Old Dominion University’s football team, with a current record of 1-3, secured a hard-earned 30-27 victory against the Bowling Green Falcons in their recent game. Their upcoming focus is on the first Sun Belt Conference game against Coastal Carolina, which currently holds a record of 3-1.

The last encounter between the Monarchs and the Chanticleers took place at S.B. Ballard Stadium last season. The game concluded with Coastal Carolina executing a two-minute drill, resulting in a game-winning touchdown and a 28-24 victory. Junior Quarterback Grant Wilson, who faced off against current Sophomore Quarterback Ethan Vasko, is presented with an opportunity to redeem the loss from the previous season and propel the Monarchs toward recovery from their challenging start to the 2024 season.

Monarchs Looking For Back-to-Back Victories

Old Dominion’s recent victory against Bowling Green showcased strong performances from key players. Senior Wide Receiver Pat Conroy made significant contributions with three receptions for 99 yards and two touchdowns, including a 75-yard touchdown late in the first quarter. Additionally, Senior Running Back Aaron Young’s 74 rushing yards and a game-winning touchdown further contributed to the team’s success. The Monarchs’ defense, particularly Jahron Manning with his third interception of the season, played a crucial role in setting up the offense for success. The team’s defensive prowess has allowed them to remain competitive throughout the season. With consistent offensive performances, the Monarchs have the potential to turn their season around. They are eager to carry their momentum into the upcoming game against Coastal Carolina in the hostile environment on Saturday, marking the commencement of Sun Belt Conference action.

Coastal Looking to Rebound From First Loss

Coastal Carolina experienced their first defeat of the season against the Virginia Cavaliers, resulting in a 43-24 loss. The Cavaliers capitalized on two early turnovers, dominating the time of possession with nearly 40 minutes of control and 58 rushing attempts, amassing a total of 384 yards on the ground alongside three rushing touchdowns. Coastal’s reliance on their running game is evident, with 170 rushing attempts in four games, ranking 22nd in the country for attempts per game. Despite their strong performance in maintaining early leads in previous games, Coastal struggled against the Cavaliers when playing from behind. The team’s ability to control the game is heavily reliant on their ground game, particularly on Sophomore Running Back Christian Washington, who has yet to fumble this season.

Key Players to Watch:

Coastal Carolina: Sophomore Quarterback Ethan Vasko. Vasko, a dual-threat quarterback, has shown proficiency in scrambling out of the pocket under pressure. His significant contribution to the team’s rushing statistics and two rushing touchdowns positions him as a key player for Coastal Carolina’s offensive strategy in the upcoming game against the Monarchs.

Old Dominion: Junior Safety Jahron Manning. Manning, currently tied for second in the country for interceptions with three, has also recorded 36 tackles this season. He has proven to be one of the most dependable defensive players for the Monarchs. Manning’s ability to make timely plays is expected to bolster the Monarch defense in the forthcoming game.

Game Time Coverage

The game is scheduled to take place at Brooks Stadium in Conway, SC tomorrow night, with television coverage on ESPN+ beginning at 7 p.m.

The exteriors of Cougar Village 1 and 2. | Raphael Fernandez/The Cougar

On Aug. 22, UH Board of Regents approved the construction of a new freshman residence dorm building on campus by 2027.

As described in the recent Board of Regents meeting, $179 million is estimated for the project to make more first-year housing available with the goal of increasing the percentage of students living on campus and reducing the image of the University being a commuter campus.

The new dorm building is expected to be built by summer 2027. It will add 1,000 beds to increase the available residence to 10,000 students.

It will be the fourth first-year dorm building while including three upperclassmen dorms, one loft-style building and three apartment-style buildings.

The University would not force freshmen into dorms but sees that increased numbers of student residents would influence greater academic success, said UH System spokesperson Shawn Lindsey.

“Our data consistently shows that UH students who live on campus graduate at a higher rate,” Lindsey said. “Increasing the residential population offers numerous benefits beyond just meeting a percentage goal and having more students live on campus fosters a more vibrant campus life and enriches the student experience – factors that directly contribute to student success.”  

UH’s public data show over 46,676 students enrolled last year and the fall 2024 semester introducing a record-breaking class of new freshmen with more than 6,200. 

More students now have to choose between living as a resident or a commute depending on their budget. 

Many decide to live on campus instead of driving miles every day back and forth. For those that do, they feel convenient with the benefits. 

But in the same debate, other students commute because it is more cost-effective considering the fact parking permits are becoming expensive. 

