Hockey player showed us ‘the secret to life’
Thank you for your article about “Giggles,” published in the Feb. 21 issue of the Daily Forty-Niner, titled “Student leaves behind smiling memories.” I was fortunate enough to play with him from ’01 to ’05, and then coach him once I became the assistant coach the season following my graduation. I found it kind of funny that he was the one guy on the team before and after me. However, a lot of that was due to the injuries he suffered while playing.
It’s still hard for me to process this whole thing because I’ve seen him overcome so many misfortunes. He was on our charter bus in ’01 when it flipped over while going 60 mph on our Utah road trip, but we still managed to gather ourselves and play Weber State the same night.
In addition to playing together, we had several classes together, because we were both business majors. I remember getting so upset with him when I would see him giggling when coach was trying to explain something or when our professor was covering something important. I even once threatened to kick him out of our group in Introduction to Business class because I felt he wasn’t taking things seriously.
But in hindsight, it’s as if Northy knew something we didn’t, it was almost as if he knew the secret to life was to not stress out over things. He just took things in stride and appreciated the gift of life. I honestly believe this was his philosophy, because looking back, I can’t ever remember him upset, I never heard him speak ill of anyone and I never saw a moment get the best of him, because he lived his life this way, I think he was truly content with who he was and where he was in life. We should all be so fortunate.
Reading your article was somewhat therapeutic in a way. However, seeing the picture of him on your cover was overwhelming because the jacket he’s wearing in that photo is the same one I found at the scene of the accident when I returned Sunday afternoon to figure out why and how this could have happened. I returned again later that evening with some of the guys, and that was when we placed a cross and said a prayer for Giggles.
Coach Cacciatore, Gene Schneider, Keith Wallace, Johnny Schafer, Chris Heavingham and myself visited Chris’ parents Monday evening where I returned the jacket along with his cell phone and some other personal effects I found at the scene.
In a way, I found comfort in the fact that his family was so appreciative of the fact that I had returned his belongings to them. On the other hand, I’m frustrated, angry and furious at the CHP for not clearing the scene of the accident because handing Chris’ things to his aunt was absolutely crushing.
I would like to think that there were greater forces involved in me finding his jacket. I’d like to think that Giggles had a hand in it, for it afforded me the opportunity to meet his family. Monday night was somewhat of a family reunion: Chris’ immediate family united with Chris’ hockey family. Together, I know that we will all get through this. So last Saturday, we buried our friend, our teammate, our brother. Northy would find an unconventional way to bring us all together for my birthday. At least it will be a memorable one.
– Ryan Feesago, Cal State Long Beach graduate Rec Center article has very poor foundation
This letter is concerning the opinion article, “Don’t vote – at least not for the Rec Center,” that ran in your paper Feb. 21.
As a student in the journalism department at Cal State Long Beach, there were many issues that deeply concerned me about this opinion piece.
First and foremost, as a daily newspaper which many students read, you have a duty to write and publish articles that are well-informed, researched and socially responsible. I occasionally read the Daily Forty-Niner, and it is obvious that your paper attempts to be viewed as a professional daily newspaper. In my opinion, this most recent article refutes such a goal.
The article’s first argument about the Recreation & Wellness Center referendum proposed the question “Why are we voting for something that does not directly affect us?”
In reality it does affect us. The proposed rec center is said to be completed in 2010. Any freshman on campus will hopefully be able to see the opening of the center.
Your article also claims that “by 2010 many, and arguably most, of us will have graduated or transferred to other schools…”
On the contrary, according to the CSULB Web site, of those students who plan to graduate in four years, only 31.8 percent actually do so, 61.5 percent graduate within six years and 67.6 percent eventually graduate. On an impacted campus such as Long Beach State, it is nearly impossible to graduate in four years.
The message of your article, which is that you shouldn’t vote, negates the very premise of your piece. If you are not for the Rec Center, that is OK. By all means, make your voice heard. That is the duty of a true journalist.
By telling students not to vote you empower those who are for the Rec Center and crush the voice of the opposition. All your efforts to stop the construction were for nothing. You give power to the very thing you are trying to fight against.
Lastly, in your opinion piece you have only one reputable source: Teresa Ruiz from ASI’s communications. Unfortunately, you quoted your source by e-mail, which is not even a proper or upfront interview. In addition, you quote your own newspaper twice in the opinion piece. This goes to show your readers what little research and effort actually went into your piece. It is just lazy journalism.
Your paper is supported by the journalism department, and yet there was nothing journalistic about your latest opinion piece. I am embarrassed to say I am a student in a department that supports such improper journalism. It diminishes the prestige of the department and the diploma that I will receive.
My message to students: vote, unlike what the article proposed. Whether you agree or disagree, just vote. Make your voice heard.
– Sarah Marzouk, senior journalism major
