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Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017
MEXICO EXPERIENCES DEADLY 7.1 MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE Page 3
Fresno State’s Award-Winning Newspaper
PROFILE
Love him, hate him, get to know him
By Jessica Johnson @iamjesslj
A
mong a crowd of Fresno State students frequently found near the library, a red “Make America Great Again” baseball cap often peaks out from a distance. Walk a little closer, and more is revealed and chatter begins to be heard. A flag picturing a smiling President Donald Trump is held on one hand and an iPhone set to livestream is held on the other hand. Though the hat, flag, live-
stream and a sign stating “stop liberal intolerance” may anger students, more ire is drawn to the man behind the display – Ben Bergquam. He’s become almost like a fixture on campus whether students like it or not. He stands in the free speech zone often calling students out. Some stop, others don’t. The Collegian sat down with Bergquam recently to learn about who he is, why he comes to campus and what his goal is in being at the university. We first learned, he is a Fresno
See PROFILE, Page 6
Benjamin Cruz • The Collegian
Ben Bergquam live streams to his Facebook profile in front of Fresno State’s Henry Madden Library on Sept. 7, 2017.
CRIME
Report shows increase in car thefts
Megan Trindad • The Collegian
Cars are parked behind the Henry Madden Library on Sept. 19, 2017.
By Victoria Cisneros @TheCollegian
A recent crime report from Fresno State shows a spike in on-campus car thefts. The university’s 2017 annual security report was released last week and showed on-campus vehicle theft reports went up from six in 2014 to 13 in 2015 and 28 in 2016. Meanwhile most other university crime statistics have remained relatively unchanged or dropped somewhat consistently since 2014, according to the report. The campus community was
emailed the report on Sept. 14. It contains the latest safety and security procedures, as well as crime statistics for the past three years. The crime reports are categorized by offense and location. The four locations include: on-campus; residential housing on and off campus; and public property around campus, such as sidewalks. The information was obtained by anonymous and voluntary reports by victims and witnesses on campus, according to the report. Crime statistics that occurred outside of the campus are provided by local law enforcement. It would require “a deeper look
into the cases” to understand the rise in the number of auto thefts, said Amy Luna, manager of the university’s emergency operations. The Fresno State Police Department is encouraging people at the university to never leave valuable items unattended. Individuals are also reminded to close and lock all doors and windows of any car, office or residence. “It is always important to be protective of your property,” Luna said. “Lock your vehicle and do not leave any items in plain view.” In 2016, there were no reported rapes at the four locations. There were two reported robberies on campus, three off campus
and one on public property. In the same year, there were eight reported burglaries on campus and six off campus. Domestic violence was reported twice on campus while dating violence was reported twice on campus, once at a campus residence, once off campus and once on public property. In regards to liquor law arrests, there was one reported on campus and two off campus. Drug law arrests were noticeably higher. There were 28 reported arrests on campus, four at a campus residence, three off campus and 13 on public property. Fresno State President Dr.
Joseph Castro said in a statement attached to the report that safety is a shared responsibility among all community and law enforcement members in order to “continue to make this a safe and secure campus for us to live, work and learn.” The report is produced every year in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. The act requires colleges and universities that receive federal aid to publish annual safety information and perform basic requirements when faced with instances of sexual violence and potential emergency situations.
2 OPINION From The ‘New USU’ and why your your voice matters editors GOT OPINIONS? We want to hear them. COLLEGIAN-OPINION@CSUFRESNO.EDU
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2017
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Results from debates in The Collegian newsroom.
THUMBS DOWN 30-minute parking tickets
THUMBS DOWN Taco Bell closing early
THUMBS UP Smoking ban
THUMBS DOWN Collegian file photo
By Jennifer Vang
Special to The Collegian As a student who originally voted “No” to last year’s “Bold New U” campaign, I can understand why there is a bit of frustration as to why there is a “New Student Union” campaign for this school year. However, after joining the USU board of directors out of curiosity, I have come to realize that perhaps Fresno State students did not know, understand or were well-in-
formed about the details entailed with the Bold New U. One of the main reasons why there is an urgent need for a New Student Union is because there is a lack of space for students. With an estimated total of 25,000 Fresno State students, a limited amount of food options on campus, and limited space for students to study or hang out with their friends, it is becoming a growing problem within our campus. As student leaders, we wish to alleviate the future issues that pertain to lack of
space for current and prospective students, and the only way to do this is to start by taking action now. The campaign for this year is all student-run and oriented. We care for what you have to say, and we are open to listening to all opinions from students. In addition, we are more than happy to answer any questions or concerns about the New Student Union campaign. Students are free to contact members of the USU board of directors or visit us during office hours in USU 306.
