Volume 64 | Issue 12 | April 28, 2017
Rugby club – First club sports team competes against schools.
Succulent survival guide – How-to on extending plant life.
L I F E S T Y L E , p g. 4
S P O R T S , p g. 9
Humanizing the Badge – OPS professor and police officer works on Netflix documentary.
A & E , pg . 7
CBU dresses to impress, revamps logo design BY CAITLYN LLOYD STAFF WRITER
Courtesy of CBU Athletics
The cheer team performs their NCA Championship routine in the Van Dyne Gym April 1. The routine allowed them to secure first place and their fifth consecutive national title. The program boasted its fifth title along with its first-ever stunt group championship title, claiming first and third place.
Cheer brings home fifth-straight gold BY STEPHANIE PADILLA STAFF WRITER
California Baptist University’s cheer team took home its fifth straight National Cheerleaders Association Championship title in the Division II All-Girls category, April 7, remaining undefeated since 2013. Tami Fleming, head coach of
the cheer team, said the feeling of winning the NCA Championship was beyond incredible. “This is the fifth year in a row CBU’s cheer team has taken first in the NCA, but this year’s win (was) much more special than last year’s. Our routine at NCA was the best out of the season,” Fleming said.
Additionally, for the first time ever, two stunt teams went home with trophies. One team took home the group stunt title, while the other team placed third. One group achieved a zerodeductible routine to place first with a score of 54.60 for the first time in CBU history.
The first-place cheerleading stunt group was made up of Taylor Contratto, sophomore exercise science major and flyer, Taylor Frasca, sophomore kinesiology major and backspot, Dazmyn Dull, junior kinesiology major and base, and
SEE CHEER | PAGE 8
As California Baptist University transitions into a Division I university, CBU Athletics will be making logo changes to stand out against other schools in the Western Athletic Conference. Soon to be competing in the WAC, the program is making noticable changes from the traditional lowercase “cbu” logo to block uppercase lettering to match with most collegiate logos, giving a stronger appearance to the team uniforms and athletic apparel. Dr. Mark Wyatt, vice president of marketing and communication, is head of the design and processes for all athletic team uniforms and fan apparel then will slowly integrate the new logo per his instruction. The athletic department branding statement, “Purpose. Driven. Champions.” was put into effect one year ago,to complement the university phrase, “Live Your Purpose.” The next step is creating the new logo and integrating it into the athletics programs without disturbing the university seal and logo, which will retain the
same lowercase “cbu” writing. Micah Fuller, associate athletic director for marketing and media relations, said not only does the design matter, but all color combinations that are sketched out must be approved. Even the specific shade of navy and gold is taken into consideration. The subtle changes, such as the “CBU Crazies” design, will also undergo a minor alteration to complement the new design. “(The goal is to) try to find a theme and continuity and simplicity,” Fuller said. The new design is expected to be a bolder look and add to the overall aesthetic of CBU Athletics. “The new logo makes a bigger and bolder statement when we are competing against opposing teams,” said John Glenn, freshman communication studies major and member of the baseball team. “When you look good, you play good and this logo will stand out when our athletes take the field or court.” The Sports Information Department will be collaborating with Wyatt and Fuller in the logo redesign.
