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Distracted Drivers by the numbers
A three-month study conducted by Dr. Tamyra Pierce, the graduate director of the mass communication and journalism department who specializes in studying the effects of digital media on behavior, found that even
with current laws in place, many students are still using cell phones while on the road. The study was conducted on roads, highways and the Fresno State campus during busy peak hours.
Multimedia Super Bowl XLIV Q&A with students, Online February 5, 2010 | Friday
Graduates without health care By Mike Boylan The Collegian While the Democrats in the U.S. Congress continue their five-month long quest to pass health reform legislation that would provide basic health insurance to all U.S. citizens, college students and young adults hope to remain healthy. According to a new report from the Gover nment Accountability Office, more than 20 percent of college students have no health insurance, totaling 1.7 million students, and only 57 percent of universities in the United States provide health care plans for students, which vary dramatically in terms of services covered. College students and young adults are likely to be without health coverage. According to a Gallup poll, Hispanics (41 percent) have a higher percentage of individuals without health insurance than young adults between the ages of 18 and 29 (27 percent). Students at Fresno State have access to health and psychological services that are covered by fees in their tuition. These services include urgent care visits with physicians and nurse practitioners, an on-site pharmacy, x-rays, health education, family planning, and psychological counseling. In addition to services at the Student Health Center, students registered for nine units or more are eligible for student insurance, run by the California State University system through Blue Cross. But for recent college graduates who have yet to enter the work force or have failed to find a job with an employer that offers private insurance, some are left in a precarious position. Students who have access to the Student Health Center on campus, are still susceptible to catastrophic medical conditions that would present unforeseen and unbearable financial costs. The lack of insurance has forced many students to move back home with their parents, while others who don’t have this option must try and make ends meet and hope they remain in good health. Fresno State alumnus Morgan Boushell knows this all too well. “I had medical coverage while I was a student,” Boushell said. “I moved out of my family’s house and had to get a position in retail that
Infographic by Michael Uribes / The Collegian Source: “Observation analysis of distracted driving” by Dr. Tamyra Pierce
See INSURANCE, Page 6
Opinion The
Collegian
That’s What the People Are Saying On Fresno being named the drunkest city in America o you really think Boston is the least drunk city and we’re the most drunk? Does that really sound right?”
“D
— Mike Osegueda, fresnobeehive.com
Opinion Editor, Tony Petersen • collegian-opinion@csufresno.edu • Friday, February 5, 2010
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Listening to Cali Nanny T
alking on cell phones without a hands-free device while driving is distracting, right? Though some of us may or may not agree, state senator Joe Simitian thinks it is. He’s the one behind the whole “hands-free-only cell phone use while driving” law, enacted 18 months ago for the state of California. Its little brother appeared shortly after, making it illegal for drivers to text. If you’re like most people and completely disregard the new law, you’d better look over your shoulders more carefully because Simitian has two more tricks up his sleeve. He wants to either triple the fine or place one point on your driving record if you are caught using a cell phone without a hands-free device while driving. Nannette Miranda on the Web site of ABC 30 Action News ran a story on Jan. 21, stating Simitian’s intentions. The story also featured a study done by the Highway Loss Data Institute, which revealed that California’s number of accident claims were no different than other states without the new law. Miranda’s story also said that the California Highway Patrol (CHP) disagrees with the study, saying that the number of traffic fatalities decreased in the first six months alone. The CHP has issued more than 231,000 tickets since the new law’s inception; that doesn’t even count local sheriff and police department- issued
Setting it Straight Denton Dubbels tickets. It’s no wonder they’re in favor of it. This story basically points out that despite having a law against handling a cell phone while driving, people still continue to do it and California’s accident rate is no different than other states without the law. How dare citizens defy their government. Holding a cell phone to your ear while driving may or may not be distracting. What Simitian fails to realize is that holding a cell phone while driving is no different than holding a burger in one hand while talking to a passenger. Isn’t that equally distracting? “Oops, I just dripped ketchup on
“W
ith a law like this, what’s good for the goose is good for the gander.”
my seat. Quick, take the wheel while I wipe it down!” It’s not just cell phones that distract people while driving, Senator Simitian. Food, drinks, stereos, and high-tech automobile features are just some of the things that drivers can be distracted by. If people drive and use a wireless device while doing so, wouldn’t they be prone to distraction by the conversation alone? Because the law is seemingly ineffective, California’s elected officials are planning to ram it down our throats even further, with the hope of trying to eliminate a percentage of traffic accidents. It’s just another case of big government trying to oppress the rights of citizens. It should not be the government’s job to tell people what they can or can’t do in their own cars. If California’s elected officials think driving while holding cell phones is distracting, they need to consider all the other possible distractions. With a law like this, what’s good for the goose is good for the gander. Remember when Motorola and GTE used to make phones specifically built for cars? It was a luxury feature that, at the time, only well-off people could afford. Maybe in 15 years, cup holders in cars will be a thing of the past. The objects that occupy them, sodas, beard trimmers, French fry cartons, would be too distracting for drivers, if we listened to California’s elected nannies.
