Domestic violence awareness: The Signpost 9/29/22

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Thursday | September 29, 2022 | Volume 96 | Issue 36

CULTURE » PAGE 14

CULTURE » PAGE 4-5

CRATING A COMPETITION:

AFRO UTAH FESTIVAL

CELEBRATES IN SALT LAKE CITY

INTRAMURAL CRATE STACKING KENNEDY CAMARENA| The Signpost

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2 | thesignpostwsu.com | September 29, 2022

Section Editor

Nightmare fuel Weber State University officers responded to a call from a student stuck in an elevator in Lampros Hall on Sept. 19. WSUPD arrived and helped the student, who was in a motorized wheelchair, out of the elevator. Maintenance turned the elevator off and then back on for it to begin working again. The student was released and there was no further action needed.

Someone was mad…

WSU police received a call about vehicle damage in the Davis campus parking lot.

Officers arrived and observed the vehicle, which seemed to have been scratched along the side with a sharp object. The complainant did not have any details about the incident, but security footage from the building cameras on Davis campus are being reviewed.

The investigation is still open and being handled by WSUPD. OK, calm down now Campus police received a call on Sept.

21 from an individual concerned about the campus drag show happening on Sept. 23.

The caller was worried lewdness would be displayed and that it would violate the law.

WSUPD explained that there will be officers present at the event to make sure such things do not happen. The individual was curious and asked the officers to read the statute for lewdness in order to ensure it did not occur.

The officer on scene instructed the individual of how they could gather this information online and no further action was needed.

Allegations at the Ice Sheet WSUPD responded to an assist call from the Ice Sheet campus ice skating rink on Sept. 22. The complainant wanted to report an allegation of sexual misconduct from a juvenile employee involving his ex-girlfriend. Officers made contact with the juvenile’s parents and found that the allegations

were false. Contact was then made with the parents of the other party involved and they were informed of the findings. No further action was taken.

Campus sex offense WSU police were notified on Sept. 25 of a sexual assault that happened prior on WSU property. The victim wished to remain anonymous and WSUPD were able to gather information of the incident through mandatory reporters on campus. Resources were provided to the friend of the victim and were asked to be passed along.

You think you’re an artist, huh?

Campus police received a call on Sept.

26 regarding graffiti on the Facility Maintenance and Landscape Shop’s concrete barrier. WSUPD arrived, reported and took pictures of the damage. No further action was needed.

We have a runner!

WSUPD responded to an assist call of a juvenile mental health crisis on Sept. 28. The

subject fled from their parents at the Mckay Dee Hospital, but was successfully located by officers and transported back to the hospital for treatment. The juvenile is safe and was not harmed in the altercation. No further action was needed.

Not a parking spot WSU officers were dispatched to the Shepherd Union building regarding a parking problem on Sept. 21. A Culligan water truck was parked in the OGX bus lane, obstructing the flow of buses. WSUPD arrived and informed the driver that parking there was illegal, due to it being a strict bus lane. The driver was then instructed to use the loading dock area instead,. No further action was taken.

What’s that smell?

Campus police received a call on a possible drug violation in Wildcat Village Residence Hall 3 on Sept. 23. The complainant explained the strong odor of marijuana coming from the third floor of the building.

Officers were not able to locate what room

or person the smell was coming from. The incident was recorded on the officer’s shift log and extra patrols are being called for in Wildcat Village.

WSUPD was then alerted of the same strong odor coming from a dorm room in Wildcat Village on the same day. Officers made contact with the occupants of the room in question and they admitted to having the restricted substance in the room. The marijuana was seized by officers and was booked into evidence for destruction. No further action was taken WSUPD ANNOUNCEMENT There have been a rising number of reports about accidents in campus parking lots, hit-and-runs, and parking in spaces where it is prohibited to park in. The WSUPD would like to remind anyone on campus to be vigilant in the parking lots and to always make sure you are in a proper parking space before exiting your vehicle.

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By LUCAS MOORE

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The student senate listening carefully to the responses of the guests.

By SKY MUNDELL Reporter

A significant portion of the student senate meeting on Sept. 26 was spent discussing the potential closure of the Student Health Center and a shift in how WSU provides healthcare to its students.

