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| Wednesday, April 28, 1999 | Student Newspaper of the University of North Texas |
Vol. 81 | No. 108 |
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The write stuff
University Writing Center offers one-on-one tutoring
for students
By Kendra Boome
Staff Writer
Students who want help with their writing can take advantage of the NT's Writing Center, which is open for appointments from 9 a.m to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
The center will be open this summer as well.
The writing center gives students a chance to work with a tutor one-on-one for papers, personal work, TASP practice and the Student Use of English Exam.
If an NT student makes below a C in a freshman English class, the student must pass the Student Use of English writing exam. The center gives the exam and students can take the exam until they pass.
Dr. William Warde of the English faculty has been with the center since it opened in 1979. Warde said the center fills a need of students who must meet college demands but need writing help.
He said that over the center's past 21 years, it has had to meet response from critics who feel that the center focused too much on remedial work and took up too much building space.
"We had to earn our keep," he said.
Sandy Sage, administrative assistant, who has also worked in the center for 21 years said that the center strives to teach students to teach themselves.
Sage said that students learn how to edit themselves by asking questions about their writing.
"We are not a proofreader of editing service," she said.
Sage said some students have walked out after she told them they won't be able to just have their papers proofread.
Sage said the center wants to reach out to students. "This is a friendly place for students," she said. "We live for students. That's our whole purpose."
The center has six paid tutors and four volunteer tutors. After volunteers have worked at least 30 hours in the center and shown their competence, Sage usually hires them as a paid tutor. Tutors generally work from one to 16 hours a week, depending on their schedules.
Three-semester tutor, Stephan Ingram, Waco junior said his writing has improved and he has gained more confidence in his teaching ability since he has worked at the center. "You can only benefit from taking an interest in your writing," he said. "It can't get any worse."
Ingram said most students gain confidence and organization in their writing after working with him.
Sorority races for research
By Amy Awtrey
Daily Reporter
For the seventh straight year, Zeta Tau Alpha is cosponsoring the Plano Race for the Cure to raise money for breast cancer research.
The race takes place June 5 from approximately 7:30 to 10 a.m. The registration fee is $15.
Races include a women's 5-kilometer run/walk, a men's five-kilometer run/walk and a one-mile family fun run/walk.
NT greeks and Women's Programs sponsor fund-raisers promoting breast cancer awareness.
"NT greeks are especially proud of their philanthropies," said Russ Patterson, greek adviser.
Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation sponsors the race and all proceeds go to fund breast cancer education, treatment and research.
Zeta Tau Alpha began its involvement with the Komen Foundation in 1992.
Zeta celebrates breast cancer survivors by providing the bright pink "survivor" visors and buttons for participants to wear during the race.
"I never realized how many cancer survivors there are until I was involved in the run last year. Everywhere I looked, there were pink buttons," Lisa Nelson, race participant, said.
Race participants make "in memory of" or "in celebration of" signs to wear on their backs in honor of a friend or loved one.
Annually, Zetas participate in the "Don't Be a Fool" campaign on April 1. This project disburses 1 million breast self-examination cards to women and men nationwide.
Zetas are not the only group on the NT campus promoting breast cancer awareness.
Women's Programs has sponsored Lee National Denim Day at NT since 1997.
"We sponsor Denim Day to promote awareness at NT and raise funds," said Ona Tolliver, director of women's programs in the Student Activities Center.
Lee National Denim Day, Oct. 8, is an event in which participants contribute a minimum of $5 in order to wear denim to work that day. Contributions can be made even if participants choose not to wear denim.
All proceeds are donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, the largest private contributor to research and education dedicated solely to breast cancer. For information contact Tolliver at (940) 565-3807.
Library school gets high national rank
By Selene A. Benjamin
Staff Writer
Harvard, Syracuse University and NT - all of these names and others can be found in the 1999 edition of America's Best Graduate Schools by U.S. News and World Report.
NT's School of Library and Information Sciences was ranked 15th overall. In specific categories, the school ranked second in health librarianship and ninth in information systems.
"A university that is not a flagship to be able to produce a No. 2 program in any area is quite remarkable," said Dr. Herman Totten of the library science faculty.
