By the students, for the students of Central Washington University

The Observer

By the students, for the students of Central Washington University

The Observer

By the students, for the students of Central Washington University

The Observer

Derek Harper, Staff Reporter

Staff Reporter - Winter 2021

Staff Reporter - Fall 2020

All content by Derek Harper
Seniors say goodbye: My advice to incoming students

Seniors say goodbye: My advice to incoming students

Derek Harper, Staff Reporter
June 2, 2021

My senior year here has been full of ups and downs thanks to the pandemic, but it’s opened my eyes to various aspects both in and out of the academic setting. While I think classes should’ve been in-person...

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The Yakima Valley Pippins will play new opponents this year, the Kamloops Northpaws and Nanaimo Night Owls.

West Coast League gears up for 2021 season

Derek Harper, Staff Reporter
March 10, 2021

The West Coast League (WCL) is gearing up for the 2021 season with hopes of a regular June start for all of their clubs in the United States and Canada. The WCL is a premier summer collegiate baseball...

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Indoor football kicks-off this spring

Indoor football kicks-off this spring

Derek Harper, Staff Reporter
March 2, 2021

Football isn’t over after the Super Bowl because indoor football starts up in May. Fans have multiple cities around the state where they can go to check out an indoor football game.  The American...

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College club hockey abundant in Northwest

College club hockey abundant in Northwest

Derek Harper, Staff Reporter
February 23, 2021

College club hockey is abundant in the Northwest and is more popular and competitive than one might think. CWU used to have a club team up until a few years ago, but there are still places to go out and...

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Northwest League to High-A West

Northwest League to High-A West

Derek Harper, Staff Reporter
February 17, 2021

The Northwest League saw quite a few changes during the off-season with Major League Baseball’s realignment of Minor League Baseball (MiLB). The Northwest League saw the loss of the Boise Hawks and Salem-Keizer...

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CWU lazy, premature with online graduation

Derek Harper, Columnist
February 16, 2021

The decision by Central Washington University to put graduation fully online again this year was premature, taking the easy way out and simply lazy. The school called it way too early. It’s an excuse...

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How fans are watching Super Bowl 55

How fans are watching Super Bowl 55

Derek Harper, Staff Reporter
February 6, 2021

Despite COVID-19 playing a factor in how Super Bowl 55 plays out, some people aren’t letting it get in the way of watching the big game with others. According to 1080AM The Fan, ESPN Portland, 33% of...

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Women’s soccer looks forward to spring season

Women’s soccer looks forward to spring season

Derek Harper, Staff Reporter
February 2, 2021

Women’s soccer is gearing up for a six game season this spring featuring three other GNAC schools. When news came out that athletics would have an independent spring season for some of their teams, there...

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Get outdoors with CWU’s OPR

Get outdoors with CWU’s OPR

Derek Harper, Staff Reporter
January 27, 2021

Outdoor Pursuits and Rentals (OPR) is open and offers gear for students to rent with plans for local excursions. If someone is looking to rent gear and go enjoy the snow, OPR has them covered.  According...

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A deep dive into the northwest ice hockey scene

A deep dive into the northwest ice hockey scene

Derek Harper, Staff Reporter
January 20, 2021

The sports world looks a lot different right now due to the pandemic, and ice hockey is no exception. With the USA-Canada border closure and local state restrictions, the Wenatchee Wild of the Junior-A...

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CWU water polo club poses together for a photo back in 2019 after a successful competition.

Water polo club practicing for when competition resumes

Derek Harper, Staff Reporter
November 12, 2020

The water polo team is taking part in limited practices doing what it can to stay ready for when competition resumes. According to junior and water polo club Vice President Tyler Pospichal, the team...

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[Video] Preparing for winter driving

November 10, 2020

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CWU’s tennis club takes photo after a practice back during 2019 season. Tennis club members patiently await for competition to resume in 2021.

Tennis club will continue to practice, competition to resume in the future

Derek Harper, Staff Reporter
November 3, 2020

Despite no competition against clubs from other schools, the tennis club is practicing three times a week so they’re ready to go when competition resumes.  The club practices Mondays and Wednesdays...

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[Video] A look in 88.1 The ‘Burg

October 27, 2020

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Men’s cross country team looks ahead to future competition despite face covering challenges

Men’s cross country team looks ahead to future competition despite face covering challenges

Derek Harper, Staff Reporter
October 27, 2020

The men’s cross country team is in a state of limbo right now with no season until at least Jan. 7, 2021.  At that time, they’re expected to be cleared to compete again and have their indoor winter...

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Indoor football is underrated

Indoor football is underrated

Derek Harper, Columnist
October 20, 2020

Once the Super Bowl is over, people claim there’s no football until the NFL starts up again the following season. Yet so many people don’t understand that indoor football is real football, it’s just...

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Women’s Volleyball looks forward to spring season

Women’s Volleyball looks forward to spring season

Derek Harper, Staff Reporter
October 20, 2020

The women’s volleyball team is continuing its weekly practice routine as players prepare for a potential GNAC spring season and conference tournament. The GNAC is planning on an 18-game season with everybody...

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Quarterback Jack Smith transfers to CWU from ASU

Quarterback Jack Smith transfers to CWU from ASU

Derek Harper, Staff Reporter
October 15, 2020

The football team will have another player competing for the starting quarterback job in fall 2021. Fifth year quarterback Jack Smith transferred this year to CWU from Arizona State University where he...

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Women’s Soccer team looking to kick off a potential spring season. The team has been working on staying in shape and forming team chemistry. The team looks forward to facing rival WWU.

Soccer gears up ahead of potential spring season

Derek Harper, Staff Reporter
October 7, 2020

The Women’s Soccer team is gearing up for a spring GNAC season, despite a canceled NCAA tournament this year, should they qualify. But that’s not stopping the team from eyeing the GNAC crown. Senior...

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CWU Women’s Volleyball taking part in modified practices ahead of potential spring season

Derek Harper, Reporter
October 7, 2020

Like most things these days, nothing is normal for the CWU women’s volleyball team. Practices now include temperature checks, screenings, and social distancing.  Social distancing has caused some...

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Minor League Baseball (MiLB) offers fans in rural areas to see baseball up close, although the fans in the Tri-Cities could soon lose this opportunity due to the MLB’s plan to contract the team.

Tri-City Dust Devils among MiLB teams on contraction list

Derek Harper, Staff Reporter
October 1, 2020

Major League Baseball (MLB) is contracting a large number of Minor League Baseball (MiLB) teams ahead of the 2021 season and the impact will be felt hard in many communities nationwide. Some communities...

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[Video] Fall and Winter activities near Kittitas County

Derek Harper, Reporter
September 29, 2020

 There are multiple ways CWU students and those in Kittitas County can enjoy the fall and winter months both outdoors and indoors. For students, Outdoor Pursuits and Rentals (OPR) at CWU provides trips...

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The CWU women’s volleyball team continues to train in hopes of a spring season, although there will not be a tournament if a season is held.

CWU volleyball team preparing for potential spring season

Derek Harper, Staff Reporter
September 22, 2020

While the Women’s Volleyball team isn’t having a fall season, they’re planning on a full conference season this spring. Head coach Mario Andaya and sophomores Laynie Erickson, Macy Wilke and Sydney...

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