WEDNESDAY l 3.2.16 OUR 66TH YEAR CONTRA COSTA COLLEGE SAN PABLO, CALIF.
Playoffs produce hope, anguish Men’s team wins to advance into third round
Women’s squad slips in overtime, loses rivalry bout
By Robert Clinton
By Mike Thomas
sports editor
scene editor
After winning the Bay Valley Conference championship and receiving a No. 7 seed in the California Community College NorCal Regional playoff bracket, the Comets defeated No.10 Cosumnes River Comet players celebrate extending their lead to over 10 points as Cosumnes River College calls a time out College 86-77 in to search for a way to stop the offensive pressure being applied throughout Friday’s playoff match up. “With second round playoff action only Friday in the eight Gymnasium. The Complayers ets trailed their Cosumnes River early but rallied guards to win their first had to home playoff game since 1990 sag off on the back of or risk All-State forfoul trou- ward and BVC MVP Larry ble and Wickett. we took His 25 points advantage and 12 rebounds Freshman center Tyrell Chenevert winces as the Gymnasium crowd stares in amazement at forward Larry the Wickett’s missed dunk attempt in the closing minutes of Friday’s victory against the visiting Hawkeyes. of that.” paced Comets through — Anthony the first half Sullen, Comet and his array of forward powerful dunks kept the crowd entertained throughout the COMETS second. CCC continues its playoff run, taking its HAWKEYE act on the road to face No. 2 Feather River College today at 7 p.m. in Quincy. The Hawkeyes are a familiar foe to this Comet players Daizah Pounds (left-right), Briah Davis and Sydney Vidal, exhausted and exasperated, come CCC squad. The two teams met to the realization that their season has come to an end after a classic overtime playoff battle Friday at DVC. Dec. 30 in a match up that saw the Comets escape with a 60-57 win. “They had the same starters that they had when we beat them in the Chabot Tournament earlier this season,” coach Miguel Johnson said. “Missing a few players may have limited some of what they like to do, but I don’t want to take anything away from our guys.” Cosumnes struck first Friday night, hitting its first 3-pointer followed by a lay up through the heart of the Comet defense. Sophomore point guard Bobby Syvanthong (10 points Sophomore guard Daizah Pounds, emotionally drained after suffering a heartbreaking loss, takes time to and two assists) controlled the deal with the moment understanding that this will be the last time that she plays in a Comet uniform. tempo for CCC. He forced the PHOTOS BY CODY CASARES AND GEORGE MORIN / THE ADVOCATE
PLEASANT HILL — In an historical matchup, the women’s basketball team endured a heartbreaking 82-80 loss in overtime to Diablo Valley College (21-9 overall, (9-5 in the Big 8 Conference) after forcing “You overtime in the 2nd Round got to give of the NorCal R e g i o n a l it to (the Playoffs here on Comet) Friday. “You have got creed. You to give it to (the know, a Comets) creed,” team is a Vikings coach R a m a u n d o personal Vaughn said. “A reflection team is a personal reflection of its of its coach. coach. Paul (DeBolt) is a warrior. He Paul has a group of (DeBolt) is warriors next to him who fought a warrior.” tooth and nail — Ramaundo Vaughn, until the end.” women’s Contra Costa DVC basketball College defeatcoach ed DVC 78-67 in the College VIKINGS of San Mateo tournament Dec. 18 and this was the first time these two COMETS Contra Costa Community College District teams ever met in a postseason game. Friday’s match was a classic, with multiple lead changes throughout the game. In the final seconds of the fourth quarter, DVC had a two-possession lead over the Comets, so coach Paul DeBolt ordered his players to intentionally foul the Viking players to get quick possessions. With CCC trailing 76-72, Comet forward Julian Robinson cut the deficit to one point with a clutch 3-pointer with 9.4 seconds left. Then Robinson was whistled for a foul on Viking guard Raeona Ford right when DVC inbounded the ball, fouling out of the game. Ford converted one of the two free throw attempts giving
SEE MEN’S TEAM, PAGE 6
SEE WOMEN’S SQUAD, PAGE 6
rclinton.theadvocate@gmail.com
mthomas.theadvocate@gmail.com
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COUNCIL BACKS $94 MILLION BUDGET, BOND PROJECT LIST
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MVP Wickett leads quest for state title
EOPS, CARE and CalWORKs Program Manager George Mills vibrantly explains the legacy of Liberia in LA-100 during the “Out of Slavery” event on Saturday.
By Lorenzo Morotti associate editor
lmorotti.theadvocate@gmail.com
As the $52 million Campus Center and Classroom Project nears completion in August, the College Council unanimously approved a $95 million tentative construction plan on Feb. 11 that aims to modernize aged campus facilities within the next six or seven years. “The best we can tell at this point is (the completion of these projects within) about six years, but we still need to refine the plan more,” district Facilities Planner Ray Pyle said about a project that would construct a Science and Allied Health Building, a new Police Services Center and renovate the Gym Annex, Gymnasium and both the Women’s and Men’s Locker Rooms. Pyle said the plan is in part to provide a more conducive learning experience for future students along with ensuring their safety due to the Hayward Fault bisecting the campus. Pyle said the plan is based on Contra SEE MEASURE E, PAGE 4
CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE
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FORMER BLACK PANTHER TALKS PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE NEEDS Retired professor educates community during lecture and Q-and-A session focusing on social movement’s challenges, accomplishments. PAGE 5
Freed Africans forge nation Culture shapes Liberian country, strong work ethic By Christian Urrutia editor-in-chief
currutia.theadvocate@gmail.com
The history behind Africa’s first independent nation, its accomplishments and complexities were brought forth during the Black History Month event, “Out of Slavery: How free African-American slaves formed a new nation,” in LA-100
on Thursday. George Mills, EOPS/CARE and CalWORKs program manager, led the two-hour event in which he explained the history of Liberia, the continent’s first country formed by freed slaves. But not only did Mills talk about Liberia and its cultural and historical relevance to the U.S. today, but also passionately described the importance of having a strong work ethic, that he derived from his home country of Liberia, particularly for African-American populations. “There’s a tendency to associate black people with laziness,
(but) we come from a legacy that (established Liberia),” he said. “To me, if you didn’t recognize (the work ethic) now I get excited because I get to tell you and you and you and everyone in this room that we come from a legacy that works and work that produces goods.” “This is who we are. We are a people who do work,” Mills said. Mills said how the motto for Liberia, “the love of liberty brought us here,” reflects the profound importance of freedom for Liberians in the past, SEE BLACK HISTORY, PAGE 4
Quotable “With freedom of speech, the accent is not on the speech itself but the right to say it. And the right of the freedom of the press is the right to read it or hear it.” Lenny Bruce comedian 1965 Christian Urrutia editor-in-chief Marci Suela art director Roxana Amparo Lorenzo Morotti associate editors Asma Alkrizy opinion editor Mike Thomas scene editor Robert Clinton sports editor Cody Casares photo editor Benjamin Bassham circulation manager Paul DeBolt faculty adviser Staff writers Nora Alkrizy Joseph Bennett Tobias Cheng Dylan Collier Salvador Godoy Edwin Herrera Xavier Johnson Mickalea Manuel Yesenia Melara Jshania Owens Denis Perez Marlene Rivas Jason Sykes Mark Wassberg Atorriana Young Staff photographers Perla Juarez Jordan Khoo Denis Perez Tashi Wangchuk Honors ACP National Newspaper Pacemaker Award 1990, 1994, 1997,1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2015 CNPA Better Newspaper Contest 1st Place Award 1970, 1991, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2013 JACC Pacesetter Award 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 Member Associated Collegiate Press California Newspaper Publishers Association Journalism Association of Community Colleges How to reach us Phone: 510.215.3852 Fax: 510.235.NEWS Email: accent.advocate@ gmail.com Editorial policy Columns and editorial cartoons are the opinion of individual writers and artists and not that of The Advocate. Editorials reflect the majority opinion of the Editorial Board, which is made up of student editors.
