The Easterner: Volume 102, Issue 11

Second Best

Volume 102, Issue 11

www.TheEasterner.org

Jan. 9, 2019

Taylor Newquist for The Easterner

Page 16

@The Easterner

@The_Easterner

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2 - The Easterner Editor in Chief Michael Brock 509.359.6737 easterner.editor@ewu.edu Managing Editor Jeremy Burnham easterner.mngeditor@ewu.edu

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Letter from the editor

Back for winter term: Organizational update

Multimedia Director Richard N. Clark IV easterner.multimedia@gmail.com Chief Copy Editor Amanda Haworth News Editor Dylan Harris easterner.news@gmail.com Sports Editor Taylor Newquist easterner.sports@gmail.com Arts & Features Editor Erik Rotness easterner.aef@gmail.com Web Editor Colleen Ford Social Media Editor Matthew Pennell Copy Editor Sam Jackson Reporters Shandra Haggerty Kendall Koch Drew Lawson Kaisa Siipola Emmaline Sylvester

MICHAEL BROCK Editor in Chief Hello fellow Eagles, Welcome back from holiday break!

I hope everyone got some good rest and time with friends and family, and is ready to hit the ground running on winter classes.

I wrote a letter in the fall detailing a minor shift in The Easterner’s digital presence. In the past, all stories (besides breaking news and some sports) were posted online gradually throughout the week after the print edition came out on Wednesdays.

This year, in an effort to make the website more current and consistent, we set out to post stories as they were completed instead of waiting for the print product to come out first.

So how are we doing with this initiative?

Like most things in life, there’s been both some good and some bad. The hardest part has been making sure there is content posted on the website every single day. The human nature of it is to still get everything done at the

last minute, or before we go to print. To aid in this, each section of the paper is assigned a couple days each week that they are required to post on.

Our readership data shows that this is working well. Although we’ve only seen marginal improvements in average clicks, they are now spread throughout the week. Last year, they were mainly isolated to the couple days when content was posted on the website. Readers are also tending to stay longer once they’re on the site.

This has helped our social media presence as well. Now when readers access our Facebook, Instagram or Twitter feeds, they know to expect upto-date coverage.

Be sure to follow our social media accounts: “The Easterner” on Facebook, “the_easterner” on Instagram, "@_TheEasterner" on Twitter for general content and breaking news, and “@EasternerSports” on Twitter for sports coverage.

As the school year continues, we will work to improve the digital-first plan, as well as expanding into different methods of reporting, such as podcasts and videos. Speaking of our digital presence, The Easterner has a new web domain, theeasterner.org, so be sure to head there from now on for our news.

It’s already been an eventful year at EWU, including administration changes, midterm elections, the PUB opening, football taking second in the FCS playoffs and many other features and profiles.

There's much more excitement and heartbreak to come as the year goes on, and The Easterner remains committed to telling the stories of our community in an unbiased, quality manner. •

Photographers Mckenzie Ford Bailey Monteith Director of Student Newspaper Carleigh Hill Faculty Adviser Jamie Neely

www.TheEasterner.org

About us 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 http://www. theeasterner.org. The Easterner is distributed throughout the Cheney campus and business district as well as Riverpoint and various Spokane businesses. If you would like the Easterner to be distributed at your business call the Advertising Department at 509-359-7010.

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 Easterener does not remove any editorial content from easterneronline.com. However, if there is a factual inaccuracy in a story, the editors will run a correction or an update as needed.

Correction for Issue 10: On the cover of last issue, The Easterner incorrectly wrote the EWU football team's seeding. The Eagles finished No. 3 in the FCS after the regular season.

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Bailey Monteith for The Easterner

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The PUB officially opens Left: Main stairs at the entry of the PUB. Top: The rebranded EWU bookstore, Eagle Store, located on the first floor. Bottom: Panda Express located on the second floor.

Following more than two years of renovation, the PUB is now home to Panda Express, Freshens, a commuter lounge, Eagle Store and more KAISA SIIPOLA Reporter The suspense is finally over.

The PUB is now accessible to students, faculty and the public.

The PUB had been closed for renovations since December 2016 after a consensus between EWU leaders and ASEWU to utilize student fees to finance the project.

A sneak preview of the PUB occurred on Oct. 26 for students, faculty and the EWU community to view the amenities and dining options that it has to offer. The building was closed after the soft opening to ensure proper accessibility and safety in the building.

As the final renovations of the PUB wind down, some areas will have limited access at the beginning of winter quarter.

PUB Director Daniel Clapp elaborated further as to which areas have limited access.

The technology center and one of the elevators remain unavailable, but should be operating in approximately a couple of weeks, according to Clapp.

The student PUB fees started at $65 per

“Thank you for your patience on the renovation project. I am excited to have the PUB back open.”

- DANIEL CLAPP PUB Director quarter, but then increased to $85. Now that the building is open, student PUB fees will remain at $85 per quarter unless there is a circumstance that arises for the fees to be increased, according to Clapp.

Some students reminisced over the PUB before the remodel and expressed their excitement for the building’s operation as the quarter begins. EWU senior Maria Azucena discussed the improvement of the PUB since it has been remodeled.

“I’m just excited because finally after two years it is so much better and nicer,” Azucena said. “I just remembered the little complaints that people would say and to

actually see it now like ‘oh look, it’s so much better improvement, it’s so nice.’”

EWU sophomore Yooquiutzi Gonzalez explained her unfamiliarity with the old PUB, and how being in the PUB provides an opportunity to see and meet people.

“I like this PUB and I feel like I am seeing new faces that I never saw before walking around campus or at Tawanka,” Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez also added that she is looking forward to utilizing the game room and stopping at Freshens for a smoothie.

The remodel of the PUB offers a wide open space for students to work on homework

in meeting rooms and office space, dining options to grab a quick bite before class and amenities such as a game room.

EWU senior Wesley Quach is looking forward to the peace and quiet in the meeting areas and office space for studying.

EWU freshman Jonathan Avila said that he likes the game room, the location of the PUB since he lives in Morrison and the dining options it has to offer such as the Union Market and Panda Express.

The redesigned PUB also includes a commuter lounge for students and faculty using public transportation. There is now a bus stop on Elm Street next to the commuter lounge.

In light of the PUB reopening, Tawanka Main Street Dining has officially closed aside from Sunday during brunch, however Market Espresso, Einstein Bros. Bagels and Aladdin’s will remain open in Tawanka.

