2002 03 13

C A L I F O R N I A

S T A T E

U N I V E R S I T Y ,

F U L L E R T O N

INSIDE NEWS: Children learn how to care for 5 na garden at an Arboretum class

Armed with razors tied to their ankles, roosters slash and gouge at each other to the death

Meet the Titan softball team 6 nenSPORTS: route to the Kia Klassic at CSUF

—see Perspectives page 4

W E d n e s d ay

Vo l u m e 7 4 , I s s u e 1 3

M a r c h 13, 2002

Asgari grabs hold of his freeSecond in a Series The coach begins his life in Iran.

After defecting from the army, he escapes death and makes his way to America.

By Amy Rottier

Daily Titan Editor in Chief Ardeshir Asgari joined the Iranian army when he was 14 years old. In his country, it was mandatory that all citizens serve the military for two years after graduating high school.

But a high school diploma would be granted to those who joined the army in time of war, regardless if they finished school.

Asgari hated school so much; he joined the Iranian army about four years early to fight Iraq. He came from a family of wealth and high status within the government.

The army trained Asgari physically and mentally.

“If you kill seven Jews, you will go to heaven,” Asgari was told.

As a young, boy he believed it.

After spending time in the military, Asgari began to realize that the new govern-

Women give meaning to world peace

ment’s rules violated basic human rights.

Everyone was forced to follow 1,500-yearold religious dictates that forbade things like going to movies, nightclubs and drinking. Execution was a regular punishment for those who did not comply. The Asgari new laws opened many problems, especially with the younger, more independent generation.

But, it was in Beirut, when he saw a Jew for the first time that Asgari completely turned against the government. The Jewish man looked so nice, like any other person.

Asgari realized that killing seven Jews would not send him to heaven; it would send him to

hell. He wanted out.

His wrestling talent and bravery were his saviors.

Wrestling was a national sport in Iran – as big as baseball, basketball and football combined in the United States. When Asgari was growing up, wrestling was one of the five main events in the Olympics. To be an Olympic wrestling champion meant national hero status – like Michael Jordan in America.

So, like many men, Asgari took up the sport at an early age. With five years of experience under his belt, he started wrestling for the army. He quickly became part of the army’s national team. With that status came the opportunity to travel and his opportunity for freedom.

In 1982, the team traveled to Venezuela to participate in theArmy World Championships and after 10 days of competition, Asgari won second place in his weight class. The team was scheduled to fly back to Iran at about 7

a.m. on Aug. 4, 1982 but Asgari and three of his teammates decided they would not return to serve a government they were against.

It was risky.

Quitting the army was not an option. The four knew that they faced death if they were caught and sent back to their home country.

The wrestlers left their coach a note condemning the Iranian government and nonchalantly left their hotel room around midnight – five hours before they were to leave for the airport.

The four left with nothing but the shorts and T-shirts they were wearing and wallets in their pockets. They could not take anything with them and risk looking suspicious. To observers, they hoped to look like they were going out for one last night on the town.

But the four could not just walk away.

The competition and accommodations were located on a military base and Venezuelan military men guarded the exits.

In a stroke of luck, the escapees came across a U.S.-military van that was leaving the base. Although they did not speak English, they explained, somehow, their plight to the driver. The driver agreed to help the defectors by smuggling them out of the base. The group of 18 to 21-year-old men was dropped off in the downtown area with no money, no passports and no way to communicate. None of them spoke Spanish.

They found refuge in a hotel that night and by the next day they knew their team was long gone. On their second day of defection, Asgari picked up a newspaper in the hotel lobby and saw their pictures on the front page.

“Hey, hey, that’s me,” Asgari said to the man at the desk.

The man briskly picked up the phone and in less than five minutes, 50 police cars,

ASGARI/ 3

Right of way

nLECTURE: Hazel Warlaumont spoke about creating new ways to to build bridges between cultures

By Conchita Viado

Daily Titan Staff Writer Non-violence. Safety. Living without fear. The absence of war.

The definition of the word “peace” conjures many interpretations. It can be said in a number of ways. However, its importance is without question.

In honor of Women’s History Month, the Women’s Center at Cal State Fullerton hosted a lecture Tuesday on “The Role of Women in Building a Culture of Peace.” The purpose of the lecture was to discuss involvement opportunities and to hear ideas about peace-building efforts.

“The United Nations has recognized women’s role in “Women can peace-building,” said Hazel Warlaumont, professor of communications and founder of the be highly University of Peace. “We are trying to strengthen peace culeffective in ture, create new ways to work with each other, and to promote establishpeace not war.”

Warlaumont conducted the lecture. ing global The University Women for Peace is an organization where peace.” individuals work together for peace and to build bridges of cultural understanding in the Hazel world, especially where conflict Warlaumont, or human rights violations are matters of concern.

The organization does not accept any membership fees and does not make any effort to gain funds. Its purpose is to promote the idea that women can be highly effective in establishing a climate of global peace.

This organization was founded in the hopes of allowing others the opportunity to recognize a woman’s role in peace building. It is a hands-on organization designed to get people involved.

One of the main focuses is to network with women from other countries in order to start a dialogue about how

PEACE/ 5

JAIME NOLTE/Daily Titan

A female student sustained a possible leg fracture Tuesday evening after being hit by a white Ford Tempo at the intersection of Nutwood Avenue and Langsdorf Drive, police reported. Witnesses Mark Cooper and Brian Dent, guests at the Marriott Hotel, said they were pulling out of the hotel parking lot when they saw the student attempting to cross the intersection. She was making her way around a silver minivan that was blocking the street, when the Tempo hit her. Police were called to the accident scene at 5:29 p.m. Senior officer Craig Odom of the Fullerton Police Traffic Bureau said the injured student was coherent because he was able to speak to her while paramedics were giving her aid. She was transported to St. Jude Hospital in Brea. Odom said police are still investigating the accident and a full report would not be available until later.

Youths explore fire service career nTRAINING: Besides experiencing handson work, participants learn discipline, unity, teamwork and honor

By Conchita Viado

Daily Titan Staff Writer

courtesy of Ocfea academy 2001

Explorers attempt to extinguish a flammable liquid fire at a Chevron. This is part of the participants’ hands-on training.

Young men and women have the opportunity to gain training and experience in the fire services through the Brea Fire Department Explorer Program.

Firefighter and associate adviser John Aguirre, apprentice firefighters and assistant advisers David Coleman and Joshua Jones oversee the program. Through this program, explorers practice various types of skills that are required for a career in firefighting.

“We roll hose,” Aguirre said. “We train with self-contained breathing apparatus. We practice forcible entry. We practice ladders and ladder evolutions, ropes and knots and various types of rescues. We also practice with live fire.”

The program is affiliated with the Boy Scouts of America.

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The explorers each have a book that teaches them about the equipment and how to use it.

In addition to the hands-on training they receive, explorers are given tests and quizzes. These examinations are based on the reading material and the various skills that are taught to them. One examination is given for each topic. They are not graded and the explorers are not penalized for wrong answers.

The purpose of the examinations is to show the explorers the areas that need to be reviewed. The explorers are not given weekly assignments.

They spend enough time on each

subject so that every member is comfortable with the material.

“There’s a multitude of things that we do on the fire ground or in any type of rescue atmosphere.

We simulate it here so they have a chance to see what we do and so they can see if they want to be involved,” Aguirre said.

It is not necessary to live in the city of Brea to be considered for membership. However, in order to qualify for the program, candidates must meet three requirements. They must be between the ages of 15 and 21. They must also not have a

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2 Wednesday, March 13, 2002

two

A guide to what’s happening

BRIEFS College of Business launches optimism survey Conducted by the College of Business, in partnership with the Orange County Business Journal, the college’s first-ever survey on how large and small county businesses view the economy was released this month.

Under the leadership Anil K. Puri, dean of the College of Business and Economics and director of the Institute for Economic and Environmental Studies, the “Business Sentiment Survey” showed that various sectors of business were optimistic about the economy due to the initial signs of its reviving.

