Skip to Main Content
The Student News Site of San Francisco State University

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 Sergio Portela
Carlos Gonzalez's mural can be found at the Juvenile Justice Center in San Francisco. (Marlene Sanchez / Xpress)

Muralist uses art to inspire youth community

Sergio Portela May 6, 2015

Twenty years ago, on Cinco De Mayo, Carlos "Kookie" Gonzalez's mural was dedicated to Cesar Chavez at SF State. Click on the icons to hear the artist talk about specific the elements of the mural and...

Oakland Raiders look to build through draft

Sergio Portela Apr 30, 2015

Last season the Oakland Raiders once again finished with a losing record of 3-13, but something was different. They produced five starters from their 2014 draft class: Khalil Mack, Derek Carr, Gabe Jackson,...

Sergio Portela poses for a portrait at Balmy Alley in the Mission District on Tuesday April 14. (Marlene Sanchez / Xpress)

Cultural stigmas should not steer you away from heritage

Sergio Portela Apr 14, 2015

I watched my grandfather lie peacefully in a mahogany casket as they lowered him slowly into a burial plot. His casket was filled with objects that mattered the most to him: his cowboy boots, hat,...

Walk-on wrestler becomes first to head to Nationals in 15 years

Sergio Portela Mar 11, 2015

In his purple SF State wrestling singlet, Johnny Costa knelt to the mat on one knee to attach his ankle band, but inside he was praying in anticipation of his first match at Massari Arena at Colorado...

Early NCAA recruitment lessens value on childhood

Sergio Portela Mar 10, 2015

My childhood dream of playing professionally in the NBA was not motivated by money but rather the need to go out and play the game with which I had fallen in love. That’s what most young athletes want...

San Francisco State Gator Calvin Nicholls matches North Dakota State Thundar Joseph Garner during the California Collegiate Open at the San Francisco State Gymnasium on January 31 2014.

Gators wrestling keeps chance at Nationals alive

Sergio Portela Feb 3, 2015

The SF State wrestling team has had its highs and lows throughout the season, but remain with high momentum as Regionals and Nationals approach. The team started off their season with two wins against...

SF State students play a pick up game of soccer between their classes on campus Tuesday Jan. 27, 2015.

U.S. Open Cup qualifying match comes to Cox Stadium

Sergio Portela Jan 27, 2015

SF State’s Cox Pavilion will host a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup tournament qualifying match for the Nor-Cal Adult Premier League Jan. 31. SF City Football Club will face Stanislaus United Academica...

Men’s soccer ends season with most wins since 2005

Sergio Portela Dec 16, 2014

The Gators had the most wins in a season since 2005, where they won 10 games. The Gators started the year having their longest unbeaten streak at six games since 1980, only to hit the road and go on a...

Confiding in someone can help overcome depression

Sergio Portela Dec 9, 2014

I gave up on my plans to attend the University of Oregon in Eugene so I could be close to the pin-up girl of my dreams. My revised strategy to earn my degree locally and then one day secure a writing...

Men’s wrestling to compete in one of the nation’s toughest tournaments

Sergio Portela Dec 4, 2014

After a week off and a strong showing at the Nor Cal Open last month, the SF State wrestling team (1-0) will head to Las Vegas for the 33rd annual Cliff Keen Invitational Dec. 6 and 7. The invitational...

Wrestlers test skills at Roadrunner open among Division-I schools

Sergio Portela Nov 18, 2014

After an impressive win over the Division-I Cal Ploy Mustangs, the SF State wrestling team traveled to Fresno, Calif. to compete in the Roadrunner open and build off of their momentum. The Gators were...

Andrew Reggi poses for a picture the morning after winning his match 8-1 against Cal Poly Pomona in San Francisco Sunday, Nov. 9, 2014.

Wrestler works to become All American

Sergio Portela Nov 12, 2014

Isolated, SF State wrestler Andrew Reggi stretched and waited patiently for his next match, while a song by rapper Drake rang through his headphones to block out the noise of the room. He concentrated...

