Due to the basketball game on Nov. 16, the time for Congressman Sodrel's speech "More Liberty or More Government?" has been changed to 4 p.m. in Room 170 in Schroeder Family School of Business Administration Building.
 

Celebrate the Aces’ new home at the Ford Center, enjoy food from local restaurants, and get a sneak peek at Ace Purple’s new look! The community is invited to the Aces Fan Fest before the men’s basketball game against Butler on Saturday, November 12.

The Aces Fan Fest will take place from 11:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at D-Patrick Ford (corner of Fifth and Locust streets). For suggested parking locations, please visit http://bit.ly/fordcentermap.

Food and drinks will be available for purchase (cash only) from Kanpai, La Sombra Coffee Roasting Co., the River City Roller/Zesto truck, UE Strength and Conditioning coaches, the UE Venturing Crew, and AcesTV. Among the choices will be pulled pork, hot dogs, hot and cold drinks, and UE-themed candy.

Also at the Aces Fan Fest, teams of UE students will compete in a chili cook-off and the UE’s Best Dance Crew contest. Fans can have their pictures taken with Ace Purple, UE’s newly redesigned mascot whose new look will be officially unveiled inside the Ford Center at approximately 1:55 p.m. The game begins at 2:05 p.m.
 

A book signing will be held Saturday, Nov. 12 at 12:30 p.m. in the University Bookstore.  Works by members of the creative writing faculty, Margaret McMullan, Paul Bone and Rob Griffith will be available for purchase and the authors on hand to sign. In addition, works by members of the Department of Archaeology and Art History - including Alan Kaiser, Jennie Ebeling, and Heidi Strobel, will be available for purchase, and those faculty members will be on hand to sign.

As a part of Homecoming 2011 Reunion Weekend, Chi Omega and Alpha Omicron Pi will celebrate the 60th anniversaries of their colonizations at then Evansville College.  Congratulations to the alumnae and collegiate members of these fine organizations!

Homecoming Alumni Speaker Series Features Bill Hadley ’69 Speaking on Arab Spring
History Alumnus Bill Hadley PhD, will speak as part of Homecoming 2011 on Saturday, Nov. 12, at 10 a.m. in Eykamp 251, Ridgway University Center.  His topic is “The Arab Spring: Why Now and Where is it headed?”  A full bio on Dr. Hadley can be found at http://www.evansville.edu/homecoming/speakers.cfm   This event is free and open to the public. 

The Corridor of Champions exhibit from Roberts Stadium which showcased many memorable moments from UE Athletics history, will soon have a premier spot in the atrium of the new Ford Center.  The display has been completely revamped, and that enhancement and move has been made possible by generous donations from the naming sponsor, Hilliard Lyons, and several supporting sponsors.

The new Hilliard Lyons Corridor of Champions will be dedicated in a private ceremony before the UE vs. IU game on November 16. All funds raised from tickets to the event will go toward completion of Phase II of the exhibit which will be a memorial wall honoring those who lost their lives the "night it rained tears." The 1977 UE plane crash touched and changed so many lives at the University and in the region. This will always be a part of the fabric of UE and Evansville.

The reception and ceremony will begin at 4:30 p.m. with remarks by Jerry Sloan (on video), Larry Humes, and Calbert Cheaney at 5:10 p.m., followed by Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel. Alan Newman of Hilliard Lyons will then unveil the Hilliard Lyons Corridor of Champions. Doors open at 4:15 p.m.

TICKET INFORMATION (Ticket required for admission)
Ticket price:  $100.00 (tickets are tax deductible and proceeds will go toward Phase II of the exhibit). Ticket is for dedication only; game tickets must be purchased separately.

Ceremony tickets can be purchased at the Ford Center Box Office, Aces Athletics Ticket Office (488-ACES), or by returning the form below to: Roberts Stadium Foundation, c/o The Ford Center, 1 SE Martin Luther King Blvd, Evansville, IN 47708.

TICKETS ORDERED BY PHONE OR MAIL WILL BE HELD FOR PICK UP AT THE DOOR THE DAY OF THE EVENT.

Name:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
Address:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
Phone number:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

Email address:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Please hold                tickets in my name. Check enclosed.

