December 11, 2019

HOLIDAY ACTIVITY GUIDE INSIDE Fresno State’s Award-Winning Newspaper

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Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Golden aspirations

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Bulldog success stories

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Marching in a wheelchair

Engineering a brighter future

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NEWS

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2019

GOT TIPS? We want to hear them.

COLLEGIAN@CSUFRESNO.EDU

2

COVER STORY

STEM student graduates on own terms

By Rachel Lewis Reporter

When she graduated high school, Kameron Hurst knew she wanted to go into electrical engineering. After being awarded the Husband-Boeing Honors Scholarship in 2013, Hurst made the decision to attend Fresno State.

After attending three semesters, Hurst decided to take a year off of school in order to focus on internships. She worked for Toyota Motors of North America, as well as software development company Front Porch in Sonora, California. Hurst then came back to Fresno State with a year’s worth of work experience under her belt.

In December, Hurst will be graduating from Fresno State’s Lyles College of Engineering with a 3.99 G.P.A and will begin working at Cisco Systems, Inc. “We have students who are bright, but she’s a good package of a good human being, very kind, very helpful,” said engineering professor Dr. Zoulikha Mouffak.

Hurst was born and raised in Sonora. She graduated in 2013 from The Connections Visual and Performing Arts School, a performance art school on The Summerville Union High School campus in Tuolumne, California.

While in high school, Hurst did stage management for every performance, controlling the booth and directing scene changes. Though she enjoyed participating in the various components of performance art, Hurst was drawn to pursue engineering in college over the arts.

“For engineering, I knew mathwise, sciencewise and schoolwise that I was capable of it, but also that it was going to challenge me more mentally than another profession,” said Hurst.

During her senior year of high school, Hurst established a FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) team. FTC team challenges students to design, build and program robots that compete against other teams in international competitions.

Today, the team Hurst created is one of two FTC teams out of Summerville High School.

The team, after becoming too large, had to split into two separate teams in order to provide opportunities for all its members.

In college, Hurst found another community of engineers in Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) at Fresno State, as well as Society of Women Engineers (SWE).

“Kami puts a huge amount of effort into ev-

erything she puts her mind to. As an engineer, she’s able to approach problems through different lenses and always comes up with elegant solutions derived from fundamental concepts,” said former IEEE president Carter Dana. “Her innate leadership ability can be seen with her involvement in the IEEE student chapter, in how she’s able to counsel the leaders and take part in the local chapter’s efforts in the Lyles College of Engineering and engineering community. However, this all pales in comparison to her genial nature, integrity and friendship.”

While at Fresno State, Hurst has come to appreciate the professors and opportunities she has had. During her internships, Hurst said she felt just as, if not more, prepared as her counterparts from University of the Pacific, Purdue and Carnegie Mellon.

“Within the electrical engineering department, we have a lot of professors that have industry experience, and that’s been crucial,” Hurst said. “Having those professors, and having small enough class sizes that you have that one-on-one interaction, has been really helpful.”

Though Hurst has been successful in her collegiate career, it has not been conventional.

After three semesters at Fresno State, Hurst took a year off to do internships. When she came back to Fresno State, Hurst finished an additional two semesters but had to leave school again in order to help during a family emergency.

Hurst came back to Fresno State to finish her last three semesters in fall 2018. Though she took long lengths of time off, Hurst was able to bounce back into classes with relative ease.

“After the first time I left and came back, people were shocked because they were like, ‘I don’t know how you can leave for a year and then come back and still jump right back into math and all those things,’” Hurst said. “I think the only B I got was during the third semester I was here. So before I took off a year and did internships, but then after I came back I got a 4.0.”

It has taken Hurst eight semesters to graduate, but she finished these semesters over the course of six years. Though this is not the traditional timetable, Hurst has been able to demonstrate that students can successfully finish college according to their schedule.

