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Lenoir-Rhyne University School of Journalism and Mass Communi LENOIR-RHYNEAN NEWS
Lenoir-Rhyne University School of Journalism and Mass Communication
LENOIR-RHYNEAN NEWS
VOL. 113 — ISSUE 8
August 2019
VOL. 110 — ISSUE 2
SEPTEMB
Lenoir-Rhyne University School of Journalism and Mass Communication LENOIR-RHYNEAN NEWS
VOL. 110 — ISSUE 2
SEPTEMBER 2015
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Welcome Welcome to to LR LR Lenoir-Rhyne University School of Journalism and Mass Communication LENOIR-RHYNEAN NEWS
VOL. 110 — ISSUE 2
SEPTEMBER 2015
100 YEARS AND COUNTING THE BEARS CELEBRATE A CENTURY OF FOOTBALL By Graham Hildebran | LRN Monthly Contributing Writer LR's Head Football Coach Drew Cronic gets his crew ready for their upcoming Century Season. GRAHAM HILDEBRAN | LRN MONTHLY
What makes this year special for Lenoir-Rhyne is that this is our football team’s 100th anniversary. The Bears had one of their most successful years in school history this past season, making the team hungry for even more success this season. Head Coach Drew Cronic leads the team, along with Assistant Head Coach Aaron Brock, Associate Head Coach David Cole, Defensive Coordinator Joel Taylor, Offensive Coordinator Bob Bodine, Passing Game Coordinator Tim Foster, Defensive Line Coach Jimmy Long and Special Teams Coach Michael Destephens. LR’s football players have been dedicated to getting ready for the upcoming season. Marcus Rosser Jr., who plays cornerback for the Bears, is gearing up for the upcoming season. “I think this upcoming year is going to be something special, although history was made last season when we went 12-2 and won the SAC championship,” Rosser said. “I truly believe with the new additions the coaches have added to the team along with incoming freshman, Lenoir-Rhyne is in for another title run.” The team takes pride in how they practice. They’re out there encouraging one another, shedding blood and sweat on the field, and coming together at the end of practice for a huddle and ending on a prayer.
Coaches for the Lenoir-Rhyne football team are making sure they have the best to compete with in the upcoming season. Not a second goes by where a player jogs on the practice field. Veins pop in the necks of the coaches when giving orders and driving up the players’ adrenaline when practicing and playing on the football field. Defensive end Tre’Dorion Arnold has high hopes for the team’s 100th year. “We’ve been working very hard this off season so far and coming off of a season like we had last year, we now have a target on our back,” Arnold said. “This will be a special season with it being the 100th anniversary and now that LR football is getting back on top, everybody will know what we’re about and that the last year wasn’t just luck.” With high hopes and no luck needed, the Lenoir-Rhyne football team is on a mission to make sure they represent the 100th anniversary the right way. Jim Long, LR’s defensive line coach and run coordinator, is also really eager for the upcoming season. “It’s a big honor to coach here – Lenoir-Rhyne has a rich history in football and for a small college to have that kind of base is fantastic,” Long said. “Lenoir Rhyne is a special University to attend and play football. The people here are what makes it special.”
FOOTBALL FATHER FIGURE LR COACH STRIVES TO IMPACT STUDENT ATHLETES’ LIVES By Dorien Dickey | LRN Monthly Contributing Writer
From the outside looking in, people see David Cole as a coach and not as a mentor. He sees things differently. “Quite frankly I see myself as more of a mentor than a coach,” he said. “The X’s and O’s are just the bonus part of it. I am really in this business to help young people grow.” A native of Cincinnati, Cole attended California University of Pennsylvania. There he played football for four years and earned a bachelor’s degree and then his master’s degree. “I really didn’t even want to become a coach,” Cole said. “I went to school to become an architect
and once school was over I was not ready to get a 9-5 and I always thought about getting a master’s degree.” Cole’s coach gave him a push in the coaching direction. “I talked to my head coach at the time, John Luckhardt, about becoming a graduate assistant,” Cole said. “He told me he would love to have me, so I started coaching and really fell in love with the relationships.” Cole coached at Cal U for 12 years. During his time there he coached seven players that ended up playing professional football. He mentored 10
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first-team all-conference players, five first-team all-region honorees, four first-team AFCA AllAmericans, one draft pick and one combine player. Ultimately, Cole ended up coming to LR as Special Teams Coordinator and Secondary Coach in the spring of 2017. “The family atmosphere stands out about LR,” Cole said. “When my wife and I came down and did our visit of the campus we were just welcomed with open arms.” This spring Cole was promoted to become LR’s Associate Head Coach.
