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‘Runners fall to No. 1 Texas

Vol. 73, Issue 5

Est. 1981

September 22 - September 29, 2026

THE PAISANO

Independent Student Newspaper for the University of Texas at San Antonio Community @ThePaisano

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Dean, Faculty forced to sign TEXAS’ anti-DEI mandate Henry Holmes /The Paisano Baushah Adams /The Paisano

By Henry Holmes

Opinion Editor

new mandate from the Texas Education Agency restricts public and private educator preparation programs from discussing unspecified, widely debated topics. Mirroring the state’s previous anti-diversity, equity and inclusion legislation, the mandate additionally prohibits the teaching of race, racism, slavery, sex and gender as they pertain to U.S. history. According to Texas Public Radio’s report, leaders in these preparation programs were required to sign the mandate under the penalty of perjury. Texas has 119 preparation programs, all certified by the TEA across both public and private institutions, including one under UT San Antonio’s College of Education & Human development. To comment on the mandate and Texas education, The Paisano spoke with teacher educators Marissa Munoz and Crystal Kalinec-Craig in UT San Antonio’s education preparation program and senior education major Izabell Zamifirescu. According to Munoz and Kalinec-Craig, the mandate’s effects were immediately noticeable as UT San Antonio instructors were also required to sign it. “Sometimes [instructors] don’t have institutional support because the institution isn’t completely clear about what’s happening,” Munoz said. “So, there’s this overwhelming culture of fear [at UT San Antonio].”

“[The contract] had a very chilling effect on faculty. It’s an ideological compact with the state,” Kalinec-Craig stated. “This [mandate] is asking us to disavow years and years of history. Now, who specifically would get affected would be our social studies and our history folks, because they’re being asked to completely disavow the 1619 project, which is highly sourced, well vetted, an award-winning project.” The 1619 project is a growing series of works by historians, journalists and artists to illuminate the effects of slavery in the U.S. and bring the contributions of Black Americans to light. The culture of fear Munoz identified is especially noticeable to her, as suspected violations of the contract could lead to professional and financial ramifications. “The penalty of perjury is a pretty serious part [of the contract] that isn’t immediately obvious,” she stated. “One of the things that teachers know in the state of Texas is that if you’re brought up on charges, the state will withhold your retirement.” To Kalinec-Craig, this mandate harms how educators can engage with their EPP students. “To suggest that our undergrads and some of our graduates should be kept from learning about the multi-generational effects of slavery is disrespectful to every Black student and their family on campus,” she said. “We know that Black history is American history, and to completely disavow the trauma and the struggles and the civil rights era.”

Kalinec-Craig further suggested that the mandate may have cascading effects on educators and students alike. “We’re expected to prepare teachers. These teachers are going to have that same chilling effect: being worried about talking about incredibly tough topics with their students,” they warned. “It’s going to have a ripple-down effect” Conversely, Zamifirescu believes the mandate’s enforced neutrality may benefit classrooms in higher education. “The mandate, in theory, is great because we’ve seen where teachers push their beliefs all one way or the other on students without meaning to,” Zamifirescu said. “During class time, [lecturers] would take up class time talking about these issues, and that would take away from our education. For Zamifirescu, educators are supposed to remain neutral. “It’s important that as educators that we make sure that we don’t push any of our beliefs on our students, as they’re their own person,” she said. “If a student comes up to you and asks you a question that might be more personal or controversial, you have to think, ‘Am I allowed to speak on this topic or not?’” Munoz had a different interpretation of educator neutrality. “The goal is never that the students believe what I believe. The goal is always [to] get the students to the next step of what their learning journey includes,” Munoz said. “I’ve never ever thought that any of my students would

follow in my exact footstep; that’s not how this goes.” Despite Zamifirescu’s cited benefits, she still worries that increased regulation may continue to harm teacher retention. “We have shortages of teachers, and we’ve had it for years. So I think that [the mandate is] going to add another level of stress to becoming a teacher,” Zamifirescu stated. Kalinec-Craig additionally agreed. “So far, we have seen a slow decrease over the years of our students [enrolling] in teacher education programs,” Kalinec Craig said. “Being a teacher in Texas is much like being a teacher in Florida, where it’s [an] incredibly scary, heavily surveilled space.” For those who disagree with these changes and the mandate, the Kalinec-Craig cited ways educators and students can have their voices heard. “I want our students to be engaged at all levels of civic engagement, and I also am calling on our faculty to speak up more, to be more civically engaged in things that are happening in the legislature,” Kalinec-Craig said. “If we aren’t ready and prepared to defend our future colleagues, then what are we doing? Why are we here?” The TEA accepts written and oral public comments. Oral comments are permitted for up to 30 minutes during committee meetings, although prospective attendees must register ahead of time. For more information, visit tea.texas.gov/.

Alligator Alcatraz company to run ICE detention facility By Miguel Gutierrez Contributor

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has selected GardaWorld Federal Services to operate a new detention center in San Antonio. GardaWorld Federal Services has been linked to Everglades Detention Facility, the Florida detention center dubbed Alligator Alcatraz. In January, ICE acquired the second-largest

Cooper Bryant/The Paisano

warehouse in San Antonio as part of its broader immigration enforcement efforts. The agency issued a $17.3 million contract to GardaWorld Federal Services. Located on 542 S.E. Loop 410, the San Antonio property was not initially designed to hold individuals for extended periods; thus, it will require extensive retrofitting to address emerging issues such as plumbing. It

is expected to hold between 1,000 and 1,500 detainees while they await a decision on their immigration status. GardaWorld was previously assigned to jointly operate Alligator Alcatraz alongside other security companies. The facility was short-lived, as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that it would close effective June 25 — almost a year after it had opened — citing safety concerns related to the Atlantic hurricane season. However, GardaWorld has been accused of mismanagement at the Everglades Detention Facility, with human rights watchdog Amnesty International documenting numerous violations during the security company’s tenure. The organization’s investigation found that the facility lacked appropriate federal oversight, leading to a lack of transparency for families regarding the whereabouts of detainees. Individuals were subjected to harsh punishments, including confinement within “2x2 foot cage-like” structures for extended periods of time and being shackled to restraints on the ground. Access to water was scarce, lights stayed on throughout the entire day and overflowing toilets were a constant.

Additionally, previous and ongoing lawsuits have highlighted GardaWorld’s inconsistent employment record. The company reportedly failed to pay armored truck drivers overtime hours and paid security guards less than minimum wage. Alongside assuming control of the new detention center, GardaWorld has secured an additional contract authorizing it to conduct “armed ground transportation and dispatch services” for ICE in Texas, according to federal records. The contract allows GardaWorld employees to transport suspected undocumented immigrants detained by local law enforcement to ICE facilities throughout Texas. It further designates Bexar County as one of four prioritized counties to receive increased attention, alongside Dallas, Tarrant and Harris. Worth up to $382 million, the contract was issued in response to a noticeable surge in immigrant detentions in recent months. ICE made 41,850 arrests in July 2026, 73% more than July of last year. The East Side detention center is scheduled to open in November 2027.

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NEWS

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College of Sciences investigates substance abuse disorders not previously been exposed to cocaine, but suppressed the development of that preference in rats with prior cocaine exposure. Assistant professor of neuroscience and developmental and regenerative biology Dr. Alexey A. Soshnev stated, “You can think of these 23,000 genes as instructions, and every cell essentially makes sequential choices about which instructions it needs to follow. “Here, we are studying both abundance of gene ‘message’ — a proxy for gene activity — and structure of the gene itself,” Soshnev said. “Astrocytes have traditionally been thought of as ‘support cells’ for neurons,” Wanat stated. “However, a growing body of research highlights that astrocytes are not

By Jaylee Paredes Contributor

Researchers at UT San Antonio are investigating how the brain may naturally suppress drug seeking behavior. This project could potentially create new avenues for research in the neuroscience field. The research project is funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse at the National Institute of Health with a two-year $368,392 grant. UT San Antonio associate professor Matthew Wanat, Ph.D. leads this research. Wanat’s research focuses on drug addiction, learning and memory, neurobiology of motivated behavior and stress. Wanat is mapping out and manipulating molecular programs within these non-neural cells. The team’s main goal is to uncover therapeutic targets capable of combatting addiction to stimulates such as cocaine and opioids like fentanyl. Researchers are shifting their focus to astrocytes, a type of brain cell that usually gets less attention than neurons. Shifting their focus on these cells could provide a new direction for understanding addiction. There have been studies on ventral tegmental area astrocytes — a core midbrain region that supplies dopamine to the rest of the reward circuit — in rats exposed to cocaine, attempting to understand how these brain cells influence drug-related behavior. They found that activating VTA astrocytes tied with the development of cocaine-associated preference in rats that had

necessarily playing second fiddle to neurons but rather are in a partnership with neurons and can directly impact neuronal activity.” This kind of research could give scientists a better understanding on how the brain responds to addiction. While much addiction research has focused on neurons and dopamine, studying from a different angle with astrocytes provides another way to look at drug-related behavior. Although more research is

Baushah Adams /The Paisano

City adopts $4.4 billion FY27 budget, council members split in tense 7-4 vote By Johnpaul Buwule Marketing Manager The San Antonio City Council has

approved a $4.4 billion budget for fiscal year 2027. The adopted budget is set to

subsidize FY27 and FY28, while managing the city’s projected $158 deficit. The adopted budget will officially take effect on Oct. 1.

