thepacerIndependent voice of the University of Tennessee at Martin

Volume 82Issue 10November 11, 2009

Bulletin Board..................... 5Life ...............................6,7

Sports .................................. 8

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314 Gooch Hall

Martin, Tennessee 38238

see GUNS page 4

page 3

page 6

Regina EmeryAsst. Life Editor

Just as SGA was getting

into the swing of things this semester, it’ already nearing an end. As bookstore manager Sam Covington reminded senators during last Thursday’s SGA meeting, it’s nearly time for finals. And for students, that means it’s time for selling textbooks back for cash; just in time for the holidays.

Up through the last week of finals, the UC Barnes & Noble bookstore will be buying back textbooks from students at half of their used selling cost so long as the books are in need and are being used in the spring semester. They are also willing to match any price that Bradley Book Company, their largest local competitor, is willing to offer.

According to Covington, last December the bookstore handed out $250,000 worth of cash back to students during the Buyback period. She also urged the senators to approach their bookstore with other inventory requests.

“I want to keep communication open between the student body and the bookstore,” Covington said. “This year, over 50 percent of our books were used—unheard of in the college bookstore industry.”

In addition to carrying all class-required texts, the bookstore can also order any non-textbooks with no additional shipping charge.

Elsewhere on campus, ITC is also working hard to provide students with a new service: a completely student-driven website. Representing ITC, Terrence Quarles also spoke with senators about the project, which will ultimately be a recruiting tool for prospective students. Funded with a small portion of stimulus money, the site will “do for UTM what sites like facebook already does—help show high school students what we have to offer,” Quarles said.

SGA President Philip Massengil, in his own words, has also been busy spending money for UTM. For facilities, Massengil helped allocate $285,000 and announced a $1,000 spending for the Paul Meek Library.

Bookstore braced for buybacks; SGA shows spending

Campus renews gun control after student’s arrestMarquita DouglasEditorial Assistant

UTM’s Department of Public Safety is looking at ways to prevent guns on campus, and make sure students know that guns are not permitted anywhere on campus.

The renewed effort on gun control education comes after a student recently was charged with possession of

an assault weapon, a handgun and marijuana in a University Village apartment.

Currently, 26 states prohibit guns on public college campuses, including those students or staff members who have obtained concealed weapons licenses, while only allowing university public safety officers to carry concealed weapons. Tennessee does not allow students to be in possession of concealed

weapons on any of its public campuses, including all UT system schools and Tennessee Board of Regents schools.

Capt. Ray Coleman said

Public Safety is working hard to ensure that students can feel safe while on campus, as well as understand that no guns are allowed on university

grounds, even for those on campus who are licensed to carry a handgun.

“As far as the possession of weapons on campus, the concealed-carry permit that is authorized in the state of Tennessee does not apply to campus property; if you have a concealed-carry permit, you still are not allowed to carry a weapon on campus with the

Who knew it was

Veteran’s Day?Casey Curlin

Charlie McIntosh

“At Jackson State I was just outside smoking a cigarette. I was talking to a couple of girls and they said, ‘You hear about that old Army guy that got shot?’ She was actually talking about a Marine Corps veteran. She couldn’t even get the service right,” said Johnny Blankenship, a Marine veteran from Jackson.

Blankenship and others have recently mourned the loss of Troy Mitchell, the 22-year Marine veteran who was shot in the face in Jackson on Oct. 28, and died shortly after.

Blankenship expressed his sadness about Mitchell’s death but also his frustration at the lack of knowledge

and propriety of many U.S. citizens about Veteran’s Day.

Blankenship, 25, is currently a General Studies major at Jackson State Community College. He was honorably discharged a sergeant after serving two tours in Iraq with the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment of the Marine Corps.

“The general public thinks greatly of the military. … They think there’s always going to be one, and there always will be. And in the back of their heads they only think people with lesser chances in life than they have will be the ones to join the military. To the upper class, we’re just their shit cleaners,” Blankenship said.

He believes older veterans typically participate in more Veteran’s Day

activities because many younger veterans have more negative views about their purpose overseas.

“I kind of felt like it was pointless, me being over there. I thought it was for an unnecessary cause … kind of separates my pride from the Marine Corps. These older guys, they’re like 70 or 80 years old and obviously it’s something they’re proud of,” Blankenship said, but added that he is proud of himself and what he has obtained through his experience in the military.

Blankenship said he does celebrate Veteran’s Day by enjoying a free blooming onion from Outback Steakhouse.

Jeanette Doupis, 27, a junior Communications major at UTM, has

see VETERANS page 4

see SGA page 4

”“Any weapon that is brought on campus has to be stored here at our of f ice in The Department of Public Safety.

Capt. Ray ColemanDepartment of Public Safety

Speaker addresses concerns about environmental issuesGlobal Warming

Local veterans give thoughts on holiday

Steve Martin back

with new book

Writes about

comedic life

pointsView pacer_opinions@ut.utm.edu utmpacer.com/lettertotheeditor

Editorial PolicyOpinions expressed in personal

columns are those of the writers and may not reflect the opinions of the staff as a whole. Editorials are written by members of the Editorial Board, with contribu-tions from other students, cam-pus administrators or community members on an as-issue basis.SubmiSSion GuidElinES

Story ideas or news tips may be e-mailed to pacer@utm.edu or presented at our weekly staff meetings, held at 5 p.m. every Tuesday during the semester.

The Pacer welcomes comments,

criticisms or ideas that its reader-ship may have. We encourage you to send a Letter to the Editor through e-mail at pacer@utm.edu or via our Web site at http://www.utmpacer.com/lettertotheeditor/. Letters to the Editor should be no longer than 250 words. Letters must contain the name, major and hometown of the author, as well as contact information. Submissions may be edited for grammar, spell-ing and brevity. StatEmEnt of Publication

This newspaper is printed every Tuesday during the semes-ter. Our press run ranges from

2,000 to 5,000 copies depending on the edition. The University of Tennessee at Martin earmarks $3.60 per enrolled student to pay for staff salaries and overhead costs of running our office. The cost of printing the newspaper is covered by advertising revenue.

The Pacer314 Gooch Hall

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E-mail: pacer@utm.eduWeb site: www.utmpacer.com

Randy CavinaSSt. nEwS Editor

Regina Emery aSSt. lifE Editor

Marquita Douglas Editorial aSSiStant

Jennifer DeYeso GraPhic artiSt

Rex StokerGraPhic artiSt

Jeanette DoupisadvErtiSinG manaGEr

Tomi McCutchen Parrish faculty adviSEr

Jay Baker, SEnior rEPortEr

Spencer Taylor, lifE Editor

Josh Weiss, SPortS Editor

Joshua Lemons, SPortS fEaturES Editor

Justin Hunt, viEwPointS Editor

Casey CurlinExEcutivE Editor

Charlie McIntoshmanaGinG Editor

Editorial board

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JoShua lEmonSSPortS fEaturES Editor

charliE mcintoShmanaGinG/nEwS Editor

JEnnifEr dEyESoGraPhic artiSt

What class do you wish UTM would offer

that it currently doesn’t? “Demonic Possession ...

or a Latin course.”

