May 3, 2017

WILL GOP HEALTH BILL SURVIVE THIS WEEK? SEE PAGE 3

Wednesday, May 3, 2017

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SMOKING

CSU EXTINGUISHES TOBACCO USE

By Razmik Cañas | @Raz_Canas

C

igarettes, vape products, chewing tobacco and any other tobacco products intended for human consumption will be banned from all 23 California State University (CSU) campuses beginning Sept.

1, 2017 under an executive order by CSU Chancellor Timothy White.

“In order to provide the California State University’s faculty, staff, students, guests and the public with campuses that support the principle of one’s individual freedom to learn, teach, work, think and take part in their intellectual endeavors in a fulfilling, rewarding, safe and healthy environment, the creation and implementation of a ‘smoke and tobacco free’ policy systemwide is necessary and welcome,” reads a portion of Executive Order 1108.

Deborah Adishian-Astone, vice president for administration and associate vice president for auxiliary services, met with the president’s cabinet last Monday to begin a task force that will enforce the order next semester. “[Under the executive order] we require that all campuses be smoke and tobacco product free in all of our buildings and areas on campus, including any facilities we may lease,” Adishian-Astone said.

The ban will affect university areas from Shaw to

See SMOKING, Page 6

Khone Saysamongdy • The Collegian

Used cigarettes fill a designated smoking area bin on a sidewalk near the amphitheater on May 2, 2017.

OPINION

GOT OPINIONS? We want to hear them.

COLLEGIAN-OPINION@CSUFRESNO.EDU WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 2017

2

MILLENNIALS

Yes, I know I’m graduating. No, I don’t know what my plan is

By Amber Carpenter @shutupambs

I say this on behalf of all eventual college graduates – please stop asking us what our plans are post-graduation.

There are a few reasons for this, the first being that only a solid half of graduates know what their plans are going to be.

The other reason for our frustration stems from the fact that we are exiting our haven for the last two to five years with the demand for experience we don’t yet have.

Unfortunately, all most of us have is a piece of paper that cost about $20,000.

We also have the skills and experiences from college and the willpower to move past doubts that millennials will not be able to survive in the real world.

It’s understandable that parents, significant others and friends might be curious about what “the plan” is after college.

However, this conflicts with another conversation happening amongst those about to graduate, revolving around trusting the process and overcoming the feeling of impending doom that accompanies entering the workforce.

The pressure to know exactly what you’re doing after graduation is more prevalent than ever – and unfortunately, with the influx of pressure, there doesn’t appear to be an influx of jobs.

Another factor contributing to graduation anxiety is the reality of “the boomerang generation.” It seems almost inevitable that after graduating college, we are destined to move back in with our parents, reclaiming the childhood rooms we might have left behind all those years ago.

Is there enough room in your childhood twin bed for your parents’ expectations to be moved out and financially independent within half a year?

John Walker • Fresno Bee/MCT

Millennials aren’t asking to be completely shed of their reputation for being glued to their phones, but are asking to be treated with the respect and patience their parents were given when entering the workforce. People like to pretend that things are exactly the same as they were decades ago, that after college students need a well-paying job with benefits and have their mortgages in place.

Where does the generalization that all millennials need instant gratification and

constant praise from others come from?

The competing dialogues do nothing but fuel whatever lingering aggression some baby boomers have toward those about to graduate college and enter the real world.

Unfortunately, acknowledging the bizarre aggression potential employers may have toward new graduates will not solve the problem.

Because our entire generation has been generalized by some critics as lazy and self-serving, we must surmount the expec-

tations and work hard to make our mark in the emerging workforce.

We can’t just shake off every single question that arises in regards to our eventual career goals.

The skeptical glare from grandparents everywhere is enough to stir fear in even the bravest of souls – but we must cling to our potential and wholeheartedly follow through with what we truly want to do, regardless of that doubt.

