WINTER IS HERE PAGE 7
THE LUMBER JACK
JAN. 28, 2021 – FEB. 3, 2021
Online at JackCentral.org
From the Editor
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o say the least, I’m pretty overwhelmed by and very unsure of the future and how I see it. Immediately before writing this, I received a phone call from a store manager telling me I did not get the job I applied for. Although I have a retail job right now, I’m looking for something a bit more stable. This is probably the fourth time this has happened in the last couple of months. In short, this made me feel like trash and trapped in the situation I’m in. Before college, I thought of myself as a person who naturally had opportunities coming their way and everything seemed so easily attainable to me. I was conditioned to think that way by the gifted program in high school and by my parents. Finding success while being queer and Indigenous in the face of racism and homophibia made me feel almost invincible. However, it’s not easy thinking you’re hot sh*t for so long and then realizing you’re not. Being a Leo, I don’t like criticism and especially don’t like failing. This situation puts so much into perspective and makes me hesitant to look for and pursue other opportunities, especially since I’m graduating and entering the job KYLER market soon in the middle of a f*cking pandemic. I’d rather not try than get EDSITTY bad news. ASST. CULTURE If 2020 taught me anything, it is that so much is out of my control and EDITOR that failure is just a part of the process. In 2021, I want to allow myself to be OK with inevitable failure. Holding myself back from what I want to pursue is the least productive thing I can do. I also have to accept the fact that there are other people who may be better and more qualified than me. However, this experience makes me grateful for having the opportunities I have now. Working at The Lumberjack has truly made it clear to me that journalism is what I want to do with my life. Having the ability to write about whatever I want, from daddy issues to pop music, with a big platform is reason enough to celebrate. In my head, I’m training myself to see these hiccups as forks, that I didn’t take, on a road to a place where I feel fulfilled.
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THE LUMBERJACK VOL. 111 ISSUE 3 Editor-in-Chief Scout Ehrler
Managing Editor Nathan Manni
Copy Chief Nayomi Garcia
Faculty Adviser David Harpster
Print Chief Jacob Meyer
Director of Digital Content Ash Lohmann
Media Innovation Center Editorial Board Director of Social Media Maddie Cohen
Op-Ed Editor Ryan Dixon
Culture Editor Katelyn Rodriguez
Sports Adviser Rory Faust
News Editor Camille Sipple
Asst. Op-Ed Editor Trinity Archie
Asst. Culture Editor Kyler Edsitty
Director of Illustration Aleah Green
Asst. News Editor Mark Fabery
Features Editor Olivia Charlson
Sports Editor Cameron Richardson
Asst. Dir. of Illustration Maddie Cohen
Online News Editor Kylie Soto
Asst. Features Editor Emily Gerdes
Asst. Sports Editor Brenden Martin
Senior Photographer Michael Patacsil
Senior Reporter Molly Brown
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Director of Photography & Multimedia Shawn Patti
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Senior Photographer Brian Burke
On the cover The narrows at Lake Mary feature a thin sheet of ice after a snowfall on Jan. 23. Brian Burke | The Lumberjack
Corrections & Clarifications The Lumberjack is committed to factual correctness and accuracy. If you find an error in our publication, please email Scout Ehrler at see86@nau.edu.
PoliceBeat
Compiled by Mark Fabery
At 10:52 a.m., a staff member reported a concern about an off-campus student that was handling a firearm while on a Zoom call. NAUPD responded and took an informational report.
At 3:54 p.m., Biological Sciences received a call for a panic and burglary alarm. NAUPD responded and the alarm was found to be caused inadvertently by a staff member.
At 7:34 p.m., a Cowden At 6:18 p.m., a student Hall RA reported suspected sent an online report regarding contraband in a room. the theft of a bicycle. NAUPD NAUPD responded and no responded and took a report. criminal activity was witnessed. Jan. 21 At 8:07 p.m., an RA at At 11:04 p.m., a Gabaldon South Village Apartments Hall RA reported they were reported a stove that would locked out of their apartment not turn off and the odor of and were unable to contact a gas being present. NAUPD staff member to unlock the and Flagstaff Fire Department door. NAUPD responded and responded, and the stove was assistance was provided. found to be malfunctioning. The gas line was turned off. Jan. 22 At 1:33 a.m., NAUPD Jan. 19 reported checking on a At 6:50 a.m., NAUPD suspicious vehicle parked in reported a 911 call with no lot 33, but no criminal activity respondent. The area was was witnessed. checked, but no criminal activity was witnessed. At 8:47 a.m., Ernest Calderón Learning At 1:03 p.m., NAUPD Community received a reported a supervisory alarm supervisory alarm. NAUPD activation at Wilson Hall. responded and the alarm was NAUPD responded and the caused by burnt food. alarm was found to be caused by burnt food. At 10:49 a.m., NAUPD reported conducting At 5:11 p.m., a community policing with 15 nonstudent reported snow contacts for a meet and greet at being thrown from the top the Walkup Skydome. of Knoles Parking Garage. NAUPD responded, but the At 4:04 p.m., Raymond subjects left the area prior to Hall staff reported a student officer arrival. with suicidal thoughts. NAUPD responded and Jan. 20 the student was found in At 8:38 a.m., a staff good health. Report is for member at Old Main rreported information only. finding graffiti. NAUPD responded and took a report. Jan. 23 At 10:06 a.m., Raymond At 9:34 a.m., a McDonald Hall staff reported an alarm. Hall staff member reported NAUPD responded and the a collision with a Starship alarm was found to have gone delivery robot. NAUPD off for an unknown reason. responded and took a personal The alarm was later reset. property report.
At 4:42 p.m., a student reported a vehicle with no license plate was parked in lot 66. NAUPD responded and the vehicle was deemed abandoned. Parking services was notified.
Jan. 18 At 11:57 a.m., staff at the Health and Learning Center requested assistance with unlocked doors. NAUPD responded and assistance was provided.
At 10:21 p.m., McKay Village staff reported a suspicious person. NAUPD responded, but the subject was gone on arrival. At 10:48 p.m., NAUPD reported a traffic stop near the ROTC building. A nonstudent was cited and released for DUI to the slightest degree, underage DUI and minor in consumption of alcohol. A citation was issued for a stop sign violation and the vehicle was impounded for 30 days. Jan. 24 At 12:04 a.m., Reilly Hall staff reported a broken window. NAUPD responded and a report was taken. At 5:18 p.m., a student reported another student who had fallen down the stairs in the Skyview Parking Garage. NAUPD responded, but the student refused assistance and a personal injury report was taken.
Coconino County COVID-19 Dashboard data
Community transmission Case rate
Substantial 699.8 per 100,000 pop.