“A Freshman Studies class that actually helps freshmen.”

“A class on one of the seven types of stringed instruments I

play.”

Justin HuntViewpoimts Editor

With the onslaught of holidays rapidly approaching, there will be many people travelling to visit family (or to get away from family). The actually planning process for a trip is pivotal to the success of your travels. In fact, planning your trip could be THE most important part. Just ask Amelia Earhart.

Step 1: Picking Your Destination

This step appears pretty self-explanatory. And it is. Just pick your destination.

Go somewhere tantalizing and exotic, like Union City. Go somewhere new. Get out of Tennessee. Show the world that people from Tennessee are not ALWAYS bass-ackward, poorly educated, overall-clad, moonshining,

tobacco-chewing, corncob-pipe-smoking, shotgun-carrying, toothless, cousin-marrying hicks that putter around in discarded pick-up trucks with an inbred mutt in the passenger seat and some the ‘possum road kill dinner just found on the side of the road. This isn’t an accurate portrayal…because people from Tennessee don’t ALWAYS wear overalls.

Step 2: Calculating CostsBudgeting out a trip is

highly important. When we think about all the costs associated with travelling, we become so overwhelmed that we have to lie down on the couch and shout for somebody to bring us a cold beer. I have found the best way to calculate the total cost is taking all the money you have and then multiplying that amount twelve times.

I have found the second best way to calculate costs is to just forget about the trip entirely and stay at home. I mean, heck, things seem just fine if someone brings you a

cold beer whenever you shout for one.

Step 3: Routing Your Route

Find an atlas. Find your destination point. Find the big blue interstate lines. Now write down…wait, what am I rambling on about. Like people are actually going to do this ever since they got fancy and enhanced their dashboards with Garmins.

Step 4: Comprehending Your Route

Comprehending your route is vastly different from routing your route. This summer I drove to Chicago for Lollapalooza, specifically Grant Park. So, I routed my route. I made it into Grant Park, and I started looking for parking....yeah, that was not going to happen.

Fortunately, I joined a heard of downtown Chicago traffic that looked like they knew exactly where parking was going to be. Unfortunately, there was no parking where they were going. Fortunately, I had a full tank of gas.

Unfortunately, I went off-course over 20 miles and found myself alone in a police-barricaded area where some building to my left was a blazing inferno. Then some police officer started yelling at me (which he had all the right to), and I figured he was the guy I needed directions from to get back to Grant Park. I mean, it was either this angry cop or the fireman dragging bodies out of a burning building. After some swearing and excessive crying, I got my directions from the cop. Know your route.

Step 5: Car Check-UpIf your car horn works, you

are good to go.Step 6: PackingThe type of luggage you

carry says a lot about you. For example, if you are carrying someone else’s luggage, it says you’re a thief.

There are some people that pack a lot. When I say a lot, I mean that they wouldn’t leave their house without the sufficient items to establish a comfortable wilderness

homestead in Alaska. These are the people that special order suitcases manufactured by ship builders and pack items that just “might come in handy” because “you never know when you will need a waffle iron.”

Step 7: Securing Your Residence

If you have ever seen Home Alone, you know that bad men will come to your houses when they think no one is home. Only in real life, you won’t hear a spirited theme song composed by John Williams underscoring the holiday-related hijinx, tomfoolery, and light-hearted debauchery going on inside your residence.

Before you leave on your trip, know and resolve the big tip-offs that indicate when someone is not home: an overflowing mailbox, newspapers littering the driveway that date back to Nixon’s presidency, and the family pet laying on the front porch dead from starvation.

Adam TravisGuest Collumnist

Sidewalks: the ubiquitous pathways designed to carry the pedestrian populace from Point A to Point B. For some of you out there, the rules of these concrete trails have yet to be realized.

Case 1: He Who Moseys. With professors adamant about retaining their students right up until the very last second of scheduled class time, every moment between the time the word “dismissed!” escapes one professor’s mouth to the time your next one begins calling roll is precious.

Personally, I don’t have time to get stuck behind somebody who walks slower than my grandmother with an arthritic knee. More than likely, these sluggish saunterers are the

same students seen ‘sneaking’ into class five minutes late. If you are that person, particularly the one(s) in Physics 211, feel free to show up on time for once.

Case 2: Cigarette Connoisseur.

I have no problem if you are desirous of inhaling carcinogens. I do, however, have a problem with you gathering in groups with likeminded friends of yours and forming an impenetrable fog around the main entrances of Humanities.

What perturbs me even more is the professors, who I believe to be perfectly capable of interpreting signs with large slash marks across a flaming cancer stick, that lean right up against the sides of buildings as they fill their lungs with tar. Seriously?? Apparently so.

Case 3: Kamikaze Cyclist. During my past few years

here at Martin, I’ve had my fair share of close calls with bicycles. I understand that those of you who employ such instruments of death… I mean modes of transportation… are trying to make up lost time after being stuck behind He Who Moseys, but please do not take wide-open spaces to mean that you can pedal until your cheeks are flapping in the breeze and your hair looks like you’ve been inside one of those chambers in which they test aerodynamics.

Otherwise, when you least expect it, a pedestrian will come from behind a 100-year-old tree, forcing you to turn your handlebars wildly back and forth. That is, of course, assuming that you don’t just plow over them and continue on your merry way.

Case 4: Reflective Surface Gazer.

Originally, I called this person the Glass Gazer. However, this was a misnomer because the surface need not be composed of glass. All this person needs is something reflective enough so that a reflection can be seen.

I don’t know what changes in a person’s appearance from the time he or she leaves the bathroom of his or her domicile to the time he or she passes the library’s large windows, but some people sure do stare themselves down.

My favorite is watching the people who are so intent on staring at themselves in the glass of doors as they approach them that they don’t see the person trying to exit the door until they narrowly avoid a forehead fracture.

Case 5: People Magnets. These come in a two main

varieties. First, there are those who feel like they need all eighty-seven of their best friends to accompany them from one building to the next. Let me assure you that no meaningful conversation can occur between all of you in such a short distance. Disperse.

Secondly, there are those who see you five hundred feet ahead of time but still manage to find themselves on the same side of the sidewalk as you and do the awkward, penguin-like back and forth dance. It’s just like driving: both of you go to your right… unless you’re from overseas where they drive on the other side of the road. In that case, learn the customs, buddy.

Sidestepping sidewalkers: people who invade your path

On the road again ... off the road, now back on the road again

EDITORIALCareer Fair

may be moot in current economy

During this past week, UTM provided students with its yearly look into career opportunities in the real world. While The Pacer certainly appreciates the gesture, we can’t help but ask: What’s the point!? What purpose can a career fair serve when its backdrop is that of a global recession?