Dr. Philip Turner, dean of the School of Library and Information Sciences, said he is happy about the ranking.
"This is an honor," he said.
Turner said the ranking will make recruiting easier.
Totten attributes the success of the program to several things.
"We have a very productive faculty as relates to funded research," he said. "Two of our faculty members have garnered more than $500,000 each. Our record sustained scholarly production."
NT's program is based on the philosophy that prepares students to assume creative and innovative roles in providing information services and products. It also prepares students in filling responsible positions in a variety of government, education and industry information agencies. Students tailor their degrees by choosing from a number of different emphases within information science.
America's Best Graduate Schools ranked The University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign's program No. 1.
The only other Texas school included in the top 15 was UT-Austin, sharing the No. 10 ranking. TWU was ranked 20th in the nation.
Fry street facts
Contest tests locals' trivia ability
By Selene A. Benjamin
Staff Writer
Fry Street is and has been home to many. At any given time, there are gothic high schoolers, drunken college students, people watchers and peddling musicians. Now all of these people can take advantage of their vast knowledge of Fry Street.
Maike Sutton, owner of Voyagers Dream, 1306 W. Hickory St., is offering a $100 prize to anyone who can answer all of his Fry Street trivia questions. Sutton said this is the fifth time he has had the contest.
"I like playing games and I thought I'd create one," Sutton said. "Years ago I went to the University of Kansas and they had one there. It's a chance for the businesses to get some business."
Blake DeHart, an employee at Tavern of the Green, 121 Avenue A, said they participate in the contest so people will come in and find out what Tavern is all about.
There are 39 questions on the quiz and people can turn their entries in at Voyagers Dream. The answers to questions such as, "Where is the stereo graveyard?" and "Where can you purchase vinyl?" can be found at the 34 participating stores in the Fry Street area.
DeHart said Tavern's answers should be easy to find.
"It's a pretty small place," he said. "All the people who work here have been here for awhile."
Sutton said he has given out 600 flyers and as of Wednesday five entries have been turned in.
"Most of the entries don't come in until the day they're due," he said.
Answering the quiz doesn't take long, Sutton said. Two years ago the winner didn't even consider doing the contest until the day before the answers were due, he said.
Entries with the most correct answers are put into a drawing. Entries are due May 5 by 6 p.m. and the drawing is May 6.
Poetry proves bigger draw than engineering for NT student
By Louise Applebome
Daily Reporter
John Poch bid farewell to nuclear engineering when he learned he could earn a degree in poetry and creative writing.
"I'm still interested in nuclear engineering but not enough to make a career of it," said Poch, a doctoral student in English. "I want to be happy seven days a week rather than two."
Poch makes his Deep Ellum debut tonight at a Dallas Museum of Art-sponsored event. He is one of five "hot newcomers" chosen from area universities to read their poetry and short stories during the Literary Cafe at 8 p.m. The free event is at Club Dada, 2727 Elm St. in downtown Dallas.
At 32, Poch reveals a certain reticence to describe honors he received, including the prestigious "Discovery/The Nation" poetry prize in 1998. There were four winners selected from 1,000 to 1,500 entrants, he said. Soft-pedaling the recognition, Poch said he loved the prize trip to New York City.
It was Dr. Bruce Bond of the English faculty, not Poch, who bragged about Poch's being a finalist for the coveted "Yale Young Poet Series."
"I have a very high opinion of John," Bond said. "John is a voracious reader, he's really open to new ideas, always trying adventurous things and is very disciplined."
Poch decorated his office bulletin board with original artwork by friends and family. He also tacked up a magazine photo of actress Ashley Judd soaking in a bubble bath.
He is a fan, he said, and was intrigued by a story about Judd's fasting. Poch perked up as he described the article about chefs waiting, on-call, to satisfy her culinary desires. He even found the story compelling enough to write a poem about it:
. Poch said he writes a a lot about romantic and family relationships and tries to express emotion and passion in his poetry. He draws from personal experience, he said, and everything around him for ideas.
"Poetry is implicitly about finding and testing truth," Poch said.
In "Man Under Water," the short story that Poch will read tonight, a quirky college student contemplates love, life and death at the bottom of his swimming pool. The most remarkable thing about the lead character, Poch said, is the strange dives he does into the pool.
