03 01 2006

MOVIN’ TO THE BEAT

LIFE AFTER BASKETBALL

SEE TRENDS PAGE 5

SEE SPORTS PAGE 10

A look at the careers of two of Texas State’s finest high-flyers

Grupo Fantasma spices up the dance floor at Lucy’s on the Square

TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY SAN MARCOS

www.UniversityStar.com

MARCH 1, 2006

WEDNESDAY

VOLUME 95, ISSUE 58

Commissioners approve $100,000 in park bond for Trails Project

Brick-by-Brick Students come together to help build a stronger San Marcos

By Robert Best The University Star Texas State students teamed up with Habitat for Humanity last week to help build homes in the San Marcos community. The three-day event, named “Just Another Brick in the Quad,” began on Feb. 21.

For a $5 donation, students were able to personalize a brick to be used in the construction of a Habitat home. Students who attended the event ate free food and entered a drawing for prizes provided by local businesses.

“I put the name of my fraternity on the brick that I bought,” said Matt Bungo, finance junior. “It felt good to help, and they gave me free donuts.”

The personalized bricks were arranged in The Quad as doll-sized homes, symbolizing Habitat for Humanity’s goal to build better lives for San Marcos residents.

“The event went great,” said Lucy Gamez, San Marcos Habitat for Hu-

manity president. “Every single brick was sold, and the public relations students presented us a check worth over $700.”

The Public Relations Student Society of America hosted the fundraiser as part of a national contest called the Bateman Competition. The five-member San Marcos team wanted to create an effective public relations campaign that will later be reviewed by PR professionals.

“We set our goals really high, and we reached them with the students’ help,” said Danielle Schulz-Behrend, a mass communication senior participating in the Bateman Competition.

“We’ll know in three weeks where we rank among the competition.”

About 630 students signed up to volunteer in the San Marcos community.

“The public relations team showed a lot of effort, and we thank them for that,” Gamez said. “The students bought over 350 bricks and they should be proud as well.”

Kathy Martinez The University Star

O’Dell opposed construction that would involve cutting down trees to make space for the byThe Hays pass trail.

County Com“It is a waste missionof taxpayers Court ers’ money to approved sevdestroy trees eral agenda on land that items and has increased heard discusvalue because sion from of its natural Wimberley characteristics, Mayor Steve — Charles O’Dell and then turn Klepfer and around in the Hays Community Action end and replant Charles O’Dell, Network president new trees that president of the Hays Comare not as high munity Action Network, regard- quality as the prior natural seting an action item approving ting it had to begin with,” O’Dell $100,000 in park bond interest said.

Klepfer explained to the court income for the Wimberley Bythat the project, which will crepass Trails Project.

O’Dell told the court that ate almost 3.5 miles of trails, while he is not opposed to the will encourage pedestrian and construction of the trails, he is bicyclist usage in the Wimberley concerned with the unnecessary community. Klepfer also noted expenditures of tax money and that the bypass trails would link the lack of long-term planning to the Wimberley commercial district. on behalf of the county.

“This is a great example of “The trails are being constructed in an area where 100- political subdivisions coming year-old oak trees exist,” O’Dell and working together to create said. “This is a natural infra- a closer community,” Klepfer structure of the community, said. which gives that particular area See COURT, page 4 a lot of property value.”

“T

he trails are being constructed in an area where 100year-old trees exist.”

Mark Decker/Star photo HELPING HAND: Randi Tribou, marketing senior, signs up at the Habitat for Humanity project booth in The Quad on Feb. 22. Randi is also involved in Students in Free Enterprise. “I am a firm believer in Habitat and what it is trying to accomplish — giving people the dream of home ownership,” she said.

Houston consulting firm Spike Lee to speak on ‘Courage’ for Common Experience to receive input from witnesses at AALC afterparty at open forum

By Eloise Martin The University Star

By Ashley Richards The University Star As part of the investigation of the conflict between students and law enforcement officers following the African American Leadership Conference afterparty, Brown Group International, the Houston-based consulting firm looking into the event, will hold an open forum on Thursday to receive input from students who were involved in or have knowledge of the conflict.

“The focus of this is to discuss the circumstances that surrounded the incident on Sept.

11,” said Joanne Smith, vice president of student affairs.

Open door forum periods will be held from 11 a.m. to noon, 1 to 2 p.m. and 3 to 4 p.m. on Thursday in the LBJ Student Center, Room 3-8.1.

During these times, investigation team members from BGI will be available to hear from students concerned with the controversy that developed in the LBJSC Parking Garage.

Kate Robbins, vice president of student affairs executive assistant, said for the sake of time, only students who can contribute information about the incident through first-hand accounts or other knowledge are encouraged to attend the open forums. Student organizations that may be able to offer information about the happenings that night have been made aware of the open forums so

they may inform their members who wish to attend.

Smith said the Associated Student Government was clued in to the plans as well, because they have been involved in seeking a conclusion to the contradictory accounts from students and law enforcement officers about what happened.

A separate, closed session for students and student organizations that were directly involved in planning the AALC event will also be held, Smith said, so that the investigation group can get necessary information. Those who helped plan the conference and Alpha Kappa Alpha Fraternity, who hosted the afterparty, will be included in the separate session.

During the open forum, Smith said students should know it is not a time for people to attend just to observe what is happening, rather, BGI is looking for students who were directly involved.

“It’s for students who have any knowledge of the incident or have some concerns,” Smith said.

Students and police clashed while officers dispersed the crowd in the parking lot at the AALC afterparty, leading to the arrest of three students, at least one of whom was stunned by a police Taser. Officers from four law enforcement agencies responded to the incident, and in the aftermath, students and police officers gave contradictory accounts.

Today’s Weather

Mostly Sunny 84˚/55˚

Precipitation: 0% Humidity: 60% UV: 7 High Wind: S 14 mph

Filmmaker Spike Lee will be on campus today to speak on the theme of “Courage” as a part of Diversity Month and the Texas State program Common Experience.

Lee, who is known for films such as Malcolm X and Do the Right Thing, will speak in The Mall area between Alkek Library and the LBJ Student Center at 8 p.m.

Chris Frost, psychology professor, has been a part of Common Experience since its premier last year. The original theme was “Hatred and Re-

sponses to Hatred,” and the featured reading was Elie Wiesel’s Night. Frost said the program was created to bring the university community closer together.

“The university is so split up.

The Common Experience picks a theme and creates one part of the university life that is all on the same page,” Frost said.

Frost said Lee was chosen as a speaker this year because of the students’ expressed interest in the producer. He said Lee was a good choice because of his ability to explore controversial issues.

“His films like Do the Right Thing explore different issues, such as racism, without point-

ing fingers,” Frost said.

Frost said Lee fits the theme of “Courage” because he takes on issues that other directors may not attempt. He will also be a good transition to next year’s events, which will be centered on the theme “Protest and Dissent,” Frost said.

Lee received the invitation to speak at the university without directions from the school, Frost said. He was told the theme and asked to share his thoughts.

“None of us knows what he is going to say,” Frost said. “It is going to be a real conversation — not us telling him what to See COURAGE, page 4

Tom Legoff/SOCAPA SPIKE ON COURAGE: Filmmaker Spike Lee will discuss the theme of “Courage” as a part of the Common Experience at 8 p.m. in The Mall.

