Lady Bulldogs defeat district rival Skyline College 68-54

Media Credit: Hansel Vargas-Machuca
Lady Bulldog Patricia Malaspina, guarded by a Skyline Trojan, looks for a teammate to pass the ball to.

Media Credit: Hansel Vargas-Machuca
After sprinting across the court in an offensive rebound, Lady Bulldog Alexis Jenkins looks for a teammate to pass the ball to.

Media Credit: Hansel Vargas-Machuca
Lady Bulldog Erica Hayes prepares to block Skyline Trojan Rachelle Hwee's attempt at a shot.

Media Credit: Hansel Vargas-Machuca
The Lady Bulldogs surround Head Coach Michelle Warner for a 30-second briefing during a time-out session.

http://media.www.sanmatean.com/media/storage/paper796/news/2009/12/14/Sports/Lady-Bulldogs.Defeat.District.Rival.Skyline.College.6854-3854676.shtml

Sharon Ho
Issue Date: 12/14/2009

Fresh after a 73-49 win against Mission College just two days ago, the Lady Bulldogs triumphed the Skyline College Trojans on Jan. 15 with a score of 68-54 to win their second conference game of the season.

The Bulldogs dominated the game against a smaller Skyline team with a whooping 30 offensive rebounds, having just pulled off a season-best of 62 rebounds against Mission on Jan. 13.

Although the Bulldogs led the scoreboards throughout the game, a determined Skyline dogged the Bulldogs relentlessly throughout the game. The Trojans nearly overtook CSM at one point, trailing by only four points 51-47 11 and a half minutes into the second period after lagging behind CSM 35-24 at halftime.

"You have to give Skyline a lot of credit; they had a lot of focus," said Bulldog head coach Michelle Warner.

Perhaps the Trojans focused too much on trying to score, because they committed nearly half of their 35 turnovers to traveling violations, which really hurt their chances. On the sidelines, Skyline head coach Trisha Hosley was understandably upset.

Despite scoring an average of three shots for every 10 attempts, the Bulldogs played well as a team, working hard in offensive rebounds, defensive play and assists to push CSM forward.

The Bulldogs scored half of their 68 points on second, third, and even fourth-chance opportunities. A Bulldog player would miss a shot, only for a teammate to grab the ball to try for another shot, and another, and sometimes even another until they finally scored, leading to amused chuckles from the bleachers.

"We did good; we played good defense and we played good together tonight," said Bulldogs forward Patricia Malaspina, who scored 20 points, just one point shy of teammate Erica Hayes' 21 points.

"We suffered a heartbreaking loss to Skyline last year, with them scoring in the last few seconds to win the game, so it is good to win," Malaspina said. "Hopefully we'll do that again at Skyline."

In their last home match against Skyline College in February 2009, the Bulldogs lost 52-54 after a CSM three-pointer tied the score with eight seconds left only, for the Trojans to reply with a rebound shot in the last seconds of the game.

"With a rival like Skyline, we don't want to lose," said Warner. "It was good to win against a district rival."

The Bulldogs are playing against City College of San Francisco next in an away game on Jan. 20 and will be meeting the Trojans at Skyline on Feb. 5.

Financial Aid Workshop to be held at local library

http://media.www.sanmatean.com/media/storage/paper796/news/2009/12/14/News/Financial.Aid.Workshop.To.Be.Held.At.Local.Library-3853939.shtml

Sharon Ho
Issue date: 12/14/09

The financial aid office will be holding a free financial aid application workshop on Jan. 23 at the San Mateo Public Library located on 55 West 3rd Avenue.

The workshop is open to current CSM students and senior high school students. Parents are also welcome.

There will be two workshop sessions; one student who attended each session will get a chance to win a $1,000 Cash for College scholarship.

"CSM has been participating in the Cash For Scholarship every year since 2005," said financial aid technician Jesenia Diaz.

More than 200 people attended the two workshop sessions last year, said Diaz.

"During the workshop, we will be going through the 2010-2011 Free Application for Federal Student Aid process," said financial aid technician Karen Chadwick. "Like last year, we will go through the whole FAFSA application line by line."

Students are advised to submit their FAFSA application by the Mar. 2 priority deadline so that they will be eligible to apply for the Cal Grant, said Diaz.

The workshop will take place in the Oak Room. The tentative schedule is as follows:

10:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.: participants arriving
10:45 a.m. to 11.45 a.m.: first presentation
11:45 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.: open for questions
12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m.: lunch break
12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.: second presentation
1:30 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.: open for questions

Light refreshments in the form of pizza and drinks will be provided during the lunch break, Diaz said.

