weekly PRINT EDITION
wednesday, november 2 – tUesday, november 8, 2016 volume 103, Issue 12
SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY’S INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWS SOURCE SINCE 1913
W W W . T H E D A I LYA Z T E C . C O M
BASKETBALL PREVIEW 2016
Election guide
District 9 candidates discuss fines P3 • Dia de los muertos P7 • new tech in the classroom P18 cover design by hannah lingle-veale
2 news
NOv. 2 - 8, 2016 • THE DAILY AZTEC editor: emely navarro • news@thedailyaztec.com
Guide to voting in the Nov. 8 election state BALLOT
Emely Navarro news editor
Prop. 52
Prop. 54
Prop. 55
Would indefinitely extend an existing fee on private hospitals to fund Medi-Cal health care services, care for uninsured patients and children’s health coverage.
Would prohibit the legislature from passing any bills unless they are published online 72 hours before the vote. Would require legislature to record and post their on the internet.
Extends the personal income tax on incomes over $250,000 by 12 years with their revenues allocated to K-12 schools and California Community Colleges.
YES
NO
YES
NO
YES
NO
Supports making private hospitals pay toward Medi-Cal permanently. Any changes to this fee in the future would require two-thirds approval by the Legislature.
A no vote opposes the initiative, allowing the legislature to change, extend or eliminate the hospital fee program with a majority vote.
Supports prohibiting the legislature passing any bills until they have been printed or published on the internet 72 hours prior to vote.
Opposes this measure and wants the legislative process of how they currently vote on bills to stay the same.
Supports extending the personal income tax increase and incomes over $250,000 for 12 years in order to help fund education and healthcare.
Opposes extending the personal income tax allowing this type of tax increase to end in 2019.
Prop. 61
Prop. 63
Prop. 64
Prohibits the state from buying any prescription drug from a drug manufacturer at a price over the lowest price the United States Department of Veterans Affairs pays for it.
Requires background checks for ammunition purchases and prohibits the possession of large-capacity ammunition magazines. It also establishes procedures for enforcing certain laws prohibiting firearms possession.
Legalizes marijuana under state law for use by adults 21 or older. Imposes state taxes on sales and cultivation, provides the industry with licensing and establises standards for marijuana products.
YES
NO
YES
YES
NO
Supports regulating drug practices by requiring the state to pay no more than what the U.S. DVA pays for prescription drugs.
Opposes the measure, and would give the state permission to pay more for prescription drugs than the U.S. DVA
Supporting prohibiting Opposes these changes. the large-capacity possession of ammunition magazines and making it harder for certain people to purchase ammunition.
Supports legalizing recreational marijuana for people 21 and over and the establishment of certain sales and cultivation taxes.
Opposes the proposition to legalize recreational marijuana.
NO
san Diego County BALLOT
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Would raise San Diego County sales tax by a half cent for 40 years. The proceeds would go to highways, road repair and public transit.
YES
NO
Is in favor of having a half cent tax increase over the next 40 years for transportation repairs and public transit expansion. Would increase the total sales tax in the county to 8.5 percent.
A no vote is against this .5 percent county sale tax increase leaving the county tax at its current 8 percent.
City of la mesa BALLOT
Measure U A citizen initiative that would repeal the La Mesa Municipal Code that prohibits the sale of medical marijuana.
YES
NO
A yes vote means being in favor of repealing the ban on medical marijuana dispensaries.
A no vote means, the code would not change and dispensaries would continue to be banned.
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Measure D Seeks to increase San Diego’s hotel occupancy tax to 5 percent, end the Tourism Marketing District and use the hotel occupancy taxes for a downtown convention center not a stadium.
YES
NO
Is in favor of increasing the city’s hotel occupancy tax 5 percent and allowing the Qualcomm Stadium property, if available, to be sold for educational use.
Is against increasing the hotel occupany tax to five percent and is against selling the Qualcomm Stadium property.
news 3
NOv. 2 - 8, 2016 • THE DAILY AZTEC editor: emely navarro • news@thedailyaztec.com
Price increase for smoking habits Alex Hall Staff Writer ____________________________________ California state residents will need a majority approval in order to pass Proposition 56, which proposes a $2 tax increase on top of the current price of tobacco. Supporters of Prop 56 argue cigarette smoking kills more than forty thousand California residents every year and this tax would help lower that number. This tax increase would go towards funding California’s state healthcare programs and tobacco education. The money would support research on cancer and other tobacco related diseases. Many students at San Diego State were aware of this proposition and largely agreed in favor of the proposition passing, although many of them use tobacco products. “They’re trying to curb as much of the population’s addiction as possible by putting financial and legal hurdles in front of them and I think it will work,” film junior Tor Larsen said. Those opposed to the proposition said raising the price does not give enough incentive for some people to quit smoking. However it would be enough for psychology sophomore Krystal Wilkinson to stop purchasing tobacco. “Personally, I use tobacco and its already highly priced,” Wilkinson said.
Proposition 56 would increase the price of smoking habits by adding a two-dollar tax increase. CHRISTIAN HICKS, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
“I am from Washington and it is already way cheaper there so I feel like raising it $2 would make me not want to buy it.” This tax increase would also apply to other tobacco products including cigars, chewing tobacco and electronic cigarettes. Currently, California does not have an excise tax on electronic cigarettes. “I think this proposition is especially good for taxing electronic cigarettes because they’ve gotten so big with our youth,” communication sophomore
Death penalty choices Proposition 66
Proposition 62 and 66 deal with the death penalty. JOE KENDALL, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Rebeca Reyes staff writer ____________________________________ In the last 40 years, California has executed 13 people. There are currently 749 people sentenced to death penalty, as reported by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Two of the propositions on the Nov. 8 ballot will decide whether to abolish the death penalty or speed up the execution process. Proposition 62 Proposition 62 would abolish the death penalty in the state and replace it with life imprisonment as the maximum punishment. Associate Professor of Criminal Justice Paul Kaplan, worked as a mitigation specialist on capital cases for 10 years doing mitigation investigation. “Any time something happens in California it matters for the whole country, it has a lot of impact,” Kaplan said. As of now the death penalty has been abolished in 19 states.
Proposition 66 would speed up the process to carry out the death penalty to sentenced inmates. It would also require sentenced inmates to work while in prison to pay the family of the victims and to pay the state for the costs of the legal procedures. “I don’t support the death penalty,” public relations senior Veronica Valdez said. “I think it’s wrong to kill anyone, but I do understand there’s certain things where like someone killed someone.” “I’m all for (Prop 62 passing), as a practicing Catholic we believe in the dignity of the human person, of all people, even if they’ve done wrong,” Valdez said. Proposition 66 would shorten the appeals process of the death penalty. Currently, the appeal process for it costs the state a lot of money. Kaplan said part of the reason it is expensive is because there are not enough courts, lawyers or investigative staff that can cover the number of cases. “So that is the question: do you want to speed that up and suddenly be executing 5 guys a week? Prop 66 could have that consequence,” Kaplan said. Another concern is the issue of wrongfully executing innocent people. Along with a faster process, if Proposition 66 is passed, the qualifications for attorneys who work in the appellate process would be lowered, Kaplan said. Aylen Duran, construction engineering sophomore, said she would support Proposition 66 because it would mean inmates would work while waiting for their sentence, while with 62 they would only have more time in prison. The death penalty is currently legal in 31 states.
Mairin Dwyer said. “These young kids get them because they think they look cool and don’t really understand the risks.” Dwyer is also in favor of the proposition passing although he is an occasional tobacco user. “I think the tax should increase in order to help people quit smoking,” Dwyer said. “I also like that the money is going to help fund public healthcare programs.” The main purpose of Proposition
56 is to decrease the amount of young smokers in California, but also to continue to further the decline of the overall use of tobacco for state residents by driving down the sales with a $2 increase. “I think by making it financially impossible for many individuals to buy will help decrease the smoking population to an extent,” Larsen said. “There will always be some people who are going to just keep smoking regardless of the price.”
4 news
Nov. 2 - 8, 2016 • THE DAILY AZTEC editor: emely navarro • news@thedailyaztec.com
District 9 candidates debate at State Contenders discuss affordable housing, re-zoning, Community Assisted Party Program Will Fritz Senior staff writer ____________________________________ San Diego City Council District 9 candidates Ricardo Flores and Georgette Gomez faced each other in a town hall debate at the Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union Theatre at San Diego State on Oct. 24. Flores is chief of staff to current District 9, Council President Pro Tem Marti Emerald. Gomez, who has the endorsement of the San Diego County Democratic Party, is a community organizer. Both candidates discussed the Community Assisted Party Program (CAPP), “mini-dorms” and affordable housing. They also discussed two ordinances the city council will be voting on at its Nov. 14 meeting. One ordinance, the College Area Community Character Preservation Ordinance, would limit houses with lot sizes less than 10,000-square-feet to five bedrooms, with bedrooms being limited to 60 percent of total floor space. The other, the Increased Code Enforcement Civil Penalties Ordinance, would raise the maximum fine per violation from $2,500 to $10,000 per violation. It would also allow the fine for a structure to range from $250,000 to $400,000 per day. Although the vote on both ordinances
will take place before either candidate is sworn in, students at the debate wanted to know whether the candidates would support the continuation of these ordinances once in office. These two ordinances are a response to complaints from non-student residents of the College Area, many of whom have said “mini-dorms” and partying are negatively impacting the community. Gomez addressed the conflict between “mini-dorm” residents in her opening remarks. “There’s a lot of opportunities we have here in the community to really develop for you, but also for the neighborhood, ensuring that there’s a healthy bridge between the residents in the community and also the students,” Gomez said. Flores said the new “mini-dorm” restrictions would help students and asked the crowd if anyone knew people who were sleeping on couches. “That’s illegal, and that’s what we’re preventing,” Flores said. “What we’re merely saying is we’re protecting individuals. If you’re going to pay rent, you should have a room.” He said the purpose of this is to maintain the suburban nature of the College Area. “What’s happening is homes are being purchased and being developed and being chopped up.” “We’re trying to at least keep some of the character of these communities,” he
said. Both candidates advocated rezoning areas like El Cajon Boulevard and Montezuma Road, for higher density developments, such as apartment complexes, to prevent the proliferation of students into residential neighborhoods. College Area resident Daryll Peña said this concerned him. “When San Diego State’s in session, we can’t handle the traffic jam as we have now,” Peña said. “Now, you bring in that density of additional multi-family units, our community can’t handle that.” Gomez said one of the issues is the growth of the university. “That’s an actual issue that we need to start talking about and we need to get ahead of it because it’s bleeding into the community,” she said. Gomez said she considered the ordinances a step forward, although she said she was uncertain of its future effects. “Is it going to be supporting the community? Is it going to be supporting the students? I’m not sure,” She said. “But I want to make sure that we’re moving forward implementing it, and seeing if it works. And if it doesn’t, let’s bring it back to the table.” Gomez said the city has to react to the concerns of the residents, but that she understood the feelings of students. However, Gomez said students need to focus on the cause of the fine increases, rather than the fines themselves.
