Volume 63 Issue 16 by The USD Vista

On newsstands weekly

Volume 63 Issue 16

Thursday, March 12, 2026

THE USD VISTA VISTA

The Official Student Newspaper of the University of San Diego since 1968

Tram troubles affect students Tram troubles affect and drivers students, drivers

INSIDE Kansas transgender legislation

See News, Page 3

Llamas lounge at law school See A&C, Page 4

Toreros’ top spots to bring visitors See Feature, Pages 6-7

Students board the tram driving the East Campus Loop, which goes as far East as the Alcalá Vista Apartments.

CADEN HAYNOR NEWS EDITOR USD community members are voicing concerns about the efficiency of the tram system. The USD trams run four loops around USD and out to San Diego, including the Full Campus, East Campus, West Campus and Old Town routes. The USD Vista spoke with

three tram drivers who wished to remain anonymous. These tram drivers shared that they occasionally have to take the shift of another tram driver, which they express is difficult on their personal schedules. Drivers also stated that they feel pressure to get to their stops on time to help students and make sure they get to class without rushing.

Hailey Howell/The USD Vista

USD sophomore Jocelynn Jauregui, who lives in the Manchester Village complex, expressed her appreciation for the trams when she needs them. “Personally, as someone who lives in [Manchester], I really appreciate the tram services,” Jauregui said. “As much as I love walking to class, there are mornings when I’m too tired to do it. That’s

why I’m glad we have other alternatives, like the tram.” The East and West Campus Loops run every weekday from 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., according to the Public Safety Website under Tram Services Routes. On the same website, under Tram Information and Hours, however, the times the service hours are listed from 7:30

See

Trams,

Page

Great Reads Series See Feature, Page 8

Performative behavior See Opinion, Page 10

San Diego Mojo volleyball See Sports, Page 12

Torero Stadium set to host New Zealand Countries assigned home bases for 2026 FIFA World Cup

PRIYA COOPER SPORTS EDITOR MAXIMILIANO ACOSTA ASST. SPORTS EDITOR This summer, Torero Stadium will be home to more than USD athletes. The field will also serve as the New Zealand Men’s National Football Team home base, for their play in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This summer’s World Cup will be hosted by North America and games will be played throughout the United States, Mexico and Canada. The World Cup officially begins on June 11 with the opening match in Mexico City. The match will conclude with the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. National football teams from all over the world are choosing various college campuses across

the country to be their home base for the tournament because of their quality training facilities and proximity to major cities. New Zealand will be based in San Diego for the month-long tournament, training at Torero Stadium and staying at a nearby hotel. Like the other teams in the competition, New Zealand will remain in one host city and travel only when necessary for group stage and knockout matches. The team’s World Cup journey will begin in Los Angeles on June 16, where they will face the Iran national football team. In terms of Iran’s standing in the World Cup, it is still undecided. Mehdi Taj spoke about this in an Iranian public television broadcast on March 1. “What is certain is that after this attack, we cannot be expected to look forward to

the World Cup with hope,” Taj said. “It is unlikely that we can look forward to the World Cup, but the sports chiefs are the ones who must decide on that.” In addition to New Zealand, San Diego will also be hosting Switzerland. Switzerland will be training at the San Diego Jewish Academy in La Jolla. USD junior Matt Andre highlighted his thoughts about why New Zealand might’ve selected USD to be their host field. “I remember Brazil practiced a few years ago and it’s great to have another professional team like New Zealand,” Andre mentioned. “I understand though, the weather here is great, the field is in good condition so there will be less injury risk, and it probably gives the players

See New Zealand, Page 12

Don’t miss the latest news. Find us online:

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Torero Stadium is the pitch the New Zealand national team will train on. Photo courtesy of @uofsandiego/Instagram

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The USD Vista

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March 12, 2026

NEWS

Students face tram delays

Tram tracking shows extended wait times and delayed starts

From Trams,

Page

a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Both time frames surround all class times, the earliest of which start before the earliest classes begin at 7:45 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Some students experience stress while waiting for the trams before they head to class. USD junior Jasmine Espinoza described her experience with waiting for the tram before class. “Most of the drivers are great and very friendly too which makes it a more enjoyable experience,” Espinoza said. “On the other hand, there’s very few trams that go East compared to West which makes wait times long, especially before class. I do think more frequency would be beneficial.” The USD Vista requested an in-person interview with a representative from Tram Services. After multiple email exchanges, a university public affairs representative responded with a written statement from Director of University Mobility and Scheduling Sean Horrigan. Horrigan explained the scheduling of tram drivers. “We do not have a policy requiring drivers to work beyond their regular shifts or cover the shifts of other drivers,” Horrigan stated. “However, we are fortunate to have a dedicated team that frequently elects to support special events and peak hours.” The USD Vista recorded wait times for one hour at three separate tram stops: the Alcalá Vista Apartments, the Law Circle and Copley Library. The trams did not all start at 6:30 a.m. and one tram assigned to one route did not run that route for a certain amount of time. From 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. on March 4, trams appeared on the MyUSD app’s “Tram Tracker” feature. The first trams, on the West Campus Loop and the Old Town routes, began their shifts at 6:43 a.m. At 6:50 a.m., a tram driver assigned to the East Campus Loop shuttled students on the West Campus Loop, meaning that a tram did not arrive at any East Campus Loop stop until 7 a.m. Horrigan described the

There are trams that regularly run each day with additional trams for special occasions.

process by which tram drivers decide when to switch routes. “Operational logistics are fluid, and we work to prioritize the greatest need,” Horrigan explained. “For instance, if there is a rush at the West Parking Structure, a tram may be temporarily diverted to support that area. Drivers do not switch routes based on preference; it is based on real-time data, and they always complete their current drop-off obligations before officially pivoting to the new assignment.” A tram officially began running the East Campus Loop at 7 a.m. and arrived at the Alcalá Vista Apartments at 7:10 a.m. USD has a frequency standard mandating that on-campus trams should run approximately every 15 minutes. Many USD students rely on these trams to get them to various areas of campus for class and other events. Horrigan explained the 15 minute policy. “The policy focuses on frequency and loop integrity,” Horrigan stated. “Rather than requiring a rigid timetable that would be impossible to maintain due to fluctuating traffic and passenger loads, we operate on a ‘headway’ system. Our goal is to have a tram at each stop every 15 minutes.” Despite the goal of timely tram frequency, students’ and drivers’ concerns amplify as late stops impact Torero life.

