January 24, 2017

NEVADA SAGEBRUSH SERVING THE UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA, RENO SINCE 1893

THE

FIRST COPY FREE, ADDITIONAL COPIES $1.00 EACH

NEWS in REVIEW

By Madeline Purdue

INTERNATIONAL PUPPIES SURVIVE ITALIAN AVALANCHE

TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2017

VOLUME 123, ISSUE 17

SHE THE PEOPLE

Rescue workers found three puppies alive five days after a deadly avalanche buried the Rigopiano Hotel in Farindola, Italy on Wednesday, Jan. 18.

The puppies belong to two dogs that lived at the hotel. They were born on Dec. 4. The two dogs also survived the avalanche.

They were found by rescue workers in the hotel’s boiler room in an air pocket, according to NBC. The dogs belong to the hotel’s owner, who is still missing.

All known survivors have been rescued as of Monday, Jan. 23, bringing the number of survivors to 11. The avalanche has killed six people and there are still 23 missing.

The survivors have shown signs of hypothermia, but do not have any life-threatening injuries. They were trapped in an air pocket in the hotel where they could breathe and the snow around them kept the area at a steady temperature.

Rescue workers are hoping they can find more survivors as rescue efforts continue.

NATIONAL EXTREME WEATHER IN SOUTH KILLS 20

People in the southeastern United States began to clean up the destruction of their homes on Monday, Jan. 23, after 41 tornadoes killed 20 people over the weekend.

The death toll across Saturday and Sunday was higher than in all of 2016 from extreme weather in that region.

Tornadoes were reported in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina. A state of emergency was called on Sunday in Georgia, where 15 people were killed.

“You can imagine putting a bomb in a mobile home and having it explode. That’s about what it looks like,” Buddy Duke, mayor of Adele, Georgia said to CNN. At least five people are still missing in Georgia, and officials expect the death toll to rise.

Officials in every state tried to prepare people for the incoming storms.

Extreme weather affected other parts of the country over the weekend, as well. Heavy rain and high winds were reported on the east coast and there were flooding conditions in the Los Angeles area.

LOCAL MERCURY LEVELS SPIKE IN STEAMBOAT CREEK

Mercury levels in Steamboat Creek have spiked 1,000 percent after floods in the Reno area on Jan. 8, according to the Regional Transportation Commission.

The increase is due to the amount of soil that was churned around the creek. Public officials said the public is not at risk due to the increase and still complies with federal environmental regulations, as reported by the Reno Gazette-Journal.

Steamboat Creek runs through the Southeast Connector construction site. Residents around the site were concerned that the mercury level increase was due to the soil stored by the RTC for the project, but RTC insists that is not the case.

“The RTC is doing what they need to be doing and is in compliance with the regulatory controls we have established,” said Kristine Hansen, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project manager, to the RGJ. Mercury has been flowing through Steamboat Creek from Washoe Lake for 150 years because of mining in the Comstock area.

Madeline Purdue can be reached at mpurdue@sagebrush.unr.edu and on Twitter @madelinepurdue.

SPRING FLING 2K17

Jonathan Ly/Nevada Sagebrush

Demonstrators fill in Reno City Plaza during the Reno Women’s March on Washington, Saturday, Jan. 21. Around 10,000 people attended the peaceful demonstration.

Reno marchers reject ‘complacency’

By Rachel Spacek “Love not hate makes America great!” chanted a group of around 10,000 demonstrators as they marched against racism, sexism, homophobia and in support of equal rights for all in the Biggest Little City’s Women’s March on Washington.

The Reno Women’s March on Washington was part of an estimated 673 Women’s Marches that took place on Saturday after the inauguration of the 45th president of the United States, Donald J. Trump.

According to a Politico/Morning consult poll,

President Trump’s favorability was 46 percent at the time of his inauguration, the lowest favorability rating of any incoming president in modern history. For comparison, Bill Clinton’s favorability was 58 percent when he was sworn into office in 1992, George W. Bush’s favorability rating was 59 percent in 2000, and in 2008 Barack Obama had a 68 percent favorability rating.

According to a report by Politico, more people came out for the Washington D.C. Women’s March on Washington than came out for Trump’s inauguration the day before, and according to the Washington Post, over a million people gathered in

Washington and around the world in a demonstration of solidarity and inclusion.

In Reno, organizers Bridget Speer Loring, Mylan Hawkins and Tanja Hayes said they heard about the Women’s March on Washington in D.C. and wished they could go, but since they couldn’t they chose to try to organize a local march instead.

“The phrase ‘we are the ones we have been waiting for’ echoed in our minds as we saw the RSVP numbers on Facebook quickly increase from 40 to 60, 100, 500, and now over 2,000. We realized there

See MARCH page A2

Student defeats incurable disease

By Madeline Purdue Four years after being told there was no cure for her multiple sclerosis, Alexa Silvers is no longer living with the crippling disease.

At just 16 years old, Silvers was diagnosed.

“My leg just stopped working one day on the Strip,” Silvers said.

“I couldn’t really walk to the car and my ankle kept rolling. My leg was giving out. I ended up getting an MRI for what they thought was a pinched nerve, and it turned out that I had multiple sclerosis.”

According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, “Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system that disrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body.” Only 2 percent of children are diagnosed with this disease, which primarily shows up later in life.

Silvers was given a variety of

treatment options that had a 50 percent chance of slowing down the effects of her disease, but not completely stopping them. She was unresponsive to three of those treatment options and had to settle for injections of steroids that she could only use for two years.

“I felt really distanced from everyone,” Silvers said. “I felt like I had to keep it a secret because in high school people don’t really understand things. I felt left out of a lot of things because of my legs. I couldn’t go on the senior trip because I knew my legs couldn’t handle walking around Disneyland all day.”

Silvers surrounded herself with a support group of friends and family that helped her stay positive, no matter how bad it got. However, only a few people actually knew about her disease.

“It was really hard on me to stay

See STEM CELL page A3

Photo courtesy of ROBOCOPP

ROBOCOPP’s Sound Grenade is easily attached to student backpacks and keys. Their goal is to eliminate crime from college campuses.

Device aims to deter crime

By Rachel Spacek In an effort to provide students with a crime deterrent device that poses no threat to the victim or the attacker, a tech start-up in California invented a small personal alarm. ROBOCOPP has created two separate alarm devices the size of a USB drive that emits a piercing alarm when pulled.

According to Jill Turner, Public Relations Director for ROBOCOPP, the company’s Sound Grenade is a safer alternative to carrying a gun, pepper

spray or tasers.

“The point of the sound grenade is to prevent an attack, rather than engage in one,” Turner said. “Most people who carry a small weapon like a knife or pepper spray are not professionally trained, so they end up either harming themselves or harming their attacker. What we found is that with a loud alarm you can activate it from a safe distance to better deter

See DEVICE page A2

Sigma Nu national office revokes Delta Xi charter

By Rachel Spacek Sigma Nu Fraternity Inc. revoked the charter of the Delta Xi Chapter at the University of Nevada, Reno, due to chapter violations of the fraternity’s laws and policies, as well as the policies of UNR. The violated policies include alcohol and hazing-related violations

A4

that allegedly occurred during chapter activities.