“If you’re not violating something, you’re not going to get fined,” she said. Flores, echoing previous statements from Council President Marti Emerald, said he agreed with Gomez on this issue. “I think Georgette’s right in a lot of ways,” he said. “If you’re focusing on the fine, why don’t you focus on the behavior first? I think if you don’t want the fines, don’t party, honestly.” Business management senior Scott Semel disagreed with this. “I know a lot of residents of the College Area,” Semel said. “And I know personal friends who have been placed onto the CAPP program or given noise violations for something as simple as having five guys over.” Semel said he thinks issues like these should be addressed between neighbors, rather than having the police called. He said he is undecided as to which candidate he will be voting for because he believes neither have addressed these issues adequately. Gomez said although students may feel there are few differences between her and Flores, her experience as a community organizer would be a big change from Flores’ experience working for a current city councilmember. “He’s been an insider,” she said. “This race is about the status quo versus change, so that’s the difference.” Andrew Dyer, Opinion Editor, contributed to this article.
Prop 51 implements bonds to fix K-12 schools jocelyn moran senior staff writer ____________________________________ Proposition 51 on the November ballot aims to improve K-12 schools and community colleges by using $9 billion in bonds toward the renovation and construction of school facilities. California would need to pay $500 million every year for the next 35 years in order to pay off the $8.6 billion in interest, in addition to the $9 billion. Dean of San Diego State College of Education Joseph F. Johnson said students’ motivation to learn is influenced by the quality of educational facilities. “In general, school facilities in California have not kept pace with best practices, especially in many of our
urban and rural communities,” Johnson said. “I hope that California recognizes the importance of providing quality educational facilities for K-12 and community college students.” Proposition S, a $2.1 billion bond passed in 2008, and Proposition Z, a $2.8 billion bond passed in 2012, were approved in San Diego to repair schools. An investigations conducted in April 2015 by the Voice of San Diego, writer Mario Koran found that districts were not keeping track of the repairs that were mentioned under the propositions, and a large portion of the money from the bonds was going toward stadiums. In another investigation conducted in March 2016 by Voice of San Diego writer Ashly McGlone, McGlone found schools in the San Diego Unified School District
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are actually in worse condition than they were eight years ago when Proposition S passed. “I think there is this realization what they say on the ballot isn’t necessarily what they’re going to actually do with the money,” Koran said. “I think voters need to be aware of that when they look at (Prop 51) and decide whether to vote for it or not.” The California Secretary of State Information Guide said supporters of Prop 51 believe schools need repairs in order to ensure the health and safety of students. Director of SDSU’s School of Teacher Education Rafaela Santa Cruz said students have to feel comfortable and safe in their classrooms before they can really learn. “As an individual, when you go to a facility that is well kept and has state of the art equipment, you just feel that much better,” Santa Cruz said. “You’re more prone and motivated to want to learn.” California Governor Jerry Brown said he is against Prop 51 in a statement to the Los Angeles Times. He called it “a blunderbuss effort” that wastes money that could otherwise be spent in low-income community schools. Santa Cruz said the problem she sees with the proposition is that it is not clear how the money will be distributed. She said the proposition is a good idea because there are a lot of schools that need to improve their facilities, but there is no guarantee the schools that have the most needs are the ones who are going to receive the money. Koran said school districts in California would have access to the money on a first come, first serve basis, and underfunded districts would have a harder time getting applications in than better-off school districts. If Prop 51 were to pass, local taxpayers would be accountable for projects under the proposition.
Prop 51 seeks to help schools improve renovations. file photo
Computer engineer senior Brent Kickerbocker said he is against Prop 51 because the payback is nearly double what is being borrowed. “The State of California needs to first create a balanced budget that encourages responsible spending before raising already sky high taxes on its citizens,” Jordan Dennison, president of SDSU College Republicans, wrote in an e-mail. Whether professionals involved in education systems agree with Prop 51 or not, they have expressed the need to modernize school facilities in communities with the greatest needs. Santa Cruz said she has done a lot of work with the Los Angeles Unified School District and has walked into classrooms where there is only one outlet at the front of the room. She said there is plenty of research that shows getting state of the art facilities and resources makes a better learning environment. “If you’re in a classroom where there are not enough seats, it hinders learning,” Santa Cruz said.
Who’sWho? Editor In Chief Jacob Sisneros Managing Editor Jamie Ballard News Editor Emely Navarro asst. News Editor Kayla Jimenez Sports Editor Anthony Reclusado asst. sports Editor Zachary Engberg ARTS & culture Editor Christine Whitman asst. ARTS & culture Editor Lilly Glenister Opinion Editor Andrew Dyer mundo azteca editor José Guzmán-Quirino Asst. Mundo azteca editor Andrea Lopez-Villafaña Photo Editor Kelly Smiley video producer Adriana Heldiz art director Hannah Lingle-Veale Production Designer Emily Lewis social media EDITOR Alex Piscatelli social media & marketing assistant Scarlet Keolanui Copy Editor Brian del Carmen senior Staff writers Will Fritz Jocelyn Moran Staff writers David Ayala Nicole Badgley John Ciulla Joe Faria Alex Hall Mayer Pohlod Brendan Price Rebeca Reyes Sydney Sweeney Ashley Washburn Nathan Yick Carly Yribarren Staff Photographers Kristian Carreon Christian Hicks Katelyn Mulcahy _____________________________________ Advertising Director John Weil Sales Manager Matthew Volk Account Executives Connor Brooke Stephane Voitzwinkler Kelsey Silver Kamisha McKnight Georjana Doane Accounting & Contracts Alfonso Barajas Kalie Christensen _____________________________________ General Manager/adviser Jay Harn Graphics Specialist Chris Blakemore _____________________________________ ADVERTISING 619.594.6977 advertising@thedailyaztec.com editorial 619.594.4190 editor@thedailyaztec.com Print The Daily Aztec publishes 5,000 copies of its weekly print edition on Wednesdays. Web Daily content is available at www.thedailyaztec.com Additional sports content is available at www.dailyaztecsports.com SOCIAL MEDIA facebook.com/dailyaztec twitter.com/thedailyaztec instagram.com/thedailyaztec
Nov. 2 - 8, 2016 • THE DAILY AZTEC editor: andrew dyer • opinion@thedailyaztec.com
opinion 5
Activists often ineffective john ciulla contributor ____________________________________ Activism is no longer limited to marches and sit-ins. With social media's meteoric rise as a news medium, rallying people to a cause is only as difficult as clicking send. Modern activism has become more about being provocative than pursuing tangible results. This type of provocative activism is arbitrary and ineffective in the face of real-world issues. Two examples of these modern provocateurs are Milo Yiannopoulos, a Breitbart tech editor and alt-right media personality, and Colin Kaepernick, a San Francisco 49ers quarterback. Yiannopoulos, a proponent of "political incorrectness," uses his platform as a Breitbart columnist and his speeches on campuses around the country to attack feminism and modern progressive culture. Kaepernick gained notoriety by sitting in protest of the national anthem. Yiannopoulos is widely considered to be the face of the alt-right movement. On his speaking tours and on Breitbart. com, Yiannopoulos contests the necessity of politically correct culture. Political correctness is seen by many to be a means of censorship or "doublespeak" to control the opinion of the general population. To combat political correctness, Yiannopoulos has become a provocateur intent on breaching the boundaries of
civil discourse. Simply talking about politically correct culture and feminism critically might be well and good, but Yiannopoulos does not stop there. He goes out of his way to offend those that disagree with him. He can do whatever he wants as far as his rhetoric is concerned, but what does that accomplish? Yiannopoulos and many of those who agree with him are upset with what they say are the left's efforts to silence viewpoints from the right. While understandable, by going out of his way to offend liberals Yiannopoulos provides them a super villain. If a group has the power to suppress your views in the way Yiannopoulos and his proponents believe, then why give them just cause to do so? The shock value of his statements may be enough to rally a crowd, but if that crowd is made up of people who already agree with him, what has he accomplished? What happens is conservative speakers with an actual message are unable to speak on college campuses because administrators associate them with Yiannopoulos' vitriolic rhetoric. Being provocative for provacation’s sake does nothing to broaden conservative ideology and he proves that point every day. Kaepernick sat during the national anthem to protest what he sees as the oppression of minority groups in the United States. Did everyone take what
he said into consideration and begin a national conversation about race? No. Instead of talking about race, the entire nation was swept into a heated debate over the first amendment and the merits of standing for the national anthem. There is nothing wrong with this discussion and it is actually an interesting debate, but it becomes a problem when it overshadows the intended message to the point where it is unrecognizable. If Kaepernick had just raised the topic during an interview or in a social media post he would have been able to adequately convey his message. Perhaps he would not have sparked a national debate, but what is the point of starting a conversation if the conversation is not about the issue you raised? If the method of protest overshadows the intended message, then the protest failed. There is no longer a need to create awareness for a cause. One tweet is all it takes to let everyone know that there is an issue. Awareness does nothing to solve real-world problems. When activists start unnecessary arguments and gain notoriety, their causes suffer and nothing changes. If people think that all that is needed to solve problems are "likes" and "shares," nothing gets done. To stand up for a cause, do not be provocative just for the sake of being provocative. Do something that will lead to tangible results and solve real-world issues.