Pumpkin Spice
THUMBS UP Taylor Swift’s new music
THUMBS DOWN New iPhone
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. collegian.csufresno.edu
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THE COLLEGIAN • NEWS
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2017
PAGE 3
CAMPUS
Students talk building and classroom upgrades By Razmik Cañas @Raz_Canas
Last month, Fresno State President Dr. Joseph Castro announced the university will invest $26 million dollars in campus infrastructure by the year 2019. Fresno State students weighed in on what needs to be improved on campus. The funds would include updates in the Grosse Industrial Technology Building, McLane Hall and Peters Business Building. Mackenzie Woods, a sophomore animal science major who
has a class in the Peters Business Building, said, there was not enough room to fit her class of almost 50 students at the beginning of the semester. “There wasn’t [enough seats] the first day,” Woods said. “There is now, but it’s like every one to a seat. There’s not an extra seat anywhere.” The room is currently used as a computer lab and classroom. Woods believes the class should be taught in a lecture hall. “It’s pretty cramped in there, I probably would like to expand that room quite a bit,” Woods said. Josie Woodcock, a junior animal science major, is concerned about the wireless internet issues
that are in her class in McLane Hall. Her instructor uses an online program called Top Hat and is used for immediate student feedback through surveys and polls. And the issues with technology typically become a burden. “The Wi-Fi, that’s the biggest thing,” Woodcock said. “She [the professor] uses Top Hat. If we’re not able to do the schoolwork in class, it’s kind of hard when you’re supposed to be following along on your laptop, and you can’t get the internet to work.” Woodcock would like to see the classrooms with stronger internet capabilities that can handle a large class. Across campus, in the Grosse
Industrial Technology Building, some engineering students are seeing some issues and potential solutions. Jennifer Lozano and Gabriela Cervantes, freshmen civil engineering majors, also have class in the Grosse Industrial Technology building. “It’s not very aesthetically pleasing. It doesn’t really look like something you would consider an industrial tech building,” Lozano said. “When you think about industrial technology, you think about innovation, and [Grosse] looks like it’s outdated.” Cervantes has class in the evening and fears the outdoor halls at night.
“There’s classes at night there so whenever you walk through there it’s very creepy,” Cervantes said. Lozano and Cervantes said that the restrooms down the hall along with a lack of lighting make students vulnerable to experience safety issues. “Someone could be easily caught off guard,” Lozano said. And there is an interest for more artistic buildings. Lozano said many of the empty display cases should be filled. “I want more examples of student work,” Lozano said. “It has to be something that represents how innovative Fresno State students are and how we have progressed.”
INTERNATIONAL
At least 250 killed as powerful 7.1 earthquake strikes central Mexico By Kate Linthicum, RongGong Lin II and Alexandra Zavis Los Angeles Times
A powerful 7.1 earthquake shook central Mexico on Tuesday, collapsing homes and bridges across hundreds of miles, killing people and sending thousands more fleeing into the streets screaming in a country still reeling from a deadly temblor that struck less than two weeks ago. By 12 a.m. on Wednesday morning, media reports said the death toll was nearly 250 across the country. In Mexico City alone, at least 30 people died and 44 buildings were severely damaged Tuesday, said Carlos Valdes, director of Mexico’s National Center for the Prevention of Disasters. Seven other people were reported killed in the surrounding state of Mexico, 26 in the state of Puebla and 42 across the state of Morelos. The earthquake caused apartment blocks to sway violently in the center of Mexico City, including in the historic districts of El Centro and Roma, crumbling balconies and causing huge cracks to appear on building facades. Panic spread through the city’s core; rescue vehicles screamed
toward damaged buildings, and neighbors took on heroic roles as rescuers. On Amsterdam Street, a normally tranquil road that rings a major park in the upscale neighborhood of Condesa, a large apartment building collapsed into a pile of concrete and dust. Hundreds of residents helped a team of soldiers, police officers and firefighters search the rubble for survivors. Many of the men were shirtless in the late summer heat, and everyone was covered with dust. Some rescuers commandeered shopping carts from a nearby supermarket and formed a human chain to haul away rubble. Several times, a warning went up about a possible aftershock or gas leak, sending hordes of panicked people running. But there were few places that would be safe. Amsterdam, like many streets in Condesa, is narrow and lined with trees and power lines, all of which could turn deadly in an aftershock. The neighborhood was filled with thousands of dazed survivors too afraid to return to their homes. They stood around with dogs and suitcases, holding their heads and checking social media feeds on their phones. Many
Prensa Internacional/Zuma Press/TNS
ducked into their apartments to bring food and water for rescuers. Like many in the city, Edgar Diaz, a 20-year-old architecture student at a university in Condesa, took part in an earthquake drill at 11 a.m. Hours later, the real one hit. “We all went running. The staircases were swaying,” he said. After establishing that his friends were all right, he joined the line of people helping clear rubble from the collapsed apartment building. “What’s important right now is saving lives,” he said. Juan Jose Martinez, 52, felt the temblor at his home several miles away. There was no damage to his neighborhood, so he and three relatives grabbed shovels and construction helmets and set out on foot to the most affected areas. “What else would we do?” he said. “This is our Mexico. Everybody needs help sometimes.” Police cordoned off entire blocks because of fears that gas leaks could cause explosions. Flights into Mexico City were temporarily rerouted to other cities, but the airport reopened after checks were completed. Most people were at work or at school when the earthquake hit. Across the city, they poured into the streets to walk home, searching for information about loved ones and posting the names of the missing on trees and lampposts.
