MONDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2019 SERVING THE UNIVERSITY VOLUME 126 | ISSUE 19 OF ALABAMA SINCE 1894 FEAR 6 UFO 8 SABANLESS 12 An Alabama professor It’s been over 30 years since The CW’s sports editor explores the concept of an Alabama man saw a imagines a world in which fear, breaking down the mysterious object in the sky, was never hired Fright psychological reasons why but the incident still impacts at Alabama and the ripple people get scared and why his relationship with eff ect it might it’s not always a bad thing. his hometown. have triggered.

CULTURE | HAUNTED Graphic CW / Carly Farmer Group dives deep into Tuscaloosa’s haunted history The Haunted Tuscaloosa Tours will not be held this year, but they do plan to be back next year. However, that does not have to put a halt to learning more about the spooky history the city has this Halloween.

BY KINSLEY CENTERS THE- STAFF REPORTER @KINSLEYCENTERS

uscaloosa has more haunted Tareas than people might be aware of. Students, employees and community members pass by these locations every day without realizing what they could come across. David Higdon of the Tuscaloosa Paranormal Research Group founded the group in 2005. He said that since then, they have seen, heard and experienced various spooky paranormal activity encounters over the years. The Historic Drish House and the Tuscaloosa Paranormal Research Group came together to host the Haunted Tuscaloosa Tours years ago. The tour is based off the “Haunted Tuscaloosa” book written by Higdon and Brett Talley. They are also the authors of “Haunted Alabama Blackbelt.” “I didn’t want to just write a story about creepy stuff,” Higdon said. “I was wanting to write a story about Tuscaloosa and the history of EDITIONED what’s behind [each] ghost ... It’s the personality, it’s the people behind the story.” Laura Lineberry, a paranormal investigator, is one of the tour guides and said that they’ve experienced paranormal activity while giving the tours. Those along for the ride are SEE PAGE 11 SHARE YOUR SHELTON STATEMENT TO We are looking for current and former students WIN $500! with a story to share. sheltonstate.edu/contest ItIt is the policy of the Alabama Community College System Board of Trustees and Shelton State Community College, a postsecondary institution under its control, that no person shall, on the grounds of race, color, national origin, religion, marital status, disability, gender, age, or any other protected class as defined by federal and state law, be excluded from participation,pa denied benefits, or subjected to discrimination under any program, activity, or employment. MONDAY 2 October 28, 2019 SCENE ON INSTA

@thecrimsonwhite: @jhw_pt2 “Happy Halloween week from The Crimson White editorial staff ! ”

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ADVERTISING STAFF 7 ad representatives Alyssa Sons TWITTER Liz Enloe CULTURE While Halloween tales are @TheCrimsonWhite Nataleigh Dang considered tricks of the season to many, several creative services Bentley Sims students are studying the origins of scary stories. Rayven Lane 9 Thomas Radke INSTAGRAM Katy Coe @thecrimsonwhite Jayden Messner EVENTS THIS WEEK The Crimson Whit is the community newspaper of The . The Crimson White is an editorially free newspaper produced by students.The University of Alabama cannot infl uence editorial decisions and Oct. 28 Oct. 29 Oct. 30 Oct. 30 Oct. 30 editorial opinions are those of the editorial board and All Day do not represent the offi cial opinions of the University. 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. 11:30 - 2:30 p.m. 3 - 4 p.m. Advertising offi ces of The Crimson White are in room 1014, Student Media Building, 414 Campus Drive East. Halloween A Haunting at Free fl u shots Halloween Last day to The advertising mailing address is P.O. 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Advisory Committee candlelit tour Alabama Nursing a haunted tour of class with a W for and Life Skills of campus. School is the International the fall term. All material contained herein, except advertising or where department will host administering free Student and Scholar indicated otherwise, is Copyright © 2019 by The Crimson White and protected under the “Work Made for Hire” and trick-or-treating and fl u vaccinations Services offi ce. “Periodical Publication” categories of the U.S. copyright fun games with our for students, laws. Material herein may not be reprinted without the student-athletes. faculty and staff . expressed, written permission of The Crimson White. SPOOKY October 28, 2019 3 Entomologist debunks myths about insects John Abbott, chief curator and director of museum research and collections, is an entomologist, which means he studies what some fear most: creepy crawlies. Though his specialty is in aquatic insects, more specifically dragonflies and damselflies, he answered everything we wanted to know about insects and why we fear them. that we need, to cleaning up carrion BY ANDREW LITTLEJOHN CONTRIBUTING WRITER (dead flesh), dung and things like that @ANDREWLITTLEJ19 … Most insects are beneficial to us, A:A: Termites that we have and create the world in which we live, aroundround hhere swarm in the spring. in a lot of ways. The common termite that affects Q: What are some popular most people’s houses is called the mythsyy you’d you like to debunk? subterranean termite … The reason Q: What are some things that they swarm is that in the spring, A:A: First of all, all bugs are aboutbout insectsin you should be they have a colony and they basically insects,nsects but b not all insects are bugs. afraid of? disperse. Swarming is a mechanism There is a specific group of insects, for doing that, where you have a the Hemiptera. Those are your true AA:: There are obviously some bunch of winged individuals that will CW / Andrew Littlejohn bugs. Technically it’s improper to thathat are problems. The biggest one all take off at once. The kings and refer to other things as bugs. That’s would be biting flies like mosquitoes queens will mate and start a new a specific group just like butterflies, and black flies that transmit colony. They’ll lose their wings and AA:: I think you should just dragonflies, ants. diseases that cause problems … the queen will become an egg-laying leaveeave thethem or carefully remove them A lot of times, people think bugs are That’s certainly an issue. At any machine, and that’s how a new colony and put them outside. There are creepy or problematic. But actually, point in time, about a sixth of the gets started. exceptions, though; the black widow, most of them are beneficial. world’s population is infected with a the brown recluse can be problematic. There are more insects out there fly-borne illness. And they’re not rare by any means. than any other group of animals, by But most spiders are not a problem far. They occupy just about any niche at all. in aquatic or terrestrial environment Q: Should I be afraid of ants A lot of times, people … The world would be completely when theythey’re in my house? think bugs are creepy Q: Where do you find different without insects. We would blacklack widows? wido not be able to survive, for example. A:A: Actually, most ants won’t or problematic. But But if we were gone, insects would comeome intinto the house. There are a actually, most of AA:: Basically they like to be do just fine … They really do run the few species that do, and they’re just somewhatomewha secretive – so a good place world. looking for food products, and they them are benefi cial. is actually in water-main drains or can be a nuisance for sure. Some ants a hole in your yard where the main like fire ants can sting and bite and JOHN ABBOTT water spigot turns on and off. That’s a Q: WhatW are some things about can do more than that and be painful good pplace to start looking. insectsnsectsyou yyou should not be afraid of? ... Some exceptions are carpenter ants, which can cause some destruction Q: How venomous are black AA:: Most insects are completely to the house. They’re certainly not widows if i you were to get bit? harmless,armless and beyond that even like termites. Q: WillW they abandon their old And what should you do once you beneficial ... They really make the colonyolonyy onconce this happens? get bit? world in which we live in. From pollinating plants to the food products Q: WhenW do termites swarm? AA:: The colony itself will keep AA:: The black widow bite can going.oing It’s It’ not all the individuals that bee quite ppainful. It’s a neurotoxin, and leave, it’s only the reproductives. depending upon the reaction, it can In social insects, you have what actually stop you [from] breathing. we call “castes.” These are just If you’re small like a kid, you would basically different divisions of labor definitely want to take it very within the colony: soldiers, workers, seriously. Even adults, depending reproductives. The reproductives upon your reaction to it, may need to will all leave and start a new colony or go to the hospital just for if nothing colonies, but then the original colony else, pain management … The brown can continue with that original queen. recluse, on the other hand, is a hemotoxin, meaning what it does is Q: Have you seen any termite it stops the flow of blood to the bite nestsests here in Alabama? site. So basically, that’s where you get necrosis. But that can basically be AA:: They’re common in logs treated with antibiotics. lyingying on the t ground, any kind of wood lying on the ground. They can be very destructive in houses, but the Q: What should people do majority of the individuals in a house if they want wa to find out more about are usually behind the wall. Until you these insects? dig into the affected area, you won’t see them in large numbers. In fact, AA:: There are a lot of resources what happens is that people will see online,nline bbut if you wanted to contact a big swarm inside their house of the me so I could direct you to them, I reproductives flying around. That’s would be happy to do that. We are usually the first clue that there is a always looking for volunteers to help problem inside the house. in the collections here. Q: Should I be killing spiders To reach John Abbott, his email is John Abbott shows off his collection of preserved insects. when I see them in my house? [email protected], or to find out more CW / Andrew Littlejohn about the university collection, go to collections.museums.ua.edu. SPOOKY 4 October 28, 2019

TWITTERTWIT- REACTIONSTER What is the best Halloween costume you’ve ever created/ worn? Tweet us your thoughts!

