Chico State Spikes, Digs and Scores

Chico State's #14 Alex Shurtz (left) spikes against Cal State Stanislaus' #19 Jennifer Marsh (right) in the second game of their women's volleyball match at CSUC Acker Gym Wednesday, November 2, 2011 in Chico, Calif. 

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico State's #12 Jessica Leek (right) digs against Cal State Stanislaus in the first game of their women's volleyball match at CSUC Acker Gym Wednesday, November 2, 2011 in Chico, Calif. 

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico State's #14 Alex Shurtz, #12 Jessica Leek, #10 Sable Villaescusa, and #6 Molly Ratto (left to right) celebrate a score against Cal State Stanislaus in the first game of their women's volleyball match at CSUC Acker Gym Wednesday, November 2, 2011 in Chico, Calif. 

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Play At Home

Chico State's #9 Jackson Evans (right) slides late into home plate to be tagged out against UC San Diego' #25 Kellen Lee (left) in the bottom of the first inning during the second game of their doubleheader baseball game at CSUC Nettleton Stadium Saturday, April 30, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Kids Round Up Ag Learning

Jen Clark (left) helps Keira Maguire, 5 1/2 (right), rope a steer as kids learn about agriculture during the 19th Annual Chico State Ag Day at the CSUC University Farm Friday, April 29, 2011 in Chico Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Making The Play

Chico State's #11 Cody Foster slides in for a pop fly catch for the out against Cal State L.A.'s #13 Noe Flores (not seen) in the top of the fifth inning during their second baseball game of a double header at CSUC Nettleton Stadium on Saturday, April 16, 2011 in Chico Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico State's #22 Adrian Bringas fields the ball to first base for the force out against Cal State L.A.'s #18 Brett Whalen (not seen) in the top of the fourth inning during their second baseball game of a double header at CSUC Nettleton Stadium on Saturday, April 16, 2011 in Chico Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Leaping, Jumping, Soaring

Here are three events that I covered at a recent track meet that show the athlete's abilities to hurl themselves in the air.

Chico State's Aimee Rodgers (center) competes against Chico State's Kelly Clancey (left) and Humbolt's unattached runner Natalie Johnson (right) in the women's 100m hurdles during the Twilight Track Meet at CSUC University Stadium Saturday, April 9, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Butte College Anthony Wright, 20, competes in the men's high jump against Chico State in the Twilight Track Meet at CSUC University Stadium Saturday, April 9, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico State's Ashley Reno, 20, competes in the women's pole vault in the Twilight Track Meet at CSUC University Stadium Saturday, April 9, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Celebrating Cesar Chavez Day

Cesar Chavez Day did bring out hard work in volunteering Chico State students who cleaned up parts of the town. But it also brought out its usual crowd of intoxicated youth celebrating not what the day stands for, but the fact they have the day off. The later afternoon saw an increase in activity. Nothing was out of control or unusual.

Chico Police mounted patrol detectives Abigail Madden (left) waves to people partying at W 4th St and Hazel St. to celebrate Cesar Chavez Day Thursday, March 31, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

People party in front of a house on W 4th St. and Ivy St. to celebrate Cesar Chavez Day Thursday, March 31, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

People play music and dance in front of a house on W 4th St. and Ivy St. to celebrate Cesar Chavez Day Thursday, March 31, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico Police mounted patrol detectives Jim Parrott (right) keeps an eye on the crowd as detective Abigail Madden (left) detains a suspect who assaulted the horse at W 4th St and Ivy St. in the south campus area during the celebration of Cesar Chavez Day Thursday, March 31, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico Fire engineer Carlos Munoz hoses down a couch frame that was lit of fire as people celebrate Cesar Chavez Day in the south campus area Thursday, March 31, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico Police administer a DUI checkpoint along Esplanade and E. Lincoln Ave during Cesar Chavez Day Thursday, March 31, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

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High's, Low's and Lower's

It's great to see the home team win. The celebration and excitement makes for great images. But sometimes the team can't always walk away with a win. The disappointment and frustration may be hard to watch, but it makes for great pictures. Both men and women's Chico State basketball teams were unable to pull a win in a recent game I covered.

