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INSIDE PERSPECTIVES: A female journalist 3 nrealizes that she can make a home run career out of sports reporting

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Looking back on nearly four decades as the voice of Tony the Tiger

n SPORTS: Jodie Cox pitches no-hitter as softball comes up just short in Georgia

—see News page 4 W E D N E S D AY

Vo l u m e 7 4 , I s s u e 5

Fe brua r y 2 7 , 2 0 0 2

Students offered voice among trustees

nCSU: Applications for the two-year position are due Friday. It is the highest post a student can hold in the system By Theresa Salinas

Daily Titan staff writer State administrators are seeking two student trustees to represent the interests of more than 380,000 students for the next two years by bringing student

issues to the forefront and student perspectives to the legislative process. Through Friday, the California State Student Association will accept applications from students interested in serving on the California State University Board of Trustees. A committee will screen the applications, then forward a list of finalists to Gov. Gray Davis for final consideration. Selected trustees will serve from July 1, 2002 to June 30, 2004. The trustee position is the highest post a student can hold in the CSU legislative system. Student trustees are voting members of the CSU board,

3 AS board members appointed

and act as liaisons to the board and the state legislature. They also aid in developing statewide policies on issues such as financial aid, student fees and admission requirements. “This is the biggest opportunity a student might ever have to push an issue which they care about,” said Joan Hemphill, director of university relations for CSSA. “This is the most powerful position a student could hold.” Applicants must be CSU students in good academic standing. They should also be able to attend all CSU board meetings and CSSA meetings,

which are held at various locations throughout the state. Organizers also suggest that applicants be familiar with CSU and be passionate about student advocacy. Applicants should also have one year of experience working in any facet of student government. “It doesn’t matter how involved you are,” said Dante Gomez, director of statewide affairs for Cal State Fullerton. “You don’t have to be a club president or political science major… as long as you know about clubs or organizations, you have a chance.” Gomez said he hopes that CSUF students will apply for the trustee posi-

tion. It would give the campus more leverage, he said, and a greater pulpit from which to voice campus concerns. Gomez sat on the application screening committee during last year’s search. The most successful candidates, he said, were those plugged into the campus community and who advocated popular student causes. Those who did not fare well, he said, were students seeking to promote their own agendas. State issues that are likely to surface in 2002-2004 include a proposed

Being constructive nRETROFITTING: Renovations are almost complete after nearly three semesters worth of dust By Annaliza Ganchingco Daily Titan Staff Writer

nCAMPUS: Georges Abou Zeid, Aaron terreri and Travon Owens are CSUF’s new student leaders By Theresa Salinas

Daily Titan Staff Writer Three members were voted onto the Associated Students governing board yesterday, marking the first time this semester that all board positions have

been filled. Georges Abou Zeid, Aaron Terreri and Travon Owens were unanimously elected to the AS Board of Directors during the regular board meeting. Zeid, a senior, will represent the College of Engineering and Computer Science. The engineering major is a transfer student from Notre Dame University in Lebanon. He has served in various leadership positions. He is currently president of Cal State Fullerton’s Peace International Club. Zeid said he hopes to establish better communication between his constituents and the AS board. Terreri, a senior, will represent the College of Business and Economics. The business major also held the post in fall 2000. He was elected to a second term, but took the fall 2001 semester off to study in Mexico. Terreri stated he vows to spend student fees responsibly and to avoid wasting university resources. Owens, a freshman, will represent the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. The biology major has been involved in student government since seventh grade. As a board member, he will advocate for AfricanAmerican students and underclassmen. “I’d like to give back to the school community,” Owens said. The board also took action on items related to the upcoming AS elections. Board members elected junior Suzette Escobar as Elections Commissioner for the spring 2002 semester. The communications major will work with the board to publicize AS elections, which will be held in late April. Escobar, a sales associate for Gap, Inc., has done public relations work for State Farm Insurance and Cosmopolitan magazine. The board also revised election bylaws, reducing the

AS BOARD/ 4

KATIE CUMPER/Daily Titan

Fibrwrap Construction, Inc. is reinforcing College Park for earthquakes. They will use SCH 51, a fiberglass with Kevlar, and carbon fiber to give the structure twice its strength to withstand earthquakes.

