The Arbiter 10.23.18 Vol. 31 Issue 11

October 23, 2018

Vol. 31 Issue 11

IN D EP EN D E NT

ST U D E NT

V O I CE

O F

B O I SE

STAT E

S I N C E

1 9 3 3

Blue Thunder Pep Band: A Bronco sports essential

VISIT US ON ONLINE: arbiteronline.com @arbiteronline

@arbiteronline @boisestatearbiter

NEWS

05

Learn more about Bird and Lime scooters

CULTURE

12

How students transition from studying abroad

SPORTS & REC

16

Meet Boise State’s independent athletes

WELCOME TO THE ARBITER PHOTO OF THE WEEK Editor-In-Chief Jordan Erb editor@stumedia.boisestate.edu Online Editor Ximena Bustillo onlineeditor@stumedia.boisestate.edu Opinion Editor Chase Marsh opinion@stumedia.boisestate.edu News Editor MaryAnn Fernandez news@stumedia.boisestate.edu News Reporter Alyza Lovenguth news@stumedia.boisestate.edu Culture Editor Logan Potter culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu Culture Reporter David Collie culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu Sports Editor Delaney Brassil sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu Sports Reporter Autum Robertson sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu Copy Editors Chloe Baul Sophia Uhlenhoff Digital Content Manager Taylor Humby digitalcontent@stumedia.boisestate.edu

The Boise State campus on a rainy fall evening. Photo by Scott Bates.

Digital Content Producer Ky Tucker

HOW TO REACH US:

Graphic Design Manager Maddie Ceglecki

CONTACT US: editor@stumedia.boisestate.edu 208.426.6302 PHYSICAL LOCATION: Located on first floor of Lincoln Avenue Garage Suites

Graphic Designer Isabel Sarhad Illustrator Wyatt Wurtenberger Distributed Tuesdays during the academic school year The Arbiter is the official independent student newspaper of Boise State University, where student editors make all content decisions and bear responsibility for those decisions. The Arbiter’s budget consists of fees paid by the student body and advertising sales. The first copy is free. Additional copies can be purchased for $1 a piece at The Arbiter offices.

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EVENTS interactive learning center

thurs october 25 HELPING STUDENTS THROUGH IMPOSTER SYNDROME

12 pm

This event is targeted towards recognizing imposter syndrome and implementing strategies to overcome it. Imposter syndrome is a feeling that one is a “fraud” or doesn’t belong. The session counts towards the BUILD Certificate.

recreation center

fri october 26 MONSTER BASH

5:30 pm

Intended for anyone on campus who has kids or younger siblings, including students, staff and faculty. There will be trick-or-treating, arts and crafts, Halloween games and a costume contest.

taco bell arena

fri october 26 ARTHUR O. SULZBURGER JR.

7 pm

Sulzburger, publisher of The New York Times from 1992-2017, will discuss the current state of American media, culture and politics. The talk will be moderated by former Boise State President Bob Kustra.

the olympic

sat october 27 SCARYFORT

7 pm

Local authors Christian Atley and Malia Collins will be sharing original horror stories. Afterwards, The Love Bunch, Bike Thiefs and Casual Worship will provide music to dance to. There will be a costume contest, and tickets are $10.

NEWS

BOGUS BASIN WELCOMES NEW SNOWMAKING SYSTEM

The system, complete with 24 snow guns, will supplement natural snowfall Sonora Birnie | Staff Writer | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

ence that the new machines offer.

“It will be nice to have this addition to a mountain so close to us,” Ray said.

“I can’t wait until winter to check it all out.”

Bogus Basin has about 91 runs and covers about 2,600 acres, and they offer a college pass for students. Ray bought this pass last year and plans to again, especially since hearing about the new snowmaking system.

Aside from the general benefits of increased snow on the trails, climate change is another reason why a more sophisticated snowmaking system has become necessary, according to Wilson.

The new snowmaking system includes 24 brand new snow guns. Photo by Spencer Maranda.

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ogus Basin is getting a facelift and just in time for winter. The ski hill completely revamped its snowmaking process thanks to donations from the community. According to Brad Wilson, Bogus Basin’s general manager, the snowmaking project has been a long time coming and something that Bogus Basin desperately needed.

The old snowmaking system was in need of replacement as Bogus Basin only owned two portable snow guns.

The new system has 24 brand new snow guns that can be moved up and down the trails that the snowmaking will be available on.

“The revamp project has been planned for a few years. We created a

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strategic business plan called master plan and had it approved two years ago by our board. In that master plan we did identify a snowmaking system,” Wilson said.

Wilson said when they developed the project they had no idea how they would fund a $5 million snowmaking system.

“Fast forward to now, we have managed to raise the money through charitable giving from the community,” Wilson said.

According to Wilson, it’s vital for the ski mountain to have an alternative source of snow besides the natural kind. The snowmaking system will be up and running before the ski and snowboard season gets into full swing.

“To say we worked overtime would

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be an understatement. We had help from a snowmaking installation company called Towsley Welding and Construction,” Wilson said. “They provided the expertise and much of the man power to help facilitate this.”

The snowmaking project officially started in June. According to Wilson, the Bogus Basin staff worked extra hard to get the system in place before Christmas of this year, as it is crucial for the season.

According to Wilson, they utilize the snowmaking machine on a select number of trails. This will include Deer Point Lift, Coach Lift and Morning Star Lift.

Bella Ray, a sophomore undeclared major, hits the slopes every year and looks forward to the changed experi-

“We are feeling the effects of climate change here as well, and we are trying to do what we can to postpone the effects of climate change on our local ski mountain.”

- Brad Wilson, Bogus Basin’s general manager

“We are feeling the effects of climate change here as well, and we are trying to do what we can to postpone the effects of climate change on our local ski mountain,” Wilson said. “We are exceptionally pleased that we are able to have a snowmaking system in operation this year, because it was never expected.”

NEWS

ELECTRIC SCOOTERS MAKE THEIR WAY TO CAMPUS

Campus has been inundated with scooters since two companies launched them on Oct. 18 Alyza Lovenguth | News Reporter | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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wo electric scooter companies, Lime and Bird, officially launched their scooters for the Boise area on Oct. 18, according to Mike Journee, the City of Boise’s communication director. If walking around or near Boise State’s campus, students can find both companies’ scooters lined near bike racks and sidewalks.

Journee said the Lime company originally approached the City of Boise about deploying the company’s dockless bikes in Boise, but over time, Lime decided to launch their scooters instead. As a result, the City of Boise’s staff put together the best practices and recommendations for the service to “avoid the pitfalls” shown in other communities like Meridian. The service adopted them and put them in their ordinances—updating the app to

the new requirements. Christine Boyles, Boise State’s active transportation manager, said Boise State will be following the city’s ordinances.

“We’re still in the first day, so we’re cautiously optimistic,” Journee said. “But, we do see a pretty significant benefit for mobility around our city as a result of these. We just wanted to make sure we avoided the pitfalls.”