Chico State's head coach Greg Clink (left) argues a call by referee Russell Burch (right) against Cal State Dominguez Hills in the second half of their men's basketball game at CSUC Acker Gym Friday, January 28, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico State's head coach Greg Clink reacts to a call against Cal State Dominguez Hills in the second half of their men's basketball game at CSUC Acker Gym Friday, January 28, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico State's #41 Kristin Marquardt, #20 Taylor Lydon, #33 Pauline Ferrall, and #30 McKenzie Dalthorp (left to right) react to a missed point against Cal State Monterey Bay in the second half of their women's basketball game at CSUC Acker Gym Saturday, January 22, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

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It's All About the Emotion

You will constantly hear action photographers talk about great action moments, but what is really important to sports photographers is the emotions of the games. With camera technology getting cheaper and better every day, it becomes much easier for the amateur to get lucky with good action shots. But while I do shoot action, I am a photojournalist who is trying to tell the stories of the games that I cover. I need to find the emotions to best describe the game.

A big game was played with a lot of emotion was the Chico State against San Francisco State men's basketball game. I am constantly following the players expressions when a foul is draw or a whistle blown. There was a lot of pushing and shoving, but the expressions that captured the game the best was the frustrating defeat to the Chico State team.

Chico State's #34 Roderick Hawkins (right) reacts to a foul called on the team against San Francisco State in the second half of their men's basketball game at CSUC Acker Gym Friday, January 21, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico State's head coach Greg Clink (center) gives the plays against San Francisco State in the first half of their men's basketball game at CSUC Acker Gym Friday, January 21, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico State's #33 Terence Pellum (left) is fouled against San Francisco State's #44 Matt Fochtman (right) in the first half of their men's basketball game at CSUC Acker Gym Friday, January 21, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

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Getting Into The Center Of The Action

A photographer's dream is great access. Walking the sidelines for as many years as I have, I've begun to be a familiar face and my access has greatly improved. I enjoy being able to really get right next to the players that I cover. I think it brings a unique perspective to the viewers. It shows them an angle that they don't have access to. That is what I was able to do when covering a Chico State women's basketball game. I walked right up to the huddle during warmups and snapped a couple shots over the players. The image really puts you close to the intensity of the moment.

Chico State's #11 Natasha Smith (center) cheers on the team against Cal State East Bay before the first half of their women's basketball game at CSUC Acker Gym Saturday, January 8, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

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Low Angle, High Action

During a Chico State basketball game I decided to place a camera at my feet and shoot at a really wide angle to capture all the action that happens under the basket. I wasn't able to look through the viewfinder, so I couldn't "see" what I was taking pictures of, but I knew something would fall into the frame. It was a "worm's eye" view of the game. A viewpoint that most do not see.

Chico State's #34 Roderick Hawkins (center) goes up for a shot against UC San Diego in the first half of their men's basketball game at CSUC Acker Gym Friday, January 7, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

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8FPS: What a Wild Night

With Chico State students heading back into town, the south campus area is becoming much more wild. The student population creates much more party activity than in the summer months. With students, new, old, and from out of town, Chico Police are kept busy. I try to make an effort to head out in the late evening, early morning to capture the type of activity that is becoming more and more prevalent.

What made this night more wild than others was the close proximity to all the activity. It all centered around 5th and Ivy, a hot spot for crazy parties. Chico Police, Fire and Paramedics were all keep busy tending to fights, stabbings, and drug young people. There was even a commercial structure fire that night. The most unusual story happened at the end of the night when police were called out to the train track after a report of three men who jumped from a moving train injuring themselves... Maybe "wild" night is the wrong description; what a stupid night.

Chico Police arrest a man who was in a fight and had a stab wound, at 5th St and Ivy St. as Chico State students and youth take to the south CSUC campus streets patrolled by Chico Police keeping an eye on people as they party for the weekend before school gets under way Friday, August 20, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Young people party at a home at 6th St. and Ivy St. as Chico State students and youth take to the south CSUC campus streets patrolled by Chico Police keeping an eye on them as they party for the weekend before school gets under way Friday, August 20, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico Fire tend to a victim of an assault and robbery, who was knocked in the head and bleeding along Ivy St. as Chico State students and youth take to the south CSUC campus streets patrolled by Chico Police keeping an eye on people as they party for the weekend before school gets under way Friday, August 20, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico Fire and Police attempt to locate a man who was reported to have jumped with two other friedns from a moving train along the train tracks and W. Sacramento Ave, after hopping on the train as it pasted through town. His buddies had injuries and were taken to Enloe. Chico State students and youth take to the south CSUC campus streets patrolled by Chico Police keeping an eye on people as they party for the weekend before school gets under way Friday, August 20, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Tacos de Acapulco stays open late for midnight cravings for the Chico State students and youth take to the south CSUC campus streets patrolled by Chico Police keeping an eye on people as they party for the weekend before school gets under way Friday, August 20, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico Police arrest a man who at 5th St and Ivy St. who was harassing women as Chico State students and youth take to the south CSUC campus streets patrolled by Chico Police keeping an eye on people as they party for the weekend before school gets under way Friday, August 20, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico Fire respond to a commercial structure fire at Playtime-4-You lingerie shop at Esplanade and 12th Ave Friday, August 20, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico Police officer James Dimmitt (left) and Sgt. Greg Keeney (right) question a man as they make a stop at a party along 6th St. near Cherry St. as Chico State students and youth take to the south CSUC campus streets patrolled by Chico Police keeping an eye on people as they party for the weekend before school gets under way Friday, August 20, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