Consider this fact: The day this issue is delivered there will be a number of reports littering CNN, MSNBC, Fox News and Bloomberg telling us that our economy is in a crisis and people are losing their jobs at record rates. Meanwhile, back at the UTM ranch, we’re being told to attend the annual career fair to see what jobs are being offered in a respective field.

What jobs!? CNN recently reported that it would take at least six years before the United States would even reach the number of jobs provided before the crash of September 2008. How is a student supposed to take a career fair seriously when being given this information?

We don’t want to be pessimistic, but these are just the facts. Unemployment rates are up, hiring freezes are in action, wages aren’t increasing and experienced workers are being laid off for cheaper labor.

Perhaps if the annual career fair were renamed “Major Fair” or “Specialty Symposium” it would seem more appropriate. Career Fair seems out of place when apparently only a few true careers are left to have.

The Pacer knows about the current situation in the work world. We’ve seen many of our colleagues and peers who have graduated fall on the short end of the current economic recession, and many of them are still searching for jobs years later.

While the Career Fair does give us some hope for the future by telling us the kinds of jobs we can get, sadly it is no indicator of what jobs we will get, if we get jobs at all.

NewsthepacerNovember 11, 2009 Page 3

Sarah RowlandPacer Writer

UTM’s Student Success Center and Employment Information Services sponsored the Academic Major and Career Fair on Wednesday, November 4. The event was held in Boling University Center from 10:00am to 2:00pm.

“We just had great participation all around from the students, faculty, and staff,” said Terry Duncan, career counselor for Student Success Center and one of the coordinators for the fair.

Students, faculty, and employers crowded the halls of the University Center. Student Success Center approximated 3700 people were involved with the fair. Of that number, 3500 were students. Duncan said even though the event was scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. many people began arriving early and stayed later than when the fair was scheduled to end.

Duncan said many of the employers were not prepared for the amount of students present and were having to run extra copies of job applications and information sheets. Duncan said UT Health and Science Center told him they haven’t visited other places where they have made as many contacts with students as they did at UTM.

“I talked to several folks (employers) that said that the reason why they come to UTM is that they know the faculty, the academic programs, and the caliber of students and they know that when they come to UTM, this is where it’s at, and UTM students are the ones that they want to talk to,” Duncan said.

Employers were present from all different areas including wildlife, communications, agriculture, healthcare, social work, law, accounting, education, criminal justice, law enforcement and armed forces. Several universities were present to make contacts with students interested in graduate school while UTM’s graduate programs were represented as well.

The fair was not only a career fair, 2009 is the first year the academic major fair of the Student Success Center and career fair of Employment Services were held together. Duncan said this increased the number of students who participated in the fair.

Candace Goad, director of Employment Information Services, said one point of the fair was to try and help freshmen make a decision in majors earlier while giving them the chance to talk to employers which may help them decide what major to declare.

Student Success Center said there are many possibilities that come from attending the academic major and career fair. Not only were employers presenting information about employment with their companies, but some of them also had information available about internships. Duncan said in talking with the employers and UTM’s academic department representatives students could also gain referrals to other academic departments or businesses for information they may need.

“We thought it turned out very well,” Goad said.

Goad said the employers she talked to were pleased to be able to talk to younger students. She said at least four of the employers present were either currently hiring or were going to be hiring in the next six months while two employers stayed overnight to interview applicants on Thursday.

Plans are already being made for next year’s fair. The Elam Center is a location being considered to hold the next fair Duncan said. He said there are also considerations to extend invitations to local high school seniors.

Student Success Center will send out emails on Thursday, Nov. 12 to UTM students with a survey about the Academic Major and Career Fair. All students who participate in the survey will be entered in a drawing to win Sodexo gift cards which will be good at any location on campus.

Regina EmeryAsst. Life Editor

The time we college students spend each day on Facebook may one day pay off, according to communication director for the Memphis Zoo Brian Carter.

The recent UTM alumn spoke to students during last Wednesday’s career fair. His presentation, “Putting Social Media to Work,” showcased how social media sites such as Facebook, MySpace and Twitter are changing the way corporate America communicates.

“If you’re not already an administrator on a Facebook page or hold a Twitter account, you need to be doing that now,” Carter advised. “Even the largest corporations need social media methods—not only for marketing and sales but also as a way of communication,” Carter said.

For example, SeaWorld’s mascot Shamu currently has 7,100 Twitter followers. To maintain the account, they have actually hired a communications specialist with the sole task of “tweeting”

regularly. So why does Shamu have so many followers? As Carter explains, it’s because SeaWorld has learned the art of social media. Rather than make status updates that simply advertise SeaWorld, Shamu’s tweets are crafted with an entertainment approach.

“SeaWorld has found a way to connect to people and keep Shamu on their mind without making it look like marketing,” said Carter. Other companies have tried using social networking as another medium for marketing, but those ventures almost always are unsuccessful, Carter said.

Years ago, the Memphis Zoo developed a YouTube channel featuring a campaign of commercials aimed at promoting upcoming events. Despite some amazingly creative concepts, it didn’t work. Why?

“There is definitely a right way to do it,” says Carter. “Don’t make it marketing—make it social.”

Since then, the Memphis Zoo has redeveloped their website to be much more interactive. The result? TripAdvisor, a consumer-

driven online tourism tool, named them the No. 1 zoo in the country as voted on by travelers.

So what else can social media networking do for companies that traditional marketing methods cannot?

Firstly, it establishes connections with journalists. Hurricane Priscilla provides a prime example. When their power was out for an entire week, MLGW had their entire staff on Twitter. In the span of a few days, their followers rose from 215 to 1,800 people.

Secondly, social media networking helps deliver messages directly to audiences. The Memphis Zoo utilized this last July during the birth of the Zoo’s first baby girl elephant. They captured the birth on video and quickly posted their excitement online. However, joy turned to sadness when the baby died soon after due to injuries. The Zoo used Facebook and blogging to share their sorrow with their 24,000 fans and 3,280 followers. The response was a staggering 302 comments.

Thirdly, social media helps target audiences for free. It

costs nothing to advertise oneself by creating a fan page or group. And while it does cost to create a banner advertisement, it is free to target it specifically for say, women aged 25-55 residing in Tennessee or Alabama, who happen to be the Memphis Zoo’s primary patron.

“Visitors often will post pictures from their day at the zoo on our wall, which is a form of free publicity,” Carter said. “It also gives us a chance to perform damage control if necessary.” He estimates that his employees devote, on average, an hour each day to social networking.

“It’s truly a necessity now. In fact, I’m currently seeking employees at the zoo and having Facebook and Twitter accounts are a necessity,” Carter said.

The communications major graduated in 2002 and, after interning for Fed Ex communications, worked in public relations for a Memphis firm and for Monster online before being hired to the Memphis Zoo.