According to Journee, it was just a matter of time before electric scooters deployed in Boise by one company or another. The new practices for the services attempt to avoid unnecessary challenges posed on the city include educational events on the scooters, parking restrictions, riding restrictions in certain pedestrian-heavy areas and a required “slow-down” in certain locations by the app.

“We feel like that process along with a pretty robust education program, that we asked the companies to take part in with us, has accounted for this pretty smooth roll-out,” Journee said.

According to Boise State’s Twitter, no scooter, bike or skateboard travel is permitted on campus in the Pedestrian Priority Zone, corroborated by Boyles, and no electric scooters are allowed inside buildings or on Boise State shuttles’ bike racks due to the scooters’ inability to fit.

Boise State Public Safety’s Twitter post explained that students can use the Greenbelt for travel, but there will be no parking near the stadium or Bronco Circle due to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. Students can park the scooters on the north side of the Student Union Building.

Bird’s Save Our Sidewalks (SOS) pledge also works to fix problems with their scooters, due to an influx of too many scooters, such as sidewalk congestion. The pledge requires a daily pickup of the scooters every night, a responsible increase of scooters if used at least three times a day and a revenue share to the local city government of $1 per scooter each day.

According to Journee, the scooter companies collect data of usage every day and use the data to decide which areas should have more or fewer scooters deployed in a certain area each day. How many scooters are launched is partly determined by demand, something Journee imagines will decrease as the weather gets colder.

Lime also offers a 50 percent discount on their electric scooters for individuals with low-income status.

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WE BELIEVE in the home team.

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NEWS

HORSE RACING IN IDAHO COULD RETURN THIS NOVEMBER

The Prop 1 measure seeks to bring back horse racing by putting the issue in voters’ hands Colton Ashley | Staff Writer | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Photo by Tim Brokema. Courtesy of Tribune News Service.

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or over 40 years, one of the most popular pastimes in Idaho was the horse races at Les Bois Horse track in Garden City. It was an important part of many people’s lives, from the simple entertainment value to the economic role the track played. In 2013, to help support the track that was struggling financially, state legislators passed a law that would allow Historical Horse Racing Machines (HHR).

These machines contain recordings of previous races, which can then be bet on, similar to slot machines. The machines have the horse and jockey information removed. Rather than hoping they’re lucky enough for a predetermined algorithm to stop on a lucky spin, users must pick the winning horse from the previously recorded race. Two years after the machines were approved, lawmakers decided to overturn their decision to allow the machines, due to feeling misled about the machines’ design.

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“It was to my understanding that users would have their own machine, where they could watch a race that had been run in the past. And they would still be provided with the information on the horse and jockey,” said senator Brent Hill in 2015.

However, Hill said that when he walked into Les Bois there were rows of machines that looked similar to Las Vegas casinos.

Without the machines to help support them, Les Bois had no other choice than to shut down the track. The closing would result in the loss of the Idaho pastime as well as the significant economy contribution it provided. A Boise State University Economics Department study in 2015 showed the economic impact of Les Bois Park.

According to the study, Les Bois Park provided 536 jobs, $9.9 million in employee compensation and $35.1 million in increased sales of all goods and services in the community.

Nearly two years after Les Bois shut

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its doors, the group known as Treasure Valley Racing (TVR) filed the Save Idaho Horse Racing ballot initiative and petition.

The initiative sought to return the HHR machines, which according to TVR, would allow horse racing to return.

Throughout 2018, the group collected signatures from voters in every county to qualify for the November ballot. By May, the group had collected more than 114,000 signatures from each of the state’s 44 counties. After being approved for the November ballot, the Secretary of State designated the initiative as Proposition 1.

As with any political measure, there are groups that are for and against Prop 1.

One of the prominent opponents of Prop 1 is the Garden City mayor, John Evans.

Mayor Evans explained why he is against the initiative.

“Many different industries are struggling in today’s economy,” Evans said. “Why shouldn’t they be able to get what amounts to a legislation that provides a subsidy for

their organization to help sustain their operations? What makes this one segregated group more deserving of that benefit than another?”

Mayor Evans also proposed ways for horse racing to return without the use of HHR machines.

“Ada County, which owns all the property, could open the Chinden and Glenwood frontages, sell that property on land leases and use that money as an endowment to backfill the purses for horse racing,” Evans said.

One public figure that is in favor of Prop 1 is Governor Butch Otter. During a press conference for Vote Yes on Prop 1, Otter explained why he thinks Prop 1 should be approved.

“This initiative does not legalize live horse racing, it saves live horse racing. Prop 1 will help live horse racing through the restricted and limited operation of HHR,” Otter said. “The ballot language provides clear information that HHR would only be allowed at tracks that offer at least eight race days per season.”

This last statement is one that has been used to ensure voters that HHR machines will not be put in every public venue across the state. A common fear is that if Prop 1 passes, the state will see the machines everywhere, but the restriction was built into the proposition from the beginning.

Another public figure in favor of the initiative is Boise Mayor David Bieter. Bieter gave a more personal example of why he believes voters should vote yes on Prop 1.

“One of the reasons I’m for this is that it is a whole lot of fun,” Bieter said. “We can get into the statistics, and they’re important to the effort, but I used to go with my daughter who loves animals and horses. To get with other people and to cheer together, just the fun that we had. It is, after all, the pursuit of happiness that our country is founded on.”

YEARLY APPLICATION ROLLS OUT FOR ALTERNATIVE SPRING BREAKS

NEWS

This year’s trips include both local and international service programs Taylor Rico-Pekerol | Staff Writer | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

T

he Alternative Spring Break Program (ASBP), through the Student Involvement and Leadership Center, allows students to go across the ocean to Jamaica or stay right here in Boise’s backyard. The ASBP will give students the opportunity to provide service for those in need this spring break.

This year, there are six trips: Access to Opportunity, Animal Advocacy and Rehabilitation, Commitment to Community, Environmental Sustainability and National Parks, Fighting Hunger in Idaho and Partnership Jamaica. The trips range from local and regional to national and international service projects.

The application is now open and will be available until Oct. 28 for those interested.

Once the applications have been reviewed, the applicants will be notified in early November to accept or decline.

There is only one application for all six trips, and applicants rank their top choices. On average there are about 65 students accepted for all six trips.

The Boise trips allow students who want a less financially stressful option to attend one of the alternative spring breaks.

Melinda Jean Stafford, assistant director of the Student Involvement and Leadership Center, explained that there will be two trips in Boise.

“Each of the trips offers a unique experience, even our local ones. We have two that are staying here in Boise. One is focusing on how we can improve the community, and one is focusing on food insecurity,” Stafford said. “Both of those are topics that students in Boise do not always think about every day. It is an opportunity to see your hometown in a new light.”

