Northern Arizona University’s student voice since 1914 Vol. 113 Issue 9 | March 24, 2022 — March 30, 2022
NAU football holds a snow day Pro Day
Left: Linebacker Tristan Vance rushes with the ball after catching a pass for Pro Day in the Student-Athlete High Performance Center, March. 10. Middle: Defensive lineman Carson Taylor competes in the vertical jump test. Right: NAU alum quarterback Case Cookus throws passes to tight ends and defensive backs. Brian Burke | NAU Athletics EVAN MCNELIA
throughout the weight room as scouts set up for the day. The prospects’ friends and families lined the back AU held its Pro Day on March 10 — getting wall, watching as they prepared for their NFL tryout. the opportunity to host NFL scouts in the NAU coaches, staff and current players began filling lead up to the draft for the first time since the room as the workout drew to a close and the 2019 due to COVID-19. NAU had nine players performing athletes grew restless. participate. Players had their official measurements Chaz Davis, NAU director of Football and tests recorded by NFL personnel. Operations and Player Personnel, explained prior to The group of players participating included all the Pro Day that most, if not all, NFL teams already three 2021 graduate specialists: Kicker Luis Aguilar, had scouts in Flagstaff during the fall. Pro Day was punter and holder DJ Arnson, and long snapper designed to get official uniform results in specific Justin Hathoot. tests to be sent across the league and compared to all NAU also had four defensive players attend: prospects in this year’s draft. Massive scout attendance Defensive lineman Lionell Wiggins, defensive end/ was not expected, and come Pro Day there were just outside linebacker Carson Taylor, linebacker Tristen two — both from the Arizona Cardinals. Vance and defensive back Brenndan Johnson. Official results were not disclosed by scouts, Offensively, two NAU tight ends took part: but some tests were announced immediately Matthew Kempton, who left a year of eligibility following a player’s run-through, allowing a brief on the table in his sixth year at NAU, and 2019 chance to record some results. departure Ceejhay French-Love, who was injured Prospects first had their measurements taken, early into his stint with NAU after transferring including their height, weight and wingspan. Next from ASU. Both had the benefit of former NAU was the bench press. quarterback and recent USFL draft pick Case Cookus Kempton started on the bench, setting the in attendance to throw on the field. tone with 21 reps, a mark just three tight ends at The Pro Day began in the new Student-Athlete the NFL Scouting Combine surpassed. Taylor — High Performance Center — participants warmed up who had an overall stand-out day — put up 19 reps.
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Wiggins had 17. Vance set the high mark for the day with 22 reps, a mark that would have tied fourth amongst linebackers at the Combine. Next, the group moved to the vertical jump in the center of the weight room. The scouts started by stretching each player’s arm above their head along the vertical machine to see their true complete reach. They then set the machine to the appropriate height to test each player’s vertical. Official results were difficult to see or verify as there were no numbers on the tester nor were results stated out loud. The group of onlookers crowded around the vertical test but left plenty of space for the prospect to give their best performance. Every jump began with silence and ended with applause as each player hit the floor. Players jumped three times, hitting the measuring bars to the side and attempting to clear the remaining marks with each jump. Visually, Taylor and Johnson were the two most impressive performers in the vertical jump. Johnson made the vertical look easy with how effortlessly he was able to get up; Taylor, for his size, seemed to nearly explode out of the building. Continue reading on PAGE 18
President José Luis Cruz Rivera visits with The Lumberjack Ed Board for Q & A THE LUMBERJACK EDITORIAL BOARD
the broader climate action plan group shortly thereafter towards the end of the fall semester, which includes over resident José Luis Cruz Rivera 100 faculty, students and staff, who met with The Lumberjack’s Edipresented to me a plan that would call torial Board March 22 to answer on NAU making a strong statement questions for the student body. In the around carbon neutrality, for example. process of creating a new masterplan, At that meeting, what I asked Cruz Rivera addressed questions about of the group was to go back, and try to NAU’s future plans for improving put into that plan some milestones. So campus. Cruz Rivera additionally spoke if we’re saying we’re going to be carbon on his success the past year serving as neutral by 2030, what does that mean NAU’s 17th President. over the next, two years, four years, six years? What are specific things that My question is about Green Jacks. I we can do that will get us to meet was actually at their climate strike a that goal? And what are the budget couple weeks back and they said they implications of that? presented you with a climate action So we are all going into this plan but never heard back from you eyes wide open, that we have a on it. Have you seen the plan? If so, commitment, and we have a path there. what is your response and how will I’m waiting for that report back then NAU act? we can make a broader response not only to the Green Jacks, but to the JLCR: Well, let me say that I very campus, the university community, the much enjoyed and was very impressed city and the state as to where we stand. by the presentation that I received What I said to both groups from the Green Jacks. I also met with
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was that I was always reticent to make broad statements about by the year 2030 we’re going to be carbon neutral, if I and the university didn’t have a good understanding of what this takes. So that’s what we’re waiting for in order to make that formal commitment or response.
a year officially into the job. We have been able to launch a strategic roadmap process that will be completed soon, and will really capture the aspirations of the university across several areas. We have been able to secure some one time funding that will allow us to accelerate progress in all of those areas we have agreed are important to us. How do you feel overall about your I could go on a long list of past year as NAU president? individual achievements, everything from athletics, to academics, to the I feel very good about the past General Studies Program (a new NAU year. As I’ve said, in many forums, the workplace policy), our volunteer generosity, the warmth, the willingness community service policy, you name it. to drive action that this university has We’ve been able to do a lot together. communicated to me and my team over I’m very excited about the the last year or so, has been inspiring. second year because we have always said We’ve been able to do a lot in a very that this first year was about setting a short time. strong foundation and I think that we Usually, when you have are accomplishing that. presidential transitions at universities of this size and history, a 122-year legacy, Continue reading on PAGE 4 it takes several years to get a sense of where everybody wants to go. I will say that we’re in good shape less than