The Paisano Volume 53 Issue 14

UTSA Brooks Thompson, former UTSA basketball coach, is currently hospitalized following a double organ failure. The coach’s former wife has asked the community to pray for him, stating that after six days in ICU , Brooks has miraculously made a turn for the better. In January, the university let Thompson go. He had one year left on a contract that paid a $200,000 base salary.

He is expected to be paid the base over the next year through March of 2017. UTSA Athletic Director Lynn Hickey stated “Our thoughts and prayers are with him for a full recovery. At this time, we want to be respectful and give Brooks and his family privacy.”

U.S. On Monday, thousands marched from Washington’s Union Station to the Capitol chanting “What do we want? Democracy! If we don’t get it, shut it down!” According to movement participants, the march is dubbed “Democracy Awakening”. Particiapnts are advocating for voting rights, removing money from politics and the confirmation of President Obama’s nominee to the Supreme Court.

So far, 1,400 activists have been arrested.

UTSA’s chief academic officer steps down “Most of the things I’m proud of are soft victories ”.

Dr. John Frederick Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Ethan Pham, The Paisano

Taking care of business Students advocate for gender neutral bathrooms student body. This is where Spectrum has made visible the subject of gender@hey_adreezy neutral bathrooms at news@paisano-online.com UTSA. Simple yet bold, the The McKinney Humanities purple poster highlights Building is adorned with the anxiety tansgender posters from student individuals can face when clubs and organizations deciding which bathroom depicting the interests and to use without drawing values of UTSA’s diverse attention to themselves.

Adriene Goodwin Staff Writer

While Spectrum’s “Bathroom Initiative” aims to bring more genderneutral bathrooms to campus, the organization feels UTSA is already a welcoming environment for inclusiveness.

“For the most part, UTSA See Student, page 2

World Brazilian President Dilma Rouseff is likely to be impeached in what many are calling a “soft coup”on allegations that she used money from state banks to balance the budget. The state’s Chamber of Deputies cited a litany of grievances before supporting a motion to impeach her by a 367 to 137 vote. The impeachment process now moves to a Senate vote that requires a simple majority for approval.

UTSA GUNFREE ZONES Shared university residence halls and housing units

Science

After an innovative brain implant, a 24-year-old paralyzed man, Ian Burkhart, has regained control of his hands. Known as a neural bypass, this one of a kind surgery allowed Burkhart to control the part of his brain that sends signals to the muscles controlling his wrists and fingers. Doctors at Ohio University are part of the only team to complete this type of surgery.

Counseling and health services centers

Roadrunner Cafe and John Peace Library dining areas

K-12

Youth events sponsored by UTSA or other schools

Alyssa Gonzales News Assistant

@alyssargonzales news@paisano-online.com Dr. John Frederick, provost and vice president for academic affairs, will step down and return to the faculty, effective June 1.

As UTSA’s chief academic officer, Frederick oversees the library, the nine colleges at UTSA, information and technology and academic support services. Frederick will rejoin faculty and work with academic leadership programs.

One of the programs he

collaborated with was the Leadership UTSA program, along with former Vice President for Student Affairs Gage Paine. This program teaches a selected group of 20 faculty and staff develop personal leadership skills and university operations.

Frederick explained that many individuals who participated in the Leadership UTSA program went on to receive successive leadership positions.

“Most of the things that I’m proud of are soft victories. I feel like we have done a lot to improve the life of faculty.

We are doing a better job at recruiting, mentoring, evaluating and promoting faculty,” Frederick said. “It gives one a good feeling that you’ve done a lot to develop the leadership at the university.”

“This is the kind of job that wears you down over time, and I end up sleeping less and less at night because I’m dealing with a lot of problems on a daily basis.

I felt like I reached a point that I’ve contributed all the creative ideas that I could,” Frederick said.

See Provost, page 4

Romo announces gun-free zones Marina Vences Staff Writer

@marina_vences news@paisano-online.com

Senate Bill 11, or the campus carry law, was signed by Governor Abbott in June. This law will allow for (concealed) guns to be carried on Texas college Laboratories with and university campuses. combustible, flamThis legislation goes into effect for all mable or other danTexas college campuses on August 1, gerous materials 2016. Private universities are able to “opt out” of implementing SB11. The Texas Facilities providing Department of Public Safety states that child care for minor the law requires a university’s president children or other chief executive officer to establish reasonable rules, regulations, or other provisions regarding the carrying of concealed handguns by Athletics venues license holders on the campus or on specific premises located on the campus.

Students wishing to bring a gun to Facilities with special campus must be 21 years old (unless uses, e.g. the UTSA they are active duty military or police Police Department officers) and hold a CHL license. Open carrying of handguns is still prohibited Graphoc by Madeline Harper, The Paisano at institutions of higher learning.

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NEWS

April 19 - April 26, 2016

Student group advocates for more gender neutral bathrooms continued from page 1 is very friendly toward Austin passed a bathroom the LGBT community,” ordinance in January said senior and Spectrum requiring businesses to president, Marie-Louise install gender-neutral signs Tangu. According to Tangu, for single stall bathrooms.

UTSA is a comfortable Just north of the Austin and welcoming space Boards & Commissions, in which the members the University of Texas has of her organization —­­ been addressing the needs predominantly— students of LGBT students through who identify within the the Gender and Sexuality spectrum of LGBT or queer Center.

The center’s identities--feel included website provides a map and safe. and information for finding This sense of security all-gender/gender-neutral provides promise for UTSA bathrooms on campus, but to stand alongside other the school has hit its own college campuses that seek snag in funding bathrooms to address the needs and built for the needs of trans concerns of their LGBT students. students. Progress for According to the Daily transgender individuals is Texan, UT policy requires at the forefront of gender that the construction conversations; one of the of any new building on issues is that of gender- campus must establish one neutral bathrooms. gender-neutral bathroom Due to concerns for safety for every five floors within and apprehension to share that structure. The desire one’s identity with advisors is for an improved ratio, or other support systems on but finances have delayed campus, there is currently progress at this time. no definitive information While UT currently has 32 on how many transgender gender-neutral bathrooms students make up a college’s available for students, student body. In 2007, the Tangu claims the number at Transgender Law and Policy UTSA is significantly lower.

Institute (TLPI) estimated “We have two unisex that roughly “two to five bathrooms,” said Tangu. percent of the (nationwide “But they aren’t accessible university) population is to everybody.”

One transgender.” bathroom is in the HEB Recently, several states UC; the other is in a campus have taken steps towards dormitory. Spectrum and allowing transgender people the organization’s advisor, to access the bathrooms Ann-Margaret Trujillo that correspond with their of the Student Center for gender identity. While Community Engagement Texas is not one of those and Inclusion, are working states, the capital city of with the UTSA Office of

Legal Affairs to bring more gender-neutral bathrooms to campus.

What is remarkable about the process, says Tangu, is that hardly any red tape or bureaucratic protocol has complicated their journey toward inclusiveness.

While Tangu is optimistic about the momentum of this project, Trujillo feels the need to construct more gender-neutral bathrooms hasn’t been addressed by Legal Affairs. Rather, only a few single-stall bathroom signs have been changed.

“The discussion did not get that far,” said Trujillo. “We only talked about it briefly, and I mentioned that with the student organization’s assistance we might be able to identify some spaces that could be easily converted, which has been done.”

Today, nondiscrimination policies and bathroom laws are presented in the media with both progress and push back. North Carolina recently came under fire with their HB2 law that purports “to provide for single-sex multiple occupancy bathroom and changing facilities” based on biological sex rather than including the notion of gender identity.

When she was running for her current position, San Antonio Mayor Ivy Taylor dismissed the subject of a nondiscrimination ordinance protecting LGBT city employees and contractors, claiming it was

“a waste of time” during one of the mayoral debates. She voted against the ordinance when it went before city council.

Last fall, Houston’s rejection of an antidiscrimination ordinance seemed to be what catapulted the issue into the spotlight. When asked whether or not these very public cases have influenced the speed at which Legal Affairs is bringing more gender-neutral bathrooms to UTSA, Tangu smiled and said: “I don’t want to say they were already cool with it, but they’re pretty awesome.”

