Big West Preview

The Long Beach State Men's Basketball team closes out its nonconference schedule soon, which means that Big West play is coming up.  After facing brutal competition worthy of deep NCAA tournament runs, the 49ers will be looking forward to the softer opposition of the Big West.

Last year, Long Beach State won the seasonal Big West title, but fell to UC Santa Barbara in the conference title game - a result that got them into the NIT instead of the NCAA Tournament.  This year, however, the sting of that conclusion will motivate them to a Big West title and berth into March Madness brackets across the nation.

The 49ers opened the season as Big West favorites, and despite going 4-5 in nonconference play thus far, they remain the team to beat.

Preseason all-Big West talents Casper Ware, T.J. Robinson and Larry Anderson lead an experienced 49er squad that has endured the fiercest competition of any Big West foe this season.  A 4-5 record may not look impressive, but considering three of those losses came to ranked opponents (and one of the wins came against then #9 Pitt), Long Beach State has a lot to be proud of.  The experience gained in those games will be helpful when competing against teams that have had zero games against ranked opponents all year.

Santa Barbara looks to be the biggest threat to Long Beach State, posting a 5-2 record thus far and boasting two preseason All-Big West guards, Orlando Johnson and James Nunnally.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo placed third in the preseason Big West rankings, and their 6-3 nonconference record shows that they are in it for real. Led by preseason All-Big West forward David Hanson, the Mustangs will be legitimate contenders this season.

Rounding out the contenders are CSU Fullerton and Pacific, teams that will likely hover around .500 but could make things interesting for the top of the pack.

Something for Long Beach State to look forward to is the plethora of easy opponents they will be facing later in the year. Bottom-feeders UC Riverside, CSU Northridge, UC Davis and UC Irvine are all cupcake matchups for an experienced team like that of the 49ers, and as long as head coach Dan Monson doesn't let his guys take those games too easily, they will be sure wins.

The only thing Long Beach State has to avoid is a collapse in the Big West tournament similar to the one last  year.  The regular season will get the 49ers in great position for a NCAA tournament berth, but they have to close it out this time.  With the group of guys they have, it's isn't hard to imagine a couple wins come March.

But first they have to get there.

Facebook Changes Education

Facebook is at the center of every students’ social life.  Its influence on society, the Internet and the world is vast and undeniable. It has also had a profound affect on education – and it isn’t all negative.

            Is it true that students waste their time on Facebook? Of course it is.

            “Any student that doesn’t spend too much time on Facebook is living under a rock,” said sophomore business major Evan Seraypheap. “But that doesn’t mean it’s all bad.”

            It certainly doesn’t. According to Neil Selwyn, a sociologist working at the University of London, social networks like Facebook allow students to learn through unconventional channels.

            “It has been suggested that social networking offers the opportunity to re-engage individuals with learning and education,” Selwyn said in his journal article Faceworking: exploring students’ education-related use of Facebook. “Students will often use Facebook to exchange information and opinions on their classes.”

Farmville is one of many
distracting Facebook apps

            Facebook has garnered as reputation of being a major hindrance to education, and more specifically, the completion of homework.  With apps like Farmville, Mafia Wars and ESPNU Collegetown, there are plenty of addicting options available to students who are easily susceptible to distractions.

            “It used to be that when I got home I would immediately start doing homework,” said engineering major Edwin Almeida. “Since I got a Facebook, that has stopped.  I mean I still get my work done, but having that distraction there certainly doesn’t speed things up.”

            Almeida does see the academic benefits of Facebook though.         

            “When you need to confirm something or ask a question about an assignment, Facebook can be very helpful. It’s also a great way to get your work edited and reviewed.”

            Sophomore Jelani Crear uses Facebook in a similar way.

            “If you can friend one or two of your classmates, it’s really helpful,” he said. “I try as hard as possible to avoid sending mass emails to the class asking questions that could easily be answered by, say, a Facebook friend.”

University of London

            Selwyn’s study backs up the viewpoints of these students.  In 2006 and 2007, he analyzed the Facebook activity of 909 students studying in the United Kingdom.  He specifically investigated how the students’ Facebook interactions were related to their education.  Another research question of his asked if Facebook contributed to increased disengagement between the students and their studies.

            The results of the study showed that students generally followed one of five themes while posting.  These five themes were reflection on the experience of college, exchanging of practical information, exchanging of academic information, displays of disengagement and exchanges of humor and nonsense.

            While a lot of the posting has to do with socializing or complaining about classes, a fair amount also furthered their academic pursuit by posting information on just that – academics.

            “There were instances of students using Facebook to assist each other’s educational endeavors in more inventive ways,” Selwyn said. “For instance, students would recommend journal articles and books to each other.”

            One posting read: “I’ve finally found a use for Facebook that isn’t detrimental to my degree!!”

Sites like Beachboard may be great for
posting grades and assignments,
but they lack options for efficient communication.

