By Madison Thill  Simpson’s homecoming and family weekend is here!     Photo by Simpson University Alumni   This week, join us for several events including the Boat Regatta, the Music Department Fall Concert, the Flag Football game, and more.     Maddy Heard, a Simpson student, said she’s most excited for time with her family because her “...extended family is coming all the way from Arizona to see [her].”     This Saturday, attend the home football game vs Montana Western and the basketball game vs Nelson University!     We were also excited to reveal our homecoming king and queen at Chapel last week.     Freshmen: Braeden Burbank and Hailey Cruz  Sophomores: Troy Smith and Esther Vakulchik  Juniors: Michael Lee and Sophia Kelley  Seniors: Jace Mills and Lana Lucin    “I was very excited to find out that I won because it’s my senior year and I can always have that as a college memory,” said Lucin.     The homecoming dance will be at 10 p.m. after the basketball game. See you this weekend!     Homecoming Schedule & Info: https://simpsonu.edu/homecoming/

By Ryan Gavin The Red Hawks press play as they enter the digital arena.   It’s an idea th at’s been brewing for a while and has finally been realized; Esports is the latest addition to Simpon’s campus.  Located in the Owen’s Center on Simpson’s campus, the Esports Hub has been a hotspot for students to unwind, watch TV, or play video games.  Simpson's Esports Hub located in the Owen's Center With the addition of the Esports team, the game room has been closed to the public, and the university installed four advanced gaming setups.  AJ Raffaelli is the Esports team captain. He ensures that the team is fit for competition and getting better at the games.  “I also coordinate more of the behind-the-scenes stuff. If there’s an issue with the match, I can talk to the league officials and make sure everything’s okay,” Raffaelli said.  The Esports club has been around for a while. It offered an outlet for students to join on-campus contests and have fun.  “Last year we did a lot of more fun events, so we would set up a TV, play Mario Kart or Smash Bros. And I really like Esports, so I would show up,” Raffaelli said.  “What ended up happening is that a few people were consistently showing up and showing interest. We wanted to further it because we wanted to get to a point where we’d be playing other universities,” Raffaelli continued.  The Esports team plays around two to three matches per week and has already won a few. The games are played in the Esports Hub, where players from both universities sign in and compete.   Dr. Brian Dawson, Simpson’s Vice President of Student Development, helps the Esports team in recruitment and advising.   When asked about his role, Dawson said it’s “To find passionate people and get out of their way.”  “I’m not a gamer. Now, I can play the games and enjoy them, but it’s about reaction, and when it comes to that, an 18- or 20-year-old is in their prime for Esports,” Dawson said.  The Esports team plans to stream its matches live in the Student Union and on Twitch. These streams need to have a 5-minute delay to avoid giving an advantage to the opposing team.  With games like League of Legends and Rocket League, there’s plenty to be excited about as Simpson competes in its first full season.

By Lana Lucin Are you a NARP?  Wendy Macias studying. Photo Credit: Lana Lucin According to KRCR News, around 70% of Simpson University students are athletes. With the majority of the student body involved in athletics, those who are not part of a sports team have coined the term “NARP,” meaning Non-Athletic Regular Person.   Wendy Macias, a fourth-year nursing student, identifies as a NARP. Macias originally joined the track team at Simpson but decided that balancing sports with nursing school would be too difficult.  “The biggest thing I miss about being on an athletic team is the commitment to being active,” said Macias.  Ines Moreno, a third-year Simpson student, has never played a sport during his time at the university. Although most students are athletes, Moreno feels he isn’t treated any differently by staff or his peers because he is a non-athlete.  “Most of the time, athletes are more popular, but I don’t feel like I’m treated differently by anyone in the classroom because I don’t play a sport,” said Moreno.  Moreno shared that the only reason he sometimes wishes he had played a sport in the past is to build discipline and those skills. However, he doesn’t wish to be an athlete now because it would take up too much time.  Simpson offers many benefits to student athletes, including athletic scholarships and access to athletic trainers. The Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) meets on Tuesdays and encourages non-athletes to attend as well. While there are no specific resources designated for NARPs, this group of students is not excluded from campus life or community events.  Hannah Parsons, a third-year student, is also a former athlete. During her first year at Simpson, she was part of the women’s basketball team. Although Parsons is no longer on a sports team, she continues to build community with students across campus in other ways.  “Going to all the events, applying for student leadership, being in student leadership, going to chapel, and always chatting with new people,” said Parsons.  Despite Simpson non athletics being the minority on campus, they continue to build community on campus and manage life at Simpson.

