THE PAISANO
Professors stress awareness about war with Iran
By Emma Cavanaugh Distribution Manager
For nearly half a century, the U.S. and Iran have dealt with international political tensions and disputes. Today, conficts between the U.S. and the Middle East have grown stronger; UT San Antonio Political Science Professors commented on their personal behalf, not representing the institution.
U.S. missiles struck Iran on Feb. 28, hitting an elementary school, according to the New York Times. This strike is under military investigation, but it allegedly marked the start of the U.S. military’s Operation Epic Fury — a joint campaign with the Israel Defense Forces.
Last Wednesday, the U.S. military stated that it has struck more than 7,800 targets across Iran and damaged more than 120 of the country’s navy ships since Feb. 28; similarly, the IDF said it has carried out more than 7,600 strikes, killing many Iranian leaders, including their Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Due to recent events, Director of Interdisciplinary School for Engagement,
Political Science and Geography
Professor Matthias Hofferberth, Ph.D., and Political Science and Geography
Associate Professor Ritu Mathur, Ph.D. offered their insights into the U.S.-Israel and Iran confict.
The professors’ views do not represent the views of UT San Antonio; they stated on record that these are their own viewpoints as individuals.
In a CNBC report by the National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent — who resigned in response to the attack on Iran stated that the U.S. was not under an imminent threat.
“Wars are expensive, and wars often have to be the very last resort,” Mathur said.
Mathur explained that under the United Nations charter, “countries must exhaust all tools with regard to diplomacy before they undertake any act of aggression, and must be in the case of self-defense.”
“This [war] was actually an act of choice,” Mathur said.
“This is defnitely an act of aggression, a war of aggression against Iran.” Additional concerns about President Donald Trump’s
“Unemployment is rising already in this country. So this is going to create a lot of hardships for the succeeding generations.”
administration’s precautions taken in starting a confict with Iran arose.
“[Trump] is raising short-term concerns and security risks,” Hofferberth said. “If you do analysis, security is a little bit more at risk today than it was before February 28th.”
“I don’t think the U.S. will be safer next year.”According to a NYT video report detailing who declares war, the U.S. has not offcially declared war. Under Article 1, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution, only Congress holds the authority to declare war.
“There’s an immediate legal consequence once you offcially declare this is a war, which leads to more supervision, more control, more involvement from the Parliament, from Congress,” Hofferberth stated.
Furthermore, Trump has denied ownership of the Feb. 28 attack, according to a Politico report. The Associated Press claims the missile was likely a U.S. military mistake caused by outdated intelligence. The U.S. military has a history of civilian casualties after failing to accurately aim airstrikes, and many of these incidents have occurred within the decade in the Middle East.
Hofferberth interpreted Israel’s infuence on the U.S. attack on Iran.
“When it comes to military capacities, I don’t want to diminish the power of the U.S., but I think there’s something to be
said about, they can’t do it without Israel, just intelligence wise,” Hofferberth stated. “But also, there’s a good amount of strikes being carried out by the IDF.”
Since launching its confict with Iran, the U.S. has been on high alert for domestic attacks. Hofferberth analyzed how international conficts cause political tension within countries due to globalization.
“We’ve seen decades of global migration and technology that crosses borders every day,” Hofferberth said. “If you think about means to get people to commit political violence and to radicalize folks around the world, this is all much easier in the globalized world we live in today.”
Mathur further examined how the confict undermines U.S. stability.
“The cost of everything is going to rise. Unemployment is rising already in this country, so this is going to create a lot of hardships for the succeeding generations,” she said.
Mathur stressed the need for student awareness of the confict.
“Many human rights organizations are talking about how the U.S. is declining into authoritarianism,” Mathur cautioned.
“[The] American public has to basically become more vocal about what they want from this president and what they want from this administration — and if they want to stop this war, then they have to speak about it.”
Camp Mystic can reopen, is barred from rebuilding
By Cooper Bryant Photographer
Travis County Judge Maya Guerra Gamble ruled that Camp Mystic — the all-girls summer camp where 24 campers and three camp offcials died in the July 4 Central Texas food last year — can open this summer but must keep damaged cabins intact and refrain from using the Guadalupe campsite entirely.
This ruling comes from a case that is part of several lawsuits levied against Camp Mystic’s response to July’s deadly food. The case was brought on by Will and CiCi Steward, parents of 8-year-old, Cile Steward, the only Camp Mystic victim whose body remains unrecovered.
Alleging that construction and remodeling would “undermine the truthseeking function” and “stymie the search for the truth,” the Stewards were seeking a temporary restraining order and injunction until their trial began.
“What we’re trying to do is preserve the evidence that’s there so that we can understand, so that future campers will never be put in a situation like this again,” Will Steward expressed.
The Stewards’ case hearing began March 4, with other parents who lost children in the food and camp supporters in attendance. Camp Mystic’s defendants claimed that little preventive action could have been taken.
“Nobody had ever seen a prior food anything like we saw in 2025,” Camp Mystic attorney Mikal Watts said. “The worst thing you can do is put a bunch
of 8-year-olds on a bus and try to drive them out of there. They all would have drowned.”
Edward Eastland, expert witness and son of camp owner Richard Eastland, expressed similar sentiments. Edward Eastland claimed under oath that there was nobody watching the camp’s security cameras when water began rising past midnight and that he could not confrm the existence of a food evacuation plan.
The Stewards allege in their suit that
the camp lacked adequate disaster safety measures and that camp administrators were grossly negligent in their conduct.
“They didn’t have a plan, and they don’t have a plan moving forward,” Cici Steward said.
“I have never been more uncomfortable and disheartened than I was watching Edward Eastland on the stand,” Cici Steward told reporters in Austin.
Guerra Gamble clarifed that the injunction “does include not using the
Guadalupe campsite for any purpose until further order of the court, so that means if you currently use the main offce to run the Cypress site, you’re going to have to move those people out.”
Guerra Gamble directed attorneys from different cases and suits against Camp Mystic to convene and create a clear, defned discovery plan. Guerra Gamble suggested that the plan include a map of boundaries between different areas of the camp to keep proceedings swift.
Katelyn Stanford/The Paisano
“Once this physical evidence is altered or destroyed, it cannot be recreated, and no adequate remedy at law exists to restore the evidence,” Guerra Gamble wrote in a court order.
Attorneys representing both suing families and Camp Mystic supported Guerra Gamble in her decision.
“We’re glad Judge Gamble gave everyone a full opportunity to be heard,” family attorney Brad Beckworth said after the hearing.
With over 850 campers signed up for the upcoming summer, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick urged regulators not to renew Camp Mystic’s license until proceedings are fnished. Patrick previously sent a letter to Commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services Jennifer Shuford, echoing claims of negligence.
“I’m asking this agency not to renew their license, in fact, it should have been revoked already, but not to renew their license if it’s requested by Camp Mystic,” Patrick said in a video posted to X on March 13.
City cancels Cesar Chavez March due to allegations
By Cameron Carter Copyediting Coordinator
Sexual abuse allegations against renowned labor rights activist, César Chávez, have prompted the reexamination of scheduled marches and celebrations.
San Antonio’s 29th annual César E. Chávez March for Justice, scheduled for March 28, is now canceled. An investigation and a public statement from labor rights leader Dolores Huerta have been published. Huerta co-founded the National Farm
SGA defies constitution, heeds accessibilty outcry
President of Financial Affairs presents total university budget of $839 million
By Marisela Cruz News Editor
Speaker of the Senate Alexander Hennel commenced the fourth Student Government Association general meeting. Delayed elections, a student’s accessibility concerns and the university’s budget were discussed.
According to the SGA’s Constitution and By-Laws, the student organization is supposed to hold its campus-wide elections before spring break. Hennel clarifed during the meeting that the SGA did not hold elections before spring break, as required by their constitution.
Applications for the 2026-2027 SGA positions will open March 23 at 10 a.m. and will close on April 9 at 11:59 p.m. Campus wide voting will occur on April 20, and on the following Wednesday, April 23, an inauguration will take place.
