The Daily Aztec 8/9/2023

Topaz construction delay frustrates students

Despite scheduled opening in August, new residential and retail development was pushed back to October 2023

BY MADISON MCGILL STAFF WRITER

A delay on the Topaz Apartments development has forced more than 100 students who signed pre-leasing agreements to find other living arrangements — just two months before the start of the fall 2023 semester at San Diego State University.

Topaz informed pre-lessees (via email in May) that the apartments would not be ready for the start of the semester. Construction on Montezuma Road first began in fall 2021. The development has 53 units, totaling up to 169 beds for individual leasing, five retail tenants on the ground level and other amenities for residents are still under construction.

It is unclear whether future apartment occupants were thoroughly informed about the possibility of delays due to conflicting information from students and Topaz officials.

Nonetheless, a short-term solution

was presented in the first email. Topaz offered interim housing and shuttle service for commuting students to and from campus until the apartments were ready.

However, a second email sent in June stated that interim housing would no longer be an option. According to NBC San Diego’s coverage of the email contents, Topaz “couldn’t accommodate” everyone interested.

Some student residents weren’t surprised by the delay, but they feel frustrated that the temporary fix went away.

Take Ella Albagdadi, a senior who committed to pre-leasing back in January. Albagdadi said she went by the building on multiple occasions and did not see any visible progress. After Topaz announced it could not secure interim housing, she felt uncomfortable signing up for an entirely different apartment with roommates knowing she would leave in a few months for a single unit at Topaz.

“I don’t know why they promised us (housing), especially in San Diego’s market if they didn’t already have anything lined up,” Albagdadi said. “I was busy worrying about the shuttle service since I stay late to

SDSU police chief prioritizes community policing, safety

Murphy’s career started in 1993. During his involvement in the police force, he held law enforcement positions with the Los Angeles Police Department and several California universities.

RYAN KEHL

SENIOR STAFF WRITER

Gregory Murphy was sworn in as San Diego State University’s new chief of police on June 13 after serving as the interim police chief since August 2022.

According to an SDSU News Center report, Murphy — with over 30 years of experience — is ready to use his expertise to prioritize the safety of the SDSU community.

Some of Murphy’s immediate priorities

study in the library, but now (the shuttle is) not even an option. I’m in a much better position than (out-of-town students) who signed up and don’t have anywhere to go, though.”

In light of the delay and the inability to secure interim housing, Topaz is offering refunds to students who decide to cancel their lease.

Financial incentives, including rent credit, have been offered to students to either keep their postponed leases or move into the apartments next semester. Bob Hetherington, the Topaz community spokesperson, said that Topaz provided information about available housing through Airbnb, VRBO and other local options.

Julia Lima, another student, chose the cancellation route and opted to move into a different apartment complex with her roommate. Her father, Marcio Lima, agreed that financial reimbursements would be a reasonable conclusion.

“I understand it’s a difficult situation, but there are a lot of things involved when someone chooses a place to live,” Marcio Lima said. “(Families) spend months — maybe even a year — looking around and

include the six “E’s”: environment, engagement, education, enforcement, empowerment and empathy.

“I approach campus safety with a philosophy containing six ‘E’s,” Murphy said. “We recently had an all-staff meeting where we discussed infusing these six E’s throughout the department, aiming for service delivery aligned with this philosophy.”

During his 11 months as interim police chief, Murphy gained insight into the unique culture of the SDSU community.

checking out places.”

The rescheduled opening date for the Topaz development is Oct. 15, but some students are anxious. Albagdadi said she isn’t confident that the apartments will be ready by then, but she has kept her lease and hopes to move in.

“(Topaz) doesn’t have any motivators to complete (construction) right now because so many students are canceling and they’re getting bad reviews already with this situation,” Albagdadi said. “At the same time, I’m going to be a super senior and I want to live in one place, so I’m hoping it works out.”

Despite these concerns, Hetherington is confident that the building will be completed, and he said the construction and development teams took steps to ensure timely progress.

“While unforeseen circumstances can arise with sophisticated construction projects, we are committed to delivering Topaz Apartments and providing a highquality living experience for our residents by October,” Hetherington said.

This story is ongoing.

San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913

Construction on the off campus Topaz Apartment complex on Montezuma Road continues on July 18, 2023. Photo by Michael Hayes

Gregory Murphy, official chief of police for the San Diego State University Police Department Courtesy of the San Diego State University Police Department

With extensive experience, Murphy introduces innovative strategies to campus policing

BY HANNAH LY NEWS EDITOR

The California State University Board of Trustees has appointed Mildred García as its 11th chancellor, overseeing the nation’s largest four-year university system.

García will succeed Interim Chancellor Jolene Koester, who has been leading the system since May 2022. This transition follows the resignation of former Chancellor Joseph I. Castro, who stepped down amid allegations of mishandling sexual harassment complaints against an administrator during his presidency at Fresno State in February.

As the first Latina chancellor in the CSU’s 62-year history, García is tasked

FROM THE COVER

“I realized that every campus is unique and has its character and culture. San Diego State is vibrant and spirited, academically and with events,” Murphy said. “There is an energy here that signifies a collective community working toward a single goal, which I greatly appreciate.”

Campus safety was another topic Murphy acknowledged, starting with how students, faculty and staff can participate in trainings to strenghten community awareness.

“They can participate in active shooter training, become student workers

named 11th chancellor of

State University

with a system confronting a massive budget shortfall of more than $1 billion and a proposed tuition hike.

Since 2018, García has served as the president of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. She also previously served as the president of both CSU Fullerton and Dominguez Hills.

“I am honored, humbled and excited for this opportunity to serve the nation’s largest four-year university system and work alongside its dedicated leaders, faculty and staff, and its talented and diverse students to further student achievement, close equity gaps and continue to drive California’s economic prosperity,” García said in response to being appointed as the next CSU chancellor.

through our community service officer program, engage in evacuation drills or join our safety committee,” Murphy said. Murphy, highlighting his approachability, encourages students interested in law enforcement to join the department’s internship program, engage with the social worker program and attend events like “Coffee with a Cop.”

To strengthen ties with the SDSU community, Murphy conducts walking meetings on campus with his team and invites students to join his workout

According to a May finance report prepared for the interim chancellor, the CSU system faces a 15% funding gap between its revenue and operating costs — a shortfall of roughly $1.5 billion.

In an effort to bridge the funding gap, trustees of the CSU board are considering an annual 6% tuition hike for full-time undergraduate students for at least five years. The proposed increase would raise tuition from $5,742 to $6,084 in the initial year. By the 2028-2029 academic year, it will increase to $7,682.

According to an interview with the Los Angeles Times, García commented on the Cal State financial challenges, saying she has yet to be fully briefed on the subject.

“Look, CSU and all regional comprehensives in this country have a budget problem,” García said. “I know there are issues. But so is every regional

sessions, particularly those focusing on leg exercises.

“Engaging the community is key to community policing,” Murphy said. “Which involves forming relationships to solve problems through organization, partnerships and problem-solving.”

In the SDSU News Center report, Josh Mays, associate vice president of Safety and Community Empowerment, praised Chief Murphy’s exceptional leadership and dedication to the safety of the university community.

comprehensive institution in this country. The question is: how do we manage it?”

In light of the institution’s economic condition, a few CSU trustees expressed concerns about García’s compensation package — an annual salary of $795,000, $80,000 in annual deferred compensation, an $8,000 monthly housing allowance and a $1,000 monthly auto allowance.

“This is close to double what the chancellor was making four years ago,” said Trustee Douglas Faigin, who voted against García’s salary. “Faculty and staff are hearing that we want to treat them as fairly as we can, but at the same time, the cupboard is bare. Looking at these numbers, is this a good message?”

García’s tenure is set to commence on Oct. 1 and the attention will be focused on her as she guides the CSU system through a period of financial uncertainty.

“With his exceptional leadership skills, experience and commitment to ensuring the safety and security of the university community, Chief Murphy is the ideal candidate for this important role,” Mays said. “Since joining SDSU, he has truly embodied the core values of a compassionate leader.”

