SJMC faculty remember Kym Fox
On the second floor of Old Main, it was not uncommon to see someone stop by Kym Fox’s office to chat.
There was rarely a time Fox, professor of practice and graduate instructional assistant coordinator in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication (SJMC), was too busy to give her visitors — current and former students and colleagues — a smile or some encouragement.
Fox died of cancer on July 19. For over 20 years, she led and coordinated Texas State University’s journalism program. Her dedication to journalism
By Hope Monte Sports Reporter
Texas State volleyball is set to begin its journey for one last chance to compete and become Sun Belt Conference regular season champions in its final year in the SBC, backed up by the motto “win the day,” head coach Sean Huiet said.
“Everyone’s going to be gunning for us, because it might be their last chance to play us. I think it adds a little pressure to us, but this group is up for the challenge,” Huiet said.
“We haven’t talked too much about going to the Pac-12; our focus is on today.”
Preparation for the road to a conference title will begin with four pre-conference tournaments packed with a variety of competitors, including two top 25-ranked teams, No.6 Stanford and No. 16 UCLA, during the Stanford Tournament from Sept. 19-21.
and storytelling inspired many of the people she mentored and worked with over the course of several decades.
Fox’s work in the newsroom
spanned many years, from designer and copy editor at the Mesa Tribune to reporter and day metro editor at the San Antonio Express-News. She focused on child abuse and juvenile justice.
Diana Fuentes, Texas State lecturer, worked with Fox as a night editor at the Express-News and said one of the main reasons they got along was due to their commitment to representing unheard voices.
People trusted Fox to get their information and tell their story, and she did not betray their trust.
SEE MEMORIES PAGE 15
season so we play some competition that gets us ready, not just to win the Sun Belt, but when we get to the NCAA Tournament.”
In 2024, the Bobcats hurdled through the season with a record of 22 wins and 9 losses, despite a schedule that put them on the road for 13 games straight at the start of the season. This year, the Bobcats will have a more balanced home and away schedule,
“We knew this group was ready for the challenge, and we knew the goals they set aside in the spring, and so we wanted to give them that challenge,” Huiet said. “We wanted to bulk up the early part of the
providing a touch of extra comfort in comparison to last year.
While the 2024 season marked the end of the line for two veterans in the 2024 SBC — Setter of the Year, Ryann Torres, and libero Alyssa Ortega — the new year brings several fresh faces to the squad, including four freshman recruits and three transfer players.
By Ryan Claycamp News Editor
During its 89th Legislative Session, the Texas Government adopted a number of new laws that impact institutions of higher education.
The Star has compiled a list of some of the bills and the changes they make.
Senate Bill 37
SB 37, introduced by State Sen. Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe), increases state control over Texas public universities and their administration.
The new law changed the structure of faculty senates, which led to the overhaul of Texas State’s Faculty Senate. Texas State University System did not respond to a request to comment on the changes to Faculty Senate.
The law would also require universities to cut minor programs in which fewer than 10 students have graduated in the last two years.
SB 37 also allows for increased state oversight of course curriculum.
The standards for curriculum under the bill require that classes: “are foundational and fundamental to a sound postsecondary education; (2) are necessary to prepare students for civic and professional life; (3) equip students for participation in the workforce and in the betterment of society; and (4) do not endorse specific public policies, ideologies, or legislation.”
Critics of the bill claim it will undermine education and worsen education outcomes for students.
“This bill infringes on the academic freedom to learn for the student and the freedom to teach and freedom to research for the professor,” Brian Evans, president of the Texas Conference of the American Association of University Professors, said.
MEG BOLES | MULTIMEDIA EDITOR
Texas State’s volleyball team huddles during the maroon and gold scrimmage, Monday, Aug. 18, 2025 at Strahan Arena.
By Carlene Ottah Life and Arts Editor
JESSICA JAMES | COURTESY PHOTO
LAURA WALKER | STAR
Warning sirens continue operation amid severe weather
By Lesdy Hernandez Senior News Reporter
In response to and preparation for sever weather, the San Marcos warning sirens aim to warn people of potential emergencies.
According to the city’s website, on Aug. 1, 2024, the city of San Marcos’ outdoor warning system became fully operational again after required maintenance repairs and upgrades were concluded. The sirens were first introduced and installed back in 2011.
The sirens were first introduced and installed in 2011.
From severe weather to hazardous incidents, the 14 sirens located throughout the city help alert the community of potential threats by emitting a series of tones.
Billy Hernandez, a San Marcos resident who lived in the city his whole life, said prior to the warning sirens’ first installation, law enforcement would warn people of emergency situations going door by door and projecting siren sounds through speakers.
“We had previous floods before 2011, we had stuff in 2008 and 2003, and we had the 1998 flood that devastated the whole town,” Hernandez said. “Back in those days, you just had to hope that your local law enforcement could be able to reach to your neighborhood and get to everybody, if a flood was coming in.”
Richard A. Earl, geography and environmental studies distinguished professor, said San Marcos is in the region known as Flash Flood Alley, one of the most flood-prone areas in the U.S. He said the region is more susceptible to flooding between September and early November.
“Our location is such that you can get lots of tropical moisture, and then if you have some kind of weather system, like a cold front, or what they call upper-level long various weather systems, that can cause those moisture sources to come together, you can get very heavy rainfall,” Earl said.
According to the city’s website, the warning sirens can be activated individually, but are primarily synchronized in the case of a city-wide emergency.
Earl said it is important to implement stronger efforts in public awareness and education on the warning systems, especially when it comes to informing visitors.
“A fundamental problem is that the warning systems are based upon TV, radio, your smartphones and people at a recreation spot, that isn’t their home, they employ what’s called reverse 911, and so all they can do is notify people of a flood hazard or tornadoes,” Earl said.
Different tone patterns are designated to different emergencies, with severe weather or tornado warnings being identified as single
steady long tones that last for three minutes.
The warning sirens undergo periodic testing every first Saturday of the month at 12 p.m., with testing halted if inclement weather is present. Hernandez said since their reinstallation, he could hear the warning sirens but thinks there should be more resources for the public on what to do in case of an emergency.
