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This Week in USC History Jan. 21, 1985 - A $250,000 decision was reached against Sigma Nu fraternity’s National Chapter. The parents of Lurie Barry Ballou filed a $3 million suit in 1983 after their son, a Sigma Nu pledge, died of excessive alcohol consumption while going through the fraternity’s hazing process. Special to The Gamecock Cocky placed second in a national mascot competition in December. UT’s Smokey was the overall winner. 'k. . ■ USC's lovable mascot finishes in second place in national competition at Walt Disney World by Daniel Esposito The Gamecock While most USC students were packing their bags to return for the spring semester last week, our beloved mascot, Cocky, packed his belongings and headed to the Sunshine State to compete in the national mascot competition. For the past few years, Walt Disney World’s MGM Studios has been host to the Universal Cheerleading Association’s annual cheerleading, dance and mascot competition. Mascots from around the nation submitted videos of their best performances and talents, hoping to secure am invitation to this prestigious competition. Cocky was one of the few to be invited, competing against mascots from other SEC schools, including Tennessee, Auburn, Kentucky, Alabama and Arkansas. The judges viewed the videos and picked the 12 most talented mascots. Cocky made the cut with a video containing his best performances from USC events in 2000. Along with their video ratings, the mascots were required to perform a 90 second skit forjudging. Cocky’s skit, “A Day in the Life of Cocky,” featured a barnyard theme. “I knew what to expect as far as what the judges were looking for [in the skit] as far as comedy, crowd appeal and creativity,” Cocky said. “We worked on the video for the past 12 months and have concentrated on the skit for three months.” After all of his hard work and dedication, Cocky placed second in the competition. The mascot that won the national title was Smokey, a dog from the University of Tennessee. Taking third place was Aubie, a tiger from Auburn University. “I was very excited to come in second,” Cocky said. “I actually thought, coming out of it, that I was going to win first place.” Although Cocky didn’t place first, his second place ranking was the highest USC mascot ranking since 1994, the year he won the national title. for fans who missed Cocky’s performance in Orlando, he will be performing his national routine at the basketball game against Auburn at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Coliseum. More information about Cocky can be found at “Cocky’s Corner” on the USC’s Web site. The spotlight desk can be reached at gamecockspotlight@hotniail.com University releases Search for Six results by Erin O’Neal The Gamecock The results for the Search for Six are in, and some student committees have already begun the process of contacting their elected representa tives for their respective groups. Leeza Gibbons, a USC College of Journalism alumna, was selected for the alumni category; movie director Steven Spielberg is the elected candidate for the arts, entertainment and sports category; South Carolinian author Pat Conroy was selected for the education, literature and media category; Gen. Colin Powell was elected in the politics, law, world figures and government category; the Dalai Lama was elected for the religious category; and Dr. Patch Adams was elected to represent the business, industry, technology and media category. The business, industry, technolo gy and media committee has already held their first meeting to brainstorm strategies on how to contact Adams. Some ideas from that meeting include sending letters, going to West Virginia where Adams lives and getting a group of students to pose for a picture on the Horseshoe while wearing red noses and holding signs asking Adams to come for USC’s bicentennial celebration. The committees are looking for students who have met or know people who have met any of the elect ed candidates. “The whole idea of Search for Six is built on a sociology theory that anyone in the world is reachable within six degrees of separation,” said Gene Luna, diiector of housing and business committee chairman. Adams was selected over General Electric CEO Jack Welsh, Microsoft’s Bill Gates and Jeff Bizos, creator of Amazon.com. “Since this is based on the Carolinian Creed, you’re looking for someone whose work stands on it for their expertise but whose life has modeled some of the ways that we talk about the kind of community we’d like to build at Carolina. “And Patch Adams has done that,” Luna said. “He’s built a life of having fun, but doing it in a way that’s always reaching out to help other people.” The business committee doesn’t intend to give up easily. However, if a representative from one of these six categories can’t attend, no alternate candidates will be contacted. “The idea is to persuade them because students have said ‘you’re really special.’ We want to see if they’ll come for no cost — if they’ll come out of the goodness of their heart,” Luna said. Travel expenses will be covered for each representative if they choose to donate a day of their time to come to Carolina. However, they won’t be paid by USC to make an appearance. Each committee will also be collecting information about the lives and works of the potential guest speakers for an exhibit. Regardless of whether the chosen candidates come to the bicentennial, the exhibits will be displayed. Both Luna and Carmela Carr, the director of the Russell House who works along with the Search for Six committees, urge students to get involved. For more information about joining a committee, contact Carmela Carr at 777-8182. The spotlight desk can be reached at gamecockspotiight@hotmail.com MOVIE DIRECTORY Dutch Square 14 All the Pretty Horses: 1:50, 5, 7:40, 10:15 Antitrust 1:20, 4:30, 7:20, 9:40 Cast Away: 1,4,7,10:10 Double Take: 12:40,3,5:10, 7:30, 9:30 The Emperor’s New Groove: 12:50, 2:50, 4:50, 7:35 The Family Man: 1:20, 4:20, 7:20, 9:45 Finding Forrester 12:50,4:20, 7:10, 10:00 Miss Congeniality: 1:40, 4:40, 7:30, 9:50 Proof of life: 9:25 * Save the Last Dance: 1:30, 4:40, 7:20, 9:50 Thirteen Days: 12:30, 3:50, 7, 10 Traffic: 12:30,3:40,6:50, 10:10 Vertical Limit 1:50, 5, 7:50, 10:20 Wes Craven Presents: Dracula 2000: 1:10,3:10,5:15,7:40, 9:40 What Women Want 1:10, 4:10, 7:10, 9:55 Regal Cinema 7 Cast Away; 1,4:10, 7:10, 10:10 Double Take: 1:50,4:40,7:30, 10:15 The Family Man: 1:30, 4:25, 7:05, 9:45 Finding Forrester: 12:50, 3:50, 6:50, 9:50 Miss Congeniality: 1:40,‘4:20, 7:15, 9:40 Save the Last Dance: 1:20, 4:30,7:20, 10:05 Traffic: 1,4, 7,10 St. Andrews Road Multi Cinemas Charlie’s Angels: 2:20,4:20, 6:15, 8:05 Chicken Run: 2:15, 3:45 The Legend of Bagger Vance: 2:30, 7:25 Meet the Parents: 2:10, 4:10, 6:10,8:10 Men of Honor 5 Remember the Titans: 2, 4, 6, 8 What Lies Beneath: 5:15, 7:35 Columbiana Grande Stadium Cinemas A Hard Day’s Night (1964): 2:10,4:10, 7:10,9:15 Antitrust 1:50, 4:30, 7:20, 9:45 Cast Away. 1:45, 2:15,4:45, 7:00,8:00, 10:05 How the Grinch Stole Christ mas: 1:45, 4:00, 6:40, 9:20 Dungeons and Dragons: 2:20, 4:40, 7:30, 9:55 The Emperor’s New Groove: 1:35,3:55,6:15, 8:15 Proof of Life: 1:55, 4:50, 7:40, 10:20 State and Main: 1:40,4:20, 7:05, 9:35 Unbreakable: 2:05, 4:35, 7:35, 10:05 , Vertical Limit 1:40, 4:15, 6:50, 9:30 Wes Craven Presents: Dracula 2000: 2:10,4:25,7:45, 10:10 What Women Want 1:30, 2:00, 4:10, 5:00, 7:10, 7:40, 9:55, 10:20 Pastime Pavilion 8 Antitrust 5, 8,10:20 Cast Away: 4, 7,10 Double Take: 4:45, 7:45, 9:45 The Emperor's New Groove: 4:05, 6:20,8:15 The Family Man: 4:15, 7:20, 10:05 Miss Congeniality: 6:45, 9:10 Thirteen Days: 4:35, 7:30, 10:30 What Women Want 4:25, 7:15, 10:10 Special to The Gamecock The cast of Godspell gyrates with Jesus in a hip new version of the 1970s play, presented at the Koger Center on Jan. 16. Godspell revived for modern era by Michelle Pittman The Gamecock | |REVIEW On Tuesday, the Roger Center and Phoenix Productions presented the revamped Broadway musical “Godspell” before a full house. Updated from the original 1970s version, the show featured an onslaught of humorous modem social references and innuendoes, while still successfully adapting the tale of the Gospel of St. Matthew for contemporary times. Originally conceived by John-Michael Tebelak, the show ran on- and off Broadway successfully for more than six years and has been critically acclaimed worldwide. “Godspell” manages to overcome its own hokiness by making fun of itself, modern culture and the presumptions of the audience. The production remains true to its original format, but pushes the enve lope with references to Bill Clinton’s in fidelity, the Florida recount and even the HBO series The Sopranos. And while Jesus in a top hat might not be the most convincing portrayal of the Son of God, the bottom line of this performance is fun. Think Sunday Mass with harlequins and