lit by candlelight.

All of the hairstyles were created by students on campus who competed for a gift basket provided by the Bless Beauty store in Huntsville. There were three different categories for the night: daytime styles, after five styles, and fan-tasy styles. The crowd was in awe as they watched the student-created hair styles – some were very creative, while others were just a little unusual.

The Lambda Eta chapter president Simone Frazier believed the event

turned out well and encourages the stu-dent body to participate in the rest of this week’s events.

“ The purpose of our Greek week is to give the campus something to do so everyone can have a good time,” Frazier said.

Their next event will be the 4th annu-al Ebony and Ivory Step Show on March 24th. Presale tickets, currently $5, are on sale until 1 p.m. the day of the show, and all ticket proceeds will be going to the March of Dimes charity, the Lambda Eta chapter’s philanthropic organization of choice.

“We have put a lot of work into our events this week, but the step show will definitely be our biggest,” Frazier said.

The step show will be held in Johnson Coliseum and doors open at 6:20 p.m.

Hair Show HighlightsBy Chrystal GoldenCommunications Specialist

Readers of the Skinny Boy column I wrote in the past already know this, but I grew up on a goat farm in a small rural community. So as a true country boy, I was thrilled to get the chance to experience some good old country fun at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo over spring break.

I find it amusing that a rodeo of such grand proportion finds its home in such an urban metropolis. Although Houston is the farthest thing away from the rural town I grew up in, it managed to produce the biggest event that celebrates everything country that I have ever attended.

First, I want to talk about the highlight of my visit to the rodeo. I got to see Lady Antebellum perform live at the closing of the rodeo events for the night.

Lady Antebellum is one of my favorite country bands and have proved that their unique sound has what it takes to make it in the world of country music. Since the group formed in 2006, they have raked in several major awards, including “New Artist of the Year” at the 2008 CMA’s, a Grammy for “Best Country Performance by Duo or Group with Vocals” in

2010, “Vocal Group of the Year” at the 2009 CMA’s and “Song of the Year” at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards.

The band features amazing vocals backed by a band that perfectly blends traditional country music with a hint of pop. What fascinated me most about this group is how when seeing them perform live, they sound even better than they do on the radio. A combination of strong stage presence and the ability to feed off of each other’s energy while performing make Lady Antebellum’s performance the best

country concert I have ever been to.

Now let me talk about what all the rodeo has to offer, other than concerts, if you ever get the chance to attend. Every year, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo plays host to the biggest carnival I have ever seen. The rides, food stalls, and games stretch from one end of Reliant Park to the other giving carnival lovers hours of entertainment.

One of the best things about the Rodeo is that you will never get hungry. Everywhere you turn there is somewhere to buy something delicious to eat.

Almost anything you’re stomach desires can be found on the rodeo grounds.

Other fun activities and events at the rodeo include an art show, a huge country shopping mall in the Reliant Center and the World’s Championshiop Bar-B-Que contest.

The wide variety of events and activities offered by the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo make this a one of a kind, fun for all event. Although the rodeo has already ended for this year, be sure to check it out next year., and don’t forget your cowboy hat.

Page 5Thursday, March 24, 2011Arts & Entertainment

houstonianonline.com/entertainment

Photo courtesy of 1035WEZL | flickr.com

YEE-HAW. The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo featured a full lineup of musical artists from a wide variety of genres. Among the performers was country sensation Lady Antebellum pictured above.

This year’s SXSW, an annual festival of music, film and interactivity in Austin, was a success once again as it rang up record attendance figures, celebrities made surprise visits, and unknown bands hoped to catch the eye of talent scouts.

Local Austinite and filmmaker David Lackey said the event brings a large amount of traffic into town for the week.

“Austin actually gets a lot weirder,” Lackey said. “There are even more plaid shirts and beards than normal.”

The event brought in an estimated 45,500 people from around the world and a sizeable group of celebrities. Lackey said he heard that this year that included Mike Tyson, Perez Hilton and Conan O’Brien.

Robin Johnson, an assistant professor at Sam Houston State University, said he accidentally ran into Tyson, who showed up to promote an iPod video game during the SXSW Interactive Conference.

“Mike Tyson made a surprise appearance at #sxswi #screenburn,” Johnson wrote via Twitter. “Why was I surprised to hear so many people cheer for this guy?”

One of the exciting points of the week was when Jack White of the recently split White Stripes showed up to play a surprise show and included a White Stripes song in the set.

Lackey said he was not as interested in the celebrity presence because he focuses on hearing unknown musicians.

“My favorite part honestly is just wandering around and listening to lesser known bands who are surprisingly good,” said Lackey, who dedicated most of his time to doing exactly that.

Lackey hit some of the dubstep shows, which included such names as Datsik and Dipflo. Moby showed up to deejay one of the shows and held a vegan barbecue, according to Lackey.

Conor Oberst’s band Bright Eyes, one of the most highly anticipated acts, played a free show.

“You can tell [SXSW planners] put a lot of time into programming something that was going to be good,” Lackey said.

By Hillary CollinsContributing Writer

DistinguisheD Lecturer series

Featuring

John g. stoessinger“The United States and the Coming Struggle

for Global Dominance”

Thursday, March 24, 20112:00 p.m.

Smith Hutson BuildingRon Mafrige Auditorium

A Member of The Texas State University System

Contact 936.294.3415 or events@shsu.edu for questions.

Big city, big countryThomas Merka shares his experiences at the Houston Livestock Show and RodeoBy Thomas MerkaEntertainment Editor

Keeping it WeirdSouth by Southwest music festival sets record attendance

For more information on

the SXSW music festival visit

www.sxsw.com.