By Madison Thill Mount Couchmore rolled its way to victory at the Davenport Derby last Friday! The couch had a patriotic theme, even featuring the faces of Dr. Hall, Dr. Quek, Dr. Orr, and Noah Bryerton to resemble the faces of presidents on Mount Rushmore.  Morgan 3rd floor and Currie 3rd floor celebrating their derby win. Photo by Addy Jones  Lily Standen, a Morgan resident, said that the creative process for the couch was, “...a little chaotic, but it was a lot of fun because it was everybody working together and sharing ideas, and it ended up being a mashup of everybody's ideas.”    Their unique theme definitely caught people's eyes, and their stunning win was even better.     Brooke Hewatt, another Morgan resident and derby winner, said that at first, she was scared to ride the couch, but she ended up having a lot of fun.     Hewatt said that a notable moment from the event was when she, “...felt underdressed because Elisa came in her full colonial presidential outfit, when [she] was told to just wear red, white and blue.”    Overall, Hewatt said she had a great time and said that, “... the more you participate in events, the more fun they are.”     The Boat Regatta, our next Sweet 16 event, is scheduled for the end of the month. Be sure to show up and get your stickers!

By Addison Jones Photo by Addison Jones A Fundraising Golf tournament.     The Simpson University Athletics Department recently hosted the Annual Simpson Golf Classic at Riverview Golf-Country Club. With the help of our athletics teams, the event was a smashing success! The course was in great shape. Lucious fairways, great running greens, the river flowing on the side. Sponsors from all over the Redding Area supported it. Played as well.  The tournament was a fundraiser for the athletics department. Separate fundraisers for Cheer and Golf were also present. The tournament started at 8 a.m. with the sun on its way up. The smoke was not ideal golf weather, the cheer team made it work.     Jazlyn Manfredonia, a part of the Simpson Cheer Team shared her thoughts on the tournament.    “It was a cool experience, very refreshing you give back to our awesome donators!”    Many holes on the course offered fun challenges for the participating golfers. The men's golf team members were stationed on holes promoting hole-in-one prizes. The cheer team had a special challenge on hole 17--the proceeds from this challenge went directly to cheer. The support for our athletics was great to see at the event. Dr. Hall was seen at the event alongside other Simpson University staff members. Simpson University's golf team was seen helping in many ways at the event.     Justin Keister, a member of the Simpson Men’s Golf Team gave his perspective on how the fundraiser ran. “An honor to provide to the community and a privilege to be at Riverview Country Club for the tournament. Can't wait to come back next year for it!”     The fundraiser was a hit for our athletics department. The community had a great time at the event—their support ongoing.

