On newsstands weekly
Volume 61 Issue 10
Thursday, November 30, 2023
THE USD VISTA VISTA
The Official Student Newspaper of the University of San Diego since 1968
Signs of being roofied
USD community discusses the issues and prevention of roofies
it could happen to
anyone.
it’s never your fault.
Design by Khushi Patel/The USD Vista
KATIE FOREMAN FEATUE EDITOR Trigger warning: This article discusses sensitive topics including sexual assault and being drugged. “Spiking a drink” and “getting roofied” are common terms that describe the act of someone being illegally and unknowingly drugged, often with Rohypnol; however, the slang term is used indiscriminately for other daterape drugs, too. Being roofied is prevalent in the U.S.; three college campuses reported that around 1 in 13 college students were drugged, or suspected they were drugged according to Live Science, in 2016. Speaking from personal experience, USD senior Emma Sewell shared her story of being roofied. “The bits [of the night] that come back, I couldn’t move my body, I couldn’t make words, Sewell said. “But my thoughts were so clear, so I knew something was wrong… I look back at texts — I was trying to text people when I was at the hospital at two in the morning — and I was
fully there, but the texts weren’t even words. It was just letters. It was crazy. It was really horrible.” Sewell explained what side effects she experienced. “I just started feeling really, really drunk. And then my vision kind of started going out. And I was gone… I do think for a lot of people it’s just an exacerbated drunkenness. But you didn’t drink that much to get there,” Sewell said. Sewell noted that she only had one open drink, and it was in her hand all night, so she found it difficult for her to give tips on how to protect oneself from being roofied, because it could happen in a split second. Sewell did not find the resources she pursued after the incident to be helpful for her, personally. “It’s really tough, because I feel like every resource I had failed me in that situation — police, hospital, ambulance, USD’s Public Safety — so it’s hard to recommend. I know that when I reached out to Public Safety, they had the mental health services; the school therapist reached out to me, and I denied [getting therapy]. But they did reach out and offered help. So I know
that that’s an option for people.” Sewell explained that when she went to the hospital, they told her that her labs came back clean. “When I questioned this, [at the hospital] they said that they don’t test for roofie drugs GHB, Rohypnol, etc unless there is a court order,” Sewell said. “Which is a whole other issue with the system because the drugs can exit your system before you can press charges, get a court order, etc.” She shared that the hospital gave her an IV and sent her home with a packet on overdosing and the danger of drugs. “They [the hospital workers] did call the police and they kept accusing me of drinking too much, which my labs did not show excessive alcohol in my system, and they basically just left and didn’t do anything.” As for USD’s Public Safety, Sewell’s experience started out positive. “Public Safety was super nice at first, the [P-Safe officer] I talked to was super understanding and supportive,” Sewell said. “He even said that he knows the guy who was with me would [likely] argue that I drank too much and the [Public Safety] guy said he
Don’t miss the latest news. Find us online:
@USDVista
was prepared to respond to that.” Sewell also explained how she peceived USD Public Safety switched their attitude toward her story after they spoke with the person who roofied her. “He [the officer] met with the guy and had me come back in. This time was totally different, he started questioning my sexual relationship with the guy and going back to how much I drank. [Public Safety] basically said that since the guy said I drank too much, there was no evidence.” Sewell noted that Public Safety did try to connect her with a school therapist, but other than that,she felt unheard. “It really sucked because he acted like he was going to help and then after he talked to the guy, he just threw out my whole side of the story,” Sewell said. Sewell said the two pieces of advice she wants people to take away from her story are to travel in groups and always tell a trusted friend if someone thinks they have been roofied. Students aren’t alone facing the threat. Professor of Philosophy Tyler Hower has been open to his classes about
@theusdvista
See roofies, Page 3
theusdvista.com
INSIDE Palestine protests See News, page 2
Accessibility at USD See Opinion, page 4
Thrift your gifts See Feature, page 6
‘Peter and the Starcatcher’ See A&C, page 10
Men’s soccer wins WCC See Sports, page 12
2
The USD Vista
•
November 30, 2023
NEWS
USD community speaks out for Palestine Toreros get vocal about issues in the Middle East
MARIA SIMPSON COPY EDITOR ANJALI DALAL-WHELAN NEWS EDITOR Violence in the Middle East has been at the forefront of many peoples’ minds during the past months. Throughout November, the USD community gathered to discuss the ongoing issues in Palestine. Two events took place on campus in which USD undergraduate and graduate students, as well as faculty, showed support for people in Gaza. On Nov. 9, around 40 members of the USD community participated in a Palestinian solidarity demonstration in front of Founders Hall, calling for a cease-fire in Gaza. The event followed an international call to action from the website shutitdown4palestine.org which advocates for the free Palestine movement. The website states the purpose of the action was “to demand an immediate ceasefire, cutting all aid to Israel, and lifting the siege on Gaza.” Since Hamas launched an attack on Israel on Oct. 7, the Gaza Strip has been under siege by Israel. According to the New York Times, 14,000 deaths have been reported in Gaza as of Nov. 28. The walk out event was not affiliated with the Palestinian Solidarity Committee at USD (PSCUSD) or the Palestinian Alliance of Law Students at USD Law (USD PALS), but the event was promoted on the USD PALS’
Instagram. Some USD undergrad and grad students as well as faculty members worked independently to organize the event. The event included a memorial, displaying printed names and photos of those who were killed in Palestine during the first three weeks since Oct. 7 and the Hamas attack on Israel. The pages included over 600 names and photos of young Palestinian children who lost their lives. USD junior Reema Tuffaha participated in the walkout and shared why the list of names and the walkout was important to her. “We just wanted to show the names and pictures of the people, because I think a lot of times Palestinians are dehumanized in the media, and we’re seeing that a lot right now. We just wanted to call attention to the humanity of it, and really just raise awareness in a peaceful way and do our part, because there’s not much we can do right now,” Tuffaha said. “The main goal that we want is a cease-fire, and that’s what we’re advocating for ultimately.” USD senior Amaya Rodriguez-Agiss explained how the walkout works. “My professor canceled class, people are not going to meetings or not attending stuff that they usually would, [in order] to walk out here,” Rodriguez-Agiss said. “It’s a way to raise awareness, especially on a campus like USD, a private PWI (predominantly white institution). It’s important to make sure this education [about Palestine] is getting out, too.” Taking the time to participate
At the walk out on Nov. 9, a banner listed names of people who died in Gaza. Emma-Kate Squires/The USD Vista
The USD Vista
Colin Mullaney - Editor-in-Chief Abigail Cavizo - Associate Editor Spencer Bispham - Managing Editor Maria Simpson - Copy Editor Khushi Patel - Art Director Anjali Delal-Whelan - News Editor Jackie Marquez- Opinion Editor
