The Lumberjack -- August 26, 2021

WELCOME BACK, LUMBERJACKS PAGE 3, MOVE-IN WEEKEND

THE LUMBER JACK AUG. 26, 2021 – SEPT. 1, 2021

Online at JackCentral.org

From the Editor

I

can’t believe it’s here, but this is my final semester at NAU. Thanks to dual enrollment credits from high school courses, by December I’ll have completed a four-year degree in three-and-a-half.

As excited as I am to break into the “real world” or whatever, I’m a bit nervous for what comes after December. I feel prepared as ever, but my Dad told me a memorable piece of advice once: “If you’re not nervous, you don’t care enough.”

I’m ready. I know I am, but I’ve come to understand that it’s natural to feel nerves before a 180-degree turn. Since being old enough to remember anything, my main concern has been to do well in school, but eventually I get a break to go home.

I’m not saying I’ll miss doing homework because I sure as hell won’t.

However, the immediate future feels a tad unsettling because in about four months, I’ll be a full-time adult every day of the year, done with school, and very likely in a new state and away from my people.

Being an Arizona native, though, I’ve always wanted to live in California — having gone there for quick vacations almost every summer.

My closest friends and I are planning to move there next year to chase our respective careers, and I catch myself daydreaming about it from time to time, NATHAN MANNI like in lectures during this first week of classes. Everyone’s still a bit slow and EDITOR-IN-CHIEF summer-struck, and listening to syllabus after syllabus is not music to the ears.

Besides, all the important dates and information provided in the first week of a semester is covered and covered again, like “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen.

I am excited, though, that classes are now underway and we’re all learning in real, nondigital classrooms. Sitting in desks next to other humans is refreshing. I speak for the world when I say I hope to never use Zoom again.

I wish all NAU Lumberjacks a tranquil and rewarding semester. Staff at The Lumberjack will continue working diligently to deliver you timely and necessary news on northern Arizona.

Thank you for reading.

THE LUMBERJACK VOL. 112 ISSUE 1

Phone: (928) 523-4921 Fax: (928) 523-9313 Lumberjack@nau.edu P.O. Box 6000 Flagstaff, AZ 86011

Editor-in-Chief Nathan Manni

Managing Editor Camille Sipple

Copy Chief Trevor Skeen

Faculty Adviser David Harpster

Print Chief Ash Lohmann

Director of Digital Content and Social Media Emily Gerdes

continuous local and campus covid-19 coverage available at jackcentral.org

Online at Issuu.com Latest Edition & Archive Social media

Media Innovation Center Editorial Board

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News Editor Mark Fabery

Asst. Features Editor Lauren Anderson

Sports Adviser Rory Faust

Asst. News Editor Tess Stafford

Culture Editor Katelyn Rodriguez

Director of Photography MacKenzie Brower

Op-Ed Editor Kylie Soto

Asst. Culture Editor Haylee Emch

On the cover Cutline| The Lumberjack

Asst. Dir. of Photography Brian Burke

Asst. Op-Ed Editor Marley Green

Sports Editor Brenden Martin

Director of Illustration Diana Ortega

Features Editor Olivia Charlson

Asst. Sports Editor Will Hopkins

Director of Multimedia Shawn Patti

THE LUMBERJACK | JACKCENTRAL.ORG

Corrections & Clarifications The Lumberjack is committed to factual correctness and accuracy. If you find an error in our publication, please email Nathan Manni at nem233@nau.edu.

PoliceBeat Aug. 8 At 8:46 a.m., NAUPD reported assisting four nonstudents with opening the Citizens Cemetery gate.

(GMT) responded, and the nonstudent was transported to Flagstaff Medical Center (FMC) for a preexisting medical condition.

At 11:02 p.m., Coconino County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance with a blood draw off campus.

NAUPD responded and provided assistance.

At 11:19 p.m., NAUPD reported checking a vehicle parked on the sidewalk in front of University Union.

The driver was contacted and found to be a student moving into their dorm.

Aug. 9 At 3:07 p.m., a staff member at Campus Heights reported the odor of gas. NAUPD responded, determined it was a facilities issue and advised work control.

Aug. 14 At 11:29 a.m., OneAZ Credit Union received a burglary alarm. NAUPD responded, no criminal activity was witnessed and a staff member secured the building.

Aug. 10 At 9:54 a.m., a Aug. 15 nonstudent reported damage At 9:16 p.m., a to their vehicle in lot 34. nonstudent reported a NAUPD responded and took suspicious amount of smoke a report. on north campus. NAUPD responded and found it was At 2:31 p.m., a staff caused by an off-campus member reported an NAU- bonfire. No criminal activity issued iPad that was stolen was witnessed. and pawned at an off-campus shop. NAUPD responded and Aug. 16 the case remains open pending At 2:18 p.m., a further investigation. nonstudent requested assistance releasing an Aug. 11 impounded vehicle. NAUPD At 8:48 a.m., a responded and assistance was nonstudent reported an ice provided. chest missing from Allen Hall.

NAUPD responded and the Aug. 17 property was returned.

At 8:14 a.m., a nonstudent reported someone Aug. 12 hit their vehicle and fled to an At 6:30 p.m., a staff off-campus location. NAUPD member at Performing and responded and took a report.

Fine Arts requested assistance with a lockout. NAUPD At 11:43 p.m., a RA at responded and assistance was Sechrist Hall reported residents provided. with concerns involving another tenant. NAUPD Aug. 13 responded and information At 10:03 a.m., a staff was provided. member at University Union Fieldhouse reported Aug. 18 a nonstudent with a medical At 4:46 a.m., a staff emergency. NAUPD, Flagstaff member reported two Fire Department (FFD) and intoxicated subjects near the Guardian Medical Transport intersection of San Francisco

Compiled by Mark fabery Street and Mountain View Drive. NAUPD responded and checked the area, but no contact was made.

Welcome home, ’Jacks

At 9:56 p.m., a student reported twisting their ankle in lot 13. NAUPD, FFD and GMT responded, but the student refused medical transport and was provided a public assist ride to Sechrist Hall.

Aug. 19 At 6:16 p.m., a subject requested medical assistance for an unconscious nonstudent outside Mountain View Hall.

NAUPD, FFD and GMT responded, and determined upon arrival that the nonstudent was also a suspect for theft at an off-campus location. The nonstudent was issued a summons for theft and was transported to FMC for intoxication.

Aug. 20 At 9:11 p.m., a Honors College resident called to request assistance after becoming sick from an edible.

NAUPD, FFD and GMT responded, and the student was transported to FMC. Aug. 21 At 11:36 a.m., the Gabaldon Hall RHD requested assistance with improperly parked vehicles. NAUPD responded and assistance was provided.

Aug. 22 At 10:34 a.m., a nonstudent reported damage to a South Village Apartments window screen. NAUPD responded and filed a report for information only.