“I feel like there should be a lot of free public workshops, or there should be every so many months, even though we’re not dealing with any storms and stuff right now…” Hernandez said.
“There should be some public groups or something organized by the city, just something that gives not just
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the students, but also the residents.”
SOPHIA GERKE | ASSISTANT DESIGN EDITOR
Scan the QR code to read more about storm sirens.
Texas ends in-state tuition for undocumented students
By Ryan Claycamp News Editor
As the fall semester starts, undocumented students are being met with changes to their financial aid due to a June court ruling.
The law that was overturned, called the Texas Dream Act, allowed certain undocumented students at Texas public universities to receive in-state tuition. The court overturned the 24-year-old law after a lawsuit from the U.S. Department of Justice, which claimed the act was unconstitutional. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton declined to defend the law, effectively ending in-state tuition for most undocumented students.
“Today, I entered a joint motion along with the Trump Administration opposing a law that unconstitutionally and unlawfully gave benefits to illegal aliens that were not available to American citizens,” Paxton said in a statement. “Ending this discriminatory and un-American provision is a major victory for Texas.”
The ruling led to confusion at Texas public universities and university systems, as the state government has not released guidelines on how to comply with requirements. The new requirements include tracking the immigration status of students to ensure no undocumented individuals receive in-state tuition. Previously, Texas State did not track immigration status.
“Texas State University has established an email address, residencyhelp@txstate.edu, to assist students who may have questions regarding the repeal of the Texas Dream Act,” Jayme Blaschke, a university spokesperson wrote in an email to The Star
According to Blaschke’s email,
as well as university records obtained by The Star, some undocumented students can remain eligible for in-state tuition. The requirements to retain in-state tuition include being registered for Selective Service if male, and receiving a competitive meritbased scholarship through the university.
“Under Texas law, a nonresident student who receives a competitive scholarship of at least $1,000 from a Texas public institution of higher education may qualify to pay in-state (resident) tuition rates,” a document summarizing a June 13 university meeting about the tuition changes stated.
The meeting document listed key requirements scholarships would have to meet to allow an undocumented student to receive in-state tuition. The requirements include: Being at least $1,000, being awarded by an “authorized scholarship committee,” being publicly advertised with a clear deadline and the selection and funding processes being controlled by the university. If those requirements are met, a student may be eligible for a waiver to receive in-state tuition for the term or semester covered by the scholarship, up to 12 months.
According to a July email chain between members of the Texas State University Cabinet, the number of waivers is capped at 5% of the university’s nonresident students, which includes both undocumented students as well as all other students from outside of Texas.
Initially, the university seemed unsure of whether recipients of the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) would be eligible for in-state tuition. However, Blaschke said that DACA recipients can receive resident status, as long as they can provide documentation to show lawful presence in the U.S.
The Cabinet’s email chain listed several things other than in-state tuition that undocumented students are now ineligible for. The list includes automatic admission for those in the top 10% of their high school graduating class, the Bobcat Promise program and Texas State aid.
According to Blaschke, Texas State has provided the impacted students with other options, including fully online programs, which charge a flat tuition rate.
Scan the QR code to read more about the requirements for residency waivers.
Students sit waiting to be helped at the Texas State One Stop Office on Aug. 25, 2025. The One Stop Office handles financial aid issues, billing and payments, undergrad admissions and more.
RYAN CLAYCAMP | NEWS EDITOR
Texas legislature redraws congressional districts
By Ryan Claycamp News Editor
The Texas Senate passed House Bill 4, a bill to redraw the U.S. House districts in Texas on Aug. 23.
The Senate’s passage of the bill now means both chambers of the state legislature have approved redistricting. The bill was first introduced in the 89th Legislature’s first special session, where it died due to a quorum break by House Democrats. Gov. Greg Abbott has already announced his plan to sign the new maps into law.
“The One Big Beautiful Map has passed the Senate and is on its way to my desk, where it will be swiftly signed into law,” Abbott said in a statement. “I promised we would get this done, and delivered on that promise. I thank Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick for leading the passage in the Senate of a bill that ensures our maps reflect Texans’ voting preferences.”
Under the new district map, San Marcos will no longer be split into District 21, represented by Congressman Chip Roy (R-Austin) and District 35, represented by Greg Casar (D-Austin). Instead, it will be entirely inside District 21.
District 21 is grouped in with most of the Texas Hill Country; however, parts of Hays County, such as Kyle and Buda, would be moved to District 27, the same district as parts of Corpus Christi and Victoria, cities hundreds of miles away with entirely different economies and needs than Hays County.
For San Marcos, this means moving from a Democrat-run district,
to one run by Republicans.
“It’s a district where the electoral weight is in Corpus Christi and Victoria, which are both industrial cities; they have the chemical industry, the ports and are really connected to oil and gas,” Texas Rep. Erin Zwiener said. “Buda and Kyle are bedroom communities for Austin.”
On Aug. 2, U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-San Antonio) and Zwiener held a town hall meeting about redistricting in San Marcos. During the meeting, many residents of San Marcos and Hays County spoke against the new maps.
“San Martians and Texans are angry that their communities are being harmed and ripped because of the whims of a very small man and his attempts to hang on to power,” San Marcos resident Daniel Ayala said at the Aug. 2 town hall.
Critics of the bill, such as Zwiener, have called it racist and said it will silence the voices of some voters.
“The votes of the average Black person in Texas are going to count about a fifth as the votes of a white person in electing their member of Congress,” Zwiener said. “The votes of Hispanic folks are going to count about a third of the votes of a
white person.”
Casar, whose entire district will be redrawn, also criticized the bill for diluting the voting power of minorities in Texas.
“10 million Texans will have their congressional districts changed under this Trump map, but two-thirds of them are Black and Hispanic,” Casar said.
Casar said Abbott is a “wannabe authoritarian” for calling for mid-decade redistricting. He also criticized Abbott for making
FROM FRONT HIGHER ED
Senate Bill 2972
SB 2972, introduced by State Sen. Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe), changes laws governing freedom of expression on college campuses.
Previously, under SB 18 from the 86th Legislative Session, which was coauthored by Creighton, Texas universities were considered public spaces, meaning protests could be held on campus as long as no laws were broken. SB 2972 ends that designation, restricting when protests can be held on campus, who can participate and how protests can be conducted.
