The Arbiter 8.28.18 Vol. 31 Issue 3

August 28, 2018

Vol. 31 Issue 3

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

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ready to impact and lead meet boise state ’ s new head coaches VISIT US ON SOCIAL MEDIA: arbiteronline.com @arbiteronline @arbiteronline @boisestatearbiter

NEWS

05

Off-campus student housing

CULTURE

13

Where to find student discounts

SPORTS & REC

17

New tailgate zone

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

Students take advantage of the warm weather by participating in this year’s First Week Float. Photo by Taylor Humby.

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.

MAILING ADDRESS: Student Media MS 1340 1910 W Universit y Dr. Boise, ID 83725 -1340

EVENTS Ann morrison park

wed august 29 SPIRIT OF BOISE

6:45 am

The Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic, first hosted in 1991, is back! Launches will be taking place from Wednesday through Sunday, with early morning launches as well as evening launches. The event is free and open to the public.

taco bell arena

sun september 2 J. COLE AND YOUNG THUG

7:30 pm

J. Cole will be playing at Taco Bell Arena this Sunday with guests Young Thug, Earth Gang and Kill Edward. Students can get tickets at ticketmaster.com.

student union

wed august 29 WELLNESS CARNIVAL

6 pm

Hosted by Boise State University Health Services, the BroncoFit Wellness Carnival is a way for students to learn more about their health and wellness.

Games, prizes, food and drink will be provided. The event is free.

basque block

sat september 1 LATINO FEST

4 pm

The fourth annual Latino Fest aims to enrich Idaho’s cultural life and promote relations between Hispanics and the local community through music, dance, food, visual art workshops and more.

NEWS

BRONCO RECONNECT ENCOURAGES STUDENTS TO COMPLETE THEIR DEGREE

The program assists students who left Boise State to return and finish their degree MaryAnn Fernandez | News Editor | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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s the new school year begins with the fall semester, and traditional students are returning back to classes, students who have left Boise State are being encouraged to come back as well. Bronco ReConnect, a College of Innovation and Design program, was developed to support students who are close to completing their degree, but ultimately left Boise State due to unforeseen circumstances.

Rebecca Morgan, director of Bronco ReConnect, explained that there are several roadblocks that students who haven’t yet graduated may have experienced. The most prominent hurdles include academics, financials and location changes. Morgan added that most of the former students they reach out to have either moved away from the Boise area, or had other personal obstacles which caused them to leave Boise State.

According to Morgan, the Bronco ReConnect staff works with those individuals in the program directly and in small groups, so they are able to pay more attention to completing their degree.

Additionally, a majority of the students can graduate by taking online classes that were not previously offered when they attended Boise State.

“A lot of the students that we connect with have just one or two classes that they need to finish their degree, but they might not live in the Boise area anymore,” Morgan said. “It’s really a combined effort.

Several of the departments come together and develop a program that these students can go through and finish their requirements.”

Leslie Webb, vice president for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, explained that the staff at Boise State and Bronco ReConnect are committed to students and want to see them succeed.

“Giving students an opportunity to see how close they are to getting their degree might be the push needed to get them to

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The Bronco ReConnect staff works to help students finish their degree after leaving Boise State. Photo courtesy of Rebecca Morgan.

come back and finish,” Webb said. “The program is aimed at inviting students back to Boise State who had to leave or step out for various reasons.”

Webb added that having a degree in hand can be advantageous for a better quality of life.

“Those who have a degree are more likely to earn a higher wage. Also, students can be more employable and equipped to deal with certain challenges and adversities,” Webb said. “Additionally, it can help define the students purpose and contribution.”

Dean of Extended Studies Mark Wheeler said that over the years several students have left Boise State prior to earning their degree, usually because of life circumstances. Although, Boise State has recently developed fully online programs and more flexible degrees.

“These improved services allow these same students, whatever their circumstances are now, to reclaim their dream of a Boise State degree,” Wheeler said.

“Bronco ReConnect is about making sure former students know about these new opportunities.”

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“These improved services allow these same students, whatever their circumstances are now, to reclaim their dream of a Boise State degree.”

Mark Wheeler, dean of Extended Studies Dani Dayton was one of the students that went through the Bronco ReConnect program. Dayton started at Boise State in 2004 as a communications major. She was a non-traditional student with a fulltime job and was only able to take classes part-time, taking occasional semester-long breaks. The ultimate break happened when she went to finish her last course, which was math. She missed passing her math class by three percentage points. That was in 2012–eight years after she started–and Dayton did not return to Boise State until last year.

“Over the five years between when I left Boise State and when I completed my degree, I reached out a few times to attempt to get back on track,” Dayton said.

“I always found that there were too many obstacles in terms of having to reapply for admission, deal with catalog changes and, most significantly, the switch to the foundational curriculum requirements.”

Filled with frustration, Dayton contacted Morgan and explained how discouraged she was. Morgan understood and wrote her back and told Dayton that she wanted to help. Together they met with Jon Schneider, interim director of curriculum and instruction, and figured out a way to overcome her obstacles.

“They kept in touch with me, offered words of encouragement and were even kind enough to let me know that my words had influence beyond helping my situation,” Dayton said. “This kind of personal attention happens all too rarely.

I am deeply grateful to this day for their work and, more importantly, their genuine compassion.”

NEWS

OFF-CAMPUS STUDENT HOUSING REQUIRES ZERO VETTING FROM UNIVERSITY

The responsibility of vetting off-campus student housing is left to students Alyza Lovenguth | News Reporter | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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current Boise State student and previous resident of River Edge apartments, John Smith—whose name has been changed to protect his anonymity—currently is pursuing legal action against the apartment complex.

After learning River Edge’s lease incentive in the form of a $550 gift card must be paid back once his lease expired, Smith said the complex is attempting to put him in collections for the gift card—resulting in him contacting a lawyer.

River Edge confirmed that the apartments are for anyone 18 and older, despite being advertised as student living. They also confirmed that in previous years they offered a $550 gift card incentive, though they no longer offer it to potential residents.

Smith’s story is one of several students who have complained about off-campus student housing in the past. However, there is little to nothing Boise State can do in response to such complaints since Boise State does not declare any off-campus student housing as a “campus partner.”

According to Tom Beitia, director of university sponsorships, campus partners are for-profit or non-profit commercial entities looking to partner in a variety of different ways with Boise State. Campus partners can provide equipment or money to a certain department, college or program for something in exchange, such as advertising. On-campus sponsor examples would be Aramark, a food provider for Boise State, or Coca Cola, a vending option on campus.

