Cover Photo By: Shawn Penrod | The Signpost
FORMER WILDCATS IN THE WILD:
By COLLYN COWLES Editor
Weber State University has produced athletes who have reached the highest levels in professional sports, with alumni excelling in the NBA and NFL. Dillon Jones, Damian Lillard, Taron Johnson, Winston Reid and Rasheed Shaheed are among those representing Weber State in major professional leagues.
Damian Lillard: The Wildcat icon in Milwaukee
Damian Lillard, after forgoing his senior season in 2012 to enter the NBA Draft, finished his Weber State career second on the all-time scoring list with 1,934 points. He set multiple records, including career 3-pointers made (246), free throws made (520), and free throw percentage (86%). Lillard’s junior year featured a school record 24.5 points per game, and he led the nation in free throws made (228). Lillard earned two Big Sky MVP awards, two Weber State Male Athlete of the Year honors and All-American recognition in 2012.
In the NBA, Lillard joined the Milwaukee Bucks, continuing his scoring presence alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Dillon Jones: A new chapter in Oklahoma City
Dillon Jones was selected as the 26th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder, making him the second Weber State player to be selected in the first round after Damian Lillard. Jones was named the 2024 Big Sky MVP, averaging 20.8 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game. He led the nation as the only player to top his conference in points, rebounds and assists and was a finalist for the Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award. With over 119 career games, Jones set Weber State’s alltime steals record, ranking second in assists, third in rebounds and fifth in scoring. Jones became one of only four NCAA players since 1992-93 to achieve 1,500 points, 1,000 rebounds, 400 assists and 200 steals. He recorded 18 double-doubles in his final season.
Rashid Shaheed went undrafted in 2022, but was signed as a free agent with the
THE PROFESSIONAL LEAGUES
Rasheed Shaheed: Electrifying in New Orleans
Rasheed Shaheed concluded his career at Weber State in 2021 as the all-time leader in kickoff return touchdowns with seven. He earned All-American honors four times and became the first player in Big Sky history to be named first-team All-Conference in three positions: kick returner, punt returner and wide receiver. Shaheed ranks third in Weber State history for all-purpose yards (5,478), third in punt return yards and seventh in receiving yards (2,178) with 18 touchdowns. In his senior season, he broke the FCS record for career kickoff return touchdowns.
Shaheed continued his football career in the NFL with the New Orleans Saints. Despite a meniscus surgery that sidelined him for the remainder of the 2023 season, Shaheed totaled 20 receptions for 349 yards and three touchdowns in six games.
Winston Reid: Cleveland’s rising force
Winston Reid, after a standout career at Weber State, signed with the Cleveland Browns as a free agent following the 2024 NFL Draft. Reid earned two All-American honors and was named to the first team All-Big Sky twice. He recorded 281 career tackles, 170 of them solo, and ranks second in school history for solo tackles and tied for the all-time lead in forced fumbles. Reid also earned National Player of the Week honors for his performance against Idaho in 2023, where he recorded 17 tackles. In his first NFL season, Reid recorded 23 combined tackles, including 14 solo tackles, half a sack and two pass deflections. His performance has contributed to the Browns’ defensive strength.
Taron Johnson: Buffalo’s defensive star
Taron Johnson was named a second-team All-Pro in 2023 after recording 65 tackles, two interceptions, one sack, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in 12 games for the Buffalo Bills. Johnson missed four games due to a forearm injury but still made significant contributions to the team’s defense.
Rashid Shaheed holding onto the football just before being tackled by a player on the Jacksonville Jaguars.
LOS EX-WILDCATS EN LAS AFUERAS: LAS LIGAS PROFESIONALES
POR VICTORIA HERNANDEZ Traductor
POR COLLYN COWLES Editor
La Universidad de Weber State ha producido atletas que han alcanzado los niveles más altos en deportes profesionales, con un alumnado que sobresale en la NBA y la NFL. Dillon Jones, Damian Lillard, Taron Johnson, Winston Reid y Rasheed Shaheed son unos de los representantes en las ligas profesionales mayores.
