08 31 2005

WHY STUDY?

THE SEARCH FOR 600

Fall TV gives students plenty of reasons to slack off

Karen Chisum seeks to go where only eight coaches have gone before

SEE TRENDS PAGE 7

SEE SPORTS PAGE 12

TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY SAN MARCOS

www.UNIVERSITYSTAR.com

WEDNESDAY

AUGUST 31, 2005

VOLUME 95, ISSUE 2

University’s ALERRT now headed by former Hays sheriff

IN SEARCH OF

Ansel’s Answers

Donald Olson (left) and Russell Doescher, physics professors, recently released their findings on Ansel Adams’ “Autumn Moon” with the use of their pioneering techniques in forensic astronomy.

By Eloise Martin News Reporter

and at the same time she is aware of the cognizant of restraint that is put on the university,” McAlister said.

Yvonne Eixmann, director and internal auditor of the audit and compliance department, worked with McAlister last year on another ethics audit project and is looking forward to working with her again.

“She is very energetic as the chair of the marketing department,” Eixman said. “She has a lot of initiative and with

Sgt. Allen Bridges stepped into the role of sheriff yesterday in a ceremony at Hays County Law Enforcement Center after being unanimously appointed by the Hays County Commissioners Court on Aug. 23.

Bridges left his role as the public information officer after former Hays County Sheriff Don Montague announced his retirement from the force Aug. 19 to join Texas State University staff.

Montague began his position Monday as director of the university’s Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training.

“The challenge to carry our law enforcement principles and initiatives to statewide and national levels is one that I cannot refuse,” Montague wrote in his resignation letter to the Hays County Commissioners Court.

Quint Thurman, criminal justice department chair and professor, has worked in the ALERRT program since it began close to three years ago.

ALERRT is one of the many programs in the department.

“The department of criminal justice had an active role in starting the program,” Thurman said. “It was decided that it was the best home.”

ALERRT trains law enforcement officers and military officers in the Hays County area and also from around the United States. Thurman said the program trains these officers to respond to “active shooter violence,” such as the situation at Columbine High School.

“The SWAT team was called in but the officers first on the scene didn’t know what to do,” Thurman said.

Thurman said the ALERRT program trains officers to handle these situations and work as a unit when facing an active shooter situation.

“It could be a sheriff ’s department officer, a police officer, or a university police officer,” Thurman said. “They can all

See FELLOW, page 3

See SHERIFF, page 5

Jeremy Craig/ Star photo

Astral investigators unlock secrets to Adams’ photo

By Jennifer Warner News Reporter Throughout time, the sky has played a significant role in art, history and literature.

For hundreds of years, painters and writers have been fascinated by the skies, both day and night,

and moon activities have long had an influence on historical events, especially when it comes to military history.

Physics professor Donald Olson teaches an honors class devoted to the sky’s influence on historical events and world art. Together, his team of professors and students has unlocked the secrets to some of the world’s most well-known paintings, photographs, writings and historical events.

Most recently, Olson and his team traveled to Yosemite National Park in central California to study

“Autumn Moon,” a snapshot by landscape photographer Ansel Adams. Using their knowledge of astronomy with the help of star charts, computer software and Adams’ notes, they were able to pinpoint the photo to an exact date and time.

“We know exactly where the stars are in the sky, that’s well known,” said Russell Doescher, physics professor and a member of Olson’s team. “So then we know where he was looking and where that See MOON, page 5

Marketing associate professor receives presidential honor

By Isadora Vail-Castro News reporter

“I am pleased I have the opportunity to take my life’s work and use it to benefit the Debbie McAlister, associuniversity and its constituate professor and chair for ents,” McAlister said. the department of marketing, The honor of Presidential has received almost 10 teachFellow entitles McAlister to ing awards. She is a tenured participate in a presidenprofessor who has lectured tial project to be conducted around the world and has during this school year. The published extensively in her Debbie McAlister project will focus on ethics, field, and this year, she was secomprehensive risk managelected as Texas State’s Presidential Fel- ment and expanded monitoring of inlow. stitutional compliance.

“It is based off of strategic issues and wherever President Trauth would like to put emphasis on the following year,” McAlister said.

McAlister said the financial disclosure problems that were created through the Enron scandal have filtered down to the university level and the effect is cascading into large businesses. The ethical compliance and risk management project will help to combat some of the foreseeable problems at the university.