Public transportation had ceased to function in a sprawling city so large it can take three hours to get home. “It’s very horrendous,” said Guillermo Lozano, the humanitarian and emergency affairs director for World Vision Mexico, a Christian humanitarian organization. “Everything was moving. The stairs were moving, things were falling down.” Among the destroyed buildings was a supermarket where survivors could be heard crying out for help, he said. There were also reports that a kindergarten had collapsed, trapping children under the debris. Staff members at a children’s hospital were tending to patients in the streets. Building standards have improved since the 1985 quake, Lozano said, but there are many old buildings in the city, which were among the worst-hit. For a country still recovering from a powerful earthquake that hit southern Mexico on Sept. 7, it was a double tragedy. “We will need a lot of help,” Lozano said. News of the latest disaster spread fear across the republic. Mariela Alvarez, 30, was getting her nails done in San Vicente in the coastal state of Nayarit when she heard about the earthquake. She immediately thought of her 25-year-old sister, Gabriela Alvarez, who has lived in Mexico City for about five years. She called her sister five times,
growing more and more nervous every time she got her voicemail. “I imagined terrible things,” Mariela said. “I was really scared.” She reached out to her father, who was at work. He told her that he had heard from Gabriela. She was fine. “We could talk to her and so we feel calm, but there are people who still don’t know,” Mariela said. As night fell, volunteers carried food, water, flashlights and other basics to people camping out in streets still littered with glass and debris. Mexico City is prone to major damage in earthquakes because it sits on an old lake bed that amplifies the shaking. The U.S. Geological Survey calculated the preliminary magnitude of Tuesday’s temblor at 7.1. The epicenter was about 80 miles southeast of Mexico City in the state of Puebla. Susan Hough, a USGS seismologist, said the quake was probably related to the one that struck off the coast of Mexico’s Oaxaca state on Sept. 7, which the government calculated as a magnitude 8.2 and her agency as an 8.1. “An 8.1 is big enough that having an aftershock this big and this distant, it isn’t too surprising,” Hough said. “It’s unusual, but it fits in with the picture that we’ve grown to understand.” Jessica Johnson contributed to this story.
A&E
4
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2017
THEATER
‘A Particle of Dread’ gives ‘Oedipus Rex’ an update
Eric Zamora • The Collegian
Steven Weatherbee, who plays Oedipus and Otto, waits behind the stage of the Dennis & Cheryl Woods Theatre to begin his scene rehearsal for “A Particle of Dread” at Fresno State on Sept. 19, 2017.
