April Wisniewski

I often wonder where people get their style influence. For me, I just know what I like. I do have some fashion icons but don’t necessarily agree with all of their choices or designs. I often like to rebel against them.

For instance…when the leggings re-emerged I swore I would never wear them, it took me about two months and now I have more pairs than I care to admit. Same thing went for Uggs. I still do not own a pair of authentic ones but since the popularity of the outdoor slipper boot, I have purchased a pair of more stylish, less slipper-like ones.

I recently discovered that “hammer” pants are back but are now called “harem” pants. I am sad to say I am extremely excited about this. When I was younger, I was queen of the “hammer” pant. They have been changed a bit, a little more tailored, and updated…I am stoked.

I want to be one of those people that stay tried and true to her fashion convictions but I am not. One day I may be making fun of one of my friends, as I do, and then, unfortunately, I may change my mind and they may turn around and make fun of me.

Fashion is fair play as far as I am concerned. I don’t make the excuse,“I am a woman therefore entitled to change my mind.” I change my mind because my taste changes…and I can.

So…I would like to know, what are your favorite styles of the now and why?

I have my fashion rules…I am not saying that they are right but they are mine. I am compiling a list of do’s and don’ts but I figure it should not just be mine if that is possible. I want know everyone’s opinions.  For instance…I say never wear socks with Teva’s.

My friend Marcus says no shorts with Uggs. I happen to agree but I do wear ugg-alikes (not with shorts).  My friend Ashley gets annoyed when the only thing from seeing a boys butt is his boxers. General consensus says never show a “whale tail”. (If you are not familiar with this term, it is when a thong is exposed over the waistband of ones pants).

I do realize that different age ranges have different tastes. That’s why I believe a forum such as BSU will be a plethora of information since we have all age ranges.

Therefore in the next couple of weeks I would like to receive from you, the reader, your likes and dislikes. I believe this will be good insight for all of us. I am always curious to learn about people, especially what and why they choose to wear what they wear.

Please email me at: pinkhairdiva@gmail.com. Include as much information as you see fit- likes, dislikes, age or age range, who or what influences you and anything else you would like to say.

I plan to write the outcome in about three weeks, so I would appreciate as much information as possible. Also, let me know if you want your name published as I will only do that upon permission.

In the next weeks to come:
Everything you ever wanted to know about Stilettos’ and possibly more.
The importance of accessories.

Related posts:

1. Fashion according to ME!
2. Fashion do’s and dont’s
3. Life through the eyes of a fashion guru

DESCRIPTION:
Arbiter Media is looking for creative, curious, agile and innovative students to serve as journalists in its newsroom. Arbiter Media is a student ran, award-winning multi-platform media outlet, publishing content in print, online, on the radio and television; and has an established reputation for its multi-media storytelling and innovative environment. For 76 years, Arbiter Media (The Arbiter) has served as the Independent Voice of Students at Boise State University and is a learning laboratory for aspiring media and business professionals. We will train you and give you the tools, support and encouragement you need to succeed. Journalists at Arbiter Media collaborate with a team of 7 journalists and editors charged with covering their specified beats in the production of interactive multi-platform media packages and stand alone content for arbiteronline.com and our newspaper, The Arbiter. Duties of a journalist include covering news events, meetings, writing features, analysis and producing multi-media segments. We are looking for reporters who can and will work a variety of subjects and understand the value of community journalism. Photography, audio, video, skills and comfort with WordPress and social media such as Twitter and Facebook are a plus. We do not expect you to have experience in journalism – but we expect you to come to us with a strong sense of journalistic values (including a serious grasp of ethics, news sense, commitment to our community, decision-making, working on deadline, etc.). You will work with the rest of our team (reporters, photographers, editors, designers, etc.) from across the newsroom on long-term and rapid deadline stories. You will be taught to conceptualize, design and produce stories that are told through print and online articles, various platforms of multimedia such as video and podcasts, microsites, interactive graphics, blogs, video and other platforms of media as they emerge.

Most importantly, we are looking for students who are quick learners with a lot of ideas and energy. Infectious enthusiasm is a bonus. Workaholic, overachieving, ambitious go-getters are highly encouraged to apply. Curious, inquisitive, story tellers with no fear of learning new technology, vastly expanding their knowledge of multi-platform media and pioneering the future of journalism would be absolutely batty not to apply. Journalism (and media in general) is not a job or a hobby, it is a passion. If that makes sense to you, we look forward to receiving your application.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Proven aptitude for quick creative thinking with acute attention to detail within demanding deadlines
• An eagerness to learn – and teach
• Strong communication skills
• Ability to articulate creative ideas
• An ability to manage multiple projects and meet both short-term and long-term deadlines
• An understanding of different media platforms including, but not limited to: print and online media, podcasts, photo slideshows and other forms of multi-media
• A healthy respect for Boise State University and its community
• Curiosity – particularly around media and a desire to understand the stories it can tell as well as the constraints it imposes
• Knowledge of social media and media aggregation sites such as Digg or ReadIt
• A love for writing and story telling.
• Minimum 2.5 GPA

HOURS and COMPENSATION:
This is an UNPAID internship. Students are REQUIRED to take a three credit internship during which they will complete a minimum of 150 hours of work over the course of a semester, producing media for The Arbiter and arbiteronline.com. The Editor-in-Chief will make exceptions on the internship requirement on a case by case basis under special circumstances.