The student senate welcomed Jeff Hurst, interim VP and dean of students, and Dianna Abel, executive director of counseling, health and wellness, to speak about the Student Health Center’s future and the future of student healthcare at WSU. Hurst said the university is currently in the process of considering outside proposals for student healthcare. This is in lieu of the continued operation of the Student Health Center, which is currently funded entirely through student fees.

The primary reason behind the university’s consideration to outsource student health-

care is decreased visitation numbers at the Student Health Center, according to Hurst.

He added that this is a chance for WSU to explore opportunities that could result in improved healthcare options for WSU students.

“It’s about providing students with the potential for greater options in medical care, a greater variety of providers, a greater variety of possible procedures that may be covered and the possibility of a greater number of locations available for students who live all across the valley,” Hurst said.

Hurst also said that, due to the competitive nature of the procurement process, he cannot speak to the specifics of what outside organizations or facilities are being considered in the outsourcing of student healthcare.

Many of the details surrounding WSU’s process in selecting candidates for the outsourcing of student healthcare remain unknown. This includes what additional medical services would be made available to students as a result of this change or how

Isaac Staszkow asking a question regarding the Student Health Services Center.

such a change would be reflected in student fees.

“We want whatever that comes out of this to be at least as good as what we have, if not better,” Hurst said.

At this time, student fees enable WSU students to visit the Student Health Center for medical care without paying a copay. In the event that specialty care is needed, the Student Health Center can refer that patient to a separate medical provider to better accommodate the patient’s situation.

Although Hurst said student healthcare services will remain intact throughout the decision-making process, the specific timeframe in which this decision will be made is currently unknown.

“Our expectation is that the earliest anything would change — if it does change — would be the end of spring semester in 2023,” Abel said.

Concerns were raised by the student senate about how the outsourcing of student health-

care would affect international students or students who do not have health insurance.

One of the crucial benefits that the Student Health Center currently offers is its ability to serve uninsured students. The specifics right now of how uninsured students will be affected by such a change remain unclear.

“We don’t know because we don’t have that figured out yet,” Abel said. “But what we can say is that our proposal, all the things we are looking for absolutely include international students being taken care of in as close to as the same way as they’re being taken care of now as possible.”

Abel added that this level of consideration will be given to students who don’t have health insurance.

“That goes for any student with insurance, no insurance, or under-insured,” Abel said.

“Our whole goal here is to be responsible stewards of your student fees.”

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The slides with the zebra fish samples in them.

Reporter

Weber State University hosted a neuroscience seminar on Sept.

23 as part of an ongoing lecture series. Elizabeth Sandquist, assistant professor of zoology and neuroscience, led the seminar and explored the world of gene therapy and her research involving zebrafish.

The current state of gene therapy is limited with only certain forms of genetic vision loss and cancer procedures gaining FDA-approval. Although potentially dangerous, studies are in the works to expand the applications of gene therapy.

“If you mutate that gene, and it’s broken, it’s like you’ve broken the brakes of a car,” Sandquist said.

It has been found that in mammals with a recent brain injury, stem cells migrate through the body to get to the injured location, but rarely make the journey. Zebrafish, native to south Asia, have the rare ability to heal themselves, hiding evidence of the prior injury in the process.

In her research, Sandquist takes young zebrafish, which are about the size of a mosquito, and gives them a superficial injury.

This is performed by shining a bright light over them for roughly half an hour, injuring them enough to reveal the zebrafish’s regenerative properties in producing stem cells to heal the damage.

In her studies, Sandquist is attempting to find whether the stem cells are coming from the müller-glia or dividing cells.

These dividing cells in young zebrafish are used to develop the eyes as the fish grows.

However, if the stem cells are coming from the müller-glia, this could lead to a breakthrough in human studies due to a similar construction between human and zebrafish eyes.

“The hope is that the better we can understand that system, the better we might be able to artificially hack that system,” WSU Neuroscience program director Aminda O’Hare said while discussing the importance of Sandquist’s work.

During research, Sandquist puts a zebrafish with a slight injury in a drop of agarose to keep it from moving. The fish is then put under a microscope where they take images of its eyes every five to ten minutes, observing the stem cells as they travel around the eye to repair damage.

Sandquist plans to euthanize

the fish in order to freeze the cellular activity so they can observe the cells at another point in time.