Positivity percentage
18.3%
Cumulative cases
14,823
Flagstaff Medical Center COVID-19 Resources
In-house COVID-19 patients Hospital capacity Critical care capacity
Positive:53 | Pending:16 194/300 29/55
NAU Staff & Student Cases
Cumulative 2021 cases
298
COVID-19 vaccine Demand exceeds County Supply Jorja Heinkel Coconino County supervisors confirmed the county is fully booked for Phase 1B COVID-19 vaccinations for essential workers and adults 65 and older. During the Jan. 25 Facebook livestream, District 1 supervisor Patrice Horstman said the registration for Phase 1B vaccinations sold out quickly because the demand for vaccinations exceeded the amount of vaccines Coconino County received from the state. Coconino County does not have a confirmed date for when more vaccines will arrive. “We are committed to making sure every individual in Coconino County 16 [years] or older that wants a vaccine will get one,” Horstman said. Human services director for Coconino County, Kim Musselman, said federal and state allocation of vaccines is considered by county population, and there must be an increase in production on a federal level in order to have enough vaccines distributed to Arizona to meet Coconino County’s demand. She said Coconino County received enough vaccinations for 13.5% of the population for Phase 1. The county received 14,475 vaccines and has so far administered 12,140. The remainder of these 2,335 vaccines have been reserved for appointments. With all these plans processing, Horstman said patience is a necessity. “There will be some missteps along the way, but we are doing all we can to get this vaccine out,” Horstman expressed. Coconino County residents can call the COVID-19 information line at (928) 679-7300 for more information or visit the website. Read more online at jackcentral.org
JANUARY 28, 2021 – FEBRUARY 3, 2021 | THE LUMBERJACK
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NEWS
President Biden responds to local outcry Jorja Heinkel
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lagstaff City Council unanimously passed a resolution asking the Biden administration to restore the Bears Ears National Monument to its original dimensions. An executive order from President Joe Biden Jan. 20 promised a review on the Bears Ears monument boundaries. The Bears Ears resolution proposed by councilmember Austin Aslan Jan. 19 asked the Biden administration to fulfill campaign promises to protect sites of sacred and cultural importance around the Bears Ears National Monument in southeast Utah. Former President Barack Obama declared Bears Ears a national monument Dec. 28, 2016 for archaeological and cultural significance. This proclamation protected approximately 1.35 million acres of land sacred to many Indigenous peoples in Utah and Arizona, and preserved historical sites such as the Lime Ridge Clovis site, one of the oldest archeological sites in Utah. Less than a year later, former President Donald Trump released a proclamation Dec. 4, 2017 that reduced the Bears Ears National Monument by 85% and opened the land to uranium mining, despite public outcry. The resolution, Aslan said, is intended as an act of solidarity to Flagstaff’s tribal neighbors and the Colorado Plateau. “Hopefully those words will speak loud,” Aslan said. “And the action of us passing this today will be a clear indication to our tribal neighbors that we take their concerns seriously.” The executive order from Biden promised a review and report of landmarks like Bears Ears within 60 days, with recommendations on how to proceed with the monuments. The recent executive order followed Biden’s campaign promises to reinstate protections on many national parks, Indigenous land and cultural treasures that lost funding or status under the Trump administration. The former administration cited the Antiquities Act to justify the reduction of the Bears Ears National Monument from 1.35 million acres to 201,876 acres. Section II of the act states national landmarks should be confined to the smallest area possible that is compatible with protection efforts. However, Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition co-founder and former member of the Arizona House of Representatives, Eric Descheenie, said the smallest area compatible with protection
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“The English language cannot capture what is at stake here. These are not sacred places — they are places where Indigenous people have relationships with those places and all things that inhabit those places.” -Professor Christopher Jocks
Two buttes that make up the namesake for Utah’s Bears Ears National Monument are shown on Dec. 28, 2016, in southeastern Utah. With Joe Biden’s recent inauguration comes the likelihood that Utah’s two big national monuments will be restored to their original boundaries. Photo courtesy of The Associated Press
efforts needs to be defined by Indigenous tribes, not the United States government. “As the first inhabitants, the extent of care is up to Indigenous peoples’ interpretation,” Descheenie said. “You have to consider the use of a knowledge system that is unique to an Indigenous system.” The Bears Ears Coalition, composed and supported by numerous Indigenous tribes, formed in response to the Trump administration proclamation. The coalition filed a lawsuit on the grounds that the former president did not have the authority to overturn a monument proclamation by a past president. The case was dismissed in October 2018, but the coalition continued fighting with court appeals. Darrell Marks, an Indigenous counselor at Flagstaff High School, said the reduction of culturally significant monuments like Bears Ears is not only harmful to the land, but also to the people who identify with it. “Those areas hold significance to our
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cultural identity, our lineage, our bloodline,” Marks said. “Some of our families come from there.” Evidence of those bloodlines and Indigenous presence in Bears Ears and surrounding areas can be traced up to 13,000 years ago through tools and artifacts left by the Clovis people. The exploitation of these lands and cultural history, Marks said, show direct ties to the mental and emotional trauma plaguing Flagstaff’s youth, which lead to high rates of suicide, substance abuse and human trafficking, according to Child Welfare Information Gateway. Marks said exploited Indigenous lands like Bears Ears are a common source of trauma for Indigenous youth. However, he points to another location closer to home. Marks and applied Indigenous studies professor Christopher Jocks spoke about the presence of Arizona Snowbowl on the San Francisco Peaks and the controversial use of reclaimed water on the slopes. Both Marks and Jocks compared the San
Francisco Peaks to a motherly figure, a host of life and culture that has been monetized and desecrated by reclaimed water. “The English language cannot capture what is at stake here,” Jocks said. “These are not sacred places — they are places where Indigenous people have relationships with those places and all things that inhabit those places.” The land is an instructive presence that teaches Indigenous people generation after generation, Jocks said. He calls the desecration of Indigenous land like the Bears Ears reduction and Snowbowl’s use of reclaimed water on the San Francisco Peaks a source of deep wounds and distrust. The ski resort opened in 1938 and has been a controversial location since then. As a sacred location to 14 local tribes, Snowbowl’s profit off the peaks and NAU’s support of it is a painful topic for Indigenous groups. “I would like for students at NAU to look at your billing,” Marks said. “That recreational fee is used for funding to [Arizona] Snowbowl.” The recreational fee goes to programs like SnowJack Express, a bus that takes NAU students to Snowbowl, among other things. While Marks and Jocks commend Flagstaff City Council for the Bears Ears Resolution, both agree that there is more work to be done for Flagstaff, for the San Francisco Peaks and the Indigenous communities that call Coconino County home.
NEWS
Forest restoration project coming to Flagstaff William Combs III
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ood Earth Power AZ and its operations company, New Life Forest Products, recently purchased a sawmill in Bellemont, 11 miles west of Flagstaff. This will ultimately bring in over 150 jobs to the region, as well as aid toward forest health to combat the growing threat of wildfires, Coconino County director of forest operations Jay Smith said. This facility will, in part, work with the United States Forest Service and several stakeholders to improve on the Four Forest Restoration Initiative (4FRI), a program that seeks to reduce wildfire risk, improve watershed health, protect wildlife habitats and bolster the forest’s defense against climate change. Over the course of the past few decades, wildfires in the region have become increasingly catastrophic. Last year alone was one of the driest years in northern Arizona. The National Weather Service reported only 9.59 inches of precipitation, 12 inches below average, making 2020 the fifth-driest year on record. The need for forest restoration in Arizona was kickstarted by the Rodeo-Chediski Fire in 2002 and the subsequent wildfires in the following years, Smith said. “These catastrophic wildfires grew larger than we have ever seen before, mainly due to dry conditions and too many trees through lack of industry and lack of management,” Smith said. Smith described the 2010 Schultz Fire as the tipping point
that truly exposed the importance of restoring the forest to its natural state. In order to combat these threats, 4FRI began projects, which included tree-thinning in overcrowded areas, forest floor cleanup, protection of the watershed and improvement upon overall forest health and management. NAU professor of forest operations Han-Sup Han said if the sawmill is up and running as planned, it will create a market for wood and biomass, which will continue to bolster 4FRI’s goals and the local economy. “We are doing the best we can ... but we can do more,” Han said. “The problem is, if there is no market for the material, we are not going to be able to implement forest restoration.” The 4FRI concluded that through a tree-thinning project and a surplus of timber for sale, it would bring investors or industry to the area that would be able to meet the tree-thinning goal of 30,000 acres per year over the course of 10 years. Good Earth Power AZ seemed to fulfill the 4FRI’s wishes as it capitalized on the market, acquiring the new facility in Bellemont. While the 4FRI’s efforts provide the wood for the sawmill, the plant provides the manpower needed to utilize the material and, in turn, fuel forest restoration in the region. Smith said the sawmill is critical to forest restoration and explained the market has always been there, but there has been no industry to consume the wood produced until now.