“I think President Trauth is committed to having a strong ethical system

Texas State custodian receives presidential commendation Ad on eBay leads local authorities to arrest in ow she “H manages $630,000 sneaker swindle to do so much

By Kathy Martinez News Reporter

By Jake Roussel News Reporter The Hays County Sheriff ’s Department executed a search warrant for a warehouse in the 14500 block of FM 1826 on Thursday and discovered 7,000 pairs of designer Mizuno athletic shoes, amounting to an estimated $630,000.

Police arrested 51-year-old Gregory Walberg, who is suspected of stealing the shoes from a tractor-trailer about 60 days ago in Norcross, Ga. Authorities were able to locate Walberg with the help of a Mizuno consultant who saw one of the reputedly stolen items being sold on eBay. The consultant then notified the Criminal Investiga-

tion Division of the sheriff ’s department.

Deputy Mike Thielen, Hays County Sheriff ’s Department interim public information officer, said this is an ongoing investigation, and there are no leads or any other suspects.

“We have no idea of anyone else who is involved with the case, and we are not even sure if Walberg is the one who stole them,” Thielen said.

Walberg is charged with theft of more than $200,000, a first-degree felony.

Thielen said Walberg’s bond was set at $12,000, and he is currently out of jail.

If sentenced, he could face five to 99 years of imprisonment and a fine of no more than $10,000.

Today’s Weather

Sunny 100˚/ 72˚

Precipitation: 0% Humidity: 44% UV: 10 Very High Wind: S 6 mph

A custodian from the J.C. Kellam Administrative Building said she was shocked and could not stop crying when she discovered she was a recipient of an award that included a plaque, letter and certificate of commendation from President George W. Bush.

“It’s funny how sometimes you think the things you do go unnoticed, then something like this happens,” Susie Longoria said.

Longoria’s recent presidential commendation, in recognition of her more than 20 years of public service, came as no surprise to those who know her. Longoria, who was nominated by her colleagues from the San Marcos Food Bank, was awarded the honor last month at the San Marcos Food Bank Banquet.

Longoria’s extended activism

public service over such a long period of time is amazing, especially when you consider that she arrives at work before dawn.”

— Carolyn Conn Financial services associative vice president

in public service includes working with the San Marcos Food Bank and as a Cinco de Mayo parade coordinator, holding a seat on the Martindale City Council and serving as mayor

Two-day Forecast Thursday Mostly Sunny Temp: 98°/ 71° Precipitation: 0%

Friday Mostly Sunny Temp: 97°/ 70° Precipitation: 20%

Linda L. Smith/Star Photo Susie Longoria, a custodian on the 11th floor of JC Kellam Administrative Building, recently received commendation from President George W. Bush. Longoria received this recognition as a result of 20 years of public service. pro tempore.

Longoria has also been active through Texas State University, serving on the Scholarship Committee, Safety Committee

Inside

TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY SAN MARCOS

Classifieds Comics Crossword News

10 9 9 1-5

Opinions Sports Trends

and the Staff Council.

Longoria joked that the award might go in her closet, See HONOR, page 3

To Contact The Star: 6 11,12 7-9

Old Main, Room 102 Phone: (512) 245-3487 Fax: (512) 245-3708 www.UniversityStar.com © 2005 The University Star

PAGE TWO The University Star

Wednesday in Brief

August 31, 2005

starsof texas state Noel Johnson, Texas State assistant women’s basketball coach, is among the eight inductees to this year’s class in the Texas Tech Athletic Hall of Honor. Noel, who is entering her ninth season with the Bobcat basketball staff, played at Tech from 1992 to 1995, helping the Red Raiders to four consecutive Southwest Conference titles and

four NCAA Sweet 16 appearances.

All eight former Tech athletes will be inducted during the Texas Tech-Texas A&M weekend, slated for Nov. 4 and 5 in Lubbock.

The Star congratulates Noel for achieving this honor and thanks her for her service on the Bobcat coaching staff.

News Contact — Kirsten Crow, starnews@txstate.edu

Calendar of

EVENTS Arts & Entertainment FRIDAY Live and Uninhibited will perform at The Triple Crown. Also performing is Opening for Casting Couch and The Fluffer’s Union. For more information, call (512) 396-2236 SATURDAY Cory Morrow will play at the River Road Ice House.

Doors open at 7 p.m.

