The Arbiter 9.10.19 Vol. 32 Issue 4

September 10, 2019

Vol. 32 Issue 4

I N D EPEN DE NT

S T UDE NT

V O I CE

O F

B O I SE

STAT E

S I N C E

1 9 3 3

HUNGRY

The years that transformed Curtis Weaver from second string to player of the year

NEWS

06

GIMM-created app Bronco Beam seeks to alleviate food insecurity and study troubles for students

VISIT US ONLINE:

OPINION

09

Survivors of domestic violence may be discriminated against within the rental housing sector arbiteronline.com

CULTURE

12

Boise State’s Greek life brings in new coordinators and fees to accommodate for its growth @arbiteronline

SPORTS & REC

16

Broncos defense prevails in a 14-7 home opener win, holding Marshall to zero yards in the second half

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@boisestatearbiter

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Editor-In-Chief Logan Potter editor@stumedia.boisestate.edu Online Editor Emma Freitas onlineeditor@stumedia.boisestate.edu News Editor Celina Van Hyning news@stumedia.boisestate.edu News Reporter Taylor Rico-Pekerol news@stumedia.boisestate.edu Culture Editor Will Meyer culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu Culture Reporter Michelle Johnson culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu Sports Editor Delaney Brassil sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu Sports Reporter Autum Robertson sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu Copy Editor Megan Mary Social Media Coordinator Trisha Kangas Digital Content Manager Taylor Humby digitalcontent@stumedia.boisestate.edu Digital Content Producer Mackenzie Hudson Graphic Design Manager Maddie Ceglecki design@stumedia.boisestate.edu Graphic Designer Kacie Fromhart Illustrator Wyatt Wurtenberger 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.

Boise State took Marshall in a nail-biting 14-7 win in their home opener on Friday, Sept. 6.

ON THE COVER:

Cur tis Weaver has always dedicated his success to his roots. Now emerging as one of the nation’s top athletes, Weaver is putting all of himself on the field — most notably, the par ts he gained from home.

Cover design by Maddie Ceglecki.

HOW TO REACH US: CONTACT US: editor@stumedia.boisestate.edu 208.426.6302 PHYSICAL LOCATION: Located on first floor of Lincoln Avenue Garage Suites

MISSION:

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

Mackenzie Hudson | The Arbiter

EVENTS BRONCO GIVING DAY ONLINE

SPORTS HIGHLIGHTS VOLLEYBALL

SEPTEMBER 12-13

This university-wide event takes the form of an online campaign, and the funds raised will be used to benefit scholarships, student programming and more.

SPLATTER PARTY

The Broncos won the Thunderbird Classic in Cedar City, Utah over the weekend. They took down Middle Tennessee 3-1, rallied past St. Mary’s 3-2 and swept Southern Utah 3-0. The Broncos are now 4-2 on the season.

QUAD

FRI. SEPTEMBER 13, 9 PM

Wear white to this colorful outdoor student party, and get ready to dance while being sprayed with paint.

Pre-sale tickets for students are $5.

WOMEN’S SOCCER

HYDE PARK STREET FAIR

HYDE PARK

SEPTEMBER 13-15

2019 marks the milestone of Hyde Park Street Fair’s 40th year in the North End. The three-day event is free and open to the public.

The Broncos secured their best ever start to a season in program history (4-0) by defeating Idaho State 1-0 on Friday, Sept. 6. Senior Raven Sweeney scored the only goal of the game. Boise State then fell to Utah State 1-0 in double overtime on Sunday, Sept. 7. The Utes scored in the 102nd minute.

FOOTBALL

SCHOOL OF PUBLIC SERVICE INTERNSHIP FAIR

SUB CATALDO ROOM TUES. SEPTEMBER 17, 4 PM

Networking and sharing experiences are the focus of this event hosted by the School of Public Service.

Boise State defeated Marshall University 14-7 for their first home game of the season on Friday, Sept. 6. The Broncos’ defense didn’t give up a single yard or first down in the second half.

NEWS

SEPTEMBER 10, 2019 | ARBITERONLINE.COM

INCONSISTENCIES IN CAMPUS HEALTH CARE AFFECT STUDENTS

Confusion surrounding resources and out-of-state insurance guidelines leaves many without support Celina Van Hyning | News Editor | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

I

n the United States, 44% of college students experience at least one symptom of depression. Of that percentage, a staggering 75% do not seek help for their mental health issues. As a result, many contemplate suicide-the third leading cause of death among college students.

Mental health issues do not go entirely unnoticed by universities, and Boise State is no exception. There are many promising resources that can help students combat their depression; but many students are unaware that these resources are available.

Ayako Campion, the outreach coordinator for Boise State counseling services, explained the numerous resources inside Health Services that can help students improve their mental health and general wellbeing.

“We have walk-in counseling services anytime during business hours,” Campion said. “Anybody can walk in and ask to talk to a counselor.”

According to Campion, there is another primary reason for students not reaching out when they are struggling.

“I think there are different reasons (students do not seek help), but the big one is the stigma (surrounding) getting counseling,” Campion said. “They think it’s a crazy thing to do or that they are overreacting. I hear a lot of people say their friends and families don’t believe in it. Others hear it from people in their social circle.”

In her years as an outreach coordinator, Campion said lack of support from friends and family is one of the main reasons Boise State students do not reach out to Health Services.

“If students are using their parent’s insurance, parents may find out that students are receiving service here, which could be a problem if the parents don’t believe their student needs counseling,” Campion said.

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“We don’t turn away clients because of inability to pay.”

Campion offered advice to students who are skeptical about reaching out for help: just try it.

“Everybody is different. What they’re going through is hard enough for them, and that’s a good enough reason to come to counseling,” Campion said. “Counseling can be beneficial to everyone.”

Michelle Long, a senior educational studies major, has received counseling from Health Services in the past, but explained taking the first step in reaching out was difficult.

“Freshman year, one of my roommates worked for housing and she told me about (mental health resources) then when I was struggling,” Long said. “I know when I first called to say that I needed counseling, there was a long waitlist. That can be tough when you’re going through rough times. It’s hard enough to open up, so that made it a little harder.”

Long eventually discontinued her counseling due to insurance issues, but returned shortly after following a personal devastation.

“I had a really messy breakup where Title IX had to get involved, and they referred me back to Health Services,” Long said. “We made a lot of progress, but I stopped going because I only had seven sessions covered (by Title IX).”

Lisa Mallet, a senior health sciences major, has also not been able to receive adequate healthcare with her California insurance. As a result, she reached out to Health Services.

“My experience with Health Services has been slightly frustrating,” Mallet said. “The

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resources available to out-of-state students are not made clear, and it can be difficult to navigate what is accessible to us.”

Mallet said she believes there are many ways Health Services can improve their mental health resources and the manner in which students are made aware of them.

“If there was anything that I would urge Boise State to change about their health services, I would recommend that it be mandatory for all students to do a Health Services seminar in order to be familiarized with all the different resources

available,” Mallet said. “These programs should be repeated on a regular basis so that we continue to be aware of what is available to us as we go through the semester. There needs to be more transparency and awareness for health services resources at Boise State.”