Top left: Senior Ruby Selvage pulls out a room key for a freshman resident checking into Tinsley Hall. Top right: Haylee Pierce opens the door to her new room in Wilson Hall. Middle: Caetlyn Blackburn (left) and her parents, Matt and Carrie, unload dorm supplies from their truck. Bottom: Welcome Jacks volunteers assist a student with moving their dorm supplies into Wilson Hall Aug. 20. MacKenzie Brower| The Lumberjack

AUG. 26, 2021 – SEPT. 1, 2021 | THE LUMBERJACK

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NAU takes a “mask smart” approach for fall Tess Stafford

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s NAU approaches its first fully in-person semester since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, many have wondered what college will look like. Though the guidance surrounding COVID-19 precautions is ever-evolving, students, health experts and university administrators have looked at mask policies for this semester through differing lenses.

Though masks were originally set

to be strongly recommended for all members of the Flagstaff Mountain campus, more specific policies were announced during an Aug. 11 town hall meeting with President José Luis Cruz Rivera.

“We will require face coverings in certain settings, including all classrooms and teaching or research labs and other indoor and outdoor settings where physical distancing may not be possible,” Cruz Rivera said.

In addition to what NAU

A sign posted on the front door of the Physical Sciences Building encourages students and staff to wear a mask where physical distancing of six feet cannot be maintained, Aug. 22.

Brian Burke | The Lumberjack

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administration calls a “mask-smart” an educational rationale the actions seat themselves in a consistent approach, the university plans to of the university. Karen Pugliesi, configuration throughout the term,” implement voluntary mitigation interim provost and vice president Pugliesi said.

If possible, Pugliesi said she testing, vaccination incentives, air for academic affairs, said students are filtration, wastewater testing and expected to follow the guidelines set recommends faculty use seating charts contact tracing methods to further in place. Those who do not may be if possible. Even with these protocols and precautions in place, Engelthaler subject to consequences. avoid a spike in COVID-19 cases.

“We expect everyone to comply said vaccines are the best way to However, it is unclear how long these mask policies will stay in with our operational protocols, and in prevent serious spikes in COVID-19 place based on actions of Gov. Doug instances where that may not happen, cases on campus.

Though Engelthaler said masks Ducey, who enacted an executive we will deal with that using our order June 15 regarding mask and student code of conduct,” Pugliesi have been shown to decrease the spread of COVID-19, he explained said. vaccine mandates.

Most prominently, she said she their effectiveness is limited and varies A news release from Ducey’s office revealed Arizona’s public urges students to refer to the signage by mask type. As a result, he said universities and community colleges around campus to ensure they are mask policies alone will not prevent cannot require vaccinations, masks following policies. While some outbreaks.

“Short of everyone being or tests for students to participate in locations on campus require masks, others only strongly recommend immunized, there will still be spread their classes.

Despite this straightforward them, and signage is put in place to on campus and in the community,” Engelthaler said. “We have to order on the matter, health experts help distinguish them. understand that and be prepared for provide will NAU said Pugliesi of director Engelthaler, David Dr. like T-Gen’s infectious disease division in masks for students, faculty and staff. that.”

Engelthaler said he thinks Disposable masks will be available on Flagstaff, have different opinions.

Translational campus, including nonmedical N95s vaccinations should be highly the T-Gen, Genomics Research Institute, is for those who prefer one. However, encouraged and even rewarded, a nonprofit research organization the administration recommends seeing as masks alone are not likely to focusing on the genetic composition keeping a mask on one’s person at all protect the community. However, he noted not getting vaccinated should of disease and illness. The institute times. not be punished. opinions differing Despite health public with closely works This concept is already enacted agencies to respond to outbreaks of among students, Strode said he agrees with the choice the school has on campus, as the Jacks are Vaxed disease.

“I think universities and school made. Though he generally dislikes campaign was introduced at the end districts are closest to the students and wearing masks, he said he feels more of July. For fully inoculated students families they serve, and should make comfortable going to classes with one. who submit vaccine cards, the the best decisions for the students, However, Strode said he is grateful drawing system offers prizes such as he will not be required to wear it meal plan scholarships and laptops. families and staff,” Engelthaler said.

Cruz Rivera said he encourages However, Engelthaler is not the everywhere.

“I like that we’re not doing masks everyone who can get vaccinated to only one trusting schools’ choices when it comes to mask policies. Sophomore outside,” Strode said. “There’s so do so.

“I implore you, I urge you, Joe Strode said administration is much to back up the fact that there’s with you to be vaccinated plead I outside.” masks for need no and decisions proper making in vital Along with other mitigation sooner rather than later,” Cruz Rivera accurately representing members of measures, Pugliesi said NAUFlex will said. the community.

Whether mask policies remain “I think in an ideal world, school still be available for students who are evolve over time or are same, the disability have or quarantined sick, the voice would administration opinion of the student body,” Strode accommodations. Additionally, fully- eliminated entirely, Cruz Rivera said online degrees are still available for NAU’s guidelines will continue to said.

Following the administration’s those who may not feel comfortable be informed by public health data as well as collaboration with other state decision to enact mask requirements, coming to campus.

Moreover, Pugliesi said other universities and the Arizona Board Cruz Rivera hosted another town hall meeting Aug. 17. The attending measures will be encouraged to make of Regents. For more information panelists elaborated on the new contract tracing easier when cases do on mask policies and the return to campus, visit the Jacks are Back page policies, detailing what they will occur. recommending on NAU’s website. are “We entail and how they will be enforced.

NAU administrators emphasized that faculty ask their students to

NEWS

A look back: Events that shaped the summer Mark Fabery

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s NAU’s Flagstaff Mountain campus bid adieu to the spring semester and welcomed the start of summer break, Flagstaff City Council and the city itself remained busy. Over the summer months, councilmembers discussed and voted on issues such as the city’s carbon neutrality plan and faced the effects of the Museum Fire burn scar during monsoon season.

Bicycle safety concerns

On May 28, a tow truck ran a red light at the intersection of Butler Avenue and South Beaver Street and collided with a group of bicyclists. Only an hour prior, the riders had embarked on an organized trek with the intention of promoting bicycle safety.

During a June 1 city council session, councilmember Adam Shimoni was one of many bicycle community members who expressed a desire to see changes made to shared roadways.

“If this can happen to a group of over 70 cyclists riding together for safety’s sake, it can happen to any of us,” Shimoni said.

As a councilmember and avid cyclist, Shimoni then listed his concerns regarding bicycle safety. He said traffic incidents are occurring at an unacceptable rate and distracted driving needs to be addressed in the city.

Just over a month after the collision, council moved forward with a project to install protected bike lanes along Butler and Beaver, two of the city’s busiest thoroughfares.

The barriers will serve as a pilot project for future developments to protect and enhance cycling, aligning closely with the Active Transportation Master Plan sought by council.

Within these efforts, a draft of the process and public engagement plan was published in July 2020, which outlines stakeholder involvement and public engagement. The document also references how anticipated transportation tax funding for roadway widening projects will include and support bicycle lanes, an important recognition after May’s accident.

Carbon Neutrality Plan

Over a year after unanimously approving a symbolic climate emergency resolution, council passed the Carbon Neutrality Plan, which officially establishes a framework for reaching net zero emissions by 2030.

This plan had been at the center of public discussion for months and was set into motion more than a year ago when a citizen petition pushed city council to declare the emergency resolution. However, it only establishes a framework for future action and allows further opportunity for input on specific measures.

During a June 15 meeting, councilmember Regina Salas expressed concerns on the costs associated with implementing the plan, while pointing to the negative feedback council received from local businesses.

