Former WSU head football coach's impact: The Signpost 9/19/2024
Cover Photo By: Weber State Athletics
By TATUM COOPER Reporter
Suspicious Vehicle
On Aug. 30, a Weber State University police officer noticed a vehicle parked in the
Unexpected Stop
On Sept. 5, WSU police conducted a traffic stop for an equipment violation. After stopping the car, officers found the vehicle with no insurance. The vehicle was impounded. During an inventory of the contents, officers found drug paraphernalia. The driver was re-
On Sept. 15, WSU officers made a traffic stop, leading to a vehicle being inventoried. Drug paraphernalia was found, and the pas-
Lost Property
On Sept. 8, a WSU police officer responded to a found property call at the Wildcat Village. A student found a THC vape pen on the floor. The officer reviewed the cameras and was able to identify the student. The student will be followed up with.
Drug Violation
On Sept. 13, a Weber State police officer responded to a drug violation call at the Stewart Wasatch building. Contact was made with the suspect, and the marijuana was seized. The suspect was given a warning.
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FEELINGS ON NAMES: AN IMMIGRANT’S PERSPECTIVE
By LARS IVAR HAMPUS IVARSSON Columnist
There are not many things in our country everyone shares or has in common. One thing, however, all of us share is that we all have a name. Names are our identity. We are what we call ourselves.
Weber State University has a total of 832 international students, coming from all corners of the world. The international community at Weber brings a diverse feeling to WSU and to the city of Ogden. One of those students is Renu Dhanuk, a WSU student from Nepal.
“My name holds significant meaning in shaping my identity. ‘Renu’ is from Sanskrit and means ‘radiant,’ which symbolizes purity and vitality,” Renu said. “It reflects the cultural values and aspirations of my family. My major is Associate of Health Science. My name reminds me of my journey and the cultural legacy that drives my ambitions. It presents a bridge between my past and future, guiding me as I build my professional path while staying true to my heritage.”
During one of my semesters here at Weber State, I sat in a classroom when the professor walked in and introduced himself and his class. He asked who was an international student in the class, some raised their hands. Next, he asked, “Which one of you would like to stay in the United States after you graduate
I was born in a small town in Sweden, and I came to the United States not too long ago. However, when I came here, I realized that people would be confused about my name, as I have three legal first names but go by my third one, Hampus, which in Sweden was my legally-preferred name. I had a friend who, many years ago, jokingly asked me, “Why have you got so many names?” to which I replied, “There’s a saying in Sweden that a loved child has many names.”
from Weber State?” Some raised their hands again. He then said that to fit in the United States, they should change their names to something “easier” or “more American.”
I feel that is an attack on my identity, I am not anyone else; my name is Hampus, regardless of where I live. I reflect on how we are our names: I am Hampus, and Hampus is me. If I am not Hampus, then who am I?
Gordon Allport, one of the founders of personality psychology, famously said, “The most important anchorage to our self-identity throughout life remains our own name.”
Afterward, I felt that the power of my name is stronger than I might have thought before. Was it more important to fit into the America the professor lives in or to be myself? My thoughts then wandered to Hampus at age 14, who said to himself, “I will be myself, regardless of what people think of me.”
I have always felt welcome at Weber State and in a country I now view as my home. I hope everyone who comes here — international students, immigrants, or whoever they might be — can look at their name and be proud of their identity and themselves for how far they have come.
I hope whoever can relate to the struggle for identity and name may remember the Swedish saying, “A loved child has many names.” I hope all students and people will believe they fit in and that their names, identities or heritage cannot be taken away from them.
“I feel that is an attack on my identity, I am not anyone else; my name is Hampus, regardless of where I live.”
Application deadline: Monday, Sept. 30, 2024 at Midnight
Questions? Contact: studentlife@weber.edu
DARKNESS IN ART FESTIVAL: OGDEN’S CELEBRATION OF THE UNUSUAL
Get Mentoring, Advising & Support!
Find free support resources: weber.edu/studentlife
By TENAYA HYDE Reporter
Ogden’s Own Distillery came to life on Sept. 13 with the first Darkness in Art Festival. Groups walked through the gated entry and were greeted by vendors, local music talent and a suspension display.
The amphitheater was vibrantly lit and the DJ spun well-known gothic music as people danced.
