C A L I F O R N I A
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INSIDE NEWS: Students are helping to preserve 3 nmonuments depicting the Civil War
Kobe Bryant is one half of the dynamic duo leading the Lakers to a possible three-peat
opinion: Cal State Fullerton Web cams 4 ncapture unintended images and invade privacy
—see Sports page 6
weekend
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M a y 24, 2002
ASI reviews its achievements nSUMMARY: The organization created three programs to improve student advocacy on campus By Theresa Salinas
Daily Titan Staff Writer‑
AMY ROTTIER/Daily Titan
Public Safety officers look on as Brookhurst Tow drags a flipped red Toyota pick-up truck from the trees and bushes of Lot E. pick-up allegedly threatened to steal By Rita Freeman a spot Balderas was waiting for by Daily Titan News Editor blocking his car. Parking issues caused problems Balderas ignored the threat, parked for students once again at Cal State his car and headed to class. About four Fullerton Thursday. hours later when he returned to his After a minor dispute over a park- car, he and his friends saw the suspect ing space in Lot E, a student sped allegedly keying his Toyota Corolla. through the access road and crashed “I noticed he was running away into a black Mercedes, flipping his red from my friend’s car and I went to Toyota pick-up truck and embedding go help [my friend],” said art major it into trees along the 57 Freeway, Michael Nassar. “I cut through cars officials said. and jumped into the bed of the truck.” At approximately 11:30 a.m. Nassar said at first, the driver hesiThursday, Adam Balderas and his tated about his speed while driving. friends were waiting for a parking “He would go slow, then fast, then space in Aisle 14 of Lot E when the slow,” Nassar said. altercation started. Officer Iris CortesThe driver started speeding up as Valle said the driver of the Toyota ACCIDENT/ 5
RAGE hits
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Political coalition has humbling nMEETING: Both the president and vice president of the club are not discouraged that no one showed up By Veronica Hagey
Daily Titan Staff Writer Only two people showed up Wednesday to a club meeting, intended to draw a politically minded crowd. The Political Awareness Coalition’s first meeting began planning club events for next fall and discussed political issues instead of
electing officers as they planned. The club’s president, Sam Clauder, and vice president, Shankhar Singham, were the only members present. Clauder wasn’t too disappointed at the nonexistent turnout and said he understood why students weren’t able to make the meeting. “I think it’s the time [of day] and they’re studying for finals,” he said. Singham, a senior sociology major at Cal State Fullerton, said that finals were definitely an issue for him. “I read all day so I could make it,” he said. Clauder said he started the club late in the semester because he knew he would need to start planning and organizing for events leading up to the November elections next fall.
Hillside brush fire consumes 10 acres
B y Trinity Powells
Daily Titan Asst. News Editor Large plumes of smoke could be seen rising from the hills north of Brea Thursday, when a brush fire began eating its way down the hillside. Beginning at about 1:50 p.m., the cause of the fire was unknown at the time of publication. Officials said the cause would not be determined until later today, said Anna Cave, public information officer for the Brea Fire Department. Brea firefighters were able
to contain the brush fire and the flames consumed no more than 10 acres. Officials said the fire was never a threat to any of the surrounding homes. Officials also said about 100 firefighters were dispatched to the hillside to contain and eventually extinguish the fire. Being a terrain with many hills, the fire department used a combination of airdrops and hand crews to extinguish the fire, Cave said. Officials were confident that the brush fire would be controlled by the end of
Clauder and Singham want to bring political debates to the campus. “I thought I’d start it now, give us a chance to move forward,” Clauder said. “Some of the hottest debates will be for secretary of state and state controller.” At the meeting, Clauder and Singham discussed the discovery of Chandra Levy’s remains and the link to former representative Gary Condit. “I don’t think he (Condit) did it but his political career is over,” Singham said. Clauder disagreed. “He knows more than he’s saying. He acted suspicious,” Clauder said. The Political Awareness Coalition will offer students a place to discuss
and debate current political issues, Clauder said. He hopes the current two-party system will expand with time. “America would be better off with four or five equally strong parties,” Clauder said. “It would offer equal opportunity to all.” Singham and Clauder also discussed the current three-strikes law and illegal drugs. Clauder had recently debated with Bill Jones on the three-strikes issue. Jones is the law’s author and Clauder is the political director of Citizens Against Violent Crime, an organization dedicated to amending the three-strikes law. Clauder said the law punishes vic-
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The Associated Students, Inc. executive staff wields a considerable amount of power on campus, yet few students know what it is and what it does. The six-member organization represents Cal State Fullerton’s entire student population. Staff members meet regularly with campus administrators and the ASI Board of Directors to hammer out policies. They also monitor and distribute more than $10 million in student fees each year. In return, they’re given offices in the Titan Student Union and receive modest student wages. They travel to various conferences throughout the fiscal year. The president even has a $1,000 discretionary fund. Students elected two members of this year’s executive staff ASI President Alex Lopez and ASI Executive Vice President Edgar Zazueta. Lopez appointed the others: Director of Statewide Affairs Dante Gomez, Vice President of Finance Adnan Raza, Director of Public Relations Nicolette Basilio and Director of Administration Geoffrey Roberts. The group sat down at the start of the 2001-02 fiscal year to draft an action plan. Members wanted to encourage student advocacy, establish a mentoring program, and create a program that fosters campus pride. Here’s a brief summary of what they accomplished this year: Alumni Mentor Program One of the group’s primary goals was to create a mentor program. While all members had a say in how the program should be formed, Roberts spearheaded the project. He collaborated with college deans, the Career Placement Center and the Alumni Association to identify colleges that wanted to participate in the initial rollout of the Alumni Mentor Program. In the spring semester, ASI held introductory events for the colleges of communications and business. Hundreds of students participated. ASI spent more than $500 on food for the opening receptions. During the events, students were paired with alumni who graduated from that particular college. They chatted about educational and career goals while eating boxed lunches. After lunch, they broke into groups where they filled out questionnaires. “It was a great, effective format,” Raza said. ASI leaders said they want to expand the program to all colleges in the uni-
