The S tate Hornet February 9, 2011 HORNET INSIDE NEW BASEBALL HEAD COACH
C alifornia S tate U niversity , S acramento
E st . 1949
O ne C opy F ree
Nursing opens in new home
A new baseball head coach takes over for the first time in 32 seasons. Get to know Reggie Christiansen’s outlook for the new season.
Sports B3 HEAP OF BIRDS
Edgar Heap of Birds displayed his art and talked to students about “Being a Global Citizen.”
Features B1 CSU BUDGET INSIGHT What can students really expect from the new budget proposal made by Gov. Jerry Brown? The $500 million budget cuts to CSUs are in the near future. What does this mean for enrollment and furloughs?
Opinion A7 JOHN COZZA
See how the campus accompanist balances his schedule with students and being the president of a music club.
News A3 AUDIO SLIDESHOW
By Matt Harrington
mharrington@statehornet.com
After several years of planning, Folsom Hall, located at the corner of Hornet Drive and Folsom Boulevard, opened for use on Jan. 24. The 188,000-square-foot facility will house the Division of Nursing that will occupy the first two
floors. Prior to this semester, the nursing program was located at El Dorado Hall, occupying a total of 10,000 square feet. Now with 37,600 square feet of usable learning space – three times the space of El Dorado Hall, faculty, staff and the 80 Sacramento State registered nursing candidates have the
space they need to teach and learn the lifesaving techniques that will someday save lives. Prior to the move, nursing professor Kitty Kelly, Doctor of Nursing Practice, said the program had limited space to teach but has more than enough now to accommodate students, faculty and staff. “When the program was in
El Dorado Hall, we had one classroom, two skills labs and not much room for anything else. In the newly renovated facility, faculty and students have at their disposal six classrooms – including computer labs, two amphitheaters, five skills labs and six simulation labs,” Kelly see Nursing | page A8
Ashley Neal State Hornet
In Folsom Hall, now housing the nursing department, Katherine Kelly teaches her students how to perform a tracheotomy. The group watches the heart monitor, oxygen levels and listens to a recording of what a patient’s breathing would sound like.
Students volunteer for construction By Brett Johnson bjohnson@statehornet.com
Volunteer work and a major competition are on the horizon for the Construction Management Student Organization, a student-run organization based at Sacramento State. The Construction Management Student Organization is involved in a variety of construction-related community projects and industry functions throughout the year. The student association is composed entirely of Sacramento State construction management majors, and strives to improve the overall educational experience
for students in the program. Paul MacClanahan, president of the Construction Management Student Organization, references the work that the organization does with nonprofit organization Rebuilding Together Sacramento as being some of the most significant. Rebuilding Together Sacramento has reconstruction days twice a year, in April and October, called “Rebuilding Dreams.” On these days, Rebuilding Together organizes groups of volunteers in an attempt to improve dilapidated houses in low-income neighborhoods. The free home-repair services are granted to appli-
cants based on the condition of their residence. More than 800 volunteers a year participate in repainting damaged walls, renovating sections of houses, landscaping yards and installing safety modifications for the disabled. Since its creation in 1991, Rebuilding Together has performed repairs on more than 1,980 homes in the Sacramento area. “The students’ assistance with the restoration work that Rebuilding Together does is an example of the types of projects that members of our organization work on year-round,” Macsee Repairs | page A6
Courtesy Photo
The Construction Management Student Organization sets up plans for a construction project.
Black History advocates Student teachers unite for social change study at Sac State By Inna Gritsak igritsak@statehornet.com
The Zoo Human Project performed at Sac State on Jan. 26. Check out an audio slideshow of their performance.
Online News statehornet.com
The State Hornet Issue 3 | Volume 63 | No. 17
In honor of Black History Month, Sacramento State student organizations are putting together more than 15 oncampus events in February to commemorate African-American history, culture and achievements. Activities will include a poetry contest, a karaoke night, a science exhibition and a protest against derogatory racial language. This year’s theme is “United for Social Change.” Organizers of Black History Month said they hope the theme will help students understand that social change requires a community effort. “By nature of where we are in Sacramento, we have such a diverse campus. We have so many people that are willing to work with us as a community,” said Michele Foss-Snowden, communication studies professor. “I think we have a unique opportunity to have the critical mass and to really have Dan Ward State Hornet the numbers that it takes to make a real Sacramento State kicked off Black History Month change.” on Feb. 1 during the opening reception. This see History | page A8 year’s theme is “United for Social Change.”
Robert Linggi State Hornet
From left to right: Teachers Park Soonok, Ha Namchil, Choi Soonok, and Kim Sungmi from Chinju University in South Korea, take a break from class to make ice cream.
By Sean Keister skeister@statehornet.com Twenty elementary school teachers from Chinju University of Education in South Korea graduated Friday from Sacramento State’s International Teacher Training Program. The four-week program is offered by the College of
Continuing Education and is intended to give the already credentialed Korean teachers professional development in their careers. Michela Lombard, junior conference planner and project manager for the Chinju group, which is made up of all see Teaching | page A6
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NEWS ROUNDUP Sac State’s weekly news briefs and campus events Quran Jones’ psychiatric test results postponed until Thursday
Sacramento Superior Court Judge Marjorie Koller ruled Thursday that the psychiatric test results for Quran Jones’ plea of not guilty due to reasons of insanity for allegedly beating his roommate to death last year will be postponed until Thursday. After allegedly killing his roommate, Scott Hawkins, 23, on Oct. 21, 2009 with a baseball bat, Jones could face 25 years to life prison if he is found guilty. The reason for the postponement was due to insufficent time to complete the tests. The new hearing date will be at 8:30 a.m. Thursday at the Sacrmento County Main Jail.
CSU officials will be in a different area of California and on Feb. 20, officials will be speaking at churches in Sacramento. Super Sunday became a part of the CSU system from the CSU African American Initiative program.
Sacramento State Black History Month Event Calendar Thursday, Friday, Saturday College Session Play 7 p.m. (Thursday and Friday) 2 p.m. (Saturday) Studio Theatre Saturday Auditions for the Langston Hughes Poetry Contest 10 a.m.–4 p.m. California Suite Feb. 14-18 Silent Protest on the N-word Campus-wide Feb. 16 N-word Forum 6–9 p.m. Foothill Suite Feb. 17 Royal Flush: An Exhibition on Scientists of Color 7–9 p.m. California Suite
Courtesy Photo
CSU officials to speak at churches for “Super Sunday”
For the month of February, several California State University officials will be speaking at African American churches in the state of California Super Sunday. The officials will be appearing in more than 100 churches this month as they educate teachers and students entering college to achieve a degree. Every Sunday throughout February,
Feb. 19 Langston Hughes Poetry Contest 4–8 p.m. Hinde Auditorium Feb. 21 Who am I? 7–10 p.m. Foothill Suite
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Accompanist helps seniors graduate in music department By Marshall Hampson news@statehornet.com
with student recital posters on the wall with a piano and a big open space in the middle of the room for students to rehearse with him. “I usually recite with them for 10-20, maybe even 30 hours,” Cozza said. “There are recitals where I’m playing only on one song and there are recitals that I play on every piece.” Department of Music Chair Ernie Hills said having an accompanist at Sac State allows students to finish their music degree and gain experience playing with others. “Music students must do a certain amount of work as a soloist with piano accompaniment,” Hills said. “Some of the soloists, including voice, can hardly do anything without a pianist. So the pianist is an absolute necessity for students to complete their requirements.” Cozza received his master’s degree in piano at USC and afterward traveled in Europe on scholarship. After spending time there, Cozza found his niche. “I got a scholarship and went
to Europe and lived in Vienna, Austria for four years,” Cozza said. “That’s when the collaborSacramento State’s accomative playing bug really bit me. panist does not have a normal I realized I really like working 9-to-5 kind of job. In fact, it is with people much more than quite the opposite. sitting by myself at the piano in With the piano as his instrua practice room for five or six ment of choice, John Cozza hours a day.” can be seen every Friday night Now that he has a doctoraccompanying students in ate in collaborative piano, he Capistrano Hall, Room 151 spends those hours rehearsing the student recital performance recitals with students. Hills said room. one reason Cozza was picked The music department to be the campus accompanist requires each senior to have was because of his ability to be a a final recital with some sort quick learner. of accompaniment and spring “He is such a smart, energetic 2011 is no different for Cozza. fellow that he masters hundreds “I’m here during the day for of pieces of music in a semester some period of time and always and performs them beautifully,” here Friday nights doing recitHills said. “This is the type of als,” Cozza said. “I think I’m acjob where this guy is playing a companying 25 degree recitals different piece of music every this semester. So if you divide 15-20 minutes all day long.” that up into 15-week semesters, In fact, Hills believes Cozza’s talent is out of the ordinary. that’s about two a week.” “He was playing along to On top of performing every a fairly complicated piece week, Cozza makes time for rewith one of our students and cital rehearsals in his office with I looked up and realized that all of the music students before he was reaching into his right their performance night. His pants pocket to turn off his office in Capistrano Hall is filled telephone,” Hills said. “He managed to keep playing with only one hand for about 20 seconds and then went back to playing with two hands. You couldn’t tell anything was missing. That’s a talent I’ve never seen a pianist have before.” Senior recitals play a significant role in completing File Photo a degree in music. It is Campus accompanist John Cozza works on a piece during a student a chance for rehearsal. Cozza usually works about 10 to 20 hours with students students to play before they perform their recital on Friday nights. in front of their
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Campus accompanist John Cozza practices with saxophonist Keith Bohm during a rehearsal in August.
parents, friends and family one last time before they get their degree. Senior violinist Laura Rubinstein-Salzedo performed her senior recital on Jan. 28, which included two pieces with Cozza accompanying. “It’s so much better than playing with just yourself,” Rubinstein-Salzedo said. “Rehearsing (the recital) was awesome. We had all these rehearsals and it was great - performing with him is the same way. He’s always with me and listening.” Although recitals have their positive moments, RubinsteinSalzedo said having the recital be the last challenge before her music degree makes the recitals more intense. “It’s so scary. The music is so hard and all of these people are watching you,” RubinsteinSalzedo said. “You can’t stop shaking and you can’t eat for days.” On top of recitals every Friday night, Cozza also makes
time to run the Sacramento Saturday Club as the president. “The main thing that the Saturday Club does when it first started in 1893 is we brought some really famous artists down to Memorial Auditorium. And now that there’s the symphony, opera and ballet, we’ve become a private club,” Cozza said. “We do private concerts in some of the people’s homes of some of the members, but our main thing is scholarships. We give five $1,000 scholarships to Sac State students every year.” The scholarships awarded are based on standout musicians seen by the Sacramento
Saturday Club. Cozza presents the checks to the students as they are awarded for their hard work. Sac State students will continue to play right beside him and every Friday night Cozza’s passion for music and students shows. “It’s a very joyous experience. They work for four years for bachelors and two years for master’s and this is their final recital to perform in front of their friends, family and peers,” Cozza said. “That really makes it worth it - when they thank everybody including me. That’s very gratifying.”