For more information, visit the SDSU Police Department’s website and Instagram to stay up-to-date with the latest developments and events happening at the university.

Mildred Garcia is now the 11th chancellor of the California State University system. Courtesy of California State University

Textbooks don’t have to be an expensive endeavor

Options such as Equitable Access and Chegg are available to help students save money from the expensive burden of textbooks

JENNIFER AGUILAR MUNDO AZTECA EDITOR

As thousands of college students head to school this fall, the Education Data Initiative reported that the average fulltime, in-state undergraduate student at a four-year public university spends around $1,226 for books and supplies in one academic year.

Despite this statistic, San Diego State University students have options such as Equitable Access and Chegg that can help students save money when deciding on textbook costs.

SDSU offers Equitable Access, a program where undergraduate students can access their required textbooks by the first day of class for $19.75 per course. The program provides digital course materials, and in some cases, students may be able to request a physical copy.

While this program can be beneficial to students who have multiple classes that require textbooks, it may not be financially rewarding to pay $19.75 per unit if only one course requires a textbook.

If unsure, always check the prices of textbooks on Equitable Access and shop using a website such as BookScouter — a price comparison website for textbooks. BookScouter can also be used to sell used textbooks.

Equitable Access is applied to your tuition automatically. If you want to optout, you can do so on the SDSU Equitable Access webpage. Sept. 1 is the add/drop date for the fall 2023 semester.

If you “opt-out” of Equitable Access, its perks become inaccessible to other course materials in the program. Unlike the previous Immediate Access program, students cannot decide which classes they want to opt into due to the rental program.

Another well-known option aside from Equitable Access is Chegg, an

educational company that offers over 750,000 different textbook titles for rent or purchasing options. Chegg offers homework help and online tutoring. However, a subscription may be required to access certain services.

Chegg also has a 21-day refund guarantee on physical textbooks and a 10day refund guarantee for eTextbooks. This refund guarantee may be helpful if you notice that the material is unneeded for your class or if you accidentally ordered the wrong textbook.

Students can no longer turn to Amazon for their textbook rental needs as the e-commerce site discontinued the print textbook rentals program on April 1.

According to a statement on Amazon’s website, customers have until Sept. 13 to extend or purchase textbooks. Even though the rental program is discontinued, students can purchase course materials from the e-commerce store.

Looking for your materials on Facebook Marketplace is another option.

This website offers lower prices, but it might be challenging to find the specific books you need. If you’re purchasing an item from someone through Facebook Marketplace, be sure to use the official payment system embedded in the marketplace. Don’t engage with pushy sellers or those insistent on paying through third-party apps such as Venmo or Cash App.

When shopping for textbooks from other online sources, avoid sketchy websites. Strategies to identify untrustworthy websites include researching the website thoroughly on a search engine, social media or by reading customer reviews.

Obtaining your degree can be an expensive endeavor, but by taking the time to research and shop around, textbooks can be one less big expense for your wallet.

ILLUSTRATION BY GABRIELLE HOUSER

From Riverside, to San Diego, to your new editorin-chief: A letter from the editor

BY DAESHA GEAR EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Words cannot express how excited I am to write this letter to you all!

My name is Daesha Gear, and I will be serving you all as the editor-in-chief for the 20232024 academic year. I will be heading into my final year at San Diego State University as a journalism-media studies major with an auxiliary discipline in television, film and new media.

My origins of what led me to this position and journalism, overall, is quite lengthy and it begins outside of San Diego.

To summarize, I am a transfer student from Riverside City College, and I gained my first editorial experience at 18 years old with their student publication, Viewpoints.

Initially, I took the leadership and news production elective courses to receive extra credits to quickly transfer to a California State University. Never would I have thought taking those extra courses at my community college would form me into the person I am now.

Throughout my time with my first publication, I had the opportunity to serve as the opinion and assistant news editor for a smaller, yet dedicated newspaper that cared about providing a voice to the voiceless in the Riverside community.

I was unsure of what school

I would begin my journalism career next. My first managing editor, Daniel Hernandez, brought university newspapers to the newsroom for staff members, like me, to gain inspiration.

Coincidentally, most of those newspapers came from the Daily Aztec’s 2021-2022 academic year.

When I picked up the papers for the first time, I felt inspired by the colors and unique front page designs. Instantly, I discovered my new home.

Receiving my acceptance letter to venture off into a new environment was motivating as I was glad to choose SDSU and the Daily Aztec because I wanted to make an impact. But “how” I was going to make an actual impact was the real question.

Being a transfer from over 100 miles away from SDSU, it was shocking to see how different the in-person university courses and virtual community college classes were. Luckily, I was able to find a community with those at the Daily Aztec by finally breaking the ice and reaching out about my interest in volunteering.

I began my career at the Daily Aztec as a contributor, producing articles and participating in the live show, Daily Aztec Live!

Within two months of the fall 2022 semester, I was offered the position to join the 2022-2023 editorial board as an assistant

editor.

It was humbling to know that former editor-in-chief, GabrIel Schneider, saw potential in me to join the editorial board and help others with my previous editorial knowledge.

It was valuable to understand how all nine sections operate to provide a variety of coverage to diverse communities at SDSU and beyond. It’s an even greater accomplishment to be your editor-in-chief for this academic year.

With the guidance and faith from past and current leaders, I am inspired to continue providing a voice to this community with devotion and care. While I will be taking on a lot of responsibilities, I know I will not be alone.

I believe in my editorial team to help lead this 110-yearold publication. This editorial team, consisting of 16 members, has individuals with unique backgrounds, class years and majors outside of JMS. Although we all come from various upbringings, my editorial board and I hold a similar mission.

We strive for this publication to have a strong, yet welcoming presence to every student interested in contributing to the Daily Aztec. Every voice, perspective and identity is crucial for this publication to not only evolve but also open a

conversation to subjects that may be under or overlooked.

To accomplish this goal, it is imperative for the Daily Aztec to expand its outreach by fostering a relationship with the SDSU community through social media and tabling events.

It means a lot to me, as likely the first African American woman editor-in-chief. I want to inspire fellow Black student journalists to get more involved in the newsroom because there are countless opportunities here at the Daily Aztec.

For everyone who comes to the Daily Aztec, I will do whatever I can to ensure that you succeed and get that dream job you always envisioned after graduation. I want the Daily Aztec to continue being a memorable and rewarding experience that establishes an everlasting connection between current and past members.

That being said, my team, from editors to staff writers, is thrilled to continue to pay homage to the tradition — and continuous evolution — of this 110-year-old publication for the 2023-2024 academic year. The change to our website design is just one example, and we’re just getting started.

Now, from pen to paper... or fingers to keyboard, let’s begin.

The views and opinions expressed in this issue do not necessarily reflect those of The Daily Aztec.

FOLLOW US /dailyaztec @TheDailyAztec @thedailyaztec /DailyAztecVideo

Photo by Michael Hayes

Wokeness is not a threat

One of the most popular political buzzwords is a hollow representation of progressivism

ILLUSTRATION BY GABRIELLE HOUSER

BY NOAH LYONS OPINION EDITOR

If you’re chronically online like me, you’ve probably seen a particular fourletter word frequently pop up in political discourse.

Woke.

It’s been used by Cancun vacationer Sen. Ted Cruz and real-life Disney villain Gov. Ron DeSantis, among many other conservative personalities. They have labeled M&M’s mascot redesigns, Target’s pride collection, Star Wars’ casting and NBA athletes’ activism as “woke.”

Can’t I just eat M&M’s, shop, be a nerd and watch basketball in peace?

All of this discourse has raised an important question: what does the word even mean?

The answer lies nearly a century ago.

The term “woke” was first used in the ’30s in Black communities as a way to describe social consciousness. It was utilized in songs, stories and protests. “Wokeness” signaled an awareness of injustice. In some cases, “woke” ideas led to reform and reconstruction.

