Author: Nathan Hellman

Not every student at Portland State is a scholarship-caliber athlete capable of competing against skilled collegiate players, making Jerry Glanville’s football squad, or stepping up to the plate for head softball coach Amy Hayes.

Getting a fresh start is an infrequent occurrence. The feeling doesn’t stick around for long or surface on a regular basis. When it comes, it’s a blessing, but there’s always the possibility it’ll be gone before the sun rises the next day.

Two Portland State students opted to withdraw an impeachment request of student body president Rudy Soto on Aug. 20, less than a month after filing their initial appeal.

Before the sun emerged behind heavy cloud cover and coffee finished brewing at homes across Portland, boisterous screams reverberated around the Stott Community Field Monday morning. The Vikings football squad was on the field bright and early at 7 a.m. to officially begin its first preseason practice.

Blackstone residents are in the center of everything, from concerts to rallies in the park blocks and fresh produce at the farmer’s market. The five-story brick building is old, but just minutes from most classrooms.

Traveling from point A to point B sounds like such a simple concept. But when faced with one-way streets, congested traffic jams and construction barricades, commuting to Portland State on a daily basis can be frustrating.

Being a member of the Viking faithful is no longer a drag. With head football coach Jerry Glanville in the fold and new athletic director Torre Chisholm reconstructing the Viking image, now is the best time in recent memory to wear the Portland State name in the stands or playing field.

After successfully fighting the NCAA for eligibility during the 2007 season this past May, running back Mu’Ammar Ali has opted to forego his final year as a Viking.

Hope and excitement have eluded Portland State athletics in recent memory. Rookie athletic director Torre Chisholm is laying the groundwork to ensure that Viking athletics is viewed in a fresh, new light with a host of new faces, including former NFL head coach Jerry Glanville as the football team’s leader.

Michael Seemann was lured away from his assistant coach post at Oregon State two years ago to become Portland State’s associate head coach and the eventual successor to head volleyball coach Jeff Mozzochi.

When the news came in that Portland State was selected second in the Big Sky Conference’s preseason football poll, the first thing I wanted to do was call head coach Jerry Glanville and personally thank him.