The Arbiter 3.6.18 Vol. 30 Issue 25

Vol. 30 Issue 25

March 06, 2018

IN D EPEN D E NT

NEWS

07

Say goodbye to Digication forever

ST U D E NT

V O I CE

O F

B O I SE

CULTURE

14

Slam poets compete with creativity

STAT E

S I N C E

1 9 3 3

SPORTS & REC

17

Boise State scores senior night victory

EVENTS veteran services

TUE MARCH 6 5:00 pm

VETERANS WRITING GROUP

Specifically designed for veterans who want to write, this workshop helps them tell their stories however they want. The workshop is an hour long and will occur on March 6, April 3 and May 1.

the linen building

FRI MARCH 9 TASTE 0F NATIONS

5:30 pm

This annual event celebrates various cultures by bringing together food, drink, and entertainment. It is free for Boise State University students and is hosted by the Afro-Black Student Alliance.

sub - bronco lounge

FRI MARCH 9 OPEN MIC NIGHT

7:00 pm

This event is free to the public and gives students a chance to share their talents. Come express yourself in front of students who share similar interests and show Boise State how you shine.

streamed via twitch

SAT MARCH 10 9:00 am

MTN WEST SHOWDOWN

The MW eSports Showdown will pit Boise State eSports against UNLV’s 8-Bit eSports in three highly-popular eSports games: League of Legends, Rocket League and Overwatch.

WHAT YOU MISSED ONLINE PHOTO OF THE WEEK CULTURE Our Culture Reporter reviews 5 Seconds of Summer’s first single “Want You Back.” According to her review, fans are divided after the release of the new song, and the reason for this division is clear.

OPINION

News Reporter Ximena Bustillo news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Sports Editor Daniel Gardner sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Culture Reporter Logan Potter culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Sports Reporter Peter Huguenin sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu Digital Content Manager Axel Quartarone digitalcontent@stumedia.boisestate.edu Copy Editors Evan Fishburn Sophia Uhlenhoff Design Manager Selina Ceballos

Pg 10-11

Billy Carothers (right) sparrs with a teammate at the Combat Fitness gym in Boise. Development in the Boise MMA scene has allowed the sport to grow which could expand its availability—both in terms of participation and spectatorship—for Boise State students and Idaho locals alike.

@arbiteronline

News Editor Jordan Erb news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

POLL

VISIT US ON SOCIAL MEDIA @arbiteronline

Opinion Editor Jacob Palmer opinion@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Culture Editor Shannon Brennan culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Women brave the chilly weather and play lacrosse in the snow. Photo courtesy of the @samrep Instagram account.

@boisestatearbiter

Online Editor Taylor Munson onlineeditor@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Survivors of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, FL, are creating a movement that won’t be silenced. Read more about this opinion article online.

We ran a poll on Twitter to see who was favored to win “Best Picture” at this year’s Oscars. The result was a three way tie between Dunkirk, Shape of Water, and Call Me by Your Name out of the nine nominees.

ON THE COVER

Editor-In-Chief Brandon Rasmussen editor@stumedia.boisestate.edu

@arbiterbsu

arbiteronline.com

Graphic Designers Nabil Rahman Olivia Tocher Sierra Nobley Contact us 1910 University Dr., Mail Stop 1340 Phone: (208) 426-6300 Website: www.arbiteronline.com Distributed Tuesdays during the academic school year.

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.

NEWS

SECURING YOUR INFORMATION

Boise State’s Cybersecurity Department discusses trending threats Patrick Kaufmann | Staff Writer | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

officer at Idaho’s Enterprise Security Team

Diana Buie is the cybersecurity training specialist at the Office of Information Technology and is just one part of a team using the latest in network security engineering and analysis to protect students, faculty and employees at Boise State from cybersecurity risks.

“Prioritizing security over convenience can mitigate some risk of a student’s information becoming compromised,” said Buie. “Clicking on links in an email without paying attention can allow someone else access to files on your computer or mobile device. It can be harder to tell on mobile phones, but when you get an email, it’s important to ensure that it’s coming from a reputable source.”

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Lance Wyatt, chief information security

HACK THIS PAGE

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“Some of the recent trends in threats to information security include phishing, ransomware and crypto mining.”

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Mobile devices are often a prime target for those looking to gain access to personal data, according to Boise State’s Cybersecurity Department website. Signing on to open wireless networks, or installing applications that request information on contact lists, media files or location can potentially place information security at risk.

“Nothing is ever free,” Buie said. “Even the free apps that we use on our mobile devices get information on us that can be of value to the (wrong) person. Students should be aware of what they’re doing and where they’re connecting.”

A visit to the Boise State Cybersecurity Department web page can provide a wealth of information on the means to protect oneself against ever-changing risks.

This website contains the latest trends, including IRS scams, spear-phishing attacks and vulnerabilities to the Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) protocols that we use to send emails several times a day.

Buie also stressed the need for multiple passwords, so that if someone inadvertently gets a password to one account, they don’t have access to everything.

At the Information Technology help desk in the Student Union Building, electrical engineering senior Roy Olvera regularly helps students and faculty members recover access to their accounts.

“At least four times a week we get students and faculty who have gotten locked out of their accounts,” Olvera said.

Information security is a concern at every level of professional employment, particularly within government offices.

Idaho’s Chief Information Officer (CIO) ensures the security and functionality of the online capabilities for the state government’s services.

Lance Wyatt, the chief information security officer for Idaho’s Enterprise Security Team, is at the forefront of the fight to maintain vital online services throughout the state.

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It is easy to forget while playing “Toy Blast,” updating one’s social media status or checking one’s bank account that there may be someone on the other side of the screen watching every keystroke.

Each day at Boise State, the Information Security Office blocks millions of probes from the Eduroam Network, Boise State’s secure and encrypted wireless system that many Boise State students, staff and faculty regularly use. This allows them to continue the light-hearted use of their technology without fear of cyber threats.

Phishing, ransomware and crypto mining are current information threats. Graphic by Sierra Nobly.

“Some of the recent trends in threats to information security include phishing, ransomware and crypto mining,” Wyatt said.

Phishing emails typically pretend to be from reputable companies to obtain personal information, like passwords and credit card numbers, while ransomware is a type of malicious software that can block access to a computer system until a sum of money is paid. Once a computer system is co-opted by ransomware, it can be used to generate cryptocurrency by bitcoin miners who need significant computer processing power to run through complex mathematical problems in exchange for bitcoin.

We live in an interconnected world, whether we use that capability for the innocuous posting of Bogus Basin pictures to Instagram or something riskier, like streaming the latest Game of Thrones episode off a torrent site. To continue that way of life without worrying that someone used one’s mother’s maiden name to support the purchase of 10,000 hamster toys in East Timor, there are some small precautions that can be taken.

