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Friday, February 6, 2015

Awesome Eagle secures second consecutive National titleFor the second consecu-

tive year, Tennessee Tech’s mascot, Awesome Eagle, won the Universal Cheerleaders Association Mascot National Championship in Orlando, Florida.

Competing against four other mascots, includ-ing Tech’s secondary char-acter Grandpappy Eagle, Awesome beat out rival mascot YoUDee from the University of Delaware by 0.8 points. YoUDee has won the national title fi ve times in previous appearances at the competition.

Awesome Eagle was confi dent he would bring the championship title home again.

“I knew that I was going to win again this year. There were only a few hiccups with the props, but none of that matters now. I left all of that in Orlando. This year was a huge accomplishment for me and for the school,” said Awesome. “It is an honor and a privilege to win one cham-pionship for TTU, let alone two in a row.”

Even though Awesome Eagle won last year, this was spirit coordinator Andrew Halford’s fi rst experience coaching a college national championship team.

“Coaching (the team) is easy because you can let them do their own thing,” said Halford. “Basically, I wanted to expand on what last year did.”

This was the fi rst year Grandpappy Eagle competed in the national championship and the fi rst year in UCA his-tory for a school to have two mascots in the same competi-tion. In the national champi-onship, Grandpappy Eagle placed fi fth overall, but the spirit squad hopes to contin-ue to improve Grandpappy Eagle’s title in the years to come, said Halford.

For the c h a m p i o n -ship, Awesome Eagle and Grandpappy Eagle competed in the open mascot division. According to uca.varsity.com, the open division consisted of fi ve different mascots this year including: Awesome

Eagle, Grandpappy Eagle, YoUDee from the University of Delaware, Will D Cat from Villanova University and Curtiss the Warhawk from Auburn University at Montgomery.

In addition to the open division competition, 10 mas-cots from larger sized schools competed in the Division 1A portion of the championship. Brutus Buckeye from Ohio State University went home with gold in this portion of the championship weekend and competed against other mascots including Aubie from Auburn University, Smokey from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and Goldy Gopher from the University of Minnesota, among others.

Spirit squad member

Robert Reavis felt prepared for the championship, but the drive to Orlando was nerve-wracking.

“On the way down, I defi nitely was nervous, if anything, just because I was helping drive the props down,” said Reavis. “Every little turn or bump, I was scared it would scratch a prop or bump something. At the end of the day, we were sure we had a good skit. It was rehearsed well and we were ready to go.”

In order to be selected to compete for the national championship, each team submitted a two-minute video to a panel of judges showcasing fi ve different categories: the crowd, game situations, community in-volvement, campus involve-

ment and spirit. Videos were submitted from mascots across the country, but only fi ve were selected to compete at the national champion-ship. Because of his submis-sion video, Awesome Eagle started the competition in fi rst place.

Before the championship commenced, the spirit squad was tasked with compiling a skit Awesome Eagle would perform at the competition. Halford said the entire skit was based off one joke. From there, the routine took form. Like the submission video, the skit had a grocery store theme using varying puns related to a typical grocery store, said Halford. To abide by competition rules, the team was not allowed to use more than 10 props dur-

ing the championship per-formance. During the skit, Awesome subtly called out his rival mascots using alarger than life free samplesstand and a meat freezer.

Awesome has competed in the UCA Mascot NationalChampionship four timestotal since his fi rst time com-peting in 2012 but has onlywon the title twice.

Spirit squad member Nick Gernt loved the oppor-tunity that being on the team provided.

“I really enjoyed the ex-perience of being around the mascots and coming up withideas,” said Gernt. “Beingthere and being around theother competitors is a lot offun.”

Most students are en-thusiastic about AwesomeEagle’s success. Freshmanpsychology major CallieLane explained her excite-ment when she found out Awesome had won.

“ Awesome Eagle is a great mascot,” said Lane. “I’m pretty sure every stu-dent on campus has a picturewith him and that’s too cool. I’m proud to be a Golden Eagle.”

Awesome Eagle plans to win the national champion-ship again next year.

“I do feel like I’m turn-ing into Michael Phelps ina way when I wear both of my medals and hold bothmy trophies. I’m going for a three-peat next year,” said Awesome. “I’ve got this. It’s good to be a Golden Eagle.”

KIM BIGGSAsst. Managing Editor

Courtesy of TTU Dance TeamALL HE DOES IS WIN- Awesome and Grandpappy Eagle pose for a picture with the TTU Dance Team after Awesome was awarded his National Championship title.

UCA via TwitterEVERYBODY’S HANDS GO UP- Awesome Eagle falls to his knees and looks to the sky as he is crowned with his second consecutive UCA Mascot National Championship.

Halford

For the fi rst time since 2008 Tech will have fi ve so-rorities on campus.

Delta Phi Epsilon, a PanHellenic sorority found-ed at The New York School of Law in 1917, is in the process of setting the foun-dation for a new chapter at Tennessee Tech. This chapter would be the only Tennessee chapter of the sorority as well as being one of only three chapters located in the South, the other two located in Georgia.

Amy Malczewski and Fransheska Pacheco, DPhiE affi liated collegiate develop-ment consultants, have been actively tabling in support of their new sorority in the Roaden University Center since January.

“This semester is actu-ally really awesome,” said

Malczewski, “As corny as it sounds, the women joining us this semester will be found-ers. Their names will be onthe charter and they will notonly be leaving their legacy at TTU but on DPhiE historyas well.”

According to their web-site, DPhiE strives to be “a society for the purpose of promoting good fellowship among so-rority women…to help…inacquiring knowledge, appre-ciation, discriminating judg-ment and a true feeling of sisterly love through the in-teraction of sympathetic and friendly natures.”

DPhiE supports philan-thropies such as the CysticFibrosis Foundation, theDelta Phi Epsilon Education Foundation and the National Association of AnorexiaNervosa and Associated Disorders.

Newest sorority on campus searches for charter members

By LOGAN SHRUMBeat Reporter

Malczewski

Pacheco

& LAUREN HENLEYBeat Reporter

BACK BACK TOTO BACKBACK NATIONAL CHAMPION

A rough trip to Belmont for

basketball >>Page 6

> Oracle staff rate 2014’s top moives >>Page 5

Photo: Ben Corda | TTU Photo ServicesArtwork: Drake Fenlon| The Oracle

Students from the Black Cultural Center marched from the lobby of the Roaden University Center to the side-walk in front of the Angelo and Jennette Volpe Library where they held a “die-in.” The “die-in,” as opposed to a sit-in, had the students lay on the ground for almost 11 minutes.

The purpose of the demonstration was to bring awareness of the effects of the recent deaths of Michael Brown and Eric Garner, two black men who were killed last year by police offi cers, according to event coordina-tor Shabir Bhegani.

