The Bat A Student Publication of Thursday March 1, 2012 “The Friendliest College In The South” Volume 87, No. 7 Dragon Power

Softball & Baseball Schedule of upcoming Soccer games for both teams New sport to bring in new Fan Vs. Non-fan students and diversify A look at sports from two student body perspectives Thursday, March 1, 2012 2 Cover Story The Bat The Bat Dragons go for the trophy! The student p u b l i c a t i o n o f AlexAnder ThomAs Paris Junior College Student Life editor

Member The PJC men’s basketball Intercollegiate team. has had a good season. Press Association They are going on to Texas Community Regionals, which are being College held March 8-11 in Tyler. Journalism Association The winner will advance to the NJCAA National Comments and views in Tournament. This is where The Bat, a student pub- The Dragons are looking lication of Paris Junior to bring home another College, reflect thoughts championship. They won and opinions of indi- vidual writers not neces- the National Championship sarily the views of other in 2005. students, staff members, “We made it,” said Chuck faculty, administrative Taylor, head coach of the PJC offices, or the PJC Board men’s basketball team. of Regents. PJC is ranked number one in the North Zone conference Staff but to secure that spot they Editor will need to beat Trinity Christina Gunlock Kaitlyn Skidmore/ The Bat Valley. Number 24, Phil Hawkins, taking a shot from the two point Layout and dESign “We have been doing a lot line while number 32, Cornelius Cammack, looks on. Editor of practicing and shooting,” conference championship Montario Earls, a sophomore Michael Carter said Landon Carnegie, would be a huge thing for the fan on the Paris campus. number 22 from the Dragons. StudEnt LifE Editor Paris community, giving PJC “The team has a lot of Alexander Thomas “Right now we are just taking bragging rights until this time heart, I feel emotionally it one step at a time; got to next year. attached to them.” said Tracy Staff WritErS win these next games; we are “It would mean a lot Scott, Director of Student David Dannheim going to come out hooping.” Kaitlyn Skidmore for the simple fact that we Activities and a fan of the Barbara Torres “We practice hard,” said have 14 new players,” said Dragons. Morris Mitchell, manager of Taylor. These new players “The number one seed adviSEr the Dragons. “Our hardest are all sophomores who were means everything in the Sharon Dennehy games were Blinn, Lon honored in the Wednesday tournament; I feel like Morris, and Navarro.” night game, which was in the way the team carries The Dragons are number progress during press time. themselves says a lot about 14 in the region and have two Cover Photo They were honored, “to their unit, they have good regional titles, according to let them know how much we communication. They are Number 22, Ladon NJCAA.com, with 20 wins, appreciate them,” said Taylor. humble, they talk to everyone. Carnegie going for the five losses and one cancel, it Fans are excited about How they act in school is the ball against a Navarro has been a solid year for the how far the team has come same way they act on the player. 56-54 in Dragons. and how good their season court. It says a lot about the favor of the Dragons. “We are staying focused,” has been. way they were raised,” said Cover Photo by said number 13, Kendrick “Trinity Valley always has John Demand, a freshman fan Christina Gunlock Fugett. size, always has speed, and on the Paris campus. The Dragons winning the always has shooters,” said March 1, 2012 The Bat News 3 Soccer comes to PJC Christina GunloCk involvement in student activi- The board asked Anglin to qualifications. Editor ties and the community. create a proposal outlining po- If someone can coach and According to a January 27 tential costs, possible levels of teach a class, such as math or Come fall 2012, PJC will article in The Paris News, Jer- competition, and colleges PJC English, a full time position kick off a new period of PJC emy Beshirs, Paris High’s boys would compete against. The would be a possibility, explains sports history with the addition head coach, says “Obviously, idea was tabled until this year. Anglin. of soccer. the biggest thing in all this is Following spring break, An- PJC would compete in February 27, the PJC Board to get your degree. Soccer is glin and Sean LeBeauf, PJC’s Division I in both men’s and of Regents unanimously a bonus. If you can do both, Athletic Director and women’s women’s soccer. The season approved adding men’s and that’s a plus. Getting kids to go basketball coach, will sit down would run through the fall women’s soccer to the Athletic to college in this area is going and discuss the logistics, then semester until November. Department. to help both them and the col- divide up the steps. The teams would compete When looking to add an- lege.” Anglin says they will figure against other Division I teams, other sport, many community “It will diversify the student out what will need to be done such as Com- colleges choose soccer, says body even more,” says Anglin. to Noyes Stadium and plan munity College, Lon Morris PJC President Dr. Pam Anglin. The idea was first broached renovations with the head of and . “It has become more popu- two years ago when the the maintenance department. The first teams will be re- lar the last five to seven years,” community began asking the As for the coaching staff for cruited from area high schools she says. board and Anglin what would soccer, PJC will begin adver- before graduation and from Soccer will bring increased become of Noyes Stadium. tising near the end of March. try-outs. enrollment to PJC, says The stadium was used by Paris The coaching might be The college foundation has Anglin. Hopefully that will in- High School until their new divided into two part-time authorized up to 18 partial crease the number of students stadium, Wildcat Stadium, was positions or one full time posi- scholarships available to soc- living on campus and help the built. tion depending on the person’s cer athletes. Mr. and Miss PJC 2012 Nominees