“I could see it easily being 100 to 150 jobs, and they’re not low-paying jobs,” Smith said. “Building the mill itself is one phase of the project, and once you have the mill running, you have to have the manpower to run the machines, handle the forklifts and move the lumber.” New Life Forest Products stated operations will begin in late March, setting in motion the process of economic growth and forest restoration. NAU graduates will add valuable contributions to the project on the engineering and contracting side. Adam Cooley, general manager of New Life Forest Operations, explained the facility’s impact on the local economy. “We intend to hire out of NAU and have been working with Han-Sup Han toward this end,” Cooley said. “Where possible, we will hire local businesses, which should be for the vast majority of the work we do.” Even if this facility is not entirely directed at NAU’s forestry program, the forest restoration project as a whole provides valuable opportunities for students who may be interested in this field. Overall, the new forest restoration project has the ability to serve the local economy, job growth and forest health, as well as provide valuable opportunities for forestry majors at NAU.
A new sawmill facility is being built in Bellemont, Arizona, which is about 11 miles outside Flagstaff. Photo courtesy of New Life Forest Products
JANUARY 28, 2021 – FEBRUARY 3, 2021 | THE LUMBERJACK
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NEWS
“My concern with climate change is if we do not start figuring out alternative ways to produce less greenhouse gases, we are going to reach the point of no return and will not have a way to reverse the damage.” -Junior Gilley Arnold Co-author and profressor George Koch (left) shown with Dr. Tim Rademacher (right) on a research trip to the redwoods in March 2020. Photo courtesy of Andrew Richardson
Earth’s temperature is on the hot seat Tess Spinker
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recent study shows Earth may reach its temperature tipping point in the next 20 to 30 years. An international team including NAU researchers found a steady decrease in plant carbon intake. The plants’ ability to capture carbon in the atmosphere may decrease 50% within the next two decades as temperature rate increases, according to the new study in Science Advances by NAU researchers, Woodwell Climate Research Center and the University of Waikato in New Zealand. Science Advances is a media outlet that allows researchers and authors to have an open journal of new studies, according to its website. During the photosynthesis process, plants take in carbon dioxide and water from the atmosphere, turning it into glucose for energy and oxygen for humans, according to National Geographic. NAU postdoctoral scientist Katharyn Duffy and lead author of the study said many countries made an international climate agreement
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to work on reducing carbon dioxide emissions, according to the World Resources Institute (WRI). However, based on current research, Duffy said she thinks much more has to be done. “What our study showed is that land carbon uptake by the Earth’s plants is much more fragile than we previously realized,” Duffy said. “Essentially, we can’t continue to rely on the biosphere to ‘pay our emissions tab,’ so to speak.” In December 2015, nearly 200 United Nations delegates addressed the Paris Agreement and put into effect that all countries be brought together to reduce global greenhouse emissions, according to WRI. Duffy’s findings sped up this process with alarming evidence of accelerating climate change, as photosynthesis declines and energy levels rise. “Locally, we need to focus on building forest resilience to climate change via forest restoration,” Duffy said. “This will improve the health of our forests locally, making them more resilient to climate change, not to mention reduce wildfire risk.”
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According to a NASA analysis, the last seven years have had the hottest temperature increase on record, so it is no surprise changes are happening. Continuing on this course, 2020 tied with 2016 for the warmest year ever. NAU professor of biological sciences and co-author George Koch said he believes there are hopeful solutions to conquer the carbon problem. “President Biden has stated that tackling climate change is a top priority,” Koch said. “He plans to rejoin the Paris Climate Accord and take an aggressive approach to seeing the United States become a leader in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. He may increase automobile energy efficiency standards and provide other incentives for increased energy efficiency.” President Joe Biden has announced his ideas about creating a plan to battle climate change while also generating sustainable clean energy and job opportunities. With many processes still ahead for the U.S., Koch said he believes
some solutions can begin right now. “Because it’s so sunny, Arizona is a great place for solar energy,” Koch said. “As more people invest in rooftop photovoltaic systems, and as large energy companies like APS do the same, we’ll reduce our collective emissions of greenhouse gases.” Solar United Neighbors (SUN) recently joined Flagstaff, Sedona, and other northern Arizona areas to help residents go solar, with the goal to save money and be more accessible to the communities. Since joining Arizona in 2019, SUN has saved more than 26 million pounds of carbon in the atmosphere, according to recent coop statistics. Junior Gilley Arnold said NAU does a good job at educating students on environmental subjects and is very much aware of pressing matters surrounding climate change. The chemistry and environmental engineering major agrees with the study and believes humans are the problem. “Earth goes through natural fluctuations in temperature, but right now, humans are speeding the process
up by a lot,” Arnold said. “My concern with climate change is if we do not start figuring out alternative ways to produce less greenhouse gases, we are going to reach the point of no return and will not have a way to reverse the damage.” Whether one is a student or not, Arnold said he thinks it is important to talk more about quick solutions people can pursue rather than talking about what is wrong. “In some of my engineering classes, I would like to learn more about what we’re actually able to do to make things better, instead of learning just about the issues,” Arnold said. In 2019, millions of young people took to the streets in protest to demand effort in solving climate change. With this new study pushing the urge for action now, the race continues to solve this seemingly never-ending danger to the planet.
WEATHER UPDATE
snow storm Blankets Flagstaff In White
Lauren beckel
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lagstaff citizens should prepare winter boots because 9 to 23 inches of snowfall has been forecast to hit the ground within the next week. According to The Weather Channel, the city of Flagstaff can expect fairly consistent snow showers from Jan. 22 to Jan. 29. Many NAU students are from warmer climates and places that don’t typically experience snow. Freshman Brandon Bowen recently moved on campus from Southern California,
so the low temperatures and snow on the ground is all new to him. “Personally, I think my favorite thing about the snow is how it looks on the environment around Flag," Bowen said. "The snow creates this amazing white blanket that makes everything look super beautiful.” Bowen also explained that he is very excited for even more snow to come and that he will likely be doing more walking than riding the bus so he can enjoy it. For many Flagstaff citizens, snow means snowboarding and skiing as they are both great ways to stay active and have
fun in the winter. Yet, this winter wonderland can also raise some concern, as more flock to Snowbowl, some may be worried about remaining safe from COVID-19. Snowbowl posted safety guidelines online to ensure all who wish to visit that many precautions are being taken to avoid the spread of COVID-19 on the slopes. A few specific rules are: Ski lift tickets are to be purchased online; masks are to be worn at all times and capacity levels will vary based on which trails are open each day and more.
