September 11, 2019

PHOTOGRAPHER SHARES NEW BOOK Page 5

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Remembering a

Larry Valenzuela • The Collegian

Fresno State’s Award-Winning Newspaper

Brother and Bulldog A memorial for Luis Palma outside his fraternity's booth at Fresno State.

Fresno State fraternity members discuss the life of a friend who died in a car crash INSIDE :

Page 2

COMPETITIVE ESPORTS IS MAKING ITS WAY TO FRESNO STATE

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2019

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COVER STORY

'He was the most positive person.' Fresno State student remembered by NAK frat

By Marilyn Castaneda | News Editor

Luis Palma was more than just a fraternity brother. He was someone who brought inspiration and positivity to those around him.

Palma was a member of the Nu Alpha Kappa (NAK) fraternity at Fresno State. He was a history major who tutored young students as part of the Teaching Fellow after school program.

“He was the most positive person I’ve ever met,” said Eddie Garcia, social chair for NAK. “He always loved to make everyone laugh and had a good vibe.”

Palma was expected to graduate from Fresno State in the spring of 2020.

But all that changed on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019, when the driver of a vehicle he was in crashed into multiple cars, leaving Palma dead on the floorboard.

Palma was a passenger inside the vehicle that was driven by his friend, who allegedly was under the influence. The deadly crash happened around midnight at Fulton and Divisadero streets. When Fresno Police arrived, Palma was found with no pulse. Officials were able to regain a brief pulse before it faded.

Palma was 23 years old.

According to police, the driver, Francisco Cabrera, 24, was driving at a high rate of speed on Fulton when he crashed into at least five unoccupied vehicles.

“Palma was well on his way to graduating and only had one year left,” said Christopher Gonzalez, president of NAK. Gonzalez and Palma had crossed into the fraternity at the same time in the spring of 2018. He smiled as he recollected Palma giving him random nicknames like ‘young dobie.’

Gonzalez remembered his fraternity brother as someone who didn’t take things too seriously when they first met. But then Palma started turning his life around by achieving better grades and volunteering for community service.

“He just started to turn his life around ever since he joined the frat,” Gonzalez said.

Palma had been a tutor at Ayer Elementary for about three years. He came from humble beginnings and was someone relatable, as well

as a mentor. His young students looked up to him because he understood where most of them came from. Gonzalez said Palma “was a true inspiration to the kids.”

Hector Torres, Palma’s little brother in the fraternity, said even though he had just met Palma about a year and a half ago, he felt like he had known him his whole life.

“At the end of the day, he was just someone I could count on,” Torres said. “The person that always had my back.”

Torres had spoken with Palma just hours before his death. He remembers Palma sending him a Snapchat and then being woken up to multiple calls around 5:30 a.m.

Saturday.

“I couldn’t believe it. I just broke Courtesy Nu Alpha Kappa down. It was really hard for me,” (Above) Luis Palma, cenTorres said. ter, pictured with f raGarcia, Palma’s fraternity ternity brothers Jose brother, also woke up to various Perez, left, and Armando missed calls around 8 a.m. on Sat- Hernandez at the Nu Alpha Kappa Formal. urday. He recalls breaking down once he received the news. times. I want to “Ever since then, I haven’t been myself,” continue keeping Garcia said. “I miss my boy, Yogi bear.” that relationship Gonzalez said what pains him the most is with them and be the two little brothers Palma leaves behind. Pala big brother to ma’s brothers looked up to him very much. One his little brother of them is actually planning on joining NAK just how Palma when he transfers from Fresno City College. was to me,” TorOne of the siblings had reached out to the res said. fraternity looking for help organizing a GoNAK honored FundMe to help raise money for Palma’s funerPalma with a vigal. il on campus the Courtesy Nu Alpha Kappa NAK set up an account with an initial goal day he died. Gon- Luis Palma, second from the right, poses with his fraternity of $8,000. That number was exceeded and zalez said a big brothers on campus. reached $9,000 within two days. It continued crowd attended and even people who weren’t known at this time. to increase little by little and now has a total of close to Palma were crying.

