Wednesday, Feb. 28 - Tuesday, March 6, 2018 Weekly Print Edition
Vol. 104, Issue 25 www.thedailyaztec.com
San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913
Malik Pope reinstated following investigation into ‘impermissible’ loans by Abraham Jewett SPORTS EDITOR
San Diego State senior men’s basketball player Malik Pope was reinstated by the team on Feb. 27, four days after being provisionally suspended by the team after reports surfaced that his name appeared in a document detailing loans given out by the sports agency, ASM Sports. Pope missed SDSU’s victory over San Jose State on Feb 24, but was cleared in time to play during the team’s 72-64 win over Boise State on Feb. 27. “Malik Pope will play tonight,” head coach Brian Dutcher said, per a Feb. 27 news release from San Diego State Aztecs Media Relations. “I am grateful to (athletic director) John David Wicker and (associate athletic director of compliance) Andy Humes for their support in getting this resolved quickly.” In the documents, which were exposed in a story by Yahoo Sports, Pope was named along with 30 other current and former players who received loans from the agency of former NBA agent Andy Miller. Pope was listed on the document as receiving $1,400 in loans during his 2015-16 sophomore season, which would be considered as an impermissible benefit by the NCAA and violate its “amateurism” rules. Dutcher said in a press conference on Feb. 23 that neither him nor anyone on his staff has ever met or even heard of Miller. “Our coaching staff has no relationship, knowledge, has ever met, would even recognize Andy Miller or any of the people even associated with his firm,” Dutcher said. Pope denied any involvement in the situation, releasing this statement that was included in the Feb. 27 news release: “I, along with my family, have never had contact nor accepted
anything from the two people named in the story,” Pope said in the statement. “Since the report, I have worked with our compliance office to show that I have not broken any NCAA rules. I want to thank the San Diego State community for their support and faith in me during this process. I look forward to joining my teammates on the court this week for our final two regular season games.” The revealing of the documents was just the latest shoe to the drop in the lengthy federal investigation which has been looking to uncover these types of alleged backroom deals. Christopher Dawkins, a former employee of Miller’s at ASM, was indicted back in September, along with four assistant coaches for their varying roles in the college basketball corruption scandal. Complicating the matter with the current situation was that while the documents were leaked to the public, they are still officially under judicial seal while Dawkins and the rest of the defendants await trial. Since the NCAA does not have official access to the documents, the only thing SDSU could do was run an investigation internally. “Right now it’s just an internal investigation, there’s nothing proven or disproven,” Dutcher said at the press conference. “We are looking into (Pope’s) name on a list, and I have great faith in the people at this university to do so thoroughly and efficiently.” Heading up the investigation was SDSU’s compliance director Andy Humes. “Due to the timing and nature of an allegation regarding Malik Pope that first appeared in an online article on February 23, 2018, it was determined to be in the best interest of Malik, the men’s basketball program and SDSU, to withhold Malik from the team’s competition on February 24 while an internal
ARC expansion referendum to take place March 6-7 by Will Fritz NEWS EDITOR
Photo by Sam Mayo
Senior men’s basketball player Malik Pope played against Boise State at Viejas Arena Feb. 26, the same day he was reinstated by the team after reports surfaced that he may have received a $1,400 loan from a sports agency — something that’s impermissible under NCAA rules.
investigation was conducted,” Humes said in a statement from the Feb. 26 news release. “SDSU’s investigation has found no evidence that Malik received
any impermissible benefits
SEE MALIK POPE, PAGE 10
Students will vote on a referendum to nearly double the size of the more-than-20-yearold Aztec Recreation Center next week. The idea behind the referendum is to improve access to recreation for all SDSU students, Associated Students Vice President of University Affairs Chris Thomas told The Daily Aztec. “We are the last university (in the CSU system) that is forcing students to pay out of pocket to have access to the recreation center, so that’s the really the overall idea of accessibility,” Thomas said. Voting on SDSU WebPortal will take place from 8 a.m. on Tuesday, March 6 to 7 p.m on Wednesday, March 7. Currently, students have to pay $19 per month to access the ARC. The referendum calls for a $195 increase in the university’s mandatory Student Body Center fee to fund an expansion of the ARC by 70,000 square feet, from its current size of 78,000 square feet. The proposed fee increase of $195 is the equivalent of an approximately-$20 increase over current ARC prices, but it will be included with tuition and fees, meaning that all students will be given access to the ARC automatically, and the expense will be included in their financial aid. Built in 1997, the ARC is older than some San Diego State students. SDSU’s Campus Fee Advisory Committee says that while it was state-of-the-art at the time of its construction, it’s now undersized and outdated compared to gym facilities at other universities. If more than 50 percent of student voters approve the referendum, the expansion will
SEE ARC REFERENDUM, PAGE 3
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NEW SHERIFF IN TOWN
ESTUDIANTE DE SDSU
RENEGADES
SENIOR DAY SENDOFF
University police open up a new substation on the east side of campus.
Estudiante de filosofía de SDSU usa su experiencia para ayudar a su comunidad en Barrio Logan.
X Ambassadors brought their hit tunes and spunky energy to SOMA on Feb. 23.
Women’s basketball celebrates Senior Day with a victory over San Jose State on Feb. 24.
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@thedailyaztec /DailyAztecVideo
2 / The Daily Aztec
Feb. 28-Mar. 6, 2018
A sustainable, expanded and renovated ARC and field space to support the recreation, fitness and wellness needs of all SDSU students.
RECREATION FOR ALL
• • • •
Access for ALL students No new fee until 2021 Open during construction Eliminate monthly membership fees for students
• ARC expands from 78,000 sq.ft. to 148,000 sq.ft. • Increased weights and cardio space • 7 courts for sports • 5 fitness studios • Social and study spaces • Wellness programming space • Healthy eatery • Indoor track • Space for adaptive sports • Student organization practice/meeting space • Designed for LEED Double Platinum
VOTE YES
ON THE SDSU WEB PORTAL
MARCH 6 & 7
as.sdsu.edu/TransformTheARC #RecForAll
News
Feb. 28, 2018 - March 6, 2018 EDITOR: Will Fritz, news@thedailyaztec.com
The Daily Aztec
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SDSUPD opens new substation in College Square by Camille Dejoras STAFF WRITER
The San Diego State Police Department officially opened its College Square substation Monday. Raquel Herriott, executive assistant and special advisor to the Chief, said the new location allows members of the SDSU community better access to police services on the east side of campus. “As the on-campus population increases, the SDSU Police Department would like to ensure community members are aware of our agency’s safety services and resources,” Herriott said in an email. She said the substation will include a small reception area where visitors will be welcomed by a student community service officer, an office for the community resource officer and multiple workstations for staff and volunteers. There will be space for the community resource officer to
host a variety of events, she said. “Our goal is to increase positive interactions and create an approachable environment for our diverse community,” Herriott said. SDSUPD Capt. Chuck Kaye said the new station is a useful addition to the department. “There’s a lot of activity over here not just during the day but on the weekends, and (the substation) will give us the opportunity to have a location where we can be quicker to respond to some of the issues that occur on this side of campus,” Kaye said. He also said the station will allow officers to go in and out throughout the day to write reports and do their work without having to go to the opposite side of campus. Mechanical engineering freshman Krysta Rhodes said while she understands why university police want to make their presence known throughout SDSU, she’s unsure if the new station is a good idea. “I don’t want incoming
From left to right: SDSUPD Lts. Ronald Broussard, Matthew Conlon and Chuck Kaye, along with Ryan Janics, a student inspection assistant for the Office of Housing Administration, at the police department’s new substation Monday.
freshmen next year to walk to their dorms and wonder why they’re surrounded by cops and cop cars along the street,” Rhodes said. “There needs to be a balance so that students don’t feel intimidated.” Still, she said she would rather have too much of a police presence at SDSU than not enough. Civil engineering freshman Naomi Tanaka said she thinks
the expanded presence on the east side of campus will make students feel safer. “There are some sketchy people who will sometimes approach you,” Tanaka said. “I’ve never felt unsafe, but I feel like having the station nearby will help some people who do.” Media studies freshman Sierra Mahoney said it’s never a bad idea to have more police spread throughout campus because
Photo by Alex Vasquez
they can help protect students. “I think it’s a super important time right now to have more police around when there’s all this bad stuff going on in the country,” Mahoney said. “I feel like a lot of students don’t always feel as safe right now due to the shootings that have happened, so that’s why it’s important to have more officers around looking out for our safety.”
