Volume 103 Issue 8

Volume 103, Issue 8

www.TheEasterner.org

November 13, 2019

THE INDEPENDENT, STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER OF

EASTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY

3 News | 6 Arts & Features | 10 Sports

Students clap back Page 3

Mckenzie Ford for The Easterner

News

Features

Reporting sexual misconduct

Through the view of a student veteran

An overview of the policies and procedures that EWU has in place for students who are reporting or are accused of sexual misconduct. The Easterner sat down with EWU Title IX Coordinator Jeff Lamoureaux to discuss the rise of reports in sexual misconduct at EWU.

The Easterner sits down with senior Eric Heale to discuss his experiences both in the military and as a veteran at EWU. Transitioning to college life presents new challenges and new opportunities.

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@The Easterner

@The_Easterner

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@_TheEasterner

2 - The Easterner

Editor in Chief Richard N. Clark IV easterner.editor@ewu.edu

Managing Editor Dylan Harris easterner.mngeditor@ewu.edu

Ad Director Jacie Philips advertising@ewu.edu

Multimedia Director Malati Powell easterner.multimedia@gmail.com

Chief Copy Editor easternercopy@gmail.com

News Editor Mitchell Roland easterner.news@gmail.com

Sports Editor Drew Lawson easterner.sports@gmail.com

Arts & Features Editor Hamine Mendez easterner.aef@gmail.com

Web Editor Keri Kelly easterner.online@gmail.com

Social Media Editor Isaiah Gessner easterner.social@gmail.com

Photographer Mckenzie Ford

V103 I8 - 11.13.19

Preview Current

This week’s issue of The Easterner covers the drama that unfolded at Eastern last Thursday.

A small group of religious activists took to the Campus Mall to loudly express their negative views toward abortion and the LGBTQ community. They were met with backlash from hundreds of students who stood and counterprotested the demonstration.

We talk with ASEWU President Key Baker and Sergeant Lorraine Hill of the EWU Police Department about what happened and some of the policies the school and police have in place for situations like this.

We also cover important issues regarding safety on

Upcoming In next week’s issue, we will provide an update on the status of the Grocery Outlet being built on First Street.

The store is expected to open later this month, and we will bring some insight into what the store offers, as well as confirmation of the official opening date.

Faculty Adviser Jamie Neely jneely@ewu.edu

The next issue will also include part two of the two-part redshirt athlete series. Part two will cover the experiences that redshirt basketball players go through. Look for a copy of The Easterner next week so you don’t miss out on any of our coverage. Thanks for reading!

Think our paper is out of this world?

Check us out online!

Reporters Randle Kinswa Elizabeth Price

Director of Student Newspaper Jeff Bunch jbunch@ewu.edu

campus, including a story about how the sexual misconduct reporting process works.

In our features section this week, we sat down with Eric Heale, a veteran and student, to discuss some of his experiences transitioning from the military to EWU. The sports section this week includes a story about the life of a redshirt football player.

We talk with current and former redshirts and shed light on what it’s like to go from star high school player to watching games from the sideline. We also highlight EWU’s wrestling club and two of the players from the men’s tennis team.

TheEasterner.org About The Easterner

Mission

We, as independent student journalists at The Easterner, inform our EWU audience of the governance, activities and views of our community. We provide a voice and a learning environment for students to engage, connect and make informed decisions.

Circulation

The Easterner publishes a weekly print version as well as web content during the week at theeasterner.org. The Easterner is distributed throughout the Cheney campus and business district as well as the Riverpoint campus and various Spokane businesses. If you would like The Easterner to be distributed at your business call the Advertising Department at 509-359-7010.

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Corrections

The Easterner never knowingly publishes inaccuracies. If any error is found, The Easterner is obligated to correct the error as soon as possible, regardless of the source of the error. The Easterner does not remove any editorial content from theeasterner.org. However, if there is a factual inaccuracy in a story, the editors will run a correction or an update as needed.

11.13.19 - V103 I8

News

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Demonstration causes disturbance

Demonstrators, counter protesters face off on campus

Demonstrators rallied on campus for over three hours on the Campus Mall last Thursday before they were escorted away. to be larger than 100 people, they must contact the EWU Police Department three days in advance so that proper security is in place.

Since EWU police were not notified, additional officers from Cheney and Spokane were called in to assist.

EWU recently changed their policies for on-campus demonstrations. Previously, demonstrators were limited where on campus they could go.

“They had to apply, and they were given a particular area they could do it in,” Hill said.