Caden Haynor/The USD Vista

Tram frequency for Wed., March 4

Tram availability changed progressively on the morning of Wednesday, March 4.

Art by Kyra Lefebvre

The USD Vista receives awards from California College Media Association On Saturday, March 7, The USD Vista received two awards from the California College Media Association (CCMA), earning first place for Best Breaking News Story and third place for Best News Series. The USD Vista competed against student journalists from universities across California. The journalists and their award-winning stories are listed as follows: The USD Vista staff pictured from left to right: Lauren Ceballos, Emma Pirhala, Caden Haynor, David Cook and Gina Lew. Photo courtesy of Cherishann Diamzon

First Place, Best Breaking News Story: “USD accused of labor law violations” by Emma Pirhala Third Place, Best News Series: Non-tenure track union coverage by Emma Pirhala, Caden Haynor and David Cook

Volume 63 Issue 16 •

NEWS

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The USD Vista

NEWS

IT errors disrupt learning

Toreros have trouble accessing USD portals CADEN HAYNOR NEWS EDITOR Students and faculty attempting to log into University websites this week were met with a “502 Bad Gateway” message and no access. This issue barred access for some students to their MySanDiego portals. Students were unable to access housing and study abroad portals, Google Drive, Gmail and Canvas. The issue has since been located and fixed for the time being. The disruption affected University operations, including access to class materials and homework assignments. USD sophomore Elle Lenihan described her experience with the disruption. “People had to email their teachers and get extensions because they couldn’t get into their portals and it was really stressful,” Lenihan said. “I feel like our access to USD sites needs to be fixed. I am a lifelong hater of Duo Mobile and I avoid checking my assignments because I hate the two factor authentication so much. We need better ways to get to our portals.” One of the sites affected was the housing portal, which students could not access as the housing

application deadline approached at 4 p.m. on March 2. As a result, USD extended the deadline to submit the 2026-2027 application to the next day. USD Residential Life sent an email on March 3 advising students on a possible strategy to get around the issue. “To get around the ‘502 Bad Gateway’ error, clear your browser history for the past week, including browsing data, cookies, and cached images/ files,” the email read. “After clearing this, fully close your browser (such as Chrome) and reopen the housing portal in a new browser window. This should allow you to log in successfully.” The USD Vista requested an in-person interview with an individual in USD’s Information Technology Services (ITS) department. After University Public Affairs stated they would check if anyone was available for an in-person interview, USD ITS responded with a statement explaining that they located and fixed the issue. “After a thorough analysis, our technical staff pinpointed the problem: the latest version of the CAS authentication system (implemented a couple of weeks ago) uses more data in its cookies

Some students and faculty attempting to log into their USD portals and accounts were barred by an error message. Lara Dominique Solante/The USD Vista

than the previous version and, over time (which varies by user), those cookies become inoperable,” ITS stated. “Once diagnosed, our staff increased the memory buffer size, which immediately resolved the issue. Please note that none of the USD systems were down during that time and most users did not

experience this problem at all.” Clearing the browsing history, cookies and cached images and files from a computer removes the sites users have visited, logs users out of sites, resets site specific preferences and forces the browser to reload fresh versions of pages. When this occurs, saved

passwords stay exactly how they were, but browsing history will be deleted and autofill may take some time to reset to normal typing patterns. USD ITS, located in Maher Hall 187, is available if students continue to experience issues while the disruption persists.

Kansas law impacts transgender rights

Transgender individuals forced to change gender on driver’s licenses SOPHIE HUMMEL CONTRIBUTOR A new piece of legislation impacting gender rights recently took effect in Kansas. Senate Bill 244 (SB 244), now a Kansas law, took effect in the state on Feb. 26. The law immediately invalidated Kansas driver’s licenses and state-issued identification with a listed gender marker different from that assigned at birth. No grace period was extended to affected individuals. SB 244 also requires transgender individuals to use facilities labeled with their assigned sex at birth in all government buildings. Discussions surrounding the new legislation’s impact on voting are increasing. Kansas is one of 13 states in the U.S. that has strict photo ID laws for voters. With an ID required to cast a ballot, an estimated 22,000

adult transgender Kansans will need to overcome voting obstacles this fall and beyond. The legislation may cause violence and discrimination toward transgender individuals. USD sophomore Caroline Matthews is from Kansas and felt frustrated by the new legislation. “Our IDs give us the ability to vote, travel and handle other sorts of things like that… Honestly, it just really impacts people,” Matthews explained. “It should be understood that this really affects people’s everyday life and we don’t even take into account the privilege of having an ID in general. So, having that stripped away, I think it’s just important for people to know that’s taking away someone’s entire livelihood.” Matthews said she hopes conversations on the topic will extend beyond state lines. “So I feel like above all, it’s just important for

people to understand here at USD, to be knowledgeable about it,” Matthews stated. The law applies not only to restrooms but to any multipleoccupancy private space. This includes, but is not limited to, a restroom, locker room, changing room or shower room. There are a few exceptions to the law, only allowing entrance into the restroom for custodial purposes, assisting someone who needs help using the restroom or for children under the age of nine years old accompanying a caregiver. There are civil and criminal penalties for those who violate this law. The legislation allows some people to sue for damages if they deem their privacy violated by a transgender person who enters a single-sex space in a government building. This marks the first time a U.S. state has reversed a policy that allowed transgender residents to change the gender

Kan. driver’s licenses were invalidated without gender assigned at birth printed. Photo courtesy of @achernenko/Unsplash

marker on their identification documents. Additionally, it is the first time a state has allowed for restroom regulations to become private lawsuits.