Clapp expressed his gratitude for the unexpected delay.

“Thank you for your patience on the renovation project,” Clapp said. “I am excited to have the PUB back open.”

People with questions or concerns can call the PUB Welcome Desk at 509-359-7918 or visit ewu.edu/PUB for more information.•

December 2016

Oct. 22 2018

Oct. 26 2018

Jan. 2 2019

PUB closed for renovations

PUB opening delayed

Sneak preview of PUB

PUB officially opened

www.TheEasterner.org

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GI Bill computer glitch has minimal impact on EWU students EWU Bellevue campus affected more than Cheney campus

Richard N. Clark IV for The Easterner

KENDALL KOCH Reporter

EWU ROTC member marching off the Inferno after national anthem.

Some Pre and Post-9/11 GI Bill recipients patiently waited for their housing payment from Veterans Affairs in early November, only to not receive it until later in the month.

The system did not update correctly, and left many veterans without the benefits needed for the next month.

The glitch caused more than 82,000 recipients to have to wait for a delayed housing payment, which many students rely on to pay for rent, groceries and other necessities, according to NBC News.

Dave Millet, the Director of EWU’s Veterans Resource Center and U.S. Army veteran, says that the glitch was not only caused by an upgrade to the old computer system that the VA has been using for many years, but a backlog of information.

The GI Bill was created to help those who served time in the military, to receive benefits to cover the cost of education and family.

“There were new sections to the bill that ties housing lines to the zip codes,” Millet said. “The money will go to where the Veteran goes to school, not where he or she lives.”

Many students depend on the money distributed by the VA, as the money might affect whether someone is able to pay rent on time. The new Post-9/11 GI Bill is for

Suspect arrested in connection with Zip's shooting DYLAN HARRIS News Editor

A suspect has been arrested in connection with the shooting at Zip’s in Cheney on Oct. 27 that left three victims with non-life-threatening injuries according to a Spokane County Sheriff’s Office news release.

Spokane County Sheriff’s Office obtained an arrest warrant for Kevin D. Clay, 21, of Kent, Washington. With the assistance of the ATF Puget Sound Regional Crime Gun Task Force, Clay was arrested on Nov. 28 and charged with three counts of first-degree attempted murder, three counts of first-degree assault, drive by shooting and first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm.

Clay was arrested outside of his residence after attempting to flee on foot from ATF agents. Agents executed search warrants and recovered a pistol, ammunition, a cell phone and other items of evidence. He was booked into the King County Jail and is being held on a $500,000 bond.

The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office news release states that court documents relating to the arrest have been sealed due to “the substantial threat to individual safety, threat to effective law enforcement and the possibility that disclosure could jeopardize the ongoing investigation.”

The Easterner will continue to follow this story as the investigation continues and more information is made available. •

www.TheEasterner.org

those who were active 90 days after Sept. 10, which provides money for monthly housing allowance, a one time rural benefit payment, books and a supplies stipend.

Millet says that EWU has felt minimal effects of the glitch here in Cheney, but on the Bellevue campus there has been a hiccup.

“With the old VA system, the Bellevue campus would get the Cheney rate for housing, but since Cheney’s housing has a cheaper housing rate than on the west side of the state, many students are expecting larger amounts of money than what they have been receiving currently,” Millet said.

Students on the west side of Washington State that then transfer to EWU’s satellite campus in Bellevue need the larger check to make ends meet for housing.

“The tuition from the VA goes straight to Eastern, and the VA office will deposit the other money directly into the account for the student’s tuition; the housing check goes into the bank account of the student,” Millet said. “Veterans Affairs has been very forthcoming with information and doing everything they can do to help students that need to pay their tuition and bills.”

The VA will be back paying students within the next month and be accommodating to areas that may need more benefits than others. •

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Bob Ferguson speaks at EWU

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Washington state Attorney General discussed current political issues in the US KENDALL KOCH Reporter Students gathered in Hargreaves Hall on Nov. 30 to hear Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson speak and answer questions about current political and legal issues.

After his introduction and joking that he wished to stay to watch the football game the next day, Ferguson began his presentation, with his focus on Washington state’s lawsuits against the Trump administration.

The most recognized of these lawsuits was the Travel Ban or Executive Order 13769, which denied any persons entry traveling back to the U.S. from a list of banned countries. The document was kept private, in which any access to see why President Trump had this order happen was not allowed. The day of the announcement from the White House, Ferguson explained how his office sprang into action regarding the order.

“As a lawyer, I have to ask myself three questions; One, are Washington state residents being harmed? Two, do we have good legal arguments? Three, do I have a standing to bring this lawsuit forward?” Ferguson said.

Ferguson’s office worked the whole weekend and filed the lawsuit on the first business day. When the news of the lawsuit came out, many high-ranking Democrat officials contacted Ferguson regarding this lawsuit inquiring as to why Washington state was making such a bold move against the president. Ferguson responded that it is important to focus on questions that are relevant to the decisions that

help the country stand united.

In Feburary 2017, Ferguson and his team received word of the winning ruling against Trump and his administration.

“The president’s current executive order violates the Constitution,” Ferguson said in a press release from his office that day.

Despite the initial victory in blocking the travel ban, the Supreme Court later ruled that it is legal and will be upheld.

In the following September, DACA, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, was rescinded by Trump. According to the New York Times, Trump ordered an end to the Obamaera program that protects undocumented immigrants from deportation.

“I received many calls that day from many Washington state residents in tears wondering if deportation was in their near future,” Ferguson said. “I had to do something.”

According to The Seattle Times, in September 2017, 15 states had filed lawsuits against the Trump administration; all states that filed the lawsuits had all Democratic Attorney Generals showing a united front.

After opening the presentation to questions, Dante Tyler, a senior and the ASEWU President, asked how we can, as students, really make a difference, and how do you (Ferguson) stay so motivated?

“I have no interest in money, I had a 1993 Honda Civic up until a few years ago, and I try to stay humble through this,” Ferguson said. “You, as students, need to focus on what matters in life, give service to people in the community that you are in and to make a long-lasting impact.”

Morgan Meeks, a running start student from University High School, attended the presentation and felt more informed afterward.

“I do think that I learned a lot about the subject matter, about how the state can stop the president violating the Constitutional rights that everyone has,” Meeks said.