What SDSU’s first Latina president is to Latino community By Alexa Navarro STAFF WRITER
When it was announced that Adela de la Torre would be the next San Diego State president, the first woman and person of color to hold the position, there were mixed reactions across campus. Particularly vocal and supportive about the decision were Latino organizations,
faculty and students, who expressed their opinions on Latino representation and stereotypes within the community at SDSU. For Victoria Gonzalez-Rivera, an associate professor for the Chicana and Chicano Studies department, the announcement of de la Torre is a significant step forward, but there are still improvements that need to be made in regards to the way Latinos are perceived in the
SDSU community. “I think we (Latinos) are presumed incompetent often times and lots of assumptions are made about why we got a job, a promotion, etc.,” GonzalezRivera said. “I’m always being called ‘Maria’ and people always assume I teach Spanish.” Gonzalez-Rivera said these falsely-made assumptions are embedded and a part of the culture. Norma Iglesias-Prieto, also
Adela de la Torre, SDSU’s newly-named president, interacts with the university community at Montezuma Hall during her first visit to campus Feb. 8. De la Torre is set to take office this summer.
Photo by Joe Kendall
a professor in the Chicana and Chicano Studies department, has done over 35 years of research on the U.S.-Mexican border. She also believes that stereotypes about Latinos are still a problem today that require efforts to be broken. “You have to recognize that a stereotype is an oversimplification with a lack of contextualization of a particular group, (and) you have to work in the opposite direction (to break it),” Iglesias-Prieto said. Iglesias-Prieto says she is happy with the announcement of de la Torre as the new president, not just because de la Torre is a Latina woman, but because of the issues that de la Torre has come out in favor of, particularly those in support of students who are allowed to remain in the country under the Obama administration’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy. Maricruz Carrillo, a bioengineering graduate student and the social activities coordinator for the Association of Chicana Activists, is also excited and hopeful with the new SDSU president. For Carrillo, the lack of Latino representation on campus is an important issue, and believes that for people not part of the Latino community, it is hard for them to understand the issues that affect the community. “If we were to have more people from our community in positions of power, we would be able to have more conversations and be able to understand each other more,” Carrillo said. Specifically, Carrillo looks at Associated Students, and
her personal experience in the engineering department at SDSU as two areas which lack diversity and Latina representation. “I think representation is a huge deal, and we should push for (having) people that might fit with the student body,” Carrillo said. “I believe we don’t have enough representation in both departments.” Carrillo, Gonzalez-Rivera and Iglesias-Prieto all cite their main areas of concern within the university community to be DACA and low-income students. Also, food insecurity, a problem that highly affects students of color, is a major area of concern which both Carrillo and Gonzalez-Rivera hope to see de la Torre tackle in her new position. Gonzalez-Rivera is hopeful at the prospect of de la Torre centering and bringing together SDSU students. “Supporting students who fall through the cracks – students who are hungry, students who are homeless, students who may be deported – that’s fundamental,” Gonzalez-Rivera said. “Helping those who need the most help should be the priority.” Just like Gonzalez-Rivera and Igelsias-Prieto, Carrillo has hope in de la Torre’s abilities to lead as president, and is optimistic that de la Torre will take a stand on issues, particularly those that affect students of color. “I’m hopeful – I know sometimes in a position of power it’s hard to stand your ground,” Carrillo said. “(But) I am hoping that she fights along with us on these issues.”
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Opinion
The Daily Aztec
Feb. 28, 2018- March 6, 2018 EDITOR: Dana Tsuri-Etzioni, opinion@thedailyaztec.com
It’s a toss up, vote on ARC Referendum sparks debate Why students should vote ‘yes’ on the referendum and make SDSU a pioneer.
Why students should vote ‘no’ on the expansion in order to hold A.S. accountable.
by Mayer Pohold STAFF WRITER
by Dana Tsuri-Etzioni OPINION EDITOR
The time is fast approaching for San Diego State’s student body vote on the ARC Referendum that would expand the Aztec Recreation Center. While this also would mean a $195-per-semester fee, the expansion’s benefits far outweigh the costs. An increase in fees that would make it more expensive to attend SDSU is inconvenient. Students do not always know exactly where their money is going. However, in this case, students know the $195 fee is going towards renovations. It’s also a fee that won’t go into effect until the building is completed in 2021 — so the current students that won’t get a chance to use it will not have to pay for it. It will also make the ARC free for all students. If the referendum doesn’t pass, the price of a membership will go from $19 to $29 per month to cover the increasing minimum wage. The referendum would also apply to other amenities. The aquaplex, tennis courts and other facilities that come with membership to the ARC wouldn’t cost a monthly payment to use anymore. The renovation includes expanding the facility from 78,000 square feet to 148,000 square feet — nearly doubling the amount of space. The new facilities that would be built would benefit all students. More weight and cardio spaces would be added, there would be another multi-activity court for different sports and an indoor track would be built. Additionally, more fitness studios would be built, as well as a healthy eatery, and social and
study spaces. The gym gets crowded during the day, and the expansion would help with the space issue. The current size of the ARC is not enough for the increase in the amount of students that will have to live on campus because of the sophomore success program, which requires non-local sophomores to live on campus. It’s a great building, but not one that can sustain the level of use it’s going to see in the upcoming years. If completed, the building would also be Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Double Platinum certified. LEED is a certification only given to buildings that meet the highest standard of sustainable development. The Conrad Prebys Student Union is already LEED Double Platinum certified, and the addition of the ARC would make the university the only college campus in the country with two Double Platinum buildings. It would make SDSU a pioneer and a leader in the fight against climate change. A vote for the ARC Referendum not only gives an incredible resource for students that would benefit the entire student body for years to come, but also gives prospective students another reason to want to come to the university. SDSU has been gaining more praise over the past few years for being a great academic institution. It’s only fair we have an ARC that is just as good as the reputation of the university on which it sits. Mayer Pohold is a junior studying communication and journalism. Connect with him on Instagram @everybodysfavoritejew.
On the surface, the Aztec Recreation Center Referendum seems like ideal progress for San Diego State. The gym gets crowded, and a larger gym would be nice for the students that use it. For those who do not use the ARC, however, this referendum, which calls to make the ARC bigger by adding a fee to future students’ tuitions, does far more harm than good. With the ARC refurbishing comes a $195-per-semester fee — a required fee added to tuition regardless of whether the student uses the ARC. College is already expensive. Students should not have to pay an extra $390 per year for an amenity that is not necessary. SDSU already has a gym, aquaplex and recreation center. There’s an ARC express that caters to those that want to work out in a quieter setting. If the university wants to expand its amenities, why not spend more on the arts? A great deal of school spending goes into sports — and rightfully so. Sports make universities attractive to incoming students, and athletes can bring income to the university as well. But, the university should look to become more well-rounded by enhancing the art programs it provides and look to enrich the minds of students. Associated Students should spend money on theater programs, music and art classes. Give students the option to buy museum or film festival tickets for less. Teaching museums — places on campus where students can witness artifacts in person instead of in a book — would be a beneficial addition to the campus. Regardless of individual interests, teaching museums would enhance any
student’s learning. Investing in campus art means investing in increasing student literacy. According to the book, Magic and Loss: The Internet as Art, people now communicate through graphics, images and videos more than through text. Having accessible student museums would help students develop a different kind of literacy. Expanding the arts wouldn’t just impact the liberal arts majors. In the book, Art Thinking, author Amy Whitaker explains how being surrounded by creativity helps science, engineering and business majors become more creative and explore what else is possible within their fields. If the university is going to take more money out of students’ pockets, it should at least look to spend it on an area that’s been overlooked. If A.S. wants to expand the ARC, it should. What it shouldn’t do is impose a large fee on all students. The large fee shouldn’t be imposed to enhance the arts either. But, if A.S. is looking to expand a portion that will benefit the student body, the arts are a good place to start. Enough money goes into enhancing the student body’s physical strengths, and now more should go into enhancing the mind. Don’t vote ‘no’ because of the logic that we already have a gym. Vote ‘no’ in order to hold A.S. accountable for what the university promises, providing “transformative experiences for students... and a broad range of student life and leadership opportunities.” Leadership starts here, and leadership should start by enhancing the mind. Dana Tsuri-Etzioni is a sophomore studying communication and journalism.
Gun violence not all about mental health issues by Chance Page STAFF WRITER
Debate has emerged in the aftermath of the mass shooting that claimed the lives of 17 people at a Florida high school over how best to fix the rampant gun violence that has plagued the U.S. for years. One of the most common refrains from those opposed to gun control is that mental illness is to blame for these mass shootings, and that an increased investment in mental healthcare is the best solution to this problem. However, mental illness is not the driving force behind gun violence. A study published in the American Journal of Public Health shows that those with
mental illness are two to three times more likely to be victims of gun violence than perpetrators. Shifting the blame on to the mentally ill only perpetuates stigma against them and ignores the root causes of the issue. An actual common denominator that can be found in these mass shootings, and in homicides in general, is that they are overwhelmingly committed by men. While the vast majority of men aren’t violent criminals, this disproportionate level of aggression is something that we must try to check in future generations. Then, there’s the matter of the weapons themselves. While guns aren’t required to commit violence, they certainly make it easier to kill en masse.
