Inside this Issue
Hirning Family “Keeps Paying it Forward” | Page 2
Black History Month Must-Reads | Page 5
An Inaguration Fitted in American Fabrics | Page 8
The Bengal
isubengal.com 3 February 2021
Volume 46 Issue 19
The Independent Voice at Idaho State University Since 1910
Email Aliases and Name Changes Kyran Cates Reporter From Dec. 11 through Dec. 13, Idaho State University’s IT services rolled out an alteration of the university email format, leaving many students and staff with two email addresses and little explanation as to why the revision was made. Similarly, students have struggled with updating their preferred name through ISU records and have consequently experienced difficulties with obtaining an appropriate email address, which only makes the circumstances even more frustrating. Chief Information Officer of the IT department, Tony Lovgren, was able to answer a few questions about why “alias email addresses” were assigned, and how students can go about updating their preferred name with ISU. Previously, ISU emails included the first four letters of individuals’ last and first names. “Information Technology Services was tasked with eliminating the 4x4 email naming convention (e.g. bengbenn@isu.edu) and replacing it with a more contemporary naming convention,” Lovgren said. The new aliases hope to better represent students and staff by using their actual names in the firstnamelastname@isu.edu format.
Please Recycle
In order to avoid extreme difficulties with the change, ITS chose to preserve the old email addresses in addition to the alias emails. “The old ISU email address still functions since both addresses are part of the same email account. However, any newly sent email messages will default to the new email alias address,” Lovgren said. While this change may seem intricate, it ultimately should not have any negative consequences for students and staff. As for students seeking to update their preferred name, whether out of preference or gender affirmation, ISU attempts to make the goal as attainable as possible. According to the preferred first name data standard, ISU recognizes that students, staff, and faculty may identify with names other than their legal names. There are several formats in which community members are allowed preferred names, such as a shortened derivative of a name, a middle name instead of a first name or a name that Continued on page 2 Cover Photo Courtesy of Idaho State University
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The Bengal at Idaho State University
3 February 2021 • Page 2
NEWS
Logan Ramsey | News Editor Contact: bgnews@isu.edu
The Hirning Family “Keeps Paying it Forward”
Photo Courtesy of Idaho State University College of Business Logan Ramsey News Editor Thanks to an endowment of $25,000, the Idaho State University College of Business has introduced a new scholarship called the “Hirning Family Excellence in Accounting Endowment.” This award, provided by Kelly, Kimberly and Art Hirning, the owners of Hirning Buick GMC in Pocatello, will go to one ISU student every year for the foreseeable future. As long as the student is an Accounting major, a junior or senior and can demonstrate a moderate or high level of financial need, they can apply to receive the endowment. Then as long as they maintain good academic standing the scholarship will be renewed. The amount going to an individual student will be at least $1000, but the amount is likely to grow each year. “I’m thankful to Kelly Hirning and the
Hirning family for making this incredible investment in our students which will positively impact accounting students in the College of Business for generations to come,” said Shane Hunt, a doctorate in Marketing and Dean of the College of Business. Kelly, who has served on the College of Business Leadership Advocacy Board, got the idea to make the endowment when he was talking to Hunt about the process he went through setting up an endowment in his parent’s name, “The Loren and Debbie Pilgrim Business Excellence Scholarship Endowment.” Hirning decided it would be a good thing to do because, “it would continue to give back long after I’m gone.” “If they’ve got a promising student who needs some help that’s who it’s going to go to,” Kelly said. Hunt, who is a first generation graduate, considers attending college the best investment he’s ever made in his life.
“College changed everything about my life,” Hunt said. When he first attended, Hunt didn’t feel confident that he was smart enough to go. A scholarship that he received changed that. The award itself wasn’t substantial, but, “Somebody, a family that I didn’t know, was investing in me,” Hunt said. It increased his confidence in himself and gave him an added sense of responsibility with his education. For students who are struggling financially going into their junior year, Hunt believes this scholarship won’t just offer financial support but added confidence as well. “That acknowledgment and recognition will be something that will help their confidence, but also help them position themselves as they go forward in their careers,” Hunt said. Hunt believes that the long term benefits from this endowment will be impactful
in the lives of students to come. “Whether your paying for it and your working or your paying for it and you’re taking out student loans, whatever the situation is, what the Hirning family has done will reduce the cost of college and help students complete their degrees and have that same life changing experience that I’ve had, that Kelly’s had and that so many of our graduates have had,” Hunt said. Hunt also hopes that future graduates who benefit from this scholarship also choose to give back to the university. “The only thing we would ask of them is as they go forward and build great careers that they work on doing the same thing for the next generation of students, so that twenty years from now an ISU College of Business student can get a scholarship in their name that keeps paying it forward,” Kelly said.
