Aztecs Gear Up for the 2024 Season Across All Sports with High Hopes
The sky’s the limit with women’s soccer leading the way, a rejuvenated men’s soccer team entering a new conference, a strong cross-country team and a football program under fresh leadership
By Roman aguilaR and JacoB FogelstRom SPORTS EDITORS
As the summertime comes to an end and the fall approaches, another year of SDSU athletics prepares to take place on the Mesa. The Aztecs seek to add to their conference-leading 96 Mountain West titles.
The fall of 2023 ended in a variety of ways for SDSU sports teams. With some results sparking changes coming in the form of new coaching staffs and accomplished transfers arriving to represent the Scarlet and Black in the climb to the top of the conference.
Women’s soccer had themselves a year to be proud of, achieving a record of 143-3 (9-1-1 MW) putting them en route to capturing their seventh MW regular season championship. The playoffs held a different fate for SDSU, falling to Colorado State in the semi-finals by one penalty kick, ending their season.
The team looks to repeat their 2023 success and finish the job, with the return of three 2023 first-team all-MW players including seniors Alexa Madueno and Olivia Sekimoto, followed by junior Alexys Ocampo. Also returning for the 2024 season are both of the 2023 second-team all-MW selections for SDSU including senior Emma Gaines-Ramos and junior Grace Goins. The MW leader in points/ game in 2023, senior Denise Castro, will also take the field this fall. Castro was also named the 2023 MW Offensive Player of the Year, earning herself a second-straight first-team all-MW spot alongside the Player of the Year honor.
For the men’s soccer team, the 2023 season was a tale of two halves. They began the season with a 6-0-1 record, then proceeded to finish the season with a 0-7-4 record, setting their 2023 regular season record at 6-7-5 (0-7-3 PAC-12).
Men’s soccer reloaded in the offseason, adding Andre Puente, a graduate transfer from Long Island University. Puente was one of 16 players named as a NCAA Division 1 Defender to watch in the 2024
season. SDSU also returns junior Austin Brummett, their 2023 leader in goals and points. Brummett finished in the top-5 in goals (7) for the PAC-12 in the 2023 season. He also played in all 18 games, tallying 1,069 total minutes on the year.
Men’s soccer has a new conference ahead of them in 2024, with the PAC-12 coming to an end, the Aztecs moved to the Western Athletic Conference. They will enter a conference whose top slot belongs to California Baptist University and had yet to lose a WAC postseason match (5-0) winning back-to-back WAC titles in 2022 and 2023.
SDSU Women’s volleyball sets out to have a bounce-back season in 2024, finishing the 2023 season 9-20 (4-14 MW). The Aztecs return their 2023 AllMountain West selection junior, Taylor Underwood. In her sophomore season,
Underwood placed sixth in the conference in kills (3.38) and points (3.88) per set, while also ranking sixth in the conference in services per set (0.35).
Looking to flip the script in 2024, the Scarlet and Black acquired six transfers in the off-season. Of these transfers, the Aztecs added a two-time state Gatorade Player of the Year in graduate student Shea Rubright. Rubright was ranked as the no.12 recruit nationally as a senior in high school, beginning her collegiate career at Minnesota before transferring to Washington State.
Women’s volleyball has its sights set on the 2024 Mountain West Championships, being held at the University of Nevada Las Vegas beginning on Nov. 27.
The San Diego State cross country team will be racing in seven meets including the Mountain West Championships and NCAA West Regionals. They opened their season at Cal State Fullerton at the opening Mark Covert Classic on August 31. The team will continue for a two-meet weekend split up between the Roy Griak Invitational hosted by the University of Minnesota on Friday, Sept. 20, and the UC Riverside Invitational on Saturday, Sep. 21.
The postseason for the Scarlet and Black will begin in November with the Mountain West Championships on Friday, Nov. 1. The conference championship 6k race for the 2024 season will take place in Colorado Springs, Colo. Washington State will host the NCAA West Regionals in Pullman, Wash. on Nov. 15.
The Scarlet and Black’s 2023 campaign was one of their best seasons in recent years as they posted two of the three best team times for any 6k meet in program history. San Diego State also had their best MW Championships finish in over a decade, and best NCAA West Regional finish in almost two full decades. The team concluded their season with a 21stplace finish during the West Regionals, their highest placement at an NCAA regional meet since 2005 when they finished seventh. SDSU’s overall team time of 1:47:38 was also a new programbest at the NCAA West Regionals since
the race was a 6k in 2000. The team’s time was ranked the third-fastest 6k run in school history.
After former Head coach Brady Hoke took the Aztecs to a 4-8 season, the San Diego State football team is looking to make strides this season after hiring the 19th Head coach in the football program’s history. Lewis, 37, had previously served as head coach at Kent State from 201822 before spending 2023 as the offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach at Colorado State under head coach Deion Sanders. A flurry of new staff hires was made soon after including Eric Schmidt as defensive coordinator, Lanear Sampson as wide receivers coach and David Lose as the defensive line coach.
Quarterback Danny O’Neil is expected to lead the offense out on the field as the starting quarterback for the season. O’Neil is a freshman and will have plenty of responsibility as the Aztecs’ signal caller during the season.
