Technology and Science in Sports

By Rhett Sain

When observing a sporting event, most watch the game and enjoy sport that is being played, but I look at the side lines once and while and see an odd sight. Technology brought into sports is changing everything and making it even better for coaches and players alike. 

After observing a regional finals game for girls’ 1A basketball, Sudan High School vs Panhandle High School met at Levelland, Texas, and South Plains College was to meet for the long awaited regional finals. I noted right away that the Panhandle team seemed taller and bigger than the Sudan girls. I saw something at the Sudan bench; I noticed it was an iPad. The user was marking shot selections where they shot, percentages and also where the other teams shots were being thrown and their percentages. After asking a teacher from Sudan what the iPad was used for, she said it was used for the reasons above. It draws up plays. When a player comes out of the game, the assistant coach will show the player their shot selection and show where the other team is making most of their show so they may stop them more quickly. 

The assistant coach showed the team the opposition’s shots, and I heard the head coach Lisa Logan yell at her girls that Number 24, of Panhandle, was making a huge percentage of her points at the top of the free throw line and they needed to shut her down there. After this, the Sudan Nettes not only stopped those high percentage shots, but made even better shots themselves. I believe this is the result of the iPad’s help. 

The Sudan Nettes won 65-47, winning the Regional Championship for the last five out of seven years. Sudan has advanced to regionals and advanced to state in that span three times. 

This technology was crucial, since Panhandle only used a white board to draw up plays and did not communicate the data they brought in. 

You can see this in the NFL.  Have ever noticed that the quarterback is always going towards the sideline, straight for a coach who has a binder full of pictures? That binder is full of pictures of the previous plays to show what the defense was doing. The quarterback may then spot a blitz quicker and make the right decisions. 

Even Eastern New Mexico University uses technology to its advantage. Instead of watching DVDs and trying to retain information on them, the football coaching staff downloads a prospective recruit film onto a website and watches it anywhere they go through their computers instead of handling DVDs and equipment. 

Technology use is not only seen in computers, but sporting equipment as well.  One of the most popular running shoes in the past was the NIKE Shocks for basketball, which helped support you feet. Now, a popular athletic shoe is the Reebok ZIGS. The design of the shoes helps conform to your feet and take in the impact of your running. In the past, we never had shoes which so much research put into them in order to make us perform even better in our sport like today – at an affordable price for everyone. 

With an emergence of concussions surrounding sports, especially in football and hockey, helmets at the college football and NFL levels have put a huge amount of emphasis on helmet technology. For example, in 2010, the University of Oklahoma had a player avoid concussion. While I was watching the game, they explained that his helmet he had impact meters to measure the impact to his head. 

With this technology, if a player has high impact levels on his helmet, as read by the training staff, the training staff automatically signals to get him out and will proceed with a medical process to check for concussions. The University of Oklahoma player had to leave once in the 3rd quarter of the game. He returned later in the quarter, having been released by the trainer. 

What can technology do for your team?  

It helps you improve as a player and team, keeps you organized and it can even help medically and physically. Just keeping looking at what else it could do and how coaches use it because the sky is the limit in a world surrounded by technology and science. 

The Ugly Truth

By Tiffany N. Boyd

When you attend a concert, or view the Grammy’s, have you ever wondered if your favorite musical artist is actually performing to the best of their ability? Or does the artist receive “backup” from a secret source?

The most erotic and voluptuous women that we view on television, or via web, could be actually pulling the “A Flat” over our ears.

Often, musicians lose their sense of identity through various elements of life such as alcoholism and use of narcotics. It is very rare for a musical artiste to separate their talents from their worth or artistic point of view.

In some cases, a musical artist might plagiarize an individual’s creative vision.

In “The Queen of Clubland” and “The Voice,” Martha Wash is a sensual, soul artist who began her career as a backup singer, and worked her way up the musical notes of success - from a group member to a solo artist.

Wash is infamously known for the sensational hit, “It’s Raining Men,” which she recorded as a member of the duo group, The Weather Girls, featuring Izora Rhodes.

Wash began singing when she was only three years old and is now a household name, with a new pop single, “I’ve Got You,” that’s motivating and enriching the new generation.

Wash has had glamorous success, but like many talented artists, she has experienced the dark side of the music industry.

According to the New York Times, “Wash has been the lead singer on hits by Black Box, Seduction and C&C Music Factory. But no one who has seen the video clips or bought the records would have known it.” This implies that Wash was used as a facade to the groups’ overall sound, to not only make them sound good, but also bring the groups huge success.

In 1990, Wash’s smash hit “Gonna Make You Sweat” was recorded as a demo for the group C&C Music Factory.

According to NPRMusic, “Model, Zelma Davis, lip-synced the parts, and Wash was not credited for her work.” Therefore, the group had used Wash’s original recording, instead of their own individuality as vocalists.

Wash’s name is nowhere to be seen on the album, clarifying her contribution in any way, which led to the lawsuit against the record company, CBS records and the C&C Music Factory.

