October 17, 2018

GET YOUR FLU SHOT AT THE HEALTH CENTER Page 6

Fresno State’s Award-Winning Newspaper Wednesday, October 17, 2018

‘No lack of water issues’ Photos/Eric Zamora

Panelists discuss groundwater contamination in the Central Valley at the Arsenic Symposium hosted by the California Water Institute at Fresno State on Oct. 11, 2018.

This map shows over 1300 wells and about 800 detections of high arsenic levels.

Page 2 BACK SPORTS: SENIOR ADMINISTRATORS PLACED ON LEAVE

NEWS

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2018

GOT TIPS? We want to hear them.

COLLEGIAN@CSUFRESNO.EDU

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COVER STORY

Arsenic in the Valley’s water

Photo courtesy of Jordan College of Ag Sciences and Technology

Dr. Miranda Fram, geochemist from the U.S. Geological Survey California Water Science Center gives a presentation on arsenic levels throughout California during the Arsenic Symposium at Fresno State on Oct. 11.

By Seth Casey Managing Editor

The California Water Institute at Fresno State hosted the Arsenic Symposium, a community event focused on analyzing arsenic levels in groundwater.

The event, held at the Satellite Student Union on Oct. 11, brought together professional and academic experts from all over California to discuss causes of arsenic contamination and solutions to address the threat of contaminated groundwater.

Thomas Esqueda, Fresno State’s associate vice president of water and sustainability and the executive director of the California Water Institute, said the need for discussions about water infrastructure and safety is especially relevant in the San Joaquin Valley.

“Because we live in this environment where we are pretty much a rural area, the San Joaquin Valley, closely linked to ag, can’t grow food without water. I think our citizenry and the people in the Valley have a real deep appreciation for quality of water,” Esqueda said. “We live and work with it every day.”

Recent droughts and water shortages have brought the issue of water quality and availability to the forefront of the Valley’s discussion

over water. With the anticipated growth of the Valley’s population, Esqueda said it is vital to begin planning and implementing infrastructure that will supply safe, dependable water for the Valley.

“There are people probably within 30 to 40 miles of the campus that go to bed at night wondering what they’re going to do about water,” Esqueda said. “There’s no lack of water issues in the Valley.”

Fresno State utilizes both public water supply wells in addition to its own irrigation wells on the campus. According to Esqueda, tests for overpumping limits have not been administered on these wells.

The public supply well is regulated by the state, which has not reported any arsenic contamination problems. However, if pumping rates significantly increase to accommodate the university’s growing enrollment and water usage, potential arsenic contamination should be monitored closely, he said.

On the walls surrounding the auditorium during the symposium were large sheets of paper, each with a question printed at the top asking various questions regarding water safety and sustainability.

The event featured speakers from various disciplines of study, all focusing on what can be done to properly and safely provide enough

By the numbers

$43.5B of economic activity would be threatened by a single nationwide day without water.

water for a growing population in the Valley.

Esqueda said the two issues to focus on regarding water are the quality and the quantity of water in the Valley. While the Arsenic Symposium addressed quality of water issues, a future event planned for January will discuss solutions concerning the Valley’s quantity of water.

The symposium took place one day after the fourth annual “Imagine a Day Without Water” event, for which Fresno State’s California Water Institute partnered with the city of Fresno, elected officials, water utilities and community leaders to raise awareness of the need for investing in the nation’s water infrastructure.

“Imagine a Day Without Water” is a national event during which various community organizations participate in projects and events to ponder what consequences would arise if water was not readily available.

According to a news release, a single day without water nationwide could put $43.5 billion of economic activity at risk, and eight days without water could threaten over 2 million jobs.

“There are populations in our community that are dealing with contaminated water or dry wells,” Esqueda said. “People have to have food, and people have to have water.”

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2018

THE COLLEGIAN • NEWS

PAGE 3

Fresno State alumna weathers hurricane

By Allie Norton Contributor

PENSACOLA, Fla. -- To say we were lucky is an understatement.

Hurricane Michael was the first major storm to hit the Florida panhandle in more than a decade. Pensacola was almost a near miss. Most of the damage the area received was from storm surge. Even then, it was only docks affected.

I moved to Pensacola in 2016 to take a job as a reporter for the ABC affiliate. I heard story after story from colleagues and interview subjects about the impacts of Hurricane Ivan. Ivan was a Category 3 storm when it hit Gulf Shores, Alabama, but it was very destructive to Florida’s western panhandle.