Sydney Gabrielson @theoriginalsyd “I’m a pi-ra-nha. Pi-ra-nhas live in the am-a-zon.” (Yes, that is a real fish. I bought it for 35 cents)

CW / A’Neshia Turner COLUMN: MASKS OUR : Be yourself for Halloween VIEW College is, agreeably, a difficult then allowing others to make the BY CW EDITORIAL BOARD time for everyone. New places, new decision for you. @THECRIMSONWHITE people and a brand new school all In no way is The Crimson cause a lot of stress; stress that many White claiming any sort of moral alloween offers us all a choose to relieve by conforming superiority or lack of public Htime to pretend, if not to the most basic of norms in their persona that we adhere to in order just for a little bit, that we are new location. Presented with this to better maintain our professional someone or something else. The fact, many will argue that they have relationships. We are just as desire to live life as someone simply found their true identity guilty as everyone else when it different, be it Hugh Hefner after the first three months of living comes to presenting ourselves in or a cat that, true to character on their own. This is, of course, the a manner that isn’t always 100% in is barely wearing any clothes, college version of the “It’s not a line with who we are. Oftentimes, is seemingly integral to the phase, Mom” argument. the stringent list of journalistic Grace Schepis nature of college students. You’ll ethics, along with the current find few here at the University “woke” culture of modern media @GraceSchepisCW who aren’t participating in the causes us to lose sight of our core Halloween in New York Halloween festivities in some values. In spite of this, we strive to meant planning a cute, form. Halloween, however, isn’t We live today in a drop our mask. We hope to be able the only time that students are culture of conformity, to provide the best coverage, the intricate costume every year accustomed to pretending to be coverage our readership deserves, but ending up in sweatpants a culture in which someone they are not. of our university. and a jacket by 11pm because We live today in a culture of we consciously, This Halloween, we would like to conformity, a culture in which challenge all of you to be someone it was 35 degrees outside. we consciously, and sometimes and sometimes you’re not accustomed to being: unconsciously, mold ourselves yourself. You’re still more than and our images to better our unconsciously, mold welcome to dress up as a scantily Jake Stevens own social standings. In doing ourselves and our clad nurse, just so long as you are @Jake_Stevens15 so, we create these sort of public genuine about who you truly are personas no different from a images to better our as a person. Don’t be afraid to Astronaut circa 2002 Halloween costume. For many, own social standings. be honest with people. We can’t the persona becomes who they guarantee that they’ll appreciate Joey Blackwell are to the world. These personas your individuality, but we can say become all the more apparent that you’ll feel better. After all, @BlackwellSports in status-driven locales that the scariest thought of all is living I was Mr. Incredible a few prioritize a feigned sense of social Nobody truly knows who they are your entire life as someone else. unity more than the uniqueness when they first arrive on campus, years back. Absolutely of the individual. Our campus is and that’s completely okay. What is Our View represents the consensus killed it. one such place. truly detestable is not knowing, and of the CW Editorial Board.

EDITORIAL BOARD WE WELCOME YOUR OPINIONS Send submissions to [email protected]. Submissions The Crimson White reserves the right to edit all Savannah Bullard editor-in-chief Carly Farmer visuals editor must include the author’s name, year, major and guest columns and letters to the editor. The opinions Ben Stansell managing editor David Palmer chief copy editor OPINIONS daytime phone number. Phone numbers are for contained on this page do not represent the editorial Ryan Riha digital editor Brett Hodges opinions editor verification and will not be published. position of The Crimson White Media Group. SPOOKY October 28, 2019 5

TWITTERTWIT- REACTIONSTER What is the best Halloween costume you’ve ever created/ worn? (continued)

bailey @baileynmc this year i dressed up as ash ketchum!! Ryan Riha @ryan_riha In middle school my best friend and I dressed as bananas. We cried at the CW / Nicholas Coker loss of our dear uncle when COLUMN: GHOSTS we found a banana peel Evidence is lacking for the paranormal on the floor. Tuscaloosa is the home of many they have had real experiences Zoe BY KYLIE HEITMAN supposedly haunted locations. with the paranormal; I just STAFF COLUMNIST Gorgas and the infamous Bryce doubt the reality of it. I @zkgriff2001 @KYLIEANNE_20 Lawn are thought by many to be believe most experiences are I was a “Candy (W)rapper” haunted. However, the evidence based primarily on fear due one year. I dressed as a rapper s a child, I remember sitting for ghosts at these locations is to preconceived ideas about Athere with my family weak and has not been steadily spooky incidents that may have covered in candy wrappers watching the ghost-hunting proven. A mere creak of a door or happened in a place. It makes reality television shows of the gust of wind does not confirm that it easier to think something is early 2000s until the late hours of Casper is present and messing haunted if a place is dilapidated sav-o-lantern the night. This was the first real with you. Coincidence does not and run-down, which may very @savannahkt_ notion of the paranormal that I constitute fact. Despite what well lead one’s mind to see or hear This year I did some spooky was given. many television shows or believers something out of the ordinary. At the time, I believed in ghosts may say, these incidents just sister scarecrow makeup, due to the mere fact that I was aren’t real. brought to you by the Morphe uneducated and didn’t quite Many horror movies give the x James Charles Palette (use grasp the concept. It scared me public the idea that paranormal code “JAMES” for 10% off) more than anything. entities and creatures are in fact Coincidence does real. “The Conjuring” series is the perfect example of this because not constitute fact. Andrea Matei it is considered by many to be based on a real story. Coupled with Despite what many @AndreaMatei I do not doubt that this is the fact that many of the television shows or I have a few I like, but the television shows and even YouTube one that always pops into my some genuinely videos that air now have been believers may say, believe they have presented in such a manner so as to these incidents just head is the time I was Geoff had real experiences make it look as if the investigators aren’t real. Peterson from The Late Late obtained actual evidence. They Show with Craig Ferguson. with the paranormal; may believe in ghosts and the afterlife, but their presentation of I just doubt the “evidence” is terribly skewed and reality of it. exaggerated. I’m not saying it’s a bad thing to believe in ghosts or Halloween is the time even to watch these types of shows, where many believers want to just that it is ignorant to believe investigate and try to capture that these shows have any sort of evidence. If you want to do that, For decades many have factual basis in reality. you’re more than welcome to. You investigated different “haunted” The human brain is an amazingly may actually capture something locations and recorded evidence complex structure that can trick worth reviewing or talking of ghosts, whether that be a people into believing in pretty about. But, until real, verifiable recording of a voice/sound or much anything in regards to their evidence is captured that can’t be an unexplainable shadow. I, five senses. In my opinion, no real debunked, I won’t be too worried however, have never experienced evidence has been captured, and about seeing a ghost. anything paranormal or out most of the experiences are likely of the ordinary. Therefore, I the result of an individual’s mind Kylie Heitman is a junior majoring cannot believe in these supposed playing tricks on them. I do not in advertising. Her column “paranormal” incidents. doubt that some genuinely believe runs biweekly. SPOOKY 6 October 28, 2019 What is fear? Psychology professor talks phobias