            This is the approach that many students and teachers alike are seeing from Facebook.  Teachers and school organizations regularly create Facebook groups to stay in contact with their members.  While classes generally have their own pages on school websites, few of them offer the opportunity for communication that Facebook does.  With group walls, classmates can post questions that are easily accessible and easy to reply to – a far cry from the “shot in the dark” mass emails that are sent around just hours before projects are due.

            “Facebook makes a lot of things easier,” Seraypheap said. “It’s easier to keep track of what’s going on in my social circles, it’s easier to find out about events and it’s also easier to get things clarified for school. You can ask for an opinion or advice on something and will be able to get an immediate response.  It’s as close to being in class as you can get when you’re online.”

            Facebook may be garnering a reputation of idiotic and pointless statuses, but beyond the junk on the surface is a world of help for education. It can be used as a tool or as a distraction. But that  is up to the students themselves. The ones who write the papers and status updates,  the ones who take exams and get Facebook report cards – the ones who study flash cards and play Farmville. The students are the only people who can take advantage of Facebook academically in addition to socially.  Let’s hope that they will.

Mickey Yokoi Named Men's Head Golf Coach

Former Arizona State assistant head coach Mickey Yokoi was announced as the new Men's Head Golf coach yesterday, replacing Ryan Ressa, who resigned on November 8.

Ressa left after brief but successful stint at Long Beach State to work for Taylormade, a leading brand in golf equipment.

Yokoi, on the other hand, spent 14 years at Arizona State, a program that has won five Pac-10 championships and four regional championships in the past nine years.  Among the numerous professionals to golf at Arizona State are Paul Casey, Chez Reavie, and most notably major champion Phil Mickelson.  It's safe to say that people know what they are doing in Tempe.

The 49ers finished their fall season just before Ressa resigned, winning one tournament but placing no higher than sixth in any others.  Their spring campaign begins on February 13 when they play in the CSU Bakersfield invitational.

49ers Hang Tough with #6 Louisville

In the midst of arguably the most difficult nonconference schedule in the nation, the Long Beach State 49ers lost their second consecutive game, this time at the hands of #6 Louisville, 79-66.

There had been excitement going into this nationally relevant matchup, especially because of the 49er's upset of then-#9 Pitt two weeks ago.

Despite getting double-digit point totals from four starters, Louisville's Chris Smith scored 18 points and led the undefeated Cardinals to their sixth win. Long Beach State fell to 3-3 with the loss.

"We never put pressure on them to get a lead," said 49er coach Dan Monson in an interview with ESPN. "Our issue was turnovers. We played a little better in the second half, but 79 points is a lot to give up on the road."

Long Beach State has had their issues on the road previously this year, losing in overtime at San Diego State and falling to Montana 73-71 on Saturday.  Their only road win was the crowned jewel of the season, an 86-76 upset at Pitt.

The road doesn't get any easier for the 49ers, who will play at #14 Kentucky, #5 North Carolina, and #11 Xavier in coming weeks.  Long Beach State remains the Big West favorite, but could easily end up going into conference play with a losing record.

Next up for the 49ers is BYU Hawaii at home on December 2.

Taylor Covey Makes the Most of Music

Stabs.  Punches.  High squeals.  These are all sounds that can be heard from Taylor Covey’s practice room.

            No, Covey isn’t a serial killer perfecting his art like the popular television star Dexter.  He is a trombone player, perfecting his art like so many of the musicians here at California State University Long Beach.

            He stabs the air with penetrating sound, punches out a B-flat with force and climbs the range of his trombone, producing a squeal that is somehow as full as it is high.

            Covey is the lead trombonist in the Concert Jazz Orchestra at CSULB and has been since he joined the program as a freshman.  That’s quite an accomplishment considering how deep the talent is in a music program like the one here.

            “I often look to my teachers and strive to play more like them,” Covey said of his attempt to stay motivated.  “I also look to musicians on other instruments who are more musically advanced.  I look to them for advice.”

Taylor Covey plays in many groups,
including this one at a Jazz Bass
Trombone Junior Recital

            So far he has been taking that advice and running with it.  Since first seeing music as a career option in the eighth grade, Covey has participated in many honor groups, including the All-Southern All Star band, a group that he was chosen for as a sophomore in high school. He made that group again his senior year as lead trombonist and was even selected for the California All-State band – once again as the lead trombone.

            “As someone who has played with Taylor in many groups, I can tell you he has a bright future in the music industry,” said Tony Belletti, a trumpet player in CSULB’s music program.

            For now, Covey is working towards earning a Bachelor of Arts in music.  Outside of school, he performs regularly in small groups called “combos” and is a leader at his church.

            “One of my goals is to make a living playing worship in addition to performing jazz and classic music at a professional level,” Covey said.  He also teaches high school students on the side, something any musician must do to stay afloat financially.

            “It’s tough being a musician,” said local trombone professional Steve Trapani.  “Yes, the music is wonderful and it’s a blast playing, but sometimes jamming just doesn’t pay the bills.  Teaching is a great way to not only help yourself out financially, but give back to the music community and contribute to the success of these young musicians.”

