The Signpost: OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR CUTS CAREER SHORT

Tuesday | January 25, 2022 | Volume 95 | Issue 4

NEWS » PAGE 7

SPORTS » PAGE 12

SYSTEM SHIFT UPSETS STATUS QUO

BOUNCING OUR WAY PAST THE BENGALS HANNAH MOORE| The Signpost

WSU Archives

2 | MyWeberMedia.com | January 25, 2022

DO YOU KNOW YOUR NEWS? By ALEXANDREA BONILLA

Asst. Section Editor

1. A man claiming to have explosives and weapons held four people hostage at a Texas synagogue for nearly how long? A. 11 hours B. Nine hours C. Seven hours D. 18 hours 2. Tennis star Novak Djokovic was detained by border ofﬁcials for entering which country unvaccinated?

A. Norway B. Austria C. New Zealand D. Australia 3. The U.S. government announced that they will be launching a website where Americans can order free COVID-19 rapid tests directly to their house. How many are allowed per household? A. Six B. Four C. Two

D. Eight 4. As COVID cases continue to rise, many of Utah’s schools are moving back to remote online learning. Senate Bill 107, which was approved last year, states that schools with at least 1,500 students must take proper measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 when active cases represent how much of the student body? A. 2%

5. A devastating underwater volcanic eruption sent tsunami waves across Tonga, leaving the island covered in ash and debris. What was the name of the volcano? A. Mauna Loa B. Hualālai C. Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha’apai D. Niuatoputapu

B. 5% C. 10% D. 25%

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Asst. Section Editor

After two seasons as the Wildcats’ offensive coordinator, Matt Hammer, is leaving the team and football altogether for a project manager position at a construction company. The Standard Examiner reported that Hammer was stepping down, and according to an Instagram post from Hammer’s wife, Sheena Hammer, he was doing so to spend more time with their family. “The selﬂess person he is, he has decided to move on to another career that will allow for more family time,” the post read. “Everyone needs a spouse like mine.” On an Instagram post from Weber State’s football account that thanked Hammer, former Wildcat defensive end Jordon Main shared a story in the comments. Main had just returned from Iraq during his ﬁrst year at Weber State when he met Hammer. “I had a lot of mental health issues, didn’t know anything about PTSD yet,” the comment read. “Coach Hammer took a phone call from me in the middle of the night and talked me down.” After the call, Hammer introduced Main to people who could help him. According to

Main, Hammer is one of his three favorite coaches. Last season, Hammer’s offense averaged a little over 14 points per game. Due to injuries, the Wildcats were working with four quarterbacks, starting either Bronson Barron or Kylan Weisser. During his interview with the Standard, Hammer noted that inconsistencies at the position led to struggles. However, he still has hope for the Wildcats. “I really believe they have a good football team still,” Hammer told the Standard.”I’m excited to sit in the stands and watch them play in the fall.” Weber State’s season will kick off on Sept. 3 against James Madison. The opponent for the Wildcats’ blackout game, the Dukes, won 37–24 last season. A replacement for Hammer has not been announced. “We will always be Wildcat fans,” Sheena Hammer said on Instagram. “Thanks for everything.”

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Weber State University

By SIMON MORTENSEN

Offensive coordinator Matt Hammer is leaving Weber State after two years with the program.

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Student volunteers assemble dental hygiene kits in CCEL.

Asst. Section Editor

What was planned to be a two-hour service project became a 30-minute activity when 25 students gathered to assemble over 600 dental hygiene kits for the Ogden Weber Community Action Partnership. On Jan. 20, Weber State University’s Center for Community Engaged Learning planned a service project of assembling dental hygiene kits for OWCAP. The Community Engagement Team planned a week ﬁlled with service projects in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Each service project was paired up with a community partner. This particular project was paired with OWCAP, which works to assist disadvantaged families in Weber County through state-funded programs and community service projects. Each dental hygiene kit included a toothbrush, a timer, a dental ﬂoss pick and a tube of toothpaste. “This year especially, I’ve just learned the

