The
S TUDENT P RINTZ www.studentprintz.com
SERVING SOUTHERN MISS SINCE 1927
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
ON CAMPUS
Professor returns after suspension Justin Mitchell Printz Writer
Political science professor Kate Greene has been absent from her classes for two weeks now but will begin teaching again today. Greene stopped teaching after an altercation with a student due to the university’s investigation of the incident. University Provost Bob Lyman and President Martha Saunders declined to comment on the situation, saying the matter is a personnel issue. Greene and the student involved also declined to comment. According to the USM website, complaints filed with the university should remain confidential. The website stated that all parties involved are to remain confiden-
tial during and after an investigation. Additionally, University Counsel Jon Mark Weathers could not be reached for comment. One of Greene’s former students from 1995, Marcia Gaines, said Greene has discussed the situation with her, and, according to Gaines, Greene was suspended with pay immediately after the altercation and there was no due process involved. Gaines also said that Greene was not initially contacted by University Provost after the incident. Gaines also said that Greene will be returning to teach classes on Tuesday but is not sure what decision the university has made regarding Greene’s status. According to students in the Supreme Court and Civil Liber-
See ALTERCATION, 3
ON CAMPUS
Volume 95 Issue 55
Smoke on the water
Eli Baylis/Printz
A fire discovered by maintenance staff shortly after 4 a.m. Thursday at The University of Southern Mississippi’s M.C. Johnson Natatorium was contained soon after by the Hattiesburg Fire Department, with University Police also responding to assist. The fire is believed to have started on the west side of the building. An initial inspection showed no damage to the facility’s swimming pool area.
Student runs for Miss. House Ric McCluskey, a senior political science major who graduates in May, announced his candidacy Saturday for District 102 House of Representatives at the Pine Belt Republican meeting in the R.C. Cook Union. He will be running against incumbent Toby Barker, also a USM alumnus. The two will be vying for the Republican nomination at the primaries in August. McCluskey served in the Marine Corps from 2003 to 2007 before returning to Hattiesburg and studying at USM. “I think the people of Hattiesburg, the people of Mississippi,
need someone in Jackson who doesn’t go up there to regulate them,” he said. “They need someone in Jackson who’s going to go regulate the government.” McCluskey emphasized his dedication to fiscal conservatism and small government. He said he became aware of the government’s shortcomings during his time with the Marines, when his unit was deployed to assist during Hurricane Katrina. “This was a real eye-opener, because I saw the great mistake that a local and a state government makes when they rely too much on an inefficient and bloated federal government.” Several members of the Southern Miss political society gathered in support of McClus-
BASEBALL
WEATHER
Meryl Dakin Managing Editor
Eli Baylis/Printz
Ric McCluskey, a senior political science major, announces his candidacy for state representative for District 102 in the R.C. Cook Union Saturday.
WATER FOR ELEPHANTS
PETIT GULF COTTON
Tuesday
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Wednesday
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key Saturday. Gubernatorial candidates Hudson Holiday and Dave Dennis were also present. Barker was not present at McCluskey’s announcement. He said he plans to run a “positive campaign like we did four years ago.” Of his next potential term, Barker said, “We’re going to do a lot of what we tried to do first term. We’re making Hattiesburg more fiscally responsible. We’re running on our record of service, our accomplishments, and our vision of what Hattiesburg can be.” Whether McCluskey and Barker will actually have to face off at the Republican primaries in August is still uncertain, as there may be redistricting before that time.
