December 4, 2019

CHICANO/LATINO GRADUATION MOVE? Fresno State’s Award-Winning Newspaper

Wednesday, December 4, 2019

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Helping others get to college The Upward Bound program allows Bulldogs to aid disadvantaged high school students

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Baseline beat

Women's and men's basketball game recaps Armando Carreno • The Collegian

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Gibson Farm Market holds open house Page 4

NEWS

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2019

GOT TIPS? We want to hear them.

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Open forum to be Campus program held for new CSU works to help high chancellor search school students COVER STORY

By Seth Casey Editor in Chief

Fresno State community members will have an opportunity to voice their suggestions regarding the qualities and experience they wish to see in the next California State University (CSU) Chancellor.

An open forum on Dec. 5 from noon to 2 p.m. in the Satellite Student Union will provide a platform for the public to share their thoughts on the CSU Board of Trustees search for the system’s next chancellor.

A special committee of trustees known as the Trustees’ Committee for the Selection of the Chancellor has been appointed to lead the process of selecting a new chancellor, according to a CSU news release.

The selection process includes a listening tour and forums across the state during the months of November and December. This is the stage the committee is currently engaged in.

The selection committee will work alongside an Advisory Committee, which is made up of leadership from the statewide academic senate, California State Student Association, alumni council, campus presidents and staff.

The current CSU chancellor, Timothy P. White, announced in October his plan to retire in 2020. The CSU Board of Trustees has begun its search for a new chancellor and aims to appoint a successor by the end of the current academic year, according to the release.

"Chancellor White has helped guide the CSU through a period of restoration and ensured that the state's renewed investment in the university is repaid by creating opportunity for more students and preparing more graduates for California's workforce to help power our economy," said Adam Day, chairman of the CSU Board of Trustees, in the release.

White was appointed chancellor in 2012 and has aided in increasing the university’s general fund allocation from $2.3 billion to $3.6 billion during his tenure. Also, during the time of his service, overall student enrolment has increased and graduation rates are at an all-time high, the release stated.

White’s connection to the CSU system extends beyond his tenure as chancellor, having obtained his bachelor’s degree from Fresno State.

"The CSU is deeply woven into the fabric of California, having created opportunities for so many people who now play critical roles in our economic, social and political life," White said in the release. "It has been my great honor to work with our state's elected leaders, our Board of Trustees and our campus, faculty, staff and student leaders to reinvest in our university to expand access and improve academic outcomes for the future."

The release also stated that White will continue as chancellor through June 30, 2020, or soon thereafter, depending on the timing of the search process and the availability of the successful candidate to begin.

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EArLy AppLicATioN DEADLiNE iS MArch 31

By Marilyn Castaneda | News Editor

A program at Fresno State is making a difference in the community by serving low-income, first-generation high school students from six schools in Fresno and Madera, who plan on attending college.

Upward Bound on campus is one of the eight federal TRIO Programs that are outreach and student services designed to provide assistance for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. TRIO stands for the three original federal programs that were created, but now consists of eight programs.

The Fresno State Upward Bound program is just one of many throughout the United States.

“We have the opportunity of building our students so that they can be ready, college prepared, then college bound,” said Brenda Garcia Mireles, director of the Fresno State Upward Bound program.

Through this program, students at Fresno State can get involved by providing math and English tutorial skills to other students, as well as mentoring and offering school advice. Services like SAT and ACT preparation workshops, assistance with college applications and college campus tours are also offered.

Upward Bound offers paid positions to college students and is open to all majors.

Mireles said college students who work for the program are able to feel at home and supported.

“As college students, they have a little home away from home,” Mireles said. “When they hear Upward Bound or anything related, they know they’re going to be supported here.”

All participants also conduct community service activities or projects. This year, they have partnered with Valley Children’s Hospital and organized a board game drive at each high school campus. The goal is to collect a total of 250 board games.

“Most often than not and even the times that I’ve been there [Valley’s Children's Hospital], they’re outdated board games. They don’t have enough board games, or it’s not age appropriate,” Mireles said.

The donation drive will end on Dec. 14.

But college students aren’t the only ones gaining valuable experience.

Both high school and college students have the opportunity of building cohesiveness with one another and sharing and benefiting from each other’s energy, said Mireles.