By Jacob Greene Photo by Jacob Greene The culture of the Simpson University football team cannot be defined by its record. There is more to life than football, especially when the team is 0-a lot.  “[The] Goal with leading this team is just trying to get everybody to buy in[to] the same mindset,” Marc Buenrostro, a transfer from Modesto Junior College, said.  Football is a team sport. Especially, with a program in athletic infancy—you need leaders. “I think this year, just stepping in a leadership role of how can I get guys to not only buy in mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually, but also how can you grow as a man on the field and as a man outside the classroom and in your faith?” Buenrostro said. Buenrostro emphasized how necessary it is for the team to find identity outside of football.  “In these times of uncertainty, you know, just leaning again, only on my faith. I can’t rely on anything else,” Buenrostro said, “At the end of the day, I can only do the best that I can do and hopefully I can bring people with me. But that means I have to be at my A-game 24/7. And so, with that, takes faith.” Buenrostro is grounded in a firm foundation. “In a leadership role, I think that’s just important to have a firm foundation on what you have because you can’t let other people sway you to be something else you’re not gonna be,” Buenrostro said. The driving force in your life cannot be a fleeting thing. Freshman Mickey Cohn understands that. “I most look forward to Wednesday nights doing Bible studies with Marc. It really is the highlight of my week,” Cohn said. If you have something else that you find identity in outside of football, then win, lose, or blowout does not matter as much. At the end of the day players are only here for 4 years—some have less.  Trey Bumstead, a transfer from Bakersfield Junior College, explained the current team culture.  “I think there’s a lot of individual ‘me, me, me I want to get mine’ attitude, where we’re not really thinking about the team as a whole,” Bumstead said, “You know, playing for the guy next to you, wanting to win that rep for the guy next to you.” It would be naive to assume the team is going to win it all during its inaugural season. Over 100 players need time to build unity. They need time to get rid of the individualism from high school. The goal is now playing as a team, not to be recruited to play college football. “You can’t win unless you unite as a team and come together as brothers that build that bond and I feel like there’s just a lot of internal badmouthing of each other, not believing in each other or some guys that are injured constantly,” Bumstead said.   They need time to correct those mistakes. Then they need grace to mess up again until they get it right. That also goes for the coaches.   The culture after a loss here is different— unlike at Bakersfield College, where Bumstead played for 2 years. “We were fired up after a loss, and when we were in that film room, we talked about what we did wrong, we’d watch a little bit of the film, but then we’d go right after it and focus right on that thing that we did wrong and fix it. And then we’d just rep it out over and over and over.” Bumstead said, “We didn’t want to lose again. So, we just fought harder, practiced harder.”  That mentality begins with coaching.    “I grew up listening to this, hearing this all the time, hard practice, easy game. So, the harder you practice the easier the game is gonna be for you by far,” Bumstead said.  Cohn, who has no prior college football experience, did not win a lot in high school. “My best season was my senior year, and it was like 5-6 and that didn’t bother me. Losing doesn’t bother me that much, because I’ve never been on a winning football team anyway,” Cohn said. Cohn illustrated the contrast between his high school coaches and his current coaches, “After the games [they] didn’t like belittle [us], that hurts at the end of the day.” Great leadership builds culture. Head Coach Shawn Daniel knows there is negativity surrounding the program. Good leadership can combat that.  “I don’t listen to it,” Daniel said, “We don’t want students to come and go.” The program needs players that stay through bad times. It may not be a winning team for a few years. The key to that is having players that buy in. “Retention plays a huge part in it. Building it the right way. Building it from the ground up, trying to build the program with players that stay here for 4 years,” Daniel said. “Assigning a class of players that want to play for 4 years. Buy into the culture, then the very next year teach the culture to the next recruiting class.” The establishment of a program is marketing. It is business. It is not only a sport—there are a lot of variables that go into it. It is not as simple as people try to make it. Conflict is part of the growing pains. “They’re not going to turn away and run away from problems. These are guys that are gonna be successful businessmen. Great fathers and husbands,” Daniel said, “It’s not simply learning offense and defense systems, it’s learning college life.” No matter what Owen’s 3rd floor staff on down to residents in the dorm buildings think—football should not be the top priority. It brings in a lot of money. A lot of money is spent on the program. It is called an investment.  No one should be demanding perfection— even coaches. The expectation of 100% effort, that is needed.  “Our drive to keep coming up, keep showing up, I think that’s the biggest thing, because, you know, these moments that we’re living in there is gonna these hard times that we’re losing games. But we’re growing every day, so we’re growing. And that’s what the positive of this is,” Buenrostro said. Success is not defined by the outcome of a game. It is defined by the culture that surrounds a team. To build a successful program, you need positive leadership that builds a propitious culture. The goal right now should not be the win column. It should be a culture that adds to Simpson, rather than takes away from it.  If Rome wasn’t built in a day, then you cannot expect a football program to be.

