03-25-2025 by The University Star

TUESDAY

Community members protest for ceasefire in Palestine

By Ryan Claycamp Assistant News Editor

Members of the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL), Palestine Solidarity SMTX (PSSMTX) and the local community gathered

on The Square to protest for a ceasefire in Gaza on Sunday, March 19.

The protest was advertised as an emergency protest to “Stop the Genocide” to address the deportation case of Mahmoud Khalil and Israel resuming military action in Gaza after ceasefire negotiations broke down.

“Israel and the U.S. have decided to violate the ceasefire

agreements with Palestine, and they’ve begun bombing civilian areas again,” Jack Thornton, an organizer with PSL, said. “Groups around town want to quickly rally and let the current administration know that the public does not stand by this decision.”

The protest attracted around 30 attendees, who protested the Trump Administration’s war in Gaza and demanded that San Marcos City Council pass a ceasefire resolution.

San Marcos Place 6 Councilmember Amanda Rodriguez spoke at the protest. She called for an end to Israel’s occupation of Palestine and said she would vote in favor of a ceasefire resolution.

“I feel like any oppressed person, any marginalized person’s liberation, our freedoms, our human rights, are inextricably linked to the liberation of Palestine,”

Rodriguez said.

PSSMTX and the Palestine Solidarity Committee at Texas State began calling for a ceasefire resolution at council meetings at least a year a year ago. Since then, a resolution was never added to the council’s agenda for a vote. Rodriguez said she believes public pressure could help get it on the agenda and ultimately passed.

New market aims to redefine SMTX nightlife

By Diego Medel Engagement Editor

Under the glow of streetlights and the hum of music in a San Marcos parking lot, students browsed thrift racks, watched fire dancers and sipped drinks.

The inaugural Vanilla Bean Night Market — a collaboration between Vanilla Bean Market, Bikini Hill Run Club and EDEN Nightclub and Cocktail Lounge — took place March 20 in EDEN’s parking lot on West San Antonio Street, marking what its organizers hope is a new chapter for nightlife in the city.

Born from a shared desire to create more inclusive and engaging nightlife experiences, the market brought together three distinct communities: thrifters, runners and the late-night crowd.

For Randall Martinez, co-founder of Bikini Hill Run Club, the night

market represents an opportunity to fill a gap in the city’s social scene.

“We just wanna bring different experiences to San Marcos that you can’t find,” Martinez said. “You could go to Austin — there’s a whole bunch of stuff to do. You could go to San Antonio — there’s a whole bunch of stuff to do. But there’s a gray area in between those two cities, and that’s where we’re trying to fill the void for the people in the area.”

The market featured more than 15 vendors offering everything from vintage clothing and handmade jewelry to cold-pressed juice and snow cones. Entertainment included a live DJ and fire-dancing performances by PyroFlow ATX. Attendees also had the chance to join Bikini Hill Run Club for its Thursday night tradition — a two-mile run through downtown.

Parking enforcement increases in SMTX

By Candace Taggart News Reporter

San Marcos is updating downtown parking with a new enforcement device and resident surveys aimed at improving accessibility and managing demand.

“The survey is designed to help us better understand parking habits, challenges and the needs in downtown San Marcos,” Charles Campbell, multimodal parking initiatives manager said. “We want to hear directly from residents and visitors, employees and students to help shape the future for parking policies and improvements.”

There are two surveys: one for the general public and one for downtown business owners and both close on April 18. The general survey asks about how, why, where and when people park downtown, and what they think about ideas like more paid parking and other enforcement methods.

According to Campbell, the information gathered in the survey is a critical component in helping the parking advisory board make a recommendation to the city council on parking management strategies.

“The insights can propose policies, infrastructure improvements that enhance availability, support economic development and ensure a well-managed, efficient parking system that meets the community needs,” Campbell said.

Amanda Alexander owns Southwest Training at 212 San Antonio St. Alexander said she had to make an agreement with nearby businesses to share parking, allowing her employees and customers to use their lots

based on each business’s hours of operation due to limited parking in downtown.

