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Harrison named OVC Player & Newcomer of the Week
Harrison named OVC Player & Newcomer of the Week
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana junior guard Damoni Harrison has been recognized as the Ohio Valley Conference Player and Newcomer of the Week awards. The weekly awards are voted on by the OVC’s communications directors.
The awards are the first of Harrison’s career and the first for USI Men’s Basketball since the 2022-23 season. Harrison also is the first Screaming Eagle to win both the Player and Newcomer of the Week awards since Trevor Lakes in December 2022.
In the two games at Liberty Arena last week, Harrison averaged a team-best 26.0 points per game, posting a season-high 26 points in the win over Lindenwood University, 80-73, and Western Illinois University, 78-66. He also was second on the team with 8.0 rebounds per game, while posting three assists and recording a steal in 74 minutes of action (37.0 minutes per game).
Harrison started the week with a season-high 26 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Eagles to the win over Lindenwood. The double-double also was the first of the season for Harrison, who was eight-of-16 from the field, three-of-five from beyond the arc, and seven-of-nine from the stripe.
The junior guard finished the week by leading USI to the victory over WIU by matching his season-high 26 points. He was 11-of-19 from the field, including a pair of three-point field goals, and two-of-two from the line.
For the season, Harrison is second on the team with 14.9 points per game and third on the Eagles with 5.2 rebounds per contest. He is shooting 45.8 percent from the field (97-212), 41.8 from beyond the arc (33-79), and 80.8 percent from the charity stripe (42-52). The junior guard also has scored in double-digits 14 times and scored 20-of-more points five times.
Harrison and the Eagles (8-10, 3-5 OVC) are on the road this week, visiting Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Thursday at 7:30 p.m. and Eastern Illinois University Saturday at 3:30 p.m. Both games can be viewed on ESPN+ and heard on ESPN 97.7FM and The Spin 95.7 FM.
Kelley earns first MVC Freshman of the Week honor
Kelley earns first MVC Freshman of the Week honor
Kelley is the second Purple Aces freshman to be recognized
ST. LOUIS – After back-to-back career games freshman point guard Avery Kelley (Evansville, Ind. / Memorial HS) is the Missouri Valley Conference Freshman of the Week.
Setting multiple offensive career highs in two games last week Kelley was selected as the Valley Freshman of the Week by conference office staff on Monday afternoon. She was the leading scorer for the Purple Aces in their game against Missouri State. Kelley was also the second leading scorer for UE in the team’s first conference win of 2025 over Southern Illinois on Sunday.
Evansville had a limited bench in its game against the Lady Bears and Kelley shined with increased minutes. Through 31 minutes on the floor, she had a team-high 18 points along with adding five rebounds. Kelley was also the only Ace to record multiple assists and steals on Friday in the loss. Her performance battling Missouri State was Kelley’s best shooting game with an overall shooting percentage of 76.9% including being a perfect four of four from the free throw line.
Kelley had a similar performance on Sunday, scoring 18 points for the second game in a row. She has now had double-figure scoring outings in her last three games. Kelley made a career-high three triples against the Salukis and had her second game this season making seven free throws on eight attempts. Away from scoring Kelley grabbed three boards, assisted on four baskets, and grabbed one steal.
In two games Kelley scored just over 25% of UE’s points in the team’s return to Meeks Family Fieldhouse. She averaged 28.5 minutes, 18 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1.5 steals per game over the weekend.
Kelley is now Evansville’s second freshman to earn Freshman of the Week honors. Teammate Camryn Runner has been the MVC Freshman of the Week six times in 10 weeks. The Aces have now earned seven of the 11 possible weekly awards for players in their first year of collegiate basketball.
This Week at USI
This week’s activities at USI
11 a.m. Monday, January 20
Evansville Mayor Stephanie Terry to keynote USI MLK, Jr. Luncheon Celebration
USI will host a presentation by Evansville Mayor Stephanie Terry, honoring the memory and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as part of its annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Celebration Luncheon.
7 p.m. Thursday, January 23
Cohen to present as USI Edward D. and Regina Rechnic Holocaust Series Speaker
The University will host the third annual Edward D. and Regina Rechnic Holocaust Series at 7 p.m. Thursday, January 23, 2025, in the Performance Center, located on the USI campus. The 2025 speaker is Judy Cohen, former Chief Acquisitions Curator at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. The presentation is open to the public at no charge.
SAVE THE DATE
January 30
USI Romain College of Business to host Interim President Steven Bridges for “Two Chapters for Life” presentation
Steven J. Bridges ’89 M’95, USI Interim President, will present Two Chapters for Life at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 30 in the Business and Engineering Center Atrium. This presentation is hosted by the Romain College of Business and is sponsored by Beta Alpha Psi’s Lambda Mu chapter and Accounting and Professional Services Club, an Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) student chapter. It is open to the public at no charge.
Begins February 3
USI Romain College of Business VITA Program to offer free tax prep
Through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA), USI students in the Romain College of Business will provide free federal and state income tax preparation on Monday evenings, February 3 through March 24. The annual service is open to students, faculty, staff and the general public.
February 4, 11 and 18
USI to host Crappie University 2025, Crappie Fishing’s newest insights
USI Outreach and Engagement is hosting Crappie University 2025; Crappie Fishing’s Newest Insights, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays, February 4, 11 and 18 in the Wright Administration Building, Room WA2. This three-night event, taught by crappie fishing experts and guides, will provide important details about local waters and effective techniques for catching crappie in the Indiana region.