"We ask that students and their parents come in before the start of each presentation so that they will not miss any important information," said Diaz.

Ways you can help to support CSM

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At the all-college budget forum held Nov. 30 last year, President Claire told a concerned college community that CSM was looking into an "eScrip" program that would allow local businesses to donate a portion of purchases made by supporters to the college.

Three weeks later, as of Dec. 21 last year, CSM is now part of the eScrip, Amazon Associates and S.H.A.R.E.S. programs.

Students and staff who own a credit card, a debit card, or a department store card, can sign up with the eScrip program. A percentage of the purchases made with a participating card will be donated to up to three organizations of your choice, one of which can be CSM. CSM's group ID is 500023653.

CSM is also now part of the Amazon Associates Program. Simply shop through this link: http://www.collegeofsanmateo.edu/Amazon and Amazon.com donates four percent of purchases back to CSM.

Students and staff who buy their groceries from Lucky, FoodMaxx, Savemart and Smartfoods can contact CSM director of marketing Beverley Madden at madden@smccd.edu or (650) 574-6538 to get a S.H.A.R.E.S. card. CSM will receive three percent of all qualifying purchases you make at these S.H.A.R.E.S. participating stores.

For more ways to support CSM, visit http://collegeofsanmateo.edu/communityandalumni/supportcsm.asp.

Information about the eScrip, Amazon Associates and S.H.A.R.E.S. programs were obtained by The San Matean through interviews with CSM director of marketing Beverley Madden and CSM President Michael Claire.

Friends and family celebrates life of '08 linebacker

http://www.sanmatean.com/media/storage/paper796/news/2009/12/14/News/Friends.And.Family.Celebrates.Life.Of.08.Linebacker-3852764.shtml

Sharon Ho
Issue Date: 12/14/09

Hayward's All Saints Catholic Church held a mass and vigil on Jan. 11 for former CSM linebacker William Robert Vatuvei, who died at age 19 on Jan. 3.

Vatuvei's funeral mass and burial took place on Jan. 12 at the Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Hayward.

"Last night's vigil, which began at 7 p.m., went on until after 11 p.m.," said All Saints Catholic Church liturgical coordinator Mari Kriege in a phone interview.

"The whole chapel was so full that there were people standing at the back of the church," said Bulldog teammate Matangi Tonga, who attended the vigil. "That was a good thing because it showed his family that Will made an impact on so many people's lives."

"There were well over 2,000 people there," said Bulldog defensive coordinator Tim Tulloch in a phone interview. "There was such an overwhelming outpouring of support from the local community and it was amazing seeing how many lives he touched."

"The huge turnout just shows how great of a man Will was," said Bulldog teammate Jack Forbes, who attended the vigil. "Will was a special guy who always had a big smile on his face. We played the same position of outside linebacker. When Will first came to CSM, I sort of took him under my wing."

"(Will's death) really didn't hit me until after the mass ended and the break happened," said Bulldog teammate Josh Crigger, who also attended the vigil. "During the break all of the boys (Vatuvei's Bulldog teammates) met up and went to go see the body. That was probably the hardest part."

According to Crigger, Vatuvei's No. 44 Bulldog jersey, No. 44 Moreau Catholic High School football jersey and No. 44 Hayward High School football jersey were placed beside his casket.

Vatuvei, who loved football and played football for most of his short life, had a cousin who plays for the NFL's Cincinnati Bengals; Vatuvei himself had a lifelong dream to pursue football as a career.

"Will was an amazing person to be around and was the definition of a team player," said Bulldog teammate David Aknin, who also attended the vigil. "He will truly be missed by the entire Bulldog family. Life is too short."

"It was crazy that he died so young; he was only 19 years old," said Tonga. "We played (football) together for one semester (fall 2008) and then the next thing you know he was gone."

Other Bulldog teammates who came to the vigil included Andrew Moeaki, Paul Fakahua and Ratu Rabelo.

"Will was a tough guy; it was painful to see him leave like that," said Moeaki. "It hurts all of us. He is gone but never forgotten; he will always be in our hearts. Ofa atu toko ua (I love you brother)."

"I just want people to know what a humble lion he was, always cheerful and caring and making people laugh," said Bulldog teammate Ratu Rabelo, who played as a sophomore outside linebacker together with a freshman outside linebacker Vatuvei in fall 2008. "He will be missed truly."

