04-01-2025 by The University Star

SPORTS COACH LEADS REVIVAL OF TENNIS PROGRAM PAGE 7

Texas State football hosts Pro Day

Wednesday afternoon was a busy day at UFCU Stadium as Texas State football conducted its Pro Day in front of NFL scouts searching for a group of Bobcats looking to have their name called at the 2025 NFL Draft.

“I think these NFL scouts were really impressed by what they saw,” Texas State head coach G.J. Kinne said. “They tested really well. I think a couple of guys rose up on some draft boards.”

The Pro Day included 16 players who not only wanted to impress the 26 teams attending the event in San Marcos, but also to see what skills or abilities they needed to work on to better themselves and prepare for a professional career.

There were a few players who stood out at Pro Day. Offensive

lineman Nash Jones was undoubtedly one of the primary players most teams came to observe. Jones impressed scouts throughout the season but did even more at the NFL Combine despite an early exit when he tweaked his right hamstring during his second attempt in the 40-yard dash.

Jones measured 6-foot-4 and 320 pounds, completing 29 reps on the bench press, hitting 31 inches on the vertical jump and 9-foot-5 in the broad jump.

Despite his impressive film, Jones was not invited to the NFL Combine, which he used as motivation going into the Pro Day.

“I’ve been competing against the guys at the Combine...I felt like I got snubbed,” Jones said. “I felt like I should have been there...[now, scouts] see how good I am.”

Jones is one of the few players

Donald Trump orders closure of Department of Education

Effects on TXST remain unclear

By Ryan Claycamp Assistant News Editor

On March 20, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to begin dismantling the federal Department of Education.

The executive order calls for the Secretary of Education “to the maximum extent appropriate and permitted by law, take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education.” It remains unclear how this order will impact Texas State or how soon it will feel the effects.

“The proposed dissolution of the U.S. Department of Education is a continually evolving situation that the Texas State University System and Texas State University are closely monitoring,”Texas State wrote in an email to The Star

According to the Department of Education’s website, federal student aid, such as loans and grants, accounts for $120 billion in spending every year. According to an email from Texas State, early indications show that student loans and grants will remain in place, however, Trump said they will be moved to the Small Business Administration (SBA).

“I do want to say that I’ve decided that the SBA... will handle all of the student loan portfolio,” Trump said in a March 21 Oval Office press event . “That is coming out of the Department of Education immediately.

who has met with NFL teams. He has reportedly met with the Green Bay Packers, Miami Dolphins, Los Angeles Chargers and Seattle Seahawks. He is scheduled to meet with the Minnesota Vikings and previously visited the Denver Broncos.

Quarterback Jordan McCloud also impressed scouts during the Pro Day. He did not test during the Combine but did partic ipate in position drills. McCloud measured 6 feet even, weighing 207 pounds. He met with the New York Jets, New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

SEE FOOTBALL PAGE 7

Teen’s death at Cape’s Dam ruled as accidental drowning

By Jacquelyn Burrer News Reporter

San Marcos officials ruled on March 21 the death of 17-year-old Ross Webb Jr. as an accidental drowning, according to the case report released in a March 26 public records request.

Ross Webb Jr. died on Nov. 9, 2024, after getting trapped underwater for approximately two minutes near Cape’s Dam in the San Marcos River, according to the report.

Ross Webb Jr. became “stuck on something under the water” while swimming near river rapids and did not return to the surface, the police report stated.

According to Russel Wilde, San Marcos public safety communications specialist, Ross Webb Jr.’s case closed on March 21.

Jon Cradit, friend of the Webb family and San Marcos resident, said Ross Webb Jr. was out with his dad and friends at the time of the

incident, hunting plecostomus, also known as suckermouth catfish, near Cape’s Dam.

“When you’re under the water like that, you may not realize exactly where you are,” Cradit said. “He was poking along the bank of the river and ended up underneath the concrete and the dam there, and when he tried to come up, he got tangled up in the wire and rebar that had been dumped there and concreted in.”

When The Star requested the police incident report via public information request (PIR), San Marcos Police Department (SMPD) asked The Star to withdraw the request on Feb. 24, citing the case was still open as the autopsy report was incomplete, and also denied a partial records release.

The Star refused to withdraw the request, and instead of sending the PIR to the Attorney General’s office as specified in the Open Records Act, SMPD closed the PIR.

Ayden Oredson Sports Reporter

AYDEN OREDSON | STAR PHOTOGRAPHER

(Left) Texas State wide receiver Joey Hobert (10) hauls in a catch at Texas State football’s Pro Day, Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at UFCU Stadium. (Right) Texas State quarterback Jordan McCloud (4) rolls out during position drills at Texas State football’s Pro Day, Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at UFCU Stadium.

