asterner The Easterner
The_Easterner
@EasternerOnline
Eastern Washington University’s Independent Student Newspaper
Wednesday, November 29, 2017
www.EasternerOnline.com
Volume 101, Issue 10
Pastiche O’Plenty Page 9
Photo courte s
y E WU
Opera
D e par
tm e nt
Alum keeps EWU ties as sports agent
Page 16
Photo courtesy EWU Athletics
Late professor honored in exhibit Page 8
Photo courtesy Marshall E. Peterson
2 | The Easterner Editor in Chief
Brandon Cline 509.359.7010 easterner.editor@ewu.edu
Managing Editor
Logan Stanley easterner.mngeditor@ewu.edu
Volume 101, Issue | November 29, 2017 Volume 101, Issue 1010 | November 29, 2017 3 News | 5 Police Beat | 6 Opinion | 7 Arts and Entertainment | 10 Events | 12 Sports
Easterner Asks:
Chief Copy Editor
Amanda Haworth easternercopy@gmail.com
News Editor
Josh Fletcher easterner.news@gmail.com
Sports Editor
Michael Brock easterner.sports@gmail.com
Fabion Molina, Junior
Arts & Entertainment and Features Editor Dayana Morales easterner.aef@gmail.com
Multimedia Editor
Audrey Seda easterner.social@gmail.com
Art Director
Andrew Watson easterner.photo@gmail.com
Social Media Director
Richard Clark IV easterner.online@gmail.com
Katie Flood, Senior
“We talk about how we’ve all been, ya know some of us are going to school, some of us are working. Everyone lives in different states and towns, so it’s the one time we all get together and catch up.” “We are all really spread out so all of my family comes to my mom’s. We just talk about how work and school is, social life, like boyfriends & girlfriends. We catch up, it’s the one time all of my family gets together.”
Ryan Wilson, Senior
During Thanksgiving (if you practice it), what does your family talk about at the dinner table? “Usually just family stuff; work, school. We just see how well everything is going, I ask how things are around the house and catch up on how my brother is doing in school, he is in sports too so I ask about that.”
Elizabeth Mae, Sophomore
“We talk about the food. I just chill with my sister and brother because I am still stuck at the kids table.”
Whitney Wollweber, Sophomore
Amber Ross, Junior
“We talk about who can eat the most mashed potatoes, and we laugh at the cats. There are a lot of cats, my family has four and I have one, so it never ends.”
“Politics and food. My mom’s boyfriend has a huge crush on Hillary Clinton, so there is a long speech about why she is such an amazing person. Then my mom tells him why she is better than Hillary.”
Student Photo Corner Classic Manito Junior Erik Rotness submitted this photo to The Easterner. “I took this photo on a regular stroll around Manito Park. A casual walk in the park helps me clear my head and focus on what’s important. The dependable beauty of the park is just a bonus. ”
Copy Editor Taylor Waring
Reporters
Sam Jackson Jeremy Burnham
Graphic Designer Gail Powers
Photographers Mckenzie Ford Bailey Monteith
Faculty Adviser Carleigh Hill chill26@ewu.edu
Our Mission The mission of The Easterner is to inform the students, faculty, staff and nearby residents of Eastern Washington University of the governance, activities and views of the campus while providing a learning environment for students interested in journalism and related fields. Our main goal is to publish high-quality news content to the community of Eastern Washington University.
Circulation The Easterner publishes a weekly print version as well as web content during the week at http://www.easterneronline. com. 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.
Submission Guidelines
To submit photos to The Easterner, attach the largest filesize in an email to the Art Director at easterner.photo@ gmail.com, accompanied by your first and last name, photo name and no more than 50 words describing your photograph. The picture does not have to correlate with any content being printed the week of. All submissions must be received by Monday night the week you would like it to be published. Photos must be appropriate and not include obscenities.
The Easterner | 3
November 29, 2017 | Volume 101, Issue 10
News
The Easterner Archives Student’s EagleCards still give them access to halls they no longer live in. snyamcut is one that students have been able to get into.
