The official student newspaper of University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire since 1923.

The Spectator
The official student newspaper of University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire since 1923.

The Spectator
The official student newspaper of University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire since 1923.

The Spectator
Sam Johnson

Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief

Sam Johnson is a fifth-year creative writing and journalism student and this is his fourth semester on staff. When he’s not panicking in The Spectator office about becoming a real adult soon, he’s panicking in other places, usually his dorm or Dooley’s, about becoming a real adult soon.

All content by Sam Johnson
The Tator

The Tator

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
December 13, 2022
The Tator

The Tator

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
December 7, 2022
The Tator

The Tator

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
November 21, 2022
The Tator

The Tator

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
November 15, 2022
Nostalgialistic

Nostalgialistic

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
November 9, 2022
The Tator

The Tator

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
November 1, 2022
Community members went from table to table to see what each employer had to offer.

Midwest Family hosted career fair at Brewing Projekt

Story by Elliot Adams and Sam Johnson
October 31, 2022
The Goo Goo Dolls are taking their new album — plus some of the hits — on tour, starting in Eau Claire on Friday, Oct. 28.

Goo Goo Dolls at the Pablo Center

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
October 26, 2022
The Tator

The Tator

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
October 25, 2022
The Tator

The Tator

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
October 17, 2022
EC eats

EC eats

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
October 10, 2022
The Tator

The Tator

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
October 3, 2022
This season will bring the BMB on a cruise south through the Panama Canal.

BMB going through changes

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
September 27, 2022
The Tator

The Tator

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
September 26, 2022
Cutline: Sodexo — likely story. Nice try, Darth Vader.

The android apocalypse

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
September 20, 2022
The stairs between the hill and Horan Hall are another exhaustingly great way to stay in shape.

Athlete-students

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
September 19, 2022
Before our oasis arrives, I have some tips to ensure your summer is as enjoyable as possible.

How to: summer

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
May 14, 2022
The team is mostly rookies, but veteran leadership has helped its success, according to Hamilton.

Women’s rugby tackle nationals

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
May 12, 2022
Before our oasis arrives, I have some tips to ensure your summer is as enjoyable as possible.

How to: spring

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
May 5, 2022
Before our oasis arrives, I have some tips to ensure your summer is as enjoyable as possible.

How to: confrontation

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
April 28, 2022
Tunes with Thomas: Wu-Tang takeover

Tunes with Thomas: Wu-Tang takeover

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
April 27, 2022
Before our oasis arrives, I have some tips to ensure your summer is as enjoyable as possible.

How to: Penny-pinch

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
April 20, 2022
When Riverview Cafe doesn’t sound appealing, Midwest Meals prides itself on being a healthy alternative.

EC Eats: Peanut butter and salami response

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
April 18, 2022
Before our oasis arrives, I have some tips to ensure your summer is as enjoyable as possible.

How to: nap

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
April 13, 2022
Before our oasis arrives, I have some tips to ensure your summer is as enjoyable as possible.

How to:

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
April 6, 2022
When Riverview Cafe doesn’t sound appealing, Midwest Meals prides itself on being a healthy alternative.

Eau Claire Eats: The Caf

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
April 4, 2022
Mali and Finnegan — also known as black bean and pinto bean — are man(aging editor Sam Johnson)’s best friends.

[Photo] Spec Pets

Story by Morgan Burke, Multimedia Editor
March 16, 2022
Before our oasis arrives, I have some tips to ensure your summer is as enjoyable as possible.

How to: pick a major

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
March 16, 2022
When Riverview Cafe doesn’t sound appealing, Midwest Meals prides itself on being a healthy alternative.

Eau Claire Eats: Karl’s Bar-B-Q Express

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
March 14, 2022
Before our oasis arrives, I have some tips to ensure your summer is as enjoyable as possible.

How to: get a job

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
March 10, 2022
When Riverview Cafe doesn’t sound appealing, Midwest Meals prides itself on being a healthy alternative.

Eau Claire Eats: Quick Wok

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
March 9, 2022
Before our oasis arrives, I have some tips to ensure your summer is as enjoyable as possible.

How to: Day drink

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
March 2, 2022
Jack Kriegl, Pickle bartender (left), said Pickle Fest was “Pickle-tastic.” Dan Hendrickson, Pickle bartender (right), said Pickle Fest was “profitable and exhausting.”

Pickle Fest with Water Street workers

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
March 1, 2022
When Riverview Cafe doesn’t sound appealing, Midwest Meals prides itself on being a healthy alternative.

Eau Claire Eats: Eau Juicy

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
February 28, 2022
What a $50 meal at Eau Juicy consists of.

Before our oasis arrives, I have some tips to ensure your summer is as enjoyable as possible.

How To: Nostalgia

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
February 24, 2022
Before our oasis arrives, I have some tips to ensure your summer is as enjoyable as possible.

How to: procrastinate

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
February 16, 2022
Van Grunsven sporting a Sconny hoodie with the company logo.

Student starts Sconny, success since summer

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
February 15, 2022
Before our oasis arrives, I have some tips to ensure your summer is as enjoyable as possible.

How To: Grow Up

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
February 9, 2022
I know it’s the season of giving, but I’m broke.

How to: Holiday shop

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
December 15, 2021
I know it’s the season of giving, but I’m broke.