“If there’s one thing I could take from this $10,276 from 257 donors.

“It meant a lot to see that he made an impact is to not drink and drive,” Torres said. “Look at “We made a really big connection to the on these individuals,” Gonzalez said. what happened to my brother. He wasn’t even family by supporting them through these hard The funeral service arrangements are undriving. He didn’t deserve to leave this way.”

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2019

THE COLLEGIAN • NEWS

PAGE 3

On-campus dining available on new app

By Anjanae Freitas Reporter

Fresno State's previous app Tapingo, is now being replaced by an app called Fetch after a top-ranked vote survey from faculty and students that happened on campus last spring.

Fetch, a food-ordering app through Blackboard, is now partnering with Fresno State for students to continue to avoid long lines for lunch.

Mark Plattner, Fresno State’s auxiliary IT manager, said the change from Tapingo to Fetch is to provide more functionality, the ability to add more campus dining menu options and add additional dining concepts that will be

included in the New USU. Fetch is a third party app that must first be downloaded through The Mobile Order app.

Once it has been downloaded, the app icon will appear under the title Fetch.

The app can be downloaded through the Fresno State Mobile App, App Store or Google Play.

Once the app is downloaded, users can simply select the Fresno State option and type in their Fresno State student or staff ID number to access Fetch.

Fetch has many similarities to the Tapingo app, such as skipping the long lines and being able to order in advance at Taco Bell Express, Subway, Panda Express, The Bucket and Robertitos.

However, one new feature is that the Fetch app is connected to students’ Fresno State student IDs. Therefore, they will have the alternative for orders to accumulate on their student account balance or, just like the old application, they can type in their debit or credit card information, as well.

Another new feature on the app allows students to explore a broad selection of customized orders, as well as select specific pick up times for orders.

However, one feature students should be aware of is that after typing in their student ID, purchases will automatically be charged to their student account.

Therefore, students must double check the

feature to make sure they are selecting the payment method they prefer, in order to avoid charges on their student account.

After asking what students thought about the new app, Leah Lopez, senior and sociology major, said she had some suggestions for improving the new application.

“I am a frequent user of the mobile app, being that I usually do not have long breaks in between my classes, and [I’m] still happy they decided to keep [a] mobile app,” Lopez said.

“But honestly, I really wish they would add companies like Juice It Up! or find a way to partner with Starbucks.”

“Once the New USU is constructed, those dining concepts will be added to Fetch,” Plattner said.

20 years of excellence for University High

By Anthony De Leon Managing Editor

Toward the end of the late ‘90s, the concept of starting a college preparatory charter school on the campus of Fresno State was conceived, thus University High School (UHS) was born out of the necessity “to create a school that articulated a vision for education in the 21st century.”

After 20 years, UHS has never lost sight of the commitment to its philosophy. Today, the school will be celebrating its 20 year anniversary after opening its doors in the fall of 2000-01.

“What we are looking for is for a special student who is interested in a very strong, rigorous college preparatory class and [who] has a love of music,” said former head of school Brad Huff, in an article of The Collegian from 2000, which highlighted its opening.

UHS was able to find those willing to be challenged, with its initial freshman class of 100, and the goal of pushing its students through a rigorous required curriculum that includes emphasizing the arts, as well as courses on the Fresno State campus.

In 2019, 56% of UHS’s graduates had a cumulative GPA of 4.0 or above, 98% had a 3.0 or above and 100% had a 2.75 or above. The class of 2019 also had 105 students (88%) attending 4-year colleges and 14 (12%) attending 2-year colleges, with 41% funneling into Fresno State specifically.

Larry Valenzuela • The Collegian

University High School head of school, James Bushman, holds a copy of The Collegian with the grand opening of University High School 20 years ago on Friday, Sept. 6, 2019.

