www.TheFamuanOnline.comWednesday, February 6, 2013

In This Issue:News ....... 1, 3Calendar .......2Lifestyles ......4Opinions ...... 5Sports .......... 6

Zombies have overrun popular culture. But have

the undead overstayed their welcome? Find out

how Donovan Harrell feels page...5

SANFORD (AP) — The murder trial for the Florida man charged in the shooting death of teenager Trayvon Martin remains set for a June start after a judge Tuesday denied a defense request for a postponement. George Zimmerman’s lead attorney Mark O’Mara presented a motion to have the trial pushed back to November.

Fla. judge: No trial delay in Trayvon Martin case

WASHINGTON (AP) —President Barack Obama urged Congress on Tuesday to pass targeted short-term spending cuts and higher taxes as a way to put off sweeping, automatic cuts that would slice deeply into military and domestic programs starting March 1. Obama’s appeal came as Congress’ budget office projected a yearly federal deficit under $1 trillion .

(AP) — Florida Gov. Rick Scott’s $74.2 billion proposed budget isn’t winning a lot of praise so far from state legislators.Scott’s budget director on Tuesday spent nearly three hours going over Scott’s spending plan before a House budget panel.

Fla. lawmakers give mild criticism of Scott budget

(AP) — State Supreme Court justices were in a quandary during oral argument Tuesday on a request from three defendants for access to software that runs the only breath testing machines certified for use in Florida.

Fla. justices hears breath testing machine case

Obama urges stopgap budget deal to avoid deep cuts

Bread & Roses Food Cooperative works

to promote unity through volunteers

page...4

Four FAMU football players sign to

sports agencies in pursuit of NFL

page....6

Board of trustees to meet

on Thursday

Florida A&M’s board of trustees will hold committee meetings today from 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. The meetings will lead into an audit training provided by Ernst & Young from 3:30-5 p.m. and a dinner from 6:30-8 p.m. at the FAMU Alumni House.

The committee meetings will be followed by a full body meeting Thursday at 8:30 a.m. in the Grand Ballroom. Topics of discussion will include the approval of a multi-year contract for the new football coach, Earl Holmes, who will reportedly earn a $200,000 yearly salary.

Also, the BOT will discuss a $25 fee increase for FAMU students and $50 fee increase for those utilizing the New Beginnings Child Development Center. In addition, the board will discuss the approval of the Student Green Fee that was previously voted on by students.

In an advisory released Tuesday, the university announced that the Department of Parking Services is closing the parking lot near the H. Efferson Manning Student Union Complex due to the meeting.

Those attending the meeting are advised to park at the gravel lot on Osceola Street, Bragg Stadium and the lot on FAMU Way/ Martin Luther King Drive adjacent to the New Beginnings Child Development Center.

The FAMUan newspaper will have reporters on site to bring you updates as the story develops.

AsiA Johnson

copy editor

Former SGA president inspired

by teen’s death

Known as a musician, a singer and an organizer with the Dream Defenders, Phillip Agnew is dedicated to creating change in the African-American community.

Born in Chicago, Agnew came to Florida A&M as a first-generation college student in fall 2003.

“FAMU is really the only place that I could have gone to school,” he said. “It felt so right.”

Agnew made the commitment to get involved on campus when he came to FAMU. He became freshman class president and continued to be part of the Student Government Association until 2007.

In 2006, something happened that would forever change Agnew’s life. An African-American teen, Martin Lee Anderson, was killed at a Florida boot camp. He was suffocated and struck by guards who were restraining him while a nurse watched and did nothing.

The teen’s death was believed to be a racially motivated murder. When the case was taken to trial, the all white jury found the defendants not guilty.

Agnew served as student body president during this time. The attorney of Anderson’s family reached out to Agnew, asking him to get students and young people involved in raising awareness about Anderson’s death. Agnew formed a march from the Capitol with about 5,000 people in attendance demanding justice for Anderson.