From there, the definition of “woke” has evolved. So has its use — and misuse.

In 2014, in the midst of Black Lives Matter protests against police brutality for the killings of Michael Brown and Eric Garner, the word “woke” was a rallying cry against injustices hurled toward communities of color. The word was even added to the Oxford English Dictionary in 2017.

As the word gained prevalence, online movements grew as well, beginning with the “#staywoke” tag becoming often used on Twitter.

The music industry took notice, too, as Childish Gambino’s smash hit, “Redbone,” was centered on the phrase.

However, in 2020, a shift took place.

The word quickly became weaponized and lumped together with political buzzwords such as “social justice warrior,” “cancel culture” and “leftism.” It grew in popularity among Western societies, particularly between the right and moderate voters. Today, “woke” has become a catchall term for everything deemed progressive.

In modern political discourse, the

term “woke” is imprecise, overused and often problematic. It’s an opaque political boogeyman that pundits and politicians struggle to define.

When Ryan Newman, DeSantis’ general counsel, was asked what it meant to

the Florida Department of Education.” No precise measures are given, and “woke” is only defined as “wrongs to our kids and employees.” Whatever falls short of an idealized, post-racial society is reductively labeled with that one word.

the word “woke” has become commonplace in political discourse. More concerningly, it will likely stay that way. Politicians and pundits rarely discuss topics like racism and sexism with subtlety, and many have egged on the use of the word through their speeches and public appearances.

Although few politicians can accurately define “wokeness,” they seem intent on dismissing progressive and reform-focused discussions at the door of Congress.

Words carry power and are extremely malleable. In the current political landscape, buzzwords have become undeniably effective — they’re easy to say, and they will draw a big reaction from people who wholeheartedly agree and others who vehemently disagree.

We have to be more precise with our words and embrace nuance.

be “woke,” he defined it as “someone who believes that there are systemic injustices.”

Well, yeah. The United States has a long history of systemic injustices.

A few injustices in America include redlining, uneven prison sentencing and disparate education funding in districts serving students of color. Conversations surrounding any of these topics inevitably circle back to reparations or widespread reform — two hot-button issues in the world of politics. Any notion of radical change is met with the same one-word retort: “Woke.”

In the past few years, some politicians have gone as far as introducing legislation to combat the vaguely-defined idea of wokeness.

No politician has been more aggressive than DeSantis, who pushed the Stop Woke Act, a piece of legislation that seeks to push back on “corporate wokeness” and one of the most controversial topics in education: critical race theory.

These policies are vague and broad, giving governors like DeSantis the freedom to define multifaceted curricula and ideology in a single, reductive word. The official pamphlet for the policy promises to stop schools from “hiring woke CRT (critical race theory) consultants,” and says it “strengthens enforcement authority of

Some Republican politicians have rebuked the use of the term “woke” in national politics, namely former President Donald Trump.

However, in sum, the careless use of

If deconstructing social injustices and desiring to stop them is “woke,” perhaps “wokeness” isn’t the threat many make it out to be.

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“If deconstructing social injustices and desiring to stop them is ‘woke,’ perhaps ‘wokeness’ isn’t the threat many make it out to be.”

Separating the art from the artist — where do we draw the line?

ILLUSTRATION BY EMILY AUGUSTINE

BY NATALIE DOUD CONTRIBUTOR

Kanye West and Morgan Wallen are two of the biggest names in the music industry. Both, despite their contrasting genres and audiences, share a commonality: they made charged comments about race and ethnicity.

Most recently, West made antisemitic comments in interviews and has been under fire ever since. In a similar fashion, Wallen publicly used a racist, derogatory term on camera — which many have forgotten or ignored, despite the viral video.

Artists find themselves soaking up fame and seldom unearth corners of the world where the light does not envelop their every move. This emphasizes just how influential musical artists can be. However, many lack perspective and end up nurturing deeply rooted issues thanks to their thoughtless behaviors.

It is disappointing to see prominent people abuse their positions with such farreaching platforms. These situations leave not just the artists, but also the fans, in a predicament.

Consumers must choose whether indulging in these artists’ work aligns with their values as supporting their work can indicate support for the individual. They must ask themselves this: do the artist’s wrongdoings outweigh the significance of their work?

Some may decide the artist was never what made the art they cherish so

significant. Instead,the meaning they derive from the art itself is of greater magnitude than the issues at hand. This begs the question: do we, as a society, draw a line?

Picking out which artists’ work to support establishes an implicit disparity by creating piles of those we outcast and those we accept. It would be close to impossible to draw a firm “line,” considering the polarized society in which we live.

If every situation is treated the same, ethical obligations would depreciate. Drawing a line also implies the acceptance of some crimes or issues over others. Once we give the stamp of approval to one artist, we must give it to all. If consumers outcast West but accept Wallen, does that mean society accepts his controversial wrongdoings over others?

Listeners cannot allow musicians’ misconduct to fall through the cracks; they must be held accountable. Otherwise, the widespread negligence toward complex issues prevalent in the music industry will persevere, something that Wallen’s situation proved.

In the early months of 2021, Wallen was caught on camera using a racial slur. While he did receive backlash and radio stations stopped playing his music, fans continued to show their support. Wallen’s album sales escalated, setting records in the country music industry.

This is a prime example of how divided society has become. People are so willing to refute the rightful criticism of musicians that they will feed them money to prove a point. In the face of a progressive, everchanging society, it is surprising to see such high tolerance for people who make music and spew a little bigotry on the side.

For a while, I thought it was okay to listen to problematic musicians. I claimed to be “separating the art from the artist” and “drawing meaning from the creation, not the creator.” In reality, I was contributing to a larger problem. By allowing a severance of the artist and their art, I was brushing past immorality. I continued to enable the abuse of platforms, reminiscent of Wallen’s most ardent fans in 2021.

Some argue that they are consuming art in a way that does not contribute to the artists’ income and thus are free of this unspoken obligation to society. However, consumption still gives life to their creations and, as a result, the creator.

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It is too challenging to decide the weight of each crime and whether or not it falls into this “safe” category of consumption. When you play the song “Bound 2” by West, do you think about the memories attached to the flowing beats and auto-tuned voices? Or do you remember the antisemitism that led to West becoming a pariah?

It is nearly impossible to detach a musician from their music. An artist’s name is attached to their work, and also attached to their name is their misconduct. I find it hard to believe that if you brought up West’s name to a friend, talk of antisemitism and conspiracy theories would not follow.

Exceptions enable standards to become malleable and the line of acceptance to blur. Just because Wallen’s “Wasted On You” got you through a tough time does not mean the residue of his comment has disappeared. We cannot make exceptions to allow these musicians to have such a chokehold on listeners that their harmful actions become a thing of the past. Everyone, regardless of their net worth, should be held accountable.

Mi primer año de universidad como primera generación en mi ‘Casa lejos de Casa’

Como estudiante de primera generación de una familia Hispana existe una forma de presión

ABIGAIL SEGOVIANO ESCRITOR

Saliendo de la secundaria tenia muchas expectativas al entrar a la universidad como San Diego State University, una institución de servicio Hispano. Viniendo desde la Area de la Bahia hacia San Diego fue un cambio drástico.

Originalmente soy de la Area de la Bahía, norte de California., y decidí venir a SDSU para estar lejos de mi familia, para aprender mas de mi misma y ser mas independiente.

Pero, nunca me imagine que en el primer mes me sentiría sola y que extrañaría mi familia.

Como estudiante de primera generación proveniente de una familia Hispana, hay mucho en tu plato. Existe una forma de presion como ser alguien en la vida porque mis papas vinieron de Mexico escapando la pobreza.

Aunque soy la más joven de mi familia, mis hermanos fueron a la universidad y tenía esa mentalidad que tenía que seguir sus pasos “al pie de la letra” para no ser un fracaso.

Sin embargo, mi grupo de amistades fueron una confirmación que merecía estar en San Diego y en SDSU.

