April 10, 1997

Countersuit filed in defamation case
Woman who accused football players of rape denies libel
Darin Glass
Staff Writer

According to Watagua County Superior Court records, Appalachian freshmen Sabrina Coone filed a countersuit Monday in reaction to the defamation suit against her.

The countersuit was filed in response to a defamation of character suit issued against Coone in February by Kendrick Byrd, Fredrick Sellers, Kevin McLain, Gordon Fenderson, Rodney Thomas and Desmond Adams. The defamation suit came after Coone accused the six men of raping her.

Court documents state four defense claims against the plaintiffs in the countersuit.

The first defense states that any statement from Coone was truthful and cannot constitute slander or libel.

The second part is that any statement allegedly made by Coone was in accordance with an absolute privilege and cannot be libel or slander.

Another claim was that any alleged statement about the lawsuit was made in accordance to a qualified privilege.

The last claim states that the plaintiffs had already consented to the statements that Coone had already made. Those statements are the basis of the lawsuit.

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ASU football player found guilty of assault
Jay Konstantaras
Assistant News Editor

Senior Jason Hatcher, former defensive lineman for the Mountaineers and a basketball cheerleader, was found guilty of assault on a female and sentenced to 24 months probation on March 25.

The charge stems from a Jan. 24 off-campus incident where, according to police reports, Hatcher pushed an Appalachian junior across a room during an argument, causing her to hit her head on a kitchen counter. Hatcher was arrested, and later freed on $500 bond.

Hatcher initially received a sentence of 30 days in Watauga County jail for the misdemeanor assault, but the sentence was suspended in favor of probation.

Hatcher played in all 13 games for the Mountaineers this year. Although he is enrolled for fall semester classes, he will be ineligible for the team.

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International Festival week celebrated with food, fun
Laurie Lyda
Staff Writer

This week Appalachian State University is hosting an International Festival. The focus of the week-long event is to heighten awareness of Appalachian's cooperative and exchange programs abroad.

The festival, sponsored by the International Relations Association, The APP 90.5, and the Watauga County Arts Council, includes exhibits, food, films, concerts, and a festival ball. The majority of events are free and open to the public.

Tonight, a World Beach Party, sponsored by The APP 90.5, will take place from 4 to 8 at Duck Pond Field. World Wide Tales, featuring international storytelling, will begin at 7 p.m. in Tradewinds Coffee House in Plemmons Student Union.

Appalachian's National Panhellenic Council will sponsor a step show and deejay dance Friday at 9 p.m. at Legends. Tickets are $3 for Panhellenic's member organizations and $5 for non-members.

International Festival Week culminates with a ball on April 12 from 7 p.m. to midnight at the Broyhill Inn. Two venues will be held, the Chisti Chamber Players and a polka party will be featured separately from 7 to 8 p.m. Dancing will be held from 8 p.m. to midnight, with the music of Cloud Nine in one venue and international music with a deejay in the other. Guests may wear party attire or international costumes. A travel package from Boone Travel will be awarded during the evening.

Student tickets for the ball are $5 advance, $7 at the door. For non-students, tickets are $20 per person or $140 for a table of eight. Tickets are available at Farthing Auditorium box office, the political science/criminal justice department in Whitener Hall and at the Jones House.

For more information, or a schedule of events, call Dr. Roland F. Moy, festival chair, at 262-6350 or the Arts Council at 264-1789.

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Student dies in auto wreck
Beth Bliss
Staff Writer

Kenneth Dale Potts, 21, a junior at Appalachian, was killed in an automobile accident in Guilford County Mar. 22.

Potts, a technology major from High Point, transferred to Appalachian last semester. He lived on-campus in Justice Residence Hall.

Barbara W. Daye, associate vice-chancellor for student development who spoke with Potts' mother following his death, said Potts loved the Appalachian atmosphere and was excited to attend school in Boone.

Potts was active in intramural and recreational sports on campus, Daye said.

