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(03/31/16 1:54am)
PlayStation just launched a new service that could change the way we “Vue” television.
“PlayStation Vue” launched to select markets in places like New York and Chicago in 2015.
On March 14, it went nationwide with a few minor tweaks.
The major markets still have more features than the one that was launched nationwide, but PlayStation makes up for that by slashing the price by $10 for each package.
With the cost of cable and satellite up 9% since 2010, it might be time to switch to something more cost-effective. Currently, the average cable or satellite bill in America is $99 and the most expensive package from Vue comes in at $45. PlayStation is looking to break the monopoly that allows companies to raise their prices.
Let's look at the good and the bad of PlayStation Vue.
The Good:
Cost: For the price, you can't beat PlayStation Vue. At $45 a month, you get the elite package, which I will explain soon. If you just want the access package - which includes over 55 channels - it's an even better deal at $30 a month. At $45 vs. $99 with (almost) all the same channels, Vue is arguably changing the game by offering service at such a low rate.
Live sports/news: One thing that has kept my family from switching to a streaming service is the fear of losing out on live sports. As a sports fanatic, I personally loved the amount of options that the Vue provides. I watched a couple of the NCAA tournament games on the Vue. CNN is also one of my favorite news channels. Another benefit is that no other streaming service is offered without a subscription to a cable company. With the addition of live sports and news, it allows viewers to get the same experience as cable.
DVR: The ability to record shows is the biggest plus for me. My family and me almost never watches things on the first runthrough. With our busy lives, we constantly record our favorite shows to watch later. Until now, you could only get this feature through your cable or satellite provider. The Vue changes all of that. You can record and save shows up to 28 days after they air.
The Interface: While confusing at first, I found myself enjoying how the Vue was set up. It allows you to select your favorite shows and it automatically records them. The guide is listed side-to-side in alphabetical order instead of vertically by channel number. This made it easier to navigate in my opinion. The explore feature allows you to see the most popular shows with on-demand versions. I was able to catch up on all my favorite shows when nothing on live tv appealed to me.
Other good features: You can stream on up to five devices at once. This allows me to watch the Vue on my phone while my parents watch tv. It doesn't just lock me into watching one thing at a time, which is a feature that costs extra with a cable company. One last feature is the fact that the subscription is set up in the way Netflix and Hulu are. Customers pay for the service on a set day of the month and there are no taxes. It's the one set number and you can cancel it at anytime - you're not locked into a contract like with some other companies.
The Bad:
Internet: If your internet is slow, then you are going to have a bad time. The buffering times can take forever or cause the stream to be blurry. This is probably one of the biggest drawbacks to the streaming service, but if your internet is good, the Vue will work well.
No local channels: This is the only thing that is holding my family back from cutting the cable cord for good. After the free trial, I debated long and hard with my mom over which way we should go. At the end of the day, it's hard to switch to a service without local channels. Missing out on the nightly news as well as live sports on Fox and CBS was the deal breaker at this point. With a service that is almost perfect in every other way, it really only falls short here. However, I see a bright future ahead, as the bigger test markets that I mentioned earlier do include local channels. Of course, that comes at a cost — almost $10 more per package. Still, once the full packages are released nationwide, the Vue will be hands-down the best option for the price.
The Weather Channel: Despite having every other major channel, the Vue lacks the weather channel. I was really confused as to why. Again, this is probably a more personal preference, and I may be one of the few people who enjoy watching this channel. However, this is a really odd thing to leave out considering the lack of local channels, because viewers may miss out on weather altogether.
Owning a certain device to use: You must have a PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3 or an Amazon Fire TV stick in order to get a subscription to PlayStation Vue. Once you have the program, however, you can access the Vue on a number of devices including iPad, iPhone and Google Chromecast.
Bottom line: For a college kid who already pays for the cable I get in my residence hall, I can't really see myself shelling out the extra cash for this service. However, once I am back at home, there is a good chance that the Vue will be waiting for me. Despite the lack of local channels as well as a couple more that I enjoy, I find that this value is hard to pass up. If you're in the market for a new TV service or just want to cut out that cable bill, then the Vue is probably the way to go.
(03/17/16 2:58am)
The opening song plays, and instantly I am back in my childhood bedroom watching late night reruns again. Except for the first time since 1995, it's not a rerun.
“Fuller House” is the purest form of concentrated nostalgia. Netflix brought back the hit show of from the 80s and 90s. And it does not disappoint — if you were a fan the first time around. The characters have changed some, but the plot remains the same.
The show starts by reintroducing all the old characters, plus a couple new ones, and breaks the fourth wall to “throw shade” at the one main cast member that decided not to return – Michelle Tanner (played by the Olsen twins). The opening scenes show the group getting reacquainted and explaining what they have been up to for the last 29 years.
They even take multiple shots at Donald Trump in the first five minutes of the show, using "Trump" as a curse word at the family breakfast. The light humor that made the show great the first time around is clearly still intact.
Some key players from the original cast do not stay around long, and the writers do a great job of explaining why they won't be present for the whole season. To me, the first episode was the best because the family was whole again.
The main cast pops back in throughout the first season, so in a way, the creators of the show try to keep you engaged with old cast members while you slowly find new characters to love. The new characters are enjoyable, but it takes some time to get used to seeing them around the Tanner household.
Now, I won't spoil any of the details from the season. The plot revolves around D.J. Tanner, the eldest daughter in the original series. Much like the original where her father raises his kids after the death of his wife, she is tasked with doing the same after the death of her husband Tommy. And she gets help from her friends and family to do so. The family and friends who help are familiar faces, including two members of the original cast — Kimmy Gibbler and Stephanie Tanner. Without spoiling too much, D.J. soon ends up in a love triangle and must choose between a new love interest and an old one.
With humor and the ability to take you back to your childhood, Netflix seems to have another hit original show on its hands. Joining the likes of “Master of None,” “House of Cards” and “Orange is the New Black,” “Fuller House” offers a different speed from the other original shows as it is more geared towards a family friendly audience.
For someone who loved “Full House,” I believe that the reboot will be fully enjoyable, but I am not sure that it reels in newcomers. If you have never seen “Full House,” I would recommend you start with some reruns before you try out the new series. The show’s value is in the nostalgia.
The sitcom, however, only heavily dwells on the past in the first episode. After that, details from the past only occasionally pop up. So if you can make it through the first episode you will probably be fine. At times, I think the show does go overboard, slowing down the plot and the new characters’ development when they force catchphrases or take jabs at the Olsen twins.
