01 29 2004

Page 1

WWWMDB?

’Cats go the road

Bobcat basketball to face competition in Louisiana/Sports/Page 13

THURSDAY

Sick AND twisted

Animation festival turns cartoons on their head/Trends/Page 7

Where would the Weapons of Mass Destruction be?/Opinions/Page 5

VOLUME 93, ISSUE 46 www.universitystar.com

CLEANING HOUSE

JANUARY 29, 2004

Project engages students in civics

T E X A S S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y- S A N M A R C O S

By Jennifer Warner Senior Reporter

Andy Ellis/Star photo James Studer, vice president of Student Affairs, addresses a large group of local press members Wednesday afternoon. The press conference was called to announce the firing of Athletic Director Greg LaFleur and football coach Manny Matsakis.

S

NCAA violations lead to the removal of football coach, athletic director

By Jason Orts Sports Editor tudent Affairs Vice President James Studer relieved Athletic Director Greg LaFleur and football coach Manny Matsakis of their duties Wednesday after the discovery of 12 NCAA violations in a 13-month span. The recent Texas State NCAA

NCAA Violations 1. NCAA Bylaw 13.6.3 — A prospective student athlete on an unofficial visit was provided transportation by a current student athlete from the Austin-Bergstrom Airport on Friday, March 28, 2003. 2. NCAA Bylaw 13.1.1.3 — During May 2003, an assistant football coach had numerous impermissible phone contacts with a student athlete at another NCAA institution without receiving a release from that institution. 3. NCAA Bylaw 13.1.3.1.1 — During May 2003, an assistant foot-

Compliance Group investigation of alleged violations revealed infractions beginning shortly after Matsakis was hired to replace former coach Bob DeBesse in December 2002. The latest infraction occurred Jan. 17. “This has not been a pleasant day in the history of Texas State athletics, but I believe we needed to make these changes so the athletics pro-

ball coach exceeded the permissible one phone call per week to a prospective student athlete twice within a period of two weeks. 4. NCAA By law 13.11.8 — The head football coach released information to a member of the local media regarding a four-year college prospective student athlete prior to the signing of a written offer of financial aid. 5. NCAA Bylaw 17.1.1.5.1 — Between Sept. 1 and Oct. 21, 2003, the football team exceeded the NCAA limit of four practice hours per day. During this eight-week period, the team exceeded the 20-hour

weekly limit by a total of 26.25 hours. 6. NCAA Bylaws 17.02.13 and 17.11.6 (2) (b) — University conducted a summer conditioning program with the coaching staff being informed of attendance of student athletes. Also, several players exceeded the eight-hour weekly limit for these activities. 7. NCAA Bylaw 17.1.5.4 — On approximately two occasions, three football players were denied a day off from practice activities in that they were forced to run at 6 a.m. on their days off. 8. NCAA Bylaw 17.1.5.5.1 — On

gram can reach the potential that I believe it has,” said Texas State President Denise Trauth in a press release. “With a new coach and new leadership along with new cooperation among the athletics staff, the university administration, students and Bobcat boosters, I am confident we will have an athletics program that is exciting and one that will reach new heights.” Oct. 30, 2003, approximately 23 football players missed classes beginning at 12:30 p.m. as a result of the coaching staff scheduling a meeting. Practice activities cannot be conducted when student-athletes have classes scheduled. 9. NCAA Bylaw 16.12.2.1 — Family members of two student-athletes received a $10 reduction in a room rate at the San Marcos Holiday Inn Express on several weekends of home football contests. A total of five nights of lodging was involved for a total discount of $50 dollars and is considered an extra benefit.

Studer, held a press conference to formally announce the changes in the athletic department. Studer cited 12 NCAA violations during Matsakis’ short tenure along with management issues associated with the football program as the reasons he was relieved of his duties. “The alleged violations, when taken g See COACH, Page 14

10. NCAA Bylaw 17.11.6 (a) (2) (b) — A player who did not sign a National Letter of Intent or grant-inaid was allowed to compete in summer conditioning program. Only those who have signed National Letters of Intent can participate in this program. 11. NCAA Bylaw 14.01.1 — A student athlete practiced and played for Texas State while ineligible. He was eligible by NCAA and university requirements but had transferred from a two-year community college and because of a delay in receiving appropriate materials, was not certified at the beginning of the year.

