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Debate team dominates

Team competes at Purdue, brings back major awards
KELSY KERSHAW News Editor World issues and public speaking are not all debate is about, at least not for Louisiana Techs team; they like to call themselves a family. Shane Puckett, an instructor of speech communication, said the team is really a family experience. All the members of the team truly care about the others and want the other members to succeed, he said. Its a close-knit group. On March 29-30, the team traveled to Purdue University in Indiana for their first-ever worlds debating competition, said Puckett, director of the team. While this wasnt the largest worlds competition this year, the team competed against some very established names, he said. They took second place and were fantastic. Team members Walker Holmes and Ben Markway made it through to the final round of competition, Puckett added. Holmes, a sophomore general studies major, who just joined the team at the beginning of winter quarter this year, said he could not have been more excited. My favorite memory of the trip was finding out we made it to the finals, he said. It was an awesome feeling to know that I had gone as far as

SGA attempts to amend constitution

DANIEL GETSINGER Staff Reporter

Submitted photo

Debate team members are: (top row) Darryl Ware, Ben Markway, Kelvin Spears, Walker Holmes and Baker Weilert and (bottom row) Braeden Shippen, Miranda Clark, Hannah Vincent, Hannah Schilling, Angel West and Sam Hathorn. I could, especially since it was my first tournament. Holmes and Markway, a senior accounting major, were partners for the competition, and Markway said they had great chemistry. While my partner and I had a connection, we also made one with another team from the University of Michigan-Flint, he said. Another team member, AnFor more information on the Tech Debate Team, like its facebook page at www.facebook.com/louisianatechdebate. gel West, who is a junior sociology major, said watching her teammates in the final round was her favorite memory from the trip. The two boys have put in a ton of effort and their hard work paid off, she said. I was not only a proud teammate, but also inspired by their ability to work in sync with one another. Puckett said worlds competition is the most difficult form of debate and has more complexities, and because the Tech team had little experience in that form going into the competition, it speaks volumes of the level of students at Tech. Im very proud of this team, he said. This group is a special one, and our relationship is a close one. There isnt a day that goes by that I dont have a group of debaters hanging out for a few minutes in my office.

Leadership and change go hand-in-hand when progress and growth are needed, and the Student Government Association has taken necessary steps to try to ensure successful growth for Tech and its students. On April 2, SGA made a few revisions to the constitutional amendments submitted by various members. T h e m a j o r changes to the amendEAST ments added more requirements for ex-officio members, removed class president positions, changed representation to one senator per 800 students instead of 500 students, and raised a few GPA requirements, said Allison East, SGA vice president. The changes made were to assign the SGA senators to larger groups to make their jobs more reasonable. The new GPA requirements were changed from a cumulative 2.7 to a cumulative 3.0. If the requirements are not met, then that member will be immediately and permanently removed from office, East said. East said the changes were basic, but will benefit the student body. The constitutional amendments will benefit the student body by increasing the efficiency of SGA, East said. Right

> see DEBATEpage 3

> see SGApage 6

Campus welcomes High schoolers perform percussions alumna to speak

JOHN SADLER Staff reporter KAAMILYA SALAAM Staff Reporter drafting class in high school and realized this is what she wanted to do. Students sat in Hale Hall, That class opened my eyes Room 318, as they awaited the to the possibilities, Marquardt arrival of one of Techs suc- said. It helped me to determine cessful architecture graduates. what I wanted to do and how to Last Thursday, Virginia Mar- get involved. quardt, a 1999 Tech graduate, Marquardt said she did exspoke to a room of actly that, graduated architecture students. cum laude and went I accepted the on to work for several invitation to speak at firms before DLR this years Academic Group. Excellence Week to She recently won give back to my alumthe American Instini, Marquardt said. tute of Architects I wanted to show Young Architect students interested in Award. architecture that they I just set out to could achieve their do something I love dreams. while also being able As a senior assoto give back, she MARQUARDT ciate for DLR Group, said. an architectural deMarquardt said sign firm in Santa Monica, Calif., her desire to give back came Marquardt said she has reached from her parents. a few of her dreams. Growing up my mom was As a little girl, I fell in love a school teacher and my dad with buildings, Marquardt said. worked in the mental health At the time, I didnt know it was field, so the desire to help came architecture. Marquardt said she took a > see ALUMNApage 6 The sound of percussion instruments of all kinds filled the air in Howard Auditorium Friday and Saturday. For the second year in a row, the department of music held the Northeast Louisiana Youth Percussion Ensemble Festival, where local junior high and high school students performed and received instruction from a guest speaker. The event provides a platform for high school percussion ensembles to hear styles of music they may not know about, said Gregory Lyons, assistant professor of music and the event organizer. Lyons said the event is the only one of its kind in this area. We decided to really put the focus on percussion ensembles, Lyons said. Not just students playing solo. Lyons said this year marked the first time they had a junior high come and perform alongside the high schools. Michael Holdiness, the band director at Ouachita Junior High, said the event helped motivate the younger kids.

Photo by John Sadler

Payton Tarver, front, and Aaron Begay, black, of West Ouachita High School, perform percussions. They get exposed to other groups and can see the style that they play with, Holdiness said. They also get the chance to perform for other percussionists. Kyri Hart, a sixth grader at Ouachita Junior High, said he was excited about watching the other groups perform. I can learn from other peoples mistakes, Hart said. I can try to not do what they did. Holdiness said he would try to bring his students back for the next annual event. This is a lot different than the regular school performances, he said. Its one of the few

events where the kids have to dress up nice and perform in front of people they might not know. Its a completely different experience. Besides Ouachita Junior High, a few high schools from across the region returned to

> see HIGHpage 2

2 The T ech T alk April 11, 2013

Campus
Union Board to host Spring Fling
Tech Union Board will be hosting its annual Spring Fling event from 5-9 p.m. Tuesday in the parking lot of Tolliver Hall. Billed as Techs own spring break, it will have many activities for students to enjoy. The event will feature free jambalaya, snow cones and cotton candy, as well as crawfish for only $5. It will also feature a ferris wheel and projects that will allow students to make their own street signs and fanny packs. The Chee Weez, a New Orleans-based band, will be playing a set. The Chee Weez is a five-piece cover band that advertises itself an ever-expanding stage show with lights, pyro and a 17-foot video wall on their website. Admission is free for Tech students with an ID and anyone else can purchase a $10 wristband. Prospective attendees can contact the Union Board at (318)-257-4237 or by email at latechub@gmail.com.

Shakeing the healthy way

CODY SEXTON Staff Reporter In addition to utilizing the new amenities included in the expansion of Techs Lambright Recreation and Fitness Center, students now also have a wider variety of nutritional products to help promote healthier living with Bulldawg Nutrition. The Ruston franchise of the California-based nutrition company Herbalife was opened two months ago by Lindsey Tanner and is now operated by Tanner and Nicole Panaia. Panaia said the company is committed to focusing on customer needs and aims to keep a close connection to their customers. We personalize a diet to fit you and your needs, Panaia said. Whether its weight loss, maintenance, gain or whatever you need. Bulldawg Nutritions products include low calorie shakes, weight loss promoting herbal tea and protein bars. Customers are also offered a free wellness evaluation, including a reading of their metabolic age and advice on their caloric intake. Panaia said their company sets itself apart from other nutrition stores by playing a more active role in their customers diet. We are constantly checking with our clients on their progress and we like to maintain a personal level with them and call every day, Panaia said. Other stores will give you a shake and then send you on your way. Kendall Guillot, a senior health informatics and information management major, said he has started going two to three times a week since he first heard about it. I needed something with low calories and high in protein, he said. They gave me a limit on how many calories I could have and helped increase my protein intake. Guillot, a member of Rustons CrossFit gym, said he is satisfied with the results and has noticed changes in his physic. Ive noticed more muscle tone and definition, he said. Panaia also said committing to one of their diet regimens can lead to results even without going to the gym. I lost six or seven pounds without even working out, Panaia said. The company Herbalife has grown since it was founded in 1980 by Mark Hughes in California to a global nutrition company with stores in over 80 countries. They sponsor multiple sports teams and athletes, including the Los Angeles Galaxy soccer team and Argentine footballer, Lionel Leo Messi.