“The uncertainty that this plan brings to the business community is concerning to them as they adapt to business in a post-COVID pandemic world,” Salas said. “It is obvious we

need to find and create space for an inclusive and engaged dialogue for informed discussion of this plan before we adopt it.”

However, Salas failed to gain enough support from other councilmembers. The plan was eventuallly approved without secured funding, which was somewhat due to the large time frame hammered out by council.

Mayor Paul Deasy said the implementation of taxes to fund the plan will inevitably need to be approved by voters. Citizen feedback will ultimately guide the funding process, he added.

“This plan is not dedicating resources, it is a framework,” Deasy said. “It is a policy goal we wish to see, because there is a high level of agreement that the risks and cost of inaction will be far greater.”

The approved version of the Carbon Neutrality Plan included projected costs of a “one-time investment of $90 million” to enhance bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, along with $5 million annually to support highfrequency bus lines, according to data included in the approved plan.

However, it remains unclear how council will allocate funds to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030.

Post-Museum Fire flooding

On Aug. 17, Flagstaff experienced what Coconino County officials called a 200-500 year rainfall event, which hit the 2019 Museum Fire burn scar.

Coconino County engineer Christopher Tressler said rain gauges located throughout

the burn scar recorded hourly rainfall of more than 3 inches in some areas, with the Sunnyside neighborhood being hit the hardest throughout monsoon season.

“This was definitely the largest rainfall event that we have seen in the watershed on the burn scar in some time,” Tressler said. “We’ve had reports that around 24 to 26 homes received flood damage. Many homes and properties have debris on their properties, like woody debris, fine-grained sediment and the likes of mud.”

Tressler also noted county officials have created a call center for emergency operations relating to continued monsoon flooding the city has experienced.

“The county has set up an emergency operations center, and that’s a resource for folks to be able to call in, so we can track the damages and we can try to get that assistance where it is needed,” Tressler said.

Moreover, the monsoon season, which formally begins June 15 and ends Sept. 30, has already surpassed rain totals for the previous two seasons combined. According to the National Weather Service, Flagstaff received a cumulative total of 9.57 inches of rain, which is significantly more than the annual average of 4.72 inches.

Based on these totals, this year’s monsoon season is the third wettest on record.

With monsoon season in flux, Flagstaff has a busy road ahead. Even with summer drawing to a close, the city has faced heartache and looks ahead after suffering the most challenging rainfall event in recent memory.

The Museum Fire, which started in July 2019, was considered a low to moderate wildfire. Two years later, the fire’s effects are still changing Flagstaff, particularly with increased flooding risks around the area, Sept. 13, 2019.

MacKenzie Brower| The Lumberjack

AUG. 26, 2021 – SEPT. 1, 2021 | THE LUMBERJACK

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NEWS

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COMIC SPOT

AUG. 26, 2021 – SEPT. 1, 2021 | THE LUMBERJACK

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OPINION-EDITORIAL

Saving money over sustaining morals improving. A year later, and there is still no apparent change in the brand’s means of gathering new designs. t’s undeniable that social media is the catalyst for rapidly Additionally, contributing to fast fashion is detrimental to changing trend cycles. The rise of TikTok and its expanding the looming need to turn the climate crisis around. relevance among the youth plays into these phases, and Earth.org explained all the issues with fast fashion best influencers only add to the mix by recommending online fast in one statement: “Among the environmental impacts of fast fashion websites. fashion are the depletion of nonrenewable sources, emission of SHIEN has become an extremely popular website greenhouse gases and the use of massive amounts of water and because of the vast range of clothing it offers, and, more imenergy.” portantly, for shockingly low prices. For the average college Good On You, a company that rates popular brands on student looking to stay current with fashion trends, it’s a sustainability and ethics, rated SHEIN the lowest possible wonderland full of possibilities. score of, “We Avoid,” via inspection of the brand’s environBy breaking the rose-colored glasses, one can see there mental impact, labor conditions and animal welfare. are many issues with supporting SHEIN specifically, as well Based on these considerations, the only semiredeemable as aiding similar fast fashion companies. quality was that the company doesn’t use From an ethical standpoint, SHEIN still hasn’t disclosed “leather, exotic animal hair, fur, down, the specifics regarding the conditions inside factories and angora or exotic animal skin in its how fairly the workers are products.” paid.

However, SHEIN’s merMany have specchandise may contain wool ulated SHEIN without providing where it uses child labor is sourced from, in addibecause the comtion to not posting outright pany’s factories are policies or statements that in China, where outlaw the use of anichild labor still exists mal-based products in certain areas. On or testing. All of this top of this theory, people leads one to believe have compared SHEIN that SHEIN doesn’t to close competitors necessarily support the like Fashion Nova. movement against animal As stated in products and testing. a Brightly arThe company was also rated ticle, “Fashion “Very Poor” on environmental impact, Nova was using as Good On You explained that SHEIN underpaid only occasionally sprinkles in product that labor in Los was sustainably sourced, otherwise contributAngeles factories ing to the environment’s decline. as recently as 2019, The most notable factor is that the brand is despite wage laws. extremely shady and has never provided evidence Some sewers were paid as Illustration By Diana Ortega to support claims of fair wages and working conlittle as $2.77 an hour…” ditions for its employees, nor its stance on animal rights Granted, these aren’t the or sustainability. To add the cherry on top, SHEIN steals only issues with SHEIN and similar fast fashion brands. from small designers and mass produces low-quality products.

In July, NPR published an article that dove into the recent Rather than utilizing big name, capitalistic companies, criticism with evidence of the retailer stealing designs from all one can do is stress the importance of supporting small contrastingly microscopic indie brands. businesses and designers alike.

Fashion Magazine even went as far as recalling the The only convenience that SHEIN provides is low prices, previous instances in which SHEIN was accused of stealing but it contributes to everything the youth is concerned about, ideas from smaller designers. More specifically, the magazine including the environment and animal rights. I do not believe cited a summer 2020 article from the U.K.’s Independent, in that a $10 dress is worth compromising my core beliefs. which an independent designer claimed the brand stole her Perhaps it’s time this generation takes a look at the bigger garment pattern upon posting a side-by-side comparison of picture instead of a TikTok influencer’s Instagram picture. the products.

The blatant disregard and irrefutable evidence of their copying of designs is unacceptable, and it doesn’t seem to be

Kylie Soto

I Ducey’s dilemma: Political gain vs. public health

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ov. Doug Ducey announced Aug. 17 that Arizona public and charter schools could receive an additional $1,800 per pupil as part of a $163 million grant. It sounds like a wonderful opportunity for Arizona schools — which ranked No. 48 in per pupil spending at the time of publication — but there’s a catch.

MARLEY The additional funding will only be GREEN available to schools “following all state ASSISTANT OP-ED laws and remaining open for in-person EDITOR instruction” during the school year.

With COVID-19 cases rising and vaccines unavailable to those under 12, public schools should be allowed to require masks.

Politicizing a public health and safety issue has unfortunately become Republicans’ M.O. during the past year and a half, and the governor showed Arizonans this week that he is no different from the rest of his party.

It’s unfortunate that Gov. Ducey would withhold extra funding from public schools in an obvious attempt to save face. His prioritization of professional relevance will result in students and families dying from COVID-19.