versity by the end of the 2002-03 fiscal year. It will receive about $5,000 in the next ASI budget. Raza said the project should be fully implemented by the end of the 2003-04 fiscal year. The program will ultimately operate on a three-tier system. The first tier is an ASI-funded program with its own office, where students can go to interact with alumni. Raza said the first tier takes the most planning and funding. The second tier is similar to the introductory events held this semester, where students and alumni from designated colleges interact in informal settings. The third tier consists of university-wide events in which students from any college can hear alumni speak about a range of career and education related topics. “The program will be strong,” Raza said. “It will make a big difference on the campus.” Student advocacy In late February, the ASI Statewide Affairs Committee changed its name to the Lobby Corp. Gomez said he proposed the name change to keep in line with other CSU campuses that were also renaming their committees. The new moniker better reflected the group’s commitment to student advocacy, he said. Also in February, the ASI board passed a resolution opposing a possible student fee increase at CSU campuses. The Lobby Corp also joined a statewide effort to oppose the move, which student leaders feared could happen as legislators deliberated over the state budget. The Lobby Corp held a barbecue fund-raiser and letter-writing campaign in front of the library to raise awareness about the possible increase. In April, the ASI board voted to oppose CSU Executive Order 792. The order allows students to sit on academic appeals committees, but prohibits students from voting on grade issues related to the appeal. In the past, students were allowed to vote in grade proceedings. ASI leaders also attended numerous conferences throughout 2001-02, where they said they learned about local and national issues and honed their advocacy skills. Accounting records show that executive staff members spent $15,911.55 on travel this year. Gomez spent $1,364.33; Raza spent $777.36; Zazueta spent $612; Lopez spent $467; Basilio spent $253; and Roberts spent $176. For example, eight ASI officers attended the California Higher Education Student Summit from March 2-4 in Sacramento. The delegates attended workshops on leadership, marketing and networking. They said they’d use some of the information to implement new programs on campus. ASI also spent $4,857.29 to send seven delegates to the annual United
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McNair program welcomes nine stunOPPORTUNITY: The nominees will have the chance to set goals, participate in research and make connections By Michael Matter
Daily Titan Staff Writer
ALMA CASTILLO/Daily Titan
Gerald Bryant is the director of Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program. http://dailytitan.fullerton.edu
U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible to apply for certain specialized Department of Education programs if the family-income level qualifies. Applicants must be Cal State Fullerton undergraduates who are first-generation college students and/or members of a racial or ethnic group under represented in graduate educa-
tion. But this is only half of the qualifications for the Ronald E. McNair PostBaccalaureate Achievement Program. The program, established in 1986, was named for Dr. Ronald E. McNair, astronaut mission specialist on the illfated Challenger space shuttle. McNair and six crewmembers were killed when the Challenger exploded after lift off on Jan. 28, 1986. The program exists to encourage and support eligible students pursuing graduate studies. Students must have completed 59 semester units with a GPA of at least 3.0 by spring semester 2003 and plan to major in mathematics, natural sciences or engineering in order to be eligible for the 2003-04 academic year. Applications will be available at the beginning of the spring semester. Born poor in South Carolina, McNair
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A guide to what’s happening
BRIEFS Fullerton Museum to be declared a landmark In a ceremony conducted by members of Fullerton Heritage, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving Fullerton history, the Fullerton Museum will be officially designated a local historic landmark on June 23 at 2 p.m. Open to the public, the ceremony will feature the unveiling of a plaque announcing the museum’s landmark status and will conclude with a reception. The Fullerton Museum began as the city’s second public library, replacing the facility that opened in 1907. Construction of the building that is now the museum began in 1940 as a federal Works Projects Administration project and was designed by local architect Harry Vaughn. The building was completed in 1941 and remained the city’s library until 1973 when the Fullerton Main Library was opened adjacent to Fullerton City Hall. Once the building was vacated, the newly formed Fullerton Museum Association, which later renamed itself the Museum Association of North Orange County, opened Muse 9 in April 1974 with its first permanent collection, an assemblage of bones acquired from the La Brea Tar Pits. In 1985 the city assumed operation of the building, made major renovations to the facility and took its present name of the Fullerton Museum Center where it has served the community ever since. For more information regarding the landmark ceremony, contact the Fullerton Museum Center at (714) 738-6545.
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Art as a tool for healing is new exhibit at Fullerton Museum The Fullerton Museum will host “Art Heals, Art Works,” an exhibit that explores the concept of art as a tool to promote physical and psychological healing, beginning on Aug. 4. The exhibit will feature the work of 16 Southern California visual artists who have used their art to deal with tragedies like illness, death, addiction, abuse and more. Organized by the Fullerton Museum and curated by artist Janice DeLoof, the exhibit will showcase a wide variety of concepts, styles, media and approaches to art and healing. Among the artists featured in the exhibit will be Carol Goldmark, who after surviving a near-fatal accident, created drawings and paintings that combine floral growth with anatomical forms. Also featured will be printmaker Patrick Merrill, who overcame alcohol and heroin addiction and explores his experiences through his mixed media self portraits. Sculptor Cheryl Ekstrom, whose brother was murdered, uses her creations of steel, plaster and gauze to deal with her sorrows. Painter Cathy Salser, uses art to reach those affected by domestic violence. Also feature is video artist Marsia Alexander who works with other people’s stories of tragedy. An opening reception for the exhibit will take place on Aug. 3 and admission to the museum is $4 for adults, $3 for students and senior citizens, $1 for children 6- 12, and free for children 5 and under. For more information about the exhibit, contact the Fullerton Museum at (714) 738-6545.
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS OF EVENTS Community The Orange County Performance Arts Center presents the concert “Brahms, Mahler & Whitacre,” June 2 at 7 p.m. in Segerstrom Hall. Tickets are on sale in the Titan Student Union. For more information, call (714) 278-2468. The UCI Department of Music presents the UCI Jazz Orchestra at the Irvine Barclay Theatre June 5 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $12 for general admission and $10 for UCI faculty, staff, alumni and seniors and $8 for UCI students. For more information, call (949) 854-4646. The Air Museum in Chino will feature Women in Aviation June 1 starting at 10 a.m. Admission to the museum is $8.95 for adults and $1.95 for youngsters 11 and under. For more information, call (909) 597-3722. The Grand Central Art Center
Project Room in Santa Ana will host a photography exhibit by Michael Farr, June 1 through July 7. Admission is free. For more information, call (714) 567-7233 or (714) 567-7234.
$13 to $16 for adults and $11 to $14 for children under 11. For ticket and program information, call (714) 755-5799.
Saint Joseph’s Ballet presents its annual concert, “Light, within,” May 29 and June 1 at 8 p.m. and June 1 and June 2 at 2:30 p.m. at the Irvine Barclay Theatre in Irvine. Tickets are $35 for adults and $17.50 for children. For more information, call (949) 854-4646.
The Arboretum will have a gardening class for children ages 1012, where they can learn to make plant food at home. The class will be held June 1 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The fee is $3 per person. For more information, call (714) 278-3579.
The Pacific Symphony Orchestra presents the “Kids Choice Awards,” May 25 at 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. at the Orange County Performance Arts Center in Costa Mesa. During the event, the audience will vote for their favorite composers, musical works and the leading hero and heroine of the orchestra. The Pacific Orchestra also will perform such works as the 20th Century Fox Fanfare and the theme from “Star Wars.” Tickets range from
The Arboretum will have an “Award-Winning Home Composting Workshop” where participants can learn to maintain a home composting system June 1. The fee is $7 per person, $5 to members and it is free to residents of sponsoring cities like Brea, Fullerton, La Habra and Santa Ana. Please call to reserve a space at (714) 278-3579.
