Spartan Daily Vol. 161 No. 18

SJSU honors Marc Spears with award

By Melany Gutierrez STAFF WRITER

Marc Spears, San José State alumnus, former Spartan Daily staff writer and basketball Hall of Famer, received the William Randolph Hearst Foundation Award for excellence in professional journalism and was honored on Saturday morning at the Hammer Theatre Center.

The William Randolph Hearst Foundation Award comes from the William Randolph Hearst Foundation which seeks to identify and support different fields of work like journalism, according to its website.

The foundation was founded in 1946 by publisher, movie and television producer and owner of the famous Hearst Castle William Randolph Hearst, according to a Hearst Foundation webpage.

Marc Spears is the fifth person to receive the award, following people such as former National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Dr. Anthony S. Fauci and CNN journalist Jim Acosta.

Spears joined ESPN as a senior NBA writer for Andscape in 2016, according to an ESPN webpage.

Andscape is a Black-led media platform dedicated to illuminating stories of Black identity and experience in journalism, according to its website.

About 20 years before, Spears graduated with the class of ‘95 from SJSU and interned with many news organizations during his time at the university.

“San José State and the city of San José is very much the foundation of where I am today,” Spears said.

Spears said he was always gaining writing experience somewhere, whether it was for a school paper or an internship.

He said his first unpaid internship was at Silicon Valley Metro, a newspaper based out of San José serving the greater Silicon Valley areas with weekly news, according to their website.

Spears said he interned through the Association of Black Journalists in Grand Rapids, Mich., and at the Mercury News writing about high school basketball, and eventually, at the Dallas Morning News after graduating.

“I wasn't getting paid nothing, but I didn't deserve to get paid,” Spears said. “I was nobody at the time and they (news organizations) were taking a chance on me, I had to earn my stripes.”

Mark Purdy, a retired sports columnist for the Mercury News, said he first connected with Spears when he was in seventh grade after receiving a letter from him asking for advice as he wanted to be a sports journalist.

“When I got his letter and replied back, I said, ‘If you're really serious about this,’ and I could sense from his letter that he was, ‘Here's what you need to do, you need to read as much as possible, write as much as possible, watch how other people do it, get experience by writing for your school newspaper. If somebody offers you a chance to write about anything, say yes,’ ” Purdy said.

Purdy said he often responded to many letters, like the one he got from Spears, but he could sense a greater level of determination in his letter.

Years later, Spears credits a great amount of his own success to Purdy.

“He's very generous in saying I played this big part in his life and his career,” Purdy said. “I think he would have probably ended up this way anyway. He worked his ass off and kept his eye exactly on where he wanted to go.”

Robert Rucker, retired professor and department chair of the Journalism and Mass Communications Program at SJSU, said one of his most memorable conversations with Spears came when he was his professor in the ‘90s.

“He is one of the rare students in 37 years who walked into my office hours and told me, ‘I'm going to do this, can you help me?’ and I said, ‘Okay,’ ” Rucker said. “The clarity of purpose was there from day one.

When I watched him methodically go after stories that nobody else was doing. He was starting to separate himself from the rest of the students.”

Rucker said during the award ceremony that the same tenacity and work ethic that Spears had all those years ago is what got him to this point in his career.

Devin Fehely, SJSU alumni, anchor and reporter for KPIX CBS 5, said he never knew Spears through SJSU, but eventually got to know him through the industry as an NBA journalist on the rise.

“I've been really impressed with his evolution over time as he's gone from newspapers, to now television, and really sort of performing at the highest level,” Fehely said. “I'm amazed by the evolution arc of his career, and I’m kind of excited to see where it takes him next.”

Spears took time to acknowledge the struggles he went through too.

He said he often faced struggles in his personal life being an unpaid journalist or in his career, sparking controversy with some of his articles.

During Spears’ time at SJSU he joined the men's basketball team with the intention of becoming a professional basketball player. Spears eventually suffered a knee injury ending his basketball career.

Carolyn Spears, Marc’s mother, said she recalls this exact time when Spears experienced this devastating event.

“When he bombed his knee and realized his dreams were over, it really disturbed him,” Spears said. “But I said to him, ‘Write about it, you're not gonna

be a national basketball player, but you can write about it.’ ”

Carolyn Spears said the best part of this story that makes it a full circle moment is that almost 20 years later, Spears has been inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as a journalist.

Spears said the financial struggles he faced while being an unpaid intern or low-paid journalist was often discouraging for him.