Wyatt recommended the State of Idaho Cybersecurity website as a good starting point for tips on good online habits.

NEWS

STUDENTS OFFER FREE TAX-FILING SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME TAXPAYERS

Students within the Department of Accountancy help clients with free tax filing with Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program MaryAnn Fernandez | Staff Writer | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Every year students in the Department of Accountancy run a program called Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)— which is sponsored by the Internal Revenue System (IRS)—that assists low-income taxpayers with free federal and state tax returns.

Kathy Hurley, a professor in the Department of Accountancy and head of the VITA program, said clients who seek help with their tax returns need to bring a government-issued photo identification, social security card and all necessary documentation for each person included on their tax return. Additionally, she said both spouses must be present in order for them to complete a tax return with the filing status of Married Filing Jointly. Once the tax return is completed, they will e-file it or print a paper return for them to mail.

“It’s all about our clients and the preparers getting the best experience possible. Students get the opportunity to use the material they have learned in class, and no day is the same.”

Andy Jozwik, co-site coordinator of VITA program According to Hurley, if clients are comfortable using a computer, they will be able to complete their own return using the software. Any time the client may have a question, an IRS certified tax preparer is available to assist them.

“The VITA program is helpful because

many people are uncomfortable preparing their own tax return because they do not want to make a mistake. Some taxpayers have unique situations that complicate their filing status or their ability to understand how to apply tax laws to their circumstances,” Hurley wrote in an email.

“We are able to assist them and research their unique situation.”

Hurley further explained that paid tax preparations can be expensive, and many of the programs or software on the computer do charge for e-filing on state tax returns. The VITA and FSA programs are free for the qualified clients, including federal and state tax returns.

Andy Jozwik, a graduate student in masters of accountancy, is the co-site coordinator for the VITA program. His role in the program is to help prepare and review tax returns for the clients and ensure the returns that are e-filed are accepted within the process through the IRS; if a return gets rejected, Jozwik helps fix the mistakes and retransmits the returns to the IRS. “It’s all about our clients and the preparers getting the best experience possible.

Students get the opportunity to use the material they have learned in class, and no day is the same,” Jozwik said. “Every day is different; there will be new challenges and new clients. Everyone has a different background, so we are constantly learning and improving.”

Jozwik added that the program is beneficial to students because they are constantly building technical and problem-solving skills. Not only are the students problem solving, but they are also interacting with other students at the same time.

“Being the co-site coordinator, I don’t prepare as many returns as most of our preparers because I am reviewing, but a big opportunity for me is that I get to answer a lot of questions,” Jozwik said. “So there’s that teamwork component too.”

Additionally, Jozwik said the VITA program is valuable because it serves a

Sessions are held every Wednesday afternoon at the Boise Public Library. Photo by Taylor Humby.

diverse population, from college students to retirees.

“The rewarding part of being (involved with) the program is that a lot of the clients rely on the returns as a source of their livelihood, so to help the clients with that process is rewarding,” Jozwik said.

The VITA program is held at the main branch of the Boise Public Library from 12:15 p.m. until 4 p.m. The next upcoming dates are March 7, 14 and 21, as well as April 4 and 11. Walk-in clients are assisted on a first-come, first-served basis, which requires certain documents.

Hurley also added some important

notes for any clients who are interested in attending any of the VITA dates: -Arrive before 3:15 p.m. to allow them time to complete your return before the site closes.

-Bring your prior year tax return with you. You must have 2016 AGI (adjusted gross income) to e-file your taxes using the FSA program.

-They do not prepare returns for married couples filing separately.

-They cannot prepare returns for small businesses that have depreciable assets, that are not cash basis or have $25,000 or more in expenses.

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NEWS

BOISE STATE’S NEW PARENTAL LEAVE POLICY HELPS FACULTY AND STUDENTS

Updated in December 2017, the policy allows faculty more time off with pay Alyza Lovenguth | Staff Writer | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Now, faculty don’t have to worry about leaving their classes mid-semester. Graphic by Sierra Nobley.

Political science department chair Lori Hausegger graded papers while taking care of her two-week-old infant. At Louisiana State University, where Hausegger worked before coming to Boise State, without a maternity leave policy, she had to use her sick leave to take care of her newborn.

Because her child was so young, Hausegger took her infant to school with her. Colleagues helped Hausegger by carrying all the baby equipment in and out of her car and watching her baby while she taught.

Boise State’s parental leave policy was similar to this until a new policy was implemented in December of 2017. The new policy grants parental leave to expecting faculty members, who are relieved from teaching for a semester through workload release. This policy applies to both fathers

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and mothers as well as adoptions.

Under Boise State’s old policy, expecting parents had to use accumulated sick leave to take care of their newborns and did not have workload release. Faculty could also take advantage of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) law, which allowed 12 weeks of unpaid and job-protected leave. However, most professors do not use FMLA law because they cannot afford working without pay, according to Hausegger.

Hausegger’s experience with inadequate maternity leave at Louisiana State University made her passionate about enacting an improved policy here at Boise State.

Hausegger worked with Higher Education Resource Services (HERS) West, an organization that advocates for female faculty

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and staff on campus. HERS West helped Hausegger organize a meeting of women faculty and staff four years ago this past November, where they discussed the issue of parental leave.

According to Provost Martin Schimpf, the past policy led to problems due to faculty’s inability to accumulate sick and vacation leave.

“One problem (with the old policy) was faculty don’t accumulate vacation time like staff do,” Schimpf said. “They get some sick leave but not vacation time, so they have less ability to accrue time that they can then use to take off for a family emergency. Obviously they can do it, but they may have to do it without pay. The other issue was even if faculty have accumulated six weeks of sick leave, to take off six weeks in the middle of the semester could lead to a disjointed course. So it can sacrifice the learning experience.”

With workload release, professors can avoid disrupting the semester with an abrupt absence and a “substitute” professor taking their place in very specialized positions, according to Schimpf and Emily Wakild, a history professor and advocate for the adapted policy.

The new policy also gives professors an expectation and standard of support across the board, according to Wakild. “(The new policy should) create a standard where faculty members can expect that this is what they will get in support of their parental leave,” Wakild said. “Before, women were asking for special consideration and had to go negotiate when they have little power. As faculty, we pushed very hard for a release of a semester.”

Brittany Brand, an expecting mother and geosciences professor, is reaping the benefits of the new parental leave policy.

With her baby due at any time, Brand still works at Boise State, but she is not teaching this spring semester, a decision that made her journey much easier, according to Brand.

“I’m taking six weeks of paid leave, and then I’ve been doing research and service up to now,” Brand said. “After the six weeks of leave is up, I’m just going to be working with my research students to facilitate their research. Then I will be on reduced teaching, research and service.”