“That’s one thing that I wish that we would do better, which is to allow students to do internships,” Hurst said. “There’s the stigma of

four years, which is a great goal to have and I know it’s a goal that President [Dr. Joseph I.] Castro has, but internships are so valuable that it doesn’t make sense to talk down on those who are taking longer to graduate because they are making those professional connections.”

The internships Hurst participated in gave her a leg up when entering the workforce. She has been offered positions at Intel, Toyota and Cisco.

She declined the offer at Intel because it was more software focused rather than mechanical.

Though Hurst has experience in both realms as an electrical engineer, she is more comfortable in a predominantly mechanical-focused position.

Over the past month, Hurst has been deciding between Toyota and Cisco. After having worked in four different internship positions for Toyota, they made a job offer in November to work on a confidential project related to emissions.

“I would be working on a project within the fuel cell realm, which is something that Toyota doesn’t currently do,” Hurst said.

Despite the enticing offer from Toyota, Hurst accepted the position at Cisco. Starting in February, Hurst will be working at Cisco’s San Jose campus, where she will work on board mounted power.

“One of the considerations I had to make was around upward mobility,” Hurst said.

“When I look at a position, I look at what will be my future opportunities as well as the stability of the position within the company.”

As Hurst starts her career, she wants to focus on projects and industries that are new and have not been done before. She also cares about the environment, so she wants to be a part of projects that are playing a role in revolutioniz-

ing this area.

“I want to be in a realm that is thriving on innovation,” Hurst said. “I would be happy if those new and exciting things I am working on were also in a direction that helped the environment.”

Hurst’s appreciation for the environment comes from having grown up in Sonora, a community that has seen the impact of climate change through the varying snow levels each season, as well as being one of the communities that had its power shut off by PG&E this past fall.

In her move to Fresno, Hurst has stayed connected to her outdoor-oriented lifestyle by joining a rock climbing gym and going on regular hiking trips.

“Finding something outside of school that also allows you to see progress and reach a different kind of goal is pretty important,” Hurst said. “As engineers, we study a lot. So having an outside thing to focus on has helped me stay motivated and successful.”

“ I want to be in

a realm that is thriving on innovation."

— Kameron Hurst, Fresno State engineering student

Thinking About Graduate School?

Choose Law School More than a law school, we’re family. www.sjcl.edu • 559.323.2100

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2019

PAGE 3

THE COLLEGIAN • NEWS

COVER STORY

Marching band member pursues her passion

By Jennifer Reyes | Reporter Viviana Reyes plays clarinet as a member of the Bulldog Marching Band (BMB) but does so without marching.

Her dreams do not stop because of a wheelchair.

She chose the clarinet back in junior high school as a way to connect and form friendships through music but also because the music is something that is a part of her.

“I remember being in family reunions and watching my uncles play [and] just being there as a family,” Reyes said. “[Music is] something I have always wanted to take on.”

Her family plays various instruments, such as guitar, trumpet and drums.

Reyes has played the guitar and would like to learn the piano.

Reyes has participated in her high school marching and jazz band, but unfortunately had to stop her senior year due to challenging classes.

Seven years since playing the clarinet, Reyes came to a realization that the clarinet is something that she loved playing and wanted to go back to it.

She transferred from Bakersfield College to Fresno State for opportunities to join the deaf program but also to become a part of the BMB. Reyes is working on her communicative disorders major with an option in deaf studies.

Her goal is to work with children and parents of deaf children to better inform them of deafness and deaf culture.

Reyes pursued her career in deaf studies because she wanted to communicate better with her cousin who is deaf. She plans on taking classes on interpreting American Sign Language to get more experience working with sign language.

Reyes has a disability and the more she has learned about it, the more she has learned to face all obstacles without discouragement.

“When I was in grade school, I remember people coming up to me and asking me, ‘What's wrong? Why are you in a wheelchair?’” Reyes said. “It did affect me and bugged me because I didn’t understand why people would always ask.”

Reyes said she understands now that people are curious. But as long as they ask respectfully, it is fine.