Overall, the show served its purpose and sent me back to my childhood in a way that made me feel like I had done some growing up myself alongside the family. It was really nice to see a more modern version of the show with some of the same characters I grew up watching.
(02/25/16 5:22am)
Whenever Jibri Bryan jumped above the rim in Hawkins Arena, the stadium lights would almost form a halo around his 6-foot-4 frame.
The sixth-year senior will never step foot on the court again. He was tragically shot and killed on Feb. 2 at the Flash Foods gas station on the corner of Forsyth and College streets.
Bryan had many titles in his life: basketball player, student, graduate, son, brother and boyfriend. The one title that Bryan seemed to take the most pride in was father. He had a two-year-old son, Jibri Jr.
“If you knew Jibri, you knew the most important thing in the world was his son,” said Matt Panaggio, Bryan’s former teammate who transferred to Henderson State University in Arkansas.
‘What’s up, little man?’
Bryan was not able to be around his son as much due to the strains of being a college athlete enrolled in a master’s program.
"He hated that he couldn't spend as much time with his son because he was at school," Bryan's girlfriend Nia Jordan said. "Because he wasn't there all the time he still wanted to maintain that relationship. That was his number one priority."
Many days Bryan would make the two and half hour drive to Savannah, Georgia down I-16 to see his son.
"Whenever we had free time [or] a day off — they could give us an hour off — he was going home to see little Jibri," teammate Jestin Lewis said. "He would say 'I'm gonna go see little man.’”
When Bryan did not have time to visit, he was in constant contact. He used FaceTime to see his son on a daily basis.
"He was always on FaceTime with him. He was always saying 'What's up, little man? Say what's up,' telling him to say what’s up to the team," Lewis said. "He just used to always smile when he got on FaceTime with his son."
At one point, Bryan contemplated not coming back for his sixth and final season. Jordan said that he told her he was missing all of his son’s childhood milestones.
Teammate Desmond Ringer said that Bryan was someone that the rest of the team looked up to based on his fatherly skills.
“As a father he set an example, outside of my own father, with how I want to treat my kids,” Ringer said.
[pullquote speaker="Desmond Ringer, teammate" photo="" align="left" background="on" border="all" shadow="on"]As a father he set an example, outside of my own father, with how I want to treat my kids.[/pullquote]
Bryan had a strong relationship with his family. They often drove up to see him play home games, bringing Jibri Jr.
"His family was everything to him. They were so supportive,” Jordan said.
Growing up in Savannah, Bryan used basketball as a way to secure his future and stay off of the streets.
"He said all the people he grew up with either ended up dying or in jail,” Jordan said. “He said basketball saved him because he got a full scholarship to Mercer."
Books and Ball
At the age of 9, Bryan was playing organized basketball in a league with 11- and 12-year-olds.
He reached high school and was a stand out at Benedictine Military School in Savannah. His accolades included being named to the all-state team as well as being two-time team MVP.
Books and Ball, these two words make up Bryan’s Instagram and Twitter handles. Each was a priority in his life from an early age and only became more important once he became a father. He looked at both education and basketball as avenues of providing for his son.
“It's funny because he didn't really like school. Basketball was the reason he was here,” Jordan said. “But once he had a son, it put everything into perspective.”
Bryan was three classes away from finishing his master’s degree in business.
“He said he really had to get this master’s degree for his grandma,” Jordan said.
‘My favorite dancer with the beautiful smile’
Bryan met Jordan through his teammate Desmond Ringer. Ringer and Jordan attend the same church. Bryan began badgering Ringer about his friend all while Jordan was doing the same.
“Every time I would be with [Jibri], he would ask me about Nia,” Ringer said. “I would tell him ‘Yeah, she is cool. Go talk to her.’ And she would ask me about him, and I would say ‘Yeah, he is cool. Go talk to him.’”
Bryan developed a relationship with Jordan, a member of the Mercer dance team, often referring to her as “my favorite dancer with the beautiful smile,” Jordan said.
[pullquote speaker="Nia Jordan" photo="" align="right" background="on" border="all" shadow="on"]You don’t find too many people like that. I know that I will never find anyone else like that. That’s the crazy part.[/pullquote]
“He loved that girl for real,” Ringer said. The two became very close and Bryan would spend all of his time split between the team, Jordan and his son.
“He hung out with me, he hung out with Des[Ringer] and Tu[Lewis] or he was playing basketball,” Jordan said. “Or he was talking to his son. He called him every morning, at lunch and at night.”
As a boyfriend, Jordan said he was “caring and genuine.”
“You don’t find too many people like that. I know that I will never find anyone else like that. That’s the crazy part,” Jordan said.
Five knee surgeries in six years
On the court at Mercer, Bryan was plagued by injuries. After redshirting his freshman year, Bryan took the floor in his second season. Six games into the year, he sustained a knee injury that forced him to take a medical redshirt. His return to the court in his third year was still hampered by injuries, but he saw action in almost half of Mercer’s games.
Once healthy, Bryan showed that he could be a leader on the court. He played in 71 games in a row over the course of the last two seasons and started in 35 of them. He returned for his last season, but early on his knees began to give him trouble again.
“He had all those surgeries, and he was struggling to play with the pain in his knees. But he never wanted to stop,” Jordan said.
She said that he had five knee surgeries in six years and still wanted to play basketball.
Early this season Bryan felt the pain return and was forced to undergo another knee surgery. At times it felt like he might not return to the court . When he was ready to return, he decided that he did not want to start — even though it was his senior year.
“As a senior to give up your starting spot to a sophomore shows how real of a dude he was. He was all about the team,” Lewis said.
Nothing short of brotherhood
His time spent with teammates normally consisted of playing NBA 2K. Bryan was very competitive.
“He always swore the whole room was against him because he was the best,” said former teammate TJ Hallice.
Ringer said his favorite memory of Bryan was going places with him. One of the frequent stops was Church’s chicken.
“We used to go to Church’s every Wednesday. And we used to see people in there, and he would always crack a joke,” Ringer said. “Every moment was funny. Every moment with him was my favorite.”
[pullquote speaker="TJ Hallice, former teammate" photo="" align="left" background="on" border="all" shadow="on"]I miss everything about him so much. That was my brother, and I’ll never forget him.[/pullquote]
Bryan’s success was an inspiration to those in his hometown and his family.
“I’ve been talking to his cousins, and they always said that he was the pride of the family. He led by example, and everyone wanted to be like him. Everybody loved him down there in Savannah,” Lewis said.
His relationship with his teammates was nothing short of brotherhood.
