The Arbiter 9.11.18 Vol. 31 Issue 5

September 11, 2018

Vol. 31 Issue 5

IN D EP EN D E N T

S T U D EN T

VO I C E

O F

BO I S E

S TAT E

SI N C E

1 9 3 3

O D M N A O F F A IR OW E H T

N:

Students Find Their Nerdy Niche!

VISIT US ON SOCIAL MEDIA: arbiteronline.com @arbiteronline

@arbiteronline @boisestatearbiter

NEWS

05

Boise State’s jaywalking culture

CULTURE

15

Students combat eating disorders

SPORTS & REC

18

Volleyball starts the season strong

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

Buster Bronco rallies the crowd for Boise State’s 62-7 victory over the University of Connecticut Huskies. 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 hyde park

fri september 14 HYDE PARK STREET FAIR

8 am

The Hyde Park Street Fair will be taking place from Sept. 14-Sept. 16 starting at 8 a.m. The event is an annual fundraiser in which funds go back into grants and programs that benefit the North End community.

quad

fri september 14 SPLATTER PARTY

9 pm

Cost of admission is $5. Dancing, music and splatter paint will kick off at 9 p.m. on the Quad. The first 1,000 guests will receive a free Splatter Party t-shirt.

Photo courtesy of Student Involvement and Leadership’s Facebook page.

payette brewing

sat september 15 OKTOBERFEST

2 pm

For the third year in a row, Payette Brewing will be hosting Oktoberfest with German-inspired food, drinks, games and music. The event is open to all ages, and entry is free. Photo courtesy of Payette Brewing’s Facebook page.

online

thurs september 13 BRONCO GIVING DAY

12 am

This is the first-ever online fundraising opportunity for alumni, parents and friends to donate to Boise State. It will last 36 hours, and is a university-wide campaign to raise funds that will support student success.

NEWS

PLANS ARE IN PLACE TO PREVENT FUTURE FLOODING ON CAMPUS

After two sinkholes over the course of a year, action is being taken Chloe Baul | News Reporter | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

After two pipeline breaks in a year, plans are in motion to prevent flooding near the Honors

College. Photo by Blake Simony.

Not all bowls are created equal.

LOCATED ONLY 1 MILE FROM BOISE STATE

10% OFF FOR BOISE STATE STUDENTS Fresh, organic, superfoods in each and every bite.

Pictured is the Oregon Bowl in all it’s greatness Acai, Pitaya and Coconut bowls available.

4

SEPTEMBER 11, 2018

|

ARBITERONLINE.COM

O

n Aug. 5, right before the beginning of the fall semester, a main water pipeline broke near University Drive and Lincoln Avenue. The broken pipeline caused flooding on nearby roads and parking lots, according to a BroncoAlert. As a result, damage caused by the flood formed a sinkhole in the ground.

Boise State’s most recent flood, however, wasn’t a surprise since the main water pipeline broke on Oct. 2, 2017 in front of the Honors College, which also formed a sinkhole near University Drive after a fire truck drove by, causing the ground underneath to give out. During both incidents, cars were encouraged to drive around damaged areas for safety purposes, and roads remained closed until repairs were made.

As a result of the recent pipeline damages, construction plans are now in place in order to prevent future floods and sinkholes on campus.

In a Boise State update, Greg Hahn, associate vice president of Communications and Marketing, mentioned that the previous pipeline break was due to structural failure of a 1990 PVC pipe, which is a water pipe made from a mixture of plastic and vinyl.

Marshall Thompson, manager of operations at SUEZ United Water, discussed the reasons behind water pipeline breaks, how construction standards have changed overtime and why older construction standards for laying pipe aren’t as effective. “At the time, people thought plastic pipes installed in that area were more durable than they actually are,� Thompson said. “Based on modern standards for installing pipe, we should have put a bed of compacted sand down first in order to give it a secure, tight bedding.�

The main water pipeline at the intersection near the Student Union Building was installed about 30 years ago. Back then, construction standards did not dictate that they took special care with the installation of the pipes like they do today.

According to Thompson, each time the pipe breaks it is replaced with a new, modern ductile iron pipe and embedded in sand, which is the new modern standard for making sure that it is safe and secure. “(Without the compacted sand) it’s like walking around with a rock in your shoe.

Over time that can stress the pipe and cause it to break laterally along the sides,�

Thompson said. “As a result, a large volume of water will escape out of the pipe, which will cause a flood and ultimately create a large depression, or sinkhole, in the ground.�

For preventative measures, United Water administrators met with the facilities management group on campus on Aug. 30 to plan the logistics of replacing all of the plastic pipes with metal pipes. They also met with individuals in the athletic department in order to successfully schedule construction around sporting events. “From a public safety standpoint, it’s great that (United Water) is willing to work around the student schedule and campus events,� said Samuel Patterson, director of Transportation, Safety and Parking Systems. “They will work around Thanksgiving break, during Christmas break and any football games, basketball games and concerts.�

NEWS

TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT REMINDS STUDENTS OF JAYWALKING DANGERS Over a three-day period, 2 percent of 15,000 pedestrians committed crosswalk violations

Alyza Lovenguth | News Reporter | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

F

rom Aug. 21 to 23, staff members from the transportation department counted pedestrians who crossed at major intersections during the first day of classes on clipboards and noted pedestrian-rule violations, according to Christine Boyles, Boise State’s active transportation manager.

While the department is currently compiling data, Boyles said the counts were concentrated between Lincoln and University from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. An estimated

trian-rule violations, Boyles said they were not ticketing jaywalkers, but only educating students on safe crossing locations and promoting the use of crosswalk buttons.

Ada County pedestrian deaths peaked in 2017 with five pedestrians who were struck and killed in Ada County—four of which were pedestrians in Boise, according to an Idaho Statesman article.

“We feel our staff presence reduced the amount of violations,” Boyles said. “Safety is our primary concern. With the new

Lane and the Honors College.

“It’s definitely a lot of students over there (in that crosswalk),” Greg Hahn, the associate vice president of Communications and Marketing, told The Arbiter in a previous interview. “Every time the campus grows one way or the other, we have to figure out all the safety issues, but they’re working on it to make sure everyone can get around as safely as possible.”

Boyles said student pedestrians can be safe if they act predictably by obeying

to cross Capital or Broadway. Always look twice; your life is worth a double check.

Please stop and push crosswalk buttons to trigger crossing signals.”