As of Aug. 25, 17 Arizona school districts have implemented mask mandates, despite the governor’s law opposing face covering requirements in school.

Gov. Ducey has passed a law, seen the negative reaction and is now having to incentivize following it by offering schools extra funding.

The desperation is embarrassing enough, but the fact that schools receiving grant money is contingent on them ignoring public health recommendations is worse. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends fully vaccinated individuals wear masks in areas with substantial or high risk of transmission. As of Aug. 25, all Arizona counties are considered “high risk,” according to CDC data.

It’s not the first time his laws against COVID-19 protective measures have been ignored. The city of Tucson required employees to show proof of one vaccination dose by Aug. 24, which prompted Ducey to issue an executive order against vaccine mandates.

This latest announcement of grant money appears to be a last-ditch effort by the governor to get school districts and cities to obey his laws and comply with his political stance on the handling of the disease, but it seems likely that it will backfire on him; his abuse of power as governor will risk Arizonans’ safety.

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OPINION-EDITORIAL

Stop buying your favorite celebrity’s shoddy merch Marley Green

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hink of nearly any singer or influencer and chances are, they’ve had some type of fan merchandise controversy.

Ariana Grande fans remember the merchandise accompanying the “Sweetener” tour, which included T-shirts with paint splotches that appeared messy at best and inappropriate at worst.

Billie Eilish, while often praised by fans for her creativity, has been criticized for her line’s extremely steep prices. The sweatshirts featured in her latest merchandise designs are listed at $120, while some of the T-shirts go for up to $50.

Anyone who has scrolled through TikTok recently has likely seen Olivia Rodrigo’s massive letdown of a merchandise launch to accompany her debut album. On top of fans waiting about three months for their merchandise to arrive, one supporter shared that her order had a spelling error, and others have found some items look completely different than what they were expecting based on pictures from the website.

However, the issue isn’t unique to singers. In the past eight or so years, as YouTube has gained traction as a platform, the celebrity merchandise epidemic has gone from bad to worse.

Online content creator merchandise is arguably shadier, because those types of influencers, in particular, benefit from parasocial relationships with their younger, more easily influenced fan bases. And unlike singers, who sell merchandise to accompany their latest album or tour, online content creators approach merchandise sales from a more entrepreneurial standpoint.

Jaclyn Hill, a well-known creator in the makeup community on YouTube, launched her cosmetics brand in summer 2019 and immediately received backlash over lipsticks that appeared broken, melted and even embedded with pieces of hair.

In 2020, Jake Paul attempted selling “business” classes to his young fans, promising they would learn to become influencers and gain financial independence. He went as far as to encourage his followers to quit school and pay for his classes instead, calling higher education useless. He included a pre-written letter for them to give to their parents — who he knew would be paying for these “classes” — telling them why taking his influencer course would help their kids gain financial independence.

The Jake Paul situation is a clear example of a celebrity making a deliberate attempt to scam their fans. His classes became the subject of many commentary channels on YouTube rightfully mocking the tacky delivery of such clear fraud, and Paul himself drew criticism for taking advantage of his impressionable fan base by promising them instant success.

So, why are celebrity products so consistently disappointing?

Most fans are aware that design is out of celebrities’ control, which is supervised by merchandise companies themselves.

In an article for Fashion Magazine, Natalie Minchie pointed out that artists with younger fans “likely struggle to produce merch that is both good quality and inexpensive,” considering younger demographics have smaller budgets.

While Minchie makes a good point, I believe celebrities with younger fans especially have a responsibility to ensure their merchandise is of the highest quality, or at least a quality comparable to the price.

Taking advantage of kids isn’t a good look, and there seems to be a correlation between expensive, low-quality products and celebrities with younger fan bases.

As mentioned before, this is the case with influencers who create parasocial relationships with their fans. The nature of videos allows creators to address their followers and subscribers directly, which makes it easy for fans to feel like they know the influencer personally. With that superficial bond, it’s more likely that fans will be inclined to spend money on their products.

The fact that YouTube and TikTok users are primarily younger exacerbates the problem. It isn’t fair to subject devoted and impressionable fan bases to low-quality products, especially if that demographic i s overwhelmingly young. These fans don’t necessarily have the life experience to differentiate a scam from an appropriately priced, quality product.

How can fans support their favorite singers or creators without feeling resounding disappointment when they open the box they’ve been waiting for, just to see it’s not at all what they thought they were getting?

Researching products before buying them is probably the easiest solution. It’s as simple as a quick Google search with the word “reviews” to see how other fans feel about their products.

Otherwise, supporting small artists is the best way to avoid disappointment.

Through e-commerce platforms like RedBubble or Etsy, independent artists can create their own merchandise and sell it.

Of course, the money doesn’t go to the celebrity themselves, but fans can still promote their music or content just by wearing or using the product. Small artists gain money, fans gain merchandise and creators still gain publicity.

On top of trying to be more mindful of purchases, holding

celebrities accountable is always a step in the right direction.

While it’s widely understood that many celebrities don’t have much of a hand in their merchandise, I believe some rely on that fact to cut corners in the creativity and affordability aspects of their merchandise lines.

I’m not endorsing canceling every celebrity who gets it wrong, but speaking up about it could collectively raise the standard for merchandise companies representing celebrities going forward.

If every fan who has been disappointed by celebrity merchandise before not only spoke up about their experience, but also purchased their products from smaller artists unaffiliated with the celebrities themselves, there would be no choice but to invest in a more reliable merchandise company.

It is in celebrities’ best interests to make sure the quality of their merchandise lines is nothing short of fantastic.

Illustration By Diana Ortega

AUG. 26, 2021 – SEPT. 1, 2021 | THE LUMBERJACK

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FEATURES

Story compiled by Lauren Anderson, pho

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any students had the opportunity t getting to travel and be with their reward from the previous academic these students shared where they went

Hannah White Junior Interior Design

“This summer I worked at an interior design internship called We Three Design in Boise, Idaho,” White said. “At the internship, I met with clients to discuss home renovations, selected materials for spec homes and created 3D models of spaces using various digital softwares.

“Some clientele meetings were conducted virtually and all my co-workers and clients were vaccinated, making work conditions much safer.”

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Bailey Nichols Senior Hotel and Restaurant Management

“This summer I had the opportunity to manage the restaurant I interned for last summer called the Dismal River Club,” Nichols said. “Due to [Dismal River Club’s] isolated location [in Nebraska], it was easy to stay COVID safe while working this summer.”

Andy O Sopho Mathem

“I went on vacation with a stay-cation when my boyfriend cam Angeles,” Ortega said. “When I was cashier [at Kohl’s].”

FEATURES

otos courtesy of featured students

to spend time away from classes this summer, families, as well as earning a much-deserved c year. As they explored throughout the break, t and how they were able to stay safe.

Ortega omore matics

my family to the Bahamas and had me and visited me for a week in Los sn’t vacationing, I was working as a

Hailey Hampton Junior Film Production Ashley Schaberg Senior Elementary Education

“I spent a lot of my summer working,” Schaberg said via an Instagram direct message. “I stayed in Flagstaff all summer, and my favorite weekend activities included hiking, playing spikeball and hammocking! I wore my mask everywhere — even after being vaccinated — and only hung around with people in my pod.”

