BY LORI BREDEMEYERMANAGING EDITOR

Jack Rich, executive vice president, said TexasMonthly got one thing right in its review of ACU:The university prides itself on its Christian val-ues.

The magazine published its 2004 Guide toTexas Colleges and Universities, in which itreviewed 59 of the 130 schools in Texas from astudent’s point of view. Reporters spent time ateach school talking to students and spendingtime on campus, and Rich said that portrayedACU in a slightly altered light.

“I think in general that Texas Monthly didn’t doa very thorough job of looking at the schools inthe way that they approached it,” he said. “I thinkit was unfair to many schools, and there were a lotof things they could have said that would havebeen very positive that they missed the opportu-nity.”

The article said the campus is “full of super-nice students who are having a darn great time,”and “there is much fun to be had, even if it iswholesome fun.” It also joked about how stu-dents will enjoy the school “as long as you don’tmind keeping the door open and both feet on thefloor.”

“I thought they were poking a little fun,” Richsaid, “and I thought that was OK in the context ofsaying that we take our Christianity seriously.”

The article also cited several of the best andworst aspects of ACU, such as the best tradition,Sing Song, and the worst on-campus food, theBean. Dr. Jonathan Wade, assistant professor ofEnglish, was credited with teaching one of thebest classes.

“It was an honor; it did make me feel goodabout it,” said Wade, whose humanities class wasrecognized. “I do my best to make it somethingwe can all enjoy and learn.”

The review mentioned two departments, also.Journalism and Mass Communication wasacknowledged as one of few accredited programsin the state, and the Physics Department wasmentioned for allowing its students the opportu-nity to work in national nuclear laboratories.

Dr. Donald Isenhower, department chair, saidundergraduate physics students at ACU havebeen doing research for more than 30 years.

“The students do work which has been veryimportant,” he said. “It gives them a lot of expe-

OPTIMISTTHE

Department of Journalism and Mass Communication Abilene Christian University Serving the ACU community since 1912

FRIDAYAugust 27, 2004

Vol. 93, No. 31 section, 10 pages

www.acuoptimist.com

Football preview:See a position-by-positionbreakdown of the team,whose first game is Sept. 4.

Page 10

Students intern in multicultural office:Seven students are working in the Office ofStudent Multicultural Enrichment with differ-ent cultural affinity groups.

Page 4

Barefoot opens:The Theatre Department’sproduction of Barefoot inthe Park opened Thursday.

Page 7

New residence hall approved

By CHRISTY GOWERFEATURES EDITOR

Hopes for a water park nearcampus are being put on holduntil the business partners set-tle a dispute.

Charlie Wolfe and ChrisYoung have been working tobuild a smaller version ofHurricane Harbor near cam-pus between East North 10thand Interstate 20, just west ofLoop 322, Wolfe said. Had thedisagreement not occurred,Wolfe said they looked at hav-

ing it completed in April 2005. “The whole thing is up in

the air,” he said. “It’s all onhold.”

Wolfe is suing Young togain the title to the land hepurchased for the park.

“One partner has control ofthe land and didn’t pay for it,”Wolfe said.

Young said settling out ofcourt hasn’t worked, but theydo not have a court date as ofyet. He said he could not dis-cuss details of the case or hisreaction to possible outcomesof the case under advice of hisattorney.

Wolfe said the clash wasover a “significant” differencein the percentage of the com-

pany each thought a stock-holder should have.

He estimated the parkshould take eight to ninemonths to build after gainingownership of the land. Thepark could bring numerousemployment opportunities tostudents in particular, he said.

The park will be similar toNRH2O in Richland Hills andwill have different attractionsadded every couple of years,Wolfe said.

“There is a need to havesomething like that in Abi-lene,” he said.

Plans for water park on holdDispute over finances,land ownership stallconstruction of park

E-mail Gower at: cng02a@acu.edu

Building shuffle• Learning EnhancementCenter: After the LEC closed,a classroom, computer lab,writing center, seminar roomand TRIO offices now occupythis space underneath theBrown Library.

• Office of Career andAcademic Development:This office moved to thenewly renovated lower levelof McKinzie Hall.

• Burford Music Center:What used to house theMusic Department until theWilliams Performing ArtsCenter opened, will soon beoccupied by the educationdepartment.

EYAKEM GULILAT/Staff Photographer

Students from Madagascar sing in the Sowell Rotunda of the Biblical Studies Building at a reception for them Aug. 4—their first full day at ACU.

EYAKEM GULILAT/Staff Photographer

A Malagasy student speaks to a faculty memberat a welcoming reception Aug. 4.

‘Act of God’ brings Malagasy students

By SARAH CARLSONCOPY EDITOR

When Tiana Andriamananaarrived in Texas for the firsttime, she not only was over-whelmed by the heat and con-fused by the accents, but shenoticed something aboutAmericans.

“They eat a lot of food—too much for us,” Andriama-nana said. “I ordered a ham-burger, and it was too large toeat.”

Andriamanana is one of 22students from the Republic ofMadagascar, an island nationoff the coast of Africa, attend-ing ACU this fall on a specialscholarship.

Almost 100 faculty mem-bers and students welcomed

the students at a reception inSowell Rotunda in the BiblicalStudies Building on Aug. 4.Dressed in matching ACU-purple polo shirts, the stu-dents wound their way up thestairs to an echoing applausefrom the crowd.

Dr. John Tyson, vice presi-dent for development, wel-comed the crowd and de-scribed the arrival of the Mala-gasy students, as people fromMadagascar are called, as ajourney.

“What a powerful testimo-ny to the influence of 98 yearshere at this university,” hesaid.

Students recruited

Tyson took part in both thefirst and second U.S.-Mada-gascar Business Council trademissions in November andApril, respectively, as the onlyrepresentative of higher edu-

cation.He met with Madagascar

President Marc Ravalomana-na, whom he described as asuccessful Christian business-man who wants to help bringhis country out of poverty. Theambassador to the UnitedStates from Madagascar, Ra-jaonarivony Narisou, visitedthe campus in March in orderto assess the university for thepresident.

A plan was developed tosend Malagasy students toACU on a four-year, fully paidscholarship funded by thegovernment of Madagascar,called the Madagascar Presi-dential Scholars Program.

Advertisements for thescholarship appeared in Mayon national radio, televisionand newspaper ads in Mada-gascar. Tyson said only stu-dents who finished their high

University welcomes22 from Madagascarearlier this month

By JONATHAN SMITHEDITOR IN CHIEF

The Board of Trustees ap-proved plans for a $6 millionresidence hall Saturday, andconstruction could begin bymid-September.

Jack Rich, executive vice

president, said the project’sbudget is still being finalized,and officials are looking to seeif the hall can be ready for stu-dents next August. If it cannotbe ready, the project could bedelayed.

Kevin Watson, chief admin-istrative services officer, saidconstruction could begin bythe middle of September, andRich said it would have tobegin by the end of Septemberto be done by next year.

The hall, which will be builton the student parking lotacross from Brown Library, willhouse 176 students. Althoughit will be one connected struc-ture, the hall will be comprisedof four self-contained pods—students would have to go out-side to get from one pod toanother.

Each floor of the three-storyhall will have a separate com-mon living area for residents,Watson said.

Because of the structure, thenew hall could adapt everyyear, and each pod could housea different gender or classifica-tion of students, depending onthe needs.