Alternative Spring Break volunteers assemble kits.

the Sioux Reservation in South Dakota: local importance of [service]. It’s just a way to con- and plan an event. CET also partnered with the Alternative youth and civil rights in Salt Lake City and nect,” Megan Ferney, vice president of the Community Engagement Team, said. “A lot Spring Breaks program for this project. The Ogden, Utah. “We’re helping them, but they are helping of times we just focus on what’s happening Alternative Spring Breaks program give stuin our own lives, but through these opportu- dents the opportunity to engage in direct us as well,” Ferney said. “They are helping us be more mindful of our community and alnities our vision is opened to what’s happen- service trips all over the world. They currently have five trips planned lowing us to make a difference in ways that ing around us.” CCEL has been working extra hard to plan for 2022: environmental sustainability in we wouldn’t be able to otherwise.” events since the COVID-19 pandemic began. O’ahu, Hawaii, and Fort Worth, Texas; health Comment on this story at This is the first year since the outbreak that and food insecurity in San Francisco, Califorsignpost.mywebermedia.com they have been able to encourage more nia; Native American issues and youth on than a limited number of students to attend events. “I think there’s a lot of energy with just being out with people and coming to events and doing activities,” Naomi Elmer, the Large Days of Service chair for the CET, said. “I think a lot of students are super excited to get out and be able to make friends and do these service opportunities to make a difference as well.” The CET started a new system this year in which they sent out a survey to their community partners to learn their most prominent needs and what kind of service would be the most helpful for them. After figuring out which needs CCEL can help meet, they assign a chair within the team to take over Volunteers assemble dental hygiene kits.

ALEXANDREA BONILLA | The Signpost

By ALEXANDREA BONILLA

ALEXANDREA BONILLA | The Signpost

4 | MyWeberMedia.com | January 25, 2022

LEXIE ANDREW | The Signpost

MyWeberMedia.com | January 25, 2022 | 5

Science teachers speak about helping spread science classes and topics to a wide variety of students on Jan. 19.

Salt Lake Center for Science Education Bryant, explained that schools use demographics to predict if a student will pursue the sciences or other classes. One way they do this is through the Extended Learning Program test, which students in Salt Lake City School District are given at a young age. According to Salt Lake City School District’s website, ELP runs from elementary through middle school. According to the site, it “meets the needs of identiﬁed gifted/talented and high ability students” and offers them more difﬁcult coursework and academic track through school.

Teachers play an integral part in helping students believe in themselves enough to try things outside of their comfort zones.

Reporter

LEXIE ANDREW | The Signpost

Smith said that those who don’t score as well are set on a different track than those who excel on the test. This limits those who A panel of physics educators score lower, as they are steered each brought a different viewaway from certain classes, includpoint to a virtual lecture on Jan. ing some of the sciences. 19 concerning how to teach the Because of these tracking sciences, mainly focusing on methods, students may feel disphysics, and how to bring these couraged to take science classes, classes to a wider range of stubut by moving away from this dents. tracking system, more students One of the main points may be encouraged to try more brought up was moving away classes in the science departfrom demographics and trackment. ing, as it creates stereotypes for The panel is also trying to bring students going into the sciences more students into the sciences because it singles out those who through role models. seem like they won’t fit in. Amanda Williams, STEM diMatthew Smith, principal of rector for Boys and Girls Club of Greater Salt Lake, said bringing in people who work in tech but also look like or can relate with the kids is better for helping them learn and be involved. “That will make or break an event or activity, whether they feel like they’re being seen or not,” Williams said. Having those role models, whether it be college students or people with careers in scientific The panel of teachers are trying to bring more students fields, allows students to have into the sciences through role models. more confidence in the path they By LEXIE ANDREW

want to pursue. Being able to see people are doing what they want to do helps solidify that desire to continue in the sciences. Teachers also play an integral part in encouraging students to take part in the sciences and are essential to helping students believe in themselves enough to try things outside of their comfort zones. Celia Nilson, a teacher at Farmington High School, said sometimes when a student doesn’t do as well in the ﬁrst unit, they want to quit, but she has to remind them that they’re still learning, which can help lead to greater accomplishments. The whole panel agreed. They knew they had succeeded in teaching science when the students thought they were having fun but were learning in the process.