Vatuvei is also fondly remembered by members of his church.

"Will was a gentle giant; he was physically beautiful and his spirt was beautiful," said Kriege. Vatuvei is listed on the 2008 Bulldog football roster as 6'3".

"The Tongan community at All Saints built a platform of solid wood with loving hands and used it to carry the gospel," Kriege said. "The platform is really very heavy; the people who carry the platform are all these strong beautiful Tongan football players, and Will was part of that. I used to ask them if the platform was very heavy to carry and they were all like "nah, it's nothing."

Many people who knew Vatuvei personally spoke about him at the vigil.

"It showed how hard of a loss it was when people came up and talked about Will," said Crigger. "Coach T (Tulloch) had a great speech and showed a side of Will that not many got to see."

Tulloch spoke about the love Vatuvei's mother Fiona had for her son and also shared a few anecdotes about Vatuvei.

"I talked about a couple of those shared conversations I had with him, the first time he practised with us Bulldogs, and how even though Will had a rough exterior, inside he was really a mama's boy who love his mum very much," Tulloch said. "Fiona would call me once a week to check how Will was doing with school, simply showing a whole new level of love."

According to Kriege, the priest who led the homily told the crowded church that "while we might be tempted to focus on how he died, let us not waste time dwelling on that and instead focus on celebrating William and his life."

"The service was very touching," said Forbes.

"Throughout the whole night I was enjoying (the celebration about) his life, and there was many times where (the celebration) made a smile on my face," Crigger said.

"Will became part of our Bulldog family," Tulloch said. "He will always be in our hearts and we will never forget him. Once a Bulldog always a Bulldog."

Lady Bulldogs' late surge ran afoul of penalties

http://www.sanmatean.com/media/storage/paper796/news/2009/12/14/Sports/Lady-Bulldogs.Late.Surge.Ran.Afoul.Of.Penalties-3852151.shtml

Sharon Ho
Issue Date: 1/11/09

CSM's Lady Bulldogs had victory snatched from their very jaws by visitors Foothill College 64-69 on Jan. 6, losing the game to two fouls made late in the game.

Foothill College dominated during the first half of the game, scoring 38 points to the Lady Bulldogs' 24 at the end of the first period.

Undeterred, the Lady Bulldogs led a surge in the second period, with No. 24 Erica Hayes scoring to close the gap 55-62 with three minutes left to the game.

Foothill Owls' No. 25 Ariel Castillo was hit hard while trying to stop Hayes. Castillo went down clutching her ribs but came back to play after taking a short break.

Lady Bulldogs No. 3 Jackie Orje's three-pointer scored CSM's lead 64-63, only for Foothill to counter with a two-pointer to steal the lead back 64-65.

Seconds later, the game had to be stopped when Hayes came down with cramps on her left leg.

The game resumed with the Lady Bulldogs trying to regain their lead and stop the Foothills Owl from scoring. Castillo was fouled twice by the Lady Bulldogs' defense and she went on to score four penalty points to win the game 64-69.

"Our defense almost won the game," said Lady Bulldogs head coach Michelle Warner. "(We) came up a little short."

"We picked up too late in the game," said Lady Bulldogs No. 21 Alexis Jenkins. "(We are) going to beat them at their house."

The Lady Bulldogs will play against Mission College next Wednesday Jan. 13 and will again play Foothill College in an away game on Jan. 29.

Class of 08' linebacker killed in Hayward Shooting

http://www.sanmatean.com/media/storage/paper796/news/2009/12/14/News/Friends.And.Family.Celebrates.Life.Of.08.Linebacker-3852764.shtml

Sharon Ho
Issue Date: 14/12/09

Former No. 44 Bulldogs outside linebacker William Robert Vatuvei, 19, was shot and killed on Jan. 3 at around 1:29 a.m. in the 27000 block of Orlando Avenue in Hayward, according to Hayward police.

Vatuvei was shot while sitting on the driver's seat in a parked car full of people.

According to Hayward police, a male passenger in an approaching car leaned out and fired multiple shots into Vatuvei's car. Vatuvei, who was struck at least once, was rushed to Eden Medical Center in Castro Valley where he was pronounced dead.

All Saints Catholic Church liturgical movement coordinator Mari Kriege, who spoke to The San Matean in a phone interview, said Vatuvei's mother Fiona Vatuvei told police investigators at the hospital that "if you find the person who did this, tell them I forgive them."

"Fiona told the police that she forgive (the people who killed Vatuvei)," said Bulldog teammate Andrew Moeaki. "She is a strong woman, strong like Will."