opinion
WEDNESDAY, MARCH. 2, 2016 VOL. 103, NO. 15
WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM
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EDITORIAL COMPLAINTS INCITE CHANGE Low student turnouts affect selecting a college president
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n order to prove they are capable for the Contra Costa College’s presidency, four finalists will answer questions at an open forum in the Knox Center Thursday from noon to 3:45 p.m. Attendees will be given the chance to ask the candidates questions and analyze their responses by filling out comment cards and submitting them before leaving. Spanning the college’s storied 66-year history there have only been 10 presidents. Yet, there has never been a time within the last 20 years that the presidency at CCC has loomed so precariously due to a politically apathetic student body. Whoever is selected for this position, with or without student input, will be responsible for the general operation, budget issues, media relations, student success and representing the campus at the district and state level. Last year, the three presidential finalists were turned away when district Chancellor Helen Benjamin said none were “qualified” after reviewing public comments with the Governing Board. Student participation at that open panel was embarrassing. The only assured differences this year are that the panel will have four candidates and this group’s applications were not screened by a student representative on the Presidential Search Committee due to ASU President Nakari Syon resigning from that position on Feb. 1 because of his busy schedule. But even if our student representative botched an opportunity that comes once in a lifetime, it is not too late for the rest of us to close it out. Students, faculty and community members’ comments and concerns regarding each candidate will be reviewed by Dr. Benjamin and the Governing Board before announcing their selection for president on March 17. And now that California is emerging out of a recession and its colleges have seen the highest educational budget in the state’s history under Gov. Jerry Brown, why not miss class? After losing about 3,500 students due to eliminating programs and course offerings since 2001 according to a DataMart course section search, our voices as students are necessary in order to gauge which candidate is most capable of restoring the college enrollment to what it once was. Are we so preoccupied with our personal lives and our studies that we are unable to set aside three hours to help select a leader that we are confident is dedicated and will work toward making the college a better place? Now is the time to set whatever it is that is holding you back from attending the forum and prompt a discussion about the issues that should be addressed at it. This is an occasion that rolls around only once about every decade — suggest whoever you want be hired — ask questions. It is not particularly important what issues you want to discuss. What matters is that you complain about something. Because if we don’t complain, and ask questions, how can we call ourselves students? How can we expect change?
MARCI SUELA / THE ADVOCATE
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■ PUBLIC SUPPORT
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Welfare program needs regulations
hy would anyone use crutches if their injury has already healed? There must be no reason to continue using the crutches if they can move around and live normally without them, correct? I believe that many people using welfare in the U.S. do not need this crutch anymore, but continue to abuse its support. Therefore, it should be changed or removed. Don’t get me wrong, I think that welfare is a good program that should exist. If we can agree that the purpose of government is to protect the rights of its citizens, then this question must be raised: Is money from the government a right of the citizens? I believe that money from the government is not owed to the citizens. It is the citizens job to provide for themselves and their families or dependents. The assistance system was designed with a good intent, which was to take money from those with more money and give it to those who have less. One way to look at it could be to look at it like Robin Hood, with the government heroically taking excess from the rich and giving it to the needy. On the other hand, I think giving should be done by choice and not by force, even if it is not the choice of the taxpayers. When the government takes money by force, it could be seen as enforced generosity.
families have exploited the system to continue receiving benefits. My friend’s mother has two children and is considered a single mother. She refuses to marry her boyfriend of about five years because once she does she will stop receiving Even though I believe benefits from the welfare that the welfare system is system because he makes not a right of the citizens, enough money to share I think that it is good with her and her children. that it exists for people’s Another friend’s mother emergencies. is divorced from her previSometimes When ous husband. She also has through two children. She lives with unfortunate the her boyfriend, but does not circumstances, govern- marry him either because a person may the money will cease to be jobless for ment come in. a few months According to NPR, the and need assistakes federal government coltance to get lected about $2.3 trillion in back on their money taxes last year. According feet. Once that by force, to usgovernmentspending. org, the federal governperiod is over, the benefit it could ment spends about $380 billion on non-Medicare/ system should be seen Medicaid/Social Security stop giving welfare each year. Together resources to as costs add up to $2.395 trilthem because lion a year, which is over they can manenforced the tax income of the fedage on their government. own. Despite generos- eralWith our public debt at that, many over $19 trillion and growpeople contin- ity. ing, one would think that ue receiving we should limit spending benefits once to pay it off, and as one the period of poverty is over. If they can- of the large consumers of not provide for themselves, the taxes, welfare should at least be more regulated they should not live alone and be their own provider. so that people cannot continue to collect it for an I have witnessed the extended period of time. abuse of the system. Even though my family has Tobias Cheng is a staff never needed the government’s help to afford neces- writer for The Advocate. Contact him at tcheng.theadsities, we would never be vocate@gmail.com. considered rich. Many of my friends’
tobiascheng
CAMPUS COMMENT
Should the Gym Annex Building be renovated internally or torn down completely?
“It will take time to tear it down. I think it is cool as is. They need to do something about the weight room though.” Jean Coly
“I think the building is good. If we do a change, it should just be on the inside.”
“I haven’t been there. If nothing is wrong structurally, then they should just fix the inside.”
Duy Tran
Ryan Villareal
business
liberal arts
XAVIER JOHNSON AND DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE
undecided
No. It should be renovated on the inside. Where would we go in the interim while the building is being rebuilt?” Karma Dolma nursing
“It depends if it is necessary to rebuild. If it is not, then just renovate the inside. ”
“It depends on cost. If they have the money then they might as well rebuild it completely.”
Rudy Moran
Wali Khan
biology
economics
forum ■ RELIGION
markwassberg
BROKEN BOUNDARIES RESULT IN PUBLIC RIDICULE, SANCTIONS
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hat is the meaning of morality and how can we identify these behaviors that revolve around it? Since time began, there has always been a set of laws that dictate the human race. Without any of these laws, our civilization wouldn’t last one day. Most governments don’t recognized religious laws but civil laws oftentimes separate church and state. Before common and civil law it was religious law that came first. During the time of the Old Testament, God established the 10 commandments to regulate control and stop sin. According to the book “The Lucifer Effect,” individuals face temptation on a daily basis, dealing with unwanted and unjust influences from random places. Similarly, our laws now are a replica of God’s laws and when you break them, you will be punished. Despite his good public image, CNN reported in 2013 that former San Diego mayor Bob Filner was charged with several counts of sexual assault. In October 2013 Filner pleaded guilty of assaulting three women, a felony charge of false imprisonment and two misdemeanor battery charges. His sentence resulted to three months in home confinement, three years of probation and fines that totaled to $1,500. After Tiger Woods cheated on his wife with several female lovers she divorced him and he lost millions of dollars in endorsements. His reputation was no longer respected and his golf game was damaged too. According to the New York Daily News, former senator John Edwards’ daughter Cate admitted to the news outlet that her father cheated on his cancer-stricken wife. Other news emerged of a one-time fling with aide Rielle Hunter, bearing a child. While he denied the accusations initially, he eventually resigned from his position and Democratic candidacy for president in 2008. In 1988, televangelist Jimmy Swaggart, who preached of morality, hell and damnation lost his ministry and all credibility after he was caught consorting with a prostitute. Even Rev. Jesse Jackson was silent for years after it was revealed that he had a daughter out of wedlock. Every person has a lie detector that is called a conscience. When you lie, your body language changes and your conscience normally troubles you to feel guilty. Former U.S. President Richard Nixon paid several ex-CIA agents, known as the “White House plumbers,” thousands of dollars to burglarized the Democratic Party headquarters at the Watergate Hotel in Washington D.C. After they were arrested, the paper trail led back to Nixon. He went on the airwaves telling America, “I am not crook.” Then a few months later resigned from office. Mark Wassberg is a staff writer for The Advocate. Contact him at mwassberg. theadvocate@gmail.com.