The bill places other restrictions on what it calls “expressive activities,” such as when they can be conducted.
The law prohibits “engaging in expressive activities on campus during the last two weeks of a semester or term,” sound amplifying devices, “erecting tents or other living structures,” and wearing masks while protesting.
Senate Bill 800
SB 800, introduced by Senator Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo), requires additional training on Title IX to be provided to freshman or undergraduate transfer students at “each postsecondary educational institution.”
The training would require the university to provide the name of the institution’s Title IX coordinator and deputy coordinators, the location and contact information for the Title IX office and the services provided by the Title IX office.
The law also requires that new students “attend an orientation on the institution’s sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking policy,” during their first semester. The orientation can be in the form of a video.
redistricting a higher priority than flood relief and emergency reforms in the aftermath of the July 4 flooding in the Texas Hill Country.
“Greg Abbott is an elected official,” Casar said at a protest outside the Governor’s Mansion. “He’s not a dictator, he’s not an authoritarian, but he’s trying to act like a wannabe authoritarian. And what we do to want-to-be authoritarians is we speak out.”
Casar and Zwiener claimed the new maps violate Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which outlaws discrimination based on race, color or membership of certain language minority groups.
In a recent case involving Louisiana, the Supreme Court asked lawyers to consider whether Section 2 of the VRA may be unconstitutional. One group of Texans has already filed a lawsuit, arguing that the maps violated Section 2. If the Supreme Court overturns Section 2, that lawsuit and others like it would not be able to move forward with those claims.
“I am very concerned that Donald Trump and the right wing have purchased Supreme Court seats so that they could try to disenfranchise Latino voters here in Central Texas and then get the Supreme Court to rubber-stamp it so they could spread that across the country,” Casar said.
When signed into law, the new maps on House Bill 4 will take effect. The new U.S. House districts will face their first round of elections in the November 2026 midterms, unless a successful legal challenge bars their implementation.
Map of the new congressional district borders in Hays County passed on Aug. 23, 2025. Source: Texas Legislative Council
Map of the new Texas congressional districts that map passed the Texas Senate on Aug. 23, 2025. Source: Texas Legislative Council
SOPHIA GERKE | ASSISTANT
OPINION 5
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.
Texas State can navigate education hurdles
On June 22, Gov. Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 37 into law. The bill alters higher education through new rules on curriculum oversight and faculty governance, while changing longstanding traditions of shared governance, academic freedom and institutional independence.
Legislation is drastically changing the landscape of higher education in Texas. Texas State must strike a balance between complying with new laws and upholding its mission to support student success and advance academic excellence.
The impacts of SB 37 are already being felt at Texas State.
The university is currently holding elections to form a new faculty advisory group to maintain compliance with SB 37 by Jan. 1, 2026. This group will become the 68th Faculty Senate.
Under the bill’s rules, at least one senator per college must be appointed by the president. Appointments risk reducing faculty engagement and shared governance; however, the new legislation does not automatically violate the university’s principles of autonomy. To keep these principles, Texas State administrators must work closely with faculty to ensure accountability.
The Star spoke to a member of
the 67th Faculty Senate, who stated that it will make their job more difficult now, as they have to convince themselves and their constituents that they are working for them. The senator remained hopeful, however, the administration will continue to work with the Senate.
Without proper faculty discussion channels, students also suffer as classroom needs are not addressed.
Beyond faculty senates, the bill restructures public institutions under more direct control by the state, with oversight being a common theme throughout the law. Increasing supervision in education risks the free exchange of ideas, which lowers institutions’ ability to foster academic growth.
Compliance is a necessity of the bill, but Texas State must still diligently protect the freedoms of its staff and students.
These state-level changes are also being mirrored at the federal level, presenting additional obstacles for institutions and students. Less than two weeks after SB 37 was signed into law, President Donald Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA).
The OBBBA reshapes higher education by tightening student loan borrowing caps, expanding Pell Grants to cover short-term workforce programs and introducing new federal oversight measures.
These changes in funding affect students directly as many students
rely on federal assistance to attend university, and changes can impact enrollment and academic success. Adding additional financial stresses to students, where many already exist, is deeply harmful and can stifle academic output and engagement.
Prioritizing workforce readiness can provide benefits in obtaining employment post-graduation, but it risks universities becoming training rather than institutions dedicated to broad intellectual growth, research and academic excellence.
Texas State can alleviate some of this burden by expanding scholarship and work opportunities, while also promoting alternative aid pathways and support.
Both SB 37 and the OBBBA also introduce significant oversight, often at the expense of academic autonomy. Higher education relies on institutional autonomy to promote fairness and a free exchange of ideas.
Texas State can navigate these sweeping state and federal changes, but it cannot sacrifice its core principles. Ultimately, Texas State must ensure both compliance and adherence to the university’s mission. Administrators work with students and faculty, or risk losing Texas State as an institution of academic excellence.
Red Zone leaves freshmen vulnerable, awareness necessary
By Aubrey Haynes Opinions Columnist
Freshmen are told Welcome Week is about making friends and finding community. However, it also marks the beginning of the Red Zone, the six-month stretch where, nationally, university students face the highest risk of sexual assault. Freedom and inexperience collide, and often the result is harm.
The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (ASFSR) is a federally mandated report that details on-campus crime. The numbers from Texas State’s 2024 report show there is a prevalent issue here.
But statistics alone are not enough. Awareness is crucial because silence only serves to protect perpetrators. Students deserve honesty about the risks they face, and they deserve a campus culture that takes prevention seriously.
That means holding each other accountable, creating safer spaces and refusing to let sexual violence be treated as an unfortunate “norm” of college life.
In 2024, 29 rapes were reported, with 28 inside on-campus residence halls. The year before, there were 40 rapes reported, 38 occurring on campus. Some types of violence decreased slightly while others, like stalking and domestic violence, rose.
The ASFSR Report shows the majority of incidents happen in
locations where students should feel are safe, including residence halls and parties with friends. The university should be an area where students grow and feel a sense of community, not an area where silence for safety is accepted.
