Country boys BASEBALL rock out Men’s team slugs past Southern at Event Center Illinois with 18 runs SEE PAGE 8 SEE PAGE 5

Serving San José State University since 1934

Thursday, March 11, 2010 www.TheSpartanDaily.com Volume 134, Issue 23 A.S. presidential candidates strive Students break away for change Eric Van Susteren Staff Writer from driving alone Presidential candidates for the 2010 Associated Students elec- tion in April are preparing to face Justin Albert He said the garages may be he said. issues such as budget cuts, low Staff Writer having diffi culty reaching capacity The lack of parking permit sales student involvement and a lack of because of cuts in enrollment and hasn’t hurt parking services in a student awareness, said the A.S. Parking permit revenue sales other budget-related issues. signifi cant way, but there could chief elections offi cer. are down this semester as students “The garages tend to fi ll up come a time when parking services "We've always had a low turn- may be looking to use alternative mostly between 8 a.m. and noon,” has to reduce staff in order to meet out for the elections voter-wise, forms of transportation to get to Laws said. “And so far we’ve only the budget requirements of losing and we're really just trying to get SJSU, said a public information had the Seventh Street garage fi ll signifi cant amounts of revenue, more awareness of A.S. govern- offi cer for the University Police up completely once.” Laws said. ment," said Cree Daniels, a senior Department. Laws said he didn’t know exact- “Parking is one of those auxilia- hospitality management major. “People are not parking ille- ly why students aren’t frequenting ries on campus that is self-funded, Daniels said voter turnout is gally any more than they normally the garages and buying permits. so no general fund money comes the major priority for the 2010 are,” said Sgt. John Laws. “We’re “I don’t know if they’re fi nding to run parking,” he said. election. just not getting as many cars as we other alternatives, but we are see- "We have 32,000 students and use to.” ing a defi nite drop in parking use,” See PARKING, Page 2 only 2,000 showed up to vote last year," she said. "That's an ex- tremely low percentage. It's less than the people who live on cam- pus." Daniels said this year the A.S. elections board will be increasing the money spent on raising aware- ness and student involvement. "I think especially with the budget cuts people are going to want to know what their money is going to," she said. "This is techni- cally their organization. They need to know what kinds of things A.S. can do for them." Budget concerns are one of the most pressing issues for students, *Photo illustration by Stefan Armijo said senior kinesiology major Do- mingo Castellanos, who is running for A.S. president. Students, faculty weigh in on Proposition 8 "If this costs any more, I'm not going to be able to go to school here either," he said. Donovan Farnham San Francisco Chronicle. system to work," he said. "I do believe jor, said he voted in favor of Proposition Castellanos said his position Staff Writer If the decisions regarding marriage we should vote on something over and 8, but takes a centrist point of view and as president of the Sigma Alpha were left up to SJSU students, then over again and it shouldn't be up to one thinks that same-sex couples should Epsilon fraternity has helped him The federal court case regarding the Judge Vaughn Walker, the federal judge person, one judge or a group of people still be allowed to legally be together. prepare for the A.S. presidency. validity of Proposition 8 is a question of hearing the case, would hear different to decide for the majority." "I didn't really have a reason," he "I learned to set deadlines whether the 14th Amendment applies to opinions. Asghar said that minority groups, said. "It may have been an ignorant for myself, be effi cient and make same-sex couples and the LGBT com- Billal Asghar, a global studies and be they religious or ethnic or otherwise, choice on my part, but I see marriage as tough decisions," he said. "The munity, according to James Brent, a health science double major, said if a should stick together to protect one an- between a man and a woman." correct decisions." SJSU political science professor. person's actions aren't hurting some- others' rights because if the rights of one The ruling on the Proposition 8 case Ivan Ng, a member of the Del- In November 2008, Californians one, then they should be given free rein group are taken away then there isn't a depends on whether same-sex couples ta Sigma Phi fraternity, said he passed Proposition 8 establishing that on how they live their lives, but that ma- guarantee for the rest. are considered a suspect class said thinks being in a fraternity would marriage is defi ned as a union between jority decisions should still stand. Billy Ray Haynes, a senior political give a candidate an edge in the a man and a woman, according to the "I'm for a democracy if we want our science and justice studies double ma- See PROP 8, Page 2 elections. "The Greek community is really active about voting from what I've HISTORY OF SAME-SEX MARRIAGE IN CALIFORNIA seen," said Ng, a junior graphic *Courtesy of UC Berkeley's Same Sex Overview and issues Web site, The Christian Science Monitor, The Los Angeles Times design major. "It defi nitely helps if you have that many more friends May 2008: California Supreme May 2009: California Supreme and brothers and sisters as sup- Court upholds Proposition 8 and the port." 1977: California defi nes 2000: Proposition 22 passes. California Court overturns Proposition 22. Same ban on same-sex marriages. marriage as legal union now only recognizes marriages between a sex marriage allowed. Ng said he would want a quali- between a man and a woman. man and a woman. fi ed candidate elected to offi ce. "It shouldn't just come down to who has the biggest group of friends," he said. 1999: California allows 2003: the Domestic Partnership Rights and Responsibili- Nov. 2008: Proposition 8 passes, Jan. 2010: Proposition domestic partnerships ties Act passes, giving same-sex couples the same rights as defi ning marriage as between a man 8 goes to the U.S. District for same-sex couples heterosexual couples, except for the title of marriage. and a woman in the Court. See ELECTION, Page 4 California Constitution.

Weather THESPARTANDAILY.COM TWITTER Online: CANDIDATE PROFILE Video: Meet the candidates: A.S. presidential election at thespartandaily.com Follow us at