“I would commute, if I could, because it’s a lot cheaper,” said journalism sophomore and The Quad resident Emily Martinez. “You have to pay for the dorm, buy the meal plan and then some people drive so we still have to buy the parking permit.”

However, with the recent complaints in residences, expectations are set.

Martinez is one of the students that encounters the residency’s common problems such as insufficient washing machines to meet the demand and faulty door sensor keys. 

“I think they should also fix the card problem,” Martinez said. “I can’t get in my room because the sensor sometimes is faulty here.”   

Both residents and commuters raised concerns about the plan based on their experiences where services such as laundry machines and Cougar IDs have been repeatedly.

Students are also not confident on what UH has been spending its resources on.

Many notice most of the funding is always going on athletics, especially with an expansion center being constructed. 

“I don’t know if they will accomplish their goal, I feel like we have to actually see what they’re trying to implement because they could be doing something that no one’s going to want to come and stay for,” said psychology sophomore and resident Nick Guerrero. “They might just make it Moody 2.0 and if they do that, I don’t think it’s going to accomplish anything.”  

Students also admit a lack of security since the incident at Moody Towers that left a student robbed at gunpoint. 

However, despite these ongoing and increasing issues, Guerrero is expecting to have a positive experience.

“I’m more optimistic about it,” Guerrero said. “As long as we can fix the daily issues that occur here at Moody and probably even like the Cougar Village to some stuff, it could be better than what we already have.” 

As plans move forward, the Board of Regents is meeting with contractors.

news@thedailycougar.com

—
“UH set to expand first-year housing with new dorm by 2027” was originally posted on The Cougar

The Michigan State Spartans (3-2, 1-1 Big Ten) are in Eugene for the first Big Ten game in Autzen Stadium history! The No. 6 Ducks (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten) look to defend their ranking and their home turf under the Friday lights of an Autzen night! Follow along here for LIVE updates presented by The Duck Store. You may need to refresh this page for the latest updates!

(Q2 – 0:00) Michigan State: 0, Oregon: 21 – HALFTIME. Michigan State will start with the ball in the second half.

(Q2 – 0:05) Michigan State: 0, Oregon: 21 – Evan Stewart pulls in a 9-yard TOUCHDOWN grab in the corner of the endzone. Oregon will take a 21-point lead into the break.

(Q2 – 0:10) Michigan State: 0, Oregon: 14 – MSU calls its final timeout with 3rd-and-goal looming.

(Q2 – 0:13) Michigan State: 0, Oregon: 14 – Tez Johnson picks up another 1st down. Oregon spikes the ball at the 9-yard line.

(Q2 – 0:30) Michigan State: 0, Oregon: 14 – Oregon takes its second timeout of the half.

(Q2 – 0:46) Michigan State: 0, Oregon: 14 – Traeshon Holden picks up another first down.

(Q2 – 0:54) Michigan State: 0, Oregon: 14 – Jordan James hammers forward for another big gain. Timeout, Oregon.

(Q2 – 1:04) Michigan State: 0, Oregon: 14 – Tez Johnson takes a reception across midfield as time winds down in the first half.

(Q2 – 1:53) Michigan State: 0, Oregon: 14 – ANOTHER sack forces a punt. The Ducks start from their own 27-yard line.

(Q2 – 2:29) Michigan State: 0, Oregon: 14 – Following back-to-back sacks, MSU calls its second timeout. 3rd-and-14 looms after the hiatus.

(Q2 – 5:26) Michigan State: 0, Oregon: 14 – Jordan James takes a pitch from Gabriel in for an Oregon TOUCHDOWN. The extra point is GOOD. Oregon leads with just over five minutes left in the half.

(Q2 – 6:31) Michigan State: 0, Oregon: 7 – Gabriel rushes down to the MSU 5-yard line. 1st-and-goal.

(Q2 – 8:11) Michigan State: 0, Oregon: 7 – Jordan James breaks off back-to-back big runs to put the Ducks in scoring position again. Oregon’s down to the MSU 23-yard line.

(Q2 – 9:11) Michigan State: 0, Oregon: 7 – The Ducks force another punt. The defense has allowed five rushing yards so far. Oregon takes over on its own 45-yard line.

(Q2 – 11:17) Michigan State: 0, Oregon: 7 – Dillon Gabriel throws another INTERCEPTION on the goal line. A terrible decision and throw leaves the Ducks scoreless on another drive.