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■ WRESTLING
Trauma forces champion to retire
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n Feb. 8, arguably one of the greatest wrestlers decided to hang up his boots and retire. WWE wrestler Daniel Bryan made a decision most athletes would have difficulty doing — that is choosing health over a profession that you love. In 2013, my friends told me about Daniel Bryan, an awesome wrestler who got cheated out of the title after winning it just to lose it minutes later to Randy Orton. That alone made me tune in. The ring was full with previous world heavyweight champions and WWE champions for a unification ceremony, but I saw something I never thought I would see — the whole arena chanting “Daniel Bryan” over and over again all in sync. This went on for five minutes, similar to when a football stadium chants for a player. At that point I knew that this goat-faced bearded guy was going change the
performance in WWE history, defeating Triple H, the man who stood in his way, and then Batista and Randy Orton, the two biggest guys, to win the title. Many called it the miracle on Bourbon Street. Unfortunately, that glory had to come to an end when direction of a whole compa- Bryan suffered a major ny. And he did. shoulder injury during his As months went on, tenWrestleMania match. He sion kept on building and eventually came back with building from the fans in the momentum, but a concusarenas. sion sidelined him for seven Everything came to a boil- months with people quesing point at the WWE Royal tioning whether the compaRumble, an annual pay-per- ny had enough of the “Yes!” view where the main event is movement. But that was not a 30-man over the top rope the case. last man standing match. Bryan showed up on Bryan led a swarm of fans Raw in his home state of to the middle of the ring sur- Washington to announce rounding it from barricade his retirement due to severe to barricade. It was incredtrauma to his brain from ible how people got behind recurring concussions and him demanding a title shot seizure. — and got it. As soon as he stepped into On the date of the ring, the audience gave WrestleMania 30, Bryan him shouts of praise across had the most incredible the Kingdome.
edwinherrera
He struggled to get the words out of his condition. He admitted, through tears, how he loved wrestling more than anything in the world. He repeated how grateful he was to do something with people who loved him as much as he loved his profession. The courage for him to give up something he loved for his health is something to commend. The fans lost a great wrestler in the ring, but we gained the hope that this hero can grow in old age with no drug addictions or suicide attempts. All I can feel about his retirement is gratitude — gratitude for making me want to tune in Monday nights to see a person sacrificing his body and health to put on a show of incredible athletic ability. Edwin Herrera is a staff writer of The Advocate. Contact him at eherrera. theadvocate@gmail.com.
DECLINING RATES reflect commitment behaviors Dropping divorce rate steers deceptive views on statistics By Asma Alkrizy opinion editor
aalkrizy.theadvocate@gmail.com
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f one had thought the decline in the divorce rate over the last decades in America displays a growth in marriages, they are utterly wrong. The major factor for the decline in divorce rates in America is linked to the steep decline in marriages resulting from the increase of cohabiting relationships, changing economic conditions and the lack of religious practices and participation in America. The marriage rate in America has decreased dramatically over the last two years. It is anticipated to drop even more in the next years according to the 2015 U.S. Wedding Forecast. As the rate of marriages continues to drop, the number of American adults who are not married is at a historical record today, exceeding the numbers of married Americans. This explains why the divorce rate has been low over the past years. In 2014, the Census Bureau reported a surprising number of 107 million adult Americans who had never married, which is approximately 45 percent of the adult population. From the same report, 55.3 percent of American adults were married. This percentage is startling in comparison to the percentage of married adults in 1960, which was 72 percent. The rate of unmarried adult Americans has increased since 1960, with accumulating fear and doubts of maintaining a permanent relationship which increases the likelihood of not marrying at all. There are several factors that may lead to the historic decline of married adults. One
factor is the increased number of American adults marrying later in life. The U.S. Census Bureau reported in 2013 the median age of first marriage for women was 27 and men was 29, compared to ages 20 for women and 23 for men back in the 1960s. Another factor is marriage’s leading competitor, cohabitation. A surprising number of Americans retreating from marriages have switched to cohabitation. Some couples cohabit first before marrying and other cohabiting relationships terminate before marriage. The U.S. Census Bureau reported 7 million unmarried couples living together in 2012, with 639,000 unmarried same-sex couples. This is three times higher the number of unmarried couples in 1960. But cohabiting relationships aren’t alone when determining the steep decline in marriages. Economic conditions leading to job loss and employment dissatisfaction also affect relationship stability in marriages and outside marriages. Demographic Intelligence (DI), a firm that focuses on family and forecasts fertility, indicates that because the economic downturn did not hit everyone equally, younger and less-educated women appear to be delaying marriage until economic conditions improve. According to the 2015 U.S. Wedding Forecast, reports of U.S. marriages after the great recession from 2008 to 2015 show that the marriage rate for young women with a high school diploma or less dropped more than 30 percent. The report adds that well educated women are more likely to pursue marriage than less educated women. It also indicates among those who are not well-educated, men without college degrees are more likely to not marry because of
job loss or low employment opportunities. This causes them to perceive themselves as not “good marriage material.” In addition, a Pew Research Center report shows the labor force participation rate among men has declined over the past decades. Since 1980, men ages 25 to 34 have confronted a 20 percent decline in median hourly wages. Religion, on the other hand, serves as ardent supporters of marriage in society. The majority of religions, such as Christianity, Judaism and Islam, encourage marriage before sex, providing individuals with rituals and rules of conduct in a relationship. But the religious affiliation of Americans nowadays is not as strong as it was before due to the lack of religious practices and involvement, which can also contribute to the decline rate in marriages. In “The Benefits from Marriage and Religion in the United States: A Comparative Analysis,” researchers Linda Waite and Evelyn Lehrer indicate how religion and marriage coalesce to create a positive influence over an individual’s physical health, longevity and happiness. Waite and Lehrer stated that religious practices and participation give individuals a view about the standards of their relationships and provides social integration and support. According to the Pew Research Center, the number of Christians in America is decreasing while the number of those not practicing a faith grows. The percentage of adults who label themselves as Christians has dropped from 78.4 percent in 2007 to 70.6 percent in 2014. With the increasing retreat of marriages resulting from changing economic conditions, lack of religious affiliation, and the shift to cohabitation, it is no surprise divorce rates are declining in America. There are likely other factors that have led to the decline rate of marriage since the 1960s, but these remain three of the contemporary factors affecting marriage today.