Cal State Fullerton is still in the process of renovating several buildings around campus. The main construction sites have been the Humanities Building and the Physical Education Building. Construction began five months ago on the Physical Education Building. A large portion of the landscaping in front of the building is blocked off so that construction workers may complete their assignment without disrupting students. Temporary walkways have been installed “What’s the for students and faculty going to and from the building. Added to the Physical point? Education Building will be 41 faculty offices, a 125-seat I have not lecture hall, seminar rooms, a wellness center, a gymnasium and more classrooms. Some noticed a students feel that the construction will be beneficial. difference.” “We are getting a new building out of it,” said student Kim Runciman. “The gym will be Davina better.” Rojsirivat, Renovations being done Psychology major on the Humanities Building include handicapped accessible bathrooms and new offices on the first floor as well as an earthquake-safe structure. The total cost for renovations to the Humanities Building is $926,000. The funds are coming from a state bond issue that was passed after the Northridge earthquake. The funds do not come from the school or students, said Ray Young, Associate Dean for the College of Humanities and Social Science. The construction is in its last phases Young said seismic renovations would be finished sometime in early April. The outside work should be completed by March 8. In order to make the building more earthquake safe, a 4 to 6-foot grade beam was placed under ground. A grade beam is a heavily reinforced concrete wall used to support the standing beams of the structure. Two large pillars were also built on the western end of the building. These pillars are known as the “lobster claws.” Under each “claw” are 18-inch thick, U-shaped, shear walls.

RETROFIT/ 4

Interracial relationships bring color to the nDIVERSITY: What once was a cultural taboo is now an intregal part of modern American family culture By Shannon Gladys

Daily Titan Staff Reporter

COURTESY OF JIM WOLCOTT

Terra Hill, 1, curiously opens presents with her father, Mark Hill, on her first Christmas.

tuition hike and a proposed limit on the amount of time students can take to complete remedial courses. Freshman Shawna Umlah would never consider running for the trustee position, but likes the idea that a student trustee is interceding for her at the state level. “I hope they would oppose an increase in student fees,” the child development major said. “I would also like them to secure more money for student grants.” Student trustee applications are available in TSU-207. Completed packets are due at 5 p.m. on Friday at: CSSA, 401 Golden Shore, Suite 135,

Just bring up Terra’s name and a proud smile spans her grandfather’s face. Terra Hill just celebrated her first birthday on Valentine’s Day and by her grandfather’s account she is determined and curious about her surroundings. Terra also comes from biracial parents. Her mother, Cindy, is white. Her father, Mark, is black. Grandfather Jim Wolcott, 55, of Anaheim, said it wasn’t relevant what race his son-in-law was. He treated his daughter well. And, he has a beautiful granddaughter. “Cindy and Mark got together partly because we raised our children with no sense of color,”

Wolcott said. “Both of our children have dated diverse people through the years. It has never been an issue.” Society and celebrities seem to have followed suit by accepting the fact that there is an interracial nation. On April 24, 1997, Tiger Woods told Oprah Winfrey, “I’m a ‘Cablinasian,’” speaking of his multiracial background. Almost 7 million people in the United States shared the same racial category as Woods in 2000, according to the U.S. Census. This category, called “The Two or More Races Population,” refers to people who chose more than one race category during the 2000 census. The number is 2.4 percent of the entire U.S. population. In a controversial move, the U.S. Census had to add this category to include those with more than one origin because this group of people had grown so much. Ten years prior, in the 1990 census, the opportunity to choose “more than one race” was not an option. Sociology professor Michael Perez said race

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is socially created; therefore it’s become socially relevant. “The fallacy about race is that in reality we are all a mixture of something,” Perez said. “The terms multiracial and biracial are socially important. It’s how we categorize ourselves. “The census 2000 had to adapt to the changing demographics. Now there is a new emphasis on being multiracial.” It wasn’t until 1967 that the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Loving v. Virginia that a ban on interracial marriage was unconstitutional. The law was overturned in Virginia and 15 other states (14 had already repealed similar laws). Still, a dozen states had the ban on interracial marriages on their books into the 1970s, though the laws were legally unenforceable. The most recent was Alabama, which removed the law from its books last November. There may be adverse emotional affects coming from mixed backgrounds. Perez said children don’t define themselves by race until they interact with public institutions and there can be psychological issues once they do.

INTERRACIAL/ 4

extras online n Check out the Daily Titan online this year at http:// dailytitan.fullerton.edu.

Check out video news clips on the Web site soon.

u p co m i n g n The Fullerton Arboretum

sprouts with excitement, as its spring gardens bloom early this year.

See news story on Thursday

2 Wednesday, February 27, 2002

two

A GUIDE TO WHAT’S HAPPENING

BRIEFS Kindergartners nurture love of reading The Hunt Branch Library will host “Kindergarten, Here I Am,” a special program offered by the Fullerton Library for kindergartners featuring story time highlighting many popular children’s books on every Monday at 4 p.m. beginning March 4. Old classics and many stories that are believed to become classics will be shared along with songs and crafts. A special selection of books will also be available to kindergartners to check out after story time. Children that attend four story times will get to choose a paperback book of their own for their personal collection. No registration is required. For more information, contact the Hunt Branch Library at (714) 738-3122.

