Late rally sets up huge match-up with arch-rival Ga. Southern

Chris Boyce - Varsity Sports Beat

With the bitter memories of Louis Ivory running over Mountaineer defenders in last season's 31-25 loss to Furman still fresh, Appalachian State University gave the Paladins their fair share of heartbreak Saturday, stunning fourth-ranked Furman 18-17.

The seventh-ranked Mountaineers launched an improbable comeback Saturday, down 14-3 at the half, and rebounding with a victory in front of 11,671 fans at Kidd Brewer Stadium.

In an evenly matched contest which featured NCAA rushing leader Louis Ivory, the Appalachian defense held Ivory to only 63 yards on 19 carries for an average of 3.1 yards per carry.

Ivory came into the game averaging 181.4 yards per game on the ground as well as a nation's best 8.2 yards per carry but struggled to find any holes in the Mountaineer defense.

"That was very big for us because he's (Ivory) a great back, always working hard and everything. That's what we focused on, contain Louis Ivory and (Justin Hill)," said Appalachian State linebacker Wes Hunter. "Unfortunately, early in the first quarter we let the quarterback get out in the game and we had to regroup and just make sure we didn't let any more big plays happen like that as far as the ground game. That's what we pride ourselves on, stopping the run and covering up everything on the pass."

Appalachian defensive lineman Jimmy Freeman said, "We knew coming into the game that he (Ivory) was a big person we had to stop, him and the quarterback. He's a tough player, he's a hard worker and he runs hard but we just had to swarm the ball. We just had to put a lot of pressure on him and try to make him think when he ran the ball instead of just react."

The game served as a test for Appalachian State quarterback Joe Burchette, making his first start of the season, a test he passed with flying colors.

Burchette completed 18 of 33 passes for 290 yards with two interceptions and no touchdowns, but played with poise throughout the game, especially at the end of the fourth quarter.

After Furman put its first points on the board with a 65-yard touchdown run by quarterback Justin Hill, Burchette finally got Appalachian on the scoreboard with a 40-yard pass to Joey Gibson that set up a 32-yard field goal by Appalachian kicker Mark Wright, making the score 7-3 with 2:38 left in the first quarter.

The first half was filled with sloppy play on both sides, including a blocked ASU field goal, two Burchette interceptions, and two Appalachian fumbles that limited the effectiveness of the Mountaineer offense.

With only four minutes and 35 seconds left in the first half, Furman struck again with a big play, this time Hill connecting with wideout Trent Sansbury for a 60-yard touchdown giving the Paladins a commanding 14-3 lead.

Appalachian State returned from the half with a vengeance and compiled a 10-play, 53-yard drive highlighted by a touchdown run by Burchette, trimming the Paladin lead to 14-10.

Burchette then found tight end Daniel Wilcox wide open in the middle of the end zone for the two-point conversion, putting the Mountaineers three points down at the end of the third quarter.

But the Paladins were not about to give the Mountaineers any more chances, driving 60 yards in 12 plays resulting in a 19-yard field goal by Danny Marshall, giving Furman the 17-11 lead with 12:51 left in the fourth quarter.

The Mountaineers stared defeat right in the face when ASU punt returner Jimmy Watkins fumbled a Paladin punt with only 9:31 left in the fourth, and Furman came up with the ball at ASU's 23 yard-line.

Then the miraculous happened.

ASU pressure on Furman quarterback Hill forced the senior to throw into double coverage and the ball was intercepted by Du'Shon Martin in the end zone, breathing new life into the Mountaineer hopes.

Appalachian State drove the ball 80 yards in 10 plays and scored on a two-yard run by Jerry Beard, giving the Mountaineers the 18-17 go-ahead score with 2:42 left to play.

The drive contained several gut-wrenching third down conversions, and Joe Burchette's bullet to Joey Gibson at the two yard-line epitomized BurchetteÕs cool under pressure he demonstrated the entire game.

Appalachian State head coach Jerry Moore was impressed with Burchette's play .

"Early on we thought we had a good plan on how we were gonna throw it. Some of that blew up on us too. We had some guys open and Joe didn't see, we had some guys open and Joe threw the ball awfully hard. ThatÕs just a little bit of anxiety, that first start and the pressure of the ball game," said Moore.