Upcoming student recitals featuring John Cozza Thursday Kelly Karoly, trumpet: 4 p.m. Capistrano Hall, Room 151 Daniel Prince, trumpet: 7 p.m. Capistrano Hall, Room 151 Feb. 16 Vincent Antolini, bass: 7 p.m. Capistrano Hall, Room 151
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New science center proposal Grant used for mentoring could upgrade equipment program and game design By Yvette Villasenor yvillasenor@statehornet.com Plans to develop a proposal of a new science center and remodeling of outdated laboratories in Sequoia Hall were released during Sacramento State’s spring address to further expand the science department. Sequoia Hall, home of the Natural Sciences and Mathematics Department, has supplied students and faculty with resources for the past 40 years, said Mario Ruiz, interim associate vice president of Facilities Services. The Facilities planning and construction services and the California State University chancellor’s office began working on a proposal to submit to start planning for a new science center. However, before Facilities can proceed, the proposal will first have to be approved by the CSU Board of Trustees, and funding from the state and CSU will be needed. “The costs will be heavily dependent on the size of the Science Center, which is still being negotiated with the chancellor’s office,” said Victor Takahashi, director of Facilities planning and construction services. Updating to more modern
technology will lower costs of the continual breakdown and repairs Sequoia Hall now faces, he said. “Science is the future,” he said. “There is so much potential of new equipment and it is necessary to remove the outdated technology with modern technology to help build and grow programs within the science department at Sac State.” With science equipment advancing, Ruiz said he believes it is important to provide students and faculty with updated resources to expand the science department and better equip the growing sciences field. “It is necessary to give the best possible to the faculty and students at Sac State,” he said. Joseph Sheley, provost and vice president for academic affairs, said he believes a new science center is a critical project for Sac State, its students and the region as a whole. “Our university is a gateway for area students into sciencerelated fields. The region itself is pledged to increase its STEM cell profile and the economic contribution of this vital development area,” he said. “Neither the students’ nor the region’s aspiration can be accomplished without contemporary science
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Science equipment will be updated if the proposal for a new science center clears by the CSU Board of Trustees.
facilities on our campus.” Sheley said building a new science center and remodeling Sac State’s current science department will allow students and faculty to grow in these specified areas and develop programs at Sac State like the nursing department. While the proposal is still in the process of being developed by the chancellor’s office, Takahashi said he believes it is best to start planning now, considering the effort that goes into building a new science center and remodeling Sequoia Hall. “Steps necessary to building a new science center is a team effort,” Ruiz said. “There are many aspects to providing a solid proposal. It is important to analyze the amount of spaces needed to build a new center, as well as how many labs, classrooms and offices needed for the building.” Although these are only some of the important factors that must be considered, all must be taken into account with the recent budget cuts CSU campuses will be facing in the months to come, according to the Academic Affairs Office. While the CSU budget cuts are still being worked out, planning of the new science center should begin soon, Takahashi said. It is best to plan now that we have the time. “We must turn in our best project forward for this campus and be ready because CSU campuses are competing for funding,” Takahashi said. “The budget will determine the feasibility of a new science center as well the remodeling of Sequoia. Takahashi said it is important to position the project as best as we can to be able to implement building procedures as soon as possible. “It is a priority for Sac State to build a new science center,” Ruiz said. “We will continue to fight for it. It’s going to a happen, just a matter of time.”
By Mallory Fites mfites@statehornet.com The Sacramento State/UC Davis Mathematics, Engineering, Science and Achievement Center, along with two other organizations received a $740,489 grant for a game design and mentoring program from the National Science Institute. Mathematics, Engineering, Science and Achievement Center exposes elementary, middle and high school students to careers in science and math, according to a Sac State press release. Sac State’s College of Engineering and Computer Science and the School of Education are the two other organizations that received funds for creating and administering the program. The grant was written and submitted by computer science teacher Scott Gordon, childhood development teacher Kimberly Gordon Biddle and Jean Crowder, director of Mathematics, Engineering, Science and Achievement. A collaboration of faculty members and industry professionals will be putting together a curriculum for the grant’s program titled, “Strategies: Game Design with Mentoring for Computer Science and Math Achievement for Educationally Disadvantaged Students.” Kids will become connected to technology through the program. Sac State students will have the opportunity to earn a paid position mentoring the Mathematics, Engineering, Science and Achievement high school students and connect with professionals in the industry. Mentors will help students with their homework and will go to science activities with the students once a month. Mentors will also educate students on what college is like and what must be done to get in. “Sac State has a huge investment not only in terms of development but in the outcome,”
Crowder said. Crowder said by exposing students to science, technology, engineering and math majors early on, students have more educational opportunities at Sac State. Sac State students and faculty will be teaching computer programming for two summers and will give reinforcement during the academic year. College mentors who are computer majors will receive salaries. While the students they mentor will receive pay-
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Grant Info
$740,489 donated by National Science Institute Grant will be used for a game design and mentoring program
ment through incentives and stipends, the money will also go to the College of Education for motivation workshops for parents and students. “This is a deeply involved Sac State-based grant,” Crowder said. Kimberly Gordon Biddle, associate professor of childhood development, said “it’s a loss to the field” when a student takes a computer science course and drops out in the first to second week, “We’re trying to get them to stay even though it’s intellectually challenging.” Biddle is developing the motivational component of the program, which uses workshops for parents to learn how to help their child in the mathematics and science and the importance of the subjects. Mathematics, Engineering, Science and Achievement students will realize that they can create a video game, not just play one,
Biddle said. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, by 2018 the demand for computer programmers and software engineers will reach 1.6 million, a 21 percent increase from 2008 levels. It is predicted that the United States will only produce a third of the amount of graduates needed in those fields. Since the mid-1980s, the proportion of women pursuing computer science degrees has declined, according to a Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math fact sheet. Kimberly Bancroft, assistant professor in teacher education, said women should be confident pursuing majors like math and science. “Many women want to have careers in these areas, but may be intimidated because of their upbringing or weren’t directed into the math and science fields,” Bancroft said. “If women need extra tutoring to get through difficult material in order to achieve their dreams in the sciences then a program that specifically mentors such students will be useful.” Junior chemistry major Liliya Mazur is a first-generation college student and was a member of the Mathematics, Engineering, Science and Achievement program at American River College for three years. Mazur said speaking with professors in her desired field helped her to learn about practical experiences she could expect in her future career. Sac State mentors can expect to shape the educational experiences of disadvantaged students by encouraging motivation, Gordon said. “Hopefully this approach is successful and is a model for other places,” Gordon said.
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Maintenance to the campus pushes forward despite cuts By Sean Keister skeister@statehornet.com Sacramento State is looking to complete projects in Tahoe, Yosemite, and Capistrano halls while bracing for future budget cuts in Facilities Services due to the recently state budget that would defer maintenance repairs at CSUs for 2011-12 school year. “We have an allocation right now,” said Mario Ruiz, the interim associate vice president of facilities at Sac State. “We have a lot of projects right now on the board that we are either working to complete or getting ready to go out or bid and or get done.” Ruiz said Gov. Jerry Brown’s recent proposal of cutting $500 million from CSUs and $500 million from UCs will have a serious impact on the future of the campus.
themselves for.” Ruiz said that the 2010-11 budget was not as severe as expected and they were able to manage for the remainder of the semester. Right now they are budgeted for whatever projects are in the queue and they are proceeding regardless of what happens, Ruiz said. “Each and every year when we get allocations for our budget then we make our choices you know as to what is the highest priority, what will address our campus needs,” Ruiz said. One of the highest priorities this school year was the storm drainage problem being worked on near the Academic Information and Research Center and library, which is near completion. Ruiz said another project underway is repairing Tahoe Hall, where it is undergoing
Current Maintenance Projects Tahoe Hall: water damage repairs AIRC: storm drainage repairs Library: storm drainage repairs
Upcoming Maintenance Projects Capistrano Hall: heating and ventilation control repairs Yosemite Hall: replacing gym floor Shasta Hall: replacing air handler Humboldt Hall: replacing hot-water boiler
“Those are the cuts we are going to be taking and that will filter down to each department, including us,” Ruiz said. “Surely, it will have some effect. We don’t exactly know what’s going to happen at this point. It’s an unknown and that’s what I think people are trying to brace
repairs for water damage. They also plan to replace a hot-water boiler in Humboldt Hall. They are also getting ready to replace the 50-year-old gym floor in Yosemite. In Shasta Hall, the air handler is about to be replaced, as well as the heating and ventilation controls in Capistrano Hall.
In addition to this list, they are looking at general tripping hazards with the pavement throughout campus this semester, allocated for the 2010-11 budget. “They’ll be done by this summer, irrespective of what happens with the budget, we certainly give a high priority to the health and safety to not only our employees but the campus in general,” Ruiz said. Ruiz said since the 2011-12 will be lower the time to work on campus projects is now. “They really address some of the safety issues that are long standing and it’s a good time to get into those,” Ruiz said. Ruiz said one project he is enthusiastic about is an energy project to address lighting issues on campus. Specifically, the trail from student housing back to the Well, which he said is a long path that really needs lighting. He said it gives them an opportunity to energy retrofit the lamps, which according to Ruiz is another savings for the campus because the older technology in the lamps uses more energy. “It’s a good opportunity not only to heighten our safety, but our energy as well,” Ruiz said. He said that his department is sensitive to the academic schedule as to not interrupt classes for repairs. “Sometimes we have to do them during the year which sometimes does interfere somewhat but we’re able to manage it,” Ruiz said. While the budget for the rest of the year is planned, it is still unknown how much will be available for the following year. “I think you have to be positive about it,” Ruiz said. “It does nobody any good to think doom and gloom.” Ruiz said he is confident that California will recover from this budget crisis. “We know the economy is going to get better, but we want to make sure we position ourselves
right now and plan for what we have coming,” Ruiz said. “It’s not easy, it’s in constant flux, but we have to look at what we need to do in the future to address the needs of our students and faculty.” Michael Vann, an associate professor of history at Sac State said the audio/visual upgrades in the classrooms have been a little uneven on campus. He said there have been problems such as maintenance making sure that there are proper hookups for the data projectors and proper sound system in all the classrooms. “Some classrooms we have to bring in our own cables,” Vann said. “Some have older projectors some have newer projectors, sometimes the sound system is adequate, sometimes it’s not adequate.” He said he really needed their assistance last year when they were doing upgrades around campus. He was in Amador 150 teaching a class of about 100, and noticed that the speakers in the room were completely inadequate emitting only a whisper. “So this meant that all this time and university money that had gone into preparing my audio visual power point lectures in history with images and or sound and students couldn’t hear the sound,” Vann said. Vann made several calls to maintenance over five or six weeks who repeatedly blamed his laptop which he told them worked fine in other rooms. “Finally, I get to somebody who says it was on the list for audio/visual upgrades but they had to defer it because they had to get the asbestos out of it first,” Vann said. “Which did not make me feel particularly comfortable in that room.” Vann said he never got new speakers installed for his class that semester. “I don’t know how much of a threat it is,” Vann said. “It’s evidently something that would keep them from simply working on speakers.”