Gator Jakob Velega, #9 senior, dribbles the ball around Hawaii Hilo Vulcan Cristian Ruelas, #22 junior, in Cox Stadium at SF State Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014. The SF State Gators beat the Hawaii Hilo Vulcans 1-0 in over time. Daniel Porter/Xpress.

Men’s soccer wins against the Vulcans two minutes into overtime

Sergio Portela Oct 24, 2014

  SF State men’s soccer defeated Hawaii-Hilo Vulcans Wednesday in a long and frustrating bout, thanks to late in the game heroics from juniors Colt Reichl and Sam Merritt. The Gators won...

Men’s soccer lose fifth game in a row, have high hopes to upcoming home game

Sergio Portela Oct 17, 2014

SF State men’s soccer team dropped their fifth straight game Friday to No. 8 ranked Cal Poly Pomona 1-0 in double overtime off a goal from Alexander Turkson in minute 104. The goal was a lapse from...

SF State Gator forward Cameron DeJong, # 16, volleys the ball out of the air away from advancing Cal State East Bay players, Kellen Crow, #15, and Arthur Ethel, #3, at Cox Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014.

Half way there: Men’s soccer midseason review

Sergio Portela Oct 14, 2014

SF State men’s soccer team had the best start to a season in 34 years, but the team is going in the wrong direction after four straight losses. Their overall success this year can be attributed...

It’s Complicated: Fans are stuck in a struggling relationship with the Oakland Raiders

Sergio Portela Oct 14, 2014

I’ve been in an abusive relationship with the Oakland Raiders for 12 years, and the name-calling and the double takes have only gotten worse. “Get rid of that backpack!” I put on my leather...

SF State Gator midfielder Sam Merritt, #10, fights for a ball in the corner against Cal State East Bay player Steven Henry, #25, at Cox Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014. Sara Gobets / Xpress.

Men’s soccer win their first CCAA game against Cal State East Bay

Sergio Portela Sep 30, 2014

SF State won its first CCAA game Sunday against Cal State East Bay(CSUEB) in an exciting 3-2 overtime thriller, following a disappointing draw earlier this week against Cal State Stanislaus. “We were...

Seniors Kevin Johnson (left) and Hayden Roberts (right), who have been buddies since freshman year, stand in Cox Stadium at SF State Tuesday, Sept. 16. Martin Bustamante / Xpress

Bond between two senior soccer players has team on right track

Sergio Portela Sep 23, 2014

A lot can happen in four years. There are successes, failures, hardships and triumphs, and a pair of SF State men’s soccer seniors have seen them all. Kevin Johnson and Hayden Roberts are in their...

Volleyball team keeps positive after loss to Humboldt Lumberjacks

Sergio Portela Sep 22, 2014

The SF State women’s volleyball team lost to the Humboldt State University Lumberjacks in four sets last Saturday. The game started rough for the Gators, with the team playing more as six individuals...

Men’s soccer defeats Dominican University of California 2-1

Sergio Portela Sep 17, 2014

The SF State men’s soccer team improved its record Tuesday after taking out the Dominican University of California Penguins 2-1 at Cox Stadium. The Gators began aggressively by taking shots, controlling...

Sam Merritt, of SF State, keeps the ball in fair play as it almost rolls out of bounce during the soccer game at Cox Stadium at SF State on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2014.

SF State men’s soccer team wins first game of the season after an afternoon of strong defense

Sergio Portela Sep 9, 2014

SF State’s men’s soccer team fought its way to a gritty 1-0 victory over Holy Names University in its season opener at Cox Pavilion today. The Gators took a step in the right direction after finishing...

New men's soccer coach Matt Barnes interacts with members of the team on Friday, Aug. 29.

New men’s soccer coach known for turning teams around

Sergio Portela Aug 29, 2014

Everywhere Matt Barnes coaches, he gets results. In his two previous head coaching stops, he took non-contending programs to the playoffs in the first seasons he was there. At his first head coaching...

Load More Stories
Activate Search
The Student News Site of San Francisco State University
Sergio Portela