Email, Continued from Page 1
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better represents the individual’s gender identity. To view the full statement, visit the Office of the Registrar’s website and locate the preferred first name data standard in the student resources section. To begin the process of updating one’s preferred name, students should log-in to their BengalWeb account then navigate through the academic tools column to the student records section. Under student records is a link to personal information self-service, where students can edit their personal details, including their preferred name. Once this is done, students should request a new email address using the form found in the ISU service catalog, which can be located by entering “email address update request” in the catalog search bar. Once you have completed and submitted the form, ITS can create an email address using your preferred name. Students may also obtain a new Bengal ID with their pre-
ferred name from campus connection in the Pond Student Union Building, the cost of a replacement ID card is $15.00. Finally, if a student has changed their legal name, they should submit a name change form to the Registrar’s desk instead of taking the above actions. This form can be found in student resources on the Office of the Registrar’s website. “Once your legal name has been changed, you will need to email the ITS Service Desk at help@isu.edu to request your username be changed to match your new legal name. This is a complicated process that involves IT service staff going through all of ISU’s electronic systems to switch your name to your new legal name,” Lovgren said. If you are unable to find any of the aforementioned forms or websites or struggle with the procedure, please contact help@ isu.edu for assistance.
91.1 Pocatello 91.3 Idaho Falls 88.1 Upper Valley
Photo Courtesy of Idaho State University
Page 3 • 3 February 2021
The Bengal at Idaho State University
NEWS
Logan Ramsey | News Editor Contact: bgnews@isu.edu
Public Notice
Public hearings will be held Feb 19 and 20, 2021, to gather input on proposed student fees to become effective Fall 2021. The hearing locations & times are as follows: Tuesday, February 16, noon - 1:00 p.m. Zoom meeting ID 868 9166 4980, passcode 801524 Wednesday, February 17, 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Zoom meeting ID 827 9335 0023, passcode 252279 The meetings will continue until all presenters have had an opportunity to speak. Written testimony will be received through February 17, 2021. Send by email to budget@isu.edu Fees presented below represent the maximum under consideration. Final fee recommendations will be sent to the State Board of Education in March.
Full-Time Student Per Semester Type
2020-21 Amount
2021-22 Proposed
Change
%
Tuition Facilities Fee Technology Fee Activity Fees: Intercollegiate Athletics Student Health Student Union ASISU & Student Activities Student Support Services Intramurals & Recreation Total Activity Fees Total Full-Time Fees
$2,964.02 $295.00 $88.40
$2,964.02 $295.00 $88.40
- - -
0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
$131.02 $76.67 $166.70 $86.16 $75.36 $52.67 $588.58 $3,936.00
$131.02 $76.67 $166.70 $86.16 $75.36 $52.67 $588.58 $3,936.00
- - - - - - - -
0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
Graduate Fee Non-Resident Tuition
$1,026.98 $8,311.00
$1,274.98 $8,727.00
$248.00 $416.00
24.1% 5.0%
SUMMARY OF FULL TIME TUITION & FEES UNDERGRADUATE UNDERGRADUATE NON-RESIDENT GRADUATE GRADUATE NON-RESIDENT
$3,936.00 $3,936.00 $12,247.00 $12,663.00 $4,962.98 $5,210.98 $13,273.98 3,937.98 $ 664.00 5.0%