The Aztecs will play six of their 12 games in 2024 at SnapDragon Stadium. Seven of SDSU’s 11 FBS opponents made a bowl game a year ago. After a two week homestand, San Diego State will play at California on Sept. 14. The Aztecs will then travel to Mt. Pleasant, Mich. for a game against Central Michigan. Conference play will begin on Oct. 5 at home against Hawai’i, and will stretch up to their regular season finale on Nov. 30 against Air Force at SnapDragon Stadium.
Several players have been added to watch lists, recognizing potential players to keep an eye on throughout the season. Senior running back Kenan Christon was named to the preseason Paul Hornung Watch List, rewarding the most versatile high-level performer in college football. Christon is one of 48 players on the watch list. He’s also been named an allMountain West second-team preseason selection. The nation’s leading active rusher, Marquez Cooper, was also named to the Maxwell Award’s initial watch list for the 2024 season.
The San Diego State volleyball team celebrates a score against Wyoming last season at Aztec Court at Peterson Gym. Photo by Christie Yeung
JD Coffey celebrates his touchdown against Texas A&M Commerce at Snapdragon
Aztec Football Home Opener
Fans celebrate an SDSU touchdown at Snapdragon Stadium on Aug. 31
Fans
Fans celebrate an SDSU touchdown at Snapdragon Stadium on Aug. 31
Junior wide receiver Louis Brown IV and senior running back Marquez Cooper celebrate after scoring
The Marching Aztecs perform at the start of the first football game
PHOTOS BY SAM NICHOLS
SportS
Get to Know Your Fall Sports Transfers for the 2024-2025 Season
12 notable athletes headed to SDSU for the fall
CLASSIFIED
By Mac PhaM STAFF WRITER
WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL
Andrea Campos: Campos is a graduate transfer from Villanova. The 5 foot 8 inch setter recorded 16 career doubles-doubles in 79 matches. She has totaled 2,103 assists, 497 digs and 70 service aces. Last season, Campos averaged 9.8 assists, which was ranked second in the Big East.
Keira Herron: Herron is a junior transfer from Oregon State. The 5 foot 7 inch libero and defensive specialist totaled 150 digs, 20 setting assists and 15 service aces in 42 matches. Her sophomore year was her best season as she had career highs of 113 digs, 14 setting assists and eight service aces. In 2021, Herron took home the Conference 5A Defensive Player of the Year award while playing at College Station High School in Texas.
MEN’S SOCCER
Andre Puente: Puente is a graduate transfer from Long Island University. The defender was an AllNEC first team selection in the last three seasons and has contributed to two NEC championships at LIU. Puente has recorded 11 goals and three assists in 62 starts while playing 91 minutes per match.
FOOTBALL
Bennett Walker: Walker is a senior transfer from Eastern Michigan. The defensive back is returning to his hometown. Last year, Walker had 23 tackles, five deflections and snagged three interceptions.
Dalesean Staley: Staley is a sophomore transfer from Northern Iowa. Last year, the defensive back was named to the Phil Steele Freshman All-American First Team. Staley logged 70 tackles, eight deflections and three interceptions.
Ja’Shaun Poke: Poke is a senior transfer from West Virginia. The wide receiver caught 83 passes for 1,044 yards and five touchdowns in 37 career games. He can also serve as a returner for the special teams unit. Poke has totaled 44 return attempts for 1,110 yards.
Marlem Louis: Louis is a graduate transfer from Richmond FCS. The defensive edge rusher led Richmond in tackles for loss (12) and sacks (7.5) last year.
Nate Bennett: Bennett is a senior transfer from Portland State. The wide receiver caught 110 passes for 1,291 yards and four touchdowns in three seasons at Portland State.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Veronica Sheffey: Sheffey is a junior transfer from the University of San Diego. The 5 foot 9 inch point guard led USD in scoring and assists while making the All-WCC second team last year. In 31 starts, Sheffey averaged 12.2 points and 5.1 assists per game. The Aztecs are adding a backcourt player who also led her team last season in assist-to-turnover ratio (+1.4) and steals per game (1.5). Sheffey’s career-high (23 points) came against the Aztecs.
Cali Clark: Clark is a graduate transfer from Colorado State. The 6 foot 3 inch forward played in 109 games, starting 39 of them at CSU. Last season, she averaged 4.4 rebounds in just over 10 minutes per game. In her junior year, Clark had her best averages in rebounds (6.1), field goal percentage (56.4) and blocks (1.2) while playing just over 18 minutes a game.
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Nick Boyd: Boyd is a senior transfer from Florida Atlantic University. The point guard was a member of the FAU squad that played SDSU in the 2023 Final Four. The 6 foot 3 inch tall guard averaged 8 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 21 minutes per game over his college career. Last season, he averaged a career-high 9.3 points per game while playing in just 27 games due to injury.
Jared Coleman-Jones: Coleman-Jones is a senior transfer from Middle Tennessee State. In 28 minutes of playing time last year, he averaged 11 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. Coleman-Jones had shooting splits of 45 percent from the field, 44 percent from downtown and 77 percent from the free throw line. He made the All-Conference USA third-team last season.
Wayne McKinney III: McKinney is a senior transfer from the University of San Diego. McKinney averaged 9.2 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 26 minutes per game across three seasons at USD. He made the All-West Coast Conference second team last year while leading USD in assists and steals.