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The gym floor located in Yosemite Hall will be replaced as a part of campus-wide maintenance projects.
Ruiz said that it can be a complicated and expensive procedure. “Once you get to something like mounting a speaker, it can be done, but it comes with a cost, because now they have compliance they have to deal with,” Ruiz said. “It’s a different process on how you treat it, you have to treat it wet, have to be trained have to have protective equipment, make sure you take all of the safety precautions so it does cost more, unfortunately.” Ruiz said there are no dangers encapsulated, and the only time asbestos is of any danger is when it is airborne. Christine Hall, administrative coordinator for the department of environmental studies said she has definitely seen a downward shift in general upkeep of the campus since summer. “There are issues with the bathrooms and classrooms being unclean,” Hall said. “You can definately see that there has been a negative impact on the cleanliness of our buildings based on the custodians being here during the day and not being able to get into the classrooms or offices while class is being held.” Ruiz said his department decided to make the change in the custodial staff ’s shift from an evening shift to a afternoon to
evening schedule back in July. It would save the department money since due to their collective bargaining agreement, the cleaning staff earns more when they work in the evening. So as a result, the custodians work a mid-shift, instead of starting at 5 p.m. like they did before last summer. “We decided to alter the shift rather than cut positions so it’s a cost saving plan, but at the same time it preserves positions,” Ruiz said. Without knowing exactly how much will be cut from the facilities department, he said the future is uncertain. “I’m optimistic. It’s not going to be easy, it’s going to be difficult,” Ruiz said. “You can’t play your hands unless you have the cards dealt to you.”
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Repairs: Program prepares for national competition Continued | page A1
Courtesy Photo
The Construction Management Student Organization works on painting the outside of house during one of their volunteer projects.
Clanahan said. “We’re doing the physical labor, but we also make sure to involve ourselves in the management side of it.” During the “Rebuilding Dreams” event in April, the Construction Management Student Organization elects a house captain who directs a team of untrained volunteer workers at a residence selected by Rebuilding Together. Having the opportunity to arrange and lead a team in reconstruction allows the students to apply what they have learned about construction management in the classroom in a real working environment. “They’re doing work that has a huge impact on the community,” said Cindy Spackman, program and development director of Rebuilding Together Sacramento. “Some of these families were having to resort
to heating their house using a stove – then our volunteers came in and installed central heating and air conditioning.” Students from the association work next to the volunteers, doing work for no monetary compensation whatsoever. While many of the club’s members are in attendance for “Rebuilding Dreams,” participation isn’t a requirement. “The organization puts on various events and schedules projects that students have the option to partake in or not. Most of the time students in the association are working on their own through individual internships,” said Chris Cormier, former president of the Construction Management Student Organization. “Students who are working as interns with local construction companies are paid for the work they do, but it is not connected to the student association,”
Cormier said. All the student association would do with respect to getting students paid (during my tenure) was help spread the word when companies were looking for interns.” Aside from internship opportunities, members of the Construction Management Student Organization participate in annual construction competitions. “There are projects that we take on during the year, but the overarching goal of the organization is really to have construction management students compete every year in the large Associated Schools of Construction competition in Reno, Nev.,” MacClanahan said. The competition starts with students receiving complex construction project plans and contract documents that competitors have no previous knowledge about. Each team is confined to a hotel room, in
which they work for 20 hours non-stop. The following day, the teams present their answers to the problem statements in front of a panel of judges. “There are many students that get jobs immediately following their participation in this competition. It’s a great way to showcase your construction management skills to potential employers,” MacClanahan said. Each team is expected to raise $5,000 for a spot in the competition. For the past six years, the students have been able to attend because of the financial support provided by the nonprofit organization Sacramento Construction Management Education Function. The organization operates through online auctions, donations and fundraisers. “The Construction Management Student Organization and its five elected officers are meant to act as liaisons between
the construction management students and the Sacramento Construction Management Education Function,” MacClanahan said. “They help students materially, as well as financially, through faculty support and development.” The competition takes place Feb. 16-19. The Construction Management Student Organization will be participating in the reconstruction and management of the Rebuilding Dreams restoration event, Apr. 30, 2011, following its competition. “In spite of the serious work we do … We’re an organization of college students, and we like to keep it easygoing and have fun whenever possible,” MacClanahan said. “We do camping trips, go to baseball games and organize golfing tournaments - we just generally like to goof around and have a good time.”
Teaching: Instructors graduate from CSUS program
Illustration by Robert Linggi State Hornet
Jaesoon Kim and Chaok Kim proudly display their certificates from Sac State’s College of Continuing Education, which certify them to teach English to grammar school students.
Continued | page A1 elementary school teachers, said the program aims to give the students a full perspective of
teaching in the United States. “It hopes to accomplish a more well-rounded American teaching experience, trying to give them practical experiences in the classroom that they can
take back and teach to their students as well as a more broad view of American teachers,” Lombard said. They were in Napa Hall fulfilling a requirement from their university in South Korea. Since they are from outside the country, and do not know the area, Lombard’s job is primarily to make sure the students in the program are where they need to be. She said that being involved in the program allows her to break out of her usual routine. “Most of the time when I come to work I’m just sitting in my own little world and communicating with hotels and other state agencies,” Lombard said. “Since the majority of events we do are conference and training programs, the international aspect is very refreshing.” Noue Leung, the program manager who oversees the curriculum, who also acts as an
English as a Second Language instructor, said the International Teacher Training Program hopes to teach the students through an immersion process, that give them an understanding of American culture they can express to their students back home. “The goal of the program is to bring the elementary school teachers here – to immerse in the American Culture,” Leung said. “They need to learn about American culture and that’s done through living with their home-stay families, field trips they take, as well as through their ESL classes.” So far they have taken trips to the Discovery Museum and the Sacramento History Museum in order to give them a better understanding of the history of Sacramento. The trips also act as a lesson on how to conduct field trips. Since they will be teaching
when they return home, another objective of the program is to get the students to observe and interact with elementary school students, which they did when they went to Golden Empire Elementary School on the Jan. 26-27. Leung said she finds making a difference in their American experience through making their visit comfortable, and welcoming is rewarding and that they often form long-lasting friendships with the students because they get to know each other well during their time in the program. Song Mi Sun, a student in the Chinju group, said she was impressed with the students she observed at Golden Empire. “The students here are so diligent and kind,” Sun said. Hwang Eulja, a student in the program was particularly taken with the program, even though she misses her family back
home in South Korea while she studies here. “It’s fantastic here, it’s better then we expected,” Eulja said. The families who host the students during their month here have given them a glimpse of the lives of typical Americans in comparison to their own in South Korea. “I’m living with a man and a woman who have been together for 15 years but are not married,” Sun said. “That rarely happens at home.” Chang Jin Kim, a student in the program who also goes by “James,” said his home-stay family would exchange cultural traditions, and recently had a New Years celebration. Kim said that it is exciting to learn about America, while experiencing the country but that he could use some more time here. “It’s too short, but too long for my wife,” Kim said.
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Wednesday - February 9
News Section
statehornet.com
Nursing: Building reduces History: Upcoming events CSUS impaction results designed to unify school “We are hoping to have physical therapy, audiology and all said. the other health sciences here In 2007, University Enterso we can do a much better job prises, Inc. bought the former at interdisciplinary instruction. California State Teachers’ But what the building as has Retirement System building for allowed us to do is to teach with $35.5 million. According to the more space, equipment and use CalSTRS website, the organizasimulators that mimic reality,” tion provides retirement related Altmann said. benefits and services to teachers While teaching a class of 20 in public schools and commustudents how to properly install nity colleges. an external catheter on patients, In a press release from the Sac Altmann said that in previState Office of Public Affairs in ous semesters most her focus July 2007, it was not imwas spent on setting up mediately clear as to how labs rather than on direct the new purchase would instruction. be used. “In our skills lab in the Matt Altier, execuold building, I used to tive director of UEI said spend probably 10 to 20 buying eight acres near hours, depending on the campus and constructing week, setting up the labs a somilar-sized building for the students. The time would cost the university was spent moving beds twice as much. He also and equipment because said the prospect for such we had so little space,” a buywas hard to pass up. Altmann said. “Now I can “This was just an spend that 10 to 20 hours outstanding, once-in-aa week teaching students. lifetime opportunity. We Before it was the nursing felt we had to pursue it if faculty that had to do the the price was right,” Altier setup, and now the labs are already set up for use.” said. Kelly said with all these UEI purchased the new areas of learning, the building with the help students now have the from broker Bruce Hohenability to exchange inforhaus of Collier’s Internamation more freely and tional. Ashley Neal State Hornet gives students the chance Junior nursing major Sac State nursing student Simi to practice their skills and Ashley Jones said the new Gosal participates in one of the prouse those skills. hall has given her and other gram’s simulation labs in the new “It gives them the opporclassmates the mobility that department in Folsom Hall. tunity to discuss what they they once were deprived. are learning and put it into “We have a lot more advanced,” Bock said. “So it’s re- practice, which is the most imspace-because we are an ally great being a first semester portant part of this. Nursing is 80-student class and it is more student in the program because not like teaching history, math, comfortable to work. We have and biology where you give more time in labs because of the we get a lot of hands on experience with brand new and up to students some facts and they new building,” Jones said. “And give it back to you on a test,” our schedule from last semester date equipment.” As a doctor of nursing pracKelly said. “In nursing, we give to now is more concrete than tice, instructor Tanya Altmann students some concepts and before.” feels more work will need to be then they have to take those Jones said in prior semesters concepts and put them into apdone to provide students with she and her classmates would plication at the bedside. So until a holistic learning environment receive last-minute emails and bring the entire department they can apply those concepts, detailing a classroom change or the information we give them is of health services under one lab time change. not worth much to them.” roof. “With this new building, it Continued | page A1
will help the impaction of the program. It’s such a stressful program already,” Jones said. Junior nursing major Ryan Bock said she was pleased with all the new equipment that she was getting to use while in lab practicing on a simulator patient that was deprived of oxygen. “It is fantastic being here. All the equipment is new and up to date. The program just moved in from El Dorado Hall, which wasn’t quite technologically
Continued | page A1
up with the idea of a protest against the “N” word because, he said, it is a word that puts people down.