With off-campus student apartments not being campus partners, Beitia said the problem is in the vetting process being the sole responsibility of the student or parent.

“The negative would be that if there is no prefered partnership in place, the whole vetting process is up to the student or parent,” Beitia said. “Boise State has not been part of what goes into those apartments.”

However, there is also a problem of

off-campus student apartments claiming themselves as “student living” when it is not strictly for students, according to Smith.

“When it comes to them proclaiming to be ‘student living,’ that in itself is completely false. They accept anybody who can put down a deposit,” Smith wrote in an email. “Maybe half of the residents are actually students, and the other half have no respect for the students living there.”

Beitia said Boise State is exploring potential off-campus partners since many universities, both public and private, have off-campus housing partnerships. More importantly, off-campus housing partnerships would be valuable since Boise State housing is currently full.

“In our discussions with student affairs and residential housing, we know we’re full on campus,” Beitia said. “So, we’ve looked at what other universities have done and we’re thinking through what we would need at Boise State for potential off-campus housing partnerships.”

Without off-campus housing partnerships, Boise State cannot recommend off-campus living options when on-campus living is full since they are not vetted

by Boise State, according to Beitia. Instead, Dean Kennedy, director of Housing and Residence Life, said off-campus living options are provided by a list in order by distance of the property’s address from Boise State.

“Housing and Residence Life does not recommend one property over another,” Kennedy wrote in an email. “In fact, what we share with students is that it’s important they do their due diligence and find a housing situation that meets their needs.”

Though advertised as “student housing,” off-campus apartments have no affiliation with Boise State. Photo by Ky Tucker.

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NEWS

COMMUNITY EFFORT GETS MEDICAID MEASURE ON NOVEMBER BALLOT

College students and Idaho organizations are working to pass Medicaid expansion Alyza Lovenguth | News Reporter | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

President of the Young Democrats, sitting in a Reclaim Idaho van. Photo courtesy of Joe Goode.

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ballot measure to expand Medicaid and provide healthcare for 62,000 Idahoans who fall into the state’s healthcare coverage was endorsed by Republican members of the Idaho Legislature on Aug. 8, according to a press release by Idahoans for Healthcare.

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The Concord Coalition states that Medicaid is an entitlement program that provides health coverage for low-income individuals and is funded by the federal and state governments out of general tax revenues. The endorsement followed the release of the Milliman Inc. report, commissioned by the Idaho Department of

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Health & Welfare, which found potential savings for taxpayers through Medicaid expansion.

Joe Goode, president of the Young Democrats at Boise State, said much of the work to get Medicaid expansion on the ballot—also known as Proposition Two— was due to college students from Boise State, College of Idaho, Idaho State and University of Idaho collecting signatures on campus reaching their 56,000 signature requirement.

According to Goode, the biggest challenge of collecting signatures for Medicaid expansion was that the legislature required more signatures after a voter initiative to repeal the Students Come First, three Idaho measures that affected education, got their repeal in the ballot—changing the 40,000 required signatures to 56,000.

“For our campaign, not only did we need to get 56,000 signatures, but 60 percent of the voting total in 18 of 35 legislative districts,” Goode said. “This meant we would have to go to rural areas and talk to conservative voters. People said, ‘You won’t be able to get these signatures in the brute of winter.’ Despite those claims, there is video footage of us going out and collecting signatures.”

Now, Goode said the Young Democrats’ goal is to not just pass Medicaid expansion in November by a 51 percent majority but to win by 65 to 70 percent in order send a message to the Republican legislature.

During the fall semester, Goode plans to have a table set up for students to ask questions about Medicaid expansion and registering to vote.

“A lot of students will say, ‘I’m from Washington and a Washington resident, so I can’t register to vote.’ That’s wrong,” Goode said. “I’m a California resident, and I vote here in Idaho.”

While student organizations like the Young Democrats collected signatures for the measure, United Vision for Idaho (UVI), Idaho’s only progressive coalition

dedicated to uniting Idahoans and advancing justice, worked more on the legislative side in terms of health care, according to UVI Executive Director Adrienne Evans.

UVI’s work in legislation is shown through their partnership with Close The Gap Idaho, among others.

Evans said UVI is now participating in RiseUp, Idaho!, a 13-state rural populous organizing initiative of People’s Action, where people have deep conversations with Idaho citizens based on issues—not party.

“Overwhelmingly, the people we’re talking to—it doesn’t matter if they ascribe to one political party or another—tell us how deeply affected they’ve been by healthcare,” Evans said. “If they can’t get it, they’re living in constant state of fear and worry. My own father died because he didn’t have access to health care at age 66 from prostate cancer.”

According to Goode, Young Democrats wants Medicaid expansion not just because taxpayers would “get their money back” through health care but in order to aid rural hospitals that are shutting down due to their patients’ lack of coverage.

“33 other states that have expanded Medicaid get to recieve money for the Medicaid expansion, and we’re just giving our money to states like California and Washington that have expanded Medicaid,” Goode said. “Meanwhile, we keep having to pay for people who are going to the emergency room.”

While Goode and Evans support Medicaid expansion, others like Wayne Hoffman, president of the Idaho Freedom Foundation, do not agree with claims that expansion would mean more money.

Hoffman’s article “Obamacare’s Medicaid expansion increases costs for the rest of us” disputes claims that rural hospitals or taxpayers benefit from Medicaid.

NEWS

AT MAX CAPACITY: IDAHO CORRECTION OFFICIALS PROPOSE PRISON EXPANSION Idaho prisons are overcrowded, and are transferring inmates out of state as a result MaryAnn Fernandez | News Editor | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Currently, there are

With an expected increase to

prisoners in Idaho,

in July 2021.

8,700 10,000 Idaho officials are considering spending $500 million on a new prison expansion. Graphic by Wyatt Wurtenberger and Isabel Sarhad.

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n June 11, Idaho officials announced they are considering spending $500 million on a prison expansion. This includes a new state prison to help alleviate the state’s overcrowded prisons. Corrections officials told the state Board of Correction that the expansion is desperately needed.

Idaho prisons are above the capacity, and a majority of the incoming inmates are transferred to private prisons.

“The Board of Correction approved the proposal for the expansion. Now the next steps include educating stakeholders, the legislature and the community,” said state correction director Henry Atencio. “With the governor’s approval and the state legislative, the Idaho taxpayers will fund it.”