Students spoke out in support of Palestine and called for a cease-fire in Gaza at a protest organized by PSCUSD on Nov. 16. Emma-Kate Squires/The USD Vista
in the walkout was a way for Rodriguez-Agiss to share her voice on the issue: she shared why advocating for a cease-fire is important to her. “My best friend and closest friend from USD is Palestinian, and I think seeing her and her struggles as she’s going through this and all the news and how it’s affecting her in her day-to-day life, maybe I can pick up here, where it’s too much on her shoulders now,” Rodriguez-Agiss said. Some USD faculty also participated in the event. Zachary Hill, a Lecturer in the Art History and Architecture department helped make a flier to promote the event and explained why he decided to participate. “Over 10,000 Palestinians have died [as of Nov. 7], so we need to do something to stop that. Every day that we just go to work or just go to school we are not stopping genocide,” Hill said. Dr. Bahar Davary, USD Professor of Theology and Religious Studies, offered some background on the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. “For the past 75 years, Palestinians have lived under occupation. Occupation means thousands of political prisoners, torture and humiliation, denying children water — 97% of water of Gaza controlled by Israel was unfit for human consumption even before the recent bombardment
Katie Foreman- Feature Editor Satvika Nitya - Arts & Culture Editor Lauren Ceballos - Sports Editor Emma-Kate Squires - Photo Editor Aidan Freis- Distribution Manager Demili Pichay - Social Media Manager Anna Hallock - Finance Manager
and destruction,” Davary said. Davary explained that “mass attacks, expulsions and displacement of Palestinians has been continuous, and have only been exacerbated since Oct. 7, with the Hamas attack breaking out of besieged Gaza Strip.” At another seperate event on Nov. 16, PSCUSD organized a demonstration for Palestine. The protest took place in front of the Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice from 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Around 75 people attended the protest including USD undergraduate students, graduate students and faculty. At the protest several USD undergrad and graduate students spoke, calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and for the U.S. to stop supporting Israel. Most organizers of the protests declined to give comment to The USD Vista due to concerns for their privacy and safety. USD junior Zeina Battikha is on the executive board of PSCUSD and explained what she hoped the protest would accomplish. “I’m hoping to raise awareness about the current crisis that’s happening in Gaza,” Battikha said. “I think that there’s a lot of misconceptions about what the crisis is, and how it’s been misconstrued as a war and as a conflict when really, down to its core, it is a genocide.” At the same time on Nov. 16
Editorial – 619.260.4584 Business – 619.260.4714 theusdvista.com / @TheUSDVista Emma Holliday - Advertising Manager Gina Lew - Student Media Advisor Marie Minnick - Operations Advisor
in front of the Knauss School of Business, the organization San Diego Hillel set up a table showing support for Israel. San Diego Hillel is an organization of Jewish students across four colleges in San Diego. Around eight people gathered at the table, which had photos of Israeli hostages taken by Hamas in the Oct. 7 attack. USD student Nathaniel Mannor explained the intention behind the table. “To raise awareness about what’s going on in the Middle East, there’s a lot of false information going around, we just want to give the Israeli perspective, [and] show that Israel is not committing genocide against the Palestinians,” Mannor said. “The 10,000 Palestinians, unfortunately, the reality of war is that civilians will die on both sides, but the IDF [Israel Defense Force] is not committed to committing genocide against anyone.” Speakers at the Palestine protest encouraged protesters to not engage with the San Diego Hillel table, and the groups did not appear to interact with each other. According to the New York Times, Israel and Hamas reached a temporary cease-fire on Nov. 24. During the ceasefire Hamas has traded hostages taken on Oct. 7 for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
The USD Vista publication is written and edited by USD students and funded by revenues generated by advertising and a student fee. Advertising material published is for information purposes only and is not to be construed as an expressed or implied endorsement or verification of such commercial venues by the staff or University. The USD Vista office is located on the fourth floor of the Student Life Pavilion in room 403B. All inquiries should be sent to: The USD Vista 5998 Alcala Park San Diego, CA 92110 Opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of The USD Vista staff, the University of San Diego or of its student body. Letters to the Editor can be submitted to The USD Vista office. Letters should be limited to 300 words and must be signed. For identification purposes, USD identification numbers and writer’s year must be included in the letter. The USD Vista reserves the right to edit published letters. Any content sent to the editor will be considered for publication unless otherwise stated.
Volume 61 Issue 10 •
NEWS
•
The USD Vista
Roofie awareness and prevention
3
Members of the USD community share their stories
From roofies Page 1
his experience being drugged, 12 years ago at a local bar. He also shared his story with The USD Vista that he tells to his classes about his experience. “My partner and I were out with some friends at a bar in our neighborhood. We had a couple of drinks and after we’d been there for an hour, an hour and a half, we started to feel kind of strange… and the last thing I remember from that night is leaving the bar. It’s the last thing any of us remember,” Hower said. Hower explained how he woke up the next morning with no recollection of how he got home or what happened after he got home. When Hower spoke to one of his friends who went out with him, the friend also recalled that he had felt very odd the night before, but didn’t want to say anything. “It was terrifying. Even though nothing happened to us, we weren’t robbed. We don’t know why anyone would have done it,” Hower said. “But it was clear, because that entire period is just gone, that something had happened.” Hower tells this story to students usually before breaks at school, when students are going out. He offered advice for others to be aware of their surroundings. “If you’re out, never leave your drink unattended. Don’t be out alone. So keep an eye on your drink and on your friends’ drinks…
just be aware of what’s going on around you. And if you start to feel off in some way, tell a friend at that point. Don’t hide it. Don’t go off by yourself,” Hower said. USD’s Department of Public Safety and Student Health Center each shared information about Rohypnol’s effects and the warning signs of being roofied, as well as what students can do to seek help, if they or a friend are roofied. Director of USD’s Student Health Center, Kimberly Woodruff, explained what a roofie is, and how it can be misused. “The term ‘roofied’ stems from the common nickname for Rohypnol, [or] ‘roofies,’” Woodruff said. “Rohypnol is an intermediate-acting benzodiazepine, or central nervous system (CNS) depressant… this drug is not approved for medical use in the United States.” According to the United States Drug Enforcement Administration in 2022, the medical use of Rohypnol in other countries usually is for treating insomnia, because the drug is sedative. The drug is tasteless and colorless when dissolved in drinks according to the West Virginia Foundation for Rape Information and Services. When discussing how this drug functions, Woodruff communicated that it is often used by predators to commit sexual assault, due to its sedative nature.