By Addison Jones Photo by Addison Jones The event I look forward to almost every week. Chapel is something you can’t describe—it’s something you have to experience. It doesn’t feel like a requirement. Even with the spiritual formation points requirement, I don’t go for the points. It is the so-desired break for a college student’s busy schedule. When I heard about chapel in the big welcome meeting on the first week, I expected that this technically required event wouldn’t hold much value in my schedule. Those expectations have changed drastically. My first chapel brought emotion I hadn’t experienced for a while. The message that chapel gives to students hits the soul—it struck mine right in the heart. Of course, possibly my favorite part while also fangirling for a second, is our Worship Team on campus. Talent pours from this team—God pours from this team. It’s the best way to start chapel. Voices praise God left and right with the team by our side. The atmosphere is unmatched once they take the stage. But if I were to say what chapel does for people—it answers questions that you didn’t think you asked. The message resonates whether you are religious or not. That is the point of chapel. You can learn something new each time. In my experience, you will form relationships with the people in that gym. That’s how much of an impact it has. My advice—go to chapel. See what it’s about. You may be surprised at what you find—just like I was.

By Jacob Greene Photo by Joseph Greene There is crying in baseball. For some, it may only seem like a dump. But for me, it is my second home. A place of comfort. Heartbreak. A place with a buzz. It is a building with a soul. Despite its cavernous characteristics, it was perfect for what it provided. A place for all types of fans to come enjoy a game of baseball. The Coliseum, home of the Oakland Athletics. The sun acts differently there—so does the wind—sometimes swirling, other times blowing out. The fog acting as a canopy during those late season games—especially during October baseball. The bowl shape that amplified the voices of the “Fanily.” It was all part of Oakland A’s baseball—endearingly referred to as “Green Collar Baseball.” I have way too many memories at the Coliseum to retell them all. But I will always relive them. All the different people I have gone and cheered with, met, talked smack to, or seen—were right there within those concrete walls. Countless times I have chanted “Let’s go, Oakland!” The best part was it was always with someone. I grew up at the Coliseum. Family trips, Papa’s off-days, night games, finally being able to drive myself—as I have now done so many times. But I went for the final time. Throughout that day, I experienced a lot of lasts. It hit me after the last out was recorded. Memories flood my mind when I walk into that place. As a little kid. As a teenager. As a grandkid. As a son. As an adult. Never as a dad or ever as a grandpa—not even as an uncle. My only hope is one day walking into that place to do radio for another team in what forever will be—to me at least—the Bill King Broadcast Booth. When manager Mark Kotsay said, “And I ask you for one more time to start the greatest cheer in baseball,” it hit me. There will be no more Oakland A’s baseball. As I stood in awe the tears came—my childhood officially coming to an end. I sat down in my seat as 46,889 fans chanted what I have heard throughout my childhood. From at the Coliseum, to over the airwaves, or in the backyard as my brother and I dueled out at a late-evening game—that chant will always echo in my head. As I sat, my head in my hands, reality set in as I lost the first thing I ever loved beside a person. I will never get to take my family here. No full circle moments for me. They will never play another game inside of the Coliseum. Green and gold will no longer flood the stadium. No more cheers. No more “Celebration” by Kool and The Gang. It is a goodbye to not only the Coliseum. It is a goodbye to the memories. A goodbye to the place that held them. A farewell to concrete walls that echo history, culture, radio calls, TV calls, conversations, chants, and a certain type of buzz that you could feel upon entering. It is farewell to the Oakland Coliseum, home of the Oakland Athletics—a place with a soul and a heartbeat that you could sense whenever you entered. “As the curtain comes down on 57 incredible years of A’s baseball at the Coliseum. It’s over. It is over after 57 years of thrills, of heartbreak, but always a sense of community. The fans belong to something bigger—something special. It was baseball, it was Oakland A’s baseball that brought so many people together. There is of course a profound sense of loss, of hurt, and yet the memories hopefully will last forever,” Ken Korach said during his call on Sept. 26. It would take years to walk through all the different ways in which A’s baseball has been a part of my life. When I said goodbye, it was one of the biggest heartbreaks I have ever been through. I have been a part of an A’s group chat that has been active every day for around 8 years. I finally got to meet some of them in person today. That is a small example of how special this fanbase is. There are not exactly words to capture it all. When you love a team you experience losses—wins too. You expect to lose games. You know you will experience playoff losses in a “win-or-go-home-game.” But nothing prepares you for this type of loss. The loss of a team, a building, a culture, a community—a “Fanily.”