Hausegger listed a few advocates, among others, who pushed for the new policy to become a reality: Kim Marks, interim director of Human Resources (HR), Wakild, Jennifer Weaver, psychological science professor, and Hausegger herself.

According to Hausegger, Stacy Pearson, vice president of finance at the time, and the HR department were hesitant about the proposed plan in the beginning. However, Hausegger and other advocates continued to meet with Pearson and HR two to three times a year, continuously outlining the necessity for a new policy. Gradually, Pearson became more supportive of the policy herself once fully understanding the issues, according to Hausegger.

Once Marks came to HR, she provided an advocate voice for the new policy–creating a committee where Wakild and Weaver became active participants. Consequently, the push for the policy began to generate results. In the summer of 2017, a new policy was presented but had a major flaw: it placed a burden on women to negotiate for a workload release with their department chairs who ultimately vote on their tenure, according to Hausegger.

Sunny Wallace, the policy director, took the time to revise the policy, creating the now enacted parental leave policy, according to Hausegger.

“Parental leave is incredibly important to both faculty and students,” Hausegger wrote in an email. “It also benefits the university. Boise State is not the highest paying of places. But having a parental leave plan can help attract good faculty to the university–it is an attractive benefit.”

NEWS

DIGICATION IS OUT, BUT E-PORTFOLIOS ARE STILL IN

Student and faculty disapproval of Digication leads to its revocation Blake Simony | Staff Writer | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

After this semester, Boise State will no longer use the e-Portfolio platform called Digication. Although the campus community still has access to Digication, the contract between Digication and Boise State will end in August 2018, according to the Boise State Office of Information Technology. By the start of the Fall 2018 semester, student e-Portfolios on Digication will no longer exist.

Any content currently stored in Digication e-Portfolios can be downloaded and saved by opening an e-Portfolio, selecting “Portfolio Tools” on the top right of the screen, and then by selecting “Download.”

However, students only have about five more months to do this.

The decision to leave Digication resulted from reports of dissatisfaction with the tool, which were confirmed by the Office of Information Technology after conducting a student focus group and a faculty focus group. This information was brought to the Boise State General Education Council, a committee of the Faculty Senate, which is comprised of representatives from each department and college across campus responsible for University planning and governance. John Bieter, interim director of Foundational Studies, sits on the General Education Council. “(Digication) seemed particularly onerous for students and faculty in a number of ways. One (side) was convincing both sides that it was a helpful tool,” Bieter said.

Other issues brought to the council included complaints about the hassle of submitting assignments in Digication separately from submitting assignments on Blackboard.

“People just saw that as one extra step,” Bieter said. “That was, I’d say, the most consistent point of it.”

Although there are some students who put significant work into their e-Portfolios, they are a small group in relation to the majority of students who opposed Digication. Susan Fuller, a part-time

As of August 2018, students will no longer be able to access their Digication e-Portfolios (pictured above). Photo courtesy of Vimeo.

multidisciplinary studies senior, was one student who put a significant effort into her e-Portfolio on Digication.

“(Digication) seemed particularly onerous for students and faculty in a number of ways.

John Bieter, interim director of Foundational Studies “I could’ve used Digication for a potential employer, and I even looked into keeping it, but it’s really too expensive,” Fuller

said. “I, for one, am very glad to have the knowledge (of how to use Digication). I would have never been able to design my own website on my own.”

On the other hand, Emily Westendorf, a senior kinesiology major, is dissatisfied with Digication. She hasn’t used her e-Portfolio since finishing her general education classes.

“I only used it because I had to, and I didn’t really like it to be honest,” Westendorf said. “I would have rather put (my assignments) on Blackboard or something.”

Blackboard’s e-Portfolio feature will now be the new e-Portfolio tool replacing Digication in the Foundational Studies program. According to Bieter, using the Blackboard e-Portfolio platform was piloted in several classes this semester and in the fall.

“The response has been very positive,”

Beiter said. “It’s not as slick a tool. It’s not really meant to be a showcase platform like Digication was, but at least the response that we’ve gotten is that students are just a lot happier. We’ll continue to monitor that.”

Although Foundational Studies is often only associated with the UF 100 and UF 200 courses, the program actually consists of each of the general education courses that all students are required to take as mandated by state law.

“When Foundational Studies came on board, these (general education) courses were designed to use the e-Portfolio as a way of connecting throughout all of the courses,” Bieter said. “Much like new inventions, you can think of Foundational Studies 1.0 being upgraded to 2.0, and that would begin in the fall of 2018.”

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OPINION

AWARD SHOWS SHOULD GET POLITICAL

Why Leo DiCaprio’s climate change speech shouldn’t be an isolated event Logan Potter | Culture Reporter | opinion@stumedia.boisestate.edu

In the wake of movements such as Time’s Up, #MeToo and Black Lives Matter, it feels as if having a platform isn’t necessary to be the foundation for change when it comes to social issues like race and sexual harassment in the United States.

However true that may be, large-scale movements are almost always championed by a high-status member of society--for BLM, it was three writers and artists and for Time’s Up, it was the changemakers noted on the cover of TIME Magazine’s People of the Year issue. Without someone to speak out, millions of voices across the country would fail to be heard—for this reason, without a doubt, awards shows like the Oscars need to get political.

“In a time where women in a room alone with men are terrified and begin to forumlate the best route for escape, we need these platforms and stories more than ever.”

The beginning of this year’s Academy Awards ceremony featured a monologue from Jimmy Kimmel citing the importance of speaking out against sexual harassment in the workplace (although, he says women will simply face it everywhere else). While comedic relief was certainly involved, the message itself was quite clear and bluntly serious. Harvey Weinstein, owner of the Weinstein Company and man accused of committing several counts of sexual misconduct by dozens of Hollywood women, was expelled from the Academy shortly after allegations arose.

Kimmel says this is only the second ex-

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pulsion from the panel, the first being for sharing pre-screening materials outside of the Academy. This is where the issue lies: yes, Harvey Weinstein was punished for his actions against women, but he received the same punishment as that of a DVD bootlegger from the early 2000’s. Without the platform of awards shows to showcase the ridiculousness of these issues, the words would likely be left unheard, if not unspoken altogether.

The world is watching for the United States’s next move against these epidemics, and until the last year, we were getting nowhere fast. Whether it be disbelief of the movement’s proponents or simply turning a blind eye, citizens across the country failed to focus on the issues of race and sexuality that were becoming exposed more frequently, until suddenly, the incidents were no longer isolated; Harvey Weinstein wasn’t the only familiar name to appear on the radars of American news networks. Kevin Spacey, James Franco and Matt Lauer became less than desirable household names, and all in the span of just days. Feminism began to lose its reputation as a dirty word, and that alone was enough to be shocked about.