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NEWS
LRN MONTHLY | AUGUST 2019
LR’S A SMOKE-FREE CAMPUS NEW TOBACCO POLICY TO PROMOTE HEALTHY LIVING FOR STUDENTS AND FACULTY By Benjamin Holland | LRN Monthly Contributing Writer
In recent years, American society has turned against public use of tobacco products. It started in restaurants and businesses and has now moved to college campuses. According to the American Nonsmokers Rights Foundation, “There are now at least 2,356 100-percent smoke free campus sites,” and Lenoir-Rhyne was added
Student Kaitlyn Smith taking a smoke break outside her dorm, enjoying the freedom to vape while it lasts. BENJAMIN HOLLAND | LRN MONTHLY
to that list on June 1. “The use of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars, pipes, hookah, smokeless tobacco, all nicotine delivery devices (excluding Nicotine Replacement Therapy) and all other tobacco products will be prohibited across all University-owned or leased properties,” according to the LenoirRhyne Profile Magazine’s March issue. The Chair of the Committee instituting this policy, LR’s Associate Professor of Public Health Dr. Randall Bergman, said that the University has been toying with the idea for almost eight years and the coming of President Dr. Fred Whitt is what really put it into motion. “Two years ago we were able to receive grant funding from the American Cancer Society and CVS Health that (provided funding for) tobacco initiatives for college campuses.” Bergman said. This funding helped the policy to come to fruition. Many student and faculty smokers are wondering what this will actually mean. “It's going to be informational,” Bergman said. “We don't like to use the term enforcement. We like to use the term compliance.” Overall the committee hopes that through educating the campus population about tobacco’s hazardous effects, they will be
able to improve the health of the community. “It's going to be an educational process and trying to change the culture around tobacco and the negative effects.” Bergman said, “We know that tobacco is the No. 1 preventable cause of death, so if we can help individuals prevent their death, early death, then that should be something we should be doing.” LR’s Dean of Students Dr. Katie Fisher is also on board with the policy, stating, “One of our responsibilities as a university is to try and help promote people holistically, so from an educational standpoint, from a professional standpoint, from a health standpoint, this is just one more step that we can do to say we are going to do everything in our power to help make sure people are as healthy as possible.” Giving students the resources they need to quit nicotine if they desire to do so is the No. 1 goal. For people like Skylar Smith, an English major with asthma, this new policy is exciting. Smith explained that being around cigarette smoke can often trigger asthma attacks and so it seems reasonable to ban something that causes harm not only to the smoker, but the people around them as well. Becky Sharpe, the Administrative Associate in the Office of Student Life is also thrilled about the new policy.
“When it's pretty weather I like to open my back door to my office area and people always smoke at the bottom of those steps, and sometimes I have to close my door because the cigarette smoke is so prevalent,” Sharpe said. For students looking to quit smoking once the policy is enacted, LR’s student health center will have the resources to help you out, including nicotine replacement therapy funded by a contract the school has with Catawba Valley Health Systems.
Dr. Randall Bergman, Chair of the committee for a tobacco free campus, hanging up a no smoking sign outside of his office in preparation for the policy to go into effect. BENJAMIN HOLLAND | LRN MONTHLY
WHERE DO YOU WANT TO GO NEXT? ADVENTURES AWAIT LR STUDENTS WHO STUDY ABROAD By Aleisha Cruwys | LRN Monthly Contributing Writer
LR’s study abroad program is Lenoir-Rhyne University is one of looking to use its $5 million fund to many schools that is part of a nonhelp LR students go study abroad. The profit organization called International earlier in your college career that you Student Exchange Programs, or ISEP decide that you want to study in a for short. The program links many foreign land, the more likely it is that schools around the world with one you’ll be able to make your dreams another, allowing students to spend come true – and the more likely it is up to a year at their campus on that you can earn a grant to help you exchange programs, according to the along your way. ISEP website. The opportunity to study abroad is Students don’t have to move open to all students, whether you’re as far away as Australia in order to a sophomore studying politics or a study abroad. There are schools upon junior studying sports and exercise schools in Europe that offer incredible science. experiences in their countries. If Marta Escanero Funes, of students would prefer to spend their Guardamar Del Segura, Spain, summer studying in another country, plays on LR’s Tennis team. She also rather than a whole semester, this is spent the fall of her sophomore another opportunity to look at and year studying at the University of William and Robert Shuford Centre Technology in Sydney, Australia. for International Education has the “I learned about the opportunities resources available to get everything studying abroad after attending a in place. convocation credit at the start of Abby McGarel, of Morristown, my freshman year,” Funes said. “I Tenn., took up this opportunity and specifically had an interest in heading spent the summer of 2018 studying in to Australia as it had always been a Spain. Study abroad student Marta Escanero Funes standing at The Pass Lookout in place I wanted to go. I thought, ‘Well, “I had taken Spanish classes Byron Bay, NSW, Australia. SUBMITTED PHOTO why not – if the resources are there, through school and I wanted to I have to grab it with both hands as I not only further my education over It’s not always easy to find time in one’s schedule may never get it again.’” the summer but improve on my Spanish too,” to take an entire semester abroad – especially for It’s no surprise that this tanned, blonde, wildly McGarel said. “I had always been told that the best LR’s athletes, but Funes found a way. curly-haired soul made it to the other side of way to learn a language is to immerse yourself “My coach at the time was very supportive of the world for a semester. Funes’ free-spirited in the culture and country itself. Taking up the me going to Australia, even though it did mean I personality oozed out reminiscent of a typically missed the fall season of tennis,” Marta explained. opportunity which Lenoir-Rhyne offered to me was laid-back Australian. a great decision that I’m so glad I made.” “He provided me with a training schedule that I “Away from studies, it was nice to go from was required to follow in order to keep up with my If you’re interested in studying abroad or just spending the warm summer back home in Spain to teammates physically. I did miss a couple of games want some more information, swing by the William moving to an even warmer climate in Sydney,” she but as we were out of season, it didn’t have too and Robert Shuford Centre for International said. Education offices in the Carl A. Russell Library. much of an impact.”