“To me, silence some-times can mean allegiance,” Bhegani said. “I wanted to make sure we did something to show that we didn’t agree with it.”

After four minutes of silence, Bhegani stood and delivered a speech. In his speech Bhegani called for justice across the country and quoted Martin Luther King

Jr. by saying “Injustice any-where is a threat to justice ev-erywhere.” After his speech Bhegani lay back down with the other participants for an-other seven minutes.

According to Bhegani, the fi rst four minutes were for the four hours Michael Brown’s body was left in the street after he was fa-tally shot by a police offi cer

in Ferguson, Missouri. The remaining seven minutes, to make the entire protest last 11 minutes, represented the amount of time Eric Garner said he couldn’t breathe to New York City police as he was fatally choked to death.

“I think it at least started to show its purpose well. It was a good starting point,” said Josh Bruce, senior civil

engineering major. “People saw it, I hope they stuck around to catch the point they were trying to make.”

Bhegani said the group’s goal was met and it plans to host an open forum later this month. The demonstra-tion brought 30-40 students’ participation with about 20 onlookers.

In reponse to the nationwide action of the All Lives Matter campaign, students hosted a peaceful protest march and demonstration Thursday morning.

Fox Murray | The OracleFox Murray | The OracleJUSTICE- Students march through the ground fl oor hall of the RUC Thursday.

SOCIAL ACTION- Students lay on the sidewalk in front of the library Thursday in a die-in protest.

Students organize die-in protest in front of library

ADAM WEBBStaff Writer

The primary news source of the Golden Eagles since 1924Serving Tennessee Tech weekly during the fall and spring semesters

See “Sorority,” >>Page 2

“The new members of Delta Phi Epsilon this semester will get the experience that no other cur-rent sorority women at TTU will have, they get

the chance to be founders of a new sorority,” said Kelsey Jozwik, a graduate assistant working in the Student Activities Offi ce. “They will get the op-portunity to start new traditions, make their own rules, and mold the chapter into the path they would like to see in the future while making his-tory with DPhiE.”

A new PanHellenic chapter has not been added to Tech’s campus since 1980. Last semester, meet-ings were scheduled among the other PanHellenic chapters — Alpha Delta Pi, Delta Gamma, Kappa Delta and Phi Mu — to elect a new offi cial chapter to add to Tech.

Tech will offi cially welcome DPhiE with a cer-emony scheduled for next weekend. The event will be located on the steps of Derryberry Hall, and the fi rst 325 students in attendance will receive a free T-shirt, featuring all fi ve chapters of the revamped PanHellenic community.

“I think they will be a great addition to cam-pus,” said Breanna Smith, a junior at Tech and a member of Delta Gamma. “With 11 IFC fraternities and only for PanHellenic sororities, we needed to start leveling the playing fi eld.”

techtech@eventsevents

1 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. TTU Rugby hosts SewaneeSoaring Park

1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Michaela Cundari, Em-ily Rush, clarinet, student recital Wattenbarger Auditorium, Bryan Fine Arts Building

4 p.m. - 5 p.m. Amanda Vendl, horn, senior student recital Wattenbarger Auditorium, Bryan Fine Arts Building

5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Women’s Basketball hosts Jacksonville State Univer-sity Hooper Eblen Center

7:30 p.m. - 9 p.m. Men’s Basketball hosts Jack-sonville State University Hooper Eblen Center

0707

06066 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Nerd Night Southside Church of Christ

08 08 All Day Armin Muhsam Painting Exhibition Joan Derryberry Art Gallery

8 p.m. - 9:15 p.m. Spring DJ Class RUC 369

10 10 All Day Armin Muhsam Painting Exhibition Joan Derryberry Art Gallery

11 a.m. - 11:50 a.m. Resume Workshop RUC Tech Pride Room

5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Free Seminar: Business Planning 101 Johnson Hall 208

7 p.m. - 8 p.m. Dr. Jackson Katz presents “Understanding and Preventing Sexual Violence” Derryberry Hall Auditorium

7:30 p.m. - 9 p.m. Brass Arts Quintet Concert Wattenbarger Auditorium, Bryan Fine Arts Building

1111All Day Armin Muhsam Painting Exhibition Joan Derryberry Art Gallery

7:30 p.m. - 9 p.m. Wei Tsun Chang, violin, faculty recital Wattenbarger Auditorium, Bryan Fine Arts Building

0909All Day Armin Muhsam Painting Exhibition Joan Derryberry Art Gallery

10 a.m. - 2 p.m. U.S. Marine Corps Information Table Roaden University Center, First Floor

7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Cumberland Quintet Concert Wattenbarger Auditorium, Bryan Fine Arts Building

>> Campustntechoracle.com

Contact us: oracle@tntech.eduNEWSPage 2 || THE ORACLE || COOKEVILLE, TN Friday, February 6, 2015

www.tntech.edu/calendar

February

Follow

on Twitter@TNTECHORACLE

>> “Sorority” Continued from

Page 1

The SGA failed to pass a bill through the senate during Tuesday’s meeting. The bill, known as “The Relevant Service Requirement Act of 2015,” would have required execu-tive council candidates and cabinet members to serve in the senate, su-preme court or executive council in the academic year of elections. The only exception would have been for students serving an internship or a co-op.

However, the bill did not receive the required two-thirds vote to go into effect.

“You already have to be in SGA a

year before the elections, but you can have leadership positions from other organizations,” said Dylan Gardner, a freshman Senator for the College of Arts and Sciences. “Leadership is a universal equality; it has nothing to do with this specifi c organization.”

“I’m not extremely sad about the bill not passing,” said Colin Long, Senator for the College of Business, and author of the bill. “I was just trying to make sure that we had the most experienced people pos-sible in the leadership positions. The Democratic Party doesn’t go and get a political science student straight out of college, when he has never been a Senator, and throws him straight into the White House.”

Eight S.O.L.O. applications were also presented to the SGA dur-ing the meeting. According to Will Gabelman, SGA Treasurer, this was the largest number of bills SGA ever presented during a meeting. All eight bills passed, including the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, who received $650 for a seminar on Feb. 23; Kappa Sigma Fraternity, who received $2,120 for a low country boil that took place Thursday; the Society for Collegiate Journalists, who received $4,991.62 to give away 166 yearbooks; PanHellenic Council, who received $3,500 to give away T-shirts for Delta Phi Epsilon’s bid day on Feb. 14; the Tech Activities Board, who received $3,500 for a vid-

eo game tournament that will be held Feb. 19 in the Multipurpose Room; the Super Smash Brothers Club, who will host a tournament on Feb. 21 in the Tech Pride Room; the Iranian Student Organization, who received $2,000 to celebrate the Iranian New Year; and the University Christian Student Center, who received $5,000 to put on an a cappella event March 21, to raise awareness for the TTU Food P antry.

