VOLUME 102, ISSUE 55
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THURSDAY
FEBRUARY 14, 2013
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Conflicting schedules cause football delays By Xander Peters News Reporter Though San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District has rented Bobcat Stadium for years, recent scheduling conflicts could lead to a relocation of football games. San Marcos CISD has rented Bobcat Stadium for football games since it was built in the early 1980s. However, Texas State’s upcoming realignment into the Sun Belt Conference has caused scheduling conflicts for San Marcos High School’s home-game schedule, said Nan Arredondo, San Marcos CISD athletic secretary. As a result, the school district is looking into constructing its own stadium. Rick Poulter, sports information director, said the dates for some Texas State home football games have not yet been determined. This has prolonged the process of developing San Marcos High School’s football schedule, Arredondo said. Poulter said the scheduling between the university and San Marcos High School has had to take place under special circumstances. “We’ve had the same relationship that we’ve always had with (San Marcos CISD),” Poulter said. “The only stipulation for them is that we have first rights to the dates for our games.” Mark Soto, San Marcos CISD athletic director, said there are no sore feelings between the high school and Texas State, and he would not call any of the confusion with scheduling an inconvenience. “We’ve always worked well with Texas State,” Soto said. “You guys are just growing and moving up the ranks. We’re kind of a little brother that needs to get out on our own too.” Soto said there is discussion about the high school building its own football stadium, and he will know more details by the end of the month. Approximately $20 million is expected to be invested in constructing the new stadium over a period of six to eight months, depending on weather and materials, Soto said. “It just depends on what kind of plan we can come up with as a school district, but we want to get it on the ground as fast as we can,” Soto said. “The community loves Friday night football, and to have it again would be great.” Poulter said in financial records dating back to 2000 the high school’s use of Bobcat Stadium can be seen. However, members of the Facilities staff have told him San Marcos High School’s rentals date back to Evans Stadium, the previous field. San Marcos CISD paid the university $8,000 per high school game at Bobcat Stadium last year. Five high school games were hosted at the stadium throughout the course of the regular season, totaling $40,000, Poulter said. Texas State covers all custodial and gameday staff personnel, which costs $1,000 per game. The university made a $35,000 profit last season for the high school’s rental use. The revenue brought into the university for hosting the games covers the operational costs of Friday night football, Poulter said. Operational costs include any damage inside or outside of the stadium, electricity expenses for lighting night-games and other utility charges. San Marcos CISD keeps the revenue from ticket and parking sales, he said. Poulter said he does not think the revenue loss would be significant if the high school eventually had its own stadium. His reasoning was there would no longer be a cost for hosting the games.
Bus changes, new director discussed at Faculty Senate By Taylor Tompkins Assistant News Editor Transportation officials met with the Faculty Senate Wednesday to address recent changes made to the tram services provided by Texas State. Nancy Nusbaum, interim director of transportation services, said interviews for her replacement will begin next week. Nusbaum is the interim director for Joe Richmond, who is out on extended leave. Nusbaum said additional changes could be in store for bus services because the tram industry has indicated a 20 percent increase in costs for next year. Transportation services officials are asking students to pass a referendum on April 6 and 7 that would increase the bus fee from $78 to $95 per semester for fall 2014 to cover the costs. The proposed fee is based on the same review by Texas A&M Transportation Institute that eliminated the Bobcat Tram Interurban services. “If the students don’t pass the referendum to increase the fee, then we will be cutting services drastically, most likely,” Nusbaum said.