Wash’s vocals justified her as a backup singer for the production of the song, “Gonna Make You Sweat,” in which she was not recognized for her work (vocals).

According to NPRMusic, “Wash and her attorney settled the case, where she won legal changes for the industry, requiring artists to be properly credited.” This indicated a turn in the way the music industry verified the talent and the essence of the artist, because no matter what the circumstance, each person involved is accredited for their contribution.

Music is defined as a piece of a talented individual’s identity, and cannot only be lost, but manipulated.

According to the New York Times, ‘80s pop group, Milli Vanilli, was dishonored by their fellow fans and was stripped of their Grammy Award due to plagiarism, in reference to their vocals.

Yes, Milli Vanilli exposed themselves to the media, which involved them stating their dishonest ways in the music industry, but at whose expense? And was it too late?

Their songs were original, but their vocals were the property of individuals that did not receive the proper recognition. This incident implies that some of the most talented musicians may only be lips instead of words; some are falsely publicized to consumers, who invest their money on their albums, posters, fan clubs and overall “novelties.”

Yes, it’s true, that their album sold, but without true, wholesome talent and honesty, Milli Vanilli would only be doomed for a future a as “One-Hit Wonders.”

The cases of Martha Wash and Milli Vanilli are different, but the concept of both situations is the same. The music industry would rather falsely produce talent, than actually bring truth to their product supporting fans. Also, credit is not given to the rightful owner of the vocals, for various reasons.

One of these reasons, in Wash’s situation, is that “sex” sells, period. The music industry may use a beautiful, unrealistic-looking woman to grasp the attention of the male portion of the population, which is a niche that seems to prove lucrative.

Therefore, if a woman who has musical talents is not up to par with the slim or “model” exterior which attracts viewers, the fans that actually listens to the music are deprived of the real essence of the person who contributed their captivating voice.

Martha Wash is an exceptional vocalist, with a stunning ebony appearance and soul to match. She is extraordinary due to her decision to stand up for what was obviously wrong with the music industry; talent was being altered, instead of appropriately acknowledged.

Today, the soulful songstress Adele, known for her astonishing hit single, “Rolling in the Deep,” has captured the hearts of millions, with her boastful, exotic voice. She is a young woman with an extraordinary gift, like Wash, but instead of her appearance interfering with the limelight, she embraced her curvaceous frame and has taken the world by storm with her unique talent as an inspirational vocalist.

Loosely speaking, Wash has paved the way for women of plus size exterior, to be equally regarded beside women of slimmer frames, or an acceptable weight in society’s eyes.

Women of all shapes and sizes are viewed in distinctly different ways in the music business, as well as day-to-day life. One thing is for sure: no matter what society believes is appropriate, the truth will always find a way to reveal itself.

Now, some questions for Eastern New Mexico University, and the fellow citizens within the community: Do you believe that the music business is still prone to establishing a career, based on the initial appearance of an individual? Or does the pure talent of a person clarify their true worth? Also, how has the music business changed over the last few decades for women?

New Look For Greyhound Football

By Rhett Sain

With the new coaching staff coming in from New Mexico Military Institute, Coach Josh Lynn will bring in a new look from what we are used to from the last staff. 

Presented at a recruiting visit, the coaching staff is not going to focus on the passing the ball as much anymore. For the past couple of years, Eastern New Mexico University has been ranked nationally in offensive tactics from when it ran the Wishbone offense, and also the Texas Tech/Oregon Style offense of the Air Raid attack by passing the ball consistently.

The coaching staff wants to bring in a style similar to Air Force’s offense which is a running and option game offense.

With the help of the athletic and allusive Wes Wood, who will be running the offense, tactics will change - from passing the ball almost every play to running with the ball, or to give it to the correct running back to make a play.

Luckily, they have the off season, spring football practices and also brand new transfer students from NMMI who know the offense and can help re-educate the Hounds on the new scheme. 

Losing the staff under Coach Mark Ribaudo brings in a new coach philosophy. Lynn’s overall philosophy, as he presented in his Theory of Coaching class, is the “Count on Me” philosophy.

“The count on me philosophy is exactly what it says,” Lynn stated during class. “You have to be reliable both on the field and off to be counted on. We have to rely on you in games. Taking accountable for action and using actions to get better every day is our goal. We are going to start from the ground up to revamp the vision of this team”  

Also during the recruiting visits, the coaches spoke with possible recruits, who came in before signing day in January, about how it is not just about football. The coaching staff wants you to excel not just in football, but in life off the field.

ENMU has a reputation of having good quality members of society, and prestigious academic players on their team, as well as three Academic all-Americans in the last four years, including an Academic player of the year two years ago.

The staff wants to keep this tradition going by pressing players with GPAs below a 2.5 to have a mandatory study hall.  If a player has required study hall, they must meet with a coach at 7:30 a.m. every morning at the Greyhound in front of the Campus Union Building to check in and get the players out of bed.

With the new coaching staff in place, it’s going to inspire the athletes to become a great force in the Lone Star Conference. 

