January 18, 2024
Vol. 36, Issue 9
I NDEP END E N T
STUD E N T
VO I C E
O F
B O I SE
STATE
S I N C E
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Women writers in Idaho play a vital role in impacting local literature
NEWS
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Gov. Little talks about education, economic growth and infrastructure being his top priority.
VISIT US ONLINE:
OPINION
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Although it became prevalent in 2020, COVID is still having a lasting effect on education.
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CULTURE
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“Iron Claw” does a great job honoring the Von Erich family and professional wrestling @arbiteronline
SPORTS & REC
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Boise State men’s basketball took down a giant after defeating No. 17 Colorado State
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@arbiteronline
PHOTO OF THE WEEK
Editor-In-Chief Hanalei Potempa editor@stumedia.boisestate.edu Online Editor Adam Bridges onlineeditor@stumedia.boisestate.edu News Editor Kiryn Willett news@stumedia.boisestate.edu News Reporter Kaylie Hilliker news@stumedia.boisestate.edu News Reporter Joel Hroma news@stumedia.boisestate.edu Culture Editor Emily Gordon culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu Culture Reporter Olivia Brandon culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu Sports & Rec Editor Marlei Soderquist sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu Sports & Rec Reporter Alec Simeone sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu Opinion Editor Ella Van Leuven opinion@stumedia.boisestate.edu Copy Editor Kelly Ann Asker copy@stumedia.boisestate.edu Social Media Coordinator Karley Rodriguez Digital Content Manager Taya Thornton digitalcontent@stumedia.boisestate.edu
Photo of a young girl holding a protest sign that reads "Equal Access 4 All."
ON THE COVER:
Boise State is filled with talented women writers. These female writers play a key role in impacting local writing in Idaho as they share their experiences and local oppor tunities in the literar y sphere.
HOW TO REACH US:
Graphic Design Manager Sasha White design@stumedia.boisestate.edu
CONTACT US: editor@stumedia.boisestate.edu 208.426.6302 PHYSICAL LOCATION: Located on first floor of Lincoln Avenue Garage Suites
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MISSION:
Digital Content Producer Niamh Brennan
Illustrator Sydney Smith Distributed every few weeks during the academic school year and online daily, The Arbiter is the official independent student newspaper of Boise State University, where student editors make all content decisions and bear responsibility for those decisions. The Arbiter’s budget consists of fees paid by the student body and advertising sales. The first copy is free. Additional copies can be purchased for $1 a piece at The Arbiter offices.
As a student-run organization, we produce accurate and hyper-local information through non-par tisan and socially responsible media.
MAILING ADDRESS: Student Media MS 1340 1910 W Universit y Dr. Boise, ID 83725 -1340
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3RD ANNUAL SPRIGGS FAMILY LECTURE
“IS CAPITALISM SUSTAINABLE?”
MICHAEL MUNGER Monday, February 5, 2024 | 6:30 P.M. Jordan Ballroom | Student Union Building
boi.st/spriggs FREE ADMISSION, FREE PARKING: Lincoln Ave. and University Drive Garage
Hosted by Spriggs Family Endowment for Free Market Studies and Boise State College of Business and Economics
NEWS
JANUARY 18, 2024 | ARBITERONLINE.COM
Students voice their thoughts on graduation not taking place on the blue turf
The student opinion regarding the indefinite change of venue for commencement Emily Gordon | Culture Editor | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu
Photo of graduates on the blue turf at Albertsons Stadium. Photo courtesy of Boise State University
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ince 2021, Boise State students have graduated on the iconic blue turf at Albertsons Stadium — a shared memory for the graduating class, celebrating on the turf that makes Boise State University stand out nationwide. But as of the 2024 school year, Boise State students can expect graduating in various time slots at the ExtraMile Arena, rather than one ceremony on the beloved blue turf. Students will be divided by their designated colleges — College of Business,
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College of Arts and Sciences, etc. — separated into a 9 a.m., 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. time period. “The decision to move to Extra Mile arena was not something that was taken lightly,” said Mike Sharp, director of media relations at Boise State. “Which was taken with feedback from fellow graduates in years past … They indicated that the most memorable experiences for the ceremonies were getting their name called when they’re receiving their diploma, sitting with their fellow graduates…and then the streamers, balloons and shaking the hands
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of the faculty, those are things that we can do and replicate inside Extra Mile arena.” According to Sharp “There was an email that went out to the prospective graduates with details about what they’re convinced it was going to look like, which is the typical process for that.” However, only 2.4% of students polled by The Arbiter were aware of/were informed of the venue change through an email from the school. A survey and form released from The Arbiter revealed that 29.2% of students polled learned of this change via a breaking news announcement published Nov. 8 by The Arbiter. The other 68.4% learned of this news through a peer or professor. The form, attached via link at the end of the previous article, provided a forum for current students to share their thoughts on this change of venue. According to the responses received, 96.4% of students polled by the Arbiter would prefer for commencement to be at Albertsons Stadium. .. Some students shared that they felt Boise State seemed to quietly release this information, “It feels really unfair and like the university tried to soft launch it in hopes that students would find out gradually to avoid a big outburst,” one student replied. Some students questioned the destination of their tuition and shared their frustration in feeling like they were not involved in this decision. “It’s a rite of passage, and I know a LOT of my tuition goes to the f**king football program, so I’d like to walk on the field one time,” one student wrote. Many of the 2024 spring graduates are 2020 high school graduates as well, meaning many were deprived of a traditional graduation due to the pandemic. The abrupt change in graduation has made some students feel deprived of yet another
graduation tradition. “I waited my whole educational career to finally walk across the stage on my campus field,” another student wrote. “After the change, I had an instant feeling of betrayal, like as a part of the class of 2020 I will never get the same opportunity to celebrate my success as everyone else before me.” A few students shared that they made changes to their academic plans in order to graduate in the spring to partake in this graduation tradition. “I’ve taken extra classes every semester and summer and have worked so hard in order to have my graduation in the spring PURELY to have my ceremony on the turf,” one student wrote. “If this was switched, especially so close to before my graduation date, this would be a permanent sadness to my graduation ceremony and memories. I can’t even express how extremely disappointing this change would be, I don’t think I’d ever get over it.” Sharp emphasized the importance of taking into account concerns that students have regarding this change in venue, and shared that there are some potential plans in progress. ‘I would expect that you know, any concerns or issues that the students want taken up with would have to be discussed,” said Sharp. “I do think those concerns are all still there we’re trying to do is plan some sort of opportunity for graduates and our guests to get an opportunity whether it be a photo op for a meet and greet on the blue so that students are still able to get that experience.”