Conducted in January, the survey questioned 31 business owners and company executives about their expectations for the first quarter and how the companies fared in the fourth quarter of 2001.

The questions addressed concerns on the outlook of sales, profitability, staff, labor cost, inventory levels and external factors and their influence.

The survey will be conducted quarterly and the pool of businesses surveyed is expected to increase to eventually provide statistically valid results.

Fullerton Police promotes six officers Fullerton Police Chief Pat McKinley announced that six officers have been promoted and will assume their new positions effective March 16.

Filling the vacancy left by 29-year-veteran retiring Captain Ron Rowell, Lt. Geoff Spalding will become captain of the

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Fullerton Police Department.

Spalding, 45, is currently in charge of the department’s Training Bureau and has served as a police officer for 25 years.

Joe Klein, 49, and Doug Cave, 44, are both being promoted to the rank of lieutenant.

Klein has served as an officer for 27 years and leads the Community Services Bureau, while Cave is a 23-year veteran and serves as an adjutant to the captain-in-charge of the department’s Patrol Division and is a member of the SWAT team.

Lorraine Jones, 37, an officer for 16 years, Craig Odom, 34, and Steve Williams, 39, an 11year veteran, will all assume the rank of sergeant.

Senior center offers new line dance classes The Fullerton Senior MultiService Center is adding a new intermediate level and “Easy Beginner’s” classes to the line dance classes that the center offers weekly.

Instructor Marsha Roe who teaches advanced beginners and mid-level line dance classes Wednesday mornings at the center will offer the intermediate course from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesdays.

Instructor Patti Thompson will teach the “Easy Beginner’s” class from 9:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. on Thursdays, beginning on March 14.

Advanced registration is not required and a donation of $3 dollars per student per class is requested.

For more information on the line dancing classes contact the Fullerton Senior Multi-Service Center at (714) 738-6305.

Editor in Chief Managing Editor Business Manager Advertising Sales Manager Advertising Production Manager News Editor Asst. News Editor Asst. News Editor Sports Editor Asst. Sports Editor Detour Editor Opinion Editor Perspectives Editor Photo Editor Asst. Photo Editor Copy Editor Copy Editor Copy Editor Production Manager Faculty Adviser Asst. Faculty Adviser Advertising 278-3373 Editorial Fax 278-2702 Advertising Fax 278-2702 Internet 278-5440 Web site: http://dailytitan.fullerton.edu E-mail: dailytitan@yahoo.com

The Daily Titan is a student publication, printed every Tuesday through Friday. The Daily Titan operates independently of Associated Students, College of Communications, CSUF administration and the CSU system. The Daily Titan and its predecessor, the Titan Times, have functioned as a public forum since inception. Unless implied by the advertising party or otherwise stated, advertising in the Daily Titan is inserted by commercial activities or ventures identified in the advertisements themselves and not by the university. Such printing is not to be construed as written or implied sponsorship, endorsement or investigation of such commercial enterprises. The mail subscription price is $45 per semester, $65 per year, payable to the Daily Titan, College Park 670, CSUF, Fullerton, CA 92834.

Copyright ©2002 Daily Titan

news CALENDAR EVENTS CALEN D AR OF OF EVENTS Community Los Angeles independent film maker Emmet Loverde will have a live reading on his latest romantic comedy “Till You Get to Baraboo” in North Hollywood, March 18 at 8 p.m. For reservations and information, call (310) 207-4475.

The Grand Central Art Center presents the play “How I Learned to Drive,” March 14 to 24, at the Grand Central Art Center in Santa Ana. Tickets are $10 and $5 with advance Titan discount. For more information, call (714) 278-3371.

The Muckenthaler Cultural Center in Fullerton offers a class on book making, March 15. For more information, call (714) 7386595.

The Fairplex in Pomona will have a “Super Chevy Show” March 15 to 17, on the Pomona Raceway. For more information, call (909) 623-3111.

The Pomona Arts Colony presents “Unwearables,” a ceramics exhibit by Nina Jun, March 9 through April 6, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the SCA Galleries in Pomona. For more information, log on to www. geocities.com/scagallery.

First Friends Church in Whittier invites everyone to attend a free luncheon to hear “Brain Cross of Central Committee for Conscientious Objectors” in regards to the War on Terrorism. The event will be held in Fellowship Hall in Whittier, March 17, at 12:30 p.m.

For more information, call (562) 698-9805.

Milles. For more information, call (909) 865-4262.

The Garden Grove Playhouse presents the comedy “The Nerd,” March 8-30, with performances on Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and a Sunday matinee March 20 at 2 p.m. Ticket prices are $12 for general admission and $11 for students and seniors. For more information, call (714) 897-5122.

The 31st Annual Festival of Whales in Dana Point will feature activities, events and music during the weekends of March 9 and 16. The musical series is free. For more information, call (949) 496-1094.

In honor of Black History Month, the Watts Village Theater Company presents “Weights,” a one-man play, at the Los Angeles Theater Center through March 17. Ticket prices are $20 for general admission and $15 for students and seniors. For more information, call (213) 4851681.

The Bowers Museum in Santa Ana is hosting “The World of the Etruscans” through April.

For more information, call (714) 567-3600.

The Grand Central Art Center in Santa Ana will host the exhibit “Gentlemen’s Club” by Jean Low through April 28. For more information, call (714) 567-7233.

The Fairplex in Pomona presents a show by the Millard Sheets Gallery Tuesday through Sunday through March 31. This is its second post-fair exhibit and it will include a sculpture of Carl

The Grand Central Art Center in Santa Ana will host an exhibition of paintings, automobiles and mixed media images by Kenny Scharf through April 28.

For more information, call (714) 567-7233 or log on to www.arts. fullerton.edu/events.

Campus Counseling and Psychological Services will have a workshop on test anxiety, March 13, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. in LH 210 G. For more information, call (714) 2783040.

The Department of Music presents a piano master class with Eduardo Delgado March 16 at 1:30 p.m. at the CSUF Recital Hall. For more information, call (714) 278-2575.

The Volunteer and Service Center is looking for volunteers for their beach clean-up March 15 in Long Beach. For more information, call (714) 2787623.

The Performing Arts Center presents “Rosmersholm,”

a mystery drama, March 15 through 24 in the Arena Theatre. Tickets are $9 and $7 with Titan advance discount.

For more information, call (714) 278-3371.

The Women’s Center presents “Vision & Voice: Women, Diversity and Leadership Conference,” March 14 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the TSU Pavilions. Lunch will be provided. For reservations, call (714) 278-3928.

The Arboretum will have a gardening class for children ages 6-9, March 23, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Fee is $3 per child. For more information, call (714) 278-3579.

The Arboretum will have a workshop on “The Art of Bonsai,” March 16, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Fee is $10 per person. For more information, call (714) 278-3579.

The Department of Dance presents the Tony Awardwinning play “Dancing at Lughnasa,” March 8 to 17, in CSUF’s Little Theatre. Tickets are available at the Performing Arts Center box office or by calling (714) 278-3371.

The Pollak Library hosts an exhibit of David Scharf’s most recent images through March 15 in the Atrium Gallery. For more information, call (714) 278-2633.

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3

College earns $60,000 worth of technology nGRANT: Funds are allocated to business, economic programs for software as a prize to SAP competition

By Sabrina Sakaguchi

Daily Titan Staff Writer

Bethany Auckerman/Daily Titan

Wrestling coach Ardeshir Asgari visits the location of where he made a tent his home under an overpass in Fullerton. When he first came to Cal State Fullerton as a wrestler, Asgari survived solely on three boxes of macaroni and cheese that he bought every day for $1.

ASGARI

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government officials, secret police, commandos and about 100 gunmen came to detain Asgari and his friends.

What Asgari did not know at the time was that he and his friends were high profile individuals. The Iranian government sent men around the world to capture them. The four young men were the first to defect from the Iranian army and it was a great embarrassment to the government. The wrestling team was the first group to leave the country under the new government and these four took off. Asgari and his friends were arrested but they were not thrown into the local jail; they were taken to an out-of-theway “underground” jail. It took a whole day to find a translator so the prisoners and the officials could communicate.