“I was only a freshman, but I will never forget that march to the Capitol,” said Sada McQuay, a graduate student and doctor of physical therapy candidate.

“Phillip made us believe that we could make a difference, and we did.”

The boot camp was shut down after Anderson’s death. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement commissioner, Guy Tunnel, also resigned from office.

After working together with Florida State University and Tallahassee Community College organizers who wanted justice for Anderson, the protesters went their separate ways.

But last year, they all reunited after the shooting of Trayvon Martin.

Along with a group of 30 to 40 people, Agnew conducted a march for justice for Trayvon Martin and the arrest of George Zimmerman.

This three-day march would be the beginning of a movement and the forming of an organization willing to fight for the rights of African-Americans and other underrepresented minorities – the Dream Defenders.

Agnew quit his job and began to put all of his time

and dedication into the organization. He wants to find the root of the ongoing killings of innocent African-American people.

“There’s a difference between a moment and a movement,” he said. “We’re not moment people. Trayvon Martin happened, Jena Six happened, Troy Davis happened. And if you’re only focused on those cases and those moments, then you’ll never have anything to do because that will eventually go away.”

Steven Pargett, North Florida Regional Organizer for the Dream Defenders, has worked very closely with both Agnew and the organization.

“I’ve been involved in organizing and activism for the past three years or so,” Pargett said. “But Dream Defenders is the realest thing that I’ve ever found. Or should I say that found me.”

Agnew, along with other Dream Defenders, organizes

Amber mAckie

Staff writer

AGNEW, see page 3

New

s B

riefs

Courtesy of the Dream DefendersMartin Lee Anderson’s tragedy births spirit of activism for former FAMU SGA President Phillip Agnew.

The original March 30 reopening of the Florida A&M parking garage on Wahnish Way has been postponed to May 6, according to Samuel Houston, FAMU’s director of Facilities Planning and Construction.

In an email correspondence to The FAMUan, Houston reported that Tampa-based Votum Construction LLC, the company contracted to make repairs to the garage, began work Monday. However, he did not clarify what caused the projected opening to be postponed.

According to Houston, the construction will last 90 days and is projected to cost $260,000.

When asked if the renovations to the parking garage were related to safety issues, Houston replied, “A parking facility condition appraisal report from Walker Parking Consultants stated that the parking garage is safe and that only restorative work is required.”

Houston said the renovations may be completed earlier than May 6.

Hearing news of the delay in opening the garage, which has been closed since Dec. 15, caused concern among the student body.

Tanesha Bryan, a senior history student from St. Petersburg, said she feels unsafe since the garage closed.

“I do miss being able to park in the parking garage because now I have to walk a lot further to get my car, which leaves me more accessible to robbery,” Bryan said.

In response to students’ worries, John Kirby, assistant director of Business and Auxiliary Services, recommends students utilize parking in Bragg Stadium, the gravel lot on Osceola Street, the lot behind the old FAMU DRS and the gated lot beside the School of Business and Industry.

Bianca McCracken/The FAMUanThe parking garage will not open March 30 as previously scheduled. Officials have set May 6 as the new reopening date.

Garage opening delayedThe FAMUan Investigates

DonalD Remy Correspondent

Announcements Classifieds

CALENDARWednesday, February 6, 2013 | www.thefamuanonline.com

2

Employment February 6• TodayisthelastdaytheElectoral

CommissionwillbeacceptingtheDeclarationsofCandidacy.Formoreinformation,pleaseemailfamuelections@gmail.com.

• FAMUWomen’sCenterwillbehosting“MyLifeisBeautiful:DatingorMating.”ItisawomenonlyeventthatwillbeheldinFAMU’sEmbassyRoomat6:30p.m.

February 7• OSAandOGLwillpresent“Why

IBecameGreek?”intheGrandBallroomat7p.m.