NEWS
Boise swears in youngest city council in history, alongside Mayor McLean
McLean begins another four years as mayor, and states a “supercharge” lies ahead Kaylie Hilliker | News Repor ter | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu
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oise City Hall Lauren McLean was sworn in for another four years in office on Jan. 9 at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers. This comes after her re-election in the 2023 mayoral race against Mike Masterson, Joe Evans and Aaron Reis. The council chambers were packed with supporters to witness the event, from families to Idaho State legislature committee members. The ceremony opened with the
pledge of allegiance led by the Silver Sage Girl Scout Council, Troop 0981. Mayor McLean soon after took the mic to express her remarks before Idaho State Treasurer Julie Ellsworth swore her in. “Together we do what Bosians always do, and that is take care of each other, plan for the future. Do what we must, when we must,” McLean said. McClean thanked her family as well. “My heart is fuller than it was four years ago. In gratitude to each of you, in grati-
Photo of Boise City Hall located on North Capitol Boulevard.
tude to my family,” McClean said. After Mayor McLean spoke, several incumbents from District 1, 2, 5 and 6 (Luci Willits, Colin Nash, Meredith Stead and Jimmy Hallyburton) were sworn in. District 3 and 4 new council members Kathy Corless and Jordan Morales swore-in to complete the youngest city council ever elected in the city. The last election round in November was different due to Bill HB413, a law issued by the Idaho Legislature in 2020 that
requires political candidates to live in the district they are running for.. It is the first time every city council member elected for the next two years (for even-numbered districts) and four years (for odd-numbered districts) corresponds to where they live, voted in by the people they live around. “We are going to supercharge what we’ve done the last four years,” McLean said, “And we are going to do that with the staff that made this possible. With our residents that dig in every day. With each and every one of you.” During the ceremony, the city council unanimously voted Colin Nash representing District 2 as the president. Formerly, Jimmy Hallyburton from District 6 held the position. Nash accepted the nomination. “I am encouraged by the group of folks we have up here… We are dealing with a new system, we will have districts for the first time,” Nash said, referring to the fact that every Boise district had a council member elected by their own geographic location. During the election of Meredith Stead to council president pro tempore, Nash commented on the uniqueness of the council itself. “It’s a young council, youngest council, least tenured council, probably in our city council’s history. Which is exciting!” Rounds of applause ensued immediately through the hall chambers, and the ceremony concluded with brief statements from Mayor McLean before the reception. “In closing a friend of mine once said serving in local government, serving the county, the city that you love, she’s a county commissioner, is like writing a love letter every day,” said McClean. “And I think about that often, how true it is. I so look forward to writing what’s next to this place that we love, with each and every one of you in the next four years.”
Photo by Niamh Brennan JANUARY 18, 2024
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NEWS
Gov. Little highlights the previous year in the State of Idaho Address Education, economic growth, and infrastructure at the forefront of Governors priorities
Joel Hroma | News Repor ter | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu
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ith a new year comes a new address from Gov. Brad Little on the State of the State. Gov. Little spoke in front of the joint Idaho Congress on Jan. 8, 2024 at 9 a.m., highlighting accomplishments from the previous year and plans moving forward for the state of Idaho. “We are the least regulated state. We are one of the safest states in the union. We rank first for income growth. We have delivered more tax relief per capita than any other state,” the Governor said in his address. Governor Little went on to compare his achievements to other states such as Florida and Texas.
“WE’RE A TOP TEN STATE FOR BEST ECONOMY, RIVALING FLORIDA AND TEXAS,” GOV. LITTLE SAID IN HIS ADDRESS. “We’re a top ten state for best economy, rivaling Florida and Texas,” Little said in his address. The key topics highlighted in the address were education, economic growth and infrastructure. This all ties into the Governor’s new “Idaho Works” plan. Education Governor Little has education at the front of his mind when it comes to policy, which was shown during his address to the state. He emphasized a strong push for
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school choice and supporting charter schools in Idaho. “We are a leader in education freedom. Idaho is a top ten state for charter schools,” said Little. Governor Little intends to introduce a bill this legislative session to “cut more red tape” and provide “taxpayers the transparency they deserve.” In 2021, Governor Little signed into law HB 377 which limits how public schools and public charter schools can discuss issues relating to “sex, race, ethnicity, religion, color, national origin, or other criteria in ways contrary to the unity of the nation and the well-being of the state of Idaho and its citizens”, according to the bill. “Idaho was the first state to ban critical race theory in our schools. We’re taking a stand that we should not divide our children,” Little said in his address. Gov. Little also highlighted the new Idaho LAUNCH grant program saying 12,500 students applied for the program. Economic growth “We must continue to lead the nation in fiscal responsibility, tax relief and strategic investments to keep up with record growth,” Little said in his address. Idaho has seen a substantial increase in population growth and migration to the state of Idaho. Census data estimates Idaho’s population grew 1.3% within the last year. Gov. Little called attention to Idaho’s budgeting and a projected $3.7 billion in tax relief to Idaho residents. The Governor also recommended an additional $125 million of state funding to be allocated to property tax relief for local school districts. Infrastructure “Since I took office, I have recommended and the Legislature has
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Photo of Brad Little at the State of the State address. Photo courtesty of Otto Kitsinger approved more than $1 billion in additional funding for water-related infrastructure projects,” Little said in a video presented at his State of the State address. Gov. Little stated half of the aforementioned $1 billion will go to improving drinking water and wastewater treatment, while the other half will go to “modernize water infrastructure statewide”. The Idaho Works plan also lays out a plan to add $200 million to improve local bridges, making the new budget allocated to bridge infrastructure $600 million. The plan states 900 bridges are more than 50 years old which are in need of repair or need to be replaced.
The plan also addresses a $50 million investment into the Transportation Expansion and Congestion Mitigation (TECM) bonding program to strengthen Idaho’s transportation system. Gov. Little promises “no new taxes” when it comes to funding long-term needs. Little closed with an ode to former Idaho Gov. Phil Batt, citing his “unrelenting human rights leadership, determined fiscal conservatism and enduring love of Idaho.” The full transcript for the State of the State address can be found here.
Protesters gather in downtown Boise call for a cease fire in Gaza
NEWS
Boiseans protest the Israeli-Palestine conflict and receive a citation from Boise Police Department Kir yn Willet t | News Editor | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu
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n the corner of South 8th St. and West Front St., a group of roughly 20 Boise residents chanted, “Biden Biden you cannot hide, we accuse you of genocide,” while waving signs in support of Palestine and a cease-fire in Gaza at 4:45 p.m. on Dec. 23, 2023. The Idaho chapter of the Party For Socialism and Liberation (PSL) organized a protest in partnership with the Shutdown for Palestine Coalition, along with the Palestinian Youth movement, National Students for Justice in Palestine and other Palestinian organizations, according to PSL organizer Morrighan Nyx. The protestors had various chants in support of Palestine, including, “From the rivers to the sea Palestine will be free.” Israel and Palestine have a long, conflict ridden history, and the most recent wave of violence was ignited by a Hamas terrorist attack on Oct. 7, 2023. Since Oct. 7, Israel has retaliated with a bombing campaign that has left nearly 80 percent of the population internally displaced and 20,000 people dead, according to the United Nations. Israel has bombed hospitals and the homes of journalists, as well as killed Gazans fleeing through the evacuation corridors. The Human Rights Watch is now calling for Israel to be investigated for war crimes. The U.S. provides $3.8 billion a year in military assistance to Israel. This, along with Biden’s previous support of Israel and the U.S veto of a ceasefire in Gaza, is the reason for the protestors accusations of supporting genocide. While experts still do not agree on whether the Israel-Palenstine conflict is genocide, the U.N. has warned against an increasing risk of genocide in Palestine as the violence escalates and Israeli officials use genocidal language, such as “finish them all”. Biden isn’t the only politician to come
under fire for supporting Israel, as Idaho’s U.S. Senator James [Jim] Risch replaced Biden’s name in the chant, changing the line to “James Risch you cannot hide, we accuse you of genocide”. Risch has previously given enthusiastic support for Israel and introduced the Support For Israel Resolution. The protestors aim to pressure legislator’s to condemn Israel’s action and stop any U.S. funding for the Israeli military. “The biggest weapon that people have to make change is in numbers,” said PSL organizer Morrighan Nyx. “And it’s by demonstrating we’re able to show … that these actions and these policies are unpopular and put pressure to show that it’s a genuine risk to their political careers.” The protestors are asking people to not go about business as usual while Gaza suffers. Protestor and Boise local Kim Oleander, asks people to not be numb to the conflict. “Just because it’s not happening next door doesn’t mean it’s not real,” Oleander said. “We have people who have family in Palestine or don’t know where they are. This isn’t just something that’s on the other side of the world. It is local, it is here, and we act like we’re such an amazing loving state that welcomes refugees, until the refugees have a skin color we don’t like. This is wrong.” At the start of the protest, two uniformed Boise police officers approached Nyx and warned her against using a megaphone to lead the various chants the group had. After the warning, the officers left the immediate vicinity of the protest, but stayed with eye sight of the protest before returning with two additional uniformed officers and issued a citation. The officers cited violation of city ordinance 5-7-3, using an amplification device that can be heard from 100 feet away. “That shocked me because this is like the smallest group I’ve seen and we had four officers. So that was laughable to
Photo of protesters gathering at the Grove Plaza in support of the Free Palestine movement. Photo by Kiryn Willett me,” Oleander said. The PSL have held an estimated 15 protests and other community activities in support of Palestine since Oct. 7. Nyx stated she believed the Boise Police Department were being “discriminatory” and using the city ordinance to shut down any form of speech that they do not like, such as instances where the Boise Police Department has threatened citations at Black Lives Matter, abortion rights and pro-Palestine protests. According to Nyx, she has been threatened with citations around eight times since October during various protests. When asked, these Boise police officers
insisted that they are not targeting any specific protestors, and that their presence is to keep the peace and ensure compliance with city ordinances. After the citation was issued, Nyx and other protests began shouting louder. “I bet they can hear us even farther down now,” Nyx called at the officers after receiving the citation. The protestors began chanting “BPD, KKK, IDF, they’re all the same,” and one organizer described the interaction as “undemocratic”. The officers then left the protest, but at least one officer remained within eyesight of the protest until its conclusion.