events and possibly take home, and implement in daily life Bringing people together is for the better of your future,” the main focus of Black History Martin said. Month, said Vertis Wilson, a senior physical therapy Although Black Hismajor and one of the event tory Month is a time of coordinators. celebration, it is also a “Most people say there time to reflect on the are no events for AfricanAmericans on campus, and past, said Foss-Snowden. for Black History Month, She compares Black we try to let them know History Month to a symthat there are events on bol in African culture campus and you can be involved,” Wilson said. called a sankofa. It is a Wilson co-hosted the bird facing backward opening reception of Black with feet facing forward. History Month on Feb. 1. “This image is the Even though he got into a unifying idea about car accident the day before, it didn’t stop Wilson from Black History Month. participating in the openWe look back and try to ing event. remember where we’ve “I figured this event was been, mistakes that bigger than just me,” WilDan Ward State Hornet son said. “I kind of just put might have been made Dancers from the Sons/Ancestors all my stuff to the side, just or harms that may have to do this for the good of the Players perform during the Black been done against us as History Month opening reception. campus.” a people, but at the same Jeraniqua Martin, a junior communication studies major, Like the “N” word forum, time, our feet face forward so also contributed to the coordimany of the scheduled Black we don’t get stuck in the past. nation of Black History Month. History Month events are We want to continually move “It was a lot of work, a lot meant to be informative and forward, but in order to do that, of preplanning with the other inspirational. committee members, but knowwe have to know where we’ve “There’s some great inforing that I was a part of this mation you can learn at these been,” Foss-Snowden said. event and I put it on - it really makes me proud. Not because I want it for the glory or for the recognition, but because I want to bring everyone together as a whole, as a campus community,” Martin said. One way students can come together and work toward social change is by joining a campus-wide silent protest against the use of the “N” word Feb. 14-18. Students who wish to join the protest can do so by remaining silent on campus the duration of the week. Students may also wear tape over their mouths. Along with a few other students, Rashad Mosely, freshman ethnic studies major, came
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F ebruary 9, W ednesday
| S p r i n g I s s u e 3 | S a c r a m e n t o S tat e
EDITORIAL
Sac State’s budget walking a tightrope Dear higher education: Sucks to be you! Love, Uncle Jerry. If Gov. Jerry Brown’s State of the State Address is any indication, the budget is giving a large middle finger to colleges in California. With $500 million being slashed from the California State University system and $400 million taken from community colleges, it’s a wonder how anyone can get an education these days. How are we expected to get educated so that we can get a job, contributing money to the state? Does anyone else see a paradox here? But enough of that. It is time to look at what Sacramento State is doing for its students in this time of financial crisis. At the Spring Address, Sac State President Alexander Gonzalez had little content on what Sac State is doing to prepare for the budget. It has now been a few weeks, and he and the University Budget Advisory Committee has done ... nothing. They still don’t have a plan, but at least there is now some reasoning behind their lack of activity. While it would have been better for Gonzalez to have had this information during the address, it’s better late than never.
If the governor’s planned budget does go through, Sac State’s budget will go down proportionally, Gonzalez said. “It’s not just across the board,” he said. “It involves the number of students, historical allocations.” Based on last year’s numbers, Sac State is looking at a budget cut of between $18 million and $20 million, Gonzalez said. He was reluctant to give the numbers, though, due to the budget situation being “up in the air.” For now, the money coming into the college’s coffers mainly comes from state allocations and student tuition. “State support dwindled, so fees go up,” Gonzalez said. “At some point, it has to stop, or we are not going to be the CSU anymore. We were founded on open access, the least expensive cost available.” In other words, the CSU system is meant to be affordable, a cheaper alternative to the University of California system, but it is turning into something that the target students are unable to pay for. Trying to manage where the money that the university is getting is the budget committee. Committee chair Fred Baldini, dean of the College of Health and Human Services, is
optimistic about making due with the money the budget allocates to Sac State. “We are positioned well for this,” Baldini said. “We have a very good handle on enrollment, we know where all the money is, and we have been conservative in our planning by setting aside reserves to help deal with any major cuts.” There’s one problem: Gonzalez contradicts Baldini. “We don’t have an enrollment target for next year,” Gonzalez said. “I’ll be at the chancellor’s office (next week). We hope to have an approximate enrollment then. Once we get that target, we can start planning.” To be fair, Baldini was realistic in the fact that the budget committee doesn’t know much right now. “As new information becomes available to us, we can more clearly define what the actual cuts to our campus will be and then determine the best way to address those cuts,” Baldini said. Normally, the budget committee has six months to develop a budget, Gonzalez said. It would send a request to every division of the university to submit a budget. Then, the committee compares the requests to the enrollment
target and decide upon what it believes is reasonable and what should be funded, he said. “We can’t do that now; we have no idea,” Gonzalez said. “Last year, the enrollment target shifted four times; how can you plan? The ones that get hurt the most are students.” In short, we are just going to have to have faith in the university’s budget committee in the coming weeks, that it can manage Sac State’s budget effectively. Baldini put it best in what sounded like an appeal to Brown. “These are challenging times for higher education and the people of California must decide how important it is to have quality, affordable and accessible public education,” he said. “An investment in us is an investment in the future of the state.” Dear Gov. Brown: You do realize that giving money to higher education means getting a large return on the investment when we get jobs here, right? Good job screwing over the state for future generations. Sincerely, all the college students of California.
Marcy Hendricks State Hornet
Culture affects education
By Kelly Walters kwalters@statehornet.com February is Black History Month, which makes it a good time to start a discussion about race issues facing this generation. Talking about anything having to do with racial issues is dangerous territory because it often leads to offense. Offering ideas that challenge someone’s perspective usually does, but it is at this point most people stop the discussion for fear of retribution, or a label they can’t shake. In an academic environment, it is important to look past those fears of social stigma and push through to the actual issues at hand. We must face that we are not a colorblind society, and our generation is not exempt from the evils of the past. In order for our generation, and those of the future, to get to a place of racial harmony, we must have honest discourse
about the challenges we face. And the challenges are many. For instance, a debate now rages about new University of California admissions policies, which, in effect, are being put in place to counter the effects of Proposition 209. Passed by voters in 1996, the California Civil Rights Initiative was designed to prohibit public institutions from using race, sex or ethnicity for hiring or admissions purposes. The idea was to allow for a strictly merit-based system where prospective students would be judged on their academic and life achievements, not race. The result of Proposition 209 led to a dramatic increase in Asian and Asian-American student populations in the UC system. At UCLA, Asian students comprise more than 40 percent of the student population, whereas black students make up only 2 percent. Shockingly, the Los Angeles Times reported that in 2006 there were 97 incoming black freshman; 20 were on athletic scholarship. In the fall of 2010 there were 427 black freshman at Sacramento State, making up only 8.9 percent of total enrollment. The disparities among represented racial groups in the university system are profound.
The question must be asked: Why is the black student population so sparse? There seems to be a cultural difference in the value of education that is prevalent throughout the black community. This is a major problem for future generations of black children. The world is only moving faster and ever more furiously toward a technologically advanced global economy. But statistics show that blacks are going to be left behind. An article titled, “The Rap on Culture: How Anti-Education Messages in Media, at Home & on the Street Hold Back African-American Youth,” published by think tank Policy Bridge, referred to the book, “Losing the Race: Self-Sabotage in Black America.” Author John McWhorter writes of black youth as “subscribing to cults of victimology, separatism, and anti-intellectualism, taking ‘an almost alarming pride in disengagement from learning.’” Sarah Dickey, sophomore pre-graphic design, grew up in South Central Los Angeles, and agrees that academics were not socially accepted in her community. “Competing for scholarships in academics is almost impossible, unlike in the white community,” she said. “In order
to break out of the gangs and inner-city life you have to sell yourself.” And being academically talented doesn’t seem to sell. Dickey said many children in the black community believe the only way to create a better life is to be the next big sports or rap star. The kids she grew up with always felt that “breaking records was the only way to get into college.” Changing the cultural attitude toward education in the black community will not be easy. But, it is imperative that it happens. It will start with black parents teaching their children that college is the way to a better future. For Dickey, graduating from college will be a dream come true. She and her brother will be the first two in her family to earn a degree. Her mother pushed education, even though she herself had not completed 9th grade, she said. Black communities must build support systems and politicians must make funding available to support programs that push an education agenda. If successful, black children will see that college is a real option. And, as Dickey so eloquently put it, “once you realize it’s attainable, it moves mountains.”
Please send your comics or letters to the opinion editor at opinion@statehornet.com.
STATE HORNET OPINION ONLINE VIDEO:
Why aren’t students protesting these days? Dante Frattini finds out.