@spartandaily Stefan Armijo for headlines straight to your Hi: 64° phone. Lo: 45° SPARTAN DAILY BLOGS Learn more about honorary degrees for Japanese-Americans

interned in World War II. Also, check out a VTA phone app Daily / Spartan made by an SJSU student at FACEBOOK spartandailynews.wordpress.com FS Become a fan Check out the coverage on the fi rst-round matchups at today’s and get the latest Western Athletic Conference Tournament at headlines straight Hi: 59° Hi: 60° spartandailysports.wordpress.com to you. facebook.com/ Lo: 42° Lo: 42° spartandaily See www.thespartandaily.com 2 NEWS Thursday, March 11, 2010

she said. “It would be so much PARKING more convenient if I could just CAMPUSVOICES BY ASHLEY FINDEN park on campus, but it’s just not From Page 1 possible.” Driving alone to campus A Fall 2009 survey conduct- amounted to less than half of ed by Transportation Solutions all forms of transportation to How do you get to school and why suggests that 46.8 percent of SJSU in Fall 2009, according to students are using alternative the survey. forms of transportation to get to VTA is a viable option in that form of transportation? school, which include the Valley terms of convenience, said Transportation Authority bus Brent Baer, a junior radio, tele- and light rail, regional transit, vision and fi lm major. carpooling and bicycling. “It’s almost easier and “We do surveys every year quicker to take VTA than driv- and they have been showing ing,” he said. “Light rail is never Eric Rizo Fahrim Kabir an increasing trend in alterna- really too crowded, and I have Freshman, Psychology Senior, Aerospace Engineering tive forms of transportation,” to walk a couple of blocks to get said Eyedin Zonobi, manager to campus, but it’s not that bad of Transportation Solutions at at all.” SJSU. Alternative forms of trans- According to the survey, portation have many benefi ts, since Fall 2001 the number Zonobi said, including being of students taking alternative more environmentally friendly forms of transportation has ris- and helping reduce parking is- en 22.4 percent while VTA use sues on campus. has risen 21.3 percent. “We don’t have enough Amanda Dougherty, a soph- parking, so alternative forms omore molecular biology ma- of transportation reduce the jor, said she takes VTA because impact on SJSU’s parking fa- of fi nancial reasons. cilities,” he said. “It also re- “I can’t afford a parking per- duces traffi c to campus and mit with all of the fee hikes,” downtown at the same time.” HOW STUDENTS GET TO SCHOOL (FALL 2009)

I take my car. It seems a little bit easier. It’s quick- I drive. I tried looking for a VTA route and it’s er than taking the public transportation. The near- kind of diffi cult because I live on a hill, so there’s Walk/skateboard/ est one, it would take like half and hour, whereas no transportation from the hill going down, so it’s rollerblade/scooter taking my car would take like 10 to 15 minutes. faster if I drive here. 12.1%

Bike 2.8%

Justin Yip Matt Cooper Drive alone Senior, English Sophomore, History 40.3% VTA Light Rail & bus 31.5%

Carpool & drop off Other modes 0.9 7.3% Regional transit 5.1%

*Source: SJSU Transportation Solutions

as something as complex and PROP 8 debated, as unclear and unde- fi ned as sexual orientation is." From Page 1 Jeff Lind, a senior behavior- al science and sociology major, I drove to school today. I live down Santa Clara I take the VTA, the light rail. It’s free. You get a said he thinks the LGBT com- Street so it’s not too far. It’s like 13 blocks from pass or sticker, and you just take it anywhere you Brent, chair of the political sci- munity should fall under the campus and driving is just the most want. ence department. suspect classifi cation. convenient. He said a “suspect class” "I think it defi nitely does is a politically weak and sup- deserve, at least, some consid- pressed group, and said he eration to be a suspect class thinks same-sex couples meet considering immutable char- the requirements. acteristics fall under that," he In this sense, Brent said gays said. "There are a lot of people fi t the defi nition and would coming out and saying that then fall under the protection it's not something you choose of the 14th Amendment. — it's something you're born Tehquin Tanner Joy Shang "All you have to do is take a with. It could be developed in Senior, Health Science Junior, Business Management look at the defi nition of a sus- the womb environment and pect class," he said. "It tends to there doesn't really seem to be be a politically powerless and a way to change it." insular minority that has a his- The majority vote on Prop- tory of discrimination against osition 8 is another sticking them." point for the two arguments Jim Campbell, a lawyer with because California voters de- the Alliance Defense Fund, an cided to defi ne marriage as organization fi ghting to uphold between a man and a woman, Proposition 8, said the argu- Campbell said. ment isn't valid because gays Protecting the people's have yet to be proven as a sus- majority vote is part of social pect class in federal court. policy and should be upheld, The Alliance Defense Fund, he said. according to its Web site, is a "When you're dealing with group of Christian lawyers who important matters of social represent cases involving mar- policy, it's important to allow riage law and religious expres- the people to have the fi nal sion. say," Campbell said. Campbell said the 9th U.S. Brent said the balance be- Circuit Court of Appeals set a tween the majority rule and precedent that sexual orienta- minority rights is a problem I always drive to the light rail and then take light tion does not fall under a sus- within democracies. I use a skateboard to get to school, and the reason pect class because the concept "The majority has a right I use a skateboard is ‘cause it’s a quicker way to rail and walk here. It actually saves a lot of gas of sexual orientation in social to rule," Brent said. "But they get to class and it’s a quicker way to get to campus. and also I really didn’t want to pay all those couple science literature is unclear. don't have a right to oppress of hundred of dollars for the parking permits. "It's a very unworkable the minority and this case cov- standard to set that as a sus- ers both." pect classifi cation," he said. The trial ended on Jan. 27, "Most suspect classifi cations but Judge Vaughn Walker has we deal with in the law, such as yet to schedule closing argu- race, are very cut and dried, not ments. Thursday, March 11, 2010 NEWS 3

