January 30, 2019

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Fresno State’s Award-Winning Newspaper Wednesday, January 30, 2019

Craig student store

Open for

Business

Page 2 Larry Valenzuela • The Collegian

Students operate the Craig School of Business Student Store, which sells clothing items, such as T-shirts and sweaters featuring CSB branding on Jan. 29, 2019.

Chevron donation Clarkson concert Josh Hokit profile NEWS

INSIDE

Page 3

A&E

Page 5

SPORTS

Page 8

SIX SECRETS FOR STUDENTS TO SAVE MONEY THIS YEAR

NEWS

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2019

GOT TIPS? We want to hear them.

COLLEGIAN@CSUFRESNO.EDU

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COVER STORY

Student store offers real-life experience

By Jacob Mulick Reporter

N

ot many students can say they have successfully started and run a retail business before they graduate college, but students working at the new Craig School of Business Student Store are doing just that.

The store, which had its grand opening Jan. 22, is located in the Craig School of Business (CSB) and sells clothing items, like T-shirts and sweaters featuring CSB branding.

The CSB’s store is operated by students who have spent the last semester working to make the project a reality. All the students involved with the store are part of Haiying Zhang’s business administration 190 course, which offers 3 units of elective credits as an incentive to join the CSB Student Store team.

Students Michaela Kemble and Elizabeth Peña, who have been in BA 190 since last semester, were happy to see the store operational after plans to open the previous semester fell through.

Larry Valenzuela• The Collegian

Craig School of Business Student store sells clothing items, like T-shirts and sweaters featuring CSB branding and is run by students in the business programs.

“We’re really excited that it’s finally open,” Peña said.

The store is very much a team effort, according to Kemble and Peña. Currently, there are 14 students occupying a variety of departments ,such as store operations, marketing, finance and product development.

“Everybody contributes something different,” Peña said.

The students hope to eventually expand their product line to include items like pencils, mugs, stickers, portfolios and other supplies.

Both Kemble and Peña hope more students will take the opportunity to join and learn how to run a real business. The store will be open throughout the summer, which Kemble hopes will attract more students to the project.

For any students interested in participating in the project, BA 190 is open to all students with at least a junior standing (60 units). It has already attracted business, fashion merchandising, communications and graphic design majors.

“It’s probably the best way to learn on campus,” Kemble said. “This is all on us, all student run. So we’re learning a lot.”

Symposium discusses water markets

By Michael Ford Managing Editor

Agricultural and environmental leaders spoke at the Water Market Exchange Symposium in the Satellite Student Union on Jan. 24 to share their perspectives on a water market exchange program.

The symposium featured speakers from water agencies, environmental interests, disadvantaged community interests and water market administrators.

According to Fresno State California Water Institute program manager Laura Ramos, the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) would result in reductions of the supply of groundwater, creating the need for a creative and innovative solution to efficiently manage it.

The water market exchange would allow those who have access to more groundwater than they need to sell it to those who need it.

The SGMA is a law enacted by California Legislature to ensure better local and regional management of groundwater use. The law seeks to develop and fully implement a groundwater management program by the year 2042.

The panels of experts agreed the water supply reductions resulting from the SGMA would have significant economic impacts on agriculture in the San Joaquin Valley.

Two economic impact studies for Kern County and for the Stanislaus, Merced and San Joaquin counties were conducted and the results had some grim projections.

Kern County is projected to lose $4.2 billion and 24,000 jobs and San Joaquin, Merced and Stanislaus counties are projected to lose $3.2 billion and 13,200 jobs.

“Such significant losses could have a devastating impact on the standard of living and quality of life in the San Joaquin Valley, which has already been characterized as the ‘Appalachia of the West,’ due to the education and

Courtesy California Water Institute

Chief Executive Officer of Waterfind USA Tom Rooney presents at the Water Market Echange Symposium on Jan. 24, 2019.

income characteristics of the region,” Ramos said.