SGA meetings are held every Tuesday night at 9:15 p.m. in the Tech Pride Room. All Tech students are welcome to attend.

By MATTHEW PHILLIPSBeat Reporter

SGA grants $22,000 for student events, campaign rules challenged

Tennessee Tech is the fi rst school to be named as a “VETS (Veterans Education Transition Support) campus” by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission.

Tech administers orien-tation programs for veter-ans, facilitates support pro-grams, provides potential program credit for skills and provides a campus survey to help identify the needs, is-sues and suggestions of vet-eran students.

“It would help to have a greater understanding of military culture and the dis-cipline they go through. I think it’s important that fac-ulty, advisers and staff know

what to expect and how the vets sometimes deal with things,” said Kevin Flanary, director of military and vet-eran affairs. “You have these 18-year-old kids playing on their cellphones and whin-ing during class, and (the vets) just got back from liv-ing in a tent for a year. That can be pretty frustrating to them.”

Flanary plans to estab-lish a center for veterans on campus where they can relax, study and receive in-formation about academic benefi ts.

“We just want the vets to feel like family when they come here and know that they’re taken care of,” said Flanary. “I’ve made that transition, too, from combat

to classroom. I used my GI Bill. I understand both sides of it and the issues they face. I think it just helps to build bonds early with the vets in their process of coming to Tech.”

According to the U.S. News and World Report, Tech is on the 2015 list for the top 10 universities in the south for veterans. Military Advanced Education award-ed Tech “Top School” for three consecutive years and Victory Media reported Tech as being a “Military Friendly” school for three consecutive years.

“We are reaching out and really trying to help with their transition,” said Flanary. “I think it’ll really help with recruiting.”

By KAYLA CLOUSEBeat Reporter

Tech receives praise for veteran assistance

“I didn’t have enough time in the library last night to fi nish my homework.” “I didn’t know where there was a color printer on cam-pus.” These excuses can no longer be used at Tennessee Tech. As of Jan. 20, the Angelo and Jennette Volpe Library will be open Sunday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Charlene McClain works in the circulation de-partment at the library and explained how the change in hours came about.

“The library webpage has a feedback form, and from what I understand, many of the students that are in the library late at night studying thought that two more hours would help them and Library Dean Dr. Doug Bates considered it and said that he would ex-tend the hours for this se-mester,” said McClain.

McClain said this change was not an indefi nite decision but is a trial run to see if the students are going to use it. However, the fi rst night of the extended sched-ule produced only two late-

night studiers. Since then, the numbers have increased to 25-30 students each night.

According to McClain, students can rent laptops from the media checkout desk until midnight instead of 11 p.m., the previous li-brary schedule. Desktop computers are available un-til the library closes at 2 a.m.

The library now has

freshmen and sophomore level textbooks available for checkout. McClain said the library’s coordinator of public services, Sharon Holderman, has coordinat-ed with several departments to ensure that all entry-level classes have textbooks avail-able in the library. These books can be checked out for two hours at a time.

“Many of the faculty have donated some, the li-brary has bought some,” said McClain. “We have a list on the front desk of the textbooks we have.”

The Commons tutoring center is also located in the library, a fact some students are unaware of.

“A lot of students don’t know that they’ll help

you with any class,” said McClain. “They think it’s just math and science and something you have to have a formula with. English, writing skills, anything. Come and they’ll try to help you.”

McClain said students that come to college could get help if they want it.

“There’s no reason to fail out or not do your homework,” said McClain. “There’s a lot of people on campus that are willing to help you now.”

According to Library Dean Doug Bates, students should keep an eye out for updates to the library, such as new technologies in the Digital Media Creation Lab and a new discovery center located in the B wing on the third fl oor. The faculty study rooms in the A wing will be removed to provide addi-tional quiet study space on the fl oor.

Although not new, the library includes the ability to print in color. According to Bates, color copies cost 25 cents each, while black and white copies are 7.5 cents for one side and 10 cents for two.

By KARLI THREETBeat Reporter

After student demand, Volpe library to stay open later

Gabriella Farley l The OracleHITTIN THE BOOKS- Nursing major Jacqueline Cole Matthews drinks a cup of coffee as she studies in the library. Matthews can use this added energy this semester because the library has extended hours until 2 a.m. from Sunday through Thursday night.

The Angelo and Jennette Volpe library is extending its hours until 2 a.m. during weekdays. The new change is not set in stone as of now. The longer hours are a test to trial to see if it is successful for students and the employees. Laptop rentals have been extended until midnight on weekdays instead of 11 p.m.

CORRECTION NOV. 21 2014The story “Crosswalks to be improved” was incorrectly labeled. The

story was written by Danielle Davis. The Oracle regrets the error.

Campus << NEWSCOOKEVILLE, TN || THE ORACLE || Page 3Friday, February 6, 2015

The Tech Activities Board is starting the new semester with a Build-a-Bear event next week, and anyone can donate canned food items to the TTU Food Pantry for a chance to skip the wait in line.

According to TAB’s Facebook page, the Build-a-Bear event will be in the lob-by of the Roaden University Center Feb. 12 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

“This will be our fourth year doing a Build-a-Bear event,” said Andrea Brys, the vice president of TAB promotions.

To beat the wait in line, students are encouraged to bring two canned food items. Doing so will put them in the Express Lane, which means they won’t have to wait to build the stuffed animal.

The post said the sug-gested canned food items

are soup, mixed vegetables, carrots or meats, and that they will be donated to the TTU Food Pantry.

Brys said the Express Lane wasn’t always a part of the Build-a-Bear event but was incorporated last year.

“We consult the Food Pantry about what they’re short on and use the oppor-tunity to help them out,” Brys said.

The food donated to the TTU Food Pantry goes to help fellow Tech students.

The TTU Counseling Center will also provide ac-tivities for the event.

“I don’t know what they have planned for this year, but in the past they’ve had candy and informa-tion about the counseling center,” Brys said. “They also usually have a station set up where you can make Valentine’s Day cards.”

Brys also said there will be more than just bears to build.

As of 6:30 this morning, about 50 Cookeville residents left Tucker Stadium as they completed their two week challenge, “Death at Dawn.”

The event includes, “a lot of running, a lot of cold, a lot of sleep derivation, but it’s worth it for the T-shirt,” senior psychology student Alex Campbell said.

DAD is a biannual boot camp that began in 2004. The conditioning practice was created with the intention of building stamina for the Cookeville High School girl’s soccer team in 2004 but has now evolved into a local event. Larry Epps, vice mayor of Cookeville, and another father of a girl on the team were the originators of this idea.