Campus
The TSU Underground will have a family night May 25 from 5
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p.m. to 8 p.m. featuring discount billiards and bowling. For more information, call (714) 278-2144. The Department of Music presents Guitar Orchestras, May 24 at 8 p.m. in the Little Theatre of the Performing Arts Building. Advance ticket sales are $8 and $5 with Titan discount. For more information, call (714) 278-3371. The TSU Mainframe will provide free printing May 24 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Mainframe computer lounge. For more information, call (714) 278-7629. The Titan Tusk Force meets every Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. in TSU 259. For more information, call (714) 278-2468. The TSU presents the Titan Pride Bowling League every Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m. This event is open for all faculty, staff and students and the cost per week is $9. For more information, call (714) 278-2144.
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Friday, May 24, 2002
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Students help restore nPRESERVATION: Conservators work to protect some 1,300 historic outdoor bronze and granite statues By Amy Worden
Knight Ridder Newspapers The battle that turned the tide of the Civil War lasted only three days. The monuments erected to the fallen soldiers years later were supposed to last forever. But the ravages of weather and vandals - aggravated by misguided restoration attempts - now threaten some of the 1,300 bronze and granite statues depicting Union and Confederate soldiers, their leaders and horses - one of the largest collections of outdoor sculptures in the nation. In the decades after the Civil War, veterans groups, mainly from Northern states, campaigned for monuments to honor every regiment that fought at Gettysburg. Fields of the bronze and granite statues rose at strategic battle sites throughout the Gettysburg National Military Park between 1870 and 1920.
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dreamed of being a scientist. As valedictorian of his high-school class, he earned his undergraduate degree in physics from North Carolina AT&T State University before earning his doctorate degree at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Recognized nationally as an expert in the field of physics, McNair was one of 35 applicants from a pool of 10,000 to be chosen by NASA for the fledgling space- shuttle program. Only the second African American to fly in space, McNair orbited the Earth 122 times on his first mission in 1984. Education was key to his success. As an accomplished saxophonist and sixth- degree black belt in karate, he was given three honorary doctorates and numerous fellowships and commendations. He was only 35 at the time of his death. The McNair program operates at 156 colleges nationwide. Funded under
Gettysburg Park employees rou- dead - 28,000 of them Confederate tinely maintain the statues, but a soldiers and 23,000 who fought for special group of conthe Union Army. servators has triaged a The statues mark the dozen monuments that Union line along what are showing more than “It’s great to is now Hancock Avenue, a little battle fatigue. one of the most highConservation experts and ly visited areas in the feel you’re University of Delaware 6,000-acre park, which graduate students from draws 1.8 million visipreserving the Winterthur Program tors a year. in Art Conservation are The work started last painstakingly scrapsummer. The conservasomething ing off acrylic coatings tors hope to average two applied in the 1980s a year. for people to that did more harm than Using student labor at good. Gettysburg helps keep Across a field below see. So many the cost of the project Cemetery Ridge, the down, but also gives stuConfederate Army made visitors come dents a rare opportunity its final push against the to work with outdoor North in what would be sculpture. to this site.” bloodiest battle of the “The experience is Civil War. so much different than It was here that Gen. working in a lab,” said Nicole Robert E. Lee’s solNicole Grabow, a secdiers met Union forces ond-year student from Grabow, in “Pickett’s Charge,” Wilmington, Del., as she Wilmington, Del. the July 3, 1863, battle balanced on a scaffold. that halted the South’s “It’s great to feel you’re advance across the preserving something Mason-Dixon line for for people to see. So good. many visitors come to this site.” When it was over, 51,000 men were One monument, to the 42d New
York Infantry, was repaired last year. The team this year is attempting to reverse damage on two other monuments, one commemorating the First Pennsylvania Cavalry and the other, the soldiers who fought with the First New York Light Artillery. The Park Service, which maintains on all its battlefields, throughout the United States, the largest assemblage of outdoor sculpture in the world, says efforts to protect the Gettysburg monuments in the 1980s went awry. A well-intentioned conservator sandblasted the metal and applied the acrylic coating to make the bronze sparkle the way it might have when the statues were erected, say park service officials. “They stripped the metal down to what it looked like when the foundry first cast it,” said Dennis Montagna, director of monument research and preservation for the National Park Service. “Now, as everyone knows from watching `Antiques Roadshow,’ you don’t strip off history.” Montagna said the scraping exposed the metal that had been protected when the statues were installed, and allowed it to corrode. “At the same time, the lacquer coating failed and exposed parts of the bronze to the elements.”
Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, it is part of a large umbrella organization of federally funded TRIO Programs. Established by Congress to “provide educational opportunity for all Americans regardless of race, ethnic background or economic circumstance,” TRIO is a series of programs to help low-income Americans graduate from college while overcoming class, cultural and social barriers to higher education. The program provides opportunities to set goals, participate in research and develop relationship skills with other students and faculty that are crucial to success at the graduate-school level. Directed by Gerald Bryant at CSUF, the McNair program debuted less than three years ago. “The program began three months before I arrived,” Bryant said. “The interim director had just had a site visit from the program officer at the Department of Education. I had an advantage because I had been on the board for three years and served as president for one year for Western
Students are given a myriad of opportunities to attend conferences and tour graduate-school programs at universities all over the country. “This will be our third group of graduates,” Bryant said. “CSUF is funded for 20 McNair scholars at any given time. We graduate nine or 10 each year and 90 percent have graduated and gone on to graduate school. We had 38 applications this spring, interviewed 15 eligible applicants and accepted nine of them to the program.” The nine recently accepted McNair Scholars and their respective majors are Dave Bolger (biological science), Hany Elazery (computer science), Maria Franco (mathematics), Tram Hoang (applied mathematics), Sunshine Lawson (criminal justice, ethnic studies), Susan Lewis (psychology), Rudy Rosas (history), Christopher Uranga (chemistry) and John Urrea (mathematics). Bryant said many students don’t apply because they are not in the targeted majors. “We now have the wherewithal to be
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Association of Educational Opportunity Personnel, an affiliate member of the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) and a part of the TRIO programs.” Bryant was highly qualified and put his experience to use. “Being in that position, I was capable of understanding the McNair program from the tenets that go into running the program to the national perspective as far as what is expected of a program,” he said. The McNair program provides students who may have participated in TRIO educational programs for younger ages, like Talent Search and Upward Bound, with a proven method that prepares them for the rigors of a graduatelevel degree program. Each individual McNair scholar has a faculty mentor. They participate in a 10-week research internship that includes a $2,800 stipend and attend workshops that improve their academic skills. They are encouraged to prepare research for publication and/or presentation at scholarly conferences.
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Bhtyah Shtrum uses acetone to remove residue from a monument. Today, conservators have abandoned that aggressive procedure in favor of milder treatments. “The old method made the bronze look like something brand new,” said Montagna. “We want it to look like a historic work that is being cared for.” Outdoor sculpture experts say the learning process continues. On a recent morning here, shortly before the throngs of tourists arrived, five Winterthur students clad in protective gear and wielding power washers began work on a bronze relief commemorating a New York Artillery battery that helped hold the ground below Cemetery Ridge.