Photo by Derek J. Amaya

Ashton Burch prepares a nutritional milkshake which is a healthy supplement to regular exercise. More than 40 Olympic athletes used their supplements this past year when training and competing, Panaia said. She said, Bulldawg Nutrition also offers a chance for their customers to be a distributor with their international business pack. The starter kit contains products and supplements from Herbalife and a chance to be an international business owner. For only being open for two months, Panaia said Bulldawg Nutrition has been doing very well for itself. We average about 55 shakes a day, she said. We hope to be up to 75 a day soon. Bulldawg Nutrition offers an introduction to wellness coaching presentation every Tuesday at noon and 5:15 p.m. and University, said he was invited by Lyons to speak to the students about percussion and instruct them in certain areas. The whole purpose is recruiting for Tech, Blackstock said. Thats not to say the students dont get anything out of this. They get to be exposed to things they dont see every day. Blackstock said these performances do not happen as often as they should because of the lack of motivation in collegiate departments. To make these things happen, the college has to be willing to do it, he said. Tech is just dedicated to it. Lyons said he invited Blackstock due to his ensemble being

Light the Night 5k to benefit St. Jude

Techs Up Til Dawn will host their second annual 5K from 7-9:30 p.m. Sunday, April 14, at the Thomas Assembly Center. Proceeds from Light the Night 5K will go toward St. Judes Children Research Hospital, UTDs philanthropic focus. Registration is $20 per person to register which includes a T-shirt, water and various glow items. UTD will have glow necklaces and bracelets as well as other glow-in-the-dark surprises at registration and along the trail. Participants are encouraged to bring their own accessories, though. Registration will start at 7 p.m. at the Thomas Assembly Center and the race will begin at 8 p.m. The race course will start at Argent Pavilion, between Joe Aillet Stadium and the TAC, and will be in the surrounding area. The event is open to Tech students and the Ruston community, so anyone interested can register. The race will take place during the evening, and has been approved by safety officials. It is also during Greek Week so participating fraternities or sororities will be awarded points. More information, as well as registration payment, can be found at http://bit.ly/17rw8Af

starting May 1, customers will be able to participate in a body transformation challenge. They also offer a free hourlong group workout every Saturday morning starting at 8:30. We are really committed to improving the healthy lifestyles of our customers, Panaia said.

Email comments to cls068@latech.edu.

Bridging the gap between internationals

PAUL HARRIS Staff Reporter Bridges International served as a home-awayfrom-home for many of our international students at Tech. Every Friday, a gathering is organized for mainly international students to have a place to get out and socialize. More than 50 students gathered at the Bridges Church at 500 West Georgia St. Friday to partake in Brazilian dancing taught by senior staff member, Skarleth Vargas. We just try to give our international students an option to learn something different and have fun together, Vargas said. Lauren Clayborn, a sophomore family and child studies major, said it can sometimes be a challenge for international students to socialize and be a part of extracurricular activities. Could you imagine being half-way across the world and not having anybody you know around, Clayborn said. Its nice for us to do this because a lot of Americans go home on the weekends and international students dont have that option so these gatherings are positive for them. Sean Moore, a Tech graduate student in civil engineering, said he is employed by Campus Crusades for Christ, an organization that enables Bridges to be involved in impacting the international students lives. Moore said dancing is not the only activity put on for the students. Every Friday night we host an event, Moore said. Weve done games, and had an Easter party. Well be going horseback riding in a few weeks, as well as camping. Senior staff member Stacy Prescott said Bridges attempts to build a community within the international students. We want them to feel part of a bigger group and that our home is open to them, Prescott said. Christmas Eve, we had at least 40 students share that time with us, as well as just recently at Easter. Rodolphe S. Youmbi, a senior electrical engineering major and Cameroon native, said he has been fortunate to be involved with the Bridges program. I have been with Bridges for two years now and it has really helped me to integrate here, Youmbi said. I come from a place far away, and I didnt know anybody here. It enabled me to meet so many people from all over the world, and thats something special to me. Individuals in churches provide funding and fundraising, as well as the regional organizations offices in Dallas, Prescott said. The Friday night events are not limited to only international students, however, any Tech students may join if interested, Vargas said. Dancing is an international language, Vargas said. We have a common ground for all of us to come together and enjoy.

>

HIGHfrom pg. 1

the festival this year. Holly Adams, a junior at West Ouachita High School, said she loves the festival and she is glad she had a chance to return. It helps you better understand yourself as a group, Adams said. Its good to come see other groups play so we can gauge where we are. Adams said she was also impressed with Adam Blackstock, the guest speaker and instructor for the festival. Hes an extremely talented man, she said. He knows what hes doing for sure. Blackstock, a professor of percussion at Troy Alabama

selected by the Percussive Art Society to play at their international convention. It was really impressive to me, Lyons said. Any time you have an expert coming in from the field, they have to be able to share their skill set and experience with their students. Lyons said this festival turned out well, and it was just what they were going for. Im just thankful for the support we got from our sponsors and the community at-large, Lyons said. We plan on doing this again, and hopefully, again and again.

Email comments to jts040@latech.edu.

Class hosts benefit to assist horse therapy

The Family and Child Studies 431 class began collecting aluminum cans on Monday, April 1 and will continue to collect them until Tuesday, April 30. The cans are for Horse Assisted Therapy Services. Anyone who is interested can drop off cans outside the School of Human Ecology main office in Carson Taylor Hall, Room 251, during campus operation hours from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information contact Julie Rutledge, assistant professor in the School of Human Ecology, at rutledge@latech.edu.

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Counseling Center to host workshop

The Counseling Center is offering a workshop on April 22 at 3 p.m. for students interested in pursuing a career in their major. It is a chance for students to interact with certain professionals that can help them follow up after graduation in the career of their choice. This is a fast paced, larger workshop setting that provides students the opportunity for self-assessment, help identifying potential occupations and Tech majors, with the option for individual follow-up with a licensed counselor. Having the opportunity to meet with people who can help students is beneficial in finding the major of their choice. For more information, contact Ashley Allen at aallen@ latech.edu or at (318) 257-2488.

Email comments to phh007@latech.edu.

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Distinguished Black Women change lives

BLAKE BOLIN Staff Reporter More than 20 years ago, a new organization emerged on Techs campus, a sisterhood that would help to unite the black community while simultaneously serving the whole community. The Society of Distinguished Black Woman has thrived on Techs campus since its inception. Aisha Akilo, a senior biology major, is the president. The SDBW is a non-Greek community service organization that tries to strengthen the black community through political awareness, community service and anything that we can do to uplift people, Akilo said. In 1992, Tarlesha Smith founded the Society of Distinguished Black Women. Smith said she founded the organization to get women more involved in the community. Smith recently returned to North Louisiana for a DBW initiation at Grambling State University, where she met two members from the Tech chapter. The idea of the organization was to provide community service, Smith said. There were ladies with kids who were considering dropping out of school, so we worked towards helping them pursue their degrees. The goal was to reach out to the entire community. Smith said there have been more than 1,000 members initiated since the inception of DBW. Smith said Akilo and other DBW leaders have done a great job in not only continuing the mission she started in 1992, but going above and beyond the ideals set by Smith more than 20 years ago. They took the goal of the organization, and they have taken it a step further, Smith said. The members now have done a lot more than I was able to do in the early stages. Courtney Williams, a junior entrepreneur management major, is currently the secretary for the Tech chapter of DBW. Williams said she has taken lessons from DBW that she will carry with her for years to come. The organization has forced me to improve my communication skills, which has helped me greatly, Williams said. We have to talk to a lot of people at the events we do, and this helped me to broaden my horizons and improve in my communication skills. Akilo said that to help the organization become more recognized they are actively involved in many events across campus. We just try and get involved in things like Big Event, Timeout for Tech, or Legacy Day, Akilo said. We try and do anything to get our name out there, and show people what our organization stands for. Smith said she loves to see the organization bond and make memories through different events. It is amazing to see how much the organization has grown over the past years, and how much it is continuing to grow, Smith said. When the girls tell me how much the organization impacts them, that is when DBW really starts to impact me, knowing what a difference the organization is making on their lives. Akilo said she has spent her time in DBW learning and watching her sisters grow and develop through the organization.