Though it was a short visit from a Washington state government official, Ferguson left a lasting impression on students telling them to stay humble, focus on what matters as a student and recognize the Constitutional rights as a citizen of the U.S. •

Giving Joy Day brings in $1.8 million KAISA SIIPOLA Reporter EWU raised more than $1.8 million in cash, pledges and gifts for Giving Joy Day on Nov. 27.

The goals for Giving Joy Day were to raise $275,000 for scholarships, receive donations from all 50 states and to feel and share joy.

Donations were obtained from 40 states, including substantial contributions from STCU and Numerica Credit Union.

Numerica Credit Union surprised junior Jordan Stevenson and sophomore Tarah Moran with $2,500 scholarships.

Stevenson said that she was surprised and a little confused to be a recipient for the scholarship.

“I feel really honored to be recognized for academics and professional achievements and I am looking forward to give this back to the Eastern community,” Stevenson said.

Stevenson also said that receiving the scholarship has made a difference by allowing her more time to pursue unpaid internships and volunteer positions outside of school.

The Public Relations Student Society of America had a table set up outside of Tawanka for Giving Joy Day and provided free hot cocoa and cider.

PRSSA Historian Chandler Jefferson said that representing PRSSA to promote Giving Joy Day is a good way to get out and spread the joy.

“It’s good to get out here on campus and

spread some joy to all the fellow students,” Jefferson said. “We are also here promoting Giving Joy Day for the school to bring donations in to help benefit all the school and the students and the faculty here.”

PRSSA Vice President Jacinda Luna said that participating in Giving Joy Day was a great experience.

“Even helping out and making them happy during finals week or close to finals week, it’s a struggle,” Luna said. “Even hot cocoa on a rainy day, I mean, that definitely makes me happy.”

President Mary Cullinan expressed her gratitude in a message to the EWU community for the enthusiastic support on Giving Joy Day. “Faculty and staff met my $10,000 match by mid-day,” Cullinan said in a statement on EWU’s website. “And we received tremendous support from local businesses, volunteer boards and individual donors.”

Cullinan mentioned two generous donations that helped EWU surpass its financial goal.

“Our goals were bolstered by two significant gifts, one that will greatly benefit our jazz program and another that will provide equipment support for our computer science students,” Cullinan said.

Kyndell White, the assistant director of giving, said she is already planning for next year’s Giving Joy Day. Anyone who wants to get involved or donate for next year’s Giving Joy Day can contact White at 509-359-4550 or kwhite58@ewu.edu. •

Courtesy of EWU Facebook page

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Courtesy of atg.wa.gov

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Collection jar set up for Giving Joy Day.

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Recent alumnus Chris Schroll runs for mayor of Spokane

Schroll is running on three main issues: addressing Spokane's homelessness, helping small businesses and bringing more opportunities to the city's recent graduates SAM JACKSON Copy Editor

Courtesy of Chris Schroll's Facebook Page

EWU alumnus and 27-year-old Chris Schroll is running for mayor of Spokane this year.

Schroll transferred to EWU from UNC Pembroke during 2012 to be closer to his family in Puyallup. As a former EWU athlete in cross-country and track and field, Schroll never realized that experience would help him prepare for a completely different kind of race.

After graduating in spring 2015 with a bachelor’s in International Relations, Schroll decided to reside in Browne's Addition near downtown Spokane. He says that waking up there every morning allowed him to see first-hand how the city managed its homeless population. Schroll began to disagree with the city’s methods of handling this issue and decided to get more involved in local politics.

“I decided I was going to run for office at some point in Spokane,” Schroll said. “I initially was going to run for city council which is the common first step for getting involved, but when I sat down and thought about the things I wanted to do for this city and the ideas that I had, I realized that I would have a greater impact policy wise if I ran for an office that was able to cover the entire city of Spokane.”

As the youngest candidate apart of this election, Schroll recognizes the difficulty in relating to generations above him, but sees an advantage in using his platform to get more young people involved in the process.

He believes that being young and new to the political realm allows him to offer “fresh and bold” ideas for the city.

“I know exactly what it feels like to be a millennial in Spokane, in this economy and in this job market,” Schroll said. “I know exactly the troubles you’re going through, because they are the same troubles I’ve been going through since I graduated college.”

One of the three main policies that Schroll is focusing on throughout his campaign is addressing the homeless population in Spokane. According to Spokane’s municipal codes, an ordinance prohibiting people from sitting or lying down upon public sidewalks has been in effect for almost five years.

Though the ordinance has been suspended from time to time depending on certain circumstances, Schroll hopes to not use this ordinance and implement other options.

“I believe criminalizing and targeting homeless individuals in our city, criminalizes homelessness as a whole,” Schroll said. “The best way to relieve that label of homelessness is to get people into housing. So, I would like

to implement a housing-first, employmentsecond model to get the people off the streets and into centralized locations where we can address their underlying mental or physical healthcare needs.”

As a small business owner himself of a pet wellness company making hemp-derived CBD tinctures and working part time as a marketing coordinator for Flash’s Auto Body & Paint in Spokane, Schroll plans to implement a system that benefits local businesses as his second policy.

“I want to create an economic system that focuses on Spokane’s locally owned businesses, that breaks down barriers for their success,” Schroll said. “So that way these small local businesses can afford to pay their employees the living wage they

deserve.”

Schroll says he chose to stay in Spokane because he realized how much Spokane has to offer. He felt that being fresh out of college, it gave him an opportunity to do something big. His third policy focuses on proving that Spokane can serve as place of opportunity for emerging graduates.

“I want to create an environment where our young local graduates from community colleges, universities and tech schools around here want to stay here in Spokane to invest their time and energy into the city,” Schroll said.

For more information on Schroll’s campaign refer to his website at chrisschroll. com. •

“I want to create an environment where our young local graduates from community colleges, universities and tech schools around here want to stay here in Spokane to invest their time and energy into the city.”

$43 for about*

this space could be yours. *campus price for 3.5” x 5” black and white ad

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- CHRIS SCHROLL Spokane mayoral candidate

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What is your New Year's resolution and why? “(My) resolution this year is going to be reading 20 books and hopefully hiking and backpacking around Mount Everest. I like getting outdoors.”

- Bradley Poletski, Freshman "I want to be a better person in general. I want to be more kind and generous. That is kind of my resolution every year, nobody’s perfect."

- Allen Smith, Junior "(My) resolution is to lose a bit of weight. I’m a little overweight right now. I’m going to have to go the gym and eat a little bit better. It’s not going well so far."