While the intervention of celebrities may not be crucial, it is helpful nonetheless. Celebrities are often role models, and seeing them speak out against sexual harassment, assault and rape has the ability to be enough to persuade other men and women to come out against their attackers. This is where #MeToo came in. After the Weinstein scandal, Twitter overflowed with individuals tweeting the hashtag in conjunction with their personal stories, inspiring an entire movement geared towards the bravery of admitting one’s own assault or harassment. These voices were amplified when actresses like Alyssa Milano and Zoe Kravitz stood in solidarity and promoted the Time’s Up Legal Defense Fund, which has since been donated to by the likes of Mark Wahlberg and Meryl Streep in favor

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Let’s talk about climate change

Leonardo DiCaprio used his first ever Oscars acceptance speech to preach the importance of reversing future climate change. Graphic by Sierra Nobley.

of the organization. Most prominently was the effect on the red carpet of the Golden Globes and the Grammys, where artists and actors followed suit of the movement and carried white roses to pledge their allegiance.

While these movements were started by non-celebrities, the platform awards shows provide for actors, artists and filmmakers have the benefits of preemptive amplification, a luxury that most of us aren’t provided with. Awards shows do, and should, get political. Social issues don’t just affect those of us sitting at home watching television broadcasts, and recent Hollywood scandals are reminding us of that fact now more than ever before.

Leonardo DiCaprio was passionate about climate change when winning his

first Oscar for “The Revenant,” and he used his voice to spread his awareness--to this day, we remember his words. Frances McDormand and Rachel Brosnahan both preached a Hollywood agenda to tell more stories about women, and “Lady Bird,” a coming-of-age story about growing up as a girl in a small town was nominated for four Academy Awards, and we ought not make these isolated incidents. By now, the role models we are watching have learned how to push our messages across borders, and they are succeeding. In a time where men are ecstatic to be alone in a group of women, and women in a room alone with men are terrified and begin to formulate the best route for escape, we need these platforms and stories more than ever.

OPINION

THERE’S NOTHING WRONG WITH SENDING “THOUGHT’S AND PRAYERS” Inactive politicians are fair game for criticism, but ordinary grieving people are not

Jacob Palmer | Opinion Editor | opinion@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Famous actor Chris Pratt recently sent out a tweet expressing condolences for Hollywood director Kevin Smith, who had just suffered a heart attack. One might expect the reaction to this tweet to be an outpouring of support for both Pratt and Smith.

But instead, Pratt received many negative and condescending comments from Twitter users. The problem? He specifically said he was praying for Smith to get better.

Without realizing it, Pratt had found himself in the middle of the nationwide debate over the appropriateness of praying for those in tragedy. This debate started, like many, in the realm of politics. It’s become very common for politicians to send “thoughts and prayers” of sympathy to those affected by tragedies. President Donald Trump did just that in response to the recent school shooting in Parkland, FL. “My prayers and condolences to the families of the victims of the terrible Florida shooting,” Trump tweeted. “No child, teacher or anyone else should ever feel unsafe in an American school.”

“No one expects Chris Pratt to shoulder doctors out of the way...So I think his prayers are appreciated, and all he can do.”

James Gunn, Director, “Guardians of the Galaxy”

Recently, more Americans have become dissatisfied with this method of speaking.

Many now claim politicians should be focusing on how to solve tragedies, rather than just tweeting out their prayers for the victims and then doing nothing. This argu-

ment is a sound one, at least when applied to politicians who dodge accountability.

Politicians have long avoided responsibility by relying on platitudes and empty promises. It’s perfectly fine for citizens to become angry at our leaders failing to act when they are needed. As long as the criticism of “thoughts and prayers” focuses on that specific context, it’s valid.

But this criticism has gone beyond criticising lazy politicians and has become broader. As evidenced by Pratt, anyone who states they are praying for someone in grief or tragedy is now attacked for being a religious nutjob completely out of touch with reality.

When 26 people were killed in a church shooting last year in Sutherland Springs, Texas, politicians came out with their standard “thoughts and prayers” response.

Instead of simply attacking the politicians, many went a step further and used the religious victims themselves as fodder for an attack on prayer and, more generally, the victim’s belief system.

“They were in church. They had the prayers shot right out of them. Maybe try something else,” one user tweeted.

“Shooting happened at a church,” another wrote. “I don’t think lack of prayers was the core issue.”

“To all those asking for thoughts and prayers for the victims in #churchshooting, it seems that your direct line to God is not working,” a third user tweeted.

Does anyone else find it completely tasteless to use the religion of people who were murdered as a weapon against the religious community they were a part of?

Would these comments be acceptable if the attack had happened at a mosque and the victims were used to attack Islamic prayer practices? These online attacks completely miss the point of what prayer is for many religious Americans.

Prayers are often used communally as a way for groups to share in their struggles and hope for better times. In times

Prayers are often used as a way for religious communities to mourn tragedies together and wish solace on those who have been affected. Graphic by Sierra Nobley.

of death, it’s used to wish the grieving relatives of the deceased solace in their loss. Do prayers at funerals change the fact someone died? No, but they do often help many express their grief and sorrow to others. Whether you believe in a higher power or not, what’s wrong with someone genuinely hoping things will get better for another human?

Take religion out of the equation and the concept of sending someone prayers in times of hardship translates to, “I really wish things were better for you and I hope they do get better.” In that light, the response of “Yeah? Well, they’re not!” seems rather unimpressive, petty and completely unnecessary.

The ultimate irony is that snide Twitter comments attacking an individual’s prayer is just as—if not more—unproductive as the prayer they are attacking. If someone wants to criticise a politician for using

prayer as a deflective tool, that’s fine. But he or she shouldn’t attack normal people who are dealing with a tragedy in the best way they know how.

Perhaps the best view on prayers in the wake of tragic developments was offered

by James Gunn, director of the movie “Guardians of the Galaxy,” which Pratt starred in. According to Entertainment Weekly, Gunn defended Pratt’s use of prayer while at the same time remaining critical of inactive politicians.

“If you’re offering Parkland shooting survivors prayers, but are unwilling to deal with the problems of gun violence in this country … those prayers are empty,” said Gunn. “But no one expects Chris Pratt to shoulder doctors out of the way and perform heart surgery on Kevin Smith ...

So I think his prayers are appreciated, and about all he can do.”

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F E AT U R E

MMA IN BOISE: A GROWING SPORTS

Local MMA scene grows rapidly in Boise and beyond Peter Huguenin | Sports Reporter | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Between the frantic business of classes and work, senior graphic design major Sabrina Sergott manages to find time in her busy schedule to put on a pair of boxing gloves and jump into a matted ring for sparring and lessons. Focusing on elbows and knees, Sergott chips away week by week at her goal of mastering Muay Thai, sometimes called “Thai boxing.”