It was a world law that a country could not send political refugees back to their country to be executed; as political refugees, young men were entitled to help from the Venezuelan government.

But they did not receive help. Instead, they received six-month visas, after which the four had to leave the country.

The group did not have to face death in Iran, but they were now homeless.

The group survived the best they could.

Everyday they would race to three park benches and the slowest one had to sleep on the ground. Eventually, they came up with a system of taking turns for sleeping and food arrangements.

In order to feed themselves, the defectors often dined-and-dashed. They would choose a restaurant and gorge themselves, so the meal would last as long as possible. When they were done, one would leave. Then the second would leave. Then the third would leave. The waiter would think that the last person was going to pay the tab, and then the fourth person would try to slip out. More than once they had to make a run for it.

Since being ditcher number four was

the riskiest position, they took turns. As Without a translator to twist the story, strong wrestlers, Asgari and his friends Asgari and his friends used the bit of were not worried about being caught. Spanish they learned in Venezuela to But after a few weeks, they ran out of plead their case to the Spanish governrestaurants to scam. They could not ment. They were granted political asyreturn to any place twice and the city lum, which included room and board was not that big. They often found their for a year. dinner in garbage dumpsters.

The three continued to wrestle at They passed the time wrestling at a local college where they met a fora nearby college. After three or four mer United States-CIA member who months, Asgari met a man who worked encouraged them to come to America for the government and promised to On Dec. 20, 1983 they did. find out why Asgari and One of the three ended his friends did not get up in Canada, anothpolitical asylum from er went to California Venezuela. and Asgari was sent to “Iranian A week later, the man Missouri. Asgari still found out that the translastruggled to survive in the officials tor was Jewish and took United States. He barely out his grudge against had any money and he had Iran on Asgari and his no winter clothes. Visions planned to friends. Instead of telling on TV made Asgari believe Venezuelan officials the welcome the that America was all sundefectors were seeking shine and palm trees. He political asylum, the transwas miserable in the cold defectors lator said the men defected weather as he shuffled for religious reasons. from Missouri to Chicago Wanting to change with a public to Michigan. Once in religion did not warrant Michigan, Asgari continasylum, but it was a ued doing poorly. He still world violation to send wrestled, but could barely refugees back to their understand the classes he country to be executed, took in English. Every day so they were allowed to stay only six was worse than the one before. After months in the country without the aid of four or five months, Asgari contacted the government. his friend that ended up in California.

When the six months passed, the group Asgari almost had a heart attack when had no means of leaving the country. One he heard how well his friend was doing married a local girl and legally stayed in – he had a job, he had money and he Venezuela. The others decided to turn had just bought a car. themselves in – but they had a plan.

Asgari thought for sure God was No direct flight from Venezuela to punishing him. But his friend proved to Iran existed, so the plane would have be his savior when he flew him to San to land in another country to take a Francisco in the spring. connecting flight. Their departure was Asgari wrestled at San Jose State and set for Jan. 11, 1983. Iranian officials won the Olympic trials at UC Santa planned to welcome the defectors with Cruz, but he could not go on to the next a public execution. step because he was not a U.S. citizen.

The three landed in Spain. Just as That was the first time Asgari missed they were to be herded onto the plane his chance at the Olympics. to Iran by guards they tore through the From San Jose, Asgari went to airport and escaped capture.

Bakersfield to wrestle and then ended

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up at Cal State Fullerton in the summer of 1985. While waiting for his financial aid to go through, Asgari did not have money or a place to stay. He used to sneak into the wrestling room at night and crawl into the rolled-up wrestling mats to sleep until security caught him.

One night he met another homeless wrestler who also slept in the mats until he had gotten caught a month earlier.

The wrestler now lived in a tent pitched underneath a bridge on a hill hidden under foliage. He offered to share his accommodations with Asgari. Three weeks later, his companion left and sold his tent to Asgari. He now shared the hill with only an opossum and a coyote.

Asgari still struggled to survive after he got a job at a local arcade making $3.75 an hour. Every day he would buy three boxes of macaroni and cheese for $1 and a gallon of water. He would cook it on a small propane stove be bought for $11. He took the dishes to school to wash them.

All at once Asgari’s financial aid went through – he had about $3,000 in checks.

After he opened a bank account, Asgari went straight to Sizzler and gorged himself for two hours. A week later, he moved out of the tent and into an apartment with a few fellow wrestlers.

Asgari excelled in wrestling. He won 98 percent of his matches. He was the only sophomore to make the NCAA wrestling tournament. He broke every record at CSUF and soon, Asgari was gong to train for the Olympics. Things had really turned around.

Time magazine, which was published in five different languages at the time, ran an article on Asgari’s life and accomplishments.

Since the time he defected, the Iranian government told its people that Asgari and his friends were homeless and begging on the streets. It painted the United States as the devil. This article showed the people that their government was lying. And when the

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The College of Business and Economics (CBE) took a $60,000 leap ahead of the educational competition recently with a software grant from one of the leading international business software companies.

As a part of the SAP Curriculum Development Grant Awards Program, professor Dag Naslund, of the Information Systems & Decision Sciences (ISDS) department, submitted a three-page proposal on how Cal State Fullerton could and would use the $60,000 SAP software, Aris.

“Aris helps to map and analyze the processes of the organization,” Naslund said.

Naslund also said that Aris, a process management software, is on the cutting edge of business technology, exactly where graduates need to be.

SAP America, a subsidiary of the German Company SAP AG, is one of the leading designers and distributors of “Internet integrated business software” in the nation.

Companies currently using SAP software include NASA, Porsche, Virgin Entertainment Group and the Los Angeles World Airports, which includes Los Angeles International, Ontario, Palmdale and Van Nuys.

The University Alliance Program is designed as a link for national colleges and universities to the most upto-date business technology. CSUF is in the academic company of campuses like UC Irvine, USC, Purdue University, Harvard Business School and Pennsylvania State University.

According to the company’s Web site, the University Alliance is designed to empower America’s academia with the business tools that will “ensure college graduates are equipped with the latest training on how technology supports business operatives.”

Since 1997, the University Alliance has been offering opportunities for member colleges and universities to compete for SAP’s cutting-edge software.

Out of the five categories offered in the 2001 competition, CSUF came away with one – the Aris toolkit. But CBE hopes to make the most of this $60,000 solo win.

Although numerous successful companies are currently using SAP software like Aris, not many CBE instructors have had experience with the programs.

Accounting instructor Paul Foote is one of numerous business professors anxious to play with CBE’s newest toy, which is hoped to be in ISDS student hands by Fall 2002.

“We have to stop swimming without swimming pools,” said Foote about CBE’s gain of the latest software.

Foote said that too many business courses are “chalk and talk,” which he said does not offer students the needed hands-on experience with current software and equipment.

The Aris software is a part of SAP’s Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) tool. This all-encompassing business software has constantly been improved for the last 25 years with each new need of successful companies.

Foote said that ERP started as accounting software and has eventually developed into integrated solutions software which can cover 85 to 95 percent of company activities.

But Foote said there are at least five major companies focused on offering integrated solutions software.

Naslund said the Aris software is the best choice for CBE because it is easy to understand and use.

“Aris shows how organizational structure fits processes,” he said.

This primarily management software also allows users to add on desired features, like accounting, Naslund said, adding that this adaptability of the software only makes it more desirable to companies.

“Any student with any intelligence should be running to sign up,” Foote said.

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Wednesday, march 13, 2002

Gardening classes plant science seeds in chil-

Students frustrated by late fee

nARBORETUM: Kids are taught how to plant seeds, harvest vegetables and learn overall garden care

nCAMPUS: Students remark over paying the $25 late penalty for adding classes after deadline

By AnnaLiza Ganchingco Daily Titan Staff Writer

Erin Morrissey/Daily Titan

A child has the opportunity to plant and care for a garden as part of a class which takes place in the Arboretum every Saturday.