Medical News Today wrote that law enforcement reports are claiming the amount of drug-facilitated sexual assaults are increasing. Woodruff explained that Rohypnol works by activating a neurotransmitter that is an inhibitory chemical, which reduces nerve activity in the central nervous system. This means that people who are drugged with Rohypnol may experience side effects such as reduced anxiety, muscle relaxation, sedation, reduced alertness, memory loss and even loss of consciousness. These side effects can last up to 12 hours. “The sedative side effects of Rohypnol are what make it a common daterape drug,” Woodruff said. Woodruff identified more of the common symptoms of being roofied: “A sudden feeling of fogginess, excessive drunkenness (a major red flag if you haven’t had much to drink), unusual interactions with strangers, gaps in memory, sedation, difficulties concentrating or staying focused, reduced alertness and energy, disorientation, difficulties moving or feeling paralyzed, loss of muscle control and nausea,” Woodruff listed. Woodruff also mentioned that there are certain ways a person can tell if their drink has been drugged with Rohypnol. One of these ways is by checking to see if your light-colored drink has
turned blue, because Rohypnol turns beverages blue, once it is dissolved. However, this is not a guarantee of safety, as Woodruff stated that there are other drugs including ketamine, gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and barbiturates that are sedating and also used to commit sexual assault, but they are colorless when dissolved in drinks. If students believe they’ve been roofied and/or assaulted, Woodruff said to call 9-1-1 immediately for medical attention. She also noted that if you suspect you’ve been drugged, do not get behind the wheel. “Have someone you trust take you to the emergency room. The authorities will collect any evidence. Avoid changing, bathing, urinating, washing your hands or douching before going to the emergency room,” Woodruff advised. USD Department of Public Safety (DPS) Chief James Miyashiro asserted that Public Safety can be a resource for students as well. “Public Safety will assist in many ways: first, emergency response — if the student is in immediate danger or requires urgent medical attention, our first priority is to ensure their safety. Second, reporting the incident – DPS can assist in helping the victim report the incident to law enforcement or internally to the university.” Miyashiro added that DPS will work with victims of being
roofied to hear their stories and aid in an investigation. He also mentioned that there are support services on campus, including the Student Health Center, that DPS can set students up with. As for some of the other resources on campus, Woodruff stated that Campus Assault Resources and Education (CARE) Advocates at USD can be a source of support for students who have been drugged and/or assaulted. “Any student who has experienced anything like being ‘roofied,’ or any situations around sexual or relationship violence, is welcome to call 619260-4655 (24 hours a day, seven days a week) to get support,” Woodruff said. “By contacting [this number above], you can get access to a Confidential Resource directly. CARE Advocates can also connect students to other appropriate resources such as law enforcement, Student Health Center, Counseling Center and other Wellness support.” When you go out, stay close to friends and watch your drink. If a student has been roofied, there are resources they can use at USD and outside of USD for help. For those who have faced sexual assault from being roofied, the National Sexual Assault Hotline is 1-800-656-4673. Other resources like Public Safety and the Student Health Center are also available for getting help. Above all else: getting roofied is never the victims fault and students don’t need to be afraid to speak up.
Pro-Israel truck gains attention on campus Truck with controversial graphics seen at USD
SPENCER BISPHAM MANAGING EDITOR An otherwise normal morning was interrupted Tuesday, Nov. 14 when a truck bearing controversial messages pertaining to the current IsraelPalestine conflict parked beside the Plaza de Colachis. Around 10:30 a.m., several students witnessed a black truck registered in Florida pull into the parking lot next to the Immaculata and park parallel to the main walkway through campus. Digital screens on three of the truck’s four sides had messages relating to Israel’s role in the ongoing conflict with Hamas. Some of the messages read “HAMAS = ISIS, ” “THE WEST IS NEXT” and “BRING THEM HOME NOW,” in apparent reference to the over 200 hostages originally taken by Hamas, according to a recent report by the Washington Post. The truck was driven by an individual who did not step out from behind the wheel, and was accompanied by to two others who got out of the vehicle to take credit for the demonstration. As confirmed by USD’s administration, none of these people were affiliated with USD. All three individuals refused to provide their names and/or contact information, but The USD Vista was able to obtain an interview with one of the
demonstration organizers in the middle of the Plaza de Colachis. “We need to share both sides of the story,” the demonstratory said. “We feel that lately whoever screams the loudest, being more aggressive, taking down flags, being more vocal and loud is being heard the most. There is a story to tell here about the 240 people who got kidnapped the day of October seventh, innocent people, farmers, got murdered, got butchered by Hamas.” The organization to which the truck and its affiliates belonged to was unclear, except an Instagram account tag that read “@livingjewishly” at the bottom of one of the truck’s photos. The message in the Instagram bio of this account reads, “Modern Jew-ish gifts. Sisters calling out bullsh*t wherever we see it.” This information was not posted on the truck itself. At least two students alerted the USD Office of Public Safety of the truck’s presence on campus within minutes of its arrival. Officers Christopher Nanquil, Humberto Espinoza and Lieutenant Henry Marquez responded to the calls and addressed the people who brought the truck on campus. USD Public Safety Officer Christopher Nanquil spoke to the same individual who was interviewed by the USD Vista and explained that the
A truck was seen on USD’s campus on Nov. 14 which showed controversial messages referencing Israel. Spencer Bispham/The USD Vista
constitutional right to free speech functions differently on public versus private property. “Obviously, we got called in for this,” Nanquil said. “The problem is that there are students calling us… unfortunately, this is private property, so that’s the problem. We told him [the driver] the same thing.” After repeatedly being asked to leave, the truck began to pull out of the parking lot and the other two individuals associated with the protest truck left in their cars. At the same time, USD Vice President
of Student Affairs, Charlotte Johnson arrived at the scene after being alerted of the conflict. In an email, Johnson explained how exactly the truck and its affiliates were in violation of USD’s policy. “As you know, the truck driver and the individuals who accompanied the truck were in violation of our demonstration policy and were asked to leave campus, a request with which they complied,” she said. “Given the violation, the individuals have been issued ‘no trespass’ orders, meaning they are no longer
allowed on USD’s campus.” She also clarified the role of the Office of Public Safety in enforcing this policy. “The safety of our campus community is our top priority. While USD is a private university, our campus is open to the public, our offices regularly receive deliveries, and guests often visit campus to utilize USD resources and attend events.” As of now, the university has not released an update nor Public Safety alert about the incident. The truck or its affiliates have not been reported on campus since.
S
The USD Vista
4
•
November 30, 2023
OPINION
Creating a more accessible campus Despite meeting ADA code, USD could be more inclusive
JACKIE MARQUEZ OPINION EDITOR The Maher Rose Garden is a sight to behold in the spring. Located behind Maher Hall, the garden’s rose bushes bloom when the weather gets warmer. However, only our able-bodied students can sit among the roses and enjoy their beauty, because the garden itself isn’t wheelchair accessible. To enter the rose garden, you can either go through the back exit of Maher and walk down two flights of stairs, or you can go all the way around the building and climb up one flight of stairs. There are no ramps or elevators that lead to the flowers. While newer spaces on campus are accessible via wheelchair, there are quite a few locations on USD’s campus that are still unreachable for students who use wheelchairs. This is related to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Passed in 1990, the ADA prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities and sets guidelines around accessibility. These guidelines mostly apply to buildings built after 1990, as they require that newly constructed buildings and renovations are made accessible. While the ADA Act also provides some guidelines for older buildings, these guidelines do not require that all older buildings are made fully accessible. Given these standards, USD is technically ADA compliant, according to Lissette Martinez, USD’s Senior Director of Media Relations. “With each new building over the past 25 years, the university has diligently worked with architects to ensure that accessibility to the new structures met or exceeded the ADA code requirements,” Martinez said
The Maher Rose Garden is only accessible via stairs, which means students who use mobility devices cannot easily visit it. Emma-Kate Squires/The USD Vista