“He was a great teammate and brother,” Hallice said. “I can’t say what the biggest thing I will miss because I miss everything about him so much. That was my brother, and I’ll never forget him.”
Bryan leaves behind people who cared about him. He also leaves behind a legacy.
“He wanted to leave a legacy for his son,” Jordan said. “I don’t think he realized that he had already done that. Just by being the type of person that he was. He left a legacy in 23 years that most don’t leave in 80.”
(02/04/16 6:51pm)
As the Sports Editor, I feel it is my duty to write this piece — albeit with a heavy heart. I would like to take this opportunity and use my platform to speak to his family, friends and teammates.
To the Bryan family, I can't even begin to understand the pain you must be feeling. I know that this is a trying time for your family. I would like to offer my sincerest prayers and condolences for your loss. I would also like to thank you. Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to borrow your son for a while and allowing us to know him. The chance to see him make an impact on and off the court is something that I will never forget. So for that, I thank you.
To his friends, while I claim to be a friend, I wasn't with him on his walk everyday. And I had only known him for a short amount of time. I know you all are also hurting at this time. Losing a friend is one of the hardest things for us to have to endure as young people. During this time, you will and should lean on one another to get through. Share your memories, and keep Jibri in your hearts. I know you will.
To his teammates, guys, I can't even imagine how trying this is for you to deal with and still have to play basketball. But it was what Jibri loved. I have no doubt you will play for him. Jibri was a brother to all of you, and he loved you all very much. Those times that you spent with him on the court, traveling on a bus, in the library studying together, or in the dorm just chilling will be moments that you can carry with you forever. I know you will. Jibri loved basketball. So you had a bond with him that no one else has. Cherish that.
Now I would like to share more of how I knew Jibri and the impact he has made on me.
My job allows me to write about sports and the athletes that play the game. By doing so I am constantly building relationships with the athletes around this campus — many of whom I consider friends now.
I was sitting in class when news broke of a shooting at the Flash Foods near campus. When I got the call late Tuesday night that it was Jibri Bryan who had been shot, I went numb.
Jibri is one of those athletes that I call a friend. My relationship with Jibri, however, is different from almost every other athlete because I knew him in three different ways.
The first was as a fan. Before I ever entered the world of writing, I had the chance to watch Jibri play. His defensive intensity and his knack to hit the big shot at the right moment was second to none. His demeanor, in his daily life or in a game, was that of a silent leader who seemed calm in the biggest moments.
The second was as a journalist. I have covered Mercer men's basketball for a little over a year now. As a journalist I watch the games in a different way from the ordinary fan. I think in terms of putting the game into words or telling the story of the player and his life. It allowed me a little more access to the team. I got to know the guys a little more and become close friends with some. One of my favorite parts of sitting on press row is the ability to give a fist bump to all the players. I remember Jibri brought along his son to the games, holding him in his arms and taking him around Hawkins Arena.
That leads me to the last part — Jibri Bryan was my friend. It was something that was fairly recent, maybe even within the last couple months. He would come in the library and see his friend Mr. Gordon at the front desk where I work. While, Gordon would get Jibri a handful of candy, I would to talk with him about classes, movies and of course, basketball. He was soft spoken and mild mannered. I quickly noticed how respectful he was of anyone and everyone. "Yes sir," and "no ma'am," were instilled into his vocabulary. I remember asking him if Coach Hoffman had settled on a starting lineup. Jibri still wasn't sure who Hoffman would name with the season fast approaching. Jibri Bryan walked out as a starter on opening night of his senior season.
In my first year as Sports Editor, I feel that I have brought good stories to our readers. One regret I will always have is not getting to bring you Jibri Bryan's story told through his own words. The idea was always tossed around, but I never fully committed to getting it done. It is something that I want to personally apologize for. Of course, hindsight is 20-20, and we all would probably do a lot of things differently. This is one of those things where I lost not only an athlete that I had the pleasure of covering, but a friend.
Jibri will be remembered for many things in his life. Most will say for being a basketball player. But he was so much more: a leader, a friend, a teammate, a brother, a significant other, a son, and most of all a father to a little boy who wanted to be just like Jibri. That is the legacy that Jibri Bryan leaves behind —one of a tremendous person who just happened to play basketball.
Over the next few days and weeks we will all begin the grieving process, and it will not be easy. Mercer is like a family, and it really feels like I've lost a family member. It's important for us as students, faculty and staff to come together in the face of this awful tragedy. As Mercerians, I know we will. We will for Jibri.
(02/04/16 4:25pm)
Seven Mercer basketball players and head coach Bob Hoffman spoke to media Wednesday night after the vigil held for Jibri Bryan in Hawkins Arena. It was the first time players spoke to the media since Bryan was shot and killed Tuesday afternoon at the Flash Foods gas station on the corner of Forsyth and College streets. The following are quotes from each interview.
Sophomore guard Jordan Strawberry:
“Being together is the most important thing for us to deal with something like this. That’s probably the most important thing that’s going to help us get through this tough time.”
“He always kept me laughing. Something he always did was push me. As a freshman coming in, he always pushed me to be great – a great player. So I think his encouragement, him in the locker room just being a great team leader for us, was something special.”
“He just had that grit to him. He was that senior who’s been here a long time. He’s been here and done this and done that -- been in those tough situations. So that’s something we’ll definitely be missing from him going forward.”
“I think playing 2K (is something I’ll miss). That’s something, we really did play a lot of that. Basketball 2K video games; that’s something we did a lot together… He liked playing with the Warriors.”
“Last year after we had lost to Furman in the SoCon Tournament, he told me that to keep working hard, and I’ll be a great player… That words of encouragement really was a moment I’ll cherish with him forever.”
“He was definitely like a brother figure to us, because he was playing the same game we were playing. But also, he’s kind of like a father figure because he’s been there through those tough times going with Coach."
Redshirt sophomore forward Desmond Ringer:
“Toughest thing is just knowing he’s not going to be there the next day we wake up. Every day, I would at least talk to Jibri; he would lift me up about something. If I was going through something he would lift me up. If I had a question, he was always there. Just knowing he’s not going to be there is the toughest thing – not only for me but for all of us.”
“I feel like that’s all we have (is to lean on each other as teammates). That’s what Jibri would want us to do – to stay close to each other, grow on each other, learn from each other, because that’s what we did for him. That’s what we got from him.”
“I had a feeling it was Jibri’s, but there’s a million white Monte Carlo’s down here in Macon. We were hoping it wasn’t, but it turned out to be him.”