Jordan Bradley • The Collegian

THE COLLEGIAN The Collegian is a student-run publication that serves the Fresno State community. Views expressed in The Collegian do not necessarily reflect the views of the staff or university. fresnostate.edu/collegian

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THE COLLEGIAN • NEWS

WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 2017

PAGE 3

UNIVERSITY

Castro sees a ‘bright future’ for Fresno State

By Razmik Cañas @Raz_Canas

As the Spring 2017 semester ends, Fresno State President Dr. Joseph Castro contemplates on how the university is continuing to make a difference in the world.

“I feel like we’re getting stronger everyday at serving our students more effectively,” Castro said. “We’re very blessed right now, and I think that the future is very bright.”

Castro has just ended his three-year review with California State University (CSU) Chancellor Timothy White. Along with the CSU trustees, White reviewed Castro’s performance and his upcoming goals at the university.

“This was the most comprehensive review of my performance since I’ve been here,” Castro said.

“It was very constructive and helpful to receive feedback from students, faculty and staff.”

The review, which will also occur in his fifth and 10th years, gave insight into how Castro’s “strategic plan” contribute to benefiting the university moving forward.

“It was a very positive experience,” Castro said. “I feel like we’re all together in terms of the direction that we’re heading, and they’ve embraced the strategic directions of the campus as stated in our strategic plan. They expressed their full support for me and for the university.”

Castro said that the university will grow stronger because of this review. Since taking office in 2013, Castro said he has seen many positive advancements for the university.

With the increase in the state’s economy, more students are now attending Fresno State and the university is hiring more staff.

With an increasing graduation rate, Castro has a 70 percent graduation rate goal by 2023.

“We’re near 60 percent, and I’ll like us to get to 70 percent and then go higher from there,” Castro said.

He will continue to focus on getting more students with degrees in four years. With the continual support of resources on campus for student and staff success, Castro said he believes that these goals can be achieved.

“We’ve invested many more dollars in support services for our students and in compensation for our faculty and staff so that we can recruit and retain the best people,” Castro said.

He also thanked the donors and alumni who invest in different services that are aimed at brining a positive effect to Fresno State.

Reflecting on these last few years, Castro said one of the most memorable moments for him was unveiling the Armenian Genocide Monument. Built in 2015, the first-of-its-kind memorial commemorated the 100th anniversary of the massacre.

He said the monument will be a powerful symbol for not only the Armenians of Fresno State but will be used in the education for all students.

Castro said that current society may seem polarized on different issues, it must learn to respect those who are different from us.

“This is a time where the university can really demonstrate value in showing the way for more

Khone Saysamongdy • The Collegian

Fresno State President Dr. Joseph Castro gives a speech in the social science quad area located between the buildings McKee Fisk, Professional Human Services, Family and Food Sciences and Social Science on Feb. 14, 2017.

civil and respectful dialogue on very challenging issues,” Castro said.

He said he believes that the diversity of Fresno State helps the community in respecting other backgrounds.

“Together we make up the next generation of leaders here among our students,” Castro said. “ 0I want us to model how to be a leader in the most civil and peaceful way.”

Castro said other accomplishments he is excited to see grow are the newly established Jordan Agricultural Research Center and the start of the new wrestling and water polo seasons.

Castro said his message for the class of 2017 is special because they began this journey together.

“It’s a special group for me — we started as freshmen together.

I’m proud of them,” he said. “I want to urge them to continue to

be bold in their decisions about their careers and about their lives.”

He encourages the new alumni to always follow their values and to use it in navigating their future.

He said that the new graduates should be proud to be Bulldogs and realize they are now role models for the rest of the community.

“The future is bright because of the graduates at Fresno State,” Castro said. “They’re going to do incredibly positive, powerful things, and we’ll all benefit because of those contributions.”

As for the rest of the students, Castro said the best is yet to come.

“We are going to continue to do better at serving [students] needs,” Castro said. “The university that [students] will attend next year is going to be even better than the one that existed this year.”

Castro is optimistic about the changes on campus, and newly-added faculty will bring a better academic experience.

Castro said it is an honor to serve the Fresno State community as president. He said that his inspiration lies in witnessing the passion Fresno State students have in making a difference.

Noting students’ engagement in leadership in and around campus and providing over one million hours of community service, Castro said he hopes the dedication will continue.

