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Golden Gate Xpress

The Student News Site of San Francisco State University

Golden Gate Xpress

The Student News Site of San Francisco State University

Golden Gate Xpress

All content by Michael Duran
Former San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom hold his daughter Montana while waving at Giants' fans during the 2012 San Francisco Giants World Series parade Wednesday, Oct. 31 2012. (Katie Lewellyn / Xpress)

Former mayor readies for commencement address

Michael Duran May 22, 2015

At eight years old, former San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom convinced his younger sister, Hilary Newsom, to help tear up the backyard and create a six-hole miniature golf course. As Hilary Newsom made...

(Graphic by Jourdon Ahn / Xpress)

Drunk driving affects personal connections

Michael Duran Apr 21, 2015

When my mom called me one afternoon, I was expecting a regular conversation– catching up and seeing how my family was doing– but what she told me gave me the chills. She said my cousin Deana had been in...

Former Mayor of San Francisco to deliver commencement address

Michael Duran Apr 8, 2015

The former mayor of San Francisco, Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom, will speak at SF State’s 114th commencement ceremony next month, according to a University announcement released Tuesday, April 7. “Throughout...

Graduating criminal justice major and record setting athlete, Hilary King, jumps 5.79 meters, in the long jump, taking first place at Cox Stadium Friday, April 3. She recently broke the Women's record at SFSU by jumping 5.79 meters. (Helen Tinna / Xpress)

Senior captain breaks school record in long jump

Michael Duran Apr 7, 2015

As she steps on the track, Hilary King places her left foot on the measuring tape and focuses on the 86-foot runway and blocks out everything. With one last breath, she leans back, shakes her right...

Recent attempt to ban the American flag, undermines patriotism

Michael Duran Mar 17, 2015

As I walked inside the doors of the Betsy Ross House in Philadelphia last fall, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of patriotism and pride for my country. Red, white and blue flags decorated the home where...

Pods that are expected to be on Mars, ready for arrival in 2024 (Mars One website)

Out of this World: Alumna in the running for one-way trip to Mars

Michael Duran Mar 4, 2015

When SF State alumna Kenya Armbrister was 10 years old, her father asked her if she would travel to outer space if given the opportunity. Without hesitation, she responded with a simple "yes." Years later,...

Michael Duran runs in the streets of Outer Sunset, off 39th and Lawton on Tuesday, Feb. 17. (Drake Newkirk / Xpress)

Weight loss experience shows importance of health awareness

Michael Duran Feb 19, 2015

It all began in the beginning of last summer. The spring semester just ended and I had traveled home to Orange County to spend summer break with my family. When I saw my brother upon my return, I did...

Twins, Ron, left, and Reggie Richardson sit for a portrait in Reggie's office at San Leandro High School, where they are co-principals Tuesday Nov. 18. Michael Duran/Xpress

Double the Trouble: Twin alumni co-principal at East Bay high school

Michael Duran Dec 9, 2014

At 9 years old, Ron and Reggie Richardson amazed passersby while dancing in sync to Michael Jackson’s music in their neighborhood streets. Today as adults, they have taken their connection further, into...

There shouldn’t be a spotlight on racism after Ferguson decision

Michael Duran Dec 3, 2014

Michael Brown, 18, lost his life to former policeman Darren Wilson on Aug. 9. What made this shooting so controversial, besides the fact that the altercation between Brown and Wilson escalated to the...

California legislation does not do enough to prevent guns from falling into the wrong hands

Michael Duran Oct 28, 2014

I will never forget the day that such a small object had so much control over my life. My friends and I were heading back to campus from Broad Street and Capitol Avenue in Ingleside around midnight....

Loma Prieta’s 25 year anniversary acts as a reminder of safety measures

Michael Duran Oct 14, 2014

As Darien Lum walked out of his Oct. 17, 1989 meeting at SF State with his fraternity Phi Kappa Tau, the ground began to shake. At the 19th Avenue and Holloway Street intersection, power was out and traffic...

California grants first ever scholarship for middle-class students

Michael Duran Sep 22, 2014

The first state scholarship for middle-class students is being offered to nearly 73,000 attendees of California public university systems, according to a California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) spokesperson. The...

Apple is king, and we have to accept that

Michael Duran Sep 17, 2014

A small garage located in Los Altos, Calif. was where Apple, one of the biggest names in technology was created. In 1975, Steve Jobs and a couple of his buddies had no idea it would turn out to be a global...

Students find difficulty in using new registration system

Michael Duran Aug 26, 2014

Out with the old and in with the new. The university website and system now has an entirely new look thanks to new homepage and student information system. SF State is implementing a new student information...

SF State Gator's Kelsey Murakami (13), hugs her teammates as they give her flowers during the senior celebration ceremony before the first game of a double header against the Sonoma State Seawolves at SF State Sat. April 26.

Gator softball concludes their season with Senior Day

Michael Duran Apr 26, 2014

What was supposed to be a celebration for the softball seniors was spoiled by rivals Sonoma State, shutting out SF State in both games Saturday, 8-0 and 6-0. It was not the way the Gators wanted to send...