Freshman guard Ethan Stair:
“We’ve always been a close group, so we’re just going to keep it that way.”
“He was always a guy to come and correct me and help me out with where I was with some of the classes or off-the-court stuff. He was kind of a mentor for me.”
Freshman froward Cory Kilby:
“I was actually out of town when I heard. So when I got the call, I immediately came back home to be with the team."
“Jibri is probably the best leader I've ever been around."
“Jibri was one of the funniest guys I've ever met. All he did was joke and have a smile on his face."
“How I will remember Jibri was when it was just him and me on the practice court."
Sophomore guard Tyre Moore:
“Jibri was one of the highest character people I ever knew. Every day he worked to make himself a better person."
“He was one of the best people I ever knew. If I can be anything like Jibri the rest of my life, I'm going to be a better person."
“The games don't compare to Jibri’s life."
“I want people to remember Jibri as one of the nicest people you will ever meet in your life."
“He was at Mercer to give his son a better life."
Freshman guard Jaylen Stowe:
“Jibri would want us to be strong. That's what we are trying to do: to stay strong for him and his family."
“He was kind of like that big brother. Even if I messed up or something he would always be there to help me."
“He was a true leader -- a true teammate. He was always smiling no matter what. He kept us focused; even when he was out he was always with us."
Sophomore forward Stephon Jelks:
“Jibri was more of a brother to me than anything. He taught me more than just basketball -- just more about life."
“We got to win this championship for him."
“Me and Jibri just had a thing where he would come over and play video games. Just hang out and talk about life. Off the court, it was never really about basketball."
“Just remember Jibri as a free spirited, loving person. Any time you see Jibri after a game you would just see him loving on his son. That is one of the most precious things I could say about Jibri is that he really loved his kid."
Head Coach Bob Hoffman:
“My wife, the first thing that came to her mind was the last game that he played. He hit some free throws, and little (Jibri) was in front of him, walking -- instead of (Jibri Sr.) holding him -- slapping fives, walking around the building. And (Jibri Sr.) was so proud of him that day. He was so proud of his son, and we’re proud of Jibri.”
“For me, it’s not so much for him, but it’s all about giving all you have because you don’t know what tomorrow holds. That’s the message, is, you have to give all you’ve got every day. (You) never know what that next day may be all about. Be grateful for the opportunities you have in front of you when they are there, and that’s what we’re going to approach every day, every game, the rest of the way.”
“Probably just about three or four weeks ago, I don’t remember the exact time… He came over to me and thought he was done – that he wasn’t going to play anymore. His knee was giving out, and he was telling me how much it meant to him to be a part of the team and the program. He was thanking me for believing in him, and I was thanking him for believing in me, and I said, ‘Don’t give up on yourself yet. Maybe you can help us the second part of the season; maybe you could do some low impact things.” And he said, ‘OK, Coach, I will do that.’ And we had a big hug and teared up a little bit right over here. That was a special moment.”
“Our team is built on more than basketball, and it has always been. It’s about relationships, and it comes to the forefront when you’re dealing with something as catastrophic as we are right now. Our guys are just hanging on to each other right now and believing in each other and looking to each other and to their faith.”
“(I’ll remember) just his infectious smile. Can light up a room more than anybody else. How he was always worried about me, asking how I was doing. No matter whether he was playing or not, he was for us. He was never against us. He was always for us. He was the epitome of a team guy.”
“He knew last year, we weren’t to the level in everything we wanted to do as a program and a team, and I think he just continued to try to push us -- push the guys to be better. I’m just grateful I got to know him and be a part of his life. He made a difference in my life, and I’m grateful for the moments we had.”
“His perseverance was amazing and what he was able to battle through and overcome, and his willingness to work with Brad (Crowe) over and over again -- our trainer. His family, fantastic people, they were a joy to be a part of, and they’ll always be a part of the Mercer family.”
“He just kept trying to find ways to help our team; he was a team guy. He wanted us to win. He was excited for our guys being successful, even when he wasn’t getting to play himself this year.”
“(The relationship) got closer and closer as we went through so many struggles with his injuries. Just building how hard he worked to get back and him graduating. He graduated the year we went to the tournament; he was one of eight guys who graduated that spring.”
(02/03/16 4:23pm)
The second suspect in the killing of Mercer basketball player Jibri Bryan was arrested Friday evening, according to a report from the Telegraph.
Damion Henderson, a 33-year-old originally from Shreveport, Louisiana, was captured by U.S. Marshal's Southeastern Regional Task Force as he attempted to escape from an apartment in Decatur, Georgia. Henderson has ties to west Macon.
(01/28/16 2:11am)
Basketball for most is a just a game. You watch, cheer and some play but at the end of the day it's just a game, but for senior Jestin Lewis it is so much more than just a game.
"It was my first love. That's been my favorite sport since I was a baby," Lewis said. "My mom and my dad got me into it. My dad played basketball. I think it was his first love too. They just put the ball in my hand at a young age,"
At the age of five, Lewis was already playing organized basketball. At the time though he felt he was not very good. His dad even told him at one point "you had soccer written all over you.” Lewis did not give up on the game though. It is where he found his drive to be best.
[pullquote speaker="Jestin Lewis" photo="" align="left" background="on" border="all" shadow="on"]It was my first love. That's been my favorite sport since I was a baby[/pullquote]
"I started to get better every year then I just wanted to find something to work on every year," Lewis said. " I still do that now. I want to find something to get better at every year. That's how it's going to be throughout my whole career,"
By the eighth grade, he had friends and family telling him "man, you are good.” Then, he started to see it too.
"I kept hearing ‘man, you could go D-1.’ I was like everyone else sees and now I see it. I have got to do it now," Lewis said.
After spending time at another area school, Lewis transferred into John Marshall High School in Richmond, Virginia. He was happy to have someone that could spark his career.
"Our coach at John Marshall was always in our corner. He had us getting exposure from AAU teams to college scouts in there all the time," Lewis said. "He put us through D-1 workouts. So I was already ahead of the game,"
Lewis travelled around with an AAU team based out of Richmond. He enjoyed the traveling aspect and being able to get out of the city to go play basketball.
While Lewis shined on the court, he felt he lacked in the classroom. Teams passed him up during the recruiting process because of his GPA and his test scores on the SAT were not up to par. Lewis had to settle for the junior college (JUCO) route instead of his D-1 dreams. He enrolled at Wallace Community College in Dothan, Alabama.