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Image courtesy of San Diego State Athletics. (Justin Truoung/SDSU Athletics)
San Diego State’s Women’s Volleyball huddles up before their game against University of California San Diego on Sept. 7th, 2023. Photo by Christie Yeung
Tres EstudianteAtletas Hispanos Fútbolistas para Seguir este Otoño
Atentos desempeño de Denise Castro, Alexa Madueño y Lorenzo Hernandez en el campo esta temporada 2024
Por AbigAil SegoviAno MUNDO AZTECA EDITOR
La Universidad Estatal de San Diego tiene un grupo diverso de estudiantes atletas, dentro de ese grupo están los atletas Hispanos. Este otoño cuatro equipos han comenzado su temporada, dos de ellos son el fútbol femenino y masculino.
Denise Castro
La mediocampista Denise Castro ha sido una gran fuerza desde el comienzo de su carrera en SDSU. Castro, de San Ysidro, esta en su ultimo año para las Aztecas. Durante su tiempo en el equipo, Castro ha sido clasificada y ha recibido menciones honoríficas en la Conferencia Mountain West.
Durante su primer año en 2021, Castro fue nombrada la Estudiante de Primer Año de la Semana de la Mountain West y tambien formó parte del Segundo Equipo de la misma conferencia. Adicionalmente, ella formó parte del equipo de Primer Año de la Mountain West. Castro anotó ocho goles, brindó una asistencia e hizo 49 disparos al arco.
En su segundo año, Castro fue nombrada Jugadora Ofensiva de la Semana de la Mountain West y formó parte del Primer Equipo de la Mountain West. Cuando terminó la temporada 2022, Castro empezo en los 20 partidos. Ayudó a su equipo con un total de siete goles, cuatro asistencias y 56 disparos a la portería.
En su tercer año, Castro fue clasificada como una de las mejores jugadoras de su conferencia al tiempo que fue segunda en goles, asistencias y disparos a la portería. Castro fue nombrada Jugadora Ofensiva de la Semana de la Mountain West dos veces en la temporada 2023. Al final de la temporada, fue nombrada Jugadora Ofensiva del Año de la Mountain West y formó parte del Primer Equipo de la Mountain West. Al igual que en su segundo año, Castro empezó en 20 partidos con un total de 10 goles, seis asistencias y 64 disparos al arco.
A principios de agosto, Castro fue destacada por la Conferencia de Mountain West como una de las jugadoras para seguir en la temporada 2024. Todas las menciones honoríficas se deben a la actuación de Castro a lo largo de la temporada. No hace falta decir que Castro se ha hecho un nombre en SDSU.
Lorenzo Hernandez
Lorenzo Hernandez juega para el equipo masculino de SDSU. El defensor de segundo año no jugó en la temporada 2022 porque utilizó su redshirt, que es la opción que tienen los estudiantes atletas de no jugar por una temporada y extender su elegibilidad.
El nativo de San Mateo jugó en su primera temporada con los Aztecas al año siguiente en 2023. El empezó en dos juegos y jugó en 15 partidos en total. Contribuyó con tres goles, dos asistencias y nueve disparos a la portería. Su primer gol fue contra la Universidad Estatal de Bakersfield, y su segundo y tercer gol fueron contra la Universidad Life Pacific, donde también dio dos asistencias. Hernandez apenas ha comenzando su participación en el equipo de SDSU ya que estará iniciando su segunda temporada con los Aztecas. Si quieres ver a Hernandez
y el resto del equipo masculino en el campo, echa un vistazo a su calendario de la temporada 2024 para ver cuándo juegan en el SDSU Sports Deck.
Alexa Madueño
Otra jugadora del equipo femenino a tener en cuenta es Alexa Madueño. La portera de Woodland, CA está entrando en su último año con las Aztecas.
Durante su primer año en 2020, empezo en 11 partidos. Madueño formó parte del Segundo Equipo de la Mountain West, del Equipo de Nuevo Jugadores de la Mountain West y el Equipo Académico de la Mountain West. Madueño logró detener 35 de 49 disparos a la portería.
En 2021, fue nombrada Jugadora Defensiva de la Semana de la Mountain West dos veces. Al final de la temporada,
Madueño empezó en 15 partidos y salvó el balón 80 veces, incluyendo ocho shutouts. Mountain West clasificó a Madueño como segunda en shutouts y tercera en salvos. En la temporada 2022, Madueño empezó en todos los partidos y terminó con siete shutouts, totalizando 92 salvadas. En la temporada 2023, Madueño obtuvo menciones honoríficas y clasificaciones en la Mountain West. Fue segunda en paradas y tercera en shutouts. Formó parte del Primer Equipo de la Mountain West y el Equipo Académico de la Mountain West. Madueño fue destacada como Jugadora Defensiva de la Semana de la Mountain West. Ella empezó en los 20 partidos de la temporada y detuvo 101 disparos al arco. Si quieres ver a Madueño y Castro en acción, apoya al equipo de fútbol femenino de SDSU.
Senior Midfielder Denise Castro runs down the field during SDSU’s game against Weber State on Aug. 18th, 2024. Photo by Christie Yeung
28 August 2023: San Diego State men’s soccer beat CSU Bakersfield 1-0 Monday night at the Aztec Sports Deck. (Credit: Derrick Tuskan/San Diego State Athletics)
Senior goalkeeper Alexa Madueno launches the ball deep into the center field in an Aztec 3-1 loss to ranked no.