The USD Vista Lauren Ceballos - Editor-in-Chief Anjali Dalal-Whelan - Associate Editor Emma Pirhala - Managing Editor Lara Dominique Solante - Copy Editor Caden Haynor - News Editor Amelie Sedlack - Feature Editor Riley Rains - Arts & Culture Editor Priya Cooper - Sports Editor

Kyra Lefebvre - Art Director Hailey Howell - Photo Editor Lucas Meza Ehlert - Distribution Manager Anahi Padilla - Social Media Manager Emma Holliday - Director of Finance Benjamin Boss - Advertising Manager Gina Lew - Student Media Advisor Dr. Byron Howlett - Operations Advisor

Editorial – 619.260.4584 Business – 619.260.4714 www.uofsdmedia.com / @TheUSDVista

The impact of SB 244 continues to unfold and prompts additional conversations on human rights and civil policy in the U.S.

The USD Vista publication is written and edited by USD students and funded by revenues generated by advertising and a student fee. Advertising material published is for information purposes only and is not to be construed as an expressed or implied endorsement or verification of such commercial venues by the staff or University. The USD Vista office is located on the fourth floor of the Student Life Pavilion in room 403B. All inquiries should be sent to: The USD Vista 5998 Alcala Park San Diego, CA 92110 Opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of The USD Vista staff, the University of San Diego or of its student body. Letters to the Editor can be submitted to The USD Vista office. Letters should be limited to 300 words and must be signed. For identification purposes, USD identification numbers and writer’s year must be included in the letter. The USD Vista reserves the right to edit published letters. Any content sent to the editor will be considered for publication unless otherwise stated.

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Volume 63 Issue 16

The USD Vista

ARTS & CULTURE Llamas lounge at law school

Law Student Affairs invites farm animals to help Toreros destress RILEY RAINS ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR Outside of USD School of Law, Toreros held chickens in embroidered pouches, students watched ducks slurp down pond water and llamas hummed on a patch of grass. These sights and sounds were all possibilities for students who walked around campus during Torero hours on March 5. Law Student Affairs hosted a “Law Student Wellness Week” to encourage serenity post midterms. Events included therapy dogs on Monday, mindful coloring on Wednesday and finally, a petting zoo on Thursday. While the week was meant for law students, after an overflow of undergraduates spotted the animals, Law Student Affairs succumbed and allowed all Toreros to enjoy the animals’ presence. In order to participate in the petting zoo, all students had to sign a waiver. This deterred some Toreros from participating. However, even those who didn’t participate could feel the energy of the llamas reverberating around campus.

USD sophomore Madeleine Whalen didn’t pet the animals, instead she experienced them through other senses. “I couldn’t see the llamas, but I sure could smell them,” Whalen joked. Law Student Affairs advertised the event through physical flyers and Instagram posts. Once students spotted the farm animals, word spread faster than expected — social media and whispered conversations publicized the petting zoo. USD senior Gabriella Pardo learned about the event through Fizz. “It was a completely unexpected event in my day, but it’s amazing,” Pardo stated. “It’s so cute that all the animals are rescued.” The animals belonged to the Garden of Eden Mobile Petting Zoo, a sustainable rescue farm. The company rents out the animals to privately hosted events such as birthday parties, fairs or the USD Wellness Week. Shawneen Burdick, the farmer that owns the petting zoo, was unable to comment on the Law Student Affairs Wellness Week.

While The USD Vista team was with the animals, Burdick was busy chasing down her chihuahua, named Reziah, who escaped to track down a rogue chicken. The rescue animals were the talk of campus. At the event, students had the opportunity to hold chickens, pet llamas, chase hopping rabbits, squawk with ducks and comfort newly rescued guinea pigs. While the event’s purpose was to calm law students, undergraduates’ midterms aligned closely with graduate students’ exams. USD junior Annalise Bowman expressed appreciation for the petting zoo, especially after a week of stressful academics. “I have no idea what’s going on, but I am really, really happy,” Bowman commented. When the animals are not partying with Toreros, they inhabit a 10-acre farm that specializes in their rehabilitation and well-being. While the Garden of Eden farm prioritized these furry friends’ holistic health, the Law Student Affairs promoted wellness with a flurry of animals that calmed stressed students across campus.

Llamas standing outside the USD School of Law.

GAMES

3/9/26, 5:42 PM

Riley Rains/The USD Vista

San Francisco - Crossword Labs

San Francisco

EMMA PIRHALA MANAGING EDITOR

The USD Vista staff recently traveled to San Francisco for the CCMA awards. Inspired by the warm weather and jaw

Down

1. These colorful houses can also 3

be spotted in the “Full House” title sequence

dropping landscape, The USD Vista decided to highlight the city in this crossword. If you feel enthusiastic about your city, come to our weekly pitch

2. This beachfront park and

former airfield is known for its

meeting on Tuesdays at 12:30 in SLP 403B and pitch your city to be featured

“meet cutes”

in the next crossword.

4. This shopping, dining and

entertainment complex refers to a

chocolate company 8

5. Palace of Fine ____ 6. What type of soup is San

Francisco most famous for?

8. This bread originates from Gold Rush-era California 9. This street is known as the “most windy street in the world” 10. CCMA stands for California

College _____ Association.

Across

4. What baseball team represents

Across

3. What county is directly north

San Francisco?

7. Where did The USD Vista go

11. Originally called the Waldo

for the CCMA award ceremony

Tunnel, the landmark was

Down

3. What county is directly north of the City of San of the City of San Francisco? Francisco?

1. These colorful houses can also be spotted in March? renamed after which famous thethis “Full House” title sequence

4. What baseball team represents San Francisco?

actor/comedian. 2. This beachfront park and former airfield is known for its “meet cutes”

7. Where did The USD Vista go for the CCMA award ceremony this March?

4. This shopping, dining and entertainment

Volume 63 Issue 16 •

ARTS & CULTURE

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The USD Vista

Harry Styles returns after four years

Toreros tune into ‘Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally.’