Damian Lillard: El Icono Wildcat en Milwaukee
Damian Lillard, después de renunciar en su última temporada como senior en el 2012 para entrar en el Draft de la NBA, terminó su carrera en Weber State como segundo en la lista de anotadores de todos los tiempos con 1,934 puntos. El estableció varios récords, incluyendo triples (246), tiros libre (520) y porcentaje de tiros libres (86%). En su año como junior, Lillard logró un récord escolar de 24,5 puntos por partido y lideró el país en tiros libre lanzados (228). Lillard recibió dos premios Big Sky MVP, dos honores de Weber State como Atleta Masculino del Año y un All-American reconocimiento en el 2012.
En la NBA, Lillard se unió a los Milwaukee Bucks, continuando su presencia anotadora junto Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Dillon Jones: Un Capítulo Nuevo en la ciudad de Oklahoma.
Dillon Jones fue elegido como la 26a elección en el Draft de la NBA en 2024 por Oklahoma City Thunders, haciéndolo el segundo jugador de Weber State que fue elegido en la primera ronda después de Damian Lillard. Jones fue nombrado el Big Sky MVP en 2024, promediando 20.8 puntos, 9.8 rebotes y 5.2 asistencias por partido. Fue el único jugador del país que encabezó sus puntos, rebotes y asistencias de conferencia, y fue finalista del premio Julius Erving al mejor alero del año.
Con más de 119 puntos de carrera, Jones estableció el récord histórico de robos de balón en Weber State, ocupando el segundo puesto en asistencias, el tercero en rebotes y el quinto en anotación. Jones se convirtió en unos de los cuatro jugadores de la NCAA desde 1992-93 en lograr 1,500 puntos, 1,00 rebotes, 400 asistencias y 200 robos de balón. En su última temporada logró 18 dobles-dobles en su temporada final.
Taron Johnson: Estrella Defensiva de los Buffalo´s
Taron Johnson fue nombrado un All-Pro de segundo equipo en 2023 después de lograr 65 tacleadas, 2
intercepciones, un sack, un fumble forzado y una recuperación de fumble en 12 partidos para los Buffalo Bills. Johnson se perdió cuatro partidos por una lesión en el antebrazo, pero aún así contribuyó significativamente a la defensa del equipo.
Winston Reid: La Fuerza Ascendente de Cleveland.
Winston Reid, después de una destacada carrera en Weber State, firmó con los Cleveland Browns como agente libre tras el Draft de la NFL de 2024. Reid ganó dos honores All-American y fue nombrado al primer equipo All-Big Sky dos veces. Realizó 281 tacleadas en su carrera, 170 de ellas solo, y ocupa el segundo lugar en la historia de la escuela en tacleadas en solitario y está empatado por el all-time liderazgo por pérdidas de balón forzadas. Reid también fue elegido Jugador Nacional de la Semana por su desempeño contra Idaho en 2023, donde realizó 17 tacleadas. En su primera temporada en la NFL, Reid logró 23 tacleadas combinadas, incluyendo 14 tackles solo, mitad de un sack y dos pases desviados. Su rendimiento ha contribuido a la fortaleza defensiva de los Browns.
Rasheed Shaheed: Electrizante en New Orleans.
Rasheed Shaheed concluyó su carrera en Weber State en 2021 como el All-time líder en kickoff touchdowns de retorno, con siete de ellos. Ha sido cuatro veces All-American y se ha convertido en el primer jugador de la historia de Big Sky en ser nombrado All-Conference del primer equipo en tres posiciones: retornador de kicks, retornador de punt y receptor. Shaheed ocupa el tercer lugar en la historia de Weber State en yardas totales (5,478), el tercero en yardas de retorno de punt y el séptimo en yardas de recepción (2,178) con 18 touchdowns. En su última temporada batió el récord de la FCS de kickoff touchdowns de retorno.