INDEX
Calendar ........................ 2 Sudoku ........................... 2 News .............................. 3 Arts & Entertainment......4 Feature ...........................6 Opinion............................ 7 Sports............................. 8
Calendar
Page 2
The
Student Printz Serving Southern Miss since 1927 Executive Editor Samantha Schott
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Mark Your Planner 26 27 28 29 30 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Passion for Fashion Union Rooms A and B
8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Passion for Fashion Union Rooms A and B
8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Passion for Fashion Union Rooms A and B
Last day to add/drop classes or withdraw from the university
5:30 p.m. French movie, “Le Petit Nicolas� LAB 110
4:30 p.m. The Naked Tour Sacks Outdoors, Downtown
11 a.m. Relay for Life Fundraiser Union Lobby
9:30 a.m. Red Cross Blood Drive Union Lobby
7:30 p.m. USM Concert Band Spring Concert PAC
5 p.m. 31 cent scoop night Baskin Robbins
6:30 p.m. Stage Monkeys show TCC 210
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6 p.m. MADMEN Masquerade Click Boutique, Downtown
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Writers Jonathan Andrews Tierra Clemmons Courtney Carter Alex DeMouy Mary Margaret Halford Michelle Holowach Earvin Hopkins Marie John Hannah Jones Justin Mitchell Sarah Rogers Stormy Speaks
04-20-11 Payne Center Lot - Auto Burglary Two textbooks, a watch and pack of cigarettes were taken from a vehicle. 04-20-11 Golden Eagle Ave - Disturbing the Peace
UPD issued one verbal trespass warning to a non-student. 04-20-11 Softball Complex - Medical Assist Incident report filed. 04-21-11 Century Park - Motor Vehicle Accident
A vehicle struck and damaged a portion of the fence.
04-21-11 Payne Center - Fire UPD responded to a fire alarm and discovered a supply closet on fire. Hattiesburg Fire Department responded and extinguished the fire. 04-21-11 Pinehaven Apt - Petit Larceny A resident reported the theft of a purple Next Powerclimber bicycle. 04-21-11 Hillcrest Lot - Motor Vehicle Accident Incident report filed.
Photographers Jordan Moore Jay Van Orsdol Mary Alice Truitt
04-21-11 UPD - Citizen Complaint
Designers Lisa Gurley Taylor Fesenmeier Ila Higginbotham
speed bike. 04-23 31st Ave - Vehicle Traffic Stop Two state citations were issued to the driver and he was then turned over to Hattiesburg Police.
Follow-up by UPD. 04-22-11 Hillcrest Lot - Petit Larceny A resident reported the theft of a light blue Next Powerclimber 18
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News
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
National
Page 3
Barbour not running for President in 2012 Margaret Talev MCT
Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour said Monday that he won’t seek the Republican nomination for president next year after all, a sign that a crowded but tentative field of GOP rivals is starting to firm up. Barbour, 63, a former lobbyist who has led the national Republican Party and Republican Governors’ Association, said in a statement that he could not promise supporters he’d have the “absolute fire in the belly” needed to run and serve. “I cannot offer that with certainty, and total certainty is required.” His announcement followed visits to key primary states including South Carolina, New Hampshire and Iowa, and early polling that showed his support in the low single digits. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty have announced exploratory committees. Several others who are considering or flirting with runs include former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, businessman and TV celebrity Donald Trump, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, U.S. Ambassador to China and former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota, Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum and businessman
Altercation, from 1
ties class, the situation began when Greene directed a comment on the issue of right to privacy toward a specific student. The situation became heated, and Greene asked the student to leave the class. The student refused. Senior political science major Emily Hoxie questioned the university’s handling of the altercation. “My biggest problem lies with the university’s reaction, not with the student. We need to remember that it’s the way the university responded that got Greene suspended, not the student,” Hoxie said. Junior political science major Corey Stapp, however, said he was disappointed in the way Greene conducted her classroom the day of the altercation. Stapp said there would have been no situation to handle had Greene not specifically provoked the student. “What she did was unprofessional,” he said. Junior Joey Tramuta offered a different perspective. A student in the class, Tramuta said that it’s easy for tensions to run high in Greene’s class because they discuss issues that people are passionate about. “Discussions become heated, and it’s easy for tempers to flare,”
Drew Tarter/MCT
Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, shown here in a March 28 meeting in Biloxi, said Monday that he won’t seek the Republican nomination for president next year.
Herman Cain. It’s not clear that Barbour’s decision will have a major effect on the race. A McClatchy-Marist poll last week found Barbour with 1 percent of support. Craig Robinson, founder of the website The Iowa Republican and a former state party political director, said Barbour’s decision not to run probably helps Pawlenty most in Iowa and Romney most nationally. Like Barbour, the two
men have been emphasizing the economy and appealing to business-focused Republicans. “You have more and more candidates in Iowa carving up the social issues, but Barbour talked about the issues that won us the last election – jobs and the economy. Iowa’s still wide open, and Barbour was quietly assembling folks here. ... He could talk the talk, and he made you want to know more about him.”