• FAMUWomen’sCenterpresents

“ReflectiononRespectabilitywithRaeLewis-Thornton”inhonorofNationalBlackHIV/AIDSAwarenessDay.ItwillbeheldintheSchoolofArchitecture’satriumat7:30p.m.

February 8• EternalLegendaryKings&

EternalLegendaryQueensInc.present“FightAIDS2013:TheAIDSAwarenessRally”atFAMUParkfrom3-7p.m.

• CAB,OSAandOGLpresent“FAMU’sLargestSpadesTournament”intheGrandBallroomfrom7p.m.-midnight.

February 11• OSApresents“HiddenColors

PanelDiscussion”at6:30p.m.inLeeHall.

February 13• OSA/Voicespresents“PoetryIn

TheDen”at7p.m.intheRattler’sDen.

February 14 • BlackHistoryConvocationwillbe

heldinGaitherGymnasiumfrom10a.m.tonoon.

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Religion Directory

St. Eugene Catholic Chapel and Student Center“Anchored on the word of God, The Eucharist, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit”

Family Worship & Praise Center“Bring Them In...Build Them Up...Send Them Out!”

Jacob Chapel Baptist Church

New Hope International Outreach Ministries“An apostolic ministry helping others pursue excellence in Christ”

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NEWSWednesday, February 6, 2013 | www.thefamuanonline.com

3

agnew, from page 1

and builds relationships within the community and on campuses.

The group is working to solve what it sees as three major areas of criminalization: the prison industrial complex, the school-to-prison pipeline and the immigration fight.

Agnew travels to different cities in Florida

to recruit men and women for the Dream Defenders. Pargett sees Agnew as a dedicated person working to make a difference in his and others’ communities.

“Phil is a really strong beacon of light and has a very inspirational energy about him,” Pargett said. “He is a passionate leader that works hard and leads by example.”

Tallahassee has an abundance of weekly farmers markets that provide customers with fresh, local produce year-round.

Many people may not be aware that they can get fresh vegetables, fruits and other goods directly from farmers who live nearby. Residents who buy from local markets have found that they are not the only people benefitting from it.

Nantahala DeVoss is a frequent customer at local farmers markets.

“I like shopping at our local farmers markets because it gives me an opportunity to support local businesses while supplying me with fresh, seasonal organic produce,” DeVoss said.

He also said shopping at the farmers markets is much different than regular grocery stores.

“There is a social aspect involved with shopping at the farmers markets,” DeVoss said. “It actually makes shopping for food

fun and enjoyable.” Harris Kimble, president of the Tallahassee

Farmers Market, sells half of his produce at the farmers markets throughout Tallahassee. He said he has seen an increase in customers in local markets within the last few years.

“I think people are more health-conscious now, and they’re taking more of an initiative in what they’re eating and where it’s coming from,” Kimble said.

He said Tallahassee’s farmers markets play a vital role in many farmers’ lives.

“Sometimes you don’t have enough to ship commercially,” Kimble said. “Local farmers markets provide a niche for your small operation.”

Customers are able to speak to the farmers and know exactly how everything is grown and harvested, which is what Kimble said keeps the customers coming back each week. The largest farmers market in Tallahassee happens every Saturday morning from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. off Timberlane Road in the Market Square Shopping Center.

Florida A&M and the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) in Nigeria are joining together to expose students to global opportunities.

Interim President Larry Robinson and Vice Chancellor of FUTA Adebiyi Daramola met Tuesday for a ceremonial signing of a memorandum of understanding, which will allow students and faculty to learn and teach on an international level.

“This partnership provides our faculty opportunities to expand their research and educational activities and prepares our students to more effectively compete in the global marketplace,” Robinson said in a statement issued by the Office of Communications.

Robinson said that although the universities are distant from each other, both share common goals.

To find out more about this partnership and available opportunities, students of all majors can contact the Office of International Education and Development, located in Perry Paige, at 850-599-3295.

Possible weapons ban threatens Florida sales

Robbie Wilson knows what is at stake at the gun and pawn shop where he works.