Navigating mental health is difficult for students. Wyatt Wurtenberger | The Arbiter

REMEMBERING BOBBY SKINNER

The 22-year-old student was spirited on and off the ice Mackenzie Hudson | Staff Writer | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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t first glance, some people may see club hockey as just another club sport for the university.

However, this hockey team is more than just a group of guys skating around and passing a puck; they are a family, according to the team. Before his passing, Bobby Skinner, one of the team’s defenseman, always made sure to keep his team in good spirits with high energy and lots of laughter and it didn’t go unnoticed by his teammates. “[His] personality lightened every room,” said junior goaltender and team vice president Kyler Ayers. “As far as hockey goes, he helped keep things light. Hockey is a game, it’s supposed to be fun. Bob was a constant reminder of that for everyone.”

Skinner was born in the small town of Englewood, N.J. and shortly after, the Skinner family packed up and moved to the area of Seattle, Wash. His childhood consisted of hockey and traveling, primarily traveling to play hockey. He competed on the ice in Post Falls and Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho, continuing on with the Wenatchee Wolves during his senior year of high school.

In his time spent at Boise State, Skinner completed two seasons as a defensive player for the club hockey team. During the 2018-2019 season, he played in 29 games with a total of one goal, seven assists and 36 penalties in minutes.

Even when he wasn’t on the ice, his roommate and senior teammate Mitchell Hodges described Skinner’s personality as vibrant, paired with an infectious smile.

He always found a way to make everybody’s day, particularly that of Hodges.

“Bobby was always a showman,” Hodges said. “[He] loved to make people laugh and spread joy through him acting out a certain way to make us laugh, busting a dance move, or just being a goofball to see us smile. He had a sense of heart and instantaneous love for everyone that is just incomparable.”

To his teammates, there are an infinite amount of words that could be used to describe Skinner. Ayers was able to do it in three: everybody’s best friend.

“He made everyone feel welcome and like they were his best friend, even if he’d only met them once,” Ayers said. “All he ever wanted was to include people and have fun. Bobby was probably the most social person I’ve ever met. He could be friends with anyone.”

Skinner was loved by many on campus, on the ice and within the community.

He cared for those around him and had endless love to give. His contagious laugh, big smile and loving heart will be terribly missed by those who knew him.

“There aren’t enough words to be said to depict the impact he made on all our lives,” Hodges said.

Bobby Skinner With sorrow and disbelief, the family and friends announce the tragic death of Robert Eugene Baird Skinner — the victim of a senseless incident of gun violence. His death at age 22 came in the early morning of Friday, August 23, 2019 in Boise, Idaho.

He was prepared to enter his third year of studies at Boise State University and as a member of the University’s college level Bronco Hockey Team. He was interested in the field of international business.

Bobby was born January 31, 1997 at Englewood, New Jersey. He moved to Seattle with his parents, Robert and Patricia Hughes Skinner, in 2002 where they live in the Laurelhurst area of Seattle.

He attended Villa Academy and Eckstein Middle School in Seattle. His sophomore year was at Roosevelt High School. His lifelong love of youth and amateur hockey next took Bobby to Post Falls and Coeur d’Alene, Idaho where he played for Compete Hockey Academy and lived with his host family, the Barretts.

The next hockey season and his Senior year was at East Wenatchee High School where his host family was the Bradfords and he played with the Wenatchee Wolves U-18 team.

Following high school graduation, Bobby became a member of the Seattle Totems Amateur Hockey Program for two seasons, competing with teams throughout

the West. During summers, his bent for adventure and new experiences took him to Thailand where he concentrated on martial arts conditioning and training for upcoming seasons at Boise State.

He was recruited to join the Bronco Hockey Program and played two seasons.

While in Boise, he trained as a firefighter with the Idaho National Guard Center, protecting military and public ranges.

The family has compiled these words that comprise the characteristics, qualities, and values of Bobby: love, joy, peace, gentleness, kindness, goodness, trustfulness, patience and self-control. Friends of all ages were blessed to have shared this adventurous young man and will remember always his full, but an all too short life.

Survivors include Bobby’s parents Robert and Patricia of Seattle; grandparents John and Nan Hughes of Woodinville, WA; uncles Tom Hughes of Seattle, Walter Hughes of Mill Creek, WA; Allen Skinner, Hilton Head, S.C; Tom Skinner, Alameda, CA; cousins Alex, Maddi and Tillie Skinner of Alameda; cousins Allen Skinner Jr., Chicago and John Skinner, Hilton Head; and cousins Holden and Hatcher Hughes, Seattle. He was preceded in death by his aunt Betsey Hughes.

John B. Hughes, Grandfather of Bobby Skinner

NEWS

BOISE STATE’S GIMM PROGRAM SEEKS TO AID STUDENT SUCCESS

Bronco Beam, an app launched by GIMM, will help students find tutoring sessions and alleviate food insecurity Taylor Rico-Pekerol | News Reporter | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

D

uring President Bob Kustra’s term at Boise State, he focused on improving recruitment and retention rates for the university. With this goal in mind, Kustra reached out to the Games, Interactive and Mobile Media (GIMM) program to aid in student success and well-being.

Olivia Thomas, a senior GIMM and computer science double major, has worked on the project with two other members of her team. Kustra gave the project a grant to get started, but recently the team has found that they need more funds.

“Now the app is pretty much developed at this point and there’s a lot of back end costs that we can’t cover,” said Tyler Chapman, a senior GIMM and IT management major. “And so we’re at the point where we’re out of money.”

The Associated Students of Boise State University (ASBSU) provides grants to special projects like GIMM’s app, which is what the team is hoping to receive, according to Thomas. Kaleb Smith, ASBSU president, is heading the food pantry and creating conversation about the challenges of food insecurity on campus.

“In the future, as it’s more developed, we’re hoping that we can do more outreach to populations that might need it more than others.”

Kaleb Smith, ASBSU President “In the future, as it’s more developed, we’re hoping that we can do more outreach to populations that might need it more than others,” Smith said.

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Food insecurity has been a hot button topic on Boise State’s campus with combatant projects such as Swipe Out Hunger and the Bronco Food Pantry. By creating the app Bronco Beam, the GIMM team hopes to help those that do not have the resources to get a full meal every day.

The app is currently going through beta testing to fix bugs and programming. The team hopes to have the app out by Fall 2020 and believes it could be launched as early as this coming spring.

“ASBSU is one of the avenues that we’re going down and we should also mention we’re doing test rollouts now. Our goal is to have a full pilot release going by next year,” Chapman said.

The app has two components to it: the tutoring side of the app allows students to get a notification from a beacon set in a certain room. A signal will be sent from the beacon to the app notifying students when a faculty member is having a tutoring session.

Students can then post questions in the chat for that session. Unlike Blackboard, students can not answer each others questions.

They can only look to see who posted, and how many people are following a question.

When people follow a question, a professor will be able to see what the most popular question is and address it in the tutoring session.

“If they’re sitting in their dorm, they can

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Bronco Beam will roll out in fall of 2020 with beta testing currently happening in hopes of an early launch.

Taylor Humby & Wyatt Wurtenberger | The Arbiter add a question that they have,” said Issiac Torrero, a senior GIMM major.

