Issue 11 - Spring 2010 - The State Hornet

The S tate Hornet April 14, 2010

Reform bill to help youth

C alifornia S tate U niversity, S acramento

E st . 1949

O ne C opy F ree

Balancing acts amuse crowd

By Timothy Sandoval tsandoval@statehornet.com Saveel Khan, a 24-year-old senior government major, has been administering physical therapy on his own knee since he lost coverage on his father’s health insurance policy in September.

To avoid the $100-a-session cost of seeing a physical therapist, Khan went online to find stretches and exercises he could do for therapy on his knee, which he injured playing basketball. He said he still feels tension in his knee as he walks up the stairs to his classes because he could not afford the proper therapy.

“Had I had the insurance, I wouldn’t be feeling it now because I would have been able to go through the proper procedures and use the proper equipment,” Khan said. “But I had to makeshift what I could do.”

Khan and an estimated 2 million other dependent young adults will regain coverage from their parents’ insurance policy because of the health care bill passed in late March.

The bill, met with fierce opposition from Republicans, mandates that insurers cover dependents on their parents’ policies up until the age of 26.

“It really benefits myself and my family,” Khan said. “I think it will benefit most people.

America is on the right track with this.”

Mara Lee, communications director for Rep. Doris Matsui, D-Sacramento, said she has heard from many Sacramento parents and young adults who are excited about the bill.

“It’s just a huge sigh of relief for them,” Lee said. “This is an enormous benefit for young adults.”

Approximately 30 percent of young adults aged 19 to 29 are uninsured, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. They make up 13 million of the 47 million uninsured Americans today.

Jasmine Pettis, president of the Public Health Club at Sacramento State, said this is because many young adults have a hard time finding jobs that provide benefits.

“I’m about to graduate in May and most of the jobs that I am applying to require five to six years experience minimum,” Pettis said.

Lee said some people have labeled young adults “young invincibles,” because they believe they are too healthy to need insurance. “(However), the reality is if something were to happen, they can go into bankruptcy or have large unpaid medical bills,” Lee said. “This bill really provides them a level of secusee Health | page A5

Chris Chiang State Hornet

The Swan brothers perform a juggling routine as part of the Unicycle and Juggling Extravaganza on April 7.

By Kalie Barnes-Young kbarnesyoung@statehornet.com

Tina Horton State Hornet

Senior recreation management major Kaori Matsuzawa performs a figure skating routine on a unicycle at the nooner hosted by UNIQUE in the University Union.

Unusual talents were on display in the University Union’s Redwood Room as part of the UNIQUE-sponsored Unicycle and Juggling Extravaganza.

The event, held as part of UNIQUE’s “Wednesday Nooner” weekly program on April 7, featured Sacramento State student Kaori Matsuzawa performing two freestyle routines described as figure skating on a unicycle.

Matsuzawa, a senior recreation management major,

had her first experience on a unicycle while growing up in Japan, where learning how to ride the one-wheeled cycle was part of her physical education requirement.

“It was just something we had to do at around third or fourth grade,” Matsuzawa said.

“After that, it became a hobby of mine.”

Matsuzawa pursued her hobby further by working with a unicycle coach to create routines reminiscent of ice skaters.

For her routine, she traded the see Unicycle| page A8

Students gain a global ‘A breath of fresh insight on philanthropy air’ on CSU board

By Lauren Greenwood lgreenwood@statehornet.com

the participants’ leadership skills and unite clubs from around the world, said Steve Forseth, Rotaract adviser and University Union custodial services manager.

“Right now America has such a negative global image and by showing up and participating in this conference, we demonstrated that we aren’t ‘ignorant’

“On the first day of the conference, we all gathered in the main room. We came in Two Sacramento State a little bit late, but everybody students traveled to Istanbul, noticed. They started clapping Turkey, to represent Sacramenand said, ‘The Americans are to State and the United States here!’” Pierce said. “We found at an international leadership out later that we were the only conference that focused on club from North and South community service and develAmerica.” oping student leaders.

Twenty-five clubs from Christie Bulgaria, Pierce, freshIndonesia, man comPoland, “On the first day of the conference, we all gathered munication in the main room. We came in a little bit late, but ev- Italy, studies major erybody noticed. They started clapping and said, ‘The Pakistan, and Rotaract England, Americans are here!’” president, and the Czech Christie Pierce, senior busiRepublic, freshman communication studies major ness major Austria, Joseph Ross Tunisia, attended the international RoAmericans,” Pierce said. “Joseph Lebanon, Denmark, Turkey, tary Youth Leadership Awards and I speak other languages and Germany, Bulgaria and Egypt and conference held earlier this we traveled to participate in this attended. month. cultural exchange and promote The leadership awards comPierce and Ross received peace.” mittee covered all the costs an e-mail invitation from the Pierce said he was proud to of the conference, except for Istanbul Rotary Club for the have represented the U.S., even airfare. Pierce and Ross paid leadership awards. The theme though Sac State Rotaract is just for their own tickets before of the conference was “How a year old, while the other clubs seeking out Rotary sponsors to Be a CEO of Your Life.” The at the conference were at least a conference aimed to develop decade old. see Istanbul| page A7

By Cahil Bhanji cbhanji@statehornet.com

Sacramento State student and student trustee Nicole Anderson keeps her schedule busy with politics, military training and preparing for law school.

Anderson, who was recently appointed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to the California State University Board

of Trustees, has spent her time at Sac State achieving one of her goals after another. Her choice to join the Marine Corps is often seen as unexpected, she said.

“I don’t have a military family, so a lot of people are kind of surprised when they find that out,” Anderson said. “I had a fascination with law and crime see Anderson| page A7

Yana Yaroshevich State Hornet

Junior international relations major Nicole Anderson was appointed to Board of Trustees by the governor.

INSIDE THE STATE HORNET GREEN WITH EFFICIENCY

Which campus building was recognized by the Sacramento Business Journal with the New Public Project award?

News | A3

DEAN OFFERS RESPONSE Dean Sanjay Varshney responds to The State Hornet editorial on his report about the effects of AB 32 on small businesses.

Opinion | A6

OPERA THEATER

RENISHA ROBINSON

‘KICK IT TO THE BALLOT’ ASI student government candidates play games in the Library Quad to promote the upcoming election.

Ever think you could modernize opera? We didn’t either...

Find out how this athlete balances school and long distance running.

Features | B1

Sports | B3

Online News statehornet.com

The State Hornet Issue 11 | Volume 62 | No. 25

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NEWS ROUNDUP Sac State’s weekly news briefs and campus events Creek Week aims to restore local streams

Sac State Serves and more than 50 Sacramento State volunteers will take part in a national effort to clean and restore local rivers and creeks.

Volunteers will be picking up trash, cleaning waterways and removing invasive, non-native plant species at the Steelhead Creek Levee and the Cal Expo floodplain on Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon.

Following the cleanup, volunteers will enjoy the Creek Week Volunteer Celebration at Carmichael Park from noon to 2 p.m. for a barbecue, Radio Disney entertainment, games and contests.

The registration deadline for Creek Week is Thursday. For more information, contact Misty Sisneros at (916) 278-4610, or register online at www.csus.edu/cec/volunteer.

Students honored as mayoral fellows

Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson honored two Sacramento State students April 6 as his appointees to his 2010 Spring Mayoral Fellows Program.

Graduate sociology student Hafiza Arikat and undergraduate psychology major Brittany Purdy will be serving 15 to 20 hours per week as part of a memorandum of understanding signed in 2008 between the city and Sacramento State.

For more information, contact Public Affairs at (916) 278-6156.

Children’s Center hosts Day on the Quad

The Associated Students Children’s Center will host Day on the Quad in honor of the Week of the Young Child on Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

In addition to the outdoor program, the Children’s Center will be displaying the children’s art in an exhibit titled “Young at Art” in the Union Gallery until Thursday. For more information on “Young at Art,” see statehornet.com. To find out more about the Day on the Quad, contact the Children’a Center at (916) 278-6216.

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The State Hornet | Staff Editor in Chief Todd Wilson

(916) 278-6584

editor@statehornet.com Print Managing Editor Leidhra Johnson (916) 278-7300

ljohnson@statehornet.com Online Managing Editor Adalto Nascimento (916) 278-5590

online@statehornet.com News Editor

Kristine Guerra

(916) 278-5567

news@statehornet.com Assistant News Editor

Celebration of Research and Creative Activity

In response to university budget cuts, the Research and Create Activity Awards Subcommittee is hosting a conference to highlight the importance of internal research grants to faculty productivity.

The conference will be held April 21 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the University Union, and will showcase the works of approximately 80 faculty members at Sac State.

For more information, contact Jennifer Murphy at (916) 278-3616.

Brittany Bottini (916) 278-7248

bbottini@statehornet.com

Sac State receives grant for Smart Grid training program

Sac State will receive stimulus funds for the development of a new training and workforce development program to enhance the smart grid system.

The federal funding will amount in $905,348 and will support the California Smart Grid Center at Sac State, which tests and develops solutions for large-scale integration of technologies.

For more info on Smart Grid Center, contact Emir Macari, dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science, at (916) 278-6127.

Correction In the article “Students pick community over Cabo,” the name of the fraternity should have read Alpha Phi Omega. The State Hornet apologizes for this error.

Please contact Leidhra Johnson, print managing editor, for corrections at (916) 278-7300 or ljohnson@statehornet.com.