Social network sites changing corporate communications

Spencer TaylorLife Editor

On Monday, Nov. 9, 2009, Dr. Todd H. Albert presented his lecture titled “Being Global Warming Literate” to an audience in Watkins Auditorium.

Albert stressed the importance of being able to boast literacy in global warming to combat misnomers and misconceptions regarding the topic.

At the beginning of his lecture, Albert outlined several essential points about

regarding global warming. Albert described the affect

excessive positive feedback can have. As he explained, positive feedback occurs when an event occurs repeatedly after being acted on. For example, one push will result in a series of pushes there after. A push with negative feedback would respond with a pull. Both positive and negative feedback occurs within the climate system and an uncontrolled amount of both results in a total climate shift.

Albert then transitioned to a small history lesson regarding

global warming. In 1824 Jean Baptiste Fourier became the first scientist to discuss the Greenhouse Affect. In 1896, Swedish scientist Svante Arrhenius commented that a warmer climate would be a relief in the face of the mini ice age at the end of the nineteenth century. The rest, as they say, is history.

After exploring the past, Albert moved on to discuss the impact humans have faced within the past few decades. Since 2003, 2 trillion tons of ice has melted in Greenland, Antarctica and Alaska. On

average, Albert said, that figures to 600,000 pounds of ice for every person on the planet.

Looking to the future, Albert stated that the global temperature could rise 1-6 degrees Celsius, severe water shortages could hit, diseases would increase and more extreme weather would strike that would create more environmental refugees.

Todd Albert is an Assistant Professor of Agriculture, Geosciences and Natural Resources here at UTM.

Students line up seeking information on future careers and majors last Wednesday at the Academic Major and Career Fair in the University Center. (Pacer Photos/Tonya Jordan)

Students seek information concerning careers,majors

Dr. Todd Albert stresses literacy in global warming

NewsthepacerNovember 11, 2009 Page 4

GUNSFrom Cover

VETERANSFrom Cover

SGAFrom Cover

intent to go armed. You can’t store it in your dorm room or vehicle,” Coleman said.

He added that students or staff who are registered to carry a handgun must officially store their weapons.

“Any weapon that is brought on campus has to be stored here at our office in The Department of Public Safety. They are accessible 24 hours a day to check in or check out. That is the only place that these weapons can be stored,” Coleman said.

Coleman also said that education is the key way to get out the message about weapons being banned on campuses. Talking to incoming freshmen and other students about gun prevention and the consequences of having a gun on campus is one way that the department believes it can reach students, he said.

“First of all, education, advising people, talking to new students when they come in, and putting out campus e-mails are some of the ways we can get the word out. It is also found in the Department of Public Safety’s policies and the Student Affairs Handbook,

but the main way we can enforce it is through education and advising people that they are not allowed to have [guns],” Coleman said. “If the issue arises to enforce the rules on campus, and also the rules as far as laws in the state of Tennessee, it is a misdemeanor for a student to be in possession of a weapon on campus. So we do it through education and enforcement efforts.”

According to UTM’s Housing Handbook, weapons are prohibited on campus and in residential facilities. Housing staff members periodically check students’ rooms for illegal items, including weapons.

The campus currently has no metal detectors and Coleman said he believes they are not necessary.

“Metal detectors would be quite impossible due to the open campus environment that we have here at UTM, and the number of facility entrances that we have. We are a firm believer that we have great people that work here at UT Martin, and attend school here. We hope and pray that the use of metal detectors will never

become necessary here at UT Martin. As a normal, everyday thing, it would not be possible to control the university with metal detectors,” Coleman said.

According to the Tennessee Board of Regents, allowing students to carry handguns on campus would cause more problems to escalate. Aside from safety officials having to deal with those who would carry a handgun illegally, universities could also face increased crime rates on campus. In 2008, the most recent statistics available, violent crimes had decreased 26 percent on state campuses, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

Coleman said UTM does not want to see an increase in violence because of guns.

“It is the standing belief of the Department of Public Safety that the increase of available weapons on campus would greatly enhance the potential for gun-related incidents on campus. That risk alone is why we are against legalizing the carrying of weapons on campus,” Coleman said.

“Being a Democrat, I wanted to spend more but they wouldn’t let me,” Massengil said with a laugh.

As expected, SGA unanimously passed legislation requiring the vice president, currently Dale Hendon, to make public the meeting’s agenda at least 24 hours before the meeting.

In response to all the student confusion about rearranging in the UC, legislation was proposed which asked to require “administrators, staff and faculty who are directly involved in the decision-making process of UC space allocation to directly involve SGA and notify The Pacer in

all phases of the process.” A motion was made to postpone discussion and voting until UC director and SGA adviser Steve Vantrease could be present to offer his opinion.

Freshman Council President Calvin Jones presented legislation that would move their meeting date from the alternate week to the week that SGA meets.

“As it stands, we (Freshman Council) don’t get a chance to review legislation before we have to vote,” Jones said.

In other new business, several new senators were sworn in by Chief Justice Stuart Watson. Alan Prince and Andrew Patterson, representing the

College of Humanities and Fine Arts, as well as John Stewart and Jordan Howell from the College of Business and Public Affairs, and Kyle Jetten from the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences, all took the SGA oath Thursday night.

Jordan White and Daniel Hay were also accepted in as associate chief justice and senator at large, respectively.

Meanwhile, Danielle Henley and Jonathan Dunley both resigned from SGA, leaving senator seats open for the colleges of Business and Public Affairs and Engineering and Nautral Sciences.

also served two tours in Iraq in the National Guard as part of the 251st Military Police Company based in Lexington, Ky.

“[Veteran’s Day] is very special to me because I am in the military, because it’s like one big family … even if you don’t know all of them, because you know what they go through. Every Veteran’s Day I visit my friend’s gravesite that we lost in Iraq,” Doupis said.

Doupis is part of the ROTC

program at UTM and said she has had a positive experience as a veteran on campus.

“Especially in the Communications Department, every single one of my professors who are well aware of my situation have been more than willing to work with me. All of my advisers have tried to get me the classes I need to try and get me through school and graduate,” Doupis said.

Doupis said she felt Veteran’s Day is recognized more on a

national level than a local one.“Nationally I think that

people feel like it’s their responsibility … if you’re in a political role or government office or something like that. Locally, I don’t think there’s a whole lot of recognition,” she said.

“People’s lives are nonstop and so busy, I think that sometimes we’re all guilty of not looking outside of our own situations,” Doupis said.

Regina EmeryAsst. Life Editor

In furthering their efforts towards sustainability, Sodexo has decided to go tray-less. Starting in the spring semester of 2010, Sodexo will be taking the plastic trays out of UTM’s cafeteria.

As Campus Observation committee chair Sammie Lin-ton explained, Sodexo current-ly operates on a dish washing system that is out-dated and highly inefficient. Not only will removing the trays cut back drastically on the water waste, but it would also help subsidize the $300 a day deter-gent expense.