Scharosch said that the EWU Board of Trustees changed the policy surrounding demonstrations in 2018.

“The Board of Trustees approved changes to the regulations in 2018 to open

Mckenzie Ford for The Easterner

A recent demonstration made quite a stir on campus, eventually drawing a crowd of roughly 75 counter protesters.

On Thursday, Nov. 7, religious activists held a demonstration on the Campus Mall.

The demonstrators spoke out against abortion as well as the LGBTQ community.

This eventually led to a group of counter demonstrators protesting against them on campus.

Sergeant Lorraine Hill of the EWU Police Department said that this particular religious group comes to campus twice a year, and that EWU police’s main goal is to keep everyone on campus safe.

“We just have to protect everyone that’s there,” she said.

Hill said that nobody at the demonstration was injured, and that the group looks to get people riled up in the hopes of causing a disturbance.

“They entice people to get vocal about it,” she said.

Hill said that while it is not required, groups typically alert EWU police when they are going to demonstrate.

“They’re encouraged to let the police department know they’re going to be on campus,” she said.

Hill said that the group did not give advance notice to EWU police that they were going to be on campus, and that they had to call in additional help from surrounding agencies.

Annika Scharosch, the associate vice president for civil rights, compliance and enterprise risk management said that groups can protest on campus as long as they follow the rules.

“If people wish to demonstrate on campus, they are welcome to exercise their First Amendment rights and demonstrate on campus as long as they comply with all of EWU’s requirements,” she said in an email to The Easterner.

Scharosch said that if a group is going

Mckenzie Ford for The Easterner

MITCHELL ROLAND News Editor

Demonstrators surounded by police are walked through a crowd of protesters.

up more of the campus to First Amendment activities,” she said.

Scharosch said that there has never been a requirement for a permit to demonstrate on campus.

Hill credits students with helping EWU police to maintain order at the demonstration.

“It’s about working together with students,” she said.

Particularly, Hill credits ASEWU President Key Baker with working to calm the crowd down. Hill said that prior to Baker getting there, things seemed to be getting out of hand.

“It appeared to be getting very vocal,” she said.

Baker said that she was pleasantly surprised by the group of counter demonstrators.

“It was unbelievable,” she said. “It surpassed any expectations of student activism I’ve had on campus.”

Baker said that she was proud of the way that the students handled the demonstrators, and their rhetoric.

“They’re just incredibly disrespectful and attention seeking,” she said.

Baker said that she got to the demonstration around noon, and was there until about 3:30 p.m. or so when she observed the demonstrators being escorted off campus.

When she arrived, Baker said that she helped a student hold a trans pride flag.

At that time, Baker said there were only around 20 students there, most of whom were were just observing the demonstration.

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Baker said that a few students were shouting things. But as things went on, more and more students arrived.

“Over time, it just got bigger and bigger,” she said.

Baker said that things got more heated after police separated the demonstrators and counter protesters.

“I noticed things got more aggressive then,” Baker said.

Hill said that during these demonstrations, EWU police just wants to maintain everyone's safety.

“Our role is to keep everyone safe,” she said.

Hill said that EWU Police will not make arrests for simple demonstrations, but if something such as an assault or refusal to leave campus occurs, “[EWU police] can make arrests on that.”

But if these demonstrations become disruptive, Scharosch said that EWU can stop them.

“Per WAC 172-141-050(10), if a demonstration violates EWU’s rules or if it substantially and materially disrupts or interferes with university operations or functions, EWU can stop the demonstration,” she said.

In a statement to the EWU community, President Mary Cullinan said that demonstrations are an example of one of America’s freedoms. “[Thursday] we saw one of the rights of our Constitution unfold in real time.

Our students and campus community members exercised their right to speak freely and also supported one another,” she said. •

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News

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What happens after an allegation?

The process after an accusation of sexual misconduct MITCHELL ROLAND News Editor

A decision

The Easterner archives

Just like colleges around the country, cases of reported sexual misconduct are on the rise at Eastern Washington.

According to the Clery report, an annual report created by the EWU Police Department, in 2018, there were five reported cases of rape on campus, and an additional cases off campus involving EWU students.

This is up from 2017, when there were three reported cases of rape on campus, and three off campus. Additionally, there were six cases of stalking on campus in 2018 compared to five cases in 2017.

Title IX Coordinator Jeff Lamoureaux said that he believes the rise in numbers is not due to a rise in incidents, but due to increased awareness on campus.

