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April 23, 2010 | Friday
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SAN DIEGO
BOUND Ryan Mathews heads south as the
12th pick in first round By Vongni Yang The Collegian
When NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell walked onto the stage to announce the first pick of the 2010 NFL Draft, former Fresno State See DRAFT, Page 7
Brianna Campbell / The Collegian
Ryan Mathews, former Bulldog running back, was seen in a San Diego Chargers hat at Saturday’s scrimmage, the team that drafted him Thursday.
Test used as control for head trauma By Joe Bailey The Collegian Laying face down, hazily glaring at a thousand blades of grass as if they were stars all the while having little or no recollection of how and why they are there. This is an experience a number of football players endure after suffering a devastating hit, and possibly a concussion. Research on cognitive function, from earlier this year, has changed the way many teams handled possible head injuries. Last football season, star running back Ryan Matthews took a severe hit and suffered a concussion in the first half of a game against Nevada. Tony Hill, head athletic trainer for the football team, is entering his third season coordinating the football’s health care unit. Hill said he has seen approximately five concussions with the football team, with the only concussion occurring in a game being Matthews’. “Basically, we assessed him on the field, got him to the sideline, then put him through a more thorough exam,” Hill said. “We then got back to the locker room and let him gather himself.” Hill said this is the typical procedure for players who have suffered a tremendous hit on the field. Matthews missed the rest of the Nevada game and had to sit out the next game a week later. “It was a good grade-two concussion,” Hill said. “He had significant memory loss for a while after the injury and that’s pretty common. But you knew it wasn’t just a ding. A lot of guys will get confused; headaches for ten minutes, then everything will be back after thirty minutes. I asked Ryan a few days after and he had little recollection of
that first and second half.” When a serious concussion is obvious, the training staff takes more thorough steps to evaluate a player’s health and ability to return to the field. “We usually put them under a 48-hour observatory period where they don’t do anything,” Hill said. “We check in with them once or twice a day and see how they’re doing and then after that we give them the ImPACT Test.” The ImPACT Test is a neurocognitive computer test football players take before they even start practice as a Bulldog football player. This way, the training staff has a baseline of each player’s healthy test that can be used to compare with a test taken after a head injury. Often, using the word concussion can often lead to some confusion, with many people not understanding what a concussion is, athletic training program coordinator Scott Sailor said. “The myth regarding concussions is that you don’t have a concussion unless you lose consciousness,” Sailor said. “A concussion is a brain injury that can vary in severity, from real mild, to where individuals describe it as getting their bell rung, very severe with symptoms lasting months to years.” The symptoms of a concussion can be devastating if overlooked. Sailor said researchers are finding long-term problems that players develop from concussion, such as cognitive function losses. “ E ve n s o m e s i t u a t i o n s wh e r e researchers are feeling there could be links to Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s,” Sailor said. “There could be precursors that lead to a higher rate to those conditions.” Sailor said more need to realize how serious a hit to the head can be.
Sports Fresno State’s former running back makes his way into the NFL, Page 7
“I think one of our big jobs about sports safety and health care is really educating the public,” Sailor said. “There is still the mentality ‘I just got my bell rung and I’ll be OK’ and we realize now, getting your bell rung is a bad deal and it could lead to a lot of issues.” Some of the health issues caused by concussions are tragic even when compared to other sports injuries. “We tend to focus on blown out knees and shoulders,” Sailor said. “Arthritis in your shoulder isn’t anything compared to not being able to remember your kids’ names.” Hill has been around the country, and See HEAD, Page 6
Senate recommends sustainable education
By Mike Boylan The Collegian At the Associated Student, Inc. (ASI) meeting Wednesday, the Senate made strides toward minimizing the burden of expensive textbooks and passed a resolution that will recommend incorporating sustainable education into Fresno State’s general education (GE) curriculum. Sen. Selena Farnesi, who sits on the GE committee, presented the solution. She said that there has been much discussion regarding possible changes to GE because of an executive order. After the Senate passed the resolution, it will move to the sustainability sub-committee. If it passes there, it will go to the GE committee. The GE curriculum, which is already on their agenda for 2010-11 school year, would be re-written. Farnesi said it will positively impact the school financially, while also allowing students to graduate sooner because Fresno State requires more general education than other California State University (CSU) campuses. “It takes our students – especially high-impact and high-unit majors like engineering and nursing – longer to graduate because they are required to take more general education units than students at other schools,” Farnesi said to the Senate. Cody Madsen, senator-at-large for residence, said the GE committee is already moving in the direction of adjusting GE requirements for the school, and that he sees expressing support for sustainable education to the committee, on behalf of the student body, as a positive development. Sen. Brie Witt, who represents the Jordan College of Agricultural Science and Technology, favored the resolution like the other senators, but was also concerned about the actual development of the sustainable education curriculum, because there are some misSee ASI, Page 6
Colleges struggle to make ends meet By Joseph Luiz The Collegian
Brianna Campbell / The Collegian
The handling of head trauma has been in question over the last year. Two Bulldogs go head to head during Saturday’s scrimmage.