Web-Spe@k Culled each week from discussions on The Collegian Online.
Response:
‘Respect for others religions?’ ‘simplyshocked’: “Respect=proper acceptance of courtesy. Not properly accepting an idea or what they say as an individual opinion is not respecting the other person. Giving respect only to a right and not a belief is really dehumanizing.” ‘joshua4234’: “Some opinions and beliefs are better than others. If someone wants to respect an opinion or belief they can, but we have no OBLIGATION to do so, and if you end up on the fringe of society because you hold a belief that most people find reprehensible or moronic, that’s just how it is.” ‘brian_at_csuf’: “It sounds like you would like with no regrets, with no religion or person telling you how to run your life. Born to be wild? I think you may have gotten the wrong impression about religion. Many lose their faith because of something that a religious person did. One cannot blame an entire religion or God because of something that an imperfect person did. It is easy to fall into that trap. Nobody is perfect; only God is perfection and pure love.”
Response:
‘Without virtue, no liberty’ ‘joshua4234’: “Pornography is hardly immoral. There’s no harm in adults consenting to be filmed or photographed doing sexual things then selling it to adults who want to watch it. Also, access to pornography has been correlated with a decrease in sex-related crimes.” ‘brian_at_csuf’: “Porn is addictive, portrays fantasies, is bad for relationships and is a trap for one’s spiritual being. It may give a person temporary excitement from the brain-chemical rush of doing something they know is wrong, but it does not provide a happiness that will last. Why are there so many Web sites with porn? Because those that are addicted to it can never get enough, and are always looking for something new. The flesh shames the spirit as one is no longer able to resist the temptation to fulfill all bodily urges. As with any addiction it is not easy to free oneself from it. Ask yourself if more porn will really help you to become the best person that you can be.”
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Friday, February 5, 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 __ St Ives: Cornwall museum 5 Drift 9 Caught on video 14 *First family member 15 Muppet who testified before Congress 16 Spry 17 *Old street corner singer 19 Director De Mille 20 Keys 21 *Arthur in a dress 23 Orkan sign-off word 24 Express gratitude to 25 *Receptacle for choice slips 27 Publisher often seen in PJs 28 Park, in NYC 30 Cpl.’s superior 31 Valuable rock 32 Mine entrance 34 Cover letter letters 36 Diamond stat 38 Demonstrate effectiveness, and a literal hint to the puzzle theme found in the answers to starred clues 42 Farm dweller 43 Musical ability 44 D.C. fundraisers 47 *Brit. award 50 Summa __ laude 52 Eastern principle 54 “Murder, __ Wrote”
Puzzle by Gary Cee
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PUZZLE SOLUTION: http://collegian.csufresno.edu Copyright 2009. Tribune Media Services, Inc.
55 *Danseur noble’s partner 58 Eucharist plate 60 Culinary author Rombauer 61 63-Across hdg. 62 *Ball honorees 63 Besiege 65 *Southwestern horseman 67 Musher’s wear 68 Abbr. that shortens text
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69 Gossip columnist Cassini 70 Extra large? 71 Con 72 Three-part nos. DOWN 1 “Bewitched” role 2 Hangdog 3 Lie 4 Actress Barkin
5 Ruby and others 6 65-Across’s “Bravo!” 7 Microscopic organism 8 Provençal cuisine delicacies 9 Middle x 10 One taking a little off the top? 11 Street going downhill? 12 Emma’s “Sense and Sensibility” role 13 Ritzy 18 Aleutian island 22 Course with x’s 25 Inclination 26 Other, in Spain 29 Risky undertaking 33 Drink from a bag 35 Fidel’s friend 37 Finsteraarhorn, e.g. 39 Start of many a story 40 “Do I dare to __ peach?”: Eliot 41 Near-exhaustion metaphor 45 Root for 46 Radar guns, e.g. 47 San Luis __, California 48 Bill for shots 49 Author Leonard 51 Chops finely 53 European auto 56 Carefree diversions 57 Bard’s “below” 59 “__ forgiven” 62 Lip soother 64 West who said “To err is human, but it feels divine” 66 Repeated nursery rhyme opener
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Complete the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 box contains every digit from 1 to 9 inclusively. SOLUTION: http://collegian.csufresno.edu
Word of the Day
Midday crisis When one is in desperate need of a siesta because they become extremely tired in the afternoon and coffee isn't cutting it any longer. Source: UrbanDictionary.com
Arts & Entertainment The
Collegian
Page 4 • Arts & Entertainment Editor, Danielle Gilbert • collegian-features@csufresno.edu • Friday, February 5, 2010
Box office Here are the top new films at the box office for the weekend of Friday, Feb. 5, through Sunday, Feb. 7, based on estimates of ticket sales compiled by Yahoo.com.