The monument shows members of the unit frantically loading a cannon, a fallen soldier crumpled at its base. The students’ work involves spraying, scraping and scrubbing tiny blades of grass, hairs in the soldiers’ beards and creases in their uniforms. A recent assessment by the Fairmount Park Art Association, which manages a large collection of outdoor sculptures in Philadelphia, found that regular maintenance washing and waxing of the artworks can stave off the ravages of time. “We found after removing the wax coating that the metal was in exactly the same condition it was 20 years
more inclusive of students from other major disciplines as long as they are seeking a doctorate and they meet the other eligibility criteria.” Bryant said one of the programs biggest strengths is that it provides students with new perspectives by exposing them to top graduate schools nationwide. “The deans and department chairs of graduate school departments appreciate the value that goes into the program and the manner in which it prepares students to be successful,” he said. “Our program enjoys strong institutional support from President Gordon on down to academic and student affairs to the deans and department chairs of the various schools. Institutionalized support is critical to the success of any program.” Political science professor Sandra Sutphen coordinates women’s studies programs and chairs the academic senate. She also is a McNair faculty mentor. “I’ve been familiar with the McNair program for years,” Sutphen said. “I
don’t know of many state universities that have McNair. It usually goes to the more prestigious research universities in the country. It is a vote of confidence from the U.S. Department of Education that CSUF has such highly qualified students.” McNair scholar Darlene Muro has been accepted to the graduate-school program at the University of Southern California School of Policy Planning and Development – her No. 1 choice. “All of my personal thoughts and experiences with the McNair program have been incredibly positive,” she said. “Because I am the first person in my family to ever attend a university, sometimes it was difficult to seek educational guidance from my very supportive family. “The program guided me through what could have been an overwhelming process of preparing for grad school. The staff was exceptional. They have gone above and beyond their job descriptions. I am and always will be thankful for having the opportunity to be part of this program.”
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Friday, May 24, 2002
CLUB
n from page 1 timless crimes such as drug abuse. He said Jones’ argument was that crime has decreased since the law went into effect. Clauder’s rebuttal was that crime has decreased nationwide, including states where the law does not exist. “It’s unfair and a waste of money,” Clauder said. Singham agreed with Clauder, dissecting the issue further. “I don’t think drugs are the problem. I think that drugs being illegal is the problem,” Singham said. Both agreed that changes need to be made to the existing three-strikes law that is more than 3 years old. Singham and Clauder would like to see debates between Gov. Gray Davis and his opponent, Bill
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Nassar pounded on his window to stop. The suspect then allegedly began swerving side to side as if he was trying to throw Nassar out of the back of the truck, Cortes-Valle said. Racing south through the access road of the parking lot, the driver allegedly reached speeds of more than 50 mph, Cortes-Valle said. The suspect lost control of his truck, slammed into a black Mercedes C230 and flipped over, crashing into the trees. “Out in the lane he sped up and started swerving,” Nassar said. “After about five to 10 seconds after swerving, I ducked down. Next thing I knew I found myself lying next to the trees and I was [still] in the bed of the truck.” The suspect was taken into custody. “This was such a pointless accident,” said owner of the Mercedes Eros Del
Simon. But Clauder doubts the governor would agree to a debate because it would just give Simon a platform. “Simon’s getting a lot of press already and making a name for himself,” Clauder said. Both Clauder and Singham are confident more students will become involved in the club in the fall semester, especially as the November election nears. Both will continue to meet over the summer to set up a schedule of events for the next semester. Clauder said that students interested in the club gave him their contact information and were willing to get involved over summer break. “I’ll do some planning and scheduling over the summer,” Clauder said.
Rosario, after seeing the damage to his car. Cortes-Valle said “squat” parking – parking in the middle of aisle waiting for a space – is a large problem on campus. She said that since she started her shift that day she spent much of her morning telling students who were “squatting” in the aisles to move their cars. “There can be four to five cars in a lot of rows that park in middle of the aisle way,” the officer said. “This is what can cause accidents.” Cortes-Valle said she hears about these incidents often where a student will complain about his or her car getting keyed or where verbal altercations occur after fighting for a parking space. “It is really hard on students with finals coming up and having to look for parking, people can get frustrated,” Cortes-Valle said. In the end, no one was injured in the accident. Nassar escaped with a small bruise on his arm.
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Stated Student Association convention in Washington, D.C. Gomez said they went because they were considering joining the organization. In the end, they opted not to. They already spent about $16,300.20 annually on dues for the California State Student Association. Titan Tusk Force The executive staff also set out to foster tradition, unity and school pride during the 2001-02 fiscal year. In late October, Zazueta and Basilio announced the formation of the Titan Tusk Force, a group that would promote school pride and publicize student events. The organization hosted
its kick-off event on Nov. 6 in the TSU to introduce students, faculty and staff to the new program. Student pride groups are established every few years on campus, but usually die out within months. The executive staff didn’t want the Titan Tusk Force to face the same fate, so they staged an event at the start of the spring 2002 semester. Titan Spirit Day was held on Feb. 21, in conjunction with a university basketball game. A pre-game event featuring free music and food drew dozens of participants. The festivities continued when participants relocated to the gym to cheer on the men’s basketball team. The large crowd set an attendance record. Titan Spirit Day concluded with a post-game event at the TSU underground. The Pub brimmed to capacity with Titans. A 12-member Titan Tusk Force committee met weekly throughout the
spring 2002 semester to plan future events and talk about recruitment. Members also thought of ways to increase school spirit, drafted a design for a university flag, and invented chant songs. The Titan Tusk Force wasn’t included in the 2001-02 budget, because it was formed after the it was drafted. ASI eventually allotted the group about $3,000. It is slated to receive about $10,000 in the 2002-03 budget. Next year, the group will hold more events during baseball and basketball seasons. Members will expand Titan Spirit Day and make it a standing tradition. They’ll also recruit freshmen during student orientations this summer. “A lot of people call Cal State Fullerton a commuter campus,” Lopez said. “That’s not the message we want to send out. It doesn’t have to be that
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Friday, May 24, 2002
The Daily Titan Our Voice Someone might be watching Whether you’re lounging in Becker Amphitheater, frolicking in the pond in front of Langsdorf Hall, playing hacky-sack in the Quad or viewing your favorite pornography Web site in the Titan computer lab, you’re being watched…by Daily Titan staffers who have too much time on their hands, for example. Log onto the CSUF portal and you can activate four Web cams with fly-on-the-wall views of the previously mentioned areas of campus. The cameras record 24 hours a day and the picture is updated every second. Every second counts when you’re bored and logon to see people walking across campus or working on a computer (working, surfing the Web for porn…it’s all relative) and happen to see some lewd action just by accident. On one such evening in particular, a man was spotted in the library basement computer lab with pornography filling his computer screen. A few Web-cam voyeurs decided to visit the lab and inform the gentleman that he was being filmed and that they weren’t from “Candid Camera.” The informer pointed and waved to the camera and the man had no idea he was being filmed. Besides the situation being an interesting study in the levels of voyeurism (if you watch someone else watching porn are you yourself also watching porn without intentionally doing so?) it raises the question of
pornography access in a university library and right to privacy. Next time you’re using a computer on campus, you might want to glance at your neighbor’s computer screen. Depending on your tastes ,you might be pleasantly or disturbingly surprised. If you experience the latter, there isn’t much you can do besides give the person a chastising glare, mutter “why don’t you do that at home” under your breath and leave to a safer porn-free area of the computer lab. Unfortunately, with the exception of the research lab on the first floor of the library, no computer lab on campus is porn-free since Cal State Fullerton belongs to California. Public buildings cannot censor what people view online. Should the people who are viewing porn on campus computers or participating in any other embarrassing or lewd act on campus be informed that they are being filmed? Permission usually needs to be granted for someone’s image to be published on a Web site or in a broadcast. It would be less than feasible to ask the permission off all 30,000 students on campus if it is indeed OK to use their likeness if it happens to be caught by the cameras; but students should still realize they’re being watched. On tonight’s episode of “Caught in the Computer Lab…”
The Daily Titan article poliLetters to the Editor should be brief and are subject to editing. They should also include a signature and telephone number. Editorials are the opinion of the editorial board, comprised of the Editor in Chief, Managing Editor, News Editor, Opinion Editor and section editors. Columns are the personal opinion of the writer. They do not reflect those of the university, the faculty, The Daily Titan or the student body.