Food waste is also expected to decrease dramatically, since students will be forced to carry one plate of food at a time. In addition to eliminating the use of trays, Sodexo is also plan-

ning to install a new, more efficient dish washing system that would cost the university between $80-95,000.

However, the unpopular de-cision would save $80,000 in ten months time, thus paying for itself in less than a year. Those savings are estimated to come from using less water and less detergent, and were based off of statistics of other colleges across the nation who have already implemented a tray-less policy.

During SGA’s meeting last week, senators voted whether or not to support Sodexo’s eco-friendly efforts. Opinions were rampant as debate got heated.

One of the questions regard-ed the money that the project was expected to save. What benefit would it have for the students?

“There are already plans in the works to use this money

for renovating the UC Ball-room,” said Linton, “As well as new stainless steel kitchen equipment for the cafeteria.”

Also mentioned was the fact that the excess food currently coming out of the cafeteria each day was actually being utilized for compost—in turn, benefitting the environment.

Despite heavy opposition from several senators, speaking on behalf of students they had talked to first-hand, the SGA passed the legislation to sup-port Sodexo. A total of twenty-four senators voted: 18 (seven-ty-five percent) with a Yes, and the remaining 6 (twenty-five percent) voting No.

“I’ve been eating in the caf-eteria without a tray all year,” said Secretary General Mary Unger. “And it’s not difficult. It just requires an extra trip to the line…. It’s a small effort with big rewards.”

Sodexo to take away lunch trays

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0-30-09 at 4:52 pm-Gooch Hall-Subject reported missing personalproperty. Report on file.

1-01-09 at 10:32 pm-Hannings Lane-Subject was issued a citation for no proof of insurance. (Gen. Sessions Court)

Fire Call-11-2-09 at 10:37 am-Univ Villlage “G” Unit-Report the fire alarm was sounding. Officers and MFD responded and determined it to be a false alarm.

11-2-09 at 9:51 pm-Lot 8-Report of a sub-ject who was having an allergic reaction to an insect sting. Subject refused EMS response and was transported to their residence to retrieve their medicine.

11-3-09 at 5:40 pm-Univ Center-Report of a subject causing adisturbance. Officers responded, but the subject had departed beforetheir arrival.

11-4-09 at 6:47 am-Univ Village “G” Unit-Mr Collin MsSherry from Greenbrick Tn. was arrested for tampering with a smoke alarm system. (Gen Sessions Court)

11-4-09 at 11:07 am-Football Stadium-Report of vandalism to a door of astorage building-Investigation continues.

11-05-09 at 8:27 am-Crisp Hall-Mr James W. Edwards from Milan Tn wasarrested for making a false report. (Gen Sessions Court)

11-05-09 at 10:25 am-Lot 2-A vehicle was towed due to an excessiveamount of parking tickets.

11-5-09 at 1:02 pm-Crisp Hall-Subject reported the loss of UniversityKeys-Report on file.

11-06-09 at 2:44 am-Lot 9-Two subjects were issued misdemeanor citationsfor underage age drinking and vandalism. (Gen Sessions Court)

Campus Bulletin Board submissions may be e-mailed to pacer_news@ut.utm.edu.

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Times TalkThis week’s topic: “Local Food and Sustainable Agriculture.” Dr. Arthur Hunt, Department of Communications, will be moderating. Times Talk meets each Wednesday at noon in the Holland McCombs Center and is sponsored by the Institute for Civic Engagement.

Canned Food DriveThe Department of Behavioral Sciences Organizations are sponsoring a Canned Food Drive in the Sociology Building. You may drop off canned food Nov. 11-13 beginning at 8 a.m. each day.

Vanguard Theatre The Vanguard Theatre presents the fall semester production of “Spoon River Anthology” sponsored by the Department of Visual & Theatre Arts at the Student Life Center,

Nov. 12, 13 and 14 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 15 at 3 p.m. Tickets: $5 for students and $10 for the general public.

UTM Annual Turkey ShootThe Annual UTM Turkey Shoot will be held Nov. 16-19 at the UTM Rifle Range from 4-6 p.m. each day. Winners will receive their choice of a frozen turkey or a pizza coupon from Domino’s. For more information call 881-7586 or 587-5547.

United Way DonationsUnited Way is asking for your help by giving donations to help fund several non-profit organizations in Weakley County and all over Tennessee. Contact Steve Vantrease at 731-881-7755 or by e-mail at stevev@utm.edu. You can also go to www.unitedwaytn.tn.org for details on how you can help.

pacer_features@ut.utm.edu

November 11, 2009 thepacer Page 6

LifeSpencer Taylor

Life Editor

While watching The Men Who Stare at Goats this past weekend, I found myself feeling like The Man Who Stares at a Movie Screen.

What began as an amusing movie that showed promise in its cast, plot and execution wound up being a flop filled with puns and bad Star Wars jokes.

Bob Wilton (Ewan McGregor) is a down-on-his-luck journalist who decides to venture into Iraq in hopes of catching “the big story” to turn his life around and show up his ex-wife. Before leaving, he encounters a man who claims he was part of a military unit that fought using paranormal powers. Skeptical at first, Wilson arrives in Kuwait where he crosses paths with Lynn Cassidy (George Clooney), a former member of the Army’s First Earth Battalion that Wilton learned of.

Convinced that Cassidy can give him his big story, Wilton shadows him as they set off into Iraq and beyond.

“Goats” follows a trendy,

albeit unoriginal method of telling its story. While the real-time events unfold, Cassidy regularly goes back to narrate the rise and fall of the First Earth Battalion and its founder, Bill Django ( Jeff Bridges).

These earlier recollections were easily the most amusing of the movie, reaching a high point when Django witnesses his entire squad overshoot a Vietcong soldier in point-blank range. After becoming injured, Django is convinced that a super soldier is needed to replace the incompetence he saw in Vietnam.

After living the “hippie” experience, Django pitches the idea of a super solider to his superiors and is made the Commander of First Earth Battalion due to the race with the Soviets in the realm of paranormal combat. What Django forms is essentially a “Hippie” squad (including Wilton) that focuses on non-lethal means of conquering the enemy.

Soon, the past events catch up to the current action in the film, and then it’s over.

While “Goats” looked to

promise a style of comedy and plot that would be somewhat fresh, it ultimately came out pretty stale.

In the opening acts of the film, you come to find out that members of the First Earth Battalion were called “Jedis.”

Haha. Get it?Ewan McGregor, better

known as young Obi-Wan in the Star Wars prequels, is in the movie.

To be honest, the “Jedi” plot device didn’t really bother me.

But the “master/apprentice” thing was a little overboard.

Oh yeah, and Larry Hooper (Kevin Spacey) is the villain who uses the “dark side” mind control for evil by coercing Wilton into stopping the heart of a goat.