Submitted Photo

Members of Distinguished Black Women are: (from top) Breanna Riggins, Acqunetta Nathan, Courtney Williams and Jessica Gordon, performing service work.

Members of Distinguished Black Women are: (top row) Aisha Akilo, Parris Resse, Dantrell Hutchinson and Kywonna Drake; (bottom row) Jessica Gordon, Tarlesha Williams-Smith and Courtney Williams.

Submitted Photo

In my time here I have seen a tremendous growth, I have seen many young women come through this organization and have better qualities brought out in them, Akilo said. Akilo said she has also seen the effects DBW can have on a womans life. Williams said her experience in DBW has been unforgettable and it is something she will always appreciate. I have met a lot of great people through this organization, Williams said. I have great sisters who will always have my back and who will be there for me.

Email comments to btb017@latech.edu.

Teachers and students learn through program

PAUL HARRIS Staff Reporter Aurlia Pradels ambition has landed her at Tech. A new country creates new experiences. She is a participant of the Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant Program (FLTA), which has enabled her to study abroad and teach her native language, French, at Tech. This program does not advertise their existence, Pradel said. They want people who are actually interested in this type of studying and take the initiative to get involved. Susan Roach, director of the School of Literature and Language, said she feels Pradel has been an asset to the modern language department. She brings positivity to our university, not only because she is a native of France, but also because she is an outgoing and charming person, Roach said. She is an excellent teacher as well. One must first obtain a bachelors degree to be eligible to participate in the program. I first found out about the program in my second year of studies in France, Pradel said. I applied in 2011, and the long process of being accepted began for me. There were only 26 individuals selected to participate in FLTA from France, she said. When I was first notified that I was selected to participate in the program, I was back home in France, so my whole family celebrated with me. It was great, Pradel said. Once she was accepted, she was clueless to where she would study because universities choose the students they desire to engage in studies/ teaching at their school, Pradel said. Louisiana Tech chose me, and I was ecstatic knowing that Louisiana has a lot of French influence within the state, Pradel said. However, Pradel said she does face some challenges balancing the world of being a teacher and student. At times it is hard to manage due to my age; sometimes students act differently toward me because we are basically the same age, Pradel said. I am a student as well, so sometimes I see students outside of class which can briefly be awkward, but I never allow it to be. James Robert III, a sophomore undeclared major, said he has been taught French by Pradel for two quarters and is fortunate for the opportunity. Shes really nice and seems to enjoy teaching, Robert said. She does a good job of explaining concepts and translations. Im glad that I got the chance to be in her class before she left. This is Pradels first visit the United States. It wasnt her first time to leave France for an extended time, so she was ready for the challenge, Pradel said. Ive taught French courses in Finland and England prior to teaching here, so being away from home wasnt too frightening for me, Pradel said. She said she first landed in Phoenix, Ariz., to complete a three-day teachers training course.

Aurelia Pradel, a native of France, teaches the French language to students while being a student herself.

Photo By Tyler Brown

It was the beginning of August, so the heat was extreme at that time, Pradel said. It was really hot. She said she was excited to experience the welcoming vibe Louisiana natives greeted her with. The first thing that struck me was the people here were

so nice, Pradel said. If you look a little confused on campus people are quick to lend a helping hand. I knew that before I came, but to actually experience that was gratifying for me. Roach said she wishes Pradel could stay longer to teach at Tech.

We will truly miss her when her Fulbright assignment here is over in May, Roach said. She has been so successful that we applied for another Fulbright Language Teaching Assistant again for next year.

Email comments to phh007@latech.edu.

>

DEBATEfrom pg. 1

Their performances should be viewed less as a personal achievement and more as a success of the team, Holmes said. I think that anyone doing well

is a direct result of the team as a whole, he said. The team and our coach deserve all the credit. Hannah Vincent, a sophomore agriculture education major, said the team always has fun when they are together. In the 13-hour ride there and

back we just talked and laughed so much, she said. Rides like that one are why I love my team, and it shows how much of a family we are. She said she feels as if she can tell her teammates anything. To her, it is funny because they all come from

different backgrounds yet mesh so well as a group and, ultimately, a family. The unity and family relationship between the team is a mutual and unanimous feeling among all the members, which they all make a point to emphasize.

The sense of camaraderie and knowledge are my favorite things about being on the debate team, Markway said. Everybody loves everybody.

Email comments to kjk016@latech.edu.

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Insight
AUSTIN VINING Editor-in-Chief

4 The T ech T alk April 11, 2013

FROMTHEEDITOR
La Tech bullies
The gossip site that quickly spiraled out of control. With posts ranging from polls about who Miss Tech was currently dating to what freshman got banned from Kappa Delta socials for life. I assume it was to no ones surprise when Dawgshit was abruptly shut down. Theres also the nationally infamous www.greekrank.com, with its constant bashing of fraternities and sororities and even specific members at times. Im not sure if that is really a big deal anymore, but I like to think Tech has gotten over it. Which brings me to my point, I want to tell you that Im not going to tell you cyberbullying is wrong, but I am. Its more than that, though. People our age are becoming more and more comfortable with the idea of bashing people behind a shield of anonymity. Seriously, people, we are in college. There is no need to write libelous material about someone. I have read some of the posts and thought to myself, Now what did this person accomplish? Nothing. You are doing nothing by putting someone down except causing them unnecessary pain. If you have an issue with someone it should be handled like a grownup via face-to-face conversation. You wouldnt wear a mask to a meeting like that, so why hide behind your computer screen? That being said, La Tech Secrets isnt full of negativity. Like the (somewhat awkward) compliment I and many others have received, it has become a place where Bulldogs are building each other up as well. This behavior, completely opposite the spectrum from bullying, is the type of stuff that gives people faith in humanity. It says a lot about a person who is willing to go out of their way to give a compliment anonymously. They know they will never be recognized for their efforts, but it is enough to know they brightened someones day. Bulldogs, be diligent. Continue striving for excellence and dont become someones reason to frown; your words are more powerful than you know.

IN OUR OPINION

o whoever called me a beautiful creature, thank you. Thats right, you read it on La Tech Secrets, the page consuming the newsfeeds of more than 2,000 people since its creation last week. For those hiding under a rock, La Tech Secrets is a page devoted to admitting confessions, calling out crushes and degrading enemies. As I look around my newsroom and see people browsing through the page, instead of working, I can see the magnitude of what this page has become. I dont want to date myself, but I recall a website that gained similar popularity my freshman year, www.dawgshit.weebly.com.

De-extinction: a scientific break through or a death wish?

Austin Vining is a junior psychology and journalism major from Minden who serves as editorin-chief for The Tech Talk. Email comments to acv001@latech.edu.