Show starts at 9 p.m. For more information, call (830) 626-1335 Events Wellsfargo.com Bus will be in The Quad from

Feelin’ the burn Brynn Leggett/Star photo

9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more information, contact Lisa Doiron at (210) 856-8864 Multi-Cultural Student Affairs 13th Annual African American Leadership Conference Sept. 9 to 11 at the LBJ Student Center. For more information, contact Beverly Woodson at (512) 245-7439 Multi-Cultural Student Affairs 1st Annual All Male Conference Sept. 9 at LBJSC Ballroom. From 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a $3 registration fee. For more information, contact Beverly Woodson at (512) 245-7439 CALENDAR SUBMISSION POLICY Calendar submissions are free. Send submissions to Calendar of Events at starcalendar@txstate.edu, or call (512) 245-3487 for more information.

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

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

STARS OF TEXAS STATE POLICY

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

Bobcat baseball players, left-handed pitcher Jared Bunn and catcher Cameron McGuire, lift weights at Jowers Center on Monday to keep in shape during their off-season.

CRIME BL TTER San Marcos Police Department

Aug. 27, 12:18 a.m.

Theft/706 Centre St. Male subject reported that his ex-girlfriend stole his property that values at $500-$1500.

Aug. 28, 1:19 p.m.

Breaking into Motor Vehicle/2300 S. I-35 Victim’s driver’s-side door window was broken out. The perpetrator(s) then entered his vehicle and stole his wallet.

Aug. 28, 9:27 p.m.

Assault Family Violence/ 1350 N. LBJ Drive A female was arrested for assaulting her roommate.

University Police Department

Aug. 26, 8:45 p.m.

Assault: Causes Bodily Injury/ Bobcat Stadium A San Marcos police officer informed a university police officer that a nonstudent was assaulted by another nonstudent. This case is under investigation.

Aug. 27, 1:47 a.m.

Driving Under the Influence/ Sessom Drive A police officer arrived to the scene of an accident. Upon further investigation, a student was arrested for DUI and transported to Hays County Law Enforcement Center awaiting magistration.

Crime stoppers: SMPD 353-TIPS

UPD 245-7867

On this day...

1887 - The kinetoscope was patented by Thomas Edison. The device was used to produce moving pictures.

1964 - California officially became the most populated state in America.

1990 - East and West Germany signed a treaty that meant the harmonizing of political and legal systems.

1997 - Princess Diana of Wales died at age 36 in a car crash in Paris. Her companion, Dodi Fayed, and their chauffeur were also killed.

Funding approved for Texas trails by TPW commission AUSTIN — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission approved funding Thursday for 37 National Recreational Trail Grant projects across the state totaling $3,930,795.

Recreational trail grants are administered by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and are funded by a portion of the federal gas tax generated by gasoline purchases to utilize off-road recreational vehicles, such as off-road motorcycles and four-wheelers. Grant applications are approved based on recommendations from the Texas Trails Advisory Board.

The purpose of the National Recreational Trails Fund is to provide funding for projects that create new and maintain existing motorized and nonmotorized recreational trails.

This round of grants includes six motorized trail projects awarded to the cities of Big Spring and Bridgeport and to the Texas Motorized Trails Coalition, Judy Jernigan, Texas Engine-Run Recreational Association and the Texas Off-Roaders Association.

These grants help fulfill a goal to provide appropriate places for off-road motor vehicle recreation in Texas, an outcome of a state law passed several years ago to ban motor vehicle traffic in riverbeds.

Three grants given to the city of Grand Prairie, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Cedar Hill State Park are all part of the same project, a long-term plan to create a 70-mile trail around Lake Joe Pool in Dallas County.

Hays County W.C.I.D. No. 1, received $100,000 for the Bear Creek Greenbelt Trail to construct a new 9,500-foot crushed granite trail along the creek.

— Courtesy of Texas Parks and Wildlife News

STUDENT HEAL TH CENTER

Need a prescription?

To transfer a prescription from your family doctor or pharmacy call (512)245-3590.

“At the Student Health Center I get super fast prescription service and there is virtually no wait.”

We carry a wide range of products including birth control, allergy, and over-the-counter medications.

Be prepared to provide the following information from your prescription label: • Your name, address and phone number • The name and phone number of your previous pharmacy • The prescription number • The name of the medication We accept Cash, Checks, American Express, Visa, Mastercard, and Bobcat Bucks.

Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Car e, Inc

NEWS

Wednesday, August 31, 2005

The University Star - Page 3

Austin museum catches ‘Spirit of Texas Music’ City in search of local ‘Renaissance women’ to his is the last part of a six-part T series of concerts called “The Spirit of Texas Music.” The show will explore induct into hall of fame the Texas music history theme through

By Fred Afflerbach News Reporter

The Bob Bullock History Museum in downtown Austin is more than IMAX and artifacts — it also features live music.

From 5 to 7 p.m. on Sept.

11, the Center for Texas Music History from Texas State will cohost a concert with KGSR 107.1 FM, featuring Ruben Ramos and Grupo Fantasma.

Texas music fans who can’t find tickets — there are 200 available —or can’t afford the $20 price tag, need not despair; the concert will be broadcast live

by KGSR from the museum’s Texas Spirit Theater.

This is the last of a six-part series of concerts called “The Spirit of Texas Music.” Texas blues patriarch and history program faculty, Clifford Antone, and Gregg Andrews, assistant director of the Texas Music Center, will serve as emcees. The show will explore the Texas music history theme through discussion with the performers. KGSR deejay, Brian Beck, will handle the on-air duties of the live broadcast.

“From the beginning, we wanted to have an educational approach,” Beck said, describ-

discussion with the performers.

ing it as “more than just a fun concert.”

The contrasting styles of Ruben Ramos and Grupo Fantasma represent the evolution of Hispanic music in Texas.

Beck describes Ramos as “organic” and a “little more traditional.” He usually sings half of his songs in Spanish.

Ramos’ material also explores the social aspects of the “working man/farmer” of the border region. Beck also says that Ramos’ music is “rooted in tradition.”

But Ramos has also teamed up with the contemporary group Los Super Seven as lead vocalist. One song, “I Heard It On the X,” which celebrates the era when border AM radio stations were permitted to broadcast at high frequencies across vast regions of the Southwest, has gained considerable airplay.

Beck described Grupo Fantasma as an eclectic “Latin jam band,” and “hard to compare with anything.” They mix a “swinging, funky horn section” with an accordion, then add a “Tex-Mex beat” to cook up a “party, party, party” sound.

The participants in this music series are linked in other ways as well. Clifford Antone, whose blues club, Antone’s, has provided a venue for talents such as Stevie Ray Vaughan to hone their craft, teaches a blues and rock ‘n’ roll history class at Texas State during the spring semester.

“You can’t know anything about life if you don’t know the history of music,” Antone said.

Antone said that human history and music history are infinitely intertwined.

“That’s why it’s so important,” he said.

Antone also said working at Texas State is “awesome.” His class, limited to 100 students, quickly fills up, and he said it “should be year-round.”

Gary Hartman, director of The Texas Center for Music History and associate professor of history, likens Texas Spirit Theater to “almost sitting in someone’s living room.” KGSR’s Beck called it an “intimate theater” and said it is superior to doing a live broadcast from a nightclub.

Next year’s concert schedule and funding have not yet been determined.

“We need a corporate sponsor,” Hartman said.

Currently, Strait Music is a donor, but Hartman said even with Strait’s help and the $20 ticket prices, high for the Austin area, they won’t nearly cover expenses. He plans to address the issue after concluding the series and would welcome a large corporate sponsor like SBC. Nevertheless, Hartman remained upbeat about The Center for Texas Music History and future concerts.

“There’s a lot of cool stuff going on,” Hartman said.

For tickets, call (512) 9364649.

By Zandria Avila News Reporter

Destiny’s Child has sung about and comic books have created heroines in honor of it, and to celebrate these women who do it all, the City of San Marcos is in search of nominations for a “Renaissance Woman” to be inducted into the San Marcos Women’s Hall of Fame on Nov. 3 at the San Marcos Activity Center.

Nominations can be submitted by friends, coworkers, churches, business associates or family members and they will be accepted until 5 p.m. Sept. 23.

“The inductees are outstanding women who have contributed significantly to the San Marcos community,” said Melissa Millecam, communications manager for the City of San Marcos.

A five-member committee who currently hold a place in the San Marcos Women’s Hall of Fame will select nominees. The

winner will be notified in early October, and their presence will be requested for a reception in their honor.

The reception will honor women who have made a meaningful contribution to the lives of San Marcos residents. Past inductees, such as 2004’s Anita Davis, have devoted a large amount of time and energy to community service. The winner should possess significant personal achievements and have been thought of by her peers as being a reputable person, said Sandra Myers, Parks and Recreation Department secretary.