In another incident on Jan. 27, Boise State graduate, Kylie Dimick, was hit while walking between Ninth Street and Myrtle Street around 10:30 p.m. Although she was not at fault, Dimick, like Boyles, voiced in a previous interview to check both ways before crossing in order to stop similar incidents from occurring.

Over three days, 2 percent of Boise State’s population was involved in pedestrian rule violations. Photo by Taylor Humby.

15,000 students crossed over the three-day period, and a little over 2 percent of the Boise State population was involved in pedestrian rule violations.

According to Boyles, most of the violations occurred between the Lincoln and University crosswalk, the Theatre Lane crosswalk and individuals crossing from the Honors College into the transit lane in front of the Student Union Building.

While the staff members counted pedes-

students on campus, our goal was and is to educate students on safe-crossing locations and promote the use of the crosswalk buttons.”

Boyles also said the staff’s presence was there to protect students from events like the one that occured at the Theatre Lane crosswalk during the fall 2017 semester where a student was hit in the crosswalk.

This event is what resulted in the new, flashing crosswalk signs between Theatre

crossing signals, being aware of their surroundings, trying a safer route, looking both ways before crossing and stopping to push crosswalk buttons.

“We ask students to be predictable,” Boyles said. “Cross streets at marked crosswalks, obey signs and signals and wear bright colors to be noticed. Be aware by having your eyes up on your surroundings and not on your cell phone. Try a different route by using shuttles and the Greenbelt

“Pedestrians, it’s unfortunate, but you do have to look for cars,” Dimick said.

“It never hurts to look both ways before you cross the street, that’s for sure. Drivers (should) take it seriously, especially in a place like downtown Boise, where there are a lot of pedestrians. Don’t have a mindset that there are only cars; there’s bikes and pedestrians too.”

SEPTEMBER 11, 2018

|

ARBITERONLINE.COM

5

NEWS

IDAHO SUICIDE PREVENTION HOTLINE SEEKS ADDITIONAL VOLUNTEERS Due to a 41 percent increase in calls, the ISPH is welcoming student volunteers MaryAnn Fernandez | News Editor | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

The Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline is in search of volunteers. Photo courtesy of ISPH.

T

he Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline (ISPH), a Boise-based nonprofit dedicated to preventing suicides, has received a 41 percent increase in calls since last year. To help mitigate the effects of this increase, the ISPH is in need of more volunteer crisis phone responders.

Currently, the ISPH has 80 crisis phone responders, and they are striving to bring on 20 more volunteers, according to Alex McNish, volunteer coordinator at ISPH. McNish credits the population increase in Boise to a greater awareness of ISPH. “More people are comfortable reaching out for assistance,” McNish said. “Along with self-initiated calls, more third party calls are coming in to find out how they can help a loved one.”

The ISPH services include crisis intervention, emotional support, referrals to local services and follow-up phone calls.

According to ISPH, the hotline isn’t just for Idahoans who are suicidal. They are there to listen for those who need emotional support.

6

SEPTEMBER 11, 2018

|

According to ISPH, in the latest report published in 2016, Idaho is persistently among the states with the highest suicide rates. Additionally, Idaho has the eighth highest suicide rate in the country, which is 40 percent higher than the national average.

John Reusser, Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline director, said that ISPH was launched in 2012, and since then has been committed to helping prevent and decrease suicides in Idaho. Their services range from inbound, follow up and outbound phone calls. ISPH also provides support with an online chat and a text message option.

Reusser explained that this increase in phone calls has created a need for more crisis phone responders to help answer the lines. While volunteers aren’t required to have any specialized training, they are looking for volunteers who are 18 years old and over and can pass a background check.

“We are looking for volunteers that are good listeners; (volunteers) who can listen to our callers in an open and accepting,

ARBITERONLINE.COM

non-judgemental and empathic manner,” Reusser said.

Reusser added that ISPH has a long-standing partnership with the schools of social work from various colleges throughout the Treasure Valley.

“We also have students who volunteer, who are considering majoring in social work or counseling, and we really welcome them,” Reusser said. “We do ask for a year commitment for our volunteers, unless they are practicum students.”

According to Reusser, with each phone call there is a supervisor who silently monitors and coaches the volunteers. After each call volunteers take notes and take a few minutes to debrief.

Reusser said that if students are interested in volunteering, applications can be submitted on their website and are due by Sept. 14. Extensive training is provided by ISPH and begins on Sept. 27.

Presley Jarvis, a graduate student in counseling, has been a volunteer crisis phone responder for ISPH since 2015.

“I started volunteering because I became aware of how big of an issue suicide is in our society,” Jarvis said. “I just remember feeling frustrated and wanting to impact change, if I could, and help people that are struggling.”

Currently, Jarvis volunteers every Sunday night for a four-hour shift. Jarvis said that ISPH is making a positive change in individuals’ lives.

“I have people tell me every week that they feel like nobody cares or listens to them,” Jarvis said. “They appreciate the phone responders, and generally, the callers leave the conversation feeling cared for and loved. That’s all that people may need: to feel that love and care.”

Jarvis said that being a part of ISPH means being there for the callers and validating their feelings.

“Sometimes people are told their whole “Sometimes people are told their whole life that the way they feel is wrong,” Jarvis said. “And they just need someone to validate them and tell them it’s okay.”

In addition to the ISPH, there are resources on campus available to students, including the Campus Assessment Resource and Education (CARE) program.

According to CARE, suicide is the second leading cause of death among students. Additionally, while students may not ask for help or assistance, it doesn’t necessarily mean that those students won’t benefit from assistance, which potentially can be life saving.

If students suspect that a person is suicidal, or if they may need assistance, the following resources are available.

Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline (208) 398-4357 University Health Services (208) 4261459 Employee Assistance Program (208) 426-1616 Campus Security and Police Services (208) 426-6911

NEWS

FIRST SAFE HOUSE FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING VICTIMS TO OPEN IN BOISE

The Solace House will be the first safe house in Idaho for victims of human trafficking MaryAnn Fernandez | News Reporter | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

The safe house for human trafficking victims will be opening next spring. Graphic by Wyatt Wurtenberger.

I

n the spring of next year, Idaho Anti-Trafficking Coalition (IATC) is scheduled to open the “Solace House,” which will be the first safe house in Idaho for victims of human trafficking.

The Solace House will be in an undisclosed location in Boise. The victims will be able to access the Solace House through direct referral case managers. Also, the IATC will have an offsite office space for outpatient services where they can get referrals as well. Referrals can come from the Boise police department, child welfare, parents or case managers, according to Jennifer Zielinski, executive director for IATC. The Solace House will have one to 10 beds available for children and youth 11 to 18 years old who have been identified or suspected as victims of sex trafficking. While the Solace House is primarily for victims in Idaho, the IATC plans to collaborate with other states to provide

an additional secure housing placement, according to Zielinski.