Although the new hall willbe built on a student parkinglot, Watson and Rich said theybelieve there will be enoughparking.

“We know we’ll hear some

Construction couldbegin next month;

done by August 2005

Departments, officesbegin trading spaces

By DEE TRAVISARTS EDITOR

At the dawn of a newsemester, students aren’t theonly ones adjusting to newhomes. Several changes havebeen made to the campus, in-cluding closing the LearningEnhancement Center.

Dr. Dwayne VanRheenen,provost, said in an e-mail thatstudents will still receive tutor-

ing, just not in the LEC.Instead, VanRheenen said,

the academic departments willhire tutors, and they will workin spaces provided by thedepartments.

“This approach will closelylink tutors to the needs of thedepartment as defined by thefaculty who are teaching thecourses,” VanRheenen said.

VanRheenen also said thatalthough the LEC has movedout, the space beneath thelibrary is still being used by theUniversity Writing Center and

Offices, classrooms fillholes left by LEC,Music Department

Magazinescores Texasuniversities

Some administrators say reviewwas unfair, not very thorough

See HOUSING Page 7

See REVIEW Page 7

See BUILDINGS Page 7

See STUDENTS Page 7

TITTLE LUTHER PARTNERSHIP/Courtesy photo

A site plan (above) and front elevation (below) show the details for theproposed residence hall across Campus Court from Brown Library.

Calendar Events

28 Saturday 2 Thursday

27 Friday 29 Sunday

Friday, August 27, 2004

CAMPUS

31Tuesday

1 Wednesday

The Optimist maintainsthis calendar for the ACU com-munity to keep track of localsocial, academic and serviceopportunities.

Groups may send ann-ouncements directly to opti-mist@jmc.acu.edu or to thePage 2 Editor, ACU Box 27892,Abilene, TX 79699.

To ensure that an itemwill appear on time, theannouncement should be sent atleast 10 days before. TheOptimist may edit items forspace and style.

Corrections and clarifica-tions of published news articleswill be printed in this space in atimely manner.

ChapelCheck-UpCredited Chapels to date: 04

67Credited Chapels remaining:

About This Page

VolunteerOpportunities

30 MondayInformation night for prospectivepledges, Hart Auditorium, men at 6p.m., women at 7 p.m.

Students’ Association electionspeeches, 7-9 p.m., Hilton Room.

Students’ Association elections, 11a.m.-5 p.m., Campus Center.

Campus Activities Board interestmeeting, 5-6:30 p.m., Hilton Room.

Study Abroad Welcome Back Din-ner, 6-9 p.m., Living Room.

Friday, Aug. 27Freshman Follies sign-ups, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Campus Center ticket win-dow.

Intramural sign-ups, 11:45 a.m.-1p.m., Campus Center ticket window.

Graduate School of Theology Backto School Dinner, 4-9:30 p.m., HiltonRoom.

Study Abroad fair, 7 a.m.-6 p.m.,Campus Center.

Freshman Follies sign-ups, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Campus Center ticket win-dow.

FilmFest sign-ups, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.,Campus Center.

Freshman Follies sign-ups, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Campus Center ticket win-dow.

Intramural sign-ups, 11:45 a.m.-1p.m., Campus Center ticket win-dow.

Graduate School of Theology Backto School Dinner, 4-9:30 p.m.,Hilton Room.

Professional Development Day forstudent teachers, 7:30 a.m.-3:30p.m., Hilton Room.

CPR training for intramural sports,8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Living Room.

MFI Research project, 5-8 p.m.,Hilton Room.

The ACU Roller Hockey Teamis seeking experienced players.They represented ACU last year atthe National Collegiate RollerHockey Tournament and want tocontinue their winning tradition.For information, e-mail crb00c@-acu.edu.Synchronized Swimming islooking for more girls to partici-pate. The club will begin inSeptember, and no previous syn-chronized swimming experienceis necessary. Being able to swim

200 yards is the only requirement.For more information, e-mailclm02e@acu.edu.Bowling will be free for all stu-dents next week, Aug.30-Sept.3,because of an agreementbetween the Students’ Associa-tion and the Recreation Center.Students must present an ACU IDCard.Mascot tryouts will be heldAug.28 at 3 p.m. in MoodyColiseum. For more information,e-mail rvw02a@acu.edu.

&

Announcements

The counseling centerneeds a volunteer to copy edit theDear Grace column that appearsin the Optimist and possiblyother documents. It takes about30 minutes to an hour a week andcan probably be done by e-mail.For more information, contactHelen Marshall at Ext. 2119 or bye-mail at marshallh@acu.edu.

Day Nursery is seeking vol-unteers to work shifts at its foodbooth Sept. 10-18. Workers willbe serving food and drinks, butthey will not be required to cook.Many different shifts are avail-able during both day and eveninghours. Visit the Volunteer andService-Learning Center in theBean Sprout for more informa-tion.

The Student Resources Of-fice needs 20 volunteers to helpwith the faculty and staff event“Under the Big Top.” The eventwill take place in the TeagueSpecial Events Center 5-8:30 p.m.Thursday. For more information,contact the Volunteer andService-Learning Center in theBean Sprout.

Wildcat Kids is looking forvolunteers. Applications can bepicked up at the Volunteer andService-Learning Center in theBean Sprout. Completed applica-tions are due Sept. 10.

Friday, August 27, 2004 Page 3CAMPUS NEWS

By JACI SCHNEIDEROPINION EDITOR

Four new directors havemade ACU residence hallstheir homes this semester.

The Office of Residence Lifeand Housing filled the fouropenings in residence halls thisyear with Jacquetta Etheridgein Gardner Hall, Marie Thomasin Nelson Hall, Bob Booth inMcDonald Hall and Steve Sar-gent in McKinzie Hall. CallieBrown is also new in Univer-sity Parks Apartments.

“I’m exceptionally pleasedwith the staff we have,” saidDr. Mimi Barnard, director ofResidence Life Education andHousing.

Former residence hall direc-tors simply moved on in life,Barnard said. Two of themlived in the halls for nine years.

“That’s just a really longtime to live in a building withcollege students,” Barnardsaid.

The new directors will fillmany roles over the course oftheir employment, including

administrator, mentor, securityofficer, host and disciplinarian.

With all the roles they willfill, the job is mainly one ofministry, said Bob Booth, direc-tor of McDonald Hall.

“It’s a unique ministry inthat it’s very close to the modelin which Christ ministered,”Booth said.“Christ minis-tered by livingamong thepeople.”

Booth saidcollege stu-dents gothrough a lotof new expe-riences andchanges in their first year atschool, and he wanted to bethere for them.

“I’m here to mourn withthose who mourn and rejoicewith those who rejoice,” Boothsaid. “We’ve already had somepretty intimate conversations.”

None of the residence halldirectors’ duties have changed

since last year, but the regula-tions will be better enforced,Barnard said.

“If it’s on our [contract],then we’re going to be doingthese things,” she said.“Things like going to Chapeland really managing the build-ing and not just the peopleinside it.”

For Booth, the job may bedaunting, but he said it will berewarding.

“It can be quite a bit ofwork; you’re pretty much al-ways on call,” he said. “But Ilove working for the school.”

Residence directors tend tobe recently graduated studentswith master’s degrees or stu-dents working on their mas-ter’s, Barnard said.

“The apartments aren’t bigenough to hold a growing fam-ily,” Barnard said. “Three tofive years is a good amount oftime to serve.”