12. NCAA Bylaws 13.1.2.1 and 13.1.2.1.1 — On Sat., Jan. 17, 2004, football coaching staff allowed a strength and conditioning coach and two football student support groups to have an in-person, off-campus contact with a recruit and his father at a local restaurant during the prospect’s unofficial visit. All in-person, off-campus recruiting contacts with a prospect or prospect’s relatives or legal guardian(s) is authorized only by authorized staff members that have been certified on an annual basis to have knowledge of applicable recruiting rules.

Members of the Texas State community are working to raise the level of civic engagement among students as part of a national effort including more than 170 universities. A committee made up of students, faculty and administrators has been researching the American Democracy Project, which aims to get students involved in the community through service. “The underlying goal is to try to create an intellectual understanding of civic engagement in this country,” said Academic Robert Gratz, Affairs vice president and committee chair. The American Association of State Colleges and Universities and The New York Times jointly sponsor the ADP. It has been in the planning stages for a year and a half, and it is intended to last a minimum of three years. Part of the committee’s job was to look at service projects that have already taken place on campus. “On the Texas State campus, we already have a strong foundation,” Gratz said. “We think this is an opportunity to tie those projects together.” The program hopes to get undergraduate students involved. ADP’s Web site describes this as “working to make a difference in the civic life of our communities and developing the combination of knowledge, skills, values and g See CIVICS, page 3

San Marcos joins Main Street Cities By Cris Skelton News Reporter The Texas Historical Commission and the National Trust for Historic Preservation recently recognized San Marcos as one of the 53 National Main Street Cities. The city received official Main Street designation from the THC in 1986 after beginning the program independently in 1984. Main Street is a developmental program designed to capitalize on the unique character of the downtown commercial district. Programs and projects are developed to address the specific needs of downtown San Marcos. The program’s success is based on a comprehensive strategy of work called the Main Street Four Point Approach, which

“Our National Main Street Cities have worked really hard to achieve this distinctive honor.” — Kim McKnight Texas Main Street Program State Coordinator focuses on broad areas of organization — design, promotion and economic restructuring — all of which are in the context of historical preservation. The program has assisted more than 130 Texas communities since its implementation in 1981.

“Our National Main Street Cities have worked really hard to achieve this distinctive honor,” said Kim McKnight, Texas Main Street Program state coordinator, in a press release. “Establishing and maintaining an active and successful Main Street Program is a great accomplishment and we are proud of the cities that achieved national recognition.” San Marcos was honored, along with several other Texas Main Street Cities such as Luling, New Braunfels, Huntsville, Georgetown and Beaumont, at the recent Texas Downtown Association/Texas Main Street Conference in Austin. Texas cities will be honored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s g See CITY, page 4

Competitive program offers geography endowment By Amber Conrad News Reporter

The National Geographic Society has pledged to match the Texas State Development Foundation’s pledge of $500,000, creating the $1 million Grosvenor Center Geography Education Fund. The endowment will provide graduate students in the

geography doctoral program with the opportunity to serve fellowships with the National Geographic Society as Grosvenor Scholars. The highly competitive program enables a student to go to the National Geography Society headquarters in Washington, D.C., to research and write their doctorial dissertation.

“We are most definitely proud of this,” said geography chair Lawrence Estaville. “It is a huge endeavor began by Richard Boehm, who was the one to make the proposal to the National Geographic Society, and they loved it. Boehm has full credit for making it, and Mary Ellis helped us in most significant ways in securing the help and

funding from the Mitte foundation,” he said. The Development Foundation’s contribution was provided by the Roy and Joann Cole Mitte Foundation, Sid W. Richardson Foundation, W.S. Benson and Company, Inc., the Dodge Jones Foundation, Richard G. Boehm and Denise g See FUND, page 4

Andy Ellis/Star photo The Main Street project has helped revitalize San Marcos, which has led to the city being recently recognized as one of 53 National Main Street Cities in Texas.

I N S I D E

Arts............................9 Classifieds...............12 Crossword...............11 Music.......................10 News......................2-4 Opinions.................5,6 Sports..................13,14 Trends.....................7-9 Film..........................11

Today’s Weather

High: 59 Lo w : 42 AM Rain/PM Clouds

Wind: From SE at 6 mph Precipitation: 50% Max. Humidity: 83% UV Index: 3 Low Friday’s Forecast Partly cloudy 66/44


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