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!

By Lana Lucin How would Sean Rodriguez’s closest friends describe him?  Sean Rodriguez -  Photo Credit: Campus Life   Zach Pantea: “Thoughtful”   Max Wheeler: “Invested”   Rodriguez is a third-year student at Simpson University.  He serves as Simpson’s student body president through the Associated Student Body of Simpson University, ASBSU for short.   “We are the voice, we are the bridge between students and … the staff,” Rodriguez said.  People want to feel heard, people want to feel known, and that is something that Rodriguez does.  In order to make the student body's voice heard, ASBSU hosts meetings biweekly, which students are encouraged to attend “so they can have a voice,” Rodriguez said.  Not only do these meetings offer a space for students to come and listen to the current topics at the school and voice their opinions, but Rodriguez lives life with these students. Going to classes with them, having basketball practice with them, sitting with them in the cafeteria, playing beach volleyball on Friday nights. He talks with students, his peers and friends, and gets the opportunity to hear them out.  This is why Rodriguez wanted to be the student body president.  He was encouraged by those around him that truly “believed in my influence,” Rodriguez said.  According to Rodriguez he wants to “break down every single silo in the student body” so that we may be “one holistic body.”   Whether you see Rodriguez shooting hoops or in his office in the SU, feel free to approach him, he will create a space where your voice matters and is heard.

By Madison Thill This season, the Simpson University spirit program has added a dance team to its roster, welcoming new athletes to the program, along with some familiar faces.   Dance Team - Photo Credit: Roseline Lemette This season, the Simpson University spirit program has added a dance team to its roster, welcoming new athletes to the program, along with some familiar faces.     One of the returning athletes who is now a part of the dance team is Elisa Heidebrecht. Heidebrecht has been dancing since she was 6 years old.     “Ever since I was on the cheer team during our inaugural year, we were dreaming with coach Niki about starting a dance team,” Heidebrecht said. “So, it’s fulfilling to see this dream come to fruition.”    As a whole, the program, including coach Niki Burbank and her athletes, has wanted a dance team since the cheer team was formed in 2022. Coach Niki says the idea for dance has always been on her mind, but she realized it was feasible after attending competitions and watching other schools.     Coach Niki says that managing the dance team can be, “...a lot because I want to be fully invested in cheer. But at the same time, dance is a passion of mine, so I feel very blessed to be able to get it started here and watch it grow.”     A big part of it for her is being able to use her full choreographing abilities and expend a lot of energy on the dance team.     This new side of the spirit program has expanded and highlighted more talented athletes.     The dance team participates on the sidelines at sporting events, similar to the cheer team, but with different material, style, and goals. The team also hopes to perform competitively this season at NAIA dance competitions.   You can see them at home for the first time at Saturday’s football game. Start time is 7 p.m. at Foothill High School.   (left to right) Anastasia Hartman, Lily Standen, Kaedyn Bunn, Brooke Hewatt, Elisa Heidebrecht

By Ryan Gavin  Connection, fun, and lasting memories; the hallmark of campus life at Simpson.  Block Party - Photo Credit: Campus Life One month in, and Simpson University has already seen three of its Sweet 16 events; Kickball Kick-off, Block Party, and the ever-growing Fall Flick.   Why does Simpson host these events?  “To get people out of their rooms and involved,” said Noah Bryerton, Simpson’s Director of Campus Life. “The easiest, low risk way to do that is to come to campus events.”  Bryerton was a student at Simpson until 2023 and understands the importance of a tight-knit college community.  “One of the reasons I do this job is because I want students to make memories that are going to last a lifetime,” he said  “My two years as a Simpson student were two of the most fun years of my life, so I want to give back to the community that gave so much to me,” Bryerton said.  Simpson hosts 16 events each year, compiled of two semesters with their own ‘Elite 8’. Each event has a unique theme or activity. The events range from athletic, to theatre, games, and even fancy dress!   Sean Rodriguez, Simpson’s ASBSU President, said “I’ve seen the integration of all the different student groups we have on campus. I see basketball, worship team, soccer, student leaders, and other groups coming together and creating their college experience in a healthy and meaningful way.”  