"I had to go the JUCO route but I'm glad that I did. It made me grind harder and work harder for it," Lewis said. "The transition from JUCO to D-1 makes you really appreciate D-1 because JUCO is a grind,"
Lewis recalls the 12 hour van rides that his JUCO team would take. But he says it was worth it. Lewis won a championship ring. After two years at Wallace, Mercer came calling for Lewis.
"Coach E (Doug Esleek), the assistant coach, came to see me at my JUCO team like every other week and he called me every day. I was like these people are really interested in me," Lewis said. " I came here for my visit and it was just one big family. Everyone here was close and no one had anything bad to say about (Head Coach Bob) Hoffman,” he said.
Lewis saw the commitment on Mercer's end and felt he was ready to commit too. He ended his recruiting early to commit to Mercer. Later that year, while still a commit, Lewis watched as the Bears upset powerhouse Duke. Lewis watched the game from his dorm room with his roommate, a Duke fan.
"I was really hype about that. I realized I was in a good situation. I was thinking hopefully when I get there we can still do big things like that and we will this year," Lewis said.
It took Lewis some time to acclimate to the fast pace of the division one experience. For him playing at the D-1 level is "different than any other level.” He was looking to get comfortable to play against players that were finally at the same level that he felt he was at.
"I don't want to be given anything, I want to earn it," Lewis said of his first year. He feels that he still has not reached his potential.
"I feel like I am on the NBA level, and I am going to make it there too. One day," Lewis said. "I am going to go there with a great attitude and work hard. I want to make an honest living. I want to be one of the best players to ever play the game,"
His lofty goals are not out of reach. Coaches are expecting big things already. Lewis said that the goals they have set for him include leading the nation in scoring and steals. With those type of numbers, he feels could reach the NBA. He said he feels like he is being prepared by the best in Hoffman and the staff at Mercer.
"He is in an intense dude, but it is fun playing for Hoffman. He said 'he is glad he has a player like me on the team' because I keep everyone laughing," Lewis said. "He is a funny dude, and he is always calling me an old man because I stay cramped up. He really loves his players though,"
[pullquote speaker="Lewis" photo="" align="left" background="on" border="all" shadow="on"]I want to be one of the best players to ever play the game[/pullquote]
Off the court Lewis thinks he “might be the coolest person you ever meet.” He enjoys laughing and making other people smile. While Lewis says he enjoys the occasional party, he also likes to sit back and think about life. He loves to do fun things like bowling or the movies.
When Lewis steps off of the court he also has to focus on his other love, his two-year-old daughter Autumn.
“She is just a blessing. Ever since she was born it has really helped me to stay focused and stay leveled,” Lewis said. “It has motivated me to do more in every situation. I want her to have the best of everything. I never want her to have to want or need anything.”
For Lewis, having a daughter made him mature. She gives him a new reason to play the game that he loves. Some of the struggles that Lewis faces as a father and as an athlete are the time spent apart from her.
“I am down here for her and at the end of the day she knows that,” Lewis said. “It is hard being away from here because I want to be around her every second to watch her grow.”
The birth of his daughter and the loss of his two childhood friends are what get Lewis through the everyday grind of college basketball at a D-1 school. They push him to leave it all on the court.
"I want her to have the best and I use my boys Neech & G for motivation to make it,” Lewis said. "I just want (everyone) to say that boy was tough on the court. No one could stop him on the court, and he loved to win."
(12/05/15 8:53pm)
This week on the Christmas edition of Inside the Den the hosts discuss the holidays and Christmas music. They are joined by point guard for the Mercer Bears, Phillip Leonard. He discuss the early season success as well as his fear of failure. The second guest on tap is managing editor for the Cluster, Nick Wooten. Nick picks the games of the week around the sports world and offers his insights on some of the key matchups. All of that and more on the newest episode of Inside the Den with Hayes Rule and Justin Baxley.
[embed]https://soundcloud.com/mercer-cluster-sports/inside-the-den-christmas-special[/embed]
(11/25/15 8:05am)
This week is a special Thanksgiving edition of Inside the Den. Hayes and Justin discuss the holiday and give their family traditions. The guys are joined by former Mercer baseball player and founder of MUBeardown fan forum Shawn Arnold. Arnold discusses the ins and outs of Mercer athletics and tells a story on why Mercer is so special to him and his family. Then in the second segment Zach Jackson the starting safety for the Mercer football team joins the desk to discuss his season of clutch plays as well as his recent win in a cupcake baking contest on campus.
We have broken this episode up into two segments, each will be posted on the sound cloud and here for you to listen.
https://soundcloud.com/inside-the-den/inside-the-den-thanksgiving-edition
[embed]https://soundcloud.com/inside-the-den/inside-the-den-thanksgiving-edition-part-2[/embed]
(11/14/15 5:23am)
Nu-way, an old Macon favorite, finds a new home in the Mercer Village as first reported by The Telegraph. The famous hot dog chain is moving into the space currently occupied by Fountain of Juice.
Fountain of Juice will close for good over the upcoming Thanksgiving break. The restaurant opened in July of 2011 in the Village and has another location that will remain open in Macon at 4123 Forsyth Road.
Nu-Way will begin the build out of the Fountain of Juice space in December with an opening currently slated for late February or early March.
Nu-Way Weiners first opened in Macon in 1916 at the Cotton Avenue location which burned down in a fire in March. The opening of the location in the Mercer Village will not effect plants to rebuild the Cotton Avenue location.
Nu-Way is the second oldest hot dog chain in America and will have 10 locations throughout Central Georgia when the Mercer Village location opens its doors.
More announcements regarding the change will be released next week.
Please return to our website. The story will be updated when new information becomes available.
(11/12/15 4:34am)
I pondered the question, “What do we actually pay for?” a lot after reading the article in The Cluster a few weeks ago. After searching, I believe I now have that answer. Though it is just an opinion, and I could be wrong, I will throw out a few facts to back up my argument.
I realize that as a junior my outlook on Mercer is completely different than the freshman who wrote the other article. You see, I understand the struggle of a broke college student. I live that daily. I realize, however, that Mercer has given me so much more than what money can buy, but I will address the monetary matters first.
First is the issue of printing. The library and academic resource center both offer printing for students. Both do charge you a few quarters to print, but it is not as inconvenient as you might think. Consider this for a moment. Did you have to buy a pack of paper, a printer and an ink cartridge to use the printer? No, so the 10 cents that you pay per copy is not a bad deal.