However, I would argue that being ADA compliant isn’t enough. Despite USD meeting code requirements, there are still a handful of places on campus that are out of reach for students using mobility assistive devices. Some of the older residence halls on campus are inaccessible because of physical barriers, which are defined by the World Health Organization as, “structural obstacles in natural or manmade environments that prevent or block mobility (moving around in the environment) or access.” On USD’s campus, physical barriers most often take the form of stairs. Take for instance the stairs in the Alcalá Vista Apartments (Vistas). Comprised of four buildings, this community houses primarily second-year students. Each of the buildings in the Vistas has three floors, yet none of the buildings
The Valley A and Valley B dorms lack elevators, creating limited accessibility. Photo courtesy of @usdadmissions/Instagram
have elevators. Students who rely on wheelchairs or crutches for mobility are unable to reach eight of the 12 floors in the Vistas. The same goes for the Valley A and B residence halls. Valley A offers 12, three-story buildings, but no elevators. That’s 24 out of 36 floors in Valley A that wheelchairusing students can’t reach. Valley B is also exclusively accessible via stairs. With four, three-story buildings, students with disabilities cannot reach 20 out of the 30 floors. In other words, Toreros who use “mobility assistive devices” like crutches or wheelchairs are excluded from many parts of our residence halls by pre-existing, physical barriers, in this case, the stairs. This exclusion has potential negative impacts for our students with disabilities. According to a study by Kapsalis et al. published in the National Library of Medicine, the existence of physical barriers diminishes the health, safety, autonomy and social participation of mobility assistive device users. Kapsalis et al. also found that the presence of stairs/ lack of escalators decreased quality of life for mobility assistive device users by creating navigational challenges and increasing risk of injurious accidents. In other words, the lack of elevators in some of our campus buildings make it hard for students to move around, and this can put them in danger. Toreros who use mobility assistive devices certainly experience navigational challenges while trying to get to the Maher Rose Garden, or the aforementioned residence halls. When it comes to accessing these spaces, they can attempt to go up the stairs on their own, they can get someone to assist them or they
can simply avoid them altogether. All of these options can result in the negative effects that Kapsalis et al. mentions. For a person using a wheelchair, going upstairs on your own requires you to hold onto the guardrail with one hand while wheeling yourself up with the other. This requires a lot of balance, and is only feasible for shorter staircases with fewer steps. In general, it is risky and can result in falls or slips, which can negatively impact health and safety. Relying on someone else to help you to get up stairs isn’t a great option either. This decreases your personal independence and can have negative emotional consequences. In an article published by Forbes, Andrew Pulrang explains that asking for help as a person with a disability can carry “hidden costs.” He explains that asking for accommodations or assistance can attract unwanted attention to a person’s disability, force them to share more information about their conditions than they want or cause them to feel burdensome. These hidden costs take an emotional toll on people who use mobility assistive devices, and that toll is only worsened by the way that physical barriers decrease social participation. For students who use mobility assistive devices, physical barriers like stairs can prevent participation in social activities. Residence halls in particular are a place for community on campus. Friends visit each other in their rooms, classmates study together in common spaces and resident assistants host programs on their floors. It’s important that all students are able to participate in these community-building activities. However, the lack of
elevators in Valley A, Valley B and the Alcalá Vista Apartments prevents some students from joining in. If an event is programmed in the Rose Garden or on a non-accessible floor, students using crutches or a wheelchair cannot easily access the event. Students who use mobility devices still face accessibility challenges despite USD’s ADA compliance. Because of this, I think more could — and should — be done to make our campus accessible. Elevators must be added to all of our residence halls, and stairs should never be the only way to access a space. Of course, adding elevators is no easy feat. As Vice President of Student Affairs, Charlotte Johnson explained during an Associated Student Government (ASG) senate meeting held on October 26, “In a few [residence halls], like the Valley, it would be very very difficult and expensive because of the way the valley is structured to put in elevators… They’re older buildings. So, it wouldn’t be just about installing the elevators. There would be a lot of other sorts of collateral, structural construction that would need to be done.” However, the cost and difficulty of installing elevators does not mean that the University cannot do these renovations. In fact, they’ve done similar types of renovations in the past. According to Martinez, elevators were added to both Camino and Founders in 2020 as part of USD’s Renaissance Plan. These cost approximately one million dollars each and took about 14 months to complete. The addition of elevators in Camino and Founders demonstrate that USD has the ability and resources to make older architecture more accessible. Afterall, these two were the first buildings constructed on campus. However, the school has embarked on a handful of multi-million dollar building projects, rather than completing similar renovations in the Valley and Vistas. Take for instance the Knauss School of Business which was completed in the summer of 2022 and the new USD Wellness and Basketball Practice Center, which started construction in 2023. While these projects are fine too, accessibility renovations must be a priority. They may not bring in as many profits, but they increase the quality of life for our students who rely on mobility devices. While the ADA may not require such renovations because of the time and cost they take, these renovations would help further the University’s mission of creating a more inclusive world. As such, they’re worth the University’s consideration.
The views expressed in the editorial and op-ed sections are not necessarily those of The USD Vista staff, the University of San Diego, or its student body.
Volume 61 Issue 10
•
Opinion
•
The USD Vista
5
OPINION
And the award goes to... I don’t care Award ceremonies don’t decide if a piece of art is ‘good’
RONNIE SAENZ ASST. OPINION EDITOR With the announcement of this year’s Grammy award nominees, many are already speculating on who will win, but others are more concerned about the people who were left out of the nominations. Whether it’s the Oscars, Emmys, Tonys or Grammys there is always controversy about who qualifies for these awards and even about who deserves to win — or not. Debates have become heated in recent years such as when actress and producer Jada Pinkett Smith and writer and producer Spike Lee boycotted the 2016 Oscars, because all 20 nominees for best actor were white. In my opinion, boycotting isn’t enough. I don’t think these award ceremonies should be taken seriously at all, nor do they belong in any discussion about the worth of a piece of art. The problem starts with the fact that these ceremonies are ranking art, when art is purely subjective. Sure, you can judge the feelings you have personally
and the technical aspects of art, but at the end of the day, we all have our own perspectives on art. Let’s take the upcoming Grammys as an example. The Grammys are a yearly ceremony celebrating the greatest achievements of music in a given year. The voting members who decide the Grammy award nominations and winners, are made up of a diverse set of music industry professionals. In order to qualify, voting members must have creative or technical credits on at least six commercially released tracks on a physical music release, or 12 on a digital album. Theoretically, the people judging the Grammys know a lot about music based on their qualifications, but it still shouldn’t overshadow anyone else’s opinion on music. Just because they decide that a performer deserves an award doesn’t mean the audience has to, as well. For instance, Nicki Minaj has never won a Grammy despite being nominated 10 times within the past 12 years, and her audience is upset that she hasn’t received the recognition
they believe she deserves. Although there is a criteria these pieces have to meet in order to be nominated and awarded, I think I would be more open and interested in the decisions of these judges if they actually gave explanations as to why they choose certain nominees for the awards over others. Would you believe me if I said that this grilled cheese sandwich with cheddar jack is better than this other grilled cheese with shredded cheese without an explanation as to why? That is exactly what these award ceremonies do. They give awards to pieces of art, without a public rationale. The reason this is the case is because each of these ceremonies choose the winner based on the votes of their members, and these ceremonies have a ridiculous amount of voting members. Just the Oscar voting committee, known as the Academy members, contains 10,000 voting members, so arguably there is no consensus or rationale about the winners. They might be able to resolve this if they allowed less people into the list of Academy members, or
The views expressed in the editorial and op-ed sections are not necessarily those of The USD Vista staff, the University of San Diego, or its student body.