“Anita Davis was reported to have some 1400 hours of community service,” Myers said. “I don’t know how she had time to do it all; she is a mother also.”

Nomination forms are available at the Parks and Recreation office, which is in the Grant Harris Jr. Building on 401 E. Hopkins St., or the form can be downloaded at www.ci.san-marcos.tx.us.

HONOR: Texas State custodian’s caring FELLOW: McAlister to strengthen image acts rewards her with commendation of University ethics usie) is “(S one of the most dependable, CONTINUED from page 1

but she will most likely keep it in the kitchen because she loves to cook.

“How she manages to do so much public service over such a long period of time is amazing, especially when you consider that she arrives at work before dawn,” said Carolyn Conn, associative vice president for financial services/treasury, in an e-mail.

Longoria continues to volunteer at the Food Bank every weekend, taking food to both Kyle and Buda.

Jan Thompson, administrative assistant III in the department of media relations and publications, said it was no surprise to her at all that Longoria received the award. “(Susie) is one of the most dependable, conscious people I have ever met. She is the first to set out the barrels for the food drive in the JCK and is always selling tickets to support various community fundraisers,” Thompson said.

conscious people I have ever met.”

— Jan Thompson Department of media relations administrative assistant III

Longoria said helping out her community means a lot to her, and it makes her feel good to know that she is making a difference in the life of someone less fortunate.

She said she wished a larger amount of young people, especially at the university, would get more involved with the community.

“There is such a large part of life that people do not ever see, and I think it is important for everyone to see the hardships that others go through. It really changes how you look at life,” Longoria said.

However, Longoria is not a stranger to adversity.

Longoria, who has been a staff member since 1992, said she never received the chance to finish high school, much less attend college.

“Growing up was very hard, and I never got the chance to continue my education,” she said.

For a period of six years, Longoria attempted to obtain her GED. “It was a challenge for me because I had been out of school for so many years, but I wanted it so bad,” Longoria said.

She said ultimately her vigorous involvement in the community did not allow her to continue with school.

Although she admits going to school becomes more difficult as people become older, Longoria said she has not given up yet.

Longoria remembers when she was asked by former Martindale Mayor Martha Holmes to be on City Council. She admits she had doubts about her

ability to fulfill the position since she also said she is not an eloquent speaker and has trouble reading.

“I recall being terrified the first time accompanying her to the Capitol in Austin for a meeting with other city council members, because I didn’t know what I was doing. I didn’t have anything nice to wear and I just felt so out of place,” Longoria said.

Longoria recalled the transparent elevators at the Capitol, which she had never seen before.

“I had never experienced anything like that before, and while it was a common experience for everyone around me, it was brand new in my eyes,” Longoria said.

“I look at the students here, and I admire them so much for continuing with their education because I was not as fortunate,” she said. “I encourage anyone to keep going and to learn everything you can — I’m 64 years old, and I’m still learning.”

CONTINUED from page 1

her background she has a lot to contribute.”

Most of the project will be completed this year, but the goal is to create an ethical compliance and risk management system that will be effective for many years. McAlister added this project sends a strong message to students of the university’s commitment to ethics.

McAlister received her doctorate in business administration from the University of Memphis in 1993 and became the department chair of marketing at Texas State in 2001. She teaches one class with a textbook she compiled from her own experiences. She said her experience is probably why she got chosen as Presidential Fellow.

In an e-mail, President De-

www.UniversityStar.com

BOBCAT FOOTBALL TEXAS STATE

VS.

nise Trauth wrote, “During the coming academic year, Dr. McAlister’s primary project will involve working with me and with others charged with leading our increased emphasis on ethics, comprehensive risk management and expanded monitoring of institutional compliance. A secondary project will involve assisting in the review of our campus crisis plan for dealing with emergencies, including the process used for periodic testing of this plan.”

Despite all of her accomplishments, McAlister considers her family her greatest accomplishment. McAlister is a Texas native who enjoys traveling to foreign countries and attending sporting events during her spare time. She was an also an extra in the movie Piranha, a cult favorite filmed in San Marcos.

DELTA STATE

Sat., Sept. 3 at 6 pm

Come and enjoy tailgating beginning at 3 pm.

Live music provided by Cavender’s Boot City.

Free food and drinks!