In the past, when Idaho prisons were full, they would transfer the inmates to an out-of-state private prison, typically in Texas. Atencio explained that the state has to pay the private prison per inmate. How-

ever, there are more advantages in having a state-owned facility. With a private prison, there are strict contracts that don’t allow for flexibility, and the state has less control.

Atencio said that currently there are 400 Idaho inmates in a privately owned prison in Texas, and more are expected to be transferred.

According to Atencio, the $500 million is needed for a prison expansion and would also fund four different facilities.

Atencio added that with the ever-growing population of Idaho, the prison population is increasing as well.

Shaun Gann, assistant professor in the criminal justice department, explained that the United States has the highest incarceration rate in the world. Additionally, the increase in prison populations was mainly due to the war on drugs, which began in the 1980s.

“There are some states in our country that spend more on corrections than

education,” Gann said. “It’s become unsustainable for that reason. While prison populations are decreasing in most states, Idaho’s population is staying the same and even increasing.”

Half of the Idaho inmates sentenced over the past year were convicted of drug offenses, while 20 percent of recent inmates were convicted of violent crimes.

Additionally, parole violators who committed new felony crimes also make up a large portion of the inmates, according to the Associated Press.

However, according to Atencio, the State Legislative Lobby is well aware of this issue and is attempting to reduce certain crimes from felonies to misdemeanors.

Currently, there are around 8,700 Idaho prisoners and it’s expected to increase to 10,000 inmates in July 2021.

Joe Goode, president of the Young Democrats at Boise State, opposes the $500 million prison expansion and sug-

gested that Idaho should invest that money into rehabilitation and mental health services.

“Instead of spending money on locking people up, Idaho needs to invest into education and the future of people,” Goode said.

Gann explained that since prisons are expensive, many states are turning to more viable options for non-violent drug offenders such as increased usage of drug court, probation and problem-solving classes.

“A lot of states are realizing that since drug offenders aren’t necessarily violent, and instead of sending them to prison and using the bedspace for violent offenders, they are going through community work programs,” Gann said.

Gann explained the majority of stateowned prisons do send inmates out of state to a privately owned prison. Primarily, prisoners will be transferred because it’s a more cost-efficient option for the state to send the inmates out of state than to build a new facility.

“One of the main issues that people have with transferring those inmates is that family members are separated from the inmates and aren’t able to visit them,” Gann said.

Gann added that since a majority of inmates in Idaho are drug offenders, the state is looking into more viable options such as drug rehabilitation and drug court programs. Since the opioid crisis has grown exponentially, most states didn’t know how to respond with such a fast-growing epidemic.

According to Atencio, the Idaho Department of Corrections currently doesn’t have a set date on when the new facilities will be built, since it still has to be approved by the governor and state legislature.

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OPINION

GUEST OPINION: STATE MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR SUICIDE SPENDING

Senator Carl Crabtree takes a stance on the State’s suicide spending Senator Carl Crabtree, R-District 7 | opinion@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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s a first term Senator, there were a lot of things I needed to learn.

One of them was the problem with the suicide rate in Idaho. Idaho is the 4th leading state in per capita suicides. It quickly became apparent to this first term Senator that this issue needed to be at the top of my list.

It can be argued that the state shouldn’t be spending money on suicide prevention, but it is, and there is no significant legislative appetite to nix the funding in view of the problem we have. With this important issue weighing heavy on the minds of those in our communities, as elected leaders we have to intervene. We have had suicide prevention in the past, so my question is: Why aren’t we being more successful?

I asked that question during budget hearings last year. As it turns out, Idaho

didn’t have a strategy for suicide prevention with measurable outcomes. The only strategy given for combating the suicide issue was that agencies were “working hard”.

To me, that was simply unacceptable.

We were spending taxpayer money, with no real accountability other than to just try. In my view, working hard and trying are assumptions. Measurable outcomes should be required if taxpayer money is spent.

I devised a plan to only fund suicide prevention in Idaho if a plan was developed to include all partners working on suicide prevention. Further, the development of this plan would be paid for with private money as part of a partnership with the state. This plan must include measurable outcomes, and quantifiable objectives. That plan was due for review earlier this month.

Needless to say, these requirements at-

tached to the funding of this program were met with significant trepidation by agency staff. However, the legislature stood strong on this, and it was approved.

It is my hope that by forming a strategy for result-oriented efforts from government we will no longer be spending taxpayer dollars in vain. Instead, we will have concrete proof that our efforts inside the Capitol are helping to save lives of Idahoans. Join me in looking forward to the positive changes ahead, and I look forward to reviewing the plan in the coming weeks to find a solution to this crisis.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text HELLO to 741741, The Crisis Text Line.

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WE BELIEVE in the home team.

OPINION

THE PRICE OF SCHOOL SPIRIT

Bronco Shop budget section lacks variety for fans looking to spend less

Chase Marsh | Opinion Editor | opinion@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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all semester marks the kickoff for Bronco sports, and school spirit is increasing. But the support is not exclusive to Boise State students and faculty; community members will help line the bleachers, donning the blue and orange. Even when unable to attend athletic events, fans are seen showing their support in their Bronco gear. However, some fans may not be rocking the colors–that is no indictment on their passion for the Broncos, but rather indicative of the high price of fan apparel.

With the shift in season and routine, retailers should also consider a shift: an increase in affordable Bronco gear. Selection at the various merchandise suppliers is either too expensive, or the lower-priced assortment is too sparse. More affordable Bronco products should be available to students and fans supporting Boise State athletics. The exclusion of lower-income fans and tuition-paying students is too common a theme in collegiate sports, and that needs to change.

“More affordable Bronco products should be available to students and fans supporting Boise State athletics ” Chase Marsh, opinion editor Often, the first stop for fans is the Bronco Shop–the Boise State–run, scholarship-funding non-profit. With five statewide locations and an online store, its availability isn’t an issue, but finding affordable options proves to be a burdensome endeavor for some. On their webstore, the lowest priced apparel item

Students should have access to cheaper Bronco gear than is available at the Bronco Shop. Photo by Taylor Humby.

rings in at $7.99; a reasonable price point, but the t-shirt in question is currently out of stock, spare a few double or triple extra-large sizes. This is a major obstacle for fans on a budget and even more so for parents attempting to keep their bloodline blue.