The Grammys have shaped consumer’s perspectives on music since their start. Photo courtesy of @recordingacademy/Instagram
instead each Academy member gives their vote and a rationale. As it stands, award ceremonies are just a popularity contest within the industry, which is far less interesting than a popularity contest of public opinion. Some say that these ceremonies are just to benefit their given industry while also seeming exclusive and important. After all, there’s a reason that there are so many advertisements for upcoming projects within the events. For example, the 2023 Oscars heavily advertised the live action Little Mermaid even debuting its first full trailer during the ceremony. It’s because industries are trying to make money off of the ceremonies’ publicity. Very often, the pieces that are nominated and especially those that are awarded receive a massive boost in sales. Within the weeks leading up to the 2022 Emmys, there was a 17% increase in views for the shows that were nominated. But even if the ceremonies are just to raise money for the industry, they still have a very clear effect on people and their perspectives on media. You
only have to look as far as social media to see the countless debates over who should win the Grammys, and whether they deserve to win. People care about these ceremonies and invest more time than they should into who should or should not win. This would not be an issue if we didn’t take these awards so seriously, and just focused on what we like subjectively. Sometimes we’re so wrapped up in the glitz and glamor of an award ceremony that we forget there are still people behind everyone’s winning decisions. If you believe in the subjectivity of art then you believe the consensus of professionals shouldn’t change your perspectives on art, and therefore these award ceremonies should not belong in any discussion about our opinions of a piece of media. So go ahead and watch the Grammys, but just remember it’s not the end all be all for your music taste. Nor should you let it discourage you from listening to the kind of music you like to listen to. Instead you should judge art for yourself.
6
The USD Vista
•
November 30, 2023
THRIFTING T
BEST SPOTS TO THRIFT INEX
BRICK N BARN ANTIQUES “I did all my Christmas shopping at ‘Brick n Barn Antiques.’ It’s only open one weekend per month and it’s a haul, but you can make a day out of it — they have coffee, food trucks, etc. They have buckets of solid crystal pieces of old chandeliers, we grabbed a bunch to throw all over the Christmas tree, and they look just like [the pieces that] Anthropologie sells for like $18 a pop.” - Abby Buehler, Senior
The holiday season is here: loved ones, and part of that and giving gifts. At the en shopping for gifts for fri sometimes be a stressful ta college students don't have on gifts which can make gif students share their favo inexpensive ho
KOBEY’S+OB FARMERS MARKET “Thrifting at Kobey’s or the Ocean Beach Farmers Market are by far my favorite thrift spots in San Diego. Each vendor is often open to negotiating, which allows you to purchase unique pieces within your budget. I’ve successfully secured t-shirts for $3 to quality Levi’s jeans for $15. Not to mention, the opportunity to secure home decor, wall art or accessories are even more abundant. Lastly, thrifted gifts feel more personal, because they are. There’s intention and thought behind selecting a specific item for someone special.” - Mahlia Flores, Senior
RATINGS FROM GOOGLE REVIEWS BRICK N BARN ANTIQUES
VINTAGE THREAD AND GRAILS
KOB
29200 Miller Rd, Valley Center, CA 92082
1031 Garnet Ave, San Diego, CA 92109
3500
4.9
3.6
4.4
DAY TO DAY VINTAGE
SEA HIVE - LIBERTY STATION
SEA
3063 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92104
2750 Dewey Rd #103, San Diego, CA 92106 1555
5.0
4.6
4.6
Volume 61 Issue 10
•
FEATURE
•
The USD Vista
7
TREASURES
NEXPENSIVE HOLIDAY GIFTS
here: a time to celebrate with that celebration is receiving he end of a busy semester, or friends and family can sful task for students. Many have a big budget to splurge ke gift-buying difficult. USD r favorite places to thrift ve holiday gifts.
VINTAGE THREADS AND GRAILS “The best place to find inexpensive thrifting with good quality stuff has to be ‘Vintage Threads and Grails’ in Pacific Beach. You can pick up some really cool trucker hats to vintage band shirts that make for some pretty decent gifts without breaking the bank. They even have a trade-in option if you have some vintage stuff you’re looking to get rid of.” - Cooper Truwit, Senior
DAY TO DAY VINTAGE/CAPTAIN’S HELM/SEA HIVE “‘Day to Day Vintage’ is a curated vintage store in North Park with a cool and trendy vibe. They specialize in vintage tees and outerwear. ‘Captain’s Helm’ in Oceanside is a fun and funky, vintage clothing store that has something for everyone. Definitely worth the drive. ‘Sea Hive’ is an antique mall with handmade/vintage items in both Liberty Station and Oceanside. They have so many great vendors, definitely worth checking out.” - Tyler Yancey, Senior
KOBEY’S SWAP MEET
OCEAN BEACH FARMERS MARKET
3500 Sports Arena Blvd, San Diego, CA 92110
4900 Newport Ave, San Diego, CA 92107
4.4
4.7
SEA HIVE - OCEANSIDE
CAPTAIN’S HELM
1555 S Coast Hwy, Oceanside, CA 92054
1832 S Coast Hwy, Oceanside, CA 92054
4.6
3.5 Spread by Khushi Patel/The USD Vista: Content by Allie Longo/The USD Vista
8
The USD Vista
◆
November 30, 2023
FEATURE AR TS &
USD Ministry travels to Tijuana
Students create connections and provide services in Tijuana for relief
People standing together and having a beach day beside the Mexico-U.S. border. Photo courtesy of Dylan Adra DYLAN ADRA CONTRIBUTOR On Sept. 30, undergraduate students and USD University Ministry (UM) staff piled up three vans of people in order to travel across the most crossed border in the western world — the Mexico-U.S. border into Tijuana, Mexico (TJ). UM is an organization on campus that promotes personal faith and practices of the Catholic Church. The organization features activities such as the “Tijuana Day Trip,” focused on “promoting the integration of personal and informed faith,” according to their webpage. USD Resident Minister Alec Hartman, the main coordinator of the trip, spoke about UM’s central goals through their service in Tijuana. “The power of relationships is at the center of what we do,” Hartman said. “The primary goal is to think of the spirituality of [the] encounter… I recognize my human dignity, I recognize your human dignity, let’s sit down together and share stories.” Along with Hartman, the day trip was led by a few USD students. Nicole Cockle, Cindy Avonce and Kai Hopkinson Ramsammy contributed in numerous ways. “They accompanied and supported people with their past experiences of going on the trip
by taking on leadership roles like giving a little introduction of history to each place and transporting students to and from Tijuana,” Hartman said. Students involved with UM spent the whole day engaging in conversation and service work with different communities around the city. They had an opportunity to visit with a parish community, participate in a border tour with multiple stops along the Mexico-U.S. border and dine with migrants/asylum seekers at Casa del Migrante. Casa del Migrante is a non-profit Civil Association that offers support and resources for migrants in Tijuana. The trip marks UM’s almost 20 years of sharing space with individuals in TJ. During their visit with the parish community, Parroquia Maria Inmaculad, the students toured some of their facilities including the main chapel, youth ministry center and even an on-site coffee shop. In each location, a ministry leader explained the roles of each facility and its purpose related to the Catholic faith. Leilani Youmans, a first-year at USD, said her experience was humbling. “The parish was beautiful. Inside the Chapel was a beautiful statue of Mary. I really liked seeing how another culture celebrates their faith in a unique and loving way.” Students then transitioned
A monument in Tijuana that marks the border of Mexico.
to a tour along the border led by Hartman, Cockle, Avonce and Ramsammy from UM. Those who participated got a view of the beach and some of the artwork decorating the physical partition between Mexico and the U.S. Before being let off to explore, the leaders of the excursion talked with students about the impacts of the border, including the flow of migration and immigration, the impact on people’s lives and negative effects on the Mexican economy. With this information fresh in mind, the students moved on to their next stop in North Tijuana. The team arrived at Casa del Migrante where migrants and asylum seekers are welcomed to stay. Some of the volunteers said this was the most impactful experience of the day, because they had the opportunity to listen to stories over dinner about what life is like for those who are searching for new beginnings. Alma Ramirez, part of the team at Casa del Migrante, shared a personal story of her role and what motivates her to do what she does. “We take care of the [migrants] that arrive here in Tijuana who were deported or are traveling to get to the U.S. and provide them different services,” Ramirez said. “We are trying to get [migrants] to their families again, but also have a new life here in Mexico, because it’s difficult for them coming from a life in the U.S.,” Ramirez said.