1. ‘Avatar’ Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures Weekend gross: $31,280,029 Overall gross: $595,752,416 Release weeks: 7 2. ‘Edge of Darkness’ Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures Weekend gross: $17,214,384 Overall gross: $17,214,384 Release weeks: 1 3. ‘When in Rome’ Distributor: Walt Disney Studios Weekend gross: $12,350,041 Overall gross: $12,350,041 Release weeks: 1 4. ‘Tooth Fairy’ Distributor: 20th Century Fox Weekend gross: $9,998,109 Overall gross: $26,104,387 Release weeks: 2
Review by Connie Ogle McClatchy Tribune The first thing you need to know about the latest adaptation of a Nicholas Sparks novel is that it won’t make you cry as hard as the last one (“The Notebook,” which no human being has ever sat through dry-eyed, not even Dick Cheney). Sparks’ books have spawned the films “A Walk to Remember,” “Nights in Rodanthe,” “Message in a Bottle” and the upcoming “The Last Song” with Miley Cyrus, the idea of which is more than enough to make this reviewer sob openly. So your tear ducts are virtually guaranteed to get at least a brief workout during the romantic “Dear John,” in which a Special Forces soldier on leave (Channing Tatum, “G.I. Joe”) falls for big-hearted Charleston college girl Savannah (Amanda Seyfried of “Mamma Mia!”). John (Tatum) isn’t much of a talker, possibly because of the reclusive, reserved nature of his possibly autistic father (Richard Jenkins), with whom John shares an arm’s-length relationship. Fortunately, a quick dive off the pier and the retrieval of a dropped purse capture the attention of Savannah, who is the sort of girl who doesn’t drink and spends spring break building a house for a homeless family. Hers is not unusual behavior in “Dear John”; almost everyone behaves with a courtly decorum greatly lacking in the
Dear John
Movie review Sony Pictures presents “Dear John,” based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks. The film, staring Channing Tatum and Amanda Seyfried, opens worldwide today. Scott Garfield McClatchy Tribune
real world. The couple spends the rest of John’s leave together, and as long as they’re romping along the lovely Carolina shore life seems rosy and full of promise. Savannah even salvages John’s relationship with his dad to an extent. But soldiers have to go back to war. John and Savannah promise to write, with the plan that they’ll get back together when his tour of duty is over in two years. Then 9-11 happens, and their future takes a much different turn. “Dear John” is at its date-movie best in the first half; it’s the sort of pretty weeper that will draw young women in droves. Later on the film gets a bit bogged down in its noble ambitions.
We’d like to believe people behave in such totally unselfish ways, but such goodness and charity leave director Lasse Hallstrom (“The Shipping News,” “Chocolat,” “The Cider House Rules”) without many shades of gray in his melodramatic palate. Worse, he makes the colossal mistake of shortchanging the diehard romantics by wrapping up the story too suddenly; you literally feel startled when the credits roll. Still, there’s an audience for old-fashioned romance, and “Dear John” will please most of it, given its attractive cast, cozy beach settings and brazenly uplifting outlook on human nature. The movie looks good. It just doesn’t bear much resemblance to the way most of us live.
A‘chord’ing to Adam
By Maddie Shannon The Collegian The students and staff at University Courtyard have had their eyes and ears on something new: it’s very own self-taught troubadour. Unfortunately for Adam Stephens, business major and University Courtyard student assistant, the sounds of “Creep” by Radiohead reverberating against the walls of the dor ms wasn’t a crowd
pleaser. “You don’t get much love when your belting out how you feel in the middle of the night,” Stephen’s said. The Lemoore native originally began playing music in elementary school when his grandmother advised that he learn to play the piano. After middle school, Stephens enrolled in music classes, learned how to play the trumpet and joined a band. “Now, I play wherever I can find inspiration. The people that I played with all had their musical talents
Matt Wier / The Collegian
and now I’m going the solo route,” Stephens said. “It’s a little bit hard to mesh your style with everybody else’s, so I eventually just went on my own.” Inspired by folk music, the environment and Tool vocalist Maynard James Keaton, the 25-year-old musician describes his style as a more emotional type of music than anything. “More from the heart, less mainstream,” Stephens said. “The great thing about music is you can always transform melodies to apply to you.”