The decision to revoke the chapter’s charter means that all activities and operations of the chapter will cease immediately, according to Brad Beacham, executive director of Sigma Nu Fraternity Inc. “In keeping with our mission of

WOMEN NEED BIRTH CONTROL

developing ethical leaders for society, Sigma Nu Fraternity will not tolerate such violations of its law, policies and principles,” Beacham said.

Last month, UNR announced that it had decided to ban the fraternity from campus for the next 15 years. The announcement came after the Office of Student Conduct finished its investiga-

A6

tion of Sigma Nu’s Delta Xi chapter. In its investigation, the Office of Student Conduct found that the chapter violated the school’s alcohol policy and the codes of conduct.

See FRATERNITY page A2

NORVELL MAKING MOVES

A7

@NevadaSagebrush | nevadasagebrush.com

A2 | NEWS

TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2017

NEVADA SAGEBRUSH

THE

Student voice of the University of Nevada, Reno, since 1893.

Volume 123 • Issue 17 Editor-in-Chief • Jacob Solis jsolis@sagebrush.unr.edu

News Editor • Rachel Spacek rspacek@sagebrush.unr.edu

Asst. News Editor • Madeline Purdue mpurdue@sagebrush.unr.edu

Sports Editor • Brandon Cruz bcruz@sagebrush.unr.edu

A&E Editor • Blake Nelson bnelson@sagebrush.unr.edu

Design Editor • Nicole Skarlatos nskarlatos@sagebrush.unr.edu

Photo Editor • Andrea Wilkinson awilkinson@sagebrush.unr.edu

Copy Editor • Dominique Kent dkent@sagebrush.unr.edu

Multimedia Editor • Bailey MeCey bmecey@sagebrush.unr.edu

Web Manager • Willis Allstead wallstead@asun.unr.edu

Illustrator • Zak Brady jsolis@sagebrush.unr.edu

Social Media Manager • Alana Ridge aridge@sagebrush.unr.edu

Staff Writer • Emily Fisher

Jonathan Ly/Nevada Sagebrush

Protestors march past the Reno City Court House on N. Virginia Street on Saturday, Jan. 21. Some people brought homemade signs to the Reno Women’s March on Washington.

efisher@sagebrush.unr.edu

Distribution • Michele Cardnuto jsolis@sagebrush.unr.edu

Distribution • Natalie Delbecq jsolis@sagebrush.unr.edu

Media Adviser • Blythe Steelman bsteelman@unr.edu

CONTRIBUTING STAFFERS Jonathan Ly, Shane Wickes

DISCLAIMER The Nevada Sagebrush is a newspaper operated by and for the students of the University of Nevada, Reno. The contents of this newspaper do not necessarily reflect those opinions of the university or its students.

It is published by the students of the University of Nevada, Reno, and printed by the Sierra Nevada Media Group.

ADVERTISING For information about display advertising and rates, please call the Advertising Department at 775-784-7773 or email adnevadasales@gmail.com.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letters can be submitted via email at jsolis@sagebrush.unr.edu

CORRECTIONS The Nevada Sagebrush fixes mistakes.

If you find an error, email jsolis@sagebrush.unr.edu

SOCIAL MEDIA The Nevada Sagebrush @NevadaSagebrush @SagebrushSports Nevada Sagebrush nvsagebrush nevadasagebrush.com

March

Continued from page A1

was a large number of local people who felt like us – wanting to show solidarity with those targeted and degraded during and after the election season,” Hayes said.

The Reno Women’s March on Washington Facebook event encouraged people of all races, gender identities and religious beliefs to attend the demonstration.

“I am marching to teach my daughter that you have to keep fighting no matter what,” said Rachel Ching, a demonstrator at the march.

Ching’s daughter, Marielle, stood next to her with a hand-made sign that read, “Strength in Solidarity.

Fighting racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, classism and xenophobia.”

“Silence is complacency; I will not do nothing,” Marielle said. “Doing nothing is saying this is all ok.”

“We hope that all the energy and enthusiasm displayed by the March participants and supporters will translate into sustained action in the years to come,” Hayes said. “We hope that people will choose to be active in the causes they feel strongly about, whether it concerns racism, sexism, reproductive choice, immigration, Islamophobia, the LGBTQIA community, climate change, health care, education, or any other pressing issue. So much good work is already being done in these areas, and we hope that march participants will find groups to connect with and work with.”

“I am marching for equality for all and so that my child doesn’t have to go back to what my mother had to go through,” said Katy Martinez, a marcher and graduate student at the University of Nevada, Reno.

Martinez said to follow-up her

activism at the march on Saturday for standing, speaking & marching Speakers at the Washington, D.C. she plans to work with and support for our values @womensmarch‪. march included feminist icon and Planned Parenthood and the AmeriImportant as ever. I truly believe writer Gloria Steinem, who urged can Civil Liberties Union on projects we’re always Stronger Together.” women to continue to be active, they are working on. She also plans The Women’s March on Washington and actress Scarlett Johansson, who to keep her eyes open for other local was originally established by four stressed the importance of supportprojects to help promote equality and co-chairs, Linda Sarsour, the execuing Planned Parenthood. human rights. tive director of the Arab American In Reno, Women’s March organizers “For people marching for the first Association of New York; Tamika said they hoped during the march time on Saturday, they might indeed Mallory, a political organizer and that attendees took note of the allies be more inclined to come out to other former director of the National Action and supporters they had coming out protests and marches,” Hayes said.

Network; Carmen Perez, an executive to march all around the country and ”But our real hope is that people director of The Gathering for Justice, the world. will do all the other work needed to and Bob Bland a fashion designer “And we won’t just march, we will effect change locally and around the who focuses on ethical manufacturtake further, long-term action to country – call their elected officials, ing. protect our brothers and sisters who write letters to the editor, get involved The march was originally called feel marginalized,” Hayes said. in the legislature to speak their minds the Million Women March, but the and voice their concerns. We believe organizers eventually chose to name Rachel Spacek can be reached at that if enough individuals come the Women’s March on Washington rspacek@sagebrush.unr.edu and on together on issues, we can move this after the original March on WashingTwitter @NevadaSagebrush. state and this country in a positive, ton, the historic civil rights rally led inclusive direction. Again, so much

by Martin Luther King, Jr. good work is already being done by hardworking individuals and groups, and we hope that march participants will find homes for their activism.”

Among the individuals marching for women’s rights were individuals marching for immigrant and racial minority rights.

Marching down Virginia Street, Angel Guzman held a sign that read, “No human being is illegal.”

“Trump thinks we are illegal, but no human being is illegal,” Guzman said.

“We are all here on earth. We are all contributing to society and we’re all equal here on earth.”

Despite the large turnout from marches in Washington, D.C. and the world, Trump largely ignored the protestors during his first full day in office. He made no mention of the protests and instead held a meeting with CIA employees where he falsely inflated the number of inaugural Jonathan Ly/Nevada Sagebrush attendees.

During the Reno Women’s March on Washington on Saturday, Jan. 21, marchers voiced Former Democratic Presidential their concerns via chants and signs. This sign refers to the White House’s refusal to nominee Hillary Clinton tweeted release President Trump’s tax returns. about the protest, saying, “Thanks

Sigma Nu Continued from page A1

In the university’s decision to suspend the fraternity, it gave the national leaders of the fraternity until the end of December to appeal the suspension. However, the national fraternity conducted their own investigation before releasing a statement on Jan. 10, saying they would revoke the chapter’s charter.