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY EMILY CHASTAIN/Staff Photographer

Marie Thomas, an ACU graduate with a master’s in psychology from Redondo Beach, Calif., is the newresidence director in Nelson Hall. Other new directors include Jacquetta Etheridge in Gardner Hall, BobBooth in McDonald Hall and Steve Sargent in McKinzie Hall.

Halls get new leadersFour fill head positions

in residence halls,begin multiple roles

E-mail Schneider at: jrs02a@acu.edu

“I’m here to mourn with those who mourn andrejoice with those who rejoice.”

Bob Booth, McDonald Hall residence director

Barnard

Page 4 Friday, August 27, 2004CAMPUS NEWS

Student Multicultural Enrichment office adds seven cultural student advisers

BY CHRISTY GOWERFEATURES EDITOR

Because of the budget cutslast semester, the Office ofStudent Multicultural Enrich-ment made one large change; itswitched from having two coor-dinators to having seven stu-dent interns.

La Shae Sloan, director ofStudent Multicultural Enrich-ment and Student Services, saidshe is looking forward to work-ing with the student interns,called cultural student advisers,because they will have a betterperspective than she and formercoordinators Bob Gomez andDave Merrill had.

“There are pros and cons toit,” she said, “but I am reallylooking forward to their work-ing and the things we have

planned together.“The con to it is I haven’t had

their presence for that planningpurpose,” Sloan said. “But Ithink the pro is they will have aconnection with other studentsthat Bob, Dave and I never real-ly could, just because they livein the same world and under-stand issues about schedulesand what students actually wantto know, and what they want tolearn, and what they want toexperience.”

Each adviser will work witha cultural affinity group andplan a specific event throughoutthe year.

“I think that having so manyworkers and all of their energyand interest and desire for thisjob is going to make things govery well this year,” Sloan said.

Sloan has several new activi-ties planned this semester, alongwith expanded versions of fami-liar activities.

A new program Sloan andAracely Velasquez, senior histo-

ry major from Houston, areworking on is MyPEEPS, or Mi-nority Peers Encouraging Ex-cellent Performance Success-fully. MyPEEPS is a mentoringprogram matching freshmenwith upperclassmen in the samecultural affinity group.

“What we’re trying to do ismake sure all students are con-nected to someone,” Sloan said.“There’s a lot of opportunitieson campus … but we wanted tomake sure we connected stu-dents according to cultural af-finity groups to make sure theyhave someone who’s older andsuccessful to look up to andmaybe ask questions of.”

Workshops on time andmoney management and how tobe successful in college are alsopart of the program.

Velasquez will be workingonly for the fall semester as partof a practicum.

Jennifer Fuentes, junior mar-keting major from Abilene, andKathleen Pina, junior political

science major from San Anto-nio, will help plan HispanicHeritage Month, Sept. 15through Oct. 15.

Another program plannedfor the year is Sundaes onMondays, monthly discussiongroups conducted the last Mon-day of each month.

“It’s really an opportunity forpeople to start talking, talkingabout issues,” Sloan said. “If it’sa hot issue, you get to get cooledoff with ice cream.”

The first Sundaes on Mondayis Sept. 27, and Noel Cothren,sophomore business manage-ment major from Albuquerque,N.M., and Monica Smith, juniorjournalism major from FortWorth, are planning the events.

Takisha Knight, sophomorejournalism major from LakeCharles, La., and Rachel Lau,sophomore undeclared majorfrom Penang, Malaysia, are incharge of Global AwarenessMonth. The Culture Show isone of many activities during

the month, which is an expand-ed version of Cultural Aware-ness Week.

“It’s talking about issues thatare bigger than the United Statesand what’s going on in the restof the world,” Sloan said.

The last event planned forthe year is Tri-University FirstFriday, an opportunity for stu-dents from ACU and Hardin-Simmons and McMurry univer-sities to get together and min-gle. The first First Friday is Sept.3 and is planned by Cothrenand Smith.

Sloan chose the seven internsout of 10 applications shereceived last semester. She saidshe received no male applicants.

“I trust these young womenand their ability,” Sloan said.“They come from differentbackgrounds, so they will givedifferent perspectives. It’s a verydiverse group.”

Office adds, expandsprograms to increase

awareness

E-mail Gower at: cng02a@acu.edu

Cultural StudentAdvisers

The cultural affinity groupand event assigned to eachadviser is also listed.

• Noel Cothren: white stu-dents; Sundaes on Monday,First Friday• Jennifer Fuentes: NativeAmerican students; HispanicHeritage month• Takisha Knight: black stu-dents; Global AwarenessMonth• Rachel Lau: internationalstudents; Global AwarenessMonth•Kathleen Pina: Hispanicstudents; Hispanic HeritageMonth•Monica Smith: Asian stu-dents; Sundaes on Monday,First Friday• Aracely Velasquez (fallsemester): not assigned;MyPEEPS

APRIL WARDPAGE 2 EDITOR

Plans to replace the AbileneIntercollegiate School of Nur-sing building with a new struc-ture are underway.

The structure, which will becalled the Patty Hanks SheltonSchool of Nursing, will haveamenities for students and facul-ty, said Dr. Jan Noles, dean of theShelton School of Nursing.

“The building will hold fac-ulty offices, classrooms and aclinical simulation laboratory,”she said. “We’ll have new facul-ty furniture, furniture in the

classrooms, monitoring equip-ment and supply cabinets.”

Noles said the clinical simu-lation laboratory will be set uplike a critical care unit with nur-sing in the center.

The new facility is being builtin the north parking lot of thecurrent building, and construc-tion is expected to be completedby Fall 2005. After completion,the current building will bedestroyed.

The school has been raisingfunds for a year and a half, andthe money has come from thosewho want to see the programgrow, Noles said.

She said the building will benamed after Patty Shelton, wifeof Stormy Shelton, a well-known philanthropist in the

Abilene area, and that theShelton Foundation contributedto the building.

With new classrooms, a larg-er student lounge and a biggercomputer lab, many nursingstudents say they are lookingforward to the added space thebuilding will provide.

“The building we have nowis fairly new, but there are only afew classrooms in it,” said Jen-nifer Calvert, senior nursing ma-jor from Austin. “They’re notreally big enough, so we’re kindof crammed in there. Since I’mgraduating, I won’t get the bene-fit of the new building, but Ithink it will be great.”

Friday, August 27, 2004 Page 5CAMPUS NEWS

E-mail Ward at: alw02b@acu.edu

Nursing school to have new buildingBuilding to have more

space, clinical simulation laboratory

Freshmen have invaded mysection in Chapel.

A row of annoying freshmensat behind myfriends and meon Wednesday,and it was al-most unbear-able. They hadthe attentionspan of gnatsand would notstop talking. Ieven heardwords escape afew lips thatyou only hear

on HBO.Um ... yeah ... that’s pretty

inappropriate. My friends had to turn

around and tellthem that in orderto sit in our section,it is imperative theynot be so distract-ing.

Now I’m not try-ing to pick on allfreshmen. I wasonce a freshmanand remember with fond andalmost bitter longing the daysI was able to take naps everyafternoon, watch movies andspend hours with my friends.

But as an upperclassmannow, I feel I should pass downsome knowledge to ACU new-comers on how to limit annoy-ing tendencies.

Things not to do:1. Don’t loiter in the con-

course of Moody or in theCampus Center mailbox areabefore and after Chapel.