Pam Jacobs, Texas State’s Clery Act compliance officer, said the statistics give students a clear picture of campus safety and hold the university accountable.
“Every report of an alleged crime is reviewed,” Jacobs said. “When a report comes in, it is assessed, resources are offered, and if needed, investigations begin. Even if no charges are filed, it still appears in the report for transparency.”
The Red Zone is especially dangerous because freshmen are adjusting to new spaces, new people and new routines. Studies by the Department of Education show that half of all campus sexual assaults occur during this period.
To lessen the risks, it is crucial for students to plan ahead. Often, college is the first time students have a large party experience. In these settings, it’s important to stay in groups, share your location with a trusted friend and never leave your drink unattended. These small actions together can mean the difference between a safe night and a dangerous one.
Students often worry about getting into trouble if they are intoxicated and need help. Students can call University Police, who are now partnered with Bobcat Safe Rides for safe transport without fear of legal trouble. It is always better than risking harm by walking alone or getting into a car with someone who is not sober.
Choosing these safer options matters most during the Red Zone, when predators often exploit alcoholfueled situations. The reality is that the Red Zone is not just about parties, but about how easily risk can escalate
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when students are in unfamiliar environments and still learning boundaries.
If an incident does occur, students have confidential support through the Texas State Counseling Center. Trained professional counselors stand ready to offer crisis intervention, ongoing therapy and immediate resources to aid survivors in healing and processing.
Students can also report incidents to the Title IX Office, which reviews cases of sexual misconduct and provides accommodations to ensure safety as well as academic support.
It’s important to know that Title IX reports are mandatory once shared with faculty or staff, while counseling services remain confidential. This distinction matters because students deserve control over where their story goes and how they seek support.
To aid in crisis prevention at Texas State, Students Against Violence offers workshops on consent and bystander intervention, all freshmen complete Alcohol and Sexual Assault Prevention training and the University Police Department provides safety and crime prevention sessions. These programs help students stay aware, prepared and supported on campus. For freshmen, the first semester sets the tone. The Red Zone is not about fear, it is about awareness. Stay prepared, watch out for each other and make it a semester to remember for the right reasons.
-Aubrey Haynes is a social work sophomore
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FOOTBALL
Last dance in the Belt: Bobcat football seeks to depart Sun Belt as champions
By Ayden Oredson Sports Reporter
Coming off consecutive eight-win seasons, including back-to-back First Responder Bowl game victories, Texas State football is set for one last dance in the Sun Belt Conference before their departure for the Pac-12 in 2026. The Bobcats will look to finally get their hands on a Sun Belt Conference title on their way out while continuing the strong momentum from the previous few years.
A blend of old and new faces
In the offseason, Texas State experienced quite the roster overhaul.
Along with losing key players to graduation, such as quarterback Jordan McCloud, wide receivers Joey Hobert, Jaden Williams and offensive lineman Nash Jones, 20 players entered the transfer portal. Notable players include defensive linemen Ben Bell, Tavion Coleman, Dominique Ratcliff and Terry Webb, cornerback Joshua Eaton, offensive tackle Alex Harkey, kicker Mason Shipley, wide receiver Kole Wilson and running back Ismail Mahdi, all of whom now find themselves at schools in power conferences.
While Texas State lost a considerable amount of talent, Head Coach G.J. Kinne was able to retain players and bring in talent from the upcoming recruiting class and transfer portal.
“You know, ten years ago you got to keep your guys but now with the transfer portal, every year is a new year,” Kinne said in a post-practice press conference on Aug. 20. “That’s why we try to recruit these high school kids and try to build them up and develop them so hopefully they can stick around.”
Returning Bobcats include notable players from last season, such as wide receivers Chris Dawn Jr and Beau Sparks and running back Lincoln Pare. All three are expected to be heavy contributors going into this upcoming season.
Noteworthy recruits include edge TJ Burkhalter, safety Jayden Bradley and offensive lineman Ameer Ross, among others.
Kinne and his staff brought in various forms of talent in order to fill in the much-needed holes created by departing players to help provide some depth.
The Bobcats brought in players such as receivers Tyrin Smith and L.J. Johnson Jr, tight end Ty Stamey, running back Greg Burrell, offensive tackle Anfernee Crease, defensive lineman Michael Nwokocha and cornerbacks Jayden Lawton and Khamari Terrell.
Going into 2025, the offensive line will be, by average weight, the heaviest in all of college football, according to Rene Nadeau of Crescent City Sports, weighing in at 341.4 lbs. This is 11.4 pounds ahead of Texas A&M, which weighs exactly 330 lbs and ranks second in the nation. This continues a trend of the offensive line being amongst the heaviest in the country, where Texas State previously ranked 14th in 2024.
“We always try to get big offensive linemen,” Kinne stated during a post-practice press conference on Aug. 16. “That’s something we’ve always focused on...we like big offensive linemen; that’s key to what we do offensively.” A heavier offensive line will help open clearer lanes for the run game as
FROM FRONT VOLLEYBALL
Regardless of a young roster on paper, this squad is far from rookie status after having time to mesh during the spring, plus a unique opportunity to travel to Europe during the summer for a lineup of international matches.
“Our trip to Europe, I think...that really sets the tone for the season, because we got to train for 10 days while we were here, and then we got to go over and play,” Huiet said. “So it’s been kind of easy — not easy going, but it’s been like, ‘hey, we’ve already done this, this isn’t a new team, we’ve all played together.’”
The 2025 squad is loaded with veteran power, with five players entering their senior season, including Samantha Wunsch, who has spent her entire college career on the maroon and gold court and seen the program grow to where it is today.
“Ryann and Alyssa are both incredible players and huge losses, but we’ve gotten some new people, specifically, Alyssa Clark has really stepped into the Libero role,” Wunsch said.
“[Torres and Ortega] did such a good job as seniors of setting the culture that their legacy is carried on through us now.”
well as provide stronger protection and more time in the pocket for the quarterback.
The most interesting position battle has been the quarterback room. Kinne has brought in multiple QBs from the portal since last season concluded, including Nate Yarnell, Keldric Luster, Holden Geriner and Gevani McCoy, who has since transferred to Temple.