The protagonist is struggling with the violent and untimely death of his father, Poch said, but in the end comes to peace with the loss.
"John has a beautiful sense of language and characterization and it's just a beautiful story," said Lee Martin of the English faculty, who submitted Poch's short story to the judges without his knowing. "John has no ego; it's one of the nice things about him."
As for a social life, Poch, who is single, said he does not have much of one. He teaches World Literature, finishes up his final semester of course work this spring, writes and works part time.
Although Poch has not yet published his first book of poetry, he has been published in The Nation, New England Review, Southwest Review and Colorado Review. "When I read I'm happy. When I write I'm happy."
Banquet honors African heritage
By Daneshe Williams
Daily Reporter
The African Heritage Banquet focused on leadership in the African-American community, and awarded outstanding African-American student leaders Tuesday night in front of about 100 people.
The annual banquet featured the Oshum drummers of Nigeria, an African naming ceremony and a speaker, Dr. Ernest L. Thomas, president of Tarrant County Junior College, South Campus.
Thomas focused on leadership for the African-American people for the 21st century. Thomas asked the audience members what they expect for the 21st century for African-American people.
"With technology having the ability to transport the debt of one country to another," he said, "Expect more struggle."
Thomas said a leader must be honest, sincere, consistent and have humility.
"Humility is a reflection of discipline, because the leader puts their ego behind them and the needs of others before him," Thomas said.
Thomas also said a leader must be able to love him or herself and others. He said love of self and others will guide leaders into the 21st century.
Fort Worth senior Darryl Miller, National Pan-Hellenic Council president-elect, said he is not yet the leader Thomas spoke about, but hopes one day to acquire all those skills.
The banquet also honored and awarded such people and organizations as the Center for Cultural Diversity staff, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People executive board, Progressive Black Student Organization executive board and the Freshman Buddy system.
Miller said he is happy the event went well and grateful for all the support received from the African-American organizations.
"I'm glad we were able to pool our efforts together to pull off a great event," Miller said.
Virus causes computer problems
NEW YORK (AP) - Proving more destructive than expected, the Chernobyl virus caused hundreds of thousands of computer meltdowns around the world, though the effects were far worse overseas than in the United States.
The unusually destructive virus - timed to strike on Monday, the 13th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster - tries to erase a computer's hard drive and write gibberish into its system settings to prevent the machine from being restarted.
While experts were still tallying numbers, Turkey and South Korea each reported 300,000 computers damaged Monday, and there were more elsewhere in Asia and the Middle East. Officials said warnings there weren't heeded.
''Arguably, this is the most malicious computer virus,'' said Dan Schrader, director of product marketing at Trend Micro Inc., which manufactures antivirus software.
Other experts disagreed over whether it was the most destructive virus ever. But many were caught off guard by the amount of damage and said it was much worse than the Melissa virus early this month. Before Chernobyl hit, several experts were quoted as saying they didn't expect it to cause much trouble.
The United States suffered far less than other nations, and experts credited widespread warnings and updated antivirus programs with helping avert problems in the corporate world. Home users were hit harder.
About 100 student computers were wiped out at Princeton University about two weeks before term papers were due.
''The computers were affected to a point where the hard drives were rendered useless,'' Princeton spokesman Justin Harmon said Tuesday.
At Boston College, the virus affected only those students who did not install antivirus software distributed by the university last fall, spokesman Jack Dunn said.
Bill Pollak, spokesman for the Computer Emergency Response Team at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, said there were reports of at least 2,328 computers damaged in the United States.
But the numbers could be higher, since no company or computer user is required to report a virus attack, he said.
The virus is believed to have originated in Taiwan and attacks Windows 95 and Windows 98 computers.
''Turkey was caught unprepared,'' said Mustafa Ucoklar, an electronics engineer in Turkey, where the virus infected computers at banks, an airport and state-run radio and TV stations, according to Turkey's Radikal newspaper. ''The warnings were there, but nobody took any notice of them.''
South Korean officials also reported about 300,000 computers were hit in government offices, schools and businesses - about 4 percent of the nation's computers - in the worst attack of its kind in the country.
