FOOTNOTE: EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.
UE Men’s basketball hosts WKU as Aces welcome back alumni
Men’s basketball hosts WKU as Aces welcome back alumni
Game time set for 1 p.m. at Ford Center
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Meeting up for the first time in 15 years, the University of Evansville men’s basketball team will face Western Kentucky as the squads meet up on Saturday at 1 p.m. inside the Ford Center. ESPN+ and the Purple Aces Radio Network will have the broadcast.
Purple Aces men’s basketball alumni from several previous squads will be back for the game. Purple Santa will be in the lobby posing for photos with fans.
Last Time Out
– After trailing by as many as 11 points in the first half of Tuesday’s Missouri Valley Conference opener at Murray State, the Purple Aces rallied in the second half with a shot to win it at the buzzer before falling 63-61
– Gabriel Pozzato led UE with 15 points and 6 steals while Cam Haffner finished the game with 14 tallies
Still Going Strong
– For the 6th time this season, Cam Haffner scored in double figures, recording 14 points at Murray State on Tuesday
– Last season, Haffner scored in double figures just four times over the entire season
– Averaging 15.1 points per game Haffner is second on the team and 7th in the MVC
– In the win over Green Bay, he set career highs in points (27), field goals (10) and attempts (16); he also tied his top collegiate mark of 9 rebounds
Highway Robbery
– Gabriel Pozzato’s defense was put on display at Murray State as he recorded a career-best six swipes
– That total is tied for the second-highest total in an NCAA game this season
– He added 15 points in the game and continues to lead the team with 15.4 PPG while scoring at least 8 points in all 8 games
Building Blocks
– In the MVC opener at Murray State, Josh Hughes recorded a career-high four blocked shots
– The effort improved his season average to 1.38 per game putting him second in the MVC
– Home court advantage has a new meaning this season for Hughes; in four games at the Ford Center, Hughes is averaging 13.8 PPG while shooting 64.5% (20-31)
Scouting the Opponent
– Western Kentucky comes into Saturday’s meeting with a 4-3 record following a 90-82 home win over Marshall on Nov. 30
– The Hilltoppers have won four of their last five games, defeating Campbellsville, Lipscomb, and Jackson State with their lone defeat over that span coming on the road at #8 Kentucky (68-87)
– Babacar Faye paces WKU with 15.0 points per game while shooting an efficient 54.0% on the season
– Faye also leads the Hilltoppers with 7.3 rebounds per game and a total of six blocked shots on the year
– Don McHenry and Julius Thedford come into the game averaging 14.4 and 13.4 PPG, respectively
-www.GoPurpleAces.com-
THUNDERBOLTS BATTLE TO FINISH DESPITE 5-2 LOSS AT HUNTSVILLE
THUNDERBOLTS BATTLE TO FINISH DESPITE 5-2 LOSS AT HUNTSVILLE
Huntsville, Ala.: Down by a goal twice, the Thunderbolts battled and rallied to tie the game, before the Havoc pulled away late in a 5-2 loss in Huntsville on Thursday night. The Thunderbolts’ next home game will be on Saturday, December 7th against the Huntsville Havoc at 7:05pm CT.
Down 1-0 through one mostly-even period, the Thunderbolts tied the game 1-1 in the second period, as Brendan Harrogate scored a rebound power play goal at 15:13, assisted by Anthony Hora and Tyson Gilmour. The Havoc regained the lead at 3:06 of the third period, but only a minute later at 4:08 the Thunderbolts answered again, as Logan vande Meerakker finished a nice play from Vili Vesalainen and Myles Abbate to make it a 2-2 game. At 11:22, the Havoc took a 3-2 lead by scoring as a Havoc player pushed Grayson Valente into goaltender Cole Ceci. Huntsville went on several power plays in the final minutes, and the Thunderbolts had no time left to muster a response as the Havoc added two very late goals to make it a 5-2 final score.
Harrogate and vande Meerakker scored Evansville’s goals, while Ceci finished with 30 saves on 35 shots. The Thunderbolts and Havoc meet once again on Saturday, December 7th at Ford Center.
Services Planned for 47th Anniversary Commemoration of 1977 UE Plane Crash
Services Planned for 47th Anniversary Commemoration of 1977 UE Plane Crash
On December 13, 1977, a chartered DC-3 plane crashed at 7:22 p.m., just 90 seconds after takeoff from Evansville’s Dress Regional Airport. Members of the UE community soon learned that this plane included men’s basketball Coach Bobby Watson, 14 players, 11 team friends, and a plane crew of five. For those who remember the crash, it’s forever known as “the night it rained tears.”