Arbor Day tree planting program In observance of national Arbor Day, the City of Fullerton and Fullerton Beautiful Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to beautifying the community, will be sponsoring a tree-planting program from 9 a.m. until noon on March 16 at Emery Park. Volunteers are not required to register for the program in advance and are asked only to bring shovels, buckets and wear gloves and sturdy shoes. For more information, contact Dan Sereno, landscape maintenance superintendent for the City of Fullerton at (714) 738-6897.

New study proves CSU faculty dedicated A new comprehensive study, performed by the Social and

Amy Rottier Kathleen Gutierrez Robert Sage Collin Miller Gus Garcia Rita Freeman Trinity Powells Yvonne Klopping Melanie Bysouth Brian Thatcher Tiffany Powell Kimberly Pierceall Heather Baer Jaime Nolte Katie Cumper Adriana Escobedo Brian Miller Abigaile C. Siena Gus Garcia Jeffrey Brody Lori Anderson Editor in Chief Managing Editor News Sports Main Photo

278-5815 278-5693 278-5813 278-3149 278-2128 278-2991

Behavioral Research Institute at Cal State University, San Marcos, shows that standard teaching measures, which include number of classes, students and course preparation, have remained constant over the last decade and that student interaction is an important part of the faculty agenda. The study, directed by Richard T. Serpe and chartered by the CSU Academic Senate, the California Faculty Association, the CSU provosts and the CSU Chancellor’s Office, was designed to identify the ways that the work of the CSU’s 22,200 faculty members has changed in quantity and in quality during the past 12 years. The results were based on survey conducted in spring of 2001 with responses from a sample of over 2,500 CSU faculty members at 22 of the 23 campuses. The study showed that tenured and tenure-track faculty members, which constituted approximately two-thirds of those surveyed, work in excess of 50 hours per week; a two hours greater than in 1990. The study largely attributed this increase to an overall growth in the amount of time that faculty are spending on scholarly and creative activities and program development to meet the needs of the diverse population of students that they service. The study also attributed this growth to the involvement of CSU lecturers in the activities performed mostly by tenured and tenure-track faculty. For the complete study visit the Cal State University Web site at www.calstate.edu/datastore/CSU FacWrkldRpt.pdf.

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The Daily Titan is a student publication, printed every Tuesday through Friday. The Daily Titan operates independently of Associated Students, College of Communications, CSUF administration and the CSU system. The Daily Titan and its predecessor, the Titan Times, have functioned as a public forum since inception. Unless implied by the advertising party or otherwise stated, advertising in the Daily Titan is inserted by commercial activities or ventures identified in the advertisements themselves and not by the university. Such printing is not to be construed as written or implied sponsorship, endorsement or investigation of such commercial enterprises. The mail subscription price is $45 per semester, $65 per year, payable to the Daily Titan, College Park 670, CSUF, Fullerton, CA 92834. Copyright ©2002 Daily Titan

NEWS CALENDAR OF EVENTS Community The Curtis Theatre’s Premiere Series presents “Godspell” at the Brea Civic & Cultural Center from Feb. 22 through March 10. “Godspell” is a theatrical event based on the Gospel according to St. Matthew. Ticket prices are $17 for adults, $15 for seniors and $10 for children. Tickets may be purchased at www.curtistheatre. org or by calling (714) 990-7722. Parking is free. The 31st Annual Festival of Whales in Dana Point will feature activities, events and music

during the weekends of March 9 and 16. The musical series is free. For more information, call (949) 496-1094. The Fairplex in Pomona presents a show by the Millard Sheets Gallery Tuesday through Sunday, from Feb. 23 through March 31. This is its second post-Fair exhibit and will include a sculpture of Carl Milles. For more information, call (909) 8654262. The Fullerton Civic Light Opera presents the musical “The Scarlet Pimpernel” through March 3 at the Plummer Auditorium. For more informa-

tion, call (714) 526-3832. In honor of Black History Month, the Watts Village Theater Company presents “Weights,” a one-man play, at the Los Angeles Theater Center through March 17. Ticket prices are $20 for general admission and $15 for students and seniors. For more information, call (213) 4851681.

Campus The College of the Arts presents “Joseph Musil: The Ceremonial Magic of Theatre Architecture” through March 7 in the Main Art Gallery. Admission is free. For more information, call

(714) 278-7750. The Pollak Library hosts an exhibit of David Scharf’s most recent images through March 15 in the Atrium Gallery. For more information, call (714) 278-2633. The Department of Dance presents the Tony Award winning play “Dancing at Lughnasa,” from March 8-17 in CSUF’s Little Theatre. Tickets are available at the Performing Arts Center box office or by calling (714) 278-3371. The Department of Music presents a guitar master class with Antigoni Goni Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. in Room 117 at the

CALENDAR OF TRIVIA EVENTS WEDNESDAY

2002 Winter Olympics

U.S. athletes had home-field advantage in Salt Lake City

By a total of 34, Americans won 10 golds (four more than ever before), 13 silvers and 11 bronzes. Germany was the only country that did better, winning 35 medals (12-16-7); six more than any country had ever won at a Winter Olympics.