“The boy’s soccer team soon joined in as did lacrosse,” said Tracy Epps, wife of Larry. “Parents wanted to exercise too and alumni wanted to come back, so we opened it up to anyone high school age or older. It has always been totally voluntary and free to participants.”

To fi nish DAD, a participant must attend nine out of the event’s 10 days of workouts, set between the hours of 5:30 and 6:30 a.m.

Within the last few years, more college students have joined in on it.

“It shows us that young people enjoy be-ing part of a group and being a bit renegade and doing something a little crazy that they don’t have to do,” Tracy Epps said. “Or else they just want a free T-shirt!”

Senior elementary education major Jessi Persson is doing DAD for the fi rst time and believes “Death at Dawn is an opportunity for me to start my day by pushing my body to the limits.”

Throughout the last two weeks, the weather has remained at or below freezing in Cookeville. Freshman basic business major Christy Le described it as “cold and tough.”

However, “when 6:30 a.m. comes rolling around, the feeling of fi nishing for the day is incredible,” Le said.

Junior psychology major Morgan Reavis is back for a second time at DAD to say, “Even though it is exhausting, and you want to quit with each step because your lungs are on fi re, that in the end you come out much stronger than you could ever imagine.”

“…and you’re better for it,” Reavis said. DAD holds a session every winter and

summer and is expected to grow in numbers of voluntary participation.

Tennessee Tech will join activists worldwide and take part in its third annual “One Billion Rising for Revolution” event Thursday, Feb. 12 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tech’s Women’s Center will co-host this gathering on North Patio of Roaden University Center.

One in three women across the world will be beaten or raped during her lifetime. This movement is a platform that brings together a group of people that are determined to create the idea of violence being an unthinkable action. Every February the support-ing members rise all over the planet to show people what one billion looks like.

“For the third year in a

row, Tech community mem-bers will gather to express solidarity and outrage over the continuous assault of women,” said Diana Lalani, administrative associate in the Women’s Center. “We will also celebrate our part in the positive work being done to change this.”

The Rising will include speakers and dancing activi-ties sponsored by the TTU Women’s Center, the Tech Players and “The Vagina Monologues” cast. All of the events will take part either on the patio or the surrounding area.

“Stop by to sign our ‘Rise for Revolution’ banner and record a video of your-self stating why you are ris-ing to end violence against women,” said Sarah Vogel, administrative associate in

the Women’s Center. Thisvideo will be posted on theWomen’s Center’s Facebookpage.

Silent witnesses willstand with posters stating sta-tistics from the “One BillionRising” team’s website. Noone will be speaking, justsharing their information.Unlike some protests thatcan be confrontational, thisis a silent protest. The goalof this part of the gatheringis to spread awareness of thewidespread violence. A groupof actors will share the “ManPrayer.”

The Backdoor Playhousewill present “The VaginaMonologues.” This benefi tperformance will take placeFeb. 20, 21 and 23 for $15 aticket. All proceeds will ben-efi t local organizations thatwork to end violence against

By LUCAS MCCOYBeat Reporter

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Students get Extra 5 % off w/ this couponAll students get 10 % dis-

count on all merchandise

By KIMMY WHITTINGTONOpinion Editor

Tech Activities Board to host annual fourthValentine teddy bear workshop Thursday

Students, community face Death at Dawn

By ELLEN CONTIBeat Reporter

SNEAKER SEEKER

GOLDEN HIPPOGRIFFS- Tennessee Tech’s Snitch Seth Brys evades capture by Tech seeker Michael Ferowich at Saturday’s Quidditch match. The Golden Hippogriffs defeated the Muggle Snugglers, a recreational quidditch team, at the Quidditch match on Sat., January 31.

Erin Gilliland l The Oracle

One Billion Rising event to stand against violence

Chuckles with CheenyChuckles with Cheeny

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THE ORACLEEst. 1924. Weekly. Student Operated. Award-winning.Est. 1924. Weekly. Student Operated. Award-winning.

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Page 4 || THE ORACLE || COOKEVILLE, TN Friday, February 6, 2015

Sex, Slavery and the Super Bowl

Graphics by Kimmy Whittington | Image by Arizona Cardinals

KIM BIGGSAsst. Managing Editor

ADAM WEBBStaff Writer

SAYING GOODBYE- These are both Charlie Hebdo response cartoons in a museum in St Just le Martel, France. They were both done by a professional cartoon artist.

Your future or football? Your choice does matterHebdo becomes a hero

Kim Biggs is a junior in Commun-cation with a concentration in News Editorial and Public Relations. She

can be reached at kdbiggs42@students.tntech.edu

Adam Webb is a senior in Com-muncation with a concentration in News Editorial and Public Rela-

tions. He can be reached at adwebb42@students.tntech.edu

Charlie Hebdo Exhibit | Bill Schorr

SEARCH AND RESCUE- The Super Bowl has become America’s biggest event that draws in the most human traffi cking. Though this event carries the weight of modernday slavery, it is an epidemic occurring year round.

KIMMY WHITTINGTONOpinion Editor

Kimmy Whittington is a senior in Communication with a

concentration in Public Relations She can be reached at

kemanning42@students.tntech.edu

P e o p l e s h u f f l i n g , drinks spill-ing, hearts breaking, and you’re there.

You’re a person who

enjoys football; you drove all the way to the stadium with tickets you spent months laboring over. You take a breath and enjoy the chaos of the moment. You’re there for a game and simply that.

She doesn’t enjoy the intimidation; she hated the handcuffs as she was forced to the stadium she spent months avoiding. She takes a breath and slowly loses who she is. She’s there as an object and simply that.

Suddenly, two worlds collide , and you’re not just at the Super Bowl anymore.

You’re at a human traf-fi cking mecca where over 10,000 children are forced into prostitution.

I wish that number did not need repeating, yet it is still hard to grasp. That num-ber is near the amount of stu-

dents attending Tennessee Tech. Imagine that our whole University took a trip to the game and left with some-thing stolen from us. This would make the news on CNN, in USA Today and in every Huffi ngton Post article. That is a lot of people losing something.

Now, imagine that same number attending the Super Bowl, but instead their in-nocence is forcefully stolen 25-50 times a day. Sure, it makes articles here and there for about a week before and a week after the event, but then it dies out.

Human traffi cking is a problem 365 days a year.

“The $32 billion a year illicit industry, second only to drug traffi cking, victim-izes between 300,000 to 400,000 American children every year in some form of sex-traffi cking,” according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Now that we can com-pare the numbers of the Super Bowl with the year-round numbers just for our country, it is shocking that we haven’t intervened more.

As we sat on our

couches last week, ate our chips and salsa and became critics of every commercial, we ignored the current real-ity. However, it didn’t end there. Even now with home-work resuming, Netfl ix re-turning and job searches beginning, this same prob-lem exists. Whether on the streets of the Super Bowl or the streets of a small town in Kansas, sex traffi cking is the same.