LRN STAFF:
Managing Editor: Ana Romero Sports Editor: William Hewett Production Editor: Kaynmon Maddox Staff Writer: Anthony Brown
M O N T H L Y
Lenoir-Rhyne University School of Journalism and Mass Communication
CONTRIBUTORS: Tre’Dorion Arnold Caine Crews Aleisha Cruwys Dorien Dickey Walter Hernandez Graham Hildebran
Ben Holland Dakota Sweat Frances Williams
FACULTY ADVISORS: Dr. Lisa Harris Prof. Richard Gould
OPINION
LRN MONTHLY | AUGUST 2019
YOU GUYS MATTER
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ONE PLAYER’S OPINION ON LR’S STUDENT SECTIONS team. As a football player you may not always be able to hear the student section during the game, but you can see their facial expressions and tell they’re having fun. During some games our fans helped us pull out the victory. For example in the second round of the playoffs when we played Wingate and when we as a team needed some excitement, of course the fans and student section helped us get it done. Scoring a touchdown at home is such a good feeling. You’re able to see the student section and cheer with them, although it would be fun to be able to jump into the student section. I’m telling you we have one of the best fan bases and student sections in Division II football. Going into basketball season, that’s when things get good -- now I get to be a fan and we get to finally talk trash to the other team without getting in trouble with our coach. Of course we take advantage of it – we pick one person or pick all of them on the team and just call their name out. “We feed off a lot of hype,” former LR point guard Jon Jean said. Being in the student section every home basketball game was funny. Some opponents didn’t like us, sometimes we get guys on the other team that weren’t even playing trying to talk trash back to us.
By Caine Crews | LRN Monthly Contributing Writer
From a player’s perspective, just hearing your fans screaming and yelling out your name at a football game is incredible. There’s nothing like coming out to play for the LR Bears football and listening to the student section go crazy. I’ve played running back for a year now for the Bears. When we first come onto the field we get to high five our student section. Sometimes a little kid puts his hand out there. For me it’s an amazing feeling, because he looks up to us on the football
Whenever we would score, we would look at them and whenever the opponent scores the whole bench except the coaches looked at us. At one game the coach told one of our faculty that we were too close to the other team during warm ups. And they made us sit down from then on. “Student sections at the games are amazing here,” Jean said. “I felt like they were the sixth man of our team.” I believe that’s true, because against Lincoln Memorial University, of Harrogate, Tenn., our hype from the students propelled the Bears to victory. We were like the 12th man for the Seattle Seahawks in football. Our basketball team was good, but the student section made them a great team when it came to playing at home. I hope next year the trash talking continues and the stadium and the Shuford gym gets louder and louder. We need to build our student section, we need more students to come talk trash and come cheer on our girl’s and boy’s basketball team and the girl’s volleyball team too. To you freshman come out and support all sports. Come see your Bears in action. All sports are fun to watch here at Lenoir-Rhyne University. There’s no feeling like being in LR’s student section.
IT IS TOO A SPORT! THE ESPORTS VS. ‘REAL’ SPORTS DEBATE RAGES ON By Walter Hernandez | LRN Monthly Contributing Writer
For those who don’t know, esports is competitive video gaming. LR has an esports team; I’m on it, and I have something to say. Over the years I’ve heard many people claim that esports isn’t a sport due to the lack of physical exertion – especially when you compare it to traditional sports like football, soccer and basketball. I can see your point, but isn’t there more to what makes a sport? Two sports that stand out to me are NASCAR and golf. As far as ESPN and network TV are concerned they’re both definitely sports. But is either one really all that physically demanding? Well, they both feature well-conditioned athletes competing at the highest level. Both require their athletes to be mentally fit because they require quick decision making and adaptation. Maybe there should be a new way of looking at what makes an activity a sport or not. "Is esports your stereotypical definition of what people typically view as sports? No, but it takes a lot of commitment, time, practice and strategy to be a great or elite player. The mental aspect of esports is on par with other sports in my opinion,
LR esports team members Walter Hernandez, Tyson Stevenson and Keenan Handley practice “Overwatch” in The Cave in the Cromer Center. FRANCES WILLIAMS | LRN MONTHLY
so I would consider it a sport," LR’s Assistant Dean of Students for Campus and Residential Life Jonathan Rink said. "It's not your stereotypical sport, but the commitment level to be elite is on the same level as other athletes. To go professional is truly a full time job and you have to commit all of your time to stay on top."
Esports is growing exponentially and it’s on track to become the top spectator sport, according to the Washington Post. Look, ESPN network has shown esports competitions on TV. They’ve shown esports competition from League of Legends, Dota 2, Hearthstone and more. Other television networks such as Disney XD have also shown esports competitions such as a recent Super Smash Bros. tournament. It’s not a fluke. More and more companies looking for a foothold in the esports arena and it shows no signs of slowing down. I personally have invested a ridiculous number of hours when it comes to competing in these types of competitions. One of the games that I currently compete in is “Overwatch.” In that game alone I have clocked in more than 600 hours. “Overwatch” is a fast-paced first-person shooter, and I need to stay mentally fit to be competitive in this game. Things are happening so fast that if you get lost, you end up falling behind. With the help of my teammates and coaches on LR’s esports squad I’m continuing to elevate my game. I train. I work. I play. I’m an athlete.
PEOPLE ACTUALLY DO HAVE FUN HERE HOW TO ENJOY LR – EVEN IF YOU GREW UP RIGHT DOWN THE ROAD
By Dakota Sweat | LRN Monthly Contributing Writer
My senior year of high school I was drowning in college applications. Then they came back and I was drowning in decisions. When I told everyone I was planning on attending Lenoir-Rhyne University in the fall, I did not get the response back that I intended. Mostly people were lamenting the “college experience” they’d decided I was going to be missing. Everyone encouraged me to pick a college where I could step out of my comfort zone, meet new people, and have the time of my life. Maybe this was because I grew up 20 minutes from Hickory in a quiet little town called Taylorsville. Since there’s nothing much to do in Taylorsville, except ride tractors and herd cows, we had to drive to Hickory every time we wanted to have a nice dinner or see a movie.