Friday, February 5, 2010
California snags $2.34 billion for speed rail By Dug Begley and Ben Goad McClatchy Tribune Tens of thousands of new jobs will be coming to California now that the state has snared $2.34 billion for high-speed rail projects. Proponents said the money all but assures that bullet trains will streak between San Die go and Sacramento within 30 years. But construction jobs, especially in places like the Inland area that are part of the second phase, are years away. And the entire train system will cost billions of dollars more than the federal stimulus funds announced Thursday. Federal transportation of ficials and the White House announced 13 projects would receive a share of $8 billion set aside as part of last year's federal stimulus program. California got the most money; Florida received $1.3 billion. Califor nia's $2.34 billion is divided between $2.25 billion for high-speed rail and $94 million to improve existing intercity train routes, such as the Pacific Surfliner Amtrak route between San Luis Obispo and San Diego. The stimulus money must be matched with state and local funds. Californians approved a 2008 proposition committing the state to sell $9 billion in bonds for highspeed rail. The federal money can be used to purchase land, conduct environmental reviews and possibly start construction. "We can break ground across the country, putting people to work building high-speed rail lines, because there's no reason why Europe or China should have the f astest trains when we can build them right here in America," President Barack Obama said Thursday. Officials have estimated that high-speed rail could cost $42.6 billion throughout California. Most of the cost will be borne by federal and state coffers, but proponents have said they'll also need a private partnership. Trains could start running between Los Angeles and San Francisco by 2019, based on 2008 estimates by the state's high-speed rail authority. "The day will come when you can travel from Los Angeles to San Francisco in under three hours going 220 miles per hour without spending a moment stuck in traffic on a congested highway or waiting for a weather-delayed flight," U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said. See SPEED, Page 6
The Collegian • Features Features Editor, Michelle Furnier • collegian-features@csufresno.edu
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Nursing student finds inspiration in silent cause By Michelle Furnier The Collegian Miriam Mahfoud struggled with deciding on a major while in high school. She eventually decided on nursing after she visited a small orphanage in a rural village in Cambodia. The 19 year old was on a missions trip with her church. While in Cambodia, Mahfoud spent most of her time playing with the local children. She said that she became filled with compassion during her time there after noticing that several of the children were disease stricken or had deformities. She knew that she wanted to do something for children. To help in some way. While in her high school anatomy class, Mahfoud said she fell in love with how complex and intricate the human body could be. This love for anatomy combined with her desire to help those less fortunate, prompted Mahfoud to become a registered nurse. She began her college career as one of the youngest students in the nursing program on campus. The sophomore plans to graduate in fall 2012. Mahfoud, a nursing major and American Sign Language (ASL) minor, became interested in ASL while sitting in her chemistry class watching an interpreter translate the class to another student. Her ASL minor is currently on hold for the semester because the classes did not fit in with her schedule. However, she says that she plans to continue with ASL 3 next fall. To keep her skills sharp, she says that she practices with her friends so that she doesn’t forget what she’s already learned. As if being a nursing student wasn't enough for Mahfoud, she is also involved with several organizations, including: the ASL club, the Recycling club and she recently joined the Califor nia Nursing Student Association (CNSA). She also works on campus at the University Courtyard in the marketing office and has done so for more than a year. Mahfoud also volunteers at her church to help run a café that supports students who want to go on mission trips. Despite her lack of spare time, she said that she enjoys being with her three sisters, baking and going to the local frozen yogurt shop with her friends just about every Friday. Q: What did you find intriguing about the use of an interpreter in your class? A: I was just amazed. An interpreter was able translate a semester’s worth of chemistry without words! I was mesmerized by how quickly the interpreter’s hands would fly about and translate the lecture. Q: What made you decide that you wanted to make deaf studies your minor? A: After that chemistry class I knew I wanted to at least take ASL 1 (introduc-
Joy Hallare / The Collegian
Miriam Mahfoud, 19, standing in front of University Student Union before heading to class.
tory class). I had a fantastic teacher, Annette Klein, and ended up loving it so much that I signed up for ASL 2. I decided to minor in deaf studies for a few reasons. First off, I knew I wanted to become fluent in ASL and achieve my certificate in conversational ASL by the time graduate. I also learned about the lack of interpreters and misconceptions about the deaf community in my ASL classes, which further inspired me to make this my minor. And although I don’t plan on becoming an interpreter, being fluent in ASL could be really beneficial for myself and deaf or hard of hearing clients in the hospital setting. Q: Will you incorporate it into your career or do you want to do something with it on the side? A: My intention is to incorporate it and use my skills in ASL. I have been researching the opportunities with nursing and sign language and although I have not found anything specific, there seems to be a need. I have heard of some nursing positions that require ASL and hospitals or clinics with mostly deaf
or hard of hearing clientele. As of right now I am just focusing on one thing at a time. Right now I am just trying to get through the nursing program and finish my minor. I will continue to look for any opportunities or places in need of a nurse fluent in sign language. However, I am sure I will encounter deaf patients in any registered nurse position. Q: Was this the first time you found an interpreter interesting or was it something you’ve always found intriguing? A: I always thought sign language was an amazing way to communicate, but I was never really exposed to it or had any deaf friends or family that used it. I became really interested in my first semester of college, in that chemistry class. Q: What’s the hardest thing about ASL? What’s the most fun? A: The hardest part for me is sentence structure. Many people think that ASL is just like English except with symbols and hand motions for each word, but it’s not. It is its own language. For example, in sign, emotion and expressions, such as raising or lowering
your eyebrows, has different grammatical meaning. I have found that sign language is more than hand movements but an intimate and expressive language that uses emotion in a way that oral communication sometimes lacks. A few of my friends are minoring in deaf studies as well, so we enjoy practicing with each other and signing in quiet places such as class or the library. Q: What do you hope to gain from the deaf studies minor and what do you hope to learn? A: In nursing, communication and developing a nursing-client relationship is so important in giving optimum care. By increasing my knowledge of deaf culture and becoming fluent in sign, I will be able to enhance the quality of care I give for a larger group of clients. I understand that learning Spanish may be more beneficial, especially in California, but I feel that the deaf community is often underrepresented and hospitals may lack the staff needed to better care for deaf patients.