The children and youth will be able to stay at the Solace House for up to two years. Additionally, a case manager will help each child to find a secure, permanent house afterwards.

Zielinski explained that the mission of IATC is to work with community members to provide education, services and awareness about human trafficking.

A child may be a victim of sex trafficking under various factors including force, abduction, fraud or coercion.

According to IATC, the Solace House will collaborate with psychiatric, psychological and counseling professionals to provide treatment and services for the children and youth that are placed in the Solace House. Additional services will be provided to make sure that the mental and physical needs of the children are met.

The goal of the Solace House and IATC is to provide care for the victims and set

up the social services that are needed for them. These services include the appropriate social skills to learn how to interact with their peers. Also, the Solace House will provide the proper education that will help them return to their families and ensure secure housing, according to Zielinski.

John Ropp, a graduate research assistant student in criminal justice, explained that human trafficking is a broad term.

“Some people refer to human trafficking as modern slavery. The main categories of human trafficking are labor and sex trafficking,” Ropp said. “What that really means is using an individual for the purpose of profit.”

According to Ropp, it’s difficult to figure out how many individuals are being trafficked because they might not admit or announce that they are being trafficked.

Ropp added that one of the largest misconceptions that exists in Boise, is that it doesn’t occur here at all.

“Sex trafficking happens everywhere. We just don’t know how prevalent it is,” Ropp said. “We actually have law enforcement here in Boise that works specifically with sex-trafficking cases.”

Since 2007, 433 Idaho phone calls have been reported to the National Human Trafficking Hotline. Additionally, there have been 13 human-trafficking cases reported this year in Idaho.

Ropp explained that in 2000, the United Nations passed the Palermo Protocol which began the conversation for human trafficking and became well known within human trafficking research.

“The Palermo Protocol defines trafficking as the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, or receipt of persons by means of threats, coercion or other forms of abduction, fraud or abuse of power,” Ropp said.

Ropp said that human trafficking is a complicated topic, and there is a debate on how researchers define human trafficking.

Marie Voth, a senior psychology major

and an employee at IATC, agreed that before she started her employment at IATC she wasn’t aware of human trafficking in Boise.

“Being a student and employee has been a huge learning process, but after working with the coalition I had a chance to learn more about these issues,” Voth said. “I think it’s vital to have a place for these victims, because what we are hearing from the community is that we need a safe house for them.”

“Sex trafficking happens everywhere. We just don’t know how prevalent it is.

We actually have law enforcement here in Boise that works specifically with sex-trafficking cases.”

John Ropp, graduate research assistant

Voth added that even though Boise is increasing in population, most individuals here have a small-town mentality and aren’t aware of human trafficking issues.

“Mostly people think it’s happening in larger cities like Chicago, or somewhere where Boise is removed from,” Voth said.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2018

|

ARBITERONLINE.COM

7

OPINION

AMERICA NEEDS LESS HEROES

The film industry is dealing with a superhero overpopulation problem Chase Marsh | Opinion Editor | opinion@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Since Iron Man’s arrival on screens in 2008, America has seen a surge in super hero movies, and enough is enough. Photo illustration by Taylor Humby and Ky Tucker.

R

emember when Iron Man came out in 2008 and everyone was excited for more Marvel movies?

It was fun and exciting seeing those movies, and it was becoming a cultural shift in pop culture. Kids were dressing as all the Avengers, and the Dark Knight trilogy’s impact was fizzling out. Then, Disney acquired Marvel, and the world hasn’t been the same since. But now it’s time to snap out of the superhero craze that has America’s entertainment industry in a chokehold.

“The Avengers”–Disney’s first Marvel masterpiece–beat out “The Dark Knight Rises” to win the box office in 2012, officially winning over momentum in the DC versus Marvel competition. Since then, Disney has released 12 Marvel movies, six of which have secured their slots in the top 20 grossing films of the decade. And just because I know you’re curious, Filmsite.org has three non-Marvel films on that list as well (I’m including “The Incredibles 2”), totalling nine superhero movies in the top 20.

Look, I’m not arguing that superhero movies have been a detriment to the entertainment industry–they’ve clearly been an indisputable success with fans. But remember when seeing these heroes “save the world” was an occasion? You’d find the best

8

SEPTEMBER 11, 2018

|

show time for you and your friends and family to all experience this historic film together. When there’s multiple superhero blockbusters in theaters at the same time, the feeling fades.

An excited coworker asking the question “Have you seen (insert any Marvel movie title here)?” has become, “Are you gonna see (blah blah)? Yeah, I’m also going to wait for it get to Netflix.” The gravity revolving around them has accumulated too much damage from all of these caped and armored zealots defying its scientific properties, and it has caused some fatigue, maybe even some animosity toward these comic book characters.

To localize this overwhelming presence of heroes, the last two major Boise State free student movie showings have been “Black Panther” and “Avengers: Infinity War.” These were unquestionable crowd-pleasers, but there weren’t many other options for blockbusters that didn’t include a Marvel or DC stamp. They’re all intertwined into confusing overlapped and clustered universes that have little variation on aesthetic or thematic creativity from film to film. There is little room for innovation with these movies.

Each attempt at recreating how superhero movies are made has endured its share

ARBITERONLINE.COM

of backlash. Marvel did when it began implementing a comedic focus, “The Dark Knight” did when its sinister themes captivated its viewers, but now theaters have become so oversaturated with countless super ladies and hero men that DC has decided to make two separate, non-associated Joker movies at the same time. Yes, you read that correctly.

The Ringer’s Miles Surrey wrote about the possible catastrophe that may be the final product of each of these films. One is a Jared Leto, “Suicide Squad” feature, the other stars Joaquin Phoenix, and your guess is as good as mine on how that’s going to turn out. If these two movies going into production–and likely being released–at nearly the same time isn’t a sure sign that Hollywood comic book stores need to ban movie executives, then I don’t know what is.

I would just like to plead my case to the film gods: We don’t need anymore superhero movies at the moment. Once we get the second half to “Infinity War,” feel free to take everyone’s mind off of what Avenger movie should happen next. Give us a couple years to digest the century’s worth of world-saving action and sprinkle a little variety into our theater-going diet.