EDITOR IN CHIEF Andrew Dyer MANAGING EDITOR Lilly Glenister NEWS EDITOR Will Fritz ASST. NEWS EDITOR Jasmine Bermudez OPINION EDITOR Dana Tsuri-Etzioni MUNDO AZTECA EDITOR Jocelyn Moran ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR Cami Buckman SPORTS EDITOR Abraham Jewett DIGITAL SPORTS EDITOR Mary York ENGAGEMENT EDITOR Alex Piscatelli PHOTO EDITOR Kelly Smiley MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Mirella Lopez SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR David Santillan ART DIRECTOR Noah Callahan VOLUNTEER COPY EDITORS Brian del Carmen Katherine Cooke GRAPHICS ASSISTANT Maritza Garcia SENIOR STAFF WRITERS Julianna Ress Cassidy McCombs Sydney Sweeney Emely Navarro Nicole Badgley Sofia Bert Kayleigh Venne Alex Noble STAFF WRITERS Mayer Pohold Chance Page Alexa Navarro Camille Dejoras Kelly Kerrigan Stephan Early Ceighlee Fennel CONTRIBUTORS Itzel Esparza Esparza STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Petey Dyer Joe Kendall Sam Mayo Alex Vasquez Alby Sanchez Weicheng Han ________________________________ ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Connor Brooke SALES MANAGER Peter Saridakis ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES George Saridakis John Weil Josh Diaz Rauda Valerie Barrientos Miguel Souza Kaden Cowles Garrett Munt ACCOUNTING & CONTRACTS Tyler Burnett Meah Mapp ________________________________
Illustration by Maritza Garcia
And while guns may be obtainable illegally, it would be substantially more difficult to purchase guns illegally with national gun control, as opposed to where things currently stand, with the ability to smuggle guns from states with weaker gun laws. Increasing the resources devoted to mental health care is a great idea, as it will save many
lives, and improve the lives of many more. But mental health issues aren’t a main reason for gun violence, and insisting that they are only creates a stigma around those who have mental illness. Chance Page is a junior studying journalism and political science. Connect with him on Twitter @chance_619.
GENERAL MANAGER/ADVISER Jay Harn GRAPHICS COORDINATOR Quentin Skaggs ________________________________ EDITORIAL 619.594.4190 editor@thedailyaztec.com ADVERTISING 619.594.6977 advertising@thedailyaztec.com PRINT The Daily Aztec publishes 5,000 copies of its weekly print edition every Wednesday throughout the semester WEB Daily content is available at www.thedailyaztec.com QUESTIONS/COMMENTS letters@thedailyaztec.com ________________________________ The views and opinions expressed in this issue do not necessarily reflect those of The Daily Aztec.
News
Feb. 28, 2018 - March 6, 2018 EDITOR: Will Fritz, news@thedailyaztec.com
Prominent alumnus under scrutiny after allegations of sexual misconduct by David Santillan SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR
Doug Manchester, a San Diego State alumnus and the former owner of the San Diego UnionTribune, has been accused of misconduct during his time at the newspaper. Manchester is well-known real estate magnate in the San Diego region. In 2005, SDSU named Manchester Hall after him when he donated $5 million to the university. Previously known as Centennial Hall, the building houses the office of SDSU’s president. Some students feel it’s inappropriate to have a campus building named after someone who’s been accused of sexual misconduct. The Washington Post, who first reported on the story, said that Manchester, who prefers to be called “Papa Doug,” had an “unsettling management style” while owner of the UnionTribune owner. According to the Post, several female staffers have come forward with allegations of sexual misconduct, which many other staffers say they witnessed happen in the newsroom.
The article said Manchester required some female staffers to wear short black dresses and serve as hostesses for advertisers and other guests. According to other staffers, the post reported that “Manchester once pulled an employee into a hug so intimate, it startled onlookers.” A former executive told The Washington Post, under condition of anonymity, that “it was a boys club, and the boys picked which women they wanted. Manchester is President Donald Trump’s nominee for ambassador to The Bahamas. There are no reports that the allegations of misconduct will affect his confirmation. “I think it would be very unethical to keep (Manchester Hall) because that sets a bad tone,” psychology freshman Maya Baca said. “We want to have upstanding people represented at school and representing us.” Interdisciplinary studies junior Johanna Lazar said that if enough people have come out and accused Manchester of sexual misconduct, the school should consider renaming its building. “The school shouldn’t support someone who’s done that kind of stuff,” Lazar said. So far, none of Manchester’s accusers have sought legal
action against him, which is why communications junior Gian Carlos Gonzalez thinks that the SDSU community shouldn’t be so quick to criminalize him. “We need to consider that this guy has done a lot and given a lot back,” Gonzalez said. “Until the allegations are (proven) true, we should keep the building named after him.” SDSU isn’t the only campus in San Diego with buildings bearing Manchester’s name. University of San Diego and Cathedral Catholic High School also have structures named after him. While the consequences of the allegations against Manchester extend well beyond renaming campus buildings, students like Baca feel it would be a step in the right direction. “I think it’s important that we set the tone that there are consequences for these kinds of actions, especially for people with power,” Baca said. University spokesperson Jill Esterbrooks said that the university is not currently looking into renaming the administration building. “At this time, there are no discussions to change the name of Manchester Hall.” Esterbrooks said in an email.
The Daily Aztec
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Crime report: Student sells pills at restaurant, man pretends to shoot people with a stick By Amal Younis STAFF WRITER
PUBLIC INTOXICATION Just after 6:30 p.m. Feb. 13, a San Diego State student was arrested and taken to county jail for public intoxication after selling pills to guests at Eureka. BURGLARY A non-SDSU student was arrested and taken to county jail for burglarizing the Alpha Chi Omega sorority house around 6 a.m. on Feb. 15. He was reported to have taken cash, candy, and a portable speaker according to university police spokesperson Raquel Herriott. TRAFFIC STOP A non-SDSU student was arrested and taken to jail for an active misdemeanor warrant after being stopped at Jack In The Box at about 8:20 a.m. on Feb. 10. Just after 9:45 a.m. on Feb. 11, a non-SDSU student was cited for driving with a suspended license and for possession of a controlled substance. Another non-SDSU student was cited for driving with a suspended license at 10:40 p.m. on Feb. 12.
SUSPICIOUS PERSON At about 4 p.m. on Feb. 13, campus police responded to a report of a man carrying a stick, pointing it at people, making gun noises and pretending to reload it like a shotgun at the MTS transit center. Officers ordered the man to stay off campus for seven days. THEFT A bag and wallet were reported stolen from the Aztec Recreation Center around 4 p.m. on Feb. 9. A purse and passport were reported stolen from Albert’s College Apartments during a party on Feb. 10. An SDSU student was cited for petty theft and shoplifting after stealing a pair of pants from the SDSU Bookstore just after 10:20 a.m. on Feb. 12. An SDSU student was cited for petty theft after stealing two clothing items, two makeup items and a study guide around 1:25 p.m. on Feb. 13. An SDSU student was cited for theft of a bottle opener from the SDSU Bookstore at 12:40 p.m. Feb. 14. An SDSU student was cited for stealing a textbook from the SDSU Bookstore at about 5:20 p.m. on Feb. 15.