“If we can master stem cells, then we can regrow anything,” O’Hare said.

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Small tanks that hold the zebra fish. Baby fish are on the bottom row, while the other tanks hold fish that are older and fully mature.

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By ALMA BELL

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Director of Neuroscience at Weber State, Professor O’Hare, introduces Elizabeth Sandquist to give a seminar on her research of zebrafish.

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Women dancing with buckets placed on top of their heads.

By TRISH MAPONGA Reporter

GK Folks Foundation’s second annual Afro Utah Festival was held on Sept. 24 at the Gallivan Center. The festival is a cultural event that celebrates pride and heritage while promoting diversity, inclusion and equality for African American, Black immigrants and people of Afro descent in Utah.

“The idea of having a festival is so that the community can understand us as immigrants, understand us as black people, understand where we are coming from so we can have a coexisting peaceful nature,” Gloria Mensah, the executive director of GK

Folks Foundation and founder of the Afro Utah Festival, said.

The Afro Utah Festival wants to educate people and prevent assumptions. Afro descent comes in different shapes, sizes and skin tone.

The festival began with a welcome speech and sponsor recognition from GK Folks Foundation representatives. After the speech, the Afro experience began with dance groups from Jamaica, South America and Sudan.

There were also live bands that immersed attendees in South American, African and African American and Caribbean culture.

It was an educational event with the master of ceremony teaching the attendees the

famous shoki dance, tug of war game while dancing to the African American slide which is a popular dance in the African American community.

The kids’ corner included face painting, balloon twisting, a toy vending machine, jumping castles and a photo opportunity with a princess and black panther.

With the help of the attendees, Kofi Johnson, a professional drummer from Ghana, did an African drum lesson and Cece Tor, a professional Liberian American choreographer, taught an afro beat dance class.

Some attendees ate at the festival and bought several plates to go. There were food trucks with many cuisines, from African to

Southern dishes. “l just came for the food, it wouldn’t be a black people link up without the seasoned food,” Donald Ndlovu, one of the attendees, said.

50+ vendors, black businesses and organizations were in attendance. This gave them a chance to showcase their products and services. “l am glad that l was able to be a part of this amazing initiative, l have made so many connections,” one of the booth owners said.

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The front of the LGBTQ Resource Center and Women’s Center.

By BRISA ODENTHAL Reporter

Since 1989, October has been recognized as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. In the state of Utah, 1 in 3 women will be a victim of domestic violence.

Throughout this month, Weber State University’s Women’s Center wants to draw as much attention to this issue as possible.

“A huge part of these awareness months is to show survivors and victims, whether or not they’re able to seek help right away, that there is help available, and that there are people who care, who are trained and know what the resources are,” Paige Davies, director of the Women’s Center, said. “They

know how to help somebody to be safe, and they’re there for when they’re ready for it.

Even if they’re not ready to leave — or want to leave — the relationship in October, we’re still gonna be there in November, December and January.”

As of right now, there are not enough resources and/or information to create statistics on domestic violence within the WSU student body. However, the Utah domestic violence statistics are much higher than the national average.

According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 33.6% of women and 21.4% of men in Utah will fall victim to domestic violence within their lifetime.

In comparison, nationally, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 10 men will fall victim to domestic violence within their lifetime. The Utah Domestic Violence Coalition estimates that, ev-

ery year, 80 children in the state of Utah will witness the murder or attempted murder of their mother.

“I wish more people knew just how common it is,” Mercedes Ziegler, violence prevention coordinator for Safe@Weber, said.

“In Utah, about 1 in 3 women experience domestic violence, which is higher than the national average. Just understanding that it happens regardless of your socio-economic class, your race or gender. Anyone is affected by it, and it happens a lot. I wish people knew it was a lot more pervasive than we think it is.”

Because domestic violence rates are higher in the state of Utah, students and staff at Weber State have access to resources to prevent and end domestic violence if and when it occurs. The Women’s Center has resources for victims and survivors of domestic

violence that are open to anyone at Weber State at any time of year.

“I think it’s just important for people to know that the Women’s Center offers victim advocacy services,” Davies said. “It’s free and confidential for students and employees. We serve everybody. Violence in relationships doesn’t happen just to women or just to people in straight relationships. We serve men and non-binary individuals and people in all different sexual oritenations. There’s not one way a victim looks or lives their life, and we’re open for everybody to seek support.”