Ramos said that there will be a need to identify creative and innovative solutions for water resource management, and a water exchange market is a possible solution.

Vice president of water sustainability and executive director of the California Water Institute at Fresno State Thomas Esqueda speculated on what such an exchange market might look like. “[A farmer] would say, for instance, that he has 100 acre feet of water left. In a perfect world, he would put that on a big board say that he thinks it is worth ‘x’,” Esqueda said. “He wouldn’t be the only one, there would be other people putting water on the market. Then people like you and I who would like to buy water for our crop or property would look at that list and say ‘OK, that guy has the proper amount of water, let me see the prices. Boom, I am going to buy that guy’s water.’”

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2019

21 elected positions will be up for grabs

FRONT PAGE

By Paige Gibbs Reporter

Courtesy Fresno State

Chevron reservoir supervisor Marc Guzman presents Fresno State President Dr. Joseph I. Castro with a $450,000 for STEM programs on Jan. 24, 2019.

Chevron donates to Fresno State programs

By Larry Valenzuela News Editor

Chevron announced a $450,000 donation for the advancement of the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programs during a press conference at the Smittcamp Alumni House on Thursday, according to a university news release.

According to the news release, a reservoir supervisor with Chevron, Marc Guzman represented the company during the donation announcement.

“It is very exciting to see how our contribution will be implemented,” Guzman said in the release. “And will make a direct impact not only in the classrooms, but also in the community.”

This is the second time Chevron has given the university a donation this size. In October of 2017, Chevron donated the same amount in support of STEM programs in the Lyles College of Engineering and the College of Science and Mathematics.

“Thousands of students’ lives have been transformed by Chevron’s generosity, which allows us to educate a new generation of leaders that is prepared to boldly address regional and national challenges,” said Fresno State President Dr. Joseph I. Castro in the release.

“With strong community partners like Chevron, we will continue to graduate innovative scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs, teachers and researchers who help to elevate the Central Valley and beyond.”

The donations will be distributed to programs in the following institutions: the Lyles College, College of Health and Human Services, Craig School of Business, Office of Community

PAGE 3

THE COLLEGIAN • NEWS

and Economic Development and Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management.

The release stated that of the total donation, $150,000 has been designated to go to the community Mobile Health Unit; $140,000 to the Control Systems Laboratory; $100,000 to Engineering Pathways; $25,000 to STEM 5; $25,000 to Parent University; and $10,000 for Homecoming.

“Chevron’s contributions support career readiness, STEM education and community engagement,” Castro said in the release. “We hope to continue strengthening our partnership for the greater good of our region, nation and world.”

By the numbers

$450,000 This is the second time Chevron has made a donation of this amount.

Fresno State’s student government is inviting individuals interested in becoming elected officers and senators for the 2019-2020 term.

The Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) is a non-profit, public-benefit organization, run by a student board of directors, Director of Operations Tara Powers-Mead said. Students hold 21 elected positions and serve a one-year term from June 1 to May 31.

ASI is a shared government and represents the voices and opinions expressed by the campus population as a whole. It is responsible for legislating referendums, such as the one about the new University Student Union.

In 2018, ASI recorded the highest voter turnout in school history. Nearly 5,000 votes were cast, which totaled exactly 21.39 percent of eligible student voters.

Petitions for office and the election code are

now available in the ASI business office located in USU 317 or available to print online.

The first step to campaigning is submitting a completed petition for office. The petition must be submitted no later than Wednesday, March 6 by 5 p.m. to the ASI business office.

Once submitted, petitions will be verified for completeness.

Candidates must attend the mandatory all-candidates’ meeting on March 13 at 6 p.m., located in USU 314. Any candidates who do not attend will be dropped from the ballot.

For more information, visit the ASI business office or email Powers-Mead at tpowers@csufresno.edu.