“I’m inspired by the mission that we have, and there’s no other institution in our society that grows leaders like we do,” Castro said. “Fresno State grows leaders, and we help to prepare the region for the future.”

HEALTHCARE

Revised GOP health bill could imperil coverage for sick plan members

By Tony Pugh

McClatchy Washington Bureau WASHINGTON _ The latest proposal to replace the Affordable Care Act has become a much harder sell for Republican moderates who will determine whether the bill passes the House of Representatives in a possible vote later this week.

Their main sticking point: concerns about how a new amendment could weaken consumer protections, particularly for people with pre-existing medical conditions.

The proposal would allow states to opt out of the ACA’s “community rating” rule that prohibits individual insurers from charging sick people more for coverage.

In states that receive federal waivers under the proposal, individual insurers could base the cost of coverage on a person’s health status or medical history using a process known as medical under-

writing, which was discontinued under Obamacare.

Although people with medical problems couldn’t be denied coverage under the amendment, the return of “health status underwriting could effectively make coverage completely unaffordable to people with pre-existing conditions,” wrote Dr. James L. Madara, CEO of the American Medical Association, in a letter to congressional leaders last week.

That could lead to an explosion of cheaper bare-bones coverage plans with skimpy benefits in states that also use the amendment to waive the ACA requirement that insurers cover ten essential health benefits.

“Legislation drafted with the singular goal of bringing down premiums without regard to adequate or equitable coverage fails the majority of Americans who at some point become sick and need comprehensive coverage,” said a similar letter to congressional leaders by Chris Hansen, Presi-

dent of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network.

More than 2.9 million people, or 27 percent of people with individual coverage in 2014, had a pre-existing health condition before enrolling in coverage, according to federal estimates. The number jumps to nearly 6 million, or 55 percent, under a broader interpretation.

The most common conditions for working-age adults are high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, asthma, acne, arthritis and behavioral problems like substance abuse disorders and depression. More serious conditions include cancer, heart disease, diabetes, pregnancy, epilepsy, AIDS and kidney disease.

Before the ACA, medical underwriters collected personal, demographic and medical information about each applicant for individual coverage. The information was used to set premiums, limit the terms of coverage and to deny coverage altogether.

An estimated 19 percent of individual insurance applications were denied in 2010 and health status was the most cited reason, according to a GAO report.

Generally, sicker people paid more for coverage before the ACA was enacted. And some plans specifically excluded coverage for treatments related to a person’s previous medical condition.

“It was kind of the wild west until medical underwriting was taken off the table,” said Karen Pollitz, a senior fellow at the Kaiser Family Foundation.

The Affordable Care Act’s community rating rule did away with medical underwriting by requiring all individual plan enrollees to pay the same rates. That spread the higher medical cost of sicker plan members equally among all enrollees.

Community rating and the ACA’s coverage gains helped cut the number of uninsured people with pre-existing conditions by 3.6 million, or 22 percent, from 2010 to 2014, according to federal estimates.

Republicans argue that coverage for people with medical conditions is protected under the amendment. That’s because the waivers would only go to states that set up programs to help cover people whose medical history could price them out of the insur-

ance market.

Those programs can include high-risk pools to help cover people with expensive conditions, subsidies to help pay their out-ofpocket costs or reinsurance and other premium stabilization programs that help insurers pay for high-cost plan members.

But Kamara said there’s “no certainty” these backstops “will be sufficient to provide for affordable health insurance or prevent discrimination against individuals with certain high-cost medical conditions.”

In states that are granted waivers, insurers could only base premiums on health status if applicants have had a break in their coverage, Pollitz said. And even then, only for one year.

“But they can keep applying it year after year as long as you stay uninsured and keep trying to come back in,” said Pollitz.

Since cost is the reason most people are uninsured, many would face health-status underwriting indefinitely because they simply couldn’t afford coverage.

Individual health status isn’t a factor for people with job-based health insurance or public coverage through Medicaid or Medicare because everyone in those coverage pools pays the same rates.