- $416.00 $248.00
0.0% 3.4% 5.0%
Type
2020-21 Amount
2021-22 Proposed
Change
%
Tuition
$335.03
$335.03
-
0.0%
Facilities Fee Technology Fee Activity Fees: Intercollegiate Athletics Student Health Student Union ASISU & Student Activities Student Support Services Intramurals & Recreation Total Credit Hour Fee Graduate Fee Non-Resident Tuition
$20.00 $6.52
$20.00 $6.52
- -
0.0% 0.0%
- - - - - - - $24.82 $13.52
0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 24.1% 5.0%
Part-Time Per Credit Hour
SUMMARY UNDERGRADUATE UNDERGRADUATE NON-RESIDENT GRADUATE GRADUATE NON-RESIDENT
$3.65 $6.80 $10.80 $7.45 $6.48 $5.27 $402.00 $102.97 $270.30
$3.65 $6.80 $10.80 $7.45 $6.48 $5.27 $402.000 $127.79 $283.82
$402.00 $672.30 $504.97 $775.27
$402.00 $685.82 $529.79 $813.61
- $13.52 $24.82 $38.34
0.0% 2.0% 4.9% 4.9%
Professional Fees Type
2020-21
Pharmacy Professional Fee (Resident) $5,683 Pharmacy Professional Fee (Non-Resident) $7,896 Physical Therapy (Resident) 3 sessions/yr. $1,537 Physical Therapy (Non-Resident) 3 sessions/yr. $3,328 Occupational Therapy (Resident) 3 sessions/yr. $1,262 Occupational Therapy (Non-Resident) 3 sessions/yr. $2,804 Physician Assistant (Resident) 3 sessions / yr. $7,230 Physician Assistant (Non-Resident) 3 sessions / yr. $7,315 Speech Language Pathology MS (/ Cr Hr.) $72 Speech Language Pathology Online PreProf.(/ Cr Hr.)$273 Speech Language Pathology Online MS (/ Cr Hr.) $498 Audiology AuD (/ Cr Hr.) $74 Dental Hygiene BS (Junior/Senior) $1,173 Dental Hygiene MS - Didactic (/ Cr Hr.) $157 Dental Hygiene MS - Clinical (/ Cr Hr.) $349 Dental Hygiene MS - Thesis (/ Cr Hr.) $271 Graduate Counseling $572 Nursing BSN $965 Nursing MSN $1,188 Nursing PhD $1,183 Nursing DNP $2,155 Paramedic Science AS (1*) $734 Radiographic Science $435 Medical Lab Science $723 Dietetics (3 sessions / yr.) (2*) $1,050 Social Work BA $125 Social Work MS $206 Athletic Training MS $750 Idaho Dental Education Program (Creighton Fee Est) $15,095
2021-22 Proposed Change %
Type
$5,875 $8,088 $1,626 $3,521 $1,344 $2,987 $7,482 $7,570 $85 $276 $499 $88 $4,175 $165 $349 $271 $657 $977 $1,201 $1,183 $2,185 $734 $450 $745 $1,073 $125 $206 $750 $15,095
ONLINE PROGRAM FEES
For more information on past tuition, visit isu.edu/cost/.
$192 $192 $89 $193 $82 $183 $252 $255 $13 $3 $1 $14 $3,002 $8 - - $85 $12 $13 - $30 - $15 $22 $23 - - - -
3.4% 2.4% 5.8% 5.8% 6.5% 6.5% 3.5% 3.5% 18.1% 1.1% 0.2% 18.9% 255.9% 5.1% 0.0% 0.0% 14.9% 1.2% 1.1% 0.0% 1.4% 0.0% 3.4% 3.0% 2.2% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
Community Paramedic Certificate Spanish MA (/ Cr Hr.) Health Informatics MS (/ Cr. Hr.) Elementary Education BA/BS (/ Cr. Hr.) NEW (3*) Special Education BA/BS (/ Cr. Hr.) NEW (3*)
2020-21
2021-22 Proposed Change %
$1,100 $330 $528
$1,100 $330 $528 $262 $262
- - - - -
0.0% 0.0% 0.0% -
$302
$24.91
9.0%
$100 $129 $170
- - -
0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
SELF-SUPPORT ACADEMIC PROGRAM FEES Diagnostic Medical Sonography Certificate (/ Cr Hr.) $277.09
OTHER New Student Orientation In-Service Undergraduate (/ Cr Hr.) In-Service Graduate (/ Cr Hr.)
$100 $129 $170
1* - $367.00 charged during Summer Session 2* - Not charged during Summer Session 3* - New online program; State Board of Education approved rate, December 17, 2020
The Bengal at Idaho State University
3 February 2021 • Page 4
LIFE
Kaitlyn Hart | Life Editor Contact: bglife@isu.edu
Black History Month Must-Reads Lesley Brey Reporter
in America, both fictional and nonfictional. This February, take the time to read:
This story is part one of an ongoing series by The Bengal Newspaper regarding Black History Month.