''We have been careless and lacked an understanding of this virus,'' said Ahn Byung-yop, vice minister of information and communications. ''We need to strengthen our alert system and public education on computer viruses.''
Schrader said the countries hardest hit have widespread use of pirated software and lack recent virus software. Chernobyl's existence has been known since last summer, and every major antivirus software package can detect and protect against it.
Also, the Melissa virus last month served as a ''very effective wakeup call'' in the United States, Schrader said. Many U.S. users aggressively updated their software and began to take computer viruses seriously.
''Elsewhere it wasn't taken as seriously,'' he said.
In India, at least 10,000 computer owners reported being infected. Businesses, banks and publishing houses in India were shut down and information worth millions of dollars was lost, the Indian Express newspaper reported.
Local media reported that up to 10 percent of all computer users in the United Arab Emirates were affected; at least 10,000 computers were struck in Bangladesh; reports in China varied from 7,600 computers damaged to 100,000.
Jewish student organization forms this spring
By Nicole Nanson
Daily Reporter
Jewish students at NT now have a voice as an official student organization.
"We formed the Jewish Students Organization to enhance the understanding and awareness of Judaism and of the Jewish people through educational, cultural and political programs," said co-president Adam Rubenstein, Dallas junior.
Rubenstein said the idea for the organization came after he noticed the fragmentation of the Jewish population.
"We wanted to figure out a way to let everybody know who everybody else was," he said.
Co-president Meredith Einsohn, Dallas junior, said she saw a number of Jewish students and noticed the activities offered for them while on a retreat at UT-Austin and was inspired to begin something similar in the Dallas area.
"When you belong and find people in the same group as you are, there is familiarity and identity because they know what you are talking about," she said.
Einsohn and Rubenstein said they met after a mutual friend introduced them.
"A friend of mine from UT-Austin told me that Meredith went to North Texas, and I realized that she was also in my congregation," Rubenstein said.
They said they got together over winter break to talk about putting together an organization for Jewish students.
They formed the organization in March.
"We have a pretty good number of students," Einsohn said. "We know of at least 50. Not a lot of organization went into it this semester, but next semester we have plans to do things with SMU and UT-D. We want to make people on campus aware of the organization - including staff and faculty," she said.
Rubenstein said the organization has already had three functions this semester.
"The mixers are for people to have fun and to broaden the low intellectual knowledge of Judaism," he said.
He said they plan to have breakfast meetings with a rabbi twice a month next semester.
"At these meetings, students would be able to come, interact with the rabbi and ask any plausible questions to help them understand the Jewish religion."
Overall, Rubenstein said the main goal of the organization is unity.
"Here on campus we want to connect everyone and help them to know what they are celebrating and know their religion even more."
Einsohn agreed.
"We want to provide an opportunity for Jewish students on campus to be with other Jewish students and learn more about their faith," she said.
For more information on the organization, call Einsohn at (972) 387-0005 or Rubenstein at (940) 243-8138.
Muslim student group works to overcome negative images of their faith and to unify
By Jenny Anderson
Daily Reporter
Muslim NT students protest the violent image that they believe the media have secured for their people.
"The media is guilty of a serious double standard when it comes to reporting about Muslims," said Mohammed Benadada, Denton graduate student and representative for the Muslim Students Association.
For example, if a person of any faith other than Islam commits an act which makes news headlines, he is not identified by religion, Benadada said. However, if a person has a Muslim-sounding name he is repeatedly referred to as the '"Muslim suspect."
"This creates in peoples' minds the association of the religion of Islam with some individual sect," Benadada said.
Muslim NT students gather within the Muslim Students Association, a national organization formed in the mid-1960s.
There are almost as many chapters of the organization as there are major universities in the country.
"One of the most important issues we address is to assist Muslim students who have difficult times adjusting to the challenges and tribulations of life on a university campus and life in the western world in general," Benadada said.
According to Benadada, there are between 200 and 300 Muslims in the Denton area. The students represent various sects of Islam, and many of the Muslim NT students attend a mosque located at 1105 Greenlee St. in Denton, close to campus.
The off-campus Islamic Society of Denton sponsors the mosque.