Amber Wertman (916) 278-5148

awertman@statehornet.com Photo Editor Nallelie Vega

(916) 278-5500

nvega@statehornet.com Assistant Photo Editor Mia Matsudaira (916) 278-5500

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Graphics Editor Megan Harris

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mharris@statehornet.com Multimedia Editor Edson Guillen

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eguillen@statehornet.com Copy Chief

Opinion Editor

Benjamin R. Schilter

(916) 278-7567

bschilter@statehornet.com

David Loret De Mola opinion@statehornet.com Sports Editor Dustin Nosler

(916) 278-5145

sports@statehornet.com Assistant Sports Editor

▶◀ ▶◀ ▶◀ Contact Brittany Bottini in the News department at (916) 278-7248. ▶◀ ▶◀ ▶◀

Assistant Features Editor

Ross Coleman

(916) 278-5585

Advertising Manager Diane Kauffman (916) 278-6583

ads@statehornet.com Advertisement Designer Matt Erickson

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Features Editor

Professional Journalist in Residence & Adviser

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Katrina Tupper

features@statehornet.com The first copy of this newspaper is free. Additional copies cost $1. All views expressed herein are the responsibility of The State Hornet and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Sacramento State Journalism Program, the Communication Studies Department, administration, student body or ASI unless otherwise noted. The State Hornet is copyrighted, and may not be reproduced in whole or part without the express permission of The State Hornet.

Signed articles, letters and artwork express the opinions of the authors and illustrators. Unsigned articles are the responsibility of The State Hornet. The State Hornet reserves the right to reject or edit all submissions.

Holly Heyser

hheyser@statehornet.com The appearance of an advertisement in The State Hornet does not constitute an endorsement by the newspaper of the goods and services advertised therein. The State Hornet reserves the right to reject any advertisements deemed inappropriate. An advertisement is not considered accepted until publication.

Further, The State Hornet shall not be liable for any omission on an advertisement ordered to be published. By written request, The State Hornet will reschedule and run the advertisement at the advertiser’s cost. In no case shall The State Hornet be liable for any general, special or consequential damages. Claims for adjustments of any error must be made no later than three days after publication date upon which said error occurred.

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American River Courtyard awarded for ‘green’ features

By Ricky Alejandro ralejandro@statehornet.com The Sacramento Business Journal has awarded the American River Courtyard residence hall with the New Public Project award for the building’s energy efficiency and “green” standards.

Every August, the Sacramento Business Journal holds a contest to find the best real estate projects of the year. The panel of seven judges consists of experts in development, sales, construction, design and engineering.

The judges spent three days touring the finalists.

Ron Trujillo, editor of the Sacramento Business Journal, said the ARC is raising the bar in terms of energy efficiency.

“A lot of local projects are attempting to become energy efficient, but the American River Courtyard took it to the next step,” Trujillo said.

Around 40 buildings were nominated for the award and were split into categories according to building style. The ARC won in its category, which consisted of 15 other nominated projects.

ARC, the new residence hall that opened last semester, is the first building on campus to be certified by the Leadership

in Energy and Environmental Design, a rating system established in 2008 by the U.S. Green Building Council. The new residence hall was designated “green,” which means it reduces negative environmental impacts.

This is the second time the ARC has received recognition this semester for its energy efficiency. In January, SMUD presented a check of nearly $75,000 as a part of the Savings

by Design program, which rewards buildings that exceed the energy efficiency standards of the state.

In an interview with the Sacramento Business Journal, Jon Walker, senior vice president of Grubb & Ellis Commercial Real Estate and a judge on the award panel, said developers of the ARC used public funds rightly.

The ARC’s design was influenced by student feedback during the planning stages of the building, according to a Sac State Public Affairs press release.

Angela Murdoch of housing procurement in Housing and Residential Life said student input have greatly influenced the development of the ARC. “We did multiple surveys and focus groups including various types of students, who

Yana Yaroshevich State Hornet

The Sacramento Business Journal recognized the American River Courtyard’s efforts to become energy efficient.

Energy-efficient features of the ARC: - chemical-free cooling towers - shaded windows with high-efficiency glazing - sensors that turn off air conditioning and heater expressed the need for some of the aspects you see today in the American River Courtyard,” Murdoch said.

Students and parents took part in focus groups in 2005 to determine the planning stages for the ARC. The focus groups allowed for student input as to what would persuade them to stay at Sac State.

Murdoch said the surveys indicated the need for more natural lighting and common area space. This was satisfied by the center courtyard, which allows students to enjoy the outdoors without leaving the complex.

“Many students who took part in our focus groups expressed the need for independence as far as preparing meals, but many of them were also in favor of keeping their meal plans,” Murdoch said. “This allowed for such things as a kitchenette in the suites, along with a structured meal plan.”

Some students in the focus groups also talked about the need for more personal space, Murdoch said. This created the studio and single-occupancy apartment-style suites that house four or five students. rooms are offered.

“We are very proud of the new building, and being recognized was a good chance to show it to the community,” Murdoch said.

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Plans to incorporate technology into classroom learning

By Timothy Sandoval tsandoval@statehornet.com The U.S. Department of Education recently released a draft of the National Education Technology Plan, an ambitious plan to include more technology into classroom learning.

The plan seeks to restructure classroom education and make learning more in sync with the technology that students experience every day, according to the draft. It calls on governors, local school boards and educational experts to come together and discuss the ways the plan could be implemented.

The plan is only a draft and will undergo changes as more ideas are entered.

“For students, using … real-world tools create learning opportunities that allow them to grapple with real-world problems,” the draft said.

Kimo Ah Yun, director of the Center for Teaching and Learning at Sacramento State, said the draft was a step in the right direction.

“Mostly, I think it’s a good idea because that’s where things are turning,” Ah Yun said. “This is what the students will be us-

ing in the workforce.”

One of the initiatives of the plan is to build an educational infrastructure to ensure that state and local education agencies have enough resources to deal with evolving learning methods and technology. This would include making sure that each student and educator has access to the Internet inside and outside of school.

Doug Jackson, associate vice president for academic computing, said the plan was admirable, but the “devil was in the details.”

“Making it work is going to be a lot harder than just coming up with a plan,” Jackson said. “The 800-pound gorilla in the room is the budget.”

Jackson said with the way the budget is looking, it is less likely that more technology would be used on campus.

“It’s not about whether they’re good initiatives; it’s about dollars and cents,” jackson said.

The plan discards assumptions that education has been based on time-based instruction like grade levels, in favor of looking at personalized instruction.

This would be done through

changing the student-teacher relationship to one that fosters more personalized instruction.

The plan proposes that a few teachers be in the classroom at a time, instead of just one to facilitate more personalized learning. Mark Rodriguez, professor of teacher education, said focusing on individual needs could be beneficial.

“Teachers can benefit in their planning for instruction and assessment when planning is based on classroom context factors that include students’ wants and needs,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez said that focusing on in-class needs, such as academic, language and social needs, will help to facilitate learning better.

“If we change the way students travel through the education system to one that is based on student needs rather than seat time, then perhaps we won’t have as many grade levels where learning the same material is repeated” Rodriguez said.

“How much do students benefit from learning the same material repeatedly?”

California is already looking to implement increasing its use of technology in the classroom.

In February, Assemblyman Tom Torlakson, DContra Costa, introduced Assembly Bill 2019, which proposes setting up a commission that will set standards for increasing technology in the classroom.

“The idea is that once you have a common standard, it makes it much easier and less expensive for various software and hardware manufactures to manufacture products that can be used in classrooms,” said Richard Zeiger, Torlakson’s chief of staff.

Because of the budget crisis, setting up the commission will be funded entirely by the private sector.

AB 2019 and the plan also propose that assessments be done through the use of technology. Jackson said automating assessments will be a challenge.

Matt Erickson State Hornet

“Assessments are not just about right answers and wrong answers, buy how well you understand the subject,” he said.

Rodriguez said challenges of incorporating technology into classroom learning could come from faculty members who do not want to utilize it in their teaching, and students who are not tech savvy.

“You have some hesitation because there is the tendency to resist change,” Rodriguez said.

Ah Yun said although the use of technology in education has increased over time, the univer-

sity still faces many challenges in incorporating more technology into classroom learning.

“Some faculty who want to use projectors are not able to use them because they don’t have the minimum needed to do so,” Ah Yun said.

Jackson said the plan needed to be careful to not have technology drive instruction.

“Most institutions of higher education that I know of embrace the idea that learning drives the use of technology, not technology driving teaching and learning,” Jackson said.

Health: College students granted longer coverage Continued | page A1 rity and gives them a peace of mind that they deserve.”

During the health care debate, a group called “Young Invin-

cibles” was formed to advocate for the health care reform bill.

The group consists of young people who have stories like Khan’s that show how they have fallen through the cracks of the

Megan Harris State Hornet

health care system.

“Our campaign will tell the truth about how the current system fails young people, dispel the myth that we don’t care about health care, and add our voices to the millions of Americans demanding change,” according to the group’s website.

Most dependent and full-time college students are granted longer coverage on their parents’ insurance policies.

However, like Khan, many have lost their coverage while still in school.

Khan said he was fortunate to have his insurance when he injured his knee. He had knee

surgery approximately one month before his 24th birthday, when his insurance expired.

The surgery would have cost him $25,000 had he been uninsured.

Thirty-nine states already have laws on the books that extend coverage to dependents; California is not one of them.

Only seven states have laws that extend coverage up to or past the age of 26.

The provision will not go into effect until September, six months after the bill’s passage, causing concern to some who need urgent health care.

“There is all this red tape that

still needs to go through to get everyone on the same page,” Pettis said.

There are other concerns as well.

The Department of Health and Human Services still needs to define the term “dependent,” as the bill requires. This may mean that uninsured young adults who are not labeled dependent on their parents’ taxes may not become insured on their parents’ policies.

