Females more susceptible to addiction, new research shows
Excessive smartphone use leads to problems, and females are especially susceptible to addiction, according to new research from Binghamton University, State University of New York.
“Our smartphones have turned into a tool that provides short, quick, immediate satisfaction, which is very triggering,” said Isaac Vaghefi, assistant professor of management information systems at Binghamton University-State University of New York. “Our neurons get fired and dopamine is being released, and over time this makes us acquire a desire for quick feedback and immediate satisfaction. This process also has contributed to developing shorter attention spans and being more and more prone to boredom.”
Vaghefi and his colleagues recently surveyed 182 college students and asked them to report their daily routine of smartphone usage. Based on the analysis of the responses, they classified the user as one of the following types: Thoughtful, Regular, Highly Engaged, Fanatic and Addict. Seven percent identified as “addicts” and 12 percent identified as “fanatics.” Both groups experience personal, social and workplace problems due to a compulsive need to be on their smartphones. Overall, these users exhibited signs that could indicate depression, social isolation, social anxiety, shyness, impulsivity and low self-esteem. Females were most likely to exhibit susceptibility to addiction.
“Technology addiction” is not an official mental disorder in DSM-V, but the umbrella term refers to addictive behavior related to social media, excessive texting, information overload, online shopping, gambling, video gaming, online pornography and overall smartphone usage.
“While self-identified “addict” users were in the minority, I predict technology addiction will increase as technology continues to advance and application, game and gadget developers find new ways to ensure users’ long term engagement with technology,” said Vaghefi.
Vaghefi said that if you recognize any of these signs, you may want to consult professional help:
You use technology as a way of escaping problems or relieving feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety or depression.
You ignore what’s happening in real time in favor of what’s happening virtually.
You constantly check your smartphone, even when it doesn’t ring or vibrate.
You get paranoid when you do not have your smartphone with you.
Move over Starbucks. Food is the best medicine for relief from stress, anxiety, sleep issues, and acid reflex. Coconut milk adds a silky creaminess and the right amount of healthy fats so you’ll feel satiated, while lacuma, a super food hailing from Peru, is low-glycemic and packed with antioxidants, fiber, and protein. “The Morning Delight is a hearty beverage packed with vitamins, nutrients, and healthy carbs, which is going to give you the get up and go everyone needs in the morning without the coffee crash,” says Karliin Brooks, author of Squeeze Life.
This recipe is from Karliin Brooks, author of Squeeze Life and the founder of The Squeeze, a cleansing and juicing lifestyle brand located in NYC.
INGREDIENTS:
11/2 cups coconut milk
1 tsp lacuma
2 tsp pure matcha tea powder
2 frozen bananas
2 to 3 dates, pitted
1 tbsp maple syrup
1/2 tsp vanilla extract OR 1 vanilla bean
Small handful of ice (optional, depending whether you froze your bananas)
DIRECTIONS:
Add the coconut milk, lacuma, and matcha to your blender and process until completely mixed. Turn off, then add the rest of your ingredients and blend until totally emulsified. If using the vanilla bean, split the bean in half and scrape out the vanilla
LUFKIN – Work is scheduled to begin in coming weeks that will include upgrading guardrail around the east side of SL 287 and various locations near US 59 South in Lufkin.
A pre-construction meeting was held last week at the TxDOT Area Engineers office in Lufkin that signals work to begin. S.J. & J. Construction, Dallas, contractor for the $1.5 million construction project, is scheduled to begin work in May.
Locations scheduled for guardrail upgrades are located from BU 59 North to BU 59 South on SL 287 East. They include guardrail located on SL 287/US 59 at Shirey Creek, at SL 287/US 59 at Tulane Drive, SL 287/US 59 at FM 58, SL 287/US 59 at BU 69, SL 287/US 59 at FM 841, SL 287/FM 59 at FM 325, SL 287/US 59 at SH 103 and SL 287/US 59 at Union Pacific Railroad/Moffett Road. Also included in the project will be guardrail at the Cedar Creek Bridge on SL 287 West, the Hurricane Creek Bridge on SL 287 West and the McCall Creek Bridge on US 59 South.
This project is designed to enhance safety by improving guardrail to design standards and upgrading bridge and approach railings along the east side of SL 287 and other designated locations near SL 287. The work is expected to be complete by mid-summer, weather permitting.