“You get to see our underclassmen work closely with our seniors, and you get to see our seniors kind of teaching and guiding the path,” Mireles said. “So it’s that support system within a support system.”

Mireles said she oversees two programs that recruit high school students: the Classic Upward Bound and Next Generation Upward Bound.

Combined, both programs have a total of 153 students, who receive similar services. Edison, Madera and Madera South High Schools fall under the Classic Upward Bound. Fresno, McLane and Roosevelt High Schools are part of Next Generation Upward Bound.

In order to be eligible for the Upward Bound Program, high school students have to be either low-income and/or first-generation, college-bound students, have a minimum cumulative 2.8 GPA and be in the 9th or 10th grade.

“

You get to see our underclassmen work closley with our seniors, and you get to see our seniors kind of teaching and guiding the path."

— Brenda Garcia Mireles, director of Fresno State Upward Bound

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2019

THE COLLEGIAN • NEWS

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FRONT PAGE

Chicano/Latino graduation overcrowded, is Bulldog Stadium the new location?

By Marc Anthony Lopez Contributor

Bulldog Stadium is currently being considered to host Fresno State’s Chicano/Latino graduation ceremony, according to an article from Vida en el Valle.

In a November article, Vida en el Valle reported that Fresno State President Dr. Joseph I. Castro announced the consideration of moving the Chicano/Latino graduation to Bulldog Stadium during an hourlong meeting with The Fresno Bee editorial board.

This is due to the rapidly growing attendance, which led to last year’s graduation in the Save Mart Center (SMC) having to close its doors.

“We’ve had conversations with the Chicano/Latino commencement committee about the future of that commencement because, as you might recall, the fire marshal required us to shut the doors,” Castro said in the article.

Castro went on to say the committee is also thinking about limiting the number of guests per graduate. However, he expressed concerns that “the number of graduates is going to continue to go up fast.”

Castro’s concerns are legitimate. According to the Office of Institutional Effectiveness, Fresno State’s demographics show that since the fall semester of 2015, the Hispanic population added 1,740 students, which is a 7 percent increase (45.8 percent to 53 percent).

Dr. Víctor Torres, organizer of the Chicano/ Latino graduation, believes that there are about 13 family members and friends for each graduate.

When the math is done, that adds an approximate 1,300 attendeees for every additional 100 graduates.

Last year's graduation drew 13,276 to the SMC -- the SMC can seat roughly 15,000 -- to watch a record of 1,140 graduates walk the stage with their names being announced to the crowd.

Courtesy Fresno State

Bulldog Stadium is being considered as a location to host this academic year's Chicano/Latino graduation ceremony.

Bulldog Stadium can seat more than 40,000 and has been used for Fresno State’s regular graduation and Chicano/Latino graduation ceremonies.The stage faced east in the morning event and was then switched to face the west side for the Chicano/Latino graduation.

Castro added that recently, promoters had inquired about using the stadium for professional boxing and a Paul McCartney concert and said non-university uses of the stadium would need “some process of consultation with the neighborhood,” Vida en Valle reported.

A&E

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2019

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COLLEGIAN.CSUFRESNO.EDU

FRONT PAGE

Gibson Farm Market Holiday Open House

Collegian Archive

Helping Hams campaign will be held at the Gibson Farm Market. The campaign is held to raise money to donate student-produced holiday hams to charitable organizations affiliated with Fresno State.

By Christina Tran A&E Editor

New seasonal products, samples, discounts and free wine tastings will be showcased at the Gibson Farm Market (GFM) Holiday Open House, located at 5368 N. Chestnut Ave., from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7, according to a Fresno State news release.

The free wine tasting will include fine wines made by Fresno State Winery students, such as Alicante Bouchet, Albarino, Greneche Rosé and Toca Zinfandel from 2 to 5 p.m.

That is not the only free things customers can enjoy. There will also be free samples of holiday-flavor-coated almonds and pretzels for the public to eat.

Special discounts for a select amount of holiday products will be available. Some of these holiday eatery and souvenir items include pretzels, almonds and raisins, candy bars, olive oil, coffee, dried fruit, Bulldog clothing and license plate holders, coffee mugs, stainless glassware and cutting boards.