“There were times when I would drive past McDonald's and I thought maybe I should go work there for some extra money. I probably should have gotten food stamps at the time but I was too proud to do it,” Spears said.

Spears said he also faced struggles when it came to discussing uncomfortable subjects in his writing.

He has written about racial disparity in athletics and the experiences of being a black athlete in many of his articles.

Spears said he has received unwelcoming looks and comments, even death threats when speaking about these uncomfortable subjects.

“I’ve always been writing about stuff that a lot of journalists aren't comfortable writing about black or white or otherwise,” Spears said. “I felt like after George Floyd this bubble came up that made it bold to talk about this (topics relating to racism) it became cool to write about it then.”

His desire to speak about tough subjects is what brought Spears to Andspace, where he intersects sports and racial identities in his writing.

Spears said his advice for anyone aspiring to be a journalist now is the same thing he tried to do for himself as a young journalist: pursue hands-on experience in the field and don’t just pursue the degree.

“You don't have to be a star to get your stuff out there, you can make your own TV show and post it on YouTube,” Spears said. “If you differentiate yourself the next thing you know you have a following and then you have something going on.”

Spears said San José makes him nostalgic and reaffirms the idea that it will always be home.

“Every time I drive by campus or through San José, I'm flooded with memories,” Spears said.

LAMAR MOODY | SPARTAN DAILY

Marc Spears accepts the 2023 William Randolph Hearst award from SJSU's School of Journalism and Mass Communications on Saturday morning at the Hammer Theatre Center.

GRAPHIC BY ALICIA ALVAREZ

Biden addresses gun violence

By Vanessa Real STAFF WRITER

President Joe Biden introduced the Office of Gun Violence Prevention, a new governmental office put in order to deal with gun violence related issues, on Friday, Sept. 22.

This new office will implement both executive and legislative action to end gun violence in the United States, according to a website from the White House. The office will be overseen by Vice President Kamala Harris and have team members in the White House working to resolve gun violence issues in America.

He said he will urge Congress to take action such as enacting universal background checks and banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, according to the same website

“But in the absence of that sorely-needed action, the Office of Gun Violence Prevention along with the rest of my administration will continue to do everything it can to combat the epidemic of gun violence that is tearing our families, our communities, and our country apart,” Biden said in a statement, according to the same website from the White House.

Biden said he is also calling to Congress to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines,

requiring safe storage of firearms and eliminating gun manufacturers’ immunity from liability, according to the same source.

Another plan is enacting Biden’s Safer America Plan, which would put more police officers on our streets for accountable, community policing and invest in gun violence prevention and intervention, according to the official Gifford’s website, an organization “dedicated to saving lives from gun violence.”

Rehan Rafeek, engineering management graduate and international student, said he was pleased to hear about his decision.

Rafeek said the new White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention is a positive effort to combat the United State’s current problems with gun violence.

“It’s reassuring to know that the formation of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention inspires hope for a reduction in gun violence in some capacity,” Rafeek said. “It’s always heartening to see responsibilities being taken to address an issue that has

had a tremendous impact on the citizens of the United States.”

He said he believes more policies should be implemented to reduce illegally possessed firearms, and gun purchases should only be promoted for individuals with licenses obtained through prior training and classes.

“I don’t perceive any downsides to this office, but I sincerely hope that it is not merely a strategy that democrats have adopted to win elections, and that they will follow through on their commitments,” Rafeek said.

Political science lecturer Marci Harris said she is the

Foundation, where she works closely with Congress on a variety of issues.

According to the official POPVOX Foundation’s website, the foundation works with governments to address the challenges presented by the people and support government capacity that helps attract and retain personnel from diverse backgrounds.

“(The White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention) is largely a symbolic gesture, but shows that the President is dedicating resources to the issue,” Harris said. “Ultimately, to change policy, Congress has to take action. However, this office will provide a dedicated place within the White House

find things that the federal agencies can do without Congressional action.”

The Biden-Harris administration has worked to implement the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, and announced dozens of executive actions,” according to the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education website.

The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act is “already saving lives,” by investing in community violence interventions, improving access to mental health services in schools who have trauma or grief due to gun violence. The Justice Department will prosecute firearm traffickers and prohibit an individual younger than 21 from purchasing a firearm, according to the Office of Elementary and

The Biden-Harris administration have announced executive actions to keep dangerous weapons and repetitive shooters off of streets,

and address the root causes of gun violence. Gun dealers and traffickers will be held accountable and law enforcement will be provided with tools and resources needed to reduce gun violence, according to the same website from the White House.