Why do Millennials back Trump? sydney sweeney staff columnist ____________________________________ There are few things more laughable than seeing college students supporting Donald Trump on social media. But when liberal millennials realize that some of these people are old grade school friends, an uncomfortable feeling might settle in, especially if they belong to one of the marginalized groups that Trump regularly dehumanizes. Suddenly the liberal conscious overwhelms with sleep-impeding negativities: How could anyone share their Scooby-Doo fruit snacks with some kid who grew to be a right-winger? Did that seventh grade BFF end up a xenophobic, pro-life, pro-gun advocate for the so-called American Dream? Possibly. But Trump supporters are decent people — according to them. Knowing that everyone suspects the worst from them, these voters must remain prepared to explain their advocacy for this year’s GOP candidate, and for good reason. He is a living abomination who represents good old white American patriarchy. Millennials who back Trump insist that their vote has nothing to do with his rhetoric or behavior and everything to do with “Making America Great Again.” This phrase resonates with millennials who subscribe to regressive ideologies, false media conspiracies and who want Hillary Clinton in prison. It is the ambiguity of Trump’s campaign slogan that baits these young conservatives. While Trump and his older followers tirade about the loss of American greatness, young voters nod along without questioning how today’s America, more equal than ever before, is devilish. After all, this version of the United States is the only one millennials
have experienced. Families influence young people’s political attitudes more than anything else, so perhaps Republican parents are to blame for adult children deciding to support Trump. Some millennials have admitted to supporting him just because he is a Republican. Is voting Republican a ride-or-die situation for conservative millennials? Apparently. They are such partisans that they would rather let the country be run by a man who jokes about being a sexual predator than a Democrat who is less offensive, more qualified and intent on keeping the nation moving forward. But progress is not something that will “Make America Great Again.” Josiah Lippincott, a political science major at Hillsdale College, told the Independent Journal Review that he “(yearns) for the Founders’ vision of America characterized by limited government, low taxes, strong families and free association.” A euphemism-free translation of that statement would reveal that Lippincott — and anyone who agrees with him — wants the preservation of a systemically discriminatory government, one that claims anyone can succeed if they just try really, really hard. The kind that does not act against obvious socioeconomic or sociocultural inequity. Millennial Trump supporters must be blind to the systemically prejudiced policies that Trump champions because they have not experienced discrimination. They are not labeled as inner city folks, murderers, rapists or terrorists that are supposedly destroying the nation. They are overwhelmingly cisgender, straight, white and Christian, raised in comfortable homes with access to healthcare and higher education. Issues that are important to liberals,
such as LGBT rights, gender equality, free healthcare and education, gun violence prevention and racial justice do not affect people who benefit from the current social hierarchy. They hear about the social and economic issues that Democrats like Hillary Clinton address, but do not experience them. Trump’s millennial supporters are quick to argue that their candidate is a humanitarian. He is good for the gays, they say, despite his running mate being an infamous anti-LGBT heterosexist. As governor of Indiana, Mike Pence approved legislation to allow businesses to discriminate against people on the basis of their sexual orientation. The claim that Trump is “good” for the LGBT community, like the claim he is “good” for women, is unwarranted and dismissable. It has been saddening to see young women support Trump. He has been accused of more than a dozen sexual assaults, he regularly degrades women and he does not speak on women’s issues while campaigning. On the contrary, Clinton has said that during her presidency, she will work to close the pay gap, protect women’s reproductive rights, paid leave and affordable childcare. But conservative young women are more concerned with her marriage and email habits to consider that Trump is an epitomic misogynist. Progressives are embroiled in a battle against the return of the type of society Trump and his supporters envision, one in which everyone other than white men were worse off. Lockstep party loyalty is not worth the the damage done to life-long relationships. Conservative millennials should shed their delusions of moral superiority and take a hard look at Trump as his campaign sputters, stumbles and nose-dives into its final week. It is not too late re-think support for him — but it must begin now.
6 opinion
Nov. 2 - 8, 2016 • THE DAILY AZTEC editor: andrew dyer • opinion@thedailyaztec.com
Athletic Director John David Wicker and SDSU President Elliot Hirshman. photo illustration by daily aztec staff
Editorial: Lawsuit lessons go unlearned The Issue: Weeks after a jury awarded Beth Burns
Our take: Atheletic Director John David Wicker must
$3.35 million for her retaliatory firing, SDSU hired the man whose investigation led to that firing as the new athletic director.
change the good ol' boy culture of SDSU athletics and proactively work towards gender equality as required under federal law.
The Editorial Board In late September, a San Diego jury awarded former women’s basketball Head Coach Beth Burns a $3.35 million judgment against San Diego State. The jury agreed with Burns’ claim that her 2013 firing, after a 27-win season, was in retaliation for her repeated complaints regarding what she saw as Title IX violations by the SDSU Athletics Department. Title IX states that no one can be excluded from participation in education programs or activities due to their sex. The jury did not buy the university’s claim that Burns was fired for striking an assistant coach. Title IX is the law that guarantees equal facilities and opportunities for women’s sports in comparison to men’s. Burns complained about the unequal treatment the women’s basketball team received from the athletics department. In one example brought up in court, when the men’s basketball team received its fifth set of uniforms, the women’s team still had not received sweats months after ordering them. Burns also stated in her initial complaint that SDSU counted male practice players, who practice with the women's team, as women, a practice also found at UCLA by the Center for Investigative Reporting in a July 2016 story. While the practice is allowable by the Department of Education, it is indicative of the lengths institutions will go to appear compliant with Title IX while still not being truly equal. The jury found that not only was Burns
retaliated upon when she should have had whistleblower protection, but also that SDSU was in violation of Title IX. Burns was to receive her annual review on the day she was fired. When she walked into the office of thenathletic director Jim Sterk, she was met by three individuals: Sterk, Associate Vice President for Administration Richel Thaler and then-Associate Athletic Director John David Wicker — the same John David Wicker just hired by SDSU as the new Athletic Director. Wicker left SDSU in July 2015 for a job at Georgia Tech. Wicker’s investigation of Burns contributed to her being fired, or so the official SDSU story goes. The message Wicker’s hiring sends to women in the athletic department is clear: not only does SDSU not take Title IX seriously, but whistleblowers can and will be retaliated upon. And the penance for participation in that retaliation? A prestigious promotion and sixfigure salary. The hiring of Wicker as athletic director was a blow to women’s advocates and a middle finger to the very notion of accountability. Burns’ $3.35 million lesson was apparently lost on President Elliot Hirshman, who gleefully trumpeted Wicker’s “integrity” between hugs and handshakes at a news conference announcing the hire. Unsaid was what Hirshman’s brazen indifference to the jury’s verdict meant for
women’s athletics moving forward and the message to anyone considering speaking up. The treatment of Burns by SDSU, including Hirshman’s own court testimony, suggests those who complain could be subject to not only termination, but public attacks on their character. Hirshman compared Burns to disgraced former Indiana University basketball coach Bobby Knight from the witness stand. One juror told the San Diego Union-Tribune that Hirshman’s statement was “shocking” and contributed to the decision against SDSU. One certainty is that women’s athletics have the right to equality under the law. To whom can women in the department turn if violations continue under Wicker? By downplaying the Burns decision while welcoming Wicker back with open arms, Hirshman has signaled to everyone the danger of making waves — and the rewards for being a team player. It is now on Wicker to atone for the culture of exclusion and retaliation in the athletics department brought to light by Burns. Department staff should not feel intimidated or hesitate to file complaints if warranted, which may be difficult given Hirshman’s refusal to take any responsibility or hold anyone accountable in the wake of the Burns decision. Wicker has 3.35 million reasons to do the right thing. We will be watching to make sure he does.
Nov. 2 - 8, 2016 • THE DAILY AZTEC editor: JOSÉ GUZMÁN-QUIRINO • MUNDOAZTECA@thedailyaztec.com
Mundo Azteca 7
Elecciones de nuestra comunidad Emely Navarro EDITORA DE NOTICIAS Los editores de Mundo Azteca escogieron las cinco medidas que piensan que más afectan a los estudiantes de SDSU. Aunque no todas las medidas de San Diego están en esta guía, es muy importante que los votantes de esta elección se informen de todas las
medidas de San Diego y las propuestas del estado de California. Esta elección afectará a todos los habitantes en los Estados Unidos, por eso es muy importante que todos se informen de lo que está en la boleta electoral de esta elección. -Toda la información sobre esta elección puede ser encontrada en el manual para votantes que ha sido enviado por correo a todos las personas registradas para votar.
Condado de San Diego
Medida A Elevaría los impuestos de ventas del Condado de San Diego por 0,5 por ciento por 40 años. El dinero de este impuesto sería usado para las reparaciones de carreteras, y tránsito público.
Ciudad de San Diego
Medida D Con esta medida se aumentarían los impuestos de los hoteles en San Diego hasta el 5 por ciento en lo que es el Tourism Marketing District. Esta medida usaría el dinero para un centro de convenciones, en vez de un estadio de fútbol Americano.
SÍ
NO
Votar sí, aumentaria los impuestos a hoteles de la ciudad hasta el 5 por ciento. También permite que la propiedad del Estadio Qualcomm, si está disponible, sea vendido.
Un voto de no está en contra del aumento de impuesto de ocupación en hoteles y significa que no quiere que el estadio Qualcomm sea vendido para usos educativos y parques.
Medida I
SÍ
NO
Esta medida se trata de la renovación del contrato de uso del parque Balboa de parte de San Diego High School. Modificaria el Charter sección 55 para autorizar que el Distrito Escolar Unificado de San Diego pueda usar el parque Balboa para los programas y actividades educativos.
El sí, es estar a favor de tener un aumento de impuestos de 0,5 por ciento, durante los próximos 40 años para las reparaciones de transporte, la expansión del transporte público y aumentar el impuesto sobre las ventas totales en el condado.
Un voto de no, es estar en contra de esta medida de impuestos.
SÍ
NO
Un voto de sí está a favor de modificar el charter para permitir que el Distrito Escolar Unificado de San Diego puede usar Balboa Park al igual que San Diego High School.
Un voto de no está en contra de cambiar el charter para permitir que SDUSD se ubique en Balboa Park y quiere que San Diego High School continúe usando la propiedad.
Ciudad de La Mesa
Medida U
Medida K
Una iniciativa que revoca el Código Municipal de La Mesa, que prohíbe la venta de marihuana medicinal.
Quiere cambiar la charter law para exigir una elección de segunda vuelta en las elecciones generales de noviembre entre los dos candidatos que reciben el mayor número de votos en las elecciones primarias de junio.
SÍ
NO
SÍ
NO
Un voto sí está en favor de la revocación de la prohibición de los dispensarios de marihuana medicinal.
Un voto de no significa que las cosas se quedarían igual en La Mesa, y que los dispensarios de marihuana medicinal continuarán siendo prohibidos.
Un voto a favor modificaria la charter law, a que exista una segunda vuelta en las elecciones de alcalde, fiscal o miembro del consejo. Incluso si un candidato obtuvo el mayor numero de votos en la primera vuelta.
Un voto de no está en contra de enmendar la ley.
Un altar dedicado a las causas sociales Andrea lopez Villafaña assistente de mundo azteca ____________________________________ En tradición de celebrar el Día de los Muertos, el Departamento de Estudios Chicanos y Estudios Latinoamericanos de San Diego State University dedicó su altar al tema de los movimientos sociales. Cubierto de flores y fotos de los difuntos, el altar está localizado en el tercer piso del edificio Arts and Letters y estará en exposición hasta el 11 de noviembre. El tema de movimientos incluye movimientos sociales, culturales, políticos y del medio ambiente dijo Coral Macfarland-Thuet, profesora del Departamento de Estudios Chicanos en SDSU. Algunos de los movimientos representados en el mural del altar son los movimientos de mujeres, black lives matter, LGBT y muchos más. “Queremos conmemorar y honrar a quienes han sacrificado sus vidas para estos movimientos”, dijo MacfarlandThuet. Marissa Aguirre, estudiante de música de SDSU dijo que con tener los temas de movimientos es un modo de modernizar el altar. “Me gusta mucho la idea de honrar a los que ya hayan fallecido y también a
los que lucharon en esos movimientos”, dijo Aguirre. “El tema de movimientos combina muchas culturas y gente con una tradición que normalmente se celebra en México”. El altar tiene fotos desde artistas famosos como Juan Gabriel quien falleció este año hasta el famoso difunto Tony Gwynn entrenador del equipo de béisbol de SDSU. Hay fotos honrado a profesores del departamento de CCS como Al Velazco y Rene Núñez. “Este año también vamos a estar recordando al activista chicano, educador y músico, Ramón “Chunky” Sánchez quien falleció la semana pasada”, dijo Macfarland-Thuet. “El fue un estudiante de SDSU y a menudo presentaba como invitado para el departamento de CCS”. Sánchez fue uno de los fundadores de Chicano Park en Barrio Logan, un parque localizado debajo del puente de Coronado cubierto en murales que celebran la cultura Chicana. El fue un activista del movimiento de Chicanos y dejo su legado en el parque y la comunidad. También hay una foto honrando a los 43 estudiantes de Ayotzinapa, México quienes fueron desaparecieron hace dos años. Alexis Guadalupe, estudiante de estudios latinoamericanos, visito el
Tradicionalmente se decoran altares con flores y la comida favorita de los difuntos. Christian Hicks, fotÓgrafo
altar el año pasado y dijo que le pareció una buena idea porque sirve como una exhibición cultural Mexicana. Guadalupe dijo que era evidente todo el tiempo que tomaron en prepararlo. Los estudiantes y miembros de la comunidad de SDSU fueron invitados a agregar sus propios objetos, poemas, fotos y arte. El Día de los Muertos es una tradición Mexicana que se celebra el 1 y 2 de noviembre para honrar a familiares y
amigos queridos que ya hayan fallecido. Es costumbre construir altares con fotos y la comida favorita de los difuntos para recordarlos cuando estaban vivos. El 2 de noviembre a las 1:30 p.m. los departamentos servirán el pan tradicional “pan de muerto” y café, que serán acompañados con canciones cantadas por Macfaland-Thuet y miembros de Rondalla Amerindia de Aztlán.