Last semester, Potts played intramural flag football and basketball, and had joined a co-recreational softball team prior to his death, said sophomore Demiko M. Ervin, a friend of Potts and fellow Justice Hall resident.

Outside of intramural activities, Potts enjoyed watching wrestling and playing basketball with friends, Ervin said.

Ervin said Potts will be remembered for his outlook on life.

"He was a really positive person, no matter what kind of week he had," he said. "He always found the bright (spot) in each situation."

Flowers and a memorial album were placed in the Student Union in Potts' honor. Students, faculty and staff signed the book which was later given to the Potts family on behalf of the university.

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Alternative dissection bill on SGA agenda proposal heads to rules committee before senate vote
Beth Bliss
Staff Writer

In a brief meeting Tuesday, Student Government Association senators sent three pieces of legislation to the rules committee for review before being considered at next week's assembly.

Senate bills sent to Rules suggest changes in SGA election by-laws and a suggestion for dissection alternatives in core curriculum science courses.

Amendments must be made to update election bylaws and make certain aspects of the bylaws more clear, according to the bill proposed by SGA senator Mike Shanus.

The bill proposes that the election committee, which traditionally is formed by three members, consist of four students to distribute the work load of the yearly election.

In addition, the bill suggests changes that would allow an easier campaign for both candidates and voters, including an amendment that would allow candidates to campaign via e-mail.

A second bill introduced by Shanus suggests a clear definition of punishments resulting from major or minor campaign violations.

The third resolution, proposed by David Wade, offers suggestions for dissection alternatives in core curriculum science courses, particularly biology.

In the bill, alternatives suggested include computer-simulated dissection programs and plastic models.

If reviewed favorably by the rules committee, all legislation will be considered and voted on at the next Senate meeting.

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In the News...

March for Parks

Students can help raise funds for community area parks by participating in the annual March for Parks April 20 at Moses Cone Manor.

Coordinated by the National Parks and Conservation Association and sponsored by the Blue Ridge Parkway and Appalachian's Highland Biology Club, the five-mile march will begins at 1 p.m. at the Moses Cone Manor and follows the carriage trails to Bass Lake and back to the manor. Shuttles will be provided for those only walking the 2.5-mile portion.

Proceeds will be used to construct a boardwalk through a wetland area of Price Lake Trail, as well as other projects within local parks on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

For pledge forms or more information, contact Claire Bird at 264-8495, Bob Cherry at 295-7591 or Kelly Steele at 262-6511.

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Web site workshop

An HTML Web Site Workshop will be held today at 6 p.m. in Kerr Scott Hall auditorium.

Sponsored by the Epsilon Pi Tau technology honor society, the lecture will include presentations by several web site authors and will cover basic HTML, the use of commercial and shareware web site design software, "non-HTML" web page creation and the differences encountered in publishing web pages on different server types. A question and answer session will follow the presentation.

Students and faculty of all colleges are invited to attend. For more information, contact Eric Reichard at 262-6360.

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Dance ensemble to perform

Eight newly choreographed dances will premier this month when the Appalachian Dance Ensemble performs tonight through Saturday at Appalachian.

The concert focuses on modern and jazz techniques with accompanying music ranging from rock to jazz. Students and faculty will each present pieces dealing with evolution, growing up, space, reunion and reconciliation, and America.

Performances begin at 8 p.m. in Valborg Theater. Tickets are $3 for students and $5 for non-students and can be purchased from the theater box office weekdays from 2-5 p.m.

For reservations or more information, call 262-3063.

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Appalachian faculty honored

Two Appalachian faculty are among the first in the country to be honored by the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education.

Dr. Lorin Baumhover, chair of the sociology and social work department, and Dr. Edward Folts, associate professor, were among the first 23 Fellows in Gerontology and Geriatrics Education selected by the AGHE.

Qualifications for the honor include outstanding achievement in teaching, scholarship and research on educational issues, influential research publications, or leadership in administration and funding of essential programs.

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