Shaheed continuó su carrera de fútbol en la NFL con los New Orleans Saints. A pesar de una operación de menisco que le impidió jugar durante el resto de la temporada 2023, Shaheed sumó 20 recepciones con 349 yardas y 3 touchdowns en seis partidos.
TOP: Rashid Shaheed agarrando la pelota justo despise de see tacleado for un jugador de los Jacksonville Jaguars.
BOTTOM: Receptor abierto de los New Orleans Saints, Rashid Shaheed (22) preparandose para atrapar la pelota cerca del fin de la zona de juego el 19 de October del 2023.
will be holding open presentations Jan. 17 and 24 Noon - 4 p.m. in the Shepherd Union, Room 404AB, to decide where your student fees will go beginning in the 2025-2026 school year. Interested
weber.edu/student-access-success/student-fees.html
SUSTAINABILITY TEAM HOSTS THRIFT SWAP IN THE SHEPHERD UNION
By JAMES GORDON Reporter
In an effort to promote zero-waste alternatives to shopping, Weber State University’s Sustainability Team hosted a two-day thrifting event in the Shepherd Union on Jan. 14 and 15 open to all.
On the first day of the event, participants walked up to Ballroom A to donate any materials listed on the flier, which were then placed into boxes, tables or coat racks by the event organizers. The following day was an open-house event where anyone could enter and walk out with any donated items at no cost.
“It’s progressively gotten bigger,” Allison Brown, Zero Waste Sustainability coordinator, said. “Last year was pretty big. We ended up getting over 2000 pounds of donations and at the end, after the pickup day, after people came and took stuff, we only had 300-some pounds left over that we took to Savers.”
This year, participants ended up donating 2,729 pounds of used items, surpassing last year’s thrift swap by nearly 730 pounds.
Many participants donated items for reasons of organization and convenience and to reduce the amount of waste ending up in the landfill.
“I think it just makes it easier for people because if something is easy, then they’re more likely to do it,” Ariel Olson, a donator, said. “You don’t have to go anywhere else — just come to work with all your stuff. Makes it simple.”
Although the desire to stay organized was a large reason for donating, it wasn’t the only one.
“I’d rather bring it here and someone continue to get use out of it than me just throwing it in my dumpster,” Sara Triplett, a donator, said.
The thrift swap helps students financially while giving individuals the opportunity to connect.
“We have some trouble being a
commuter campus with building culture and getting people involved,” WSU student Willow Zerkle said. “So events like this that are easy to get to, easy to be involved in and easy to meet people are massive.”
Zerkle isn’t the only student who shares these feelings.
“It’s a nice free thing. It brings people together,” WSU student Aaron Roome said. “You could reuse these different clothes and give other students the opportunity to find things that they like and use them for a longer amount of time — extend their lifetime if you will.”
Donations to this event had a wide range of used items including books, decor, sports gear and various forms of clothing.
“I know that there’s a lot of folks on campus who need certain resources but can’t always get them,” Brown said. “Some people may need kitchen-wear. Some people might not have a warm enough jacket for the winter.”
Along with thrifting for books and clothing, participating in events like thrift swaps also opens up the opportunity to earn a Green Badge. The Green Badge Program offers students, faculty and staff the chance to earn badges through efforts of living sustainably.
“Especially for students, if they earn three badges, it’s considered a highimpact educational experience, so they can get credit on their transcripts,” Sustainability Engagement Coordinator Analeah Vaughn said.
The Sustainability Team plans to host more events and projects in the future, including a free plant-powered foodtasting event in the Shepherd Union.
Share this story at thesignpostwsu.com
TOP: Bri Jones, Sarah Hamilton, Brianna Barkey and Ciara Stettler browse the shirt section at the Free Swap event. BOTTOM: A group of students look through some of the pants at the Free Swap event.