How to: dogs

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
December 14, 2021
Kasprzak said she’s been playing rugby since high school.

Women’s rugby wraps up historic season

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
November 29, 2021
I know it’s the season of giving, but I’m broke.

How to: Thanksgiving

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
November 25, 2021
I know it’s the season of giving, but I’m broke.

How to: Winter

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
November 17, 2021
I know it’s the season of giving, but I’m broke.

How to: Hangovers

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
November 11, 2021
I know it’s the season of giving, but I’m broke.

How to: Eat in Eau Claire

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
November 4, 2021
I know it’s the season of giving, but I’m broke.

How to: Halloween

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
October 28, 2021
Blugold dining is losing as much as $250 daily this year.

Davies dine and dash

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
October 20, 2021
I know it’s the season of giving, but I’m broke.

An unasked for guide to: student housing

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
October 20, 2021
I know it’s the season of giving, but I’m broke.

An unasked for guide to: streaming services

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
October 14, 2021
I know it’s the season of giving, but I’m broke.

An unasked for guide to: Water Street

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
October 6, 2021
Nothing heightens the senses like anxiety, caffeine shakes and a full bladder

An unasked for guide to: Long drives

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
September 30, 2021
The women’s team placed second out of eight teams competing at the WIAC championships

Cross country team returns after almost two years

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
September 24, 2021
They say insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results, if that's the case all Vikings fans are insane.

Constant disappointment and the Minnesota Vikings

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
September 21, 2021
The way to navigate campus as a freshman

An Unasked for Guide to Navigating Campus

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
September 17, 2021
The Blugolds have won three in a row following a 2-1 loss against Loras.

Men’s soccer on a three-win streak following home opener

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
September 15, 2021
Probably negative reviews

Probably negative reviews

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
May 14, 2020
What could have been: UWEC athletics

What could have been: UWEC athletics

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
May 12, 2020
Probably negative reviews

Probably negative reviews

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
May 6, 2020
What could have been: UWEC athletics

What could have been: UWEC athletics

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
May 5, 2020
Two soldiers hiding from a zombie.

Probably negative reviews

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
April 29, 2020
Large cartoon dome contains people.

Probably negative reviews

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
April 22, 2020
A man, women and two girls in front of a burning city.

Probably negative reviews

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
April 15, 2020
What could have been: UWEC athletics

What could have been: UWEC athletics

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
April 13, 2020
What could have been: UWEC athletics

What could have been: UWEC athletics

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
April 9, 2020
Three people with face masks stand in a road.

Probably negative reviews

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
April 1, 2020
What could have been: UWEC athletics

What could have been: UWEC athletics

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
March 26, 2020
Three men wearing hazmat suits.

Probably negative reviews

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
March 24, 2020
Probably negative reviews

Probably negative reviews

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
March 18, 2020
I will, however, confidently and brashly predict what campus will look like in 20 years

The future of UW-Eau Claire

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
March 18, 2020
The general tone of "Tall Girl" comes off as extremely ignorant and sheltered.

Probably negative reviews

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
March 11, 2020
Carter Brooks and the Blugolds defeated Whitman 78-61

Loss to Saint John’s University concludes men’s basketball season

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
March 10, 2020
Winter sports in the WIAC will begin competition Feb. 3

‘Business as usual’ for Blugold men’s hockey

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
March 10, 2020
After a 9-1 loss to Central College, they rallied, defeating Gustavus Adolphus 4-3, bringing the Blugolds’ record to 1-1.

Women’s softball begins the season in Rochester

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
March 5, 2020
The eSports program offers students a chance to experience competitive and recreational gaming.

eSports brings people together at UW-Eau Claire

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
March 4, 2020
A teen boy and girl sit on a dock.

Probably negative reviews

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
March 3, 2020
The Hobbs Ice Arena hosted the female hockey match between the Blugolds and the Falcons Friday night.

Blugolds finish regular season at UW-River Falls

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
February 26, 2020
In a movie poster, a teenage girl in dress stands in front of two teenage boys.

‘To All The Boys: P.S. I Still Love You’ in review

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
February 25, 2020
Anderson has held a variety of different positions at two and four-year colleges.

Warren Anderson shares insight on his role at UW-Eau Claire

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
February 24, 2020
Student senate introduced new members and discussed all-gender restrooms and current issues regarding the EDI Rapid Action Task Force.

Student senate covers EDI Task Force and more

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
February 19, 2020
The Blugolds are currently ranked No. 1 in WIAC and No. 2 in the nation for NCAA division three men’s hockey.

UW-Eau Claire men’s hockey undefeated

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
February 12, 2020
A home-cooked meal can be a great way to show your valentine how much they mean to you.

Eau Claire eats

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
February 11, 2020
UW-Eau Claire women's basketball defeated UW-Superior Yellowjackets 78-53 last Monday.

The Blugolds women’s basketball team now 12-7 after their win against Superior

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
February 6, 2020
The snowshoe beer mile race includes chugging a beer, running a quarter-mile and repeating that three times until a full mile is completed. Each runner’s lap is slower than the last and each chug becomes more forced.

Fifth annual Eau Claire Snowshoe Beer Mile welcomes friends and family

Story by Sam Johnson, Editor-in-Chief
February 5, 2020
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