Some insurers also have enrollment periods for new customers later than the September deadline. The bill does not specify whether these insurers

must accept adult dependents in September, or if they can wait until their scheduled enrollment periods.

Still, supporters are excited about the plan.

“It sucks that it’s going to take until September, but it could be worse; the bill could not have passed at all,” Pettis said.

Khan said that as soon as he gets back on his parents’ insurance, he will go see a physical therapist for his knee.

“I think that it (the bill) catches America up to the rest of the world where there is universal health care coverage,”Khan said.

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Anderson: Trustee hopes to be a judge advocate Anderson is also a member of the Marine Officer Candidate School, which is not affiliated scenes. I saw military as a good with Sac State. starting ground for whatever “I’ve done officer candidate career I wanted to go into.” school in the summer of ‘08 Anderson, an honors and I go back this summer for program student and junior six weeks. It’s essentially boot international relations major, is camp for officers,” Anderson one of two students appointed said.

by Schwarzenegger to the Ten percent of Marines are 25-member board. The board officers and only 10 percent handles the CSU’s issues and of those officers are female. makes policy decisions for all Anderson said this makes being 23 campuses. a Marine officer more appealing Anderson will be serving a to her. two-year term. For her first “I don’t want to say I’m year, Anderson will be a nonovercoming adversity, but I like voting trustee. After that, she challenges,” Anderson said. will be able to vote on board Dixon said Anderson will issues and have full board be successful in any field she privileges. chooses to pursue.

Schwarzenegger spokesman “Her experience with ASI and Mike Naple said Anderson was CSSA fit well in the military,” a prime candidate.

Dixon “Nicole said. “She’s Anderson’s “I think Nicole is a breath of fresh air for the Board disciplined, experience of Trustees. She’s a good listener, a thoughtful person, she will do and involveand she’d rather listen to you than tell you what to whatever is ment as think she. She always care about the students first.” necessary a student - Steven Dixon (and) she leader in the president, California State Student Association will take orCSU higher ders to what education Dixon said he is confident with she was asked to do.” system make her an excellent Anderson’s ability to fulfill the As an international relachoice to serve on the Board trustee seat. tions major, Anderson studied of Trustees,” Naple said. “The “I think Nicole is going go abroad from June to November governor is confident in her be a breath of fresh air for the last year through one of Sac abilities to serve on the board Board of Trustees. She’s a good State’s programs. She studand perform the necessary dulistener, a thoughtful person, ied at Belgrano University in ties required of this position. and she rather listen to you Argentina.

Sac State‘s location in the than tell you what to think,” While studying abroad, state’s capital has provided Dixon said.

Anderson participated in relief opportunities for Anderson to Besides working her way into work with children in the slums become involved with leaderpolitics, Anderson is working of the city of Buenos Aires. ship roles and experiences to be a judge advocate in the Anderson hopes that after she not possible for other CSU Marines. graduates in spring 2011, she students.

A judge advocate is a military can enlist as a non-active duty Anderson went to the Capitol lawyer dealing with cases such member of the Marines while 26 times last year to advocate as defending and prosecuting she completes her law degree. for Sac State students and netmilitary personnel and advising After she passes the bar exam, work with the Legislature. on foreign affairs. she said she plans to become an Anderson’s previous position “It’s a military lawyer and active-duty member. as the secretary of state affairs with the Marines their biggest “I really like giving back, for Associated Students Inc. field would be criminal law and which is why I like public sparked her passion for workinternational law,” Anderson service and politics and the ing at the Capitol. said. military,” Anderson said.

Her experiences there helped Continued | page A1

her identify what area of politics she cared about the most, Anderson said.

“I became fascinated with the policy making aspects because I wanted to help as many students as possible,” she said.

“I had a lot of leeway in the direction I took the position, so it helped me find what my passion was and lead me to the Board of Trustees.”

During her year as ASI secretary of state affairs, Anderson received the Student Advocate of the Year award.

The California State Student Association gives the award annually to one student who has shown leadership skills and has advocated for students on issues affecting them.

California State Student Association President Steven

Istanbul: Students plan to do international projects Continued | page A1 to help cover airfare.

Pierce said they received donations from the Rotary clubs of Visalia, Rancho Cordova, Carmel Valley, Sacramento, Monterey Institute and Interact Club of Rancho Cordova.

Forseth said Sac State Rotaract would benefit from sending two of its student leaders to the conference.

“Pierce and Ross had the opportunity to confer with international Rotaract clubs and foster lifelong friendships,” Forseth said. “The connections Pierce and Ross make might turn into something big. International projects have arisen out of these kinds of conferences.”

Pierce and Ross said they are looking into doing international community service projects after meeting and networking with clubs from other countries.

They said they want to incorporate some of the ideas from the conference into their projects at Sac State.

“We learned about structuring and planning our events more formally. Some of the clubs like Pakistan and Turkey had cool ideas for service like providing fun opportunities

for underprivileged children like taking them to the zoo or a show or a play for sick children in hospitals,” Ross said.

At the conference, all of the clubs gave presentations about the service work they do in their local communities and activities they’re planning.

“The conference was a great way to understand how other countries see ‘philanthropy.’ We networked with different clubs and picked up good ideas that we want to bring back to our club,” Ross said.

Pierce and Ross said many of the clubs did community service work with children.

A popular project among the clubs was a toy drive, which was also held throughout the conference. All of the participants from the clubs were required to bring three toys from their home country.

Speakers Riza Kadilar, a country representative from the Global Real Estate Institute, and Marcus J. Tschann, a leader in education management, spoke about leadership values.

“The speakers talked about how to maintain composure and integrity when things aren’t going perfectly and how choices show who a person is

Courtesy Photo

Rotaract members Joseph Ross (left), Christie Pierce and Elyes Jlassi (center) from Tunisia, at the conference.

far more than actual abilities,” Pierce said. “The speakers also engaged us in team-building activities.”

The campus administration commended Pierce and Ross’ efforts to reach out to the international community.

“I congratulate Christie Pierce and Joseph Ross for their accomplishments with Rotaract.

Sacramento State’s student clubs have a long history of leadership and service, and it is wonderful to see our students being recognized for their contributions to the community,” said Lori Varlotta, vice president for student affairs, in an e-mail to The State Hornet.

Pierce and Ross have been providing community service work on campus and to the Sacramento region. They have been heavily involved with Rotaract during its successful first year, Forseth said.

“Christie and Joseph have been really, really proactive in putting forth activities and projects for the Rotaract Club so far and I can’t wait to see what else they do,” Forseth said.

Pierce and Ross coordinated two major projects for Rotaract.

Ross headed the “U-Can” food drive, which collected goods for the River City Food Bank in spring 2009. Rotaract brought in more than 8,000 pounds of nonperishable goods last spring, Ross said.

Pierce and Ross are now working on this semester’s “UCan” food drive and a benefit concert for an autism center.

Pierce and Ross took their experiences with Sac State Rotaract and shared them with the international community during the leadership conference.

“It was a learning experience about ourselves, about other clubs, and other cultures. We celebrated our differences with understanding and peace,” Ross said.

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“Juggling is a fantastic stress reliever. If you’re having any problems or you’re feeling stressed, go ahead and juggle.”

- Andy Swan, of the Swan brothers

Unicycle: Audience members get pulled into the act Continued | page A1 ice for wood floors and skates for a unicycle. Her routine also features a series of small jumps and spins that are often found in a skater’s routine.

The event marked Matsuzawa’s first time performing at Sac State in an official capacity.

“It’s something that I really enjoy doing. I’m grateful for UNIQUE asking me to come here and perform for my fellow students, and even professors,” Matsuzawa said.

Ernie Olsen, professor of recreational management, approached UNIQUE for the idea to showcase Matsuzawa in one of its events.

“I was impressed with the way Kaori moved on the unicycle,” said Zenia LaPorte, UNIQUE’s program adviser. “We’re glad that we had the chance to highlight her talents at one of our events.”

Prior to her two routines, Matsuzawa spent only a few minutes of practice and warmup. Her normal practice routine differs little from her actual performance, she said.

“I hadn’t practiced in a while before this, so I do what I did here for a few minutes or so to warm-up,” Matsuzawa said.

“That’s how I practice.”

The event also featured the juggling Swan brothers, Andy and Mike.

The brothers’ passion for juggling dates back to 1966, when they were taught how to juggle by their older brother, George.

Since creating the Swan Brothers Circus in 1973, the duo has traveled all over, performing at fairs, carnivals and now, Sac State.

The Swan brothers have crafted their own career path with their hobby, unlike Matsuzawa, who remains a student and says the unicycle is only a hobby.

The brothers are never shy

about expressing their love of juggling, but they also like to share thoughts on how others can make the most out of doing what they do.

“Juggling is a fantastic stress reliever,” Andy said while encouraging audience members before the event to pick up balls and plastic air bags to practice juggling with. “If you’re having any problems or you’re feeling stressed, go ahead and juggle.”

Prior to, during, and after the show, the Swan brothers encouraged attendees to try their hand at juggling. The brothers thrive on that audience participation in their performances.

Throughout their performance, audience members were asked to assist them on tasks.

One such audience member asked to participate was alumnus Aaron Quinn, who had come to the event with his family.

At the climax of one juggling trick, the brothers had noticed Quinn not clapping along with the rest of the audience. Mistaking it for non-enthusiasm, the brothers pulled Quinn to the center of the room and had him perform a number of acts, including juggling air bags while wearing a silly pink furry hat on his head and a balloon on his nose.

Quinn, however, was not fazed, laughing every moment he was briefly the center of attention.