“I believe the increase in reporting is due to an increased knowledge of when and how to report,” he said. “The increased knowledge of reporting has been a team effort with campus police, student affairs, human resources, health and wellness, residential life staff and several campus leaders (employees and students).”

Lamoureaux, a former police officer, has been at Eastern since the fall of 2017. He said that during his time at EWU he has tried to increase the amount of in-person training to raise awareness of issues around sexual misconduct.

“We cover reporting with the police or EWU, discuss rights, support, campus and community resources,” he said.

Lamoureaux said that he provides training to any group that will have him.

“I provide in person training every year to all fraternities, sororities, student athletes, student employees and organizations that will allow me,” he said.

But their efforts go beyond training.

Lamoureaux said that his office has posted flyers with information on sexual misconduct in every bathroom on campus, provided flyers to employees on how to respond to an incident, created a booklet with information for students and launched a sexual misconduct/Title IX website with information on how to report.

Lamoureaux said that he has tried to build partnerships with people on campus so students can feel more comfortable reporting.

“We also have developed partnerships with several communities across campus such as the Pride Center, Multicultural Center, Office of Diversity (and Inclusion), Veterans (Resource) Center, Disability Support Services and created an Office of Civil Rights, Compliance and Risk that I believe has helped students unsure of reporting feeling more comfortable about coming forward to report,” he said.

When an allegation is made, there are several steps before it gets investigated.

parties have an opportunity to tell their side of what occurred.” The complainant does not have to attend if they do not wish to, and they can attend via video conferencing if they wish.

A sign on campus displays statistics on how common sexual assault in college is.

The process starts with an allegation of misconduct Lamoureaux said that the allegation is assessed to determine whether it violates the student conduct code. If it does not, the allegation is dismissed.

“The alleged conduct is also assessed by the Dean of Students to determine whether any interim actions, such as interim restrictions or interim suspensions, need to be implemented,” Lamoureaux said.

Lamoureaux said that this assessment is to determine if there is a safety concern to the campus due to the allegations. If there is, there can be interim actions until the investigation can be completed. If one of the parties disagrees with the decision, Lamoureaux said that they have a right to a hearing.

“If there is an interim restriction or suspension, both parties have the right to attend an emergency hearing to determine whether the interim action should remain in place, be reduced or dismissed,” he said.

Lamoureaux said that when an allegation is made, “a member of the student care team will reach out to the involved parties and offer support and discuss their rights.”

After this, both sides are contacted by an investigator. This investigator also informs both the accuser and the accused of their rights.

“The investigator also sends out an ‘outreach letter’ to complainants and a ‘notice

of allegation’ to the respondents that explains the parties’ rights, resources, process and support,” he said.

After this, the allegation is investigated.

The investigation Lamoureaux said that the goal of the investigation is to be as fair to both sides as possible.

“The role of the investigative process is to be neutral and unbiased,” he said.

Throughout the process, Lamoureaux said that both sides are able to bring people with them to support them.

“The complainant reporting something is allowed the opportunity to bring a support person during any meetings to help them feel more comfortable about coming forward,” he said. “The respondent is also allowed the opportunity to bring a support person as part of their due process rights to ensure the process is fair.”

A hearing Lamoureaux said that at the end of the investigation, student rights and responsibilities receives a copy of the report to determine what to do next.

“During this process, student rights and responsibilities determines whether the case needs to proceed to a conduct hearing or be dismissed,” he said. “The cases are only dismissed if there is not enough evidence to proceed.”

Lamoureaux said that at the hearing “all

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After the hearing, a decision is made.

“The decision as to whether someone did what was alleged is not made until after the process has been followed,” he said. “A decision maker hears the case, weighs all the statements and evidence and makes a determination as to responsible or not responsible.”

Lamoureaux said that the standard of proof in these hearings is “more likely than not.” This is lower than the standard of proof in criminal cases, which is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

If the complaint is found to be credible and it is more likely than not to have occurred, then punishments can vary depending on the severity of the conduct and whether similar incidents have occurred in the past.

“The punishment ranges from a warning, training, probation, suspension to expulsion,” Lamoureaux said.

Lamoureaux said that typically someone found to engage in nonconsensual sex “will receive a suspension or expulsion depending on the circumstances.”

When reporting an incident, Lamoureaux said that anonymous reporting is allowed in most allegations, and is only not allowed in cases where the accused would know who the accuser is.

But anonymous reporting can make it difficult to investigate the allegations.