EagleCard security raises concerns for residence halls Rebecca Pettingill Contributing Writer EWU residence halls require key cards for entrance and EWU Police patrol regularly. Recently though, a security concern has been raised. Students who no longer live in student housing may still have easy access to their previous residence. EagleCards are pre-magnetized during the summer for the different dorms at Access Control in Tawanka Hall. Each keycard has its own identification number in the top right corner which allows employees to know which card is authorized for which hall. Students who lived in the residence hall at some point may still be authorized access into that hall. While this is not true for all students, some have made it past the deauthorization process. For those who lose their card or switch residences, Access Control will see that the student was
authorized for a building they no longer need access to and will de-authorize the unnecessary access. The percentage that slips through the cracks in this process is what raises security concerns. Peyton Gibbs, a freshman and employee of Access Control, explained that the issue is the housing office only sends over a new list of students who need access the upcoming year, not who are leaving and need to be deauthorized. So, they only add to the list of authorized EagleCards, instead of clearing the system every year. Someone who moves out of the dorms at the end of the year and does not lose their EagleCard still has access to the dorm they had been in. This potentially puts students’ safety at risk. Officer Randolph Moore of the EWU Police Department said this is a crime. While a student’s card has current access, the intent was for the duration of their residence in the hall. Using the card
to gain access when they no longer reside there is trespassing. Moore explained that while there has not been significant problems with this, there was one incident last year where a student had reported that they had lost their EagleCard and went through the process of obtaining a new one. They never actually lost the first one, but instead gave it to a friend who was from Tacoma. The first card was never deactivated like it should have been, resulting in the student having two working EagleCards. They then allowed their friend to come and go whenever they pleased and stay in the dorm. “That raises a red f lag for me, being an officer,” said Moore. “I didn’t even know.” Brock Sieb, Area Coordinator of Brewster Hall and Apartments, has also expressed concern over this. “We’ve also complained to them [Access Control] that from time to time we know that
random things happen like that.” Following that, Sieb said that he would make sure a list was sent to Access Control immediately. Within an hour of speaking with Sieb, I received a call from Melanie Potts from the housing office, stating that they give a list of those who should have deauthorized cards to Access Control daily. With conf licting reports of how EagleCard authorization into the dorms is being handled, it is important that this issue is brought to attention now and that the right steps be taken to fix it. “It’s not about if [it needs to be adressed], Moore said. “It needs to be addressed.” •
4 | The Easterner
Volume 101, Issue 10 | November 29, 2017
News Riverpoint campus library now open for 24/7 access Josh Fletcher News Editor Have you ever wanted to go check out a book or find a quiet place to study at two in the morning? Well, the library at the Riverpoint Campus in Spokane is open 24 hours. “We started looking into this a year ago,” said Library Director Jonathan Potter. “There was a lot of positive feedback from students wanting us to add this service.” Potts has been the director for two years, and saw this switch as being something that would particularly benefit the students from WSU’s nursing school. “We did a survey of medical schools, and found it’s a trend among them.” Potter said. The busiest nights are unsurprisingly around midterms and finals, Potter said. “[It’s busier] more so earlier in the evening; midnight to 1 a.m [...] there can be up to 50 people in there per night.”
The library is open to all EWU and WSU students who fill out an in-person registration form and get security clearance from the university. With this being a 24-hour service, security is a major emphasis from the universities. “We are in the process of adding more security cameras and security guards on campus and doing more walk-throughs at night,” Potter said. Even though they already have tight security and have not had any issues before, they do not want to take any chances. For those who want to get up and walk around but have too much homework to be able to do that, they have a treadmill desk. You set your laptop up on the table and the treadmill will move so you can walk and type at the same time. The library offers a rare opportunity for students to not only study on their time, but meet people from another university. “It’s cool the way the library is a conduit for both institutions to come together,” Potter said. •
Photo courtesy Spokane Academic Library Facebook page Students study at the Spokane Academic Library. EWU students can use this space any time of the day or night they would like.
Public Hearing on Proposed WAC Changes December 6th, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. Tawanka Hall, Room 215A, Cheney, WA 99004 What are the proposed changes to the Washington Administrative Code? (1) Revise WAC 172-10-080, Costs of Providing Copies of Public Records (2) Revise WAC 172-10-090, Review of Denial of Public Records (3) Revise WAC 172-90-100, Student Academic Integrity, Violations & Sanctions (4) Revise WAC 172-122-310, Student Conduct Code, Sanctions (5) Revise WAC 172-122-200, Notice of Trespass (6) Revise WAC 172-122-310, Use of Tobacco, Electronic Cigarettes & Related Products (7) Revise WAC 172-191-100, Directory Information
What is the purpose of the proposed changes?
The purpose of the revisions of WAC 172-10-080, WAC 172-10-090, WAC 172-90-100, WAC 172-122-310, WAC 172-122-200, WAC 172-122-310, and WAC 172-191-100 follow respectively; (1) comply with Engrossed House Bill 1595 and the associated changes to RCW 42.56.070, (2) the revisions will clarify who receives a petition for review of denial of public records to reflect personnel changes, (3) to add a sentence indicating that sanctions of suspension or expulsion may be noted on a student’s transcript due to recommendations developed by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO), (4) to indicate that sanctions of suspension or expulsion may be noted on a student’s transcript due to recommendations developed by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO), (5) to update university standards and processes regarding the issuance of a notice of trespass due to changes in practice and law, (6) create a designated smoke-free area in the Arévalo Student Mall on the Cheney, WA campus based upon a student body request, (7) remove both the student’s net identification number and date and place of birth from EWU’s definition of directory information to provide additional security of student information.
Where to find the proposed rule changes:
Issues 2017-21 and 2017-22 of the Washington State Register, at: http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/law/wsr/wsrbyissue.htm
How to submit your opinions:
Members of the public may testify at this hearing and/or submit written comments by 5:00 p.m. on December 5, 2017, to: Eastern Washington University, University Labor Relations Manager, Human Resources, 314 Showalter Hall, Cheney, WA 99004; email jfuxa@ewu.edu; fax 509-359-2874.
Additional information:
(1) Date of Intended Adoption: February 23, 2018. (2) Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW28b.35.120(12). (3) WAC 172-10-080 is necessitated by state law. WAC 172-10-090, WAC 172-90-100, WAC 172-122-310, WAC 172-122-200, WAC 172-122-310 and WAC 172-191-100 are not necessitated by federal or state law or federal or state court decision. (4) Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Joseph Fuxa, 314 Showalter, Cheney, WA 99004, (509) 359-7496; Implementation and Enforcement: Dr. Mary Cullinan, 214 Showalter, Cheney, WA 99004, (509) 359-6362. (5) No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW as these WAC revisions are exempt under RCW 19.85.025(3). (6) A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328.