After filling out the application, they will be reviewed and teams will be put together with people with different backgrounds. These backgrounds include people with leadership skills and who are civically engaged. Also, the teams will

Students participate in an alternative spring break. The breaks offer students a way to serve the community. Photo courtesy of Lindsey Raaker.

“We find that when we put people together who are not exactly the same, they learn from one another in a really unique ways . . .”

- Melinda Jean Stafford, assistant director of Student Involvement and Leadership Center

include individuals who may have done nothing similar to this program before.

“We find that when we put people together who are not exactly the same, they learn from one another in really unique ways, so we try to make sure our team has diverse experiences and diverse backgrounds,” Stafford said.

The alternative spring break trips allow students to experience a new environment focused on service that can teach them lessons otherwise not attainable, according to Stafford.

Esperansa Gomez, a senior social work major, attended the Access to Opportunity trip last spring break.

“Going there for me, I learned a lot about the homeless communities by being at skid row. I definitely learned a lot about

stereotypes and assumptions made on that demographic,” Gomez said. “How we treat them like ‘things’ when they are humans with feelings and aspirations and dreams, just like anyone else, when they are in hard situations.”

If students are having financial or time management issues, the team leaders and coordinators are available to help, according to Erin Mahn, associate director of the Student Involvement and Leadership Center.

“If students are interested, I highly encourage them to apply and to see what happens and to work with us if they have any challenges,” Mahn said.

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OPINION

HAVE NO FEAR, EVEN IF MIDTERM EXAMS ARE HERE

Midterm exams serve as a reminder to take advantage of university resources Chase Marsh | Opinion Editor | opinion@stumedia.boisestate.edu

The Advising and Academic Support Center offers resources for students struggling with the stress of midterms. Illustration by Wyatt Wurtenberger.

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t’s the middle of the semester, workloads are increasing, obligations are piling up and you may be feeling hopeless. The term is past “fullswing,” and students all have a lot on their plates. Midterm exams only add more.

But poor performance on midterms is no reason to give up hope.

Professors hammer the importance of midterms into their students’ minds from the second they can be seen coming up on the horizon. This is understandable—all exams and grades should be taken seriously. But when all of your courses have exams that can potentially take a hefty toll on your semester grades in the same two-week span, getting an overload of stress can take an even heftier toll on your mentality, and that does no favor to yourself while preparing for these exams.

This is a perfect time for students to take

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advantage of the many tools that Boise State offers. The Advising and Academic Support Center is a perfect place to go if students need help preparing for midterms or salvaging their grades after doing poorly on their exams. AASC services provide a myriad of support services for students who are having trouble or even for students who are trying to stay on top in anticipation of continually increasing workloads.

Every student has been told not to procrastinate, not to cram. As college students with many obligations, hearing that advice is not effective. No matter how many warnings and flashing red lights professors throw at their classes when giving this advice, students aren’t going to immediately drop everything and study more earnestly than before. Pin us on a dartboard and fling as many statistics and cautionary

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anecdotes as you want, they’ll miss the bullseye every time.

“Students generally learn best when they keep a consistent study schedule.”

- Mark Wheeler, UCLA Newsroom A 2012 study from UCLA’s psychology department reveals “students generally learn best when they keep a consistent study schedule.” Whether students have kept a consistent study schedule or not, it isn’t too late to implement one. And, naturally, it makes sense to increase study time and

effort as workload picks up, but keeping it steady and constant up to that point will make the brick wall much softer and smaller when midterms or finals arrive.

So if you are stressing over midterm preparation or agonizing over your performance on exams, it’s not the end of the world—or the semester.

There are many options and resources for students to rehabilitate suffering grades.

Tutoring services, study guidance and advising appointments are always available.

Obviously, it would make the most sense to begin using these resources at the beginning of the semester and make it a healthy habit. But it’s easy to get caught up in the beginning-of-the-year festivities throughout the first few weeks of the semester and put off implementing these habits into their routine in time to avoid cramming.

Don’t worry, there’s never a bad time to start. Don’t be discouraged by your current or upcoming grades. Use the resources available to you, do what you can to keep up and make it through midterms and maintain effective study habits. The stress of exams won’t knock you off your feet when finals roll around in December if you get ahead now.

Midterms may have been a breeze for you, or they may have made you contemplate giving up on the semester and accepting a daunting fate. You might not have taken any yet, but they may be renting out a substantial corner of your mind. Either way, it’s time to gear up for the remainder of the semester and use your resources to your advantage.

HAVE AN OPINION? WANT TO GET IT PUBLISHED? EMAIL US AT: OPINION@STUMEDIA.BOISESTATE.EDU

OPINION

HATE THE ARTIST, NOT THE ART

Should you support art you love from artists you don’t?

David Collie | Culture Reporter | opinion@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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rt is a central and tremendously influential aspect of our culture.

But there are times when the art we love might come from people we don’t. Does this mean that enjoying the work of an artist you disagree with is supporting those disagreeable traits or actions? No. It doesn’t. The name on an album cover or in the corner of a painting should not dictate the experience one receives from a work of art.

It’s important to realize that ugly individuals can still create beautiful things.

Adolf Hitler, for instance, despite everything, had some nice paintings. Viewing and enjoying his art does not mean you support his terrible actions.

A work of art is a creation that stands by itself and should therefore be judged as such. We don’t boycott roads because we disagree with the actions of the workers who paved it, and we don’t ask chefs about their political views before eating what they cook. It seems, then, that any conscious effort to dislike a work of art because of an artist’s actions is illogical and inconsistent with other parts of our life.

But let’s say that next year Hitler rises from the dead and, determined to give art another go, starts selling his paintings at Art in the Park. Is it wrong to buy them?

Enjoying a work of art is one thing, but actively providing financial support is another. It’s incredibly difficult to draw the line in this regard. When is it no longer ethical to financially support an artist? Is it okay to support a celebrity who’s rude to their fans? Can you still be a Belieber if Justin spits on his fans?

It’s likely that, as with most ethical dilemmas, the answer to this situation lies on a spectrum. But there are two important factors that should help in this decision.

First is whether or not the work of art is a collaborative effort. It might be more reasonable to avoid supporting an individual than it is to avoid something like a T.V. show or movie. A great example of this seen recently was the Netflix original series “House of Cards.” Despite the hundreds— if not thousands—of people who have worked to produce the show, controversies surrounding the show’s lead actor, Kevin

Just because you disagree with an artist, doesn’t mean you have to disregard their art. Illustration by Wyatt Wurtenberger.

Spacey, have led to some viewers tuning out.

Is it ethical or reasonable to boycott the show because of one man?

Another thing to consider is whether the money you give to the artist by supporting their work will directly support the action you find disagreeable.

Kanye West has recently received attention for comments he made, the most notable of which mentions the abolition of the 13th Amendment. If he were in fact to run for president in the 2024 election, then supporting his art might be directly supporting him in furthering his political ideals.

This gives a rough framework of when it may and may not be ethical to support an artist. But there’s an interesting component missing here.

