News

Nov. 17 - 30, 2021

2 The Daily Aztec

News

EDITOR: Katelynn Robinson • news@thedailyaztec.com

Veterans Day ceremony honors former Aztecs who have served

by Eugènie Budnik STAFF WRITER

San Diego State’s 88th annual homecoming coincided with the observance of Veterans Day on Nov. 11, giving special recognition to the 25th homecoming War Memorial wreath laying ceremony.

The ceremony, organized by the SDSU Alumni Association and the SDSU War Memorial Committee, was held in front of the university’s War Memorial located just west of the Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union.

The memorial is a giant monolith reminiscent of the Washington Memorial in Washington D.C. which was designed by former SDSU art professor Juan Dominguez in 1996. Its height of 25 feet stands solemnly adjacent to the Student Union and the Cal Coast Open Air Theatre. Etched upon each side of the memorial are the names of the 239 SDSU students lost in military conflicts such as World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq.

“It is always important to recognize those who have served our country and paid the ultimate price of sacrifice,” SDSU alumni relations specialist Jen Renallo said. “It is important to note that while this ceremony is taking place the day after Veterans Day, we do it every year at homecoming to remember our former Aztecs who have served and did not make it home.”

Members of the SDSU ROTC Honor Guard presented the colors, while the Marine Band San Diego played the National Anthem as a solemn opening to the ceremony.

The wreath laying ceremony attracted SDSU students, faculty, alumni, as well as both active duty service members and veterans. The county of San Diego holds the nation’s largest concentration of military personnel and over 200,000 veterans reside in the city of San Diego alone, making ceremonies such as the homecoming ceremony a community affair.

SDSU President Adela de la Torre spoke of the university’s unique connection and contribution to the local military community.

“We have a unique experience here at San Diego State. At most campuses, whether public or private, you won’t find an annual wreath laying ceremony,” de la Torre said. “You also won’t find this kind of free standing monument like this one, honoring former students who perished in service to our country.”

De la Torre also mentioned the university’s past and present actions towards easing the transition of veterans into civilian life.

The wreaths were placed at monolith outside the Student Union, which has the names of 239 SDSU students who were lost to military conflicts.

Guest speakers including former Aztec Jack R. McGroy and President Adela de la Torre, spoke about the 4,700 military connected students at SDSU.

“At SDSU, there are more than 4,700 military connected students, including veterans. We are proud to have them as important members of our diverse community. Our military-veteran programs are consistently ranked in the top, in the best of the nation,” de la Torre said.

Three student-written essays and poems from the SDSU Alumni Association war memorial writing contest followed de la Torre’s remarks. The winners of this year’s contest were Elizabeth Carlson, John Pugh, and Sydney Harold. Their prose shared their experiences with the military

community.

Jack R. McGroy, a former Aztec, as well as a former Marine Corps Lieutenant and current California State University Board of Trustees member was given the honor of keynote speaker for the ceremony. McGroy reflected on his time in the military, and how it guided him towards a career of public service as City Manager for the city of San Diego from 1991 to 1997.

“All of my family members served in World War II, and I would always listen to their stories. The day after I graduated college, a draft notice showed up [for the Vietnam War] and I suddenly had

Photos by Eugenie Budnik

Photos by Eugenie Budnik

to pick a branch of the military to serve in,” McGroy said.

Members of the SDSU Student Veteran Organization read the names of the 239 SDSU students lost in military conflict while selected veterans and members of SDSU ROTC Honor Guard carried wreaths and flowers to the base of the memorial.

A moment of silence, as well as the playing of taps by the Marine Band San Diego followed the reading of the names. A reception was held directly after the ceremony in the student union for attendees and organizers of the ceremony.

Aztec Stadium partners with Sycuan Casino Resort

by Katelynn Robinson NEWS EDITOR

Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation and Sycuan Casino Resort has been named San Diego State’s Aztec Stadium’s first founding partner. The announcement was made at the stadium construction site on Nov. 16, according to a university press release.

The Sycuan Piers will the latest

addition to the Aztec Stadium. The three piers will include three bars, a concession stand, space for 500 individuals and more.