Dates to know:

March 6: Completed petitions due March 13: All-candidates mandatory meeting

Professor emeritus dies

By Seth Casey Editor in Chief

Fresno State professor emeritus and community activist Dr. Theresa R. Perez died of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) at the age of 85 on Jan. 13, according to The Fresno Bee. Perez was the first Latina to run for Fresno County’s Board of Supervisors in 1975. She was also involved in the Fresno State La Raza program, later to become the Department of Chicano and Latin American Studies, and was a major figure in the development of the Chicano

Youth Conference.

Tom Uribes, former Fresno State public information officer, said that Perez laid the foundation for what has become the university’s core values.

“Dr. Teresa Perez was a champion of many causes,” Uribes said. “[She] was an extraordinary human being whose passionate and able leadership and mentorship, combined with motherly compassion, gave strength and inspiration to many Fresno State students, staff, faculty and community activists over the past five decades.”

A&E

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2019

COLLEGIAN.CSUFRESNO.EDU

4

Six tips that will help save money

By Marilyn Castaneda A&E Editor

As a college student, the sound of the word money can be stressful, trust me I know. We often are dealing with responsibilities like work, homework, possibly children or just personal difficulties of our own. So when we run across money complications, our anxieties just get that much worse. Being smart or careful with your money can lessen those worries. Here are some tips to help you save money.

Eat at home There’s nothing like home cooked meals anyway. So save your money and cook at home.

Internet or cooking shows serve as great inspiration if you aren’t the best cook out there, like me.

Seek financial help If you aren’t sure how to tackle saving money, go to a professional that will guide you.

Although there are a variety of professionals to turn to, consider the Money Management Center at Fresno State. It serves as a free resource on campus that helps financially counsel students. Check out its website for upcoming events.

Shop smart The student cupboard is free to all Fresno State students and is located on campus. Just present your school ID and you will be eligible for free groceries. Also, look out for student discounts that are often offered at nearby restaurants or shops.

Coupon more Couponing can really save you some money.

You can do just that by picking up your local newspaper, which contains a variety of cou-

pons. If you don’t feel like flipping through pages or cutting out little squares, many stores offer their coupons online through their websites.

Attend campus activities If you feel like having a night out, save money by attending free films offered on campus for students, or an inexpensive game of bowling or billiards. The Bulldog Bowl open house is on Wednesday and will offer free bowling and billiards with a Fresno State ID from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Use campus transportation Save gas and take advantage of campus transportation that can pick you up and drop you off near your car. Not only is the Bulldog Express offered for free to students, but there are five different Fresno bus routes throughout the city that are completely free to students, staff and faculty with just the swipe of your Bulldog card.

Tribune News Service

Spring Lecture Series kicks off with analysis of Latino poetry

By Paige Gibbs Reporter

The Association of Latinx Faculty in the Arts and Humanities (ALFAH) hosted its first installment of its Spring Lecture Series on Jan. 25.

About 25 people attended the lecture, which featured assistant professor of modern and classical languages and literatures Dr. Jaime Rodríguez Matos as the first presenter.

ALFAH is an organization of Latino tenure-stream faculty within Fresno State’s College of Arts and Humanities founded in fall 2018.

“ALFAH has been created to give us a space to nurture ideas and needs that are unique to Latinx researchers and teachers who focus on the humanities and the arts,” said ALFAH President Dr. Shane Moreman and professor of communications in a press release.

Matos lectured from his work-in-progress research analyzing the poetry of Tomás Rivera and Juan Felipe Herrera. Rodríguez Matos said his research in this area is less a scholarly matter, but more existential.

Rodríguez Matos read poetry in both Span-

Paige Gibbs • The Collegian

Dr. Jaime Rodríguez Matos lecturing at ALFAH’s first spring lecture to a group of faculty and students on Jan. 25, 2019. ish and English to a diverse audience of faculty, staff and students. He focused his lecture mostly on the work of Herrera.

He explained that throughout Herrera’s body of work is a central theme of embracing

“nothingness” as both a positive entity and a solution to rebelling against political systems without engaging in group consensus.