Jerusalem reporter jumps into fray when covering suicide bombings

By Jason Buch The University Star

Emily Messer/Star photo JERUSALEM JOURNALIST: Etgar Lefkovits addresses students at an event organized by the Society of Professional Journalists on Thursday evening in Old Main, Room 232. Ten students and faculty members gathered to hear the Jerusalem Post correspondent relate his experiences covering conflicts in Israel.

Two-day Forecast Thursday Partly Cloudy Temp: 84°/ 55° Precipitation: 10%

Friday Cloudy Temp: 80°/ 56° Precipitation: 20%

Etgar Lefkovits says the only way a journalist can properly tell readers a story is if he has witnessed the events he writes about.

This means that when a suicide bomber sets off a bomb in Jerusalem and everyone is running away, Lefkovits, Jerusalem correspondent for The Jerusalem Post, finds himself running toward the blast.

“Every time I got called out to cover a suicide bombing, I felt like I was going against human nature,” Lefkovits said. “Journalists, like police and rescue officials, are doing the exact opposite of everyone else — running toward the epicenter of carnage.”

The tall, impossibly thin Chicago native toyed with a string tied to the projector screen behind him as he described fighting against the tide of humanity fleeing a bomb blast.

Lefkovits came to Texas State on Thursday to speak to a small crowd at a

Inside

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Society of Professional Journalists meeting in Old Main. He addressed issues facing Israel, such as the Hamas victory in January’s Palestinian parliamentary elections, controversy concerning Arab and Israeli presence on the Temple Mount and the protective barrier fence Israel is building between itself and the Palestinian territories, as well as his experiences covering suicide bombings.

Lefkovits said he has a police pager that alerts him almost immediately about any major event in the city. He said he usually arrives at the site of a bombing 10 to 15 minutes after the initial explosion.

After arriving at the blast site, journalists must wait for police dogs to sniff the site for more bombs. Lefkovits said bombers sometimes set a second charge to kill anyone who rushes to help victims of the first bomb.

After police release the official casualty list and any information they have about the bomber, Lefkovits said he goes to the local hospitals to talk to victims See REPORTER, page 3

To Contact Trinity Building Phone: (512) 245-3487 Fax: (512) 245-3708 www.UniversityStar.com © 2006 The University Star

PAGE TWO The University Star

Wednesday in Brief

March 1, 2006

communityhappenings Construction to create traffic interruptions Traffic in the Hopkins, Hutchison and North streets area will be rerouted or temporarily interrupted this month as 90-foot semi-tractor trailers bring in pre-stressed concrete beams for the construction of a parking garage at the Sanctuary Lofts apartments.

The interruptions will occur on weekdays beginning Monday and continue through March 27, said Assistant Police

Chief Johnny James. Traffic on Hopkins Street downtown will be affected between the hours of 7 a.m. and 4 p.m.

North Street will be blocked between Hutchison and Burleson for staging prior to unloading on the site. Flagmen will be present at each of the barricades on North Street. Residents of the affected block will be granted access.

For more information, call James at (512) 753-2102.

— Courtesy of the City of San Marcos

News Contact — Kirsten Crow, starnews@txstate.edu

Calendar of

Catching some rays Exercise and sports science junior Brett Percefull takes advantage of the sunny weather to play catch Tuesday afternoon at the Les Chateaux Apartments.

EVENTS Clubs & Meetings Wednesday The Science Fiction & Fantasy Society will meet at 8 p.m. in the LBJ Student Center, Room 3-11.1.

ACOA/Dysfunctional Families Group will meet from 4:30 to 6 p.m. For more information, please call the Counseling Center at (512) 245-2208.

Thursday Facing the Fear: An Anxiety/Panic Group will meet from 4 to 5:30 p.m.

For information, call the Counseling Center.

ek1035@txstate.edu.

Thursday Danny and the Deep Blue Sea, directed

by Victoria Alvarez, will be performed at 7 p.m. in the Studio Theatre. It will run through Sunday.

Faculty artist Paolo Susanni will perform on the piano at 8 p.m. in the Recital Hall. Tickets are $2 for general admission and $1 for students.

Tyrone Sutton, senior piano, will perform at 6 p.m. in the Recital Hall. Admission is free.

Kappa Sigma Fite Nite registration will continue throughout this week in The Quad. Everyone is welcome to enter.

Bobcats for Christ will hold its weekly devotional session at 9:30 p.m. on the steps of The Mall on campus.

Miscellaneous

Events

Wednesday

Wednesday Higher Ground (Lutheran-Episcopal campus ministry) will hold its Ash Wednesday service, with Holy Communion, at 6 p.m. at St. Mark’s Church.

The CSC will have Ash Wednesday services at 12:05 p.m., 4 p.m., 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Ron Lenamon Jr. will present Lewis & Clark: Then and Now, will take place at 7 p.m. in the San Marcos Library.

The Society of Professional Journalists will host Matt Flores, criminal justice editor at the San Antonio ExpressNews, at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday in Old Main, Room 232. Flores will discuss how to request information under the Freedom of Information Act. The event is free, and everyone is invited.

Arts & Entertainment Wednesday There will be a ceramics sale in The Quad today and tomorrow. For more information, contact Liz at

Monty Marion/ Star photo

Friday

Thursday The second annual Multicultural Talent Show will take place at 7 p.m. in Evans Auditorium.

Also, the story “Sign swiped from Open Air evangelists” misidentified political science lecturer Rich Holtzman as Rick Holtzman.

If you are interested in attending summer school and want financial aid, applications must be submitted by today.

Applications are available online or in the J.C. Kellam Building, Suite 240.

Participation forms for Bobcat Build are due at the table in The Quad, the Campus Activities and Student Organizations desk on the fourth floor of the LBJSC or at the River House. For more information, contact Kalista Glasgow at kalista@txstate.edu.

CALENDAR SUBMISSION POLICY Calendar submissions are free. Send submissions to Calendar of Events at starcalendar@txstate.edu or call (512) 245-3487 for more information.

E-mailed press releases will not be accepted. If using e-mail, please submit as a simple bulleted list of essential information. Submissions are on a first come, first served basis and notices for weekly meetings need to be submitted every week they will take place.

The University Star reserves the right to refuse entries or edit for libel, style and space purposes. Deadline: Three working days prior to publication.

WE ALL MAKE MISTAKES On the front page of Tuesday’s paper, the story “Cognisa contract finalized, up for student approval in April” mistakenly stated that new buses would “begin running in fall 2005” if the student referendum on the bus contract extension passes. The new buses are actually scheduled to begin service in the Fall 2007 semester.

Campus Sports

The Catholic Student Center will have The Rock Praise & Worship at 7:30 p.m. in the CSC chapel.

STARS OF TEXAS STATE POLICY

Do you know someone at Texas State who has recently celebrated a great achievement? Nominate your choice to appear in The Star as a “Star of Texas State.” Write an e-mail to starletters@txstate.edu with the subject line “Stars of Texas State,” and include your nominee’s name, his/her relationship to the university, contact information for yourself and your nominee, and a brief description of the achievement.

Also include a photo of your nominee if available.

Accepted nominees will be featured at the top of Page Two.

CRIME BL TTER University Police Department Feb. 25, 3:54 a.m.