“I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” By Maya Angelou This autobiography explores Angelou’s experience growing up in the small community of Stamps, Arkansas with her brother and grandmother. Angelou is famous for her poetry and playwriting, and her style is reflected here. Although touching on topics such as racism, sexual trauma, abuse and homelessness, this book is ultimately about Angelou’s struggle to find her identity amidst her surroundings, and her resounding victory in that campaign. Since its publication in 1960, the book has never gone out of print, and in 2011 it was named to the New York Times list of 100 Best and Most Influential Books written in English since 1923.
Even in the midst of a pandemic, college is one of the best settings to meet new people and expand your horizons. Being a student at Idaho State University gives you the amazing opportunity to interact with and learn from people that you may not have had the chance to otherwise. At times, it can be difficult to know where to start, but when we make an effort to understand things outside of our comfort zones, we grow as individuals. One of the first steps in learning about what life is like for your black friends, classmates, co-workers and professors is to engage with black media. Although it may feel overwhelming at first, it doesn’t have to be a daunting process. There are hundreds of amazing books by black authors that discuss the reality of black life
“Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption” By Bryan Stevenson This memoir touches on the racial
Photo Courtesy of Wiki Commons
disparities in death penalty sentencing, through the eyes of Stevenson, a lawyer and the founder of The Equal Justice Initiative. It largely focuses on the story of Stevenson’s efforts to overturn the wrongful conviction of Walter McMillian, a black man who had been falsely accused of murdering a white woman. Originally sentenced to life in prison by a jury with only one other black person, the presiding judge overturned the jury, and imposed the death sentence. Set against the backdrop of Monroeville, Alabama, the hometown of Harper Lee, author of “To Kill A Mockingbird,” “Just Mercy” highlights the importance of being critical of our own biases, especially when those biases have deadly consequences. “Caste: The Origins of Our Discontent” By Isabel Wilkerson “Caste” is an in-depth look at the mechanisms maintaining and proliferating the racial divide in America. By examining different caste-based societies, Wilkerson identifies eight “pillars of caste” which work to uphold these deeply stratified systems. Published in 2020, this book was met with immediate acclaim for making a highly complex topic accessible to the average reader. Wilkerson highlights the downfalls of caste systems, and the generational consequences they burden on those in the lowest castes. Finally, “Caste” also explores ways to dismantle this status-quo, even in the face of intense opposition. “Song of Solomon” By Toni Morrison This fictional story weaves together elements of generational trauma, misogynoir (racialized misogyny) and coming-of-age. It takes aim at apathy, and confronts the reader about our own willingness to be bystanders in our lives. The book follows Macon Dead III, otherwise known as Milkman, from birth to adulthood as he works to untangle the mystery that surrounds his family. Using elements of Christian and
ISlamic religious folk stories, the narrative is decidedly multicultural. Furthermore, Toni Morrison is infamous for the engaging style and prose within her writing. Soon after its release in 1977, the book received the National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction. “The Hate U Give” By Angie Thomas Thomas’ debut novel became an instant classic when it was published in 2017. “The Hate U Give” details the fictional experience of Starr Carter as she grapples with the death of a childhood friend at the hands of a police officer during a traffic stop. Being the only witness, Starr is harassed by police to prevent her from testifying, while also facing criticism from her community for initially being hesitant to raise her voice about the injustice she experienced. Meanwhile, she is also gripped by the trauma of the event and the isolation she feels at her primarily white school. Ultimately, Starr is forced to choose a path when her two worlds collide, coming to terms with her identity and learning to stand tall for what she believes in. “Long Way Down” By Jason Reynolds In this deeply reflective story, the fictional William Holloman encounters eight ghosts as he rides the elevator down from his 8th story apartment while on a quest for vengeance against his brother’s killer. Each stranger turns out to be an important person in the sequence of events that lead to his brother’s death, consequently deepening the narrative with every new passenger. “The Long Way Down,” is a poetic piece that analyzes both the society as well as the individual. As the audience learns more about the circumstances leading up to the present moment, we are asked to confront our role in the cycle of teenage violence.