All those pessimistic comments made me skeptical of attending Lenoir-Rhyne, so when I moved into Isenhour Hall as an 18 year old I had low expectations. I didn’t think I was going to have this life-changing experience everyone always talks about. I didn’t think I was going to make any friends that would last a lifetime. I was wrong. Now I’m 21 and I just finished up my junior year. I’m mad at myself for ever having had a doubt about this place I now call home. There’s a lot about this university that makes it a fun place to go to school. If you’re struggling with life here or adjusting here like I was there are some fun ways to meet new people. ● Get out to LR’s free sporting events: All sporting events on the campus of Lenoir-Rhyne are free for students. This is a great opportunity to see your peers represent your school and a time to enjoy a match that usually turns out to be a Bears win. Our student section and energy are unmatched from other D2 schools – trust me! ● Try out some CAB events: LR’s Campus Activities Board is always putting on a new event. Whether it’s the Winter Wonderland or Red Carpet, the CAB team always works to put things together for us. They’re fun events and they’re free to students. Many times, some sort of T-shirt is given out that makes everyone dash to the event first to make sure they snag one.
● Join a sorority/fraternity: Greek life isn’t for everyone. I certainly did not think it was for me. I was reluctant to join a sorority, but I am thankful that I did. I went from having one friend on campus to having 30 automatically. Then you meet other people through those people. It’s not just about letters on a shirt, it’s about the bonds you make with the people. (I’d never been to Cookout so many times in my life until I pledged Kappa Delta.) ● Become part of a club or organization There are activities on campus that can be catered to anyone’s interest. There are intramural sports, which sometimes get more intense than the NCAA-sanctioned events. We also have clubs like the rocket team or the debate team. If you like doing something, there’s a pretty good chance other people like it too. If we don’t have a club for your specific activity, never be scared to start one. Adjusting to life in college can be difficult, especially if you feel as if you are limiting yourself. Coming from this old person who is about to be finished here and is dreading it: Cherish this time. You only get to do this once. Don’t spend all of your weekends at home because you feel like there is nothing to do. Take your friends and find something to do. I promise if you don’t take advantage of your time while you attend Lenoir-Rhyne, you will regret it.
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ENTERTAINMENT
LRN MONTHLY | AUGUST 2019
LR FUN AT HICKORY THEATER CAB’S DETERMINED TO GIVE YOU FUN AND SAVE YOU MONEY By Ana Romero | LRN Managing Editor
LR’s Campus Activities Board offers a variety of activities to help students come together, de-stress and have fun with their friends. One of those activities is the partnership they’ve built with Hickory’s own downtown movie theater. The Carolina Theater opened on Christmas Eve in 1934. Back then it was a live stage. Located in downtown Hickory, this movie theater is the area’s favorite second-run movie house. A trip to this downtown Hickory landmark will make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. But once you’re inside you can enjoy the modern comforts of the theater’s recent extensive remodel. The Carolina specializes in showing popular movies that have just left the bigger theaters like Hickory’s AMC 15. Instead of paying $15 or more to see a film on its opening weekend you can wait a couple weeks and catch the same show at the Carolina for $3 and the price of your snacks. And when CAB’s hosting an event and LR’s picking up the bill, it’s free. “The way it works is that we
basically pay for students to have popcorn, a drink and a movie ticket,” the former Assistant Director of Student Activities Chantelle Tickles
said. “It’s really reasonable for the amount we pay for.” During LR’s movie nights, students get the opportunity to go to the
Make it a
Movie Night
Carolina Theater for free just by showing their student ID. “We (on the CAB board) don’t want students to think, ‘Oh they do this all the time, I’m not going to go.’ We want it to be special,” Tickles said. “Our goal is once or twice a semester.” LR’s Dean of Students, Dr. Katie Fisher loves the idea of CAB being able to provide this stress relief to students. She wants them to enjoy time with friends and talk about what they liked about the movie and to have a sense of community with other students. “We started this at least nine years ago,” Fisher said. “We talked with the Carolina Theater and we said, ‘Is there a way that our CAB could sponsor nights throughout the year so students could come over and be able to have a free movie and be able to have popcorn and a drink?’” Fun Fact: Fisher says partnering with the Carolina Theater is cheaper than if LRU rented a film for an oncampus movie night because of the movie licensing fees involved.
MAKING CONNECTIONS AND HAVING FUN LR’S BLACK STUDENT ALLIANCE RETURNS TO CAMPUS By Kaynmon Maddox and Tre’Dorion Arnold | LRN Monthly Staff Writers
BSA’s Leadership LR’s Black Student Alliance officers are: President: Devine Drummond Vice President: Essence Newkirk Treasure: Savannah Watkins Secretary: Kayonna Lewis
Lenoir-Rhyne University's Black Student Alliance is back and ready to have a big year in the 2019-2020 school year. SUBMITTED PHOTO
There’s a brand new reason to skip the trip home and hang out right here over the weekend: LR’s Black Student Alliance has been revived. BSA returned in the spring semester and they started off big. They hosted an open mic night, where many students came to share beats, songs and poetry. Along with that, BSA hosted a hip hop dodge ball tournament. Students came in with a team and were able to just hang out and play volleyball. At the events, music, food and drinks were provided along with a safe and fun atmosphere. “There were great turnouts at both events,” LR sophomore Jada Harrison said. “I feel it’s the best club on campus.”