“An anonymous report helps out EWU on notice of someone is possibly doing something wrong, but in order for EWU to conduct a full investigation we, most of the time, need the reporting party to answer follow up questions,” he said.

Why report?

Lamoureaux said that it is critical for students to report incidents so that the campus can remain safe.

“The importance for these complaints to get investigated is to ensure we have a safe campus community,” he said. “If these complaints are not reported and investigated, it is difficult to prevent recurrence.”

Lamoureaux said that the process is followed to ensure that no one on campus has to worry about sexual misconduct.

“We want everyone’s experience at EWU to be able to enjoy the campus without a concern of sexual misconduct occurring,” he said.•

News

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EWU as safe as people want it MITCHELL ROLAND News Editor

11/5 - Invasion of personal space

A female student called to report a male student who made her feel uncomfortable while she walked on campus. The female student said the male student has repeatedly tried to walk her to class, and does not listen to her refusal. The female student informed the male student she does not want any contact with him through social media. The student reported that these incidents have been occurring since early October.

11/10 - Noise leads to marijuana find

At 12:30 a.m., officers responded to a noise complaint on the second floor of Streeter Hall. When officers arrived and opened the door, they noticed a strong smell of marijuana coming from the room. The residents were identified and were found to be under the age of 21. The residents did not give the officer permission to search the room, so the officer obtained a search warrant. Upon searching the room, the officer found marijuana as well as open bottles of Jack Daniel’s and Crown Royal. One of the residents was given a citation for minor in possession of alcohol, as well as marijuana, and the other was given a citation for marijuana possession. Both residents were referred to student affairs.

11/12 - Repeat DUI offender cited

At 2:15 a.m., officers observed a vehicle with one functioning headlight driving south on Washington Street. Upon stopping the vehicle, the officer said that he smelled the odor of alcohol. After a Portable Breathalyzer Test, as well as roadside sobriety tests, the driver was arrested on suspicion of DUI. The driver blew a .180, which is over twice the legal limit of .08. Due to a prior DUI conviction the driver, who is a student at EWU, was booked into the Spokane County Jail.

During her 23 years on campus, Sergeant Lorraine Hill of the EWU Police Department has learned to rely on the community for help.

Hill said that people on campus need to be constantly vigilant, and report things when they just don’t feel right.

Hill said that the most common calls that EWU police respond to are alcohol or drug violations. Hill said that typically, there is a rash of these incidents involving alcohol in the fall when freshmen arrive on campus.

After this, incidents decline during winter quarter before there is another spike in the spring.

Hill said that if someone’s at a party and things start to go poorly, it is better to call before it is too late.

“It can go bad really quick,” she said.

Another common problem on campus is theft.

Hill said that even though theft is down, it still happens on campus. Hill said that even if an incident seems minor, such as someone stealing your clothes out of a laundry room or using your EagleCard to make purchases without permission, it’s critical that you report it.

Hill said that the EWU Police Department does a good job of limiting the amount of threat on campus.

"We really do a grand job managing stuff

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like that," she said.

While EWU police deal with minor incidents, they’re also tasked with much more serious crimes.

With the rise of mass shootings around the country, EWU police is not taking any chances.

Hill said that there have been incidents in the past with people posting threatening images on social media.

“Take a screenshot and get with us,” she said. “It is something that is addressed immediately.”

Hill said that if you are ever on campus and something just seems out of place, “it’s okay to call in.”

Hill said that it is better to be safe than sorry, and that people need to be aware of their surroundings.

Hill said that ewu EWU police cannot do it alone. Hill cited an incident where graffiti was repeatedly found all over campus which caused tens of thousands of dollars in damage, and a suspect was arrested after help from the campus.

“It took the students coming forward, saying ‘enough is enough’,” she said.

Hill said that in her 23 years at Eastern, she has learned to lean on the community for help in solving crimes.

“We couldn’t do it without them,” she said.

Hill said that Eastern is a safe community to go to school and work, but that it is up to everyone to ensure it says that way.

“It’s as safe as the community wants to make it,” she said.•

Features

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V103 I8 - 11.13.19 -

URINETOWN

7

EWU Theatre Presents...

Credits:

Music: Mark Hollmann Lyrics: Mark Hollmann and Greg Kotis Directed by: Jeff Sanders Musical Direction: Carolyn Jess Choreography: Angela Rose Pearson

“It's not a joke, thats why it's funny.”

“This play shows what the world would be like beyond its breaking point.”

Performance Dates:

Nov. 15, 16, and 22, 23 at 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 17 at 2 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 21 at 5 p.m.