Ru Collins, a bartender for Ogden’s Own, said there was a large turnout.
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a lot of fun,” Amy Morrison, owner of Mystical Market, said.
At the festival, the rope rigger Corvus Cazier showed the audience two types of suspension: one made of leather and the other with hooks and rope.
Suspension is a dark art form that entails binding an individual to rope using hooks or leather and then hoisting them off the ground, leaving them to dangle or dance in the air.
seemed to enjoy herself as she moved around in the crisp air.
The bands played hard, heavy metal, getting the crowd roaring and screaming. Unseen Corners played first, with two vocalists, a bassist and a guitarist. They jumped around on the simple stage, getting the crown interested in all things metal.
“I’m pleasantly surprised that Ogden’s Own is doing something like this,” Collins said.
The vendors lined the outer circle of the event with various goods such as local artwork, tarot readings, jewelry, crafts and more.
“This has been a really good event. I’ve had
“It’s a transcendent experience,” Kat Weeks, one of the suspended participants of the evening, said.“It’s an ultimate pushing yourself past any point of comfort and getting out of your own head, lifting your feet off the ground for such a thing as it’s a battle against your own mind.”
Many people gathered around as Weeks swung around and kicked her feet. She
Natas Lived was the headlining band, featuring industrial nu-metal with a bang. Clad in jail jumpsuits, painted faces and skeleton masks, they rallied the crowd with screams and exhilarating lyrics. As Justin Dummar, lead singer, growled the crowd roared.
The pulse rose steadily, track by track.
“The vibe has been real chill. We like it,” participant Rebecca Scovill said.
Kat Weeks during her suspension act at the Festival.
Unseen Corners performing at the Festival.
EL FESTIVAL DE OSCURIDAD EN ARTE: LA CELEBRACIÓN DE LA INUSUAL DE OGDEN
By TENAYA HYDE
Reportero
La destilería Ogden’s Own cobró vida el 13 de septiembre con el primer festival de la oscuridad en arte. Grupos caminaban por la verja de la entrada y veían a vendedores, talentos locales de música, y una muestra de la suspensión.
El anfiteatro estaba iluminado brillantemente y el DJ sonaba música gótica bien conocida mientras que las personas bailaban.
Ru Collins, un camarero de Ogden’s Own, dijo que había una gran concurrencia.
“Estoy agradablemente sorprendido que Ogden’s Own haga algo así”, dijo Collins.
Los vendedores alineaban el círculo externo del evento con varios productos como el arte local, lectura de tarot, joyas, artesanías y más.
“Este ha sido un evento muy bueno. He tenido mucha diversión”, dijo Amy Morrison, el dueño de Mystical Market.
En el festival, el armador de cuerda Corvus Cazier mostró a la audiencia dos tipos de suspensión, uno por cuero y el otro con ganchos y cuerda.
La suspensión es una forma de arte oscura que implica conectar a un individuo a la cuerda con ganchos o cuero y después levantandolo del suelo, dejando que colga o baila en el aire.
“Es una experiencia trascendente”, dijo Kat Weeks, una de los participantes colgados en el festival. “Es el acto definitivo de esforzarse más allá de cada punto de comodidad y
sacarse a una misma de la cabeza cuando me levanto los pies del suelo para tal cosa, porque es una batalla contra la mente propia”.
Ver a una persona colgada a varios metros del suelo por ganchos en la espalda fue un gran espectáculo. Todos se acercaron mientras que Weeks oscilaba y pateaba alegremente. Parecía que ella lo pasaba bien al moverse en el aire fresco.
Los bandos sonaron heavy metal duro, animando a la multitud a rugir y gritar. Unseen Corners tocaron primero, con dos vocalistas, un bajista y un guitarrista. Saltaban por el escenario sencillo, despertando el interés sobre todo de metal.
Natas Lived fue la banda principal, presentando nu-metal industrial de manera dramática. Llevando disfraces de prisioneros, caras pintadas y máscaras de esqueleto,
animaban con gritos y letras estimulantes. Cuando Justin Dummar, el cantante principal, gruñía, la multitud gritaba.
El pulso subía continuamente con cada canción.
“La vibra ha sido muy relajada. Nos gusta”, dijo la participante Rebecca Scovill.
Se comparte esta historia en thesignpostwsu.com
POR NATHANAEL STOUT
Traductor
Performers and attendees at the Darkness in Art Festival.