Some colleges offer free printing but with restrictions, such as a limited number of free printed copies before the price jumps up or they cost 50 cents per copy. In reality, the printing system here is far from the end of the world. If you become financially unstable from a couple sheets of paper, then there are always opportunities to earn cash around campus. I currently work two jobs and make ends meet. Both jobs are on campus, and I applied through the student jobs website. The process was fairly easy.
Next up is the laundry system here at Mercer. It is $1.25 to wash and dry clothes. Again, this is not a perfect system, but we also do not live in a perfect world. Consider the water and electricity that it takes to do a load, or many loads, of laundry. Energy cost for a wash is an average of 36 cents and 40 cents to dry. Water is 11 cents per load. Then, factor in equipment cost per load which is about another 35 cents. On average that is $1.22 a load at home using your own washer and dryer, so is $1.25 really as far fetched?
It is about a 3 cent difference in what it would cost you per load if you owned a washer and dryer, but you would have to fork up about $1,300 for the washer and dryer up front. No college student who is financially unstable can afford that. The $1.25 is not nearly as unreasonable as you may think when you consider the cost at an actual laundromat is about $4.00 per load.
Lastly, it was pointed out that we do not have a 24-hour dining hall. The two examples that were cited were Kennesaw State and the University of Georgia. The enrollment number at KSU is 32,500 and at UGA it is 35,197. Mercer does not even come close to those numbers, so why should we keep a dining hall open for a couple thousand students versus 30,000?
It doesn’t make sense to keep our dining hall open 24/7 when you consider the fact that your meal plan would just go up to cover the costs of being open all the time. The Caf has done midnight-breakfast a couple times, and it’s a great idea. But even at midnight there are barely a hundred people there. It doesn’t make sense from a logistical standpoint to stay open all the time.
The campus has extended hours in the University Center this year. The addition of Einstein’s Bros. Bagels gives yet another option for your late night cravings. Now, those places may not be perfect or what you want, but the fact of the matter is that it’s not as bad as we make it out to be. During the weekend, it seems there are more inconvenience with dining, but it’s not like we are being starved to death. There are options, but it’s not the “perfect” option. So we, as students, complain — myself included. It seems like that is what our generation has become. We complain if something is not convenient.
Also, U.S. News and World Report ranked Mercer University the second-best value school in the South, only trailing William Carey University in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. They also ranked Mercer as eighth-best school in the South overall. The old adage, “you get what you pay for” seems to apply. I realize that it’s expensive, but I get to carry the Mercer name for the rest of my days. That’s something money can’t buy, or I guess technically we are buying, but it seems to be worth it.
Now that I feel I have accurately depicted what a Mercer student deals with financially, I would like to now go back and examine what I think we are paying for. Maybe I have on rose-colored glasses, and I’m seeing this school in a way that most don’t. Maybe I’m blinded by the great things that have happened here.
Mercer has given me the best three years of my life. I have made memories that I wouldn’t trade for all the money in the world or at least the money it cost to print over that time period. I’ve seen two NCAA tournament games, watched football return to Mercer and seen our school grow on a national level.
I have built a resume that is competitive against students from larger schools like UGA. Mercer has made me see Macon in a different light, too. I’ve lived here my whole life, and yet I do not think I ever truly felt at home in Macon until I arrived at Mercer.
In three short years, I have done more than most do in a lifetime. Mercer has given me a life that most dream of. I’ve got great friends, good professors and, most importantly, a place to call home for the rest of my days.
Yes, I pay money to go here, but every penny has been worth it. If I could go back and see the costs of laundry, printing and lack of food on the weekend, I’d gladly do it all over again for the sake of being able to call myself a Mercerian.
(11/12/15 3:52am)
“It’s like a wrestling match,” said Ashton Cubbedge, a Mercer junior who transferred from Armstrong State University this fall.
In this wrestling match, it’s thousands of pounds of steel instead of flesh and bones. And the winner’s prize is a parking space instead of a gold belt.
But administration officials feel that the there are enough spots for students to park.
“The problem is not inadequate parking spaces. There are enough parking spaces on this campus to accommodate everybody,” Larry Brumley, senior vice president for marketing and communications and chief of staff said.
Brumley said that parking is a “little less convenient” this year due to construction on the new residence hall, which has displaced roughly 150 parking spots on campus.
Students’ complaints trend towards a lack of parking near on-campus housing.
“There is not sufficient parking to accommodate the growing student population,” Erona Zequiri, sophomore and resident of Shorter Hall, said. “More parking needs to be available closer to where I live.”
Brumley said he believes the problem is with students who opt to drive across campus rather than walk to their class, which “doesn’t make sense on a college campus.”
“You can walk from one side of the campus to the other from the Tattnall [Square] Center for the Arts to the football stadium in 12 minutes,” Brumley said. “That is the entire length of the campus. You can walk from the Tattnall [Square] Center for the Arts to Cruz Plaza in five minutes, because I’ve done it, and I’m a fat old man.”
One change that the administration made this year was moving towards a universal decal system rather than ones for individualized lots; all students who live on campus receive a red sticker, while faculty, staff and commuters are allowed to park in green and purple lots. This alteration has been met with mixed reviews.
“I like the new parking system because if you can’t find a spot in the lot closest to your dorm, you’re not stranded without one,” pre-veterinary student Bianca Perez said.
Student Hayley Hudson does not agree.
“When I complain, MerPo tells me that there are red lots by the football field, but that’s not reasonable. I should be able to park within a reasonable distance of where I live. And I’m not currently able to do that,” Hudson said.
[pullquote speaker="Hayley Hudson, Mercer Student" photo="" align="left" background="on" border="all" shadow="on"]I should be able to park within a reasonable distance of where I live. And I’m not currently able to do that.[/pullquote]
This year’s switch to a single decal system for on-campus students was meant to allow students an easier access to parking, Mercer Police Chief Gary Collins said.
“We wanted to make parking easier for you to locate. We have parking lots open to all people. We have tried to make it more convenient for students,” Collins said. “We do not charge for decals. Other places charge you for a decal. They charge for a hunting license [at other schools], not a parking space.”
But the system hasn’t worked as planned. Collins said they have issued more tickets than in previous years.
Claire Waliczek said it’s not the students’ fault.
“It’s hard not to park illegally. This is Mercer’s fault, not ours. It’s their responsibility to provide more parking,” she said.
As of late October, Merpo had written about 565 parking tickets so far this semester, MerPo Secretary Harry Stewart said.
Collins said that a large part of the issue is that students are allowed to park at certain places, such as on Adams Street but have to move their car by 8 a.m., and most students do not come out to move them.