TOP 10 NUTRITION TIPS Nutrition team exercises 1. Eat a rainbow every day Load up half your plate with colorful fruits and vegetables. The students’ health habits nutrients found in your vegetables boost your immune system and make you shine. Ashley Finden Waldrop said the team be- that stay with you for the rest Staff Writer gan as nothing more than a of your life," she said. "So any 2. Try eating instead of dieting master's project 12 years ago kind of positive change you can From the tuna diet to the lemon detox diet, nothing works as well Having a proper and bal- that modeled peer-to-peer nu- make right now is really an in- or feels as good as eating a variety of foods. Be skeptical of the anced diet helps students with tritional education. vestment in the quality of your diets that eliminate entire food groups and promise quick results. more than their weight and "The promotion of NEAT life right now as well as your physique, but also with their and programs, it's constant," future." 3. Chew your calories academics, according to a cam- Waldrop said. She also said be- Kelley DeGoode, a graduate Drinking calories will not fi ll you up like food does. One can of pus nutritionist. ing part of a commuter school student in occupational ther- coke a day can add 16 pounds of body fat in one year. (So can "Diet is so important for makes it harder for the team to apy, said she feels that people sweetened ice teas, lemonades, juice or any sweet beverage.) college students to know about get its name out. will choose healthy foods if because it plays such an im- She said the team doesn't al- they are out there. portant role in academic per- ways feel its name is recognized "As long as the options are 4. Eat more calcium and vitamin D formance," said Jennifer Wal- by students every semester. available, I see people going Add three cups of 1 percent or nonfat milk, soy milk, Lactaid or drop. "Some semesters you feel for healthy options," DeGoode yogurt to give you strong bones, healthy skin and healthy weight. The Nutrition Education like it really clicks and the word said. Action Team, a recognized stu- is out there, and sometimes Waldrop said the peers of 5. Being a couch potato is as bad for your dent organization that is run by you feel it's not quite there," the team guide students in ac- health as smoking students who lead workshops Waldrop said. quiring and keeping a healthy Moving 30 minutes every day is the No. 1 way to boost your and programs, focuses on im- The team is just one of the diet as well as to gain interest immune system and maintain a healthy weight. proving eating and the quality groups available at the Student in the issue. of food eaten on campus, said Health Center, she said. "We really show the how- 6. White bread blues Waldrop, the team's adviser. "There's another group to," she said. She said the team holds called PHE, which are the Peer Sophomore psychology Choosing oats, whole wheat breads and cereals, corn and brown events for students and faculty Health Educators," Waldrop major Anthony Bona said he rice will give you more protein, fi ber and keep your energy stable members to attend throughout said, which cover topics such thinks the team might help stu- during the day. the semester. as alcohol, drugs and violence dents eat healthier. An example of events led by prevention. "If it's informative and helps 7. Are you hungry or full the team led was "100% Diet- Waldrop said having a pro- get students on the right path Waiting 20 minutes after you eat will give your body time to re- free" held on Feb. 23, as listed gram where other students to having a balanced diet, then ceive the "fullness signal." on a schedule from the Student spread the word about person- I would say it's really helpful," Health Center. al health is much more effec- he said. 8. Don't drown your food At this workshop, there were tive than having a professional Waldrop said eating certain Try a burrito without the sour cream or a salad with half of the games and hands-on activities talk down to them. foods that fuel brain function for guests. "If you really want to make can help students stay stimu- dressing. Every time you reduce added fats, it will make a big Some topics covered at this a difference in students' health lated throughout the day, im- difference. event were ineffective diet and the way they live their proving focus and concentra- plans, the effects of a sedentary lives, rather than going from a tion. 9. Make friends, not fat cells lifestyle and methods to help professional top-down level," "One of the roles in diet that Share dessert with your friends and avoid getting over-hungry. This maintain a healthy weight. she said. is often overlooked is that a will help you choose sweets less often and consume fewer calories Senior spanish major Yesica Lopez said she feels that healthy diet can really help im- overall. Lopez said she has never heard having peers teach other stu- prove your grades," she said. of the team before but thinks dents is benefi cial. Vincent Woodruff, a gradu- 10. Play mind games having programs and work- The nutritional advice and ate student in English, said Your perception plays a big role in how much you eat and when shops that educate students education offered through the people do not necessarily need about healthy eating habits team can benefi t students for to learn more about a balanced you feel full. Using a smaller plate or cup will reduce your portion would be a positive thing. their entire lives, Waldrop said. diet, but should be more active size. "I think we should have stu- "A lot of the health behav- in their diet. dents who help us with our diet iors that you have right now, "I think everyone should *Tips courtesy of Student Health Center info sheet. because (most) of the students as far as eating and stress understand what they're intak- are obese," Lopez said. management, these are things ing," Woodruff said. AROUND DOWNTOWN SAN JOSE

FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY 12 13 14

Alternative country San Jose Sharks host the Musical fun with the band Three Bad Jacks Florida Panthers at HP fi rst Broadway col- rocks the Blank Club Pavilion (525 W. Santa laboration between (44 S. Almaden Ave.) Clara St.) in the only game George and Ira ... Tickets are $10 between the teams this sea- Gershwin, Theater ..."Cowpunk" starts at son ... Tickets range from On San Pedro Square 10 p.m. $21 to $182 ... Puck drops (29 N. San Pedro St.) at 1 p.m. presents "Lady, Be Folk singer-songwriter Good"... Tickets range Vicki Genfan (Guitar More than 100 local artists from $15 to $24 ... Player Magazine's display one-of-a-kind works Show starts at 2 p.m. Player of the Year) in Monotype Marathon opens the sixth an- 2010 exhibit at the San Last showing of Tony nual Guitar Solo and Jose Institute of Contempo- Award-winning “25th Ensemble Festival rary Art (560 S. First St.) Annual Putnam County at Le Petit Trianon ... Entrance is free ... Open Spelling Bee” at Theatre (72 N. Fifth from noon until 5 p.m. MonMontgomery Theater St.) ... Tickets are $25 (2(271 S. Market St.) reserved seating, $15 ... Tickets are $22 ... unreserved ... Finger- Laughter commences picking begins at 7 at 1 p.m. p.m. 4 NEWS Thursday, March 11, 2010 ‘Transsexual Sweetheart’ recounts tough transition