A&E

4

WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 2017

SPEAKER SERIES

All hopped up on beer history

Marina McElwee • The Collegian

Dr. Jeffrey Pilcher gives his lecture, “Dos Equis or Five Rabbit? Beer and Taste in Greater Mexico,” to students in the Henry Madden Library on May 2, 2017.

By Marina McElwee @MarinaMashelle

Many beer drinkers may have a glass at the end of the day to unwind, at an event to celebrate or at a bar to socialize.

What many people don’t think about is the history of beer and how it’s evolved.

Dr. Jeffrey Pilcher gave a lecture on May 2 about the evolution of Mexican beer from an Aztec beverage called pulque.

The talk “Dos Equis or Five Rabbit?

Beer and Taste in Greater Mexico,” which was a part of the Chicano/Latin America Studies Speaker Series, was held in the Henry Madden Library and attracted students and professors of all ages.

“Pilsner beer is not the way beer has always tasted,” Pilcher said. “It’s a product of history.”

Pilcher, who has published several

“It’s more than a cool refreshing drink. It’s a way of showing your lifestyle.”

— Dr.Jeffrey Pilcher books on food history, explained why learning the history of beer and taste is important.

“History of taste is one of the most exciting areas of history,” he said. “It’s more than a cool refreshing drink. It’s a way of showing your lifestyle.”

After years of tasting different beers and researching their origins and fermenting process, Pilcher said he still doesn’t knock mainstream American beers. He said his advice to new beer drinkers is to try new things – but if you like Bud Light, there is no shame in that.

This week in entertainment

Pilcher’s presentation focused on one lingering question: “Can we really taste the past?” He explained the best way to document taste is to change the way we talk about it.

“Let’s reconstruct the vocabularies that people use and try to interpret them,” he said.

Malarie Martinez, senior history major, said she had never learned about anything like this in her history classes.

“It was very interesting,” Martinez said.

“History is in everything. It’s very important, and it’s relevant everywhere and to

everything we do in our daily lives.”

Joshua Gorham, senior history major, said he wasn’t too interested in beer history before the lecture.

“When they first said food history I wasn’t really excited to come, but I really enjoyed it,” Gorham said. “We have an entire aisle dedicated to beer [in grocery stores], but to think that at some point that beer was a national symbol and has developed into a giant global beer market was very interesting.”

Gorham’s classmate, Brandon Duval, also a senior history major, has been a bartender for the last 15 years. He said the history of Mexican beer presented in the lecture as familiar to him.

“He’s taken the history thing and made it more modern – it’s taste, it’s food, it’s beer,” Duval said. “It’s neat to know the origins of these things.”

First workout free with a complementary recovery shake

‘Heathers’ The Musical The musical will show May 5-13 at 7:30 in the John Wright Theater. Student tickets are $12.

Fresno Spring Fair The fair will be open May 4-7 at the Fresno Fairgrounds.

Tickets for adults are $10.

Contact:

Agustin Arias

(559) 287-6436 www.goherbalife.com/agustinarias

Insta: Mr_meauggie

WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 2017

THE COLLEGIAN • A&E

PAGE 5

REVIEW

‘Brightening’ up the indie-pop scene

By Selina Falcon @SelinaFalcon

 EXCELLENT Brighten is an indie-pop band from Chico, California that consists of guitarist and lead vocalist Justin Richards, drummer Jimmy Richards and bassist Alex Draper.

Being a band for 13 years means Brighten’s history is a long one and can be overwhelming to sift through for any new fan.

Here are the basics: Five EPs (extended plays) between 2005 and 2011.

Three full-length albums released between 2007 and 2017.

The band is currently represented by 8123 records, home to rock band The Maine.

Singer Justin Richards also plays guitar for country duo Dan + Shay.

The band is no stranger to hiatuses.

In January 2017, Brighten performed together at 8123 Fest in Phoenix, Arizona for the first time since each member’s pursuit of independent projects. One month later, the band released new music for the first time in four years.

Brighten released its self-titled album on March 3, 2017, on 8123, marking the band’s third album.