HOW TO APPLY:
Email a letter to Editor-in-Chief, Shannon Morgan, expressing your interest in the internship to jobs@arbiteronline.com. Students can also send a resume but it is not required.

JOB DUTIES:
Arbiter Media is looking for creative, curious, agile and innovative students to serve as Online Interactive Journalists and help us tell stories and improve our users’ experience on arbiteronline.com. Arbiter Media is a student ran, award-winning multiplatform media outlet, publishing content in print, online, on the radio and television; and has an established reputation for its multi-media storytelling and innovative environment. For 76 years, Arbiter Media (The Arbiter) has served as the Independent Voice of Students at Boise State University and is a learning laboratory for aspiring media and business professionals. We will train you and give you the tools, support and encouragement you need to succeed. Online Interactive Journalists at Arbiter Media serve on a team of four journalists who serve directly under the Online Editor and Online Coordinator and are charged with producing content and maximizing the potential of arbiteronline.com. You will take the lead in developing new ways to engage and interact with our audience and lead them through our stories online and in print. We do not expect you to have experience in journalism – but we expect you to come to us with a strong sense of journalistic values (including a serious grasp of ethics, news sense, commitment to our community, decision-making, working on deadline, etc.). You will work with the rest of our team (reporters, photographers, editors, designers, etc.) from across the newsroom on long-term and rapid deadline stories. We are looking for students who are comfortable with both interaction/development of social media platforms (e.g., Twitter and Facebook) to foster a relationship with our audience in the production of media. You will also be taught to produce media to publish on arbiteronline.com and in our printed edition, The Arbiter. You will be taught to conceptualize, design and produce stories that are told through print and online articles, various platforms of multi-media such as video and podcasts, microsites, interactive graphics, blogs, video and other platforms of media as they emerge. We expect all employees to be self-motivated and to learn as much as possible, through their own means.

Most importantly, we are looking for someone who is a quick learner with a lot of ideas and energy. You will need to stay on top of emerging trends and find out how the website and the organization can evolve by adopting those trends. Infectious enthusiasm is a bonus. We will train you and give you the tools you need to succeed. Workaholic, overachieving, ambitious go-getters are highly encouraged to apply. Curious, inquisitive, story tellers with no fear of learning new technology, vastly expanding their knowledge of multi-platform media and pioneering the future of journalism would be absolutely batty not to apply. Journalism (and media in general) is not a job or a hobby, it is a passion. If that makes sense to you, we look forward to receiving your application.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Proven aptitude for quick creative thinking with acute attention to detail within demanding deadlines
• An eagerness to learn – and teach
• Strong communication skills
• Ability to articulate creative ideas
• An ability to manage multiple projects and meet both short-term and long-term deadlines
• An understanding of different platforms including, but not limited to: print and online media, podcasts, photo slideshows and other forms of multi-media
• A healthy respect for Boise State University and its community
• Curiosity – particularly around media and a desire to understand the stories it can tell as well as the constraints it imposes
• Knowledge of social media and media aggregation sites such as Digg or ReadIt
• A love for writing and story telling.
• Minimum 2.5 GPA

HOURS and COMPENSATION:
This is an   Students are REQUIRED to take a three credit internship during which they will complete a minimum of 150 hours of work over the course of a semester, producing media for The Arbiter and arbiteronline.com. The Editor-in-Chief will make exceptions on the internship requirement on a case by case basis under special circumstances.

HOW TO APPLY:
Email a letter to Editor-in-Chief, Shannon Morgan, expressing your interest in the internship to jobs@arbiteronline.com. Students can also send a resume but it’s not required.