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OPINION JANUARY 18, 2024 | ARBITERONLINE.COM
A new normal: the lasting impact of COVID-19 on education
Nearly 4 years since the initial COVID-19 lockdown, students are still facing effects of the pandemic Ella Van Leuven | Opinion Editor | opinion@stumedia.boisestate.edu
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lthough masks aren’t widely required and there’s no longer a toilet paper shortage, COVID-19 is still affecting people around the world. The virus isn’t just still active – it has, and will continue to have long-term effects on nearly every aspect of people’s everyday lives. For many young people, the 2020 lockdown is most memorable because they had to abruptly transition to online learning, going from seeing their classmates in person every day to joining a Zoom meeting for school. Education was an area of society majorly altered by the pandemic. The changes that schools across the world underwent, from elementary schools to college campuses, have not all gone back to the way they were before the pandemic began. The abrupt change to remote learning
during the pandemic led to a significant disruption to the traditional education system. Many students struggled to adjust to the new style of learning of the online format. There are long-term consequences to months spent unexpectedly learning online from home during a worldwide pandemic; many students have not yet returned to the level of learning they were at before COVID-19 began. A report from NWEA states that “On average, students will need the equivalent of 4.1 additional months of instruction in reading and 4.5 months in math to meet pre-pandemic levels of achievement.” Students aren’t just facing lasting academic struggles because of COVID. The pandemic took a toll on the mental health of students, with increased stress, anxiety and depression reported across various age
Illustration of three students with masks on.
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groups. A study from the National Library of Medicine reported that, “The pandemic adversely affected student mental health, leading to an increased prevalence of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). This may have a significant impact on their mental health issues such as frustration, stress, and sadness.” The abrupt transition to remote learning, social isolation and the uncertainties surrounding the pandemic created a challenging environment for students. The lingering effects of these mental health struggles still persist, impacting students’ ability to focus, engage and perform academically. The long-term effects of the pandemic aren’t all negative. The pandemic prompted a reevaluation of traditional learning
Illustration by Sydney Smith
environments. Hybrid and remote learning models, initially adopted as temporary solutions, have become integral components of modern education. Lana Kuchta, a professor in Boise State’s English department, discussed how students have recovered from the damage done by the pandemic. “Students have been amazingly resilient,” Kuchta said. “They advocate for themselves a little better than they may have used to, they advocate for what they need as learners and they understand the environments they learn best in now.” Kuchta went on to talk about how the lockdown and online learning affected not just students, but instructors in the long-term as well. “We’ve learned to be a lot more flexible and adaptive as instructors, for example, being able to teach in person or move it to Zoom or move things online,” Kuchta said. “We have formats like hybrid courses, there are increases in the number of online courses we’re offering.” While there were and are devastating consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, both on education and the entire world surrounding it, people have been able to find the good in the situation and use what they learned during the lockdown to make things like education better in the world around them. The impact of the pandemic on students extends far beyond the immediate disruptions we saw in the past. As we navigate the educational landscape today, it is essential to recognize and address the lasting effects, from learning loss and mental health struggles to educational inequities and the redefinition of learning environments.
OPINION
The minimalist aesthetic promotes rampant consumerism Maximalist influencers are promoting DIY and de-influencer culture
Olivia Brandon | Culture Repor ter | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu
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ontrary to popular belief, the minimalist aesthetic known for its perfect pantries and shades of beige may actually be promoting rampant consumerism — possibly even more than its counterpart maximalism. If you haven’t thought about this aesthetic since 2015, let’s take a walk down memory lane. An article entitled “The History of Minimalism” discusses how minimalism first became popular in 1850 as famous transcendentalists like Thoreau or Emerson romanticized the concept of simplicity. Fast forward to 1960 up to today and minimalism has been transformed from sleek white design and architecture to meticulously labeled cookie jars and color-coordinated refrigerator content. Take that concept and flip it on its head and you have maximalism. The article “The Return of Maximalism” notes that after World War II, many women wanted to reinfuse the home with light and brightness, and the start of a new trend was born. Designers of the 60s associated minimalism with optimism and it wasn’t until 1970 that maximalism fully emerged as an established aesthetic. Maximalist and content creator Clare Sullivan shares tips for transforming a space in her TikTok series “budget luxuries” in which she shows viewers simple tips for enhancing their space on a budget. Although Sullivan’s home is covered with eclectic knickknacks and colorful patterns, it doesn’t appear cluttered. In fact, Sullivan is constantly de-influencing her followers. A recent TikTok featured the creator explaining that you don’t need to buy new decor every Halloween and instead, offers up the hack of changing out prints in picture frames to reflect the current season. The Daily Targum points out that “This brand of American minimalism can lead
Illustration of a woman in a minimally-decorated apartment and one woman in a colorfully-decorated apartment. Illustration by Kelsey Mason to enabling new modes of consumption,” begging the question of what defines a minimalist aesthetic if the individual is simply buying new items to fit the cohesive look. With the maximalist aesthetic, individuals can change up their space at any given time (as long as they have good storage) and aren’t locked into a certain look. If a minimalist decides they don’t like the glass containers they have all of their cereal in, do they have to buy an entirely new pantry organization system? One of the most perfect examples of this hypocrisy can be seen with the beige and white encased mansions of the Kardashians. This family is known for their perpetuation of an effortless look that
takes thousands of dollars to maintain. With the maximalist aesthetic on the rise in popularity, the National Design Academy highlights the irony of Kim Kardashian’s now being “A slightly outdated style, born out of the financial struggles of the public.” Oftentimes the maximalist aesthetic promotes shopping second-hand or thrifting to ensure you’re finding unique or eclectic pieces. For a minimalist, shopping discounted or second-hand would prove to be difficult as most items are bought in a set or matching pairs. Consumerism and capitalism plague all of us and the maximalist aesthetic that perpetuates more items in a home brings with it its own set of issues. However,
most individuals are unable to see a connection between capitalism and an aesthetic that boasts of simplicity and less clutter. Rich businessmen Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus are profiting off of a “minimalist business model” that teaches audience members to implement this way of life. There are no statistics that prove that one aesthetic is worse for the planet than the other. However, it is notable that the constant purging associated with minimalism may not be a sustainable lifestyle. Finding pieces that spark joy and allowing your style to shift and fluctuate throughout the years is a way for individuals to focus on making their space feel like a home.