Demarcus Richardson, and Morgan Kilgore were crowned Mr. and Miss PJC during half time of the men’s basketball game last night at the Hunt Center. Pictured are all the nomi- nees for Mr. and Miss PJC, from left: (seated) Lauren Pyka, Kilgore, Stephanie Goudy, Christina Gunlock, (standing) Richardson and Garrett Killgore. Individu- als are Jacob Allen (top, left) and J.D. Allison (top, right).

Courtesy Photos Softball and Baseball Thursday March 1, 2012 4 The Bat PJC Dragons up to bat

Kaitlyn Skidmore/The Bat The PJC Lady Dragon’s Softball team practices on the baseball field by the Paris Civic Center last Wednesday. Men’s Baseball Schedule Women’s Softball Schedule

March 3 Bossier Parish Game 1: Noon March 2-4 Region 14 Crossover TBA Bossier City, La Game 2: 7/9 p.m. Longview, TX March 7 Panola College Game 1: Noon March 7 Trinity Valley CC Game 1: 2 p.m. Paris, TX Game 2: 4 p.m. Paris, TX Game 2: 7/9 p.m. March 10 Lon Morris College Game 1: 1 p.m. March 10 Navarro College Game 1: Noon Jacksonville, TX Game 2 : 3 p.m. Corsicana, TX Game 2 : 7/9 p.m. March 15 Murray State Game 1: Noon March 12 Central Lake College Game 1: Noon Paris, TX Game 2: 2 p.m. Paris, TX Game 2: 1/9 p.m. March 16 Navarro College Game 1: Noon March 17 Lon Morris College Game 1: Noon Paris, TX Game 2: 2 p.m. Jacksonville TX Game 2: 7/9 p.m. March 17 Game 1: 1 p.m. March 19 Eastfield College Game 1: 3 p.m. Paris TX Game 2: 3 p.m. March 19 Hill College Game 1: 1 p.m. Paris, TX Game 2: 1/9 p.m. Paris, TX Game 2: 3 p.m. March 21 Texarkana College Game 1: 1 p.m. March 21 Trinity Valley CC Game 1: 2 p.m. Paris, TX Game 2: 7/9 p.m. Paris, TX Game 2: 4 p.m. March 24 NCTC Game 1: 1 p.m. March 24 Bossier Parish CC Game 1: 2 p.m. Paris, TX Game 2: 7/9 p.m. Paris, TX Game 2: 4 p.m. March 28 Bossier Parish Game 1: 1 p.m. March 28 NTCC Game 1: 2 p.m. Paris, TX Game 2: 7/9 p.m. Mt. Pleasant, TX Game 2: 4 p.m. March 1, 2012 The Bat Profile 5 Dragon

Kaitlyn SKidmore Staff Writer Philip (Phil) Hawkins, sophomore engineering Puffs major at PJC, describes life in Washington D.C. as a lot colder and snowier Back-To-School Bingo Student Activities is version of Paris, with a few hosting a back-to-school differences in culture and bingo night after spring food. Phil is number 24 on break, March 20 at 8 p.m., the PJC Dragons basket- in the PJC ballroom. ball team. Even though he stands at 6 foot, his game Movie Night on the Lawn matches up to players taller There will be a movie than he is. Kaitlyn Skidmore/ The Bat showing on the field next Phil Hawkins, number 24, during the February 22 game. to the library, March 27 What is D.C. known D.C.? Famous restaurant What is the one thing at 9 p.m. for? Obviously, the White Ben’s Chili Bowl. They you miss most about D.C.? Second Half of Loan House. There is more going on serve chili and soul food. The second half of the What is your earliest What are your favorite there and more things to do. loan will be mailed for memory in D.C.? Going activities? I enjoy playing What do you wish other students who get it on to the White House when basketball and just hanging people knew about D.C.? March 29. I was seven; I was in a out. It’s a cool place to just go raffle drawing in elemen- Do you ever return and relax. It is not all busy “Tom, Dick and Harry” tary school and the top five there? Over the holidays. like most would think. The PJC drama students got to go. Why did you choose How did you end up liv- department will be What are your favor- to attend college at PJC? ing in D.C.? I was born and presenting the play, by ite hangouts, or places to Wanted to get away to raised there. Ray Cooney and Michael Cooney, March 2 – March go, in or around D.C.? Would you ever move something different. 3 at 7 p.m., and March Georgetown; you can shop Where are you headed back to D.C.? Definitely. 3 – March 4 at 2 p.m., in and just hang out there. after PJC? Not sure yet. It’s where I am from; it is the Ray Karrer theatre. What is everyday life in Where do you see your- where my family is. For reservations or D.C. like? About the same self in five years? I hope to What is a unique story performance information, as it is here: get up and go be successful, but I guess you have about living in call 903-782-0488. play basketball. that is what everyone wants. D.C.? 9/11 was crazy. I What one word would What is successful to remember the whole town Spring Graduation you use to describe D.C.? you? Being able to do shutting down. I was 10 and Applications for Spring Different. In D.C. there is things for myself and keep remember school getting graduation are due by 5 p.m. March 2 in the more of a mixture of things. canceled. I did not realize my family happy. Registrar’s Office. Here there is mainly Mexi- Are there any special the impact at the time but can food. Well, there are all holidays in D.C.? No spe- I remember teacher say- Lady Dragons play kinds of food and culture in cial holidays we just cel- ing, “Remember this day; Kilgore D.C. ebrate President’s Day more it will become an infamous Lady Dragons will play at Is there anything fa- than here; some people even day that will affect America Kilgore, Tx. on March 3 at mous or infamous about have cookouts. forever.” 6 p.m. March 1, 2012 The Bat