That was in 2004. So when forecasters began predicting that Michael would be a major hurricane heading for the Florida panhandle, people in Pensacola started worrying we were due.

The storm formed quickly. Sunday night,

the disturbance turned to a tropical storm, and

by Monday, it was a hurricane. Landfall wasn’t anticipated until Wednesday. At that point, we knew it was coming, but we didn’t know just where.

The 24 hours before the storm hit were madness across the Florida panhandle. Gas stations were lined with cars. Stores ran out of water. The interstate was flooded with people heading west.

My fiancé and I decided to stay put. Pensacola was just outside the National Weather Service’s forecast cone for a direct hit, but we were still under a hurricane warning. We prepped the house, stocked up on supplies and continued normal operations. The day before the storm hit, I reported to my job with the city of Pensacola and worked on putting out press releases and arranging interviews for the mayor on final storm preps. City personnel were sent home early to make final storm preparations on their homes. Then, we all waited.

I grew up in Valley Center, California. It is a small farm town on the outskirts of San Diego County. Like many other Californians, the di-

A Facebook group to serve students

By Ram Reyes Reporter

When Jasmine Kidd lost her ring, she had given up hope. In the busyness of being a Fresno State student, she had somehow lost her childhood ring and went into a panic.

In a desperate attempt, she made a post on the Fresno State Book Trade and Advice Facebook group to see if anyone had found it. She described what it looked like – a small tiny ring with “NENA” written across it. She knew what it meant to her and wondered where she might have lost it.

It was a long shot, but she hoped among the 14,000-plus members of the Fresno State Book Trade and Advice, someone might have picked it up.

After two days – among all of the job postings, book exchange requests, memes and questions posted on the Facebook group – a post

ONLINE: to read the full story, visit our website: fresnostate.edu/collegian turned up saying they had found the ring and had returned it to the library.

Kidd was reunited with her ring.

Before the group became a beacon of hope for students’ pressing needs, it was a book trade group with the simple purpose of, well, trading textbooks.

Bee Yang, a former Fresno State student, started the group in May 2012. The original purpose was for it to be a central hub for Fresno State students to buy, sell and trade textbooks.

These types of groups are common within universities and colleges. CSU Long Beach’s book trade group is the closest in size to Fresno’s.

sasters I prepared for growing up are the ones that usually don’t give notice - earthquakes, wildfires. My family evacuated twice when I was in high school because of wildfires. Each time, it was a race to grab our irreplaceable items and documents before heading out the door.

Hurricanes are much different. Like a meme on Facebook put it, waiting for a hurricane is like being stalked by a turtle.

When Wednesday morning arrived, minutes went by slowly. But the clock was ticking until Hurricane Michael made landfall.

My fiancé and I got our twin 1-year-old boys ready. I took our two dogs for a walk, and then we headed to his parents’ home to hunker down. The television was on in the background with the latest weather reports, while the adults played poker and the babies and dogs ran around the house.

There were wind gusts, pockets of heavy rain, but nothing crazy. The worst of the storm passed by 2 p.m., so we packed up and went back home. Meanwhile, not even 100 miles east, people were experiencing one of the most catastrophic storms the Florida panhandle has

ever seen.

We were very lucky. Our house is in Gulf Breeze, which is essentially an island. Now that we are seeing the pictures of the devastation, my fiancé and I have been constantly asking each other “what if.” What if Hurricane Michael did not track as anticipated and, instead, headed straight to our home? What if we did not evacuate and found ourselves in a situation of heavy flooding due to storm surge with two toddlers and two dogs?

Living in Florida, there is a saying when it comes to hurricanes: It’s not a question of if another hurricane will hit, it’s when.

This time, we were lucky it was not our turn.

Allie Norton served in multimedia positions and then as news editor for The Collegian from January 2010 to May 2012. She graduated from Fresno State with a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism in 2012.

A&E

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2018

COLLEGIAN.CSUFRESNO.EDU

4

Queer pastors at Pride Week

By Paige Gibbs Reporter

Kyle Lowe

Fresno State senior Emma DenBesten and fellow actor Daniel Lajune as Janet and Brad

Students and staff star in ‘The Rocky Horror Show’

By Olivia Hayes

Entertainment Editor Fresno State students, alumni and staff will be performing in the Selma Arts Center’s production of “The Rocky Horror Show.”

The limited run of this cult classic is a fundraiser for the company’s exciting upcoming season, and is a special two-night engagement that runs Friday, Oct. 26, and Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018.