Texas State tight end Konnor Fox (9) attempts to haul in a one-handed catch during position drills at Texas State football’s Pro Day on Wednesday, March 26, 2025 at UFCU Stadium.

BOLES | ASSISTANT MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Cape’s Dam located in Thompson’s Island Park, Saturday, March 29, 2025, in San Marcos.

AYDEN OREDSON | STAR PHOTOGRAPHER

Tuesday, April 1, 2025

Dry conditions fuel fire risks in San Marcos

By James Phillips News Reporter

High temperatures and dry vegetation have created favorable conditions for wildfires across Central Texas, including San Marcos.

Central Texas is facing a severe 2025 wildfire season, with major incidents such as the Buda Onion Creek fire and the Fredericksburg Crabapple fire raising concern among experts. The Texas A&M Forest Service reports that just over 11,000 acres have already burned across Central Texas this year, nearly double the amount recorded throughout all of 2024.

San Marcos Fire Marshal Jonathan Henderson said a perfect storm of wildfire conditions caused the Fredericksburg fire.

“[The Fredericksburg fire had] the right topography and then the dry fuels, but then you also had... very high winds in the area that helps drive a fire and make it grow rapidly,” Henderson said.

The city of San Marcos estimates that 51.6% of the city’s population lives within its Wildland-Urban Interface

(WUI), which is the area where human development and undeveloped wildland vegetation intermingle.

Henderson said dry vegetation close to flammable homes makes wildfires more likely to spread in the WUI, increasing the potential for significant structure loss within San Marcos if a fire started.

“If a fire were to start, let’s say in the [Summit Ridge area near Purgatory Creek], then you could see a very large wildfire,” Henderson said.

Henderson said the city urges residents at risk of wildfires to clear brush and debris from around buildings to help prevent fires from spreading quickly between homes.

specialized vehicles for fighting wildfires in rugged areas. The city also has mutual aid agreements with

“If you have four houses in a row that aren’t taking care of their property [and] that have high weeds and brush, then that can hurt the neighbor that’s right next door that’s trying to do everything right,” Henderson said.

San Marcos maintains a fleet of three brush trucks,

According to the Texas Public Information Act, in order to redact or withhold information from a public information request, the governmental entity must provide a description of the redacted or withheld information, a citation to the section of the Texas Public Information Act, and instructions for the requester on how to seek a decision from the Attorney General.

“Texas’ open records law is stronger than those in many other states in that if a governmental entity wants to withhold information, it has to ask the attorney general for permission to do so,” according to the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas’ website.

SMPD Records Specialist Gavin Alley said the investigation timeline fell within standard expectations, specifically because of the autopsy.

Justice of the Peace Jo Anne Prado ordered an autopsy following Ross Webb Jr.’s death.

“Normally, when they do a death investigation, it can take anywhere from four [or] six months to a year,” Alley said on Feb. 24. “There’s no criminal investigation that we can see.”

According to the Travis County Medical Examiner’s office, autopsy reports can take 90 days or longer to complete based on the circumstances of the case.

Cradit said he believes the investigation is “not being handled responsibly or seriously” and is concerned about the build-up of hazardous materials, such as the rebar and wire, in the dam.

“People had been adding

surrounding communities, such as Seguin, to share resources, personnel and equipment during emergencies, according to Henderson.

Henderson also said residents should encourage

material to the dam for years,” Cradit said. “They keep trying to raise the water level there behind the dam… If someone is killed by someone else’s stupidity or doing something that they didn’t have a permit to do, they should find out who put that in there and hold them responsible.”

According to records obtained by The Star in a PIR, the city has put in numerous safety measures to attempt to improve the conditions near Cape’s Dam, particularly after the Memorial Day and All Saints Day floods of 2015, which included reinstalling PVC pipe over exposed railroad rails on Cape’s Dam that was previously installed by citizens and adding a safety rope with floats upstream of the dam to guide safe travel.

Virginia Parker, executive director of the San Marcos River Foundation (SMRF), said the city has worked to mitigate risks, including covering exposed rebar.

“The city had to go out and cover some of the rebar that was sticking out of the dam itself,”

Parker said. “You can see those covers today…as the city has known about safety issues, things have been addressed.”

Parker also said low-head dams like Cape’s Dam are inherently dangerous and SMRF would like to see the dam removed.

“There have been deaths in different dams down the river for various reasons,” Parker said.

“Just because it’s a low-head dam, there have always been safety concerns with that.”

In 2017, the developers of

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.