Hays, who took the silver and USA II, driven by Brian Shimer, who nabbed the bronze.

The total is nearly triple the previous best of 13 and well above the U.S. Olympic Committee’s expectations– a public prediction of 20 and a fingers-crossed goal of 27.

The long-track team won eight medals at the Utah Olympic Oval, equaling the 1980 squad as the most prolific in U.S. history.

The last U.S. Olympic medal in four-man bobsled was won by Art Tyler in the 1956 Cortina, Italy Games. He took a bronze. But history was rewritten in Salt Lake City. The 46-year medal drought was broken by USA I, driven by Todd

Side pusher Randy Jones and brakeman Garrett Hines, of USA I, became the first black men to medal at the Winter Games.

Derek Parra, who earned gold, and a world record, in the 1500m and silver in the 5000m, became the first Mexican-American to medal at the Winter Games. Though trailing in fifth place, short-track speedskater Steven Bradbury triumphed in the 1,000m

final when the four racers in front of him crashed on the final bend. Bradbury skated through the debris for Australia’s first ever Winter Olympic gold. Canada’s gold came 50 years to the day an amateur team called the Edmonton Waterloo Mercurys won the nation’s last Olympic gold. The Canadians’ victory ended the U.S. men’s team 70-year unbeaten streak on Olympic home ice– three days after the American women’s team also lost to Canada in the final. With her golden performance in the two-man bobsled, Vonetta Flowers, became the first black to win a gold medal-in Winter Olympic history.

4 Wednesday, February 27, 2002

NEWS

After four decades, cereal icon still sports his nPROFILE: As a man of many talents, Thurl Ravenscroft is most recognized as the voice of Tony the Tiger By Beth J. Passarella

Daily Titan Staff Writer The roaring voice behind Kellogg’s “Grrrreat!” Frosted Flakes, Thurl Ravenscroft, never imagined that one of his first commercials for Sugar Pops in the early 1930s would evolve into an opportunity to become the voice of the most famous breakfast cereal spokesperson ever — Tony the Tiger. “It has been an honor that I have had for nearly 40 years,” Ravenscroft said. Ravenscroft, who moved from Nebraska to Hollywood in 1933 to study set design at the Otis Art Institute, enjoyed theater and music as an adolescent, but always thought of them as hobbies, not potential careers. But after working with Walt Disney, Bob Hope, CBS Radio, Elvis Presley and Bing Crosby, his destiny had definitely been found. After beginning his coursework at OAI, Ravenscroft began attending parties and events associated with the institute. His flair for comedy was demonstrated when he performed at one of the parties. Sir Guy Standing, a well-established British actor, saw Ravenscroft’s performance and suggested he get into show business. In the mid-1930s, Hollywood was primarily producing musicals. Paramount was auditioning studio singers, so Ravenscroft auditioned. “I thought I’d try auditioning and figured I could always go back to the art if it didn’t work out,” Ravenscroft said. “I never went back.” He started doing announcements and radio programs for large Hollywood radio broadcasts. Soon his shows were picked up by CBS and broadcast several times throughout the week. Ravenscroft went on to form the Sportsmen Quartet, which

INTERRACIAL n from page 1 “There may be special circumstances because we’ve developed this system of class,” Perez said. “It is one thing to be a minority, it’s another to be a racially ambiguous minority. In their everyday lives they may not be perceived as an insider in black society.” Perez added, “Society has become more accepting. The contemporary problems are subtler than they used to be. Coming from a biracial background may be perceived as attractive or more exotic.” Regarding his granddaughter, Wolcott said, “I don’t have any concerns for her. We have become an interracial society. Race will become a non-issue.” Joniah Vargas, 21, of Wildomar also comes from a multiracial family. Her mother is black and her father is Puerto Rican. She moved to

RETROFIT n from page 1

BETH PASSARELLA/Daily Titan

Ravenscroft, a Fullerton resident, has been the voice of many characters for companies such as Disney and

was featured on “The Jack Benny Show.” After living in California for a few years, Ravenscroft decided he wanted to learn how to fly. He and another member of his quartet bought planes and found another passion. In 1942, he enlisted in the military to serve on the Air Transport command. “When I enlisted, they said that a problem with my eyes prevented me from flying in the military,” Ravenscroft said. “In order to enlist, I had surgery done. After the surgery I interviewed with Washington intelligence and joined the Air Transport command.” Ravenscroft was part of an exclusive group of pilots who flew special missions overseas, including the transportation of General George Marshall and Winston Churchill. He was in attendance at the Algiers Conference where the invasion of France was determined. Ravenscroft also flew his friend, Hope, to entertain the troops.