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The Collegian • Features Features Editor, Michelle Furnier • collegian-features@csufresno.edu
Friday, February 5, 2010
New board member SPEED: Estimated cost of speed has FLYP connection rail in California is $42.6 billion President Welty sees high value in Fresno’s Leading Young Professionals. By Thaddeus Miller The Collegian A local community advisory committee added a new member to its ranks. Fresno State’s President John Welty appointed Stephen Sotomayor to the University Advisory Board last week. A s a b o a r d m e m b e r, Sotomayor will provide the school’s president with advice on university issues and serve as a link to the community, Welty said in an e-mail interview. “The board is often able to share perspectives from the community which are important for us to consider,” Welty said. We l t y e x p l a i n e d t h a t S o t o m ayo r ’ s c o n n e c t i o n to Fresno’s Leading Young Professionals (FLYP), where he served as the board chair, is important to the university. The organization is designed to attract and retain young professionals to the Fresno area. “[From FLYP,] I thought we could get good advice and they would also be able to articulate how the university could better serve this population, especially at the graduate level,” Welty said.
John Boogaert, the chair of the advisory board, said the connection to FLYP is important. He said the connection will aid the board as it tries to get the state to place a higher priority on education during the budget crunch. “We are trying to become an advocate for the university,” Boogaert said. Boogaert said Sotomayor has already been an asset to the board. Sotomayor, the youngest member on the board, currently serves as the Chief of Staff for Fresno city council member Andreas Borgeas. In an e-mail interview, Borgeas vo i c e d h i s ap p rova l o f Sotomayor’s appointment. “I commend Dr. Welty for including members of the young professional community on the Advisory Board, and I believe Stephen's experience has been and will continue to be a valuable asset to the board,” Borgeas said. Sotomayor served in the A r m y a n d w a s d e p l o ye d to Ger many and Iraq, and attained his bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona. He also received the Bronze Star Medal while serving as a captain in Baghdad. Illustrated by Treible /McClatchy Tribune
CONTINUED from page 5
INSURANCE: After graduation, young people struggle to remain insured. CONTINUED from page 1 doesn’t offer health insurance.” Sarah Lanfranco, a supervisor at the Bulldog Shop, is concerned that because her position is not offered health insurance, she can’t get basic preventative care. “I haven’t had health insurance since I graduated in 2007, and I can’t even afford to get routine physicals,” she said. She also had a dental emergency last year which required a route canal that she had to pay for out of pocket. This set her back on paying off her student loans from Fresno State and National University, where she has been going in order to get a teaching credential. According to The Chronicle of Higher Education, most students who drop out, do so for work-related reasons. Jeffrey Cummins, an asso-
ciate professor of political science, said the problems with the California budget will likely put health care on the back burner. “A few years a go Gov. Schwarzenegger proposed a similar plan, but when the cost estimates came out, it was completely squashed,” Cummins said. Cummins said insuring young adults would not only be beneficial to those who are currently without insurance, but also pragmatic. “It makes sense to want to pull in young and healthier workers in order to help bear some of the medical costs for a universal plan,” Cummins added. “This is why there are discussions on mandating young adults to buy insurance.”
leader in developing a highspeed rail network. Officials cheered the decision. "Finally, finally, finally -- it's going to happen," said Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., who pushed for bullet trains 20 years ago in her failed gubernatorial bid. The trains will revitalize how Californians travel, officials said. "Once the projects are completed, the high-speed corridors would allow travel between Riverside and Los Angeles in just 33 minutes," said Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif. From Los Angeles, riders could be in Sacramento in two hours and 17 minutes, she said. While the funding amounts to about half of the state's $4.7 billion request, Boxer said the Obama administration had to spread the money out to ensure enough political support to keep high-speed rail projects going. LaHood and Boxer both said they are optimistic about California receiving more federal funds for high-speed rail. "This is a project of national significance and, therefore, they're going to have high priority and they're going to become part of our funding process," Boxer said. Last year federal lawmakers approved $2.5 billion for highspeed rail initiatives around the country. That money has not yet been directed to individual projects. LaHood said officials will begin working today on plans fo r d iv i d i n g t h o s e f u n d s among the various California
segments. "We want jobs created quickly," he said. "The sooner we can put people to work -- that's really our goal." Thursday, officials and highspeed supporters lauded the money as a needed economic engine. "The Inland Empire will see direct benefits from this stimulus money as construction begins on rail projects between Los Angeles and Orange County," said Robert Cruickshank, chair man of Californians for High-Speed Rail, a public interest group. "Many of the construction jobs will be won by workers in Riverside and San Bernardino counties." Officials estimate the bullettrain system will create 160,000 construction jobs during the next 30 years. Gov. Ar nold Schwarzenegger said in a news release that 600,000 jobs will be created by the Anaheim-to-San Francisco section that will require new tracks, more than a dozen stations and extensive engineering and environmental studies. Workers will then spend their wages on local goods and services, further spurring the economy.
