THE PIONEER Covering the East Bay community since 1961
California State University, East Bay
News, Art, & Culture for the East Bay
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 4, 2016
www.thepioneeronline.com
Winter 2016 Issue 5
CSUEB promises college spots By Louis LaVenture
NEWS AND SPORTS EDITOR
SEE OPINION PAGE 2
PREGNANT STUDENT FACES DISCRIMINATION
SEE NEWS PAGE 6
DRAG PERFORMERS ELECTRIFY CAMPUS GRAPHIC COURTESY OF THE CITY OF HAYWARD
Hayward to recieve 'a destination park' By Jesse Castro CONTRIBUTOR
SEE SPORTS PAGE 12
SOFTBALL SQUAD READY FOR 2016
#NEWSPIONEER /thepioneernewspaper @thepioneeronline @newspioneer
Clinton, Cruz triumph in Iowa By Yousuf Fahimuddin CONTRIBUTOR
Hayward City Council met at City Hall in January to discuss the latest plans from Gates & Associates, a land-planning firm, for what Development Services Director David Rizk described as a, “true destination park,” in South Hayward. In 2005, The DeSilva Group, a land developing company and the owner of the La Vista property, received approval for a small park; a potential community center, an extension of Tennyson Road and a new road to connect to Alquire Parkway and 179 single family homes. Previously, Dumbarton Quarry Associates held quarry-mining permits for the land. Gates & Associates surveyed ap-
proximately 20 people who attended the Jan. 12 public outreach meeting as well as the attendees of the public outreach meeting on Jan. 27 at the Matt Jimenez Community Center, and the Hayward Youth Commission meeting on Feb. 1. Gates & Associates and the park design team will use the feedback to generate plans that align with the community’s desires and concerns. In order to create a park with wide appeal, city staff continually collects data through a survey on the La Vista web page, but struggle to receive the desired amount of community input they feel necessary to create a park for everyone. Since the original proposal, the plan for La Vista Park has changed. The city is in the process of acquiring adjacent land from the state through a formal agreement, which has created
SEE NEWS PAGE 8
SEE NEWS PAGE 8
Former Olympians grace Hayward campus By Elizabeth Avalos
Media outlets touted Hillary Clinton, Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio as they each emerged victorious from Iowa’s contest on Monday. According to results from the Los Angeles Times, Cruz came in first with a commanding 27.6 percent of the vote, Trump came in second with 24.3 percent and Marco Rubio came in third with 23.1 percent. Rubio is frequently ranked far behind Trump and Cruz in national polls that lead up to the caucus, so third place within one percentage point behind Trump is a respectable finish. “For months they told us we had no chance,” Rubio said in a speech after the results were announced. “We are not waiting any longer to take our country back.” The Democratic race came down to the wire, with Hillary Clinton pulling through with 49.9 percent, beating Bernie Sanders by just 4 delegates. During the caucus, Clintons campaign was accused of voter fraud after a video was posted on CSPAN with the headline, “Clinton Voter Fraud in Polk County, Iowa Caucus,” according to the Inquisitr. Sander’s supporters demanded a revote, but Polk County Democratic Party Chairman Tom Henderson dismissed the allegations and insisted that both
more opportunities for a larger park and prompted several new additions. An amphitheater/storm water basin, a yoga lawn and a science play area are a few of the newest amenities added to the park’s design, which altered plans for construction. To create access to the new park, the city required the developer to construct an eastward extension of Tennyson Road. The new road will provide a path from Mission Boulevard through the hills and former quarry that will become La Vista Park and the new single family homes, some of which will line the East side of the park. Rizk, who manages planning, zoning and permit administration for the Hayward City Council, commented that initial construction for La Vista Park is, “anticipated for this spring,“ along with the extension of Tennyson Road. Kelley Lotosky, a consultant from Gates
NEWS AND SPORTS EDITOR For the first time ever, Olympians and Civil Rights activists John Carlos and Wyomia Tyus will share the stage together, in the company of award-winning sports journalist, Dave Zirin. The Center for Sport and Social Justice at Cal State East Bay, which is dedicated to bringing critical attention to issues of sport and society, will host a sit-down discussion on Feb. 10 between three figures who have dedicated each of their careers to sport, culture and social justice. In a world where sports are sewn into the fabric of many cultures around the globe, the idea of highlighting the conflicting relationship between sports and politics may sound unconventional. However, Dave Zirin does just that. As a prominent speaker on a national scale, writer for The Nation, host of his own radio show and author of multiple books, Zirin is one of the few sports journalists who dares to bring critical attention and emphasis to the presence of politics in sport. “The idea that sports aren’t political is said by people who want to take advantage and use sports to further their own political ends,” Zirin stated. “As long as there have been sports, there have been people who have tried to do that, but there’s also been resistance.” Dr. Rita Liberti, professor of Kinesiology at CSUEB and director of the CSSJ, stated that Zirin has been re-
PHOTO COURTESY OF ANGELO COZZI/ MONDADORI PUBLISHERS
Tommie Smith and John Carlos (right) raise their fists in protest at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico. ferred to as, “the best public intellectual when it comes to critically looking at sport,” due to his provocative writing. Zirin visited East Bay before when he was the inaugural speaker for the Center of Sport and Social Justice opening four years ago. This year, together with Dr. Liberti, they decided to hold an event that highlighted the Olympics and Olympism, which is defined as a philosophy of life, exalting and combining in a balanced whole the qualities of body, will and mind, as well as the issues that are wrong with Olympism.
With the 2016 Summer Olympics in Brazil approaching, Dr. Liberti and Zirin found it fitting to organize an event where the former Olympians and Zirin could discuss some of the issues. “John Carlos and Wyomia Tyus have known each other for 50 years, so I asked Dave if he would lead a conversation between John Carlos and Wyomia about Olympism, the politics of the 1960s, what was going on and their involvement in using sport as a political weapon to bring people’s attention to a problem,” Liberti stated. ”Folks outside wouldn’t know that these names are huge, not only because they were elite athletes, but because they were major public figures who took a stand, and took great risk and paid the price for it for the rest of their lives.” Zirin and Carlos hold a strong relationship and have shared the stage together before, but this time around they wanted to bring on someone whose story often gets tossed aside and that’s the story of Tyus. John Carlos is one of the two men who stood on the podium with his black-gloved fist raised high, after winning the bronze medal for the 200-meter dash on the morning of Oct. 16 at the 1968 Mexico City Summer Olympics. The other was Tommie Smith, who won gold. The 1960s were times of intense segregation for all African Americans in the United States, including professional athletes. Carlos and Smith’s iconic act of resistance against the United States government brought severe repercussions. Their controversial act of protest on the podium that October day subsequently led to a suspension
SEE NEWS PAGE 8
Cal State East Bay has promised to help increase the number of Oakland high school students who graduate, attend college. CSUEB even went as far as to guarantee admission to any Oakland student that is eligible to apply. On Jan. 28 CSUEB President Leroy M. Morishita, along with 22 other colleges, signed a Declaration of Support for Oakland Promise College Pathways. East Bay will work on the initiative with Oakland Promise, Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf’s office, Oakland Unified School District and East Bay College Fund. The primary goal of the initiative is to triple the number of OUSD students that go on to graduate from college within the next eight years, according to CSUEB. The mayor’s office states they have already raised over $25 million to launch the initiative, with millions of dollars in donations from companies like Kaiser Permanente and PG&E. Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf praised the program as a great way to end generational poverty in a city where more than 71 percent of students are considered low-income. OUSD Superintendent Antwan Wilson is confident that this will not only benefit students and families but the entire city as well. “This is a huge step in the right direction,” Wilson said. “This will help generations of students see college as a viable option not an obstacle.” At the Jan. 28 signing, Morishita expressed his pride in being a part of the Oakland Promise and said he is hopeful that this initiative could help every Oakland student pursue higher education.
