Articles
Modern Civil Rights Protests: Effective or a Waste of Time?
October 27, 2014
A large amount of civil rights protests have taken place in the African American community nationwide. The lack of results behind these protests may lead one to believe that modern civil rights protests are no longer effective.
The last few years have been a plethora of reasons to protest injustices across America within young black males being shot at the hands of intimidated Caucasian males.
"Protests and marches have their place, but if you really want to affect change in a capitalist economy you have to attack capitalism… Modern protests should pick up where Martin Luther King Jr. left off by boycotting businesses," said Darryl Scriven, a Philosophy and Religion assistant professor at Florida A & M University.
Rattlers Drop Homecoming Game Amid Confusion
November 2, 2014
Four days after head coach Earl Holmes was fired, the Florida A&M Rattlers (2-7, 2-3 MEAC) lost on homecoming, 12-10 game in a nail-biter at Bragg Memorial Stadium to the Norfolk State University Spartans (4-5, 4-1 MEAC).
Interim head coach Corey Fuller reflected with a heavy heart about his friend being fired days before the loss.
November 24, 2014
Monday night the Florida A&M University Lady Rattlers (1-3) lost to the Troy University Trojans (3-2) 65-59 at the Al Lawson Center.
The Lady Rattlers overcame a slow start after beginning the game with a string of misses, that led to them not scoring until just over 17 minutes in the half.
Troy used a full-court trap proved problematic for the Lady Rattlers.
On top of having scoring woes the Lady Rattlers struggled to limit transition points and rebounds, the lady rattlers were out rebounded 28 to 19 in the first half.
Community Celebrates Veterans at Parade
The Veterans Day Parade was a community success with nearly 12,000 youth and seniors attending at Monroe Street to pay homage to veterans.
Veterans Day allows people, affected by war, to pay their respects to those who risked their lives for Americans to enjoy the liberties of democracy. The Tallahassee community showed their respect for military veterans at the parade.
Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps students from all high schools in the Tallahassee area marched in support of the occasion.
Is FAMU prepared for a terrorist attack?
January 29, 2015
Over the past few months around the world, there have been terrorist attacks involving lone wolf gunmen. With a rise in these type of attacks, fear of terrorism is at an all time high in America.
Historically Black Universities, such as Florida A&M University are not ideal targets for a terrorist. However, one saturday evening, FAMU experienced a possible threat via Facebook when a student from Louisiana operating under the alias “Jhn Hdsn” warned that people will “perish” unless FAMU President Elmira Magnum contacted him by his 9 p.m deadline.
Fortunately, Hdsn was apprehended without incident in the School of Architecture and Engineering building. However, the incident caused me to raise the question: Is FAMU adequately prepared for a terrorist attack?
Lady Rattlers drop season opener to No. 6 Kentucky
February 6, 2015
Florida A&M University’s softball team lost its home-opener to the University of Kentucky, 4-2, but the Lady Rattlers see the glass half-full going toe-to-toe with a top-10 nationally ranked team.
FAMU started slowly on defense as miscues in the outfield allowed the Kentucky to jump out to an early 1-0 lead in the first inning.
FAMU misplayed several pop-up balls, which set up runs for the Wildcats.The lady rattlers also struggled with Kentucky’s pitching, losing the hitting differential 7-5
FAMU Softball Season Outlook
March 24, 2015
The Florida A&M University Lady Rattlers softball team aspires to have another successful season after dominating the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference last season.
The Lady Rattlers have an abundance of youthful talent with six sophomores returning to the championship team. The underclassmen must learn quickly, as the team will be without senior shortstop Kiefi Myrick for the season with a knee injury she sustained last fall.
Assistant coach Lori Goodart feels that the team still has a great chance at repeating as MEAC champions even with the absence of Myrick.
Law Enforcement Issues Warning: Lock up cars
February 9, 2015
Florida A and M Universities parking garage has experienced a trend of vehicle break ins in the past few months.
This type of crime is trending because it is a convenient crime because criminals take advantage of doors that are left open by their owners. This issue has raised concern amongst law enforcement that Tallahassee Police has issued a warning to the public to lock their car doors when exiting their car.
According to police reports common items that are being stolen are laptops,wallets, and money.
Local Organizations Collaborate for New Shelter
April 2, 2015
Today, shelter directors cut the ribbon to the new Comprehensive Emergency services center homeless shelter located on Pensacola Street. This larger facility will provide more space for those in need.
Big Bend Homeless coalition, The City of Tallahassee, The Renaissance Center, The Shelter and others have partnered to create the facility.
The shelter was once located on Tennessee Street near the Renaissance Community Center. The facility will be relocating to its new address at 2650 Municipal Way (by the Goodwill on Pensacola St.).
Shelter director Jacob Reiter describes what services the new center will offer and sheds light on why the center relocated.
FAMU Legend’s Home Dedicated as State Landmark
April 14, 2015
Former FAMU head football coach Alonzo “Jake” Gaither’s home was honored Friday as hundreds of supporters showed up to the unveiling of the landmark sign in the yard of the home.