Due to the state’s continuing financial crisis, Fresno State is considering further measures to balance its budget, such as program and department cuts. Although Fresno State and other universities have attempted to save by making decisions such as cutting faculty and operational costs, advantages are limited and more assistance may be necessary. Program and department cuts, or even elimination, are being considered by some as possible solutions. There has also been discussion of See BUDGETS, Page 6
Opinion The
Collegian
That’s What the People Are Saying On Larry King suggesting that Sarah Palin should pose nude
Opinion Editor, Tony Petersen • collegian-opinion@csufresno.edu • Friday, April 23, 2010
Page 2
“L
arry should pose for ‘Viagra Monthly’.” — Ann Coulter, Politico
Op-ed
Obama supports racism? By Oscar Perez
B
arack Obama—racist or baby killer? I say none of the above, but allow me to add imprudent; imprudent to the full extent of the word. Obama and his followers supported racism and abortions when the House passed the new health care reform legislation on Sunday, March 21, 2010, which was later signed into law by Obama on Tuesday, March 23, 2010. But, I will not speak so much on abortion as I will on the fact that they supported racism. Not one Republican supported the bill, including Californian congressmen Devin Nunes and George Radanovich, yet Republicans are the ones that are looked upon as racists. I hope that Obama realized what he was doing when he signed this new health care reform legislation into law, because I honestly believe he did not realize the big mistake he was committing. And if he did, which would be pretty racist of him, I say shame on him, shame on his administration and shame on all of his supporters. It is simple to suggest that this new health care reform legislation will not straightforwardly finance abortions due to the fact that there are an extreme amount of forms to ultimately finance abortion. On the other hand, Obama’s bill will reserve more than $11 billion to financially support community health care clinics not excluding Planned Parenthood clinics, which by the way support abortions and racism. Planned Parenthood is a strong
and influential agency throughout many communities. It is an agency that consistently receives positive and complimentary exposure in the news media and each year it supported with large amounts of money from taxes, community charities and supporters like Obama. But what exactly do we know about Planned Parenthood’s history? Nothing, yet it is supported throughout many communities and the government, and it is not a coincidence that mostly all Planned Parenthood clinics are located in communities where the residents are either lowincome families, working-class individuals or minorities. The history of Planned Parenthood is silenced, and this silence has a reason. Planned Parenthood was established from the “fears” of America’s wealthy, the so called “sophisticated privileged.” In order to have more time for leisure activities, the wealthy stopped having children. As a result they considered the high birth rates of the “poor,” including low-income families, working-class individuals and minorities, an extreme threat to the future of America. Margaret Sanger, founder of Planned Parenthood, is credited in part for inspiring Adolf Hitler in his views of eugenics. It is also known that she advocated abortions on African-Americans in order to eradicate what she referred to as “socially undesirable people.” Planned Parenthood was created to eliminate low-income families, working-class individuals and minorities, in Sanger’s words, “the poor and unde-
sirable.” Planned Parenthood is by far the leading abortion provider in the United States. 80 percent of Planned Parenthood clinics are in minority communities. African-Americans make up 15 percent of the population, but sadly 35 percent of the abortions throughout the United States, according to Ministries of Monroe. I wonder, “Did Obama know this already?” If he cared so much about the American people then he would have considered all beneficiaries of his new health care reform legislation. Obviously, he only looked out for himself, because by signing this new health care reform legislation he supported racism, the killing of minorities and ignorance. To finalize such a repulsive issue, I want to say that Planned Parenthood was created by a racist to kill off minorities, especially AfricanAmericans, and in return it was supported, albeit indirectly, by none other than our first African-American president, the one and only Barack Obama. Obama did not directly support racism, but indeed he did. His ignorance blindsided him. His bill supported an agency which was created out of racism. What’s done is done, now let’s move on. We are all human and we all make mistakes, except Obama’s will affect millions. Oscar Perez is a sophomore Mass Communications and Journalism major and contributing writer who was recently elected as Associated Students, Inc. senator at-large.