STUDENTS FREE WITH TEXAS STATE ID! PRESENTED BY

Page 4 - The University Star

ADVERTISEMENT

Wednessday, August 31, 2005

����������

����� �������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������������� ��������������������������� ��� ���� ���� �������� ����� ����������� ���� ����� ���� ���� ������ ����� ����������� ���� ��������� ������������������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������� ������������������ ����������������������������������������������������� ����������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������

 ���������������� ���������� ��������

 ��������������� �������

 ����������

�������������������� �����������������������������������

 ���������������������������������������� ������������������������������������� ������������������������������������ ���������������� ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ����������������������������������������������������������������������

������������������

NEWS

Wednesday, August 31, 2005

MOON: Years of investigation allow accurate dating of art CONTINUED from page 1

moon had to be. Then you can figure out which moon it was, therefore establishing exactly what date it was and what time it happened (when the picture was taken).”

Adams took notes about most of his photographs, but they were incomplete and, at times, inaccurate. He recorded technical data, such as exposure times and film type in full detail, but information as basic as dates and times was often left out.

Some sources have said “Autumn Moon” was taken in 1944, other sources have said 1948. Olson and his team pinpointed the time and date as 7:03 p.m., Pacific Daylight Time, on Sept. 15, 1948. Doescher photographed what he called “star trails,” or time-lapse pictures of the stars surrounding the mountains in Adams’ photo. Comparing the star’s positions relative to the mountains, helped them determine what direction Adams was facing and narrowed down where his tripod would have been within 10 feet.

“If you wanted to know what direction he was looking and you used a compass, that would be very inaccurate,” Doescher said.

“The way we describe (stars) in the sky is with a coordinate system that is a lot like latitude and longitude on the Earth. Knowing which stars are where on the celestial globe is just like knowing exactly what block of a city is where on the Earth.”

Louie Dean Valencia, international studies-European studies senior, Ashley Ralph, physics sophomore, and former student Kara Holsinger were also a part of the team and joined Olson and Doescher on their trip to Yosemite.

During their research, Olson, came across a color version of the photograph in the July 1954 issue of Fortune magazine that was unknown to most Adams

historians.

Despite being primarily a black and white photographer, Adams was asked to beta test a new Kodak color sheet film.

This version of the photo was taken approximately two minutes before the black and white version.

“Of his famous moonrise pictures, as far as we know, this is the only one that has a color ver-

“I

t’s just amazingly cool to stand in the exact place where Van Gogh was.”

— Donald Olson Physics professor

sion,” Olson said.

Also during their research, the team discovered there will be what Olson calls a celestial anniversary.

The lunar Metonic Cycle repeats itself every 19 years, and on Sept. 15, exactly three cycles will have passed since Adams took his photograph. At 6:50 p.m., for the color version and 6:52 p.m. for the black and white version, the sunlight and shadows will exactly match those of “Autumn Moon.”

Olson first began this form of celestial investigation in the late 1980s after being approached by English professor Edgar Laird about some astronomical passages in Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. The two worked together to learn about how the moon and tides played a part in the writings.

In order to work with Laird, Olson had to learn more about ancient astronomy.

“I started learning how to calculate where the celestial bodies, the sun, the moon, the planets

and the stars were in the skies of the 1300s,” Olson said. “I always say if you can do the 1300s, then you can do things like 1940s, 1950s and the Civil War and World War II.” The same year, Olson worked with history professor James Pohl to learn how the moon and tides played a part in the World War II battle at Tarawa on the Pacific front.

Doescher said he watched over Olson’s shoulder during the Tarawa project and then got involved when they started working with Van Gogh’s night sky paintings of “Starry Night,” “White House at Night” and “Moonrise (Wheatstacks).”

“It’s just amazingly cool to stand in the exact place where Van Gogh was,” Olson said.

In the years since, the team has also unlocked secrets to two other Ansel Adams photographs, Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the poetry of William Blake, Edvard Munch’s “The Scream” and the sinking of the USS Indianapolis.

Olson and Doescher have traveled to a number of places to do research, including France, Norway, Greece, Mexico and Yosemite National Park on several occasions. They will be traveling again in two weeks to visit Yosemite on the celestial anniversary of the Ansel Adams photograph.

Olson and his team’s most recent findings have been published in the October edition of Sky and Telescope, which is on newsstands now.

“One of the things I think is so great about the way (Olson) does this is the students realize that many times, when you’re doing an actual homework exercise, you know the answer,” Doescher said. “You look in the back of the book and ‘oh, I got it wrong.’ This one, how do you know if you got it right or wrong? There is no way to check it except to go there.”