Students remember, love Stump BY KAITLYNN LABIT MANAGING EDITOR
“If you did not know Dylan, he was known for his warm hugs, his loveable grin and his contagious laugh. If I could describe Dylan with one trait, it would be love. He loved everybody and everybody loved him. He loved his family, his friends and he especially loved God,” said Lucas Mitose, freshman healthcare administration major, about his best friend, Dylan Stump, 19-year-old freshman computer science major. Stump was involved in a minor fender-bender on Interstate 22 April 13. The accident disabled his car and it would not start, leaving him stuck on the freeway, inside his car and with his hazard lights on. While awaiting the arrival of his family and California Highway Patrol, a car swerved to avoid hitting Stump’s idle car. The truck behind the car that swerved then hit the back of Stump’s car at 60 mph. According to the CHP, Stump was driving east on I-22 near Harbor Boulevard on his way to his home in Long Beach. The accident
occurred at approximately 9:44 p.m. The accident caused Stump to go into a coma. He was transferred to the intensive care unit at the University of California — Irvine Medical Center. At the hospital, Stump died April 16 of injuries sustained from the accident. More than 70 people comprised of Stump’s family, members from choir, friends, nurses, doctors and strangers gathered Easter Sunday for prayer and worship. “I can certainly say (the Easter Sunday gathering) was the most powerful, beautiful and non-traditional Easter service of which I have ever been a part,” said Chris Schulte, sophomore kinesiology major and Stump’s former FOCUS leader. “In the midst of Dylan’s death, we had hope in the fact Jesus conquered death.” Some residents of Smith Hall and Stump’s hallmates visited Stump at the hospital and united in prayer and hope with arms around each other as they surrounded Stump’s hospital room. “A memory forever branded in my head – 15 men, arms
locked together, surrounding Dylan’s bed,” said Luke Brungardt, freshman international studies major and hallmate. “Tears flowed freely as we spoke of his worth. His hugs were the greatest, though upon meeting Jesus, Dylan met someone who could hug better than him.” Austin Romito, freshman undeclared major, was a hallmate and close friend of Stump. “He had a genuine concern for others. He gave big, warm hugs to anyone who wanted them, and I’m sure anyone who knew him saw one of his classic smirks at some point,” Romito said. “Our friendship was defined by the most basic circumstances, but it encompassed the most meaningful and powerful aspects of a family — eager and relentless love and compassion. Romito said he knows Stump’s life made an impact so noticeable it was recognized by strangers. “I’ve only known him for eight months but he made a lasting impact on my life and on so many other people,” Romito said. “I talked to one of the nurses last night (April 18) and he said out of their seven years working here, the groups who
Photo Courtesy of Facebook
Shelby Stump (from left), Dan Stump, Kelly Stump, Dana Stump and Dylan Stump in a family photo. have come to see Dylan over the last couple days are the largest he has ever seen in the hospital. This is a small glimpse and testament to how many people Dylan impacted.” Sunny Robertson, freshman undeclared major, met Stump during TWIRP week at a brother-sister hall event. Roberson said she has spent the past four months getting to know Stump’s kind, sweet, caring and selfless personality. “He is like my best friend,” Robertson said. “Hanging out with him were some of the best moments of my life. I am so
thankful and honored to know and to love Dylan, as well as to be loved by him.” A memorial service was held April 22 at Grace Brethren Church in Long Beach. Visitation was from 10-11 a.m., the memorial service from 11 a.m.– 1 p.m., and the reception at 1 p.m. All were welcome to celebrate Dylan’s life and legacy. Instead of flowers, the Stump family asked for people to consider donations to a scholarship fund for the California Baptist University’s Collinsworth School of Music courtesy of Kim Cunningham with
the specification, “In Memory of Dylan Stump.” The GoFundMe page created raised over $44,000. A graduate from Long Beach Polytechnic High School, Stump was a volleyball player and sang in his high school choir. After high school, Stump continued singing as a part of the Male Chorale at CBU. Dana Stump, Dylan’s mother, said he was able to donate his organs to save and further people’s lives. Stump is survived by his parents, Dan and Dana Stump, and his sisters, Kelly and Shelby.
Virtual kidnapping phone scam scares students, Americans BY KAITLYNN LABIT MANAGING EDITOR
“I answered ‘Hello?’ — and ‘Mamma,’ in scream. A man phone and said, an incident and
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the phone – then I heard, a terrifying came on the ’There’s been we have your
daughter,” said 60-year-old Laura Bontrager. She received a phone call from Mexico March 28 around 6 p.m. from a man who said he had her daughter hostage with a gun to her stomach. A young woman screamed for help in
the background. He didn’t use her daughter’s name, but her maternal instinct told her the cries were from her youngest daughter, Juliana Bontrager, junior graphic design major and design editor for The Banner. The only way he would let
Juliana go, he said, was to wire him ransom money. Laura panicked. There was one catch Laura would not know for two harrowing hours – none of it was true. The man explained he had
taken Juliana hostage because she witnessed a crime. “He asked me, ‘Do you know what child molestation is?’ I said, ‘Yes,’” Laura said, “and he said, ‘Well, some of my men got carried away (with a child) and your daughter saw some-
thing she shouldn’t have. She screamed to call attention to it and now she’s in trouble (with us),” Laura said. The man on the phone
SEE KIDNAPPING | PAGE 3
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