In recent years, the city has not collected

taxes to its fullest, resulting in depreciated tax revenue. Compounded by rising costs

and populations, in a 7-4 vote, the city council has raised taxes by 3.9% and made

cuts to numerous positions, such as library aides, and nonprofits to manage its more than a $100 million budget deficit.

Over the next two years, the proposal

will cut $90 million in spending and dip

into the $90 million tax capacity, which is

needed, understanding the role of astrocytes could eventually lead scientists to develop new approaches to treating substance use disorders. The project will be eligible to advance into a three-year functional validation phase supported by the NIH, if the two-year exploratory discovery phase successfully identifies high-confidence gene targets altered by both cocaine and fentanyl.

the collection of taxes that went uncollected in previous years. San Antonio’s General Fund will be $1.76 billion, supporting services ranging from the police department to homeless shelters. Residents are expected to pay 35.138 cents per $100 of taxable property value, with an additional 21.250 cents per $100 of taxable value for the debt service rate. These charges would total up to 56.288 cents per $100 of taxable value. As News4SA outlines, a property with the taxable value of $300,000 would cost residents $1,689 annually. While homestead exemptions apply, residents who qualify for property tax exemptions will still expect to see a $35 increase in yearly taxes. The 4-7 split fell alongside district economic lines, with representatives from the northside siding with Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones voting against the budget. Melanie Melchor /The Paisano

D10 Councilman Marc Whyte speaks at a recent Mayoral Town Hall. Whyte was one of the four council members who voted against the FY27 budget.

State of the City: Week of 9/22 By Hazel Barksdale Contributor Not subscribed to local news but still want to stay up-to-date on the happenings around town? Look no further. Highlighting notable stories from external San Antonio news sources, State of the City summarizes the most captivating news headlines of the week. This week’s topics include a lawsuit filed against local data centers and an update in a competitive state house race.

“I just feel that raising taxes without taking steep cuts in our own budget is just a slap in the face to our constituents and taxpayers,” District 9 councilor Misty Spears stated. Additionally, District 10 councilor Marc Whyte questioned the long-term viability of the budget or, more specifically, the tax increase under the FY27 budget. “Five years from now we will still have over a $100 million deficit. Is the plan then again, to raise taxes at that point,” Whyte said. Nonprofit organizations, such as the San Antonio Education Partnership, have had significant portions of their city funding cut as well. The SAEP, a nonprofit organization supporting and financing low-income students’ higher education, had its $2.2 million in scholarship funding eliminated under FY27 budget. This funding cut would mean that for this school year, 3,000 college students, including 900 UT San Antonio students, will not be supported by the organization. However, some organizations secured funding for FY27. The Boys and Girls Club of San Antonio received $350,000, half of its budget for its East Side San Antonio location to continue operation for an additional three months. Residents should expect higher fees, in addition to a raise in property tax. The budget projects that $34.8 million will be generated from new or adjusted fees, with new fees for garbage cart service and environmental fee, 74 cent and 25 cent, respectively. The FY budget is calculated to have $49 million in the General Fund by the end of FY 28, which will spill over into FY29.

Racist remarks spark outrage By Eric Balderas Copyediting Coordinator Bo French, Republican candidate for Texas Railroad Commissioner, sparked outrage on both sides of the political spectrum for comments made towards a group of South Asian students at the Ohio State versus UT Austin football game. In a post on X, French commented on a screenshot from a clip posted on the official Texas Athletics account, which showed a group of predominantly South Asian students celebrating. “Like body-cams exposed criminals, social media is exposing how many Americans have been displaced by foreigners. It’s everywhere and far worse than any of us could imagine,” French said. French doubled down on his position in a response to a comment on his post, stating, “I weep for the families in Texas who can’t get into UT because they prioritize foreigners over Texans.” Bo French has a documented history of bigotry. In October 2025, French posted a picture on X of four Native American women with their middle fingers facing towards Mount Rushmore with the caption, “Since we are going to denaturalize and deport all the third world savages who hate our country, I am calling for adding these third world savages, who we conquered, then bizarrely let have a nation inside our nation, to the list.” Republican senator John Cornyn responded to French’s comments on X, stating that “[Bo French] is the Republican nominee for statewide office. Are other Republican elected officials going to condemn [French’s] intolerance and racism, or look the other way while it becomes normalized.” French’s Democratic opponent in the race for Texas Railroad Commissioner, Jon Rosenthal, supported Cornyn’s response, adding “Thank you, Senator @ JohnCornyn, for having the decency to call out this racist rhetoric. It’s truly unfortunate that so many elected ‘leaders’ will just silently let this pass.”

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Lawsuit filed against West Side data centers

Boys and Girls Club forced to close

State House candidate skips forum

Two Vantage data centers and their power supplier have been named in a federal lawsuit that alleges the companies circumvented regulations, including permits, technology for pollution-control and public comments. The Environmental Integrity Project, Sierra Club and Public Citizen are suing Vantage and VoltaGrid. VoltaGrid manages the gas-powered plants that provide energy for the data centers. Locals complain that the data centers, located near SeaWorld on San Antonio’s West Side, are causing excessive air and noise pollution.

Amid financial difficulties, the Boys and Girls Clubs of San Antonio will permanently close their Rayburn Club on the South Side beginning Sept. 25. The nonprofit organization also announced the Eastside Club would halt services for the rest of the school year. However, the clubhouse could remain open for at least three more months after city leaders approve funding for the organization as part of fiscal year 2027 budget. The Boys and Girls Clubs provide after-school and summer programming as well as mentorship to disadvantaged youth aged six to 18.

A forum scheduled for Sept. 17 between the Democratic and Republican candidates for Texas House District 118 was cancelled when the Republican candidate, Jorge Borrego, failed to appear. Borrego stated that he had an event that was unable to be resolved. Borrego’s opponent, Democrat Kristian Carranza, criticized Borrego and expressed disappointment that voters did not get to hear from him. No other forms are currently scheduled before the Nov. 3 election. District 118 covers suburbs to the east and south of San Antonio. Currently, Republican John Lujan represents the area.

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OPINION

Cancel election day classes Editorial

ne may recall the horror of campus voting during this year’s primary elections. Stretched lines and hourslong wait times defined the March 3 primary on Main Campus. After researching candidates, double-checking voter registration validity and confirming polling hours for the H-E-B Student Union, Roadrunners should not have to plan their entire schedule around casting their ballots. Ahead of the November midterm election, UT San Antonio must cancel classes to permit student civic engagement. Tufts University’s Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement reported that 66% of college students nationwide stated they would likely vote in the November 2026 election. Comparatively, the voter turnout rate amongst college students in the 2024 presidential election was 53%. Giving a day off to students for the sole purpose of voting would nurture this trend and negate student worries of planning voting around lectures. Furthermore, a lack of time is cited as the largest reason why young people ages 18-29 do not vote. In 2024, 28% of people aged 18-29 did not vote because of constrained time. Between classes, commuting, extracurriculars, planning meals, working and many other obligations, it is impossible for some students to take time on a regular Tuesday to vote. By cancelling classes, students would have the chance to have their voices heard, when time would otherwise be a barrier to voting.

Cancelling classes not only alleviates students’ stress related to lectures, but also allows students who rely on part-time work to have the opportunity to vote. The Tufts 2025 Student Financial Wellness Survey found that 54% of college students experience insecurity in one or more basic needs: 35% experienced housing insecurity within 12 months prior to the measurement, and 42% experienced food insecurity within 30 days. Many students need to take on jobs to obtain these necessities, creating another scheduling barrier for students. Cancelling classes for election day is not a new concept for universities. For the 2024 presidential election, over 86 universities cancelled classes ahead of voting. There have also been several attempts by students in the University of Texas System to cancel classes. In 2024, the Daily Texan published a commentary urging UT Austin professors to cancel their classes. At UT Arlington, The Shorthorn published an editorial advocating that UT Arlington not hold classes. Unfortunately, these attempts failed to produce results. UT San Antonio should set an example for the rest of the UT system and cancel classes. Voting is a constitutional right. In 2026, with big races on the ballot, including the Texas Governor and U.S. Senate, young people wasting an opportunity to vote is unacceptable. UT San Antonio can directly influence who does and does not show up to the polls. UT San Antonio should cancel classes on Nov. 3.