By Eric Zamora @TheCollegian
T
ragedy has been a source of inspiration for artists since as early as 400 B.C., with works from Sophocles and other Greek tragedians, and it continues to be a source of inspiration to this day with “A Particle of Dread.” The upcoming Fresno State University Theatre production of the play by the celebrated playwright Sam Shepard takes the familiar myth of “Oedipus Rex” and updates it for a newer millennium. “This particular adaptation that Sam Shepard did looks at if we were dealing or do we still deal with some of the things that Greek tragedies deal with like not wanting to accept truth of tragic circumstances or situations that may seem very out of the ordinary,” said director J. Daniel Herring. In the original play, “Oedipus Rex” by Sophocles, Oedipus’ quest for the truth behind the murder of the previous king, Laius, leads to the unearthing of his own tragic circumstances. “When you look back at the Greek tragic heroes and all of that, the idea … is that when an audience would view a Greek tragedy, that they would go out and behave better in life,” Herring said. Similarly, Shepard’s other works feature characters in unconventional situations and their own tragic actions. “Buried Child” focuses on a dysfunctional family with similar
themes of violence, sex and truth and the complications that arise as a result. In an interview with Laura Barton from The Guardian, Shepard said that his inspiration comes “not so much by landscapes but by its connections to the past." The importance of setting and the history behind it plays a big role in this production of “A Particle of Dread,” which uses only one setting to link together the characters from different time periods. “I’m really big on reincarnation and repetition throughout life and cycles,” said Thuy Duong, who plays Antigone and Annalee. “Like if one person lived one life, how different was their first life compared to their new life? Is it the same fate all over again?” Using the same setting allows Shepard to link these classic characters to contemporary counterparts, sometimes mixing the two sets of characters in the same scene. Unlike other plays that unfold chronologically, Shepard often writes in a nonlinear structure which is seen in this play. This mixing of a constant setting with major shifts in time leads to the creation of a narrative that shows the similarities between ancient times and the modern day.
Herring prepares for ‘A Particle of Dread’ Each year faculty directors submit about three plays with considerations on what types of plays to produce. They look for an American classic, a musical or Shakespeare
play, a play with a focus on a specific culture and, ultimately a newer, out-of-the ordinary selection. “We always try to do something that’s a little fresh and new and a different perspective, and so, hence, why we picked ‘A Particle of Dread’ by Sam Shepard,” Herring said. Preparation for this production began at the start of this semester with rehearsals beginning the Sunday after the first week of school. The actors have approximately 15 hours of rehearsal a week, while preparation for the director begins months in advance. “The minute I know I’m going to direct [a play], I begin to formulate conceptual ideals and visions for how I want to do the play from the very, very beginning,” said Herring, whose bag is filled with future plays and a file filled with notes. Preparation for the play is constantly in motion even when those involved are not in a rehearsal. “Even if that day I’m not sitting down with the script and dealing with it for hours, there might be a moment where I’m literally doing something like having dinner with somebody and I suddenly write down on a napkin or scrap piece of paper an idea that hits me because I don’t want to lose it,” Herring said.
Actors prepare for ‘A Particle of Dread’ With the many variables that come into play with this production of “A Particle of
Dread,” such as a nonlinear storyline to the multiple characters played by one actor, the actors faced new challenges. “It’s been confusing that in the actual rehearsal process, the scenes just go back and forth in time sometimes, and they hop from different characters,” said Steven Weatherbee, who plays Oedipus and Otto. “And so it gets really confusing sometimes [knowing] when to run on.” With multiple actors playing variations of the same character, the students prepared for their characters differently than in other plays. “It’s been pretty tough [preparing for this role] because they’re three different characters. Even though they do embody the same character in the end, they are three separate characters, and they have to be treated and viewed as such,” said Anthony teNyenhuis, who plays the roles of Laius, Lawrence and Langos. One way that the actors differentiate the characters is through nuances that they practice in order to give the roles more depth. Both teNyenhuis and Weatherbee have taken steps in order to distinguish their different roles such as through different vocalizations and the physicality of the characters. Some of the actors auditioned for the play without any context regarding the themes or topic, surprising themselves after reading the script. “If you’re going to come to this show,” said Gian Console, who plays Uncle Del, Traveler and Tiresias, “get ready.”
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2017
THE COLLEGIAN • A&E
PAGE 5
BEAUTY
Kennel Bookstore now selling cosmetics, looking to expand
Selina Falcon • The Collegian
The e.l.f. Cosmetics display is located on the lower level of the Kennel Bookstore.
By Christian Mattos @ChrisssyMattos
It happens to students all the time: rushing around the house, making sure every textbook and homework assignment is accounted for. But as soon as you step foot on campus, you realize something was left behind. If it’s a notebook, pens or a flash drive, the Kennel Bookstore at Fresno State has what students need. And now, if it’s your makeup, they have that oo. The Kennel now offers e.l.f. Cosmetics beauty products for sale. The brand, which stands for “eyes, lips, face,” is known for its variety of products at a great price. The Kennel Bookstore began offering beauty products from Boots Cosmetics a few semesters ago until the company decided to stop selling to the college market. Merchandise buyer Kim Spencer said she searched for a line selling to colleges. “E.l.f. Cosmetics created a display that is specifically for the college market,” Spencer said. “I ordered the display to come in, and it’s done very well so far.” The display, located on the lower level of the bookstore, includes products such as eyeliner, mascara, blush, highlighters and color-correcting concealers. The most popular products are lip glosses, eye makeup and makeup brushes, Spencer said. “I think it has a lot to do with the price point,” she said. “e.l.f. Cosmetics is known to have a very low price point. It starts at $1.29, so for a student on a student budget, $1.29 is a very good price point to start with.” Junior Denise Ayala has been working at the Kennel since spring 2017, and she said that whenever she works downstairs.