GRIN AND MERRITT

The peoples plight
CHAD MERRITT Managing Editor couple of decades either. USNews reports North Koreas previous leader, Kim Jong Il, spent over $800,000 a year on Cognac. The average income of the typical North Korean family is only $1,800 a year. With a majority of the nation facing a food shortage, The Great Leader (Kim Jong Il) would airlift fresh lobsters to his private train on a daily basis. And with Kim Jong Un ascending to power after the passing of his father, the North Korean citizens situation did not change for the better. Un continued a rising tendency of human rights violations, including sending people to prison camps and killing would-be defectors. The ever-growing tension between North and South came to a head on April 8 when North Korea removed 53,000 workers from an industrial park that was jointly operated by North and South Koreans. Not only hurting both countries economically, 53,000 people are now left without a job in a country where opportunity is scarce. The North Korean people are no strangers to false propaganda, though. This is a group of people who were told their former leader, Kim Jong Il, shot a 38 under par during his first game of golf, was an Internet expert and that his mood controlled the weather. False propaganda is still being shown to them today with the government playing videos of the North appearing to bomb the U.S. Capitol Building along with other acts of violence. It is hard to blame the citizens, though, when the only news they receive is the news the government wants them to know. This is a country where roughly one out of 1,000 people have an Internet connection. A sad realization is that the person who has made the most progress in easing the tension in North Korea is Dennis Rodman. The former basketball player turned humanitarian went to the North recently to attend a basketball game with his now friend for life Kim Jong Un. I mean, when Dennis Rodman is the deliverer of peace for an irrational nation, you know its a terrible situation. You have to feel for the North Korean people. They have been fed lies for so long that they wouldnt know what a good situation is if it fell in their lap. Crossing the border between the Koreas shows a difference like that of night and day. A stark, yet accurate, comparison of North and South Korea is their most recent contributions to the world. The South gave us Internet sensation Psy and Gangnam Style. The North gave us all new sanctions after they poked the bearmajor world powersafter their nuclear tests. The worst possible scenario for the North Korean citizens would be conflict. Losing what little they have would set them back even farther than they already are. And they have no say in it either; it is all up to the handful of figures that run their country.

ensions are as high as theyve ever been in the post-Korean War world. Nuclear launches are being threatened every day, and many nations are organizing for any possible conflict that could arise at any moment. Even with these powerful threats being thrown around like a baseball in the schoolyard, the everyday lives of citizens in the nations involved in this strong-arm war with words havent faltered. Americans continue to live with our Kardashians and Honey Boo Boo running amuck. South Koreans live in fear, as they have for a long time, but live in a first-world country. And North Korean citizens live the same way they have since the end of the Korean War; in poverty and deprivation. The 24.5 million people who live in North Korea live simple lives, at best, with famine, poverty and mistreatment rampant throughout the country. It doesnt help that their leadership has been lacking for the past

n 1993, a cult classic was born. Incredible advancements in science and technology allowed one daring scientist to resurrect the DNA of dinosaurs. Jurassic Park became the No. 1 movie in America, and today the idea of reviving extinct species is becoming a reality. The March TEDx event, TEDxDeExtinction, was held to discuss the revival of 26 extinct species, including dodos, wooly mammoths and smilodons (more commonly know as saber-toothed tigers). Dinosaurs, having been extinct for 65 million years, are out of the question because their DNA is too old. According to ted.com, TED is a nonprofit devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. It started out (in 1984) as a conference bringing together people from three worlds: technology, entertainment and design. Two TEDsters, Stewart Brand and Ryan Phelan, held workshops to determine what kind of support they would receive with an idea like de-extinction and the rationality of the idea itself. With great success, Brand and Phelan began working with The Long Now Foundation on the project, Revive & Restore. In theory, this is a brilliant idea, and if it is successful, these men will have succeeded in something early scientists only dreamed of: creating life. In fact, it is dangerous for any man to tamper with the balance of life. The goal of Revive & Restore is to revive extinct species and re-introduce them to the wild, according to ted.com. These animals are extinct for a reason. It is possible for a saber-toothed tiger to positively re-assimilate into wildlife; it is also possible that these revived pre-historic tigers (with no known enemies) could take over the environment in which they are placed. Carl Zimmer, a speaker at TEDxDeExtinction, posted in a forum on nationalgeographic.com in response to this threat, Scientists have already revived a very dangerous life form: the flu virus that killed 50 million people in 1918. But no one has died from it, because precautions have been taken. I doubt they released the Spanish Flu into the environment. It seems like a more practical plan to prevent further extinction of animals that are presently endangered than to attempt to bring back those already extinct. Moreover, the expenses will be very high for an experiment as astronomical as this: What if it fails? What if these animals cant survive in todays ecosystem? Evolution is a vital part of life, and these animals will have bypassed the process. Revive & Restore scientists are not only defying the laws of nature, they are challenging Charles Darwins theory of natural selection. On the other hand, technology advances every day and it is our job as the human race to open our minds and embrace what the future may hold, no matter how perplexing it is. If de-extinction is successful, the possibilities are endless; perhaps the cure for cancer could be found in the dodos saliva. We are skeptical of the experiments outcome, but we are open-minded toward tomorrows possibilities. In Opinion: The Case for Reviving Extinct Species for National Geographic News, Brand said, Conservationists are learning the benefits of building hope and building on hope. Species brought back from extinction will be beacons of hope.

Chad Merritt is a junior journalism major from Livingston who serves as managing editor for The Tech Talk. Email comments to cam059@ latech.edu.

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MANAGEMENT

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Papal irony
REBECCA ALVAREZ Associate Managing Editor y conversations have taken on a rather peculiar theme lately. They go a little something like this: Hi, my name is Rebecca. Im Catholic. Oh, youre Catholic. How do you feel about the new pope? Okay, maybe I dont introduce myself exactly like this, but I do get frequently asked about my opinions on Pope Francis. But really, what can I say? I dont personally know the guy, and hes been pope for less than a monthI dont feel as if I have the right to say anything just yet. He is the leader of the Catholic Church, and because of the faith that is behind the way a pope is chosen, I am positive he is a peaceful man who will do his job well. Many of my friends often talk about his simplicity and humility. They are not wrong, and it is not a bad thing at allin fact I completely agreePope Francis is an extremely humble and simple man, but then again so were many popes before him. It would be wrong to say former popes Benedict XVI and John Paul II were not humble and simple. It would also be unfair to give more credit to Pope Francis than any other pope for such characteristics. It is pretty much in the job description to be lowly and selfless on levels that seem impossible to reach. The pope does have to serve as one of the best examples of Christ as possible, after all. I guess my biggest issue is not with how people respond to the question as much as the way his simplicity and humility have been ironically sensationalized. Whether its through memes on social media or reports in the news, people are highlighting every new humble act he does. The meme that probably grates my nerves the most shows former popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI with their arms outstretched after the announcement of their appointment and Pope Francis calmly waving after his. The way the pictures are stacked one on top of the other with Pope Francis at the bottom is clearly trying to make a statement that maybe doesnt maliciously stab at John Paul II and Benedict XVI, but makes a comparison focusing on their humility nonethelessand I dont think that is right. Every pope has shown his humility in different ways. John Paul II focused on uniting all the sects of the world. He did not act in ways to lead anyone to believe he thought he was better than anyone else. Nobody will ever realize how humble it was of Benedict XVI to resign, and if they have or do, few will give him the credit he deserves. And of course, both former popes spent a tremendous amount of time among the poor and among the lay people. How a pope chooses to travel or dress has nothing to do with how meek he really is, nor will it ever determine how well he will fulfill his duties. It is wrong that we have sensationalized such a simple and quiet man.

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Rebecca Alvarez is a junior journalism major from El Paso, Texas, who serves as associate managing editor for The Tech Talk. Email comments to rha014@latech.edu.