“The Rocky Horror Show” is a musical with lyrics and book by Richard O’Brien and was adapted into the 1975 film “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” which has become a cult classic and a must-screen favorite around this time of year.

It’s the story of a newly engaged couple getting caught in a storm and finding themselves at the home of a mad (and sexy!) scientist, Dr. Frank-N-Furter, as he unveils his new creation, an artificially made, fully grown, physically perfect muscle man “with blonde hair and a tan,” named Rocky Horror.

The lead role of Dr. Frank-N-Furter will

be played by Fresno State’s Terry Lewis, who works in the Henry Madden Library as a subject specialist for theatre arts and dance.

Under the vocal direction of Tim Fletcher, the production includes some of the Central Valley’s most talented and prolific performers, such as, Camille Gaston, Aaron Pierce, Emma DenBesten, Alina Gonzalez and Jacquie Wilson Broach, all of whom are attending or have attended Fresno State. Other players include Alex Figueroa, Abigail Nolte and Daniel LaJune.

Juan Luis Guzman, who is producing the show, says, “This is a full-fledged musical production. You will often see groups do very fun ‘shadow cast’ performances with Rocky Horror, where cast members sing over the film version, but SAC audiences will be treated to the whole experience.”

And, with props for audience participation on sale in the box office, audiences should expect the complete experience.

Director Michael Flores adds, “This particular production is special because, with the help of Kyle Lowe, we’ve merged film and stage for our audiences. Selected scenes are actually prerecorded and will be projected during the

show. It is the perfect marriage, performing live and playing prerecorded scenes throughout the show. It’s also a way for us to pay homage to the cult classic film version.”

The performance also features choreography by Michael Flores and Caitlin Stahl and live musical accompaniment under the direction of Matthew Smoke.

The performance on Oct. 26 is rated R and starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 and available online at selmaartscenter.com or 559-8912238.

The show on Oct. 27 is also rated R but is strictly 18 and over. Tickets are $30 including entry to a Halloween extravaganza and costume ball before the performance. Admission grants entry to the party featuring games, drinks and music, plus a costume contest with prizes. Alcoholic beverages will be sold along with concessions. A seat for the performance is included.

Doors open and the party kicks off at 9:30 p.m. with showtime at 11:30 p.m.

The Selma Arts Center is located at 1935 High St., Selma, California.

As a part of Fresno State’s Pride Week, the LGBTQ+ Programs and Services held a queer faith panel on Oct. 10, during which ministers and pastors from Fresno openly discussed their faith backgrounds and what their religious traditions say about gender identity.

“We all see things through different lenses,” said Ellie Dote, a transgender woman who identifies as lesbian. “That is our truth.”

The panelists included Pastor Bill Knezovich, who identifies as gay and pastors Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church; Rev. Raygan Baker, also gay and the pastor of Big Red Church, affiliated with the United Church of Christ; and Dote, who is the music minister at United Japanese Christian Church.

Dr. Bernard Schlager, executive director of the Center for LGBTQ and Gender Studies in Religion of Berkeley, California, moderated the panel.

The purpose of the panel was to invite the LGBTQ+ community of Fresno to seek out “open and affirming” churches.

“It’s still hard for me to be in certain kinds of worship settings,” Baker said. “If you are not comfortable in one church, find one where you are.”

Every panelist began his or her faith journey raised in the Roman Catholic Church, though each had a unique path to how they left Catholicism and found their current congregations.

The panelists unanimously agreed there is no definitive way to interpret the Bible, and they have not found Scripture that discriminates against queer identity.

“Anybody interpreting Scripture is doing so with a bias and with an agenda,” Baker said.

“There is no objective way to interpret the Bible.”

The panelists encouraged the audience to continue to seek out spirituality.

“Don’t go to where you are tolerated,” Knezovich said. “Go where you are celebrated.”

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2018

THE COLLEGIAN • A&E

How to get more bang for your buck

By Marilyn Castaneda Reporter

Whether it’s breakfast, lunch, dinner or a snack, eating out can get expensive. But that’s always the case for students. Certain restaurants offer discounts for students by just showing their ID cards. Here are a few places that offer Fresno State students a break.

Breakfast Jus’ Jo’s -- Students receive a 10 percent discount with their student ID cards Farm Fresh Bowls -- Fresno State students get a $5 dollar breakfast burrito.

Lunch time only BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse -Students can get 20 percent off lunch when they use the mobile pay through BJ’s app for a limited time only.