“And we’re hoping that would drive people to actually come to the tutoring session, because they can see the list of questions and say, ‘Oh, a lot of people have the same questions that I do’.”

In the beginning, tutoring sessions were the sole purpose of the app, but as time went on, they noticed a lot of food waste from events on campus.

Using the leftovers from food services

that will be thrown away if not eaten is a sustainable and easy way to reduce food waste. The food service allows students to be notified when Event Services at Boise State has leftover food. Students will then have the ability to go to the area for a free meal.

“I feel like at least giving them a little bit more food and helping with that need might transfer into other areas of their life, as well. Food plays a big part in homelessness, and homelessness plays a part in not being able to get food,” Torrero said.

“So hopefully it has a ripple effect across campus and helps a lot of people.”

SILC OPENS NEW PATHS FOR CAMPUS CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS

NEWS

Added support and assistance is now offered to new and returning clubs when registering Taylor Rico-Pekerol | News Reporter | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

New paths alleviate confusion for club leaders.

E

rin Mahn, the associate director for Student Involvement and Leadership (SILC), came into her position three years ago and started asking herself questions about how registration for clubs could be improved.

The SILC aids in building connections with the Boise State community and students through partnerships on campus.

Mahn wanted to support student organizations in a different way and make it easier for them to become a student organization and adjust support according to the needs identified by students.

“We have some organizations that just want to exist and want to do what they are passionate about,” Mahn said. “And then we have some organizations that have really big goals and really exciting plans and they

Maddie Ceglecki | The Arbiter

need very different things.”

All clubs and organizations on campus must go through a new three-path system for registering. The process was put into place on Aug. 1 of this year and registration for clubs is open until Sept. 25.

Before the program was initiated, the SILC implemented parts of the program to see how student organizations responded.

They started having regular meeting times for larger organizations to meet with advisors by providing more consistent support, according to Mahn.

“We saw success in that we saw reduced frustration from the students, increased sort of timeliness of submission of needed documentation so that we could get what they wanted to do done and help through the red tape of the university procedures,” Mahn said.

Once a club registers, they choose a path that best fits their needs. A club or organization with five people will most likely need less assistance than a club with 100 people that hosts big events.

Haley Neile is the current president of the Sustainability Club and recently completed the path two training while registering their club for this school year. “(When) hosting an event, you don’t realize when you’re brainstorming the initial idea how much goes into it,” Neile said. “I think by having that training it kind of just sets it out for you and gives you a better perspective of what it takes.”

The first path is for organizations that do not need funding and only have a president of the club, while the second is for medium-sized organizations that might want to request funds from ASBSU and need a financial officer.

“If they’ve chosen that support, we’re going to respect that and we’re going to support them and provide them with those resources,” Mahn said. “But if a group has chosen a path, one that traditionally has been operating as a two or three, then we’re going to have a conversation with them.”

The third path is for large organizations that host events and need more guidance and assistance from the SILC. By being in path three, the organization must meet with the student organizations coordinator for event advising.

Clubs and organizations can change their path at any time they feel their needs have elevated and need more support. Reegan Jacobson, the ethics officer for the Associated Students of Boise State University (ASBSU), sat in discussion the past school year regarding implementation and creation of the paths.

“This is going to benefit more organizations and allow them to choose what path they want. Then they can decide if they don’t need to go through as much training,” Jacobson said. “There is no reason to go through all the tedious training if they do

“This is going to benefit more organizations and allow them to choose what path they want.

Then they can decide if they don‘t need to go through as much training.”

Reegan Jacobson, ASBSU ethics officer

not need it, but it will also allow for more support in general.”

The training for the paths include online videos and quizzes to make sure the officers understand what is needed of them as a club president. The quizzes must be completed with an 80% or higher to pass.

“I think it helps our office to provide effective and efficient support for student organizations and the needs that they’ve identified,” Mahn said. “It also reduces barriers for student organizations to just get started, so we can see them develop a little bit faster and get them on board.”

All of the trainings for the three paths require the president of the club to go through the process and are given an advisor. Path one is not required to have an advisor, but if they want to, they are able to have one.

As clubs go up to path two, financial officers must participate in the training, as well. Once an organization reaches path three, they are required to have in-person meetings with the student organizations coordinator for additional support.

“By giving students these options, it allows for the organizations to truly pick and choose how they want to be treated by the school,” Jacobson said.

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OPINION SEPTEMBER 10, 2019 | ARBITERONLINE.COM

POPULAR COLLEGE CAMPUS VISITOR BEN SHAPIRO IS PROBLEMATIC

Recent civil war comments brought the popular right-wing pundit back under fire Zach Hill | Opinion Editor | opinion@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Ben Shapiro spreads dangerous misinformation in his political commentary.

I

f you’re anything like myself, you probably spend some of your spare time reading through political news articles, listening to podcasts and tuning into the nightly news. Consuming information in 2019 is easier than ever — which also makes it easier for almost anyone to have a platform.

Ben Shapiro, in particular, is one pundit who has gained a significant amount of traction. Since the age of 17, he’s been writing columns, books and producing podcasts all in line with his conservative beliefs. With this political fame comes a

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lot of attention, and with all that attention comes opportunities to speak on behalf of his beliefs.

Shapiro really took off as a speaker between 2016 and 2017, when he toured over 30 college campuses, and often had videos taken of his visits. These videos were then posted on his YouTube account, where they were titled with sensational headlines (Ben Shapiro DESTROYS climate change argument), and mass produced for the YouTube community, each targeting some liberal belief.

For young conservatives, Shapiro is a major role model. A supposed “voice of

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Photo: Michael Brochstein/Sipa USA/TNS reason” in a world where fake news is running rampant, Shapiro represents the ideal conservative debater — a fast talker who spits out “facts and logic”, crushing their opponents in debates as fast as possible.

The problem with this whole charade is simple: Shapiro isn’t actually a good debater. Even worse, when “debating”, Shapiro often makes claims that are either unrelated to actual issues, or are outright racist.

There’s no easier example of this than comments he made last week, in which he claims the civil war and subsequent death of white soldiers somehow equates recompense for slaves and their families.

This point itself possesses numerous flaws — the most obvious being it pushes an extreme white savior narrative. However, it’s also indicative of Ben Shapiro’s work: sensational headlines, speeding through a talking point, and then never really offering any actual reason to why his argument is true.

Shapiro’s argument against climate change also demonstrates this issue. While speaking at a university, Shapiro claimed that the solution to rising water levels was to buy houses further inland-which is nonsense. However, conservatives have run with the idea, claiming that families like the Obamas, owning beachside homes means climate change is a hoax.

The problem is, these people fall into the same pitfalls as Shapiro himself. There’s little evidence to demonstrate why the claim is true, and there are no warrants showing how any of their ideas could possibly be linked. This is what makes Shapiro so dangerous.

Someone like Shapiro, who has a massive political following while also spouting nonsense, means that a significant amount of people are receiving poor information.

Worse still, it means Shapiro can continue to say whatever he wants and get away with it. Without accountability to any legitimate evidence, Shapiro gets to stoke the flames of outrage.

It never hurts to branch out and see what all different kinds of sources are saying. The important part is to ensure you can look out for information that provides some sort of educational benefit. Shapiro offers no such benefit to the public. His rhetoric is dangerous, and only fuels the fire of misinformation.