“I was raised in a family who would attend church. So I grew up with believing in God and knowing that he has everything under con-

trol,” Reyes said. “I always had this peace that even if something scary like surgery were to happen, I would be OK because God was with me. And I continue to believe that till this day.”

Her family is very close to her and being away from her hometown can become a challenge. But they are supportive of her, and she calls them everyday.

For Reyes, her parents are the biggest influence of who she has become.

“I learn so much from my parents and seeing the way that they carry themselves and the way that Larry Valenzuela • The Collegian they take on anything Viviana Reyes performs at the beginning of a Fresno State football game on Saturday, Nov. 9, that happens in life,” Reyes 2019. said. “My parents have definitely been my biggest support that I have had.”

Kate Appleby, a member of the BMB, said that Reyes is a great person. She enjoyed seeing everyone in the BMB find possible ways to allow Reyes to be a part of all the fun activities with the group.

“Knowing her has given me a different perspective. I now feel much more aware of obstacles that people in wheelchairs have to go through,” Appleby said. “I have found that getting to know other people and understanding what they have to go through is the best way to be a better person.”

Reyes has inspired her marching band colleagues in the way she views life with her disability.

“Viv gave me a perspective I hadn't gotten yet. Knowing her has made me a better person,” Appleby said. “She's also super relaxed about a lot of things and instilled an ‘everything will work out’ vibe in me.”

As the football season came to an end, Reyes began pledging for a sorority and has looked into playing wheelchair sports.

“The way my parents have raised me is to always look on the positive side and always look for other opportunities instead of seeing the things that I can’t do -- to look at the things that I can do or how different things can be done,” Reyes said.

VISALIA TRANSIT

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A&E

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2019

COLLEGIAN.CSUFRESNO.EDU

4

Shakespeare play lasts 4 more days

By Christina Tran A&E Editor

The University Theatre is pleased to present “As You Like It,” written by William Shakespeare, with the production directed by Kathleen McKinley running from Dec. 6 through Dec. 14 in the John Wright Theatre in the Speech Arts Building at Fresno State, according to a University Theatre release.

The Shakespearean comedy consists of themes surrounding betrayal, courtship, lust and mistaken identity with a modern interpretation set in a more contemporary time period than the original time it was performed during the 1600s.

The old and the young flee from an erratic tyrant and spend their remaining life as happy exiles amid the welcoming “country copulatives” of a secluded forest.

Rosalind, a daring woman, is unjustly banished, cast off by societal constraints and will unexpectedly find her true love in a gender-bending romance to be remembered.

The play reimagines Duke Frederick as the owner of a luxury gym, making him a modern strong-man who must display his masculinity for all to see.

Likewise to this interpretation by McKinley will be the forest of Arden, which is instead recognized as the Redwood Forests of

Courtesy University Theatre

Humboldt County and its residents as modern-day, music-loving, herb-farming hippies.

The production features live on-stage musicians, dancing and technical changes that appear as theatre magic to attract and bring joy to audiences this holiday season before the fall semester comes to an end.

“As You Like It” will perform its last few showings Dec. 10 through Dec. 14 and will begin at 7:30 p.m. Latecomers will be seated at the House Manager’s discretion.

Tickets can be purchased in the Speech Art Building Box Office at $17 for adults; $15 for Fresno State faculty, staff, alumni and military; and $10 for all students. Children under 5 are not allowed admission. Group rates are available for groups of 20 or more.

Box office hours are open from noon to 4 p.m. on weekdays and will remain available for ticket purchases one hour before each performance.

Parking will be free for the shows performed Friday through Saturday.

For shows during the week, parking permits will be required and can be found at various dispensers within the campus parking lots.

For more information, contact the box office at 559-278-2216 or universitytheatre@csufresno.edu.