In the past year, 37 states have passed new laws to fi ght human traffi cking, according to the Polaris Project, a na-tional human traffi cking re-source center. However, only four states in America abide by all 10 categories of laws needed to obliterate modern day slavery. This means that 92 percent of America is sub-ject to incomplete freedom, which every human being should be entitled to.

Though this problem is below the surface and be-hind closed doors, it doesn’t mean it’s unreachable. In re-spect to those mistreated, ask questions, provide help and vote wisely. We as a coun-try can end this destructive epidemic.

In any case, don’t store this newsfl ash away like ev-eryone else. I know it is a week after the game, and this seems like less of an issue, but it’s rampant. We are not done with the war on mod-ern day slavery, and the re-

cent events of the Super Bowl are just a reminder that our world is still broken. We can make a difference by stand-ing up and ending this.

You are here to make a difference and simply that.

Super Bowl Sunday. Seahawks. Patriots. Defl ate-gate.

These words have domi-nated the American vernacu-lar for at least the past two weeks. On Sunday, Feb. 1, the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks com-peted against each other in the biggest sporting event of the year.

According to CNN.com, Super Bowl XLIX brought in nearly 114.4 million viewers. That’s truly astonishing. Over one-third of the American population was glued to a television set watching “in-credible” displays of ath-leticism. Yet, only 20 million people watched the State of the Union Address given on Jan. 20, just 12 days before the Super Bowl.

Why? I can’t give a logical an-

swer for that question. Why is our generation distracted with watching corrupt ath-letes instead of being con-cerned with a change in our world? I don’t understand the philosophy behind this concept. Personally, I fi nd it infuriating when I hear 20-year-olds giving their opinion on controversial is-sues but don’t know the fi rst thing about the workings of our government.

Don’t get me wrong; I support the concept of sports and recreational enjoyment. However, when sports take a precedent to education, intel-ligence and political under-standing, it bothers me. A lot.

In the past year, the NFL has made plenty of head-lines, but not for positive reasons. Scandal after scan-dal has made it to the press about domestic violence, abuse, cheating and the list continues with other wrong-doings. It discourages me to think the potential leaders of our country are more con-cerned with the outcome of a football game.

How will a single foot-ball game affect the lives of college students across the United States? In reality, it won’t. How will the President of the United States directly affect the lives of not just col-lege students, but also the en-tire U.S.? I’ll tell you: directly. The president should have more infl uence on the gener-al American public than any rookie or veteran NFL player.

The Super Bowl has had more viewers than the State of the Union Address since 1960.

I truly hope as a nation we will become more in-formed about the political happenings in this country, as well as internationally. It is important for us to stay in-formed because without un-derstanding how our country is operating, we can’t make a difference. So the next time an important speech or de-bate comes on, invite over all your friends, throw a party and watch something that will impact lives instead of helmets.

On Jan. 7 of this year, two Islamic assailants walked into the offi ce of French sat-ire paper “Charlie Hebdo” and killed members of the editorial and cartoonist staff. The publication was known for its controversial cov-ers featuring images of the Islamic prophet Muhammad among other fi gures like a Prime Minister candidate for France.

While I think any act of terror or killing of innocents is deplorable and awful, this specifi c attack hit close to home in a sense. I may not be a full-time journalist or sati-rist, but I do take pride in the content I turn in week after week. I also like to think there is an unspoken bond between most journalists because of the pride we take in our craft.

Even though The Oracle has never published anything as controversial as Charlie Hebdo that still doesn’t mean I haven’t made a person or two angry by asking one too many questions or by calling and emailing relentlessly try-ing to get answers.

My writing pales in com-parison to Charlie Hebdo, a publication similar to The Onion that merely aims to entertain and be an equal-opportunity offender. I don’t think they or any publication should have to go out of its way to make people mad, but at the same time readers and the population in gen-eral shouldn’t be so easily offended. But I could have a clouded opinion on this particular subject, however, as I do no identify with the Islamic faith, so seeing a pic-ture of Muhammad has little effect on me.

This attack made me re-alize a couple things about myself and the world around me. For starters it seems that almost no matter what you do (in this case writing and drawing) is going to offend someone. That could just be a sign of the times. Perhaps more people are getting eas-ily offended because they’re more passionate about their religion or beliefs. While there’s nothing wrong with being strong in your own convictions, in a world with seven billion people, there’s a good chance you will go against what someone else believes in, even if it’s an ac-cident. While I hope this isn’t the direction the world is heading, it’s hard to ignore the religious attacks or the outcry of people who get of-fended over something that wouldn’t normally rile them up in such a way.

Another thing the

Charlie Hebdo attacks showed me is that I shouldn’t be afraid to write about any-thing. Not only as a journal-ist, but also just as a person in general. This can be ex-tended to everyone. No one should have to write within the boundaries set by other people, especially journalists. Granted Charlie Hebdo isn’t real news, it still takes skill to write about the news in a satirical light and they, nor anyone else, should not have to censor themselves just be-cause they might make the wrong people angry.

I stick by the late Charlie Hebdo editor, Stephane Charbonnier and his quote, “… I prefer to die standing up than live on my knees.”

Editor’s top movies of 2014

Reviews << ENTERTAINMENTCOOKEVILLE, TN || THE ORACLE || Page 5Friday, February 6, 2015

“Project Almanac” an adventure

By PHILIP GANTGuest Critic

By JAKE THREETEntertainment Edior

12 YEARS PAYS OFF- Patricia Arquette (left) is the favorite to win Best Supporting Actress at the upcoming Oscars.

Courtesy of NyDailyNews.com

Katy Perry slays Superbowl halftime

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www.tntechoracle.com

It was an ex-cellent year for movies in 2014. M o v i e g o e r s were treated to blockbuster releases along with smaller

fi lms that packed a punch. Some of these fi lms are just now beginning to gain wide release in 2015, but they were technically released in 2014 in select cites to qualify for awards season. I’ve not seen everything from last year, but from what I did see I have compiled my list of the top fi lms released in 2014. A few glaring omissions from the list include: “Foxcatcher,” “Inherent Vice,” and “Still Alice,” though I hope to see them before the Academy Awards air. I’ll briefl y share my thoughts on my top 15.

“Boyhood”It’s hard to put into words the feeling I had after leaving this movie. There’s nothing too exciting about the plot, it’s just a movie that depicts real life. Shot over 12 years, “Boyhood” managed to cap-ture an unmatchable feeling of relatability and realism in fi lm that hasn’t been cap-tured in some time. Intended to tell the story of a boy over 12 years, the fi lm not only does it in an exceptional way but also provides in-depth looks into his parents’ journeys as well. Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke, in supporting roles, were re-ally spectacular.