“Our student[s] will leave our campus having completed nearly two years’ worth of college work,” said current head of school James Bushman. “When you look at the graduation rate from students from other high schools at Fresno State, our student’s four-year graduation rate is three times higher than the average student.”

Once housed in three portables west of the Music Building, it is now home to nearly 500 students from 15 cities.

“Our reports say it [UHS] is rigorous.

They’re [our students] getting good grades, they’re all going to college, they’re graduating at higher rates,” Bushman said. “So, I am proud of that, because not everybody can say they achieved what they said they were going to achieve."

Bushman has been with the school since 2005.

“This has become the home of many folks who, like me, love developing a school for students that we serve,” Bushman said. “We are out to create the perfect high school experience

we can for our students, and all of our staff are committed to working on that goal.”

As the years pass, UHS has continued to offer students opportunities to hone their musical talent with skills ranging from reading music, composing and using musical technology programs that students wouldn’t learn any other place.

“Studying the arts is an important thing.

Why should math, science and history get all the love from the students,” Bushman said. “It is from the arts that we learn creativity, learn how to create, learn how to understand the beauty.”

The student body of UHS will be showcasing those talents during its annual “Magic of the Arts” celebration, an event held at Saroyan Theatre on Oct. 19. Every student will be on stage in a variety show atmosphere in accordance with the 20 year anniversary of UHS. “We book out Saroyan Theatre, and our entire student body will be on stage putting on a big show,” Bushman said. “We will sell out the theater, and this year we plan on making the show all about our 20th year.”

The list of invitees who will be attending the event include Fresno State President Dr. Joseph I. Castro, newly appointed Provost and UHS board of directors member Dr. Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval, as well as board members Dr. Xuanning Fu and Dr. Ram Nunna and President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management Dr. Frank R. Lamas. It is also open to the public.

A&E

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2019

Taiwanese dancing performers to visit Fresno State campus

4

COLLEGIAN.CSUFRESNO.EDU

Free fashion at Q Clothing Pop Up Closet

By Christina Tran A&E Editor

The Cross Cultural and Gender Center (CCGC) presented the Q Clothing Pop Up Closet in the Thomas Building’s Room 110 on Monday, Sept. 9, providing free clothing for LGBTQ+ students who experience clothing insecurity.

There is some embarrassment and anxiety attached to shopping for clothes when society doesn’t recognize who a person identifies as, specifically for transgender and gender nonconforming individuals on campus.

Aimed at a safe space for students to return to as a way to build their own wardrobes, the CCGC continues to hold three Q Clothing Pop Up Closets in the Thomas Building each semester for students to get free clothes.

Students were given a five-item limit to

choose from several racks that displayed blouses, flannels, jeans, skirts, shoes, accessories, feminine products and so much more.

The only things students needed to do before entering and shopping was present their student IDs to coordinators for the clothing closet.

Kiana Medina, graduate coordinator for the CCGC and Ben Nehring, student coordinator for the LGBTQ+ services were both available to help answer questions and assist students walking in as the main organizers for this event and service.

“We have a large student population that just can’t afford clothing or have clothing that they feel they can wear to campus or that they feel suits them and their identity,” Medina said.

Students can look forward to the next two Q Clothing Pop Up Closets this fall semester on Oct. 2 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Nov. 4 from noon to 2 p.m.

VISALIA TRANSIT

ON LY

Courtesy Fresno Area Taiwanese Association

By Larry Valenzuela | Opinion Editor A local Taiwanese organization will be bringing a bit of the Taiwanese culture to the Fresno State campus on Friday, Sept. 13, at the Satellite Student Union (SSU).

The Fresno Area Taiwanese Association (FATA) will host a performance for the Diabolo Dance Theatre. Doors at the SSU will open at 7 p.m., and the performance will begin at 7:30 p.m. Admission will be free for students with a student ID. It will be first-come, first-serve.