Web-Spe@k Culled each week from discussions on The Collegian Online.
Response:
California’s big mistake ed: “Mr. Dubbels, I couldn’t agree more. With so many taxpayer resources spent on so many absurd causes, it’s inconceivable that so many are set free to prey on, well...so many!!”
Response:
In defense of Fresno Bryan: “Great article, Maddie! I went through a lot of the same discussions with my friends who left for college. A lot of folks have a tough time looking past the negatives to see what a great place Fresno really is.”
Response:
Time to fix the budget joshua4234: “One of the more honest writings of Tony. Besides thinking Meg Whitman is not as bad as Jerry, I’d agree on a lot. Jerry is trying to start the first pre-primary debate so WE can see who actually has good ideas about how to fix things and can articulate them to us (anyone can make a website or commercials and put some fluff on it), but, hmm, can you guess who won’t join the debate? I’ll give you three guesses and the first two don’t count, Meg Whitman. At least get a Republican that is willing to get out there and fight it out with Democratic candidates and maybe even sway me if they are just going to concentrate on budget issues.” richmck: “Like the bank robber Willie Sutton, Meg Whitman should go where the money is! And there is real money in the $6.5 billion prison construction program. Despite what she has probably been told, the actual correctional bed shortage is the 65,000 county jail bed shortage reported in the California Sheriffs Association jail study, not in the prisons. The jail bed shortage required the shift of technical parole violators to prison for a violation hearing, the reason for the prison bed shortage. Parole violators occupy 25,000 expensive prison beds. Placing them in contract beds would reduce prison operating costs by over $500 million annually and avoid spending billions for unnecessary prison construction. The prison construction funds could be applied to the deficit!”
Response:
Undocumented students less than 1 percent MarieCSU: “I think there should be a path to legalization. These people are here for a good cause, I am sure they will help California thrive. We are a nation of immigrants. Also, employers need to stop taking advantage of undocumented people.”
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The Collegian is a student-run publication that serves the Fresno State community on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Views expressed in The Collegian do not necessarily reflect the views of the staff or university.
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Friday, April 23, 2010
The Collegian • Arts & Entertainment Arts & Entertainment Editor, Danielle Gilbert • collegian-features@csufresno.edu
The daily crossword
Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis Los Angeles Times
ACROSS 1 Lively Cuban dance 6 They can be loose or tight 10 Shade of red 14 Sharon of Israel 15 Bobby’s informant 16 Moisturizer brand 17 Stonemason’s goal? 20 Word before or after dog 21 Islamic spiritual guide 22 Contemptible people 23 “Woe __!� 25 Biography opener? 27 Flirt’s mascara stains? 30 Fanciful idea 34 “It’s what’s hot in pain relief� brand 35 Feudal estate 37 Caesar’s morning meal? 38 “Man is __ himself when he talks in his own person�: Wilde 39 Chain with pieces, briefly 40 Rose petal pest 42 PC program 43 French 101 infinitive 45 Bustle (with) 46 High-tech unit 48 Dermatology class videos? 50 With wild abandon 52 Chiwere speaker 53 End of a series 56 Regarding 58 Curdle
Puzzle by Jerome Gunderson
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PUZZLE SOLUTION: http://collegian.csufresno.edu Copyright 2009. Tribune Media Services, Inc.