The nondiscrimination policies at UTSA state that the university will not discriminate based on gender identity and expression. Former UTSA student and professor of English Michael Lee Gardin spearheaded a movement to improve the policy. For Gardin, that meant including gender expression.

“UTSA does not allow its campus members to antagonize someone based on their perceived gendered appearance,” said Gardin. “We would have a campus where we let go of essentializing and stereotypical assumptions about what it means to be a man or a woman and instead start recognizing, affirming and hopefully even respecting a variety of gender identities and

Fabian De Soto, The Paisano

As of now, UTSA only has two gender neutral bathrooms. Policies at UTSA state that the university will not discriminate based on gender identity and expression.

expressions.”

Holding on to genderbinary concepts can lead to misunderstanding, tension and hostility toward unconventional change. For Gardin, Tangu and many others at UTSA, this is why it is so important that gender norms and gender itself are discussed and questioned in open and engaging spheres.

With regard to genderneutral bathrooms on campus, Gardin said, “Folks feeling comfortable and affirmed in their gender identity and expression is crucial. In other words, UTSA campus members should feel safe in their visits to the restroom.

Stepping back and hearing that sentence, it is something that seems so basic for everyone – to not face hostility, retaliation or even threats of violence just from existing in a certain space.”

With regard to further bathroom development, Trujillo said, “We will likely continue to discuss this issue in early June with hopes of moving forward after that time.”

The Office of Legal Affairs declined to comment, citing “attorney-client privilege.”

Campus Pride, a nonprofit organization aimed at creating safer and more inclusive LGBT friendly colleges and universities, released their first-ever list of the Top 25 LGBTQfriendly campuses in 2015.

The results are based on “research on policy, program and practice and is conducted for and by LGBTQ experts in the field of higher education.” Factors considered were retention efforts for LGBTQ students and transgender student safety. No Texas college or institution made the list.

Mice injected with meth to research addiction at UT Health Science Center Elizabeth Davis Arts & Life Assistant @elizabethidavis news@paisano-online.com

For the past three years, the University of Texas Health Science Center (UTHSC) in San Antonio has been injecting mice with methamphetamine. The $1 million study was aimed to further the search for a cure to methamphetamine addiction.

The information was disclosed in the March 2016 “Deadly Doses: A Legal Low” report, a collaboration between the Animal Justice Project USA and the Taxpayers Protection Alliance.

The report found that nearly 100 experiments had been conducted at 21 institutions of higher learning across the country, including the University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA), the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), the University of Arkansas and the University of Texas Health Science Center.

Each of the universitysanctioned experiments involved some form of induced animal addiction to recreational drugs, tobacco or alcohol, of which the authors of the report consider animal abuse.

The National Institutes of Health’s website reveals that the funder is “the largest public funder of biomedical research in the world, investing more than $30 billion in taxpayer dollars to achieve its mission to enhance health, lengthen life, and reduce illness and disability.”

Of those $30 billion, the National Institutes of Health (NIH)’s subgroup, the National Institute on Drug Abuse, awarded the University of Texas Health Science Center $1,381,113 from 2013 to 2016 to study the effects of methamphetamine on mice’s brains.

The study’s abstract reads, “Methamphetamine (meth) addiction currently presents an enormous public health issue, and yet no therapeutic agent is currently approved for its treatment.”

Methamphetamine use has increased since 2010. In 2013 the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration found that the percentage of meth users had grown from 0.1 percent in 2010 to 0.2 percent in 2013, respectively, an increase of 353,000 individuals to 595,000.

The researchers involved in the UTHSC study hoped to identify the cellular mechanisms involved in methamphetamine addiction, including autoreceptor signaling, which decreases as a result of methamphetamine addiction.

The NIH writes, “(the study’s) findings will provide a detailed understanding of the relationship between neurotensin, DA neuron activity and meth selfadministration and will lay the foundation for therapeutics targeting neurotensinand autore ce ptor-me di ate d signaling.” The research does not violate any state or federal laws.

“Deadly Doses” revealed

Around 33 percent of the mice involved in the research were not included in the experiment’s conclusive data because they were killed due to infected or faulty catheters.

Fabian De Soto, The Paisano

that the UTHSC’s methamphetamine studies involved surgically implanting catheters into the jugular veins of 8 to 10-week old mice. These catheters were connected via tubing to a pump located between the mice’s shoulder blades, which allowed for external methamphetamine injections.

After the injections, the newly addicted mice were able to self-administer the drug as well.

According to the report, approximately 33 percent of the mice were not included in the experiment’s conclusion due to infected or faulty catheters; after 1236 days, all of the mice were killed.

Will Sansom, Executive Director of Media Communications at the University of Health Science Center San Antonio, stated that the study’s actions were “in accordance with both

federal and University of Texas rules and regulations” set in place by National Institutes of Health, the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) and the institutional animal care program.

Under the 1996 Animal Welfare Act, which “sets minimum standards of care that must be provided for animals - including housing, handling, sanitation, food, water, veterinary care and protection from weather extremes,” mice are excluded.

In 2002, the Animal Welfare Act was amended to change the definition of an “animal.” This amendment effectively classified birds, rats of the genus Rattus and mice of the genus Mus as “non-animal.” These species – which account for 95 percent of all laboratory research – could now be

handled at the disposal and regulation of each research institution’s choosing.

Despite the UTHSC’s research regarding addiction, the National Institutes of Health reports that animal studies often provide little insight into the ways drugs affect humans.

The NIH’s Wide Strategic Plan Fiscal Years 2016-2020 report states, “Petri dish and animal models often fail to provide good ways to mimic disease or predict how drugs will work in humans, resulting in much wasted time and money while patients wait for therapies.”

Julia Orr of the Animal Justice Project USA hopes the Deadly Doses report will put an end to federally funded research conducted on animals to study the effects of recreational drugs, tobacco and alcohol, especially when the results seem to yield minimal – if

any – progress.

Orr explained, “By making this information public, we can educate people about this egregious cruelty and waste of money so we can pressure the NIH to first, have them attempt to justify the unjustifiable, and ultimately bring an end to the experiments.”

David Williams, president of the Taxpayers Protection Alliance, believes that the only way to accomplish NIH pressuring is through Congress. “We want to get people pissed off. I mean we want people mad, and we want people to take action,” Williams said. “So we’re hoping that that’s what the next step is – that people will call their member of Congress and demand this, because Congress doesn’t change because they want to; they change because they have to.”

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April 19 - April 26, 2016

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UTSA offers one academic advisor for every 310-370 UTSA students Hana Adeni

Contributing Writer

@hanaadeni news@paisano-online.com Each semester, undergraduates pay $120 for advising services, but a poll conducted by the SGA’s Twitter page discovered that 40 percent of UTSA students said that improving advising services was their biggest concern.

SGA President Andrew Hubbard campaigned on improving advising as one of his platform issues and suggested three major ongoing pushes to improve academic advising.

Hubbard explained the first initiative is providing the Academic Advising Council (AAC) with direct student feedback to respective advisor representatives.

“This direct feedback is to help build a sustainable relationship between students and the AAC so we can create solutions together,” he explained.

The second initiative is encouraging the use of Degree Works with students so they can have

more of a direct handle on their academic success.

The program provides students with the resources to calculate their GPA, create course plans for the semester, and see how their progress will change based on classes they plan to take.

Hubbard’s third initiative is to further advocate for hiring more academic advisors. He would like to brainstorm innovative ways to further decrease UTSA’s advisor-to-student ratio.

Overall, students have mixed responses about their experiences with student advising. Freshman mathematical and physical sciences major Audrey Michaud said the advising process was quick and easy for her. “(The advisors) were very willing to find a date and time that worked with my schedule,” Michaud said. Her meeting was scheduled about 10 days after her request. For some students, however, scheduling an appointment with an advisor was not as convenient.

Sophomore business

major Marcus Thomas had such difficulties scheduling an appointment with his advisor in his freshman year that he never met his advisor at all. When he was assigned a new advisor his sophomore year, the scheduling process took two weeks and was “not great, but better than before.”

Freshman Engineering major Victor GeorgeOkoroji has had four advisors during his first year at UTSA due to changes from pre-advising to engineering to ultimately honors advising.