“I have always had an interest in fighting,” Sergott said. “Muay Thai was something I have wanted to do for a long time.

It wasn’t until my boyfriend got me my own gloves for my birthday that I finally signed up for Combat Fitness.”

Combat Fitness, located in Boise on Americana Blvd, is one of the handful of mixed martial arts (MMA) gyms that have established themselves in Idaho over the last few years. Combat Fitness has been the gym of many MMA veterans, including former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) title challenger Scott Jorgensen.

Combat Fitness hosts many classes that make up the aspects of MMA, including wrestling, judo, muay thai, brazilian jiu-jitsu and boxing. In addition, Combat Fitness offers a 10-percent discount to any Boise State students who are interested in training.

“Anyone can fight,” Sergott said. “Any age, gender or skill; It’s not an exclusive sport and I feel like I am part of a family.”

According to an article by The Guardian, MMA is one of the fastest-growing sports on Earth, measured both by participation and audience. The local MMA scene in Idaho has been growing rapidly ever since the Front Street Fights (FSF) promotion (promotions being companies that organize MMA fights) opened in 2014 at CenturyLink Arena. The promotion was started thanks in part to former Boise State student Todd Carlson, who is now the matchmaker for FSF—meaning he’s in charge of choosing the competitors for the fights and finding new fighters.

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Due to this recent development in the Boise MMA scene, the sport has continued to grow in Idaho, which could expand its availability—both in terms of participation and spectatorship—for Boise State students and Idaho locals alike.

Front Street Fights According to Carlson, Sean Rhodes, assistant general manager of CenturyLink Arena and general manager Eric Trap wanted to start their own MMA promotion after Carlson had put on several scattered events, and they needed a matchmaker who knew the business.

They contacted Carlson and after talking for months on a business plan, vision and focus, they made a deal. Having already been introduced to coaches, Carlson was able to find local fighters in Idaho.

“There have always been talented MMA fighters in Idaho, but I don’t think the local promotion did a very good job promoting them,” Carlson said. “So they usually had to travel out of state to fight.”

Carlson, Rhodes and Trap were able to set themselves apart from the local promotion that had been at CenturyLink arena. “(We have) very high-quality production; high-definition video that we live stream for free, and all our fights are posted on our YouTube channel,” Carlson said. “That helps give the fighters exposure.

We also have highly competitive matchups with the best talent we can get. We want our fighters to do well with us and then move to the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) or Bellator “another MMA organization such as the UFC of FSF), which is happening.”

As a result, former FSF fighters are starting to break through onto the national stage. Ricky Steele, who has fought twice for FSF, is 5-0 as a professional and will be on the upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter, which is a competition reality show in which the winner of the tour-

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Almir Talic pauses for a moment between fights to pose for a photo. Photo by Axel Quartarone.

nament gets a contract into the UFC. If Steele makes it to the UFC, he will be the first fighter from FSF to do so.

Veta Arteaga is a fighter for Bellator, which is the second-largest fight promotion in the United States, who got her start in FSF. She has had four fights in Bellator and has won two of the fights and lost the other two.

Combat Fitness fighters Stephen Stirwalt has been fighting for five years, and has had 12 fights at the amature level. He is one of the many fighters at Combat Fitness.

“I feel like (MMA in Idaho) has grown a lot, ever since Todd Carlson started putting on the Front Street Fights,” Stirwalt said. “He’s done a good job promoting that organization. He’s definitely done a good job of building up the sport here in

F E AT U R E Idaho.”

The local fighters believe Carlson will continue to grow the sport here in Idaho.

“It’s just a matter of time,” Stirwalt said. “As long as he keeps doing what he’s doing, it will continue to grow from here,” Stirwalt said.

Despite the rate at which the sport is growing in Idaho, it can still be difficult for someone that wants to fight to do so.

Stirwalt mentioned money as one of the biggest obstacles for potential fighters.

Those interested have to get a license to fight, which costs $150, and need an additional $150 worth of medical testing such as blood work.

“Anyone can fight,” “Any age, gender or skill; It’s not an exclusive sport and I feel like part of a family” Sabrina Sergott, Graphic Design senior Billy Carothers is another one of Combat Fitness’ fighters. He has been a part of the team for eight months, but has been fighting for the last 10 years in California, where he has a professional record of 4-9.

“The fighters are definitely upping their game,” Carothers said. (FSF) really takes pride in what it does. A lot of promotions in California are in it for the money. They care about the money more than the fighters and making good fights.”

Carothers believes that in some ways, only having one major promotion is good for an area.

“Having one promotion definitely gets the fighters recognized a lot more,” Carothers said. “It’s almost like being in a gym and you have 10 students for a coach, instead of being one-on-one with a coach.

Billy Carothers sparrs with his teammate during practice at the Combat Fitness gym in Boise. Photo by Axel Quartarone.

You’re gonna get more attention from that coach being one-on-one with a coach.”

Carothers said he enjoys the promotion but wishes the Idaho Athletic Commission would start having more than three judges at events so that a variety of opinions and views are present.

Almir Talic fought for the first time in January on a FSF card, which he won by submission in the first round. He has been training for eight years total, two and half of those in Idaho.

“MMA has grown exponentially—we’re always getting fighters from all over the North West, even from New York sometimes,” Talic said. “It’s growing rapidly, because of Todd Carlson.”

Talic said the reason MMA is growing so fast in Idaho is because of FSF. The future of MMA in Idaho While the sport has grown exponentially in Idaho, Carlson and FSF are looking to continue growing the sport here.

“We are working at growing our fan base,” Carlson said. “We want to put on four to five shows a year. We also are working hard to bring bigger promotions to CenturyLink Arena. We have already hosted Legacy Fighting Alliance and Bellator.

We would love to have UFC do a show in our Arena. Basically continue to grow the sport locally.”

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C U LT U R E

PAINTING A PROFESSIONAL PICTURE

Annual Student Juried Exhibition gives student artists real world experience Shannon Brennan | Culture Editor | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Art pieces fo the Juried Student Exhibition are chosen from among hundreds of submissions to represent the best Boise State has to offer. Photo

by Taylor Humby.

The Annual Juried Exhibition is an opportunity granted to all undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in Boise State’s Department of Art. The works presented are few of many that have been submitted by students in the department.

A guest artist, curator and educator Cable Griffith chose these 21 pieces out of hundreds of submissions, as students jump at any chance to display their work in a professional gallery setting. The few pieces selected represent a diverse group of styles and techniques ranging from painting belonging to an even more diverse group of students behind the paintings, photography and repurposing seen in the Student Union Fine Arts Gallery now until March 18.