Stanford. Photo by Jamie Sanchez
AI Inside and Outside the Classroom: Professors and Students Weigh In
Students and staff sound off on how to handle the use of AI in the classroom, especially in writing-heavy departments
By Theresa schroeder CONTRIBUTOR
On Aug. 28, Yale announced that it would invest $150 million towards supporting artificial intelligence integration, over the next five years. Arizona State University is collaborating with OpenAI to engage its faculty and students with artificial intelligence.
They are just a couple of universities that have committed to integrating AI. Conversations on whether or not to include AI, and how, are inevitable, as it has the potential to be both a tool and a threat. What professors and students have to say about it, could shape the future of how AI is used in, and beyond the classroom.
San Diego State University professors across disciplines also view AI as inevitable. But are hesitant to fully embrace it in the classroom, particularly in writing-intensive departments such as Rhetoric and Writing and English.
“In writing specifically, I think it’s going to have to be a thing we talk about,” said Chelsea Kerford, a rhetoric and writing professor and assistant director of the SDSU Writing Center. “It’s going to be necessary to teach students how to use it.”
However, Kerford has not integrated AI into her classes. She does not allow AI to be used by students, nor has she utilized it as a grading tool.
“I’m not doing that because one, I don’t know how and two, I don’t trust it,” she said.
Kerford’s main concern is about how students use it, rather than the tool itself.
“A lot of students use it instead of writing things themselves,” she said.
Jessica Pressman is a professor for the English and Comparative Literature department and co-founder of the Digital Humanities Initiative at SDSU. She works in and has been published many times in
“There are ethical ways to use it.”
— Chelsea Kerford
the field of electronic and digital literature, making her familiar with AI.
“As a scholar of new media, I think that it is one of my foundational goals in all my classes to teach my students to think critically about the tools they use,” Pressman said.
She is not opposed to allowing AI in her classes, but does not currently use it as a tool. However, she does teach about AI through secondary sources such as books published about, or in tandem with, AI.
Pressman stressed the importance of looking at and talking about AI. But on a wider scale, outside of just the world of academia.
“I’m hoping that it brings a more public view to the politics and real issues of new media which are less about cheating and more about, hegemonic power centers and corporations that lack transparency,” she said.
Pressman explained that AI has been around for a long time but has only recently
come into the spotlight as a major topic of discussion. She added that its recent popularity has raised ethical concerns that are often overshadowed by conversations regarding its applications.
Pressman referred to this ethical issue as “power and archive,” highlighting the inherent bias in the people and databases behind AI, which are often centered on Western knowledge.
“That’s what’s scary about it, is that it’s neutralizing certain types of knowledge and databases of knowledge,” she said. Pressman said that it is especially important to think critically about the technology being used.
Professors and instructors are not the only ones who partake in these conversations. Students also play a key role, as they are more likely to embrace the technology.
“I don’t have moral qualms about using it in the first place,” said Anh-Thuat Nguyen, a first-year graduate student in the Rhetorical Writing Studies program.
Nguyen said he has used AI in some of his classes, but doesn’t actively engage with it.
“I see it as it’s really good at writing a high school paper; it’s very bad at writing a graduate paper,” Nguyen said. “It misses all the nuance of — everything.”
Roxi White, a student studying journalism and public relations, is concerned with AI removing the need for students to actively generate their own ideas and writing, and how this may negatively affect students in the future.
“I’d rather present my own ideas than come up with whatever the internet tells me to,” White said. “I think a lot of people are not patient enough to even look up things. It will lead to more brain rot than we are already experiencing.”
While conversations about AI often focus on cheating and plagiarizing, the institutions behind AI and its social and emotional consequences are often overlooked.
“For me, reading my student’s writing is so important to like everything I believe in as a teacher,” Kerford said.
If Kerford or other professors were to implement AI as a grading tool, it could affect the level of interaction with a student’s writing.
“I want that connection with them.I feel like students need that – they want to be seen,” Kerford said. “It [AI] can’t experience human emotion and you need that.”
Kerford acknowledged that there are a lot of professors who don’t want to talk about using AI because they only see it as a threat.
“I think that’s the wrong mentality,” she said about professors who think AI cannot be used for good. “There are ethical ways to use it.”
at the James Silberrad Brown Center
Artificial Intelligence at San Diego State University on April 17, 2024. Photo by Ryan Kehl.
Downtown San Diego is a Ghost Town when it Comes to its Unhoused Resident Community
Locals weigh in on the recent pushback of San Diego’s unhoused community downtown and shed light on misconceptions
By Petrina tran
STAFF WRITER
Walking the streets of downtown San Diego, one might notice an unusual sight. From the Smart & Final on 720 15th St. to the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter, sidewalks are clear and quiet, with the exception of an occasional passerby. At first glance, this seems like a pleasant surprise; however, for local residents, it raises questions.
The empty streets of downtown San Diego were once home to hundreds of unhoused residents. On July 31, 2023, enforcement of an encampment ban took effect as the local unhoused community was pushed to the fringes of the city center. This was especially true over the summer months as the city prepared for an influx of visitors and tourists.
Almost exactly a year later on July 25, 2024, Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered the removal of homeless encampments. This action has been met with both support and backlash in the ongoing conversation about California’s homelessness crisis. Some have criticized Newsom for exacerbating the problem by sweeping it under the rug and not offering a long-term solution, while others applaud his actions as they aim to connect the unhoused with local service providers.