Top: Snow covered San Fransisco Peaks at sunset after a snowfall on Jan. 23. Left: The narrows at Lake Mary feature a thin sheet of ice after a snowfall on Jan. 23. Brian Burke | The Lumberjack Right: Off campus Flagstaff apartments feel the beginnings of the upcoming winter storm on Jan. 24. Madison Easton | The Lumberjack
JANUARY 28, 2021 – FEBRUARY 3, 2021 | THE LUMBERJACK
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OPINION-EDITORIAL
Forcing an in-person semester risks student health Caroline Snelling
O Yes, impeaching Trump is worth it
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here was a startling attack on democracy in the United States Jan. 6, and as a result of his constant violent imagery and call for supporters to “fight like hell,” former President Donald Trump found himself directly responsible. After an insurrection at the Capitol took the lives of five citizens and endangered many others, Congress voted to impeach Trump just seven days before the inauguration of President Joe Biden. As the Senate was not scheduled to return to session until the day before, Jan. MARLEY 20, the timeframe given to convict and GREEN remove Trump before a new president WRITER is sworn in was impossible. Now, many wonder whether it is worth it for the Senate to go through with an impeachment trial for the former president. There is no specific constitutional language pertaining to impeachment of a former president. This means any benefits Trump may lose as a result of conviction would be subject to another vote by the Senate. If Trump is convicted, however, he could lose certain benefits, such as his eligibility to run for office again in 2024 and any pensions he may receive. In other words, if convicted, there is no guarantee Trump will lose privileges afforded to other former presidents, but the chances are much higher if he is tried by the Senate. Given Trump’s seemingly endless hateful rhetoric, disregard of science and constant oscillation between foreign policy decisions, it is important for the safety of the country that he loses the ability to run for office again. Furthermore, he misses no opportunity to remind us all just how wealthy he is. Does he really need an annual $200,000 pension? Is it possible that taxpayers’ money would be better spent elsewhere? Perhaps on climate crisis or antiracism legislation efforts? It is also worth considering that a law addressing a situation like this is necessary. The presidency is not the only impeachable office. The vice president, cabinet positions and other civil offices can be impeached as well. If a similar situation to this one occurs in the future, Congress can be prepared with a set precedent of what impeachment trials are like after holding office and which benefits convicted officers may lose. Accountability is key if the U.S. is to move forward in these seemingly never-ending times of turmoil. The Senate can begin that process by choosing to go forth with the former president’s impeachment. By setting this new precedent, Congress can continue to hold civil officers accountable for years to come.
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n March 13, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 3,528 COVID-19 cases in the United States. That day, former President Donald Trump declared the COVID-19 pandemic a national emergency. The U.S. went into lockdown, leading millions to switch to remote work and school. Universities shut down and sent students home. With the pandemic raging, we accepted the inevitable lockdown and many concluded schools should not be reopened until a vaccine is available. Flash forward six months, or to many what felt like five years, and schools and businesses began reopening. According to the CDC, approximately 56 million school-aged children — ages 5-17 years old — resumed education in the U.S. in fall 2020. Schools and universities quickly implemented COVID-19 safety measures to get students back in person as soon as possible. These new measures included mandating mask-wearing and social distancing. While I admire the efforts made by officials to keep school safe, these precautions are not enough. Schools should not be reopened until there is a vaccine that can be given to students and faculty. Currently, the CDC reports the U.S. has suffered 24.3 million cases of COVID-19, with 402,000 of those being fatal. These statistics show this virus is widespread, very contagious and can lead to tragic endings if the appropriate precautions are not taken. In-person interaction will continue to worsen the problem. With the recent spike in cases, it is very rational to assume that in-person instruction is a dangerous gamble. Researchers working with The New York Times are tracking the pandemic on college campuses as new cases continue to emerge daily. According to the data, over 1,800 colleges have recorded cases of COVID-19, totaling more than 397,000 cases since school returned in the fall of last year. The numbers show the preventative measures created to make schools safe again are failing, and resulting in hundreds of thousands of additional cases. The cases are not only rising within the NAU campus, but within the community as well. Allowing colleges to reopen also created a massive threat to those working and residing in college towns. While initial reports declared young people were predominately safe from contracting COVID-19, the country soon realized the rate of transmission among teens and young adults is high and consistently increasing. According to The New York Times, since the end of August 2020, COVID-19 deaths have doubled in counties with a large college population. According to The New York Times’ tracking data, there have been 90 deaths involving college employees and students. That is almost 100 people whose lives could have been saved if colleges delayed
the return to campus. College reopenings not only pose a risk for students and faculty, but for the community as a whole. Health officials now fear that young adults with limited symptoms are unknowingly transmitting the virus to those around them. While it is not your fault if you are unaware and asymptomatic, the disease could easily spread to someone more vulnerable. The world as we know it will forever be changed by this pandemic. Instead of immediately trying to get back to normal, we should be trying to adjust to the new normal. The pandemic is not over because you are tired of daily walks in quarantine. It is not over because officials in your state have allowed you to return to school. We cannot minimize the effect this pandemic has had on the country. Premature school reopenings will likely spiral to more lockdowns, more cases and ultimately, more fatalities. Schools and universities should not be reopened until there is a nationwide, free vaccine administered to all. It is not smart for us, our staff or community to allow students to travel back to school and continue to attend classes. There will be severe repercussions as the numbers keep rising and more lives are lost. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in great fear, isolation and tragedy. While the country’s reopening is a main goal for many officials, there should be consideration for the fact that the pandemic is still happening. Public health and safety is still a concern. If students were sent home with just 3,528 active cases nationwide, it is unjust for schools and universities to reopen while there are over 24.3 million cases. These irresponsible actions will result in further catastrophe.
Illustration By christian ayala
OPINION-EDITORIAL
A homophobic or transphobic slur is still a slur hayley bostian
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he insensitivity of slur usage seems to be a focus of today’s social wokeness. In the modern world, racial slurs can get someone suspended from their university or fired. For example, the New York Post published a story about a teen who was removed from her college and cheer team after a fellow student posted a video of her using the N-word. Although this is a step in the right direction, I have noticed slurs against the LGBTQ+ community still seem to slip by with minimal repercussions. It is surprising to scroll through Instagram and still see people posting offensive slurs on their accounts, and I am even more surprised to see hardly anything is done about it. In one person’s Instagram highlight reel, I saw they used a transphobic slur. Yet, somehow this post was never removed or reported. There are very few examples of times where those who used and posted homophobic or transphobic slurs faced consequences. However, in August 2020, The New York Times published a story about a Fox Sports announcer who was suspended for using a homophobic slur during a live broadcast. He eventually resigned due to the controversy. More common are the anecdotes of LGBTQ+ discrimination in schools. For example, a student-athlete was expelled by his Christian school headmaster because he was gay. There are also examples of LGBTQ+ discrimination in the workplace. Instances where a boss gave workers of a certain sexual orientation worse rankings and harsher reviews than other workers for no reason other than their orientation is just one example. Other discriminatory actions, such as giving out preferred tasks or positions to workers of heterosexual orientation, are also common. Although some workplaces and schools may issue a slap on the wrist for using these kinds of slurs, there needs to be a bigger change. These derogatory words and phrases hurt many people and are extremely offensive. Slurs are never just a harmless joke. Feelings matter. Companies and schools should not be OK with their employees or students treating others as less than. They should penalize those who use offensive language on social media or in person. Unfortunately, the decision to impose consequences for those who use this kind of hate speech is up to the specific school or workplace. This is partially because hateful speech is legal in the United States under the First Amendment.