EXPLORER

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serious arrest record and they must maintain at least a “C” average in school. Meetings are held on most Thursday nights.

Explorers also have the opportunity to compete in the Musters. The Musters is an annual competition for Orange County Fire Explorer Posts. In this competition, explorers compete with other posts in various training exercises.

Within the Brea post, there are 25 members, including explorers, explorer captains and an explorer

PEACE

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to integrate the idea of peace into the university curriculum. “[The university] seems like a good place to try to build awareness,” Warlaumont said. “I would like to get college students involved, we just haven’t set up the groundwork for that.”

Various goals of the organization include: encouraging the representation of women in discussions concerning matters of war, peace and human rights; fostering a dialogue between women across borders; increasing the influence of women in global politics and integrating global peace into the university curriculum.

“Women can be highly effective in establishing global peace,” Warlaumont said.

However, she said she feels that women and peace are not taken seriously. There has been a tremendous effort by women toward peace, but there has not been enough support to make their efforts grow. She added that the voice of

“Don’t play in the dirt,” is something that most children would hear parents say, but that wasn’t the case at the Arboretum on Saturday.

Children ages 3 to 5 attended a gardening class that allowed them to learn about science in a fun and creative way.

Gloria Baca, a graduate from Cal State Fullerton with a bachelor’s degree in biology, taught the class.

She began the class by reading the kids two books about plants, “The Tiny Seed” by Eric Carle and “The Little Red Hen” by Paul Galdone.

“I liked the idea to have the reading done in a circle,” said Kerry Zolg, a parent of one of the children. “Kids always love the literature.”

After story time, the children dug in and got their hands dirty.

Each of them was given the opportunity to pick a flower like a

marigold or petunia and plant it in the flowerbed.

They first watched and listened as Baca instructed them on how to plant the flowers properly. Using what they learned from the stories, the children began planting their very own garden.

“I help my mommy plant and I help my daddy plant,” said 4-yearold Alicia Vasquez.

Most parents agreed the handson experience was great for the children.

The children were taught to plant seeds and how to care for them so they can grow their own gardens.

This also was a learning experience for some parents.

“Mothers learn how to plant too,” said Nancy Chatelain, mother of 3-year-old, Claire.

Chatelain said that her husband does all the gardening and that this is a good opportunity for her and her daughter to learn how to develop a green thumb.

Toward the end of class the children were able to harvest some vegetables they planted weeks earlier. Each child was allowed to take home one flower and harvested radishes and lettuce leaves.

Delight and joy appeared on each child’s face as they pulled out a radish from the ground and proudly showed it to their parents.

“There is an exchange of energy

battalion chief.

The Brea post has three explorer captains: Michelle Cazares, 20, Justin Jones, 19 and Adam Watson, 17. John Sudduth, 19, is the explorer battalion chief.

There are 14 male members and one female member, Michelle Cazares.

Cazares has been an explorer for three years and has moved up the ranks from explorer to explorer captain.

“It doesn’t feel any different [to be a girl] because the guys don’t treat me any different,” Cazares said.

“They cheer me on. We’re all friends. If I have problems, they help

me. And if Jones were they have explorers problems, I “They cheer me on. We’re who were help them if I hired by the can.”

Brea Fire all friends. If I have The explorDepartment er program is problems, they help me.” as apprena good steptice firefightping-stone ers. Cazares for those who works in would like to La Habra continue their Heights as career in the a dispatcher. fire services.

And Sudduth works in La Habra The percentage of explorers who Heights as a volunteer firefighter. actually make a career in the fire “A good percentage of them will services is 30 percent. move into some sort of fire service Assistant advisers Coleman and involvement,” Aguirre said.

women is missing in this country, as well as in other countries.

She feels that there are so many issues where women can be involved that it is difficult to know where to begin. There have been many small movements by women to promote peace, but there has not been any effort to unite them. The movements do not have enough cohesion and support.

Despite the importance of this subject, there are still many people on campus who are not aware of the lectures.

“I’m glad that they have these lectures Tuesdays and Wednesdays,” said Maureen Petta, 20. “The problem that I see is that not many people are coming. [I feel that] a lot more people need to come because it is very informative. Half the people [on campus] don’t even know that these meetings exist.”

In order to promote the lectures, some academic classes offer incentives for the students who attend these lectures.

“A lot of people come here for extra credit,” said C. Hoang, 29. “I don’t get that much extra credit [for attending

the lectures], I just want to be here to listen.”

In order to gain the much-needed support, Warlaumont has enlisted the help of many women who are in the forefront of the women’s movement for equality and peace.

Among those involved are Glenn Close, Rosie Perez, Susan Sarandon, Gloria Steinem, Kim Gandy, president for the National Organization of Women and Nancy Rustad, president of the American Association of University Women.

For additional support, the UWP has written numerous letters to Secretary of State Colin Powell and President George W. Bush.

Even though the organization has not received personalized recognition for its letters, Powell has publicly recognized that the United States would support the inclusion of women in the position of government.

Members of the organization feel as if his comments were in reaction to the letters that were sent to him.

“Peace is the ongoing activity of actively-seeking solutions, rather than having warriors achieve victory

Bobby McGees 3x6

5

with the kids,” Baca said. “Giving them the attention and sparking that interest in them and see it mirrored back at you is the most rewarding part of teaching this age group.”

Baca has been teaching the youth gardening classes since she graduated last June.

“I get to talk to kids about science when its accessible to them and in a way that they don’t know it’s science that they are learning,” Baca said.

She teaches the class with ages ranging from 3 to 14 year olds.

She also teaches the summer camp program.

The youth gardening classes are just a few of the programs started by the Arboretum.

“We are trying to revamp the children’s garden program,” said LeNelle Cittadin, the educational director of the arboretum.

Cittadin said that the children plant almost everything and volunteers do the maintenance. The children’s gardening class is a fairly new program. It was started last fall. Other programs that are offered to children by the arboretum are the pumpkin patch, the rainbow garden, bug safari and the kid’s spring break hike. Summer camp is also offered.

“We are really trying to push the children’s programs,” Cittadin said.

Explorers are taught basics such as discipline, teamwork, unity and honor.

“It’s a lot of fun. You learn a lot of discipline,” said explorer Kyle Knighton, 17.

Despite the seriousness of the training, the members spend time together outside of the post and create lasting friendships.

“We go out to dinner after the meetings and sometimes we hang out,” Cazares said.

“Even the people that are new are welcome to go out with us. We like it that way. That’s how the fire service is, we’re all family.”

Exotic Tan 3 x 10.5

By Alma Castillo

Daily Titan Staff Writer This semester, Cal State Fullerton had more students that registered late than the fall of last year.

On March 4, more than 700 students paid a $25 fee for registering late for classes.

“I registered for a class and it was canceled because it was only four people in it, so I had to register for another class,” said Diana Ortiz, a CSUF student. “But I still had to pay the late registration fee.

I think that we shouldn’t be penalized for that.”

Though students are penalized, students still continue to register late.

“Part of it is because we just quit admitting people because we were running out of room and funding from the state,” said James Blackburn, Director of Admission and Records.

In many cases students agree with the amount that is charged for late registration.

“I think that charging $25 is a good method to discourage students to register late,” said Monica Flores, a CSUF student.

However, other students disagree with the penalty for late registration.

“Even though I register ahead of time, at the end I had to register late because I couldn’t register for a class that I wanted,” said Elisha Coon, a biology major. “I also think that the fee is not fair because in some cases is not your fault and besides I have to work for it and it is coming out of my own pocket.”

Working hard to avoid registering late is not easy and sometimes students end up having to do so. They not only have to deal with the stress that they encounter but they also have to deal with the money they have to pay.

“Even though I didn’t want to register late I end up in that horrible position, and also I had to pay for it,” said Maria Gomez, a CSUF student.

8 Wednesday, march 13, 2002

news

Bush administration alters political agenda nPUBLICATION: L.A. Times article exposes U.S. plan to launch nuclear assault against several countries

By Erick Fierro Martinez Daily Titan Staff Writer

HEAther hampton/Daily Titan

Irish eyes were smiling as bagpipers played traditional Celtic tunes to kick off a variety of St. Patrick’s Day activities Sunday at the 13th annual family festival in Westminster.