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Letter to the Editor Terrorism shouldn’t be toler-
Contrary to what FBI Director Robert Mueller says, we don’t have to “live with terrorism.” That kind of mindset invites passive acceptance. Unless there is a huge public outcry about Mueller’s statement, we’ve sealed our fate and encouraged terrorists to immolate us on an increasingly vaster scale. Instead we must ruthlessly crush terrorist states, by whatever means necessary. The public must demand that Bush live up to his stated principles post-9/11. He must move decisively against Iran, the world’s biggest sponsor of terrorism, stop treating the enabling Saudis with kid gloves, and allow Israel to destroy Arafat and the PLO. - Tym Parsons Seattle, Washington
All that is LEFT
Terror, terror everywhere
Traffic, traffic everywhere
By Kimberly Pierceall
By John Phillips
Mental exhaustion. Combine that with an abnormal amount of Pepsi coursing through my veins and hearing the word “terror” attached to every sentence uttered by everyone on CNN and it almost makes me wish I lived on Walden’s pond away from civilization and all things “terrible.” That’s it. No more “Nightly News.” No more parusing Los Angeles Times headlines. No more checking Yahoo! news updates. It’s too stressful having the government tell me on a daily basis how I may die in a terrible apartment explosion at the hands of a terrorist suicide bomber strapped with nukes given to him by an “evil” nation. It’s all a little too much for a college student focused on the usual grating priorities of finals, work and writing scathing, liberal-slanted opinions. Forget sending tax-rebate checks in the mail, the government should start issuing federally mandated “happy pills” to American citizens to alleviate the fears given to them by the White House, FBI and news outlets. The most recent terrorist alert came from Defense Secretary “not a happy camper” Donald Rumsfeld who warned Americans that terrorists might lob some nukes our way said, “They (terrorists) inevitably will get their hands on them (nukes) and they will not hesitate to use them.” Good to know! That useful piece of information will help me feel oh so comfortable when I’m in Washington, D.C. for the Fourth of July and flying to a convention on Sept.11. Can someone pass the gas mask? But I’m not the only one in the line of fire. If you live in an apartment, you too could be an Al-Qaida target (and you thought your noisy upstairs neighbors were annoying). Vice President Dick Cheney told Fox News that the White House received threats directed toward apartment complexes. You might want to rethink that lease right about now. FBI Director Robert Mueller said we should expect suicide bombers in America any day now. “I wish I could be more optimistic,” he said. Would you like a “happy pill,” Mr. Mueller? Stop terrorizing your own citizens! We can terrorize ourselves with our over-active post-Sept. 11 imaginations. After such a tragedy, it’s only logical that we would think the worst. “Maybe the Statue of Liberty is next. When will they get to the White House? Is it really safe to go outside today? Is that white powdery substance on my donut really sugar??” Paranoia strikes deep and America was just beginning to get over it by the time federal officials started issuing unsubstantiated and uncertain reports of future calamities to occur. Almost immediatly following Sept.11, President George W. Bush urged Americans to go back to their regular routines. Apparently our regular routine now includes getting daily updates of our imminent demise. Refuse to let these warnings affect your psyche and combat the problem by using common sense. If you see someone strapped with dynamite about to walk into your favorite coffee shop – run. If you get a white powdery substance in the mail – run. If you see a terrorist-sent nuke heading in your general direction...don’t bother running, but be sure to thank the Bush administration for warning you.
Out of the things in this world that irritate me – whiny Los Angeles Times editorials, any movie starring Barbra Streisand and “Survivor” – nothing sets me off more than sitting in traffic. Think about it. Those of us in Southern California are operating under a freeway grid that was built in the ‘50s. You don’t have to be a mathematician to figure: explosive growth + lame politicians = John sits in traffic. But don’t expect the state of California to build any new freeways. When he’s not using state funds to buy overpriced computer software in order to secure large campaign contributions, Gov. Gray “Wheeler and Dealer” Davis is buying exorbitantly priced electricity. That being said, cheap solutions do exist to speed up the flow of traffic – namely eliminating California’s two-tiered speed limit. This crazy law limits big-rigs to 55 miles per hour and regular vehicles to 65 or 70 mph. As most of you know, split speeds cause an uneven flow of traffic, which makes merging onto freeways and trips on two-lane stretches a real joy to experience. Therefore, it seems like it should be relatively logical to create a unified speed limit, right? Wrong. As long as liberals have the right to vote, there will always be a gang of hysterical believers in the nannystate elected to office. So, until they let their inner-desires get the best of them and they join John Walker Lindh in taking up arms with the enemy, we have to rely on them forgetting that it’s election day or not being able to read the voting instructions. At the mere thought of raising the speed limit, Joan Claybrook of Ralph Nader’s group Public Citizen said the move would be “a death sentence for a lot of Americans on the highways.” One officer told me that truck breaks “wouldn’t be able to handle increased speeds” and “would result in more people scraped off the highway.” Besides being humorous, these “Chicken Littles” are just plain wrong. Common sense tells us that truckers know the capabilities of their vehicles much better than bureaucrats in Sacramento. Truckers would have to be on a suicide mission to drive their trucks at a speed that was unsafe. In so much as they are American truckers and not Muslim terrorists, the odds of that happening are pretty remote. A 1999 study from the Automobile Club of Southern California found unified speed limits are safer. When the speeds of two vehicles traveling at the same direction on a highway vary by 10 mph, they’re nearly four times as likely to run into each other as when they’re traveling the same speed. When the speed difference is 20 mph, an accident is almost 16 times more likely. The state should scrap the two-tier speed limit to make the freeways safer and more importantly to prevent John from sitting in more traffic.
