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‘Killing Bigfoot’TV show highlights SFA student’s search for creature

By Joanna ArmstrongEditor-in-chief

“We want the alpha male. The big ones are the ones that are the aggressors. That’s the whole thing about it. It’s not just a kill to kill type thing. It’s definitely we’ve planned out what we’re going to do, and that’s the reason why we want to do it.”

-Brandi Hamilton, SFA student

While the rest of the students enrolled in Summer I classes were thinking about their next assignment, SFA student Brandi Hamilton was thinking about finding and killing Bigfoot.

The daughter of one of the founders of the Gulf Coast Bigfoot Research Organization, Bobby Hamilton, Brandi grew up hearing about Bigfoot and her father’s efforts to kill one of the creatures.

“He had this for years before I was born,” Brandi said, “so growing up I was always around it and always involved in it.”

In 2014, the organization was approached with an offer to do a television show for Destination America and filmed a pilot in Goldonna, Louisiana, that spring. The show had a simple premise: to find and kill a Bigfoot.

“The show is called ‘Killing Bigfoot,’ and that’s what we’re trying to do,” she said.

After airing that October, Brandi said the popularity of the show prompted the network to order a full season.

“At the time it was one of those trial type things. They didn’t promote the show,” she said. “They wanted just to put it out there to see how the audience would react, and with just what we did alone for advertisement, each time that show aired there was over 250,000 views, which is insane. Nothing [advertising] was done. It was just all on our part. That was enough to get them to say you know what? Y’all can go ahead and do a full season.“

Filming started in summer 2015, taking place in various parts of Texas, including Brandi’s hometown of Warren, as well as Louisiana and Mississippi.

According to Brandi, even the name of the show is controversial among those in the Bigfoot community.

“As soon as they hear the name, they just freak out,” Brandi said. “There’s a huge kill-versus-no-kill controversy, and that’s definitely something they bring up on the pilot.”

For members of the GCBRO, aggression from the creature plays a role in their desire to kill it. She said that some who have reached out to the organization

have reported animals and livestock being killed or injured.

“These people are scared to death. They’re having things go on,” Brandi said. “Animals are getting killed, and their pets and kids can’t go outside alone. They don’t want to stay outside after it gets dark. They’re not feeling safe in their own home, and that’s a problem if you can’t feel safe in your own home.”

Brandi said their research has led the group’s members to certain conclusions.

“It’s not just anyone [Bigfoot] that stumbles up,” she said. “[We’re] not shooting a female and not shooting a baby. We’ve had the chance to, but that’s not what we want. We want the alpha male. The big ones are the ones that are the aggressors. That’s the whole thing about it. It’s not just a kill to kill type thing. It’s definitely we’ve planned out what we’re going to do, and that’s the reason why we want to do it.”

Their desire to kill a Bigfoot also stems from the organization’s wish to prove the creature’s existence and put protective measures in place, Bobby said.

“Mainstream science doesn’t accept that these creatures even exist because they have never had a body on a slab to examine,” he said. “Unless one is proven to exist and the proper habitat set aside and protection put into place, it is only a matter of time before one of these aggressive encounters turns deadly, and someone is seriously injured or killed. As of this time, there is basically no other group that does what we do. There are a lot of enthusiasts who go out and listen for sounds and look for tracks. We are beyond that phase and are in it for the discovery.”

Created in the 1997, the GCBRO’s team organizes hunts for Bigfoot. Hunters wearing camouflage or black clothing are placed in a specific location and

BIGFOOT, PAGE 2

By Parastoo NikraveshManaging Editor

The SFA Board of Regents recently approved retaining the 2016-17 tuition rate of $192 per semester credit hour for the 2017-18 academic year.

“ T h e p r e s i d e n t recommended we maintain the tuition rate because we are concerned about the cost of the tuition, as is every one,” Dr. Danny Gallant, vice president for finance and administration, said.

For the past 14 years, the SFA tuition rate has increased. Students have become accustomed to at least a small increase each new budget cycle.

“From my perspective, and I believe the president’s and the regents’, we are very concerned about the cost of tuition,” Gallant said.

“We understand tuition is

something students commit to. The balance is between state funding and what we need to deliver our services to our students.”

The tuition at SFA is decided based on the amount of state funding received and the amount needed to provide students with the services SFA has to offer.

When asked if the rate would continue to be retained in the following year, Gallant said it was too early to tell, as legislators are currently in session deciding how much state funding institutions like SFA will receive.

“Going to school has become a struggle as I have to take out more and more loans and still have a balance after that,” SFA student Martha Carnes said.

“My grandparents’ income and my younger brother starting college made it so my

family couldn’t afford to help me out as much. The last three years have been a struggle trying to meet deadlines and registering for a class a week before they start, all because I couldn’t afford to pay it earlier.

“My sister starts college next year, and she’s considering SFA. She’s going to have it the hardest, having to pay her remaining balance out of her own pocket. So hearing that our tuition didn’t go up this year fills me with hope. It makes me hopeful for her to get her education and for me to finish mine.”