"He's probably gonna be a guy his whole career that's going to throw some balls through guys hands because he's got a lot of velocity on the ball but then, not a lot of guys could've got the ball to Joey Gibson."

"After the first snap I was fine," said Burchette. "That was all I was worried about, getting hold of the ball from the center on the first snap. After that, everything just fell into place."

Furman had one last chance with two minutes to go, but Appalachian defensive back Corey Hall ended the Paladins hope with an interception.

The second half momentum swing seemed to be the difference for Appalachian.

"In the locke room we told ourselves, it's up to us to go ahead and win the game or lose the game so we needed to step up. We finally came out with the momentum and won the game," said Hunter.

The victory against the fourth-ranked Paladins is huge for ASU but the Mountaineers must face second-ranked Georgia Southern next in Statesboro, Ga.

Wes Hunter feels Appalachian will be ready for the Eagles.

"We've been seeing Georgia Southern's offense for the past three weeks because everybody's trying to adapt to it. I believe we're the only team in the nation who's sound against it and would be able to stop it," said Hunter.

Appalachian will get their chance to back this up come Saturday afternoon in Statesboro.

Jenny Trest - Features Beat

It was a day of sunshine and golf, held in honor of the man whose smile, they say, was infectious.

Nearly 160 people arrived at Verdict Ridge Golf and Country Club on Monday morning, Oct. 2, to play golf or just support the First Annual Stephen's Tournament.

Last Monday, 24 teams of four golfers came to Denver, a small town near Charlotte. Many additional supporters arrived for the tournament and the fellowship created in the name of an Appalachian State University alumnus and honorable graduate, Stephen Vacendak.

"It went really well," said Carter Ramsay, close friend of Stephen Vacendak and committee member for the tournament.

"I can't say it enough; it was amazing to see and I really hope this sets out to be a long-term event," said Ramsay.

Vacendak died Oct. 8, 1999, when his mountain bike collided with a vehicle in Boone. He was attending graduate school at Appalachian State, hoping to eventually obtain a doctorate degree in geography and be a teacher. Vacendak received a B.S. in geography from Appalachian in May 1996.

A fund was created shortly after his death in honor of his exceptional abilities, outstanding optimism and goals in higher education.

The Stephen Vacendak Memorial Fellowship Fund in Geography is designed for the recruitment and partial support of graduate students in the Appalachian geography department.

"Our goal is to eventually support every graduate student in the program," said Mike Mayfield, professor and chairperson.

"Because Steve was so excited about coming back to Appalachian for graduate school, we felt he would be best honored with a scholarship fund for graduate students," said Mayfield.

Chris Larson, the current recipient of Stephen's Fund, was present at the tournament.

"We wanted to recognize Steve immediately in the first year after his death, which is important to his friends, his family and the geography department," said Mayfield.

Mike Mayfield began the tournament handbook by writing, "Steve would appreciate the spirit of camaraderie and sportsmanship in what you all are doing today."

"He would really appreciate the fact that many of his closest friends are absent from university classes in order to play golf and tip a beer today on such a beautiful course."

After a successful day of golfing and raising money in honor of Vacendak, supporters and golfers gathered for dinner and a ceremony, as well as an auction and raffle. In the short ceremony following the tournament, a dear friend of Vacendak's, Bill Studebaker, engaged supporters in remembrance of the wonderful young man whose memory they were honoring.

Studebaker's poem "Portaging the BlueÑ for Steve Vacendak" is a highly admired and honored work by those closest to Vacendak.

"It was really good for all the people to hear Bill read the poem he wrote about Steve, and explain why it was that [Steve] had such an impact on so many people," said Mayfield.

The auction and raffle helped raise additional money for Stephen's Fund. Companies and sponsors donated a variety of golf equipment and items raffled and auctioned, including a jersey from Carolina Panthers star Michael Bates.

"We're hoping we raised $10,000 from this tournament," said Mayfield. That money would finance an additional fellowship for Stephen's Fund.

The first annual Stephen's Tournament left its creators and sponsors with much hope for the future.