ASMA ALKRIZY/ THE ADVOCATE
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campusbeat
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NEWSLINE ■ WORKSHOP
FLEX TEACHES VITAL GUIDELINES FOR MEN An adjunct faculty-led FLEX workshop titled “Teaching Men of Color in the Community College: Overview and Applications,” will be held on Monday, from 1 to 3 p.m. in LLRC-107. This workshop will give a brief overview of the five-day long course, “Teaching Community College Men of Color,” with the aim of generating interest in, and discussion of, the research and teaching recommendations presented in the course. Dr. J. Luke Wood, Dr. Frank Harris III, and Dr. Khalid White will participate.
■ PUBLIC
PRESIDENTIAL FORUM MEETS TOMORROW The Contra Costa Community College District has announced the selection of four finalists for the position of president of Contra Costa College. The finalists are: Dr. Celia Barberena, Krista Johns, J.D., Mojdeh Mehdizadeh, and Dr. Luis Pedraja (see descriptions above). Public forums for each finalist will start at noon, Thursday, when the four finalists will make statements and answer questions. The consecutive forums will be 45 minutes each and held at the Knox Center. The forums are open to the community, students, faculty and staff.
CRIMEWATCH Sunday, Feb. 21: No reports taken on this date. Monday, Feb. 22: A police officer responded to a report of a student possibly bringing a handgun onto campus. Monday, Feb. 22: A student reported that another student had hit her vehicle while parked in Lot 10. Monday, Feb. 22: A police officer responded to a traffic collision with no reported injuries in Lot 1. Wednesday, Feb. 24: A student displayed disruptive behavior while in class. The student was advised about the student code of conduct and is still attending said class. — Christian Urrutia
CORRECTION In the Feb. 24 issue of The Advocate on page 5, in the story titled, “Historical, current efforts overlooked,” sociology department Chairperson J. Vern Cromartie was misquoted with using the term “afro-centric.” The Advocate regrets this error. — The Contra Costa Community College District is committed to equal opportunity in educational programs, employment, and campus life. The District does not discriminate on the basis of age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, marital status, national origin, parental status, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status in any access to and treatment in College programs, activities, and application for employment.
■ EDITORIAL ON PAGE 2
Presidential search nears climax CELIA BARBERENA
KRISTA JOHNS
The previous Chabot College president started out her career with prov i d i n g instruction and support services to ESL learners. At Sacramento City College, she developed a matriculation plan for ESL students, offering literature written in English, Chinese, Vietnamese and Spanish. While serving as the vice president for student services at Hartnell College, she partnered with nearby high schools to establish a “college-going” culture for teenagers and improve academic preparation. She currently serves a consultant promoting the educational advancement of immigrant communities and aims to strengthen college linkage with governmental agencies, businesses and high schools.
The current interim president of Berkeley C i t y College had previously been the dean of English and business at Diablo Valley College for seven years. As a member of the Community College Leadership Development Institute Johns has published articles on legal topics and change management. She held an administrative position in research as the vice president for Policy and Research under the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACCJC). Dr. Johns graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in political science from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside and a Juris Doctorate from Chicago-Kent College of Law. Before coming to California, she held various positions at University of Nevada-Reno and University of Mississippi.
MOJDEH MEHDIZADEH Currently serving as Contra C o s t a College’s interim president, Mehdizadeh has experience in higher education as an administrator and as a student in the community college system. She completed her general education requirements at Diablo Valley College and then transferred to San Francisco State University to receive her bachelor of science degree in computer information systems. As a college administrator, Mehdizadeh started her career in supporting educational programs, international education, research and planning, institutional research and information technology. She also served as an adjunct professor in communications. Her previous role was within the Contra Costa Community College District as executive vice chancellor of education and technology.
LUIS PEDRAJA Pedraja has acted as a liaison to Puerto R i c an institutions, assisting students in higher education. His advocacy for more access to college education stems from his experience of being a first-generation college student. He earned his Ph.D. from University of Virginia and earlier graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Stetson University in Florida. Dr. Pedraja has served as Antioch University in Los Angeles’ vice president of academic affairs since 2011. As a professor he taught religion and philosophy at Southern Methodist University and the University of Puget Sound. He also held the position of Memphis Theological Seminary’s vice president of academic affairs.
BLACK HISTORY | Seminar examines Liberian past Continued from Page 1 and the love of freedom especially when comparing its history to the history of the U.S., during and after slavery. “I come from a legacy of people who love being free. I love being free. I love liberty. I love being black. I learned about a country that leads the way in women’s rights reform on the continent of Africa,” he said. “So there is much more to who we are if we open up ourselves up to this possibility. “I love the history of the world. I love American history, Liberian history and every history because
it allows me to be a fuller person,” Mills said. “I am passionate about work because I am not lazy. You are not lazy. You come from a legacy of strong powerful people. I bring work right now. I’m hoping that you bring work too and that together we can share the dignity in our work and we can support each other. “This is how CCC gets better. We do our part, and you do your part,” he also said. African-American studies major Jay Lamar said this event strengthened the black community from within and that the whole time, much of what Mills was saying resonated with him.
“I was agreeing with what he was saying. The whole vibe I felt was extremely important. It was an (informative) history lesson. We’re not people that are lazy and for me that stuck to heart,” Lamar said. Student Life Coordinator Erika Greene said for the past 20 years there tends to be events held in the Knox Center celebrating and honoring Black History Month, but due to stage rigging retrofits currently underway, such a performance was not feasible. “We changed up any plans completely but (thankfully) George was available and came to us and we were able to plan
a time for the present a t i o n ,” Greene said. Mills said the event was Mills last minute and George Mills recent- advertising was ly arrived limited to at Contra that very Costa week. College as “ I the EOPS, would’ve CARE/ loved to CalWORKs advertise program it more, manager. but we couldn’t due to the time (allotted),” Mills said. Greene also said,
“Africans have made a lot of contributions, black history is American history and everyone has benefited from, we have to have all people recognized and to know that we have a place in history, everyone has value.” Mills said, “There is so much more to African history than what you read so far. “The full essence of who you are is grasping all of who you are and this is a part of who you are. “This is my way of showing you that you are much more than any statistic will ever tell you.” Mills concluded with questions from students concerning Liberia and his personal family history.