Perhaps the Star Wars reference wouldn’t have been such a big deal if I had gone in expecting a Napoleon Dynamite-esque comedy theme instead of something that looked like it came from the minds of Joel and Ethan Coen, but maybe that’s just my problem.

Jeff Bridges proves to be the biggest bright spot in an otherwise stale film, his

easygoing nature personally reminded me of “the dude” and making the harsh reality that this film sucked all the worse. Spacey, Clooney and McGregor also put on fine performances, but in the end, it didn’t really matter.

It’s hard to think back on the film, because it was pretty forgettable. More than just a case of unmet expectations, “Goats” raised the bar by just being plain boring.

Grant Heslov, best known to me as one of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s partners in the 1994 film True Lies, directed The Men Who Stare at Goats.

The Men Who Stare at Goats was by no means the worst movie I’ve seen all year, it just initially gave the impression of being a breath of fresh air amidst a juggernaut of Hollywood carbon copies. Instead, it came out swinging in the first half, before ultimately fading out later.

If you still insist on seeing the film, at least wait until it releases on DVD and Blu-Ray. Nothing in the film merits seeing it in theatres.

‘Goats’ starts strong, falters in long run

Amanda RogersPacer Writer

American comedian Rob Little put on quite a show Thursday, Nov. 5 at 9:09 in the Watkins Auditorium.

Little was named Maxim Magazine’s “Comedian of the Year” and was dubbed Michigan’s “Best Up and C o m i n g Comedian.”

Little has also been a featured c o m e d i a n on “Last C o m i c Standing,” a n d has made a number of appearances on “The Best Damn Sports Show Period” and “Last Call With Carson Daily.”

The auditorium filled up quickly for the show, and started out with some great crowd interaction. Little did a great job of keeping the crowd engaged and participating without offending anyone at the expense of his jokes.

During his set, Little managed to crack jokes about an array of different things from being bald and loving the “sistas,” to high school wrestling and volunteer work he has done.

He had a great ability to relate to his audience with the types of jokes he told. The audience, however, could quickly tell Little is not from the South as he made us aware of the fact that Martin only has a McDonalds and is surrounded by fields.

He also had no clue what shin digging is, which was funny all in itself.

I personally loved when he was making cracks about being young and in school

and how his favorite day was movie day and how he loved school lunches and ice cream. I think I can safely say there was not a joke that didn’t make the audience laugh.

I didn’t have extremely high expectations going into the show because I would think it would be very difficult to tell jokes the entire time, that

would keep e v e r y o n e l augh ing , but Little w a s absolutely hilarious.

N o t only did he keep us

roped in with his jokes, he also entertained us with his impression of how wonderful the “sistas” can shake their booties, as well as serenading us with his own verse to Carrie Underwood’s “Before He Cheats.”

I have to say if you didn’t catch this show you missed out on a great time.

Little was very personable with the audience after the show, and was more than happy to sign autographs and take pictures with anyone that wanted to. He also informed us that we could keep up with his shows and general activities on MySpace, facebook, and You Tube.

I had never taken the time to check out the 9:09 comedy events but I will be sure not to miss out on the next one. I think it is very exciting to have a rising comedian come to our campus and crack us up.

A list of other events sponsored by the Student Activities Council can be found on the UTM website.

9:09 Comedy Series features top-tier

performer

Rob Little keeps UTM audience in stitches

Justin HuntViewpoints Editor

If you want to go by technical terms, Born Standing Up is an autobiography.

However, Steve Martin calls his book a biography because he is writing about “someone he used to know.” His memoirs are not just a testament to his own life but give a glimpse into the life of many stand-up comics’ journey to success or to failure.

Steve Martin writes a book that is not simply a retelling of his life story. In his own words, the book encompasses “why I did stand-up, and why I walked away.”

Being a comedian constitutes more than originality and persona. Sacrifice and discipline elevated Martin to his iconic status and made him draw the largest crowds in the history of stand-up comedy. Not only was Martin shaping the minds of his idolizing fans, but also shaping the infrastructure of comedy in modern American history.

Throughout his childhood, Martin worked in environments, such as Disneyland, which allowed him to hone his performance skills. By high school, he was hosting original magic shows with humorous elements and acting in a regional theatre where his creativity as a writer flourished.

Martin performed stand-up comedy for eighteen years. By the late 1970s Martin was the largest concert comedian in the history of show business, performing his act in sold-out arenas which could seat over 45,000 people. He was booked to play in these types of stadiums for two straight years.

As elated as Martin was at such success, his acts were meant to be performed in intimate spaces. In 1981, Martin’s health began declining due to the strenuous schedule that was involved in the constant travel and

constant performance, and he stepped down from stand-up comedy.

The book is strictly narrative. Martin’s clearly defined and developed writing voice in Born Standing Up vividly portrays a warm view of his expeditions through the show business industry. The book is smartly-written, refreshing, and reveals the innovations that Martin developed in the field of modern American entertainment.

Steve Martin’s comedy metamorphosed from the traditional methods of stand-up. Before his appearance, comedy acts were worked around punch lines, punch lines that almost forced the audience to laugh out of habit.

To Martin, that was not real laughter, so he invented routines that were quirky and awkward. Punch lines were not the focus. His idiosyncratic material consisted of the unusual, but

at the same time, it retained a level of sophistication.

In a time where most young Americans dream of achieving the glitz of stardom, they fail to realize the discipline it takes. Granted while some celebrities find themselves exalted on pedestals that were provided by mere coincidence and required little work, Martin lays out a path that was forged by hard work, determination, and skill.

This book was not an inspiring you-can-be-anything-you-want-to-be-if-you-work-hard-enough story. Steve Martin tells the story of his rise to prominence with great tenderness and honesty with a theme that reveals the rarity and sacredness of such success.

I cannot find one reason not to recommend this book. Martin’s wit is tucked away on every page of the book, leaving you refreshed every time you put the book down

and every time you pick the book back up. His story is extremely engaging and his achievements as a comedian very admirable. Steve Martin’s climb to fame is not a rags-to-riches story, but is just as compelling as one. His tale is not simple, but it’s told with simplicity.

Born Standing Up is full of personal reflection, but there are many quaint sequences of narrative where Martin discusses his critics and how he would respond to their criticisms.

When Steve Martin was performing his stand-up routines as a young man trying to get a name for himself, he would perform in various night clubs. On the closing night of one of his show’s runs, he took out five bananas. He peeled them, placed one on his head, put one in each pocket, and squeezed the other two in each hand. Then Martin pulled out his latest bad review and read it to the audience, “Sharing the bill with Poco this week is comedian Steve Martin…his twenty-five minute routine failed to establish any comedic identity that would make the audience remember him or his material.” Then he walked off the stage.

One of the greatest and most revered American comedians of all time, Steve Martin has been influencing the past and present generations with his absurd style of comedy. His dedication to excellence in comedy is exemplary and provides a role model status to many.