            Trapani keeps a sense of humor about the whole thing, however, adding that “pretty soon, my students will be taking all of my gigs.”

            In addition to performing and teaching, Covey keeps his plate full by writing and composing new music.  It is a requirement for music majors to take music theory classes, and Covey makes the most of the knowledge by using it to make new music.

            “I’m working on a couple new tunes right now,” Covey said.  “It’s mostly just for practice, but there is always the chance that one of the charts will be played by my combo.”

            With the fall semester coming to an end, things are beginning to take shape for Covey and the rest of the music program.  Most of the fall concerts were held last week, including one which Covey describes as his most memorable ever.

CSULB's Concert Jazz Orchestra
performing earlier in November

            “This past concert we did a big band featuring [professional saxophonist] Eric Merienthal and there was a part where the guitar and saxophone were jamming along with each other. It was just inspiring to not only see a live performance but to be able to play alongside that level of talent.”

            As long as Covey can keep finding inspiration and keep himself motivated, he can join local greats like Andy Martin and Bob McChesney and become one of the best ever to go through CSULB’s music program.  He already has enough awards and accolades for an entire refrigerator door, and at the rate he’s going, he’ll be out shopping for appliances soon.

            But until then, he sits in the CSULB practice rooms and takes stabs, swings punches, and squeals loud and clear for all to hear.  He climbs up and down scales, filters through practice books and learns and encyclopedia’s worth of knowledge on trombone method.  And with all that practice he takes the stage, never failing to impress the audience with the fluid solos that have come to define his style.

            A couple years down the road and it may not just be jazz club audiences that are impressed -  it may be the entire jazz community.

Long Beach State Upsets No. 9 Pitt

The Long Beach State men's basketball team became only the second ever nonconference opponent to win at Pittsburgh today when they cruised to an 86-76 victory over the #9 Panthers.

The 49ers had high hopes for the season, but none this high.

Preseason All-Big West first-teamer Casper Ware led Long Beach with a career-high 28 points.  It was his clutch play and leadership on the court that guided the 49ers to a historic victory.  Long Beach State hadn't beaten a top ten team since 1993 - a time when the current players were still learning how to walk.

Long Beach State was the preseason pick to win the Big West, and after tonight's victory, voters might even give them a spot in the top 25.  Defeating a team like Pitt on the road is no easy task - though the 49ers certainly made it look easy.

Long Beach took the lead with 12:39 left in the first half and never looked back.  The lead kept growing and growing, reaching 12 points at one time and never dipping below six.  When Pitt guard Travon Woodall fouled out, all that was left to do was celebrate.

The 49er will be doing plenty of celebrating after their big win, but there is a long season ahead and lots of games left to be played.  If they want to take home the Big West title and make it to the NCAA tournament, they are going to have to win a lot of those games.

With this team, there's no doubt that they can.

Chau Has Sights Set on Professional Golf

Mathias Chau is sophomore history major here at California State University Long Beach.  If one saw him walking around campus, they wouldn’t think of him any differently than anyone else.  But when Chau steps off of the campus and onto the golf course, he turns heads.  Heads that follow 300-yard drives and 100-yard hole outs.

            Chau started golfing at the age of seven, even participating in tournaments with his uncle standing by his side.  But when he outgrew his first set of clubs, he had to give up the game.  A good set of clubs is generally worth thousands of dollars, and he didn’t have that kind of money just lying around.

            Last year, however, Chau reinvested in the game that he had excelled at when he was young.  Set up with a job at the local golf course, Chau was able to save his paychecks and pull together enough for a new set of golf clubs.  After that, everything started to come together.

            “On a good drive, I can hit the ball about 290, 300 yards,” said Chau.  Most professionals hit their drives right around 300 yards, some longer, some shorter. “It’s kind of hard being consistent.  There are a lot of thing you need to go right in a golf swing.”

            No, Mathias Chau is not on the Long Beach State golf team.  But he plans on joining next year.

            “I’ve still got a couple of things to work out with my long game,” he said.  “I feel like my putting is there right now and my short game is pretty good…but once I start hitting greens from farther out, I can help myself out a lot.”

            Following a successful career at Long Beach State, Chau plans to enter the PGA Tour’s Qualifying School, which is the path most aspiring golfers take to reach the pros.  In Qualifying School (or “Q-school,” as it’s often referred to as”), hundreds of golfers enter into a month-long tournament with numerous stages.  A handful of golfers move on from each stage and by the end of it, a select few earn membership to the Nationwide Tour, which is similar to baseball’s minor leagues.  An even smaller number (usually in the single digits) earn membership to the prestigious PGA Tour.

            “In a perfect world, I would one of the few golfers to not have to go to Qualifying School,” said Chau.  “Realistically, I would probably have to go through Q-school and win a few tournaments.”

            Mathias Chau certainly has the attitude and standards needed for a successful golf career.  However, attitude and standards will only get one so far.

            “I’ve got to keep working, keep practicing, and not taking anything for granted,” said Chau.

            Keep practicing, and the stars may align.  After all, practice does make perfect.