OPINION

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS ARE LEFT UNPROTECTED IN HOUSING

There should be more protections in place for victims of domestic abuse in the rental housing sector Jillian Kelley | Guest Writer | opinion@stumedia.boisestate.edu

CONTENT WARNING: TOPICS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE

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n my work as a client advocate at the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, I have noticed a common trend: women are increasingly being evicted from their rental properties. The trend may not be a new one, but the answer to why may be unknown to many; the evictions are caused phone calls to police for domestic violence-related incidents. Survivors are being penalized for obtaining their own safety and, often, the safety of their children.

Technically, this could be illegal, according to the Landlord-Tenant Act. A landlord cannot legally evict a tenant due to their status as a domestic violence survivor — but there’s a catch. A landlord can evict a tenant due to frequent police activity on a rental property; the definition of frequent is a vague one, leaving the verdict up to subjectivity.

Women who are evicted due to calling the police in a domestic violence situation have only one option: to sue their landlord for unlawful eviction. These cases are difficult to prosecute because a landlord can claim the eviction was justified due to police activity.

“Across the country, a growing number of cities are adopting nuisance ordinances that impose fines and criminal penalties on landlords and tenants when the police are called too many times to the property,” wrote Katie Miller and Sandra Park, senior staff attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Women’s Rights Project in an article for the ACLU. The stated goal is to deter crime and recoup costs, but it is disproportionately affecting domestic violence survivors, especially women of color.

“Women from largely black neighborThe rental housing crisis for domestic violence survivors is getting worse every day. hoods in Milwaukee constitute 13 percent Kacie Fromhart | The Arbiter of the city’s population, but 40 percent of those are evicted. Housing lawyers in

Los Angeles and New York described a similar predominance of minority women, including Hispanic women, in eviction cases,” Miller and Park wrote.

The threat of eviction causes victims of domestic violence to feel trapped in their abusive situations to avoid homelessness.

Beyond that, many domestic violence survivors experience financial abuse, which is a common tactic that abusers utilize to retain power and control over a survivor. This often leaves survivors with damaged credit and little to no savings or income. This creates the inability for a survivor to go to court for an unlawful eviction so they are forced to find alternative housing and take a large plummet of their credit score.

There are laws in place to protect survivors of domestic violence but they aren’t doing enough. Landlords have far too many rights and protections in these situations and often the assets to utilize these if is ever a legal question to their practices.

In other cases, abusers enter into lease agreements with survivors and then flee the property. This becomes another way abusers can trap and exploit survivors.

This puts the financial burden on the survivor to cover the costs of damage and the violated lease. Often, this debt follows survivors for many years.

There should be more legal protections for domestic violence survivors in these situations that are easily accessible and consistently utilized by the courts.

HAVE A COMMENT OR REBUTTAL? EMAIL US AT: OPINION@STUMEDIA.BOISESTATE.EDU

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CURTIS WEAVER His mother’s sacrifices and values helped turn him into the phenom he is today AUTUM ROBERTSON | SPORTS REPORTER SPORTS@STUMEDIA.BOISESTATE.EDU

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arla Weaver recollected a time when her son, Curtis, told her that he was going to franchise a Wingstop. His inspiration came from one of his middle school football coaches who owned one himself.

But the reason Weaver wanted to own a Wingstop wasn’t for personal gain, rather, to help college students, unemployed and homeless people find jobs. All of this, coming from a child no older than 14, made Carla realize how special her son was.

GROWING UP CURTIS WEAVER When Weaver was young, his mother, who is a single parent, was experiencing health and financial issues that left her with no choice but to work two jobs and move her family around frequently. Weaver was too young to remember why they moved so often, but he does remember that his mother was doing everything in her power to give him a normal childhood.

“I’ve been through a lot, and (Curtis) sees it,” Carla said. “He’s fragile. When he was growing up, there would be nights I would get two hours of sleep because I was making sure everything was set, so I could take him to amusements parks and stuff like that. And because he was an only

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child, I was always inviting all his friends to our house.”

Carla raised Weaver to understand the importance of a good education, family time, the power of prayer and to always stay humble.

It was always just Carla and Weaver at home, but Carla’s entire family lived in California. At least once a week, Weaver was able to spend time with his “big” family to play games and hangout. Weaver does have two half-brothers who he did not grow up with, but has gotten to know them over time.

“I have one (half-brother) who lives in Oregon; he’s a Nike trainer for track. He’s older than me. He’s like about 25 or 24,” Weaver said. “I have another older brother.

He’s like two years older than me, he lives in LA. When I did finally meet them, they were great inspirations; they showed (me) motivation and working hard, and just showing like a general pursuit towards life.”

Religion was a big part of Weaver’s life growing up. Carla taught Weaver that if he has a problem, he needs to pray on it at night and by morning, his problems will be solved. This type of attitude still resonates with Curtis, as he is constantly staying positive and having fun.

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ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

MIDDLE SCHOOL

ENROLLED IN SEVERAL SPORTS

FOOTBALL SKILLS ARE OVER LOOKED BY OTHER PARENTS

FINDS A PASSION FOR FOOTBALL & BASKETBALL

“Sunday is always our date,” Carla said.

“We go to visit his grandma, my mom, we put flowers on the grave then we go to church; (afterwards), we go to our favorite restaurant.”

Weaver went to private school in search of a good education and played multiple sports to ensure he “stayed away from the streets and didn’t get involved with the wrong type of people,” according to Carla.

Little did Carla know, putting her son in so many sports would help him find his passion.

THEN CAME FOOTBALL Football was one of the many sports Carla enrolled Weaver in during his childhood. He played flag football and, later, Pop Warner football. When middle school came around, Weaver found love for both basketball and football, but other parents underestimated just how good he could be.

“He was playing football, not a lot of people believed in him. Parents were like ‘Your son needs this,’ ‘Your son needs

that,’” Carla said. “The thing about Curtis, he’ll say, ‘Mom, I think I’m better than him?’ But I always tell him, if you think you’re better, you gotta prove it.”

Carla has been Weaver’s biggest advocate, supporter and role model since the day he was born. But she made Weaver make one of the biggest decisions of his life before he entered high school: football or basketball?

Weaver picked football and never looked back.

Weaver still was looked over when he started playing in high school. His coach placed him as a second string, without really giving Weaver a chance to prove himself.

“He was very upset he (was) a second string.

I told him, ‘You know what son, when you step into the field, always play with your heart and have fun,’” Carla said. “Because if you go back, and all you think about this is (winning), this is not gonna work.”

“The following day he told me, ‘Just

H SC

RS

DECISION TIME: FOOTBALL OR BASKETBALL?

IGH CHOOL

BECOMES A STARTER

CHOOSES FOOTBALL, BUT HAS TO PROVE HIMSELF

COLLEGE YEARS

RECRUITED TO PLAY COLLEGE FOOTBALL

REDSHIRTED FOR IMMATURITY FRESHMAN

MOVES TO STUD POSITION

EARNS NATIONAL RECOGNITION & NAMED MOUNTAIN WEST PRESEASON DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR JUNIOR

SOPHOMORE

watch, mom, they put me in the first string.’”