Sarah Quintanilla/ The Paisano

Texas’ medical exception would rather patients just die Commentary By Sam Rencher Staff Writer

A near-total abortion ban went into effect in Texas in August 2022. Two years later, in December 2024, Tierra Walker died in her home after her family said she was denied an abortion despite her severe preeclampsia, a potentially fatal pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure and organ damage. Now, her family is suing both the doctors and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, arguing that although the ban technically allowed for abortion in extreme cases, the phrasing is unconstitutionally vague and created an environment where doctors were pressured into denying abortions for their own legal safety. At first glance, it might look like there is no room to sue Paxton. After all, the exception that Walker needed is permitted within the ban, so surely the suit should just target the doctors who failed to properly treat her. The problem, though, is that every single instance of abortion can be subject to legal scrutiny, and said scrutiny could result in the doctors receiving up to life in prison, a $100,000 fine and losing their license. The only exception is a situation wherein the woman has a “lifethreatening physical condition.” The only standard for that exception, though, is if a physician is supposedly “exercising reasonable medical judgement.” Well, “reasonable medical judgement” differs from professional to professional. Two experienced doctors can both make reasonable cases for whether a given person is experiencing enough of a life-threatening condition to permit an

abortion. Worse yet, a judge is not a doctor, and a lawyer is not a doctor. So when any abortion is brought to court, there is not just the medical judgement to consider but also the personal opinion of the judge. In other words, the deciding factor for whether or not a physician is being “medically reasonable” comes down to whether the state or the physician has a more persuasive lawyer — persuasive, of course, being relative to the judge. Sure, the doctors could wait until the woman is so near death that it is impossible to reasonably argue otherwise, but playing with life like that is an easy way to kill someone. Walker died only two days after being

sent home. If she had been told to come back in a week to reevaluate, she would not have made it even halfway. And how about the elephant in the room: it is cruel to tell people that their suffering will probably be worth acting on, but is currently too legally risky to treat. There is a good reason why Roe v. Wade generally held that abortion is between a person and their doctor. Absolutely no justification exists for the government to intrude so deeply into people’s complicated lives and relationships with their health. Any good, sane person should stand behind the Walkers.

Vincent Agquiz/ The Paisano

Hypocritical censorship trips Talarico Manning is no man Commentary By Edmond Cartagena Staff Writer

The Federal Communications Commission is supposedly an independent agency that is meant to regulate what is broadcast on television and heard on the radio across the nation. In a 2019 document from the commission, it is stated that “the FCC is barred by law from trying to prevent the broadcast of any point of view.” This is precisely what happened when Jimmy Kimmel decided to have Senate candidate James Talarico as a guest on his show. The barring of Talarico does not come as a surprise. The 2026 FCC document noted that networks must abide by the equal-time rule, which should offer political candidates airtime to similar audiences. The problem is that Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton — Talarico’s opponent — will not take the opportunity to be on late-night talk shows. Before his interview with Talarico, Kimmel mentioned, “for years, we and every other late night talk show have welcomed numerous candidates, including Donald Trump. The FCC has threatened me or threatened my show, our network, even our local ABC stations, because they want to make our editorial decisions for us, which of course, we cannot accept.” All of this feels reminiscent to the dystopian themes of George Orwell’s “1984” — where “Big Brother” keeps a watchful eye over all. Four of the five commissioners of the FCC are currently Republican, which

may play into the censoring of Talarico’s late-night talk show appearances with both Kimmel and Stephen Colbert. Anna Gomez, the only Democratic commissioner, was the sole advocate against the blatant censoring. She stated, “Jimmy Kimmel’s decision to keep his interview with a Senate candidate off the air shows just how far this Administration’s campaign of censorship and control has gone.” On the other hand, FCC chairman Brendan Carr has accused Talarico of running a “hoax” by starring on Kimmel’s talk show. However, Carr did not say only that the Democratic candidate joined the show with “the purpose of getting clicks and donations.” Paired with his post, he included a childish meme of Talarico and Kimmel crashing a bike. Carr has not been the only one to poke fun at Talarico. Paxton has called the candidate “Talafreako,” a phrase which has since been adopted by President Donald Trump. Trump has also insulted Talarico by making snide comments such as, “He eats meat, and he goes outside and throws up all over the place.” Although these comments were not made through FCC monitored media sources , this type of slander seems far worse than unequal airtime. Somehow through all of these insults and mockeries the majority party hurled, Talarico is the villain. It is concerning that the FCC will allow Trump and Paxton to bully Talarico in the hopes of gaining popularity instead of fighting fair. Regardless of how Talarico is painted, the FCC drama has allowed the politician to gain mass virality, despite the government’s attempts to hide him away from American audiences.

Amie Schneider/ The Paisano

Commentary By Henry Holmes Opinion Editor

Overshadowing the University of Texas at Austin’s stunning victory over former No. 1 Ohio State University is as miraculous of a feat as the game itself — a feat third-year Texas quarterback Arch Manning accomplished with grinning ease. Following the game, with a sparkle in his eye, Manning satirically referenced an artificially generated video of his head coach violently backhanding ESPN reporter Holly Rowe. While he has since apologized, Manning’s comments still perpetuate an unacceptable, normalized misogyny — a misogyny that glorifies violence against women. “I saw an AI video of [head coach Steve Sarkisian’s] interview,” Manning jeered. “That’s a good one — of him slapping Holly Rowe.” Behind the camera, a group of male voices laughed along with him. Neither Manning nor these men created the video and were not reacting to it live but, after having fully processed its content, chose to elevate its hate publicly. Their reactions are especially shocking when considering the magnitude of Rowe’s successful career. Rowe has worked with ESPN for over 30 years as a commentator for a variety of sports. Rowe has amassed eight Sports Emmy nominations, one victory for outstanding personality/reporter and a Mel Greenberg National Media Award, all in a male-dominated profession. She has commentated for ABC Saturday Night Football and several prominent NCAA events, elevating both women’s sports and aspiring female journalists. The video turned a successful Rowe into merely another “annoying woman.” Disregarding Rowe’s Emmy-winning, pioneer and veteranstatus sports journalism career, platforming violence against women is despicable. Rowe remaining physically unharmed is inconsequential; rather, the example Manning and those deplorable male reporters chose to set is paramount. The example is supreme for the little boy lacking a female role model, the lonely young man in his college dorm wondering who to blame for his dissatisfaction and the young woman hoping the world will take her seriously. The video on its own does not roll back feminism, but gradually chips away at gender equity efforts: that little boy may go through life unable to address career women seriously and that little girl may not find the courage to pursue her aspirations. At their worst, patriarchal attitudes like these are consistently linked to domestic and partner violence. The same strain of people that advocate for men to be chivalrous providers also leaping to Manning’s defense is truly astounding. Real men do not revere violence, let alone against a woman flourishing in her career. While Manning admitted he was wrong, he was not man enough to do what was right in the moment. Casual, locker-room misogyny needs to be condemned if boys are ever expected to grow up.