                          I cannot attend, but please accept enclosed donation for the memorial exhibit.

Over 500 UE alumni from across the country will be on campus this weekend to celebrate Homecoming 2011.  Please join the Office of Alumni and Parent Relations in welcoming them back. The full schedule of events can be viewed at www.evansville.edu/homecoming.  Online registration is still live through Wednesday, Nov. 9. Homecoming Headquarters will be set up in the Ridgway University Center Friday from 2–5 p.m. and then again Saturday from 8 a.m.–1:30 p.m.  Any Homecoming questions should be directed to alumni@evansville.edu or extension 2586.  

ISC is meeting this Friday at 5 p.m. in Moore Hall lobby to go over International Bazaar preparations. Cooking, booths and entertainment will be explained in detail. You will also have the opportunity to get a head start on your booth decorations after the meeting. See you there!
 

The University of Evansville Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) will be selling Athletic Department Cookbooks this winter to raise money for the U.S. Marine Toys For Tots Foundation. Cookbooks include over 70 recipes submitted by student-athletes, coaches and the athletic administration.

The cost of the cookbook is $10 and all proceeds go towards SAAC's annual participation in the Toys For Tots program. For the past six years, UE student-athletes have donated over $6,000 and purchased toys for children in the greater Evansville area.

SAAC representatives will be selling cookbooks near the main entrance at the Ford Center this Saturday at the UE/Butler, and again on Nov. 16 for the UE/IU game. Cookbooks will be available for purchase during the two hours leading up to tip-off both days.

Fans can preorder the books to be picked up at the Ford Center on the day of the games. Arrangements can also be made to pick up the cookbooks at Carson Center at a later date. For long distance fans, cookbooks can be shipped with a $5 shipping and handling fee added to the total cost.

For more information or to preorder a cookbook, contact women's tennis player Kelsey Costales at kc189@evansville.edu

The University of Evansville Departments of Theatre and Music proudly present the classic Tony Award-winning musical Gypsy, opening at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 11, in UE’s Shanklin Theatre.  Additional performances are at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 12, 17, 18, 19 and at 2:00 p.m. on Nov. 13 and 20.

From the first moment of its pulse-racing overture to the last note of its knockout finale, Gypsy is a true American musical that treats audience members to the theatrical antics of Mama Rose—the ultimate stage mother.  As vaudeville is dying and the much sexier burlesque is sweeping the nation, Mama Rose embarks upon a whirlwind tour of the United States seeking stardom for her two young daughters.  With book by Arthur Laurents, Stephen Sondheim’s genius lyrics and Jule Styne’s soaring music are sure to sweep audience members into a full-fledged frenzy of musical theatre greatness with the show-stopping numbers “Everything’s Coming Up Roses,” “You Gotta Get a Gimmick,” and “Let Me Entertain You.”

Gypsy is directed by R. Scott Lank, Professor of Theatre, and choreographed by Ricki Smith Newman.  The musical features a 20-person student orchestra, led by musical director Gregory B. Rike, Professor of Music.  Associate Professor of Theatre Eric Renschler, serves as the scenic designer; Professor of Theatre Pattti McCrory is the costume designer; Assistant Professor of Theatre Stephen Boulmetis is the lighting designer; guest artist Richard Ingraham is the sound designer; and Austin Pettinger, a senior from Ottumwa, Iowa, serves as the associate costume designer.

The cast features Caitlin Taylor, a senior from Colleyville, Texas, as Mama Rose, and playing her daughters are Sarah Vogt, a senior from Floyd Knobs, Ind., as Louise, and Kelsey Miller, a sophomore from Evansville, Ind., as June.  Other leading characters in the 39-member cast include Elvin P. McRae, a senior from Novato, Calif., as Herbie; and Nicholas Selting, a sophomore from Laramie, Wyo., as Tulsa.

In addition to the college theatre students, five child actors, ranging in age from 5 to 12, also play roles in the musical.  They are Tyler Dugas, from Santa Claus, Ind.; Katrina Wilson, from Mt. Vernon, Ind.; Gracie Schmidt, from Haubstadt, Ind., and Jaylynn Lyons and Kate Dimmitt, from Evansville, Ind.