But it could take two or three years for many construction jobs to materialize, said Nancy D. Sidhu, chief economist at the Kyser Center for Economic Research in Los Angeles. She said initial jobs will be created in engineering, surveying and studying the environmental impacts of the route. Then work will be begin on some corridors, such as Los Angeles to Anaheim. Most of the later workers will be constructing overpasses and underpasses for the project. Jobs also will be created by fencing off tracks, building train stations and other tangential projects. "All the usual suspects will be out there," she said of the construction companies vying for work. "And there will be a huge amount of contractors and subcontractors and subsubcontractors." By 2012 at the latest, based on the federal stimulus rules, those "boots on the ground" jobs should start popping up, Sidhu said. "It may never occupy a large number of jobs in any one year," Sidhu said. "But it might very well occupy a (smaller) number of jobs for a number of years."
Friday, February 5, 2010
The Collegian • Sports Sports Editor, Brianna Campbell • collegian-features@csufresno.edu
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Hill signs 21 new players Hill shows excitement toward 2010 recruitment class By Vongni Yang The Collegian For coach Pat Hill’s 14th recruiting class, he reeled in 21 new players who will join the team for the 2010 fall season. Twenty high school players and a junior college transfer signed National Letters of Intent to play college football for Fresno State. “I’m very, very excited about this 2010 class,” Hill said during a press conference. The 21-man recruiting class is highlighted with plenty of speed at the skill positions from wide receivers and running backs to safeties and corners. Many of the players who signed also played multiple positions in high school to Hill’s liking. “Another thing that I really believe in, multi-positional players, guys that can play a lot of different positions,” Hill said. Edward Dillihunt, a defensive back from Tulare Union, is an exciting recruit for Hill because of his versatility. He played wide receiver, running back, safety, corner and linebacker for the Redskins, and to much success. During his senior season, he ran for 599 yards and caught 34 passes for 748 yards while reaching the end zone 18 times. On defense, he made 24 tackles with one sack. Dillihunt is expected to play safety for the ‘Dogs, and is expected to make an immediate impact. Hill also signed four players who played quarterback in high school, but only one is slated to play quarterback in Fresno State’s traditional drop-back style offense.
“There were a lot of young men that played quarterback on their high school teams, but that’s not going to be their final destination here,” Hill said. Hill anticipates that three of the former high school quarterbacks that signed will convert to either receiver, cornerback or linebacker. Athletic signee Isaiah Burse of Modesto Christian is expected to play wide receiver, running back or cornerback for the ‘Dogs, even though he led his team to a 15-0 season as a quarterback. He passed for 1,771 yards and ran for more than 1,800 yards. Burse scored 27 passing touchdowns and reached the end zone 26 times on the ground. Hill and his coaching staff concentrated particularly on speed in this year’s recruiting class. They signed multiple players who also excelled on the track. Anthony Riggins of Rodriguez High School and Jalen Saunders of Elk Grove have both been clocked in running 100-meters in 10.7 seconds. “We really targeted speed on the perimeter,” Hill said. “We really increased the speed of our football team with this class. The last two years we brought in a lot of speed and hopefully that starts to show here, next year and the next three or four years.” In all the 2010 recruiting class is made up of two quarterbacks, two running backs, three receivers, a tight end, an offensive lineman, two defensive linemen, two linebackers, four defensive backs and the nation’s best punter, Matt Darr. Three players were listed as
athletes. Their positions will be determined once they step onto campus in the fall. “We were able to find some outstanding players,” said Hill.