FRONT PAGE

Holiday events to ease finals stress Find SMC

By Christina Tran A&E Editor

Finals week is coming up soon, and the semester is finally coming to an end. So here are some holiday-themed events that students and the public can look forward to as a way to relax and take a break from the stress of this school year:

Christmas Laser Show

Zoo Lights

The River Park Shopping Center is hosting its very first Christmas Laser Show for shoppers and locals this year. Bring friends and family on a Friday or Saturday from 6 to 10 p.m. on Dec. 13, Dec. 14, Dec. 20 and Dec. 21, and claim your own spot to be entertained for the night. The laser show will be located in between Victoria's Secret and the White House Black Market.

The Fresno Chaffee Zoo holds its annual event as the zoo transforms from animal exhibits to a winter wonderland that visitors can explore in new ways during the holiday season.

With miles of Christmas lights, live entertainment, beverages and free photos with Santa Claus, the event is a must see. Attendees can go to the zoo from Dec. 13 to Dec. 23 and Dec. 26 to Dec. 30. Tickets for members are $8 for adults, $6 for children; and for non-members, $10 for adults and $7 for children.

Christmas Tree Lane Planetarium Holiday Show Watch a holiday show here on campus at the Downing Planetarium, located south of Barstow Avenue and next to the Science II Building, as it shows a Season of Light for students and the public to watch at 6 p.m. on Dec. 13 and 2 and 3 p.m. on Dec. 14. The family-oriented program explores the winter holiday traditions and spans different cultures from around the world, emphasizing the meaning of the winter solstice and possible explanations for the star of Bethlehem. Tickets are available for purchase at $5 for adults; $4 for seniors; and $3 for students with ID and children.

Two nights a year there are ‘walk-only’ nights at Christmas Tree Lane reserved for attendees who want to enjoy the light display and holiday cheer as an infamous attraction. Each December, the one-way street on North Van Ness Boulevard near Fig Garden brings a variety of art, decorations and crowds as Christmas nears. One walking night has already passed, and the second night is on Dec. 11. All other dates, attendees will have to drive through the lane to enjoy the holiday lights. The lane is open for visitors 6 to 10 p.m. on Sunday through Thursday and 6 to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

World’s Fair Holiday Village Exhibit The Henry Madden Library’s (HML) Special Collections Resource Center will have a one-of-a-kind miniature World’s Fair Holiday Village that students can visit and see designs of global communities representing the holiday spirit throughout the years. The Village will be on display until Dec. 20. Special Collections can be located in the HML at the south wing of the fourth floor. Hours to visit the exhibit will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday through Friday.

tickets on sale now

By Christina Tran | A&E Editor Pitbull Globally successful entertainer and hip-hop artist Mr. Worldwide returns to the Save Mart Center (SMC) in 2020 to perform in concert.

This event will take place at 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 7, 2020. Ticket prices start at $39.95 and are available now at ticketmaster.com or at the SMC Box Office.

Lynyrd Skynyrd Southern rock legends Lynyrd Skynyrd will be coming to the SMC to perform a “Last of the Street Survivors Farewell Tour,” featuring special guest Travis Tritt.

This event will take place at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 13, 2020. Ticket prices start at $33.50 and will go on sale this Friday, Dec. 13 at 10 a.m.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2019

THE COLLEGIAN • A&E

PAGE 5

OPINION

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2019

GOT OPINIONS? We want to hear them.

COLLEGIAN@CSUFRESNO.EDU

EDITORIAL

Your campus newspaper needs you

6

Be a pro, not a procrastinator

By Jennifer Reyes Reporter

By Seth Casey Editor in Chief

To say that journalism matters would be an understatement. Journalism is the lifeblood of our democracy. It can be a voice for those who have none. It can be a community watchdog, serving the best interest of its audience.

When I came to The Collegian, it was in a state of flux, seeking to reconcile a limited budget with an ethical responsibility to the public.

As I leave, I would like to be able to say that I have helped this institution recover from its financial woes with a bright future ahead.

I cannot.