2. NEVER drive to class andtake parking spaces away fromthose who live off campus.

3. Don’t act like you knoweverything.

4. Don’t be “too cool.” (Youknow what I’m talking about.)

5. Don’t think it matters whoyou were or what you did inhigh school. Honestly, no onecares. This is a chance to startover; take advantage of it.

6.Don’t complain aboutclasses and meal plans if youaren’t the one paying for them.

7. Don’t complain about U-100 or core classes within ear-shot of an upperclassman. En-joy the easier courses whilethey last.

Things to do:1. You can slide your card

for Chapel before the littlegreen light goes off.

2. Learn to deal with Beanfood.

3. Get involved with organi-zations on campus! (Freshman

Action Council,SA, InternationalStudent’s Associ-ation, Internat-ional Justice Mis-sion, Service Ac-tion LeadershipTeam, etc.)

4. Do FreshmanFollies and try out

for Sing Song.5. Go to class. Just because

your mom isn’t here to wakeyou up does not mean you candisregard your education.

6. You’re going to have tolearn to deal with curfew.

College is a unique experi-ence, so take advantage of yourtime here. Have fun being acarefree freshman. Some of myfavorite college memories arefrom the stunts we pulled ourfirst year and the great times wehad hanging out. Make themost of it.

(*If you haven’t seen AlmostFamous, go out and rent it.)

In the August 25th editionof the Optimist, Steve Holtstates, “Their [Dr. JamesDobson’s and others’] tactics[on encouraging Christians tovote] are underhanded anddeceptive, however, mixing re-ligion and politics into a thicksoup of guilt, responsibilityand legalism.”

Holt asserts that “they[Christian voters] [are] evenbeing told that they’re sinningif they don’t show up at thepolls.”

Holt seeks to undermine Dr.Dobson’s and others’ charge forChristians to show up at thepolls in November to vote(mind you, these claims are

also devoid of any documenta-tion).

He states, “What I hate iswhen polarizing forces likeDobson make one’s politics aspiritual issue.” In Matthew5:13-14, Jesus says, “You arethe salt of the earth; but if thesalt has become tasteless, howcan it be made salty again? It isno longer good for anything,except to be thrown out andtrampled under foot by men.You are the light of the world.A city set on a hill cannot be

h i d d e n . ”What is Je-sus imply-ing here?

He is implying that we asChristians have a civic duty tobe involved in the culture andthe political process. If we arecarrying out this responsibility,then we have no need to beguilty. Moreover, if we don’telect officials with Biblical val-ues to lead our country, thenwho will?

Two key Web sites for thebody of Christ as the electionsdraw closer are www.redeem-thevote.com, and www.ivoteval-ues.org. Both encourage Chris-tian voters to express their

voice and values in the comingelection.

May God grant us the graceto carry out our civic duty andresponsibility as biblical Chris-tians, and not Christians “inname only.”

Patrick Nolandsenior psychology major

from Abilene

In 30 years, I’ll come backfor Homecoming, and I’ll saythe same thing about Mc-Donald Hall that I’ve heard a

million timesabout McKinzie: “WhenI was in school, it was agirls’ dorm.”

I’ll always rememberit as where I used to goto pick up my sweetie fora date, but it’s beenchanged to a guy’s resi-dence hall with a twist:it’s specifically set asidefor business and Bible ma-jors and whatever friendsthey choose to bringalong.

Now that is what I call a great idea.Up until now, they’ve had the odd prob-lem. I mean, the vast majority of Biblemajors have kept pretty strictly to onlyassociating with their own kind, butthen you’d have the odd guy who’d getall evangelical and actually makefriends from other courses of study.

Same with business. Most of them

stay isolated nicely in the COBA build-ing, wondering what other campus allthose pre-1980 buildings belong to. Butevery now and then one of them willrun for office in SA, and before youknow it, everybody is acquainted withthem. Even theatre majors.

But with the new setup, there won’tbe that temptation. Business majorsneed not fraternize with the people whowill be working for them when theyown their Fortune 500 companies, andBible majors won’t have to talk to any ofthe rest of us outside a pulpit.

And it’s not only good for students; itbrings great things to the universityitself. Within one residence hall, ACU iscombining its two most visible depart-ments (indeed, two full colleges) intoone unstoppable juggernaut of power,leaving the obviously weaker “Arts andSciences” folks as easy pickings in thebattle of natural selection.

And who knows? If, inthe next couple of years theycan do the same thing with awoman’s hall, we may beable to combine that plan

with ACU’s “marriage factory” and cou-ple Bible and business majors up forlife. And their children may even beable to provide us with a nice little“master race” to lead ACU into the22nd century and beyond.

I think this decision shows a lot ofthought and really works into the bestinterest of a more unified ACU. Oh,sure it may not look more unified now,but in the next couple of decades, as allthe other academic departments areslowly phased out, you’ll see what Imean.

ACU is gearing its students up forsuccess, and if there’s one thing historyhas taught us, it’s that segregationmakes it happen.

College is aunique experi-ence, so takeadvantage of

your time here.

New residence hall will benefit studentsThe university

chose to move aheadwith plans for a new

residence hall Satur-day—a plan put on hold

because of financial pres-sures last year.

The plan calls for the con-struction of one hall made of fourself-contained pods, which couldhouse a total of 176 students.

We applaud the university forseeing the need for more housingand taking the steps to alleviatethe problem by next year.

With likely the largest fresh-man class in ACU history en-rolled this year, Jack Rich, execu-tive vice president, said if a simi-

lar-size classwere enrollednext fall, theu n i v e r s i t ywould be about100 beds short.

The solution in the past hasbeen to move several studentsfrom overcrowded freshmanhalls to empty rooms in sopho-more halls until rooms openedup.

This year, however, because ofthe large freshman class, 25freshman women were housed inSikes Hall until spaces in fresh-man halls opened. To free uproom for them, 20 sophomorewomen were moved from Sikes

to University Park Apartments.The residence hall mix-and-

match has gone quite far enough.This new hall will alleviate thatproblem.

Because of the design of thenew hall, Residence Life Edu-cation and Housing can chooseeach year which gender and clas-sification of students will live ineach pod.

This flexibility will allow thehalls to shift and accommodateeach year’s changing enrollment.

H o w e v e r,because thehall will bebuilt in thestudent park-

ing lot across from Brown Li-brary, the hall, which will house176 students, will eliminateabout that number of parkingspaces during construction.

Kevin Watson, chief adminis-trative services officer, and Richhave both said they believe therewill be enough parking else-where.

Although parking at ACU isnot nearly the problem it is onsome university campuses, weurge the administration to take

some time over the next monthbefore construction could possi-bly begin, to study the currentparking situation and how it willbe affected once that lot isunavailable.

If parking does turn out to bea bigger problem than anticipat-ed, do not hesitate to convert theuniversity-owned property a-round campus into more studentlots.

The university’s first new resi-dence hall in 26 years could notcome at a more necessary time.The Board and administratorsmade the right call in recogniz-ing a need and taking steps tosolve the problem.

In Your Words

VIEWSFRIDAYPage 6 OPTIMIST August 27, 2004

OPTIMIST Editor in ChiefJonathan Smith

Managing EditorLori Bredemeyer

The Optimist Editorial Board

Opinion EditorJaci Schneider

Copy EditorSarah Carlson

Faculty AdviserDr. Cheryl Bacon

Ad ManagerChristi Stark

Published by the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication,

Abilene Christian University

Editorial and letter policyUnsigned editorials are the opinions

of the Optimist Editorial Board and may notnecessarily reflect the views of the universi-ty or its administration.