School voucher bills concern TXST’s future teachers

By Lucciana Choueiry News Editor

Madelyn Blumenshein, a December 2024 Texas State graduate in elementary education and ESL instruction, always imagined herself staying in Texas to teach in the state’s public school system. Now, with Texas legislators pushing forward school voucher bills, she’s not so sure.

“I think the biggest change it would make for me, honestly, is getting out of the state of Texas,” Blumenshein said. “I still feel called to public school... But I’ve even said to my partner, ‘We might need to move sooner. This is not looking good.’”

The bills she’s referring to are House Bill 3 and Senate Bill 2, which would establish Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) – essentially school vouchers – that use public tax dollars to help parents cover private school tuition. If passed, the state would allocate $10,000 per student and $11,500 for students with disabilities, per year, with the Texas Education Agency projecting that 100,000 students could participate in the first year.

Many lawmakers have framed the legislation as a win for school choice, especially for underserved communities and students with special needs.

“Both chambers are prioritizing low-income and special needs students, creating the largest school choice launch in the nation,” Sen. Brandon Creighton, who leads the Senate Education Committee, said in late February.

However, faculty at Texas State and educators in San Marcos say the program could drain funding from public schools and make it harder to recruit and retain teachers, particularly in regions that already struggle with resources.

Blumenshein, who grew up in private school, said her values changed as she began pursuing public higher education. She chose to pursue teaching because of the unique support system public schools provide for students who may not have one elsewhere.

“I want to meet the needs of people who have needs, and I feel that’s best in public schools,” Blumenshein said. “What I love about public schools is that... you can guarantee that those eight hours that [students are] there with you is a

While grants and loans will remain in place for now, Rolf Straubhaar, associate professor of counseling, leadership, adult education and school psychology at Texas State, said the other funds from the Department of Education, such as research grants, are likely to be cut.

“Of the big possible grant sources out there, the federal research grants, things like those that come from what’s called the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) or NSF, the National Science Foundation,” Straubhaar said. “Even before the Department of Education was dismantled, one of the first steps from DOGE, in addition to dismantling USAID, was to get rid of IES within the Department of Education, that’s a huge source of funding for very large-scale education work.”

While the Trump Administration has not directly confirmed if research grants will be cut, Straubhaar said decreasing the staffing level of the Department of Education means it will be almost impossible to manage grant applications across the nation.

“They’re saying the money’s still there, but now suddenly, the 4,000 people that were working for the Department of Education who were making sure that that money got out the door and who were taking applications of where it was going, those people are gone,” Straubhaar said.

Straubhaar also said while the administration said loans and grants would be unimpacted, he thinks changes in staffing levels could cause mismanagement for financial aid as well. While loans will be moved to the SBA, the SBA announced it

safe space.”

The proposed ESA amounts fall short of covering tuition at many Texas private schools. San Marcos Academy, a local private Christian school, charges more than $30,000 per year, making it the second most expensive K-12 school in the state.

The disparity is not just in San Marcos. The average tuition cost of attending a private school in Texas is $11,348 per year.

Glenna Billingsley, chair of Texas State’s Department of Curriculum and Instruction, said this gap means the program won’t increase access for low-income families as intended. Instead, it may end up subsidizing the cost of private education for families who are already able to afford it.

“Private schools can choose who they want to

certification requirements for public school educators. The bill would require all core academic teachers become certified by fall 2027.

However, private schools accepting voucher funds would not be held to the same standards. They would still be allowed to hire teachers without state certification, even while receiving public dollars through ESAs.

That double standard has raised alarms for public school leaders.

“All of our teachers are highly qualified,” Fernandez said. “Private schools don’t offer that same thing.” Jim Van Overschelde, associate professor in the College of Education, said the policies could reinforce inequities in how students are taught

“There’s a potential... that we end up with this two-tiered system where only people who can afford to pay the extra amount can go to the private

Texas State, which began as a teaching college in 1899, is still one of the state’s leading producers of certified educators. However, between fall 2019 and fall 2024, enrollment in the College of Education

Billingsley said the drop reflects a changing landscape. With fewer school districts requiring certified teachers, due in part to Texas’ District of Innovation law, some students are opting out of traditional educator preparation programs

“We are about half of where we were in 2019 [with enrollment],” Billingsley said. “Classes where we would have four sections of 30 students, we may

Shrinking enrollment means fewer resources for the college. Billingsley said university leadership has prioritized funding for growing programs but she believes in the long-term impact of strong public

“The only reason you’re in engineering or sciences is because you had some third or fourth or fifth grade teacher that sparked that interest,” Billingsley said. “It all starts in public school. It starts with a great teacher who nurtures someone’s

As of March 12, HB 3 is pending in the House Committee on Public Education, and SB 2 passed the Texas Senate and is scheduled for a House

Scan the QR code to read Senate Bill 2.