Orange County sees nHOLIDAY: People gather from all over the Southland in order to celebrate the Celtic tradition of St. Patrick’s

By Heather Hampton

Daily Titan Staff Writer They arrived in green from head to toe on Sunday. Some had green hair while others had green beards.

But they were not leprechauns searching for a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow.

Instead, they were ordinary people, looking for a little bit of Irish fun and entertainment at the 13th annual St. Patrick’s Day Family Festival sponsored by the Brothers of St. Patrick in Westminster.

The Brothers of St. Patrick are a group of men who set up schools around the world in an effort to serve the needy.

The Brothers first came to California in 1948 to a school in Santa Monica.

They later moved to Los Angeles and finally on to Orange County to teach at Mater Dei High School in 1953 and they now have an annual festival.

Peggy Joyce-Hoffner, a travel agent who was born and raised in Ireland said she attends the festival every year.

Joyce-Hoffner said the people

come from all over, some from as Children participated in face far a San Diego. painting, three legged races, crafts “They get about 7,000 or 8,000 and gunny-sac races. people,” said JoyceBut the Marchand’s Hoffner. two children enjoyed And many of the medieval fightthe thousands are ing the best especial“This is our ly since they recently Irish themselves that return to the festival watched “The Princess first time. every year.

Bride.”

“We come to supAlthough the St. port them…to supPatrick’s Day festival A friend of port the Irish public,” has only been publiJoyce-Hoffner said. for 13 years, Pete mine who’s cized “It gives everybody Walsh, a Celtic arts and a chance to see each crafts salesman, said been doing that it has been around other each year.”

Orange resident a lot longer than that.

Marisa Marchand “I’ve been here for Irish and her family were 25 years,” Walsh said. new comers to the Walsh, who was born dancing told Irish festivities. in Ireland and lived on “This is our first a farm, moved to the time,” Marchand me about it.” United States 46 years said. “A friend of ago because he said mine who’s been there was nothing in Marisa doing Irish dancing Ireland at the time.

Marchand, told me about it.”

Walsh spends Marchand, who his time at the St. is a quarter Irish, Patrick’s Day festival said she loved the each year where he atmosphere at the festival. can be as close to home as possible “It’s nice and homey,” Marchand with his fellow Irishmen. said.

Although Walsh no longer lives Her husband, Paul, was also in his homeland, he said he knows excited to see a place where chil- that no on can remove the Irish dren could go. blood out of his system.

“There are a lot of really friend“[I’m] Irish forever,” Walsh ly people here,” Paul said. “It’s said. real nice to have stuff for the children.”

Fox Home Video / Joyride 3x9

The Bush administration has repositioned itself after an article published in the Los Angeles Times stated that a still-classified document called the Nuclear Posture review (NPR), was a contingency plan for the use of nuclear weapons against at least seven countries, naming not only the “axis of evil”—Iran, Iraq and North Korea—but also China, Russia, Libya and Syria.

“U.S. nuclear arms are not aimed against any country,” Vice President Dick Cheney said at a news conference in London Monday after meeting with Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Cheney also denied media reports saying that the United States is preparing a pre-emptive nuclear strike against seven countries.

This statement follows Sunday’s roundtable discussions on various political talk shows in which Bush administration officials defended U.S. policy.

“We all want to make the use of weapons of mass destruction less likely,” said National Security Adviser Condoleeza Rice on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”

“They way that you do that is to send a very strong signal to anyone who might try to use weapons of mass destruction against the United States that they’d be met with a devastating response.”

The report suggests that the U. S. is considering developing and test-

ing new, nuclear weapons capable of blasting through underground bunkers that contain weapons of mass destruction similar to that of weapons commonly known as bunker-busters currently pounding the mountains of Afghanistan.

“Right now, today, not a single nation on the face of the Earth is being targeted by an American nuclear weapon on a day-to-day basis,” said Secretary of State Colin Powell on CBS’ “Face the Nation.”

Powell added that, “We should not get all carried away with some sense that the United States is planning to use nuclear weapons in some contingency that is coming up in the near future. It is not the case.”

However, Powell went one step further to deny that the U. S. planned to resume nuclear weapons testing or to develop new nuclear weapons.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the NPR offers a chilling glimpse into the world of nuclearwar planners.

The Times also suggests they cover every conceivable circumstance in which a president might wish to use nuclear weapons—planning for a war they hope never to wage.

Congress requested the reassessment of the U.S. nuclear posture in September 2000.

The last such review was conducted in 1994 by the Clinton administration. Since the previous administration’s report is also classified, no distinct comparisons can be made.

However, analysts have said it is a break with earlier policy.

Previous administrations have acknowledged that they had detailed nuclear plans for an attack on Russia.

Analysts, however, said this apparently marks the first time that

an official list of potential target countries has come to light.

Concern and criticism has already become apparent in response to the report. Fortunately, the report no longer officially calls Russia an “enemy.”

“There is no sense in this suggested security blanket—it has always been ridiculous,” said Cal State Fullerton professor of physics Roger Dittman in regards to NPR and the Bush administrations idea of a missile-defense system.

Dittman went on to say that as far as Russia is concerned the United States knows the capabilities of Russia somewhat, however, there are still many unemployed nuclear physicist in Russia, and the need for nuclear materials and scientist is in great demand.

“There are other alternatives other than nuclear deterrence that are clear and obvious such as support for human rights, which include minority and women rights,” After Sept 11, Russia and the U. S. had an extraordinary strong relationship.

In November of 2001 President Bush announced that the U. S. would reduce its arsenal of deployed nuclear warheads by more than twothirds over the next decade.

In response the Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia would reciprocate the offer.

However, President Bush’s plan for missile defense and now this latest report has added strain on the relationship of the two nations.

Russian President Putin and President Bush are scheduled to hold a summit in Moscow from May 23-26.

The two nations hope to sign a nuclear arms reduction deal during the summit.

Read the Daily Titan online!!! http://dailytitan.fullerton.edu

Justice Dept 3 x 10.5

10

news

Wednesday, March 13, 2002

Dance class finds rhythm nEXERCISE: Hinson’s hip-hop course offers students an alternative way to stay in shape while having fun

By Ricardo Sanchez, Jr. Daily Titan Staff Writer

Pushing the “play” button on her portable stereo, Dakota Hinson walks to the front of her dance class and shouts out directions.

“We’re gonna step then one and, you gotta shake it,” she yells.

She shows the class how the routine is supposed to look– jerking her shoulders back and forth, up and down rapidly.

The dancers follow along with the music, as it reverberates off the walls with sounds of piano notes over smooth beats, creating an energy that livens the otherwise dim fencing room on the second floor of Titan Gym. This is where Hinson, a senior public relations major and aspiring dancer, instructs participants every Tuesday and Thursday in a hip-hop class that is an extension of AS recreation sports, a program to promote student activity and fitness.

With hip-hop’s popularity soar-

ing in the last decade and students looking for different programs away from traditional aerobics and dance, Hinson’s class provides something interesting.

“I never really danced hip-hop and I just thought this would be a thing to try,” graduate student Demetri Iogman said.

The class focuses on dance routines, choreographed by Hinson, that are taught slowly until the group has a basic grasp of the presentation.

Each part is practiced separately and then culminated for a big finish.

The goal is to create an environment where a student can get a cardiovascular workout and have fun while learning the latest hip-hop moves.

“I just let all the steam off and it’s a really good workout,” Iogman said.

Even with a mix of advanced and beginning dancers, the atmosphere is healthy and never competitive.

“It can be intimidating,” said junior health major Sherionne Coleman. “But it’s more learning for them and they laugh and it’s fun.”

Iogman agrees.

“As soon as you stop worrying about people looking at you, you start to have fun,” he said.

To attend class, a fitness pass is required and current students can be obtain one for free at the A.S.