He said that many students complain that Honors College students receive priority during appointment scheduling.

Honors College students are advised at a different office completely — and this office has a shorter wait time, explained Barbara Smith, executive director of advising. In unavoidable situations, Smith explained, “the centers do triage, and if there are extenuating circumstances the triage advisor assists.”

Smith stated that every

Wednesday in the fall and spring semesters all advising centers have walkin hours from 2 p.m.-4 p.m.

“The priority is for a student to first see their assigned advisor,” she explained.

If the student’s assigned advisor is out of the office, she said, they are given the choice to see another advisor or leave a message for their advisor.

Currently, the average wait time across all advising

Staff Writer

@johnee_tech news@paisano-online.com The M.S. in Business is a 12-month, full-time program designed to offer qualified undergraduates with non-business backgrounds or degrees an intensive business education at the graduate level. The program will be offered once a year in the summer, beginning summer 2016.

Director of M.S Business Dr. Daniel Davied stated, “We are excited about the launch of the M.S. in Business program. The program will equip students with the leadership and financial skills required in management, which will give them a competitive edge in the marketplace.”

The program focuses

on applied learning and transferable skills, as well as hands-on learning to ensure students can successfully apply leadership tools and techniques from the classroom to real world scenarios.

In addition, students will develop the analytical framework and advanced managerial insight needed to become valuable contributors across a broad range of industries.

According to the College of Business, students can engage face-to-face with accomplished faculty who share relevant experiences from diverse perspectives.

Also, students are guided in their career development through professional development coursework and seminars.

Davied also explained that the program is taught as a cohort, which means

each course in the program will be taught at the same time for all students, “This (cohort) program will help students begin a personal network with other students, and this new network may provide them with future suppliers or future employers. Every student should be building their personal networks.”

Applicants should provide a completed application, transcripts, official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), a personal statement of academic and personal goals, at least two letters of reference from professors and a résumé. For more information, go to http:// business.utsa.edu/ msbusiness.

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advisor for every 310-370 students.

To streamline the scheduling process, advising has purchased the Student Success Collaborative (SSC) software published by the Education Advisory Board (EAB). Advising intends to create a new software, EAB-SSC Campus, that will enhance the process by providing electronic notification reminders.

According to a poll conducted on Twitter by the Student Government Association, 40 percent of UTSA students say improving adivising services is a priority to them.

Ethan Pham, The Paisano

Provost Frederick steps down, returns to teaching

College of Business to offer Master of Science program Johnee Jasso

centers for a student to schedule an academic advising appointment during non-peak periods is one to three days and during peak periods is two weeks.

Smith acknowledges, “we do know that in a couple of centers this wait time is longer and are working to address this by reassigning positions based on a caseload review.”

In the future, the advisor to advisee ratio will be one

continued from page 1 “It’s also about the legacy of the people that I have put in place. I have appointed most of the deans at this point and their success going into future years is another of the legacies that I created. There are specific programs you start, and that’s always fun, but I think if you make people successful then you make the institution successful.”

Mary Dixson, Interim Dean to UTSA Libraries, explained that Frederick will be missed, but that library resources is excited to further their initiatives with the interim provost, Mauli Agrawal, and the new provost. “(Frederick) has been an important advocate

for library resources. He is kind, warm and always eager to share new ideas for the library,” Dixson said.

“At the moment our focus is on raising funds to support library initiatives, and I am confident that whoever steps into the provost’s role will be eager to support those efforts.”

Frederick explained that treating faculty better is a key component to UTSA becoming Tier One. “What I think may have a greater impact on (achieving Tier One status) and having the resources in the amount we need, and we don’t always have that,” Frederick said. “The legislature determines the state appropriation, the regents determine what the

tuition and fees are and we live with whatever resources are given to those means.”

Frederick plans to further his personal education and continue to help UTSA grow.

“The President has asked me to help organize leadership programs, and I am very proud of the leadership programs that I have already helped organize, so I am excited to see how far we can push that envelope,” Frederick said. “My natural discipline is chemistry and I will probably teach some chemistry and stick my hand in a variety of over subjects. I want to be creative again.”

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Email: News@paisano-online.com or tweet @carolinetraylor “Spirituality” Discussion Series – with HU Chant Weekly Thursday night meetings, 7:00–8:30 pm Main Campus, UC 2.01.30 (Magnolia Room)

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Sample topics: ● Spirituality and Soul Travel ● Spirituality and Love ● Spirituality and Dreams

Info: Mitziani: rbo233@my.utsa.edu Justin: 832-244-6502 www.Eckankar-Texas.org Sp o n s o r e d b y t h e Ec k a n k a r St u d e n t Or g a n i za t i o n

OPINION

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April 19 - 26, 2016

The Paisano Gun free zones: not with a bang, but a whimper Managing Editor: Randi Gilmore

News Editor: Caroline Traylor Arts & Life Editor: Brayden Boren Sports Editor: Brady Phelps Web Editor: Michael Turnini Photography Editor: Fabian De Soto Magazine Editor: Jade Cuevas Business Manager: Lizzette Rocha Distribution Manager: Patrick Martinez

editorial Fellow Roadrunners received an email from President Ricardo Romo last week stating that campus carry is a distraction from UTSA’s mission of providing excellence to students and the community. No decision in his 15 years as the university’s president had weighed heavier on his mind than SB 11 and implementing a policy for the new legislation.

He even went so far as to

Jenelle Duff

Marina Vences

@Marina_vences

Assistant to the Managing Editor: Gaige Davila

News Assistants:

A Pew research study found one in five adults between the ages of 18 and Arts & Life Assistants: Annette Barraza, Elizabeth Davis 29 in the United States have at least one tattoo. The Sports Assistant: prevalence and acceptance Anthony Suniga of body modification Web Assistants: has recently increased Kat Joseph, Ricardo Rodriguez because of popular athletes Photo Assistant: and celebrities — this is Ethan Pham especially true in college environments where 23 Special Issues Assistant: percent of college students Urub Khawaja have one to three tattoos and 51 percent are pierced Business Assistant: Will Stansky beyond the ears. It all seems harmless, just colors, lines Distribution Assistant: and extra holes.

Kevin Prichard When I was 18, I got a tattoo — “warrior” — on STAFF the right side of my chest Justice Lovin, Claudia Jimenez, to prove that I could handle Christopher Breakell, Robert Avila, Andrea Velgis, Marina the pain and subsequent Vences, Johnee Jasso, Lyanne healing of having a needle Rodriguez, Memorie Johnson, work its way through my skin, and a reminder of the Katelyn Wilkinson, Raquel Alonzo, Chris Herbert, Aidan strong women I wanted to Watson-Morris emulate. For me, the tattoo was therapeutic, following a summer of anxieties, MARKETING TEAM changes and rejection, Sam Patel, Kesley Smith, every swipe of the tattoo Catherine Adams, Celina machine formed a bandage Perkins on a gaping hole — it healed me.

CONTRIBUTORS My mother, however, Taiwo Adepoju, Bryan De Leon, didn’t see it that way: Diego Ramirez , Jessica Gonzales, she saw it as the ultimate Hana Adeni betrayal. She saw it as me going off the rails — I ADVISOR was no longer the smart, Diane Abdo kind and independent Alex Birnel, Alyssa Gonzales

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The Paisano is NOT sponsored, financed or endorsed by UTSA. New issues are published every Tuesday during the fall and spring semesters, excluding holidays and exam periods. The Paisano is distributed on all three UTSA campuses — Main, Downtown and the Institute of Texan Cultures. Additionally, Paisano publications are distributed at a variety of off-campus locations, including Tri-point and a variety of apartment complexes near the UTSA Main Campus. All revenues are generated through advertising and donations.

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still refuse to designate classrooms as gun-free to prevent a lawsuit – is weak leadership.

If the Chancellor of the UT System, President Romo and the majority of UTSA students reject the campus carry legislation be hoisted on them, why not fight it? Does fear of a lawsuit outweigh courage and respect for students’ voices? There is language in the law that allows for Texas university

presidents to establish provisions prohibiting guns in classrooms, and to deny this is a cop-out.

A hopeful Tier One institution can be the test case for gun-free classrooms. UTSA has the ability to set the precedent.