Both Collins and Brumley agreed that some students disobey the rules altogether. They just simply park in the wrong spots – including in the retail spots in Mercer Village, which has caused quite the headache for merchants and Mercer police officers who have to write more tickets.
“We are going to lose our vendors. It’s unfortunate, but they can’t have parking for their customers,” Collins said. Brumley clarified that vendors lose “off-campus customers” when students take their parking.
Brumley said that the administration has looked into other alternatives to making parking less strenuous, such as eliminating the ability for freshmen to bring cars on campus, but they concluded that it would not be a good idea. Brumley said the goal of the university is to find a balance between aesthetically pleasing parking and convenient parking.
[pullquote speaker="Gary Collins, Mercer Police Chief" photo="" align="right" background="on" border="all" shadow="on"]In real reality, Mercer doesn’t have a parking problem,” Collins said. “We don’t have a lot of convenient parking spaces, but we have parking spaces.[/pullquote]
Another factor that raises concerns for both the students and the administration is safety in the parking areas.
Some students have stated they feel the long walks across campus at night are not safe.
Mercer Police offers an escort service to all those on campus, and Collins said he urges students to call for an escort and for students to sit in their cars until the escort arrives. Collins explained that wait times could be up to five minutes due to staff handling other issues but that they shouldn’t take longer than that.
“There is no reason for any student to ever feel unsafe on this campus. If you feel unsafe, call Mercer Police. Put their number on your speed dial in your cell phone,” Brumley said.
Changes are coming to campus, Brumley said, that will make parking more convenient for students. Most will be coming next school year with the addition of a parking deck at the new Mercer Landings lofts — which will hold 420 spots — as well as the addition of 296 parking spots where the new freshmen residence hall is being built.
Collins said that student perception about parking and the reality are two different things.
“In real reality, Mercer doesn’t have a parking problem,” Collins said. “We don’t have a lot of convenient parking spaces, but we have parking spaces.”
Credit for reporting due to Adam Ragusea’s JMS 120 class.
(11/11/15 2:25am)
Hayes and Justin sit down with the head coach of both the men's and women's basketball teams. Coach Bob Hoffman discusses his dancing skills and how the team is shaping up. Coach Susie Gardner tells about her young but talented squad and how they are prepping for the season opener. All of this and more to get you ready for tip off on Friday night at Hawkins arena. Also, your hosts tackle other hot topics around Mercer athletics including soccer, volleyball and football. Get ready to step Inside the Den.
[embed]https://soundcloud.com/mercer-cluster/inside-the-den-basketball-special[/embed]
(11/08/15 12:50am)
It all came together. It wasn't perfect, but it finally came together.
John Russ threw his first interception of the season. Jagger Lieb missed a 32-yard field goal. The Bears allowed Jacob Huesman to run for over 100 yards and 197 passing yards. The Bears were not perfect on this night, but they did enough to upset No. 3 Chattanooga.
"This game puts us on the map," Mercer head coach Bobby Lamb said in post game interview with 97.3 The Bull ICONS."These guys just believed. It's a joy to coach them every game,"
The Bears scored first in the game on a one yard sneak by Russ. Chattanooga answered back early in the second quarter on a quarterback run of their own. Huesman ran it in from 7 yards out.
The Bears went up 10-7 as Lieb drilled a 19-yard field goal. The Mocs had the chance to tie the game at the end of the half as Henrique Ribeiro missed a 36-yard field goal. It was a mistake that would comeback to bite the Mocs.
Coming out of the half the Bears scored first on a 64-yard touchdown from Russ to Jimmie Robinson.
The Bears defense held the Mocs to no points on the goal line stand late in the third quarter. At the start of the fourth quarter Huesman would punch it in from the one yard line to close the gap to 17-14.
The Bears defense held for the last 12 minutes without allowing another point. Zach Jackson intercepted Huesman with 3:57 left in the game. Russ sealed the game with a fourth down conversion with 1:58 remaining in the game to pull the upset of the number three team in the country.
"Our players were engaged in the game because our fans were engaged in the game," Lamb said. "Any time you get that, you have a great atmosphere you have a great opportunity to pull something like this off,"
(11/04/15 8:00am)
This week controversial topics and rants fill the den. Hayes and Justin weigh in on hot topics from around the world of sports. Should Mercer head coach Bobby Lamb's job be at risk with recent football struggles? Find out what the guys think as they debate the issue. The Mercer men's soccer team is heading into their Southern Conference tournament this week; hear from our two special guests, Ian Antley and Will Bagrou, as they give their take on what to expect for the tournament. Hear all that and more as you step inside the den for a loaded episode this week.
[embed]https://soundcloud.com/mercer-podcast/inside-the-den-ep-8[/embed]
(10/29/15 3:11am)
Inside the Den is back this week with a brand new episode. We have some very special guests this week including SoCon player of the month Maggie Cropp, goalkeeper for the women's soccer team and cross country SoCon tournament preview with runner Evan Park. Hayes and Justin talk about the keys to the Mercer football game against The Citadel. Check out this latest episode for all your sports need.
[embed]https://soundcloud.com/mercer-podcast/inside-the-den-podcast-episode-7[/embed]
(10/21/15 2:23am)
Homecoming is here, Justin Baxley and Hayes Rule are here getting you ready for all the festivities. With special guests president of the mercer maniacs Thomas Norton, starting quarterback John Russ and SGA rep/football player Tony Perella. Each guest offer their inside take on homecoming from three different perspectives as the Bears prepare for VMI on Saturday. The guys also jump into hot topics from around the SoCon and debate which animal could throw a football the best. You do not want to miss this very special edition of Inside the Den.
Photo credits on the podcast:Quadworks.
[embed]https://soundcloud.com/justinbaxley/inside-the-den-ep-6[/embed]
(10/15/15 6:54am)
Carson Moore hangs up her cleats for a clipboard on game day, but the former keeper-turned-coach runs through the drills with her girls like she’ll be in the starting lineup.
The women’s club soccer team is hard at work to make a name for themselves and step out of the shadows cast by the “big brother” boys’ team. The two teams have a wonderful relationship scrimmaging together and working out to make both teams better. The girls even got to play with the boys in the first season of club soccer two years ago. All of that changed when the boys moved into a league, and they could no longer field girls on game day. And a group of girls still came to practice and worked out despite knowing they would not get their chance to play. Yet.