62 Inherited wealth? 65 Celtic language 66 Whitecap formation 67 Befuddled 68 Feat 69 Minnesota __ 70 Antares or Betelgeuse DOWN 1 Crow cacophony
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2 Like much lore 3 River from Lake Victoria 4 Kelso and Funny Cide 5 Frazier foe 6 Glossy paint 7 Zip, to Zapata 8 Like many a rescue 9 Something to look up to 10 Certain pet, in totspeak 11 Childlike Wells race 12 Deserve
13 Kid 18 “Build it somewhere else� acronym 19 Flier with a bent nose 24 Shark or Penguin footwear 26 Take advantage of 27 Obviously sad 28 Unsuitable 29 Buyer’s proposal 31 Boring 32 Political columnist Molly 33 Anti-DUI org. 34 Betray a confidence, perhaps 36 One-named male model 39 Volcano in the Sunda Strait 41 Skunk relatives 44 Company quorum? 45 “Sweet� river in a Burns poem 47 Made 3 on a par-5 49 Clan emblems 51 Mad, e.g., briefly 53 Due 54 Bog down 55 Word suggesting options 57 Doc’s “Now!� 59 Tilt 60 Pre-military rank? 61 Royal Russian of yore 63 Amiss 64 Pinup’s leg
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Word of the Day
Buy-curious A person who is just looking around and may or may not be interested in buying something from a store. Source: UrbanDictionary.com
Arts & Entertainment The
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Page 4 • Arts & Entertainment Editor, Danielle Gilbert • collegian-features@csufresno.edu • Friday, April 23, 2010
I heart the 80s: By Joseph Daniel McClatchy Tribune Don’t you love sparring with friends, especially over which decade gave us the best music? Most of them claim it was the ‘70s, but their judgment has been compromised from hitting the spliff one too many times, so they can’t be trusted. Readers born in the ‘80s, have an obligation to defend the best era in auditory existence. With bands like Depeche Mode and The Cure releasing some of their best tracks during that decade, and innovations in audio hardware and lyrical content almost any age group can identify with, there’s no denying it’s one of the greatest musical periods of all time. It’s a hyper-nostalgic decade immortalized through cover bands, and growing up during the ‘80s ensures a long-lasting sentimental attachment to songs like “Little Lies” by Fleetwood Mac and “Shout” by Tears for Fears well into adulthood. Here are four all-time favorites:
“Take on Me” by a-ha Quite possibly one of the best investments ever made by a production company. Warner Bros. dumped giant stacks of cash hoping to create a groundbreaking video for an a-ha single that had already failed multiple times. The result was a 1985 newlyrevitalized track paired with an award-winning video that was way ahead of its time.
“People Are People” by Depeche Mode
This song is responsible for Depeche Mode addiction. The beauty behind this 1984 tune is its clear and simple message about racial indifference and inequality, which probably fueled its popularity during its release. But the song’s groovy metallic-style instrumentation is undeniable.
“Your Love” by The Outfield This 1986 New Order tune make those born in the 80s daydream of having a power mullet like Tony Lewis.
“Tainted Love” by Soft Cell
I can’t think of another song that has been covered or sampled by modern artists more. Coincidentally, Soft Cell’s version is a cover as well. The original was recorded by Motown’s Gloria Jones.