Ticket prices are $14 for adults and $12 for seniors, students and UE faculty. UE students may obtain one free student rush ticket beginning at 12 noon on the day of the performance they wish to attend.  Three-play subscriptions for the Shanklin Theatre season are available for $25. Including the musical Gypsy, a season ticket also includes The Cripple of Inishmaan, by Martin McDonagh, Feb. 17 through the 26 and Once In A Lifetime, by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart, Apr.13 through 22. Tickets may be purchased by calling (812) 488–2031, Monday through Friday, 12 noon to 5 p.m.

Starting Friday,Nov. 11, and running through Saturday all UE Clothing in the Bookstore will be 15% off the original price as part of the Homecoming celebration.  Items already on sale or clearance are excluded from this offer.  ALSO  - On Saturday, Nov. 12 starting at 12:30 we will have six UE professors signing their books in the Bookstore.  Professors signing their books will be Alan Kaiser, Heidi Strobel, Jennie Ebeling, Robert Griffith, Paul Bone, and Margaret McMullan.  The event will end approximately at 1:30 p.m. so be early.  Hours in the Bookstore during Homecoming weekend are:  Friday from 8 a.m.to 6 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 2 p.m.  Come join the celebration!!

Once again, Graves Hall is collecting NEW mittens, hats, gloves and scarves for needy children in local schools in and around Evansville.  Please hang your donations on the Christmas tree in the lobby of Graves Hall beginning Thursday, Nov. 10.  Monetary donations are being accepted also by Tana Chapman (GH 233), Pam Young (GH 219), Karen Doss (GH 301) or Lisa Toelle (GH 304).   Thank you in advance for your generosity!

All UE seniors are invited to the Young Alumni Gathering at RiRa Irish Pub this Friday, Nov. 11 at 8 p.m.  It is free to all seniors and appetizers will be available.  It should be great night to network with fellow students as well as recent young alumni.

Phi Alpha Theta is selling calendars to raise money for the Phi Alpha Theta National Biennial Conference in January. The group is sending 9 of 16 members to the conference. Calendars will be available for pre-order until Nov.18.  Be on the lookout during lunch hours for tables in Hyde Hall on Nov. 7, 9, 10, 14, 16 and 17, and in Ridgway University Center on Nov. 10 and 17. Calendars will feature professors and administrators from across the University dressed as Henry VIII, George Washington, Christopher Columbus, and more.
 

On Friday, Nov. 11 in the Eykamp Family Chemistry Lecture Hall, room 101, The Science Advisory Council invites you to come and hear a panel discussion with three experts in the field of science.  They will discuss your concerns expressed in the "What are you interested in?" survey.

A poster display and refreshments will follow.

Come hear their comments on post-baccalaureate education, CV/resume, extracurricular activities, and how to understand the emerging areas and trends in Science and Math Technology. Dr. Guy Banta, Dr. Nick Manicke and Matt Riehle will join Director of Career Services and Cooperative Education Gene Wells.

Contact Assistant Director of Gift Planning and Capital Support Cathy Renner at ex 2519 with any questions.

T. Lloyd Benson will be the speaker at the Thomas C. Fiddick Memorial Lecture on Friday, Nov. 11. The event begins at 7 p.m. in Eykamp Hall, in the Ridgway University Center. Benson's topic will be "Blood and Ballots: The Midwestern Politics of the Army of the Cumberland."

Benson is the Walter Kenneth Mattison Professor of History at Furman University. He received the South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities Teacher of the Year Award for Furman in 2009. He was awarded Furman's Alester G. and Janie Earle Furman Award for Meritorious Teaching in 1998 and the Faculty Member of the Year award in 1994 from the Association of Furman Students.

He has an A.A. degree from the State University of New York's Empire State College, and B.A., M.A., and PhD degrees in history from the University of Virginia.

He is the author of several publications including The Caning of Senator Sumner and many articles about pre-Civil War America history, applications of digital technology in the liberal arts and the use of geographic information systems for teaching and research.  Currently he is developing a research project on the political rhetoric and geography of gender, family and household in six mid-nineteenth century Atlantic World cities.

