The Optimist Print Edition: 10.27.10

Abilene was named among the top ten least expensive cities in which to own a business by the Kosmont-Rose Institute Cost of Do-ing Business Survey.

The survey is conduct by the Rose Institute of State and Local Govern-ment. It analyzes cities’ property taxes and busi-ness license fees as well as economic incentives and programs cities may offer

to incoming businesses.Richard Burdine, assistant

city manager for economic development in Abilene, said the survey could help busi-nesses decide where to move or get started.

“A business that’s thinking about relocating may look at that survey and think about coming here,” Burdine said. “It helps when cities are con-sistently near the top.”

Based in California, the survey started in 1994 and only examined fis-cal information for major

California communities. Now the Kosmont-Rose Institute Cost of Doing Business Survey examines

over 413 cities and mar-kets nationwide.

Optimistthe

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

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1 section, 8 pages

weatherinside

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websitenewsA group of more than 170 Christian CEOs, appointed Dr. Rick Lytle, dean of the College of Business Administration to its board of directors. page 6

opinionThe Editorial Board endorses Rick Perry in the Texas gubernatorial race for his past performance as Texas governor.

video Find videos of these news stories and more on our weekly newscast available on our website, acuoptimist.com.

75° 48°

Recycling Raid

At the age of six, Kat Bai-ley watched a Sing Song hostess perform “Goody Goody” on the stage in Moody Coliseum. In that moment, she knew she wanted to be a Sing Song hostess herself one day.

This year, that dream will come true, as she and five other students perform as Hosts and Hostesses in Sing Song 2010.

The office of student productions made the an-nouncement Tuesday night. Bailey, senior musical the-atre major from Sugar Land, said the evening was a roller coaster of emotions.

“Whenever my phone rang, I thought I didn’t get it,” Bailey said. “I just started crying.”

However, the phone call was for the final call back in which the committee would announce the six hosts and hostesses.

Carlee Cagle, senior musical theatre major from Arlington, said she and Bailey have been best friends since Welcome Week. Cagle also dreamed of being a hostess for much of her life, but said it was even more special to per-form with a close friend.

“We both really wanted to do it,” Cagle said, “but we doubted we’d ever get to do it together.”

Tom Craig, director of student productions, said the office of student produc-tions made the final deci-sion with input from music and stage professionals.

“This team of hosts and hostesses has an incred-ible depth of vocal qual-ity that will translate to a great show,” Craig said.

Students named as Sing Song directors

SING SONG

Linda Bailey Editor In Chief

Wed. Fri.Thurs.

69° 46° 73° 51°

Helping Haiti, page 6

LOCAL

Matthew Woodrow Opinion Editor

Abilene among least expensive cities

Students storm residence halls in search of recyclables

see HOSTS page 4

A popular National Public Radio program is headed to Abilene. The nation-ally broadcast classical music show, “From the Top”, will perform Nov. 16 at First Baptist Church of Abilene. The concert will be recorded by on-cam-pus NPR-affiliate station KACU-FM.

“‘From the Top’ is one of the few classical mu-sic shows that spotlights young musical talent,” said Blane Singletary, junior electronic media major from Abilene and student announcer at KACU-FM.

Well-known con-cert pianist Christopher O’Riley hosts “From the Top.” After interviewing

KACU

KACU to feature popular program

Meagan HernandezContributing Reporter

see RADIO page 4

GENNA DUNCAN // Staff Photographer

Arielle Sheppard, senior youth and family ministry major from New Braunfels and Emily Adams, sophomore vocational missions major from Blue Ridge, Va., rummage through trash of Nelson students and find a bottle that could have been recycled.

Vol. 99, No. 19

GRANT STEPHEN // Staff Photographer

The Windsor Hotel in downtown Abilene.

Aluminum cans, plastic bottles and a jug half-filled with spoiled milk were rescued from years of lying in a landfill by the Envi-ronmental Society’s recycling raid Thursday.

About 15 students from the Environ-mental Society and the Locavore Club retrieved 16 bags of recyclables from the

trash cans of Nelson Hall, A.B. Barret Hall and McKinzie Hall, said Environmen-tal Society President Samantha Futrell, sophomore environmental science major from San Angelo.

“We hoped to bring awareness that ev-erybody has something recyclable in their trash can,” Futrell said. “It’s important to me personally because, as far as we know, God only made one creation.”

The students broke up into three teams and took trash bags to their assigned dorm. The Nelson Hall team filled their trash bags the quickest, Futrell said, causing her to be-lieve the dorm may have put most of their re-cyclables in with their garbage. However, the men’s dorm had the most disgusting trash by far, Futrell said.

Abilene Christian University

see CANS page 4

Christianna Lewis Senior Reporter

see RANK page 4

announcements

Wednesday 29Friday

The Christian Service Center needs volunteers interested in business or design to put together an informational brochure. The work could be done any weekday afternoon be-fore the end of November. Contact Jim Clark at 673-7531 or [email protected] for more information.

College Heights Elemen-tary School is in need of volunteers for their Fall Festival from 5 7 p.m. on Oct. 28. Volunteers will help with the various booths and clean up af-terwards. Contact Maribel Salazar at (325) 671-4795, ext. 7825 or e-mail [email protected]

The Oakridge Church of Christ will have a free Trunk or Treat for com-munity children from 5 p.m. - 11 p.m. on Oct. 30. Volunteers are needed to set up games, run activ-ity booths, and clean up. Dinner will be provided for volunteers but advance notice is requested. Con-tact Emerald Lemmons at [email protected] or call 370-1327 for more information.

The Center for Con-temporary Arts needs a gallery assistant to help with exhibit setup and preparation as well as an administrative assistant. The work can be done any time 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Tues-day - Friday. Please call (325) 677-8389 or email [email protected] for more information.

Disability Resources, Inc. needs volunteers from 10 a.m. until dusk Mon-day - Saturday and 1 p.m. until dusk Sundays Sept.

29 - Oct. 31 to help with its annual Pumpkin Patch. Volunteers will help sell pumpkins, read at story time in the children’s area and assist with children’s games. Contact Jo Ann Wil-son at (325) 677-6815, ext. 2003 or e-mail [email protected].

The Dyess Youth Center needs help with a Ping Pong Exhibition from 4 p.m.-6 p.m every Friday. Volunteers will preside over tournaments and help with an exhibition for the students. Transporta-tion will not be provided, nor can volunteers have any sexual assault charges or charges pending. For more information, con-tact Sheri Frisby at (325) 696-4797 or e-mail [email protected].

Mesa Spring Healthcare Center needs volunteers from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. any day of the week to help with fun activities for the resi-dents, including playing instruments, calling bingo and sitting and talking with them. All help is ap-preciated. Contact Laura Reynolds at (325)692-8080 or [email protected].