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Arts&Entertainment
CHAD HILL Contributing Reporter Horror remakes get a really bad rap. In most cases, these films are not only inferior to their terrifying original films, but never even manage to work as a good film on their own. They amount to nothing more than a studio attempting to cash in on a marketable name. Lets hope Evil Dead signifies a new trend in the genre. A remake of the 1981 classic, Evil Dead tells the familiar story of a group of friends spending a weekend in a cabin in the woods. The reason for their stay takes the form of an intervention for their drug-addict friend Mia. Things quickly go sour when they discover a creepy book in the cellar and unwittingly unleash an evil entity. The group must try to survive the night as they ward off possession while attempting to keep their sanity. Much like director Sam Raimis original film, this new film is plenty creepy and gory. Where it differentiates itself is the stronger focus on blood and gore, and the absence of the occasional goofball humor of the original movie. It is decidedly more serious this time around, though not without the occasional laugh. And while it does manage to em-

April 11, 2013 The T ech T alk 5

Evil Dead a successful remake

the brutality, making it all the more real. Gore hounds should be plenty satisfied, but be warned: this film is not for the squeamish. Despite the different tone of the film and the amped-up gore, director Fede Alvarez shows a certain respect to the source material. Evil Dead fans will be spotting references to the originals throughout, from the chainsaw-wielding finale to the arm-amputation. Alvarez even utilizes the same cinematography techniques Raimi introduced. He pays respect to the original while also making a few minor improvements. The set-up is a little more reasonable; it is understood why the kids dont suspect more when things start to go wrong. The stars are no Bruce Campbell, but they do a serviceable job of dying horribly and have some good chemistry together. But the true star is the film itself. Evil Dead revels in its own carnage, hearkening back to classic horror with sickening gore and some good scares. It does not quite reach the heights of its predecessor, but in terms of horror-remakes, it is top shelf.

TriStar Pictures

Evil Dead HHHHI ploy some intelligent scares, the film lives down to its marketing. What will end up getting audiences is the violence on display. Calling Evil Dead a bloodbath would be a serious discredit to the carnage on display. Gallons upon gallons of blood, puke, urine and other nastiness get spilled, accompanied by various forms of extreme bodily dismemberment. Though disgusting, there is a certain glee to the violence that makes it both brutal and fun. The decision to use mostly practical effects rather than CGI adds to

Email comments to crh049@latech.edu.

MOVIE REVIEW

Hathahaters provoke actress toward retirement

CODY SEXTON Staff Reporter
Academy Award-winning actress Anne Hathaway has reportedly decided to give up acting in the wake of a slew of online hatred. Hathaway has come under much criticism since she delivered her Oscar acceptance speech for her role in Les Miserables. I hate Anne Hathaway because she gets emotional while her Oscar is BEING ENGRAVED. See, sweetie. They werent even sure that they wanted you to have it!!! said a blog titled I Hate Anne Hathaway. Other bloggers said they thought Hathaway whispering it came true before she thanked the Academy for her award was scripted. Hathaway was also criticized for saying she hoped stories like her characters would exist only in books, because many thought it to be overkill. Those who hate the actress have been dubbed Hathahaters. Emma Meek, a sophomore child and family studies major, thinks quitting is not the answer. She shouldnt quit acting, because of what people say about her, Meek said. Id be sad if she did. Hathaways representatives have since denied any rumors of her quitting show business and said the actress is about to commit to a new project. However, many were still surprised to discover the star of The Princess Diaries had such a large anti-fan group. Vallerie Ducharme, a junior accounting major, said she was surprised Hathaway had so many haters. I really didnt think anyone disliked her, Ducharme said. Shes so sweet and innocent. While many are still charmed by the star of The Devil Wears Prada, others believe her to be fake or were not pleased with her more recent films. Jordan Ward, a sophomore kinesiology major, said she did not like Hathaways role in Love and Other Drugs. My opinion of her went down, because shes a role model to younger girls. She wasnt a good one in that movie, Ward said. The R-rated film starred Hathaway, opposite Jake Gyllenhaal, as a woman with Parkinsons disease and contains strong sexual content, nudity, pervasive language and some drug material. Ward said she still likes Hathaway as a person and still thinks she is a great actress. It is not only anonymous bloggers who are not fond of Hathaway, but other actors as well. James Franco, who cohosted the Oscars in 2011 with Hathaway, was reportedly at odds with her while hosting the event. Their lack of chemistry during the Academy Awards was criticized heavily by those in at-

Photo courtesy thegate.ca

tendence and at-home viewers.. Franco addressed the topic of Hathaways haters in a recent interview with Howard Stern when Stern said Hathaway came off as scripted and fake. Im not an expert on, I guess theyre called Hathahaters, but I think thats what maybe triggers it, he said. Franco went on record then saying he and Hathaway have made up. Hathaway addressed the criticism for her acceptance speech with Us Weekly. It does get to me, she said. But you have to remember in life that theres a positive to every negative and a negative to every positive. The miracle of the universe is that, as far as they know, theres 51 percent matter versus 49 percent antimatter. Things tip in the scale of the positive. So that is what I focus on.

Actress Anne Hathaway accepts the Oscar for her supporting role in Les Miserables, which premiered in December 2012.

Email comments to cls068@latech.edu.

Famed film critic Roger Ebert died last week at 70 after battling cancer since 2002. Even after having parts of his jaw surgically removed, he stood in the spotlight as a role model in the entertainment world.

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WEEKLYHOROSCOPE
www.horoscopes.com.net
Aries March 21 April 19 Today is a good day to take time out for the small, sensual pleasures, Aries. Perhaps this is a day for dessert, particularly chocolate or cheesecake. Dont forget about the pleasures that nature can bring. You may want to spend time in a park or forest or next to a lake, breathing in the fresh air and soaking up the beauty. You may also enjoy indulging in a massage. Taurus Apr 20 . May 20 Some time alone with a special person is definitely called for today, Taurus. The social whirl of recent weeks has put you in touch with a lot of old friends and enabled you to make new ones. Now its time to relax at home. You might discuss your plans for your future together, perhaps regarding possible changes in your living situation. You might also give some thought to your career. Gemini May 21 . Jun 20 The possibility of moving out of your neighborhood may have occurred to you before, Gemini, but events today might have you finally making up your mind to do it. Perhaps too many good neighbors have moved away, or maybe some good fortune has made it possible for you to move to a bigger place. There is much to consider and decide before it happens, but if this is what you really want, go for it. Cancer Jun 21 . Jul 22 Today you might be pleasantly surprised to realize that youre in far better financial shape than you thought. You could discover a hidden talent for money management that you didnt think you had. You might also be anticipating a raise or some other increase in income. Optimism and enthusiasm are what drive you today, Cancer. Your hopes for the future seem more grounded in reality than ever. Leo Jul 23 . Aug 22 Today you might decide to sequester yourself at home, catch your breath, get your thoughts together, and recall the events of the past several days. You will also plan for the future, Leo, as you feel especially optimistic and energetic enough to pursue whatever goals you have. At some point youre likely to share this with a close friend and seek his or her support and opinion. Virgo Aug 23 . Sep 22 Taking care of chores around the house might bring some home matters to your attention that need to be taken care of, Virgo. Perhaps there are a few minor repairs to make, or maybe you need a new piece of equipment or furniture. You should be optimistic about the future and confident enough to get back into your daily routine without feeling any letdown. Libra Sep 23 . Oct 22 A group youre associated with but have been neglecting may be on your mind today. You might want to fulfill your obligations to it. You could also consider completing a long-term project that was put on hold over the past week or so. Tying up loose ends may take up much of your time today and keep you busy, Libra. Dont forget to take a little time for yourself. You are your first priority! Scorpio Oct 23 . Nov 21 Money may be coming your way through a contract of some kind. This is a positive development. Make sure you read every word in the document before you commit to anything. This is a good time to ask for a loan or fill out paperwork regarding scholarships, grants, or other forms of financial support. The process is going to be less complicated than you imagined, Scorpio. Things should manifest quickly. Sagittarius Nov 22 . Dec 21 Are you sometimes afraid of appearing silly in front of people, Sagittarius? The fear of failing in the eyes of others might be holding you back from real progress. The celestial energies are asking you to think about this carefully today. With all of your analytical strengths and abilities, just think of all that you could accomplish if you had the courage to take more risks! Capricorn Dec 22 . Jan 19 You usually like to think of yourself as being a scientific, logical person, Capricorn, but today you may think more like a mystic. Your intuition is more active than usual, and you might come up with the same words as someone close to you. You might also feeling especially inspired to work in an innovative way. Use your intuition and go for it! quarius A Jan 20 . Feb 18 Social invitations or opportunities to participate in group activities should come your way for a few weeks, Aquarius. Your phone could ring off the hook. Relations with others should be warm, friendly, and congenial, so any sort of gettogether you schedule or attend today should go well and be informative. In the evening, plan a romantic encounter with the special person in your life. Pisces Feb 19 . Mar 20 Youre thinking about your future career development, Pisces, and you arent happy with your current situation. Advancement is on your mind. Perhaps you seek a promotion or you want another job or you prefer to change careers entirely. This is the time to get your head together and firm up your plans. Success is on the horizon, but only if you work toward it.