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November 29, 2017 | Volume 101, Issue 10
Police Beat Josh Fletcher News Editor
Weapons Violation November 14 Students of Dressler Hall were alarmed after seeing someone from their dorm post a video of himself waving a gun on Snapchat. Through an investigation by campus police they were able to identify the student and his friend who took the video. The gun ended up being an airsoft gun, but looked real enough to convince those who viewed the video. Both students were forwarded to the Student Rights and Responsibilities.
Malicious Mischief November 15 A custodian discovered a coat rack that was ripped off the wall in the men’s bathroom on the second floor of Showalter Hall. The destruction occurred during a Greek life event in the hall, according to police. The damage was estimated at $300, and police do not have any leads on who might have done this.
Illustration by Gail Powers for The Easterner
DUI November 16
Assault/Threats November 17
Drug Offense November 17
Drug Offense November 20
Just after 3:55 a.m. police officers noticed a car that pulled into a no-parking fire lane. Police pulled the car over and quickly realized the extent of intoxication the individual was exhibiting. The officer also saw a TV with the mount and dry wall screws still attached in his back seat along with a projector. After impounding the vehicle, officers found where the TV and projector were stolen from and were able to return them.
Police were called to Pearce Hall after midnight due to reports of domestic violence. One male student had a girl over who lived in the same building, and became angry with her after she made a comment about the fact that he had been drinking. He started yelling and punched her in the face. He then shouted he was going to find a knife and kill her, which he could not find. She left and he started stabbing himself with a pen. Once police showed up they arrested him and took him to Spokane County Jail.
While cadets were doing safety checks of Pearce Hall they noticed the smell of marijuana coming from one of the rooms on the third f loor. Officers responded and were able to make contact with three underage students. One admitted there was marijuana in the room and they had a vape pen which they used to smoke it. All three students were referred to Student Rights and Responsibilities.
During a walk-through of Morrison Hall, cadets smelled marijuana coming from a room on the fifth floor. Cops arrived and talked to the female resident who was under 21. She was charged with being a Minor in Possession after they found a pipe and jar of marijuana, and was referred to Student Rights and Responsibilities.
6 | The Easterner
Volume 101, Issue 10 | November 29, 2017
Opinion EDITORIAL
Down with Black Friday The Easterner Editorial Board In the past decade, the rise and rapid expansion of the shopping extravaganza that is Black Friday has evolved into a beast of its own. And it is something that needs to be curtailed. Since the turn of this decade, total money spent on Black Friday has skyrocketed. In 2010, $529.4 billion was spent by shoppers, per the financial company The Balance. Yes, indeed a staggering amount. Last year, that number jumped to $655.8 billion — an average of $935.58 spent per shopper. In only six years, there has been an $126.4 billion increase in total money spent on Black Friday. Numbers are still raw, but estimates by The Balance place the figure for 2017 at $682 billion. There is no way around it, Black Friday has become a behemoth. Us as a society are all responsible for the sensitization of Black Friday. There used to be a time when Black Friday actually started on Friday, and when people were not getting into fights over electronics. Now, retail workers are forced to head into work ON Thanksgiving and we have seen people sent to the hospital due to injuries sustained in altercations over consumer goods. Instead of getting to spend quality with their families and consuming copious amounts of food — a part of what the holidays are about — they are are confined to their workspace. All of this puts capitalism and profit first, rather than the Thanksgiving
spirit. These workers deserve to be at home with their loved ones. By participating in those early Black Friday deals, the issue is only aggravated further. The first step in scaling down the enormity of Black Friday begins with at least waiting until after midnight. Give those workers a chance to have a hearty meal with their loved ones before you begin your shopping odyssey. But in order to really tackle the issue that is Black Friday, then Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday should be your options for your holiday shopping. With these, retail workers are spared having to work on Thanksgiving or the day right after. That offers for more time with the family — the true essence of the holiday season. In Small Business Saturday, not only are you supporting local businesses, but you are also helping to alleviate the issues that arise with Black Friday. It is a win-win. In Cyber Monday, you completely remove the aspect of working over the holiday weekend while still getting those insane discount deals. Thus lessening the negativity that Black Friday brings and contributing to the economy — the best of both worlds. We are not saying you should avoid spending money. We understand these deals are rare and benefit the purchaser greatly. We know the positive effect it has on the economy. We are just saying be mindful before you start your shopping. The holiday season should be highlighted by compassion, and it is about time we started thinking about that first and foremost. •
Photo courtesy Associated Press/Elaine Thompson A shopper looks for deals on Black Friday in Seattle. An estimated $682 billion was spent on Black Friday in 2017.
Letter to the Editor Submission Guidelines -Letters should be 300 words or less and typed, or legibly handwritten. -Include your full name, signature, telephone number and email address for verification. -We reserve the right not to publish letters; furthermore, all letters are subject to editing for adherence to Associated Press style.
-Letters must be received no later than Monday at 10 a.m. in order to be considered for publication the following Wednesday. -If your letter is in response to a specific article, please list the title and date of the article.
We encourage the EWU community to submit letters and opinion pieces that conform to the requirements listed. Opinion articles and letters to the editor do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of The Easterner, its staff members or Eastern Washington University.