The Diabolo Dance Theatre is a professional performing arts group based in Taiwan that will be traveling through cities in the U.S. this year with its performance called "Ocean Celebration," which the group describes as a performance beyond languages and cultures.

The performance features use of the diabolo, while integrating music, dance, gymnastics, multimedia, lighting and visuals.

President of FATA Wen Leu said that he is excited to showcase a bit of Taiwanese culture here in Fresno.

“It is very important for our local Taiwanese

people to show that they are here, and they are very important,” Leu said. “But it also promotes our culture to the whole world and shows what we are about.”

Leu said that promoting Taiwanese culture is one of the main goals of FATA. He describes the association as a California-based nonprofit organization with no partisan or religious affiliation. Its purpose is to connect, unite, develop and represent the Taiwanese American community in the Central Valley by providing cultural programs and opportunities, as well as periodic social gatherings throughout the year.

Leu reinforced, as their mission statement has claimed, that he hopes to use this art performance to unite different cultures of the Central Valley and to put on a world-class show right here in Fresno for the locals to enjoy.

“We’re trying to bring this great performance here to campus so you don’t have to go to someplace like the Lincoln Center [in New York],” Leu said. “It’s right here [on campus] for free.”

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PAGE 5

FRONT PAGE

Photographer focuses on memory

By Anjanae Freitas Reporter

Some 85 people filled the Henry Madden Library’s Room 2206, with others having to stand up in the back as everyone waited for Steve Dzerigian to present the release of his photography book, “Trail of Stones.”

On Sept. 4, Fresno City College (FCC) professor of 29 years and professional photographer celebrated the work that went into his new photography book by having a lecture on his inspiration, as well as a book signing for fans at Fresno State.

During the first part of the event, Dzerigian shared his background and details about his creative process in piecing the book together photo by photo.

He began by sharing a dedication for the presentation and book to his mother Lucille who died recently.

Dzerigian also told students, staff and the public that he was diagnosed with transient global amnesia after doctors discovered a brain aneurysm in 2017.

Despite the life-altering news, it did not prevent Dzerigian from pursuing his passion in life, photography.

The photography book “Trail of Stones” depicts personally symbolic images in a visual diary format that combines natural scenes and surroundings with an undeniable connection to human beings, Dzerigian said.

The Interiors was a chapter of “Trail of Stones” that gave detailed descriptions and instructions on how Dzerigian was able to take photos that clearly portrayed where he was at during specific moments of time in his life.

Dzerigian shared that the key elements from The Interiors, to him, were distance, space and time.

By going on a journey of long hikes and steep stairways in Dzerigian’s photographic path, he realized that his own photo equipment forced him to slow down and be mindful of appreciating and taking in the natural scenery around him.

Equipment was heavy, and carrying around a camera, tripod and other such devices made him take breaks, giving him opportunities to simply breathe in his environment.

The Human Landscape chapter displayed on screen the same stone formation photo, which Dzerigian chose to use as his book’s front cover.

Dzerigian would return to the same location, year after year, to see the interesting ways that people stacked stones in formations. This is how he realized he wanted to make this photo series of rock alignments a part of the central ideas in his book.

The photo is titled ‘The Currency,’ which was a mistaken photo of double exposure.

These photos were later shown in an exhibition called “Photosynthesis,” which Dzerigian created in Fresno 40 years ago.

Building relationships with colleagues and new photographers helped Dzerigian develop an understanding and love for the art of photography.

“Making art is labor intensive, and the spirit is indeed enhanced by sharing knowledge,” he said.

Dzerigian’s closing statement for audience members to ponder was: “I made my living as an educator and to grow the creative spirit where efforts were close to my heart.”

Kathy Woska, retired art professor at FCC, showed her support for Dzerigian, former colleague and good friend.