- Matthew Gentle, Junior "My resolution was to try new things, especially foodwise. I’m very picky about my food, mostly textures and things I didn’t like as a kid."

- McKayla Hartsock, Senior "In general it is just to be organized. My house is clean and that really helps having all my possessions outside of school being organized."

- Miah Shirley, Sophomore "My resolution is to kind of just keep working both school wise and job wise, so I can build up time and money. Then I can move to Japan and get a job, a real career.”

- Ryan Webb, Senior

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Looking Back

The good ol' days DYLAN HARRIS News Editor

Courtesy of Easterner Archives Vol. 24 Issue 9

Easterner Asks

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The EWU football team came up just short this past weekend, losing in the FCS National Championship game to North Dakota State.

Second place in the nation is no easy feat, and making the national championship would meet and exceed the standards set by any FCS school, except for maybe NDSU, who has won seven of the past eight national titles.

Here’s a look back at The 2010 football team celebrates their 20-19 victory over No. 5 Delaware in the EWU’s first and only other NCAA Division I FCS National Championship game. The 2010 team went 13-2 overall. national championship appearance in 2010, in which victory. key returning success over recent years, Some the Eagles held off Delaware Head coach Beau Baldwin’s but 2010 was the year to players next year, including 20-19 to claim the school’s 2010 Eagles were led by remember. quarterback Eric Barriere, only title win. EWU trailed quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell, This year’s championship will look to accomplish the 19-0 at one point in the game, who was a key component in didn’t yield the same results, ultimate goal again next but were able to march back the second-half comeback. though second place is year. in a triumphant comeback EWU football has seen much nothing to be ashamed of.

Brief

FEM+FEST promotes positive images of feminism ERIK ROTNESS A&F Editor The Spokane chapter of the National Organization for Women and the Downtown Spokane Public Library will host the second-annual FEM+FEST on April 27th

from 6-9 p.m. on the library's third floor.

"The overarching goal of FEM+FEST is to present positive, diverse representations of intersectional feminism and to highlight the exceptional feminist artists, performers and activists of the Inland

Empire,” according to a press release from Spokane NOW. The volunteer-organized feminist art festival was originally the idea of Spokane NOW and is moving from its original location at The Bartlett in Spokane to provide more space for feminist artists and access to

attendees.

Submissions of visual art, poetry, music, and performance art for the festival from self-identified feminist artists will be accepted for admission review until Feb. 28. at https://www.spokanenow. org/art-submissions.

Calendar Washington Trails Association Mount Spokane

When: Jan. 9, 9 a.m.- 1 p.m.

Where: Snowshoe Trails What: WTA is hosting a work party to maintain

year-round trails at Mount Spokane. Volunteers will brush out snowshoe trails on the mountain and will need snowshoes and winter gear such as waterproof boots and gloves. The hike for the trail will be between 2-4 miles.

Healthy U Fair

When: Jan. 10, 11:30 a.m.-1p.m.

Where: Riverpoint Campus, Spokane

Academic Center Lobby What: The Healthy U Fair is an event for WSU Spokane and EWU students to focus on wellness and self-care. The event will include massages, healthy snacks, trivia and workshops. The event is free.

Majestic Wonderland

CELLObration Spokane

scene at a paint and sip event in Spokane.

Admission is $40. Attendees must be 21 or over.

at this event, featuring Grammy-winning guest artist Jonah Kim. Admission is free.

When: Jan. 11, 7-9:30 p.m.

Where: Pinot’s Palette, Spokane What: Drink wine and paint a snowy winter

www.TheEasterner.org

When: Jan. 12, 7:30 p.m.

Where: EWU Music Building Recital Hall What: Over 50 cellists will perform together

Ar

Courtesy of the EWU Gallery of Art.

8 The Easterner

Reinaldo Gil Zambrano's "Paranoia Crepuscular" (above) and Humberto Saenz's "Jugando en Guerra - Pelea de Globos" (spread) were created based on the theme of frontier. The artists are among the 27 included in the "Frontera" exhibit coming to EWU, which explores ideas like the interpretation of homeland and present tensions between self and other.

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Explore Frontera ERIK ROTNESS A&F Editor The EWU Gallery of Art will host “Frontera,” a print-making portfolio exchange, Jan. 24 through Feb. 28.

“Frontera” was organized by Colorado based artist Fawn Atencio and consists of prints by 27 artists on the theme of frontier.

“Interpretations of the theme include— but are not limited to—a remote piece of land or a new field of study,” according to a press release from the EWU Gallery of Art. “Artists were asked to consider how they interpret homeland, line, boundary, border, limit, confine or closure. In the present time of tensions between self and other, 'our' land and 'your' land, consider how we use lands and space of any kind to embrace or separate, contribute to a collaborative cause, or work quietly alone.”

“Frontera” is the sixth consecutive portfolio exchange Atencio has organized. In her artist statement, she explains that some artists represented in the exhibit are not printmakers, but artists who have embraced the new frontier of print-making.

An opening reception for the exhibit will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 23 at noon in the EWU Gallery of Art. The gallery is open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Admission to the gallery is free.•

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Arts & Features

Courtesy of Sherry Syrie

10 - The Easterner

"You know what.. He just left."(above) is one of the pieces in the upcoming "Perceptions of Reality" gallery show. Seventh grade Westwood Middle School student Caleb Hummel created the piece to represent leaving the school.

Downtown gallery perceives new reality SHANDRA HAGGERTY Reporter Cheney and Westwood Middle School students will showcase their art at an EWU Downtown Student Gallery show called Perceptions of Reality Jan. 15 through March 7.

"Perceptions of Reality" is an opportunity for sixth, seventh and eighth graders to capture how they perceive the world and showcase that through artwork. The show

consists of 45 pieces of artwork including paintings and sculptures.

“The exhibit includes a variety of student art, but is centered around the idea that each piece is a unique statement on how this remarkable age group sees the world around them,” Westwood Middle School art teacher Katherine Potter said.

“We are all very excited about this event and the opportunity to honor our local art students,” Cheney Middle School art teacher Sherry Syrie said.

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"Perceptions of Reality" is the second art show the gallery has put together for Cheney Middle School students. The first show in 2016 only featured art from Cheney Middle School, but this year Westwood Middle School students will also participate.

“We're very happy to be doing this again,” Syrie said. “Events like this have a way of bringing the community together and enriching the lives of our students, their families, and others.”