“This summer, I hung out with my family and friends, watched movies and played video games,” Hampton, a transfer student from California, said. “I was also able to make my first trip down to Flagstaff to see NAU and the town.

“Me and my parents drove to Flagstaff and always wore our masks. When we would eat at a restaurant, we would sit outside and stay socially distanced from others.”

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FEATURES

Summer’s seasonal changes: Living situations impact students

“I’ve become a lot more self-aligned,” Darvick said. “You pretty much are doing everything yourself. No one’s there, so if you forget to do something then you have to do it. I’ve been doing a lot more cooking, like actual cooking. That’s been nice and it’s healthier too.”

Darvick said he lived at NAU with roommates, which could also be helpful. When living alone, forgetting to do something can cause problems, but Darvick said roommates can make up for that. He explained that shared living situations have a greater sense of community in which people can help each other, whereas living alone requires more self-reliance.

Overall, Darvick said living with family, friends or roommates can come with sacrifices, but being alone carries different consequences.

He said he misses having a college schedule during the summer months to motivate himself.

Sophomore Cassie Freedman spent last summer with her parents, but plans to live in her own apartment in summer 2022. She said she is not someone who typically needs a routine to feel comfortable, but also explained that she struggles with dramatic changes, like moving somewhere new or living with parents again.

“Living with parents after your first year of independence has its pros and cons,” Freedman said via an Instagram direct message. “It’s nice not to constantly have to make every meal yourself or do your own laundry all the time, but the independence definitely lessens and sometimes you feel less like an adult.”

Freedman lived in the dorms last year, but said this was difficult because her roommate set up curfews, which made it feel like living at home again with many restrictions. She also said it was hard not to be lazy when it came to online classes, most of which she attended from her bed.

Looking toward the upcoming semester, Freedman said she has only lived in her apartment for a short period of time, but it feels as if the privacy of her own room will be better for her mental health. It has also helped that her roommates and her have a mutual respect for each other.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Americans ages 18 to 44 reported higher rates of anxiety and depression while living alone during the pandemic. One’s state of mind can be impacted by where they live, and this research is one example of how young adults struggled adjusting to pandemic life.

While summer is a break from school, it may not be from chores dished out by parents or by the impending sense of boredom. Students will be affected by where they end up and although it is impossible to pack problems into boxes, there are ways to cope no matter the household.

Olivia Charlson

S

ummer is typically a time for vacation, pool days and soaking in the sun. The question for some young adults in Arizona, however, is whether their break would be a midsummer dream or a recurring parental nightmare. College requires a lot of moving around, and the normalcy of home life or the schedule of classes can vastly affect one’s mental health.

Being in your late teens and early twenties can be difficult because of the constant change some may experience.

According to The New York Times, more people under the age of 30 were living with their parents than on their own during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Further, the article illustrates how moving back home and away again was difficult for the participants.

Since starting college, senior Lydia Milowski returned to living with her parents on two separate occasions. The most recent move was halfway through summer, when she relocated to her parents’ after a year in an apartment.

Originally, Milowski headed home and completed remote classes during the latter portion of spring 2020, like many other students. She said she was motivated through most of the semester, but that it was still a struggle.

“I kind of found myself reminiscing about my college days before the pandemic, as if I was already out of college, but I wasn’t,” Milowski said. “I think that if I could do it over again, I would probably go back and live on campus or at least closer to campus so that I could kind of get more of [a college] experience.”

Milowski said it has been easier living with her parents during the pandemic. Having people around helps, she said, and is a reminder that even with remote learning, self-care and socialization are still important. She explained that when she lived alone but was still taking remote classes, it was harder to keep a routine.

“This last year it was just really hard to stay motivated, especially with everything that was going on in the news,” Milowski said. “It felt kind of silly to be sitting on my computer and doing classes when a bunch of crazy stuff was happening in global politics.”

However, there were setbacks for Milowski when she moved back home. She said it was an adjustment to get permission from her parents again, such as asking to borrow their car. After the freedom of her apartment, she said it was an odd feeling.

Setting up good habits can be beneficial for students’ mental health when living alone, Milowski explained.

A sleep schedule and a healthy diet are what she recommended, although these routines can be hard to maintain with the pandemic.

Similar to Milowski, sophomore Justin Darvick said living situations can fluctuate based on the contexts of one’s life. Darvick lives alone, and although he previously resided with family members and college roommates, he recognized his preference for living unaccompanied. There are ups and downs, he said, but doing so has been the best for his overall mental health.

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Illustration By Diana Ortega

CULTURE

AUG. 26, 2021 – SEPT. 1, 2021 | THE LUMBERJACK

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CULTURE

Staff’s streaming picks over break T Katelyn Rodriguez

Luke Hemmings finds himself at the ‘Starting Line’

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hen 5 Seconds of Summer (5SOS) frontman Luke Hemmings announced his debut solo album “When Facing the Things We Turn Away From” June 29 via Instagram and Twitter, it didn’t come as a surprise, considering drummer Ashton Irwin released his own album “Superbloom” Oct. 23, 2020. However, it marked a new era for KATELYN Hemmings, one that brought him away RODRIGUEZ CULTURE EDITOR from the familiarity of a band dynamic while also showing fans his own honesty and self-discovery.

The 12 songs on “When Facing the Things We Turn Away From” each touch on a wide variety of themes: addiction, growing older, chasing life’s highs and distrust of oneself, just to name a few. Hemmings also released three singles, “Starting Line,” “Motion” and “Place in Me” prior to the album’s release Aug. 13.

According to Apple Music, Hemmings said he wasn’t planning on releasing a solo album, but the pandemic shifted his perspective.

“When the world shut down last year, I had a lot of time to reflect on my youth and the person I had been, who I’ve become and who I wanted to be,” Hemmings said. “It just so happens that the best way for me to face those things and process my thoughts is by writing songs.”

My current top three songs on the album are “Place in Me,” “Mum” and “A Beautiful Dream.”

“Place in Me” is a heartbreakingly beautiful ballad in which Hemmings deals with letting someone down. He told Apple Music it was supposed to seem like he was leaving a voicemail for the other person in question. The acoustic guitar backing and static-like effects added to the track, pairing perfectly with the pain and longing in Hemmings’ vocals.

“Mum” is another ballad that chronicles Hemmings’ relationship with his mother and serves as a letter to her. At the beginning of the song, his vocals are somber as he apologizes to her for not calling often. At first he is backed by a piano before it jumps into a powerfully sung chorus.

“A Beautiful Dream” is a synth-heavy song that made me feel as if I was floating among memories I’ve accumulated throughout my life. According to Hemmings, this song was inspired by a single word: zenosyne, which is the feeling that time is moving faster as one gets older.

he four-month summer break had its advantages, especially in terms of finally having time to wind down from the virtual school year and to stream as many of our favorite shows as possible. Here’s a glimpse into what staffers at The Lumberjack have been viewing over the summer months.