6 News Students bring ‘Camp Kesem’ chapter to SDSU Man
Feb. 28-March 6, 2018 EDITOR: Will Fritz, news@thedailyaztec.com
The Daily Aztec
by Paulette STAFF WRITER
Villicana
Thanks to students’ efforts, a summer camp for children whose parents have cancer is coming to San Diego State’s campus. Camp Kesem is a community with chapters in colleges nationwide that fundraise yearlong to provide a free week of summer camp for these children. Mechanical engineering sophomore Olivia Di Santo is among the students who successfully pushed to get SDSU a Camp Kesem chapter. Di Santo said that if everything goes as planned, the chapter will be on campus in fall 2018, and the first camp will be held during summer 2019. Online voting for new chapters was held between Jan. 29 and Feb. 2. The top six out of 12 competing schools nationwide were awarded a Camp Kesem chapter at their university. SDSU ended in third place with 7,950 votes. Di Santo said that on the last day of voting, she reached out
ARC referendum:
continued from page 1 include additional weight and cardio space, more courts, new gender-neutral locker rooms and restrooms, additional fitness studios, a climbing wall, a healthy entry and an indoor running track. Thomas said the recreation center has seen a huge demand increase over the last four years. And that’s something that’s only likely to get worse, most sophomores will be required to live on campus beginning in fall 2018, increasing the residential student population by more than 2,500. Interdisciplinary senior Brendan Price said he’s against the referendum. Fee increases, he said, should be going to classes. “It really doesn’t do a whole lot for the educational value,” he said. “I also think having
to friends and family and used social media to get people to vote. “College students are busy, and they do not like when people hand them flyers or force them to do anything,” Di Santo said. “But I am way too passionate about this cause to let that get me down and stop me from getting the word out.” Di Santo, alongside mechanical engineering freshman Tyler Leptich, submitted the application to enter SDSU for a chance to expand Camp Kesem on campus. Leptich said he has attended the camp at UC San Diego’s chapter for six years and the experience changed his life. “It put things into perspective, knowing what could happen and having friends that were going through and had been through similar things that I was going through,” Leptich said. “It helped me cultivate a strong group of friends that I still talk to to this day.” Now that SDSU will have a chapter, it is Di Santo’s goal that the kids on the waitlist at UCSD
will be able to attend camp on the Mesa. Di Santo said the process of putting the paperwork together to bring the chapter to SDSU was a months-long process. “I started working about seven months ago,” Di Santo said. “Gathering names of people who were interested, a list of over 100 companies in the San Diego area that would be willing to donate, at least 15 people who wanted leadership roles, advisers, faculty advisors, and the list goes on.” She said that although she hasn’t been to camp herself, she has heard nothing but positive reactions from people who have attended. Spanish sophomore Darek Dabadghav said he attended Camp Kesem at UC Berkeley for five years. He said he couldn’t be more excited about bringing a chapter to SDSU. “I’m in a fraternity here at SDSU, Phi Delta Theta, and I’m using not only my own fraternity as a resource but other fraternities in spreading the word and voting for Camp Kesem,”
Dabadghav said. He said the camp is an important resource for kids who are dealing with the stress of having a parent with cancer. “I realized how important of a resource it is for kids going through what we’re going through,” Dabadghav said. “Because a lot of time when we walk around and are dealing with these things, even though we have supportive friends and a supportive family, a lot of people don’t really understand how we feel. Unless you’ve been there and felt those emotions it’s really hard to give a genuine understanding to someone in that situation.” He said attending the camp is one of the most memorable experiences he’s ever had. “Going to a place where you’re surrounded by kids your age that are going through the same thing as you it’s just amazing,” said Dabadghav. “You can talk about it or choose not to talk about it. You can just have fun and have that silent knowledge that these kids understand you. You feel safe, you have a group.”
arrested after drugs are found in ARC locker By Will Fritz NEWS EDITOR
A man is in jail after drugs and a weapon were found Tuesday in a locker at the Aztec Recreation Center. A search by Drug Enforcement Administration agents turned up cocaine, prescription drugs and a gun, agency spokesperson Amy Roderick said.Agents later arrested 25-year-old Christopher Hudson elsewhere in San Diego, Roderick said. Hudson is being held at San Diego Central Jail in lieu of $20,000 bail on a felony charge of possessing a controlled substance for sale. He’s also facing a misdemeanor charge of possession of a non-narcotic controlled substance. It’s unclear if he is an SDSU student
graduating seniors (vote on the fee increase) doesn’t do a lot for transparency.” Construction will occur in two phases, and is expected begin in summer 2019 and be completed by 2021. The fee increase won’t go into effect until the expansion is complete, though this means that current students will be voting on an increase they’re likely never to see. Nutrition freshman Allan Roszyk said she thinks the referendum will be able to help students get better access to the gym. “Having it included in the fee is probably the easiest way for people to access it, and it’s also the cheapest for people who don’t live in the dorms and live in the apartments on campus,” she said. Joey Litsey, a kinesiology freshman, said he thinks the expansion was inevitable. “They kind of need to expand it either way,” he said. “So it’s good that they’re getting it done right now.”
Photos courtesy of Associated Students
Renderings show what the proposed Aztec Recreation Center expansion will look like. If the referendum scheduled for March 6-7 passes, contstruction on the expansion is expected to commence during summer 2019 and finish by 2021.
Feb. 28 - Mar. 6, 2018
The Daily Aztec / 7
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Mundo Azteca
The Daily Aztec
Feb. 28-March 6, 2018 EDITOR: Jocelyn Moran, mundoazteca@thedailyaztec.com
Estudiante de SDSU usa su experiencia para ayudar a otros en Barrio Logan por Jocelyn Moran EDITORA DE MUNDO AZTECA
Francisco Martínez, mejor conocido como “Panchito”, está usando sus propias experiencias para defender los derechos de su comunidad en Barrio Logan. Martínez es estudiante de tercer año de filosofía en la Universidad Estatal de San Diego. Actualmente, está corriendo para una posición en el Grupo de Planificación de Barrio Logan. Este grupo hace recomendaciones a la ciudad cuando se trata del uso de la tierra, específicamente en Barrio Logan. “Era (mi) deseo de defender a las necesidades de la comunidad en una manera precisa”, dijo Martínez. Martínez creció en Barrio Logan, y dijo que ha usado su experiencia con la educación para asistir a su comunidad a través de trabajando para el Instituto Universitario de Barrio Logan. “Es importante para mí poder dar a mi comunidad porque yo siento que yo recibí mucho cuando yo estaba creciendo”, dijo Martínez. El Instituto Universitario de Barrio Logan es un programa después de la escuela que ayuda a
estudiantes entrar a la universidad. Martínez dijo que su mamá lo puso en ese programa cuando estaba en el cuarto grado, y allí fue donde aprendió sobre el acceso a la educación después de la escuela secundaria. “Yo siento que es mi responsabilidad ayudar a esos quienes lo necesiten porque yo lo necesitaba, y fui ayudado”, dijo Martínez. Martínez dijo que su mamá ha estado involucrada con la comunidad desde antes que él nació a través de la Coalición de la Salud Ambiental para pelear para aire y agua limpia. Él dijo que fue diagnosticado con asthma a causa de la contaminación en el aire, lo cual motivó a su mamá que se involucrara más en la coalición. De acuerdo a su sitio web, la Coalición de la Salud Ambiental se enfoca en la justicia ambiental a través de mejorando la salud de familias en la región de San Diego y Tijuana. Martínez dijo que si gana la posición, él tiene tres metas que quisiera trabajar hacia. La primera es el acceso a la educación después de la escuela secundaria. “Yo pienso que estudiantes en la comunidad no tienen ese
Foto por Kelly Smiley
Francisco Martínez, mejor conocido como “Panchito”, sonríe antes de irse a clase en SDSU.
pensamiento en la mente”, dijo Martínez. “Ya sea que no quieren planear tan adelante, o si sí quieren, lo ven con el dinero. Dinero y tiempo que puede ir hacia su familia, y no ven que accesible puede ser con los recursos correctos”.
Las últimas dos son tener un ambiente saludable y una vivienda asequible. Martínez dijo que su edad no es algo que está al frente de su esfuerzo. “Yo pienso que es importante agarrar la perspectiva de los
jóvenes porque ellos son los que son afectados mayormente por las decisiones que hacemos”, dijo Martínez. “Ellos son quienes van a tener que enfrentar las consecuencias, ya sea positivos o negativos”.
Please not that this product cannot be delivered on campus as SDSU is a smoke- and tobacco-free environment. Must be 21and older.
Feb. 28-March 6, 2018 EDITOR: Jocelyn Moran, mundoazteca@thedailyaztec.com
COLUMNA:
Mundo Azteca
The Daily Aztec
9
Hay que hacer paz con nuestra comida por Itzel Esparza CONTRIBUIDORA
Esparza
La comida es una fuente de energía para nuestros cuerpos y nuestra energía para el día. Por alguna razón, está la ley de tres para sobrevivencia: podemos mantenernos vivos tres minutos sin aire, tres horas sin hogar en un lugar peligroso, tres días sin agua, y tres semanas sin comida. Pero qué es una buena fuente de salud? Es una combinación de proteína, carbohidratos, grasas, agua, vitaminas y minerales. Ahora en día, hay una gran variedad de dietas que la comunidad está ingiriendo. Lo único es que a la gente se le suele olvidar que una dieta es simplemente lo que comemos. En vez de decir que estamos en dieta, es mejor decir que tenemos una dieta, porque todos tenemos nuestra forma de comer. La profesora de nutrición en la Universidad Estatal de San Diego, Linda Copp, siempre le ha dicho a sus estudiantes que “la mejor forma de comer es ingiriendo productos lácteos bajos en grasa, carnes magra, es decir sin sus porciones de grasa, granos enteros, y una alta cantidad de frutas y verduras”. Ahora en día, los restaurantes que son de interés para las comunidades tienen más opciones
Foto por Jocelyn Moran
Amanda Sisco, estudiante de maestría de trabajo social en SDSU, platica con estudiante Tashina Rusko, mientras come su almuerzo.