The investigation and eventual suspension of Sigma Nu followed the October death of a UNR student, Ryan Abele. Abele, 18, died at Renown Regional Medical

Device

Continued from page A1

a perceived threat.”

With the 79th Nevada Legislative session beginning next month, students at the University of Nevada, Reno, may find themselves involved in another conversation about a Campus Carry initiative. Last session, the Campus Carry bill was largely unpopular among students and faculty at UNR. In March 2015, hundreds of students at UNR staged a rally to demand that

Nevada lawmakers oppose AB 148, the Campus Carry bill sponsored by then-Assemblywoman Michele Fiore, a Republican from Las Vegas. The Campus Carry bill was passed in the assembly but never made it out of the legislature. Sen. Greg Bower said his judiciary committee would not hear the bill and killed it.

Part of the controversy over the bill came from UNR student Amanda Collins, who was raped on campus in 2007. Collins, who testified for Campus Carry in 2013, said she would have had the ability to defend herself against her attacker if she had been carrying a firearm.

Center 12 days after he fell down the basement staircase in the fraternity house.

Abele was rushed into surgery after the incident in order to stop the bleeding when a main artery in his brain ruptured.

After Abele’s death, University Police Services began an investigation into the fraternity and the death of Abele. The investigation was completed earlier this month.

“The series of events related to this death do not support probable cause for any felony or gross misdemeanor crime …” said University Police Chief Adam Garcia in a statement. “It is important to point out that the standard of proof required for a criminal charge is

During the debate, many university students and faculty still remained skeptical of the bill, even after Collins’ story, saying they thought the bill would have little effect on campus sexual assault or crime rates if it passed.

ROBOCOPP’s alarm devices allow students in universities across the United States to use the Sound Grenade instead of using campus carry.

There are two different devices from ROBOCOPP: the Sound Grenade, described as ultra compact for city use, and the Sound Grenade plus, which is more rugged for outdoor use.

much higher than that required for an administrative action, such as the imposition of ‘loss of recognition.’”

Though university police did not find probable cause for a crime, university officials and Sigma Nu Inc. stand by their decisions to ban the fraternity from the campus.

“We are appreciative of our strong, historic relationship with the University of Nevada, Reno, and are working directly with University officials to resolve all matters related to the chapter’s status as a student organization,” Beacham said.

Rachel Spacek can be reached at rspacek@sagebrush. unr.edu and on Twitter @NevadaSagebrush.

“The point [of the Sound Grenade] is to prevent attacks,” said Turner. “It has prevented muggings, it’s useful on college campuses. We made it ultra compact so it fits on your key.

It is really useful for students and commuters.”

According to Turner, a student from the University of California, Berkley, prevented a mugging at a train station using her Sound Grenade. The student said she was walking from the station to her car when two men approached her, asked for her money and said they had a gun. The student then pulled her Sound Grenade alarm and the men ran away.

Turner said with ROBOCOPP she hopes to eventually see crime become nonexistent. She hopes that with the devices, the likelihood of someone getting caught would eventually become 100 percent.

ONLINE

u

u To read more, go to nevadasagebrush.com Rachel Spacek can be reached at rspacek@sagebrush.unr.edu and on Twitter @NevadaSagebrush.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2017

NEWS | A3

@NevadaSagebrush | nevadasagebrush.com

Joining the sagebrush is just one click away.

You know you want to.

Photo courtesy of Alexa Silvers

Alexa Silvers undergoes stem cell transplant treatment to rid her of mulitple sclerosis at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago during the summer. Silvers was told by multiple doctors there was not a cure for her disease, but she was determined despite what she heard.

Stem Cell Continued from page A1

hopeful when I had doctors telling me all the time, ‘There’s no cure, your MS is aggressive.’ At one point my doctor even told me, ‘Your images look like the images of someone who should be in a wheelchair.’ I remember that terrified me, being 18 and someone telling me that I could be in a wheelchair within a few months. It’s just really hard to stay positive with that kind of message being spewed at me.”

Silvers was reading new articles about MS when she happened upon an article about a stem cell clinical trial in England that had a high success rate at curing MS. She quickly looked for similar trials in the United States and found one in Chicago with an 80 percent success rate.

“I had MS for three years at this point and none of my doctors had told me about anything like this, so it was just like how could this be a thing for so long and I never heard of it,” Silvers said.

She contacted the clinical trial and they asked her to come to Chicago to see if she would be a good candidate. She went over spring break of her freshman year at the University of Nevada, Reno.

After a few tests, she was deemed a candidate, but they were hesitant to admit her to the trial because of her age and the aggressive nature of her MS. They didn’t want to risk her being put in the placebo group, so they admitted her on a compassionate basis. It meant she would have to pay, but she would finally get the treatment.

However, her insurance company did not want to pay for this experimental treatment. After two denied appeals asking them to change their mind, she had to resort to the help of her family and friends.

She opened a Go Fund Me page asking for $115,000. Silvers said that was the amount of money they needed just to get in the door, not including travel, food and lodging. Her page blew up overnight and she raised the exact amount she needed.

“I felt very blessed and it was kind of this feeling of disbelief, the whole thing was a feeling of disbelief, from beginning to end,” Silvers said.

“Being told there was a cure and then being told it cost that much and then somehow ending up with that money and the whole time it was kind

of like wow this is really happening.”

She arrived at Northwestern Memorial Hospital on the Northwestern University campus in Chicago in July. After running more tests to make sure she was healthy enough to go through the treatment, she was admitted to the hospital for a round of chemotherapy.

Dr. Richard Burt told her during their second meeting that she would lose her hair during the treatment, which was something she didn’t expect to have to deal with.

“Dr. Burt was the first doctor who told me he could help me, and I had a chance at a normal, MS free life,” Silvers said. “Being MS free outweighed any other options.”

After her first round of chemotherapy, she was injected for a week with a medicine that made her stem cells grow at a faster rate. They were then separated from her blood and she went through another four rounds of chemotherapy to weaken her immune system.

While Silvers was going through chemotherapy, her doctors were wiping her stem cells of their memory of MS. When her immune system was weak enough, her stem cells were put back into her body. Within the next 10 days, her stem cells began multiplying and working. She was discharged and sent home MS free.

“Chemotherapy is really hard on your body,” Silvers said. “You feel weak and tired. I almost felt even worse after the treatment than I did going in. It took two months to get my energy back.”

Silvers is now back at UNR continuing classes to get her degree in nutrition. She said it will take another six months before she stops feeling the effects of chemotherapy. She also has symptoms of her MS when she gets sick, but she is used to handling them and is thankful she no longer has to deal with them all the time.

“Now going forward I don’t have to be so scared of what is going to happen,” Silvers said. “Before I was worried about when the next relapse is going to be. What is it going to do? Am I going to end up in a wheelchair? I just don’t have those fears anymore. I know my MS is stopped and I know I never have to worry about if I’m going to be able to walk or take care of myself. I don’t feel like my future has been robbed of me anymore.”