Motorists should expect daily lane closures and temporary traffic delays during peak travel hours as this work progresses. Drivers are urged to reduce speed through the work zones, obey all signage and traffic control devices. Stay alert to nearby workers and moving equipment. Remember, traffic fines double when workers are present.
Two members of the Angelina College Swingin’ Roadrunner Jazz Combo, Hayden Havard (on piano) and Max Vallejo (on sax) practice for the upcoming concert April 25 at 7:30 p.m. in Hudgins Hall auditorium. Tickets are $4 for adults and $3 for seniors, students and children.
In observance of Jazz Appreciation Month, the Angelina College Swingin’ Roadrunner Jazz Combo & AC Community Big Band will perform April 25 at 7:30 p.m. in Hudgins Hall auditorium Tickets are $4 for adults and $3 for seniors, students and children.
Performers in the AC Swingin’ Roadrunner Jazz Combo are Max Vallejo of Lufkin on tenor sax, Haley Holcombe of Hudson on alto sax, Hayden Havard of Lufkin on piano, Olajuwon Taylor of Buna on drum set, and Larry Greer, AC music instructor and band director on bass.
The combo’s program includes “In a Mellow Tone,” “Take the “A” Train,” “Watch What Happens” and other favorites.
The AC Community Big Band saxophone section includes Michael Parrish, alto sax; Al Torres, alto sax; Dixon Shanks, tenor sax; Amanda Burns, tenor sax; and Bethe Girardi, baritone sax. The trombone section includes Jeff Sorey, lead trombone, AC music instructor, Jimmy Battle on bass trombone; Robert Shanks and LaVan Watts. The trumpet section includes Scott Williams, Steve Brown, Eric Rodrigues and Mel Miller. The rhythm section includes Luigi Lazareno on piano and J.D. Salas on bass, Mark Saldana on drum set, and AC music instructor, Larry Greer on guitar.
The big band’s set list is dedicated to the moon and includes “Moon Dance,” “Moon River,” “Blue Moon,” “Fly Me to the Moon,” “How High the Moon,” and “It’s Only a Paper Moon.”
For more information about the music program at Angelina College, call 936-633-5233.
(StatePoint) More than 30 million Americans camp in tents yearly, according to the Outdoor Foundation. As with any outdoor adventure, having the necessary equipment is crucial.
Whether you’re hiking through backcountry or headed to an established campsite, this checklist will help you prepare for your expedition.
1. Navigation
Approximately 9 million campers backpack to outdoor destinations, making navigation a top safety necessity. Remember that camping often means leaving behind cell coverage, Internet access or a GPS signal, making such low-tech gear as a compass and map mandatory. Other potential tools include a topographic map combined with an altimeter to help gauge your journey’s terrain and altitude.
2. Insulation
Knowing climate and weather conditions is vital. According to Backpacker.com, clothing is just as important as a tent or sleeping bag to stay insulated. Outerwear should repel rain and snow, but also breathe so you don’t get wet from perspiration. Your base layer should be made of moisture-wicking fabric — not cotton — to prevent chafing. Consider that day and night temperatures can differ greatly, so layer clothing, and choose materials and thicknesses appropriate for your destination — and don’t forget a hat and extra socks.
Bring along T-Rex Clear Repair Tape to mend holes or tears in tents or clothing. It sticks to both wet and dry surfaces, ensuring an easy and instant fix to keep gear insulated in any weather condition.
3. Illumination
Campers should always bring enough illumination to be able to safely see and move after sundown, especially in case you get delayed, lost or separated from the group. While flashlights are obvious choices, headlamps are popular, as they allow for hands-free operation, and are typically small and lightweight. Another feature to consider is a strobe lighting mode for emergency situations.
Extra batteries are essential as battery lighting was the most popular purchase among adult campers in 2014, according to the Outdoor Foundation. Available in single-use or rechargeable models, ideally the batteries should offer a balance of long duration, high performance and environmental friendliness.
4. Emergency/First Aid Kit
Accidents happen to even the most experienced and best prepared campers. Your kit can prove invaluable if you, or another member of your group, are in a first-aid situation, need gear repaired or are under other tense conditions.
SectionHiker.com proposes supplies such as a pre-assembled first-aid kit, a multi-tool, knife, scissors, screwdriver and safety pins. You can then add other items based on preference and experience. A useful addition is a high-quality tape, like T-Rex Tape, as it can be used to repair hiking poles, patch sleeping bags, make a rope, temporarily stabilize an injury or broken boot, and more. T-Rex Clear Repair Tape can even be used to fix cracked GPS or phone screens and flashlights.