The Student Nutrition Dietetics Association club will also host a cranberry sauce waffle-making demonstration at 11:30 a.m.

Benjamin Cruz • The Collegian

The Gibson Farm Market is located at 5368 N. Chestnut Ave.

For local items created at the GFM, shoppers can also purchase peppermint candy ice cream cones and custom-made gift baskets with products selected from the campus farm.

With an array of products to choose from and explore at the GFM, customers can be sure to catch some interesting finds during this holiday-themed open house event for gift ideas as the holidays approach.

The market is also collecting donations through Thursday, Dec. 5 for the Associated Students, Inc. Helping Hams campaign to purchase hams for local families and university students in need who are dealing with food

insecurity issues.

For any other questions regarding the GFM or this holiday open house event, call 559-2784511.

Donate this week:

Helping Hams campaign until Dec. 5

Jazz band Kneebody set to play in music festival

By Christina Tran | A&E Editor The Los Angeles-based jazz quartet Kneebody will take the stage with the Fresno State Jazz Orchestra for the featured concert of the Fresno State Jazz Festival at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 5 at the Music Building’s Concert Hall, according to a Fresno State news

release.

Known for their explosive energy and adventurous improvisation, fans can anticipate a collaborative show with keyboardist Adam Benjamin, trumpeter Shane Endsley, saxophonist Ben Wendel and drummer/bassist Nate Wood.

The group, along with vocalist Theo Bleckmann, was nominated for a Grammy in the “classical crossover” category in 2009.

Tickets are $15 for general, $5 for students and $10 for employees and seniors. Parking is $5 in Lot P1.

Tribune News Service

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2019

SMC tickets on sale for 2020

By Christina Tran

Tool

A&E Editor

See the rock band Tool perform at the SMC for their North American tour. Their record-breaking album “Fear Inoculum” has been charted as #1, with Tool receiving widespread praise from the Los Angeles Times and the Chicago Tribune.

This event will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 15.

Ticket prices start at $59.50 and are available now at ticketmaster.com or at the SMC Box Office.

Jojo JoJo Siwa is known for her appearances as a Nickelodeon star, YouTube sensation and pop artist and will be performing at the Save Mart Center (SMC) next year for her “D.R.E.A.M. The Tour.”

This event will take place at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24.

Ticket prices start at $39.50 and are available now at ticketmaster.com or at the SMC Box Office.

Baby Shark Live!

Professional Bull Riders Catch the Professional Bull Riders “Velocity Tour” at the SMC as they bring their audience-thrilling entertainment with lighting, special effects and jaw-dropping action that longtime fans can look forward to from seeing past participants that partake in this aggressive sport.

This two-day event will take place at 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 21 and 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 22.

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THE COLLEGIAN • A&E

Scott Schild • Tribune News Service

The Professional Bull Riders perform for a crowd at the "Syracuse Showdown" at the Oncenter War Memorial, Syracuse, NY, on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019.

Ticket prices start at $18 and are available now at ticketmaster.com or at the SMC Box Office.

Young fans can look forward to an immersive concert experience presented by Pinkfong and Round Room Live in its inaugural U.S. tour.

The concert will feature special effects, such as strobe lighting, fog, haze and sudden loud noises.

This event will take place at 6 p.m. on Friday, April 3.

Tickets can be purchased for $29.50, $39.50, $49.50 and $59.50 and are available now at ticketmaster.com or at the SMC Box Office.

Showcasing undergraduate students' art at exhibition

By Christina Tran A&E Editor

The community is invited to enjoy the best artwork from undergraduates in the Fresno State Fine Arts program during the 2019 Student Art Show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the upcoming weekdays from Dec. 5 to Dec. 13 in the Phebe Conley Art Gallery, according to a Fresno State news release.

There will be an opening reception for attendees to look at the art pieces and juried awards at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 10.

The art exhibition features the Department of Art and Design students’ best work from the past year.

Prizes will also be awarded to selected winners of each category, and one student will be awarded the coveted best of show award.

The exhibition and reception will be free.

Parking is $5 in Lot P5.

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OPINION

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2019

GOT OPINIONS? We want to hear them.