Tramuta said. “Kate Greene’s teaching style is a little different from some professors because she encourages discussion and challenges students to really evaluate their beliefs.” Hoxie, however, said it’s not about Greene’s teaching style. “I find it phenomenally frustrating that a tenured professor that I’ve learned so much from can be suspended after one incident,” Hoxie said. “As someone who has taken four of her classes, there have never been outbursts in this manner in any of her other classes. It has more to do with tensions between two people than Greene’s teaching methodologies.” Brion Monroe, a junior public relations major, is also in the class. While he said he was not prepared for Greene’s reaction, Monroe was upset with the lack or respect evaded in the classroom that day. “Although the situation was beyond Greene’s control, I think Greene’s intentions were good,” Monroe said. While Monroe thinks the university handled the situation the only way it could have, he is upset that Greene is not teaching the
class he signed up for. “It’s unfair that actions between Greene and one student caused a negative reaction on all of Greene’s students,” Monroe said. Stapp said he thinks that Greene’s absence from her classroom is just and fair. “This is not an issue about tenure; this is an issue about right and wrong. Is this the right type of behavior teachers should exhibit in the classroom? Or is it unacceptable,” Stapp said. Senior political science major and student in the class Theresa Cardenas, on the other hand, said Green’s absence from USM is harsh and unfair. “The issue needs more extensive investigation,” Cardenas said. Cardenas said she will be typing an affidavit to submit to University Provost on Tuesday that defends Greene’s position as a professor on campus. Junior political science major Tyrone Adams said Greene overstepped her boundary as a professor. Adams said Greene responded personally instead of professionally. “This was a personal fight put in front of a classroom, and feelings on both sides start to flare,” Adams said.
Steffen Schmidt, political science professor at Iowa State University, said he was somewhat surprised by Barbour’s decision and thinks it may be a sign that “Republicans are more and more thinking that
2012 is not going to be a winning year.” Schmidt said, “He’s a Southern good ol’ boy and all that, but people liked him when he came to speak, and who’s got good poll numbers? Nobody does.” Barbour has garnered attention for his advocacy for his state post-Hurricane Katrina and again following last year’s BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. He’s also been criticized of painting a revisionist picture in recent months of GOP and Southern attitudes during the Civil Rights Era. Barbour’s wife said in an interview with the ABC affiliate in Biloxi earlier this month that she’d support her husband if he went forward but that she found the idea of him running for president horrifying and overwhelming. Political scientists said Barbour likely calculated he could not overcome the regional and name-recognition hurdles needed to advance quickly enough to compete. “He was too Southern to be a favorite of the more moderate Republicans. He was going to have to work hard here to find a place for himself,” said Dante Scala, chairman of the University of New Hampshire’s political science department.
Phil Bryant visits USM Republicans
Eli Baylis/Printz
The Southern Miss College Republicans hosted gubernatorial candidate Phil Bryant Thursday night to speak about his upcoming campaign.
Arts & Entertainment
Page 4
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Review
Water for Elephants faithful to book Michelle Holowach Printz Writer All of the magic of Sara Gruen’s bestselling novel may not have made it to the big screen, but it got pretty close. The beauty of the story Water for Elephants is that it transports you to another time, another place, and gives you real characters to fall in love with. I, for one, found this same spell being worked on me while what were once just words on a page were transformed into a feast for the eyes on the screen. The movie opens with an elderly Hal Hobson recounting his life with the circus during the Great Depression. His younger self, played by Robert Pattinson, is portraying Jacob Jankowski, the son of Polish immigrants and veterinarian student at Cornell. When tragedy strikes and Jacob is left with no plan for the future, he hops on a train that starts the journey of a lifetime. Becoming a part of the Benzini Brothers’ Circus as their onsite vet, Jacob is taken under the wing of August, the cold-hearted and greedy ring-master who is masterfully portrayed by Oscar winner Christoph Waltz. Jacob describes the circus as being the creation of “heaven on earth,” and indeed the masterful design of the movie makes the viewer come to believe this, too. The glorious music of James Newton Howard combined with the amazing, vividly colored scenes places the viewer in a world almost like a fairy tale. Here it would be hard for one to
Rob Patterson and Reese Witherspoon from Water for Elephants.