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OPINION

Not so breaking news: Sweeney sets back women Commentary By Regan Williams Managing Editor

The sexualisation of women is nothing new, and in the ongoing fight for gender equality, some women feed into the stereotypes men force upon them — women like Sydney Sweeney. The actress recently appeared in a sports betting commercial for Novig, where she advocated just for sports. Oh, and she is naked. It is almost as if the wardrobe team disappeared during the filming of this commercial and they made a last minute decision to sexualize and objectify women in the whole ad. This ad downplays historical efforts women made to position themselves a s more than just their bodies and feeds into the idea of selling

Catherine Salonga/ The Paisano

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oneself out for the male agenda. Seemingly, this controversy is everything Novig wanted. This campaign is outrageously inappropriate and has been published where even children can see it. This demeaning ad screams that women are simply an object for men, and that their only value is in their sexual appeal. This ad damages the image of women in sports and teaches young children that it is permissible to view women in a perverted, sexual manner. Sweeney does not care about the repercussions, though, as starring in controversial commercials is quickly becoming her chosen brand and cash cow. Her American Eagle commercial has undertones of white supremasist propaganda all over it, and unlike other girls, Sweeney promptly doubled down after hearing all the negativity surrounding the ad. But, she did not quite clear her name of white supremacy allegations. Although women obtaining the right to express themselves is, in itself, feminism, the topic of Sweeney’s commercial fails to emulate a core feminist tenet: freedom of expression. Rather, she gives into money acquired through the male gaze. Women should be able to express themselves, and they should not be sexualized for just existing; however, this commercial portrays a woman who simply feeds into the male agenda. Sweeney continues to trade in herself for the male appeal as she adds pennies to her $50 million net worth. Catering to the male gaze, as 42.1% of men are sports bettors. Being naked on a table with just socks and soccer cleats, only her hair and arms covering her boobs, her backside exposed and talking about what she is doing is a sport. While saying this, she is looking up and shrugging, that is not a woman expressing herself; instead it is one that is selling herself for male popularity, while swiftly becoming Bonnie Blue’s idol. Sweeney is only showcasing her body for views. If the public sees this ad campaign and thinks that Novig wanted anything different from the reactions it is getting, then they would be wrong. All press is good press, even if it is extremely inappropriate and absurd. If it were not for Sweeney’s controversial appearance, not many people would even know what Novig is. Sweeney can add this deplorable ad to the list of things she has done for negative publicity.

We encourage you to communicate with The Paisano through Letters to the Editor. These letters are a way to express your views about The Paisano’s content or UT San Antonio. Names can be withheld upon request.

Masking Netflix’s experiment Commentary By Blue Mize Photo Editor

The infamous Stanford Prison Experiment is every psychology major’s prime example of what not to do when conducting research. The late Philip Zimbardo, Ph.D., director of the study, even warned, “No behavioral research that puts people in that kind of setting can ever be done again in America.” 55 years later, however, Netflix wants to give it another shot, under the guise of reality TV, with The New Stanford Prison Experiment. The show’s producer Jane Lipsitz supposedly understands the ethical and moral complications of the 1971 experiment, but hosting a reality show under this premise is disturbing and contradictory to that understanding. The original experiment consisted of 24 college-aged, male participants: nine prisoners, nine guards and six alternates. Their fates were reduced to a coin flip determining their role in the prison simulation. Participants were arrested at their homes, taken to a police station for headshots, stripped and verbally abused. The treatment worsened over time. Prisoners endured sleep deprivation, taunting from guards and forced to use a plastic bucket as a restroom. Prisoner #8612 suffered from emotional disturbance and was subsequently released early. Zimbardo even decided to conclude prematurely. Netflix’s adaptation of the notorious study is receiving justified criticism, much like the original. The Stanford Prison Experiment was within the bounds of ethical standards in 1971 but has since been challenged by psychologists. Zimbardo encouraged guards to harass the prisoners and make them feel “powerless.” Guard Dave Eshelman even admitted he went into the experiment with the intention to push boundaries and see how much abuse prisoners would take. The show could bring insight and new perspective to prisoner treatment, but will more than likely revive moral dilemmas that ended decades ago. Reality shows should be fun, not strip contestants of their individuality and stick them in solitary confinement when they speak out. It is bizarre that viewers even desire to watch a show such as this, considering the results of the original. At least Zimbardo sought to understand how the environment influences behavior, while Netflix is seeking to put more money in their pocket at real people’s expense. Entertainment does not have to be distasteful, and watching the New Stanford Prison Experiment is as humiliating as a jester performing for a king. Society should not turn a serious topic into the next “Love Island.” It should reflect on the original experiment’s results and educate viewers about people abusing positions of power. It will not be a surprise when the next reality show superstar has a breakdown on live TV, but it will be a shock if it incites change in the prison system. “The New Stanford Prison Experiment” premieres Oct. 21 — because the first time went so well.

Texas manufactures voter fraud bogeyman Commentary By Adrix Tankersly Contributor

This past week, formerly impeached Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced charges against seven immigrants in North Texas, accusing them of illegally voting. The accusations come from a collaboration between the Texas Attorney General’s office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and the Department of Homeland Security. This witch hunt for noncitizen voters is just another scare tactic from the Republican Party to advance voter suppression efforts for the upcoming midterms. Paxton’s office also confirmed that 578 other flagged voters were, in fact, legal citizens. This means that out of Texas’ 18 million registered voters and 117 potential cases of noncitizens voting, federal and state authorities identified a minuscule seven noncitizens who cast ballots in prior elections. Paxton is working overtime to sell the general public on noncitizen election interference. President Donald Trump’s administration is once again claiming that mass voter fraud favors the Democratic Party. The Department of Justice charged five other noncitizens across Pennsylvania, Wisconsin

and New Jersey earlier this month with similar charges. This handful of arrests is still not a catalyst for the continued erosion of voting rights. Fearmongering over voter fraud is Trump’s favorite method of coping with plummeting poll numbers. As the war in Iran keeps the American affordability crisis front and center for the general public, Trump and his Republican cronies’ approval ratings will dwindle. Right now, only 15% of Americans strongly support the president, a second-term low.

Alejandra Garcia/ The Paisano

For years, Trump has tried to limit the voting process in pathetic attempts to hold on to power. Earlier this month, a U.S. district judge blocked a new U.S. Postal Service policy meant to restrict mail-in voting. The policy required states to provide a list of eligible mail-in voters, allowing USPS to reject ballots from anyone not on it. This consolidation is deeply unconstitutional, as Article I, Section 4, Clause 1 of the U.S. Constitution explicitly grants states the authority to administer Congressional elections. Paxton has fought his own war against voters’ rights in the Lone Star State, alongside President Trump. The AG has sought to regulate ID requirements for mail-in ballots and voter assistance at the polls, prohibiting Texans from exercising their democratic freedoms. Texans deserve an AG who upholds the Constitution and voters’ rights. A war is occurring on multiple fronts of the electoral process. Mass investigations and restrictions are eroding the freedoms guaranteed to all Americans. The president and his goons are terrified of the impending outcome of the upcoming midterms. Their fear runs so deep that they are willing to violate the Constitution, all in vain attempts to circumvent democracy.

THE PAISANO Editorial Board

Audrey Villar | Editor-in-Chief Editor@paisano-online.com

Regan Williams | Managing Editor Manager@paisano-online.com Hallie Lott | News Editor News@paisano-online.com Henry Holmes | Opinion Editor Opinion@paisano-online.com Amanda Fuentes | Arts & Life Editor Arts@paisano-online.com Brad Millwater | Sports Editor Sports@paisano-online.com Cameron Carter | Web Editor Web@paisano-online.com Blue Mize | Photo Editor Photo@paisano-online.com Sarah Quintanilla | Graphic Editor Graphic@paisano-online.com Noor-E-Saher Ahmed | Multimedia Editor Multimedia@paisano-online.com Valentina Quintanilla | Magazine Editor Magazine@paisano-online.com Karis Vickers | Social Media Editor Socialmedia@paisano-online.com Jaclyn Banda | Business Manager Business@paisano-online.com Jennifer Rochester | Distribution Manager Distribution@paisano-online.com Emma Cavanaugh | Ads Manager Ads@paisano-online.com Johnpaul Buwule | Marketing Manager Marketing@paisano-online.com Eric Balderas | Copyediting Coordinator Copyediting@paisano-online.com

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Instagram: paisanomedia Sports Instagram: Paisanosports X: Paisanosports TikTok: thepaisanoUTSA Youtube: ThePaisano The Editorial is the official opinion of The Paisano editorial board. Commentaries are the opinion of the individual writer. The Paisano is published by the Paisano Educational Trust, a non-profit, tax exempt, educational organization. The Paisano is operated by members of the Student Newspaper Association, a registered student organization. The Paisano is NOT sponsored, financed or endorsed by UT San Antonio. New issues are published every Tuesday during the fall and spring semesters, excluding holidays and exam periods. The Paisano is distributed on the UT San Antonio Main Campus. Additionally, The Paisano publications are distributed at the UT San Antonio Downtown Campus. All revenues are generated through advertising and donations. Advertising inquiries and donations should be directed to: 14526 Roadrunner Way Suite 101 San Antonio, TX 78249 Phone: (210) 690-9301 © 2026 The Paisano The University of Texas at San Antonio’s Handbook of Operating Procedures states in 5.03 that: The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) will not exercise control over the format or content of Student Publications, but will regulate distribution on campus. Student Publications will be free of censorship and advance approval of copy, and their editors and managers are solely responsible for editorial and content policies and decisions.Editors and managers of Student Publications will not be subject to arbitrary suspension/ expulsion or removal from their positions within a Registered or Sponsored Student Organization (Student Organization) by the University because of student, faculty, administrative, or public disapproval of editorial policy or content. Student Organizations that distribute Student Publications are afforded the same rights and privileges as Student Organizations that do not distribute Student Publications.