She sees students eyeing the makeup display. The makeup on campus is convenient she said, “especially for people that live in the dorms and they don’t have cars. I mean, a ride to Walmart is a little far sometimes.” Freshman Megan Pust, who lives at University Courtyard on campus, doesn’t have a car with her at Fresno State. “I use Lyft and Uber all the time, and I waste so much money,” Pust said. Whether they’re living in the dorms or off campus, students appreciate that the Kennel has something to offer. “I live across the street, but you can still save a bit of gas not having to drive,” Ayala said. “[The bookstore has] a bit of everything.” Pust said she uses a wide variety of makeup, including foundation, eyeshadow, mascara and her personal favorite‒ highlighter. “I used one of [e.l.f.’s] highlighters before, and I heard they have a good setting spray,” she said, noting how surprised she was to learn the Kennel was offering their merchandise. “I wouldn’t expect a school to sell makeup.” Spencer said between 15 and 20 e.l.f. products are sold each day. “I think that the cosmetic line that [e.l.f.] sent has just your basic mascaras and that kind of thing that you might need that you don’t have time to get,” she said. In addition to makeup, Spencer is also searching for a line of skincare products. “Boots did both makeup and they had a skincare line, so they did cleansers and creams and that type of stuff,” Spencer said. “I’m currently trying to find a vendor that will do that, that will kind of satisfy that need.”
NEWS
6
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2017
Conservative alumni seeks value to ‘my cause’ PROFILE from Page 1 State alumnus of the department of kinesiology and Craig School of Business.
Personal life
Thirty-four years ago, Bergquam was born in Dallas, Texas. His family later spent five years living in Africa; his parents were on a missionary assignment. His father was a Christian pastor and his mother was a nurse. “My upbringing and my bias is Christian conservative – so, that’s my perspective,” Bergquam said. The family moved to San Jose after their time in Africa. Then it was off to Fresno in the 90s. He’s lived in the foothills of Tollhouse ever since. Nearby areas, like Fresno, are home to Bergquam, who has been a married man for 13 years. And he believes his two daughters can one day make it home too. “The reason why I do what I do, beyond why I come to Fresno State is so they have a better country when they grow up,” he said. “If I didn’t have kids or a wife, I may not care as much.” His work is in the fitness and the synthetic grass industry, although he did not reveal where he works. “Some days I’m traveling around the state. Some days I’m on a jobsite,” he said. When he is not working, Bergquam enjoys extreme sports like wakeboarding, snowboarding and hiking. He had been captain of the Sierra High School football team. He even wanted to play college football, but he had too many injuries. His life course changed after that. Politics was his newfound passion. And his favorite former U.S. president is the late Ronald Reagan. And with his interest in politics came the firm views, like separation of church and state. He’s a strong advocate for freedom of religion.
College years
The Fresno State alumnus graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the kinesiology program in 2007 and earned his master’s degree in business administration in 2010. When he started at Fresno State, Bergquam said, he was unsettled by “the active negativity towards creationism” in his biology classes. He wanted to explore all ideas. “Let’s talk about all issues,” he said, reminiscing his earlier years. In his opinion, conservatism at Fresno State was being minimized in those years. Though, he had not been as politically active as he is now. As former President George W. Bush was nearing the end of his second term, Bergquam was graduated with his first degree. Shortly after, he began graduate school. Former President Barack Obama had now taken office. By all accounts, Bergquam was not a fan. He said he founded “Patriots for America’s Independence” at Fresno State. The core principles were faith, family and freedom. The group passed out “Nobama” bumper stickers along with leaflets containing information about the group’s values. As he steps back into the Fresno State, he noticed a different political attitude from students, he said. “It’s more angry. It’s more violent now.” He added, “There’s definitely a decrease of the willingness to dialogue and increase of intolerance for other views.” Bergquam helped found the Central Valley Tea Party in 2009 and became a board member. The conservative political party believes in fiscal responsibility, constitutionally limited government and free market, according to their website. His eventual connection with politicians came as he became involved with the “agricultural community.” Bergquam
Benjamin Cruz • The Collegian
A Fresno State student (left) talks to Ben Bergquam (right) in front of the University Student Union on Sept. 7, 2017.
spent time at the state capital as he led Assemblyman Jim Patterson’s 2010 state congressional campaign, in which Congressman Jeff Denham won. “I didn’t have a voice then because I was his voice,” he said. Three years ago, Bergquam left public politics and returned to a more private sector. He had found his voice once again, he said.