2010 Recruiting Class Sean Alston, Defensive Back, 5-10, Alta Loma, Calif. (Los Oso) “He has good ball skills.” Isaiah Burse, Athlete, 5-11, 180, Modesto, Calif. (Modesto Christian) “Isaiah Burse is best when the ball is in his hands,” Hill said. “So we have to figure out a way to get the ball to this guy.” Matt Darr, Punter, 6-2, 210, Bakersfield, Calif. (Frontier) “Matt Darr was ranked the No. 1 high school punter in the country.” Tyeler Davison, Defensive Line, 6-2, 280, Scottsdale, Ariz. (Desert Mountain) “He’s got almost a 35 inch arm length.” Victor Dean, Wide Re c e ive r, 6 - 5 , 2 0 0 , S a n Diego, Calif. (Lincoln) “Never recruited a receiver with his kind of size and his kind of athletic ability.” D avo n D u n n , A t h l e t e , 5-11, 175, San Diego, Calif. (Lincoln) “Is an outstanding player that played both sides of the ball.” Edward Dillihunt, Defensive Back, 6-0, 190, Tulare, Calif. (Tulare Union) “He reminds me so much of
[former Fresno State player] James Sanders,” Hill said. “But at this stage of his development, even more explosive than James.” Ofa Fifita, Linebacker, 6-0, 215, San Bernardino, Calif. (Arroyo Valley) “He plays very hard; he plays both sides of the ball.” L e s t e r Fo n t e n e t t e , Linebacker, 6-2, 207, San Diego, Calif. (Madison) “He’s got the kind of speed we’re looking for, especially at the linebacker position.” Andrew Gustafson, Of fensive Line, 6-5, 265, Scottsdale, Ariz. (Chaparral) “He’s got all the qualities you’re looking for – as far as intelligence, size, foot speed.” J o s h H a r p e r, W i d e Receiver, 6-1, 187, Stockton, Calif. (Saint Mary’s) “As far as the rankings go, one of the top wide receivers in the state,” Hill said. Marcus McDade, Quarterback, 6-3, 190, Stockton, Calif. (Saint Mary’s) “His greatest strength is his arm strength. He’s got outstanding arm strength.” Ke l l y O ’ B r i e n , Quarterback, 6-6, 210, Manhattan Beach, Calif. (Foothill Junior College) “He obviously has a football background; he’s a football guy. He understands the game.” John Ogelsby, Defensive Line, 6-4, 248, Bakersfield, Calif. (Highland) “He’s an agg ressive guy
when he gets there. He’s a hostile guy.” Anthony Riggins, Defensive Back, 5-11, 185, Fairfield, Calif. (Rodriguez) “He’s got good speed and great size for a corner.” Leslie Rogers, Running Back, 6-1, 185, San Diego, Calif. (Point Loma) “I think he’s a guy that can develop into one heck of a running back. He’s got good size.” Ja l e n S a u n d e r s , Wi d e Receiver, 5-10, 170, Elk G r ove , C a l i f . ( P l e a s a n t Grove) “When you watch him on film, he is fast.” E.J. Schexnayder, Running Back, 6-1, 210, Riverside, Calif. (John W. North) “I think he brings to us that physical, bruising-type runner that also has the ability to break it if he gets to the second level. I think we got a real steal in E.J. Schexnayder.” Derron Smith, Defensive Back, 5-11, 170, Banning, Calif. (Banning) “He’s a great athlete; he’s a humble athlete. He’s so excited to come to Fresno State.” Greg Watson, Athlete, 5-11, 185, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. (Rancho Cucamonga) “Greg Watson’s gonna get his first opportunity here to play that hybrid-type quarterback.” Cody Wichman, Tight End, 6-5, 275, Mariposa, Calif. (Mariposa) “I have a feeling this guy’s gonna make his presence felt here at Fresno State.”
‘Dogs play host for an indoor meet Track and Field begins indoor season with Run for the Dream at the Save Mart Center By Ben Ingersoll The Collegian Fresno State, along with eight other California State Universities, will compete in the fourth annual Run For The Dream Indoor Track and Field Invitational inside the Save Mart Center tonight, marking
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the ‘Dogs 2010 season debut. The meet will have a total of 47 running events and 17 field events in the university, open and elite divisions held on the opening day of the two-day event. Saturday will feature the youth and high school divisions. The best the Bulldogs have to offer will also be on display this afternoon. Fresno State sophomore and 2009 All-American Latrisha Jordan will compete in the women’s 600-yard run and the 4 by145 meter relay. On the men’s side, All-American junior Tim Greene is seeded third in the shot put as well as first in the weight throw. Jo rd a n a n d G re e n e a re just two Bulldogs looking to improve on last year’s six first place individual finishes in this meet. They will compete a g ainst athletes from Azusa Pacific, Cal Poly, CSU Bakersfield, Cal State Dominguez Hills, Cal State Stanislaus, Cal State Los Angeles, USC and Fresno Pacific.
But Jordan and Greene will not be featured in what is expected to be tonights main event, the pole vault. The event has two former Olympic gold medalists, Tim Mack, competing for Nike, and Stacy Dragila. Mack won gold in the 2004 Olympic games in Athens, Greece while Dragila received gold ten years ago in Sydney. Mack will face off against Giovanni Lanaro of Mexico who was ranked No. 7 last season and is a Pan American record holder. Former NCAA Division One Champions Chelsea Johnson and Becky Holliday meanwhile will push Dragila on the women’s side. This evening’s meet is just one of many head coach Scott Winsor and the ‘Dogs are slated to compete in this season. Next weekend’s Husky Classic in Seattle, Wash. will be the final invitational of the indoor season before t h e WAC C h a m p i o n s h i p s begin, followed by the NCAA Championships in March. At the conclusion of the
Matt Weir / Collegian File Photo
Sophomore David Deal sprints to the finish line last season. He will be competing in the high jump competition this evening.
indoor season, the outdoor schedule will begin as the ‘Dogs travel to Palo Alto, Calif. on March 6 to compete in the California Quad meet. In all, the outdoor season is packed with ten meets, including a May 1 home dual meet, the only other home event in 2010. The Run For The Dream Track and Field Invitational is put on as a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Save Mart Center’s indoor track is world renown as one of the fastest surfaces around. The track itself was donated by Fred
Arnold in honor of his late wife Madeleine. The $1 million Tartan Track was built solely for the Run For The Dream Track and Field Invitational, which is now considered the premier indoor meet on the west coast, the meet official Web site reported. Tonight’s competitions are slated to begin at 2:30 p.m. with the women’s weight throw and end at 9:35 p.m. with the pentathlon 800-meter run. Adult admission is $10, students with ID are $7 and seniors and children are $5.