“Middle school art is about learning to see the world like an artist," Potter said. “But it is also about learning to express one’s own reality through a visual medium."

The exhibit includes a variety of art pieces demonstrating how a middle schooler might view the world around them. An example is a drawing by Caleb Hummel, a Westwood Middle School seventh grader. He titled it, “You know what . . He just left.,” and wrote the following artist statement. “The meaning of my title is how I see the picture inside the paper. It is what it might look like after I leave this beloved school. When I’m done with my year in eighth grade, I want to let newcomers know, ‘Cherish your life.

Live your life the way you want. Be a person people can count on because we all want to help people.’”

The show is free to visit and held at EWU’s nonprofit gallery in Brewster Hall. The gallery, operated by EWU student affairs, holds events throughout the year featuring art from both EWU faculty and students as well as guests.

The gallery hours are Tuesday through Thursday from 3 to 5 p.m. and an artist reception will be Jan. 17 from 4:30 to 6 p.m.•

New play comes to EWU EMMALINE SYLVESTER Reporter A relatable story of unrequited love and heartache is articulated by playwright Anton Chekhov in the play “The Seagull.”

Jeffrey Sanders, senior lecturer at EWU and director, is excited to announce the upcoming play “The Seagull” which will be showing at the EWU theatre in March.

“The Seagull is a young person's play,” Sanders said. “I think everyone, especially at this age, is right in the sweet spot to understand and get The Seagull.”

Taking on “The Seagull” was an exciting challenge according to Sanders. He says there is a lot of ambiguous language and subtext that requires the viewers to understand the characters wants, desires and circumstances.

“Our goal is to make it less about ultrarealism and present the play more through the way the main character Constantine would present the play, which is more symbolic, ethereal and more poetic,” Sanders said.

Sanders plans to utilize dance and original music in the production to highlight the symbolist nature and emotionality of the piece.

“Characters in Chekhov will be talking about the weather, but really they will be talking about the sun setting on their lives,” Sanders said.

“The Seagull” will be showing at the EWU Theatre on March 8, 9, 15 and 16 at 7:30 p.m., March 10 at 2 p.m. and March 14 at 5 p.m.

Tickets are free with an Eagle ID or $10 cash at the door for the general public.•

EWU and WSU Spokane program helps students focus on wellbeing Self-care is more than yoga at sunrise and Instagram-worthy gluten-free pasta topped with kale pesto. There are many aspects of wellness that work together to cultivate wellbeing that don’t have to be expensive or timely. Katie Gilsdorf, director of Student Leadership and Involvement on the WSU Spokane campus and Lindsey Fulton, Health Education Coordinator on the EWU Cheney campus, had this in mind in their creation of the Healthy U Wellness program.

Their goal is to promote the primary aspects of personal health including physical, emotional, social and intellectual, with the hope of encouraging students to practice wellness and wellbeing in their own lives.

Twice a semester at the Spokane campus, Healthy U: Discovery Wellbeing fairs have included events ranging from the humane society bringing animals to help students relax during finals week, to a local massage school bringing their students in to offer free 15 minute massages.

Many campus resources are invited to these fairs to spread awareness of their services and how students can utilize them for their own wellness. The campus fitness center has come

Courtesy of the Healthy U Welness Program

EMMALINE SYLVESTER Reporter

Students participate in the Healthy U Wellness Fair on Nov. 1, 2018. Katie Gilsdorf (left) and Lindsey Fulton (right) hosted the event at the Spokane Academic Center. in to demonstrate quick at-home workouts, the Fresh Plate Cafe and campus pantry have handed out recipes for healthy eating on a dime, the counseling center has come in to help students de-stress during finals week and the financial aid staff have come in to educate students on budgeting. These are just a few of the resources that attend the Healthy U fairs and prepare interactive activities to show students various ways to practice wellness in their own lives.

“I think it is incredibly valuable to have an event where we can make students, especially on the Spokane campus, aware of the

resources that they do have available to them,” Fulton said.

Managing and balancing daily responsibilities can be very difficult for busy college students, but Gilsdorf points out that making an effort to develop healthy habits now can help students in the long run.

“I firmly believe that if our students, that are here in the really rigorous programs, can learn to prioritize their own wellbeing here, then it is going to create healthier pathways for them later on when they’re in their careers, growing their families and developing significant relationships,” Gilsdorf said.

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The Healthy U fairs are hosted in the lobby of the Spokane Academic Center building and are open to WSU Spokane campus and all EWU students. The upcoming Healthy U fair will be held on Thursday, Jan. 10th from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Last fall, the Health, Wellness and Prevention services on the Cheney campus started a program called Wellbeing Coaching.

Fulton and health educator coordinator, Laura Gant, met one-on-one with students to coach them through wellness goals including time management, working out, sleep schedule, financial stability etc.

“We let you as the student guide the session and we try to figure out what is important to you,” Fulton said.

“For some people that balance will look a lot different than other peoples balance,” Gilsdorf said. “You’ll know when you have achieved balance when the different elements of your life fall into place such as your relationships, your study habits and your test scores.”

Sessions, that are covered by your comprehensive student health fee as an EWU student, can be scheduled by emailing wellbeingcoach@ewu.edu and more information can be found at https://sites.ewu. edu/bewell/wellbeing-coaching/.•

Spokane

11 Former Gonzaga Jesuits named in sexual abuse report 1.9.19 - V102 I11

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Two university administrators have since resigned after it was reported last month that at least 20 Jesuits who resided in the Bea House on Gonzaga's campus were accused of sexual abuse IAN DAVIS-LEONARD The Gonzaga Bulletin

those that lived there.

According to the statement, Gonzaga “is not aware of any reports of abuse or misconduct involving retired priests during the time they were living in Cardinal Bea House.”

“If I had been passed on knowledge [regarding the histories of those living in the Bea House], I probably would’ve been compelled to engage differently,” McCulloh said.

Ian Davis-Leonard is a sports editor for The Gonzaga Bulletin, Gonzaga University's student-run newspaper. The following story ran on the publication's website on Dec. 18, 2018.

Safety plans While at Bea House, those with allegations against them would be placed on safety plans that required the actions of individuals be monitored and prohibit unsupervised conduct with individuals of the profiles whom they sexually abused.

Voiss, the rector at GU for the past six years, said he was unable to say how recently any of the Jesuits with “safety plans” were on the university’s campus, although he estimated that it was “certainly over a year ago.”