Recruitment letters and calls began to flood the Weaver household, and Weaver knew he had a big decision to make.

“I chose (Boise State) because the atmosphere is crazy. You live where you live for the college towns, like of course, there’s a lot of college towns out there, but these people I feel like really love you,” Weaver said. “And then coming from Cali, you have the trouble. Everyone knows California is trouble in the LA (and) Long Beach area. Coming out here, you know, if you get in trouble, you’re gonna get in trouble; you caused it. I feel like it’s just a safe environment out here where I can go to school and play football, and that’s all I got to think about.”

Weaver came to Boise State in 2016 as a defensive tackle. He was redshirted “due to immaturity issues.” Weaver once again showed resilience. Over his time redshirting, and up until the 2017 season, he lost a lot of

weight and was put at the STUD position.

Since then, Weaver has turned himself into, arguably, one of the most exciting defensive athletes to watch at Boise State in recent years.

Weaver is tied for fourth all-time on the Boise State sack list with 22.5, was named Mountain West Preseason Defensive Player of the Year and has earned countless national recognitions.

“I see Curtis, and he’s still goofy; he’s a brother,” said longtime friend KJ Jackson. “I’ve seen him become really good (at) football, and just become a household name. (It’s) like mind blowing, but we kind of talked about this in high school. This is, like, all of his hard work paying off.”

STAYING HUMBLE & HUNGRY Weaver has turned himself into a national phenomenon and a future NFL prospect. But his attitude towards everyone he knows has not changed.

“There is posters of him in all sorts of places, and I can’t tell you the amount of 99 jerseys I see at games, but he just goes about his business,” said co-defensive coordinator Spencer Danielson. “Where someone else would, beat their chest and (say) look what I made for myself, (Curtis) just wants to keep growing, man.”

From the moment Weaver started playing sports he had an “on-to-the-next” attitude. No matter what he achieves or how big he gets, Weaver knows there’s always room for improvement.

“When I talked to him, he’ll always bring up the best edge rushers in the country. He’s the guy who’s always looking for the next,” Danielson said. “I was the first team All Mountain West player, I gotta win the defensive player of the year and then it’s this and this. That’s why I really believe that humble hungry mentality. He’ll keep pressing.”

It doesn’t take long to realize that Weaver’s personality is unlike anyone else’s. He’s

loud, goofy and rarely comes across with a serious demeanor.

“When we’re back at home, you wouldn’t believe some of the stuff he does.

He chases me around the house, he’s a really big child,” said redshirt junior cornerback Jalen Walker.

Weaver came to Boise and was redshirted for immaturity, but has certainly proved his opposition wrong. Since then, he’s grown into a starter and has become one of the most impactful players on the Broncos’ roster, if not the nation’s radar.

“He’s just so fun to be around, and so fun-loving and light-hearted,” Danielson said. “I’ve also never met a guy that can flip the switch like him. He could be the guy that’s playing Candy Crush on his phone an hour before game and then when it’s time to go, it’s time to go. He’ll flip the switch and he’ll be so dialed in on this assignment. And he’ll have this attack mindset. It’s not calm.”

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C U LT U R E SEPTEMBER 10, 2019 | ARBITERONLINE.COM

GREEK LIFE INTRODUCES NEW COORDINATORS AND FEES THIS FALL

As the community expands, campus sororities and fraternities are making moves to support growth Michelle Johnson | Culture Reporter | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

W

ith Boise State University gaining more popularity each year, the Greek life community continues to grow as well. Now the home for 22 chapters and over 1,500 members as of Spring 2019, the university is becoming a hub for what some students may consider to be their home away from home.

This year, two new coordinators, Taylor Christenson and Terrell Couch, have been hired to aid in the support of the expanding community. Along with the two new hires, the fees have also increased for returning members of both sororities and fraternities this year.

As Greek life coordinators, Christenson and Couch help to oversee and support all members in the Greek community, and both were involved in Greek life themselves while earning their undergraduate degrees.

With sorority recruitment taking place last weekend, Christenson explained that Greek life is in an upward trend, and this year, sororities saw the biggest numbers for new potential members on campus so far.

“698 women registered this year, with 488 of them walking away with bids,” Christenson said. “This is the largest class we’ve ever seen.”

Due to the expansion, a new $35 fee has been added to every Greek member’s account.

“The $35 fee is really going to help add programs and other resources,” Christenson said. “It’ll really help us give them the support that they have expressed that they need.”

This fee will be charged twice a year, once in the fall semester and once in the spring. This fee, which can be accessed through student financial accounts, will not affect new recruits until their second semester as an active chapter member.

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Greek life is making big changes to accommodate a growing community.

The fee is regarded as a program fee, which is intended to help expand the different types of programs associated with the Greek life community.

“The increase in growth of the program fee will help us make sure that the level of support and training can be unique and meaningful to every member,” Couch said.

While taking on this new position, Christenson and Couch have a few goals they are seeking to achieve within their first year in this position.

“This year, we want to learn the goals of the community members, so we can craft our goals towards theirs,” Christenson said. “We want to be on their level and meet them where they’re at right now.”

Zeta Tau Alpha (ZTA), the newest sorority added, joined campus two years ago.

Kayla Burruel, a senior kinesiology and pre-physical therapy major, is the chapter president for ZTA. “Terrell Couch is who oversees our

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Kacie Fromhart & Taylor Humby | The Arbiter

chapter and has met with me twice already. I have felt he has been very helpful for our chapter and I am happy the school chose to hire two coordinators instead of just the one,” Burruel said.

After seeing recruitment this year for panhellenic, Christenson seeks to make sure that all students in the community feel valued in this organization.

“I have goals moving forward of how can we make recruitment a beneficial experience for everyone going through the process in an efficient way, which is hard to do,” Christenson said.

When it comes to understanding the students they are working with, both Christenson and Couch are planning on bringing DYAD, an assessment firm for Greek life, to campus later this semester.

“We are welcoming DYAD to campus to run an assessment of what are our members experiencing, what they are talking about and what things they want

more knowledge or information on,” Couch said. “I think that’ll be an area that both of us won’t necessarily change, but have that insight and now can say this is something our community is passionate about and how we can support that.”

For students on the fence about joining a sorority or fraternity, Burruel offered some insight for students who are interested in joining but may feel hesitant.

“I was someone who never thought in a million years that I would join a sorority,” Burruel said. “I now stand here today, the president, and I can honestly say it is one of the best choices I’ve made.”

Interested students can find more information on Boise State’s Greek life landing page. Although fall recruitment for both fraternities and sororities has come to an end, there is always the opportunity to rush come Spring 2020.

C U LT U R E

CREATING SAFER SPACES FOR ALL

Students and mentors of color work for queer inclusivity and visibility Will Meyer | Culture Editor | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

S

arah Keeton’s office lies at the back of the Multicultural Student Services (MSS) office, where she can usually be found with a smiling face or a book in hand. Keeton, the student success coordinator for the center, spends her time helping students in marginalized positions succeed on the Boise State campus.

“I’m specifically charged with working with students who are the first in their family to go to college, and/or students of color,” Keeton said.

The MSS is physically connected with the Gender Equity Center, and that allows the two offices to collaborate in reaching students that could benefit from both offices.