(Q2 – 11:50) Michigan State: 0, Oregon: 7 – The Ducks get flagged for an illegal formation. 2nd-and-goal from the 11-yard line.

(Q2 – 14:00) Michigan State: 0, Oregon: 7 – Terrance Ferguson takes a screen pass 62 yards and the Ducks are knocking on the door to the redzone.

(Q2 – 14:20) Michigan State: 0, Oregon: 7 – The Ducks’ defense forces a second straight 3-and-out. Oregon takes back over on the 26-yard line.

(Q1 – 0:00) Michigan State: 0, Oregon: 7 – END OF Q1

(Q1 – 0:22) Michigan State: 0, Oregon: 7 – Things are getting scrappy here. A skirmish broke off after the kickoff. Tysheem Johnson got called for an unsportsmanlike penalty. MSU starts on its own 36-yard line.

(Q1 – 0:22) Michigan State: 0, Oregon: 7 – Dillon Gabriel rushes for a 9-yard TOUCHDOWN, lowering his shoulder and laying a big hit at the goal line. MSU’s  Ed Woods gets flagged for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty at the end of the play. The extra point is GOOD. Oregon snags a lead in the quarter’s final seconds.

(Q1 – 0:41) Michigan State: 0, Oregon: 0 – Jordan James pushes forward for a 1st down. 1st-and-goal from the 9-yard line.

(Q1 – 1:53) Michigan State: 0, Oregon: 0 – Dillon Gabriel returns after one play (a 7-yard run).

(Q1 – 2:34) Michigan State: 0, Oregon: 0 – Autzen Stadium is furious at the no-call on the Gabriel hit. Dante Moore in at quarterback.

(Q1 – 2:34) Michigan State: 0, Oregon: 0 – Traeshon Holden slips, but still pulls in a miraculous 37-yard completion while lying on the ground. Dillon Gabriel got SMOKED at the end of the play and is shaken up. Full media timeout as Gabriel gets attended to.

(Q1 – 2:58) Michigan State: 0, Oregon: 0 – Jordan James takes a pitch 13 yards for another 1st down.

(Q1 – 3:52) Michigan State: 0, Oregon: 0 – MSU goes 3-and-out. Oregon takes back over on its own 25-yard line.

(Q1 – 6:05) Michigan State: 0, Oregon: 0 – Aidan Chiles gets sacked for a loss of 11 on 1st-and-10 by Derrick Harmon.

(Q1 – 6:14) Michigan State: 0, Oregon: 0 – Dillon Gabriel throws an INTERCEPTION in the endzone on 3rd-and-goal from the 1-yard line. Malik Spencer makes a diving interception, stepping in front of Patrick Herbert. MSU turns the Ducks over and takes over on its own 20-yard line.

(Q1 – 8:19) Michigan State: 0, Oregon: 0 – Jordan James rumbles forward for another 1st down to the 11-yard line. His second powerful run of the drive.

(Q1 – 8:59) Michigan State: 0, Oregon: 0 – Evan Stewart pulls in a 3rd-and-11 completion to keep the drive going.

(Q1 – 9:55) Michigan State: 0, Oregon: 0 – Jordan James breaks off a huge run across midfield and down to the MSU 39-yard line.

(Q1 – 10:09) Michigan State: 0, Oregon: 0 – The call is OVERTURNED. Oregon turns the Spartans away and takes over on its own 20-yard line.

(Q1 – 10:09) Michigan State: 0, Oregon: 0 – Michigan State quarterback Aidan Chiles FUMBLES on the goal line. Jamaree Caldwell forces the fumble and Jordan Burch recovers it. Oregon stuffs the Spartans on the goal line and takes over. The ruling is that his knee was down. The play is being reviewed.

(Q1 – 10:47) Michigan State: 0, Oregon: 0 – Michigan State calls a deep pass play on 4th-and-2. Nick Marsh hauls in a 44-yard catch and takes it down to the Ducks’ 2-yard line.

(Q1 – 11:07) Michigan State: 0, Oregon: 0 – The Spartans call their first timeout.

(Q1 – 11:20) Michigan State: 0, Oregon: 0 – MSU is lining up for a 4th-and-2 attempt from midfield.

(Q1 – 13:14) Michigan State: 0, Oregon: 0 – Michigan State connects on a 3rd-and-12 pass to give the Spartans the game’s first 1st down.