Agency files for chapter 11 nBANKRUPTCY: Council Travel owes approximately $18 million to airlines across the country

By Theresa Salinas

Daily Titan Staff Writer ryan hoppe/Daily Titan

Students from the hip-hop class learn how to combine Hinson’s choreography with an unmistakable sense of attitude.

Recreation Office in the Titan Gym. “It’s free and it’s at the right time,” said Ashley Heptig, a biology major. “The idea of paying 50 bucks a month for a class and then missing it because I have to study is so unappealing.”

The class also convenes on Fridays at noon. Larger groups attend because it’s during the day and more students are on campus, Hinson said.

Hinson, who also teaches a hiphop class at Bally’s in Anaheim, moved to Hollywood about three years ago and started taking hip-hop and jazz classes at different clubs in the area and became certified to teach.

She returned to CSUF and started the class late last semester when she approached Alison Wittwer, assistant

director of programs AS Rec Sports, with the idea of a new, energetic way of working out. She convinced Wittwer and was given a shot.

“They didn’t expect it to do so well, then my numbers started to increase by word of mouth,” Hinson said.

Wittwer said she was pleasantly surprised about the success of the class.

“I thought it could be [successful] if we promoted it right and got the right teacher and obviously we did,” Wittwer said.

Hinson’s class started with five people and has now jumped to about 25 students per meeting. But Hinson has bigger aspirations.

“I want it to grow until there’s like 50 people,” she said.

Mighty Ducks 6 x 10.5

Council Travel, the country’s largest student travel agency, filed for bankruptcy protection in early February.

One month later, the company contends that it’s functioning normally and that students should continue using its services.

The company filed under Chapter 11 on Feb. 5, after its parent company, usitWORLD, another travel company, started experiencing financial problems in Europe.

The New York-based travel agency owes about $18 million to airlines across the country.

Spokesman Michael Burns said that all airlines named in the suit are honoring tickets purchased through Council Travel both before, and after, the agency filed for bankruptcy.

“Students should not be hesitant about conducting business with us,” Burns said. “The tickets are sold by the airlines and honored by the airlines.”

Continental Airlines, the largest creditor, initially argued that the tickets weren’t valid.

But a judge has issued a temporary injunction forcing Continental to honor the tickets.

Council Travel said that it’s safe for students to purchase tickets from and make travel arrangements through its agents.

The company is for sale and could possibly restructure or merge with another company, Burns said.

“We are still open for business,” the company states on its official Web site, “and we con-

tinue to support and service our customers as always.”

Council Travel helps more than 1 million customers each year to plan excursions at a discounted rate.

It operates more than 100 shops overseas and 75 stores nationwide, including a Cal State Fullerton store, which is located on the first floor of the Titan Student Union.

Council Travel policy prohibits staff from being quoted by the media, but a manager at the CSUF store said that business is brisk.

About 30 to 40 students visit the CSUF Council Travel office each day to ask for price quotes and to purchase vacation packages.

Phones ring constantly and students often line up out the door.

Another local office picks up the excess customer flow.

Council Travel consultants help CSUF students reserve airline tickets, rental cars, hotel rooms and to book rail and sea travel.

The agency also plans group tours and sells international student ID cards and youth hostel cards.

CSUF student Ernesto Jacobo said he’d consider booking a trip through Council Travel despite the bankruptcy proceedings.

The graphic arts major stopped by the office for the first time on Tuesday, to pick up information.

“I’m going to Italy this summer and I’ve been doing all the research on my own,” he said. “I didn’t know that I could find it all in one place…As long as they tell me everything is fine, I don’t see why I would not do business with them.”

But student Christine Navarro said she’d rather book her own tickets online.

“I like to do things myself,” she said.

Wednesday, March 13, 2002

As spectators watch, Jose Vargas warms up his competing rooster in the palenque by having it attack a rooster that will not be competing in this night’s event.

Death To the

Story and Photos By: Valentin Mendoza Competitors from various areas throughout Mexico flock to cockfights to make money and to be entertained. For the spectators, the gruesome event is a way of life.

For the roosters, it is a game of survival.

Trainer Pancho Torrez cradles his injured rooster in his arms knowing that only the strongest, leanest and most aggressive rooster will win.

An assistant to Pancho Torrez shows spectators the full-bred rooster which is slotted to compete next in the palenque.

The rooster’s unmistakable song could be heard from blocks away in Jiquilpan, a small province of northeastern Michoacan, Mexico.

Tonight was the biggest night of the palenque – the traditional ring where roosters fight and bigname artists come to perform.

This night’s artist was Pepe Aguilar.

The bleachers were packed with spectators.

Some came to see the roosters, others to see Aguilar, but they all shared the same air.

Noise, dust, smoke, sweat and hard liquor lingered in the air as a teen-age boy walked along the aisles selling potato chips, soda, beer and nuts.

There were seven fights scheduled before Aguilar came out to perform.

Representing Jiquilpan were Pancho Torrez’s full-bred roosters.

The visitors, represented by Jose Vargas’ finest roosters, came from a nearby town called La Puente. Both competitors came looking for fame, both looking for fortune, both looking to fight.

Many compare cockfighting to boxing.

In boxing, two humans consent to beating each other.

In the palenque however, the two territorial birds are forced to clash into each other repetitively, sticking each other with razor-sharp knives tied to their ankles until one bird stops breathing.

Although cockfighting is considered a felony in most states, there are still three states, according to the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), that consider the practice legal: Louisiana, Oklahoma and New Mexico.

Like boxing, controversy surrounds this sport.

Marta Ayala Minero, a writer and contemporary Chicana artist, wrote an article describing the sport and people involved as a subculture of its own.

“It’s not just about fighting two roosters, but rather an uncomprehendable passion,” she wrote.

“A passion between the trainer and the loyalty of the rooster.”

Yet others see the practice as not only bloody and inhumane, but as a senseless form of enslaving an animal for self-gains.

Many times, even the spectators come into danger.

Lots of money is gambled at these competitions.

In fact, lives have been lost in the past because of bettors who lose everything they own, and shoot their competitors in an act of desperation.

In Stanislaw, Calif., for example, an illegal cockfight in May 2001 ended with a triple shooting where one person died and two others were injured, said Wayne Pacelle, HSUS senior vice president.

“It’s very big in California,” Pacelle said.

“Firearms and other weapons are common at cockfights, mainly because of the large amounts of cash present.

“Not only that, but law enforcement officials have documented a strong connection between cockfighting and the distribution of illegal drugs,” he said.

But the trainers claim nothing but respect for the animals.

To raise a good fighting rooster, the trainer feeds it only the best food and vitamins.

The trainer also prepares the rooster by speaking to the bird with words that it only hears before it fights.

According to Minero’s article, the language used by the trainer is kept a secret and only brought up between the two before the two animals fight.

When the time comes for the rooster to fight, his trainer ties on a razor-sharp knife.

The crowd begins setting bets.

Then the trainer begins speaking to his bird using their special language so that the rooster knows its about to fight.

Once the fight ends, the trainers discuss the upcoming fights, while the feathers and blood are swept up from the ring.

At this point, the spectators observe the communication between the trainers and roosters.

They try to judge which pair will be victorious.

The bets are set; the doors are closed and the fight begins.

Some fights end almost instantly.

Yet the reality of the cockfight is that most of the fights drag on for up to a half-hour.

It is a half-hour of flying feathers, a half-hour of blood, a half-hour of agony.

“During a bout, birds suffer from punctured lungs, gouged eyes, broken bones,” Pacelle said.

To make the birds more successful fighters they are injected with a variety of drugs, increasing their aggression, muscle mass and blood clotting, according to HSUS. Raising a fighting rooster is a delicate process.

They are bred to be very hot blooded and territorial and, therefore, kept in cages away form each other.

According to the Latin American Dictionary fighting roosters are kept out of the rain and fed food and water so that their weight does not increase drastically.

It also states that the roosters aren’t allowed to mate with chickens because by doing so they lose their “sobriety and pureness.”