“Gender Equity has put a lot of work in to bring in people of color, to make sure they’re serving queer students of color,” Keeton said. “In that same vein, I’m queer, so I think I’ve helped bring in that same thought process.”

Just as Keeton helps to ensure students of diverse backgrounds and identities are properly helped, the MSS as a whole partners with the Gender Equity Center to ensure that they are doing enough for students who identify as transgender, non-binary or queer.

The overarching point that Keeton explained needs to be emphasized for queer people of color at Boise State is visibility.

Marcos Guadarrama, a junior studying media arts and political science, said that creating safer spaces is both important and underappreciated at Boise State.

“Being a student here feels like there’s very little space for queer people of color,” Guadarrama said. “That is not to say that there’s not, but there’s very little.”

Guadarrama explained that being in groups like Poise (pronounced Poy-see), a group for queer people of color in Boise, has helped him find a community where he feels heard and understood.

“I’m always one of maybe two queer people in a classroom, or one of maybe two people of

color in the room,” Guadarrama said.

Although he has grown to feel comfortable with himself, Guadarrama said that younger queer students of color probably do not feel as safe and comfortable engaging in a classroom that is predominately white.

“I think there’s always that fear of criticism when speaking or engaging that our experiences aren’t important,” Guadarrama said.

On the same topic of validation of experience, Kameelah Diaz, a junior studying social work, said queer students of color need representation in order to succeed.

“There are so few queer people of color in positions of power on campus,” Diaz said. “It’s really helpful to have someone who understands what you’re going through, and then can provide the resources that are tailored to your identity.”

“It’s really helpful to have someone who understands what you’re going through, and then can provide the resources that are tailored to your identity.”

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color would not have to navigate these situations on their own, she said.

The Gender Equity Center and Multicultural Student Services work every day to ensure that marginalized students have resources to succeed and graduate, despite the adversity they face.

These departments also help in educating students and faculty that don’t face the same adversity, so that more open and accepting spaces can be created, and each student can have an equal opportunity at a great education.

Students and faculty work side by side to show the importance of inclusivity.

Wyatt Wurtenberger | The Arbiter

Kameelah Diaz, junior social work major Diaz described the safest spaces on campus as being the Gender Equity Center and Multicultural Student Services.

“When I am the only person of color in a classroom, it feels very isolating,” Diaz said.

“As a third-year student, I’ve learned to roll with the punches of having to have difficult conversations when I know my professor won’t, or deescalating situations, and then also having to take care of myself afterward.”

Diaz chose to be a mentor so students of color and, even more so, queer students of SEPTEMBER 10, 2019

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C U LT U R E

NATIONAL AUTISM SPEAKS WALK SPARKS LOCAL CONVERSATION

Local autism advocates push back against philanthropic event Michelle Johnson | Culture Reporter | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

A

utism Speaks is a national foundation that, according to their website, is based around raising awareness for autism and people on the spectrum.

Though the foundation has sparked controversy on both local and national levels for framing autism as a disease that needs to be cured, it is still actively raising money for its brand of autism awareness. When it comes to the foundation’s role on campus, Autism Speaks is the philanthropy for Alpha Xi Delta.

Georgia Hutzler, a junior supply chain management major, is the philanthropy vice president for Alpha Xi Delta. This chapter, nationally, has been a supporter for Autism Speaks since 2009.

“I really think that supporting this philanthropy allows us to help out in our community and to be apart of something that is bigger than ourselves,” Hutzler said.

“I also think it has given all of my sisters and myself an opportunity to learn more about autism and has allowed us to amplify the voices of those on the spectrum.”

Although Alpha Xi Delta is a proud supporter, other groups in the community feel Autism Speaks is controversial in its role in the autism community. Madison Binegar, a Boise local with a licensed psychology degree from Whitman, has heard negative information regarding the foundation.

“I don’t know a lot about them, but I have heard that the organization is controversial,” Binegar said. “From what I’ve heard, they tend to frame autism as a disease that needs to be cured rather than a learning difference, and that ‘anti-autism’ view has made them super unpopular in the autism community.”

Despite the varying opinions about the foundation, Autism Speaks’ national walk is coming to Boise on September 15th, and Alpha Xi Delta plans to contribute.

“Every sister is signed up for a shift and will be there helping facilitate things the day of,” Hutzler said. “A few of us have

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been in contact with those in charge of putting on the walk, seeing what we can do to help out beforehand.”

Hutzler expressed her excitement that the foundation is doing something locally.

This will be the first time that Autism Speaks is coming to Boise for their national walk, giving Alpha Xi Delta the chance to connect to its supporters in person.

“Previously, we have been pushed to raise money for walks in surrounding states, so it feels good to finally be supporting our philanthropy on a more personal level,” Hutzler said.

With a controversial foundation coming to Boise, there are a few proponents seeking to protest the walk. Carlyle King is the founder of the group, Boise Autistic Adults and Allies. This group was founded in 2015 and is dedicated to supporting local people with autism and their families.

“About 95% of the groups opinions on Autism Speaks is negative,” King said. “One of the reasons we are against it locally is because there are multiple organizations that support and know us on the local level that Autism Speaks doesn’t.

We are worried that, when Autism Speaks comes here, they will take away from the pool of money from local organizations. Alpha Xi Delta members often fundraise They don’t do anything to make sure that in support of Autism Speaks.

the money is going back into the place Photo courtesy of Ashton Caldwell where it was raised.”

The negatives outweigh the positives foundation. When it comes to when it comes to how King sees the Alpha Xi Delta supporting AuAutism Speaks foundation. Finance is a tism Speaks, King supports their large concern for King, but also believes willingness to help, regardless of that Autism Speaks has a reputation for their philanthropic organization. disregarding their beneficiaries.

“We don’t have any issues with “They have a history of being unwilling those girls,” King said. “In fact, I’ve gotten to listen to autistic people,” King said. to talk to some of them personally, and “They don’t do much to help support them a few of them have expressed interest in and their families. They don’t handle their personally helping our community in a money in ways they should, either; they more local way.” have their annual budget reports online due Alpha Xi Delta has an understanding to them being a nonprofit organization.” of the controversy surrounding Autism These concerns are not uncommon for Speaks.

They have received backlash before proponents of protesting Autism Speaks, but and want the community to know that they they don’t extend to other supporters of the have an understanding of the people that

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Kacie Fromhart | The Arbiter do not support the same views that they do.

“First of all, I completely understand and empathize with those that do not support this philanthropy or do not have hope in it,” Hutzler said. “I truly believe that Autism Speaks has been trying to right their wrongs, and I encourage those who are skeptical (of ) the organization’s mindset to reach out to myself or to show up to the walk to get a clear picture of what Autism Speaks is all about.”

C U LT U R E

CAMPUS SOUND ART PUSHES BOUNDARIES

Gallery visitors interact with innovative sound installation in the Center for Visual Arts Connor Flynn | Staff Writer | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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t’s not often in an art gallery that the curator tells students to make noise, but this is just what the Center for Visual Art’s new installation requires.

From now through October 30, students will be able to stop by and interact with Dr. Ted Apel’s Concomitant Variations, a sound installation found in the Dykman Family Project Space.