Throughout the month of October, the Women’s Center is holding events not just to spread awareness of domestic violence, but to support victims who may need help coming forward. They hope the events this month will prompt victims or those whose loved ones may be victims to come forward

A board on the outside of the Women’s Center with information posted about the center and its resources.

and find support.

“Our overall messaging is to make people aware that they are not alone,” Ziegler said.

“So, if they have experienced [domestic violence] or they know somebody who has experienced it, there are resources out there.

We’re trying to shed light on conversations, so that way, it’s not such a ‘hush-hush’ type situation. Just getting out there and letting people know that they’re not alone and that there’s people out there for them.”

The events of the month include a clothesline display of t-shirts created by survivors of domestic violence to honor victims that will be displayed in the Shepherd Union from Oct. 3-31.

There will be a Supporting Survivors Event on Oct. 4 to highlight Safe@Weber advocacy.

There will also be two “Boo’d Up” workshops

on starting healthy relationships on Oct. 12 and 26. Additionally, there will also be a Title IX 50th anniversary event on Oct. 12 and a Human Trafficking Symposium on Oct. 27.

Information for these events will be available in the Women’s Center newsletter.

The Women’s Center also wants to use this month to highlight that domestic violence is not always what people expect it to be.

“Harm can happen in all different types of relationships, even if you’re not living with the person,” Davies said. “It can happen in dating relationships. It happens in casual relationships. It can take many different forms, not just physical. Intimate partner violence is a cycle of power and control. That can be emotional abuse or financial abuse, social isolation. All of these things might kind of happen before physical violence happens.

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Shirts could be seen in the Union atrium all throughout October during fall of 2020.

KENNEDY CAMARENA | The Signpost

Domestic violence awareness is represented with a purple ribbon, like the one pictured above.

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The Clothesline Project in 2020 informed the community that there is violence against women, children, and men.

Those might be red flags in a relationship.

Maybe that is what happens and physical violence never happens. That’s still abuse and that’s still harm and causing harm within the relationship.”

Throughout the month, Weber State and the Women’s Center are dedicated to creating awareness for the resources on campus for domestic violence survivors.

“The first step to ending any kind of violence in a community is awareness,” Ziegler said. “Making people aware of our statistics, not only nationally, but here in Utah because they are higher than the national average, making people aware of the resources, confronting all of the myths about it and really just talking about it. That is what opens doors for prevention and intervention and ultimately putting survivors on a path to heal-

ing.”

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, please contact the Women’s Center at 1-801-626-6090, the National Domestic Violence 24/7 Hotline at 1-800799-7233 or the YCC Crisis Center 24/7 Hotline at 1-801-392-7273.

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A pamphlet that talks about the Women’s Center.

By BRISA ODENTHAL Reportero

By MARIANNA LOPEZ LURITTA Traductor

Desde 1989, octubre se reconoce como el Mes Nacional de Concienciación sobre la Violencia Doméstica. En el estado de Utah, 1 de cada 3 mujeres será víctima de la violencia doméstica. A lo largo de este mes, el Centro de la Mujer de la Universidad Estatal de Weber quiere llamar la atención sobre este problema en la medida de lo posible.

“Una gran parte de estos meses de concienciación es mostrar a las supervivientes y a las víctimas, independientemente de que puedan o no buscar ayuda de inmediato,

que hay ayuda disponible, y que hay personas que se preocupan, que están capacitadas y que saben cuáles son los recursos”, dijo Paige Davies, directora del Centro de la Mujer. “Saben cómo ayudar a alguien a estar seguro, y están ahí para cuando esté preparado. Incluso si no están preparados para dejar -o quieren dejar- la relación en octubre, seguiremos estando ahí en noviembre, diciembre y enero”.

En este momento, no hay suficientes recursos y/o información para crear estadísticas sobre la violencia doméstica dentro del cuerpo estudiantil de la WSU. Sin embargo, las estadísticas de violencia doméstica en Utah son mucho más altas que el promedio nacional.