(Q1 – 14:06) Michigan State: 0, Oregon: 0 – Oregon goes 3-and-out. Michigan State takes over on its own 35-yard line. Heavy pressure from the Spartans forced an incompletion on 3rd down.

(Q1 – 14:53) Michigan State: 0, Oregon: 0 – Dillon Gabriel’s first pass attempt falls incomplete on a deep pass to Tez Johnson. Crowd wanted a flag.

(Q1 – 15:00) Michigan State: 0, Oregon: 0 – Touchback. Oregon starts on its own 25-yard line.

(Q1 – 15:00) Michigan State: 0, Oregon: 0 – Michigan State wins the toss and elects to defer. Oregon will start with the ball.

Minneapolis ranked the second-best city in Minnesota to fish in, according to an analysis by Fishing Booker Blog. 

The number of available fishing charters, guides with the Angler’s Choice Award, number of bookings, average review score, average recommended score and minimum price of a fishing trip make up the criteria for the rating. Duluth took the number one spot. 

The 19 fishing charters, recreational fishing boats for hire that come with a guide, and the metropolitan lakes like Lake Minnetonka, Lake Waconia, Lake Independence and Shakopee Lake are why Minneapolis ranked so high, Fishing Booker spokesperson Vanja Polovina said. 

Lake Bde Maka Ska and other big lakes around Minneapolis are good for anglers who fish with a rod and a line, as it is hard to find fishing areas along the shore, recent University of Minnesota graduate Thompson Nguyen said. 

Ice Fishing Warrier Founder Jeff Henrichs said Lake Minnetonka is also a good fishing registry. 

“Like I said, the variety of fish and different bays,” Henrichs said. “That lake is over 14,500 acres. Average depth on that lake is about 30 feet and probably the deepest is in Crystal Bay at 113 feet. So it’s a good lake. It’s fun to explore it.” 

Jonathan Wilson-Thieroff, a fourth-year University student, said the Mississippi River is also a good place to fish because of the variety of different species of fish that can be caught. 

“In the river, it’s a lot of smallmouth bass,” Wilson-Thieroff said. “Occasionally you get some walleye too, but I’d say mostly smallmouth. You can catch catfish, muskies, pretty much anything in the river. In the lakes, it’s more kind of panfish oriented, so a lot of bluegill, crappies, perch, that kind of thing.” 

Not all fish caught in metropolitan lakes can be eaten as it depends on the lake, Wilson-Thieroff said. Lake water quality varies from lake to lake, meaning various chemicals caused by human activity can affect the fish. 

Fishing in Minnesota requires a license, which can be obtained on the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) website or at gas stations. Minnesota residents are required to be at least 21 years old,bring a driver’s license number and a public safety identification number as proof of residency. Non-Minnesota residents must get a public safety identification number before purchasing any type of license from the DNR. 

A license is not needed for people under 16 years old, above 90 years old, Minnesota residents enlisted in the U.S. Armed Forces or residents of a Minnesota licensed nursing home, according to the DNR website.

Wilson-Thieroff said people associate urban areas with pollution and do not fish here for that reason, but he disagrees as the local rivers and lakes are clean.

“Minneapolis does a really good job, the Parks District especially, of preserving kinds of natural landscapes and making water diversion lakes accessible to a lot of people,” Wilson-Thieroff said.

Nguyen said there are a lot more people fishing in the heart of Minneapolis than farther north, making the competition for fish more fierce. He added overall, Minneapolis is a great spot to fish and will continue to be that way as long as people keep the fishing spots clean.

“Fishing is a lot of fun, Minneapolis has a lot of places to check out,” Nguyen said. “Just please keep fishing spots clean.”

Emily Ford design chief 

Every college has its own traditions and superstitions, in Pitt State’s case, walking on or over the Split Face logo in the Oval at the center of campus is one of them.  

Gifted to the university by graduating classes of 1997, 1998, and 1999 on Oct. 2, 2004, the Split Face of the Gorilla mascot sits in the center of campus, embedded into the Oval. Observers may notice that most students, and even some faculty, will avoid walking over it. This is because of some superstition regarding it. It is said that if a student were to step on the Split Face, they would have exactly ten seconds to run to the gorilla statue in front of the Overman Student Center and touch its foot, otherwise they would not graduate in time. 

Now, regardless of if students believe in this superstition, or if they even know of it, most will still avoid walking over the Split Face. Whether it is because they are following the flow of foot traffic or just something they were told to do, it is still an odd sight to visitors to the campus. Sometimes, faculty members and visiting alumni will continue their old habits and avoid stepping on it.  