As it stands, The Collegian will be able to function as we know it for no longer than the academic year of 2021-2022. Beyond that, the rising costs of wages, benefits and operational expenses, coupled with a stagnant funding model, indicate that our outlet for student-centric news is threatened.

The Collegian is a studentrun publication that serves the Fresno State community.

Views expressed in The Collegian do not necessarily reflect the views of the staff or university.

As many of us can attest, the value and practice of journalists and news outlets have come into question in recent years.

But let us consider where our country would be if it were not for those who seek to speak truth to power and illuminate the shadows where corruption stirs.

We would be powerless if we were not armed with the information that allows us to navigate the world around us with capacity and poise.

It is not a question of how this vehicle of information is utilized; it is a question of whether or not we have this resource at all.

This university affords us many opportunities to better ourselves.

It is a hub of intellectual stimulation, thoughtful and respectful discussion, and a diversity of thoughts, ideas and opinions unparalleled in any other realm of our society.

This paper is a training ground for the same journalists who will go on to tell the stories of our communities, of our country, of our neighbors, friends and family.

We must not silence them before they have the chance to be heard.

The Collegian is the only entirely student-run news publication at Fresno State. It is not a public relations firm for the university, nor is it beholden to any administrative or faculty body or individual.

This paper and website continue to be written, produced, designed and distributed by students for the benefit of our campus community.

The Collegian California State University, Fresno 5201 N. Maple Ave., M/S SA42 Fresno, CA 93740-8027 News Line: (559) 278-5732 Business Line: (559) 278-5735 Advertising Line: (559) 278-8179

Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor News Editor Arts & Entertainment Editor Sports Editor Digital Editor Opinion Editor Staff Reporter Staff Reporter Staff Reporter Staff Reporter

The Collegian is pivotal in providing essential news that may affect Fresno State students’ academic career. This is not always news that positively portrays the university, but it is not the paper’s job to do so.

That is not to say that The Collegian only pursues that which reflects negatively on Fresno State. There are a number of students, faculty and staff members and administrators who do remarkable things and deserve to be recognized.

The newspaper can be a platform for these individuals who may not otherwise receive their due attention.

For all of these purposes, an independent student publication is an essential part of a healthy, thriving university.

The Collegian will be exploring avenues to increase its funding to not only weather its current financial crisis, but to provide greater and more substantial coverage to better serve our campus community, including a potential referendum initiative that would give students a chance to vote to support their newspaper.

Consider what your university would look like if it did not have a student-run campus newspaper or website. Whether you read The Collegian regularly or if this is the first time you have ever looked at it, it remains an institution of free press dedicated to bringing its readers the truth.

I implore all of you to support your student newspaper and to keep journalism alive.

Seth Casey Anthony De Leon Marilyn Castaneda Christina Tran Jorge Rodriguez Samantha Domingo Larry Valenzuela Anjanae Freitas Hector Mendoza Rachel Lewis Jennifer Reyes

General Sales Manager General Sales Manager Special Projects Manager Special Projects Manager Special Projects Manager Art Director Distributor General Manager Financial Manager Advertising Faculty Adviser Editorial Faculty Adviser MCJ Department Chair

My school day starts at 5:30 a.m., lasts until 5 p.m. and by the time I get home, I am exhausted and overwhelmed by the workload that still needs to be done because there was not enough time to finish it at the school library.

Once I start feeling overwhelmed, I debate whether one assignment should get done before another, or whether I should take a few minutes to sit down and grab a bite to eat before sitting in front of my laptop and staring at it for another hour before getting anything else done.

Many of us may be experiencing the same situation when it comes to being a student, sibling, child, friend or employee when our procrastination takes over these roles as a big part of our family day.

As I sit in front of my laptop in the library, I am frozen still, trying to decide whether I should read a chapter for Spanish class, get ahead in another class while simultaneously falling behind in another. On the other hand, I could just simply sit back and procrastinate a little more.