TUCKER LEGERSKI naturally wired to distrust people who the loud noises – which Albert They allow us to recollect our CONTRIBUTING WRITER aren’t like us and to distrust the other. associated with fluffy animals limitations. They keep us @TUCKERLEGERSKI We have to go through cognitive – he had no fear of different company. The universe is a effort to question that and get over animals he encountered. very big place, but as far as we ear haunts all of us. We can that distrust or fear of someone who know it’s mainly empty, boring, Ffear needles, what lurks in is different. When we aren’t able or and cold. If we exterminate dark forests, fi re, looking at our not willing to do that cognitive work, Q:: HowH much is fear needed? the last magnificently scary bank accounts, our neighbors, we are most likely to perceive fear in beasts on planet Earth, as we wondering about our unknown somebody just because they don’t act A:A: It’s good to be afraid of seem bent upon doing, then no futures. But what exactly is fear? like, use the same culture as us, look heights,eightsr right, because being on top of matter where we go for the rest How does it infl uence our decisions, like us, use the same language, etc. a building could cause you to fall and of our history as a species – for and how can it be overcome? The unknown is a really fearful thing get hurt or die. We do need fear. It’s the rest of time – we may never Jennifer Cox, associate professor for us. of psychology at The University of an important part of keeping us alive. encounter any others.” Alabama, has some answers. The problem arises when we fear Fear of the unknown gets things to the extent that it inhibits everyone. Rebecca Solnit has our everyday lives. Let’s take spiders. Q:: WhatW are the best strategies Q: On a psychological level, written many books about Being afraid of spiders is neither too overcomovercoovercome fear? howow would you describe fear? this, about engaging with that here nor there unless their fear of unknown. Solnit quotes Virgina spiders prohibits them from engaging A:A: The best thing is education, A:A: We talk a lot about fear in Woolf’s thoughts on the future: in their everyday tasks – in which iss understanding. unde For example, contextontext oof evolutionary psychology, “The future is dark, which is case, it arises to the psychological. In it won’t cure fear, but having a so using psychological principles the best thing the future can be, psychology, we aren’t good at curing knowledge of very few shark attacks from an evolutionary perspective I think.” Solnit expands this a lot of things. However, we do have that actually occur, understanding to understand psychological thinking around the future. If some well-established techniques to the lack of threat. It gets more phenomenon in human behavior. we have full optimism or full cure phobias. It’s when phobias are difficult when understanding fear of So in that context, fear is generally despair around the future – basic, like heights or germs, that sort other cultures or fearing traditions conceptualized as a physiological around the unknown – then it’s of thing. We are not as good when outside of our own culture. Increasing response to a perceived threat. It’s like having a memory of the we are talking about more complex understanding and awareness is also emotional and cognitive. It’s a future. It stops us from agency. things like other cultures, or the going to be the first step. The more response to a perceived threat. To not know about the future is to unknown, the future. We are not as familiar you are, the less likely use our creativity and gain hope good at that. something is going to be anxiety- at the future’s unpredictability. provoking for you. So that includes Q: How does that perceived engaging with individuals in other threathreat influence influ people’s decisions? cultures or engaging with people who Q:: DoesD that unknown manifest don’t act or think like you. The more A:A: We are evolutionarily wired aroundround a certain object, animal or they are in your world, more in your too protect protec ourselves and protect our specificpp person? I think this gets at sphere, the less scary they are. It’s all offspring. If someone perceives fear or that question if fear about knowledge and engaging with experiences fear because of a threat, A:A: I think this gets at that others. it is likely they’ll engage in a behavior questionuestion if fear is taught or if it’s is taught or if it’s for safety. So if this means somebody inherent. It’s both. There’s a reason inherent. It’s both. Cartoonist, writer, teacher and walking down the street overnight, phobias like spiders and snakes are recent Macarthur Genius Grant and there’s a shady character walking more common than phobias like winner Lynda Barry promotes towards them, then that signals white fluffy bunnies. Heights, snakes, JENNIFER COX the idea of images as something someone to cross the street. Or it can spiders could all potentially kill us, that saves us. In a recent lecture be a much more sophisticated judicial right? It’s easier for us to develop at The University of Alabama, response. We have someone who phobias of those things compared to she talked about how we rely on engages in violent behavior and uses things that already hurt us or put us In his book on Earth’s largest attachment from a young age. violence against other people, so we in danger. That being said, there’s a predators, “Monster of Gods,” We attach to a blanket, a set of remove them from society to protect really famous psychological study David Quammen writes keys, a superhero mask, and that people in society. done by behaviorist John Watson, and eloquently on the importance holds us, keeps us grounded. Her the study, it was terrible actually, with of fear beyond safety and what philosophy extends to the idea a toddler named Little Albert, where our world would be like without that we need images throughout they conditioned him to be afraid of it. He writes more about the our lives to help us in life. Images a white rabbit. They put in the white importance of giant beasts, can haunt us, but they can also rabbit and then played a loud noise human-eating monsters, but he save us, Barry would argue. She If someone perceives that he didn’t like. So every time also writes on the importance recounted one anecdote when fear or experiences they presented the rabbit, he started of fear: “Such creatures enliven she was in the airport and saw a associating the rabbit with this our fondest nightmares. They little boy carrying just the leg of fear because of a terrible sound that he hated. It made thrill us horribly. They challenge an The Incredible Hulk. “That’s threat, it is likely him cry. He made that association, us to transcendent courage... all he needed, man, just the leg.” and he was afraid of white rabbits. It’s they’ll engage in a a pretty terrible thing. He was able to develop this fear over this object READING LIST behavior for safety. that wouldn’t be anxiety-provoking. We can change people to be afraid of “Hope in the Dark” by Rebecca Solnit JENNIFER COX things even though they might not be “Monsters of God” by David Quammen wired to be afraid of things. “What is an Image” and “Making Comics” Famous across Psy 101 Lynda Barry Q: Is there a way that fear classes, the study was originally misconstructsmisconstr an honest reality of to make Little Albert scared of “The Gift of Fear: and Other Survival someone because of our fears? white rats and later brought in similar “stimuli” to see if Albert Signals that Protect Us from Violence” by A:A: WeW are more likely to survive would have the same response. Gavin De Becker inn groups, group but evolutionarily, we are The video shows these rabbits more likely to survive in groups being placed next to Albert and “Fear Icons” by Kisha Lewellyn of people that are like us. We are him screaming in fear. Before SPOOKY October 28, 2019 7 TOP 8 SCARIEST THINGS ABOUT THIS SEMESTER THE CRIMSON WHITE NEWS DESK COMPILED A LIST OF THE MOST FRIGHTENING ASPECTS OF CAMPUS LIFE, RANGING FROM TEXTBOOK PRICES TO 8 A.M. CLASSES

MIDTERM GRADES: 8 A.M. CLASSES: Midterm grades were released on Oct. 9 Let’s face it, 8 a.m. classes set students at 11:59 p.m. While the anticipation can HATE SYMBOLS up for failure. A 2017 study shows that up be terrifying for students, the rush can ON CAMPUS: to 83% of students could be at their best also be an added stressor to faculty and performance if colleges allowed them to From buildings named after white teaching assistants, who had to get them choose their own ideal starting time for a supremacists, to Confederate fi led by the deadline – or else! regular six-hour day of classes. paraphernalia hanging from apartment balconies, The University THE TRAIN: of Alabama – an institution that was TEXTBOOK PRICES: Students often get held up by local trains, built by enslaved people – continues Over the course of a year, the average causing some of them to climb across to be haunted by symbols of hate. college student spends more than them to avoid being late to class. The $1,200 on books and materials, causing University sent a message to students in students to often turn to Amazon or the 2017, telling them climbing through the ANY TIME WE GO TO Student Ticket Exchange in search of train is illegal and dangerous. KICK A FIELD GOAL: cheaper copies or e-books for a much Alabama’s kicking game over the last cheaper price. decade is ranked among the worst THE HOUSING MARKET: in the nation. According to CBS, TUA’S ANKLE INJURY: While shopping for a place to live Alabama has missed nearly 100 fi eld Though starting quarterback Tua can be a nightmare in and of itself, goals since 2007 – the most by any Tagovailoa is recovering from his ankle leasing companies continue to face team in that time span. And don’t even injury faster than expected, seeing him killer competition in a rapidly growing mention a certain fi eld goal attempt in limp off the fi eld during the Tennessee metropolis. This year, the average rent for 2013 against Auburn… game sent a very real shiver down the an apartment in Tuscaloosa was $1,112. spines of Alabama fans.