Top streaming platforms: Netflix Disney+ Hulu HBO Max Amazon Prime Video YouTube Top streamed shows (in no particular order): “Loki” (Disney+) “Schitt’s Creek” (Netflix) “Outer Banks” (Netflix) “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” (Amazon Prime Video) “Broad City” (Hulu) “Gravity Falls” (Disney+) “Euphoria” (HBO Max)

“The Morning Show” (Apple TV) “The White Lotus” (HBO Max) “The Great British Baking Show” (Netflix) “Shadow and Bone” (Netflix) “Adventure Time” (HBO Max/Hulu) “The Mandalorian” (Disney+) “Ozark” (Netflix) “Hacks” (HBO Max) “Downton Abbey” (Netflix) “The Blacklist” (Netflix) “Love Island” (Paramount+/Amazon Prime Video) “Ted Lasso” (Apple TV) “Big Mouth” (Netflix) “Lupin” (Netflix) “Bojack Horseman” (Netflix) “Hannah Montana” (Disney+) “Ink Master” (Netflix) “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D” (Netflix) “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” (Disney+) “Gilmore Girls” (Netflix) “Agent Carter” (Disney+) “New Girl” (Netflix) “My Hero Academia” (Hulu) “The Bachelorette” (Hulu)

Shows we’re looking forward to in the coming months: “Bachelor in Paradise” (Hulu) “American Horror Story” (Netflix) “The Witcher” (Netflix) “Riverdale” (Netflix) “Hawkeye” (Disney+) “You” (Netflix) “The Wilds” (Amazon Prime Video) “Rupaul’s Drag Race” (Hulu/Apple TV) “Survivor” (Netflix/Hulu) “Magnum P.I.” (Paramount+) “The Morning Show” (Apple TV) “Ted Lasso” (Apple TV) “What We Do in the Shadows” (Hulu) Overall, The Lumberjack staffers highly recommend each show included in this list and have a lot to look forward to with releases in the coming months.

Continue reading on jackcentral.org Illustration By Diana Ortega

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CULTURE

Summer 2021’s top media hits Haylee Emch

S

ummer 2021 showed a boom in the release of film, music, concerts and shows, despite many postponement issues that arrived due to the pandemic. This variety of releases allowed audiences to explore new genres and discover more popular entertainment.

Many new series and seasons of shows have come into the public eye this summer on a variety of streaming platforms, including Netflix, Paramount+ and Disney+. Entertainment news site Vulture listed the release dates and highlighted some of the new seasons of shows fans were most vocal about: “Outer Banks” season two, “Rick and Morty” season five, “The Bachelorette” season 17, “Brooklyn NineNine’’ season eight and “Riverdale” season five, part two. These season premieres allowed actors and showrunners to continue sharing the stories of many recognizable characters.

Sophomore Alyssa Swiss said she enjoyed binging the new “Outer Banks” series on Netflix when it premiered July 30.

“I feel I liked it more because I got to watch it with my best friend,” Swiss said.

Fans were able to stay cool inside with the arrivals of many new shows including “Loki,” “The Celebrity Dating Game,” “Monsters at Work,” “Sophie: A Murder in West Cork,” “Physical,” “Kevin Can F**K Himself,” the reboot of “Gossip Girl,” “Heels” and, of course, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Vulture also described how many of these are being offered on varying platforms, with some even previewed through social media.

“It’s in many ways a familiar mix of summer-viewing options, but what’s striking about this year’s summer lineup is how diffuse it is, scattered across nearly a dozen distinct streaming services (or networks’ streaming offshoots) in addition to the existent galaxy of broadcast and cable channels,” Vulture writers remarked.

Popular and upcoming artists also released new music, with many dropping extended plays and full albums over the summer. Some eagerly awaited albums were released, such as Olivia Rodrigo’s “SOUR,” Billie Eilish’s “Happier than Ever,” Leon Bridges’ “Gold-Diggers Sound” and

Illustration By Diana Ortega

Prince’s posthumous “Welcome 2 America.”

NPR explained how these songs, albums and musical displays were highly anticipated by fans as they rose through the charts and captured audiences. Writers discussed how “songs of the summer” are ones that stick with audiences most, and they created a playlist of summer highlights.

Senior Clare Houliston said her favorite song over the summer was “Greek Tragedy (Oliver Nelson Remix)” by the Wombats.

“It is groovy, and that is really hard to find in music recently, ” Houliston said.

Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart showed that the summer tunes most listened to included “Kiss me More” by Doja Cat featuring SZA, “Solar Power” by Lorde, “Peaches” by Justin Bieber featuring Daniel Caesar, “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)” by Lil Nas X, “Astronaut In The Ocean” by Masked Wolf, “Heat Waves”

by Glass Animals, “Save Your Tears” by The Weeknd featuring Ariana Grande, “Bad Habits”

by Ed Sheeran and the early August release “Take My Breath” by The Weeknd.

Summer allowed concerts and other performances to open to the public once

again. Festivals such as Goldrush Music Festival, Hard Summer and Lollapalooza saw no dip in attendance despite pandemic fears. Some festivals decided to take the virtual route, such as the Essence Festival of Culture that used interactive visuals for its concerts.

Other concerts and tours including Louis The Child’s Euphoria Tour and the Hella Mega Tour with Green Day, Fall Out Boy and Weezer hit the road and will continue through the summer season. The Hella Mega Tour will have an international leg in summer 2022.

Movies were also on the rise as they premiered in theaters and on streaming platforms this summer. Film site First Showing posted its schedule of highly-rated movies this summer, which included “Cruella,” “The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It,” “In The Heights,” “Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard,” “Luca,” “F9,” “The Forever Purge,” “Black Widow,” “Jungle Cruise” and “The Suicide Squad.”

Rotten Tomatoes critics rated and reviewed the best films of the summer. Movies receiving a ‘fresh’ rating included “Jungle Cruise” with a score of 63, “Free Guy” with a score of 83, “Luca” with a score of 91, “Bo Burnham Inside” with a score of 93 and “In the Heights” with a score of 95.

There are many more films, shows, concerts and album releases that are anticipated in the following months. Shows premiering soon include “Bachelor in Paradise” season seven and “The Walking Dead” season 11.

Billboard’s Album Release Calendar shows some upcoming releases: Imagine Dragons’ “Mercury- Act 1” on Sept. 3, Coldplay’s “Music of the Spheres” on Oct. 15 and Taylor Swift’s “Red (Taylor’s Version)” coming Nov. 19.

The Firefly Festival is set to be held in late September in Dover, Delaware, and will include headliners Billie Eilish, Lizzo, The Killers and Tame Impala. Meanwhile, the First Showing film schedule displays movies scheduled to premiere in coming months, including “Dear Evan Hansen” on Sept. 24, “Top Gun: Maverick” on Nov. 11 and “Spider-Man: No Way Home” on Dec. 17.

The summer proved to offer entertaining pieces of film, music, concerts and shows. This excitement can continue into the fall season, with many more long-awaited entertainment mediums being on the brim of release.

AUG. 26, 2021 – SEPT. 1, 2021 | THE LUMBERJACK

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SPORTS

New expectations, same faces for NAU soccer Will Hopkins

I Lakers’ vet project can work

T

he Los Angeles Lakers are easily the most talked-about NBA team.

The historic franchise is always discussed around NBA circles, as it seems the league goes where the team goes.

Now, with forward LeBron James as the figurehead and the longest-tenured active player for the Lakers in only three seasons, he is certainly flexing his front office power BRENDEN to bring in the teammates he wants.