In a March 20 press release, current Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said dismantling the Department of Education will return rights to parents and to the states. According to Straubhaar, who previously taught at elementary schools, schools that are underfunded by state and local tax money and often perform worse than peer schools, called Title I schools, will be heavily impacted. According to the Texas Education Agency, thousands of Texas schools, including most San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District schools, qualify

“You know kids who are coming to school a bit behind in their reading growth because their parents weren’t in a position to read them a bedtime story every night, or where they didn’t have books around the house,” Straubhaar said. “And those money sources, those pots of money, are there specifically

In an email, Texas State said the university would continue monitoring the situation and provide updates as they become

revisit how we advise those folks,” Straubhaar said.

According to a March 20 White House fact sheet, part of the

time doesn’t mean that one caused the other,” Straubhaar said. “There are lots of other factors that could have led to those two trends happening at

“As additional information becomes available, we will continue to assess the potential impact on our institution and communicate updates as appropriate. Our commitment to student success, access, and opportunity remains unwavering,” Texas State wrote in the email.

FROM FRONT

April 1, 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.

Dismantling the Department of Education will have vast consequences

By Andrew Bencivengo Assistant Opinions Editor

On March 20, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education and return educational authority to the states.

This decision threatens students by bringing instability to aid and derails Texas State by removing the federal support necessary for funding research, promoting equity and maintaining competitive academics.

This federal rollback has the potential to reverse years of academic progress while increasing challenges existing within our current education system. Students have greatly benefited from policies implemented by the Department of Education and rely on its continued existence for quality education.

The Department of Education was established by Congress in 1979, with the mission of ensuring equal access to education, supplementing state funding and providing oversight to improve educational outcomes across the nation. By dismantling this institution, the government risks jeopardizing the nation’s commitment to education and the prosperity gained from an educated population.

If the federal government gets past the legal hurdle of the department’s removal, there will be a significant impact on student aid. The Department of Education manages $1.6 trillion in federal student loans. At Texas State, where roughly 65% of students rely

on some form of federal assistance, it is necessary for this funding to continue uninterrupted.

“I rely on financial aid, including FAFSA and Pell Grants, to attend Texas State. Without that support, I just wouldn’t be able to afford my education here,” Scarlett Webster, finance freshman, said.

The administration’s proposal to shift student aid to the Treasury Department or the Small Business Administration would almost certainly cause delays in processing loans, disrupting the financial stability of students and raising additional costs to students already burdened with debt.

The lack of federal funding could hinder Texas State’s efforts to achieve R1 research status. In 2023

alone, the university received $23 million in federal grants allocated to research projects. Without funding, Texas State’s growth and academic development are at risk, as well as the university’s R1 initiatives.

This expanded research funding does not just benefit the university but also increases students’ opportunities. Research funding leads to better facilities and access to hands-on research beneficial for future employment. Funding also enhances the prestige of the university, which ultimately makes a degree from Texas State more valuable.

The argument for returning education to the state level overlooks significant risks, particularly for disadvantaged students who rely on

federal protection through Title IX, IDEA and ESSA. These initiatives serve to ensure equity, but without federal oversight, there is potentially diminished accountability.

Additionally, there is an increased risk of economic disparity in higher education. States have historically struggled with disparities in school funding, particularly in lower-income areas where funding is tied to local taxation. The department helps fill these funding gaps by granting students the necessary access to education.

While there are challenges with the current educational model, dismantling the department would have grave consequences. Working within the existing framework to address these shortcomings would prove far more effective and pose less harm to institutions like Texas State, which rely on federal funding to operate and protect students.

Dismantling the Department of Education is not just a policy shift, but a threat to students. With its removal, vital resources necessary to make campuses safe, inclusive and competitive will diminish.

“I definitely feel worried. These federal programs are my only opportunity to be here as a student. These cuts bring a lot of uncertainty, and I don’t know what students will do,” Webster said.

-Andrew Bencivengo is a business administration sophomore

Casual dating is normalized, why isn’t STI testing?

By Aubrey Haynes Opinions Contributor

The college dating scene is built on hookups. It’s fueled by dating apps and party culture, but while students swipe right, they need to prioritize their sexual health.

Hookup culture isn’t the issue; it’s the lack of conversation and awareness. Students shape campus culture, and it should include making sexual health a priority. STI testing and protection should be just as normal as any other aspect of modern dating.

STI rates are climbing, according to the CDC. In 2023, Texas reported 149,787 cases of chlamydia, 53,699 cases of gonorrhea and 4,561 cases of primary and secondary syphilis. Among college students nationwide, 25% are estimated to have an STI.