“I wasn’t expecting to be up there at all,” Quinn said.

“But once you’re up there, it becomes a lot easier.”

It becomes clear while watching the Swan brothers perform that their enthusiasm and passion for juggling is not merely for show. They

enjoy doing what they do, from basic ball juggling to swords and a balancing act they like to call the “Rolla Bolla.”

The Rolla Bolla consists of a tubular ball sitting atop a small pedestal. A board is them placed on top of the ball. One of the brothers balanced himself on the board while performing juggling tricks.

The Rolla Bolla stunt, despite being one of the Swan brothers’ more difficult acts, went off without a hitch. However, their decades of experience do not cancel out any other mistakes while performing.

During one of his juggling acts, Andy had dropped one of the balls he had been juggling.

Instead of bringing the show to a halt, he brushed it off, saying, “We all make mistakes. That’s why we have elections.”

LaPorte said that she’d be glad to invite the Swan brothers and Matsuzawa back for another event.

“It’s rare that we have events like this at Sac State,” she said.”

It’s definitely something that we would love to do again.”

Chris Chiang State Hornet

The Swan brothers, Andy and Mike, perform during the Unicycle and Juggling Extravaganza in the University Union Wednesday. This is their first performance at Sac State.

Tina Horton State Hornet Tina Horton State Hornet

Andy and Mike juggle together Wednesday at the Unicycle and Juggling Extravaganza.

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THESTATEHORNET

Opinion

www . s t a t e h o r n e t . c o m

Clarifying the issues surrounding our independent studies Editor’s note: This is Sanjay Varshney and Dennis Tootelian’s response to last week’s editorial “Critics continue to bash Varshney; Dean needs to offer a real defense.” To see what we asked for in this editorial, go to statehornet.com We read the editorial in The State Hornet, along with many of the recent newspaper reports that both support and criticize our studies, and we wish to clarify our position on some of the issues.

We regret that the university has been pulled into this matter. Through our private company, we responded to requests for proposals for the studies.

We submitted bids for the work, were awarded contracts, performed the studies and submitted our findings, which were accepted by the organizations requesting the work. At no time was the university involved, and the views expressed in the study were ours and not those of Sacramento State.

We hope that everyone understands this distinction and what it means in a larger sense.

These studies were commissioned by clients, and after their completion, they became the property of the clients. Therefore, they fall outside the parameters of peer review.

We want to make it very clear that we support peer review for research when that process is applicable, such as when an article appears in an academic journal. As faculty members ourselves, we have published academic work on numerous occasions, and peer review in those cases is essential to

academic discourse.

Furthermore, faculty undertake a wide range of activities outside of the university. The notion of restricting faculty members who exercise their right to take on additional work outside of a university has far-reaching implications.

If universities are somehow responsible for reviewing the outside work of its faculty, how would they evaluate such activities?

Would an academic institution review the work of a professor who also owns a farm or retail store, teaches a course at another college, serves on a board of an organization or receives honoraria for speeches?

And don’t many of these external activities enhance faculty members’ capabilities in the classroom by bringing in “real world” examples and/or identifying topics for academic research?

Additionally, faculty at many well-respected institutions engage in research on topics that are the subject of great controversy (e.g., economic stimulus, political policy, stem cell research). It is also understood that such research represents the views of the researchers and not those of the university. Should a university restrict faculty members from studying controversial topics, even when it is on their own time, which are surely going to invite criticisms because of their controversial nature?

Regarding the Assembly Bill 32 studies specifically, we want to make two points.

First, it is important to note that we do not take a position on this law or the costs of regulation in general despite the politics surrounding the issue. Our work was solely to estimate

Wednesday

| S p r i n g I s s u e 11 | S a c r a m e n t o S t a t e

“COST OF AB 32 ON SMALL BUSINESS” STUDY CONTROVERSY | VARSHNEY AND TOOTELIAN RESPOND

By Sanjay Varshney and Dennis Tootelian

A pril 14,

the costs and not render a judgment as to whether the costs are justifiable. We have not been, nor will we be, advocates for or against AB 32.

Second, it is important to understand that there are those who agree with our methodology as well as those who disagree. In matters as complex as these, there probably will never be agreement on how to measure the costs of regulation. As such, it would be fruitless for us to continue the debate about how the costs are measured, when the greater issue facing California is how to implement AB 32 in a manner that best serves the people of our state.

One final point: We did not intend disrespect to the Hornet or any other media outlet who contacted us. We have not responded to media questions regarding our approach because it has never been our wish to become involved in the politics of greenhouse gas emissions.

Again, we want to reassure the entire Sac State community that our studies were performed on our own time, independent of our positions at the university, and the ensuing controversy should not diminish the wonderful accomplishments of this great institution. ▶◀ ▶◀ ▶◀ Sanjay Varshney, dean of the College of Business Administration and Dennis Tootelian, professor of business, College of Business Administration

Is it OK to be high at work?

By Paul Roundtree proundtree@statehornet.com Smoking dope at work: it’s not just for high school anymore. In fact, many people with medical cannabis recommendations have good reason for ingesting it on the clock.

These reasons include nerve pain, anxiety, anorexia and nausea just to name a few. It is ridiculous to fire functional workers just because they have pot in their systems.

Cannabis has been decriminalized in many states, including California. It is no longer illegal to own and use if it has been recommended to someone by a doctor; however, many medical users still have been fired for failing a drug test.

We should provide arbitrary protection for any schmuck with a prescription. Your weed card shouldn’t be carte blanche, and no prescription medication excuses you from being a drooling imbecile at work.

Neither party deserves absolute protection; every case demands individual consideration.

Debby Senna, psychology

professor at American River College and counselor education professor at Sacramento State, sees no reason why cannabis shouldn’t be allowed, as long as the patient’s job performance isn’t negatively affected.

“It should be treated just like any other prescription drug in the workplace,” Senna said.

Clearly, a bank manager wouldn’t be happy if a teller was so high on Vicodin that he couldn’t count, and no one wants to see a police officer letting criminals off the hook because his Prozac makes him “love everyone.”

Some tellers may perfectly retain the ability to count while on Vicodin, and some police officers could still be tough while on Prozac. Everyone should have a chance to prove that they can still be functional while on medication.

“We don’t want a bus driver smoking pot, but we don’t want to deny a cancer patient a job either,” said Ryan Landers, longtime medical cannabis activist, senior adviser for the Compassionate Coalition and state director of the American Alliance for Medical Cannabis.

The mere fact that someone smokes pot is too weak to prove they are unfit for their position. That sort of thinking rests heavily on stereotypes of pot smokers as clumsy, lazy, forgetful and even criminal, which isn’t always true. An employer should always be able to articulate real reasons for firing an employee.

STATE HORNET OPINION ONLINE

Find out what the Hornet’s opinion staff has to rant about this week at statehornet.com

We’re begging you Please send your letters to the editor to opinion@statehornet.com Marcy Hendricks State Hornet

Banning smoking on beaches is unrealistic

By Julia Baum jbaum@statehornet.com The recent passage by the State Assembly of Senate Bill 4 was an effort led by Sen. Jenny Oropeza, D-Long Beach, to outlaw smoking at state parks and beaches. Proponents say the passage will reduce the threat of wildfires, and the environmental impact of cigarette butts strewn all over beaches.

If passed, anyone caught smoking at state parks and beaches will be fined $100.

California has a history of outlawing smoking in many public places; the first example that usually comes to people’s minds is the banning of smoking in restaurants. Other states since have followed our lead, including Arizona, Hawaii and New York.

While eliminating litter at state parks is a good thing, SB 4 looks like another feel-good law that will probably not be as effective as hoped.

Oropeza’s spokesman Ray Sotero said unlike other smoking bans in the past, the bill has faced little opposition from the tobacco industry.

“We expect the park system to accommodate or raise awareness,” Sotero said. “The senator’s concern is the environmental impact of irresponsible smokers.”

The impact Sotero refers to happens when discourteous

smokers don’t pocket their cigarette butts and toss them into the water or on the ground.

Sotero said the butts on filtered cigarettes, or those with plastic tips or holders, have non-biodegradable materials, which can be an environmental concern.

I don’t smoke cigarettes, but targeting and blaming smokers as an entire population for littering is unfair. Anytime I go to Ocean Beach, there are usually some cigarette butts strewn about, but overwhelmingly it is things like plastic bags that have washed ashore.

If lawmakers want to eliminate littering at state parks and beaches, then they should be consistent and not allow people to bring in water bottles and picnic baskets, either. People who don’t care about littering or smoking will keep doing so, even when there’s a sign posted right in their faces stating

smoking is prohibited.

It also seems redundant, because there are already laws against littering in state parks.

This law punishes smokers just because they are smoking and not because they have actually littered.

Who will be around to enforce the no-smoking law with the state making a $14.2 million cut to the Department of Parks and Recreation budget and laying off state workers? With fewer park rangers around, it’s more likely that the smokers who don’t care about following the law will break it and nothing will be different.

Perhaps what is most ridiculous is how our priorities are so skewed that we might as well treat talking on a cell phone while driving with a slap on the wrist.

Someone puffing a cigarette along the beach has to pay $100,

but a driver caught texting only has to fork over $25 for the first offense.

The Department of Forestry and Fire Protection has no official position on SB 4, but Daniel Berlant, information officer for the department, said cigarettes are a pretty small threat to state parks and forests.

“Smoking in general only causes about 3 percent of wildfires,” Berlant said. “So it is a smaller portion of our fires, but we do work with state parks during times of high fire danger to help mitigate the risk.”