MEASURE E | Council approves plan to modernize Continued from Page 1 Costa College’s 2007 Master Plan. He said the $84 million allocated to CCC out of the $450 million districtwide Bond Measure E will be supplemented with left over funds from Measure A (2006). Chancellor Helen Benjamin said that the district allocated $23 million more from its own budget because of “a great deal of need.” “When we made the decision because of a difference in needs between the colleges,” Dr. Benjamin said, “a lot was associated with the fact an (earthquake) fault runs through campus.” The Seismic Rubric indicates any building at a public institution that is rated at a Seismic Risk level IV is structurally “questionable,” while a V or higher is deemed “unacceptable”. On that scale the Liberal Arts Building (1965) is at level III, the Custodial, Maintenance and Police Services Buildings are at levels IV, V and IV. The Physical Sciences Building (1955) is at V, the Health Science Building (1972) is at III and the Biology Building (1960) is at V according to the college’s Seismic Evaluation and Retrofit Studies report prepared for the district by Thornton Tomasetti Building Solutions in November 2011. Pyle said while the project has these buildings slated to be demolished, the Gym Annex (1967 at level IV), the Gymnasium (1956 at level IV) and the Men’s and Women’s Locker Rooms (1956 and 1962 at level III) will be renovated without tearing the existing structures down. “It is a series of projects,” Pyle said. “This first set that are going to get going with Measure E funds will be the athletic complex renovation at the same time we create
“When we made the decision because of a difference in needs between the colleges, a lot was associated with the fact a fault runs through campus.” Helen Benjamin, district chancellor
new spaces in the Applied Arts Buildings after culinary, (ASU), administration, (Middle College High School), (Business Office) move into the new (Campus Center) building.” He said once five classrooms are constructed inside the AA Building ($5.9 million from Measure E and A) the nursing and emergency medical technician programs will move into those spaces. Because the project is still in its preliminary phase, there have yet to be discussions about any specific floor plans, Pyle said. Buildings and Grounds Manager Bruce King said his department and the custodial department will also be moving into the AA Building when the R Building is demolished to extend parking Lot 9 and relocate Police Services near the Tennis Courts. Pyle said once the moves are made, the demolition of the Liberal Arts and Health Sciences buildings will start to make way for a new $56 million Science and Allied Health Building. According to the Powerpoint presentation used at College Council, the new science building will house general classrooms, a new planetarium, biology, chemistry, engineering and EMT/medical assisting labs and a Center
for Science Excellence study space, along with a computer lab. At the same meeting, Pyle said that the Science and Allied Health Building alone would add about 5,300 of additional square feet to campus building space. The five areas on campus that are to be renovated or rebuilt total about 7,500 additional square feet according to the Powerpoint presentation. Pyle said that he will be speaking with faculty and department chairpersons to suggest potentially keeping the nursing department in the AA Building to save costs. He said the site where the Biology, Physical and Health Sciences buildings once stood will be used for future projects that have yet to be determined. Interim College President Mojdeh Mehdizadeh said she, Pyle, designers and Director of Business Services Mariles Magalong are meeting with department chairpersons and faculty from science departments to discuss any concerns with the tentative budget and plan. Approved, but not finalized Mehdizadeh said that the preliminary plan was approved at College Council with minor modifications. She said weekly meetings are being held with Athletic Director John Wade and Academic Senate President Beth Goehring to ensure that the location of the new Police Services Center and the renovations are not obstructive. In regard to the $29.5 million Gym Annex, Gymnasium and Women’s and Men’s Locker Room renovations being planned to happen to all buildings at once, Wade and Goehring said they are concerned construction would interfere with team practices, classes
and parking during games or events. “The need for our department’s swing space is gigantic,” Goehring said. “(Pyle) said if we don’t do all the work to the (Athletic Complex) it will cost more but it would be extremely disruptive to our classes and sports programs. It might be better to phase the project out into parts.” Wade said because the proposed site of the Police Services Center, the Handball Courts, is used by the football team and Buildings and Grounds to store equipment, a compromise should be made before moving forward. Mehdizadeh said meetings to discuss alternative locations to the new Police Services Center are on a weekly basis but a decision needs to be made as soon as possible. Pyle said the district hired Klienfelder Inc., an engineering solutions firm, for an estimated $40,000 to begin trenching looking for seismic activity by the end of March or early April. Magalong and Pyle said the new $2 million Police Services Center, allocated from the district’s operations budget, is the only building that will require a seismic study because it is the only site located in a “not cleared zone.” Mehdizadeh said the campus is divided into three zones, habitable (green), not cleared (yellow) and exclusion zones (red). “Yellow zones can be turned into green zones through extensive drilling (and seismic study), but you cannot change the status of a red zone,” she said. Pyle said the results of the trenching that will take place near the Tennis Courts on the west side of campus would determine if the college can build the new Police Services Center at that location or not.
campus beat
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Activists now need to take advantage of what the civil rights movement accomplished.” — Jose Avila, business major
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WORKERS PROVOKE RECURRING GAS LEAKS By Benjamin Bassham circulation manager
bbassham.theadvocate@gmail.com
CHRISTIAN URRUTIA / THE ADVOCATE
Dr. Paul Alkebulan speaks with students about his involvement with the Black Panther Party in Oakland from 1969-72 as a student activist during the “Reflections on the Black Panther Party” seminar on Saturday in LA-100.
Former Black Panther dissects political fallout Author discusses party’s lingering message 50 years after inception
By Lorenzo Morotti associate editor
lmorotti.theadvocate@gmail.com
To honor its 50th anniversary a former Black Panther Party member discussed the organization’s decline, local origins and the political marginalization of the family structure. As part of a W.E.B. Du Bois Lecture Series at Contra Costa College, author Dr. Paul Alkebulan, 68, opened “Reflections on the Black Panther Party: A Retrospective Seminar on the 50th Anniversary of a Social Movement,” by talking about his experience as a Black Panther and finished the event by answering questions. Social sciences department Chairperson J. Vern Cromartie invited 100 students to listen to Dr. Alkebulan, ask questions and watch “Merritt College: Home of the Black Panthers,” on Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. in LA-100. Hashim Alezzania, a political science major, said he learned that the Black Panther Party worked with the Brown Berets, the Nation of Islam, the Red Guard and were not as radical as mainstream media outlets reported, but organized many community outreach programs that educated people about racial injustice in education and the electorate. “Let’s not regret the past and be grateful that we are able to express ourselves politically,” Alezzania said. “These people not only
helped their own group but everyone in our society. But still, it is a shame not everyone was taught that America is a nation based on diversity and not white values.” Alkebulan discussed his involvement with the party during his early 20s as a student activist in Oakland from 1969-72 and the internal power struggle, arrests and the FBI’s COINTELPRO program that contributed shutting down all its international and domestic chapters by 1982. His main concern was the family structure in African-American communities being devastated by the outsourcing low-skilled manufacturing jobs in the 1980s. “It shut off avenues of employment for unskilled men and women in many communities. It created a change in a culture in which marriage was once the focus of our efforts,” he said. “Now it is not the big prize and the stigma of wedlock doesn’t happen as much anymore.” Jose Avila, a business major, said. “Without a family you don’t have that mental support to keep moving forward to be successful in anything you choose.” He said like the Panthers, the Black Lives Matter Movement has the momentum of its generation. “Activists now need to take advantage of what the civil rights movement accomplished,” he said. “Now black people and people of color have the right to vote, to travel freely and pursue an education.
“We are represented in all branches of government, judicial, executive and legislative. Even the police is (racially) integrated. We need to use this as leverage to restore the family structure in America, not on a civil rights level, but in the community.” Alkebulan said the party started in 1966 when leaders Bobby Seale and Huey Newton followed police officers with guns and law books to read victims their rights and hold non-violent armed sit-ins. In 1967, he said its members stood at the Capitol steps with guns to oppose a bill that would restrict citizens from the right to carry loaded weapons in public. He said that the Black Panthers were often thought of as militant socialists after, but they wanted the ability to protect communities from brutal police practices. Despite the negative media coverage, Alkebulan said the Panthers survived for 16 years by providing community training through constitutional rights and welfare programs, using their underground newspaper to spread a creed inspired by the ideologies of human rights leader Malcolm X. “I wanted to make a difference,” Alkebulan said. He said he regrets many members were attracted to an ideology of an armed struggle instead of programs like its Free Breakfast for Children Program — an activity he and his family participated in every morning.