The University of Texas at San Antonio assumes no responsibility for the contents of this publication. The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of The University of Texas System, UT San Antonio, or of UT San Antonio’s faculty, staff or students.

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ARTS & LIFE

Dancers Flaunt Hispanic culture

By Amanda Fuentes

Arts & Life Editor he Tobin Performing Arts Center’s elegant red curtain pulled back to reveal an extravagant plethora of performers, including dancers, singers and instrumentalists. On Thursday and Friday night, The Guadalupe Dance Company performed “Celebrando Tradiciones: Corazón y Raíz,” kicking off Hispanic Heritage month in cultural dresses, suits, crowns and hats. Flowers dressed the front of the stage as the show began with an omniscient voice flowing from the overhead speakers. The faceless speaker narrated the beginning of a story of life, which was soon overtaken by miming, dancing, instrumental solos and intricate footwork. The dancers performed folklorico choreography in perfect synchronization and displayed what can only be described as insane footwork, tapping their feet in a precise manner, unphased by gravity or friction. The sound of their crashing heels complemented the backing instrumentals. The music paused in one of the final numbers, and, as dancers performed one-by-one on a wooden platform, the room filled with crashing beats and cheers from both on and off stage. The show marked the 35th anniversary of the dance company, which is a part of the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center.

Director of The Guadalupe Dance Company Jeannette Chavez shared insight on the mechanics of the company and how its shows are produced. “We work kind of like a collective. So the dance company members are all responsible for different parts of the production, and that includes the choreography, so my role is multi-layered. I’m directing the entire thing for aesthetics and timing and all the other production-wide things. I’m also one of the choreographers,” Chavez clarified. Throughout the show, there was a

recurring scene of a woman and man planting seeds and tending to the sprouts. Chavez explained that this scene represented the roots that families leave for future generations, tying in the production’s cycle of life theme. “We have a lot of productions where we do just straight-up folklorico, but we really wanted to have some kind of theme that tied everything together. And so for us, it was the cycle of life and planting seeds, which is referencing our cultural

Lou Huh/The Paisano

Cooking up community in Guadalupe Hall kitchen they come down or come up, depending where they are, and they just have a feast.” Udom recalled one night when students On a typical evening, the Guadalupe Hall kitchen is just another shared space. But for from the third and fourth floors gathered for the past three weeks, the aroma of homemade pasta. Plates were passed around as Herd food has been drawing students in from served the meal, turning an ordinary night in across the residence hall into the kitchen. the residence hall into something resembling Guadalupe Hall exclusively houses Honors a family dinner. College students, creating a residential “We formed a line, and Braden served up community of scholars who share a similar everyone. [The moment] was a fun time,” academic experience. Within that community, Udom said. “It was a very communal event, Braden Herd and Angel Mejia found a way to and I feel like that embodies the spirit of the bring their fellow residents together through something far more personal than academics: hall.” For Mejia, that sense of community is at cooking. For freshman mechanical engineering the heart of cooking. major Herd and freshman business major “To me, cooking is something special Mejia, cooking began as a shared hobby. because no matter your race, ethnicity The meals they crafted together later became [or] beliefs, it brings everybody together,” a way to share their interest with other Mejia remarked. “I feel like it’s something residents. everybody could enjoy.” Mejia was already a resident chef in the The work is divided between the two. hall when Herd decided to help him. Mejia often handles meats and sauces, while “He actually was cooking up here for everyone,” Herd explained. “Then we went Herd tackles preparation and secondary to H-E-B, all of us, and I brought up the idea aspects of the meal. Occasionally, other of cooking with him. And then we just started students help with preparation and cleanup. cooking for everyone.” The pair typically cook on Tuesdays, Since then, the pair transformed the shared beginning around 5 p.m. They decide what to kitchen to a space that has brought the hall make based on their own ideas and requests together. Their meals range from chicken and from residents. After students were less than dumpling soup to scratch pasta. enthusiastic about chicken and dumpling For Herd, pasta making was one of the soup, the pair began asking residents what highlights of cooking in the dorm kitchen. He made the noodles himself, drawing from his they wanted. For their most recent meal, students requested street tacos with beef, Italian background. “I brought up pasta to Angel, and I told chicken and shrimp, complemented by tres him that I can make it from scratch, and he leches for dessert. liked the idea,” Herd recalled. Cooking for a large quantity of people can The meals have been a unifying force be challenging, especially when it comes throughout the hall.. Brian Udom, a freshman to funding ingredients. The first two meals neuroscience major and Guadalupe Hall were funded by Herd and Mejia, but as resident, said the meals have become less costs increased, they began asking residents about simply eating and more about the sense to contribute to the cost by selling the final of community. product. “I feel like when people In spite of the work, Mejia said react to Brayden and the most rewarding part is seeing Angel’s cooking, students enjoy the food. it’s really positive,” Udom “Just getting positive shared. “It’s a feedback,” Mejia expressed. communal event, “That’s all I’m really going so no matter which for.” floor people What began are on, with two students cooking together has evolved into a w e e k l y gathering in Guadalupe Hall, Melanie Melchor/ giving students The Paisano a chance to share a cooked meal that fosters community.

Rascal gets back at evil scooter

seeds and planting our cultural roots and harvesting that for future generations. So we were thinking, ‘How do we tie that into our folklorico work?’ So that was a little bit challenging for us, but we decided to go with milestones in a person’s life.” Chavez elaborated that the theme was personal to the cast. “We always try to do something that we feel, [something] that’s familiar to us, but also [something] that touches on what’s going on in the world around us and what we want to share with our community. We’re all about education and educating our community on our cultural heritage and roots and sharing that with them through dance and music. “We are also thinking about the legacy of the dance company and that in turn highlights what we think is important and empowering our community and feeling pride in our culture” Chavez also explained that the performing musicians are part of the Guadalupe family and are comprised of instructors for the Guadalupe Cultural Arts academy and the center’s resident mariachi group. A stand-out performance was delivered by the quick-fingered harpist, Thomas Hernandez, who zipped through notes precisely and created an alluring sound. Along with putting on various shows throughout the year, The Guadalupe Cultural Arts center offers dance and music classes for children and adults — all skill levels and ages are welcome. More information on performances and classes can be found on their website, guadalupeculturalarts.org. By Catherine Schmidt/The Paisano

By Melanie Melchor Staff Photographer

Avoid food insecurity, utilize campus resources By Edmond Cartagena Staff Writer Main Campus at UT San Antonio is home to many free grocery opportunities, providing students access to meals, school supplies and toiletries. Whether students are on a budget or in a rush, these valuable resources ensure Roadrunners do not go without necessities.

Whataburger Resource Room

Antonio. The next event is on Sept. 25 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. outside of Guadalupe Hall. Students who wish to utilize these resources can attend, while others can sign up to volunteer.

Meal Share Program

The meal share program allows students access to meal allotment in times of need. This program enables students to apply for 15 free meals from the Roadrunner Café by completing a simple application, which can be accessed on the services web page on the UT San Antonio Student Advocacy site. This program is meant to be an emergency resource; which is implied by the questions on the application. Simply click the button that says “request meals” to begin the process.

Students at UT San Antonio can visit the Whataburger Resource Room once per operating day to stock up on free essentials. Although there is a limit to how much students can get each day, there is quite a selection to choose from. As listed on the @roadrunnerpantry Instagram account, Demo Kitchen students can pick up The Demo Kitchen to four dried goods, at UT San Antonio hosts three produce items, three events throughout each cold items, three non-food semester which helps items and one drink. This Tre Torres/The Paisano students learn how to facility, located in the cook nutritious meals on Student Union, operates a budget. These events 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday are held monthly from 6 to 7 through Thursday and on Saturday. All p.m. Cooking instructors provide meal cost students need to access this resource is their sheets and nutritional information sheets student ID card – no appointments or sign-up to participants. Attending a demo kitchen is necessary. To order groceries ahead, RSVP session can help students curate meals that on Rowdylink. are affordable and healthy throughout the Mobile Distribution by the semester. The next one is on October 28, where instructors will teach members how to San Antonio Food Bank The San Antonio Food Bank is hosting make southwest black bean burgers. To discover other food resources on a series of events to provide students with nonperishables, produce and other essentials campus, visit the UTSA Dining website to see for free. By taking advantage of this, students options offered. Regardless of if students are can get up to 100 pounds of groceries provided on a budget or in need of further help, campus by the food bank’s partnership with UT San resources should be taken advantage of.