This event was a shocking loss to the UE community. At a memorial service held a few days later, Dr. Philip Ott, then-professor of philosophy and religion, said “we do not choose to live. We do not choose to die. Life is a gift.”
Former UE President Wallace Graves reminded the community, “out of the agony of this hour we will rise.”
While this tragedy will always be remembered, the University of Evansville came together in strength and unity to move forward and carry on as a tribute to those who were lost.
To commemorate the 47th anniversary and remember these lives, UE has planned a memorial service for 12 p.m., on Friday, December 13, that is open to the campus community and public.
The service will be held at Memorial Plaza on campus, located directly behind Olmsted Hall. The service will include an invocation and message by Reverend Andy Payton, remarks from President Pietruszkiewicz, the reading of all 29 names, and a moment of silence.
47 years later, we remember each life that was taken much too early.
Indiana holding woke corporate culture accountable
Indiana holding woke corporate culture accountable with Attorney General Todd Rokita’s lawsuit against BlackRock, State Street, and Vanguard
Lawsuit alleges these corporatists are illegally conspiring to manipulate energy markets
Attorney General Todd Rokita is taking further action to stop woke corporatists and their left-leaning allies in government from driving up energy costs for hardworking Hoosiers.
“We’re taking on very powerful forces arrayed against the interests of everyday working Hoosiers,” Attorney General Rokita said. “Coal has been the backbone of Indiana’s economic success for decades. The demand for electricity has gone up and these ESG titans are reaping the benefits of these skyrocketed prices; by keeping their thumb on production.”
ESG investing — the acronym stands for the investing principle that prioritizes environmental issues, social issues, and certain corporate governance ideas — elevating goals like mitigating climate change, enforcing hiring quotas, and achieving social justice benchmarks above the fiduciary duty to maximize returns for investors.
Over the past four years, America’s coal producers have not been responding to the price signals of the free market, but have been listening to BlackRock, Vanguard, and State Street instead as alleged in the complaint. The three asset managers acquired substantial stockholdings over several years in every significant publicly held coal producer in the United States, thereby allegedly gaining the power to control the policies of coal production in the United States.
Indiana along with 10 other fossil fuel producing states filed suit to hold BlackRock accountable for their alleged aggressive attempts to manipulate policy by manipulating and controlling the markets through threats and votes at stakeholder meetings and in board rooms. As unelected non-policy makers, the complaint alleges they are using their market power to force socialist and Leftist policies, like climate change, to better fill their pockets.
Professional Pickleball Association Challenger Series Announces Evansville Tournament
Pickleball enthusiasts have a new reason to celebrate as the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) introduces the PPA Challenger Series powered by JOOLA. This dynamic new grassroots tour creates a structured pathway for aspiring professionals to join the prestigious Carvana PPA Tour, while also offering amateur players of all ages and skill levels opportunities to enhance their game alongside the pros.The PPA Challenger Series is set to make its mark in 2025, with more than a dozen tour stops planned across the U.S., including Evansville’s Wesselman Park from September 19–21, 2025. The series emphasizes inclusivity, competition, and the growth of pickleball at all levels. This tournament is hosted by Explore Evansville with support from the Evansville Regional Sports Commission (ERSC) and Evansville Community Pickleball Association (ECPA). The Evansville PPA Challenger is projected to be the largest tournament hosted at Wesselman Park to date with 500-700 players expected to compete.About the PPA Challenger Series
- Pro Division Eligibility: Players ranked outside the PPA Tour’s Top 20 are eligible to compete.
- Challenger Rankings: Players’ top 16 Challenger events contribute to leaderboard standings.
- Pathway to the PPA Tour: Winners of Challenger events gain entry to select PPA Tour Open events.
- Integrated Point System: Challenger Series points contribute to Carvana PPA Tour rankings.
The 2025 schedule includes stops across the country. For the full schedule and updates, visit the PPA Tour website. To register to play in the Evansville PPA Challenger series, visit the tournament registration link.
USI appoints Provost, announces changes in Undergraduate Admissions
USI appoints Provost, announces changes in Undergraduate Admissions
The University of Southern Indiana has named Dr. Shelly B. Blunt, Provost for the University, effective December 1, 2024. She has served as Interim Provost since July 1, 2023.