DESCRIPTION:
Arbiter Media is looking for creative, curious, agile and innovative students to serve as photojournalists in our newsroom. Arbiter Media is a student ran, award-winning, multi-platform media outlet, publishing content in print, online, on the radio and television; and has an established reputation for its multi-media storytelling and innovative environment. For 76 years, Arbiter Media (The Arbiter) has served as the Independent Voice of Students at Boise State University and is a learning laboratory for aspiring media and business professionals. We will train you and give you the tools, support and encouragement you need to succeed. Photojournalists at Arbiter Media serve on a team of 5-7 journalists charged with covering their specified beats as well as producing interactive multi-platform media packages and stand along content for arbiteronline.com and our newspaper, The Arbiter.The position is responsible for capturing and editing images for Arbiter Media, produce Soundslides (photo slide shows with audio) and collaborate with fellow journalists on creating media on a variety of platforms, including in print. Duties also include covering news events, meetings, writing features, analysis and producing multi-media segments. We will train you and give you the tools, support and encouragement you need to succeed. We are looking for students who can and will work a variety of subjects and understand the value of community journalism. Audio, video, skills and comfort with WordPress and social media such as Twitter and Facebook are a plus. A love for writing or eagerness to learn is a must. We do not expect you to have experience in journalism – but we expect you to come to us with a strong sense of journalistic values (including a serious grasp of ethics, news sense, commitment to our community, decision-making, working on deadline, etc.). You will work with the rest of our team (journalists, producers, editors, designers, etc.) from across the newsroom on long-term and rapid deadline stories. You will be taught to conceptualize, design and produce story packages that are told through print and online articles, various platforms of multi-media such as video and podcasts, microsites, interactive graphics, blogs, video and other platforms of media as they emerge. We expect all employees to be self-motivated and to learn as much as possible, through their own means.

Related posts:

1. Letters from the Editor
2. Letter from the Editor
3. Produce your own podcast show with The Arbiter

CAMERON WIEMERSLAGE/ARBITER FILE PHOTO Broncos heavyweight senior Sam Zylstra works for inside position.

The Boise State wrestling team starts out this season ranked in the top 10 in various preseason polls. The team that sent nine individuals to nationals last year and broke a Pac-10 tournament scoring record looks to improve upon those number.

Expectations have may never been higher for the Broncos and head coach Greg Randall likes it that way.

“You just can’t believe you’re a top ten program,” Randall said. “That means you’ve got to believe you’re better than the top ten. You’re always trying to get better. We’ve been in the top ten before. We’ve been really close last year and right now it’s just not good enough especially with the talent we have here and how hard these guys have been working. If we finish tenth this year, you would probably consider it a failure.”

As always, Boise State will face tough competition in the Pac 10. This year, Randall believes his main two competitors will be Oregon State and Arizona State. Other than Pac 10 competition, the Broncos will take part in national duals on January 9-10 in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The national duals should provide a good indicator of how much work the Broncos need to do in order to be well positioned when the NCAA Championships roll around in mid-March.

“If you look at the Pac 10, Oregon State’s going to be probably a solid second and Arizona State probably right behind them. Maybe Stanford and Cal Poly. You have to set your goals not just to win the Pac 10, but to dominate and possibly put ten guys in the finals and hopefully have ten champs,” Randall said. “Other dual meets, you’ve got to look at the national duals. Iowa, Iowa State, Cornell College, Ohio State, Minnesota, they’re all going to be there. That’s going to be a big tournament for us. It will probably set the stage for where we are as we head into the season.”

Individually speaking, Randall thinks there are three guys on this team that could compete for a national title.

“We’re looking at Andrew Hochstrasser, Adam Hall and Kirk Smith. They could all be in the finals. It’s going to be a tough road to get there but once you’re there, you never know what’s going to happen. Potentially, those guys could be in the finals this year; there’s no doubt in my mind. As the season goes along, we’ll see where they are,” Randall said.

Nationals are a long way off, and for that to happen, things will have to go smoothly for Hochstrasser, Hall and Smith.

“Stay healthy. That’s the main thing,” Randall emphasized. “I think last year we lost a few guys and maybe they weren’t 100 percent going into the NCAA tournament and I think that’s a big deal if you stay healthy throughout the year and not miss any training periods. If we can keep all of our guys healthy throughout the year, we’re going to be tough to beat.”

As for Randall’s expectations for the team, it’s the same story. His goal is to raise the program to another level and be considered among college wrestling’s elite by earning a top-four finish at the NCAA championships.

“We want to bring home a trophy. To do that, you have to be in the top four. If we go to the NCAA tournament and bring home a trophy, you could probably call it a pretty good year,” Randall said.

Boise State is 2-0 on the year so far and looks to continue its success Nov. 22. The Broncos will travel to Corvallis, Oregon to wrestle Oregon State University and the University of Wisconsin.

Related posts:

1. Wrestling season lives on through two
2. Bronco wrestling hunts for NCAA titles
3. Wrestling tops PAC-10 rankings

JOSH RASMUSSEN/THE ARBITER Junior linebacker Derrell Acrey celebrates following an interception against the Idaho Vandals during their annual rivalry.