Students should fight for ideals
By Dante Frattini dfrattini@statehornet.com The chaos in Egypt is the latest showcase of the fallacies of human nature. Violence, hate and deceit have pushed aside good-natured demonstrations in what started as a peaceful example of democracy in action. Though the desire for Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to resign is primarily an Egyptspecific issue, there are many global issues being magnified by the situation. Many are upset with America for its role in supporting the unpopular Mubarak for more than 30 years. Others are upset that America has hesitated to intervene and provide support for the Egyptian citizens who are pleading for democracy. Some think if democracy prevails in Egypt, democratic influence could spread throughout the Middle East. And if you, like millions in this country, aren’t too familiar with the issues I’ve been talking about, then you are part of another issue that Egypt is exposing. We don’t really care. Not that anyone would wish anarchy upon the Egyptian people, but unless prompted to take notice by, let’s say, having to write a column on the subject, it is unlikely many people would bother to take more than a cursory notice at this major overseas affair. Students, who historically have been a very passionate and outspoken demographic, have not been as prominent or consistent in political activism in recent years. Students are no longer quick to band together with other students. It hasn’t always been this way. History professor Scott Lupo said the 1960s and ‘70s are wonderful examples of times where unity and action reigned supreme among college students. Anti-war demonstrations were a common occurrence during America’s involvement in Vietnam. “The war in Vietnam and the draft were huge factors in making students more politically active,” Lupo said. “Also important were the Civil Rights and Women’s Rights Movements.” Also, just a couple years ago, young people came together in great numbers to support presidential candidate Barack Obama. “The baby boomers want to pretend that they were active and their kids are slackers but that is not true.” said history professor Joseph Palermo. “Young people elected Barack Obama in 2008, they constituted a record turnout of about 18 percent of the electorate, and their attitudes toward gay rights and the environment and
other issues are far ahead of the curve.” Palermo said that baby boomers had the benefit of a protestfriendly climate. “The cold hand of the market has thrown cold water on all activism right now,” Palermo said. “It’s a lot harder to organize resistance than when the baby boomers were out organizing amidst a growing economy.” Lupo also thinks it is an economic issue, and identifies a shift in educational focus as a point of concern. Students are borrowing thousands of dollars in order to attend college, and the pressure to find a job after graduation is enormous. This has caused more students to study business or technology, rather than arts and humanities, Lupo said. “The humanities … tend to engage students in more critical questions about society and culture,” Lupo said. “By taking a broader scope, they help students to identify contemporary trends and issues of concern and they help them to understand the need to challenge often unrecognized abuses in society.” Without the ability to identify issues that should be challenged, students are much less apt to speak out against foreign issues than domestic ones.
Graphic by Megan Harris State Hornet
But human rights are something from which everyone benefits, regardless of location. Oppression creates poverty, anger and backlash, which we have seen in the Middle East and felt in America. While it’s easy to disregard these international conflicts and focus on one of America’s many hardships, it’s important to remember that the two are not mutually exclusive. It is not that we don’t notice what’s going on in the rest of the world – though increasing awareness is absolutely critical – it’s that since we don’t directly feel the effects, we don’t fully realize its magnitude. The one thing we absolutely cannot do is shut ourselves off from the rest of the world. By ignoring world events we are exercising apathy. And that would mean we are only protesting against our own right, and our own duty, to provide voice and support to those in need. As Americans who should support true American ideals, not the talking points thrown at us by political parties, we must keep in mind that it would do this world a great disservice, to not to take full advantage of the rights and privileges we are given.
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F ebruary 9, W ednesday
| S p r i n g I s s u e 3 | S a c r a m e n to S tat e
Solving problems through artwork
Edgar Heap of Birds’ posters will be available for viewing until Friday. His lecture will be at 5:30 p.m. in Mariposa Hall, Room 1000. A reception will follow from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Witt Gallery in Kadema Hall.
By Alexandra Poggione apoggione@statehornet.com Edgar Heap of Birds’ art tells a story of both his personal history and the history of hundreds of thousands of Native Americans. Heap of Birds, a Native American artist, has had exhibitions throughout the nation and world and is making his second appearance at Sacramento State this week. His appearance is sponsored by the Asian Art History Club, whose faculty adviser, art professor Pattaratorn Chirapravati, invited Heap of Birds to speak at Sac State for the first time in 2003. “Edgar is an outstanding speaker,” Chirapravati said. “He brought many of us to tears when he gave his talk here. (As a result) many students became interested in Native American art.” A member of both the Cheyenne and Arapahoe Native American tribes, Heap of Birds uses paint and metal to create thought-provoking posters, paintings and sculptures. He has spoken at dozens of colleges and universities, and been a guest lecturer at several more. Though Heap of Birds has recently begun to use more modern mediums like computerized billboards and art displays on metal signposts, a lot of his art is what he considers prints or posters. While some are full of words highlighting the despair and irony present in the cultural history of
Native Americans, others consist of contrasting colors in feathery, organic shapes laid out on top of one another. The art Heap of Birds is exhibiting this week is a retrospective of his posters titled “Messages Through the Years,” consisting of work from 1986 to present. Though his posters may not fit into the traditional canvas-andframe definition of art, he believes the message is much more important than an aesthetically pleasing appearance. “Art is a part of visual learning, visual expression,” Heap of Birds said. “A big part of art is the content, the meaning behind (the piece).” Heap of Birds has been “involved in art” for most of his life, but art became politicized for him while he was in graduate school. Now, a new piece usually begins with a problem or a question he wants to uncover or investigate, and usually ends with a message about Native American history. “I was talking in Beijing to a group of students about a print I made in 1989. (I told them) I was there in Tiananmen Square, and they brought out a papier mache model of the Statue of Liberty. They had such a mythical idea about democracy, which they would kill for, but I reminded them that while the Statue of Liberty is welcoming everyone to America, her back is to the Indians,” Heap of Birds said. Much of Heap of Birds’ posters are high-contrast and sparse, a plain back-
ground sporting heavily connoted words and images. An occasional burst of color adds interest and meaning, changing a caricature of a happy Native American face into an overt bloodbath. Heap of Birds’ posters will be accompanied by a lecture at the culmination of the exhibit on Friday. The lecture, titled “Being a Global Citizen and Sharing Native History and Art Across the World,” will address the history and culture of both Native Americans and other indigenous peoples around the world. “(Being a global citizen) is having enough empathy to care about the populations around the world. We need to see ourselves in an alliance with the native people, and know native people’s rights. I have empathy with other people’s plights, not just my own, but we need to see the alignment between all cultures,” Heap of Birds said. The theme that remains constant throughout all of Heap of Birds’ work, regardless of whether it is paint on paper or porcelaincovered steel, is the struggle that Native Americans have faced in the hundreds of years of American history. “I try to depict others’ plights,” Heap of Birds said. “(The display of) that destruction is carried out through art, and that art is my expression.”
Jesse Sutton-Hough State Hornet
Top: Senior graphics majors Matt Mora, left, and Thomas Adcock, right, admire posters by artist Edgar Heap of Birds in the Witt Gallery on Monday. Bottom: The Witt Gallery showcases Edgar Heap of Bird’s artwork. His collection of large-size prints overpowers the eye with the massive text size and messages that he presents.
KSSU celebrates at ‘The Dating Game’ Nooner By Kayla Oliverio koliverio@statehornet.com To celebrate 20 years of tuning in and cranking it up, KSSU is partnering with UNIQUE to offer a string of events throughout the semester, starting with the annual tradition of The Dating Game. KSSU and UNIQUE are teaming up to present The Dating Game today as part of the momentous celebration of the station’s anniversary. While most of KSSU’s listeners can be found tuning in online, the station also occupies an AM radio frequency, 1580 KHz. Zenia LaPorte, UNIQUE programs adviser, is regularly involved in the planning and execution of this event. “UNIQUE has been doing The Dating Game for quite a few years,” LaPorte said. “(This year), we have between 50 and 60 volunteers (putting on the event). KSSU supplies the dates, gift certificates, and encourages the winners to go out together.” The Dating Game is played by either a bachelor or bachelorette who asks a series of pre-determined questions to a group of three potential suitors, all hidden from view. The types
of questions can range from what the suitor plans on doing during a date to what kind of person they are looking for. The bachelor or bachelorette then chooses the suitor who provided the most appealing answers. But with so many varying types of dating game shows out there, why choose The Dating Game, a show made popular on TV in 1965? Because dating and embarrassment still go hand in hand. Past contestant Martin Valentine, senior math major, thoroughly enjoyed watching and participating in this event. He said things are sure to get awkward, embarrassing, romantic or downright hilarious. “I know this sounds maniacal, but watching people say things that completely ruin their chances is incredibly fun,” Valentine said. Fellow past contestant Christie Pierce, sophomore international relations and marketing major, expects a great show and turnout for The Dating Game event this year. “My favorite part of (last year’s) show was that the crowd got involved. Crowd involve-
ment shows an interest in what is being presented and if there is interest then there is probability for a good follow-up event the next year. I would highly recommend students to attend if not participate,” she said. KSSU’s involvement in this event is not only a great way to celebrate its anniversary, but it is a great way to garner new fans and listeners. “I believe the more events KSSU attends, the better. Awareness for any company, organization, or club needs one characteristic: an audience. What better way to promote KSSU than to attend those events where there is already an established audience,” she said. Valentine also believes that KSSU’s presence at the event makes for a successful and entertaining evening. “Some of KSSU’s best talent is being showcased (at this event.) Go to The Dating Game, watch host Nate Goodyear, take notes on his suaveness, and I guarantee the best Valentine’s Day you’ve ever had,” Valentine said. While this event is great exposure for the radio station, the main purpose of The Dating
Game is student involvement. “(We’re) mostly looking for students to have fun and being there supporting their friends,” LaPorte said.
Together, KSSU and UNIQUE will be hosting several more events to celebrate the station’s 20th anniversary, including a Battle of the Bands;
Cap City Culture, a DJ-ing and beatboxing exhibition; a screening the new Tron: Legacy movie; and another game show, Family Feud.
Graphic by Megan Harris
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Features Section
Native American stand-up troupe to perform at CSUS By Alex Grotewohl agrotewohl@statehornet.com Comedian Marc Yaffee wants students to take a break from their studies on Thursday to come out and have a laugh. He will be among the performers when Sacramento State hosts a stand-up comedy show in the University Union Ballroom. The show, which will feature two of the three members of the Native American comedy troupe known as “Pow Wow Comedy Jam,” as well as another Native American comedian filling in for the absent Howie Miller. Yaffee, who is one of the scheduled performers, described what he does as “minority niche” comedy that touches on the Native American experience, and likens it in many ways to the work of Latino comedians such as George Lopez. Unlike the much larger Latino comedy market, however, Yaffee said what makes Native American comedy special is that no one is expecting it. In fact, he said the performers who will be at Sac State on Thursday are some of the only paid Native American comedians in the business. He said, though, that on Thursday everyone would be able to find something to laugh about. “Comedy is a universal topic, this is just a Native perspective,” Yaffee explained. UNIQUE Programs Adviser Zenia LaPorte said there is at least one other big reason why students should make a point of attending the show. “It’s a free event,” LaPorte said. “These guys play nightclubs and casinos, where you’d have to pay a cover charge and you’d have to be at least 21 to attend. It’s also open to the public, so if a student wants to bring someone who doesn’t go to Sac State, they are welcome to.” Yaffee explained that all ages are welcome because the subject matter does not get too dark.