believe the world is experiencing a depression; here in the land of glittering costumes, brightly painted cages full of large, powerful animals and breathtaking scenery of green grass blowing in the wind with blue mountains framing the horizon. It isn’t until August’s façade starts to fall apart that Jacob and
the viewers come to see the true nature of the circus, and the world. It wasn’t long before Jacob took notice of Marlena, the beautiful main attraction of the show and, fatefully, the wife of August. She in turn was attracted to Jacob’s tender disposure, and this leads to a heartrending love triangle that becomes the backbone of the movie. Marlena is played by Reese Witherspoon, and this easily becomes the most unbelievable part of the movie ... that Pattinson and Witherspoon could form a romance. (Sparkly vampire meets Legally Blonde?) Nonetheless, we watch their love blossom
Courtesy of 20th Century Fox Studios
as they both tenderly show their care for animals and especially for the show’s newest acquisition, Rosie the elephant. Pattinson gave a surprisingly stunning performance as the humble, caring and headstrong Jacob Jankowski. As the paranoid August, Waltz filled his role perfectly. He easily takes on an eerie, vile character that viewers of the movie want desperately to wring the neck of. The one performance that fell through for me was Witherspoon’s. She had the appearance of the perfect Marlena, but her character seemed too bold and playful, and she acted more like she was in just another chick flick instead of a
carefully woven drama. I went into the movie with high expectations; Gruen’s bestseller was as spectacular of a book as the critics make it out to be, and for the movie to be any less would disappoint me and countless middle-aged women who have read it. Admittedly, the movie did drag on from time to time, but I believe this is the price you must pay for creating a show that follows along as perfectly with the book as Water for Elephants did. The adaptation was completely faithful, so fans of the book need not worry about being let down. As for anyone who hasn’t read the book; please, feel free to treat yourself to one of the few stories left with a genuinely happy ending. I guarantee you you too will be enchanted by what you see unfolding on the screen before you.
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Arts & Entertainment
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
LOCAL
Page 5
Petit Gulf
Cotton
Submitted by Petit Gulf Cotton
Stormy Speaks Printz Writer Formed in January 2011, Hattiesburg band Petit Gulf Cotton consists of five members, three of whom are Southern Miss students. Senior history major Davis Morgan is front man and plays guitar, junior history education major Jeremy Britt plays guitar, and junior interior design major Elana Jackson plays harmonica and sings. William Carey University graduate Luke Pigott plays banjo, and freshman Jones County Junior College student Jordan Graves plays mandolin. The band’s namesake is derived from a strain of black cotton commonly found in Mississippi. Morgan and Britt are self-proclaimed Mississippi history buffs and chose the name because “It sounded cool,” and it reflected their musical style. Britt described the band as a folk/ roots/blues ensemble, and after their first gig at The Gold Pub and Grill in February, they were labeled as “the ultimate Southern experience” by their audience. “You go back a certain point, and everything will take you back to it [the blues],” Britt said. “It’s just good ole music you can sing to, you can drink to.” The band has performed at several venues in Hattiesburg, including Caliente Grille and Old Athens Grill, as well as at a Sigma Nu date party. They play covers as well as original songs, which are
written primarily by Morgan and Britt. Crowd favorites include covers of “Wagon Wheel” by Old Crow Medicine Show and American folk tune “Old Dan Tucker,” as well as originals “Mama, If You Love Me” and “Bye Bye, My Love.” The band has already recorded a demo CD and plans to record a 13-track original album
in late April and early May. Although Morgan and Pigott will be leaving Hattiesburg at the end of the summer for an internship and graduate school, respectively, the band plans to continue performing. “It’s really forcing me to appreciate the time I have left with the band,” Morgan said. “I’ve never had more
fun playing music than I have had with Petit Gulf Cotton. I hope they keep playing when I leave, but needless to say, I’m very sad to be moving on from the band.” “I’ve really cherished having these guys,” Jackson said. “We’re helping each other learn with music constantly. It’s fun to spend time with people I care about, but also it’s im-
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proving ourselves as musicians.” “The day people stop having fun listening to our music is the day we should stop playing music,” Britt said. The band’s next performance will be at the Southern Miss crawfish boil on Friday, May 6, which will be held on the Centennial Lawn from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
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Feature
Page 6
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
On Campus
Class holds consignment on campus Mary Margaret Halford Printz Writer This week, the upstairs portion of the Union will be transformed into a consignment store when the fashion merchandising students of Southern Miss host “Passion for Fashion: Consignment for a Cause.” For the fifth year, students enrolled in FM 337: Fashion Promotion and Analysis will plan and execute the sale, which will be held in Union rooms A, B and C from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.