Brighten has 10 tracks that are full of

Photo via Alternative Press Magazine

Brighten members Justin Richards, Jimmy Richards and Alex Draper.

heartfelt and thoughtful lyrics, which are matched with the signature pop sound for which Brighten has become known.

Though the album does sound like quintessential Brighten, it has a sense of maturity to it, and there is a country influence throughout much of the album which can most likely be attributed to Richards’

time touring with Dan + Shay.

The first single from the album was “You Love Him” and is as depressing as the title suggests with the opening lyrics: “What do I do when I’m all messed up ‘cause I see his car in your driveway, thinking I’m not good enough.”

With the help of 8123, Brighten began

slowly re-releasing its entire catalog of music in November 2016, making previous albums and EPs available to stream across digital platforms for the first time ever. The band currently has an average of 20,700 monthly listeners on Spotify.

You can find Brighten on Twitter at @wearebrighten.

SUMMER AT CITY GET AHEAD, GET DONE Four sessions available beginning in May & June

Only $46/unit Check out our online classes!

Fall semester begins in August (559) 442-8225 www.fresnocitycollege.edu/summer State Center Community College District

NEWS

6

WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 2017

Chancellor White calls for a systemwide tobacco ban SMOKING from Page 1 Sierra avenues and Bulldog Stadium to Campus Pointe. The Save Mart Center will also be under the ban, as well the current designated smoking areas around.

“Anything we operate and occupy from a university or auxiliary standpoint would be applicable to the executive order,” Adishian-Astone said.

The implementation process will require task forces to be set up at every CSU campus and at the systemwide level. The task force will be open to any interested faculty, staff and students.

During the planning time, the groups will establish rules and regulations pertaining to the upcoming ban. The plans include assistance for current smokers and a protocol for those caught smoking in a restricted area.

The policies set for Fresno State will reflect the instructions given by the CSU, but policies may vary across all campuses.

There are several CSU campuses that have already been tobacco free, including CSU Fullerton, San Diego State, San Jose State and Sonoma State.

The news of the ban made for mixed emotions across campus and on social media, where students were in support and against the ban.

Travis Childress, a political science major who smokes at the designated area across from the Engineering Building, he said the negatives of the new order will outweigh the positives.

“We’re turning the police officers on campus into ‘smoking patrol people,’” Childress said. “So all they’re going to be doing now instead of looking for people getting sexually assaulted and cars being broken into — [will be] policing smokers now.”

He also said that the ban will cause some smokers to break the rules and secretly smoke in other

Christian Ortuno • The Collegian

A student smokes a cigarette in the designated smoking area outside of the Conley Art Building on April 25, 2017.

areas on campus that could be hazardous.

“Smokers, in general, will find a way to smoke because it is an addictive substance,” Childress said. “It was not very well thought through.”

Justin Baradin, a junior computer science major who vapes at the designated smoking areas, said he believes that the executive order is overly controlling to current smokers.

“I don’t really think it’s designed to benefit the health aspect,” Baradin said.

Childress and Baradin say they understand the health issues

smoking can cause to those around them. Their own solution would be for the designated smoking stations to be away from the general public.

They also said that smoking areas provide an opportunity for different students to socialize.

“We’re actually having legitimate discussions. This is one of the few places you can actually go on campus and speak to a myriad of different people,” Childress said.

“You speak to people you would never really talk to otherwise. It’s really conducive to the academic environment.”

Students who closely study

health find the executive order to be very beneficial to the campus.

Kacey Jones, a junior kinesiology major, aid that the ban will encourage more people to be aware about the health risks of smoking.

“I think it will be a positive effect on campus,” she said. “Some people will be upset about it, but it may help some people quit their addiction.”

As an advocate for health, Jones said she feels support for the smoking ban will gain momentum on campus.

“This is a huge win for us, because we can only tell people so many times, ‘Don’t smoke or use

"We require that all campuses be smoke and tobacco product free in all of our buildings and areas on campus, including any facilities we may lease."

—Deborah Adishian-Astone, Vice president for administration and associate vice president for auxiliary services

tobacco because it will affect your health in a negative way,” Jones said. “Now having the chancellor and the university on our side, it shows that they are taking that next step in making campus a healthier environment.”