Obligation to students?

Courtesy of Emily Schwing, Associated Press

In the middle of Gonzaga University’s campus stands the Jesuit-owned Cardinal Bea House, a facility that—for three decades—served as a retirement center for Jesuits, some of whom were sexual abusers.

The Jesuits came from across the Oregon Province, an area that includes Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Alaska, to retire.

“Some men who had credible allegations and were removed from ministry were housed at Bea House for a period of years, where there was a superior assigned specifically to monitor them and care for them and to keep them safe and away from circumstances that would be problematic,” said Father Jim Voiss, rector of the Community of Jesuits at GU, in September.

Voiss said that he was not involved in any of the decisions surrounding the situation.

“In large part, it was because we needed a space for them to live in,” Voiss said.

The Bea House — which is owned by Jesuits West and not managed by GU — was determined to be an ideal location for these individuals as it is near the Mount St. Michael’s north of Spokane, which has a cemetery for Jesuits.

According to an investigation published by the The Northwest News Network and The Center for Investigative Reporting, at least 20 Jesuits who resided in the Bea House were accused of sexual abuse.

The investigation details the records of sexual misconduct by priests, mainly in Native Alaskan villages, who were relocated to GU to serve out their retirement.

The Cardinal Bea House on Gonzaga's Spokane campus. A recent report said at least 20 Jesuits who resided in the complex were accused of sexual abuse.

“If I had been passed on knowledge (regarding the histories of those living in the Bea House), I probably would've been more compelled to engage differently. ” - Thayne McCulloh Gonzaga University president According to Jesuit records, the last priest on a “safety plan” was moved from the Bea House in 2016.

Now, all known abusive Jesuits have been moved to a community in Los Gatos, California, where they “can receive the kind of oversight that is appropriate and necessary to ensure the safety of the people,” Voiss said.

In October, GU President Thayne McCulloh said he was never contacted by the Jesuit provinces regarding the placement of Jesuits in the Bea House or missioned at the university, but he knew some Bea House residents had safety plans.

McCulloh said he was not sure when he first became aware that Jesuits on

safety plans were living on campus. In a statement released on Dec. 17, 2018, McCulloh said he was not aware of some of the Jesuits’ actions until the The Northwest News Network and The Center report was published.

History of negligence?

As GU’s first non-Jesuit president, McCulloh said he believes previous presidents may have known of the accusations against residents of the Bea House through informal transmission of information inside the Jesuit community, but that he did not know what Jesuits were assigned where or the credibility of the allegations against

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Voiss was hesitant to say whether students should have been notified of their sexually abusive neighbors.

“I wasn’t [the Jesuits in the Bea House’s] superior, I wasn’t in a position to make any determination on that, so I’m not going to comment on that,” Voiss said.

“Certainly, if there were any real danger to the students, then something about that probably should’ve been addressed, but I think that the individuals who were there, their inclinations were towards different profiles."

“To publicize the fact of the people that are living there also raises the possibility of a lot of very high profile public action. So I don’t know how to best resolve that.”

Preventative measures Currently, Voiss said that Jesuits undergo annual training to ensure clarity surrounding what constitutes a violation of boundaries and what circumstances might arise where they need to be noticed.

Additionally, before entering the Society of Jesus, individuals go through an intense vetting process that includes extensive conversations with vocation directors, psychological evaluations and background checks.

However, the rector was uncertain of what recourse was taken after a claim was made.

“If an allegation is substantiated, and I don’t know the sequencing on this, and it could be immediately, I’m not sure when, the civil authorities are notified,” Voiss said. “We’ve gotten more alert over the course of the mistakes of the past and the bad choices that have been made, we’ve learned how to work with the civil authorities and make sure everything is taken care of from that side, but also to prevent things from happening in the first place.” •

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Sports

V102 I11 - 1.9.19

Cutting around steep ski prices DREW LAWSON Reporter While many students enjoy skiing and snowboarding as a hobby, it does become expensive over time. Skyler Piper, an EWU senior who works for EPIC, described the many costs associated with skiing.

“The gear isn’t cheap," Piper said. "Getting yourself to the mountain can be difficult, and then you have to buy your lift ticket...If you want to get a decent amount of days up there and have your own gear, you’re not going to be spending much less than $400 to $500.”

Mount Spokane, located an hour northeast of Cheney, is currently open for the season to both prospective skiers and snowboarders. College students can buy a season pass for $519 or daily lift tickets that range in price from $22 to $52, depending on what time of day you go. All information can be found at mtspokane.com.

Reed Siclair, who works for EPIC Adventures, suggests first time skiers and snowboarders go to Mount Spokane because of the proximity to the Cheney/ Spokane area.

“Mount Spokane (is) super close, and it’s pretty accessible,” Siclair said. “It’s pretty cheap compared to other mountains.”

Another local slope, 49 Degrees North, located in Chewelah, is a popular winter sports resort in the Inland Northwest.

Season passes are $700 for college students, and daily lift tickets range from $36 to $56.

Schweitzer Mountain Resort is located 11 miles northeast of Sandpoint, Idaho.

Season passes are $499 for ages 18-25, and day lift tickets are $81 for a full day and $69 for a half day.

Mount Hood Skibowl is another popular ski and snowboard resort located in northern Oregon. Season passes for ages 1524 are $519, and day lift tickets range from $36 to $55 depending on the time of day.

Students interested in going on skiing or snowboarding trips for a lower cost can rent gear from EPIC Adventures on campus. full snowboard and ski sets are available for $14, including board/skis, helmet and boots.

Snow jackets and pants are also available for $4 each. To view a full list of gear visit the EPIC Adventures website or go to their desk located in the bottom level of the URC.•

Average cost to buy your own ski and snowboard gear Total cost:

New

Used

$475-970

$195-450

New $70-120

$25-50

Gloves

$15-30

$5-10

Snow pants

$40-70

$15-40

Ski jacket

Taylor Newquist for The Easterner

Used

Boots and bindings

$150-350 $70-150

M

w c a s w o

S s

Skis or snowboard

$200-400 $80-200

Prices are rough estimates, with new prices coming from Amazon and used coming from eBay Inc.

A y i t f h

s w s a

f D s

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Courtesy of the Chewelah Independent

1.9.19 - V102 I11

Davis Croson attempts to land a grind on a rail at the 49 Degrees North ThanksJibbing event on Nov. 25. Croson has participated in competitions at Mount Spokane and 49 Degrees North, mostly at charity events.