Sean Rodriguez (top) and Karan Poudeli (bottom) Credit: Campus Life The most attended event of the year so far was the Block Party, with 425 students at the event.   Block Party filled the boulevard with booths, cornhole, games, and a 27-foot water slide. It is held on the first Friday of each fall semester and allows new students to mingle with returners.  Karan Poudeli, a second-year international student from Nepal, currently works for the Campus Activities Board (CAB).    “Having the events on campus helps students know that they are not here just for classes and labs, but that the campus is a place for fun,” Poudeli said.  His first event as a CAB member, Water Wars, was not part of the annual Sweet 16. Instead, it was part of this year’s New Student Orientation.    Over 100 students attended the event, making for a successful inauguration.  “After rafting fell through, we pivoted to an on-campus fun event that would get new and returning students to come out and have fun,” Bryerton said.  The event was held on-campus, which meant no commute for students in campus residences.  “There will be more participation and on-campus resources will be utilized,” said Poudeli about events moving from off-campus to on-campus locations.  Fall Flick, which was hosted on Friday, Sept. 12, saw a change in location as well. Normally taking place outside of the Bean Scene, it was moved into the gym.    “We wanted a change of scenery and feel like the gym is an underutilized space,” Bryerton said.  Improving from 90 attendees to 117, the move has already proven  effective.  just three events in, what can students expect for the remainder of the year?   From familiar favorites such as Trivia Night, Boat Regatta, and the annual Homecoming dance, to new additions like the 5-minute Film Festival in the Spring, Simpson is trying to create an atmosphere where students can feel comfortable and have fun within their community.  An old favorite will also be making a comeback this Fall. Something Epic, an event where students don’t know what it is until they get there.  Bryerton will be leading an ambitious group of students in this year’s CAB team. In addition to Poudeli, the team is made up of Kaedyn Bunn, Gracelyn Lovejoy, Julian Nessi, Max Wheeler, Keegan Lagos, Ines Moreno, Elizabeth Aleo, and Addison Jones.   They are the student-leaders that help make these events possible. From setup to teardown, they run the events and ensure they run smoothly.

By Cole Alberto McMahon   At the age of five, I put on my first baseball uniform. An extra-small “Paloma Valley Pony Baseball White Sox” jersey. Photo/Roseline Lemette Fast forward 16 years. I found myself putting on a uniform and spikes for the last time.     As a little kid, I always dreamed big, telling myself I was going to be a San Francisco 49er, a San Francisco Giant, and even a Jedi Knight. What you find out when you get older is, dreams do not always become a reality. This reality hit me after my freshman tryout in high school when my name was not put on the list of kids who made the high school team.     That dreaded list—I almost let it get the best of me. I am forever grateful for having a dad and mom who told me to keep going. I would have quit by now if I did not have their constant support in my corner.     Fast forward to my collegiate baseball career.     My career stat line looks like this: 3 appearances, 2.2 IP, 1 H, 2 BB, 3 K’s, 2 ER, 6.75 ERA, and a .111 opponent batting average.     When I signed with Simpson, I was ecstatic to have a fresh start and continue playing baseball. My goal was to help win. By the stats, I clearly did not end up making the impact on the field that I set out to make four years ago. Four years of sweat, tears, and pulled hamstrings throughout.     After my freshman and sophomore seasons, I continued to make the push to become a “dude” on the pitching staff my junior year. That dream came to a halt once more. But this time, it felt different. This time, I was even given the option to quit.     After making a firm stance that I had no plans to quit, that constant conversation played in my brain every single day, even leading up to the final weeks of my senior career. What if I quit? Life would be easier. I would not put that constant pressure on myself to try to produce. Why am I still trying to play on this team even though I constantly have failed?    I did not quit because that constant voice in my head told me no. I did not quit because I wanted to make the people who believed in me all these years proud; my parents, sister, friends and various coaches throughout the years. I wanted to keep going for them, to prove them right. I did not quit so I can prove to the people who did not believe in me that they were wrong.     Senior day rolled around and I finally figured out the true reason why I stuck around so long. It was for the friendships and family I made with my brothers and coaches on this baseball team.     