According to The Legal Project, democratic countries such as France, Germany, Poland, Hungary, Canada and Mexico all have laws either prohibiting or limiting hate speech. For example, the Netherlands’ Dutch Criminal Code prohibits public use of certain discriminatory language. Similar legal consequences in the U.S. would not only help protect the LGBTQ+ community, but also help so many other oppressed groups. Unfortunately, many people in the U.S. see any kind of limit to the First Amendment as a threat to a citizen’s freedom of speech. A USA Today opinion article argued that we do not need similar hate speech laws to Europe, stating, “These standards notably depend not on how words are intended, but how they are received or perceived by third parties.” Laws like those already implemented in Europe would be an amazing step toward limiting slurs, especially language posted and stated in public places where people should feel comfortable. As we are currently far from that possibility, organizations need to work harder to make sure the people they have in their workplace and schools have good character. At the very least, students and employees should not be posting or using homophobic and transphobic slurs in public. Although we are lucky enough to have freedom of speech in the U.S., people need to understand the weight of their openly discriminatory language. Hate speech is not acceptable. We need to move past using slurs that are harmful to the LGBTQ+ community. Although some people may think they are simply making a tasteless joke, it can be very harmful to the mental health and self-worth of individuals. While we have yet to pass legislation that criminalizes those who use these slurs, we still have the ability to hold people accountable in other ways. Call out individuals you catch using hateful speech, be public about your rejection of slur usage and don’t be afraid to report people’s hateful language to their superiors if the chance arises. Illustration By tonesha yazzie
JANUARY 28, 2021 – FEBRUARY 3, 2021 | THE LUMBERJACK
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FEATURES
Coming to college can be a large leap for many individuals from all walks of life. For some, it may be the first time a the making. With so many diverse backgrounds, NAU students call the 829 acres of campus home. Finding activities to be the best parts of th
Stories compiled by Michael McClure, P
Cole Kelley Senior Civil engineering “What makes Flagstaff and NAU stand out compared to other Arizona universities is being 30 minutes away from a mountain to ski and snowboard at,” Kelley said. “Also, the smaller class sizes and smaller campus gave me a better educational experience. I spend most of my free time in Flagstaff either up at Arizona Snowbowl or out in the Coconino National Forest hunting. “I like to hike, fish and play disc golf with my friends in my free time. Find an outdoor activity that you are passionate about and get outdoors to see what the outskirts of Flagstaff have to offer. Also, make friends in your degree to make the educational journey more enjoyable and, overall, improve your experience at NAU.”
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Terry Heming Senior Spanish linguistics “There is so much to explore in Flagstaff,” Heming said. “I am still encountering new businesses and nature paths every single day. If I am not working or studying, I spend a decent amount of time at the Walkup Skydome either working out or simply relaxing. I also tend to hit up the bars along San Francisco Street every weekend. “In general, it is a much larger town than you will realize at first. Honestly, just take a day and drive all the way from the movie theater all the way to Walmart and see what catches your eye. There is bound to be something.”
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Ryan Salemi Junior Criminal justice “Being from San Diego, actually having a winter season stands out the most and it is very nice to enjoy,” Salemi said. “I like getting out and going on the back roads of Flagstaff to enjoy its beauty and I will also hang out with friends. I would suggest seeing all the attractions that Flagstaff has to offer. It is a small mountain town, but it does offer a lot of things to do when you look into it.”
FEATURES
a member of their family has gone onto higher education, while for others it could be an adventure that was years in s and hobbies to do in the mountain town can be challenging as well. Students give their advice on what they believe he Flagstaff community.
Photos courtesy of featured students
Sierra Kaczocha Senior Exercise science
Aspen Palieri Senior Public health Dylan Lundmark Junior CCC Student Visual communications “The thing that stands out to me the most about Flagstaff is the culture and the mountain,” Lundmark said. “I find myself spending the most of my free time in the forest or skiing at Snowbowl. I suggest buying a season pass to Snowbowl along with purchasing a four-wheel drive vehicle.”
“What stands out to me the most in Flagstaff are the people,” Palieri said. “Everyone is so welcoming and kind wherever you go, whether it is downtown or a random hiking trail. I find myself spending my free time usually outside or at a friend’s place. There are so many outdoor activities you can do in Flagstaff. I have found many great hiking trails and there are also some great places to set up your hammock and just enjoy what Flagstaff has to offer. “One suggestion I would give to someone who just moved into town is to not be afraid and go out on your own. You can meet so many people by just walking around town. Enjoy your time in Flagstaff by getting out and going on adventures.”
“The gorgeous mountains and forests are what stands out the most to me in Flagstaff,” Kaczocha said through Instagram’s direct message. “Growing up in Phoenix, I was surrounded by dirt and cactuses, so being up north for college has been an amazing change of scenery. During my free time, I find myself wanting to explore Flagstaff and Sedona! Whether it is hammocking near Lake Mary or going on a hike, I love going outdoors to enjoy nature! “My tip for just moving to Flagstaff would be to leave earlier than you think you need to! Whether it be snow, three trains passing through town or simply traffic on Milton Road, you should accommodate for something to slow your travel time. “If you are new to our beautiful mountain town, my advice would be to take advantage of where you live! Time goes by much quicker than you want to believe, and you do not want to be left with all of these wonders about what you did not get to explore. Go on hikes, nature walks, eat at local restaurants and yes, even enjoy those heavy snows!”
JANUARY 28, 2021 – FEBRUARY 3, 2021 | THE LUMBERJACK
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Exploring the world of women’s and gender studies Emily Rehling
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ollege can be a confusing road for many students, but oftentimes it leads right where one needs it to go. For many students, the women’s and gender studies (WGS) program has become the destination of that journey. But what exactly is WGS and where can a degree take graduates? According to its official page on NAU’s website, the WGS program focuses on studying and analyzing social structures, but it has not always been that way. “The concept of woman and the concept of how gender affects people is way more broad than when I was taking undergraduate classes,” NAU senior lecturer of WGS Meredith Heller said. Heller said compared to two decades ago, the WGS field is now much more analytical and research-focused. Additionally, she said new perspectives have been introduced over time as the field grew, and in many universities the title of the major varies. “Younger scholars have come in and taught women’s studies,” Heller said. “And we’ve moved it more — in many universities, not all — into the social sciences. So now, we focus very heavily on intersectionality.” WGS has evolved from women’s studies, which is a subject Heller said, in her experience, was much more focused on a narrow group of identities than the WGS program at NAU is. Heller said when she was a women’s studies undergraduate student, her classes tended to focus on white, middle-class women and their experiences. She said NAU’s WGS program is much more social sciences-based. “[NAU’s WGS program] focuses very heavily on the experiences of disabled women, nonbinary folk or Black transgender women,” Heller said. She said the WGS program at NAU focuses on looking at societies and institutions, rather than just celebrating and studying women. “What a degree in women’s studies helps you do is whatever you want in a much better way,” Heller said. “If you’re a lawmaker, you can do some really bad stuff for women, queer people, Black people, etcetera. Or, you can do great stuff.” Heller explained studying WGS helps students be much more mindful and knowledgeable in any career path they choose to pursue, allowing them to do their best work.
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Law, social justice, teaching and communication are all common fields WGS graduates enter, Heller said. Senior WGS major Cassondra Mundell can attest to the adaptability of the WGS program. “It can be applied to a lot of situations and I feel like now more than ever, people want to try to connect with different viewpoints that they haven’t encountered before,” Mundell said. After graduating, Mundell said she plans on attending graduate school and studying to be a professor of WGS. “I genuinely want to make the world a better place,” Mundell said. She said she found the conversations and ideas she experienced in the program to be the best way to do that. Mundell also said the WGS program and NAU’s Honors College allowed her to conduct research as an undergraduate student, which she described as something she was grateful for, crediting the experience and career preparation it provided her. According to NAU’s academic catalog, the WGS program additionally offers a minor in queer studies, which provides academic knowledge of local, national and global experiences concerning LGBTQ+ lives and queer theory.