Anna-Maria Kostovska ican Psycho” as an example to “(Transition is) never easy, Staff Writer demonstrate that it doesn’t it’s never perfect and it’s never matter how much some people over,” she said. “But it does get Calpernia Addams, “Amer- argue that the main character, easier, it does get better and it ica’s Transsexual Sweetheart,” Patrick Bateman, is not a trans does get less important as you said she is now comfortable person. progress into your life.” being imperfect, even though “People don’t listen to that,” Junior art major Esther some people had told her she Addams said. “They remember Fuentes said the event was in- would look hideous as a wom- the images they see, and the formative and that she was glad an. image they see (in ‘American she had been able to attend. “It got to the point where I Psycho’) is somebody they per- Fuentes said she found it (said) ... if I don’t do this, I don’t ceive with a male body dressed interesting to learn about what know if I want to be alive,” Ad- in women’s clothes, with a knife trans people go through in their dams said. going in and out of the pretty lives, aside from the physical More than 100 people at- lady.” changes, and that events such tended Addams’ event “Trans Senior psychology ma- as Addams’ lecture help bring 101 with America’s Transsexual awareness to the transgender (From left to right) The A.S. presidential candidates: Domingo Castellanos, Paul Yula, Sweetheart, Calpernia Addams” community. Tomasz Kolodziejak. in the SJSU University Room at It got to the point Senior health major Vincent PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY STEFAN ARMIJO noon on Wednesday. Glass said he found the event to Addams began by show- “where I (said) ... be a learning experience. ing a slide show titled “Media Glass said he also liked the in Transition,” which showed if I don’t do this, panel discussion that followed $7 million nonprofi t organi- Yula, a senior animation how various forms of media Addams’ lecture and the fact ELECTION zation, Kolodziejak said. and illustration major, said throughout history have depict- I don’t know if I that the panelists — Dani- "Most people don't real- he fi rst became involved in ed “trans people” — this phrase, elle Anderson-Castro, Dante, From Page 1 ize what a huge responsibil- campus politics when he read along with “trans women” and want to be alive. Amanda Clark and Skye Ander- ity it is," he said. "Someone the Student Union was being “trans men,” was terminol- son — were a diverse group. Castellanos said his inti- responsible should take the renovated. ogy used by Addams during the Calpernia Addams” One of the panelists, Dante, mate knowledge of what stu- job and students should be "I wanted to know why event. “America’s Transsexual said he is a senior art major dents want and need would well-informed because this is there were crumbling walls She said that trans women Sweetheart” who transitioned recently while make him an excellent A.S. really a big deal." in the Art building while we have been scrutinized by the attending classes at SJSU. president. Kolodziejak said being an were building a state-of-the- media, because they are less jor Jessica Moreno said she He said one of the main rea- "I believe I can bring all international business major art Student Union," he said. likely to blend into society than thought the event was an eye- sons some trans people take my different skills and pro- would help him in his posi- "Very few students knew trans men. opening experience. hormones is to be who they gramming and knowledge of tion as A.S. president. they were actually paying for Addams said the passage of “I found (Addams) very have always felt they are. the university back to A.S. Senior accounting major a new Student Union in an time has changed the percep- charismatic and personable, Anderson-Castro, who said and help the student body," Jared Lee said fi ghting fee economy with budget cuts." tion of trans people and that which I really enjoyed,” she not all trans people take hor- he said. increases should be the No. 1 Yula said he decided to new media such as the Internet said. mones, also said that people Castellanos said his posi- priority for A.S. run for offi ce after seeing the have enabled trans people to During a brief question-and- should look at gender as a spec- tion as an orientation leader "I'd vote for the one who scope of the issues on cam- show who they are. answer session after her lec- trum rather than binary. for incoming freshmen taught worked the hardest to lower pus. She said certain movies have ture, Addams said her life dur- “We’re not crazy just be- him the ability to think on his tuition," he said. Ismael Barrera, a senior shone a negative light on trans ing and after the transition has cause we’re transgender,” she feet and adjust quickly to sit- Funding for higher educa- justice studies major, said people, using the movie “Amer- been a tough journey. said. uations. tion is the most important is- he'd be most likely to vote for "This is my fi rst experi- sue in 2010, Kolodziejak said. someone who tried to raise ence in a position inside A.S., "I can't guarantee that enrollment for qualifi ed stu- so I'm still learning," he said. we'll stop the budget cuts, dents. THIS DAY IN HISTORY "I have experience talking to but I can guarantee that we'll "I'd want a candidate that offi cials and working on the fi ght to stop the budget cuts," knows what students are go- front lines with students, so he said. ing through and fi ghts for the it's not like I'm starting brand Kolodziejak said students individuals that really want new." should come to the A.S. to be here," he said. "That's Tomasz Kolodziejak, who House when they need help. what a lot of people here need is also running for president, "A.S. should be a symbol — just help and support." said he thinks his current of trust and a home away Yula said he wanted to position as A.S. director of from home, especially for make the resources that are intercultural affairs has pre- commuters," he said. available more accessible and pared him for the job. Kolodziejak said raising well-known. "In order to change some- student awareness about A.S. "There are so many stu- thing, it's crucial to know how is crucial. dents who are smart and tal- it works and I feel I know how "In order to really help ented people and I think we A.S. works well," Kolodziejak someone, they need to know have a lot of potential," he said. "I'm good at listening to you exist," he said. "We said. "I think students are people and I communicate should reach out to all com- very low on the priority list." well with different students." munities — Greek, interna- The skills necessary for Abhay Borade, a senior tional and to different ethnic the animation and illustra- aviation management major, groups and departments on tion major would be valuable said someone already in the campus." for an A.S. president, Yula A.S. system would be more The third presidential said. qualifi ed than others. candidate, Paul Yula, said "It taught me self-disci- "You'd waste a lot of time his older sister's position as pline and time management," On March 11, 1996 the Spartan Daily reported that ... trying to train them and it a BART representative and he said. "I learned to break wouldn't be until the third his mother's position as a complex tasks into workable Olivier Saint-Jean celebrates the SJSU men's basketball team's victory over Utah State or fourth month that they re- teacher's union representa- parts." 76-75, winning the Big West Championship (above). Saint-Jean is now known as ally learned the position," he tive made political awareness Yula said he was con- Tariq Abdul-Wahad. said. "You want someone who a part of his life. cerned about transparency • Students in Hoover, Allen and Moulder • Associated Students awarded the knows the logistics of what's "Hearing their stories and accessibility in A.S. halls had to look for alternate sources Interfraternity Council $7,000 to send already in place in the orga- taught me issues about bu- "People care about what of entertainment after their 52-inch information booklets about fraternities nization." reaucracy and the roadblocks happens on campus," he said. big screen televisions were stolen. and sororities to incoming students. Few students know the for people on the ground do- "It just needs to be made con- A.S. president is the CEO of a ing the real work," he said. venient for them." Thursday, March 11, 2010 A & E 5 Rock country concert croons tunes