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9
Women writers in Idaho impact the local writing community
Female writers share their experiences and local opportunities in the literary sphere
Olivia Brandon | Culture Reporter | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu | Illustrations by Sydney Smith
oise State is full of incredibly talented women writers who consistently make a difference in the literary sphere through their work and professors who advocate for the work of women writers to be studied. The local writing community Boise State MFA candidate and graduate teaching assistant Daisy Rosenstock discussed the unexpected community she has found within the literary sphere as a woman writer in Boise. “The arts scene here is so alive, and I have no qualms admitting I was not expecting that at all. Boise, Idaho wasn’t exactly screaming “artsy” to me as I was preparing to move out here,” Rosenstock said. "The community is supportive and alive and is one of the things that has impressed me the most.” As previously stated, to be a writer is to be a reader and Rosenstock is no exception to that concept. Rosenstock recounted taking inspiration from former Boise State fiction professor Mary Pauline Lowry in her writing endeavors. “It sounds cliché but she really changed the way I think about and approach creative writing,” Rosenstock said. “She taught me that writing is not just a hobby; it’s a calling, a voca-
tion and should be honored as such.” Rosenstock strongly believes in the abilities of the thriving group of women who are pursuing literary-based majors or are involved in the writing community here at Boise State. “BSU has a plethora of incredible women writers right at its fingertips — writers I’m so honored to have taught during my time here,” Rosenstock said. “I think the best and easiest place to start would be to raise up and encourage them as much as possible.” Education program manager and 2023 Boise State graduate Hillary Colton discussed the opportunities that a venue like The Cabin presents to all writers, but specifically to women writers. The Cabin is an organization that provides writers with the opportunity to gain advice from more experienced authors, as well as workshops that allow them to hone their craft. “We have a lot of programs for all writers, of all ages,” Colton said. “Speaking more to mature writers and to the education side of The Cabin, we offer two free adult writing workshops every month as well as six-week workshops in fall, winter and spring, and we offer scholarships to writers who’d like to attend but might not be able to due to monetary reasons.” Colton discussed some of the influential women writers who will be speaking at The Cabin in 2023 through 2024, such as fantasy writer V.E. Schwab, reporter Casey Parks and
young adult writer Gabrielle Zevin. “I’ve experienced a lack of seriousness when I tell people I’m a writer, or that I’m working on a novel,” Colton said. “In fact, outside of my literary family, I don’t usually tell people that I’m writing a novel. I never get the response I’m hoping for, or one that would encourage me to keep writing.” Colton shared that she continuously faces the struggle of others making assumptions about her based on her writing. “I wrote and published a flash piece where a woman imagines drowning her child due to postpartum psychosis and certain family members were horrified when they read it because they feared I would hurt my own children,” Colton said. “I was never interested in writing about things that people thought I should be writing about as a mother, as a woman. I can be a loving mother and an intelligent woman, and I can write about very dark, real things.” Working in various bars and restaurants, some of Colton’s writing focuses on women’s experience in the workplace. “I’ll tell you that I’ve worked very hard to not work in the service industry forever, and my writing is absolutely exploring what women experience in that profession,” Colton said. “Sometimes I explore what I experienced, but I also move beyond that and look at communities of women who have experienced the things I have. I’m
interested in writing about real women, about real experiences of women. Anything else, for me, isn’t worth my time.” Boise State’s writing program incorporates women-centered literature Boise State professor Samantha Harvey feels that she is honoring the work of past women writers in her ENGLIT 393 Women Writers course. “It is surreal, but in the very best possible way, which is that when we're studying those writers and women's literature, we're thinking about how much they struggled to have a community, to be able to access literacy and to be able to access print culture,” Harvey said. “When we're in the classroom, we're embodying something they [past writers] dreamed of for generations.” The canon is a classically male-defined catalog of literature and a non-concrete list of must-read authors. In courses like “Women Writers” students have the opportunity to be exposed to literature they haven’t engaged with previously. “The canon has included so many male writers, and we do want to give a sense of ‘these are the writers who were really forming the conversation in a way that was very visible’, we teach that tradition but we must realize that we are excluding voices,” Harvey said. “To have other places, whether it's in a women's literature course, or even within those period courses, reserving at least part of the course for ‘hey,
who's been left out, what's missing?' I think that's really vital.” Professor Harvey discussed the enjoyment of having creative writers in her courses and the connection she sees between reading quality literature and becoming a great writer. “Creative writing encourages students to come over to literature, and I really applaud that because I think to become a writer, you need to read a lot and you need to read very good literature,” Harvey said. “Even though writing is a very lonely pursuit, sometimes you think about the author in their garret, typing away, but really, you are part of a much longer and richer conversation.” Diversity and the future of the literary sphere Grad students Hannah Phillips and Kara Killinger are on the fiction track of the creative writing MFA program at Boise State. They are also part of the Idaho Review, an online publication that prints annually. The Idaho Review is a literary magazine and online publication that features poetry and fiction writing from authors globally. Phillips and Killinger both shared that the Boise State writing program they’re a part of has been welcoming and supportive. “We're in Idaho, but we're also kind of in this little bubble in our program,” Killinger said. “There's a thriving arts community and there's a thriving queer community.” Phillips seemed to share this sentiment. “I can't speak for all of Idaho, but I do think once you leave Boise … you're treading different ground pretty quickly,” Phillips said. “I think Boise is kind of a perfect size city in that it's got a very small tight-knit artists community, but at the same time, it's like a big cultural hub and you can't really get that in like New York City or LA. I find Boise to be a really nice place to create art.” Writing about the experiences of queer women and religious pressures are prevalent themes in both Killinger’s and Phillips’ works. “I think that's kind of relevant to a lot of people in Boise especially, there's a lot of people who have kind of left
religious communities,” Phillips said. “I just recently wrote a screenplay that's being produced by the university which is about a queer woman who is estranged from her biological family and connects with a found family.” While still acknowledging that the literary canon still has a long way to go, Killinger acknowledged the progress that has been made. “As far as the contemporary scene and writers that I admire now, I feel like there are so many amazing women who are getting chances to speak on panels. It's gotten a lot better, a lot more diverse,” Killinger said. “So I think still, sometimes when we talk about the canon, we leave out a lot of women but as far as contemporary I don't feel like we have as many problems with that as we used to.” Referencing a more dated canon that many students are familiar with, Phillips discussed some of the barriers women faced as writers. “Historically, inevitably, women are underrepresented. I think there are probably so many stories that have been lost or just never written because women didn't have the financial means or the education or the same kind of respect as artists in society that wealthy men did at that time,” Phillips said. “I think nowadays, we're kind of reshaping the canon … future generations at least are gonna have a canon much more diverse when you look back at this time.” Phillips and Killinger find themselves constantly inspired by other women authors. “Talk about women writers, we have a powerhouse of women writers in this next issue (in the Idaho Journal) that I'm so excited about,” Phillips said. “We have Nina Ellis, she's gonna publish a story called ‘Georgia O'Keeffe and The Angel of Death’, which is a story that's told in the form of a tarot reading.” These women are just an example of the many incredibly talented women writers in Boise. If you are interested in pursuing a career in writing, don’t let fear stop you. Take a creative writing course at Boise State, attend a workshop at The Cabin, or even submit something to the Idaho Journal.
You never know where it will lead you.