At Texas State, a public information request filed by The University Star revealed 16 positive HIV cases from Jan. 1, 2019, to Dec. 19, 2024.

Despite how easy it can be to find a weekend hookup, the awareness and importance of testing haven’t caught up. Studies show only 20.2% of U.S. college women and 7.7% of college men get tested for STIs annually, despite 17.9% engaging in casual sex. If sex is casual, then why not get tested?

The rise of dating apps like Tinder, Bumble and Hinge makes connecting with others effortless. A survey from The University of South Carolina found 66% of students use dating apps. The key now is making sure those connections are safe and

Texas State should promote these services more through social media, campus flyers and peer education so students know where to go and are comfortable using them.

“Talking about STIs and testing doesn’t have to be uncomfortable,”

tested isn’t about judgment—it’s about empowerment.

Promoting safe sex on campus can give students the knowledge and tools to make informed choices. STI testing is a responsible step in taking care of yourself and your partners. While some students may be deterred by cost or judgment, the health center offers free or low-cost testing services in a confidential, non-judgmental environment.

Students should push for more visibility and accessibility to testing resources, whether that means free testing pop-ups, better sex education or student-led initiatives promoting

There’s no reason STI testing shouldn’t be a normal part of dating and self-care. Sex is normal. Hookups are normal. Prioritizing safe sex and regular STI testing should be normal, too.

-Aubrey Haynes

is a social work freshman

Letter to the Editor

The University Star welcomes letters from our readers. Letters must be 300 words or fewer to be considered for publication. Writers must include their full name, mailing address, major and academic year designation (for students), phone number and e-mail address when submitting a letter. Submissions that do not include this information cannot be published. This information is seen only by the editors and is used to verify the identify of the

letter writer. It is not used for any commercial purpose.

Letters become the property of The Star and may be republished in any format. The letter may be edited for length and clarity. An editor will contact the letter writer if their letter is a candidate for publication. The Star will not run letters that are potentially libelous, discriminatory, obscene, threatening or promotional in nature.

Letters can be submitted to staropinion@txstate.edu or by mail to Attn: Opinion Editor, The University Star, 601 University Drive, San Marcos, TX, 78666.

MADELINE CARPENTER | ILLUSTRATOR

ROWAN CLARKE | ILLUSTRATOR

NOVA ARRIVES

‘It really is about networking’: local bands reflect on journeys, challenges

By Cady Clements Life and Arts Contributor

San Marcos bands, The Trips and Slick, and Austin band Valice share their journeys in the local music scene with advice on management and networking. Each band emphasizes the importance of connecting to the local scene and getting to know other bands.

The Trips

The Trips is a melodic, upbeat rock band that evolved from mostly playing ‘60s covers to finding its sound in a slightly heavier style of rock.

Sammy Wells, history senior, is the lead songwriter, rhythm guitarist and booking agent for the band. The Trips started when he and his triplet siblings McKenna and Marshall Wells started playing music for their dad by covering ‘60s and ‘70s songs.

“We played [the songs] for him one Saturday night, and then we kind of turned that into a tradition every Saturday,” Sammy said.

Sammy said playing shows regularly, social media presence and airtime on local radio stations like KTSW and KZSM were the most important factors for the band’s growth. He said The Trips get hundreds of monthly listeners from these three factors. Sammy also highlighted the importance of going to local shows to talk to the performing bands about their show and future potential shows together.

“Don’t get caught up in your head and stop yourself from doing what you want to do,” Sammy said. “I wish I would’ve played shows earlier and started working on recording music earlier than I did.”

The Trips are playing a residency at The Porch on the second Thursday of each month from March 13 through May 8. It is also lined up to play a show at Texas State’s “Night of Ideas” on April 4.

Slick

Slick is a local rock/R&B band formed in 2022. It includes Adream Kusters, keyboardist, Aidan Guzman, guitarist, Jose Cafaro, vocalist, Aiden Gross, drummer and backup vocalist and Ryan Sabin and Hayes Howard, bass guitarists. The band met in Texas State’s rock ensemble and went through several changes before settling on its current member lineup.

Through these changes, Slick realized the importance of finding team players who could commit their time and resources to this project. It prioritized playing shows and working towards a tour to get its music out there. The band also emphasized how the San Marcos scene allowed it to grow in ways that other cities wouldn’t because San Marcos has a small-town feel while still providing lively crowds and lots of opportunities to play shows.

“The community here is just really fun because we were all starting out at the same time,” Cafaro said. “And even the newer generation of people who

are coming here now, they just all want to play and be a part of shows, too.”