The Muslim Students Association met about once a month throughout this semester, usually off campus, and intends to bring in a speaker before the end of the semester.
In a society where Muslims often feel misunderstood, the organization intends to educate the campus about Islam and the Muslim culture so that there will be peace and harmony on campus, Benadada said.
"Islam is a most beautiful religion that stands for peace, justice and a highly advanced moral system," Benadada said.
"Muslims can make mistakes not because they belong to the religion of Islam, but because they are human."
The Muslim Students Association thoroughly serves the spiritual well-being of Muslim students, said Mashar Siddiqui of the business faculty, the association's adviser.
Organizations such as the Muslim Students Association give opportunities for students to interact with others coming from a similar worldview as their own.
"Increased understanding of each other is a large part of the university experience for all students," Siddiqui said.
For more information concerning the Muslim Student Association, contact Benadada at (940) 381-0410.
Ben Folds mixes classy blues with trendy tunes in new CD
By Thomas Dodson
Staff Writer
CD Review
Billy Joel. Elton John. Ben Folds?
While he might be the piano man of Generation X, will his heartfelt songs be classics? Right now it may be too early to tell, but Folds' trio, Ben Folds Five, is definitely on its way to creating the mainstream piano-driven tunes of tomorrow.
The new album, "The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner," is a definite change of pace from what made their previous record, "Whatever and Ever Amen," so popular. However, the music and lyrics still hold true to the overall mood we've come to expect from the North Carolina group.
The album takes its name from an unexpected twist of irony .According to the album jacket, back in his school days, drummer Darren Jessee made several fake IDs with the name Reinhold Messner, completely unaware of the existence of the mountaineering pioneer, Reinhold Messner, who was alive and well.
Needless to say, while one Messner was scaling God's creation, many others where illegally purchasing beer in Charlotte, North Carolina, the album jacket said.
The record begins with a quiet, yet explosive song, "Narcolepsy." This number will take you by surprise if you're not ready. The music will take almost a doormat tone before erupting into heavier sections where the band pounds away a mind-numbing pulse. "Narcolepsy'" is quite indicative of its name.
Two of the best songs on this record, "Don't Change Your Plans" and "Mess," are done in classic Ben Folds Five fashion. They are the somber ballads of dismay and melancholy relationships gone awry. Folds' simple way of conveying his message makes it easy for the listener to connect with him and find a relevance in his music. Folds has the ability to say exactly what we've all wanted to say, he's our generation's common man hero.
"Whatever and Ever Amen's" make-you-want-to-cry-yourself-to-sleep song was highly successful "Brick."
This album's number that will without question tug at the heartstrings is "Magic." Written by Jessee, "Magic" is a love song, plain and simple, and it's beautiful.
The only really upbeat sarcastic wit song, reminiscent of "Give Me My Money Back," is a compilation of thoughts known as "Army." Already being promoted on MTV, "Army" is the only song, besides "Redneck Past," with real pop in it. All of the others are very mellow. So don't expect this record to be a toe-tapping dance album.
The rest of "The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner" takes an experimental look at mainstream music.
Songs such as "Your Most Valuable Possession," "Regrets," and "Jane" all have a jazz-like, classy blues sound. It's not for everyone, but it's very good.
Ben Folds Five has a few trendy songs out there that everyone can enjoy. More than that, however, they have some really incredible songs that not enough people are hearing.
This group is an acquired taste, and if you're not into them yet, you should be.
A thousand words
Senior photography students prepare for exhibit
By Torrey Bell
Staff Writer
Nine seniors hope to stretch the limits of what is defined as photography when they exhibit their works Monday in the Lightwell Gallery in the Art Building.
As part of a senior photography class required for graduation, the artists must work together with little faculty guidance to prepare and present their works in a free-standing art show. The presentation will then be reviewed by instructor Dr. Brent Phelps of the art faculty.
"It will be nine people exhibiting nine very different styles of work," said Sea Charchalis, Dallas senior.
The show's title, "2,000 Hours," reflects the combined total of college credits earned by the artists of the show.
"Because lots of us had way more hours than we need for graduation," Charchalis said.
Charchalis will display a series of 10 prints that are part of her "Ball" series. She has worked on the body of work for two semesters.