By Olivia Maciel
Special to the Titan With only one week until the semester officially ends and Memorial Day weekend nears, many students will be getting ready for that muchanticipated time off from school to take a trip. Granted, the break is welldeserved, but nevertheless students should beware. Trips to Cancun, Mexico or short trips to Rosarito, Ensenada or San Felipe are especially popular among the college crowd to take during holiday weekends and summer breaks. While most students will have a safe and enjoyable adventure, others
will ruin their trips with drugs, alcohol or disorderly behavior. Students under the age of 21 find it easy to go to a foreign country to drink alcohol and behave in an offensive manner. Although the legal drinking age in some countries may be 18, students should not take advantage of it. Just as the legal drinking age may differ in these countries, other laws might also be different. About four years ago, my friend went to Rosarito, Mexico during Labor Day weekend to supposedly have a good time and have a few drinks. At the time he was 18 years old, the legal drinking age in Mexico. He behaved obnoxiously, walking down the strip intoxicated – something he would not have done had he been in the United States. He ended up getting arrested and put in jail. His so-called short trip ended with a lengthy stay in a jail cell. When you get arrested in a different country, the U.S. consular officer cannot get you out of jail. The officer
Special to the Titan
Daily Titan Opinion Editor
Student travelers take caunVACATION: With Memorial Day right around the corner, people need to keep safety in mind
He Knows He’s RIGHT
can only visit you in jail after being notified of your arrest and give you a list of local attorneys. Many young Americans go abroad assuming that local authorities will overlook such conduct. They believe they are immune from prosecution in foreign lands because they are American citizens. But Americans should heed foreign laws just as others are expected to obey all the laws of the countries they visit. People need to become familiar with other cultures, customs and laws. My friend is grateful that nothing more serious than a jail stay was imposed by local authorities. Aside from getting arrested, there are other potential dangers of becoming intoxicated in unfamiliar locales, using drugs or misbehaving. Students can become victims of rape or targets for thieves by not being able to exercise good judgment while under the influence. To avoid ruining your trip, be safe and use prudent judgment.
Kimberly Pierceall/Daily Titan
Role of a “Good Wife” has changed several attempts to revive the virtues of the submissive wife similar to the advice in “The Surrendered Wife,” You may have seen it before. That Simon & Schuster (2001). e-mail chain-letter that gives advice to In “The Surrendered Wife,” author women on how to be a “good wife.” Laura Doyle, promotes the philosophy From what I’ve heard, the e-mail that women are happiest when they makes its circulation every few years obey their husbands at all times. She into mailboxes across the country. said that women should submit to sex As I prepared for my wedding in whenever their husbands wish, and August this obviously piqued my should not demand satisfaction for interest. I had to find out what some themselves. They should also forgive domestic “professionals” indiscretions away from advised to the masses. “Let him talk home. Heck, I might learn a Come again? thing or two. I will confess I do “Don’t complain if first – remem- get pleasure in those he’s home late for dinsimple domestic acts ber his topics like matching all of my ner or even if he stays out all night. Count this boyfriend’s previously as a minor compared to of conversa- filthy socks after I’ve what he might have gone washed them. But, if through that day.” there’s an indiscretion are more “Listen to him. You tion away from home, may have a dozen imporsomebody’s probably important tant things to tell him, but not coming home. the moment of his arrival I believe there is a is not the time. Let him than yours.” middle ground to all talk first. Remember his this. A compromise. He topics of conversation can assume the responare more important than Housekeeping sibilities that seem more yours.” Monthly suited to him, and I will Say what?! assume those suited to May 13, 1955 To read it now is hilarme. Advice on being a ious. But, on May 13, Recently, when “good wife” 1955 in Housekeeping we got a flat tire, my Monthly it was honest boyfriend simply said, to goodness, well-inten“Let’s go to the gas stationed counsel about a tion to get a tire patch woman’s place in the home. kit.” A tire patch kit? I lazily agreed. Don’t get me wrong. At one point I After all, I didn’t know what to do struggled with wanting to be a perfect with a tire patch kit. As I watched him partner. When I became engaged last steadily working on the tire, patiently year, I felt the burden of wanting to be nursing it back to fullness, I was over“every woman.” I wanted to have the come with thankfulness and relief. It full-time job, be the full-time student was OK for him to take over, be the and house cleaner and be beautiful handy man and fix the tire while I and sexy all at the same time. Then waited quietly in the car. And, it’s OK I received some wise, gentle words for me to take over the laundry and from a professor right here at school. magically transform his dirt ridden “Get over it!” socks. No questions asked. That’s all she said. Those three Sure, it’s nice to see crisp vacuum simple words shot right through me marks in the carpet and smell Downey and onto the desk of the girl behind fresh sheets when we get into bed, but me. Could it be that easy to erase what these are the pleasures that come in I saw my mother and my mother’s due time, not because he is superior mother practice? and not because I am inferior. Just I don’t know if I’m a feminist, but because. I do know I’m not surrendered or subLet me take care of me. You take missive. It’s just not in my blood. care of you. Then we can take care In recent years there have been of us.
Shannon Gladys
Daily Titan Staff Writer
- Phillips is a free-lance columnist. majoring in political science at Cal
Air-bags are full of hot air By Heather Hampton
Daily Titan Staff Writer As a driver, I rely heavily on air bags to be my life-saving device in a frontal collision. Air bags are like guardian angels, sheltering people from the hands of unexpected death. But sadly, I cannot call the air bag my guardian angel. I was recently in a car accident that threw me for the most traumatic loop of my life; but the fact that my air bags did not deploy was even more disturbing. According to the United States Department of Transportation, “air bags are designed to inflate in crashes equivalent to hitting a solid barrier at 10-12 mph.” In my particular case, I was traveling 55 to 60 mph. My silver Plymouth Neon clobbered a forest-green Ford Explorer. The driver of the Explorer slammed on her brakes just as I was about to make a lane change. My reaction time was nil and I never hit my brakes. It resulted in a bent up and awful mess. My air bag never ejected from the steering wheel. My eyes may be fooling me, but aren’t Ford Explorers a solid barrier? When I realized I was headed for that bear-like vehicle, I was convinced that I was in for the nastiest crash of my life. It wasn’t like I hit a pansy little bike or a metal trash can. It felt like I had hit a solid rock and my reliable guardian angel, the air bag, had let me down. The air bags in my car should have automatically inflated upon impact. I was traveling at a high speed on a freeway and hit a car straight on. Fortunately, I had a seat belt on. Yet, drivers and passengers wearing seat belts in highspeed frontal crashes are still at deadly risk without the deployment of air bags.