“We laugh because we recognize, oh this is true.”

“This play through time, is becoming more and more relevant.”

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Arts

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Plucking Feathers

Plucking Feathers is The Easterners' comic section illustrated by Web Editor, Keri Kelly. The purpose of these comics is to poke fun at the EWU community.

Looking Back

A closer look: Mary Karenot

It was suggested that she might try going to class but This story was originally published Karenot commented, “My in The Easterner, Vol. 28, No. 30, tuition is being paid for by June 2, 1977 and has not been the government and I have an changed except for AP style. unlimited amount of time to finish school.” She added, “Why For a change of pace, The spend time in class when all you Easterner has decided to take a dummies out there are paying Closer Look at one of the most for me to have a good time?” outstanding individuals on Karenot hoped to finish college campus. by the time she’s 30 and plans to Not only has she participated have a degree in basket weaving. in absolutely nothing EWSC but “If I can’t get that, I would she has also managed to keep a like to major in underwater healthy .1 grade point average sculpting,” but she added, “I’d throughout the year. have to learn to swim.”

Freshman Mary Karenot Possibly, one of the reasons has failed to turn in at least 20 Karenot is so enthusiastic is assignments in each class but because she pops downers at does attend one lecture a week. least three times a day.

When asked what she thought “It keeps my head together,” of the educational process at she said.

EWSC, Karenot replied, “It’s really One thing Karenot has been boring … there’s nothing to do.” found good at is supplying a list

of weekend parties on and off campus. And in England.

“England has some really good parties if you can afford the trip over,” she said.

Karenot hopes to start a club next year for students who have nothing to do during the day.

“I

want to provide something for everybody,” she said.

Karenot plans to set up beds in the commuter’s lounge for “those who take daytime naps,” she said.

During Karenot’s first class she listens to classical music in

her room, “except on Wednesday when I go to get my assignment,” she continued.

Elvis Presley is Karenot’s favorite pop singer, though she admits, “I like his tight pants more than I do his voice.”•

The Easterner, Vol. 28, No. 30, June 2, 1977

THE EASTERNER ARCHIVES

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Features

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Malati Powell for The Easterner

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A series of badges and medals on a uniform inside the Veterans Day Display case at JFK Library. The display has been inside the library since Nov. 4, and will be until Nov. 15.

Finding peace through the challenges

Student veteran discusses his experiences transitioning from the military to EWU ELIZABETH PRICE Reporter As a veteran and student at EWU, Eric Heale has found new challenges in his life at home.

Heale is now a senior in the mathematics program and has developed a passion for it. He strives to become an actuary someday who handles uncertainty and risks mainly regarding insurance companies.

Math provides a similar challenge as in the military, except nobody's life is at stake and there is no rush, Heale said.

“It's nice being able to be patient and that's really enjoying to me,” said Heale.

It’s relieving to be able to think about a math problem for a long period of time, because in the military, you have to think quick on your feet, he explained.

Math has given Heale a new kind of challenge to tackle.

Service history Heale started his service in late 2011 after graduating from West Valley High School in Spokane Valley. His mother and father met each other in the military and he wanted to continue on the same path.

Heale explained that he has always been a military brat who wanted to travel, shoot guns and blow things up.

“I joined the military because I really

enjoyed being able to challenge myself,” said Heale.

Heale specialized in K9 handling and traveled primarily to Mexico and South America when he was sent out on individual duty assignments.

Due to an explosion, Heale has dealt with hand tremors that make certain tasks more difficult.

“I can’t really challenge myself physically like I used to due to the injury, but I can still push myself mentally,” said Heale.

He explains that if he could go back in time, he would still have gone into the military because the experience was so interesting.

“I got to spend a lot of my time in the military in not so fun places, but still, the comradery was really nice,” Heale said.

Coming home After getting a medical discharge from the military, Heale was glad to be back in Spokane with his family and his dogs.

Heale explained that one of the hardest things to do during his service was give up his cell phone and not be able to contact his family.

“It’s nice to be back to normal life again,” said Heale.

Family has always been important to Heale and he is happy he gets to go to school in the same place he grew up.

Having lived in Spokane all his life, EWU was a perfect fit for Heale.

Life at EWU “I’m able to live in Spokane with my family and travel out (to Cheney) and just be able to do something that I genuinely enjoy,” said Heale.

Not only did Heale find a mathematics program he has learned to love, he also found compassionate instructors.

“I've always had professors that were really understanding towards my disabilities,” said Heale.

