May 8, 2017 by FresnoStateCollegian

UNIVERSITY URGES STUDENTS TO GET TESTED FOR MENINGITIS Monday, May 8, 2017

SYRIAN CIVIL WAR

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STUDENT HOPES FOR PEACE IN SYRIA

Daniel Avalos • The Collegian

Fresno State international student Fares Al Malham speaks to a reporter May 5, 2017 about his experience with the uprising against the Syrian government and what it was like living in Syria.

By Cresencio RodriguezDelgado @Cres_Guez

The uprising against the Syrian government began on social media, and Fresno State international student Fares Al Malham found himself in the middle of it all.

“From the beginning, our revolution [was] to take [Bashar Al-Assad] away from the rule,” Al Malham said. “I used to write about it.” Since the violent conflicts in Syria began approximately seven years ago, about 200 people known to Al Malham have died,

including about 25 cousins and close friends. They were not killed by ISIS, Al Malham said. Instead, cries for freedom were met with deadly force by the Syrian government, led by Assad. “There is no freedom of speech, no freedom [for] journalists or media. Everything is controlled by the government,” Al Malham

said. “So, people don’t even think about it. They don’t think to say any words against the government.” As a young adult, Al Malham’s efforts to “take down the government” began with joining others in using fake social media accounts that helped inform those within Syria and those outside of

the country. He said he had about 5,000 fans online who followed him as he wrote about the civil war. Al Malham, a junior political science student, threw himself into one of the major geopolitical crises of the 21st century. Syria is

See SYRIAN CIVIL WAR, Page 3

HENRY MADDEN LIBRARY

The passion of poetry lives on through Levine By Razmik Cañas @Raz_Canas

The Philip Levine Reading Room opened on May 5 in honor of the late poet laureate who died in 2015. “It was a journey of exploration, a journey of discovery, a journey of poetic imagination that brought us to this room,” said Dr. Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval, dean of the College of Arts and Humanities. The idea that started more than three years ago finally became a reality. The room will offer a space for students to excel in their crafts as young writers. “This room is going to be that sacred space in which students reflect on the meaning of life,”

Jiménez-Sandoval said. The reading room, located on the second floor of the Henry Madden Library, overlooks the Peace Garden. Fresno State President Dr. Joseph Castro said that the room has potential to influence the student’s reflection on the future. “This space was waiting for this purpose,” Castro said. “Our students, faculty and staff can come read, reflect and write.” Castro said that the knowledge obtained at Fresno State can help students make an impact in society. “I’m confident we will continue to produce extraordinary leaders here at Fresno State because of the incredible faculty we’ve had,

See HENRY MADDEN LIBRARY, Page 3

Daniel Avalos • The Collegian

Frances J. Artley, Philip Levine’s wife, applauds along with Fresno State President, Dr. Joseph Castro after a poem written by Levine is read by a student in the opening ceremony of the Philip Levine Reading Room on the second floor of the Henry Madden Library on May 5, 2017.

OPINION

GOT OPINIONS? We want to hear them. COLLEGIAN-OPINION@CSUFRESNO.EDU MONDAY, MAY 8, 2017

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Write to Governor Brown – tell him the CSU needs $325 million more By Jennifer Eagan

Special to The Collegian California’s governor and state legislators are making decisions right now that will have a direct impact on what it will cost you to get a college degree. Students can have a say in these decisions — but you need to take action right now. Gov. Jerry Brown is putting the finishing touches on the spending plan for California’s 2017-18 budget year. Among those decisions will be how much money he allocates to the California State University. The CSU trustees asked the governor to add $325 million more to the university system’s budget. Back in January, Brown proposed an increase of $157.2 million. That’s just not enough. After years of disinvestment by the state, the CSU needs and deserves more funding. The stakes are even higher this year. The CSU trustees decided to increase tuition by 5 percent — that translates to $270 more per student each year – unless the 2017-18 state budget includes the full $325 million increase. Essentially, CSU trustees have passed the buck to Gov. Brown and our legislators. The decision on how much money the CSU gets in the 2017-18 state budget also impacts whether students will be stuck with a tuition increase. The bottom line is simple: the CSU needs that additional funding to give the best possible education to the hundreds of thousands of CSU students at our 23 campuses. No one knows how true that is more than we do – CSU faculty and students. All of this is why my union, the California Faculty Association (CFA), along with Students for Quality Education (SQE), is