Computational math senior James Altizer said President Biden has taken action on gun safety to a positive effect, but feels a dedicated office may be not beneficial for the United State’s government system.

“The office will not affect me personally, however, I do not think it will lead to massive improvements,” Altizer said.

He said he is pro-gun because he said he feels that minorities and women need a way to protect themselves, and that guns have historically deterred serious crimes in the past.

“I also think that guns from a cultural standpoint are way too dominant in American culture and that gun violence is due to the proliferation of guns,” Altizer said.

Follow the Spartan Daily on X (formerly Twitter) @SpartanDaily

Protesters demonstrate against fascism

GRAPHIC BY VANNESSA REAL

Polyerius chugs for anti-fascist protest

#1: The bass player and the lead singer of alternative metal band Polyerius perform for anti-fascist rally on Monday.

#2: The lead singer of the band Polyerius headbangs and screams into a megaphone in front of the Student.

#3: Protestors gather to rally with Polyerius against the Turning Point event held in the Student Union.

#4: The lead singer and the bassist perform in front of anti-fascist rally in support of the protestors.

#5: The guitarist of the band Polyerius plays in front of the crowd at the anti-fascist protest.

#6: Polyerius performs in support of the anti-fascist rally that gathered in front of the Student Union.

SJSU ties for fourth time this year

By Nathan Canilao SENIOR STAFF WRITER

In one of San José State’s most physical games of the season, the Spartans (4-3-4, 1-0-1 WAC) drew a tied with conference foe Utah Valley (1-5-4, 0-1-1 WAC) 1-1 at home on Sunday afternoon.

The two squads combined for 20 fouls and 4 yellow cards.

Sophomore midfielder

Angel Iniguez scored SJSU’s only goal of the day and goalkeeper David Sweeney saved 4 shots.

“We were at home and the onus was on us,” said SJSU head coach Simon Tobin on the team’s tie. “We started really well, but they slowly got themselves into the game.”

The Spartans offense came out the gate fast. In the 5th minute, Junior midfielder

WOLVERINES

1

SPARTANS

Emiliano Corona found senior forward Isaac Lomeli on the left wing of the box.

Lomeli had a good look at the goal, but dribbled towards the middle of the box where he found Iniguez open on the right wing. Iniguez dazzled a Utah Valley defender with a step over to his left foot and shot a slow-rolling ball into the right side of the net to put the Spartans up 1-0.

“It was just overall a great press by the boys,” Iniguez said.

“Isaac made an unselfish play.”

Utah Valley scored the equalizer in the 32nd minute.

Junior forward Kendi Bellini cut to the right side of the goal and made a left-footed shot that whipped around Sweeney’s body and into the left side of the goal.

The two teams went into intermission tied 1-1.

In one of the stranger moments of the match, the referees threatened to call the game early in the second half after the crowd loudly booed a foul call on the Spartans. SJSU announcers had to tell the crowd that any discriminatory language would lead to fans being escorted off the field.

After receiving a free kick on a yellow card in the 67th minute, Utah Valley defender Floris Van Nijnanten shot a high slicer that just missed the top of the goal post.

In the 75th minute, SJSU junior midfielder Mario Barocio found a spot near the middle of the box, but his shot hit the top crossbar and bounced out of bounds.

By Julia Chie STAFF WRITER

The San José State men’s soccer team defeated Air Force 1-0 in its first Western Athletic Conference (WAC) game of the season at the Spartan Soccer Complex on Thursday.

The Spartans (4-33, 1-0-0 WAC) outshot the Falcons (0-9-1, 0-1-0 WAC) 10-9 and scored early in the 26th minute by sophomore defender Josh Lucas assisted by senior defender Joel Garcia Jr.

Lucas’ goal marked the

Both teams had chances in the second half to score the go-ahead goal, but couldn’t convert.

With under a minute left in the match, sophomore forward

win

first in his collegiate career.

He said scoring the goal was a great feeling and that he wasn’t looking for much on the field when he scored.

“It was just a great ball by Joel, and I finished it off,” Lucas said. “I probably should have came over here to celebrate with the boys, but you learn from it.”

SJSU head coach Simon Tobin said he was impressed by the aggressive play on behalf of his defenders.

“Those are my two fullbacks. So although

they’re defenders, Joel [Garcia] made the assist, Josh [Lucas] got the goal.

In the first half, we were a very attacking team,” Tobin said.