Tuition rates also were set for students who enter the university during the school year and elect to participate in a fixed-rate tuition plan, according to an SFA press release.

Add it iona l ly, regents approved a change in the fees

for excessive credit hours. “The university does not

receive funding from the state for students who have exceeded by 30 hours the number of semester credit hours required for the degree program in which they are enrolled, or when they enroll in a course that they’ve previously been enrolled in two or more times,” Gallant said.

“We are authorized by the state to charge those students the equivalent of out-of-state, non-statutory tuition, which is $458 per semester credit hour.”

Room rates for the majority of students living on campus this academic year will increase by 0.5 percent. Due to ongoing upgrades and improvements in Hall 20, including a scheduled replacement of the building’s HVAC system, room rates for that residence hall will increase 5 percent.

Board of Regents votes to retain 2016-17 tuition rate

From the Gulf Coast Bigfoot Research Organization:

• Bigfoot, or Sasquatch, is found in the Pacific Northwest, as well as the South.

• Aggressiveness of the southern Bigfoot sets it apart from the northern Bigfoot.

• Bigfoot vocalization is a mix between the sounds of a bull and a bear.

Courtesy Photos

SFA student Brandi Hamilton, above, recently filmed Destination America’s first season of “Killing Bigfoot.” A health science major with a minor in nutrition, Hamilton is a member of the Gulf Coast Bigfoot Research Organization, which was started by her father Bobby Hamilton. The organization was aims to hunt and kill Bigfoot. “Killing Bigfoot” will airs at 9 p.m. on Saturdays.

SFA Tuition Breakdown

2017-18$192 per semester credit

hour

2016-17$192 per semester credit

hour

2015-16$185.50 per semester

credit hour

2014-15$171 per semester credit

hour

Photo by Cori Kallenberger/ The Pine Log

CMYK

Page 2

News @thepinelogThe Pine Log 2017

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By Ronnie ChapmanContributing Writer

The Academic Assistance Resource Center’s goal is to reach as many students as possible and provide them with the tools they need to be successful. To do this, students must understand the types of tutoring they offer.

In particular, the AARC Writing Center offers weekly appointments, walk-in tables and an online writing lab (OWL) where students can submit work via the internet and have it promptly returned with corrections. The primary goal of the writing center is to not simply be an editing service; rather, they try to teach their clients how to become consistently effective writers.

With this relationship between the tutors and the clients, the AARC strives to establish a comfortable environment that allows the clients to succeed.

Sara Johnson, a senior creative writing major and AARC writing tutor, said that

her favorite aspect of her job is “helping someone learn something new that they wouldn’t have learned otherwise.”

The writing center has welcomed a new program director this semester, Dr. Kathy Bryson. Bryson said she “honestly enjoys the tutors, [and] that they’re great, smart people.”

Bryson wants the students who use their services to understand that their sole purpose is to help them in any way possible.

Program Assistant Alex Sides is embracing the new system that has been implemented by Bryson, and she believes that students “will constantly have the tutors’ undivided attention.”

Sides said many students who come in for their service view writing to be intimidating, and she strives to ensure “a comfortable environment for the students.”

Leaders of the writing program want to extend their reach as far as possible within the student body, and Bryson hopes the center consistently adapts to become more effective at what they do.

AARC Writing Center provides assistance

The SFA Academic Assistance Resource Center is on the first floor of the Ralph W. Steen Library. The AARC offers a variety of tutoring services, including the Writing Center to improve students’ writing skills. Students can have the opportunity to not only edit their writing but also to learn how to become a consistently good writer. Program Assistant Alex Sides believes that students “will constantly have the tutors’ undivided attention” while in the AARC.

By Andrea NelsonStaff Writer

SFA’s School of Fine Arts will present “Intimate Apparel” from Feb. 28 to March 4 at 7:30 p.m. each night and 2 p.m. March 4.

Written by Lynn Nottage, “Intimate Apparel” follows the story of Esther, a young woman who works as a seamstress making corsets and other intimate garments for women in 1905.

When Esther receives a letter from a mysterious man named George Armstrong, she is led into a passionate romance via letter correspondence. After she and Armstrong meet and finally marry, she begins to learn that he may not be the man she thought he was.

“Every character in the show is searching for some meaning and the notion of connection,” Assistant Director Dominique Rider said. “Genuine connection plays such a huge part of the story we’re telling.”

The play’s lead is played by Kiara Hawkins, a freshman theatre major, who is making her mainstage debut in the production.

“I think the only problems I’ve faced as a freshman are just that everything moves so quick,” Hawkins said.“In high school, you would have months to prepare for a show, and we are doing ‘Intimate Apparel’ in six weeks.”

When asked what he thought would draw audiences to the performance Rider said, “So rarely when we tell stories about women of color do we find ourselves telling them without the story revolving entirely around racism.”

“I think the name of the production itself will draw people’s attention, as well as having mostly an African-American cast,” Devin Bruton, sound designer for the production, said.

Bruton also briefly touched upon some of the design aspects he has been working with during the production’s rehearsal period.