MACKENZIE SMITH CONTRIBUTOR From pop star to pilgrim, Harry Styles has embraced many identities — and it seems he’s taking on a new one. On March 6, Styles ended his fouryear hiatus with the release of his fourth solo album: “Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally.” Different from anything he’s released before, “Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally.” highlights Styles’ break from the music scene. Consisting of 12 tracks, the album combines a variety of sounds. Most of the songs, including “Are You Listening Yet?” and “Aperture,” take on an electronic beat that feels like it belongs on the dance floor of a late-night club. “Aperture,” the first single, released on Jan. 22 debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The four-year wait pushed the song to popularity, with fans widely anticipating new music and Styles’ return to the spotlight. USD junior Leilani Youmans commented on Styles’ return. “I am so excited he’s back,” Youmans said. “I already have tickets to see him in New York. I’m glad he took some time to heal, focus on himself and run some marathons. Now he’s coming back better than ever.” Styles first grew to fame on “The X Factor,” joining the band, One Direction. One Direction grew popular in the early 2010s and released five albums before going on a permanent hiatus in 2015. This wasn’t the end of their popularity, however, all five members went on to have successful solo careers. Styles began his solo career in 2017 with his self-titled album, featuring songs like “Sign of the Times,” and leaning heavily into a classic rock sound. This was followed in 2019 with “Fine Line” and in 2022 with “Harry’s House.” These albums featured

Harry Styles walking at the 2026 Grammy award ceremony five weeks before releasing his new album. Photo courtesy of @harrysarchive/Instagram

songs like “Watermelon Sugar” and “As It Was,” reverting back to pop rock, similar to his One Direction days. “Fine Line” and “Harry’s House” ultimately launched Styles’ solo career into mainstream success, with “Harry’s House” winning “Album of the Year” at The Grammys in 2023. Shortly after “Aperture” debuted, Styles announced a global tour featuring extended residencies in seven cities. Fans were incredibly excited about this announcement, and seeing Styles back on stage.

Getting tickets didn’t come as easily as expected though. His tour titled “Together, Together” listed tickets between $900 and $1,200 for the Madison Square Garden shows. Styles is only visiting New York City within the U.S., making it inaccessible for some of his fans to attend his shows. While he is offering 30 nights at Madison Square Garden, some fans are frustrated that he won’t be performing on the West Coast. USD first-year Kaitlin Trauscht shared her frustrations about the lack

Britanny Broski hosting Harry Styles in her ‘Royal Court,’ a YouTube talk show. Photo courtesy of @brittany.broski/Instagram

American tour locations. “It’s frustrating he isn’t coming to LA as of right now,” Trauscht said. “I’m hoping I can make it to one of his shows since there’s an insane number of shows in the few cities he’s visiting.” Despite facing criticism for the ticket prices and limited tour locations, fans still flocked to the album for one reason: Harry Styles was back. USD first-year Sammy Gancasz shared her thoughts on Styles’ return. “The album was alright,”

Gancasz stated. “It could have been better, but I don’t care because he’s finally making music again.” USD junior Savannah Harlan agreed with Gancasz’s argument that the album was lacking in some aspects. “I feel like it was very disco-y, but not as lyrics heavy,” Harlan commented. “I was looking for more of that. I’m feeling very neutral.” “Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally.” contains a unique contrast of songs, opening with more intense electronic sounds and mixing in slower ballads like “Paint By Numbers” and “Coming Up Roses.” Overall, the album matches its title, blending love songs and upbeat beats into a soundtrack made for dancing. Trauscht explained the liveliness of the album. “Every song, from start to end is so different from his older music but so good,” Trauscht said. “I naturally prefer upbeat songs, so my favorites right now are ‘Ready, Set, Go’ and ‘Pop.’ I was listening to it all day while walking around campus.” Ahead of the album’s release, Styles appeared in an interview with Brittany Broski on “The Royal Court,” helping generate excitement and attention for the album. USD sophomore Lucy Shoen talked about his recent publicity. “I didn’t listen to a lot of his music beforehand except for ‘Watermelon Sugar,’” Shoen said. “I watched the interview he did before the album came out with Brittany Broski that I really liked, and it made me want to listen to the album. For not having listened to a lot of his other stuff I really enjoyed the album.” The hiatus appears to have paid off for Styles, who has returned to the spotlight in full force, captivating longtime fans and bringing in new ones.

Pictured is part of Styles’ album cover, ‘Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally.’ Photo courtesy of @harrystyles/Instagram

The USD Vista

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March 12, 2025

Toreros map the

As spring break approaches, some students invite their family and friends to visit them at USD. Toreros know the necessary “go-to” spots for visitors who want to be San Diegans for the weekend, or the places they should take their friends. Whether those are places they frequent or ones they want to experience for the first time, Toreros share their top spots for visitors.

Art by Kyra Lefebvre/The USD Vista: Content by Amelie Sedlack

“I like downtown. I lik Kobey’s, it’s a swap m

Anne H

Volume 63 Issue 16

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FEATURE

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The USD Vista

eir monuments

“Probably [USD’s campus], honestly. The zoo is a good spot, too. North Park is a neighborhood that’s nice.”

Ben Winkler, USD senior

ke going to the beach. Maybe going to meet. I enjoy going myself. It’s good to hang out at.”

“Probably Kate Sessions Park, I feel like it’s a nice place to have a picnic. It’s a pretty popular place. It’s calm and relaxing. One time when I was there with friends, I saw someone shooting a music video. And it’s a nice place to see the skyline.”

Bea Racho, USD first-year

“Convoy Street because it has a lot of good places to eat. I’m half Asian ... there's a lot of Asian restaurants and good food. There are a lot of family-owned businesses there, so it’s nice to support minorities.”

Aubrey Williams, USD junior

Hsu, USD first-year

“I would take them to a restaurant in La Jolla, by the beach. We’ve gone to The Promiscuous Fork. We’ve also gone to the boardwalk in downtown, San Diego. Little Italy, too. I really like the beach and my family, we like to walk. There’s a lot of shops and restaurants on the boardwalk.”