“Birdman”Three words sum up this movie: weird, fast and en-tertaining. I’m not sure any other movie from last year made me love it and yet still be questioning it as much as this one did after it was over. Michael Keaton captivates in his best role ever and sup-porting actors Emma Stone and Edward Norton provide astounding performances as well. It’s easy to see why the fi lm managed to be the most nominated fi lmed at the Academy Awards.

“Fury”It surprised me that this fi lm did not make as much noise as it did. It’s an excellent fi lm and one of favorite war mov-ies ever. With strong perfor-mances by all involved, par-ticularly Brad Pitt and Logan Lerman, the fi lm captures the end of World War II and the last remaining battles on the front lines in a powerfully intense way. The last 15 min-utes kept me on the edge of my seat more than any other movie last year.

“Gone Girl”I hadn’t read the book before going into this one, and, hon-estly, after watching, I would recommend people taking that route. The level of insan-ity, intensity and creepiness packed into this fi lm eas-ily makes it worth watching again and again. Ben Affl eck is a great leading man in the fi lm, but make no mistakes: Rosamund Pike owns every bit of this movie.

“Wild”This is easily Reese Witherspoon’s best role to

date. I was not expecting to like this fi lm as much as what I did when I left the theater. Witherspoon carries the fi lm on her shoulders, excuse the pun, and delivers a riveting and inspiring true story of a woman’s journey to over-come her demons.

“St. Vincent”I love Bill Murray and I love Melissa McCarthy. So, I imag-ined I would enjoy this fi lm no matter the story. However, I turned out to love it. Murray turns in a performance that is Oscar worthy and McCarthy is just as good. She doesn’t get nearly enough praise for her acting versatility. I don’t often get emotional in mov-ies, but this one is an excep-tion. It is beautifully poignant from beginning to end.“Guardians of the Galaxy”

Easily my favorite Marvel movie since “The Avengers,” this movie was one where, going into it, I was unsure of what to expect. The main thing that lured me in so much was the music in the trailer. Little did I know, mu-sic was an integral part of the fi lm. It’s the blockbuster of the year, fi lled with ex-citement, action and a ton of heart throughout. Chris Pratt easily became the next big thing, and, quite honestly, I have faith in any fi lm fran-chise he decides to takeover next.

“Chef”I’m not sure I could love this movie more. It was easily my feel-good movie of the year. Jon Favreau created a truly beautiful fi lm that captures a wonderful relationship be-tween a father and son, while also detailing a fun adven-ture across the United States. Did I mention that the fi lm is packed with delicious look-ing food as well? Yeah, it’s not one to watch on an empty stomach. It’s a fun ride that I didn’t want to get off.

“Cake”People like to give Jennifer Aniston a hard time when it comes to her acting abilities and the fi lms she’s been in. People still try poking fun at her after this fi lm for trying too hard to be a “serious ac-tress.” Well, I have news for them. She’s the real deal in this movie. Emotionally and physically, Aniston delivers her best acting performance in “Cake.” I’m saying that, putting all of my biased love for her to the side. Her per-formance is easily Oscar wor-thy and hopefully depicts a new path in her acting career. Easily, this is my most under-rated fi lm of the year.

“Selma”Ava DuVernay did an excel-lent job directing this Martin Luther King Jr. biopic. The fi lm portrays the events in Selma with haunting accu-racy. The fi lm manages to be emotional and thought-provoking 50 years after the events in Selma, Alabama. It is one of the best movies to ever capture the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s.“The Theory of Everything”Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones shine in this fi lm about the life of Stephen Hawking. Redmayne, especially, deliv-ers a mesmeric portrayal of the scientist.

“The Skeleton Twins”Kristen Wiig and Bill Hader come together for one of the best “under the radar” fi lms of the year. No other two leads provided as much chemistry as these two, who play siblings both struggling with personal problems. It’s a dark but tender fi lm that never lacks heart.

“Whiplash”J.K. Simmons and Miles Teller star in one of the cra-zier, intense fi lms I’ve seen in awhile. It’s shocking, riveting and technically astonishing. Simmons, in particular, gives a stellar performance.

“The Imitation Game”Benedict Cumberbatch stars in this smart, crafty fi lm. It provided an interesting story that most may not know about and details the life of a complicated man who was deeply troubled. Cumberbatch can do no wrong is this fi lm.

“A Most Violent Year”It’s a more quiet mob fi lm, but the feel of a classic gang-ster movie is still there. The cinematography and feel of the ‘80s is perfect. Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain prove to be a dynamic duo.

The rest of my movies of 2014, in no particular order:

“X-Men: Days of Future Past”“Captain America: The Winter Soldier”“The Hunger Games: Mockingjay”“American Sniper”“This Is Where I leave You”“The Fault In Our Stars”“22 Jump Street”“Malefi cent”“The Grand Budapest Hotel”“Paddington”“The Good Lie”“Big Hero 6”“Unbroken”“Into the Woods”“The Hundred-Foot Journey”“The Judge”“Nightcrawler”

As if we haven’t had enough of the found foot-age thrill-ers, “Project Almanac” re-inforces the

trend and places #2 for the Box Offi ce sales last week-end. After discovering hid-den plans for the world’s fi rst time machine in his dead scientist father’s basement, lead David Raskin (Jonny Weston) puts it together with his friends and adventure ensues. This movie follows high school sci-fi cliches as they use the machine for their personal gain, like win-ning the lottery, being popu-lar and getting girlfriends.

serve as the typical “loyal girlfriends” but have actual char-acter development. The mov-ie is meticulous in buildingthe group dynamics. Whenthe teens start disappearing, the audience really feels thehurt. “Project Almanac” alsomanages to follow the prec-edential “time rules” laid bypast time travel movies.

On the fl ip side, the found footage is choppy and lessensthe impact of good characters by confi ning the story to theshots on the camera. The plot is pretty unoriginal and slow.Overall, the fi lm is stylish andmarketed for the young adult age group. It’s a good balanceof funny and serious when things start going downhillfor the group, and will enter-tain the average moviegoerwith a good adventure.

“Project Almanac” is rat-ed PG-13.

Obviously, this cliche rips a hole in the space time con-tinuum and really bad things start happening. Once the friends start to disappear one by one, they must go back in time and stop the machine from ever being created.

“Project Almanac” has a lot of qualities that typically turn audiences off. Found footage movies are irritating to most people and leaves them questioning, “Would a normal person keep fi lming when something catastrophic like that happens?” The plot of the fi lm is also one of the most recycled in sci-fi movie history. Despite these hard-ships, “Project Almanac” is interesting to watch. The characters are well rounded and interact with each other like real people. The girls (Sofi a Black-D’Elia, Virginia Gardner) are not there to

This year’s Super Bowl halftime performance was Katy Perry and, though I was skeptical about how well she would live up to past performances, she did extremely well.