SHERIFF: Bridges takes reigns after commissioners give unanimous approval CONTINUED from page 1

respond as a unit and every individual officer will know what to do.”

The program has two main trainers, and it also has law enforcement officers who serve as instructors.

Through funding from the governor’s office, the university has trained officers from all over the state. The program has also received federal funding and has trained in states such as Colorado, Georgia and the program will be traveling to New York next month.

He said the program is lucky to have Montague as the new director.

“He is one of the founding members,” Thurman said. “He knows as much about ALERRT as anyone.”

Thurman said Montague did not need the job, as he was the current Hays County sheriff, but the program is fortunate that he was willing to make the transition.

He said in addition to taking on the new position, Montague is also taking university classes this semester. Thurman said Montague is showing his family the importance of education.

University Police Department officer Otto Glenewinkel has been through the ALERRT training twice. He participated when the program was first established and again, about a year and a half ago, after the program had grown and changed.

Glenewinkel said the training has taught him to be in the right mindset to respond to a situation where there is an active shooter.

“When there is a situation

Photos courtesy of the Hays County Sheriff Office Allen Bridges (left) was sworn in Tuesday afternoon as the new Hays County sheriff, replacing Sheriff Don Montague (right).

“H

e is one of the founding members. He knows as much about ALERRT as anyone.”

— Quint Thurman Criminal justice deparment chair

(with an active shooter) the first officers put together a contact group,” Glenewinkel said. “We don’t wait for SWAT, it doesn’t matter who gets there first.”

Glenewinkel said there was a situation when UPD suspected an active shooter on the scene and the officers were able to use their training to search the area.

“It is training every officer

should go through,” he said.

Glenewinkel has met Montague through the ALERRT program and said he feels he will be a good director for the program.

“He can take anything and do a good job,” Glenewinkel said.

Montague was re-elected as Hays County sheriff in November 2004 and was named Texas Crime Prevention Association Manager of the Year in 2003. He has served in law enforcement for 33 years and while sheriff, oversaw the gang unit, Drug Abuse Resistance Education and crime prevention team.

Deputy Mike Thielen will serve as the interim public information officer in Bridges’ instead. A special election to be held in November 2006 will determine the permanent sheriff to finish the rest of Montague’s term.

Your friendly neighborhood watchdog.

The University Star - Page 5

OPINIONS THE UNIVERSITY STAR

quoteof the day “We know we’ve had some loss of life. We really don’t know how much. And I hate to say it, I think there are going to be more.”

”

— Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour commenting on the loss of life so far due to Hurricane Katrina. (Source: CNN.com)

Wednesday, August 31, 2005 - Page 6

Opinions Contact — Joe Ruiz, staropinion@txstate.edu

THE MAIN POINT

Students urged to aid victims of Katrina As the number of lives lost and the devastation from Hurricane Katrina continue to rise, our hearts and prayers go out to those affected by this disaster in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.

We could use this space to tell you some of the stories of tragedy that continue to mount along with massive flooding and property damage.

We could relate the story many Americans have seen of Harvey Jackson, the father who could no longer hold on to his wife Tonette’s hand as she struggled in the water. Tonette was swept away by the rushing floodwater in Biloxi, Miss.

“My wife, I can’t find her body; she’s gone,” Jackson told ABC News.

“I held her hand tight as I could and she told me ‘You can’t hold me.’ She said, ‘Take care of the kids and the grandkids.’”

We could recite story after story of the devastation facing the hundreds of thousands of people who no longer have homes, property, family or friends.

As students, with airtight schedules and even tighter finances, it may feel like there is nothing we can do but watch helplessly on television as floodwaters keep rising in New Orleans and Biloxi.

But there are concrete steps Texas State students can take to assist the many government and private agencies en route to the Gulf Coast states.

One thing people wanting to help should definitely not do is hop in their car and head to the affected areas. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has issued a statement warning volunteers to stay out of the area unless directed there by an agency.

You should also not collect canned food, clothing or other donations of goods unless a trusted charity confirms the need for them. Communities hit by disaster do not have the time or manpower to dispose of unneeded donations, and shipping donated goods costs organizations a lot of money — money that could be better spent in other areas of the relief effort.