The Dyess Youth Center needs volunteers from 4 p.m. -6 p.m. every Mon-day - Friday to assist students with homework in the areas of math, science, English and history. Transportation will not be provided, nor can volunteers have any sexual assault charges or charges pending. For more information, contact Sheri Frisby at 696-4797 or e-mail [email protected].

Ortiz Elementary School Library would like volun-teers Monday-Friday to help check in and shelve books, and help with some special projects. Contact Nancy Hartline at 325-671-4945.

Day Nursery of Abilene needs volunteers to help with their annual Putt Fore Children Miniature Golf Tournament from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Oct. 2 at Prime Time Family Entertain-ment Center. Contact Sheila Cory at 325-673-1110 or e-mail [email protected].

Meals on Wheels needs volunteers to deliver noon meals to seniors and adults with disabilities. Routes are available 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Monday - Friday. Volunteers must be at least 18, with a valid driver’s license, auto insurance and a desire to serve. Training is provided. Students may be exempted from one Chapel per week if delivery time conflicts with chapel. Contact Elizabeth Rodgers at [email protected].

Aimee’s Art Studio is seeking volunteers Tuesday from 9-10 a.m. or 1:30-2:30 p.m. to assist with home school fine arts classes. No formal art skills or training is required. They are a 5-minute walk from ACU’s campus. For more information, please contact Aimee Williams at (325)672-9633 or [email protected].

The American Business Women’s Association is having a fundraiser for education Nov. 12-14.They need volunteers to serve at the concession stand and prepare food from 5 - 9 p.m. Nov. 12, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Nov. 13, and 12 - 5 p.m. Nov. 14. For more in-formation, contact Sydnye Moore at (325) 692-2633 or (325) 428-1024 or email her at [email protected]

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

calendar & events

27 Thursday28 30Saturday

The Optimist maintains this calendar for the ACU community to keep track of local social, academic and service opportunities. Groups may send announcements directly to [email protected].

To ensure an item will appear on time, the announcement should be sent at least 10 days in advance. The Optimist may edit items for space and style.

Corrections and clarifications of published news articles will be printed on this page in a timely manner.

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volunteer opportunities

2Campus Day

Dallas White Rock Mara-thon Students wishing to run the Dallas White Rock Marathon or Half-Mara-thon can sign up with ACU to receive a $20 rebate, a free ACU running shirt and a free pre-race party. Register to run at www.acu.edu/whiterock

Casting Crowns will give a concert with special guest Lainey Wright at 7 p.m. Oct. 28 at the Taylor County Coliseum. Advance tickets are $30 ($20 for groups of 15 or more) or $25 for gen-eral admission tickets ($20 for groups of 15 or more).

Call (325) 677-4376 or visit www.liveatthepark.com for more information.

Toy Story 3 will show for free at 8 p.m. on Friday in Cullen Auditorium.

FCA, the ACU chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, meets at 9 p.m. every Thursday in the Liv-ing Room of the McGloth-lin Campus Center.

Graduate and Professional School Fair will take place from 1:30 -3:30 p.m. Oct. 27 in the McCaleb Conference Center (Hunter Welcome

Center). Recruiters from graduate and professional schools from across the country will answer questions concerning the programs their schools offer and the admission process. Featured schools include: ACU, Dallas Baptist University, Hardin-Simmons University, McMurry University, Texas Tech, University of Texas and University of North Texas.

Registration for spring classes opens at 3 p.m. today for Honors, Gradu-ate School an SA stu-

dents. it will open at 3 p.m. Nov. 1 for Seniors, 3 p.m. Nov. 3 for Juniors, 3 p.m. Nov. 8 for Sopho-mores and 3 p.m. Nov. 10 for Freshmen.

Duo Piano ConcertThe ACU Department of Music presents the Duo Piano Concert featuring Jim Rauscher and Richard Fountain as a part of the 2010-2011 Guest Artist Se-ries. The Recital is at 8 p.m. on Oct. 28 in the Williams Preforming Arts Center Recital Hall. Admission is free. For more information, call (325) 674-2199.

11 a.m. Come to the Quiet Chapel in Moody Coliseum

3 p.m. Registration opens for Honors, Graduate School and SA students.

11 a.m. Small group Chapel in various places around campus

11 a.m. Chapel in Moody Coliseum

8 p.m. Free Movie in Cullen Auditorium

2 p.m. Home football game against Angelo State University.

2010 World Series

GAME 1

GAME 2

GAME 3

GAME 4

GAME 5

GAME 6

GAME 7

TEX at SF 6:57 p.m. Oct. 27

TEX at SF

SF at TEX

SF at TEX

SF at TEX

TEX at SF

TEX at SF

6:57 p.m.

5:57 p.m.

6:57 p.m.

6:57 p.m.

6:57 p.m.

7:20 p.m.

Oct. 28

Oct. 30

Oct. 31

Nov. 1

Nov. 3

Nov. 4

All games Central Standard TimeAll games broadcast on KXVA-Fox Abilene

October 27, 2010 CAMPUS NEWS

Midterm elections will take place Tuesday, giving Americans the opportuni-ty to choose who will rep-resent them.

Charles Brazell, senior history major from Tyler, said he is looking forward to the upcoming election because he believes it car-ries particular significance.

“It is how we elect the people that represent us, and we elect people that

make decisions that affect us, so it is very important that I get the person in office that I think is best,” Brazell said. “Also, it is an important way of exercising my right to vote and it is a good way to celebrate a democracy.”

Brazell said he knows some students who are still undecided on who they are going to vote for, but others are researching the candi-dates and getting prepared to make a good decision.

Tate Stewart, senior soci-ology major from Lubbock,

said he does not know which candidates he is going to vote for yet, but he intends to research the election to make good decisions.

“Voting for governor is something a little more close to home. With our cur-rent economy, and particu-larly in our position as stu-dents about to go out into the real world and get jobs, I think voting for governors is something we really need to look into,” Stewart said. “We need to see who can help our state and can help

us with employment op-portunities.”

Meredith Stearns, junior chemistry major from Dal-las, said she believes voting is part of civic duty. She said this is her first time to vote in a gubernatorial election.

“I have voted in some local elections before, but never voted for the gover-nor,” Stearns said. “I think voting is important because it is part of civic duty – be-ing pro-active in your gov-ernment, trying to affect change that way.”

Wilson White, sopho-more history major from Ozona, said he likes to pay attention to what happens in the news and keep up on current events.

“I get to play a part in de-ciding what’s happening in my government,” White said. “I like to pay attention to what happen in the news, current events and issues that I stand for. So I will follow closely the candidates that represent me the most.”

James Keeton, senior bio-chemistry major from

San Antonio, said candi-dates he votes for in an election often align with his personal values.

“Voting allows me to elect representatives who exemplify the same views I have,” Keeton said.

A complete list of vot-ing locations can be found on the Taylor County elec-tion’s Web site at at www.taylorcountytexas.org/elec-tion1.html.