Rosalinda Barba, a Fresno State alum who studied public health, said that Chancellor White’s decision will benefit the campus.

“I would hold my breath as I walked by all the smokers, which really irritated me. Many other students probably did that too, so I guess that will be coming to an end,” Barba said. “Students will get to walk through campus breathing easily.”

Barba also said she understands that the change will be difficult for those who smoke, but hopes the university will implement resources to help them.

“I think this is a great way to start the ongoing and never-ending conversation about the risks of smoking, and, hopefully, Fresno State can provide resources for students who wish to quit smoking,” Barba said. “We have one body, and we need to try our very best to take care of it.”

Adishian-Astone said that all the rules and regulations will be established and in use by early next semester.

“We want to be sensitive to the change to our campus community and really want to do as much as we can through education and communication relative to compliance with this executive order as much as possible,” Adishian-Astone said.

Adishian-Astone said anyone interested in being part of the task force may contact her or University Provost Lynnette Zelezny.

Contributed by Jessica Johnson

C

COMMENT: The Collegian is a forum for student expression. http://fresnostate.edu/collegian

ADMINISTRATION

New dean will take lead in math, science department

By Bineet Kaur @hellobineet

Dr. Christopher R. Meyer will become the new dean of Fresno State’s College of Science of Mathematics in the summer.

Meyer brings a personal knowledge of California’s higher education system.

“I am passionate about making a positive impact at Fresno [State] and helping catalyze success,” Meyer said.

Meyer is currently a program director in the division of biological infrastructure for the National Science Foundation, based in Virginia. He earned his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from California State University, Chico and his doctorate in biochemistry from University of California, Riverside. In addition, he has served

as a professor and a chair at California State University, Fullerton.

“My service at NSF has given me a broader perspective on science and education,” Meyer said.

Provost Lynnette Zelezny, who is vice president for academic affairs at Fresno State, said that when she interviewed Meyer, it appealed to her that he has experience with the California State University system, both as an undergraduate student and in his career.

“He’s very familiar with regional issues that we face in the Central Valley,” Zelezny said.

Meyer said some characteristics are distinct to the Central Valley, and could be used for greater purposes.

“The natural connections to agriculture in the region can facilitate some very innovative research collaborations and part-

nerships between the colleges, other universities, as well as industry centered on food, water and energy,” Meyer said.

Added Zelezny: “The first thing he said to me was, ‘I have a vision for the college to work collaboratively with other colleges on food, water and energy.’”

Constance Jones, dean of the psychology department, served as the chair of the search committee for the position.

“Dr. Meyer stood out in terms of his expertise with the California State University system and with the National Science Foundation.

He came to campus with a lot of energy and ideas,” Jones said.

Jones said that because Meyer has studied in universities in California, he “understands California’s values and educational system.”

Zelezny said Meyer is also focused on providing funding for

Fresno State.

“I’m very excited that he already identified a number of grants that are great fits for Fresno State,” Zelezny said.

She said large initiatives often are funded by grants.

“I think he’ll bring a great leadership style that’s very in line with the values of Fresno State, which is very student-focused,” Zelezny said.

THE COLLEGIAN • SPORTS

WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 2017

PAGE 7

‘We really put our minds to it, and it all clicked finally’ CLUB SPORTS from Page 8 Aguirre said he wasn’t shocked at the wins, but he was relishing in the moment for which his team had been waiting.

Aguirre said the win was the first step to fulfilling the hopes he has for the team.

“I love to see people develop,” Aguirre said. “Seeing the program develop into what it’s become, it’s actually really amazing.”

Before Aguirre was a coach, he was a member of the team in 2012.

“When I started, it was just some players running the team,” Aguirre said.

Now, he said the team has received long-awaited attention from Fresno State President Dr. Joseph Castro and the cam-

pus community.

“It’s just a stepping stone because, over all, we all want the NCAA team to come back to Fresno State,” Aguirre said.

In 2004, adherence to Title IX eliminated the men’s varsity soccer team. Title IX is a federal civil rights law mandating equity in men’s and women’s athletics at government institutions receiving federal funding. It sometimes left students to form their own club teams.