8 basketball preview
NOv. 2 - 8, 2016 • THE DAILY AZTEC editor: Anthony Reclusado • Sports@thedailyaztec.com
The Aztecs strike back Anthony Reclusado sports editor ___________________________
After failing to make the NCAA tournament for the first time in six years, the San Diego State men’s basketball team aims to return to the Big Dance. Head coach Steve Fisher has added five new faces to the roster and will have to juggle one of his deepest teams he’s had
at the helm of SDSU. Will Fisher go beyond the usual eight-player rotation? Will the women’s basketball team return to the NCAA tournament? Head coach Stacie Terry will try to make her first postseason tournament since taking the lead role at SDSU. Take a read through this year’s basketball special issue to find answers to those questions
and more. Take a look at the highest ranking recruit since Winston Shepard III on p. 9. Read through the oldest and greatest rivalries in men and women basketball history on p. 10-11. Find the season previews on p. 13 and 15. Go through a tradition like no other on the SDSU campus on p. 14. Then take a read on Dakari Allen and McKynzie Fort on p. 16-17.
Mountain West Men’s Preseason Poll 1. San Diego State (23 first-place voters) - 293 2. Nevada - 253 3. New Mexico (3) - 249 4. Fresno State (1) - 200 5. Boise State -164 6. Utah State -153 7. Colorado State - 146 8. UNLV - 120 9. Air Force - 90 10 Wyoming - 73 11. San Jose State - 41
Mountain West Women’s Preseason Poll 1. Colorado State (17) -283 2. Boise State (11)-271 3. Fresno State-225 4. UNLV- 201 5. San Jose State -197 6. New Mexico (1)- 176 7. San Diego State-126 8. Wyoming-123 9. Utah State-97 10. Nevada-66 11. Air Force-28
NOv. 2 - 8, 2016 • THE DAILY AZTEC editor: Anthony Reclusado • Sports@thedailyaztec.com
basketball preview 9
Narain prepared to make an impact
Redshirt freshman forward Nolan Narain is ready to make a difference for San Diego State men’s basketball. courtesy of sdsu athletics
zach engberg asst. sports editor ____________________________________ Drake, Jose Bautista, and Robin Sparkles. Those are three of the biggest names associated with our roommates to the
north. But for San Diego State men’s basketball, Canada’s greatest creation is redshirt freshman forward Nolan Narain. He is coming into his first year playing for SDSU after redshirting the 2015-16 season, joining the likes of
redshirt sophomore guard Montaque Gill-Caesar and redshirt sophomore forward Max Hoetzel, both of whom transferred to the Mesa. Narain’s case, however is different than that of his teammates, as he left high school a year early to come to SDSU. After playing in Canada for three seasons, Narain departed for La Lumiere High School in La Porte, Ind., where he starred for one season. In that campaign, Narain averaged 16 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks a game, leading La Lumiere to a 20-2 record and the No. 1 ranking in Indiana. Instead of staying one more year in high school, as most players do, Narain decided to come to SDSU one year early. He said this decision will be the key to his success in his first year on the roster. “It gave me time to learn and understand everything this level is all about. Especially coming from Canada, where basketball isn’t as competitive.” Despite the lack of competition, Narain was a highly touted prospect, ranked as the No. 36 player in the class of 2015 by Rivals. The only players to sign with SDSU with a higher ranking than Narain were Winston Shepard III, who was rated as the No. 21 prospect in his class by rivals.com, and Evan Burns, who was ranked in the top 20 by five different
recruiting services. The Aztecs knew early on that Narain was another can’t miss prospect, and the feeling was mutual for the 6-foot10 power forward. “The coaching staff was very eager to recruit me,” Narain said. “They came out to Indiana five different times. I felt wanted, and I felt needed. And then when I visited I fell in love. It felt like home.” Narain was also recruited by fellow West Coast power Gonzaga University, the No. 14 team in the nation according to the AP Top 25, and a team that SDSU plays on Nov. 14 in Spokane, Washington. But he does not regret the decision to call San Diego home, and to be a part of the SDSU basketball team. “This team is the closest team I have ever been on,” Narain said. “We had a great team last year, but I feel like with all the new guys this year, we have an extremely talented team and we are extremely deep.” He said he is willing to fill whatever role the team needs. “My goal is to come in and do whatever I can for this team. I want to make sure I do everything right defensively, and I know my scoring will come.” Narain will make his long-awaited SDSU debut in the first exhibition game against UC San Diego on Thursday, Nov. 3 at Viejas Arena at 7 p.m.
10 basketball preview
Nov. 2 - 8, 2016 • THE DAILY AZTEC editor: Anthony Reclusado • sports@thedailyaztec.com
Men’s basketball’s oldest rivalries fresno state
byu
UNLV
Wyoming
New mexico
Series: SDSU leads, 61-50
Series: BYU leads, 48-24
Series: UNLV leads, 35-29
Series: Wyoming leads, 40-39
Series: UNM leads, 44-38
In a rivalry that predates the Division I and Division II era atop the Mesa, and in the same season the Broadway Clowns appeared twice on SDSU’s schedule, the Aztecs and Bulldogs shared the court for the first time in 1940. The 76-year old showdown has spanned 111 games, four conference moves and a stint as an independent for both programs. Since the two schools began to occupy the same conference in 1993 (Western Athletic Conference and Mountain West), FSU owns a 11-19 edge. The Bulldogs most recently took the last two meetings, including last season’s MW championship title and the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The Aztecs settled for the NIT.
On one side, the private school owned and operated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints. On the other side, a giant state school once known for its extracurricular activities away from the classroom. What could possibly go wrong when these two team met on the court? Nothing at first, as the Cougars owned a 35-10 advantage on the Aztecs between 1979-2002. Both teams split the series 9-9, between the 2000-10 seasons. Then came Jimmer Fredette and Kawhi Leonard, who took the rivalry to another level. After losing the final four regular season games in BYU’s MW tenure, Leonard toppled Fredette in the MW Championship game in 2011.
While BYU eventually left the MW, and joined the West Coast Conference, SDSU longed for another program to take the Cougar’s place. Enter UNLV. On paper, it was a one-sided affair, as the Runnin’ Rebels held a 15-31 edge in the all-time series entering the 2010 season. However, the seeds of a rivalry were being planted prior to the Cougars departure and eased the transition for the UNLV takeover. Since both joining the MW in 2000, the two schools clashed in the conference tournament six times, including the 2010 MW championship game. The rivalry took the next step in the 2011 season as the Aztecs beat the Rebels on a last-second shot in the 2011 MW Tournament.
There has been one staple of the SDSU schedule since 1979. It isn’t SJSU, New Mexico or even FSU. It is the Cowboys from Laramie, Wyoming. In 37 years, UW and SDSU played twice every year except one game regular season matches in 1998 and 2014, including the lone season the two teams did not meet in 1999. Not surprisingly, the Cowboys are the most frequent overtime opponent in Aztecs history. The two schools have shared the court on nine occasions in overtime, with both programs splitting 4-4 on the initial overtime and SDSU holding a 1-0 edge in double-overtime. The two met in the 2015 MW championship where Larry Nance Jr. and Josh Adams propelled the Cowboys past a JJ O’Brien led Aztec squad, 45-43.
Although the Aztecs have dominated the series of late with a 17-9 advantage since the 2006 season, the Lobos have risen to the occasion when the lights were the brightest. SDSU was 13-5 in the first 18 matches between the two schools. The Lobos bit back and over the next 29 games would win 25, including an 18-1 stint from 1991-2001. But the rivalry was solidified between the 2010 and 2014 season, as both schools clashed in four of the five MW Tournament seasons. The Aztecs would take a 72-69 victory in the 2010 semifinal matchup, but would drop the next three meetings to the Lobos, including two championship games in 2012 and 2014.
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Nov. 2 - 8, 2016 • THE DAILY AZTEC editor: Anthony Reclusado • sports@thedailyaztec.com
basketball preview 11
Women’s basketball’s greatest rivals wyoming
colorado state
unlv
new mexico
CSU fullerton
Series: SDSU leads, 27-26
Series: SDSU leads, 27-25
Series: SDSU leads, 27-26
Series: UNM leads, 32-26
Series: SDSU leads, 20-17
The Cowgirls have been a staple for the Aztecs since the 1991 season, except a twoyear hiatus in the 1998-99 season. Between the 2001-07 campaigns, UW coralled the SDSU and went on a 12-game winning streak. The Aztecs and the Cowgirls have clashed in five postseason bouts in the last 10 years, including three rounds between the 2007-10 season. In the last 25 matches, the Aztecs hold a 14-11 edge. SDSU also has outscored in the same time frame, 1.4401,424. The Aztecs swept the season series last year, 3-0, including a 62-44 victory in the MW first-round game.
It has been a tale of two centuries in this rivalry that dates back to 1991. From 1991-99, SDSU was 13-3, including a 10-game winning streak. During that span the Aztecs had their best offensive output (101 points) in program history. Since the 2000 campaign, CSU leads the series 22-14, including the last seven meetings. SDSU suffered one of its worst losses in recent memory to the Rams, as they lost 95-48 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, in 2014. CSU swept last seasons series 3-0, culminating in 5341 loss in the MW Tournament second round.
The SDSU-UNLV series dates back to 1979, four years after SDSU women’s basketball’s inception. The lack of experience would show, as the Rebels would beat the Aztecs by a combined 43 points in their first two meetings. The series would be plagued by one-sided scores for the rest of the centurey. UNLV recorded a 102-75 in Sin City in 1986. SDSU returned the favor and ran the Rebels off the court in a 92-48 beatdown in San Diego. The Aztecs have protected their home court, going 9-1 in the last 10 games. UNLV took the two most recent meetings against SDSU.