Madeline Purdue can be reached at mpurdue@ sagebrush.unr.edu and on Twitter @madelinepurdue.

Nevada protects wildlife with introduction of new state parks

By Emily Fisher Nevada, home to some of the nation’s most impressive mountain views, a vast desert and crystal blue lakes, will soon boast two new state parks.

The parks are part of a new initiative called Explore Your Nevada, announced by Gov. Brian Sandoval during his State of the State address one week ago. They will become the first new addition to the state park system in Nevada since 1996.

The first of the new parks, Walker River State Recreation Area, combines three historic ranch properties located along the East Walker River in Lyon County.

Having been purchased by the nonprofit Walker Basin Restoration Program and donated to the state, 12,000 acres of privately owned land and 24 miles of the Walker River will now be accessible to the public for the first time.

Valued at over $8 million, the new state recreation area will offer camping, fishing, hiking and cabins for rent.

The second state park will use 315 acres of land near the Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument to become the Tule Springs State Park.

“We can develop Tule Springs State Park into a special destination for all ages to learn about Nevada’s unique prehistoric habitat,” Sandoval said.

The park will also serve to protect the abundant paleontological treasures located at

the site.

The initiative also includes upgrades to existing state parks. New high-priority elements and amenities include full hook-up campsites, Wi-Fi enabled campgrounds and enhanced staffing.

These additions were all highly requested and are part of an effort to make Nevada a leader in a competitive state park system across the country.

Along with the $15 million rise in the budget for the state parks system, Sandoval also included funding to protect against invasive aquatic species in Lake Tahoe, reduce wildfire risk and improve storm water drainage in his budget.

“I don’t have to remind anyone about the duty we have to protect this awesome natural treasure and its world-famous clarity,” Sandoval said about Lake Tahoe.

Sandoval said during his State of the State address that after achieving his personal goal of visiting every state park in Nevada, he knew how important it was to preserve and share its beauty.

“I discovered pristine mountains, lakes and trails that moved me to share what I saw with the world,” Sandoval said.

Sandoval said he hopes that the new initiative will help to enhance outdoor experiences in Nevada.

Emily Fisher can be reached at efisher@sagebrush. unr.edu and on Twitter @NevadaSagebrush.

The best part? We like volunteers and sometimes we’ll even feed you pizza. If you’re fun, love journalism or just want to learn a new media skill, email us at jsolis@sagebrush.unr.edu.

Writers Photographers Multimedia Designers

J I

@NevadaSagebrush

The Nevada Sagebrush

L R @nvsagebrush

The Nevada Sagebrush

Arts&Entertainment arts PREVIEW 2k17 @NevadaSagebrush | nevadasagebrush.com

A4

TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2017

PACK N THE EVENTS THINGS TO WATCH OUT FOR THIS WEEK

By Joey Thyne

IRATION: LOST AND FOUND WINTER DATE: Tuesday TIME: 7:30 p.m.

LOCATION: Cargo at Whitney Peak INFO: The blizzard-like

conditions outside may be getting you down, but these Hawaiian Reggae vibes will warm you up.

Openers are Proteje and Zach Deputy. Tickets are going for $25.

MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL DATE: Tuesday TIME: 7:30 p.m.

LOCATION: Pioneer Center

for the Performing Arts INFO: This musical tells the true story of Berry Gordy who left the life of being a professional boxer to become a music mogul and transform the world.

The show runs through Jan. 29 and tickets are going for $41.

MOANA DATE: Thursday TIME: 6 p.m.

LOCATION: Joe Crowley

Student Union INFO: The Disney animated musical was not only revered by critics, but children and adults alike.

If you missed it while it was in theaters but still want to enjoy the theater experience, come to the Joe on Jan. 26. Entrance is free and snacks and beverages will be provided to all UNR students in attendance.

TERMINATION DUST DATE: Friday TIME: 8 p.m.

LOCATION: The Holland

Project INFO: This Alaskan low-fi indie band is about to rock the Holland Project with their dreamy bedroom pop. The opening acts are anti-folk band People with Bodies and post-punk band Pry. The show costs $5, starts at 8 p.m., and is open to all ages.

RINK ON THE RIVER DATE: Friday TIME: 7 p.m.

LOCATION: Rink on the

River INFO: Sure it's frigid

outside, but when life gives you lemons...go ice skating.

As one of the many lovely Welcome Back Week events, the kind folks at UNR's very own ASUN have booked the rink for students to go skating.

Plan a romantic date or get a group of friends and let loose.

Joey Thyne can be reached at joeythyne@gmail.com or on Twitter @joey_thyne

Photographer/Nevada Sagebrush

Center: A snapshot of Downtown Reno signifies the art district.

Left: A sculpture by a Reno artist is on display.

Middle: Local rapper Lil' Traffic Performs at the Holland Project.

Right: Band performs at Offbeat, a local festival.

By Joey Thyne A great man once said, “What a time to be alive.” (it was Drake) But just because it was said over a Metro Boomin beat doesn’t make it any less true. We live in strange and trying times. The internet is slowly becoming incorporated into our personal lives, obscuring reality. That guy from The Apprentice is now the leader of the free world. The Earth is melting. Sometimes it may feel as if you’re losing your mind.

Thankfully, we have art. Art and culture were invented to make sense of a senseless world. Furthermore, you are lucky enough to live in Reno where artistic expression is flourishing. All of the opportunities to consume art and entertainment may appear overwhelming. In that case, let me be your guide.

SHOWS DOWNTOWN Music lovers will have a great time in downtown Reno, regardless of taste.

Cargo is one of the hottest venues in town and they consistently have great performers. Feb. 17 brings Russ, an upand-coming rapper. Hot off of his smash single “What They Want,” he is sure to put on one hell of a show.

Rapper Rich the Kid has garnered acclaim for his feature work on other artists’ songs. However, Feb. 26 at Jub Jub’s Thirst Parlor, Rich is the star of his own show.

This show will be lit.

Metalheads who need to blow off stress from school need to check out Suicide Silence, also at Jub Jub’s March 2. The headbanging and mosh pits will be plentiful; don’t miss out.

Hip Hop heads should rejoice in the fact that Isaiah Rashad is visiting Reno.

The Top Dawg Entertainment rapper is on tour following his debut album “The Sun’s Tirade.” Jub Jub’s will go crazy for him March 11.

For all those indie darlings out there, Death Cab for Cutie is coming to the Grand Sierra Theatre March 16. This is guaranteed to be a good show. At the gorgeous venue the alternative rock group will play all of their hits. Not only that, they

are politically empowered with their newest protest single “Million Dollar Loan.”

Folk rock band The Head and the Heart is venturing to the Biggest Little City. They will be performing at the Grand Sierra Theatre April 7.

Shinedown is a band that needs no introduction. There are also coming to the Grand Sierra Theatre April 15 for one epic night.

Also coming to Reno is Kehlani. With her spot on the Suicide Squad soundtrack and huge hits like “CRZY” and “My Way” featuring Chance the Rapper, Kehlani is a bona fide superstar. We’re lucky to get chance to see her at such an intimate venue and for such a cheap price before she really blows up. See her April 27 at Jub Jub’s.