5. Hydration and Nutrition
Food is an enjoyable part of camping, but deciding what to bring will depend on whether you’re backpacking miles to your site or camping near your car, as well as how many days you’ll be gone. If you’re trekking far, be prepared with lightweight and nourishing options.
Water is essential but heavy, so check the area for potential natural sources. “Mountaineering” suggests carrying a collapsible water reservoir and purification tablets to ensure water safety. Freeze-dried meals are popular selections, however, no-cook meals with long shelf lives are better in arid regions. Other possibilities include energy bars, nuts, dried fruits or jerky. Never leave out animal-attracting leftovers, as that could attract unwanted intruders.
“Essentials” are called so for a reason. Don’t be caught camping without proper supplies. With these necessities, it will be easy to prepare for and enjoy your next adventure in the great outdoors.
Experts have long known the risks associated with charging a smartphone using a USB cord that can also transfer data, but new research shows that even without data wires, hackers using a “side channel” can quickly find out what websites a user has visited while charging a device. In a recent paper published in IEEE Transactions on Information Forensics and Security, researchers warn that “a malicious charging station” can use seemingly unrelated data—in this case, a device’s power consumption—to extract sensitive information.
As a walk through any airport will show, most people are happy to plug their phones into public charging stations, putting their phones at risk of “juice-jacking,” when a compromised outlet steals data through a USB data cable. The new research looking at data theft through charging alone was conducted at New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) by Kiran Balagani (assistant professor, NYIT), Aydin Farajidavar (assistant professor, NYIT), Paolo Gasti (assistant professor, NYIT), Qing Yang (Ph.D. student, College of William and Mary), and Gang Zhou (associate professor, College of William and Mary); their work is the first to show that even without a data cable, hackers can analyze a device’s power needs to get at users’ private information, with speed and accuracy depending on a number of factors.
Gasti said the side-channel attacks were successful because “webpages have a signature that reflects the way they load and consume energy.” The remaining power traces act as “signatures” and help hackers discover which sites have been visited.
The researchers conducted the study using power use signatures they had previously identified and tested the attack under various conditions. After collecting power traces via a range of smartphones browsing popular websites, researchers launched attacks and checked the accuracy with which their algorithms could determine which websites were visited while the phones were plugged in. Various factors such as battery charging level, browser cache enabled/disabled, taps on the screen, and Wi-Fi/LTE influenced the accuracy rate in tracing websites visited; some conditions, such as a fully charged battery, facilitate a fast and accurate penetration, while others, such as tapping the screen while a page is loading, lessen hackers’ ability to determine what website is being viewed.
Regardless of the conditions, the important finding emerging from this work is that such an attack can indeed be carried out successfully. And in this study, the slower, less accurate attempts at penetration were still accurate within six seconds about half the time.
Gasti explained the significance of the research, saying, “Although this was an early study of power use signatures, it’s very likely that information besides browsing activity can also be stolen via this side channel. Since public USB charging stations are so widely used, people need to be aware that there might be security issues with them. For example, informed users might choose not to browse the web while charging.”
LUFKIN – With the onset of warmer weather, homeowners are busy updating and rehabilitating their homes or driveways. TxDOT wants
to remind homeowners and contractors that a permit must be obtained prior to beginning work on a new or existing driveway.
The process is simple. Visit txdot.gov and in the search field, type Form 1058. This will take you to the Permit to Construct
Access Driveway Facilities on Highway Right of Way. Applicants will need to describe the proposed work and fill in needed information, such as mailing address and location of the proposed work.
A set of plans or a profile of the work within the right-of-way should also be included. Homebuilders and homeowners should
be aware that construction should not begin on a driveway right-of-way without state approval of Form 1058 or without a 24-hour notice of the proposed work.
The proposed driveway must be constructed in accordance with all applicable regulations. Any impacts to drainage on the
highway system resulting from the driveway construction will be coordinated and approved by TxDOT officials. A TxDOT inspector will review the driveway construction to determine if modifications are needed.
“It’s easy to forget the process when the weather is pretty and homeowners want to do some work to upgrade or contractor’s get in a hurry to begin
construction,” said Rhonda Oaks, public information officer for the Lufkin District. “If you have plans in your future to upgrade or construct a driveway, we urge you or your contractor to fill out Form 1058. It will save you time later on.”