New Dorm Makes Me Want to Back to School

Chico State students were welcomed back to town with the addition to a new dorm on the campus. It was Sutter Hall and I was treated to a look inside to the new facility.

It was nice. Real nice. The dorm offers spacious hallways and a huge dining facility that is close to being open. The dorms sure didn't look anything like the new Sutter Hall. What really made the new living facility nice is the open common area between the new and old dorm. There was a large open area that offered a common ground for students in Whitney Hall to meet with students from the Sutter Hall. It was quite a sight. I wish they had the new dorm when I went to school. It makes me want to go back.

The new CSUC Sutter Hall student dorm facility provides a very modern architecture on campus Wednesday, August 18, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico State University Housing and Food Services Dr. David Stephen talks about the new dining facility that is soon to be open in CSUC Sutter Hall student dorm facility on campus Wednesday, August 18, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico State students walk out from the main entrance to Sutter Hall Wednesday, August 18, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

A rock column structure sits on the center of the dorm buildings allowing for more seating area between the new Sutter Hall and the old Whitney Hall.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Davin Buszek, 19, of Danville, (left) and Taylor Carrington, 19, of Granite Bay (right) play Xbox in Buszek's room in the new CSUC Sutter Hall student dorm facility on campus Wednesday, August 18, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Residential Advisor Shannon Smith works on projects for new students in her room in the new CSUC Sutter Hall student dorm facility on campus Wednesday, August 18, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

The rebuilt Rec Center is seen adjacent to Sutter Hall as Chico State students walk up the stair to their new dorm facility on campus Wednesday, August 18, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Making the Most Of A Press Conference

We photojournalist don't like our assignments to be set up. And nothing is more set up than press conferences. While the press conference provides a good occasion to gather reporters from varying news agencies together in one place, it doesn't give way to much interesting art. Public relations do their best to jazz up the scene. But all the glitter in the world doesn't break away from the fact that the scene is scripted. I always try to look for something more than the normal "person behind the microphone" shot. I take time to search out the real story of the event.

This is what I did when I went to a press conference announcing the new women's basketball coach for Chico State. Brian Fogel was the interim coach for the team the last couple of years, and the press conference announced his removal of "interim" from his title. I noticed some of the key players on the women's basketball team had shown up to congratulate their former, newly announced head coach. I stuck around after the press conference had ended to snap a nice emotional shot to convey the mood of the decision. I felt it was much better than a shot of Fogel talking to reporters.

Newly introduced women's basketball coach Brian Fogel (center) hugged players Natasha Smith (left) and Taylor Lydon (right) after taking questions from media during a press conference at CSUC Acker Gym Thursday, August 5, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

The new women's basketball coach Brian Fogel was introduced during a press conference at CSUC Acker Gym Thursday, August 5, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

When I had arrived back at the office with the photos I came to find out one of our sports reporters, Nick Wilson, who was laying out the sports page that night wanted to search for a file photo of Fogel coaching from last season. I help his search out the image in our archives and he ended up putting a nice package together for the story.

Screenshots of the Sports page C1 and C3 show the layout for the Chico Enterprise-Record story by Travis Souders on Chico State's newly announced women's basketball coach.

Body in Creek

A woman notified Chico State police about a dead body she found in Big Chico Creek along the west side bike path of CSUC campus. Chico Police took over the investigation because the body was located on city property, not the University's. It is still under investigation. Police try to secure the scene and I respect that. They need the area to not be tampered with to conduct an investigation. As long as they are not too unreasonable in their request I am able to work around it.  I do not want a picture of a dead body, however, I do need to be on scene to photograph the activity that accompanies an incident like this. 