Some of the people who call for boycotts on Kanye West or Louis C.K. might be the same people who consume Nestle

products. What does that have to do with anything?

Aside from smaller wrongdoings like pollution and child labor, one of the darker marks on the company’s history came from allegations that Nestle got mothers in developing countries hooked on baby formula, leading to the malnutrition and death of many babies.

While the formula incident was in the 70s, the company is still accused of a number of ongoing unethical practices. And maybe the people who call for these boycotts also happen to avoid Nestle products.

But do they do so from an iPhone? What company made their clothes?

The truth is, it’s hard—if not impossible—to avoid supporting people or causes that are unethical. Much of the things we enjoy are obtained in some unsavory ways.

In many cases, the practices of companies like Nestle are far more unethical than the rantings of Kanye West.

So why are people ready to drop their support of an artist and their work? One possibility is that an artist is a person. If an actor or musician does something you don’t like, there’s a face to the action; it’s more real. If the company that makes your clothes uses child labor, it’s a big company and there are probably lots of people to blame; it’s easier to ignore. Disagreeable actions coming from an artist you care about might be far more impactful than the misconduct of a faceless organization.

There are times when supporting an artist means supporting something unethical.

But there is nothing wrong with simply enjoying the art. Who we are and what we create are different things entirely, and judging a piece of art by the actions of its creator is something we rarely apply to other aspects of life. So before you boycott an artist, think about why you’re doing so.

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F E AT U R E

Creating the Bronco game day atmosphere This diverse ensemble emulates Boise State energy

Delaney Brassil | Sports Editor | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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t’s a typical, sold-out Boise State basketball game at Taco Bell Arena, and families, students and alumni are clad in blue and orange gear. The game announcer’s booming voice echoes through the arena as he rattles off promotions and introductions. There is a noticeable force of energy sending waves through the air and rumbling through the floor.

It isn’t coming from the hundreds of fans stomping up the stands or the running players on the court. The pure game day energy is emitting from the dead center of the student section. It can only be one

“If (the band) isn’t there, the game day experience isn’t the same. I think our fans enjoy their music and I know our players do. If we didn’t have them it would be a bummer.”

- Gordy Presnell, head women’s basketball coach

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thing: the Blue Thunder Pep Band.

“If (the band) isn’t there, the game day experience isn’t the same. I think our fans enjoy their music, and I know our players do,” said Gordy Presnell, Boise State’s head women’s basketball coach. “If we didn’t have them it would be a bummer. They are a big part of the experience for the fans and a big part of the sport for the players.”

Broken up into four different bands (Keith, Catherine, Stein and Buster), one band of at least 30 people attends all 34 home men’s and women’s basketball games.

The fired-up group contains drummers, conductors, graduate assistants, directors and a variety of winds. In order to audition to be in the pep band, these students must also be members of the Blue Thunder Marching Band, which performs memorized pieces during football season.

“I got to know people a lot better in my section during pep band than in marching band,” said junior alto saxophone section leader Kaila Ho, who belongs to the Keith and Buster bands. “There’s a lot of downtime between playing at basketball games, so we can talk and get to know each other, and I really like that.”

Every Monday evening, all four bands meet for a two-hour rehearsal led by the director Joseph Tornello and graduate students Tim Sexton, Daniel Allen and Cody Peterman. Once they feel the music is well-known, it goes on call for the next game. The Buster Band is on duty for the larger, more attended basketball games, which includes the top auditionees in each section. When it comes time to travel,

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members are chosen based on calculations of audition score, number of games they attended and seniority.

“I have never seen the band more excited and pumped up than when we go to tournaments,” Ho said. “When we were on our way home from Kentucky on the airplane, one of the basketball managers got on the intercom and thanked us for being there and supporting them and how it really helped the team morale-wise.”

Last year, they attended the men’s basketball Mountain West Tournament in Las Vegas and the women’s basketball NCAA Tournament in Louisville.

“They provide energy, enthusiasm and good performance. They show a commitment to our program that I really appreciate. When it’s just us and them, that’s a great feeling to have that kind of support,” Presnell said. “We went to Louisville and they had 7,000 people there, and I think we had two sets of parents plus the band and cheerleaders. If we didn’t have (the pep band) it would be us against the world.”

Joseph Tornello has been the Boise State director of Athletic Bands since 2011. He is in charge of picking music, writing the on-field drill for the fall marching band, running rehearsals, securing travel details and selecting student leaders and drum majors. He works alongside program administrator Jennifer Myers, who is in charge of behind-the-scenes work, such as organizing uniforms, instrument repair, travel and food details and financial aid.

Tornello emphasizes energy, respect and applying the values learned from the band

to the rest of life.

“Work ethic is a big thing. We talk about the band trying to be great versus good,” Tornello said. “They don’t always see the potential in themselves to be great. Even if you don’t think you can do it, strive to get there and as long as you worked hard at it, that’s important.”

When it comes to choosing songs, Tornello has a wide range to pick from.

Among about 60 previously established songs, there are always new pop tunes coming out that students can suggest to arrange for use. For example, the most popular and upbeat songs that the pep band plays are “Confident” by Demi Lovato and “Uptown Funk” by Bruno Mars. In about six weeks, the leaders work on proper arrangements, get copyright permissions and finally print music for the rest of the band.

Next, the creative musicians come up with choreography and cheers for each piece.

“At one of the football games, the other team was on offense near our endzone and we cranked (“Confident”) three times in a row,” Tornello said. “Our goal is to be distracting for the other team. We hang our hat on that tune the most.”

After all of the practices, rehearsal and preparation, the quality of performance is of utmost importance. Whether the team is winning or losing, the band is responsible for playing with vigor and keeping the atmosphere upbeat.

“Without passion and energy, things could be pretty dull,” Tornello said. “We have that energy to hopefully spark the student section to cheer on the team for a

F E AT U R E

Blue Thunder Pep Band is composed of students from majors across campus and they consider themselves a family. Photo by Sean Evans.

comeback; that’s one of the things that we can do easier than the crowd can because we are a tight-knit family who believes we can do this is as a group.”

“We have that energy to hopefully spark the student section to cheer on the team for a comeback.”

- Joseph Tornello, director of athletic bands Behind the particulars of performing and being professional representatives of the university, there is a deeper sense of support and camaraderie within the band.

These students spend mass amounts of

time together rehearsing, memorizing and being the main support system for Boise State athletics.

“The overall feeling is a family feeling.

It’s people that spend four years growing and maturing together and have a common goal,” Myers said. “It’s a supportive atmosphere with majors from all over the campus, which I think is unique to this group.”

Members originate from all over and have a variety of majors. Only about 20 percent of them are music majors, but Tornello and Myers hope that they take what they learn from the band and apply it to whatever field that they go into.

“The leadership that pep band takes and the enthusiasm, energy and support that they have for each other, they take that out into the university to every class and other groups,” Myers said.