Bronco Shop employee Kennedy Sandau said that she does not often receive direct complaints regarding prices, but she is aware of the grumblings from customers– especially students–looking to keep spending at a minimum. She too admitted to being one of the students unable to purchase more expensive products she wanted unless she had the extra cash to spend. And because the Bronco Shop funds scholarships, she is offered no discount as a student or employee. While that is a noble cause, it does not justify charging tuition-paying students upwards of $25 to wear an official Boise State t-shirt.

Boise State student and member of the Corral, Alex Lakatos, claims to attend

nearly 50 Bronco sporting events yearly, and he wears Bronco gear to every one of them. He primarily shops for it at the Bronco Shop. As a heavy advocate for the Bronco Shop’s variety and convenience, he defended the Bronco Shop’s pricing. When asked if he thought by offering a student discount, the Bronco Shop would be doing their part to help fans on a budget, he astutely replied “Yes. 100 percent.” Lakatos took the store’s corner after finding out that scholarship funding was the reason for the no discount policy: “If [scholarships] are the reason why they don’t have that, then I can respect that. I understand the importance of it.”

Lakatos’ justification of price and variety is something to consider when contemplating the costs of Bronco Shop products.

But it’s important to remember this is the perspective of a Bronco sports fan club member, someone who attends exponentially more events than the average student

and fan. While he uses the merchandise he buys multiple times per year, abiding to game themes, other fans are simply looking to show support at the few games they are able to attend or wear the Blue and Orange casually.

It’s illogical for a school–especially one with such a prolific athletic program–to hinder support for their university and athletics by not offering a diverse assortment of products at lower cost. And while the Bronco Shop does possess one of the best varieties, and many fans–students and non-students alike–do indulge in the more expensive, official gear, there is no reason to boast over burdening students trying to show spirit with unreasonable prices. Instead, I’ll be making my way to the nearest Walmart.

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F E AT U R E

MEET BOISE STATE’S NEW HEAD COACHES

New leadership brings high expectations to athletic programs Delaney Brassil | Sports Editor | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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alking through the maze that is the Varsity Center, one will encounter multiple sports information directors, athletes, trainers and coaches. Allison Buck’s bright smile greets anyone walking by. Maggie Livreri sips her coffee and high-fives a passing player.

Kristian Widen towers over his coworkers, dressed ready to hit the tennis court at a moment’s notice. Christine Mabile is unpacking her office, a team poster hung up on the wall. These are Boise State’s new head coaches, freshly hired and ready to get involved.

Beach Volleyball: Allison Buck Buck grew up an avid indoor volleyball player. As a libero for the University of New Mexico volleyball team from 2008-11, she set digging records, was the team captain her senior year and earned a number of honors and accolades.

“By my senior year I figured out that I like the strategy of the indoor and beach game,” Buck said. She stayed with the Lobos as the director of operations for three years after graduation then joined the Broncos in 2016 as an assistant coach.

“Having that opportunity to become the head coach and see this program expand is really exciting,” Buck said. “Since being the assistant, I knew beach was where I wanted to go with my career.”

Buck hopes to expand the team’s competition schedule to help the players gain experience. Due to the unpredictable weather in Boise, the team will travel to warmer climates for their first few tournaments.

“A lot of people forget we have beach.

I need to promote this sport,” Buck said.

“I’m excited to take that challenge on.”

Buck describes her coaching style as laid-back but expects players to give their best effort. She looks for the “blue-collar” athlete that has good technique and works hard.

“When things go great, you feel great.

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That’s not always what happens in athletics,” Buck said. “What gets me through those tough times is just the love of what I do. Sometimes you need to take a step back and be humbled by the whole experience.”

Softball: Maggie Livreri With the continuous support of her

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family, Livreri participated in athletics through high school and college, playing two seasons at Colorado State University-Pueblo and two seasons at University of Nevada-Las Vegas (2005-06). She was a UNLV volunteer assistant (2008-09) and assistant coach (2009-11), then a University of Utah assistant coach (2012-16) and associate head coach (2017-18).

“I’ve been wanting to be a head coach and take that next step,” Livreri said. “I feel like this is a place where I can do well.”

Livreri has bachelor’s degree in university studies and a master’s in higher education leadership.

“I am very much a teacher. I like to teach the game and the fundamentals,” Livreri said. “I like to get in the nitty gritty of how things work and strategic planning.”

Livreri and her dog have been living in the North End, satisfying the “little bit of hippie” in her, just blocks from Camel’s Back Park and her new go-to coffee shop.

In her first team meeting, the coach discussed postseason goals and how to get there. Livreri recognizes the past successes of the program, especially last season’s NCAA tournament appearance. She plans to continue the team’s growth pattern and build on their momentum.

“Whether we win the Mountain West or we find a way to get in that large bid, our goal is to get back to the postseason,” Livreri said.

She hopes to impact the players in a way that ensures they know that she cares about them. Livreri wants each player to know that she takes sincere note of their personal lives, families and studies.

“I put in perspective what my parents grew up doing and how they worked and worked, and I get to come to work at something I love,” Livreri said. “Life is hard, softball is not hard.”

Diving into a 26-player roster, Livreri knows she has a lot to learn and pay attention to. As a brand new head coach,

Livreri is excited to get to build from her own foundation.

“There’s never going to be a day where I don’t put forth my best effort,” Livreri said. “Hopefully it’s good enough to win a bunch of ball games, graduate student athletes and help put good citizens out in the community.”

F E AT U R E Men’s Tennis: Kristian Widen Growing up in his home country of Sweden, Widen played ice hockey, soccer and tennis. Around age 15, he decided to put all of his time into tennis.

“I knew if I could prove myself I would have a shot at getting a scholarship somewhere in the United States,” Widen said.

“I ended up meeting a lot of players on the Boise State team, and therefore the ball starting rolling, and they recruited me.”

After playing for Boise State from 1992-95, Widen knew he wanted to stay in the game. He graduated with a degree in social science and public affairs, and had immediate assistant coaching offers from Boise State. For the last three years he was the women’s assistant coach.

“It wasn’t easy. I liked those girls; we worked really hard to find a great culture and we were successful last year,” Widen said. “It wasn’t easy to just move over, but I decided to take the job.”

Last season, the men’s team had a record of 5-23 overall and 1-6 in the Mountain West Conference.

“I think what has been lacking is consistency among the players, so I have to instill professionalism,” Widen said.

When it comes to coaching style, he claims he is competitive, a “straight shooter” and a hard worker.

“In my mind tennis is tennis and athletes are athletes,” Widen said. “One of the first things I told the women was I don’t treat them as women, I treat them as athletes, and it’s going to be the same with the men.”