Anytime of day Tacos Marquitos -- Students receive a free drink when they purchase a bulldog burrito and show a Fresno State student ID card.

Bulldog Burger Bistro -- Offers 10 percent off and has specials for Fresno State students. A cheeseburger combo with a drink costs $8 or with a beer for $10.

Pieology -- A 10 percent discount is offered to Fresno State students with an ID card.

Deli Delicious -- Students receive a free drink with a Fresno State student ID card

Tuesdays and Thursdays Buffalo Wild Wings -- Tuesdays are buy one get one free on boneless wings, and on Thursday’s boneless wings are 70 cents BJ’s -- On Tuesdays, pizookies cost $3.

Calling all photographers

By Paige Gibbs Reporter

Photography professor Neil Chowdhury and media, communications and journalism student Jose Romo have started a new photography club at Fresno State that will meet for the first time in the courtyard of the Conley Art Building at noon on Friday, Oct. 19.

Chowdhury said the club plans to go out on photo shooting expeditions and hold workshops in both urban and natural settings.

Whether you are an art student or just looking to try your hand at still photos, the photography club welcomes all skill levels, he said.

Chowdhury has always considered himself a photographer. He used his parents basement as a dark room when he was young and eventually studied to get his Masters of Fine Arts in photography.

His vision for this club had been a long time coming. Although students typically start clubs on campus, Chowdhury thought he’d step in and give photography lovers a little nudge. That is exactly how he found the club’s president,

Romo.

Romo showed interest in the club, although he never had been in a club on campus previously. Both Chowdhury and Romo agreed that Romo was thrown into his current position as president.

Not deterred, however, Romo said he is excited to take the lead and get the club up and running.

Romo is a senior studying multimedia. This is his first semester on staff shooting for The Collegian. Romo started his college career in the graphic communications program at Fresno City College, but this year he has taken an interest in shooting still shots as opposed to just moving pictures.

He enjoys sports photography and would love to pursue that as a career after graduation.

Romo is playing catch-up as far as his photography skills go, although the rules of composition are the same for both photography and video, he said.

Romo looks forward to meeting other photographers and using the club as an outlet to learn from one another.

PAGE 5

OPINION

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2018

HEALTHY BULLDOGS

Staying healthy during flu season

GOT OPINIONS? We want to hear them.

COLLEGIAN@CSUFRESNO.EDU

6

COMMENTARY

Students: Vote now

By Kay Busby | SHCC Nurse Practitioner and RN.C, MSN Fall and winter are also cold and flu seasons.

Flu is a highly contagious disease caused by a group of respiratory viruses. It can cause missed days at work/school, doctor’s visits and flu-related hospitalizations.

Hand sanitizers that are at least 60 percent alcohol are effective in killing germs if soap and water aren’t available and if your hands are not visibly soiled or greasy.

Avoid coughing and sneezing into

There are several things you can do to stay healthy and prevent yourself from getting sick.

Get a flu shot It is the most effective way to prevent getting the flu.

After a person receives his or her shot, little proteins called antibodies are formed by the immune system which destroy virus particles if the person is exposed to the flu. It takes about two weeks for the antibodies to form.

The vaccine can provide up to 80 percent protection, and if one does get the flu it should be milder.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend everyone get the flu vaccine, and the best time to get it is now.

Students can take advantage of the Student Health and Counseling Center, which is sponsoring flu shot clinics this week. The vaccine will also be available for students at the health center beginning Oct. 19.

Boost your immune system Help your immune system to operate in top condition by getting enough sleep, managing stress, getting regular exercise and eating a healthy diet that includes dark green, red and yellow vegetables and fruit.

Wash your hands often This will help stop the spread of germs, especially after using the restroom, when preparing food and before eating. Lather with soap, scrub for at least 20 seconds (try singing the “Happy Birthday” song twice), rinse and dry.

your hands Use a tissue you’ll dispose of after use or cough into your sleeve if you don’t have a tissue.

Don’t touch your face since these viruses enter the body through the eyes, nose and mouth.

Clean surfaces and equipment often.

This includes places like your study areas at home and work. Use disinfectant, especially if they are shared by others.

Stock up It is a good idea to be prepared before you get sick by purchasing cold and flu medicines now.

The health center pharmacy has cold and flu kits that contain a variety of medicines, hand sanitizer, tissues and a digital thermometer for just $5. The average retail price for these items is $20-35, depending on which local pharmacy you visit.