C U LT U R E JANUARY 18, 2024 | ARBITERONLINE.COM
‘The Iron Claw’ is an emotional rollercoaster of love and sorrow
Sean Durkin’s “Iron Claw” depicts a legendary family who once had it all Spencer Rentfro | Staf f Writer | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu
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hrough triumphs and misfortunes, the Von Erich name is known to be one of the most successful and influential families in professional wrestling history, but at what cost? Whether you’re a fan of the sport or not, the new biopic entails an incredible story of brotherhood, love and despair. “The Iron Claw” is based on the true story of the Von Erich family, an iconic wrestling dynasty that rose to prominence in the Texas professional wrestling scene during the 1970s and 1980s. The film focuses on four of the Von Erich sons, Kevin, Kerry, David and Mike, led by patriarch Fritz Von Erich. Although the family’s surname is Adkisson, the last name “Von Erich” was chosen by father Fritz Von Erich to be the ring name during his professional wrestling career. The name “Iron Claw” originates from their father’s signature move he used during his matches. The movie opens in black and white as Fritz Von Erich uses his signature move to take down his opponent in a grueling 1950s wrestling match. We learn in the beginning that the Von Erich family struggled financially, as Fritz Von Erich strived to be great in the wrestling world not only for his legacy but to support his wife and children. The four brothers are played by Zac Efron (Kevin), Jeremy Allen White (Kerry), Harris Dickinson (David), and Stanley Simons (Mike). Conversely, the film purposely leaves out one of the six brothers, Chris Von Erich, for the narrative to be kept “ tight”, according to Director Sean Durkin. The eldest brother of the Von Erich family is also mentioned briefly
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faced on their journey to greatness. The film revolves around the concept of the Von Erich “curse,” stemming from historical generational tragedies within the father’s family lineage. As the movie progresses, various series of unfortunate events occur, revealing the profound impact of this generational “curse” on the family name, though they continue to strive for success in the wrestling business through their faith in God. Fritz Von Erich is depicted as a stern father in the film. He instilled them to follow in his footsteps in the world of professional wrestling and carry on the Von Erich legacy. The movie focuses on moments where the father demanded excellence for his sons through rigorous training, with the ultimate goal of at least one of his sons winning the NWA (National Wrestling Alliance) World Championship, a title that Fritz never won in his career. In the movie, it shows Kerry, David and Mike partake in alcohol and drugs to combat the physical pain they endured from wrestling. The film tends to skim through some of the family’s most significant tragedies with minimal context, contributing to the focus of the oldest brother, Kevin Von Erich’s perspective. “The Iron Claw” exemplifies Kevin Von Erich to be the quintessential glue of the family. As time progresses, a noticeable shift in Kevin Von Erich’s attitude towards his passion for the sport of wrestling occurs, reflecting the impact adversity has on the Von Erich family. The choreography in “The Iron Claw” brought the Von Erichs’ wrestling performances to life, ultimately making it as realistic as possible to the trio’s tag team
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Image of the Von Erich family huddled in the wrestling ring as depicted in A24’s new movie Iron Claw. Image courtesy of A24 matches. The director’s choice of visuals in this movie is praiseworthy. From the selected vintage looks in costume design to the array of television effects and soundtrack choices, the overall cinematography and set design did a successful job of capturing an ambiance of the 1980s. Also, the film’s visuals extends to the portrayal of the Von Erich brothers’ physical features, with the actors wearing wigs that authentically represented each character’s unique hairstyle, adding another depth to the movie’s incredible attention to detail. Durkin’s appreciation for the world of professional wrestling and his respect for The Von Erichs is transparent in the film. The story focuses on the determination and adversity the brothers faced on their journey to greatness. Watching the film, It is also apparent that actors Zac Efron and Jeremy Allen White underwent a significant physical transformation to adequately personify the Von Erichs. In an interview, White explained the
grueling process of having to constantly eat and train, gaining 40 pounds of muscle to play the role of Kerry. The casting for the “Iron Claw” phenomenally replicated the love and generosity the Von Erich brothers’ had for each other. Although questions arose regarding the casting of White to play Kerry Von Erich given their significant physical disparities, White’s wrestling performance ultimately proved to be a commendable and convincing portrayal. “The Iron Claw” is a melodramatic film that truly encapsulates the heartfelt meaning of love and family, serving as a reminder to appreciate those closest to you. I echo Jeremy Allen White’s recommendation to see the film “blind” without any research of the Von Erich family beforehand to see their story in its purest form. The movie is out in theaters, rated R.
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‘Ride the Cyclone’ explores the fragility of life through dark humor and music Boise State students shine in the Boise Little Theater’s production of “Ride the Cyclone” Olivia Brandon | Culture Repor ter | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu
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acob Richmond and Brook Maxwell’s 2008 musical “Ride the Cyclone”, a musical centered around a group of teens who die on a rollercoaster and must compete for a second chance at life, is making its debut at Boise Little Theater Jan. 12 through Feb. 3. A story filled with wacky plot points, dark humor and heartfelt ballads, the actors at Boise Little Theater have made this show their own. Nico Lorenza, a junior geoscience student cast as Noel in the play, touched on why he believes audiences are so drawn to this show. “I think it’s very inclusive and that it’s a bunch of very different people,” Lorenza said. “They all get their moment to shine, to speak their truth and I think that appeals to any audience really.” Sammi van Ormer, a junior visual arts student playing the character Ocean in “Ride the Cyclone”, discussed the unconventional nature of this show and the ways it differs from the norms and conventions of typical musicals. “It’s not the classic tap dancing big numbers of the early 1900s, it is very eclectic,” van Ormer said. “There’s a lot happening in it, so it’s really something for everybody.” Each character in this show approaches death in a unique way. Some of the characters are depressed and some characters are angry over what they feel is wasted potential. van Ormer shared that she found the humanity in her highstrung character, which aided her growth as an actress. “I kind of had to tap into a really wide range of human emotions to be able to play my character in a likable way,” van Ormer said. “She’s a little unlikable at the beginning of the show, but she’s able to transform so much and I feel like I’ve kind of transformed with her a little bit. Brooklyn Blair, a junior education student playing Jane Doe in “Ride the
Graphic for the current Boise Little Theater production: Ride the Cyclone.
Graphic courtesy of Boise Little Theater
Cyclone”, feels that the show has grown in popularity due to the accessibility of the material and the fast-paced plot. “I think it’s one of those shows where even if you don’t relate to it, it’s consistently entertaining,” Blair said. “You can’t look away for any moment because you’ll miss so much, and I just think everyone in it is so crazy talented.” Although the source material for this show may sound incredibly dark, the show utilizes humor to provide an experience that presents these themes in an accessible way. “The premise of the show is six teenagers dying on a roller coaster, how do you make that funny, right?” van Ormer said. “The show somehow manages to do that, it taps into that idea that death is something we all have to face and [asks] ‘What are you going to do with your
One of the shining elements of this show is its unpredictability. You’ll think you know where things are headed at certain points throughout the show, yet you’re continuously astounded. The talent of this cast is unbelievable, there are so many stand-out moments from each of the actors, from fabulous costume changes to incredible physical feats while singing opera. Don’t miss Boise Little Theater’s production of “Ride the Cyclone” running through Feb. 3 with tickets priced at $25. This cast of incredible performers is just dying (pun intended) to take you on the theatrical ride of a lifetime.
time while you’re here?’” Lorenza echoed this sentiment, suggesting that darker moments in a show can further emphasize the joyful ones. “The morbidity sort of helps to highlight the joyous moments,” Lorenza said. “It’s a very dark grief-stricken sort of play at times, but it’s also a very positive, hopeful play that even in these horrible circumstances you can find good moments.” van Ormer shared why theater lovers in Boise won’t want to miss this incredible show. “I would say it’s one of the biggest shows that Boise Little Theater has put on,” van Ormer said. “Technology-wise it’s really engaging. The set is gorgeous and strange and bizarre, the music is quirky, the characters are insane and it is just a roller coaster of fun.”