Engaging at Fresno State
The election of Trump into the White House likely propelled Bergquam toward a more politically-active lifestyle. “Really over the last year is when I really re-engaged,” he said. He claims his live-streamed Fresno State visits have been successful. Student support for him comes quietly, he said. “I’ve had several [students] come up to me and quietly say, ‘I support you, but I’m afraid to do what you’re doing.’” However, “Every time I come, it tends to be a bit of a firestorm,” he said. “And it shouldn’t be – we should be able to dialogue.” Among his goals, he declared to The Collegian, is to defeat “leftist” arguments and to organize Christian conservatives. And he understands his views could be wrong. “I could be totally wrong. My views could be absolutely wrong,” Bergquam admits. “But until I’m proved wrong, and I accept that, then I’m going to continue to voice my beliefs because I believe it’s important.” His crusade is lead with intent to offer different political perspectives, he said. “If you’re speaking just to speak, then you’re wasting your time,” Bergquam said. “My objective is to add value for my
cause.” His time at Fresno State has not come with immunity to criticism and negative reactions from students. However, as he told The Collegian, his fundamental values have not changed since stepping foot on campus. “I haven’t had someone convince me that abortion is a good thing,” he said. “Or that my belief in God is a bad thing.” And at times, being at the university is “where the battle is most relevant,” he said. However, not coming to the university campus is an option he said. Unclear though, is if he leans toward that option. He told The Collegian he would “love” to not have to come to Fresno State and instead get back to spending time with his family.
Politics and conflict
Bergquam was hit twice in the head by counter-protesters on a recent trip to a Bay Area protest at University of California, Berkeley, where conservative commentator Milo Yiannopoulos was scheduled to appear. Aside from having the controversial “Make America Great Again” hat stolen, a scar on his head and ear are proof of the attacks he received as he tried to give his side of the political spectrum. The protest turned violent. Fence boundaries were torn down, buildings were damaged and an estimated $100,000 in damages was caused, according to CNN reports. But the danger is no match for the “adrenaline” feeling he gets in engaging in political discourse, often on heated and controversial topics. And he recently said he does not agree with white supremacist ideas, a very-known current political topic.
“I stand against white supremacists, the [Klu Klux Klan] and all these idiots, but they have the right to their nonsense speech,” Bergquam said. “They have the right to be idiots.” But, he said, he is against the white hate groups as much as he is against “brown power” and “black power” groups. “You see all of this division in this country based on race or political affiliation, and I got sick of it,” he said. Many have accused Trump of supporting white supremacists but Bergquam insists that simply being white is not a bad thing. He disagrees with “this idea that anybody should be guilty for their history, for their past or their ancestors,” he said. “There are things we need to look at and say, ‘Man, those are good things we ended.’” Bergquam said he was not a Trump supporter at the beginning of the campaign. He preferred Ben Carson or Ted Cruz. But when Trump was left as the Republican party’s only option against Hillary Clinton in 2016, it was a “no brainer” to whom his vote would go. Now, he said of the president: “I love him. I love what he’s doing.” And to defend the slogan “Make America Great Again,” exhibited on his hat during his encounter with students on campus, Bergquam rephrased a statement from Alexis de Tocqueville, a French diplomat, political scientist and historian. He said, “The greatness of America, is not that she’s perfect, but she has the ability to fix her faults.”
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2017
THE COLLEGIAN • SPORTS
PAGE 7
BULLDOG STADIUM
Cement cracks may delay stadium renovations In 2015, athletic director Jim Bartko laid out the plans for renovations to Bulldog Stadium. Although some cracks in the cement on the east side of the stadium may push back part of its renovation timeline, the project is still on track.
Bartko said the stadium is structurally safe. He said the cracks will not affect fundraising or the overall renovation cost because the problems are a university issue and not the athletic department’s responsibility. Engineering firm AECOM is looking at
the stadium plans and will give the athletic department an updated renovation timetable sometime over the next few months, Bartko said. Fundraising is on the right track, Bartko said. The department has commitments of over $10 million.