The big climb: How an SF State student climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro at fifteen

Michael Duran Apr 23, 2014

Ben Gershen had just enough battery on his iPod to play one more song as he looked out 19,000 feet above Africa. He scrolled and scrolled and finally found the right one. Just as the sun began to rise,...

Softball earns doubleheader split against the conference's first place team

Softball earns doubleheader split against the conference’s first place team

Michael Duran Apr 14, 2014

Thanks to outstanding pitching and defense The Gators earned a split in their doubleheader against the No. 20 ranked UC San Diego Tritons Friday. With two games left in the four-game series this weekend,...

Softball earns split against conferences first place team

Michael Duran Apr 11, 2014

UPDATE: Thanks to outstanding pitching and defense the Gators earned a split in their doubleheader against the No. 20 ranked UC San Diego Tritons Friday, April 11. With two games left in the four-game...

SF State's Kylie Garbowski (6) on home plate putouts Amanda Wallach (3) of the Norte Dame de Namur Argonauts at the SF State Gator's home game against Notre Dame de Namur at the softball Field Wednesday, April 9. Photo by Jenny Sokolova /Xpress

Softball team split doubleheader against Notre Dame de Namur

Michael Duran Apr 9, 2014

UPDATE: SF State’s dugout cleared out as Marisa Andrade rounded each base with a smile from cheek to cheek, only for the whole team to greet her at home plate after hitting a two-run homerun off the...

Baseball players leave home to play with Division I athletes

Michael Duran Mar 27, 2014

Two Gator baseball players got a rare opportunity last summer: live with complete strangers while playing with Division I athletes. Catcher Mark Lindsay and pitcher Peter Reyes both had this chance. Volunteer...

Gator softball sweeps the visiting Cal State Stanislaus Warriors, moves up in conference

Michael Duran Mar 20, 2014

The entire SF State softball team and cheering section were on their feet and yelling at the top of their lungs, as the winning run crossed the plate, in an extra-inning win over the Cal State Stanislaus...

A Day in the Life of the Gator (VIDEO)

Michael Duran Mar 20, 2014

[dropcap style="box"]A[/dropcap]s I first put on the green mascot on, it hit me: I would be in front of a crowd, dancing my ass off, running around in costume and being silly. I got a little nervous....

Softball faces loss in doubleheader with Cal Baptist

Softball faces loss in doubleheader with Cal Baptist

Michael Duran Mar 18, 2014

SF State's Selina Rodriguez (24) tags out Cal Baptist's Jacque Lopez (14) at first base during the Gators game against the Lancers at SF State's softball field, Saturday, March 15, 2014. The Gators lost...

Softball team loses two games in doubleheader, optimistic about season

Softball team loses two games in doubleheader, optimistic about season

Michael Duran Mar 14, 2014

SF State's Kelsey Murakami throws the ball to first base against Dixie State Tuesday, March 11 at SF State's softball field. SF State lost 1-4. Photo by Rachel Aston / Xpress Due to lack of offense...

Gators lose a close one to Cal State Monterey Bay Otters

Michael Duran Mar 9, 2014

Missed opportunities left the Gators on the losing side in a close game against the Cal State Monterey Bay Otters 2-1, Sunday March 9 at Maloney Field. Starting pitcher Nolan Sheridan threw a total...

Baseball team wins in 12th inning, now on four-game winning streak

Baseball team wins in 12th inning, now on four-game winning streak

Michael Duran Feb 28, 2014

[set_id=72157641681136064] UPDATE: The entire SF State baseball team piled on Fernando Escobar as he rounded first base, after getting the walk-off hit against the Cal State Bernardino Coyotes in...

Baseball team sweeps double header against Cal State Stanislaus

Michael Duran Feb 22, 2014

UPDATE: Dominant starting pitching, allowing only two runs in both games combined, gave the Gators the edge in the sweep over the Cal State Stanislaus Warriors Saturday afternoon at Mahoney Field. The...

Politics don’t belong in the Olympic games

Michael Duran Feb 17, 2014

Every four years, representatives from 88 nations gather in one location somewhere in the world to perform the art of athleticism. The Olympics are an event to shower athletes with medals that they have...

Women's basketball pulls ahead in conference with win against Humboldt

Women’s basketball pulls ahead in conference with win against Humboldt

Michael Duran Feb 15, 2014

[set_id=72157641030614363] Two clutch free throws from the Gators Leticia Galarza gave SF State a much-needed 72-70 win against Humboldt Friday. The Gators and Lumberjacks both came needing a win...

Lessen the technology reliance of our generation

Michael Duran Feb 7, 2014

Everyday, hundreds of students walk  around SF State with one thing in common: looking down at their phone. This is how we portray our generation to the rest of the world. Students are scrolling through...

Baseball opening day doubleheader ends in split, team excited for season

Michael Duran Feb 6, 2014

A split of their opening day doubleheader has SF State’s baseball team excited for what the season has in store. The Gators hosted Central Washington University to open their season this past Saturday...

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