UE PRIDE's ninth annual drag show is taking place Dec. 3 in Eykamp Hall, Ridgway University Center.  In order to make this event a success they need as many student performers that want to participate.  Participants will get free entry to the event and have the oppertunity to win gift certificates and grand prizes reserved for performers. The theme is "Keep Calm and Drag On" and is the biggest philanthropy on campus.  They hope to raise $2,500 this year but that will not be possible without the help and support of fellow students and student groups.  If you would like to participate please email bs159@evansville.edu with any questions as soon as possible.  Registration ends on Nov. 21.

IEW begins Monday, Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. in Smythe Lecture Hall (Room 170) in the Schroeder Family School of Business Administration Building with featured speaker Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs John Mosbo. His talk will address “Experiences in Higher Education in the Middle East: The Gulf Cooperation Council.” For more details about this and all IEW events visit http://iew.evansville.edu
 

Finishing a research paper and have questions about the MLA or APA style guide? Come to the Writing Center at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15! Writing Center tutor (and senior education major) Kayla Brenton will discuss the importance of citation, determination of what to cite, and proper format. The Writing Center is in the Clifford Memorial Library Building, entrance facing Koch Center.
 

The Rev. Dr. Dwight A. Moody will serve as our guest preacher this Sunday in University Worship as we celebrate our Midwest Festival of Young Preachers event and Homecoming weekend. Sermon text and title: Matthew 5: 14-16, “Candlepower.” Special music this week includes “Go Light Your World,” by Chris Rice.   Donuts, coffee, and fellowship are available at 10 a.m.. Everyone is welcome!   

The Academy of Preachers was launched with the vision of its founder and president, Dwight A. Moody. The Academy is supported by a generous grant from the Lilly Endowment of Indianapolis, Indiana. Since its launch in January 2009, the Academy of Preachers has worked to Identify, Network, Support, and Inspire the next generation of Young Preachers. We are thrilled to welcome Dwight to our campus this weekend and are grateful for his support and involvement with our Midwest Festival of Young Preachers on this Homecoming Weekend.
 

The Midwest Campus Festival of Young Preachers is now scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 12, 8:30 a.m.–noon. Throughout the morning, students will preach sermons in Neu Chapel; following each sermon, a panel of experienced preachers will offer feedback, recognize our young preachers for their interest and ability, and encourage them to continue seeking God's guidance in their call to preach the Gospel. The preaching theme for the Festival is The Sermon on the Mount. UE students participating this year include: senior, Nick Joyner; junior, Lanette Urbin, and freshman, Tyler Best. Also preaching this year, Washington High School senior, Evan Sherar.

The Festival begins with a continental breakfast at 8:30 a.m. in Grabill Lounge and plenary worship at 9:15 a.m. in Neu Chapel; keynote preacher Saturday morning is United Methodist General Board of Discipleship Executive Safiyah Fosua.

Founder and Executive Director of the Academy of Preachers, Dwight Moody will preach at University Worship on Homecoming Sunday, Nov. 13, 10:30 a.m.

The Midwest Campus Festival will enable us to promote preaching among our current students, stay in touch with recent graduates, and build important relationships with prospective students. It will also help prepare young preachers in their call to ministry, possibly ordained ministry.

The Festival is hosted by the Neu Chapel Society whose mission it is to support religious life at UE. The General Board of Discipleship of The United Methodist Church and the Academy of Preachers are co-sponsoring the event. The community is invited and encouraged to attend.

For more information, please contact University Chaplain Rev. Dr. Tamara K. Gieselman, tg85@evansville.edu
 

Assistant Professor of Low Brass and Director of Bands Ken Steinsultz will be conducting the Indiana Bandmasters Association Southwest District High School Honor Band this Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 12 and 13.  The event is held on the Vincennes University campus and will culminate on Sunday in a concert by the ensemble in the Red Skelton Performing Arts Center at 4 p.m. EST.  The concert is open to the public.

The art department's senior seminar will launch its first senior showcase next week. The show, titled "Abstract Outlook," will host an opening reception on Monday, Nov. 14, from 11 a.m. - noon in Krannert Gallery. All are welcome!