Aquarium Animal Crossing Tour is no five-star island By Sophia Cyamara Aguirre Contributor

read online at paisano-online.com

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ARTS & LIFE

Adrienne Morrow’s self-expression takes center stage By Audrey Villar Editor-in-Chief

Raw, unabashed explorations of the self, womanhood and the meaning of vulnerability are bared to viewers in a certain master’s student’s composite works. Adrienne Morrow, a postgraduate UT San Antonio student pursuing her MFA in studio art, contests modern standards of beauty and the perception of her own figure as she continues to create the collection of works defining her post-grad career. The Paisano spoke with Morrow about the development of her work as she gained comfortability in self-exploration and specificity in a personal evolution. As an undergraduate, Morrow felt uncomfortable making herself the subject of her work, instead theming her pieces on general issues surrounding women. “I thought when [using myself as a subject], if it became, ‘Here’s about me and my story,’ then it’s become too overshared, or it’s become distracting, or it ruins the work. Now it’s the ‘About me’ show, and it’s not really about the work in itself,” Morrow explained. She illustrated how entering her post-grad unveiled the mechanism that she had been

using to hide in her comfort zone. relationship with her “Earlier this year, at least, [I tried] to mother and her grow some confidence. Or rather, break out own personal of some vulnerabilities, or just kind of show experiences. She myself more,” Morrow recalled. “It’s been an is able to convey interesting jump between generalizing forms these messages to, ‘Oh, I really do need to show myself more through a wide in the work,’ as it becomes more honest to me variety of mediums kept and more raw. in her artistic arsenal, which she “Now that the gates are open, it’s kind of like cycles through. a huge floodgate of different ideas or different “I like to expand my forms I can react to.” palette,” Morrow shared. Shifting the focus of her work to herself led Morrow delved into Morrow to ponder angles she had not yet this curiosity in a considered, gain confidence in her work performance piece where she allowed and consider where her work may take her classmates free reign to use a her decades from now. variety of beauty products on her. “It’s all really new to me; it’s all They could touch, pluck, draw or very raw, it’s very honest, it’s very spray in whatever way they wanted. vulnerable, it’s very new, it’s very Some of her artwork utilizes more challenging [in a way] that I have traditional mediums, such as 3D yet to see,” Morrow admitted. printing or video. When questioned about the Morrow’s most recent motifs in her body of work, works utilize data-bending Morrow delved into some and collage, as seen in her major themes that drive her MFA Portfolio. “Parsed Adrienne Morrow/Courtesy creations: various forms Memories” shows the of the body, methods of face of a mannequinsubversion, a turbulent esque woman layered

u n d e r handprints, l u x u r y logos and g r a i n y textures. Similarly, “Staged Affections” layers text and texture over the arms of a girl — the writing asking heart-wrenching questions that urge the girl to silence her feelings and remain complicit. Much of Morrow’s portfolio work is digital collage, but she expressed a desire to explore video this semester in a constant venture to explore other mediums. While Morrow finds her work to be therapeutic and hopes that viewers feel the same, she ultimately does not know how consumers of her art will react to it. “I’m hoping that people could maybe get [some] healing [from my artwork] somehow,” she expressed. “But we’ll have to see.” Interested audiences can view Morrow’s work in her digital portfolio, adriennemorrowsportfolio.com, or her Instagram, @m.21s_archive.

Born Without Bones frontman reminisces on hit ‘Baby’ By Melanie Melchor Staff Photographer

With loud guitars and a blend of pop-punk and alternative-rock, Born Without Bones brings an old school rock and roll sound combined with a modern emo edge to the Paper Tiger. Their live shows are straightforward and reminiscent of a ‘90’s garage band. The Paisano spoke with the band’s frontman and guitarist Scott Ayotte, who highlighted their laid-back style. “We roll up to a show with amps and plug in and play,” Scott Ayotte described. “We’re

still on wedges. We don’t use any monitors. We don’t use tracks.” Established in 2010 in Milford, Massachusetts, Born Without Bones started off as Ayotte’s solo project. Before it developed into a full band, Ayotte wrote and recorded their debut album “Say Hello,” which created the foundation for what would eventually become a full band. It was not until “Baby,” their 2013 sophomore album, that the band started to feel official. “We weren’t playing songs that we had arranged together,” Ayotte explained. “When

HSA honors independence By Venus Cardenas Contributor

Red, green and white filled the space as students gathered to celebrate more than a date on the calendar. On Sept. 16, Mexico celebrates the day that marked the beginning of their independence from Spain. At UT San Antonio, the Hispanic Student Association brought the celebration to campus with an event focused on culture, community and connection. Students gathered on campus for watermelon, pineapple, cucumber and lime aguas frescas and fresh fruit cups while wearing Mexico soccer jerseys, traditional Mexican embroidered dresses and blouses. Music by Mexican artists played in the background as students mingled with each other. The event gave HSA members an opportunity to introduce themselves, make connections and become more familiar with the organization. For students attending an HSA event for the first time, the informal setting offered a way to meet others without the pressure of a formal introduction. Senior digital communications major and vice president of HSA, Brenda Garcia, explained that the event was about more than just celebrating Mexico’s independence. “HSA highlights the key date of Hispanic culture, their independence — a day of freedom, a day of celebration,” Garcia said. Although HSA primarily represents students with Hispanic backgrounds, Garcia said the organization wanted the event to create a place where everyone could celebrate together, regardless of their heritage. “It just allows everybody to come together,” Garcia

Cooper Bryant/The Paisano

conveyed. “This is just a moment, a day of unity for everybody, regardless of what their background is.” They also brought a volleyball and soccer ball to play next to where they were established. The atmosphere was filled with laughter and joy. Students were enjoying themselves and made it contagious all over the event. “We’re all from all sorts of different backgrounds, but we’re all here to celebrate one thing,” Garcia expressed. A d d i t i o n a l l y, the event reflected the diversity of the UT San Antonio community. Garcia said bringing the celebration to campus was important because of the university’s majority Hispanic population and the variety of cultures represented among its students. “Coming from a campus that is so Hispanic, we knew this would be a very good event,” Garcia said. Additionally, Garcia claimed HSA events can help students connect with their culture through familiar symbols and traditions. Mexican flags; red, green and white decorations; balloon art and soccer jerseys helped create an environment where students could recognize aspects of their culture while spending time with friends. For first year students, this cultural familiarity can make joining a new community less intimidating. “Especially for freshmen, first year, first everything, [they might] be a little nervous to step out,” Garcia empathized. “But just seeing something familiar to start off with gives a bit of comfort.” Through events like the Independence Day celebration, HSA hopes to give students a place to socialize, meet people from different backgrounds and celebrate Hispanic culture together. This week they have a line up of events where students can go pop in. From a picnic social on Wednesday at 12pm to 2pm to a blind dating show on friday at 7pm. If anyone is interested in joining HSA, they should follow them on their Instagram, @hsaatutsa and check out their rowdy-link as well.

we went to record our second record, we had practiced those songs on the ground.” After a decade, the project developed into a full band with Jonathan Brucato on guitar, Ryan McKenna on bass and Sam Checkoway on drums. Constant evolution has become part of the band’s identity and creative process, shown through each diverse album they release. “There is no template that we’re necessarily going to follow to make new music,” Ayotte clarified. “We never know what kind of music we’re going to make next.” That constant blending and shifting of genres

can be heard across the band’s discography.

After

releasing

“Baby,” the group released “Young At The Bend” in 2017. The album focuses on intimate story and

telling

shifts

from melodic

tracks to high

vigorous moments. Continue reading at paisano-online.com

Melanie Melchor/ The Paisano

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SPORTS

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Max Molitor/The Paisano

Ball Knowledge

UTSA vs. Texas: Fans’ dream is coach’s nightmare By Brad Millwater Sports Editor Sophomore forward Brooklyn Bailey takes the field at Park West Athletics Complex before a game against Santa Clara University on Thursday.