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November 29, 2017 | Volume 101, Issue 10
A&E
Featured guest makes Broken Mic appearance Dayana Morales Arts & Entertainment Editor Broken Mic, held every Wednesday night from 6:30-9 p.m. at Neato Burrito at 827 W 1st Ave., is free and open to all ages. The event has been taking place at Neato Burrito for seven years. They serve one-pound burritos, bowls, and quesadillas to enjoy while listening to the poets. They also have a couple of beers on tap as well. It is recommended that listeners arrive early, as booths fill up quickly in the small venue. Participants should be ready to sign up by 6 p.m. with the host Fitz Fitzpatrick, an EWU alumna and performance poet. Poets are encouraged to read their own poems, but reading another poet’s work is acceptable as well. The guidelines for Broken Mic are as followed: it is a sacred and safe space in which individuals can say whatever they
please; there will be artistic differences; and each author only has three minutes to read. “We do our best to keep this place as safe as possible, so if you see something, say something,” Fitzpatrick said. Last Wednesday, Nov. 22, Neato Burrito hosted a full house. The burrito shop was full of laugher and applauses as poets exchanged jokes with each other the whole night. Thirteen poets signed up to read original poems. Fitzpatrick opened up the night with a poem by Sylvia Plath. At the end of the 13 poets there was a featured guest, poet Wil Gibson, and his oneman band, Hollowed Down, on the cello. Gibson has been writing for as long as he can remember, but it became serious when he was homeless as a teenager in the 90s. This is how Gibson dealt with everyday life. Gibson is from “all over,” currently living in Humboldt County,
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Dayana Morales for The Easterner Wil Gibson and Hollowed Down performing for their first time at the Neato Burrito. Gibson has been writing for as long as he can remember but became serious about it in the 90s.
California. Gibson was born in northern Illinois, but has lived in Arkansas, Maine, Florida, Oklahoma, Washington and Florida. Gibson has performed in Spokane in the past, but Wednesday night was his first time at the Neato Burrito. “The atmosphere was amazing,” said Gibson. “The crowd was so welcoming, there were so many wonderful poets. I heard so many great lines from so many strong people.” Neato Burrito is an example of the true essence of open mic —it provides a place for people that may be lost to explore their work and other poets’ work as well. “Broken Mic is literally the best open mic in the country,” said Fitzpatrick.
“We are a cult classic for a reason, emphasis on the cult. You walk in having no idea what’s going on, like why are people screaming in unison. I’ve never seen so many people this enthusiastic about poetry.“ It is a fun environment, but also welcoming and inclusive. “It’s so much fun, not just with the art, but also the community,” said Fitzpatrick. “It is really easy to join in the fun and then we will keep you forever, you know.” •
8 | The Easterner
Volume 101, Issue 10 | November 29, 2017
Professor’s legacy lives on
A&E
Ruben Trejo’s art pieces are personal interpretations of his past Sam Jackson Reporter
Known for his modernist style and culturally influenced artwork, Ruben Trejo’s famed collection of pieces are going on display. The nationally acclaimed artist’s work will be at the Marmot Art Space in Spokane throughout the entire month of December. Even though Ruben Trejo died in July 2009, his legacy lives on. Trejo was a professor at EWU for 30 years, teaching Art in Humanities, Drawing, and Design, while primarily specializing in sculpture. Some of the work that can be observed at the gallery features interpretations related to how Trejo grew up and where he came from. Trejo was part of the massive immigration from Mexico to the U.S. during the Mexican Revolution in 1910. At the time, Trejo worked at the railroad laying down tracks. “My dad was born in a box car and because people were connected to family and there wasn’t as much mobility, they would put the entire family in the box,” said Jose Trejo, Ruben’s son. “Kind of like a two bedroom little apartment on wheels and that way they had however many workers they needed and they would just move them around on the lines. So my dad has a lot of rail spikes and those kind of things in his work, they are a part of that experience.” Even though Trejo was recognized greatly for connecting his heritage into his artwork, in many ways he was known for incorporating a sense of humor, too. “I think that he had a really good
balance of seriousness and silliness,” said Ellen Picken, EWU alumna and former student of Ruben. “His subject matter seemed to be dealing with culturally significant topics to him. That depth of looking back on where he was from and the identity of being a non-white person in the United States has to be taken seriously. But at the same time he was such a jovial person. That kind of quirkiness and exuberance that he has for life came through.” His work continues to be requested to showcase across the nation. He has two permanent pieces in the Smithsonian American Art Museum. The Museum of Arts in Culture in Spokane regularly exhibits his artwork. “Ruben was a major artist, so his work is still being sought because he had a major impact on people,” said Marshall Peterson, EWU alumnus and gallery owner. For some members of the community, Ruben Trejo’s artwork will bring a sort of homecoming gesture. Photo courtesey Marshall E. Peterson “For me it’s sentimental but it’s Jose Trejo stands next to his father’s piece,“Three Brushes” (wood and acrylic). Ruben Trejo was an Art in Humanities also good for Spokane to recognize and a Drawing and Design professor at EWU before passing away in July 2009. the artists who have called this place home and who have at least been part of the larger dialogue on art in the rest of the nation,” said Picken. “For me it feels like a family gathering. All the professors that were at or are at Eastern when he was there, the students that he had and his own family coming together in that space in particular is very intimate.” The Gallery is open on Fridays and Saturdays from 5-9 p.m. The gallery will be officially showcasing his work, and many other artists, on Dec. 1 as part of the First Friday event in Spokane. •
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November 29, 2017 | Volume 101, Issue 10
A&E
Photo courtesy of EWU Opera Department The EWU Opera Deparment’s first Pastiche of the year, Murder Mystery Night. The Opera Department is working on completing three productions this school year.