CSUC police officer Dale Glander stands guard at the police line on the bike path near Yolo Hall to not let anyone disturb Chico Police investigating the scene of an 1144 dead body found by a woman alongside Big Chico Creek and Rio Chico Way near the Chico State campus on Friday, July 16, 2010 in Chico, Calif. The woman contacted CSUC police, but they turned the investigation over to CPD because it was on city property. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

CSUC Building a New Home

Chico State's new dorm facility, Sutter Hall, is coming along. I walked over to the north end of campus after shooting another assignment. I wanted to get a peak at how the project has progressed. Being that I graduated from Chico State, I wanted to see what changes were going on in the campus. I was very impressed with the facility. While I could have probably asked for a tour inside the construction area, I didn't have much time. I walked around the perimeter and just took a couple shots that we need on file. It will be great to see the building when it is complete. It almost makes me want to go back to college.

A construction worker walks pat the southwest entrance on Chico State's new Sutter Hall dorm facility on CSUC campus on Wednesday, July 14, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

A runner runs along the Chico High track as the north side of Chico State's new Sutter Hall dorm facility (left) is undergoing construction next to Whitney Hall (right) on CSUC campus on Wednesday, July 14, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

CSUC Unifies at Rally

California State University - Chico was struck with big news of a violent attack against its Associated Student President Joseph Igbineweka this last week. Students gathered on campus to rally against hate. Igbineweka is a genuinely nice guy who is well respected in the student body. He suffered major injuries after being stabbed violently one night. The case is still under investigation. It was a nice reaction to the news that the students did not get anger at the rally. Instead they stood together in a very positive attitude. It was a nice change of pace from normal demonstrations that harvest on rage and anger. This rally which had the high potential for such a thing, was rather a celebration of diversity and unity. The group that gathered even dance after the speakers were done.

Chico State President Paul Zingg (left) speaks as Javan Smith, 20 (right) holds a sign "We Represent Unity" to students, faculty, and community representatives gathered for a Unity Rally at CSUC Chico State on Friday, April 23, 2010 in Chico, Calif. The event was to raise concern over the recent violent act to Associated Students President Joseph Igbineweka. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Dana Francis (left) has Krystel Tonga, 22 (right) place a yellow ribbon on Francis' arm that represented her support for unity as students, faculty, and community representatives gathered for a Unity Rally at CSUC Chico State on Friday, April 23, 2010 in Chico, Calif. The event was to raise concern over the recent violent act to Associated Students President Joseph Igbineweka. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Sahara Peña, 18, holds a sign "We Represent Unity" as students, faculty, and community representatives gathered for a Unity Rally at CSUC Chico State on Friday, April 23, 2010 in Chico, Calif. The event was to raise concern over the recent violent act to Associated Students President Joseph Igbineweka. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Keeping Track of Stars at Track Meet

     I photographed the Chico State Twilight Invitational Track meet this Saturday. Track is generally an exciting sport that is also very challenging. Most of the competitors don't have numbers they wear to identify themselves with a roster. I have to be quick to keep track of who I take pictures of and their accomplishments. I was able to snap a couple shots off real quick. I would have liked to devote more time to the event, but am unable to give it that time commitment due to earlier assignments. I keep my eyes out for some excitement. 

Chico State's Michelle Burley (left) races against Humboldt State's Olivia Juarez (right) in the women's 400m race during their track meet at the CSUC University Stadium Saturday, April 10, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico State's Nick Lonnegren (left) takes the anchor from Matt Sloggy (right) in the men's 4x100m relay in their track meet at the CSUC University Stadium Saturday, April 10, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico State's Ryan Bertucci clears the high jump in their track meet at the CSUC University Stadium Saturday, April 10, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico State's Shannon Jordan (left) and Nichole Brieno (right) race in the women's hurdles during their track meet at the CSUC University Stadium Saturday, April 10, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico State's Aimee Rodgers (center) races against Southern Oregon Chenin Young (left) and Oregon Tech's Nikki Smith (right) in the women's hurdles during their track meet at the CSUC University Stadium Saturday, April 10, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

     While looking around the track for some events I noticed one of the officials. It was Emily Azevedo, who was a Chico High grad, that went on to compete in the 2010 Olympic Winter games in the bobsled. She was at the track meet helping out with officiating. Since her rise to Olympic fame, she has become a local hero in Chico. The track event was a small event that allowed me to have a casual conversation with Azevedo. She was a very sweet and humble person. It will be exciting to see her career take off as she continues to compete. I was not planning on seeing her at the track meet. 

Winter Olympic bobsledder Emily Azevedo keeps an eye on the men's 1500m race as she was seen helping out with the starts at the Chico State track meet at the CSUC University Stadium Saturday, April 10, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

     It allowed me to capture a couple frames that we will probably be using for a future feature. It goes to show that you must always keep your eyes open. I came to the track meet to photograph the sport, but ended up finding another story while there.