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Junior Rachell Krell, who is minoring in queer studies, also shared the experience she has gained from the program. Krell said her time in the WGS program has helped with her personal, academic and professional growth, as well as opened up new doors for her to support LGBTQ+ students. Minoring in queer studies has provided more than personal and academic development for Krell. “I’ve had an amazing experience, honestly,” Krell said. “It’s a very tight-knit community because there’s a small amount of us who are queer studies minors, so every time I’ve taken classes, I’ve made new friends [and] connected with old friends, which is really fun.” Junior Autumn Cody, who minors in queer studies, also described what she appreciated about her experience, echoing Krell by highlighting the importance of connections she’s made. “I’ve definitely made these long-term friendships like these groups and a sense of community, even a sense of identity for myself, through the queer studies minor,” Cody said. Cody also explained why she felt there are so many misconceptions about WGS and queer studies.
“It’s just the lack of communication on what’s actually happening within the department, and just how important it is — the different intersectional work and understanding what [WGS] brings [to students] — and that it’s just not a liberal studies, ethics or any kind of other requirement knockoff,” Cody said. “It’s more like a community. It’s a place to feel seen and to feel heard. It’s a place to cultivate not only your learning in academia, but even learning about yourself.” As the WGS community at NAU continues to grow, it also continues to strengthen knowledge and awareness of marginalized groups while preparing students to combat oppression with the skills they have gained, an aspect of the WGS program that Heller explained. “Our program really prides itself on building tools for students — critical analysis tools that you can use for the rest of your life,” Heller said. As more students make the decision to study WGS, it becomes more apparent how applicable the subject is to all kinds of pursuits, Cody explained. She said the tools the WGS program provides have enabled her to pursue what she is really passionate about and that the mentorship she received has been invaluable.
Illustration By Aleah Green
CULTURE
Olivia Rodrigo’s debut single ‘drivers license’ breaks records
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ctress and singer Olivia Rodrigo released her debut single “drivers license,” a beautiful ballad that radiates emotions. At only 17 years old, Rodrigo’s song broke records left and right after its Jan. 8 release, not only in the United States, but abroad. I cannot emphasize enough how many new records this song has set and all for good reason. According to Spotify, “drivers license” set the record for the platform’s most streams in a day for a nonholiday song Jan. 11. On Jan. 12, the song continued to beat its record with 17.01 million streams. On the following day, Spotify announced “drivers license” came in at No. 1 on both its Global and U.S. Top EMILY 10 Debuts charts, which are updated weekly. Rodrigo GERDES also became the first artist of 2021 to have a song at No. 1 on the U.S. iTunes and the U.S. Apple Music singles ASSISTANT FEATURES EDITOR charts simultaneously as reported by “chartdata” on Twitter. Amazon Music announced “drivers license” broke the record for the most requested song globally in one day on Amazon Alexa, and in its first week it became the most-streamed song globally. The uproar in popularity around this song is insane. There have been countless parodies by celebrities like Jimmy Fallon and Kylie Jenner, who posted herself listening to the song on her Instagram story, and displays of support from other musicians, such as Justin Bieber and Halsey. Rodrigo’s role model and inspiration Taylor Swift also commented on her post. The catalyst of the song is that Rodrigo got her driver’s license, but when boiled down, the song is about heartbreak, which is something most can relate to. The song addresses a boy she is still in love with who has moved on to someone who represents everything Rodrigo is insecure about. The promises he made are broken and she does not understand how he could be OK without her. The song was released with a subsequent music video that paints a beautiful image of her lyrics. The video’s melancholy vibes emulate the feelings following a first heartbreak. Rodrigo’s voice is light and airy, but the lyrics contain a deep and fairly personal message. This song continuously builds tension until the bridge, which is the heart and soul of the song. When these elements are combined, they create a masterpiece I may have already sang while dancing around my room. The perfect combination of factors came together to make this song a hit. Rodrigo being a Disney star, the song’s remakes on TikTok and Instagram reels, the teenage love triangle hidden within the lyrics, the desire for new music in a pandemic, the sneak peeks shown on Instagram leading up to the song’s release and the similarity between other iconic artists, such as Swift, Lorde and Billie Eilish all helped the song achieve its success. The reason why this song is not receiving a perfect rating is that I need more! Thankfully there are rumors Rodrigo’s debut EP is coming sometime this year, but until then, stream “drivers license”!
A bucket of Clorox wipes and a box of face masks sit on a desk next to Zeta Phi Beta’s medical supplies drop-off box in the Office of Inclusion, Jan. 25. Jonah Graham | The Lumberjack
Zeta Phi Beta hosts medical resource drive Annika Beck
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orority Zeta Phi Beta is hosting a medical resource drive to assist Flagstaff Medical Center (FMC) in gathering necessary medical supplies. The drive will run through Feb. 18. As of Jan. 27, COVID-19 cases in Coconino County have surpassed 14,894 and totaled 264 deaths. The Omicron Phi chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority was chartered at NAU April 1, 2019. According to a Zeta Phi Beta Instagram post, the chapter is a Black-founded organization built on the principles of scholarship, community service, sisterhood and finer womanhood. Sophomore Hannah Imohi, second vice president of Zeta Phi Beta, touched on what medical resources the drive is seeking. “We want to be able to gather personal protective equipment [PPE] and cleaning wipes for FMC because they’re currently on limited supplies,” Imohi said. PPE includes medical resources, such as face shields, safety goggles, isolation gowns and nonsterile gloves. Even if the supplies do not come in the original package, they are still able to be donated because FMC sanitizes everything before use. The drive is also accepting equipment like surgical masks and homemade face coverings, along with hand sanitizer and Tyvek suits. According to DuPont, Tyvek suits are full-body gear made of versatile material that is both durable and comfortable, providing an excellent barrier against dangerous fine particles and chemicals. All the resources are going to FMC and health professionals such as nurses, frontline workers, patients and the ICU. “I chose this community service specifically because my father is a health professional and works in the ICU and the emergency room,” Imohi said. “It has been
difficult through this pandemic because I haven’t been able to spend time with him.” The pandemic has hit close to home for many. Zeta Phi Beta does not have specific donation goals, but they are striving to reach as many people who are willing to donate and help them give back to the community. Imohi and other members of the sorority created a noncontact drop-off box for donations and supplies, which is located in the Office of Inclusion in the Black Student Union room behind University Union. Offcampus students can reach out to the sorority via email and mail materials to FMC. “NAU is very strict about social distancing and making sure everyone is OK during this pandemic as much as possible while still giving back to the community,” Imohi said. During this unpredicted time, health care workers are continuing to meet the needs of patients while working. With half of their staff working remotely and limited staff in person, FMC workers are working with all the resources and help they can get. According to hospital records, there are 53 positive COVID-19 cases with 13 pending. There are currently 185 beds in use, which is 61% of the hospital’s capacity and critical condition beds are at 41% capacity. Imohi said serving the community is what drove the Zeta Phi Beta chapter to host this medical resource drive. “Since this is a primarily white institution, I think it’s really significant that a historically Black sorority is doing something to give back, specifically to our health professionals who have done so much for us in the past year,” Imohi said. “The government is not working to satisfy their needs, so we have to do it because we are a community that gives back.” Continue reading on Jackcentral.org
JANUARY 28, 2021 – FEBRUARY 3, 2021 | THE LUMBERJACK
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CULTURE
Photos courtesy of the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra from David Irvine
Virtually normal: Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra presents ‘Musical Stories’ Maria Rodriguez