“I remember when Bob got in the plane, looked at me and said, ‘Can’t I get away from you?’” Ravenscoft said. “We’d worked together many times back in Hollywood.” While stationed in Washington, Ravenscroft met his future wife, June, an assistant chief hostess for Trans World Airlines. “I was training other flight personnel when she and I met,” he said. “We were married three weeks later in her hometown in Virginia.” The couple then moved back to Hollywood and Ravenscroft formed another quartet, the Mellomen. The group became part of the Walt Disney film productions and was featured in “Alice in Wonderland,” “Davy Crockett,” “Zorro” and “Lady and the Tramp.” “I remember Walt called us up and said that every B-movie he had seen has a prison scene with a quartet singing,” Ravenscroft said. “So for ‘Lady and the Tramp’ he wanted to have four dogs in the pound howling in four-part harmony to the

tune of ‘Home Sweet Home.’ We worked on it for hours and hours. Finally, Walt listened to the finished product in the theater and tears rolled down his cheek. He told us not to change a thing.” Ravenscroft’s voice can also be heard on many rides at Disneyland, from Fritz the German Parrot in the Tiki Room, to the singing bust in the Haunted Mansion. He has done narrations such as Dr. Seuss’ television special “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and has narrated the “Glory of Christmas” at the Crystal Cathedral every year since 1981. Ravenscroft, born in 1914, still records the voice of Tony the Tiger for Kellogg’s. The company pays for a limousine to pick him up for the recording sessions. “Frosted Flakes have been the topselling breakfast cereal for the last 40 years or so,” he said. “I was invited to a dinner in Chicago and was seated next to the president of Kellogg’s. He told me, ‘I don’t know if you realize

A shear wall is a structure that allows the building to move without cracking or buckling during an earthquake. This helps support the building and make it earthquake safe. The same kind of construction was also done to Langsdorf Hall last year. Some students feel that the construction site is a bit of an inconvenience, as they have to walk a little bit out of their way to get into the building. “The fencing gets in the way,”

AS BOARD n from page 1 spring 2002 election period from four days to two, and allowing undeclared students to run for board positions. “Undeclared students are usually freshmen or sophomores,” said board member Christine Terrisse. “This is a benefit for students because they can get to know the school and about leadership through serving on the board.” Cal State Fullerton’s new athletic director, Brian Quinn, also spoke during the meeting about the future of the athletics program. Quinn returns to CSUF from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, where he directed the athletics program . One of Quinn’s first tasks was to determine whether the CSUF wres-

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Wildomar from Los 0Angeles when she was 9 years old. “Moving out here was completely different,” Vargas said. “It was 80 percent white, there are a few Mexicans and a handful of blacks. But I never experienced any prejudice or racial comments. I never felt any different than anyone else.” Because she doesn’t speak Spanish, she occasionally receives comments that she is not Spanish or Puerto Rican, however, she is very proud of her mixed heritage. In this day where the census must include a category to accommodate the increasing population of multiracial individuals intolerance may not be an option. Wolcott sums up his feelings on lack of tolerance. “If people have a problem with it… it’s their problem. It isn’t a matter of color, it’s a matter of person,” he said. “All people have to take responsibility for themselves. It’s not a matter of being trapped, it’s a matter of being said David Zanerick, a student taking classes in the Humanities Building. However, students will feel a sense of relief when the fencing comes down within the next couple of weeks. The most recent retrofitting construction has begun on College Park, across the street from the main campus. Changes will be made to the basement and exterior of the building. But for some students, the renovations are not the big concern for students. “What is the point?” said Davina Rojsirivat, a psychology major. “I have not noticed the difference.” tling team merited continued funding. After scrutinizing the program, he decided to keep it. “Rather than cut the program,” Quinn said, “I’d like to find ways to increase revenue. We’re going to keep wrestling and make it into a national power.” Quinn has similar hopes for all sports programs on campus. He said he would push teams to be successful. To increase morale, he will start a hall of fame and give championship watches to teams that capture championship titles. Quinn also said that he would like to upgrade the gym, by refinishing the floor and installing 1,000 new seats. In other business, the Statewide Affairs Committee was renamed the Lobby Corps. Statewide Affairs Director Dante Gomez said the name