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COMMENT: The Collegian is a forum for student expression. http://collegian.csufresno.edu
Adoring the decade’s sound
Page 5 • The Collegian • Friday, April23, 2010
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The Collegian • Features Features Editor, Michelle Furnier • collegian-features@csufresno.edu
BUDGETS: University’s colleges look for innovative ways to save money CONTINUED from page 1 merging or consolidating departments and programs. One suggestion was also made for a reduction in the number of required General Education (GE) courses. “If we see conditions worsen, we will have to start making some real hard choices on each CSU campus,” said Andrew Jones, professor of sociology and member of the Academic Senate. “I think that conditions could actually get far worse than what [the administration] has envisioned is possible.” According to Jones, some university administrators have been emphasizing a need to return to core studies, such as math and science, instead of offering what they consider to be less practical majors such as philosophy or music. “They’ve labeled these programs as being ‘boutique’ courses or ‘boutique’ majors,” Jones said. “This suggests that they are not central or necessary for attainment of a job.” Jones suggests that more practical fields of study will be preserved, but majors that are deemed unnecessary may be in danger of getting cut or merged together in the future. He said he believes that, although there was a struggle to get diverse majors such as ethnic studies offered in higher education, there has been an attempt to roll this back. “I can see them looking at every department in every college and looking at a cost-benefit analysis,” Jones said. One other possible effect of this is the merging of departments or programs. Other
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CSU’s have done this, such as CSU Stanislaus. They have merged departments and programs for more than 40 years. However, they have 9,000 students on average compared to the 22,000 at Fresno State. Jones said merging is less likely to be implemented at Fresno State than program cuts due to possible logistical issues. “What we do here may not work well at CSU Stanislaus, and vice versa,” he said. There are some colleges at Fresno State that are more in danger of facing programmatic cuts or mergers than others, according to Jones. One is the College of Arts and Humanities, due to the fact that the subjects in this college are considered less practical. However, Associate Dean José Díaz doesn’t believe that the college is in financial danger or that it will suffer significant programmatic changes. “I don’t see it happening in the foreseeable future,” Díaz said. “We are trying to protect the integrity of our programs.” According to the 2009-10 budget, however, the college is facing severe deficits in some of its programs. During the 200809 year, the communication department spent $57,227 more than what the general fund allotted. The music department had the worst shortfall; spending $154,735 over its budget. The college was able to break even overall. Díaz said the college is seeking alternative funding, such as private support, to help fill in the budget gaps left by the
general fund. The college also doesn’t plan to cut essential classes required for graduation, although they may cut some elective classes if necessary. Díaz said that the college’s main goal is to avoid more faculty layoffs. There are a few colleges considered practical that are also struggling financially and in risk of facing significant cuts; one is the Lyles College of Engineering, which is the smallest college on campus. It has educated approximately 1,200 majors a year since 2005, according to Institutional Research, Assessment and Planning (IRAP) data. It also receives the lowest budget out of all of the colleges on campus. According to the 200910 budget, they were given approximately $4.5 million for the last budget year. The Craig School of Business was second lowest at over $6.2 million. According to the budget, out of the four major options under the Lyles College of Engineering, two were in the red in the 2008-09 year. The civil and geomatics engineering department spent $38,053 over its budget while the mechanical and industrial engineering department overspent by $92, 373. Although the college was able to break even for the year, Michael Jenkins, dean of the college, agrees that they are still facing significant problems. “We are struggling financially because we are smaller and only educate our majors,” Jenkins said.
Friday, April 23, 2010
ASI: One aspect is e-textbooks CONTINUED from page 1 conceptions about what “sustainable” means. “Sustainability and going green often go against each other,” Witt said. “Organic far ming in my opinion is unsustainable, because you can’t feed the world.” Witt said while sustainability should always be strived for, Fresno State is in the breadbasket of the world and if the school intends to encourage sustainability, it should be done in a way that considers all angles of the discussion. Farnesi said now that the resolution has passed, ASI can make recommendations to the committee before it makes the inevitable changes to GE curriculum. The Senate Bill 1045 requires
all textbooks offered on campus to be available online as an e-textbook. The e-textbook must be a full and complete version of the hard copy. Farnesi has been organizing a textbook study to gauge how students acquire and use their textbooks. Among the studies included will be a survey of students who have used e-textbooks as a requirement for a math class, which will be reflected in a future Senate report. Farnesi said she hopes to generate focus groups with the help of other senators that will provide insight into the strengths and weaknesses of using traditional textbooks in order to find optimal solutions.
HEAD: Trauma on the mind CONTINUED from page 1
said he is concerned about the safety of athletes at high schools around California. “This whole issue of concussions has come about because a lot of kids don’t have athletic trainers on the field, and they don’t see a doctor,” Hill said. “They get a concussion, and go back to practice and they get another concussion on top of that before the brain has healed. You can get severe subdermal hematoma and die.” Hill was talking about Sec ond-Impact Syn drome (SIS), which has caused numerous deaths around the country. Sailor is also concerned about the dangers multiple concussions can have. “Second-Impact Syndrome, when it occurs, has right
around a 50-percent mortality rate,” Sailor said. “Getting a second concussion when a patient has not completely recovered from the first concussion. One of the big areas we’re working on more accurately identifying.” Hill said the head injuries are more serious for high school kids, because their brains are still growing. Sailor added that there is legislation pending that will force schools to take the steps necessary to prevent more tragic head injuries. Assembly Bill 1646 would force coaches to have athletic-injury training and Assembly Bill 1647 would allow schools to have a larger medical staff to help with injuries.