“He has such a diverse body of work. He can go and get an idea and really develop it over time for many years,” Woska said. “Steve is a good storyteller, in addition to his beautiful images. So it is always wonderful to hear the backstory of the artist himself.”

After the open talk, the event moved over to Fresno State’s Conley Art Gallery for the audience to view Dzerigian’s photography up close and personal.

Dzerigian’s book signing lasted for roughly an hour, with fans pulling him into new conversations and photo opportunities to remember their experience at Fresno State.

The free event was open to students, staff and the public.

“Trail of Stones” was available for purchase for $34.95.

Dr. Nora Chapman and Benjamin Kirk, Fresno State faculty members from the arts and humanities department, were contributors who helped put together the presentation for Dzerigian.

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Vending machines get too expensive Reporter

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.

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6

Why tattoos should not affect your professionalism

By Jennifer Reyes

The vending machines on campus have increased their prices and are unexpectedly priced too high. I may sound like a cheapskate, but college is expensive for everyone.

Throughout my years at Fresno State, I would take small trips to vending machines located near any of my classes.

Recently, before the semester started, I came to campus and found out the prices at the vending machines have gone up either a quarter or a dollar more.

I had done some searching across campus going to every vending machine that I could find, and sure enough each one that I checked was updated.

A water bottle is now $2 at most vending machines I had checked out, except in the Satellite Student Union, where it is $1.75.

This change had taken me by surprise, as it must have for most college students.

The water bottles they were going to buy for $1.25 to fight this heat is now $1 more.

The snack they had in mind before or after classes is a quarter more.

Last semester, snacks and most beverages at the vending machines were $1.25, affordable for everyone on campus.

Small changes like this may or may not affect a student while being in school.

I recently had a conversation with a Fresno State student who was looking forward to buying a Monster energy drink, and she was telling me that, for her, college is expensive.

She also mentioned bringing lunch from home for school because the prices on campus are too high.

This is unbelievable for the most part. I would not be surprised if the prices continue to rise over the coming years.

GOT OPINIONS? We want to hear them.

COLLEGIAN@CSUFRESNO.EDU

By Anjanae Freitas

Reporter

Our generation comes with many changes, but tattoos in the workplace are the taboo work policy that no one seems to be talking about.

“Why on earth would you get those huge tattoos on your arm?” said every single one of my family members.

If I could count the number of times a family member told me that I have zero chances of employment because of tattoos, I would be rich enough to have the arm sleeve I have been wanting.

It seems to be a common misconception to older generations that tattoos are career mistakes, rather than just self-expressions of art.

Corporate jobs over time have created policies to scare us into thinking we must fit into a box to look a certain way and hide any

visual body modifications.

The truth is, the jobs that have a no-tattoo policy, are likely the most boring jobs.

These policies are outdated and truthfully, unfair.

Why do we instantly throw out applications or not call back for job interviews because someone has a tattoo? Do corporations seriously believe that visual body modifications narrow down a candidate's work potential?

It feels like a discriminatory action to make stereotypes based on someone's looks.

I have interviewed for a few jobs that had a no-tattoo policy, yet I still attended the interview because I wanted to use this as an experiment to see how serious these policies were.

During my interview with a big corporation, I was asked if I would be able to hide my tattoos with make-up before coming into work if I was offered the job.

Being a broke college student in desperate need of a job, there was no way this was going to be the time I asserted my needs. I took the job and kept my mouth shut.

However, as time went on, I realized that having to paint over my tattoos before each shift felt like I was putting on a mask to be someone I was not.

My tattoos are an expression of who I am, regardless of whether the pieces appear

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as simply beautiful traditional pieces that caught my eye or tattoos that represented my recovery. They were all bits and pieces from chapters of my life.

Therefore, when I was overcome with the realization that I did not have to go to work as someone I was not, I decided to put my two-weeks notice in and find another company to work for. It was in that moment that I realized I had an answer to my families’ obnoxious comments and concerns.

