The Easterner: Volume 101, Issue 11

asterner The Easterner

The_Easterner

@EasternerOnline

Eastern Washington University’s Independent Student Newspaper

Wednesday, January 10, 2018

www.EasternerOnline.com

From EWU To The NFL

Volume 101, Issue 11

“Song of Silence”

Page 8 Get Ready to Rumble

Bailey Monteith for The Easterner

Page 12

Photo courtesy of Easterner Archives

Page 3

Photo courtesy of Easterner Archives

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 | January 10, 2018 Volume 101, Issue 1111 | January 10, 2018 3 News | 5 Police Beat | 6 Opinion | 7 Arts and Entertainment | 10 Events | 12 Sports

Easterner Asks: “I am going to move out of my parents house by the end of the quarter, and I am really looking forward to that.”

Chief Copy Editor

Amanda Haworth easternercopy@gmail.com

News Editor

Josh Fletcher easterner.news@gmail.com

Sports Editor

Michael Brock easterner.sports@gmail.com

Noah Brown, Sophomore “I am the least excited about the rest of the winter. It’s going to be too long.

I just want it to be a better year than last.”

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

Mark Wilson, Freshman

Victoria Taroudaki, Mathematics Professor

Jennifer Cleveland, Senior

What are you looking forward to the most/ least about 2018 and why?

“I am looking forward to rushing Phi Delta Theta.

I feel like I blend in perfectly with the culture and my favorite thing is that they have higher GPA requirements that make me feel like I can do better.”

“Graduating this spring, I am majoring in Geology and am getting my GSI certification also, so hopefully I will get a state or federal job making maps.”

Mack Booie, Freshman

“I’m just really excited to meet new girlfriends and get to know more of the community since I am from the West side. I’m the least excited about Savannah Thompson, all of the finals and Freshman homework that I’ll have this quarter.”

Student Photo Corner Curious Youth Art Director Andrew Watson snapped this picture of his son at Riverside State Park.

“While hiking with my grandmother and son, we stopped in the summer heat to enjoy a softer side to the Spokane River, prompting a search for rocks to skip and sticks to throw, all while cooling our feet in the water. I cherish these moments I get because life is fleeting, and it seems only appropriate to immortalize them in photography.”

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

“I am just looking forward to making 2018 a way better year than 2017 was. It had its ups and downs, so I’m looking for a lot of ups this year. I am just ready to own it, ready to make 2018 great.”

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.

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January 10, 2018 | Volume 101, Issue 11

News

The Easterner Archives.

Students from 2,000 high schools in the Northwest compete to build the best robot. The last time EWU hosted this event was in 2015.

FIRST Robotics season kicks off at EWU Jeremy Burnham Reporter Over 100 high school students from the state of Washington came to EWU this past weekend for the start of the FIRST Robotics Competition season.

FRC is an international competition created by “For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology,” an organization that helps prepare students for careers in STEM-related fields. FIRST organizes four different competitions, each for a different age group. The robotic competition is for high school students.

Some schools came from out of state while one team was from here in Cheney.

Team 4104 is from Cheney High School, and one of their team members, Ryan Durries, could not wait for the season to kick off.

“This is my third year doing this,” said Durries. “I’m really excited. I love the robotics scene, and I love what FIRST does for everyone.”

While the event is a competition, Durries enjoys how all the teams come together.

“Everyone is so nice,” said Durries.

“It’s like all the teams come together as one team to try to accomplish something.

It’s not so much team versus team, as it is one team working together.”

Durries hopes to use the skills he’s learning from FIRST to start a career in a STEM-related field.

“I love robotics,” said Durries. “I enjoy engineering and the learning. I have two years left in high school, and then I plan on going to Eastern for any engineering course I find interesting, and then afterwards, possibly going on to aerospace engineering.”

No actual competition occurred Jan. 6. The competition is set for this Saturday, Jan. 13. The students, representing 12 teams, received their kits, along with information about the upcoming season.

Now the teams will have six weeks to build their robots before competing against each other in the regional competition. Advancing teams will earn a spot in the FRC Pacific Northwest District Championship in Portland, Oregon from April 3-7, 2018.

From there, teams that qualify will be off to Houston, Texas or Detroit, Michigan in late April for the national championships. •

“I love robotics ... I have two years left in high school, and then I plan on going to Eastern for any engineering course I find interesting ...”

High school student Ryan Durries

4 | The Easterner

Volume 101, Issue 11 | January 10, 2018

Briefs Nationwide search lands inaugural director Josh Fletcher News Editor

Vanessa Delgado

EWU has named Vanessa Delgado the inaugural director of the Multicultural Center.

“I am excited to bring this passion to the EWU Multicultural Center, where I will work to promote inclusiveness and empower students to find their voice,” Delgado said.

Delgado takes over for Victor Rodriguez, who had been the interim director since March

when the program was started.

EWU has been on a nationwide search for a permanent director since they started the program last year.

Delgado is coming from the University of Kansas, where she held a similar job for the past two years.

Delgado will start full-time on March 1. •

Easterner newsroom drenched Josh Fletcher News Editor If you think our news is watered down this issue, that’s because it kind of is. Over winter break our newsroom in Isle Hall had severe water damage due to a leak in the roof.

EWU Maintenance said a buildup of snow, and subsequent melting, led to the leak.

No serious damage occurred other than our editor-inchief’s business cards, which were all soaked. • Photo courtesy Carleigh Hill.

The Easterner’s newsroom carpet was soaking wet over winter break due to a leak in the roof.

Photo courtesy irentspokane.com A broken water pipe at the Eagle Point apartments leaves one student with a flooded room. She wrote about her bad experience in a Facebook post that was shared over 400 times.