Hennel presented an open forum for students to directly ask questions to the SGA. Junior graduate student Terrence Bruff, who has cerebral palsy, directed his question to Financial Affairs offcials and the SGA regarding accessibility on campus.
“I’ve noticed a lot of issues that I didn’t expect when I became a student, things like when the university rolled out their partnership with VIA, they did not include VIAtrans for disabled students and faculty,” Bruff said.
Bruff then further explained that it took a year for him to obtain his VIAtrans accessibility pass. As cited on UT San Antonio’s website, “riders with
State of the City Week of 03/24
By Eric Balderas Contributor
Not
disabilities can apply for VIAtrans curbto-curb service.”
The graduate student detailed more instances of how he has dealt with accessibility obstacles due to building closures at night on campus.
“It’s not acceptable to roll out auxiliary services or any type of service without even considering the needs of people with disabilities,” Bruff stated. “It’s not acceptable to lock the Main Building when it literally has a sign that says ADA accessible path.”
Hennel responded to Bruff, stating that he understands his grievances.
“I appreciate you being here, and I know that that’s an issue that other students are facing,” Hennel said.
Vice President for Financial Affairs
Sheri Hardison and Chief Financial Offcer and Interim Assistant Vice President for Budget and Financial Planning Paula Pierson presented an analysis on UT San Antonio’s budget.
Hardison explained that starting four to fve years ago, she and her colleague began attending the SGA meetings to present the university’s itemized budget.
“We started coming annually to SGA just to present some fnancial information about the budget of the university, how we spend our money, how we ended the last year, so you can have some sense of what’s going on fnancially at the university,” Hardison stated.
The university budget’s total operating revenue for Fiscal Year 2025 was $839 million, and FY26 came out to be $780 million. Total expenses resulted in $805
SAISD plans to shutdown middle school
Workers Association, now the United Farm Workers of America, alongside Chávez in the 1960s. Huerta hid the alleged abuse that she endured while working with him for 60 years. In her statement, Huerta described two instances of sexual misconduct during the 1960s between herself and Chávez.
“The frst time I was manipulated and pressured into having sex with him, and I didn’t feel I could say no because he was someone that I admired, my boss and the leader of the movement I had already devoted years of my life to,” Huerta explained in her statement. “The second time I was forced against my will and in an environment where I felt trapped.”
The investigation spanned dozens of interviews, union records, confdential emails and photographs, leading to a comprehensive report of abuse expanding beyond Huerta’s report. Chávez allegedly sexually abused two minors in the 1970s and fathered four children to three women outside of his marriage, two of which were born from Huerta and have DNA tests confrming their relation.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced that this year on March 18, the same day as the allegations were released, Texas will not observe César Chávez Day. Abbott also stated he will be directing all state agency heads to comply and will work to remove the holiday from state law.
“Reports of the horrifc and widely acknowledged sexual assault allegations against César Chávez rightfully dismantle the myth of this progressive hero and undermine the narrative that elevated Chávez as a fgure worthy of offcial state celebration,” Abbott’s press release
asserted.
San Antonio offcials responded as well; District 5 Councilmember Teri Castillo sent a memo to City Manager Erik Walsh requesting a series of “Community Listening Sessions” to change the name of W. César E Chávez Boulevard. These sessions would be an invitation for residents to share their thoughts and, ultimately, fnd “another name selected by the community.”
Castillo also requested that the sessions be “prioritized and scheduled within the Spring of this year,” given the severity of the allegations. The request suggests additional targeted surveying of residents and businesses located on the boulevard. Castillo explained her request, “This is about listening to our community and ensuring their voices guide decisions that shape our public spaces.”
Chávez’s birthday on March 31 will not be observed as a city holiday in San Antonio this year.; city offces will remain open . Good Friday, April 3, will fll in as the celebrated city holiday instead. The annual San Antonio March for Justice, dedicated to paying tribute to the life of Chávez, has been canceled this year.
While acknowledging the harm caused by the fallen idol, Huerta fnished her sentiment by reminding the public of the movement’s accomplishments that should not be overshadowed.
“César’s actions do not diminish the permanent improvements achieved for farmworkers with the help of thousands of people,” Huerta urged. “We must continue to engage and support our community, which needs advocacy and activism now more than ever.”
million for FY25, and $753 million for FY26. Tuition and fees amounted to $248,370,312. Hardison explained how tuition cannot be used for auxiliary activities, athletics, housing or the Student Union.
Clarifying the SGA’s funding, Hennel explained that the SGA is funded through student fees.
“SGA is not funded by an explicit fee,” Hennel said. “We don’t have our own personal fee. It’s all wrapped into the student fees. So, the student services fee, a portion of that gets allocated out to us.”
Further demonstrating the general highlights, Hardison detailed the fnancial growth-real estate with UT San Antonio’s expansion toward One Riverwalk Place, Kallison block and the new location of the Institute of Texan Cultures.
New Texas bill imposes restrictions on SNAP benefts
When asked how the SGA is involved in the university’s budget expenses, Hardison described that the SGA is not part of the budget development process and that the budget detail is a fast paced process.
“I wouldn’t say it’s part of the budget development process,” Hardison said. “There’s rarely a lot of new discretionary money to allocate. This year, I don’t think we’re gonna have any, so we’re mainly using any new revenue to keep up with regular expenses.
“The budget process also moves very quickly. We kind of are making fnal decisions in the summer. That’s the timeline.”
The SGA will hold a meeting this Thursday at the H-E-B Student Union 2.202 & 2.212 in the Travis & Harris
external San Antonio news sources, State of the City summarizes the most captivating news headlines of the week. This week’s topics range from a planned school closure to a new Texas bill and a fred KSAT meteorologist.
San Antonio Independent School District sent out a letter to parents announcing that Rhodes Middle School will close at the end of the 20252026 school year. For the past three years, the Texas Education Agency has given Rhodes a grade of C-, with 21% reading and 7% math profciency amongst the student body. Students who would have attended Rhodes next school year will now attend Tafolla Middle School, which will be operated by the non-proft organization Third Future Schools.
According to the Texas Department of Health and Human Services, families who utilize Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefts will no longer be allowed to purchase sugary drinks or candy using funds from this program starting April 1 of this year. The bill prohibits SNAP benefts from covering drinks with 5 or more grams of added sugar or artifcial sweetener. This bill falls under the “Make America Healthy Again” proposal signed into law by Texas Governor Greg Abbott in June of 2025.
KSAT-TV meteorologist fred after arrest Meteorologist Elliot Wilson will no longer be employed at KSAT-TV news station due to an arrest on March 12 on assault charges. According to the Bexar County Sheriff’s Deputies, Wilson was arrested and charged with assault following an altercation with a female family member. Offcers responded to a home call where his family member stated that Wilson struck her in the face as they drove together to a medical appointment, which resulted in a broken nose. The case remains under investigation.
Carlos Craig/The Paisano
Vice President for Financial Affairs and Chief Financial Offcer Sheri Hardison presents UT San Antonio budget and fnances.
Carlos Craig/The Paisano
OPINION
Online courses kill community
Pay thousands of dollars for a PDF and a professor they will never meet — that is what UT San Antonio gradually asks its students to do when it transitions more courses to be solely available online. While virtual classes have opened doors for many nontraditional students, removing the option to attend a class in person obstructs students’ ability to make connections with peers and professors and harms their quality of education.
When students begin their degree at any university, they cannot wait to enroll in the classes that actually pertain to their major. Unfortunately for some, after grinding through a core curriculum for up to two years, they are greeted with a predominantly online course catalog. This tragedy is especially true for those in the humanitiesbased majors, such as communications, political science, politics & law and global affairs. These students contend with either never stepping foot in a classroom with their own peers or weeding through highly limited options that may not ft their interests.
This divisive system damages connections and critical
development of skills. The most human interaction anyone could get in an online course is a surface-level response to a discussion board post or a due date question in a GroupMe. While online options allow for fexible scheduling, university-mandated isolation creates an environment of like-minded undergraduates estranged from each other. Numerous student organizations attempt to fll the gap, but there is only so much they can do
Cavanaugh/ The Paisano
without structure from the university. Peer relationships are especially important in humanities felds where there is no defned path after graduation.