The injury bug has proven to be an adversary of many college football teams late in the season. The Boise State Broncos have faired quite well considering they have played 10 of 13 games thus far. But the defense hasn’t been prone to that bug as of yet.

The linebackers

“Knock on wood,” sophomore linebacker Aaron Tevis said of injuries.

Tevis has struggled in the past with injuries and still battles through the pain persisting problems. Sharing time with freshman linebacker, J.C. Percy, has proven effective and an efficient use of young talent.

“First of all you don’t get as tired,” Tevis said. “You get a couple of breaks, a couple of series off. That helps a lot to go 100 percent in the game. And definitely helps with staying healthy. I’m definitely an injury prone guy but staying healthy this year has definitely helped me a lot.”

Tevis has 34 tackles this season with five tackles for loss. He has also stepped into the role of a hands-savvy backer. He’s recorded three interceptions this season.

Percy has 42 tackles – three of which are for loss – and one forced fumble.

To emphasize the relationship the line backers have with one another, it would be an understatement to call it competitive. The six major contributors – Percy, Tevis, Derrell Acrey, Tommy Smith, Hunter White and Daron Mackey have seen consistent action all season between the two available linebacker positions. Combined, the leading linebackers have recorded 172 tackles, seven interceptions and 15 tackles for loss for negative 48 yards this season.

The defensive line

Much like the linebackers, the defensive line has shown they are running deep with talent. The Broncos have rotated 10 guys who have contributed statistically in some way; yet another way to stay fresh on the field as the season progresses.

Often, injuries would allow for other guys to step in and showcase their talent. With the lack of injury in the initial point of contact that is the defensive line and traditional injury-prone positions of defensive tackle and defensive end, it is somewhat a curious matter why there has been so much defensive line production from so many athletes this season. But in this case, it has been due to BSU’s ability to showcase vast talent due to depth.

“We have great coaches and great athletes on the team,” junior defensive tackle Billy Winn said. “It just opens it up for other guys to play. These guys have been waiting for a long time to get on the field and have their chance to shine. It’s gonna be amazing. They’re excited to play. I just can’t wait to see them out there.”

The Broncos’ defense has stepped up in the turnover category. BSU has forced 16 turnovers during its past four games – seven coming against rival Idaho – following a two-game turnover drought against UC-Davis and Tulsa earlier this season. Much of this can be traced back to the defensive line applying pressure on quarterbacks and running backs behind the line of scrimmage.

“For a team to get to cause seven turnovers, that’s a great stride,” Winn said. “Showing the productivity of the defense. For us to get that many is a great attribute.”

Prior, the Broncos had 13 turnovers during their first four games.

Defensive backs

Though there hasn’t been an apparent showcasing of depth at defensive back as with the D-line and linebackers, sparks of production have shown through. What they haven’t displayed in depth, they make up for in talented play and progressive playmakers.

Boise State has only seen one player sit in the defensive backs corps with sophomore cornerback Jerrell Gavins filling the large shoes of senior cornerback Kyle Wilson.

Wilson has three interceptions and two pick-6’s in the past three games.

Gavins had five tackles while standing in for Wilson against UC-Davis. He has 21 tackles this season.

The defensive backs have 14 interceptions and three forced fumbles as a group this season.

Related posts:

1. Linebackers are gelling thanks to depth
2. Early season woes stand in Zabransky’s past
3. Senior core looks to lead defense

NIK BJURSTROM/THE ARBITER Freshman Liz Harden goes for a kill shot earlier in the season against Northern Arizona

When Boise State women’s volleyball coach Shawn Garus took over before the 2009 season, he wanted his team to be the most improved squad by the end of the year. As the Broncos wrap up their season, it is fair to say they have reached Garus’ goal.

After a sluggish start the Broncos have battled back into contention and are prepared to take on the Western Athletic Conference Tournament.

The Broncos can credit the work ethic and the player’s never-die attitude to this season’s resurgence. This year the Broncos continued to fight even when things weren’t going their way and the new coaching staff can take some of that credit.

“Things have been a lot more stable this year,” senior defensive specialist Kati Lewis said. “We are a lot more structured as a team.”

The Broncos could have given in and blamed new faces and a new system to their slow start at the beginning of the year. Instead, they put their time in at the gym and continued to improve every week, despite starting the season off with 11 straight losses. Although they had a conference win against San Jose State University, it wasn’t until the home win against the University of Idaho when the Broncos began to see the results of their hard work.

“Beating Idaho here was really a turning point for us,” Garus said. “We came out and played a really good match against a solid Idaho team. I think that it gave everybody the confidence that what we were doing day-in and day-out was working, and if we stuck to it, we would start winning matches.”

Following the win against Idaho, the Broncos began playing like a completely different team. They started playing better as a squad and displayed a desire to win.