Lots of people have lots of fun at BSA events, but the club is about more than that. “I plan to make it a safe place for students here at LR,” BSA president Devine Drummond said. “Somewhere they can come to with social problems and concerns and receive support.” This club has seen a quick growth in support from the students on campus. “It was created to support our African American community,” Drummond said. “However, we do fully support and ensure unity with all students despite sexual orientation, race and culture.” The overall unity of the club has been shown as they take ideas for
events from anybody. If you want to see something hosted or think it would be fun BSA is happy to listen. “We need the support of campus and we would like to get the rest of Hickory involved as well,” BSA faculty advisor Dr. Momodu C. Taylor said. “We ask all students what they would like to see.” For incoming freshman, they will have information tables and small outreaches to inform you of ways you can get involved. Ideas for future events, or concerns you have with the campus can be taken to BSA and they will be happy to help you feel more comfortable. “We extend the arms of our group to you all here at LR, let’s continue to strive for greatness together,”
Drummond said. LR’s Black Student Alliance plans to hit the ground running this semester and they’re hoping to get as many students involved as possible. “When we return to campus I look forward to BSA hosting some events where we can get students engaging and socializing to help build and rekindle friendships with first year students all the way to senior year students,” LR’s BSA president Devine Drummond said. “I’ve had some ideas of having a sand volleyball tournament, block party, BSA cookout, 90’s themed gym jam, an open mic night, artwork gala and even another dodge ball night.” In order for the BSA to reach all students including freshman they will be setting up information tables and hosting outreaches to pull in first year students. They hope to make a big positive impact on them during their orientation weekend. “We want to bring back life on this campus, meaning bringing more fun events on campus that students are willing to come to and have been asking for, also we wanted to incorporate some black unity on campus,” BSA member Jada Harrison said. “It’s a safe space for African Americans, although it is open to other races as well.”
ENTERTAINMENT
LRN MONTHLY | AUGUST 2019
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TAILGATING THE LR WAY COME EARLY AND HAVE FUN
By Caine Crews | LRN Monthly Contributing Writer
The wait before the big game can be gruesome, especially if you are trying to arrive early to get good seats. Students may come early to engage in some pre-game festivities like grilling up some good barbecue or tossing around the old pigskin. No matter the venue, the excitement of many sporting events starts on the parking lot, but the students aren't the only ones who come out. Alumni, parents and other supporters show up early to meet and greet, preparing themselves for the game as a group. LR’s athletes love to tailgate at football and lacrosse games. During football season, tailgating is a big pastime for the LR community and the alumni. You get up that morning, head to the parking lot if you’re a student, or the practice football field for the alumni. You get some fans who bring campers into the parking lot. You have seats, chairs, and toys for the kids, such as footballs, soccer balls, Frisbees. Some alumni bring their dogs out as well. Ian Brinson loves to tailgate. Brinson isn’t just an offensive lineman for the Bears – he’s the student section grill master. He brings his great big grill out there for lacrosse games and he cooks up some juicy burgers, hotdogs and some nice and spicy chicken wings. “Tailgating is the best thing to do,” Brinson said. “If there’s a game going on or it’s just a nice day, everyone loves it.” If you ever wanted a nice
juicy hamburger in the spring, come tailgate. Brinson really encourages freshman to try it. “The energy is laid back,” long snapper Holden Straughan said. “Everyone is having a good time.” Brinson and Straughan say there will be a burger waiting for the freshman that want to tailgate with them. Even though this seems like a lot of fun, which it is, there are some rules for tailgating that all LR students must follow. LR security’s biggest thing is underage drinking. “You need to be of age,” LR’s Head of Security Norris Yoder said. “North Carolina’s Department of Alcohol Law Enforcement does visit from time to time,” Yoder said. “They do write citations here.” You need to drink responsibly if you want to avoid criminal charges. Other rules are no gaspowered generators, no gas grills and kegs, no glass containers, no tents on the concrete and no external stereo systems, according to an LR Security memo. While tailgating is fun you must stop once the game starts. Then you switch the fun from tailgating to the student section. But you can continue tailgating after the game’s over according to the LR Security memo. You must be done tailgating by midnight. Usually people are gone by that time. This is a nice, beautiful, and clean campus. Pick up all your Some of LR's legendary tailgaters discuss the upcoming game as they wait for the hamburgers, hotdogs trash and no alcohol in any and chicken wings. CAINE CREWS | LRN MONTHLY athletic venue.
SURVIVING IN A FRESHMAN DORM HACKS THAT COULD MAKE MORGAN AND IKE LIVABLE By Dakota Sweat | LRN Monthly Contributing Writer
Starting college can be difficult for most people. You go from having your own room in your house to sharing a room the size of a shoebox with a complete stranger. You go from having a full-size refrigerator stocked full of snacks to having a mini one that can fit one 12 pack of Pepsi. This transition can be tough, especially if you’re not familiar with the place you’re going to be spending the next nine months of your life. Those who have already been through the adventure of living in these dorms know exactly what they wish they would have known. Isenhour doesn’t have thermostats in each of the rooms like Morgan does, which can sometimes make it hard for the building to be at a comfortable temperature for everyone. Mackenzie Smoak spent her first year in Isenhour Hall – better known as Ike here at LR. What she didn’t know is that she should have packed extra blankets. “I was freezing when we first moved in,” Smoak said. “The first time I went home, I brought extra blankets back with me. Then once they turned the heat on in the winter, it was uncomfortably hot. Bring blankets and a fan to be satisfied in Ike.” Smoak had a few more bits of advice for upcoming freshman such as always start your shower a few
minutes before getting in, that way you can make sure it’s hot. Loft your bed so you’ll have more room and do not do laundry on the weekend because all the washers will be full. Morgan Hall can hold up to 194 students and has community-style bathrooms on each hall. Megan Shackelford is a Resident Assistant who has spent the last two years of her life looking after her fellow students in Morgan. She’s got a simple shower hack. “Bring a bag for all of your shower necessities,” Shackelford said. “It is really hard to try and get it all in one trip if you do not have anything to put it in.” A few other bits of advice from Shackelford were to always seal up food because sometimes that can lead to ants in Morgan and that decorating a freshman dorm with tapestries and lights can make it feel more inviting and more like home. Fritz-Conrad is now partly being used as a freshman dorm along with Morgan and Ike. Like Morgan, it has community bathrooms on each hall with a limited number of showers. “Always check to see if the showers are full before going to take one,” Riley Farmer said. “It’s easier to check before you load all of your things up to walk down the hall and shower.” Getting all the way down there with all of your items and then having
to turn around and not be able to shower right then can be frustrating and time consuming. No matter which dorm you live in,
there will always be ways to improve the experience. Hopefully, these few can help future students know what to expect from their new rooms.