Sophomore Bailey leads ‘Runners’ offense By Marisela Cruz Staff Writer Present, supportive and consistent are some terms that best describe sophomore forward Brooklyn Bailey, one of UTSA soccer’s team captains this season. Bailey is a striker who holds herself to high standards and intends to meet them. Selected to the American Conference preseason watch list, Bailey ranks 43rd in the NCAA with 29 total shots so far this season. “I think it’s a great amount of shots for me. I definitely think that I can have a better conversion rate,” Bailey assured. “Continuing to take shots and having my teammates put me in the right places for opportunities, to continue to get those shots on goal has been great, and they’re going to continue to come.” Aside from her soccer career, Bailey also ran track and played basketball at Klein Collins High School in Spring, Texas, and was recognized on a district level numerous times. Now at UTSA, Bailey continues to achieve a high caliber of athleticism. Her agile footwork, team-orientated nature and precise,

on-target strikes astonish crowds at the Park West Athletics Complex. So far, Bailey leads her team with 10 shots on goal this season and aims to achieve 30 goals by the end of the season. Being a team leader is not a position Bailey holds in vain. Assuring her fellow teammates of their capabilities is a practice Bailey emphasizes. “I would say even though I’m a leader, it’s more of a servant leadership,” Bailey said. “Being there for other people and continuing to support them and just helping them know that and telling them what they’re capable of and just giving them confidence in what they can do.” Bailey is 19 years old but she knows she can still still be a role model for her team. “Being a team captain, it shows that it doesn’t matter how old you are,” Bailey explained. “Just put your best foot forward and just continue to be who you are. It just depends on how much work you put in and how you’re there for each teammate and how they can encourage growth in themselves. It’s less about how old you are or what stats you

have. It’s more who you are and what you can contribute.” Graduate defender Kameron Kloza and senior midfielder Zoë May were role models that supported Bailey during her freshman season. Bailey credits their encouragement as part of the reason why she found her confidence. As for the future, it is apparent that Bailey is determined to remain a fearless striker and compassionate leader. This season, she is eager to compete again amongst her teammates for the American Conference title. “I’m excited to start the conference [schedule] and see where we go and see how we are. I think that we have the same ability to go out there and win it again,” Bailey stated. “I want to continue to make this a program that people want to come to, and make it a program that’s known all over the world, not just in San Antonio.” Bailey and the Roadrunners begin the American Conference schedule against East Carolina University on Sept. 24 at 6 p.m. at Johnson Stadium in Greenville, North Carolina.

Claunch must earn back support in 2026-27 By Walid Iqbal Contributor Head coach Austin Claunch enters his third year with the program, a tenure so far marked with poor performance and near constant offcourt struggles. Last year, the UTSA men’s basketball team finished with an abysmal 5-25 record, and a 1-17 record in the American Conference. 2025-26 was better in comparison, but still poor with a 12-19 record overall and a 6-12 conference record to take 11th place. The year ahead of UTSA does not seem too bright as they try to fight for a spot in the American Conference tournament. After finishing 11th out of 13 places in the Rylan Renteria/ The Paisano

Claunch speaking to the media in 2025.

American at the end of the 2024-25 season, UTSA was picked in the coaches’ poll to remain at that level; but they could not even clear that low bar. Many players faced injuries last year, such as junior point guard Vasean Allette and junior forward Macaleab Rich, who were both unable to play for the rest of the season. Freshman guard Dorian Hayes, junior guard Austin Nunez, graduate guard Pierce Spencer and graduate center Stanley Borden were all ruled out for significant time last season. Graduate guard Jamir Simpson averaged 16.2 points with 26 double-figure games. Freshman forward Baboucarr Njie averaged 1.7 blocks per game. Hayes averaged 18.5 points in the final two games after his return from injury. Despite the solid individual numbers, UTSA’s overall offense was the worst in the American, averaging 69.1 points as a team and shooting under 40% from the field. UTSA’s opponents averaged over 80 points per game and the ‘Runners were out-rebounded by nearly five boards per game. While the administration wants to stay patient with coach Claunch, it may not last long. The only conference game UTSA won all season last year was a 88-79 comeback against the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, a team that ultimately tied for fifth place in the American. UTSA was officially knocked out of conference contention on Feb. 18 when the ‘Runners lost to Florida Atlantic University 60-52. In spring 2025, graduate guard Damari

Monsanto and senior hybrid forward-guard Raekwon Horton publicly accused Claunch and his staff of reneging on NIL payments. Monsanto went as far as to say that Claunch had blocked his number. While head coach Claunch and general manager Joey Brooks denied the accusations, it certainly explains why the roster keeps resetting every year instead of building on established players. The new roster for this upcoming season includes nine Division I transfers, one junior college transfer, two high school recruits, two walk-ons and just one returning player, Hayes. Senior guard Isaiah Coleman arrives at UTSA from Oklahoma State University and may be the star signing that the ‘Runners need to get themselves out of this 15-year-long streak of missing the NCAA tournament. Coleman averaged 15.6 ppg at Seton Hall in the 2024-25 season, but was only able to play off the bench at Oklahoma State to achieve 6.4 ppg. Claunch is clearly betting that Coleman can return to a high scoring form if he plays often. However, this season is looking to be just another horrid sequel for coach Claunch. Just one player is returning from last season to find a locker room with 14 new faces looking to achieve the first winning season for the team since 2021. UTSA men’s basketball will start their season on Nov. 2 against San Jose State University at the Provident Credit Union Event Center in San Jose, California.

Around the world: Australia, England, Mexico By Victor Romero Contributor

NBL tip-off with NBA talent

This Saturday marked the beginning of “Opening Week” festivities for the National Basketball League in Australia. Tip-off for the NBL featured a rockfight between Melbourne United and the Adelaide 36ers. From the starting minutes, the 36ers made their intentions to play spoiler in the debut of Melbourne’s newest offseason additions: former NBA players guard Cole Anthony and forward Joe Ingles. Eager to prove himself to NBA’s eyes, Anthony finished an impressive first outing with 30 points off the bench, slicing through defenders and playing out of his mind in the fourth quarter, nearly willing Melbourne United to its first win of the season. Ingles had a strong showing as well, with 13 points and seven assists off the bench, expertly directing the Melbourne offense. The 36ers won in heart attack fashion, 95-97. Tre Torres/The Paisano

Football goes American in London

On Saturday, the Arizona State University Sun Devils met with the University of Kansas Jayhawks in London, England, for the inaugural Union Jack Classic. In this newest edition of the NCAA’s attempt at garnering global appeal, both Arizona State and Kansas trotted out to little fanfare. Despite the game featuring two punt returns for touchdowns, the stadium did not truly come to life until the fourth quarter, when Kansas suddenly remembered that they were playing a football game. For a majority of the game, ASU held firm control of the lead over the mistake-ridden Kansas, but in the fourth quarter Kansas scored their first touchdown on offense, cutting the deficit to seven. Arizona State would continue to hold strong and stave off Kansas to go 1-0 in Big 12 conference play. After the match, the NCAA’s push for a global audience continues to draw criticism from fans across college football.

América down, but not out in Mexican classic

The newest edition of the historic Mexican soccer rivalry between Club América and Chivas de Guadalajara kicked off on Saturday night. Chivas dominated América in the first half, holding América to just three shots as opposed to Chivas’ eight. Chivas defender Bryan Gonzalez torpedoed his team into the lead after a cross from midfielder Omar Govea. Chivas continued their full-on assault on the América goal with four more shots on goal before América defender Miguel Vasquez brilliantly scored an own goal, putting Chivas up 2-0. In the second half, América flipped the script, shutting down the Chivas offense and sparking their own assault with 14 shot attempts. América forward Miguel Borja erased the deficit late in the match with an impressive bicycle kick goal and a chip-in assisted by forwards Brian Rodríguez and Henry Martín, respectively.