Hollywood needs a detox and rehabil-

itation period to think over what they’ve done. They’ll still be raking in royalties from the children’s Halloween costumes and pajamas and toys, they’ll still have the Avengers-themed Disneyland attractions and they’ll still have the insurmountable box office records. We just want something new.

During the break, give the audience something that’ll catch them off-guard– something that hasn’t been accomplished by a staggering majority of what they’ve seen this decade. The film industry has become so consumed with what they know will succeed, that they’ve forgotten the art that goes behind a truly moving film. But now that the Oscars have created a new category (Outstanding Popular Film), “inspired by the success of ‘Black Panther,’” as reported by Vanity Fair, we will undoubtedly be seeing more and more superhero movies slated to release for the foreseeable future. For the sake of avoiding complete exhaustion, please give us a break from superheroes.

YOU ARE WORTHY OF PLEASURE August McLaughlin Creator of Girl Boner® Saturday, September 15, 2018 | 7pm – 8:30pm www.amberjackpublishing.com

Rediscovered Books | 180 North 8th Street, Downtown Boise

Available wherever books are sold

F E AT U R E

THE PROS AND (COMIC) CONS OF BEING GEEKY

Students and professionals speak on the impact of geek culture on college students Logan Potter | Culture Editor | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Freddie Prinze Jr. appeared at FanX, the hub for geek culture in Utah. Photo by Logan Potter.

W

ith popular comic convention Wizard World hitting Boise for the first time in July 2018, buzz around nerd and geek culture is at an all time high. The city has yet to rope in some of pop culture’s biggest stars, but it has warmed up Idaho to the possibility of becoming a hub for convention and celebrity lovers alike to thrive.

While the build-up continues in Boise, the past weekend marked the occurrence of Salt Lake City’s FanX Comic Convention, the largest per capita comic convention in North America. Hosting artists like Jeff Goldblum of “Jurassic Park” and David Tennant of “Doctor Who,” fans approached Utah from across the country for the opportunity to mingle with their favorite stars and artists.

Interestingly enough, however, not all attendees are solely there to catch an autograph or two. Many individuals, especially

10

SEPTEMBER 11, 2018

|

those in the collegiate generation, have been touched significantly by geek culture growing up, an impact that has resulted in their attendance at conventions across the nation.

Among the stars on Celebrity Row, FanX’s term for their lines of fans waiting for autographs and selfies, was Tom Hopper, recurring actor in “Game of Thrones” and Grant LeClair in “I Feel Pretty.” A frequent attendee of comic conventions across the nation, the United Kingdom native finds plenty of time to spend with his American fans, and he hopes the fans are aware of the impact he wishes to make.

“It’s tricky because you’re never really in control of what your character does, and you hope the choices they are making are able to inspire,” Hopper said. “As an actor, I always try to show a good attitude and be a role model (for fans), because being an actor is tough work, and not having

ARBITERONLINE.COM

an ego is really important in this industry.”

Although they can’t choose the actions of their characters, they do get to choose how they make their mark off screen. Eve Spiekerman, a junior theatre major at Utah Valley University, credited her roots in geek culture to “Doctor Who” star David Tennant.

“The thing that impacted me the most in the geek community was during my first year of college when I hit a severe depressive episode,” Spiekerman said. “It was Doctor Who that pulled me out of that. It has that emotional connection in it for me.”

Spiekerman was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to meet Tennant this weekend through the photo-op section

of the convention. While photo opportunities are often short, no more than a few seconds, the timeframe didn’t take any of the excitement away from Spiekerman’s experience.

“It’s a really fast experience,” Spiekerman said. “But David Tennant was my first doctor; he was the doctor who pulled me out.”

“Doctor Who” isn’t the only fandom that has left an impact on students across the nation.

With the Marvel Cinematic Universe on a 10-year film production kick, it’s no surprise that Ben Wallace, a sophomore robotics engineering major at Idaho State University, has a different idea about the effects of geek culture, and it’s one that relates to his future career.

“I think it was in my electronics class in high school, where we first watched ‘Iron Man,’” Wallace said. “It really exploded from there, and now I watch more shows than ever.”

While Wallace considers himself part of many fandoms in the realm of geek culture, Marvel remains the most prominent. He is also relatively new to attending conventions, his first being in March of

F E AT U R E

last year, and he cites his bank account as one of the most impacted parts of him as a result.

“If it wasn’t for Stan Lee creating Iron Man, then it wouldn’t have created my interest in the fandom and launched my robotics career,” Wallace said. “It has (also) impacted my wallet quite a bit, all the money I spend here.”

The stakes are high for student finances during convention season, but that hasn’t stopped them from making it the biggest event of their year. The stars in attendance generally want to make the events a worthwhile experience for their fans, and Freddie Prinze Jr. of “Scooby-Doo” and “Star Wars: Rebels” is no exception. In a panel for voice actors, Prinze Jr. mentioned that he wants his biggest mark to be left in whichever way his fans see fit, and conventions play a big role.

“I can only give (the fans) the most honest performance that I can give for any role. I need you to connect with something,” Prinze Jr. said. “When I sign photos (at conventions), people tell me how much they love my characters, but they each have a different reason why.

It’s more about your environment, your surroundings and what you grew up loving and hating.”

Actors weren’t the only people on the vendor floor that had the opportunity to interact with their fans. Artists, such as former Disney and Dreamworks animator Thomas Estrada, were able to better understand how they changed lives, even in the smallest of ways. Starting as an assistant animator, Estrada moved up to work on feature films such as “The Road to El Dorado” and “The Emperor’s New Groove,” animated films that are both easily recognizable by the collegiate generation.

“(Conventions) are just great because a lot of the films I worked on, especially, were not hits during their time, but fans are impacted in all different ways,” Estrada said.

“Someone might come up to me and say ‘I was in the hospital for a long time, and ‘Treasure Planet’ was the film that got me through it,’ and they have all these positive memories that are really neat to me. When you’re working on the films, you aren’t thinking about that. I love hearing about those impacts on people.”

Estrada’s success at conventions proves that art can truly make a mark, but the saying goes that a picture is worth a thousand words. This was especially the case for Utah Valley University junior digital cinema major Hayley Lynch, who had a unique and heartfelt experience at her first-ever comic convention.

First taking part in geek culture before her sophomore year of high school, Lynch described “Doctor Who” as her gateway show to fandoms such as “Broadchurch” and “Lord of the Rings.” She went on a journey of discovering everything geek,

College students cosplayed as the Teen Titans. Photo by Logan Potter.

but her most profound experience was in March 2016 when she attended The FanX Event, a mini-convention previously held in the spring in Salt Lake City.