Gary Coronado • Los Angeles Times/TNS

advocating for increased state funding for the CSU. But we need you to speak out, too. Take a minute and write to Gov. Brown. Tell him what you already know – the California State University system needs the full $325 million. And this may not be the end of the fight. Our state legislators will debate the governor’s May revise to the budget and vote on it. If the governor doesn’t come

through with that additional $325 million, lawmakers could add it into the spending plan. Soon, we may need to shift focus to state legislators and encourage them to boost the CSU’s funding increase if the governor fails to do so in his May revise. CFA also is working to protect you, our students, through legislation like AB 393, which would freeze CSU tuition through June 2020. There’s an online tool you can use to write legislators expressing your

support. We know everyone is in crunch mode with finals and graduation upon us, but please take a minute to write Gov. Brown and tell him to increase the CSU’s funding by $325 million for 2017-18. Find info to write Gov. Brown here: calfac.org/ write-the-governor Your voice is valuable, and it needs to be heard.

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

MONDAY, MAY 8, 2017

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IN BRIEF Former poet laureate honored with reading room Student diagnosed with Meningococcal Meningitis On May 3, University Communications emailed the Fresno State community that a student had been diagnosed with meningococcal meningitis. The student, who is a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity, is being treated. The student lives off campus. Members of the Greek community who visited the fraternity house within the last month were urged to take a antibiotic pill that evening. The Student Health and Counseling Center and the Fresno County Department of Public Health are working on making sure students are aware of available resources, if needed. Students who feel the symptoms of the illness are urged to visit the Health Center or their medical provider in order to receive proper care. Symptoms include: high fever, severe headache and stiffness of the neck. Engineering students to showcase projects Fresno State’s Lyles College of Engineering will host its 10th annual Projects Day on Tuesday from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Satellite Student Union. The event will showcase projects done by engineering students in different topics including: manufacturing and energy solutions, solar, wastewater treatment, security, irrigation and highway interchanges. More than 100 students will be presenting their projects, including hands-on demonstrations. Entrepreneurial students to present business ideas The Fresno State Entrepreneurship Expo will take place Tuesday from 10 a.m. to noon at the University Business Center. This fourth annual event is sponsored by the Lyles Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurial students will present their business ideas to a panel of judges. The students who are part of the Entrepreneurship 157 course developed their own branding and marketing techniques. Annual awards highlight community service Fresno State students, faculty, staff and community partners were honored at the Service Recognition Reception on May 3. The event hosted by Fresno State President Dr. Joseph Castro highlighted services done by participants in benefiting the community. The award recipients were honored for being a part of Fresno State’s over 1 million hours of community service in the past 10 years.

Daniel Avalos • The Collegian

University Provost Dr. Lynnette Zelezny speaks in front an audience at the opening ceremony of the Philip Levine Reading Room on the second floor of the Henry Madden Library on May 5, 2017.

HENRY MADDEN LIBRARY from Page 1 like Phil,” Castro said. The room displays Levine’s personal collection of books as well as different photos of Levine along the walls, many of which were provided by his wife, Frances. Peter McDonald, of the library administrative offices, helped organize the room with his staff. “This room will really provide a space for contemplation and workshops. It just has a beauty

that’s wonderful,” McDonald said. He read the inscriptions left in Levine’s books from different people Levine knew throughout his life. “Every book on the shelves, I shelved. I was in here alone with Phil. What was remarkable in shelving those books was to read the inscriptions,” McDonald said. “For 40 years, you realize what a role he played in modern poetry and the respect that the world of letters - the world of poetry - gave to Phil.” The opening included poetry

Daniel Avalos • The Collegian

Fresno State faculty members gather around Philip Levine’s wife as she cuts the ribbon to the new Philip Levine Reading Room, Friday, May 5, 2017. The room contains a collection of Philip Levine’s books and has pictures hung that were provided by his wife, Frances.

readings by C.G. Hanzlicek, professor emeritus of English and Gloria Montez, a student in the Master of Fine Arts program. Montez, who is graduating, didn’t think she would physically see the room finished. Standing in the newly constructed room made her feel very happy to be a part of a new chapter at Fresno State, she said. “It’s very nice to see the community so happy about it,” said Montez, who helped catalog Levine’s books. She is also the recipient of the

Philip Levine Scholarship in Creative Writing that is awarded to one student every fall in the MFA program. “It’s really awesome. He’s like a rockstar of the poetry world, and I’m really glad to be a part of it. I’m honored,” Montez said. She said she hopes hopes the room will serve as an inspiration for those who have a passion to explore their knowledge. “I think it’s going to empower them and help them find their voice,” Montez said. “It’s definitely something to look up to.”