Perhaps a rivalry that can be dubbed “A series of streaks.” SDSU jumped on UNM and won the first 10 games by an average 29.5 points per game and never won by less than double digits. The Lobos responded with a 25-3 edge between 1996-2008. Relative to the series, the matchup has leveled off with the Aztecs holding a 13-7 advantage. Unique to this series, SDSU and UNM have been even on one another’s home court. The Lobos are 12-11 in San Diego and 11-13 at home. The two programs split last seasons matchup.
The Aztecs’ California State University counterpart was a primary foe of SDSU in the infancy of the program. The two schools squared off twice a year between 1977-90. During that time frame Fullerton held the advantage with an average score of 66.264.4. The Titans and the Aztecs revived the series last season with a home-and-home series. SDSU has won the last six meetings between the two programs. The Aztecs won last year’s meeting 54-43 in Viejas Arena. CSUF will host SDSU this season.
compiled by sports editor Anthony Reclusado
STEVE HE BELIEVES THAT WE WILL WIN. COACH STEVE FISHER HAS BUILT THE MOST SUCCESSFUL MEN’S BASKETBALL PROGRAM IN SDSU HISTORY, AND MODELED THE UNIVERSITY’S MANTRA, “LEADERSHIP STARTS HERE,” FOR A CADRE OF TALENTED YOUNG STUDENT-ATHLETES. TO HONOR HIS LEGACY, SDSU CREATED THE STEVE FISHER ENDOWMENT, WHICH WILL SUPPORT AZTEC BASKETBALL EXCELLENCE FOR DECADES TO COME. VISIT CAMPAIGN.SDSU.EDU
Nov. 2 - 8, 2016 • THE DAILY AZTEC editor: Anthony Reclusado • sports@thedailyaztec.com
basketball preview 13
Men’s basketball season preview zach engberg asst. sports editor ____________________________________ The 2015-16 season did not bring the same pomp and circumstance that San Diego State men’s basketball has become accustomed to during the Steve Fisher era. The Aztecs finished the season 28-10, taking home the Mountain West regular season title, but lost in the Mountain West Tournament championship game to Fresno State, a loss that kept them out of the NCAA Tournament. It had been six seasons since the Aztecs last missed out on March Madness, and they ended the year the same way they had six years ago, by losing in the semifinals of the National Invitational Tournament. The loss still sits with some players, including sophomore guard Jeremy Hemsley. “We were all hurt,” Hemsley said. “But we will be in the tournament this year.” SDSU has a promising outlook, as it was ranked at No. 16 in the first installment of ESPN’s NCAA power rankings and No. 30 in the preseason AP Top 25. However, it will be a challenging road back to the NCAA Tournament, especially considering who SDSU will have to compete without in 2016-17. Players Lost The Aztecs lost two of their most
accomplished players in Winston Shepard III and Skylar Spencer. Shepard played heavily all four years, finishing his career in the top-10 all-time at SDSU in points, rebounds and assists. Spencer was known almost solely for his defensive presence, leaving as the all-time leader in blocks, while taking home two consecutive Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year awards in his junior and senior seasons. That lane presence will be hard to replace, but newly acquired fifth-year transfer center Valentine Izundu will attempt to fill that role as the Aztecs’ rim protector. Newcomers Izundu averaged 2.2 blocks per game for Washington State last season, playing in only 14.9 minutes per game. He will be the anchor for an SDSU defense that hopes to match its dominance last season, when it held teams to 60.6 points per game, third in the NCAA behind only the University of Virginia and Wichita State. Izundu is the biggest of the five Aztecs who will take their first steps on Steve Fisher Court this season. Coach Fisher said that all the incoming players have stretched his roster farther than it ever has at SDSU. “We’ve got a lot of depth,” Fisher said, “which will be my dilemma as I have to figure out who is going to fit, and whether I have to go deeper than I am used to. I’d love to go 10-deep. I’ve never done that in
my life.” Four of the newcomers will play in the newly replenished frontcourt. Freshman forward Jalen McDaniels is coming in as a four-star recruit with a “pencil thin” build, as Steve Fisher said. In his senior season in high school, McDaniels scored 14.3 points per game, adding 7.2 rebounds and 1.9 blocks. Redshirt freshman forward Nolan Narain is another player whose length and athleticism can pose problems for teams on both sides of the ball. As the No. 36 rated player in the 2015 recruiting class, according to Rivals, the Canadian-born Narain is the highest rated prospect to debut at SDSU since Winston Shepard III. Redshirt sophomore forward Max Hoetzel will act as a second perimeter threat to couple with Matt Shrigley. In his freshman year at Indiana University, Hoetzel attempted more 3-point field goals, 29, than he did 2-point field goals, with 27. The fifth key addition is redshirt sophomore guard Montaque Gill-Caesar, who transferred from the University of Missouri, where he scored 9.1 points and grabbed 3.0 rebounds in the 2014-15 season. Gill-Caesar, Narain and Hoetzel all redshirted last year, an experience that Narain said will help in their first season on the Mesa. “It gave me time to learn and understand everything this level is all about. Especially all the defensive terminology and all the stuff that I would be clueless about,” Narian said. Mainstays Even with all the new talent at his disposal, Fisher understands the players who will need to lead his team back to the tournament. “We will be driven by our veteran players,” Fisher said. “They are the engine that gets us going and that will keep us going.” That begins with his backcourt duo of Hemsley and junior guard Trey Kell, who led the Aztecs in scoring last season with 12.6 points per game, with Hemsley not far behind at 12 per game. Fisher spoke highly of his starting guards, who are going into their second year playing together. “I think we have got one of the best guard combinations going,” Fisher said. “Anywhere, not just in the conference.” They will play along three other returning Aztecs in junior forward Malik Pope, redshirt sophomore forward Zylan
Cheatham and senior guard Dakarai Allen. Allen, the elder statesmen on the team, started the final six games of the 2015-16 season, and led all Aztecs with 40 steals over the course of the season, and will be the defensive stalwart of the backcourt. Pope suffered through an inconsistent 2015-16 campaign that saw him have stints in the starting lineup and on the bench, depending on his performance. Fisher said that Pope has looked impressive in the lead-up to the season. “Malik had been practicing extremely well,” Fisher said. “He has been our best practice player. He has shown great consistency and great energy. Now we need to have that translate to in-game performance.” Pope will be coupled again with the uber-athletic Cheatham, best known for his windmill dunk against University of Kansas last season, which incited a boom from the Viejas Arena crowd. “I still get chills thinking about that,” Hemsley said. Aztecs on the offensive While SDSU has always been known for its lockdown defense, its offensive potential has inspired excitement, even among its players. “Our scoring is something that a lot of Aztec fans aren’t used to seeing,” Hemsley said. “I think this team is capable of so many more things. The way it flows, how fast it goes, what we can do. We have a lot of surprises that will shock the world. I’m super excited about it.” The Aztecs averaged 68.1 points per game last season, which was tied for 283rd in the NCAA out of 351 teams. Adding explosive wings in Narain, McDaniels and Gill-Caesar to the already dangerous quartet of Hemsley, Kell, Pope and Cheatham has the potential to significantly raise that number. Narain said the potential is due in part to the versatility of his team. “We’re all so versatile,” Narain said. “We can all do different things. We can all shoot, spot up, and get to the basket. If I get to the basket, and the shot isn’t there, I can dish it off to Jalen or Malik for an easy dunk, and vice-versa.” If it all comes together, this team could be a force to be reckoned with, Hemsley said. “I’m confident about this season and about this team,” Hemsley said. “I’m confident about this group against any group of guys out there. Everyone is confident about this year’s team and excited to show people what we can do.”
14 basketball preview
Nov. 2 - 8, 2016 • THE DAILY AZTEC editor: Anthony Reclusado • sports@thedailyaztec.com
The Show: A never ending encore
Members of the The Show celebrating at a men’s basketball game. kristian carreon, Staff PhotograPher
Joseph Faria Staff Writer ____________________________________ School traditions are the backbone of a university’s pride and culture. These traditions are unique from school to school across the country, which is what makes them so special. Some schools have pre-game rituals, some have chants, some have songs and so on. As for San Diego State, there’s one unifying tradition: The Show. Freshmen want to experience it for the first time, older students wish to keep it alive and San Diego natives love to see it, as it continues to be an integral part of men’s basketball games. It is the talk of the school, year in and year out. Even ESPN and Bleacher Report have recognized it as “the nation’s best student section” two years running. They’re well aware that SDSU students are loud, proud and intimidating to visiting teams. But what are the origins of this great school tradition? Who are the people that lead the student section? Why is it called “The Show”? These are questions students, San Diegans and people across the nation have about this unique student section. Starting with The Show’s origin, it first appeared during the 2001-02 men’s basketball season. This was head coach Steve Fisher’s third season with the Aztecs. The team’s overall record of 2112 was the best in school history in two decades. A group of eight fans formed the now well-known student section. An interesting fact was that it was a mix of SDSU students and high school students. The Show really came to life during the 2002 Mountain West Conference Tournament. The fifth-seeded Aztecs powered through No. 4 BYU and topseeded University of Wyoming to reach the finals against favorites and No. 3 UNLV. The Aztecs won in an upset with a score of 78-75 to claim the Mountain
West title, which gave birth to an NCAA March Madness appearance. In the championship game’s closing seconds before the final buzzer sounded, former SDSU football player Akbar Gbaja-Biamila looked over to the Rebels crowd and yelled, “Remember this day, when the Aztecs came into your arena and rushed onto your court!” From that season on The Show took off. And before the 2002-03 men’s basketball season, it added a new little twist. Several members of The Show were inspired by the movie BASEketball (1998), in which opposing players do whatever it takes to distract the other team while they shoot. They took this idea and combined it with the use of athletes’ and celebrities’ cardboard cut-out heads on ESPN’s Pardon the Interruption. Together, the idea was introduced during a road game at Long Beach State: The Big Head. It was a cut-out of Michael Jackson and was the first big head in college basketball history. Currently, The Show holds over 100 big heads that are distributed during basketball games. Another creation shortly arrived, The Show’s 10 Commandments, in which every SDSU student could adhere to: • Thou shalt love the Aztecs and sit in the student section. If you do this, you’re in The Show, whether or not you know it yet. • Thou shalt wear two types of attire to games: red and black, or whatever the hell you want. “Show” clothing is designed to be as funny, ludicrous and intimidating as possible. Costumes, outfits, and any accessories you can dream up are definitely encouraged. • Thou shalt stand in your seats whenever the game is being played. • Thou shalt cheer as loud as you can. There are many cheers and chants in The Show so try to yell in unity.