Among those players competing to start is returning redshirt freshman Brad Jackson, who was mostly used for QB runs in 2024. He is the presumed favorite to land the starting role after just a couple of weeks of Fall Camp, where Jackson ran reps with the first team.
Jackson was selected as one of seven team captains who were voted on by the players and announced by Kinne.
“[Brad Jackson]’s special,” Kinne said. “It was evident early on how special [Jackson] is...he’s probably the vocal leader of the offense.”
Texas State will seek to continue the momentum it’s been building for the past two seasons under Kinne, but it will be determined by how fast this roster can click together, given the turnover and uncertainty on who QB1 is.
The coaching staff
Much like the roster, Kinne’s coaching staff experienced some turnover as well. Notably, offensive coordinator Mack Leftwich jumped to Lubbock to become Texas Tech’s offensive coordinator. Daniel Da Prato, previously an associate head coach and special teams coordinator, departed for the same position at New Mexico.
While most of his staff remained intact, including retaining defensive coordinator Dexter McCoil Sr., Kinne had some work to do.
Firstly, he promoted assistant wide receivers coach Landon Keopple to offensive coordinator. He then hired Tanner Burns from Auburn to replace Da Prato and brought back Randy Martinez from Stephen F. Austin to become the new wide receivers coach. He previously was with Texas State in 2023 as a recruiting operations coordinator.
Among other additions to the staff are Dane
Evans as an assistant quarterbacks coach and passgame coordinator.
Kinne’s staff appears to be based on familiarity and established trust. Burns worked with Kinne while they were both assistant coaches at Arkansas in 2018 and has considerable ties with Evans, given both of their connections to Tulsa.
Skimming the Schedule
The Bobcats will begin their campaign at home with a matchup against Eastern Michigan on Aug. 30. The Eagles are coming off a 5-7 season, but did manage to keep some of their key productive players.
They will then have their two toughest out-of-conference games back-to-back on the road, traveling to San Antonio to play UTSA in the Alamodome on Sept. 6 and to Tempe to battle against preseason No. 11 Arizona State on Sept. 13.
After another home slate against Nicholls in the “Battle for the Paddle” rivalry on Sept. 20, the real test starts in October after a bye week with the Bobcats’ final Sun Belt conference slate.
Texas State begins with a road trip to Jonesboro to play Arkansas State on Oct. 4. Following one quick trip home to play Troy on Oct. 11, the Bobcats will then travel to West Virginia to play at Marshall on Oct. 18, a roster that has been completely depleted after they followed Charles Huff to Southern Miss.
Arguably, the biggest stretch in the season will begin with a Tuesday night showdown on Oct. 28 against the James Madison Dukes, who are a preseason favorite in the Sun Belt East division. Afterwards, a trip to Lafayette to play the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns on Nov. 8, for which Texas State is looking to finally earn its first victory against them.
Finally, they will round out their final regular season conference games with home matchups against Louisiana-Monroe on Nov. 22 and South Alabama on Nov. 29.
The Bobcats will begin their final chapter in the Sun Belt on Aug. 30 at 7 p.m. against Eastern Michigan at UFCU Stadium. The game will be available to stream on ESPN+.
The Bobcats will continue to build their team culture and work to achieve new goals while remembering their motto of the season, “win the day,” Wunsch said.
“Every time we step on the court, whether it be practice, treatment, a game, the conference championship, every single moment, we’re working
to get 1% better every day,” Wunsch said. “The small goals are obviously winning every game, but that comes from winning the practice, winning the drill, winning the rehab, doing everything to your 100% to get the outcome that you want.”
The Bobcats will return to the hardwood for their official season opener on Aug. 30, against Stephen F. Austin as part of the UTSA Invitational, before returning to Strahan Arena for their first home matches of the year against Arizona State, University of Tulsa and University of the Incarnate Word during the Texas State Tournament, Sept. 11-13.
Texas State’s volleyball team celebrates winning a point during the maroon and gold scrimmage, Monday, Aug. 18, 2025
The volleyball team’s first home match is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 11 against Arizona State University
Texas State senior wide receiver Jaden Williams (0) scores Texas State’s first touchdown against North Texas, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025 at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Bobcats beat North Texas 30-28.
MEG BOLES | MULTIMEDIA EDITOR
2024-25 TXST Sports Year in Review
Texas State athletics capped off another statistically successful year with the 2024-25 season. Numerous conference championships and NCAA tournament berths culminated in the Bobcats winning the 2024-25 Vic Bubas Cup, an award given to the best athletic department in the Sun Belt Conference. Here is the 2024-25 Year in Review of Bobcat sports.
Football
The 2024-25 Texas State Bobcats looked to continue carrying the momentum from the previous season with a set of experienced veteran playmakers. The Bobcats were poised for a big year, with major outlets such as Sports Illustrated and On3 predicting them to be a dark-horse team in the playoffs.
While Texas State had one of the best offenses in the country, averaging 477 yards and 36.5 points a game, the defense was middle of the pack, giving up 359 yards and 24.5 points per game. Overall, this, combined with some critical mistakes, gave Texas State the same record as the previous season, finishing 8-5 and 5-3 in the Sun Belt. It can’t be denied, however, the team continued that momentum from the 2023-2024 season.
Some notable wins included Texas State finally handing the UTSA Roadrunners their first ever loss in the I-35 Showdown in a Week 2 matchup in San Marcos and returning to the First Responder Bowl in Dallas, hoisting the trophy once more after defeating North Texas for the first time since 1994.
Softball
Bobcat softball’s season was one that, while considered successful, left more to be desired. Texas State went 34-19 and 16-8 in the Sun Belt Conference, winning its second outright regularseason Sun Belt championship and first since 2018.
Despite winning the regular season title and locking down the No. 1 seed in the Sun Belt tournament, the Bobcats’ season came to an end shortly after. A first-round loss to James Madison in the conference tournament signaled the end of the line for Bobcat softball in 2025, as they were not selected to the NCAA tournament.
First baseman Aiyana Coleman led the way for the Bobcats, as she was named the 2025 Sun Belt Conference’s Player of the Year, while the battery unit of pitcher Madison Azua and catcher Megan Kelnar landed spots on the All Sun Belt First-Team.