Photo Courtesy of Wiki Commons
Page 5 • 3 February 2021
The Bengal at Idaho State University
Kaitlyn Hart | Life Editor Contact: bglife@isu.edu
Professors’ Tips for Student Success
LIFE
Photo Courtesy of Pixabay Chloe Reid Reporter During the time of being a college student, it’s fair to say the many questions of potential success have loomed in most of our minds. Will jobs after college be accessible? Is your major going to stay something you’ll be interested in for the years after graduation? Will your future job be giving you a fair wage? Will you be able to start a life on your own comfortably? The years you spend in college can definitely make you feel intimidated by the potential to make it or break it in the career world. When most people think of success, the ideas of good grades, a good salary and confidence typically come to mind. However, success in college can be defined as much more than that. Within college, the professors on campus can be one of the most accessible resources to find out the best ways to be successful. Many of them have been a part of the college community for years, and have picked up a few insightful things on how their students can act their best and have the most potential during their time in college. Several of the faculty and staff at Idaho State University reached out to give
students’ advice on how to live the college life to the fullest, and the best ways to achieve overall success in school and beyond. “One of the most important things students can do to be more successful in college is to be organized and proactive about deadlines. It is good to keep a calendar of assignment due dates from across your classes so that you can plan ahead for (and get ahead during) weeks when you will have a lot going on,” said Alex Bolinger, who has a doctorate in management. Dawn Brooks, a University Honors Program advisor had several tips for giving yourself the most beneficial college experience. “My very first tip is for a student to build their own student success cabinet, while you’re seeking your degree you need to be careful about your selection of friends, instructors, advisors, tutors and mentors,” said Brooks. “Make sure that you’re surrounding yourself with supportive people.” “Learn to love ideas even when it hurts; difficulty in a subject can be a start of love rather than a signal to abandon the subject matter entirely,” said Brooks. “We often have a flight or fight reaction to new information. Take concepts that
Photo Courtesy of Pixabay
are offered to you. Don’t be thrown by it, be grateful that new things are coming to you.” Brooks further suggested that students remember to celebrate milestones. “Be motivational to yourself, and don’t overwhelm yourself with work and activities, focus on what you need to do to complete your major,” said Brooks. Shannon Kobs. who has a doctorate in geology, said, “Use campus resources. The longer I’m here, the more I realize that many students don’t realize how many resources are available to them as students. Use these resources proactively, not just when things go bad. There are a lot of resources on campus, but two of my favorites are the Counseling and
Testing Center in Graveley Hall, and the Writing Center/Math Center/Content Area Tutoring Services in Rendezvous. Time management is important too. This is such a hard skill to develop, and many students don’t pay attention to it until something goes wrong. Work on this skill just like you’d practice a sport or musical instrument.” No matter what the situation, learning to manage stress and take care of oneself during your college years is extremely important to the college experience. Learning to adapt the tips from above, or any tips you have found helpful to you during your time in college into your routine can significantly help in the long run.
The Bengal at Idaho State University
3 February 2021 • Page 6
SPORTS
Trevor Delaney | Sports Editor Contact: bgsports@isu.edu
Opinion: Staying Safe During Super Bowl LV Brandon Davis Reporter The Super Bowl has come again, every year since 1967 the best team from the AFC has clashed with the best from the NFC and this year, Super Bowl LV, is between The Kansas City Chiefs and The Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. The Chiefs enter the game looking
strong only losing two games all season, and now they’ve returned to the Super Bowl, beating The Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns on their way here. If they win Sunday they can join the likes of The Green Bay Packers, The Pittsburgh Steelers and The Miami Dolphins by winning back to back Super Bowls. Prior to last year the chiefs had not been to the Super Bowl in 50 years and now they could go back to back, possibly forming a new
Photo Courtesy of Wiki Commons
sports dynasty. Led by former MVP Patrick Mahomes and Head Coach Andy Reid, The Kansas City Chiefs are the heavy favorites to win it all. On the other side of the field stand The Buccaneers, led by former Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. The Buccaneers path to the Super Bowl was quite different than that of the Chiefs, going 11-5 and coming from the wildcard game, ‘The Bucs’ have had a much longer road to make it here. Prior to this Super Bowl Tampa Bay hadn’t been to the Super Bowl in over 17 years. The team seemed destined to continue that Super Bowl drought until they signed Brady. Who turned the team around almost immediately, in his first year with the team Brady has led The Bucs to their first playoff win in ten years and now their first Super Bowl in 17, along the way defeating The Saints and The Packers. Rivals and old enemies, both of which were picked to beat the Bucs. So who is to be believed, the experts or the team that has continually proved them wrong? When it comes to The Chiefs it may not be so simple, the two played earlier in the year and the Chiefs won 27-24 a game that wasn’t as close as the scorecard says. In that game the Chiefs came out on top in nearly every stat column. It may have been a wake up call to The Bucs though as they have not lost a game since. The experts and the betting odds picked The Chiefs then and they’re picking them
now. But it’s never that easy is it? These teams and these fans need this. And with Tampa Bay becoming the first team to play The Super Bowl at their home stadium it may just be enough of an advantage to get the upper hand. Of course the stadium won’t be as full as it would have been in any other year. The NFL has limited the audience to 22,000 fans, 7,500 of which will be vaccinated health-care workers invited as guests of the league. In person fans have never been the main audience of the Super Bowl though, that goes to the estimated 135 million people watching at home, a large portion of that being Super Bowl parties and gatherings. According to the Center for Disease Control, “Gathering virtually or with the people you live with is the safest way to celebrate the Super Bowl this year.” “Choose a safer way to enjoy the game.” So if you can, grab your roommates, order a pizza, have them leave the pizza at the door to reduce contact and have a blast. Not every roommate is going to want to watch the Super Bowl, and I know most people choose to watch it with their families in that case then celebrating it virtually is the best option. It may not be ideal, but for the safety of everyone, it’s best. So boot up Zoom, get some snacks and enjoy with those far off friends and family. May whomever you’re rooting for win the day.