“No matter what we do, it doesn’t seem to change [our political situation],” Rodríguez

Matos said. “So at some point you have to step back and say, ‘We’re going to have to rethink what’s happening.’ How do you step away from [various] types of politics without becoming apolitical or conservative? To me, that is what Herrera is doing. He’s saying, ‘Something here is not working.’”

Herrera’s political theory suggests that revolting against one political system in favor of another repeats the process in an endless cycle.

Rodríguez Matos theorized that this group consensus mentality perpetuates the problem.

“I gave a talk against Donald Trump in Mexico the day he was being sworn in,” Rodríguez Matos said. “I’m not saying you shouldn’t do that. But at the same time, after saying I did that, there’s nothing easier than [saying], ‘Let’s all get together and feel good and say bad things about this obvious thing that is horrible.’”

Herrera’s poetry considers how to be political in a different way.

“And that, to me, is a very worthwhile thing,” Rodríguez Matos said.

ALFAH will continue to host Latino faculty members once a month this semester to share their research. All lectures are free and open to the public.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2019

PAGE 5

THE COLLEGIAN • A&E

FRONT PAGE

Kelly Clarkson performs live in Fresno

By Christina Tran | Opinion Editor

A small crowd of fans began lining up at the Save Mart Center entrances around 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 25, as they waited for pop star Kelly Clarkson’s concert to kick off at 7 p.m.

Clarkson’s “Meaning of Life” show featured two opening singers, Brynn Cartelli and Kelsea Ballerini, who have accompanied Clarkson during her tour across the U.S., which began in January and will continue through March.

After a four-year break since her last tour in 2015, Clarkson debuted songs from her new album, “Meaning of Life,” as well as performed throwback songs, like “Stronger,” “Miss Independent” and “Behind These Hazel Eyes.”

One fan who stood close to the stage in the general admission section had the opportunity

to catch Clarkson’s attention with a sign that read, “I love you! Sing ‘Sober’ please” on one side and “It’s my birthday” on the other side.

Taking a breather to talk to the crowd, Clarkson gathered all her fans in unison to sing “Happy Birthday” to the ecstatic fan.

As the concert neared an end at around 10:30 p.m., fans stood up, arm in arm and sang together as Clarkson performed her last song of the night, “Since U Been Gone.”

COMMENT: Christina Tran • The Collegian

Pop singer Kelly Clarkson performed at the Savemart Center on Friday, Jan. 25, 2019 for her “Meaning of Life” tour across America.

World-renowned artist Luba Lukova on campus

Courtesy Luba Lukova

Fresno State’s Conley Art Gallery presents artist Luba Lukova’s exhibitionon Jan. 29, 30 and 31, with a reception and public workshops.

By Marilyn Castaneda A&E Editor

Fresno State’s Conley Art Gallery will host the “Luba Lukova Designing Justice” exhibition, with a reception at 5 p.m. on Jan. 31.

Luba Lukova is an internationally-renowned New York-based artist, who is known as one of the most original image-makers working today. Creating art with line, color and text to highlight the essential themes like, humanity, making her work undeniably powerful.

She will hold a public discussion at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday before the reception. There will also be public workshops on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The events are presented by The Center for Creativity and the Arts and are co-sponsored by the Department of Art and Design. This year’s theme will be “Crossroads.”

All events are free, and parking is available in Lot P5 for $4.

For more information, contact the Department of Art and Design at 559-278-2516.

to comment on this story visit our website collegian.csufresno.edu

OPINION

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2019

GOT OPINIONS? We want to hear them.

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6

The #metoo movement attracts public eye

By Christina Tran Opinion Editor

The #metoo movement’s popularity as a hot topic in the news and throughout social media platforms seems to have subsided over the past few months.

With celebrities, comedians and politicians being accused of sexual harassment left and right over the past two to three years, like Harvey Weinstein in 2017 and Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh in 2018, it’s clear that the public has had a lot to say about the matter.