Hice amigos con personas de diferente niveles de piso en el dormitorio comunidad de aprendizaje residencial y tuve una experiencia positiva. Los eventos que hacian mis assesores residenciales eran divertidos y me ayudaron sertirme en casa.

Al principio cuestionaba si SDSU era para mi, pensé que habia hecho la peor decisión. Pensé y sentía que estaba lista para la universidad especialmente porque

escogí la escuela mas lejos de mi casa.

Académicamente me iba bien en la escuela y mi primer semestre se me hizo facil.

Pero, socialmente no hacia amistades.

Meses después empeze a conocer gente y ya no me sentía tan sola como antes.

Cuando empecé SDSU, sabia que quería unirme a la publicación estudiantil para aprender mas y agarrar mas experiencia.

Uniendome a el Daily Aztec

Starbucks antes o después de hacer tarea o estudiar para los exámenes.

Mis amigos fueron un gran apoyo este segundo semestre porque si batalle mucho en como usaba mi tiempo para hacer tarea. Pero cuando no tenia tarea o cuando la acababa temprano mis amigos estaban allí para hacer algo.

Si era en campus o afuera de campus. Íbamos a ver el atardecer, al cine, un juego de baloncesto de SDSU, un juego de los San Diego Padres, al centro comercial, a comer, al boliche, o nada mas estar en el dormitorio viendo una

Aprendi que la mentalidad de “seguir los pasos de mis hermanos para no ser un fracaso,” te molestará y te devorará en una manera negativa. Tendrás que pensar positivamente y cuidar tu salud física y Como próximo estudiante de segundo año, sobreviví el primer año. Honestamente, fue uno de mis años más fáciles, pero la experiencia de todos puede ser diferente a la

capaz de enfrentarlo y pasar a cosas grandes. Manejarás el mundo universitario saliendo y exponiéndote.

Únete a clubes que te parezcan interesantes o que te ayudaran en el futuro. Por ejemplo, tuve la oportunidad de poder unirme al Daily Aztec, y fue una de las mejores decisiones que hice mi primer año.

Si eres una persona de color enfrentarás un choque cultural pero está bien, porque hay centros de recursos que pueden hacerte sentir como en casa.

La gente dice que tienes que estar en la vida griega o “Greek Life” para divertirte, pero en realidad no es así. No soy el tipo de persona que iba a fiestas y casi nunca fui. Solo fui una vez y nunca volví porque luego encontré mi grupo de amigos que también casi no salen a fiestas.

Encontramos formas de divertirnos sin la vida griega y tu tambien encontraras formas de diversion sin la vida griega. Diría que las mejores personas para ser amigos son las que están en el edificio de tu dormitorio porque simplemente haces clic inmediatamente y viviras con ellos durante nueve meses, creando muchos recuerdos en los dormitorios.

Está bien conocer gente en el camino, aprenderás que vale la pena mantener algunas amistades y otras no.

Encontrarás a tu grupo de personas de alguna manera, pero los primeros meses de la universidad solo querrás concentrarte en la escuela y dominarlo, y eso está bien.

Una cosa que aprendí es que todos cometemos errores y está bien, pero nunca cambies quién eres en ninguna circunstancia.

decidí perseguir la carera de periodismo.

ILLUSTRATION BY EMILY AUGUSTINE

Sin embargo, tenia amigos en esa clase que me ayudaban en mis tareas y estudiabamos juntos. Siempre comprabamos comida o un refresco en

Aficionados de Mexico apoyan a su equipo a pesar de los resultados

Los aficionados Mexicanos son orgullosos de sus raíces y fue notable en el partido de Mexico contra Camerún

Muchos dirán que fue una brisa, otros dirán que fue mas o menos y finalmente están los que pensaron que fue difícil.

Una cosa segura es que estáras bien, independientemente de los obstáculos que se interpongan en tu camino. Serás

MUNDO AZTECA EDITOR

México se enfrentó a Camerún durante el verano y los aficionados dieron su apoyo enteró, horas antes del partido. Cambiando la atmósfera de los estacionamientos y cambiando el ambiente afuera de el estadio Snapdragon, el estadio de San Diego State University.

Verde. Blanco. Rojo. El águila en el centro.

Esta bandera fue más notable el dia del 10 de Junio.

Mi primer ano de la universidad nunca lo voy a olvidar porque si existian momentos altos y bajos, pero luego conocí a mi gente que siempre estaba allí en esos momentos.

Al final, no me equivoque en escojer SDSU para que sea mi “Casa lejos de Casa,” para estos proximo tres años.

“A pesar que estamos en Estados Unidos se siente que estamos en México,” dijo Ruben Peña, aficionado de México. “Yo creo que este estadio lo llenamos nosotros los Mexicanos.”

La primera vez que se enfrentó México contra Camerún fue en 1993 en Los Angeles. Luego se enfrentaron en la Copa de Oro 2014. Mexico tiene historia ganando esos dos partidos de futbol.

Este partido se considera significante porque fué la primera vez que hay un partido nacional en el estadio Snapdragon y es la tercera vez que Mexico se enfrenta contra Camerún.

Los aficionados Mexicanos orgullosos de sus raíces se pusieron sus camisetas de fútbol y otros se pintaron las caras con los colores de la bandera de México.

Felix Gonzalez, aficionado de México, viajó desde Michoacan con su familia para ver este partido. Fue inspirado a pintarse la cara para apoyar su “patria de México.”

Este partido no ha sido el primero que ha apoyado e ido, sin embargo, Gonzalez y su familia han seguido “El Tri” a diferentes juegos de fútbol contra diferentes equipos.

“Todos (los partidos) han sidos mis favoritos aunque pierdan, porque es una fiesta que hace uno,” dijo Gonzalez. “Ya perdi la cuenta de cuantos partidos he ido.”

Hubo expectativas de los resultados en el dia del partido en lo cual unos pensaban que México iba a ganar sin duda.

“Yo creo que vamos a ganar dos-cero,” dijo Peña.

Aunque hubo un empaté, los aficionados de México apoyan su equipo a pesar de los resultados de este partido o partidos en el futuro.

POR

POR JENNIFER AGUILAR

Miembros de la audiencia enseñan su orgullo hacia el equipo de México durante el partido de México contra Camerún el 10 de Junio. Photo by Mariadelcarmen Zuniga

Greta Gerwig’s highly anticipated movie is finally out after years of anticipation, and it’s all your inner child could have ever imagined

BY GWENYTH HOEBING SENIOR STAFF WRITER

Live-action “Barbie” is finally on the big screens for everyone to enjoy. It’s the gloriously vibrant, extraordinarily inspiring celebration of womanhood and life you would expect it to be.

Teaser trailers gave us only a small taste of what to expect in this movie but it gave us just enough insight for our curiosities and imagination to fly in a hundred different directions.

Barbie’s entrance into the real world allowed me to re-enter the childhood fantasy I once lived in. The little girl who used Barbies to imagine a world in which I could be anyone, and do anything, would be a giggling, giddy mess if she watched this movie. In fact — at the ripe age of 20 — I still was.

The movie is centered around the stereotypical version of Barbie (Margot Robbie), who lives a picture-perfect life in Barbie Land.

When Barbie admits to having thoughts about death and starts experiencing unusual things in her typically unblemished life, such as bad breath, flat feet and cellulite, she’s eager to discover the cause of her flaws.

Searching to find answers, it is discovered that everything going wrong in her once-perfect life is connected to a child who plays with her in the real world. And the only way for Barbie to fix her troubles is to venture into the real world, the “country of Los Angeles,” to find the girl who plays with her.

Ken (Ryan Gosling) accompanies Barbie to the real world. While Ken is with her, he gains a new and troubling perspective about his identity and patriarchy, causing him to decide to wreak havoc in Barbie Land.

“Barbie” introduces themes of sexualization, capitalism, patriarchy, womanhood and identity. These themes bring the inspiring and nostalgic side of Barbie that we know, while simultaneously addressing the controversy Barbie has historically been involved in, such as making women feel self-conscious of their image. Nevertheless, the main reason for Barbie’s creation is to inspire.