Volunteers for the nonprofit, Streets of Hope, often give out supplies to the unhoused. The group meets every Monday night without fail in front of the Smart & Final on 15th St. to pull carts full of bagged lunches, blankets and other donated supplies.
They provide resources as well as human interaction to the unhoused living downtown. Typically, the volunteers gather to load supplies and then split off to walk two to three blocks, distributing supplies until they run out. After Newsom’s order, volunteers have to walk
over two miles before the wagon is empty, whereas before the encampment ban, the wagon would run out within a few blocks.
“When the baseball season starts up, they’re sweeping places where people are seen… The Padres games mean that they get swept away and relocated,” said Dan D’Amato, chairman of the board for Streets of Hope.
The organization also offers free haircuts to unhoused members of the community once a month.
Nancy Restrepo-Wilson is the director of Social Services for Father Joe’s Villages, another organization currently serving the local unhoused community.
“It’s a systematic and systemic issue; we come from a very large history where there are populations made to be in poverty,” Restrepo-Wilson said. “We have historic racism and discriminatory practices. Those systemic issues impact people’s access to resources and opportunities. Poverty is one of the causes that we have encountered as to why people become homeless.”
Alongside poverty, Restrepo-Wilson added that insufficient or unaffordable housing, job loss, evictions and a lack of mental health services all contribute to the vicious cycle of homelessness. She noted that stereotypes often arise from perceptions that all unhoused individuals are homeless due to drug addictions.
Restrepo-Wilson countered that, in many cases, homelessness and trauma actually can lead to drug abuse, trapping individuals in a cycle.
However, these issues account for a small percentage of the causes behind the crisis. Economic reasons, lack of affordable housing, general housing availability and rising living expenses are larger contributors to how circumstances
can unexpectedly lead to homelessness. Shelter spaces are limited with long wait lists and affordable housing has become increasingly sparse and competitive.
According to the 2024 point-in-time data report by the Regional Task Force of Homelessness, San Diego experienced a 4% increase in the unhoused community between 2023 and 2024, with the majority concentrated in the central region of the city, particularly downtown. This report follows a trend of steady growth over the past few years, as shelters remain at over 90% capacity.
D’Amato highlighted what he called “the invisible homeless,” those who quietly get by living on the streets. In contrast, those who are visible and noticed often shape stereotypes because they may be more vocal due to drug addiction or other issues.
“There’s a lot out there that you don’t see, could be me and you at one point in our lives. There’s homeless kids. It’s truly a diverse community that is wonderful and unique, there is a beauty and a life there,” D’Amato said.
Sean Thom and his cat, Sebastian, were evicted from their apartment on Feb. 29 when a roommate failed to pay rent. As a result, Thom’s credit score plummeted, leaving him unable to secure permanent housing.
“Once you get an eviction, it’s like a semi-truck crashes into your credit and runs it into the ground,” Thom said. “I was just a person living in a house, I didn’t choose this…I didn’t ask for my roommate to stop paying rent, I didn’t ask for my landlord to not help me out, I didn’t ask for any of this. I was paying my rent. I was doing what I was supposed to do.”
Upon eviction, Thom sought help
from the 211 relief program but found it to be confusing due to a string of phone numbers, misinformation and redirection of responsibility to other entities.
Thom said that he would be taking up Streets of Hope’s offer for an interview in the coming weeks to potentially help him find housing.
Debra Neer was recently aided by Streets of Hope in getting successfully rehoused. She is in the process of seeking out job opportunities and more permanent housing.
“I’m currently doing a job training program with Dreams for Change, but my hours are almost up. I’m looking into the Kitchens For Good internship program and hoping to hear back sometime this week,” Neer said.
“Not all homeless people choose to be this way. Some people are because they have issues with drugs and alcohol. Not all homeless people are bad troublemakers,” Neer added.
“Homelessness doesn’t define them, it’s just a chapter in their life. We’re trying to get them back on their feet,” Jorge Verdin, the director of communications for Father Joe’s Villages, said.
Leadership from both organizations expressed how universal housing vulnerability can be.
“No one has a desire to be homeless, we pretend that they don’t exist, they don’t suffer, or there’s nothing we can do…but there is a lot. One of them is to literally look at them as human beings and imagine that something has happened to them along the way for them to end up where they are…It’s a collective effort of everyone to find solutions to eliminate poverty and homelessness,” Restrepo-
said.
Wilson
SENIOR
Streets of Hope volunteers assemble bags of food and pack them into wagons for distribution on Mar. 15, 2024. The group meets every Monday night in front of the Smart & Final on 15th Street to pack and distribute supplies to the unhoused community in downtown San Diego. Photo by Petrina Tran.
A group of volunteers with Streets of Hope pull a wagon through Gaslamp Quarter full of supplies to give out to the unhoused community on Feb. 26, 2024. Photo by Petrina Tran.
Exploring San Diego: Making the Most of Mission Valley
A centralized hub for dining, leisure, entertainment and shopping, Mission Valley is a goldmine for San Diego locals and visitors alike
By Petrina tran SENIOR STAFF WRITER
If you had to throw a dart at a map of San Diego and were able to hit dead center, you’d arguably arrive in Mission Valley. An average of 5-15 minutes separates you from an endless variety of activity options from the beach and Downtown to North Park and La Jolla. Here are the top itinerary items for a day in Mission Valley.