Alumna reporter talks about ‘the hustle’ By Taylor Pagán CONTRIBUTOR
Getting where you want to go in your career is a hustle, said Emmy-Award winning NBC Bay Area news reporter Cheryl Hurd, a California State University East Bay alumna that has been in the news reporting business for 30 years. “Nobody is going to hand it to you,” Hurd told a group of CSUEB students during an open campus-speaking event on Feb. 1. “I’ve been through the ringer, but I didn’t give up.” Hurd, born and raised in Vallejo, said she initially attended CSUEB with the intent to major in psychology, but that goal quickly changed when she realized she wasn’t interested in pursuing a doctorate degree. Hurd explained how she fell in love with communication and was able to dip into her creative side while getting an education. Hurd’s first media internship was with KTVU Channel 2 News for college course credit. She worked the assignment desk and was a “glorified receptionist,” according to Hurd. “That was my foot in the door,” said Hurd, who then took on various jobs in the broadcast news industry before landing her first “serious job” in Detroit, Michigan
SEE NEWS PAGE 4
2 OPINION
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 4, 2016
THE PIONEER
Pregnant in college: Blessing or curse?
EDITORIAL STAFF EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Shannon Stroud shannon.stroud@csueastbay.edu
COPY EDITOR
Wendy Medina
wendy.medina@csueastbay.edu
ONLINE AND SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR
Lisette Torres
lisette.torres@csueastbay.edu
NEWS AND SPORTS EDITOR
Louis LaVenture
louis.laventure@csueastbay.edu
PHOTO AND VISUAL EDITOR
Tam Duong Jr.
tam.duong@csueastbay.edu
ILLUSTRATOR
Brittany England
brittany.england@csueastbay.edu
VISUAL JOURNALIST
Kristiana Federe
kristiana.federe@csueastbay.edu
VISUAL JOURNALIST
Melody Platt
melody.platt@csueastbay.edu
“Being pregnant in college is my choice, but I still face challenges. On any given day, I’m carrying an extra 15 pounds up the stairs and out of breath walking to class.”
SPANISH EDITOR
— Veronica Sanchez
Questions? Comments? Contact us!
Pavel Radostev Pushina pavel.radostevpushina@csueastbay.edu
EDITORIAL PRODUCTION ASSISTANT
Gilbert Antón
gilbert.anton@csueastbay.edu
FACULTY ADVISOR
Gary Moskowitz
gary.moskowitz@csueastbay.edu
FACULTY COORDINATOR
Dr. Katherine Bell kate.bell@csueastbay.edu
t. 510.885.3175 25800 Carlos Bee Blvd. CSUEB - MI 1076 Hayward, CA 94542 pioneernewspaper@csueastbay.edu ILLUSTRATION BY BRITTANY ENGLAND/THE PIONEER
By Veronica Sanchez CONTRIBUTOR While pregnancy happens every day, being pregnant while attending school as a college senior feels so taboo. I constantly get judgmental looks from my peers and everyone always wants to know if this pregnancy was planned. Recently, I stopped at the Student Union at Cal State East Bay to get something to eat, when two women approached me and asked, “Are you really pregnant?” I responded yes. They looked at each other, started laughing and walked away. This wasn’t what I was expecting at all. I figured they would say something positive like “how exciting” or “do you know the gender of the baby yet,” but I was wrong.
I was completely shocked. I immediately left the food court, ran to the bathroom and started to cry. Six months ago, I was overlooked as just your average girl, but now as a pregnant senior in college, these are the type of experiences I deal with. I am 24, not 18. I am a senior in college, not a freshman. I am delighted about my pregnancy, which was planned in every way, shape and form. I’ve been in a loving and committed relationship with the baby’s father for five years and engaged for three. Believe me, I get it. I understand why most people react negatively. Society has attached a negative connotation to pregnant students and statistics show that mothers are more likely to drop out of college. The National Campaign to prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy estimates that 61 percent of women who have children after enrolling in com-
munity college end up dropping out, which is 65 percent higher than the rate for women who don’t have children. Outside of school, people typically think of pregnancy as this beautiful and miraculous blessing. The news of pregnancy is filled with so many thrilling emotions, but when you put pregnancy and school together, it’s not looked at as a lifelong blessing, but instead a lifelong burden. Being pregnant in college is my choice, but I still face challenges. On any given day, I’m carrying an extra 15 pounds up the stairs and out of breath walking to class. I have to rearrange my schedule around homework, school and work so I can attend doctor’s appointments and face every other pregnancy symptom: morning sickness day and night, severe back pains and finding clothes and shoes to fit since my figure changed and my feet have a mind of their own.
But this is the choice I made. When I received the news that I was pregnant, it was far from a burden or inconvenience. It was the biggest blessing I have ever received. It brought so many positive feelings and emotions. It filled me with excitement and most importantly, a new profound love. I can confidently walk to class and be fine with the judgmental stares and different looks I receive from people on campus. I’m determined and prepared to get through school and graduate, all while being pregnant. I realized, this is one small chapter in my life that I needed to experience and overcome in order to prepare me for my future and enjoy what’s to come. I am a pregnant full time student and yes, I am determined to beat all of the odds stacked against me.
PRODUCTION STAFF FACULTY PRODUCTION MANAGER
Eric Ronning LAYOUT DESIGNER
Alejandro Arias LAYOUT DESIGNER
Mario Bohanon LAYOUT DESIGNER
Danisha Calderon
ADVERTISING STAFF SALES EXECUTIVE
Jahvon Pierre SALES EXECUTIVE
Ken Parker
SALES EXECUTIVE
Yesica Ibarra GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Marisol Anchondo ADVERTISING COORDINATOR
Itzamar Llamas Advertising Contact t. 510.885.3526 f. 510.885.2584 pioneer.advertising@csueastbay.edu Funding for The Pioneer comes, in part, from the Academic Access, Enhancement and Excellence (A2E2) Fee.