The Folmar’s employee said he is aware of the financial shortages his business would suffer if high-powered weapons were banned in America.

“It’s like taking milk off the shelf at a grocery store,” Wilson said. “If the place no longer has milk, that almost defeats the store’s purpose.”

Gretl Plessinger, communications director for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), said the state’s yearly number of background checks are a reliable way to track new gun buyers.

“When a person buys a gun, or guns, from a licensed dealer, they must have a background check from FDLE,” Plessinger said.

However, she also said it is “premature to answer” how a future ban would influence the state’s gun sales.

Florida’s record-setting background checks for firearm sales last year might become the market’s tipping point if Congress reinstates an assault weapons ban.

Instant criminal background checks conducted in Florida have increased in record number. Statistics from FDLE show that background checks have elevated every year since 2004, with that number falling just short of 800,000 in 2012. Almost 300,000 were conducted in 2004.

U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein disclosed a proposal on Jan. 21 that would reestablish the 1994 Assault Weapons Ban, which expired in 2004. The proposal would prohibit more than 100 types of firearms from being sold, manufactured or imported to the country. Among those are TEC-9 and AR-15 semiautomatic rifles.

“Our weak gun laws allow these mass killings to be carried out again and again and again in our country,” Feinstein said during a televised press conference on Capitol Hill. “Weapons, designed originally for the military to kill large numbers of people in close combat, are replicated for civilian use.”

The widespread appeal for gun reform traces back to the Tucson, Ariz., shooting in 2011 that killed six people and left 13 others wounded. Among them was former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. The issue gained momentum in July after a massacre in a Colorado movie theater left 12 dead and at least 50 more injured.

And the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting that occurred in Connecticut in December, which led to the deaths of 26 children and adult staffers, was the breaking point.

The new proposal has received a bit of backlash from citizens who favor gun rights. They believe the ban infringes on their Second Amendment liberty to bear arms.

Bobby Carrouth, president of Tallahassee Gun and Pawn, is a gun-rights activist. His reason for opposing an assault weapons ban is similar to Wilson’s.

“If these guns were banned when we sell many of them, then we really wouldn’t have much to sell,” Carrouth said.

He also said Congress would serve the country better by shifting its focus away from guns and toward the people who are harming others.

“My guns haven’t jumped off the wall and shot anybody on their own,” Carrouth said. “Don’t ban the guns. Do something about the person. If the person needs mental treatment, they should do something about that.”

Both Wilson and Carrouth said their stores currently have no assault rifles in stock because of last month’s gun sale influx.

Brandon LeeStaff Writer

Dream Defenders fight juvenile injustice

Courtesy of the Dream DefendersDream Defenders march in protest of educational and legal injustices.

Read the full story online this Friday

Farmers markets flourish in Tallahassee

Robinson approves global partnershipStudents and faculty granted international opportunities

Hannah CarrollCorrespondent

Angie MeusEditor-in-Chief

A passion for community building and involvement was the catalyst for establishing the Bread & Roses Food Cooperative in 2009. More than three years later, the members of the co-op continue to stay true to its mission statement, which is to provide an alternative to commercial, profit-oriented business.

Rather than hiring employees, members of Bread & Roses – a local, nonprofit grocery store located at 915 Railroad Ave. – volunteer once a month to operate it.

Customers have said utilizing volunteers is a great way to run the store and that the volunteers are knowledgeable, which makes customers’ shopping more rewarding.

“It’s a very comfortable place to shop,” said Bill Davis, 61, a criminal defense and civil litigation lawyer and member of the co-op. “What I like most about it for me, just from a purely selfish standpoint, is that I have learned a great deal on how to eat in a real healthy way real healthy foods real inexpensively.”

Ryler Calabrese, 32, co-founder, member and keyholder, was among those who wanted to create an organization where members of the community could come together and do something that mutually benefitted each individual.