On Nov.16 at 4 p.m., in Room 170 (Smythe Lecture Hall) in Schroeder Family School of Business Administration Building, Congressman Mike Sodrel will be speaking on the topic of “More Liberty or More Government?” What kind of political system will bring back prosperity to the United States economy? What’s the difference between socialism, communism, and fascism?

In the words of Congressman Mike Sodrel, “For me it’s still about liberty. What we have secured, extended, restored and defended with blood and bullets, we are about to lose with ballots. We are about to lose it from lack of understanding.”

Come join us to find out answers to your questions about the economy and all those “isms.”

Sodrel was a member of the United States House of Representatives from 2005-2007 serving the Ninth Congressional District of Indiana. Under his leadership, Sodrel Truck Lines, Free Enterprise Motor Coach, and Sodrel Logistics (SOLO) grew from less than 100 employees to over 550. Congressman Sodrel has been recognized as the Southern Indiana Small Business Person of the Year and elected as Chairman of the Southern Indiana Chamber of Commerce. Congressman Sodrel has received many community leadership awards and has been honored with distinction by several service organizations. He is currently Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Constitution Institute.

An earring was lost on Friday somewhere in or around Olmsted Hall.  It is a medium-sized gold filigree earring that has sentimental value.  If found, please return to Kimberly Higgins in the Department of Foreign Languages in Room 350 in Olmsted Hall.

This is a reminder that the United States Postal Service (U.S.P.S.) will be closed Veteran’s Day, Friday, Nov. 11.  Please note due to ongoing USPS changes, UE will not be able to pick up mail from U.S.P.S. on Friday, since the Post Office will be completely closed.  Any mail picked up from UE areas by Mail Services on Friday, Nov. 11, will be metered and mailed on the afternoon of Monday, Nov. 14.  For mailing questions, contact Mail Services at extension 2197.

 

Rademacher’s Café is holding special Homecoming hours this Saturday.  Stop by between 8 a.m. and noon.  Get a warm beverage for the Homecoming parade.  

Do you want to use Wikipedia.org even though your professor said that you cannot?  Are you trying to get background on information on a topic with which you are unfamiliar?  Try Britannica Online.

Britannica is an electronic encyclopedia provided through University of Evansville Libraries.  Over 75,000 interconnected articles, including well over 23,000 biographies of people from all walks of life throughout history.  Entries are linked in a similar fashion to Wikipedia, allowing navigation from one topic to another through connected names and links.  Each entry also provides further reading, bibliographies, and additional media, e.g. interviews, film clips, and pictures.

Britannica Online: Academic Edition features include:

• Over 75 thousand entries
• Interconnected entries for easy navigation;
• Additional links and information to help the research process;
• Academic alternative to Wikipedia with very similar functionality,

Britannica is available here if you are the campus server. Contact Kathy Bartelt (kb4) or Shane White (sw69) with questions or comments. 

Reminder to any student who plans to graduate, transfer, or withdraw from school at the end of the fall semester and you are the recipient of a Stafford Loan, you are required to attend an Exit Counseling Session. The dates and times for Exit Counseling are:

• Nov. 15th  at 5:00 pm in Hyde Hall 126
• Dec. 7th  at 10:00 am in Hyde Hall 126.

Please arrive on time and bring the names and addresses of two references. 

On Nov. 21 between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Keep Evansville Beautiful needs 10 volunteers to clean up around I-164.  E-mail csi@evansville.edu for more details! Thanks!

The Office of Community Service Initiatives will once again be assisting the Evansville Rescue Mission through the Adopt-a-Family program. This program serves to provide Christmas gifts for families in the Tri-State area that are at or below the federal poverty line. Student organizations, campus departments, individuals or friends can sign up to Adopt-a-Family by Tuesday, Nov. 22. A family with a wish list will be assigned to you and presents can be dropped off in the Center for Student Engagement by December 7th. If you wish to Adopt-a-Family please email csi@evansville.edu before Nov. 22.

The Office of Community Service Initiatives will be providing other holiday service opportunities so stay tuned for more information on Salvation Army Bell Ringing and the Tri-State Alliance Holiday AIDS project.