Students ready to vote in midterm electionsSTUDENT LIFE

Meiqi Zhang Contributing Reporter

contact Zhang [email protected]

MEAGAN HERNANDEZ // Staff Photographer

Bill White, democratic gubernatorial candidate, speaks to a crowd at Lytle Land and Cattle on Monday. He was speaking at an event hosted by the Taylor County Democratic Party.

White visits Abilene Career Center to offerrésumé, interview help

The Career Center invites stu-dents to prepare for job inter-views and the hiring process during its “Fast Forward… Put Your Best Foot Forward” event on Nov. 4.

The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Career Center lobby area, located on the second floor of the Robert D. and Shir-ley Hunter Welcome Center. During the event, Abilene business employers will re-view student résumés and fa-cilitate mock interviews.

Participants will first check in and will then be scheduled a resumé review and mock interview with local human resource professionals. Rep-resentatives from First Finan-cial Bank, Hendrick Medical Center and Genesis Network Solutions are among the fea-tured businesses.

Bradon Owens, employer relations manager of the Ca-reer Center, said it is impor-tant for students to enter the

job search prepared.“This allows you to have a

better understanding of what employers are looking for, and it will be from the actual employers who make those hiring decisions,” Owens said. “It’s rare that a student has the opportunity to do that.”

Lucy Yu, junior business management major from Shanghai, China, said she believes meeting with out-side representatives will be good practice.

“I’ve never been to the Career Center, but it sounds like a good chance to interact with these businesses before you come to them looking to be hired,” Yu said.

Rachel Elam, officer manager of the ACU Career Center, said she hopes that bringing in outside business representatives will bridge the gap between college life and the job market.

“The job world can be scary, “ Elam said. “Approach-ing this through a group set-ting can really be helpful.”

Elam said she encourages

students to use the Center’s available resources and inter-act with the employers.

“It’s a great head start,” Elam said. “Meeting individ-ual staff members will help students when they’re really meeting these professionals.”

“Fast Forward” is espe-cially geared towards stu-dents applying for intern-ships, graduate school or simply those who are look-ing for work. Career Center advisers are also available to answer any internship or job search questions.

Although all of these ser-vices are offered by the Career Center on a daily basis, this is the first time that an event like this will occur on campus, ac-cording to its website.

To guarantee a session, students can RSVP through the event sign-up on the Ca-reer Center’s website at www.acu.edu/careercenter. Stu-dents without an appoint-ment are still welcome.

Christina BurchContributing Reporter

CAMPUS

contact Burch [email protected]

Cross Country teams race to raise support on campus

The men’s and women’s cross country teams faced off un-der the stars Saturday night in the first Wildcat Twilight Challenge race.

Around twenty to thirty track and field members and other cross country sup-porters watched the runners compete against each other at Elmer Gray Stadium. With four weeks in between races, Head Coach Chris Woods said the event gave the teams an opportunity to compete and have fun at the same time.

“You can get kind of stale in that amount of time,” Woods said. “It was

a way to keep us sharp.”The men and women’s

teams were each split up for their specific races. On the men’s side, each team mem-ber ran two miles, while the women raced 2000 meters. The event was scored like any other cross country event, meaning the team with the lowest score wins. Both competitions ended in a tie, and Amos Sang fin-ished first in the men’s race with a time of eight minutes and 46 seconds.

“The guys ran hard and ran fast. Splitting them up into teams made them really strategize and compete all the way through the two miles,” Woods said.

Spenser Lynn, sophomore physics major from White Oak, said the event was a good way to showcase both the team’s talent as well as advertise for the upcoming conference meet.

“I thought it was a fan-tastic way for us to promote ourselves to the school,” said Lynn. “It’s tough to get people out to the cross country course because it’s not on campus.”

This year’s conference meet will be held at the Sher-rod Residential Park on Nov. 6. If the men’s team wins the title, it will be their 20th con-secutive conference win.

Lynn and Woods said they hoped the Twilight Challenge would become an annual event and the hope to start planning earlier next year.

Kelsi WilliamsonArts Editor

CROSS COUNTRY

MEAGAN HERNANDEZ // Staff Photographer

Members of the ACU cross country team line up for the first Wildcat Twilight Challenge race at Elmer Gray Stadium.

contact Gasvoda [email protected]

Business dean named to Christian CEO organization

The CEO Forum, a group of over 170 Christian CEOs, recently appointed one of ACU’s finest, Dr. Rick Lytle, to its board of directors. Candidates for the CEO Fo-rum must be believers in Christ, head of a corpora-tion with at least $100 mil-lion in revenue and com-mit to the mission of the Forum. Member executives include the CEOs of Procter & Gamble, Walmart and ExxonMobil.

Dr. Rick Lytle, Dean of the College of Business Administration, said the organization is designed to provide Christian CEOs the opportunity to gather

and receive encourage-ment from others that face the unique pressures faced by Christian executives.

“CEOs of large corpo-rations often have a hard time finding community in their local churches, as not many can relate to the intense pressure they face each day,” said Lytle.

Lytle is the only mem-ber of the board that is not serving as CEO of a large corporation. His role as an academic is to de-velop leadership training, improve the board’s rela-tionship with educational institutes, and perform standard member duties such as advising and over-seeing the forum.

Each member of the fo-

rum has agreed to uphold the CEO Forum’s three main focuses: Relationship development and spiritual encouragement, leadership development and training and cultural impact.

The relationship com-ponent of the Forum is achieved through periodic regional and national meet-ings. Leadership develop-ment is largely accom-plished through curriculum developed exclusively for the Forum by Henry Black-

aby, and the Forum seeks to impact culture through outreach both nationally and internationally, most recently in China.

Several members of the forum have recently preached and taught in China. The Chinese gov-ernment has an increasing interest in the influence of Christianity and Christian principles in the market-place, which has led to the opportunity for executives to incorporate their faith in

sharing business expertise abroad, Lytle said.

Dr. Michael Winegeart, assistant professor of inter-national business and di-rector of global initiatives in the College of Business Ad-ministration, said one ben-efit of the new relationship for ACU is the opportunity to build connections.

“Once a CEO is invited to speak to a group of ACU students at an event like the annual COBA Leadership Summit in Colorado, they often want to come on cam-pus and get involved in a bigger way,” said Winegeart.

Winegeart said his own experience as a student learning from Christian busi-ness leaders shaped many of his career decisions.

“To sit at the feet of Godly leaders and learn is transfor-mational,” Winegart said.

Lytle’s participation in the board gives ACU a voice in the leadership development of men and women who lead some of the nation’s largest organizations. Lytle said it is a great opportunity for every-one involved and a win-win situation for ACU and the CEO Forum.

“I’m honored to be asked to serve and given the opportunity to forge relationships with men and women who see their position in the market-place as a calling from God,” Lytle said.