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia/Bexar Garage A police officer made contact with a student. Upon further investigation, the student was issued a citation for possession of drug paraphernalia.

San Marcos Police Department Feb. 27, 8:11 a.m.

Forgery Report/ 2300 S. Interstate 35

Business has had prescriptions forged using its U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration number.

Feb. 27, 4:35 p.m.

Fraud/2300 S. I-35 Information report: Possible fraud.

Feb. 27, 7:39 p.m.

Possession of Marijuana Under Two Ounces/ 3939 S. I-35 Officer on patrol came upon a male smoking marijuana in a vehicle.

Crime stoppers: UPD: 245-7867, SMPD: 353-TIPS

In the photo cutline on Page 3, Air Force ROTC cadet Brandon Glass was misidentified as Brandon Tlaff.

ASG Beat ASG seeks senator for spring semester The Associated Student Government is seeking students who would be interested in serving as a senator for the remainder of the spring semester and those who would like to join the newly formed Legislative Relations Agency.

The LRA is a student group that serves as an extension of student government, working as a liaison to the national and state governments advocating student interests. The LRA meets at 6 p.m. Sunday in the ASG office, Room 4-5.1 of the LBJ Student Center, and is open to all those interested.

Students are also reminded

that the deadline for turning in applications for the ASG scholarship is today. This scholarship is open to all students, and you can print an application from the ASG Web site.

Thanks to all of those students who stopped by the grievance session tent in The Quad last week. It was great hearing straight from the students what they were concerned about and wanted ASG to help out with. There will be another session scheduled after Spring Break, so look for updates soon.

To apply for Student Senate, go to www.asg.txstate.edu.

— Courtesy of Associated Student Government

NEWS

Wednesday, March 1, 2006

REPORTER: Visiting correspondent tells SPJ what the job takes CONTINUED from page 1

still seem small and insignificant compared to Sept 11. It really just and their families. kind of put it all in perspective “I call them the stories of and helped out to know what’s fate you hear in the hospitals,” going on over there.”

Lefkovits said. “To my mind, it’s Lefkovits told other Jerusalem absolutely necessary not only to survivor stories. go to the suicide bombing site, “I met one teenage girl who but to go to the hospitals with was within a nine-block radius the bombing of six different victims. Othattacks,” Lefkoerwise you get vits said. “Like a very dry stoa cat with nine ry, and to my lives.” mind that’s Talking about absolutely the Palestinian morally unacelections, Lefkoceptable.” vits said a Hamas The scene victory should Lefkovits alhave been exways pictures pected because from the hosthe Fatah party pital is that that has long of victims’ controlled the families goPalestinian Auing through thority is filled the lists of with corruption. wounded beHe also said the cause, he said, Hamas victory “the lists of will most likely the wounded spur more uniare the lists of lateral Israeli life.” moves like last Robin Royear’s withdrawmancik, mass al from the Gaza communicaStrip. tion junior, “I think I resaid she came ally got to learn — Etgar Lefkovits to see Lefkoa lot,” RumanJerusalem Post cik said. “I don’t vits speak for correspondent know a lot about extra credit in her informawhat goes down tion gathering and analysis class. between Israel and Palestine. I “I feel like the suicide bomb- thought it was obviously a slantings are tragic, and the stuff he ed perspective, but he gave some told us really made it come to points of view from the Palestinlife,” Ramancik said. “It could ian side.”

call them “I the stories of fate you hear

in the hospitals.

To my mind, it’s absolutely necessary not only to go to the suicide bombing site, but to go to the hospitals with the bombing victims.

Otherwise you get a very dry story, and to my mind that’s absolutely morally unacceptable.”

Go fetch!

The University Star - Page 3

Survey: Americans know Simpsons better than 1st Amendment

By Gerry Doyle Chicago Tribune CHICAGO — A survey released Wednesday showcases a bit of data that should surprise nobody: Americans know more about The Simpsons than they do about the First Amendment.

The study, conducted by the McCormick Tribune Freedom Museum, focuses on the First Amendment and found that less than 1 percent of the respondents could identify the five protected rights — freedom of religion, speech, the press, assembly and to petition the government.

On the other hand, about 20 percent of respondents could name Bart and Homer and all the other three members of the animated Simpson family.

The random telephone survey of 1,000 U.S. adults was conducted by the marketing research firm Synovate Jan. 20 through 22. The survey has a margin of error of 3 percentage points.

“There was a depth of ... confusion that we weren’t expecting,” said Dave Anderson, executive director of the mu-

seum that will open April 11 in Chicago. “I think people take their freedoms for granted. Bottom line.”

The constitutional confusion extended beyond what is written in the First Amendment.

Many respondents also had interesting ideas about items the Framers did not include.

The right to own pets, for example, which 21 percent of respondents said was listed someplace between “Congress shall make no law” and “redress of grievances.” Seventeen percent said that the amendment contained the right to drive a car. And 38 percent thought that “taking the Fifth Amendment” was part of the first.

The problem, Anderson said, is that most folks don’t see any point in memorizing the First Amendment. And, of course, interpreting a historical document isn’t as fun as laughing at a TV show, he added.

The survey “isn’t surprising, because it’s rational to be ignorant of these things,” said Northwestern University law professor John McGinnis, a constitutional law expert. “You don’t get much for knowing the particulars.”

In other words, constitutional scholarship has less of a practical payoff than knowing how a car engine works, he said.

He suggested a new reality TV program as a way to stir popular interest in the Constitution. Call it The Supremes.

“I’m in favor of ... more publicity for the (U.S.) Supreme Court,” he said, explaining that its cases should be televised.

Columbia University law professor Michael Dorf said the results weren’t shocking.

“I wouldn’t give people a very hard time for not knowing that freedom of religion is protected by the First Amendment,” Dorf said.

Which isn’t to say that there aren’t any drawbacks to widespread ignorance, Dorf said. If people ignore their rights, those rights might disappear, he said.

“The Constitution is just a piece of paper,” he said. “What makes it work is a public commitment to living under it. And that requires some minimal understanding of what it entails.”

Anderson hopes that the museum, which lets visitors explore and discuss First Amendment issues through its exhibits, will

send people home with a greater understanding and curiosity about the Constitution. The museum will also launch an interactive Web site and distribute curricula for middle school and high school.

The museum is run by the McCormick Tribune Foundation, an independent nonprofit organization separate from Tribune Co. with substantial holdings in Tribune Co. stock.

In an interview on Chicago’s Michigan Avenue Tuesday afternoon, Kyle Lambert, 26, who said his favorite Simpsons character was Homer, struggled to list the five rights of the First Amendment. That bothered him, he said.

“It seems to me that Americans have a pretty limited view of their world,” he said. The First Amendment is “definitely important. It deals with what we want to do every day.”

Law professor Dorf said he could easily name all the Simpsons, and that Lisa, a studious vegetarian, was his favorite.

“It’s obvious what should happen here,” Dorf said. The Constitution “should be featured in an episode of The Simpsons.”

Page 4 - The University Star

NEWS

Wednesday, March 1, 2006

COURAGE: Lee to ‘do the right thing’ at Texas State CONTINUED from page 1

say.”

Frost said Lee has embraced the chance to come to Texas State and has been easy to work with. Lee will remain after his speech to answer questions from the audience. The team members working with the Common Experience hope he will be able to shake up students.