“We thought this was a good project for that,” he said. “We all had different ideas, but we all agreed that we thought that it would be good for the community infrastructure asset to Tallahassee.”

Bread & Roses sells a range of local products from fresh produce to sweets. The co-op even contributes to the production of some of its own products. One process Calabrese mentioned is the use of a bicycle-powered grinder for making peanut butter. The local grocery store also makes its own snack bars and other products to keep the costs down for customers and members.

However, Calabrese said the co-op is not a social experiment.

“I think someone more jaded or less knowledgeable about how these things can work would say it is a social experiment, but it’s not,” he said. “It’s been done before, and we know it works. It’s just a matter that it’s new to the town.”

Members enjoy the atmosphere the grocery store offers. They said the absence of a hierarchy and the alternative to for-profit grocery stores are appealing characteristics.

Taylor Lee, 22, a member and recent graduate from Florida State University, said she enjoys the differences Bread & Roses offers when compared to more popular grocery chains.

“We’re the only place that’s completely member-owned and member-run,” Lee said. “We’re different because we don’t have any kind of hierarchy with employees, and there is no type of authority. All decisions are made through direct democracy.”

Bread & Roses is striving to keep the co-op open and make joining the organization easier for potential members. Calabrese encourages all to join.

“Come on by and get involved any way you can,” he said. “When you become a member here, this place is yours. You should feel empowered to make it the kind of place that you want it to be.”

Members must pay a $125 fee and volunteer about three hours every four weeks to keep their membership. But Calabrese said $25 of the fee is for membership, and remaining money goes to a share in the store, giving all

members stake.“We realize that’s a lot of money up front, and we have

never expected it up front,” Calabrese said. “It is always something that we have allowed people to pay in any kind of installment they feel comfortable with.”

4 LIFESTYLESWednesday, February 6, 2013 www.thefamuanonline.com

Jorge Rodriguez-Jimenez/The FamuanBread & Roses Food Cooperative was established in 2009 with the intention of bringing community members together while offering Tallahassee residents healthy options of local produce.

Jorge Rodriguez-Jimenez/The FamuanGeneral member meetings are held the first Monday of every month. If you are interested in joining the co-op, visit Bread & Roses, located near All Saints Café on Railroad Avenue.

Donovan Harrell is a first-year broadcast journalism student from Daytona Beach who has

quickly excelled. He has immersed himself in student media by being one of the youngest attendees of the School of Journalism and Graphic Communication’s Multimedia Boot Camp. Harrell has also written multiple front-page articles for The FAMUan and gained television production experience by working as a production assistant for the FAMU Homecoming Show. Harrell believes age should not hinder a person from achieving his or her maximum potential.

Jorge Rodriguez-Jimenez is a senior news reporting student from Marianna. He has dedicated

his college career to print journalism, serving as a writer, editor, columnist and editor-in-chief of The FAMUan during the spring 2012 semester. In all positions, Rodriguez-Jimenez produced quality work. He has exemplified his dedication to The FAMUan by rejoining the staff as this semester’s managing editor after studying abroad for a semester. His vision for The FAMUan is to better engage the student body in contributing while finding ways to better include all of FAMU.

Angie Meus is a graduating news reporting student from Chicago. Her passion for journalism can be seen through her background in practicing her craft. Meus has interned for media organizations such as NBC 5, the Chicago Defender and WVON 1690AM. She has served as opinions editor on the spring 2011 semester for The FAMUan. During that time, she produced quality articles and demonstrated her leadership skills, which gained respect from her peers and superiors. Now, Meus has assumed the position of editor-in-chief of The FAMUan for the spring 2013 semester. With a vision to connect the student newspaper with the entire student body of Florida A&M, Meus and her staff are eager to continue the legacy of practicing fine journalism and moving The FAMUan forward. She is excited about what the semester has in store for the newspaper.