COUNSELING CRISIS Fall of 2011 new intake appointments: 352 Fall of 2012 new intake appointments: 447 27% increase Fall of 2011 appointments International Association of Counseling attended: 2100 Services recommends:1 counselor per every 1500 students Fall of 2012 appointments attended: 2562 National average of permanent Texas State has: 22% increase staff for schools with enrollment of 1 counselor per 3400 30,000- 35,000: 14 counselors students Permanent staff Texas State: 10 counselors National average of trainees and permanent employees (includes interns and post doctorates) National with enrollment of 30,000- 35,000: 18 counselors Texas State: 15 counselors
Counseling Center struggles to meet demand By Taylor Tompkins Assistant News Editor The Counseling Center is struggling to meet the needs of an ever-growing student population because of a lack of resources, and clients are being turned away as a result. Gregory Snodgrass is assistant vice president of Student Affairs and director of the Counseling Center. He said concerns for the mental health of students have been raised because of the center’s inability to address the magnitude of clients’ needs. The Counseling Center is not being proportionally funded to support the increase in students, resulting in a space and manpower deficit, he said. Snodgrass said during a Feb. 6 presentation to the Faculty Senate the Counseling Center had 447 initial consultations for first-time clients this fall. In total, 2,562 appointments were attended last semester, and 1,127 students were turned away. There were 1,700 students turned away during the entirety of the 20112012 academic year. “This seems to be a real crisis for the university,” said Mary Cavitt, professor in the School of Music. There are seven to eight initial consultations scheduled for each day, and they are fully booked before 8:30 a.m., Snodgrass said. Students are told to call back another day when turned away.
Snodgrass said not all students call back, and Counseling Center staff are trying to devise a way to track those whom the office loses. Snodgrass estimates 50 percent of those students turned away never call back. “It takes a lot for a student to get up the gumption to call the Counseling Center for the first time,” Snodgrass said. “We don’t like that turn away.” The center is accredited through the International Association of Counseling Services, according to its webpage. The services suggest centers have one counselor for every 1,500 students. Snodgrass said Texas State has one counselor per every 3,400 students. Some schools do not meet the suggested number, but most come closer to it than Texas State does, Snodgrass said. “I’ve been here for 35 years, and I’ve been asking for (more) people for 35 years,” Snodgrass said. “I never will have enough, but if we could get enough people to a level where it is comparable to most other places, I would understand.” The below-average number of counselors cannot be remedied because of disproportional funding to student enrollment and lack of space in the Counseling Center, Snodgrass said. “The funding is just going in other directions right
READ counseling, PAGE 3
Video of snooping maintenance staffer in student’s dorm room leads to firing By Taylor Tompkins Assistant News Editor The person who was moving things around in Jacob Roberson’s dorm room turned out not to be his roommate but a university employee. Roberson, undecided sophomore, used a motion-activated video on his laptop to record footage of his room throughout the day. The video revealed a member of the Department of Housing and Residential Life maintenance staff had entered Roberson’s room in San Marcos Hall and looked through several drawers and the closet. Roberson posted the video on YouTube Dec. 10, and it has since received more than 4,150 views. Multiple items had been moved in Roberson’s room in late September. The changes led Roberson to believe his roommate was going through the belongings. Roberson then set up the motion-activated video software to catch the culprit. He was shocked when the video revealed a man Roberson had never seen before looking through the belongings and moving things around Oct. 4, 2012.
“Nothing was ever taken, nothing that I know of,” Roberson said. “I had never seen him, never met him before.” Roberson said Rosanne Proite, director of Housing and Residential Life, spoke with him about the matter after being alerted by the dorm’s residence director. “She told me the employee was removed from the building and reassigned,” Roberson said. “The thing is, that same day my friend saw the same guy in the building, in the lobby. (Proite) assured me they were handling it, that they were investigating.” The maintenance worker was terminated not long after the residence director was informed about the man’s continued presence, Roberson said. Proite said she could not comment about the incident because it concerns human resource issues. The Department of Housing and Residential Life is not liable for loss of property because of theft or burglary, according to the 2012-2013 dorm contract. Students are required
to allow any university employee into their rooms for inspections or maintenance. Staff may enter a student’s room without consent if “reasonable suspicion exists of violation of University policy, concerns about safety of the students or guests, or situations that may cause harm to others,” according to the contract. Bobby Niemietz, maintenance supervisor for the department, said all university employees must go through background checks handled by human resources. All maintenance staff members have protocol that must be met before they can enter a student’s room. “You can’t go in before 10 a.m. They have to knock and announce themselves,” Niemietz said. “They have to have a work order or a reason to go in (if no one is in the room).” There were 26 dorm burglary incidents reported in 2011, none of which occurred in San Marcos Hall, according to the University Police Department crime blotter. However, 27 incidents were reported in 2012, and five occurred in San Marcos Hall.