Laura GasvodaStaff Reporter

FACULTY

To sit at the feet of Godly leaders and learn is transformational.DR. MICHAEL WINEGEART // assistant professor of international business‘‘ ’’

I thought it was a fantastic way for us to promote ourselves to the school.

SPENSER LYNN// member of the men’s cross country team‘‘ ’’

contact Williamson [email protected]

October 27, 2010FROM THE FRONT

Radio: NPR program to broadcast from campus the talented young musi-cians, O’Riley allows them to play a classical compo-sition of their choice. The show, now in its 10th year, encourages young per-formers to share their mu-sical gifts with millions of listeners each week.

Five young musicians will perform, including one of Abilene’s own. Halle Puckett is a 12-year-old pi-anist and student at Craig Middle School. She is the youngest of the perform-ers set to perform at the broadcast.

“This show is a step-ping-off point for these young musicians. Some-

times O’Riley will check back with past guests, and they have gone on to play in the New York Phil-harmonic and things like that,” Singletary said.

“From the Top” is dedi-cated to helping these young musicians develop their talents. In 2005, the show partnered with the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation and New England Conser-vatory to offer scholarships opportunities. Over $1 mil-lion have been awarded to young musicians.

“We hope to get a lot of college students and high-schoolers in the audience, so they can see these kids are just like them, and through talent and prac-

tice they can achieve the same things,” said John Best, KACU-FM Director of Broadcast Operations.

Halle will perform Moritz Moszkowski’s Etude in F major, Op. 72, No. 6.

The other musicians on the roster include Austin Allen, marimba percussion-ist from McKinney, Taeguk Mun, cellist from New York, N.Y., and organists Karen Christianson from Media, Pa. and Eric Fricke from Benton, Pa.

Christianson and Fricke will perform on the First Baptist Church’s $1.2 mil-lion Shelton organ.

“These two young organ-ists could be considered the best in the United States,”

Best said. “These kids will really show the magnitude and power of the organ. The organ is actually one of the reasons we chose this loca-tion for the event.”

Best said the concert will represent a broad spectrum of the young talent that ex-ists throughout the country.

“Hearing the two young performers playing the or-gan is one of the main rea-sons I am attending,” said Sandy Byers, KACU-FM Traffic Manager. “I am also eager to hear the talent of all the young musicians. It is amazing to see how much talent they have.”

This is not the first time that “From the Top” has visited Abilene. Five

years ago, KACU invited the show to Abilene for a concert at the downtown Paramount Theatre. Best has been working behind the scenes for three years to get the show back to Abilene, and listeners have supported his efforts.

“We pretty much sold out the Paramount. I still have people ask me when “From the Top” will return to Abilene,” Best said.

“These types of events are great to showcase KACU and bring the station to the forefront. After 25 years of operation, there are still people out there that don’t know KACU brings news, entertainment, even classi-cal music,” Best said.

“From the Top” will be performed live from First Baptist Church of Abilene on Nov.16 beginning at 7:30 p.m. The segment will air na-tionally on NPR on Dec. 27. Each episode of “From the Top” can be heard on 89.7 KACU-FM on Tuesdays at 9 p.m. and Saturdays at 1 p.m.

Tickets are available for $20 for adults, $15 for KACU members and $10 for students at the KACU-FM office, located on the first floor of the Don Mor-ris Center. For more infor-mation, visit KACU-FM website, www.kacu.org, or call 674-2441.

KACU

Continued from page 1

contact Hernandez [email protected]

The teams came back to-gether to sort through their plunder under the guid-ance of Dr. Jim Cooke, pro-fessor of environmental science. Cooke informed the students that the City of Abilene will recycle all plastics except Styrofoam, as they adorned rub-ber gloves to sift through sticky soda cans and corn syrup bottles.

“Once a person picks up another person’s trash, they get a different attitude about things,” Cooke said. “It’s okay, ev-erything washes off.”

Afterward, the group enjoyed a dinner from Schlotzsky’s Deli served on biodegradable plates and cups, Futrell said.

Cooke was encouraged by students’ enthusiasm

on the project, and said he thought the raid was an innovative way to re-mind the campus of the importance of recycling. But one raid isn’t enough to make sustainability on campus a reality.

“The job is bigger than what we got accom-plished in the one activ-ity,” Cooke said. “I’d like to see more of that kind of thing.”

The Environmental Society is planning an-other recycling raid on Nov. 11, and all students, staff and faculty are invit-ed to participate, Futrell said. Cooke said he hopes

to see students with a di-versity of interests join forces with the Environ-mental Society as the Lo-cavore Club did.

Matthew Hale, senior communication major from Uvalde and presi-dent of the Locavore Club, said he was happy to work with the Envi-ronmental Society under their common goal of sustainability.

“It made us more aware of how recycling affected our lives,” Hale said.

Unlike Bailey and Cagle, Pe-ter Hargrave, junior theatre major from Pasadena, Calif. didn’t see Sing Song until his freshman year at ACU. How-ever, he said the tradition was incredible and a great way of getting many groups

of students together.“This is a good oppor-

tunity for me and the rest of the hosts and hostesses to get more involved in an ACU event that the entire school comes together for,” Hargrave said.

Club and class act direc-tors were also named in the

week. Pi Kappa and a class act of graduate students will perform for the first time in many years, Craig said.

Students, parents and alumni from all walks of life trek to Abilene for Sing Song each year, and Cagle said she enjoys the thought of inspiring someone in the same way she was inspired as a young girl.

“I remember watching Sing Song as a kid and be-ing like, ‘wow, how cool is that?’ and to get to give that gift to someone else and plant that love of music and performing into an-other girl’s heart is cool.”

Cities are ranked under one of five categories ranging from ‘Very Low Cost’ to ‘Very High Cost’. In its release, the survey stated its goal to serve “as a ‘tie-breaker’ for compa-nies that are contemplat-ing a move or an expan-sion and have already determined the best com-bination of factors impor-tant to them.”

However, Burdine isn’t sure of the importance surveys play in the role of businesses deciding to come to Abilene.

“There’s a lot of surveys out there that a business may look at, and it’s hard to tell how they are be-

ing used in the business world,” Burdine said. “In my years in site develop-ment, I’ve never talked to a business which said that they based their decision on coming to Abilene on what a survey said.”

The ten least expensive cities for a businesses the city listed are in alphabet-ical order Abilene; Austin; Cheyenne Wyo.; Corpus Christi; Eugene, Ore.; Ev-erett, Wash.; Fort Worth; Houston; Reno; Nev. and Yakima, Wash.

Texas has six of the the twenty most affordable cities for businesses, in-cluding Dallas.

The top ten most expen-sive cities list includes Chica-go, New York, Phoenix and San Francisco among other cities.

A complete list of all ci-ites in the survey and the methodology in compil-ing the list can be found on the Kosmont Web site www.kosmont.com.