Widen said that a well-played match ending in a loss is better than a poorly-performed win.

“In the heat of the moment, I want the players to stay clear,” Widen said. “If they get upset and their mind goes to the wrong place, they are wasting time where they could be thinking about what happened and how to change that.”

In Widen’s spare time, he looks forward

to spending time with his wife and four kids, Bjorn (3), Ettennaj (5), Elizabeth (20) and Wyatt (18).

“I want to promise people that my team, whether they are having a good day or a bad day, whether we are playing a top 25 team or a lower ranked team, my team will compete,” Widen said.

Swimming and Diving: Christine Mabile Since she began swimming at 8 years old, Mabile had a brain that was geared towards coaching. In middle school and high school she would be at the coaches’ table helping out and taking times.

“I didn’t know that it was a natural ability for me to fill a coaching role,” Mabile said. “I reflected back and realized that I had already been doing that my whole swimming career.”

The Idaho native swam for College of Idaho for two seasons (2006-07). After that, she transferred to Boise State’s brand new program, where she worked as a volunteer assistant (2007-2011). At 24 years old, she became the head coach at College of Idaho, and was one of the youngest college head coaches in the country. After five years, Mabile was hired at University of Missouri as an assistant coach.

“I knew that I wanted to settle in Boise and be the head coach here,” Mabile said.

“That was the dream, so I kind of set myself up so that I could eventually come back here. It felt right and it felt like exactly what needed to happen at this point in my life.”

Mabile is also an athlete herself, having completed three full and two half-ironman marathons. She enjoys open water swimming, running, biking and walking her dog.

Wherever she goes, Mabile gets connected in her community. She is involved in her church and loves doing volunteer work. She has multiple goals already lined up for the program, including to eventually be a top 25 NCAA program.

Upon getting the job, the first thing Mabile did was call each of the women to connect with them and express her excitement to work with them. She considers herself an encourager, and strives to provide the best student athlete experience.

“When I was a volunteer, we did paper-plate awards and I was always ‘Miss

Graphics by Isabel Sarhad

Positive,’” Mabile said. “Ultimately you have to take yourself outside of the sport and just think in the bigger picture. My goal is to get to know each individual as a person, not necessarily what they do in the pool.”

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C U LT U R E

THE PRESS “CANNOT BE LIMITED WITHOUT BEING LOST” Current journalists reflect on the importance of a healthy press environment Logan Potter | Culture Editor | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Illustration by Wyatt Wurtenberger.

I

n 2018, journalism has become less of a career and more of a lifestyle as credibility comes into question on a public scale, and lives are threatened in the line of work. While the free press hasn’t disappeared altogether, news outlets have begun to strive for public support in the digital age, where not all news is credible.

Vanity Fair contributing editor Nancy Jo Sales has had her fair share of journalism experience. So much, in fact, that she has written an expose on one of the most glamorous burglaries in recent history, “The Bling Ring.” Sales says she learned everything she knows on the job rather than having formal journalistic training, but

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that hasn’t stopped her from being one of the most successful culture news journalists in the status quo. These accomplishments, however, wouldn’t be possible without a media environment healthy enough to support her.

“I think one of the most important things journalism schools can do is help instill in students a sense of journalistic ethics and to teach them about the codes we must all follow in order to maintain our standards,” Sales said. “I didn’t have any of that starting out. I had to figure it all out on my own.”

A crucial part of the free press movement is that the journalists involved have a passion for the individuals they are

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reporting for, especially when they are declared “the enemy of the people.” These standards and ethics that are instilled, as Sales mentioned, are not the only steps to providing the public with relevant and unbiased journalism.

“Journalism is hard work, especially now. You have to love it. If you don’t love it, don’t do it,” Sales said. “But it’s an incredibly important job, and it can be a thrilling, adventurous job.”

Beyond the hard work of the job comes a new mountain to climb. Reporters must persevere against the current administration’s distaste towards the press as well.

There is an obvious rift between the current governmental administration and this generation of the press, but Idaho Press Club President and Idaho Bureau Chief of the Idaho Press Betsy Russell is confident that journalists will prevail.

“Our current president is prone to attacking the press, but I do not believe that the free press is going away and rather has strengthened the freedom and the impression by citizens of exactly what we do,” Russell said. “Subscriptions to major news institutions are through the roof; the press’s credibility has been attacked, but those attacks have failed.”

While it’s important that the public is involved, they need to be informed in order to truly support a healthy media environment and a free press. According to Russell, the only way to do so is through open routes of communication between the press and the government.

“If people don’t know what their government is doing, then they cannot be informed and active participants in the government. We can’t do that without the real information, so we need full and open access to the full processes of the government,” Russell said. “Without it, all citizens can know is simply what they’re told.”

That isn’t to say that citizens are always uninformed; in fact, political communi-

cations professor Steve Utych believes that many individuals have already done their part, but it comes down to the conversations that need to be had to progress.

“Citizens have already taken a pretty active role through the idea of citizen journalism in social media. We don’t rely on the media first; we usually hear it from someone who is already there. Citizens are taking down the wall between the press and the public, and they need to seek out media that is honest,” Utych said. “Citizens have the autonomy to decide how they feel about the press which is where credibility comes into question.”

When asked whether or not we can truly decide as citizens what a reliable source is, Utych showed concern for the idea that media can be filtered. Since there is no set answer to who is or isn’t to determine reliability, the American people have to make those decisions for themselves.

Taking into consideration the current administration, the state of the press and the careers of journalists across the nation, there is no simple answer to the crisis that is our current press state, and pushes for change like the #NottheEnemy Movement are on a mission to seek out the difference in the future. Utych, however, has an idea of what an ideal environment would be, and it’s one that many others share a vision for.

“A healthy, free press looks like an environment where the press can ask questions and assume they are going to get an honest answer, and sometimes that answer might be, ‘I can’t tell you this.’ It’s never a good sound for a politician, but sometimes that really is the accurate answer. Politicians are constantly managing their impressions, worrying about how they’re portrayed,” Utych said. “Maybe a more realistic way is where politicians may not like the press or stay honest about everything, but at least independent organizations can check up on and hold politicians accountable for their dishonesty.”

C U LT U R E

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE MONEY

How much do student discounts really save?

Logan Potter | Culture Editor | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

I

n recent years, Boise has become a metropolitan hub for small and corporate businesses alike. While each business brings their own personal style to the area, it’s rare that students on campus can afford to make purchases and support all of them. With tuition, housing and medical costs to be accounted for, it’s not as easy as a card swipe for most college students.