2 | Wednesday February 13, 2013 | The University Star
OPINIONS
For more viewpoints or letters to the editor, e-mail staropinions@txstate.edu
Permit increases unfair to residents, commuters
S
Lara Shine, Star Illustrator
ome students, particularly on-campus residents, are about to be financially blindsided by transportation services’ history of poor planning and shortsightedness. Nancy Nusbaum, interim director of transportation services, said in a Feb. 5 University Star article all parking permit prices could increase in the fall, some by as much as 135 percent. These proposed increases, the steepest of which will be for green residential and silver campus apartment permits, are the largest in Parking Services’ recent history. The changes, if implemented, will arrive just as the interurban bus routes to Kyle/Austin and New Braunfels/San Antonio cease to operate. Nusbaum said “the money from buses doesn’t go to parking,” but it seems hardly coincidental commuters who previously relied on these buses will now be forced to buy a more expensive permit. All of these changes seem suspiciously connected just as it comes to light transportation services will finish the fiscal year hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt. Debt service for the construction of Speck, Matthews Street and Edward Gary parking garages will total $4.5 million by the end of spring 2013, according to the same article. Both parking ticket payments and permit purchases are down this year, compounding the issue and, according to Nusbaum, justifying the increase in price. Basic economic theory dictates raising the price of a product whose sales are already declining will not work. The current drop in permit sales, while noticeable, is likely not as proportionately drastic as the proposed increase in prices. Parking Services’ budget should
have allowed for natural fluctuations in sales, and that it was so quickly and easily depleted is worrying. If Parking Services plans to force students to pay for its shortcomings, the responsible solution is to more gradually raise prices over time. It is hypocritical for Parking Services to expect students to be ready for sudden economic stress when it certainly was not. It is doubtful increasing permit prices alone will solve transportation services’ debt concerns. Per-permit revenue will increase, but the price hike will push sales down even faster after a possible initial spike from commuters caught by the bus cancelations. Conversely, allowing students with permits to use the garages their money is already paying for, rather than charging them extra fees, may be the one solution that would increase voluntary purchases. The most worrisome aspect regarding the transportation changes is evidence the university is willing to exploit the most financially vulnerable students—out-of-city commuters and on-campus residents—to pay for its poor decisions. Some of these commuters cannot afford cars, and many on-campus residents are freshmen who are still dependent on their parents and financial aid. A breaking point will eventually be reached where some students may go without their cars or, in extreme cases, enroll elsewhere if permit prices continue to increase. Such an outcome will end only in an even more strained bus system and less permit revenue for Parking Services. Ultimately, increasing permit prices is a shortsighted solution to past shortsighted mistakes. Nusbaum said in the same article prices may never go down, and she only hopes they can “stabilize.” Currently, hoping even for stabilization is a dangerous gamble that may or not pay off for Parking Services and certainly will not for students.
The Main Point is the opinion of the newspaper’s editorial board. Columns are the opinions of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the full staff, Texas State University-San Marcos Student Media, the School of Journalism and Mass Communication or Texas State University-San Marcos.