Residents inside the cities of Lufkin or Nacogdoches should contact the city for permitting. For all other locations regarding permit or driveway
inspection information, contact the local TxDOT Maintenance facility nearest to the proposed work or
contact Rhonda.Oaks@txdot.gov <mailto:Rhonda.OaksDonaldson@txdot.gov>
or (936) 633-4395.
LUFKIN, TEXAS, April 13, 2017 – The Angelina College Theatre department will present “The Library” by Scott Z. Burns April 20, 21 and 22 at 7:30 p.m. in the Black
Box theater in the Angelina Center for the Arts on the AC campus. Tickets are $5 for adults and $4 for seniors, students, and children.
“The Library” is a haunting play where truth and facts do not always align. After the main character, Caitlin survives a deadly shooting at her high school, she
struggles to tell her story to her parents, the authorities, and anyone who will listen. Unfortunately there are other narratives that gain ground in the media and paint her in a different light. This play examines people’s relationship to the truth and the
lies that claim to heal. “The Library” is not intended for younger audiences. A discussion will be held after each performance.
The cast includes Kalysta Chunn as Caitlin Gabriel, Eric Manis as Nolan Gabriel, Bethany Sherling as Elizabeth Gabriel, Retha Powers as Dawn Sheridan, Mason Lowery
as Ryan Mayes, Shane VanWinkle as Marshall Bauer, Lexi Hodges as Nurse, Nicholus Trusclair as Surgeon, Sara Flowers as The Publisher, Darbie Powers as Detective Washburn, Mauri Mitchell as Mother Dunston and Special Master Thornton, and Eryn Forrest is the
understudy.
AC Theatre instructor Andrew Reed is the director, set and lighting designer, and prop master. M. Florian Staab is the sound designer and Shelby “Chance” Chunn
is the stage manager.
For more information about this play or the theatre program at Angelina College, call 936-633-5233.
(StatePoint) Papers piling up? Toys taking over? If your home is more cluttered than clean, you’re not alone — 85 percent of homeowners say that organization and storage is the most desired feature in a home, according to OrganizedLiving.com.
Your clean-home dreams can come true. In fact, simply getting rid of clutter alone can eliminate 40 percent of housework in the average home, according to the National Soap and Detergent Association. With a few helpful hints your home can get organized… and stay that way.
Conquer a Clutter-free Kitchen.
With a wealth of gadgets, it’s no wonder the kitchen is a clutter culprit. To start your cleanse, remove everything from drawers and cupboards. If you haven’t used an item in the last month (unless it’s a holiday necessity) – purge it! Next up, clean and line drawer and shelf surfaces with a quality shelf liner, such as Easy Liner brand shelf liners by Duck brand. Not only will it protect them from dirt and grime, but it also offers a good gauge: if you can’t see the shelf liner, it’s time to purge again!
Get a New Spin on the Laundry Room.
Sometimes the laundry room needs a bit of cleaning itself. Detergents and other build-up can cause washing machine odors. Run white vinegar through a cycle to sanitize it with ease. Next, improve efficiency and reduce fire hazards by thoroughly cleaning lint from dryer vents — both inside and out. Finally, use labeled baskets to ensure everything has its place. And, since the laundry room is often a catch-all location, label one as a “put away” basket and be sure to empty it daily, putting its contents back in their proper places.
Control Bathroom Chaos.
From towels to toiletries, bathrooms hold a lot of “stuff,” which can make organizing feel like a losing battle. Create a de-cluttering schedule. Since many toiletries, such as toothbrushes and make-up, should be replaced quarterly, this is the perfect time to purge. Empty drawers and linen cabinets and toss out items that are old or aren’t being used. Shelf liner can once again be a useful addition before putting items back, since some products use antimicrobial protection that can add an extra level of clean by helping prevent the growth of odor-causing mold and mildew on the liner. Plus, you can toss it in the wash for easy cleaning.
Gear-Up Garage Organization.
From toys to tools to seasonal gear, the garage has it all. Unfortunately, 25 percent of two-car garages are so cluttered that there isn’t room to park a car, reports the U.S. Department of Energy. Annually, remove everything and categorize items into “keep,” “sell/donate,” and “trash” piles. Next, designate sections of the garage for “work” (hardware and gardening tools) and “play” (toys, bikes and balls). Create vertical storage by adding hooks and floor-to-ceiling shelves. Finally, label bins, boxes and shelves to encourage everyone to maintain the new-found organization.