Holly Broadbent and Preston Swenson talk with each other as they look through objects at the Free Swap.
Weber State students could pick from a variety of books at the Free Swap event.
MCKAY EDUCATION: A NEW UPDATE ON AN OLD BUILDING
By HAVEN MILLER Reporter
The McKay Education Building has seen decades of usage throughout its lifespan, which has spanned over 53 years since it was first built in 1972. The McKay building was one of the oldest remaining buildings before its renovation started, leaving only a small handful of buildings left on campus that were built before 1992.
The McKay building has been shut since May 2023, and though it had been originally set to be reopened in December 2024, construction slowed to a halt when original blueprints failed to match up to the current structure of the building. This caused months more of work to be done due to safety concerns within the building’s foundations.
Chad Downs, a project manager for Weber State Facilities Management, has helped with the modernization movement throughout campus, including the work done
on Stewart Stadium and Lindquist Hall.
Downs has personally been overseeing the renovation for the past year and a half to the McKay Education Building, which had previously been known throughout campus for its block-like structure brick-and-concrete build.
“It was more of a fortress because of the concrete panels and little slit windows. It’ll be more welcoming, and it’ll bring people through and they’ll want to come in,” Downs said.
The redesign of the building will boast an all-new floor plan that prioritizes more windows and natural lighting to be seen all throughout the structure. Solar panels have been mounted to the roof with an all-electric system and a HVAC water loop tied throughout the campus underground system, meaning the McKay building will be almost completely carbon neutral.
The McKay Education Building’s entire renovation was state-funded with no student tuition going toward the
structure. The building was originally set to cost around $25 million, but due to remnants of COVID-19 and the foundation’s problems, it ended up costing $34 million, according to Downs.
The construction left many Weber State staff without a place to call their own, which led to them being moved around the campus as they tried to find a space.
Lisa Karle, the administrative assistant for Teacher Education and the department chair, currently resides at the Stewart Stadium while waiting for the building to be finished, but she’s feeling optimistic about the situation.
“It’s like a fresh start. I think it’s just going to be helpful, especially when it’s nice and sunny outside, and you can see it. It’ll just boost your mood,” Karle said.
The McKay Education Building is set to be reopened by summer 2025.
The newly-renovated McKay building is growing closer to completion.
TOP: A playground is being constructed on the north side of the McKay building. BOTTOM: The south-east corner of the McKay building is still currently undergoing construction.
EDUCACIÓN MCKAY: UNA NUEVA
NOTICIA ACERCA DE UN EDIFICIO VIEJO
Por DAVID ROMAN AROS Traductor
Por HAVEN MILLER Reportero
El Edificio de Educación McKay ha visto décadas de uso en el transcurso de su vida útil, lo cual han sido 53 años desde que fue construido en 1972. El edificio McKay era unos de los edificios restantes más antiguos antes de que empezara su renovación, dejando que solamente un par de edificios se quedaron en el campus que fueron construidos antes del 1992.
El Edificio McKay cerró desde Mayo del 2023, y aunque originalmente planearon volver a abrirlo en Diciembre de 2024, la construcción se detuvo cuando los modelos fallaron al no coincidir con la estructura actual del edificio. Esto causó que trabajaran por varios meses adicionales a causa de unas cuestiones de seguridad dentro de la fundación del edificio.
Chad Downs, uno de los jefes de proyectos de Weber
N E E D A D V I C E ?
ASK THE SIGNPOST!
Ask us anything about Weber State University, life, The Signpost, or anything in between!
*Scan QR code to ask your question!
JAPANESE AND KOREAN CLUBS BRING “SQUID GAME” TO LIFE
By JARED MITCHELL Reporter
Weber State University’s Korean club hosted a “Squid Game”themed event for participating students on Jan. 16. Students attending got the opportunity to play games from the Netflix original such as Red Light Green Light, Ddakji and Gonggi.