She described a technique of taking "straight" photographic images through a glass ball.
"My images are about lighting, perspective, details and textures," she said. She also said her photos have a dreamy quality and that people mistake the photos for digital images.
"My portraits have always conveyed emotion, having a disturbing element, using odd angles," she said. "I picked up the ball and noticed it distorted the images in a way that interested me."
She said that while nursing a broken leg the ball served as a teaching instrument for her, allowing her to experience and explore different aspects of photography that were unknown before the accident.
The 10 chosen photos will be displayed inside Plexiglas domes rather than frames.
Kristi Chesnik, Houston senior, described her work as an overview.
Chesnik will display six hanging pieces and possibly a book of photos. Like Charchalis, the hanging photos represent a series that started last semester.
"I've shot more than 50 rolls of film on this subject. One of the photos in the show is from one of the first rolls and one is from one of the last," Chesnik said.
Chesnik deals exclusively with portraiture, with movement and balance, she said.
The artist also described the process of working with eight other people as trying at times, largely because of working with the small amount of wall space the Lightwell provides.
"I wanted the spot I have because it's darker on the west wall and my prints are pretty moody. They suit each other," she said.
Jose Quintanilla, Denton senior, will present four six-foot posters along with two comic books he created as part of his "The Adventures of Digital Man" installation.
Quintanilla related the process of how a news story about a college teacher who implanted a computer chip in his arm inspired his idea. The instructor used the chip to remotely open doors and turn lights on and off.
"One day the world might look like this," Quintanilla said. "People are now being cloned. Who knows, we might start seeing cyborgs, androids and robots sooner than we think."
The "Adventures" series is exclusively made up of photos taken on a digital camera and recounts the classic tale of superhero versus villain. The posters are meant to be reminiscent of recent movies that have been made based on comic book characters.
The photography show runs through May 7, with a reception at 7 p.m. Monday in the Lightwell Gallery.
Fashion designer Oldman doesn't show up for speech
By Torrey Bell
Staff Writer
Because of time constraints and canceled flights, fashion designer Todd Oldham never arrived for his scheduled speech Tuesday.
The Oldham visit, which was arranged by Diana Block of the art faculty as part of the School of Visual Arts visiting artist series, drew a crowd of more than 50 people predominantly made up of NT, TWU, and El Centro Dallas students and fashion professionals.
"Of course I'm extremely disappointed, but a I'm more disappointed for you. I really wanted him to be here for you," Myra Walker, director of the North Texas Fashion Collection, told the audience. Many of the attendees were art history and fashion students.
"I'm really, really disappointed," said Jennifer Stark, Arlington senior. "I became a fan of his because I used to go to his warehouse sales in Dallas, which I knew about because of his mailing list."
Walker explained how Oldham had tried to leave New York twice on Monday but both flights were canceled. She also said plans were in the works to try to get him to speak to students in the fall.
Before showing two videos of Oldham fashion shows and a promotional short directed by the designer, Walker quoted friend Richard Martin, curator of the fashion collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, as saying that Oldham was akin to artists Andy Warhol and Keith Haring.
The video directed by Oldham reflected this aesthetic by showcasing model and Dallas native Chandra North in a colorful and funky dream sequence. In the film, North imagined herself as a burlesque stripper, socialite, child and "Price is Right" contestant, each time in a different Oldham creation.
The credits of the film were a credit to Oldham's success, with make-up by Kevin Aucoin, hair by Oribe Pita and jewelry by Fred Leighton.
In a surprise turn, organizers Block and Walker pooled their resources to offer something to the students who had taken time out to see the speech and those who had traveled from Dallas. Block, who is director of the University Art Gallery, opened the gallery early, letting people view the current Voertman's competition show. Walker then invited everyone to view the 12,000 garments and accessories that make up the Fashion Collection.
"I'm a fashion major and I've never seen the collection before," Kelly Lout, Dallas senior said. "I'm going because I might not have this chance again."
Playing through pain
Dallas' Tatu talks about the hard knocks of
becoming a major league soccer player
By Seth Gonzalez
Daily Reporter
"Everything in life, to succeed, depends on your preparation. If you are not prepared, you're not going to be successful," said Tatu, whose real name is Antonio Pecorari.