New manager can bring needed change to campus dining
By Christian Penichet-Paul Opinions Columnist
C
hartwells’ new leader at Texas State must make important adjustments to the university’s dining services in order to provide a higher level of assistance to students. Chin-Hong Chua, Chartwells director for Texas State, has a unique opportunity to make a fresh start in addressing the dining needs of students on campus. Chua said he will work to enhance students’ eatery experiences. Chua said a main concern will be “addressing the specific needs of different customers in the dining areas on campus,” according to a Jan. 30 University Star article. Chua intends to use surveys taken by Texas State students to gain some insight into the additions and improve-
ment Bobcats would like to see in the campus dining halls. These efforts are appropriate and necessary for Chartwells. There are a number of imperative adjustments that must be implemented in the dining halls to benefit students. Dining halls must be able to meet the dietary needs and preferences of all students on campus. Students should not be generalized into one unambiguous group. There are different students with specific nutritional preferences, and their needs must be met at a respectable level. Currently, dining halls offer limited choices for vegetarians. Texas State’s “Dine On Campus” website lists potato chips and fried rice as some of the vegetarian options at Jones Dining Hall. Furthermore, the salad bar at Harris often has limited or inadequate vegetable selections. While the variety of campus vegetarian options has become wider in recent years, there is still ample work to be done to accommodate a larger scope of students. In the same University Star article, Chua admitted his customers’ needs can not be generalized. He makes an important point because diversity is a huge part of Texas State’s background and is visible in students’ dietary needs. In turn, it is important for Chartwells
to meet this challenge by providing adequate dining options for students across the board. Chartwells must become more socially responsible. An official said in the same article that Chartwells worked with the Associated Student Government to bring certified humane beef to the university. Chartwells officials must continue to expand these positive efforts to include other food products and work to utilize locally grown vegetables only. Students should eat sustainable and hormone-free products as much as possible. Chua began his career washing dishes in a dining hall. It’s important for him to never forget where he came from. His influence from those times must be remembered as he now has an impact on Chartwells employees. His job is tough, but the company must continue to recognize and appreciate exceptional employees such as Susie Mullen, known by some as the Viking Goddess of Jones. Chartwells can be more accountable through these methods. A number of Chartwells policies should be reevaluated. Chartwells limits meal trade usage to three per transaction, according to a Sep. 11, 2012 University Star article. The policy is unjust because on-campus students
are required to buy a meal trade plan, and they should be able to get as many as they want. The money is already in Chartwells’ purse, and they should not be restricted in utilizing the meal trades they’ve paid for. Leftover meal swipes should not remain in the hands of Chartwells after the spring semester. There should be a policy that allows meal trades to roll over to the next semester without having to go through the current process of purchasing new plans. Leftover meal trades or funds behind the swipes can be given back to students or used to better the university as a whole if they cannot be rolled over. Chua should evaluate these policies to create a fairer dining environment for students. Chua’s promotion to resident district manager provides a special opportunity to discuss and improve Chartwells’ relationship with Texas State. Important adjustments should be made through an in-depth examination of the current campus dining situation. In turn, students will be better accommodated by the university’s dining services in the near future. --Christian Penichet-Paul is a history senior.
President meetings give opportunity for input
By Molly Block Opinions Columnist
M
ore students should make their voices heard this semester by attending outreach sessions with administration officials and participating in student organizations and petitions. President Denise Trauth made the decision to host two Open Door sessions this spring in an effort to better connect with Texas State students, according to a Jan. 29 University Star article. The first session occurred Feb. 6 at the J.C. Kellam building, and the final one this semester will be held March 4 at the LBJ Student Center. Trauth will be
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available to answer student questions at the March 5 Associated Student Government Round Table and April 10 at an invitation-only event called Cat Chat. All of the outreach events are open to any interested Texas State students who have ideas or concerns to share with Trauth. Nine students spoke with Trauth on a variety of important issues during the first Open Door session, according to a Feb. 7 University Star article. However, more than nine students should have attended the session, considering the increased enrollment and diversity among the student body. Trauth has not historically hosted many sessions throughout the year, but many students continually choose not to attend because of the belief their voices cannot make an impact on administrators. It may seem otherwise at times, but Trauth has increased her availability to students this semester, making it apparent she is interested in their input. What students have to say is important. Without them, Texas State would cease to exist. Administrators should be open to ideas so they can improve the university
Editor In Chief................................................Beth Brown, stareditor@txstate.edu Managing Editor............................Lee Moran, starmanagingeditor@txstate.edu Letters..................................................................................starletters@txstate.edu News Editor...................................................Caitlin Clark, starnews@txstate.edu Trends Editor............................Hollie O’Connor, starentertainment@txstate.edu Opinions Editor..........................................Liza Winkler, staropinion@txstate.edu Photo Editor.......................................Austin Humphreys, starphoto@txstate.edu Sports Editor..........................................Cameron Irvine, starsports@txstate.edu Copy Desk Chief......................Thomas Glasebrook, starcopychief@txstate.edu Web Editor.............................................Cayla Green, starwebeditor@txstate.edu