Melissa Sabile mic with to sing a Staff Writer new, slower duet song “Reno,” which tugged at the audiences’ heartstrings. On the stage, Cowan shared REVIEW with the audience that the The breaks most important things in life southern ground in Northern were “good beer, good music, California during Wednesday and good friends,” as he closed night’s performance at SJSU. with a crowd favorite, “Cuttin’ The Event Center was Loose.” packed with cowboys and Brief video footage played country girls, on a screen, all waiting anx- allowing the iously for Zac audience to Brown to come Zac Brown stayed have a back- on stage. “on stage the entire stage look at Joey and what has been Rory, a coun- night, playing and going on with try-singing hus- the Break- band and wife singing along with ing Southern duo, hosted the Ground Tour show and the each artist. so far. crowd screamed The crowd along as they cheered as the played their hit ” video showed song “Cheater, Zac Brown Cheater.” Band winning Although the tour featured its first Grammy for the best openers Levi Lowrey, Sonia new artist. Zac Brown Band performed Wednesday night at the Event Center. Leigh, and Nic Cowan, Zac Then, as the lights went PHOTOS BY MELISSA SABILE / SPARTAN DAILY Brown stayed on stage the en- dead, Zac Brown walked back tire night, playing and singing on stage and started singing along with each artist. his hit song “.” because he played the most their instruments, making the Levi Lowrey and Sonia Leigh The band continued to play amazing fiddle I’ve ever heard. song more electric than ever. were both typical country art- its familiar hit songs, and then As flames But the high- ists, but the heartthrob opener startled the crowd with a new flew up on light of the night was newcomer Nic Cowan. song “Falling In Love As She’s the moni- was when Zac Easy on the eyes and with Walking Away,” which harmo- tors, Zac Th is was the best Brown Band belt- a husky country voice, Cowan nized not only the voices of the Brown ed out its hit song started out with a song off his band members, but their in- Band“ country concert “,” new CD — produced by none struments as well. played an and had the en- other than Zac Brown himself Bassist John Hopkins’ abil- old country I’ve seen in a long tire crowd singing — and got the audience sing- ity to jam impressed me and favorite, along. ing along with the catchy tune gave me a new appreciation for “The Devil time. This was the “Gutter Song.” his role in the band. Went Down best country con- Cowan then performed Coy Bowles changed it to Georgia,” ” cert I’ve seen another song called “Hard up as he went from guitar to and rocked in a long time. Headed,” which was about be- cello and back to guitar, mak- it better Zac Brown Band ing who you are and not wor- ing each switch with as much than Charlie Daniels could. turned the Breaking Southern rying about what others think country twang as he could. The song played in what Ground tour into a fun, heart- of you. My favorite member of the seemed like double time as felt concert and left me wanting Nic Cowan opened Zac Brown Band on Cowan then shared the band was Jimmy De Martini, each band member mashed on to see them in concert again. Wednesday night at the Event Center.

Be counted, Santa Clara County!

It’s easy.

It’s safe. It’s important for our schools, roads, hospitals …

Mail back the Census form by April 1st ! 6 A & E Thursday, March 11, 2010 Mystery thriller Organic energy searches for justice drink revitalizes Melissa Johnson Staff Writer DRINK OF THE WEEK Eric Bennett shoes and is tired of the lazy Ameri- Melissa Johnson / Spartan Daily Staff Writer cans who do nothing to help. The thought of writing note card Mooney takes matters into his own after note card while studying for a lightly carbon- hands and begins subjecting the chil- midterm, reading through endless ated green tea, dren of the nation’s wealthiest families chapters in microscopic font, and and with the to his own world affairs exam. writing three papers made we want next few sips, REVIEW The questions are daunting and ex- to throw everything out the window I could taste In James Patterson’s newest mys- traneous, considering what a child’s and forget about my responsibility the acai berry- tery novel, “Worst Case,” it’s up to common knowledge would include. as a student altogether. infused fl avor family man and NYPD cop Michael Patterson does a scary job of depicting The tasks at hand appeared to be too. Bennett and stalwart FBI agent Emily how little we may actually know re- redundant and tiresome as the eve- When I Parker to thwart a serial killer’s tortur- garding matters outside of what we’ll ning hours approached. poured it into a ous attempt at saving the world. consume next. I’ll admit that I fall victim to con- glass, it looked This read was a thrill ride from the Mooney administers the tests to de- suming excessive amounts of coffee like a typical get-go. The riveting suspense made it termine whether the kids are “worthy” when necessary for these situa- golden-hued impossible to put down until I fi nished enough to inhabit a world in which re- tions, and I’ve fallen prey to those energy drink, reading, just days after fl ipping past sources are becoming scarcer. mass-marketed energy drinks in but it certainly the fi rst page. If you love hanging on In a life-or-death midterm, the kids the past. didn’t taste the edge of your seat, like I was even of the nation’s most wealthy men and But this time I was determined anything like in the discomfort of a bus seat, you’ll women struggle to fi nd the answers to to reach for something new. that. It had a more natural, earthy enjoy this page-turner. their abductor’s questions — all with I needed an energy boost, so I taste. The book’s kidnapping anarchist, Courtesy of Google Books the most prestigious education money opted to search for a drink in the After consuming the whole can Francis X. Mooney, juggles abducting can buy. one “healthy alternative” section at in less than 30 minutes, the wait children with his job at a lawyer ad- Boy-crazy teenager Chelsea Skin- Safeway — and I discovered a win- had begun to see how my body vocacy group, which he describes as We fi nd out Mooney is suffer- ner, for instance, doesn’t know how ner that only cost me $2.09. would react to this new substance. a “Forbes 100, top-fl ight, bill-or-die” ing from terminal lung cancer and much clean water is used to wash her Upon fi rst glance, this 12-ounce Wow — I actually did feel re- corporate fi rm. is on some crazy vigilante mission to Dolce & Gabbana jeans or Abercrom- evergreen aluminum can, with the freshed for hours. He has access to some of the high- bring order to the U.S. He has an is- bie & Fitch shirt after her kidnapper words “Steaz Energy” on the label, I was genuinely attentive to my est net worth individuals on the East sue with how negligent Americans are tells her 1.1 billion people in the world appeared to bear resemblance to studies. I didn’t feel a massive rush Coast because he also works as a phi- regarding real-life world issues, such lack access to fresh drinking water. all those other highly caffeinated, of energy, coupled with a horrible lanthropy consultant. With a naturally as “abject hunger in the world’s rich- Meanwhile, Bennett and Parker sugar-saturated drinks that would breakdown that took every ounce gifted mind and the help of drugs such est nation” or how much gasoline the are hot on Mooney’s trail, but the kid- be kryptonite to any diabetic. of willpower left within me. as speed, he stays one step ahead of U.S. consumes. napper is no slouch and was himself a The difference is that Steaz Quite the contrary, actually. the law. I felt a connection to Mooney’s char- young prodigy in the Ivy League. claims to be “organic fuel for the I was able to press on, well into Bennett, a single dad with 10 kids, acter, because I have always wanted to The trails lead to dead ends such mind, body and soul,” which defi - the early morning hours and write is a sarcastic, salt-and-pepper-haired stand up for something I believe in but as the slums of the Bronx, where the nitely sold me on the beverage and study effi ciently as if I were do- cop who lives to hunt down people like have never had the guts to do so. abductor has left behind the “unwor- — and the fact that it’s made with ing it for fun. Mooney — when the circus at his house Granted, most people in their right thy” in the basement boiler rooms of “Fair Trade Certifi ed” green tea is My body reacted as if I had got- isn’t full-blown. minds would never go to the great crack houses. a plus. ten a full, good night’s rest — that’s His partner Parker, is a sassy, suc- lengths Mooney does, but you can tell Mooney views New York City as a I’m all for respecting the com- how energetic this drink made me cessful, I-can-hold-my-own type of Patterson himself has a problem with microcosm of what America truly is, a munity and the environment. feel. It’s ironic to me, the title of federal agent. But she also has a kind how mum this country is on real is- place built by slavery and war. It’s up When drinking my usual coffee this drink, “Steaz.” side to her — as a single mother, she sues, local and global. to Bennett and Parker to get inside the or energy drink, those ultra-jittery I think of style with ease, can appreciate how hard Bennett The kidnapper’s fi rst target is the head of the killer and stymie his deadly feelings I tend to have, which turn kind of like that hip-hop song, works to keep his family afl oat. son of Donald Dunning, billionaire plot to counteract corruption and self- into migraine-inducing night- “You Know My Steez,” by What I enjoy most about reading CEO of Latvium, a multinational phar- ishness in America. mares, haven’t served the purpose Gang Starr. I recommend listen- this genre is that there is less time maceutical company whose stock, If you like suspense, you’ll enjoy of keeping me alert and focused ing to that song while drinking this spent on numerous character devel- Mooney believes, rises on the “corpses this page-turner. for extended periods of time — but beverage and you’ll understand opments and more pages devoted to of the world’s poor.” Even while reading uncomfortably Steaz defi nitely did the job. why drinking Steaz will set you action, all while bringing major world Mooney is convinced that a CEO in a cramped bus, my eyes couldn’t With the fi rst sip that hit my apart from all those Monsters and and political issues to the forefront of such as Dunning could afford to save drift from the drama unfurling on lips, I instantly noticed the taste of Rockstars. readers’ minds. 20 lives with what he spends on his the pages. Thursday, March 11, 2010 OPINION 7 Questioning The walking Bermuda Triangle