OPINION 3
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 4, 2016
THE PIONEER
Pole dancing reclaims sexual power By Wendy Medina COPY EDITOR
I never thought I’d have a stripper pole in my apartment, but every time I walk in, there it is, in all its lustrous magnificence. My roommate Porsha had been raving about it but I didn’t think she’d really get it until I saw it glistening off-center of the living room. She initially wanted a pole because dancing on it looked fun, then she read about how good an exercise it was, but ultimately because she wants to work at a strip club. The “Affordable No Brand Dance Pole” was manually installed and stands sturdy, enticing anyone who sees it to dance on it. Made of chrome metal, the pole comes in two modes: static, which remains still, and spinning mode. Static mode is clearly the easier one, as it’s not moving while trying to pull yourself up. Porsha, who’s only had it about a month can already spin while doing poses, drops, transitions, inverts; it’s really incredible how much can be learned by letting loose and dancing on it. “Once you touch it, you’ll get the feel of it,” she said. “You’ll lose all your fear. The best way to tackle it is jumping on to try to climb it.” Upper body strength is definitely required to climb it and spin. The pole is simultaneously an art and a rigorous workout. Though derogatorily associated with strippers, this form of exercise is becoming less and less taboo with society. Many women and men who participate in strip-poledancing can agree it’s undoubtedly a workout, a getaway and a release in the same way yoga is to others; however, bruises are standard for getting on the pole. This type of pole is professional-grade enough to be used in some strip clubs. There are poles with different finishes and features that better suit difficulty, but the best kind are X-Poles, which are the legit exotic dancer poles you would find in a highend club. The assembly of it took about 30 minutes and Porsha told me about the process of putting it together. With the help of a stud finder, she located a beam or base inside the wall or ceiling. The pole needed to hold onto a foundation so it won’t collapse on itself since it’s meant to hold over 400 pounds.
PHOTO BY WENDY MEDINA/THE PIONEER
Porsha demonstrates a move in Hayward after only having the dance pole for a month.
There are two bases and two pieces of the actual pole. To adjust the length, just twist it like shower curtain rods and secure the pieces with one another and the ceiling. Though it sounds simple to do, this isn’t one of the cheap hazard-ridden poles with plastic parts that are most likely to result in injury — all parts are metal and screwed on.
My roommates and I blasted old school R&B music to set the ambiance and wipe down the pole; your hands have to be absolutely dry for a better grip. As soon as everything is set and ready, we stared in awe and waited for what Porsha has to show us. Once she started, she made the perfect amount of spins and flips, with grace and sex appeal, all learned through YouTube.
com videos, winging it and practice. Of course my roommates and I took turns, tried to mimic her and were surprised when we actually got a few spins in, but this really takes dedication if you want to look good doing it. Upper body strength is key. It’s empowering dancing on a pole because you’re expressing, experiencing and using your body in new
ways, it’s exhilarating to want to keep trying. It mesmerizes everyone to get on and after a few minutes you’ll definitely break a sweat; it is seriously a workout. Falling off is not that bad either. Instead of going to the gym like everyone else, doing the same boring routine on a machine for hours, working out on the pole at home is certainly challenging while actually having fun. A definite thought I had while trying it was, “Wow, I actually did this,” which thrilled me into jumping on it again. According to the Huffington Post, “the rapidly growing number of international and national federations [are] transforming what was once the exclusive property of strip clubs and cheap bars into a respectable — and highly athletic — event.” Accumulating interest is apparent in popularity of pole dancing classes and now matter-of-factly attitude towards the sport. A true devotee of the pole, Porsha expressed that feeling sexy creates empowerment, to be comfortable in one’s own skin. That’s a major detail she appreciates: the building up of strength and confidence by simply using allure and a pole. Besides reclaiming sexual power, it refines posture, flexibility, toning — combining serious routines — and it’s not restricted to any age group or gender; anyone can take it up, if they’re down. “The pole is for whatever you use it for,” Porsha said. “The least of the people who actually use the pole are strippers because they don’t have the upper body strength; most simply dance around it.” She on the other hand, wants to make a profession of it, so she’s working her way to perfect legitimate moves and further pursue exotic dancing instead of just floorwork, which is the usual dancing strippers do. In an ABC News article crowning the best pole dancer in the world, “The founder of the International Pole Dance Fitness Association says her organization is in talks with the International Olympic Committee to make pole-dancing a ‘test’ sport, as ‘aerial arts’ grows in popularity around the world.” This type of fitness is even trying to move on to the Olympic level. Pole dancing has so many rewarding aspects to it and not just the “sleazy” reputation it’s attained. It’s a sport that’s breaking stereotypes, becoming a mainstream fitness hobby and it doesn’t hurt to make some money from it as well.
4 FEATURES
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 4, 2016
THE PIONEER
One competition, one dream
Cheryl Hurd
PHOTO BY TAM DUONG JR./THE PIONEER
From Page 1
ILLUSTRATION BY BRITTANY ENGLAND/THE PIONEER
Bodybuilders prepare for championships By Karina Salgado CONTRIBUTOR
With the Contra Costa Championships physique competition rapidly approaching, Bay Area bodybuilders are preparing for an event that many of them feel can put them one step closer to their long-term career goals in the fitness industry. The May 14 event is an aesthetic physique competition, which will produce seven new champions, one per class division: bodybuilding, women’s physique, bikini, fitness, figure, classic physique and men’s physique. Judges evaluate competitors with two different rounds to the competition. During the first round the judges are looking for competitors with the best aesthetic body, which then get passed to the second and final round. During the final round, judges announce the winner. The competitor with the best proportioned body and the most mus-
cle definition in every muscle group of the body is crowned the Contra Costa Champion. Ramzy Eldabbagh, 27, says getting an early morning start puts him closer to becoming the 2016 Contra Costa Bodybuilding Champion. Eldabbagh begins every day before the sun comes up — 4 a.m. As he rolls out of bed, his body is aching from the previous night’s training session, but he’s focused on just one thing: his first meal of the day, which will include a spectrum of vitamins from fish oils to amino acids. After his morning cardio — 40 minutes of interval training on the treadmill — Eldabbagh gets ready for work and jumps on BART. At 7 a.m. it’s time to eat again. Throughout the day Eldabbagh will consume six meals in order to to keep his metabolism running as quick as possible. “Food becomes energy and fuel, it’s not about the pleasure of the taste when prepping,” said Eldabbagh. Fighting food temptation, consuming specific meals at the assigned times, early mornings at the gym, a gallon of water every day and a lot of dedication is the key to his goal to be crowned champion. Eldabbagh has been physically active
since he was nine years old. He played football during high school and college. He became a professional boxer at 21 and by 24 he was training his body to have a bodybuilder aesthetic. At 25, he placed in the top five in 2014 bodybuilding in Contra Costa and Sacramento competitions. If he wins this year’s competition, it will help his fitness consulting business get name recognition and will boost his career as a personal trainer. Eldabbagh trains twice a day with training partner Josiah Quintana, who runs him through 40 minutes of cardio every morning and two hours of weight training every evening after work. His evening workouts consist of training different muscle groups followed by 40 minutes of cardio. To finish it up, he sits in the sauna for 10 minutes. During the competition there are a high number of sponsors and agents on site ready to sign competitors. The competition requires a $90 registration fee per competitor or a $100 National Physique Committee card that allows a competitor to compete throughout out the year at multiple shows. Guests need to pay a $30 entry fee for the pre-judging morning show which
starts at 10 a.m. and last approximately until 3 p.m. If a competitor makes it to the finals they need to return for the final competition which starts at 6 p.m. and can last until 11 p.m. Another $35 entry fee is charged for the final competition, which is more lively and is when the winners are announced. “My career as a personal trainer has definitely gotten better,” said Juliano Quimson, former 2015 Contra Costa men’s physique champion. He gained both sponsors and clients after the 2015 event that now help him with competition expenses, registration fees, flights and even food. “When they announced my name as the winner, I was shocked and I couldn’t believe it,” said Quimson. “My heart started pounding like crazy! It was one of the happiest moments of my life.” Opportunities like the ones given to Quimson drive Eldabbagh to be named the new Contra Costa Champion. Quimson trains to compete in the men’s physique division while Eldabbagh will compete in the bodybuilding division. Both bodybuilders will compete and are determined to take the 2016 Contra Costa title at the championships in Hayward on May 14.