Procrastination has become the bigger battle since starting college. The pace in high school and college are completely different in every aspect.

The goal is to beat procrastination, but it requires commitment.

Jovanni Cardenas Joy Lyle Daisy Dellinger Alessandra Mazman Jacob Mulick Jeff Vinogradoff Zachary Perkins Richard Marshall Kevin Fries Jan Edwards Timothy Drachlis Betsy Hays

ONLINE: for more on this story, visit our website: fresnostate.edu/collegian The Collegian carries four different ethnic supplements inserted several times throughout each semester into its print publication.

Each supplement is produced by its own staff and advisers and is separate from The Collegian.

The news stories or opinions in the supplements do not reflect those of The Collegian.

Each member of the campus community is permitted a copy of The Collegian. Subscriptions are available for $25, on a semester basis. Staff positions at The Collegian are open to students of all majors. All content Copyright Š 2018 The Collegian.

Letters to the Editor (collegian@csufresno.edu): All letters submitted to The Collegian should be between 250-500 words in length, must be type-written, and must be accompanied by a full name and phone number to verify content. The Collegian reserves the right to edit all material for length, content, spelling and grammar, as well as the right to refuse publication of any material submitted. All material submitted to The Collegian becomes property of The Collegian.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2019

THE COLLEGIAN • SPORTS

PAGE 7

EDITORIAL

Short tenure leaves big legacy for Tedford

By Jorge Rodriguez

In late November 2016, Tedford once again returned to the Bulldogs, becoming the 19th head coach in Fresno State’s During a cold, rainy night following the final history. game of the Bulldogs’ season against San Jose Tedford had the difficult State, head coach Jeff Tedford was asked what task of inheriting a team that his plans were for the upcoming season. won only one game the previous Tedford answered that the season had just season and turning it around ended, but that there was lots to reflect and before any big-time boosters think about. began considering turning their At the time, no one knew that three years backs on an underperforming after being hired to lead the Bulldogs back to its program. winning ways, Tedford would be stepping down He knew the risks, but he from his head coaching duties to focus on his was also very aware of the rehealth less than a week later. wards the position might bring.

A 4-8 overall record following the 2019 Former head coach Tim season may not reflect it, but Tedford has left Deruyter left Tedford with some a strong legacy at Fresno State, achieving so good talent, but no quality quarArmando Carreno • The Collegian much in three short years. terbacks that he could build on Former Fresno State football team head coach Jeff Tedford waves goodbye to those presThe decision to come back to his alma mafor the upcoming years. Tedford ent during a news conference where he stepped down from his position as head coach on ter was not a hard decision for Tedford, who decided that instead of recruit- Friday, Dec. 6, 2019. quarterbacked the Bulldogs back in the early ing for a quarterback to develop, ‘80s. He also became an assistant coach on Jim he would go poach a quarterback that was ready This move proved to be one of the best Bowl win against Arizona State.

Sweeney’s staff and later worked with Pat Hill. to start and had roots in the Central Valley. decisions that Tedford made during his time His third season marked the first time the as head coach. Having a reliable quarterback Bulldogs ended below a .500 record under Tedin Marcus McMaryion helped Tedford focus ford. However, McMaryion was no longer with on other aspects of the game, which, in turn, the team and both offense and defense had lost helped him win games. a lot of talent to graduation.

Tedford’s success at Fresno State was not Much like he did with McMaryion, Tedford only because he could bring in good players, but went and recruited a player from a different because he was able to retain talented players team. Jake Haener, who was with Washington from within the Central Valley, bringing them earlier this year, looks to be the next quarterThe Ricchiuti Family continues a 100-year tradition of to Fresno State. back for the Bulldogs. But first, he has to sit out excellence with award-winning, organic, estate-grown Extra Virgin Players like Rodney Wright III, Aaron Mosa season due to transfer restrictions.