Bringing women of all ages together, the movement has proved that solidarity is what

will demonstrate to society that sexual assault and sexual harassment are real problems that need to be confronted.

Whether an individual decides to come forward and speak up about something they experienced as a child, or talk about a recent event that occurred in their life, the #metoo movement is an opportunity for those affected to join in solidarity, and find strength in numbers.

Activist Tarana Burke, founder of the #metoo movement in 2006, and actress Alyssa Milano, creator of the #metoo hashtag on Twitter in 2017, are both advocates who have championed the idea that it is not the perpetrators, but the victims who should be the focus of the discussion.

By raising awareness of the sexual assault problem, which has regularly been dismissed in the past through victim-blaming, while glorifying and protecting the perpetrators or attackers, Burke and Milano initiated a change in the way the public perceives sexual assault.

Through this social movement, victims have found support. Individuals began stepping up

Tribune News Service

Tarana Burke, founder of the #metoo movement in 2006.

to publicly state that they too have dealt with the same issues and experiences as other survivors of sexual violence.

The fact that Burke’s movement began in 2006 in no way diminishes its importance for survivors across the nation, who have been able to find some comfort in unity.

Furthering the conversation of how the public deals with sensitive topics, like sexual assault, is the first step necessary to change the way people treat each other behind closed doors.

The #metoo movement is not intended to convict men or women who act on their sexual desires. It is a movement which asserts that consent should be a nationwide conversation, as well as an agreement between one partner and another. Everyone deserves at least that much.

Tarana Burke will be visiting Fresno State to speak to students, faculty and staff about empowerment and advocacy on Wednesday, Feb. 6 in the Satellite Student Union at 7 p.m.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Fresno State is a university, like home

By Ann Kreuscher Fresno State student

About a year ago, I received two emails within minutes of each other.

I opened both, my breath held and my heart in my throat.

They were acceptance letters: one from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and one from Fresno State.

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.

Ultimately, I made a choice that I am pleased with today.

Here are some of the reasons that I am glad to have chosen Fresno State over UCLA. First, at Fresno State I have access to my professors that I believe I never would have had at UCLA. I have formed friendships with them that will last for the rest of my time here, and perhaps beyond.

At UCLA, I would have been one face in a

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sea of faces. One person in a crowd of people.

I have no doubt here that I will be able to get personal recommendations for graduate schools and jobs, but at UCLA this would have been nearly impossible.

Second, Fresno State fosters a warm atmosphere.

It’s not uncommon to hear faculty and staff say that they have been here for 15, 20 or 30 years, and the reason that they stay is because this is a good place to be at.

Seth Casey Michael Ford Larry Valenzuela Marilyn Castaneda Anthony De Leon Samantha Domingo Christina Tran Jose Romo Jr. Jorge Rodriguez Paige Gibbs Jacob Mulick

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

The people here are supportive of one another.

I am never afraid to ask for help when I need it, and speaking of which, the tutoring area in the library is awesome and worth a visit.

I hope that this will reach current high school seniors unsure about their college choice.

Go ‘Dogs!

Corbin Roache Joy Lyle Jovanni Cardenas Julie Wong Casey Supple Jeff Vinogradoff Crystal Reyes 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, JANUARY 30, 2019

THE COLLEGIAN • SPORTS

PAGE 7

Tennis dominates to start season

By Anthony De Leon Sports Editor

Both Fresno State men’s and women’s tennis teams started the season by winning in convincing fashion at Spalding G. Wathen Tennis Center, as the men’s team finished a doubleheader on Saturday with two victories and the women’s team won both of its matchups on Friday and Sunday.

The men’s team won its fourth-straight match to improve its record to 4-1 (1-0 in the Mountain West), earning its first win in conference play with a 4-3 win over Air Force, and finishing the doubleheader with a 7-0 domination of Holy Names.