JANUARY 18, 2024
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Top reads of 2023: My favorite reads of the year
From nonfiction, to classics and a biography; here are my favorite books I read this year Hanalei Potempa | Editor- In- Chief | editor@stumedia.boisestate.edu
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read a lot of books this year, as per usual, but there are a few that stuck out to me more than the rest. I narrowed my favorite reads of the year down to my top four: a classic, a biography, one nonfiction and one literary fiction. Here are the best titles of my 2023 reading experience, in no particular order. “The Picture of Dorian Gray” by Oscar Wilde Although this list is not in a particular order, I might have to crown this classic my number one read of the year. In an effort to start reading more classic novels again, I picked up “The Picture of Dorian Gray,” an esteemed yet short and easy to read classic.
Photo of four books leaning on a shelf. Photo by Hanalei Potempa
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Basil, a painter infatuated with the main character Dorian and his beauty, paints a portrait that keepsakes Dorian’s vanity and encapsulates the desperate love Basil feels towards him. Wilde begins the novel exploring the relationship between an artist, the muse and the art itself – Basil, exclaiming he cannot exhibit the art simply because he has put too much of himself into it, stating “The reason I will not exhibit this picture is that I am afraid that I have shown in it the secrecy of my own soul.” The few main characters often engage in deep discussion on their theories of life, and through this dialogue Wilde glorifies emotions, expression and feeling, enforcing the connection of the body and soul in living life fully. “No theory of life seemed to him to be of any importance compared to life itself.” Wilde analyzes the relation between vanity and love. The entire story is a marvel at the exquisite and mysterious aspects of living life in raw feeling, amplifying the importance of remaining sentimental in a world where value is so easily transferable. All in all, the book is a celebration of all the little and big joys of life, and the balance of powers between goodness and beauty. “All I want now is to look at life. You may come and look at it with me, if you care to.” “When Breath Becomes Air” by Paul Kalanithi If you don’t like books that will make you cry, like ‘tear splotches on the pages cry’, go ahead and skip this recommendation. But if you can get past the possible emotional upset, there is a reason why this book was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. In this biography, the author Paul Kalanithi is diagnosed with terminal lung cancer at the age of 36, at the peak of his career potential as a neurosurgeon resi-
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dent. Kalanithi takes the reader through a summation of his life prior to receiving his diagnosis and the journey he takes from that day to his very last breath. Kalanithi explores the origins of life’s biggest questions through the scope of medicine, explaining how his diagnosis was not his initial first hand experience with death. He shares how as a doctor he often engaged with death, in contrast to most people who live in passivity towards death, stating “In these moments, I acted not, as I most often did, as death’s enemy, but as its ambassador.” Kalanithi discusses questions you have when you are forced to confront mortality face to face, and analyzes the intersection of life and identity. He also dives into his correlations between science and faith. “Between these core passions and scientific theory, there will always be a gap. No system of thought can contain the fullness of the human experience.” Kalanithi does not shy away from discussing his own fragility, and the tendency of humans’ consistent avoidance of suffering. He shares with the reader what about the way he lived his life changed in his final years, and all the ways he remained perpetually the same in the face of such fear. “I began to realize that coming in such close contact with my own mortality had changed both nothing and everything.” “Acts of Desperation” by Megan Nolan In this recently published literary fiction, Nolan presents an unnamed and unreliable narrator stuck in an enthralling, yet toxic relationship. Nolan’s writing is painfully raw, exposing the narrator’s dark and self destructive inner dialogue. “How impoverished my internal life had become, the scrabbling for a token of love from somebody who didn’t want to offer it.” Nolan exposes the potential horrors of female rage and desire when these feelings
manifest in self-destructive behaviors, as the narrator believes love can solve all of her problems. “Living alone, I began to split apart from myself in a deeper and more grotesque way than ever before.” The book lacks a typical plotline and the story is strictly told through the voice of the mentally unstable narrator. Nolan does not shy away from exploring all of the dark fantasies, obsessive behaviors and bad habits of the narrator, and the novel acts as a cautionary of the self-destruction that comes with remaining in an unhealthy relationship, and engaging with love that is unrequited. “Big Magic” by Elizabeth Gilbert Author of number one New York Times bestseller “Eat Pray Love”, Elizabeth Gilbert, offers insight on how to live a creative life in her nonfiction book “Big Magic”. Gilbert discusses creativity in many forms, yet often references her own experiences as a writer. She illustrates our creative ideas as something we must latch onto before they move on from us, and offers tokens of advice for becoming courageous enough to truly live in our creative capacities. “The universe buries strange jewels deep within us all, and then stands back to see if we can find them.” Gilbert emphasizes that a creative life is a better life, often referencing writers and artists from throughout history and including anecdotes of her own creative successes and failures. If you have a creative centric profession, hobby or just want to bring more magic to your daily life, this book is a great read that is sure to leave you inspired. “A creative life is an amplified life. It’s a bigger life, a happier life, an expanded life, and a hell of a lot more interesting life.”
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The Boise Bard Players provide theater at an affordable price
Artistic Director Chris Canfield discusses the the importance of accessible theater Olivia Brandon | Culture Repor ter | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu
Graphic containing a collection of members in the Boise Bard Players.
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he Boise Bard Players, known for their unconventional location choices and meaningful performances, are committed to enhancing Boise’s already thriving theater community and providing shows at an affordable price. Professional freelance actor and teaching artist Tristan Berg discussed Boise Bard Players’ most recent performance “Measure for Measure”, and how she became involved in the theater company. “The first production that I saw them in was “Midsummer Night’s Dream” a few years back. I ended up seeing it five more times because it was so accessible,” Berg said. “I found myself in the audience, like ‘I’m watching a sitcom that’s 400 years old, but it’s every bit as accessible as something I’m watching on TV right now.’” The Boise Bard Players are committed to providing student-friendly prices on tickets. Their tickets typically cost $20, and are cheaper with the promo code “student”. “Being able to have accessible tickets and putting shows into a bar or a cafe or a church or a park, it gives more opportunities for anybody to see the show,”
Berg said. “Regardless of being behind a paywall, or being behind some sort of patronage buffer.” Berg discussed the importance of ensuring the language of a Shakespearean play doesn’t detract from the audience’s understanding of the play. “I think Boise Bard Players does a good job of adding in comedic bits or emphasizing specific language to try and make that kind of difficult-to-understand text sometimes easier to understand to the audience,” Berg said. “We come to see a story, to be taken on a journey and as an audience, we don’t want to not understand the story we’re watching.” Berg highlighted the importance of establishing a welcoming environment for actors in a theater company. “On a personal level, I appreciate their dedication to hiring gender non-conforming artists,” Berg said. “I was talking with their marketing individual Tiffany and they have had a gender non-conforming actor involved in the show for every single production over the last two years now.” With past performances taking place at the Old Idaho Penitentiary, parks and
Courtesy of the Boise Bard Players bars, Berg discussed the benefits of having performances in more casual settings. Berg believes the laid-back atmosphere allows audience members to relax while watching a show. “It helps us to immerse the audience in the story a little bit more, it helps them to feel more at ease,” Berg said. “So much of Shakespeare is breaking the fourth wall and using the audience as another actor and I think that’s a little bit easier if you’re able to provide a more comfortable environment.” Chris Canfield, Artistic Director for The Boise Bard Players and Boise State adjunct lecturer, discussed the importance of providing the Treasure Valley with experiences of live Shakespeare, compared to simply reading the plays in a classroom setting. “Reading the play is like reading a recipe for a cake, and we can imagine how great that cake would be in theory … but at the end of the day, it’s still a recipe right?” Canfield said. “We have a very special or a very unique way that we take these older recipes and make this cake for our community, and instead of putting it in a five-star restaurant, we decided to roll up to a bar
to deal out this world-renowned cake.” Canfield discussed the collaborative nature of the rehearsal process. Although Boise Bard Player productions are well-rehearsed and true to the text, the creative risks and various interpretations of characters set this company apart. “At the end of the day, what I’m after is are we doing the play justice and are we having fun with it. And are we telling a clear story?” Canfield said. “Beyond that, I’m happy to collaborate and I think that collaborative nature is what really makes us fun to work with.” While their current production “Measure for Measure” is sold out, Canfield teased an upcoming non-Shakespearean show, “The Servant of Two Masters”. “I hope to be the community fixture of classical theater,” Canfield said. “Where you go to see your Shakespeare, your Moliere. The different eras of classical theater … without the fear of it being a history lesson or horribly boring or stuffy, but make it of and for this community as well.” The Boise Bard Players have started a campaign entitled “No More Starving Artists” which strives to find work for local actors and prioritize hiring talent in Boise. “A lot of the artists that live here or work here or go to school here wind up moving away to bigger cities and other markets because they can’t pay their bills,” Canfield said. “Companies don’t hire people here, so we’re making a very highly concerted effort to not have that happen anymore and to hire exclusively local.” It is essential to have theater companies like The Boise Bard Players that provide the Boise community with high-quality theater at a reasonable price. Thanks to the hard work of actors like Tris Berg and committed leaders like Chris Canfield, incredible shows are consistently performed in the Treasure Valley.