Sports The
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Collegian
Sports Editor, Brianna Campbell • collegian-sports@csufresno.edu • Friday, February 5, 2010
Photo Courtesy of Keith Kountz
Assistant coach Amy Parrish finds herself on the Bulldog bench as a coach four years after being a player on the same bench.
From player to coach, Parrish has done it all By Brianna Campbell The Collegian Assistant coach Amy Parrish has done it all. From full-time student-athlete to mom to professional basketball overseas and now assistant coach at her alma mater. Parrish currently resides on the first seat on the Bulldog bench as an assistant coach to head coach Adrian Wiggins just four years after graduating. Parrish who was raised in Hanford, as a junior transfer from Reedley College she was named Central Valley Conference MVP and made the AllTournament team at the Commission O n A t h l e t i c s ( C OA ) B a s ke t b a l l Championships. Parrish achieved even more her first year in a Bulldog uniform starting in all 31 games, leading the team in scoring with and was a first team All-WAC section. As a senior, Parrish continued to juggle the student-athlete lifestyle as well as motherhood. By then Parrish was the mother to a two-year old son Ty, who was one of the of the many support systems she had to make it through. “My family and friends,” Parrish said is who she leaned on for support. “They [my family] supported me and helped me more than I could have imagined that they would be able to. ” In her last season, 2005-06, Parrish averaged 15.1 points and 6.6 rebounds per game. She posted four doubledoubles and scored in double figures a team-high 24 times. All while maintaining a 3.2 grade point average. For the second time in two consecutive years she received first team AllWAC selection, coming the fourth player in the history of Fresno State to
earn this honor. Parrish graduated with a degree in Chicano/Latin American studies and began her journey in the work force. “Then not to soon after I started to doubt my job choice, an old friend of mine called and asked if I was interested in playing because they had a spot on their team,” Parrish said. “I accepted and figured I would give it one more shot! For eight months Parrish played on a professional women’s basketball team in Holland. Upon her return she took a position as an assistant coach at CalState University Bakersfield where she learned a lot about coaching and the team she wanted to be a part of. In July of 2008, two years after graduating, Parrish rejoined the bulldogs as a part of the coaching staff for the women’s basketball team. Parrish’s intelligence in basketball and energy will be an asset, Wiggins said in an article on bulldogs.com. “Amy was an important part of the success we had from 2004-06 and she will be an important part of our success as we prepare to defend our WAC championship.” Parrish continues her journey with the Bulldogs this season as the team continues to fiercely break records. She has enjoyed her time growing as coach along side Wiggins and could not see herself anywhere else.
Q & A: Q: When was it that you knew you wanted to play basketball at the collegiate level? A: I basically knew that I wanted to play college basketball once I got into high school and I learned that I could get my school paid for. I loved the game and it was a way to motivate myself to work hard. It kind of came easy to me and I just kept
wanting to improve my game. Q: What was your fondest memory in a Bulldog uniform? A: My fondest memory is just being around my teammates and coaches. I loved the competitiveness that the teams had while I was here. We fought against each other hard day in and day out, and then to see it come together against other teams was fun. I loved the ups and downs of being around the same people for 6-7 months straight, and knowing that you are all in this together with one common goal at the end. Q: Only four years after graduating from Fresno State, did you ever imagine yourself back on the bench as a coach? And coaching along side Wiggins instead of listening as a player? A: I actually never thought that I would coach. But once I got back into it I didn’t want to work for anyone else. The Central Valley is home to me and Fresno State is my alma mater. We had talked about me paying my dues and growing as a coach then someday coming back to help here but I never thought it would happen this soon. I am very thankful though. I learned a lot as a player from Coach Brett Frank and Coach Wiggins and I am learning even more from all of them after joining the staff. Q: What are your hopes and expectations as a coach for this season? A: For this team to reach their potential!! These girls are amazing young women and talented athletes. They work hard and they do a lot for others. I think they have a great opportunity that they don’t even realize at times; once they do and it all clicks, they will be even more fun to watch. Q: What is your favorite thing about being a coach?
A: My favorite thing about being a coach is getting to see these girls grow. I love the interaction and having an open line of communication with them so that even though I am their coach and they respect me, they can still come to me if they ever need anything. Q: What do you enjoy doing in your free time? A: Spending time with my son, family and friends. Q: Who was your role models/inspiration growing up? A: My parents. They are very hard working and have always supported their children, even through some very tough times. I would not be the person I am today or continue to grow to be without them!
Photo Courtesy of Fresno State Athletics
Parrish, in 2006, was named a first team AllWAC two years in a row.