Rank: Abilene among top cities for business

LOCAL


A business that’s thinking about relocating may look at that survey and think about coming here.

RICHARD BURDINE// Abilene assistant city manager‘‘ ’’

contact Woodrow [email protected]

Cans: Students raid dormsCAMPUS


contact Lewis [email protected]

Hosts: Student productions announces Sing Song leadersSING SONG


contact Bailey [email protected]

quick factsStudent productions announced the hosts and hostesses for Sing Song 2011. For a complete list of directors for all acts, go online to acuoptimist.com.

2011 Hosts and Hostesses

n Carlee Cagle, senior musical theatre major from Arlington.

n Kat Bailey, senior musical theatre major from Sugarland.

n Callie Massey, senior music education major from Harper Heights.

n Peter Hargrave, junior theatre major from Pasadena, Calif.

n Jared Ohrmundt, senior mathematics major from Hurst.

n Blake Rogers, junior theatre major from Athens.

2011 Class Act Directors

n Freshman: Jonathan Bryant, freshman music education major from San Antonio.

n Sophomores: Nick Tatum, sophomore vocal performance major from Plano.

n Juniors: Julie Niell, junior advertising/public relations major from Irving.

n Seniors: Rachel Jinkerson, senior psychology major from Abilene, and Lyndsey Womack, senior youth and family ministry major from Longview.

n Graduate Students: Andrea Haugen, graduate student from Tomball, andBelinda Floyd, graduate student from Abilene.

Once a person picks up another person’s trash, they get a different attitude about things.

DR. JIM COOKE// professor of environmental science. ‘‘ ’’

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FocusOctober 27, 2010

Lagosette is a small village located a few miles away but still an hour’s drive outside the northern Haitian city of Cap Haitien. Houses and huts line a gravel road, and this small community abounds with family, but not much else. Though not directly affected by the earthquake that devastated Port-au-Prince, much of Cap Haitien and a majority of the surrounding region are filled with people living in poverty.

Many of the children in this area attend Lagosette School, founded by Manna Global Ministries in 1999. MGM continues to support not only the education of

children in Lagosette, but their nutrition and spiritual development as well. For many children, the only meal they receive each day is from the school. The school also offers a daily devotional lead by the director of the school. The school offers pre-school through sixth grade classes for children ages 4-18 and currently has 337 students enrolled.

A team comprised of Ruth Jackson, Lisa Dunn, Mon-ica Gautney and Jessica Floe senior art major from Ar-lington, Wash. went to Lagosette for a week to bless the children of Lagosette School with art lessons. Bringing

along markers, oil pastels and an abundance of pa-per, Jackson and Floe taught the kids to draw pictures while Dunn and Gautney, both fluent in Haitian Cre-ole, translated. At the end of each class, a few drawings were chosen to bring back to the U.S. where they will be made into greeting cards and sold to raise money for the school.

If you’re interested in donating to the school or pur-chasing a set of cards, please check out www.lagosette-school.com or contact Jessica Floe at [email protected].

Inspiring HandsIndividuals travel to small village to give Haitian children art lessons

Story and photos by Jessica Floe

Above: Students attend the Lagosette school in dirty uniforms and shoes. Below: Boys play soccer with a tennis ball.

Above: Floe and others experienced beautiful scenery while on the road between La-gosette and Pon Grasia. Below: Girl in the second grade draws and colors in class.

Floe and Jackson offered art classes to the students of the Lagosette school. They chose several pieces of student work to make into greeting cards. All money raised will go toward the school.

Self-ExaminationBy Ryan Self

While current governor Rick Perry may have plenty of experience in Texas poli-tics, former Houston mayor Bill White has decades of experi-ence in ac-tual leader-ship. Perry has been an e x c e l l e n t PR rep for Texas for the past few years, mostly because his role as gover-nor required very little. For many of the challenges that face our state in the coming years, Texans need more.

Although the rough econ-omy has not affected Texas as dramatically as many oth-er parts of the country, the state is expected to face an enormous budget shortfall

projected between $11 billion and $17 billion, according to the Texas Tribune. Good looks alone will not be able to rescue us from this mounting debt. We need a leader with good busi-ness sense. If his fiscal suc-cess in Houston is any indi-cation, White may be the best man to handle the looming budget pitfall. White, a for-mer business executive who holds a degree in economics from Harvard, was praised in the Houston Chronicle for how he “deftly steered Hous-ton through both fiscal and tropical storms.”

Along with a resume filled with strong creden-tials in business and eco-nomics, White also has shown that he has incred-ible capacity as a leader. White was awarded the John F. Kennedy Profiles

in Courage award after he mobilized over 100,000 stranded victims of Hur-ricane Katrina in Houston in the aftermath of the storm. White has also been a prominent leader in edu-cation, not a strong suit of Gov. Perry, by co-founding Expectation Graduation which hopes to reduce drop-out rates among high-schoolers. White’s wife, Andrea, who worked alongside him to found Expectation Graduation, also began a nationally-recognized foundation to improve public schools.

Few leaders have enjoyed the popularity White gained

while mayor of Houston. After bringing crime rates to the lowest seen in more than 25 years, while making the city a national leader in job growth, the citizens of Houston elected White to two terms. White has shown he is a dynamic and respect-ed leader who can be count-ed on in times of crisis. Bill White is more than just a ca-reer politician, he is a leader. And the kind of leadership that White has exhibited in business, governing and in times of crisis reveals that he is the right man for the job.

An unusually high level of interest surrounds this year’s midterm elections – and the gubernatorial race in Texas is no different.

The race for Texas gov-ernor pits two highly quali-fied individuals against each other in a race that will likely be closer than Texas gubernatorial elections in years past.

Incumbent governor Rick Perry brings experi-ence as Texas’ longest-serving executive. Perry has held office since 2000, when Gov. George Bush resigned to become President of the United States.

Challenger Bill White also brings executive expe-rience as the former mayor of Houston. White also has

experience at the national level after serving as deputy secretary of energy under President Bill Clinton.

Both men bring unique talents and ideas to the table. However, Gov. Perry has shown leadership qual-ities that Texas needs as the state continues to position itself as a major player on the world stage. We endorse Gov. Rick Perry as the can-didate best qualified to lead Texas as the nation under-goes a time of transition.

As the U.S. struggles to recover from one of the worst recessions in the last century, Texas has emerged from the downturn in a strong position. A study from the Texas Public Poli-cy Foundation, a non-prof-

it research organization, found Texas has created 129,000 jobs in the last year. In turn; conversely Califor-nia has lost 112,000 jobs.

In July, CNBC named Texas the best state in the nation for business. Texas is also home to 64 Fortune 500 companies, more than any other state. Perry has initiated numerous tax cuts and policies that support business growth.