“I had this incredible experience that month. It was a horrible year, and the month especially was hell. I was really looking forward to getting away for the weekend,” Lynch said. “The only thing I had been able to afford was the combo photo-op with the cast of ‘The Princess Bride.’”

While “The Princess Bride” is considered a cult classic, the film had a different meaning for Lynch’s family. Her mom was a “huge nerd” who loved all things “Harry Potter” and read “just about every Stephen King book under the sun.”

After losing her mother a series of blood clots when she was only nine years old in December 2006, Lynch said she doesn’t have many memories of her now, so she watches the things she loved to feel closer to her. “The Princess Bride” was one of her mother’s favorite films, so Lynch brought a framed photo of her to the photo-op with the cast.

“They were really behind, and the cast was late to their big reunion panel. I was really afraid that, because everything was

so rushed, I wouldn’t have the chance to tell the cast why I was holding a photo of a woman, and I wasn’t wrong at first,” Lynch said. “Fortunately, there was a glare on my glasses, so they had to retake the photo.

Cary (Elwes) stopped me and asked, ‘Is that your mom or your sister?’ and I told him my mom, and he asked, ‘Did you lose her?’”

Lynch said she had to leave the convention early because of her emotional state, but the impact that the cast left was one that will last forever. While not everyone will share a similar experience to Lynch’s, that doesn’t mean that they can’t have a lasting memory of the time they spent at the conventions. Geek culture has a different effect on everyone, and it’s important, according to Spiekerman, that no one diminish that effect.

“I think college students need to know that it’s okay to be a geek. There’s sometimes a culture, being slowly eradicated, that it’s not cool to be a geek,” Spiekerman said. “The world is changing, and while there’s still standards to stick to, it’s important that you be yourself and be a geek, and comic conventions really envelop that idea.”

SEPTEMBER 11, 2018

|

ARBITERONLINE.COM

11

C U LT U R E

A TASTE OF ART IN THE PARK

The event took place over the weekend, drawing hundreds of artists and spectators David Collie | Culture Reporter | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Artist Barton DeGraaf traveled to Boise from Oregon for Art in the Park. Photo by Taylor Humby.

T

he weekend after Labor Day has come and gone, and that can only mean one thing for Julia Davis Park: the 64th annual Art in the Park. The event saw a diverse array of artists, food and entertainment coming together in the name of art.

From Sept. 7-9, more than 200 artists showed off their work in this event which, according to the Boise Art Museum, is “widely recognized as one of the premiere cultural events in the Northwest.”

The short walk from campus and free admission made it a worthwhile trip for students who are interested in seeing some of the best art the region has to offer. But for those who didn’t get the chance, here’s a taste: Barton DeGraaf, a painter from Bend, Oregon, is familiar with Art in the Park and has showcased his work many times

12

SEPTEMBER 11, 2018

|

over the years. While DeGraaf paints in watercolors and acrylics, he has been using primarily acrylics for the past three years. He described his style as whimsical and impressionistic.

Although everything might seem normal with a quick glance at his work, viewers soon find this is not the case. DeGraaf combines elements that would be ordinary by themselves, like an elephant and a bicycle, to create something special.

Another painter from Snohomish, Washington, Justin Hillgrove, has been coming to Art in the Park for about nine years. As a full-time artist, Hillgrove visits many cities in the course of showing his work, but said he likes Boise especially because of the friendly people.

He described his style as illustrative pop surrealism because it is “dreamlike imagery that contains pop elements.”

While some of his paintings draw from

ARBITERONLINE.COM

Justin Hillgrove described his work as “illustrative pop surrealism.” Photo by Taylor Humby.

pop culture like “Alice in Wonderland,” “Mad Max,” Stephen King and more, many of the creations are his own. But no matter where the ideas come from, they retain an element of otherworldliness.

Hillgrove also works with a game designer and graphic artist to create board games. He creates the art for the games and said that the visual style is similar to his other work.

“They’re family friendly. They’re not kids’ games that adults can play, but they’re games adults can play with their kids,” Hillgrove said, describing the games.

Those attending Art in the Park had much more to look at than paintings.

Boise artist, Sarah Martin, for instance, uses alloys instead of acrylics.

Martin is a metal artist who favors “oldschool” techniques to create eye-catching indoor and outdoor metalwork.

“I think what makes it unique is that it’s all done by hand. Each design is one of a kind,” Martin said.

Behind her pieces lie interesting stories about the creative ways she made them.

One example is a series of branches and leaves made from a wheelbarrow. Perhaps most interesting of all, however, is the spirit Martin puts into her art.

“I just try to make pieces that make people happy in some way,” Martin said.

Just as none of Martin’s pieces are exactly the same, every one of the artists at Art in the Park had something unique to offer. Whether it’s leather, iron, canvas or wood, the multitude of mediums offer pieces of art that are as unique as their creators.

C U LT U R E

BRONCO FAMILY TABLE OFFERS FOOD AND COMPANY

The free, communal eating gives students a chance to bond over food David Collie | Culture Reporter | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

L

ast Wednesday, I ate a sandwich for lunch.

Wednesday is my special day where I have 40 minutes between classes to eat some food and get a little work done. I took to my new favorite lunch spot at one of the tables in the shade of the Liberal Arts Building. A passerby might have found the scene to be quite sad as I devoured my sandwich in large chunks—large chunks mean my hands get more time with my keyboard— and worked away in silence on some reading or assignment.

Maybe it was a little sad. But dinner was different.

For me, Wednesday might mean 40 minutes of quiet homework time with bites of food in between, but it means something entirely different for the Bronco Family Table. The Bronco Family Table is a new event this year held every Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. in the South Fork Market. Attending is free and open to all, offering students the opportunity to enjoy a meal with other friendly faces.

MarLee Harris, registered dietitian nutritionist with University Health Services, has helped organize the event and plan the meals.

“I consciously designed meals I think will meet their nutrition needs,” Harris said. “But it’s less important about what you’re eating than it is to just sit down and share a meal.”

Harris also said that eating with others has a positive effect on physical and mental health. Beyond that, she said it’s a great way to meet new people, especially those new to campus.

As productive as my solitary lunches can be, they leave something to be desired. There’s something special about getting to share a meal with other people.

Another thing I noticed, which is sup-

ported by Harris, is that the meal and the people I talked to got my full attention.

Instead of my laptop being the only thing on my mind, I took my time enjoying the food and meeting some new people.

One person I met was Megan Kelly.