Purr-fectly Clean Pets.
Humans aren’t the only ones accumulating clutter or making messes. In fact, Trupanion.com discovered that the average number of pet toys in a home was 34! Start each season by tossing out tattered pet toys and thoroughly disinfecting the keepers – along with leashes, boxes and bedding. To keep areas neat and clean, place non-adhesive shelf liner under food and water bowls to keep them in place and spills contained. A piece under the litter box can also reduce litter scatter across floors and the grip surface helps pull litter from dirty paws.
By following these helpful tips and tricks, your home will soon be clean, organized and clutter-free.
Before he’d even conducted his first practice – he and his family hadn’t even finished unpacking from their move – first-year head coach Kyle Manary was planting footprints in the community.
Angelina College head coach Kyle Manary works with area youth during his summer clinics in July of 2016. Manary offered the free camps in an effort to reach out to the community. (AC Press photo/Gary Stallard)
For several weeks, he offered free clinics and camps for area youngsters. The Roadrunner basketball team, along with the coaching staff, gave up big chunks of their summers in order to teach kids the fundamentals of basketball.
When the school year arrived, Manary and his ‘Runners devoted time to elementary schools. In fact, on the first day of school, the AC guys were in full force at Kurth Elementary, lining the entryway to high five the little ones as they entered the building. Manary even announced each child’s name as part of the Roadrunners’ “starting lineup.”
Angelina College Roadrunner basketball players Gary Blackston (right) and Malcolm Evans read to Trout Elementary students in August of 2016. The AC basketball team conducted several “Read-a-Thon” events in the community. (AC Press photo/Gary Stallard)
Then, nearly every Friday, Manary and the ‘Runners conducted a “Read-a-Thon” in various schools, with the players describing and reading some of their favorite books.
All this way before the season’s opening tip-off to the best first-year performance by a head coach in Angelina College men’s basketball history. The Roadrunners went on to post a 22-win season, upsetting several nationally ranked teams along the way and falling just 20 minutes short of an appearance in the national tournament in Hutchinson.
Just as impressive, Manary became the winningest first-year coach in Angelina College history.
What did all the summer work in the community have to do with the team’s eventual success?
According to Manary, everything.
Angelina College head men’s basketball coach Kyle Manary calls a play on the sidelines during a 2016 game. Manary finished the 2016-2017 season with 22 wins, making him the winningest first-year head coach in AC basketball history. (AC Press photo/Gary Stallard)
“For one thing, I’ve got a lot of pride in this community and all of East Texas because I grew up in Livingston,” Manary said. “I thought it was very important to bring the community to the college. Angelina College is our community’s college. What we want to do from a staff standpoint is get everyone involved in the games.
“When I came here to AC as a kid to watch basketball games, the gym was always packed, rocking and rolling. This is a basketball community. I wanted to put us out there; it’s like anything else, in that input equals output. What you invest is going to grow. We want every kid to be thinking of Angelina College first and foremost. Not other colleges or universities first, but Angelina College. We are this area’s college, and we want everyone to take pride in the college, in the Lufkin and surrounding school districts and their teams. We want them to take ownership and pride in what we do.”
Manary said the entire mindset revolved around getting the players invested in the area’s youth. In turn, the team created a fan base, one that helped drive the team through the rigors of playing in one of the nation’s toughest junior-college conferences.
“At first, we didn’t have a ton of people coming to the games, but as the season progressed, there were more and more people showing up,” Manary said. “For the players, and even the coaches, too, a full crowd just livens up the arena. The energy level the kids brought is not a distraction; it’s a blessing. There were some times we got down big in games, then we hit a couple of shots or made a couple of big plays, and the next thing you know, the crowd’s roaring, and it added fuel to our fire. It helps push our players to another level.
Area elementary school students form a tunnel to greet Angelina College’s Victor Bell during a 2017 game. The students were present as part of one of several Elementary School Nights at Shands Gymnasium. (AC Press photo/Gary Stallard)
“The players love that atmosphere, and atmosphere is what you want for a college program. I think getting the kids on the floor high fiving players means there’s more of a connection with everyone involved. They were able to take ownership of their Roadrunners, and we want them to see that and think, ‘Maybe I should practice more. Maybe I should make the right choices so I can do that one day.’”