‘Healthy change’ coming to EWU Opera Sam Jackson Reporter EWU’s Opera Department revamped the program by starting off with a Pastiche, followed by two more productions this year. The program is used to only one production per year, but with the efforts of new Director of the Opera Program at EWU, Dr. Abbigail Coté, they are working on completing three productions and possibly four. On Nov. 19 the program finished their first show, an original Pastiche, called “Murder Mystery Night.” The performance concentrates on a male named Albert, a known womanizer who is suddenly murdered. Following his death, the female characters in the show spend their time grieving and solving the murder of their beloved Albert. A Pastiche is a theatrical art form, where it’s like everything but the kitchen sink. It’s a combination of different excerpts from operas and musicals. “Everything is in English and then we created our own story to work around the music,” said Coté. “They decided on doing a
murder mystery, which is kind of challenging because we have five lovely women and two men. So, how to make that work was kind of a puzzle that we all worked on to figure out. The students did most of the driving in terms of plot and character and all that. It’s completely brand new work.” Since a Pastiche is an amalgamation of different songs from different operas and musicals, the cast was able to make stuff up as they went, which creates a unique and lively setting for the students. “I love how funny it is, everyone works really well together and we just feed off of each other’s energy,” said senior Kristina Vakulich, who played Albert’s ex-wife Kristina, an elite socialite. “There becomes moments where people throw in their own weird thing and it’s so funny, it’s just absurd it does not make any sense at all. I think that’s the entertaining factor about it.” Though the Opera Department only consists of eight students that are taking the Opera Workshop class, the program’s expansion model provides more convenience for students that want to participate in the productions.
“Like I said, we’re moving from a model where last year they did a production that had four people in it and that took an entire year,” said Coté. “Now we’re doing three different things throughout the year to try give way more opportunity to students that maybe can’t commit for an entire year or can’t handle singing sets that are maybe 70 minutes long and that kind of stuff.” Senior Taylor Clarke played the role of a private investigator named Taylor that has an affair with Albert. Clarke finds the direction that the department is headed toward as a great new page. “To go from doing maybe one opera a year to doing an original Pastiche this quarter, a bunch of scenes this next quarter, and I’m sure we will be up to something incredible spring quarter, that’s such a big change for this department,” said Clarke. “I think it’s a needed change, it’s a healthy change, and it’s an artistic change. It’s going to be really great for this department.” •
Photo courtesy of EWU Opera Department Senior Kristina Vakulich plays Albert’s ex-wife Kristina, an intoxicatedelite socialite. Vakulich is a major in vocal performance.
10 | The Easterner
Volume 101, Issue 10 | November 29, 2017
Events
Courtesy of Pixabay
Book Sale
Courtesy of Pixabay
Eagle Entertainment Chill Out Fest
What is it: Winter overflow book sale. When: Wednesday, Nov. 29 Time: 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Where: JFK Library Cost: Whatever you are willing to spend.
What is it: Do-it-yourself snow globes and cookie and mug decorating. Sliders and hot cocoa will be provided. When: Wednesday, Nov. 29 Time: 4-6 p.m. Where: EWU Spokane Campus Cost: No cost.
Courtesy of Pixabay
Courtesy of Fox Theater
Up All Night
The Nutcracker
What is it: Karaoke, mug decorating and video and board games. When: Thursday, Nov. 30 Time: 9 p.m.-midnight Where: Second floor of Patterson Hall Cost: No cost.
What is it: Street ballet performance along with the Spokane Symphony. When: Thursday, Nov. 30-Sunday, Nov. 3 Time: Nov. 30, Dec. 1 and Dec. 2 at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 3 at 2 p.m. Where: Fox Theater in Spokane Cost: Tickets range from $17.50-$82. Visit TicketsWest to purchase tickets.
No-Li Frost Fest
Courtesy of Pixabay
What is it: A big small-batch beer festival. Performers will be featured along with food and plenty of snow insanity. Dress in festive winter attire to be eligible to win prizes. When: Saturday, Dec. 9 Time: 2-6 p.m. Where: Spokane Arena Cost: $30. Ticket includes: t-shirt, tasting glass and five four-ounce pours. Visit TicketsWest to purchase tickets.