“Dr. Blunt has a dedicated history of service to USI and has been a longstanding, vital contributor in the Provost’s Office,” said Steven J. Bridges, USI Interim President. “I have made this appointment with stability in mind and look forward to her continued contributions and strategic leadership in our mission of providing exceptional education to our students.”
Blunt has a long track record at the University joining in 1999. Before being tapped for the Interim Provost position, she briefly served as Dean of the Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education after serving as the Interim Dean for the Pott College since January 2023. Blunt also was Assistant Provost for Academic Affairs and two years later Associate Provost for Academic Affairs between 2012 and 2022. She additionally served as Associate Dean for the Pott College for six years. Blunt is a member of the Science Education Foundation of Indiana Board, the Medical Professions Academy Advisory Board, Joshua Academy Board and has served on numerous state-wide committees for the Indiana Commission for Higher Education.
Blunt is actively involved in STEM education and undergraduate advising, has served as a University Advising Fellow and received the Outstanding Advisor of the Year and the Phenomenal Women of USI awards. Other accomplishments under her leadership include the creation of first year advising centers in each of USI’s academic colleges, the successful implementation of a new general education core, the development of a University-wide first-year seminar class (UNIV 101) and the implementation of state-wide articulation agreements.
She earned her undergraduate degree at Truman State University and her doctoral degree in chemistry from the University of Iowa.
As part of the appointment, Blunt will assume strategic oversight for University Division which includes the four College Advising Centers and the Center for Exploring Majors, Career Counseling and the Academic Success Center (academic coaching, study skills and tutoring).
With the departure of Troy Miller, Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Management, for another professional opportunity, Interim President Bridges is appointing Rashad Smith, Executive Director of Enrollment, to Assistant Vice President for Undergraduate Admissions, reporting directly to the President effective December 9. Smith will manage Undergraduate Admissions, Student Financial Assistance and New Student and Transitional Programs.
“Rashad Smith has been an integral driver of undergraduate enrollment during his tenure at USI and will continue to do so in this elevated assignment,” Bridges said.
Smith has more than 20 years of experience in higher education and began at USI in April 2016 as the Director of Undergraduate Admissions. Prior to joining USI, he served as the Director of Institutional Research and Effectiveness and as the Director of Admissions for Kentucky Wesleyan College. Smith holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Catawba College in Salisbury, North Carolina.
Overall student enrollment and retention will be supported by a senior committee led by the President and composed of the University’s Vice Presidents, Provost, College and School of Graduate Studies Deans, Assistant Vice President for Undergraduate Admissions, Executive Director of Student Success, Director of Student Financial Assistance and Chief Information Officer.
OLD CROW MEDICINE SHOW MAKE AIKEN THEATRE DEBUT THIS SPRING
OLD CROW MEDICINE SHOW MAKE AIKEN THEATRE DEBUT THIS SPRING
TICKETS GO ON SALE FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2024, AT 10:00 AM
Old National Events Plaza and JAC Live are thrilled to announce the highly acclaimed string band, Old Crow Medicine Show, will perform for the first time at the Aiken Theatre on March 13, 2025. The concert is part of their Circle the Wagons Tour, celebrating 25 years of making live music.
Old Crow Medicine Show is firmly established as one of America’s most beloved Old-Time String Bands and a valued torchbearer of Nashville’s rich musical heritage. Over the past two decades, their journey has evolved from busking on street corners to performing at the world’s most prestigious venues and festivals, including the Hollywood Bowl, Telluride, Bonnaroo, Newport Folk Festival, and Jazz Fest.
Their signature song, “Wagon Wheel,” has become one of the most widely sung folk songs in history and was recently certified by the RIAA as one of the top five country singles of all time. The band’s influence spans across the Americana music genre, impacting numerous artists like The Lumineers and Mumford & Sons.
Old Crow Medicine Show’s laurels include an induction to the Grand Ole Opry, winning two Grammy® Awards for Best Folk Album (Remedy, 2014) and Best Long Form Music Video (Big Easy Express, 2013), and receiving the Trailblazer Award at the Americana Music Awards. Their classic single, “Wagon Wheel,” has achieved Double-Platinum status, while their debut album, O.C.M.S., has been certified Gold.
As part of their 25th-anniversary celebration, Old Crow Medicine Show has released their latest album, Jubilee, co-produced by Matt Ross-Spang. The album features 13 new songs that hark back to the band’s early days, with up-tempo string band numbers and collaborations with legendary artists like Mavis Staples, Sierra Farrell, and co-founder Willie Watson.