I am not a complete idiot when it The wireless connec- The computer contin- my future comes to technology. tion didn’t work well on ued in this manner until I grew up with my brother building my computer to begin one fateful Tuesday eve- OK, I am defi nitely aware that computers in our family room while my with, and once the pass- ning. I was putting my I am not supposed to be having dad and I played games on either the word was changed, ev- backpack into the back- a midlife crisis for at least an- Commodore 128 or on the Atari 2600. eryone in my apartment, seat of a friend’s car when other 20 years, but at the tender I do know something about the nu- aside from me, was able it missed the seat and age of 21, I fi nd myself question- ances of computers and can troubleshoot to get on the Internet. landed hard on the cement ing what I’m doing with my life, my way out of a lot of technological prob- Did I do something to beside the car. I heard the wondering “Where do I go from lems. technology? Did I hurt it crack of my laptop hitting here?” My theory is that technology simply in some way? Did I ag- Kristen Pearson the driveway. As I was talking to my aca- hates me. There can be no other explana- gravate the computer After praying that my demic adviser, I realized that tion for computers inexplicably shutting gods sometime during Staff Writer computer was OK, I fi- though my graduation is a year Jhenene Louis down in my presence without me press- the age of 22? nally got home, turned it away, I have no concrete plans ing any buttons. To be honest, I think technology is on and found that it finally was working after college, other than to travel Staff Writer Every bad thing I could have ever pointless. What can I do with it anyway? again, like it used to work before the blink- and visit a Third World country. imagined has happened to my computer, I’m not going to be living in the United ing line of doom ever appeared. There is no way I’m going to of journalism. camera and anything else technological States much longer and the technology we It turned on immediately, booted up move back in with my parents Easier said than done. in my apartment. use here will certainly not work in Third immediately and completely skipped the after four years of being on my Next year will be my fi fth I lived in Tanzania for eight months in World countries. blank screen with the blinking white dash. own, and if I work at Nordstrom year of college, and I barely 2008. I thought then that the humidity, I want to go back to the days of playing What are the chances that dropping a for another year, I will have a have enough money to go to dust and sand affected my phone, camera “The Adventures of Alice in Wonderland” laptop flat on the ground would finally get nervous breakdown! the grocery store let alone New and laptop because they all died while I on my Commodore 128, “Pong” on the it to work properly? If I don’t fold another pair of York City. was there, but I realize now that technol- Atari 2600, “Crystal Caves” on my DOS Maybe that’s what we should be doing jeans or greet another customer, I’m not saying I want to live ogy and I don’t get along. computer, “Sonic the Hedgehog” on Sega to all technology. Any way you look at it, a that would be more than fi ne the lifestyle of the rich and fa- My phone speaker completely quit Genesis, or even “Spyro the Dragon” on nonfunctional computer or camera would with me. mous. I just want to be some- working, so I could talk to people but not the original PlayStation. not be any more damaged than before if I remember in elementary what comfortable. hear them. I’ve had numerous issues with laptops, you give them a good whack. school when the teacher assigned In my public relations My digital camera lens would not other than the Internet connection prob- I’ve determined, however, that I am not us to do oral reports about what class we had a guest speaker move and the camera refused to turn on lem at my apartment. technology illiterate, because I can eas- we wanted to do when we were named Sheri Benjamin, CEO without the lens in operating condition. My favorite computer-related memory ily troubleshoot my problems, and when adults. and founder of The Benjamin And my computer fan essentially ex- happened about two months ago. I take the technology to experts, they go I can’t help but notice that our Group, a public relations and ploded, which was fortunately fixable af- Every day, I would turn on the laptop through the same motions I’ve already ideas about what we wanted to communications company. ter my dad brought me a new fan. and wait. Some days, it booted up imme- gone through. be have changed drastically from She was a SJSU graduate There are no other explanations for diately. Some days, I would need to plug it I’ve decided I must be a technology im- what we are actually doing now. who originally started out as a why technology dies in my presence. in for the welcome screen to appear. And postor. My friend Christina wanted journalism major but switched In my small apartment, my roommate some days, the screen would remain black It’s not that I don’t want to work with to be one of the fi rst female as- to public relations. recently “fixed” our wireless connection with a blinking white line in the top left technology — technology doesn’t want me tronauts in space. Instead, she I asked Benjamin why she by changing the password. corner. to work with it. works at the front desk of the switched and she told me she Ritz Carlton hotel in San Fran- felt cheated, that journalism cisco. was not what she thought it My other friend Sarah wanted would be. to be a congresswoman, but now I told her I had an empha- An ordinance you can’t sit on she is a secretary for a real estate sis in magazine journalism and company. that I wanted to have a career San Francisco Mayor Gavin ing laws to stop panhandlers. ly a violation of anybody’s rights.” Most of my friends have in fashion journalism. Newsom went for a walk with his A similar law passed in the city A similar law didn’t pass in either never been to or ever Benjamin asked me what I baby daughter on a Saturday. of Santa Cruz, and the city’s may- Portland, Ore. because it was planned on going to college, but thought was an easy question On this morning walk, he saw or, Mike Rotkin, said he thinks it’s found to be unconstitutional. they are still useful members of — did I want to make money or someone on the sidewalk along a positive law, during a KQED ra- A Multnomah County judge society. did I want to be poor? Haight Street smoking crack. dio show with Michael Krasny. ruled that “Portland’s sidewalk I’m not completely naive — I I said make money, of Suddenly, it became clear for When asked what would hap- law is unconstitutional because understand that attending a uni- course. the mayor that anyone sitting or pen if the most vulnerable mem- it gives police the power to ticket versity does not guarantee a life She told me to rethink my lying on the sidewalk could be bers of the community would people for simply sitting on the of success and bliss. career path. dangerous. be affected, Rotkin responded edge of the sidewalk,” according All I want is a little insur- Although I found her advice This event prompted him Michelle Gachet “there’s always a potential for to a June 23 article in the Orego- ance. to be cutthroat, I couldn’t help to support the “sit/lie” citywide that.” nian. I fi nd myself asking the ques- but think that maybe she was ordinance proposed by George Rebel With Michelle Rotkin said the law that would Prohibiting people from sit- tion “Is the emotional and fi nan- right. Gascon, San Francisco’s chief of make sitting down or lying on the ting and lying on the street does cial stress of college worth a per- After talking with Benjamin, police. complaining over panhandling, sidewalk unacceptable behavior is not solve anything. It’s just a big son’s mental well-being?” I asked myself whether it was Forget about sitting down to according to a Feb. 27 article in “legal, constitutional and not real- excuse. I had a 10-year plan. I was really so simple to make deci- tie your shoe. the SF Chronicle. going to graduate from college sions about the future I wanted The ordinance would give Some of the Haight residents in four years, move to New York for myself. police offi cers the authority to argue that individuals intimidate city and, after working a few I realized this type of deci- arrest individuals who are sit- them with pit bulls, and residents dead-end jobs, Graydon Carter sion should be more complex. ting or lying on the sidewalk. of San Francisco apparently sup- would love one of my many Sooner or later we all need to It would be up to the police of- port this ordinance as a way to query letters and I would fi nally grasp reality, stop dreaming, fi cers’ judgment to determine stop panhandling, intimidation write for Vanity Fair magazine, and start actually living our who to inspect or ask to move and fear when walking on the becoming the Carrie Bradshaw lives. off the sidewalk. street. How about calling it the If someone demands that you “ethnic race profi ling/no more give up your belongings with men- homelessness” ordinance? acing, growling pit bulls, would Calling this ordinance “Sit/ they be sitting down? Comment online lie” doesn’t make it justice. I agree, there shouldn’t be There are hundreds of people people using dogs as tools of in- about any of the who live on the streets of San timidation on the street, but what Francisco, according to an article does that have to do with sitting articles in the in the San Francisco Chronicle. down or lying on the sidewalk? Spartan Daily This seems to be the solution Nothing at all. to make San Francisco attractive The police argue that with the for tourists while displacing all ordinance they could respond the homeless people. to crimes before they happen. If at theSpartanDaily.com Sitting or lying on the side- nothing happens, then what’s the walk is not a crime. crime? Residents of the Haight-Ash- The police should fi nd another bury neighborhood have been way to enforce the already exist- Jose Eduardo Morales / Contributing Illustrator

