The S tate Hornet October 7, 2009 HORNET INSIDE “MR. EVERYTHING”
C alifornia S tate U niversity, S acramento
Sports B4 JAZZ HANG OUT
Cafe in the day and live jazz at night. Where is this great place where people can listen to jam sessions all the way to midnight?
Features B1 IS THE MILITARY THE ANSWER? Broke and thinking about going into the army to pay for your college? Turn to page A6 and take a moment to think it over while you read Samantha Palileo’s column on that very idea.
Opinion A7 SCIENCE BRINGS IN THE GIRLS
O ne C opy F ree
So long coach, thanks
By Dustin Nosler dnosler@statehornet.com
Sometimes the hardest working athletes do not get enough credit for what they contribute to their team. Third-string quarterback Jon Loeliger is one hardworking athlete who gives it his all.
E st . 1949
John Smith announced on Friday that the 2010 season would be his last as head baseball coach at Sacramento State, capping a 32-year run. “It feels right,” Smith said. “I’ve been contemplating retirement for the last three or four years, and it’s not because I don’t enjoy what I’m doing, because I do. I’m going to miss the heck of out it.” Smith said one of his goals was to leave the team and the program in good condition, a condition in which the next head coach could work and be successful. Smith has compiled 861 wins in his time as head coach, the most of any Hornet head coach. He took over head coaching duties in November of 1978. At the time, Smith said he was told his coaching position would only be for one year. He said he was told the university was going to look for a more experienced head coach. One year turned into two, two turned into three, and three turned into 32. “When year two came, then I started having aspirations of staying here,” he said. “By year three, when I finally got the job full-time, then my goal was to try to stay here as long as I could. I guess after a while I thought, ‘Man, it’d be nice if I could stay here and coach for 20 years.’” Kansas baseball coach Ritch Price, who considers Smith his closest friend in the game, said he is happy for the Hornet and friend. “I’m thrilled for him,” Price said. “John has had a hall of fame career.” Sac State Athletic Director Terry Wanless said Smith’s efforts as a Hornet should not be overlooked. “We really need to applaud and appreciate the loyalty he
has shown and to the Hornets,” he said. Some of Smith’s accomplishments include the 1986 and 1988 Division II College World Series appearances, 16 winning seasons, 11 seasons of 30 or more wins and four seasons of 40 or more wins. Price said he thinks the retirement couldn’t have come at a better time. “I encouraged him to take his time and when he made his decision, that he felt good about it,” Price said. Reggie Christiansen, associate head coach, said he would remember Smith for what he did behind the scenes. “He worked extremely hard; harder than anyone I have ever been associated with,” Christiansen said. “Making sure that he can treat players the way he wants to treat them … that’s the biggest thing.” Christiansen said Smith taught him a lot. “He’s a mentor of mine,” Christiansen said. “He’s taught me a lot about not only the game of baseball, but I think more importantly, about life balance, in terms of family and baseball and not getting caught up in baseball becoming your job 24 hours a day.” Josh Powers, an infielder for Sac State, said Smith’s retirement could actually help the team. “I think this year it will help the guys,” Powers said. “It’ll give them a little extra ‘humph,’ you know? Win one for the Gipper.” The search for Smith’s successor has not begun, Wanless said. “We’re not even dealing with that at the moment,” he said. Smith said he has no regrets about his time as head coach and has one message for his players. “The one thing I preached to our guys who have been here is: ‘Once you’re a Hornet, you’re a Hornet for life,’” he said.
Nallelie Vega State Hornet
John Smith attended an alumni softball game Saturday, just a day after announcing that he will retire this spring. Smith has been with the Hornets for 32 seasons and led them through dozens of winning seasons and 11 seasons of 30 wins or more.
Player Reactions
Derrick Chung, infielder, junior “I was kind of shocked at first. There was a rumor going on, but we weren’t sure if he’d retire. It’s good for him; he deserves it. He’s been like a father to everybody who’s played here.” Ivan Otsuka, outfielder, sophomore “He made it so it’s not intimidating for the incoming players. He pretty much welcomed you into a family instead of just a team.” Blake Miller, shortstop, freshman “Coach Smith’s a good guy. He helped recruit me. He’s one of the big reasons I chose to come to Sac State.”
Science scores for young girls fall below those of young boys. The playing field is about to get a little more level this weekend.
News A3 HOPEFULS COME TO OFFER TIPS Candidates for statewide offices visited campus to tell voters what needs to be done to help colleges.
Online Opinion statehornet.com
The State Hornet Issue 6 | Volume 62| No. 6
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About John Smith
Played at Sac State 1971-72 as outfielder/second baseman Encina High School head coach for five years (1973-77) • •
Rio Americano head coach (1977)
Sac State head coach since November 1978
State Hornet File Photo
Coach John Smith sits with the team at a game last year. He announced he will retire this coming 2010 season.
Honoring internees Job training by By Gina Cruz gcruz@statehornet.com In recognition of the displaced Japanese-American students enrolled in the California State University system during 1941-42, the California State University Board of Trustees unanimously voted to award the students, living or deceased, with honorary baccalaureate degrees. On Feb. 19, 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued Executive Order 9066 during World War II, forcing
more than 120,000 persons of Japanese descent to federal internment camps. Any former CSU students whose studies were interrupted when sent to internment camps may be eligible to receive the honorary degrees for their academic intentions. If the student is deceased, any surviving family member may receive the award in his or her honor. “Giving (the honorary degrees) is a very good thing,” said Japanese professor and Japan Club adviser Kazue
Matsuyama. “Some students aren’t aware of the conflicts that occurred in California against Japanese-Americans.” The first honorary degree was awarded on Sept. 23 to Vivian Uwate Nelson. Nelson is the daughter of former San Francisco State University student Aiko Nishi Uwate, who was a Japanese-American sent to the Gila River relocation camp in Arizona, according to a press release by the California State Unisee Degrees| page A8
Sac State CCE By Kristine Guerra kguerra@statehornet.com This semester, Sacramento State’s College of Continuing Education offered two new programs to help address the 12 percent unemployment rate in Sacramento County. The two programs, the Sustainable Facilities Management and the Prehospital Education program, plan to
provide training to adults who want to go back to school and gain marketable skills. The Sustainable Facilities Management program specializes in construction while the Prehospital Education program focuses on emergency medical service fields. Industry projections by the California Employment Develsee CCE| page A8