He said it made all the difference when a professor would accommodate his requests as he faced health issues during the school year.

The Veterans Resource Center has provided many student veterans with a

quiet and inviting space, Heale said.

“It’s nice to have people that’ll respect your space, but then also be friendly too,” said Heale.

There's a sense of respect and commonality at the VRC that allows student veterans to be around one another and feel safe, according to Heale.

Heale explains how even though student veterans are a specific group, they are not much different than a normal student. Sometimes younger students will feel intimidated or nervous around a veteran because of certain stigmas, explained Heale.

“Don't see them any differently, they're just normal people,” said Heale.

Veteran students are still social, willing to make friends, and willing to be nice and talk, Heale said.•

“I joined the military

because I really enjoyed being able to challenge myself.”

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- ERIC HEALE, Student veteran

Sports

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Mckenzie Ford for The Easterner

10 - The Easterner

EWU sophomore Manuel Balce serves during practice on Nov. 6. Balce had a 9-8 record overall last season.

Men's tennis wraps up fall, looks ahead to spring RANDLE KINSWA Sports Reporter

The EWU men’s tennis team has just six players on its roster.The average size of a men’s collegiate tennis team is typically 8-12, depending on the size of the school.

EWU head coach Jared Burnham said the team has improved this fall.

“I think that they have all gotten better,” Burnham said. “A lot of them have played some good matches, … a couple of them had really good wins at Stanford which is huge for us.”

Four of EWU’s six players are international students.

One of those players is senior Mikayel Khachatryan.

Khachatryan is originally from Armenia.

Khachatryan was 2-6 in Big Sky Conference play and 7-10 overall last year in No. 1 singles.

Khachatryan said his experience of playing for the national team in Armenia taught him a lot.

"So (last) spring, I was invited to play for the national team in Armenia,” Khachatryan said. “After that, I gained a lot of confidence. … I started playing in some national tournaments back in Barcelona where I won three tournaments in a row. … I think playing for the national team gave me a lot of confidence in life and in tennis.”

Khachatryan said playing for the national team in Armenia taught him how to be a leader.

“One of the things I picked up specifically

was how to lead the team,” Khachatryan said. “When they need your help, ... You always have to be positive. … (You) always have the courage to help your teammates to reach wins and successes.”

Sophomore Manuel Balce is originally from the Philippines. He had a record of 7-3 in BSC play and was 9-8 overall last year in No. 3 singles.

Balce said the fall season has been good overall for the team.

“Fall has been great,” Balce said. “We started off rusty … coming back from summer. … We picked up some pretty good wins at (the) EWU Fall Classic.”

Khachatryan said he thinks he had a productive fall season.

“Specifically for me, I think I had a great fall,” Khachatryan said. “I had a good win versus University of Pacific, … which is where I used to play previously. … It was a big win for me and for the school.”

Khachatryan said the fall season was also great for the team.

“I think for the fall the team is on the right mindset,” Khachatryan said. “I think we are ready for the season.”

Khachatryan said his goal is for the team to win the Big Sky Conference.

“My goal is going to be the best for the team,” Khachatryan said. “The first step is to make the Big Sky Conference (tournament). … Then our next step is to win the Big Sky Conference (tournament). ... I think with our new recruits, … it is going to be very possible.”

The first day of Sept. 20-22's EWU Fall

Classic was cut short due to rain. EWU did not record a win the first day.

Balce and sophomore Wout Doumen each recorded a win the second day of the Fall Classic. On the last day, junior Jeremy Mueller and freshman Erik Grimes pulled off a doubles win against the University of Idaho.

Balce said his off-season improvements included better stamina, serving and better backhand and forehand strikes.

Balce said his goals for himself and the team are to improve each day.

“I think the goal is to keep getting better every training,” Balce said. “Every practice … give 100%. … The results will show.”

EWU went down to Palo Alto, California for the Intercollegiate Tennis Association regional tournament on Oct. 25-29. Only Balce and Doumen were able to pick up wins.

Mueller won a singles match over Portland State University (6-1, 7-6 (4), 6-0) at the UW UTR Invite in Seattle, which took place on Nov. 8-10. Mueller was the only Eagle to record a win the first day of the invitational.

In the second day of the invitational, Khachatryan and Grimes each picked up a win against PSU in singles.

Khachatryan and Balce picked up a doubles win against the University of Washington. Grimes and junior Martin Bats picked up a doubles win against PSU. On the third day of the invitational,

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“I think the

goal is to keep getting better every training. ... The results will show.”