“Parking is a challenge. It’s helpful, utilizing our neighbors, but [overall] it’s challenging because of the apartment complexes of downtown and students,” Alexander said. “When [students are] gone, there’s plenty of parking, but when students are in session, they don’t park in the apartment complexes or the complexes did not build enough space.”

By Elizabeth Redman News Reporter

IKEA is expected to open a new small-scale store in San Marcos in spring 2025, possibly offering an alternative to how students furnish their spaces.

According to a press release from the company, the new store will be in the San Mar Plaza shopping center at 917 SH-80 N, which is 0.8 miles from Texas State’s campus.

“Covering approximately 35,000 square feet, IKEA San Marcos will showcase ‘local living’ solutions, tailored to local preferences that reflect the unique everyday needs of the San Marcos community. This store will offer more than 2,500 products on display,” the company wrote in the press release.

DIEGO MEDEL| ENGAGEMENT EDITOR

Fire Spinner Katarina Rose of Pyroflow ATX performs at the Inaugural Vanilla Bean Night Market, Thursday, March 20, 2025, outside of EDEN. The market was held in collaboration with the Bikini Hill Run Club and EDEN Night Club & Cocktail Lounge.

ISABELLE CANTU | STAR PHOTOGRAPHER

A 15 minute parking sign, Sunday, March 16, 2025, in downtown San Marcos.

DIEGO MEDEL | PHOTO ILLUSTRATION

San Marcos city council member Amanda Rodriguez leads a chant at the Stop The Genocide protest in downtown San Marcos, Sunday, March 23, 2025.

Tuesday, March 25, 2025

National butterfly decline poses threats for San Marcos

By James Philips News Reporter

North American butterfly species are facing severe declines, according to a new study published in Science, raising concerns among experts about the potential impact on San Marcos.

The study, published on March 6, found butterfly populations across North America declined significantly from 2000 to 2020, with more than two-thirds of species, such as the Orange Sulphur and Giant Swallowtail, experiencing a drop of over 10%.

The most severe declines were found in the Southwest region, which includes Texas - a state

any decline in the butterfly population, a drop could negatively affect the city.

“A drop in any of our native species would likely have a negative impact on our local ecology, which in turn may influence the choice of nature enthusiasts to pick San Marcos as a travel destination,” Lake wrote.

San Marcos also works on habitat stewardship, promotes native plantings and supports educational programs to raise awareness about endangered pollinators, according to city communications and IGR manager Nadine Cesak.

Nice said beyond butterflies’ importance as pollinators, their ecological niche as a food source means a total wipe out of butterfly species could

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and in-store pickup for its full range. The store will also feature a small marketplace section with popular IKEA food products.

“No more trekking through that notorious I-35 traffic—now you can enjoy IKEA and our inspiring home design with less hassle. IKEA San Marcos brings our signature styles closer to the community,” Keena Garcia, market manager of IKEA U.S. wrote in the press release.

Skylynn Denning, an employee at IKEA in Live Oak, said affordability, especially with small, essential items, brings many students in.

According to the National Retail Federation, students and their families spent $1,200 on average on back-tocollege spending in 2021.

Hudson said she bought most of the essentials for her apartment for around $1,000 at IKEA but also sees many students getting their furnishings at Target and Walmart.

Many students prioritize affordability in furnishings, buying

Trinity Building 203 Pleasant St. San Marcos, TX 78666 (512) 245 - 3487

History: The University Star is the student newspaper of Texas State University and is published every Tuesday of the spring and fall and once a month in the summer semesters. It is distributed on campus and throughout San Marcos at 8 a.m. on publication days with a distribution of 3,000. Printing is by the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung.

FROM FRONT TRANSPORTATION

Alexander is on the parking advisory committee and helped work on the survey questions. She said the advisory committee is in a difficult position in trying to make parking recommendations.

“The question is ‘how do we help relieve the downtown, and not to disenfranchise people, but also not to deter people from being downtown, but also still make sure that there’s places to park downtown?’”

FROM FRONT ACTIVISM

“We can’t do that, though, unless you come out and let them know that you will not stop coming until they do,” Rodriguez said. “The least we can do in this city is show people all around the world that we are not complicit.”