Drivers can be seriously injured or killed if they hit the steering wheel or the windshield. Air bags are supposed to protect people from such injuries. My air bag was a bogus buffer. It gave me no protection whatsoever. The U.S. Department of Transportation says that “air bags mounted in the steering wheel and the right front instrument panel are designed to protect people in serious frontal crrashes; the kind that account for more than half of all occupant crash deaths.” If air bags are meant to save lives in frontal car crashes, why was I saved without the device ever deploying? According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, “more than 6,200 people are alive as of Nov. 11, 2000 because of air bags.” I’d like to let the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration know that I am alive today not because of air bags. It is obvious that my air bags were ineffective in a crash where I could have seen my last day on earth. Fortunately, I am alive because my front end went under the car. I was not informed of this bit of information until I went to claim my belongings a few days after the accident. The front hood was bent back as if a monster had taken his gigantic hand and shoved it up against the windshield. The lights were punched out as if a kick boxer was practicing has latest move on my 2000 Neon. Although I am grateful to be alive, my faith in air bags has diminished to a tiny mustard seed. I know that air bags save lives. I am not trying to make a mockery of those saved by this ingenious device. I am only stating that I could be dead because my air bag failed to deploy. I may never find a reliable explanation for what happened that bitter fall day, but all I know is that I am thankful to be alive.
Friday, May 24, 2002
Behind the scenes of Titan athletnSUPPORT: They do it all for CSUF coaches, players, fans and the media By Laura L. Gaghan Special to the Titan
Who was MVP last year? Where is the tournament held next week? Who has the highest batting average? These are just a few of the questions that someone might ask the Cal State Fullerton sports information directors. Mel Franks, Jason Spencer and Ryan Emerling make up their own team that provides statistical information, among other things, on the athletics at CSUF. Each SID works to help promote the athletic department. “We promote the athletes, coaches and highlights of the sports,” Franks said. Coaches recognize what they do to help. “Having them take the phone calls from the media is a big help for the coaches,” baseball coach George Horton said. “They take the pressure off us, so that we can focus on coaching. They give us statistical information for our teams. We just go to them and they supply the stats.” The SIDs also help to inform the public about CSUF athletics. “They help us put our media brochure guides together and they update our Web site,” cross country/track and field coach John Elders said. Each of the SIDs profess they are huge sports fans and that can be a benefit for someone going into this job. Franks played sports in junior high
and high school. He said making the transition to CSUF was pleasant. “I didn’t enjoy the negative side of sports,” he said. “By taking this job I was able to root for the home team. It’s fun to win, you feel a part of [the team].” Emerling said he was drawn to the job because of his love for baseball. “It seemed like a natural move for me,” he said. Before working at CSUF, all the SIDs were involved with communications in some way or form. Franks used to work for the Daily News Tribune as a sports writer but in 1980 the job of SID opened up at CSUF. “Mel is an all-time great Titan and has been here forever,” Elders said. “If there was anyone who bleeds orange and blue the most it would be Mel Franks.” Spencer graduated from USC, majoring in broadcast journalism. He started at CSUF in December of 2000. Emerling covered sports for the Irvine World News and then became the first SID at Irvine Valley College. He got connected with Franks and was given the opportunity to come to Fullerton in March of 2000. Horton says that all the SIDs are “off the charts.” “I tip my cap to them for a job well done,” he said. The SIDs enjoy their job as a whole. “I fell into it and fell in love with it, although it’s hard work,” Spencer
said. “The days can get really stressful.” “I like the seasonal aspect of the job,” Emerling said. “ I enjoy the interaction with the people and seeing the athletes win is something I really enjoy.” Spencer said he feels the same way. “I like working with college athletes,” he said. “There’s not a lot of ego. Some are still doing [their sport] for the love of the game.” With the good side of the job comes the bad – paperwork and long hours. “The impact [of the hours] can conflict with family,” Franks said. “It kills weekend ski trips.” Spencer, who puts in 60 hours in a regular work week, said aside from the hours, there are not really any other objections to the job. What keeps Franks going each day is that he likes the idea of being somewhat of a paid fan. “The unbreakable spirit of the athlete makes it worthwhile,” he said. Spencer said he smiles when things get in the paper for the public to read. “I enjoy helping [the sports or athletes] get noticed, whether promoting on or off the field.” Emerling, who previously worked as an SID alone, said that working with Spencer and Franks is a much better experience. “It is nice to be part of a team instead of an individual,” he said. “Mel’s great at letting me run with the technical aspects like the Web site. He
photo illustration by jaime nolte
They are members of every CSUF team – Ryan Emerling, Mel Franks and Jason Spencer.
Searching for the perfect NBA By Tim Povtak
The Orlando Sentinel ORLANDO - Winning an NBA championship today is a lot like winning a ballroom dance contest. It takes two. One great basketball player – like one great dancer – can dazzle onlookers, eliciting oohs and aahs into the night, but he isn’t going anywhere without the right partner. One star can sell the tickets and carry the load during a successful regular season – and even deep into the playoffs – but it takes a pair of stars to become champion. “Fortunately for us, our monster is two-headed,” Los Angeles Lakers point guard Derek Fisher said. The Lakers – barreling toward a third consecutive NBA title – are the most visible example of what everyone else in the league has been trying to copy. Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant together have created a team on the brink of a dynasty, with a future as bright as its past. Both are stars on their own, dominating players individually, but neither would win a title by himself. “It would be pretty tough to do it with one guy, one star – at least as long as Shaq and me are around together,” Bryant daid. “We’re like a tag team out there.” The duo effect is the reason why the Lakers were heavily favored to win this season’s title since the first day of training camp. It’s why Michael Jordan didn’t start winning championships in Chicago until 1991, when Scottie Pippen emerged as a legitimate star. It’s why Allen Iverson and Philadelphia fell short in the NBA Finals last season, and why New Jersey’s Jason Kidd, Orlando’s Tracy McGrady and Minnesota’s Kevin Garnett won’t win a title. It takes two. The Spurs have Tim Duncan, the reigning MVP,
but they have been helpless in late-game situations against O’Neal and Bryant. Neither team has a supporting cast that is anything but average. The Spurs in 1999 were the last team to win an NBA title before O’Neal and Bryant matured into champions together, but center David Robinson still was in his prime then, giving Duncan the co-pilot he needed. Robinson is 36 now and not healthy enough (bad back) to be anything more than a role player. “I’m sure you could still (win a title) with one (star), but your margin of error is a lot less,” Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich said. “The people who have won championships have had that (two), so you would think that’s pretty good evidence.” Although there is only one player such as O’Neal, teams continue to buy into that two-star theory in hopes of catching the Lakers. That’s why the Magic cleared so much salarycap space in the summer of 2000; the plan was to sign two free agents to maximum contracts. Though they failed to get Duncan, the Magic were able to sign McGrady and Grant Hill, hoping they would be enough to at least reach the NBA Finals. Though McGrady has developed into one of the NBA’s best players, the Magic have struggled because Hill’s ankle has required three surgeries in the past two years. The Magic will get a second chance to land another star free agent in 2003 when Indiana’s Jermaine O’Neal, Denver’s Antonio McDyess, Duncan and Kidd become free agents. But San Antonio, Miami and Washington are expected to have major salary-cap room. “With the defensive rules the way they are, you have to be able to attack from two different spots on the floor,” Magic General Manager John Gabriel said. “We thought we had one of the best (Hill) and a guy who had a chance to get there (McGrady). And neither one was small.” The two-star theory is molded by current salary-cap rules that make it extremely difficult – and fiscally irresponsible – to have more than two play-
Sophomore right-hander Wes Littleton was one of nine additional players invited this week to participate in the 2002 USA Baseball National Team Trials in Tucson, Ariz. from June 18-23. Littleton, who has blossomed into one of the top starting pitchers in the country, is 9-3 with a 1.75 ERA that ranks eighth nationally and second among pitchers with 100 or more innings. He has struck out 79 and walked 30 in 118.1 innings and opponents are batting just .221. Littleton will join teammate Chad Cordero at the trials. Cordero, one of the top closers in the country with his 12 saves, was on the first wave of invitees last month. The USA National Team will be selected from a pool of 36 players, of which an additional eight have yet to be determined. The official team roster will be determined and announced on June 24. Louisville's Lelo Prado will serve as the head coach for Team USA. He will be assisted by Terry Alexander of Jacksonville, Sunny Golloway of Oral Roberts and Terry Rupp of Maryland. Team USA will play a total 30 games this summer, including 17 on the domestic side of their Red, White and Blue Summer Tour, which will also take the team to the Netherlands and to Italy.