Equipment use and vehicles are cited by the Department of Forestry as two top causes for wildfires in the state. The bill allows smoking at campsites and in parking lots; campfires are as likely as smoking to start wildfires, so why are there no laws banning campfires?

Also, why are we banning

McClatchy Tribune

smoking by the Pacific Ocean?

Doesn’t it seem a bit paranoid to be afraid of a wildfire starting next to the world’s largest body of water?

This bill has good intentions; wanting to protect the environment is a good thing. But we’re going overboard again with writing more laws that won’t serve to do much because they’ll be difficult to enforce.

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A pril 14, Wednesday

| S p r i n g I ss u e 11 | S a c ra m ento S tate

An unconventional opera theater

By Miriam Arghandiwal arghandiwal@statehornet.com

Reviews from previous productions of Wolfgang Amadeus’ Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” made me think one way about the opera - I would see memorable costumes and hear incredible music, but the story itself would be generic and easily forgotten.

After watching the Sacramento State Opera Theatre’s production of “The Magic Flute,” directed by Michael Sokol and accompanied by Sac State’s Opera Theatre Orchestra, I noticed that my notions of the opera were very wrong. The cast reminded me with hard work and passionate acting any exhausted story can transform into something memorable.

The University Theater filled up Friday night for the threehour long opera with song and dialogue, all in German. The cast was so confident it seemed they were all fluent in German.

Harry Sadler, music major who played Papageno in the opera, said this was not true. He said putting the show together entirely in German was the most difficult part of the production.

The stage was set up simply with a few trees, a standing door in the middle of the stage, and blue and yellow lights lighting up either side of the stage.

Hanging above the stage was a rectangular screen that held subtitles for the audiences to read.

Below the stage, the orchestra took its place, dressed in black and white playing their violins, violas, cellos, bass and celeste.

Modern alterations to the opera’s storyline were instantly evident because of the modernized

costumes, which made the opera less formal and more comical.

The play started with a commonly dressed young prince, Tamino, played by Matt Hidalgo, appearing on the stage alongside the Queen of the Night, played

by Whitney Roeder, who was dressed similar to Sarah Palin, with a brown fur coat, glasses and brown suit.

The Queen requested that Tamino go and save her daughter Pamina, played by Sarah Haugland. Pamina was held prisoner by Sarastro, played by Will Tvrdik.

The Queen’s three ladies, who serve as her messengers to Tamino, then gave him a magic flute, a magic bell and a portrait of Pamina to guide him throughout his journey and he instantly falls in love.

Tamino brings his new friend, Papageno to rescue the princess.

Their comedic and emotionally compelling journey requires courage, endurance and tests the characters faith in love.

Sadler’s performance of Papageno, was the audience’s favorite of the night. Starting with his first appearance, when he surprised the audience entering through their seating, confused and whistling. This clumsy, naive character, who yearned for love like Tamino had, reminded the audience that even the innocent have vices to overcome.

The idea of a young prince running off to save a princess seemed like a common Disney movie, but with good musical accompaniment and very little special effects it went beyond see Opera| page B2

Julie Keefer State Hornet

Above: Papageno, the comedic character in performance Die Zauberflote (The Magic Flute), drinks away his woes about finding a wife.

Right: The Queen of the Night’s “three ladies,” who aided Tamino throughout the play, grab their toy guns to protect the queen.

Photo majors tested by element of surprise

By Erin Rogers erogers@statehornet.com Aimee Thibedeau was surprised to find that her senior photography project would revolve around a condom.

Thibedeau, a photography major at Sacramento State, said in her upper-division photography class, taught by Nigel Poor, the students are assigned a final project where each student receives a manila envelope filled with miscellaneous items compiled by a student from the previous semester.

Once the students receive an envelope, Thibedeau said, they

are required to use those items as the subject of their own photo shoot. In her envelope, Thibedeau found a condom and other food-related items that seemed to have no common theme.

“That’s the point,” Poor said.

“This is an exercise that is about randomness and chance, and the students are required to make a compelling image without control of the source materials.”

Thibedeau said the students are then expected to take their produced photos and organize them into an exhibit, which they manage and control themselves.

This semester’s show, “The

Robert Lingii State Hornet

A gallery viewer admires a photo by Ryan Greenleaf titled “Who Am I.” The Final Reveal is showing from March 24 to April 20 at Beatnik Studios.

Final Reveal,” will exhibit each of the student’s projects from Poor’s class. The students’ art will be showcased until Tuesday in Beatnik Studios on 17th Street.

Poor said having the students assemble the envelopes connects the classes and is more interesting than if she created the envelopes herself.

“I started this project with my senior portfolio class back in the fall of 2006, and the first semester I made the envelopes,” Poor said. “After the first semester, I thought it would be kind of neat if the students created the envelopes rather than me to put a whole different spin on this project.”

None of the students know who put the envelopes together, Poor said, which adds to the suspense factor of the project.

“It’s exciting and interesting to see how the students deal with the items given because they know about the project from word of mouth, so there is some type of anticipation,” Poor said.

Poor said not knowing the contents of the envelope strengthen the students because they must create a scene out of something they have no control over.

“If you have to do a photo shoot and have no idea of what

the person looks like who is coming in, you have to immediately figure out how to shoot the best angle on what you are given,” Poor said. “So when you get that envelope, you have to take what you are given and make it your own.”

Thibedeau said not knowing the person who made her envelope created frustration for her while completing this project.

“You wonder if they put any thought into the items or if they just put random items in an envelope,” Thibedeau said. “It just looked like someone cleared off their counter and put them into an envelope; my items were so random.”

In her photograph on display, Thibedeau created a somewhat sad picnic with the food items and condom given to her in the envelope. She surrounded the table with blown-up condoms to portray a cheerful scene, whereas the words “you, me and oops” which were frosted on cupcakes and placed on the table, suggested otherwise.

“Since I had to include all of the items in my image, I made a scene that expressed, ‘Oops, the condom didn’t work and I’m pregnant,’” Thibedeau said. “It turned out to be a really sad tea party.”

Thibedeau was originally angered by the random items in

her envelope but she soon grew to appreciate them, particularly the condom.

“Having a random condom with the more food-related items made it more interesting,” Thibedeau said. “So for the envelope that I am leaving, I am going to leave a condom and it will be interesting to challenge someone the way I was.”

Ryan Greenleaf, senior photography major, is another graduating photography senior working on Poor’s unusual project. Greenleaf said when he opened his envelope he was somewhat worried.

He opened his envelope to find a handwritten cursive quote about God that he could not personally relate to.

“In my piece I was a little concerned with how I could create an image based on the quote that I didn’t really agree with,” Greenleaf said. “I put my own spin on it and cut up every word in the quote and kind of made my own quote, like refrigerator magnets.”

Besides the task of creating an image from random items, Poor said the students also face the challenge of running this exhibit by themselves.

“Students have to make the announcements, hang the show, deal with the press work - basically everything involved in

a show,” Poor said. “They are completely in charge.”

Poor said for most of these students, this is the first time that their work is showcased in a public space and not on campus.

By having their work featured off-campus, Poor said students are able to experience the atmosphere of a real exhibit.

“All kinds of things come out of the exhibit,” Poor said.

“Students learn the importance of really working hard on something and the pride in what they put up.”

Poor said this exhibit is important for any photography major because it will provide commentary from all members of the community.

“Parents, friends, people from the art community are going to be there looking at their work,” Poor said. “Students are able to get way more feedback from what I can provide in a classroom.”

The main purpose of this show, Poor said, is to show students that the success of the exhibit is in their hands; they can either make a master piece or completely fail.

“I created this because I wanted them to know what it felt like to have control,” Poor said. “This show will either sink or succeed and it’s completely on their shoulders.”

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Wednesday - April 14 CLUB CORNER | PRE-DENTAL ASSOCIATION

Features Section

Music majors recognized in Monterey

By John Saelee jsaelee@statehornet.com

Tina Horton State Hornet

Michelle Bruce, biological science major and club president, hands a flier to passing student Michael Veridiano for the association’s annual wine tasting charity event, held on Saturday.

Club helps dental hygiene worldwide

By Erin Rogers erogers@statehornet.com The Pre-Dental Association of Sacramento State not only aids in the dental hygiene of community members in Sacramento but it gives back to the communities overseas as well.

“Our club is about motivating students who are interested in the dental field to become future dentists and we do this by donating to charity and hosting fundraisers,” said Michelle Bruce, senior biology major and president of the club.

The Pre-Dental Association gives back the community through fundraisers like Project Backpack and Smile Angels, Bruce said.

Project Backpack, she said, focuses on giving backpacks with dental and school supplies to children in need in the Sacramento area. Smile Angels, on the other hand, gives to underprivileged children overseas to countries like the Philippines, Haiti and Vietnam.

Over the past year as president, Bruce said she has been able to donate more than 300 backpacks to underprivileged families around the world.

“We are not only about getting into dental school,” Bruce said. “We’re about giving back to those in the community and giving back to those who really need it - overall, we are just a fun club that’s worthwhile to join.”

On Saturday, the Pre-Dental Association hosted its Fourth Annual Wine and Beer Tasting Fundraiser and raised more than $5,000 to go help fund both backpack programs.

“We were able to have Filipino dancers come to this event to express culture of one of the countries we donate to,” Bruce said. “It’s nice to show our supporters where their money is going.”

The club is open to anyone who wants to learn more about dentistry, said Jennifer Castro, senior biology major and club treasurer.

“We have members from many majors ranging from pre-health to pre-pharmaceutical; it’s really open to whoever is interested,” Castro said.