and attract more students in the future. Many student concerns and ideas are valid and have the potential to drastically change the future of Texas State. It is important for students to take advantage of Trauth’s outreach events this spring, but there are many other ways Bobcats can make an impact on the university. Students who want to make a difference but are unsure of how to start have a plethora of options from which to choose. Residents at the West Campus Housing Complex recently started a proposal regarding complaints about noise and other issues caused by nearby construction, according to a Feb. 6 University Star article. The students requested a 20 percent reimbursement for substandard living conditions in the dorms and created a separate petition in support of their proposal. It is unclear whether university officials will agree to this exact request. However, it is important these students found an appropriate outlet to express their grievances with the administration. All students have the ability to make
Multimedia Editor.........................Alex Peña, starmultimediaeditor@txstate.edu Design Editor.............................................Sarah Ansell, stardesign@txstate.edu Account Executive.....................................Catie Brossard, starad3@txstate.edu Account Executive.................................Blakely Knowles, starad4@txstate.edu Account Executive.....................................Hannah Wilson, starad5@txstate.edu Media Specialist................................... Chris Salazar, chris.salazar@txstate.edu Advertising Coordinator...........................Kelsey Nuckolls, starad1@txstate.edu Publications Coordinator.......................................Linda Allen, la06@txstate.edu Publications Director...........................Bob Bajackson, stardirector@txstate.edu
a difference at Texas State if they are willing to step out of comfort zones. There are nearly 300 registered student organizations at the university, according to the Campus Activities and Student Organizations website. All of these groups cater to different interests and people. So, students should be able to find an organization that satisfies interests and allows them to interact with like-minded people. These organizations provide students with the chance to get together, discuss concerns and bring these thoughts to the attention of administrators who can then enact policies. Students who want to see changes at Texas State will need to take a stand for what they believe in. Change will not happen overnight, but speaking with Trauth during outreach events, starting petitions and joining clubs are a few ways to begin the process of implementing ideas into university policy-making. --Molly Block is a mass communication junior.
The University Star is the student newspaper of Texas State University-San Marcos and is published every other Wednesday in the summer semesters. It is distributed on campus and throughout San Marcos at 8 a.m. on publication days with a distribution of 6,000. Printing and distribution is by the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung. Copyright Wednesday, February 13, 2013. All copy, photographs and graphics appearing in The University Star are the exclusive property of The University Star and may not be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the editor in chief. The first five issues of each edition of the paper are free. Additional copies of the paper can be purchased at 50¢ per copy. Contact The University Star office at (512) 245-3487 to purchase additional copies.
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NEWS
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counseling CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 now,” Snodgrass said. Michel Conroy, School of Art and Design professor, said faculty senators have received concerns about the availability of counselors to help students during crisis situations. Cavitt said a student expressed suicidal sentiments and couldn’t be seen at the Counseling Center after repeated calls last semester. The student has been consulted at the center this spring, but the scant amount of appointments for potential clients is still a concern, Cavitt said. The center sees approximately 140 crisis intervention appointments a year, Snodgrass said. Students expressing suicidal intentions can get in touch with an on-call counselor, according to the center’s website.
“If somebody is suicidal, we will see them,” Snodgrass said. Advisers and parents can recommend students for an appointment at the Counseling Center, in addition to staff referrals, Snodgrass said. These referrals have contributed to the “significant surge” in students the center sees, Snodgrass said. Faculty senators suggested the office increase involvement at the Personalized Academic and Career Exploration Center. They expressed concerns about a lack of presence at the Round Rock Higher Education Center. A temporary practical clinic has been set up at Round Rock by its psychology and counseling program because the resources on the main campus could not be spared, Snodgrass said.
Five Guys Burgers and Fries spices up San Marcos
Kristen Lefebvre, Staff Photographer
A new shopping center has opened at the corner of Hopkins and I-35. New stores include Five Guys Burgers and Fries and Best Buy Mobile. By Wil Slade News Reporter A former restaurant space has been transformed into storefronts for several businesses new to San Marcos. City Planning Technician Tory Carpenter said a Montana Mike’s Steakhouse used to be at the location on the corner of Interstate 35 and Hopkins Street. Ideas for developing the steakhouse into spaces for new businesses were submitted to the City of San Marcos in December 2011. The retail area is now home to Five Guys Burgers and Fries and Best Buy Mobile. Five Guys opened Monday, Feb. 4, and Best Buy Mobile will have a ribbon cutting on Feb. 22, said Brian Bondy, president of the San Marcos Chamber of Commerce. Bondy said a check-cashing store will be located in the building, but its opening date has not yet been determined. Chris Williams, Five Guys area supervisor, said the restaurant has attracted a large amount of customers since its opening. “We’ve been extremely happy with the
success we’ve seen so far,” Williams said. “We really love the university crowd that is coming to eat with us.” Williams said the restaurant employs 50 people at its new San Marcos location. Williams has been with the company for more than four years and is optimistic about the future of its new location. The restaurant opened its first location in Arlington, VA more than 20 years ago. It is now a nationwide chain with more than 1,000 locations in 47 states and 6 Canadian provinces, according to the Five Guys website. Five Guys will be hosting fundraising events for various organizations in town or on campus, along with offering students and the community another dining establishment and providing many jobs, Williams said. Fraternities, sororities, sports teams and other organizations may contact a general manager and set up a day to use the restaurant for fundraising events. Five Guys will give 15 percent of a group’s pretax total to the fundraiser.