ISU Head Football Coach Phenicie Signs Two-Year Contract Trevor Delaney Sports Editor The Bengals can now rest easy knowing they will remain in good hands once again, thanks to a contract extension signed by Rob Phenicie to remain as head coach of the Idaho State University football team. With the opening of the 2021 Big Sky Conference season less than a month away for Idaho State University, this contract made it to the end zone just before overtime. Phenicie’s previous three-year contract as the head football coach at ISU was set to expire on Jan. 31, 2021. Neither Coach Phenicie nor Pauline Thiros, Idaho State University Director of Athletics, could afford to run the time on this vitally important play for ISU.
A native of Huntington Beach California, Phenicie started his college football career as a Husker, playing for the University of Nebraska as a tight end during the 19841985 football season. A young Phenicie moved onto Orange Coast University, playing for the Pirates through the ’86 season. Our modest coach ended his college playing years with the University of Memphis Tigers in 1987, foreshadowing his later role coaching for the Bengals. Beyond his experience as a veteran on the field himself, Phenicie’s coaching experience goes back over thirty years. At the beginning of his grad school years, Phenicie stayed on at Memphis, coaching offense as a graduate assistant for the Tigers during their 1989 to 1991 seasons. He took this offensive coaching experience to UCLA in 1991, coaching
there as a graduate assistant until 1992. Phenicie started coaching for the Los Angeles Valley College Monarchs in 1992, specifically being in charge of coaching the quarterbacks and wide receivers until ‘97. For the next two years, Coach Phenicie was picked up by the Cal State Northridge Matadors football team, utilizing his wellhoned expertise in coaching quarterbacks and wide receivers as the offensive coordinator for the team. His offense experience played an instrumental role in his becoming an assistant coach at the University of Nevada Las Vegas campus in the 1999 season. Phenicie again started coaching in his element of offense at the University of Wyoming in 2002, also coaching wide receivers and recruiting for the Cowboys. The University of Montana Grizzlies
Featured: Rob Phenicie Photo Courtesy of Idaho State Athletics
managed to nab the much sought-after coach as their offensive coordinator starting in the 2002 season for his wideranging skill sets in coaching quarterbacks and wide receivers and impressive offense background. Before coming to find his most recent coaching home at Idaho State, Phenicie was hailed back to the UNLV Rebels in 2010 to coach as various roles coaching offense, quarterbacks, and tight ends for the next five years. Coach Phenicie started his coaching time with the Bengals in 2015 as the assistant coach for wide receivers under Head Coach Mike Kramer. Following Kramer’s retirement in March of 2017, Phenicie has been serving as the head coach for Idaho State University’s football team. Just days before agreeing to fill the position, Idaho State nearly lost Phenicie’s accumulated coaching abilities and knowhow to the University of Northern Iowa Panthers where he had been offered a lucrative job as an offensive assistant for their football program. The Bengals were lucky to beat the Panthers in this tossup, with Phenicie ultimately siding with ISU’s head coaching position as his choice. The Bengals have seen some admirable victories on the field since Phenicie took over, and are hoping to expand their winning percentage this coming season in the Big Sky Conference play. In his new contract, Phenicie has a set yearly salary of a competitive $168,875. This new contract raises Phenicie’s salary $3,875, up from his previous contract salary of $165,000 per year. In addition to the fixed salary amount for the new contract, Coach Phenicie has the option of earning up to $80,500 in potential bonuses. This new contract will need to be approved by the Idaho State Board of Education under state rules which require contracts that have a cumulative potential value of greater than $200,000 to be approved through the state.