Recently, however, that has changed within the city. Businesses are beginning to broadcast more inclusive discount policies, even those that have been intact for years, and it’s rare that students go to a local or large business and don’t have at least a few cents taken off their total. That said, how much are students really saving when they pull out their identification cards?

Corporate website, Unidays, compiles discount percentages from a multitude of online and in-store businesses that students can choose to redeem with their university email addresses and a discount code that regenerates every hour, so the savings never expire. For businesses like Apple, a discount that Unidays hosts, $200 off feels like change compared to the overbearing lump sum of a Macbook or iPad Pro. Transfer pre-med student Corinne Kohake, however, disagrees. As someone who avidly seeks out student discounts on her shopping ventures, she claims to have saved several thousand dollars over the span of just a few years. Even if a given store doesn’t offer a discount, the employees often give Kohake a percentage off just for asking.

“I have found that the vast majority of stores and businesses offer [student discounts] even if they don’t advertise it, and I have come across great savings because of it,” Kohake said. “Most places offer a 15 percent discount, and others offer special sales that can range in percentage. For instance, Amazon gives six free months of Amazon Prime to a student email account, and then a discounted price to continue it.

If you take full advantage and seek them out and remember to ask for it, you can save anywhere from $100 a month to a few hundred depending on your spending habits.”

While the savings have the potential to be great, students aren’t the only ones who care about seeing student discounts advertised. The Flicks owner, Carole Skinner, knows what it’s like to be a student and shows confidence that her business is one that college students enjoy frequenting.

“I think that the actual savings depend on your financial situation, really. When I was in college, I only ate two meals a day because I was so poor, and I was never able to go enjoy myself in a theater,” Skinner said. “Young people are our audience of the future; if they get in the habit when they’re young, they’re more likely to come in in their adult lives and their future careers.”

“I think that [discounts] are important to connect with the students. You get a good vibe and a good crowd that people like being around.”

Russell Crawforth, owner of Pie Hole and Donut Daze Certain films garner more student interest than others, but the fluctuation hasn’t stopped The Flicks from keeping students at center stage in the Boise area. While the decrease in ticket price from $9.50 to $7.50 for students could be considered a loss, Skinner chooses to consider it a learning experience for those viewing their films.

The Flicks is one of several businesses in the Boise area that offers student discounts. Photo by Ky Tucker.

“I do think that getting students out to theatres is important, rather than just streaming. It’s not the same experience as sitting in a dark room with no distractions, which makes students more immersed while watching in the theatre, and you can’t duplicate that experience at home,” Skinner said.

It’s safe to assume that not all Boise State students are moviegoers, which is why it’s fortunate that there are more businesses that offer a discount off campus. Pie Hole and Donut Daze, both owned by Russell Crawforth, have several locations with entire days dedicated to student discounts, all of which have been intact since the doors first opened.

“I think that [discounts] are important to connect with the students. You get a good vibe and a good crowd that people like being around,” Crawforth said.

“Thank them for coming in, make them part of the scene, get the students involved and they’ll keep coming back.”

Hungry students can find themselves at Pie Hole’s Broadway location on Tuesdays

and Thursdays for a free fountain drink with a purchase of two pizza slices, also known as Student Day, and Thursdays at Donut Daze for two chicken strips, a small fry or coleslaw, and a donut of their choosing for just $4.95.

Regardless of what a student’s cup of tea may be, there’s a little something online or in Boise for everyone looking to get their hands on a good deal. While the savings may seem miniscule at first, the evidence seems to show them adding up, and that 10 percent could just be a “treat yourself ” gift later on.

“I recommend spending about an hour online just learning and searching through all the pages that others have posted of discounts they’ve found. There are tons of lists and resources out there to find them, and most of them are underused. There are even mobile apps to help notify of special sales for students only in your area and online,” Kohake said. “All you need is the will to start searching, and you will be surprised at how many deals are out there.”

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C U LT U R E

UPDATED SUB ART GALLERY TELLS A STORY ABOUT ART AND FAMILY Intriguing connections emerge from two printmakers who never met David Collie | Culture Reporter | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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rom now through Sept. 23, the new walls and floors of the Student Union Fine Arts Gallery will open up to a unique conversation in art. The work of Gary Frederick Brown will be on display alongside the work of his grandfather, Frederick Foster Brown, for the first time.

Students passing through the SUB may have noticed something different during the updates to the gallery. Fonda Portales, University Art curator and collections manager, is excited for these changes, and explains that the old walls were getting to be outdated.

“Now we have these crisp, minimal, clean, new walls that will allow artists to showcase their work more effectively,” Portales said.

These interior changes were added less than a week before the new exhibition.

What makes the exhibition so intriguing, however, is the unique relationship between the two artists who never met.

Frederick Foster Brown was a farmer, art dealer and printmaker in the Boise area from 1913 through the early 1960s.

He was never able to meet his grandson, Gary, who was born just 10 months after his death.

“I never met my grandfather, but I want to think I absorbed some of his essence.”

Gary Frederick Brown, artist

Despite the two never meeting in person, they are connected through their work which is now displayed side by side.

And while the two styles tend to vary—

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The work of Gary Frederick Brown will be on display in the gallery in the Student Union Building until Sept. 23. Photo by Scott Stone.

Brown’s work is often abstract, while his grandfather’s is representational—there are certain threads that connect the two and their art.

“I never met my grandfather, but I want to think I absorbed some of his essence,” Brown said.

This connection portrays an idea of a conversation between the two family members and their art historically, and Portales describes the interaction artistically.

“The ways their work might compare is where that conversation is happening. As I interact visually, my eye passes from one piece to another, and a memory of the first lingers on the second,” Portales said.

For Brown, the discovery of his grandfather’s artwork as well as the similarity it had with his own, was a way for him to get

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to know this important figure in his life.

This connection was also strengthened as Brown was putting together the show.

After finding some of his grandfather’s damaged linocut blocks, he was able to digitally scan them and cut new blocks himself—essentially doing the same work that his grandfather had done years ago.

“I’ve always wanted to incorporate his work in some way,” Brown said. “He was this important figure I never knew, but I got to know him in a way by putting the show together.”

Another interesting connection between the two was Boise itself. Brown, living in Los Angeles, had never been to Boise prior to visiting in preparation for the gallery.

But when driving into town, Brown spotted the Boise Depot which he had seen in

his grandfather’s work.