She came with her two roommates, Sarah Itzhakov and Sydnee Thomas, because “(they) need more friends.”

It was interesting to see these freshmen starting out their college careers by eating with humans rather than laptops. We got to talk about the first weeks of class, our majors, the food and more. All the talking reminded me of one lunch where I listened to a Ted Talk, but even better.

Another student that attended was Serena Sheldon. She’s a freshman biology major and was surprised to hear that I was considering doing the same before choosing English when I was a freshman.

I learned that she is from a small town and is going to school with her twin brother.

“I like to meet people and have conversations during dinner,” Sheldon said.

All six students I talked to said they enjoyed getting to meet new people. I didn’t get the chance to talk to anyone who was struggling with homesickness, but from my experience, I felt at home in a way.

Because of this, Bronco Family Table might be a good opportunity for students who are missing their own families.

The Bronco Family Table was not like my quiet, shady lunch, but the noise of conversation and laughter was a completely different experience. I’m not saying anything bad about my special Wednesday lunches. Both meals got the job done, but my dinner left me filled in a way that a 40-page reading simply could not.

Every Wednesday, students can spend time eating with other students. Photo by David Collie.

The Bronco Family Table will take place at 5:30 p.m. each Wednesday. Photo by David Collie.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2018

ARBITERONLINE.COM

13

C U LT U R E

NEW CREATIVE WRITING PROGRAM OFFERS STUDENTS OPPORTUNITIES

Majors include creative writing and narrative arts, neither of which have been available in previous years Taylor Humby | Staff Writer | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

W

ith the beginning of the new school year, not only are students adjusting to their new college lives, but so is the new School of Arts. Beginning this year, students are able to major in creative writing for the very first time, with a Bachelor of Arts, a Bachelor of Fine Arts, or a Bachelor of Fine Arts in narrative arts. The new degree options were created to offer students more choices and important cross-disciplinary work opportunities.

Emily Ruskovich, assistant professor in creative writing, explained that previously students who wanted to study creative writing would have to major in English with a writing emphasis. Now they can undertake creative writing courses geared to objectives. The Bachelor of Arts offered promotes more of the academic approach to writing, while the Bachelor of Fine Arts has a more artistic approach. However, Ruskovich also explained the importance of not just focusing on one style of writing and taking advantage of the cross-disciplinary opportunities offered.

“A fiction student who finds herself bogged down in scenes that are too summarizing or internal may really benefit from taking a screenwriting class because she will be forced to tell a story using only imagery, dialogue and action. This may really open up the scenes in her story or novel,” Ruskovich said. “Or a playwright who is having difficulty writing scenes that are brief and expressive may really benefit from a poetry class, which teaches students to write more instinctually and rhythmically, accomplishing a great deal of emotion in a very short space.”

These cross-disciplinary opportunities were a result of the merging of the Master of Fine Arts and the theatre department, with the creative writing programs from the English department. According to Ruskovich, this merger is vital as it offers students a way to be fluent and comfortable in multiple forms of creative writing.

14

SEPTEMBER 11, 2018

|

“The merging of creative writing with theatre arts makes a lot of sense because of the way both disciplines approach storytelling,” Ruskovich said. “It’s creative. It’s personal. It’s always changing. Theatre students and writing students share a creative language: We talk about character motivation, we talk about voice and imagery, we talk about pacing, we talk about raising the stakes in any given scene. Each discipline hones a certain set of skills that can be really useful in another discipline.”

Richard Klautsch, chair of the department of theatre arts, explained that from this merger and creation of The School of Arts has come many exciting opportunities for writing students to work with students in other disciplines. An example of this is the Narrative Television Initiative, a four-semester-long sequence of courses that takes students from writing a television show, through pre-production, filming and then post-production.

“This involved creative writing students, film students, theatre students and communication students working together with faculty and professionals,” Klautsch said. “This leads to the final product of three half-hour episodes being premiered at the Egyptian Theatre downtown to a full house.”

Klautsch said the new degree offerings and merging of departments are already displaying success. In the future, Klautsch hopes that the degrees within the School of Arts continue to grow, leading to further expansion of funds and facilities.

“I am most excited about the collaborative aspect and the possibility of all the projects that can be created here,” Klautsch said. “To have a living, thriving laboratory of artistic creation in the narrative and the performing and the literary arts. It is very exciting to see what we can change and what we can do that’s new; what we can do that breaks down the barriers but also breaks down the conventions of what we do in the university.”

ARBITERONLINE.COM

IT IS VERY EXCITING TO SEE WHAT WE CAN CHANGE...

WHAT WE CAN DO THAT BREAKS DOWN THE BARRIERS BUT ALSO BREAKS DOWN THE CONVENTIONS OF WHAT WE DO IN THE UNIVERSITY. - RICHARD KLAUTSCH, CHAIR OF THE THEATRE ARTS DEPARTMENT

Graphic by Isabel Sarhad.

C U LT U R E

BOISE STATE STUDENTS START PROJECT HEAL’S NEW BOISE CHAPTER

Project HEAL, a non-profit, works to fight eating disorders David Collie | Culture Reporter | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Patricia Ellis and Laura Matthiesen co-lead an organization dedicated to fighting eating disorders. Photo by Taylor Humby.

T

he battle of mental health has some new contenders. Boise State students Laura Matthiesen and Patricia Ellis are the co-leaders of the new Boise chapter of Project HEAL, a non-profit organization that helps those battling eating disorders.

Project HEAL, according to its website, was founded in 2008 by Liana Rosenman and Kristina Saffran, who met while undergoing treatment for anorexia nervosa at 13 years old.

Co-leader Matthiesen is a junior majoring in social work and minoring in

psychology. Much like the founders of the organization, Matthiesen is passionate about using her own experience battling an eating disorder to help others be victorious in theirs.

The goal of the project is to “bring awareness to eating disorders while connecting individuals with treatment resources, and promoting and instilling the notion of a full recovery from an eating disorder,” Matthiesen said. “I’ve always had a goal of wanting to use my recovery experience to help others.”

Ellis, who is also a junior, is majoring in

psychology with a certificate in habilitative services. Ellis has not dealt with an eating disorder of her own and brings another perspective to the project.

“I personally came onto the project because I’m very passionate about the stigma of mental illness,” Ellis said. “Boise is severely lacking in mental health treatment and mental health empathy, and that divides down into eating disorders as well.”

Together, the two hope to change the climate surrounding eating disorders and their treatment in Boise and beyond.

While both are passionate about the

project, one of the biggest goals they are striving for is to get the local chapter to reach a point of self-sufficiency.