Greta Gerwig finely crafted this movie to cater to all audiences — it’s effortlessly hilarious and has a child-like whimsical wonder, while also adding in a couple of innuendos to keep adults laughing.

The casting decisions for the film could not have been better. Not only does Robbie encapsulate the classic Barbie look to a tee, but she also nails the pretty-inpink happy-go-lucky energy we naturally imagine Barbie has.

Gosling also knocks the ball out of the park with his stellar performance. The way Gosling presents Ken as he falls into a pit of hypermasculinity — while also maintaining a childlike personality — adds a lighthearted twist to complex topics.

Other performances from Will Ferrell, America Ferrera, Ariana Greenblatt and Issa Rae allow the vibrancy in this movie to shine brighter than it already does. “Barbie” also had a stellar, yet unique soundtrack, featuring artists like Nicki Minaj, PinkPantheress, Dua Lipa and Charli XCX.

A side performance and general concept that particularly stood out to me was Kate McKinnon, who played Weird Barbie.

For context, this character becomes Weird Barbie when the child “plays with her too hard,” circulating back to relatability for those who played with dolls when growing up. We all know someone who used to draw on their toys and cut their Barbie’s hair… this one’s for you. The quirky Barbie, who was seemingly self-exiled on the outskirts of Barbie Land, had the audience laughing with her eccentric movements and dialogue.

Those familiar with the history of Barbie will also love the detail that was put into the set and costume design in this movie.

Not only is the fuchsia set aesthetically gorgeous and nostalgic upon first glance, but its detail hilariously reminds us of the actual Barbie Dreamhouses. At one point in the film, Barbie opens the fridge to reveal a fake, sticker-like interior — just like what we would have seen as a kid. Other nostalgic scenes include one where Barbie showers; she simply stands under

an empty faucet with no water.

Original Barbie characters are either acted or mentioned, such as Skipper, Alan and Midge. To pay further homage to the franchise, there are even accessories and clothing pieces featured in “Barbie” that you might recognize from your own Barbie collection. Remember the Barbie dog that could go to the bathroom? Yep… even he makes an appearance.

The creator of Barbie, Ruth Handler (Rhea Perlman), even makes an appearance. Handler interacts with her own creation, having an emotional and inspiring conversation with a distraught, identity-stripped Barbie about what she was made to do: inspire.

While “Barbie” is nostalgic in many ways, it’s a feminist-coded movie that aims to uplift and inspire women to believe in themselves.

It aims to show people that they need to discover who they are through themselves, rather than finding their purpose in other people.

“Barbie” is an ode to womanhood, and a celebration of what makes every

human being special and unique in their own way. This film will inspire viewers to pave their own road in the life that they choose.

So the main question: stream or skip? This is a definite stream. Five kens out of five! It’s the movie of the summer (if not of the year) that will hug the Barbie-loving,

EDITORS: Natali Gonzalez & Sam Hockaday

Courtesy of Warner Bros.

Marching Aztecs redefine band tradition

BY RYAN KEHL

SENIOR STAFF WRITER

When the unmistakable beats of Olivia Rodrigo’s “Good for You,” Fall Out Boy’s “My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark” and “Uma Thurman” fill the air at Snapdragon Stadium, you can be sure the San Diego State University’s Marching Aztecs are making the scene.

Established in 1946 as a 40-piece ensemble, the Marching Aztecs have evolved into one of the West Coast’s premier bands. Beyond playing the beat, they’re reshaping college band traditions, striving to create memorable moments — each infused with SDSU spirit — every game day.

Jade Smith, Marching Aztecs band manager and junior criminal justice major, spoke about the evolution of the band’s dynamic.

“Since I’ve been manager, each section has grown from being isolated to becoming more unified,” Smith said. “We’ve broken the cliché and fostered more interaction among members, improving the band dynamic significantly.”

Bryan Ransom, SDSU alum and Athletic Bands director, relishes mentoring students in the Marching Aztecs. Each season presents a challenge to recruit up to 100 new members who must learn the band’s style and repertoire quickly.

Ransom is confident the Marching Aztecs will rise to the task in the upcoming year, even with the added pressure of three home games during the first weeks of the fall 2023 semester.

The Marching Aztecs also play an active role in community engagement.

“When I was a freshman in high school, we used to have ‘band night,’ where many different high school bands would come together. While I remember it being at a different stadium, we’re aiming to bring that back,” Smith said. “Ever since Snapdragon Stadium opened, we’ve done a lot of gigs associated with it; its opening was a big event for us.”

Smith also emphasized the Marching Aztecs’ inclusivity, noting that the band welcomes anyone regardless of musical background.

“We always welcome people with any level of experience to join our marching band,” Smith said. “That’s a key reason why we’re such a lively group. We can include anyone, and yet (band members) still manage to deliver their best performance.”

The emphasis on inclusivity within the Marching Aztecs fosters a continually evolving, diverse group. This adaptability is boosted by the ongoing introduction of fresh talent.

Jay Hibbs, an SDSU philosophy graduate and current drum major, discussed the band’s response to change and new members.

“In terms of performance, we’ve kind of been forced to evolve more,” Hibbs said, attributing this evolution to the band’s need for constant adaptability, driven by the introduction of new talents each season.

The adaptations of the Marching Aztecs extend beyond performance style, as Hibbs spoke about the members’ dedication to engaging with audiences at a deeper level.

“We want people to be engrossed with what we do, (and) we don’t want people to

just observe,” Hibbs said.

Hibbs also spoke about the band’s commitment to offering an immersive experience to its members, consisting of weekly practice for six hours — which members consider essential for refining their performances.

The Marching Aztecs differentiate themselves not only through their music but also through their unique approach. Their emphasis on fun and camaraderie generates engaging performances.

Kinsey Claudino, a junior music business major who plays the trombone, spoke about the differences between the Marching Aztecs and the more rigid, audition-based ensembles like other universities.

“We’re frequently labeled a ‘party band’ due to our informal atmosphere,” Claudino said. “Our band — primarily consisting of non-music majors — focuses on fun and social interaction, leading to a more entertaining experience.”

Facing challenges like performing outdoors in varying weather conditions, the Marching Aztecs remain determined, driven by their dedication to music and fueled by audience support.

“We truly appreciate when people come out to support us at our events,” Claudino said. “Performing outdoors — particularly in the heat — requires a lot of time and effort, and it’s the sense of being appreciated that rewards us and inspires us to persist.”

The Marching Aztecs’ vibrant performances resonate beyond Snapdragon Stadium, personifying unity and shaping SDSU into an impressive hub of community spirit. They indeed “march to the beat” of creating an exciting and engaging atmosphere that encapsulates SDSU.

For more on the Marching Aztecs and their ongoing journey, visit their Instagram or the band’s official SDSU website.

Kimberly Lee began Lucky Stars Market to empower small businesses and prioritize marginalized communities

event despite having only 60 slots at most to fill and even fewer for their two-day market event in Mission Valley.

According to Senior Jo Dirilo, another vendor, the excitement behind every Lucky Stars Market comes from people with a passion for art and fashion who have found comfort in coming to the event.

BY SERENA NEUMEYER SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR

Over 30 small businesses took over Westfield Mission Valley Mall on July 1 and 2 to celebrate a weekend full of fashion, art and music at Lucky Stars Market.

From vintage clothes and handmade jewelry to ceramics and crochet art, each vendor brought a personal collection of upcycled clothing and original artwork to sell during the two-day event.

Mall shoppers diverted from their regular Saturday morning shopping to follow the sound of live acoustic music while enjoying complimentary gelato and face painting. The next day drew in new crowds with a live DJ performance, free button-making and refreshments.

Kimberly Lee, 24, initially founded Lucky Stars Market in December 2021 to create a space that promotes positivity and prioritizes vendors who identify as

women, queer and people of color. As a vendor, selling clothes at other San Diego markets felt largely competitive and maledominated, prompting her to become an advocate for others in the vintage world.