The emotions rushed quickly to my eyes when I walked on to the field with my mom, dad, girlfriend, and two friends. I could not help the tears gushing down my cheeks as I gave each coach a hug and continued with my fellow seniors.     Then came the last time I would be on a mound. I proceeded to throw my senior day inning in the sixth inning of a 7-inning game, only giving up one hit, and getting a roar from my teammates after striking out a batter.     My pitching coach and former teammate, Jackson Bennett, told my teammates to “shake’em up,” alluding that my final career outing was over. I said no, I wanted one more inning.    I began saying, “One more, one more!”     Soon, the dugout was filled with my brothers chanting, “One more!”    I felt like this was my “Going the Distance” moment in Rocky or my “Rudy” moment.    Bennett looked to my skipper, Dan Tating, and he gave the nod of approval for one last inning.    I jumped up with so much joy and broke down in tears with so much sadness knowing I was getting to go out for a final time. All my brothers were with me at that moment in the dugout—my favorite memory of that day.    I proceeded to go out and have a quick one, two, three inning. And that was it, my baseball career was done.     Sobbing, I hugged teammate after teammate, giving them words of affirmation and telling them I love each one.     Besides Alex Tolbert hitting the walk-off bomb to win the Cal Pac and dogpiling, my senior day was the best moment of my baseball career, and I owe it to everyone there that day.    That is why I never quit.    “It ain’t about how hard you hit, it’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done!”  --Rocky Balboa

By Jacob Greene 4 years. Gone way too soon.   Photo/Roseline Lemette I could sit here, write down everything I learned—or I could walk you through it. Quickly. A “short” summary of sorts from which you can draw your own conclusions.    My sign-on typically goes something like this, “Hello fans and welcome into insert game this Jacob Greene here at insert place in Redding, CA. It’s great to have you with us.”    I have done a lot. But that is because of the opportunities presented to me. Work hard at what you are passionate about. Be passionate about what you work hard at. Take advantage of every opportunity—try new things, you may be great at it.    Coach Alex Thiemann took a chance on me. I knew little to nothing about fishing coming in. But now, after hard work, help from people, and experience, I have learned so much. That is the theme of my whole college career.    New Student Orientation (NSO) weekend, Molly Rupert tried to get me to join The Slate. I was hesitant, but here we are. The rest is history, I guess.     Worship team, same thing—people took a chance on me, namely Melissa How. I learned bass as I joined—thanks to Kayla Reiss and Jack Morgan.    I sought after opportunity. I have worked hard to get where I am. To obtain the skills I have. It does not come overnight. I have all of my professors to thank for all of the work they put in to help me. From projects to papers, they were there to help in any way they could. Molly Rupert, Woz, Professor Lemette, Mr. Lemette, and Dr. Brasher.    I almost left within the first 6 weeks of school. I am so glad I didn’t. My first year saw a lot of things happen to me—the biggest being my grandpa passing away during winter break. But I had my family. I had my friends. Without them, I would not love Simpson as much as I do.     Simpson is not about the buildings. It is about the people. Scotty, Christine, Eric, Marty, Terry, Alex, Lori, and others in the caf. Plus, all the Bean Scene workers, who are too many to name throughout the years, but between Terry and Jill, they are aware of my need for coffee. I cannot forget Staff and faculty—especially TRIO. Without Keith and Angie, I would not be enrolled nor graduating.     Without the friends I have made here, I do not know what I would do. When you have a solid group of friends who are always there for you, it makes a huge difference. The only way to get that is to get out of your room, go to events, and talk to people. If it were not for a room change, I would not have become as close with “The Boys” as I did. The Boys, being my friends: Christian, Quinn, Riley, Ron, Tim, Daniel, and Ethen. Plus, there are the mentors I have had—the “older siblings”–including my actual older sister, Natalie. But also, Emily, Gianna, Miller, Gibby, and Noah.     I think of all the classes I enjoyed. There were so many that without my classmates they would not have been as fun. Do what you enjoy. Find your passion. You do that by trying things. Live outside your comfort zone.     I can never forget all the podcasting. Most recently, The Perch, but also Off Topic, with an A-list like clockwork every Tuesday during the NFL season. We would all watch Stephen A. Smith’s A-list after making our own. A tradition that has carried on even now.     