in 1988. “It’s definitely not easy, and you’re going to have to go left to go right to where you want to go,” Hurd said. During a question and answer portion with Hurd, CSUEB graduate student Lauren Pitcher asked for advice on how to get into reporting. Pitcher interned for KTVU Channel 2 News as an undergraduate student at Sonoma State University, but had difficulty branching out from her assigned work tasks. Hurd told Pitcher it’s good to get her foot in the door, but she needs to get her foot in the door of the right department. She also recommended befriending reporters and shadowing them. Communication major Wriaunna Brown asked Hurd how she felt about the emergence of social media and online journalism. Hurd said you have to be able to change with the times. “I hate the fact that we’re chasing new technology,” she said, “But it’s important and we have to do it.” Hurd explained how important it is to stay competitive in this industry. She said the work is grueling, but some parts of it are fun. “You have to take the good with the bad,” Hurd said. “You have to be consistent, you have to be curious and you have to love what you do.”
Bay Area’s plan to combat sex-trafficking at Super Bowl By Elizabeth Avalos CONTRIBUTOR
While the debate continues on whether the Super Bowl generates enough revenue to outweigh the costs for hosting cities, the sex-trafficking industry sees dollar signs without need for deliberation. For football fans all across the nation, the Super Bowl is the most anticipated sporting event of the NFL season. For sex-traffickers, the Super Bowl brings substantial money-making opportunities every year; according to the FBI, anytime there’s a big event, human-trafficking skyrockets. With Super Bowl 50 set to take place at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Bay Area law enforcement and non-profit organizations have been rallying to raise sex-trafficking awareness and attempts to eliminate it are underway. Under the leadership of the FBI, Bay Area local police, sheriff’s departments and federal agencies like the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice, have created a multi-county workgroup called “No Traffick Ahead.” “No Traffick Ahead” has been meeting since May 2014 in anticipation of the 2016 Super Bowl, according to Brian Wo, director of partnerships for the Bay Area Anti-Trafficking Coalition. Wo explained that NTA was put together so that when the FBI and local law enforcement rescue the men and women being trafficked, they have the resources to feel safe, like clothes, shel-
ter and medical care. Police departments and law enforcement agencies across the Bay Area are implementing a softer “victim-centered” approach to help rescue sex-trafficking victims in all Bay Area cities in the runup to the game. For the safety of victims, further specific details about this approach have been maintained private. “As far as the general public is concerned, law enforcement is not going to give a lot of details about who is doing what,” Wo explained. While the FBI and law enforcement groups are at the forefront of these anti-trafficking efforts, the involvement of non-profit groups is crucial to the success of the operations that will be taking place, according to Wo. The FBI is relying on non-profit organizations and outreach groups to provide survivors with their services and assistance right away. Some of the major agencies that NTA has works with include the Bay Area Anti-Trafficking Coalition, Alameda County HEAT Watch, Coalition to End Human Trafficking in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties and South Bay Coalition to End Human Trafficking. According to KTVU News, all major Bay Area airports including San Jose, Oakland and SFO, have held sex-trafficking awareness training that will help aid all airport and airline personnel in identifying victims who fit the profile of either a sex-trafficker or a sex-slave. The airport trainings that have taken place have been devised to help rescue girls and women who are being flown into the Bay Area, and help detain their
PHOTO COURTESY RAJIV PATEL/FLICKR
Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara will host Super Bowl 50, which is considered a hot spot for human trafficking. perpetrators. CBS News reported that anti-trafficking advocates appear certain that sex-traffickers are not looking to recruit more girls and women in Bay Area cities, but will instead be relocating their workers into the Bay Area for the Feb. 7 event. “While we don’t know how much the trafficking is going to go up, we can get
more eyes and ears on the ground so that they can potentially spot situations of trafficking,” Wo explained. According to the Center for Missing and Exploited Children, 10,000 prostitutes, most of them underage, were brought to Miami for Super Bowl XLIV in 2010. In 2015 alone, the FBI reported the
arrests of 360 buyers and 68 traffickers, in addition to the rescue of 30 juvenile victims throughout the course of a sixmonth operation, leading up the 2015 Super Bowl. This year, the FBI is counting on the involvement of non-profit groups to help rescue more trafficking victims and conduct more trafficker arrests.
ADS 5
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 4, 2016
THE PIONEER Safe driver? Save 45% or more 24277 Mission Blvd., Hayward CA (510)886-1330 Call me to see how much you can save. Safe drivers cost everybody less. That’s why they pay less. But at Allstate, they pay a whole lot less. In fact, safe drivers save 45% or more on car insurance. Why wait? Call me today.
Hair Cuts Beard Trims Kidz Cuts Highlighting Tints Touch-up Perms Spirals Up Do’s
Bill Stone Insurance Agency 510-487-2225 33436 Alvarado Niles Rd. billstone@allstate.com allstateagencies.com/61416 CA Insurance Agent #: 0649577
WEDNESDAY IS SENIOR’S DAY (55 & UP) Perms $ 45 & Up Tinting $ 40 & Up Touch-Up $ 35 Hair Cuts $ 12 Shampoo-Set $ 15 &Up
Men | Women | Children
153154
Insurance subject to terms, qualifications and availability. Actual savings will vary. Allstate Insurance Co. Northbrook, IL. © 2010 Allstate Insurance Co.
$ 12 $5 $ 10 $ 55 & Up $ 45 & Up $ 40 & Up $ 50 & Up $ 70 & Up $ 30 & Up
Monday -Friday 9-7 | Saturday 8-6 | Sunday 9-4 No appointments necessary We accept Visa & Mastercard
DURHAM SCHOOL SERVICES IS HIRING SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS FOR THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS: HAYWARD, CONCORD & LIVERMORE Apply online or contact the local Recruiter! www.durhamschoolservices.com/careers/
Scan QR Code
Kathy English
(510)303-3253 or email: kenglish@durhamschoolservices.com
GOOD HIGHLAND LOOKING MAKES YOU FEEL CLEANERS GOOD. 510-886-4964 26775 Hayward Blvd. Hayward Hills, CA 94542 Walking distance to CSUEB! Civic
Ave.