They are raised for about a year and then sentenced to the fight of their life.

While it is true that cockfighting has been practiced for centuries in various countries, some governments including the United States’ do not believe the deadly event is right or even acceptable.

Pacelle said that because cockfighting is such an old pratice, it is not something that will go away anytime soon.

“At one time the United States allowed slavery, lacked child abuse laws, and refused women the vote,” Pacelle said.

Wednesday, March 13, 2002

One team, one dream “The Kia

“When the

is a huge

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the Kia

and its neat

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teams

began to

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field, in front

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Jodie Cox, Titan softball pitcher

Brittany Ziegler 18 Infielder/Outfielder Sophomore

Brittany Ziegler loves to have her dad see her play.

“When he’s not there, it’s a bummer,” she said.

Sometimes her dad might want to come see her play, but his job makes it difficult. Ziegler’s dad is on standby for the war in Afghanistan, but could go on deployment at anytime.

“I wanted to stay close to home so he could see me play when he was on leave,” the sophomore said. “If I was to go to school back east, he’d never get to see me play. I chose CSUF because I didn’t want to be a selfish college kid.”

She has played softball since she was 10 and has learned some valuable lessons along the way.

“Softball has always taught me to be ambitious,” Ziegler said. “It teaches me to go for the things that I want.”

Christy Robitaille 44 Pitcher Senior

As the Kia Klassic approaches, there is no better example of the recruiting tool the tournament can be than Christy Robitaille.

“When I was younger, I came to watch the Kia,” she said. “I didn’t get to see them much more than that because I was playing during their season. But after talking to coach Gromacki, I knew I wanted to play here.”

At the urging of her father, Robitaille has been playing softball since she was young.

“I am an only child,” she said. “My dad always wanted me to be athletic.”

The senior hopes that she will finish off her business degree, but admits she might have other plans on the horizon after graduation.

“I might go into coaching,” Robitaille said.

understand that pride

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In her third season as head coach, Michelle Gromacki has once again put a dominant team on the field. Finishing last season with a 48-14 overall record, and 19-2 in the Big West, the Titans started this season No. 10 in the nation. Gromacki earned her 100th career victory on Saturday, Feb. 23 with a 6-0 win over Missouri. After a shaky start which left the team with a .500 record after 18 games, Fullerton reeled off 11-straight wins, including three-straight Big West Conference wins. The focus now shifts to the 2002 Kia Klassic as the No. 11 Titans look to repeat last year’s first-place performance.

“We’re defending Kia champs,” Gromacki said. “We definitely want to win this again because it’s on our home field.”

Julie Watson 9 Outfielder Sophomore

As a student majoring in child development, Julie Watson’s reason for coming to CSUF is an obvious one.

“I came for the coaches,” Watson said.

She is full of energy at the plate, and her teammates cheer for her to “bounce with me” as she hops in the box.

Playing at the urging of her father, she has played much of her life.

“I started when I was six, and I’ve played ever since,” Watson said.

The 19 year old, who also played volleyball in high school, won numerous awards for softball including first-team All-CIF in 1999.

Following high school, she was recruited by UNLV and Sacramento State.

At Fullerton last season, she started 57 of 62 games at center field and hit .285

Caylin Hornish 22 Infielder Freshman

Caylin Hornish is one of two freshmen to join the team this season as the Titans reload for the future.

Hornish, who has loved softball since her parents signed her up when she was young, saw how tough the jump to the college game would be on the first day of CSUF conditioning in the off-season.

“It was a rude awakening,” the freshman said. “The first day we did Titan O’s, [running up and down the Titan Stadium stairs], was the most memorable day I have had at CSUF. It was tough, but the good times make it all worth while.”

The former All-CIF player saw action earlier this season when first baseman Monica Lucatero was sidelined due to injuries. She has struggled a bit at the plate, going 2-13 in seven games with one RBI.

Jenny Topping 31 Catcher Junior

Coming off a season in which she won the Big West Triple Crown, Jenny Topping suffered an injury to her shoulder that sidelined her for most of February.

But since she has returned, the Titans have gone 14-4.

Since her transfer from the University of Washington in 2000, her outlook on softball has gotten much more positive. “[At Fullerton] you enjoy coming out to practice,” she said. “Washington was a strong program, but it wasn’t the right place for me.”

The catcher had to get used to living with her parents again after two years, and had to adjust to all new teammates.

She made the adjustment, and was the 23rd All-American in school history.

Topping hopes that momentum carries over to this season.

Jocelyn Evans 35 Outfielder Redshirt Freshman

After redshirting her first season, Jocelyn Evans has what it takes to become a major power threat for the Titans. She took her first step earlier this season against then-No. 3 Stanford.

Evans came to the plate and got the first hit of her career, a home run.

“Hitting my first home run is my most memorable moment as a Titan,” Evans said.

As if she were passing the torch, the team’s current power hitter, senior Yasmin Mossadeghi, has taken the freshman under her wing.

“Yaz has really helped me,” Evans said. “She has helped me become a better softball player and person.”

Evans, who is a communications major, would like to pursue a career in journalism following her graduation from Cal State Fullerton.

Jennifer Holt 8 Catcher Sophomore

Playing on the same team as an AllAmerican would be intimidating to a lot of people, but not Jennifer Holt.

After filling in for the injured Jenny Topping, the two have shared playing time since Topping’s return.

Holt’s start in the sport gives some indication of why she seems unaffected by the pressure.

“I started softball when I was young because I thought it would be fun,” the sophomore said. “But it is something that I have a passion for now that gets stronger as I play.”

That passion went to another level in the Titans second to last game of the 2001 season.

“The game against the University of Arizona at regionals was amazing,” the catcher said. “It was the most heart-andsoul game I have ever been apart of.”

Gina Oaks 13 Pitcher Junior

With a pitching staff that has a dominant lefty, Jodie Cox, and the Big West career saves leader, Christy Robitaille, it’s hard to believe that another pitcher is the ace of the staff.

Gina Oaks has a record of 11-2 this season and has won her last seven decisions, including six wins over a sevenday span, en route to twice being named Big West Pitcher of the Week. Her last loss was a 1-0 pitcher’s duel to then-No. 3 Stanford on Feb. 24.

With all of these impressive pitching numbers, an offensive achievement stands out most to the junior when she looks back on her career as a Titan.

“In a game against New Mexico last season, I hit two grand slams,” Oaks said. “I looked in the box score and realized I had eight RBIs. It was an awesome feeling.”

cheer about.”

Michelle Gromacki, Titan softball head coach

Yasmin Mossadeghi 27 Outfielder Senior

Senior Yasmin Mossadeghi can best be described by one word: power. She holds the Fullerton and Big West record for career home runs with 38. Her most memorable came earlier this season against UCLA. With two outs in the top of the seventh, Mossadeghi came up and crushed a towering shot deep over the scoreboard at Easton Field to break up a no-hitter.

“I have battled Amanda [Freed] for years throughout travel ball and college,” Mossadeghi said. “So to break up her no-hitter was awesome.”

The Titans have not lost since that game, running off an 11-game winning streak.

“After the way we pulled together at regionals last season, even though we lost, I knew we would come back this season and dominate,” she said.

Amy LaRocque 6 Third Base Junior

After spending time last year as a backup to All-American Jenny Topping, Amy LaRocque has found a home holding down third base for the Titans.

Her consistent defensive play has helped the Titans in the first part of their season, but it has been the junior’s offense this season that has been a welcome surprise.

While she hit only .180 with three doubles and three RBIs in 89 at-bats last season, she has been much more productive at the plate this season hitting .231 with one home run, 10 RBIs and 18 total hits.

The liberal arts major doesn’t aspire to pursue her career in softball after she finishes at Fullerton.

“I want to raise a family and be a teacher,” she said. “I’m done with sports after this and I have no regrets.”

Krista O’Hanian 7 Outfielder Junior

Good things come to those who wait.

After playing a season for the Illinois State Redbirds in 1999, Krista O’Hanian felt she needed a change.