Since becoming a professional soccer player at age 12, life has taught a lot to the Brazilian native. Determination, preparation, hard work and attitude have been and continue to be significant factors of his success, especially with the Dallas Sidekicks, the city's professional indoor soccer team.
For Tatu, nothing has come easy.
Even though soccer, let alone indoor soccer, is not considered a major sport in the United States, becoming a professional is still a long, arduous and sometimes painful road to endeavor.
Upon arrival in training camp, rookies quickly realize that they aren't worth a Russian Ruble to their team.
"The expectations from the veterans are that you have to prove yourself. But, you come to the pros, the pros is a different level. Everybody's good, now you have to prove yourself," Tatu said. "The rookies have to understand, they have a lot to prove."
Rookies also must understand that they are not veterans. They are as insignificant to the veterans as a high school freshman is to the seniors.
"I remember when I was in Sao Paolo and I was a kid. When the veterans sit down and have a talk like this, you're not invited," Tatu said. "If you're invited, you sit and listen. You don't throw your word in. They joke to each other. You cannot joke with them, you cannot tease them. They tease you, but you cannot tease them. I'll tell you right now, for me, it was a big accomplishment when I could sit down at the same table with the veterans to eat lunch. If you're a rookie, you're with the other rookies on the end."
But don't feel sorry for the rookies yet. After the first few years on the team, they realize what veterans expect - respect and hard work. Most veterans won't tolerate a rookie who is cocky, arrogant and doesn't work hard.
"One thing I learned with veterans is they will not complain about you, they will not yell at you if you make mistakes," Tatu said. "They'll yell at you if you do not work hard. If you show to them, 'Hey, maybe I'm not as good as you, but I'm working hard.' And that's what counts. That's what they want to see, and they'll say, 'Hey, that kid is a hard worker. Let's give him a chance.' Now, if that kid is cocky, hey he might be a great player, but he's cocky and he doesn't work hard. I'll tell you his chances of everybody picking on him just got better."
Another problem Tatu said he sees in rookies is that they are spoiled. In other words, they think that once they have made the team, they are on top of the world. This is nowhere close to the truth, Tatu said.
"It's easy to look to the final product. You look at an athlete, he has a Mercedes, he has a beautiful house. The end result is beautiful. But you don't know what it took, what kind of sacrifice he made to be in this position," Tatu said.
Indeed, sacrifice plays a vital role during the first few years of a professional athlete's career.
Born and raised in Brazil, Tatu made the difficult decision at age 15 to leave home and play soccer in Sao Paolo, a city with more than 20 million people. It was about that time, he said, when he finally understood the value of the smallest things in life, particularly the love his mother showered him with. He also became disciplined during this time.
"One thing I remember and I appreciate about the club was, the coach said ... 'I do not promise to make you a professional soccer player. I promise to make you a man.' That's what I learned from that guy. I learned hard work," Tatu said.
During the course of that hard work, many players question the value of the work they put in. In other words, the temptation to give up becomes increasingly attractive. More often than not, kids will give in to the temptation because it is easier, he said.
This is a trend Tatu said he sees in a lot of young kids and does not like, whether they are athletes or not. Part of the problem he sees a lack of communication between players. If the players talk to each other and let them know what they are going through, then they will find everyone is struggling in the same manner, he said.
"I'm disappointed with the Americans, the way the kids are today. We are easy to quit. Every time we confront a little problem, the easy way out is to quit and that's not the right way. Sometimes there's no way out, but most of the times you have to challenge. You have to fight. You cannot just quit every time you see a closed door. That's my philosophy," Tatu said.
You're paying, so support the teams
By Garth Lewis
Sports Writer
Let's see. In four years what has happened with NT athletics?
As seniors have we gotten the bang for our buck we deserve from the entity on campus that draws about 40 percent of our Student Service Fees? Sure things have gotten better. But if you take a load of 15 credit hours, you donate about $55 to the athletic department, according to the registrar's office.
That seems like a lot, especially to the people who haven't ever seen an NT sporting event in person.
Even though it is almost too late for the people who will get their diplomas next month, there is still time for those who will be back in the summer, fall and subsequent semesters.