Though uncommon, there are still a few students who walk over the Split Face from time to time. Most of the time, when it occurs, it seems to be due to a lack of awareness of their surroundings. I, myself, have nearly stepped upon it, wobbling to self-correct when the realization sets in. 

Sometimes, students can be seen playing a game of “balance,” where students would bump into each other to see if one or the other would lose just enough balance to tiptoe the border of the logo. It can be entertaining to see the moment of sheer panic on their face before they realize they had not actually stepped on the Split Face and incurred the wrath of superstition. 

Warning: The following column contains graphic descriptions of sexual violence. 

Rapper and producer, John Sean Combs, more commonly known as P. Diddy, was indicted on Sept. 9 and arrested in Manhattan on Sept. 16 without bail. 

Combs’ accused actions of sex trafficking, drink spiking, rape, physical abuse and so much more, have finally caught up to him. Combs deserves nothing less than a lifetime behind bars for his exploitation and crimes.

Allegations and rumors have circled Combs throughout his whole career, however, news of his abuse and exploitation blew up when singer Casandra Ventura, famously known as Cassie, filed a lawsuit against him in Nov. of  2023.

Ventura’s lawsuit was filed under the Adult Survivors Act of New York City. This act creates a one-year window that allows victims of sexual abuse to sue their abusers years after the mistreatment occurred.

Combs suspiciously settled this lawsuit within a day and pleaded not guilty to any criminal offenses. 

Ventura began her relationship with Combs in 2005. The two met when Ventura was 19 and when Combs was 37. 

In 2007, Ventura signed to Combs’ record label, Bad Boy Records. She signed a ten-album contract, connecting her to Combs for a decade.. 

Between the years 2005 through 2018, Ventura accused Combs of violently mistreating her. 

She was allegedly drugged, raped and forced to have sexual relations with male prostitutes while Combs watched and recorded.

In addition, she claimed to be physically abused by Combs. He allegedly attacked her and kept her out of the public and away from others while her wounds healed; then the cycle would continue.

On March 5, 2016, there was recorded surveillance footage from the InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles where Ventura was seen attempting to flee her room. 

In the video, Combs ran after her, threw Ventura to the floor and kicked her until she was motionless on the floor. 

Along with the abuse, Ventura also alleged that Combs blew up rapper , Kid Cudi’s car after Cudi, also known as Scott Ramon Seguro Mescudi, allowed Ventura to seek refuge at his house when Comb’s abuse escalated. 

After Ventura’s lawsuit, nine women and one man have come forward to support Ventura’s claims with their own experiences, with disturbing accusations, about Combs. 

“As alleged in the Indictment, for years, Sean Combs used the business empire he controlled to sexually abuse and exploit women, as well as to commit other acts of violence and obstruction of justice,” US District Attorney, Damian Williams said. “Today, he is charged with racketeering and sex trafficking offenses.”

One of the main focuses of Combs’ criminal charges is organizing “Freak Offs”. 

Combs allegedly used his position of power to pressure women and men in his social circle to engage in sexual acts with sex workers. He was also accused of drugging his victims so they would easily comply with his sexual requests.

In Ventura’s lawsuit, she claimed that these Freak Offs lasted for days and in some instances, victims had to receive IV fluids to recuperate from the constant physical exertion and drug intake.  

Ventura alleged that she was given excessive amounts of “ecstasy, cocaine, GHB, ketamine, marijuana and alcohol” which allowed her to disassociate during the Freak Offs. 

In the civil lawsuit, Ventura also claimed that Combs would instruct her “to pour excessive amounts of oil over herself.”

When Combs’ Los Angeles and Miami residences were raided by federal agents, 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant were found and seized. 

This was one of Ventura’s many claims that aligned with what federal agents discovered when investigating Combs. 

Ventura must have felt a whirlwind of pain, physical and emotional throughout the years she was trapped under Combs’ control. I respect the courage and strength Ventura used to finally disconnect herself from Combs’. 

Living in fear and pain for all of those years would definitely take its toll on an individual and I hope Ventura can someday heal from this experience and get the justice she deserves. 

Combs allegedly used his position of power to pressure innocent people into doing heinous sexual acts for decades. Ventura and the other victims deserve justice for all the harm Combs has caused them.

Jose Gonzalez-Campelo/The Cougar

Within the past year, a commonality among conversations about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is the idea that it began on October 7, 2023.