JANUARY 18, 2024
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S PORTS & REC JANUARY 18, 2024 | ARBITERONLINE.COM
Boise State men’s basketball knocks down No. 17 Colorado State
New Broncos shine bright to keep home winning streak alive Marlei Soderquist | Spor ts & Rec. Editor | spor ts@stumedia.boisestate.edu
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t’s storming in Boise, and it’s not just the weather. Bronco fans stormed the court in ExtraMile after Boise State University held out to beat the No. 17 ranked Colorado State Rams 65-58. In what was one of the most well rounded defensive games of the season for Boise State, the Broncos showed the Rams why ExtraMile is so special. “What a great atmosphere, that’s why we have this record at home,” head coach Leon Rice said. “You can’t have a great program without a great home court and these fans make it a great home court by coming and making it loud.” With the home win against the Rams, the Broncos continue their home win streak to 22 games, which is one of the longest in the nation. There is no denying that Bronco Nation showed up and showed out for their beloved team, however, some fresh new faces on the Bronco squad held their own against one of the toughest opponents they have faced all season. In a game that would normally be handed to the known superstars of the squad such as Tyson Degenhart and Max Rice, the game was in the hands of two transfers and a freshman. St. John’s transfer forward O’Mar Stanley, freshman forward Andrew Meadow and University of California San Diego transfer guard Roddie Anderson made a name for themselves against Colorado State and quieted all the naysayers and doubters. Stanley has been making a name for himself since day one. With his dominant force all season he has quickly become one of the newest superstars to step into ExtraMile Arena
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Leading the Broncos in points (17), as well as rebounds (11), Stanley notched his third double-double of the season, and there are no signs of stopping. “It’s a blessing to be here, be with these boys,” Stanley said. “To be on this team is truly a blessing, this team is really special.” Meadow also had a piece of the action. During the match, Meadow was lethal from behind the arc, notching three triples. “Right now, I’m just grateful for the opportunity to get on the floor,” said Meadow. “I work on my game every day and I work on my shots. I was just going back to the work I put in and it paid off.” Though Anderson was quiet all game and did not record any points of his own, the transfer led the team in assists (8) and played the second most minutes in the match, just second to Tyson Degenhart. Despite what seemed to be an incredibly lethal team from mid-range, the Broncos defense was able to hold the Rams to 47%. “I’m really proud of the way our guys battled,” Leon Rice said. “We played some hard minutes and they made us work. You have to work defensively to stop them, and we did a good job of that tonight. We just kept grinding.” With the rest of the regular season ahead of them, there is tough competition on the horizon. With upcoming opponents, the team will need to be as dialed in as possible, turning up the toughness and honing in on the small minute things that can be improved. “We have some toughness on this team, mental and physical and athlet-
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Photo of Omar Stanley against Colorado State icism,” Leon Rice said. “But none of that matters unless you have the grit and toughness to do it. We got tough guys every guy that plays here, you don’t get to play here if you’re not tough. That’s what it takes to win.” The energy in ExtraMile was comparable to the energy in the iconic win over No. 18 ranked San Diego State University during the 2022-23 season. However, the Broncos outdid themselves and defeated an even higher ranked team this time around. With the win over a No.17 ranked team, the win can be deemed incredibly crucial when it comes time for the NCAA Tournament in March.
Courtesy of Boise State Athletics
After the notorious win against SDSU, the Broncos secured a much needed Quad 1 win that helped build their resume to continue into the postseason. Not only does the win help give them a base to enter into March Madness, but it also puts them in the mix for the Mountain West Tournament. After a loss in the semifinals in the MW Tournament last year, there is no doubt the Broncos are seeking revenge, and of all the times to do so, this is the year. With a well-rounded, young, and cohesive group, the Broncos established themselves as one of the contenders for the title.
SPORTS & REC
The Story of Taylen Green: The grass wasn’t greener at Boise State
How Taylen Green went from being an anticipated star player to another Boise State quarterback transfer
Alec Simeone | Spor ts & Rec. Repor ter | spor ts@stumedia.boisestate.edu
Photo of Taylen Green against Air Force Photo by Taya Power-Thornton
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ummer 2023 was an exciting time for Boise State football. The Broncos were coming off a 10-4 season, losing the Mountain West Championship, winning the Frisco Bowl and retaining the exciting redshirt freshman quarterback Taylen Green. Green took over for former Boise State quarterback Hank Bachmeier after a rough 2-2 start to the 2022 season, in which Bachmeier decided to enter the transfer portal. Green started and won 8 of the last 10 games in the 2022 season. The young quarterback was perhaps the most anticipated player to enter the program since Kellen Moore. Hopes and expectations were as high as ever at Boise State. Could this finally be the beginning of a dynasty comparable to the Chris Petersen and Kellen Moore days? The thoughts of Mountain West Championships, New Year’s Six Bowls and maybe even a conference upgrade danced through every Bronco fan’s head. What followed was nothing short of a reality check for the Blue and Orange. A blowout loss to the University of
Washington in the season opener and another loss the next week to University of Central Florida (UCF) at home earned the Broncos an 0-2 record, becoming their worst start since 2005. The hopes and dreams of the offseason were quickly unraveling, however, during the loss to UCF we saw the first glimpse of some inspiring quarterback play, but not from the expected source, Taylen Green. Redshirt freshman backup quarterback Maddux Madsen came in for the final minutes when Green went out with apparent leg cramps and led an impressive scoring drive in a hurry-up offense. In one drive, Madsen did what Green seemed to be incapable of doing for the entirety of the 2023 season: lead the offense down the field in a must score situation. After the game, reporters asked then head coach, Andy Avalos, if there would be any opportunity for a quarterback competition between Green and Madsen. Avalos shut the question down quickly, stating Green was their guy. Just three weeks later, after beating weak University of North Dakota and San Diego State, the Broncos traveled to Memphis to take on the Tigers. After two drives for Boise State’s offense, Madsen’s name was called again, seemingly for no reason. After the game, it came out that it was planned that he’d go in for the third offensive drive. What was likely not planned was his takeover in the fourth quarter. The Broncos were down 28-17 with 11 minutes left, and on their final two offensive drives, they trusted Madsen to move the ball down field, not Green. Madsen threw two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter, however it wasn’t enough as the Broncos lost their last out of conference game for the season. What is going on here? Green is supposed to be the one leading the offense
in clutch moments and now Madsen is taking snaps during the game’s closing moments. Green’s reputation as a great dual-threat quarterback was beginning to come into question. He became one dimensional as weeks went on and after the Memphis game. Shortly it was announced that the Broncos would be moving to a dual quarterback system. What happened? Hamdan had an entire offseason to craft an offense specifically, “taylored to Taylen.” Green had even more time taking starter reps in practice to get polished, if you count the 2022 season. “You’re in second and long situations or you’re in third and longer situations,” Hamdan said. “Right now Maddux has the better feel in drop back pass type situations.” Nothing was clear about the state of the Broncos at this point. There was turmoil in the locker room regarding coaching decisions, and there was talk amongst players about a mass exodus. Nevertheless, fans still showed up to home games throughout the madness. At his best, Green would have 40 or 50 rushing yards a game. At his worst, he struggled to move the ball down field through the air and threw more interceptions than touchdowns. This called into question the viability of Green’s play at a high level. It was clear at this point in the season that Green’s lack of production combined with the turmoil in the locker room was holding the team back. The 2023 season was beginning to look like a repeat of last season at the quarterback position, just short of the home crowd booing like they did with Bachmeier. After a few shaky weeks in the new dual quarterback system, the Broncos welcomed the University of New Mexico to the Blue turf.