Refugees ‘don’t want to leave their country’ SYRIAN CIVIL WAR from Page 1 home to many interests – Americans Barack Obama and Donald Trump, Russia’s Vladimir Putin and heads of state throughout Europe who have taken interest in the war – and the civil war alone is as complex as Middle East politics. There are more than two sides fighting for control in the country that is at the crossroads of Middle Eastern, Mediterranean and European civilization. And it is brutal. Tens of thousands have died, many at the hands of Assad’s forces. Al Malham cares and agonizes about it all. Online platforms helped activists organize people in order to aide protests against the government, Al Malham said. People were gradually gaining courage to speak out against the government. Al Malham said the Syrian civil war turned bloody on March 25, 2011, when government forces killed close to 1,000 civilians. Protests had begun to grow after a group of children was arrested March 9, 2011. Protests urging their release led to four civilian deaths, he said. “It’s not easy,” Al Malham said. “We asked for the freedom, and this is what we get.” Al Malham said many people in Syria, including him, never realized exactly how controlling the government was until the revolution, which was given the name “Arab Spring” since many other neighboring countries saw uprisings against their governments. Since living in the U.S., Al Malham said he has been able to teach others about the reasons

were families from Syria living in Fresno after he watched the local news. And while his immediate family was not affected by the Syrian civil war, Al Malham said helping those who were affected gives him a way to still fight for his people. Al Malham’s parents and siblings now live in Saudi Arabia. He lived in Syria’s capital, Damascus, after leaving Homs. Following his political science studies at Fresno State, Al Malham will return to Saudi Arabia, even though his hopes are to return to his home country. Al Malham says President Trump could help end the conflicts in Syria if he chooses to take more serious action there. An exDaniel Avalos • The Collegian Fresno State international student Fares Al Malham. ecutive order banning travel from Middle Eastern countries for security purposes gives Al Malham hope that Trump could send a strong message to the Assad government. The travel ban orders are stalled in the courts, awaiting review. Al Malham’s hopes are for refugees to return to their country — Fares Al Malham, and live in peace. “People, they don’t want to Fresno State international student come here. They have their homemany people leave Syria, starting 17 families now call an area near land, they have their home, they journeys across oceans and across Fresno State home. He doesn’t have their memories, their lives,” many countries. Al Malham said want to treat them like refugees, Al Malham said. “They don’t want the atrocities created by the Syr- he said. Instead, he treats the ones to leave their country. The situaian government are often not dis- he meets like family, and he said tion over there just made them cussed. they are thankful for what they come over here.” Al Malham said he hopes As“We are trying to teach people have. sad is removed from office. It has here in the U.S. about what is go“For all [the] bad situations been the goal all along since the ing on in Syria to take them away they had before – from the crisis, revolution began. from the terrorist groups and take even [migrating] from country to “If we take Bashar Al-Assad them back to the real situation country – they are very nice,” Al out – he is the biggest problem and what’s happening in Syria,” Malham said. Al Malham said. Al Malham is not involved in in Syria – if he left, the refugees In Fresno, Al Malham finds any groups or organizations that would get back immediately,” Al himself helping fellow Syrians. would lead him to refugee fam- Malham said. “If he is going to He said he has learned that about ilies. He only found out there stay there, nobody is going to be there.”

"They don’t want to leave their country. The situation over there just made them come over here."

A&E

MONDAY, MAY 8, 2017

TRADITIONS

Fresno Spring Fair hosts food and family fun By Eric Zamora @TheCollegian

The second annual Fresno Spring Fair featured a variety of attractions and fun for all ages. Unlike the Big Fresno Fair that is held every October, the Fresno Spring Fair, held May 4 – 7 at the Fresno District Fairgrounds, takes up a much smaller amount of space and doesn’t feature livestock. The fair is meant to be a fun event for families and the community to enjoy, whether it be through viewing the many attractions at the fair or enjoying the fair food, organizers said. “[We came] to hang out with each other and have fun,” said Reina Duarte, a student who came with her friends. County Fair Cinnamon Rolls was one of the many businesses at the spring fair. They sold their popular cinnamon rolls to lines of hungry attendees. Other people gravitated to more savory foods, such as the footlong corn dogs. Many families with young ones lined up to meet Skai Jackson, a young actress known for her role as “Zuri Ross” in the Disney show “Jessie.” Jackson was recently featured as one of TIME Magazine’s