Mountains call Eagles to the slopes DREW LAWSON Reporter Walking to class in frigid temperatures, while the wind blows and snow falls, is common place during winter quarter at EWU. While this may be an ominous sign to students who prefer warm weather, others see the cold weather as an opportunity for recreation.

Many students head to Mount Spokane, Schweitzer Mountain and other slopes to ski and snowboard on the weekends.

Reed Siclair, who works for EPIC Adventures, skied competitively for a few years earlier in his career and now does it regularly as a hobby. He was introduced to the sport 10 years ago by a group of family-friends in the Spokane area and has been hooked ever since.

“There was a group of guys that started skiing together, and I was family friends with one of the younger brothers,” Siclair said. “They made a movie, I watched that, and I got into it and started skiing.”

Siclair enjoyed success that included a first place finish in the Kan Jam Amateur Division competition at Mount Spokane several years ago.

“I kinda stopped (competing) just because it’s more fun to goof around with your buddies,” Siclair said.

Snowboarder Davis Croson, a sophomore at EWU majoring in construction management, also spends a lot of time at Mount Spokane, 49 Degrees North and other slopes in the area. He got into snowboarding and continues to snowboard because of the opportunity it brings to participate in a shared activity with friends. “[Snowboarding] is really what we did every day after school,” Croson said.

“Wednesday through Sunday we would just go up to the mountain. I would consider it more of a home...that was our safe haven.”

Croson has also done competitions at Mount Spokane and 49 Degrees North, mostly at charity events, enjoying some successful finishes.

“I have yet to get first, but I’ve gotten silver and bronze the last two competitions that I’ve been to,” Croson said. “I’ve done four competitions and gotten silver three times with bronze once.”

Croson added that he enjoys the communal spirit of the competitors,

more than trying to win.

“It’s a competition, but there’s not a competition aspect to it,” Croson said.

“Instead of it being like ‘Oh, I have to be better than this person,’ it’s more like if someone does something cool, you say, ‘That’s sick, what can I do that would also be sick?’ Instead of it being like a competition it’s more like a bunch of friends all riding and having a good time.”

Due to the proximity of mountain ranges such as the Cascade Mountains and the Rocky Mountains, there is no shortage of skiing and snowboarding opportunities in the area. The most popular in the area is Mount Spokane, but Siclair and Croson

also mentioned several others. Siclair loves to go to Schweitzer Mountain Resort in northern Idaho, and Croson recently enjoyed his time at Mt. Hood in Oregon.

“I’ve been to Hood a couple of times in the past few years,” Croson said. “It’s pretty competitive, though. The stakes are high.”

This quarter, EPIC Adventures will be leading several skiing and snowboarding lessons at Schweitzer and a multitude of night ski/snowboard trips to Mt. Spokane.

There are also day trips to other resorts in the area. Interested students can visit the EPIC Adventures desk on campus for more information or go to their website.•

“Wednesday through Sunday we would just go up to the mountain.

I would consider it more of a home...that was our safe haven.”

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- DAVIS CROSON Sophomore Snowboarder

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Sports

Women's hoops struggle over the break

V102 I11 - 1.9.19

While most students were enjoying their holiday break after finals ended fall quarter, the women’s basketball team spent most of December on the road finishing their nonconference schedule and starting Big Sky Conference play.

The Eagles (2-11, 1-3) went over a month (Dec. 2 to Jan. 7) without playing a home game, going 1-5 in that stretch.

“It was hard playing away from home,” senior guard Kapri Morrow said. “We play better at home. We just need to adjust on the road so we can play on the road like we play at home and keep progressing.”

Despite the string of losses, EWU head coach Wendy Schuller saw a lot of growth from the team during the month on the road.

“The (growth) has been huge,” Schuller said. “It feels like it’s a different team.

I hope a month from now we feel even better about ourselves.”

After a home defeat to Fresno State on Dec. 2, EWU lost three more games in a row. On Dec. 7, Boise State got the best of the Eagles 67-55. At the Maui Classic on Dec. 14 and 15, EWU lost two games in two days. The first defeat came at the hands of No. 11 Oregon State 93-45, and the second was to UC Riverside 57-45 in the final nonconference game of the season.

EWU snapped a seven-game losing streak in its first BSC game at Weber State by a score of 64-58. Morrow and freshman guard Grace Kirscher led the Eagles with 13 points apiece, and senior forward Alissa Sealby added seven points and eight rebounds.

The Eagles finished 2018 on New Year’s Eve with another road defeat, this time at the hands of Idaho State 63-48. The New Year didn’t bring newfound success, as the road trip concluded with a Jan. 3 loss to rival University of Idaho 84-68.

As expected, EWU has been led by Morrow, who is seven points away from 1,000 for her career. Morrow is averaging 17.5 points and 5.6 rebounds, both team highs. Sophomore guard Brittany Klaman leads the team in assists with 29 total so far this season.

As a team, EWU is shooting just 35.7 percent

Mckenzie Ford for The Easterner

DREW LAWSON Reporter

Junior forward Uriah Howard goes to win a tip against Northern Colorado on Jan. 7. Howard scored eight points with five rebounds in the Eagles' 67-62 overtime loss. from the field and 30.3 percent from 3-point distance. Junior guard Andie Easley leads the team in field goal percentage at 46.7 percent, but has played in just three games. Sealby leads in 3-point percentage at 42.9 percent.

With just two wins in 12 games, the Eagles will need to pick up some wins in order to improve its current seventh place Big Sky standing. Luckily for EWU, the conference standings are based solely on conference record, so the Eagles’ nonconference record won’t count against them in the Big Sky chase.

There are 16 remaining regular season games following Monday’s contest versus Northern Colorado.

Nine of those games are in the friendly confines of Reese Court, and seven are back on the road. The teams coming into Cheney include rivals Montana, Idaho and Portland State. The Eagles will also welcome Sacramento State, Montana State, Southern Utah, Northern Arizona, Idaho State and Weber State. The road games are at UM, MSU, SUU, NAU, UNC, Sac State and PSU.

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All BSC games are played with the intention of getting the best possible seed at the Big Sky Conference Tournament, taking place March 11-16 in Boise, Idaho.

The winner of the BSC Tournament receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

All EWU home games are played at Reese Court in Cheney and are free to students with ID. The schedule is posted on the official EWU Athletics website, goeags.com.