krt campus
L.A. Laker Kobe Bryant drives past Sixer guard Allen Iverson during the NBA All-Star game held at the First Union Center in Philadelphia, PA, Feb. 10, 2002. ers making the maximum allowed by the collective Only once in the past 11 years has a team won an bargaining agreement. And it hinges on the ability to NBA title without at least two all-stars on the roster. find the right mix of role players. Boston has taken When Jordan retired for the first time, Houston won control of its semifinal series against higher-seeded the 1994 NBA title with center Hakeem Olajuwon Detroit primarily because of its ability to strike with and nothing but a roster of role players, beating the either Paul Pierce or Antoine Walker. The Pistons rely New York Knicks in a seven-game NBA Finals. too heavily on Jerry Stackhouse, who consistently The Rockets repeated as champions in 1995 after attracts double-team defenses. The Charlotte Hornets trading for veteran all-star Clyde Drexler to balance have relied heavily on star point guard Baron Davis, their attack. They won that title by sweeping the but they’re without Jamal Mashburn. He has missed Magic, who had O’Neal and Penny Hardaway as all but a few minutes of the postseason, meaning co-stars. the Hornets don’t have enough weapons to beat the In the ‘80s, the Lakers (with Magic Johnson and Nets. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) or the Celtics (with Larry New Jersey has Kidd – the best point guard in Bird and Kevin McHale) seemingly won every title. the NBA – and have been getting a secondary lift In 1983, when Philadelphia broke the Lakers/Celtics from Keith Van Horn, Kerry Kittles or Kenyon stranglehold, the 76ers had Moses Malone and Julius Martin. Although that’s good enough in the Eastern Erving sharing the load. Conference, one of those three must take a bigger, When the Detroit Pistons won back-to-back titles more consistent role before the Nets can seriously in 1989 and ‘90, Joe Dumars had emerged as a quiet think about winning a title. but viable second star for Isiah Thomas. “You can stop one great player. You can run three “It’s hard to say how many great players it takes or four guys at anyone and shut him down,” Lakers to win (a title),” said Lakers coach Phil Jackson, who veteran forward Rick Fox says. “But you add a sec- also was the coach of the Jordan/Pippen Bulls, winond star, and things change. I don’t think you can do it ners of six titles in the ‘90s. “One great player makes with one guy. Tell me a team that’s done it.” everyone else better around him. People can step into
–Information courtesy of CSUF Athletic Media Relations
Changing of the nCOMMENTARY: Off-season trades have changed the NBA balance of By Mark Migrino
Daily Titan Staff Writer
KRTCAMPUS
The Nets’ Jason Kidd is fouled by Charlotte's P.J. Brown in the Nets 99-93 win, May
In the NBA, the best moves aren’t always made on the court – sometimes they’re made in a team’s front office. So since the New Jersey Nets and the Sacramento Kings pulled off blockbuster trades last summer and landed two of the top point guards in the league, it should come as no surprise they’re now battling for a berth in the NBA Finals. In the Western Conference, the Kings searched for an upgrade at point guard to replace the erratic play of Jason Williams. They needed composure and as Williams dazzled fans with his fancy passes and lightening-quick crossover dribble, his streaky three-point shooting (31 percent) was a problem for the team. A few months following the playoffs, the Kings traded him to the Memphis Grizzlies for the more reliable Mike Bibby. Bibby surpassed expectations during the season and he’s continuing his tear in the playoffs. The floor leader is averaging a stellar 18.5 points a game
and dishing out 5.6 assists per contest. Although the new kid on the block in Sacramento, Bibby seems right at home behind the three-point line in Arco Arena. Shooting a scorching 49 percent from downtown during his first playoff series, Bibby is becoming a go-to-guy in the fourth quarter. When the trade was announced, Kings fans rejoiced at the thought of having Bibby running the break with All-Stars Chris Webber and Peja Stojakovic at his side. The veteran leadership of center Vlade Divac solidified a nucleus of exciting players that would produce a high-octane offense that average 104 points per game. The talented and versatile bench of Sacramento, which includes Bobby Jackson, Hedo Turkoglu and Scot Pollard complement the team’s fastpaced, up-and-down style of play. Perhaps a trade that will go down as one of the biggest steals in NBA history is the New Jersey Nets’ acquisition of point guard Jason Kidd from the Phoenix Suns for Stephon Marbury. In just his first season with the Nets, the All-Star transformed a 26-56 team from
last season to the cream of the crop in the Eastern Conference. Kidd already proved his worth to the team by leading them deep into the playoffs, a place his predecessor never took the Nets. Kidd is enjoying a phenomenal season and his averages of 20.3 points, 8.6 assists and 8.1 rebounds per game are close to a triple-double. Kidd’s presence in New Jersey immediately rejuvenated the old nucleus that has not made any noise in the postseason. The team is now playing with more unity with Kidd as the leader. He knows that his running mates are hungry for a shot at the title and Kidd’s satisfying their appetites with his sweet dishes. Kidd’s supporting cast of Kenyon Martin, Kerry Kittles and Keith Van Horn provide Kidd more options with which he can showcase his superior passing skills. Their ability to move without the ball and finish in transition has made the Nets a dangerous, fastbreaking team. Bibby and Kidd’s unselfish play has carried their respective team far into the playoffs.