“My favorite part of the design process has been getting to listen to and experiment with different types of Ragtime Piano and Jazz Music, and seeing how I can manipulate those sounds and turn them into something interesting that the audience will enjoy,” Bruton said.

The time period of the show is a very specific time, both in story-telling and in aspects of design, and Rider wants audiences to remember this as they attend the February and March performances.

“I think it’s important for audiences to remember the period in which the show is set,” Rider said. “1905 is a unique time period…The show, while not doing so outright, gives us a glance at how difficult it was for black women to find work that paid well.”

When asked about what they hoped the audiences would take away from the show, Hawkins said, “I hope that the audience takes away from this show that people are different and you shouldn’t just make assumptions about other people based on the color of their skin or their religious beliefs,” Hawkins said.

Rider said the show is not about race. “This show isn’t about race; it’s about a

woman who wants to be loved and touched, a woman who is searching for something she can’t have,” Rider said. “These are themes that I think any and everyone can relate to, regardless of race or ethnicity.”

Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and $7.50 for students. To purchase tickets, visit the Box Office located on the main level of the Griffith Fine Arts Building or call (936) 468-6407.

Photo by Ronnie Chapman/ The Pine Log

By Shannon PoeStaff Writer

“Thank you for your patience

and understanding as we work to

implement this plan.”

—SFA President Baker Pattillo

Gov. Greg Abbott has issued a hiring freeze for all state-funded positions on campus until Aug. 31, according to a memo from the office of the governor on Jan. 31.

“This directive only affects agencies under the direction of the governor as well as institutions of higher education,” the memo said.

SFA President Dr. Baker Pattillo immediately notified faculty and staff of the campus-wide hiring freeze and said the administration is working “to fully understand this directive and its implications,” he said in an email.

Pattillo sent a follow up email establishing the following guidelines:

“The recruitment and hiring of graduate assistants and student assistants, including federal work study positions, is permitted, as they are not funded by state appropriations,” Pattillo said. “At this time, we have not established whether the hiring freeze will impact the students hired on the Texas college work-study program, which is funded through state appropriations.”

In addition, positions funded by federal and private contract and grant awards and positions funded by state appropriations are permitted when approved by the appropriate vice-president.

“Faculty and/or staff positions to be filled that are funded with state-appropriated funds can be permitted only when approved by the appropriate vice president and the required waiver from the governor’s office is sought and obtained through a process currently being developed by the governor’s office,” Pattillo said.

As for exemptions, Loretta Doty, SFA director of Human Resources, said there will be waivers issued for each individual case. These waivers grant certain people the right to fill a job position if it is approved.

“The guidelines will also include the process for seeking waivers from the governor’s office,” Doty said.

There are also exemptions for people who were already offered a job on campus before the freeze was issued.

“Positions that were offered and accepted by a candidate prior to the hiring freeze are not included,” Doty said.

This announcement was made only one week after President Trump signed a presidential memorandum to place a hiring freeze on the federal government; but these two freezes are not related, according to Doty.

For any questions, contact Doty at dotylc@sfasu.edu or (936) 468-2304.

Governor issues hiring freeze

SFA theatre presents play that breaks stereotypes

From Page 1

wait for a shot at the creature. Extraction crews are on location for emergencies or if the hunt “is a bust,” Brandi said.

While the organization has between 30 and 40 members, according to Brandi, the desire for membership spiked after the show’s pilot aired.

“We’re not a fan club,” she said. “I’m sure plenty of people have wanted to get membership, and after the pilot aired, people were sending in reports like crazy. You can tell which ones are what. We know what is bogus and what isn’t.”

Brandi said the hunters on the show are dedicated members of the organization who have been involved for years.

“I’m glad that people support us and think that’s awesome, and they want to be a part of something like that, but membership is not for the purpose of just entertaining people,” Brandi said.

Bobby said his daughter’s participation in GCBRO has been an asset to the organization.

“Brandi has brought a fresh set of eyes and thoughts to the team, and with her sense of humor, a lot of laughs, as well,” he said. “She grew up around the GCBRO team, and it is only fitting that she be included with her adopted ‘uncles’ in our quest.”

Including her in the hunts is his way of grooming her to take over the organization after he is gone, Bobby said.

“I am passing the mantle down to my children, as some of the other guys are, because someone will have to carry the torch when we are long gone and/or no longer able to do this,” he said. “There is no other group out there that has had the findings and experience that we have had. So we are grooming them from our experience to be able to carry the torch if, by chance, we don’t succeed in our quest for discovery before then.”

For Brandi, one of the hardest parts of participating in hunts for the show was filming while taking classes.

“I was in Summer I classes in A&P [anatomy and physiology] I,” she said. “That morning I would be in class with lecture and lab, and then at 12 something, I would leave, and I drove to the film site.”

While filming in fall 2015, Brandi had to make the eight-hour drive to Mississippi multiple times while keeping up with her responsibilities as a full-time student.

“I’m very into time management,” she said. “That’s the only thing that saved me.”

A health science major with a nutrition minor, she hopes to pursue a master’s degree in public health.