His contributions to American entertainment may not be earth shattering, but his shtick has danced its way into the hearts of many and will continue to shape the minds of all those who esteem his art, providing his comedic presence with merit and making him a valuable part of modern American society.

Steve Martin’s story

Little did a great job of keeping the crowd engaged and participating without offending anyone at the

expense of his jokes.

Legendary comedian tells story of hard work, determination to reach the top

November 11, 2009 thepacer Page 7

Brock A. Beery - US Army National GuardRusty L. Washam - US Marine

Brian J. Schoff - US ArmyRobert W. Tucker - US Army National Guard

Eric A. Fifer - US ArmyLuke C. Williams - US Army

Victoir P. Lieurance - US Army National GuardJoseph Daniel Hunt - US Army National Guard

Gary L. Reese Jr. - US Army National GuardShannon D. Taylor - US Army National GuardAsbury F. Hawn II - US Army National GuardJames D. Carroll - US Army National Guard

James D. Stewart - US ArmyMichael L. McNulty - US Army

Nathan B. Clemons - US MarineMark O. Edwards - US Army National Guard

Alfred Barton Siler - US Army National GuardStephen C. Kennedy - US Army National GuardPaul W. Thomason III - US Army National Guard

Cory Michael Hewitt - US ArmyGeorge Daniel Harrison - US Army

Morgan W. Strader - US MarineSteven C. Cates - US MarineJames W. Price - US Army

Andrew K. Stern - US MarineBrandon Michael Read - US Army Reserve

Marco D. Ross - US ArmyBrad Preson McCormick - US Marine Reserve

David L. Potter - US ArmyTimothy R. Creager - US Marine

Pedro I. Espaillat Jr. - US Air ForceJeremiah E. Savage - US Marine

Todd E. Nunes - US ArmyErvin Caradine Jr. - US Army

Christopher E. Watts - US NavyDon Steven McMahan - US Army

Brent L. Morel - US MarineMichael T. Blaise - US Army

Gregory B. Hicks - U.S. ArmyAlexander S. Coulter - US Army

Nathan J. Bailey - US Army National Guard Morgan DeShawn Kennon - US Army

Kim S. Orlando - US ArmyRichard Torres - U.S. Army

William M. Bennett - US ArmyKenneth W. Harris Jr. - US Army Reserve

Stephen F. Dearmon - US MarinWilliam E. Emmert - US Army National Guard

Donald V. Clark - US ArmyTimothy H. Walker - US ArmyChristopher T. Fox - US ArmyDarrick D. Wright - US Army

Michael H. Ferschke Jr. - US MarineJoshua L. Plocica - US Army

Jonathan Kilian Dozier - US ArmyRush “Mickey” Marshall Jenkins - US Army

Lance M. Clark - US MarineJeremy S. Bohannon - US ArmyJustin R. Blackwell - US Army

Joey D. Link - US Air ForceStephen R. Maddies - US Army National Guard

Michelle R. - US Army Frank B. Walkup IV - US Army

William N. Newman - US Air ForceTravis F. Haslip - US Army

James David Connell Jr. - US ArmyJeffery A. Bishop - US Marine

Marcus A. Golczynski - US Marine ReserveBenjamin L. Sebban - US Army

Terry W. Prater - US ArmyTerry J. Elliott - US Marine

John M. Sullivan - US ArmyWilliam D. Spencer - US Marine Reserve

William C. Koprince Jr. - US Marine Dustin M. Adkins - US ArmyDaniel M. Morris - US ArmyHarry A. Winkler - US Army

Michael A. Cerrone - US ArmyRichard A. Buerstetta - US Marine Reserve

Tyler R. Overstreet - US Marine ReserveRobert M. Secher - US MarineDavid Thomas Weir - US Army

James Daniel Hirlston - US MarineDustin D. Laird - US Army National Guard

Adam R. Murray - US MarineScott M. Love - US Army

Robbie Glen Light - US ArmyDavid A. Bass - US Marine

Roger Dale Rowe - US Army National GuardThomas Arthur Foley III - US Army

Patrick Ray Nixon - US MarineDavid L. Loyd - US Army National Guard

SportsNovember 11, 2009 thepacer Page 8

pacer_sports@ut.utm.edu

Skyhawks spoil TSU HomecomingJosh Weiss

Sports Editor

In the shadow of his uncle’s retired jersey, freshman tailback Jason McNair bulled his way into the end zone on an 11 yard touchdown run, giving the Skyhawks a 28-7 lead with just 1:30 left on the clock and securing a victory over the Tigers of Tennessee State University at LP Field in Nashville on Saturday Nov. 7.

However, this touchdown meant much more for McNair than just locking up a win.

McNair is the nephew of the late Tennessee Titans’ quarterback, Steve McNair, and LP Field is the home of the Titans. So, to not just play a game, but score, in the stadium where his late uncle left such a legacy was priceless.

“My uncle spent a lot of time here so that was one of the first things, before we even came here, I wanted to score, and I was going to do it for him,” said McNair.

Along with Miguel Barnes and Brandyn Young, McNair is a significant part of UTM’s triple threat running attack, which dominated the Tigers Saturday, racking up 186 yards of total offense.

Young carried the bulk of the rushing duties for the Skyhawks, as Barnes was sidelined most of the game with an ankle injury, posting his first 100-yard rushing game of the season with 129 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 32 carries.

The Skyhawks had more than double the amount of rushing attempts than they did passing, 53 to 22, an unusual statistic for their high-powered offense, but Coach Jason Simpson was looking to take few risks on offense so as to not put his stifling defense in a hole.

“Once I saw the way we were playing on

defense, I didn’t want to take a whole lot of chances,” said Simpson.

“There was no need to put the ball in the air and get a turnover. They couldn’t score if they had to go 80 yards, I didn’t think.”

Simpson’s confidence in his defense was definitely merited as the Skyhawks gave up a mere 49 yards of total offense in the first half and only 269 yards on the entire day, especially stuffing the TSU running game, allowing only

62 total rushing yards by the Tigers.“We knew coming in we had to

stop the run because if we stopped the run, then we pretty much stopped their whole offense,” said junior defensive end Chris Murray.

The Skyhawks also held the Tigers to just 2-of-16 on third down conversions and 0-of-3 on red zone opportunities.

The UTM defense also had a full gamut of big plays, ranging from interceptions to a fumble recovery..

Senior defensive back Markei Guy had two interceptions on the night, including a pick in the end zone to end the first half and hold the Tigers scoreless in the first 24 minutes, while defensive end Justin Darden had two of his three tackles for a loss of 15 yards and a 65 yard fumble recovery.

Murray recorded an interception, the first pick of his season, in the fourth quarter at the TSU 29 and returned it 15 yards to the Tigers’ 14.

“I saw the ball in the air, and I thought, ‘Man, I gotta get this and score.’” said Murray.