- MANUEL BALCE EWU sophomore

Khachatryan and Balce recorded a doubles win against Portland State.

Burnham said the goal this fall is to improve. He said that fall tennis is just the season to get better and compete.

Burnham said that part of the fall learning experience was for him to get used to the team, and for the team to get used to him.

Burnham is in his first year as EWU head coach. He coached for 15 years at Montana State University and Weber State University prior to his position at EWU. "He’s got a lot of experience in tennis," Khachatryan said. "(It’s) great working with him.”

The EWU men's tennis team will play Seattle University Jan. 19 at home for its first spring match. •

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Randle Kinswa for The Easterner

11.13.19 - V103 I8

Wrestling club members Mark McKee and Chase Clark compete during a club gathering. McKee (red shirt) is the club's treasurer.

RANDLE KINSWA Sports Reporter Legacy and history are prominent features of any society. As a citizen you may hear how someone’s legacy can impact the lives of people in the present, or how the history of an institution contributes to its reputation of prestige.

But what if that legacy has been broken?

How do you pick up those broken pieces?

The EWU wrestling club is currently trying to answer those very questions.

“It’s been rough," club president Dalton Swayze said. "We have been struggling with numbers."

EWU’s wrestling program used to be elite.

When the wrestling club was an NAIA and NCAA program, it boasted 30 AllAmericans and seven individual national championships.

The 1977 wrestling team was the NAIA champion. In 2007, the team was elected into the EWU Hall of Fame.

In 1990 EWU elected to discontinue wrestling and baseball. This decision was due to Title IX legislation that requires the school to maintain a balance between the number of men’s and women’s studentathletes.

Another reason the wrestling team was cut at the time was because the program was not officially a part of the Big Sky Conference.

Wrestling has been a club sport ever since.

Swayze said the club has been trying to get more people to show up to meetings.

"We got a couple of people here who are really trying to build this program back up,” Swayze said.

Swayze said the club has some members, himself included, who wrestled in high school and want to do college wrestling and to feel closer to home. He also said the program didn’t win one tournament last year, and there are zero returners from last year’s club.

Swayze said there are a lot of guys at EWU who are on the fence about wrestling.

“There’s a lot of guys, I think, who are skeptical about wrestling,” Swayze said.

“There are some people here who have never wrestled before. ... I think there’s a lot of people who are more down to wrestle then the vibe gets put on.”

Swayze said there are great byproducts to wrestling.

“If you want to get in the best shape of your life, then come on down,” Swayze said. “(In) wrestling you are working all parts of your body at once for six minutes.”

Swayze said there are a couple of women in the club as well.

Swayze said women are allowed to wrestle folkstyle or collegiate in high school, but in college they have to wrestle freestyle because there is no folkstyle collegiate program in the nation for women. Swayze also said if as a wrestler if you preferred folkstyle, you would enjoy freestyle.

Randle Kinswa for The Easterner

Wrestling club trying to pin down legacy

Freshman Dalton Swayze, the wrestling club president, (left) wrestles another club member. Swayze said the club is trying to recruit students to join the club.

Swayze said he would love to see the wrestling program become NCAA or NAIA again.

Mark McKee, the club’s treasurer, is bringing his own talents to the table to better help the club.

“I’m bringing my previous knowledge as a certified personal trainer,” McKee said. “My family (are) financial analysts so that’s why I’m treasurer. … I’ve placed in sports med and I’m pre-med.”

McKee said the environment and overall atmosphere of the club is pretty serious.

“We want to compete and we want to have fun,” McKee said. “We all miss this sport, … and we all come from different areas of the state. … We all share different types of knowledge.”

McKee said the team is working on advertising the club better, and are also now

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working out together.

“We are working on getting a flyer,” McKee said. “Mondays and Wednesdays we workout together in the gym… we do workouts that are run by me because I am a trainer."

Swayze said club sports coordinator Travis Allen has cards available in URC 201 about the wrestling club. The club also has an Instagram page.

“We are just trying to reach out,” Swayze said.

The clubs wears their wrestling shirts during workouts, which draws peoples' attention.

"People come up and ask, … Do you wrestle here?" McKee said.

McKee said a perk to the club is the low price of joining, which is $20. Interested members can visit the EWU Club Sports website. •

Sports

V103 I8- 11.13.19

Mckenzie Ford for The Easterner

12 - The Easterner

EWU junior wide receiver Talolo Limu-Jones hauls in a touchdown on Oct. 12 against Northern Colorado. Limu-Jones was a redshirt in the 2016 season.