If by this time in the semester you grow tired of the city lights and you want to return to your roots, Dierks Bentley is your savior. He is playing an old-fashioned country show at the Reno Events Center April 30. This is a foolproof way to get the blood pumping and bring out the cowboy or cowgirl hidden deep inside anyone.

The Holland Project is a fantastic place to see underground bands, both local and from out of town. On Feb. 4, punk duo Surf Curse is returning to Reno.

This homecoming show is to promote their new album “Nothing Yet” as well as hopefully play some older fan favorites.

They are known to have especially rowdy concerts. Similarly, if you want some real indie cred, go see garage pop band Diet Cig in May. This will come nearly a month after their new album “Swear I’m Good at This” is scheduled to come out. All the hip people will be there.

If music isn’t your thing, there are a plethora of other opportunities.

Comedy legend Chris Rock is coming to the Reno Events Center. This will definitely be hilarious and is an absolute can’t-miss for anyone who appreciates great stand up.

The Bruka Theatre in Reno is a cool place for interesting and alternative theatre. Currently playing is “Happy Birthday, Wanda June” a comedy written by Kurt

Vonnegut. Upcoming shows are Jan. 25, 26, 27, 28 and Feb. 2, 3, 4 at 8 p.m. In February begins “The Untamed,” a series of storytelling.

ART If big crowds make you anxious and loud sound hurts your head, check our Reno’s up-and-coming art community.

Kaelyn McGowen will feature her artwork in “The Zoo Hypothesis.” The opening reception takes place Feb. 3 from 6-9 p.m. at Pitch Black Printing. It will continue on until March 3.

On Feb. 12 there is the 2017 Lunar New Year Festival downtown at the Nugget Resort Casino. The Chinese Association of Northern Nevada will be there to inform about Chinese culture, customs and history. Festivities include dragon dancing and kung fu.

Painter Liz Penniman is displaying her abstract art in an exhibit called “Extravagant Chemistry.” This is taking place until Feb. 24 at the McKinley Arts & Culture Center.

Photographer Matthew McIver is displaying his photography in an exhibit called “No Expectations.” This is also taking place until Feb. 24 at the Metro Gallery in City Hall.

“A View Within” showcases artistic experimentation of medical images by Karen Rips and Paula Chung. This will run for the entirety of March at the Sierra Arts Foundation.

In the middle of May comes Reno’s very own sculpture festical. For three days, artists showcase their larger than life constructions which will go on to decorate Reno. The sculptures are accompanied by food trucks and live music.

ON CAMPUS Those students who love culture but do not have transportation to get around or are just too lazy, look no further than your very own campus. The University of Nevada, Reno, has a great number of chances to appreciate arts and entertainment.

The theater department is putting on two plays this spring: “Family Portrait”

and “Eurydice.” If past productions are any indication, these will be high quality.

Auditions for both take place Jan. 24; no preparation is needed.

The UNR music program has a series of magnificent concerts planned. Violinist Catherine Manoukian comes to the Nightingale Concert Hall Jan. 28 and 29. She will play several classical pieces including work by Mozart, Elgar, and Dvorak.

Feb. 28 brings the chamber music of the Berlin Philharmonic Wind Quartet.

Tickets for UNR students go for $5.

Carl Topilow and Wu Man are coming all the way from Cleveland, Ohio, to perform their show “Cultural Counterpoint” Feb. 25 and 26. Man will play the pipa and Topilow will play clarinet and conduct.

Arrangements will include the work of famous composers such as of Mozart, Tan Dun, Gershwin, and Del Falla.

Grammy-nominated Sitar player and composer Anoushka Shankar will enchant Nightingale Performance Hall with her Indian Classical music. She will perform March 30.

From April 27 to 29 the Reno Jazz Festival takes place on the UNR campus. On April 27, multi-instrumentalist Don Byron will perform with UNR’s very own jazz group The Collective at Nightingale Performance Hall. On April 28, The Bad Plus will appear at the Lawlor Events Center. The Bad Plus is a jazz trio (piano, drums, bass) from Minneapolis, Minnesoata, known for putting experimental, improvisational spins on traditional songs. Accompanying them is Joshua Redman, a saxophonist from New York who recorded with them on their last album. Awards will be given out April 29.

We live in strange and trying times, but we also live in beautiful and exciting times. With the help of local culture we can survive this crazy world ..and this semester...maybe.

Joey Thyne can be reached at jsolis@sagebrush.unr.edu and on Twitter joeythyne@ gmail.com.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2017

A&E | A5

@NevadaSagebrush | nevadasagebrush.com

“Split:” creepy in all the right ways New thriller flick is Shyamalan’s strongest work in two decades

By Joey Thyne In recent years, M. Night Shyamalan has become somewhat of a caricature of himself.

“Shyamalan twist” has grown into an ironic pop culture reference of a shocking ending designed to “mind-fuck” the audience. It all started with “The Sixth Sense” in 1999 (spoiler: Bruce Willis is dead the whole time). Ever since, his movies have been taking bizarre left turns at the end.

“Split” tells the story of three young girls kidnapped by a man with multiple personality disorder, played by James McAvoy.

Casey, a moody art student, well-acted by Anya Taylor-Joy, has to learn to survive in a dank and dark cellar as a captive with her two OMG-look-at-myphone preppy friends.

McAvoy’s role as Kevin is an actor’s dream. The multiple personalities lend themselves to varying complexities for him to sink his teeth into. He is up to the challenge, delivering a stellar performance. Veins in his forehead pop and his eyebrows twitch as he struggles to keep composure amid battling personalities.

The main personalities exhibited in the film are Barry, a loveable fashion designer; Hedwig, a guileless nine-year-old boy; Patricia, an uptight and maniacal woman and Dennis, a cold and calculating OCD victim. He weaves in and out of these characters with natural ease, believable as each. However, it would have been nice to see more of the other 19 personalities.

It is not as much a horror movie as a psychological thriller and a character study. There are no haunted houses or demons from hell. Although there were

a few jump scares, the true suspense came from a cumbersome dread throughout. Excellent cinematography and music contribute to this. The camera looms as an eery score sends shivers down your spine.

The movie takes place in mainly two settings: McAvoy’s basement and his therapist’s apartment, and because it is so dialogue-driven, the movie could also work as a play. Perhaps its greatest achievement is its pacing. There is constant momentum the entire time without any dull moments or unnecessary scenes. Kevin’s relationship with his therapist is a clever device to explain aspects of the story which would be difficult to portray otherwise.

There are a series of flashbacks to Casey’s childhood which are beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time.

However, it does fall back on a number of horror movie cliches.

Characters make infuriating mistakes in order to advance the plot (why didn’t she run out of the car when she had the chance?!). The two teenaged female-friend characters are in their underwear for about half the movie for no real reason.

Here it is folks, the grand Shyamalan twist of “Split” is... there is no real Shyamalan twist. That is, if you don’t count a credits scene featuring Bruce Willis which references “Unbreakable,” another Shyamalan movie. But other than that, nothing wildly unexpected happens. Instead of spending a whole movie building up to a reveal which would have been invariably disappointing, he focused on making a solid story arc with intriguing characters.

Yet, Shyamalan couldn’t help himself and still went over the

top in the third act. For some reason, McAvoy gains superhuman strength. This undermines the credibility of the first two acts. The scariest part was this was something that could actually happen. Seeing McAvoy climb all over the walls sort of ruined that illusion.