“We started getting wins and dominating,” senior libero Jeanene Rose said. “We were taking people out in three games and were able to keep it up and build our confidence.”

The Broncos have been able to maintain that confidence through the rest of the season. Heading into Thursday’s rematch against the University of Idaho, Boise State is fourth in the WAC. Depending on how things play out this week, the Broncos could go into the tournament as high as a four seed, or as low as a sixth seed.

For a team that was picked to finish near the bottom of the conference at beginning of the year, a birth to the WAC Championship Tournament is a notable accomplishment. However, the Broncos – especially the seniors – don’t want to settle with what they have already accomplished.

“I don’t want our team to settle, I would rather go out with a bang,” Rose said.

Related posts:

1. Volleyball enters last weeks of regular season
2. Bronco Hoops close out to regular season
3. Bronco Volleyball opens
   with record-breaking start

This is the face of an EVIL SOCIALIST! OOGA BOOGA BOOGA!

As you may well know, I fancy myself to be a tad bit liberal. Go figure, right? Well, because I enjoy fact-checking information that I receive via anonymous chain letters (read: I am a commy), I decided to look into this whole socialism thing. What I found was incredibly, well, reasonable.

Socialism isn’t the gateway system to communism or tyranny. In fact, many countries do it extremely well and seem to enjoy just as much personal freedom as any American does (potentially more, since they aren’t slaves to the insurance companies). The essence of socialism isn’t government control so much as a shared sense of community and common decency. Basically the way it works is that citizens pay into a pot by way of taxes and then that money is used to improve the quality of life for the rest of the country.

Socialist nations aren’t evil. Really, they aren’t, I promise. Nations such as the United Kingdom, most of the European Union and Canada (America’s hat), all have an integrated and mostly beloved socialist government. Perhaps you haven’t been overseas lately, but they seem to be doing just fine for themselves. They’ve replaced the conservative standard of “individual responsibility” (a.k.a. the philosophy of “MINE!”) with the radical idea of helping each other when one falls on hard times with medical care and welfare instead of casseroles.

As a result, most of the western world has higher literacy and life expectancy, but lower rates of poverty, crime, homelessness, unemployment, drug use and unnecessary death due to “pre-existing conditions.” After learning all this, I wondered why America doesn’t have more socialist policy around. Then I realized that we do.

Raise your hand if you’ve been to public schools. Okay, put it down, you probably look ridiculous. Have you ever called the police or fire department? Do you have a parent or grandparent on Medicare? Do you ever enjoy PBS or free local TV? Do you drive on roads? In Idaho this is sometimes arguable.

Congratulations! You’re a socialist.

America has a number of socialist services that most people take for granted. Why not take the ability to treat your “hand-gun misfire bullet wounds” for granted too? Can you think of a good reason not to have universal health care? If taxes are raised to do it, you’ll still save money compared to your insurance bill. The only legitimate fear of socialism is that it will be screwed up by the government.

Okay, fair enough. Look at public education. The problem for some with socialism is that it decreases inequality, which I’m sure certain members of corporate America and congress would find inconvenient.

America has a truly massive GDP. We should be able to afford to treat our sick and injured. Maybe if we stopped subsidizing successful corporations, spending $1,000,000,000 on housing potheads in prison and giving no-bid, cost-plus (we pay back whatever they spend plus a service fee) contracts to Halliburton, we could scrounge up the money. We might even have enough left over to create jobs via public works projects thereby stimulating the economy, reduce our debt to China and send our kids home with textbooks to do their homework.

Look, I know the Cold War was scary, but it’s been over for close to 20 years. We don’t need to be afraid of socialism. Would you rather see someone you vote for running things or a faceless corporate entity? Just because Michael Moore advocates socialism doesn’t mean you can’t. Trust me, I find him just as obnoxious as everyone else does, but socialism isn’t evil.

Richard Nixon is.

Related posts:

1. The Weekly Buzz Kill: America runs on pop-politics
2. The Weekly Buzz Kill: Idaho sex education fails
3. Capitalism = Responsibility

Columnist Fawn Caveney

My children brought home their October 2009 newsletter from school and as I perused through the pages I found an article that I really appreciated; “Keep your child’s schedule in balance for school success”.  Thrilled to see in print what I have so often shared with other parents and told myself-We All Need Down Time.

The source of the article came from Kenneth R. Ginsburg and the Committee on Communications and the Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health, via the American Academy of Pediatrics.  The article in brief shares how we tend to rush our children from school to soccer, to music practice, etc…. There is such a thing as too much of a “good thing”.  Kids need “down time” play is a central part of childhood and development.

I realize that this opinion piece I am writing is going out to college students, Professors, Administrators, etc…, so why am I wasting your time with such an article?  Well you may be “all grown up”, but your mind, body and spirit still craves and needs down time to maintain a healthy balance.