Breached natural gas pipes have been an irregular, but recurring, nuisance during the years of the Campus Center’s construction. PG&E spokesperson Tamar Sarkissian said, “Third party construction crews sometimes strike our equipment.” Building and Grounds Manager Bruce King said Ghilotti Bros., Inc., one of the subcontractors, broke the two-inch gas pipe by the Library while working on the Campus Center. They knew where the broken pipe was located. PG&E had already marked the location. Police Services Corporal Tom Holt said, “It’s just something that happens with construction.” Police Services ensures that everyone is out of the buildings if they need to be evacuated for safety procedures, King. Holt said, “We handle evacuations as part of a team effort with the fire department. We just cordon off the area.” King said, “After evacuation they set up command posts around the building to make sure no one gets in.” The senior administration is notified and they notify the community and tell students classes are canceled. King said, “It’s just human error. No matter how careful you are, things happen.” Sarkissian said, “This can (usually) be avoided by having the contractor call 811 (before digging). Somebody will come out to mark where the utilities are. We encourage homeowners to call too.” USA North 811 is a free service. Those planning significant digging should call two days before the project begins. Contractors are required by law to call. “We set up stalls at Home Depot and send out press releases and try to let people know,” she said. King said, “The Buildings and Grounds crew are activated to help. We can’t repair it (ourselves). We have to wait on PG&E.” Sometimes the PG&E crew use the equipment from the college. Holt said, “(PG&E) can shut off the gas pretty quick. There haven’t been any injuries.” Sarkissian said, “We stop the gas flow by squeezing or pinching the line, or (by using) other techniques. The crew on site determines the best technique depending on the pipe. Sometimes the lines are made out of steel, sometimes they’re made out of plastic. There’s a different technique for a half-inch pipe than for a larger pipe.” The size of the gas lines varies from half-inch service lines, to the two inch or so distribution lines, to the giant transmission lines. King said, “Our campus has been here for about 65 years and there’s plenty of stuff that used to be here before the campus. They never know what they’re going to find. I find conduits that are marked incorrectly. (For example) a conduit marked for electricity and it’s full of water for irrigation.” King said, “After each (leak) PG&E goes and checks each of our meters. Before they let anyone back on campus they send people with sniffers (hand held gas detectors) through every affected building. We’ve never had to shut down the whole campus.”
STEM ALUMNI PANEL ACCENTUATES PREPAREDNESS By Nora Alkrizy staff writer
nalkrizy.theadvocate@gmail.com
The Center for Science Excellence invited five of its distinguished alumni STEM majors who are enrolled at University of California campuses and San Jose State back to the college to share their personal journeys as transfer students. The panel of five successfully transferred students sat before a group of college and high school students in the Planetarium on Friday at 2 p.m. During the opening, they shared the experiences and struggles they went through before they transferred, as well as their transition to a four-year university. “My number one (piece of) advice,” biochemical engineering major Kevin Hernandez said is “start your search for housing early on if you want to get yourself a convenient place to stay.” All five members recollected how the first semester is always the toughest after transferring. It is not tough in terms of school load alone, Hernandez said, but it can be hard in familiarizing yourself with the campus and getting used to it. “Choose your classes wisely,” molecular and cellular biology major Duy Masuno said. “The first semester’s workload is always the
toughest as one is still adjusting to the transition, so make classes your priority your first semester.” Nutritional science major Elleanor Pangilinan talked of the importance of choosing a university based on your major and interest. “There are factors that can affect which college you choose,” she said. “I got accepted into other places, but at the time (UC) Davis was the sufficient place for my major and the fact that it was not far away made it my choice.” The alumni encouraged students to take advantage of their time at Contra Costa College. “Develop good studying habits,” Hernandez said. “Develop a professional personality internally and externally. Once you transfer, there will be so many other things on your plate and trying to renovate yourself there will be very tough.” Christian Talavera is a first-generation college student studying mechanical engineering at San Jose State. He said he slacked off in one of his engineering classes at CCC which came back to get him in one of his courses at San Jose State. “Don’t do that,” he said. “Take CCC seriously. Once you’re out of here, trust me, it’s going to get more tough.” Talavera said he had to do double the work to pass that class. He had to teach himself concepts he
CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE
CSE alumni Christian Talavera (left), Ramon Valencia, Elleanor Pangilinan, Kevin Hernandez and Duy Musuno share their experiences when transferring to a four-year college in PS-132 on Friday.
should have had under his belt if he had paid more attention in his CCC physics class. “Don’t be the small fish swimming among the big fish,” Talavera said. “Be the big fish, and you can be so by making use of your opportunity at a community college and
getting yourself ready.” The panel emphasized how important it is to create a resumé, apply for scholarships and internships and look into financial aid and meet the deadlines. Hernandez said his internships helped him be on top of his classes.
The skills and knowledge he gained helped set him apart from his classmates who started at San Jose State. “You don’t want to be just a walking encyclopedia,” Talavera said. “Consume the experience. A body of knowledge requires the skills to make it stand out.”
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sports
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■ OFF THE RECORD
MEN’S TEAM | Home court advantage drives win
as Comets quash Hawkeyes in playoff round dylancollier
STUDENT-ATHLETES SHOULD LOVE GAME, NOT PAYCHECKS
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pring is a magical time of year for sports. You can smell the freshly mowed grass in the outfield and hear the fizzing sound the ball makes when hitting the catcher’s glove. People’s passions for the basketball and baseball not only come to the forefront, but also plague the mind with the fact that there is always a plot to the game. Athletes create their own realities by choosing if they want to go professional,or not. However, there is one aggregate that dishonors the world of college sports, and I am referring to the idea of paying athletes at the National Collegiate Athletic Association level. I do not believe that college players should get paid, because that conflicts with the students who have the primary goal of playing for fun and getting a degree. If we research why athletes play competitive sports at this level, it’s important to note that some athletes’ intention is to play professionally. For instance, someone might infer that any player who plays basketball for Kansas University is there precisely to make the NBA. The Jayhawks basketball program is one of the oldest and successful programs in the history of the NCAA. In 2003, the coach of the Jayhawks committed what some might call his first ethical foul. He gave one of his new players more than $5,000 in improper benefits. It is human nature for players departing from the program to receive checks from appreciative boosters. This can be a problem because if a player is getting illegally paid. This gives a negative mindset of college athletes before they have a chance to go pro. This raises the question of what’s more important to the athlete: academics or sports? When I was an undergrad, there was a student who pitched with an ERA of 0.48. Now in this case, I can understand that someone filling his shoes might have professional scouts telling him how much money he can make in the Major Leagues. But, there is a small percentage of baseball pitchers in the NCAA who can pitch from two release points, overhand and sidearm, who have a low ERA. If a player at the NCAA level is getting paid, then that might effect how they perform, because instead of acknowledging they made an error, they might make excuses. After having the opportunity of speaking with former All-American athlete Paige Dumont who got the chance to pitch for Sonoma State University, and then made it into the Philadelphia Phillies minor league farm club, I gained genuine perspective through his lens. He said paying players “takes away from the root of how the game is played, and the love of the game.” But in order for coaches to call themselves successful, must they contaminate the very essence of the game? Dylan Collier is a staff writer of The Advocate. Contact him at dcollier.theadvocate@ gmail.com.