Club President Spencer Michaelson, who is a business administration major with an option in accounting, said he too is hoping the team will transition back to an NCAA team in the future.

“It helps build the soccer community in the Valley,” Michaelson said of the team’s possible future influence.

Shane Scarfeo, who is currently rehabilitating an injury, said watching his team from the sidelines was difficult because the athlete in him wants to be on the field.

However, from the sidelines, he was able to see the talent on the team.

“Even though I got injured, the team kept moving forward,” Scarfeo said.

Scarfeo said that, as a captain, he needs to be there for his team as much as possible, injured or not.

Being a leader on the team, Scarfeo said despite running into some communication issues, he has learned from his team members about communication, and he said it’s something he will always take with him.

“If I didn’t have it,” Scarfeo said of the club, “I’d be totally lost.”

Looking to the future, Scarfeo said he

knows the team will go far with its young talent.

“We have a really young squad so I wouldn’t be surprised if this was not the first of many trophies to come in the next three to four years,” Scarfeo said.

The team has two seasons: one in the fall and one in the spring. The fall season starts in August and ends in December, and the spring season starts in February and lasts until May. Each season has eight games, and half of them are played at home in Fresno.

Scarfeo wants the campus community to come and watch the team represent Fresno State on the soccer field.

“We’re playing good soccer,” Scarfeo said. “And we put a good product on the field.”

THIS WEEK IN SPORTS u t a S rday

y

W

ednesda

Baseball at UC Riverside, 3 p.m., Riverside, California

Friday Baseball at UNLV, 6:05 p.m., Las Vegas, Nevada Softball vs. New Mexico, 6 p.m., Fresno

Dung named Mountain West Pitcher of the Week Sophomore Bulldogs pitcher Kamalani Dung was named the Mountain West Pitcher of the Week, the first such honor of her career.

Dung started all three games in the Bulldogs’ sweep of UNLV and pitched her Mountain West-best seventh shutout of the season in the second game of the series.

She went 3-0 with a 2.13 ERA and pitched all 23 innings in the series.

“Kama showed she is one of the top pitchers in the league,” Fresno State head coach Linda Garza said.

“She stepped up when her team needed her and stuck to the process, pitch-by-pitch, for 23 innings. Kama has grown throughout the season and her mental game is getting better every week.”

Dung leads the Mountain West with 20 wins and is second with 165 strikeouts. She has appeared in 35 games and is holding batters to a .216 batting average.

Baseball at UNLV, 2:05 p.m., Las Vegas, Nevada Softball vs. New Mexico, 6 p.m., Fresno

Sports Briefs Women’s basketball picks up recruit from down under

Australian basketball player Genna Ogier is joining the Fresno State women’s basketball team, head coach Jaime White announced Tuesday.

Ogier is from Melbourne and plays for semipro team Kilsyth Cobras in the South East Australia Basketball League. This season, she is averaging 3.9 points and 4.7 rebounds a game.

“Genna is a very versatile player and will be able to fit into multiple positions on the floor,” White said. “We expect her to come in and give us an immediate boost in scoring and rebounding. She is crafty around the basket and has the speed and strength to be an impact player in our conference right away.

We are very excited about Genna joining the Bulldog family.”

day n u S Baseball at UNLV, 1:05 p.m., Las Vegas, Nevada Softball vs. New Mexico, Noon, Fresno

Bulldogs going for Batesole’s 501st win The Fresno State baseball team travels to UC Riverside on Wednesday to take on the Highlanders at 3 p.m. Coming off of head coach Mike Batesole’s 500th win, the Bulldogs look to pick up his 501st in their first-ever trip to Riverside.

The ’Dogs will then travel to Las Vegas for the weekend to take on the UNLV Rebels in the teams’ lone series of the season. The Rebels (7-14) are currently last in the Mountain West standings.

Junior pitcher Ricky Tyler Thomas leads the Mountain West in strikeouts with 75 after tossing seven nohit innings with eight strikeouts to chalk up his fourth win of the season against San Jose State on Saturday.