6 The T ech T alk April 11, 2013

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Across 1. Block 6. Director Vittorio De ___ 10. ___-Locka, Florida 13. Valuable violin 14. Dull pain,often in the head or back 15. Deli side 16. Reason for a raise 17. Meadows 18. Auditorium 19. Explorer Tasman 20. Undress 22. I, Robot author 24. Decorative cornice 28. Arranged in zones 31. Each partner 32. Stadium used for sports or musical events 34. Ltr. holder 36. Tombstone lawman 37. Brian of Roxy Music 38. Books of maps 41. Scooby-___ 42. Atomizer output 44. Catchall 47 abbr. 45. Swiss mathematician 47. Lower portion of the small intestine 49. Teaching of the Buddha 51. Magnetic induction units 53. Untidy states 56. Clap 59. Gumshoes 61. Undoing 64. The Clan of the Cave Bear author 65. Pale purple

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50. Lucky charm LASTWEEKSSOLUTION BestCrosswords.com - Puzzle #1 for August 2, 2012 27. Word processing error 52. Fights Down A D V A N C E O V E R S E E Across 29. Instruct Move forward; 8- Supervise; 54. Conger catcher 1- Lady of Spain; 2- Low life?; 3- Female horses; 4- 1Put to use; 5- Casino T R I area; G G E 6R Mouth R E N stuff; E W A7L 15- Part of a gun; 1630. Nav. officer Subscription continuation; 17Frighten T friend; E T R O12D EShoe T Etool; M P 15E R S Frozen treats; 8- Blacken; 9- Greek 55. fabulist; 10- PayVacuum stub?; 11Close tube type; 18- Hardens metal; 19Nabokov novel; 2032. Old-womanish A D A A general; C E S I R E N E Defer; 20- Make a contribution; 21- 57. Honey insect;outdoor 23___ Lisa; 25- Gettysburg 26Hawaiian feast Deck quartet; 22- "Goodnight" girl; 23- Compass point; 25N O R T H S T O P 33. Thorny flowers Mistake; 27Word processing error; 29Instruct;Prefix 30Nav. officer; 32- Old-womanish; 33Thorny Cease; 26- Chip maker; 29- Bad58. Ethereal: tempered; 31- Sault ___ Marie; I N T E L S U R L Y S T E 35. Swerved 34- Sea nymph; 36-43Decease; flowers; 35- Swerved; 37- Send out; 39Oldsayer? Ford; 40Adds; New Orleans university; 4660. Nae 37- Thames town; 38N E R E I D D I E E T O N Unsubstantial; 40- Inflexible; 42Enduring; 48- Chart; 50- Lucky charm; 52Fights; 54Conger catcher; 55Frighten; 57Hawaiian 37. Send out S H A D O W Y A D A M A N T and sister of Ares in 61. Clear (of) Goddess 43-(of); Goddess62- Ply; 63- Unwell; 65outdoor feast; 58- Ethereal: Prefix; 60- Nae sayer?; Greek 61-mythology; Clear 39. Old Ford E O S S U C K E R of dawn in Greek mythology; 45- E R I S 62. Ply Thing that sucks; 46- Boy king; Appomattox figure; T U T B L U N T N E E D Y 47- Frank; 49- Destitute; 5040. Adds 63. Unwell German auto; 52- To talk, O P E L O R A T E usually in a pompous manner; 43. New Orleans university 54- Heals; 56- Did the butterfly; 65. Appomattox figure C U R E S S W A M F E D 57- With "up," exasperated; 6046. Enduring Plant of the buttercup family; 62- A C O N I T E C A L C I T E Stalagmite makeup; 65- Pillage; 66Catch; 67Least difficult; 68P L U N D E R E N S N A R E 48. Chart Stroll;
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SUDOKUPUZZLE Sudoku-Puzzles
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SGAfrom pg. 1

now we spend so much time posting vacancies and trying to fill them that it takes the focus off of what we are here to do. The changes were not meant to make anyones duties any more difficult, East said. East also said the senators will not necessarily have to work any harder due to the changes that were made. The senators having to work harder will not be a problem, East said. We do not have a quota they have to fill with bills and resolutions, so on that side, no. East said she does believe if the senators do not give all of their effort it will show because of the change in size of the groups they will represent. I believe at the same time if

they are not working hard, it will be much more noticeable in a smaller group, East said. They will have to make sure they are working as hard as possible. Other members of SGA said they agreed the revised amendments would help bring SGA back to strictly helping students. Catherine Champ, a junior business management major, said she feels the revisions were a positive step forward for SGA. I feel the revised amendments were overall a very positive thing, Champ said. It brought all of our senate back to the main reason we serve on SGA, and that is to serve the student body to the best of our abilities. Champ also said she feels the newer members gained a great amount of knowledge about how the senate works. I believe that many of our

senators, especially the newer students, learned a lot about the body of our senate and about certain senate seats such as the ex-officio seats, Champ said. I also feel they learned how important our Constitution is and how essential it is to know and understand it. Champ said it affects what they are able to do for the student body. Champ also said she feels all in all it will be good for Tech to revise those amendments that needed to be changed. Overall, I feel it will affect both the senate and the student body positively concerning unity and understanding in the senate, Champ said. It will provide a clearer focus on our roles concerning the student body.

event. Solution: > ALUMNAfrom pg. 1 a tragic Although Marquardt did www.sudoku-puzzles.net from watching them, she said. Marquardt said she is giving back by working in the K-12 level of architecture. The K-12 level is for architects who do design projects for educational purposes, she said. We design schools, community centers and other things that have to do with education. The company Marquardt works for is most recently known for designing the mall that became a temporary high school for students who were displaced after the Joplin, Mo., tornadoes. Our Kansas office was given the opportunity to turn the mall in Joplin into a fun, educational environment for students, she said. They were able to give those students a sense of normalcy after such

Email comments to dge004@latech.edu.

not work on that project, she said she has worked on several others. I worked on the Kingman Unified School District in Arizona, she said. We took existing buildings and made them energy efficient, appealing and educationally fun for students and faculty. Providing better, eco-friendly schools is not the only way Marquardt has given back, she said. She is also an adviser to coordinators for DLR Groups Intern Development Program. It is a program geared at helping future architects on their journey to becoming professionals, Marquardt said. Several architecture students said they were appreciative of Marquardts choice to speak to them. Brian Delaney, a third-year architecture major, said Mar-

quardts speech helped him to realize even firms of large scale have an impact on the future education of young adults. The fact that a large firm starts to develop people at a K-12 level is great, he said. The younger someone starts to understand the aspects of design, the better life they will lead. Similar to Delaney, Nicholas Wagner, a sophomore architecture major, said Marquardts speech helped him in deciding which path to take as an architect. Before this lecture, I never thought about doing work for K-12, Wagner said. Now I see that as an option so I could give back to the next generation.