At the end of it all, it is a movie about how damaged people cope with their past, which may be Shyamalan’s most thrilling subject matter to date. Late January through March is usually the dumping ground for crappy movies, after oscar season and before summer blockbusters. Of course “Split” has its blemishes, but it’s worth seeing and will probably be one of the best new movies for awhile.

4th Street / Prater Way BRT Project

Community Open House

Join us on January 26, 2017 at the Dilworth STEM Academy Middle School 255 E. Prater Way, Sparks 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm Brief Presentation at 5:30 pm

RTC RIDE Routes 25 and 26 serve this location.

RTC ACCESS is available by eligible reservation.

The RTC is hosting an open house on the 4th Street/Prater Way BRT Project scheduled to begin construction on January 23, 2017. Meet the project team, view the final design and learn about the traffic control for this important transportation investment for our community.

Stop by anytime!

Movie Review ‘SPLIT’ Release Date: Jan. 20 Genre: Horror

For more information, please contact: RTC Project Manager Warren Call (775) 335-1881 • wcall@rtcwashoe.com

Visit www.4thprater.com and subscribe to receive project updates.

Call (775) 348-RIDE for route and schedule information.

Pursuant to Title II of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), special accommodations may be requested by calling (775) 348-0480 at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting.

Your RTC. Our Community. rtcwashoe.com

facebook.com/4thPrater

RUN FOR ASUN ELECTIONS MARCH 15 & 16 NEVADAASUN.COM/ELECTIONS The ASUN Elections Commission provides an avenue for motivated Nevada students to begin their understanding of public service through election into ASUN. Serving fellow constituents is truly a great experience.

For more information on Elections contact Steve McNeece at electionschair@asun.unr.edu or visit nevadaasun.com/elections

FREE Bundtlet with the purchase of a bundtlet

Reno 5051 S. McCarran Boulevard • Reno, NV 89502 • (775) 827-5151 Limit one coupon per guest. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Redeemable only at the bakery listed.

Must be claimed in-bakery during normal business hours. No cash value.

We Deliver

nothingbundtcakes.com

Opinion

@NevadaSagebrush | nevadasagebrush.com

A6

TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2017

STAFF EDITORIAL

Women’s March must be beginning of era, not end

O

n Friday, Donald J. Trump took the oath of office on the steps of Capitol Hill. One day later, hundreds of thousands took to the streets of Washington D.C. In New York, another 400,000; in Seattle, 120,000; and even in Reno, an estimated 10,000 protesters hit the streets, according to officials from each city. By day’s end, millions from across the world had participated in the Women’s March on Washington.

It was one of the largest protests of its kind, and it sent a powerful message. Through sheer numbers, it demonstrated the power of protest in its purest and most peaceful form. It was especially powerful in contrast with the previous day’s inauguration protest, which saw 230 arrested by the end of the day after several spasms of violence.

However, it is a message that is as complex as it is varied, and it can’t stand on the strength of a single day’s protest. While the demonstration focused mainly on women’s rights, there are so many subdivisions within that category that all require their own kind of action. Protection of birth control and access to safe and legal abortions are coming hand in hand with economic concerns like equal pay for equal work. And more than that, it comes bundled in an anti-Trump and antiRepublican sentiment that, while connected, continues to dilute, or at the very least complicate, the message.

All these messages, in their own way, are important. But accomplishing these goals, especially through an institution like Congress, which moves incredibly slow by design, takes an enormous amount of time.

Compound this with the fact that a Republican-led Congress is likely to put women’s issues on the backburner simply because of the nature of their platform, and that time grows by years, not months.

What we mean to say is that movements are hard to make stick and require more than a day’s work. Look no further than the Occupy Movement, which flamed out almost as soon as it started.

There seems to be at least some action on the part of the Women’s March organizers to keep the movement going. Their website includes “10 actions for 100 days,” the first being a call to send postcards to senators. This is all well and good, but the senate is famed for its ability to move like a sloth.

To expect even a large influx of letters to push hardline senators toward your position is risking a lot — perhaps too much — on hope, especially when many senators aren’t going to be up for re-election anytime soon.

More than that, there seem to be lingering questions over just what the march was for, and who it would include. Writing for CNN, columnist Salena Zito put it succinctly. “[Protests] need to have a core value, a single focus — not an

‘intersectionality,’” Zito wrote.

“To make true change, it cannot be just about ‘pussy’ hats and vagina costumes. Otherwise, you just become a sideshow and side story about people unhappy about [the] election.”

In a lot of ways, Zito is right.

The lack of focus makes it easy for critics to target and undercut the movement. Michael Flynn Jr., the controversial son of Trump’s newly minted National Security Advisor, tweeted “... Women already have equal rights, and YES equal pay in this country. What MORE do you want? Free mani/ pedis? #WomensMarch.”

That sentiment is not unpopular and remains a driving force behind the Republican attitude toward women more generally.

And when people can’t articulate why exactly Flynn is wrong — which happens far more often than anyone on the left would like to think — we’re left with dismissiveness and divisiveness.

Ultimately, there is much more work to be done, and it can’t all be done by marching. This is not to discount the power of protests or marches, but it’s not how lasting change happens. If you want change, there need to be grassroots efforts at the local level.

That kind of change will filter up, just see the Tea Party for evidence.

But without that kind of commitment, expect a static status quo.

The editorial board can be reached at jsolis@sagebrush.unr.edu or on Twitter @NevadaSagebrush.

Jonathan Ly/Nevada Sagebrush

Demonstrators march in downtown Reno on Saturday, Jan. 21. The network of marches has come under fire for its lack of diversity.

Beat UNLV, get your flu shot today

A

fatigue, permanent scarring and heavy bleeding.

These are real symptoms causing real problems in the lives of women across the United States.

Repealing Obamacare without providing a means for low-income women to continue receiving the birth control they need will leave millions of women without a way to find relief for their pain.

Taking away access to birth control is taking away women’s rights to control their own bodies. It is taking away the right to control our pain, to control our lifestyle and to control our future. It is taking away something absolutely essential to the quality of our lives. Half of Americans shouldn’t have to ask repeatedly for something that’s essential, they shouldn’t have to ask at all.

It’s time to move out of the 20th Century and realize that birth control is much more than the female version of a condom and that women are tired of having a representative group made up mostly of men who continuously reject proposals that have absolutely nothing to do with them.

Mr. Congressman, if you don’t want free birth control for yourself, that’s understandable, but when I’m cramping you need to take your hands off my contraceptives.

s a former collegiate athlete I take pretty good care of my body. I exercise regularly and try to eat as healthy as a 23-year-old bachelor can (I don’t cook), but one thing that never crossed my mind was getting a flu shot, until last spring when I wish I would have.

Last spring the flu kicked my ass for 10 days.

No school. No work. I looked like somebody had beat me with an ugly stick and I felt like garbage. For 10 days.

It’s easy for us to think we’re invincible when we’re young, and that only other people get the flu. I’m here to tell you what it’s like to be the other person and why you should consider getting the flu vaccine.

We’ve all “had the flu” right? Wrong. You will know Shane Wickes when you really get the flu and trust me you will never make the mistake of skipping out on a flu shot ever again, but why learn the hard way?