LiveHeRe!You Should

universityhouse.com

$0 Deposit$0 Admin Fee

($130 Value)

936.436.9190

Only 4 blocks from SHSU

24-hr access to clubhouse & fitness

Sparkling pool w/ covered lounge

Pro-beach v-ball & b-ball courts

Efficiency, 1, 2, & 4 bedroom plans

Visit website for video tour & specials...

Offer ends March 31, 2011

Page 6Thursday, March 24, 2011Sports

houstonianonline.com/sports twitter.com/HoustonianSport

HUNTSVILLE - Timothy Flanders is tired, he is out of breath and still standing behind the quarterback Brian Bell, ready to take the snap. This is the third day of spring ball for the football team, but it’s Flanders first spring with the Sam Houston State Bearkats.

Flanders is lined up directly behind the quarterback, approximately 5-yards behind the center. The formation is called the pistol, and it was made famous by the University of Nevada. It was designed to hide the back from the front four of the defense and give the offense a chance to hide their play.

Since this is only the first week of practice, Flanders is still huffing from the drills.

“They run me too much,” Flanders jokes.

This time last year, Sam Houston was struggling to find a running back. After a reasonably good signing class the team was looking to go into fall with an almost entirely new team.

After losing all but six starters the team knew they would have to heavily rely on incoming talent, and other players to step up.

The team responded with the youngest team in the Southland Conference and was 11 points away from winning the division.

During Practice the running backs are working out of receiver slots. Offensive Coordinator Bob Debesse is making sure the backs are catching the ball and turning up field. This works because the Pistol gives the quarterback a better option to throw to the running back.

“It gives us a better chance to set up our offense,” said Debesse. “Sometimes the defense will see where the

running back and shift their attack. This way we hide our back. Plus we have put in a couple of plays to go along with this.”

Among those plays will be the Bearkat formation, which will feature Richard Sincere, the Bearkat dual threat weapon, who plays both receiver and quarterback out of the Pistol and Bearkat offensive formation.

The Bearkat formation is an exact replica of the Wildcat offense, made famous by Darren McFadden and Felix Jones while at the University of Arkansas.

But still the offense will rely heavily on the run game, as it did last year. With a trio of backs mostly focused on Flanders the team will re-establish its identity to the run.

Flanders doesn’t seem to mind, and when asked about next season he just smiles with his infections smile and says he looks forward to it.

Lotis Butchkolbutchko@houstonianonline.com

In a 13-7 win over Prairie View, Bearkats get their groove back

Mike Silva The Houstonian

Andreas hits second grand slam

Brandon Scottbscott@houstonianonline.com

Bearkat baseball lived up to its own expectations at week’s mid - using back-to-back victories over Houston Baptist on Tuesday and Prairie View on Wednesday, to gain a morale boost fter losing six straight, headed into a weekend series against UTSA – both schools with only 1-5 Southland Conference records.

The Kats are better than they let on, certainly better than what the SLC record suggests. The real Kats are more like the ones at the beginning of the season – those who rattled off 11 straight wins, starting with a 13-0 home-opening dominance over, yes, Houston Baptist.

Senior catcher Doug Oney blasted the 10th inning walk-off homer to beat HBU 5-4 on Tuesday. Then Wednesday, Chris Andreas went 2-3, with six RBIs and his second grand slam of the season.

There are heavy hitters on this team, senior leaders and all. Braeden Riley hit 3-5 and 4 RBIs against PV. Ryan Mooney batted 3-4, scored two runs and Oney went 3-4. Head coach Mark

Johnson says every day is a brand new day and told how good it was to get rid of the losing streak.

“We’ve had a couple of tough weekends in conference play. We had a couple games I think we could have won fairly easy with one more base-hit,” Johnson said. “To come back and play Tuesday and Wednesday games, which is a little bit grueling in the middle of conference, but to pick up a couple of Ws – that’s a plus.”

Coach Johnson also mentioned how key pitching would be for the Kats. He gave credit for their struggles against Texas State to the defending champions being, well, the defending conference champions and favorites to win the thing again. Johnson was glad to see senior right-handed pitcher Paul Spinn go through three innings in 23 pitches. The mound, in these last two games, saw rested pitchers who hadn’t thrown in weeks.

“We’ve got to pitch well and keep plugging along,” Johnson said.

As for hitting, Doug Oney said he wishes he could make moments like his walk-off against HBU last longer. He’s hitting .294 on the season, while

playing catcher.“It’s one of those moments you wish

you could hold on to for about five minutes, then it last about 30 seconds,” said Oney. “It’s really exciting. Always fun to be with your teammates after that and it’s a good team effort to win that game.”

Earlier in the season, Andreas hit a grand slam that shot his slugging percentage to .875. He’s talking consistency as well and backing it with more slams.

“Coach (Jim) Blair teaches us in those situations, not to overdue it. Just stay comfortable, get your pitch and hit it. I got the pitch I needed and hit the heck out of it,” Andreas said

Talking to the Bearkats doesn’t give off the impression any satisfied with losing. In fact, Andreas added the team likes to transfer wins over and expects to win.

Oney reflects this idea as well.“Talent’s there. It’s just being

consistent, which we’ve been, can do again and definitely will.”

Sam Houston hosts UTSA from Friday at 6:30, Saturday at 2:00 and Sunday at 1:00.

HE STEPS TO THE PLATE. Chris Andreas is one of the Bearkats’ senior power hitters. When he stepped to the plate against Prairie View A&M on Wednesday night before a crowd of over 500 people, Andreas hit his second grand slam of the season

Courtesy of SHSU Athletics

Spring football