Water dampens winter break for Eagle Point resident Josh Fletcher News Editor A water pipe break at the Eagle Point apartments left one student very upset after the way she was treated by staff.

The female student took to her Facebook page to voice her discontent with the staff after a resident’s water pipes broke above her, causing water to pour out from every hole in her apartment. In a video that has over 57,000 views, you can see puddles of water and water leaking from the ceiling.

In a statement, Eagle Point confirmed this was due to a resident turning off their heat and leaving their balcony door open while they left for winter break.

This “lack of heat combined with the open door caused a water pipe to burst, f looding two lower units.”

The female and her roommate were moved to another unit while the cleanup process takes place. Eagle Point also stressed they were working with the resident to provide any help that is needed.

Greystar, who owns Eagle Point and many apartment complexes around the country, did not respond to a request for comment. •

Flu season is coming Josh Fletcher News Editor Each winter means a spike in the flu, and EWU has a list of things you can do to protect yourself.

Number one is to get a flu shot, which is free for EWU students at the Rockwood Clinic in Cheney.

Other recommendations include washing your hands frequently, covering your cough and if you are feeling sick, stay home from school and work to stop the spread of the flu to your classmates and coworkers. •

Illustration courtesy of Pixabay.

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January 10, 2018 | Volume 101, Issue 11

Police Beat

Illustration by Gail Powers for The Easterner

Josh Fletcher News Editor

Harassment Dec. 31

Suspicious Circumstance Jan. 3

During a broadcast from Eastern’s KEWU 89.5 FM, an unhappy listener called in to voice their concern with the DJ’s commercials. The caller threatened to kill the DJ over the commercials because it was interfering with his jazz listening.

Police were informed of the situation, but no further details have been provided at this time.

A female student contacted police after receiving unwelcomed Facebook messages from another student. The female said the student used to be in her major program but she did not know him personally.

After a few back and forth messages she said the conversation changed to him asking her sexual things. She felt uncomfortable by this, leading her to contact police.

Warrant Arrest Jan. 4 EWU police arrested a person who had a warrant out for their arrest. Police say they pulled them over for a traffic infraction and after running their plates found there was a warrant out in Spokane County for their arrest. They were arrested and brought to Spokane County Jail.

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6 | The Easterner

Volume 101, Issue 11 | January 10, 2018

Opinion EDITORIAL

Looking back and steaming ahead The Easterner Editorial Board The chaos of 2017 is in our rearview mirror, and 2018 is upon us. Feel free to take a monumental sigh of relief, because despite thinking at times that you wouldn’t, you managed to survive 2017, after all.

In a year that seemingly had a never-ending news cycle, 2017 was defined by: the first year of Donald Trump’s presidency; Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference during the 2016 presidential campaign; two of the deadliest mass shootings in American history; a hurricane and wildfire season that decimated the southern and western regions of the United States; the first total solar eclipse to cross the United States in 99 years; sexual misconduct allegations that sent shockwaves throughout Hollywood and Washington, D.C.; heightened tensions with a nuclear North Korea that now allegedly has the ability to hit any area in the United States; NFL national anthem protests over police brutality against AfricanAmericans; and the deaths of wellknown figures such as comedian Don Rickles, Fox News founder Roger Ailes, singer Chris Cornell, Playboy magazine founder Hugh Hefner, gay rights pioneer Edith Windsor, musician Tom Petty and cult leader Charles Manson.

And yes, that 151-word sentence is, aptly, chaotic.

But for those seeking a reprieve in this new year, don’t get your hopes up for a calmer 2018. The 2018 midterm congressional elections—as well as governor and state legislature elections nationwide—are sure to play a starring role over the next 10 months as Democrats look to take control of the House of Representatives and Senate from the Republicans. But state elections will play a significant part of 2018’s political story, as this year’s elections will have massive ramifications for the redrawing of congressional maps and the fight against gerrymandering as the 2020s sit right at our doorstep.

And while most college students and young adults feel politically disenfranchised, often times for good reasons, getting involved politically is one way to enact change that affects themselves. C.J. Cregg, the fictional press secretary for President Bartlett on “The West Wing,” said it best when she asked a crowd of college students at a Rock The Vote event if they thought that government wasn’t about them.

“How many of you have student loans to pay?” Cregg asked. “How many have credit card debt? How many want clean air and clean water and civil liberties? How many want jobs? How many want kids? How many want their kids to go to good schools and walk on safe streets? Decisions are made by those who show up.”

Indeed, decisions are made by those

who show up. Decisions can also be inf luenced by those who speak out, as the #MeToo movement can certainly attest to. In the past several months, dozens of powerful celebrities, politicians, executives and media personalities have been ousted from their jobs and faced legal consequences after being accused of sexual misconduct by coworkers, employees and others.

Movements like these, which help weed out the bad apples in our communities and in society as a whole, helps spark change that can be remembered for decades and centuries. But just as important is being involved with projects and organizations in our community, giving back in a variety of different ways. At EWU and in Cheney, there are multiple opportunities to help out throughout the year, such as participating in the MLK Day of Service on Jan. 15, volunteering to distribute food for Feed Cheney every second Monday, participating in the Cheney Clean Sweep in April, and donating items to the Cheney Food Bank and Cheney Clothing Exchange.

It’s one of the most clichéd sayings, but it’s true: be the change you want to see in the world. Decisions are made by those who show up. So do it, and little by little you can help make this world better for everyone in it. Let’s be able to look back at 2018 three decades from now with a sense of pride and good memories.

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.

January 10, 2018 | Volume 101, Issue 11

The Easterner | 7

A&E Established in 1997, Body Language Tattoo stands strong Sam Jackson Reporter One of the oldest businesses in Cheney Body Language Tattoo focuses on maintaining a welcoming environment and reasonable prices.