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Funding provided by the USDOL, ETA, Federal WIOA. An Equal Opportunity Employer/Program. alabamapublichealth.gov/imm Auxiliary aids and services available upon request to individuals with disabilities. SPOOKY 8 October 28, 2019 UFO sighting tests man’s devotion to his town Over 30 years ago, Fred Works on camera, have a reporter come up saw something he couldn’t and stick a microphone in my face. ‘So, Chief Works, you saw a fl ying saucer,’ quite explain. What’s easier to and I’d say, ‘The last fl ying saucer I explain is the way that Works’s saw, my ex-wife threw at me.’” sighting changed the DNA of Matt Brooks, then a reporter his town forever. for Jacksonville State University’s Chanticleer, particularly rubbed Fyffe citizens wrong with his BY MEGHAN MITCHELL sensationalized interpretation of the AND LEAH GOGGINS sightings. Works said the writer made CULTURE EDITOR AND ASSISTANT the townsfolk “sound like a bunch of CULTURE EDITOR country hicks.” @POMEGRANATE_27 “If you’re thinking about visiting AND @LADYGOGGOG Fyffe yourself, forget it,” then-features hen Fred Works holds out his editor Matt Brooks wrote. “The only Whands – palms down, thumbs unidentifi ed thing around there is together, index fi ngers touching – it’s a brain.” his best attempt to approximate the shape of something he saw in the sky more than 30 years ago. The corners were more rounded As Fred Works recalls the events of February 10, 1989, it’s impossible to ignore the eff ect it had ‘So, Chief Works, you off, he said, but that’s the gist of it. A on his community. This is a visual description of what Works saw. Graphic CW / Leah Goggins thick, charcoal-colored triangle fl ew saw a fl ying saucer,’ through the night sky, with three lights reported that a craft went over him about the oncoming craft. Works shining back onto its undercarriage. fl ying “low and fast,” Works said. asked Garmany to shut off the car and I’d say, ‘The last From Works spot on a hillside back in With Works’ eyes on the sky, engine, and the eerie quiet that fl ying saucer I saw, my February of 1989, he saw the craft glide Garmany pointed the car south and followed confi rmed his suspicion toward him before fl ying overhead. found a place to pull over, in the wide, about the craft, Works said. It was ex-wife threw at me. And he isn’t alone. circular driveway of a local farmer. deadly silent. Works’ UFO experience began They got out of the car and took a As it fl ew overhead, Works scanned earlier that Fridayday night, when a looklook arounaround.d. it for identifying markings but camecam FRED WORKS woman called thee local disdispatcherpatcher to “I tturnedurned anandd lolookedoked bbackack to tthehe up empty. All he could take in was a report an immobileile light in the sky. east,” Works said. “I saw a craft dark triangle fl ying against the starrystarr When Works got word of the call from fl ying, coming straight at us over sky, so big that it would have takentake The response to the column caused the dispatcher, he was just ending thethe trtreeline.”eeline.” holding a beach ball at arm’s lengthlengt the editor-in-chief to apologize for his shift at the Fyffe,ffe, Alabama, police Works assumed it must be a plane, overhead to block it from his sighsight, the reporter’s highly exaggerated department. Despitepite his attempt to but as the craft neared, he realized he said. translation of events, but the college pass the call off onn his boss, then-Chief there was something not quite right Knowing there was somethingsomethin student’s unsavory words were only of Police Junior Garmany, Works off about the not-plane, Works waswa one instance of upset for the town. ended up coming along for the ride. still hesitant ttoo coconsidernsider that it Despite the onslaught of criticism, As Garmany andnd Works headed was a UFO. Instead,Instead, he surmisesurmised the Fyffe community stood by their toward Kelly’s Chapel, their that what others might consider a UFO-spotters. caller’s location, theyhey spotted “space booger” could have been a “I appreciated that there were the light back to theirheir left. military aircraft.aircraft. some people who said, ‘Hey, if “[Garmany] stopped “I would think it was probablyprobabl Fred and Junior [Garmany] said the car, and we looked government [property] oro they saw something, then they at it for a bit,” Works something,” Works said. “It wawas saw something,’” Works said. “‘If said. “It looked aboutbout the probably some kind of new craftcra they told me that a chicken dipped size of a streetlightlight in that we might know about 101 snuff, I’d look under its wing for a the distance.” years in the future.”future.” snuff box.’” After trailing the WorksWorks sasaidid he hahadn’tdn UFO enthusiast Trace Booth light for some time,ime, even planned to mentionmentio understands the scrutiny that may several local policeolice the encounter except, heh encroach at the mention of mysterious offi cers planned to imagined, as a “war story”story aircrafts. Booth, a freshman majoring meet up at the top passed down at familyfamil in environmental engineering, of Sand Mountain,ntain, gatherings. That idea isi equates this attitude to a lack of where they would familiarfamiliar ttoo otothershers wwho’veho’ve seeseen open-mindedness. hopefully get a better UFOs. In fact, multiple UFO-UFO “I feel like people who are just look at whatevertever spotters have visited WorksWork that skeptical mainly comes from a was fl ying over to get their stories off ofo place of personal bias,” Booth said. Dekalb County. their chests.chests. “Basically [they think] it’s kids’ stories They watched itt fl y “People are always callingcallin or myths, but there’s a lot of things southwest over the to talk to Fred,” Fyffe towtown that we don’t personally know the valley, Works said, clerk Brandi Clayton said. intricacies behind, [but] we believe and he thought his But when reporters got windwin [them anyway].” night of UFO chasingsing of the story, Works and the citycit Fact or fi ction, the response to was “over, said and were inundated with outsidoutside the UFO sightings had very real done with.” Garmanyany opinions and inquiries. WhilWhile repercussions. Despite the backlash drove the patrol car some spectators were purelypurel the town faced, Works remains back to Fyffe, with curious, others painted theth unshakeable in his devotion to Fyffe. Works still keepinging town in an inaccurate light. “I’ll defend my community,” Works his eyes to heavenn in “The media wanted to putpu said. “We’re like anybody else. There the passenger seat.at. words in my mouth thenthen,” are good people who live around here Then another callall Works said. “Want to put youyo ... It’s a good place to live.” came, this time overer the radio. A policece Fyff e’s water tower sports a red devil, a tribute to the local high school mascot. offi cer in Crossvillele CW / Joe Will Field SPOOKY October 28, 2019 9