AJ Muandumba, USD first-year

The USD Vista

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March 12, 2026

FEATURE

Book lovers find a shared nook

Great Reads Series explores Angela Carter’s retelling of fairy tales KATARINA MARIC ASST. FEATURE EDITOR AMELIE SEDLACK FEATURE EDITOR Once upon a time in room 204 of Saints Tekakwitha and Serra Hall, swivel chairs dragged across the crimson carpet to join the circle of attendees, pages of books fluttered wide open and guests dove into the depth of fairy tales and literary traditions. Organized by the Humanities Center and led by Adjunct Instructor of English Lisa B. Smith PhD., the Great Read Series is an ongoing series of events, offering four sessions each semester dedicated to discussing a certain novel. From employees of the Italian department, university ministry members and some daring students, the room flowed with lively conversation encompassing many perspectives and facets of USD. Smith said that the purpose of the Great Reads Series is to connect staff, community members and students, creating a space for book lovers and intellectual discussion. Smith explained the

reason for the series’ creation. “A sort of public humanities is how we think of it.” Smith said. “It’s just a chat with no pressure, and people are very e n t h u s i a s t i c .” “They really just want to read a book and to talk about it.” S m i t h shared how the series compares to a class, emphasizing its relaxed atmosphere. “No one is getting units or a grade,” Smith continued. “It’s all people who want to be here, a really great open-minded group, and they’re older than a general class — we do have students too — s o

there is a little less inhibition to talk.” Previously, the group held panels on “Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Brontë, and “Wuthering Heights” by Emily Brontë. This semester’s read is Angela Carter’s “The Bloody Chamber and Other Stories,” which is a retelling of traditional fairy tales and a new perspective on conventional views. Unlike the previous

focal texts, Carter is less known to Americans despite being a prominent author. On March 5, the first session of the semester, the conversation surrounded Carter’s recreation of the fairy tale “Bluebeard.” The story originally followed a wealthy, terrifying blue-bearded man who killed his wives for violating a forbidden room in his house. Sprinkling in historical details and context, Smith introduced the novel and led the discussion. She drew on the darker subtexts and threads of the fairy tales. First written in the 17th century as humorous, moral folk tales, fairy tales were never for children. It wasn’t until Disney’s portrayal that the tales evolved into m e d i a meant for children, which t h e group

GAMES

Art by Kyra Lefebvre

touched on during the event. Brooke Soldan, an employee of USD, has been attending the series since its start. She shared her passion for book clubs and reading alongside other people. “I did book club a lot growing up,” Soldan shared. “It’s been a part of my life forever, and when I found out that it might be more employee-focused, I thought that would be fun. I read a lot of books by myself, so it’s so fun to be able to read and discuss as a community because I’m not telling my friends to read the same 600page books. It’s structured enough that we can all meet and talk about it. It’s the community part that I think is fun.” This book-club setting is a favorite of attendees for the opportunity of the series to strengthen the community at USD. “Everyone is welcome,” Smith said. “To me, we have all these people that love to talk about things with great interests, and I would love to see more, not necessarily a book group, but little mini lectures, mini talks, with no pressure.” Book lovers from across campus come together to discuss and relax with a good book.

Last week’s issue crossword answers

Volume 63 Issue 16

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OPINION

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The USD Vista

OPINION

Supporting those who served

USD can strengthen commitment to veterans by taking Veterans Day off OWEN FUGIT ASST. OPINION EDITOR As Americans, we are no strangers to conflict. From Vietnam to Afghanistan, we have crossed the world to fight. But these actions come at a cost, and beyond the human lives lost are millions of veterans — of peace and wartime — whose lives change permanently from the careers they lead in the armed forces. One of the longest-running traditions we as a nation have devised to honor those in uniform is Veterans Day, a federal holiday falling on Nov. 11. However, as America falls deeper into conflict with Iran, we can expect to see a new generation of veterans returning home in the coming years. Now is the time to reaffirm our support for veterans, especially at USD, and one of the most appropriate actions we can take is observing Veterans Day as so many others do to honor the sacrifices made by our peers. Veterans Day is a relatively new holiday, recognized officially in the last 80 years. Ellen Manzo, the co-founder and an executive board member with the Silicon Valley based Veterans Memorial and Support Foundation (VMSF) explained the history and significance of the holiday. “It was not [originally] called Veterans Day, it was called Armistice Day, and that was declared November 11, 1919,” Manzo said. “It was the first anniversary of World War I. Woodrow Wilson is the individual who made that declaration. Then it became a holiday in the 1930s. And then Dwight Eisenhower in the 1950s changed the name from Armistice Day to Veterans Day, and it was always intended to commemorate and remember those who served and defended America’s freedom.” At USD, we find ourselves sandwiched between Camp Pendleton and Naval Base Coronado, hosting a large student veteran population thanks in part to USD’s generous scholarship programs. USD first-year Shane Ryan is a Navy veteran who spoke on the resources available for student veterans on campus. “I spent six years in the Navy as a nuclear reactor operator, and then after that, I wound up staying in San Diego,” Ryan said. “The community at USD is super veteran friendly.

And then USD also provides a great education and they let the veterans come here for free, and it’s a beautiful campus, which is awesome. And they give you a ton of stipends.” USD cares deeply for the veterans on campus, however, the logical next step USD must take to affirming its veteran support is adding Veterans Day to our academic calendar. On the University’s part, it seems that academic accreditation requirements are the biggest reason as to why we do not yet observe Veterans Day on campus. In a statement, a public affairs representative on behalf of the University explained the process further. “The University of San Diego’s academic calendars are developed by the Academic Calendar Committee (ACC),” the representative said. “This group brings together a wide range of perspectives, including representatives from academic units, administrative offices, and both undergraduate and graduate student leaders. The ACC is responsible for balancing the unique needs of our undergraduate, graduate, and law programs. While we follow a set of approved institutional guidelines, the committee also works to navigate various logistical constraints to ensure the calendars support our entire campus community.” The University also explained the numerous resources it offers for student veterans, which underscores how committed USD is to supporting our servicemembers. However, I urge the ACC to go the extra mile and find a way to incorporate this nationally recognized holiday into the academic calendar as soon as possible. Millions of men and women have served in uniform for the United States, and with many more veterans working their way back into civilian life everyday, one of the best choices we can make as a community is to recognize their sacrifices and fully observe Veterans Day. The need for dedicated time to understand and support our veterans is heightened with the recent conflicts in Iran, which has already seen seven American service members killed. There have been several times in American history where veterans returning home from a war were greeted by an angry and disillusioned public. The Vietnam War, in particular, stands out for

its political controversy that was eventually taken out on the veterans returning home. The conflict in Iran is already dividing Americans domestically, and as history has shown, veterans returning from contentious foreign wars are often treated much worse than the politicians who spurned the conflict. A core component of observing Veterans Day lies in the separation of politics and humanity, and it is this nuance that will become so crucial over the rest of the decade. Manzo gave some examples of veteran homecomings that lacked empathy, and the effects this had on the men and women in uniform. “When our service members came back from the Vietnam War they landed on American shores, and they didn’t feel gratitude for their service,” Manzo said. “I have colleagues on the board, fellow board members, who are Vietnam veterans, and they’ll talk about their experience of returning from Vietnam, landing at LAX being told to ditch their uniform so that they don’t get into a fight on the way home.” In 2022 alone, more than six thousand veterans took their own lives, per the Department of Veterans Affairs. This chilling statistic is made even more impactful by the fact that the number of American veteran suicides are outpacing deaths from the wars themselves.