★
s Billy onco Best
(BrChina 2 s. minay. aw
with Bay Card
) EB
15% Discount with Bay Card
Regular menu priced items Some items may not be discounted
6 FEATURES
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 4, 2016
THE PIONEER
PHOTO BY ALLAN MACARENO/CONTRIBUTOR
Professional drag performer Suppositori Spelling greets the crowd in full costume at the fourth annual CSUEB Drag Show on Thursday at the University Theater on the Hayward campus.
Bay Area Queens: a different kind of drag By Carlos Gomez CONTRIBUTOR Scarlett Letters stood in her lingerie and adjusted her fake breast as music from the opening act, GAYmous played from the main stage in the background. Next to her, Laundra Tyme made her final fixings and put on her large blonde wig, while Johnny Rockitt tried on a Stormtrooper helmet for her sultry strip tease number. In the whirlwind of makeup, hairspray and chatter, the performers prepared to take the stage for the Diversity and Inclusion Student Center’s Fourth Annual Drag Show at Cal State East Bay. The event took place on Jan. 28 at the University Theater as students and faculty watched Bay Area drag queens take center stage and perform the alluring art of drag. The Queens come to East Bay This year brought familiar and new queens to the show, with returning performers host Laundra Tyme, Scarlett Letters, Johnny Rockitt, Honey Mahogany and Suppositori Spelling as well as Grace Towers and VivvyAnne ForeverMORE, who performed for the first time at CSU East Bay. The event introduced a wide range of drag performances, which included traditional lip sync, interpretive dance, live singing and an experimental art performance. The night also included several acts of audience participation, such as audience members being invited on stage one by one by the queens as they demonstrated their own runway walks across the theatre stage. A drag queen is a person, usually male, who dresses up in “drag” by wearing items that would typically be worn by women such as makeup, clothing, nails and eyelashes for entertainment; these artists perform female gender roles with exaggerated femininity and camp aesthetics, often times for comedic, dramatic or satirical effect. This art form dates back to ancient Roman literature, classical Chinese and Japanese theatre, as well as the times of Shakespeare when women were not permitted in the theatre performances and males would traditionally perform the female parts. Drag is still a common art form used today, as there are many clubs, bars and shows dedicated to Drag Queen performances, including a popular bar in Oakland called White Horse Inn where
PHOTO BY TISHAUNA CARRELL/CONTRIBUTOR
Above: Scarlett Letters discusses twerking backstage at the fourth annual CSUEB Drag Show. Top right: Honey Mahogany poses for a picture before the show. Middle right: Honey Mahogany puts on the final touches before performing at the drag show. Bottom right: Laundra Tyme puts make up on before the drag show on Friday. there are monthly drag shows. Drag has also hit the mainstream media and is shown in the films of John Waters and t.v. shows like RuPaul’s Drag Race. Drag in the Media RuPaul’s Drag Race is a reality show competition t.v. series that searches for “America’s next drag superstar,” according to the shows’ website. Scarlett Letters talked about the problems and benefits of the show for the drag community. “It’s not that I don’t think that things like RuPaul’s Drag Race haven’t done a lot for the exposure of drag in terms of bringing it to the masses; I just don’t think that the mass commodification of any artistic endeavor is necessarily a good thing,” she explained. “That being said, I think probably none of us would be here without RuPaul’s Drag Race because it’s created a resurgence in the interest of drag again.” Honey Mahogany, who was a contestant on RuPaul’s Drag Race for season five, explained that before the show aired, drag was almost non-existent. “[Now] nearly everyone wants to try to be a drag queen, which before that wasn’t necessarily the case.” She said that because drag is at a high point in media, it is now used as a way to represent and stereotype the gay community.
Drag is Cheaper than Therapy However, for these San Francisco queens, drag is much more than what is seen on RuPaul’s Drag Race, because it is more than what you can see on the outside. Honey Mahogany explained that drag is a way to “express the forbidden feminine side” in herself, and felt that she did not fit the dichotomy of male and female genders; she was able to fully embrace herself through this art form. Drag culture led VivvyAnne ForeverMORE to form a community and build friendships with her fellow drag queens as they travel and perform shows together around the area. Grace Towers, who performs bearded lady drag, expressed that drag has been a “personal journey in finding how I present myself and my gender,” as she continues to push those limits for herself and the people around her through performance. Just like her seductive lip sync performance to the Pussycat Dolls “Hush Hush; Hush Hush,” or her intense interpretive dance tribute to David Bowie, she was able to use her art to get the audience to question their own perception of gender. “Everyone tends to get along even
if they’re in a different scene or style,” Suppositori Spelling told the Pioneer. Scarlett Letters characterized her drag as therapeutic because she works out the depression and issues she has in her life through performance and cites Spelling for saying “drag is cheaper than therapy.” SF, a different kind of Drag While the mainstream depicts a certain type of drag queen, Suppositori Spelling explains that there is a wide range of performances, styles and queens in the Bay Area. “[San Francisco has] lots of different flavors of drag… a lot of places tends to be one style, [but] not here,” said Spelling, who described her drag for the evening as being highly demonstrative, theatrical and intense, representative of the area’s dark wave drag. “[San Francisco] is one of the only places you can go where underground art stars are taken more seriously than people who can do a mainstream kind of drag,” said performer Scarlett Letters. Scarlett Letters attributes the city as being open to weirder stuff because of the different appetite the city has for entertainment. She continued that this area does not have the same homogony as other cities,
PHOTOS BY TAM DUONG JR./THE PIONEER
where one style of drag seems to dominate or have more respectability over other styles. “[It’s] a broad variety of different types of drag…political in nature…on the edge. A little more underground. A little more seedy. A little less glamorous, sometimes. A little more grungy” Honey Mahogany said about the city’s drag scene. Students scream for the Queens Cesar Alcala, CSUEB student, said that he learned from the show that drag is different depending on the area a queen comes from, and that “RuPaul drag queens are not the only kind of drag queens.” As the drag queens performed throughout the night, they captivated an audience that had mostly been exposed to drag through the media or had just experience it for the first time. Whether exposed to the art prior to the event or not, the audience was presented with unique varieties of drag that the Bay Area has to offer. For those who acquired an appetite for drag, this area has something for everyone. This event being student Alison Cordova’s first drag show, she is now hungry for more and stated that “I would definitely go to another drag show,” because it was a fun and great experience.
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 4, 2016
THE PIONEER
Above left: Scarlett Letters takes a look in the mirror backstage at the fourth annual CSUEB Drag Show. Above Right: Grace Towers applies lipstick prior to performing at the drag show. Right: Scarlett Letters performs in the CSUEB University Theater on Friday. Bottom: Grace Towers stretches backstage at the CSUEB Drag Show.