Asia Johnson is a junior broadcast journalism student from Pensacola. Johnson

was previously tasked to write, edit and lay out the newsletter for the Lynd Company. She has also contributed articles to Her Campus FAMU. While producing work for other publications, Johnson contributed regularly to The FAMUan. Her skill and dedication to her craft is what makes her a necessary addition to The FAMUan staff as a spring 2013 copy editor.

Asia JohnsonCopy Editor

Donovan HarrellCopy Editor

Nolan McCaskill is a junior broadcast journalism student from Ocala. He has spent his

tenure at FAMU perfecting his craft to compete as a copy editor in the journalism profession. During previous semesters, McCaskill has served as circulation manager, assistant copy editor and copy desk chief for The FAMUan. He spent a summer interning at Ocala Style Magazine. McCaskill returns this semester as copy desk chief and is striving to help produce an error-free paper that upholds the standard of excellence with caring.

Nolan McCaskillCopy Desk Chief

Jorge Rodriguez-JimenezManaging Editor

Angie MeusEditor-in-Chief

FAMUAN STAFF BIOS

Volunteers promote unity with co-op

Jorge rodriguez-Jimenez

Managing Editor

Take a look at the spring 2013 FAMUan staff. The newly-hired staff is working toward a common goal of producing an award-winning publication.

Editor-in-ChiEf:thefamuaneic@gmail.com

Angie Meus

Managing Editor:thefamuanme@gmail.comJorge Rodriguez-Jimenez

Copy dEsk ChiEf: thefamuancopydesk@gmail.com

Nolan McCaskill

Copy Editor:Donovan Harrell

Copy Editor:Asia Johnson

nEws Editor: famuannews@gmail.com

Janay Cook

LifEstyLEs Editor: famuanlifestyles@gmail.com

Domonique Davis

sports Editor:thefamuansports@gmail.com

Vincent Ross

dEputy photo Editor:famuanphotography@gmail.com

Bianca McCracken

VisuaLs Editor & onLinE Editor:famuangraphics@gmail.com

Kenya Mawusi

pubLiC rELations & soCiaL MEdia Coordinator:

famuancalendar@gmail.comEric Winkfield

CirCuLation & adVErtising ManagEr

Donald Remy

Co-adVisEr:Kanya Stewart

Co-adVisEr:Leonard Horton

prograM assistant

Valerie McEachin

fax

850.561.2570Editor-in-ChiEf

850.561.2569sECrEtary

850.599.3159nEwsrooM

850.599.3011/561.2569

THE F U

The FAMUan, an award winning newspaper, is

published Monday, Wednesday and Friday during the fall and spring semesters. Look for us

online on Mondays and Fridays. The opinions do not reflect the administration, faculty, or staff of the University. The Famuan is funded partially by activities

and services fees.

Zombies have infected every form of media imaginable and show no signs of slowing down.

You see them everywhere. They are terrorizing survivors in “The Walking Dead.” You defend yourself from them in “Call of Duty: Black Ops,” “Resident Evil” and many other video games.

“World War Z” and “The Zombie Survival Guide” have become New York Times best-sellers, and an adaptation of “World War Z” is expected to be in a theater near you this summer.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention even has a website dedicated to zombie outbreak preparedness.

But is the trend starting to get a little stale?

These days it seems any story can sell millions – $75 million lifetime grossing for “Zombieland,” and $65 million for “Resident Evil: Afterlife” – if a zombie epidemic is involved. And every zombie movie is essentially the same.

The recipe is simple: a ragtag group of survivors with emotional baggage, ridiculous weaponry, hordes of actors covered in latex and fake blood and a survival-based storyline.

And since mindless zombies do not make interesting villains, the films usually focus on how humans react in difficult situations.

Unfortunately, we find our survivors repeatedly making the same predictable

mistakes by participating in hand-to-hand combat with zombies, building unnecessary equipment and always being bitten by loved ones. We can spot these characters and their deaths instantly, taking the element of mystery and surprise away.

Why are the stories constantly being compromised for excessive gore and violence? How much more of the genre can we take?