By Ruby Churchill Photo by Bobby Rutledge Simpson dorms make quite an impression. Simpson dorms—the hallowed halls of higher learning. They may not be a five-star hotel, but they could be worse. In fact, compared to some places they’re practically palatial. The first thing you’ll notice when you enter your Simpson room is the charming ambiance of vintage. The walls are adorned with a unique blend of stains. They tell stories of late-night snacks and questionable choices. While the bed creaks like a haunted house, it only adds to the charm. As you settle in, remember not to take anything out of your room. Those scratched, mismatched furniture pieces are part of the family now. Make yourself at home. Enjoy your new lifestyle of navigating around a sink that’s too small to wash anything larger than a coffee mug. Speaking of water, the bathroom might feature cracked tiles and hastily patched holes that could double as modern art installations. However, at least it is private. You won’t find yourself elbow-to-elbow with an entire floor of your classmates. With the option of sharing a bathroom with just one or a few other roommates, it’s practically a luxury. Just remember to inhale deeply for a free dose of penicillin from the black mold under the sink. Fear not, for Brian Jobson (black mold cleaner extraordinaire) and maintenance will take care of it. Let’s not forget the laundry situation. With an insufficient number of washers and dryers, doing laundry can feel like preparing for a triathlon. Just think of it as an exercise in patience as you plan out your wash days. Remember not to get too disheartened. The upperclassmen dorms come with huge bathrooms. The dorms are near most places around campus, so you won’t have to walk far. The closets offer decent space. You also get to pick your roommate. There are many benefits of Simpson’s dorms. Paul Davis, Conference Services Manager, stated that improvements could be on the way. “We would love to renovate the dorms with new flooring, fresh paint, window coverings, countertops, fixtures, and showers. Updated furniture is definitely on our list once we find room in the budget for it,” Davis said via email. He added that there are ways students can be good stewards of the buildings. “Students can take care of the dorms by keeping their rooms clean and limiting extra stress on the plumbing by only flushing toilet paper. The HVAC systems are set to a comfortable range so closing windows, doors and turning off the fan setting can prolong the life span of the very expensive systems,” Davis said. According to Senior Timea Horvath, quality is something of a lottery. “I think it really depends on the dorms because last year I lived in Cooper 3rd floor and that one was just recently renovated so it was really nice. The floors were brand new. So, it really depends,” Horvath said. If you go to Simpson, you mostly likely live in the dorms. Simpson has an on-campus housing requirement. It is the ultimate test of your love for communal living. By accepting your admission, you’ve essentially signed up for an extended stay at the resort. The only amenities are questionable plumbing and roommate negotiations. You might miss the joys of home-cooked meals and personal space. You’ll also gain invaluable skills in diplomacy, like how to resolve a dispute over whose turn it is to clean the fridge. Of course, you could be one of the lucky few who can secure an exemption. You may be living at home within 35 miles of campus. You may be married (congrats!). You may also simply be 24 years old. This requirement has been the topic of many conversations. Most recognize that there are both positives and negatives to it. “On the one hand it’s good because it creates a community, and you see people around. It’s not like you just go to classes and then leave, you live your life here and you get to hang out with people pretty much all day,” Horvath said. That being said, requiring almost everyone to live on campus can create issues with space. “It’s also really hard too. There are some negatives because we are growing so much and we are not adding any new dorm spaces. I’ve heard that some of the football players are living in rooms that used to be for two people and they just added a third bed,” Horvath said. In the grand tapestry of college life, Simpson dorms are a vibrant patch filled with character. They’re a little rough around the edges, but so is the college experience. Embrace the adventure. Make friends over shared grievances. Most of all, enjoy living in the dorms. You’ll have some wild stories to tell long after you’ve moved on to greener pastures.