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AMERICA’S WWW.TAMU-COMMERCE.EDU BEST COLLEGES 903.886.5000 or 888.868.2682 2011 A Member of The Texas A&M University System March 1, 2012 The Bat Opinion 7 Sports Non-Fan vs The Fan

BarBara Torres ChrisTina GunloCk Staff Writer editor

It is that time of year, and baseball I am a beginning basketball fan. I am and softball seasons are here. There are not a fanatic who watches the games re- many sports fans around campus, but ligiously or collects everything with their not everyone is a baseball or softball team’s logo, but each season I am a little fan. more on fire. As a relatively new fan, (I Personally, I am not a big baseball have only become interested in the sport fan. It may be because I don’t really in the last two years) I still have a lot to understand it; yet again I have never learn. I follow two teams; PJC’s Dragons really tried. I find it kind of boring, and the Dallas Mavericks. because I feel like there is not enough Attending a Dragon’s home game last action, but I would like to learn a bit week reminded me why I became a fan. more about it. I enjoy going to the bat- It is all about the experience, from the ting cages and hitting some softballs, moment I enter the gym (free courtesy of but I don’t really know much about a a PJC Student I.D.) to the last buzzer. The real game. game is fast-paced, and the leaders change The Dragons played a double frequently. You cannot hear a cell phone header with the Lon Morris College ring over the crowd. Bearcats on Wednesday, Feb. 22, and I try to keep up with the action as my the Dragons won both games 8-1 and Kaitlyn Skidmore/ The Bat camera clicks away. Basketball provides 13-3. At the game, I found another Paris wonderful opportunities for photography; Barbara Torres and Christina Gunlock Junior College student who is also not you never know what you will capture next. very interested in the sport of baseball, but he was there to sup- Every once in a while, I pause and yell along with everyone else. port a friend. Even though my heart is racing, I still have to hold still to get the “I am not a big baseball fan because it is a very boring sport. best shots on the court. I’m also left handed; when I tried to play baseball I would get hit Cheerleaders and sound bites amp up the crowds. Everyone by the ball,” says Stoney Lynn. is caught up in the fervor. People clap and stomp their feet while “If they’re as good as our basketball or volleyball team, then shouting a running commentary. “Come on!” or “Haha, look at they should be set. I believe in the PJC’s coaching staff, yet again that boy!” are heard frequently. The majority of the crowd is PJC this is my first baseball game to attend so I don’t really know,” fans, with gold and green dotting the crowd on both sides of the says Lynn. court. The baseball team has fans, other than the players’ parents. When the Dragons win 56-54, the crowd floods on to the Not only were there students supporting the Dragons, but there court, cheering. were also some of the PJC staff at the game. If the schedules I first began watching basketball on the TV with my grandpar- were different, the Dragons would probably have more people ents. We would settle into our spots on the couch eating ice cream supporting them. Afternoon games are hard to attend for students as we watched the Mavericks play. We would yell at the TV, who work. encouraging Dirk or Jason Terry. The men seem to be in shape and ready to play ball. At Occasionally, my aunts and uncles would join us, crowding the game they all seemed to have a good teamwork skill, which into my grandparents’ theater room to watch the game. I cherish makes a stronger team. They seem to enjoy this great American those memories built around watching the games and hope to sport. create many more. Whether you are a baseball fan or not, there is always Someday, I want to attend a Mavericks game live, to hear the something about the game that people enjoy. “I like any of the massive crowds, eat food priced way too high and see the giant larger events, like going to watch the Rangers, because they serve men play the game. alcohol,” says Lynn, laughing. With the basketball season pretty much over, there are not many more opportunities to watch a game. However, PJC has several sports, such as softball, baseball, and golf. Take the time to go watch a game; who knows, you too might become a fan. March 1, 2012 The Bat