saludables. Unos ejemplos de restaurantes en San Diego son Tender Greens, True Food, Cívico 1845, Kindred y Plumeria, solo para mencionar unos de la gran selección de restaurantes en esta metrópolis. Estos locales permiten que sus comensales puedan disfrutar de comidas en un ambiente que los invita a sentarse, comer de una selección variada, convivir, y deleitar cada bocadillo. Por esta
razón, se puede decir que es una mejor forma de comer. La cultura americana se presta mucho a comer en el camino y para llevar. Después de comer una comida, le dura a nuestro cuerpo hasta 20 minutos para darse cuenta que ya está lleno o satisfecho. Si comemos siempre de prisa, no le damos tiempo a nuestro cuerpo para realizar esta información. Si uno se sienta, platica y sigue
comiendo, sí nos prestamos para que nuestro cuerpo nos diga “ya basta o ya terminaste”. Al ir a uno de los restaurantes que fueron mencionados, las porciones son suficientemente grandes para que entre dos personas, compartan un aperitivo y un platillo fuerte. Puede ser que vayan a True Food y consuman la ensalada de kale orgánica con una pizza de calabaza. Si todavía tienen más
hambre, pueden compartir un postre. La mayoría del tiempo, no ocupamos acabarnos todo un platillo. Un plato hoy en día es más grande y por esta razón, nos sirven más de la porción de una persona en promedio al día. Un platillo fuerte puede contener la porción de cuatro comensales. Muchos de los platillos en estos restaurantes ya tienen opciones disponibles para vegetarianos, veganos o gente con intolerancia al gluten. Es un perfecto ejemplo de la variedad en los tipos de dieta de cuales podemos escoger. De acuerdo a las recomendaciones de Judith Brown en su libro de texto “Nutrición a través del Ciclo de la Vida”, una persona debería, al final de su día, obtener 45-65 por ciento de sus kilocalorías de carbohidratos, menos del 30 por ciento de sus kilocalorías de su total de grasas, y del 10-35 por ciento de sus kilocalorías de proteína. Estos son parámetros a base de lo que una persona ingiere en todo un dia. Así que hay que recordar que si nos mantenemos en estos parámetros, ingerimos una comida balanceada, podemos seguir consumiendo lo que nos gusta pero con moderación. Hay que hacer paz con nuestra comida, ya que es nuestra única fuente de energía.
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The Daily Aztec
Arts & Culture
Feb. 28-March 6, 2018 EDITOR: Cami Buckman, arts@thedailyaztec.com
SDSU students groove for a good cause Photos by Alby Sanchez
Special guest Evelyn from Rady’s Children’s Hospital was brought to the stage for the crowd to sing her “Happy Birthday.”
Rady’s Children’s Hospital patient Kellen and his mother share the story of his illness to the crowd of attendees.
San Diego State students threw down their best dance moves and cash for a worthy cause at the annual Aztec Dance Marathon on Feb. 23. The event raised a total of $243,206.54 for Rady’s Children’s Hospital in San Diego.
Sydney Navarro, Ashley Bakhadj and Michael Glassman kept the energy alive at the Aztec Dance Marathon.
Aztec Dance Marathon members Nick Milsner and Graham McKay got the night of dancing started.
Feb. 28-March 6, 2018 EDITOR: Cami Buckman, arts@thedailyaztec.com
Arts & Culture
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The Daily Aztec
REVIEW
X Ambassadors proves to be ‘Renagades’ By Kelly Kerrigan STAFF WRITER
Owning the stage in his black and white button-up shirt, X Ambassadors lead singer Sam Harris entrapped the audience into a musical spell over the next hour and a half with the intense illumination of the theatre and intimate setlist that shapes the unique style of the band. The 29-year-old lead singer’s ability to direct an entire audience into synonymous emotion is what made X Ambassadors’ Feb. 23 performance at SOMA one of a kind. The rock trio used their platform to unify enthusiastic audience members during what they believe are turbulent times for the country — this is what stuck out the most. The crowd had a range of people of all ages that fed off the energy of the performance’s riveting vocals and ground shaking tunes. It is clear the band has much more to come in 2018, with its newly released song “Don’t Stay” that came out early this month and its hit single “Joyful” that was released in the beginning of the year. The pop rock band opened the show with its 2017 single “Ahead of Myself” and immediately the high energy level of the night was set. During the performance of the atmospheric single “Jungle,” the stage lights beamed into the crowd as the band showcased its many talents. Harris rocked out on a guitar only to then pick up a saxophone, leading into another instrumental solo. Harris informed the crowd that he was suffering from a cold, but in no way let it affect
Photos by Petey Dyer
X Ambassadors frontman Sam Harris sang the band’s hit songs passionately to the energetic crowd of audiences members on Friday, Feb. 23 at SOMA.
his lively performance. The New York rooted rock band delivered a passionate performance with its new song “Don’t Stay” where Sam Harris asked, “Can you feel it San Diego?” with the yearning lyrics of the single. “Your head hurts, your body hurts, your pride hurts, you go to the bathroom and look in the mirror and you’re not sure you like what you see, you feel like you’ve hit rock bottom, there’s no way out, those mornings. You know those mornings San Diego? “I know I do, so for anyone here who’s felt that way before, for all you lowlifes out here
tonight this song is for you,” he said. Harris preached before smoothly singing the song “Low Life,” a song about the hardships and internal struggles that make us human. “I’m nothing but a low life/ thinking ‘bout my old life/ I can’t help myself I’m falling,” he sang. X Ambassadors aren’t strangers to talking about politics and the current events that often polorize this country, so it was no surprise when they brought it up in San Diego. Casey Harris, Sam’s brother and keyboardist, played a brooding melody on the
Sam Harris didn’t shy away from bringing energy to X Ambassador’s set, including many instances in which he expressed his opinions on current political topics.
keyboard that took a pause from the bands normal energetic performance. After an emotional moment on the keyboard Sam Harris took the time to dedicate the next song “Unsteady” to the victims of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School mass shooting in Florida. Harris stood his ground as he demanded, “We need stricter gun control in this country.” The audience cheered along in agreement. Harris sang, “Hold, hold on, hold on to me/ ‘Cause I’m a little unsteady, a little unsteady.” Chills were felt across the venue.
That was not the only political stance the band made, they next performed “Renegades,” a song famously known for its appearance in a Jeep commercial but has a much deeper meaning hidden behind its catch melody. Harris opened the song with a passionate speech about celebrating the many differences Americans have from one another, referring to the movements President Trump has made in his presidency that many perceive to be segregating. “You should never feel afraid to be who you are, we will never silence ourselves,” Harris said as he promised to never stop speaking out for those who don’t have a voice. The next song “Joyful” concluded with the difficulties discussed throughout the night. “And it’s up to me to try and meet my fate with a smile/ And it might sound silly, but I still will try,” he sang. The band reminded the audience that a positive outlook on life will relay a better outcome than negativity. Tucked away in the SOMA venue, which seems to be a hidden gem of its own, it was clear to see audience members dancing and singing along as if no one were watching — that was the power of X Ambassadors’ music. What made the performance so good? Maybe it was lead singer Sam Harris and his energetic stage presence, maybe it was the relatable lyrics or maybe it was the melodious sounds that filled the night. Based on the night’s performance and the passion that lies behind the band, it is clear that the fame of X Ambassadors is just the beginning.
X Ambassadors lead singer Sam Harris stole the stage with his saxophone solo at SOMA on Friday, Feb. 23.