FEATURES 7
PHOTO BY ALLAN MACARENO/CONTRIBUTOR
PHOTOS BY TAM DUONG JR./THE PIONEER
8 NEWS
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 4, 2016
THE PIONEER Olympians From Page 1 from the U.S. Olympic team. In an act of solidarity to her fellow athletes, Tyus went on to dedicate her two gold medals to Smith and Carlos at the same Olympics. On Feb. 10, Zirin will facilitate a conversation where the three of them will discuss Olympism, the politics surrounding the 1960s, and the involvement of Carlos and Tyus in using sport as a political weapon. “They are living, breathing, walking history, and the most exciting kind of history we have, which is the history of how ordinary people used their platform to create extraordinary spheres of resistance,” Zirin stated.
PHOTO COURTESY OF DAVE ZIRIN
GRAPHIC COURTESY OF THE CITY OF HAYWARD
Park From Page 1 & Associates, stated that the final cost of construction for La Vista Park has, “yet to be determined, since final plans have not been developed.” However, the city required the developer to contribute about $2.1 million in park in-lieuof fees, which will be collected as new homes are built. The developer was also required to provide $1.5 million toward the cost of a community center, which will be located in the vicinity of the park near Mission Boulevard. Although Rizk noted that the recession delayed construction in previous years, the city council is confident in its ability to find adequate fund-
ing to create, “a real gem for Hayward.” Council Member Elisa Marquez was adamant during the Jan. 12 city council meeting about holding more meetings in Hayward and South Hayward to allow the community to personally contribute to the park’s construction and design. Marquez wanted to provide more opportunities for the public to bring forth any concerns or comments that they have before plans are finalized. She worried the weekly city council meetings in Hayward City Hall, weren’t convenient enough for citizens of the whole city to attend due to its location and the length, which could last until 10 p.m. During the city council meeting, Mimi Bauer, a Fairway Park resident, raised concerns about the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District (HARD) staff and former city council members who
were tasked with the development of a park in Fairway Park more than 50 years ago. Bauer worried that La Vista Park would be postponed and delayed until the project ended up altered entirely or abandoned through the same misdealing that she felt deprived her community of a park. She urged the current council to coordinate with HARD board members and ensure that this park becomes successful but, “not successful in eight years, or five years, or three years or two years.” Bauer wants to see progress on La Vista Park before the end of this year. Rizk anticipates the maintenance of La Vista Park and its various amenities, “will be done by HARD, with funding for maintenance of geological related storm water features to come from a yet-to-beformed Geologic Hazard Abatement District (GHAD).”
Iowa From Page 1 Clinton and Sanders’ camp had no problems with the results. After the results were announced, democrat, Martin O’Malley,and republican, Mike Huckabee, suspended their campaigns. O’Malley received 0.6 percent of delegates and Huckabee received 1.8 percent of the vote according to the LA Times. As of Feb. 3, Rand Paul has dropped out of the campaign. New Hampshire’s primary on Feb. 9 is shaping up to be a more
straightforward affair. Trump’s hold on first place is by more than 20 percent, according to the latest RealClearPolitics polls. Sanders also holds a strong 18 percent lead over Clinton. The real challenge will begin once the primaries head South. Trump has strong leads in North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida. Sanders will face a stronger challenge from Clinton in the South as well, where the demographic makeup is much more diverse than Iowa and New Hampshire. Sanders’s core demographic is young, white Americans and has yet to gain traction with African Americans or other minorities who by far have polled in favor of Clinton.
LONDON CALLING Application Deadline February 8th Submit to CIE SF 102 (Student & Faculty Services)
EXPLORE. STUDY. FILM.
@CSUEBGOESBRIT CSUEBGOESBRIT.COM
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 4, 2016
THE PIONEER
EXTRAS 9
10 CALENDAR
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 4, 2016
THE PIONEER
February Community Calendar Thursday
Thursday
4
4
Golden Gate Bridge Inside View: Heart of Oakland Photography Art, Architecture, Time: 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. 8 p.m. Cost: $10 Free - $50 Location: Fox Oakland Theater, Tele-AvePresidio Officers’ Club,1807 Moraga graph Ave., Oakland nue and Graham Street, San Francisco Oakland School themore Arts presents Those looking tofor learn about thethis local collaborative featuring student wonder that isshowcase the Golden Gate Bridge canwork from and brightest across comethe for best an evening with Bob David.OSA’s An ar-art schools. Oakland School for the has Arts spent seeks41 to chitect and photographer David continue the city’s richtotradition of creativity years in work related the bridge. He helped and artistic in futureexhibit generations to curate theinnovation 75th anniversary of the to celebrate Oakland’s diversity and Society. vibrancy.His For bridge at the California Historical tickets www.oakarts.org. photos,visit documents and lively stories about the bridge provide invaluable insight into this
Saturday
6
Lake Chabot Sunrise Photography Meetup
Time: 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Cost: $20 - $22 Location: Freight & Salvage, 2020 Addison St., Berkeley
Time: 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Cost: Free Location: Lake Chabot Marina, 17936 Lake Chabot Rd., Castro Valley
The Lucky Losers duo present an evening dedicated in tribute to the great late New Orleans music legend Allen Toussaint, considered one of the innovators of soul, funk and R&B in the 20th century. This evening of music features Grammy-nominated blues singer Maria Muldaur and an opening set by The Lucky Losers.
Brave the early morning cold for the opportunity to meet with fellow photography enthusiasts and professional photographers to capture the beauty of sunrise at Lake Chabot. Be sure to dress warm and bring a flashlight. The meetup will be led by Wanda Worthington Kersey of Worthington Photography.
Celebrate the rainy season at this viewing of the musical classic “Singin’ in the Rain,” starring Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor and Debbie Reynolds. Whether it is your first viewing or just your latest, share in the laughter, music and warmth of this beloved film. There will be two showings at 11:15 a.m. and 2 p.m., respectively. There will be specially prepared coloring sheets for children of all ages.
Sunday
Thursday
Friday
7
7
11
Brazilian Family Carnaval Ball
Super Bowl 50 Watch Party
Happy Hour to Empower
Time: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Cost: $10 adults, $5 kids 13 & under Location: Casa de Cultura, 1901 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley
Time: 1 p.m. Cost: Free Location: Club BnB, 2120 Broadway, Oakland
Time: 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Cost: $5 Location: Das Brew, 44356 S Grimmer Blvd., Fremont
Join the self-described largest LGBT Super Bowl 50 Party in the East Bay at Club BnB in Oakland for ages 21 and older. There will be specials on drinks throughout the day along with a nacho bar and a limited supply of hot dogs. Download the Club BnB app to your phone and get $1 off your drinks.
Friday
Saturday
12
13
Ensemble Alcatraz
War Ink
Time: 8 p.m. Cost: $25 Location: Rhythmix Cultural Works, 2513 Blanding Ave., Alameda
Time: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Cost: Free Location: San Leandro Museum, 320 W. Estudillo Ave., San Leandro
Presenting a selection of songs from medieval Iberia, Ensemble Alcatraz is a classical music group since 1984 dedicated to presenting performances of medieval and Renaissance music from Spain, France, Portugal and Italy. Inspired by the court of Alfonso X of Spain, the group seeks to recreate the same spirit of collaboration between artists, writers, musicians and more. For tickets visit www.rhythmix.org.