Although Lee is set to begin speaking at 8 p.m., Frost advised students and faculty to arrive before then.

“Anyone who really wants to see Spike Lee should get there early,” he said. “Seating is limited.”

Eben Corey, political science

“H

is films like Do the Right Thing explore different issues, such as racism, without pointing fingers.”

— Chris Frost psychology professor

senior, said he is looking forward to seeing Lee speak.

“I just want to sit there and take in what he is saying,” he said.

Corey said he has been a fan of Lee since he saw Malcolm X. He said it is his favorite Lee film because of the lack of censorship.

“It shows aspects of the things that were going on that most

people would rather not talk about,” he said.

The Common Experience program used Tim O’Brien’s novel If I Die in a Combat Zone as the required reading material for the “Courage” theme, and last semester hosted acclaimed poet Maya Angelou as a speaker.

The event is free and open to the public.

COURT: Project a ‘partnership’ between cities, commissioner says CONTINUED from page 1

Commissioner Will Conley, 3rd Precinct, supported the construction of the bypass trails and asked the court for their support in allocating the proposal.

“It’s a great project that promotes recreation and community ties,” Conley said.

Commissioner Russ Molenaar, 4th Precinct, said the project is a partnership between cities and is something that the people want.

O’Dell said he felt the court was not looking at the project in

a comprehensive context.

“We are moving from a rural to an urban community, and too many of our elected officials are not up to speed with the longrange comprehensive planning that a project like this involves,” O’Dell said.

“I don’t think that people have problems paying their fair share of taxes, but are rather concerned with wanting the best value for what their taxes are being spent on,” he said.

O’Dell said there is a definite problem involving the management of the plan.

“There has been good planning on the part of the county and city, and great work has been done and will be done to accomplish this project,” Molenaar said.

A motion was passed to approve $100,000 in park bond interest income for the Wimberley Bypass Trails Project.

Other items passed by the court included the purchase of a portable building for the Day Treatment Program and allowing the placement of program’s building at the Hays County Sheriff ’s Office.

Your friendly neighborhood watchdog.

TRENDS THE UNIVERSITY STAR

trendythoughts

Are you planning on attending SXSW this year? If so, which bands would you like to see?

“No, it’s just an empty pipe dream for musicians.

So, I’ll pass.”

— Adam Booker jazz studies junior

“Yeah, I’d like to go. I don’t know who’s playing, but I’d like to hear some reggae, folk or bluegrass.”

— Jared Yeager geography junior

Wednesday, March 1, 2006 - Page 5

Trends Contact — Kyle Bradshaw, starentertainment@txstate.edu

Grupo’s rhythm is gonna get you

By Sam Ladach-Bark The University Star Austin local Grupo Fantasma spiced Lucy’s on ✯✯✯✯ up the Square Grupo Fantasma on Saturday Lucy’s with a lot of Sat. Feb. 25 Latin heat.

They filled the stage with three horns, two guitars, three drum sets, one bass guitar and 11 of the most

concert review

hrough two sets and more than T two hours of pumping-fast salsa, the crowd just couldn’t seem to get enough.

talented artists in Tejano and salsa. As one of the most explosive live music forces in Austin’s formidable arsenal, these boys know how to get people on their feet.

Drawing from a 14-year history together, the band’s songs were incredibly tight and crisp.

Lead percussionist and primary songwriter Jose Galeano, a native of Nicaragua, kept the beat

at center stage. For mariachi and salsa bands, the percussionist plays a central role, and Galeano runs a tight ship. His smooth accented voice along with his firm navigation across the drums kept the dance floor sizzling. He had help from Johnny Lopez, also on drums, and Matt “Sweet Lou” Holmes on congas. Among other key instruments was the horn section featuring Gengee Centeno, Leo Gauna and Gilbert Elorreaga, whose acute sense of timing and clarity enhanced the

group’s explosive appeal. All the while, Greg Gonzalez, Adrian Quesada and Beto Martinez kept the backbeat with their fluid and rhythmic string section.

Different from many other bigband Latin groups, Grupo isn’t afraid to follow a beat wherever it goes — moving in and out of jazz and funk-based melodies, which made for an immensely diverse performance on Saturday.

This vibrant ensemble knows how to merge the strengths and sweet subtleties of each instrument, which shows how truly gifted each member is. As a result, anybody can appreciate the band’s songs, especially those with a deep-rooted passion for contemporary Latin music.

At the core of this group is a very strong work ethic. With the release of its second CD, Movimiento Popular in 2004, Grupo embarked on a massive national tour that took them from coast to coast in just less than a month; hile on tour, they visited 29 cities in 13 states. With more than 15,000 copies of their album sold just at the venues, they were a hit with music lovers everywhere.

Not only has the band gained the instant approval of Austinites, but it has also been named the Austin Music Awards’ Best Latin Contemporary Band for four years running, adding Best Danny Rodriguez/Star photo Horns in 2005.

They have been called the WORKING THE CROWD: Adrian Quesada, guitarist of Grupo Fantasma, got the crowd moving and dancing to the music while playing at Lucy’s on the Square on Saturday night.

Melody Mann traveling Hard Road to top

By Katie Reed The University Star Melody Mann, a blues and jazzinfluenced rock band, played an acoustic show and released its debut album, Hard Road, at Waterloo Icehouse on Friday night.

The band played tracks off its album with just four of its band members present because of the small size of the stage. Kelly Williams-Mann, guitar and lead vocals; Thomas Mann, keyboard and vocals; Scott Beardsley, bass and Jeff Jeffries, drums rocked new songs from the album during the set.

The band’s music is fun to listen to because some songs have more

of a country feel to them, while others sound more like rock ‘n’ roll or blues. Kelly Williams-Mann’s strong, rich voice sounds flawless whether it has a Texas twang or a New Orleans’s blues feel. Not only is the singer-songwriter easy on the ears, watching her perform is relaxing in a way because she seems so comfortable and at ease on stage. Thomas Mann’s performance on the keyboard in songs such as “Another Day” and “My Way Home” was also entertaining and upbeat.

Melody Mann was formed in Austin two years ago and has been working on Hard Road for the past year.

Williams-Mann called the

band’s music a “blend of blues, jazz and rock with a little Texas twang, which kind of encompasses everything; that’s really what our music is. Just because you hear one song,

you can’t judge our music on that one song because the next song might be country, the next song See MELODY, page 7

“Probably not, but if I went, I’d probably see the New Pornographers.”

— Joel Sutton pre-music freshman

Compiled by Monte Marion

FANTASMA FANATICS: People packed Lucy’s on the Square on Saturday night to dance to the Latin beats of Grupo Fantasma.

LATIN LEADER: Jose Galeano, lead singer and percussionist, sings to an energetic audience last weekend.

Danny Rodriguez/ Star photos most talented band in Austin today, and Saturday night San Martians found out why. Requiring no social lubrication or quiet observance, fans and new listeners alike were shaking and stepping from start to finish.

People even flocked to the stage for their brief sound check. Everywhere listeners stood, they were compelled and driven by the infectious beat to move and groove. Although this did make it difficult to navigate past swarms of swaying hips in order to get a drink, it was clear that everybody was having fun.