OnO Oct. O t 31, 31 kids kid and d adults d lt alike lik will ill dress d as devils, d il ghosts h t and d witches it h to t celebrate l b t a night i ht of f ffun and d ffrights. i ht But B t Hallowe H ll en is more than just a holiday in the College of Arts and Sciences, where students are dedicating their studies to the history and anthropology of myth and magic. [has] these Pagan ideas and Pagan studying witchcraft, but going in Sun and Moon. Courtesy of needpix.com rituals,” Arnold said. “So what’s depth like this is something I never the best way to defeat ideas that would have done without this class, you don’t agree with? You don’t and it’s so entertaining to me.” say they’re bad. They’re not bad. One of the dozens of sources she They’re not horrible. They’re not has accumulated is “The Malleus banished. You make fun of them.” Malefi carum,” which is a sort of After hundreds of years, those guide to identifying and trying Pagan concepts of spirits and magic witches, originally published in the are widely presented as pure fi ction 15th century. in American popular culture. Both LaMarca said women accused ideas are heavily commercialized of being witches in early modern as a means of entertainment, Europe were believed to have sold especially during October. their souls to the devil. Witches However, Arnold said through were blamed for misfortunes his studies he has developed a like crop failure or infertility, as behind witch hysteria in England BY TARA DAVENPORT stronger appreciation for diverse people didn’t yet understand the and colonial America, she said it is CONTRIBUTING WRITER belief systems and a greater scientifi c causes. diffi cult to pinpoint an exact time @TARA_DAVENPORT understanding of how traditions when that hysteria defi nitively like Halloween change over time. originated or ended. In fact, some “I fi nd it very beautiful and very believe stigma and misconceptions o many people, Halloween moving to celebrate the spirit of I fi nd it very beautiful surrounding witchcraft are still Tis nothing more than a your ancestors,” Arnold said. “Now, present in the United States. yearly celebration of pretend and I can’t get into what people think and very moving to Emi Smith, a graduate student make-believe. is real and what people believe is celebrate the spirit of studying biocultural anthropology, Costumes are false faces, and metaphor because I think, for people said there is still a disconnect seasonal rituals like visiting in general, sometimes those lines your ancestors. between how most people view haunted houses and watching get blurred. And I think it’s very Paganism and witchcraft and what horror movies are a distraction beautiful that they get blurred.” they actually are. Her academic from the routine of everyday life. The Department of Anthropology RANDY ARNOLD focus is on witchcraft and stigma in On Nov. 1, the masks come off and is just one of several divisions of the Deep South. decorations come down, because the College of Arts and Sciences “At that time, people thought “Personally, I’ve always been the fear was all manufactured. that encourages students to women were weak-minded and Pagan,” Smith said. “But growing For some University of Alabama explore the concepts of magic couldn’t resist temptation, and up here, I didn’t know it was an students, however, the history and and ritual. Giuliana LaMarca, a the devil is a very tempting fi gure option. It’s defi nitely a big risk. We symbolism of Halloween extends junior majoring in history, chose to in history and religion,” LaMarca live in this little university bubble beyond parties and pumpkin examine witchcraft in early modern said. “So it was as though these where it’s OK and people are pretty patches, into the classroom. Randy Europe for her undergraduate women were so weak that they accepted, but when you get out in Arnold, a master’s student studying research seminar. were much more susceptible to the rural Alabama, it is not OK to label cognitive anthropology, has “I’ve always been fascinated with devil’s infl uence.” yourself as a Pagan. And there’s a devoted both his undergraduate the supernatural,” LaMarca said. While LaMarca has delved lot of people who live in fear.” and graduate careers to examining “I had a general background in deeply into the religious context However, Smith said Paganism mythic and religious narratives and witchcraft are actually growing in culture. movements in the country at the “The origin of Halloween is moment, even in cities in Alabama Samhain,” Arnold said. “It’s a like Birmingham and Huntsville. Celtic holiday.” While witches are Pagan, not Samhain was a Pagan holiday in all Pagans identify as Wicca or ancient Celtic culture that began at practicing witches, which are sunset on Oct. 31 and lasted through similar but not synonymous. the evening of Nov. 1. Historically, Smith said people are often drawn Paganism is a term used to describe to Wicca because it is nature- the following of pre-Christian, centered and recognizes both traditionally polytheistic and male and female gods, and there nature-centered religions. are many individual paths within Arnold said Samhain marked a the religion. liminal stage, or transitional period, “They call [Wicca] a religion in between summer and winter, without converts,” Smith said. “You which symbolize life and death, don’t have to conform to a certain respectively. During that stage, way of being.” people believed spirits appeared, Currently, Smith is working to fi nd some of which were thought to a professor to teach an anthropology be mischievous. course entitled, “Myth, Ritual, and Arnold said that in the seventh Magic,” which hasn’t been offered century, Catholicism came into at the University since its previous competition with the Celtic culture. professors retired. Instead of denouncing the Samhain, Smith, LaMarca and Arnold each Pope Boniface IV overlayed expressed how thankful they are for Christian ideas by declaring Nov. 1 the programs and courses that have All Saint’s Day to celebrate saints not only allowed, but encouraged and martyrs. As a result, Pagan and cultivated their interests in elements of Samhain turned into the supernatural. a mockery. “I feel very fortunate that there’s “[The Catholic Church] still a place that allows you to explore Pentacle. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. Graphics CW/ Maddy O’Connor your deep passions,” Arnold said. SPOOKY 10 October 28, 2019 Birmingham store doubles as metaphysical shop While Alabamians are still positive experiences and that the employees and guests are “never working to fully grasp the discriminatory” and always open- concept of witchcraft, a minded about numerous religions store for all things occult and different topics. has been flourishing for “I like the many facets the store many years in the south has,” Harris said. “Something side of Birmingham. for everyone.” Harris recently bought a deck of tarot cards, which she is quickly ARAYNA WOOLEY learning how to “properly use.” In CONTRIBUTING WRITER Books, Beans, and Candles owner Mitchell Hagood said the store’s staff works to create a fact, to practice, she does a reading @A_WOOLS welcoming and open-minded environment for all its patrons. All photos CW / Grace Walraven every morning. a dozen swords mount the wall. The offered in Birmingham when “It is interesting, the different he building is cloaked with left side has a bookcase and crystals he was just starting out the shop, ways people fi nd guidance, and I Tfl owers and greenery. On surrounding a fi replace. There is and Hagood felt that he was “the wanted to actively try tarot cards,” the outside, it looks like a regular a cash register to the right and a lucky one.” Harris said. “It is refreshing Victorian house on a Birmingham glass case fi lled with trinkets. “We serve a lot of different people to see an authentic occult shop street. But upon closer inspection, Each room has its own mystical who come for different purposes,” in Birmingham.” onlookers may be surprised. theme with unconventional decor. Hagood said. If the services and wares are This place of mysticism and Incense, crystals and candles fi ll Hagood said there was not a not enough to get curious patrons in rare books is Books, Beans, and the fi rst room. Shelves stacked with store like this in the area, but the door, the shop also serves some Candles, an occult and metaphysical jars of herbs encase the neighboring that it was needed. He has worked wickedly good beverages. The full- shop located on Richard Arrington room, which leads into a third room and owned the thriving store for service coffee shop, located in the Boulevard in Birmingham. It is the occupied with books, tarot cards over a decade. When traveling, heart of the store’s fi rst fl oor, gives largest store of its kind in the state and fi gurines. Up the fi rst few he seeks out other metaphysical patrons a wide range of reasons to and has served the people of central stairs, there is a comfy chair stores in the area to browse and visit and enjoy. Alabama for the past 13 years. overlooking a window and gothic shop. There are many products at Ultimately, Hagood wanted a There is a wide selection on artwork for sale. Along the staircase Books, Beans, and Candles that are space of solace that people from all anything from spell accessories, there is a towering red dragon made by local artisans, a quality backgrounds could feel welcome. to ouija boards, to energy healing painted across the wall, which Borden was attracted to as a patron. He said he has worked diligently to devices. The store is also home to a leads to two rooms where spiritual “My mom was kind of a hippie,” provide that, and takes the store’s coffee shop and numerous classes readings and classes take place. Borden said. “When she would take perceived calm and welcoming ranging from tarot readings to “I haven’t been to a place like it me and my brother, it was always environment as a compliment. Witchcraft 101. before, especially not in Alabama,” a fun trip.” “That means we are doing Laureen Harris, a Birmingham Ivy Borden, a freshman majoring Borden said she has always had something right,” he said. native, visits the shop from time in art history, said. to time. She is fond of the “diverse Borden has been a loyal visitor of nature” of the store. the shop since childhood. Looking “It’s easy to When she was young, miss, unless you Borden said she Ahead. know what to look wanted to be a WeWe ssharehare witwithh our neineighborsghbors a common ggoal—theoal—the for,” Harris said. witch and was ŚŚĞĂůƚŚ͕ĞĚƵĐĂƟŽŶĂŶĚǁĞůůͲďĞŝŶŐŽĨƉĞŽƉůĞƐƚĂƚĞǁŝĚĞ͘ĞĂůƚŚ͕ĞĚƵĐĂƟŽŶĂŶĚǁĞůůͲďĞŝŶŐŽĨƉĞŽƉůĞƐƚĂƚĞǁŝĚĞ͘ Approaching recommended classes to take WŽĂƌĐŚƉƌŽǀŝĚĞƐŽǀĞƌϵ͕ϬϬϬũŽďƐƚŽůĂďĂŵŝĂŶƐ͕ƉĂLJƐWŽĂƌĐŚƉƌŽǀŝĚĞƐŽǀĞƌϵ͕ϬϬϬũŽďƐƚŽůĂďĂŵŝĂŶƐ͕ƉĂLJƐ the front ŵŝůůŝŽŶƐŝŶƐƚĂƚĞƚĂdžĞƐĞĂĐŚLJĞĂƌ͕ĂŶĚŵĂŬĞƐĐŚĂƌŝƚĂďůĞŵŝůůŝŽŶƐŝŶƐƚĂƚĞƚĂdžĞƐĞĂĐŚLJĞĂƌ͕ĂŶĚŵĂŬĞƐĐŚĂƌŝƚĂďůĞ door, there is and things ccontribuontribuƟŽŶƐƌĞĂĐŚŝŶƟŽŶƐƌĞĂĐŚŝŶŐŶĞĂƌůLJΨϵŵŝůůŝŽŶĂŶŶƵĂůůLJ͘ŐŶĞĂƌůLJΨϵŵŝůůŝŽŶĂŶŶƵĂůůLJ͘ a cauldron- to purchase. shaped sign Owner tĞĂƌĞtĞĂƌĞƉƌŽƵĚƚŽďĞĂƉĂƌƚŶĞƌŝŶůĂďĂŵĂ͛ƐƉƌŽƵĚƚŽďĞĂƉĂƌƚŶĞƌŝŶůĂďĂŵĂ͛Ɛ ƉƌŽŐƌĞƐƐ͘ emblazoned Mitchell with the store’s Hagood said AALABAMALABAMA NATIVENATIVES.S. ALABAMA NEIGHBNEIGHBORS.ORS. name. Inside locals have not PoarchNeighPoarchNeighborborƐƐ͘ĐŽŵƉĐŝͲŶƐŶ͘ŐŽǀ͘ĐŽŵƉĐŝͲŶƐŶ͘ŐŽǀ is a two-story always been the shop fi lled with most open-minded magic and mystique. but his store has Walking through the become slowly more door, dried sage hangs accepted. Services like from the ceiling, and half these were not widely