“I wanted to transfer closer to home,” she said. “It was between Fullerton and Cal State Long Beach.”

She decided on the former and has found her niche on the basepaths as one of the team’s top pinch runners.

Since she has been at Fullerton, she credits senior’s Christy Robitaille and Yasmin Mossadeghi as being the most helpful in her transition between schools.

The marketing major looks toward a business emphasis in her career after she graduates. She hopes to find a successful marketing firm to hire into that will afford her the ability to settle down and marry her boyfriend of three and a half

Monica Lucatero 2 First Base Senior

If you were to go to a CSUF softball game, chances are you would hear a large cheering section behind home plate.

That group gets louder whenever Titan first baseman Monica Lucatero comes to the plate.

“My family has always come to my games,” she said. “My mom first got me into sports when I was young to keep me out of trouble.”

In order to keep her cheering section intact, she chose Fullerton because it was close to home. Her family has had plenty to cheer about this season, as Lucatero has hit .354 with seven home runs and 23 RBIs. She also has been named Big West Player of the Week twice this season. Perhaps her most exciting home run of the season was a walk-off shot against Oregon State at the Worth Invitational.

SPORTS

Wednesday, March 13, 2002

7

2002 Kia Klassic

Amanda Hockett

Heather Saltarelli

10 Shortstop Junior

As a youngster, Amanda Hockett wanted to do whatever her brother was doing.

“Sports ran in my family,” the junior said. “My brother played baseball, so that meant that I wanted to play [softball].”

Her successful high school softball career ended with her being named the 1999 Central California Player of the Year. That meant being recruited by several prestigious colleges. But in the end, she chose CSUF for a simple reason.

“I really liked the team when I was recruited,” Hockett said.

Hockett was on the field earlier this season for her most memorable moment at Fullerton.

“Beating UCLA for the first time was amazing,” Hockett said. “It took us five tries, but it was worth it when it happened.”

Day/Date

Tuesday/Jan. 29 Fri.-Sun./Feb. 8-10 Fri./Feb. 8

Sat./Feb. 9

Sun./Feb. 10 Fri.-Sun./Feb. 15-17 Fri./Feb. 15

Sat./Feb. 16

Shawna Robinson

00 Infielder Freshman

21 Second Base Senior

Heather Saltarelli copied her brother when she started softball.

“My brother played baseball, so I wanted to play softball,” she said.

Saltarelli overcame huge odds to make the CSUF squad.

“I quit my senior year of high school [at Marina High],” she said. “I had a difference of opinions with the coach.”

Saltarelli, who chose Fullerton because it was close to home, has found a mentor in senior Christy Robitaille.

“Christy has helped me a lot to get used to college,” she said.

Saltarelli has appeared in 20 games this season as a pinch runner. She has scored eight runs while stealing two bases in three attempts.

Before deciding on CSUF, Saltarelli considered Big West-rival Cal State Long Beach, and played for the Gordon Panthers travel ball team before that.

Opponent

When a ball is hit to the right side of the infield, the Titans can rest easy.

Holding down second base is senior Shawna Robinson. Coming out of high school, she played two seasons at the University of Missouri before transferring to Fullerton College where she caught the eye of the Titan staff.

“Coach Gromacki saw me play and started recruiting me,” Robinson said.

“So I came to play for CSUF.” Even though she has had a successful career in softball, her first love was baseball.

“I played baseball until I was in high school,” the senior said. “They wouldn’t let me try out for the team so I tried out for softball.”

With only four errors in 159 opportunities last season, her solid play gives the Titans the consistency it takes to reach their goal of the College World Series.

Jodie Cox

Kristy Halagarda

19 Pitcher/Outfielder Junior

11 Outfielder Junior

If Gina Oaks is the Titans’ Sandy Koufax, then Jodie Cox is their Don Drysdale. With a career record of 39-14 with 379 strikeouts, the coaching staff rests easy whenever she takes the circle.

Cox has two career no-hitters, in 2000 against Utah and earlier this season against the University of Massachusetts, but it is another record that Cox has amassed during her career at Fullerton that stands out in the lefty’s memory.

“I’ve had many memorable moments as a Titan,” she said. “But the one that is most special to me is the perfect game I pitched against Minnesota.”

The coaching staff and location is what brought Cox to the Titan Softball Complex, but her love of softball started many years before.

“I started when I was 6-years-old,” the junior said. “All of my friends wanted to play so I wanted to join them.”

Kristy Halagarda’s career in softball began as an accident, literally.

“I fractured my ankle playing soccer, so my dad said I couldn’t play anymore,” she said. “So I decided to give softball a try.”

She was an all-star in the sixth grade and hasn’t looked back since. Teams, from as far away as Pennsylvania, recruited her, but the Mission Viejo native decided to stay closer to home.

“I fell in love with the campus during a summer camp,” the junior said. “Then after I met the coaches, I knew this is where I wanted to go.”

Since coming to CSUF Jenny Topping has been a peer coach, but Halagarda has become closest with another teammate.

“Julie Watson and I clicked right away,” Halagarda said. “We have been good friends ever since.”

2002 Titan Softball Season and Results

Time/Results

San Diego (DH) L, 1-2/W, 8-0 at Arizona State University Tournament vs. Fresno State W, 4-3 vs. Nebraska L, 2-3 vs. Arizona L, 1-9 vs. Texas A&M L, 2-3 vs. Texas W, 9-1 (5) at San Diego State Tournament

vs. Florida W, 4-3 vs. Stanford L, 1-2 vs. Northwestern W, 11-2

vs. Pittsburgh W, 3-0 Fri.-Sun./Feb. 22-24 at NFCA Leadoff Classic

Fri./Feb. 22

Wed./Feb. 27

vs. Massachusetts vs. Stanford vs. Missouri vs. Texas A&M vs. Stanford at UCLA (DH)

W, 6-0 L, 1-6 W, 6-0 L, 1-3 L, 0-1 W, 3-1 /L, 2-5

Worth Invitational (at Fullerton) Fri./Mar. 1 Ohio State W, 10-2 (6)

San Jose State

W, 10-0 (5)

Sat./Mar. 2

Minnesota

W, 1-0 (8)

California

W, 2-1 (8)

Dean of Humanities 3x10.5

The No. 11 Cal State Fullerton softball team (20-9 overall) will welcome 15 teams to the Titan Softball Complex this week as the Titans host the the 2002 Kia Klassic.

Aside from CSUF, nine other teams in the field are currently ranked in the top 25 including No. 2 Arizona, No. 7 Arizona State, No. 9 Oklahoma, No. 10 Fresno State, No. 12 Washington, No. 15 De Paul, No. 19 LouisianaLafayette, No. 22 Florida State and Notre Dame (who recieved votes in the most recent poll).

Tournament pool play begins Wednesday night at 5 p.m., with the Titans facing Rutgers at 7 p.m., and will continue through Sunday.

There will be four pools of four teams each, who will face one another in round-robin play.

Following pool play, each of the 16 teams will then be seeded into the championship bracket based on their finish. Championship play is single-elimination and first-round losers will be placed into a consolation bracket for one game.

The semifinals will take place Sunday morning at 9 and 11 a.m. with the championship game beginning at approximately 2 p.m.

–Information courtesy of CSUF Athletic Media Relations

Sun./Mar. 3

Oregon State

W, 6-3 (9)

Wed./Mar. 6 Sat./Mar. 9

Oklahoma State Florida (DH) Sac State* (DH)

W, 4-1 W, 11-1/3-2 W, 3-1/8-0

Sun./Mar. 10 Sac State* W, 4-2 Wed.-Sun./Mar. 13-17 Kia Klassic (at Fullerton) Sat./Mar. 23 CS Northridge* (DH) 1:00 p.m.

Sun./Mar. 24 CS Northridge* 1:00 p.m.

Fri./Mar. 29 Sat./Mar. 30 Thurs./Apr. 4 Sat./Apr. 6 Sun./Apr. 7

at Utah State* (DH) at Utah State* SD State (DH) CSULB* (DH) CSULB*

Coupon Page 3x10.5

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