As an added bonus, Dos Equis was on the scene handing out free beer and bottle openers. Galeano and the rest of the group gave vocal praise, on more than one occasion, to the purveyors of their favorite beer.

Through two sets and more than two hours of fast-pumping salsa, the crowd just couldn’t seem to get enough. Grupo belted out one catchy number after the next, making it hard to leave the dance floor.

Over the past two years, Grupo Fantasma has been packing dance floors across the U.S. and Mexico, and Lucy’s was no exception. They once again proved themselves to be the unquestionable hot spot for dancing in San Marcos.

Grupo Fantasma will be playing at 1 a.m. on March 16 at the Cedar Street Courtyard during South by Southwest.

Page 6 - The University Star

TRENDS

Wednesday, March 1, 2006

Sigur Ros brings minimalism to Bass Concert Hall

By Sam Ladach-Bark The University Star It’s difficult to find words that can do justice ✯✯✯✯ to Sigur Ros’ Sigur Ros performance Bass Concert on Sunday Hall at the Bass Sun. Feb. 26 Concert Hall, which was nothing short of breathtaking. Drenched with clarity, raw emotion, stunning visuals and pure musical harmony, this concert was one of epic proportions.

Hailing from Iceland, this foursome has been together since August 1994. They try to convey with their music the beautiful landscape of their homeland, but in many ways it is impossible to justify their unique and atmospheric sound with words. You have to hear it to fully understand. Drawing from a very large underground following, they have had a lot of hype to live up to.

If you have ever been to the Bass Concert Hall, you might be familiar with the opera house feel it conveys to its spectators.

Unlike any other concerts I have been to, everyone in the audience kept perfectly quiet as the melodious passion washed over them. Applause was held until the absolute last sound of each song made its last echo off the walls. Raucous cheers ensued, but were quickly stifled as they transitioned to the next number.

The band played almost every song from their latest release, Takk, and many fan favorites from previous albums. In the opening song “Glosi,” a screen was dropped in front of the band projecting the members’ shadows and making them seem larger than life; this being fitting as it is hard to believe that regular people could produce such docile and beautiful music. The entire stage was bathed in soft light, ranging in colors from blue to red moving fluidly with the beat.

With the beginning and ending of each song, I could feel the hairs on my neck standing endwise. Kjartan Sveinsson’s smooth navigation of the keyboards set the tone for each song, while Orri Pall Dyrason, drummer, and Georg Holm, bassist, kept the backbeat. Jon

concert review

W

hen you’re used to seeing shows at venues like Emo’s or Stubb’s, it is easy to forget how pure and clear live music can be. The acoustics at the venue reverberated and rang out each tone brilliantly. por Birgisson, front man and founder of the band, played his guitar with a cello bow, creating the unique atmospheric distortion commonly associated with this group. His sweet voice rang out in pure clarity, falling somewhere between that of Thom Yorke and a choirboy.

Five violinists joined the core group at times to give the songs an orchestral rock mood. The raw emotion and ambience was stunning, never faltering from one performance to the next.

It was interesting to see how a crowd that wanted desperately to sway and cheer to the music silently let each song wash over them. It is hard to do little more in the concert hall’s tight seating arrangement, but it was a very fitting sign of respect and love for such an incredible group.

When you’re used to seeing shows at venues like Emo’s or Stubb’s, it is easy to forget how pure and clear live music can be. The acoustics at the venue reverberated and rang out each tone brilliantly. I could not imagine a better setting for this show.

The visual set up also added another dimension to the music, which was especially amazing for their finale, track six from their untitled album. After the song, the band was given an instant standing ovation as every member stepped onto the stage for a final bow.

Although I may have walked away from that show with permanent ear damage, I would not trade the experience for any other live performance I have witnessed.

Courtesy of Geffen Records ICELAND ROCK: Sigur Ros performed songs from its latest album, Takk, at the Bass Concert Hall in Austin on Sunday.

TRENDS/DIVERSIONS

Wednesday, March 1, 2006

✯Star Comics

The University Star - Page 7

MELODY: Austin band experiments to create unique style CONTINUED from page 5

more jazzy, and the next song will be totally rockin’.”

Artists such as Janis Joplin, Heart, Bob Dylan and Sheryl Crow have influenced Melody Mann’s music. For Mann, putting his own spin on the music that influences the sound of the band is important.

Mann’s musical influence comes from “music with structure that has an actual, cohesive melody line, but where you take it from there is the influence that you can put into it yourself, your own creativity, your own approach to it.”

Kelly Williams-Mann and Thomas Mann write all of Melody Mann’s songs and lyrics, and the two said they rarely argue or disagree over the direction of the songs.

“I think one of the biggest obstacles for any band is just the whole interpersonal things. It’s really tricky, but we’ve been really fortunate here in Austin with this band … I mean, everyone just gets along really well, and there are no big issues or anything like that,” Williams-Mann said.

While recording Hard Road, the couple said their approach was to constantly play around with the concepts of the songs, sometimes completely changing them, and then going into the studio without feeling completely confident.

Mann explained that “the song ‘Hard Road’ had a different concept for a long time … It had a completely different sound and feel … And we just flat out said, ‘OK, scrap it,’ and here’s the new feel and just literally went into the studio that way. We hadn’t even practiced it … It’s one of the freshest approaches I’ve ever taken because not only is everyone uncomfortable, which is kind of cool, but everybody is on the edge of their seats trying to make sure everything is tight as opposed to a tired old song that we’ve practiced for a year.”

Melody Mann has only been around for a couple of years, and it has already booked gigs opening for popular artists such as David Allen Coe and B.B. King.

Although the band loves Austin and the music scene here, Williams-Mann said that it’s very competitive and sometimes hard

to get the “good gigs.” Melody Mann’s versatile sound on its debut album could be just what the band needs to become a new Austin “it” band.

Stephanie Gage/Star photo JAZZ WITH A TEXAS TWANG: Friday in Austin, Melody Mann filled the ears of the audience while promoting its new CD Hard Road.

SU DO KU Complete the grid so that every row, column, and 3-by-3 box contains every digit from one through nine inclusively.

Tuesday’s solutions:

© Pappocom

Tuesday’s solutions:

Go to www.UniversityStar.com for today’s answers.

OPINIONS THE UNIVERSITY STAR

”

quoteof the day “It’s quite a story.”

— Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer during the proceedings of the case between former Playboy Playmate Anna Nicole Smith and her late husband’s family and the disbursement of his estimated $1.6 billion dollar fortune.

(Source: CNN)

Wednesday, March 1, 2006 - Page 8

Opinions Contact — Joe Ruiz, staropinion@txstate.edu

THE MAIN POINT

The independent investigators looking into the events following the 2005 African American Leadership Conference will hold an open forum on Thursday to help determine what took place that night.

Brown Group International, a Houston-based consulting firm, will meet with anybody who has first-hand knowledge of the confrontation between students and law enforcement officials. What’s important about that is the call for people with first-hand knowledge of that night. This isn’t the time for you to come in and gripe because Parking Services gave you a ticket or the University Police Department busted your dormitory party.

While we’re at it, it is time to commend the university on one aspect of the follow-up.

By going out of their way to request the organizations involved in the events to attend both the open- and closed-door sessions as well as calling The University Star to tell us about the meeting, it’s a rare instance of government transparency that we can all benefit from.