Romo wants to appear as if his hands are tied, when really they are loosely bound. He could wrangle free from this abysmal policy, guns a blazin.

Commentary

Advertising Marketing Liaison:

Steven Kellman, Jack Himelblau, Sandy Norman, Stefanie Arias, Diane Abdo, Red Madden

the Attorney General’s Office. President Romo had to make an incredibly difficult decision.

However, he made the less courageous one.

To believe that campus carry is bad policy, read surveys conducted by political scientist faculty members at UTSA finding that the majority of the UTSA won’t feel comfortable with guns in their learning environment – and

Parental love: not just skin deep

Marketing Director Social Media Coordinator: Madeline Harper

ASSISTANTS

say that handguns have no place in our classrooms, laboratories or campuses.

“While I do not agree with campus carry in principle, I recognize that I have an obligation to ensure we are prepared to comply with it when the law takes effect on August 1,” Romo explained.

Designating classrooms as gun-free zones would violate the intent of the law and banning guns might result in a lawsuit from

girl she had raised, but a delinquent. It was the beginning of me going off the path that we had built together — so she asked me to have it removed. My mother — who grew up with an immigrant single mother, who had left the only family she knew in Chicago for a safer future in Texas, who overworked herself so my sister and I would never want for anything, and who had given everything to me — asked me to get it removed, so I did.

Anyone who has gotten

that yes, you’re eating, yes your grades are fine, yes, you took your medicine, yes, you did get some sleep last night, thanks — because for the most part our parents love us more than anyone we’ve ever met.

We do things like get our tattoos removed for our parents because we love them, and because they’ve taken care of us after every bone fracture and broken heart, driven us from music lessons to performances and tried their best to provide us with

partying and adrenaline rushes, or exercising and early morning yoga — and sometimes these small joys may come at the expense of the parents that we love so much.

Unfortunately, there is no easy solution to this. No quick fix to making sure your actions don’t break your parents’ hearts again and again, and to making them understand or agree with what you do. The best you can do is go forward and hope to make them proud in the future.

College is scary and

mom found out, I could see the heartbreak in her eyes as she zeroed in on the tattoo I had chosen with care to represent all of the things she had instilled in me; independence, power, and intelligence — and I felt an overwhelming amount of shame. I could not look her in the eyes for a very long time, and might not be able to look at her as I did for even longer. One day, though, I want to be independent and financially stable, to be able to stand tall with my decisions and use what

a tattoo knows that it becomes a part of you, a marking of a moment in your life when you needed it. I wasn’t ready to remove the bandage, but didn’t have much of a choice.

For many students, going to college in a different city is often the first time they are alone and away from their parents for an extended period of time. If you’re like me, and you have a close and open relationship with your parents, you call them every day to remind them

the best tools to succeed — whatever that might mean.

Before coming to college that was all I needed, that parental support that had carried me from naïve adolescence to naïve young adulthood and for my mom to tell me it was going to be okay to hold my fragile psyche together.

But then you get to college and you’re alone, so students are forced to find other ways to put glue in all the cracks of their confidence. For me it was tattoos, for others it’s

challenging enough without battling the people who have been your rock until now. Keep in mind that most parents try to love unconditionally, and that while you can’t always make them happy — your failures may seem personal to them — your successes will also be their successes.

Though your relationship with your parents will never really be over, it will change — for better or worse.

Right now, I am financially dependent on my parents, and when my

influence I have to help those who need it. One day I will make her proud of me again. I will get more tattoos, but eventually have the confidence and reinforcement from my successes to say to my mom: I’m sorry, I love you, you made me from scratch, and I want you to be proud of the things I’ve done — the amazing things I only did because you made me amazing.

Enthusiastic professor greatly overestimates the quality of student video projects Satire

Robert Avila @robssatire

Bringing a popcorn machine from home and reserving a room in the UC with a large screen projector and surround sound, Professor Barry Goodteach was visibly excited for his technical writing class’ video projects last Friday. The 5-weeklong video assignment was

meant to showcase the talent and editing abilities of his class; however, the first year lecturer had severely overestimated his students’ abilities.

“Everyone ready for Sundance?” the oblivious professor reportedly joked before experiencing the most earth-shattering disappointment of his professional career.

“There is enough popcorn for everyone.” An inside source would later reveal that no one ate the popcorn.

After some initial difficulties locating a USB, the presentation quickly began on a sour note as no students volunteered first to show the 5 minute instructional video most

had done the night before.

“Any volunteers?

Anyone?” The desperate professor was reportedly pleading to a silent room of 20 students.

Forced to go in alphabetical order, the first group of two looked hopeful. The video began with an introduction that included sound effects, interesting graphics and a powerful voice over. What followed was an event that would flashback to the professor twice in his lifetime; once during the birth of his first daughter and the second on his death bed.

The emotional and interesting work of visual arts immediately dropped to a grainy cell-phone shot

of the two students standing over a kitchen table.

“Now we will show you how to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich,” stated the two men, to almost inaudible sound quality. The microphone crackled throughout the video, echoing the professor’s heart.

The rest of the videos continued in a smaller manner. Before losing faith in every future class, professor Goodteach experienced a string of videos nowhere near the moderately high expectations he had for the project he had spent weeks setting up. Eating more popcorn than he had since childhood, the professor fought through tears of

frustration during the remaining videos.

“We all felt really bad after,” stated student Noe DiRector, who created an instructional yoga video the night before ­— despite having never performed yoga. “He had to really curve the grade on this one.”

Dismissing the class, the professor who would experience night terrors for the rest of his adult-life, locked himself in his office for the remainder of the day, ignoring all of his other tasks as well as all calls from his wife and children.

A broken popcorn machine was discovered two days later in a ravine along the Leon Creek Greenway.

6

OPINION

April 19 - 26, 2016

Commentary

Katelyn Wilkenson @Katelynmarie11

For roughly a week out of every month for about forty years, women all over the world deal with painful cramps, uncomfortable bloating and mercurial moods. I know what you are thinking: that week of near-constant bleeding and emotional turmoil sounds like pure bliss; a life of luxury. No? It does not sound like luxury? Then why are pads and tampons, necessities for every woman during her period, taxed as luxury items?

Despite the fact that half of the population of the world has periods, 45 of the 50 states, including Texas, place a luxury tax on feminine hygiene products. The IRS defines luxury taxes as “taxes on expensive, nonessential items.” Ask any woman in the world if she thinks pads and tampons are nonessential luxury items.

You will hear a resounding no.

Expensive?

Yes. Nonessential? Absolutely

A woman's question: why are periods a luxury? not.

So why are these essential, female-only items taxed as luxury items; and why aren’t we hearing about it more?

For one, periods are a taboo topic in almost every culture of the world, including the United States.

Although we do not force women into seclusion during their periods like some cultures do, most women in America still feel the need to hide a tampon on their way to the bathroom.

Even saying the words “tampon” or “pad” in public can make people

uncomfortable.

Men are not the only ones to facilitate this taboo.

The other day, I read a Facebook post about why it is inappropriate for women to talk about their periods or go swimming while on their periods—it was posted by a woman.

The taboo associated with speaking about periods is a problem because it stigmatizes an involuntary bodily function that most women in the world have. It, intentionally or not, stigmatizes half of the world’s population. This stigma is why the luxury tax on feminine hygiene

products has been ignored for so long.

If society makes us feel uncomfortable even talking about our periods, how could we notice that they are being unfairly taxed?

According to National Public Radio (NPR), opponents of taking the luxury tax off of tampons and pads argue that “hygienic items used exclusively by one gender shouldn't be exempt because it would require the re-configuring of state tax codes.” The tax is not biased against women, they say. State tax laws are intricate and complicated,

Letter to the Editor: In response to last week's article, "Making the Grade" As you can see below, I was a bit disturbed when reading your article "Making the Grade" in the Paisano enough to write to the College of Sciences. Several students in my Organic Chemistry II course are worried about the future employment of professors like our Organic Chemistry II professor Dr. Hector Aguilar whose DFW rate is close to 40%.