STAFF WRITERS SENIOR STAFF WRITERS OPINION PAGE POLICY Justin Albert Melissa Johnson Hank Drew Letters to the editor may be placed in the San Jose State University San Jose, CA 95192-0149 Regina Aquino Hannah Keirns Scott Reyburn letters to the editor box in the Spartan Daily Phone: (408) 924-3281 Eric Austin Anna-Maria Kostovska Tommy Wright offi ce in Dwight Bentel Hall, Room 209, Eric Bennett Jhenene Louis Jon Xavier sent by fax to (408) 924-3282, e-mailed to SPARTAN DAILY STAFF Ben Cadena Marlon Maloney [email protected] or mailed to the Amaris Dominguez Andrew Martinez STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Spartan Daily Opinon Editor, San Jose, CA Joey Akeley, Executive Editor Jasmine Duarte Kathryn McCormick 95192-0149. Nelson Aburto Husain Sumra, Managing Editor Jenn Elias Kristen Pearson Briana Calderon Kirsten Aguilar, Multimedia Editor Donovan Farnham Melissa Sabile Letters to the editor must contain the author’s Andrew Villa Michelle Gachet, Multimedia Editor Ashley Finden Matt Santolla name, address, phone number, signature Kibiwot Limo Suzanne Yada, Online/Copy Editor Lidia Gonzalez Angelo Scrofani and major. Letters become property of the Leonard Lai, Opinion Editor Salman Haqqi Amber Simons DISTRIBUTION Spartan Daily and may be edited for clarity, Jill Abell, Features Editor Daniel Herberholz Eric Van Susteren grammar, libel and length. Only letters of Kyle Szymanski, Sports Editor Kevin Hume Shiva Zahirfar Piyush Bansal 300 words or less will be considered for Minh Pham, A & E Editor Alicia Johnson Gurdip Chera publication. Jennifer Hadley, A & E Editor Ryan Fernandez, Copy Editor ADVISERS Published opinions and advertisements Angelo Lanham, Copy Editor ADVERTISING STAFF Richard Craig, News do not necessarily refl ect the views of the Stefan Armijo, Photo Editor Spartan Daily, the School of Journalism and My Nguyen, Production Editor Nicholette Bankmann Alan Nguyen Mack Lundstrom, News Brooke Carpenter Karl Nguyen Jan Shaw, News Mass Communication or SJSU. The Spartan Rachel Peterson, Production Editor Daily is a public forum. Jenny Ngo, Advertising Director Sarah Clark Darren Pinto Kim Komenich, Photojournalism Shirlene Kwan, Creative Director Melissa Funtanilla Alan Potter Tim Hendrick, Advertising Amy Donecho, Assistant Advertising Director Amanda Geannacopulos Tyler Swasey Tim Burke, Production Chief Tanya Flores, Assistant Creative Director Kristopher Lepiten Daniel Tesfay Tim Mitchell, Design Jon Nemeth Phong Tran Pat Wallraven, Business Manager 8 SPORTS Thursday, March 11, 2010 Spartan hit parade tames Salukis Eric Bennett Jones said the team’s suc- sively and working the counts.” Staff Writer cess was due in large part to In limited action, Guzman adjustments it made to its hit- made the most of it and was The Spartans rode an early ting techniques in practice af- on target from the start, giving offensive explosion to an 18-6 ter it was outscored 25-11 in its up only one run. With the busy victory over Southern Illinois three-game series with Santa schedule ahead for SJSU, the on Wednesday night. Clara last weekend. Spartans had planned on rotat- SJSU cranked out seven hits “After the Santa Clara series, ing in multiple pitchers. and seven runs in the second we were down on ourselves,” Salukis starting pitcher Aar- inning alone to jump out to said Jones, who fi nished 3-for- on Snyder was dealt the loss an early lead. Spartans’ third 5 with four RBI. “This was just after giving up the fi rst seven baseman Zach Jones sparked what we runs before be- the early onslaught with a two- needed.” Th is was just ing yanked in run triple. Jones was“ the second in- The Spartans (5-5) were a home run what we needed. ning. Southern hoping to build some momen- away from a Illinois fi nished tum heading into a daunting cycle, record- Zach Jones with 11 hits. stretch of fi ve games in as many ing a single, ” Spartans fi rst Third baseman days, said head coach Sam Pi- double and basemen Breyon raro. triple. Jones Canez fi nished “The hitting took a step for- even offered his pitching ser- 0-for-0 but still contributed ward,” he said. “We still have vices in the ninth inning. two RBI in sacrifi ce situations. our issues. Our pitching is not Piraro said that Jones is “I was just trying to help where we want it to be, but we making strides as a hitter and out the team anyway I could,” had a great approach to hit- has the potential to be a game- Canez said. “Tonight I was able ting.” changer. to do that without actually get- The Salukis (4-7) got on the “As he develops, Zach will ting any hits.” board in the third inning when become a prolifi c player,” Spartans second basemen Michael Stalter was struck he said. “He still has a lot to Karson Klauer was 3-for-5 with by an errant pitch from SJSU learn.” three RBI. pitcher Craig Broussard with Starting pitcher Esteban The Spartans fi nished with the bases loaded. Guzman (1-3) notched the vic- 21 hits and Piraro said that was SJSU kept the heat up in tory for the Spartans despite because how patient his players the next three innings, adding only two innings of work. Guz- were at the plate. multiple runs in each. Spartan man struck out fi ve of the six “I was very pleased with infi elder Alex Sofranac had an batters he faced. our hitters approach,” he said. RBI-single and Jones added an “He was explosive,” Piraro “Our lineup across the board RBI-double in the fi fth inning said of Guzman’s performance. was very disciplined. That was to put the game seemingly out “His breaking ball was very defi nitely the highlight, which of reach. crisp. He was pitching aggres- is very rewarding as a coach.”