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Sports
The Daily Aztec
Week in review
Feb. 28 - March 6, 2018 EDITOR: Abraham Jewett, sports@thedailyaztec.com
Alex Formby is MW Pitcher of the Week by Abraham Jewett SPORTS EDITOR
Photo Illustration by Mirella Lopez
Feb. 21 MEN’S BASKETBALL SDSU - 67 at Air Force - 56 Senior guard Trey Kell sets a new career high with eight assists while freshman forward Matt Mitchell scores 17 to lead the Aztecs to their third straight victory. WOMEN’S BASKETBALL SDSU - 48 vs. Air Force - 56 Falcons never trail in victory over SDSU. Senior guard Geena Gomez leads Aztecs with 18 points, 12 of which came from the charity stripe. MEN’S GOLF Aztecs shoot a 16-over-par 300 during the final round of The Prestige at PGA West, finishing in 13th place. Freshman Christian Banke ties for 33rd individually, ending the tournament at 5-over 147. Feb. 22 SOFTBALL SDSU - 7 vs. Liberty - 0 Aztecs run their winning streak to three, while Liberty loses only its second of 11 games this season. Feb. 23 BASEBALL SDSU - 3 vs. Arizona - 2 Aztecs open up the Tony Gwynn Legacy with a win in the 10th inning, after sophomore second baseman Jacob Maekawa scores on a wild pitch. SOFTBALL SDSU - 0 vs. Northwestern - 3 Aztecs get shut out by Wildcats, losing to them for the second time this season after giving up three runs in the top of the eighth inning. SDSU - 2 vs No. 25 Notre Dame - 1 Aztecs redeem themselves in the second half of a doubleheader, defeating their first ranked team in three chances this season. WOMEN’S LACROSSE SDSU - 12 at No. 21 Denver - 17 Aztecs lose for the first time this season after they are unable to recover from a 13-3 halftime deficit. Junior midfielder Jill Haight scores a career high four goals in the loss. MEN’S TENNIS SDSU - 4 at No. 28 USD - 3 Aztecs upset the cross town rival Toreros after winning three singles matches and earning the doubles point. WOMEN’S WATER POLO SDSU - 4 vs. No. 5 Hawaii - 13 Rainbow Wahine score first four goals of the match en route to 7-1 lead at halftime. Feb. 24 MEN’S BASKETBALL SDSU - 71 at San Jose State - 59 Freshman forward Jalen McDaniels finishes with 16 points and 10 rebounds as Aztecs win fourth straight game. WOMEN’S BASKETBALL SDSU - 85 vs. San Jose State - 78 Senior guard Geena Gomez sets a new career high with 22 points as Aztecs celebrate Senior Day with a victory. BASEBALL SDSU - 2 vs. No. 4 Arkansas - 5 Aztecs hold tough against Razorbacks but lose after allowing three runs in the ninth inning despite not giving up a hit. SOFTBALL SDSU - 3 vs. Bethune Cookman - 2
Aztecs escape with their first extra innings win of the season, for their fifth win in six games. Redshirt junior second baseman Katie Byrd singles home freshman outfielder Janina Jusay in the top of the eighth inning for the game winning run. WOMEN’S WATER POLO SDSU - 4 vs. No. 17 UC Santa Barbara - 5 Aztecs lose a two-goal fourth quarter lead in Barbara Kalbus Invitational game loss. Gauchos avenge loss from earlier in the season to SDSU. WOMEN’S TENNIS SDSU - 2 vs. Grand Canyon - 4 Aztecs lose four of six singles matches against Lopes after doubles play gets canceled due to a rain threat. Junior Jenny Moinard wins her third straight singles match for SDSU. WOMEN’S WATER POLO SDSU - 6 vs. T-No. 19 Long Beach State - 10 Aztecs lose second half of a double-header in Barbara Kalbus Invitational. Win for Long Beach is only their second of the season in 10 matches. WOMEN’S TRACK & FIELD Senior Ashley Henderson wins first place in both the 200 and 60 meter races en route to being named the Mountain West Indoor Track & Field Most Outstanding Performer. Redshirt junior Bonnie Draxler places in first in the pole vault after clearing 14-01.75, a new school record. The Aztecs finish in fourth place overall in the team standings. Feb. 25 BASEBALL SDSU - 5 vs. Grand Canyon - 4 Aztecs score four runs in the bottom of the eight to comeback and win against the Lopes, in the final game of the Tony Gwynn Classic. SOFTBALL SDSU - 0 vs. UC Davis - 2 Aztecs fall to Aggies for second time this season, manage only one hit in the final game of the Mary Nutter Classic. WOMEN’S WATER POLO SDSU - 9 vs. T-No. 19 CSUN - 10 Aztecs force overtime but can’t keep up in extra time in loss to Matadors. WOMEN’S LACROSSE SDSU - 12 at No. 20 Colorado - 17 Aztecs trail 10-4 at halftime and can’t recover during second straight loss. WOMEN’S TENNIS SDSU - 0 at Hawaii - 4 Aztecs get shutout as team drops second straight game on Hawaii trip. MEN’S TENNIS SDSU - 1 at Pepperdine - 6 Aztecs get swept in doubles and lose all but one singles match in loss to Wave. Feb. 26 BASEBALL SDSU - 4 vs. Michigan - 3 Aztecs use a four-run fifth inning to help pull out a close victory over the Wolverines. WOMEN’S GOLF Aztecs in third place overall after shooting a combined 34-over par 610 during the first two rounds of the Bruin Wave Invitational. Freshman Sara Kjellker is in fifth place in the individual standings with a 5-over par 149. MEN’S GOLF Aztecs in fifth place with a +17 midway through the first round of the Southwestern Invitational after the round was suspended due to darkness. Senior PJ Samiere is shooting even-par to tie for sixth place through 12 holes.
San Diego State softball senior pitcher Alex Formby was named the Mountain West Conference pitcher of the week on Feb. 27, following the Aztecs appearance at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic. It is the third time in Formby’s career that she has received the honor, after she finished the event with a combined 0.81 ERA in 17.1 innings pitched during the event. “(Formby) was just amazing this weekend,” head coach Kathy Van Wyk said. “She’s not only not giving up runs she giving up very few hits. Formby pitched in four of the five games in the event, with only herself and sophomore pitcher Marissa Moreno available to throw, as junior pitcher Julie McDonald continues to work her way back from injury. “(Being named Pitcher of the Week) means a lot, it was pretty cool,” Formby said. “Me and (Moreno) worked our butts off this weekend, so I think we should have been co.” Formby said that in general she prefers her teammates get recognition, over just herself. “I think I don’t really like personal recognition, but I think our team has been fighting pretty hard,” she said. “Especially me and (Moreno)have been
Malik Pope:
continued from page 1 or violated any NCAA rules,” Humes continued. “The NCAA Enforcement staff has been apprised of the internal investigation’s findings. Lastly, Malik and the men’s basketball staff have cooperated fully and willingly with SDSU at all times throughout the process.” Dutcher said in his press conference on Feb. 23 that the university prides itself in following the rules. “When I took over this job one of the first things I said was that I was most proud of our compliance of culture,” Dutcher said. “That we are compliant with the NCAA rules, that San Diego State does a outstanding job of educating not only the coaching staff but the student athletes as to what’s acceptable and unacceptable, and I take great pride in that.” Dutcher also made it clear in his press conference that everyone in the athletics department is responsible when it comes to compliance. “We are all responsible for compliance, whether it’s every assistant on my staff, me as a head coach, (Humes) as our compliance director, (Athletic Director John David Wicker), we are all compliance officers first here,” Dutcher said. “It is our duty to the department that if we see any noncompliance within the department to report that, so whether it’s the most minor of violations leading up to anything that could occur, we are all compliance officers at San Diego State.” Dutcher said in his press conference that it is not only up to the coaching staff to maintain accountability, but also to educate its student athletes about how to stay compliant within the rules that the NCAA has set, going so far as to have yearly workshops on the matter. “Part of our responsibility to the student athletes is education, and so we have compliance meetings every
Photo by Abraham Jewett
Senior pitcher Alex Formby throws a pitch during the Aztecs 5-0 loss to Kentucky on Feb. 15 at SDSU Softball Stadium.
working really hard, and throwing five games together was not exactly the easiest feat.” Formby currently leads the team with a 2.26 earned run average in 43 innings pitched, and she is holding opponents to a combined .194 batting average. The honor was the first weekly award for the Aztecs this season, who will try to improve on a 6-10 start when it hosts the upcoming San Diego Classic from March 1-4.
year, and every year every student athlete is asked to sign paperwork that indicates that they understand what the compliance issues are, that they have not taken money from agents or entities like that,” Dutcher said. The school found itself in the crossfires of the investigation back in September, when Tony Bland, an ex-assistant coach at SDSU who most recently worked at the school in 2013, was among the four assistant coaches indicted, after he was alleged to have accepted a $13,000 bribe from Dawkins and financial advisor Munish Sood, according to a story in the Los Angeles Times. Bland was the associate head coach at the University of Southern California at the time, but was effectively fired from the school back in January. There does not appear to be any connection between the Bland and Pope, however, with Pope’s freshman season at SDSU coming in 2014-15, when Bland was already coaching at USC. Still, for a program that prides itself in its compliance, to all of a sudden have had not one but two potential connections to the scandal, it is a reality check that it can happen to anybody. “I feel as if we’ve always done things the right way,” Dutcher said in his press conference. “When this was a national story as much as we hoped it wouldn’t affect us, obviously (Pope’s) name showing up on a list has had an effect on us.”
Correction: In the Feb. 21 edition of The Daily Aztec a story titled “SDSU rings in the new year with a win,” inaccurately reported that the baseball team defeated UCSB 2-1 on Feb. 20 to go to 4-0 on the season. The team actually lost the game by a score of 3-2 and fell to 3-1 on the year at that time.
Feb. 28 - March 6, 2018 EDITOR: Abraham Jewett, sports@thedailyaztec.com
Sports
The Daily Aztec
13
Aztecs come back to defeat Grand Canyon by Abraham Jewett SPORTS EDITOR
San Diego State baseball used a late rally to come from behind and win the final game of the 2018 Tony Gwynn Legacy, defeating Grand Canyon University by a score of 5-4 at Tony Gwynn Stadium on Feb. 25. The Aztecs were facing a 4-1 deficit going into the bottom of the eighth inning, but were able to push four runs across to take the lead. Redshirt junior outfielder Chad Bible played pinch-hit hero for SDSU in the inning, coming in with two outs in the eight and delivering a bases loaded tworun double to left center to tie the game at four apiece. “It was huge for the Aztecs today,” Bible said. “I’m happy that I contributed to this win, it meant a lot for the team, especially since we weren’t playing our A-game today.” Senior outfielder Denz’l Chapman came in to pinch run for Bible, and scored the eventual game winner after beating the throw to the plate following a single by sophomore outfielder Julian Escobedo. “Everyone’s contributing, everyone’s trying to get on, so the least I can do is get a hit and hopefully get the game winning hit,” Escobedo said. SDSU improved to 5-2 on the season with the win, while Grand Canyon fell to a record of 2-5. Freshman pitcher Casey O’Sullivan
SDSU players celebrate outside the dugout amidst a four-run eighth inning during the Aztecs 5-4 win over Grand Canyon on Feb. 25 at Tony Gwynn Stadium.