As we approach the end of the fall semester, the Office of Financial Aid would like to clarify our policies regarding students’ academic performance and its connection to scholarship and financial aid renewal. The Office of Financial Aid does not monitor grades or credit hours earned after the fall semester. The stated Grade Point Average and credit-hours-earned standards that govern UE scholarships and all aid eligibility are monitored each MAY.

Therefore, if your GPA dips below the required minimum at the end of the fall semester, you have the spring semester to restore your cumulative GPA to the necessary level.  Aid is neither reduced nor restored in mid-year. (The exception is a student who is using a semester of conditional financial aid for fall under a specific appeal plan.) 

See the full policies for the renewal of UE Merit-based Scholarships, as well as maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress for the renewal of all forms of aid, including federal loans. Please direct your questions to the UE Office of Financial Aid at financialaid@evansville.edu, or 1-800-424-8634 or 812-488-2364.
 

Don’t forget that Friday, Nov. 11, is the last day to drop a fall class.  Drops will be posted with a ‘W’ grade.  If you need to drop a class, fill out a yellow Add/Drop Form (available in the Registrar’s Office in Olmsted Hall, Room 106), get signatures from your advisor and class instructor, and return the completed form to the Registrar’s Office no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 11.

This is a reminder that the United States Post Office will be closed on Friday, Nov. 11, for Veteran’s Day. Any mail picked up by UE Mail Services on Friday, Nov. 11, will be metered and mailed on the afternoon of Monday, Nov. 14. For mailing questions, contact UE Mail Services at extension 2197.

There are several stories of how the University of Evansville teams became known as the Aces. (Originally they were called the Pioneers.) One version is that it began when the coach of the school's 1925-26 basketball team told the Evansville Courier sports editor that he should call the team the Aces because they "were playing like Aces." The sports editor liked that and used it from then on in his articles. Another story says that instead it was a Louisville sportswriter who originated the name when he called the 1925-26 team were all "aces." Regardless of its origin, in the 1926 LinC the players were still Pioneers but the 1927 LinC used the Aces name in its athletic section.

The first drawing of a character to represent the Aces was created by Evansville Press cartoonist Larry Hill in the 1960s.

The Purple Aces volleyball team will make its final road trip of the season, traveling to Missouri State on Friday before facing off against Wichita State on Saturday evening.

Evansville enters its final road trip with a 13-16 mark and 3-11 in MVC competition.  The Aces are looking to put an end to a seven-match road losing streak, dating back to November 16 when the Aces tripped up Bradley in the MVC opener.

Last weekend, the Aces fell in a pair of matches against Indiana State and Illinois State.  Ellen Sawin fell just short of a triple-double as she notched 19 assists, 12 digs and 9 kills against the Sycamores.  Rachel TenHoor was the offensive leader in Saturday’s match against the Redbirds, tallying nine kills.

Sawin enters the final road matches of her career with 3,791 assists.  That is second on the UE all-time list.  She trails Betsy Knott, who wrapped up her career at UE with 5,067.

Missouri State is led by reigning MVC Player of the Week Carly Thomas.  Thomas posted consecutive 50-assist, 20-dig matches in wins last weekend over Drake and Creighton.  Kaitlin Jaeger took Freshman of the Week honors after posting 24 kills and averaging 0.88 blocks per set last weekend.

The Bears are 18-7 overall and are second in the league with an 11-3 mark.  They have won their last three matches after falling to No. 12 Northern Iowa on Oct. 28.

Wichita State begins the weekend with a 15-9 mark and 9-5 in MVC play.  The Shockers split matches last weekend, falling in five sets to Creighton on Friday before sweeping past Drake on Saturday.  WSU is 4-2 in their last six matches.

Sarah Waldorf picked up MVC Defensive Player of the Week honors for WSU after averaging 6.75 digs per set last weekend.  Her total included a career-high 38 digs in the victory over Creighton.

In October, Evansville put an end to an 8-match losing streak by taking down Wichita State in five sets before falling by a 3-1 tally to Missouri State.

Next weekend, UE will wrap up the season with home matches against Northern Iowa and Bradley.
 