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The LDS Institute of Religion at Weber State University

Religion in Life

Wednesday, January 26th

Weekly Devotional Series

12:30 — 1:15 PM Institute Chapel 1302 Edvalson St, Ogden

Sponsored by LDSSA (Latter-day Saint Student Association)

EVERYONE WELCOME! Refreshments will be served

Jana Wiltbank

School Counselor; Faithful Mom

Reporter

KENNEDY ROBINS | The Signpost

Employees of the Wildcat Store found themselves undergoing a full system change in October. “We changed our point of sale systems in late October of last year. The system we’ve been on for several years basically went out of business, which forced a change for us,” Ryan Stewart, manager of course materials for Wildcat Stores, said. According to Stewart, the process for selecting a new system took about six months. One of the challenges that emerged from adopting a new system mid-semester was they couldn’t test it during the peak time — the beginning of the semester. “We were test driving it; we could drive it around the block, and it worked fine, but we didn’t take it on a cross country road trip,”

Stewart said. “Back to school is that cross country road trip where we’re putting some miles on it.” One immediate bump in the road they found themselves dealing with was the Day One Access system. The Day One Access system allows students to get required course materials, typically textbooks, digitally starting the first day of class. “Day One Access is all managed through a web program called Connect. We put all the items in there, and the CRNs for the classes get linked to that book and activated,” Stewart said. In spite of preparation, Stewart explained that a glitch in the new system caused more than half of the data to delete during the weekend prior to the start of the semester. How the booklist is accessed and operates also changed with the new system. Now, students will have to look up courses and find

Emma Medell and Gad Karemera help students to buy their textbooks and school supplies.

required materials that way. “Students that have ordered with us before on our website need to reset their password with their Weber credentials on the new one. Customers that haven’t ordered with us before need to create an account on our website,” Stewart said. As with any update, system changes will take some getting used to. Despite the initial technical difficulties, Stewart felt things were back up and running relatively well. If students don’t want or need their textbooks at the end of the semester, the bookstore buys back some textbooks at the beginning and end of semesters, and it will continue doing so with the updates.

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Weber State University student Sydney Ward looks for an iPad or laptop to use for the spring semester.

KENNEDY ROBINS | The Signpost

By REBECCA BAGGETT

KENNEDY ROBINS | The Signpost

MyWeberMedia.com | January 25, 2022 | 7

The Weber State University bookstore has both new and used textbooks available to students.

8 | MyWeberMedia.com| ### ##, 2021

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CAREER AND INTERNSHIP

INTERNET & SOFTWARE MANUFACTURING

RETAIL STORES

Software Technology Group Gravity IT Resources

The Home Depot Outdoor Equipped Spring Business Solutions

INVESTMENT Scandia

LEGAL & LAW ENFORCEMENT Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation United States Secret Service

Capstone Nutrition* Futura Industries iFIT Health & Fitness Parker Hannifin Corporation Utah Manufacturing Extension Partnership

TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS England Logistics* Enterprise Holdings*

SOCIAL ASSISTANCE

UTILITIES AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

MARKETING

Community Options, Inc. Utah Behavior Services Weber Human Services*

NON-PROFIT

TRADE TELECOMMUNICATIONS WHOLESALE Associated Food Stores*

ThomasARTS *

Rise, Inc. Waterford.org

Black & McDonald

AvantGuard Monitoring Centers * Sorenson Communications

Fastenal Company Hajoca Corporation *Corporate Partners

Make the Connection RESUMES and PROFESSIONAL DRESS encouraged AEROSPACE Apogee Worx LLC NorBorsight Inc. Northrop Grumman Corporation The Boeing Company

BIOTECH & LIFE SCIENCES Pyxant Labs Inc.