While not always an idea pushed maliciously, it’s ignorant and harmful to perpetuate this, as the Israeli occupation of Palestine has been a subject for decades and has displaced hundreds of thousands of people throughout the years.

To give some basic history, the conflict started in 1947 with the UN partition plan that separated Palestinian territories into one Jewish and one Arab state; a far cry from the proposed year ago that some believe began the wave of bombings and bloodshed.

Don’t believe it? Look no further than The Cougar’s own archives.

The earliest records of the paper UH provides date back to April of 1928, far before the conflict began.

Looking as far back as the 1970’s, there are a multitude of articles and letters to the editor discussing Israeli occupation and the displacement of Arab populations.

In October of 1982, an article by Ghada Foty, a Palestinian immigrant who studied journalism at UH, titled “Conflict seen from Palestinian view” was written hoping to “clarify this popular misconception,” as Foty wrote, that Palestinians are terrorists.

It detailed the location of Palestine, explained the goals of the Palestinian people and even included quotes from four Palestinian students.

These students shared sentiments very similar to those that we hear today; feelings of detachment from their culture, wishes to return to their homes and hope that they may one day see their homeland free from occupation.

On the dissenting side lies a piece written by Patrick Newport in 1977 with the headline “Israel author says prose reflects war,” Israeli author Matti Megged is quoted, speaking on the ways war and conflict have morphed his and other authors’ writing.

“I believe we have to be prepared to live with war or with the threat of war for at least another generation,” he said.

There were also letters to the editor from readers of The Cougar slamming articles written by the UH Organization of Arab Students, who occasionally wrote in the paper discussing the conflict and addressing ideas surrounding it.

It wasn’t uncommon for heated discussions to be brought forth in the paper by both sides of the issue.

In the 70s, a multitude of both articles by the editorial board at the time and published statements from students were put out, arguing over a dispute between Israeli and Arab students at UH’s International Week.

In 1973, The Cougar published a letter by Zachi Wiezentrager, an Israeli commanding officer from UH stationed in the Sinai peninsula. Wiezentrager wrote, “eager to participate in the efforts to bring this war to an end and to a peace condition.”

This piece was commented on by student Ramzi Hakim soon after in a letter to the editor.

“I really can’t see… how a victory can bring peace unless Wiezentrager’s peace is built on injustice and oppression,” Hakim wrote.

This was one of many contentious letters published in the paper regarding the topic.

Regardless of one’s standing on the conflict, it’s important to note that the fight between the Israeli and Palestinian people is by no means new, and it’s a shameful misrepresentation to claim otherwise.

As Matti Megged reminds us today from the yellowed pages of The Cougar back in 1977, “peace can be a long and painful process,” and it is our duty to remember the history that has led us to where we are now.

Parker Hodges-Beggs is a sophomore journalism major who can be reached at opinion@thedailycougar.com

—
“The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is not a new issue” was originally posted on The Cougar

No outside strain from political disagreement could slow Colorado State volleyball down as the Rams collected yet another victory Thursday night.

CSU now stands at a 7-6 record for its entire season, but now getting into its conference season, the team has asserted its place at the top of the Mountain West, not having lost a game yet. 

San Jose State put up a tough fight, but could not manage to secure a set. The Spartans lost in three sets (25-18, 25-20, 25-20) against the CSU’s well-oiled machine.

“One of our core values is unity, and we really wanted to stick together and be a team that is able to go on a quest for a championship,” Naeemah Weathers said. “Being able to kind of stick to the program and do it together was something that was super important to all of us.” 

Amid the controversy regarding former athlete and political activist Riley Gaines’ lawsuit stating that the NCAA’s Transgender Eligibility Policies violate Title IX and the 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause, CSU elected to compete against the Spartans Thursday night.

The controversy regarding SJSU ramped up online when SJSU player Brooke Slusser joined Gaines’ class-action lawsuit, claiming she has a transgender teammate who she believes has a physical advantage over other players and stating concerns regarding safety and equality within the sport.

A total of four schools have pulled out of their game against SJSU, yet CSU was very collective in its decision that, yes, the team was making a statement, but also working its way back to the championship game.

“We’ve talked a lot about controlling our destiny in conference,” Kennedy Stanford said. “(We are) coming out and taking command and proving that we are the team to beat in this conference.”

Coach Emily Kohan said that the program would not force players to play against SJSU, still, the team came out as a “full unified front,” with the typical starting players active on the court including team leaders Malaya Jones, Stanford and Weathers. 