An assistant clinical professor in the Gaming, Interactive Media and Mobile Technology program (GIMM), Apel’s work uses various-sized glass tubes and feedback circuits powered by a small battery on each tube. The circuits delay sounds that come from the environmental observers, the ambient sounds of the space and the sounds from other tubes. The result is an installation that constantly evolves due to the variations of different influences.

Apel has a master’s degree in electro-acoustic music and a doctorate in computer music. He said the abstract nature of sound is challenging, so this installation in particular is another iteration of Apel’s project to get a deeper look into that nature.

“It doesn’t connect to physical things in the real world, it’s just this abstract sound, And that abstract sound can be difficult to relate to,” Apel said. “So all my work is saying, well, this isn’t just an abstract sound, it’s a sound that connects to a very particular physical situation.”

His goal is to connect the observer to what is making the sound with nothing else to interfere. Put simply, the observer sparks the audio exchange, and the installation resonates in response, with each chime at different frequencies.

“That’s all about trying to connect it so everybody gets to see what’s there, and there’s nothing behind the curtain,” Apel said. “It’s hard when working with electronics, to not have something be hidden.

Here, what I’m trying to say is, what you see is your sound, and there’s nothing behind the stage.”

Apel’s work challenges the spectator’s idea of what to expect in an art gallery.

Featuring art that experiments with mediums also expands the typical idea of an art gallery.

“It gives students a different, maybe better way to experience art. It’s not like usual art, it acts on a different sense, making us experience the piece in a different way,” said junior visual art major Zoe Mendez.

The Center for Visual Arts is equipped to continue featuring artists who push what art as a medium can be with the Dykman Family Project Space rigged for audio and visual exhibits.

“The Dykman Family Project Space is going to be for showing video, sound and

experimental installation networks, and I was excited to have Ted Apel be our first artist,” said Kirsten Furlong, gallery director for the Center for Visual Arts.

Apel is also excited to see that his students in the GIMM program are using their skills in a similar fashion, combining what they are learning technically with the direction that their creative mind takes them.

“I think all things to be mediums for art now. One thing that’s great about the GIMM program is we are training people with technical skills, as well as creative skills,” Apel said. “And in my brain, these two things are not different.”

Mackenzie Hudson | The Arbiter Apel’s exhibit shows that art and technology can work in tandem, while also experimenting with peoples’ traditional ideas of art. It also causes the viewer to interact with sound through a method that may be foreign to them, showing sound in an abstract, yet physical way.

Boise State is working with artists who use left-field mediums and, with the Stein World Museum and other exhibits to look forward to, the Center for Visual Arts is an important new addition to the Boise State Campus for students to benefit from.

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SPORTS & REC SEPTEMBER 10, 2019 | ARBITERONLINE.COM

BOISE STATE HAS STRONG DEFENSIVE PERFORMANCE IN HOME OPENER WIN

Bronco defense held Marshall to zero yards in second half Autum Robertson | Sports Reporter | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu

pened. I ran up to him really fast, I’m like, ‘you good, you good?’ He’s just, ‘yep’ and ‘let’s go, let’s go.’ He’s screaming, yelling so that honestly gets me pretty hyped for the next play,” said sophomore wide receiver Khalil Shakir. “To see how tough he’s been.

It’s amazing. To see him fight through everything it gets the offense going.”

The Broncos are 2-0 on the season after their 14-7 win over Marshall.

T

he Broncos offense struggled to make big plays in their home opener against Marshall University on Friday, Sept. 6. With only 10 seconds remaining in the first half, the Broncos were finally able to find the endzone when freshman quarterback Hank Bachmeier faked a handoff and ran it in himself.

The Broncos defense showed out in the second half, not giving up a single yard or a first down to Marshall. The Broncos offense outperformed Marshall in all-purpose yards 235-0 in the second half, but only beat them 14-7.

Junior STUD Curtis Weaver, freshman quarterback Hank Bachmeier, senior safety Kekoa Nawahine and freshman running back George Holani finished the game as top performers.

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Curtis Weaver Weaver, for the second time in two weeks, has moved up in the Boise State record books. He is now tied at fourth all-time with 22.5 sacks and is the current active FBS sack leader.

Weaver’s sack in the third quarter came at a clutch moment after the Broncos offense had fumbled and recovered the ball on the previous possession.

“Curtis is phenomenal out there on the field and he’s great in the huddle. He’s excited to be out there and I love the demeanor that he brings. He’s one of those guys (that says), ‘Hey, I gotcha,’” head coach Bryan Harsin said.

Along with the sack, Weaver finished second on the team with six total tackles and 1.5 tackles for a loss.

“With Curtis, there’s going to be a lot of different looks that he gets. But the thing

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Mackenzie Hudson | The Arbiter

I like where he’s at, he’s been relentless coming off the edge,” Harsin said. “...He provides pressure, he provides presence... just that visual, that, ‘Here comes 99.’”

Hank Bachmeier Bachmeier completed 22 of his 34 attempts for 282 yards and one touchdown. The true freshman threw his second interception of his collegiate career Friday night. Bachmeier showed that he is a dual threat quarterback; he was second on the team in rushing yards with 26 yards and one touchdown.

Arguably the most impressive thing Bachmier did tonight was take a brutal facemask, then get tackled, only to jump right back up to lead the offense. This play alone showed how resilient of a young quarterback Bachmeier is.

“I was actually right there when that hap-

Kekoa Nawahine This season Nawahine has been a force to be reckoned with. Nawahine grabbed his first interception since the 2017 season. The interception came in the fourth quarter with a little over eight minutes to go. This play led to Boise State’s final drive of the game.

“It was kind of like slow motion. I felt like I had like 10 different thoughts run through my mind during that whole play,” Nawahine said. “But I’m just glad I was able to put myself in an opportunity to make the play and then go up and go get it.”

George Holani Holani led the Broncos in rushing yards, finishing the night with 103 yards with a long of 17. Holani stepped up big as a true freshman when junior running back Robert Mahone left in the first half with an apparent right shoulder injury.

“George, he’s tough. He’s a tough dude.

He runs hard,” Shakir said. “(Bachmeier and Holani) are just going to get better and better every week. So it’s gonna be a scary sight.”

The Broncos have had an 1,000-yard rusher for 10 straight seasons. If Mahone misses time due to an injury, Holani looks like he is someone who can fill his shoes.

The Broncos are at home Sept. 14 to face Portland State.

SPORTS & REC

SENIOR MIDFIELDER RAVEN SWEENEY BRINGS CALM AMIDST CHAOS

Teammates and coach praise the humble transfer-athlete’s big presence on the field Delaney Brassil | Sports Editor | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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t would not be uncommon for the Boise State soccer team to be huddled up having a serious discussion about playmaking or tactics, when a quiet voice makes a sly comment, causing head coach Jim Thomas to do a double-take before realizing who it came from and joining the stifled laughter.

That quiet quip could only have come from senior sociology major Raven Sweeney, a midfielder from Corona, Calif. who has found her home with the Broncos since transferring from Washington State in her junior year.

“She’s funny; she’s really, really witty.

It’s just quiet.

There’ll be a lot of people barking, and all of a sudden you hear this little side comment from her... she’s really quite funny when she does it,” Thomas said.

As a midfielder, it is Sweeney’s role to anchor the team.

