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Thursday, April 25, 2013

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23452
The world of professional
wrestling is full of colorful per-
sonalities larger than life, feuds,
drama and physicality. It is an
industry with a worldwide fol-
lowing that straddles the cat-
egories of entertainment and
sport. University of Southern
Mississippi student Ben Smith
is part of this adrenaline-
charged industry.
Professional wrestling is
something that you either un-
derstand or you dont, said
Smith. If you get it, no expla-
nation is needed. If you dont
get it, no explanation will ever
be enough.
Smith works profession-
ally with Wildkat Sports, a pro
wrestling company, based out
of New Orleans, as well as Hat-
tiesburgs PowerSlam Produc-
tions. Climbing up in the in-
dustry takes a lot of dedication,
something Smith knows well.
He is not only a pro wrestler but
is also a college student.
Smith is a senior English li-
censure major at USM. He has
been wrestling his entire col-
lege career and joined a com-
pany when he was 18 years old.
I wanted to get involved in
wrestling for as far back as I
can remember and always told
myself that as soon as I am old
enough I would find a way in,
Smith said. To my surprise,
there was a wrestling company
just ten miles down the road
from where I lived.
Smith faces the daily struggle
of balancing his wrestling ca-
reer with maintaining his stud-
ies. He juggles countless hours
in the gym, commuting to
shows and keeping good grades
in classes.
I have managed to balance
the two to a degree, but it is
not easy. I have no social life,
Smith said.
When the public thinks of
the wrestling industry, they
may not necessarily connect a
college degree with the physi-
cal drama playing out in the
ring. This is a misconception,
according to Wes Adams, one
of Smiths mentors and fellow
wrestlers.
Adams, a 2002 Southern Miss
graduate, owns the Hattiesburg
wrestling company PowerSlam
Productions and is also con-
nected with WildKat Sports.
Higher up in the industry,
education is important, Adams
said. A lot of elite wrestlers have
a college degree or are working
on one. People dont want to hire
someone without education.
Adams, who majored in hos-
pitality management, said many
wrestlers use the knowledge
they gained in college, such as
from business classes, to fur-
ther their wrestling careers.
Smith had longevity and the
future on his mind when he de-
cided to pursue a degree.
I went to college because I
know that wrestling wont last
forever, and I want to go into
teaching because it is something
I always thought I could do well
in and enjoy, Smith said.
Fellow students and profes-
sors have interesting reactions
when they find out Smith is
a pro wrestler. Many want to
know more about this other
side of his life.
Melanie Boyd, a fellow stu-
dent and friend, couldnt believe
a student could take on so much.
The day I met Ben he told
me he was a professional wres-
tler, and I was stunned that an
undergrad student that was so
young could take on the respon-
sibility of being a professional
wrestler as well, Boyd said.
Adams, who has 13 years of
experience in the industry, is
reminded of himself when he
thinks of Smith. Adams was
April Garon
Printz Writer
Ben Smith and Wes Adams compete in Brewsky Brawl, a wrestling
event, on Thursday April 4, 2013 in Hattiesburg.
Photos by: April Garon/Printz
See 678!92:;<' 5
Feature
Student Printz, Page 5
Thursday, April 25, 2013
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Hattiesburg coffee lovers
have a reason to rejoice as Java
Werks on Hardy Street is set to
reopen today.
Te cofeehouse, which has
been closed since last summer,
was bought by Cesar Potenza and
his wife Marbelis. Afer moving
to Hattiesburg from Florida fve
years ago, Cesar has been look-
ing for the opportunity to open a
business in Hattiesburg.
Te menu will feature the same
items as before but with a unique
addition. Te Potenzas plan to
slowly introduce a few South
American dishes to the ofering.
Java Werks is iconic in Hat-
tiesburg, he said. We thought it
would give us the venue to have
the pastries and coffee that ev-
eryone loves but also introduce
a little South American cuisine.
Theres nothing like that here,
and we think itll create a niche,
offering something unique to
the Hattiesburg community.
The Potenzas plan to open
their doors at 12 p.m. today
for a soft opening. They plan
to have the grand opening in
about two weeks.
We want to make sure we
have all the wrinkles ironed out,
said Potenza. We have previous
employees coming back, and
once we get our rhythm well
have our grand opening.
The Potenzas bought the cof-
feehouse from previous owners
Ken and Pam Hill. Potenza said
they have been more than help-
ful in the transition.
Theyve helped us get up and
going, to learn the idiosyncra-
sies of the businesses, Cesar
said. Theyve really been key
in assisting us in the ownership
transition.
Many Hattiesburg residents are
looking forward to the reopening
of the beloved cofeehouse.
It provides a great place for
students and members of the
community to go, Kyle Eth-
ridge, an English graduate stu-
dent, said. I dont know much
about South American food, but
I think its great to have more di-
versity. Ill try it, for sure.
Afer the grand opening, Java
Werks plans to open Monday
through Friday 6:30 a.m. to 9:30
p.m., Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
and Sunday 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Dusty Mercier
Printz Writer
%567819:;, from 4
Te staf of Te Southerner
yearbook will be hosting their
second annual launch party on
Monday from 5 until 7 p.m. in the
RC Cook Lounge in the Union.
Yearbooks will be available
for $20, and there will be food,
music and a photobooth at the
event. Executive Editor Kelly
Price said more than 200 books
have been sold so far, and 1,000
books total were ordered.
Monday through Wednes-
day, a table will be set up in
the Thad Cochran Center from
noon until 1 p.m. where books
will be available for sale.
Cash, checks and credit cards
will be accepted, but student
IDs will not.
also pursuing wrestling while
he was at Southern Miss.
Ben pushes himself, Adams
said. I was doing what he was
doing. It can be done with ef-
fective use of your time and
making the most of the least.
Smiths ultimate career goal
is to make it with the WWE.
Adams believes Smith has what
it takes to make it in the com-
petitive world of professional
wrestling.
He makes wrestling happen
and is moving up in the world,
Adams said. He really sees
wrestling for what it is and what
its not. He has the potential to
make it to the top, and hes go-
ing to. Hes willing to learn and
willing to listen.
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