Wednesday, February 27, 2002

Questioning

Calling Story By Melanie Bysouth Photos Courtesy of Bysouth Family

Me with my dad, the man who has always encouraged me. Standing on the field, the scent of freshly cut grass swirls in the air. The screams of the crowd echo through the stadium as the quarterback yells the next play to the offensive line. While waiting for their time on the field, the players clap their hands and shout “Come on defense” to their anxious teammates. From deep inside his own territory, the quarterback throws a long pass and a defensive back leaps into the air, nabbing the interception. As the defense rushes onto the field, the aroma of sweat drifts past me. While the night air cools, a chilling breeze begins to blow the blue and yellow ribbons dangling from cheerleaders’ ponytails. The bright lights illuminate the field, and the offense prepares for a third-down conversion. Standing on the sidelines, the action is far away yet with another long pass, a cluster of 6-foot tall, 200-pound athletes is suddenly rushing towards me. Leaping back faster than I could ever run, I avoid what would have been an extremely painful collision by only seconds. In that moment, in that rush of adrenaline, I am thrilled to be a sportswriter. Sports have always fascinated me. From the incredible talent and passion of the athletes to the dedication and emotion of the fans. It amazes me that a baseball player can swing a wooden bat and hit a ball that is traveling at 90-miles-an-hour. I sometimes cannot believe the passes that wide receivers catch while they are surrounded by defensive ends. Watching an ice skater fly through the air, I am mesmerized by the meticulous choreography and triple toe loops. While the athletes impress me with their ability, long time sports fans impress me with their memory. I can never quite believe all the things that people know. First baseman for the 1947 New York Yankees. Wide receiver for the 1967 Cleveland Browns. Pass completion ratio of Joe Montana. I know none of these things. And when it comes to sports themselves, I was never much of an athlete. I can’t catch. I can’t throw. I can’t hit a ball with a bat. I have never kicked a goal, or even come close. But I want to be a sportswriter. I want to be in the press box. I want to stand on the sidelines. I want to be as close to the action as the players themselves. And when the game is over, I want to write about it. There is nothing like being at a sporting event and as a sportswriter, I become part

of the game. But there are those moments when I am afraid. Self-doubt replaces confidence and I begin to wonder if sportswriting is a career I am capable of. I have always been told that I can be whatever I want to be. But can I be successful, writing about something I can’t do? I might be a quick learner but how quickly can I learn everything I need to know about sports? And while I wonder if I have the ability to be a sportswriter, perhaps because I am a woman, I often meet men who feel the need to test that ability. How do you think this years’ Mets compare to the 1978 team? How do you like the trade the 49ers just made? How would Jordan do in a game against Chamberlain? These are all things that I would like to know, but I don’t. And, ironically, I don’t need too. I can be a successful sportswriter without knowing Babe Ruth’s batting average. And anything I don’t know, I can learn. I may not always know the answers but I know where I can find them. Yet when I am attacked by a barrage of questions, I forget all that. I become nervous and scared. After a comment like, “You want to be a sportswriter and you don’t know that,” I start to wonder if I should start looking for a new career. But then I look at my stories. I see the precision with which I write and I know that I can do it. I sit on the edge of my seat watching baseball on television and I want to be there. I stand on the sidelines of a football game and I can’t imagine doing anything else. So I may not know who won the ‘58 World Series but I know I can be sportswriter. I am not afraid of sports. I am not afraid of a challenge. And I know that, given time, I will figure everything out. I will study. I will learn. I will remember. My passion for sports will come through in the detail I will put into every story I write. And each story will always contain the most specific of details that maybe even the sports fanatics don’t know.

My press pass for the Press Enterprise.

4 Wednesday, October 4, 2002

PERSPECTIVES

PERSPECTIVES

Wednesday, October 4, 2002

5

Wednesday, February 27, 2002

Titans get lost in Long

nTENNIS: Fullerton comes up short, but manages to avoid a shutout, at CSULB Wednesday By Deborah Germinaro Daily Titan Staff Writer

A Titan women’s tennis win against the 49ers, last Wednesday at Long Beach, was as hard to find as the courts themselves. The area surrounding them was so quiet you would scarcely think that somewhere, very near, there was a Big West Conference match being played. Then you finally came upon the faint sounds of tennis shoes screeching, tennis rackets snapping and tennis balls slamming. The sounds belonged to both schools but it was the undefeated 49ers who came up with the win, beating Cal State Fullerton 5-1. “It went like I was expecting,” Titan coach Bill Reynolds said. “We tried some new doubles match-ups. I thought it might work out but I’ll probably just go back to the old doubles teams.” The crowd seemed to be holding

their breath as they watched the two Ana’s, Titan Ana Iacob and 49er Ana Dvornikova, battle it out for the win. However, it was freshman sensation Carla Rocha who helped CSUF avoid a shutout by standing out as the only Titan victor. Rocha started out the season playing in the number three position for CSUF but has since moved up to number two. “[Rocha] and Ana (who is currently playing in the number one position) are very close in practices, although Ana seems to win more in practices and has more experience,” Reynolds said. “Ana is very comfortable at number one. Whether she wins or loses, she likes the challenge.” Reynolds admits to have considered moving Rocha to the number one position. “I was feeling good,” Rocha said. “I wasn’t worried about the outcome, just playing my best. I tell myself not to worry just play my best and don’t