I will never forget the chance to play bass for—I think—the first ever metal band at Simpson, Day Nor Hour. Led by Bertie Wolske. Plus, there was also working on what I think will be a film that wins many festivals. Written and directed by Logan Haskell—with the help of many people—Burned Arms and Broken Hands, that was also something super special to be a part of.     I got to go to Alaska on a mission trip a couple of summers ago. Which was one of the best 2 weeks of my life. That same summer, I went to Washington, D.C. with TRIO. With the Bass Fishing Team, I have also been able to travel. That is something I never thought I would be able to do before the age of 25. Since being in college, I have added 14 states to my checklist. Say yes to things—that is all I can say.    I used to be a shy kid. Now I have been on the air a lot—for someone that just turned 22, anyway. I got there by trying things. I got recommended to try for a job in radio over the summer. That would eventually lead to me calling games for football, women’s and men’s basketball, softball, baseball, and men’s volleyball. Without Molly Rupert, Connor Sutton, Sam Nakata, Curley Wilson, or everyone else who helps me out in some way within the Athletic Department, I would not be able to do what I love so much.    Have gratitude. For the people in your life, the opportunity you have, and for the journey God takes you on.     I had a teammate pass away during winter break of 2022. Myles Davis, someone who took the time to invest in me. He took me fishing a number of times to teach me the ropes. Without him, I would not have accomplished the things I did with the Bass Fishing team. I have a hat I wear specifically at tournaments. One inside, one of the things I have written is “Thanks, Myles.” It’s a small to give him a nod when I’m fishing a tournament. I remember getting the call from my coach—my major league call-up. Which was something I always dreamed of, but unlike in those dreams this call-up was not for baseball. Coach told me I would be fishing the Major League Fishing College series—so I still got called-up to the majors, in a way.    Some of the most recent “big win” moments stand out to me as I reflect. The first time we put out a printed edition of The Slate, that was huge. The first printed edition in a decade or so. Then, of course, there was getting 3rd place at Clear Lake.      Some of the earlier wins were when I first played bass for the worship team. It was one of the first few times I had played. It was the first time I had played without feeling any sort of jitters, everything went smooth, and I did not feel ill-prepared at all.     The same type of situation happened when I started calling games for basketball. It was one of the last few calls I had—shoutout to all my color commentators: Cole McMahon, Sean Rodriguez, Hannah Parsons, Jewels Zaragoza, and AJ Raffaeli. It was electric. It felt effortless, but also flawless. Over the summer, the same thing happened, but on the radio. There was a game mid-season where it felt like every aspect of calling a game, from preparation to process to the pre- and post-game—it all went smoothly.    I will never forget the first Sweet 16 event I won, Something Epic. Jewels and I were the team leaders. Our team was so much fun, but also competitive. The event is a variety of mini games that culminate in points based on a slew of different categories, such as your chant, team participation, the place you finished, and your overall team energy. The Sweet 16 events started my freshman year. If you want to see how far my journalism skills have come, go find the article to see how bad it was compared to now. I had come close to winning many times, so finally winning one felt awesome—especially as a team leader with one of my closest friends.     Also, as an RA for two years now, I have learned so much that I will carry with me. Leadership is a learned skill. It is something that I am still developing. But it is also something I will use for the rest of my life. My leadership philosophy is humble servitude. Have an attitude of serving humbly. This is because I believe that to lead is to serve, as Jesus did.     I have been able to experience a lot. I have been able to have lots of opportunities. But it is because of God, nothing else. People, opportunity, passion, and ambition were given to me, which helped me take the journey I have.     God has given me a path. He gave me Simpson. He gave me the people in my life. For that, I will always be grateful. As the curtain closes on my time as a student, I look forward to where life goes from here. Simpson helped prepare me for my dream job. One day, I will be calling games on the radio for a major league baseball team.     7, 138 cups of coffee later, peace out, Simpson.