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Asbestos exposure in the Military, Iron/Steel, Construction, Papermill, Shipyard, Manufacturing etc. may be the cause. $30 billion set aside for asbestos victims. Call 1-619-332-4014 or email [email protected] FREE SCREENING for breathing problems SPOOKY October 28, 2019 11 heavy footsteps being heard, the paranormal activity here, Lineberry CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Rowand-Johnson apparition of a little girl and a said. John Drish died in the home, Hall crashing noise that sounds as if a and Sarah Drish, his wife, wanted ...always on edge for what spooky dozen china cabinets were thrown to lie him in wake. She lit candles trivia they’ll be told next. Marian Galloway, the namesake to the fl oor. to put in the window and requested “There is defi nitely an of the theatre tucked in Rowand- that the same be done for her when entertainment factor,” Lineberry Johnson Hall, was once the Historic Drish House she died. When Sarah Drish died, said. “There are people that expect director of the theater department. the candles were nowhere to be things to jump out at them and The biggest claim is people seeing The Historic Drish House is one found. Now, some passersby claim stuff like that. That’s not what we Galloway in the audience. Others of “the most haunted locations in to see a fi re in the house’s tower. do. What we’re doing is sharing include hearing the sound of the state,” according to another People still call to report a fi re in legitimate, solid claims that have slamming doors late at night and Kathryn Tucker Windham’s the tower, Lineberry said, because been reported for decades.” seeing her in other areas of the research. The group has recorded, they see the fl ickering lights of the John Pace, a sophomore majoring theater such as the stage and halls. experienced and documented candles, and there is no fi re. in history and economics, is the vice president of the University of Gorgas House Though the Haunted Tuscaloosa Tours are on a break, students can hit some highlights as they Alabama Undergraduate Historical stroll through campus. Graphic www.mapbox.com Society. He’s well-aware of the Constructed in 1829, the Gorgas University’s spooky legends. When House was the home of Amelia people ask Pace about hauntings, Gayle Gorgas and Josiah Gorgas. he uses it as a conversation starter It was once a guesthouse, a to then inform people on the root of dining hall and now a museum. the history. The claims in the house include “Sometimes you need that little people hearing the sound of voices bit of a hook to get more interested,” and footsteps coming down the Pace said. “Someone tells you one stairs. The “step, step, clink” story, and you’re like, ‘Woah, that’s sound of the footsteps indicate really interesting.’ Sometimes Joseph Gorgas sword knocking that’s what gets a lot of people to against the wall, Lineberry said. look into this and hear more of the The spirits that haunt the Gorgas history of this university.” House and surrounding areas are During these tours, attendees not frightening or threatening, will learn the haunted and general according to the tour guides. Those history of Tuscaloosa as they take a who have encountered the spirits step back in time and get spooked. of the Gorgas family feel a sense The tour begins and ends at the of protection. Historic Drish House with many eerie places in between. The Historic Mound The following spooky legends are courtesy of David Higdon The tour then makes its way to the and the Tuscaloosa Paranormal Mound, and the tour guides explain Research Group. the signifi cance and history of this area. Years ago, three professors Greenwood Cemetery once had their ashes spread here so “they would never have to leave This cemetery was laid out in the school behind.” It has been said 1821, and the tour guides share that the three men on the Mound Civil War history at this stop, as can be seen on certain nights but confederate soldiers are buried will disappear if spoken to. here. A haunting story shared during this stop of the tour is The Quad the story of Abby Snow. She was 10 months old when she passed It was known that the Quad would away from a cholera outbreak in hold military drills and parades 1844. She is known as the “crying during the Civil War. Some nights, child,” since there are reports the sound of the long drumroll to that her cries were heard near her signal cadets to prepare for the day grave. Lineberry said that to this that Union troops may come is still day, toys and fl owers are laid at heard. The sight of soldiers on the Snow’s grave. Quad has been reported as well, Lineberry said. Woods Quad Gorgas Library Here, tourists can fi nd the spirit of William W. Alston, which Amelia Gorgas was a librarian originated from the fatal duel of for 23 years. Students claim to have two students in 1877. The tour heard the sound of things moving explains that the two men were on the fourth fl oor, and employees members of rival fraternities, and have said to have seen Gorgas’ the aggression progressed when ghost. The tour emphasizes Alston said something untoward that her spirit has a comforting about his rival’s cousin. The only presence and is not frightful. way to resolve the problem was a duel. The culprit struck Alston, Jemison Van de Graff who fell from the second-fl oor of woods hall veranda and died. The Mansion spirit of Alston haunts the second fl oor. The claims at Woods Quad Named after Robert Jemison Jr., include people experiencing cold the home was constructed between spots, smelling gunpowder and 1859 and 1862. The tour said some hearing gunshots. of the claims are the sound of SPOOKY 12 October 28, 2019 ALABAMA’S WORST NIGHTMARE OF ALL: WHAT IF NICK SABAN NEVER CAME TO ALABAMA?