Signed columns, cartoons and let-ters are the opinions of their creators andmay not necessarily reflect the viewpoints ofthe Optimist, its Editorial Board or the uni-versity.

The Optimist encourages reader re-sponse through letters to the editor but re-serves the right to limit frequent contributors

or to refuse to print letters containing per-sonal attacks, obscenity, defamation, erro-neous information or invasion of privacy.

Please limit letters to 350 words orless. A name and phone number must beincluded for verification purposes. Phonenumbers will not be published.

Address letters to: ACU Box 27892

Abilene, TX 79699E-mail letters to:

optimist@jmc.acu.edu

Optimist contact informationNewsroom:(325) 674-2439

Sports desk:(325) 674-2684

Advertising office:(325) 674-2463

Photo department:(325) 674-2499

Subscriptions ($45/academic year):(325) 674-2296

Online:www.acuoptimist.com

Chief PhotographerBrian Schmidt

“Four-square.They have thatright?”

In My Words Daniel Barcroft

If you could be in the summer Olympics,what event would you compete in and why?

Sarah Carlson

I am theenemy*

The residence hall mix-and-match has gone quite farenough. This new hall will alleviate that problem.

The issue:The university wasgiven approval topush ahead with plansfor constructing ACU’sfirst new residencehall in 26 years.Our view:Because of increasedenrollment, therecould not be a moreappropriate time for anew hall.The solution:We support the univer-sity’s decision to moveahead with the projectbut urge them to studythe student parking sit-uation before con-struction begins.

Nicolas Acostajunior history majorfrom Abilene

Bible majors won’t have to talk to any of therest of us outside a pulpit.

McDonald: modern-day segregation

YOUR VOICEYOUR VOICEChristians have responsibility to vote

The Optimist, August 25.“Radio Personalities HelpVoters Decide” by SteveHolt, sports writer.

Re:

THE

Freshmen: Don’tbe ‘too cool’

“Swimming, ofcourse, becauseswimming isAmerica’s favoritesport!”

Lexi Fosterjunior marketing management majorfrom Ulysses, Kansas

“Archery, becauseI like Zelda.”

A.J. Smithjunior political science majorfrom Pampa

“Gymnasticsbecause I think it’sone of the ultimatesports. It testsyour psychologicaland mental skillsto the extreme.”

George Carstenssophomore finance major from Stellenbosch, South Africa

E-mail Barcroft at: optimist@acu.edu or dwb99a@acu.edu

DanielBarcroft

No pun forBarcroft

E-mail Carlson at: optimist@acu.edu or skc02a@acu.edu

ARTSFRIDAYAugust 27, 2004 OPTIMIST Page 7

The Box Office

Figures are for the week-end of August 20-22 and are inmillions. Total grosses inparentheses.

1 Exorcist: The Beginning—$18.1 (new)

2 Without A Paddle—$13.5 (new)

3 Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement—$13.1 ($61.2)

4 Alien Vs.Predator$12.4 ($35.6)

5 Open Water—$11.4 ($14.5)

6 Collateral—$10.2 ($69.7)

7 The Bourne Supremacy$6.4 ($21.1)

8 The Manchurian Candidate—$4.02 ($54.5)9 The Village—$3.72

($107)10 Yu-Gi-Oh!—$3.25

($15.5)

Top SellingAlbums

Numbers indicate: currentposition, last week’s positionand total weeks on the chart.

1/1/4 Ashlee Simpson, Autobiography

2/2/3 Various Artists, Now 16

3/-/1 Shyne, Godfather Buried Alive

4/-/1 Mobb Deep, Amerikaz NightMare

5/-/1 Alter Bridge, One Day Remains

6/4/21 Usher, Confessions 5

7/3/5 Jimmy Buffet, License to Chill

8/5/14 Gretchen Wilson, Here for the Party 2

9/7/17 Prince, Musicology10/6/12 Avril Lavigne,

Under My Skin

Barefoot succeeds with laughs, sincerityBy DEE TRAVIS

ARTS EDITOR

Sometimes falling in lovejust isn’t enough. It can cer-tainly be the start of a wonder-ful relationship, but only thestart. In Neil Simon’s BarefootIn the Park, characters learnhow to live and love, two fair-ly simple tasks; it’s gettingthem to coincide that’s theproblem.

The play features two new-lyweds, Corie (Katie Eason)and Paul (Eric Harrell) thathave just moved into a typical-ly crummy first apartment.There’s no bedroom, no bath-tub, and as Paul is quick topoint out, “There’s a north-easterly wind blowing throughthe room!” because of a holein the skylight. They quicklygrow tired of climbing up fiveflights of stairs to their apart-ment, although the marathonof a stairwell does discouragevisitation from parents.

Just as Corie and Paul areadjusting to married life, inbursts Victor Velasco (AdamHester). Velasco, the eccentricfrenchman who lives aboveCorie and Paul’s apartment,bursts at the seams with anenergy that appeals to Corie’swild side, while making Paulexhausted and miserable. It’sthis triangular relationshipbetween the newlyweds andVelasco that causes the firstsparks of Corie and Paul’smarriage to fly; if they’re sodivided on what constitutesfun, what are they doing livingtogether?

The performances are goodall around; everyone seemsextremely comfortable. Easonis always delightful to watch,largely because of her facialexpressions. Her character’semotions never fail to leap offher face, and this attribute fitsCorie perfectly. Harrell, on theother hand, brings a sardonic

serenity to Paul that makes avery realistic contrast. I hadno trouble at all believing inthese two. They know whatmakes Simon’s dialogue spe-cial, and their timing is righton. The script calls for a fairlywide spectrum of emotion andcharacter development, andboth Eason and Harrell deliv-er.

Donna Hester gives a solidperformance as Corie’s moth-er, and all the supporting castproves more than adequate,but it’s Adam Hester who near-ly steals the show. His Velascois over the top and outrageousbut rarely outside the realm ofbelievability. The very natureof the character is scene-steal-ing and potentially dangerous,

but Hester settles nicely into aperformance that comple-ments his scenes instead ofstealing them. Neil Simonwrote a fun character whencrafting Velasco, and the playgoes slightly more in depthwith him than I expected,making him more and more ofa real person as the storyunfolds.

The technical aspects of theshow are smooth, and it fea-tures a well conceived andwell structured set. The ulti-mate strength of any play is onpaper, though, and part ofwhat makes Neil Simon one ofAmerica’s greatest playwrightsis his ability to make comedyseem so natural. Real life isfunny, and he knows why.

Some of Simon’s lines carrybig laughs, but most of his dia-logue evokes big grins. Heknows how to write relation-ships of all kinds, and thecharacters in Barefoot In thePark are fun to get to know.They’re likable, even lovable,and that’s huge in a show likethis.

The ultimate message ofNeil Simon’s play speaks pret-ty loudly and is more than rel-evant in today’s climate. Loveisn’t easy. Even when two peo-ple are perfect for each other,there has to be some give andtake. Otherwise, the relation-ship can only end in frustra-tion. After all, what is a freespirit like Corie to do whenthe love of her life won’t even

walk with her barefoot in thepark?