Start your morning with a walk around Civita Park. Oversized chess pieces, miniature humans and fur babies all mingle at this local park with beautiful landscaping, picnic spaces and a playground. On Saturday mornings, the park hosts a vibrant farmers’ market with food trucks, eclectic jewelry, colorful clothing and a wide variety of pastries.
In addition to a parking lot, decent street parking can be found in the surrounding area alongside other retail and dining options. Certain Sunday nights hold cozy sunset concerts nestled in the cradle of the residential apartments.
If the farmers’ market isn’t your speed, head over to get a delicious breakfast at either Breakfast Republic, the Mission Valley Breakfast Company or Mimi’s Cafe. Whether you prefer a savory start to your morning or have more of a sweet tooth, you’ll be sure to find plenty of delicious
options.
Spend the rest of the morning beating the afternoon rush by checking out one of two large outdoor malls - Westfield Mission Valley and Fashion Valley Mall - or wandering around several shopping plazas.
For an afternoon pick-me-up, head to S3 Coffee Bar, Better Buzz or Baci Coffee for an iced, caffeinated reset.
From there, your options only expand. For the sports lover, catching a game at Snapdragon Stadium has to be the first choice. Not only is it home to the San Diego State Aztec Football team, but this stadium also hosts soccer, rugby and even monster truck events. Alternatively, there are three movie theaters within the vicinity, or you can spend a fun-filled evening at the Dave and Buster’s arcade.
“I like how it’s close to the freeway and right in the middle of everything. It’s a little crowded though,” Alexander Duenhoelter, a senior at San Diego State University and local resident since 2020, said. Duenhoelter frequents the area for Ikea runs, the Costco gas station and various shopping and social activities. Dinner depends only on your imagination. Aside from the food options within the shopping mall areas, choices range anywhere from pizza, beer and Pizookies at BJ’s to Korean barbecue at 356 BBQ & Bar.
Aside from being a modern space for the community to gather, it holds historical significance to the city as well. Situated around the San Diego River, it once served as a key settlement in the 1900s due to its access to fresh water. According to the City of San Diego website, it was originally inhabited by the Kumeyaay people and later colonized by several groups before an urban development of highways transformed it into much of what is seen today.
Just 15 minutes from SDSU, Mission Valley is also easily accessible by bus or trolley. It is a treasure trove of rich history that has shaped San Diego’s past but also holds endless opportunities for exploring and making unforgettable memories.
Photo courtesy of mission-valley.com: The sunset outside of Mission Valley shopping center. ADVERTISEMENT
The Marías Captivate San Diego in a Soul-Stirring Performance
The Marías blend their signature sound with cinematic visuals for a night to remember
By Katie Flores STAFF WRITER
The Marías created an unforgettable experience during their second-to-last stop on the North American leg of their Submarine Tour at the Cal Coast Credit Union Amphitheater in San Diego on Aug. 18. With spontaneous setlist changes and heartwarming crowd interactions, the GRAMMY-nominated band created a mesmerizing journey through sound and visuals.
The English-Spanish group’s sophomore album, Submarine, explores the emotional rollercoaster of a breakup, particularly the one between lead singer Maria Zardoya and drummer Josh Conway. The Submarine Tour embodies these intense themes of pain and growth through an emotional live performance.
On Sunday, the evening began with fans gathered outside the gates, many dressed in deep blues, reds, and blacks, on theme with the band’s album covers. The opening act, Automatic – composed of Izzy Glaudini, Lola Dompé and Halle Saxon – set the scene with songs from their debut and sophomore albums, “Signal” and “Excess.”.
As the sun set, The Marías took to the stage under the full moon. Opening with the song ‘Hamptons’ off of Submarine, Zardoya appeared center stage, encased by a blue spherical set that illuminated her silhouette. She was accompanied onstage by band members Josh Conway, Jesse Perlman, Edward James, Doron Zounes and Gabe Steiner to perform a jazzy, psychedelic night of percussion, guitar, keys, brass and vocals.
Zardoya wore an all-black long-sleeve bodysuit paired with a sheer black skirt and a thick curvy leather belt. To the right of the stage, a second circular slanted set served as the stage during “Only in My Dreams,” one of the band’s first hits from their EP Superclean, Vol. I.
The band seamlessly moved through their discography, performing songs from “Un Million,”, “Little By Little” and “No One Noticed.”. The stage’s visual experience shifted from deep blues to warm red-oranges, mirroring the emotional depth of their music.
During the song “Lejos De Ti,” the audience participated in a beautifully-
crafted fan project, holding up their flashlights covered with blue paper hearts. The song, which reflects on the pain of being separated from someone by physical distance, created an emotional atmosphere as the crowd swayed to the music, making the moment memorable for both the band and the audience.
The band then switched up the pace with a cover of “Lovefool” by The Cardigans. The stage turned soft pink and purple, and the crowd enthusiastically sang along to the iconic lyrics.
In an unexpected turn, Maria announced that she would perform “Heavy,” a song not originally on the setlist. This decision was influenced by a petition started by Andrew, the runner of the @themarias.hq fan page on Instagram.
“Heavy,” the seventh track off of “CINEMA,” is a deeply personal song about anxiety and self-isolation.
The bass-driven production, combined with Zardoya’s soft, whispery vocals weaves together to produce a beautiful yet haunting melody that evokes a profound sense of melancholy.
“Heavy is my favorite song of all time,” Andrew shared. “They played it on opening night in Oakland but then took it off the setlist after that.”