Baseball
For the second straight season, Texas State baseball labored through a below .500 season, finishing 27-31 and missing the NCAA tournament for the third straight year. Expectations were high heading into the season, but the Bobcats once again fell short, leading to numerous changes.
Several players entered the transfer portal shortly after the Bobcats’ season came to an end. Friday night starter, Alex Valentin, was the first to jump ship, shortly followed by Texas State’s leadoff man and shortstop, Ryne Farber. Along with the transfer portal, the MLB Draft took pitchers Bryson Dudley, Matthew Tippie and Carson Laws.
Pitching coach Chad Massengale also departed from the program following the season after being removed from his duties as pitching coach.
Texas State won big games against Texas, Texas
A&M, Oklahoma State and Coastal Carolina, but never could play well for an extended period of time.
Volleyball
The Texas State volleyball team begins the 2025 season as the reigning Sun Belt Tournament Champions after a successful 2024 run marked by 22 victories and just 9 losses, along with a 13-3 conference record. The program also celebrated a historic milestone for head coach Sean Huiet, who surpassed 100 career wins with Texas State in his fifth season at the helm.
Texas State had a historic Sun Belt tournament, not dropping a single set, winning all three matches 3-0. The 2024 season concluded with a loss to Missouri in the opening round of the NCAA tournament as the Bobcats fell 3-0 at the hands of the Tigers.
Outside hitter Samantha Wunsch was named AVCA All-Region out of the Southwest Region, the only Bobcat to be awarded the honor.
Men’s Basketball
Texas State’s men’s basketball finished the 2024-25 regular season with a record of 16-15 overall and 9-9 in the Sun Belt Conference, which resulted in a seventh place finish in the final regular season standings.
The Bobcats’ season ended when they lost their lone Sun Belt Conference tournament game on a last-second 3-pointer to Old Dominion University. Terrence Johnson’s team protected their home court throughout the season with a 10-4 record at Strahan Arena. Fifth-year senior Tylan Pope led the team in scoring with 16 points per game, while local product Kaden Gumbs led the team in assists with 4 per game in his sophomore season.
Women’s Basketball
Texas State women’s basketball finished its 2024-25 campaign with a below .500 record at 13-17 overall and 7-11 in conference play.
The Bobcats’ season came to an end at the hands of the Marshall Thundering Herd in the first round of the conference tournament. Marshall defeated Texas State in a tight contest, ultimately prevailing by a score of 68-62.
Forward Jaylin Foster led the team with 11.7 points per game, while guard Ja’Mia Harris followed closely behind with 10.2 PPG.
Tennis
Texas State tennis completed a record-setting 2024-25 season by securing both the highest number of wins in a season (16) and the most conference victories (6) in program history.
The Bobcats earned the No. 3 conference rank, landing a spot in the Sun Belt Tournament, where they narrowly fell 3-4 to Marshall University during round one to end the season.
Three Texas State women’s tennis players, Ireland Simme, Kiana Graham and Sofia Fortuno were named to the All-Sun Belt Conference teams. Simme and Graham were named to the first team, with Simme also being named Newcomer of the Year. Simme found herself on the second team as well, alongside her doubles partner, Fortuno.
Men’s Golf
The men’s golf team finished sixth at the Sun Belt Conference Championship, falling short of a team trip to the regional tournament.
Sakke Siltala tied for seventh at the event to advance to the NCAA Regional tournament. After a tie for second-place finish at the NCAA Amherst Regional tournament, Siltala advanced to the NCAA Championship. Siltala was the first men’s golfer from Texas State to qualify for the event.
Siltala, Ben Loveard and Jack Burke earned Academic All-District and All-America honors.
Women’s Golf
The women’s golf team fell short of backto-back appearances at the regional tournament after placing seventh at the Sun Belt Conference Championship.
Yvonne Chamness represented the women’s team as an individual at the NCAA Lubbock Regional following a tie for sixth-place finish at the conference championship. Chamness placed tied for 24th at the regional tournament.
Chamness, Carla Bourdeaux and Mattingly Palmer earned Academic All-District honors to wrap up the season.
Track & Field/XC
The track and field team and cross-country teams competed in 22 total meets throughout the 2024-25 indoor and outdoor seasons. The Bobcats swept the annual Sun Belt Conference Outdoor Championships with both the men’s and women’s teams finishing in first place.
Melanie Duron, Abigail Parra and Chris Preddie were key contributors at the meet. Duron won her second straight conference outdoor title in the shot put event. She would go on to receive honorable mention All-American honors.
Parra, the women’s top meet scorer, totaled 23 points across her three events, the 800m, 1500m and the 5000m. Preddie won gold in the men’s long jump for a third consecutive year. He would later net a second All-American accolade.
Texas State freshman jumper Kendall Lemm clears a high jump during the Charles Austin Classic track and field meet, Saturday, March 22, 2025, at Bobcat Track and Field Stadium. Lemm placed first with a final height of 1.78 meters.
STAR FILE PHOTO
Texas State Junior Keely Williams (13), senior Ciara Trahan (6) and Junior Sydney Harvey (9) hype each other up during the first inning of the Texas State Softball game against Sam Houston State University, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025 at Bobcat Softball Stadium. Bobcats beat Sam Houston 9-3.
STAR FILE PHOTO
Texas State pitcher Alex Valentin (7) signals a horns down after closing a victory against No.5 UT-Austin, Tuesday, April 1, 2025 at UFCU Disch-Falk Field. Bobcats beat the Longhorns 5-3.
LIFE & ARTS
TXST talent powers new State Office of Risk Management app for symposium
By Cady Clements Life and Arts Reporter
Applause echoed through the Texas A&M Les W. Bunte Jr. conference hall as a team of Texas State students took the stage to receive recognition for a new web and mobile app designed for The State Office of Risk Management’s (SORM) annual symposium.
Created in a few months, the app includes features such as interactive schedules, speaker abstracts, attendee contact tools and real-time notifications. These tools made operations more efficient and enhanced the overall experience for the symposium on August 13–15 in College Station.