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Freshman illustration major Amanda Morgan’s piece “The Naiad” expresses her love of fairy tales and her interest in animation through her carefully constructed narrative built within the paper cutouts in the work.

“When I was making the piece, a big part of my thought process was that the subject would be there, and that she would be doing what she is doing whether the viewer is looking at it or not,” Morgan said. “That kind of ties back to the name ‘The Naiad’. Naiads were basically sirens but for forest pools. In the image she is very serene. She is doing what she wants, whether you’re looking at it or not, it’s going to continue.”

“Landscape: Developed” and its sister

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piece, “Landscape: Altered,” are pieces created by Chanel Talbot, a senior visual arts major with an emphasis in photography. These photographic emulsion lifts represent themes that Talbot finds herself exploring in many of her artistic ventures.

“I feel like artistic style is something you continue to develop through consistent practice, and that’s actually something that I struggle with as an artist,” Talbot said.

“I’m still figuring out who I am and what I want to say, but there are some common themes found in my work, like the relationship between nature and human activity. I’m also obsessed with the concept of time and how it controls everything with life, death and transformation.”

Visual arts major Zack Thurmond

stepped away from his usual work in landscape painting and into the world of sculpting through his piece “A Little Becomes A Lot.” This piece conceptually came into being three or four years ago but was able to come into the realm of physicality through a Boise State sculpture class.

“I first drew it in my sketch book probably three or four years ago, but I never had a way to justify committing the time to building it. I’m glad it came together the way it did,” Thurmond said. “My goal was to create something that catches somebody’s eye first and makes them think second.”

Jared Andreas is a senior fine arts major with an emphasis in painting. His pieces “Recipe” and “This is Not a Pipe” displayed in the exhibit deal with themes that Andreas often finds himself focusing on through his work.

“My work typically tends to deal with my Native American heritage, so there’s often a lot that deals with identity , representation and constructed reality,” Andreas said. “They (both paintings displayed) are kind of connected in that the representation of that particular identity wasn’t chosen by the people who are being represented. There’s like this other type of power that chose to represent it; it’s out of their hands.”

Homeyra Shams graduated fall 2017 with both a fine arts and criminal justice degree and submitted her works from that last semester for consideration in this year’s juried exhibit. These two works, “My Dad’s Dream Story” and “The Big Foot’ from My Dad’s Dream Story” represent scenes from Shams’s father’s stories from Afghanistan she heard growing up.

“It’s important because not everyone is the same, so when you come and explore the paintings you will see different things,” Shams said. “Every student is different and their style is different; they might find connections. They might find ideas by looking at the exhibitions.”

C U LT U R E

CREATING FILMS THAT ARE “CLEAR AS MUDD” Matt Mudd shares his experience as a student filmmaker at Boise State Logan Potter | Culture Reporter | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

While Boise State doesn’t have a film program--at least, not yet--that hasn’t stopped students attending the University from being any less creative in the medium. In fact, some Boise State students, past and present, are taking the skills they learned from courses on campus and turning them into full-length features and television episodes for an audience outside the university. Matt Mudd, a current student, is just one example of creativity outside of the classroom when he created Clear as Mudd Films in 2009 with his brother.

“I have always wanted to make movies since I saw Raiders of the Lost Ark as a kid and found out it wasn’t real,” Mudd said.

“I was on set in 2008 for a short called ‘Hard Ride to Hope’ as an actor and saw the process and wanted to give it a try for myself. I have always been into writing, and I have wanted to write my own movies as long as I can remember.”

The main outlet for his films is his YouTube channel, where Mudd has produced nine projects in total, including five feature-length films and four shorts. Through those projects, Clear as Mudd Films found their place within the Boise filmmaking community. The team is comprised largely of new filmmakers and actors looking for experience and education; an aspect that Mudd has “embraced.” A self-employed venture, it has never been and will never be about money, according to Mudd. In fact, this year, Clear as Mudd Films has gone non-profit to focus on using the projects as a way to extend opportunity to people in the Boise area who may not get it elsewhere.

“We will bring anyone on set who wants to learn or grow, have a good time or meet new people. That is what we’re about, and great things are coming for our film family and this community,” Mudd said. “Boise State has helped (with the mission) immensely. I became an all-around better director and filmmaker. We use the campus for rehearsals, we have filmed there and it

Jennifer Levy, Matt Mudd and Michelle Oneida are in character while filming “Project Fourteen.” Photo courtesy of Clear as Mudd Films.

has almost been a home base for Clear as Mudd Films the last few years.”

“I have always wanted to make movies since I saw “Raiders of the Lost Ark” as a kid and found out it wasn’t real. I have always been into writing, and I have (always desired) to write my own movies.”

Matt Mudd, student filmmaker

A few times a year, individuals from all backgrounds are awarded for their successes in film, and directors are included in this list of names. Out of these big names (and even the smaller ones), every student filmmaker has an inspiration, and Mudd is no different. Mudd, growing up in the 90’s with films like “Indiana Jones,” “Back to the Future,” “Jurassic Park” and “Star Wars,” fell in love with that era of film.

Because of this love for film, Mudd has two directors that really inspired him to become a filmmaker himself.

“I have to say Steven Spielberg, and second would have to be Quentin Tarantino.

I know you either love him or hate him, but it’s mostly his story that inspires me,” Mudd said. “Never went to film school, lost his first film in a fire and was met with a ton of hatred in the beginning. He kept going and became one of the biggest

successes in Hollywood.”

While he is inspired by two of the biggest names in film, many seasoned people in the same position have some advice for young filmmakers. This advice is typically on how making it to the top and continuing to love their craft go hand in hand.

Ava DuVernay, director of the upcoming feature film “A Wrinkle in Time” based on the novel of the same name, has some of this advice.

“Don’t let your actors watch playback.

Your job is to watch them so that they don’t watch themselves. Their job is to portray real life,” DuVernay said. “Laugh and keep a warm atmosphere. We’re making movies, not splitting the atom.”

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C U LT U R E

STUDENT POETRY SPEAKS VOLUMES

Students share their experience participating in Boise’s local slam poetry team

Jack Meier | Staff Writer | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

In a recent regional slam poetry tournament, Team Boise went up against two other teams on Saturday, Feb. 3 at MING Studios, for a chance to compete in the Chicago Nationals tournament in August.

The team of four—three of which are Boise State students—took second in the competition.

“I feel like we did really well,” said Lydia Havens, a freshman English major. “Boise often does not do very well in competitions, but it always seems to win in people liking the work and liking us.”

This local tournament, and other local slams, is hosted by a nonprofit called Big Tree Arts, which organizes all the various local slam poetry events and programs around Boise. Big Tree Arts are a big supporter of the local slam poetry scene. It is also responsible for sending Team Boise to the Nationals tournament every year.