In a lighthearted yet determined effort, the longtime fan decided to use his platform to campaign for the gutwrenching song to be added back to the setlist. As the petition gained traction on Instagram, Zardoya reached out to Andrew, shocked by the strong demand from fans to hear the song live.
To their surprise, the petition garnered enough support to make it happen, and the crowd roared as the opening notes played.
Andrew started the @themarias.hq page to share his art and pursue a career in graphic design within the music industry. His efforts paid off when one of his designs was selected to be featured on the band’s merchandise — a large black tote bag with a blue, liquid-like swirl logo surrounded by the North American Submarine tour dates and cities.
Andrew first discovered The Marías after his cousin played him “Over the
Moon” after a trip to Costco. Since then, he has fallen in love with their music and culture, attending the band’s live shows multiple times.
“This account is sort of my portal of getting into [the music industry] while also being close to the band I love,” Andrew said.
As if the night couldn’t get more special, Zardoya surprised the crowd by walking offstage and through the venue during the band’s hit “Otro Atardecer.” She reached out to hug fans as she moved through the aisles, creating a surreal and intimate experience for everyone attending.
To close the night, Zardoya returned to the stage to perform “Echo,” “Hush,” “Paranoia,” and “If Only.” During “If Only,”
she appeared in a bathtub filled with water, singing while leaning against one end of the tub, with smoke slowly filling the stage behind her. The spotlight also highlighted Edward on piano and Gabe Steiner, who delivered a soulful trumpet solo.
The visually stunning performance left fans wanting more, leading them to chant for an encore. A few minutes later, Zardoya reappeared in an all-white outfit, accompanied by the rest of the band, to perform one of their biggest hits, “Cariño.”
With beautifully executed themes of loss and love, The Marías delivered a cinematic performance filled with raw vocals and emotional live instrumentals, closing out the first of two nights in San Diego on a high note.
Lead Singer of The Marías, Maria Zardoya performs at Cal Coast Credit Union Amphitheater on Aug. 18, 2024.
Photos by Katie Flores
Reggae is More than ‘One Love’
By Naiima Paul ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR
When you think of “reggae,” what comes to mind? The average answer would probably be the general stereotypes of the beach and smoking marijuana. While there are plenty of songs actually about its stereotype, reggae music is so much more.
Don’t blame yourself for the mental image you may have of reggae. American pop culture has co-opted the image of reggae as a backdrop to smoke and vibe out to. The hippie subculture that took root in California adopted many of the aesthetics of reggae music. In San Diego, the misrepresentation of reggae is abundantly clear.
Reggae is a genre of music that came out
of Jamaica in the late 1960s, based on the existing genres of rocksteady and ska. It has grown into an established genre and cultural movement, influencing a variety of genres and subgenres.
Black American music has a long history of being misunderstood and appropriated. The majority of American genres have been spearheaded by Black artists, and have been excluded from its success altogether. In crossing the Caribbean to the island of Jamaica, reggae’s worldwide reach made it a prime target for American adoption.
After fighting for independence from Spain and then Britain, Jamaica has come to represent the enduring spirit of the
How did a genre based on radical liberation and unity become watered down for mass consumption
African diaspora, the community of Black people across the globe as a result of colonization and enslavement.
After years of political strife culminating in the civil war that was famously ended by Bob Marley at the One Love Peace concert, in which Marley invited leaders of two warring factions on stage to shake hands in support of a ceasefire. Similar to Black American genres like hip hop, reggae had become Jamaica’s voice for the voiceless, a platform for rebellion,
Bob Marley is just one example of the cultural impact of reggae. Throughout his musical career, he never betrayed his commitment to promoting peace and equality.
In 1978, he was awarded a UN Peace Medal of the Third World, for his “efforts on behalf of millions of disenfranchised blacks around the world”.
Despite these accomplishments, he has been reduced to the face of every smoke shop and dispensary in SoCal.
With the release of “Bob Marley: One Love” this past year, the commodification of the reggae icon’s image has become even more prominent. The artist’s true beliefs and activism work were overshadowed.
The image of Marley we’ve been sold on hasn’t been one to mobilize the masses towards political action or remind us of
the ongoing struggles of African descended peoples globally, but a logo, an aesthetic for consumption and replication. And a false image.
But like with many things, Americans pick and choose which aspects of reggae to adopt into their own culture. Music of the Black working class had been appropriated to soundtrack hazy beach days for SoCal surfers, skaters and stoners.
As the granddaughter of Trinidadian and Guyanese immigrants, reggae has been a core part of my life since childhood. I was raised on everything from Goldenera reggae artists like Pablo Moses to early dancehall hits like Sister Nancy’s “Bam Bam.” The mainstream image of what reggae is and who it’s for is a deep source of frustration.
As Americans, I think we often forget how much our culture is built on fundamentally adopting the aspects of different cultures for our own. However, it crosses the line into appropriation once the original concept becomes warped, misunderstood and a shell of what it’s supposed to represent.
As a hardcore reggae fan, I am exhausted from misconceptions and assumptions. My hope is that the world of extremely talented reggae musicians of the past and present get the recognition they deserve.
Ignorance isn’t Bliss, Especially When it Comes to our Planet
Why do we let our knowledge fall short when it comes to climate change
By HaNNaH RamiRez OPINION EDITOR
There was a time when humans salivated at the mouth for the chance to explore and conquer Earth’s wonders and secrets. Boats dared to explore what we thought was the edge of our world, and our greatest minds endlessly searched for the secrets to modern medicine. We didn’t care about the creatures in Pandora’s box or what other beings might haunt us, we just needed to know.