Students are also separated from their professors. In an online class, announcements, questions and comments are left for impersonal emails, and the goal is to merely complete the class. When a class is online, few are lucky if their professor even hosts a regular Zoom session. Some opt to post a weekly video lecture or module that requires just as little effort to complete as it did to make. Quizzes are “open note,” assignments might as well be completion grades, and learning is minimized. The university does not need to hire an overworked attorney to teach an asynchronous pre-law course. Worse yet, professors and students struggle to develop the connection required for a strong letter of recommendation.
It is perfectly fne if the university offered online courses as an option, but offering no in-person option for certain required courses is horrifcally disingenuous. At that point, UT San Antonio might as well paste a PDF on canvas and call it a “class.”
Honor Dolores Huerta, condemn Cesar Chavez
By Hallie Lott Web Editor
The popular saying, “Don’t meet your heroes” is true for Cesar Chavez. The New York Times released a shocking report on March 18, detailing that Chavez had sexually abused Ana Murguia and Debra Rojas, two daughters of fellow organizers from the United Farm Workers, from 1972 to 1978. Co-leader of the UFW Dolores Huerta also publicly accused Chavez of sexually abusing her twice while working together. Chavez led and organized the UFW organization, fghting for union rights for farm workers throughout the nation. As the nation contends with the revelations about Chavez, students must continue to learn about and celebrate the UFW foundation and Chicano Movement while acknowledging Chavez’s abuse.
The UFW labor union came at a vital time in U.S. history. Founded in 1962, the UFW was led by Chavez and Huerta, who organized boycotts and led marches to bring attention to the lack of benefts farm workers had in their jobs. The union propelled Chavez into the national spotlight, cementing his legacy as a powerful civil rights leader. Although Chavez’s reputation is rightfully tarnished, students must not write off the UFW’s legacy.
The UFW served as a megaphone for immigrant workers, advocating for fair wages, leading strikes and boycotts, pushing for union voting and seeking secretballot union election rights. The group’s improvement of farm worker jobs across California and the U.S. changed the environment for future workers. The students of the
U.S. were also affected by the UFW’s actions, and the historical implications still make the union worth learning and celebrating, even in the wake of Chavez’s actions.
While Chavez was the face of the UFW union, Huerta was his co-leader. While working together, he took advantage of his status in the union to abuse Huerta.
Huerta “carried this secret for as long as [she] did because building the movement and securing farmworker rights was [her] life’s work.”
She prioritized furthering the cause over getting justice from her abuser — selfessly putting the needs of others above herself, recognizing the union’s impact on workers’ rights and not wanting to allow her abuser or anyone else to hinder the organization’s credibility.
Huerta is a hero and a fantastic leader. She should be recognized for the union instead of Chavez, especially in light of his actions. Huerta deserves accolades, while Chavez deserved jail time.
Students in Texas should treat this issue with nuance when learning about Chavez and the UFW. Chavez was an evil man who used his power to sexually abuse young girls. He was a fgurehead for Mexican American’s in U.S. politics. He fought to win rights for those who could not fght for themselves, yet behind the scenes, he used the power of the movement to hurt these women. The union gave him power, but the union also gave power to many, which makes it still worth celebrating.
The UFW changed the lives of future generations of workers across the U.S. It gave a voice to the
and fought for the rights of thousands of
workers. Students should remember the
and Huerta’s sacrifces to further it.
Nazi YouTuber runs for Congress challenge
By Richard Lujan Contributor
After a grueling primary, U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales dropped out of his race for reelection following allegations of an affair with an aide, who died by suicide. This left his primary opponent — Brandon Herrera — as the Republican nominee for the Texas 23 U.S. House District race. Self-described entrepreneur, Second Amendment activist and social media personality Herrera has quite the inept record. Herrera has run his campaign as a more extreme Republican than Gonzales and aligns farther right with President Donald Trump and his supporters. What Gonzales lacked in integrity, he at least attempted to make up with experience. Herrera lacks all of it, he is a pre-law undergraduate drop out with an edgy YouTube channel.
Despite the minimal Second Amendment advocacy Herrera claims to have behind him, he blatantly disregards the needs of citizens in Texas District 23. Previously, Herrera ran against Gonzales for voting for the bipartisan gun safety bill that was passed one month after the elementary school shooting in Uvalde — the deadliest school shooting in Texas history. Uvalde, being a major city in the Texas’ 23rd District. Herrera continues to oppose red fag laws that both parties put in place to prevent similar tragedies from reoccurring.
Unsurprisingly, for a Republican nominee, Herrera has garnered quite the controversy in his time. On his YouTube channel, Herrera has been known to make distasteful, “dark humor” jokes, such as his line about veterans’ suicide.
“I often think about putting a gun in my mouth, so I’m basically an honorary veteran,” Herrera mocked. Moreover, Herrera door-knocked with Kyle Rittenhouse on the primary election campaign trail. Rittenhouse, who also claims to be a Second Amendment “activist,” was acquitted of fatally shooting two men at a racial justice demonstration in 2020. Since his acquittal, Rittenhouse has gone on various media platforms grifting for any attention he can get. Herrera associating with this degenerate is no surprise as he has no issues with dismissing disgusting acts of violence to scrounge for any attention.
These distasteful actions do not even scratch the surface of Herrera’s foul content as “the AK Guy.” In 2022, Herrera posted a video to the Nazi marching song “Erika,” along with a frearm review. In the video, Herrera joked about calling the World War II-era German frearm the “original ghetto blaster.” Following the marching in the video, Herrera’s co-host attempts the Sig Heil Nazi salute before the clip ends, not hiding from blatantly showing their Nazi sentiment.
Later in the video, Herrera claimed he made educational content so that history does not repeat itself. This statement would almost be commendable if it did not come from an infuencer playing Nazi dress up.
In a time where Americans face gestapo-like violence in their communities from U.S. Immigration Customs Enforcement, the last thing a congressional candidate for Texas’ 23rd District should be doing is spewing Nazi rhetoric. The people living in the border district do not need this incompetent joke of a YouTuber as their congressman. This November, vote for anyone else.
Politicizing pay
By Joby Albritton Assistant Business Manager
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport experienced a clash between Democratic Rep. Greg Casar and Republican Sen. John Cornyn on March 16. Transportation Security Administration funding sparked the argument. During the partial government shutdown, Cornyn was delivering food to unpaid TSA workers when he was confronted by Casar, demonstrating live the discourse between the two parties. In the partial government shutdown, employees under the Department of Homeland Security, including TSA agents, have been working without pay. One thing that the Republican and Democratic parties have in common is using the American people’s pay as leverage. Casar and Cornyn both agreed that TSA workers need to be paid, but differ on methods. Casar brought up a proposition, asking, “There is a bipartisan bill to fund just the TSA. Can we do that together?” Cornyn responded, “Not acceptable.” Both government offcials stated that they want funding, but are unwilling to compromise to help those affected.
“Why don’t you tell your Democrats to pay these poor people?” Cornyn taunted.
Cornyn is pushing for funding of the entire DHS. According to him, House Republicans do not want to fund individual departments. While talking to Casar, Cornyn mentioned the Austin Sixth Street “terrorist attacks” — implying that heightened crime and backlash result from the Democratic Party blocking DHS funding. The only thing these statements do is demonstrate how unwilling the two offcials are to help.
Casar expressed wanting to fund agencies under the DHS. The bipartisan bill that the representative discussed provides funding to agencies like TSA, but politicians who want to fund the entire DHS, rather than individual agencies, stop this from happening. Before the Republican senator stepped out of his vehicle, Casar stated that “Senator Cornyn should put his money where his mouth is.” This comment shows the pointless bickering the two parties have had concerning the shutdown.
The original sentiment behind Cornyn’s visit was to distribute hamburgers to unpaid TSA workers. Instead, he was met by Casar, who had a fght to pick.