Continued from Page 1 the Hawkeyes to play at the Comets pace whenever it seemed Cosumnes was on the verge of a run. Falling behind 5-4 in the opening minutes, the Comets turned their attention to the glass where Deonte Smith (seven points and nine rebounds) along with Wickett got CCC second chance opportunities, chances the Comets turned into a 10-5 advantage. Guard play led the offensive for Cosumnes. However, each time an advantage was ripe to be seized, Comet freshman Jeremiah Alston (seven points and five rebounds) or the instant offense of Anthony Sullen (20 points and four rebounds) hit a big shot to stifle any Hawkeye momentum. “It was a good first playoff game. I hope we can keep it going. Everything was to the rack, the lanes were open and I finished at the basket,” Sullen said. “With only eight players their guards had to sag off or risk foul trouble and we took advantage of that.” As the first half drew to a close, Alston began to heat up shooting the Comets to a 29-17 advantage. Cosumnes found the path to prosperity when Alston and Smith both earned their third foul in the first half. Cosumnes’ guards cut the Comet lead to 31-26 with under five minutes remaining. CCC continued to force Hawkeye players into bad decisions and with 3:28 left before halftime, Comet guard Dwight Wilson (eight points and two
assists) hit a 3-pointer to give CCC the nine-point advantage that it would take into the break. At halftime, CCC led Cosumnes 42-33. “For a team without much playoff experience we handled the game pretty well,” Comet freshman Jalen Dominique said. “We stuck to the game plan and played with energy and without inner turmoil for 40 minutes. Now we just have to carry it over to the next game.” The Comets blazed out of the locker room after halftime, as Syvanthong continued to assault the rim and converted a pair of lay-ups coupled with a Sullen 3pointer to boost CCC’s lead to 16. Although the Hawkeyes kept the game within reach in the second half, for the Comets, acrobatic dunks kept its opponent’s morale down, and the crowd on the edge of its seats anticipating the next highlight. Back-to-back dunks by Wickett and Sullen midway through the second half clipped the Hawkeye wings draining the squad of its fight. It cemented the fact that the Comet athleticism was going to be more than the undermanned squad would be able to repel. With four minutes remaining, the Comets completed three sets that exemplify its play this season. A slashing layup by Sullen followed by a Deonte Smith block on defense ignited a Comet fast break. The possession resulted in a Wickett 3-point play that put CCC up 72-57 and cemented the reality that there was no comeback in Cosumnes’ future.
CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE
Comet guard Anthony Sullen flies past Hawkeye center Bakari Bradford for a lay up during the second round of the NorCal Regional Playoff game against Cosumnes River College on Friday in the Gymnasium.
WOMEN’S SQUAD | Two points elude BVC champions, lose
first intradistrict playoff game against Vikings in overtime Continued from Page 1 the 4th seeded Vikings a 77-75 lead and the Comets a chance to tie the game with 8 seconds left. Then point guard Tynisha Adams pushed the ball up court and hit CCC center Briah Davis who made a deep 2-pointer to tie the game at 77-77 sending it into overtime. “It tied the game so we were ecstatic,” DeBolt said. “To be in a spot to score and get a stop at the other end and then score again in the last 13 seconds to force an overtime was amazing.” DeBolt said the play on Robinson’s 3-pointer was a designed inbounds play, but he gives credit to Adams for making a nice read to get the ball to an open Davis for the tying score. The 13th seeded Comets (21-10 overall, 11-1 in the Bay Valley Conference) started the game solid on defense, but could not find any offensive rhythm on the other end. Forcing 12 turnovers and outrebounding DVC 45-42 put the Vikings on their heels defensively. However, it was Viking guard Ford’s second half performance that kept DVC in the game as she connected on four 3-pointers in the second half. Comet sophomore guard Sydney Vidal said Ford’s success was disappointing to the team because she was 19 percent from the 3-point line coming into this game. “Absolutely, I feel like (DVC) had one of their best 3-point shooting games of the season,” sophomore guard Daizah Pounds said. “We’ve been letting teams shoot 3s on us all season and it finally caught up with us in this game.” The Comets were up 23-19 in the second period, but DVC started to capitalize on CCC’s missed shots and turnovers to gain a 24-23 lead. Then sophomore guard Adams (18 points, seven assists) sank a field goal to reclaim the lead 25-24. The Vikings failed to hold onto its three-point lead when Adams drained her first 3-pointer of the game to knot the score at 28-28. At the end of the first half DVC led 33-30. Each team blew opportunities to extend their leads as both teams struggled to make shots. After a DVC timeout, with 6:54 left in the fourth quarter, the Comets were down 57-55. CCC went on 9-0 run with CCC forward Robinson (13 points, eight rebounds) converting a 3-point play. However, CCC’s offense stalled and DVC made a comeback with Ford and Viking guard Cecila Cueno sinking back-to-back 3-pointers bringing the game to 68-68 with 1:50 left in the fourth quarter. “We were ahead 64-57 with less than five minutes left in the game,” DeBolt said. “(DVC) hit four straight 3s on us and that was ultimately the turning point of the game.” In the overtime the Comets failed to score a field goal. They were only able to connect on three free throws. The Comets came up short in overtime losing a heartbreaking game 82-80. For the whole game the Vikings protected the paint and made it hard for CCC to score from the inside. Pounds said DVC covered the paint well and they used their hands to block driving lanes. “They were making it hard for us to score inside,” DeBolt said. “It was one of those games we knew we had to work to get the ball inside.”