HEALTH
Coach Ward’s tips go beyond the football field Fresno State football
By Nugesse Ghebrendrias @nugebear13
strength and conditioning coach Andy Ward trains his players with athletic performance in mind, but his tips can help regular students too. Ward established his training program on three pillars: injury prevention, athletic performance and discipline. It was developed for the football team, but one does not have to wear pads and a helmet to live a healthier lifestyle. The benefits of staying healthy are to avoid getting sick and performing at a higher level, Ward said. “If you’re trying to correlate it to a student, being able to focus inside class and just being sharper,” Ward said, “they just need to make sure they’re on their nutrition game.” The ‘Dogs’ offensive and defensive linemen lost a combined 273 pounds thanks their summer workouts this year. Defensive tackle Patrick Belony’s focused workouts contributed to a loss of 25 pounds, shedding around 7 percent of his body fat. “[I] just went through a mindset of being able to lose weight,” Belony said. “The program fits for us to be better athletes. For myself, I was losing body fat to help me perform on the field. The plan was pretty good.” And is it hard staying on track with the plan? Belony insisted anyone can do it. “Anybody can have the mindset of los-
ing weight, but you just have to put effort into it instead of slacking off,” Belony said. Belony’s teammate on the defensive line, Malik Forrester, found the same success. Forrester dropped 25 pounds. “What he was doing was beneficial,” Forrester said. “It helps a lot I guess, just being healthy. It helps you live a better lifestyle.” Whether an athlete, student or campus staff, living a healthy lifestyle is important, Ward said.
Once AECOM discusses plans with the athletic department, Bartko said the university will determine what price it can afford and move forward from there. He expects the cost of renovations to be $60 million to $70 million.
Fan support key to future athletic success PAWSPECTIVE from Page 8
Fresno State Athletics
Ward’s tips to students • Drink water throughout the day • Eat breakfast, lunch, dinner with two to three snacks • Eat breakfast within one hour of waking up • Protein in each meal • Getting eight hours of sleep • Moderate portions for sweets and alcohol
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2013, and Bartko started in 2015. Castro came in and replaced Boeh with Bartko, bringing back wrestling along the way, which is set to start its first season in November. Bartko’s pushing full steam ahead with the Bulldog Stadium renovations. There is excitement around athletics, as well as a stability (so far) that didn’t exist with the last group of leaders. This is arguably the best state that athletics has ever been in, which makes it the perfect time to start pushing for Fresno State to gain entry into a better conference. There’s been talk in the past of the bigger conferences breaking away from Fresno State and its mid-level peers. If Fresno State wants a guaranteed successful future in athletics, the school needs parity with the schools in Power 5 conferences. If Fresno State could choose, the most obvious selection given Fresno’s location would be to join the Pac-12. But any higher-tier conference will do. Castro and Bartko have done a very good job in their few years at Fresno State, and their plan for the future is good. But their work isn’t anywhere close to being over. Bartko won’t publicly talk about wanting to leave the Mountain West for greener pastures because he doesn’t want to strain relationships in the conference. Former Ohio State football coach Woody Hayes liked to say, “You’re either getting better or you’re getting worse.” The foundational generation of big-time Bulldog athletics made the program better. Bulldog fans now have to figure out how to help the second generation of leaders take Fresno State athletics to the next level. The answer is just one word: Money.
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Volleyball at Boise State 6:30 p.m. Boise, Idaho
Equestrian vs Texas A&M 10 a.m. Student Horse Center
Volleyball at Utah State 12 p.m. Logan, Utah
Soccer vs Utah State 12 p.m.
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Collegian file photo
Senior Fresno State center Aaron Mitchell (77) holds up wide receiver KeeSean Johnson (3) after the receiver scored a touchdown against Sacramento State on Sept. 10, 2016 at Bulldog Stadium. Fresno State won 31-3.