Clothing for men, women, juniors and children will be available in a wide range of sizes. Accessories such as handbags, wallets, shoes, jewelry, hair ornaments and hats will also be available for purchase. A new section of dorm and apartment décor will be added this year, including art items, pillows and other items. Because it is a consignment sale, merchandise comes from cosginers who are students, faculty, staff and residents of Hattiesburg. A website is set up for those wishing to sell their items, and transactions are handled through it. Cosigners receive the ben-
efits from the items they sell, and profits generated from Passion for Fashion will assist in funding grants, scholarships and prizes for fashion merchandising students. Brigitte Burgess, professor of the class hosting the sale, is optimistic that the event will be a success. “We are expecting the crowds to be as large or larger than last year,” Burgess said. “We have a loyal following who know that if they are there when we open on the first day they have the best chance of getting the designer merchandise.” Burgess added that proceeds from the sale go to a good
cause, financing education of fashion students. “The sale grows in success each year. To date, the proceeds have been used to help more than 30 fashion students by providing funding for student awards and study tours,” Burgess said. Natalie Temple, a student in the fashion class, has been working to prepare for the sale all semester. “I am really excited about the sale. We have been working hard and it has really come together very well,” said Temple. “It is for a great cause and we have a lot of awesome items.” In addition to providing
funds for academics, the sale gives students the opportunity to have hands-on experience with their field of study. Brittany Clement, another student in the class, pointed out the benefits of this learning experience. “I think it gives a glimpse into the working world of merchandising,” Clement said. “The effort to actually choose what styles should go out on the sales floor and to your customer base, as well as working as a team to design the store layout, was a great glimpse into the responsibilities of fashion merchandising.”
On Campus
Juniors jittery about job hunt Tierra Clemmons Printz Writer Stress about finding a job after graduation and life after college is heavily focused on seniors ... but does reality actually start to set in junior year? Many juniors realize that undergraduate time is winding down and many start to wonder what they are actually going to do with that thing called a “major.” Spring advisement may leave many students overwhelmed and can also serve as the barrier of bad news that may postpone graduation plans. Advisor, assistant profes-
sor and assistant director in the School of Mass Communication and Journalism Kim LeDuff urged students to take the courses the advisor recommends when they are recommended. “When I meet with those disappointed students who can’t graduate, I go back to their advisement records,” LeDuff said. “And very often find that they have not followed their advisor’s recommendations.” LeDuff encouraged students to be proactive about advisement. “You should keep track of your plan of study on your own and when you meet with your advisor make sure that you are
in agreement about courses. You should also ask questions if something doesn’t seem right,” LeDuff said. Besides not sticking to the degree plan, change of heart may be the reason for delayed graduation. “I am going to be one of those students who want to expand their wisdom for one semester beyond the expected four years to graduate,” said junior elementary major Jessica Dominguez. “The only reason for this is because I changed my major from English to elementary education in December 2010.” “I am a dancer and jobs aren’t always promised,” said Lee Brooks, a junior dance education major. “So the stress is pretty much on overload. I am staying an extra year to get more training in my field so that I’ll surely be pretty proficient in my craft.” Manager of Career Counseling-Career Services Arthur Lumzy encouraged students to use available resources that are on campus that may help them with future career choices. “We provide a lot of resources that students can utilize to research career paths such as our research library, publications and books, occupational outlook handbook, and various links on our website,” Lumzy said. “The ‘what can I do with my major?’ link is very helpful to students who know what they are interested in, but may not be aware of the different
“
opportunities in that area.” Junior year may also be the time to seek internships to add experience to one’s resume. “The thing that I fear the most is not being accepted into an internship that I want to get into,”
said, “but I think that going to graduate school will help to better prepare me and will ultimately pay greater dividends for my future.” “Besides preparing for college graduate exams,” Lumzy said, “another key component that students need to consider is personal statements and letters of interest. Graduate schools pay attention to that. Career Services and The Writing Center can help critique yours before you send them off with your application.” College graduate exams, graduation, and career plans may be the least of a student’s worry compared to the bittersweet feeling of leaving everything behind. “I’m not exactly scared of the actual graduation part,” Dominguez said, “but more so adjusting to the drastic life changes after four years of consistency and stability at Southern Miss.” “It’s always a scare to think about leaving the simple life of college and facing the real world,” Brooks said. “The future is here and I’m scared of it but my education is going take me everywhere I need to go.” So juniors, stress no more. Help is right at your fingertips and located in the front of campus, (McClemore Hall to be exact). Use your time wisely, but most importantly, enjoy the rest of your undergraduate career before your time runs out. To get your career questions answered, visit Career Services at usm.edu/cs/. Career Services is located in McClemore Hall, Room 125.