The reason we published both the story on today’s front page as well as this editorial is to help notify as many people as possible about the meetings so that their voices can truly be heard and we can bring these events to an amicable conclusion.

One concern that we do have about the university’s handling of this meeting is the asking by Joanne Smith, the vice president of Student Affairs, for students not to attend the meetings simply to observe the proceedings.

One of the essential elements of open government is that they are indeed open to the public.

It’s inevitable that the amount of media coverage — including our own — will generate interest by those who, while not directly involved in the events, take an interest in the goings-on of the campus.

Those who wish to attend the meetings and observe the proceedings should do so. We at The Star have always wanted our readers to find out for themselves the answers to the questions they have and not solely rely on any media source for their news coverage.

The planners of these meetings might have underestimated the interest in that night; and considering the amount of people who rallied in The Quad and attended the joint press conference on Sept. 21, the university should have figured people would like to know exactly what the independent investigators are listening to.

The Star will have a reporter, photojournalist and videojournalist on hand throughout the day to document the speakers and present those three elements to our readers in both our Tuesday edition and at www.UniversityStar.com. While we encourage all who wish to know of the proceedings to attempt to attend one of the three open sessions, we do ask that all who do so respect the investigators and the university by eliminating any outbursts or reactions to what is said and provide a fair and honest recap of the night in question.

Only then can the rift between the students, the university and local law enforcement begin to heal.

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 UniversitySan Marcos.

Do you think the University is doing an acceptable job getting to the bottom of the AALC incident?

“I’m not really sure what all they are doing. It seems a lot is being done just to try to keep people happy.”

— Ismael Muniz pre-mass communication sophomore

“They are being active but still don’t seem to be putting out a lot of effort.”

— Jeremy Johnson exercise and sports science junior

“Yeah, I think they are doing an acceptable job. They are doing all they can do.”

— Robert Clark biology sophomore

Compiled by Monty Marion

The University Star 601 University Drive Trinity Building San Marcos, TX 78666 Phone: (512) 245-3487 Fax: (512) 245-3708

Jeffrey Cole/Star Illustrator

Witnesses to AALC clash should come forward for panel

Economy suffers as enrollment drops (EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the second in a threepart series of columns from Nicole Hernandez about the Austin Community College and a possible election on a new tax for the residents of San Marcos.)

cos when deciding where to establish new business.

“Apparently the indicators out there are that we do not have the educated workNICOLE HERNANDEZ force to attract Star Columnist that type if industry,” Sierra said.

Providing highAlbert Sierra, WHO IS HE, er education opportunities to and the San Marcos/ACC Yes! students of all ages, cultures Coalition support annexation. and socioeconomic standings The need for an educated will encourage companies to workforce in San Marcos create jobs in our community drives the group’s ambition in the future. This would alin getting San Marcos CISD low residents a chance to beannexed. San Marcos should come college-educated in the be concerned about the future community where they live, of the local economy, Sierra work and spend their money. said, and the state’s ability to Not investing in higher remain a competitive force on education will cost our state a national level. much more money than Many of today’s jobs rethis local tax. The Texas quire higher education in orComptroller of Public Acder to earn wages that would counts conducted a survey satisfy quality living stanin 2005 concerning the effect dards. According to the 2000 of higher education on the Census, out of the San Marcos state economy. Researchers population older than the age found that every dollar spent of 25, only 29 percent of resion higher education returns dents have a bachelor’s degree more than five times that or higher. Lowering the cost amount to the state economy. of higher education could efFurthermore, higher earnings fectively change that number, and productivity by collegeor at least provide a gateway educated students increases to improvement. the Texas economic capacThe Coalition is convinced ity by $23.1 billion per year. that an educated workforce Texas will not remain an ecowould also bring large, new nomically competitive state if businesses to San Marcos. we continue to ignore the lack Currently, technologically of higher education opportubased companies like AMD nities for students. A similar choose places like Round study in California found Rock as opposed to San Marthat every dollar unspent on

Dear Readers:

In Tuesday’s issue, we published an article by Zandria Avila (“Sign swiped from Open Air evangelists”) regarding an incident in which a member of the evangelist group Open Air Outreach pushed over a student while chasing a man who had attempted to steal a sign from the group.

In addition to accounts from the parties involved in the incident, the article quoted an e-mail that political science lecturer Rich Holtzman sent The Star on Thursday afternoon, in which Holtzman stated that he witnessed the incident.

When contacted by Avila via e-mail, Holtzman replied that the purpose his original e-mail, which was sent to the account generally used for letters to the editor meant for publication — starletters@txstate.edu — “was to offer (his) own observations about what does and does not constitute a quality educational environment” rather than as a witness’s account of the events. He also declined to elaborate on the events he witnessed, “other than what (he had) already written” in the letter. The reporter misunderstood this statement to mean that Holtzman understood the letter would be used in the story.

Regrettably, we published a quote from the letter in the article, it being the only account from an uninvolved party.

Certainly, letters to the editor may ethically be used as sources for news content — even without the author’s knowledge or

Editor In Chief..................David Michael Cohen, stareditor@txstate.edu Managing Editor..................................Joe Ruiz, staropinion@txstate.edu News Editor......................................Kirsten Crow, starnews@txstate.edu Assistant News Editor.........................Jason Buch, jb1163@txstate.edu Trends Editor.................Kyle Bradshaw, starentertainment@txstate.edu Photo Editor......................................A. D. Brown, starphoto@txstate.edu Sports Editor...................................Miguel Peña, starsports@txstate.edu

higher education costs the state two dollars in social services. Although ACC annexation would increase taxes by a small amount right now, the cost of declining college enrollment will cost our state much more in the future.

It cannot be ignored that San Marcos has a Hispanic majority, as does the state of Texas. The U.S. Census Bureau reported that as of 2000, 48 percent of Texas’ workingage population had less than a high school diploma, while only 13 percent have any college degree. The Hispanic community is the fastest growing group in Texas, but is increasingly and consistently uneducated.

Patrick Callan wrote in the Austin Business Journal that by 2020, about 37 percent of working-age adults in Texas will be Hispanic. Hispanics and African-Americans will be half of the working-age population, but will have insufficient education. Of the Anglo population in Texas, only 9 percent of them are without high school diplomas. 40 percent of them have college degrees.

When the cost of higher education climbs, the poor and uneducated lose the opportunity to attend college and become contributing members of society, thus remaining poor and uneducated. That group also happens to be the majority of residents in San Marcos and in Texas. It must be gravely understood

permission — if the information used is necessary and appropriate to the story and cannot be obtained by other means. However, in this case, none of those conditions were met.

The excerpt from the letter did not provide any information other than what was already obtained from the two participants, nor was there a dispute between their accounts that the letter could resolve.

Furthermore, the content of the letter, including the excerpt used, was more impassioned advocacy than disinterested testimony. Finally, the letter, written shortly after the incident and based on just a brief observation, contained a factual inaccuracy that was reprinted in the story and not qualified in the text. The quote described the evangelists who chased after the thief as “hired security” for the preacher who had been speaking when the incident occurred. They were not.

The use of this letter as a source for this story reflected both miscommunication and poor journalistic judgment on our part. We apologize to Mr. Holtzman, to Open Air Outreach and to our readers for this error. We will not let it happen again.