The reality was, I knew from a young age that I would never work for a company who refused to let me express myself by what simply made me an individual. You should never work for someone who refuses to respect you for who you are.

The realization of not wanting to work for a company that put down my worth of professionalism was what reminded me of how important it is to stand your ground and have morals for yourself.

I have personal goals and aspirations to work in the mental healthcare field. I want to be able to work for corporations telling me how to express myself. My life experiences and education are what make me successful, not my tattoos.

I can only hope that a few years down the road, we will have made progress towards policies that allow any professional to obtain their field of choice without facing discrimination.

The Collegian was informed after publication of its Sept. 4 issue that the event featured in an article regarding street harassment and feminism was co-hosted by the Black Women's Book Club.

Jovanni Cardenas Joy Lyle Daisy Dellinger Alessandra Mazman Jacob Mulick Jeff Vinogradoff Zachary Perkins Richard Marshall Kevin Fries Jan Edwards Timothy Drachlis Betsy Hays

The Collegian carries four different ethnic supplements inserted several times throughout each semester into its print publication.

Each supplement is produced by its own staff and advisers and is separate from The Collegian.

The news stories or opinions in the supplements do not reflect those of The Collegian.

Each member of the campus community is permitted a copy of The Collegian. Subscriptions are available for $25, on a semester basis. Staff positions at The Collegian are open to students of all majors. All content Copyright © 2018 The Collegian.

Letters to the Editor (collegian@csufresno.edu): All letters submitted to The Collegian should be between 250-500 words in length, must be type-written, and must be accompanied by a full name and phone number to verify content. The Collegian reserves the right to edit all material for length, content, spelling and grammar, as well as the right to refuse publication of any material submitted. All material submitted to The Collegian becomes property of The Collegian.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2019

PAGE 7

THE COLLEGIAN • SPORTS

FRONT PAGE

Fresno State venturing into esports

By Marc Anthony Lopez Contributor

A new competitor in the Mountain West (MW) is on its way to Fresno State, bringing new opportunities for students.

A varsity esports program is currently in development. The esports program will first start out with a League of Legends team, and if there is enough student interest, the program will expand into more video game franchises, such as Rocket League and Overwatch.

“We will more than likely, depending on interest, expand our varsity team,” said associate dean of Student Involvement Dr. Colin Stewart.

“We have a process in place for that.”

If everything is on schedule, Stewart says that the process of assembling the team will begin sometime in October with open tryouts for all positions, such as coaches and players.

Nexus Club vice president Johnathen Marin has high expectations for what the team can accomplish in the Mountain West.

Marin acknowledged that there will be some

growing pains at first, but he says he’s confident the team will have the ability to compete at a high level among other varsity teams in the MW. While the creation of a team is the first item on the agenda for Student Involvement, Stewart is looking ahead to the future of the program as a whole.

Stewart said that the varsity program will allow students opportunities off the sticks.

“There is a whole bunch of stuff when it comes to video games beyond just playing the game,” Stewart said. “There’s leadership.

There’s teamwork. There’s production ... we are just starting at the tip of the iceberg with the varsity team.”

Alongside the launch of the varsity program, Fresno State intramurals will be hosting a program for video games at the Fresno State Recreation Center.

The intramural program will allow students who are not committed to being extremely competitive to play in a welcoming space with other gamers at Fresno State.

It’s been a long time coming for a program

such as this, according to recreation programs manager Lerin Winchester.

The Recreation Center has been pushing for this program since 2012. However, some legal logistics got in the way, as well as funding.

“It is important for us to get to where the gamers are, because we want them to come play and we want them to have an outlet,” Winchester said.

The intramural program will be tournament-based and played on the Playstation 4 and Nintendo Switch consoles.

Some of the games featured in the tournament will be Super Smash Bros., NBA 2k, Mario Kart, Overwatch and more.