The students put their Spanish to the test by conversing with migrant families. Some spent their time having indepth conversations with adults, while others played dodgeball with children. Paloma Valencia, a firstyear at USD and a student from Mexico, recapped her involvement in the trip. “Coming from living on the border my entire life, I have always been passionate about helping with the issues going on with immigration and the injustices people go through on a daily basis,” Valencia said. “I think it’s so important to be involved in things like these, because we learned so much and got to meet new people who are actively working for a better world.” Paloma highlighted playing with the children and the feelings that emerged for her. “We got to play with children and it was so shocking seeing how happy they can be in the midst of so much uncertainty.” Hartman expressed that the initiative of the trip was driven by the desire to create meaningful encounters through interacting, learning and looking for solutions. “Encounters are the main goal, both in terms of people — like the realities of the situation in TJ — and with a more educative standpoint, like encountering the border, encountering being forced to come face to face with some of those realities of things
Photo courtesy of Dylan Adra
we read about in the news.” Hartman noted that it’s more than just a project; it’s a chance for people to unite in solidarity and work together. Hartman expressed how understanding and caring for the struggles and liberation of others, such as migrants and asylum seekers, makes helping out more effective in a community. A week prior to the undergraduate trip, graduate students had the opportunity to go on the same day excursion. Fr. Greg McGivern, University Chaplain at USD, accompanied them. “The trip invited us to journey within, in terms of reflecting on the policies around migration and questions emerging out of Catholic teachings about social justice,” McGivern said. “The main goal was to listen to, rather than advise, and to be present.” Students stated that they are excited to come back in the near future and continue what they have started. “It’s important to continue watering the seeds that you have planted,” Hartman said. The next trip takes place on Dec. 2, 2023 and is open to all undergraduate students. Throughout the 2024 school year, there will be two additional service opportunities scheduled on Feb. 23 and Apr. 27 to take the next steps in accomplishing what University Ministry notes is their bigger picture: world peace.
Volume 61 Issue 10
•
ARTS & CULTURE
•
The USD Vista
A RT S & C U LT U R E
9
Fashionably surviving San Diego winters A guide to style in SD weather
Layer up with polyester jackets and comfortable pants paired with sports shoes for hikes. Photo courtesy of @hyoh456/Instagram
NYLA HARRIS ASST. A&C EDITOR It’s not always sunny in San Diego. Days in the city during the span of December through February can come with warm evenings followed by day cold nights. When waking up and picking out an outfit for the day, it can cause confusion on what’s best to wear for SD’s weather changes. With such winter weather changes, there is an opportunity for students to change their wardrobe to adjust. There are a variety of different outfit ideas that can properly accommodate for the changing weather within the array of available activities to do in SD. Beach Day Basic things needed for a visit to the beach are well… beach essentials. Sunglasses, swimsuits, flip flops, hats, towel, surfboard, etc. Beyond the obvious essentials, it’s important to have prepared pieces for the cool breeze that often hits on the varying San Diego beaches. Many students prefer to dress in a light bottom layer, like tank tops and breezy tops with a warmer top later like a hoodie, cardigan, jean jacket, etc. ready for the cooler sunset air. USD senior Alex Nazareno enjoys going to the beach and staying there until the sun goes down. She discussed her way of preparing for a winter beach day, while still staying stylish. “My go-to outfit for the beach is a warm zip up with a bikini underneath. For accessories I
love to do a cute hoop earring and gold chains to ‘up’ the look— that’s my signature,” Nazareno says. “If I’m going in the water, I also like to bring a claw clip to tie up my hair so I don’t get sick.” Night out in Downtown Downtown San Diego offers an abundance of options for activities, dining experiences and cultural attractions. This variety of options offer several occasions to wear fancy attire such as dresses, skirts, dress pants, suits, etc. After dark, the city transforms into a more sophisticated playground. With a variety of nightclubs, music venues and sky-high rooftop bars, there are plenty of ways for 21+ adults to enjoy a memorable night out. It can be cold outside during winter nights in downtown, but with the venues filled with people, it can become hot quickly. There are versatile ways to dress to ensure comfortability inside and out of downtown. USD senior, Rianna Batra enjoys responsibly exploring nightlife in Gaslamp San Diego. Part of her experience of going out downtown is preparing an outfit that will make her feel confident and cozy for the fun night ahead. “Honestly, getting ready for me starts three hours ahead of time. I like to do my makeup, get my music blasting and just have fun,” Batra said. “What I choose to wear depends on my mood and what temperature it’s gonna be, because sometimes I’m waiting outside for events. To make it more fun I love to call my friends and make it a social activity of choosing the best outfit.”
Students can layer on a sweatshirt to be protected from the breeze as it gets colder in the evening on the beach. Photo courtesy of @oliviamessina/Instagram
Hike or Walk San Diego offers many hiking options like Tecolote Canyon or Mission Trails, however, there is no one approach to hiking attire. Many variables can change hiking apparel needs such as temperature, distance, duration of the hike, etc. However, a general checklist of the most basic hiking attire requirements to move around comfortably include sturdy pants, moisture safe tops (e.g. nylon, polyester, merino, etc.), a warm jacket (polyester fleece option), a rain jacket and sturdy shoes. Polyester clothing, unlike cotton, moves sweat off the skin and dry fast, so they’re an ideal base later option. In anticipating weather conditions, elevation shifts can change the weather even more, so it’s good to be prepared in case the conditions turn warmer, wetter, or cooler than predicted. School Day As USD students, it’s common to have long days on campus with varying clubs, classes, jobs and more to attend to. Especially for commuting students, it can be difficult to go home and change in between these activities just to adjust to the weather changes. USD junior Aiden Solano has a passion for vintage shopping and styling himself accordingly. He described his way of making sure he best represents himself going to school. “With the cold season approaching in the winter, I typically like to layer up. Whether that be thermal with a t-shirt or flannel, hoodie, zip up... it’s all a good foundation to make sure I’m staying
comfortable throughout the day,” Solano says. “When it comes to my creative process for my daily outfits, it really starts with, ‘what pants do I want to wear today?’ I’m always making sure the portions of my pants look somewhat tailored so the overall outfit looks proportionate to me, all while including the varying brands and pieces that I’m rocking with.”
The comforting, laid back and diverse vibe that is accredited to San Diego allows for all aesthetics to be showcased. When it comes to fashion, comfort and confidence are added parts to the story of any outfit. This guide is only a base that can be exemplified by personal creative outfit choices to make you the best (and smartest) dressed for San Diego winters.
USD junior Aiden Solano layering up for an everyday outfit in the winter. Photo courtesy of Aiden Solano
10
The USD Vista
•
November 30, 2023
‘Peter and the Starcatcher’ USD students bring magic to the stage
Cast members of ‘Peter and the Starcatcher’ lifting Liv Meloy, who plays Peter, to create the illusion of flying toward the climax of the play.