Natas Lived playing at the Darkness in Art Festival.
PREPARE FOR ELECTIONS: EDUCATIONAL EVENTS
UNITY CONFERENCE
Breaking Bread, Breaking Barriers
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UPBEAT PERFORMING ARTS: NEW MUSIC STUDIO IN OGDEN
By WIKTORIA KOLODZIEJCZYK Reporter
Launched in July 2024, Upbeat Performing Arts, a new music studio on Washington Boulevard has been swiftly establishing itself as a vital resource for the Ogden community by providing a diverse range of music classes and workshops for both children and adults.
The studio is owned by Samantha Allen, a Weber State University alum with a degree in Vocal Pedagogy, who strives to share her music passion and “provide music classes that the community wants.”
Currently, Upbeat Performing Arts is focused on outreach and increasing student enrollment. Allen emphasized the importance of ensuring the class’s options are always tailored to students’ and their parents’ interests. Allen will continue to create opportunities for students by developing new classes and workshops.
With a team of university-trained musicians, the studio offers traditional private lessons for people of all ages and skill levels in nearly every instrument, including voice, guitar, saxophone, piano, cello, flute and more. The studio also offers various options of unique musical education designed for children.
Among others, Kindermusik Program and Ogden Musical Theatre’s workshops have been well-received by the student communi-
ty. While Kindermusik focuses on early childhood musical development for children aged 6 and under, Ogden Musical Theatre’s purpose is to “give every child an opportunity to get the unique experience of being the lead … and feel like a star on stage,” Allen said.
Allen said one of her main goals is to encourage ambitious ideas and help children and their families cultivate their musical interests beyond the public school system.
The idea of starting a music studio has been a passion for Allen since high school. After working for three years in the only music studio in her hometown Casper, Wyoming, Allen was inspired by watching her own mentor develop a studio and see what was possible. During that time, she received firsthand experience at how a music studio is operated.
“There was a lot I had to learn about how to operate a business, how to file taxes and how to hire people,” Allen said.
Getting involved with the Entrepreneurship program at Weber State University was one of the key ways to acquire the knowledge and skills needed. She said the resources provided by the program helped her better understand and prepare to launch her business.
“Do not give up on wanting to do music, but open your mind to new ways of doing music,” Allen said.
RIGHT: Samantha Allen, the Owner of the Upbeat Performing Arts studio. LEFT: Young children circled around for Kindermusik Classes.
ARTES ESCÉNICAS ALEGRES:
Por WIKTORIA KOLODZIEJCZYK Reportero
Lanzado en julio de 2024, Upbeat Performing Arts, un nuevo estudio de música en Washington Boulevard que se ha establecido con rapidez como un recurso esencial en la comunidad de Ogden, ofreciendo bastantes clases y talleres de música para niños y adultos.
La dueña del estudio es Samantha Allen, alumna de la universidad de Weber State y con un título en Pedagogía Vocal, que se esfuerza por compartir su pasión por la música y “ofrecer clases de música que quiera la comunidad”.
Ahora, Upbeat Performing Arts se enfoca en la promoción y en aumentar el registro de estudiantes. Allen remarcó la importancia de garantizar las opciones de clase siempre diseñadas para los intereses de los estudiantes y sus padres. Allen continuará creando oportunidades para los estudiantes desarrollando nuevos cursos y talleres.
Con un equipo de músicos universitarios, el estudio ofrece clases tradicionales privadas para personas de todas las edades y todos los niveles en casi todos los instrumentos, como voz, guitarra, saxofón, piano, violonchelo, flauta y más. El estudio también ofrece varias opciones de educación musical única para los niños.
El Kindermusik Program y los talleres del Ogden Musical Theatre, por ejemplo, han tenido gran éxito con los estudiantes. Kind-
ermusik se enfoca en el desarrollo musical infantil para niños menores de 6 años y el propósito de Ogden Musical Theatre es “dar a cada niño la oportunidad de tener la experiencia única de ser el protagonista... y sentirse como una estrella en el escenario”, dijo Allen.
Allen afirma que una de sus metas más importantes es cultivar ideas ambiciosas y ayudar a los niños y a sus familias a cultivar sus intereses musicales más allá del sistema escolar público.