LaPorte said UNIQUE is hosting the event in collaboration with Ensuring Native Indian Traditions, a club on campus that will also be putting together a Native American Culture Week in March. As for the style of comedy one can expect from the performers, Yaffee said the three comedians take very different approaches. Vaughn Eaglebear, the other official troupe member slated to appear, is described by Yaffee as similar to famous jokester Steven Wright, whose deadpan one-liners made him popular in the 1980s. “He’s real disjointed; all over the map,” Yaffee said. Charlie Ballard, who is scheduled to take the place of Pow Wow veteran Howie Miller, on the other hand, is the opposite. Yaffee described Ballard as a “giant man” who “stands out in the crowd”. Yaffee also emphasized the word “flamboyant” in relation to Ballard, whom he said is very loud and dramatic. In regards to topics that will be covered, Yaffee, whose daughter is a jazz studies major at Sac State, said that nothing is off the table. Similar to other varieties of
ethnic comedy, family life and racial issues will be a big part of the act. However, Yaffee stressed this will be a show that will feature “something for everyone.” Like a lot of stand-up, politics will also be a topic of conversation. Yaffee claimed that the Native American perspective on politics is not something most people hear very often. He said the show will offer students an opportunity to “laugh a lot, and learn something, too.” “After all, illegal immigration is a 500-year(-old) issue,” Yaffee said. Overall, though, he said that the Pow Wow Comedy Jam is not an opportunity for Native Americans to castigate other segments of the audience. “We are not out to beat up the white man,” Yaffee joked. “I’m half-white, and I’d feel guilty.”
Pow Wow Comedy Jam will be performing at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday in the University Union Ballroom.
Courtesy Photos
Clockwise from top left: Comedians Marc Yaffee, Vaughn Eaglebear and Charlie Ballard.
statehornet.com
B3 Sports Updates MEN’S BASKETBALL vs. PORTLAND STATE
FEB. 3
W 63-55 at MONTANA
FEB. 10
6:05 P.M. at MONTANA STATE
FEB. 13
11:05 A.M. WOMEN’S BASKETBALL at PORTLAND STATE
FEB. 3
L 92-74 vs. MONTANA
FEB. 10
7:05 P.M. at MONTANA STATE
FEB. 12
THESTATEHORNET
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F ebruary 9, W ednesday
| S p r i n g I ss u e 3 | S a c ra m ento S tate
Baseball coach begins first season By AJ Taylor ataylor@statehornet.com For 32 seasons it was Sacramento State alumnus John Smith who watched over Hornet baseball, who did his best to keep them on a winning track. Now for the first time in 32 years it will be another skipper who leads the Hornets into their next season. After more than three decades, it had become a common sight to see Smith, donning his No. 22, in the Hornets home dugout. It was bound to happen sooner or later – a time when another man would take the reins of the program. Now the time has come. Reggie Christiansen, the newest head coach at Sac State,
was given the reins from Smith himself. Christiansen will not require any break-in period; this first season as head coach of the Hornets will be his third as a coach of Hornet baseball. “I’m excited and very supportive of Dr. Wanless’ decision to announce coach Christiansen as the program’s next head coach,” Smith said in a press release. “In a short period of time at Sacramento State, Reggie has demonstrated the work ethic, knowledge, and ability to teach the game the way it should be taught. He is a man of integrity with a high sense of morals, and I feel comfortable knowing that the program will continue on the right path.” The Hornets who knew Smith
say they still hold a place in their heart for him. Senior Trevor Paine can only describe Smith as an easy man to talk to, a knowledgeable head coach, and someone who knew how to play and teach the game right. But in a way the Hornets will never play a home game without Smith. In preparation for the 2011 season, the baseball field was re-christened John Smith Field; a commemorative sign was fastened above the scoreboard in left-center Steven Turner State Hornet field. Before being promoted to head coach, Reggie ChristianBefore his first season as head sen worked with the team for two seasons as assistant coach has even begun, he has head coach and an associate head coach. see Coach| page B5
Softball gets back in action
2:05 P.M.
By Joe Fleming jfleming@statehornet.com
GYMNASTICS
Despite a preseason snub, the Sacramento State softball team remains optimistic. A poll from head coaches within Sac State’s conference predicted the team would finish third in the standings for the Pacific Coast Softball Conference. The team suffered a slow start last year going 3-12 in nonconference games to begin, but finished with a 23-31 overall record and 13-7 against Pacific Coast Softball Conference opponents. The season starts Friday with a double-header against Fresno State. The team will play the first eight games on the road. The season will begin with the lady Hornets competing against nationally ranked teams such as Missouri, Washington and San Diego State. “It gets us ready for conference,” said first baseman Alyssa Nakken, “I don’t care that we’re (ranked) third.” Nakken said she paid no attention to the latest rankings and thought the team will do even better in spite of the poll results. The Hornets will have to survive on the road until they play their first home game against Portland State on Feb 25. Head coach Kathy Strahan, who is a 27-year veteran of the sport, realizes the difficult start could be a big challenge for the women. “This may be one of the toughest schedules we’ve ever played since I’ve been here,” Strahan said. Strahan said she is encouraged by what she has seen thus far and there is plenty of competition for starting spots on the team. However, the team is still reeling from the loss of two “big bats” in Desiree Beltran, who transferred to Oregon State for personal reasons, and Erin Jones, who was removed from the team due to conduct detrimental to the program. “One of the challenges for us is fitting those offensive roles
at CAL
FEB. 6
1ST PLACE 192.900 at UTAH STATE
FEB. 11
7 P.M.
MEN’S TENNIS at WEBER STATE
FEB. 4
W 5-2 at IDAHO STATE
FEB. 4
W 6-1 at PORTLAND
FEB. 10
8:00 A.M. at TULSA
FEB. 12
4 P.M.
vs. OKLAHOMA STATE
FEB. 13
8 A.M.
WOMEN’S TENNIS vs. NEVADA
FEB. 4
W 5-2 vs. ST. MARY’S
Top: Shelby Voelz, a junior pitcher, works on strengthing her arm for the upcoming season.
FEB. 6
W 4-3 Tell us which athletes you hate the most and why on our website at statehornet.com. But first find out who the Hornet sports staff hates the most.
Left: Meagan Schaefer, a senior pitcher, works on her hand-eye cordination and batting skills.
More on B4
Jesse Charlton State Hornet
because they were huge hitters for us,” Strahan said. Sophomores Emily McCormick and Kelli Frye, along with Nakken, will have to fill the holes left by Jones and Beltran, who hit .391 and .462, respectively. The women were eager to claim the team chemistry and commitment to each other that will help them prevail. “Our strength is our heart,” said junior pitcher Shelby Voelz. Voelz is one of three pitchers returning from last season. The pitching staff should be a valuable asset for women this spring. Voelz enjoyed 11 wins, 20 complete games, 5 shutouts and 118 strikeouts in 164.1 innings in 2010. She was also named Pacific Coast Softball Conference Pitcher of the Week two times for the Hornets last year. Sac State looks to unseat Saint Mary’s College this year after falling just short of them last season. “I hope it lights a fire under our ass,” said senior pitcher Megan Schaefer. “Excuse my language.” Schaefer will most likely factor as a larger part of the team’s success this season. Not only is she a solid starting pitcher, earning a 1.77 ERA in conference, but can also drive in runs. Schaefer batted .368 in 19 plate appearances against Pacific Coast Softball Conference teams. Hitting with runners in scoring position was a problem the Hornets faced all last year and is something the girls are trying to work at improving. “That was something we struggled with last year,” Nakken said. “Stringing our hits together.” Nakken has emerged as a star on the team, and may be a key player for the game. She believes it is going to take a collective effort from everyone in order to be successful and play to their strengths. “I think we’re all key players,” Nakken said, “What we do well (is) we capitalize on other teams mistakes.”
Women’s basketball struggles continue By Stacey Adamas sadams@statehornet.com Hope rises as the women’s basketball team gears up for back-to-back home games this week. The team hopes that being back on the home court will open up the opportunity to turn the season around for the better. So far this season the lady Hornets have struggled to bring home a victory, but they are not letting this be their defeat. The only thing holding the team back is lack of experience and being a young team, said head coach Jamie Craighead.
Although they have had what can be considered a dismal season, the women said they are not giving up the fight until the battle is over. With only a few returning players, the women’s basketball team is battling the season with players who are new to this level of play. Most of the team is made up of freshmen players, with a mix of leadership from the upper classmen. Although they are a small team, they do not let that add to the odds against them. “We’re a young team,” Craighead said. “Turning things around takes growth and experience. It’s all a learning
experience.” Craighead said she feels the team is still growing and the experience is coming. Gaining experience will drive the team forward, one step at a time. There have been injuries within the team, but nothing that shook it up badly. The three seniors on the team are playing with injuries, said guard Jasmine Cannady, but are back in action this season. The injuries will not be used as an excuse or a crutch, Craighead said. see Losses| page B6
File Photo
Hornets’ guard Tika Koshiyama-Diaz grabs a rebound during a December game against San Francisco. The women’s basketball team has not seen a win since Dec. 5.