ANJALI DALAL-WHELAN NEWS EDITOR
The University of San Diego’s undergraduate Department of Theatre flew its audience back to their childhoods through their fall production of “Peter and the Starcatcher.” The play ran four sold-out shows from Nov. 17-19. The cast consisted of 12 USD students while 15 other students participated behind the scenes. The play is a prequel to the classic story of Peter Pan and was adapted from the novel “Peter and the Starcatchers” by Dave Berry and Ridley Pearson. The show got its start in San Diego at the La Jolla Playhouse in 2009. Later it moved to Off-Broadway and then to Broadway in 2011, where it won five Tony Awards. Here at USD, the play was directed by Assistant Professor of Theatre, Jersten Seraile. The comedic musical tells the story of Molly, played by USD junior Carly O’Rear, and her father, Lord Aster, played by USD senior Joshua Venegas,
as they embark on a mission to protect a trunk filled with “starstuff,” a magical substance that can grant wishes — but can also be dangerous. Along their journey, Molly and Lord Aster board two ships, the Neverland and the Wasp, and meet a cast of characters resulting in friendships, rivalries and romances. Through the play, the audience learns the backstory of many classic “Peter Pan” characters, including Peter, played by sophomore Liv Meloy, Stache/Captain Hook, played by senior Vivian Moiso, the lost boys, played by senior Syd Gager and first-year Cincere Temple and even the mermaids of the past lagoon. The show moved at a fast pace with many fight scenes, costume changes, two songs and several well-timed one-liners. The play uses creative techniques to get the audience immersed in the magical elements of the show, such as asking them to use their imagination to make the actors fly rather than a harness. In
Viv Moiso (left) as Black Stache and Joshua Venegas (right) as Lord Aster. Photo courtesy of Theatre Dept. Chair Nate Padre
scenes with Molly and Peter that involve flight, the cast worked together to lift the actors into the air and move them around to showcase the illusion. The play brings a new interpretation to the classic story of Peter Pan. The book “Peter and Wendy”, written by James Matthew Barrie, was published in 1911 and the Disney movie adaptation was released in 1953. The story holds nostalgia for many members of the audience and cast. For Gager, who played Prentiss, the story of Peter Pan is important, which led to a decision to switch from stage managing to acting in this show. “[The Peter Pan books] were really really important to me growing up,” Gager said. “So even though in stage managing you get some say in the artistic direction of the play, I just thought about stage managing, and I was like ‘I can’t watch the show be put on, I need to be in it. And it’s just been a blast getting to be in the books that were so important to me growing up.” “Peter and the Starcatcher” also included multiple genderbent roles, in which actors played roles of the opposite gender. In the initial production, the entire cast is male, besides the character Molly. USD’s production of “Peter and the Starcatcher” included more gender-bent characters than the original show. This included the roles of Stache, played by Moiso, Peter, played by Meloy and Captain Scott, played by first-year Annalise Bowman. The character Mrs. Bumbrake is designed in the script to be played by a male actor dressed as a woman. In USD’s production, first-year Tanner Blackington played Mrs. Bumbrake and reflected on his experience. “Being Bumbrake for me
Photo courtesy of Theatre Dept. Chair Nate Padre
has been one of the funniest experiences, and it’s just so much fun to be on stage,” Blackington said. “There’s just so much fun that I have, especially with Oz [who played Alf] as my scene partner, and I feel like it’s just hilarious.” Partnership stood out in the show, with strong chemistry between many characters, especially Peter and Molly. The two characters’ relationship grew through the show, as Molly helped Peter find his identity. The show also used genderbending to bring humor in the song “Mermaid Outta Me,”
“Generally we have a higher percentage of female theater students than males, so it was really important to us that we could bend some of those roles,” Kueter said. “Peter and the Starcatcher” swept the audience off its feet with its lighthearted humor and magic. But it ended on a bittersweet note, reminding the audience what it can cost to get what you want. USD sophomore Lauren Deerink, the Assistant Stage Manager of “Peter and the Starcatcher,” hoped the play would have that effect.
Actors performing a musical number in mermaid costumes in second act. Photo courtesy of Theatre Dept. Chair Nate Padre
which opened Act II. The entire ensemble, regardless of gender identity, dressed as mermaids with bikini tops and glittery tails. USD sophomore Alex Kueter, the Stage Manager of “Peter and the Starcatcher,” explained that past shows the Theater department performed had constraints with the gender and race of actors, so gender-bending characters in this production provided an opportunity for a variety of students to participate.
“I hope that they [the audience] can find that childhood joy that came from the Disney ‘Peter Pan,’” Deerink said. “But also it has a lot more depth to it as far as finding out who you are, and I think that’s really important.” Although the audience of college students may be growing up, “Peter and the Starcatcher” proves that for USD students, the story of Peter Pan will never grow old.
Volume 61 Issue 10
◆
SPORTS
◆
11
The USD Vista
SPORTS
Coach Jim Harbaugh’s headache
Former USD football coach punished by Big Ten for Michigan football scandal LAUREN CEBALLOS SPORTS EDITOR During the heat and the energy of a packed football stadium, coaches and players use hand signals to imitate what would be drawn in a playbook during real time, formatting and signaling which play the players are supposed to enact during that point in the game. While it could be written on an actual sign or a playbook, most “signs” or signals for plays are hand gestures or movements. The act of “sign stealing” is memorizing and studying the signs and their associations of another team’s plays in order to know what play they are planning on running based off of the ‘sign’ that is called. This takes away the advantage a team would have of running their plays. Some coaches have a system of two people giving signals right next to each other, and they tell their players which of the two is giving the “real” hand signals, determining the plays in secret. This practice allows for the players to know which play they are supposed to perform, while the opposing team has a harder time deciphering the signal. The Michigan Wolverines were under NCAA investigation for finding a way around just that. The University of Michigan was accused of “sign stealing” on Oct. 19. Former USD football coach, Jim Harbaugh, is currently the head coach of Michigan and had to bear the consequences of Connor Stalions’ actions of alleged sign-stealing. “[The] Michigan [football
Michigan played three games without Harbaugh, against Penn State, Maryland and Ohio.
program]… received evidence related to the sign-stealing scandal from the Big Ten, as well as a formal notice of potential disciplinary action against the program,” according to CBS Sports. Former USD football coach and current Michigan Head Coach Jim Harbaugh is not known to be directly involved in the situation, as confirmed by the Big Ten, but Harbaugh endured a three-game coaching suspension in order to put an end to the investigation. Stadium surveillance caught Connor Stalions a lower level member of the Michigan football staff “sign-stealing.”