Tickets are on sale by call-ing (325) 674-ARTS Mondaythrough Friday 1-5 p.m. Theproduction plays Friday andSaturday, Sept. 3-4, 10-11, inFulks Theatre. Dinner andshow is $25; performance onlyis $12. Tickets may be chargedto your ACU account. StudentRush provides half-pricedtickets (performance only) onthe day of the show after 6p.m. for ACU students with avalid ID.

BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer

Paul (Eric Harrell, right) reluctantly meets his eccentric neighbor, Vicor Velasco (Adam Hester, center) in Neil Simon’s Barefoot In the Park.Paul’s adventurous wife Corie (Katie Eason, left) watches with great interest.

E-mail Travis at: dxt02a@acu.edu

Page 8 Friday, August 27, 2004FROM THE FRONT PAGE

Students: Malagasy government sends 22 to attend ACU

Housing: Board approves hall Buildings: Vacancies occupied

Review: Texas Monthly rates ACUrience because they do workthat graduate students usuallydo.

“I think it’s nice we’re gettingattention. It gets ACU attention,and people know who we are.”

Rich said the magazine couldhave highlighted other depart-ments to give a better overallpicture of the university.

“They could have talkedabout a lot of places and hadvery positive things,” he said. “I

think the way they approachedit, they had a very limited viewof what ACU is really about.”

Although Rich said he wasnot satisfied with the article’sportrayal of the university’s aca-demic programs, he said he isthankful ACU’s review wasmore positive than Hardin-Simmons University’s. Its stu-dents were described as “arowdy group, and they’re wellon their way to earning theircollege an unofficial ‘partyschool’ reputation.”

Rich said these articles prob-ably will not affect any of theschools very much.

“I don’t think it hurts us atall,” he said. “I don’t know thatit makes much difference interms of helping us. Now interms of recognizing that we area Christian school with Christ-ian values, I think that’s valu-able in terms of letting peopleknow we’re serious about that.”

the TRIO programs.Another campus change is

that the Office of Career andAcademic Development hasmoved from the AdministrationBuilding to a larger space in Mc-Kinzie Hall.

Dr. Jeff Reese, director of theOffice of Career and AcademicDevelopment, said the lowerlevel of McKinzie was renovatedin July.

“We like to joke that if thequality of our service can keep

up with the quality of our office,we’ll be okay,” Reese said.

Changes are also beingplanned for the future. TheEducation Department soon willbe moving to what was previ-ously the Burford Music Center.The Education Department iscurrently in Chambers Hall, andDr. Jerry Whitworth, depart-ment chair, said the move willimprove its services.

The Music Department waspreviously in the Burford Centerbut moved when the WilliamsPerforming Arts Center opened

two years ago.“In Burford, we will be able

to do a better job at recruitingand a much better job integrat-ing our programs,” Whitworthsaid. “We’re really looking for-ward to the move.”

Other changes to the campusinclude the International andIntercultural Education and theStudent Success offices movingto the Administration Building.

school diplomas in 2003 wereeligible to apply because the2004 final exams in highschool were not completeduntil mid-July.

Applications from 1,031people came from all over thenation for the program.

The requirements for thescholarship are that the stu-dents complete their degreesin four years and return toMadagascar for at least twoyears upon graduating.

Applicants also had to havea basic understanding of theEnglish language, Tyson said,and all 22 students are at dif-ferent levels of proficiency,especially because they comefrom different regions of thenation.

Many of the students, likeMoustafa Assany, arrived with

only clothes. Tyson said part ofthe scholarship included apackage of basic necessities forstudents here, such as toi-letries, linens and laundryhampers.

Members of the HillcrestChurch of Christ are helpingby buying the students otheritems, Tyson said, and he saidhe thinks members fromUniversity Church of Christare helping as well.

He said all the students aregetting on-campus jobs inorder to help pay the cost ofliving.

Adjusting to West Texas

Tyson said PresidentRavalomanana met with thestudents before their departureto the United States todescribe his vision for thecountry and a belief that the

keys to overcoming povertyare Christianity and educa-tion.

Dr. Dwayne VanRheenen,provost, told the students atthe reception they are joininga wonderful community anddescribed Ravalomanana as acaring individual working tobetter his country.

“He cares not only aboutthe development of the mindand the intellect but also thedevelopment of the heart,”VanRheenen said at the recep-tion.

One thing the students loveto do is sing, Assany said, andthe group sang at the reception

as well as the freshman talentshow during Welcome Week.

Tyson said the group singsout of joy and were evensinging in the airport and incustoms during their journeyto Abilene.

Assany said he likesAmerica and ACU but said lifehere is a lot busier than backhome.

“Here, there is a lot morehomework,” Assany said.

He said it is exciting beingin the United States because ofthe nation’s power and that itis more developed thanMadagascar.

Assany is only taking

courses to better learn theEnglish language this semes-ter, and he said he plans tomajor in business ad-ministration and managementso that he can return to Ma-dagascar and help improve theeconomy.

Davi RakotonarivoHerintsoa said he is excitedabout coming to America andattending ACU to study politi-cal science. He said he wantsto work with Madagascar’sgovernment in the future andhelp improve the economy.

“I thought that it will be anadvantage for our country ifwe go to the United States,”Herintsoa said. “We can learnhere and bring the knowledgewe learn back home.”

America has surprised him,and it is not what he expectedit to be, Herintsoa said. Hesaid it is beautiful, green and

calm, and the people are nice.Andriamanana said the

only trouble is trying to under-stand what West Texans aresaying because of theiraccents.

Tyson said he is glad theMadagascar government hasmade it possible for the stu-dents to come to Abilene foran education. He said manystudents from different coun-tries want to come to placeslike ACU; they just lack thefunding.

“There is no question it isan act of God” that the stu-dents are here, Tyson said.“They’re going to be with usfor four years, then they’regoing to go back and changethe world.”

concern about [parking],” Richsaid. “However, we thinkthere’s plenty of parking oncampus. It’s not always at thefront door where people wantit, though.”

Rich said the student lotand the adjacent lot are neverfull, even at the busiest times ofday. With the Big Purplemarching band now practicingby the Williams PerformingArts Center, the lot where theyused to practice behind Ed-wards Hall is now available forparking.

If parking becomes a seri-ous problem once constructionbegins, Rich said the universityowns some houses and proper-ty around campus that couldbe converted into parking.

Plans for a new residencehall have been underway for

several years. The Optimist firstreported on it in 2002 when itwas being called a 2-3 yearplan. Last year, because offinancial pressures on the uni-versity, the timeline waspushed back until the financialsituation was alleviated. How-ever, after the university’s larg-est freshman class enrolled thisfall and enrollment was pro-jected into next year, the needfor more housing became ap-parent, Rich said.

“We feel like we need thebeds to give us housing forfreshmen and sophomoresnext year,” Rich said. “If we

have a similar size class nextyear, we’ll be short about 100beds.”

Although the new hall—the first new residence hallbuilt since Smith and Adamshalls were built in 1976—could open in the university’scentennial year, Rich said thatis only a coincidence.

“It would be here for theCentennial, but it wasn’tplanned because of that,” Richsaid. “It was planned becausewe have a need.”

E-mail Bredemeyer at: lmb00g@acu.edu

E-mail Smith at: jvs02a@acu.edu

E-mail Travis at: dxt02a@acu.edu

“They’re going to be with us for four years, thenthey’re going to go back and change the world.”