While Murray didn’t score, his play did lead to a one yard touchdown run by Young just minutes later, putting the game out of TSU’s reach, 21-0.

“This game was for respect. It’s just about getting back in the top-tier of the OVC where we feel like we belong.”

TSU still leads the all-time series 13-6, but the loss on Homecoming marked the first time since 2005 that TSU has lost a Homecoming game.

The Skyhawks will attempt to keep the winning streak alive this weekend, Saturday, Nov. 14, as they

go on the road against the league leader, the 13th ranked Panthers of Eastern Illinois.

Kickoff in Charleston is set for 1:30 p.m.

Joshua LemonsSports Features Editor

Last Saturday night, during the Skyhawks 28-7 victory over TSU, freshman running back Jason McNair stood in quite familiar territory, the end zone.

Jason is the nephew of former Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair who spent quite a lot of time in LP Field, home to the Titans.

Late in the fourth quarter, the Skyhawks were up 21-7 and had the game all but sealed. However, McNair was struggling getting touches and yards in his debut at LP Field.

“I just stayed patient and I knew my time would come,” McNair said.

That is when his teammates stepped in and told him that they were going to get him in the end zone.

“It made me feel very important, made me feel like a team leader, and like I’m an important part of the team,” McNair said.

Steve McNair spent seven seasons as the starting quarterback for the Tennessee Titans, playing all of his home games at LP Field. Jason McNair knew how important this place was to his uncle and was determined to spend a little time in the same spot his uncle loved so much.

“I knew my uncle; he spent a lot of time here so that was one of the first things before we even came here I wanted to score,” McNair said. “I was going to do it for him because I know he loved to play here a lot so I was just doing it for him.”

McNair stands on familiar groundAthletic Communications

A goal by Murray State’s Ashley Fraser in the 39th minute resulted in the only offense either team could muster tonight, as The UTM’s magical 2009 season ended in a 1-0 loss to Murray State in the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament semifinals from Jayne Stadium.

UTM outshot the Racers by an 11-9 margin, but Murray State scored the first first-half goal of the tournament’s first four matches with 6:41 left before the half, as Ashley Fraser scored her second goal of the tournament off a corner kick from Rachel Wright.

The Skyhawks, who won its first-ever OVC championship in 2009, end the season with an overall record of 9-7-0.

The two teams played a physical first 45 minutes, with few shot attempts ten minutes into the match. UTM goalkeeper Aubrey Buehler was put to work early, but responded with two saves just two minutes apart.

The Skyhawks attempted its

first shot at the 17:39 mark, as Brooke Robertson sent a shot towards the goal from the left side, but it hooked late into the arms of Murray State goalkeeper Tara Isbell.

UTM missed a huge opportunity a little over six minutes later, as Isbell scrambled to grab a loose ball but couldn’t grip the ball before falling to the ground. The ball shook loose and Melissa

Govea hurdled Isbell to fire a hard shot on goal, but Murray State’s Sophie Hargreaves dove to her right and headed the ball away for the save.

The Skyhawks came out firing in the second half, as Katie Imperiale found some space for an open shot, but the shot sailed high just 17 seconds into the half.

Govea nearly had another open net at the 26:07 mark, as

she drew Isbell out towards the top of the box. Govea, Isbell and the ball all met simultaneously and Isbell initially fumbled the ball before securing the save.

UTM had two more opportunities in a span of 60 seconds, as a free kick by Stephanie Nilica from 22 yards out was snatched out of the air from Isbell. At the 21:20 mark, Duffy sent a shot high that sailed through the

football field goal uprights from 20 yards out.

The Skyhawks kept making Isbell work, as a free kick from Nuala Deans from 45 yards out drew her towards the front of the box, but a low shot by Jessica Hunt scooted right. Another free kick from the Skyhawks at the 9:35 mark resulted in a shot for Govea, but the shot went high of the goal from 15 yards out.

Skyhawk soccer falls short in OVC semifinals

Athletic Communications

The two UTM rifle teams closed out its fall schedule with sterling performances over the weekend, with the women’s team compiling the highest air rifle score ever recorded in the rich history of the UTM rifle program and the men’s team taking the overall match victory over Rose-Hulman.

The women’s air rifle mark of 2,300 was the story of the day for Skyhawk head coach Bob Beard, but the mixed team also turned in a strong showing – shooting a season-high 2,247 in smallbore to help the team win the match with an

aggregate score of 4,435. The women’s squad earned 4,510 points on the day, edging out Rose-Hulman’s final score of 4,488.

“A solid team performance resulted in wins for both teams,” Beard said.

It was Kellie Zurowski who set the tone for the women’s team in air rifle, shooting a season-high 580 (96-95-100-95-95-99) to lead the squad. Kaitlin Chaffin continued her strong fall season as well, tying her career-high air rifle mark with a 579 (100-97-94-96-95-97). Kelsea Hunt also racked up a 579 (97-96-93-96-99-98) and Jennifer Garbina

concluded the scoring with a 562 (90-94-93-94-96-95). Charly Williams shot as an individual, tallying 431 points (77-79-67-70-66-72).

The mixed team finished the air rifle round with a score of 2,288, led by Kyle Rebillion’s 577 (97-95-94-95-97-99). Alex Silvas fired a 576 (97-97-98-96-96-92), while Rob Burrows (95-98-94-94-94-94; 569) and Nick Combs (94-94-94-93-96-95; 566) closed out the scoring for the mixed team. Justin Grinolds (98-95-89-93-94-94) competed as an individual and shot a 563.

Chaffin’s 563 (195

prone-182 standing-186 kneeling) and Hunt’s 563 (191-186-186) led the women’s squad in smallbore, followed by Garbina’s 554 (186-182-186). Zurowski rounded out the scoring with a 530 (184-170-176), giving the Skyhawks a total score of 2,210 in the smallbore.

Silvas paved the way for a strong smallbore round for the mixed squad, firing a season-high 573 (195-188-190). Rebillion’s 562 (195-182-185) was the next highest total for the Skyhawk mixed team, followed by Combs’ 557 (197-179-181). Grinolds shot a 555 (188-181-186), and Burrows

also finished with a score of 555 as an individual to round up the event.

For Beard, the results were a good way to end the fall competitive season on a high note.

“Alex had a really good day and Kaitlin tied her career-high air rifle score – which she set last week against Morehead State,” Beard said. “Kellie and Kelsea also had great air gun scores.”

The Skyhawks will now focus on the annual Turkey Shoot fundraiser, which will take place on Nov. 16-19.

Women’s Rifle sets new UTM air rifle benchmark in impressive dual victory

The Skyhawks had an impressive season, however they lost in the OVC semifinals to Murray State. (Photo Credit/Tonya Jordan)

Senior running back Migual Barnes and the offense ammased 301 total yards against Tennessee State. (Photo Credit/ Tennessee State Ahletic Media Relations)