I admit that I have watched and enjoyed AMC’s television series “The Walking Dead,” which has been nominated for numerous awards, high-grossing “Zombieland” and “28 Days Later.” I even play a few rounds of zombie mode every now and then in “Call of Duty: Black Ops.”

However, I can only take so much. Part of me wants to see this genre finally die.

Donovan HarrellCopy Editor

Waiting for loveLove is patient -- except

in college.In an era of hanging

out and hooking up, there is less emphasis on traditional courtship. A study commissioned

by the Independent Women’s Forum in 2001 revealed that 40 percent of the 1,000 college women surveyed admitted to “hooking up” or having a casual fling in the past six months. However, 63 percent of those same women said they hoped to meet their future husband in college.

For many of us, this will never happen. But it is not because there is a shortage of eligible mates. Most college students do not know what they want, and we do not hold ourselves to the same standards as

past generations.We often skip dating and go straight

to the mating, hoping that somehow a relationship will result. Even though most women want love, they always choose the guy who wants them to “come over and chill.” They are the ones who are not interested in dinner, a movie and quality time.

We judge the opposite sex based on physical traits instead of mental, emotional and spiritual connections. And that does not make finding someone any easier.

But on the other hand, holding off on finding true love after college is not a bad thing.

Phylicia Rashad, who played Clair Huxtable on “The Cosby Show,” once said, “Romantic involvement distracts you and can blind you to what’s really in front of you.”

Those who do not find their future

spouse in college experience insecurities. They leave with the lingering thoughts of, “What if I haven’t experienced all there is to experience?” or, “What if there was something better out there?”

In my case, finding love in college was never a factor until now. My entire freshman year, I was involved in a long-distance love affair with my boyfriend. My sophomore year, my boyfriend moved to Tallahassee. The thought of finding love in college never occurred to me because I thought I already found it.

After a year, a broken heart and many mistakes, I am certainly wiser. I am nowhere near falling in love and getting married like I was then. Would I love to find someone here in college and fall madly in love? Yes. Will this happen? Maybe. Maybe not. Will I wait patiently until Prince Charming rides by on his white horse and whisks me away? Absolutely.

AsiA Johnson

Copy Editor

Famuan Social Media

Keep your eye on:

5OPINIONSWednesday, February 6, 2013 | www.thefamuanonline.com

The staff of The FAMUan wants to hear

from you. Starting Friday, Feb. 8, there will be a survey on thefamuanonline.

com. Students, faculty, staff and alumni are encouraged to voice their opinion about our newspaper and content. If you think

there are places where we can improve or have ideas that you think will better The FAMUan, let

us know.

SPORTSWednesday, February 6, 2013 | www.thefamuanonline.com6

Florida A&M’s wrestling team asked the student senate for funding to attend the Virginia Beach Nationals at Monday night’s student senate meeting.

The wresting team and the senate agreed to vote on allotting the team $5,085.41, which would fully fund the wrestling team’s trip to the national wrestling competition.

With the funding, wrestlers would be able to compete at a higher level. The wrestling team initially asked for $17,000 to include new uniforms. However, according to student Sen. Anthony Siders, the money is not there.

“Unfortunately, we’re at a time throughout our senate sessions where the funds are not conducive to the amount of clubs and organizations that are requesting funds,” he said. “We’ve run into financial issues there, but we’re going to do the best that we can to provide them with what they need.”

Marvin Green, director of

Student Activities, also discussed the different events the Office of Student Activities will be holding this February.

Evan Bailey, senate pro tempore, said the interaction made him proud.

“I think this is a huge step in bridging and strengthening the relationship between the students, student government and administration as a whole,” Bailey said. “If the Office of Student Activities and student government are on one accord, and we have a strong relationship and open communication with them, then we will be much more productive and efficient.”