Thanksgiving Cupcakes Photoblog - 11/28/11

By Wenyi Zhao

Bernalillo Hall

Thanksgiving Cards Photoblog - 11/16/11

By Wenyi Zhao

Bernalillo Hall

Random Thoughts of Wisdom - 11/8/11

Black Hair

By Marketta A. Davis

It is blatantly obvious that there is a difference between Caucasian hair and African-American hair.  There are many myths about black hair ranging from products to maintenance and professional hairstylist Sharesse Sawyer of Fearfully Made Hair Salon sets the record straight! Sawyer touches on points of interest about the reasons behind the methods of managing black hair, the contrasts regarding perms and relaxers, and the secrets behinds hair extensions and weaves.

The main difference between African-American hair and other types of hair is the maintenance and care it takes for healthy upkeep.  Black hair tends be extremely curly, thick, and oily in comparison to other hair.  Due to all these characteristics, the basic hair care rules are much more complicated.  Most other cultures need to wash and dry their hair every day to keep the scalp from accumulating natural dirt and oils from daily activities; whereas, African-Americans are not encouraged to wash their hair over two times per week because the scalp does not produce as much oil.  It has a tendency to stay dry.  If washed more than twice a week, the scalp can get drier and this causes flakes, itchiness, and unhealthy growth.  “You [have] to use kit gloves when you’re working with African-American hair, especially in this dry climate,”Sawyer says.

One of the most interesting issues when it comes to differences in black and white hair is perms.  Sawyer explains that throughout the history of African-American hair care, the word “perm” has been changed from the meaning of the word “relaxer”.  A perm for a Caucasian is a chemical process that makes straight hair curly.  A perm for a black person is a chemical relaxer as well but it straightens the hair when processed.  Both these processes can be used for either Caucasian or Black people, causing the corresponding results; however, due to the different results of the same product on the various types of hair, the terms used between them has come to representative two different developments.

One of the last topics Sawyer discusses is the mystery to the long, wavy, flowing hair trends that we so often see in Hollywood and on the big screen.  Such familiar names as Kim Kardashian, Jessica Simpson, and even Rihanna are recognized by their long elegant locks… but the secret is out!  The beautiful hair we see on the television screen is not always all their real, natural-born hair!  Hair stylists are able to use extensions to sew, braid, and even glue the synthetic or human hair onto the scalp with special hair glue, giving a very real and natural look.  Although these methods have been used for many years, typical knowledge of a person having a “weave” is most times uncertain because of the practiced methods that have been learned and is used by stylists such as Sawyer.  These methods are mastered in various beauty schools across the country.

Sawyer currently reserves hair appointments on location in Clovis for all clients, not just those of African-American nationality.  She is able to style men’s, women’s, and children’s hair at low and affordable prices.  For more information, please contact her at (575) 749-2646 to schedule an appointment or visit Fearfully Made Hair Salon located in Clovis at 2414 N Main St.

Random Thought of Wisdom (2) - 11/8/11

NOT a Victim of Circumstance

By Marketta A. Davis

Among such characteristics as intelligence and good looks, John Doe also has the fortune—or misfortune—of possessing a big heart.  He loves hard.  It is this gift and curse that has created his present-day lifestyle and circumstance.  Despite always putting his best foot forward, having others’ best interest at heart, and making sure to be as close to doing the right thing over the wrong thing as possible; John’s knowledge of the fact that good people can do bad things became a lesson that he learned through experience.

John found love shortly after he dropped out of high school to pursue what would become an extremely successful modeling career.  He was faithful, kind, and gave of himself in the most unselfish and purest of ways.  It is ill-fated when the one you love cannot reciprocate the love you give to them.  John paid for this in a most sinister of ways.  His lover had contracted HIV due his being unfaithful and had inadvertently given it to John.

The unintentional ignorance that displays itself in the lack of knowledge concerned with HIV and AIDS causes the atrocious stigma that people have created.  They have a tendency to attach feelings of pity and defenselessness to chronic illnesses such as cancer and diabetes; but they accord a cruel and heartless acuity to a person that has been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS regardless of how they contracted it or who they contracted it from.  John was not promiscuous.  He did not do drugs.  He was not a drug dealer.  Simply put:  John was the good guy who paid for the bad guy’s mistakes.

Society’s perceptions and attitudes of the word “normal” have evolved over time and the evolution continues to this day; however, the dehumanization of the stigma of HIV/AIDS is the major exception to this progression.  Due to the lack of understanding, corrupt anecdotes, and plain fear, the subject of HIV/AIDS continues to be one associated with both negative and misconstrued connotations.

Society has placed an appalling and infectious designation on people diagnosed with HIV/AIDS.  Despite efforts towards education and communication about the illness, the belief that the disease is a death sentence and is easily contracted not only remains but it grows stronger every day.  Yet John refuses to be the victim.  He did not and does allow himself to relive his past, to be angry at his ex-lover, or to be content in settling with the lifestyle that people would assume someone with his condition to have.  He chooses not to be a victim.  He simply says, “You shouldn’t ever let circumstances surrounding your situation dictate the content of your character.”