"I think it was great. I think it was a huge success. I think the numbers could have been slightly higher, but they will be," said Mayfield. "Next year will be a whole lot easier; more people will want to play and there will be more sponsors."

Fellow members of the Appalachian State chapter of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity, of which Stephen Vacendak was a member, showed their support at the tournament.

"God gave us a beautiful day, 24 supportive brothers, and all the wonderful people who came out to play," said Ramsay.

Members of the Stephen's Tournament committee are Carl Bates, Larry Bigham, Jerry Couch, Mike Mayfield, Anson Merrick and Carter Ramsay.

Among the contributors listed were Xerox, AllTel Mobile Net, the Carolina Panthers, the Charlotte Hornets, the Indianapolis Colts, the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), Home Ice Co., ThursdayÕs Too Restaurant and the Appalachian State University Foundation, among others.

In addition, many local businesses and members of the community were able to make the tournament a success. Many of the contributors were able to participate in the tournament last Monday.

"It was amazing, on my part, to see the response from the Appalachian community," said Ramsay. "All of this was done by word of mouth."

Contributions can be made to Stephen's Fund, P.O. Box 2792, Rock Hill, S.C. 29732.

Look for a feature article in the Oct. 19 edition of The Appalachian about Stephen Vacendak and Stephen's Fund.

Woman assaulted in Raley

Attack comes after similiar incident six days earlier

Sarah Sparks - Police Beat

A female student was grabbed and threatened on the third floor of Raley Hall on Friday, according to Major Larry Foster of the Appalachian State University Police Department.

Foster said the student was grabbed by a white male while exiting a classroom around 2 p.m. The female student said she was forced down the hall and then pushed up against the wall. The assailant then threatened the student and fled toward the elevators, said Foster.

The female student was able to provide a good description of her attacker, said Foster. Appalachian Police are currently on alert for a white male that matches the description provided by the victim.

The victim reported that she did not know the attacker and therefore a motive is unclear.

The victim also told police following the attack on Friday that a similar incident occured in Broyhill Music Hall on Saturday, Sept. 30. According to Foster, a white male fitting the same description as the Friday attacker grabbed the victim in the music building and then fled the scene.

The victim did not report the first incident at the time, but decided to report both incidences following the Friday attack, said Foster.

There were witnesses of the second attack that may be contacted in the event that testimony is needed or further physical descriptions are necessary.

Appalachian State sophomore Sarah Steinbeck expresses concern for the victim and the lack of compassion on campus.

Steinbeck said, "What makes me nervous is people's lack of empathy towards people being violated. It's not even so much the acts of violence that worry me, but more the lack of reaction from the student body.

"I look at Appalachian as one of the safest campuses in North Carolina. I don't see any immediate danger to myself, but I do see people taking that fact for granted and not listening to the warnings that are given."

The police department is asking for the cooperation of the student body in providing any evidence or leads that might aid in the investigation.

Students can disclose information anonymously through the Crimestoppers Hotline at 262-4555 or they can provide the information directly to the police department at 262-2150.

Sean Oakley - Features Beat

Autumn has begun to wrap its artistic hands around the mountains and transform the usual blue-green landscape into a collage of colors. Brighter shades of yellow, red and orange dot the once uniform foliage as the air slowly gets colder and colder.

Fall remains the timeless symbol of Mother Nature's constant cycle of change. The days grow shorter, the winds become more chilly and the once vibrantly alive leaves explode with a brilliant coloration that precedes their final departure to the stiffening ground below.

The warm summer days of late August quickly give way to bleaker days filled with the subtle smell of burning chimneys. Eventually the leaves become painted, fall off the trees and leave behind a naked countryside. The change happens so quickly that most people don't notice the slow fading of green until none remains.

Robert Frost, in his book "Early Poems," wrote, "Release one leaf at break of day / at noon release another leaf / one from our trees, one far away / retard the sun with gentle mist / enchant the land with amethyst."

October remains one of the busiest months for the Blue Ridge Parkway. According to statistics from the Blue Ridge Parkway headquarters in Asheville, 2.5 million visitors traveled different sections of the road last October.