During November and December, marching band and pep band start to overlap. They perform at basketball and volleyball games, bowl games, conference championship games and the music department’s holiday performance, all while

students are amidst final exams.

“A lot of people don’t realize the amount of time the students put in. What the band is doing at this point both for the athletic department and the university music department, it’s a lot and many people don’t realize what it takes,” Tornello said.

According to coach Presnell, in a few instances around the holidays, the band has not been able to attend every home women’s basketball game. In their absence, there is pre-recorded music to try to fill the gap, but it isn’t the same.

“It’s funny because they go back and forth with the other bands. Every single team we play chants ‘Boise is not a state,’ so when we played Air Force, our band started chanting ‘air is not a force.’ That’s pretty cool,” Presnell said. “They add so much to the environment of the game and maybe they don’t get thanked enough.”

According to Ho, Blue Thunder is well funded and supported compared to other programs in the country. Thanks to her scholarship and being a Boise State student, she has never paid a cent in travel expenses, food and more. While the pro-

gram could always use more support and appreciation, the members seem humble and gracious.

“Just hearing the crowds cheer when we come out, or even just being asked to play at different things like Freshman Convocation, I think that just shows that people are excited about the band and they want us to play,” Ho said.

The band is an essential aspect of Bronco game day that fans might not immediately notice because they have become accustomed to their constant presence. Without the band, football games would have no halftime show, the tailgate would be eerily quiet and Taco Bell Arena student section would have much less enthusiasm. The Blue Thunder program truly provides the theme music to the Boise State lifestyle for all to keep dancing and singing along to.

“The atmosphere of really striving to be outstanding at what they’re doing has been a sense of pride for the organization,” Tornello said. “This is a very dedicated group of people who have a lot of passion about what they are doing. It’s pretty amazing.”

OCTOBER 23, 2018

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C U LT U R E

BACK FROM ABROAD

Boise State students recall their experiences readjusted to life after studying abroad Michelle Privette | Staff Writer | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Tanner Anderson, a junior biology major, studied abroad in China and immersed himself in the Chinese language. Photo courtesy of Anderson.

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xperiencing new cultures and ways of living can make the ordinary seem extraordinary.

While studying abroad in China, Tanner Anderson, a junior biology major, experienced this first hand when he accepted an invitation from his Tai Chi instructor to watch the martial art being practiced at a local park. “(There were) hundreds of people gathered in the park, they were doing Tai Chi with swords in one area, and people playing badminton in another. Then there were people practicing Chinese calligraphy in the water in the background and some other people doing tricks with chains and whips,” Anderson said. “It was just normal Sunday-afternoon activities for them, but it seemed so special to me because it’s like nothing I’ve ever encountered.”

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Studying abroad can be a life-changing experience. After spending a period of time immersed in a foreign language, taking new and exciting courses unavailable at home, learning about a new culture, or some combination of the above, it comes as no surprise that students find studying abroad to be one of the most exciting and meaningful experiences they can have during their college experience.

For Anderson, studying abroad held great personal value. It was an opportunity to see part of the continent his family is from. Born in South Korea, Anderson moved to the United States with his family at just one year old.

In addition to experiencing the unfamiliar Chinese culture, he was able to have a truly immersive experience and greatly improve his language competency, as many of his courses were instructed in Chinese.

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“Studying the target language in the country was really cool because I was able to learn different nuances that I might not have picked up in classes here,” Anderson said.

After immersing oneself into another country’s culture, the thought of heading home can feel daunting. Study abroad students spend anywhere from several weeks to a year in their host country, and it often becomes their new normal. Preparing to make the journey home can bring upon a wide range of thoughts and emotions for students.

“When you come back, you’ve lived this exciting life,” said Eden Taylor, program coordinator for Education Abroad. “Everything is exciting when you’re studying abroad, because it’s pretty much new every week, and then you come back and everything’s the same. So, it can be really hard

to adjust back into normal life.

Megan Arseneau, a sophomore global studies major who studied abroad in Lüneburg, Germany during the summer of 2018, explained that for her, the small, unexpected nuances were the hardest things to adjust back to. For example, in Germany, Arseneau grew accustomed to speaking quietly and less frequently.

“Americans are known for being really loud and outspoken, and Germans are the opposite. They are typically quiet and keep to themselves, so coming home and seeing Americans act this way was a bit of a culture shock,” Arseneau said.

In addition to readjusting to the culture and environment at home, often a larger adjustment for students is realizing that they aren’t the same person after studying abroad.

“You truly do discover who you really are as a person. It made me more open-minded and changed my perspective on the world,” said Karen Sanchez, a junior biology and pre-med major who studied abroad in Pau, France in the spring semester of 2018. “I had another life in France and I was a different person there than I am here. I was able to adventure out and grow as a person.”

Once students return home, they have a global view of the world they didn’t have before. Stepping back and changing one’s world perspective can be more than just an exercise in understanding another culture, but also an opportunity to learn more about oneself and the impact that a limited view has on the ability to understand one’s part in the global community.

“It’s nice I guess, to live in your own little world, but it’s so freeing and mind-blowing to realize that my one way of life is just one way of living,” Anderson said. “Appreciate that it happened, and know that these are lessons and experiences that you will take with you throughout your whole life.”

C U LT U R E

SAVING BIRDS IN BOISE

How students can counter the effects of urban development on wildlife in the Treasure Valley Ben Harris | Staff Writer | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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oise was ranked No. 1 on a list of America’s fastest-growing cities in 2018, according to Forbes Magazine. While this is an incredible feat for the Treasure Valley, this growth comes with consequences. According to Jennifer Rockwell, director of the Ruth Melichar Bird Center (RMBC), Boise’s urbanization may be good for humans but poses a problem for other creatures in the city of trees.

“The amazing amount of development going everywhere is pushing habitat out,” Rockwell said. “You’ve got the public and the wild bird. We’re all just meeting up together.”

The RMBC is an essential part of the Animals in Distress Association (AIDA),

“We’re probably going to get more birds, and the seasons are going to get busier. It’s going to get worse because the Treasure Valley is closing in.”

- Jennifer Rockwell, director of Ruth Melichar Bird Center Jennifer Rockwell, director of the Ruth Melichar Bird Center. Photo by Taylor Humby.

a local non-profit volunteer organization dedicated to the rescue, rehab and release of wildlife around the Treasure Valley.

Founded in 1987, the AIDA rescues and rehabilitates an average of 2,500 birds and 500 mammals each year.

According to Rockwell, the number of birds being brought to the RMBC will increase as the city grows.

“We’re probably going to get more birds, and the seasons are going to get busier,” Rockwell said. “It’s going to get worse

because the Treasure Valley is closing in.”

As more animals come in, the RMBC’s budget increases. Because the AIDA is a non-profit, all of the money paid to its staff is only from donations and grants.

According to Rockwell, the AIDA receives no money from the federal, state or municipal government.

“The only reason why we are here to offer this wonderful service to the community is from private donations,” Rockwell

said. “We have a budget to take care of in order to rehabilitate these animals, and if that’s not there, we’re not here.”