“I really want to work in a hospital,” Brandi said. “That’s my main goal. I just like being interactive with people. I like health, and want to be involved in that. As far as the definite role, I’m not sure.”

In the future, she plans to continue Bigfoot hunting.“I grew up with it. I’m a part of it,” Brandi said. “It’s been

in my family. My kids will be a part of it, too; I already know that. That’s still the plan, regardless of how the show turns out and whether we get future seasons or we don’t. I’m always going to be a part of it and continue it on until we finally get one.“

The pilot episode of “Killing Bigfoot” aired Saturday and will continue to air at 9 p.m. Saturdays on Destination America. For more information, visit www.killingbigfoot.com.

Bigfoot: Student joins father on Bigfoot-hunting journey

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Page 3Wednesday, February 8, 2017

Entertainment@thepinelog

By Brooke MosleyStaff Writer

Almost two years after the release of her Grammy-nominated mixtape “You Should Be Here,” Kehlani unveils the different sides of herself in her debut album, “SweetSexySavage.”

It’s rare for me to listen to an album without skipping at least one song these days, but each song on this album left me anticipating the next one until the very end.

The intro is a spoken-word poem by Reyna Biddy and perfectly sets the tone for the rest of the album. Toward the end of the poem, Biddy confesses, “I’m a superwoman/and some days, I’m an angry woman/and some days, I’m a crazy woman,” which is a message I think Kehlani tries to convey throughout the album.

She isn’t a woman that can be defined by one adjective or confined to a box. The title of the album could also be a play on TLC’s second album title, “CrazySexyCool.”

In “Distraction,” Kehlani wants to avoid settling down and just have someone to have fun with, but also asks that they not be a distraction (presumably while she’s ha nd l i ng business). “Keep On,” which is my favorite song production wise, deals with the same n o n - c o m m i t m e n t preference, but I think that it should have been placed after “Distraction” instead of before it.

The world has witnessed some of the struggles Kehlani

has been through, such as her love triangle with Kyrie Irving and PartyNextDoor, and her suicide attempt after those relationships.

Despite the huge media buzz around both situations, the 21-year old R&B singer doesn’t shy away from addressing her problems on her album.

On “Piece of Mind” and “Advice,” her lyrics suggest that she’s been heartbroken and that she’s trying to find the piece of herself that she lost while in a bad relationship.

Kehlani’s savage side is revealed in songs like “CRZY” and “Personal” where she seems to brush off all the pain thrown her way in order to stay determined to be successful in the music industry.

There are quite a few songs that display the artist’s sweet side, such as “Escape” and “Everything Is Yours.” But songs like “Hold Me by

the Heart” and “Get Like,” although sweet, lyrically sound like songs meant for a 16-year-old singer.

After listening to the album, my primary concern was that Kehlani didn’t really display her sexy side in her songs, although the adjective “sexy” is in the album’s title.

In her song “Distraction,” she says, “I’m not really a vulgar person,” but I think that she still could’ve lyrically portrayed her sexiness in a subtle way like she did in the song “Undercover.”

All in all, I love the lyrical journey of the album and hope that Kehlani can get another Grammy-nod with this album.

Whether you’re the sweet girl or boy next door, a grown-and-sexy young adult or a coldhearted savage with dreams, “SweetSexySavage” is an album worth listening to.

Courtesy Photo

By Devin HogueEntertainment Editor

SAA held its second Lip Sync Battle on Monday in the BPSC Movie Theater.

The Lip Sync Battle consisted of three rounds. The first round had two contestants competing against one another in a head-to-head battle.

The audience voted on a website called Kahoot to determine who would advance to the next round.

According to event coordinator Armando Gonzales, he wanted to do this event again because of the success it had last year and to give people who did not get a chance to go on stage last year the opportunity to perform.

The participants who took the stage were duo Justin Lewis and Brian Callahan who sang “Start of Something New” from the Disney Channel original movie “High School Musical,” going against Valerie Johnson, who sang Jennifer Hudson’s’ “Dreamgirls” solo “And I Am Telling You.” Johnson gave an electrifying performance that landed her in a spot for the second round.

The next battle was Matthew Rivera singing the Black Eyed Peas’ song “Let’s Get It Started” versus Tyrone Graves III performing Alicia Key’s single “If I Ain’t Got You.” Graves was victorious with his crowd participating performance.

The last battle of the round was Taylor Edwards performing Shakira’s “Try Everything” against Jeron Humphrey who lip synched Backstreet Boys’ “I Want it That Way.” Humphrey brought back the ‘90s and won the vote to advance.

The second round, or as the MC for the event Jay Brooks called it, the triple threat, began shortly after. This round included all the previous winners in the first round going against each other.

The audience chose who they liked the best and the two performers with the most votes advanced.

In the end of the second round, Johnson’s performance of Lenny William’s classic song “Cause I Love You” and Graves rapping Kanye West’s “Gold Digger” earned them both a spot in the final round and a chance to win $150.

In the final round, Johnson’s

performance of Bruno Mars’ “24K Magic” fell short to beat Graves performance of Marvin Gaye’s “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.”