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t is an unusual sight to see musicians wearing face masks with a slit to fit their instruments’ mouthpieces and perform for an empty auditorium. This attempt to return to normalcy during the pandemic requires many safety measures by the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra (FSO) to benefit the community’s wellbeing. While performing, the majority of the musicians were wearing masks with no more than 10 people on stage, including the conductor, spaced at least six feet apart from one another, while some musicians were nine feet apart to help prevent the spread of aerosols caused by instruments like the trumpet and trombone. Because trombones have a far reach and large bell, the musicians playing that instrument were nine feet apart instead of the typical six. FSO is currently in its 71st season with over a year of online performances completed, allowing the orchestra to become more adjusted to the methods and requirements of a virtual performance. Its most recent program, “Musical Stories” released Jan. 23 and is a larger performance with more musicians. The “Musical Stories” concert includes Igor Stravinsky’s “Octet for Wind Instruments,” Jiří Jaroch’s “Children’s Suite for Nonet” and Charles Gounod’s “Petite Symphony.” Each piece contains three movements, with the final piece, “Petite Symphony,” consisting of four movements: “Adagio et Allegro” (slow and quick tempo), “Andante cantabile” (slow and songlike), “Scherzo” (lively) and the “Finale.” Due to current events, viewers can watch FSO perform from the comfort and safety of their own home, pause and play at their convenience and still enjoy the quality music FSO has to offer classical music lovers. Junior Emma Riebe received her minor in music in 2016 and is now pursuing her post baccalaureate degree for a major in cello performance while performing with FSO as a cellist. Riebe
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has performed with FSO for four seasons, but has played the cello for over 18 years. “It was really refreshing to get to even perform for the symphony,” Riebe said. “[And] to create live music is a really special thing to be able to do right now, with so many events canceled for the safety of the community.” Riebe compares classical music to a main dinner course, with classical music having many elements which informs all music and gives back to the listener. Charles Latshaw has directed FSO since 2017 and conducted each piece of the online “Musical Stories” program. “We’re doing audio recording and video recording at the highest quality possible, but we’re also doing a really fast turnaround,” Latshaw said. “What we’re doing this week with ‘Musical Stories’ is a little bit newer, where we’re putting a slightly larger ensemble on stage and recording a concertlike performance.” When purchasing the $25 ticket online, it gives the viewer unlimited access for 30 days on one device through Vimeo. Unlike in-person performances for FSO, anyone who purchases a ticket to the online showing can see the musicians front and center with quality sound, every close-up angle will be shown in the livestream. The concert is approximately 48 minutes long, with a brief introduction at the beginning of each piece regarding who wrote the music, what the piece is about and the general flow of the music. Riebe said her hopes for FSO and the upcoming online performances are that younger generations are engaged and involved, as it’s a tradition worth being carried on. “A lot of times, the audience members at the Flagstaff Symphony [Orchestra] are often the same group of people that come every time, so my hope is that all these different digital releases we’re doing are helping to pull in different audiences and maybe attract more interest and awareness,” Riebe said.
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Jeannette Moore is a flute and piccolo musician and has been with FSO since 2001. She has worked her way from the third flute to the principal. As principal, Moore performs a flute solo within the “Musical Stories” piece, “Petite Symphonie” and “Andante cantabile.” “Everyone is hoping that people want to come back and it’s not just the music itself, it’s the whole experience,” Moore said. However, there are some drawbacks to prerecording performances with few musicians spaced far apart. Latshaw, Riebe and Moore each explained the pressures of online performance. Although they have multiple takes throughout two days of recording, FSO spends a full day completing their audio and video recording for the show. Latshaw said that as musicians on stage, they’re aware of how the audience is reacting to a concert, but a camera and microphone don’t react at all and it creates more pressure. “I found myself missing the faces of my co-creators and colleagues, but I think we’re all making the best of it and it’s kind of the new normal,” Riebe said. Although virtual performances create awareness for the musical programs, not as many musicians can play for FSO and the amount of performances are drastically reduced. With remote performances, the community is less engaged and involved. “The orchestra can survive past this kind of shutdown and get going again,” Moore said. “We’re expecting it will. It’s been such a long-standing orchestra that I’m sure it’ll stay in some form, even if it’s a smaller form … we do need a lot of community support. Anything in the arts is a very expensive thing.” FSO is currently planning on having another concert in February, according to its website, as they continue to adjust to creating online performances that are more accessible, affordable and convenient for anyone interested in supporting the Flagstaff community by listening to classical music.
CULTURE
JANUARY 28, 2021 – FEBRUARY 3, 2021 | THE LUMBERJACK
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First-round hype, thirdround talent
istorically speaking, quarterbacks who come out of the University of Alabama don’t produce in the NFL. Before 2015, the last Alabama quarterback to start and win an NFL regular season game was Jeff Rutledge in 1987, and the last one to start in a Super Bowl was Ken Stabler in 1976. Some said Tua Tagovailoa would be the one to break that trend of bad NFL quarterbacks out of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, but so far he’s not looking promising either. Now, the focus has shifted to Mac Jones. In his junior season at Alabama, he threw for 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns en route to a national title. He’s projected to go in the first round of this upcoming draft. If you look closer at him, it doesn’t look like he’s the chosen one either. CONNOR There are usually two big question TRETT marks for every quarterback coming out WRITER of college. The first one being: Can they throw under pressure? In three years at Alabama, Jones was sacked 16 times on 556 pass attempts. When you have a clean pocket and your receiver is open by 5 yards, almost anyone can make those throws. We saw a lot of that from Jones this season. The second question is if he can put up similar numbers in the NFL without the talent surrounding him. The Alabama Crimson Tide has been the best over a decade for a reason — they recruit extremely well. When a team has the best players in the country, they’ll leave a lot of other teams in the dust. Jones’ weapons at Alabama included wide receiver and Heisman Trophy winner Devonta Smith, as well as wide receiver Jaylen Waddle and running back Najee Harris. Hypothetically, if he’s drafted by the New England Patriots, could he put up his 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns with his top receivers only being Jakobi Meyers and Julian Edelman? My guess is no. Statistically, Jones’ best game was on college football’s biggest stage — the national championship game against the Ohio State Buckeyes. His stats from that game do look promising: 36 completions, over 450 passing yards and five touchdowns. However, when you look at the film he actually looks a lot less impressive. Most of his passes are dump-offs, check-downs or screens usually to Smith or Harris. His best throw of the game was his 43-yard touchdown pass to Smith, but Smith ran a 4.27 40-yard dash and was covered by a linebacker who ran a 4.65. It doesn’t take a football genius to figure out who’s winning that race. I’m not saying that Jones can’t be a good quarterback in the NFL. What I am saying is that from what we’ve seen in his college career and the history of quarterbacks to come out of Alabama, he might not have the first-round talent he’s expected to have. I’m calling that he slips all the way down to the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft on April 30.
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NAU football players listen to advice during practice. Photo courtesy of NAU Athletics
NAU football lands No. 2 FCS class in 2021 early signing period Evan mcnelia
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he Lumberjacks returned to campus earlier this month to resume their studies and prepare for the upcoming spring Football campaign. Unlike most years when returning from winter break, players had restrictions with a five-day quarantine upon arriving on campus Jan. 5. NAU football locked down and was able to start organized team activities on schedule for the upcoming 2021 NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) spring football season. With the team primed to improve on its 4-8 record from last season, optimism about the program’s future is abundant, thanks to boasting the top recruiting class in the Big Sky Conference and the No. 2 class in all of FCS football for the early signing period, according to 247Sports. Head coach Chris Ball and his coaching staff overcame the hurdles of recruiting during a pandemic in hopes of building a national competitor. Ball emphasized that during the recruiting process, he and his staff spent over three hours daily on Zoom calls speaking to potential signees and building relationships.