The argument is a preview of what is to come. After their interaction, the two boarded the same fight to Washington to extinguish the fames of their collision. Change is the goal for both parties, but they cannot set aside their vendettas to help the people.
powerless
migrant farm
union’s impact
Honor Huerta;
Commentary
Emma
Commentary
Commentary
By Cruz Delgado Managing Editor
Delroy Lindo who has worked alongside revolutionary flmmakers such as Spike Lee and Danny Boyle, received his frst Oscar nomination at the age of 73. He lost. Leonardo DiCaprio won his frst Academy Award in 2015 after being nominated four times; it had been 22 years since his frst nomination for his supporting role in “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?” Timothée Chalamet, quit chasing the award and just work.
Chalamet was considered a frontrunner by Newsweek to win Best Actor at the Academy Awards for his turn in the sports flm “Marty Supreme,” but an over-thetop, entitled press tour led to the actor’s well-deserved downfall, when Michael B. Jordan of “Sinners” rightfully took home the trophy for his lead performances as Smoke and Stack.
The ping-pong champion performer, otherwise known as Chalamet, nearly broke Adrien Brody’s record for the youngest Best Actor winner last year for his role as the electric Bob Dylan, but in perhaps the most poetic fashion, Chalamet lost to Brody. However, he did pick up some other awards throughout the season.
OPINION
“I know we’re in a subjective business, but the truth is, I’m really in pursuit of greatness,” Chalamet said in his acceptance speech for Best Actor at the Screen Actor Guild Awards in 2025. This award season, Chalamet did not search for greatness. Instead, he searched for an award. He pursued fame and clout and did so in a naive and cocky manner,
foolishness of an actor who still has much to learn about what makes him great. Here is a hint: it is not the awards. The loss does not take away from the ferocity of his performance, nor does it defne the legacy of his still growing career. Instead, Chalamet needs to focus on continuing to deliver buzz-worthy performances and flms that attract
National support boosts local races
By Blue Mize Assistant Photo Editor
National politicians play a vital role in Texas political races, bringing positive opportunities for local candidates to boost the competitiveness of their campaigns. Direct involvement of political fgures brings attention and funds to the competitors, subsequently increasing voter turnout. This support can give underrepresented candidates the chance to succeed by providing media attention and expanding their support base, especially when nationally endorsed. National involvement in Texas elections can be a powerful tool as long as it amplifes local voices instead of drowning them out.
National politicians can also connect local issues to highly debated policies and help voters recognize the importance ofn taking a stance on major conficts. If citizens see how federal laws — like taxes, healthcare or immigration — directly affect Texans such as themselves, they may be more inclined to vote.
The 2018 Texas Senate Election demonstrated the relevance of national
Commentary
By Emma Cavanaugh Distribution Manager
Texas is ranked 40th in public education, 48th in K-12 performance and 44th in school funding and resources. Instead of attempting to improve the public education system, Texas is shoveling public money into private schools with the Texas Education Freedom Accounts voucher program.
With this program, public taxpayer dollars will fund children’s private school education and their school-
involvement. Four democratic members of Congress endorsed Senate nominee Beto O’Rourke who subsequently received money from national fundraising networks to boost his campaign. He raised a record-breaking $80 million for his campaign. Due to his rallies, national endorsements and fundraising, O’Rourke got media coverage and enhanced his campaign, leading to the closest Texas Senate race since 1988.
Although O’Rourke lost the election, his efforts show that while national involvement cannot guarantee victory, it can signifcantly enhance local candidates’ competitiveness and public visibility. His campaign inspired grassroots movements all over Texas, leaving a long-lasting impact on political engagement and civic participation beyond his campaign.
While there are positive aspects of national involvement in Texas races, there are potential downsides. National groups can prioritize broader party goals — such as fipping legislative seats or boosting Democratic infuence — and overshadow local priorities. National organizations such as the Democratic National Committee and EMILY’s List have
eligible to receive up to $30,000, and homeschoolers may receive $2,000. The average annual cost for Texas private education is $14,000, so the $10,000 voucher is not enough to cover the entire tuition in many cases — leaving $4,000 unaddressed that low-income families simply cannot shovel out.
After the approved list of over 2,000 participating private schools was released, four Muslim parents and two private schools sued the state for discrimination. Texas failed to include any Islamic private schools. Making a
previously invested in Texas legislative races by funding ads, organizing volunteers and supporting candidates across districts. While these efforts signifcantly increased voter turnout and public visibility for underfunded candidates, they faced criticism that this level of national involvement can redirect attention from individual community priorities and emphasize broader party issues. Candidates have shown that it is possible to advance in elections without national funding, such as state Rep. James Talarico’s win as the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate.
National involvement in Texas races is nearly inevitable. What matters is how it is utilized; there needs to be a balance. If national politicians become too heavily involved in Texas elections, local candidates can become overshadowed, or their campaigns may become focused on media coverage rather than the issues they fght for. However, if these national politicians can be used as a way to empower Texas voices rather than completely dominate them, they can play a vital role in boosting Texas races and enhancing voter turnout.
how ridiculously unhelpful TEFA is.
The most concentrated areas for private schools are major Texas cities — Houston, Dallas and Austin, where public schools are already more likely to be more funded than rural schools — again, leaving lower-income students in the mud.
In Texas, public schools’ funding is mainly based on property taxes, so richer areas receive more funding for their schools. This system fails in many ways, leaving 73% of schools underfunded and about 17% of schools severely underfunded, with funding gaps
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Commentary
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ARTS & LIFE
Lighting up souls
By Johnpaul Buwule Marketing Manager
Tents wrapped around the small Woodlawn Lake Park to form an enclosed area spacious enough to wander but compact enough to traverse the booths with ease. The lawn was flled with individuals exchanging aspects of their spirituality, from Indian religious infuences on spiritualism to practices rooted in Indigenous cultures. On the surface, the ffth annual Lighten Up Festival presented as an event dedicated to spiritualism, but a walk through the array of vendors and tables unveiled a focus on human experiences. The festival was flled with vitality — small artists, peace therapists and organizations sharing their work in hopes of immersing ongoers in their practices, art and activities.
Small art business owner Nahzja Hunter details the mysticism that lies within the event through her experience at past festivals.
“I really enjoyed when we did Hare Krishna,” Hunter explained. “It really stuck with me, and I had my little brother with me. It really stuck with him as well. I loved how exhilarating it felt. I felt so in touch with my inner child, and we were just holding hands, and we were going around in a circle singing.”
Hunter’s words captured the spiritual effects of the event, which participants could deeply feel when making their way to sound bath practitioner Abby Mason.
Silver screen, munches, love
Bird On The Street Week of 3/24
By Ryan Selander
Contributor
Mason’s tent contained a plethora of crystal singing bowls that encircled her, fowing from small to large and radiating at different frequencies once lightly tapped and caressed with a striker.
way we perceive the world is the state of our nervous system. It is not what the world actually is. And so when I help people fnd a state of calm, they end up seeing a better world around them. That is beautiful,” Mason revealed. “I’m basically trying to promote the practices that help me fnd calm again and help me live a life that I was happy to be in.” event’s spiritualism was not only its centerpiece; the art and music that fowed throughout relaxed the environment, an apricity in the heat of the spring.
Musician Rosemary Flowers performed folk and indie music while onlookers, seated on their blankets, soaked in her melody. The light strum of her guitar and soft voice provided tranquility, easing her listeners into her lovely melody.
“I’m inspired a lot by spiritual experiences I’ve had,” Flowers shared regarding her inspiration for music. “I hope [listeners] can connect in some ways. Whatever is personal to them, in the sense of things like redemption and forgiveness and healing, to continue forward and know that this too shall pass.”
The event sprang with music, art, spiritualism and a place for groups, branding it as not only a spiritual experience but a human one.
‘Rec-ing’ it on Main Campus
By Henry Holmes Opinion Editor
It is the week after spring break, and ‘Runners are getting back in the swing of things. Some are starting to lock back in on assignments, while others are trying to get their grades up after detrimental midterms. Recently, there has been a feeding frenzy for SpiderMan fans, movie lovers, foodies and more.