Most Influential Teens of 2016. Another attraction was the Rhinestone Roper Show’s Wild West Celebration, an act by Dan Mink which was featured on “America’s Got Talent.” Mink, along with his daughter and horse, performed different tricks throughout the four days of the fair. Ulises Moreno, a student, said the Wild West Celebration was “pretty fun.” He said he and his friends also enjoyed how the other activities at the fair brought people together. The fair was created in collaboration with Universal Fairs, a company that helps produce different events such as fairs and festivals in the United States. “We actually have been thinking about the idea for quite a few years, and we had a promotional partner approach us, a company called Universal Fairs,” said Lauri King, the deputy manager for the Fresno Spring Fair. “We thought it’s a good time, and we have this group who is here to help.” King said she hopes that more families come to the fair. King said, “[We hope] that it gets them excited and thinking about the Big Fresno Fair in October.”

Eric Zamora • The Collegian

Kids hang upside down on the “Freak Out” ride during the Fresno Spring Fair on Saturday, May 6, at the Fresno Fairgrounds.

Eric Zamora • The Collegian

Attendees of the Fresno Spring Fair walk past food stands and fair games on Saturday, May 6, at the Fresno Fairgrounds.

Eric Zamora • The Collegian

Dan Mink’s horse jumps into the air during the Rhinestone Roper Show’s presentation to an audience at the Fresno Spring Fair on Saturday, May 6, at the Fresno Fairgrounds.

MONDAY, MAY 8, 2017

THE COLLEGIAN • A&E

REVIEW

Heathers: The Musical ‘paints a picture of culture’ By Eric Zamora @TheCollegian

  EXCELLENT 1989 – a great year to listen to Janet Jackson’s album, “Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation 1814,” go watch George Michael in concert during his Faith World Tour or kill three of your classmates. Fresno State’s University Theatre premiered “Heathers: The Musical” on May 5 in the John Wright Theatre to a packed audience, excited to view a cult classic in a new format. The musical is an adaptation of the 1988 film of the same name. The film featured Winona Ryder and Christian Slater in one of their earliest roles as two teenagers in love, if you could call it that, and the unintentional slaying of their three enemies. This new adaptation follows the storyline of the film fairly closely. All of the main elements of the plot are there, just slightly edited to fit the new format. There are two acts in the musical that are paced like the film. It is just familiar enough to keep longtime fans of the film happy, but it also stands alone as its own, rather than just a direct and lazy translation of the film into a musical. This musical is perfect for people who

do not normally watch musicals. The references to people and events in pop culture helps viewers to immerse themselves in the characters’ world which many people lived through. The themes and topics explored in the musical’s 1989 setting are just as important in 2017. “My Dead Gay Son” is one of the moments in this adaptation which differs from the film. While only being a minor section in the movie, the musical expands on the scene. It tackles the issue of homophobia and also makes light of the situation in a way that is humorous. The musical is not for everyone. There are crude sex jokes, a great amount of pelvic thrusts, two guys in their underwear for half of the musical, drug use, murder, bad outfits from the ‘80s, cheesy ballads and the list can go on. Rather than shying away from topics often frowned upon, the musical makes a point to put them out in the open. By pairing the rather serious topics of eating disorders, homophobia, rape, emotional abuse and more with ridiculous songs like one about the greatness of 7-Eleven, it paints a picture of a culture that needs to do more to change the way that it handles issues of importance. “Heathers: The Musical” is showing May 9 – 13 at 7:30 p.m. at the John Wright Theatre.

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This week in entertainment Gospel Choir Spring Concert resumes May 13 at Fresno State The Fresno State Gospel Music Choir will have a spring concert from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, May 13, at the Concert Hall in the Music Building. The free, public event will be presented by Africana Studies and the Department of Music. It will include guest singers and choirs from the Fresno area and a red carpet reception immediately following.