While organizations like AIDA are playing a role in wildlife conservation, there are ways to help habitats on campus as well. Sadie Ranck, a senior biology major and co-president of the Biology Club, explained that volunteering is one of the main things the club does.

“We have volunteered at four planting

events to help restore native ecosystems, and we have another planned at the Deer Flat Wildlife Refuge in November,” Ranck said. “We enjoy getting our hands dirty and watching our native habitats come back to life.”

According to Ranck, one of the best ways to help local wildlife is to have environmental awareness.

“The simplest way that students can help is to be aware of the impact that they are having on their environment (is) by doing tasks such as picking up their trash or litter they may see on campus or along the Boise River,” Ranck said. “It all starts with awareness and having a concern for the environment.”

Having said concern for the environment has the potential to lead students to organizations like the AIDA, which is largely comprised of volunteers. According to Rockwell, student volunteers have the ability to give something back at the RMBC. “It seems like every year I get a college student that’s either specializing in conservation, zoology or biology,” Rockwell said.

Mady Rothchild, a founding member of the AIDA, stated that volunteering for the RMBC isn’t what one would expect.

“They think it’s all about cuddly bunnies and naming things; it isn’t,” Rothchild said. “It’s the hospital at the bird center, and it’s rehab. You get them in and you hopefully get them back out again.”

According to Rothchild, the phone is constantly ringing, and it’s always busy, but being a volunteer is a valuable experience.

“If you’re interested in birds, you get a great education. You can learn about medical stuff, the different types of birds we have, all the different diets and (gain) respect for wildlife,” Rothchild said. “You can feel like you’re giving something back.”

OCTOBER 23, 2018

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C U LT U R E

IDAHO’S NATIVE TRIBES GET A CHANCE TO TELL THEIR STORIES IN GALLERY

The tribes are a focus of the newly reopened museum David Collie | Culture Reporter | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

A visitor checks out the new exhibit. Photo courtesy of the Idaho State Historical Society.

Museum visitors in the Origins Theater. Photo courtesy of the Idaho State Historical Society.

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he wait that began in August 2014 is finally over. On Friday, Oct. 12, the completion of the four-year renovation and expansion of the Idaho State Museum was celebrated with a grand opening where visitors could explore the new space.

Among the many new exhibits and stories on display, some of the most highly anticipated have been those of Idaho’s five native tribes—The Coeur d’Alene, Kootenai, Nez Perce, Shoshone-Bannock and Shoshone-Paiute—according to focus groups conducted by the Idaho State Historical Society (ISHS).

The stories of the native tribes are present throughout the museum, but one gallery in particular–the Origins Gallery–is dedicated to this. There are many artifacts on display, but perhaps the most interesting feature of the gallery is the Origins Theater, where the creation stories of the tribes are told by tribe members, while animations take place on the screen.

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In order to accurately tell these stories, the ISHS formally partnered with the tribes in October 2014.

“I really love that the (ISHS) was able to collaborate with the tribes so we weren’t telling their story on behalf of them; it was a mutual collaboration,” said Mark Breske, marketing and communications officer for the ISHS. “This is definitely a milestone not only for the agency, but for our state.

It’s an honor to be a part of it.”

The satisfaction with the new museum was not unique to the ISHS. Gary Aitken Jr., the chairman of the Kootenai tribe of Idaho, also shared his thoughts on the partnership.

“It was great to have the input, to be able to work together in conjunction with the museum,” Aitken said. “The sincerity of allowing us to tell our story was apparent.”

Aitken also explained that, while it was a positive experience overall, there were some difficult times in the collaborative process.

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“It was at times frustrating, you know, but overall the sincerity was there; we realized that,” Aitken said. “There are just some inherent differences in culture where it’s not meant to be offensive, but it ends up being offensive, and to try to temper those moments, it took a little bit of working through.”

These moments that Aitken talked about were the point of the partnership in the first place. Working through those potential misunderstandings together allowed the native tribes of Idaho to tell their story.

This is often not the case, especially, as Aitken explained, with a relatively small tribe like the Kootenai.

“We’re often forgotten, and oftentimes our story is told for us, and it ends up being inaccurate. From a different perspective we think differently, so to be able to tell it from our side and have our viewpoint put out there really means a lot to us,” Aitken said.

One person who helped with this relationship was Randy L’ Teton from the Shoshone-Bannock tribes of Fort Hall, Idaho, who has acted as the tribal liaison since 2015.

She was also pleased with the partnership and the content that came from it,

but she explained that people sometimes differentiate Boise history from native history.

“I think that it’s one history,” L’ Teton said. “I think it’s the history of how the land used to look and how we have prospered as peoples. Whether you’re tribal or non-tribal, it’s all about understanding where you come from and understanding the first peoples that inhabited the land.”

In addition to the museum, L’ Teton said that anyone interested in learning more about the histories of the tribes should visit their websites. Each one has a website with information that comes directly from the tribe, rather than interpreted and relayed by another source.

The wait was long, but it has come to an end. The native tribes of Idaho have been given a voice to share their story with the rest of Boise, and Boise has been given a chance to find that this voice is not a history separate from its own. This history, according to Aitken, is one that’s important to learn from.

“Be aware of your history,” Aitken said.

“When you’re aware of your history, you’re not doomed to repeat it.”

C U LT U R E

BOISE SHOWS SUPPORT FOR BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

Students and local businesses celebrate survivors Celina Van Hyning | Staff Writer | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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ctober is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and for the Treasure Valley, this can often mean showing support and raising money for the cure throughout the community. Many local businesses have annual fundraisers during the month of October, with part of the funds being donated to charitable institutions like Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

For some, this month is about more than giving back to survivors and fighters.

It is about educating the community on what can be done to contribute to the cause. Organizational science and public relations double major Vidiana Kaufman’s mother is just one of nearly 300,000 individuals that are affected by breast cancer each year.

“My mother, Sherri Kaufman, was diagnosed with breast cancer about seven years ago,” Kaufman said. “After she was diagnosed, my life turned upside down. I was a freshman in high school when she was going through all the treatment.”

Kaufman shared that this was not how she envisioned her first year of high school.

“It was life-changing for me because I had just started high school and was involved with clubs, sports and extracurricular activities,” Kaufman said. “I was already busy with school and maintaining my life.

I (had) to clean the house and make dinner almost every night. I felt like it was pushed on me to take care of everyone.”

Kaufman’s mother is now celebrating seven years as a cancer-free woman.

“Knowing my mom is now seven years cancer-free is super exciting,” Kaufman said. “I went with her to many radiation appointments and doctor visits when my dad couldn’t, so knowing that all the medication and care worked is truly a blessing.”