• Thou shalt not use excessive profanity or throw things on the court. The Show has always been clever enough to overcome these obstacles. • Thou shalt know your team and your opponent, to have greater love and hate for both. (And verbal ammunition.) • Thou shalt show up early if you want to be close to the action. • Thou shalt wave the giant heads during free throws. You can even ask for your favorite face, or make your own. • Thou shalt take pride in the home court advantage. Our goal, in the end, is to do whatever we can as fans, to atmospherically and psychologically help the Aztecs get a victory at every home game. We encourage, inspire and energize the team, and you have an impact, and the players and coaches can feel it. • Thou shalt love everyone in The Show. The Show is already well known as one of the craziest, loudest and most fun student sections in college basketball. That’s why the final rule is just do your part to make The Show world famous for having the most insane, rowdy and epic fans college basketball has ever seen. As seasons progressed, The Show kept getting bigger and better. This included the creative costumes that students wear. Conor Mongon, one of the original Show members, likened the environment to Mardi Gras. “Everyone’s out there having fun, going crazy,” Mongon said. Then along came national recognition. Opposing players, fans and sports analysts took notice of Viejas Arena’s hostile basketball environment. ESPN columnist Dana O’Neil describes The Show as, “the nonsensical, whimsical, illogical student section at San Diego State, where no costume is deemed too strange.” In 2014, Brian Pederson of Bleacher Report was the first to rank The Show
as the number 1 student section in the country. The Show peaked in the 2010-11 season, in tune with the basketball team. _ That year the team finished 34-3, the best record in school history, and made it to its first NCAA Sweet Sixteen appearance. That year The Show mastered the art of distraction. Doug Williams of ESPN wrote an article about the great rivalry between The Show and former BYU basketball star Jimmer Fredette. The Show was able to get inside of his and many other college stars’ heads. From the 2010-11 season to the 20132014 season, The Show gave a name to home court advantage. The Aztecs home record during those four years was 64-5. And to top it off, The Show brought in some chants that gave an electric feeling to the Mesa. This includes “Uprising” by Muse that started during the 2010 Mountain West Conference Tournament, “Bro Hymn” by Pennywise that is also known as the basketball team’s entrance song played by the Aztec Pep band, and the famous “I Believe” chant that was created at the beginning of the 2010-11 season. The Show soon became a phenomenon and made its own giant banner that strings across the student section, used the “I Believe” chant as a marketing device, and created the (at times) controversial mantra, “No one likes us. We don’t care.” People can also follow The Show on social media to see how revolutionary the student section is. Its Twitter handle is “@TheShowSDSU,” Instagram name is “theshowsdsu” and Facebook page is “Show SDSU.” Whatever new ideas The Show comes up with next, the SDSU community will be sure to follow. And now as the college basketball season approaches, with the Aztecs’ first game on Thursday against UC San Diego, students across campus know that Viejas will be rocking once again. That means The Show will be in full force.
Nov. 2 - 8, 2016 • THE DAILY AZTEC editor: Anthony Reclusado • sports@thedailyaztec.com
basketball preview 15
Aztecs ready to rebound in 2016-17
Senior guard Ariell Bostick (3) and junior guard Cheyenne Greenhouse (30) fighting for the ball. katelyn mulcahy, Staff PhotograPher
Mayer Pohlod Staff writer ____________________________________ It’s been a rough go of things for San Diego State women’s basketball the last few seasons. After not posting a winning record for three consecutive years it can be difficult to continue to attempt to rebound.
That challenge is made even harder when the upcoming 2016-17 season slate features seven opponents who made the postseason last year. Last year the Aztecs recorded a 12-19 overall record with a 6-12 mark in Mountain West action, their worst record since the 2010-11 season. For SDSU, now seems like a prime time to make its way back to the top of the Mountain.
One could be the return of nine players and three starters from last year, including junior guard McKynzie Fort. She was arguably the biggest impact player for the Aztecs last season. She averaged 14.4 points a game, almost five more than any other player. Overall, she was first in points with 445, first in steals with 62, third in rebounds with 83 and tied for third in blocks with eight. That earned her league honors, being named to the Mountain West All-Defensive team and All-Mountain West Honorable Mention. Another possible reason is the amount of newcomers SDSU has coming to the floor this season, including five new freshmen and one transfer. Junior Khalia Lark comes from the University of Washington, where she averaged 2.5 points and 1.5 rebounds in 29 games last season. She transferred to the Mesa last spring, and will become eligible to play after nine games. As for the freshmen, the Aztecs welcome forwards Baylee Vanderdoes and Monique Terry, guard Abby Lowe and center Naomi Ekwedike. Head Coach Stacie Terry, it has not been a difficult project getting the newcomers and veterans to mesh together. “It’s been an easy cohesion combining them together because
they’re all like-minded kids, they’re good student athletes and they work hard on and off the court,” Terry said. “Our freshman have been a breath of fresh air because they’re fun, they’re silly, they’re goofy, but they work hard. We have a nice balance of experience and youth on this year’s team. “The chemistry piece is going to be the key to our success.” The Scarlet and Black were also voted seventh in the MW in a preseason poll. The voting board consisted of all 11 head coaches and various women’s basketball media from the conference. It’s something that the team is going to use as a catalyst for that success. “It’s given us a little extra fire,” Khalia Lark said. “Everyone is feeling that lack of respect and using that as fuel for the fire for the rest of the season.” Terry said her team has a long way to go before it can begin to think about winning the MW crown. “The end goal is always to win but before that we need to play like a team on both sides of the ball,” Terry said. “Our goals are to get better every game.” The Aztecs start their quest for a championship Nov. 4 in an exhibition match against Cal State San Marcos before playing their first official game against UC Riverside a week after. SDSU will begin its conference play against University of New Mexico on the last day of 2016 in New Mexico.
16 sports
Nov. 2 - 8, 2016 • THE DAILY AZTEC editor: Anthony Reclusado • sports@thedailyaztec.com
Allen aiming to end his career well
Senior guard Dakarai Allen throws down a dunk against Utah State. katelyn mulcahy, Staff PhotograPher
Anthony Reclusado sports editor ____________________________________ It’s an inevitable truth in life: everything must come to an end. For some that can be a sigh of relief and for others a hard pill to swallow. For senior guard Dakari Allen, it’s a bittersweet moment as a promising season riddles the final stretch of his journey at San Diego State. “It’s my last go-around (this season),” Allen said. “I don’t know if I’ll ever be in another program where people care this much. This is my last year so there is a lot of pressure. “I want to put a product on the floor to where people don’t remember me as ‘No. 4’ but they do remember Dakari Allen and what I brought to the table.” With teammates that ranged from Xavier Thames to JJ O’Brien to Winston Shepard, Allen and his legacy are easily lost in the shuffle, however, the final chapter of the senior’s story has yet to be written. The three aforementioned Aztecs were all seniors when their names became etched in the minds of SDSU fans and the program’s record books. Allen, along with
senior forward Matt Shrigley, will try to follow in their footsteps. “In my previous years there was always someone who (was the vocal leader),” Allen said. “I always had something to say, but I didn’t feel like it was my place. This year I feel like the coaches and teammates have a lot of confidence in me
to a semifinal finish of the California state tournament and a No. 27 national ranking in his senior season, Allen had the West Coast powers’ eyes set on him. UCLA, Arizona, Colorado and USC all threw their hats into the Allen sweepstakes, but it was the Aztecs, and head coach Steve Fisher, who drew the lucky numbers.
“ I was in the gym with xavier thames and Jamaal Franklin before my junior year and they told me ‘you just got to be a savage.’”
- Dakari Allen, Senior guard
and what I have to say.” But his current standing within the team’s dynamic wasn’t always so and the path laid out in front of him is all the sweeter for the trek he endured while climbing the Mesa. After leading the Sheldon High Huskies
He arrived in time to nestle into the best seat in Viejas Arena, as SDSU jumped out to a 21-1 record to open the season and an eventual Sweet 16 finish. The 6-foot-5 guard received limited playing time and averaged only 7.1 minutes per conference game and did not play in six of the team’s final eight games, including the Mountain West and NCAA Tournament. “I had to swallow my pride,” Allen said. “My freshman year I sat on the bench and had to put my ego to the side. Nobody cares about what I did in high school any more. The coaching staff is going to play whoever is playing the best.” His sophomore campaign began with promise and he appeared to earn the favor of the coaches, as he saw action in the first 25 games of the season and averaged roughly 14 minutes. But Fisher again relegated Allen to ride the pine rather than dribble a ball on the backend of the schedule. Allen only registered six minutes in the first two games of the MW Tournament and didn’t step on the court for the Aztecs match against the University of Wyoming in the championship tilt. He logged only eight seconds in the team’s NCAA Tournament first-round matchup against St. John’s University. That was the breaking point for the Sacramento native, who dedicated the offseason to improving his game and received help from two Aztec legends. “I was in the gym with Xavier Thames
and Jamaal Franklin before my junior year and they told me ‘you just got to be a savage. You just got to go out there and be yourself no matter what is going on,’” Allen said. “I felt like that really changed my mentality, especially on the offensive end.” The mental shift quickly translated to production on the court. After averaging only 2.5 points per game in his first two seasons, Allen scored 16 points on 4 of 5 shooting and went 7 of 8 at the free-throw line in the season opener against Illinois State. He finished the season logging minutes in each of the Aztecs’ 38 games and made 17 starts, including the final six. The increase in playing time aided Allen to end the season with career highs in every statistical category, including 12 doubledigit scoring games. Now as he passes the baton to his senior self on the last leg of his SDSU career, Allen is aiming to be the anchor of the team. “I don’t want to be missing from any games,” he said. “I don’t want to be forgotten in any game and make an impact every time I step on the floor. I want to put this whole season together because our team is capable of doing big things this year.” While the confidence Allen now exudes partly stems from his increased production, his head coach has played a significant role. “My biggest steps from my first year to now is all mental,” Allen said. “Coach Fisher is never too high and never too low. His composure in time of stress, in times of joy are the biggest things I took from him and will help me in the rest of my life.” Although the season nears and preseason team awards begin to pile up, Allen is aware that his life after basketball is nearing. The social science major wants to utilize his time as a student to give back the community. “Through San Diego State athletic program I was able to be a part of a training camp for one of the many Indian reservations,” he said. “I was able to work with Nike and they liked the work that I did. I feel like that is a perfect fit for me to do for others, what they have done for me.” However, before the ball stops bouncing for Allen he has unfinished business on the court, as his SDSU journey has yet to come to an end.