Gaither has gained yet another honor to add to his collection with the official honoring of his old residence on Young Street right off of FAMU’s campus. Gaither and his wife Sadie lived there for 40 years as Gaither blazed his path to becoming a legend with a record of 204-36-4, and six black college national championships during his tenure as head Coach.
Andrew Martin, a Tallahassee native grew up in the neighborhood where Gaither resided was nostalgic when speaking on his interactions with the coach, and his impact on the community.
Panama City Officials Promise Stiffer Penalties
March 29, 2015
Recently, Panama City officials promised to impose legislation to stiffen crime penalties to hinder mischievous activity.
Panama City Beach is a popular spring break Vacation spot for FAMU students since Tallahassee doesn't have a beach. Each year, thousands of students flock to Panama City to meet students from other states.
Along with the cities growing popularity as a party location the crime rate has experienced a spike as well. A few weeks ago a young woman was gang raped on the beach by three suspects in front of hundreds of onlookers causing a national uproar. This uproar has been a catalyst to make the city a safer place to visit.
Breaking News: Former FAMU Basketball Coach Files Lawsuit
May 13, 2015
Former Florida A & M University's head basketball coach Clemon Johnson filed a lawsuit against the university for wrongful termination of his contract.
Johnson filed the lawsuit Monday citing good faith and fair dealing, negligent misrepresentation, breach of contract, and fraud.
Johnson was fired in April of 2014 while in the third year of his four-year contract a days after Kellen Winslow was introduced as the Athletic Director.
Johnson is the second former head coach to sue the university this year. In January, former head football coach Earl Holmes filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against the university citing damages, and the remainder of the money owed from the two years left on his contract.
Tallahassee attorney Tim Jansen is representing both Johnson and Holmes. Jansen says that the two cases are similar, with the difference being that Holmes had two years left on his contract, in comparison to Johnson approching the final year in his contract.
Breaking News: FAMU Baseball Wins MEAC Championship, Reaches First NCAA Appearance
May 16, 2015
Today the Florida A & M University Baseball team clinched their first ever bid in the NCAA regionals by defeating Bethune Cookman 8-2 in the MEAC championship game in Salisbury, Maryland.
The Rattlers first MEAC championship victory since 1994 also was an automatic bid to the regionals tournament. FAMU won the tournament due to solid batting finishing the MEAC tournament with a 4.43 ERA.
FAMU’s opponent in the tournament will be decided on May 25 at noon during a selection show on ESPNU. The regionals begin May 29.
Edited Articles
Mr. Kirnes served as the FAMUAN sports editor below are examples of his editorial skills.
Rattlers Bring Home First MEAC Title in more than 20 Years
May 28, 2015
Florida A&M University’s baseball team landed its first ever bid into the NCAA Regional Tournament after defeating Bethune-Cookman 8-2 in the MEAC championship game in Salisbury, Maryland.
The Rattlers won their first MEAC Championship since 1994. The win gave them an automatic bid into the Regional Tournament.
Coach Jamey Shouppe was the first coach in 21 years to accomplish those feats. Shouppe expressed how elated he was that the team advanced to the tournament.
Rattlers showcase in Orange & Green game despite rain
April 14, 2015
The Rattlers hosted their annual spring game on Saturday ending the spring football session.
The orange team (offense) competed against the green team (defense). The defense scored its points by turnovers, sacks, and three-and-outs.
Redshirt junior quarterback Carson Royal led the offense, throwing a pair of touchdowns for 215 yards to redshirt juniors Montavious Williams and Jairockeis Jones. Williams put the first points on the board catching a 70-yard bomb right behind the defense to go up 7-0.
Redshirt sophomore Victor Love also caught a 10-yard touchdown in the red zone from junior quarterback Devonte Austin. Love made the initial catch around the 3-yard line, but from the help of his teammates, he gained a large enough push to penetrate the end zone for the second score.
Running back Ronald Ricci also sneaked in a 2-yard run to give the offense 21 points.
There were an abundance of plays made between the offense and defense. Junior wide receiver Tra’Von Holmes proved that he could catch the ball and make positive yards on consistent bases with 5 for 78 yards receiving. Redshirt junior defensive back Braxton Brown had the hit of the game, sending a message to the running back.
Rattlers Prepare game plan for Spring Exhibition
April 13, 2015
In preparation for Saturday’s Orange & Green Game the Rattlers wrapped up their last practice Friday of the spring football session.
Footballs were flying, whistles were blowing and cleats were ground into the football soil as the players worked on individual technique for the walk-through. Walkthrough is simply a light practice without pads where a team will work on the technique, lineup and game plan for the upcoming game. Walkthroughs for most teams are usually the day before or day of a game.
After a tough three weeks of practices, Head Coach Alex Wood and the Rattlers are hopeful for a great outlook for the spring game. Wood expressed his expectations for Saturday.
“Good execution, good organization, good spirit, a lot of hustle and good clean play,” Wood said. “Hopefully there’s some excitement and some scoring on both sides of the ball.”
Every college football program loses talent to graduation and the National Football League, and therefore having to rebuild.