It is always a juggling act for this full time college student, mom and employee to niche out the “down time” for herself and with her family.  However, I can clearly tell when I am not succeeding in this for myself and when my children are in desperate need for some “hang time”.  It becomes clear when it is time to pull out the games, paints, movies, or clear the floor to dance.

The article points out how important free play is to children. It states, “This unstructured time is when she exercises her body and her imagination.” For all of us it is what helps us to remember why we are doing what we are doing. It also helps us to remember how to laugh and engage with one another.

Another point made in the article is, “Make family time a priority.  If you feel like you only see your child while you’re in the car, rethink your schedule.”  It saddens me when I watch families who are so driven that they miss the true grace of just being with one another.  My favorite memories of time with my family growing up and with my children today is the laid back hang time.  It is truly the simple things in life that touch our hearts, minds and souls.

I love it when I see on my son’s homework “What is one of your favorite things to do?  Play games with my mom”, or my daughter’s, “On vacation we got sick, but we had fun watching movies and playing games”.  While the big things in life are powerful and memorable, the awe comes from the simple pure sweet connection with the people we love.

We all know the impacts of stress on our health, so why do we do it?  Why do we accept the rush here, rush there mentality?  Remember to take your DOWN TIME, not just for your health, but also for the joy it can fill you with.  It may be hard to “make that time” however it is very important to “take that time”.

Related posts:

1. The Balance of the Juggler
2. Finding the perfect balance
3. Fresh legs keeping D-LINE more productive

JOSH RASMUSSEN/THE ARBITER - Bronco netminder Dan Beaudrea prepares to stop a break-away shot from a University of Montana forward during a home game Nov. 6. at Idaho Ice World.

Boise State University football may make national headlines, and the women’s soccer players may call themselves Western Athletic Conference Champions, but none of their accomplishments came on ice.

The BSU hockey club, however, is in full swing, taking the ice by storm and has already played 13 of its 38 games this season.

Club president and team captain Dalton Smith, and his father, Lee, claim responsibility for starting the club 3 years ago.

“A lot of these kids came up together and want to play hockey,” Lee says. “They had nowhere else to go.”

It’s no small project to start a club either. It takes more than $40,000 yearly to play a full season. Lee is no longer designated the head coach though he handled those duties for the first two seasons.

JOSH RASMUSSEN/THE ARBITER - Boise State center, team captain and club president Dalton Smith extends toward the net during a shot in a home game against the University of Montana Nov. 6. at Idaho Ice World.

“I basically dumped my American Express into the first year just to prove we were serious,” Lee says.

To make matters more difficult, head coach Ken Beaudreau, in his first year coaching the Broncos, says, “I volunteer. The parents volunteer. The team manager, the assistant coach — no one gets paid. We are self-funded.”

He adds, “We’re always looking for sponsors. We’re always looking for support.”

The Broncos play as part of the ACHA (American College Hockey Association) in division II. The Broncos may play DII, but a DII hockey team doesn’t carry the same second-tier connotation as a DII football or basketball team. Other notable ACHA DII teams include Harvard, Ohio State University, New York University, Virginia Tech University, Arizona State University and the University of Idaho.

The rules most closely compare to those of the NCAA. Players must wear a full-cage on their helmets and fighting is forbidden. That doesn’t mean fights don’t happen. The penalty is an automatic ejection with a 1-game suspension as well as a 5-minute major another member of the team must serve during the game.

Like many sports, hockey demands a great deal from its players. To keep eligibility, each student must be a full-time, degree-seeking, with a minimum of nine credits and maintain a 2.0 GPA.

“It’s definitely been taking its toll on the whole team with grades, being gone every single weekend,” Dalton says. “It’s definitely intense. I don’t think somebody could hold a full-time job, go to school and play for a team. I personally don’t think it’s possible.”

But the reward is worth it to the players, most of whom grew up playing hockey. They manage themselves like any other hockey team.

“We don’t really allow any kind of drama between the players,” Dalton says. “Everyone shows a certain amount of respect for each other.”

BSU junior and 3-year-veteran of the WHL (Western Hockey League) Aaron Roberge’s several-team, multiple-league, hockey career came to an end 3 years ago in Canada but he maintains a love for the sport. Because of a by-law disallowing players with professional experience (WHL included) to play college hockey, he is ineligible to play with the Broncos but practiced with them a few times prior to receiving the news. The ACHA is not the WHL but some things never change.

“When I stopped playing hockey, I took a good, couple years off so … ya know how it is with guys on hockey teams — everyone’s really good, close friends,” Roberge says, “and there’s good camaraderie and everyone seems to get along. You get a feeling of being on a team and being with a group of guys who like to have fun and compete together.”

While athletes are often most-known through their sports, they are still responsible for daily life.