Nov. 2 - 8, 2016 • THE DAILY AZTEC editor: Anthony Reclusado • sports@thedailyaztec.com
sports 17
Fort fighting her way to the top
Senior guard Mykenzie Fort (15) attacks the rim against San Jose State. katelyn mulcahy, Staff PhotograPher
AShley Washburn Staff writer ____________________________________ Legendary NCAA head coach Rick Pitino once said, “Those who work the hardest are the last to surrender. Pitino is known for his success at the University of Louisville, but looking at
his quote, one could only think of San Diego State women’s basketball junior guard McKynzie Fort. The 5-foot-9 guard has been putting in countless hours on and off the court this summer, trying to bring as much to the table for her team this upcoming basketball season. “This offseason I’ve been working on my three-point shot and outside
jumper” McKynzie Fort said. “I’ve also been working on ways to create more opportunities for my teammates by opening up the floor and being a better threat.” Her work doesn’t go unnoticed and head coach Stacie Terry has already seen a massive improvement in her game. “What I love about ‘Kynz is her willingness to be great,” Terry said. “She is a student of the game and wants to be the best basketball player she can be. She’s always in the gym and always working on her game.” Last season, Fort averaged teamhighs of 14.4 points, 4.1 rebounds per game and two steals. The junior was named to the Mountain West All-Defensive Team, and was an All-Mountain-West Honorable Mention for the 2015-16 season. In her first year at SDSU, the forward was named to the Mountain West AllFreshman Team. “The biggest stride I’ve seen her take this offseason is her understanding why the game is played the way it is,” Coach Terry said. “So not only has she been working on her physical ability, but has worked on the mental side of it as well. At the end of last season, we talked about wanting her to become more of an offensive threat as far as shooting the ball, and her time and
effort that was put in this summer shows.” The Fontana, Calif. native is currently majoring in kinesiology as a health and fitness specialist with hopes of becoming a personal trainer and starting a business with her brother. Terry said that Fort’s dedication and drive to be great on the court will pay dividends beyond this season. “She’s a joy to coach because she tries to be better at every single practice” Coach Terry said. “Her individual work this summer speaks wonders, and on the next level when she becomes a pro, because she will, she’s going to have to be able to create for other people, which is exactly what she’s been working on.” Fort took time to thank everyone who’s helped get to where she is. “I always appreciate God and try to keep him first and just remember that this is the reason why I’m able to play basketball,” Fort said. “I’d also like to thank my family for supporting me and former coaches as well.” As Pitino said, “Those who work the hardest are the last to surrender.” And this is only the beginning for Fort. Fort and the rest of the Lady Aztecs will be playing an exhibition game Friday, Nov. 4 at Viejas Arena against Cal State San Marcos. Tip-off will be at 6:30 p.m.
Success in nonconference is key for SDSU
The San Diego State men’s basketball team before a game during its 2015-16 season. kristian carreon, Staff PhotograPher
Brendan Price Staff Columnist ____________________________________ The San Diego State men’s basketball team will play 12 non-conference games this season before Mountain West play begins. The good news is the nonconference gives them a shot at perennial top-25 team and fellow West Coast heavyweight Gonzaga University, followed a week later by a rematch against UC Berkeley in Sacramento. The matchup with Gonzaga is arguably the jewel of the Aztecs’ out of conference slate, and is a must have victory for Fisher and his team. Tipoff is scheduled for 9:00 pm
on Nov. 14 as part of ESPN’s 24-hour college hoops marathon, a basketball junkie’s nirvana. The Bulldogs are ranked No. 13 in the USA Today Coaches preseason poll and are the only SDSU opponent that is currently nationally ranked. It will be a good early road test against a team with a spectacular head coach in Mark Few and a team with the most underrated big man in the Pacific time zone, fifth year center Przemek Karnowski. Additionally, Few has a lot of weapons in the backcourt at his disposal. Washington transfer Nigel WilliamsGoss is eligible after sitting out last season, and will be joined by senior guard Jordan Mathews, who
transferred from Cal and is eligible to play immediately. These two join redshirt sophomore Josh Perkins, who made the WCC AllFreshman team last year. It’s a great matchup for the Aztecs, and definitely a winnable one. The other game that headlines the 2016 side of the schedule is the rematch with Cal. The game takes place just a week after the Aztecs play Gonzaga, so it’s a rare opportunity to pick up two quality wins and national recognition at the very beginning of the season. It took a second half rally to come back and beat the Golden Bears in the Las Vegas Invitational last season, but with Cal losing Jaylen Brown to the NBA Draft, there isn’t as much talent on head coach Cuonzo Martin’s squad. In theory, it’s a neutral site game, being played at the Sacramento Kings brand-new arena. However, it should be viewed as a road game because of its closer proximity to Cal’s campus than the Mesa. This will be a different sort of test that the Aztecs will face, playing a team that does like to run the court more than a Mark Few-coached team. It’s something that has been a focus offensively in practice in the preseason, and this will most likely be the first chance to see it in action. That does it for the good news. Savannah State, Alabama State, San Diego Christian College - those matchups and more constitute a schedule with an all too familiar lack of games that push the RPI meter. The two crown jewel games, Cal and Gonzaga, have to attempt to counterbalance that. Good luck. It eerily resembles the slate of games and situation that SDSU faced last year: an unbalanced non-conference
slate coupled with a lukewarm assessment of the MW. Given those two conditions, a strong start to the non-conference schedule is imperative. The non-conference is where the Aztecs have to exceed expectations and do well, given the tepid national reception the Mountain West has received in preseason polling and discussions. SDSU’s early losses last season were irrecoverable blemishes, even after the team pranced and pillaged its way through conference play. Secondly, the MW doesn’t have the kind of television exposure that other major or even mid-major conferences have, so it’s important to impress against the few nationally recognized and televised opponents that Montezuma’s men will have. It is more than just the overall record at the end of the non-conference for Coach Fisher though. The absence of high-level competition should give the Aztecs opportunities to really get deep into the bench and allow for players to get minutes and learn how to play with each other before they head into the meat grinder of conference play. Typically, Coach Fisher does not run his rotations more than ten players deep when games are close or the team is playing in a “must-win” scenario. A strong showing outside of the MW will allow for players to grow and get game minutes, rather than just relying on practice minutes alone to improve and learn the offensive and defensive sets. The regular season begins on Nov. 11 against the University of San Diego, and the red and black need it to be the first step towards a convincing start to their 2016-17 season.
18 Arts And Culture
Nov. 2 - 8, 2016 • THE DAILY AZTEC editor: christine whitman • features@thedailyaztec.com
Learning glass reinvents classrooms Carly yribarren contributor ____________________________________
Since its recent expansion in live large lectures this semester, the learning glass has changed the way students learn and develop their understandings in a wide range of areas. The learning glass, an invention created by San Diego State physics professor Matt Anderson, challenged students to think creatively and clearly. The infamous glass whiteboard is used to either project or record instructors notes by the use of a flipped recorded image. The learning glass allows instructors to make a connection with students in the classroom setting through the enhanced visibility that it creates. “Having your face that visible to the students in every seat in the auditorium puts some personality back into the lecture, which is ultimately what they want and what you should be delivering,” Anderson said. “It should not just be dry content, it should be your personality, your typical teaching persona that you have developed, that should be coming across as clearly as possible and I think learning glass has helped achieve that in the large auditorium setting.” Instructional Technology Services Director James Frazee has even recognized Anderson as a key component and partner of ITS.
“Not only does Dr. Anderson think about the future of education, he takes action to find solutions to some of our most pressing problems,” Frazee said. “For instance, when he saw inadequacies in the current chalk and talk approach to classroom lectures, especially in highenrollment courses, he invented the learning glass.” Anderson first created the learning glass in order to record his lectures for his students in 2011 and 2012. Since then and with the help of the instructional technology services department, the learning glass’s capabilities and popularity has grown nationwide. Other professors in different departments and universities have found the benefit of the learning glass in their classrooms. Almost all of the Universities of California, Stanford, Duke, and Columbia are among the list of universities that learning glass has reached. Anderson uses the learning glass in his principles of physics class, and he continuously finds ways to put students up in front of the large auditorium behind the glass through different activities. “It changes the whole dynamic of the room, it is peers teaching their peers, it really becomes much more relevant to the students,” Anderson said. There has been an ongoing efficacy study in order to measure the correlation of learning outcomes and the learning glass. Anderson said one study concluded
Physics professor Matt Anderson makes a connection with students. courtesy of matt anderson
that the learning outcomes compared to a face-to-face lecture were equal, but students liked the learning glass lecture better due to the fact that they felt the professors presence better and they felt more connected. Anderson also said he is always looking to improve learning glass and some improvements are in the process right now. Director of studio operations for the learning glass and electrical engineering senior Eric Johnson said, “I can see the learning glass expanding outside of the
traditional classroom setting. It could be useful in the cooperate world for employee training or even for motivational speakers as a tool in presentations.” The learning glass’s capabilities are continuing to grow and its significant impact around SDSU’s campus and other campuses is clearly visible. “I hope that learning glass is just starting its journey, and I hope we haven’t figured out all of the best ways to use it because I would love to maximize its potential and I don’t think we have completely tapped that potential yet,” Anderson said.
Campus Movie Fest showcases creativity nicole badgley staff writer ____________________________________ Campus Movie Fest is the world’s largest student film festival that gives students everywhere the opportunity to create and produce their own short films. This year, CMF made its way back to San Diego State. The shorts were showcased on Oct. 27 in the theater of Conrad Presbys Aztec Student Union. The Culture, Arts, and Films committee of the Aztec Student Union Board worked to bring this festival back to campus for its ninth year. Student teams were given professional movie equipment and a week to produce a short film that was five minutes or less. This year, over 60 student teams created
their own shorts. The top 16 shorts were picked and screened at the finale of the festival. The teams did not know which of the films were chosen to be screened. Some shorts were comical, some were creepy, and some explored more serious issues in a creative and innovative way. All were nothing short of a compelling creation that showcased the maker’s unique ideas and viewpoints. David Rakietan, ASUB programming assistant and Mac Capen, the video manager of Campus Movie Fest, were the hosts of the night’s event. The shorts were screened in sets of four. During intermissions between screenings, the hosts picked winners for raffle ticket drawings and held various Twitter hashtag contests and a Halloween costume contest. Capen has been working for the
program for two years and is still amazed by the work put into each student film. “I travel a lot because it’s a year-long worldwide festival,” said Capen. “I thought this year’s movies (at SDSU) were phenomenal.” Four students from Emory University started the festival in 2001. They began lending Apple computers and camcorders to students and allowing them a week to create their own shorts and providing at outlet to showcase those creations. Fifteen years later, the festival has reached over one million students from across the globe, bringing even more diverse stories into the spotlight and giving the next generation of filmmakers a chance to tell their stories through film. At the end of the film screenings, the final awards were given out to the best shorts. Chelsea Best, a theatre, television
and film major, produced “Purgatory,” a stunning creation that won the Jury Award, the Silver Tripod Award for best cinematography, and the Silver Tripod Award for best performance. “It was an awesome experience and I had a great time,” said Best. “CFM is awesome. I just love how it brings everyone together, even non-film majors. It gives them the opportunity to make films like this.” The festival allows not just film majors, but all students interested in film as a creative outlet the chance and the resources to bring their stories and viewpoints to cinematic life. With the growing popularity of this program, Campus Move Fest is likely to return to SDSU next year and provide another opportunity for students to tell their stories.