With strong attackers came ease on the court, CSU gained 13 more kills than SJSU and another sweep on the court, this being its second this season. 

“I’m really proud with our team leading with kindness and continuing to discover their own self and what’s important to them,” Kohan said.

CSU glided into its third win in a row against SJSU with ease as Maria Brun went on a serving spree tallying a game-high three aces, to secure her team momentum and evidently the first set. 

Although making it look easy, the Rams hitting .347 compared to San Jose’s .100, was not always a simple match for them. They understood that while racking up points on the court, people watching were aware of the impact their participation in the game made.

“It’s an incredibly complex and divisive issue, and we went into it having a conversation with our team, and I’m very proud of how thoughtful our leadership was the entire time,” Kohan said. “We represent a university where inclusivity is something that we prioritize, and I was really proud with the way our team handled the discussions.” 

Evidently, playing or not playing was a statement on CSU’s behalf, especially noting that the match was on CSU’s Inclusive Excellence Day. 

“Where diversity, equity, and inclusion are not just ideals, but the foundations of Colorado State’s progress and innovation,” the university’s statement on inclusive excellence reads.

Completely rewriting their wrongs from the beginning of the season in terms of losses, Rams volleyball not only stands together but excels at what they are doing, remaining undefeated in their conference season. 

“When (the Rams are) in (their) system, they’re tough to stop, and they seem to be in (the) system a lot in their home gym,” said Todd Kress, SJSU volleyball coach. “They just have a lot of weapons that they can throw at you at any given time and make it very difficult to slow them down.”

As for SJSU, it was previously undefeated before facing off against the Rams, but as its routine was broken, so was its streak. 

“We lost because we didn’t play like ourselves, and there was so much more that we walked away not giving that we should have,” Slusser said. “We’d rather that happen now than later on and be able to grow and learn from it.”

Similar to CSU, SJSU also wanted to appear as a connected and united front, leaving the differences off the court. 

It was vital that politics would not be included in the game, Kress saying that the tension should end wherever it started, with nothing left that would create a boundary between players.  

“When we walk into that gym, it’s all about mutual respect,” Slusser said. “We love each other at the end of the day.”

Slusser chose to provide no further comments regarding the situation off the court. 

“There’s a human in the jersey number three over there, and there’s a lot of stakeholders on our team that have individual opinions about it,” Kohan said. “We decided to prioritize our unity and our quest for a conference championship and try to make this statement in playing.”

By going through with the game, the team is confirming their dominance and showing that they belong and have a place as the No. 1 team in the conference.

The Rams have become more established whether that is with their lineup or skills, showing that when they play Fresno State on Saturday they can win and get one step closer to claiming the championship game for the Mountain West Tournament. 

“It’s a completely different set of emotion,” Kohan said. “We want some revenge because that was our championship game. We’ve always said we’re our best team when we’re doing our thing.”

Reach Sophie Webb at sports@collegian.com or on Twitter @sophgwebb.

Interested in more sports content? Sign up for Ram Report here for weekly CSU sports updates!

Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson asked Utahns to “doubt the doubters,” commit to accepting the election results and be responsible for their ballots ahead of the Nov. 5 election in a speech at the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics on Thursday morning.

The speech comes two weeks after the FBI intercepted a “suspicious” letter containing white powder addressed to her office. 

“Whether the enclosed substance is toxic or not, this letter was sent with a malicious intent to harm not me or my staff, but you, the voters,” Henderson said. “Attacks on our elections and the people who run them are attacks on the political institutions that exist to protect our liberty and free government.” 

Henderson told a room of students, reporters and election officials that they would hear the vote has been rigged in the coming weeks, voting by mail is less secure than in-person voting and counting ballots by hand is more accurate than a machine.

“Both claims are demonstrably false,” she said. 

Henderson urged voters to take three specific actions ahead of Nov. 5. 

“Doubt the doubters,” she said. “Questions and concerns are welcome, but if someone is spreading salacious rumors that shake your confidence in our elections, stop and ask yourself what their motivation could be.” 

She asked voters to do this before doubting the entire election system and to not participate in undermining public trust in elections by spreading rumors or unfounded accusations. 

Henderson’s second request of Utahns is that they “commit today to accept the results of the election no matter what they are.” 

“Every race has a winner and loser,” she said. “You will not like every outcome.”