Texas Longhorn logo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. Photo Illustration CW / Hannah Saad one of the premier teams in college Meanwhile in Tuscaloosa, Coker coach Jon Gruden as its chief BY JAMES OGLETREE football in the early 2000s under couldn’t replicate Saban’s ascent target, but Gruden insists he is not SPORTS EDITOR Coker, reaching back-to-back to national contender. The Crimson interested in returning to coaching. @JAMESLOGLETREE national championship games. Tide fi nish 8-4 in 2008 and 7-5 in 2009, The University also reaches out to Coker would have restored putting Coker’s job on the line in Boise State coach Chris Petersen some attention and prestige to the 2010. An early-season loss to Penn and former Alabama receiver or an Alabama football fan, program, and the team would have State doesn’t do him any favors, and Clemson head coach Tommy Fwhat thought could be scarier seen similar improvement in 2007 and a November home loss to No. 17 Bowden, but has no luck. than wondering what would’ve under Coker as it did under Saban. Mississippi State is the fi nal straw. happened if Nick Saban had never But, without Saban’s recruiting Coker fi nishes the season with a come to Tuscaloosa? prowess during the 2008 recruiting loss to North Carolina in the Music Alabama then turns to With West Virginia coach Rich cycle, key in-state recruits Julio City Bowl and is fi red after going Rodriguez having already backed Jones and Mark Barron would 31-21 over four years in Tuscaloosa. a former Nick Saban out of a deal and South Carolina have spurned the Crimson Tide for Coker’s tenure brought stability assistant with a history coach Steve Spurrier agreeing to Oklahoma and Florida, respectively. to the program, but Alabama a contract extension, Alabama Jones’ infl uence on the Sooners’ Athletics wants more than stability of playing and coaching athletic director Mal Moore fl ew to offense would have enabled them – especially with SEC rival Florida in the SEC: Texas Miami in late 2006 for a last-ditch to defeat Florida in the BCS having won a second straight effort to lure Saban. championship game instead of national championship with defensive coordinator Obviously, Moore convinced losing. That would have denied Tebow’s successor, Cam Newton, Will Muschamp. Saban to join him on his fl ight Urban Meyer and Tim Tebow their at quarterback. back to Tuscaloosa. But what if second national championship in Auburn hits the in-state recruiting Saban had opted to stay with the three years. trail to fi nd a quarterback and Alabama then turns to a former Miami Dolphins? Motivated by validation rather lands A.J. McCarron, from Nick Saban assistant with a history than complacent in their greatness, Mobile, Alabama. of playing and coaching in the 2007-2010 the Gators breeze through their SEC: Texas defensive coordinator 2009 schedule, defeating LSU in 2011-2013 Will Muschamp. Alabama would have turned to the SEC Championship Game and Muschamp’s tenure gets off to a legendary Miami Hurricanes coach Texas in the national championship Alabama enters the 2011 strong start with a road win at Penn Larry Coker. Miami had become game to cap an undefeated season. offseason with Super Bowl-winning State in quarterback Phillip Sims’ SPOOKY October 28, 2019 13

second career start, returning The key storyline of the offseason, Alabama again hires from within the Crimson Tide to the top 25 though, isn’t Florida State or the conference, tabbing Alabama in the AP Poll. Alabama enters a Auburn. It’s Texas, which responds native and UA alum , REAL: Nov. 5 matchup against No. 1 LSU at to longtime coach Mack Brown’s Smart’s successor as Georgia’s 6-2 but falls to the Tigers, 24-6. resignation by hiring Nick Saban as defensive coordinator, to become 2008 - FLORIDA Les Miles leads LSU to its its next head coach. its new head coach. The offensive second national championship struggles continue, but the defense in fi ve years, defeating two-time 2014-2016 remains strong enough to carry defending champion Florida in Alabama to a Sugar Bowl victory 2009 - ALABAMA the SEC Championship Game and In 2014, the expectations for over Oklahoma and quarterback downing Oklahoma State in the Muschamp have increased, but Baker Mayfi eld. BCS championship game. Georgia’s defense, led by defensive Clemson, hungry to overtake 2010 - AUBURN The Tigers bolster their roster coordinator , has Florida State in the ACC, rides an with in-state fi ve-star safety Landon improved to match the Sims-led undefeated regular season to a Collins in the offseason. Muschamp offense. The Dawgs defeat defending national championship, defeating desperately tries to land a receiver SEC champion Auburn at home on LSU in the national semifi nal and 2011 - ALABAMA from Florida named Amari Cooper, Nov. 15 – despite Tigers linebacker winning the national championship but Cooper opts to stay in-state at ’s 12 total tackles – over Penn State and all-world Miami. He had briefl y considered and narrowly knock off undefeated running back Saquon Barkley. Florida but was turned off after Mississippi State, quarterbacked by 2012 - ALABAMA Meyer’s sudden departure due to Dak Prescott. 2017-PRESENT health issues. USC ascends to the top of college 2013 - FLORIDA football in 2017 thanks to redshirt sophomore quarterback Sam STATE If Nick Saban had never come to Alabama, he, Darnold and freshman running Hurts, Tagovailoa, Harris, Lawrence, Jeudy, Smart, back Najee Harris. An improved briefl y loses his job 2014 - OHIO STATE Fromm and Ruggs would have battled for the 2018 to true freshman Sam Ehlinger, national championship while Alabama and Coach but steadies himself to lead the Longhorns back to the playoff. Pruitt watched from home. LSU freshman receiver DeVonta 2015 - ALABAMA Smith made a late touchdown catch to knock off Alabama, dropping the Alabama freshman linebacker Georgia defeats Baylor in the Crimson Tide to 6-3 with another 2016 CLEMSON becomes a day national semifi nal to advance to loss coming the following week to - one starter on a stout defense. an all-SEC, all-Bulldog College Mississippi State. LSU wins the The offense, though, sputters in a Football Playoff (CFB) National SEC on the strength of Derrius season-opening loss to Michigan Championship Game against Guice’s running and defeats 2017 - ALABAMA and is mostly to blame for losses Mississippi State. Smart has no defending champion Clemson in at LSU and against Texas A&M. answer for Prescott, but is promoted the semifi nals. The difference between Alabama to head coach after Mark Richt’s Tiger fans rejoice when the Bayou HYPOTHETICAL: and the Aggies, led by freshman retirement. Mississippi State wins Bengals deny Saban, their former quarterback Johnny Manziel, its fi rst national title before its fi rst head coach, his fi rst national title in is stark. SEC title. 14 years. 2008 - OKLAHOMA Another disappointing regular Muschamp enters a contract The storyline going into 2018 is season comes to an end with a loss year in 2015 knowing he has a team whether Saban still has what it takes to Auburn, led by A.J. McCarron, that can compete. Bateman, now to win a national championship. in the Iron Bowl. Georgia, now the a junior, has built a solid rapport Hurts continues to improve as a 2009 - FLORIDA class of the SEC East, wins the SEC with sophomore receiver Cam passer and leadsTexas to its third Championship Game and throttles Sims, and the defense has plenty of CFP berth in four years. Notre Dame to win its fi rst national talent. With the pressure mounting, Georgia rides the lethal duo of 2010 - FLORIDA title since 1980. though, the team fails to play to its wide receiver Henry Ruggs III There is optimism for Alabama’s potential, allowing 48 points to Ole and quarterback Jake Fromm to offense entering 2013, however, Miss and losing to Tennessee, both another SEC title. thanks to incoming freshman at home. Muschamp is fi red after a With Darnold having moved on to 2011 - LSU quarterback Cooper Bateman. With 6-6 regular season. the NFL, USC returns to the playoff Georgia expected to take a step The top offense in college football with Harris and redshirt freshman back under inexperienced senior resides in Tallahassee, Florida: quarterback quarterback , this might senior quarterback Jake Coker, carving up the Pac-12. 2012 - GEORGIA be the year for Alabama to compete sophomore running back Dalvin Clemson rises to a new level for the conference title. Cook and freshman receiver with freshman quarterback Trevor Bateman and sophomore . Lawrence, whose transition to the 2013 - FLORIDA running back T.J. Yeldon make The trio powers an unstoppable college game is seamless due to his a formidable pair, but can’t keep offense to its second national chemistry with sophomore receiver STATE pace with Manziel at A&M in championship in three years, Jerry Jeudy. Week 2. The Crimson Tide wins its earning coach a If Nick Saban had never come to next nine games to set up an Iron contract extension. The Seminoles Alabama, he, Hurts, Tagovailoa, 2014 - MISS. STATE Bowl matchup for the ages. defeat Clemson in a thrilling ACC Harris, Lawrence, Jeudy, Smart, Trailing by 2 points in the fourth Championship Game, knock off Fromm and Ruggs would have quarter, McCarron leads Auburn Michigan State in the Cotton Bowl battled for the 2018 national into fi eld goal range, and its kicker and win the championship over championship while Alabama and 2015 - FLORIDA drills a 57-yarder to win the game, Nick Saban’s Texas Longhorns. Coach Pruitt watched from home. STATE keeping its undefeated season alive. Texas begins the 2016 offseason Pretty scary, huh? The Tigers end Blake Sims’ with a quarterback controversy: See the differences between the dream season for Georgia in the dynamic freshman Jalen Hurts actual national champions from SEC Championship Game and looks poised to win the job. The 2008 to 2017 and hypothetical 2016 - CLEMSON advance to play Florida State in the Longhorns ride Hurts’ athleticism ones. Keep in mind that these are national championship, losing on to a second straight Big 12 all projections and are not based a late interception of McCarron by championship but fail to make on any real-life transactions LSU Seminoles safety HaHa Clinton-Dix. the CFP. or agreements. 2017 - SPORTS 14 October 28, 2019