Page 7 • 3 February 2021
The Bengal at Idaho State University
SPORTS
Trevor Delaney | Sports Editor Contact: bgsports@isu.edu
Big Sky Spring Football Season Changes Felt by Bengals Trevor Delaney Sports Editor A year ago, no one could envision the vast differences between the world we live in now and the world we lived in back then. With the COVID-19 pandemic just starting, something as constant as college football being interrupted was a lesser worry on most people’s minds. As many citizens around our country have had to make adjustments to their normal lives throughout this past year, collegiate athletics has been no stranger to making adjustments. At Idaho State University, the football team has been one of the hardest hit college sports in terms of having to make necessary adjustments in order to continue to play. With the Fall 2020 football season postponed until February 2021, this year has certainly been one for the history books. The last time a fall football season was interrupted for the Bengals was in 1945 due to World War II. To put the weight of this into perspective, this was prior to Idaho State College becoming the present-day Idaho State University. Just as shocking, this was before the Bengals joined the Big Sky Conference, even predating the formation of the Big Sky Conference itself. Each fall for 75 straight years without any season-stopping interruptions to speak of, college football has been an integral part of Idaho State University’s legacy and a staple of the true campus experience as a Bengal. The postponement of the Big Sky Conference fall football season came as an anticipated occurrence rather than an unexpected shock to the fans and players of the Big Sky teams. With practices and workouts being canceled as early as March 2020 for all schools including Idaho State University, the fear in everyone’s minds for the fate of the fall season was that it would need to be canceled altogether.
In light of the unprecedented pandemic, the possibility that all college sports would be called off for the time being was becoming a grim reality on the horizon for some teams and their fans. While the cases of the virus spread and numbers of patients grew around the country, the initial shock of the changes to the athletic community turned into a drive by officials to make the difficult steps required to protect athletes, their coaches and their fans. The teams have each done their own part in taking responsibility for keeping everyone safe. The Montana, Montana State, Northern Colorado, Portland State and Sacramento State teams have all announced that they will not be playing in this upcoming Big Sky Conference season due to health concerns. This temporary departure leaves Cal Poly, Eastern Washington University, Northern Arizona, Weber State, University of Idaho, Southern Utah University, UC Davis and Idaho State University left to play in the Big Sky. After these withdrawals, the schedule has been readjusted to reflect the best possible matchups amongst the remaining teams under the present conditions. Another major change is that no team in the Big Sky Conference will be allowed to play any teams outside the Big Sky during the Spring 2021 season. This special season will comprise six games played by each team, ending with the last matchup April 10. With the announcement coming back in August of 2020 that the fall season of the Big Sky Conference football was officially derailed until 2021, the teams have been gearing up mentally and physically for the coming schedule. With Idaho State University starting practice as a team just days ago on January 29th, the Bengals are sharpening their claws for what should be a season to remember for all. The usual Big Sky teams will not be playing during this extended season,
Featured: Jeff Harris Photo Courtesy of Idaho State Athletics
with only eight of the total thirteen teams agreeing to play due to concerns related to potential exposure or spread of the virus. Ultimately with such a big interruption to training and practice coupled with the ongoing risks associated with the virus, no one can blame those teams that felt it was best to sit this season out. The eight teams that chose to continue to play are all following the required safety guidelines from health officials, as well as monitoring individual player health and limiting unnecessary contact off the field. Each of the individual teams is responsible for following their own state and local health guidelines in relation to the seating of fans at games. For purchasers of tickets for games during the Fall 2020 Season at Idaho State University’s Holt Arena, they have the option of either keeping their ticket to be used for the Spring 2021 season, or obtaining a refund for any ticket
purchased prior to the postponement of the season. Tickets for the home game at Holt scheduled for February 27th against Weber State have not yet gone on sale. When the tickets for ISU home games are announced for sale, they can be purchased by calling (208) 282-3276 during regular business hours Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or through isu. edu/tickets. With in-person attendance by fans being canceled for other ISU sports teams due to health related concerns, it is yet to be seen what the future holds for ISU football fans being allowed to attend games during this coming season. The ticket website states that seating placements have been arranged in the Holt Arena ahead of time in order to comply with social distancing guidelines. Any fans with disabilities or other medical requirements for seating during games are encouraged to contact the Holt Arena Ticket Office as well.