Email comments to kms042@latech.edu.

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More Talk

April 11, 2013 The T ech T alk 7

THE MASCOT
MEAGAN LEE Contributing Reporter

BEHIND
Submitted Photo

THE MAN

Photo by Deepanjan Mukhopadhyay

Above: Champ cheers on the bulldogs behind the goal post at Joe Aillet Stadium. Below: Champ watches the Lady Techsters with anticipation from the edge of the court at the Thomas Assembly Center.

Submitted Photo

of the mascot. First, I didnt have to work every minute of every game, Champ said. Second, I was He has a tail and ears like a bulldog but walks worried that once I was gone the traditions of on two legs and towers over any person standing Champincluding the walk, signature and other moveswould die off with me. Luckily, the new next to him. Always dressed in red, white and blue and guy has been a quick learner and should do great never ceasing in his efforts to entertain and ex- for years to come. Champ II jumped in the suit, took on the job cite the crowds, Champ is a beloved symbol of and never looked back. Since Tech tradition. he had never had experience Champ is immediately recas a mascot, the job was a ognizable with his animated challenge to him at first. gestures and oversized bulldog Once you get into charface, but does anyone know acter everything flows, who Champ really is? Who is Champ II said. You really the person bringing life to that Its extremely hard do become Champ once friendly yet ferocious canine to stay anonymous. you put the suit on, and its costume that, without him inlike you have a split personFriends tend to get cuside, is just a pile of cloth and ality. faux fur? rious when you ditch Both mascots agree the Students may be surprised best part of the job is getting to find out they pass the person them at every football to interact with children. behind the suit almost daily They each said that there on campus and they probably and basketball game. is no better feeling than haveven know him by name. ing excited children run up He is an actively involved to get a hug or high five and member of the Tech commu- Champ seeing their faces light up. nity in several aspects besides Louisiana Tech Mascot Other favorite memories his job as mascot. I have are getting in danceOne of the hardest parts of offs or play fights with other Champs job may be just that mascots like Seymour of Southern Miss, Superkeeping his identity a secret. Its extremely hard to stay anonymous, frog of TCU, the Nicholls State mascot and the he said. Friends tend to get curious when you Navy Mascot, Champ said. The opportunity to work closely with other ditch them at every football and basketball game. Coming up with good lies and excuses is one of spirit groups like the coed cheerleaders and Regal Blues is another benefit of Champs job. the tricks you learn as a mascot. Anonymity is one of the sacred rules of being Techs cheer coach, Steven Ehrhard, said worka mascot: Do not reveal your identityit shatters ing with the mascot is a little more challenging than with his cheer squad, but it is well worth the the illusion and destroys the magic. That is not the only commandment of being time put in to see fans smiling and yelling with Champ right in the middle of them. a mascot. The mascot is the face of the university and Theres a lot of traditions, rules and nuances to learn being a mascot, like not talking while in truly helps ignite the spirit of Tech fans both the suit and never letting any part of your body young and old, Ehrhard said. Regardless of age, when you see Champ you cant help but be visible, Champ said. Although Champ had previous experience smile and yell a little louder when supporting the as a high school mascot and some jobs for busi- teams at Tech. Champ II said Techs mascot program is aimnesses before coming to Tech, he admits that none of that came close to the demands of being ing to increase its prestige and will begin coma college mascot. Now after four years of being peting nationally next year. This means they will inside that bulldog suit, he has even more experi- be on the lookout for new potential Champs willing to take on this increased responsibility. ence and irreplaceable memories. Tryouts will be April 26-28 with a skit perforLast summer, Champ was given the oppormance required as an improvisation test, Champ tunity to travel with Tech Cheer and the Regal Blues to camp; it was the first time in years they II said. Assistance for training in basic mascot guidelines will be given prior to the auditions. had taken the mascot along. From pep rallies, to sporting events, to comYou get the opportunity to learn from other munity functions, Champ appeals to and enterschools mascots and get to teach them your tains a large audience. Though we may never mascot signatures as well, Champ said. Champ received the highest ribbon, blue, in know the name of the person inside that bulldog each category he was graded on at camp as well suit, one thing is certain: He is our Champ and we are Louisiana Tech. as placing third overall. Champ represents the common bond that Some of the other schools mascots Champ we all share within the university, Ehrhard said. beat included the University of Texas Hookem, Baylors Bruiser, and New Mexicos Lobo Louie He is school spirit and pride. He unites alumni, athletes and the student body of Tech. The next and Lobo Lucy, he said. Most of Champs time at the beginning of this time you see Champ, try not to smile and feel school year was spent training the person who that overwhelming sense of pride of being a will take over his job fully, Champ II, once his Louisiana Tech Bulldog. graduation arrives this May. The original Champ says he was relieved to Email comments to have another person helping out with the duties mdl024@latech.edu.

Sports Talk
2013 t-dAY SPRING GAME
Bulldogs look to improve before summer
DEREK J. AMAYA Sports Editor KALEB CAUSEY Sports Reporter Spring football games are another chance for coaches to evaluate the players once they hit the field and polish up any inconsistencies. For the spring game, I need another good scrimmage, said Skip Holtz, Louisiana Tech head football coach. I think we need as much work as we can get building the camaraderie with everybody working together. The annual T-Day Spring Game is set to begin at 1 p.m. on Saturday at Joe Aillet Stadium. Coaches want to see how their players respond to gamelike situations and evaluate how much players learned from practice, Holtz said. We had a lot of communication problems [last scrimmage], he said. We want to get everyone on the same page because it takes everyone to make a unit. Defensive coordinator Kim Dameron is optimistic about the Bulldog defense, and said he is ready to see how the players compete on Saturday. I want to see how they respond to a game day atmosphere, he said. I want to see them go out there and execute and do what we tell them to do. Thats what a spring game is for. Dameron is trying to make his defensive players get better fundamentals and does not plan to scheme against the offense. If that means we line up every down in base defense, then we line up every down in base defense, he said. Im not trying to put our offense on our schedule. We have a hard enough schedule. The defense, especially the secondary, created turnovers throughout spring practices, but there is always room for improvement, Dameron said. Defensive backs coach Ronnie Bradford said it is significant for players to build on what they learned so far and show it on the field on Saturday. Were starting off small and we hope to build throughout the spring, continuing through summer and the end of fall camp, he said. Coaches want to test what their players can do, but they want to make sure there are no significant injuries during the game, Bradford said. At the end of the day, whatever coach puts on the plate, were going to take it and run with it, Bradford said. Im not changing up anything for bumps and bruises. Were going to do what were going to do. For more information on football and other Tech athletics, follow The Tech Talk Sports Desks Twitter page at twitter.com/techtalksports.

8 The T ech T alk April 11, 2013

FROMTHESPORTSDESK
with DEREK J. AMAYA

From coach to drill instructor

Photo by Derek J. Amaya

Head coach Skip Holtz speaks with his team after practice gearing them up for the annual T-Day Spring Game.

PLAYERS TO WATCH
Redshirt junior Scotty Young is the starting quarterback, but could lose his job to redshirt freshman Ryan Higgins if he does not have a good game.