Consider that germs can linger on surfaces for up to eight hours and then think about all the things you touch throughout a typical day: counters, phones, books, desks. If you’re an athlete, add workout equipment, water bottles, towels, lockers, etc. And athletes can be especially prone to “pushing through it,” not realizing when they’re really sick.

The flu vaccine is free at the Nevada Student Health Center. You don’t have to make an appointment and it doesn’t hurt all that much (not at all for some people).

If you don’t want to get the flu shot to protect yourself, consider doing it to protect the people around you. You don’t even have to be sick to pass the virus on to someone with a compromised immune system, someone battling cancer, someone pregnant or all kinds of complications you might know nothing about.

To make getting the flu vaccine (kind of) fun, Immunize Nevada is working with Nevada and University of Nevada, Las Vegas to sponsor the Flu Vaccine Competition this year. It’s open to all students, faculty, alumni and fans, and it’s simple. After getting the flu vaccine, just record it at https://influencenevada.org/nevada-fluvaccine-challenge. At the end of flu season, the school with the most vaccines recorded there wins the Fremont Syringe—and bragging rights as the most flu-protected school, of course.

(Yes, we’re willing to use your rivalry to inspire you to protect us all.)

If the Student Health Center is out of your way, visit Immunize Nevada’s “Flu Vaccine Finder,” which allows you to input a zip code, generating a list of locations nearby offering the vaccine. It’s really easy, don’t be lazy and get someone else sick.

For more information on these and other clinics, visit: https://www.immunizenevada. org/calendar.

We just got the cannon back - let’s beat UNLV again! Don’t wait. Get vaccinated.

Dominique Kent studies English and journalism.

She can be reached at dkent@sagebrush.unr.edu or on Twitter @DominiqueTrekker

Shane Wickes can be reached at jsolis@ sagebrush.unr.edu and on Twitter @ NevadaSagebrush

Illustration courtesy of Zak Brady

Women fear loss of birth control

O

ver the winter break, I visited my gynecologist to talk birth control. We had a nice chat, joked about the snow and discussed treatment options for the horrible pain I was experiencing due to my possible diagnosis of endometriosis. Two Really, the choice was simple: a highly invasive surgery that might work for a year or so before my symptoms would return or try different kinds of birth control until something worked. For now? I opted for the birth control.

As I was leaving, with a referral to a doctor who carries the arm Dominique implant method of birth control Kent I was now switching to from the pills, I paused and hesitantly asked the crucial question. How much is this going to cost me?

Her reply? The implant costs the doctor up to $900, but it’s free for me. For now. She urged me to make my appointment early, because that might not last much longer.

Already, the Republican-controlled Senate has rejected an amendment requiring insurance companies to continue covering birth control once the Affordable Care Act has been dismantled, according

to TIME. In their eagerness to tear apart the ACA, the GOP has neglected to provide for the 55 million women who currently receive their birth control with no co-pay, as reported by the National Women’s Law Center.

Due to certain medical issues, I have been on some form of birth control since middle school and am intimately familiar with how expensive it can be. It is something that I have to use for my health; if I were to lose my access to it, my life would instantly become significantly harder and the side effects could haunt me for the rest of my life.

Now, as I look at a future of trying different methods of birth control to control my symptoms, I wonder at what point I won’t be able to afford it anymore. At what point, if birth control isn’t covered, can I expect to be unable to continue controlling the pain?

According to the Guttmacher Institute, approximately 62 percent of all reproductive-age women are currently using some form of birth control. Some 58 percent of women who use birth control do so for reasons other than just pregnancy prevention. These include reduction of menstrual pain (31 percent of users) and treatment of endometriosis (4 percent of users).

For a glimpse at the life of those suffering from endometriosis, an ailment that affects 10 percent of all women and can often only effectively be treated by the use of birth control, imagine chronic pain,

Court Report tuesday, January 24, 2017

Sports | a7

@SagebrushSports | nevadasagebrush.com

Pack shines with recent slew of success NEVADA VS SAN JOSE STATE

By Brandon Cruz

The Pack caught a six-day break before they squared off against the San Jose Spartans in Reno three days after Christmas. The outcome of this game brought good tidings to every Wolf Pack fan, as it was a shellacking on all accords. The game looked as if it were boys versus men, as Nevada held no prisoners. The first period ended with Nevada up by 11, as they took advantage of numerous second chance opportunities. The second period allowed Nevada to open up their game plan a bit more, building upon their lead. The game would end with Nevada winning by a score of 80-55 and Marshall leading the scoring column with 25 points. San Jose State shot a lackluster 29.2 percent from the field for the game.

The Nevada men’s basketball team has been on a tear lately, as they sit in a lovers’ seat with the Boise State Broncos atop the Mountain West. A vast amount of Nevada’s “fans” weren’t “fans” until the Wolf Pack hit ESPN Top 10 during their enthralling performance against New Mexico State. So it is necessary that we see their journey to their current standing. We’ll start from where the University became a ghost town: Dec. 21.

NEVADA VS TOWSON Nevada kicked off the South Point Holiday Hoops Classic in Las Vegas against Towson University. The game started off as a back-and-forth affair as both teams traded basket after basket.

The Pack started to pull away in the first period at the 5:25 mark, following two free throws made by true freshman Josh Hall. Nevada ended the first with a 42-36 lead, shooting a superb 52.2 percent from the field and over 40 percent from behind the arc. Once the second period began, the Pack held nothing back. It went on to win the game 81-72, not allowing Towson to even tie the game again, let alone have the lead.

NEVADA VS FRESNO STATE Up until Nevada’s game against Fresno State, the Pack hadn’t lost a game since they faced off against Iona in the championship game of the GCI Great Alaska Shootout. Sadly for the Pack, Save Mart Center in Fresno, California, would become the graveyard for their seven game win streak The first period was a neck and neck battle, featuring five lead changes and 16 collective turnovers.

Even though Nevada’s Marshall would convert on the final shot of the period, Fresno State would take the lead into the second, 33-32. Although the Pack was down going into the second period, they hit the ground running, taking the lead and holding it until there was 6:30 left in the game, when a jumper from Fresno State’s Jaron Hopkins tied the game up, giving Fresno state the lead for two minutes. Just when Nevada looked as if they were out of it, Jordan Caroline went to the line, converting both free throws to give Nevada the lead with 2:36 left.

Nevada held off Fresno State for a bit, but after a devastating dunk by Hopkins, Nevada failed to overcome the deficit, losing 77-76.

NEVADA VS UC SANTA BARBARA Following Nevada’s victory over Towson, the Pack was pitted against the Gauchos of Santa Barbara. Nevada and Santa Barbara shot the lights out during the first period, as the Pack made 48 percent of its shots, and the Gauchos made 50 percent of theirs. Santa Barbara appeared to be one step ahead of Nevada during the first. The Pack found itself down 11 with 11:37 left, and it may have stayed that way had Marcus Marshall not spurred a 10-2 run to get within five after going two-for-three from behind the arc over the course of three minutes and eight seconds. The period would end with Nevada down 39-38, featuring six lead changes. The second period started off strong for the Pack as Marcus Marshall knocked down a three to put Nevada up by two.