This week on Bird on the Street, The Paisano interviewed sophomore environmental science major Elizabeth Shepard, junior business major Nathaniel Galvan, freshman biology major Aanya Dawani and freshman psychology major Damien Lewis.
‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ — are you tapped in?
It seems that the majority of ‘Runners are tuned in to the newest Marvel installment, but the excitement stems mostly from Tom Holland’s return to the silver screen, looking better than ever. Lewis replied with, “Yes! Tom Holland is my man!” On the other hand, Shepard mentioned, “I didn’t know a new movie was coming out,” but that she was ready to see Zendaya’s fashion.
Between the sounds of slamming weights and squeaking basketball shoes on the court, the UT San Antonio Recreation Wellness Center flls the air with the chime of community. The Rec Center is not just where students fnd ways to get their swole on — Roadrunners can fnd an abundance of entertaining pursuits. From outdoor activities and group ftness events to relaxing experiences before fnals, the Rec creates a palace to unwind.
Excursions
Each semester, the Rec enables students to embrace the outdoors through cohesive programs and resources. Those who are feeling froggy can take advantage of over a dozen outdoor events this spring. Students with a free day can mountain bike in McCallister on April 12, hike a land bridge for Earth Day on April 22 or unwind in the Botanical Gardens on May 2.
The Rec also offers weekend camping events for folks desperate for a few days away. There are midnight hikes on April 2 and April 17, along with canoeing at Inks Lake from April 10-12.
For prolonged escape, the Rec even hosts week-long backpacking excursions twice a semester. While the frst trek has passed, the Buffalo River in Arizona calls for the student taking fight after fnals season.
Instructors will guide attendees through the Ozarks between May 1624. While these activities do cost money, they are inexpensive compared to third parties.
Prospective attendees
can rent essential outdoor supplies, free for up to seven days. Tents, bikes, backpacks, canoes and compasses — among other essentials — are free for the taking. Students can also prepare through free competitions, workshops and clinics hosted regularly each semester.
Group ftness courses
Exercise can be more than running on a treadmill or lifting weights; any UT San Antonio student can attend a group ftness course. Activities such as Zumba, pilates, dance, yoga and core workouts are offered throughout the week. Some of these frst-come, frst-served classes are taught by fellow ‘Runners. Classes are located on the second foor of the Rec Center, and students are recommended to show up early to secure a spot. A weekby-week schedule is found on the center’s website at bit.ly/4bOtgUx.
Unwind Before the Grind students feel as though the university grind never stops. For ‘Runners in need of a break, the Rec created the Before the Grind will occur on April 7 and 15 from 1:308 p.m. and comprise many activities. While students can pick and choose what they participate in, the event begins with do-it-yourself bath crystal making and ends with sound bath yoga. Skills challenges, snacks, animal therapy and slacklining fll the space is for more than just the heavy-lifting gym rat. If an assignment ever sounds like too much, listen for the Recreation Center’s call to adventure.
Letters from Urbino: Gubbio
By Edmond Cartagena Staff Writer
Ehi, Studenti!
The students with UT San Antonio’s College of Liberal and Fine Arts traveled to the small, charming town of Gubbio, Italy this past Thursday. The silent solitude that resides within the city contrasts with the loud, exciting history within the ancient walls. As the group explored the center, they learned about the wondrous past held within Gubbio.
Upon arrival in Gubbio, the class made their way to the Palazzo dei Consoli, where a featured exhibit honors Saint Francis 800 years after his death. This patron saint of Italy is known best for taming a vicious wolf that once terrorized the city. Although the wolf is rumored to have devoured both people and livestock in the region, Saint Francis asked the wolf to stop, and it listened. The story goes that the patron saint addressed this devourer as “brother wolf” and left the rest to the divine power of God. There is a statue that honors Saint Francis and the wolf near the entrance of the town, where the apparent predator rests its head on the saint’s lap.
This occurrence is not the only interesting piece of history in Gubbio, however. This city was the ancient capital of the Umbrian people. Alongside the temporary Saint Francis exhibition in the Palazzo di Consoli museum, there are the Umbrian tablets. These bronze tablets hold instructions, which guided ancient Umbrians through ritualistic sacrifce. They are written in the Umbrian language, but utilize Etruscan lettering at frst. A shift to Roma script about halfway through the tablets, though the
language remains Umbrian, unveils the Roman invasion. This intriguing evidence has baffed linguists since its discovery.
Another interesting sight to see is the Basilica of Saint Ubaldo. To see the preserved corpse of the saint this basilica is named after, one must ride in a basket called the “funivia” to get to the top of the hill where it lies. Riding on the lift allowed all of the students to admire a view of the city before they arrived at the majestic building where the saint is displayed. The saint was an important fgure to the city due to his acts as not only a protector of Gubbio, but also as an exorcist. On next week’s itinerary, COLFA will be visiting the heart of the Renaissance: Florence! Follow the adventures of UT San Antonio’s students abroad at @ lettersfromurbino on Instagram. Arri vederci studenti, Ciao!
Aidan Moreno/The Paisano
ARTS & LIFE
Marginal stories prophesied by Poetry with Purpose
By McKenzie Siller Staff Writer
The aroma of dark roast and the serene beat of live jazz engulfed attendees as they walked through the doors of Castle Hills Christian Church. Being greeted at the door by the warm faces of the Poetry With Purpose team. With the help of various nonprofts, Poetry with Purpose creates a community within San Antonio that fosters vulnerability. In turn, they promote and spread awareness for these nonprofts that they unite with.
South Texas Alliance for Orphans, an organization that helps build lives for children and families in the foster care system, joined Poetry with Purpose for the March
were swiftly taken up by an eager audience, waiting to be moved by the power of spoken word. As art-seekers settled in, Poetry With Purpose’s poetic pallet began to fll. Ellison and Elijah Murphy, the hosts of the evening, opened by thanking the assemblage for coming out on a Friday night to enjoy poetry. They encouraged attendees to support their fellow San Antonians and visit the booths in the lobby to learn more about the partner organizations.
Murphys relinquished the mic over to the frst set of poets: Victor Huron, Marcela Hernández, Cooper Bryant, Isabel
City of stars for Ryan Gosling
By Cruz Delgado Managing Editor
Following a 12-year directing hiatus after they released the hilariously legendary “22 Jump Street,” Christopher Miller and Phil Lord return to the big screen with their Ryan Gosling led science-fction flm, “Project Hail Mary.”
Based on the Andy Weir novel of the same name, the blockbuster follows Gosling’s Ryland Grace who forms a galaxy-defying friendship with the extraterrestrial Rocky in their attempt to save their respective homeworlds in a tale about loneliness and self-value.
Cinematographer Greig Fraser brilliantly encapsulates Grace’s internal solitude through extreme closeups — shooting Gosling’s baby blues as if they are the desert dunes of Arrakis. Gosling’s performance carries the charm of a classic Hollywood movie star: Humphrey Bogart’s smoulder combined with Buster Keaton’s humor, yet his performance ranks second compared to James Ortiz’s puppeteering of Rocky.
Ortiz’s use of body language to bring Rocky to life tugs on heartstrings, so that even Gosling superfans must recognize the true star of the show. Rocky’s physical expression underscores the flm’s visual language that transcends the typical blockbuster, yet outside of whimsically charismatic performances and Fraser’s breathtaking use of outer space lighting, the flm never transcends being generic.
Perhaps Miller and Lord knew they had a hit on their hands between the Amazon backed budget, Gosling and the source material, so they did not worry about taking too many risks.
The “Hail Mary” ship does not carry the playful aesthetic of a Star Wars ship nor the intricacies of one overseen by Ridley Scott. Composer Daniel Pemberton clocks in and out of work without inspiration from the directing duo and failing to inspire himself.
The over-the-top imagination of previous works, such as “The Lego Movie,” falters in their adaptation and requires the spectacle of Fraser along with Gosling and his supporting cast to do the heavy lifting. The end result proves that Miller and Lord’s best work, the “SpiderVerse” series, comes as producers rather than directors.