By starting her own market event centered on community and diversity, Lucky Stars Market has created a name for itself in San Diego. The event has continued to grow in size for its vendors and shoppers who not only share a love for vintage fashion but now feel seen and supported by one another.

But the community Lee has built doesn’t end in the marketplace — Lucky Stars Market has extended its presence online as well with 11.3k followers on Instagram and over 3,500 followers on TikTok.

On both social media platforms, Lee’s presence online has grown significantly to award her the status of a “micro-

influencer.” She uses her personal accounts to give her followers an inside look into her business as well as an introduction to vintage fashion through her styling videos. With over 9,800 followers on Instagram and 12.4k followers on TikTok, Lee is encouraging users to dump fast fashion and go vintage.

“I want people to see the value in small business. Especially having (Lucky Stars Market) in a place like a mall, you can walk into any one of these stores and say that these prices are very similar,” Lee said. “There’s a stigma that a lot of small businesses are too expensive but you wouldn’t bat an eye coming into a department store paying that price — if not double the price — when the quality of clothes that are in stores today aren’t the quality that vintage stores carry.”

Lee receives 200 to 300 vendor applicants on average before every market

Being a vendor made Dirilo realize her calling to sell clothes, whether they are her own design or curated sustainable pieces. As she continues her studies in costume design through San Diego State University’s theater program, Dirilo also manages her store “Seventh Heaven Thrift” with the hope that her clothing will bring new customers a feeling of euphoria.

“I have sold at a couple (of) other markets but I remember Lucky Stars being one of the most social and welcoming markets in San Diego,” Dirilo said. “As a vendor, Lucky Stars Market has treated me and the other sellers with amazing respect and kindness… meeting all the people that attend the event is an amazing experience in itself.”

“I see so many different people with different personalities and different aesthetics. As a shopper, it has been amazing to see what other vendors bring in and their creativity.”

Dirilo believes SDSU students have a lot to gain from visiting Lucky Stars Market — whether you are beginning to build your closet or learning to own your own brand, Lucky Stars Market creates opportunities to learn something new about yourself and the people around you.

A community built on diversity and a love for vintage fashion

Marching Aztecs perform on the field at Snapdragon Stadium. Courtesy of Marching Aztecs

Vendors holding up pride flags to celebrate diversity and the beginning of the two-day market event on July 1, 2023. Courtesy of Kimberly Lee

Interested in fashion, music or photography? Here are a few art clubs for campus creatives

ILLUSTRATION BY GABRIELLE HOUSER

SDSU has plenty of clubs to keep your creative blood flowing

By Gwenyth hoeBinG

SENIOR STAFF WRITER

Are you a creative incoming freshman? Transfer student? Looking for something new and artsy? With over 300 clubs on campus, finding your niche at San Diego State University can be challenging at first glance, but for fresh creatives and those involved in diverse forms of art, there are countless opportunities at SDSU to find your community.

SDSU Arts & Culture Club (ACC)

This club aims to connect students to arts and culture in the San Diego area. Those interested in art, music, film, photography, dance and poetry will enjoy all this club has to offer. The club holds weekly meetings to discuss current arts and culture-related events, play fun games, participate in art-related activities and socialize. Emma Fitzpatrick, copresident and senior anthropology major, described her experience of becoming more creative while being involved in her club. “In terms of planning meetings as the co-president, my creativity has definitely been pushed and challenged because (at) each meeting, we present a new spotlight on an artist, art piece or something relevant happening in the art world,” she said. “We call it a culture drop.” Fitzpatrick also said that ACC has

allowed her to branch out her skills and meet new people on campus. Check out SDSU Arts & Culture Club’s Instagram, @sdsu.acc, for information about future meetings and events.

Skull and Dagger Dramatic Society

Those interested in expressing themselves through theater arts will find a home in Skull and Dagger, SDSU’s largest theater company and oldest club. This student-run club works to expand students’ reach to various forms of art.

Sydney Villa, club president and senior film production major, discussed the opportunity growth within the club. “I was fortunate to direct a piece almost two years ago with the club,” she said.

“It was one of the first things I directed in college, so the opportunity helped me realize my potential and allowed me to learn.” The club meets weekly to provide production updates, play fun games, build a community and offer a space for students to share their own projects.

At the end of every year, the club holds a formal gathering called “Uncaged,” an event where students present their work from the semester. Find updates and information about the club on their Instagram, @skullanddaggersd.

The Look Magazine

There’s a place for everyone at The

Look Magazine, SDSU’s first student-run art, fashion and design publication. The Look Magazine values creative expression, new perspectives and diverse voices. This magazine has designated roles for those interested in modeling, blogging, beauty, graphics, photography, events and public relations. Along with the club’s weekly meetings, plenty of unique events are held to keep students busy for the year. Launch Parties are held to celebrate semesterly paperback issues, accompanied by local music and drag performances. The club has also hosted various house shows, where local artists take the stage and students can enjoy a night of good music. For more information about getting involved in this eccentric vogue club, visit their website or Instagram, @thelooksdsu.

SDSU Photography Club

SDSU’s Photography Club strives to provide community outreach that serves as a calling to further promote art through the lens of growth and creativity. Those with a photographic eye — regardless of experience — are encouraged to join the club’s meetings, which are biweekly. Another perk of this club is workshops to build skills with camera work. Learn more about the Photography Club from their Instagram, @ sdsuphotographyclub, or visit their website.

Kolorhouse.sdsu

Kolorhouse.sdsu has built its way into being a creative staple on campus by connecting creatives through oncampus events. Kolorhouse.sdsu has fostered a community by exploring the art of expression. The club is committed to breaking the stereotypes of creativity within society by promoting the essence of art in all forms. Kolorhouse.sdsu has held themed photoshoots, student stylist showcases and student short film festivals. The club also manages to host entertaining events to keep SDSU artists engaged. Kolorfest is always an anticipated endof-semester event, including local bands, fashion shows featuring local stylists and local vendors. Overall, it’s an inspiring event that brings the community together. For more information about Kolorhouse. sdsu, visit their website or Instagram, @ kolorhouse.sdsu.

MULTI MEDIA

Exhibiting prominence on and off the court: MESA Foundation Mentors and Empowers Student Athletes

MESA Foundation hosted summer basketball skills clinics with SDSU’s Aztecs and San Diego’s Native and military communities

BY SUMAIA WEGNER MANAGING EDITOR

When Lamont Butler made the gamewinning shot last spring, the vibrancy from the NRG Stadium in Houston was felt and shared all across San Diego. The city lit with sparks of solidarity for the love of sports, community and connection, as history was made.

A part of that connection comes from the bridge that MESA Foundation has built between its athletes and the San Diego community.

The idea for MESA Foundation first began in April of last year. In October of the same year, the foundation became official. It is San Diego State’s first and only non-profit NIL Collective, currently focusing on the men’s and women’s basketball team. Its purpose is to work with organizations in San Diego while educating athletes on the importance of giving back to their community.

Funded solely by donors, MESA Foundation is a self-started non-profit association that is unaffiliated with SDSU. The organization favors supporting community charities and establishments over the NIL commercial enterprises.

Over the summer, MESA partnered with Inter Tribal Sports and Camp Pendleton’s MCCS 2023 Youth Sports basketball camp to run the Assist 2023 skills clinic. These clinics were the second and third for the association. The first was held in February at the Polster Branch Boys and Girls Club.

Inter Tribal Sports and MCCS’ camp were specifically chosen to connect with two of San Diego’s most prominent groups: the Native American and military communities.

“What we have found with the players (is) as much as they like having support for their program and a predictable NIL platform, what they really like is the version we’re doing — the one focused on deepening the connection with the community and really having the chance of making a difference,” Jeff Smith, cofounder of MESA, said.

Isaiah Thompson, the executive director of Inter Tribal Sports, discussed the importance of involvement with MESA’s athletes and the Inter-Tribal community.