If other colleges implement a policy like COLFA, professors like Dr. Aguilar would be dropped in spite of 1) being well loved by the students as demonstrated by his consistently high approval rating on ratemyprofessor and UTSA's own student evaluations, 2) having long waitlists for his courses every semester and 3) having just been awarded the President’s Distinguished Achievement Award for Teaching Excellence.

UTSA should view DFW rates not as an assessment of the professor so much as an assessment of the student that dropped or failed. In regards to STEM degrees,

I think special attention needs to be given to students who are struggling to complete a course to determine why they are struggling and what resources they need to pass. It is one thing to tell the student that they have resources available to help them and another thing for them to actually use it. How many students seek out the free tutoring services that UTSA provides? Even then, outside of the Math Department, how many departments are providing graduate level tutors to ensure students are getting adequate tutoring instruction?

How many students decide to cut back on their work hours or extracurricular activities to spend more time studying for a course in which they're not doing well? How many students simply give up on a course in which they're struggling?

I can tell you that, as a student, I've been reluctant to cut back on work hours to make time for school. I've given up on courses before when the work seemed too much. I have been reticent

to use the tutoring services or go to my professor's office hours simply because I didn't know what I'd do once I got there. These are all challenges I have had to overcome as a student, and I think UTSA's administration has simply forgotten what it feels like to be a student and they don't know how to address problems from a student perspective. Instead, they concentrate on faculty because the faculty level is an environment in which they feel they can relate.

It is easier to confront faculty because they are on a peer level and maturity level with which the administration can easily identify.

It is much harder to look at an eighteen year old student and tell that student they need to fix themselves.

Thank you for your time, Kim Agee

so removing the tax on feminine products would be more trouble than it is worth.

If items used exclusively by one gender should not be tax exempt, why is Viagra, a drug used exclusively by males to help with erectile dysfunction, not taxed in many states?

According to Mayo Clinic, the number one complication caused by erectile dysfunction is an unsatisfactory sex life. How, in any way, can an item that spices up a man’s sex life be considered more essential than items that a woman has to use every month?

Society tries to tell us that women have gained equality: We can vote, own property and get divorced.

What more could we want, right?

The tampon tax, as it is now being called, is one example of how gender inequality is still a topic of issue; we are shamed into being silent about our periods, a fact of our biology, and are taxed for it.

Consider this a call to arms: let us speak openly about our periods — free of charge.

Letter from an editor

Men and women can both be victims of sexual violence In the March 29-April 5 issue of The Paisano, the “Ending Rape on Campus” article did not mention male victims of sexual assault.

According to 2015 data from the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, one in 16 men are sexually assaulted while in college. Additionally, Caroline Traylor the report found that men @carolinetraylor comprise nine percent of sexual assault survivors in the U.S. The omission of men in the story was an oversight. The Paisano appreciates readers like Emily Ehling, who wrote a letter to the editor (published in the April 12-19 issue) pointing out this omission in the story.

As the independent student newspaper for the UTSA community, The Paisano values all student voices as they ensure a more thoughtful conversation.

Caroline Traylor, News Editor

7

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April 19 - April 26, 2016

Arts & Life Events Calendar:

ARTS & LIFE

Wednesday 4/20 12 p.m.

Battle of Flowers Parade This year’s Battle of Flowers Parade (Broadway & Commerce St) will celebrate its anniversary of 125 years with the parade theme: “TEXAS TRADITIONS…125 YEARS! “The parade will embody the handing down of culture, pastimes and humor that have been characteristic of Texans from one generation to the next.

KSAT-12 will air the parade live on-air and online at KSAT.com.

Saturday 4/23 1 p.m.

UTSA Football Fiesta Spring Game UTSA invites the San Antonio community out to this annual sports tradition. This is an opportunity to watch some offense and defense as UTSA completes its Spring Training. Join the UTSA Roadrunners football team for this family-friendly event at the Alamodome. This event is free and open to the public.

‘And now for something completely different...’

Photo Courtesy of Cornyation Facebook

CORNYATION 2016 POKES FUN AT CURRENT EVENTS, POLITICIANS OF SA FOR CHARITY Preview Robert Avila Staff Writer

@robssatire arts@paisano-online.com If you’re not in the mood this week for a spectacularly set stage, live symphony or orchestra, elaborate dresses celebrating Texas’ heroic struggle for independence from Mexico in San Antonio’s beautiful Majestic Theatre involved in fiesta’s traditional Coronation of the Queen of the Order of Alamo, try its polar opposite; Cornyation.

Tracing back to as far as 1951, and originally staged by the San Antonio Little Theater at the Arneson River Theater as part of “A

Night in Old San Antonio,” Cornyation is a unique adult sketch comedy show that satirizes local and national politics, jokingly using the traditional regal elements involved in Fiesta San Antonio’s formal events.

The show was revived in 1979 for one year as part of NIOSA before its current iteration in 1982.

It was held at the Bonham Exchange club to accommodate larger crowd sizes; however, it has since been moved to the Empire Theater where it is presented today.

In alignment with the traditional elements of Fiesta, the satirical event presents King Anchovy, his empress, the vice empress

and the queens during Cornyation. The sketches feature comedic drag queens, half-dressed dancers, zany actors and crazy outfits.

This year will be the event’s 51st, entitled Court of Our Mad, Mad, Mad World, and will feature the events first ever dual King Anchovy, husbands Wayne D. Beers and Michael Bobo, owners of popular eatery W.D. Deli on Broadway.

“The show, of course, will have numerous political references,” said Ray Chavez, who runs the show, in an interview with the Express-News. “And our performers will be wearing at least two tons of makeup.”

The dual kings Beers and Bobo will be presenting a theme of “playing cards” with two kings in the deck.

The event will pay homage to the old black and white era of film, with all make up gray-scale including tap dancers and the grand introduction of the two kings by four queens.

The sketches listed include “American Clown Car,” which looks to make fun of the GOP candidates; “Hair Toupee, Gone Tomorrow,” about ridiculous billionaires; “Our Lady of Listeria,” that looks to make light of the Blue Bell ice cream recall; and “Baby’s First Foot Long,” a sketch about recently imprisoned Subway pitchman Jared Fogle.

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Since its non-profit designation, the show and organization have raised more than $2 million for the San Antonio Aids Foundation and BEAT (Black Effort against the Threat of Aids). Last year, the first of four annual Robert Rehm scholarships were awarded to four local students majoring in theater arts.

The event will begin Apr. 19 and extend until Thursday of this week.

Tickets range from $15 to $40 and are available online at ticketmaster.com.

Fans are encouraged to go directly to downtown’s Majestic Empire box office on Houston Street to purchase them.

ARTS & LIFE

9

April 19 - April 26, 2016

Photo Courtesy of Fiesta San Antonio

Fiesta still highlights Alamo City after 125 years C e l e b r a t e S a n A n t o n i o ’s H i s p a n i c h e r i t a g e w i t h t h e s e e v e n t s Elizabeth Davis Arts & Life Assistant @elizabethidavis arts@paisano-online.com

Aside from NBA playoffs and Maverick Music Festival, April in San Antonio is distinguished by a single, historically impressive and wildly colorful event: Fiesta.

Fiesta originated in 1891 as a commemoratory event to the lives lost in the Battle of the Alamo and San Jacinto.

The very first Fiesta celebration drew remarkable crowds, and featured a single parade of horse-drawn carriages and flower-laden women. Over the years, Fiesta became a staple of the Alamo City, eventually ex-

panding into a week-long and citywide celebration funded by the Fiesta San Antonio Commission.

2016 commemorates the 125th Fiesta Celebration, which began last Thursday, April 14.

However, if you haven’t gotten a chance to attend a Fiesta-related event, fear not; the festivities continue until this Sunday, April 24.

Here are a few events taking place throughout our beautiful city through which you can “¡Viva Fiesta!”

April 20: Cornyation @ Charline McCombs Empire Theater (226 N. St. Mary’s St.) Since 1951, Cornyation has provided San Antonio

with a glamorous, yet unfiltered outlet for political rebuttal. Things got so outrageous that in 1964 the event was shut down for nearly 15 years. However, Cornyation stood the test of time and is now an official event of Fiesta® San Antonio. Check out Cornyation this Thursday – at either 7:30 p.m. or 10:00 p.m. – for acts “American Clown Car,” a GOP mockery sketch, “Baby’s First Foot Long,” a Jared Fogle rundown and, of course, tons of glitter. Tickets are available online and at the Empire Theater box office.