Nevada held the lead for a majority of the second period until the Gauchos’ Vincent Gabe knocked down a three with 3:21 in the game to give Santa Barbara the lead at 60-58. Santa Barbara held the lead for a mere minute and six seconds before the Wolf Pack’s Jordan Caroline knotted it all up at 60-60. The final minutes became a tug-ofwar, but the Pack would seize the day, taking the contest at 67-66.

Brandon Cruz can be reached at bcruz@sagebrush. unr.edu and on Twitter @SagebrushSports.v

Photo courtesy of Andrea Wilkinson.

Cameron Oliver scours the court for a teammate to pass to Wednesday, Jan. 18, at Lawlor Events Center. Nevada sits at 16-4 and is looking toward its next game against Boise State on Jan. 25.

Norvell sets bar with new staff

Photo Courtesy of Arizona State Athletics

Nevada’s newest head coach, Jay Norvell (far right), and his colleagues at Arizona State University, Celebrate a first-down during a game at Sun Devil stadium during their 2016 season. Norvell takes command of a Wolf Pack team searching for an identity, after four years of under the Polian regime.

By Brandon Cruz Nevada Football’s new head coach, Jay Norvell, has been up to a great deal since his hiring on Dec. 9. He has put together a full-time staff, leaving no remnants of Polian’s original faculty.

Norvell outlined his plan to ensure the team’s future success during his inaugural press conference as Nevada Football’s 45th head coach since the football team’s birth in 1909. His key points were that the team will play an up-tempo spread offense, pressure opposing quarterbacks, play tight coverage and special teams will be a focal part of the teams’ prosperity.

Norvell is a decorated veteran in terms of football success, and has brought on a staff that reflects those achievements. Matt Mumme will assume the position of offensive coordinator, as he runs an air raid style offense. Prior to joining Norvell’s staff, Mumme was the head coach at LaGrange College, where he went 15-24. During his tenure as their shot caller, his offense averaged 25.8 points per game. This hire is no sur-

prise, as Norvell specialized in wide receivers when he was a positions coach, showing he has a knack for an air-it-out type of attack.

Offense wins games and defense wins championships, right? It’s a little more complicated than that, but a defensive coordinator with some grit and know-how can assist in creating a winning culture at a school that has not had that luxury in recent years.

Norvell tapped Jeff Casteel as Nevada’s next defensive coordinator.

Casteel has an impressive resume as a defensive coordinator, spending 25 of his 31 years of coaching in this position. Norvell has already worked closely with Casteel, as Casteel’s most recent job was defensive coordinator at Arizona University. Expect Casteel to run a 3-3-5 defensive scheme: three down lineman, three linebackers and five defensive backs.

While Casteel’s experience proceeds itself, it is hard not to be wary.

His Arizona University defense allowed a whopping 35.7 points per game in their 2015-2016 campaign, with their largest blowouts coming against UCLA, Stanford, Washington and Arizona State. But no matter the

numbers, Norvell has faith in his coordinators for one main reason.

“In hiring both of these coordinators, I wanted men who have been running these systems for a long time,” Norvell said. “ They know exactly what they want to do and how they want to do it, so we can hit the ground running.”

After the hiring of his coordinators, Norvell just had to fill in the gaps with worthy candidate choices. Norvell hired Matt Kirk as safeties coach, Courtney Viney as cornerbacks coach and Jason Kaufusi as the defensive line coach. Kirk was the defensive coordinator at both Long Beach City College, averaging 24.8 points per game, and El Camino College. Viney is relatively new to the coaching world but is seen as a rising star. Before getting a nod from Norvell, Viney was a graduate assistant at Oklahoma for two seasons and then a special teams quality control coach for the last two seasons of his time with the Sooners. Kaufusi spent one season as a defensive coordinator at Weber State, where his defense allowed a measly 193.5 yards per game.

Norvell hired four assistant coaches

on this side of the ball: David White as running backs coach, Timmy Chang as slot receivers coach, Eric Scott as outside receivers coach and Mason Miller as the offensive line coach.

Mumme will assume the role of coaching up the quarterbacks.

White has strong recruiting ties to Las Vegas, as he coached the Bishop Gorman Gaels from 2003-2007. During his time there, he coached arguably one of the better running backs in the NFL, DeMarco Murray. Following his stint at Gorman, White moved on to coach at Oklahoma until 2010, when he began to work for a youth development program called Football University.

Slots receiver Chang, prior to Nevada, was the offensive coordinator at Emory & Henry. During his 20152016 season with Emory & Henry, his offense averaged 33 points per game.

The new outside receivers coach for the Wolf Pack is revered in Los Angeles. While at Los Angeles High, Scott won two City Section titles in Division II and III. According to the Los Angeles Times, Norvell has found a gem in Scott as he is “highly regarded for being able to recruit athletes from

the Los Angeles area.”

The final staffer on the offensive side of the ball is Miller, who was a force to be reckoned with when he was the offensive coordinator for Tarleton State. During his first season with them, his offense ranked third in the nation, averaging 522.8 yards per game.

Along with the offensive and defensive hires, Norvell hired a strength and conditioning coach, Jordon Simmons, and a special teams analyst, former Pack standout running back Vai Taua.

The Pack’s future looks bright, and according to Nevada Athletics, Norvell has compiled this staff based on a few distinct characteristics.

“All of these men have shared qualities. Each one of them has great character and integrity. They are all great teachers and communicators. They are all experts at their given coaching positions. Every one of them has a rich history in recruiting toptier talent, particularly in the areas where Nevada has been traditionally strong,” Norvell said.

Brandon Cruz can be reached at bcruz@sagebrush.unr.edu and on Twitter @SagebrushSports.

Sports SPORTS | A8

@NevadaSagebrush | nevadasagebrush.com

TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2017

HOME BASKETBALL CALENDAR JANUARY 25TH

FEBRUARY 18th: Men’s

TIME: 1:00 P.M.

1st: Women’s Basketball vs Utah State @6:30 P.M.

INFO: Women’s Basketball

8th: Men’s

22nd: Men’s

11th: Women’s

25th: Women’s

15th: Women’s Basketball vs Air Force @6:30 P.M.

28th: Women’s

vs Boise State

Basketball vs Boise State @7P.M.

Basketball vs UNLV @8 P.M.

28TH

Basketball vs SDSU @4 P.M.

TIME: 1:00 P.M. INFO: Men’s Basketball vs

NM State

MARCH

Basketball vs UNLV @4 P.M. Basketball vs San Jose State @6:30 P.M.

APRIL

9th: Men’s

4th: Men’s

Basketball vs Colorado State @5 P.M.

6th: Women’s

ountain West Championhip start

8th: Men’s

Basketball vs Utah State @5 P.M.

Mountain West Championship

Mountain West Championship

3RD

10th: Men’s

Mountain West Championship

March Madness Ends

11th: Men’s

Mountain West Championship

14th: March

Madness start Brandon Cruz can be reached at bcruz@sagebrush. unr.edu and on Twitter @SagebrushSports.

Neil Patrick Healy can be reached at neil@sagebrush.unr.edu and on Twitter @SagebrushSports.

f /nevadaASUN

This is Nevada

@nevadaASUN

NevadaASUN.com

@nevadaASUN

Mobile App