Despite its directors’ tiresome creativity, “Project Hail Mary” still manages to deliver a crowd pleaser focused on life’s — not just humans’ — endless search for connection transcending the atmosphere. In the labyrinth of solitude that is his ship, Grace rediscovers himself, minus the faults that have weighed upon his consciousness. In the process of realizing his immense value of human life, thanks to Rocky, he recognizes that hope for a larger cause begins with hope for
Brown, Katelyn Bonglay, Kinley Burleson and Ronnie Morgan. Every poet presented with such intensity and enjoyment that they transported the viewers into their worlds. Hernández flled the room with melancholy and power with their poem “Dreams of a Poet,” speaking of self-discovery through this year’s chance at rebirth. Through the death of family and the fear of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the streets, they have persevered and used their strength to protect the young.
In between the frst set, Jarrell Flowers, the Don’t Go Alone Relationship Manager at Alliance for Orphans, took the stand and spoke about his connection with his organization and spoken word. He helps young adults aging out of the foster care system fnd mentor families. Being a musician, he was asked to create a poem for the event.
“Once I saw it, I couldn’t unsee it. I couldn’t unsee the support that was lacking for young adults who were aging out of the system,” Flowers exclaimed.
Flowers has since been asking, “How can I help?” This question led him to Poetry with Purpose, which gave him a platform to highlight the work of South Texas Alliance for Orphans to the artistic masses.
“This Poetry with a Purpose thing, amazing. Like, it’s like my worlds are colliding right now and this is really cool,” Flowers declared.
Before the crowd broke for intermission, Flowers presented the room with a video. It told the story of a kid named David, who spoke of how his father left and his mother lost herself in addiction. David was stripped of all hope after being subject to abuse. The video is backed with an instrumental that grows from an uneasy melody to a euphoric symphony that mirrors the video’s themes. It then explains how the people of San Antonio can bring
hope back into David’s life and the lives of many others in similar situations.
After a brief intermission of coffee reflls and conversation, everyone nestled back into their seats and got ready to hear the voices of act two. Similar to their counterparts, Jose Navejas, Crystal Jackson, Malachi Love, Ren Koppel Torres, Arma Caloch, Eesha Ande, Ellison Morgan, Sue Jett, Aditi Ande, KC James and Toni BravoPrice all spoke with brilliance in their poetry. Ande, a seventh grade awardwinning poet, performed her poem “English Class.” Her writing left a suffocating smog in the chapel, refecting a feeling of shame through her poem as she dragged listeners into her rhyme and emotion. Using themes of pain, a lost voice and the distress in the phrase “write, erase, rewrite,” shows her desperation to create something to make the laughter stop. She left a heavy weight in the room with her fnal line, “This class room reeks of red, of rust, of ritual, and everyone pretends it’s normal.”
The Purpose and South Texas Alliance for Orphans are doing is estimable. For more information on both Poetry With Purpose and South Texas Alliance for Orphans, go to poetrywithapurpose.carrd. co and alliance4orphans. org.
SXSW bops to musical giants
By Matthew Ybarra Assistant Multimedia Editor
With the demolition of the Austin Convention Center removing the festival’s centralized location, events were parceled out in venues throughout downtown Austin for the annual South by Southwest festival from March 1218.
The massive Austin Marriott Downtown Ballroom showcased virtual reality experience creators competing for the title of favorite experience. Festival-goers could fy over São Paulo, Brazil, experience a food in Austria or play horror games.
Many streets were blocked off for various markets, rows of food trucks, pop-ups and performances. The markets available to badge-holders featured established companies like Zevia, Rivian and Coca Cola along with smaller brands and startups. Market attendees could get their hands on free mochi, energy bars, hats, T-shirts, tote bags, stickers and books. One of the larger vibrant markets was located on North Congress Avenue. Its location in front of the Texas State Capitol made for great photo opportunities while live music played in the background.
Rapper Don Toliver, one of this year’s headliners, celebrated the sixth anniversary of his “Heaven and Hell” album, performing hit songs “After Party” and “Cardigan.” He also gave fans an opportunity to scream the lyrics of his latest album “Octane,” opening with a slow, serene build of the album’s intro, “E85,” followed by emerging fan favorite, “Body.” The frst beat drop ignited a show that rarely slowed for the hour-long set.
Highlights of the night included his performances of “FWU,” “No pole” and “Bandit,” leaving no opportunity for a dead crowd. The screen’s visuals distinguished each song, aiding in the aesthetic of each track. Fire and pyrotechnics colored the set as Toliver acknowledged the special night and his gratitude for his fans.
The All American Rejects lead singer, Tyson Ritter, opened the set at Stubb’s BBQ restaurant using an excess of profanity. When the outspoken, unfltered Ritter was notifed the show was supposed to be clean, it was like pouring water onto a grease fre. After spending a song’s worth of time mocking the clean-show decision, the vocalist said, “Turn on my fucking time machine” and began riffng into their 2005 hit “Dirty Little Secret.”
The Rejects played their classics, “Move Along,” “Swing, Swing,” “I Wanna,” and teased the release of
their frst new album in over 14 years by treating the crowd to unreleased songs. The set peaked with the song “Sweat,” with low red lighting, a catchy, repeatable chorus and guitar solo that spread chills through the packed venue. With spectacular crowd work and energy, surprise songs, a saxophone solo and instrumentals one could feel reverb in their chest, The All American Rejects had a rejuvenated presence.
Another rock band, The Sophs, was one of the most memorable of the week. From Los Angeles, California, The Sophs have been performing together for over 15 years and just released their frst album, “GOLDSTAR,” during the festival.
“The music industry is made up of a bunch of different local scenes, which I feel like people discount,” lead singer Ethan Ramon noted. “The music industry isn’t this big overarching thing; it’s made up of a bunch of tiny factions, and it’s way more than your major cities like Los Angeles and New York.”
“It’s a bit transactional here, but I think there are a lot of good artists here regardless and a lot of people that are really earnest and hardworking about them and their art,” Ramon continued.
The Sophs performed songs off their recent album and left a striking impression at the Music Clubhouse. The band felt coordinated through the 40-minute set, with each member dancing in their own style on the same cue, never stagnant while playing their catchy rock tunes.
After a week of events featuring over 1,000 artists, SXSW begins preparing for next year’s festival.
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Emma Cavanaugh & Cruz Delgado/ The Paisano
Robert Henry Jr. highlights stout senior group on Pro Day
By Rylan Renteria Sports Editor
SAN ANTONIO — On Wednesday, 17 former UTSA football players participated in the Roadrunners’ annual Pro Day at the RACE Building.
Former running back Robert Henry Jr. drew a large group of scouts on Wednesday, as NFL teams wanted an extended look at him after his performance at the 2026 NFL Combine in late February. Although Henry was the main attraction, some of his former teammates enjoyed impressive showings as well.
Former wide receiver De’Corian Clark, who is coming off of two devastating knee injuries and has not seen consistent action since 2022, notched 22 reps of 225 pounds in the bench press, which would have ranked third among receivers at the Combine.
“It shows you the importance of being a good human,” coach Jeff Traylor said of Clark. “He’s still competing and trying all these years later. I was really glad to see him out here moving around and catching the ball again.”
Clark, knowing he is still not 100% healthy, was grateful to have the opportunity to return and work out in front of a strong crowd of scouts and former teammates.
“It was pretty fun,” Clark said. “It was good seeing the guys, seeing coach Traylor, really just everybody. I had memories coming back. I think I did pretty good. Obviously, I’m still coming back from injury. I’m really just blessed to have the opportunity.
“[I wanted to show the scouts] that I can still go up and get the ball, track the ball and get out of my breaks smoothly. As far as speed, I feel like that’ll get better with time. I’m not even 100% yet, but I did my best. I’d say I’m about 85-90% healthy, but enough to where I can give them a look to judge right now.”
Clark dominated the bench press, but
it was Henry who stole the show. Henry participated in more drills during the Pro Day than he did at the Combine, with a focus on improving his technique, especially in the 40-yard dash. He was able to shave one-tenth of a second off his time, settling at 4.50 seconds.