But all the participants received a prize so they didn’t go home empty handed.

“Well, originally I wasn’t going to perform, but God himself told me to sing in the Lip Sync Battle,” Graves said.

“I just always had a passion for singing, but I’m not the best singer. It was fun. It was a good experience. I never got first place in something, so it was fun.”

At the end, the crowd wanted Edwards to give an encore performance. She did it with props and a big poster.

For more information about future SAA events, follow SAA on twitter @SAA_1923.

By Brielle ThomasStaff Writer

Children’s Performing Art Series at SFA will have two performances of “Seussical” at 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on Friday in the W.M. Turner Auditorium.

According to Robbie Goodrich, director of arts information in the college of fine arts, Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty wrote the play. It is based on several Dr. Seuss stories and the Broadway play, “Seussical.”

It will be presented by Theatreworks USA and will feature 10 actors.

“The musical is based on the works of Dr. Seuss and features memorable characters such as The Cat in the Hat, Horton, Miss Gertrude McFuzz and Mayzie La Bird,” Diane Peterson, fine arts box office manager and director of the children’s series, said. “They will be visiting ‘Horton Hears a Who,’ Gertrude’s story from ‘Yertle the Turtle and Other Stories’ and ‘Mayzie Hatches the Egg’.”

According to Peterson, the Children’s series has been at SFA for a very long time.

“It has been around for almost 25 years,” Peterson said. “We attract schools in a 100-mile radius.”

According to Peterson, the purpose of the series is to bring live theater and the arts to children in East Texas.

“Many would not have the opportunity to see a live performance w it hout our Children’s series,” Peterson said.

The Children’s series annually features f ive shows designed to entertain, educate and engage young audiences of all ages, according to Goodrich.

“We always book children’s p r o g r a m m i n g t h a t i s c u r r i c u l u m -based so teachers can use the performance as a tool in the classroom,” Peterson said. “‘Seussical’ has the following curriculum connections: communication and language arts, literature-based, music and relationships and family.

We also provide a study guide that teachers can download and distribute to children.”

According to Peterson, the study guides provide suggestions for pre and post-performance activities and discussions for teachers to use in the classroom.

The cost of a ticket for one person is $7.50, and it is $6 per person for groups of 20 or more people.

Other upcoming Children’s series performances are “The Little Mermaid” on Tuesday, March 7, and Super Scientific Circus on Thursday, May 11.

Seussical is coming

Courtesy Photo

SAA hosts second Lip Sync Battle

Photo by Cara Campbell/ The Pine Log

Tyrone Graves III performers one of his favorite songs in the second annual Lip Sync Battle, while the students in the crowd take pictures and cheer him on in the BPSC Movie Theater. Graves performed Kanye West’s “Gold Digger” ft. Jamie Foxx.

Review: Grammy-nominated singer’s newest album is ‘CRZY’ incredible

CMYK

Page 4 The Pine Log 2017

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Wednesday, February 8, 2017

OPINIONS EDITORJUWAN LEE

SPORTS EDITORDEVIN BROOKS

ADVERTISING MANAGERTYLER FISHER

WEBMASTER/SOCIAL MEDIACYNTHIA COGAN

MANAGING EDITOR PARASTOO NIKRAVESH

PHOTO EDITORHANNAH RUSSELL

ENTERTAINMENT EDITORDEVIN HOGUE

COPY EDITOREMILY BROWN

VIDEO EDITORAUDRA BRIDGES

CIRCULATION MANAGEREMMA GREGERSON

Spring 2017 Editorial BoardOpinions

Policy

✓ Write a letter to Grinding the Ax. Follow the guidelines on the left. Sign your name, and your letter will likely appear on this very page.

✓ You can also use our website to submit a letter to Grinding the Ax. It’ll save you a trip to the Baker Pattillo Student Center.

✓ Post feedback to our stories online. Hit the “Comments” button at the end of a story and let us have it. We can take it.

We’re lookingfor your

FEEDBACKOpinions expressed in this section of The Pine Log are those of the individual writer or cartoonist and do not necessarily reflect those of the university, its administrative officers or its Board of Regents.

Letters should be typed and should include the student’s hometown, classification, campus identification number and phone number for verification purposes. We reserve the right to edit letters for space, spelling, grammar and potentially libelous material. Letters should not be longer than 300 words. Any letter that does not follow this criteria will not be published.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEFJOANNA ARMSTRONG

Opinions@thepinelog

After many years of steady increases, SFA students can look forward to their tuition remaining the same for the 2017-18 school year.

In late January, the SFA Board of Regents approved a designated tuition rate of $192 per semester credit hour, leaving it unchanged from the current academic year.

This will be the first time designated tuition at SFA has not been raised in the 14-year deregulation era.

Tuition deregulation was put into effect in September 2003.

This legislation al lowed university governing boards the f lexibility to “charge any student an amount designated as tuition that the governing board considers necessary for the effective operation of the institution,” according to the legislation.