COLLEGIAN@CSUFRESNO.EDU

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LGBTQ community's holiday struggles

By Anjanae Freitas Reporter

The LGBTQ community face high levels of neglect and loneliness during the holidays, and that is something we neglect to talk about.

Going to holiday events can be stressful if you have to make small talk about when you are graduating or who you are dating. However, it can be especially hard when you want to bring your significant other to holidays but fear the reactions of your homophobic or transphobic family.

I remember when I wanted to bring my girlfriend to my family’s Thanksgiving, but I did not want to have to deal with the homophobic slurs or judgments from my aunts.

I felt frustrated because all of my cousins and their significant others were having an amazing time and getting to know one another. Yet, I spent more time thinking about how unfair it was that I felt like I did not belong in a space that should be safe.

It seems to be a common occurrence among the LGBTQ people in my life that we introduce our partners as our “roommates” or “good friends.” How awful is it that we have to make our significant others and ourselves feel less than because of how our family perceives us?

The awful part about coming to a homophobic or transophbic family is that some of us have been kicked out of our family’s homes and lives because of our gender or sexuality. Personally, I had to accept that some people in my life, including my family, no longer wanted to know me. Which, in itself, is deeply depressing and hurtful.

However, the holidays are a big stressor and reminder of our family’s dynamic. We have to see pictures of our families having the time of their lives or be reminded that we cannot be with our loved ones because of who we choose to love or what gender we are.

Homophobia in one’s family can be as de-

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.

Parade participants march down Market Street carrying the rainbow flag during the annual Gay Pride parade in San Francisco, California, on Sunday, June 30, 2013. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times/TNS) grading as feeling that you have to change your lifestyle just to see your family.

For example, I see myself as someone who is androgynous. I am more comfortable wearing pantsuits or jeans and a t-shirt. However, if I want to wear a pantsuit to dinner, I get stares from my family members and comments that I look “too gay” or “too masculine.”

I put an insane amount of pressure on myself to look feminine just to make sure I am not making anyone in my family uncomfortable.

Since receiving comments that expressing my gender through clothing made my family uncomfortable, I told myself I would wear dresses and skirts for the rest of the holidays to avoid the looks and comments.

I know this may not seem like a big deal to some, but it really is. I am so tired of seeing my friends not be able to be who they are for selective days of the year just to avoid being hurt or made fun of.

Another factor to consider is how scary it is

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when family members start to bring up politics in conversations during the holidays. This can be triggering for LGBTQ people because hearing about your family’s support for President Donald Trump definitely does not make you feel like you are entitled to any safe place or even wanted around them.

Sadly, I got to the point where I just decided that not attending holidays and spending them alone was much safer than putting myself in situations where I was being judged.

It hurts my heart to imagine all of the LGBTQ people within my community who spend their own holidays alone, like me.

Just imagine the idea that your family will not let you be around them because of who you love or who you are.

Just let it sink in how awful it is that members of the LGBTQ community feel more alone during the holidays than ever.

I want you to know that during the holidays, you may feel alone and low. This is just a re-

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minder that it is your family’s loss if they choose not to have you around during these times. That concept can be hard to accept but once you stop focusing on the people who don’t want you around, you can focus on the people who do.

If you are invited to family events and feel scared, take a friend. This will help keep your mind busy. You can talk to them during your visit to distract yourself from worrying about what your family thinks of you.

If your family does not allow you to attend their holidays, start your own holiday traditions or go over to a close friend’s house for Christmas and New Year’s.

Do not let your homophobic or transphobic family take away the meaning behind the holidays.

After all, Christmas is supposed to be a time of peace, happiness and joy. You can reclaim what they have taken and show that you are valid, you are loved, and you are important with or without their approval.

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

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 © 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 4, 2019

THE COLLEGIAN • SPORTS

PAGE 7

FRONT PAGE

Catching up with Bulldog basketball

By Jorge Rodriguez

a Fresno State Athletics news release.

Fresno State surpassed its season high in assists for the second game in a row, with the Cavinder twins amassing 17 of those assists Tuesday night.

Fresno State is 6-3 overall and 1-0 in conference. They will be back home this Saturday at the Save Mart Center (SMC), facing the Utah State Aggies.