The Bulldogs are third in the Mountain West standings with a conference record of 11-10.

SPORTS

8

WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 2017

SOFTBALL

A ’Dog’s driving force? The dirt, the diamond and the degree

Senior Lindsey Willmon swings at a pitch against San Jose State at Margie Wright Diamond on April 22, 2017.

By Sean Johnson-Bey @TheCollegian

Fresno State senior, Lindsey Willmon, will be finishing her final season as a member of the Fresno State softball team and although her playing days may be coming to an end, her leadership, drive and positive energy will be the foundation that leads her to a successful career.

“The family aspect that comes with being a Bulldog is something special to my heart,” Willmon said during a Thursday afternoon practice at Margie Wright Stadium.

Since transferring to Fresno State from the University of Hawaii, Willmon's onthe-field production for the Bulldogs has been one that shouldn’t go unnoticed.

In 2016, Willmon drove in 48 runs, hit

12 home runs and had a slugging percentage of .690, which ranked her 76th among players nationally.

She was also selected to the NFCA All-Region first team and All-Mountain West first-team and helped contribute to the Bulldogs winning a conference championship.

This year Willmon continues that success, recording six home runs and 25 RBIs, while switching her position of 1B/ CF to playing behind the plate, showing her versatility on the diamond.

“The game will reward you for hard work and positivity,” Willmon said after describing her growth throughout her softball experience.

With accolades such as NFCA All-Region first-team and All-Mountain West first-team on her resume, Willmon continues to find ways to get better on and off

the field.

Her free spirit and competitive drive are characteristics Willmon possesses that really grab the attention of coach Linda Garza and her teammates.

“Lindsey comes out every single day with the intent to get better, with the intent to win and with the intent to help her teammates,” Garza said. “She has a passion for the Red Wave community.”

Garza, who played against Willmon when she was at the University of Hawaii, has had the opportunity to see her mature into a successful student-athlete.

Garza would love to see Willmon go out as an “All-Conference player” and believes she will have success in anything she does moving forward.

Student assistant and 2016 Mountain-West pitcher of the year Jill Compton enjoyed her time playing with Willmon

Christian Ortuno • The Collegian

and said “she is fun to be around.”

“When you’re on the field with her, you know she wants it,” said Compton. “As a player you really respect that.”

After the season, Willmon will continue to attend Fresno State for another year and pursue a degree in communications.

She has looked into a career in real estate and plans to follow the Fresno State softball family and make sure they “keep the legacy going.”

As of now, Willmon is focused on finishing the season strong and enjoy being around her coaching staff, teammates and fans.

Willmon said, “Win or lose, I just want to enjoy the last couple of games I have on this dirt, in this area, with these girls and build relationships with these girls that I will have forever.”

CLUB SPORTS

Men’s soccer scores a championship

By Jessica Johnson @ iamjesslj

After a season of weak showings, the Fresno State Men’s Soccer Club finished its season by winning the West Coast Soccer Association National Showcase League Cup in Temecula, California on April 30.

Despite having scored only five goals the entire regular season, assistant coach Eduardo Aguirre said, the team went into tournament play with a strong energy and had a strong desire to win.

Aguirre said this championship was important because many of the team members are graduating. He wanted them to get a championship cup on their athletic

resumes before playing their last game.

On the journey to the showcase, the team rivaled other club programs such as Stanford, Cal Poly, UC Berkeley, UC Santa Cruz and many more teams up and down the West Coast.

Aguirre said a positive mindset remained among the players throughout the season and going into the showcase.

“We really put our minds to it, and it all clicked finally,” he said.

During the season, the team had a total of five goals and lost games by a one-or-two goal deficit.

However, the team’s play changed. With 15 goals in four games during the showcase,

See CLUB SPORTS, Page 7

Courtesy of the Fresno State Men’s Soccer Club

The Fresno State Men’s Soccer Club posing with the showcase trophy after finishing their season by winning the West Coast Soccer Association National Showcase League Cup on April 30, 2017. Photo by assistant coach Eduardo Aguirre.