Olive Oil and specialty food items from ENZO’S TABLE Pantry! by and Jalen Cropper, among others are all Tedford leaves a mark of 26 wins in three From our groves to your table, from the Central Valley and were recruited to years, two West Division titles, one MW title Ricchiuti Family Farms presents ENZO! Fresno State by Tedford. and two bowl wins.

Another one of his biggest contributions to He was named the 2017 coach of the year in the program was to have one of the best defensthe MW and was also on the short lists of severes in the country. al coach of the year awards.

Even this season, one in which the team’s Fresno State was ranked in the top 25 in the record was far from the best, the Bulldogs mannation during his second season, and the Bullaged to have a fierce defense that helped the dogs also made NCAA history as the first team offense stay in games. to have two back-to-back winning seasons after In his first season, he took the Bulldogs to having a double-digit losing season. the Mountain West (MW) Championship game, He leaves the program in good standing and losing to Boise State by three points. However, even during a bad season, his team was able to Tedford was able to do what his predecessor bring in an average of more than 31,000 people could not: win a bowl game. per game to Bulldog Stadium.

The Bulldogs defeated Houston in the HaOne consolation for Bulldog fans is that waii Bowl to give the ‘Dogs the first bowl game Tedford will continue to be involved with the win of the decade. program in various ways.

For the next season, Tedford surpassed the It won’t be easy finding a replacement for expectations of even his toughest critics by givTedford who can do what he was able to do in ing the Bulldogs their best season ever, a 12-2 such a short amount of time. w w w. e n z o s t a b l e . c o m 559-298-8290 overall record and a 6-0 record at home, with a But even if they do, Tedford’s legacy will reconference championship win and a Las Vegas main in Bulldog history.

Sports Editor

ENZO-Ad-Collegian-120219.indd 1

12/6/19 6:35 PM

SPORTS

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2019

COLLEGIAN.CSUFRESNO.EDU

COVER STORY

Bulldog dreams of olympic gold

Larry Valenzuela • The Collegian

Fresno State student Marc Castro training in his personal gym before a tournament taking place later in the year on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019.

By Jennifer Reyes Reporter

For Fresno State student Marc Castro, one of his biggest dreams was to box in the 2020 Olympics and win the Gold Medal representing the City of Fresno.

He headed to Oxnard, California, in October for the Last Chance Qualifiers tournament for the 2020 Olympics. But the unexpected occurred, and he was forced to withdraw due to an illness.

Prior to the trip to Oxnard, he had been sick with a cold and ended up with food poisoning, which made matters worse during the tournament.

“I am certain I would have won, no doubt,” Castro said. “Even USA Boxing was saying, ‘No one can possibly beat me on my worst day.’”

Introduced to the sport of boxing at an early age, Castro’s passion for the sport grew; and now he is hoping to achieve greatness in it.

Castro, a 20-year-old kinesiology major at Fresno State, has been an amateur boxer since the age of 11 and currently fights for the Team USA Boxing.

His father, Tony Castro, was an amatuer boxer himself, and wanted Marc Castro to follow his footsteps.

“I hated boxing when I barely started,” Marc Castro said. “I hated boxing because it had become a part of my everyday routine since my dad owned a boxing gym.”

After defeating his opponent in his first

tournament, Castro realized what he was capable of: conquering without relying on a team.

“Boxing is a sport that I fell in love with. You just learn how to be your own,” Marc Castro said.

Aside from boxing, he loves soccer. As a child, he would tell his father that he would become a professional soccer player instead of a professional boxer.

His father would reply, saying, “No, you will become a professional boxer,” Marc Castro recalled.

As one of only two Americans to become a 2x Amateur World Champion, Castro also won the junior and youth world championships back-to-back.

Castro has won 17 national championships in his career so far, competing against some of the top amateurs in the nation. His daily routine consists of training, resting and school.

For Castro, aside from training hard, he has to be mentally and spiritually prepared before a fight.

“My future goals are to continue to train hard [and] just stay ready for any opportunity that presents itself,” Marc Castro said.