The San Leandro Museum invites you to a special viewing of War Ink, a virtual exhibit of veterans and their body art, presented by the San Leandro Veterans Resource Center. The exhibit explores a variety of tattoos combat veterans have and some of the meaning behind them, including documenting experiences, memorializing fallen comrades and expressing emotions. The exhibit will also feature a panel of veterans with military tattoos who will discuss their experiences and take questions.
Saturday
Sunday
14
13
“Bridges: A New Musical” Opening Night
Fremont Symphony Orchestra Presents Valentine’s Day
Time: 6 p.m. Cost: $23 - $60 Location: Berkeley Playhouse, 2640 College Ave., Berkeley
Time: 8 p.m. Cost: $55 - $65 Location: Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 38451 Fremont Blvd., Fremont
The Berkeley Playhouse invites you to the world premiere of their original commissioned musical that explores modern American history through a multi-cultural family. The story takes place in Selma, Alabama in 1965 and Oakland in 2008, two periods of immense activism for equality and justice show how far we have come and the bridges we have yet to cross. For tickets go to www.berkleyplayhouse.org.
Maestro Jason Klein directs the Fremont Symphony Orchestra as they perform a selection of romantic music across numerous composers. The concert will include Wagner’s Prelude, Love Death from “Tristan and Isolde,” Puccini’s Mario, Mario from “Tosca” and selections from Bernstein’s “West Side Story.” For tickets visit www.fremontsymphony.org.
CAL Self Storage 50% Off Your First 3 Months Rental • individual alarms • resident manager on site
6
Life, Love and Faith: A Mardi Gras Tribute to Allen Toussaint
Sunday
Casa de Cultura presents a family friendly Carnaval Ball. Featuring traditional Brazilian carnaval music, kids’ dance performances, kids’ king and queen contests, mask making, Brazilian food and drinks, along with much more. Casa de Cultura is a Brazilian Cultural Center dedicated to bringing people traditional Brazilian cultural activities.
Saturday
• month to month • 7 days/wk
phone: (510) 538 -1536 fax: (510) 538 - 6312 www.calselfstorage.com 26869 Mission Blvd (Behind Food Source) Hayward, CA 94544
Safe Alternatives to Violent Environments present their first Happy Hour to Empower of 2016 at Das Brew to help raise funds for their peer support programs and advocacy projects. This fundraiser will specifically benefit two anti-teen dating violence advocacy projects aimed at raising awareness on an issue that affects 1 in 3 teens. The admission fee entitles you to an appetizer buffet and one raffle ticket in a drawing for prizes such as an A’s package that includes 8 field level tickets and more.
“Singin’ in the Rain” Screening Time: 11:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost: Free Location: San Leandro Museum, 320 W. Estudillo Ave., San Leandro
12
“Mrs. Warren’s Profession” Opening Night Time: 8 p.m. Cost: $24 - $32 Location: Douglas Morrisson Theatre, 22311 N. Third St., Hayward Watch a battle of wills ensue when Vivie Warren, a modern and highly educated woman, receives a surprise visit from a mother she barely knows, and discovers the truth about her mother’s profession. Written by George Bernard Shaw, this provocative play centers on the inequities between men and women in professional opportunities in Victorian Britain, many of whose themes still ring true today.
SPORTS 11
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 4, 2016
THE PIONEER
The black falcon takes flight Harrison Barnes: Key to Warriors success
By Sean McCarthy CONTRIBUTOR Golden State Warriors 23-year-old small forward Harrison Barnes is often overlooked because he has superstar teammates like Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. Barnes’ contract is up this year, but the team absolutely needs to re-sign him. When Curry’s on the court, everyone watches. He’s electrifying. You never know what he will do. Barnes is not supercharged in the same way, but he is consistent. Barnes was the first round draft pick of the Warriors in the 2012 NBA draft. Before being drafted, he was the top-recruited high school basketball player in the country and was a one-and-done player at the University of North Carolina before coming to the Warriors. “Harrison is incredibly driven,” Coach Kerr said to Monte Poole in a Comcast Sports interview, when Kerr became the Warriors head coach in 2014. “So we’ve got big plans for him this year. We think he can be a great player in this league.” Barnes often deferred to Curry and Thompson his first two years, but has become much more aggressive this year. He is finding “his spots” and creating his shots using the jab step so opponents don’t know if he’s going to drive to the hoop or shoot. Barnes creates space on the court
ILLUSTRATION BY BRITTANY ENGLAND/THE PIONEER
because of his ability to shoot the three-pointer, opening up the middle of the paint for himself and his teammates. Last year, he shot 39 percent from behind the 3-point line and 48 percent from the corners. However, what truly resonates with fans is when he seemingly jumps 15 feet in the air and throws down a dunk in the face of a defender. Barnes made Dwight Howard a victim of one of his
poster-worthy dunks earlier this year. Barnes has the physical tools to become a perennial All-Star and he will within the next three years. He is faster and stronger than most players and when he jumps, he soars; this is the reason he is nicknamed the “Black Falcon.” Barnes has been a reliable player, missing less than 10 games in his first three seasons. However, the injury bug
finally caught up to him — Barnes rolled his ankle when he landed after jumping in a game against the Phoenix Suns on Nov. 27. He missed 16 games and finally returned against the Los Angeles Lakers on Jan. 5 for a win. Before his injury, the Warriors were rolling as a team, compiling a perfect record of 17-0, however they went 15-2 after his injury. They led the league in point differential at
+15.8 points per game but dropped to just +7.6 without him. Two losses are not a big deal for a team chasing championships, but the Warriors were obviously struggling to replace his skill set in the line up. Excluding the two games they lost during his 16-game absence, the team was forced into overtime twice and six games were decided by six points or less. These tightly-contested games forced the coaching staff to overplay their star players: Curry, Thompson and also Draymond Green. During the offseason, the Warriors offered Barnes a four-year $64 million contract, which would kick in after this season. Barnes declined the extension because there will likely be more money offered to him in the off-season. He has become a strong member of the Warriors community; he spends time with local Boys and Girls Clubs, is often heard on local radio and volunteers at Facebook in the off-season. The Warriors cannot afford to lose Barnes. He is a part of the Golden State’s starting lineup, the best five man unit in the league and a growing nucleus of young players that have a long future in the NBA. His potential ceiling is as high as he can jump, and fans know he can fly. Barnes will enter his prime years as Curry and Thompson decline due to age. This will be Barnes’ true time to shine, proving the Warriors were right to re-sign him.