MARTIN With the Lakers truly being LeBron’s team, does this roster have what it takes SPORTS EDITOR to make this franchise the winningest in Finals history? The short answer is yes.

Early on, the way this team was assembled left a lot of people scratching their heads when the front office traded guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, forward Kyle Kuzma, center Montrezl Harrell and this year’s 22nd overall pick to the Washington Wizards for former MVP Russell Westbrook and two future second-round picks.

This move left many fans shaking their heads. The one major deficiency the Lakers had last year was 3-point shooting, ranking 21st in percentage last season. Adding Westbrook, a player notorious for his poor 3-point shooting, felt like the worst fit possible, especially when the Lakers were also deep in negotiations with the Sacramento Kings to acquire guard Buddy Hield, a career 40% 3-point shooter, for less.

With Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard and more players on veteran minimum contracts, the team’s average age is 31.8 years old. That age, paired with the increased effect of injuries this past season, could be disastrous. As long as the team makes the playoffs and is healthy, nobody will care how they do it.

The Lakers can certainly come out of the West, as they are favored to do so, but the real test comes from the potential opponent on the other side of the league.

The Brooklyn Nets have the best odds of winning the 2022 NBA Finals at +220. Led by their own big three of forward Kevin Durant, guard James Harden and guard Kyrie Irving, the Nets have a clear reason to be the team to beat.

The battle between these two superpowers, the Nets and Lakers, boils down to one word: sacrifice. Each member of each big three will have to be OK with the number of touches and the quality of their stats split between multiple all-stars. Last season, the Nets didn’t have to deal with that problem because the team rarely had all three of its stars on the court at once.

Meanwhile, the age, wisdom and certainly fatigue of the Lakers will require players to rely on each other to carry when someone else can’t.

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t’s no secret that NAU soccer has been building something in Flagstaff. Over the past four years, the program has not only grown into Big Sky Conference contenders, but also become favorites to win.

The spring season was promising for the Lumberjacks, with the team reaching the Big Sky title game for the first time under head coach Kylie Louw before a positive COVID-19 test suddenly ended NAU’s title aspirations the night before the championship game against the Montana Grizzlies. This season sees the Lumberjacks sitting atop the preseason Big Sky Coaches’ poll, which is a new experience for this generation of Lumberjacks.

Associate head coach Alan Berrios has returned after a season away coaching the Southeastern Flames to a Sun Conference title in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.

So, why return to Flagstaff after a successful season with the Flames?

“Kylie and I always remained really close,” Berrios said.

“We’re very close friends off the field, and I actually look at her like a sister, to be honest. When the opportunity presented itself to come back, Kylie and I had probably 15-20 conversations about it. The biggest draw was when I was here, I loved NAU, I loved Flagstaff and I believed in what Kylie was doing.”

NAU was always in Berrios’ heart, and the coach was excited to make the return to the university.

At Southeastern, Berrios led the team to a 17-2-1 record.

Lofty expectations don’t seem to faze Berrios after working with such a highly rated national program.

“It gave him confidence, he went and went 16-1 (in the regular season) and lost in the quarterfinals of the national championship,” Louw said of Berrios. “I’m not only bringing back a great person and someone that believes in me, but someone that’s going to contribute and add value to this team.”

While Berrios does have experience with Louw, it’s equally important to acknowledge that his familiarity with juniors and seniors — who he had coached before leaving for Southeastern — adds to the appeal of bringing him back.

“We always loved Alan, our team loved Alan,” senior midfielder Sydney Dennis said. “We were very upset when he left, so having him back just feels very comfortable. This is probably the best staff I feel like we’ve had since I’ve been here.

They all just work so well together.”

This season marks another key change in the Lumberjack coaching staff, one that was perhaps more predictable.

While this coaching staff has worked together before, bringing Berrios back wasn’t the only change Louw made this summer. Chris Campbell, who has been a volunteer coach with the program since 2019, was promoted to assistant coach and director of goalkeeping.

“I think being part of this staff is really special,” Campbell said about the promotion. “I think it’s awesome that Alan’s here, and I think it’s awesome that Kylie picked us and is allowing us to constantly give input and be a part of everything. She cares a lot about us and allows us to bring who we are to every situation.”

With the promotion of Campbell, his former spot is up for grabs. However, Louw said it will be challenging to find a replacement volunteer who’s willing to contribute as much effort and energy.

One of the biggest questions facing the Lumberjacks this season is who will be starting at goalkeeper following the departure of Taryn Benham, who is now a graduate student and goalkeeper at Colorado College.

This year the Lumberjacks have sophomore Olivia Hein, and two freshmen, Natalie Manzo and Trinity Corcoran, as options between the sticks, none of whom have seen action at the college level.

“It’s great to have three, [because] that dynamic helps out so much,” Campbell said of the goalkeeping competition. “These three keepers are so different, so we’ll have to find out the best ways to use them and how to round them out, but they are special and unique and they bring something special to the table.”

Despite the questions surrounding goalkeepers, the Lumberjacks lineup has plenty of reasons to be confident heading into the 2021 season, with seniors like forward Madison Montgomery, midfielder Sydney Dennis and forward Sam Larberg leading a Lumberjack attack that looks to be atop the Big Sky once again. Juniors Abby Donathan and Rylie Curran will look to anchor the defense following a postseason that saw them both earn second-team all-conference postseason honors, giving the starting keeper plenty of security on their side of the field.

One thing is clear about this group of Lumberjacks amid the high preseason expectations: NAU’s coaching staff has the experience to help the team deliver. The staff is also extremely comfortable with one another, as well as with their players. The familiar setup puts NAU in prime position to make a run at the Big Sky title and for plenty of future successes. Only time will tell what this season holds for the Lumberjacks.

NAU soccer associate head coach Alan Berrios.

Photo courtesy of NAU Athletics

SPORTS

Blue and Gold In Action NAU Volleyball vs Florida State: Friday, August 27, 1 p.m.

NAU Soccer @ UArizona: Friday, August 27, 7 p.m.

NAU Volleyball @ LSU: Saturday, August 28, 3 p.m.

NAU Volleyball vs Michigan: Sunday, August 29, 10 a.m NAU Soccer @ Oregon: Sunday, August 29, 1 p.m.

NAU Volleyball @ Nicholls State: Tuesday, August 31, 1 p.m.

Recent game results NAU Soccer @ Utah State: Saturday, August 21 Final: NAU 1 - 2 Utah State NAU Soccer @ Utah Valley: Monday, August 23 Final (OT): NAU 1 - 2 Utah Valley NAU soccer players celebrate their second goal Sept.

27, 2019 at the Max Silsbury Field at Lumberjack Stadium. Brian Burke | The Lumberjack

APRIL 15, 2021 – AUG. 25, 2020 | THE LUMBERJACK

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SPORTS Junior guard Mason Stark dribbling the ball past a defender.

Photo courtesy of Northern State University Athletics

Men’s Basketball transfers look to fill missing pieces Brenden Martin

N

AU men’s basketball has seen plenty of turnover from season to season and this past year was no exception.

The Lumberjacks, who finished the 2020-2021 season with a record of 6-16 and 4-10 against fellow Big Sky Conference competitors, heavily relied on key players to lead the team on the court. However, some of these players decided to depart.