While it cannot be directly attributed to public reception, the sides we take when veterans come home certainly play a role in this statistic. Such a crisis should spur more public action, but strangely enough, the politics of war seems to cloud the human aspect. One of the best resources we have to do our part at USD is observing Veterans Day in recognition of the men and women who suffer deeper pains off the battlefield than they do on it. Manzo mentioned why Americans join the military in the first place. “Many of our service members believe their job is a calling,” Manzo explained. “It’s a passion and a calling, and so we need to express gratitude to them… So they go to war, they come back and then they serve their communities. They are a huge invested asset of our community, and therefore, to the extent that we can support those community assets, that’s huge.” I have spent the past few years of my life working closely with veterans as a part of different volunteer organizations and veteran story preservation groups. Most veterans I speak with say that they joined the military because they were called to serve something greater than themselves. One of the most significant steps in recognizing our veterans’ work is separating Washington, D.C.’s political

choices from the human lives they affect. Anger toward a foreign war is fine, even productive, as it can prevent so much suffering on both sides — we saw that in the opposition to the Vietnam War. But taking out some politically-driven anger on the men and women who were swept into fighting these wars is unacceptable. By observing Veterans Day at USD, we are forced to reexamine our perceptions of veterans, and learn to see the nuances that a career in the military entails. Hopefully, we will be able to separate the warfighter from the warmonger in the coming months and years. But helping veterans acclimate to civilian life must also include a deeper understanding of the post-traumatic stress injuries (PTSI) so many veterans bear. As the war in Iran ramps up, and as more and more people begin discussing military policies regarding the war, we must be nuanced in our observations, and separate politics from the people who were called to serve. Already, at least seven American service members have died in Operation Epic Fury, and countless more will surely suffer traumatic stress injuries before returning home. One of the best things we can do as a campus community is to observe the day earmarked for these individuals when the time comes next November.

NROTC San Diego commissioned new lieutenants on campus at the end of the fall semester. Photo courtesy of @nrotcsd/Instagram

The views expressed in the editorial and op-ed sections are not necessarily those of The USD Vista staff, the University of San Diego or its student body.

The USD Vista

• OPINION •

March 12, 2026

OPINION

Stop calling everything ‘pick me’ Labeling everything performative is killing authentic behavior nonsense. Authenticity is an important virtue. So is growth. “You’re so different” being a dig chills me. We have College students are great created the idea that doing at shaming each other. We have something against the grain is harnessed a creative array performative. We have reduced of labels to administer our it to acting. Someone doing judgements. Of these terms, something new or expressing “pick me” and “performative” themselves in a different way is are the subject of my resentment. not them being inauthentic, or Without undermining the begging for attention and praise. understandable frustration of Stop assuming that. If inauthenticity, this vocabulary someone wants to do something shames healthy behaviors different, that is a good thing. out of individuals and halts It seems to me that we are aspirational motivation. forgetting that. The value of It discourages growth by uniqueness is being attacked making us considerably more when these words come to self conscious about how include a certain amount of we are being perceived. condescending, discouraging Certain behaviors have judgement. The shame come to be associated with associated with standing these particular labels so out threatens expression closely that we can’t imagine with its homogenizing force. anyone participating in them I know this argument is likely palatable because my examples are those endorsing healthy behaviors. You might be thinking of people who actually “deserve” to be called “pick me,” people who really are performing, that are doing something just for the appearance. But I am asking you to just turn away, and realize, they can’t keep up the bit that long. The problem is that our name-calling has made the label’s force become so insidious as to make us question each other’s genuinity. It makes us look at each other with skepticism. I hate that I find myself questioning the sincerity of a person’s action, and I attribute that to our use of these circulating judgements. Like any student, I am conscious of the labels we stamp upon each other, and of course, anxious to be the subject of them. So I know that you might even call this article “pick me.” That awareness may have even subconsciously delayed or rearranged my desire to write this. These labels foundationally assume that all actions are done for a “look.” Maybe this is the unfortunate case of our age. But using “pick me” and “performative” only make that sad reality more true. They perpetuate extrinsic motivation, reminding us we are being perceived, and to act knowing that. Don’t assumptively reduce a person’s choices to “show biz.” Don’t let inauthentic people occupy the mind you can use for more extraordinary things. And don’t change what you want to do out of fear of other people’s assessment. Simple acts like reading a book can be unfairly labeled ‘performative,’ discouraging authentic behavior. You aren’t yelling “pick me,” Art by Kyra Lefebvre you are just picking you. BETTINA MOGELVANG CONTRIBUTOR

authentically. I have heard many people deem reading a book in the park “an attempt to be mysterious,” raising your hand in class is said to be “performative” and expressions of individuality outside of the mainstream are being labeled as “pick me.” From afar, we mark people as so without knowing the person or their intentions. Like many, I love to read, and I have to read a lot for school. Sitting in sunny San Diego on one of the most beautiful college campuses, reading outside provides me focus, peace and groundedness. I get vitamin D, a break from a sterile MacBook in the library and some gratitude for that moment. This is no performance, and I imagine students recognize this. But, sometimes these desires are interrupted by the paranoia of perception: not the concern