The position of Texas gov-ernor is a purposefully weak position, so to say Texas’ economic strength is totally due to Perry’s policies would be incorrect. However, Per-ry’s business-friendly rheto-ric undoubtedly has played a role in making Texas the economic powerhouse it is

today. Texas’ governor must be a figurehead, and Perry has been a great spokesman for the state.

Perry also has promoted a level of fiscal responsibil-ity the state needs. Texas, like most states, is suffer-ing from a serious budget shortfall. Perry has ruled out tax increases as a means for addressing the state’s budget woes and empha-sizes the state will balance its budget in accordance with its no-deficit-spend-ing amendment.

Perry also has shown a determination to secure Texas’ border with Mexico. Perry has championed $110 million in state resources for border security, all the while imploring the federal gov-

ernment for more assistance in securing the border.

Perry is by no means the perfect candidate. In his time as governor, Texas’ public ed-ucation system has suffered. However, Perry has shown a commitment to improv-ing Texas’ education system internally, without the aid of federal dollars. He has also championed legislation to ensure more tax dollars go directly to the classroom.

Perry is a consummate politician. His decision not to participate in any public

debates with the other can-didates for governor, while perceived by some as cow-ardice, was actually a shrewd political move. Politics is a game, Perry plays it well.

Texas is one of the best places in the nation to call home. In order to maintain that distinction, Texas needs strong leadership now and in the future. We believe Gov. Perry has and will continue to provide that leadership.

Opinion October 27, 2010

Unsigned editorials are the opinions of the Optimist and may not necessarily reflect the views of the university or its administration.

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Optimistthe

Rick Perry should retain GovernorshipEDITORIAL

Horse accident revives outlook

COLUMN

Altitude SicknessBy Juliana Kocsis

A horse’s saddle seems to be a popular spot for characters in old West-ern films and cowboy l e g e n d s to learn i m p o r -tant life l e s s o n s and reach profound i n s i g h t s about na-ture or hu-manity. I’m picturing a lone, rugged cowboy rid-ing across the plains and sleeping under the stars, his horse roped to a tree near the campfire while he plays his harmonica for the “dogies.”

For me, a horse’s saddle wasn’t quite that ideal when I went rid-ing for the first time at a friend’s ranch over fall break. Not that I didn’t experience that quiet, almost transcendent solitude and connection with nature while riding along a river between the mesquite trees at sunset, it was just that I didn’t actually stay in the saddle.

One minute my horse was galloping precari-ously toward a tree while I tried desperately to reign him, and the next I was waking up, looking at a clear blue sky with three friends frantically asking if I was all right.

Six hours later I was limping out of an emer-gency room with a frac-tured back, eight staples in my head, and a ginor-mous splint on a frac-tured left wrist.

None of that has ac-tually been as bad at it may sound, and I found there’s quite a bit to learn from falling off a horse.

For one thing, riding a horse is much more of an art than it might look — one that apparently doesn’t come naturally to me.

During my emergen-cy room stay I discov-ered morphine really is a wonderful thing.

This last week I’ve re-alized our vertebrae and back muscles are actually rather crucial for jump-ing in and out of bed, sit-ting at a desk, driving a car and climbing the stairs. Hands, as it turns out, are also fairly important. If one is temporarily out-of-order, there will be little typing, texting, showering or cooking. Flossing is en-tirely out of the question.

More than that, I found people have an amazing and humbling willingness to help in so many ways — like bringing flowers, making dinner, carrying a book to class, typing your homework, carrying your laundry, buttering a piece of toast or sham-pooing your hair.

I also have a much better appreciation for being able to wake up in the morn-ing, get out of bed, put my shoes on, walk places and do a lot of other things I never really considered at all special before.

So while my amateur horsemanship prevented me from any romanti-cized experience or re-alization in the saddle, I found just as much to be learned from waking up on the ground to trees and a blue sky. And may-be sometimes it’s good to be bleeding on a rock instead of comfortably secure in a saddle.

Metaphorically, that is — I’ll skip the staples next time.

the issueOn Nov. 2 Texans must choose between gubernatorial nominees Rick Perry and Bill White.

our takeIt is the opinion of the Editorial Board, not necessarily of ACU, that Perry’s past success makes him the better candidate.

Kocsis

contact Kocsis [email protected]

Texas requires new leadership

Self

COLUMN

contact Self [email protected]

By Morgan DavisThe Funny Funnies

White has shown he is a dynamic and respected leader who can be counted on in times of crisis.

contact the Optimist [email protected]

October 27, 2010 FROM SPORTS

World SerieS PredictionS

Brandon TrippSports Director

Austin GwinSports Editor

Ryan CantrellSports Multimedia

Editor

Bryson ShakeAssistant Sports

Editor

Jeff CraigManaging Editor

Linda BaileyEditor in Chief

With big bats at so many spots in the order the Rangers have the ability to get offense from virtually every spot. The Giants don’t light up the scoreboard night in and night out like the Rangers. Texas’ speed on the bases also gives them an advantage. O yea, and the Rangers have Lee.

The Giants pitching staff is one of the few in the majors that can match the Rangers in all three matchups, and the Giants have a knack for winning close games. At some point though, the Giants will need to score, and the chances of that happening against Lee and Wilson is unlikely.

The key to this series will be how the Rangers can play on the road. In away games Texas won’t have the luxury of a DH. The way the Rangers can hit on the road will determine how the series is won. Lee will win one and Wilson and Lewis will both pick up wins in their starts for the Rangers.

The Rangers have their work cut out for them against a solid Giants team. San Fran has the edge on the mound with ace Tim Lincecum and company. Texas is solid all around and has a couple of things in their arsenal foreign to the Giants, a little something called, “the claw and antlers.”

The deciding factor in the World Series will be Texas’ offense. The teams’ rotations are both talented, with a slight edge to the Giants. However, San Francisco averaged 3.17 runs per game in the NLCS, while the Rangers averaged 6.3 runs per game against the Yankees.

Texas’ offense has proven to be unstoppable this season. With guys like Young, Vlad, Hambone, and Nellie, they will outscore the Giants. Not to mention, the power of Lee, Wilson and Feliz on the mound. If the Rangers continue playing well rounded baseball, it should be a short series.

Pick: Rangers in 5 Pick: Rangers in 6 Pick: Rangers in 6 Pick: Rangers in 7 Pick: Rangers in 6 Pick: Rangers in 5

Change: A long process

placed on the department, but the financial burden placed upon the university. There is an application fee anywhere from an estimat-ed $900,000 to $1.3 million. That fee is required in the second year of the process.

In addition to the initial application fee, the cost of running a Div. I athlet-ics program is significantly higher than a Div. II pro-gram. The reason for this cost increase is linked to scholarship increase at the Div. I level, the cost of staff-ing Div. I athletics, and the

cost of operation due to greater travel distances etc.

So while it might be a won-derful thought to see ACU make the big leap from Divi-sion II to Division I, don’t ex-pect a change anytime soon.

