College recruits face new challenges thanks to COVID-19
Andres Soto, Assistant Sports Editor
June 29, 2020
Elias Jauregui thought the game against College of the Desert was just like any other regular-season baseball game. The right-handed pitcher struggled with his command in the first inning, but his focus was unshakeable. After slowing himself down, Jauregui began dominating on the mound. He left the game...
Column: Is it the right time for sports to return?
Mano Baghjajian, Reporter
June 26, 2020
It has been over three months since the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic. As lockdowns began to set in all over the world, normal parts of everyday life started to disappear. Schools, restaurants and local businesses all began to close their doors as fear regarding...
Big West announces phase-in plan for return of fall sports
Andres Soto, Sports Editor
June 17, 2020
The Big West Conference Board of Directors announced Monday they would not make a final decision on the fate of fall sports at this time, as they worried it would be premature. Instead, the athletic conference released a plan for the phasing-in of fall sports that are within Centres for Disease Co...
CSUN Athletic Director Mike Izzi denounces racial injustice
Mano Baghjajian, Reporter
June 11, 2020
CSUN Athletic Director Mike Izzi has released a statement regarding the death of George Floyd. In his statement released on the CSUN Matadors Twitter page, Izzi opposed the country’s current state of racial inequality and injustice toward the Black community. “The recent events in this countr...
The silence of college coaches is deafening
Andres Soto, Sports Editor
June 3, 2020
It has been over a week since the brutal and inhumane murder of George Floyd at the hands of four Minneapolis police officers sparked outrage and protests nationwide. Athletes from all levels have taken to Twitter to voice their frustrations and some, such as former Golden State Warrior Stephen Jackson,...
NCAA extends recruiting dead period through July 31
Danny Escobar, Reporter
May 29, 2020
The NCAA Division I committee has extended the recruiting dead period through July 31, according to a statement released on Wednesday. “The extension maintains consistent recruiting rules for all sports and allows coaches to focus on the student-athletes who may be returning to campus,” said Dr. M. Grac...
CSUN women’s basketball signs three recruits
Alex Behunin, Reporter
May 22, 2020
CSUN interim women's basketball coach Lindsey Foster announced the signing of three new recruits to join a depleted team with only seven returning players. Lani Taliauli, Talia Taufaasau and Anaiyah Tu'ua are the latest recruits that will join the Matadors next season. Guard Talia Taufaasau will...
CSUN Cross-Country receives national academic award
Mano Baghjajian, Reporter
May 20, 2020
The CSUN men’s and women’s cross-country teams were recognized by the NCAA for their consistent academic excellence through multiple years with a Public Recognition Award. The NCAA Public Recognition Award recognizes athletic programs with high scores on their academic progress rate, an annual...
An early look at CSUN men’s basketball unofficial recruiting class
Danny Escobar, Reporter
May 17, 2020
Expect the 2020 recruiting class to make an immediate impact for men’s basketball. This upcoming class looks to replenish CSUN’s lost offensive firepower. With an NCAA-high seven transfers and losing two-time Big West Player of the Year Lamine Diane to the NBA, the Matadors have lost their three...
Mo Williams leaves CSUN for Alabama State head coaching job
Andres Soto, Assistant Sports Editor
May 13, 2020
CSUN assistant men’s basketball coach Mo Williams has been named as the next head coach of Alabama State. Williams first announced his hiring via Twitter on Tuesday morning. It’s a great day to be a Hornet. Go Hornets!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/HhQSo8VpOh — Mo Williams (@mowilliams) May 12, 2020 ...
A tale of two Artests: A generational bond beyond basketball
Andres Soto, Assistant Sports Editor
May 7, 2020
He’s used to it now, but he still remembers sitting in an elementary school classroom, waiting for the teacher to take roll. “Ron Artest?” the teacher called out. The entire class turned around almost immediately and stared at the young boy as he answered, their eyes burning into his subconscious. “It...
Big West Conference introduces Dan Butterly as new commissioner
Andres Soto, Assistant Sports Editor
May 6, 2020
The day after being named as the new commissioner of the Big West Conference, Dan Butterly was formally introduced in a press conference via Zoom on May 5. Butterly will officially start on June 1, the same day current commissioner Dennis Ferrell is set to retire after 40 years with the conference. “It’s...