For families like the Kaufmans, outreach from the community can give hope to those fighting with their loved ones. In the Treasure Valley, a well-loved coffee chain, Dutch Bros, is giving back to organizations

Dutch Bros employee Jaelynne Faith shows off the breast cancer awareness mug. Photo by Taylor Humby.

fighting against breast cancer. Dutch Bros employee Melanie Riggs explained that the month of October is not just about raising money but is about spreading awareness throughout the community.

“We started giving back (to the community) in 2013, and since then we have raised over $900,000,” Riggs said. “Every October, we come out with a mug in coordination with Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We have donation buckets at the windows of each stand and give $10 from the sale of each mug to breast cancer research in hopes of finding a cure.”

Riggs shared that the money earned from selling breast cancer awareness mugs is donated to OHSU Knight Cancer Institute and Albie Aware.

“The OHSU Knight Cancer Institute and Albie Aware do a (great) job of

fighting this devastating disease, and we are honored to help them in this way,” said Dutch Bros CEO and co-founder Travis Boersma in a statement.

Along with Dutch Bros, a local food tour association, Indulge Boise, is also fighting to find a cure. Owner Angela F. Taylor shared that her mother’s fight with breast cancer inspired her to give back to the ones who helped her family.

“Each year, we have the Pink Indulgence Event,” Taylor said. “We launched Pink Indulgence in October 2016 to connect with breast cancer awareness and with survivors.

My mother is a 20-year survivor, so the cause has been near and dear to my heart.”

Taylor explained that a portion of the proceeds made during the month of October are donated to Mountain State Tumor Institute, but she does not want to

stop there.

“We are hoping to be able to donate to larger institutions as our platform grows and we add different elements (to the tours),” Taylor said.

Local businesses like these are just some of the ways that families affected by breast cancer stay hopeful. For the Kaufman family, positivity and support helped them through one of their most difficult times.

“If any family member or a close friend is diagnosed with cancer, it may seem hard at first, but it will get better,” Kaufman said. “When my mom was going through this, I was affected severely, and I was in such a bad place going through it. But with time, I was able to see the light at the end of the tunnel.”

OCTOBER 23, 2018

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SPORTS & REC

THE HIDDEN ATHLETES OF BOISE STATE

Students partake in sports not sponsored by Boise State, including MMA, Cyclocross and Olympic weightlifting Erin Barnett | Staff Writer | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu

“Long run, I would love to go pro for EWS or even create a career designing things for the sport,” Buchanan said, “But short term, getting on the reserve list would be best and maybe compete internationally.”

Kyle Frost, MMA; Braden Buchanan, Cyclocross/Enduro racer; Carli Thornburg, Olympic weightlifter. Photos courtesy of athletes.

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oise State is home to over 500 student-athletes; a small group compared to the over 20,000 students that attend Boise State each year. However, there are many student-athletes that are not represented at Boise State because their sport is not funded, or there is just no outlet for it. Here are a few of their triumphs.

Kyle Frost, Mixed Martial Arts Kyle Frost, a soon to be nursing graduate in May and father of three, is a competitive Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter. He recently fought and beat David Rangel, his last MMA opponent, boosting his professional record 3-0.

MMA involves hand-to-hand combat where different fighting styles such as karate and jujitsu are used intermittently.

The goal is to make the opponent submit, knock out their opponent or fight until the time runs out.

“It is like a chess match between two people… a physical chess match, because for every attack there is a defense and a counter,” Frost said.

The day of a match, Frost is confident

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and does his best to stay calm.

“On fight day, I don’t want to think too much about it and get the adrenaline flowing—that’ll just tire me out throughout the day, and the fight is at night, so controlling adrenaline is important in order to feel fresh come fight time,” Frost said.

When Frost graduates, he plans to fight full time and see if he can make it as a professional MMA fighter.

“Before I get a job, I will do fighting full time and really take a running at it and see what is what; see if I can make it big,” Frost said.

Braden Buchanan, Cyclocross/Enduro racer Braden Buchanan is a freshman majoring in mechanical engineering who competes as a Cyclocross/Enduro racer in his freetime.

Cyclocross is a bike race where a rider can expect obstacles such as grass, mud and blockades. A rider will even need to get off their bike and carry it around some of the obstacles. The goal is to make the most laps in the allotted amount of time.

Enduro is a mountain biking race on

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a timed downhill, with transfer stages in between. The transfer stages usually must be completed within a time frame but are not part of the final time. The racer with the lowest time, with all of the sections combined, is the winner.

Buchanan has been riding bikes most of his life. He started in BMX at the age of seven and started mountain biking and cyclocross in the fourth grade. Since then, Buchanan has participated in nationals six times for cyclocross, doing well each time.

Buchanan is currently sponsored in Enduro by Full Speed Ahead and Kona Bikes.

He has been racing in Enduro for the last four years. The last few years Buchanan has been racing in a higher level in the Enduro World Series (EWS).

“This last summer was a big step up for me, as far as how fast I have been riding.

Whistler was one of my biggest achievements in racing Enduro,” Buchanan said.

“I placed 15th. That puts me in the realm of some of the fastest riders in the world for U21.”

Buchanan’s next move in his racing career is to race more in EWS races and get on the reserve list to get into whatever race he wants to pursue.

Carli Thornburg, Olympic weightlifter Carli Thornburg, a sophomore majoring in elementary education, is an Olympic lifter.

Olympic weightlifting is a form of weightlifting that focuses on two competitive lifts: the snatch and the clean and jerk.

The goal for snatch is a clean lift of the bar and weight in one fluid motion overhead. Clean and jerk is when the lifter lifts the barbell from the floor to a racked position, without resting fully on the clavicles.

With the clean and jerk, the lifter raises the barbell to a stationary position above the head, finishing with straight arms and legs, and the feet in the same plane as the torso and barbell.

“I have been doing sports my whole life, but weightlifting really changes your mindset because you are the only one on the platform,” Thornburg said, who began lifting at age 11.

When Thornburg started training, she would use PVC pipe to get her form down. In weightlifting, it is equally important to have good form as it is to be strong enough to do the lifts. Thornburg trained with the PVC pipe for six to seven months before she incorporated the weighted bar, then went on to win nationals in Colorado that same year. Thornburg has come in second place three times in the nation for youth and holds two world records for her age and weight class.

“It is slowly taking a back seat but I am hoping to pick it up more in the summer,” Thornburg said. “By this time next year I hope to be able to go to Idaho State Nationals.”

SPORTS & REC

D1 FOR A DAY The Corral sees what it’s like to play a D1 sport at Boise State

OCT. 19 OCT 21

Ali Hollis | Staff Writer | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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ollege sports are a huge part of the college experience. Basketball is a fan favorite at Boise State, and on Oct. 11, students in The Corral got the chance to go into the practice complex, shoot some hoops and even tour the locker rooms.

Last year, The Corral decided they wanted to start bonding with the teams more. Instead of just going to all of the games, they wanted to get to know the athletes they were cheering for. They did something very similar with the volleyball team last year, and this year, it was with the basketball teams.

At the event, The Corral split into four groups, with four to six of the men’s and women’s basketball players in their groups.