12 SPORTS
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 4, 2016
THE PIONEER
New season, new coach for softball By Louis LaVenture NEWS AND SPORTS EDITOR It’s a new beginning for softball at Cal State East Bay. In August the Pioneers’ Head Coach Barbara Pierce stepped down after nine seasons at the helm for CSUEB. Enter the new Coach, Claire Sua-Amundson, the Cal State Fullerton assistant coach who has been at schools like Cal Poly and Stanford. The UCLA grad played in the College World Series four times during her four years on the Bruins softball squad. Sua-Amundson will have her hands full with a squad that has never made the postseason since the jump to Division II in 2009. Last year the Pioneers were 28-23 overall and 16-20 conference play. “There were a lot of positive changes for the team this year,” CSUEB senior infielder Allie Kornahrens said. “We have 10 freshmen, so it is a young team that came at the perfect time for a new coach. Coach [Amundson] has definitely bettered the program, and will continue to grow with this young team. Coach [Amundson] expects a lot from us, and has taught us all how to be more well rounded players. She knows how to work with us, and push us to our limits.” The 2016 California Collegiate Athletic Association Conference Coaches’ Poll has the Pioneers ranked eighth out
PHOTO BY TAM DUONG JR./THE PIONEER
CSUEB softball players use tees to practice their hitting in January near the softball field. of 11 teams, which has some of the key returners fired up. “I expect this team to be great,” CSUEB junior catcher Ali Cerminara said. “We are all focused and ready to
Pioneers clawed at home by Cougars
PHOTO BY TAM DUONG JR./THE PIONEER
By Louis LaVenture NEWS AND SPORTS EDITOR It was a tale of two halves for the Cal State East Bay men’s basketball squad. CSUEB trailed by two points at halftime, 38-36, but could not match the intensity of the first half and fell to the Cal State San Marcos Cougars at Pioneer Gymnasium, 85-69, on Thursday. The Pioneers are now 7-13 overall and 3-10 in California Collegiate Athletic Association Conference games this season. The road victory helped San Marcos improve to 11-7 overall and 8-4 in CCAA games. “Our team is successful when we are focused on defending and rebounding,” CSUEB Head Coach Gus Argenal said. “In the first half we were able to stay close with our scoring but we were still giving up too many points. We have to be dialed into a possession by possession, stop by stop, game plan.” The Cougars managed to outscore CSUEB by 14 points in the second half, 47-33, which resulted in the 16 point triumph. CSUM senior forward Taran Brown was unstoppable at times for the Cougars as he poured in a gamehigh 23 points in just 26 minutes on the court. Brown’s teammate and fellow senior forward Declan Daly also had a massive night as he secured a double-double with 13 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists in 36 minutes of
playing time. “I felt like San Marcos dictated how the game was going to be played and we got caught up with just trying to score with them,” Argenal said. “We have to stop people and allow our defense to spark our offense.” The Pioneers tried to match the scoring of San Marcos and had four players reach double-digit point totals. However, it wasn’t enough and the Cougars cruised to victory with a comfortable second half lead. CSUEB senior forward Jack Pasquini made a few shots in the second half that brought the Pioneers within three points of the Cougars but that is as close as they would come before San Marcos pulled away for good. Pasquini had a team-high 14 points and 7 rebounds for the Pioneers while fellow senior guard Alex Carmon added in 13 points and junior guard Jalen Richard also chipped in with 13 points. Freshman guard Jordan Balser was the other Pioneer to reach double-digits in scoring with 10 points in the loss. There are just seven regular season games left on the schedule for CSUEB and they will have to go on the road for the next four. The first game is tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. against Chico State (16-3 overall, 10-2 conference) at Art Acker Gymnasium. For Argenal, it brings up many connections. Argenal was an assistant coach at Chico State before coming to CSUEB and he also played for their head coach, Greg Clink, who was an assistant coach at UC Davis when Argenal played for the Aggies. “He is a best friend of mine,” Argenal said. “Our families are very close and at times that adds to the talk about the matchup but for us it is about preparing our teams and playing to our potential. I loved my experience there and feel like I had a part in building the program but for us to become an elite program you have to beat the best.” The road trip will continue on Saturday when the Pioneers make the trek to Turlock to take on Cal State Stanislaus (5-12, 4-8) at 7:30 p.m. at Ed & Bertha Fitzpatrick Arena.
start a new season with the new coaches. The rankings came out and it’s lower than we wanted so we are looking forward to proving people wrong.” Cerminara was a key player on last
years’ squad and led the team in batting average, on base percentage, slugging percentage and doubles. She was also named to the Capital One Academic All-America Third Team, All-CCAA Sec-
ond Team and the Capital One Academic All-District 8. “I am just looking to stay focused and do whatever the team needs so we can succeed,” Cerminara said. “I am hoping to improve in every aspect of the game to help out the team.” The team success aspect has seemed to be the primary focus among players of the 2016 squad, who have youth on their side. Ten of the 21 players on this years’ team are freshman, nine seniors and two juniors, which give the squad a mix of youth and veterans. “I think this year we expect to be the underdog, and to prove a lot of teams wrong,” Kornahrens said. “We have been working hard all fall and winter, and I believe it will pay off this season. Our ultimate goals for this season are to win a majority of our series’ and make it to the conference tournament.” It’s been a long time since a CSUEB softball team made it to the postseason. The streak dates back to the NCAA Division III days, prior to 2009. Some of the seniors will look to break that streak, especially seniors Sierra Clark and Tatiana Beilstein, who were both major contributors on the mound last season. The first step in the journey will be this weekend during the first games of the regular season. The Pioneers will go on the road to San Rafael to take on Dominican College in a doubleheader on Saturday at Penguin Field beginning at noon.
Breshers now first in points at CSUEB Senior breaks school record By Louis LaVenture NEWS AND SPORTS EDITOR The Cal State East Bay women’s basketball team is in the midst of a great season. With just seven regular season games remaining, the Pioneers are 17-4 overall and third place in the California Collegiate Athletic Association Conference at 11-2. This comes on the heels of last
year’s 20-11 season where they lost in the conference championship game to Cal State Dominguez Hills. A major factor in the success for CSUEB has been senior forward Tori Breshers. During a 60-39 win over CSU San Marcos last week, she became the school’s all-time leading scorer with 1,211 points passing the former leader Antoinette Goode who held the record since 1988 with 1,210 points. Breshers is also a major reason CSUEB ranks first in the conference in scoring margin and scoring defense as well as third in scoring offense.
“Tori is a senior and her experience in the league and an understanding of what our expectations are of her allow her to go out and just play within the system,” CSUEB Head Coach Suzy Barcomb said. “She is an outstanding athlete, with great court speed and quickness.” On Feb. 2 Breshers earned her third CCAA Player of the Week award this season, the most for any player. She is fifth in the CCAA in scoring, tenth in rebounding, second in field goal percentage, sixth in blocks and fifth in steals. Breshers is also number one on CSUEB’s all-time blocks list with 143. Breshers and the Pioneers have seven games left before the CCAA tournament begins on Mar. 1. The next game for CSUEB is tomorrow at 5 p.m. at Chico State (9-9 overall, 4-8 conference).
GRAPHIC BY KRISTIANNA FEDERE/THE PIONEER
“She is an outstanding athlete, with great court speed and quickness.” -Suzy Barcomb, CSUEB Head Coach