February 28
USI to host Health Professions Day for high school students February 28
The University of Southern Indiana Kinney College of Nursing and Health Professions is hosting a Health Professions Day for high school juniors and seniors exploring careers in healthcare on Friday, February 28.
HOT JOBS
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“IS IT TRUE?” Monday January 20, 2025
We hope that today’s “IS IT TRUE” will provoke honest and open dialogue concerning issues that we, as responsible citizens of this community, need to address rationally and responsibly.
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IS IT TRUE that today, our nation celebrates the life and achievements of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.? …that King was, at the time, the youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize at age 35? …that he entered college at age 15? …that he was arrested 29 times? …that he improvised part of his “I Have a Dream” speech?
IS IT TRUE that we also celebrate the smooth transition of power today?
IS IT TRUE that Mike Boatman made the trip from Evansville to DC for the inauguration? …that Boatman has been to over 120 Trump rallies?
IS IT TRUE that the California wildfires should be a wake-up call for all of us to be prepared? …that natural disasters can happen anywhere at any time? …that recent power outages in the Evansville area caught many people off guard? …that now is as good a time as any to develop a plan for how your family will respond to a disaster?
IS IT TRUE that Mayor Stephanie Terry should be commended for her effort to address Animal Control and Care? …that a large crowd attended the town hall meeting last week to discuss issues pertaining to animal control? …that we hope that the mayor will remain committed to finding solutions to this problem? …that killing dogs is not an acceptable solution?
IS IT TRUE that the City-County Observer is currently looking for looking for a sales person to reach out to local businesses? …the position offers an excellent opportunity for a motivated self-starter who wants to pick their own schedule? Interested persons should send an email to Johnny@city-countyobserver.com.
MLK Day Events
Today is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. To mark the occasion, the annual rally and march will take place at University of Evansville outside the Meeks Family Field House at 2:30. The march will begin right after the rally, heading down Walnut Street to S. Willow Road to Lincoln Avenue.
Activities continue after the march:
- 4:45 p.m. – Harrison Step Team
- 5 p.m. – Keynote speaker Karsonya Wise Whitehead
- 5:45 p.m. – community leadership panel
- 6:15 to 6:45 p.m. – book signing
Whitehead is the founding executive director of the Karson Institute for Race, Peace, and Social Justice and professor of communication and African and African American Studies at Loyola University Maryland.
The University of Southern Indiana will host its annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Celebration Luncheon.
The event begins at 11 a.m. in USI’s Carter Hall. Evansville Mayor Stephanie Terry will be the keynote speaker.
Unusual Facts About Presidential Inaugurations
1. Washington started a trend with his nervousness
George Washington was so nervous during his first inauguration in 1789 that he reportedly shook while reading his speech. It was also the shortest inaugural address in history—just 135 words.
2. The longest inaugural speech led to a president’s death
William Henry Harrison delivered the longest inaugural address in 1841, at over 8,445 words, lasting nearly two hours in freezing weather without wearing a coat or hat. He caught pneumonia and died just 31 days later, the shortest presidency in U.S. history.
3. John Quincy Adams swore on a book of law
Rather than a Bible, John Quincy Adams used a law book for his 1825 oath, symbolizing his commitment to upholding the Constitution.
4. A president fainted before his inauguration
Franklin Pierce fainted during his inauguration in 1853, reportedly due to exhaustion and grief after the tragic death of his son in a train accident weeks earlier.
5. Inaugurations haven’t always been in January
Prior to the 20th Amendment in 1933, inaugurations took place on March 4, to allow time for election results to be certified and the president-elect to travel to Washington, D.C.
6. A drunken party trashed the White House
Andrew Jackson’s inauguration in 1829 turned into a chaotic party. Thousands of people swarmed the White House, broke furniture, and drank punch spiked with whiskey. Jackson had to escape through a window!
7. A snowstorm disrupted JFK’s inauguration
A massive snowstorm hit Washington, D.C., the night before John F. Kennedy’s inauguration in 1961. Military troops and work crews had to clear snow all night to make the ceremony possible.
8. Teddy Roosevelt had no Bible
During his first inauguration in 1901, Theodore Roosevelt didn’t use a Bible when taking the oath of office. He was sworn in quickly after the assassination of President William McKinley.
9. Calvin Coolidge’s father swore him in
After the sudden death of President Warren G. Harding in 1923, Calvin Coolidge was sworn in by his father, a notary public, at their family home in Vermont.
10. Barack Obama’s oath was repeated due to an error
In 2009, Chief Justice John Roberts slightly flubbed the wording of Barack Obama’s oath of office, so they repeated the oath in a private ceremony the next day to avoid any constitutional issues.
11. No one knows what Washington said the second time
There is no official record of George Washington’s words during his second inauguration in 1793, which was the shortest in history. He reportedly spoke just 135 words.
12. The oath almost didn’t happen for LBJ
After John F. Kennedy’s assassination in 1963, Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn in aboard Air Force One, making it the only presidential inauguration held on an airplane.
13. Silent Calvin Coolidge gave an ironic inaugural address
Known for being laconic, Calvin Coolidge delivered one of the longer inaugural addresses in 1925—about 4,000 words long!
14. Jefferson walked instead of riding
Thomas Jefferson broke with tradition by walking to his first inauguration in 1801 rather than riding in a carriage, symbolizing his image as a “man of the people.”
15. Inaugurations have been frozen before
In 1841, William Henry Harrison’s cold-weather speech wasn’t the only chilly ceremony. Ronald Reagan’s second inauguration in 1985 was moved indoors due to a wind chill of -25°F.
These unusual moments highlight the human and historical quirks that have shaped presidential inaugurations!