CBS Sports explained the consequences of the situation in an article on Nov. 18. “Michigan [Football] and Coach Jim Harbaugh have accepted the Big Ten’s three-game suspension for violating the conference’s sportsmanship policy. In return, the Big Ten has agreed to cease its investigation into allegations of illegal sign stealing through the use of advanced scouting and technology, even as the NCAA continues its own investigation.” Harbaugh therefore missed three games against Penn State on Nov. 11, Maryland on Nov. 18 and Nov. 25 against Ohio State but could
Michigan is the No.2 college football team in the nation, as of Nov. 26. Photo courtesy of @umichfootball/Instagram
Photo courtesy of @umichfootball/Instagram
still go to practices and football activities, when it was not game day. “The NCAA’s investigation centers around former staffer Connor Stalions, who allegedly bought tickets for more than 30 games — many of them within the Big Ten — and used ‘illegal technology’ to steal signs. Stalions resigned from Michigan’s staff on Nov. 3, after previously being suspended with pay pending the outcome of the NCAA’s investigation. Harbaugh… denied knowledge of the operation,” CBS Sports reported on Nov. 18. “According to a Yahoo Sports report, Michigan is being accused of sending people to games of teams they are scheduled to play, to gather information on signs used to call plays on offense and defense,” Chantz Martin reported for Fox News on Nov. 2. Harbaugh denied his involvement in the scandal in an article published by ESPN on Oct. 19. “I do not have any knowledge or information regarding the University of Michigan football program illegally stealing signals, nor have I directed any staff member or others to participate in an off-campus scouting assignment,” Harbaugh stated, according to ESPN. Lou Holtz, who has 34 years of head coaching experience and additional assistant coaching jobs, most notable for his time at Notre Dame, appeared on a sports coverage podcast “Hot Mic with Hutton and Withrow,” before Harbaugh was punished by the Big Ten. Holtz talked about the investigation into Michigan’s supposed actions, which he called “deplorable.” “There’s a video on different channels, where it would show the Michigan players looking at the Ohio State bench, and then they all turn, once they get the signals. So I just think it’s deplorable,
and I think it’s bad. I think they should definitely get to the bottom of it, before they decide who’s going to play for the national championship,” Holtz said, as reported by Fox when highlighting the “Hot Mic with Hutton and Withrow” podcast episode. Harbaugh’s first head coaching job was here at the University of San Diego in 2004, where he led the Toreros to the Pioneer League Championship in 2005 and 2006. On Dec. 20, 2003, it was announced that Harbaugh would take over the head coaching position at USD. Harbaugh directly came from his second year as assistant coach to the Nation Football League’s Oakland Raiders. After finishing the season with the Raiders, he joined USD athletics to coach quarterbacks from 2004-2006, before leaving to coach at Stanford. In Feb. 2013, Harbaugh coached the 49ers to the Super Bowl, coaching against his brother, John Harbaugh, the head coach of the Baltimore Ravens, the first time that brothers have ever coached against each other in the Super Bowl. Harbaugh started coaching at his alma mater, the University of Michigan, in 2015. Harbaugh has a record of 15 seasons as an NFL quarterback, being the first draft pick for the Chicago Bears in 1987, being an NFL MVP runner up and many more acknowledgements as a player in addition to his coaching history. The Big Ten attempted to amend the sign-stealing debacle by suspending Harbaugh, USD’s former coach, from coaching Michigan’s games against Penn State, Maryland and Ohio State in return for dropping the case. Despite the lack of evidence for Harbaugh’s involvement in the scandal, Harbaugh accepted the punishment, ending the Big Ten investigation.
12
The USD Vista
◆
November 30, 2023
Twice as Nice:
USD men’s soccer wins its second straight WCC title LUKAS BLANKENSTEIN ASST. SPORTS EDITOR
Torero Stadium was filled with celebration on Nov. 10 as the men’s soccer team won their second consecutive WCC title. The Toreros won a tight game against Gonzaga, securing their spot at the top of the WCC standings. The title also guaranteed them a spot in the NCAA tournament. This is the Toreros’ 11th men’s soccer title, and 16th time appearing in the NCAA tournament since the founding of the soccer team in 1980. USD sophomore defenseman Owen Walz spoke on what winning the WCC title was like. “Winning the WCC was an amazing feeling. The whole team worked extremely hard this year to reach this goal. I am happy to be able to contribute and help the team get to this point,” Walz stated. The game started off quickly, with sophomore Cesar Bahena netting a goal at two minutes and nine seconds into the game. Bahena, a midfielder, scored six goals this season, including two goals during conference play. Bahena’s goal ended up being the difference, with Toreros going on to win the game 1-0. The win would bring the Toreros to 11-4-3 on the season, and 5-1-1 in conference. The Toreros also gave the home crowd a lot to cheer about, winning seven games at home, and only losing once. USD redshirt senior and midfielder, Mason Tunbridge, provided an assist on Bahena’s game-winning goal. Tunbridge led the Toreros this season in both goals (seven) and assists (nine). Tunbridge was also fifth in the conference in goals and second in assists. Tunbridge’s efforts were enough to land him the WCC offensive player of the year. After the season ended, Tunbridge also signed with Path2Pro, a player agency that aims to give players the chance to be scouted and seen by professional soccer clubs. Coach Brian Quinn reflectively commented on Tunbridge’s impact on the team this season. “Mason has been the catalyst in many of our wins and he has this uncanny ability to change games with one play,” Quinn stated. “He continues to be our most dangerous player in the attacking half of the field.” USD senior goalkeeper Luis Ludosan also played a key role in the Toreros’ win, snagging four saves in order to preserve the team’s shutout. Ludosan’s performance was enough to earn him the WCC defensive player of the week,
COMING UP THIS WEEK
The USD men’s soccer team won Toreros’ 11th men’s soccer title since 1980.
the second time he has earned such an honor this year. Defense was another key part of the Toreros’ success this year. The team had eight shutouts, six of which came with Ludosan in the net. The Toreros only allowed 0.94 average goals against per match, good top 40 in the nation. USD defenseman Owen Walz commented on the team’s defensive success. “I feel like the whole back line has been on the same page since day one, and everyone knows each other’s tendencies and what they are doing,” Walz stated. “We have a bunch of good players that have one goal in mind: to not get scored on.” Several Toreros received WCC honors for their performances this season. Tunbridge and senior defenseman Trevor Dillon were named to the AllWCC First Team, while Bahena, senior midfield/forward Rhys Gourdie and junior defenseman Ethan Warne were all named to the second team. Midfielders Vicente Ayala (sophomore) and Ross Johnstone (senior) were also given All-WCC honorable mentions. Finally, first-year forward Steven Ramirez and first-year midfielder Oliver Rhoades were named to the All-WCC Freshman Team. The Toreros also played well enough to secure a home field advantage in the first round of the NCAA tournament. They were drawn to face the California Baptist University Lancers (CBU) on Nov. 16.
Coach Quinn also talked about how much the home field setting meant to his team. “One of our goals at the beginning of the year was to play well enough so we would have an opportunity to play at home. Fortunately this has occurred, and we look forward to hosting California Baptist on Thursday, Nov. 16 in Torero Stadium.” On Nov. 16, the Toreros
USD MBB at Stanford Sunday, Dec. 3 3 p.m. Palo Alto, CA
USD WBB at #6 USC Sunday, Dec. 3 3 p.m. Los Angeles, CA
Photo courtesy of @usdmsoccer/Instagram
played a 1-1 game that necessitated penalties to break the tie. They lost 3-2 on penalty kicks, ending their season. In a postgame press conference with the team, Quinn stated, “The emotion right now is just disappointment more than anything.” However, he did mention that “I’m proud of [the team] because [of] where we were at two years
ago.” This is a reference to the Toreros’ 2021 campaign, where they went 2-15. Quinn also mentioned that he was proud of “what they have established for our young guys coming in and for our recruits next year.” While the season didn’t end the way many had hoped, the Toreros were still able to make history with their 2023 WCC title.
The Toreros clinched the West Coast Conference title on Nov. 10 against Gonzaga. Photo courtesy of @usdmsoccer/Instagram
USD MBB at Utah State Wednesday, Dec. 6 7 p.m. Logan, UT
USD WBB vs San Diego State Thursday, Dec. 7 6 p.m. San Diego, CA