In order to give our readers a fuller understanding of this incident, we have included Mr. Holtzman’s original letter to the editor on this page.

Copy Desk Chief.........................Emily Messer, starcpchief@txstate.edu Design Editor.......................................Matt Rael, stardesign@txstate.edu Systems Administrator.............Chris Jeane, starsysadmin@txstate.edu Webmaster...........................Ryan Johnson, starwebadmin@txstate.edu Art Director.......................................Marisa Leeder, ml1131@txstate.edu Advertising Coordinator......................Jodie Claes, starad1@txstate.edu Account Executive......................Richard Para, Jr., rp1060@txstate.edu

— The Star editorial board

that not enough minorities are entering higher education.

The Texas Education Agency reported that 56 percent of SMCISD 2004 graduates had not entered a public higher education institution within the year after they graduated. Sixty percent of those students are economically disadvantaged, according to the 2003-2004 TEA Academic Excellence Indicator System. The Institutional Research Office at Texas State documented that in the last three fall semesters less than 150 graduates from San Marcos High School enrolled at Texas State.

That’s only about 50 seniors every year going to a premier college in their hometown.

What are the chances that the majority of SMHS graduates will ever become college educated or economically advantaged? Texas must enroll an additional 630,000 students into higher education in the next 10 years in order to remain an economic heavyweight and fulfill the need for a qualified workforce.

SMCISD and its voters cannot afford to turn a blind eye to this distressing information. Del Valle ISD elected to join the taxing district and consequently enjoy the benefits being offered to the San Marcos school district. The ACC enrollment after joining the district increased more than 60 percent. There is hope. It would serve the community well to heed the warning of the state.

I saw something (Thursday) that really took me by surprise.

No, it wasn’t the crowd of Texas State students enthusiastically engaged in critical thinking and free speech under the big horses statue; although it was a breath of fresh air that hopefully will blow our way more often.

Actually, what I saw was the dimestore preacher who drew this crowd, and his hired security (goons of salvation?), engage in something that bordered on the physical assault of university students.

Yes, freedom of speech makes the exchange of ideas possible; it is the motor that drives education.

But a real exchange of ideas does not demand the presence of goons — in fact, it demands the very opposite.

Rich Holtzman lecturer, department of Political Science Letters policy: E-mail letters to starletters@txstate.edu. Letters must be no longer than 300 words. No anonymous letters will be printed. We reserve the right to edit for grammar, spelling, space and libel.

We reserve the right to refuse obscene, irrelevant and malicious letters. All e-mails must include the name and phone number of the letter writer. Students should also include their classifications and majors.

Account Executive................................Ana Kulak, ak1094@txstate.edu Account Executive..................................Lindsay Lee, atlas@txstate.edu Account Executive.....................Lindsey Randolph, lr1068@txstate.edu Student Business Manager................Robby Silva, rs1237@txstate.edu Publications Coordinator..Linda Allen, starbusinessoffice@txstate.edu Publications Director..............Bob Bajackson, stardirector@txstate.edu Visit The Star at www.UniversityStar.com

The University Star is the student newspaper of Texas State University-San Marcos published Tuesday through Thursday during the fall and spring semesters. It is distributed on campus and throughout San Marcos at 8 a.m. every other Wednesday of Summer I and II with a distribution of 6,000. Printing and distribution is by the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung.

Copyright March 1, 2006. 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.

C �LASSIFIEDS ���������� THE ����UNIVERSITY �����������STAR ����

��������������������� ad policiesand costs

Wednesday, March 1, 2006 - Page 9 Wednesday, August 24, 2005 - Page 33

All classified ads are charged 20¢ per word. Ads may be emailed to starclassifieds@txstate.edu.

Check your classified ad for accuracy. Any changes must be made by the second day of publication.

The deadline for all classified ads is noon two business days prior to publication. Classified ads must be paid in advance unless credit has been established. Refunds will only be given when a classified ad has been paid by credit card. The Star reserves the right to refuse, edit, and discontinue any classified ad at any time without prior notification. Classified ads will be edited for style purposes. Classified ads that do not note heading, will be put under the appropriate heading. All classified ads are published free, on-line at www.universitystar.com. Since this is a free service, posting is not guaranteed. While The University Star attempts to screen ads for misleading claims or illegal content, it is not possible for us to investigate every ad and advertiser. Please use caution when answering ads, especially any which require you to send money in advance.

E-mail starclassifieds@txstate.edu Email Classifieds Classifieds at starclassifieds@txstate.edu

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The University Star is available at the following locations in San Marcos.

Alnighter Diner Alvin Ord’s Applebee’s Café on the Square Cancun Rob’s Chamber of Commerce Cheatham Street City Hall Classic Cuts Conley Carwash Eskimo Hut Garcia’s Gil’s Broiler Goodyear Great Clips Grin’s HEB on Hopkins Hill Country Grill Jo on the Go Klingemann Both locations of Mochas & Java’s Murphy’s Deli Rose Garden SM Library Southern Exposure Spud Ranch Sundance Tanco The Meadow’s The Yellow Store Valentino’s Wing Stop Zooka’s Let us know where you would like to see The Star on-campus and in San Marcos. Email starad1@txstate.edu with your suggestions.

SPORTS THE UNIVERSITY STAR

sports snortsquotes from the sports world “If everything works right, Hudson will open. It’s Hudson’s turn this year.”

— Atlanta Braves Manager, Bobby Cox, on the expectationsof Tim Hudson taking the starting spot over John Smoltz, who gladly stepped aside for Huddy entering his second year with the team.

(Source: ESPN News)

Wednesday, March 1, 2006 - Page 10

Bears bowl over Bobcats in one-run heartbreaker, 4-3

By Miguel Peña The University Star Texas State Baseball dropped their fifth straight game with a 4-3 loss to Baylor on Tuesday night in a heartbreaker that could have been the biggest win of the season.

Trailing by one, the Bobcats headed into the ninth with David Wood moving over from first base to the pitcher’s mound to close out the game. Needing to keep the Bears down, Wood started the inning with back-toback-to-back strikeouts leaving Beamer Weems without his third hit of the night.

Texas State looked for the comeback with two outs as Aaron Garza got on base with a squeaker to right field followed by a Luke Cannon single. Cody Merrell stepped to the plate with the winning runner on first base, but a pop fly foul ball was all she wrote for the Bobcats.

With Nick Cassavechia taking the win for the Bears, Jason Baca was left with the loss on the night.

Texas State finished the game with 10 men left on base, showing consistent hitting as one of the key weaknesses in the offensive game.

“When you’re not hitting as well, you hold on to every at bat we got to get to a point where we are driving some of those guys in,” said head coach Ty Harrington.

Baylor and Texas State stood scoreless through three innings with Kyle Gembler pitching three shutout innings before he was pulled and relieved by Ryan Bennett with a 5.54 ERA. With a runner on first and second Baylor sent Tim Jackson to the batter’s box when he jumped all over a Bennett fastball for a long double, giving him two RBI, scoring Beamer Weems and Seth Fortenberry.

Jackson then scored on a line drive by Seth Hammock, putting the Bears up 3-0 in the top of the fourth with two outs.

Bennett closed the inning with a strike out against Matt Czimskey, retiring the Bears.