Ticket information for the general public can be also be found at goeags.com.•

Sports

1.9.19 - V102 I11

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Unanswered runs stumble Eagles The men’s basketball campaign has gotten off to a rocky start.

In nonconference play, the Eagles battled injuries and a road-heavy schedule to muster a 2-9 record. Now in full swing of the Big Sky Conference slate, the team is 1-3 in such games.

Giving up lengthy runs has been a detriment to EWU’s season thus far. In the first four conference games, the Eagles have been outscored 20-3 (Weber State on Dec. 29), 8-0 (Idaho State on Dec. 31), 34-7 (Idaho on Jan. 3) and 23-7 (Northern Colorado on Jan. 7) at different points of each contest.

Although they were able to overcome the 8-0 deficit to begin the Idaho State game, it is still a problem that needs to be improved.

"We have 13 or 14 players who can make plays," head coach Shantay Legans said after losing to Northern Colorado on Jan. 7. “And there are going to be injuries and lulls during the season. But you always have to play hard and I have to figure out a way for our players to play hard for 40 minutes and not go through those lulls.

We can't put our heads down when teams make a run on us.”

The going doesn’t get any easier as the Eagles host rival Montana on Thursday.

The Grizzlies, who took down EWU in the title game of the conference tournament last year, return over 85 percent of their scoring.

There is still time to right the ship, with two months and 16 games remaining on the conference schedule. Last year’s squad was 6-8 in nonconference play, but went 13-5 and finished third in the BSC. The Eagles returned four starters from that team, however they

Taylor Newquist for The Easterner

MICHAEL BROCK Editor in Chief

Senior guard Cody Benzel returns to the bench against Weber State on Dec. 29. Benzel was one for five from 3-point range in the game, and is 33 of 95 on the season. lost league MVP Bogdan Bliznyuk.

Junior forward Mason Peatling, who missed the team’s first 10 games due to injury, is leading the way. Peatling is pouring in a team-high 16.2 points to go

along with 7.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists in five games. Senior forward Jesse Hunt is notching 14.7 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game, while sophomore guard Jacob Davison is averaging 10.3 points.

University Apartments

"We have to put the ball in the hole,” said Legans, whose team was picked fourth in the preseason media and coaches’ polls.

"At the end of the day, that's what we need to do.”•

1027 Cedar St Cheney, WA 99004 apartments@ewu.edu

The University Apartments provides housing on campus for students who are married or have children, single graduate students, and single students aged 25+.

We have two apartment complexes: Anna Maria, across from the EWU Children’s Center Townhouse Apartments, behind the Red Barn on 7th St Rent includes: One parking permit, water, sewer, garbage, and internet Financial aid can be applied to students rent after tuition and fees, or students can be charged monthly.

July and August are charged monthly.

Anna Maria

Townhouses

Family Apartment Pricing

Family Apartment Pricing

Single Student Pricing

2 BDRM (Shared) - $510/month

1 BDRM - $490/month 2 BDRM - $580/month

1 BDRM - $490/month 2 BDRM (Shared) - $450/month

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2 BDRM - $650/month 3 BDRM - $730/month

Single Student Pricing

Sports

V102 I11 - 1.9.19

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16 - The Easterner

North Dakota State fans flood out of the stands as their team is crowned FCS National Champions in Frisco, Texas on Jan. 5. The Bison have won seven of the last eight title games, repeating as champions in the 2017 and 2018 seasons.

Eagles fall one stop short North Dakota State University is a football machine, designed to wear down and demoralize its opponents into early concessions. The Bison did this on the way to winning FCS National Championships, as they have done seven of the last eight years.

Yet, after a seemingly never-ending 10 minute drive that ended in a NDSU missed field goal, the Eagles regained possession down 14 points with three minutes and 21 seconds left, and they were not done.

The Eagles drove 80 yards in just over a minute to cut the lead to seven, a margin the undefeated Bison had seen just twice all season, and hadn’t encountered since early November against Youngstown State.

NDSU recovered an onside kick attempt from EWU, but were forced into a third and seven situation with one minute and 16 seconds remaining. Bison quarterback Easton Stick took a read option through a hole in the line for a 46-yard touchdown. A stop on that play and the Eagles would have had a chance for a game-tying drive.

After the game EWU head coach Aaron Best took most of the blame for the result.

“I feel like I failed the seniors,” Best said.

“I’ve got to do more, but we fought through

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Taylor Newquist for The Easterner

TAYLOR NEWQUIST Sports Editor

Left to right: Defensive linemen junior Keith Moore, junior Dylan Ledbetter and freshman Mitchell Johnson look on as the offense takes the field late in the fourth quarter. The defensive line played without Big Sky Defensive Player of the year Jay-Tee Tiuli, who was suspended for a violation of team rules. a lot of adversity, whether it be bad playing, bad coaching or penalties. We self-inflicted some of the wounds we had.”

In a season filled with adversity, the Eagles never quit. They defied expectations when starter after starter went down with season ending injuries, and still persevered to the second best finish in EWU football history.

Sophomore quarterback Eric Barriere had the biggest shoes to fill, coming in after the fifth game for senior Gage Gubrud, who racked up nearly 10,000 passing yards in his career. In 10 starts Barriere threw for 2,437 yards with 23 touchdowns and 569 rushing yards with eight touchdowns.

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If Barriere had played the entire season and maintained his averages, he would’ve thrown for 3,412 yards with 32 touchdowns and rushed for 797 yards with 11 touchdowns. The future is bright for the EWU quarterback, who after the game said the offseason starts now.

“I’m just hungry really,” Barriere said.

“Since the game is over, (I’m going to) watch film, just take all that with me and just be better. That’s all I can say because next year we have a lot of players coming back and hopefully we can return again.”

After a 2017 season that left EWU out of the playoffs, the team carried a chip on their shoulders. From training camp in August through the New Year, they showed they had something to prove.

“When I signed here this is exactly what I expected, to play in the national championship game,” senior running back Sam McPherson said. “Obviously it didn’t turn out how we wanted it to, but it’s been an absolute blast to wear this EWU uniform.”

The 2018 Eagles stamped their place as one of the best to strap on the black and red.

They finished the season No.2 in the country in both the Stats' and coaches' polls.

At least nine starters from the championship game will return to the team next season, with the biggest holes needing to be filled at offensive line and corner back. EWU fielded four senior corners and four seniors on the offensive line.•

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