Kate Lange, a senior creative writing major and program coordinator for Big Tree Arts, spoke about a program that they help manage in addition to competing on the team.

“I am primarily the director of the Loud Slam poet preforms her piece the the audience at a local poetry event. Photo by Photo by Ben Lzicar.

Writer’s Program, which is a program that takes slam poetry and touring poets into “Even if I’m having a really bad week or a categories in a slam poem: performance schools,” Lange said. “It’s less about getting love with [slam poetry],” said Analiese bad day, when I go to a poetry slam, I just quality, content and originality. The (the kids) into poetry and a lot more about Bolinder, a freshman majoring in English with a creative writing emphasis. She is put it all into my performance.” categories are broad, but that’s by design, giving them a voice to talk about their also the newest member of Team Boise.

If the poet advances to the second according to Lange. From a soulful respecific experiences.” round, he or she performs a second poem flection on a rough break-up to a comedy Lange emphasized the ability of slam and can earn points towards getting onto performance about lactose intolerance, any poetry to lend a voice to those who might Team Boise for the next season. Team Boi- manner of different poems can be successotherwise be scared to talk. se is now on hiatus, awaiting a new roster ful.

“It’s a really inclusive community and a from the finals competition in March, “Everything is worth writing about,” really supportive community,” Lange said. where the top four local poets will be Lange said. “Whatever it is in your life that Big Tree Arts hosts two poetry slams a selected to represent Boise on the national gets your heart going is worth sharing.” month, where members of the public can stage. The current team members will have Big Tree Arts hosts two slams a month, come to listen to or perform slam poetry. to perform well in local slams to hold on and they’re open to the general public, At a slam, poets perform their work to the to their spots on the team. whether you want to be a performer or crowd while a panel of five judges random“I feel like the point of poetry is taking audience member. The slams are typically ly selected from the audience score the perexperiences that are really awful or really hosted at Goldy’s Corner or Even Stevens formance. The lowest and highest scores Analiese Bolinder, freshman English hard and turning them into art,” Bolinder in downtown Boise, and the next one is on are dropped, and the poet advances to the said. “It’s really healing for me.”

March 14 at 6:30 p.m. at Even Stevens. next round if he or she scores high enough. major Judges are told to look for three main “I went, and immediately I just fell in

“I feel like the point of poetry is taking experiences that are really awful or really hard and turning them into art” -

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C U LT U R E

AN OPEN LETTER TO LIAM PAYNE

A modern Justin Timberlake (without the frosted tips) Shannon Brennan and Logan Potter | Culture Section | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Dear 1/4th of One Direction, Not to start with negitivity, but you really started from the bottom. When you failed your first rounds of “The X Factor” in 2008 because Simon didn’t think you were ready for stardom, we were inclined to agree with him. To be honest, you didn’t really sound all that much better when you got unanimously pushed though with “Cry Me a River” in 2010, which is okay because your then-judge, now-motherof-your-child Cheryl voted you through anyway. Speaking of, is the ten-year gap noticeable in your everyday life? Is she more of a “New Kids on the Block” kind of gal, while you’re still digging “N*Sync”?

We get it--we do. Except, not at all. It feels a little nostalgic, but in the worst possibleway.

We have been “1D” fans from the first whispers of the group forming; you all were just too adorable for us to feel any differently. But, we are conspiracy theorists at heart, and we would like to call Simon into question on randomly having you all match up perfectly after joining the show as solo artists. Rumor has it that you all had auditioned together previously, and Simon just took the credit on “The X Factor” because he has magic British boyband powers. It’s interesting how well that worked out for him in future seasons.

Despite your shady beginnings, and “One Direction” losing to Matt Cardle (also who even is he?), we loved you guys to the very end. Because of “Strip That Down,” we know that you used to be in 1D and that now you’re out free, but that split broke our hearts. We understand that you were outgrowing the whole boy band thing, and at least you didn’t end up like the Backstreet Boys. At some point, we all started hoping those breakup rumors would be true. Like, come on guys. It’s been over 20 years. And at least most of you waited until your tour was over and gave us one last album (not to point

fingers, but your quiff-haired pal really hurt us).

You may not have been the most conventionally popular member of 1D, but we loved you for who you were as part of the band. Now that you have broken out on your own, we have some thoughts. No offense, but despite the immediate popularity, “Bedroom Floor” and “Strip That Down” are sort of cringy. Maybe not even sort of. They’re just Abigail Breslin’s music career-level cringy.

Not to belittle your solo success, but you know they are only doing so well because of your boyband past, right? We certainly wouldn’t want to leave our clothes on your bedroom floor with those basic lyrics. But at least now we can now afford to go see each of you individually in concert; One Direction tickets were always WAY out of our price range.

In conclusion: Maybe it would have been best to pursue your career as a firefighter--you really seem to be a perfect fit for that path. Tall, handsome--you look like you’d grace the pages of a calendar quite well. You have an older girlfriend, an adorable son and some chart-topping yet terrible songs under your belt. Does life get any better? Even your recent drama between Rita Ora, your duet partner on the new “Fifty Shades Freed” song “For You,” and Cheryl can’t strip you of your confidence. While we know there won’t be a One Direction reunion in the near future (or let’s be real: at all), we are still stoked to see just how Justin Timberlake you can get.

With love, Logan and Shannon

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SPORTS & REC

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL TAKES VICTORY ON SENIOR NIGHT Back to back victories clinch regular season conference title Delaney Brassil | Staff Writer | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu

A classic three-pointer from sophomore guard Riley Lupfer started senior night off with a bang on Tuesday, Feb. 27 at the Taco Bell Arena. Boise State kept the lead for almost the entire game, except for a nerve-wracking 17 seconds where the teams were tied. This victory, combined with a 67-63 defeat of the University of Wyoming on Friday, March 2, produced the team’s first regular season Mountain West title since 2012, finishing with a 20-9 record.

“I thought we gave up some critical rebounds at the end of quarters, but overall I was pleased with our performance,” said head coach Gordy Presnell, who is a candidate for Mountain West Coach of the Year.

The night was successful for senior

“The past four years have just been great. It’ll probably hit me later tonight.

It was fun, we played well, it was a fun environment to be in.”

- Shay Shaw, senior forward

forward Shay Shaw, who had 10 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Shaw is the only player in Bronco history with a career of 1,000 points, 800 rebounds and 200 assists. She could also be the first player in school history to attend three NCAA Tournaments if the team goes this year.

“The past four years have just been great,” Shaw said. “It’ll probably hit me later tonight. It was fun, we played well, it was a fun environment to be in and it was a great experience.”