“It means everything to everyone here,” Thompson said. “You know, we are always underrepresented in a lot of fields, and we’re overlooked in a lot of areas. It just feels nice to finally get some recognition and give our kids that opportunity to get that access to what it looks like to be a Division 1 studentathlete.”

coming to San Diego.

Roman got to interact with Lamont Butler during some of the drills.

“I feel very blessed to be here. It is very cool to meet (Butler) in person. I get to ask him questions and get to know him,” Roman Martinez said.

Having the opportunity to demonstrate his leadership skills on and

today at the clinic — they are out there working with the young kids,” O’Rear said. “The university and the basketball programs for both the men’s and women’s team should be really proud of them and what they do at these camps.”

Of those in attendance at the clinic was 14-year-old Roman Martinez, son of Cody Martinez, who is the tribal chairman of the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation. The Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation are also co-owners of the new Major League Soccer team

off the court holds sentimental value for Butler.

“Being with kids that are from here, is just great to be able to see them and impact their lives the way they have impacted San Diego,” Butler said.

Chris Harris, one of the parents at the MCCS camp, discussed the value of the one-on-one interactions between the players and kids.

“A lot of kids don’t get the opportunity to meet big big-time athletes,” Harris said. “With SDSU making the Final Four, for the kids to see the players in person inspires them. (Kids) are like ‘Wow, look at him, he was on TV taking the lastsecond shot. If I can meet him, maybe I can be just like him, too.’”

DJ Gay — a former Aztecs player and MESA co-founder — conducted the camps alongside Matt Evans who has coached with Gay for the past five years.

Bill O’Rear, a volunteer youth basketball coach recommended by Matt Soria, Aztecs assistant athletics director and director of Basketball Operations, was also a coach at the clinic.

“San Diego State recruits (are) not only the best players in the country but also the best character people. You saw

These youth basketball clinics are just part of the many events held by MESA. The foundation plans to host more gatherings in the upcoming months. According to MESA, they connect the athlete with their community through a variety of different activities geared to bridge the gap between them. MESA also empowers its athletes to use their social media platforms to inspire change through support and education in underserved communities. Furthermore, MESA provides a modest and predictable compensation to its athletes in exchange for their time spent giving back to the community and raising awareness for important social causes. By partnering with MESA, the athletes can connect with people on a more personal level. This, however, would not be possible without the contributions of the San Diego community.

Former player Matt Bradley volunteered at the Inter Tribal camp and spoke about his appreciation for MESA providing opportunities for communication with those who help sponsor.

“As a college athlete, MESA has definitely helped me connect with donors and people that support SDSU basketball,” Bradley said. “Without them, I would never have been able to have those close interactions. It means a lot. They have done so much, (it’s) not just about how the money helps, but really about bridging the gap between relationships with all the people we meet.”

Mentoring and empowering is exactly what MESA Foundation does. With all the success that they have had in their first year, it shows the value of their program.

Upcoming events include an oncampus blood drive with the San Diego Blood Bank in September, a walk for ALS in Mission Bay in October and an event with San Diego Food Bank in December.

EDITORS: Roman Aguilar & Eric Evelhoch

The Aztecs answering questions from the kids of MCCS’ youth program, on July 22, 2023. Photo by Noelani Sapla

Lamont Butler doing drills with the kids from Inter Tribal Sports on June 17, 2023. Photo by Noelani Sapla

“(Kids) are like ‘Wow, look at him, he was on TV taking the last-second shot. If I can meet him, maybe I can be just like him, too.’”

SDSU prepares for another year in Mountain West

Five things you may have missed in San Diego sports over the summer

Column: ILLUSTRATIONS BY EMILY AUGUSTINE

BY ROman aguILaR, ERIC EVELHOCH, aBIgaIL sEgOVIanO and CadE wEst SPORTS EDITORS, STAFF WRITER & CONTRIBUTOR

Softball went on a super-regional run in a historic season

BY ERIC EVELHOCH SPORTS EDITOR

San Diego State fans can be forgiven if the excitement following a historic year, and in various news reports, made it seem like an invitation from a power conference was on the way.

After a summer of waiting on the Pac-12 to sign a new media rights deal, the question surrounding the Aztecs’ immediate future has been met with a “well, not now” answer.

SDSU remains a member of the Mountain West for the 2023-24 season, and will likely have to wait until after next year to make a move. So the Aztecs — with the most championships amongst current members — are once again ready to begin the climb to return to the peak of the conference.

One thing’s for certain: SDSU will be in a position to compete for multiple titles this season. If they continue to succeed as they historically have, the Aztecs will be every bit as valuable if a potential P5 option presents itself in the future.

Take for example the women’s soccer team, which finished two points back of the conference regular season championship last year and advanced to the tournament semifinals.

The dynamic duo of redshirt-junior forward Emma Gaines-Ramos and junior midfielder Denise Castro are back. Both are top-three points producers and topfour goal scorers amongst all Mountain West returners.

Six of the players that started every game last season return for the Aztecs, including Gaines-Ramos, Carlin Blake, Kiera Utush, Trinity Coker, Grace Goins and Alexa Madueno.

Football has a host of experience in the secondary with six players who started last season returning, including interception leader Dallas Branch and top pass breakup man Dez Malone.

Adding to the intrigue will be how the offense operates under the direction of former Aztec quarterback Ryan Lindley in his first year as offensive coordinator. Jalen Mayden returns as the starting quarterback with three of the top five wide receivers in catches and four of the top six receiving yard producers back. The offensive line has three starters returning and two of the top three running backs in carries and net yards return as well.

Volleyball has an air of excitement after running off wins in six of its final nine matches to reach the conference tournament, advancing to the semifinals and upsetting No. 3 seed Colorado State.

Four of the six players that started in 20 or more matches return, including kills-per-set leaders Madison Corf and Julia Haynie, who was a top attackingpercentage hitter. Elly Schraeder is the returning leader in blocked serves and blocked attacks, averaging better than a block per set.

Still, there was a lingering sense at

The San Diego State softball team posted an amazing run in the playoffs that marked a historical season for the Scarlet and Black. Led by second-year head coach Stacey Nuveman Deniz, the Aztecs posted a 39-17 record in 2023 as well as a Mountain West tournament title, advancing out of the Los Angeles Regional. SDSU went 3-0 over the three games during the regionals, winning over Liberty (twice) and Grand Canyon while outscoring opponents 193. Led by a dominant pitching staff, the Aztecs earned their first super-regional appearance in program history, falling in three games to No. 15 Utah.

gone on to further their athletic careers. Here’s a quick recap of where they have signed professionally.

Men’s basketball had two players sign summer league deals, Adam Seiko (Golden State Warriors) and Nathan Mensah (Charlotte Hornets). Seven football players signed undrafted free agent contracts: Jesse Matthews (Houston Texans), Jonah Tavai

Heading into the fall, San Diego State knew it would be competing in the Mountain West Conference (MWC) for the 2023-24 athletic year and even for the 2024-2025 season. SDSU President Adela de la Torre and the Mountain West exchanged letters over the summer about the Aztecs’ “intent to withdraw” from the conference, which the conference treated as an actual withdrawal. Following a conference meeting in mid-July and agreements from both sides, Mountain West Commissioner Gloria Nevarez called SDSU a program “in good standing” for this coming season at the football media

Baseball wins first regular season title since 2004

SDSU shared the 2023 regular season Mountain West championship, making their first since 2004 with San Jose State — both having the same MW record of 1811. Additionally, junior outfielder and lefthand pitcher TJ Fondtain had an awardwinning season. He threw the first no-hitter of his college career against Nevada on April 21. His stellar performance then earned recognition as the 2023 Mountain West Pitcher of The Year in addition to multiple All-American selections.

Three players were selected in the MLB Draft: Cole Carrigg, a first-team AllMountain West choice was selected by Colorado as the 65th pick in the second round. Fondtain was selected in the 14th round by Tampa Bay and junior righthanded pitcher Kelena Sauer was drafted in the 15th round by Toronto. Shaun Cole is the Aztecs new head coach. The former pitching coach replaces Mark Martinez, who retired in July after nine years as SDSU skipper.