To catch everyone up on some of the happenings in the past few years, here are few of the items you might have missed:
*The football program moved up to mighty Division I-A status in 1995.
*NT sports teams packed up and headed to the Big West Conference.
*The women's soccer team has compiled a 48-24-3 record in its four years of existance.
*A women's swimming and diving team dove in action this year.
*There are new head coaches in football, men's basketball and track.
So maybe none of this rings a bell? Perhaps after hearing student groups and administration beg fans to come to games with catchy slogans or empty promises, that wouldn't be much of a surprise.
A 4-7 record in 1997 for the football team was the final straw in having former head coach Matt Simon relieved of duties. The only bad thing
about his removal was that the powers that be didn't do it sooner - like when men's basketball coach Tim Jankovich was canned the summer before.
But there is hope in sight looking to the 1999-2000 athletic seasons. How much is another question.
The women's soccer team will try to build on a season that saw it win 13 games for the second straight year, yet still did not do well enough to earn a spot in the conference tournament.
Later in the fall the women's basketball team will try to defend its Eastern Division championship of the Big West. The good news is that the team will return its core of players that got the women to the second round of the conference tournament. Unfortunately for NT, Santa Barabara won't be exiting the conference anytime soon.
The women's volleyball team and swimming and diving team probably will make sure the women's teams won't have the chance to win all the conference titles next year. Oh well.
Then, of course, there are all the wonderful men's teams on campus. You know, the ones that draw standing-room-only crowds and national television exposure.
Your Mean Green football team will have a new bunkmate in the Big West this year. Gulp, and that team isn't located in a different time zone.
Arkansas State will play only football, but at least it will give the weak football conference a sixth team. Although, it is also probable that a new team will eliminate the chance of the Eagles to repeat their second place finish in the conference. That 3-8 record was a bit deceiving, considering all three wins came in Big West action.
Luckily, Darrell Dickey's football team won't be the best men's team next fall.
Actually, the men's golf team will probably have the best team next year as the team will only lose five of its 14 players to graduation following a strong spring season.
As for other men's teams, it just might be worth NT sports fans' time to watch Vic Trilli's basketball team.
Yes, the record last season was 4-22, but the Eagles won three of their last four and never quit. That will be a key to their success as the core of the team will be its sophomore studs: Dexter Tennell, Deginald Erskin, Kenneth Mangrum and Wes Allen.
So even though the last conference championship at NT was while most of us were in high school, going out and watching the teams is something we should all do.
We pay for it anyway.
Club hopes to rebound after losses to UT-Austin
By Tim MacMahon
Daily Reporter
Prior to last weekend's trip to Austin for a doubleheader, outfielder J Giager commented on the UT-Austin club team's difficulty containing NT's home run threats, Giager and Randy Culp.
Those troubles continued, as Culp went deep in both games and Giager in the second. But it was the UT club that inflicted the most damage with the long ball, leading to a sweep by the home team.
UT took advantage of the diminuitive dimensions of the outfield fences (305 feet down the lines; 350 feet to center field) to blast five dingers in the opener en route to a 13-3 victory.
"It was a launching pad," Culp said. "Maybe one of their home runs was legit. But we weren't exactly pitching well either."
Or hitting, for that matter. Besides Culp's homer, NT could muster only one other hit for the game.
The second game, a 14-7 UT victory, was not too much better.
However, there were a few bright spots for the Eagles.
Giager, Culp and Tommy Parker hit back-to-back-to-back home runs-on three straight pitches. Parker added another homer later in the game.
"When your two-three-four guys are hitting bombs and going 2-for-4, you oughta win," Culp said.
Unfortunately for NT (10-5), that was not the case in Austin.
While several players were unable to travel because of personal and scholastic reasons-leaving NT with the minimum of nine players-shortstop Reggie Norman had a simple explanation for the losses.
"We didn't go to play," Norman said. "We just flat got beat; that's all there is to it."
With the season-ending tournament this weekend in Mack Park, there is no time to mope.
"We're going to have a good, hard practice on Wednesday and take some early BP on Friday, and I think we'll be fine," Culp said. "Usually when we get our butts kicked, we come back and play real well."