But in a changing world, we adopted the idea of “ignorance is bliss” at the most crucial times. The most dangerous thing we left behind is climate change at a time when only knowledge can create an impact.
It’s no secret why: even without a description of the impending scenario, most people, including myself, feel doom and anxiety blanket over them. Out of 10,000 young people surveyed between the ages of 16 and 25 in an international survey, more than half of them reported feeling extremely worried about climate change.
If we lived in the Harry Potter world, climate change would surely be held in the same regard as “He-Who-Must-NotBe-Named” or “You-Know-Who.” But for a crisis that has been happening since the pre-industrial period and reached its peak
during the 2010 to 2019 decade, there is no excuse for our ignorance on the matter.
According to a study done by the Yale Project on Climate Change Communication, 63% of Americans believe that global warming is happening, but many don’t understand why.
When graded on the subject matter, only 8% of respondents would receive an A or B grade on the subject.
So, why is that?
It comes down to a few factors: conversations around climate change are lacking in both the classroom and social circles. So it’s not really happening anywhere.
When 100 countries were looked at in 2021, only 53% of the world’s national education curricula made any reference to climate change. When it was mentioned, it was almost always given very low priority.
In the United States, only two states mandate climate change education: New Jersey and Connecticut. In New Jersey schools, the reality isn’t children sobbing while studying pictures of natural disasters, but creative approaches like art projects to explore climate change. And discussions around habits to eliminate in the fight against it.
In fact, a 2020 study determined that
if 16% of secondary school students around the world and in high income countries studied climate change, 19 gigatons (a billion metric tons) of carbon dioxide could be cut by 2050. This is because youth would actually have the resources to affect change and their own behaviors accordingly.
As college students, if we don’t have the space or time to add a class on climate change to our curriculum, all hope isn’t lost.
The crucial part is finding resources that build your knowledge on how the crisis is happening, what solutions are available and what steps we can take to engage politically for change. It can be as small as listening to podcasts in your free time on the subject to looking for potential
volunteering opportunities in your community. When we dive under our sheets and exorcize the presence of climate change from our households, we might reach that temporary peace; however, we are doing a disservice to our neighbors. The countries, indigenous communities and even states facing natural disasters and health crises don’t have the privilege to ignore the situation at hand. Our love of knowledge is powerful and key to protecting our planet when there is still a chance to make a difference.
Ask an Aztec:
What San Diego State sports team
are you looking forward to following this season?
Students share why they feel compelled to support various SDSU sports teams and clubs
Vianca Guerrero, a firstyear business real estate major:
“Definitely Aztec football. I’m so excited because I did high school cheerleading, and I was really on top of football for that reason. So, I’ve just really been interested in football ever since that.”
Guerrero stated she is excited to start attending the games.
“I know we get free tickets, so I’ll definitely be taking advantage of that.”
Tommy Schmidtke, a fourth-year finance major:
Schmidtke, an exchange student from Germany, is a part of his school’s soccer and boxing teams back in his hometown; however, despite his participation in these sports, he finds himself drawn to watching the San Diego State Aztec basketball team.
“I went to the games last year, and it was just iconic. Especially for me, as I am from Germany and basketball is not a huge sport there. I’m looking forward to [following] the games.”
IntervIews by Jenna ramIscal and PhotograPhy by catherIne domIngo
From the crowd wearing scarlet and black in Snapdragon Stadium to the student section cheers at Viejas Arena—San Diego State Athletics has the power to bring together the student community.
SDSU has a total of 18 NCAA Division I teams and 21 teams under the Aztec Recreation sport club program. Students can support these teams by attending the games or following their social media accounts for the latest updates.
Those with a valid SDSU ID card can get tickets for regular season Aztec athletic events for free. The ticketing process varies depending on the team. More information can be found on the Go Aztec website or at the game venue’s box office.
As a new year for SDSU sports begins, students share which teams they look forward to supporting this season.
Paul Martinez, a firstyear psychology major:
Martinez stated he is most excited to support the basketball team.
“I’ve been following them for the past couple of years. Really, I’m a big fan of basketball.”
Now that he is a student at SDSU, he is looking forward to attending some of their games.
Landon Christian, a first-year business major:
Christian said he is looking forward to following the SDSU soccer team.
“I grew up playing soccer, and it was my favorite sport. I was going to play in college, but I had a really bad injury, so now coming here, I want to follow the team because that’s my passion.”
Isaiah Tano, a fourthyear television film and new media major:
Tano said he started playing for the SDSU hockey team during his sophomore year. He isn’t sure if he will be able to play for this school year; however, he still looks forward to supporting the team.
“Follow their Instagram @sdsuhockey [and] keep up with the schedule. The rink is off campus, which makes it a little hard for first year and second year students who don’t have a car, but if you can make it out to games, definitely come out.”
Namrata Yadav, a firstyear master’s student majoring in computer engineering:
In Yadav’s hometown in India, she was a part of the badminton team for her school. As she begins her journey at SDSU, she is looking forward to connecting with the badminton club.
She hopes to watch their games and possibly join the team.
Yadav also expressed interest in watching some of the SDSU volleyball games as she has had prior experience with this sport as well.