“[I mostly wanted to improve] my 40 [time],” Henry explained. “It was my start, and the way I fnished it. I was leaned over at the Combine, and they time the last thing that crossed the line, which was my feet. I knew I needed to stay upright through the rest of the run and come out of my stance with my head down.”
Shad Banks Jr. and Kendrick Blackshire, two stalwarts from the Roadrunners’ 2025 linebacking corps, had encouraging results in the 40-yard dash and vertical jump. Banks posted a 4.63-second dash with a 32-inch vertical, while Blackshire recorded a 4.51-second dash with a 35inch vertical.
“It was a good run by Shad and KB today,” Traylor said.
On a feld with over a dozen NFL hopefuls, the most impressive athlete was arguably kicker Jaffer Murphy. Murphy was the Roadrunners’ kickoff specialist in 2025, and his 54 touchbacks last season rank second in school history for a single season. At the Pro Day, Murphy ran a blistering 4.50 40-yard dash and went 12-for-13 on feld goals with a long of 70 yards. He quickly received national attention for his performance, leading fans to question why he saw little to no action for the Roadrunners in 2025.
Other Pro Day participants included offensive linemen Cory Godinet, Kamar Missouri and Trevor Timmons; defensive linemen Cam Blaylock and Jon Jones; linebacker Fred Lewis; defensive backs Jermarius Lewis and Tyan Milton; tight end Dan Dishman; long snapper Isaac Hatfeld; and former UTSA quarterbacks Eddie Lee Marburger and Cam Peters. UTSA football will be back in action April 25 for its 2026 Spring Game.
Vann Stuedeman leads revival of long-suffering UTSA softball program
By Brad Millwater Staff Writer
Vann Stuedeman is not accustomed to losing. The Alabama native qualifed for the NCAA Tournament in seven of her eight seasons as the head coach at Mississippi State University, and she served as the pitching coach for six College World Series teams at the University of Alabama. Stuedeman has suffered one losing season in 19 years of coaching in the Southeastern Conference, the nation’s premier collegiate softball league.
Stuedeman arrived at UTSA in 2023 to lead a program that had just set a school record with 41 losses and accrued a dismal 3-20 conference record. Her frst two seasons, and UTSA’s frst two in the American Conference, were not much better, with a two-year conference record of 11-43, but Stuedeman and this year’s Roadrunners are making strides to change their reputation on campus. UTSA swept the University of Tulsa in its frst conference series and followed it up with another sweep against the University of Memphis. Over the frst two weekends of the conference season, the Roadrunners equaled the number of series won in Stuedeman’s frst two years. The frst conference sweep against Tulsa was UTSA’s frst since 2021 as members of Conference USA.
The story this year begins with a true star on the mound: freshman pitcher Arlette Hernandez from Mission, Texas. The new right-hander has been a constant presence for the Roadrunners, starting 17 games and throwing nine complete games, which led the American Conference in both categories. Her 102.2 innings pitched more than doubled the next highest total on the team of 46.2 innings from sophomore pitcher Reagan Stoudt, and she leads the team with an earned run average of 2.86. In all three conference series so far, Hernandez has started Friday and Sunday.
“[Hernandez] is a star. A very wellput-together pitcher,” Stuedeman said after a doubleheader on Feb. 20. “You never can tell if she’s up or down. I’ve
been really impressed with her poise and composure, and her stuff. She’s got great stuff. I don’t think anyone, when she’s out there, doubts her for one minute.”
The Roadrunners have supported their pitching staff with a team batting average of .320 and 274 hits, both conferenceleading totals. Fellow freshman, catcher Brookelynn Meador from Corpus Christi, Texas, is leading UTSA behind home plate and with her bat, posting a team-high .391 average and a 1.067 on-base plus slugging. Junior outfelder Taryn Madlock is not far behind, batting .385 with an OPS of 1.074. The duo’s OPS marks rank 12th and 13th among hitters in the conference.
There is room for improvement on offense, as UTSA’s batters strike out and ground into double plays more than any other team in the conference. The Roadrunners can crush home runs and get on base, but the team lacks plate discipline, ranking just seventh in the conference in walks. The team brings the second-most batters to the plate and records the most hits in the conference but ranks sixth in bringing those baserunners home, indicating a lack of opportunistic hitting.
UTSA also ranks third in the American with 42 felding errors. In comparison, UTSA is tied in the standings with the University of South Florida, which has limited its errors to just 14. Three UTSA infelders rank top eight in the conference in errors. Conference contention and postseason success will rely heavily on the elimination of these pitfalls.
The tide is turning at Roadrunner Field. UTSA was ranked ninth out of 10 teams in the preseason coaches’ poll and sits tied for second place in the American Conference standings at 7-2. Coach Stuedeman has returned a championship attitude to a program searching for its frst winning record in a full campaign since 2015, and its frst conference championship since 2006. The coach who found decades of success in the nation’s powerhouse conference is spearheading the revival of UTSA softball.
Baseball snags series win over Florida Atlantic
UTSA wins opening conference series for fourth-straight year
By Rylan Renteria Sports Editor
UTSA baseball opened up American Conference play with a 2-1 series win against Florida Atlantic University over the weekend at FAU Baseball Stadium.
After struggling defensively and on the mound against the University of Texas at Arlington and Houston Christian University, the Roadrunners (17-7, 2-1 AC) took the series opener with strong infeld play and a clean performance from senior pitcher Christian Okerholm. A late-game mishap prevented UTSA from locking up the series on Saturday, but the Roadrunners took care of business on Sunday, run-ruling the Owls (14-10, 1-2 AC) in their frst rubber match of the season.
“It feels good [to start off conference play with a win],” coach Pat Hallmark said. “Anytime you go on the road, especially a place like FAU, and you win the series, you have to feel good about it.”
Game One
Typical Friday-night starter, junior pitcher Connor Kelley, lost his spot to Okerholm in the series opener. Okerholm delivered three scoreless innings to open up the match before senior pitcher Gunnar Brown checked in for him. Brown and senior stopper Sam Simmons virtually shut down the Florida Atlantic offense, holding them to just one run — the second-lowest total for a UTSA opponent
all year. The Roadrunners’ offense wasn’t at their best on Friday, but they did just enough to pick up a 4-1 win.
Game Two
Junior outfelder Lane Haworth launched a two-run homer in the opening inning of game two, giving UTSA a shortlived lead, as the Owls responded with three runs of their own in the bottom of the inning. A Florida Atlantic throwing
error and a clutch two-RBI double from sophomore utility Jacob Silva helped the Roadrunners notch a sixth-inning fourspot to retake the lead after four scoreless innings. The Owls tied it in the bottom of the sixth, and a passed ball from senior pitcher Mike DeBattista in the eighth allowed Florida Atlantic to score the goahead run, snatch a 7-6 win and force a Sunday rubber match.
Game Three
When the team needed it the most, the UTSA offense came through with arguably its best performance of the season to seal the series win. The entire starting nine recorded at least one hit, highlighted by a perfect 4-4 performance from Silva that included his frst home run with the Roadrunners. Junior pitcher Kendall Dove lasted fve innings before freshman left-handed pitcher Christopher Gutierrez closed out the game with three strikeouts in the fnal two innings. Gutierrez’s 2.0 innings pitched is his longest appearance of the season, and the Roadrunners won 18-8.
UTSA returns home for a rematch with Texas-A&M-Corpus Christi at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Roadrunner Field.
Former UTSA running back Robert Henry Jr. at the annual UTSA Pro Day.
UTSA softball head coach Vann Stuedeman in the Roadrunner Classic.
UTSA head coach Pat Hallmark and sophomore utility Jacob Silva fstbumping.
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Aidan Moreno/The Paisano
Jordan Gibreal/The Paisano
UTSA falls to No. 1 UConn in Round of 64
Roadrunners outmatched by Blue Blood Huskies
By Rylan Renteria Sports Editor
STORRS, Conn. — UTSA women’s basketball suffered a season-ending loss to No. 1 University of Connecticut 90-52 on Saturday at Gampel Pavilion.