The University of Evansville women's basketball team looks to burst out of the 2011-12 season's gates on the road at Murray State Friday in the Aces? first non-conference game of the regular season. The contest is set to start at 5:15 p.m. at the Racers CSFB Center.

This will mark the 28th meeting between these teams with UE winning four of the last five collisions, including last year?s 60-54 victory at home on Nov. 17, 2010. Friday's game marks the first of two meetings this season between UE and MSU. Evansville will host the Racers on Dec. 10, as well.

EVANSVILLE (0-0) - The Aces enter Friday night's game with one test under their belts, a 78-41 rout over Oakland City University in Oct. 29's exhibition contest. Junior center Samantha Heck led UE with 21 points on a perfect shooting percentage from the field, behind the arch, and at the free throw line. With 11 letterwinners returning, including 4-of-5 starters, and a new coaching staff, the much more experienced squad looks to greatly improve upon last year's 8-22 mark.

MURRAY STATE (0-0) - Evansville will mark Murray State's first contest of the season, coming off a 9-21 record in 2010-11. The Racers are a member of the Ohio Valley Conference, picked to finish sixth of 11 teams this year. Junior Mariah Robinson and sophomore Jessica Winfrey both earned double preseason honors for the Racers, being named to the Preseason All-OVC and College Sports Madness Preseason teams.

THE COACHES
OTIES EPPS, (Wisconsin-Stout, 02) 1st season at UE, 0-0 record Epps enters his first season as Evansville's head coach. Epps spent the last three seasons at the University of Wisconsin where he helped lead the Badgers to a 56-31 record and three postseason appearances. Wisconsin played in the WNIT in 2009 and 2011, and earned a bid to the NCAA Tournament in 2010 for the first time since 2002.

ROB CROSS, (Murray State, 91), 4th season at MSU, 47-47 record Cross was named the Ohio Valley Conference Coach of the Year in his first year at the helm of the program. He led the Racers to a 16-2 mark in the OVC, earning the team?s first OVC regular-season title that year.

A UE WIN WOULD?
Make UE 1-0 to start the season for the second straight year
Give coach Oties Epps his first career victory ?
Make UE 442-549 all-time.

A UE LOSS WOULD?
Make UE 0-1
Postpone coach Oties Epps' opportunity to gain his first career victory until UE's meeting with Cincinnati on Nov. 18 ? Make UE 441-550 all-time.

LAST TIME OUT
Samantha Heck's 21 points, going 7-for-7 from the field, 3-for-3 from three-point range, and 4-for-4 from the line, while also ripping down nine boards in 25 minutes of play led UE to a 78-41 exhibition win over Oakland City University on Oct. 29. Junior Briyana Blair also reached double figures, tallying 10 points on 3-for-5 shooting from the floor and 4-for-4 performance at the charity stripe, while also adding six assists. Senior Staci Gillum and sophomore Hannah Weedman each added eight points for the Aces. In the game, Evansville shot 51.9 percent (28-54) from the field, 41.2 percent (7-17) from three, and 83.3 percent (15-18) from the free throw line.

OPENING DAY SUCCESS
In recent years, the Aces have a tradition of winning game one of the regular season, capturing victories in four of the last five and 10 of the last 12 opening days. Last year, Evansville upset Bowling Green, 63-62 at home.

HOME SWEET HOME
The Purple Aces moved to a new home this season after closing the doors of Roberts Stadium, a building built in 1956. Evansville opened play at the brand new downtown Ford Center, a $127 million arena with a capacity of 10,316, on Oct. 29 in an exhibition game with Oakland City. UE?s first regular season contest at home will be Nov. 29 versus Ball State.

MORE EXPERIENCED SQUAD
Evansville lost just one player, Stephanie Bamberger, from the 2010-11 squad to graduation. Returning 11 letterwinners, including four seniors, three juniors, and four sophomores, the Aces will have a much more experienced team this season. UE also welcomes three freshmen and three new coaches on staff as the Aces get a fresh start in 2011-12.

SWIPES
Last season, Evansville led the Missouri Valley Conference in steals, averaging 9.8 per game. Returning for her senior season, Briyana Blair piloted the Aces with 71 steals last year, averaging 2.4 per contest.