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4 | Thursday February 14, 2013 | The University Star
VALENTINE’S DAY
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A few points of romantic advice
from the Love Editor
By Thomas Glasebrook Love Editor You can feel it in the air: amorous couples, sweaty palms, awkward glances full of hope in single classmates’ eyes—the simple romance of it all. Today is Valentine’s Day, and I’m the Love Editor, here to be your personal guide on this day of romantic endeavors. My credentials? I’m a ladies’ man: of the ladies, by the ladies, for the ladies. It’s right there in the Constitution. Check it out in your spare time—good read. Now, let’s get to the point. You want that fine madam or sir in your English class to think twice about you. I can help, but you have to listen closely. Some of my methods are ancient secrets from around the world or from Frisbee Dan—whichever. Getting your sweet squeeze’s attention is vital. That’s the first step. Act a fool if you have to. Wallflowers rarely get the first draft pick. Remember confidence is key, but don’t get cocky. Lines don’t work, no matter how funny they are. The only way to win over your crush is with a genuine personality. If you don’t have one, acquire money. You will have a bevvy of ill-intentioned suitors, and you won’t even have to waste your time with silly things like emotional attachment.
Alternatively, you can learn to play the acoustic guitar, which you must carry around with you at all times. Play “Wonderwall” until people think you’re sensitive. I mean really just beat the hell out of it. They won’t understand until you play it at least four or five times.
Let’s say there are some more advanced lovers in here. You’ve got the mate, but you’re not sure how to have a dazzling date. My advice is going to come in just a few short waves, one for the ladies and one for the gentlemen. Ladies first, of course. Men, your ad-
vice is just down below. Skip this paragraph, and we’ll be in business. Men are simple creatures. Bring your man a sixer of his favorite brew, turn on a Tarantino flick and tell him beer bellies are in style right now. And for the sake of all that is good, if you tell him you don’t want to do anything for Valentine’s, you’d better mean it. You will almost certainly get a convenience store burrito squashed into a heart shape—a realistic one. Pickings are tough that late in the game. Now it’s time for the men. Ladies, no peeking. Trade secrets are enclosed. This is a gentlemen’s club, and I am the emcee. What I’m about to say may not be a revelation, but women love fancy things. For VDay, take your special someone somewhere fancy. Take your lady to Fazoli’s. Ladies love Fazoli’s. However, don’t forget to add a personal touch. Buy some candles and make a lovely candelabra centerpiece. Put it right between your root beer and her Diet Coke. That’s pure romance. Members of the LGBTQ community: don’t think I forgot about you. I love all y’all bisexual, polyamorous, quasigendered individuals. Most of these rules can apply to you too, if you switch around some pronouns and don’t get fussy about the naughty bits. True love knows no boundaries. Austin Humphreys, Photo Editor
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SPORTS
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MEN’S BASKETBALL
I-35 conference rivalry to conclude at Strahan