CONSTRUCTION D.R. Horton, Inc. Destination Homes Guardian Construction Hughes General Contracting

CONSUMER PACKAGED GOODS Nutraceutical, A Better Being Co

DEFENSE BAE Systems, Inc. BWX Technologies, Inc. Marine Corps Officer Selection Station, Salt Lake City, UT Hill AFB Civilian Engineering Leidos

EDUCATION Davinci Academy of the Science and the Arts Jordan School District OASIS Ascent Utah Afterschool Network Weber School District

ENGINEERING POWER Engineers, Inc.

FINANCIAL SERVICES Farm Bureau Financial Services

GOVERNMENT Davis County Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Ogden City Corporation Social Security Administration, Ogden, UT Utah Department of Cultural & Community Engagement Weber County (Local Government)

HEALTHCARE Bridge House bioMerieux Inc. doTERRA International LLC Intermountain Healthcare University of Utah Health

JAN25 TUESDAY

In person:

10 a.m.–1 p.m. Shepherd Union Ballrooms

Virtual: 3 –5 p.m.

weber.edu/careerservices

WEBER STATE ATHLETICS

10 | MyWeberMedia.com | January 25, 2022

Summer Allen won the 2013 individual Big Sky Conference Championship and took second place at the BYU Robinson Invitational steeplechase event in 2017. By ALEC CIPOLLINI Reporter

The 2022 indoor track and ﬁeld season is just beginning for the Wildcats, marking the last time Summer and Christian Allen will compete together. In 2019, Weber State distance runners Summer and Christian Allen tied the knot after spending several years at Weber State together. Summer Allen is an Orem native who started at WSU in 2013. After eight years with the program, she’ll be graduating this year. A die-hard Wildcat now, Summer thought she’d end up at Brigham Young University. “Two of my siblings went there, and it was close to home for me, but as I got closer to graduating high school, I realized that I wasn’t sure that was what I wanted,” she said. “When I came to Weber, I just had a different feeling about the program here, and I felt like I could become the athlete I knew I could.” As for Christian Allen, this is his fourth year as a Wildcat; however, he’s only a sophomore. “I just thought Ogden was and still is a unique hidden gem that a lot of people in Utah don’t really talk about,” Christian said.

“When I met the coaches and the team, I felt like Weber State would be a good fit, and it’s been history since.” Since coming to Ogden, both athletes have received many prestigious accolades on the track team as well as the cross-country team. Christian Allen was the Big Sky Freshman of the Year during the 2018 cross country season, finishing 15th in the NCAA Championships the same year. He took home first place in the 2021 5K UNLV Spring Outdoor track meet and earned All-American Honors for finishing 15th at the 2021 NCAA Division 1 XC Championships. Summer Allen won the 2013 individual Big Sky Conference Championship and took second place at the BYU Robinson Invitational steeplechase event in 2017. She finished sixth in the 2018 5K Big Sky Indoor Championship and received All-American honors by finishing eighth in the 2021 outdoor NCAA Championship steeplechase. “I made a goal of being an All-American from the time that I began running cross-country as a freshman,” she said. “As I moved along, things were starting to click and I became an All-American in 2017, so I was pretty excited.” The Allens have a son named Miles who has changed their day-to-day lives. “Having a baby gives me a bigger and

broader perspective on life,” Christian Allen said. “Miles gives me another form of motivation when I run, as well, since I know I am running to reach my aspirations and goals, but I am also running for my family.” Recently, Christian Allen has been struggling with plantar issues. He said the pain has been growing, and he may need surgery. Recently, he has started to run again at a less intense rate. WSU just ﬁnished their second meet, competing at the Air Force Indoor Invitational in Colorado Springs. When discussing their expectations for the 2022 season, Summer Allen said that there will be a lot of excitement around the program this year and expects records to be shattered. “These records are decades old,” she said. “To be on track to beating records of previous Olympians or professional runners would be good. Trying to have our names up there with the greats would be pretty cool.” The next Weber State indoor track meet for both the men’s and women’s teams will be the Washington Invitational in Seattle Jan. 28-29. Comment on this story at signpost.mywebermedia.com

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WSU Archives

WSU Athletics

12 | MyWeberMedia.com | January 25, 2022

JJ Overton prepares to break through Idaho State guards to take a shot at the basket.