COLUMN


contact Tripp [email protected]

Blowout: Gale passes for five TD’s in routcompleting 23 of 41 pass-es for 362 yards and five touchdowns for the second straight game.

“I think the play of Gale was the difference,” said ACU head coach Chris Thomsen.

The Wildcats battled the wind all day long in the blowout.

“I have never been in a wind like this, it was amaz-ing,” Thomsen said.

The Wildcats were with-out kicker Morgan Lineber-ry, but replacement Ryan Owens buried a 53-yard field goal to put ACU on the board at 3-0.

It didn’t take long for the Wildcats to get going again on their next drive. ACU featured Emery Dudens-ing, who touched the ball a number of times on the drive and capped it with a two-yard score to put ACU up 10-0.

Gates had the first of his three scores of the day on the next drive when Gale found him on the wide receiver screen pass and Gates did the rest. He took it 50-yards to the house,

blowing by everyone wear-ing a Greyhound uniform, to put the Wildcats in con-trol 17-0.

With just 13 seconds left in the first quarter the Wild-cats struck again. Mitchell Gale found Kendrick John-son in the flats and John-son made everybody miss on his way to the end zone for a 45-yard score. Wildcats were up at the end of one quarter 27-0

“The field position early in the game was really to our advantage,” Thomsen said.

And it remained that way until late in the second quarter. Mitchell Gale led the Wildcats down the field against the Greyhounds and finished the drive with a 26-yard strike to Edmund Gates, his second of the day, and the Wildcats were up big at 33-0.

ACU would score 20 more points in the game and fin-ish with a final of 53-14.

One thing the Wildcats can take away from this game is one offensive touch-down allowed. ACU’s de-fense held a potent offense, that averaged more than 33 points per game coming

into the game, to just one of-fensive touchdown.

ACU might have found a solution to some ques-tionable pass defense: A combination of James Wil-liams, David Lamour, and Drew Cuffee. The three defensive backs were a driving force in holding the Lone Star Conference’s leading passer to just 126 yards through the air.

Edmund Gates had his fourth straight 100-yard catch, which proves one thing – he’s pretty good. Gates, along with Mitchell Gale, has been the driving force behind the much im-proved offense this season. Not only is Gates blowing by people as usual, but this season he is running crisp, clean routes that combine with his speed to leave opponents scratch-ing their heads.

ACU’s domination of a LSC North contender con-tinue to show the rest of the conference, the region and the country they are ready to be back on top this season.

FOOTBALL

contact Tripp [email protected]


Ex-factors making a pro splash

The ACU football pro-gram has disregarded the conventional methods of advertising for their pro-gram and switched to a new method, emphasiz-ing three mammals: two Bears and one Bengal – and rightfully so.

Three former Wildcats and current NFL players have made their presence known around the league, bringing about unparal-leled publicity for Abilene Christian University.

The two Bears, Danieal Manning and Johnny Knox are on a Chicago team that is atop the NFC North, and are a big part of the team’s success.

Knox, a fifth-round draft pick, has quickly made his

presence known around the league. Perceived as one of the fastest players in the game and the epit-ome of a “home run-threat receiver”, he has become a steady part of the Bears’ of-fense. The 23-year old has also become quarterback Jay Cutler’s number one receiver in recent weeks, hauling in his first receiv-ing touchdown of the year last Sunday against the Washington Redskins. Knox is only 50 receiving yards shy of surpassing his season total last year with eight games left this year.

Edmund Gates, a cur-rent ACU wide receiver and potential NFL pros-pect, uses Knox as an ex-ample and motivation for someone who has made it to the professional level and succeeded.

“Johnny is a great role model and example for me. It motivates me know-ing that he worked out in the same weight room as I do and played on the same field too,” Gates said.

Danieal Manning is in his fifth year with the Bears organization and has been a valuable pres-ence as well. Manning is Chicago’s primary return man and has gained over 400 yards up to this point. Defensively, Manning is a steady contributor and recorded his first intercep-tion last week.

Bernard Scott, the Ben-gal, is having a solid year as well. The second year player has accumulated over 400 total yards and is seeing a respectable amount of playing time for the Bengals.

ACU Head Football Coach Chris Thomsen sees a common denominator in all three of his former players’ success – one that was strengthened and dis-played while they were players here.

“All three of those guys have earned everything they have accomplished. They are all extremely hard workers and are commit-ted to what they do. The roots of being successful in all things come from hard work and dedica-tion,” Thomsen said.

The three pros are a pretty good form of adver-tisement for ACU football. They continue to show why ACU’s football program is one of the best.

Bryson Shake Assistant Sports Editor

ALUMNI

contact Shake [email protected]

Sweep: ’Cats still unbeaten in LSCto ECU in all three games by scores of 25-13, 25-14 and and 25-10. Even the officials got in the act with pink shirts.

The second game of the weekend looked a lot like the first as the Wildcats ran through the Savage Storm from Southeastrn Oklaho-ma 25-14, 25-8 and 25-22.

“The match against Southeastern showed that we have a solid team of 14 deep,” said junior libero Kelsie Edwards. “It is going to take every single person on this team to accom-plish the goals we have set for ourselves.”

The big performers on the weekend were the same as usual for the Wild-

cats. Senior Shawna Hines was all over the stat sheet against ECU with 11 kills and seven blocks. Fresh-man Neely Borger also sparkled in Thursday’s match, hitting five kills with no errors for a perfect 1.000 hitting percentage. On Saturday the ’Cats were led on offense by sopho-more Kalynne Allen who had nine kills with only one error, while senior Ijeoma Moronu posted an-other double double with 29 assists and 17 digs.

They will play again Thursday at Texas A&M Kingsville, and then on Saturday in San Antonio against Incarnate Word.

VOLLEYBALL


contact Gwin [email protected]

SportsStandings

Briefs

n In the latest American Volleyball Coaches’ Poll released Monday, the Wildcat volleyball team slipped to No. 21 de-spite winning their two matchups against East Central and SW Okla-homa St. handily last weekend. ACU (22-3, 10-0) was ranked No. 20 the previous week.

n The ACU football team moved up to No. 3 in the latest American Football Coaches’ Poll from their previous spot at number 4. ACU also received a first place vote of the year, their first of the year. The Wildcats trail only No. 1 Grand Valley State and No. 2 Minnesota-Duluth in the poll.

PlayerProfile

n Kristen Cavallo, a freshman from Bed-ford, scored her first collegiate goal in the Wildcats’ 1-0 win over Incarnate Word on Sunday in only her third start of the season. With the lone goal in the game, Cavallo provided all that was necessary offensively for the ‘Cats to trump the Cardinals in a pivotal Lone Star Conference match. Cavallo was a 4-year letter winner, two-time all-district selection, and cap-tain at L.D. Bell High School in Bedford.

upcoming

n The ACU football team will host Angelo State (3-4, 1-4) Satur-day at 1 p.m.

n ACU soccer will take on Texas A&M-Com-merce at 7 p.m. Friday before playing in Denton against Texas Women’s Sunday at 1 p.m.

n Wildcat volleyball will play at TAMU-K Tues-day at 7 p.m.prior to playing Incarnate Word Saturday at 2 p.m. in San Antonio.