Atop a giant tiger, Perry opened up with her hit “Roar.” She was wear-ing an outfi t that seemed to be a mix between Katniss Everdeen’s “Girl on Fire” suit from “The Hunger Games” and Will Ferrell’s skiing outfi t from the movie “Blades of Glory.”

The stage, an electronic screen of sorts, smoothly transitioned into a chess-board while Perry began her song “Dark Horse” and dancers dressed as chess pieces surrounded her.

Perry’s voice was soon drowned out by the sound

of an electric guitar. Lenny Kravitz emerged with stun-ning pyrotechnics yielding a Gibson Les Paul. He played a riff and sang a verse from Perry’s breakout single “I Kissed a Girl.” When the chorus came around, Perry joined Kravitz on the vocals and the duo rocked out until the chorus was over.

Lenny Kravitz’ spotlight was not long-lived as Perry seamlessly transitioned into a new wardrobe resembling a beach ball and started singing “Teenage Dream,” while the stage became a beach, equipped with its own backup dancers of sing-ing trees, beach balls and sharks. Though the choice of dancers was a little odd, it was still enjoyable. The song soon became “California Girls” and more backup dancers, dressed as surf-boards and ocean waves, joined the party.

Missy Elliott then joined Perry onstage. Her spotlight lasted a little bit longer than Kravitz’s. She and Perry performed Elliott’s “Get UrFreak On,” “ Work It,” and“Lose Control.”

The performance wascapped off by Perry’s “Firework.” After her fi nal wardrobe change, Perrysported a shimmery silver dress adorned with stars.She was lifted up into the airby a big, mechanical shoot-ing star and fl own in a circle around the stadium.

Not only was Perry’s show over-the-top fun and exciting, but through all thetheatrics, the vocals were still on point.

This halftime show wasspectacular and defi nitelymemorable. The show wentoff without a hitch, andwe should be expecting itto land a place among the greats.

By HANNAH BENJAMINEntertainment Critic

The Tennessee Tech women’s basketball team in-creased its losing streak to six games after a 59-53 decision at Belmont last Saturday in Nashville. Despite overcom-ing an 18-point defi cit and creating a late run in the sec-ond half, the Bruins snatched any comeback hopes from the away team as the Golden Eagles couldn’t seem to win the battle in the paint.

“Bottom line is, we didn’t play very well as a team,” said Tech women’s Head Coach Jim Davis. “For us to succeed, everyone has to do their job and accept their responsibility. We only had six assists. That’s an in-dication that we didn’t play as a team. Passing is a for-gotten fundamental, I guess. Everyone wants to play one-on-one and do their thing. For us to succeed, we have to pass the basketball.”

If a lack of pass-ing the ball tells the story of Saturday evening’s road loss, the team’s inability to hit bas-kets and crash boards certain-ly helps. The Golden Eagles fi nished the night shooting just 20-of-59 (33.9 percent) from the fl oor. While the Bruins at 22-of-58 (37.9 per-cent) didn’t shoot much bet-ter, they created extra oppor-tunities for points by domi-nating the boards. The hosts’ out-rebounded Tech 45-34.

Junior guard Samaria Howard led the Golden Eagles in scoring with 17 points, with senior Candace Parson also in double-digits at 10. Tech freshman Yaktavia Hickson fi nished with a perfect night from the fl oor shooting 3-of-3 from the fi eld, including 2-of-2 from three-point range. The loss was Hickson’s fourth multi-3 per-formance on the year.

At 15 points each, Frankie Joubran and Sally McCabe topped the Bruins in scoring. Joubran also led Belmont (8-14, 5-4 OVC) with 11 rebounds.

The close fi nish was not the fi rst of its kind for the Tech women’s team. In fact, the team has grown accus-tomed to such narrow defeat. In their previous six losses, the Golden Eagles have been within six points of either vic-tory or overtime in four of them: A 68-66 overtime de-feat at SEMO (Jan. 17), a 67-64 loss at TSU (Jan. 21), a 97-93 double-overtime loss against EKU and by six in its most re-cent loss at Belmont.

“We’re going to have to stop digging holes for our-selves,” said Davis. “We need to learn how to get ahead and play ahead. We’ve been play-ing catch-up all year long. The difference is just one play. In games like that, any one player that steps up in crunch time could mean the difference in winning or los-ing. I don’t want to say that we haven’t had a player step up and make a play in crunch time, though. I think we have players that are capable, we just haven’t gotten it done.”

At 5-18, 2-8 OVC, the Golden Eagles are now forced to make a strong push in their fi nal six matchups to keep any hope of OVC tour-nament play alive. While his team has its odds stacked against them, Davis says he doesn’t feel his team’s record refl ects its potential.

“I don’t think there’s any question that our team is better than what our record shows,” said Davis. “But if you put lipstick on a pig, it’s still a pig. Our record is what it is. We can’t sugarcoat it. We’ve had the chances to win them, we just haven’t done it.”

Davis and the Golden Eagles move on as they pre-pare for the OVC’s No. 1 scoring defense, Jacksonville State (15-7, 6-4 OVC). For Tech to have any shot at snapping its current six-game losing streak, it will need to size up and out-rebound the Gamecocks, who at .724 lead the OVC in defensive re-bounding percent.

JSU will travel to Cookeville to take on the Golden Eagles Saturday for a 5:30 p.m. tip at the Hooper Eblen Center.

>> Inside the GameSPORTSPage 6 || THE ORACLE || COOKEVILLE, TN Friday, February 6, 2015

By SHEA HAILESports Editor

By JORDAN PACEAsst. Sports Editor

Tony Marable | Guest ContributorNO EASY SHOTS- Senior T’Keyah Williams attempts a jump shot in the face of a Bruin defender.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

DRIVING THROUGH THE CONTACT- Sophomore guard Shirmane Thomas attacks the rim against a Bruin defender during their OVC clash Saturday. Thomas scored four points and snatched three rebounds in the Golden Eagles thirteenth loss of the season.

Tony Marable | Guest Contributor

Men’s basketball falls victim to Bruins’ shooting spectacle Belmont connected on 62.5 percent of their second half shots and pulled away from the Golden Eagles early in the half.

The Tennessee Tech men’s basketball team and Belmont clashed for an Ohio Valley Conference East divi-sion battle Jan. 31. The most recent version of the Golden Eagles-Bruins rivalry fea-tured teams with different playing styles. While Tech depended on their presence inside the paint, Belmont at-tacked from the perimeter.

Charles Jackson, a transfer from the College of Southern Idaho, has been dominant in the paint all year for Tech. Jackson has earned 14 double-doubles so far this season, which is fi fth in National Collegiate Athletic Association’s Division I bas-ketball. The Bruins were able to limit Jackson to four points and six rebounds.