There are not any limits to how regents of state public universities may raise designated tuition. Yet, SFA’s Board of Regents wisely decided to remain at the current designated tuition rate, at least for the upcoming year.

Many students around campus were unaware that this was taking place, and some are still unsure

about how the financial burdens of higher education will affect their futures. SFA has earned its reputation as being a high-quality university, but it is becoming increasingly expensive to attend this institution.

The financial burden of sustaining our academic and other programs cannot continually be placed on the backs of the students attending this school.

Students can take pride in the fact the SFA Board of Regents understand this and are seeking ways to increase revenue without relying solely on tuition increases.

But that does not take away from the reality we face every day we spend on campus. According to the SFA website, the average yearly cost of tuition is $24,233.

Many students will graduate having paid nearly $100,000 to this university. It’s encouraging to know the board has recognized this, but next year regents will meet and start the cycle over again, and it may be a different story at that time.

Students need to ensure their voice is heard on these matters, not with generic arguments about how tuition should be free but with well-

thought-out ideas about how SFA can find other resources to help fund the university.

Frustration over the cost of tuition continues to rise at public universities across the country.

Students can no longer wait on legislators to appeal to the needs of those attending public universities. The increase of tuition has temporarily been halted at SFA, but students should not feel complacent in ensuring their voices are heard.

Student loans now represent the nation’s second largest source of debt.

Federa l st udent loa n disbursements in Texas have nearly doubled over the past decade, and the average Texas student will graduate college with over $24,000 of student loan debt, according to an article by The Texas Tribune.

The SFA Board of Regents has undoubtedly taken a step forward in reassessing how to manage the alarming increase of student loan debt. But it cannot end there nor should it.

As Sen. Barbara Mikusi said, “College is part of the American dream. It shouldn’t be part of a financial nightmare for families.”

Illustration by Olivia Boan/ The Pine Log

Practice. The basic task of repeating an activity or skill in hopes of one day becoming proficient in it. You go to class to learn. You study and do homework in order to retain the knowledge.

But when do you make time to apply what you have learned? Class should not be the only place you practice your skills in your specific field of study.

We live in an age where a degree is expected, so just having one no longer separates you from others you are competing with.

It will not only put you one step closer to mastering your field, but also ensure that what you are majoring in is something you truly enjoy doing.

I have had an opportunity of building potential connections with people who are currently in the mass media industry by applying myself outside the classroom. Look

for organizations that cater to your field and take advantage of them.

Surrounding yourself with resources that will help you in your field will only benefit you as you move closer to graduation.

No one can underestimate the value of networking opportunities, but those vast amounts of connections will not search for you in your classroom. It is up to you to find and seize those opportunities.

Sharpening those skills you learned in the classroom will place you in beneficial situations that can pay off for you.

Many people go through the semester dreading going to class every day, and eventually become disconnected to what is going on in the classroom.

You grow tired of listening to the teacher and the same information being thrown at you day in and day out.

Well, practicing on your own allows you to do it the way you see fit. Teachers should be seen as guides, so it is up to you to develop your craft.

Attempting to practice your craft without a teacher will help you better understand your strengths and weaknesses.

You are able to place a spotlight on what you are proficient in and use that time outside of class to work on it.

You are then able to return to class more confident in what you are able to do because you are one step in front of the majority of the class. Remember, this is your career you are training for, and the people who sit in the classroom with you will eventually become your competition. If you are only relying on class activities to prepare you for the professional world, then that is a great mistake that potentially puts

you behind those who center their life around their profession.

If you do what you need to do now, then that places you in a position to do what you want to do later in life. When you prepare for a test, you don’t read the book once and just put it down.

If you are, you may need to reevaluate that situation as well. We all have various things that take our time outside of class, but we have to work for the job we dream of having.

No one said the road to success will be easy. It is tedious journey that we should enjoy. Dedicating time towards the craft we love will make it all worth it once we reach the top.

Practice and repetition won’t bring perfection, but it will limit imperfections. There is no glory in practice, but without practice, there is no glory.

COLUMN

By JuwanLEE

“This is your career you are training for,

and the people who sit in the

classroom with you will

eventually become your competition.”

Perfecting the art of practicing imperfections

Board of Regents’ vote to maintain current tuition rate seen as positive sign for students

Page 5

COLUMN

By TylerJOHNSON

Needless to say, the Super Bowl has become a pretty big deal. It’s the most watched sporting event every year and captures an audience from around the world.

So it’s no wonder the commercial slots are so expensive. In fact, a 30-second time slot could cost more than $5 million. Compared to previous years, this year’s commercials weren’t that great overall.

There were more serious and heartfelt commercials than ones that made you laugh. However, there were a few that caught my eye.

The commercial for Bai, a fruit drink, gave me a good chuckle. It’s pronounced “bye,” and the commercial starred Christopher Wa lken sitting on a couch with Justin Timberlake.

Walken stares directly into the camera and speaks a famous line from Timberlake’s hit NSYNC song, “Bye Bye Bye.” I’m not an NSYNC fan, so it took me a few minutes to get it. But it definitely made me laugh out loud.