By RAYSHAUN BAKER-LYNCH

Reporter

Weber State University’s men’s basketball team won in a dominant 95–63 victory over the Idaho State Bengals on Jan. 20 at the Dee Events Center. Brayden Parker, center for the Bengals, got the first bucket of the game, which was Idaho State’s only lead of the night. Weber State got rolling early, with guard Koby McEwen scoring the first points for the team after a layup in the paint. McEwen collected 4 points to get the Wildcats started. The Wildcats went up early with a 9–0 run led by a steal from forward JJ Overton, bringing the score to 21–6. “We’re a really good defensive team, but we are a little bit squirrelly on it,” head coach Randy Rahe said. “You know we can play five, six, seven minutes of good defense and we might go two to three where we might let our guard down.” Rahe talked about wanting to play a full 40 minutes of good defense and headed in the half with a 48–33 lead against the Bengals. “At halftime, we talked about when we have a team down we got to put them away,” Rahe said. Weber State did just that and started the second half with a bucket from Overton in the paint, leading a 7–0 run. The Wildcats kept their foot on the gas, holding Idaho State to 40% from the field

KJ Cunningham and Josh Sanders chat while they walk off the court after a win for the Weber State men’s basketball team.

and 25% from the three. In comparison, the Wildcats shot 55% from the field and 26% from the three. Liam Sorensen, the guard for the Bengals, tried to make a comeback in the second half and finished with 16 points and shot 7–9 from the field. The Bengals left the paint vacant for the Wildcats, who collected 52 points on the night. Weber State scored 22 points off turnovers and 15 fast break points. The Wildcat bench also contributed with 34 points. Overton led the Wildcats with 21 points, McEwen and Dillon Jones both scored 13 points and Seikou Sisoho Jawara chipped in with 12 points. “We can break anybody down,” Overton said. “It’s hard to be a team that is unselfish and can break you down one on one. I’m never looking to force things. I just play the right way.” Weber State hit the road to take on some fellow Big Sky opponents who sit atop standings. The Wildcats first took on No.-2 Southern Utah University on Jan. 24, and will take on No.-3 University of Northern Colorado on Jan. 27 before closing the road trip at Sacramento State on Jan. 29.

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JJ Overton scores inside with a layup.

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CLIMBING

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YOUR MOUNTAINS OF WITH

AND We can help. Connect with Student Affairs.

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MAJOR & CAREER NAVIGATION Feeling lost? Can't decide on a major? We can help!

Calling all tabletop gamers! Enjoy D&D, Pathfinder, Catan and other board games. All you need to start your epic adventure is available for checkout. Need books, dice and player mats?

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M A R W G E OR N P Social Work & Gerontology 801-626-6154 MSW@weber.edu

The WSU Master of Social Work (MSW) is a strong, studentfocused program with an emphasis on clinical training to help meet the needs of your community. Accepting applications for Fall 2022 until Dec. 15, 2021.

NONTRADITIONAL STUDENT CENTER

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BE A MENTEE “College will push you to your breaking point. My job is to make sure my mentees know that if they fall, I will be right by their side to get them back on their feet.”

Get support and guidance from other Weber State students!

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STUDENT FEE RECOMMENDATION

COMMITTEE will be holding open deliberations

Jan. 28, 2022 at 12:45 p.m. in the Shepherd Union, Room 404, to decide where your student fees will go beginning in the 2022-2023 school year.