Meetings for the Pre-Dental Association are held at 6:30 p.m. every other Tuesday in Sequoia Hall, Room 301.

statehornet.com

Students from the jazz department at Sacramento State traveled to Monterey Friday to compete in a nationwide music competition at the Monterey Next Generation Jazz Festival. Two Sac State students were honored for their outstanding musical talents at the festival.

Joe Berry earned an award for his soloist, tenor saxophone performance, and Jeryl Concetcion earned an award for outstanding vocals.

These competitions were held between Friday and Sunday at the Monterey Fairgrounds and exhibited students’ talents from the high school to the college level. Sac State was invited to participate in three of the six categories at the festival; they received two of the six invitations in the open combo division, another two invitations in the college vocal ensemble division and an invitation in the college big band division.

Steve Roach, director of jazz studies, led the two jazz combos, One and a Half and Child’s Madness, in the open combo division. Kerry Marsh, jazz program director, led the

two vocal jazz groups, C-Sus and the vocal jazz seniors, in the vocal ensemble division.

And both Roach and Marsh led the large jazz ensemble in the college big band division. None of the Sac State music groups placed first in the competition, which would have given them the privilege to play at the Monterey Jazz Festival Sept. 17 through 19.

The group that went the furthest in the competition was the vocal jazz seniors, who placed second in their category, the college vocal ensemble division.

Joe Berry, senior jazz studies major and performer in both combos, said he enjoyed the Next Generation Festival even without winning because it is one of the most prestigious events in jazz.

“It’s very exciting for me and everybody to perform at the festival because it is a very highend competition, where we’re being viewed by well-known judges in the jazz industry,” Berry said.

For the past two years, Marsh said he has been involved in the festival and is astonished by the fascinating artists who perform each year.

“There’s nothing that really brings jazz performers together and puts them on the same stage

like this,” he said. “The event also features professional groups and jazz celebrities.”

Marsh said every year the bar is set higher and higher in regards to the competition offered at the preliminary festival.

“The caliber of the jazz groups has gotten higher,” he said.

“There are more talented groups than ever before.”

Marsh said he was glad all community members were welcome at the festival so that those who do not know much about jazz could be introduced to these elite groups.

“The festival is meant to

encourage jazz education to the public,” he said. “It also encouraged student growth in jazz because they were given feedback from the judges.”

Courtney Anderson, junior vocal jazz major and performer for C-Sus, said although they did not make first place, it was still a wonderful experience to see what other colleges were doing.

“This was a great opportunity for students to experience jazz and hear from different in house artists, like Dianne Reeves,” she said. “The only downside to the festival is that it was over to fast.”

Tina Horton State Hornet

Vocal jazz major Gaw Vang, soprano singer in Sacramento State’s Jazz Singers, sings her solo in “Eye on the Sparrow.”

Opera: Hypnotized priests do macarena Continued | page B1 the basics of Walt Disney.

Audience member and Sac State graduate Julie Anne Villalobos said because the production used less effects, the opera was able to create an unusual interpretation that made it more interesting.

“Usually the character of Papageno is a bird, he’s not dressed in yellow overalls and a plaid shirt, and other characters also don’t dress in suits and sunglasses and such as the

priests did in the show, so that change made the opera a little more exciting,” Villalobos said.

At one point, instead of the usual mask that is in almost every other rendition of “The Magic Flute,” the Queen’s three ladies put a pacifier in Papageno’s mouth that was locked with a master lock for telling a fib.

One the most comical scenes of the play included Papageno using his magic bell to distract Monastatos, played by Adam Boles, while he tries to escape with Pamina. Papageno

shakes his bell and the men are hypnotized and began to do an infamous dance - the macarena.

Although comedy was a strong part of the opera, it was not all it had to offer. The emotions of heart wrenching love and despair were portrayed throughout the opera. The actors brought these emotions to life, which made it possible for the audience to understand the travesties occurring on stage.

Even though they spoke in a foreign language, I was able to look at the stage without reading

subtitles and still grasped what was going on in perfect clarity.

Audience members David and Cheryl Burns said they enjoyed the play immensely.

“Sarastro was an amazing singer and Papageno was hilarious, we loved it,” they said.

At the end of the production, I heard many people filing out of the theater laughing and replaying their favorite scenes - the lighthearted opera had a more lasting impression on the audience than a conventional opera would have had.

B3 NCAA Sports Updates MEN’S TENNIS at SAINT MARY’S

APRIL 8

W 6-1 vs. PORTLAND

APRIL 9

W 6-1 vs. PORTLAND STATE

APRIL 9

W 7-0 at FRESNO STATE

APRIL 10

L 5-2

at SAN DIEGO

APRIL 12

L 4-2

TEAM WINS REGULAR SEASON BIG SKY CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP BIG SKY CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP APRIL 24-25

BASEBALL vs. SAN FRANCISCO

STATE

APRIL 6

W 10-3 at USF

APRIL 7

L 5-4 (11) SOFTBALL at CAL

APRIL 7

L 6-0

vs. SANTA CLARA

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W 10-3, 6-2 vs. SANTA CLARA

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W 17-0 Senior outfielder Janice Bartee on starting PCSC play:

“Its huge, it’s our first winning streak. We haven’t won two games in a row. Conference is a clean slate and we have set the bar pretty high so we have to keep bring our ‘A’ game.”

WOMEN’S ROWING at

UC DAVIS APRIL 10

2ND PLACE GYMNASTICS NCAA WEST REGIONALS

at

APRIL 10

BOYCE: 14TH MEILLER: 18TH STUBBLEFIELD: 17TH

THESTATEHORNET

Sports

www . statehornet . c o m

Head coach Kim Hughes on Boyce’s performance:

“She performed with great confidence and had no major errors. At this level of competition, everyone has the capacity of performing physically well. To do well with the mental aspect says a lot.”

READ THE FULL STORY AT STATEHORNET.COM

Wednesday

| S p r i n g I ss u e 11 | S a c ra m ento S tate

Hornets stung in cup battle

By Marshall Hampson mhampson@statehornet.com

Sacramento State athletics lost the sixth-annual Causeway Cup to rival UC Davis. The Aggies clinched the cup with a 7-5 victory in softball on March 26. The cup series concluded Saturday with Davis’ victory in rowing.

The all-time cup series is now tied 3-3, after the Aggies’ 55.84-44.16 win this year. UC Davis won 15.5 out of the 22 matches the two teams played this season.

The Causeway Cup was introduced to the two schools in the 2004-05 athletic season to declare a winner based on total points.

UC Davis Assistant Athletic Director Mike Robles said he’s glad that UC Davis gained back control of the cup.

“Any time that UC Davis can win, it feels great,” Robles said.

“It’s a sense a pride for all the coaches. I think now that we have something on the line in the rivalry, makes the rivalry go on for many more years. It’s 3-3 now and this makes the rivalry that much better.”

Sac State last won the Causeway Cup in the 2008-09 season with a score of 66.67-43.33.

The 2008-09 victory was the Hornets’ third win overall of the cup.

Throughout the season, Sac

Megan Harris State Hornet

The Aggies claimed this year’s Causeway Cup with a 55.84-44.16 victory over the Hornets.

State and UC Davis compete in 18 sports to earn points based on a win.

This year, however, was decided by 16 sports because out-

door track and field chose not to participate in the Causeway Cup for the 2009-10 season.

Sac State Athletic Director Terry Wanless shared his appeal

of having the cup introduced to the schools.

“We just thought that it would be a fun thing to do to set up a system which other schools have done previously for athletic competition,” Wanless said.

“Our student-athletes know that when we’re playing Davis, that it’s a special rivalry game and we need to go out and give a maximum effort.”

The Causeway Classic football game is the biggest match between the two schools in terms of attendance.

Wanless said Sac State and UC Davis should keep making the Causeway Cup and Classic a healthy rivalry for years to come.

After the death of former football head coach Bob Mattos, head coach Marshall Sperbeck looked back on the victory and found it to be more rewarding than just a win at the Causeway Classic.

“We felt very honored to win the game for Coach Mattos and his family,” Sperbeck said. “(It was) a very exciting game and a great way to end our season.”

Mattos is Sac State’s leader for most wins all-time at the university. The Hornets had a comeback victory in their game and scored a touchdown with 20 seconds to give a 31-28 victory over UC Davis in the Causeway Classic.

Gymnastics head coach

Kim Hughes said he wants his athletes to take note of the Causeway rivalry.

“My staff and I make sure that every incoming freshman class understands the importance of the rivalry with Davis,” Hughes said. “We will need to step up next year and get back in the game.”

Hughes and the gymnastics team went seven straight years with 22 wins before losing to UC Davis this year.

Like the gymnastics team, multiple sports including baseball and softball play the Aggies several times during the year.

The point value for the games then gets divided in half or thirds depending on how many times the two schools meet.

The softball team faced UC Davis three times this year and lost all three games by three runs or less. Head coach Kathy Strahan said this year did not go the team’s way due to injuries, youth and a strong group of Aggies.

“The series with UC Davis in softball is very competitive,” Strahan said. “We have been a stronger team in years past and have beaten the Aggies. This year, we are very young and have lost several top players to season-ending injuries. We weren’t as successful against them this year.” see Causeway| page B6

Injured stars lead to Track helps softball’s rocky start Robinson find

By Matt Harrington mharrington@statehornet.com There is a single universal truth when it comes to playing sports: Injuries are bound to happen. And injuries have hit the Sacramento State softball team in recent weeks.

Sac State was picked to finish atop the Pacific Coast Softball Conference’s Coastal Division in the preseason coaches poll.