get tight because that’s what usually happens.” In addition to the usual pre game warm-ups and stretching Rocha explains how she must also prepare herself mentally, which is her biggest nemesis. “My game is mostly mental,” Rocha said. “I have to worry about my mental state, not my tennis skills. I don’t want to psyche myself out mentally, because I know I can do it physically.” Rocha’s playing has stood out in both scoring and execution but she said she does not let the pressure get to her. “I’m used to pressure because I’ve played tennis my entire life,” Rocha said. “Actually, I’m excited because I’ve been playing so well my freshman year.” The results in Long Beach brought CSUF to an overall season record of 3-5 and a Big West record of 0-2. Reynolds explains how Adriana Hockicko’s injury has changed this seasons’ player positions.

“Adriana is trying to come back from a knee injury that she suffered in the fall,” Reynolds said. “Last year she played number three for us but now she’s playing number six, and struggling at that. And her mobility is very limited but she wants to try it. She’s a trooper, I’ve got to give her that. The more she plays the more she improves but she’s still not 100 percent.” The Titans can put Long Beach behind them now as they look forward to the 13 game home stand. The first home game leads off this Friday at 1:30 p.m. against Portland State University whose regular season record is 0-10 and conference record is 0-3. Even though Portland has an unimpressive record Reynolds explains the team does not take any game for granted. “We prepare for every match the same way,” he said.

The Cardinal still out of Fullerton’s grasp nSOFTBALL: Titans fall twice to Stanford while closing NFCA Leadoff Classic with a 2-3 record By Brian Thatcher

Daily Titan Asst. Sports Editor The Cal State Fullerton softball team had its ups and downs this weekend at the NFCA Leadoff Classic in Columbus, Ga., and it seems that they are beginning to develop a bit of a nemesis in No. 2 Stanford. The No. 14 Titans (8-8 overall) ended the tournament with a 2-3 record. Two of the losses came at the hands of the Cardinal, including the elimination loss on Sunday. The weekend, however, started on a positive note. Friday, Junior Jodie Cox pitched her third career no-hitter as CSUF beat No. 25 University of Massachusetts, 6-0. Cox (3-3), who did not allow a base runner until a two out walk in the fifth, was masterful in her performance. She struck out 14 batters while allowing only the one walk. “Our pitching staff was dominant all weekend long,” Titan coach Michelle Gromacki said. “They put us in position to win and were outstanding.” Cox’s teammates backed her up with a strong performance of their own. Senior Monica Lucatero went 2-3 with a double, a home run and two RBIs. Junior Amy LaRocque hit her first home run of the season while going 3-4 and knocking in two. Junior Kristy Halagarda went 2-4, including a single in the third that lead to her first RBI of the season. The Titans also got good news in the fifth when All-American catcher, Jenny Topping, saw her first action of the season. The junior, sidelined since the beginning of the season due

to an injury she suffered to her shoul- complete game one-hitter, striking der in the off-season, drew a walk in out nine and walking three. a pinch-hit appearance. The game was a pitcher’s duel The Titans next faced the Cardinal, until the Titans were down to their and were simply overfinal out in the bottom of powered, losing 6-1. the sixth. “Even though we Senior Yasmin “We were lost, we played them Mossadeghi was the first tough,” Lucatero said. to get on board, reaching “We know we can beat making good base on an error. them or any other top 10 Missouri pitcher Erin team.” contact with Kalka then loaded the Stanford pitcher Tori bases on back-to-back Nyberg, who shut down walks. the ball all Fullerton in their 2-1 That brought up loss to the Cardinal on junior Amanda Hockett Feb. 15, again put on who drove a ball deep weekend. a dominating pitching down the left field line performance. for a grand slam and a But we hit The Titans narrow4-0 lead. ly avoided a shutout Oaks helped herself it right at when red shirt freshout later in the inning man Jocelyn Evans took with a two-run double, Nyberg deep for a home to make the score 6-0. them a lot run, which was her first The win moved the hit as a Titan. Titans into the No. of the time.” 8 seed of the Gold But it was too little, too late as senior Christy Championship bracket Robitaille (1-3) suffered and a match up with Monica the loss. She went the bracket No. 1 seed, distance, giving up 11 Texas A&M. Lucatero, hits, while striking out CSUF, however, did Titan softball six and walking three. not stay in the chaminfielder Stanford got on the pionship bracket for board in the first with very long. The Aggies, who beat Fullerton 3-2 a two-run home run by in their first meeting of Jessica Mendoza. The the season on Feb. 9, Cardinal then added two in the fifth and two in the seventh to handed the Titans their second loss of the tournament, 3-1. take the win. The teams were scoreless through The Titans finished pool play on Saturday with a win over Missouri, three and, after the Aggies put up their first run in the bottom of the 6-0. Junior Gina Oaks (4-2) pitched a fourth, sophomore Brittany Ziegler