Alongside the tournaments, there will also be PlayStation VR headsets for students to try out.

Tournaments are set to begin in mid-September with an “unlock party,” and the choice of game will be Super Smash Bros.

“I hope [the intramural program] brings fun and excitement to the people who partake in it, while also helping spread the word about esports to students,” Marin said.

Larry Valenzuela • The Collegian

A sign in f ront of the soon-to-be esports arena inside of the University Student Union.

Track adds coaching staff

By Hector Mendoza Reporter

Fresno State head track and field coach Jason Drake announced on Monday the hiring of Joe Riccio and Gary Newell as assistant coaches, according to a Fresno State Athletics news release.

“We are thrilled to add Joe as our new throws coach here at Fresno State. I anticipate we will see great things from him and his athletes,” Drake said in the release.

Prior to joining the Bulldogs, Riccio was an assistant coach at Grand Canyon University for five years, where he guided his athletes to 15 Western Athletic Conference (WAC) individual championships and helped several athletes qualify for NCAA West Preliminary Round.

As a student athlete, Riccio competed for one season at Wyoming and Arizona State, earning multiple NJCAA All-America honors and a national championship in the hammer throw at Mesa Community College.

“I’m excited to have Gary join the staff here at Fresno State,” said Drake in the release.

“Gary’s experience at San Francisco and in

West Texas will be extremely valuable to our program.”

Newell comes to the ‘Dogs by way of San Francisco. He will be focusing on coaching the sprinters, hurdlers and relay runners.

Newell began his coaching career as an undergraduate student at West Texas A&M. In four seasons, he helped West Texas A&M capture 22 NCAA DII qualifying spots. Nine of those athletes earned All-America honors.

Newell was an assistant coach for two seasons at Texas Tech. During his time there, the team brought in the Big 12’s top sprint recruiting class.

Following the two-year stint as an assistant coach at Texas Tech, Newell took his talents to San Francisco State.

In his two seasons at Texas Tech, Newell broke school records in the 60 meters, 400 meters and 4x400 relay.

“He is a timeless recruiter, has worked with one of the best track programs in the country at Texas Tech and has a solid foundation of knowledge,” Drake said in the release. “I am confident that he will have an immediate impact on our team.”

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Whitney Hendricks, Juris Doctor Criminology, B.S., M.S., Fresno State

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8

EDITORIAL

Wednesday Warmup: Tale of two interceptions

By Anthony De Leon Managing Editor

Two weeks in a row, two years in a row and once again an interception breaks the hearts of Fresno State fans. At this rate, many are certain that either the sky is falling or this team is cursed.

A few parallels can be found between the 2018 Minnesota game and the 2019 Minnesota game. Meanwhile, there were also parallels between this past week’s game and the Bulldogs’ matchup against University of Southern California (USC) in Week 1.

Let’s start with the most obvious parallel: losing for the second straight year against Minnesota via an interception in the final stages of the game. In both games, the Bulldogs were in great scoring position on first down, so it was decided that the best way to get into the end zone would be to pass the ball.

In 2018, at the goal line, Bulldogs head football coach Jeff Tedford figured that the best chance to score a game-tying touchdown and send the game into overtime was to, instead of using wrestling All-American and tough-asnails Josh Hokit, have him surprise everyone in the nation, except for a Gopher safety, and throw a halfback pass.

Fast forward to 2019, and the Bulldogs are down 38-35 in double overtime with the ball in their hands – and the opportunity to win the game or at the very least tie it. Quarterback Jorge Reyna’s decision was to shoot for the end zone, to an all but wide open Cam Sutton, and have his errant pass picked off by a Gopher safety.

On first thought, if you have a man open in the end zone, you pull the trigger. But in this instance, running back Ronnie Rivers at times was giving the Minnesota defense fits, gaining 76 yards on the ground on 15 carries, and Hokit was not utilized nearly enough, having only one carry. The decision makes you wonder: did we need to go for it all or could we have gained the yardage needed to win through more methodical means?