April 21: PACfest @ Palo Alto College (1400 W. Villaret Blvd.)

see a carne asada contest, PACfest is certainly the place for you. Held at Palo Alto College, PACfest delivers family-friendly fun, cultural celebration and educational encouragement – all in the spirit of Fiesta. In addition to the #FiestaGrilldown competition, PACfest will host musical acts AJ Castillo and Los Master Plus, among others, a Chill Zone – where attendees can learn about Palo Alto College amenities, a Game Zone open from 3-7 p.m. and complete with multiple bounce houses and a 9:45 p.m. fireworks show. Admission to PACfest is $5 for adults, and parking is free.

April 22: Battle of the Flowers Parade

The only parade in the United States to be fully produced and organized by an all-women volunteer crew happens here in San Antonio at Battle of the Flowers Parade. In fact, the Battle of the Flowers Parade was the first parade to celebrate Fiesta San Antonio way back in 1891.

Today floats, antique cars, businesses, Fiesta royalty and military personnel all march through the streets – a time-honored tradition of the Battle of the Flowers Parade. This Friday, the parade begins at 12:30 p.m. and tickets can be purchased online.

April 23: Fiesta Flambeau Parade (Broadway and Grayson to Santa Rosa)

Join 750,000 San Antonians for the biggest night parade in the country – the Fiesta Flambeau Parade.

This year’s theme is “Long Live Texas,” through which the streets of downtown San Antonio will be filled with the musical accompaniment of the University of Texas Longhorn Band, in addition to local illuminated floats, performances and patrons. The Fiesta Flambeau Parade kicks off at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, and bleacher tickets to the parade can be found online.

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ARTS & LIFE

April 19 - April 26, 2016

For the Kids Dance Marathon at the University of Texas at San Antonio is the largest student-run nonprofit organization in San Antonio. The organization provides an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of families and children who are battling cancer.

The Dance Marathon celebrates the efforts of the organization and lets kids know that they will not stand alone in their fight against pediatric cancer.

“Man, honestly, I’m just excited about being here. Man, I’m excited to hear these kids’ stories. It’s amazing how they conquer all this stuff cause I know I’ve never been through something like that — I can’t even imagine young kids going through this. It’s an inspiration to me. They’re the inspiration, honestly.”

Larry Stephens

UTSA Football, wide receiver

Br iscoe Wester n Ar t Museum

VOICES of the WEST

Distinguished Lecture Series

Michael Horse (Yaqui)

Native Americans in Popular Media

April 26 | 6:30pm Actor and artist Michael Horse speaks about the evolving roles of Native Americans in popular media. Best known for the role of Deputy Tommy Hill in the popular TV Series “ Twin Peaks,” Horse also serves on the board of the American Indian Film Institute.

Free for UTSA Faculty, Staff, and Students

210.299.4499 BriscoeMuseum.org On the River Walk 210 W. Market Street | San Antonio, TX 78205

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SPORTS

11

April 19 - April 26, 2016

Conference USA awards academic medals

UTSA Athletics boasts 36 recipients from a dozen teams this year

UTSA ATHLETICS Johnee Jasso Staff Writer

@johnee_tech sports@paisano-online.com Thirty-five UTSA studentathletes have earned the Conference USA (C-USA) Commissioner’s Academic Medal during the 2015-2016 academic year.

Each year, the C-USA recognizes student-athletes who achieve a cumulative 3.75 GPA or above. Those students are awarded the CUSA Commissioner’s Academic Medal. This year, a total of 604 student-athletes received the award.

Among UTSA’s conference-sponsored sports, soccer had the most honorees with five student-athletes: sophomores Michelle Cole, Nicole Galan, Rebekah Kensing, Isabella Sanchez and Jenny Trommer. Trommer was also awarded the Commissioner’s Academic Medal in the 2014-2015 academic year. UTSA Soccer (1-15-2, 1-8-1 C-USA) has 25 student-athletes on its roster.

Football, softball, women’s track and field and volleyball each had four honorees.

Sophomores Victor Falcon and Matthew Wylie, junior Brady Jones and senior Cal Spangler were honorees from football. UTSA Football (3-9, 3-5 C-USA) has ninety-six student-athletes on its roster.

Freshmen Zoe Bacon and Bailee Baldwin, sophomore Chelsea Thomas and junior Angelica Niño were honorees from softball. UTSA Softball (17-27, 9-9 C-USA) has nineteen student-athletes on its roster.

Freshmen Sydney Laudwig and Gabriyella Torres and seniors Lauren Haney and De’Stini Henderson were awarded medals. At UTSA Track and Field’s most recent meet, the Roadrunner Invitational, the women’s team placed first – Torres won her event in the high jump with a 1.63-meter jump.

Freshmen Amanda Gonzales and Shelby Williams, sophomore Megan Slan and senior Kylie Schott were honorees from volleyball.

Slan and Slott were also

awarded the Commissioner’s Academic Medal in the 2014-2015 academic year.

UTSA Volleyball (24-9, 13-3 C-USA) has fifteen studentathletes on its roster.

Women’s basketball and women’s tennis each had three honorees.

Freshman Sara Anastasieka, sophomore Carlie Heineman and Dempsey Thornton were among the thirty-five honorees. Heineman and Thornton were also awarded the Commissioner’s Academic Award in the 2014-2015 academic year. UTSA Women’s Basketball (10-19, 6-12 C-USA) has thirteen student-athletes on its roster.

Juniors Meredith Hopson and Nicole Karaklis and freshman Charleen Tiwari were honorees from women’s tennis. Karaklis was also awarded an Academic Medal in the 2014-2015 academic year. UTSA Women’s Tennis (0-0, 10-11 C-USA) has nine student-athletes on its roster.

Baseball, women’s golf and men’s tennis each had two honorees.

Freshmen Bradley Griggs and Matt McGehee were honorees from baseball.

UTSA Baseball (14-21, 5-10 C-USA) has thirty-two student-athletes on its roster.

Freshman Julie Houston and sophomore Nikki Long were listed as well. Long was awarded the Commissioner’s Academic Medal in the 20142015 academic year. UTSA Women’s Golf finished ninth in their most recent tournament, the Dallas Athletic Club/ SMU Invitational.

Junior John King and senior Eric Buchalter represented men’s tennis. Buchalter was also awarded the Commissioner’s Academic Award in the 2014-2015 academic year. UTSA Men’s Tennis (0-0, 3-19) has eleven student-athletes on its roster.

Last, men’s basketball and cross country each scored one honoree. Both honorees, junior Austin Karrer and sophomore John Von Dohlen were also awarded the Commissioner’s Academic award in the 2014-2015 academic year.

Rampage end season with Sports Illustrated predicts 9-2 run in last 11 games end to Astros’ playoff woes RAMPAGE HOCKEY COMMENTARY

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL COMMENTARY

Brady Phelps Sports Editor

Shelby Rose Contributing Writer @shelby_rose sports@paisano-online.com

@paisano_sports sports@paisano-online.com With a loss to the Manitoba Moose at home on Friday, April 15, the San Antonio Rampage (33-358) ended their first season as the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche in last place in the Pacific Division with a win percentage of .487.

The Rampage certainly had a streaky inaugural season. They went 9-2 in their last 11 games, including winning streaks of four and five games. In the previous 11 games, they went 1-10-1. Between November and January, they set the franchise record for longest home losing streak at 13 games, and just before the season’s end, they tied the franchise record for consecutive home wins with seven.

“I’m extremely disappointed with how it played out,” said Head Coach Dean Chynoweth. “(We) want to be playing meaningful games at this time of the year, and that wasn’t the case.”

The 2015-16 season was Chynoweth’s fourth as the head coach of the Avalanche’s AHL affiliate; when Colorado switched their affiliation from the Lake Erie Monsters to the Rampage, Chynoweth made the move to San Antonio. His teams have missed the playoffs in all four seasons, and this season’s .487 points-earned percentage was the lowest in that span.