By Jacob Greene Photo by Ella Wright Men’s Volleyball swept DII opponent William Jessup University. “That was a really amazing game. It was obviously a little tough coming off the senior night high beating PUC, but we really refocused and, yeah, we have played them twice before and lost both times, and honestly, we kind of hate those guys,” senior Quinn Wright said. On March 16 the Red Hawks played their final game inside of the James M. Grant Center in Redding, Calif. The Red Hawks swept the Warriors by scores of 25-20, 25-22, and 25-21. Outside hitter Kobe Valdez did not enter into the game. However, he did help add to the intensity, along with the rest of the bench. “It was very exciting, honestly, especially since we lost in three-oh, in their gym and they seemed pretty cocky about it, so to turn around and come back and have all the energy on the bench and on the core was just a really great wind to have,” Valdez said. Flavio Mercado, Nathan Richards, Quinn Wright, and Kobe Valdez are the four seniors for the 2024-2025 campaign—with three of them playing for Simpson for all four years. Wright emphasized the satiating desire for revenge after getting by them twice this season. “We really had like a…had some vengeance in our play and in our energy, and we really wanted to take care of business and show them,” Wright said, “Show them what’s up, and yeah, it was awesome. A great feeling to sweep them.” Mercado was ready for the intense battle. “We went in there thinking like, ‘All right, we've got nothing to lose, we’re just gonna give it our all, we’re just gonna have fun,’ and then, it was a really intense battle of just like back and forth points,” Mercado said, “You can tell with the seniors with Quinn and Nathan, and Kobe that, we trusted each other too we’re like, ‘Hey, we're just gonna do our best and see what happens.’” Richards led the way offensively with 12 kills. Mercado had 9 kills. The supporting cast member for both of those players was the (then) back-to-back CalPac setter of the week, freshman Micah Nakasato, who had 25 assists. Nakasato [now] has won the award three times this season. The Red Hawks winning the first set shifted their mindset for the whole game. “After we won the first set, I was like, ‘Okay, we took a set off. It could be possible.’ We looked really good as a team. But definitely my thoughts were not like, ‘All right, let's three-oh them,’” Mercado said, “It was definitely not like that, it was ‘All right, we got one set, we got a breather, we, you know, we gave a good fight.” Valdez had an idea for why the Red Hawks were able to handle the Warriors. “I always practice my toss in a new gym, but if you're traveling, you kind of just get there and you kind of just going in like not with a, you know, good warm up necessarily of getting your toss perfect and stuff like that, so that probably could play a huge role,” Valdez said, “or you also have like a huge audience, much bigger than Simpson’s.” The Warriors had 14 service errors, while the Red Hawks had 15 service errors. Defensively, Nakasato had 6 digs. Wright, the libero, collected 5. Richards was also a big presence with 4 total blocks. “I think I played good my senior night game, I wasn't too happy with my own performance, even though we won, but the Jessup game, I thought I played really well,” Wright said, “Jessup has a lot of top spin servers so the balls are coming a lot faster and I kind of take pride in passing those well and against Jessup, I pass really well. So, yeah, I was super happy with my serving and passing and got a few digs in there too.” Richards enjoyed the win. But, most of all he enjoyed playing with the people around him. “I mean, with me and Flavio, we’ve been playing, I mean, we started playing against each other in club in high school, and just to kind of play one last home game with him was—it was super special and Quinn and Kobe also,” Richards said. Bittersweet would be an understatement. “It was sadness, but it was also just kind of like, you know, happy that we won and happy I got to do with the people around me,” Richards said. The final point of the game was a long rally which was indicative of the overall match—back and forth, with the Red Hawks prevailing in the end. “It was one of the longest rallies in that game. After the ball touches the floor, I just...my legs got weak of like all the emotions, so I just kind of collapsed a little bit until, my team has got me up a little bit and it was just like a lot of emotions of like, ‘Wow, we just won the last game at home,” Mercado said, “And I don't know, I did not get expect me—I didn't expect to get that emotional, but it was a good, it wasn’t sad tears of like, ‘Oh, it's over,’ it was happy that I was like, ‘I had a great run.’” The four-year veterans took a moment after the game together, to soak it all in one last time. “After we got the game-winning point against Jessup, I looked over and Flav was choking up and tearing up, and that got me emotional, and we just had a really cool moment. I hugged those guys and the three of us sat on the bench just kind of looking out on the court for what was our last home game ever,” Wright said. Their home barn holds a lot of memories. “That moment was just like soaking it in. All like soaking four years of volleyball together. Quinn, Nathan, and I were recruited freshman year, and it was just like, all right…it’s gone,” Mercado said, “We're never gonna sit like this anymore. We're never gonna be competing anymore.” There were a lot of family, friends, and photographers present to capture the moment. “It was a good moment to spend with those guys and, I don't know, I was looking back into pictures that some people took,” Mercado said, “The hug we had and just like be in that emotional moment together, like ending together and when we also started together was a really good moment.” Photo by Jacob Greene “It was definitely sentimental. I mean, a lot of blood, sweat, and tears on that gym floor and I mean, hundreds if not, you know, a thousand practices over four years and all the games,” Wright said, “So yeah, it was an emotional experience. I'm really glad we ended our home season with a win, and against the DII opponent made it even sweeter.” Wright was also emotional following the final point of the game. A legacy has been built by this core to carry over to the next core. Akira Davies learned a lot from Richards, Mercado, Wright, and Valdez. “I mean, Flav, Nathan, and Quinn, they kind of all taught me everything last year. So going into the next couple of years without them, I kind of just wanna take what they gave me and give it to the upcoming freshman that are gonna come in and kind of just guide them in that way of becoming good players and good people on and off the court,” Davies said. Wright sees a lot of potential in the young core. “We do have a good core with Micah [Nakasato] as the setter of the future. He's just already playing so amazing. He'll be a really big part of the team next year, as well as Akira [Davies] and [Jacob] Shelton, and Frankie, our middles are super strong, as a lot of people can tell,” Wright said. The young core will have fans in the stands with the soon-to-be retired Red Hawks cheering them on. Richards’ final words in his interview, “Go Red Hawks.”