“This is an extraordinary investment on behalf of the Sycuan Band in our university and in San Diego, especially

SEE AZTEC STADIUM PARTNERSHIP, PAGE 4

Photo courtesy of FreePik

Nov. 17 - 30, 2021 EDITOR: Katelynn Robinson . news@thedailyaztec.com

News The Daily Aztec 3

Baseball adds 10-year-old to roster

By Jenna Meyer SENIOR STAFF WRITER

On Friday, Nov. 12, SDSU baseball signed their newest recruit, 10-year-old Nathaniel Wolpoff from Team IMPACT, to the Mesa for the next two years. His official National Letter of Intent signing was held at Tony Gwynn Stadium with his family, grandparents, new teammates and members of SDSU Cheer in attendance to witness the ceremonious moment in Nathaniel’s life.

Team IMPACT supports children who are fighting serious and chronic illnesses by forming lifelong bonds through the partnership of a college athletic team. They are working to tackle the emotional trauma and social isolation many children facing these illnesses experience.

Nathaniel suffers from Crohn’s disease, a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that affects the digestive tract lining. Through the two-year program, he will have the opportunity to develop relationships with the team and build skills that will help him heal.

While Nathaniel will be learning and taking on new skills from some of the players, he already has quite a bit of knowledge about SDSU baseball and in particular, legendary Aztec Tony Gwynn.

During his signing, head coach Mark Martinez quizzed him by asking Gwynn’s batting average, which Nathaniel was quick to answer with correct response. Martinez cited that some of his own players might

Photo by Jenna Meyer

Ten-year-old Nathaniel Wolpoff had his signing day at Tony Gwynn Stadium with his parents, coach Mark Martinez, fellow SDSU baseball players, and SDSU cheer in attendence.

not know that.

As a new signee and member of the team, Nathaniel will attend practices and team events, as well as serve as the batboy for all Aztec Baseball home games.

For the upcoming seasons of Nathaniel’s career as an Aztec, it will be something bigger than the game of baseball.

There will be an aspect of mentorship from the coaches and players, but also a mentorship role for Nathaniel to provide to the team and coaching staff.

Nathaniel will be able to teach the players and coaches about the joy of baseball, and the joy of life.

“The other part we have learned from him is the pure joy of baseball. He brings that, you see it all the time. He doesn’t worry about anything.” Martinez shared. “In fact, when he’s waiting while they (the players) are stretching, he can’t sit still. He’s doing phantom swings, he’s getting ground balls.”

In the short time that Nathaniel has been a part of the program — just around a month — he has shown positivity in his role as batboy against UCSD in the recent fall game.

“I think for us it is that he’s going to teach us the joy of life,” Martinez said. “He’s been a really pleasant person to have around our program.”

The Aztecs will have their home opener with the Tony Gwynn Legacy tournament Feb. 25 to Feb. 27 with opponents to be announced.

When attending an upcoming SDSU baseball game, make sure to look out for Nathaniel and say hello.

4 The Daily Aztec News

Nov. 17 - 30, 2021 EDITOR: Katelynn Robinson • news@thedailyaztec.com

NBA athlete's backstory gives rise to speech therapy nonprofit

EDITOR IN CHIEF Catlan Nguyen

MANAGING EDITOR Trinity Bland

NEWS EDITOR Katelynn Robinson

OPINION EDITOR Aaliyah Alexander

MUNDO AZTECA EDITOR Noé Sandoval

ASST. MUNDO AZTECA EDITOR Karina Bazarte

ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR Ryan Hardison

ASST. ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR Cristina Lombardo

SPORTS EDITOR Jason Freund

ASST. SPORTS EDITOR Andrew Finley

SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR Amanda Orozco

PHOTO EDITOR Noelani Sapla

MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Mackenzie Stafford

ASST. MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Jayne Yutig

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Hemen Mesfin

Courtesy of Michael Kidd-Gilchrist Michael Kidd-Gilchrist shared his personal experiences with speech therapy and emphasized the importance of patiences being treated as people, rather than assignments.

STAFF WRITERS Eugénie Budnik Nick Coppo Marian Cuevas Adam Correa Kennedy Humphrey Morgan Prickett Davis Ramage Morgan Ray Sumaia Wegner

by Katelynn Robinson NEWS EDITOR

NBA athlete Michael Kidd- Gilchrist visited San Diego State to spread awareness about his non-profit Change & Impact Inc. and spoke with the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association last month in October.