Megan Shackelford sealing her snacks to protect them from hungry ants. DAKOTA SWEAT | LRN MONTHLY
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PROFILE
LRN MONTHLY | AUGUST 2019
FATHER FIGURE from page 1 Every year Cole makes each member of his position group write a five-year plan and a resume. “Everything starts with a plan. When you start preparing for an opponent you get a game plan and it is the same thing for life,” Cole said. “When you’re getting ready to go out in the real world you need some sort of game plan and that is where the five year plan happens. Then the resume is just your plan or your blueprint kind of telling who you are as a person and that is kind of like the scouting report in football as well.” Having the five-year plan and resume will prepare student athletes for life after football. At the end of the day obtaining a degree is the goal. “As a freshman coming in Coach Cole always talked to us about how he wanted to impact us not only as players on the field but also off the field as being men in the world,” defensive back Eric Jackson said.
Cole spends time with his players outside of the football office. Each summer he has a cookout at his house as a time for the players to bond outside of the McCrorie Fitness Center. “We got to spend time with him outside of the football facility,” senior Dom Britt said. “We spent time at his house and even in the football facility. We just talked about things that were not even dealing with football – just life, school, relationships and anything we felt like we needed to talk about. He was always there to listen.”
LR's Associate Head Football Coach David Cole guides the Bears through a lower body workout. DORIEN DICKEY | LRN MONTHLY
CANADIANS, MOOSE AND GOOD TIMES BRAND NEW LIFESTYLE BRAND BORN AT LR By Frances Williams | LRN Monthly Contributing Writer
Canadians have a reputation “We love when people as being kind people who post their FN-EH gear on their love hockey (or in some cases Instagram stories,” FN-EH lacrosse), and who have the co-founder Tommy Farlow ability to bear some incredibly said. “We really appreciate the cold weather. But how support from everyone.” about being designers and FN-EH is a new company entrepreneurs? but is slowly expanding to They’re teammates, best other areas and universities. friends and now business “We have reps in Charlotte partners. Three Canadians and who are taking orders now one “honorary Canadian” (he’s and also at ECU, specifically actually from North Carolina) Theta Chi fraternity,” FN-EH cohave come together to create founder Mitchell Linklater said. a Canadian lifestyle brand that “We’re really excited to get the they refer to as FN-EH. FN-EH FN-EH brand out there.” stands for Fired North Apparel. He went on to say, “We Not clear on the “EH” part believe in this brand so much of the name – hang out with that we started it with all our some Canadians, listen hard own money, we don’t have a FN-EH creators Mitchell Linklater, Brett Newton, Myles Moffat and Tommy Farlow show off and you’ll start to understand. financial backer or anything their new gear. FRANCES WILLIAMS | LRN MONTHLY The idea for the brand FN-EH like that so that’s even more came to the boys in October motivation for us to really than 105 items – almost half of their starting of 2018. After many talks and discussions, they make this work.” inventory. decided to just run with the idea and see where Their Instagram bio says that, “FN-EH is for The moderately priced tank tops, t-shirts, and it lead them. They eventually created the now those who get the job done.” But their official sweatshirts are flying off the shelves here at internationally patented FN-EH logo. slogan which was created by one of the owners, Lenoir-Rhyne, all due to word of mouth and a few “We were actually on the bus on the way home Brett Newton, simply states: “Are you in or in the posts on their FN-EH Instagram and Facebook from a lacrosse game at Furman and Mitch was way?” According to Newton, “It’s our way of saying pages. like, ‘We need an idea for a logo,’” FN-EH cothat FN-EH is here to stay and you can either “I think I was one of the first people to buy an founder Myles Moffat said. “We originally had FN-EH shirt so I feel pretty special,” Madison Prkna support us and join the wave or just watch us from a beaver, but we didn’t love it so we just kept said. “I am really proud of these guys so I had to be the outside.” thinking and eventually had the idea for a moose The lifestyle brand’s goal is to create a brand that sure to show my support.” and thought it would be perfect.” embraces the Canadian culture as a way of life. They have even created the hashtag, The brand, which has been in the works for a “FN-EH is basically a lifestyle, something good #FNEHFriday, to encourage all their customers to few months has only recently started selling their happens you want to yell ‘FN-EH!’” Newton said. show off their new swag. clothing. In one week they have already sold more “It’s all about having fun and enjoying yourself.”
PLAYMAKERS’ COLOMBIAN CONNECTION PROF. HERNANDO CLAROS CAN DO IT ALL By Benjamin Holland | LRN Monthly Contributing Writer
Lenoir-Rhyne’s Technical Director and Scenic and Lighting Designer for the Playmakers department, Hernando Claros is originally from Cali, Colombia, the second largest city in the South American country. Starting his career in theater at the age of 6, he “played the game of acting” with his parents. His mother was an actress and the director of the local youth theater program while his father was her scenic designer and prop master. Around 9 years old he took an interest in dance, specifically ballet, joining the Colombian Ballet Company. At around the age of 18, Claros started looking at scenic and lighting design as an option for after his career in dance was over. He had the opportunity while touring with the Ballet Company to start working with stage lighting for their shows and he was eventually offered the job as head lighting designer for the company, which he initially had to turn down in order to pursue dancing further. Mentors from Cuba, Europe, and America all helped in teaching Claros the ropes of lighting design, encouraging him to go to America for his Master’s degree. In the early 90s, the prospect of spending hundreds of millions of Colombian pesos made that idea next to impossible. After
spending seven years getting his undergrad in Colombia while also dancing and working lights for the ballet, he went all around South America and Europe, working in almost 30 different countries. Throughout his many travels he has learned eight languages: English, Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, German, Dutch and Russian. In January 2013, Claros arrived in America and started learning English only six months before starting his studies at the University of Michigan where he received his master’s of fine arts. Since graduating with his masters and coming to LenoirRhyne, Claros has been central to the many shows done with our theater department. He also teaches an advanced lighting and design class in which students learn the ins and out of stage lighting and design and work to create their own original stage designs. Skylar Smith, an LR English major who works closely with the theater department and does lights for many of the shows, is one of his mentees and Claros is teaching her many of the different aspects of professional theater work. Skylar’s favorite thing about working with Hernando is taking apart old and broken lighting instruments and making them work again.