By Samuel Rubbelke Sports Reporter The transition to the WAC hasn’t sailed as smoothly as Texas State and the University of Texas-San Antonio would have hoped. Fans can expect a high level of intensity and passion on the court in the 55th meeting between the two programs despite the combined WAC record of 4-22. The Feb. 16 game at Strahan Coliseum will mark the final conference game between I-35 rivals Texas State and UTSA. UTSA leads the all-time Interstate 35 series, 31-23. Next year, the Bobcats will move to the Sun Belt Conference and the Roadrunners will enter Conference USA. The transition to different leagues could potentially end scheduled games between the Bobcats and Roadrunners. “The game has a lot of history between our two institutions,” said Coach Doug Davalos. “If you look at every great rivalry, there’s some kind of proximity. Not only is it a proximity rivalry, it’s been a conference rivalry. We’re both playing for the same things within our conference. That’s why it will be sad if we don’t continue the rivalry when we’re not in the same conference next year.” Texas State won the previous meeting 81-78 in overtime. Five Bobcats scored in double figures, including career highs from junior forwards Reid Koenen, who went for 23 points, and Corey Stern, posting 18 points and 13 rebounds. UTSA’s senior guard combined for 58 of the 78 total Roadrunner points. Michael Hale III filled the stat sheet with 31 points, nine rebounds and five assists, while his counterpart Kannon Burrage scored 27 points and pulled down five boards. Neither team saw its lead go over double digits. The grind-it-out game consisted of eight lead changes and was tied five times throughout the game. However, during overtime the Bobcats caught fire and ended with a 9-2 run and the team’s first WAC victory. This marked the first overtime game for Tex-
as State since Feb. 19, 2011. Offensive surges and scoring explosions will come as no surprise to either team. In conference play, Texas State and UTSA have allowed a combined total of 2,002 points to be scored against them, ranking them last and next to last in conference play. The Bobcats are ranked ninth in field goal percent defense (.485) and 3-point percent defense (.375). The Roadrunners come in last allowing .508 from the floor and .390 from beyond the arc. “No matter how our teams (Texas State and UTSA) are doing, you’re going to see two teams going hard at each other,” Davalos said. “I have yet to see a game where both teams came out flat in the rivalry game.” The I-35 game will showcase three of the top four scorers in the WAC. Wright is leading the conference with 19.2 points, while Burrage comes in at second averaging 17.5. “Burrage really likes to take a couple of dribbles and pullup from the free-throw line,” said sophomore guard Wesley Davis. “We just need to work on getting under the screen fast and getting up on him before he can reach the paint and before he can get his shot off.” Hale is currently ranked fourth in WAC scoring with 15.5 points per game. However, since the past Texas State game, he has averaged 20.5 points. Hale, along with Wright, is the only other player to have recorded two 30-point games in conference play. The X-factor in the game will be forward Jeromie Hill, who didn’t compete against Texas State earlier in the year. Hill is UTSA’s third leading
scorer with 12.5 points per game and is the Roadrunners’ most productive rebounder. Hill, despite missing six games, has accumulated 113 total boards, four more rebounds than second leading rebounder Burrage, who has yet to miss a conference game. Hill is averaging 6.3 rebounds this year. Hill went down because of injury during the UT-Arlington game, just nine days before the first meeting with the Bobcats. Prior to the injury, Hill was averaging 16.83 points over the past six games. In three games Hill has averaged 8.6 points since his return. In Texas State and UTSA’s past fourteen combined losses, the Bobcats have out-shot their opponent in percentages only three times. “Nothing’s going to be the same as game time situations,” Davalos said after a free-throw shooting drill. “But I do know this: That (free-throw) line is the same in any gym in America.”