Ted Lehr, associate professor of computer science and faculty sponsor for the project, said the opportunity for these students arose when SORM contacts offered the project to Texas State students. Lehr reached out to his students and a few Texas State coding clubs with the opportunity, which four students accepted. He said the project offered a challenge beyond what many students had previously encountered and praised the team’s adaptability and resourcefulness.
“I’m delighted with how well they’ve worked together and the product they’re producing,” Lehr said. “There’s something very nice, from a teacher’s perspective, that these students are doing something better than I think they could, because they’re using the tools that are available to them wisely.”
The team consisted of computer science juniors Heston Montagne and Mark Evola, computer information systems senior Julian Richards and computer science alumnus James Cowley. Montagne said they could create the app because of every member’s dedication. He believed each person brought a sense of ownership and pride that elevated the final product beyond expectations.
“Everyone on the team was super strong, and we were able to play into everyone’s strengths, and even when someone was struggling... we were always able to reach out to one another,” Montagne said.
The development process came with its share of challenges. Through daily meetings with SORM and the Continuity Council, a collection of public
sector professionals that worked with SORM to develop strategies and host the annual symposium, the student team navigated the most intense phases with resilience and collaboration.
Robert Turner, executive sponsor for the project, said the team prioritized building a “minimum viable product,” or a bare-bones version of the app, that included only the essential features needed for it to function effectively within the tight timeline. Once that foundation was solid, the team could expand the app’s capabilities, adding features that weren’t part of the original plan.
Turner said one of his favorite additions, colorcoded events by category, was a feature that started almost by accident during development. Its unexpected success became a testament to the team’s adaptability and creative problem-solving.
“[The feature] came up during one of our nightly meetings... the team did a little investigation and said, ‘Oh, yeah, we can make that happen.’ So, we put a little demo together and realized this is something we can do,” Turner said.
SORM oversees risk assessment and continuity planning for state agencies, ensuring essential operations continue during emergencies. The symposium began three years ago with the Continuity Council,
which brought agencies together to share innovations and best practices for emergency preparedness. Since then, the symposium turned into a larger exchange of knowledge with many experts in the risk management field.
During the symposium, the app streamlined and transformed the flow of speaker information and contacts between people at the touch of a button.
As the symposium drew to a close, the recognition of the student developers by Turner and SORM served as a celebration of their technical achievement and a testament to the growing role of student-led innovation in public service. With possible plans for future versions, the app’s debut marks a promising shift toward user-centered tools in government operations.
Stephen Vollbrecht, former state risk manager for Texas, reflected on the collaboration, noting that working with younger minds and people dedicated to continued learning leads to unexpected innovation.
“Within institutions, in universities and students in particular, that’s where you really get to see creativity and drive shine,” Vollbrecht said. “You’re always questioning and doing things new because nobody’s told you that you can’t yet.”
(From left to right) Computer information systems senior Julian Richards, computer science juniors Mark Evola and Heston Montagne, Continuity Council chair Robert Turner, and associate professor Ted Lehr pose with the SORM mobile app and certificates, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025, at the SORM Symposium in College Station.
CADY CLEMENTS | LIFE AND ARTS REPORTER
‘You need a village’: alumni trio produce feature film, learn importance of teamwork
By Blake Leschber Editor-in-Chief
Written, directed, produced and even partially starred in by three Texas State alumni, “Hierarchy” is an action film that follows two adopted brothers as they take on a dangerous heist.
Chiderah Uzowulu, writer, producer and actor in the movie, started working on the movie during his senior year at Texas State while studying engineering. He said he came up with the idea for the movie while he worked on his senior project.
“I had a senior project, but I was like, ‘I don’t care, I’m going to write this movie while I was at Texas State,’ this was my priority more than my classes,” Uzowulu said. “It was for sure hard, but I’m so glad I had a village with me to get this to the finish line.”
The movie follows two brothers, Stone (played by Uzowulu) and Reach (played by Executive Producer and Actor Xavier Alvarado) evading law enforcement and the Russian mafia. Teamwork was a strong theme throughout the film, as Stone and Reach headed heists to take money and give it to children in the adoption industry like them.
However, teamwork and camaraderie were prevalent before even writing the script. After Uzowulu wrote the script and Director, Editor and Producer Russell K. Reed started shooting scenes, they ran out of money on day nine.
Uzowulu said he saved funds for the movie from working as a bouncer on 6th Street during his time at Texas State, which helped push the movie to the finish line.
“I was like, ‘You know what? I’ll
just use my bouncer money. We’ll figure it out whenever that time comes, we’ll just pay everybody weekend by weekend,’” Uzowulu said. “But luckily, an angel dropped from the sky and helped us out to get this to the finish line.”
Funding was a large hurdle when it came to making the movie. Reed said the total funding of the movie was only about $80,000, which led to some struggles in directing the movie exactly the way he wanted to.
“It’s really easy to fall back on the numbers and look at it and say… ‘I guess this actual thing won’t work,’” Reed said. “But that’s why it’s really important to create from your imagination. I didn’t want to allow any of our resources to stop me from making a movie I saw in my head.”
Alvarado put a couple of thousand dollars into the movie. While he had to act and produce the movie, he continued to learn the importance of having a strong group of people.
“You can accomplish great things with a team,” Alvarado said. “You need a village to do anything really amazing and to continue to have the brotherhood we have and camaraderie and connections to the places we have that lent us stuff for the film, lent us locations with just open arms, it just compounded the blessings.”
The obstacles, however, allowed the trio to exemplify the importance of teamwork and camaraderie. Uzowulu said some crew members helped provide resources for the movie, such as a car and filming locations.
Additionally, the trio filmed the movie in Austin, San Marcos and Seguin. They hired students from Texas
State and UT Austin for credit.
Alvarado, Reed and Uzowulu studied public relations, business and engineering, respectively. Reed met Alvarado at a Subway in San Marcos and met Uzowulu shortly after doing a project with a web series. From then on, the three knew they wanted to work together on a film, which led to “Hierarchy.”
“The only reason this even happened is because I went to Texas State,” Uzowulu said. “If I would have went to any other school, we wouldn’t be here right now.”