Fresno State showcased a new doubles lineup in the first match against Air Force, with Mantas Bugailiskis and Angus Bradshaw at the No. 1 position, Cem Erturk and Zdenek Derkas at the No. 2 position and Patrik Pech and Jeremy Moser at the No. 3 position.

Erturk and Derkas defeated their opponents at the No. 2 position, 6-4. Moser and Pech fell to Air Force in a tiebreaker.

Bulldogs head coach Luke Shields was impressed by his team’s performance, but is still searching for more in the season.

“We battled through some nerves and found a way to get through the match after starting slow in doubles and early in singles,” Shields said. “We have to get more intense and way more enthusiastic to compete at the level we want.”

In singles play, Derkas grabbed the Bulldogs’

Jose Romo Jr. • The Collegian

Fresno State’s Georgia Lawson returns a shot during a singles match against Pacific at the Spalding G. Wathen Tennis Center on Jan. 27, 2019.

Bulldogs track place three in top-10 at UW Invitational

By Anthony De Leon Sports Editor

The Fresno State track and field team traveled to the University of Washington this past weekend to compete in the UW invitational.

The Bulldogs earned three top-10 finishes--from triple-jumper Tijana Antic and shot putter Yazmin Torres and sprinter Maja Pogorevc finished first in the 400 meters.

Pogorevc, a senior, placed first with a time of 54.92 seconds. Pogorevc was the only athlete to finish with a sub-55 second mark during the invitational, becoming the only Mountain West

runner to achieve this mark so far this season.

The Bulldog 4x400-meter relay found success, thanks in large part to Pogorevc, leading the ‘Dogs to a third-place finish, clocking in with a time of 3:46.95.

Along with Pogorevc’s top-10 finishes, triple-jumper Tijana Antic finished eighth with a season-best mark of 11.54m/37-10.5, and Yazmin Torres finished eighth in the invite section of the shot put with a throw of 13.83m/454.5.

Fresno State will return to action at the Don Kirby Invitational in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Feb. 8-9.

first point of the match, retiring his opponent at the No. 1 position. The Bulldogs captured a 2-1 lead and never looked back as Bradshaw bested his opponent 6-3, 6-1.

The Bulldogs made it three points in a row when Bugailiskis defeated the No. 4 position 6-1, 7-6. Erturk clinched the match at No. 6,

defeating his opponent 7-5, 7-5.

In the second matchup of the doubleheader, the Bulldogs swept doubles to win double point and take their 1-0 lead into singles, with help from Bugailiskis and Bradshaw once again at the No. 1 position, Erturk and Derkas at the No. 2 position and Bailey Gong and Moser at No. 3.

Fresno State swept the singles matches to shut out the Hawks, 7-0.

The women’s team opened its spring dual season with a 6-1 win over Stanislaus State, ending the day nearly perfect as the only blemish came from a walkover due to a non-participating opponent. The Bulldogs concluded their weekend with a 4-2 win over Pacific as they fell in doubles action, but found their groove in singles play for the win.

Bulldog freshmen were effective against Stanislaus State thanks to the play of the duo of Ella Husrefovic and Deniza Marcinkevica, who won their set 6-1. After the matchups were decided, another freshman pair of ‘Dogs, A.C. Hummel and Jane Ellis, came out on top over Stanislaus State, 6-3.

Following the success in doubles play, the Bulldogs finished their decisive victory by taking five out of the six singles matchups.

The Bulldogs women’s tennis team continued its success against Pacific as they won their matchup 4-2 after a shaky start in doubles play losing two out of three matchups, with one unfinished matchup.

Fresno State battled back by winning five out of six singles matchups thanks to a crucial win from Hummel, taking her matchup 6-2, 6-4. The Bulldogs were able to clinch the victory as Georgia Lawson secured the win with a 7-5, 7-6 finish.

Head coach Ric Mortera was ecstatic about the play of his team early on in the season.

“It was an absolutely great experience for this group to be in a tough and gritty match like that this early in the season,” Mortera said.