When discussing UTSA’s football matchup against No. 1 University of Texas at Austin the week before Saturday’s game, Jeff Traylor displayed more of the honesty that fans have come to expect from the Roadrunners head coach. “We’ve got to get out of the business of playing [Louisiana State University], [Texas A&M University] and Texas,” Traylor emphasized. “You just pray you come home Saturday healthy. They’re just so much bigger and so much more powerful than us.” While Traylor’s fears for the safety of his players are understandable and admirable, his comments provoke a line of questioning that he is better off avoiding. Everyone wants to be the bully, and no one wants to get bullied. UTSA football is happy to play on the fortunate side of the coin. Two weekends ago, UTSA kicked off its season against the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, and enjoyed a 30-point betting spread over the lower-level Vaqueros. Conversely, the Roadrunners were expected to lose by 30 points to the Longhorns in Austin. While UTSA gladly takes the benefits of an almost guaranteed win over UTRGV, the head coach rejects the obligation of being the little guy. UTSA football should not set its sights on defeating Texas as a realistic goal, but simply stepping on the field with them proves legitimacy for a relatively new football program. Texas is a tried-and-true blue blood of college football. A week before the Longhorns faced the Roadrunners, a television audience of 14 million people watched Texas storm back from 20 points down to defeat fellow titans Ohio State University. Sports is a business, and all press is good press. While pitted against Texas in the role of a punching bag, the Roadrunners still enjoyed the spotlight in a massive media market at a time when all eyes were on Texas. Traylor and UTSA must continue to search for games against Texas and the top dogs. While it would be foolish to insist the Roadrunners belong in the elite Southeastern Conference with Texas and Texas A&M, one game per season against a regional powerhouse serves as a remarkable test for UTSA. Recruits are increasingly motivated to come to UTSA if it means they get a chance to suit up in front of 100,000 fans and knock the helmet off a Heisman Trophy candidate, as senior linebacker Darion White did on Saturday. That clip will fuel UTSA marketing videos for years to come. But, if it were up to Traylor, the highlight would never exist. The Longhorns paid UTSA handsomely to drive an hour and a half up I-35, and Traylor can cash a $1.7 million check for his football program after Saturday’s game. If major media attention and a massive payday are not enough to motivate Traylor to continue playing games like Saturday’s, he should think about the fans. Followers anticipate marquee games far more than bully sessions, like the opener against UTRGV. Every game against a juggernaut provides a breeding ground for intense hope, the force that powers sports fans to renew their support season after season. Saturday’s game went as expected, and the ‘Runners came home with their first loss of the season. But in 2027, UTSA visits the mighty LSU Tigers, and might just take the college football world by storm with a victory. What produces nightmares for Traylor and the coaching staff ignites inspiration for the fans and students of UTSA.

By Daniel Luna Contributor

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‘Runners get hooked

UTSA’s offensive line fails to protect senior quarterback Owen McCown from the Texas rush attack (top left); senior linebacker Darion White takes down a Longhorns receiver (bottom).

Defense shines, as offense fails to score touchdown, commits penalties in loss to No. 1 Texas By Brad Millwater

Sports Editor USTIN, Texas — UTSA football played the No. 1 team in the country on Saturday, and only one side of the ball showed up. The defense kept the nation-leading University of Texas at Austin in check, while the offense repeatedly shot themselves in the foot with costly penalties and a lack of rhythm. The Roadrunners limped to a final score of 30-6 at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. The Roadrunners’ (2-1) defense prevented breakaway scores and stopped the Longhorns (3-0) on numerous opportunities, but UTSA’s offense failed to score a touchdown in Saturday’s game. Senior quarterback Owen McCown and the offense succeeded on just one out of 11 third downs, and holding penalties constantly pushed the ‘Runners back and negated progress. Still, UTSA maintained competitiveness against a team many expected to run away with the victory in the first half.

“I’m really proud of our defense,” McCown stated. “Going against the No. 1 team in the country, I really feel like they gave it their all and played their hearts out. Offensively, I think we just hurt ourselves. The second we got going, [there were] penalties.” The Roadrunners received the ball first, but senior wide receiver DJ Allen Jr. bobbled a pass that the Longhorns’ snagged for an interception on the first play of the game. After Texas easily converted the giveaway into seven points, UTSA pieced together their best drive of the night. McCown and sophomore running back Will Henderson III paced a high-tempo 13-play stand that resulted in a field goal. Although Texas established its own 13-play drive on the next possession, senior linebacker Brandon Tucker Jr. sacked Texas quarterback Arch Manning on third down to halt the No. 1 team in the country. Texas settled for a 52-yard field goal to make it a 10-3 ballgame at the end of the first quarter. The Roadrunners failed to convert another first down until the third quarter, as the

Longhorns vaunted defense pressured the pocket repeatedly against UTSA’s struggling offensive line. Manning passed for his second touchdown of the game in the second quarter, finding wide receiver Cam Coleman with a fade pass into the corner of the end zone. While Texas consistently led by a two-score gap, the Roadrunners’ defense prevented big gains and forced a turnover on downs and a punt on Texas’ next two drives. The offense failed to find any rhythm, and Texas kicked a 34-yard field goal to end the first half with a 20-3 lead. “I would like to see what would have happened if we could have scored one touchdown,” coach Jeff Traylor opined. “Defense played way above their heads. Offense couldn’t get out of our own way.” UTSA’s defense capitalized on a botched snap by the Longhorns on the first play of the second half, and the offense started the first possession of the second half inside Texas territory. The ‘Runners gained 10 yards to creep inside field goal range, and junior kicker Michael Petro nailed a 43-yard field

‘Runners favored to beat hapless Rams By Daniel Luna Contributor

Arnaldo Deane/ The Paisano

UTSA looks to sprint past Colorado State University after a brutal trampling from the hooves of the Longhorns. Head coach Jeff Traylor and the Roadrunners hope to bounce back from a rough 30-6 loss to the University of Texas at Austin this past Saturday. Coming into this matchup, the Roadrunners have shown bursts of strong potential. The UTSA offense has been explosive with senior gunslinger Owen McCown distributing the ball. The combination of running backs, sophomore Will Henderson III and junior Brandon High Jr., has been a formidable one-two punch of power and speed as well. The Achilles’ heel that continues to haunt this team is its defense. Only two starters on defense have returned from the previous season. So far, the show has been stressful but still hopeful. With college football comes unpredictability; any given Saturday, anything can happen. The Roadrunners’ defense has shown spurts of dominance but lacks the consistency to take over a game. As the season rolls on, the unit will gel and look like a finished product by year’s end. The first game of the season for the ‘Runners was against the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. The Vaqueros, a lower-level Football Championship Subdivision team, seemed fired

up and ready to knock off the Roadrunners at home with a dominant opening drive. The UTSA defense couldn’t defend the run well and run-pass option plays led to big gains for the Vaqueros. However, the defense forced turnovers and showed their shining quality that keeps the unit respectable. In their first two games, the Roadrunners forced a combined five turnovers. A lot of these turnovers were vital momentum swingers that allowed the ‘Runners to claw back from deficits or assert dominance, as the offense capitalized with points. Colorado State is in a very similar position, with an offense equally explosive and a defense equally unpredictable. The Rams’ defense gives up a lot of chunk plays but makes up for it with turnovers. The Colorado State offense is fast and relies on the run to open up the explosive pass game. The teams also face familiar pressures within their respective conferences. This could be a potential statement win for either program this early in the season. UTSA looks to top the American Conference, trying to replicate the same success the program had previously in Conference USA. Since joining the American in 2023, the Roadrunners have experienced moderate success, maintaining a .500 record the previous two seasons. However, toeing the line between drowning and swimming has not fared well for the ‘Runners. Fans miss the dominant Roadrunners, and this season, with

a veteran quarterback, they hope to finally breakthrough and make a stand as the top bird in the American. Colorado State looks to establish a solid foundation in their inaugural season in the new-look Pac-12 Conference. Previously, in the Mountain West Conference, the Rams found little success. Their only notable moment since the decade began was an 8-4 season in 2024. Other than that the Rams have struggled to win more than four games a season. The Rams hired new head coach Jim Mora to hopefully solve the program’s shortcomings. Mora is coming off a stint with the University of Connecticut Huskies, where he was very successful in building the program up, and putting it in a respectable spot. Mora is looking to establish the Rams as a strong new Pac-12 team this season. The ‘Runners and Rams matched up in 2025 and the contest ended in a hard-fought 17-16 victory for UTSA. The Roadrunners were barely able to squeak by a Rams team that ended up going 2-10 last season. This game showed just how low the Roadrunners went in 2025 and how far they had fallen from the winning form of the past couple seasons. With the pressure on for both teams to perform, the game on Saturday, Sept. 26 at 11 a.m. at the Alamodome is looking to be a scoring shootout with a key defensive stop determining the winner.

goal to post UTSA’s final points of the night. McCown converted one more first down for the remainder of the game. Junior secondstring quarterback Brandon Tennison replaced McCown in the fourth quarter after Texas pushed the lead to the final margin of 24 points. Penalties hindered UTSA once again, with the team earning 12 flags adding up to 119 penalty yards. “Every time we got a first down, we had a holding penalty,” Traylor declared. “We’ve gotta be stronger, bigger, faster [with] better leverage.” Henderson led UTSA’s rushers with 38 yards on 10 attempts. McCown ended the night with 70 passing yards, completing 14 of 23 attempts. Texas totaled 397 yards compared to 143 yards for UTSA. The Longhorns converted 26 first downs, while UTSA converted nine first downs. UTSA next faces Colorado State University on Sept. 26 at 11 a.m. at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. Max Molitor/The Paisano

Soccer Vs. Santa Clara By Marisela Cruz Staff Writer

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