“I felt confident during the ball game I thought we had the

right guys at the plate to try and win but it just didn’t turn out that way,” Harrington said.

Jason Baca came into the game with a 4.91 ERA in the top of the fifth. All though the Bears threatened to score a run with a runner on third after a single by Zach Dillon, Baca salvaged the inning as Kyle Jones made the catch on a high fly ball.

The Bobcats returned to the top of their lineup with Field’s third at-bat of the game, coming with two outs in the bottom of the fifth. Field made it on with a line drive to right-center field just before a short sprinkler delay with some malfunctioning irrigation along the left field wall.

Jared Bunn advanced Field to third on a single again to right center, lining up the start of a Bobcat comeback. Luke Cannon was quick to tie things up after a short mound meeting for the Bears. The right fielder launched one over the left field wall to tie the game up 3-3. With the hit for yard, Cannon had hit home runs in two straight games, and his third of the year. Weghorst closed the inning with a questionable call sending Merrell to the dugout.

Weems led off in the seventh inning with a single to left field before Harrington made another pitching change, calling Justin Fiske out to the field, who entered the game with a 1.80 ERA in 10 innings pitched.

Dillon put some mustard on his first hit of the seventh inning scoring Weems on a stand-up triple to dead center field, giving the Bears the one run lead they would carry to end the game.

The Bobcats are headed back on the road this Friday for the first of a three-game series against Stephen F. Austin.

They will be looking to break their losing streak on the road, but have some key areas where someone will have to step up.

“It’s going to take a combination of a lot of things. One, were going to have to get where we are pitching little bit better; and then obviously, offensively we are going to have to get better as a team hitting wise, and I think we will,” Harrington said.

SHOT FROM A CANNON: Senior Luke Cannon takes a swing on Tuesday during Texas State’s game against the Baylor Bears.

Monty Marion/Star photo

Sports Contact — Miguel Peña, starsports@txstate.edu

Life outside the lines

Final words from two of the Bobcats’ finest

By Chris Boehm The University Star

Life does not always play out how you want it to. That’s what Chris Langhorne learned this year.

Tonight he and fellow senior Lance Burroughs will step on the court against Northwestern State for a final game at Strahan Coliseum, justifiable christened Senior Night. Two nights later at Nicholls State they conclude the season and, most likely, their competitive basketball careers.

“This was a learning experience. I’ve never really lost like this before,” Langhorne said. “It just showed me that things don’t always go the way you want them to, and I’m a stronger person for it.”

Langhorne, a former transfer from the College of Eastern Utah, said he envisioned a different two years in San Marcos.

“During my career I’ve been struck by a lot of injuries, and as a basketball player you always feel you could have done better,” Langhorne said. “We didn’t win as many games as I thought we would, but I know I played hard and gave it my all.”

The guard missed time early in the season due to injury, forced to play catch-up in his last season. Langhorne has played inspired basketball over the last five games, averaging 13.8 points, including outputs of 20, 14, 14 and 17.

“The fact that this is it makes me cherish these last few games,” Langhorne said. “It was tough (sitting out) because I felt I could help the team. And I knew coming back I would be behind, so I just had to work that much harder.”

Burroughs has also enjoyed some late success in the midst of a 3-22 record, scoring a careerhigh 25 points back on Feb. 18 at home.

The forward was 6-8 from three-point range in the season’s only Southland Conference win, an 85-68 trouncing of the University of Texas-San Antonio.

“My teammates were getting me open looks. They were setting screens and looking for me, so I give them credit,” Burroughs said. “It’ll probably be my best memory of college ball, and it feels even better that we got the win against our rivals.”

The players have relied heavily on Burroughs and Langhorne since senior Brad Brickens left the team at the beginning of the year, a move that brought the group closer together.

“Brad was a really good player.

He could have been a good leader, but he just struggled with some issues on and off the court,” Burroughs said. “It was disappoint-

A.D. Brown/Star feature photo ONE MORE TIME: Seniors Lance Burroughs (left) and Chris Langhorne will be honored during Senior Night before the Bobcats take on Northwestern State for their last home game of the season tonight.

PLAYER STATS Lance Burroughs

ing because we wanted him with us, but we just tried to look at it positively, where the team could grow from the experience.”

Langhorne agreed, seeing the positive side of playing younger players in order to fill the void left by Brickens.

“These younger guys had to take bigger roles, and I think in the long run it’s better for the program,” Langhorne said.

Each senior grew up around basketball, though they drew inspiration from different areas.

Burroughs’ father, Ken, has been coaching basketball for 30 years, and the Bobcat said he hopes to follow in his footsteps.

“He taught me that if you’re a team player and have a good attitude, things will fall for you, and I think that’s what’s happened,” Burroughs said. “He’s made me into a good person, and that’s one thing I want to teach as a coach.”

Burroughs, an exercise sport science major, hopes to eventually land a job in the college ranks.

“It’s meant a lot to play here for four years. I’ve been through the ups and downs, and grown as a person,” Burroughs said.

“I’ve picked up a lot from the coaches that have come through here, and that will help me as a coach in the future.”

Langhorne is pursuing an exercise sports degree as well, but said he looks to be a teacher or a law enforcer rather than stick to basketball.

“I’d probably want to teach math or something like that. If not, I’m also looking at criminal justice,” Langhorne said. “(Giving up the sport) is going to be tough at first, because you’re used to getting up everyday and playing basketball, but everyone has to adjust at some point.”

Langhorne said his parents grew up emphasizing educa-

2005-2006 Season Position: Guard Hometown: Westlake 3-pointers: 23-57 .727 FT% Height: 6’4” Weight: 200 lbs.

46 boards 31 assists

2005-2006 Season Position: Guard/Fwd Hometown: Willingboro, N.J.

Chris Langhorne

tion, but he turned to basketball as well after watching his older brother Cryhten at the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore, where he was a four-year letter winner.

“Watching him in high school pretty much motivated me to play ball,” Langhorne said. “I still talk to him two or three times a week, and he tells me to keep my head up when things aren’t going well. He’s done well for himself as a family man (in New Jersey), and looking up to him made my life better.”

Chris’ younger sister, Crystal, also picked up the basketball bug, and in 2005 was crowned the Atlantic Coast Conference Rookie of the Year at the University of Maryland.

“She’s a really hard worker, and I’m proud to be her older brother,” Langhorne said. “We

3-pointers: 67-157 .631 FT% Height: 6’4” Weight: 190 lbs.

115 boards 62 assists

have a very close-knit family.”

The varying influences of his school-minded parents and athlete siblings have enabled Langhorne to grow into a wellrounded individual.

“My parents didn’t discourage us from playing basketball, but they weren’t really into athletics,” Langhorne said. “They were okay with it as long as we were getting an education, and in the end it’s helping us accomplish that.”

Now with the horizon looming on their careers, each player said he will try to make it a memorable last few days.

“Hopefully we can get a couple W’s and end the season on a good note,” Burroughs said.

“These are my last games, so I’m definitely going to play like they are. I’m just happy to still be out here.”

www.UniversityStar.com

WHAT NEXT?: As their college basketball careers come to an end at the culmination of what has turned out to be a disappointing season, seniors Lance Burroughs and Chris Langhorne look forward to life after basketball.

A.D. Brown/ Star feature photo