Some of the Rampage’s strategical problems are clear; the most apparent is their consistently being outshot by opposing teams.

They went 16-4-5 for 37 points (.740 points percentage) in 25 games in which they outshot opponents and 17-29-3 for 37 points (.378) in 49 games in which they were outshot. Over the

Shelby Rose, The Paisano Mikko Rantanen takes a faceoff in a Rampage overtime win over Texas.

course of the season, they had the third-worst shotsfor differential (shots-for divided by total shots) at 46.93 percent.

San Antonio’s power play efficiency finished right around league average and only five teams had a worse penalty kill. They struggled to keep leads all season; only one team had a worse points earned percentage in games in which they scored the first goal.

The season wasn’t all doom and gloom, however.

19-year-old Finnish rookie forward Mikko Rantanen led the Rampage in scoring in his first season in North America. Rantanen’s 24 goals and 60 points in 52 games placed him first among rookie scorers and sixth overall in AHL scoring.

In 52 games for the Rampage this season, there were only ten games in which Rantanen was held pointless.

Rantanen’s superb season earned him the shared honor of the AHL’s Garrett Award, given to the most outstanding rookie. The award was shared because Rantanen tied in voting with 22-year-old undrafted Providence Bruins forward Frank Vatrano, who scored 34 goals and 51 points in 34 games.

Rantanen’s transition to North American hockey went smoothly – much smoother than the rest of the team’s move from Lake Erie to San Antonio.

“I’m not going to lie, the move itself – not person-

ally, but as a group and an organzation – has had its challenges,” Chynoweth said. “Hopefully by next year, we’re through all that.”

One of the challenges to which Chynoweth referred include sub-par ice conditions at not only the AT&T Center, but also the team’s practice facility, the Ice and Golf Center at Northwoods.

“We said we weren’t going to use the ice as an excuse,” said Chynoweth, “but at the end of the day, it became one. That’s a challenge for me as a coach…(I) have to keep the group focused.”

The ice at AT&T could use improvement, but the rest of the facilities are topnotch. However, the facility in which the team practices – the Ice and Golf Center at Northwoods – are not up to the standards of a practice facility for a team that plays at one of the highest levels of professional hockey.

“When this sheet (at the AT&T Center) isn’t here, (Northwoods) is the only sheet of ice in San Antonio, which was baffling for us,” said Rampage captain Ben Street. “I’ve never seen that before.”

“The facilities (at Northwoods) weren’t as nice as we’ve had in other places, and it’s been addressed through Colorado,” Street continued. “Sounds like they’re going to do a good renovation there. They’re going to make the weight room a lot bigger. The coaches’ office is in a portable outside; that’s going to

In June 2014, Sports Illustrated (SI) predicted the Houston Astros to win the 2017 World Series. However, in this year’s 2016 Baseball Preview cover, S.I. states, “We take back our ‘Astros in 2017’ World Series prediction… This year is the year!”

As some would take this prediction as a great confidence boost, many are calling it a jinx. Taking a look at the past five World Series predictions made by S.I., not a single one was correct.

With that, the Astros recent past has given many skeptics a reason to doubt.

This past has been marked by a three-year stretch in which they lost over 100 games apiece (2011-2013); they have also not made the post season since a 2005 blowout in the World Series by the Chicago White Sox. The 2015 season was the glimmer of hope that every single Astros fan desperately needed. That June, the Astros brought up Puerto Rican shortstop Carlos Correa, who later became the 2015

American League Rookie of the Year for his amazing performance. Then there’s Dallas Keuchel, whose undefeated at-home record as well as a 2.48 earned run average (ERA) earned him the 2015 American League Cy Young award. Other notable players that contributed to the Astros’ success were second baseman Jose Altuve, left fielder Colby Rasmus, and right fielder George Springer. However, after earning a wildcard spot over the New York Yankees, the Astros were stopped by the Kansas City Royals in the first round.

The Royals went on to become the 2015 World Series Champions. Despite a first round loss, the Astros organization gained their longawaited respect in Major League Baseball.

One key factor to the Astros’ 2015 postseason demise was the bullpen. In September 2015, the bullpen’s combined ERA was an embarrassing 6.63 – the worst in the league for that month. If the Astros want any chance at contending for the World Series this year, the bullpen needs drastic improvement (and fast). It is already 2 weeks into baseball season, and the Astros sit dead-last in

Shelby Rose, The Paisano Veteran goalie Reto Berra fights to see the puck through a snow shower.

move inside. I think they’re going to take a wall out of the locker room and make it a bit bigger. I think if we get the practice rink shored up, it’ll actually be one of the better facilities in the league.”

“That will be a huge asset

going forward,” said Chynoweth, commenting on the upcoming renovations.

The Rampage finished the season 12th in average attendance among the 30 AHL teams – their lowest ranking since the 2009-10 season. In fact, this season

the American League West with a 5-8 record. Granted, it is only 13 games into a 162game season.

The Astros have also acquired a new secret weapon at first base: Tyler White, who is replacing last year’s first baseman Chris Carter (who batted a measly .196 last season). He was brought up by the AA league affiliate for the Astros, the Corpus Christi Hooks. Already, White is turning heads by leading the team with 4 homeruns, 11 RBI’s, and a .357 batting average. He could be that key hitter the lineup was missing last season.

Now, SI’s so-called “jinx” needs to be forgotten about as soon as possible. It is incredibly difficult to predict the World Series winner, especially this early into the season. Fans should not blame a magazine for a team’s lack of success, especially if that team has all the resources to become the next World Series champion. The Astros have a real shot to win the franchise’s first World Series, but there is a distinct possibility that they continue their three-year choking streak.

was the first since 2010 in which they didn’t crack the top 10 in average attendance.

Hockey franchises in “non-traditional” markets often run promotions in which fans can get tickets for free or next-to-nothing.

That said, the attendance figures may not reflect the actual number of tickets sold, but regardless, the Rampage marketing team has done a fine job of getting people into the building despite the team’s lackluster performance. However, their average attendance figures have dropped in each of the past three seasons and the only chance they have at getting back into the top-10 in attendance is to win, especially at home.

12

SPORTS

April 19 - April 26, 2016

NBA playoff first-round preview and predictions NBA PLAYOFF COMMENTARY AND PREDICTIONS Derek Machen Contributing Writer

@paisano_sports sports@paisano-online.com The 2015-16 season has featured some historically dominant performances. On the same night the Golden State Warriors earned an astonishing 73rd win to defeat the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls’ infamous regular-season win record, Kobe Bryant capped off a remarkable 20-year career by scoring 60 points against the Utah Jazz. Bryant gave some of the greatest jaw-dropping performances in NBA history, including a defying 81-point game against the Toronto Raptors in 2006.

This year’s playoffs are undoubtedly going to be one for the record books. The Western Conference has two Goliaths in the Golden State Warriors and the San Antonio Spurs, whereas the reigning Eastern Conference champion Cleveland Cavaliers are on a mission to represent the East once more with a healthy supporting cast for LeBron James.

Western Conference No. 1. Golden State Warriors vs. No. 8 Houston Rockets The returning NBA champions are seeking to translate their record-breaking regular season performance into a repeat championship. The Warriors, arguably the greatest regular season team in history, will first match up against the Houston Rockets – a first-round rematch of last year’s Western Conference Finals. With the Rockets looking to pull off the greatest upset in sports, scoring superstar James Harden is expected to put up huge numbers to bring games within reach; however, the Warriors’ execution and Steve Kerr’s strategy will be overwhelming. The magic of Stephen Curry and the Golden State depth will be too much for the Rockets to handle.

single-season triple-doubles by any player over the last 40 years. Equipped with former league MVP Kevin Durant, who has been a force all season with an incredible 64 straight 20-point games, Oklahoma City is prepared for a deep playoff run.

The Mavericks, led by 17-year veteran Dirk Nowitzki and stout head coach Rick Carlisle, look to make another title run. Carlisle should utilize Dirk by pulling out shot-blocker Serge Ibaka to exploit the paint for the Mavericks to assist the penetration ability of J.J. Barea and perimeter shooting of Wesley Matthews. Okla. City’s star power, especially the sheer explosiveness and ferocity of Russell Westbrook, seems too much to handle for the Mavericks, who have no proven defender to stop Westbrook from getting to the rim.