By Ruby Photo by Bobby Rutledge College friendships are fickle in nature: here’s how they are made, kept, and ended.   The friendships we make in those heady days of late-night study sessions and existential musings at 3 a.m. are special. There’s a certain magic that comes with making friends in college. Yet, many of them just disappear.    The bonding experience in college feels organic, often sparked by proximity. However, unlike a business partnership or a marriage, there aren’t specific rules for friendship. No one hands you a handbook. No one says, “Here are the expectations, and here are the consequences if you don’t meet them.”   In the business world, if you want to make a partnership work, you talk about deliverables, timelines, and expectations. Your responsibilities are defined. Marriage has its own long list of expectations as soon as you say “I do.” But friendship is murky. Friendship is a vague social contract, and when that contract is not explicitly defined, it’s easy to trip over the fine print.  As time goes on in a friendship, you realize you never really talked about what your expectations were. Do you both assume you’ll be each other’s plus-ones at every single event? Do you expect daily check-ins, weekly hangouts, or is it the type of friendship where you pick up where you left off every few months?   These unspoken friendship rules can start to mess with your head. It’s easy to assume that a good friend will always be there, but if they suddenly don’t show up to your birthday party or fail to acknowledge your major life milestone, you might start questioning the validity of your bond. That’s when the fade-out begins. The slow and silent drift from talking once a week to becoming a distant memory.   This isn’t necessarily anyone’s fault. The thing about college is that it’s a time of transition. People change. You enter as one person and, if you’re lucky, leave as someone else. College friendships, by nature, tend to be temporary. You were both thrust together into the chaotic environment that is higher education, but once those forces dissipate, the connection becomes harder to sustain. This isn't a tragedy; it's just life. People grow, and people grow apart.   There are some things you can do to maintain your friendships. Communication is key. Making time for occasional check-ins can work wonders. Show up, even if it’s just sending a thoughtful text or paying for a coffee.     Hannah Hartsburg and Mak Moretto have been close friends their entire senior year at Simpson University.    “We were in leadership training and we sat by each other and she was talking about going to the gym,” Moretto said, explaining how they met.    “And then I was like oh I’ll hook you up with the student discount. And we started going to the gym together and we started yapping,” Hartsburg said.    “That’s what makes a true friendship right there,” Moretto said. “When we first started to get to know each other we went to Theory and we told each other our testimonies and shared that with each other and that brought us close together.”    They also weighed in on what qualities are the foundation for good friendships.    “It was so easy to talk to you and you were just so fun. Those are just the characteristics I look for in friends and I was like, this girl is easy to connect with and be friends with, it was just easy,” Hartsburg said.    Moretto stated that trustworthiness was important to her.    “Trust for sure. Can you trust the other person with information you tell them, to keep it between you two. Kinda like a relationship honestly. Literally communication, forgiveness,” Moretto said.    Sometimes friendships require a little bit of maintenance—like watering a plant. Don’t let the years slip away without ever making an effort, because in the end, it’s the small gestures that keep the connection alive. And if the spark dies despite all your efforts? Well, at least you tried, and you’ll still have fond memories.    According to Hartsburg and Moretto, friendships fade for a number of reasons.    “Sometimes thinking that you have to update each other constantly…it’s not going to be daily, and I think just knowing that,” Moretto said.    “Updating each other on the hard things, like when I’m away from my friends I like to call them,” Hartsburg added.   Friendships in college are often spontaneous, carefree, and a bit like a road trip with no destination. The key is not to get too caught up in the expectation that every friendship you make in those four years will stand the test of time. Some will last; some will fade.  That’s the beauty of it all. The fleeting nature of college friendships is precisely what makes them special. You get to experience the highs without the heavy weight of long-term commitment. And if some of those friendships do survive the test of time, that’s just the cherry on top. Either way, having friendships in college is important.    As Hartsburg said, “I feel like in general it is important to have a sense of community around you, it’s important to have friends even outside of relationships.”