But as the Broncos have quickly discovered, there is much more to Sweeney’s presence than simply executing

her job on the field. you have a role that people rely on, that’s Because of the natural difficulties that “I feel like when you’re a leader, you when you’re a starter.” come with adjusting to a new team, it is just have to lead by example,” Sweeney After realizing her mismatch with not very common for transfer athletes to said. “I wouldn’t say I’m a very vocal Washington State, Sweeney looked to be able to perform at Sweeney’s level. She leader just because this is my second year Boise State, a school which had showed has already scored three goals this season, here. So the best way I can interest in her since high school and was and has no plans of slowing down. help (the younger home to her best friend, senior mid“It often goes missed that transfers players) is by fielder Mikayla Schachtell. Sweeney and work out. And it’s really, really hard to do showing them Schachtell have known each other since it...The way that Raven has worked out by my actions.” seventh grade, and played together on to this point is a testament to her. It’s got While their high school and club teams. nothing to do with us,” Thomas said. “I she is often Schachtell called Sweeney’s transition think we’ve offered the opportunity and soft-spoken to being a Bronco a smooth one. On and laid the groundwork for her; it really takes and humble, off the field, Sweeney has the ability to her to open and then walk through the her presence get the team excited and can always make door...So the fact that she’s now scoring on the pitch everyone laugh. goals, starting for us, has passed every is essential to “Everyone loves her on the team. She’s fitness test that we’ve got and is crushing keeping the like, seriously, the most fun person ever... school; that’s a testament to her.”

Broncos calm She fit in with our chemistry perfectly,” One of Sweeney’s most recent goals and collected.

Schachtell said. “She wins all the balls, so (against New Mexico State) was a header Thomas and his then it makes everyone else work harder. from a right side corner kick, an in-air skill staff were conShe definitely brings a presence that can which Thomas called Sweeney “elite” at excerned at first that pick people up.” ecuting. Thomas also noted her “immense” her quiet manner Clearly excited to be back playing with passing range and other dynamic contribureflected nervousher best friend, Schachtell ensured Sweetions to the Broncos’ skill sets, which will ness, but Sweeney’s ney that she would love Boise. Sweeney be essential against the Mountain West. confidence has knew it was sound advice because, “when Sweeney scored the only goal in Boise State’s grown to prove (Schachtell) says I would love something, 1-0 victory over Idaho State on Friday, Sept. 6, the opposite.

I knew I would.” a goal which secured the Broncos’ best start to “A lot of a season in program history (4-0). the other Regardless of the outcome of her senior players that “It often goes missed that year, Sweeney’s presence will stand to she plays with remind others to lead fiercely, even if it is transfers work out. And now have quietly. It is a difficult task to pin one spepulled me cific “most likely to” label on an athlete, but it’s really, really hard to aside and menThomas knows the perfect, and somewhat do it...The way that Raven ironic, superlative to describe Sweeney. tioned that in the games, they feel more “(She is) most likely to have the ‘loudest has worked out to this comfortable with her life’,” Thomas said. “She’s so quiet that I point is a testament to now than they used to, think people overlook her. I think she’s gobased on the fact that ing to find a really great way to have a loud her.” they’re relying on that life, to have a big impact on life and other calm,” Thomas said. people. The community that she decides “She offers us a calm in to settle in, she’ll be an influencing factor Jim Thomas, head soccer coach a crazy, chaotic world in that in some way without screaming too and game...Whenever loudly.”

Senior Raven Sweeney has helped the Broncos to their best ever start to a season in program history.

Mackenzie Hudson | The Arbiter SEPTEMBER 10, 2019

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SPORTS & REC

BOISE STATE HOCKEY AIMS TO BOUNCE BACK AFTER PLAYOFF WOES

Returners and newcomers combine for a fresh look on the ice Paul Gourley | Staff Writer | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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espite finishing the 2018-19 regular season at 24-7-1, the Boise State hockey team still believes they have room to improve. The Broncos’ optimism comes from a new look on the ice, as well as making some adjustments.

“A big thing for the culture of our team this year is taking the ‘club’ out of how we play the game,” said senior forward Eric Pinsky.

Though their sights are set on making Boise State’s hockey club a Division I program, a lack of funding will halt the Broncos’ plans of playing at such a high level. Instead, much of the Broncos’ attention will be geared towards coming back from a recent playoff failure.

Last season, the Broncos went into the Pac 8 Conference tournament in Southern Lake Tahoe as the No. 1 seed, before suffering a devastating 3-2 loss to the University of Oregon in a semifinal match-up.

The Ducks went on to win the tournament and played for a chance at a national title in Frisco, Texas. Even with a loss to Oregon, the Broncos gained the top seed going into the Western Regional tournament in Tempe, Ariz. With a second chance at qualifying for the National Tournament in Texas, Boise State lost on a last-second goal to the Montana State Bobcats.

“The difference in not losing those close games is being able to run four lines,” said head coach Lloyd Ayers. “We had about seven guys injured in that Montana State game, too, and that really hurt us.”

Even after losing seven forwards, the bright spot for this team will be its depth and defense. Boise State will certainly be taking advantage of its new additions.

“Compared to last year, we are amazing defensively and can even move some defensemen to forward, if we have to,” said junior goalie Kyler Ayers. “Last year, we were also really top-heavy and relied too much on our top two lines. This year, we are a lot more consistent all the way through.”

One exciting addition to the team is fresh-

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Hockey finished last season at 24-7-1 and are returning several all-conference honorees.

“Compared to last year, we are amazing defensively and can even move some defensemen to forward, if we have to.”

Kyler Ayers, junior goalie man forward Dustin Truex, who spent the previous season scoring 50 points in 36 games for the Fresno Monsters of the WSHL. “Truex will definitely be a first or second-line guy for us,” Pinsky said. “Dustin has unbelievable speed and hits everything

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that moves. The depth that he’ll provide will be huge.”

According to Truex’s teammates, his role on the team has already begun to take shape.

“I was able to play Juniors with Dustin in Montana,” Ayers said. “He’s a spark plug that can get the game going if the team is playing stale.”

The Broncos will be returning five players named to all-conference honors last season, including leading goal scorer Pinsky, junior goalie Ayers, junior forward Mike Carranza, junior defenseman Brandon Benson and Sven Marnausz.

The beginning of this particular season has added an emotional impact for the Broncos, as they will be returning to the ice after suffering the loss of a teammate.

Defenseman Bobby Skinner recently passed away on Aug. 23.

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“You never saw Bobby without a smile on his face,” Lloyd Ayers said. “One of the best therapies for this team is getting on the ice and skating for Bobby.”

The Broncos will honor Skinner as a primary motivation for the team this season.

“I’m not sure how to describe Bobby other than the happiest kid I’ve ever met,” Pinsky said. “We’re going to be playing for Bob and hopefully we can win for him as well.”

Skating in Skinner’s memory, the Broncos will take on Western Washington in Bellingham, Wash. on Saturday, Sept. 21 at 3 p.m. PDT to kick off their 2019-20 season. Other notable upcoming matchups are against the back-to-back national champion Florida Gulf Coast University on Sunday, Oct. 6, and against the University of Oregon on Friday, Nov. 8.

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