As well as protesting Israel’s actions, the protesters also called out the current administration, which is cracking down on “antisemitism.”

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Jan. 29 to crack down on what he called antisemitism. According to a Jan. 30 fact sheet, the executive order is being used to deport any non-citizens who participated in pro-Palestine protests.

“To all the resident aliens who joined in the pro-jihadist protests, we put you on notice: come 2025, we will find you, and we will deport you,” Trump

Alexander said.

San Marcos is also the first city in Texas to utilize a new vehicle immobilization and parking enforcement tool called the “Barnacle,” which the city began using on March 10.

“The city of San Marcos introduced the Barnacle to help fairly and efficiently enforce parking regulations while offering a more convenient option for drivers with unpaid citations,” Russell Wilde, public safety communications specialist, wrote in an email to The Star

a fine by scanning a QR code, visiting the San Marcos Citation Portal or arranging payment with the municipal court.

Starting March 10, any vehicle with three or more unpaid and overdue parking tickets will get an orange sticker on the driver’s side window. If the tickets aren’t paid or the court isn’t contacted within 10 days, the vehicle can be immobilized. According to the press release emailed to The Star, the city can place a Barnacle device on the vehicle “any time it’s parked on a public street or city property, even if it’s parked legally at the time.”

“The Barnacle can be used anywhere within city limits, with a primary focus on downtown,” Wilde wrote. “Parking enforcement scans license plates to identify vehicles eligible for immobilization, and if identified, they can be immobilized on any public street or city property.”

The Barnacle is a large yellow plastic device that suctions to a vehicle’s windshield. Equipped with an alarm and GPS tracking, the device alerts parking enforcement if it’s tampered with or if the vehicle is driven while it’s attached.

To remove the Barnacle, the owner has to pay

wrote in the fact sheet. “I will also quickly cancel the student visas of all Hamas sympathizers on college campuses, which have been infested with radicalism like never before.”

Under that order, Khalil, a Columbia University graduate student was arrested and detained in connection to his role in pro-Palestinian protests last May.

Thomas Alter, assistant professor of history at Texas State, attends pro-Palestinian protests both on and off campus. He spoke to The Star on his own behalf, not as a representative of Texas State or the history department.

Alter said the current administration is violating the First Amendment with their actions against protesters. He believes everyone should be out and speaking in favor

of protesting.

“You have to use your rights or you’re going to lose them,” Alter said. “We’re out here protesting against a genocide and using our democratic rights and that’s what everyone should be doing.”

After the Trump Administration cut $400 million in federal funding to Columbia, the university suspended, expelled or revoked degrees of students who took part in protests.

Alter said he was worried that moves similar to the ones at Columbia, or the detainment of Khalil could happen at Texas State.

“We have to be prepared to stand up for the most vulnerable of our students,” Alter said. “If Texas State wants to be a world-class university, which I believe it is, that begins with defending our international students.”

On March 20, unknown

Alexander suggests better enforcement of parking violations and paid parking could help relieve some of the lack of available spaces.

“More enforcement for folks that are parking overnight or staying there too long would be helpful,” Alexander said. “The second thing that would be helpful is potentially paid or mediated parking in some capacity, and the third thing that would be helpful would be to change the way that we approve development downtown.”

According to Wilde, San Marcos has more than $100,000 in outstanding parking fines, and the Barnacle could help resolve this by reducing frustration and improving access to parking. The city has already seen improvements with previous vehicle immobilization efforts.

“Before the city of San Marcos began immobilizing vehicles with boots in August 2023, fine collection rates were below 40%,” Wilde wrote. “Since implementing vehicle immobilization, collections have risen to over 60%, helping ensure compliance with parking regulations.”

individuals graffitied multiple buildings across campus with pro-Palestinian and anti-Trump messages.

Texas State President Kelly Damphousse condemned the messages, calling them “hateful,” and a university spokesperson said the University Police Department is looking into the incident as a criminal matter.

“I would not expect a school administrator to accept graffiti on their campus, but the president of the university actually misattributed the statements that were spray painted on the wall as antisemitism, which is not what their messages were,” Scott Cove, an organizer with PSL said.