In the section that runs close to Boone and Blowing Rock alone, 84,000 people visited last October to view the colored landscapes. The statistics are drawn from several counters that are placed, invisible to the human eye, in different places along the Parkway.

Visitors may see the white oak and its leaves that change from green to red and yellow. They might also catch a glimpse of the morphing bronze and maroon cover of the sweet gum tree.

Other noteworthy sights include the red and orange coat of the sassafras, the orange and various reds that encase the sugar maple and the yellow offerings of the sweet birch.

The combination of all these spectacles creates a painting that could only be produced by nature. Every single splash of color fits perfectly into the rustic landscape that remains heavily sought after by millions of tourists each year.

According to the "Parkway Milepost," a free informative publication that can be obtained at any visitor center along the Parkway, most of the color change is due to the ceased production of chlorophyll.

As the production stops, yellow pigments which were once hidden by green begin to make themselves noticeable.

The appearance of red, orange and other colors stem from chemical changes in the plant. These colors are products of compounds, such as sugars, being converted to blue and red pigments.

Karrie Breitharpt, a park ranger who works at the Parkway, spent Saturday in an increasingly crowded Linn Cove Visitor Center. "Mid-October is one of our busiest times of the year," Breitharpt said.

According to Breitharpt, several environmental factors have contributed to a slightly early parade of colors this year. The High Country region experienced a very dry May, which has had direct consequences on the leaves, causing foliage to drop much faster. Other factors that affect the fall foliage include acid rain, number of days of sunlight and the elevation at different points along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Because of these factors, predicting a peak time to view the foliage is difficult, though Breitharpt said that the beginning to middle of October usually remains the best time.

Most "leaf lookers," as Breitharpt called them, are gone by the end of the third week in October. By the end of the month, most of the leaves have fallen to the ground and colder temperatures make outdoor trips less desirable.

Breitharpt mentioned Price Lake (near milepost 296), Rough Ridge (302.8), Beacon Heights (305.2) and Flat Rock Trail (308) as ideal places to see the wonders fall has to offer. But she also said that there are several overlooks that will give breathtaking views of the wide array of colors speckled across the mountains.

During this month, Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the slowest days for tourism. By Thursday, the influx of visitors begins to pick up and continues throughout Friday. Saturday can be described as a madhouse and Sunday, though still crowded, usually starts to slow down again, according to Breitharpt.

The visitor centers begin to close around the beginning of November, due to the cold weather and lack of tourists. Breitharpt said that Nov. 5 is the projected date for closing, but that this date can be easily changed. As the date gets closer, a decision will be made based on the severity of the weather and the amount of visitors.

Just as quickly as the colors of fall arrive, they disappear, leaving only the eerie silence and desolation before winter's first snowfall. Again, in the words of Robert Frost, "O hushed October morning mild / thy leaves have ripened to the fall / tomorrow's wind, if it be wild / should waste them all."

As if in direct opposition to the humanistic view of life, leaves save their most beautiful sides for their final days. While for most of their lives they remain as green as the thousands beside them, in the end they pay their last respects to this world with a uniquely individual statement of color.

But after the glorious days of fall, they slowly trickle to the ground and take their appropriate place in the infinite sea of brown that awaits the harsher winds of winter.

Legal clinic to provide discount advice to students

Robyn Dailey - Chancellor/Advancement Beat

For the first year, Appalachian State University's Office of Student Judicial Affairs is offering a Student Legal Walk-In Clinic.

The clinic offers advice on minor judicial matters to students free of charge. Karla Rusch, attorney and owner of the Appalachian Community Law Center, located on King Street, is the advisor available to students.

Rusch created the Appalachian Community Law Center as a non-profit organization that is not affiliated with the university. The Law Center offers low-price legal service to low and middle-class households who cannot afford a lawyer out in the community.

Last year, according to Rusch, she began to think about how students could use an accessible place to get free advice on minor offenses or legal problems. This was how the Walk-In clinic was born.

Rusch said, "In my experience practicing law in the community, I have come to be aware that students need advice in the tenant/landlord laws." The clinic is currently advice only, but Rusch said she believes they may also eventually be able to provide minor services such as writing letters and making phone calls about legal issues.