La idea de abrir un estudio de música ha sido una pasión de Allen desde la secundaria. Después de trabajar tres años en el único estudio musical de la ciudad donde creció, Casper, Wyoming, Allen se inspiró al ver cómo su propio mentor creaba un estudio y comprobaba lo que era posible. Durante ese tiempo, conoció de primera mano cómo funciona un estudio de música.
“Había muchas cosas que tenía que aprender sobre cómo dirigir un negocio, cómo pagar los impuestos y cómo contratar a gente”, dijo Allen.
Involucrarse en el programa de iniciativa empresarial de la universidad de Weber State fue una de las formas más importantes de obtener el conocimiento y las habilidades necesarias. Los recursos que el programa le ofrecía le ayudaron a comprender mejor su negocio y a prepararse para lanzarlo.
“No renuncies a seguir queriendo crear música, pero mantén la mente abierta a nuevas formas de producir música”, dijo Allen.
JAY HILL’S IMPACT ON
By GAVIN NELSON Reporter
On Dec. 7, 2022, Brigham Young University announced that it would be hiring Weber State University head football coach Jay Hill as its new defensive coordinator and associate head coach.
To understand Hill’s impact on the Weber State Football program, we have to go back to what the Wildcats looked like before he was hired.
In 2004, the Wildcats had their worst season in school history, with one win and 10 losses. Head football coach Jerry Graybeal stepped down and became the new assistant athletic director for the university.
A month later, it was announced that former University of Utah head football coach Ron McBride, who had been serving as lineback-
ers coach for the University of Kentucky for the previous two seasons, would become Weber State football’s new head coach.
The team immediately got better under McBride, going 6–5 in the 2005 season. McBride would serve as the coach for 7 seasons, with a combined record of 43–38, finishing with the fifth-most coaching wins in Weber State history, and a Big Sky Conference title in 2008. In 2011, McBride announced that he would retire at the end of the season at 72 years old, the sixth-oldest coach in Division I football at the time.
After McBride’s retirement, the school announced that Weber alum John L. Smith, assistant coach of the University of Arkansas Razorbacks, would be the next head coach. However, just a few months later, it was announced that Smith would be returning to Arkansas to become its head coach. Weber State then promoted new defensive coordi-
nator Jody Sears to become head coach. Sears had been the co-defensive coordinator for the Washington State University Cougars for the previous three seasons. Two years later, Sears would have a 4–19 record, the worst of any coach in Weber State history. He was fired in 2013.
“Sears inherited a difficult situation, but we didn’t see the progress we wanted,” Weber State athletic director Jerry Bovee said.
On Dec. 12, 2013, Weber State announced the hire of its 11th head football coach, Jay Hill. Hill was a cornerback for Ricks College and received All-American honors. He then transferred to the University of Utah and played under fellow Weber State head coach Ron McBride. Afterward, he served under head coaches Ron McBride, Urban Meyer and Kyle Whittingham.
Hill’s first year as coach for the Wildcats was more of the same from the Sear’s years, as
the team went 2–10. However, something was brewing in Ogden.
The next year, 2015, the team went 6–5, which included a 24–21 win over the No. 12-ranked University of Montana in Missoula — the first time Weber had beaten Montana since 1987.
While Hill improved the team on the field, his strong suit was off the field in recruiting. In 2014, his first year at the helm, Hill recruited a zero-star cornerback from Sacramento named Taron Johnson.
Johnson would finish his Weber State career as a two-time All-Big Sky selection and a First-team All-American in his senior year in 2017. In the 2018 NFL Draft, Johnson would be selected in the fourth round by the Buffalo Bills, the first Weber State player to be drafted since 2010.
Hill was a master at finding diamonds in the rough in the recruiting sphere like Johnson.
Former Weber State head coach Jay Hill leading the Weber State University football team.
WEBER STATE FOOTBALL
That recruiting finally started to pay off, after 6–5 and 7–5 records in 2015 and 2016 respectively. Weber State finally got over the hump, when in 2017 the Wildcats won their first Big Sky championship since 2008 when they posted an 11–3 record.
The Wildcats made it all the way to the semifinals when they fell to No. 1-ranked James Madison University in a 31–28 loss. The Wildcats finished the season ranked No. 5 in the nation.
The next year saw similar results, going 10–3 to win another Big Sky championship. However, the playoff push was cut short in the quarterfinals in a tough loss to Maine 23–18.