WHAT TO WATCH
The Bulldogs lost all five of their starting offensive linemen from last season, but managed to maintain their defensive line. If the O-line struggles against the D-line, Tech might struggle protecting the quarterback all season. Ray Guy Award winner, punter Ryan Allen, and former kicker Matt Nelson moved on. The Dogs may not show much with special teams on Saturday, but if they do, it will be a brief preview to the 201314 season. They also need to find a new player to be a kick returner considering they scored a touchdown on special teams seven seasons in a row. Star presences from wide receivers Quinton Patton and Myles White will be missed this season. Now it is time for another wide receiver to take the ropes. Pay attention to redshirt seniors D.J. Banks and Andrew Guillot to see if they are ready to fulfill those roles.

YOUNG

Email comments to dja014@latech.edu and ktc013@latech.edu.

ABRAHAM

Redshirt sophomore Bryson Abraham potentially is Techs star defensive player this season. If he makes big plays on Saturday, fans may see a star in the making.

Bradshaw and Brooks back in Ruston

DEVIN KING Sports Reporter A pair of Louisiana Tech alumni country singer Kix Brooks and Hall of Fame quarterback Terry Bradshaw are joining forces beginning this Friday for a weekend of festivities surrounding their annual Bradshaw-Brooks Golf Tournament. It is a fun weekend they come back and give back to the university, said Adam McGuirt, Louisiana Techs director of athletic advancement. McGuirt said everyone looks forward to Brooks and Bradshaw returning to Ruston for this annual tournament that gives fans, players, students and the Bulldog family a chance to see Techs famous alums in person. Through their popularity, they come back and host this event each year and people will come and support them, McGuirt said. He said the two have donated much to the university through the years. This is the ninth annual BradshawBrooks Golf Tournament and its always scheduled around the annual T-Day Spring Game. The weekend starts Friday at 8 p.m. with a concert featuring Kix Brooks at Rabbs Steak & Spirits in Ruston. Bradshaws daughter Rachel will open the concert. Students with an ID can get into the event for $15 and non-students here and Kixs love for music got started at Louisiana Tech, McGuirt said. They have accomplished a lot in their lives and are big stars. McGuirt said Bradshaw and Brooks have really shown that although they are celebrities, they do not forget they are Bulldogs. You notice when Terry gets a chance on TV he is talking about Tech, McGuirt said. Kix came back and did a concert in Monroe and this year he is hosting a concert. In the past we usually just host a dinner and auction prior to the golf tournament. Other notable people playing in the golf tournament are head coach Skip Holtz and assistant coach and former Tech standout quarterback Tim Rattay. McGuirt said the turnout for this years tournament could help boost the event to greater heights. I think if the concert goes well and everything else continues to go well, we could really do a lot more, McGuirt said. Trace Atkins is an alumnus and could come back and partner with Brooks in a concert. It is important we support this event this year and that is why we are giving students a discount to the concert.

Submitted Photo

Kix Brooks is set to play at 8:30 p.m. on Friday at Rabbs Steak & Spirits with all proceeds going to Louisiana Tech University athletics.

for $25. Tickets can be purchased at Rabbs. The annual T-Day Spring game will start at 1 p.m. Saturday at Joe Aillet Stadium. The Bradshaw-Brooks Golf Tournament will tee off at 8 a.m. and 1

p.m. Sunday at Squire Creek Country Club in Choudrant. McGuirt said Squire Creek is the best golf course in the state and they host the golf tournament so Bradshaw and Brooks can give back to the university. Terrys career really blossomed

Email comments to dki008@latech.edu.

Preparing for at bats can be a weighty issue

KALEB CAUSEY Sports Reporter This is the second entry of a four-part series about the science behind sports. When baseball players step on deck, their heart pounds, their mind races and they practice their swing as much as they can. [When on deck,] Im mainly just watching the pitcher, making sure Im loose and seeing what the pitcher is throwing, said Ryan Gebhardt, junior infielder for Louisiana Tech baseball. You have to watch him and make sure you know what hes doing. Dr. David Szymanski, associate professor of kinesiology, said players on deck have multiple tools at their disposal to help them prepare for their turn at bat. Many players have started to use power wraps instead of weighted donuts. A weighted donut is a ring made to slide over the end of the bat to make it heavier for warm up swings. The power wrap is the same concept, but in a longer thin wrap form instead of the bulky donut. For the longest period of time in baseball, players believed if they used a donut in warm-up swings it would make your game swing faster, Szymanski said. However, this is not the case The and multiple studies done by the University of Hawaii, Louisiana Tech and several other universiOf ties proves there is no improvement at all, Symanski said. The research has indicated [players] who swing with a donut actually swing their bats slower during the game, he said. The power wrap didnt make bat speeds any faster than their regular swing. Last year, Szymanski, several professors and students in the kinesiology department conducted a study of 21 players with seven different tools designed to make a players bat swing faster. They divided the players into seven groups of three and they rotated devices every day. Study after study demonstrates your bat swing will be fastest if you use your regular bat, Szymanski said.

Science
Sports

was on the bat. They still feel its going to be faster, Szymanski said. If they think its going to benefit them, then they should keep using it. For more on baseball and other Tech athletics, follow The Tech Talk Sports Desks twitter page at twitter. com/techtalksports.com.

Players also took a survey after they finished the study where Szymanski said the majority of players indicated they felt their swing was faster after using the donut, even though the study said it was not any faster. Szymanski said the baseball team has not changed much and is still using the power wraps when players are on deck. Gebhardt said he uses a donut because he likes the idea of the bat feeling lighter when he steps up to plate due to the deduction in weight from when the donut

maya! said Maurice Gernhauser, my high school football coach, Get your head in the game, son. You look terrible out there. Usually what he said was more expletive and he had a strong grip on my face mask showing his championship ring. Some players might have found it disrespectful, but it motivated me to better myself for the team and get the win. It was just part of the game. Was it just a game for ex-Rutgers University basketball head coach Mike Rice? Rice was fired earlier this month after ESPNs Outside the Lines showed videos of the coach physically and mentally abusing his players. Rice would throw basketballs at their faces, kick them when they did wrong and yelled homophobic slurs at them. However, there really is not a set line coaches can cross when it comes to being a coach or acting like a drill sergeant. People like to think there is one, but it takes attitude to win and sometimes firing up players is the only way to do it. In no way do I condone what Rice did, but it would fire me up when I did something wrong and coach took notice. In a USA Today article released last week, two Rutgers players came to Rices defense, suggesting it was only one side of the story. Junior forward Wally Judge told the Associated Press in a phone interview Rice helped him develop into being a better man and his abuse was taken out of context. Rice was not the only one caught for abuse. In 1997, ex-Indiana University head coach Bob Knight was fired when he choked Neil Reed. However, Knight won the Hoosiers several championships and is respected around the basketball community. Louisiana Techs Lady Techsters former head coach Leon Barmore threw a chair once. Over time, Bulldog fans pushed the incident under the rug and forgot about it because he, too, won several championships. In the heat of the moment, coaches tend to get angry with their players, but most of the time it is because they want the team to win. Hitting players constantly is not the right answer by any means, and I do agree with the Scarlet Knights for firing coach Rice, but the man is not a martyr. There was also an incident when a player attacked a coach when retired NBA player Latrell Sprewell choked P .J. Carlesimo, the head coach of the Golden State Warriors at the time. Fans need to realize there is no definitive line coaches should worry about crossing because there is not one. Games are more violent than coaches pulling a player to make sure they are in the right position. If someone is in the wrong position, it could be the reason why the team loses the game. Players know to respect their coaches at all times, even if they disagree sometimes. Like coach Gernhauser always said, Do anything you can to get the win. Winning is the reason we watch sports. A coach trying to get the best out of the players is a part of winning. But theres a difference between motivating and abusing, and common sense is the only clear defining point between the two.

Email comments to ktc013@latech.edu.

Derek J. Amaya is a junior journalism and marketing major from Metairie. Email comments to dja014@latech.edu.