Prediction: Oklahoma City in five games

No. 4 Los Angeles Clippers vs. No. 5 Portland Trailblazers Although Blake Griffin was suspended for punching an equipment manager and kept out of 45 games with a torn quad, the Clippers endured and even thrived in Griffin’s absence, led by savvy point guard Chris Paul and alley-oop specialist DeAndre Jordan. Head Coach Doc Rivers kept the team intact despite the added media pressure due to Griffin’s incident, and the team gained confidence as a result of improved bench performance. The Portland Trailblazers have defiantly surpassed expectations after losing four former starters to free agency and trade. A young and promising backcourt led by star point guard Damian Lillard and much improved shooting guard C.J. McCollum can score enough to win the Trailblazers two games at home, where they are tough to beat. But Doc Rivers’ championship pedigree will lead the Clippers to the next round.

Prediction: Los Angeles in six games

Prediction: Golden State in four games

No. 2 San Antonio Spurs vs. No. 7 Memphis Grizzlies The Spurs make their 19th consecutive playoff appearance after a franchise-record 67-win season. Overshadowed by the Warriors’ dominant season, this year’s Spurs team has had a historically dominant season of their own.

Last summer, the Spurs added star power forward LaMarcus Aldridge, formerly of the Portland Trailblazers, to their already stacked roster in free agency, and Aldridge’s transition has been seamless.

The Spurs match up against an ailing Memphis Grizzlies team that has played a whopping 28 players this season – more than any team in any NBA season. With Marc Gasol out for the year with a broken foot, a well-coached Grizzlies squad led by Head Coach Dave Joerger and veteran power forward Zach Randolph will look to employ grit-and-grind mindset. The Spurs should sweep the Grizzlies, as San Antonio’s collective talent and strategy of Head Coach Greg Popovich will overpower the shorthanded Grizzlies.

Prediction: San Antonio in four games

No. 3 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No. 6 Dallas Mavericks After a rocky start to the year for rookie head coach Billy Donovan – formerly of the University of Florida – the Thunder capitalized on a historic season for point guard Russell Westbrook, who tied Magic Johnson for the most

@bradytphelps sports@paisano-online.com

This weekend, an article in the Express-News announced that David Grenardo, a former Rice football player and current St. Mary’s professor of law, will have an article

Prediction: Cavaliers in five games

No. 2 Toronto Raptors vs. No. 7 Indiana Pacers This year’s Raptors won a franchise-high 56 games during the regular season, led by all-star point guard Kyle Lowry accompanied by trusty counterpart DeMar Derozan. A healthy Jonas Valanciunas at center is producing more than ever after recovering from a hand injury. Entering the playoffs as the Eastern Conference’s No. 2 seed, Toronto’s expectations are at least a conference finals appearance.

The Indiana Pacers, on the other hand, look to upset Toronto, led by Paul George. Myles Turner, rookie out of the University of Texas (UT), has shown flashes of a productive big man in the NBA with his ability to stretch the floor with a mid-range jump shot and extend his range to the 3-point line occasionally. Indiana’s ability to shut down the Raptors’ penetration may cause the Raptors some troubles for two games, but the Toronto Raptors should defeat the Indiana Pacers due to the aforementioned players along with a great supporting cast including former UT guard Cory Joseph, who won a championship with the Spurs in 2014.

Prediction: Toronto in six games

No. 3 Miami Heat vs. No. 6 Charlotte Hornets The matchup between the third and sixth seeds is a particularly tough one to predict as these teams are pretty evenly matched. The Heat and Hornets both have defensive identities that typically bode well for playoff teams. Miami – although without two-time champion Chris Bosh is out for the year with recurring blood clots – have willed together a formidable team led by Dwyane Wade and twotime champion Head Coach Eric Spoelstra. The Heat have also improved their roster this year with the additions of forward Justice Winslow and guard/forward Joe Johnson through free agency.

Based on the point guard matchup between Charlotte’s Kemba Walker and Miami’s Goran Dragic, Charlotte could upset the Heat in seven games. The numerous point guards that had stellar seasons overshadowed Walker’s phenomenal year. Dragic’s lack of defense will allow Walker to display his ability to handle the ball, create his own shot, set up his teammates and touch the paint.

Prediction: Charlotte in seven games

No. 4 Atlanta Hawks vs No. 5 Boston Celtics Photo courtesy of NBAE/Getty Images Head Coach Greg Popovich will be looking to guide the Spurs to their sixth NBA championship.

Eastern Conference No. 1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. No. 8.Detroit Pistons The reigning Eastern Conference champion Cleveland Cavaliers appear motivated to make a run at the title after falling short last year against Golden State. With Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love producing more than usual during the last month of the season, LeBron James and the Cavaliers are poised to make a deep postseason run. The Cavaliers are the clear favorite to represent the East, but not with-

Editor’s Corner

Brady Phelps Sports Editor

out battling against the rebounding motor of Andre Drummond and newly acquired point guard Reggie Jackson. The Pistons should be able to snag one game at home versus the Caveliers with an enormous 20-point, 20-rebound effort from Drummond, but LeBron James will find a way to lead his team to the next round.

titled “The Continued Exploitation of the College Athlete: Confessions of a Former College Athlete Turned Law Professor” published in the Oregon Law Review this year.

Grenardo’s assertion is that the current system of compensation for NCAA athletes is unfair because, as Grenardo says, “Everyone (coaches, athletic directors) is operating in a free market system except the actual people who are producing the product, the players.”

Roy Bragg, the author of the article, introduced the topic by bringing up the large profits The University of Texas (UT) earns, particularly through their football program, and the inflated salaries of their staff.

The problem with this approach is that UT is one of very few schools whose athletic programs are selfsufficient, meaning they don’t rely on student fees or university funds to mitigate their annual losses.

The Celtics and the Hawks have identical 48-34 records.

Although Atlanta won three of their four matchups this season, Boston should be able to pull of a minor upset.

The difference-maker for this series will be Boston’s depth at the front court with forwards Jared Sullinger and Amir Johnson, floor-stretching big men Kelly Olynyk and Jonas Jerebko, and tenacious rebounder Tyler Zeller.

The Hawks have two former All-Stars, power forward Paul Millsap and center Al “The Godfather” Horford, and Jeff Teague, a solid point guard, but in a long, grind-it-out series with a deep team like Boston, the big men for Atlanta may exhibit fatigue. First-time All-Star Isaiah Thomas, standing at 5-foot-9, knows how to score and get to the free throw line, which could make the difference in this series. The floor will open up to a plethora of 3-point shooters by sucking in the defense in as he drives to the basket. The young, but wise 39-year-old Celtics Head Coach Brad Stevens looks to make a big step in the franchise’s quest for a record 15 championships.

Prediction: Boston in six games

Considering that students, already pay millions of dollars to cover the current expenses of NCAA programs, how much more costly would it be to pay the school’s athletes a fair wage?

Young athletes with marketable talents should absolutely be paid a fair wage if the current system is kept intact.

But Grenardo’s proposed change to the NCAA system consists of schools bidding on incoming talents, a practice that would likely inflate the salaries college athletes earn and cause the expenses of already struggling programs to soar.

Of course, Grenardo’s piece has yet to be published, so his argument may be more sound than Bragg’s article portrays.

To do right by student-athletes and allow them to earn money for their talent and effort, we need more than a simple change to current collegiate sport climate. The current system must be torn down and re-built from the top down.

The NCAA as it’s currently known

should be dismantled, and the major professional leagues should finally be required to fully foot the bill of player development.

If professional leagues draft players at 18 and allow them to develop in professional developmental leagues, they will have more direct input into players’ development, ultimately increasing the quality of the players and ability for those players to fit into professional organizations.

In this scenario, other students and universities would not be left paying millions of dollars to keep collegiate athletic programs afloat. Young athletes would be paid a fair wage, and the quality of the sports so many people enjoy would likely increase.

The right to work for a fair wage is something collegiate athletes deserve as much as any other adult.

But students across the nation should not be stuck paying the salaries of their peers.

To do right by everyone involved, radical change to the NCAA’s current construction must be seriously considered.