In front of a crowd of 809 fans, Presnell honored senior Brooke Wheeler by

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wearing her jersey over his shirt for the entire game. Wheeler has missed the last 11 games due to an ankle injury which she suffered in practice on Jan. 12.

“I know she set a goal to come back for senior night, and she got shut down yesterday so she didn’t get to come back,” Presnell said. “I just think the world of her, and she’s a great, great kid. She’s a great example off the floor, and so I thought I’m just gonna wear her jersey.”

Throughout her career as a Bronco, which began in the 2016-17 season after she transferred from Snow College, Wheeler has played 44 games, averaged 1.5 points and 1.6 rebounds and has shot 36.6 percent. Presnell informed the team before the game he would be wearing her jersey for the evening.

“I don’t cry a lot, but before the game when (Presnell) said he was going to put it on, I started tearing up,” said sophomore guard Riley Lupfer, a nominee for Mountain West Player of the Year. “It means a lot, and that’s incredible for a coach to do that.”

The Broncos, now on a seven-game win-streak, have clinched the top seed at the Mountain West Tournament, which began on Monday, March. 5 in Las Vegas.

The team will play the winner of Monday’s Air Force vs. Utah State game on Tuesday, March 6 at 1 p.m. MT. “A regular season championship doesn’t get you into the NCAA Tournament in our league, but its proof of the grind, and its proof of the work ethic, resiliency and the perseverance,” Presnell said. “I can’t tell you how proud I am of our players. This whole conference season, they have worked as hard as they can and overcame a lot of insecurity before closing down the stretch of games.”

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The Broncos gains a rebound over San Diego State. Photo by Kenzie Hudson.

SPORTS & REC

THREE SENIORS SECURE BOISE STATE VICTORY AGAINST WYOMING Hutchinson, Williams and Sengfelder win in final home game of college career Peter Huguenin |Sports Reporter | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Whatever the cutline is whatever the cutline is. Photo courtesy of Boise State website.

Saturday night was the last home game for the seniors of Boise State’s men’s basketball team: guards Chandler Hutchison and Lexus Williams and forward Chris Sengfelder. The team defeated Wyoming 95-87.

Those three seniors all had different paths to get where they are. Sengfelder transferred from Fordham, Williams transferred from Valparaiso and Hutchison has played his entire college career at Boise State.

“The environment is special here,” Hutchison said. “The way the community rallies around their student athletes and gets behind them. The support has been over the top from what I expected.”

The three seniors, combined, have made 2,055 points for Boise State over their careers. “(Hutchison’s time at Boise State) just went by so quick,” said head coach Leon Rice. “A minute ago we were recruiting.

We were sitting at the dinner table, , and I

get a text from his AAU coach saying ‘Hey congratulations, I’m so happy he’s going there,’ then I said ‘Do you have something to tell me?’ I heard it from a text before I heard it from the other end of the table.”

Rice said that he believes Hutchison will continue to be successful in his basketball career.

“It’s just neat to have a kid who has come as far as (Hutchison) came,” Rice said. “He’s the flag bearer for player development. He came here as a young man, and he’s leaving as a man. He’s built for anything, so whatever the next level throws at him, he’ll be able to handle it. I’ll put my stamp on that and I’ll guarantee that, because I know how he’s built.”

The Broncos started out the game hot, going on a 11-3 run to start the game.

Boise State continued to dominate for the remainder of the first half, leading Wyoming 47-34 at half-time.

The Broncos would continue to domi-

nate for the rest of the game. They led for over 39 minutes of the game.

The three seniors were the main contributing factor in the game. Sengfelder led the team with 24 points.

The last time Boise State played Wyoming, the Broncos lost in overtime, 79-78.

A few of the players said that game was on their mind Saturday night.

“I felt like I didn’t play my best game there, so I just wanted to come out and get a win,” Williams said.

This game wraps up the regular season for the Broncos, and the team will now turn their attention to the Mountain West Tournament. Boise State will enter the tournament as the second seed and will play the winner of the game between the seventh and tenth seeded teams.

“I’m trying to get a ring, and so are all of us,” Sengfelder said. That’s probably the most important part going down (to Las Vegas).”

If Boise State wins the Mountain West Tournament, which will take place from March 8 to March 10, they will earn an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.

“My job is to get us three wins coming down here in Vegas,” Hutchison said. “If we don’t win, then it’s not going to be a fulfillment, and it’s not going to be a season I wanted.”

Boise State finished the season with a record of 23-7 overall, and a 13-5 record in conference. Boise State also finished with a 15-1 record in Taco Bell Arena.

“This year by far has had the most excitement that has been around the basketball program,” Hutchison said. “I think we had record crowds. All that stuff makes a difference, and it means a lot when you can see that.”

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SPORTS & REC

OLYMPIAN AND FORMER BRONCO

Nick Cunningham’s Olympic experience comes to a close

Addison DeHaven | Staff Writer | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu

BRONCO SCOREBOARD MEN’S BASKETBALL WYOMING VS BSU

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Nick Cunnigham competed in the bobsled portion of the PyeonChang Olympics. Photo courtesy of Cunningham’s Twitter page.

Nick Cunnigham, an alumnus of Boise State, finished 21st in the two-man bobsled and 19th in the four-man bobsled competitions at the 2018 PyeonChang Olympics.

Cunnigham attended Boise State from 2005 to 2008, where he competed on the track and field teams, helping lead the way to an indoor and outdoor conference championship in 2008. Cunningham holds personal records of 21.14 in the 200 meters and 10.57 in the 100 meters.

Cunnigham is also currently a sergeant in the New York National Guard and a member of the World Class Athlete Program.

He is the pilot on the bobsled team, which entails guiding the sled down the track at upwards of 80 miles an hour.

The two-man portion of the bobsled race was disappointing for Cunnigham and the USA’s medal hopes. Their 21st finish

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meant no U.S. team would finish in the top 10 for the first time since 1994.

“It was absolutely terrible,” Cunnigham told the Santa Cruz Sentinel.

Cunningham, a California native, is a three-time Olympian, having competed in both Sochi and Vancouver before looking to medal in PyeonChang for the first time.

However, the four-man team of Cunningham, Hakeem Abdul-Saboor, Chris Kinney and Sam Michener ran into issues and finished 19th in the four-man competition.

“The bobsled Gods are upset at us for something,” Cunningham told the Chicago Tribune. “We just couldn’t put it together.”

According to National Public Radio, Cunningham is unsure of his future plans but does not discount making a run at the medals in 2022.

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WOMEN’S BASKETBALL BSU VS WYOMING

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BUCKING AROUND Puzzle 1 (Very hard, difficulty rating 0.78)

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Generated by http://www.opensky.ca/sudoku on Mon Aug 28 19:17:16 2017 GMT. Enjoy!

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