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sports Father, Comet forward leads playoff dream Wickett earns MVP, All-State accolades, supports teammates, daughter
By Robert Clinton sports editor
rclinton.theadvocate@gmail.com
Sometimes a woman comes into a man’s life and turns his world upside down. The things he thought were important become meaningless and his focus shifts from instant gratification to obligation and accountability. It was two years ago when Comet forward and 2015-16 Bay Valley Conference MVP Larry Wickett first met the girl who would change the direction of his life forever — his 2-year-old daughter La’Riyah Wickett. “ W h e n La’Riyah runs to hug me when she sees me it is the best feeling in the world,” Wickett said. “The first time Wickett she gave me a hug and a kiss on her own was the best day of my life.” Born Dec. 12 1994 in Oakland, Wickett moved to Las Vegas with his parents while in the third grade when his grandmother became ill. Always the tallest player on the field, Wickett played football exclusively and didn’t tap into his rich family history of basketball until his return to California two days before beginning school at Vallejo High where he graduated in 2012. The youngest of four siblings, Wickett’s father and three older sisters all saw success on the hardwood. Larry Wickett Sr. played at San Francisco State University. His sister La’Ray played at Cal StateHayward and another sister La’Rita played at CCC. Wickett also has a sister La’Teena who played at Pepperdine University, where she was named to the 2005 Street & Smith All American team and was one of the top 25 players in the nation out of Castlemont High School in Oakland. Wickett got his basketball aptitude from watching his sisters excel on the court. “La’Ray played post and La’Teena did a little bit of everything, I’m just more athletic.” Wickett said. “Teena also wore number 4, so I wear it to keep the legacy alive.” Recognized as one of the top local prospects coming out of high school, Wickett chose to play at CCC and continued to make his mark by earning first team all league honors in 2012-13. Following the promising season,
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Larry has always fed off of the crowd ever since he was younger. He wants to posterize people with his dunks.” — La’Teena Wickett, sister
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the freshman’s life would be changed forever. The birth When of his daughter La’Riyah offered a new runs to hug set of circumstances and sacme when rifices. The shift she sees in responsibilities momenme it’s the tarily derailed basbest feel- Wickett’s ketball dreams ing in the as the now prioriworld. The father tized parenting first time over play-makchoosing to she gave ing, sit out the folme a hug lowing season to care for his and a kiss newborn child. “When she on her own born, all I it was the was could think of best day of was what’s my next move. I my life.” didn’t want to be the kind of — Larry father my dad Wickett, Bay was.” Wickett Valley Con- said. “Not that ference MVP, my parents are Comet forward that bad, it’s just because of things going on in their own lives, our relationships weren’t the way I wanted them to be.” Wickett’s parents still live in Las Vegas so Wickett now calls his sister La’Teena’s home his own. It was there that he mastered the art of changing diapers and most importantly that free time was a long gone thing of the past. “I think I’ve told him all that he knows, everything that I can. He’s a man now.” La’Teena Wickett said. Being there from the beginning, she sees the effect that responsibility has had on the now sophomore on and off of the court. “There was no focus, no respect for the game before La’Riyah,” La’Teena said. “Now he has direction and a vision of where he wants to be because he has a family to provide for. He used to play the game just as a game. Now he’s focused on what he has to do.” In his time away from basketball Wicket found time to reflect on the ways that he lived life before La’Riyah and began to plot his path toward a return to basketball. The forward continued to develop his game between working the graveyard shift at Walmart and learning to be a father without actually taking from the relation-
CODY CASARES / THE ADVOCATE
ship he had with his own dad. “I felt like all I had to do was be seen by people that know basketball,” Wickett said. “I knew everything that I’d been doing and the sacrifices that I made was going to pay off.” Wickett returned to the Comets in 2015-16 with renewed intensity averaging 15 points and seven rebounds per game, also ranking first in rebounds, fourth in assists and third in steals in the BVC. “He’s (Larry) always fed off of the crowd ever since he was younger. He wants to posterize people with his dunks,” La’Teena Wickett said. “When everyone reacts, that energy makes him want to do
more.” His efforts were widely recognized earning Wickett First Team All-State honors and BVC MVP. “Larry brings a level of energy that’s infectious. When he makes plays it ignites the team. He usually guards the other team’s best player and can do it at multiple positions,” coach Miguel Johnson said. “I don’t know how he does it. It takes a tremendous amount of desire and discipline to succeed in life. He works, goes to school, excels on the basketball court and has a daughter. He’s grown up a lot in the time that I’ve coached him. I have a great deal of respect for that young man.”
Sophomore Larry Wickett soars over Cosumnes River College center Bakari Bradford for a signature tomahawk dunk Friday in the Gymnasium.
Vikings beat home team, sweep series DVC hands baseball team consecutive defeats in rivalry game
By Jason Sykes staff writer
jsykes.theadvocate@gmail.com
The Comets (4-6 overall) lost the second game of a two-game series 6-2 against Diablo Valley College Saturday at the Baseball Field. Throughout the game Contra Costa College was not able to muster enough runs to offset the deficit it faced. The Vikings’ (8-4 overall) rally in the third inning culminated with an RBI double by designated hitter John Anthon brought in two runs for the visiting team. The Comets caught some unfortunate breaks during the game. During the second inning a throw to home plate from centerfielder Bryce Hutchings was interrupted when the ball hit a short hop and clipped the pitcher’s mound changing the direction of its path. This was only the beginning of bad breaks the Comets would get throughout the game. Later, a Comet rally was stopped short due to a pop out and a runner being thrown out at third base. The Vikings caught on to starting pitcher Joseph Banks’ (0-1) pitching style early rallying to score four runs in the third inning. Banks saw an early mound visit from his coach to gain his composure
and refocus. Banks said, “I was thrown off. I have to stay focused.” The pitcher would regain his composure and managed to get Guinn three quick outs in the next inning. After a few scoreless innings between the two teams it was clear that the Comets had found a way to contain the DVC bats. Each time it would seem like DVC was starting a rally coach Brian Guinn would come out to the mound and calm the team down. Guinn said, “I see the momentum changing and I slow everything down. It’s like basketball when you have to call a time out.” In the eighth inning the Comets bats began to come alive. After DVC gave up two walks early in the inning and the DVC first baseman committed a fielding error, the Comets found themselves in a good position to score several runs with just one out. A sacrifice fly that looked as if it was going to be trouble for the Viking outfielder was caught and the Comets were only able to get one run on the play. A ground out to the shortstop would halt the CCC rally. The Comet hitters
“I see the momentum changing and I slow everything down. It’s like basketball when you have to call a time out.” Brian Guinn,
Comet baseball coach
struggled for the most part, but they were able to find sporadic success in some moments. Many times when CCC had runners in scoring position they failed to put the ball in play, CCC stranded seven men on base. “Strikeouts kill the momentum,” right fielder Evan Ray said. The Comets ended the game with 10 strikeouts and a total of four hits. Although the CCC bats were struggling they did not let the game get away from them. On the first play of the seventh inning a DVC batter hit a line drive ball heading toward the right-field foul line. Right fielder Evan Ray got a good jump on the ball and made a diving catch for the first out of the inning. ”I just put my head down. I knew I was going to get there the whole time. I just wasn’t sure if I would have to dive or not,” Ray said.
The Comets would get out of that inning COMETS without allowing any runs. In the ninth inning CCC found itself in another jam allowing VIKINGS a lead off walk and a single to put two runners on base with no outs. A DVC batter laid down a successful sacrifice bunt to move its base runners into scoring position. CCC countered that move by walking the next batter to load the bases to keep the double play in order, but the strategy did not pay off and DVC scored one run after moving the runners with a single. The final pitching change came at a crucial time. Coach Guinn brought in his closer James Hodgson. Hodgson was able to get a ground ball that produced a double play getting the Comets out of what could have a disastrous ninth inning. CCC goes into Bay Valley Conference play Thursday, hosting Napa Valley College at 2 p.m., on a two-game losing streak. But the team is in a better place than it was this time one year ago. Last season CCC won four conference games and only six games overall.
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DERBY GIRLS SLAM INTO RICHMOND Photos by: Cody Casares For
more photos, please visit our website: www.cccadvocate.com
ABOVE: Shengis Khan (lower center) takes a spill during the B.A.D. United doubleheader at the Craneway Pavilion in Richmond on Saturday. The skaters wear full body protection and falls are a regular occurrence.
RIGHT: A Sacred City jammer (left) attempts to get around B.A.D United blockers (right) during the B.A.D. United doubleheader at the Craneway Pavilion in Richmond on Saturday. There is one jammer at a time per team and the remaining players act as blockers. Only the jammer can score points for her team by lapping opposing players.
LEFT: Players dash around the track setting up defenses and offenses simultaneously during the B.A.D. United doubleheader at the Craneway Pavilion in Richmond on Saturday. The Bay Area Derby Girls League began in 2004 and its All-Star travel team is currently ranked No. 3 in the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association.
ABOVE: “Mean Burrito” celebrates a victory lap after scoring points for her team during the B.A.D. United doubleheader on Saturday. LEFT: Fans watch closely during the B.A.D. United doubleheader at the Craneway Pavilion in Richmond on Saturday.