Mountain West football media days that this current setup is just a stopgap.

After all, SDSU has been hearing for months now that an invitation from the Pac-12 was seemingly in the offing. The Dan Patrick Show reported this topic last November, and as of April, SDSU Athletic Director J.D. Wicker was quoted saying that an invite to either the Pac-12 or Big 12 was “going to happen,” according to Seth Davis of The Athletic.

Aztecs tight end Mark Redman mentioned this idea during media day in mid-July that the team had been told to expect an announcement about the Pac-12 last year, according to a KSL report.

The difference between a spot in the Mountain West and a power five conference is big for the program — not only in terms of prestige but also financially.

According to the San Diego Union-

Big 12 inked a new deal with ESPN and Fox last October. This deal is set to pay its members at least $31.6 million per school yearly on average, according to Yahoo Sports. SDSU has seemed to fit most with the Pac-12 as a destination since realignment became a major reality with the announcement of both UCLA and USC moving to the Big Ten for the 20242025 season. SDSU joining would help fill a void for the conference in the southern California market and enable the program to continue to play its conference games regionally.

With so much focus on media deals

MLS announcement, major international matches put soccer at center stage Snapdragon Stadium has become an epicenter for soccer in southern California. In mid-May, Major League Soccer announced the granting of a San Diego expansion team that will kick off beginning in February 2025. The yetto-be-named team will join the San Diego Wave FC of the National Women’s

invitation.

I hope that SDSU considers their primacy in academics and their students’ success as part of any move that is made in the future.

Have we reached the breaking point to where it’s most important to have a good content distribution deal for athletics? That the opportunities are there for student athletes to expand their footprint, but at what potential costs?

The uneasy waiting game remains. For fans on the Mesa, it’s good to know in the meantime that San Diego State will remain as competitive as ever for however long they remain in the Mountain West.

Despite rumors of an impending power conference invitation, the Aztecs are well positioned to continue to championship tradition in MWC

Get to know your fall sports transfers for this season

SDSU welcomes 13 incoming transfers for the 2023-2024 year

BY ROMAN AGUILAR SPORTS EDITOR

Women’s Basketball

Sania Wells: Wells is a graduate transfer from Auburn University. During her four years with the Tigers, Wells appeared in 106 games, making 34 starts. Wells is a 5’7” point guard who averaged 6.4 points in 18.3 minutes per game as a senior.

Jada Lewis: A graduate transfer from Portland State University, Lewis appeared in 98 games while making 79 starts during her four years with the Vikings. Lewis, a 5’9” guard, totaled 906 points and made 207 3-pointers, shooting 37.5%. She averaged 11.4 points per game last year, leading the Big Sky Conference with 80 made threes.

Erin Houpt: Houpt played her first two seasons at Mercer University. The 5’6” guard was also recognized as the “202122 SoCon Freshman of the Year.” Houpt — who received the third-team AllSoCon selection — averaged 12.6 points per game last year, starting all 28 games for the Bears.

For her 3-point shooting (41.6%), Houpt ranks second in the nation among underclassmen and 10th overall. She also has made 93% of her career free throw attempts.

Men’s Basketball

Jay Pal: The 6’9” power forward played at Campbell University. Out of his three major college seasons, last year was his most productive year, making an impact on the court. In 32 games as

a starter, Pal averaged 12.3 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 31.0 minutes per game. In addition, he totaled 221 rebounds, 48 blocks, 45 assists and 30 steals. In just 993 minutes, Pal has the second most defensive rebounds for the Camels men’s basketball program while also leading the team in field goals, points, assists and steals.

Reese-Dixon Waters: As the reigning Pac-12 sixth man of the year, Waters has spent the past seasons at the University of Southern California. During the 202223 season, Waters was the Trojan’s thirdleading scorer, averaging 9.8 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 25.3 minutes per game. He set career-bests in rebounds (93), steals (21) and blocks (12) in a career-high 734 minutes on the court.

Women’s Volleyball

Taylor Underwood: During her lone season in the Windy City in 2022, Underwood earned a spot on the Big East All-Freshman team. She also ranked third on the Blue Demons with 2.47 kills per set, tallying 36 blocks. For the season overall, Underwood went beyond the double-digit kill plateau in 13 games, blasting a career-high 18 kills vs. Seton Hall on Oct. 7, 2022.

Women’s Soccer

Rebekah Brooks: Brooks finished her two-year career at College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita with several accomplishments. In her 2021-2022 season as a freshman, she recorded 19 goals, four assists and

42 points to earn the Western State Conference South Division Player of the Year honors. In addition, Brooks earned spots on both the California Community College Soccer Coaches Association AllSouth Region and All-State teams.

Brooks’ commanding presence on the soccer field led to four gamewinning goals. One memorable moment is her postseason score against LA Pierce College, which pushed the Cougars to the third round of the CCCAA SoCal Regional playoffs for the first time in program history.

Kali Trevithick: A graduate student from UCLA, Trevithick was named to the Pac-12 academic honor roll in 2020 and 2021. The forward played in nine games during the 2022 campaign, scoring three goals with one assist. In her debut against Cal State Fullerton, Trevithick scored two goals in 10 minutes. Due to her spectacular performance in that game, Trevithick was named the UCLA studentathlete of the week.

Football

Cody Moon: Spending the last three seasons with the Lobos, linebacker Cody Moon totaled 149 tackles (69 solo) after redshirting the 2020 campaign. Over this past season, Moon was the team leader in tackles at 105, 9.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. Moon was an honorable mention for the all-Mountain West selection last year at New Mexico.

Kyle Stanback: Stanback — who is an offensive lineman transfer from Ventura College — initially began on the defensive line for the 2021 season. During

his career at Ventura College, Stanback recorded 10 tackles in three games — three for loss, a half sack and a forced fumble. He also earned second-team AllConference honors before moving to the offensive line late in his career.

Talib Salahuddin: Playing two seasons at Riverside City College, Salahuddin appeared in 22 games for a program that went 22-4 for his two seasons. The junior defensive lineman also helped the Tigers (12-1) reach the 2022 CCCAA Championship match. During his time at Riverside, he totaled 65 tackles, 4.5 sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss, including posting five or more total tackles in four games played during the 2022 season.

Tupu Alualu: Playing one season at Mt. San Antonio College in 2021, Alualu started at the defensive line for the Mounties. Alualu had 46 total tackles (29 solo) and 5.5 sacks during the 2021 season. Alualu had eight or more total tackles during the 2021 season, including two games with two-plus sacks.

Raphael Williams Jr.: At wide receiver, Willaims Jr. played his first two seasons for the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) program at Western Carolina before transferring to SDSU. During his two years at Western Carolina, Williams Jr. racked up 120 catches for 1,617 yards and 15 touchdowns. To go along with his impressive résumé, he has had eight 100-yard games and four games with at least 10 catches. During the 2022 campaign, Williams Jr. logged 47 receptions for 658 yards and six touchdowns. Williams Jr. was named a first-team All-Southern Conference selection in 2021 by the SoCon Sports Media Association.

Crossword: Finished reading? Test out your memory below

Across

[2] Best place to meet people as a first year, according to Segoviano

[4] A market that prioritizes those from marginalized communities

[6] Marching Aztecs have been labeled as a _____ band

[7] What was Gear’s first student publication?

[8] ______ West Conference

[10] First Aztec sport to kick off in 2023

[11] Where did Mexico and Cameroon first face off this summer?

[13] Segoviano’s other family

[14] _____ and Black

[15] Summer blockbuster starring Margot Robbie

[17] Last name of the new CSU Chancellor

[18] The political buzzword that shifted in the past few years

Down

[1] The SDSU department that appointed Gregory Murphy

[3] Which company discontinued their textbook rental program?

[5] Evening campus events

[9] The opponent mascot for the first football game

[12] The Marching Aztecs perform here

[15] _____ at the buzzer

[16] The outcome of Mexico vs. Cameroon

For answers visit @thedailyaztec on Instagram