Organizers said they will be at the April 15 city council meeting, where they will once again demand that San Marcos City Council passes a resolution calling for a ceasefire.

Texas State investigates vandalism on campus

By Blake Leschber Managing Editor

After numerous buildings were spray painted with political messages across campus, President Kelly Damphousse and Texas State condemned them.

According to Vice President for Marketing and Communication Sandy Pantlik, Texas State found graffiti at 17 locations across the San Marcos campus early morning Thursday, March 20.

Some of the buildings impacted include Old Main, Lampasas, Chemistry, Alkek Library and Trinity.

“UPD has launched a full investigation, including reviewing security camera footage from affected areas,” Pantlik wrote in a statement to The Star. “...Acts of vandalism have no place on our campuses and will not be tolerated.”

This is the second time this academic year that vandalism on campus has led to a campus-wide investigation. The first time was on Oct. 7, 2024, when individuals spray painted on the Lampasas, Old Main and Chemistry buildings.

Damphousse wrote in a statement that he condemns the actions and will send the facilities team to remove the “hateful” graffiti.

“Not only are these actions a violation of state law and a tremendous waste of university resources, they also attempt to undermine the Bobcat values that we hold dear,” Damphousse wrote. “Worse, they make some members of our student body, faculty and staff feel unsafe… While I firmly defend our right to engage in free speech, there is no place for criminal actions like this on our campus. I cannot and will not tolerate it.

Anyone with information can contact UPD at 512-245-2805.

DIEGO MEDEL | ENGAGEMENT EDITOR

San Marcos city council member Amanda Rodriguez leads a chant at the Stop The Genocide

protest in downtown San Marcos, Sunday, March 23, 2025. The protest was held in collaboration between the Palestine Solidarity SMTX chapter and the Party for Socialism and Liberation San Marcos chapter.

CITY OF SAN MARCOS COURTESY PHOTO

San Marcos Parking Technician Marissa Roldan display how to use the barnacle outside the San Marcos Police Department, Friday, Feb. 28, 2025.

JEN NGUYEN | DESIGN EDITOR

March 25, 2025

Opinions in The University Star are not necessarily those of our entire publication, Texas State University’s administration, Board of Regents, School of Journalism and Mass Communication or Student Publications Board.

There are better ways to express free speech

By Editorial Board

On Thursday, March 20, Texas State found graffiti at the San Marcos campus. This is the second act of political vandalism this academic year, the first occurring on Oct. 7, 2024.

While it is important for students to utilize their rights to free speech and expression, vandalism is not and will never be the correct way to advocate for a cause.

President Kelly Damphousse wrote in a statement, “I want to make clear that vandalism of our campus buildings is a crime, and I have asked UPD to launch a full investigation.” Damphousse also went on to say the acts undermine Bobcat values.

According to Sandy Pantlik, vice president for marketing and communication, this instance would be charged as a state jail felony and punishable by six months to two years in a state jail facility.

Texas State is a public campus, open to speech from anyone who walks on university grounds as long as it doesn’t disrupt education. According to the student involvement website, “Texas State University is committed to upholding the First Amendment of the United States Constitution and respects individual’s rights to express their views through all forms of legally protected speech.”

This value was previously put to the test this academic year, when on Nov. 6, 2024, demonstrators held harmful signs near the Fighting Stallions statue. Though the messages were offensive to many on campus, the demonstrators were protected by the First Amendment.

Had the graffiti messages from March 20 been conveyed in spoken words or on signs at the Stallions, the university would not have had the grounds to condemn the speech.

An example of speech that has a lasting impact on Texas State and the surrounding community is the San Marcos 10, a group of student protesters during the Vietnam War.

When students protesting near the Stallions were asked to leave by the Dean of Students, 10 remained and were later suspended from the university.

The bravery of those 10 students must not be taken for granted. Texas State students now have more expressive freedom than they did in 1969. Free speech rights must be utilized in ways that influence deeper conversations, rather than conversations focused on the controversy of campus graffiti.

The San Marcos 10 remind us that advocacy is important. Their dedication to protesting and standing up for what they believed in has stuck around. The graffiti painted on campus

on March 20 will not have that same impact. It was washed away quickly that morning, and many students have already ceased conversations surrounding it.