OH CAPTAIN, MY CAPTAIN
Senior Staci Gillum and junior Samantha Heck have been named the 2011-12 team captains for the University of Evansville women?s basketball team. Gillum, a native of West Des Moines, Iowa, served as the Purple Aces? captain and point guard last season, averaging 4.2 points and 2.6 rebounds per game, playing in all 30 contests. A transfer from Kirkwood Community College, Gillum was also a captain and led the Eagles to a 73-2 overall record and a pair of national titles in her two years, while also earning NJCAA All-America honors. Heck, an Auxvasse, Mo. native, led the team with 4.9 rebounds per game and finished second on the squad with 9.3 points per game in her sophomore season, while also recording two double-doubles. As a freshman, Heck recorded over 200 points and 100 rebounds in her rookie season, ranking second on the team in both categories at 7.1 points and 4.8 rebounds per game.

SQUAD SUMMARY
The Aces return 11 letterwinners from last season, including four starters in senior Briyana Blair (9.5 ppg), junior Samantha Heck (9.3 ppg), junior Meagan Collins (8.5 ppg), and senior Chelsea Falkenstein (6.1 ppg). Redshirt junior Jordan Lewis will also make a comeback after a knee injury knocked her out of commission last December. Also returning: senior point guard Staci Gillum, junior Taylor Ware, and sophomores Katie Ellerson, Khristian Hart, Miranda Liles, and Hannah Weedman. Evansville also has three freshmen joining the program in Kat Taylor (Akron, Ohio/Lake Ridge Academy), LeiLoni Smith (Vian, Okla./Vian), and Juliann Miller (Louisville, Ky./Mercy Academy).

FRESH FACES
UE's three freshmen are Kat Taylor, LeiLoni Smith, and Juliann Miller. Taylor was named honorable mention Northeast Ohio all-district as a junior at Lake Ridge Academy and earned Defensive Player of the Year at St. Vincent- St. Mary?s. Smith scored 400 points, averaging 17.4 per game, 8.3 rebounds, and 2.5 steals in her senior year and was named to the Oklahoma All-Star Team by the Oklahoma Coaches Association. Miller was named the Kentucky Association of Basketball Coaches? Seventh Region Girls Player of the Year Runner Up, and was a 2011 Girls Kentucky All-Star Team selection. She averaged 13 points per game as both a senior and junior and led her team to a state championship.

ACADEMIC ACES
With a collective 3.340 grade point average, the University of Evansville women?s basketball team ranked 24th in the nation on the Women?s Basketball Coaches Association?s Academic Top 25 Honor Roll for 2010-11 season. The honor marked the third time in the last five years in which the Purple Aces have ranked among the nation's Top 25 academically.

ACES SIGN TWO FOR 2012-13
Oties Epps announced Wednesday the signing of two high school standouts to National Letters of Intent. Guard Laura Friday (Marion, Ind./Marion) and forward Michaela Prough (Crown Point, Ind./Crown Point) will make up the Lady Aces? freshman class for the 2012-13 season.

Aces head men’s basketball coach Marty Simmons signed his third player in two days, inking shooting guard Adam Wing to a National Letter of Intent to play for the University of Evansville next season.

“Adam is another high-character, high-leadership individual,” Simmons said.  “Not only is he a great basketball player, but he provides all of the intangibles that we look for.  He is a lights-out shooter who will bring toughness and physicality to our team.”

The 6-4, 210 lb. shooting guard is a team captain for Rowan County High School in Morehead, Ky.  As a junior, he was elected MVP in two games during the KY “Sweet 16” Tournament en route to All-State Honorable Mention honors.

He is a two-time member of the 16th Region All-Tournament team, a two-time honoree on the 61st District All-Tournament Team and, as a sophomore, garnered 61st District Most Valuable Player honors.

In his high school career, Wing has averaged 12.7 points per game and 8.2 rebounds per contest.  Overall, Wing is a 50% shooter.  The guard has connected on 57% of his two-point attempts while shooting 38% from three-point range.

Wing led his team to the state championship game last year, falling at the buzzer to Christian in a memorable double overtime contest.  Wing scored 31 points in the title game, including seven threes.