Según la Coalición Nacional contra la Violencia Doméstica, el 33,6% de las mujeres y el 21,4% de los hombres de Utah serán víctimas de la violencia doméstica durante

su vida. En comparación, a nivel nacional, 1 de cada 4 mujeres y 1 de cada 10 hombres serán víctimas de la violencia doméstica durante su vida. La Coalición contra la Violencia Doméstica de Utah calcula que, cada año, 80 niños del estado de Utah serán testigos del asesinato o intento de asesinato de su madre.

“Me gustaría que más gente supiera lo común que es”, dijo Mercedes Ziegler, coordinadora de prevención de la violencia de Safe@Weber. “En Utah, aproximadamente 1 de cada 3 mujeres sufre violencia doméstica, lo que es más alto que la media nacional.

Sólo hay que entender que ocurre independientemente de la clase socioeconómica, la raza o el género. Cualquiera se ve afectado por ella, y ocurre mucho. Ojalá la gente supiera que está mucho más extendida de lo que creemos”.

Debido a que las tasas de violencia

doméstica son más altas en el estado de Utah, los estudiantes y el personal de Weber State tienen acceso a recursos para prevenir y poner fin a la violencia doméstica si se produce y cuando se produce. El Centro de la Mujer tiene recursos para las víctimas y sobrevivientes de la violencia doméstica que están abiertos a cualquier persona en Weber State en cualquier momento del año.

“Creo que es importante que la gente sepa que el Centro de la Mujer ofrece servicios de defensa de las víctimas”, dijo Davies.

“Es gratuito y confidencial para estudiantes y empleados. Servimos a todo el mundo. La violencia en las relaciones no le ocurre sólo a las mujeres o a las personas con relaciones heterosexuales. Atendemos a hombres, a personas no binarias y a personas de todas las orientaciones sexuales. No hay una sola forma de ver o vivir la vida de una víctima, y estamos abiertos a que todo el mundo

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A flag with the domestic violence ribbon on it flying in the wind

busque apoyo”.

A lo largo del mes de octubre, el Centro de la Mujer celebra actos no sólo para concienciar sobre la violencia doméstica, sino para apoyar a las víctimas que puedan necesitar ayuda para denunciar. Esperan que los actos de este mes inciten a las víctimas o a aquellos cuyos seres queridos puedan ser víctimas a presentarse y buscar apoyo.

“Nuestro mensaje general es que la gente sea consciente de que no está sola”, dijo Ziegler. “Así, si han sufrido [violencia doméstica] o conocen a alguien que la ha sufrido, hay recursos ahí fuera. Intentamos arrojar luz sobre las conversaciones, para que no sea una situación tan “secreta”. Simplemente, salir a la luz y hacer que la gente sepa que no está sola y que hay gente que la apoya”.

Los eventos del mes incluyen una exhibición de camisetas creadas por supervivientes de la violencia doméstica para honrar

a las víctimas que se expondrán en el Shepherd Union del 3 al 31 de octubre.

Habrá un evento de apoyo a los supervivientes el 4 de octubre para destacar la defensa de Safe@Weber. También habrá dos talleres “Boo’d Up” sobre el inicio de relaciones saludables el 12 y 26 de octubre. Además, habrá un evento del 50 aniversario del Título IX el 12 de octubre y un Simposio sobre la Trata de Personas el 27 de octubre. La información de estos eventos estará disponible en el boletín del Centro de la Mujer.

El Centro de la Mujer también quiere utilizar este mes para destacar que la violencia doméstica no siempre es lo que la gente espera que sea.

“El daño puede ocurrir en todos los diferentes tipos de relaciones, incluso si usted no está viviendo con la persona”, dijo Davies.

“Puede ocurrir en las relaciones de pareja.

Ocurre en las relaciones casuales. Puede

Photo taken in the fall semester of 2020, each shirt tells its own story for each individual that made it.

adoptar muchas formas diferentes, no sólo físicas”. La violencia de pareja es un ciclo de poder y control. Puede ser abuso emocional o financiero, aislamiento social. Todas estas cosas pueden ocurrir antes de que se produzca la violencia física. Pueden ser señales de alarma en una relación. Tal vez eso es lo que sucede y la violencia física nunca sucede. Eso sigue siendo abuso y eso sigue siendo daño y causando daño dentro de la relación”.

A lo largo del mes, Weber State y el Centro de la Mujer se dedican a crear conciencia de los recursos en el campus para los sobrevivientes de la violencia doméstica.