that I look a certain way but that I look as if I am trying to look a certain way. Selfconsciousness becomes two-fold and frankly, the fear alone of being stamped “performative” immobilizes the behavior — a healthy behavior. Enjoying a book becoming interwoven with self-consciousness is a fact that I hope is disquieting to many. Granted, “performative” was a word before people began to associate these habits with the idea of insincerity. This word, though still insulting, is honest, and is a plea for realness. Some might say it is even productive in this right, as it is an attempt to call someone out so they stop being ingenuine. But I am no fan of shaming yourself or another person into change. Obviously, there will always be people who only act a way for the sole sake of their image, and

one might argue these actors are the only intended targets of the label. Even if so, the label has larger negative consequences. Either the act is already too associated with performance, like reading a book on campus, or it simply interrupts an honest attempt at growth. I often hear, “They are trying to be something they are not.” That “something” they are trying to be may just be a better version of themself. If someone has never done something before, but aspires toward that habit, by vindictive logic, their first attempt would be unnatural or what many would call “pick me.” But we must not call that performative, for they will retreat from becoming that better self. To shame someone out of habit-building, because their starting point is behaving in a way foreign to them, is

The views expressed in the editorial and op-ed sections are not necessarily those of The USD Vista staff, the University of San Diego or its student body.

Volume 63 Issue 16

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SPORTS

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The USD Vista

SPORTS

World Baseball Classic returns

USD students weigh in on the cultural pride that baseball brings GABRIEL ROMERO CONTRIBUTOR The 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) has officially begun, marking the sixth edition of the international baseball tournament. Often compared to soccer’s World Cup that will be hosted in the United States later this summer, the tournament runs from March 5–17, featuring 20 teams from around the world playing America’s pastime. Play is divided in four different pools, each consisting of five countries. Over the course of four games, teams compete for one of two spots to advance out of their group. The top two teams from each pool move on to the knockout stage, where single-elimination games determine who will ultimately be crowned champion. This year’s tournament spans several global cities from five different continents. Pool C opened play first in Tokyo while the United States hosted Pool B in Houston and Pool D in Miami. Pool A games are held in San Juan, Puerto Rico. With teams representing countries from around the world, the tournament highlights the growing international reach of baseball. Japan enters the tournament as the defending champion, after winning the 2023 title. In the baseball city of San

Shohei Ohtani is playing for Japan in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

Diego, some USD students discussed the significance of an international tournament for baseball. With the sport deeply embedded in the local culture, the event highlights baseball’s global reach and provides an opportunity to see players represent their home countries. USD junior Lily Dow

was surprised by how important the tournament is and its international scale. “I was honestly shocked to see how little I heard about it, but I started seeing it on my feed once it began,” Dow said. “For how mainstream baseball is, it’s so fun to see a World Cup type tournament for the sport,

Fernando Tatis Jr. had a grand slam while representing the Dominican Republic. Photo courtesy of @wbsc/Instagram

Photo courtesy of @wbsc/Instagram

especially with the soccer World Cup coming later this summer.” One fan in particular, USD senior Jack Hansen, admires the way countries unite for this tournament of baseball, especially with supporting his country of Mexico with his family. “I think they’ll be a dark horse team especially led by Randy Arozarena and Alejandro Kirk, but I don’t think they’ll be able to make it all the way with the juggernauts of Japan, D.R, and U.S.” Hansen said. “I think they’ll go to the semifinals, they should be able to beat Korea and beat Puerto Rico again like in the last tournament.” Yet, cheering for his country’s team isn’t the only reason why Hansen and many other fans of the tournament enjoy these two weeks of baseball. “Baseball is such an underrated sport, I have family from Mexico like my grandpa who taught me all there is about baseball growing up,” Hansen said. “I have a friend from Brazil, mainly known as a soccer country, but he also told me how big a sport baseball is there, and how they have the chance to start off the tournament against a big team like the U.S.” Despite the excitement surrounding the tournament, controversy has also followed this year’s competition. While many players committed to representing their countries, others were ultimately unable to participate due to insurance restrictions. Under current rules, any player on an MLB 40-man roster must be covered by an insurance provider approved by the MLB

Players Association (MLBPA) to compete in the WBC. Without the coverage, players risked losing money from their contracts if they suffer an injury during the tournament. The issue became particularly visible with Puerto Rico, which briefly threatened to withdraw from the tournament after several star players were unable to secure the required insurance. Music superstar Bad Bunny even offered to personally cover insurance costs for players such as Carlos Correa and Francisco Lindor, though the proposal was not approved by the MLBPA. For many fans, the restrictions are frustrating because they prevent some of the world’s best players from the tournament. However, USD sophomore Natalie Lowenthal said she understands why teams and organizations must take precautions. “It feels fair for teams to be worried about players especially if they are insured, it causes huge liabilities when their main source of income is playing for their designated teams,” Lowenthal said. “However, you should want the best of the best to be representing your country when it comes to the tournament.” With packed stadiums, passionate fans and national pride on the line, the World Baseball Classic continues to showcase baseball on a global stage. For students at USD and fans around the world, the tournament proves that when players put on their country’s jersey, the excitement surrounding the game reaches an entirely new level.

The USD Vista

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March 12, 2026

New Zealand selects USD as home base Countries begin choosing fields for FIFA World Cup

From New Zealand, Page 1

the same environment like they would in I n g l e w o o d . All they have to do is take the I-5 freeway.” There are 40 teams competing in total in the 39-day world phenomena. The teams are broken into 12 groups, each with four teams or four different countries. New Zealand is a part of Group G along with Belgium, Egypt and Iran. The U.S. is playing in Group D with Paraguay, Australia and one more team that is still to be determined. USD senior and club soccer player Diego Reyes commented on his feelings about Torero Stadium hosting a World Cup qualifier. “It makes me feel good to be a USD student,” Reyes said. “I feel very privileged to be able to play club soccer for USD. I hope to help the program succeed and enjoy our time together throughout our seasons and I think it’s really cool that New Zealand is coming to USD. I also think it will definitely bring more attention to the school.” Reyes also added that he hopes to be able to watch some of the practices if given the opportunity. “If I’m still on campus I’ll definitely come out and watch them train,” Reyes said. “I

don’t know too much about New Zealand, just that one goal they scored against the Netherlands back in 2014.” For many students, the chance to see an international team visit campus is both unexpected and exciting. USD sophomore Pedro Santiago Estrada claimed the selection of their school as a host site feels special, especially considering the number of other locations that could have been chosen. “That’s pretty sick, out of all the schools they could’ve picked, they picked us,” Estrada said. “As for the field, most fields are kinda the same anyway, ours might be a little small, but it works and I think it will be good enough for them. New Zealand doesn’t get a lot of representation, so it’s cool they’re coming here. I don’t really know any of the players, but it kinda reminds me of when the LA Chargers came, it was already booked so I couldn’t go at the time, but now it makes me wanna show up since I’m from San Diego. Hopefully I get the chance to go and support since I’m not too far.” While some students were surprised by USD being selected, others reflected on what the opportunity means for the broader campus community. USD senior Shreyans