Arguably the most important piece of the Lumberjack offense was junior guard Cameron Shelton. Born in Chino, California, announced on March 31 via Twitter that he would be taking his talents to Loyola Marymount University (LMU) in Los Angeles. LMU went 13-9 last year and finished third in the West Coast Conference (WCC) behind Brigham Young University and NCAA runner-up Gonzaga. Being able to join a team on the rise, in a larger market and close to his home could certainly be pointed to as factors in Shelton’s decision.

The loss of the 6-foot-2 guard out of Damien High School will be extremely difficult for NAU head coach Shane Burcar and

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his staff to recover from. Shelton started all 22 of NAU’s games and led the Lumberjacks in multiple statistical categories per game, including points (19.2), minutes (35.6), rebounds (5.9), assists (4.2) and steals (1.5). In total points, field goals made and assists specifically, Shelton had more than double of the next highest teammate.

However, Shelton isn’t the only loss for NAU. Around the same time, junior guard Luke Avdalovic also announced his intent to leave the program. He made the move official on April 2 via a tweet showing him in a Pacific University uniform. Pacific, another school in the WCC, is located in Stockton, California not too far from his hometown of Folsom.

This loss hurt the Lumberjacks, given how consistent Avdalovic was in Flagstaff. In his three years of play on the court, the 6-foot-5 guard made his name from beyond the arc, as he ranks sixth in school history for 3-pointers made (164) and fourth in 3-point percentage (45.3%). His most notable performance as a Lumberjack came in the team’s final win last season, when Avdalovic dropped a career-high 26 points and made seven triples

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in a first-round win for NAU in the Big Sky Tournament against the No. 7-seeded Portland State Vikings, 77-66.

Given the Lumberjacks’ struggles last season, one would think losing the two most valuable players on the team would effectively destroy NAU’s season before it gets started. However, the team has made some moves to help account for these departures.

Soon after news of the Shelton and Avdalovic transfers, NAU quickly filled the roster with some prominent players from across the country who decided to bring their talents to Flagstaff.

Starting off the NAU transfers committing in early April was Northern State guard Mason Stark, who also made his destination official via Twitter. Stark, a Chandler, Arizona native, spent the last three years playing at Northern State, a Division ll school located in Aberdeen, South Dakota. Despite him being a high school star at Marcos de Niza in Tempe and averaging 23 points per game as a senior, Stark didn’t get much attention from Division I schools and had to make his name known the hard way.

While some may be dismissive of his D-II roots, Stark is confident his skills will translate.

SPORTS “People think D-II and D-I are so different, but the truth is that it’s not, it’s not much different,” Stark said. “We had a big arena here, we had a lot of fans … I think we could have beat a lot of D-I teams here.”

The Lumberjacks would like a taste of the statistics Stark achieved. In his last year at Northern State, he averaged 16.9 points and 4.9 rebounds, the last of which is impressive for his 6-foot-2 inch stature. The three-time Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference honoree led the Wolves to their fourth-straight conference championship with a 78-57 win over Minnesota State University, Moorhead after putting up 24 points.

In his final year at Northern State, he helped lead the Wolves to a 19-2 record that culminated in a loss to eventual D-II champion, Northwest Missouri State. Northern State was 71-15 while Stark was on the roster.

“I’m a winner,” Stark said about his time at Northern State. “These last four years we’ve won a lot, we won a ton of games.”

Connections are part of what brought Stark back to his home state. He played AAU basketball with now fellow teammate and forward Nik Mains for five years, as well as with forward Carson Towt’s older brother, Caden, for about four years.

With his Shelton-like athleticism paired with his Avdalovic-like range, Stark looks to bring the best of both departed players.

Despite both major losses being in the backcourt, the Lumberjacks certainly feel the need to strengthen the frontcourt as well.

Cleaning up the glass was an issue for NAU last season, as the team was out-rebounded in 17 of 22 games.

An addition to the roster that may prove to be underrated is fifth-year center Justus Rainwater, a transfer from Florida Gulf Coast University. Last season, he had limited playing time and scored 2.2 points per game. Rainwater was more productive in his first season, however, scoring six points in nearly 21 minutes of per game playing time, more than double the amount received in the 2020-21 season.

A major reason for Rainwater’s decision to transfer is NAU’s Student-Athlete High Performance Center, a new athletic facility being built that will allow the program to reach new heights in training and wellness.

The High Performance Center is set to become the premier location for NAU athletic teams to operate in, and is scheduled to open in January 2022. Everything from strength training to nutrition stations will be present at the state-of-the-art facility.

“Everything definitely looks like it’s highgrade,” Rainwater said of the facility. “I can really not only focus on getting better basketball-wise

Junior guard Jalen Cone driving the ball past a Duke defender.

Photo courtesy of Virginia Tech Athletics

but also being able to properly recover.”

With Rainwater entering his fifth and final season of eligibility, he certainly understands the importance of treatment and getting his body to perform at the highest level.

The third and arguably biggest move seen during this stretch of newly added transfers was the addition of junior guard Jalen Cone. Unlike Stark, Cone already has plenty of D-I experience, in addition to a Power Five background, having played two seasons for Virginia Tech in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

During his time as a Hokie, Cone played in 47 games, including all 32 games his freshman year, and even got some time as a starter. In his whole Virginia Tech career, Cone averaged 8.4 points per game and was also seen as a marksman. In his freshman year, he led the ACC in 3-point shooting percentage at 45.7%, which was among the top ten figures in the nation.

The 5-foot-10 guard from Walkertown, North Carolina brings notable credibility to this Lumberjack squad. He was a four-star prospect out of high school and was ranked 80 in ESPN’s top 100 recruiting class in 2019, a list headlined by top NBA draft picks Anthony Edwards, James Wiseman, Cole Anthony and R.J. Hampton.

Cone’s talent was definitely recognized as he announced his intention to enter the transfer portal in March. Multiple teams within the Power Five looked to bring him in, but Cone had narrowed down his list to seven schools: Oklahoma State, Indiana, Penn State, Nebraska, Iowa State, Buffalo and NAU. Despite having a handful of big-time schools chomping at the bit to get a player like Cone, he justified his decision based on what he had seen and experienced from his time at a Power Five school.

“Normally the higher the level you go, the system is more strict,” Cone said. “They make you do certain things and don’t give you that freedom.”

Cone saw a decent amount of playing time at Virginia Tech, receiving 18 minutes per game and 20 minutes per game in his two respective seasons there. With the way this roster is shaping up, he is looking to increase time on the floor.

Further, Cone explained he turned down those Power Five schools in large part due to the 2021 NCAA Tournament, when junior guard Max Abmas led Oral Roberts to the Sweet 16 and defeated some well-known teams.

“I believe that I can perform at a high level

the way Max Abmas did and get this team to that position, get them to a Sweet 16,” Cone said.

He missed the final four games of last season, including Virginia Tech’s first-round overtime loss to No. 7 Florida in the NCAA Tournament, with a foot injury. He spent much of the transfer process and offseason healing and preparing for the start of this season.

After a year of COVID-19 protocols altering game schedules and keeping players off the court, health is going to be a key factor in how far the Lumberjacks will go.

NAU is set to start the 2021-22 season in Tucson against the Arizona Wildcats on Nov. 9.

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