With protest incidents, such as those at Columbia University, on the rise throughout the country, students must continue to protest peacefully and safely. Remember the First Amendment does not protect “unlawful conduct.” Don’t engage in violent behaviors, threats or intimidation.

According to the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, it is important to know your rights and fight for them during protests. First amendment rights such as freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of petition should be kept in mind. Protesters rights are the strongest in “traditional public forums” and on other public property as long as you are not “interfering with other purposes the property was designed for,” according to the American Civil Liberties Union.

Students should never give up their right to free speech. Our words deserve to be heard, and the university must listen. However, vandalism is not the answer and students must think about how they advocate.

Students can drive responsible growth in San Marcos

By Andrew Bencivengo Opinions Contributor

Over the last decade, Hays County has experienced significant growth. With a population increase of roughly 21% according to the 2020 census. It is now one of the fastest-growing regions in Texas.

However, this growth leads to rising housing costs and traffic congestion. Students play a pivotal role in helping address these challenges and ensure San Marcos remains a welcoming and sustainable city.

“Texas State University strengthens the local community by driving economic growth, supporting businesses and creating opportunities for residents,” Page Michel, president of the San Marcos Chamber of Commerce, said.

According to a 2021 study conducted by William T. Chittenden, former presidential fellow at Texas State, the university had an economic impact of over $2 billion on the state of Texas, creating nearly 16,000 jobs. These numbers are more than just statistics, they represent real sustained growth and development for the community.

Hays County has seen explosive economic growth in recent years. With a 2023 GDP of approximately $10.14 billion, the county ranks 30th in Texas for economic output.

While this impacts some residents positively, many also notice growing pains. An influx of students, faculty, staff and visitors, compounded by yearly record-breaking enrollment figures, can affect local residents negatively. This is particularly felt in the housing market.

The city is working to respond to housing affordability challenges, according to the San Marcos City Council. The city’s Strategic Housing Action Plan aims to tackle affordability; however, it has yet to be adopted by the council.

At the same time, increased traffic has made commutes more frustrating, with roads struggling to accommodate the rising population. Due to the historic nature of the city’s downtown, expanding existing infrastructure is challenging, making alternative transportation solutions even more critical.

“I would love to see students and residents rely less on single-vehicle transit and more on carpooling and public transport,” Michel said.

Texas State University is also taking active steps to address these issues. The university’s Core Four Initiative, a collaborative project between Texas State, The city of San Marcos and community stakeholders, focuses on improving housing, workforce development, transportation and sustainability. This initiative can help ensure the growth of the university and the city benefits all residents.

The expansion of Texas State has also contributed to changes in San Marcos’ demographics. New student apartment complexes are replacing older, more affordable housing, pushing rent higher and altering the city’s cultural identity.

To balance growth and affordability, the city and university must invest in mixed-income housing, strengthen tenant protections and support local businesses. Encouraging student engagement with the community can also help preserve San Marcos’

Letter to the Editor

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cultural identity while ensuring sustainable, inclusive development.

Students at Texas State have a unique opportunity to be part of the solution. By getting involved in local initiatives, supporting local businesses and applying pressure on the city council to adopt additional steps, students can help bridge the gap between the university’s expansion and the needs of long-term residents.

“We would love for every student to have a permanent home here, analyze gaps and leakages in the local economy and allow our local community to thrive,” Michel said.

Additionally, students can advocate for policies that ensure San Marcos remains a place where both students and families can thrive. Actively participating in community actions will allow students to play a critical role in shaping the future of San Marcos.

“The involvement of students is

crucial in ensuring the continued success of both Texas State and the community of San Marcos,” Michel said. “We need the energy and ideas of the next generation to make San Marcos a place where everyone can thrive.”

-Andrew Bencivengo is a business administration sophomore

SOPHIA GERKE | ASSISTANT DESIGN EDITOR

The Main Point is an opinion written by The University Star’s Editorial Board. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of our entire publication.