Stay at home If you get sick, rest at home until your fever (100° or higher) has been gone for 24 hours without taking fever-reducing medicine. Limit contact with others to help prevent spreading infection.

Preparing for cold and flu season isn’t complicated or difficult but can make a huge difference in helping the campus community stay healthy.

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.

Healthy Bulldogs is a weekly column written by experts in the Student Health and Counseling Center at Fresno State.

The Collegian California State University, Fresno 5201 N. Maple Ave., M/S SA42 Fresno, CA 93740-8027 News Line: (559) 278-5732 Business Line: (559) 278-5735 Advertising Line: (559) 278-8179

Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Arts & Entertainment Editor Sports Editor Digital Editor Opinion Editor Photographer Staff Reporter Staff Reporter

Photo courtesy of clutchprep.com

By Heidy Sanchez

Biology Support Instructor

Not enough college students vote.

Just 48 percent of students voted in the 2016 presidential election and just 43 percent of science, technology, engineering and mathematics majors voted.

For midterm elections, like the one quickly approaching, the numbers are even worse.

Only 18 percent of college students voted in the 2014 midterm election. Conversely, 70 percent of retirees vote. Do you think those retirees are accurately representing your interests?

The importance of voting in midterm elections, specifically by college students, is often overlooked.

Local elections can easily be swayed by a handful of votes. Aside from the social aspects of voting, these regional policies may directly affect matters such as financial awards, student debt and funding for your institution.

Cresencio Rodriguez-Delgado Seth Casey Olivia Hayes Michael Ford Samantha Domingo Christina Tran Jose Romo Jorge Rodriguez Marilyn Castaneda

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

It has been shown that most undergraduate students who are first-time voters are challenged by the unfamiliarity of the registration process and miss the deadline. Let me help you be a powerful force in your community!

Represent your interests by voicing the concerns and opinions that will ultimately affect your undergraduate atmosphere in the foreseeable future.

Here are the two things to pay attention to: The first is a graphic of all the voter registration dates by state. Many of these dates are quickly approaching, and some have already passed!

Find your state, and make sure you’re registered to vote. We don’t have much time. Luckily you can register online in 38 states (including California). And in 10 more states, you can register in person on the same day that you vote.

Register to vote before the deadline. Show up to vote on Nov. 6th. I am not going to tell you who to vote for, but you have a right to vote.

Exercise it.

Bailey Margosian Kassandra Lopez Ugne Mazutaityte Casey Supple Jeff Vinogradoff Crystal Reyes Richard Marshall Kevin Fries Jan Edwards Bradley Hart 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, OCTOBER 17, 2018

PAGE 7

THE COLLEGIAN • SPORTS

Bulldog swimmer’s Olympic aspirations

By Jorge Rodriguez

In the pool since she was 5-years-old, Ugne

favorite cities is San Francisco, where she hopes to live one day.

Currently, Mazutaityte is a senior at Fresno State and also works at The Collegian in the ad sales department. Mazutaityte said she enjoys

water and out of the water,” head coach Jeanne Fleck said. “In the water, she has been a turning point for the team, leading the way in winning two Mountain West championships as well as representing Lithuania and Fresno State in

swimming, your head is underwater and all you hear is your thoughts, so if your head is not in the right place, it will get really tough.

“What we swimmers do, and studentathletes in general, is crazy,” Mazutaityte said

Mazutaityte has become one of the most prolific swimmers in Fresno State’s history.

In her four years as a Bulldog, she has won several honors such as Mountain West Freshman of the year in 2015-2016, Team Most Valuable Swimmer in 2016-2017 and AllMountain West in three consecutive years.

A native of Lithuania, Mazutaityte seemed destined to be a swimmer since both of her parents, her grandparents and even most of her extended family are swimmers. She chose Fresno State because she said she loved the team, the coaches and even the mascot.

As a freshman, Mazutaityte was introduced to a very diverse community at Fresno State which opened her up to new experiences that she has enjoyed.

Mazutaityte says she enjoys living in California, and she mentioned that one of her

the challenge of making a sale and compares it to the same adrenaline rush she gets when she competes in swimming.

Mazutaityte is working to get a degree in advertising and will continue on to a fifth year to qualify for the Olympics.

She is working hard to get to the Olympics in 2020, but first she must go to the World Swimming Championship to be held in South Korea this summer. Mazutaityte is excited for the opportunity to go to the Asian country, because she loves the culture, the food and she is also a huge K-pop music fan.