John Tyson, vice president for development and alumni relations

E-mail Carlson at: skc02a@acu.edu

Continued from Page 1

Continued from Page 1

Continued from Page 1

Continued from Page 1“If we have a similar size class next year, we’ll be short about 100 beds.”

Jack Rich, executive vice president

Friday, August 27, 2004 Page 9CAMPUS NEWS

BY JACI SCHNEIDEROPINION EDITOR

About 150 students earnedEnglish and Bible credits whileenjoying their vacation thissummer.

The students took MajorBritish Writers I and Messageof the Old Testament onlineduring their summer break.

The inaugural session foronline courses went smoothly,said George Saltsman, thedirector of educational technol-ogy and distance education.

“We definitely learned a lot,but overall it was extremelysuccessful,” Saltsman said.“There were a few minorglitches that everybody ex-pected.”

Glitches such as difficultysetting up an instant messagingprogram for some students'computers for live discussions,

and confusion about textbookscaused minor difficulties, butnothing too terrible to dealwith, Saltsman said.

A team of faculty developedthe courses beginning lastChristmas, he said. Beforeclasses could begin, faculty hadto be trained, Banner Web hadto be set up for billing, techno-logical issues had to be workedout and courses had to bedeveloped. All aspects of cam-pus were involved, Saltsmansaid.

“It was absolutely a team-based approach,” he said.“Everyone did a phenomenaljob.”

Although many aspects fac-tored into the online courses,two played very importantroles in their success, said Dr.KB Massingill, chief informa-tion officer and director of theAdams Center.

Massingill said Team 55made the courses possible.

“I’m pretty proud of Team55,” he said. “If you donít havetech support, a tech-based

course is not going to work.”Another key to the success

of the program was the uniquementor/teacher relationshipbuilt into the courses,M a s s i n g i l lsaid.

R o d n e yA s h l o c k ,instructor ofBible, ministryand missions,and Dr. KyleDickson, assis-tant professorof English,developed thecontent of thecourses intheir depart-ment and men-tored the pro-f e s s o r sthroughout thesummer.

“Very rarelydo you have that dynamicopportunity,” Massingill said.“It was kind of exciting, really.

“It takes the quality level ofthe courses up.”

Dr. Jonathan Wade taught afive-week English class onlineover the summer. He said hereally enjoyed teaching online.

“It is quite a different expe-rience for students and for theteachers,” Wade said in an e-mail. He added that he hadmore time to keep up withgrading, student concerns anddiscussions rather than focus-ing on classroom experiences.

“One misconception somestudents had was that theonline classes would take lesstime than a regular summerclass,” he said. “Summerschool, no matter what the for-mat, is pretty grueling foreveryone involved. Studentshad to read a good bit of mate-rial and write a great deal. “

However, he added thatonline courses have some posi-tives.

“The online format doesallow for a bit more flexibility,”Wade said.

About 150 take part in first online

undergraduate courses

Online courses overcome glitches

EMILY CHASTAIN/Staff Photographer

A worker paints the trim on the upstairs windows of Zona LuceTuesday afternoon. Window trims were also painted on theAdministration Building.

Window dressing

Saltsman

Massingill

E-mail Schneider at: jrs02a@acu.edu

SPORTSFRIDAYPage 10 OPTIMIST August 27, 2004

By BRIAN ROESPORTS WRITER

The volleyball team starts itsseason Friday in Canyon, partic-ipating in four matches at theLady Buff Classic tournament.

ACU opened the tournamentFriday at 9:30 a.m. againstWestern New Mexico. TheWildcats will also compete a-gainst New Mexico Highlands at4 p.m. On Saturday, ACU willmeet Adams State at 9:30 a.m.

and close the tournamentagainst nationally ranked MetroState at 6 p.m.

“Western New Mexico is theonly one that is not a regionalmatch," Horn said. "We wantedto play them first to try and getthe first-match jitters out of theway.”

ACU returns five startersfrom last season, including apair of first-team all-Lone StarConference players in junioroutside hitter Michelle Bern-hardt and junior middle blockerAmanda Slate.

Four freshman players will

experience their first taste ofACU volleyball this weekend.Outside hitter Abbie Lowry, out-side hitter Allie Watts, outsidehitter Liz Snoddy, libero AshleyBaird and middle blocker TerrahBrown make up the Wildcatsvolleyball freshman class.

Horn said she expects contri-butions from first-year players.

“We have some freshmenfighting for positions on thisteam, and that’s the way itshould be,” Horn said. “Abbieand Allie have both been hittingthe ball really well.”

Horn also added that Baird,who plays the same position assenior Kellen Morrow, also

impressed her in practice.“I am pleasantly surprised by

Ashley’s progress so far,” Hornsaid. “She is a defensive playerand she played well in ourintrasquad game last week.”

Brown will not have theopportunity to contribute thisweekend. She recently had mi-nor knee surgery and will missat least the first two weeks of theseason.

The Wildcats play theirhome opener Tuesday againstWayland Baptist. It begins at 7p.m. in Moody Coliseum.

Quarterback

With the departure of ColbyFreeman (4,132 career passingyards; 21 career passing touch-downs), Greg Wiggins willenter the season as the startingquarterback for the first timesince his arrival in 2000.

Wiggins hasproven worthyof the task athand; in fact,he led the teamin passing in2001 as Free-man’s brokenfoot allowedWiggins tostart five gamesunder center. He finished theseason with 1,342 yards and sixtouchdowns while throwing 17interceptions. Wiggins hadminimal work in 2002 as hepassed for 261 yards and onetouchdown in two games.

In 2003, Wiggins started twogames when Freeman broke hishand and led the Wildcats totwo wins over LSC South oppo-nents Midwestern State andTexas A&M-Commerce. He fin-ished the year with five appear-ances, 251 passing yards, onetouchdown and an intercep-tion.

Running Back

Sophomore Mark Gaines hasthe leg up on all the Wildcatrunning backs as he is the onlyback to carry the ball last sea-son. However, coach Gainessaid that Mark Gaines will splittime with seniors Rashon Mylesand CharlesWilliams.

“All threebacks havetheir strengths,but we onlyhave one ball,’coach Gainessaid. “The posi-tive is that wehave depth sofatigue shouldn’t be a problem.”

While Mark Gaines andWilliams are speed backs withframes of 5-8, 185 and 5-6, 195respectively, Myles is a strongback at 6-1, 215. With the dif-ferences, the “running back bycommittee” could see successas the team will be able tochange up the pace on theiropponents.

Wide Receivers

The receiving corps is themost inexperienced group totake the field in 2004, but the

Wildcats can only look up froma disappointing year in 2003.

Dillon Cobb will see time inhis senior season and will bejoined by freshman JeraleBadon who caught the onlytouchdown in the Purple andWhite Scrimmage on Saturday.

Offensive Line

The five up front could serveas the team’s offensive weaknessbecause of the lack of depth andexperience. Three of the fiveplayers will be starting theirfirst collegiate games, and threeof the listed backups have onlyhad experience at the highschool level.

The left side of the line willbe the only returning startersfrom last year’s team as juniorCharles Mock (6-4, 310) willplay left tackle and sophomoreCody Savage (6-4, 290) willreturn at left guard. CenterCody Stewart broke his foot inthe preseason, leaving redshirtfreshman Nathan Young (6-3,285) to pick up the slack.