“Everything that happens at Boise State, the club sports, the varsity sanctioned sports — all of it’s important,” Ken says, “They’re all student athletes. These are people who are putting an enormous amount of time into their game, practice, school work and trying to get a degree. To me, they’re the finest of the finest.”

Ken has been coaching for 15 years at a variety of levels in multiple leagues including Peewees, Bantam, U-18 and the Idaho Rattlers. Youth soccer and YMCA roller hockey also help account for his coaching history.

“The game is almost secondary to what we’re trying to do,” he says, “which is make better men out of them — get them ready for the world.”

Ken’s son Dan Beaudreau, also the club vice president, serves as a 6’, 220-pound goalie for the Broncos. Coaching him has been really easy according to Ken.

“I’ve coached him for so many years and so many different teams that when we’re on the ice, he’s not my son and I’m not his father. We have kind of zoned that out, because I don’t understand goalies. They’re a totally different breed than anybody else. You’ve got to let him be who he is and trust him.”

The Broncos have a 23-man roster including former Idaho Junior Steelheads forwards Kevin Costello and Tyson Barnes and former Junior Steelheads AA defenseman Blake Englund. Boise is listed as the hometown for 13 of the 23 players.

A couple of the more-experience players are Dalton and brother Cortland Smith who combined for 54 of the team’s159 points in the 2008-2009 regular season. Cortland gets credit for leading the team in both goals (12) and assists (20) last season though he was followed closely by Dalton who tallied 11 of each.

Dalton’s hockey resume includes time with the Columbus Blue Jackets Midget Major AAA, an affiliate of the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets.

Dalton says the team looks for “experienced players who are passionate about playing hockey.”

The club doesn’t only benefit players and fans. It also gives medical staff a chance to familiarize themselves with a new sport and learn its challenges. Gen Ludwig, the coordinator for injury prevention and care through Boise State says some of the most important differences are the rules and procedures. Also of educational value to new trainers are the pads and the order in which they are put on and likewise, taken off, should it be necessary during the treating and/or diagnosing of an injury.

The Broncos practice once a week on Wednesday.

The Broncos’ next home games are Friday and Saturday at Idaho Ice World at 10:00 p.m. against BYU.

To those who are new to the sport, Ken says, “Come out and learn the game. Come out with somebody who knows the game, learn it and (you) will fall in love with it when (you) see it live.”

Related posts:

1. Boise State hockey to take on U of I
2. Broncos hockey club has varsity attitude
3. BSU Men’s Ice Hockey Club skates into action

TONY ROGERS/THE ARBITER Preacher Shawn Holes walks around the quad on Nov. 9

Are you a good person? If you have any doubts, there is one man who may be able to answer your question.

Standing on a little stool in the quad on Nov. 9, Preacher Shawn Holes gave impassioned speeches about the importance of the Bible and the destiny of those who do not take God’s word seriously. Holes’ message, in his own words, is to illustrate that we will someday die and be judged by God’s righteous standard. Punishment for our sins or crimes is eternal hell, but God has made a way for us to escape punishment and wrath. Jesus Christ died so we could be forgiven and our response must to be to turn away from sins because Jesus was so kind to save us.

Holes and his family travel in an RV around the country to preach the word of God, as they have interpreted it, primarily at college campuses. It seems that their interpretation boils down to this: if you don’t obey God, you will burn in the fiery inferno of hell for all eternity.

The way that Holes conveys his ideas is very caustic and is not going to convince non-believers to convert or even listen, but instead solidify their aversion to the religion as a whole. His way of preaching makes more people feel resistant than welcome to these ideas.

Holes works hard to address non-believers and help them understand that we are all lawbreakers in God’s eyes. It is, according to his philosophy, our job to turn away from sin and trust in the one and only God of the Universe, the God of the Bible, Jesus Christ.

Shawn and his family also have a Web site, salvationjunction.com, to help people discover more about themselves. One such feature is a link to a quiz which will tell people if they are a good person or not. Based on the answers to eight questions, those who take the quiz will be provided a printable version of the results detailing why they are sinners according to the bible. From there they can see if they are going to heaven or hell and why this should concern them. According to the quiz, if you have ever told a lie, stolen anything, taken the Lord’s name in vain or looked at someone with lustful thoughts, you are guilty and will be going to hell.

For most people, threats of eternal damnation and shouting about going to hell are definitely attention getters. However, describing the fate of those who don’t believe in God by attempting to force-feed passersby of their own beliefs instead of logically dialoguing about the different ways of thinking is not accomplishing anything. Instead it feeds the controversy by presenting ideas in an aggressive and uncomfortable manner. Such extreme tactics are often offensive, even to other Christians.