This is the first semester that the clinic has been in operation, and there is a growing number of students coming in for advice, said Rusch.

Students can either walk in or call in advance to schedule appointments.

So far, they have only dealt with tenant/landlord laws and minor criminal charges. Usually the student is able to settle the problem, but if further steps needed to be taken, they would offer advice on such things as hiring an attorney, writing to landlords, or negotiating the legal system, Rusch said.

Rusch said, "More than one student has sought legal advice about conditions at University Courtyard [Apartments], and I've encouraged them to report back to me about what's happened." She said that many students have had complaints about the conditions there.

As of now, the Clinic is open from 1-3 p.m. on Thursdays. Rusch said, "If there was a great demand, I think we would expand the hours, but right now we don't need to."

According to Rusch, legal appointments at the clinic usually don't last more than 20 or 30 minutes. Judy Haas, acting director of Student Judicial Affairs, said, "I think this is a service that our students really need, and they can benefit from talking to Karla."

Haas emphasized that receiving good advice was vital, rather than just accepting advice from friends, etc.

The Student Government Association, Resident Directors and Assistants, Freshmen Seminar instructors, and administrators in student development have all been informed about the clinic and encouraged to urge students to attend, according to Haas.

The Office of Student Judicial Affairs is located on the second floor of Plemmons Student Union. They can be contacted for information or appointment scheduling at 262-2074.

Rusch said, "The people that I've talked to have been very pleased to get some legal advice and information."

Officials defend handicap blockade

Catherine Quill - Business Affairs Beat

The recent University Bookstore construction forced a handicap ramp to be closed, making the Appalachian State University campus more difficult for disabled students to navigate, a predicament administrators say they are working to alleviate.

"The main concern I had is that there was no warning. It didn't seem like there were any preparations made," said Amy Hathcock, a graduate assistant in the Equity Office.

Hathcock said that the closing has had a huge impact on students, but administrators are cooperative when working out solutions to the problem.

"They're open to suggestions. They're limited because of the terrain," she said.

Hathcock added that small adjustments, such as making more bathrooms accessible and maintaining clear sidewalks in the winter, would be beneficial and appreciated.

"I think anything would be helpful," she said.

Hathcock feels it is important for administrators to inform students in advance about situations that would affect them.

"Hopefully, something was learned," she said.

Suzanne Wehner, Coordinator for Disability Services, is acting as a liaison between disabled students and the administration.

"I just want to be sure they're heard and recognized and validated," she said.

Wehner said, "We are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act." She added that the ramp closing is "inconvenient for all students."

On Sep. 26, students and administrators participated in what Wehner called a "walk about." The group started at the Varsity Gymnasium and navigated routes to evaluate accessibility.

"It was a very good meeting, very positive," said Wehner.

The meeting prompted officials to plan additions that would compensate for the closed ramp.

Wehner said the construction of a temporary ramp near the bookstore was discussed, as well as additional parking spaces to be designated as handicapped.

According to Clyde Robbins, director of Appalachian State Design and Construction, "We tried to find a way to do a ramp there, but we can't find a site. We are constructing one on the other side of the mall. That will be permanent."

The ramp under current construction is near the Lucy Brock Center. Weather-permitting, Robbins thinks this could be finished within the next week.

Barry Sauls, director of University Parking and Traffic, said, "We have enough [parking spaces] to meet code." However, he feels it is important to add more, especially between the D.D. Dougherty and Smith-Wright buildings.

"We're going to try to add some disability parking-spaces. I've met with the contractor who does the striping." Sauls is hopeful that the striping will be completed over Fall Break, since the work is hard to finish when the campus is active.

Sauls said some problems arise with handicapped parking spaces. "We do have some abuse of the disability spaces," he said. Over the past two years, he said there have been about 50 incidents each year of students fraudulently utilizing handicapped parking passes.

Sauls said they permit disabled students to park in a 20-minute timed space for an unlimited amount of time to remedy their lack of spaces.

Para Transit, a transportation service, will drop off students anywhere on campus prior to a 24-hour notification.

Sauls said wheelchair lifts are currently being installed in the Mountaineer Escort vans. Sauls hopes the project will be completed sometime this fall.