(1-0) came on in relief and was credited with the first win of his career, while Jorge Fernandez came on in the ninth to record his first save of the season. Mick Vorhoff (0-2) was saddled with the loss for the Lopes after giving up two hits and one earned run in one inning of work. Junior transfer Garrett Hill got his
Photo by Kelly Smiley
second career start for the Aztecs, and gave up three runs in four innings of work. “I was just trying to hit my spots, just make it as easy as possible,” Hill said. Hill struck out nine, including the first four batters he faced, before striking out the side in the third. The Lopes loaded the bases on Hill in the fourth, scoring their first run of the
game after sophomore outfielder Quinn Cotton singled and stole second base, before coming home on a single to center by junior infielder Zach Malis. Grand Canyon loaded the bases again in the fifth, and chased Hill from the game after he gave up four straight singles to start the inning. “I lost a little steam,” Hill said. “(I) could have done better but (it) just didn’t happen.” Freshman southpaw Jacob Flores came on in relief after senior infielder Ian Evans singled home freshman infielder Channy Ortiz for the Lopes second run of the game. Flores limited the damage, allowing only one more run to score in the inning, after a sacrifice fly by junior outfielder Preston Pavlica brought home sophomore outfielder Kona Quiggle. “He was awesome, he saved me from potentially a huge inning,” Hill said. “That to me was a turning point that helped us to be able to in the end get the victory.” O’Sullivan came on for the Aztecs in the seventh inning, allowing one run after Cotton scored on a double from junior infielder Tyler Wyatt. Grand Canyon loaded the bases again in the eighth inning, but O’Sullivan was able to escape the jam after striking out Evans to end the threat. The Aztecs returned to Tony Gwynn Stadium on Feb. 26 to play the University of Michigan, defeating the visiting Wolverines by a score of 4-3 to improve to 6-2 on the year.
Aztecs to host San Diego Classic following Mary Nutter return by Abraham Jewett SPORTS EDITOR
San Diego State softball returned home on Monday after winning three of five games at the Mary Nutter Classic in Cathedral City, Calif. from Feb. 22-25. SDSU (6-10) played five games in three days at the the event, finishing with victories over Liberty University, No. 25 University of Notre Dame, and BethuneCookman University. The Aztecs two losses of the tournament came against UC Davis and Northwestern University, both of which the team lost to already in the season-opening Kajikawa Classic. “Three good wins, two bad losses,” head coach Kathy Van Wyk said. “Two losses both of which I thought we could have and should of taken.” SDSU started the event with a 7-0 victory over Liberty, but the team otherwise struggled on offense, scoring a total of five runs in the remaining four games. “The disappointment is that our offense is struggling so much,” Van Wyk said. “Hitting wise they’re fragile right now, and we just have to stay positive and keep working hard and hopefully it will continue to turn around.” The bright spot for the Aztecs was the pitching duo of senior Alex Formby and sophomore Marissa Moreno, who gave up a combined total of five runs in five games. Formby and Moreno were the only players to step into the pitcher’s circle for the team, as junior pitcher Julie McDonald continues to work her way back from injury. “(The)pitchers did amazing, especially since it was just (Moreno) and (Formby),” Van Wyk said. “The combo with the two of them has just been working fantastic.” Moreno set the tone for the event from the start, pitching a complete game shutout in the opener against Liberty.
“I knew I had to come in strong, especially for my team knowing that me and (Formby) were the only pitchers,” Moreno said. “I knew I had to stay strong and just fight for my team, so that’s what I did. I battled all game and our hitters were really good offensively, so I knew I just had to do the work on defense.” SDSU now looks toward the San Diego Classic I, which will be played at SDSU Softball Stadium and the USD Softball Complex from March 1-4. The Aztecs play two ranked opponents in this years event, including No. 20 University of Minnesota in the second half of a Friday doubleheader, and then a Sunday afternoon game against No. 3 University of California, Los Angeles to close out the weekend. “We look forward to always competing in those games,” Van Wyk said. “It’s going to be a test for us all the time and continued preparation for conference play.” SDSU opens the event against the University of Central Florida in the first half of Friday’s doubleheader, before taking on Boston University on Saturday. “I’m just excited for the whole thing,” Formby said. “This whole entire weekend we play really good competition, so every game will be a battle.” Van Wyk said that she is most looking forward to the game against Minnesota, who are currently 10-4 on the season coming off a 56-6 campaign a year ago. “I’m especially looking forward to playing Minnesota, we have not seen them in many years and they had a great year last year,” she said. “I look forward to seeing what things look like out in the Big Ten.” There is the potential for scattered rain showers on Friday and Saturday, which could complicate matters and lead to some schedule rearranging. “I hope we get the games in with the rain in the forecast for Friday,” Van Wyk said. “We’re going to have probably finagle the schedule around and figure out how we’re going to work it all out.”
Photo by Abraham Jewett
Senior first baseman Taylor Stewart (21) exchanges words with freshman first baseman Taylor Adams before Adams goes up to bat during the Aztecs 5-0 loss to Kentucky on Feb. 15 at SDSU Softball Stadium
Feb. 28 - Mar. 6, 2018 • Editor: Abraham Jewett • sports@thedailyaztec.com
14 /Section / The Daily Aztec
Photo by Kelly Smiley
Junior right hander Garrett Hill throws a pitch during the Aztecs 5-4 victory over Grand Canyon on Feb. 25 at Tony Gwynn Stadium.
Transfer brings strikeouts to SDSU by Abraham Jewett SPORTS EDITOR
San Diego State baseball pitcher Garrett Hill is a new player on the Mesa, but he is a familiar face on the baseball diamond. The junior transfer from Santa Rosa Junior College brings a 2.83 ERA from his sophomore season to the D1 level, and the young right hander has a penchant for strikeouts, with 84 in 92 innings pitched last year. Hill has adjusted quickly to life in an Aztecs uniform, and through two starts has thrown 15 strikeouts in only nine innings pitched. “I love striking guys out,” Hill said, after striking out nine batters in SDSU’s 5-4 victory against Grand Canyon on Feb. 25. “It just makes me feel like I’m better than you.” Hill’s assertion that he is “better than you,” is hard to dispute out on the field, where he was named the Big 8 Co-pitcher of the year last season. “He’s one of those guys that’s hard to see, he has kind of an invisible fastball that just gets on you,” head coach Mark Martinez said. “It’s a quick arm, it’s deceptive, he’s got downhill tilt to it and so he’s going to pile up a lot of strikeouts.” Unlike freshmen coming into the program, Hill has the experience of facing off against college level competition, something which he said gives him an advantage among newcomers. “I think being a transfer it’s just another level of experience compared to these freshmen who have just come up from high school,” Hill said. “It’s just a slight advantage of facing some of these guys before, and it just makes me know that I’m able to do the best I can (to) get guys out.” Hill got his first win wearing the Scarlet and Black after his very first start, against
UC Santa Barbara on Feb. 18, throwing five innings of three-hit ball without giving up an earned run while striking out six in a 7-5 victory. “Amazing pitcher,” senior outfielder Chase Calabuig said after the win. “That dude’s probably one of the best, if not the best Sunday pitcher in anybody’s staff.” Martinez described the pitcher who takes the mound on Sunday as someone who you can count on to stifle losing streaks, and give the team a fresh start going into a new week of games. “I think he’s a guy that can pitch on Sundays and finish the weekend,” Martinez said. “He’s that guy that can be that stopgap.” Hill has been using a two-pitch arsenal out on the mound, opting to go with a slider and a fastball. Martinez said that the team would like to see him add a third pitch to his repertoire, which would help him with his pitch count and overall effectiveness. “His next step for him is to be a threepitch mix instead of a two-pitch mix,” Martinez said. “Hopefully we can add another pitch to his arsenal, and I think that’ll help him extend into games too.” Junior outfielder Chad Bible had high praise for his new teammate, and described Hill as a hard worker with a positive attitude. “(Hill) always has a smile on his face and he honestly works harder, if not the hardest on the team,” Bible said. “He’s a grinder and he goes about his business the right way. He’s going to be huge for us this year.” Hill said that all the support from his teammates allows him to simply focus on playing the game the best that he can. “Its awesome,” he said. “It means to me that I can just go out there and do what I love to do, and hopefully work long enough to get my team the win.”