Nov. 2 - Nov. 8, 2016 • THE DAILY AZTEC editor: christine whitman • features@thedailyaztec.com
arts and culture
19
SWMRS and FIDLAR electrify stage nathan yick contributor ____________________________________ Punk rock fans and concert goers were brought to life Friday, Oct. 28 at The Observatory North Park, as SWMRS and FIDLAR electrified the stage during their tour debut. The much anticipated show was maxed out in capacity and the line to enter the show reached around the block when the doors opened. SWMRS released its first album, “Drive North” earlier this year, and debuted the record with high energy in San Diego. Fans were roaring and mosh pits were forming before the band came on stage. At 8 p.m., the Oakland based punk band came out and set the tone with “Palm Trees,” igniting the pit into a full on rage fest. The energy was relentless and didn’t see signs of slowing down as Cole Becker, the lead singer, coerced angst and confidence into the audience with honest lyrics and impulsive energy. The band showed its ability to diversify its style of play, when it slowed down the pace and brought out its alternative roots with “Miley.” This gave the crowd a little breathing room from the continuous sweatfilled moshing. But the energy stayed the same as Cole ripped the chorus, delivering one of the most punk tributes to the American pop singer. SWMRS followed the slow vibe with “Hannah,” and gave the crowd an honest tale with beautiful sound.
“Hannah is about a girl and came up with the song,” said Max Becker, after the show. “It was a collaborative effort.” SWMRS’ performance continued to electrify the room and the level of energy was at an all time high in the midst of “Silver Bullet.” The whole crowd sang along with Cole Becker, word by word, immersing themselves into the song and understanding the grittiness and emotion of the lyrics. The band closed with “Drive North” and rallied San Diegans on its mutual hate for Los Angeles while jabbing at FIDLAR’s hometown. The energetic connection between the audience and the band set the atmosphere for FIDLAR. FIDLAR’s entrance was nothing short of amazing, as the band came on stage to the national anthem playing. The momentum from SWMRS took the crowd to a whole new level in the midst of FIDLAR’s presence and the whole floor turned into one giant and continuous mosh pit. FIDLAR’s hit song, “40 oz on Repeat,” turned the crowd into a head banging rave, inducing euphoria and anger into the fans as they related to the state of mind that came with copious amounts of beer. Shortly after, FIDLAR followed with a fan favorite from its first album, “No Waves,” and the crowd continued to rage on with unrelenting energy. The fans and the band were in sync that night, as lead singer Zac Carper told everybody to sit down at the beginning of “Cocaine.” The built up anticipation was almost
CROSSWORDS
Across 1 Less-played song, usually 6 Big name in big projections 10 Skips, as TiVoed ads 14 Like Andean pyramids 15 Bumpkin 16 Touched down 17 “Gotta go!” 19 Without serious thought 20 Cuts down 21 Single 22 Garson of Hollywood 23 “Do it, __ will!” 24 Peter Parker’s alarm system 27 Bed blossoms 29 Hyundai rival 30 Vineyard cask 31 Stainless __
32 Agent 33 “Looney Tunes” stinker, familiarly 34 Kaiser roll topping 38 Hide from a hunter? 41 “Yet cease your __, you angry stars of heaven!”: “Pericles” 42 E-cigarette output 46 Firefighter’s tool 47 Lanai music maker 48 Has a conniption 50 Henry VIII’s third wife 53 “Noah kept bees in the ark hive,” e.g. 54 __ acid 55 Capp and
Lead singer of FIDLAR, Zac Carper delivers a stellar performance. kristian Carreon, Staff Photographer
too much for the crowd and the whole venue roared in unison when everybody got up to the chorus. The energy at The Observatory that night was almost enough to bring the whole venue crashing down. But FIDLAR had no intentions of slowing down as fans continued to rave on to grittiness and passion of “Bad Habits” and “Sober.” Despite energy levels, the night came to an end as FIDLAR encored, “West Coast,” and left its fans on a high note. FIDLAR and SWMRS defined energy and brought their fans to an intense level. They connected with them through honest songs and brought them to life with angst and unrelenting rage. In conjunction to the stellar performances, the two punk sensations
sent a message to the crowd and ultimately conveyed their overall essence of their tour. “I want to make sure that everyone feels comfortable in the show,” Cole Becker said after the show. “I want people to be aware of the privilege they have and make sure people without those privileges feel comfortable as well.” SWMRS and FIDLAR share a collaborative vibe during the show, which they plan to continue. “Basically this tour is a tour of a ton a friendship,” Max Becker said. “We’re super close with Fidlar and not many people know this but, this tour is actually called The Ohana Tour because Zac is Hawaiian and we just love to hangout and have a good time with them.”
Classifieds
Capone 56 Poet Whitman 57 Manner 58 Sign of deceit, and a hint to this puzzle’s circled letters 61 Years, to Livy 62 Navigation hazard 63 __-garde 64 Establishes 65 Fancy jug 66 Nutty green sauce Down 1 Vatican personnel 2 Show disdain for 3 Dessert drink made from frozen grapes 4 Weekly septet 5 Disney doe 6 Modern Persians
7 Subdued 8 Civil War nickname 9 Boomer’s kid 10 ‘70s-’90s African state 11 Pasta preference 12 Forms a big stack 13 Compound in many disposable coffee cups 18 Easy pace 22 Govt. property overseer 24 Corn Belt sight 25 Barely makes, with “out” 26 “Geez!” 28 When the NFL’s regular season begins 32 Canadian whisky 33 BlackBerries, e.g. 35 Seattle’s __ Place Market 36 Antelopes, to lions 37 At any point 38 Sleepover need 39 Check out 40 Lax 43 Tropical fruits 44 Rich 45 Charges for use of, as an apartment 47 GI hangout 48 Club owner? 49 Toss from office 51 County seat of County Clare 52 Thanksgiving decoration 56 “__ Only Just Begun”: Carpenters hit 58 Ship, to its crew 59 “Hee __” 60 Go on and on
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Nov. 2 - nov. 8, 2016 • THE DAILY AZTEC editor: Christine Whitman • FEATURES@thedailyaztec.com
'Yeezy' balances music and idiocy David ayala Staff writer ____________________________________
A
ttending a concert in Los Angeles during the week may not seem like an intelligent thing to do attending a concert during midterms seems worse, but I did it, for Kanye West. I also bought my tickets a bit later than recommended, meaning I paid double the price for Kanye West. I anticipated the Saint Pablo Tour. I was been a big fan of Kanye throughout high school. His first few albums resonated with me and I enjoyed his album production. But now, I wouldn't put Kanye anywhere near my list of top favorite artists. His music varies in quality and he is enjoyable to listen to, so I wanted to finally experience him live. His personality and antics make him seem like a “jackass” or narcissist in the eyes of many people, but I always found his attitude and behavior hilarious and entertaining. For me, he mastered the balance of making really good music, and saying idiotic things. Come Thursday, Oct. 27 I found myself out of time. I couldn't finish a paper by the time we had to leave, so I promised myself I would finish it when I got back. It was 3 p.m. and my friend and I had already made our first mistake. Four hours were we on the road, in rush hour, through Irvine all the way to Long Beach. My bladder could not hold it any longer. I pleaded with my friend to stop for a bathroom break, but it was nearly impossible to exit traffic without losing precious time. The concert was scheduled for 8 p.m.
and we were still on the freeway by 7 p.m. San Diego traffic in no way even compares to Los Angeles traffic. After finally relieving the pressure inside my bladder, we exited the heavy congestion and arrived in Inglewood, the city that housed the former home of the Lakers - The Forum. We walked to the Forum no longer distressed by the long wait. Enthusiastic and excited, we had no clue we had to wait another two full hours to see Kanye in person. “A diva,” said the young guy sitting next to us, describing Kanye’s attitudes when it came to performing. The guy had told us he had attended Kanye’s previous concert and that after a modest 45-minute performance, Kanye quickly left without ever engaging with the crowd. "I am giving him a second chance,” the guy said. My friend and I looked at each other, wondering if we drove four hours and used a full tank of gas to experience a mediocre concert. Prove us wrong Kanye, I thought to myself. The Forum wasn't even halfway full and my stomach was starting to digest itself. As per usual in a venue event, a burger and a cup of water amounted to more than $20, but hey, at least it's not as much as Kanye's clothing line. Our seats were located in the far back side of the Forum. Not our preferable seats, but that was the price for forgetting to purchase the tickets early. The inside of the Forum was full of artificial fog. It was hard to see the far side of the arena. After two hours, suddenly the lights turned off. The background music was silenced. The hype was paying off, as people were screaming and chanting “Kanye! Kanye!”
#DASNAPSHOTS
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A floating platform was lowered and from the distance we saw a silhouette mounting the platform. Kanye was lifted up on the platform. It was hard not to imagine that platform falling on top of the people, or Kanye falling off of it, but thankfully that never happened. “Father Stretch My Hands Part 1” was the first beat that dropped. The whole venue went nuts. The next hour and a half was eventful to say the least. 'Yeezy' lived up to the hype and he was as energetic and lively as we hoped. The platform moved from place to place, that way everyone could get a good look at him. Aside from that, four screens facing all of the sides of the venue gave us a better glance at him. He sung classics like “Jesus Walks”, “Power”, and “Good Life," but he also went through the complete The Life of Pablo album. He sang everything from critically acclaimed tracks to debatable trash. We even witnessed a spectacular light show that went hand in hand with his performance. The beat made everyone jump and stomp the floor. At times I thought the whole venue might come down. The most awkward moment came when he randomly showed us a videography of early moments in Kim Kardashian's life. I'm not a great fan of the Kardashian family, so I found it a bit annoying. More disappointing than that was the fact that he didn't rant throughout the whole show. Something fun about Kanye is seeing him dissing or randomly ranting about other people or things during concerts. The accumulation of body heat required us to take our sweaters off. The odor of weed and beer filled the venue.
A guy in front of us offered us and everyone around him a hit of his blunt. “No thank you,” we said. He kept insisting, becoming a nuisance to us. Later on that same guy slipped down the wet stairs as he left the arena. He was fine, but it was funny. Thankfully, Kanye lasted more than 45 minutes and then it was time to leave. People left the venue in hordes. Whenever attending a massive event, it is imperative to leave the Bluetooth in your car on, or at least remember exactly where you left your vehicle. Unfortunately this was not the case with us. After walking around the Forum trying to figure out exactly where we left my friends car, we sat on the sidewalk. I cursed at my friend about our current situation. After calming down, we did the old “tracing our steps” maneuver and we finally found our car. Getting out of the parking lot took us another 30 minutes. Being stuck in traffic again, made me wonder if there was such thing as a God of Academics, who was punishing me for being irresponsible with my studies. Even after leaving, the streets were blocked by men trying to sell unlicensed Saint Pablo merchandise. '“No! Get away,” we would scream at them. Luckily the way back was smooth. However, it was almost two in the morning and I had class the next day. I spent the rest of the night finishing my homework, only able to give my internal clock three hours of rest. I don't even think I even did a great job on my assignment. Moral of the story if there even is any, finish your homework before you go out to a Kanye West concert.
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Central perk?
Production designer Emily Lewis snapped this photo of Central Park while vacationing in New York City.