He said he wants to stress the importance of character and build a positive culture. “I want to win with the right kids,” Ball said. Building relationships was another big theme in Ball’s coaching philosophy. Before the pandemic, NAU held a football camp for up-and-coming football players. “We had one of the largest [football] camps in the country in our first summer [at NAU],” Ball said. “We had over 3,000 kids come to camp here.” It offered a great opportunity for coaches to become acquainted with players, as well as scout for talent. Such opportunities have been lost momentarily during the pandemic. As the team gets ready to take on an abnormal season, the recruiting process had more resilience. Only time will tell how it is going to translate on the field. With a good number of transfers coming from bigger schools, Ball said these were athletes that became available, and already having a relationship with them made it easy to identify which players were the right fit for the Lumberjack culture. Focusing on getting in-state prospects to stay in Arizona was a big deal during this recruiting cycle and seems to be a strong
SPORTS pipeline going forward for this staff. Class highlights Jonah Carnell: This freshman wide receiver out of Rancho Verde High School in Moreno Valley, California is a speedy player coming out of an explosive offense. His team put up 50 or more points in five games in his junior season, where he caught eight touchdowns on 55 catches, averaging nearly 15 yards per catch. He could be a big-play threat for this team in due time. Cosmas Kwete: Kwete is a sophomore defensive lineman who transferred from Washington State University, where he appeared in seven games during 2019, totalling 20 combined tackles and two tackles for loss with the Cougars. Kwete joins his two brothers, Eloi and Richard, at NAU to form a Kwete trio on the defensive line. He and Eloi attended Central High School and their brother, Richard, attended Sunnyslope High School, both of which are in Phoenix. Josh Marsh: A redshirt sophomore from Auburn University, Josh Marsh of Decatur, Alabama saw some action in 2018 and 2019 for the Tigers. Forcing a fumble as a freshman in a game against Arkansas State, the 6-foot-2 speedy linebacker will definitely be looking to make a difference for this NAU squad. Brenndan Johnson: Johnson is a graduate student transfer from the University of Louisiana-Lafayette who has seen a lot of playing time in college football. After playing for two seasons with the University of Texas-San Antonio Roadrunners and one year with the Ragin’ Cajuns, he totaled 74 tackles and six pass deflections. The defensive back from Waco, Texas should help lock up Big Sky receivers. Draycen Hall: A truly explosive freshman runner who was the Gatorade 2016-2017 Arizona High School Football Player of the Year, Hall played running back for Higley High School in Gilbert, Arizona and racked up over 4,500 yards and 65 touchdowns for the Knights. With an additional eight scores in the return game, he should be a volatile addition to this offense. Hall, who is a class of 2018 graduate, served a two-year mission immediately after high school, and now the former player of the year makes his return to football for the Lumberjacks. Xander Werner: The 6-foot-5-inch, 225-pound freshman out of Saguaro High School turned down 10+ other offers to come to NAU. Fans of the NFL might see some parallels in his play style and versatility to New Orleans Saints quarterback and utility player Taysom Hill. Soon Lumberjack fans will most likely be seeing this player scoring in every which way — on the ground, through the air and receiving. He could be a weapon for this team and a matchup nightmare for defensive coordinators across the country. These players demonstrate a very important trait Ball has been designing for the team. “Being an explosive team that can create big plays on defense and special teams, control the ball and score on offense will be their winning mold,” Ball said. “These guys definitely will help establish that brand of football in Flagstaff. “We got some quality transfers that are coming in and helping us, and we’ll have some guys that come in this freshman class of 2021 that will help us,” Ball added. “It’s just how good of shape they get in and how hard they work physically, but mostly it’s on mental adjustment to be able to play as a true freshman.” NAU kicks off its season Saturday, Feb. 27 against the University of Montana at the Walkup Skydome (subject to change).
Top: Sophomore defensive lineman Cosmas Kwete (96) adjusts gloves in a game, Oct 12, 2019. Bottom: Redshirt sophomore Josh Marsh (36) preps for a play, Sept. 8, 2018. Photos courtesy of The Spokesman-Review & 247Sports
JANUARY 28, 2021 – FEBRUARY 3, 2021 | THE LUMBERJACK
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The NAU soccer team celebrates after scoring a goal against the University of Houston at Lumberjack Stadium, Sept. 27, 2019. Brian Burke | The Lumberjack
NAU soccer striving for Big Sky title in 2021 Sean Clark
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he span of time between NAU soccer’s last match and its 2021 season opener will be 492 days. The Lumberjacks’ last match took place Nov. 6, 2019, a 2-1 overtime loss to the University of Northern Colorado in the first round of the Big Sky Soccer Championship. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Big Sky postponed the 2020 fall season and pushed it back to spring 2021. There will be no out-of-conference opponents for the Lumberjacks as they will only face off against their Big Sky rivals. It has been a tedious offseason for NAU soccer as players and coaches were forced to grind and stay strong through a long delay until the spring. Specifically for seniors, it has forced a change in mindset. “For a normal year for seniors, you’re done in the fall and you don’t compete your spring season,” senior goalkeeper Taryn Benham said. “It’s not an ideal situation for anyone, so it’s just all about having a positive attitude about it and a growth mindset. I wanted them to see that we’re [the seniors] even more motivated to get better over the fall and be prepared for our final spring season.” This is head coach Kylie Louw’s second season with the team after taking over for longtime coach Andre Luciano, who spent 18 seasons with the program. In 2019, NAU finished with an overall record of 8-8-3 with
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a 4-3-2 record in conference play, achieving fourth place in the Big Sky. During the season, NAU established a program record in minutes without conceding a goal and led the conference in fewest goals allowed. Like many head coaches in sports nowadays, Louw has adjusted with the times and communicated with her players in different ways during the long layoff. “The biggest thing to navigate was how they were doing,” Louw said. “It just made us as coaches shift the intention of what we were trying to do. It came more about how the student-athlete was doing and how we could keep them safe and healthy.” NAU lost several key players to graduation, including forward Tatum Heeres, midfielder Mei-Te Coco and defender Amanda Bennett. However, the Lumberjacks return their two leading scorers from last season in junior defender Madison Montgomery, who recorded seven goals and two assists in 2019, and senior forward Paige Maling, who scored five with two assists. Junior forward Sam Larberg and senior midfielder Kayla Terhune return and look to be key contributors after dishing out three assists each in 2019. Senior defender Emma Robson, who scored two goals as a defender last season, will lead the backline. Benham will play her third consecutive season as the fulltime goalkeeper for NAU. In 2018, Benham burst onto the Big Sky scene with 66 saves, 10 shutouts and a record of 9-5-4. She broke the NAU record for longest streak without conceding a
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goal. She also was named Big Sky Co-Goalkeeper of the Year and earned All-Conference First Team honors. Last season, Benham recorded 53 saves and five shutouts with an 8-7-3 record. Benham, like the rest of the team, adjusted to the long layoff while still preparing to be at her best for the 2021 season. “I started watching a little bit more film than I would normally do just because it was hard to get out, especially when you are supposed to be social distancing from people,” Benham said. There will be no fans in attendance for this season due to the pandemic. However, this allows the players to enjoy the game purely for the love of the sport while not having to focus on external pressures. “You don’t do it for the fans,” Benham said. “You do it because you love the sport.” With NAU playing only eight conference matches this season, the focus is to win the Big Sky Conference title, and with their returning players and a handful of leaders, NAU will be a team that can compete for that title. After a 492-day layoff, the players are more than excited to get back on the pitch. “They want to play and are dying to play,” Louw said. NAU will kick off its season March 12 against Weber State University at Lumberjack Stadium.
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JANUARY 28, 2021 – FEBRUARY 3, 2021 | THE LUMBERJACK
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