B4
Wednesday - February 9
Sports Section
statehornet.com
Former basketball player gives back to Sacramento youth By Dave Mason ataylor@statehornet.com
Whether it is studying for school or developing ideas for his “U BRIDGE THE GAP” The transition from fantasy program, which raises the to reality: It’s a tough change awareness of the importance to grasp for people, including student and professional of education, the one athletes who struggle to constant on his mind is find out who they are and education. what they want after their His own struggles in athletic careers are over. school motivated him to Sacramento State bashelp others. ketball Hall of Fame guard Jameel Pugh dealt with the “To fail seven math experience firsthand. classes in college is ridicAfter playing collegiately ulous,” Pugh said. “I just at University of Massachudidn’t have the skillset. I setts and Sac State, he had had to work extra hard a brief stay in the NBA but where is the time to Developmental League. He then headed overseas work extra hard when to play on teams in New you have to work extra Zealand and Australia hard to make it to play before finishing his stint professional basketball?” with a team in Mexico. Pugh’s work with As he sits at his dining Sacramento City Unified room table in his small one-bedroom apartment provides him the oppornear Sac State, Pugh said tunity to work with the that coming to the realizayouth and help them the tion that his playing days same way he was helped. were over was difficult. Courtesy of Bob Solorio “When he sees the po“It was a tough transiFormer Sac State men’s basketball guard Jameel Pugh played basketball overseas before coming back to Sacramento to tential in them, he wants tion for about six or seven months. I spent a lot of time work with the Sac City School District to help provide more opportunities for youth. to push them fast and in church, prayed about it, furiously and sometimes tried to figure out. Really I think he forgets, and I have be used by the system, use the themselves with that sport for play. Even as a basketball player Louise Pugh, for being one of trying to detox from basketball,” system.” so long it becomes their life. that was just a platform to kind the most important people in to remind him. You’re looking said the Pugh, 28. “It was somePugh is using the system and “It’s a lack of preparation. of ease into other things.” his life but even she struggled in the mirror,” Chirunga said, thing I had done all my life and also pushing to make changes People prepare you to make it One of his many mentors with the notion that her son’s “He’s learning.” it was like ‘Am I really going to to the NBA but no one prepares to the system. is his former middle school NBA dreams were over. stop now at 25?’” Pugh may have missed out on His living room consists of you to leave,” Pugh said. “No basketball coach Jonathan “I just felt like if he stayed in It all ended all too fast for playing in the NBA. Deep down some furniture and an old teleone prepares you to transition the D-league and worked a little Chirunga. Chirunga saw the Pugh, who was waived by a he may dream about playing vision that has not been used in to the real world. The support academic potential in Pugh, harder he could make it to the Mexican professional team three years is tucked away in the hoops and the stardom he could and wanted to assist him in see- system that you had in place NBA,” Louise Pugh said. “He following a loss. Team officials have had, but his mother could corner. since you were 10, now that ing that potential. still had talent to continue. ” drove Pugh to the airport but it The most important part of you’re 35, no one’s holding your “Unfortunately being a young Although moving on from not be more proud about where was closed. his living room is his “motihand. ” black male that could run and basketball was like moving on his life is headed. Pugh found himself sleepvational corner.” This is where Chirunga, who first coached jump high, people would only from a long-term relationship, ing on top of his bags until the “I’m just proud he’s successPugh’s mind goes to work and Pugh in Fremont when Pugh look at him as a basketball Jameel Pugh’s transition was morning. ful after basketball,” said Louise his ideas flow. was 13 years old, believes player rather than a student,” easier than most. He had many “That was my last experience Pugh. “I’m even more so now A whiteboard above his desk student-athletes need to better Chirunga said. “I just wanted mentors that told him life was with basketball and it really left because he’s on the right path reads: “I will not be afraid to prepare themselves for their to help him realize he could be more than basketball. me with the feeling of do I refor success for himself.” follow my dreams because of post-playing days. a very smart person and be a “The reason I’ve been able ally want to continue playing?” And the journey continues. fear of not making money.” “Most athletes aren’t going to high-flying basketball player.” to navigate this differently is said Pugh, who works in the Youth Development Department for the Sacramento City Unified School District and on the City of Sacramento planning commission. Pugh credits his mother,
because I have my mentors who have pulled out things within me that I didn’t know were there,” he said. “They have always told me that I should never define myself by the sport I
But for some athletes, the transition is not so smooth. Whether it is a college athlete or a professional athlete whose career comes to an end, those individuals have identified
be professional and secondly, they need to take advantage of the free education even if it takes you five years, make sure you walk away with a bachelor’s degree,” Chirunga said. “Don’t
Men’s golf has sights set on regionals for the spring season but from the coach as well. Christopher Hall, head coach of the men’s golf team, is With all of its players returnexpecting higher play from his ing, the Sacramento State men’s players because of the potential golf team has high expectations they showed toward the end of for the upcoming spring last season. season. In the falll 2010, the team “We have the talent, honwas able to win the Purple estly, to compete with those and Red Invitational in Layin our region and potentially ton, Utah, and finish seventh win every tournament,” said at the Bill Cullum Invitajunior Jake Johnson. “Coach tional in Simi Valley, Calif. expects much higher play In the Bill Cullum Invitafrom us after last season.” tional, the last tournament Johnson finished with the of the season, the men had highest individual score at the an all but forgettable first Purple and Red Invitational round. But in the last two in fall 2010. He believes they rounds, they ended with can achieve their ultimate the best scores in the entire goal, which is to finish in the tournament when compared Top 100 so they can hopefully to the other schools that get a bid to play in the NCAA competed, Hall said. Regional Tournament. Hall has a master’s degree Right now the men’s team in sports psychology from Courtesty of Bob Solorio stands somewhere in the 130 the University of Fresno and range. Though the team’s main Grant Rappleye led the 2009is putting it to good use in 10 team averaging 73.48 in 27 goal is to reach the Top 100, the order to develop the players’ rounds. By Anthony Honrade ahonrade@statehornet.com
men would love to reach the Top 75, which would guarantee a spot in the NCAA Regional Tournament. The team’s high expectations come not only from the players,
mental game. Hall also has his players participating in other drills to help them expand on their all-around game. “We’re working on stuff all the time,” Hall said. “We’re doing a lot of new stuff like short game practice and mental skills training.” The players agree. “The mental game is so critical in golf,” Johnson said. “It’s something we all need to work on. One of the biggest challenges the men face when competing in tournaments is having all of the players compete at their full potential, something Hall believes can be achievable in their upcoming tournaments. “The biggest obstacle we have to deal with is trying to get everyone to play at their peak at the same time,” Hall said. The team travels to tournaments with five players, but is only allowed to keep the four
highest scores. Improving from last season is something that is not going to come without hard work and dedication. These student-athletes not only face pressures on the golf course, but off it as well. In the past season, the team had three out of four tournaments with just about a week in between them to prepare. “When we get tournaments back to back, its hard because we have to stay up on our school work so our teachers sometimes get mad at us,” said Grant Rappleye, last season’s Conference Player of the Year. “Other times we spend more time doing homework than practicing so it affects our play.” This season, however, the tournaments they will be playing in are more spaced out, which gives them more time to prepare as well as keep up with their school work. The team will be playing in
five tournaments this season. In between those tournaments, they will have about three weeks to prepare themselves, Rappleye said. The men keep a chart in Hall’s office to remind themselves of all the things they need to work on, and their goals for the season. The players has about three things listed under each of their names they hope to work on before the season starts. Some examples are: having a more versatile short game, having a higher ball flight, and one even hoped to develop the “nastiest short game ever.” The simplest item on the list was to “stay positive.” “The key is believing in ourselves and playing to our potential,” Johnson said.
On Second Thought: Most Hated Athlete Which athlete do you hate the most?
By AJ Taylor ataylor@statehornet.com The athlete who I most dislike has to be a Los Angeles Dodger, but which one? There are so many to choose from. But most are too obvious. The Dodger I dislike the most, it has got to be for a reason other than: Damn, he is good, and he whoops my Giants’ butt. This brand of dislike has got to come from the heart, and that is why I have chosen Casey Blake.
Blake has always been a Giant killer, and he rarely shies away from being flamboyant about it. But the day Blake really lost any shred of respect that I might have been able to conjure up for him was a sunny day in Los Angeles in the 12th inning of a heated Giants/Dodgers matchup. That day, Blake not only stole a save out of the hands of my boy Brian Wilson, but after Blake rocked that pitch, and he was finished trotting around the bases, he proceeded to stare straight at Wilson and mocked the crossed arm gesture that Wilson performs at the end of every saved game to honor his father who passed away when he was only 17. The Giants had the last word, though. The next inning the Giants plated two runs to win the game. Hopefully Blake took the lesson.
By Stacey Adams sadams@statehornet.com One athlete that I cannot stand is Shaquille O’Neal. Sure he is a great basketball player, but for him that is not enough. I don’t understand why he has to be the best at everything. Shaq has tried to conquer everything under the sun from being a sheriff to being a mu-
sical recording artist. Now he has his own reality show, “Shaq Vs.,” where he tries to take on the best of the best in their own area of expertise. He has taken on celebrities such as Rachel Ray, Justin Bieber and Michael Phelps. It does not make sense to challenge someone in a field you have minimal knowledge in. Honestly, I think Shaq is having some insecurities about himself or male egotistical issues. The way I see it, his trying to be the best at everything is his way of feeling better about himself. Give it up Shaq, not everyone can be the top dog. If you want to be remembered for something, be remembered for being a great basketball player - not for trying to take over the world like Pinky and the Brain.
By Cassie Kolias ckolias@statehornet.com Well everyone obviously knows that I have a deep-seated hatred for the supposed “King” of basketball, LeBron James, but he isn’t even worth repeatwriting about. But if you would believe it, I actually hate another athlete almost as much as I hate LeBron. His name is Ichiro Suzuki. Suzuki, or as the back of his
jersey says Ichiro, is a rightfielder for the Seattle Mariners. And the reasons that I hate him aren’t what you might think. I don’t hate him because he is a jerk. I don’t hate him because he’s so good at baseball. It’s more random than that. It was one of those things where you just look at someone, and they immediately rub you the wrong way, and you just can’t tell why. The minute he took his at-bat during an Oakland A’s game I despised him. From the way that he has a habit of adjusting his jersey before every single pitch, to the way that his bating stance reminds me of a little boy who has to pee so bad that he is about to wet himself. Seriously Ichiro, your jersey is fine, and if you have to pee, go before you hit the field. It’s only polite.