The shop has been around in Cheney for 21 years and is individually owned and ran by tattoo artist Gary Short. Short has nearly four decades of experience in the art of tattooing and has traveled throughout the years, coast to coast, doing what he loves.

Short began his journey tattooing 37 years ago, practicing work on his own skin.

“I was in a state that it was illegal to do tattoos, because of germs and stuff like that, and I just started doing them because I wanted tattoos on myself,” said Short. “So I started working on myself and then all my friends wanted me to start working on them. I ended up just going from there.”

Short’s preferred style is described as old school and fine line.

“It’s basically where they went from a flat line to a skinny line and there’s more detail,” said Short. “The old stuff was pretty much just lines and color. The new school stuff was more detail oriented, so you could see better what it was.”

He charges $75 an hour with a $50 minimum, compared to other artists in the area ranging from $120 to $150 an hour. Short chooses to have his prices lower than other competing shops throughout Spokane county because it is what he considers fair.

“I do this ‘cause I love doing it, I wouldn’t still be doing it if I didn’t dig it,” said Short.

“I don’t know, I can’t see myself going so high on the prices because I don’t feel like that’s fair. I’m in a college town, I gotta make it fair and affordable for the kids. I think people get a little carried away on the prices on stuff sometimes.”

Almost every gap on the walls inside the shop is filled with pictures of tattoos, posters of artwork and newspaper article cutouts that represent Short’s history in the tattooing industry. With everything on the walls, Short is able to tell a story or find a meaning behind it.

“It’s really friendly, I come in here and it’s just like coming in with open arms,”

said Austin Malmoe, a regular customer that’s been coming to the shop for the last three years. “I mean he’s here to talk to you or if you need ideas he just goes beyond. I like coming in here. It’s a very welcoming atmosphere.”

Long-time tattooing is known to wear on the hands of tattooers over time. Luckily for Short his hands have yet to show any sign of damage.

“Thirty-seven years so far, still digging it and my hands are still good,” said Short. “Not many people really hang in there that long.”

Short also does every kind of body piercing, having 19 years of experience.

The busy season for the shop is typically during the fall season or the beginning of every quarter when students return to school. The shop is open from Tuesday through Saturday from noon-8 p.m. and located at 507 1st Street.•

Sam Jackson for The Easterner Body Language Tattoo shop owner Gary Short on the top right has been in Cheney for 21 years. Regular customer Austin Malmoe, on the top left, has been coming to the shop regularly for the past three years.

8 | The Easterner

Volume 101, Issue 11 | January 10, 2018

A&E

Downtown Gallery starts off new year by hosting the exhibit “Song of Silence” Dayana Morales Arts & Entertainment Editor

Bailey Monteith for The Easterner Top: Tush Kyiz with pink velvet. This tapestry was acquired in the Talas region.

Middle and bottom: 1896 tapestry is the oldest in this collection. Tapestries were used as objects within the home and so this piece has faded from exposure to light and other elements. Careful stiching and use of available materials are still evident after all this time.

Kyrgyzstan-embroidered tapestries (tush kyiz) from the Anne Marie Burk’s collection in Spokane will curate the Downtown Student Gallery. The exhibit began Jan. 8 and will run through Feb. 9. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, noon to 5 p.m.

Burk contacted the EWU anthropology department a few years ago. She was interested in showing the textiles for students specifically. Back then the department did not have anywhere to show it or anyone whose focus worked with them.

Senior Angeline Nesbit started working with Dr. Michael Zukosky in the department and suggested she contact Burk because Nesbit was working on a project about the Eurasia Bronze Age and the display of Eurasian art and digital collections.

“I was looking for an opportunity to get hands-on experience, so this is my opportunity to get to work in a gallery with anthropological artifacts from Central Asia,” said Nesbit. “I haven’t really focused on Kyrgyzstan but it is pretty interesting to learn. They are fairly similar to other nomadic cultures in the area and they share a lot of things, you can see that in the designs they use. That area has a lot of interaction and there is a lot of complexity in the way that they exchange culture, design and art.”

The embroideries also known as wall hangings can be considered visual prayers.

“Prayers for protection and prosperity, for honoring ancestors and culture and prayers for wisdom,” Burk said.

Nomadic women spanning over 100 years created the embroideries. These hangings are displayed in yurts (tents) and meant to be the focal point for the visitors and families, reminding all who entered that these people were proud of their culture and history.

The more traditional tush kyiz are made out of wool thread.

“They tend to use kind of whatever they

can get their hands on,” said Nesbit. “They are really labor intensive and can take years to complete. You’ll see if you go to the show how small the stitching is, it is really intense.”

Burk lived and taught in Kyrgyzstan for two years. At the time she was there the younger people were not appreciating the work and they were selling the wall hangings.

Burk was interested and put the word out so people began to approach her with their tapestries.

Kyrgyz nomadic philosophy was suppressed in Soviet times and it is visible on these wall hangings.

“That culture and tush kyiz were ridiculed in Soviet times, seen as relics of a time best forgotten,” said Burke. “I can only hope that the Kyrgyz of today will learn to honor their past and begin to understand what these embroideries meant to their ancestor, a visual representation of philosophy and belief, a visual prayer for their people.”

An artist reception will be held Thursday, Jan. 25 from 4:30-6 p.m. The student gallery is free and open to the public. •

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January 10, 2018 | Volume 101, Issue 11

A&E

Amanda Haworth for The Easterner Local artist Brian Stai performing along side Cellist Caroline Bickford at The Bartlett in Spokane. Stai released his second album on Dec. 15.