Slick said many bands that are connected to San Marcos are also connected to the big city scene in Austin, allowing bands to reach a larger group of people.

“If you just talk to [other local bands], they’ll start asking you to join a show that they’re trying to get set up,” Sabin said.

Valice

Valice, consisting of Ricci Valice, vocalist and guitarist, David Fong, keyboardist, James LeBlanc, guitarist, George Feledichuk, bassist and Ethan Schneider, drummer, is an indie rock band from Austin. It met through the long and deeply woven web of connections the local Austin scene provides after a radio station selected Ricci to play his music with a band at one of its events.

“It really is about networking,” Ricci said, “If you plant 1,000 little seeds, some of them will blossom.”

Since it started, Valice had its share of highs and lows, from its final show of its recent tour with its members decked in rhinestones to the scraped rental van that got the band to where it is now. Valice said to have consistency in releasing music, even if that meant releasing singles over albums, and emphasized having an active social media presence.

During its show at The Porch for KTSW’s Third Thursday and at the River Fest Jams concert, Valice recognized the San Marcos scene had lots of great energy.

“People were just vibing, and we’re like, ‘We should just come to San Marcos more, it feels like the new Austin in a way,’” Ricci said.

Wittliff preserves Austin artist’s archives

Adrian

The Wittliff Collections purchased a rare and deeply personal archive of one of Central Texas’ most influential artists — Daniel Johnston.

In October, the Austin-based institution purchased an extensive collection of the late musician’s original artwork, handwritten letters, and personal documents, preserving the raw creativity and singular vision that made Johnston a cult icon.

For decades, Jeff Tartakov, Johnston’s former manager, safeguarded the archive without realizing the significance of what he built.

“I never really thought of it as a collection until decades later,” Tartakov said.

When The Contemporary Austin hosted a Daniel Johnston retrospective in 2021, a curator urged Tartakov to keep the materials together. After seeing Wittliff’s collections honoring Willie Nelson and Stevie Ray Vaughan, he knew Johnston would have approved.

“When I began to accession the Jeff Tartakov Collection of Daniel Johnston, I immediately saw that the materials would provide researchers with a unique window into Jeff Tartakov and Daniel Johnston’s

professional and personal relationship, as well as a glimpse into Daniel Johnston’s prolific musical career and remarkable life,” Sherri Turner-Herrmann, library specialist for the Wittliff, said.

Tartakov’s connection to Johnston started in the ‘80s with a mixtape that almost didn’t make an impression.

“My housemate gave me some of Daniel’s tapes, but ‘Hi, How Are You?’ didn’t click at first,” Tartakov said. “Then, on a long drive from Austin to Houston, I listened again and connected deeply with the pain and isolation in his music. By 1987, I knew his work would endure.”

Tartakov was instrumental in shaping Johnston’s career, introducing his music to influential bands like Sonic Youth and Half Japanese. But his most famous contribution came in 1992, when he helped put a simple T-shirt on the back of a rising grunge star named Kurt Cobain. The image of Cobain in the now-iconic shirt catapulted Johnston into underground legend status.

“I met Everett True at a Half Japanese show in London,” Tartakov said.

“He gave the ‘Hi, How Are You?’ shirt to Kurt Cobain and made him promise to wear it in public. Soon, Kurt was wearing it everywhere.”

Johnston’s collaborations

extended beyond Cobain’s endorsement. In 1985, Tartakov handed a mixtape to Jad Fair of Half Japanese, leading to a lifelong friendship.

“A few weeks later, Jad sent me a package and a card,” Tartakov said. “We stayed in touch, and when Daniel visited New York in 1988, Jad introduced him to Moe Tucker of the Velvet Underground.”

The newly acquired materials offer more than just a glimpse into Johnston’s creative process — they add depth to his humanity. Hector Saldaña, music curator at the Wittliff, said the archive provides a powerful look at Johnston as both an artist and a person.

“That [Johnston] created such beautiful and incisive music and art by channeling his pain, joy and perceptions is cause for wonder but also continues to be the mystery to solve and understand for future researchers

accessing Jeff Tartakov’s invaluable collection,” Saldaña said.

While Johnston rarely performed live in the ‘80s, the 2005 Sundance premiere of “The Devil and Daniel Johnston” felt like a full-circle moment. It made Tartakov reflect on how far Johnston’s music and art reached.

“It was like a team victory,” Tartakov said.

As for his favorite piece in the archive, Tartakov has a soft spot for Johnston’s cat-themed artwork. Beyond personal favorites, he hopes the collection helps future generations truly understand the man behind the music.

“I want fans and researchers to gain a deeper appreciation of Daniel’s journey and legacy,” Tartakov said.