SPORTS 8 Homegrown to nationally ranked WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2019

H

omegrown star Josh Hokit, a two-sport athlete in wrestling and football, has been waiting for his time to shine. That wait is over.

Growing up in Wasco, California, Hokit and his family moved to Clovis, California because the wrestling program there was one of the best in the nation.

His wrestling abilities made him one of the best wrestlers in the state, garnering him considerable attention from collegiate wrestling programs.

The Fresno State junior and Clovis High School graduate had always been a fan of the Bulldogs, but his college path appeared to be leading him to Drexel University, where his older brother Isaiah was already part of the wrestling team.

While deciding where to attend college, there was a rumor that the Fresno State wrestling team was coming back. Hokit decided to not attend Drexel, opting to walk on with the Bulldogs football team.

“Something was telling me to stay at Fresno State and walk on to the football team,” Hokit said. “Then they brought back the wrestling team and I decided to do both.”

One of the biggest benefits of being at Fresno State, Hokit said, is that he is close to his family and friends.

Hokit realized when his brother was away at Drexel, he would only come home once or twice a year, which was all the more reason for him to stay close to home at Fresno State.

After walking-on and making the football team as a backup running back his freshman year, Hokit joined the wrestling team the next fall as a sophomore.

Being part of both the football and wrestling teams hasn’t been easy for Hokit. It takes a lot of work to be on both teams and there is little time off, Hokit said. However, he enjoys the challenge and the competition that being a twosport college athlete brings.

“I enjoy competing and [playing multiple sports] is something I’ve been doing all my life.

So why stop in college?” Hokit said.

The Bulldogs football team had a fantastic season, setting a 12-win record, and Hokit was an integral part of the team that won the Mountain West championship and the Las Vegas Bowl.

Playing in the postseason for the football

COLLEGIAN.CSUFRESNO.EDU

By Jorge Rodriguez | Reporter

Jose Romo Jr. • The Collegian

Fresno State wrestler Josh Hokit in rear guard on opponent Martin Mueller during the Bulldogs’ dual-meet victory over South Dakota State at the Save Mart Center on Jan. 20, 2019. team meant that Hokit would miss the first few months of the wrestling season, including meets against Stanford University and the University of Minnesota.

However, Hokit was able to solidify his position on the wrestling team, quickly becoming one of the best 197-pound wrestlers in the nation. He is currently ranked No. 14 in Division I for the 197-pound weight class.

“If you look at last season and this season, it’s like night and day,” Hokit said. “We are better than last year and that’s what it’s all about, always improving year after year.”

When asked about which of the two sports he liked best, Hokit had a hard time answering.

He said that each has its good and bad aspects, and that he couldn’t really choose one sport over the other.

He did, however, say that he enjoys his

time during football season more, because they provide different types of foods and treat the players well everywhere they go. He also added that he enjoyed not having to cut weight during football.

Hokit said that wrestling’s mental aspect has been a real challenge for him.

“Coming from high school and being the top guy, not many people give you a tough match,” Hokit said. “And in college, every match is a fight for seven minutes.”

He also said that his biggest challenge is that in Division I wrestling, everyone is strong, physical and ready to wrestle for the entire match.

Hokit is no stranger to popularity.

After his sophomore football season, he was already being recognized all over Fresno State campus. However, he tries to stay modest and

not let his popularity go to his head.

“I never let myself get too big headed. I stay the same,” Hokit said. “I know what needs to be done and the hard work needed to be successful.”

Hokit is currently pursuing a degree in political science, but he is unsure on what he will do once he graduates.

He doesn’t seem to be too preoccupied with the future. Instead, Hokit seems to be enjoying every minute of his collegiate career.

“I want to look back and say I gave it my all, that I did everything in my power to try and accomplish my goals,” Hokit said. “In wrestling, I am trying to be the national champion. I don’t care how impossible that may sound. I believe I can and that’s truly all that matters. You have to reach for the highest, you can never sell yourself short.”