Local musician working on promoting new album Sam Jackson Reporter A local musician is experiencing momentum in his music career as he embraces his passion for writing lyrics and releases a brand new album.

Brian Stai was surrounded by music his whole life; he grew up watching his dad’s cover band play at events like weddings, bars and birthday parties.

Stai officially started to pursue music himself when he learned to play the guitar at age 12 but did not get into singing until his senior year of college.

Also during his last year in college was his first performance at a talent show. In addition to his singing, Stai can play a few instruments at a time including the guitar, the kick drum with his right foot and the tambourine with his left foot. His style of music is described as Americana Folk or Lyrically-Driven Americana Folk.

After getting used to performing

in front of people more and more over the years, Stai discovered his calling in writing and playing his own songs.

“Once I started to get some positive feedback from playing my own songs, people would say, ‘Oh I love that song!

I really like that particular lyric!’” said Stai. “It is just this whole other realm of fulfillment, satisfaction, and enjoyment because you put that time into writing that. It means something personal to you. So, once I started doing it more, I just kind of caught the itch and was like, I would love to write more music and to share my own songs with people.”

With singing his own music, comes writing his own work. The process to writing a song, let alone an entire album, can be strenuous. But Stai has fallen in love with it.

“I feel like my process is different than other people,” said Stai. “I have not written out the lyrics first and then tried to match notes with those lyrics. I don’t

think I have written out the notes first and added lyrics. It kind of happens at the same time. I will have an idea for it, like a chorus, or one line for a verse. I try to set the lyrics to match that mood, match that tone.”

On Dec. 15 Stai released his second album called “Your Dreams,” which stems from one of the songs on the album that shares the same title and a wealth of meaning to him.

“I wrote it during a difficult time and it has a lot to do with seeking hope out of a dark place,” said Stai. “Particularly with those who are loved ones, close ones, family. That song seems like the backbone.

Playing this record the last six months I wanted to choose a song or two to build everything around and that was just kind of out of this pile of maybe 15 or 20 songs I had written, that one kind of always seemed like the back of what I wanted to build the album around. If the album is a book, and every song is a chapter, you

want some sort of common theme.”

Stai is working hard on promoting his new album by booking a lot of shows in Cheney, Spokane, Seattle and Northern Idaho. He is also planning a weekend tour in Colorado.

“You will be seeing me playing a lot to promote the album,” said Stai. “That is going to be the majority of my focus, getting out there and playing the songs and having people buy the album.”

Besides promoting his album, Stai is eager to continue writing music, shooting live music videos and possibly finishing another album by the end of 2018 because he feels like there are always more songs to write.•

10 | The Easterner

Events

Volume 101, Issue 11 | January 10, 2018

Courtesy of the JFK Library

Late Night Laser Tag What is it: Eastern After Dark presents a series of late night programs designed to provide Eagles with alcohol alternative entertainment.

When: Thursday, Jan. 11 Time: 9 - 11 p.m.

Where: JFK Library Cost: No cost.

Courtesy of Pixabay

Cellobration

University Apartments

What is it: More than 40 cellos will be performing music of all styles at the annual unique concert.

When: Saturday, Jan. 13 Time: 7:30 - 9:30 p.m.

Where: Music Building 100 Cost: No cost.

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.

Courtesy of Blue Door Theatre

SAFARI

Anna Maria

Townhouses

1 BDRM - $465/month 2 BDRM - $555/month

2 BDRM - $620/month 3 BDRM - $700/month

Family Apartment Pricing Single Student Pricing

1 BDRM - $465/month 2 BDRM (Shared) - $425/month

Family Apartment Pricing Single Student Pricing

2 BDRM (Shared) - $480/month

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

What is it: Fast-paced, short-form improv show. The format is generally game-based and relies on audience suggestions to fuel each scene.

When: Saturday, Jan. 13 Time: 8 p.m.

Where: In Spokane at the Blue Door Theatre. 815 W Garland Ave. Cost: $7

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January 10, 2018 | Volume 101, Issue 11

Andrew Watson for The Easterner

Loose Change & Filler Text

Entertainment

EDITORS’ PICKS TV Show: “Black Mirror”

Courtesy of Netflix

It’s back, and it’s as good as ever. Black Mirror returned for a dark, yet sometimes humorous fourth season in December. The best episode of the season, and perhaps the series, is “USS Callister,” starring Cristin Milioti, Jesse Plemons and Jimmi Simpson.

Set partially in a Star Trek-like universe, the episode follows a spaceship crew as they plot against their captain and real-life coworker, who has trapped them in this virtually reality using their DNA. The other five episodes in season four are nail-biters with twists and turns at every stop that leave you frightened about what the future has in store. Check out this season and past episodes on Netflix. (Brandon Cline)

Movie: “The Disaster Artist” Ever heard of The Room? Well you’re about to. James Franco and company bring the “Citizen Kane of bad movies” into some proper limelight in this delightful film about the making of one of the worst (and yet best) movies in existence. Adapted from the book of the same name by Greg Sestero (Mark in The Room), Franco dons the mantle of the eponymous and mysterious Tommy Wiseau opposite his brother Dave Franco, who portrays Sestero, exploring the relationship between two upand-coming Hollywood hopefuls who follow their dreams to create Courtesy of New Line Cinema a truly iconic unintentionally comedic and “disastrous” masterpiece. (Andrew Watson)

TV Show: “True Detective” I may be almost four years late to this party, but what is the saying, better late than never?

In this case that couldn’t be anymore true. Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson play detectives trying to solve a uniquely executed murder (great pun huh?). McConaughey character is an impersonal genius while Harrelson can’t seem to control his temper and live a decent life. The show is very entertaining with lots of different plot twists that keep the show interesting.

I have two episodes left- no spoilers!