Featured: Jalen Henderson Photo Courtesy of Idaho State Athletics
The Bengal at Idaho State University
3 February • Page 8
OPINION
Jacob Gutridge | Editor-in-Chief Contact: bgchief@isu.edu
An Inauguration Fitted in American Fabrics
Photo Courtesy of Wiki Commons Kaitlyn Hart Life Editor The historic inauguration on Jan. 20 brought us many things. The day brought us back a semblance of unity in our first female, African-American, and Asian vice president, an inkling of hope in the new administration, and the vision of an honorable presidential leader in President Joseph Biden. But it also brought us some reminders that in politics, it’s important to keep your head held high—and to look good doing it. The previous administration was known in the world of fashion for displaying their wealth on their clothes. Although former President Donald Trump stated that the family would be promoting American-made items and clothing, the former first couple wore a striking amount of European wardrobe pieces. Former First Lady Melania Trump famously wore a Dolce & Gabbana lace mantilla (a veil) to meet the Pope on her first international tour. She also wore a “fluorescent lime Valentino dress to watch her husband accept his party’s presidential nomination for the second time,” according to the New York Times. At the Biden inauguration, the fashion choices were distinctly more sentimental toward their love of country, and each choice seemed to be shaped with American unity. Biden wore a suit made by Ralph Lauren, an American fashion company. Ralph Lauren himself, is known as one of the biggest American fashion designers, famously donating more than $13 million in an
effort to repair the Star-Spangled Banner in 2014, according to USA Today. Vice President Kamala Harris donned a “black sequin cocktail dress with a floorlength tuxedo overcoat of cashmere wool lined with silk satin by Black designer Sergio Hudson” according to Town and Country. Sergio Hudson, a luxury women’s ready-to-wear label, is designed and produced entirely in Los Angeles and New York. Perhaps my favorite outfit of the event, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden wore a handmade dress created by her favorite American designer, Gabriela Hearst. In addition to creating pieces that are “ingrained with a mission of sustainability and professional empowerment,” Hearst also runs and operates her family’s ranch in Uruguay. Biden’s dress was a statement of unity and integrity, further pushing her husband’s campaign slogan, “Unite for a better America.” Biden’s dress was decorated with embroidery to reflect the federal flowers from every state and territory of the United States. With her home state of Delaware’s federal flower, a peach blossom, sewn close to her heart, she also wore an ivory double-breasted cashmere coat and leather gloves. Her accessories were designed by New York designer, Ruchi Kotahwala. The new administration’s families did not disappoint either, furthering the commitment to ‘dress American.’ Ella Emhoff, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff’s daughter, wore a gorgeous burgundy dress designed by American designer, Batsheva Hay. Hay is known as a devout Jewish designer who has come to make a name for herself by reclaiming the
Letters to the Editor
idea of modesty dressing - wearing house and prairie dresses, in a way that modern women of an independent culture can appreciate. Emhoff topped her dress with a bejeweled coat designed by Miu Miu, Italian designer Prada’s younger sister brand, breaking from the strictly American trend of the day. Meena Harris, sister to the vice president, showed up in a mesmerizing emerald green dress, designed by American designer, Ulla Johnson. Johnson, born and raised in Manhattan to archeologist parents, founded her clothing line in 1998, right after she graduated from the University of Michigan. Last but certainly not least, Senator, and former presidential candidate, Bernie Sanders attended the inauguration wearing a winter coat designed by Burton, an
American designer specializing in winter apparel. Memes galore parodied the outfit by pointing out that he was wearing the same coat that he wore in a campaign promotion video, which also went extremely viral. Even more fascinating, not only to me but to the rest of the internet as well, were the mittens that Sanders was wearing as he shivered in the cold, notably and intelligently six-feet from anyone else in attendance. His mittens, as he later told the press, were hand-knitted from recyclable materials by a Vermont school teacher, Jen Ellis. Completely overwhelmed by mitten orders after Sanders’ outfit choice went viral, Ellis has unfortunately announced that she is no longer taking orders. As the French say, c’est la vie.
Featured: Ella Emhoff Photo Courtesy of Wiki Commons
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The Bengal Staff Editor-in-Chief Jacob Gutridge
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Production Editor Hailey Nelson
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