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November 29, 2017 | Volume 101, Issue 10
Entertainment
EDITORS’ PICKS
Loose Change & Filler Text
Website: Amazon With Black Friday and Cyber Monday behind us, let’s talk about the deals. Amazon dominated during these events, according to GBH Insights. Amazon claimed 45 percent to 50 percent of all online Black Friday sales, making about $7.6 billion in sales. On Cyber Monday, there were about 740 items sold per second on Amazon with a total of 64 million items sold in 24 hours. This makes Amazon our pick for the week, because who doesn’t like a good deal? (Audrey Seda) Courtesy of Amazon
Book: “Walden” Written by the transcendentalist in 1854, this book is a testimony to the natural desire to live freely and by one’s own accord. While it is told from the perspective of Thoreau, it offers insights into what it might be like living by yourself in the wilderness. This book highlights the need for humanity to reconnect with nature and learn how to live simply, by their own hands. Even though Thoreau challenges our way of living, especially in today’s modern world, it gives us a little optimism for us all to reconnect with nature in our own way. (Richard Clarke IV) Courtesy of Amazon
Andrew Watson for The Easterner
App: Washington Post With fake news left and right, it is of the utmost importance that one is using a reliable source for their information. And it does not get any better than the Washington Post, an institution that has shown over time to be an exemplary newspaper. Paying to just read news? Yeah I know it does not sound fun. Guess what? You do not have to. With just your student email, you are able to sign up free of charge for a Washington Post subscription. (Logan Stanley) Courtesy of Amazon
Nightly
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12 | The Easterner
Volume 101, Issue 10 | November 29, 2017
Sports
Hodgins reaches scoring milestone as Eagles continue nonconference play Jeremy Burnham Reporter
The EWU women’s basketball team is five games into its 12-game non-conference schedule. So far, the slate has seen the Eagles take on teams like 2016 WNIT participant Brigham Young University and No. 10 ranked University of Oregon. Still to come, EWU will visit Gonzaga University on Thursday, Nov. 30 to take on the Bulldogs. Through five games, the Eagles have a record of 2-3. The last three games, in which the Eagles went 1-2, saw a more balanced offensive attack by EWU. While senior forward Delaney Hodgins provided the bulk of the scoring during the Eagles’ first two games, she has had some help during the last three. EWU played host to BYU on Nov. 11. The Eagles led most of the game, before being outscored 24-16 in the fourth quarter to lose 73-69. Hodgins, who was averaging 28 points a game coming in, was held to only seven points, and zero in the fourth quarter. Junior guard Violet Kapri Morrow scored 25 points to lead the Eagles, while sophomore forward Uriah Howard had a career-high 17 points. Despite the loss, Eagles head coach Wendy Schuller was pleased with the group effort on offense. “We did a great job sharing the ball,� said Schuller. “Although BYU did a great job defensively against Delaney, I thought she did a good job of finding her teammates and finding open shooters and others were able to knock shots down. It was good to see some girls get going on the offensive end.� The Eagles then traveled to Eugene, Oregon on Nov. 21 to take on the Ducks. While the Eagles lost 81-40, Schuller said there were some things she liked in the game. “I saw positive things, especially in the
second half,â€? said Schuller. “At halftime, our point of emphasis wasn’t about the score or anything else, it was just about ourselves and working to move forward and to do what we want to do on the offensive and defensive end. In the second half, we played with more focus and intent, and we got a lot better.â€? No Eagle was able to reach double digits in scoring against the Ducks. Morrow and Hodgins scored eight points each, while Morrow also added seven steals in the loss. EWU returned to Reese Court on Nov. 25, hoping to put together a complete game against Utah Valley. The Eagles looked better in this game than they had all season. Forty-nine seconds in, Hodgins hit her first shot, which made her the third player in program history to reach 1500 career points. She joins her sister Hayley (class of 2016) and Brenda Souther-Robinson (class of 1987) as the only others in the exclusive club. “It’s a testament to [Hodgins] and how hard she works,â€? said Schuller. “She’s a great player and has owned her craft. You don’t score like that if you don’t play a lot, and she has been a real honor to coach.â€? Hodgins finished with 24 points and nine rebounds in EWU’s 61-41 victory, but she wasn’t the only one to contribute offensively. Sophomore point guard Symone Starks added 15 points and six assists, while Howard had nine points and 11 rebounds. It was the most complete team effort the Eagles have had this season, and it led to their largest margin of victory. Schuller hopes they can continue to get better when they play Gonzaga this Thursday. “We have to do a lot of things that we are just trying to get better at,â€? said Schuller. “We’re in the middle of a process trying to get ready for Big Sky play, it will be a lot of fun to play the Zags.â€? •
Mckenzie Ford for The Easterner Senior forward Delaney Hodgins takes a shot against BYU on Nov. 17. On Nov. 25, Hodgins became the third player in program history to score 1,500 career points.
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The Easterner | 13
November 29, 2017 | Volume 101, Issue 10
Sports
Long road trip continues for men’s basketball team Jeremy Burnham Reporter
Ten games. Thirty-seven days. That is how long the EWU men’s basketball team will go without a home game. After opening the season at home with a victory against Walla Walla University on Nov. 10, the Eagles won’t return to Reese Court until Dec. 17. Six games into the road trip and seven games into the season, the Eagles are 3-4 overall. Through the first half-dozen games of the road trip, the Eagles have faced three Pac-12
teams. The fact that they have started the road trip 2-4 is not as surprising as the victory over Stanford University. Two nights after losing a competitive game against the University of Washington, head coach Shantay Legans’ team came out with some confidence against Stanford. The game saw only one lead change, which occurred early in the first half, as EWU controlled most of the game on their way to a 67-61 victory. This was EWU’s first ever victory against the Cardinals, and the program’s third victory against a Pac-12 team.
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Bailey Monteith for The Easterner Senior forward Bogdan Bliznyuk dribbles against Walla Walla on Nov. 10. Bliznyuk is averaging 15.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.