John Douty (6-4, 295) is alsoa redshirt freshman and willstart opposite Savage at rightguard, while Josh Lively (6-5,320), a junior, will start for thefirst time at right tackle.

Defensive Line

The defensive line will be ingood hands with preseasonAll-American Clayton Farrellat defensive end (45 tackles, 8sacks & 1 FR in 2003), sec-ond-team all-LSC South defen-sive tackle Joe Edwards (23tackles, 1 sackin 2003), andl e t t e r m a nMark Mal-unowe (33tackles, 2 FRin 2003) lead-ing the way.Junior transferDaryl Free-man will helpEdwards plug up the opposingrun-game as the Wildcats lookto build upon a defense thatallowed only 124 rushingyards a game last year.

Linebackers

Even though the linebackerposition has the least experi-ence on the defensive end thisseason, Shawn Taylor willreturn to middle linebackerand Matt Allen will come backto the outside as well. Taylor isthe only returning member ofthe Wildcats to score defen-

sively last year as he picked offa pass and returned it for atouchdown against CentralArkansas in the season opener.Taylor finished with 44 tacklesand a sack, while Allen record-ed 28 tackles and one sack.

Junior transfer Greg Yeldellwill join sophomore BrandonHenry in the move from thesecondary to linebacker thisseason. Both Henry and Yeldellshould see time this year, andGaines said they will add tothe defense’s team speed.

Defensive Backs

If this group of players staysinjury free, it has the potentialto be the best secondary theteam has had in a long time.Preseason All-American Dan-ieal Manning (6 interceptions,56 tackles, 2 receiving touch-downs, 1 punt return for atouchdown) and second teamall-LSC South selectionDawon Gentry (74 tackles, 1interception) return at strongand free safety, respectively.

Seniors David Jones andAdam Black, as well as juniorsJaime Bueno and Omar Tejada,should all see time in the sec-ondary as the latter three com-bined for 63 tackles last sea-

son. Jones sat out last seasonbecause of an injury but has141 tackles in his three-yearcareer.

Special Teams

Eben Nelson will return forhis fourth and final year withthe team atplacekicker.Nelson is tiedfor the school’sall-time lead-ing kicker with163 points andalready holdsthe school rec-ord for mostcareer fieldgoals with 30.

Chase Fishback will servedouble duty on special teamsthis season as he returns forhis junior year as both thepunter and place holder forNelson. Fishback averaged38.5 yards a punt last yearwith a long of 61 and willreplace graduate Bryson Gall-oway as the holder.

T.A. Martinez goes into theseason as the team’s No. 1long snapper and will bebacked up by senior NickAnthony.

By KYLE ROBARTSSPORTS WRITER

Wildcat football will wrapup its third week of practicetoday, and things are begin-ning to take shape as they pre-pare to face the No. 9 team inthe nation. The Wildcats willplay in Edmond, Okla. as theyface Central Oklahoma at 6p.m. on Sept. 4.

For the most part, the teamwill be able to rely on experi-ence, as it returns 14 startersand 27 lettermen. However,lack of experience has leftweaknesses at the offensiveline and the linebacker posi-tion for ACU.

Though linebacker RandallWebb was the team’s leading

tackler with 90 tackles lastyear as a junior, he will notreturn for the Wildcats in2004. Linebacker Cliff Comp-ton and defensive linemanBrad Walton each left shoes tofill after they graduated. Com-pton was second on the teamwith 77 tackles, while Waltonadded 38 and led the teamwith nine quarterback sacks.

The secondary continues tobe the strong point through-out the preseason because oftheir speed and depth. Ken-drick Walker was the onlystarting player that won’treturn to the team this year.Walker has since graduatedand is currently playing semi-pro arena football in Amarillo.

On the offensive end, theteam will look to replace run-ning backs Richard Whitakerand Willie Williams who com-

bined for more than 1,300yards and 12 touchdowns.Mark Gaines is the onlyWildcat on the roster return-ing with carries under his beltfrom last season as he collect-ed 180 yards on 40 carries.

Dillon Cobb is virtually theonly Wildcat player returningto catch passes at wide-outthis season as last year’s clubstruggled with dropped ballsand a failure to reach the endzone. Cobb, who led the teamin receiving with just 265yards and a touchdown, willtry to lead a young group ofreceivers as they attempt toprovide service to new startingquarterback Greg Wiggins.

Below is a position break-down for the 2004 Wildcats.

Wildcats open season against No. 9 team in nationFootball team lookingto fill several holes leftby graduating seniors

BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer

Freshman wide receiver Johnathan Ferguson hauls in the catch while being hit by redshirt senior defen-sive back David Jones during goalline drills in practice on Wednesday.

2003 Team offensive statisticsG Rushing Passing Total Avg. TD Pts.10 1,564 yds. 1,557 yds. 3,121 312.1 28 22.2

2003 Team defensive statisticsG Rushing Passing Total Avg. TD Pts.10 1,240 yds. 1,748 yds. 2988 298.8 25 19

Offense Defense

Wiggins Gaines Farrell Nelson

E-mail Robarts at: kdr00c@acu.edu

BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer

Junior middle blocker Amanda Slate spikes the ball past Southern Colorado defenders Cara Dunsmoor and Samantha Connelly during theexhibition game Wednesday night in Moody Coliseum. Slate was named team captain along with senior libero Kellen Morrow last week.

Home opener will beTuesday againstWayland Baptist

E-mail Roe at: bpr00a@acu.edu

Volleyball begins first tournament

By BRIAN ROESPORTS WRITER

The Wildcat baseball teamwill waste no time trying toregain its 2003 form that ledthem to the NCAA Division IICollege World Series. After adisappointing season last yearthat ended in a loss toSoutheastern Oklahoma State,the Wildcats open the 2005season against the defendingNCAA Division II nationalchampion Delta State (Miss.).

The game will be played inAustin at St. Edwards Uni-versity. ACU and longtime rivalDelta State will play Saturday,Feb. 4, at 10 a.m. and theWildcats will battle against St.Edwards at 2 p.m. the same day.Both games are non-conferencedoubleheaders.

The Wildcats and the State-smen of Delta State have met 12times since 1996. Each teamhas won six games; however,ACU has won the last twoseries. The Wildcats eliminatedDelta State at the 2003 NCAADivision II South Central Re-gion Tournament to win theregion and advance to the 2003Division II College WorldSeries.

The opener against Delta

State is just the beginning of adifficult early season schedulefor the Wildcats. In its first sixgames, ACU will competeagainst three of the four teamsthat reached last year’s NCAADivision II South Central Re-gion Tournament.

“I want to see how we matchup against those good teams,”head coach Britt Bonneau said.

Last season was not a com-plete disappointment as theteam produced another win-ning season, going 30-23. Theteam’s success in 2003, howev-er, raised the bar for theWildcat baseball team.

One intriguing differenceabout the 2005 schedule is thatthe Lone Star Conference hascanceled its post-season tour-nament because none of the 12schools in the LSC could agreeon a date that would not inter-fere with final exams. The tour-nament is expected to be rein-stated in 2006 when the NCAAgives an automatic bid to allconference champions andexpands the regional tourna-ment from four to six teams.

ACU will play each LSCSouth Division foe in a four-game series, meaning the totalnumber of division gamesincreases to 20.

Baseball teamlooks to regainform from 2003Schedule has Wildcats

opening againstdefending D-II champs

E-mail Roe at: bpr00a@acu.edu

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