Tuesday, March 25, 2025

Review: ‘Novocaine’ is a bloody good time

Jack Quaid is slowly enjoying more success since his stint on “The Boys” catapulted him into the limelight. This year was decently good for him as it kicked off with Drew Hancock’s “Companion,” and now he has another film in theaters, “Novocaine.”

A love story turned action thriller, Quaid plays Nathan Caine, who is inflicted with a rare disease, congenital insensitivity to pain, which means he doesn’t feel a thing, including third-degree burns or deep stab wounds. When bank robbers infiltrate his job at a credit union and take his love interest Sherry Margrave (played by Amber Midthunder) hostage, he sets off on a dangerous journey to rescue her.

My initial impressions of “Novocaine” were that it had the potential to be a slam dunk in the late 1990s or early 2000s. The premise is enjoyable, and Caine’s lack of feeling pain creates several fun or interesting explorations within the action scenes.

What makes the film so different from the other generic one-man-army action movies is how he’s not a fighter, at least not in the traditional sense. Caine’s ability to take knives, broken glass and even an arrow in the knee are the only things he’s capable of. Due to his condition, Caine always played it super safe in life, consuming food in liquid form to prevent himself from literally biting off his tongue. On a whim, he decides to chase down the robbers, taking on military veterans and John Cena-sized tattoo artists.

As a love story, it’s somewhat by

FROM FRONT COMMUNITY

Cooper Philpot, Vanilla Bean co-founder, hopes the night market creates a space where people can go out at night without the pressure to drink or party.

“I like doing stuff at night, but there’s not much in the city to do besides partying and drinking,” Philpot said. “I hope it makes people want to get outside while not necessarily feeling pressured to go to bars or clubbing, adding a fun thing that’s outdoors for people who don’t really need the typical nightlife.”

Francis Folio, co-owner of EDEN, said hosting the market was a natural extension of the club’s vision to be more than just another bar on The Square. A San Marcos native, Folio said the city’s nightlife has long felt limited in scope — something he and his business partner, Will Logan, set out to change.

“Coming back to San Marcos and working on opening EDEN, I wanted to make something that was truly special for the people,” Folio said. “I felt there weren’t enough places that

the numbers, yet the relationship is kicked off by Margrave’s forwardness to Caine and invites him out. While enjoying a wonderful evening out, Margrave becomes even more likable when she takes an opportunity to dish out some revenge on one of Caine’s grade school bullies. Unsurprisingly, this gesture only makes Caine more enamored with her and establishes how and why he’s so willing to risk it all for her.

Since this is primarily an action film, various stunts and fights pepper the decently paced two-hour runtime. One particular highlight is when Caine enters a heavily booby-trapped house and has to navigate it carefully to avoid becoming mincemeat. Another fight featured in the trailer takes place inside a restaurant’s kitchen. In this scene, he starts to understand his capabilities and retrieves a handgun from within a deep fryer to end the brawl.

The chemistry between Midthunder and Quaid works well, as the cliched “damsel-in-distress” gets its injection of new flavor, twisting the audience’s expectation in the end with a much more satisfying resolution. Quaid is a highly talented actor, and seeing him in his second leading role of the year has only solidified the rising star he has been in the last few years. Midthunder has much less screen time but holds her own and easily elevates the scenes featuring her co-star Quaid.

Ray Nicholson is the “mastermind” behind the operation and a complete psychopath, which contrasts perfectly with Quaid’s polite, quiet, and reserved Caine. Yes, he is the son of famous actor Jack Nicholson and channels some of his father’s

frightening performances from “The Shining” to make his character Simon an absolute monster.

were conducive to hosting events and creating an atmosphere for meeting other people.”

For Landry Hardin, public relations senior, the night market felt like a refreshing change from the usual Thursday night out in the city.

“If we had more events like this, students wouldn’t just be hanging out at The Square, that’s all there is to do,” Hardin said. “I feel this gives an alternative to that and also pulls people in from not just Texas State but also people who live here locally.”

Organizers hope the night market is only the beginning. With plans to host the event more frequently, the team sees it as part of a larger shift in San Marcos: one where nightlife is less about partying and more about connection.