“It’s amazing,” said Legans. “Our guys deserve it. They came out and played the same way we did against UW, but we shot the ball better [...] They came back and our coaches did a great job getting them prepared and ready. Our team is gritty and are a great bunch of guys [...] I’m so proud of these guys – coaches as well.” Senior forward Bogdan Bliznyuk scored 23 points to lead EWU. Two other Eagles also scored in double digits. Sophomore guard Ty Gibson finished with 11 points, while junior forward Jesse Hunt had 10 points and eight rebounds. The Eagles then traveled to Las Vegas for three games. On Nov. 17, the Eagles struggled to shoot the ball in a 91-76 loss to UNLV. Long scoring droughts—one of 4:30 and one of 6:00—did the Eagles in. The Eagles played well defensively, forcing 15 turnovers. However, the combined 10:30 of not scoring was too much to overcome. After a loss to Georgia State University on Nov. 20, EWU was able to bounce back against Eastern Kentucky University with a 83-62 win on Nov. 22. The win against EKU represented the Eagles’ most rounded effort of the season. Nine players scored for EWU, and the bench contributed 40 points. Senior center Benas Griciunas led the Eagles with 16 points. Bliznyuk added 13. Redshirt junior guard Cody Benzel and freshman forward Richard Polanco came off
the bench to score 11 points apiece. Moving the ball around on offense created a lot of scoring opportunities for the Eagles, as they led EKU in assists, 16-1. While the offense played well, Legans credited the win to the defense. “[Defense] did win us the ballgame,” said Legans. “We got them to turn the ball over and didn’t let them play as fast as they want to play […] This was one of our better defensive games, and they were all excited about playing defense. That’s key for us because we have to keep getting better on offense.” Next, EWU visited the University of Utah for their third matchup against a Pac-12 team. The Eagles looked like a team that was beginning to show the signs of being on the road for so long. They had not slept a night in Cheney in 15 days, so naturally, they came out slow in the 85-69 loss. Despite falling behind by as many as 33 points, the Eagles played hard down the stretch. They went on runs of 12-2 and 9-0 late in the second half. While the game had already been long decided, Legans liked the effort. “Our team played hard,” said Legans. “We were down big, but we came back and kept fighting. I give them all the credit in the world.” The Eagles now return to Cheney for a few days of practice, before heading back on the road for a game against Seattle University on Dec. 3. •
14 | The Easterner
Volume 101, Issue 10 | November 29, 2017
Sports
Bailey Monteith for The Easterner Senior wide receiver Nic Sblendorio evades the Portland State defense in EWU football’s 59-33 win on Nov. 18. In his final collegiate game, Sblendorio recorded 273 receiving yards and caught two touchdowns.
Eagles football misses out on FCS playoffs
Despite finishing the season with a record of 7-4 overall and 6-2 in conference, the Eagles were left out of the 24-team playoff tournament Michael Brock Sports Editor
The EW U footba ll season is over. On the morning of Nov. 19, the FCS committee announced the 24-team playoff bracket on ESPNU, and the Eagles were left out. Head coach Aaron Best was in disbelief following the outcome. “Shocked,” said Best. “Absolutely shocked. I felt like our resume was bold, was strong. It’s my firm belief [that we’re] one of the 24 best teams in the nation.” The team demolished Portland State University 59-33 on Saturday, Nov. 18 to end
the regular season in a tie for third in the Big Sky at 6-2 in conference and 7-4 overall. On his Senior Night, wide receiver Nic Sblendorio nearly broke the program’s single-game receiving record with 273 receiving yards and two touchdowns on just eight catches. But even with a 7-4 record and winning seven of their last nine, it ultimately was not enough for the committee. The Eagles dropped their first two games of the season to FBSopponent Texas Tech and No. 2 seed North Dakota State. They then went on a five-game winning streak, including comeback road victories over Montana
and UC Davis. Over that span, junior quarterback Gage Gubrud registered 2,071 passing yards, 23 total touchdowns and four interceptions while completing 69.2 percent of his passes. On Oct. 21, the Eagles lost to Southern Utah 46-28 as Gubrud was 24-for-44 passing for 246 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. After the bye week, EWU returned to Roos Field. They stumbled again on Nov. 4, this time to Weber State 28-20. In the early hours of Sunday, Nov. 5, Gubrud and junior linebacker Kurt Calhoun were arrested on charges of obstruction. They were
subsequently suspended for the next week’s road game against North Dakota. Redshirt freshman quarterback Eric Barriere manned the Eagles to the 21-14 victory over UND to keep the team’s playoff hopes alive. Barriere was 13-of-23 passing for 130 yards and a touchdown, while adding 66 yards rushing in the win. But they lost junior running back Sam McPherson to an ankle injury in the same game, after he put up 118 rushing yards, 36 receiving yards and a passing touchdown in the first half. The team was decimated by injuries all season, as just five players started every game at the same position in 2017.
EWU entered the Portland State game on the bubble, with a record of 6-4. With a late kickoff in Cheney, it was already known the fate of the other bubble teams. Delaware, New Hampshire, Montana and Northern Arizona all lost, making an Eagle postseason berth all the more likely. But in the end, the Eagles missed out on snagging one of the 14 at-large bids, while New Hampshire and NAU snuck in. In all, the Eagles had 13 players selected to the All-Big Sky Conference team, including 10 who are expected to return next season. Senior punter Jordan Dascalo was the team’s lone first team
The Easterner | 15
November 29, 2017 | Volume 101, Issue 10
Sports selection. Gubrud, senior wide receiver Nic Sblendorio, junior center Spencer Blackburn, sophomore running back Antoine Custer Jr., senior defensive end Albert Havili and sophomore kickoff return specialist Dre’ Sonte Dorton were selected to the second team. Junior wide receiver Nsimba Webster, junior safety Mitch Fettig and freshman special teams standout Anfernee Gurley made the third team, while junior running back Sam McPherson, junior cornerback Josh Lewis and sophomore offensive guard Tristen Taylor were honorable mentions. The Eagles four losses came against highly-ranked FCS teams and an FBSlevel school. Weber State and No. 8 Southern Utah shared the Big Sky title, and were the only teams EWU lost to in conference all season. EWU suffered three losses to FCS teams with a combined 28-5 regular season record: 10-1 North Dakota State, 9-2 Weber State and 9-2 Southern Utah, while Texas Tech finished 5-6. Ultimately, there were simply too many teams with similar records, and for whatever reason, EWU’s strength of schedule was overlooked. Best, however, knows it came down to picking up another win or two. “It’s going to be leave no doubt,” said Best of his team’s emphasis moving forward. “That won’t just be our battle cry, it will be our motto. It wasn’t the selection committee that went 7-4, it was the Eagles
Richard Clark IV for The Easterner Junior quarterback Gage Gubrud throws a pass in EWU’s win against Portland State. Gubrud ended the season with 3,342 passing yards and 26 touchdowns.