Sports
Feb. 28 - March 6, 2018 EDITOR: Abraham Jewett, sports@thedailyaztec.com
The Daily Aztec
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Senior Day ends in victory for the Aztecs by Abraham Jewett SPORTS EDITOR
San Diego State women’s basketball honored its six senior players prior to its game against San Jose State on Feb. 24, before defeating the Spartans (7-20, 4-12 MW) by a score of 85-78. SDSU (11-16, 5-11 MW) honored seniors Khalia Lark, Allison Brown, McKynzie Fort, Geena Gomez, Lexy Thorderson and Cheyenne Greenhouse with a pre-game video tribute, flowers and large plaques with their individual jerseys on them. “It was an exciting moment for all of us for different reasons,” Lark said. “It was kind of a crazy day because we were all hyped up, obviously this is our last home game, our last game at Viejas, a little bit bittersweet.” Thorderson, who suffered a devastating knee injury in January which ended her season, was given a symbolic start, and played the first six seconds before exiting to hugs and tears. “One of the biggest things we focused on was always trying to play for (Thorderson) and like (Thorderson),” Gomez said. “Because whenever she did play she was always playing hard.” Gomez had a career-best 22 points to lead five Aztecs players in double figures. “Nice way to go out, especially with the class and everybody that was playing on the floor and having those people out there with me,” Gomez said. “I wouldn’t want anybody else giving me the ball or playing on the court with (me) so (it was) pretty cool.” Other SDSU players in double
Left to right: Allison Brown, Cheyenne Greenhouse, Khalia Lark, McKynzie Fort, head coach Stacie Terry, Geena Gomez and Lexy Thorderson stand with individualized plaques during a pre-game ceremony honoring the team’s senior players at Viejas Arena on Feb. 24.
figures were freshman guard Naje Murray (15 points, eight rebounds), Fort (12 points, 16 rebounds), junior forward Arantxa Gomez Ferrer (careerhigh 11 points, six rebounds) and Greenhouse (10 points). Freshman forward Cydni Lewis led all Spartans players with 22 points. The game was tight heading into the final period, with SDSU holding on to a slim four point lead, but an 11-0 run helped the Aztecs seperate themselves for a 75-56 lead with 4:30 to play. Lark (seven points, seven rebounds) made a key threepointer - her first and only make of the game in seven tries - to help her team begin to pull away at the beginning of the final period, and said that even
Photo by Kelly Smiley
Senior guard Geena Gomez dribbles the ball during the Aztecs 85-78 victory over San Jose State on Feb. 24 at Viejas Arena.
when you’re struggling you just have to keep shooting. “Shooters shoot, so you have to let everything else go in that moment,” Lark said. “You kind of just play and forget what’s going on, what you missed, what you haven’t done, and focus on the fact that you’re wide open.” The Spartans tightened the gap, but SDSU held on enough for head coach Stacie Terry to pull her seniors for a standing ovation up by 12 points with 59 seconds left. “I was a little scared because of the way they were trying to come back there, but I was happy that I was able to get them off the floor and also give some of our players some time in some crucial moments,” Terry said. “It was great for them, great for the crowds, great for their families. This is my favorite game of the year because everyone’s here.” It was a tale of two quarters in the first half, with the Aztecs jumping out to an early 10 point lead in the first quarter, after an 11-2 run was punctuated by a layup from freshman guard Te’a Adams (four points, three assists). The Spartans shot only 19 percent from the field in the opening quarter, and made only two of their last 17 field goal attempts. The script was then flipped in the second quarter, with SJSU using a 15-1 run to pull within 29-28 with 2:56 left before halftime. The Aztecs, who shot only 30 percent from the floor in the period, missed 12 consecutive field goals during the Spartans run, and emotions began to run high between the teams. “We just have extra emotion when it comes to San Jose,” Lark said. “There’s a little bit of stuff, talking on the floor, and a little bit of fight in them so it makes you play the same way.” One particularly tense moment was when Murray appeared to yell “look at the scoreboard,” to heckling SJSU fans in the stands, as she ran back down the court after
missing a free throw. SDSU led 29-20 at the time, before the Spartans cut into their lead, eventually going up 33-32 with 1:06 left before halftime after a three pointer by freshman guard Megan Anderson (nine points, six rebounds). The Aztecs would score the final four points of the half, however, to go into the break with a 36-33 lead. While this was the last home game for SDSU this season, the team still has two games to play before heading off to Las Vegas for the Mountain
Photo by Kelly Smiley
West Conference tournament, starting on March 5. Winning the tournament will be the only hope for the Aztecs to reach this year’s NCAA Tournament, but win-or-lose, what Terry said her seniors will leave behind is their dedication and hard work. “This group is resilient, no matter what the outcome, win or lose they’re always ready to come back and get better the next day,” Terry said. “That’s really what the legacy that they’re gonna leave is, their work.”
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The Daily Aztec
Feb. 28-March 6, 2018 Editor: Cami Buckman • arts@thedailyaztec.com
Exploring San Diego: A guide to the best adventure spots for beginners by Ceighlee STAFF WRITER
Fennel
can see and climb on the main potato shaped rock attraction. However, if you want to get the famous picture people take and post, then you will have to wait in line. Be careful on the chip though because you don’t want to fall or have it break. Potato Chip Rock is a fun San Diego experience that I definitely would recommend trying.
Hiking doesn’t have to be difficult in San Diego. At first glance, there doesn’t seem to be many spots, but after closer inspection, there are a ton of places to go. Here are some adventure options for people who are newer to San Diego: Mount Laguna Observatory My personal favorite spot for new people to explore is the Mount Laguna Observatory. San Diego State astronomy classes will take visits here to make use of the astronomical observatory and the multiple telescopes on top of this mountain. Right across the two-lane road is a campground. All around this area people can hike under pine trees and through some mountain terrain. The observatory, which is owned and operated by San Diego State, is located in the Cleveland National Forest which makes for the perfect change of scenery from the city of San Diego. The stars, sky and sunset are incredible up above all the lights as well. None of the hiking in this area is too difficult, but bring water and make sure the altitude doesn’t bother anyone. To get to the top of this mountain from campus, it is nearly a one hour drive. Most of the driving is smooth sailing, but be cautious driving up the narrower windy roads closer to the mountain. The weather in this higher mountain altitude is much colder, so be prepared if you are camping overnight. Adobe Falls Adobe Falls is a cool attraction to check out and is close to campus, but don’t go unless you are prepared. Since so many people go there and trespass, the city has stepped its game up. There are stronger fences than
Photo by Kelly Smiley Nearly across the street from San Diego State, Adobe Falls is covered in graffiti and is gated for trespassers.
in the past, and they are covered in a bizarre red slimy substance. For the brave people that can still climb over the gate, there is an industrial beehive waiting on the other side. However, there are plenty of other spots that aren’t illegal, are more enjoyable and are definitely less of a hassle. Cowles Mountain One of the more popular San Diego hikes is called Cowles Mountain. This hike is pretty busy, especially on the weekends. Dogs are also welcome. It can be a pretty steep upgrade for some, but it is doable for most people. The trail is really well kept and easy to follow all the way to the top. The sight is worth it once you are at the top.
Mount Laguna features many decks and lookout points for hikers to visit.
It is really interesting to be able to be above everything and look out to see Mexico and San Diego. The weather can be quite hot and sunny in the summer, so I recommend bringing sunscreen. However, an even better hike is the peak right past Cowles. If someone is looking for a more experienced hike, then this is certainly the right one. The terrain isn’t anything too crazy, but you have to go up Cowles first to start on the trail to get to the second peak. This peak is called Pyles Peak. I like this one so much better because it is nowhere near as busy. The hike is hard because of how long it is, but definitely worth it if someone wants a challenge.
Woodson Summit which is right next to Poway Lake. The reason this hike can be hard is because it is an eight mile trek round trip with a steep incline near the end of the trail. There is not much tree cover on this hike either — San Diego isn’t exactly know for its huge pine trees — so bring sunscreen so you don’t burn. Once you get to the top, you
Spruce Street Suspension Bridge The last fun spot to check out is the Spruce Street Suspension Bridge. The unique location of the bridge is tucked away in the residential neighborhood of Bankers Hill. This makes it more interesting and fun to visit. The bridge itself is roughly 375 feet long, but the best part about the bridge, though, is the swing. I knew suspension bridges swung, that’s the whole point, but I didn’t expect such a long sturdy bridge to swing as much as it does. It is super fun to go with some friends and try to rock the bridge as much as you can. However, if you are afraid of heights, this might not be the best place, as the bridge goes across a canyon. Parking around the bridge is usually not hard to find because it is almost never busy in the residential streets. Hopefully some of these hikes and adventure spots can get you out and moving on the weekends. Have some fun exploring San Diego!
Potato Chip Rock Another hike that is a bit of a challenge is Potato Chip Rock. This is at the top of Mount
Photo by Kelly Smiley
A butterfly sits on the peak of Mount Laguna.
Photo by Cami Buckman