Until then, however, Matthiesen and Ellis aim to help those they can and give advice to those currently combatting an eating disorder.

“You are not alone. Whether you are struggling in the midst of it or you know someone, you are not alone,” Matthiesen said. “That was one of the things in my journey that was most beneficial. I got to this deep, dark place where it was me and my eating disorder and nothing else.”

Unfortunately, there are times where the proper help—especially health care—can be difficult to find.

“Recovering from an eating disorder is not a two-week process, it’s not a three-day process, it’s not a 17-day process, and that’s typically the most (insurance will) cover,” Ellis said.

While it might not be easy, Matthiesen and Ellis said that there are always resources available.

“That’s one way that Project HEAL comes in. That’s what the funds go to: connecting people to those resources,” Matthiesen said.

Even with the proper help, battling an eating disorder can be a difficult journey; a journey that should not be marred by a lack of access to resources. Continued growth to the Boise chapter could help in that regard by making more information and resources available to those in need.

And while the project cannot take that battle away, it might, for many, make it easier.

To achieve the goal of self-suffciency, Matthiesen and Ellis are looking for volunteers of all levels of skill and interest who wish to support the cause. Volunteers can get involved through social media, or by emailing boise@theprojectheal.org.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2018

|

ARBITERONLINE.COM

15

SPORTS & REC

SABRYN ROBERTS STANDS OUT AS COMPETITOR AND LEADER

The senior volleyball player was recently named to Preseason All-Mountain West Team Delaney Brassil | Sports Editor | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu

S

enior outside hitter and communication major Sabryn Roberts is an obvious presence on and off the volleyball court. She was a 2017 All-Mountain West honoree, received an All-Mountain West Honorable Mention (2016) and is a three-time Academic All-Mountain West member (2015, 2016, 2017). Recently, Roberts was named to the Preseason All-Mountain West Team.

But according to her peers, what stands out most about Roberts aside from her significant award record is the leadership, support and humor she brings to Bronco volleyball.

“She has really embraced what it takes to be a successful Bronco student-athlete,” said head coach Shawn Garus. “‘Competitor’ is a great word to describe her. She has a very serious way about herself; she wants to win and play at a high level.”

“‘Competitor’ is a great word to describe her. She has a very serious way about herself; she wants to win and play at a high level.”

Shawn Garus, head coach Last year, Roberts recorded 339 kills, 24 assists, 31 service aces, 207 digs, 56 blocks and 405.5 points, as well as multiple other notable statistics. She finished the season with 889 career kills to rank 20th in program history and 2.79 career kills per set to rank 11th all-time at Boise State.

“It’s my senior year. I want to go out with a bang and get another ring and a chance to go to the NCAA tournament,” Roberts said.

The Torrance, California native fell in

16

SEPTEMBER 11, 2018

|

love with the game at age ten after attending a clinic. Her newfound passion turned into a climb up the competitive ladder, landing her in the heart of Boise State Division 1 volleyball.

“She is the self-proclaimed comedian on the team, and she also takes on the role of the one that’s quick to heckle coach; we have a good back and forth, and we can mess with each other,” Garus said. “She’s not uptight with how she deals with me, and it helps the whole team see that we are in this together.”

She graduated high school in 2015 as a two-time team captain, three-time Pioneer League Most Valuable Player, four-time all-conference and a number of other accolades. She had a total of 456 kills, 32 blocks, 23 assists and 275 digs. Her family and late grandparents were always in the stands supporting her.

“My grandpa was the biggest inspiration to me—he was always tough on me and made sure I was taken care of,” Roberts said. “I wanted to keep playing for him.”

Roberts also played for Mizuno Long Beach club volleyball, where she helped her teams place second once, third twice and in the top 10 five times at USA Volleyball Junior National Championship. In her junior year of high school, Boise State began to recruit her. After her campus visit, Roberts knew Boise State was the place for her.

“My teammates are my favorite part.

We all bond very well,” Roberts said. “We are always cracking jokes, and I think our dance parties before games are the best.”

Going into college, Roberts knew she wanted to stick with the world of sports and was interested in sports reporting, hence her choice in the communication field. She spent the summer working in the academic support office.

“Being a student-athlete is a huge commitment. We have to represent Boise State off the court and in the classroom,” Roberts said. “It’s a blessing to be able

ARBITERONLINE.COM

Senior outside hitter and communication major Sabryn Roberts. Photo by Taylor Humby.

to compete at a high level and also get a degree in the end.”

This past July, Roberts participated in the 2018 European Global Challenge in Pula, Croatia as members of the Mountain West All-Stars. The team made it all the way through the tournament, taking on the USA College National Team in the finals.

“Playing overseas is something I’ve always wanted to do because I want to continue to play volleyball after college,” Roberts said. “I also want to try to train on the sand if overseas isn’t for me.”

Junior outside hitter and health science major Janell Walley has played with Roberts for the last three years as a Bronco and also played against her in high school club ball. Both of them are returning starters and members of the 2017 All Mountain West Team.

“We have a supportive relationship, especially on the court. We’re always leaning on each other and figuring out what we can do better,” Walley said. “To most

people she seems intimidating, but she is bubbly and a really sweet person when you get to know her.”

The volleyball team is considered young this year, with seven true freshmen on the roster.

“The challenge for her is to be a competitive senior leader, but also have compassion for these young kids who are going to need someone to put an arm around them and help them through tough times,” Garus said. “She has the talent to help us win matches, but also be human when her younger teammates need her to help them.”

Boise State was picked to tie with San Diego State for third place in the 2018 Mountain West preseason coaches’ poll.

The team finished in third place last season (10-8 conference, 17-14 overall).

“We are shooting for a Mountain West championship so we can go NCAAs, and I think Sabryn is a good leader for that,” Walley said.

SPORTS & REC

NO. 2O BOISE STATE DEMOLISHES UCONN 62-7 IN HOME OPENER

Broncos set new school record in total offensive yardage Autum Robertson | Sports Reporter | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu

The Broncos’ home opener was a sweeping win against the UCONN Huskies. Photo by Taylor Humby.

T

he 2018 Bronco football home opener on the Blue was beyond what a football fan could wish for—if you’re a Broncos fan. The Broncos blew out the University of Connecticut Huskies 62-7 in front of over 31,000 fans.

The only moves UCONN managed in the first half were false start penalties—six to be exact. Boise State went into the second half leading 41-0, the most points they’ve scored in the first half since 2016 (vs. New Mexico State).