Each group took turns checking out the men’s and women’s locker rooms, playing PIG and shooting balls from half-court.

“This experience made me even more excited to go to all of the basketball games, because I feel like I can actually cheer on people that I know, rather than just some familiar names.”

- Ryan Eckart, sophomore media arts major Students really enjoyed being able to meet all of the basketball players and have real interactions with them.

“This experience made me even more excited to go to all of the basketball games, because I feel like I can actually cheer on people that I know, rather than just some familiar names,” said sophomore media

arts major Ryan Eckart.

Attention was drawn to the Boise State men’s basketball team last year due to leadership from NBA prospect Chandler Hutchison. Hutchison, a Boise State graduate and basketball player, was drafted 22nd overall in the 2018 NBA draft. He was averaging 20 points per game throughout the season.

Overall, the men’s basketball team was 13-5 in conference and 23-9 overall. While the Broncos played at the Taco Bell Arena, they only lost one game out of 16.

The women’s team excelled last year as well, with an overall record of 23-10. Now, coach Gordy Presnell has a problem with having too many talented women starters, according to the Idaho Statesman.

“It’s a fun problem to have in the pre-season; after the season starts it’s not always so fun,” Presnell said, according to the Idaho Statesman.

Junior marketing major Brad Walden participated in the event and enjoyed spending time with the basketball players.

The six-foot-five-inch Walden got the chance to work on perfecting his dunk throughout the night with some help from the pros.

“I was super excited because it meant two of my favorite things were going to be combined: my friends and basketball,” said freshman civil engineering major Katie Taugher.

Taugher said the players answered any and all questions that the students had and then played a giant game of knockout with all of them. This game was her favorite part because, “a lot of the students and players got to challenge each other.”

The Corral members are excited for the next event they host and are planning to have a relaxed “kick around” with the women’s soccer team after their current season ends.

Autum Robertson, Sports Reporter sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu

MOUNTAIN

Boise State (5-2) The Broncos take the top spot after a dominant win against the Colorado State Rams. There were times when the Rams looked like they had a chance, but their defense couldn’t stop Brett Rypien and the Broncos offense who had six total touchdowns.

Utah State (6-1) The Aggies boast a better record than the top spot holder of the Broncos, but the narrow win against the two-win Wyoming Cowboys wasn’t impressive.

Colorado State (3-5) The Rams were pummeled by the Broncos, but the Broncos posses a better team.

They earn the third spot solely because of the lack of talent in the Mountain Division.

Air Force (3-4) The Falcons earned their first conference win against UNLV. The Falcons played inconsistently, but a win is a win.

New Mexico (3-4) The Lobos were handed their third loss on the season when they took on Fresno State. The Lobos never stood a chance against a much better Fresno State team.

Wyoming (2-6) The Cowboys lost their fourth conference game to the Aggies. They have managed to lose all of their conference games.

WEST

Fresno State (6-1) The Bulldogs had yet another dominant win when they beat the Lobos. This win puts them on top of the West Division.

San Diego State (6-1) San Diego Aztecs outplayed the San Jose State Spartans to earn their sixth win of the season. The Aztecs barely pushed passes the Spartans. Their win came from a field goal with only minutes left.

Hawaii (6-3) The Rainbow Warriors lost their first conference game to the Nevada Wolf Pack.

The game wasn’t close and losing to the 4-4 Wolf Pack wasn’t a good look.

Nevada (4-4) The Wolf Pack earned only their second conference win on when completely defeated the Rainbow Warriors. The win was impressive but the Wolf Pack’s inconsistency puts them bellow Hawaii.

UNLV (2-5) UNLV lost their third conference game to Air Force. The Rebels put up a good fight, but per usual they were not able to get the win.

San Jose State (0-7) The Spartans loses to The Aztecs. This is their seventh loss on the season. They have come close to earning a win quite a few times. But until they actually win, the Spartans are the worst team in the West Division.

BOISE STATE FOOTBALL STAFF PREDICTION: The Boise State Broncos (5-2) travel to Colorado Springs, Colorado to face one of their Mountain West opponents, the Air Force Falcons, on Sat. Oct. 27 at 5 p.m. Mountain Time. Boise State’s offense and defense looked dominant against the Rams. The Falcons team looked inconsistent when they played UNLV. Inconsistency will not stand a chance against the Broncos. Boise State will earn their first win in Falcon Stadium.

Final score prediction: 42-27 Boise State OCTOBER 23, 2018

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SPORTS & REC

BIKING IN BOISE’S KRYPTONITE

Solutions to the ongoing goathead problem are available at the on-campus Cycle Learning Center Addison DeHaven | Staff Writer | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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he mortal enemy of most bicycle enthusiasts in Boise is the Tribulus terrestris, otherwise known as goatheads or puncture vines.

A familiar situation for students and residents alike is riding down the greenbelt or sidewalk, only to hear the thump of a flat tire. This is frustrating for all, especially for students who rely on bikes to get around.

“I walked out of class and my bike was sitting there with a flat,” said graduate student Andrew Rafla, who studies computer science. “It was so frustrating I wanted to scream.”

Goatheads are an invasive species, native to the Mediterranean region of Southern Europe, that made their way here by sticking to settlers crossing the ocean.

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Found in 46 states, the plant grows best in semi-arid locations. In Boise, the plant flourishes as an annual plant, sprouting in the spring.

The plant is defined by viney branches that produce fruit a week after flowering.

The fruit resembles a goathead, with sharp, thorny edges, which are often the culprit for bike flats.

“They will often grow in cracks in the sidewalk where the vine will spread,” said Gabe Finkelstein, coordinator of the Cycle Learning Center on campus. “Constructions sites, gravel areas and just off the greenbelt are where you will often find them.”

The Cycle Learning Center has a steady stream of students coming in to fix their bike flats.

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“We get about 30 people a day coming in from flat tires,” Finkelstein said. “Almost all of them are from goatheads.”

Fixing a flat can provide a short-term solution, but it is just that–short-term.

“I fixed my bike tire, but I had another flat within the next day,” said sophomore mechanical engineering major Cade Greseth. “It almost made me want to give up on biking and just walk everywhere.”

At the Cycle Learning Center, there are technologies available to make bikes more goathead resistant.

“We have special tubes that have a thicker, harder surface,” Finkelstein said. “This makes it much more difficult to puncture the tube and we actually sell them for under retail price.”

There are also special tires available,

made with a harder exterior, designed to further protect the inflated tube. Also available at the Cycle Learning Center is a special slime, put inside the tube, which seals up small punctures made from goatheads.

“The best way to prevent them is to use the technology available and just know where they grow,” Finkelstein said. “They are all over the place in town.”

In August, volunteers picked up almost five tons of goatheads and their vines, for the Boise Goathead Festival, an incredible amount. However, the plant has a long way to go before being exterminated from Boise, making the information and technologies crucial for better, goathead-free biking in Boise.

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