The Wittliff is currently sorting through the collection, so it is not open to the public yet.

ADRIAN ESCARENO | STAR PHOTOGRAPHER

A display of some of Daniel Johnston’s archives, Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at the Wittliff Collections.

Escareno Life and Arts Contributor

DIEGO MEDEL | ENGAGEMENT EDITOR

Members of the Valice band perform at the River Fest Bash, Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at the LBJ Mall. Valice is an Austin-based indie rock band formed at UT - Austin.

Serving up success from the court to the sidelines

By Hunter Machon Sports Reporter

The tennis courts at Texas State buzz with the pop of tennis balls meeting rackets. Amid the chorus of shouts and encouragement, there’s a calm and encouraging presence of someone who has been on the other side of the net, who battled through the same drills, frustrations and triumphs.

That presence is head coach Kendall Brooks, a former Division I athlete who now leads the revival of the Bobcat tennis program.

“The Division I lifestyle as an athlete, I lived it, I completely understand the pressure, the stress, the time and everything that goes into it,” Brooks says. “This team makes my job easy because they come to work every single day.”

Brooks’ journey in collegiate tennis began at Texas Tech, where she was a fouryear letterwinner from 2000-04. Competing primarily at the number two position in singles and the number one spot in doubles, Brooks put together an impressive 61-58 career singles record and a 41-17 doubles mark that remains unmatched as she holds Texas Tech’s career record for the highest winning percentage in doubles competition.

As a sophomore, Brooks captured Big XII titles in both singles and doubles before earning All-Big XII honors the following year. She served as a team captain in her final two years with the program, setting the stage for her emergence as a leader. Upon graduating in 2004, Brooks transitioned seamlessly into coaching, bringing her competitive spirit and deep knowledge of the game to the sidelines.

“I am still learning along the way from coaches I had that were great, and ones that weren’t great, and morphing them into what things I want to give my student-athletes,” Brooks said. “I want to help them however I can.”

Brooks began her coaching career immediately after her playing days, serving as an assistant coach at Texas Tech from 2004-06. She then spent seven years as the head coach at Division II school St. Edward’s University, where she led the program to five NCAA Tournament appearances and a conference championship in 2019. With an impressive 95-53 record, Brooks’ impact on the program was undeniable, earning her the 2018 Wilson ITA South Central Regional Coach of the Year honor.

Brooks returned to Division I coaching in 2020-21 when she joined Texas State as a volunteer assistant. She was promoted to assistant coach the

FROM

FRONT FOOTBALL

Teams were impressed with his throwing ability, which is just one of the many things McCloud wanted to work on for the Pro Day.

“I wanted to focus on being balanced on all of my throws...focus on my long ball...I did it throughout the season, but I just wanted to show it more today,” McCloud said. “I’m not trying to be anybody I’m not.”

McCloud is mentored by his brother Ray-Ray McCloud III, a sevenyear NFL veteran, who has been helping guide him through his journey and even made the trip to San Marcos to watch McCloud participate in Pro Day.

“[Ray-Ray]’s been such a big mentor to me,” McCloud said. “He knows the ins and outs of it.... helping me through the ups and downs but also told me to focus on the main goal of winning and preparing for today and for Sundays.”

Wide Receiver Joey Hobert is another notable name who participated

following season before she was named the eighth head coach in program history in June 2022.

Before Brooks’ tenure, Texas State struggled to find consistency. However, the program’s trajectory shifted dramatically since she took over as head coach.

Under Brooks’ leadership, the Bobcats are progressing in the win column. Her first year was marked by challenges and growing pains as recruits adapted to her coaching philosophy, culminating in an 8-15 record. However, after a grueling offseason, the team improved significantly in the 2023-24 campaign, finishing 11-8 and proving they could compete within and beyond the Sun Belt Conference.

Now in Brooks’ third season, the Bobcats boast a 13-3 record and sit in second place in the conference.

With a strong start to the 2024-25 season, Brooks and Texas State are pushing for a top-six conference finish and a tournament appearance.

“Instead of always feeling like we were going to be in this pigeonhole of where we belong, let’s push the boundary and see what we can really do,” Brooks said. “I would like a top 50 national ranking, and I would like to make the NCAA tournament.”

Graduate Student Callie Creath, who is in

in the Pro Day. He looked just as impressive among his colleagues, even in a vastly different setting than he’s used to.

“[For a game] you’re practicing day-in-and-day-out for a specific opponent. The biggest opponent [in the Pro Day] is yourself,” Hobert said. “The biggest thing is ‘how am I going to improve myself?’ You don’t really look into that as much, but it’s a game changer.”

It is unclear who Hobert has met with yet, but he knows that even if his name doesn’t get called on draft night, there will be other paths that he and some of his fellow teammates can take.