who went 7-4. We could have done more, so we don’t want to put the blame or justification in another box when we could have done more.” •
“I’m so proud of this darn team. We won the games we were supposed to win, and played lights out in a lot of our games. Our team should not hang their heads.”
Head coach Aaron Best
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16 | The Easterner
Volume 101, Issue 10 | November 29, 2017
Sports
Basketball alum Alvin Snow, now a sports agent, gives back Michael Brock Sports Editor
Former EWU men’s basketball player Alvin Snow was the source of a number of “firsts” during his four years with the Eagles. Team-wise, Snow was a main cog in the program’s first-ever berths in the NCAA Tournament (2004) as well as the National Invitation Tournament (2003). The team won 69 games in his time, and was a league-best 41-17 in Big Sky play. The Eagles never finished below second place in the Big Sky regular season or the conference tournament. As a player, Snow became the first basketball All-American at the NCAA Division I level with an honorable mention from the Associated Press in 2004. Snow was also the program’s first Big Sky MVP (2004) and was the Big Sky’s inaugural Defensive Player of the Year in 2002. When he was a senior, Snow became the first player to lead EWU in scoring, rebounding and assists in the same season. With 1,396 points, he became the school’s all-time leading scoring, and currently ranks ninth. “My time at Eastern was amazing,” Snow recently told The Easterner. “On an individual, personal level, I had to learn to play the game a little differently than where I come from. So that prepared me for the professional level. And I’m grateful for that.” After four years at EWU, Snow played 10 years professionally, including domestic stops such as the Continental Basketball
Association and the NBA Developmental League. But his main experience in the pro ranks came overseas, as he played in Poland, Turkey, the Dominican Republic, Germany, Israel, Cyprus, Slovenia, Ukraine and Kosovo. Snow was largely on one-year deals continuing to move up to better quality teams and leagues nearly every year. As he continued to excel, the more money, opportunity and exposure became available to him. In 2014, he decided he needed a fresh start, but not before reflecting on his time playing professionally. “The game’s been so good to me,” said Snow. “I’ve been fortunate enough to go to 30 countries just playing basketball […] I value my time overseas probably more than I value money. Like, I feel wealthy because of the experiences I had there.” When Snow retired from playing basketball, he was unsure what he wanted to do. He considered all sorts of things, even contemplating becoming a fireman. But in the end, he decided to become a sports agent. “All my relationships were in basketball and it just made more sense for me to do this,” said Snow. “And I can help more people doing this. And that’s my passion, so it made kind of sense and I feel great about doing it.” Snow currently works out of Seattle for Worldwide Sports Management, where he represents 16 players, including EWU-product Jacob Wiley. As a graduate transfer, Wiley spent a lone season with the Eagles in 2016-17. He was named the Big Sky Conference MVP and an honorable mention All-American.
Photo courtesy EWU Athletics Alvin Snow cuts down the net after EWU won the Big Sky Tournament in 2004. It clinched EWU’s first NCAA Tournament appearance in program history.
Photo courtesy EWU Athletics EWU alum Alvin Snow attacks the rim in a game against Montana State. Snow is now a sports agent. Now, Wiley is a two-way player for the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets. Two-way contracts are a new aspect this season, in which franchises can have a pair of players that move fluidly between the NBA and the team’s G League affiliate, the Long Island Nets. Each individual player can spend 45 days with the NBA squad before the team has to make a decision on whether to keep them “up” or spend the rest of the season down in the G League. So far, Wiley has spent a number of days with the NBA’s Nets, including notching four points, eight rebounds and a block in 21 minutes against the Denver Nuggets on Nov. 7. “Every day is different,” said Snow. “I didn’t expect him to play this much, but he is. They’re really high on him. They’re really happy with what he’s done and the growth he’s had in the short time he’s been there.” The one aspect Snow said will be particularly difficult is staying focused when moving between the NBA and the G League. But his advice to Wiley is simple: Do not worry about the uncontrollable. Take care of what you can, and the rest will take care of itself.
Aside from Wiley, Snow represents multiple other former Big Sky players, including Montana products Kareem Jamar, Martin Breunig and Jordan Gregory. “Not only does it it mean a little extra to represent a former Eagle, it means a lot to me to represent guys from the Big Sky in general,” said Snow. “I find us to be kind of underdogs […] But we just ended up where we ended up […] I want to help as many guys as I can.” As it turns out, Snow has connections to the current team as well. First-year head coach Shantay Legans and Snow first played against each other in AAU basketball, and also faced off when Legans played for the University of California. Now, Snow is an example for Legans to show his players what can happen with hard work. “What he’s doing now is great,” said Legans. “He’s helping the community back home. But he also helps the guys here, and he helps the guys throughout the Big Sky […] He’s doing a good job of finding guys and [helping] them fulfill their dreams.” •