The future is here, and I’m scared of it, but my education is going take me everywhere I need to go.
”
Lee Brooks said Rebecca Masters, a junior nutrition and dietetics major. “Internships are required in my field so getting into a good one is really important.” Besides the internships.com link, Career Services provides other ways to help those who are seeking internships. “We also have a mentorship program,” Lumzy said, “because sometimes it’s just a matter of connecting with people in the industry that can help you obtain an internship.” The end of junior year and the beginning of senior year is the ideal time to start preparing for college graduate exams if graduate school is in mind. “I think that I might be prepared to enter the workforce right after college,” Masters
Opinion
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Page 7
NATIONAL
Student Shout-outs To see your anonymous comment in The Student Printz, submit it under the ‘Contact’ tab on studentprintz.com.
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To all the people sitting on the walls surrounding the fountain outside the Hub, do you not have anything better to do? Like going to class? Homework? Anything? To you and your stupid, perpetually-stoned/druggedout boyfriend, I’m sick of watching your downward spiral. Grow up. Residents living on campus, it is the end of the semester. You should know the drill by now. When you check visitors in, freakin’ SHOW YOUR ID to the D.A. so that they can write YOUR name down, and also state your room number. THEN give me your guest’s ID and you are free to go. It is not. that. hard. To the football player with the beard and the crutches I think you’re amazing and was wondering if you would go out with me? Psss – sometimes I think of you as a bear. Go figure MSU would have 36,000 people at their spring football game, they have a whole weekend celebration to promote it and they don’t charge admission to their game, it is free for everyone, unlike Southern. Maybe if we had an Eagle Bash weekend more people would be motivated to come. Starbucks barista Kyle, you are unbelievably beautiful. Great job on the Starbucks article. I love those guys and gals, and they deserve a spotlight. I’m rereading the Harry Potter books to prepare for the final movie. All I have to say is, “I trust Snape!”
”
NBA star and big-mouthed bigot Kobe throws homophobic insults to offend anyone.” The real question on everyone’s mind is exactly how many PR reps does it take to bandage yet another Kobe Bryant booboo? Is a pig-headed remark from a professional athlete really that shocking? (Cough, Terrell Owens, cough). Consider King Kobe’s track record – “inadvertently” breaking up a teammate’s marriage? Check. Personal involvement in a sexual assault case involving a teenager? Check. Mr. Bryant has already established that his moral compass points a little left of north, and by “a little,” I mean directly south. The self-proclaimed “black mamba’s” foul remark comes at a disparaging time for the world
Human Rights Campaign, a civil rights organization working for equality for all sexualities, claimed that Bryant later apologized to him personally over a private phone conversation. “He (Bryant) expressed his heartfelt regret for the hurt that his words caused. He told me that it’s never OK to degrade or tease, and that he understands how his words could unfortunately give the wrong impression that this is appropriate conduct. At the end of a difficult day, I applaud Kobe for coming forward and taking responsibility for his actions.” Right. Call me a cynic, but Mr. Solmonese may be a little too quick to forgive. Is Kobe Bryant homophobic?