“You’ll get your opportunities,” Hobert said. “Even if you go UFL, CFL, even playing in Europe, chances will come...You have to always be ready for the next call that happens.”

The 2025 NFL Draft is scheduled to take place from April 24-26 inside Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. It will be available to stream on ESPN.

her second season with Texas State, believes Brooks’ desire for greatness allows the team to fulfill its true potential.

“The standards have changed the longer I have been here, the bar has been set higher and higher and has propelled the team to be better,” Creath said. “The difference in expectations now versus when I got here and what we bring out of each other as teammates, it’s like night and day, you can’t even compare.”

Creath said Brooks ensures the team’s goals remain front and center, both figuratively and literally. She noted that Brooks posts the goals inside the locker room, providing players with a constant visual reminder. Creath believes this subtle reinforcement motivates the team to push themselves harder in practice and remain focused on achieving their objectives.

“I know what these girls are capable of,” Brooks said. “Why not us? Why can’t we beat these teams? Why can’t we compete for a conference championship?”

Beyond the wins and losses, Brooks emphasizes the importance of team chemistry and fostering deep connections with her players.

“To me, my relationship with my players is everything, you have to get to know each and every one of them and have that relationship and that trust, or you can’t really have success,” Brooks said. “[It’s vital] to create that culture and synergy of a team that really enjoys, supports and pushes each other and wants to play for each other.”

Junior Emily Niers said the team’s close-knit bond drives them to go the extra mile. She said Brooks provides support and uplifts her players when needed while emphasizing the importance of focusing on what they can control and ignoring what they can’t.

“We’re not just playing for ourselves, but for everyone,” Niers said. “[Brooks] does a great job of keeping things in perspective and keeping things positive; she doesn’t let us dwell on the negatives or on the past.”

With only five matches left before the conference tournament, the Bobcats are making final adjustments under Coach Brooks to ensure they carry this momentum into the tournament.

Texas State tennis is scheduled to compete against James Madison University at 12:00 p.m. on Friday at the Bobcat Tennis Complex.

MANDALYN LEWALLEN | MULTIMEDIA EDITOR

Texas State tennis head coach Kendall Brooks supports her players from the sidelines during the match against Troy, Friday, April 5, 2024, at Bobcat Tennis Complex. Bobcats lost to the Trojans 3-4.

AYDEN OREDSON | STAR PHOTOGRAPHER

Texas State offensive lineman Nash Jones (76) participates in Texas State football’s Pro Day, Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at UFCU Stadium.

THIS WEEK

IN SMTX

Texas State’s hockey team plays tug of war during club sports field day, Saturday, March 29, 2025, at Spring Lake Field Complex. Texas State hockey is a Division 2 ACHA Hockey Club.

Texas State communication design junior Lucy Morley (Left) and communication design senior Robbie Wigfall (Right) vend for Texas State’s chapter of American Institute of Graphic Arts at Riso Rama, Sunday, March 30, 2025, at the JCM Building.

Vocalist and Guitarist Ricci Valice performs with his band Valice at River Fest Jams, Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at the LBJ Mall. The event promoted River Fest which will occur on April 10, at Sewell Park.

Texas State hockey defenseman Nate Patek falls while playing tug of war, Saturday, March 29, 2025, at Spring Lake Field Complex. The hockey team held the club sports field day event to raise money for their team.

Texas State hockey president Jake Recore pitches the ball during a game of kickball at the Spring Lake Field Complex in San Marcos, Saturday, March 29, 2025.

RHIAN DAVIS | OPINIONS EDITOR

ISABELLE CANTU | STAR PHOTOGRAPHER

CARLENE OTTAH | LIFE AND ARTS EDITOR

RHIAN DAVIS | OPINIONS EDITOR

DIEGO MEDEL | ENGAGEMENT EDITOR

Communication studies sophomore Jazzalyn Perez (Left), health science junior Diego Herrera (Center) and pre-business junior Princess-Deja Sprauve (Right) draw messages on jeans to support survivors of sexual assault Denim Day, Wednesday, March 26, 2025, on The Quad. Students Against Violence will display the jeans from April 2-16 on Alkek Library’s fourth floor and the LBJSC Hub.

Keyboardist David Fong performs with Valice at River Fest Jams, Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at the LBJ Mall. Valice made their SXSW debut in 2025.

Guitarist for Valice James LeBlanc performs at River Fest Jams, Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at the LBJ Mall. LeBlanc also plays with the bands Silver Hour and Something Else.

RHIAN DAVIS | OPINIONS EDITOR

DIEGO MEDEL | ENGAGEMENT EDITOR