Friday, April 23, 2010
The Collegian • Sports Sports Editor, Brianna Campbell • collegian-sports@csufresno.edu
Page 7
Draft: Nation’s college rushing leader heads to Chargers CONTINUED from page 1
running back Ryan Mathews waited for his name to be called. In a surprise move, the San Diego Chargers traded up from the 28th pick to select Ryan Mathews at number 12 at Radio City Music Hall in New York City for the NFL’s 75th draft. “With the 12th pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, the San Diego Chargers select Ryan Mathews, running back, Fresno State,” Goodell announced live on ESPN. The Chargers traded up from the 28th pick of this year’s draft to secure the No. 12 selection from the Miami Dolphins. The selection of Mathews meets an immediate need for the Chargers. The team chose not to retain running back LaDainian Tomlinson after the 2009 season. Tomlinson is considered one of the best players to ever wear a Chargers unifor m. Mathews will be expected to step in as a rookie and contribute right away to a team that struggled to rush the football last year.
The Chargers were ranked next to last in rushing totals last season. With Tomlinson at the helm and sharing carries with running back Darren Sproles, the team finished ranked 31st in the NFL in rushing, with 1,433 yards on 427 carries with an average of 3.3 yards an attempt. Mathews will hope to improve those numbers next season. During Mathews’ junior year, he rushed for a Fresno State single-season record 1,808 yards and 19 touchdowns. Mathews also caught 11 receptions for 122 yards as a receiver out of the backfield. The junior from Bakersfield led the nation in rushing with more than 150 yards on the ground. Mathews impressed NFL scouts, including the Chargers front office at the combine in February with his speed and quickness. “Once he ran that 4.37 at the combine at five-eleven-and-ahalf, 220 pounds that solidify a first-round grade,” ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said. The selection of Mathews by the Chargers was expected
after Chargers’ general manager, A.J. Smith, made an appearance during Fresno State’s pro day on March 17. Mathews will look to continue his success as a football player from the college level to the pro level. As a Bulldog, Mathews finished his collegiate career as one of the best runners to ever play at Fresno State. He shattered numerous schoolrecords during his three years as a ‘Dog. Mathews left as Fresno State’s all-time rushing touchdown leader with 39 career scores on the ground. Mathews also set new school records during his 2009 campaign. He holds the record for most 100-yard games in a season with 11 and consecutive 100-yard games with nine. For his career, Mathews carried the rock 534 times for 3,280 yards while averaging six yards a carry in 31 career games. As a receiver, Mathews caught 19 passes for 268 yards and two touchdowns. Mathews will look to translate his talents from a Fresno State Bulldog to a San Diego Charger.
Brianna Campbell/ The Collegian
Former Bulldog running back Ryan Mathews made an appearance at the first spring football scrimage last week to support his former teammates wearing a San Diego Chargers hat.