wealthiest African American man with a net worth of $140 million, 100 grand is a drop in the bucket. It is going to take more than a slap on the hand to undo the damage that was done. Bryant’s comment goes beyond bad taste. The Hannah Jones gay community should be both Printz Writer offended and disgusted that their lifestyle is being demoralized and With the close of one NBA reguutilized as an insult in hopes of lar season and the recent transition degrading another human being. into this year’s playoffs, the Lakers’ Using a politically incorrect term not-so-golden boy Kobe Bryant has for a homosexual as an insult to not only had to practice his jump slander another is not only deshot but also humility. famatory to the receiver but heiIn recent weeks, ESPN and varinous degradation to the gay comous other networks have steadily munity as a whole. Because of his reported updates on Bryant’s battle status, Kobe Bryant’s willingness of words against his caught-on-tape, to demean homosexuality speaks homophovolumes to bic, double fans, both F-bomb slanyoung and old. der that sent The influence fans, peers and and acceptance NBA officials of such a cominto a tizzy. ment is the The 34 yeartrue unsettling old MVP was aspect of this recently fined whole ordeal. $100,000 after L.A. Times the league exbasketball ecs’ review of commentaaccusations on tors referred Bryant’s misto Bryant’s conduct durrecent “apoling a seasonal ogy ” as an “exgame on April cuseplination” 12. During the rather than exheight of the pressed regret: third quarter “You issue an against the initial apology San Antonio with no admisSpurs, Brysion that you ant received a were wrong technical foul or the word for continuwas wrong, an ously arguing that Michael Goulding//MCT apology with referee puts the onus Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant watches New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul shoot Bennie Ad- free throws during the fourth quarter in Game 1 of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at the Staples Center on everyone ams. (Cue in Los Angeles, California, Sunday, April 17. The Hornets won, 109-100. else for taking break down.) it wrong. This As he proceeded to make his way of professional basketball. When Probably not. However, he clearly isn’t flying, Kobe.” to the bench, Bryant, who was vis- Bryant’s comment hit airwaves, possesses a misguided rhetoric. The The uproar has moved past the ibly upset, shouted, “F**king f**got,” the NBA claimed to have been fact is, intolerable language is pres- world of sport reporters and eager distinguishably directing the name- working on a public service ent where any athletic competition college journalists and has now encalling toward Adams. Meanwhile, campaign with the Gay, Lesbian occurs. For example, a Knicks fan tered the comedy ring. Comedian TNT cameras continued rolling, and Straight Education Network could be overheard telling Celtics’ Rob Delany delivered an off-color catching the five-time NBA champ (GLSEN) in hopes to present a power forward, Kevin Garnett, “Get retort to the scandal via the Daily in all of his bigoted glory projecting more “gay-friendly” basketball the f*ck out of the way” after taking What, commenting, “Kobe called a the homophobic “insult.” league while denouncing ho- an accidental flying leap into the ref a ‘f**got.’. ... Apparently he felt the After being prompted about his mophobia in sports. Various NBA crowd during the first quarter of Fri- ref’s lifestyle of consensual an*l sex misconduct on ESPN radio, Bry- reps have gone on the record day’s playoff game. made him look bad.” ant blamed the source of the com- about Bryant’s comment, includThese instances act as realistic Sorry, Kob. You can’t buy a $4 ment on “the heat of the game.” ing NBA commissioner David proof that such language is used million purple diamond to fix Bryant went on to apologize for Stern, who commented in a state- both on and off of the court mo- this blunder. Oh yeah, and go the slur, stating: “What I said last ment deeming Bryant’s slur as reso reflexively than maliciously. Celtics! night should not be taken literal- both “offensive and inexcusable.” However, such language cannot ly,” he said. “My actions were out He said, “I’m fully aware that be tolerated. Many bloggers and This was an article of opinion by of frustration, period. The words basketball is an emotional game, ESPN users have criticized the Hannah Jones, a writer for The expressed do not reflect my feel- but such a distasteful term should NBA for such a “rigid” reaction Student Printz. Email questions ings towards the gay and lesbian never be tolerated.” toward Bryant’s “slip up.” How- or comments to hannah.jones@ communities and were not meant Joe Solmonese, president of ever, when punishing Forbes’ 18th eagles.usm.edu.
Sports
Page 8
BASEBALL
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Eli Baylis/Printz
Tyler Koelling, senior outfielder, catches a ball deeply driven into the outfield. Southern Miss Eagles swept the series against Marshall University by defeating them 8-7 Friday and 10-8 and 9-4 in a double header Saturday at Pete Taylor Park.