The softball team has played more than 20 games without three key players due to injuries. On top of those injuries, it doesn’t help that 12 of the 22 players on the active roster are either sophomores or freshmen.

With the injuries and inexperience on the team, winning has been made that much harder.

The Hornets found themselves scrambling to fill key positions early in the season, as injuries sidelined several prominent players. Their current record is 13-24 overall and 3-0 in conference play.

The team has been forced to field seven freshmen at different positions since the injuries.

Head coach Kathy Strahan said

the coaching staff has asked a lot from its current lineup.

“People are trying to step up and fill positions and we are asking freshmen to move in,” Strahan said. “And to fill some big positions, like shortstop, that is a big position at this level and especially coming in and playing as a freshman.”

The three injured players are pitcher Megan Schaefer and infielders Desiree Beltran and Jessica Abelia.

Schaefer had been suffering from a concussion sustained Feb. 16, when she and Beltran accidentally collided heads.

Schaefer has only been able to do light drills at trainer’s orders. She was able to make an appearance Friday in the game against Cal. Schaefer pitched the last two innings of the game, striking out two, walking one, and giving up one hit.

Prior to the appearance, Schaefer wasn’t pleased that she could not contribute to the efforts of the team. The injury opened the door for others.

“It sucks. I’m going to be honest, I hate being hurt,” Schaefer said. “Looking at the bright

balance in life

By Ashley O’Con aocon@statehornet.com

Tony Nguyen State Hornet

Sophomore infielder Jessica Abelia greets her team prior to Friday’s game vs. Santa Clara. side, it did allow my teammates more game time.”

In the three weeks after the collision, Schaefer has not played and has experienced symptoms from the concussion.

“I had really bad headaches.

Things would get fuzzy,” Schaefer said. “I would be confused. I wouldn’t be able to comprehend see Softball| page B6

Making track and field a way of living rather than just a hobby, junior Renisha Robinson of the Sacramento State women’s track team was one of three Hornets to qualify for the 2010 NCAA Division I Indoor Championship.

Robinson has learned to balance running with academics over the past three years while continuing to set records.

Robinson, a graduate of Archbishop Mitty High School in San Jose, started running at the age of 6. She joined a youth club called Speed City, which would be the start to her career as a track runner.

Her father Ronald Robinson, who was also a track runner in high school, was her inspiration as a child. After watching him in marathons and running with him at times, she knew that track was the sport she loved.

Junior Lea Wallace said Robinson always gives full effort, regardless of the circumstances.

“Renisha is a competitor,” she

said. “It does not matter who she’s going up against. She’s in it to win it every single time.”

Robinson benefits from the one-one-one attention the coaches provide as well.

“Coach Scott Abbott is very flexible in a way where he can relate on a college student level,” she said. “Since he ran track in high school, he knows what it takes to be an athlete. He’s one of those coaches where instead of criticizing you he helps you to get better. I told him that if he were in college himself, he would be my best guy friend.”

Robinson said her commitment to track has helped her to be more organized and balanced with her life.

“People think we just get out there and run, but it takes a lot of hours and dedication,” she said. “It helps me keep my priorities in order like school, work, church and my family. It also helps me manage my time to get rest and focus on my future.”

This was the second year see Robinson| page B6

THIS WEEK’S NOMINEES

Senior Eryn Stubblefield on her performance:

“I was just trying to enjoy everything and not focus on the scores. I definitely didn’t have the performance I wanted to have. I just had a really good time.”

A pril 14,

THE STATE HORNET READER’S PICK:

PITCHER BRANDON CREEL, BASEBALL

By Ross Coleman rcoleman@statehornet.com Freshman pitcher Brandon Creel has been voted The State Hornet reader’s athlete of the week for his performance last week.

Creel came within an infield single of pitching a no-hitter in his first career start on April 3. Instead, he had to settle for a combined one-hit shutout Saturday against UC Santa Barbara.

Creel threw eight innings, giving up the lone hit and striking out five Gaucho batters.

Creel is now 2-0 in his first season for the Hornets, with his first win coming against CSU Northridge out of the bullpen.

This is Creel’s first State Hornet Athlete of the Week award.

The kinesiology major graduated from local Rosemont High School where, as a senior, he went 8-1 with a 0.38 ERA. He was also named conference MVP last season.

Photos Courtesy of Hornet Sports

RONALD BROOKINS TRACK & FIELD

KIRYL HARBATSIUK MEN’S TENNIS

GREG MAYO TRACK & FIELD

DAVID RABINOWITZ TRACK & FIELD

Brandon Creel G: 7 W-L: 2-0 IP: 18 ERA: 2.00

Go to statehornet.com to vote for this week’s nominees.

Voting ends Saturday at 11:59 p.m.

B4

Wednesday - April 14

Men’s tennis win fourth consecutive Big Sky Title

Sports Section AFTER FURTHER REVIEW...

Bradford is the wrong pick for Rams

By Dustin Nosler sports@statehornet.com

Caroline LeDoux State Hornet

Anton Stryhas of the Sacramento State men’s tennis team serves against Cal Poly on April 3. The Hornets won 4-3. The team won its fourth Big Sky title in a row on Friday with a 7-0 win over Portland State University.

Hear why Sam Bradford isn’t worthy of the No. 1 pick and why Ndamukong Suh is the best defensive prospect in years in The State Hornet’s NFL Draft Podcast. Will the 49ers improve? Will the Raiders screw up again?

Find out at statehornet.com

statehornet.com

Only the St. Louis Rams could mess up a sure thing. Only the Rams could pass on arguably the best defensive prospect in a generation for a quarterback with durability questions.

University of Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford is the man in question.

I have followed the NFL draft religiously every year since 1997. While the Rams have had some great picks in that time – Orlando Pace, Torry Holt, Steven Jackson – there has also been a fair share of busts – Trung Canidate, Jimmy Kennedy, Tye Hill.

However, one thing has remained consistent – the Rams have not drafted a quarterback in the first round since 1963 when they took Terry Baker from Oregon State University.

Bradford, the 2008 Heisman Trophy winner, went back to the Sooners for the 2009 season only to hurt his shoulder in the team’s first game. He rehabbed, came back and hurt the same shoulder a few weeks later.

This is the guy the Rams are looking at? A guy who has suffered two major shoulder injuries last season? Oy vey!

I understand teams aren’t supposed to pass on potential franchise quarterbacks, but Bradford is not that guy. If he had entered the draft last year as the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, he would have been a projected top-15 pick. However, he decided to return to Oklahoma for his senior season.

So, how does a guy go from being a top-15 pick, play two games while getting hurt on two separate occasions, to catapulting to the top of the draft?

Because the Rams are that dumb.

The Sooners used a lot of spread formations, something that isn’t prevalent in the NFL. Bradford thrived in these situations, when he was healthy.

While he is deadly accurate, his arm strength is just a tick above average.

Bradford’s passing skill set compares favorably to Alex Smith of the San Francisco 49ers.

Smith, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2005 draft, came from the University of Utah and impressed scouts and critics in the offseason, much like Bradford. When it came time to actually play football, Smith buckled under the pressure and his inexperience showed.

A guy the Niners passed on that year was local favorite Aaron Rodgers from Cal. Rodgers, who played in a pro-style system, lasted until pick No. 24 where the Green Bay Packers grabbed him to be Brett Favre’s eventual replacement.

In the last two years, Rodgers has averaged 4,236 yards passing, 64.1 percent pass completion and 29 touchdowns. Smith, on the other hand, has a 37 touchdowns, 43 interceptions and 56.3 percent completion rate – for his career. It’s clear who was the better pick..

That’s not to say Bradford couldn’t go on and have a good NFL career, but he is not worthy of No. 1 overall selection.

Last season, the Rams flirted with drafting University of Southern California quarterback Mark Sanchez – a move I was in favor of.

Unsurprisingly, the Rams passed on Sanchez, who played in a pro-style system at USC and took the New York Jets to

the AFC Championship game in his rookie season, thus forcing the team to draft a quarterback with the No. 1 overall pick this year, as it’s clear the team passed on a franchise quarterback for the second consecutive season – see: Ryan, Matt.

Peyton Manning didn’t have these concerns coming out of the University of Tennessee in 1998. Even his brother Eli Manning didn’t have these concerns in 2004. Both were prototypical No. 1 picks and franchise quarterbacks with no injury concerns. Bradford is being hyped as a franchise quarterback because this year’s quarterback class is one of the weakest in recent memory.

The NFL draft is an inexact science and risky proposition, which makes drafting a quarterback No. 1 even riskier.

With the April 4 trade of Donovan McNabb from the Philadelphia Eagles to the Washington Redskins, Bradford to the Rams is virtually a lock.

There had been some scuttlebutt about the Redskins interested in trading up to grab Bradford with the top pick, but the ‘Skins acquiring McNabb quashes that theory.

And besides, the Rams probably would have been inclined to take Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen – a guy even less deserving of a top-10 selection.

The man the Rams should draft, but won’t, is Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. Suh was the first defensive player invited to the Heisman Trophy presentation since Charles Woodson won it in 1997. He also won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Outland Trophy and was named the Associated Press’ player of the year – the first defensive player ever to win the award.

Suh is a game-changing talent. Teams would be forced to scheme against his all-world

McClatchy Tribune

Sam Bradford is all but a lock to go No. 1 to the Rams in the NFL Draft.

ability and skill. That is something the Rams’ defense has been missing for years.

Not only would this give the Rams the best defensive line prospect since hall-of-fame hopeful Warren Sapp, but would make up for the poor decisions to draft defensive tackles in the past such as Damione Lewis and Adam Carriker.