Kristine Stompro, Boise State sophomore, is such a person of Christian faith who found Holes’ actions unnecessary and insulting.

“I believe in Christianity, but people like him give other Christians a bad name,” Stompro said. “He is too extreme and his preaching on a soapbox gives people the wrong idea about the values that Christians should admire.”

It is people who preach like Holes that make non-Christians more skeptical about the religion and less likely to listen even in other settings. This type of abrasive and insulting speech only contributes to the barrier that makes fluid communication between these two ideals difficult.

Related posts:

1. ‘Shawn the Baptist’ visits Boise State
2. Are Christians… Christian?
3. "… and all the non-believers"

Hundreds of dreamers, problem-solvers and just interested Boiseans leaned forward to listen to the answers Thursday night. The answers were given as part of Ignite Boise 3; part presentation, part information and all inspiration for a city  thirsty for ideas.

Its recipe is simple: Give anyone that has something to say five minutes and 20 slides to speak their mind.

The event, which shies away from using traditional advertising and instead relies on social media to spread its message, used the Twitter hashtag #IB3 to help the audience live Tweet the evening and find others watching at the theater or at home.

Before the presentations begin and again at intermission, a stream of statuses, questions and requests slid down the main screen showcasing everything the community had to say about Ignite Boise.

“There’s going to be diverse individuals giving some very, very cool topics tonight,” said Ron Baker, co-founder of Ignite Boise and co-owner of Rizen Creative.

Justin Kuntz, Ryan Lascano and Steve Norell gave the second presentation of the night as part of ConsiderDesign.org. The group highlighted the differences between good and bad design, comparing the tales of two different cities’ mass transit systems. They showcased Valley Ride’s Web site and showed how jumbled it was with many buttons and text scattered around. Next, they highlighted the city of Portland’s mass transit Web site which was simpler, used bolder colors and included a spot for your beginning and destination.

“Design is making people’s lives easier without making them realize it,” the group said.

While Consider Design focused on principals and a local example of something that could be improved, Brian Harrison weaseled his way to something a little different.

Harrison explained how, “without even trying,” you can get your way out of committing to just about anything. Harrison incited the audience to be conscious of the words they use, the commitments they don’t make, and then “find the action and decisiveness that is missing in today’s society.”

Harrison prompted how John F. Kennedy said we should visit the moon by the end of the decade, but first set a concrete goal.

“So why the change?” Harrison said. “Well, frankly, it’s just easier. What used to take days, weeks, months to prepare can now be changed in hours, minutes, seconds.”

He said that because plans can be both created and changed so quickly, they are.

“That snowball effect just keeps going.”

The most Twittered presentation of the night and likely the most talked about was Kevin Richert’s presentation, “Every Springfield Needs a Shelbyville.”

The Idaho Statesman’s editorial page editor, sporting a black U of I baseball cap, argued that Boise is very divided. While the town supports two football teams, it also has trouble with arguments on how bicyclists and automobile drivers share the road. Richert offered a solution.

The Treasure Valley should no longer fight amongst itself, but instead, press its angst against our closest rival, Tallahassee. He said the city is similary sized, is also a state capital and also hosts a large state-funded school, Florida State.

“I’m here to tell you that all roads lead to Tallahassee, Florida!” Richert said. ”Everything I read about Tallahassee, I don’t like. While we’re toughing it out in January, inversion month, these guys have temperatures in the low 60’s. Therefore, they’re wimps!”

During Richert’s presentation his slide read “Takeaways – We are better than Tallahassee.”

We’ll see.

The next Ignite Boise will be held April 22. Visit their Web site, IgniteBoise.com for information.

Ignite Boise 3 Talks:

1. How to Win 1-ups in Super Mario and Influence People
2. Consider Design
3. Weasel Words: How to Keep from Committing to Anything (Without Even Trying)
4. “Mad (Wo)Men”: The Women of ‘Mad Men,’ the Modern Women Who Love Them, and How to Know Which Mad (Wo)Man You Are
5. A $1 Trillion Loaf of Bread; or Backup Your Brain
6. Every Springfield Needs a Shelbyville
7. A Quick Primer on Slow-Cooked Barbecue (then Intermission)
8. How Eating Guinea Pigs Can Save the World (Or At Least Part Of It)
9. ADD-tastic
10. Science Quickies
11. Don’t be lazy, SAVE THE PLANET!
12. Draining the Swamp
13. The Farmer Who Went Postal
14. Hate What You See On the News? Well… It’s Your Fault.
15. All Aboard the Soul Funky Train (a.k.a. Fundamentals of Supergroovalisticprosifunkstication)

Related posts:

1. Get ready for Ignition: Ignite Boise 3 an inferno of ideas (updated)
2. Boise State Student Union expansion still in design phase
3. Intelligent Design gets ‘Expelled’