October 27, 2010

ACU grabs share of LSC lead with wins

ACU recorded two big wins this weekend on the road against Angelo State and Incarnate Word. The victories put them in a tie for first place with Mid-western State at top of the conference.

The Wildcats fell be-hind against Angelo on Friday as the Rambelles struck first. Ashley Brown scored in the 60th minute to take a 1–0 lead for ASU. The Wildcats would rally back by tying the game up in the 71st minute on

a goal by Ashley Holton. ACU was not done yet as they continued to press the Rambelles. Andrea Carpenter would then score the game-winning goal in the 87th minute, and Katherine Garner would add an insurance goal in the 89th minute.

“After falling behind 1-0, we didn’t panic and we were able to keep our cool and play a good brand of soccer,” Coach Casey Wil-son said. “That was really the first time all season we had to come from behind, and our girls stepped it up and played great.”

Sunday the Wildcats ex-tended its winning streak to eight, as a late goal would be enough to knock off Incarnate Word 1–0. Elliott London recorded fives saves for the Wild-cats seventh shutout of the season. The game went back and forth before ACU would score in the 76th minute on a goal by Kris-ten Cavallo.

ACU is now tied for first in the conference with Midwestern State enter-ing the final weekend and has a game lead on Angelo State and a two-game lead on Incarnate Word. The

Wildcats would have to finish with a better record than the Mustangs to host the conference tourna-ment. Both the Mustangs and the Wildcats have two road games against Texas A&M University–Com-merce and Texas Women’s University.

“This weekend is very important. We have taken the season game by game, which has seemed to work for us. I think we have sur-prised everyone in our con-ference so far,” Holton said. “We have worked so hard as a team to get to where we are and we are not let-

ting anyone take that away from us.”

The Wildcats are cur-rently fourth in the region-al rankings and are looking to make the NCAA tourna-ment for the first time in program’s history.

“We have to win both games to give us a chance to win the division and host the conference tour-nament,” Coach Wilson said. “The girls know we still have a lot to play for, and we have no reason to be satisfied yet.”

Ryan CantrellSports Multimedia Editor

SOCCER

FOOTBALLTeam Div. Ovrl.ACUTAMU-KWTAMUMSUE. CentralENMUTarleton St.Angelo St.UIW

4-04-13.-12-22-23-11-31-40-4

8-07-16-26-23-53-52-63-42-6

VOLLEYBALL

Team Div. Ovrl.ACUWTAMUAngelo St.Tarleton St.MSUTAMU-K

10-010-09-16-46-44-6

22-318-813-1019-712-1110-12

WOMEN’S SOCCERTeam Div. Ovrl.MSUACUCen. Okla.WTAMUNE St.E. Central ENMU

8-1-06-1-04-4-13-5-12-4-31-7-11-8-0

13-2-013-2-08-7-17-6-36-5-55-9-24-12-0

Div. I move a ways offRounding the BasesBrandon Tripp

Over the course of the se-mester people have been asking one question. Will ACU move up to Division I?

The answer for the time being is quite simply ‘I don’t know.’

There is some rumored m o v e m e n t coming out of the South-land Con-ference that they will be losing the University of Texas at San Antonio and Texas State University to the Western Athletic Conference. With these rumors come even more rumors from curious ACU sports junkies, myself included, on whether or not moving to Div. I would be an avenue the university will look into.

After some research into the process of becom-ing a Div. I school, I can tell you this with certainty, it will be a few years.

The NCAA has a lengthy process to move from Div. II to Div. I. A Div. II school must go through a five-year process after making an announcement of in-tention to join Div. I, with each year counting as a sort of stepping stone into full Div. I membership.

The first year of the membership is called the Exploratory Year. In this year, the school basically has to come up with with a strategic plan for how they will meet with the NCAA philosophy and comply with certain oper-ating principles of Div. I.

The second year in the process begins a series of three years of ‘transi-tional years.’ During these transitional years schools compete against both Div. II and Div. I opponents while being in a sort of limbo between the divi-sions. Schools are consid-ered to be Div. I opponents when they schedule games against Div. II opponents and are considered Div. II opponents when they schedule games against Div. I opponents.

And perhaps the biggest obstacle in moving to Div. I would not even be the ad-ministrative requirements

COLUMN

STACY ACTON // Staff Photographer

Daryl Richardson runs by the Eastern New Mexico defense in the game on Saturday. Richardson had 10 carries for 50 yards in the 53-14 rout. ACU as a team gained 227 yards on the ground with eight different players contributing to the team’s total.

Wildcats breeze by ’Hounds

The ACU Wildcats moved to a perfect 8-0 on the season with a 53-14 victory over the Eastern New Mexico University Greyhounds.

Wide receiver Edmund Gates had a record-set-ting day for the Wildcats before coming out in the third quarter, with seven receptions for 124 yards and three touchdowns. The three touchdowns

mark the first time Gates has had at least three re-ceiving scores in a game, and the 124 yards through the air mark the fourth straight game with 100-plus yards for the senior. The seven catches for

Gates put him past Johnny Perkins for fourth all-time in career receptions.

Quarterback Mitchell Gale once again guided the offense to a big day,

Brandon Tripp Sports Director

FOOTBALL

DANIEL GOMEZ // Chief Photographer

Shawna Hines (7) and the rest of the Wildcats do a pregame ritual before playing a match earlier this year.

Weekend sweep keeps ’Cats first

With West Texas A&M’s volleyball program hav-ing what appears to be a down year with a lot of crucial non-conference losses, another program has a chance to step up and take control of the LSC. That team seems to be the Wildcats.

This year both the Wildcats and Lady Buffs have identical 10-0 con-ference records, but the real difference is the over-all record where the ‘Cats are 22-3 and West Texas 18-8. Coach Mock seems to think that the changing of the guard is happening between the two teams.

“I would say that the

power is shifting,” said un-dergraduate coach Daniel Graves. “They lost five starters and don’t have a lot of depth, while we have a balanced team from our seniors all the way down to the freshmen.”

ACU took care of its business this week win-ning both of their match-es handily. They beat East Central 3-0 on Thursday before crushing South-eastern Oklahoma State by the same score.

Thursday’s match against East Central was ACU’s annual “Dig Pink” match in support of breast cancer awareness. Sport-ing pink headbands and socks, the Wildcats took it

Austin Gwin Sports Editor

VOLLEYBALL

see CHANGE page 7

see BLOWOUT page 7

see SWEEP page 7

contact Cantrell [email protected]

Tripp

The Optimist Print Edition: 10.27.10

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