“We’re kinda reinventing the nightlife,” Zane Sutten-Edwards, co-founder of Bikini Hill Run Club, said. “There’s not much nightlife here that isn’t a bar, and we just hope more new stuff starts to come out.”

Although “Novocaine” may not leave a strong impression on audiences, it’s an equally silly and fun film that incorporates an interesting premise into a well-intentioned effort. From the perfectly timed needle drops to its bloody moments, “Novocaine” is a much-needed experience in cinemas.

DIEGO MEDEL | ENGAGEMENT EDITOR

A crowd watches Fire Spinner Katarina Rose of Pyroflow ATX perform at the Inaugural Vanilla Bean Night Market, Thursday, March 20, 2025, outside of EDEN.

ROBERT RAYA | ILLUSTRATOR

By Marvin Goines Life and Arts Contributor

New coaching approach for 2025-26 season

By Joe Ejiasi Sports Reporter

With a wave of new coaches joining the program this spring — including critical offensive hires — Head coach G.J. Kinne is betting on chemistry, adaptability and a culture shift to propel the Bobcats into another successful season.

“You go to these coaching conventions, and there’s a lot of momentum behind the program,” Kinne said. “People want to be a part of that.”

A staff built on familiarity and fast risers

The most notable addition to Kinne’s staff is Tanner Burns, Texas State’s new special teams coordinator, who previously worked with Kinne at Arkansas. Burns’ hire comes after a recent departure from Auburn, where he worked as a special teams coordinator and a defensive assistant.

“When your best players buy into what we do on special teams and want to be a part of it, the younger guys look up to the vets, so if they’re doing it, it’s easier for me to say, ‘Well, you got to do it too,’” Burns said in an interview with AuburnSports.com.

Texas State football head coach G.J. Kinne prepares for Texas State’s homecoming game against the Golden Eagles, Saturday, Nov. 17, 2024, at UFCU Stadium.

Burns isn’t the only addition to this revamped coaching staff. Former pro quarterback Dane Evans — Tulsa’s all-time passing leader — took over as quarterbacks coach.

“Dane is an awesome guy, he had professional experience in the [Canadian Football League] and

playing career at Tulsa, so having him in the room has been an awesome kind of attachment,” redshirt freshman quarterback Brad Jackson said.

Landon Keopple, an offensive coordinator, is entering his second season with the Bobcats and getting the keys to the offense next season. He

joined Texas State as an assistant wide receiver coach in 2023.

Keopple’s willingness to grind stood out to Kinne.

“When you look at all these young coaches nowadays, they want titles, they want money… [He’s] super sharp [and] very detail-oriented,” Kinne said. “[He] can coach any position on offense.”

The staff overhaul isn’t without risks. With so many new guys coming in for the spring, especially on offense, Kinne said cohesion is a priority.

“Bringing the guys together and focusing on the culture will define the offseason,” Kinne said. “...We’re going to have to coach our butt off this year to go win some ball games.”

The bottom line

For Kinne, his staff isn’t just about Xs and Os. By prioritizing coaches with shared histories like Burns and Evans or proven grit like Keopple, he’s betting on trust to fast-track development.

However, as the return of the new wide receiver coach Randy Martinez proves, success invites poachers. For now, Kinne’s focus is simple: “Coach our butt off.”

Weight room Complex now open for Bobcat football

By Kaden Bessent Sports Reporter

Texas State football has a new weight room named the William Trevillion IV Weight Room Complex.

In April 2022, Bo and Darlene Trevillion gifted $2 million to Texas State football’s $36 million South Endzone Complex renovation to give back to what their son, William Trevillion IV, Bobcat football player from 2013-16, loved most. William passed away on Jan. 6, 2016.

Assistant athletic directorstrength and conditioning and assistant head coach Bret Huth said the weight room allows William’s legacy to live on forever, and he is blessed to have the relationship he has with Bo.

“[Bo] is truly here for our athletes, our coaches and our staff,” Huth said. “[Bo] is an amazing human being and he really does take care of this program.”

While developing the facility, Huth said he worked hand-in-hand with Bo to ensure that William’s name would be on it.

“I wanted to make sure that this isn’t just something that meets what I need, but I wanted Bo to walk in and be like, ‘Yes, we did this right,’” Huth said.