(Josh Fletcher) Courtesy of HBO

12 | The Easterner

Volume 101, Issue 11 | January 10, 2018

Sports

Jason O. Watson/Getty Images EWU alum and San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver Kendrick Bourne completes a catch against the Tennessee Titans in Week 15 of the NFL season. Bourne finished the game with four receptions and 85 yards.

Kendrick was Bourne for this Logan Stanley

Managing Editor The Easterner recently interviewed San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver Kendrick Bourne, who graduated from EWU in 2017.

Back in September 2014, thensophomore wide receiver Kendrick Bourne was relatively unknown to most people.

The 19-year-old Bourne barely saw the field in his first season at EWU, as he recorded only seven receptions for 113 yards.

But before the game against the University of Washington in early September, one of Bourne’s teammates, wide receiver Shaq Hill, went down with an injury. Head coach Beau Baldwin and receiver coach Junior Adams then made the decision to insert Bourne into the starting lineup.

For the young wide receiver, it was a moment that carried significant weight.

“Them having confidence in me to go out there and prove myself was the start of my journey,” Bourne said, of Baldwin and Adams.

And what a start of a journey it was.

In his first game as a starter, Bourne

had eight receptions for 114 yards and one touchdown—topping his entire freshman campaign in one game. EWU lost to UW 59-52, but it paved the way for one of the most talented receivers to suit up for the Eagles.

During his illustrious three-year career at EWU, Bourne had 211 receptions for 3,130 yards and 27 touchdowns in 53 games.

Those marks place him in the top seven for those three categories in school history.

It was enough for Bourne to gather the full confidence to declare for the 2017 NFL Draft.

“I felt as if I was ready, felt like I was strong enough—felt like I had put the work in that I could be one of the top receivers in the draft,” said Bourne. “Even if I wasn’t projected, I felt like I was. It was mostly me, but my family was motivating me to declare so it all kind of came together.”

He joined teammates Cooper Kupp, Samson Ebukam, Shaq Hill, Jordan West and Miquiyah Zamora as EWU’s 2017 NFL declarees. After putting his name in the draft, it was time to prepare for Bourne, who moved to the Seattle area for pre-draft workouts.

Bourne, alongside Ebukam, worked out at Ford Sports Performance with Tracy Ford. That training, Bourne said, was one of the toughest components of the whole draft process. From waking up early every single morning to a strict diet supplemented with a rigorous weight program, it was not easy for the young receiver.

There were two opportunities for Bourne to showcase his talent to NFL personnel.

First was the NFL Combine from Feb. 28 to March 6. Second was EWU’s Pro Day, which came a few weeks later on March 28.

During that time, contact with teams was mostly limited as organizations attempt to mask their true intentions with the hopes of deceiving others. Some clubs had been in contact with Bourne though.

So when the San Francisco 49ers called in the middle of the seventh round of the NFL Draft, it came as a surprise to Bourne as the team had precisely zero contact with him prior to the draft. The phone call actually came right after the Jacksonville Jaguars had called Bourne to let him know they were interested.

When the draft ended, Bourne had yet

to be picked up. But teams were lining up for the rights to sign him to an undrafted free agent contract—Bourne said he had six options to choose from. Wanting to stay on the West Coast, the San Francisco 49ers were an easy choice.

Immediately following the conclusion of the draft, Bourne signed a threeyear undrafted free agent contract with the 49ers. For Bourne, excitement and nervousness ensued upon realizing he was now going to be competing for a spot on an NFL roster.

The moment also came with a burden that most professional athletes carry—the pressure from family and friends.

“A lot of my family members hit me up, a lot of guys just thinking I’m a millionaire already,” said Bourne. “It was a lot of emotions. I just had to remind people, I ain’t really made it yet. I just signed a paper and got $20,000 guaranteed if I get cut—that’s all I really know. Me not really knowing, I just wanted to calm people down what they think about me. My cousin’s thinking I’m made it, like nah bro I ain’t done it yet. This is one step up, this is a big step. But it’s not

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January 10, 2018 | Volume 101, Issue 11

Sports where I want to be, so I couldn’t get to a point where I got too big-headed about it and I kept myself calm about it, not trying to put myself out there too much about it.”

Since EWU is on the quarter system, NFL rules prohibited Bourne from joining the team while school was still in session.

Organized team activities usually begin in late May. Bourne was not allowed to join the team until late June, and did not do so until July.

That led to a sharp learning curve for the undrafted rookie, who was on the bottom of the 49ers wide receivers depth chart heading into training camp in August. But Bourne said his commitment to studying the playbook proved to be a valuable tool as he learned to become a better NFL receiver. The combination of studying and live practice repetitions fueled Bourne’s early growth.

After months of practicing, it was finally time for game action. The 49ers opened up the preseason on the road against the Kansas City Chiefs—a game that holds a certain distinction in Bourne’s mind, for a few reasons.

In with the reserves toward the end of the game, Bourne had his number called on a slant route. He ran the route clean, got open and went to grab the pass thrown his way. As he began to make his first move, Bourne was blasted by a Chiefs defender and dropped the pass.

Bourne went to the sidelines, obviously feeling down on himself. His very next play, Bourne again had his number called. And for the second consecutive time, Bourne dropped it.

Two passes, two drops. For the first-year player on the fringe of the roster, it was not the best of starts.

Then it happened.

“When I made the move, the doublemove didn’t work,” said Bourne. “The corner didn’t come up how I anticipated. He kind of came up, but he still was back, he had enough room to cover and get back and try to beat me vertical. I just stuttered him, went up—I tried to get outside of him, but he cut me off and so I just slipped inside of him.