Boxing has taught him many life lessons, such as time management, self discipline and sacrifices. “[A goal in life] is to inspire kids, showing them that if you work hard and dedicate yourself to something, anything is possible,” Marc Castro said. “Different kids have different dreams. Not all kids are going to be professional athletes, not all kids are going to be actors,

comedians.”

Castro recently visited an elementary school and his old high school, speaking to the students about the importance of education.

He advised them to know themselves because every person needs to know and address their strengths and weaknesses accordingly.

Once learned, they will know what areas to work on.

As of September, Castro became the fourth boxer to be sponsored by an athletic brand based out of the United Kingdom called GymShark.

“I feel honored and privileged to be working with such a great brand,” Marc Castro said.

For Castro, his father is his role model, teaching him that family and working hard are the most important things.

“In the ring, Marc is a beast,” said Tony Castro. “Off the ring, Marc is a regular humble guy.”

Both, father and son have been excited by the idea of having each other along the way.

“Every memory is the best. It’s hard to choose because without one, that wouldn’t make my son what he is,” Tony Castro said.

For Castro, it is priceless to share every moment with his father.

Before heading to Oxnard, Marc Castro attended ‘Canelo Camp,’ giving him the opportunity to train in the same gym as famous boxer Saul “Canelo” Álvarez and watch Álvarez train within a few feet from him.

Castro had the opportunity to meet him.

“I learned many things [attending this camp]. I learned that the minor details go a long way,” said Marc Castro. “From the way they warm up to the way they cool down, I learned there is no secret to success besides hard work and discipline.”

Castro was recognized by the City Council and Mayor of Fresno with a proclamation and as of this year, Nov. 19 it will be Marc Castro Day in the City of Fresno.

“My family is a big factor in my career. They help me get to this point. I am just the finished product you see in the ring,” Marc Castro said.

“I was more happy to see my family together celebrating the day. It gives me extra motivation knowing I have the full city support behind me.”

Castro said that even if your dream does not go the way you anticipated, do not get discouraged because success will come.

“Find your passion and chase it,” Castro said.

8

Weekend recap

By Jorge Rodriguez | Sports Editor Men’s Basketball In just its second conference game of the season, the Fresno State men’s basketball team traveled to Logan, Utah, on Saturday to face the No. 25 team in the country, the Utah State Aggies.

The Bulldogs pushed the Aggies to the limit, taking the game into overtime. But they were eventually defeated by Utah State, 77-70. This loss is the Bulldogs’ fourth straight and second in the Mountain West (MW) conference.

This loss brings the ‘Dogs’ overall record to 2-6, putting them at the bottom of the conference standing.

In the game, Bulldogs guard New Williams had a career-high 26 points and even scored a three-point shot that sent the game into overtime. Forward Nate Grimes had a double-double with 22-points and 10 rebounds, plus four blocks in the game.

“I was proud of the guys and the way we competed. I thought we showed some grit tonight,” head coach Justin Hutson said in a Fresno State Athletics news release. “We still have room for improvement, but I thought we showed some grit in a tough environment.”

Women’s Basketball Looking for its third win in a row, the Fresno State women’s basketball team hosted the Utah Aggies at the Save Mart Center on Saturday night. The Bulldogs won their conference opener against UNLV and were looking to continue their winning momentum against the Aggies.

The Bulldogs defeated the Aggies 76-64, gaining a third-straight win and the second in a row for conference. The ‘Dogs moved into first place in the MW conference standings with an overall record of 7-3 and stayed undefeated in conference.

In the game, forward Maddi Utti scored 20 points with seven rebounds and five steals.

Also, Hanna Cavinder scored 19 points for the Bulldogs with seven assists and four steals.

“If your defense is consistent, then you are going to get turnovers, you are going to get that spark on the other end,” head coach Jaime White said in a Fresno State Athletics news release.

ONLINE: for more on this story, visit our website: fresnostate.edu/collegian