Getting those youngsters involved included having them on the floor to form a tunnel through which the players entered during pre-game ceremonies. Naturally, some of those kids formed attachments to their favorite players. If the NJCAA allowed jersey sales for individual players, some of those kids would have been wearing replicas of “their” guys.
“When we went out to all the schools, certain kids just gravitated toward certain players,” Manary said. “Each player on different nights would have his fan club from different schools. It was awesome to see because it reminds the guys why they do what they do. It’s something bigger than themselves. Sometimes at the collegiate and pro levels, athletes tend to think everything is about them. The earlier we can instill in them it’s about serving others and being part of something bigger than yourself, that’s the game of life. Those kids showing up with their support drives the guys to be better players and better people, so it’s a great combination.”
Manary said his mindset from the beginning was finding ways to get the community involved with his Roadrunner basketball team. To him, the time spent with area kids was an investment.
“How important is it for all the parents and educators in our area to see our players invested in their kids,” Manary asked. “There are so many options for families looking for things to do. They can take their kids to the malls in Houston or in Tyler; whatever they’re doing, they have a million options.
“Our goal is be the number one option for as many of those families as we can. How do we do that? By connecting and investing with the kids and their futures. Let’s create AC fans for life. Let’s reach out to them early and get them thinking about Angelina College. That’s what happened to me when I was a kid.”
Reaching out the community was an excellent gesture, but Manary still had to put together a basketball team worthy of the attention. For a first-year head coach, that was no easy feat, especially considering he’d be melding some players returning from the previous season with those he and his staff would be assimilating for the new year.
“Any time you take a new job at a college, there’s a meshing of the old with the new, of how things were done before as opposed to a new culture,” Manary said. “I’m a very demanding coach, and I demand a lot from the guys both on and off the court. I felt with the mixture we had this year, I thought the guys came together very well. We beat several nationally ranked teams, we finished with 22 wins and were 20 minutes away from a trip to the national tournament. It speaks volumes to the type of kids we have, and how far they progressed in buying into what we were trying to do. We had Corinthian Ramsey, who’s one of the most talented guys in the entire conference, accept a role off the bench.
Angelina College head men’s basketball coach Kyle Manary calls a play from the sidelines during a 2016 game against McLennan College. Manary finished the 2016-2017 season with 22 wins, making him the winningest first-year head coach in AC basketball history. (AC Press photo/Marcy Flores)
“Looking back, I think we had a super-successful year, and definitely something for us to grow on. Most importantly, we’re going to have these kids graduate and move on to a higher level, which is always our goal. Our entire staff and faculty chipped in to help in so many ways. I thought it was a great year. Next season we want to stay in the top 25 consistently and make that trip to Hutchinson.”
Manary also credits his assistants, Eric Colbert and Nick Wade, for making the transition far easier than it would have been had Manary tried to go it all alone.
“Within this staff, we have a great dynamic,” Manary said. “Both of those guys have very good people skills, and they relate well to players, fans and everyone else. They’re very connected all over the country, all the way to the grass-roots level, so they’re a huge help with recruiting.
“Then in the house, they were both involved in staying on top of the academics for our players, getting the kids on track to graduate. On the floor, Eric did a lot with our bigs, while Nick developed our guards and wings. Each guy has different qualities that fit with me well. That’ the key to a good staff: Their strengths have to support your weaknesses. They have a lot of freedom; I wanted guys who would challenge me, present me with new ideas. Eric and Nick are extremely intelligent, and we’re blessed to have two guys like that on the same staff. They’ve both got rings from winning at this level, and they know how to help us get there.”
When the season ended, the Roadrunner landed several players on the post-season superlatives list. Isaiah Bailey earned 1st Team All-Region honors; Gary Blackston earned 2nd Team honors; and Robert Lewis and Ramsey earned Honorable Mention.
So how does Manary and his crew hope to build on this past season’s successes?
“That’s part of the never-satisfied culture we want to create,” Manary said. “We always want to one-up whatever we did before. We had our exit meetings, and all the players and coaches know we have to get better at certain things. Over the next month we’ll evaluate every aspect of the program and look for ways to improve. Winning more games next year would be a plus. We’ll be able to get a good jump on the season with this new recruiting class we’ve got coming in. We’ll be able to start a lot earlier. We know the school and the area, the whole layout, so we’ll have a couple of months’ head start on all of it.
“We thank the community, the fans, everybody who had a part in it this year. We’re going to keep working hard to be everyone’s first option.”