“The minute we drove into town, I locked onto it,” Brown said.

Brown was, in some way, able to experience a place he had never been through the work of a man he had never physically encountered.

The new walls and floors of the gallery give the perfect opportunity to view this unique family history. Brown and his grandfather never knew each other in life, but their stories and their work illustrate the threads that connect them. Getting to see their work side by side is an interesting and thought-provoking experience that speaks to the worlds of family, art and the idea of what it means to be connected.

C U LT U R E

BOISE RAW ARTIST SHOWCASE OFFERS EXPOSURE TO INDEPENDENT ARTISTS

More than 50 local artists will get the chance to reach a new audience David Collie | Culture Reporter | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Junior media arts major Mackenzie Hudson will have photography on display in the RAW gallery.

Photo courtesy of Mackenzie Hudson.

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ust as a piece of writing needs a reader, a piece of art needs an audience. While some art will sell for millions of dollars because of who created it, there are many talented, aspiring artists who don’t have the same vast followings. But at 7 p.m. on Aug. 29, the Revolution Concert House will host dozens of Boise artists who will get the opportunity to share their work with the world at the RAW artist showcase.

But what is RAW? Even in the age of social media, it can be difficult for independent artists to find an audience for their work. RAW, as defined on the website, is “an independent arts organization, for artists, by artists.” What that entails is an organization that aims to help bridge that gap between artist and audience by providing information, resources and exposure through showcases like this one.

One person who works with artists in this way is Brandon Scott, an artist experience director for RAW. “There’s a lot of work before the showcase, giving artists the tools to succeed

there, as well as down the road,” Scott said.

According to Scott, there will be about 60 artists at the showcase who will show off their skills in visual art, photography, music, fashion and more.

One of these artists is Boise State junior and media arts major, Mackenzie Hudson.

Hudson is a self-taught photographer who deals mostly with portraits and athletic photography. Her passion for photography began five years ago when she started taking pictures of high school basketball.

She loves sports and would like to someday become a professional sports photographer.

“I’ve never been to a showcase, so I really don’t know what I’m doing going into this. It’s definitely thrilling to say the least,” Hudson said when asked how she felt about the showcase.

Originally from Coeur d’Alene, Hudson has lived in Boise for a year now and is excited for the opportunity “to get [her] foot in the door in Boise.”

Though Hudson has only recently come to Boise, visual artist and photographer Mikayla Chesnut has just moved away

Mikayla Chesnut, visual artist and photographer, will have work on display in the RAW gallery.

Photo courtesy of Mikayla Chesnut.

to live in Seattle. She will still be at the showcase, however, and is excited to get the opportunity to visit home and see her family.

Chesnut is a mixed media artist who uses paint, ink and pencil to create her work, and describes herself as a surrealist.

Most of her work involves nature in some way, and her favorite thing to draw is eyes—often with drops of color.

“It depends on what the piece calls for.

Each medium has its own unique quality,” Chesnut said.“I like to do stuff that has realistic factors, but is exaggerated in a way we wouldn’t see it regularly.”

Between teaching art to children and bartending, Chesnut does not have as much time for her art as she would like.

She hopes to someday become a tattoo artist, and has already gotten some experience by tattooing her friends—and even herself.

Lastly is Boise State graduate, Danielle Frans. Frans is another visual artist who works with acrylic on canvas. Her primary focus is portraits of females—often with no faces—but she also does landscapes.

Frans has already received support of her art from friends but is excited to reach a new audience at the showcase.

“I’m excited to see how stuff is received by people I don’t know,” Frans said. “I have a following from friends, but they love me. They have to be nice.”

Frans would like to pursue a career in art but doesn’t have the following quite yet.

She hopes that the showcase will assist her in her goals.

The RAW artist showcase is sure to expose these, and many more, independent artists to a fresh audience. Since each artist sells their own tickets, there is sure to be a variety of people and interests. It may not make everyone famous overnight, but it should serve as a valuable step in propelling these talented artists toward their future goals.

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SPORTS & REC

EMINENT DOMAIN OPTION MADE AVAILABLE FOR NEW BASEBALL STADIUM

University continues efforts to obtain properties in order to build new stadium Delaney Brassil | Sports Editor | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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n Nov. 17, 2017, former Boise State President Bob Kustra announced the location of the new Boise State baseball stadium to be in a section of land north of Beacon Street, between Euclid Avenue and Denver Avenue.

The team is set to start their first season in 2020.

On Thursday, Aug. 16, the Idaho State Board of Education approved the potential use of eminent domain to obtain the properties necessary to start breaking ground, meaning the university is allowed to pursue the land, with compensation, if the parties involved cannot reach an agreement.

This section of land chosen for the stadium contains two apartment complexes and a parking lot, none of which are already owned by the university. The eight-unit

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complex, 1104-1108 South Grant Avenue, is owned by South Boise Apartments, Ltd. and the four-unit complex, 1116-1122 West Beacon Street, is owned by Cotner Properties and Investments. The parking lot, 1101 South Denver Avenue, is owned

by Boise Church of Christ.

According to documents from the State Board of Education, so far the university has tentatively agreed to purchase the land at 1104-1108 South Grant, but has not been able to come to a purchasing agreement with the other two properties.

“Just because the State Board said we can use eminent domain doesn’t mean that’s how these properties will be purchased,” said Greg Hahn, associate vice president for communications and marketing at Boise State. “It’s a tool to make sure there is a fair price. We can’t just go in and

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say how much we think it is worth. That protects the landowner.”

The announcement received backlash from the Idaho Freedom Foundation (IFF). According to the IFF, they “work vigorously to protect property rights, seek tax relief and free people from government regulations that hinder economic progress and prosperity.”

“Seizing private property for a new stadium would be a flagrant abuse of power and an attack on property rights in Idaho,” said IFF policy researcher Phil Haunschild in a press release on Aug. 17.

Hahn studied Boise State’s planning and zoning documents from the 1970s, stating that for at least the last 46 years, the university has been publicly including this block in the zone where it believed it would have to expand in the future.

“There were decades of knowing that at some point it was going to be part of the university,” Hahn said.

According to The Associated Press, the entire stadium is projected to cost between $8 million and $10 million, in addition to $500,000 in engineering costs.

“Athletics are as much a part of the university as student organizations and leadership opportunities,” Hahn said. “It’s not just an entertainment venue, it is part of the college experience.”