Ultimately, it would put them in position to draft from a bevy of great quarterback prospects next year – University of Washington’s Jake Locker, Stanford’s Andrew Luck and the University of Arkansas’ Ryan Mallett – all of whom are more naturally talented and less injury-prone than the brittle Bradford.

Bradford’s shoulder injuries and concussion he suffered in his freshman season are reasons to be concerned and leery of choosing him No. 1.

But that makes way too much sense to happen. This is the Rams we’re talking about.

I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, though. The Rams have made terrible decisions in the draft in recent years; and it looks like it will continue April 22 at about 4:40 p.m., when the Rams make Bradford the No. 1 pick.

Wednesday - April 14

statehornet.com

Sports Section

B5

On Second Thought: NFL overtime rules The NFL changed overtime rules for the playoffs. Now teams must score a touchdown on its first possession to win instead of kicking a field goal.

How does The State Hornet sports staff feel about the change?

By Marshall Hampson mhampson@statehornet.com Honestly, the new overtime rules the NFL created are not my favorite, but I’ll deal with it.

I think the NFL needs to adopt the overtime rules college football has incorporated. I like the idea of having to score a

touchdown, but watching college overtime with both teams having a shot at winning makes more sense.

Yes, the offense can still be stopped by the defense in the new rules. Not every team has a fantastic defense, though.

Imagine last year’s Super Bowl with the new overtime rules.

You still only see one superstar quarterback on the field based on a coin flip? The public wants to see both Drew Brees and Peyton Manning carrying their teams, not just one.

This is not nearly as fun as watching a team march all the way down the field to score the game-winning touchdown.

NCAA football has it right, and the NFL should follow suit.

By Ashley O’Con aocon@statehornet.com The newly approved NFL overtime rule is one of the smartest decisions it has made so far. The rule states a team must score a touchdown on the first possession of overtime to

win instead of just kicking a field goal.

Since I agree with the saying, “Let the best team win,” I think it’s completely fair each team gets a chance to take the win, rather than the team that happened to luckily call heads or tails.

Since both teams put an effort in throughout the whole game, both should have an equal chance of scoring in overtime, rather than giving a kicker, who might have not done anything all game, an easy win by kicking a lousy field goal. The rule is fair and square. The NFL bases it on which is the better team not luck.

Kudos to the NFL for this decision.

Sports Briefs SCHUR WINS DECATHLON AT UCLA TRACK MEET

HARBATSIUK SETS SCHOOL RECORD IN LOSS TO NO. 29 FRESNO STATE

Sophomore Sam Schur won the decathlon at the Rafer Johnson/Jackie-Joyner Kersee Invitational Friday at UCLA. He scored a personal-best 6,888 points at the event, which is third all-time in Sacramento State history and the most for any Hornet since 1983.

Hornet junior Kiryl Harbatsiuk won his 21st consecutive singles match at Fresno State on Saturday.

His teammate, Naima Goodwin, finished the heptahlon in second place. She finished the meet with 4,773 points.

The softball team swept three games from conferencerival Santa Clara on Friday and Saturday.

SOFTBALL TEAM WINS FIRST THREE PCSC GAMES VS. SANTA CLARA

READ MORE AT STATEHORNET.COM

By Matt Harrington mharrington@statehornet.com I am a traditionalist at heart.

The NFL is messing with something that is true. The team that scores first in overtime is the better of the two teams, no matter what happened in the previous four quarters.

I don’t want to see this version of the college rule in a game where everything is final. If I wanted that, I would watch college football on Saturdays and forget about the NFL on Sundays.

The NFL should try this out for one, maybe two seasons, but then it should really think about going back to the old ways.

Football fans must be assured that the best team won the game, not the team that got a second chance because they could not stop their opponent from scoring.

Besides, it isn’t like teams can’t score on defense, either.

The league shouldn’t mess with a good thing.

B6

Wednesday - April 14

Sports Section

Causeway: Softball matchups played big role in outcome Continued | page B3 Sac State won the series 2-1 last year but failed to hold off the Aggies this series.

The overall standings were close this year and multiple games throughout the season also ended in nail-biting fashion, including a last-second 5957 win for the men’s basketball team at the Pavilion in Davis.

Another sport in which the Hornets performed well was volleyball.

Sac State volleyball head coach Ruben Volta, who has coached the Hornets for two years, led the team to a 3-2 win over UC Davis in the last set of the game.

“It was a back and forth match and we were able to pull of the win in the fifth and deciding set,” Volta said. “I think there is always a special energy

when playing Davis and the match didn’t disappoint.”

With the win, the women’s volleyball team earned 10 points. Even though the players won the match for the team, Volta said the fans helped create a rivalry atmosphere.

“The crowd always seems to be a little more intense when we are playing Davis,” Volta said.

“Being home this year was a big help as the crowd was really into the match.”

With so many thrilling games this season, Wanless said every season should be memorable

games between the two schools.

“The matches have been close and that’s what makes it exciting,” Wanless said. “That’s what you would like to see happen.

If one school simply dominates all the time, pretty soon it loses interest.”

Wanless said the cup is a good way to give the games between the two local rivals more meaning for the fans and players.

“It is about sportsmanship. It is about competitiveness,” Wanless said. “But at the end of the day, we don’t hate each other.

We just like beating each other.”

CAUSEWAY CUP AT A GLANCE Best Sac State win: Football, 31-28

Best UC Davis win: W. Basketball, 72-64

Worst Sac State loss: W. Golf, 919-880

Worst UC Davis loss: M. Basketball, 59-57

Robinson: Teammate support helped pave way for success Continued | page B3 Robinson qualified for the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships. She said she would not have made it without her teammates’ support.

“Being with one of my teammates who is also like my best friend and sister Lea has helped me make it,” Robinson said.

“When you have another person sharing the same dreams as you, you build up each other’s energy and go out there and do what you have to do.”

Teammate Brianna Nelson said Robinson’s athletic and mental abilities come into play when she sets foot on the track.

“Renisha’s confidence and motivation to do well has made

her a successful athlete,” Nelson said. “She puts that into her work ethic and training, and her hard work always pays off.”

Robinson said her coaches and teammates have played a big role in her accomplishments during her track career as a Hornet. In the 2009 season, Robinson qualified for the NCAA Championship and finished fifth at the NCAA West Regional with a season-best time of 2:08.14. Indoors, she was the Big Sky Champion in the 800-meter race, running a time of 2:08.64, setting the indoor record for Sac State.

“My teammates push me to be the best I can and help me set specific goals in events instead of just going out there and practicing, and I have a coach

who gives positive feedback and confidence to let you know you can do anything,” she said.

Robinson said one of her dreams is to go to the Olympics, but for now she will focus on her track career at Sac State.

Robinson said the most beneficial things in her life always lead back to track and field.

“Track is important to me because it’s a part of me and a part of my life,” she said. “It’s all I know and what I love to do.

It’s kept me in shape, healthy and out of trouble. It’s taught me what hard work takes and how to be dedicated. Ever since I was little it just clicked. I enjoy it. All of the hard work in the end is worth it.”

statehornet.com

“It’s really complicated right now. The doctors aren’t really sure what’s going on. It’s not getting better. The doctors are saying four weeks in a cast and then rehab, possibly surgery. If that happens, then I am not sure when I will be back.”

Jessica Abelia, sophomore infielder who is out with a broken hand

Softball: Team is missing bats of Beltran, Abelia in lineup Continued | page B3 things as much.”

She also suffered from fatigue and sensitivity to light. Schaefer was also unable to go to class for a week and had to get plenty rest per doctors orders.

Beltran hurt herself in the first game of the season Feb. 20 at the Fresno State Kickoff Tournament. She suffered a high ankle sprain that got progressively worse and ultimately forced her to the bench.

Beltran is walking with the aid of a crutch and a soft cast on her left foot. She continued play in the weeks after the injury but the sprain forced to playing.

Abelia broke metacarpals in her right hand on March 20 after being hit by a pitch against Utah State University. She said it will take time for her to heal.

“It’s really complicated right now. The doctors aren’t really sure what’s going on. It’s not getting better,” Abelia said. “The doctors are saying four weeks in a cast and then rehab, possibly surgery. If that happens, then I am not sure when I will be back.”

Beltran and Abelia are first and fourth in team batting average, as Beltran is hitting .462 and Abelia is hitting .320.

Schaefer is tied for first on the pitching staff with an 3.83 ERA. Beltran plays both third base and shortstop, as does Abelia.

While on the bench, Beltran said she studies each game as if she were playing. Her teammates help to fill in the extra information she misses.

“I watch and observe a lot of the pitchers and try to pick up their habits,” Beltran said. “I ask the players what they are seeing and how often they are seeing

pitches. Just some questions I would ask if I were playing but a lot more in-depth.”

Beltran’s absence opened a hole on the left side of the infield. Two players who stepped up were freshman infielder Erin Jones and freshman third baseman Emily McCormick.

Jones was seeing regular time at third base, where Beltran normally played, but McCormick has seen the majority of the time at third base.

Prior to McCormick moving to third base, she had little playing time at the position.

However, she said she felt mentally ready to play the game at a moment’s notice.

“You come every day expecting to play. You never want to sit the bench,” she said. “No one comes to the field expecting to sit the bench. Every day you expect to play and be ready when coach call upon you.”

In spite of the injuries and the team not performing at its peak, Strahan said she is encouraged by the returning players she will

have for next season.

“When I have those times, when I can look ahead to next year, and I see Beltran back, and Abelia back, and Megan back, with Alyssa Nakken getting to the next level, I am getting pretty excited about how things are starting to shape up for next year,” Strahan said, “even though I am still really living in this year.”