Lastly, she asked voters to update their registration, reminding people that county clerks would send out ballots on Oct. 15. 

“Take your vote into your own hands,” Henderson said. “You are ultimately responsible for your own ballot.” 

Henderson said that after the election, Utahns might hear rumors of voting irregularities and be frustrated by having to wait longer to hear the results, but it takes time for all the ballots to be counted, and this is all part of the process. 

“Any system run by tens of thousands of individuals across thousands of decentralized voting districts throughout the country will experience human error. It happens every time, it always will,” Henderson said. “But please, please extend some grace to your friends and neighbors in Utah who run our elections. They want nothing more than to ensure that your vote counts accurately.” 

Elected officials in Utah have been questioning the fairness of the primary elections this year, including Rep. Phil Lyman, who lost the primary to incumbent Republican Gov. Spencer Cox and is now running a write-in campaign. 

In early August, Lyman unsuccessfully sued the Utah Republican Party. He asked the Utah Supreme Court to annul the June primary results, remove Cox and Henderson from their positions and make him the Republican candidate for governor. 

“Phil Lyman is the only candidate in this state who has tried to steal an election,” Henderson said in a post to X on Aug. 13. “His self-serving political theatrics have cost the state hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars.” 

On Thursday morning, Lyman posted to X claiming Cox is an “illegitimate” candidate. 

“Spencer Cox is an illegitimate candidate until the names that qualified him for the Primary [sic] ballot undergo a forensic audit by an unbiased, third party,” his post read.

Henderson told reporters that the issue of certifying or accepting election results has “snowballed” in the last several years, and she worries it’s reached a “tipping point.” 

“I’ve worried that it’s become normal to believe lies and abnormal to believe truth,” she said. “We have to normalize truth again.”

v.hudson@dailyutahchronicle.com

@vanessamwrites

The post Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson Asks Utahns to ‘Doubt the Doubters’ Ahead of Nov. 5 Election first appeared on The Daily Utah Chronicle.

“Through Their Lenses: A Photographic Exhibition by Youth in Foster and Kinship Care” is now showing at the Baron & Ellin Gordon Art Gallery. The exhibition, which opened on Sept. 20,  will remain on display until Oct. 5.

The exhibition was organized by the First Star-ODU Academy, a college-prep program for high school students in the foster care system. Their goal is to help the students along their path to graduation, as well as preparing them for college and adulthood. 

“We are excited to provide a platform for our scholars to express their perspectives through art,” said Alexia Hargrove, Director of First Star-ODU Academy. “This exhibition is not only a reflection of their creative talent but also an opportunity for the community to engage with their stories and support their futures.”

The students were mentored by Dr. Michael DiBari, a photography professor at ODU. Dibari taught his students everything they know about photography, and even gave the students cameras to use for their projects at the Through Their Lenses exhibition.

Photographers at the exhibition displayed their unique points of view through their stylistic and design choices. Their work featured everything from self portraits to landscape photography, and students made use of many different filters and angles, each showcasing their own unique design sensibilities.

A lot of the students’ experiences reflected their time on ODU’s campus. One of the students, Rusty, captured their first time on a college campus, with a picture of themself on tour at the New Chemistry Building.  

Another student, Trey, took a picture of himself in a suit from the Monarch Closet –which supplies free clothes to any student in need. He captioned it, “I tried on the suit from Monarch Closet and saw myself in the mirror and felt like the Man of the Year.”

Students displayed their heartfelt messages through photography, exploring themes of family, grief, and celebration. One student, Angel, displayed a picture of a tattoo of their own design on their arm, in honor of their late friend. 

While students certainly displayed their artistic talent, the exhibition was weakened by a lack of a coherent prompt or uniting theme. This, unfortunately, led to inconsistent quality across the exhibit, with some pieces a bit lackluster in comparison with others. The opening event was also a bit performative and had tones of saviorism. I wish that the students who showed up with their digital art on display had a chance to talk about their experiences instead of seemingly being the ones on display themselves.

However, Hargrove, Director of First Star-ODU Academy, passionately defended her students and the project itself. She showed true appreciation for the work done by the students, as well as a deep gratitude for all those in attendance at the event. 

All things considered, I would recommend checking out this exhibit. First Star-ODU Academy does great work in the community, and most of the faults of the exhibit are explained by how new the organization is. It’s impossible to ignore the time and efforts the students put into their work, and it was an unforgettable experience.

For more information about the First Star-ODU Academy, and opportunities to donate to the cause, visit here.