BOISE STATE ANNOUNCES NEW TAILGATE ZONE

SPORTS & REC

New Ford Tailgate Zone, opening this season, offers area for the general fan Autum Robertson | Sports Reporter | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu

The Ford Tailgate Zone is opening up this season and has space for private and general tailgates. Photo by Ky Tucker.

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The new Tailgate Zone is located at DeChevrieux Field. Photo by Taylor Humby.

oise State has announced a new Ford Tailgate Zone opening this year at DeChevrieux Field. The idea of the tailgate area is to boost the fans’ ultimate experience on game day.

“I think the new tailgate zone is a really cool opportunity for fans—both students and non-students—to hang out and enjoy the energy that Boise State has before football games,” said Nathan Carroll, president of the Corral.

Four years ago, Boise State attempted to start a new tailgate zone inside the Caven-Williams Sports Complex. It ended up not lasting due to staffing and funding issues. With Ford sponsoring, this will not be a problem.

“Last year we looked at small corporate tailgates in DeChevrieux Field. We did a trial last year, then we were able to get Ford to sponsor this year,” said Matt Thomas of assistant athletic director/marketing and promotions. “It’s really nice to have a sponsor on board to provide the general fans with what they need.”

Thomas talked about how college football has changed; it’s no longer just the game, instead it’s the entire game day

experience. This is a huge reason as to why Boise State has partnered with Blockparty, a tailgate company.

“We have new unique things that we’re excited about for the new upcoming year.

We’re partnering with a new tailgate company called Blockparty. They take reservations no matter what size the tailgate is that you want,” Thomas said. “They’ll set up your tailgate for you. You drive your car up to DeChevrieux Field, they have a bellhop service, they grab your tailgate stuff and bring it to your area. You can park your car, come back and it’s there.”

Boise State offers a limited amount of free tailgating opportunities or places for the general fan to tailgate. In the past, they’ve had the Hall of Fame plaza opened up with marketing tables and broadcasts of pregame. Now in addition to this, the east side of the Ford Tailgate Zone is open to the general fans.

“The east side is going to be more of an opportunity for fans to come. We have a big screen out there playing broadcasts of other games going on, we’ll have inflatables, obstacle courses and triple play where you hit baseballs or kick soccer balls. It’s an opportunity for kids to have fun,” Thomas said. “We’re providing better opportunities for fans to have a place to go on game day prior to going into the stadium.”

The west side of DeChevrieux field is dedicated to the more private tailgates thrown by Blockparty.

In the stadium parking lot tailgates, there are only paid, season-long spots.

The Ford Tailgate Zone has multiple paid plans, in order to reflect the different game ticket passes sold.

The Ford Tailgate Zone is planned to be ready for the Broncos home opener against UCONN on Sept. 8. Blockparty will begin set up at 4 p.m., and the general fan tailgating will open at 5 p.m.

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SPORTS & REC

BOISE STATE FOOTBALL SEASON KICKS OFF IN TROY, ALABAMA ON SEPT. 1

The Broncos head into the season ranked No. 22 in AP poll Autum Robertson | Sports Reporter | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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n Sept. 1, Boise State football will travel to Alabama to play the Troy Trojans for the season opener. The game kicks off at 4 p.m.

Mountain Time and will be broadcasted on ESPNU. Last season, the Broncos finished with a record of 11-3 while Troy finished with a record of 11-2. The Trojans lost their season opener to the Broncos 24-13.

Troy would only get better after the loss, losing only one other game all season, and earning a big win against No. 25 ranked Louisiana State University.

“It’s a big challenge. (Troy) is a great program defensively. They’ve done a really good job there the past few years, and they’ve got a lot of returning starters. It’s going to be a challenge for us, but I think we’ve prepared well,” said Broncos quarterback Brett Rypien in a press conference.

The Trojans head into the season with a big question mark surrounding who their starting quarterback will be, with four-year starter Brandon Silvers graduating.

“We don’t know who it’s going to be.

They have guys over there that we can try and prepare for. At the same time we got to do what we got to do to prepare,” said Broncos cornerback Tyler Horton in a press conference.

Rypien has drawn a lot of hype this preseason. He has been named to multiple watch lists, including the 2018 Walter Camp Award Watch List. Rypien was also named the 2018 Preseason Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year.

“I feel more comfortable. I mean we’ve got pretty much our whole offensive line coming back. I’ve been working with receivers a lot. The tight ends have been doing a good job as well,” Rypien said.

“We’re staying focused and keeping good practice habits, so that when we get out to a game it’s more of a calm confidence rather than going out there and feeling that you’re unprepared.”

During the 2017 season, Boise State’s

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The Broncos will travel to Troy, Alabama, on Sept. 1 for their first game of the season. Photo courtesy of Boise State Broncos Facebook page.

defense set a high bar finishing 22nd in the Football Bowl Subdivision in total defense.

With nine out of 10 starters returning, there are even higher expectations going into this season.

“We’ve got the same mindset. Even with the same guys coming back we are still looking for ways to get better,” Horton said. “We really harp on finishing—if that’s making plays on the ball, if that’s making that one on one tackle, we just want to finish.”

The Troy Trojans finished second in the Sun Belt Conference for sacks, with 42 on the season. Troy played good defense all throughout the 2017 season. Coming into the 2018 season they lost defensive

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tackle Jamal Stadom who had seven sacks and 11 tackles for a loss, Barron Poole who had 3.5 sacks and six tackles for a loss and Seth Calloway who had 2.5 sacks and five tackles for a loss.

“They lost a few guys, but some young guys have probably stepped up and progressed over the last year,” Rypien said.

“Schematically we really go off of what we saw last year. They might come out with a few things we haven’t seen, but that happens every single first game, and you’ve got to be able to adjust.”

Troy, Alabama’s weather is typically in the mid to high 80s with intense humidity.

The Broncos prepare for the heat by having a couple indoor practices and turning the

heat up high.

“We’re starting with the mindset that it’s going to be hot. We’re going there to do business,” Horton said. “When you have a mindset of going and getting things done, you don’t really think about it in the moment. Until later down the line when you think about it like, ‘man it was really hot out there.’ You get your mind prepared for it, and that’s what it really takes.”

Boise State comes into the game ranked at No. 22, the highest the Broncos have been ranked in an AP preseason poll. The Trojans are unranked heading into the season. If Boise State wins they will have swept Troy in their 2017-18 game series.

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Generated by http://www.opensky.ca/sudoku on Fri Sep 29 20:00:36 2017 GMT. Enjoy!

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