All of that changed in the spring of 2015, as now-senior Carson Moore helped start a women’s club soccer team — a team dedicated just to the girls — and they finally had a purpose to go out and practice hard in anticipation of game day. Moore was one of the girls who stayed dedicated to practicing with the guys even when they did not have the chance to play. Moore finally had the opportunity this fall to step on the pitch and play in a women’s club soccer game, but instead she realized that the team did not need another player but a leader. Moore opted to be the team coach instead of stepping into the goal to play keeper.
“I watched my friend last year try to coach and play. It is hard to be a player-coach because if you mess up on the field it is hard to come back and be a leader. I decided to take that on myself, that I would rather be that leader,” Moore said “Being the older person who is there for them, taking care of paperwork, and leading practice.”
One sign of Moore’s leadership can be seen in how practices are run. Moore designs the practices by first going through them on her own. Then, during practices she goes through all of the workouts with the girls. She says that she doesn’t play in the games because she wants to be a good coach and “do this” for her players.
One of the players who she has already made an impact on is center midfielder Brittany Mueller, who has scored one goal and assisted on two more this season.
“I have quickly become great friends with Carson and having her as my coach is even better. We know our roles on the team and having someone to keep our team in check is just what we need, and Carson does just that,” Mueller said. “We are constantly progressing and I can thank Carson and our assistant coach, Shan Paracka, for that”
Club soccer takes the step up from intramural soccer to a different level. It gives the girls a chance to showcase their skills against other schools such as North Georgia, Alabama, Clemson, and South Carolina. Moore said it’s a more serious level of competition than intramurals but retains that same amount of fun.
“I’ve always loved playing soccer, and intramurals helped me fill that void when I got to Mercer. But I wanted something with an extra competitive edge,” Mueller said. “Club soccer really has helped me in getting back into the soccer shape I once had.”
The team competed last year in the intramural 11 vs 11 soccer tournament to get themselves ready for the year ahead, said the team’s advisor, Michael Castaneda.
“They are currently sitting with one win, two losses and one tie. They have played against teams like UGA, Kennesaw, Georgia College, and North Georgia. I know they have a couple more games coming up within this month both away and at home. The girls are really excited, and they have been improving with every game,” Castaneda said.
The team’s victory came against the University of North Georgia, while tying with Georgia College and State University.
The relationship has also developed with the men’s team under Austin Sigle. They have worked with each other on getting better but also in recruiting. The two teams are working hand-in-hand on getting players for each as that has been a struggle in the last couple of seasons.
“Austin and I have worked together on Bear Fair for the freshman and getting word out for each other because they are actually struggling for numbers more than we are now, which is kind of nice in that big brother-little sister way,” Moore said.
The women’s club soccer team is here to stay once again and is moving in a direction of their own. Moore said they hope to eventually join a league just like the guys have done. Both teams have been successful in their first few seasons and are among the most popular club sports offered at Mercer.
“I think it will be one of our bigger club sports. I see them growing over the next few years and being one of our big ones,” Castaneda said.
(10/15/15 1:08am)
On Oct. 25 in the friendly confines of Five Star Stadium, two teams will square off in what might be the biggest game of the year. The two teams currently sit with perfect records at 0-0 and are coming into the match looking to take home the victory and bragging rights in this rivalry game.
This will be the first annual powderpuff game for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, put on by the Alpha Tau Omega and the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternities to raise money for the cause. The two fraternities are hoping that this becomes a yearly tradition that gets Mercer students involved while contributing to fighting breast cancer with the money donated.
“Kappa Alpha Psi contacted ATO [about the game] to help raise money and awareness for breast cancer,” said Christopher Murdock, head coach for the ATO team.
With 30 slots to fill, the two teams have been hot on the recruiting trail, trying to gather the top girls from around campus for the seven-on-seven game. Despite the game being organized by two Greek organizations, the game is open to all girls on campus.
“Greek or non-Greek, it really does not matter. I know we are just looking for the best athletes to go out there and come away with the win,” said Caleb Brown, head coach for the Kappas. “I would say we have the upper hand because we have some great recruiters in our chapter. We just look forward to the competition.”
The two teams boast completely different styles based on the girls that they targeted during the recruitment — even looking at teams in college football to model themselves after.
“I think we have two drastically different styles. You look at the Kappas, and I think you can expect the flashy Oregon-esque style of football — lots of speed and lots of tempo,” said the ATO team general manager, Elliot West. “Here at ATO our powderpuff team is very disciplined and hardworking. Blue collar style, kind of like an Alabama or maybe Michigan State. We are looking to be consistent and pound the rock.”
Powderpuff games are normally held on the high school level for the rivalry between different classes. The two organizations are hoping that this will bring back those fun nights of supporting your friends as they look to garner the bragging rights for the year. Powderpuff football is generally two-hand touch or flag football in order to keep it non-contact. This game will be flag football rules with intramural refs in charge of maintaining order in this already highly-anticipated and heated rivalry game.
“We have speed, and we have size. We have everything you need to win. We are going to get through this, and ATO is going to win the game. That is the best way to put it,” Murdock said.
While it is a competition, the Kappas and ATO are both focused on the main objective — raising money for breast cancer awareness.
“Our number one goal is obviously to go out and raise money for breast cancer awareness as much as we can. Number two is just to go out and have fun. Obviously we don’t have any real issues with the ATOs,” Brown said. “We just want go out there and make sure everyone has a great time.”
There are multiple ways for students to get involved in the game. You can purchase tickets from members of each fraternity for $2 each before the game. Both teams will also be selling tank tops and t-shirts with a breast cancer awareness themed slogan. This is also a competition as they try to sell the most shirts, but all of the money goes to the same place at the end of the day, Brown said. Any girl can get involved by contacting someone in the fraternities if there are still open spots available.
With the rivalry game coming at the end of a huge homecoming week, you won’t want to miss out on the festivities. Each team has put in countless hours of practice and is looking to put on a show under the lights at Five Star Stadium, according to both coaches.
“The biggest impact we can have is getting people to come out to the game and participate. It is for a good cause and we are looking to have fun and make a sport of it.” West said.
The game kicks off at 8 p.m.
(10/14/15 8:10pm)
Mercer Madness is this Friday night. Hayes Rule and Justin Baxley get you ready for that event and review the last week in Mercer sports. Including, soccer's recent string of wins, volleyball's home dominance, and Mercer footballs late game woes. This week two very special guest join the show as Kahlia Lawrence of the women's basketball team and Jestin Lewis of the men's basketball team offer insight on all things basketball, like who is the best dancer. Check out the latest episode here at the award winning Mercer Cluster website.
[embed]https://soundcloud.com/inside-the-den-podcast/inside-the-den-podcast-mercer-madness-ep-5[/embed]