How about one more parallel fun fact: the Golden Gophers safety who sealed both defeats with interceptions was Antione Winfield Jr. There was a turning point in last week’s game that may have gone unnoticed at first

glance, but with the game tied 28-28 and under a minute to go, Fresno State had the ball with all of its timeouts and the chance to send everyone home happy with a game-winning drive.

The Bulldogs went three and out, with two passes nearly picked off and Reyna being chased out of the pocket. They ended up having to punt after 33 seconds ran off the clock.

That drive was a very similar situation that exposed itself in both Week 1 and Week 2, when the Bulldogs just converted a miraculously fourth down and long, down by eight points and all the momenLarry Valenzuela • The Collegian tum on their side at the (From left to right) Fresno State’s Dontae Bull, Cesar Silva and Jorge Reyna grieve after their loss against the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019.

L.A. Coliseum.

On first down, with a chance to tie the game, the decision was made gards to the fan base’s prognostications. Now Even though it goes against his coaching to go no huddle and roll the dice on a strike to this week, with the Bulldogs sitting at 0-2, I will philosophy, it might be time for more conservathe end zone. The ensuing pass was ultimately once again pose the question: “Were the expective play calling in crucial situations. picked off after going for it all instead of calltations unreasonable?” but this time in regards ing a timeout and having the offense gather its to Tedford’s expectations of Reyna.

Final Seconds composure.

For the second week in a row, I am not I am glad singer and national treasure John The reasoning behind this move was that siding with a radical selection of Red Wavers Legend was at this past week’s game, because the Bulldogs’ defense had just stopped the USC gathering their torches and pitchforks as they this is the first time I’ve ever seen a fan base offense in under a minute, giving the offense once again call for the head of Reyna and the openly lose its [expletive] over a person who a chance to tie the game while also needing a few who also feel Tedford’s head should be on a was actively rooting against their team. But hey, quick score and having three timeouts at your stake following his decision making.

“Love in the Future” was pretty good. disposal. You save the timeouts for when, or if, The coaching career of Tedford and his And for those fans who decided to leave way you score, and give the offense the ball with uncoaching philosophy has been well documenttoo early when your team needed you the most, der a minute to go. ed, as the latter leans more toward aggressiveI’m sure you need to get a leg up on that Cedar For those who are still having trouble visualness, being much more inclined to take risks in and Shaw traffic, because, Lord, it takes over izing the situation, Tedford finally got the situabig situations, a fine ideal for a head coach, but 10 minutes to get out of the Bulldogs Stadium tion he was looking for in Week 1. Having all of only if the team has a signal caller who can exeradius following the game. his timeouts and the opportunity for his offense cute in pressure situations.

If that is the case, you fans might as well stay to drive down the field and get the game-winGoing forward, Reyna is coupled with the home, like those who own red seats on the east ning score, once again it didn’t turn out the way success and demise of the 2019 season, and I side of the stadium and decided that supporting the team and the Red Wave wanted it. believe that, at this point, replacing him with their team wasn’t important enough, leaving a The bottom line is, football can be a cruel another quarterback would prove futile and do gaping hole in that section that was visible from mistress at times, and very rarely do opportumore harm to the team than keeping him as the space. nities fall in your lap – let alone multiple times starting quarterback.

If you own tickets and choose not to go, find through the course of two seasons – and as has The aggressiveness of Tedford’s play calling a better way to make use of those tickets and been proven, those opportunities can be easily and the skill set of Reyna mix as well as oil and find fans who appreciate them, but can’t afford snatched away in an instant. water. Going forward, I believe that play-callthem. And after an 0-2 start, I’m pretty sure in In last week’s column, I posed the question: ing style cannot be converted successfully by both cases those mentioned were planning on “Were the expectations unreasonable?” in reReyna. staying home anyway.