“El primer paso para acabar con cualquier tipo de violencia en una comunidad es la concienciación”, dijo Ziegler. “Hacer que la gente sea consciente de nuestras estadísticas, no sólo a nivel nacional, sino aquí en Utah porque son más altas que la media nacional, hacer que la gente sea consciente

de los recursos, confrontar todos los mitos al respecto y realmente sólo hablar de ello. Eso es lo que abre las puertas a la prevención y la intervención y, en última instancia, pone a los supervivientes en el camino de la curación”.

Si usted o alguien que conoce es víctima de la violencia doméstica, póngase en contacto con el Centro de la Mujer en el 1-801626-6090, la Línea Nacional de Violencia Doméstica 24/7 en el 1-800-799-7233 o el Centro de Crisis YCC 24/7 Hotline en el 1-801-392-7273.

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By SIMON MORTENSEN Columnist

The Big Sky Conference football preseason is wrapping up, and it’s time for in-conference play. Coming into week two of the regular season, it’s time to look at which teams are on pace and which teams are struggling. #1 Weber State University and the University of Montana After turning heads during the preseason, the Wildcats and Grizzlies stand above the rest, with each team showing reasons why they should be ranked in the top spot.

Statistically, it’s hard to say anyone is competing with Montana. The Grizzlies are currently averaging the second-highest amount of points per game at 43.3, and only an average of 9.3 points gets past their stout defense. Montana has done a great job of proving why they were so highly ranked in the FCS pre-season polls.

Looking at stats alone, it seems unfitting to compare the Grizzlies to a team that’s only

averaging 34.3 points per game. However, Weber State’s competition is what keeps them in the top of the pack.

The Wildcats’ blowout performance against Utah State made a strong statement across the Big Sky. Weber State quarterback Bronson Barron is second in total touchdowns and yards across the Big Sky, with multiple players like Josh Davis, Ty MacPherson and Jacob Sharp in the top six for their positions as well. On the other end of the ball, cornerback Maxwell Anderson leads the Big Sky in passes defended as well as interceptions.

However, when pointing out Weber State’s wins and strong players, it’s unfair not to bring up the Grizzlies’ 24–7 win against the University of South Dakota, one of the top teams in the FCS. Linebacker Patrick O’Connell is also leading the conference in sacks.

Weber State and Montana both sit at 4–0 overall records, and on Oct. 29, fans will have a definitive answer for who the better team is when they face each other in Ogden. #3 University of California, Sacramento The Hornets are completely unproven in the conference so far this season. What they showed in the preseason, however, was impressive. Sacramento State dominated against Colorado State University, beating the FBS team 41–10.

Quarterback Asher O’Hara currently has six rushing touchdowns this season, averaging 68.7 yards on the ground per game. In fact, the reigning Big Sky regular season champions are averaging the most points per game with 44.7.

Their season opener against California Polytechnic State University on Oct. 1 will determine how they start the regular season.

#4 Montana State University Many ranked the Bobcats as the second-best Big Sky team in the FCS coming into the season, and they’ve done a good job showing why. Montana State averages the third-most points per game in the conference with 42.3.

Running back Sean Chambers currently leads the conference in total touchdowns with nine, making his case for Big Sky offensive player of the year early. On the other end of the ball, defensive tackle Sebastian Valdez is second on the conference tackles list.

There’s an argument to be made that Montana State belongs above Sacramento State.

Like last season, the Bobcats and Hornets are close. However, Sacramento State’s defense is more efficient than Montana State’s. The Bobcats still need to prove how their defense will do in conference with the losses of defensive end Daniel Hardy and middle linebacker Troy Andersen. #5 University of California, Davis This is where early-season power rankings are hard to make. UC Davis may not have the record that the four teams ahead of them do, but they’re undoubtedly a top-five team in the conference.

One of the Aggies’ biggest problems last season was in the quarterback position. So far, Miles Hastings has performed well, with the most yards and touchdowns in the conference.

Even after playing the University of California, Berkeley and South Dakota State University, UC Davis is still only allowing an average of 22 points per game. It’s hard to put a team with a record like theirs in the top five but after a solid performance last year and a

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promising start in certain areas this season, the Aggies are currently more proven than those behind them. #6 University of Idaho A mediocre team in quite a few categories last year, the Vandals have stepped up so far this season. Dominating Northern Arizona University 27–10, Idaho’s defense ranks only under Montana and Weber State as of this week.