By Ryan Gavin Every fall, Global Impact week takes over Simpson’s campus. It’s a time for students to find out what mission trips Simpson will be offering, and why they should go on one.   This year, Global Impact Week took place from September 22-26. During that week, Chapels were rebranded in the name of missions.  Image from Simpsonu.edu Wednesday’s chapel was used to announce the 13 mission trip locations. Options range from the Pacific Northwest, to Senegal, or even Indonesia. The World Serve staff at Simpson also spoke to students about the why of missions.   “I think short term mission trips are so unique that each person can have a different why and not be wrong,” Brandon Hall, Simpson’s Missions Coordinator, said.  “When you actually get to see the brokenness of this world and the difference in worship, church gatherings and lifestyles, you start to look at the world in a broader sense,” he said.  Hall experienced this first-hand and wants other students to as well.  “You won’t only see the world from a broader perspective, but you will live your life from that perspective, which means that you’re not living your life just for you, but you’re living for your neighbour, unreached people groups, and for the ends of the earth,” Hall said. Laura Reed, a pre-nursing student at Simpson, grew up in a tribal area of Mexico, where her parents worked as missionaries.   “I loved every second of it, and it shaped me to who I am today, and has made me want to go back into ministry,” Reed said. She urges student to go on a mission trip. Reed says the experience will change students’ perspective, and serving will change their hearts.  Friday’s chapel gave students who went on a mission trip last spring the opportunity to share their story and to inspire the next wave of missionaries.   During the spring, around 65 students went on a World Serve mission trip across ten locations.  “This year, we’re hoping to send around a hundred students,” Hall said. Hall and Reed aren’t alone, as Gabe Fröhlich (Global Outreach and Fundraising), Nick Muro (Media & Fundraising), Wendy Macias (Overseas & Local Outreach), and Nieva Parsons (Internships & Design) help set up the trips through outreach and fundraising.  Locations include:  Central Asia  Senegal  Manchester  Brazil   Ecuador  El Salvador  Alaska  Miami  New York  Indonesia  Panama  Costa Rica  Pacific Northwest    For more information on all things Mission, go to https://simpsonu.edu/student-development/campus-life/missions/  or follow World Serve’s Instagram: @suworldserve

By Lana Lucin Competition.  Iris V Dalfsen and Kira Lewis Photo Credit: Logan Haskell Sept. 13 kickstarted intramural flag football at Simpson. With the newest sports addition on campus, women’s flag football, there is an interest on campus for the game.   The current teams are : Conduct Crusher, 6-7 Bros, Brownies, The Pentagon, Ball Hawks, Da Jokers, The Generals, and The Athletics.   Treysen Bumstead is one of the intramural student directors running the intramural flag football and serving as a referee.   Bumstead said the highlight of the intramural is “the amount of people showing up and that games have been competitive but friendly.”  He added, “No one has had to be thrown out of any games. Sportsmanship has been great.”   The games are “full of unforgettable moments,”  said Bumstead.   “Flag football has brought people together in ways that a conventional classroom can never do,” said Jessie Buchanan, the Intramural Student Director.   The games are 12-minute halves, with a 5-minute halftime giving players time to talk about the game plan and rest if needed. Each team plays 2 games  at each intramural event.   “Everybody is still welcome to join! Come join us on October 11 at 9:30 a.m. at the football field,” said Buchanan.   There are three more weekends, giving each team 6 more games to play. After these, 4 teams will go to the semifinals and then 2 to the final game. The prize for the winning team is a Flag Football Intramural Trophy in addition to an intramural limited edition special prize.   The Brownies are in the lead 3-0.   If you are looking to create a team, find at least 6 people, both genders have to be involved, and find a QR code around school.

By Madison Thill  Red needs help!   Photo Credit: Simpson University Marketing  It’s time to change the name of Simpson’s beloved mascot, Red the Red Hawk. The Red Hawk has been Simpson’s mascot since 2004, representing its culture and pride as a university.     However, ‘Red’ has never been formally named.     Be part of that change.     Simpson is planning to have its student body vote to officially name the Red Hawk.    Voting takes place at Chapel this Wednesday.     Addy Jones, a Simpson athlete and Digital Media student, says that this change could be an opportunity to, “...affect how we go around saying the mascot name and create good social engagement.”     Simpson is not the first school to acknowledge the importance of a good mascot.     According to Lewis & Clark College, “the best mascots represent a shared sense of school spirit and pride, and offer a common identity that the whole community can embrace.”     Niki Burbank, the cheer and dance coach, said the new name will be announced Friday. Don’t miss out on helping begin this new chapter at Simpson!