The Broncos dominated all statistics in the half. Boise had 22 first downs to UCONN’s 4, 15 rushes for 205 yards to UCONN’s 14 rushes for 36 yards and 309 passing yards to UCONN’s 42.

Senior quarterback Brett Rypien picked apart UCONN’S defense. He finished the half with 288 yards and two touchdowns, connecting with five different receivers.

Junior wide receiver John Hightower and

redshirt sophomore John Bates both had touchdown receptions from Rypien. This was Bates’s first career touchdown. Hightower led the first half with 119 yards, followed by redshirt senior Sean Modster who had 74 yards.

“John (Hightower) is very special; we all realized that. He showed Bronco nation that tonight, and we’ve seen what he can do,” said redshirt senior A.J. Richardson.

“He’s fast, Brett and everyone realized that last week. I think he shocked everyone today, and showed everyone what he can do.”

Boise State’s running game had an impressive first half. Junior running back Alexander Mattison had 97 yards and two touchdowns running against a weak UCONN defensive line. Hightower had a 55-yard rushing play that ended in a touchdown. Freshman wide receiver Khalil Shakir had 39 rushing yards and redshirt

sophomore Robert Mahone had 10 rush yards.

In the first half, the Broncos defense did what the Broncos defense does: dominate. Redshirt sophomore Avery Williams found himself on the turnover throne after picking off UCONN’s senior quarterback David Pindell and returning the ball seven yards. The Broncos held UCONN scoreless, the Huskies converted only one of eight third-downs. Sophomore linebacker Riley Whimpey led the half with four tackles.

Redshirt senior Haden Hoggarth scored on both of his field goal attempts, one for 28 yards and the other for a career-long 44 yards.

The Broncos’ success continued into the second half. Boise State scored three more touchdowns to seal the deal on their victory. At the start of the third quarter, Rypien connected with redshirt senior A.J. Rich-

ardson for a 74-yard touchdown. Rypien finished the game with 362 yards and three touchdowns. Freshman quarterback Chase Chord received playing time because of the large lead, and he was able to connect with redshirt junior Akilian Butler for a 24-yard touchdown reception.

The Broncos broke the single game record for total yardage with 818; the old record was 742.

Hoggarth went eight for eight on points after touchdown.

Thanks to the Boise defense, UCONN only scored one touchdown and had 71 total passing yards. The Broncos finished the game with 46 total tackles, four tackles for a loss and one sack.

The Broncos will travel to Oklahoma to play Oklahoma State University Sept. 29 at1:30 p.m.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2018

|

ARBITERONLINE.COM

17

SPORTS & REC

BRONCO VOLLEYBALL SEES A STRONG START TO THE 2018 SEASON

A promising young roster for Boise State kicks the season off Sydnee Boley | Staff Writer | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Boise State has won six games out of seven so far, an indicator of a strong season. Photo courtesy of Boise State Volleyball’s Facebook page.

B

oise State volleyball started the season with a six-game win streak, breaking the school record, before taking a hard loss against University of California Davis on Sept. 7.

The previous record for the Broncos was set in 2004, with a season-opening fivegame win streak.

The team is young this year with seven freshman and only two seniors. New talent leaves room for growth as the season progresses and the team takes on tougher opponents.

“It was such a different preseason than in years’ past. We have been a veteran team for the past three seasons where we really knew what we had in returnees,” said Shawn Garus, head coach for the Broncos.

“This year, we had a couple of key return-

18

SEPTEMBER 11, 2018

|

ees with experience, but we had a lot of talented freshman. Trying to get the team to mix together socially and trying to wind their goals on the court was more the focus than tactics.”

Garus has been at Boise State for nine seasons now and led the team to a Mountain West Championship in 2016.

This qualified the Broncos for a spot at the NCAA tournament, a first in program history. Only four players on the current roster were part of the champion team: Sabryn Roberts, Janell Walley, Cassedi Simon and Celine Christensen.

“I think a lot of our strengths have to do with controlling the pace of the game,” said Jessica Donahue, a freshman middle blocker from Roseville, California. “That has a lot to do with the mental game. A lot

ARBITERONLINE.COM

of us are really mentally tough and it helps us side out in times when we need it.”

Donahue has made her mark on the court already with 62 kills so far this season, the second most for the Broncos.

Leading the team with 110 kills is senior outside hitter, Sabryn Roberts.

“I think it’s different because I am a senior this year and I have to step up and be more of a leader and just focus on making my teammates better,” Roberts said. “I think we have worked hard all summer and in fall camp and I am excited to see how far we go this season.”

Roberts, a four-year starter at Boise State, has led every match in kills this year and is only one kill away from reaching 1,000 career kills.

“With seven freshman, what they have

learned is to believe—believe in themselves and believe in their teammates,” Garus said. “We have found ways to win even when we weren’t playing very well, so I think the confidence has grown (since the start of preseason.)”

The Broncos’ home opener on Thursday, Sept. 13 is a part of the Boise State Classic, a three-day tournament held in the Bronco Gym. Four teams will join Boise State in this event: No. 12 University of Washington, California State University Northridge, University of Portland and Sacramento State. The first match against the Washington Huskies will start at 7:30 p.m.

FUN & GAMES Puzzle 1 (Very hard, difficulty rating 0.78)

9

8

3

1

6 6

5

9 8

2 6

4

1

9

3

1

4

9

8 3

5 7 Illustration by Wyatt Wurtenberger.

7

9

1 4

8

9

2

4

5

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

We’ve got you covered.

Balancing school and play just got a little easier. Now when you open a new membership with checking, you fund the checking and we’ll cover your membership. + We’ll fund your $25 Share Savings and waive the $5 membership fee + Free Online and Mobile Banking + Mobile Wallet with Apple Pay®, Android Pay®, Samsung Pay® and more + Totally Free Checking + Low-rate VISA® Rewards Cards + Great-rate auto loans and more

Visit your local branch to join! *Must be a new Idaho Central member, and meet account and membership eligibility requirements. $25 will be deposited into Share Savings account after checking account requirement has been met. Account must remain open for minimum of 6 months from reward date, or $25 will be debited from the account at closing. Checking account requires a minimum of $100 balance to open. No minimum monthly balance required for checking account, except $2,500 for Money Market Checking. Offer expires 10/31/18.

WE BELIEVE in the home team.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2018

|

ARBITERONLINE.COM

19

University Pulse Presents:

Featuring Alyssa Hagler Wednesdays from 12 to 1 pm

@bsupulse @universitypulse @universitypulse