Sports Editor

Women’s Basketball The Fresno State women’s basketball team participated this past weekend in the Loyola Marymount University (LMU) Thanksgiving Classic tournament in Los Angeles, California, where they faced Yale and Georgetown.

For its first game against Yale, Fresno State lost by 20 points, 87-67, handing Fresno State its third loss of the season. Forward Maddi Utti had a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds in the game. Also, guard Hanna Cavinder was the team’s leading scorer with 20 points.

The second game in the classic for the ‘Dogs had them going against Georgetown, who the Bulldogs defeated with a final score of 82-69.

This gave the Bulldogs their fifth win of the 2019-2020 season.

Key players for the Bulldogs in the win were guard Haley Cavinder, scoring 24 points for the ‘Dogs and Utti, who had 19 points and nine rebounds in the game. Guard Aly Gamez also had a great game, scoring 12 points in the game just

Armando Carreno • The Collegian

Tuesday marks Hanna Cavinder’s (left) ninth consecutive game in double figures and Haley Cavinder (right) tripling her season high in steals with six. like Hanna Cavinder, who added six assists to her 12 points.

For the Bulldogs, Haley Cavinder was named to the LMU Thanksgiving Classic All-Tournament team.

After the tournament, the Bulldogs traveled Tuesday afternoon to Las Vegas, Nevada, to open Mountain West (MW) conference play against the UNLV Rebels.

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The Bulldogs won the opener, defeating the Rebels 72-66, getting their first win of the conference and their sixth win of the season. For the Bulldogs, Utti had 20 points and Hanna Cavinder had 17 points and nine assists.

The Bulldogs showed their skill in making the most of possessions while avoiding turnovers, boasting a 20-6 assist-to-turnover ratio through the first half of the game, according to

Men’s Basketball The Fresno State men’s basketball team had a tough weekend, facing the Cal State Northridge Matadors at Northridge on Saturday afternoon. The Bulldogs lost a tough match by one point 73-72 to the previously winless team.

Bulldogs forward Nate Grimes had a total of 20 points in the game, along with 11 rebounds.

Also, and forward Orlando Robinson got 16 points and seven rebounds.

This loss leaves the Bulldogs with an overall record of 2-4, handing them their second consecutive loss.

The Bulldogs now get ready to come home Wednesday night and face UNLV at the SMC to open MW conference play.

SPORTS

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2019

COLLEGIAN.CSUFRESNO.EDU

8

EDITORIAL

After effects of a tumultuous season are here

By Jorge Rodriguez

A third season under head coach Jeff Tedford seemed promising for the Fresno State football team. However, it would be nowhere near as good as his first two seasons.

The Bulldogs ended their 2019 season with an overall record of 4-8 and a conference record

In those two games, the defense looked good for the Bulldogs, keeping them in the game thanks to the leadership of linebacker Mykal Walker and cornerback Juju Hughes in the sec-

win the next three games just to have a chance at postseason play.

This put a lot of pressure on a team that was unable to rise to the occasion and in the end, lost its last four games by 10 points or less.

The last game of the season against the San Jose State Spartans was in many ways a microcosm of the entire Bulldog season. Fresno State played outstanding football in a rainy, windy night for the first two quarters of the game, but

of 2-6.

In July of this year, the Bulldogs, along with Boise State, were favorites to win the West and Mountain division, respectively. Both were also preseason favorites to get to the Mountain West (MW) Championship.

The expectations were high for the Bulldogs, whose only real question was whether quarterback Jorge Reyna could fill the role of starting quarterback. Former quarterback Marcus McMaryion had become the team’s main weapon on offense, and that helped him win two bowl games and the MW Championship in his senior season.

The first two games of the season were going to be crucial for Reyna. His first game as a starter was against the USC Trojans at the Coliseum.

The Bulldogs lost the game, but in my eyes, Reyna had done enough to keep the starting job after the game.

Reyna looked good, poised and in control of the game. However, in the end, it was an interception thrown in the endzone that ended the game. The next game for Reyna, he faced a tough Minnesota team and much like the previous game, the Bulldogs lost again thanks to an interception in the endzone.

ondary.

Next, the Bulldogs faced Sacramento State and New Mexico State.