By William Ramirez @willoveslakers2
Senior Aaron Mitchell is a man of many roles: starting center for the Bulldogs football team, team captain, student, family man and, this week, The Collegian’s Top Dog. Mitchell led the charge for the offensive line last Saturday in the 48-16 loss to the University of Washington. The Bulldogs finished with a total of 119 rushing yards against a sturdy Huskies run defense that ranks 21st in the nation, allowing only 93.7 yards per game. “We didn’t perform very well enough in any aspect,” Mitchell said. “I did like the fight out of the team. You can build off that type of stuff. The not giving up in games no matter what the score is, fighting until the last whistle – you can build off that type of stuff.” Mitchell, as the team’s vocal and exemplary leader, can always be counted on to find the silver lining in the team’s low points throughout the season. But his leadership role is not solely self-proclaimed. It was an honor his teammates bestowed upon him and Malik Forrester when the team captains were voted
on at the beginning of the season. “It’s definitely an honor. I was chosen by my teammates as captain,” Mitchell said. Other than that, Mitchell made it clear that the “captain” title has not changed his routine or mentality. He always comes out to play and practice with the same “juice.” “Just because I’m a captain doesn’t separate me from everyone. I’m just another guy just like every guy on the team,” he said. “Maybe I just say a couple more words than other guys, but that’s about it.” In Mitchell’s eyes, the team is one big family. Everyone is treated equally and everyone is held equally accountable. As for his role in the Bulldog family, Mitchell couldn’t be happier playing on the offensive line. “We do the work to let others shine. There’s nothing glorified about it,” he said. “You don’t hear about offensive linemen in the paper, which is totally fine. That’s how it should be. We like the grind. We like making our quarterback look good. We like keeping him clean on Saturdays. We like picking up the [running] backs.” But the grind does not stop on the field for Mitchell. As for all student-athletes, it continues in the classroom. “It’s definitely tricky,” he said of the
By Daniel Gligich | @danielgligich Fresno State athletics is at a turning point. History will praise or curse the current crop of leaders. Even though the football team is 1-2, fans seem happy with new head coach Jeff Tedford and his vision for the program. Men’s and women’s basketball are coming off successful seasons. Baseball and softball, too. Lacrosse had the first winning season in program history. Athletic director Jim Bartko is working on the renovations to Bulldog Stadium. Even if the cracks in the cement on the east side end up delaying the project, it will be completed in the near future. A cynic might suggest something’s missing – controversy. At one time, that was second nature at Fresno State. Take a walk down memory lane: 1991 through 2014 – a revolutionary time at Fresno State. Lawsuits, Title IX problems, NCAA sanctions and even murder were some of the challenges and tragedies the university and athletic department faced. The period starts with John Welty taking the president’s office in 1991. It ends in 2014 with the removal of Thomas Boeh from his position as athletic director. Besides Welty and Boeh, the movers and shakers of this generation were former athletic directors Al Bohl and Scott Johnson; basketball coaches Jerry Tarkanian, Ray Lopes and Stacy Johnson-Klein; softball coach Margie Wright; and athletic administrator Diane Milutinovich. Notably absent from this list are football coaches Pat Hill and Jim Sweeney, who, like Tarkanian and Wright, won many games and brought good attention to the university through his team’s on-field play. Fresno State was able to join the Mountain West and escape the dying WAC, but was unable to make any progress in joining one of the premier conferences. Whether from fame or infamy, Fresno State gained national notoriety. The Milutinovich/Title IX trial, the Johnson-Klein fiasco, the Terry Pettis murder trial and the NCAA run-ins with Tarkanian and Lopes put the university in a particular national spotlight. Hill, Tarkanian, Wright and head baseball coach Mike Batesole put the university in a different national spotlight for their success on the field, with the latter two winning a national championship in softball and baseball, respectively. Boeh cut wrestling in 2006 amid financial struggles, which was a very unpopular decision within the Valley community. Now, a second generation is in charge, led by Bartko and University President Dr. Joseph Castro. Castro was appointed in
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Top Dog of the week: Aaron Mitchell Athletics etow on right m o track, but San Diego, fans must California step up
balancing act between school and football. “I get my football stuff in the morning. I watch film at night, and then I have time to do homework.” Mitchell said he values such a difficult workload because it builds character, and he believes that character building will pay off in the future. Mitchell’s love for his collegiate football family and routine is rooted in the love he has for his biological family – most of whom live in Oceanside. His family could nearly fill a collegiate football roster based solely on the number of people in it. But the key to such a large support system has always been his parents, Anthony and Michelle Mitchell. “My parents travel really well,” the senior said. “I don’t think my parents have missed a game since I’ve been here, home or away. It’s always nice to get a smiling face and a big hug from the parents and the grandparents after each game, whether it’s a win or loss.” Aaron Mitchell has nine more postgame hugs left this season and he hopes to cherish every minute of them and the rest of the college football experience. “It’s awesome. I love it. I got nine more Saturdays with these guys out here,” he said. “I’m honestly not even trying to think about [the end] right now. I just want to play ball, and that’s all we’re out here for. Once you step on the field, everything goes away and you just play football.” As for his aspirations after college, Mitchell jokingly mentioned working for a Fortune 500 company and not so jokingly mentioned his dream of playing in the NFL one day. But right now, he said, his focus is on this season. “Those things are super out of my control,” he said. “The only things I need to think about are the things I can control, which is having a good attitude, strapping it on and coming to practice every day, and just putting the best image of myself on the field.”
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