Over the past five seasons, Texas State has won seven of the 11 meetings with UTSA in the I-35 rivalry game. Six of the games have been decided by 6 points or fewer. “This rivalry means a lot,” Koenen said. “Not only to me, but to the program, our school, and all the students here … We are representing Texas State. It’s a big game, with close proximity between the schools. It’s definitely a big game.” Twitter: @SamuelRubbelke
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Sports | The University Star | Thursday February 14, 2013 | 7
Baseball Preview Newcomers to face first test together at CenturyLink Invitational By Jordan Brewer Assistant Sports Editor The fate of the 2013 Texas State baseball team might be determined by how quickly and effectively the inexperienced players develop as the year progresses. “(The early competition) is going to put some pressure on (the newcomers) to play at a level they may or may not be ready for,” said Coach Ty Harrington. “There are going to be tremendous challenges early for this team because of the lack of experience.” The Bobcats look very different this season than they did last year. They lost several stars during the last couple of years but are hoping the presence of a closely united team will be able to overcome any obstacles standing in their path. “Harrington has been very hard on (us) coming together as a team,” said sophomore infielder Colby Targun. “There are not as many big name superstars as there were last year. They told us we have to stay together as a team.” Harrington acknowledged last season’s team left a little to be desired during the middle of the schedule. The Bobcats lost five games in a row and were swept twice by Southland Conference opponents Southeastern Louisiana University and Sam Houston State University. “Last year will always be a tough one for me,” Harrington said. “I truly do not think I did as good of a job with those guys. They were with me for a while. The one lesson I learned is you have to adjust each year to the personnel and to the people.” Jeff McVaney will be the hardest to replace among the players who have moved on to the professional ranks. McVaney led the team in batting average (.338), runs scored (46), hits (75) and RBI (48). He was tied for team leader in home runs with 10 and had 12 appearances on the mound with six saves before being drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the eighth round. “(We will) have to do the basics,” Targun said. “Moving runners over, getting guys in (and) doing the little things well to replace the power hitters lost from last season. I think there will be a mixture of both (small ball and power). We have worked on our bunting and the little things.” The Bobcats lost another power hitter in Casey Kalenkosky, who had 10 home runs a year ago. Targun, who played designated hitter last spring, is the only returner who batted over .300 (.304). He was near the top on the team in stolen bases with seven. Targun will see the field in 2013. “Targun is a football (and) baseball player,” Harrington said. “I think the role for him needs to grow other than just being the D.H. (Targun) brings a little toughness out there. He tackles the game of baseball. It’s kind of fun.” Many returnees will be sought to make major contributions for this season’s offense. Senior catcher Andrew Stumph will be another key cog in the Bobcats’ offense. Sophomore Garrett Mattlage will be expected to take over at shortstop. Outfielder Morgan Mickan was having a productive season a year ago before being struck by injury. The Bobcats will lean on returning starter Kyle Finnegan to ace the staff. He earned 75 strikeouts in 93 innings in 2012. The Toronto Blue Jays drafted Colton Turner, last season’s leader in earned run average (2.46). Travis Ballew, the team’s leader in wins (11), was drafted
by the Houston Astros. Sophomore Taylor Black will be the second starter in the rotation. Black pitched nearly 40 innings last season, while carrying a 3.63 ERA. Junior Scott Grist will finish the rotation as the third guy up, although he pitched 4.1 innings in 2012. Junior Hunter Lemke will move to the closer role, a position he is eager to grab. “I like it,” Lemke said in relation to his new promotion. “I have a set role. Being the closer, you get a set inning, and you get to do your routine. It’s a lot easier. You don’t have to rush through warm-ups. You know what inning you are pitching.” The newcomers will get a stern test this weekend at the ballpark from some very notable baseball programs. The CenturyLink Invitational features Tulane University and Missouri State University, two programs that have made it to the NCAA Division I championship at Omaha. “There is the uncertainty and the unknown because we are new, inexperienced,” Harrington said. “(This weekend) is almost like studying for the first test you take. You don’t quite know what to expect. We are anxious to
Star File Photo
Texas State baseball will begin the 2013 season Feb. 15 against Missouri State at the Bobcat Baseball Complex. A number of players will have to fill key roles left by teammates drafted to the majors.
Overall Records 2008-2012 TCU
Baylor
Rice
Texas
TXST
2008 2009
44-19 40-18
32-36 30-26
47-15 43-18
39-22 50-16-1
30-27 41-17
2010
54-14
36-24
40-23
50-13
38-22
2011
43-19
31-38
31-38
49-19
41-23
2012
40-22
49-17
49-17
30-22
32-24
Softball has the chance to improve its 0-5 record at Lafayette this weekend. For a complete preview, scan here or visit UniversityStar.com.
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get out there.” Texas State remains optimistic about the season, although it features a lot of question marks. The team has a mission to answer those questions before post-season play. The program has never been farther than the NCAA Regionals, but for Lemke, the goal is much larger than that. “Oh yeah, it is definitely Omaha,” Lemke said when asked about their goal this season. “We have had that in our heads. I feel like this is a team that could do it, since we are definitely a team this year.” Twitter: @jbrewer32
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