Ariona Smith is double majoring in exercise science and theater, and she works on the stage and in the shop with Hernando as the assistant technical director and shop assistant supervisor. “It’s a really collaborative process – he's really understanding,” Ariona said.
Hernando Claros working in the shop underneath P.E. Monroe Auditorium, creating set pieces for, "The Turtle of Oman." BENJAMIN HOLLAND | LRN MONTHLY
SPORTS
LRN MONTHLY | AUGUST 2019
CHAMPIONS
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AND RECORD BREAKERS A RECAP OF THE 2018-2019 SOUTH ATLANTIC CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP SEASONS By Anthony Brown | LRN Monthly Staff Writer
The guys celebrate a goal as BSC serenades their team. SUBMITTED PHOTO
Three conference championships, one regional finalist, numerous All-Americans and records falling all year long made LR’s 2018-2019 athletic year one to remember. The three conference championships won started in the fall with football and men’s soccer. After a heartbreaking 36-32 loss to open the season at the hands of the University of West Alabama, LR football went on a 12-game winning streak that took Lenoir-Rhyne all the way to the third round of the NCAA Division II Playoffs. Men’s soccer was the next champion crowned in a year full of excitement and energy. An 11-6
campaign with a 7-3 record in conference led the Bears to winning a share in their first-ever South Atlantic Conference regular season championship. The final team to crack the record books was the 2019 Women’s track team, who captured the first-ever SAC championship, for either the men or women. After scoring 212.5 points the ladies sat atop the leaderboard at the outdoor conference championship meet. Fantastic weekends from Saidah Hardwick, Autumn Drayton and Kylie Dahlberg, helped the Bears run away from the competition. “Honestly I still can’t believe that it has actually
happened,” LR runner Saidah Hardwick said. “It’s like all of our hard work and efforts have finally paid off.” LR finished second in the race for the Echols Cup, which is an SAC cumulative championship that ranks schools by comparing how each college’s teams fared in their conference standings. “We really want to win that cup – we just want to be able to say that we are the best athletic program in the conference,” track runner Madison Lane said.
LR INVESTS IN ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE By Aleisha Cruwys | LRN Monthly Contributing Writer
Our very own three-sport standout studentathlete is being honored in magnificent style in the form of the new Neill McGeachy Sports Performance Center. With the passing of Neill McGeachy in February 2018, Lenoir-Rhyne was eager to find a way to create a lasting legacy. In his student days at LR, McGeachy played football, basketball and track – and garnered All-American honors. He went on to serve as LR’s Athletic Director from 20022016. LR’s current Athletic Director Kim Pate said the Sports Performance Center was the perfect opportunity to build something that impacted all 22 sports, just as McGeachy did. “When we had the unfortunate passing of Neill McGeachy, it opened up the opportunity to do something in his honor,” Pate said. “We were trying to figure out what was the most appropriate project relative to our needs as an athletic department and the new performance center was the perfect fit.” LR’s student athlete population exploded under McGeachy’s watch with the addition of 10 NCAA collegiate sports but the current space on campus wasn’t meeting the needs of LR’s athletes. “We are very limited to what hours our athletic teams can lift heavy weights,” Pate said. “With classes going on upstairs in McCorie, there cannot be any lifting between the hours of 8 a.m.-2 p.m.” April 2018 saw the initial scope of the project being discussed among Lenoir-Rhyne’s staff and by June, the plan to launch from a fundraising stand point was decided. The powers that be made the announcement at the annual dinner with the Bear’s Club as some key former coaches and alumni would be in attendance. Previous football coach Mike Houston, now head coach at ECU, previous basketball coaches Ryan Odom, now head coach at the UMBC, and Rick Barnes, current head coach at UT, all drew big crowds to the sellout event, allowing for fundraising but also as a chance
to recognize what McGeachy had done for LenoirRhyne University. With the final project set to have its finishing touches completed in August 2019, Lenoir-Rhyne can look ahead to the impact this facility will have on both current and future athletes. “This new facility is going to supply a wow factor to this department and the university as a whole,” said the head coach of LR’s Women’s soccer team Gary Higgins, of Paisley, Scotland. “It is going to take the strength and condition experience to a whole new level, especially with the indoor turf area. The meeting rooms for pre-game talks or post-game events with friends and family is going to be great for the Bears community but it will ultimately be an incredible environment to become better athletes.” It’s not just the coaches that are already thinking ahead to the facility’s impact. Women’s soccer player Rachel Fischer, of Centreville, Va.
has mentioned that the excitement is growing among current athletes at Lenoir-Rhyne. “The performance center is going to be very beneficial because it gives players a space to all come together and socialize as athletes,” Rachel said. “The nutrition bar will really help us step up our game to another level, both on and off the field.” Upon completion in August, this athletic facility will be ranked among the top 10 percent of schools in D2. Assistant women soccer coach Kendall Fischlein, of Mooresville, is excited at the prospect of attracting the best players. “This will be huge for new recruits because it will be the first place that we take them down to in order to show them how serious we are about strength and conditioning and performance off the field,” she said. “It will show how it coincides with our training and developing their body to get faster and stronger. It will really separate us from the competition of other teams in our conference.”