All three are Black filmmakers. Alvarado said Black representation is very important in the film industry as it shows the world is becoming a more diverse place.
“Being a Black filmmaker in this day and age shows we can lead in many different spaces and not only that, but we can tell unique stories,” Alvarado said. “I think that one of the building
blocks of the American Dream early on was to showcase what opportunities can be made [with] a motion picture… that’s where you get information from.” Alvarado learned from and resonated with the Black characters he saw on his screen, which is why it was important to him to have Black representation in the industry.
Reed recommends students who may be interested in taking a risk and following their dreams, whether it’s in film or not, to find their team and just get started.
“Be curious and follow that curiosity,” Reed said. “Find your tribe, actively seek creative opportunities. The best thing to do is to get the ball rolling and then find people who can push it with you. You gain momentum that way.”
“Hierarchy” is now available for rent or purchase on Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video.
(From left to right) Director Russell K. Reed, Writer Chiderah Uzowulu, Actor Dylan Winters, Producer Xavier Alvarado and Actor Jenny Frame discuss “Hierarchy” in a panel, Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025, at Cinemark Stone Hill Town Center in Pflugerville.
BLAKE LESCHBER | EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
LIFE & ARTS
“You hear people always talking about fair and balanced. That was Kym,” Fuentes said. “She wanted to make sure everybody’s viewpoints were heard. A lot of times, people were like, ‘Well, they’re just kids.’ Well, kids had a voice too. She wanted to make sure they were heard.”
Fuentes said Fox became an editor because she felt she could reach more people and receive more leverage to work with reporters. Her skills and mentoring earned her the “newsroom mom” persona in San Antonio, but she was also a caring person who connected with the whole newsroom staff rather than only those she supervised.
“She had [the whole staff’s] back,” Terry Bertling, then-assistant managing editor of the Express-News from 1994-2017, said. “We knew we could trust her, we knew she cared about us and we also knew she would bring the very best work out of everyone.”
Fox’s advice ultimately convinced her.
Fox’s newsroom experience would transfer to her teaching at Texas State in 2002. As an editor, she worked with a team of 10-12 reporters to get stories into the paper, but as a teacher, she would help hundreds of students break into the business and conquer their fears.
“They might not be sure about their skills, and she felt she could identify people who were talented and needed a little nudging, and so she wanted to be in a position to be able to help them and to help our industry to get good storytellers out there,” Fuentes said.
Fox was also there to advise those who needed it. One day, Bertling sat with Fox over lunch and asked her about the transition from working in a daily newsroom to teaching college-level journalism. She knew Fox received her master’s degree in 2000 at the University of the Incarnate Word and wanted to pick her brain about the idea. Fox loved teaching and knew Bertling would love it too, and
Even after Fox hired Bertling as an adjunct lecturer at Texas State in 2007, Bertling would go to her for advice, which she said helped make the transition to teaching easier.
“She would always coach me and say, ‘You’re a good professor because you care so much,’ because I wanted everything to be right and I cared about students being engaged and getting the very best out of class and having a great experience at Texas State,” Bertling said.
Fox believed in giving back to the profession by helping students in a group. She was a longtime member of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) and a stage manager in the Gridiron, an annual satirical show of skits and dances resembling Saturday Night Live that raises scholarship funds for SPJ’s San Antonio chapter, since it began in 1985.
Fox also advised Texas State’s SPJ chapter for many years before entrusting Jessica James, associate professor of instruction, to be its advisor in 2018. They met in 2012 while James reported in
Cleveland. Fox later supervised and mentored James. She grew to trust Fox as a coach, mom and friend who would not mislead her.
Two years ago, James went through difficult times and could only talk to Fox about it due to how relatable and nurturing she was. On a separate occasion, Fox would tell her about becoming a new version of herself, having fun going out and dating again.
“I saw [Fox] more as an individual and less like a person who you work with, because when you get to work professionally, you’re a definition of yourself that exists at the university and SJMC,” James said.
Fox and her colleagues gathered in late March at University Camp to celebrate those who would retire. According to Fuentes, Fox planned to retire from fulltime teaching but would continue to supervise the graduate assistants and teach part time. The party shared the fondest memories of their friend and mentor, their stories echoing through the campsite.
“She was getting married, she was retiring, it was all these things going on,” James said. “We had food and drinks and cake, and it was an awesome time to give her what she deserved, and it’s very fortunate we were able to honor her that way.”
Kym Fox donated her body to the Forensic Anthropology Center at Texas State. The School of Journalism and Mass Communication established the Kym Fox Endowed Scholarship, which will provide funding to graduate students pursuing an SJMC degree.
Professor of practice Kym Fox (right) gathers with School of Journalism and Mass Communication professors during a 2023 TXST graduation ceremony to cheer on the newest SJMC graduates, Friday, Dec. 8, 2023, at Strahan Arena.
TERRY BERTLING | COURTESY PHOTO
BOBCATS
is projected to
Lucia
(right)
a
Texas State offered
Texas State advertising senior Jamin Ochoa serves ice cream during the LBJSC Takeover, Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025, at the LBJ Student Center. The LBJSC Takeover, hosted by Student Involvement and Engagement, is for students to meet different campus organizations.
Texas State President Kelly Damphousse shoots a smoke gun to hype the crowd up at Jumpstart, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, at the LBJ Mall. Damphousse and other university officials welcome freshmen to campus
Texas State class of 2029 class poses for a class photo at the Fandemonium event, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025 at UFCU Stadium. The class of 2029
be Texas State’s largest freshman class ever.
CARSON RODGERS & LAUREN TOURISH | CREATIVE SERVICES DIRECTOR, STAR PHOTOGRAPHER
LAUREN TOURISH | STAR PHOTOGRAPHER
Texas State freshmen float down the San Marcos River at the inaugural First Float event, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, at Sewell Park. The event was hosted by Campus Recreation to introduce students to the natural features of Texas State.
LAUREN TOURISH | STAR PHOTOGRAPHER
BLAKE LESCHBER | EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
at the Jumpstart event.
(left)
Moline
pose for
first day of school photo, Monday, Aug. 25, 2025, at the LBJ Mall.
first day of school photo ops during the Bobcats Back to Class event.