This was the first that Madsen was called to start instead of Green, and he played a great first half all the way down to the last offensive snap, where he was injured and ruled out for the season. A day later, Avalos was fired and Spencer Danielson was named interim head coach. Madsen’s injury marked the end of the dual quarterback system for the year, and in some ways, the silver lining for Danielson’s decision regarding what to do about the dual quarterback system was made for him by force. Green started the final three games of the season, compiling his best performances since 2022. His final game as a Bronco was his best by far in the Mountain West Championship game against the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). He compiling 316 yards and four touchdowns and was named the game’s most valuable player. Just days later, Green announced that he would forgo the L.A. Bowl against the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and would enter the transfer portal. From the coaching troubles to Eric McAlister’s midseason departure, no Bronco had it easy this season when it came to football. Both Green and the Broncos seem to have moved on rather quickly however. Boise State has already recruited a five star redshirt freshman quarterback in Malachi Nelson from the University of Southern California (USC), and Green has committed to play for the University of Arkansas in the Southeastern Conference. Time will tell how both parties like the changes, but one thing’s for sure. If there’s another controversy at quarterback in 2024, Boise State will officially be the college football quarterback graveyard.
JANUARY 18, 2024
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SPORTS & REC
Who’s in and who’s out: A look at Boise State Football transfers and commits Boise State football added many exciting players to the team during the offseason Marlei Soderquist | Spor ts & Rec. Editor | spor ts@stumedia.boisestate.edu
Photo of the Boise State Football team lining up before the start of the LA Bowl game. Photo by Marlei Soderquist and Taya Power-Thornton
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ransfer season is upon us and Boise State just keeps winning the lottery. Spring ball and training is just around the corner and with incredible new additions and returns in a multitude of different facets, Bronco fans can’t help but think that this year will be a breakthrough year. MALACHI NELSON Boise State’s latest recruit, Malachi Nelson, arrives with high expectations and a
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remarkable background. After a redshirt season at USC, Nelson, ESPN’s No. 1 overall recruit in the Class of 2023, is the highest-ranked recruit in Boise State history. The quarterback’s decision to join the Broncos has sparked excitement, especially because of his openness to coaching and eagerness for growth. “What he was looking for was the same thing that we’re looking for and that’s the right fit at Boise State,” head coach Spencer Danielson said. “It was not about how big of a recruit he was, because at the end of the day, it’s all about the right fit and we believe he is. We’re excited to get him here, he comes from a phenomenal family, and we’re excited to get to work.” As Nelson embarks on spring practices, Boise State fans eagerly anticipate the impact he will make on the team over the next four years. “Getting to know him over the past couple of weeks, getting to know his family, getting to know how he was raised, that’s what I’m so excited about in Malachi,” Danielson said. “He’s excited to be a part of a team that embraces him. Now, it’s a two-way street, he’s got to come in and earn their trust, earn their respect. But he’s excited to come in here and compete.” CAM CAMPER Former Big Ten standout wide receiver Cam Camper has officially committed to Boise State, bringing his exceptional talent to the Broncos for his remaining year of eligibility. Camper, who previously showcased his skills at Indiana, made a significant impact during his first season in 2022 with an impressive debut of 11 receptions for 156 yards. Despite facing setbacks with injuries to his knee, Camper remained a force on the field, playing in eight games and recording 17 receptions for 285 yards and one touchdown.
| ARBITERONLINE.COM
His decision to join Boise State comes at a pivotal time for the Broncos, who lost their top wideout, Eric Mcalister, from the previous season, providing an opportunity for Camper to make an immediate impact in the team’s receiving corps. “He’s a guy that’s a phenomenal leader and has a great skill set,” Danielson said on Camper. “He can catch the ball and has an extreme catch radius.” With quarterback Nelson also entering the Broncos squad, the synergy between the two promises an exciting dynamic for Boise State’s offense in the upcoming season. “He can play all the techniques we want him to play,” said Danielson. “He wants to come in and compete, wants to grow and has a skill set to not only play man, but different zone techniques.” TAVION WOODARD After a successful stint at Ball State, the West Lafayette native and former three star recruit, Tavion Woodard, has committed to Boise State. As a defensive lineman, Woodard led the Ball State linemen with 28 tackles in 2021 and an impressive 35 tackles in 2022. “When he went into the portal, (Tyler Stockton, co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach and former Ball State defensive coordinator) told us ‘Hey, this is a great young man, he’s going to be a great fit here, we should start recruiting this guy,’” Danielson said. “When he was in the portal, we did. He came on a trip and we’re so excited that he’s a part of this going forward.” Boise State coaches aim to pair Woodard with returning sack leader Ahmed Hassanein, who recorded 12.5 sacks last season with hopes to enhance the Broncos’ pass rush capabilities. TEVIN GRIFFEY Adding to the buzz around Boise State football is Tevin Griffey. The former Florida A&M defensive
back and the son of MLB legend Ken Griffey Jr. Griffey, is joining the squad as a preferred walk-on and brings along with him experience and talent to the Broncos’ secondary. With two years of eligibility remaining, including a possible COVID year, the 5-foot-11, 175-pound defensive back is set to make an immediate impact. UKOKA EVEANI Ukoka Ezeani, boasts an impressive resume with a standout high school career at Foster High in Texas. Leading his team to an 8-2 season in 2020, Ezeani earned first-team all-district honors while showcasing his defensive prowess. Ezeani’s journey to Boise State was marked by strong interest from various programs, including Montana, Oregon and Oregon State. His decision to join Boise State adds depth and strength to the team’s dwindling defense. JEREMIAH EARBY Jeremiah Earby is joining the Bronco squad from Cal where he played in all 12 games, starting two, and demonstrated his defensive prowess with 26 tackles, one interception and six pass breakups. Earby’s standout performance during his freshman year earned him second-team freshman All-America honors and honorable mention All-Pac-12. Earby’s addition to Boise State’s defensive lineup brings experience, talent and a track record of success, enhancing the Broncos’ prospects for the upcoming season. The dynamics of the team are evolving, with the coaching staff and fans eager to see how these changes will shape the upcoming season. As spring practices unfold, the Broncos’ journey through the 2024 season promises to be filled with anticipation, challenges, and the hope for success on the gridiron. Read about who is “out” on @arbiteronline
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