Fresno State students attempt to break paper mache world record A group of six marketing students from Fresno State are attempting to break the official Guinness World Record for the largest free-standing paper mache structure. The structure is designed to represent a bunch of grapes to symbolize the California Central Valley. The unveiling ceremony will take place at 4:30 PM on Saturday, May 13 at 32749 Ave 7, Madera, CA 93637. This event will include a Craft Beer Festival and live entertainment.

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NEWS

MONDAY, MAY 8, 2017

AWARDS

MCJ department celebrates student achievements at ‘Showcase of Excellence’ By Hayley Salazar @Hayley_Salazarr

It was a night of honors, laughs and respect for the media, communications and journalism (MCJ) department as it celebrated the culmination of a year’s achievements on May 3 during the MCJ Showcase of Excellence. The showcase, hosted by the MCJ Showcase team from the MCJ 159 class in the North Gym, honored works from each option within the department: multimedia, broadcast, print, advertising and public relations. “Our goal was to celebrate our department, our students, our faculty and the work they all do to maintain the excellent level of education and the hands-on experience that provides students with the tools they need to be successful after college,” Kellie Hustedde said. Students dressed up for the occasion as they watched their peers

be awarded with certificates and miniature trophies. Hustedde, a public relations major, set to graduate from Fresno State in two weeks, was voted Best of Show by her peers and described the award as ‘an incredible and humbling feel.’ “In my experience in the MCJ department, I’ve found that everyone is an incredibly hard worker and incredibly talented at what they do. I was honored to be in a category with the best of the best in our department, and winning was the cherry on top of a long, tough senior year,” Hustedde said. Along with Hustedde, broadcast student and senior Tristan Lewis received first place TV News Reporting and first place TV Sports Reporting awards. “I’m excited. I really didn’t think my TV news [entry] was going to be awarded because there were so many other great contenders with me, but I’m super happy it did because I worked re-

Christian Ortuno • The Collegian

Professor emeritus Greg Lewis delivers a speech about the Kappa Tau Alpha induction at the MCJ Showcase of Excellence in the North Gym on May 3, 2017

ally hard on that one,” Lewis said. Lewis was part of the emcee crew for the event, and while he was nervous at first, the sight of familiar faces eased those tensions. “I’m thinking it is probably going to give me some more confidence going into the real world. Now that I can see that my hard work is being rewarded, I’m doing something right obviously, so [the award] is going to build me more

confidence,” Lewis said. In addition to the awards, Kappa Tau Alpha inducted seven new members to its national honor society chapter. The organization recognizes students within the MCJ department with outstanding grades. The induction was serviced by Fresno State faculty emeritus Greg Lewis, who stressed that academic success signifies something beyond a good letter grade

- an individual’s determination to take on any task. “Grades and outstanding work mean a lot more than letters from the beginning of the alphabet or a beautiful trophy. It’s not just Red Bull and Scantron form. It takes a lot of self-discipline and dedication to get to this point. You know it. You’ve been through it. You’re being honored because of something more,” Lewis said.

FRANCE

Macron elected French president in a boost for EU By Helene Fouquet, Mark Deen and Gregory Viscusi Bloomberg News

PARIS –– Emmanuel Macron beat the anti-euro nationalist Marine Le Pen in France’s presidential election Sunday. Le Pen conceded defeat in a televised statement. Macron, an independent centrist who had never before run for public office, was forecast to win about 65 percent of the vote in Sunday’s election to 35 percent for National Front candidate Le Pen, according to projections by the country’s main pollsters released after voting ended. At 39, Macron is set to become the youngest-ever elected French head of state. A pro-European globalist, Macron will have to unite a divided France after one of the most bitter and turbulent elections of modern times. His challenge will be to end years of high unemployment and

Jerome Domine• Abaca Press/TNS

Emmanuel Macron

sluggish growth, deal with the terrorist threat that has traumatized the country and, ultimately, restore faith in the political establishment. His victory will help restore some of the European Union’s self-confidence after it was battered by Britain’s decision to leave the bloc last year. A committed

free-trader, Macron will help act as a counterweight to the protectionist wing of Donald Trump’s White House along with Germany’s Angela Merkel, Canada’s Justin Trudeau and Xi Jinping of China. The election result is at once a blow to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who met with Le Pen at the Kremlin in March, and a rebuff to Trump, who said in April that Le Pen was the “strongest” candidate on borders. The election came down to a choice between two radically different visions for France that were on show last week when the candidates clashed in their only televised debate. Macron will be sworn in as soon as this week as the head of mainland Europe’s second-largest economy and its leading military power. France also is one of five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. It was a remarkable achievement for Macron, who built his En Marche movement just last year.