pranksters per forming. Brought back for the new millennium, the musical has moved from the original gritty urban set to a wall of televisions, which neatly represents the modem technological era. Fueled by the music of Stephen Schwartz, the chamiing ballads of the original show have been given a new modern spin in the spirit of such per formers as Tori Amos, Dave Matthews andN’Sync. The pure pop power of “Day by Day” was delivered beautifully by Sharon Francis, whose powerful voice and wonderful comic skills nearly stole the show. Also worthy of attention was Jessica Carter’s sexy rendition of “Turn Back, 0 Man.” The first act recounted such well known parables as the Tower of Babble, as the company scrambles to understand philosophy in an age interrupted by cell phones and pagers, with the Good Samaritan ingeniously worked into a COPS-like sitcom. The company is responsible not only for their acting but for the appearance and removal of laige white screens that broadcast the individual skits captured on camera by other cast mem bers. The second act put the company to the test, where the betrayal of Christ is evident. The community is formed and ready to take on the task of continuing the word of God. As John the Baptist becomes Judas, the audience knows the end is near. The final goodbyes of Jesus and the cast are emotionally presented, and the show ends with the body of Christ being taken from his crucifix of televisions and carried offstage. The casting of the show breaks many boundaries. Though an equal number of men and women are in the cast, the skits are reworked for the strengths of the particular actor or actress and not necessarily for the gender of the role. Todd Buonopane narrated a wonderful prodigal son story, as Sarah Hubbard and Natalie Joy Johnson played everything from the South Park kids to Sisqo’s “Thong Song” dancers. The lesson of “Godspell”—one must foigive as God foigives — isn’t lost in the laughter but merely enhanced by it. The spotlight desk can be reached at gamecockspo1Jight@hotmail.com What’s Happening Friday, Jan. 19 BILLY G’S, Radio Society COCK PIT, Doug Clark and the Hot Nuts CROCODILE ROCKS, Dueling Pianos DELANEY’S, Jeff Chandler ELBOW ROOM, Jennifer Nettles, Overreaction IflrkQnn HEMINGWAY’S, Elliot Ness and the Untouchables MONTERREY JACK’S, Mescaline Man NEW BROOKLAND TAVERN, Capital PAVLOV’S, Five Way Friday SUNDANCE, Sourwood Honey Saturday, Jan. 20 BILLY G’S, Cool for August CROCODILE ROCK’S, Dueling Pianos DELANEY’S, Jeff Chandler ELBOW ROOM, Violent New Breeds HEMINGWAY’S, Jim LeBlanc JAMMIN’ JAVA, Hick’ry Hawkins NEW BROOKLAND TAVERN, Necroside MAC’S ON MAIN, All-Stars MERUN’S, Second Generation SUNDANCE, Hobex Sunday, Jan. 21 DECISIONS, Blues Jam with Brainstorm ELBOW ROOM, Diffuser NEW BROOKLAND TAVERN, Small Brown Bike In The News ■ ‘Crocodile Hunter4 bit in leg by large reptile BRISBANE, Australia (AP) — A television crocodile hunter nearly became a crocodile snack this week when a six-foot reptile sank its teeth into his leg Steve Irwin, whose “Crocodile Hunter” documentaries air in 130 countries, described the bite — which required 12 stitches — as an “occupa tional hazard.” “She did a huge, big, full-bodied shake, and as she came down she sensed my skin and just... chomp — sunk her teeth into my leg and did a head shake, which messed it up a little.” ■ Metallica bassist quits legendary group NEW YORK (AP) — Metallica is saying goodbye to its bass player of 14 years. Jason Newsted, who joined the heavy metal band in 1986 after the death of bassist Cliff Burton, said Wednesday he has decided to leave the band. “ Due to private and personal reasons, and the physical damage that I have done to myself over the years while playing the music that I love, I must step away from the band,” he said. The remaining band members said the split was regrettable, but amicable. ■ Hard Rock giveaway features Beatles bus ORLANDO, Fla. (AP)-Baby, you can drive their bus. The Beatles’ Magical Mystery Tour Bus is the top prize in a series of give aways marking the Hard Rock Cafe’s 30th anniversary. The international music-themed restaurant chain calls the bus “its largest and most prized piece of music memorabilia.” The contest begins Feb. 1, with 10 people winning a trip to London to at tend Hard Rock Cafe’s anniversary par ty on June 14. One of those finalists will take home the Beatles’ bus. You can enter the sweepstakes at any of the restaurants or through the In ternet at www.hardrock.com.