Tobin said the first

Riccardo Scarafia attempted a shot on the left wing. There was plenty of contact as Scarafia followed through, but the referees let the players play on which caused uproar from Tobin and the SJSU bench. With the tie, the Spartans receive a point and have not lost in their first two conference play matches. Tobin said a tie wasn’t the result the Spartans wanted, but was happy the team was able

to receive a point in conference play. “We got a point,” Tobin said. “We would have liked three, but we’re content.” SJSU will return to action at 7 p.m. Thursday against the University of Nevada, Las Vegas at Peter Johann Memorial Field.

Follow Nathan on X (formerly Twitter) @nathancanilao 1

conference match

conference game always has higher stakes.

“Air Force had been struggling a little bit this year, but when you start conference [play] it's a whole new season,” Tobin said. “I think we played really well the first half, but I thought we were quite poor in the second half, but just about did enough to get the win.”

Tobin also said his team had a good idea of what it was going up against a disciplined Falcon team.

“Air Force, just by their nature, they work really

hard and they never give up. Probably our preparation for this game is a little bit more mental,” said Tobin.

“Probably out of all the teams we play, one of the hardest working. It's just a mentality, I suppose, from the Air Force.”

SJSU tied their season high with 15 total fouls with 9 fouls coming in the second half of the match.

Goalkeeper David Sweeney tied the all-time record for most career shutouts by a Spartan goalkeeper on Thursday night, recording his 18th

career shutout.

Sweeney had one save against Air Force and sits second in WAC in goals against average.

“They're a tough opponent because they just worked really hard,” Sweeney said. “We try to match that with our ball playing and how hard we work.

NATHAN CANILAO | SPARTAN DAILY

SJSU sophomore defender Josh Lucas gets set for a throw-in against Utah Valley on Sunday.

José State sophomore forward Anthony Guzman (17) battles an Air Force's Remi Smith (4) for the ball in the Spartans win at the Spartan Soccer Complex

Spartans beat Wolf Pack at home

By Angel Santiago STAFF WRITER

The San José State women’s volleyball team secured its 10th win of the season against the University of Nevada, Reno on Thursday, beating them 3-1 at Yoshihiro Uchida Hall.

The Spartans (10-6, 1-2 MWC) returned to their home court for the first time after playing away for over a month.

Junior right-side

hitter Brooke Bryant led the Spartans with 16 kills and second in blocks, with two in the teams’ win against the

Wolf Pack (4-11, 0-4 MWC).

“It was just the adrenaline definitely high up there. I just wanted to win for not only our team but our program and our whole school like I think it's just to run when I kept going on” Bryant said.

The Spartans started the match slowly, blowing a 17-12 lead and dropping the set 21-25.

“Tonight was a nice team win. However, we didn't come out ready to play which was disappointing. You know that first set, we were flat.” SJSU head coach Todd Kress said.

Kress said he didn’t like

his team's performance in the first set even though it won the match.

“We didn't have the energy, we didn't have the intensity, the grit that I would have expected being at home for our first conference match at home. So that was a little disappointing,” Kress said.

In the second set the Spartans came out on top 29-27.

During the set, Kress said he spoke to his team about stepping up and who was going to make a change.

“We were one point for point. We didn't have anybody making a play, and

sometimes it just comes down to someone steps up and makes a play and changes the momentum.” Kress said.

During the third set the Spartans pulled away with a 17-10 lead and didn’t look back taking their second

set 25-17.

During the final set of the game the Wolf Pack wouldn’t go down taking a 17-12 lead, but couldn’t hold on as the Spartans would come back to win 26-24. Junior setter Brooke Slusser and Brooke Bryant would combine for 9 kills in the final set of the match.

Slusser led the Spartans with 35 assists in the match. She said she was happy with the teams’ defensive performance.

“We did only thing we did in what Tuesday's practice was defense for almost three hours. And

I think that's a big thing that we really wanted to focus on this game because there has been past games where that wasn't our strongest spot in the game.” Slusser said

The Spartans would go on to beat Fresno State 3-1 on Sept. 30 and will now face the University of Wyoming on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. PDT at the UniWyo Federal Credit Union Sports Complex.

Follow the Spartan Daily on X (formerly Twitter) @SpartanDaily

ANGEL SANTIAGO | SPARTAN DAILY

San José State senior middle blocker Jiana Lawson gets ready to serve in the Spartans' win against the University of Nevada, Reno at Yoshihiro Uchida Hall on Thursday.