Inside the facility, Huth said there are two racks next to each other that are emblemed in rope lasso script and say ‘Bo’s rack’ with William’s jersey number, 53, inside the state of Texas.

Early in the spring semester, the Bobcat football team began working out in the newly renovated facility for the first time. The upgrade more than doubled the size of the previous weight room, which was 4,000 square

feet, to 9,000 square feet.

“It’s a real place in there, it’s beautiful, it’s first-class and coach Huth does an amazing job in there,” Texas State head coach G.J. Kinne said.

Huth said the weight room now has 16 platforms, allowing up to 48 athletes to work out at one time.

“We want to maximize our training time within our training space in a way that’s functional and practical,” Huth said. “We only have so much time to train the student-athletes. I can’t have them here all day, they still have to be students.”

Not only do the renovations benefit the program’s athletes, but showcasing the facility gives Texas State leverage in recruiting.

“One of the first places you’re going to take your student-athletes when you bring them to a camp is the weight room. It’s almost like the doormat to the program,” Huth said. “Every single time we walk a recruit in this building we have something we can be truly proud of to show that this is what we are here at Texas State, this is what we can provide.”

In the past, Kinne was not able to show recruits the weight room, but rather through renovated pictures and videos.

“You’re able to recruit high school kids, and you’re able to get them here and show them and not just tell them about developing them and show a PowerPoint, now you’re able to show them when they get on campus so it’s definitely important,” Kinne said.

Huth worked closely with Power Lift, a strength and conditioning equipment manufacturer while

designing the facility so that it wasn’t a copy-and-paste of a different program.

“I proposed to them my dream room, what I wanted it to be and how I wanted things to flow and be accomplished and they kind of met me in the middle and helped design the room that way,” Huth said. “I wanted to make sure that everything that every student-athlete in the room needed was available to them in their training space.”

Redshirt-freshman quarterback

Brad Jackson, who can compare the weight room before and after the upgrades, said that there is nothing like the new one.

“Being able to have the new weight room, there’s so much more things we can do. It really kind of opens up Coach Huth’s ability to be able to give us the best opportunity to be able to succeed on the field,” Jackson said. “Just being able to have that new weight room and the different things in there, it’s just been awesome.”

MEG BOLES | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

TEXAS STATE ATHLETICS | COURTESY Outside and inside the William Trevillion IV Weight Room Complex at UFCU Stadium.

Tuesday, March 25, 2025

THIS WEEK IN SMTX

Director of Religious Affairs at Nueces Mosque Mufti Anwer speaks about the importance of Ramadan during the Fawanis Ramadan event, Friday, March 21, 2025, at Alkek Library. The event was held by the Texas State Muslim Association.

The Hellcats support Texas State Baseball as they face Baylor by holding a sign that reads’ BOOger Green Bears,” March 18, 2025, at Bobcat Ballpark. The Bobcats were defeated by Baylor in the seventh inning 19-3.

Communication design freshman Madison Pool browses through the racks at the inaugural Vanilla Bean Night Market, Thursday, March 20, 2025, at the EDEN Nightclub and Cocktail Lounge. The market was held in collaboration with the Bikini Hill Run Club.

Texas State students play sand volleyball, Monday, March 17, 2025, at Sewell Park. Sewell has two sand volleyball courts and a basketball court, along with easy access to the San Marcos River.

Haley Anna performs covers of popular songs for students at Tunes at Noon, Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at LBJ Amphitheater. Anna is an up and coming singer and songwriter and influencer living in Austin, Texas. Scan

KATHERINE REA | STAR PHOTOGRAPHER

ROBERT STEPHENSAN | STAR PHOTOGRAPHER

MEG BOLES | ASSISTANT MULTIMEDIA EDITOR

LAURA WALKER | STAR PHOTOGRAPHER

DIEGO MEDEL | ENGAGEMENT EDITOR

KATHERINE REA | STAR PHOTOGRAPHER

Students celebrate while posing for a photo with their paws up, Thursday, March 20, 2025, at the Arch. The Arch separates the west and east sides of TrauthHuffman Hall.