Zach Jones (above) looks at a strike during the Spartans 18-6 win over Southern Illinois on Wedneday. Jones was a home run short of hitting for the cycle. Corey Valine (left) rounds third in SJSU’s rout of the Salukis. Salukis Infi elder Blake Ponnon (right) slides into second base as SJSU’s Karson Klauer tries to turn a double play. The Spartans are now 5-5 this season. SJSU heads into a fi ve-team tournament this weekend with Santa Clara, Air Force, UC Davis and Southern Illinois.

CLIFFORD GRODIN AND NELSON ABURTO / Spartan Daily SJSU co-hosting Jack Gifford Memorial Tournament baseball tournament Jasmine Durante ment," said SJSU head coach Who: Staff Writer Sam Piraro. There are certain Air Force, UC Davis, Santa Clara and aspects of our game we are try- SJSU and Santa Clara Uni- ing to make incremental im- Southern Illinois versity will co-host the inau- provements on." gural Jack Gifford Memorial Piraro said he has high Where: Municipal Stadium, Stephen Schott Stadium- Tournament today through hopes for his team in this tour- Sunday. nament. When: Today, tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday SJSU, Santa Clara Universi- “There are areas of our team ty, UC Davis, Southern Illinois that are below standard," he University and the Air Force said. "This coming week is a big Matchups: Southern Illinois (13-7) at Santa Clara (5-5), Air Academy will take part in a week for us. We want to do well, Force (3-9) at UC Davis (6-6), Southern Illinois at UC Davis, Air 10-game baseball tournament, win, and make some drastic im- said Doga Gur, assistant sports provements.” Force at SJSU (5-5), Santa Clara at Air Force, UC Davis at Santa information director. SJSU is 5-5 this season. Five of the games will be “At the end of the day, and at Clara, SJSU at Southern Illinois, San Jose State at Air Force, Santa played at San Jose Municipal the end of this tournament, we Stadium and the other fi ve at want to come out with a win,” Clara at Southern Illinois, UC Davis At SJSU Santa Clara’s Stephen Schott SJSU outfi elder Alex Sofranac Stadium, according to an SJSU said. Athletics news release. After being swept in a three- “We’re trying to get our legs game series to Santa Clara Uni- on the ground with this tourna- versity over the weekend, the Spartans hope to recuperate, said SJSU pitcher John Austin. “We are trying to bounce back from our loss over the weekend," he said. "We hope to win all of them this weekend.” The tournament was named after the late Jack Gifford, who was a fan of college baseball and a long-time supporter of several Bay Area colleges, in- cluding SJSU and Santa Clara University, according to the news release and SJSU baseball Web site. Gur said the Spartan batting cages at Blethen Field are just some of the many contributions Gifford made to the team.