An artist's rendering depicts the brand new weight room to be constructed in LR's new Neill McGeachy Sports Performance Center. IMAGE COURTESY OF LR.EDU
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SPORTS
LRN MONTHLY | AUGUST 2019
ALL-AMERICAN BACK TO COACH D-LINE BOSS PROUD TO BE BACK AT HIS ALMA MATER By Graham Hildebran | LRN Monthly Contributing Writer
LR defensive end Dawson Sigmon lines up against Coach Jim Long at one of the Bears' legendary early-morninng practices. GRAHAM HILDEBRAN | LRN MONTHLY
You know what they say: no matter what happens, once a Bear, always a Bear. Jimmy Long, who is an LR alumni and former All-American for LR’s football team, is bringing his knowledge back to the football field, not to play this time, but to coach. This isn’t Long’s first rodeo. He coached for North Carolina State University in 2017, along with coaching the defensive line at The University of the South in Sewanee, Tenn. Long graduated from Lenoir-Rhyne University in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in exercise science and a minor in business. He was a good student – a member of the Dean’s List. Long’s hard work and dedication on and off the field paid off in 2013.
Long was a Team Captain for the Bears football team in 2013 and led the battle to bring the Bears to the NCAA Division II National Championship game. Long was a part of the threestraight South Atlantic Conference Championships of 2011-13 while earning all-conference, all-league and All-American accolades. “When I first got here (as a player), the team had not been really good for a while. For my time here we won the SAC championship (three years running),” Long said. “I was very lucky. To see us go from not really good to exceptional was awesome.” Long has impacted the LenoirRhyne football teams in many ways, along with the players. LR linebacker Bristol Cope agrees that Long is a huge help for the team.
“Coach Long is all about busting it on the field. He makes us know that we can get better every day,” Cope said. “The team is lucky to have Coach Long and so am I – never have I had a coach push me to the limits like Coach Long and the rest of the coaches here at Lenoir-Rhyne have.” Long gets down and dirty when he is coaching and helping the team. He sweats and does one-on-one combat when training the players to make sure they are using the right form and running plays correctly. “It’s really special because I’ve been where they have, and have done the same things they have done, and have seen it go well for these guys,” Long said. “It’s a special place for me in terms of the relationships with people, and that goes for anywhere you work, it’s the
people that what matter.” Long is dedicated to the LenoirRhyne football team, and he shows that through his actions on and off the field. LR defensive end Dawson Sigmon also appreciates the hard work that Long shows for the team. “To come out of high school playing football and play here at Lenoir-Rhyne is truly a blessing and gift,” Sigmon said, “To have a coach like Coach Long is something that every player dreams of, the way he interacts and relates to the team makes me want to make him proud along with the other coaches and the team.” Long is hoping for an outstanding year in the upcoming season of 201920.
BEST SEATS IN THE HOUSE THERE’S A SPOT FOR EVERY BEAR IN LR’S STUDENT SECTIONS By Caine Crews | LRN Monthly Contributing Writer
Student sections at sporting events are a huge part of student life at many colleges and universities. Most agree that Lenoir-Rhyne University has an outstanding Student Section, where there is never a dull moment in the Den. During basketball games, football and baseball players show their support by attending and having a great time. Baseball players have their own chant when the opponent goes to the foul line. As if the chanting were not rowdy enough the football players show their Bear pride by shaking keys at the other team as they take the shot from the foul line. “It makes all the difference,” Senior Associate Athletic Director Aaron Bessey said. Students have rallied our teams to come back and win or keep the lead when it’s a close game. Here at LR we love to bring students on the court for a chance to win a prize throughout the game. “Part of our job is to get you there,” Bessey said. “Then figure out ways to put things in their hands, whether it’s a T-shirt, rally towel or whatever it is.” Cheerleaders throw small, red, and soft McDonald’s basketballs in the crowd and if you get one you can exchange that for some McDonald’s food from at the concession stand. In basketball games you have students who compete in three-point shooting competitions. Sometimes the athletic staff has students spin around with their head on top of a baseball bat and then try and go make the basket. They do have some students who fall trying to run and
dribble, due to the dizziness. Of course, you get a laugh out of it. Our Greeks bring posters and cheer our teams to victory. “When we talk trash we tell them that they’re sorry,” running back Raja’ Bradley said. “We yell out, ‘How did you get this offer?’” During basketball games, our student section is outrageous. LR’s athletic teams cheer each other on all year long. Our football team cheers on the basketball team and they love to look up the players on the other teams and yell their names out. Most of the time, our section gets into their head and the opponent start to mess up and take bad shots. Bessey believes Lenoir-Rhyne has the absolute best fan base and student sections in the South Atlantic Conference. In the heated game against Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tenn., some football players took it way too far. “I had to be aware of my surroundings,” defensive lineman Myles Gadson said. After the win, the students go congratulate the Bears, but when we did that, they were still shaking hands. So, of course, words were exchanged. “It was just a perfect storm,” Bessey said. Everyone was excited about beating Lincoln Memorial, but a little too excited. Bessey held himself and his staff accountable for doing a better job during future situations. “This is a great place for it,” Bessey said. He would know – he worked
at Appalachian State University, and Georgia State University before he came to LR, and he says Lenoir-Rhyne
has an even better student section than they do.
Some say LR's student section is the best in the South Atlantic Conference as a group of die hard student fans proved while cheering during a hot weather lacrosse game. CAINE CREWS | LRN MONTHLY