A former investment banker and economy minister in the outgoing government of Francois Hollande, he resigned his post only in August to run for president, becomes France’s first postwar head of state to be elected from outside the traditional party structure. Yet Macron’s lack of an established base may curtail his ability to fulfill campaign pledges to pursue closer ties to France’s European neighbors and launch far-reaching reform of the economy. Macron has pledged to strengthen the euro, cut taxes on business and improve competitiveness by allowing more company flexibility and by inviting top scientists to move to France. The election ended a tumultuous campaign that culminated in a cyberattack on the Macron campaign. Surprises littered the way to Sunday’s runoff. The incumbent decided not to seek re-election, a first for a sitting president, while former head of state Nicolas Sarkozy and former Prime Minister Manuel Valls suffered hu-

miliating defeats in their parties’ primaries. Favorites came and went, above all former Prime Minister Francois Fillon, who led the polls until a newspaper revealed in January that he had hired family members for what may have been no-show jobs. Then there was the unforeseen rise of a far-left candidate, Jean-Luc Melenchon, who took almost 20 percent of the vote in the first round of the presidential election two weeks ago. The final twist –– the announcement late Friday that Macron’s campaign had been hacked by an unknown party –– is likely to likely reverberate into Macron’s presidency. While details are still scant, suspicion has fallen on Russia after the CIA found that the Kremlin interfered in the U.S. election, a charge rejected by Trump as “ridiculous.” Unlike Macron, Le Pen has called for sanctions on Russia to be lifted and coverage of her on Russia sites and media has been positive.

@Redwave_Liquor 2633 E Shaw

THE COLLEGIAN • SPORTS

MONDAY, MAY 8, 2017

PAGE 7

SOFTBALL

Dung delivers for Diamond ’Dogs

Khone Saysamongdy • The Collegian

Fresno State senior softball players (from left to right) Malia Rivers, Christina Rodriguez, Kierra Willis and Lindsey Willmon with their families, friends and coaches during the pre-game Senior Day ceremony at Margie Wright Diamond on May 7, 2017.

By Jenna Wilson @fsjennawilson

Coming off of a sweep over the UNLV Rebels, the Fresno State softball team celebrated its four graduating seniors in their final homestand at Margie Wright Diamond and continued their season-best win streak by sweeping the New Mexico Lobos over the weekend to improve to 32-20 on the season. “I love that the seniors are able to go out on top and able to go out with a big w,” said head coach Linda Garza. “That’s huge for the Red Wave fans and for the community.” Sophomore pitcher Kamalani Dung tossed all 19 innings of the series for the Bulldogs, giving up 11 hits and three walks over the weekend with 19 strikeouts and a 0.37 ERA. With six wins over the past two week-

ends and having pitched every inning for the Bulldogs in each of those games, Dung leads the Mountain West Conference with 23 wins with 184 strikeouts in 218 innings. “For us to be able to pull off the fifth/ sixth win, get another sweep and Kama to walk away 6-0 over the last two weekends is pretty incredible,” Garza said. “We’re going to keep riding this wave as long as we can and see what postseason has for us.” Senior and designated player Malia Rivers went 2-for-3 with one run scored, bringing her average to .357. “I’m excited,” Rivers said. “I’m just ready for us to keep building off this win and then go into next weekend and just keep doing what we’re doing.” Senior outfielder Kierra Willis’ 19th career triple tied her for third place on Fresno State’s all-time triples list. “We came out, we’re on a good winning streak right now, and I just wish to contin-

ue it,” Willis said. After going 2-for-2 in Saturday’s contest with a home run, 2 RBIs and a walk, senior catcher Lindsey Willmon went hitless with six putouts on Sunday in what could possibly be her final game at Margie Wright Diamond. “There’s many mixed emotions,” Willmon said. “There’s sad emotions, there’s happy emotions and it’s like your emotions don’t know which way to go. I keep falling one way and then the other, but at the same time its just like I’m just so fortunate to have been able to be a part of this family, a part of this organization.” Senior pinch runner Christina Rodriguez chalked up one run for the Bulldogs over the weekend to bring her to 17 runs scored on the season in 35 games played. “It’s just another game,” Rodriguez said. “I don’t want to make it bigger than it is, so it’s just another game. I’m stoked that we won. That’s an awesome thing to