Receiver Jermaine Jackson is making a name for himself this season with the help of Gevani McCoy. This is a strong change of pace from last year’s Vandals, who focused on the run game and avoided going to the air.

It’s the beginning of the season, and Idaho still has a long road ahead of them. The Vandals will play an evenly matched opponent in the University of Northern Colorado on Oct. 1, a game that could be telling of how Idaho will perform this season. #7 University of Northern Colorado The Bears make a perfect middle-of-thepack team along with the Vandals. Currently, Northern Colorado has an overall record of 2–2, with both their offense and defense ranking No. 7 in the conference as far as points per game and points allowed per game are concerned. In fact, the Bears’ average points per game, 25.0, is just shy of equaling their average points allowed per game, 26.8.

Northern Colorado had a great win against Idaho State and a dominant finish over Lamar. Their quarterback rotation involving Jacob Simon and Dylan McCaffrey has proved effective at throwing teams off.

As stated for Idaho, the Bears’ matchup with the Vandals could set the tone for the rest of both team’s seasons.

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Chinonso Opara leading the WSU football team out of the tunnel and onto the field during their game with Western Oregon on Sept. 1.

#8 Eastern Washington University The Eagles may be off to a rocky start, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be feared.

A team still trying to find life after the loss of quarterback Eric Barriere, Eastern Washington put up a fight against Montana State, losing 38–35. Currently, they’re averaging 28.3 points per game. A blowout loss to Oregon inflated their defense’s numbers, making them unreliable to analyze. Regardless, it’s clear that the Eagles’ defense isn’t the strongest part of their team.

Eastern Washington may not be the team it was with Barriere under center, but that doesn’t mean they don’t pose a threat. #9 Northern Arizona University It’s tempting to rank the Lumberjacks above the Eagles solely because there seems to be more of a light at the end of the tunnel. Where Eastern Washington lost their award-winning quarterback last season,

Northern Arizona has last year’s Big Sky freshman of the year leading their offense.

It’s RJ Martinez’s rocky start, however, that has the Lumberjacks in the No. 9 slot. Despite a phenomenal performance against a tough FCS program in the University of North Dakota, Martinez’s performance against Idaho was lackluster, throwing only 127 yards. Northern Arizona currently averages the least amount of points per game with 11.8. #10 California Polytechnic State University Cal Poly has made some baby-steps this season to separate themselves from the Mustangs of last year. Currently, they’re averaging a few more points per game than they did last season (18.7 compared to 15.4).

The Mustangs’ defense, however, made the most progress in the right direction. Last year’s defense was one of the two worst in the Big Sky, allowing an average of 39.2 points per game. As of right now, that average is six

points lower this season, with 33.3.

With the season being as young as it is, it’s possible this Cal Poly team will be the same as the one from last season. As of right now, however, they’re trending in the right direction. #11 Idaho State University The Bengals currently have more losses than any other team in the Big Sky. A brutal game against Northern Colorado, Idaho State made a solid case for being at the bottom of the pack.

As much as they struggle, the Bengals struggle a little less than Portland State, averaging 14.5 yards per game while allowing 39.0 points per game on defense. It’s clear also that Idaho State has found a weapon in receiver Xavier Guillory, who currently has 377 yards and three touchdowns.

How Idaho State plays against Montana on Oct. 1 at 1 p.m. will determine if the team should rank above Portland State after the Vi-

kings lost to the Grizzlies 53–16. #12 Portland State University It’s hard to rank a team like the Vikings at the bottom. Although they weren’t the best team in the Big Sky last year, they had some consistency. However, that consistency was carried by star quarterback Davis Alexander.

Portland State is a team that needs to find their groove soon. The Vikings offense and defense are both ranked in the No. 11 spot in the Big Sky according to average points per game and points allowed.

It’s fair to say that the Montana game alone prevents the Vikings from not being a slot higher in this power ranking. However, the way they handle Northern Arizona on Oct. 3 at 3 p.m. could provide fans insight into Portland State’s future.

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Ime Udoka during one of the NBA basketball games.