put the ball over the center field fence in the top of the fifth to tie the game up at 1-1. In the bottom of the inning however, the Aggies got to Cox who got the nod as starter and she gave up two more runs. Robitaille then relieved Cox and stopped the bleeding. But the Titan bats went silent the rest of the game, and Cox suffered the defeat. With the loss, Fullerton entered the consolation bracket to face Stanford once again. The game was closer than the previous meeting but the result was the same as the Titans came up just short, 1-0. Oaks had another strong outing in the loss. She notched eight strikeouts while walking only three in the complete game two-hitter. But one of those hits was a costly home run to Stanford’s Sarah Beeson in the bottom of the sixth that was the difference in the game. Fullerton was only able to scatter four hits throughout the game, and never mounted a real scoring threat. The loss eliminated the Titans from the tournament. “We were making good contact with the ball all weekend,” Lucatero said. “But we hit it right at them a lot of the time.” CSUF will go from one Pac-10 powerhouse to another Wednesday as they travel to take on No. 1 UCLA. “We’re excited to play them,” Lucatero said. “The momentum from Sunday will carry over to Wednesday. We’re pumped up.”

Planned Parenthood 2x3

CSUF finds win with nBASKETBALL: Titans take control as cohesive team effort leads to victory By Heather Hampton

Daily Titan Staff Writer The Titan women’s basketball team sharpened their tusks and hit the road last week to wrestle for the final slot in Big West Conference tournament beginning March 6 in Anaheim. The Titans faced the Pacific Tigers in Stockton last Friday. The Tigers clawed through the Titans and won, 70-61. Yet the Titans weren’t so eager to give in to an easy defeat. “I think Pacific is very talented,” Fullerton coach said Barbara Ehardt. “Boy we handled them well.” Ehardt said there was a lot of pressure going into last week’s games, especially with the Big West tournament just a week and a half away. She knew Pacific would be tough but her team continued to play well. “Meghann Keathley really handled herself well,” Ehardt said of her freshman point guard. “She looked competitive.” The Tigers led 55-35 with 10:59 remaining in the game, when Pacific slipped off the boards and the Titans went on a 12-0 run. “I had all my substitutes in at that time so I was thinking I better take them out before Fullerton takes the game away from us,” Tiger coach Sheri Murrell said. “Fullerton did a great job down the stretch and our substitutes did not react well to it.” Pacific came back with an 8-2 run to regain their lead to 63-49, but Fullerton continued to fight back as they cut the lead by six points with 2:25 left on the final clock. Tiger sophomore Andrea Nederostek outsmarted the Titan defense when she completed a 15-foot jumper and came back with an offensive rebound to put the Tigers back in control. Pacific earned the victory with the help of Gillian d’Hondt and Selena Ho who collected 19 points each. Allyson Parks had 18 points for the Titans and Tamara Quinn was the only other Titan in double digits with 10 points. “On a scale of one to 10,” Murrell said, “I though we were

a four. That’s to the credit of Fullerton.” Ehardt said the Titans spent all their practice time preparing for Sunday’s game against Cal State Northridge. And that’s where the Titans triumphed as they defeated the Matadors- 7163. “We were pretty much in control,” Ehardt said. “It was truly, truly a team effort.” Although the Titans trailed the Matadors 9-0 with five minutes off the clock in the first half, Sotero came back with a layup. The Titans took their first lea,18-17, with nine minutes left when Quinn shot up a jumper. The Titans remained in control and lead by as many as 15 points in the second half. “Sotero was a key in offense,” Matador assistant coach, Kenneth Turner said, Ehardt said that her posts Heather Hansen, Allison Parks and Rochelle Ortega did a phenomenal job. Hansen had 18 points and four rebounds while Ortega had 12 rebounds. Tamara Quinn also controlled the Titan scoreboard with 15 points. “This was one of our better weeks of basketball this year,” Ehardt said. Turner added that Quinn got hot and she was a great scorer who was very confident. “We were expecting to beat the Titans,” Turner said. “You want to expect to win whenever you step on the floor. You plan to win. You expect to win.” Turner said the Matadors started off with a lot of intensity. But he thought the Titans played with a lot more hunger. Northridge was led by center Jenny Shetters who scored 17 points and guard Sha’Tasha Allen who added 14. The Titans completed a season sweep over the Matadors and improved their to 4-21 overall and 2-12 in conference and puts them in the possible position for the Big West tournament. “It would appear that we’re in the driver’s seat,” Ehardt said.

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Brians 2x8 UV 2x5