GAMEDAY SNAPSHOTS Oct. 26, 2019 Tuscaloosa, AL ALABAMA 48 ARKANSAS 7

HOG TYED

CW / Hannah Saad MONDAY October 28, 2019 15

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³1RUHSUHVHQWDWLRQLVPDGHWKDWWKH TXDOLW\RIOHJDOVHUYLFHVWREHSHUIRUPHG LVJUHDWHUWKDQWKHTXDOLW\RIOHJDO VHUYLFHVSHUIRUPHGE\RWKHUODZ\HUV´ Local law office seeking part-time worker for runner/file position. Email resume to [email protected] SPOOKY 16 October 28, 2019 Listening to the song helps Roberto embody the From superstitious to a little stitious , characteristics he admires in Rocky. “The guy never gives up. He’s athletes follow precise pregame rituals always ready for new challenges,” career. There’s one position that’s greats, is famous for the meticulous BY BEN STANSELL Roberto said. “I try to play like him especially well-known for being way he arranges his water bottles when I play tennis.” MANAGING EDITOR superstitious: goaltender. next to his chair when he’s on @BEN_STANSELL Besides playing “Gonna Fly “They’re all good guys for the the court. Now” before matches, Alabama’s most part, but all of them are NASA Although none of Alabama’s tennis team isn’t particularly s soon as he steps into space cadets,” Kavanaugh said. players share Nadal’s painstakingly superstitious. Some players, Athe locker room, Alabama “I’ve had some goalies do some particular way of positioning like Gschwendtner, even hockey player Vaughan Kavanaugh weird stuff. I had a kid who used drinks, they do maintain a few go out of their way to avoid determines exactly where the to sit fully dressed in the showers. eccentric behaviors that have pregame customs. goalie’s hockey sticks are lying. The showers weren’t on, but he’d become a critical part of preparing “When I was younger, I used to That way, he can keep his own just sit there.” and playing the game. be very superstitious, and I just sticks away from them. A right- Chandler Hill, who plays goalie felt like it put a lot of pressure on winger whose main job is to put for the Crimson Tide’s Division me to do everything the same,” pucks in the net, Kavanaugh is 3 team, doesn’t do anything as Gschwendtner said. “And so now terrifi ed that if his sticks touch the extreme as sitting in the shower I just try to not pay attention to it goalies’ sticks before a game, he during his pregame ritual, but he My sticks can’t touch and do whatever.” has no chance of scoring. does have his own specifi c way of Other Alabama athletes, like “My sticks can’t touch the goalie mentally preparing. During his the goalie sticks or I soccer goalkeeper Alex Plavin, sticks or I will literally peel all the stretching routine, Hill transitions will literally peel all the abide by pregame procedures that tape off my stick and redo it,” said from a catcher’s stance to a yoga they don’t necessarily consider Kavanaugh, a junior majoring in pose while visualizing the saves tape off my stick and superstitions. Before Plavin puts political science. he’ll make when he’s on the ice. on her gloves, she gets defender It may be the strangest and most “Being a goalie, it’s a lot of redo it. Nealy Martin to write “mind over serious superstition that’s a part of mental strain,” said Hill, a junior mamatter”tter on hherer wwristrist ttape.ape. Kavanaugh’s pregame routine, but majoring in political science and “I“It’st’s just kind of a habit we’vewe’v it isn’t the only one. On game day, international business. “What I VAUGHAN gogottentten into,” Plavin said. “It’s ttheh he always takes an early-afternoon do is, it’s more of a focus thing. KAVANAUGH last thing I see before I put oon nap, eats pasta with grilled chicken I go on my hands and put my my gloves … At my position, itit’s and red sauce, and orders a medium arms underneath my knees and At a tournament in Birmingham a very mental game as much aas cup of black coffee with two sugars. rotate up into a pose. I just started last year, junior Jeremy it is a physical game. Just kind oof After he goes through pregame doing it. I’ll be in the pose and Gschwendtner turned on the song recognizing that piece of playplayingin warmups, Kavanaugh grabs a put my hands up and do a little “Gonna Fly Now” that plays in soccer and being a goalkeeper is water bottle and sprays it toward more visualization.” the background of Rocky Balboa’s sosomethingmething I want to rememberremember.”.” the interns sitting on the Alabama While Hill’s stretching regimen infamous run to the top of the stairs bench. Like many superstitions, is more of a habit than a outside the Philadelphia Museum Kavanaugh dousing the interns’ superstition, he does have trinkets of Art. legs with water became a sacred that provide extra motivation Junior Riccardo Roberto, who part of game day because it directly before games. considers “Rocky” his favorite contributed to a Crimson Tide winwin.. ““II do have llucky charms,” Hill movie, immediately started “The fi rst time I did this we wonwon,, sasaid.id. “I hhaveave ttwo stuffed animals dancing to the music, throwing and I alwaalwaysys squirt water at the back at home tthat my mom always ghost punches and imitating the interns, and thetheyy alwaalwaysys ggetet mad sends me a ppicture of. That’s a famous boxer’s stance. Since at me because I get ttheirheir socks anandd weirweirdd tthinghing ttoo say, but I’ve had then, Roberto has listened to shoes wet,” Kavanaugh said. “It’s them ssincein I’ve been playing the song before every match part of the superstition. It’s a part hhockey. My mom, he’s played. of evereveryy ggame.”ame.” eespecially now, will Even thothoughugh KavanaKavanaughugh ttext me them for coconsidersnsiders hihimselfmself ononee of tthehe ggoodoo luck.” most superstitious members ooff If hhockey players are Alabama’s hockey team, his quirks consideconsideredr to be on the far are tame compared to some plaplayersyers end of the superstitious he’s known throughout his 1818-year-year spectruspectrum,m tennis playersy aren’t fafarr behind. RRafaelafael NaNadal, one of the sport’s CW / Madelyn Verbrugge Vaughn Kavanaugh Courtesy of

CW / Hannah Saad