Kidd-Gilchrist has played for the Charlotte Bobcats/ Hornets, Dallas Mavericks and New York Knicks. However, he said he has placed his basketball career on hold to focus on his nonprofit.

“Change & Impact (Inc.) started not even a year ago,” Kidd-Gilchrist said. “From now, it has probably been six months, if that. I am a person who stutters, obviously. I am very aware of my voice now. I always wanted to serve people and others. It just so happened that I was gifted in other places as well. So, I just want to help kids and adults who stutter. And also realize that they are no different from anybody else.”

The nonprofit is “a stuttering initiative with a mission to improve access to healthcare and expand services and

resources for those who stutter,” according to a press release from Change & Impact Inc. The Change & Impact official website will be live in approximately two weeks.

“Change & Impact” is working for the passing of a healthcare bill that would assist people with communication disorders by receiving more insurance coverage.

“I am taking leave from ball to focus on this bill and to focus on service and to help people, to help myself, to help SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures), and help the one percent of the population,” Kidd-Gilchrist said.

Educating insurance providers on the efficiency of stuttering therapy and speech therapy coverage is also a major goal of the foundation.

“My nonprofit is not the average nonprofit you see every day, as far as having a whole bunch of camps and things like that,” Kidd-Gilchrist said. “And I am not opposed to the idea but it is kind of time for all the SOPs and individuals who stutter to have help and also get help. So, I am just bridging the gap.”

According to the Change & Impact press release, some of

the barriers to speech therapy for stuttering include the lack of a standardized definition of stuttering. This leads to inconsistencies with addressing the medical need for speech therapy and by extension, access to speech therapy.

“My nonprofit, I believe, opens up access to others to feel free and to feel that we all are equal,” Kidd-Gilchrist said. “It doesn’t matter if you are tall, it doesn’t matter if you have autism, it doesn’t matter if you stutter, it doesn’t matter if you have this, it doesn’t matter if you have that. So, my nonprofit is just highlighting our imperfections.”

National Student Speech Language Hearing Association is a major-related club at SDSU which emphasizes students’ career paths which are aimed at speech-pathology and audiology.

“It was awesome,” President of NSSLHA, Makenna Sine said. “It was definitely a different event than what we usually have. It was really awesome to hear from someone who has actually gone through speech therapy and has come out on the other end. And he is actually in school right now to become

a speech therapist so that was something that everyone was really inspired by.”

Sine said Kidd-Gilchrist emphasized the importance of treating patients as people, rather than assignments. He spoke from his firsthand experience with speech therapy.

“One of the biggest reasons I would say is just representation,” Sine said. “To see actual clients and people who have gone through this experience, and hearing firsthand accounts of how his therapy was, how he grew up, and the things that he would like to see done better. Just kind of seeing the importance of seeing your patients as a person and not just a one-hour therapy session.”

Kidd-Gilchrist said he wants people to see he is the same as the other 70 million people worldwide who stutter.

“I am no different from the next person who has a stutter or has any disorder,” Kidd- Gilchrist said. “I have to pick myself up. I am just here to be one of the others. As hard as that might be to think I want to be but you know I am just here to help.”

SENIOR STAFF WRITERS Lucelis Martinez Jenna Meyer Sara Rott Flower Smith

CONTRIBUTORS Lindsey Anderson Meghan Ellis Hailey Risch Hailey Doolittle ________________________________

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Brian Arnold

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GRAPHIC DESIGN SPECIALIST Luis Valenzuela

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Aztec Stadium Partnership:

continued from page 2

given the importance this site has for our entire region,” SDSU President Adela de la Torre said

at the announcement event.

The Sycuan Founders Club is set to be one of the most reputable hospitality areas in Southern California. This includes year-round access to all Aztec Stadium events in addition to a premium menu and bar.

“It excites me that

our inaugural founding partnership is with the great community and university partners in the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation,” San Diego State Director of Athletics John David Wicker said at the announcement event. “SDSU and Sycuan have been partners on campus and

the community through various educational opportunities and now we can add the stadium partnership to this expanding relationship.”

Additionally, a tribute to the Kumeyaay Nation is to be displayed in the stadium, as part of the partnership, according to the press release.

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