The activity was held in the Shepherd Union with the Japanese club joining in on the event. Abigail Homer, a communications major and the president of the Korean club, hoped that the event could help build community between the two clubs.
Hope Watts, a social media management major and a student leader for the Japanese club, was excited about the joint activity.
“It’s just really exciting to hang out with each other and experience these fun things together,” Watts said.
The game night followed the format of its Netflix inspiration. The students first played Red Light Green Light. Each player had to cross from one side of the room to the other. The players had to pause when the judge said red light, and they could only move after the judge said green light. All 16 players were able to successfully complete the game.
The students then formed teams of four and prepared to face off in a relay race. Each member had to play one of four different games, and the first team to complete each game won the round.
The first game in the race was Ddakji. Ddakji is featured heavily in “Squid Game” as both a recruitment tool and as a challenge in season two. The player must slam a paper square against another square on the floor until they manage to flip the square on the floor over.
The second game was referred to as Rock Throw. The player had to throw a small stone at another stone from a few steps away until they successfully knocked the rock over.
The third game was Gonggi, and it led to the most eliminations of the event. To win Gonggi, a player must drop five small blocks, throw them in the air and catch them in a specific order. The order that players must throw the blocks changes each round, and there are five rounds total in the children’s game. The event organizers only had the students complete the first round of the game due to its difficulty.
The last game was Jegi, which has the player try to juggle a small weighted object with their feet. The organizers also reduced the number of successful hits from five to three for the players’ sake.
After three rounds of the games, Team Ichiban was declared the winner. Conner Murdock, a marketing major, was one of the winning students.
“It recreated the atmosphere of the show really well,” Murdock said.
Both the Korean and Japanese clubs have social events planned in the future. The Korean club does events ranging from K-pop nights to cultural education. The Japanese club celebrates Japanese holidays and festivals and hosts activities focused more on social interaction such as their upcoming ice skating and Crystal Hot Springs events.
TOP: Student playing a game of Jegi at the Squid Game event BOTTOM: Weber State University students playing a game of Ddakji at the Squid Game event.
CLUBES COREANOS Y JAPONESES RECREAN EN VIDA REAL EL “JUEGO DEL CALAMAR”
Por NELLY HERNANDEZ TEJADA Traductor
Por JARED MITCHELL Reportero
El Club Coreano de Weber State fue anfitrión de un evento “Squid Game” (Juego del Calamar) para estudiantes el 16 de enero. Los estudiantes que asistieron tuvieron la oportunidad de participar en juegos del show de Netflix original como Red Light Green Light (Luz Verde, luz Roja), Ddakji y Gonggi.
La actividad fue en Shepherd Union y el Club Japonés asistió al evento también. Abigail Homer, la cual está estudiando comunicaciones y la Presidente del Club Coreano, espero que el evento pueda crear un sentido de comunidad entre los dos clubes.
Hope Watts, que está estudiando administración de redes sociales y líder estudiantil del Club Japonés, estaba emocionada por la actividad.
“Es muy emocionante poder pasar tiempo y tener estas experiencias divertidas juntos”, dijo Watts.
La noche de juegos siguió el formato inspirado en la serie de Netflix. Los estudiantes inicialmente jugaron Red Light, Green Light. Cada jugador cruzó de un lado a otro del cuarto. Los jugadores tuvieron que parar cuando un jugador elegido dice red light, y los otros jugadores solamente pueden moverse cuando el jugador escogido dice green light. Todos los 16 jugadores pudieron jugar y completar el juego.
Los estudiantes luego formaron 4 equipos y se prepararon para enfrentarse en una carrera de reelevos. Cada jugador tenía que jugar en 1 de 4 juegos, y el primer equipo que completó cada juego ganó la ronda.