For Mazutaityte, being part of the Fresno State women’s swimming and diving team is like having a big family. She said that even though she has one sister, she feels as though her whole team here are her sisters.

“Ugne means the world to the team in the

international competitions.”

Mazutaityte said that swimming is a tough sport; that even though you are a team player you are still competing one-on-one against others. She said most of the time while

about her teammates and school. “To balance school, work and swimming is hard, but to have someone that is going through the same thing as you really helps.”

Reporter

2018-2019 INTRO TO DEBATE AND PERSUASION Tuesday, October 30 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. USU 309

Register online at FresnoStateASI.org Space is limited!

Follow us! @fresnostateASI

“As a Hmong immigrant arriving from Laos at the age of six, I became the first person in my family to graduate from college and attend law school.”

Yao Vang

Political Science Juris Doctor Candidate

Law School 101

Tuesday, November 6, 2018 from 7-9pm You’re invited to this free program to learn more about the legal profession and what a law degree can do for you! At this forum you will be introduced to law school, from courses offered to admission requirements.

Register now at www.sjcl.edu or 559/323-2100

SJCL admitS StudentS of any raCe/ CoLor, reLigiouS Creed, nationaL origin/anCeStry, age, gender, mentaL or phySiCaL diSabiLity, mediCaL Condition, maritaL StatuS, or SexuaL orientation.

Keith Kountz • Fresno State Athletics

LSAT Prep Night: November 12 • www.sjcl.edu

SPORTS

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2018

COLLEGIAN.CSUFRESNO.EDU

8

Athletic officials placed on paid leave

By Michael Ford Sports Editor

Jorge Rodriguez • The Collegian

The Collegian has confirmed that Fresno State has placed two athletic officials on paid leave.

Paul Ladwig, senior associate athletics director for external communications, and John Kriebs, associate athletics director for internal communications, have both been on leave since Sept. 6.

Ladwig's employment with the university will end on June 7, 2019 and Kriebs' last day of employment is June 24, 2019. It's unclear why the two officials were placed on paid leave.

Ladwig joined Fresno State in 2005 and was in his seventh year as senior associate athletics director. He spent his first six years as the associate athletics director over external relations and broadcasting, according to

Fresno State Athletics. Kriebs was in his 18th year and had oversight over Fresno State's operations, which included events, facilities, information technology, equipment and had oversight of contracts with Nike, Pepsi. He also served as supervisor for multiple teams.

Ladwig released a statement on Twitter Friday night addressing his departure.

"For the past 13 years, I performed my duties and responsibilities with great care and Bulldog pride. Over those years, the university was appreciative of my dedication to the department and the entire university. Over the last month, I recognized the need for the new Athletic Director to have the opportunity to build his own management team. So, after careful consideration and working with people on campus, I resigned my position.”

After win over Wyoming, ‘Dogs’ defense makes the case they are best in the West

By Michael Ford Sports Editor

A stifling defense just continues to stifle.

For the second consecutive week, a Fresno State Bulldogs defense that has been ranked near the top of the Mountain West Conference and the entire Football Bowl Subdivision in key stats such as third-down defensive conversion percentage and points allowed per game, kept its opponent out of the endzone.

The defensive secondary has been smothering opposing receivers all season. Over the last two games, Fresno State’s defense has four interceptions, 16 pass breakups and five sacks.

So, it was no surprise that against Wyoming last Saturday, it surrendered just three points and 221 yards! You read that right.

The only way it could have been better is if it had shut down Wyoming’s run game better. The ‘Dogs gave up 104 yards on the ground. But in the end, it’s about keeping the other team out of the end zone, and they did that.

Linebacker Jeff Allison was flying all over the field, once again leading the team in tackles with 13. The man is a tackling machine; nothing else needs to be said. It would be shocking if he weren’t on the shortlist for Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year at season’s end.

No, it would be a football crime were that to happen.

Defensive back Mike Bell had a crucial interception to halt a Wyoming drive that could have altered the momentum of the game had the Cowboys been allowed to score. There isn’t anything that this defense can’t do if it is focused, and it has been focused all season.

What will be interesting is if the ‘Dogs can continue this play against a New Mexico team that is averaging just over 38 points per game. If they do, it would be hard to deny that this is the best defense in the Mountain West.

Jose Romo • The Collegian

Defensive end Mykal Walker celebrates as the Bulldogs stop the Wyoming Cowboys short of a first down in their 27-3 victory at Bulldog Stadium. Oct. 13, 2018