The Golden Eagles’ other big man, Dwan Caldwell, also struggled in-side the Curb Event Center. Caldwell ended his night with one rebound and four points.

Early on, the OVC battle did not disappoint. Belmont was successful from beyond the arc in the fi rst half going 7-of-17 includ-ing four threes from sopho-more Taylor Barnette. Tech was 3-of-9 in three point-ers. While it was not that impressive, it was enough to keep the Bruins on their heels. Torrance Rowe was the Golden Eagles’ main deep threat with two of their fi rst half three pointers. Both

teams were nearly even in the half in fi eld goals, but Belmont had the slight ad-vantage with 12 fi eld goals to Tech’s 11.

The Bruins owned a seven point advantage after a competitive fi rst half that included nine lead changes and the largest Tech lead of the night: four points. The visiting Golden Eagles had weathered the Bruins’ shoot-ing storm at least for one half.

“At halftime, we were in the locker room say-ing that we thought they was not going to shoot the way that they shot (in the fi rst half) again in the sec-ond half,” said senior guard Jordan Johnson.

Tech was in for a surprise in the second half. The Bruins came out fi ring, and while their effi ciency from three-point land was not as much of a factor in the second half, their fi eld goal percentage was impressive. Belmont was 62.5 percent in fi eld goals in the fi nal period. They were able to hit diffi cult shots and were still success-ful when the Golden Eagles contested their looks.

“Belmont hit some tough shots,” said Johnson. “When you are working as hard as you work and you still give up a basket, it drains you a little bit.”

The breaking point for Tech came around the 11-minute mark when Craig Bradshaw’s three pointer gave the Bruins a 12-point lead. The Golden Eagles could not close the gap lead-

ing to an eventual 71-53 Belmont win.

The loss did not come without a few bright spots for Tech. Since the Bruins were successful in defending the paint, Tech’s perimeter players were able to have solid performances. Senior Javon McKay led the team with 16 points. McKay was 7-of-11 in fi eld goals in-cluding one three pointer. Torrance Rowe was precise, connecting on 4-of-7 threes and fi nishing with 13 points. Even though both Rowe and McKay had solid perfor-mances, more was needed from the Golden Eagles’ guards.

“Lately, most of the teams that we play pack in-side and stop him (Jackson) and Dwan Caldwell,” said Johnson. “On the perimeter, it gave our guards the oppor-tunity to create, but unfortu-nately Belmont did a good job of closing out on us.”

The Belmont defeat was the eighth conference loss for Tech. The Golden Eagles have seen several of those games slip away late and lie just out of reach. Of their eight losses, six were by 10 points or fewer. The team is confi dent they are better than their record, and the last month of the regular season is going to be a chance for redemption.

“The only games that I can look back and say that we really just got outplayed were Murray State and Belmont,” said sophomore guard DeOndre Haynes.

“Right now, we

should defi nitely be in the top three (in the OVC),” said Johnson. “I think with these last six games that we can win six in a row. No doubt.”

The Golden Eagles will return to the Hooper Eblen Center for their next two games against OVC foes, Jacksonville State and Tennessee State. Tech has been successful inside the friendly confi nes of The

Hoop, going 8-3 so far this season. That includes the fi rst two months of the sea-son when the Golden Eagles were undefeated at home.

“We have a feel for the rims and balls (at home),” said Johnson. “It makes you feel a lot more confi dent. We have been working in here for a whole week.”

“It is a good time to turn the season around and

be at home. We have won alot of games at the crib,” saidJohnson.

The home standwill begin for Tech Saturdayagainst Jacksonville State.The game is the fi nale ofa double header with theTennessee Tech women’sbasketball team who will faceJacksonville at 5:30 p.m. Themen are projected to start at7:30 p.m.

Golden Eagles unable to complete come back PLAYER

Anthony Akers

John Bronson

Colby Brown*

Tim Collins

Josh Cunningham

Caleb Dockery

Myles Douglas

Anthony Flemister

Joel Forrester

Lowell Furrow

Kenyan Harper

Austin Hicks

Xavier Knight

Richie Koons

Nick Madonia

Hunter McDonald

Chris Moore

Dante Rudolph

Darrius Staff ord

Taylor Underwood

Jacke Warwick

Deontay Wilson

*already enrolled

POSITION

Defensive Tackle

Safety

Quaterback

Defensive End

Cornerback

Tight End

Off ensive/Defensive Line

Safety

Off ensive Line

Off ensive Line

Running Back

Wide Receiver

Athlete

Off ensive Line

Kicker

Defensive Tackle

Defensive End

Cornerback

Wide Receiver

Defensive Tackle

Linebacker

Safety

HOMETOWN

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Inverness, Florida

Tampa, Florida

Fairfi eld, Alabama

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Hendersonville, Tenn.

Nashville, Tennessee

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Oxford, Mississippi

Plantersville, Alabama

Hartsville, Tennessee

Gardendale, Alabama

Plantersville, Alabama

Maryville, Tennessee

Franklin, Tennessee

Livingston,Tennessee

Signal Mountain, Tenn.

Gadsden, Alabama

Memphis, Tennessee

Hazel Green, Alabama

Alcoa, Tennessee

Trussville, Alabama

2015 Football signeesPLAYER

Anthony Akers

Colby Brown*

Josh Cunningham

Myles Douglas

Joel Forrester

Kenyan Harper

Xavier Knight

Nick Madonia

Chris Moore

Darrius Staff ord

Jacke Warwick

*already enrolled

POSITION

Defensive Tackle

Quaterback

Cornerback

Off ensive/Defensive Line

Off ensive Line

Running Back

Athlete

Kicker

Defensive End

Wide Receiver

Linebacker

HOMETOWN

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Tampa, Florida

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Nashville, Tennessee

Oxford, Mississippi

Hartsville, Tennessee

Plantersville, Alabama

Franklin, Tennessee

Signal Mountain, Tenn.

Memphis, Tennessee

Alcoa, Tennessee

2015 Football signees

Deontay Wilson Safety Trussville, Alabama

Taylor Underwood Defensive Tackle Hazel Green, Alabama

Dante Rudolph Cornerback Gadsden, Alabama

Hunter McDonald Defensive Tackle Livingston,Tennessee

Richie Koons Off ensive Line Maryville, Tennessee

Austin Hicks Wide Receiver Gardendale, Alabama

Lowell Furrow Off ensive Line Plantersville, Alabama

Anthony Flemister Safety Chattanooga, Tennessee

Caleb Dockery Tight End Hendersonville, Tenn.

Tim Collins Defensive End Fairfi eld, Alabama

John Bronson Safety Inverness, Florida