El primer juego en la carrera fue Ddakji. Ddakji es destacado en “Squid Games” como un instrumento de selección personal y un reto en la segunda temporada. El jugador necesita tirar un cuadrado contra otro cuadrado al suelo hasta que puedan voltear el otro cuadrado en el suelo.
El segundo juego fue referido como Rock Throw (Lanzamiento De Piedras). El estudiante tenía que tirar una piedra contra otra piedra algunos pasos atrás hasta que puedan tumbar la otra piedra.
El tercer juego fue Gonggi, y causó la mayoría de las eliminaciones del evento. Para ganar en Gonggi, un jugador necesita soltar 5 bloques chiquitos, tirarlos en el aire y atraparlos en una orden específica. El orden que los jugadores necesitan tirar los bloques cada ronda, y hay 5 rondas total en el juego de niños. Los organizadores del evento solamente tenían que completar la primera ronda de juego por su dificultad.
El último juego fue Jegi, el jugador intenta balancear un pequeño objeto con peso con los pies. Los organizadores también bajaron el número de golpes de 5 a 3 por los jugadores.
Después de 3 rondas del juego, el Equipo Ichiban fue declarado el ganador. Conner Murdock, que está estudiando marketing, fue uno de los estudiantes ganadores.
“Creó un atmósfera que el show crea muy bien”, dijo Murdock.
Los Clubes Coreano y Japonés tienen eventos sociales planeados para el futuro. El Club Coreano organiza eventos que van desde noches de K-pop hasta educación cultural. El Club Japonés celebra las fiestas y festivales japoneses y organiza actividades más centradas en la interacción social, como sus próximos eventos de patinaje sobre hielo y Crystal Hot Springs.
Bob’s BASEBALL Tours
Sports Lover’s Tour
See an NHL & NBA game, visit Pro Football Hall of Fame and tour Lambeau Field & see 4 MLB games from April 8-16
$2,800/person based on double hotel occupancy
Ultimate Baseball Tour
See 7 MLB in 11 days including Yankee Stadium, Fenway Park & Wrigley Field. Also included: Pro Football and Baseball Halls of Fame and a day at the Little League World Series!
August 11-21, 2025
Please call or text for FREE brochure 507-217-1326 or visit our website: www.bobsbaseballtours.com
Estudiantes participando en el Juego del Calamar, con su anfitrión en la Roche Korean y Japanese.
THE SIGNPOST Love notes
Send your special someone a love note via The Signpost for our Valentine's Day Edition for $5!
(space is limited, 35 word limit)
THE SIGNPOST TEAM
Editor-in-Chief Brisa Odenthal brisaodenthal@mail.weber.edu
Managing Editor Emilie Hart emiliehart@mail.weber.edu
Design & Graphics Editor Star Neil starneil@mail.weber.edu
Asst. Design & Graphics Editor Matthew Holland matthewholland@mail.weber.edu
Photo Editor Anna Kuglar briannakuglar@mail.weber.edu
Chief Copy Editor Justin Steed justinsteed@mail.weber.edu
Asst. Copy Chief Mindy Brown mindybrown1@mail.weber.edu
News Editor Gracie Stephenson graciestephenson@mail.weber.edu
Asst. News Editor Alfonso Rubio alfonsorubio@mail.weber.edu
Sports Editor Collyn Cowles collyncowles@mail.weber.edu
Asst. Sports Editor Brayson Brown braysonbrown@mail.weber.edu
Culture Editor Megan Swann meganswann@mail.weber.edu
Word Search
Culture Editor
Cooper Hatsis cooperhatsis@mail.weber.edu
Translation Editor Nelly Hernandez Tejada nhernandeztejada@mail.weber.edu
Asst. Translation Editor Nathanael Stout nathanaelstout@mail.weber.edu
Collaboration Editor Marianna Lopez Luritta mlopezluritta@mail.weber.edu
Adviser Jean Norman jeannorman@weber.edu
Business Manager Rob Steedley robertsteedley@weber.edu