By RAYSHAUN BAKER-LYNCH Columnist

Stories break every week in the NBA, and last week was no different. Ime Udoka, head coach of the Boston Celtics, was suspended from the team for a year for having a consensual relationship with a female staff member.

Many reacted on Twitter to the news when reporter Adrian Wojnarowski released the in-

formation.

“I want to apologize to our players, fans, the entire Celtics organization and my family for letting them down,” Udoka said in a statement released by ESPN’s Malika Andrews. “I am sorry for putting the team in this difficult situation, and I accept the team’s decision.

Out of respect for everyone involved, I will have no further comment.”

It was reported by Kevin Frazier of Entertainment Tonight that the female staffer Udoka was involved with was not only a member of the Celtics staff but was also married to another Celtics staff member. The woman’s husband found out about the affair from a conversation recorded from his doorbell.

My stance on this position, why an entire year?

You might as well fire him. If you don’t want to fire him, keep him as the head coach.

It doesn’t make sense. It was a consensual relationship. Both parties involved definitely should be held responsible for their actions.

They could have suspended him without

MGN

MGN

12 | thesignpostwsu.com | September 29, 2022

The Boston Celtics emblem.

telling the public why. They could have made up a statement just saying he is out for personal reasons, which is true.

I get that within companies, there are different policies you can’t cross and many people do regarding relationships. I don’t understand why it was made public within the Celtic’s organization.

I feel this often happens in professional sports and teams don’t usually make it public. Work is supposed to be professional, but the organization should not have released this to the public.

In situations like this, you have to look at the woman involved and how that affects her and her family. That’s why you take caution when releasing information of this nature.

Confusion about the identity of the woman surfaced on social media, making accusations against people who weren’t even involved.

Now, this situation is affecting more women who never should have been brought up.

These innocent women are getting accused,

hurting them and their careers.

Udoka did the deed, so he should be held accountable for his actions. He broke the policy of the organization where he works.

Most companies would have fired an employee right out the gate. This situation is troublesome but it should have been handled differently.

The Boston Celtics, because of the historical significance that they have in the NBA world, have to do better.

The Boston Celtics go into the season with an interim head coach after going to the NBA finals with Udoka. Boston has added great additions this off-season. We’ll see how they come out the gate starting this new NBA season.

We’ll see how they come out the gate starting this new NBA season.

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Gage Warner climbing his crate tower, he reached 20 crates before falling off of this tower.

By COBY CRISLER Reporter

Weber State University’s Campus Recreation Outdoor Program held an intramural crate stacking competition on Sept. 22.

The Leicester Outdoor Pursuits Program explains crate stacking as a game to build a stack of plastic milk crates as high as you can while tethered to the rock climbing wall.

“The catch is, you’ll need to stand on the tower as you’re building it,” Leicester Outdoor Pursuits Program’s website states.

Participants are held up by ropes and a

Jason Kanihan being handed another crate for his tower by Talus Carver.

pulley system, allowing players to be suspended in the air once their crate stack falls, keeping them safe.

Sarah Hamilton, WSU freshman, said the experience was one of her first ever times climbing, while being able to boast a mighty stack of thirteen on her first ever attempt. “It’s completely out of the ordinary, but you have to figure it out.” Hamilton said.

This was the third time the event was held, starting in April of 2021. The current record holder for Weber’s stacking competition is Kylie “The Hammer” Hoffman with a stack of 27 from the 2021 event. When asked about the significance of their name, “I got it on the river, it’s a long story, but I bring the hammer

down.” Hoffman said.

Sept. 20 was meant for a teaching day, allowing any participants to come practice and enjoy themselves. One of the highest stacks that day was by Hoffman with twenty-two for their demonstration.

Sept. 22, on the other hand, was competition day. New faces mingled with familiar ones as contestants gave it their all. Each participant was given two attempts.

Third place was a tie between Hoffman and Liam Wasserlein at 22 crates. Second was Camille Homolya at 25 crates. First place belonged to Tyler Jefferies with 26 crates, just barely missing the record of 27 by Hoffman.

The event is set to return later next year in

April around Ogden’s climbing festival.

“Just another fun, slightly competitive, weird way to climb something because we like to climb things.” Amy Knight, coordinator of outdoor program rentals, said.

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