Year in and year out, Bud Light always has a great commercial. Well, this year was no different. Spuds MacKenzie is back but as a ghost. He’s guiding a man, who decided to stay at home rather than go out with his friends, through nights of his friends having fun without him.

Spuds MacKenzie was a popular English bull terrier that starred in a series of Bud Light ads that started in the 1987 commercial. He appeared on talk shows and was also mentioned in Tone Loc’s song, “Funky Cold Medina.”

I also thought the A irbnb commercia l was inspiring. Their campaign was centered

around the phrase “We Accept,” which is a clear response to President Trump’s executive order to put a temporary ban on refugees.

According to an Airbnb spokesperson, the commercial was sponta neously put together in less than a week while using some footage from one of their previous commercials.

It was a clear message, but it was done in a matter that calls for unity and peace rather than division and destruction.

The commercial that had everyone talking about came after the game. Tom Brady, quarterback for the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots, starred in a commercial for Shields MRI, where he boldly predicted he would win the Super Bowl and takes a jab at NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell.

The commercial was filmed back in September and, apparently, there were two endings made, just in case Brady and the Patriots went on to win the Super Bowl. It was a bold move by Brady, but that’s what makes him the greatest of all time.

“There were two endings made,

just in case Brady and the

Patriots went on to win the Super

Bowl. It was a bold move by

Brady, but that’s what makes him the greatest of

all time.”

Super Bowl ads fall short of expectations

The Pine Log Opinions Page regularly

features the Axe ’Em Advice Column. The

staff answers questions about everything

from relationships to general life issues

and everything in between. To submit your

question, email sfasupinelog@gmail.com.

CMYK

SportsSFA Athletics | Intramural Sports | Sport Clubs

@TPLSports

Page 6 The Pine Log 2017

SFA ScoreboardMEN’S BASKETBALL: Jacks edge Demons 75-73 in overtime

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: Ladyjacks fall to NWSU, lose 76-72

TENNIS: Ladyjacks defeat NWSU and PV A&M 5-2 Saturday

SOCCER: Ladyjacks release their soccer 2017 season schedule

FOOTBALL: Team adds 29 new members on signing dayPhoto by Hannah Russell/ The Pine

Log

In the words of former Houston Rockets head coach Rudy Tomjanovich, “Never underestimate the heart of a champion.” When the game is hanging in the balance, you can always count on a champion to come through in the clutch.

In Super Bowl LI, the Pats found themselves down 28-3 with roughly 11 minutes remaining in the third quarter after Falcons running back Tevin Coleman caught a play action pass from NFL MVP quarterback

Matt Ryan and tip-toed into the end zone. Following that easy, eight-play 85-yard drive, the game

appeared to be over, but the NFC Champion Atlanta Falcons showed the entire world just exactly who they were, and the Pats reminded the world who they are, as well. The Pats went on to score 31 unanswered points, including 6 points in overtime to cap off a 34-28 Super Bowl LI victory. The Pats now have five Super Bowl victories, including two in the last three years.

In a game like this, a team that is losing looks for the slightest momentum shift to turn the tide in its favor. The strip sack that Patriots linebacker Dont’a Hightower caused on Ryan proved to be the turning point of the game for the Patriots. Running back Devonta Freeman missed the block on Hightower which, allowed him to sack Ryan who never saw him coming. Afterward, the Falcons were up 28-20 with three minutes remaining, and they had a chance to at least get into field-goal range and make it a two-score game, but Ryan was sacked. That knocked them out of field-goal

range, and the Patriots did the rest. One thing I have learned watching the Patriots throughout

the years is that you can’t give them any chance of life. If a team has them down, they need to keep them down completely and rip their heart out. The Falcons had the Patriots in the casket after they went up 28-3, but their bad play-calling and horrible execution allowed the Patriots to burst open the casket and complete the greatest comeback victory in all of sports history.

The Patriots aren’t a normal football team. They’re in a class all by themselves because their management,

coaching staff and players all think differently from any other NFL team. I watched the Dallas Cowboys, led by Dak Prescott, storm back from a 21-3 deficit against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Divisional Playoffs; but the difference in their comeback and the Patriots’ comeback is that the Cowboys didn’t believe they could beat the Packers until they had made the comeback, while the Patriots knew that the game was always in their control.

It’s easy to be confident when you’re playing well, but the true character of a team shows while they’re fighting that battle against themselves. That’s what I saw from the Patriots. A prime example is the owners from both teams. Falcons owner Arthur Blank was seen dancing and smiling all throughout the game until his team blew the lead, while

Patriots owner Robert Kraft was composed and optimistic. Sunday’s game was a great example of the students versus the teachers.

A man named Thomas Edward Patrick Brady Jr. took his team into war, and even though the war looked like it was lost, he put all the pieces together and led his team to the promise land. If it’s 28-3, 35-0 or 42-0—no matter the deficit, Brady is never out of the game. Brady is one of the handful of quarterbacks who can’t have any chances. After the strip sack by Hightower, I saw the look in Brady’s eyes, and I knew that he was about to morph into something dangerous. Ryan is the 2017 NFL MVP, but when the time came for him to put the game on ice, he reverted back to his old self while Brady rose high above him and proved who the best quarterback is.