win on your senior game, but I think it’s just another game. It’s exciting though.” Garza said seeing the seniors honored in front of the Red Wave crowd was a great recognition for the blood, sweat and tears the seniors put on the line in the games they played as Bulldogs. “They should continue to be proud of not only what they’ve done in their careers here, but more importantly, just being a Bulldog and what it means to be a Bulldog softball player,” Garza said. The Bulldogs return to action in Fort Collins, Colorado, on Friday where they will take on the Colorado State Rams in a three-game series to end conference play. “Right now we have the approach of one game at a time, one pitch at a time, focus on us playing our game and putting ourselves in a position to win,” Garza said. “We’re going to take care of business, head over to Fort Collins and do what we can for the rest of the season.”

SPORTS IN BRIEF Diamond ’Dogs take two from Rebels

Shields named coach of the year

Ramirez remains undefeated

The Fresno State baseball team took the first two games against UNLV over the weekend, but lost Sunday, denying a sweep. The ‘Dogs are 25-22 on the season, and 13-10 in Mountain West play. The Bulldogs’ offense propelled them to victory in Friday’s game, racking up 17 hits en route to the 12-5 win. Ricky Tyler Thomas pitched six innings, giving up four earned runs. Saturday’s game also saw an offensive barrage. Fresno State had 18 hits while winning 11-5. Senior left-fielder Jake Stone scored four times and hit a home run. The Rebels snapped Fresno State’s five-game win streak Sunday, knocking out starting pitcher Rickey Ramirez after one inning. Senior second baseman Scott Silva led the Bulldogs with two hits, but it was not enough in the 14-5 loss. The ‘Dogs return home Tuesday to face Sacramento State, followed by a home series against New Mexico starting Friday.

Fresno State men’s tennis head coach Luke Shields was named coach of the year on Friday after leading the Bulldogs to an 18-13 overall record and 5-2 in conference play. Shields finished up his second year at Fresno State and is the first in program history to be named Mountain West Coach of the Year. “This is an honor,” Shields said. “This is a reflection of the hard work that every single player on our team has put in throughout the season. Every award that this program receives, individual or not, is a reflection of this program and where this program is going.” After finishing 10-17 last season, Shields led the team to its most wins in a season since 2012. “I cannot put into words how hard this team has worked this season,” Shields said. “I have an amazing staff behind me and an amazing team with me.”

Fresno State alumnus Jose Ramirez improved to 20-0 Friday, defeating Jake Giuriceo with a technical knockout in the second round, increasing Ramirez’s knockout total to 15. The 2012 U.S. Olympian boxer and Avenal native headlined the card at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center in Reno, Nevada. The scheduled 10-round fight was halted in Round 2 because of a cut over Giuriceo’s left eye which was bleeding profusely. This match comes after Ramirez defeated Issouf Kinda at the Save Mart Center on Dec. 2. Ramirez, 24, is ranked No. 5 by the World Boxing Council for the Super Lightweight class of 140 pounds.

SPORTS

MONDAY, MAY 8, 2017

SOFTBALL

Bulldogs sweep on Senior Day Christina Rodriguez #00 Outfielder Livingston, California Major: Kinesiology-Exercise Science Plans After Graduation: “I am actually going to go to grad school. I’m going to go to Chapman down in Orange County. I’m going to get my master’s in athletic training.”

Malia Rivers #20

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Infielder Brentwood, California Major: Child Development Plans After Graduation: “I’m going to try and work for one of the pre-schools or the kindergartens here, and then I want to work to get my master’s in early childhood education.”

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Christian Ortuno • The Collegian

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Head softball coach Linda Garza

Kierra Willis #14 Outfielder Pleasant Hill, California Major: Criminology Plans After Graduation: “I have my internship next semester, and I’m going to go about that. I don’t know where exactly. My major is criminology so depending on where I go, my plan is probably to do corrections, so maybe go [to the] police academy and then go from there.”

Christian Ortuno • The Collegian

SEE: PAGE 7

Lindsey Willmon #5 Infielder Elk Grove, California Major: Communication Plans After Graduation: “After I graduate, I’m not 100 percent sure, probably go home. I’m going to get a job, probably get my real estate license and start doing all the job stuff. There’s a high chance I’ll be coaching somewhere. So stay tuned.”