Then it was an off-schedule by [quarterback] C.J. [Beathard], he rolled out, running away from some lineman. I was just open and I made a good elusive move.”

Forty-six yards later and Bourne was dancing in the end zone after scoring his first NFL touchdown, bringing the score to 17-16. The 49ers ended up winning 26-17, with Bourne’s 46-yard touchdown proving

to be crucial.

Bourne finished the game with four receptions for 88 yards and one touchdown.

As an undrafted rookie, it was quite the debut.

As the preseason progressed, Bourne felt as he if were making improvements.

Nothing is guaranteed in the NFL though, especially being undrafted. When the day of roster cuts came, it was a period of uneasiness for Bourne.

When no call came on both days of cuts for Bourne, who was with his family eating breakfast at the time, the stress began to subside. Once he saw his name on the official team roster later that day, it was another sense of accomplishment.

Entering the season, Bourne was buried on the depth chart behind the likes of Pierre Garçon, Marquise Goodwin, Trent Taylor and Aldrick Robinson. It is why Bourne did not see the field at all during the beginning of the season, remaining on the inactive list from Week 2 to Week 6.

But that would not be case for long as Garçon went down with a neck injury in Week 8 and was subsequently placed on injured reserve, ending the veteran receiver’s season. One’s peril ended up as another’s opportunity.

With a depleted core, it was Bourne’s turn to show that he could make plays.

Being put into the receiving rotation came as a confident booster for the rookie, who admitted to struggling with it while the team was 0-9 and he was not seeing any playing time.

Bourne said not getting on the field actually ended up fueling him, wanting to prove to head coach Kyle Shanahan that he was worthy of game action.

“If [Shanahan] notices me every time, I’m just showing up every time, every day, he has to get to a point where he’s like, ‘We gotta activate this guy. We just have to use him. Even if doesn’t play, we just need him just in case,’” said Bourne.

Even with the increased role, the production had yet to be seen from Bourne.

That would come later, when a certain quarterback change was made.

On October 30, the 49ers dealt a 2018 second-round pick to the New England Patriots in exchange for quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. Instantly, Bourne’s phone started buzzing. But not for the reason one probably thinks.

“Everybody was on my social media like, ‘Number 10 man, you gotta give it up,’” said Bourne. “And I’m like, ‘Dang man, this sucks. Wow he come in here and take

my number.’ But I was just being a team player with it, I didn’t really care. I didn’t do nothing in the number or anything like that.

I’m just going to give it up, like I don’t even care. He’s a vet, he’s been in the league, so it was an easy give-away.”

Bourne’s No. 10 jersey was handed to Garoppolo and a No. 84 jersey was distributed to the rookie. For two different players, both from FCS schools, the number switch can be viewed as a rebirth.

Garoppolo—in his new No. 10 jersey— proceeded to lead the 49ers on a five-game winning streak to end the season once he was named the starter in Week 13. Bourne— in his new No. 84 jersey—began to find his way into the stat sheet, culminating in a particularly impressive Week 15 win against the Tennessee Titans.

Bourne had four receptions for a seasonhigh 85 yards in that game, showing off his ability to create yards after the catch and establishing a rapport with Garoppolo.

While his season numbers altogether are not that notable—16 receptions for 257 yards—it is the late-season surge that provides room for optimism with Bourne moving forward. That surge is partly attributable to Garoppolo, who elevates the play of those around him, among the many traits the 26-year-old quarterback possesses.

For Bourne, it is Garoppolo’s intangibles that stand out the most compared to the previous quarterbacks he played with.

“It’s [Garoppolo’s] confidence and his natural leadership,” said Bourne. “Natural leadership mostly though, because he just knows how to motivate people. It was natural when he first came in. Last couple games I was dancing—we got a first down—and he was like, ‘Come on KB! Get the hell in the huddle.’ Like aye man, that’s legit. Ain’t no other quarterback yelled at me like that, telling me ‘let’s go.’ One time we was in the huddle, the Gatorade ladies was in there, the waterboys, and he come in like, ‘Get the hell out of the huddle! We got to go!’ Like serious, he made them go.”

That kind of urgency is appealing to Bourne, and it is part of why the entire locker room is feeling positive about their new quarterback.

As well as playing with one of the bright young passers of the game, Bourne has had the opportunity to learn under the tutelage of Kyle Shanahan—widely recognized as one of the most innovative offensive minds in football.

Like Bourne, it was also a debut year for Shanahan, who signed a six-year deal on Feb.

7 to be the head coach of the 49ers. Under the guide of Shanahan, the mental aspect of the game has opened up for Bourne.

“He definitely showed me parts about football that I never even thought about or considered that all really affect the game,” said Bourne. “I’m talking lineman-wise; lineman having to do certain blocks, how he sets up d-ends [defensive ends] to think we running this play and we’re running this play; sets up linebackers to think we’re doing this run, when we’re running a boot.

Like I know everything that’s happening now. I know what the fullback is doing, I know what the slot is doing, I know when the tight end is going across the line to block that d-end on the right side. I know everything that is going on.”

Heading into 2018, even with Garçon set to return, the role of Bourne will most likely be expanded. The first-year player has provided glimpses of his ability, both on and off-the-field, to warrant such an expansion. Even Shanahan noted Bourne’s performances throughout the year.

With his rookie NFL season in the rearview mirror, Bourne is settling into his life as a professional. Bourne currently lives in Santa Clara with teammate offensive lineman Darrell Williams Jr. When he first made the roster—his rookie contract becoming guaranteed— Bourne said he frequented the mall quite a bit, buying clothes he had always wanted.

Growing up, Bourne never had much, evident of the landscaping job he worked with his father beginning at age 13. He also purchased a Mercedes Benz AMG 663, but has since cooled his spending, feeling just content with the items he has right now.