Hattiesburg and USM should be on same team Tyler Cleveland Printz Writer It’s time to bridge the divide between The University of Southern Mississippi and the city of Hattiesburg. You might not have known that division was there, but it has been for years – even before Mayor Johnny Dupree railed against a 2004 tax proposal that would have taken from area businesses to provide funding for USM’s athletic facilities, which USM argued would be beneficial for the city’s economy.
The debate was fierce, the dissent often vitriolic. In the end, the measure failed. The Southern Miss athletic department achieved its goals anyway, but not without financial hardship. Sure, Dupree has made appearances at sporting events and alongside university presidents at various functions since then, but I know the Southern Miss fan base, and many of them haven’t forgotten. In fact, if Southern Miss fans were polled on whether or not they feel the city has adequately supported the school, Dupree probably wouldn’t like the results. On Friday, the mayor is taking a step towards rebuilding that bridge by joining the Eagle Club, the major fund-raising arm of the USM athletic department,
Baseball vs. Alabama Day: Tuesday Location: Pete Taylor Park Time: 6:00 p.m. Overall record: 25-18, SEC 8-10
Alabama’s Last Five Games: 4/16 vs. Tennessee 4/19 @. Samford 4/22 @ Florida 4/23 @ Florida 4/24 @ Florida
L, 1-2 W, 7-5 L, 7-0 L, 9-2 L, 2-1
and declaring Friday “Eagle Club Day” in Hattiesburg. Some say, “Too little, too late.” I say, “Welcome.” GOOD IDEA It’s understandable to look at the university’s announcement of Friday’s press conference cynically. As Americans, we’re conditioned to analyze everything politicians and community leaders do, and our conclusions often leave us unexcited and at times disheartened. It’s no secret Dupree has his eyes on the governor’s mansion and even less of a secret that the athletic department could use more Eagle Club members. If the Southern Miss athletic department is going to continue to compete in the uber-com-
Southern Miss Box Score
Baseball:
4/22 vs. Marshall 4/23 vs. Marshall 4/23 vs. Marshall
M. Tennis:
4/22 vs. ECU
W. Tennis:
4/21 vs. ECU
Softball:
4/22 @ Marshall 4/23 @ Marshall 4/23 @ Marshall
W, 8-7 W, 10-8 W, 9-4
L, 4-1
L, 4-0 L, 5-4 L, 4-2 W, 5-1
petitive, uber-expensive world of Division 1 athletics, it’s going to need the ear of Hattiesburg’s highest-elected official, no matter who that may be at the time. That’s why Friday’s event is such a win-win. It sets a precedent for future mayors, helps Dupree with his perception among Southern Miss fans and raises the awareness of the Eagle Club while giving them one more member. I’d bet both USM Athletic Director Richard Giannini and Dupree would both say their respective doors have always been open, but now we know it too. TIME TO LOOK AHEAD We might all be sitting around singing “Kumbaya” Friday, but behind the scenes the athletic department is at a pret-
ty significant crossroads. With either major renovations or additions to M.M. Roberts Stadium, Reed Green Coliseum, Pete Taylor Park and the USM Softball Complex complete, the athletic department can focus on the many issues they face in the coming years. Giannini started that process earlier this month by holding a summit with around 75 donors, fans, school officials (academic and athletic), city officials and special guests to talk about the future. They discussed everything from ticket prices to traffic flow, budgets to bathrooms. If Dupree’s decision to come around on joining the Eagle Club, and do so in such a public manner, is one result of that think-tank, I can’t wait to see what’s next.
Southern Miss Sports: Upcoming Games Tuesday, April 26 at 6:00 p.m. Baseball vs. Alabama Hattiesburg, Miss.
Saturday, April 30 at 12:00 p.m. Softball @ UCF Orlando, Fla.
Wednesday, April 27 at 6:00 p.m. Softball @ LSU Baton Rouge, La.
Saturday, April 30 at 2:00 p.m. Baseball @ ECU Greenville, NC
Friday, April 29 at 5:00 p.m. Baseball@ ECU Greenville, NC
Saturday April 30 All Day Golden Eagle Classic Hattiesburg, Miss.