The Roadrunners competed well in the opening period, trailing by just 13 at the end of the frst. The top-seeded Huskies pulled away in the ensuing period after registering a combined 56 points in the second and third, compared to the Roadrunners’ 24. UTSA trailed by as much as 47 points early in the fnal period, but chipped away at its defcit with UConn pulling a majority of its top players, including AP All-American guard
Azzi Fudd and forward Sarah Strong. The Roadrunners fnished the game with a 6-0 run before the fnal buzzer rang, signaling an offcial end to a historic postseason run.
“[UConn is] a really good team. I do believe our team understood that,” coach Karen Aston said after the game. “They had the correct mindset and the correct preparation, but we ran into a team that’s really, really good. What they do defensively is not very inviting for our team, and it hasn’t been, to be honest with you, all year long.
“We’ve struggled against pressure at times, even in our league. I think it was a matchup that was probably pretty diffcult for us, but I do want to commend our team for continuing to compete.”
UTSA held up early defensively, trailing
UTSA gains momentum in outdoor season debut
By Marisela Cruz News Editor
SAN ANTONIO — The UTSA Invitational marked the commencement of UTSA Track & Field’s outdoor season, with the two-day event taking place on Friday and Saturday at the Park West Athletics Complex.
The Roadrunners competed against athletes from Texas A&M University, Northwestern Oklahoma State University, the University of the Incarnate Word, Texas A&M University-Kingsville and Texas State University. A total of 58 ‘Runners competed and 20 earned top-10 fnishes, 10 earned top-fve fnishes and three earned frst place fnishes.
Freshman Austin Lyda claimed the Roadrunners’ frst gold medal Friday night in the 5,000-meter dash with a time of 15:32.85. On Saturday, senior Victor Charo placed frst in the men’s 800-meter run with a time of 1:52.95. During the men’s 400-meter dash, sophomore Martin Kouyoumdjian took frst place with a time of 46.66. Kouyoumdjian was recovering from an injury leading up to the event but persevered.
“It had been tough training since I was dealing with an injury, but with the help of the trainers and the trust of my culture, I think I was able to do great,” Kouyoumdjian said.
Setting the tone Friday morning, senior Lauralyn Clifford placed third in the
50th
By Nalani Cox Contributor
women’s hammer throw with a distance of 58.11 meters. She not only made UTSA history with that mark but also topped her own St. Lucia National Record as well.
“Getting this mark of 58.11m was really just showing where I am starting, because I really haven’t thrown collegiately in two years, so this was a big season opener for me,” Clifford exclaimed.
Numerous UTSA athletes competed in various events, including sophomore Edlin Laur who competed in four events and fnished in the top 10 in each. On Friday, Laur placed seventh in the women’s javelin throw with a distance of 39.69 meters. She also placed second in the women’s long jump with a mark of 6.27 meters. Two other Roadrunners also placed in this category. Freshman Brina Likar placed third with a distance of 6.10 meters and sophomore Nyariek Kur placed ffth with a distance of 5.89 meters.
by just two near the midway point of the opening period. Sophomore guard Damara Allen scored the Roadrunners’ frst points of the game off a pull-up jumper. Sophomore forward Mia Hammonds and senior guard Ereauna Hardaway nailed a couple more shots from the feld, as Strong began to fnd her rhythm for the Huskies.
Senior forward Cheyenne Rowe made her way to the cup twice in the second, but the Roadrunners were facing consistent pressure from the Huskies. UConn scored 24 points off of 10 UTSA turnovers.
Huskies forward Blanca Quinonez scored 10 of her 15 total points in the second.
Allen led the team in scoring in the third as the Roadrunners tried catching up to the Huskies, who were paced by Fudd’s seven
points. Hardaway and junior forward Idara Udo combined for 12 points in the fnal quarter as UTSA outscored UConn 22-15 in the fnal quarter.
Allen, Hardaway and Rowe tied for the team lead in points with 11 each. Rowe led in rebounds with eight, while Allen, Hammonds and Udo tied for the lead in rebounds with four. UTSA shot 47% from the feld, 38% from three and committed 27 turnovers in the loss.
The Roadrunners fnish the season as American Conference tournament champions, and will have an NCAA tournament appearance banner to hang when they return to the Convocation Center this fall.
In regards to her performance, Laur was more than satisfed with her placement and is looking forward to the rest of the season.
“I have been waiting a long time for this, and it’s the boost of competing on the home track and being outdoors gave me the ability to jump that far,” Laur emphasized. “I was really happy with the jump I did before because now it is my personal best.”
Saturday did not hinder Laur in her
pursuit of greatness as she tied sophomore Milena Chevallier of Texas A&M for second in the women’s high jump at 1.75 meters. For the women’s 100-meter hurdles event, Laur placed 10th with a time of 14.31.
Junior Nyaluet Diew and graduate student Daisy Monie placed in their two events for UTSA as well, with three fellow Roadrunners placing in the top-10 in their respective categories. Monie placed sixth in the women’s shot put with a distance of 15.09 meters, and sixth in women’s discus throw, obtaining a 48.00 meter distance.
Diew placed ffth in the women’s shot put with a distance of 15.35 meters and placed seventh in the women’s hammer throw, achieving a distance of 48.66 meters.
“I love throwing and shot put. Today, my frst three throws were pretty consistent,” Diew said. “I am not at my peak yet, so I just expect to keep getting better. I am very consistent in practice. That’s what I was working on, consistency.”
UTSA Track & Field will make a short trip on I-35 to compete in the Charles Austin Classic in San Marcos, Texas, on March 27-28.
win marks beginning of new era for Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs secured their 50th win of the season for the frst time since the 2016-17 season on March 16. The game ended in a narrow fnish, with the Spurs defeating the Los Angeles Clippers 119-115. The long-awaited milestone represents the Spurs’ potential to become champions this season.
The stakes were intense for the Spurs v. Clippers game due to longstanding tensions between forward Kawhi Leonard and his former team. Leonard played a crucial role in the Spurs’ 2014 championship run before leaving the team in 2018 over disagreements regarding an injury. The Spurs’ organization believed
Leonard was capable of playing, while Leonard’s medical team said he was not. The break of trust and communication led to public remarks and, eventually, a trade request from Leonard’s team. Since then, Spurs fans have held a warranted grudge against Leonard for his disloyalty to the organization, even booing him in past games against the Clippers. The last time the Spurs reached 50 wins was with Leonard, creating high pressure to prove that this new generation of players could lead them to a new era of success.
When center Victor Wembanyama was asked about reaching the 50-win milestone, he jokingly stated, “It means growth, but it’s still not enough. I want to get at least 60 to balance out my rookie
season.” Wembanyama has remained a strict goal-setter throughout his time with the Spurs and is determined to lead the team to a championship.
The Spurs have spent the past 10 years struggling to compete in the Western Conference. The team reached 22 wins in the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons and were ranked last in the West. San Antonio spent those seasons rebuilding and gaining young, determined players. The 50-win milestone shows the Spurs did everything right in selecting players and making trades.
In the 2025 NBA draft, the Spurs selected guard Dylan Harper, the No. 2 overall pick, and forward Carter Bryant, the No. 14 overall pick. The team also
acquired guard De’Aaron Fox in a threeteam deal. Luke Kornet, who provides a solid backup for Wembanyama, was signed from free agency. The Spurs also underwent the biggest change of all in 2025 by getting a new head coach: Mitch Johnson. Greg Popovich has been beloved by Spurs fans since taking the role of head coach in 1996. He enjoyed sustained success and won the NBA Coach of the Year Award three times during his time in San Antonio. Johnson has large shoes to fll, but he’s quickly winning fans’ respect. The Spurs have built a team of players eager to win who are determined to succeed in the playoffs. The 50-win season is an indicator of a new wave of championships that are soon to come.
UTSA women’s basketball senior guard Ereauna Hardaway in the Roadrunners’ 92-50 loss to the University of Connecticut in the Round of 64 in the 2026 NCAA tournament.
Rylan Renteria/The Paisano
Diego Cisneros/The Paisano
UTSA sophomore Gabe Tubbs in the 400-meter at the UTSA Invitational.