Vatuvei, who had recently moved from Hayward, was in Hayward visiting friends and relatives.

No arrest has yet been made.

Hours after his death, Vatuvei's Bulldogs teammates woke up on Sunday morning to receive text messages about his passing. His teammates flooded Facebook with outpourings of "Rest in peace Big Willie" and "Once a Bulldog, always a Bulldog!"

"Our hearts go out to '08 CSM LB (linebacker) Will Vatuvei who was killed in a senseless drive-by shooting in Hayward," wrote Bulldogs defensive coordinator Tim Tulloch in a 9:29 p.m. Facebook post later that day. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family. Rest in peace Will."

"Will was a pleasure to coach, a pleasure to be around," said Tulloch in a phone interview. "He had a bright future and loved everything about football; he loved the competition, he loved being on the football field. His mum and really all his family were very supportive of Will and always came to watch him play."

Vatuvei and his family are part of the close-knit Hayward Tongan community. Vatuvei attended Hayward's All Saints Catholic Church where he contributed to its Liturgical Dance Ministry and was an altar server.

"Will and his family were very active members of the church," said Kriege.

"Vatuvei and his family were a tight-knit family who did everything together; they attended church together and all of them sang (for the All Saints Choir)," said All Saints Catholic Church parish life director Stephen P. Mullin in a phone interview. "(Will's death) was sad and tragic."

Vatuvei attended Burbank Elementary School, All Saints Catholic School and Moreau Catholic High School, where he played as No. 44 on the Moreau Catholic football team. Vatuvei then went on to study at Hayward High School, where he also donned the No. 44 uniform to play the defensive and tight end position for his high school football team from 2006 to 2007 before coming to CSM in 2008.

"He was one of our brothers; we miss him and we ain't never gonna forget him," wrote Bulldog teammate Sosaia Mataele in a Facebook interview. Mataele changed his Facebook profile photo to a photo of Vatuvei upon learning of Vatuvei's passing.

Fellow Bulldog teammate Virjuan Carter posted a video of Vatuvei on Facebook, which can be viewed here at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQ5TKfpKue0. Vatuvei can be seen in the background rapping freestyle with Carter in the foreground. The video was taken in one of the CSM writing labs where Vatuvei, Carter and others were working on an essay assignment. "Will was an outgoing and funny guy," said Carter in a phone interview.

Bulldog teammate Josh Crigger also changed his Facebook profile photo to a photo of Vatuvei. "Will was just a great person to be around, always cracking jokes and having a fun time," wrote Crigger in a Facebook interview.

Fellow Bulldog teammate Kameron Edwards posted the same photo of Vatuvei on his Facebook wall and created his first Facebook album with the photo along with the comment: "Rest in peace bra (brother) losing u hurts."

"Will was a cool guy (who was) always funny; he had a joke and a crazy mentality when he did play for us (and I) love him to death and still will love him even though he passed," wrote Edwards in a Facebook interview.

Edwards' comment was followed by one made by Bulldog teammate Matt Pelesasa, who wrote: "Are they making this (the photo into) a shirt or sweater? Cuz (Because) I need one bruh (brother)...I can't believe u (are) gone Will...(these kind of things) don't make sense sometimes" and by Bulldog teammate Kevin Serviss, who wrote: "R.I.P. Will, you will be missed."

Friends of Vatuvei can post their condolences for him from Jan. 5 to Jan. 9 at http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/insidebayarea/obituary.aspx?n=robert-william-vatuvei&pid=138162289. The guest book can be viewed at http://www.legacy.com/gb2/default.aspx?bookid=5570710745201.

Vatuvei's mother Fiona Vatuvei has expressed wishes for Vatuvei to be buried in his No. 44 Bulldog jersey.

A mass was held for Vatuvei on Monday Jan. 11 at Hayward's All Saints Catholic Church. The burial and funeral mass took place on Tuesday Jan. 12 at the Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Hayward.

Details of the vigil and mass can be read here: http://media.www.sanmatean.com/media/storage/paper796/news/2009/12/14/News/Friends.And.Family.Celebrates.Life.Of.08.Linebacker-3852764.shtml

Anyone who would like to help raise money for the services can bring donations to the CSM football office by Friday Jan. 8. or call Tulloch at 650-642-1101.

Donations can also be made to Holy Angels Funeral & Cremation Center FD1456/ Holy Sepulchre Cemetery 1051 Harder Rd. Hayward, CA.