Roethlisberger gives Steelers a bad name Steelers reportedly shopping Roethlisberger after NFL hands down six-game suspension. By Sam Farmer McClatchy Tribune T h e b a d b e h av i o r o f Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger resulted Wednesday in a sixgame suspension by the NFL and reportedly has triggered what once would have been unthinkable: The Steelers are testing the market to trade him. According to an ESPN report, Pittsburgh has been contacting teams selecting in
the top 10 of this year’s draft, which begins at 7:30 p.m. EDT Thursday, to gauge interest in the two-time Super Bowl winner. B y We d n e s d a y a f t e r noon, the network reported the Steelers had talked to St. Louis, San Francisco, Oakland, Jacksonville, Seattle and Cleveland. The 49ers are the only club without a top10 pick (13 and 17). In a conference call with reporters, Steelers President Art Rooney II was vague on the subject but
didn’t deny his team was shopping the quarterback, who last month was accused of sexually assaulting a 20-year-old college student in Georgia but will not face charges. “As we’ve said before, we really can’t answer questions about trades, particularly this time of year,” Rooney said. “We go into every draft with the idea that we’re going to do anything we’ve got to do to make our team a better football team. We just have to stick with that and not discuss
trades in advance.” What’s clear is the league and the Steelers have all but run out of patience with Roethlisberger, who last year faced similar accusations by a woman in Nevada. That case also did not bring criminal charges. Since then, reports have swirled that there’s a pattern of bad off-field behavior by the quarterback who once was among the NFL’s most popular players. Roethlisberger will be sus-
pended without pay for six games, losing $2.8 million in salary for violating the league’s personal-conduct policy, and he must undergo a “comprehensive behavioral evaluation by medical professionals,” the NFL said. There is some flexibility to the suspension. It could be reduced to four games for good behavior after that behavioral evaluation has taken place, but Roethlisberger cannot attend any Steelers off-season activity until he completes the evaluation process. “ We ’ re t r y i n g t o a f f e c t behavior here,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, who has a reputation for disciplining players who run afoul of league policies. “We’re trying to make people understand their responsibility, live up to that standard, avoid making mistakes and use good judgment. “We’re trying to have early intervention so that we can avoid people having criminal activity, deal with the issues and try to get them straightened out so they can lead productive lives. And if they can be great NFL players, terrific.” Rooney said the Steelers support Goodell’s decision and that the club was willing to suspend Roethlisberger if the league did not. “We do have high standards here,” Rooney said. “But by the same token, we understand that we’re in the people business and people make mistakes. And when they do, we have to follow the procedures.” So far, there’s no indication Roethlisberger plans to appeal the suspension.
Sports The
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Collegian
Sports Editor, Brianna Campbell • collegian-sports@csufresno.edu • Friday, April 23, 2010
Photo Courtesy of Fresno State Athletics
Junior college transfer, Gonzalez received national recognition for his no-hitter against Hawaii. By Brianna Campbell The Collegian For 44 years, the Bulldog baseball team suffered a no-hitter drought. That was until Greg Gonzalez fired a seven strike out, two walk performance in a no-hitter against Hawaii on April 10. But the path to Gonzalez’s gem 12 days ago has been a long one. Gonzalez has been playing baseball since he was in grade school and enjoys playing with his teammates. “[I played] when I was 7-years-old, all the way through high school, junior college and now at Fresno State,” Gonzalez said. A junior from San Bruno, Calif., launched himself into Fresno State history on April 10 at Les Murakami Stadium, becoming just the seventh Bulldog in Fresno State history to receive honors of pitching a no-hitter. The performance also marked Gonzalez’s first career start in a Bulldog uniform, leading Fresno State through a seven-inning shutout against 22 batters, 17 of them shut down in order. Gonzale z received the National Player of the Week honor after his performance. He continued his hot streak in his second season start this past Saturday against Louisiana Tech, topping his career-high seven strike outs to sit down 10 batters in a seven-inning victory over the Techsters, 14-4. The transfer from Skyline Junior Colle ge in San Bruno, Calif. has appeared in 13 games so far in 2010, posting an undisputed 5-0 record along with a 4.31 ERA.
Q&A What do you enjoy most about playing for the Bulldogs? I really enjoy every day coming out here and just going through baseball with all the guys and doing the workout and stuff, that is really what I look forward to. Is there a big difference from playing at junior college to Division I play? There is better competition both, better pitchers you have to compete against for playing time and better hitters that you have to face, so you have to bring your “A game” everyday. How did it feel to receive the seventh no-hitter in Fresno State history? It felt great, [but] it didn’t really set in right away. I wasn’t really sure if it was really happening. It is the highlight of my baseball career so far. Did you know that you would be receiving honors nationally? I knew I had done good, but to get national recognition was great. I couldn’t hope for anything better. What approach do you take in order to be game ready? I just try and take my preparation each week the same way to make sure that I am prepared for the game. I want to be as prepared as possible for every opponent. Some of the pitchers on the team make up songs while on the road to pass time, is that something you participate in? Mostly I watch the movie when it is on, I will throw my two cents in here and there on the songs that are made, but I am not the main focus of the songs.