Per Spotrac, Bourne’s three-year deal is worth a total of $1.6 million. This past season, Bourne made $465,000 in base salary with a $25,000 signing bonus.

Now, life is kind of boring for Bourne having bought what he wanted to. A typical day consists of team-related activities followed up with body treatment. And that is just how Bourne prefers it, because this is the life he has aspired for.

“It really is one of the best jobs in the world and I don’t take it for granted,” said Bourne. “I won’t put nothing at risk to lose it.”

14 | The Easterner

Volume 101, Issue 11 | January 10, 2018

Sports

Women’s basketball splits road pair, move to 2-2 in conference Michael Brock Sports Editor

The EWU women’s basketball team split a pair of road conference games last weekend, losing to Portland State 75-60 before beating Sacramento State 83-72.

With the results, the Eagles moved to 2-2 in Big Sky play and 7-9 overall.

On Jan. 4 against PSU, EWU took their only lead of the game in the first quarter at 14-13. By the end of the frame, they trailed 18-14. From there the Vikings went on a 13-2 burst to grasp a 31-16 advantage. PSU led the Eagles 37-23 at halftime, as the Vikings connected on 53.1 percent of their attempts.

The second half was a mostly back-andforth affair, however EWU was unable to pull any closer than eight points. PSU won 75-60, shooting 48.5 percent for the game, compared to 31.8 percent for the Eagles.

Junior guard Violet Kapri Morrow contributed 25 points, including four three-pointers, while senior forward Delaney Hodgins added 16 points. No one else scored in double figures. Sophomore guard Symone Starks had seven points on 3-15 shooting.

Meanwhile, PSU had four players with double-digit scoring. The Vikings were led by junior guards Sidney Rielly (19

points, eight rebounds and five assists) and Ashley Bolston (15 points and eight rebounds). Junior forward Courtney West stuffed the stat sheet with 14 points (7-8 shooting), seven rebounds, four assists and five blocks.

The Vikings had 44 points in the paint, compared to 20 for EWU. PSU also shared the ball well, finishing with 23 assists to the Eagles’ 11.

“Tonight’s loss was on me,” said head coach Wendy Schuller following PSU contest. “I don’t feel like I did a good enough job getting us ready considering the circumstances. I attribute our slow start to that and it was hard to recover from it.”

Fortunately, the Eagles got off to a better start against Sac State on Jan. 6.

They did trail 2-5 early on, but led 21-14 at the end of the first quarter.

The team kept the lead for the remainder of the game, and held on to a 42-37 halftime advantage. Through 20 minutes of play, the Eagles already had Hodgins and Morrow in double figures.

EWU went on an 11-0 run in the third quarter, capped off by a Hodgins layup to go up 60-46. The Eagles shot 73.3 percent in the frame. They would close out the game 83-72, connecting on 49.2 percent of the field goals for the

Photo courtesy of Ron Swords Senior forward Mariah Cunningham runs the break against Multnomah on Dec. 8. The Eagles are now 7-9.

game—compared to 39.3 for Sac State.

“Wins on the road in the Big Sky are always hard to come by. I was really proud of our team for bouncing back after a tough one on Thursday […] I thought we handled their pressure well and played extremely hard.”

Hodgins put in a complete stat line of 27 points, nine rebounds, six assists and four steals.

This was the senior forward’s eighth game of the season with over 20 points, as she moved into second place on the school’s all-time career scoring list.

Hodgins is now 91 points away from passing her sister Hayley’s mark of 1,865.

Morrow and Starks had 15 points each, while freshman guard Brittany Klaman had a career-high 12 points.

“Our young guards did a really nice Bailey Monteith for The Easterner job and Kapri was a warrior. Delaney Sophomore forward Uriah Howard scans the BYU defense on Nov. 17. Howard is averaging 7.2 points. stepped up and did so much more than

just score for us. All of these things along with great effort from the entire team was necessary for us to get the win,” Schuller said.

The Vikings had three players in double figures, paced by sophomore guard Hannah Friend with 26 points. PSU committed 20 turnovers.

EWU will face off at home against Idaho on Friday, Jan. 18 at 5:05 p.m. •

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January 10, 2018 | Volume 101, Issue 11

Men’s basketball win two at home, open Big Sky 3-1

Sports

Senior forward Bogdan Bliznyuk is 62 points from becoming Eagles’ all-time scoring leader.

Photo courtesy of Aaron Malmoe A group of Eagles react during a dead ball in the team’s victory over Portland State on Jan. 4. EWU is now 8-9 on the season.

Jeremy Burnham Reporter

The 10-game non-conference road trip that saw the EWU men’s basketball team suffer a seven game losing streak is distant memory. The Eagles are back at home, and Big Sky Conference play has started. EWU picked up a pair of wins over Portland State on Jan. 4, and Sacramento State on Jan. 6, to improve their conference record to 3-1, and their overall record to 8-9.

The week saw the return of sophomore forward Mason Peatling to the lineup.

Peatling had missed the Eagles’ first two conference games with a hand injury.

Peatling played—but did not start—against PSU on Thursday, before joining the starting five against Sac State on Saturday.

PSU entered the game 10-4 overall, however they were 0-1 in conference play after losing their conference opener to Sac State.

Senior forward Bogdan Bliznyuk continued his stellar season on Thursday against PSU. He had 28 points, 12 rebounds and was a perfect 13-13 at the free throw line.

PSU contained Bliznyuk for much of the first half, holding him to only eight points.

The Vikings came out aggressively to start the game with a full-court press. This— along with quick transition play—helped the Vikings climb to a 12-7 lead.