Wednesday - February 9
Sports Section
statehornet.com
B5
Crab feed raises money to aid athletes, fund department By Matt Harrington mharrington@statehornet.com The Stinger Athletic Association held its annual crab feed Saturday night to help raise funds for the Sacramento State Athletic department. The first crab feed last year had 450 donors come out in support of student-athletes. This year the ballroom at the Citrus Heights Community Center was sold out with 650 donors, athletic staff and current athletes packing the room. The Stinger Athletic Association was established in the early ‘80s to build revenue for all 20 athletic programs at Sac State. According to the association’s web page, its supporters are vital for Sac State’s ability to provide a standout Division I experience for nearly 500 student-athletes. The crab feed is just one event of many the Stinger Athletic Association plans and puts on in support of Sac State Athletics every year. Other events include wine tasting in April and a golf tournament in September. Each event has a fee, which helps keep the association
afloat. The ticket price for the crab dinner was $45 per person or $450 for a table of 10. With the 650 in attendance, raffle sales, beverage sales and a live auction that saw a $2,000 Thomas Kinkade painting auctioned off, the night raised an estimated $50,000. The totality of the night’s festivities will not be known for several days until final costs are factored. Mark Livingston, associate athletic director of development, is in charge of finding donors and viable revenue sources to help offset the costs of providing fully paid scholarships for just over 250 of the 500 student-athletes that attend Sac State. The money taken in from events like the crab feed goes toward the living expenses and educational costs of studentathletes, Livingston said. He said that last year the crab feed raised about $27,000 and this year he hopes to raise $30,000 - enough to cover two full scholarships out of 250. Events like the crab feed are vital, Livingston said, because the association needs to con-
tinually seek out means of supSac State athletic department to raise $3.75 million for an port for the athletic department academic school year. annually. in order to support its student“I feel that my donation and Many donors came out to athletes. sponsorship go to the right help work toward that amount. “It’s what I do every day, Enjoying the night’s festivities, people. That’s why I do it every trying to raise more money for John Riga, who owns California year,” Riga said. “I donate a gift the athletic department. As we certificate for the use of one of Limousine, contributes to the know, state funding is going our big stretch vehicles. It is Stinger Association and the down and valued at $1,200.” budgets are With all of the other being slashed,” colleges in the SacraLivingston said. mento area like UC Davis and William Jessup “So there is University, Riga makes more pressure Sac State the sole recipion a person ent of his donations. like me to go Many student-athletes out and raise benefit from the genmoney and exerosity of donors and ternal support. sponsors like Riga. One College athletformer student-athlete ics is expensive, and Sac State men’s baseverything ketball standout is Loren from travel to Leath. uniforms and “The athletic deso it becomes partment gave me a reality to get the opportunity to do external supsomething I love, which port to pay the was to play basketball. bills.” But it also gave me the In order for opportunity to get away the athletic from home,” Leath said. department Brittany Bradley State Hornet “Being a Hornet also to fully fund Bowls filled to the brim with crab line the allowed me to mature on 250 scholarships, kitchen. Volunteer cooks prepared a meal for and off the court.” Livingston needs donors of the Stinger Athletic Association.
DOUBLE COVERAGE
Hate the Giants, but in love with Brian Wilson
By Cassie Kolias ckolias@statehornet.com Brian Wilson is my hero. How can you not love a guy who not only wins a World Series, but also has a beard with a tan, and is a certified mindassassin? Well normally I wouldn’t. Mostly because I have a deepseated hatred of all that is the San Francisco Giants. Those feelings aside, I just can’t bring myself to hate closer Brian Wilson. It’s quite the opposite. I feel like if I were a man, I would be Brian Wilson. I don’t fear the beard, like Giants fans would want me to. I do, however, respect the beard. In an interview, Wilson was asked by a reporter if he colored his quite obviously dyed chin hair, and he replied that he didn’t and that it was just tan. It is certainly the only beard that I have ever heard of that is capable of tanning. It’s funny to me though that his beard is a tanning sun worshiper, while his faux hawk thing he has growing from his head remains a normal shade of brown. It’s obviously an unexplainable phenomenon. It seems like it would be difficult to not love someone who willingly makes themselves look like they got into a fight with an electric razor and lost. It’s also difficult to not love someone who looks like his facial hair was dipped into a bucket of the blackest black paint just for the heck of it. Not only is every hair growth on his body apparently ridiculously awesome, but this guy swears he is a certified ninja. He took a training course that took exactly 12 minutes. His specialty in the ninja world is supposedly being a mind assassin, and this skill helps in closing out games. My childhood dream was to be best friends with a ninja – no joke. The ninja always likes to cause a stir, and I can’t help but enjoy that about him. He once got in trouble for wearing neon orange Nikes that weren’t up to par with the uniform requirements, so he used a Sharpie to color up just enough to pass regulation. He was fined $1,000 for wearing
these “distracting” shoes. The surprising thing about it all is that minus the over-thetop beard that looks like felt and the random mullet-like faux hawk, Wilson is actually an extremely attractive man. I would have never guessed that. But one thing that makes people even more attractive is their sense of humor, and sometimes I wonder if Wilson should replace his dirt mound with a poorly lit stage and a single microphone. Instead of pitching to secure world titles, he could be competing to be the Last Comic Standing.
He did an interview in January on Lopez Tonight, and he showed up dressed as a seaman, and cracked jokes about Chuck Norris. “Chuck Norris is known to throw pitches at a 100 miles per hour,” Wilson said. “I’m known to throw Chuck Norris at a 100 miles per hour.” Hands down, Wilson is the funniest man in baseball and I love him. Don’t get any ideas, though. This doesn’t mean I have any soft spot for the Giants.
Courtesty of McLatchy Tribune
Brian Wilson, pitcher for the San Francisco Giants, closed the World Series to clinch a win against the Texas Rangers.
Leath graduated from Sac State in spring of 2009 with a bachelor’s in communication studies and mass media. Along with graduates, there were many current athletes in attendance. Men’s soccer standout Matt Linenberger sees how the charity of the donors goes to helping his teammates and other student-athletes at Sac State. “I think it is great that they donate to the school. They pay for many of our scholarships and they are really crucial for some of the players,” Linenberger said. “They help many of players that couldn’t otherwise pay for school. So it is awesome to give back to the donors at these kinds of events.” As a graduate from Sac State and a member of the association for 16 years, crab feed chairman Jack Siebert has total confidence in future success of the athletic department. “I believe in the program and I want to see them succeed,” Siebert said. “All total, I have been with the ‘stingers’ for 31-years and we have always seen positive things.”
Coach: Christiansen brings changes to turn team around Continued | page B3 made moves that will echo over John Smith Field for years to come. A top-50 recruiting class was the first Christiansen brought in as the Hornets head coach, and another group of highly talented young ball players were grabbed at this year’s early signing period. This year’s baseball recruiting class was the first in any sport at Sac State to be ranked in the top 50. “Anytime you take over for someone who has been here for such a long time, you’re taking over for a legend really,” Christiansen said, “He was here for 32 years. But I try not to get caught up in what I’m trying to do versus what he did. He’s still very supportive of the program we’re just trying to get it back to where he had it back in the late ‘80s to early ‘90s when they were really winning.” To accomplish this goal Christiansen has brought with him some new coaches. Tommy Nicholson, 31, and Thad Johnson, 31, are the newest assistant coaches of Hornet baseball. They bring along with them a new attitude the team has been enjoying. “He’s a lot more laid back,” Paine said. “The coaches are younger guys who we can connect with better, Tommy Nicholson, and Thad Johnson. If you see him (Nicholson) on campus you might think he’s another student but he’s the assistant coach and he’s a really good, smart baseball man.” Nicholson spent the last two seasons at the University of Texas, where he was the assis-
tant head coach. In two seasons solid competitor as a Division with the Longhorns, Nicholson I school. He turned a 12-win was a part of two outstanding Division II program into a team teams. In 2009, with Nicholson that three seasons later won the coaching first base, the LongDivision I independent tournahorns advanced to the College ment, finishing with a 34-19 World Series and in 2010 they went to a Super Regional. record. Johnson will serve as the Christiansen will now begin Hornets’ pitching coach for to do the same for the Hornets. this 2011 season, after coming “He’s definitely turning our to Sacramento from Santa Rosa Junior College. During his time coaching for Santa Rosa, Johnson coached his pitchers to a 2.73 ERA in 2008, the lowest ERA of any junior college in the state. Johnson was also a talent scout for the Baltimore Orioles in the Northern California area. “They all have their purpose and they all seem to mesh really well together,” Paine said, “And they have real good camaraderie in their offices and that feeds over to us when we see our coaches getting along.” Steven Turner State Hornet Unfortunately, it has been seven seasons since the Reggie Christiansen’s first season as Hornets’ head Hornets last saw a winning record. It was in 2003, before coach begins Feb. 18 at U.C. Christiansen had ever gotten Davis. to Sacramento when the Hornets finished 33-24. program around,” said freshThe last two seasons, the man pitcher Tanner Mendonca, Hornets have been excluded “And he’s helping us get better, from the Western Athletic so we definitely should be Conference Tournament after posting records of 18-34-1 improved this season and in the and 27-27 in 2009 and 2010, next seasons to come we’ll just respectively. get better because of him.” Christiansen has been in this situation before. In his time as head coach of South Dakota State University in 2005-08, he built a squad from the Division II ranks to become a
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Losses: Women look to end losing streak with homestead Continued | page B3 When asked about the game against Portland a couple of weeks ago, both Cannady and guard Tika Koshiyama-Diaz said not enough effort was presented until the second quarter. When the effort did kick in, it was too late in the game to recover. “I feel like we came out and got caught up in the scoreboard,” Cannady said, “And felt like we were defeated instead of continuing to play.” Cannady and Koshiyama-Diaz said if they can continue to pull the effort from the second half of the Portland game, then they can make it to the conference tournament. “We just need everyone to show up on the same day,” Koshiyama-Diaz said. Most would think such
struggles would tear a team apart, but in this case it has done the exact opposite. The team has come together as a family, Koshiyama-Diaz said. Instead of allowing their bad luck to drive a wedge between them, these women have rallied together to get through the season. The team has pulled together to support each other through the season. “It brings you together because you have to stay together to get through a season,” Cannady said. The team gets along great off the court as well. It’s not only present in the gym. These women have become so close it is hard for them to compete against each other in practice everyday, Craighead said. The women of this team have shown how strong they
truly are by continuing to work hard to go as far as they can in the season. They continue to take a step forward with each game, Craighead said. “I think if we just get our first win that will give us confidence and the momentum to finish off the season in a positive way,” Koshiyama-Diaz said. Going into each game, the team has the goal of giving it all on the court. A goal to just work hard, it is always about effort, Cannady said. No changes are being made in the team’s strategy on the court. They are going to continue to use the strategies that they have been playing. “We’re always going to try and press you, we’re always going to try to run,” Craighead said. “That’s just the way we play. They haven’t given up yet.
Women’s basketball game losses since December Dec. 9 @ CSU Fullerton Score - 100-74
Jan. 8 @ Montana Score - 78-35
Jan. 22 @ E. Washington Score - 98-70
Dec. 11 @ Boise State Score - 73-68
Jan. 13 vs. E. Washington Score - 88-72
Jan. 27 @ Idaho State Score - 65-63
Jan. 15 vs. Idaho State Score - 76-51
Jan. 29 vs. Portland State Score - 73-97
Jan. 20 @ N. Colorado Score - 91-59
Feb. 3 @ Portland State Score - 92-74
Dec. 17 vs. Seattle Score - 92-82 Dec. 19 vs. UC Davis Score - 78-55 Jan. 6 @ Montana State Score - 106-55
We’re still fighting and competing.” The women will be in action to start their three-game homestead at 7:05 p.m. Thursday against Montana.
File Photos
Left: Hornets’ center Natasha Torgerson fights for a rebound during a preseason game against Cal Maratime. Right: Hornets’ forward Shanti Smith goes up for a shot during a December game against San Francisco State.