Student senate meetings, which are generally held in the senate chambers, take place every Monday and are open to the public. The senate is working towards taking the meetings around campus throughout the semester. Next week’s meeting will be held in the Hansel E. Tookes Sr. Recreation Center.

Amber mAckie

Staff Writer

Wrestling team tussles with SGA for funding

Team seeks money to attend national competition

Wrestling team members and staff pose for a picture.

‘Joe Taylor Gang’ tackles big dreams

For some college football players, making it to the professional level is just a dream.

Working toward that dream and graduating with a degree can be challenging. But while most take on these challenges alone, four Florida A&M football players formed a bond that has propelled them to the next stage in their careers. Each has recently signed to a sports agency to help continue their venture to the NFL.

They call themselves the “Joe Taylor Gang” as a nod to former head coach Joe Taylor. However, the usual negative connotation of a gang could not be further from the truth when describing these players: Brandon Hepburn, a marketing graduate student from Brooklyn, N.Y.; Padric Scott, a physiology graduate student from Tallahassee; Travis Harvey, a senior criminal justice student from Inglewood, Calif.; and Jeremy Tillman, a senior business administration student from Tampa.

According to the players, the gang was built on the positive energy of one another, determination to overcome adversity, love of football and glorification of God.

Hepburn is a former linebacker who caught the attention of NFL scouts during the Raycom All-Star Classic in Montgomery, Ala., in January.

“We are warriors that fight, scratch and claw to be the best,” Hepburn said.

Harvey is a wide receiver who averaged 12.2 yards a catch, and Scott is a nose guard who bench presses more than 500 pounds.

They have all signed with MAC Sports & Entertainment, an agency that also houses FAMU alumni and current NFL wide receivers Kevin Elliott and Brian Tyms. Elliott plays for the Buffalo Bills, and Tyms plays for the Miami Dolphins.

Tillman, a two-sport athlete, signed with Cope Sports International Inc.

The players’ relationship evolved from a typical group of teammates into a brotherhood.

“We spend time with each other more than our own families,” Scott said. “It goes beyond college. It’s a lifestyle.”

Each of them has conquered and overcome adversity, never allowing the challenges to stop them from working together and delivering on the field.

“Independently, on our own grind, we had set visions and goals,” Tillman said. “Our tight circle had one common goal, though – football.”

Ferrisa Connell

Correspondent

Former FAMU football players sign to sports agencies in pursuit of NFL

FAMU baseball looks to improve

The Florida A&M baseball team will play its season-opener next week against Troy University in Troy, Ala.

The Rattlers ended last season with a 7-45 record, and head coach Willie Brown was notified that he would be fired in January due to alleged misconduct.

David Duncan, a senior pitcher from Starke, said the team did not have enough talented recruits last season.

“You have to have players in the right place to succeed,” he said. “And that was lacking.”

Duncan feels that a fresh start and more support from the student body could turn the baseball program in the right direction.

“If people want to see a change in FAMU sports, school support would be appreciated,” Duncan said. “No one likes to play in front of empty seats.”

Former assistant coach Kevin Clethen will act as interim head coach for the Rattlers this season. The search for a new head coach will coincide with the beginning of the season.

Clethen said he feels the team went through a period of learning last season, but he has noticed more of an aggressiveness and focus from his players as they prepare for their first game.

“The guys are learning how to read plays and think on the fly a lot more now,” Clethen said. “We lost games because we hadn’t developed the ability to seize opportunities in the spur of the moment.”

Jared Walker, a junior center fielder from Tallahassee, looks forward to unifying the team.

“When we connect and develop chemistry, it becomes a fun game,” Walker said. “It’ll be important for us to make sure we’re having fun throughout the season while still focusing on

production.”The Rattlers will play the first meeting of their

54-game season Feb. 15.

e’Dena Johnson

Correspondent

Rattlers anticipate a ‘fresh’ start

Travis Harvey, all-star game

Padric Scott signing to sports agency

Brandon Hepburn signing to sports agency

Jeremy Tillman at a track meet