However, EWU freshman forward Richard Polanco scored five straight to even up the score. Polanco made the most of his six first-half minutes by scoring nine points. The Mustangs closed out the half

with a 40-38 advantage.

The second half was the Bogdan Bliznyuk show. The preseason Big Sky MVP candidate scored the first seven points of the half for the Eagles, as the team went up 48-47. The lead didn’t last long.

PSU senior forward Braxton Tucker hit a jumper, and junior guard Michael Mayhew sunk a three to put PSU up four with 13:33 remaining in the game. This would be PSU’s final lead of the contest.

The Eagles went on a 16-0 run, and never looked back. Bliznyuk scored 13 more points, bringing his second half total to 20, and his game total to 28. The Eagles won 81-74.

The Eagles had to fight for every point they scored against an intense Viking defense that never called off the full-court press.

“We haven’t played a team like that this year,” said EWU head coach Shantay Legans. “Teams have pressured us, but this team is 40 minutes of straight press.

They speed you up and don’t allow you to get into your sets.”

Saturday’s contest brought a different kind of challenge to the Eagles’ offense. Sac State entered the game determined to shut down Bliznyuk at all costs. And while they did limit Bliznyuk to his season low of two points, it came at a high price, as five Eagles managed to score in double digits.

Peatling returned to the starting lineup, and played the first eight minutes of the game. While the Hornets were double and triple-teaming Bliznyuk, Peatling scored 10 points in eight minutes, before sitting and

resting most of the remainder of the half.

He finished with 12 points. The Eagles went into the locker-room with a 39-27 lead.

Junior guard Cody Benzel scored 18 of his 25 points in the second half to seal Sac State’s coffin, as the Eagles coasted to a 82-67 victory. Senior center Benas Griciunas had 16 points, while freshman guard Jack Perry chipped in 14 and senior guard Sir Washington had 10.

Despite Bliznyuk being held to two points, Legans was quick to point out the forward’s other contributions to the game.

“Bogdan had one of his best passing games of his career because he was getting triple-teamed every time he got the ball,” Legans said. “They took Bogdan away, and he did a really good job facilitating for other guys. A lot of teams will guard Bogdan like

that, but it’s going to hurt them because our guys can really shoot the ball.”

Bliznyuk was not bothered by the unusually low number is the scoring column on his statistics sheet.

“It was great that we play like that, and make sure we punish teams that try to do that,” said Bliznyuk. “We’ve got great shooters and great finishers. If teams are going to do that, this a great sign of what we can do.”

The Eagles were without junior forward Jesse Hunt with an ankle injury, but Legans said he expects him back for the Eagles’ home game on Friday, Jan. 18 against Idaho, which tips off at 7:30 p.m. •

16 | The Easterner

Volume 101, Issue 11 | January 10, 2018

Sports

Basketball alum Marc Axton is an Eagle for life Michael Brock Sports Editor

Former EWU men’s basketball player Marc Axton was a crucial piece of Eastern basketball from 2002-2005, four of the most successful seasons in program history. The Eagles won 60 games in Axton’s time at the school, and gained first-ever berths in both the NCAA Tournament (2004) and the National Invitation Tournament (2003).

Individually, Axton was the conference Freshman of the Year and was named all-Big Sky in his final three seasons. He was also All-Academic in the Big Sky twice.

Heading into the 2017-18 season, Axton still ranked highly in multiple school marks for his career, including: threes made (4th), games played (5th), free throws made (8th), points scored (11th) and rebounds (13th).

“I wanted to be out there competing every day,” Axton recently told The Easterner. “That was my goal, to try and give our team the best opportunity to win.”

Axton met his wife Krystn while at EWU, and in 2005, he graduated with a business administration degree. After four years with the Eagles, the 6-foot7 forward out of Tacoma played seven years professionally overseas, including stops in Finland, Spain and France.

The first two of Marc and Krystn’s four children were born in Spain, and Axton said his family went back last summer to meet up with friends that still live there. Looking back now, Axton equates playing professional basketball as “being retired before actually working.”

“Living overseas you’re able to be with new cultures, understand their way of living and really enjoy your time there.

I will always value that,” said Axton.

In 2011, Axton decided to retire from basketball, unsure of what to do next. He considered a number of opportunities, including assistant coaching, but the necessary time commitment didn’t

appear worth missing out on family time.

Ultimately, Axton was hired as a lead sales representative for Mitek Sports Medicine in Arizona. After three years in the orthopedic field, he took a position at Cardinal Heath in Spokane, where he is now a sales representative providing products and services to hospitals in the surrounding area.

“I think being in that team atmosphere for so long in basketball, it really helps,” said Axton. “Working with a team in sales and just knowing and helping each other out, those are probably the biggest things. And also having that work ethic of showing up and working hard.”

Now, Axton gets his basketball fix by participating in Hoopfest, the annual 3-on-3 extravaganza held in Spokane.

He’s played in two festivals so far, with his team placing second in 2016 and first last summer in the Men’s Over 6’ Elite division. EWU alum Parker Kelly plays for the same team.

“It’s definitely just for fun, but I’m able to keep that competitive spirit up,” said Axton. “I still love the game. I always will.”

Axton attends EWU games when he can, and first-year head coach Shantay Legans said the former Eagle still comes and plays pickup with the current players from time-to-time.

“He works hard at everything he does, so it’s great to have him out as much as we can,” Legans told The Easterner.

“He does everything the way we want to. After college he went to play pro ball. And then after that he’s got a great job and he’s got a family. So it’s a good barometer for our guys to look at.” • Photo courtesy of EWU Athletics EWU alum Marc Axton shoots a jumper over a Gonzaga defender. The former Eagle is now a sales representative in Spokane, where he lives with his wife Krystn and four kids.