Elijah Just, 25 year old winger for the New Zealand’s All Whites. Photo courtesy of @nzallwhites/Instagram

Jyoti shared his thoughts on the campus acting as a world cup team’s home base. “Wow, I had no idea this was happening and I feel like it’s going to get a lot of students all around the country more interested in soccer,” Jyoti said. “I am from Nepal and soccer is a much bigger deal in the rest of the world but not so much in America. I will definitely be watching this year and keep an eye out for New Zealand. This is also just such

a unique opportunity that a lot of students across colleges all over the country don’t get to experience, so it’s pretty cool.” USD sophomore Luke White shared his perspective on USD’s stadium and what it means to him as a student. “I personally don’t follow the World Cup and the teams,but the idea that a pro team would want to have our school to be our home base is really awesome,” White said. “We have been killing it in college

San Diego Mojo, can you dig it?

soccer so I think our field and set up is up to date, I mean the grass is always well maintained. If people think it’s not then I don’t know what is. I’m pretty sure I saw workers painting or adding new things when I went to walk past the stadium so I am excited to see what it will look like before we head to summer.” With the tournament drawing global attention this summer, USD will briefly become part of the world’s biggest sporting event.

Mojo Momentum: San Diego Team thrives in growing pro volleyball MIA VORKOPER CONTRIBUTOR The San Diego Mojo began play in the league’s inaugural 2024 season as part of an eight team Major League Volleyball (MLV). After a rough start they staged an incredible comeback with a record of 13-11 and ended third overall seed heading into the playoffs. This year, they are in a tie for third place in the league and are currently 6-1 out of their last seven matches. Their wins aren’t the only thing on the rise, a

rapidly growing professional volleyball league in America could mean big things — for the sport, the city and women in sports everywhere. Coached by former U.S. Olympic bronze medalist Alisha Glass Childress, the team has shown strong perseverance — coming back from a 0-3 start to now being fourth in the league, with 14 regularseason matches remaining. San Diego Mojo player Marin Grote described the team’s identity. “Yeah, I think we are

San Diego Mojo players celebrate on the court. Photo courtesy @sandiegomojovb/Instagram

COMING UP THIS WEEK

WSWIM vs National Invitational Championship Thursday, March 12 Ocala, FL WTEN vs LMU Sunday, March 14 12 p.m. San Diego, CA

relentless,” Grote said. “We’re gritty, and we’re resilient you know, it doesn’t matter if we’re down, we’re gonna fight our way to flock and win that game.” Before MLV, athletes who wanted to play professionally had to go overseas — something that can be extremely daunting USD Head Volleyball Volleyball Coach Jennifer Petrie talked about the advantages MLV has for her athletes. “My players now don’t have to travel overseas to play professional volleyball,” Petrie remarked. “So not only is it good for the youth but it’s good for our girls to have opportunities here in San Diego.” The universal gratitude toward the rising opportunities for women’s sports is apparent. With the iconic record breaking attendance at the Nebraska versus Omaha game in 2023 and youth participation increasing by 41% since 2023, the growth of women’s volleyball is providing access and recognition not previously available. Grote reflected on the gratitude she shares with her teammates. “For women’s sport, we have to fight tooth and nail for

sports roster, the city’s love for the beach apparently doesn’t interfere with their passion for athletics. Going into their third year, the San Diego Mojo’s presence is hopefully the beginning of expanding the fan base for both the city and women’s professional sports. USD junior and football player Caden Leonard reflected on the impact of professional sports on a city. “I think what sports teams — specifically professional sports teams — do is they visually and physically represent something that you can kind of stand behind,” Leonard said. San Diego chose well with their brand as a well-known hot spot of talent for volleyball players. Mojo’s addition puts San Diego on the map for the beginning of a successful league. The Mojo’s success means a lot for women in volleyball. With two new teams set for arrival in 2027, Northern California and Minnesota, a strong professional MLV program could change the game for college athletes. San Diego Mojo is set to play at Viejas Arena next on March 25.

anything that we have,” Grote said. “And I think it means more to us because we’ve had to work so much harder for even just a little bit of the same recognition. And so we are all full of gratitude every day that we get to play sports.” Eduarda Sjobom, a USD Club Volleyball player reflected on her experience in high school, “In high school, compared to certain sports, like football, the games would always be packed and then our volleyball games, even though we were better than the football team, we would only have like 10 people there,” Sjobom stated. The impact of a professional team will provide evidence to youth and athletes around the world that people are interested in the success of this sport and broader, women’s athletics. Although San Diego has historically struggled to keep professional teams — the San Diego Chargers relocation still lingers bitterly in our hearts — the Mojo’s current presence is evident of a rising interest in the sport. With Mojo adding a fifth team on San Diego’s professional

MTEN vs Princeton Thursday, March 12 2:30 p.m. San Diego, CA

SB vs Idaho State Friday, March 13 4 p.m. San Diego, CA

BSB vs Oregon State Friday, March 13 6 p.m. San Diego, CA

BSB vs Oregon State Sunday, March 14 1 p.m. San Diego, CA

MGOLF vs Pauma Valley Monday, March 15 All-Day Pauma Valley, CA

WTRACK at PLNU Sea Lion Invite

MTEN vs Harvard Thursday, March 19 2:30 p.m. San Diego, CA

Saturday, March 14 10:45 a.m. San Diego, CA

BSB vs Gonzaga Fridaay, March 20 6 p.m. San Diego, CA