This game was biblical. It was biblical because it taught me a life lesson. No matter how dark life looks, no matter how bad it may feel, if you just put your trust in God, anything is possible.

Brady is a five-time Super Bowl champion and a four-time Super Bowl MVP, which is the most all-time. Brady has 456 career passing touchdowns (fourth all-time), a 97.2 passer rating (third all-time) and 61,582 passing yards (fourth all-time). Brady threw for 466 yards on 43/62 passes with two touchdowns and one interception in Super Bowl LI.

His numbers speak for themselves. I believe Brady is the greatest player in NFL history and one of the clutchest athletes in sports history. Head coach Bill Belichick and Brady have five rings together, which ties with Gregg Popovich with Tim Duncan and Phil Jackson with Kobe Bryant for seventh on the coach-player combo list. Belichick is undoubtedly the greatest coach in NFL history because he is greatness personified, and the way he coached in Super Bowl LI proved it.

Super Bowl LI taught me numerous lessons, and the one I carry with me the most is that no matter what people say, no matter how bad the situation looks, all you have to do is keep on pushing through the adversity. When battle is over, the victory will be in your hands.

Franchise NFL players make big-time playsControvrsial quarterback Tom Brady and New England Patriots win Super Bowl LI 34-28, achieve one of the greatest comebacks in history of sports

Devin BrooksSPORTS EDITOR

SPORTS

COLUMN

“A man named Thomas Edward Patrick Brady Jr. took his team into war, and even though the war looked like it was lost, he put all the pieces together and led his team to the promise land.”

Bulking up the lineup Lumberjack football team adds 29 new players and coaches to program on National Signing Day; recruits include 10 transfers

By Juwan LeeOpinions Editor

SFA head football coach Clint Conque was eager to announce the addition of 29 new faces to the 2017 Lumberjack football roster on National Signing Day, Feb. 1. SFA left its mark on several states around the country, including Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana and Texas. Nineteen players signed their National Letters of Intent as high school seniors, and 10 players are transferring to SFA.

Conque and his coaching staff placed a heavy emphasis on allocating resources toward the secondary, signing 10 defensive backs to their roster. Conque also announced the hiring of Jeff Byrd, the Lumberjacks’ new defensive coordinator, which further illuminated SFA’s intent to get better on that

side of the ball. “We started with a blueprint, and that

blueprint included athletic ability at their respected positions, academic ability, character and tough-minded and physical football players,” Conque said. “We didn’t deviate from the benchmarks that we established. This was the first class that we could really address immediate needs across the board while also bringing in quality young men to add to the depth of the program.”

SFA was able to address positions that were hit hard by both injury and graduation in 2016. The 2016 signing class saw SFA go after pure speed athletes who could add a different dimension to the team. Once again looking for an added dimension, SFA decided to go after size and length. Out of the five additions at wide receiver, only two come in below 6-foot-3. There will also be

five additions to the offensive line unit, as this was a group in 2016 that was spread thin with injury.

Conque and his staff saw roster depth as another important theme of this year’s signees after having built a reliable core within the team.

“The first two recruiting classes we had we were trying to plug people into positions,” Conque said. “Now we’ve been able to come behind and build the depth, not only for next season, but for the future of the program. It’s the first time we’ve been able to do that. Bring some young men into the program that have potential and upside. You know they’re going to be here because they’re National Honor Society kids, honor roll students, captains, leaders and really good high school football players that we had to fight for.”

SFA also added two quarterbacks into the

mix, a running back, tight end, a defensive lineman and four linebackers. SFA will look forward to having a fairly healthy roster entering spring practice on March 24, with nine players continuing to nurse injuries from last season. Returning players have already begun offseason training, while new signees look to join their fellow teammates this summer. The start of the 2017 season will kick off in Dallas against Southern Methodist University on Saturday, Sept. 2.

“I’m bullish on my team. I’m bullish on our coaching staff [and] the commitment we have here,” Conque said.

“Certainly we feel like we underachieved last year. But it’s a new day and a refreshing start. We’ll know about this signing class in three years. We’ve got a lot of work to do. We’ll see what shakes after offseason and spring ball. We can really start shaping this football program.”

Photos by Bastian York/ The Pine Log

The Ladyjacks tennis team grabbed its first wins of the season, defeating Prairie View A&M and Northwestern State 5-2 Saturday afternoon at the Schlief Tennis Complex in Nacogdoches. The Ladyjacks played on their home turf after losing 6-1 to Louisiana Monroe on Friday. The Ladyjacks now have a 2-2 record early in the season. The women racked up nine single wins as a team on the day, which proved to be the deciding factor in their victories over the Lady Demons and the Lady Riverhawks. In their match against the Riverhawks, the Ladyjacks held a 1-0 lead after doubles action, and they capitalized to carry themselves into the win column. SFA will face Texas State University next on Feb. 17.

Racking up victories on the homefront

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