The Wildcats were ranked No. 6 in the final poll.
In 2019, the Wildcats would have arguably their best season in school history. Going 11–4 and making it all the way to the semifinals, again falling to James Madison. Finishing No. 3 was the highest WSU had ever finished in the polls.
In the shortened spring 2021 season, the Wildcats would win their first outright Conference title, going undefeated in conference play. However, they were upset in the first round by Southern Illinois.
After a disappointing 2021 season, finishing 6–5, the Wildcats got back to their winning
ways going 10–3 in 2022, including a 35–7 win over Utah State in Logan. The Wildcats lost in the quarterfinals to No. 3-ranked Montana State University 33–25, finishing the season ranked No. 9.
At the conclusion of the season, the Wildcats had high expectations for the future, with many starters returning. But after Hill left for BYU, a lot of changes happened. All-American cornerback Eddie Heckard followed Hill to BYU, and the year after, cornerback Marque Collins and linebacker Jack Kelly headed down to Provo as well.
After many years of BYU having below-average defenses, Jay Hill has continued his
ways, by recruiting under-the-radar studs and building stout defenses. Hill would finish his Weber career ranked first in wins and games coached, and second in winning percentage in school history. He won four Big Sky Titles and went to the FCS playoffs six times. The Wildcats won at least 10 games in four out of five years and had eight straight winning seasons. In Weber’s spring 2021 season, they became the second school to ever win four straight Big Sky Championships. His recruiting led to 10 all-conference players and seven All-American players.
Weber State defense players listen to the coach’s game plan.
WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL FALLS TO UTAH VALLEY
By TRISTIN RAMAGE Reporter
On Sept. 17, 2024, Weber State University’s women’s volleyball team traveled to Orem to face the Utah Valley University Wolverines. The Wildcats have had the Wolverines’ number, achieving a six-game winning streak against UVU. But as the saying goes, all good things must come to an end. Utah Valley was able to break the streak and the Wolverines took the 3–1 win at home.
The team previously traveled to Springfield, Missouri, from Sept. 12-14 for the Dr. Mary Jo Wynn Invitational, in which they won two of three games. Their first win of the tournament was against Saint Louis University, the first meeting between both teams, which ended 3–0. The second game of the invitational was a 3–2 win against Missouri State University. They ended the tournament with a loss against the University of Texas at Arlington in five sets, putting the Wildcats record at 3–5 this season.
In the first set against Utah Valley, Ashley Gneiting ended the first rally with a kill and
put Weber State on the board. Utah Valley went on a 6–0 scoring run that put them into the lead. Weber then began to play catchup for the majority of the set and took the lead at 17–16. But Utah Valley fired back and won the set 25–22 with an ace by Bella Wooden. Weber started off the second set 5–0. Gneiting, with eight kills, kept Weber in the lead with a score of 9–2. The Wildcats showed no mercy, obtaining an 18–8 lead. Service errors by Utah Valley played a big part in this set and gave Weber State the win.
Being 1–1, the teams continually exchanged points, fighting for the win in the third set. After an unsuccessful challenge on a “touch call” by the Wolverines’ Head Coach, Sam Atoa, the Wildcats and Wolverines remained tied, 24–24. Utah Valley took their second win after a back-and-forth match, 27–29.
Weber started off the fourth set with a 4–0 scoring run. However, the Wolverines’ blocking made it hard for the Wildcats to score, bringing them back into the lead. Utah Valley ended up winning the set off of a “tool” hav-
ing a final score of 23–25. Winning this set allowed the Wolverines to win the match 3–1, breaking the six-game winning streak for the Wildcats. UVU outperformed Weber in about every category.
On kills alone, the Wolverines won the battle 65–51. Utah Valley played a team match achieving a game high of 61 assists to the Wildcats 46. Weber had twice as many aces as UVU with eight, but it wasn’t enough to bring home the win. Gneiting led the way for the Wildcats with 14 kills in the match.
The Wildcats are 3–6 this season and will play BYU, the second of three Utah teams they will face this season. Following this will be a match against Utah State University. Come support the Wildcats as they face BYU on Sept. 20 at 6 p.m. in the Swenson Gym.
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Weber State middle blocker Saane Munyer (13), blocking the volleyball.