The ‘Dogs won both Armando Carreno • The Collegian games in convincing The Bulldogs will once again be tasked with f inding a fashion, giving them replacement for starting quarterback Jorge Reyna (above), a dilemma all too familiar for Fresno State. a 2-2 record. Hope for another great run. The next game was homecoming, where season was growing at Fresno State with many the Bulldogs faced the Colorado State Rams in hoping to see the Bulldogs go undefeated for a match that, on paper, should have been an the rest of the season. easy win for the Bulldogs but ended up being However, the Bulldogs had a rude awakanother loss. ening against Air Force, who defeated the After traveling to Hawaii and defeating the Bulldogs 43-24 at the Academy. The Bulldogs Warriors, the Bulldogs held their destiny and played tough, keeping up with the Falcons in the future of the season in their hands. The the first half of the game. However, the second next game at home was against the Utah Aggies half was different with the ‘Dogs not getting any -- again a winnable game on paper -- but the points on offense.

Aggies defeated the Bulldogs.

Injuries didn’t help Tedford. He was forced The team seemed to be in a roller coaster of to move linemen after several injuries and then a season with good wins and losses that seemed made some moves in the backfield, making could have easily gone the other way.

Josh Hokit a running back.

With a win against San Diego State, the The Bulldogs returned home to face the Bulldogs would have been a shoo-in for the UNLV Rebels and got their third win of the seachampionship game. The Aztecs defeated the son, again renewing hopes of a championship Bulldogs by 10 points, forcing the Bulldogs to

then things started getting complicated. The defense kept up, and the offense did not.

Reyna had a thumb injury in the second half, which forced Tedford to bring in backup quarterback Ben Wooldrige. The Bulldogs lost the game in the end by one point, 17-16, and much like the Air Force game, the ‘Dogs did not score a single point in the second half.

In the end, a 4-8 season is not what anyone expected from the Bulldogs. Reyna proved to have talent but not enough to carry a team on his shoulders. Tedford showed that he is human and is not immune to the human ability to err.

In my opinion, there should have been a change in quarterback in the last two games of the season, if only just to prove that Tedford was right in keeping Reyna as the starter.

Most of the Bulldogs losses were by margins of 10 points or less, which means that they were never far from winning. If one or two plays would have gone the Bulldogs' way, we might be talking about a totally different season.

Next season, the Bulldogs will most likely have the mid-season transfer quarterback Jake Haener, who might just be the weapon needed to take the Bulldogs back to the championship game.

Sports Editor

Bulldogs celebrate season's achievements

By Marc Anthony Lopez Contributer

Following a loss to the San Jose State Spartans, the Fresno State football team gathered on Sunday afternoon for its end-of-season awards banquet.

The banquet celebrated the 18 seniors that were a part of the Bulldogs’ journey to two Mountain West (MW) division titles, a MW Championship and two bowl wins under head coach Jeff Tedford’s tenure, according to a Fresno State Athletics news release.

Alongside the celebration of the team’s seniors, team awards were handed out to the respective winning Bulldogs.

The 2019 Bulldog Award was awarded to senior running back Josh Hokit.

The dual athlete set aside the beginning of wrestling season and stepped up for the Bulldogs following the injuries of three of the Fresno State running backs.

Hokit played in all 12 games this season, rushed for 287 yards and scored nine rushing touchdowns and one receiving touchdown, finishing in seventh place in all of the MW in touchdowns.

The Bulldogs’ Most Improved Player for 2019 was junior offensive lineman Matt Smith.

Smith, who was a walk-on, earned a scholarship this year and the starting center position.

The offensive captain would only play eight games this season as he would suffer a season-ending injury, breaking his fibula in the away game against the University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors.

The Most Valuable Skill Player Award went to junior running back Ronnie Rivers.

Rivers ended his junior season as the MW’s leading scorer in touchdowns with a total of 16 touchdowns.

Three of Rivers' 16 touchdowns were receiving touchdowns.

Rivers finished with a total of 899 rushing yards and received 43 receptions for 352 yards.

On defense, the Most Valuable Skill Player was senior defensive back Juju Hughes.

Hughes finished third for the most tackles on the team with 80 tackles.

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