The life of a football redshirt This is part one of a two-part series on athletic redshirts. Part two, which is about men's and women's basketball redshirts, will come next week.

DREW LAWSON Sports Editor They may have been the talk of the town in high school, but at EWU, they have to earn that respect once again. They are the redshirt football players, and most of them know they’ll have to wait for their turn in the spotlight on The Inferno.

“When you’re in high school, you are normally … the best in your league, the best in your region, sometimes even the best in the state,” EWU head coach Aaron Best said.

“Everybody knew you, and now nobody knows you. … I think that plays majorly with people’s minds. You’re starting from the ground up again. But tough times make tough people.”

A redshirt is a player who sits out a year or most of a year to earn an extra year of playing eligibility.

In football, NCAA rules allow a player to play in up to four games and still redshirt a season. If they play more than four games, they forfeit their redshirt status.

EWU prefers to have all its players redshirt their true freshman year. One of those players redshirting this year is quarterback Trey Turner, who has yet to see game action this season.

Turner said his role as a redshirt is to help signal plays to starting quarterback Eric Barriere from the sideline and to gain an understanding of EWU’s offense for himself.

“They want me to fully grasp every concept and know what each person’s doing,” Turner said. “I just stay ready (for) whenever my name is called.”

EWU likes to redshirt true freshmen for several reasons.

One reason is that it allows players a year to continue growing physically. Best said many 18-year-olds that come to EWU aren’t physically ready to compete against 22 or 23-year-olds, or even older.

Some players in the Big Sky Conference are 25 or 26 years old.

“It’s like a kindergartner going against a 10th grader,” Best said.

Best said if a player is pushed around at age 18 during their true freshman year because they’re a step behind physically and mentally, it can be tough for them to grow in ensuing years.

“I’ve seen some guys over the years here at multiple positions play early and they never regain their confidence late, because … they didn’t make as many plays as they anticipated,” Best said.

Best also said that an advantage of redshirting is the opportunity for players who were stars in high school to be humbled a little bit coming into the intense competition of NCAA football.

EWU also redshirts as an academic measure.

Best said having the extra fall season allows players more ease in finishing their degrees. Sometimes, players who play as true freshmen exhaust their playing eligibility before they’ve completed school.

“Knowing that your fourth fall is your last fall if you don’t redshirt, sometimes you have a year and a half of school left without football,” Best said. “The (redshirt) structure helps in a lot of ways.”

EWU players who have already exhausted their redshirt year understand how beneficial it was.

Redshirt freshman cornerback Tre Weed said his development was greatly aided by taking a redshirt year. Weed also said he used the time to learn from former Eagle defensive stars Mitch Fettig, Josh Lewis and Ketner Kupp.

“Coming into a new system you don’t know very much,” Weed said. “Following (Fettig, Lewis and Kupp) and seeing how they go about themselves, and them teaching me about the defense, helped with my development and built my confidence going into this year.”

Even though players usually look back and are glad they took a redshirt year, it’s not always easy when you’re in it.

Junior wide receiver Talolo Limu-Jones, who was a redshirt in 2016, saw two of his best friends (senior running backs Antoine Custer Jr. and Tamerick Pierce) get playing time as true freshmen, while he had to sit out a year.

Limu-Jones said the mental aspect of redshirting was the most difficult for him.

“It started to mess with my mental

(mindset) a little bit, because I’m not getting seen on Saturdays,” Limu-Jones said.

Limu-Jones now understands the benefit of redshirting, saying the experience humbled him.

“Coming out of high school, I thought I was all this and all that,” Limu-Jones said. “Having two of my best friends (play) … and hanging out with them after the games and all that, it made me start approaching my redshirt year a little differently.”

Limu-Jones said he learned how to work harder during his redshirt year.

“I was a little bit lazy … well, a lot of bit lazy when I first got here,” Limu-Jones said.

“Approaching that redshirt year, you have to approach it the right way. You can approach it like, ‘I want to get better so I can perform better,’ or you can approach it as, ‘I should be playing and this is b.s.’ I took it to work harder.”

Limu-Jones isn’t shy about his thoughts on the benefits of his redshirt year.

“I would say that redshirting is probably one of the best things that ever happened to me,” Limu-Jones said. •

“Everybody knew you, and now nobody knows you. ... I think that plays majorly with people's minds. You're starting from the ground up again. But tough times make tough people. ”

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- AARON BEST, EWU head coach