Instead, FEMA recommends sending cash donations, which volunteer agencies can translate into cash vouchers Katrina’s victims can use to meet their particular needs. We realize, individually, we have very limited resources to donate to the effort, but as a university community we can make a difference. We urge student organizations to take up small donations — as little as $5 apiece — from their members and from fellow students and to donate those contributions in bulk to reputable charities like the ones listed below. Students can also increase the effect of their contributions by donating them to funds set up by businesses that will match donations. Lowe’s Home Improvement, whose local branch is located at 2211 I-35 South, has agreed to match customer donations at its stores dollar for dollar up to $1 million.

If you can donate funds, please do so. If you can lend a helping hand to somebody who is seeking refuge in the Central Texas area, please do so. We ran a photo Tuesday on Page Two of students from Tulane University, which itself may remain closed for an undetermined amount of time, tubing our beautiful San Marcos River. Give them, and others like them, a smile or a helping hand if they need it.

FEMA-Recommended Charities: American Red Cross Operation Blessing Adventist Community Services Lutheran Disaster Response Nazarene Disaster Response Salvation Army

(800) 435-7669 (800) 436-6348 (800) 344-8070 (800) 638-3522 (800) 256-5886 (800) 725-2769

The Main Point is the opinion of the newspaper’s editorial board. Columns are the opinions of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the full staff, Texas State University-San Marcos Student Media, the School of Journalism and Mass Communication or Texas State University-San Marcos. Letters policy: E-mail letters to starletters@txstate.edu.

Letters must be no longer than 300 words. No anonymous letters will be printed. We reserve the right to edit for grammar, spelling, space and libel.

We reserve the right to refuse obscene, irrelevant and malicious letters.

All e-mails must include the name and phone number of the letter writer.

Students should also include their classifications and majors.

ca

s e t o u q s m pu Compiled by Ashley Richards

Why do you think some residents would not evacuate before Hurricane Katrina hit?

“Probably because they don’t have any money to get out of a situation like that.”

— CRYSTAL CASTILLO pre-international relations junior “I didn’t evacuate when I was in a hurricane in Panama City Beach, Fla. They weren’t scared.”

— TREVOR CHOATE undecided sophomore

“Hurricane or no hurricane; ain’t no place like home.”

—MATT GUTIERREZ pre-psychology sophomore

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

Jeff Cole/Star illustration

Energy crisis translates to political power It is absolutely tuan economic true that the costly costs of current effects of global greenhouse-reducwarming may haunt tion strategies, it us for generations is unlikely that to come. But while we could come most fear rising remotely close oceans and melting to receiving the glaciers, I fear rising matching benefits.

RICK BORGHESI unemployment and Additionally, each Guest Columnist melting IQs. I’m reand every one of ferring to the shoddy the precursory ifs politically-correct are — to be generscience and intentional deceit ous — debatable. There is too that characterizes much of the much data to present here, global-warming movement but if you would like to better and the serious repercussions understand the issue, I recomthat may result. mend that you Google search Let’s take a common-sense “The Oregon Petition.” approach to this issue. Each Research suggests that if time you make a decision in the Kyoto Protocol were fully life, you either consciously implemented by all nations, or subconsciously weigh the by the year 2050, we will have costs against the benefits. For avoided approximately 0.07 instance, when middle-aged degrees Celsius in warming. folks spend money to take a And, while forecasts range vacation, they are making a widely, it would be conservatrade-off. They receive the tive to estimate the global enjoyment of the trip but sacprice tag to be in the neighrifice money that could have borhood of hundreds of bilbeen invested in a retirement lions of dollars annually. account.

Erring on the low side of Apply the same intuition that already conservative estito the theory of global warmmate, how does a tradeoff of ing. It’s clear that if the tem$1 trillion versus one-tenth perature of the Earth is slightly of a degree sound in a cost/ rising, and if that’s a bad thing, benefit scenario? That money and if it’s because of manwould come from tax revenue made emissions, and if we can better spent elsewhere and prevent further warming, and would be accompanied by adif the costs of avoiding further ditional regulations imposed warming are less than the ben- on commerce. Energy is esefits, then we should strongly sential for economic growth, support anti-global-warming and restrictions on or impediinitiatives. ments to energy usage would However, given the garganinarguably stifle business and

result in lost jobs. Ironically, developing countries rely particularly heavily upon manufacturing and would take the hardest hit. So, it is those at the bottom of the socioeconomic ladder whom would suffer the most from the pursuit of antiglobal-warming initiatives.

Why, then, do so many governments and organizations support Kyoto and similar measures? It is at least partially because of concentrated benefits and diffuse costs. We all suffer “mildly” from the waste of battling this imaginary crisis. On the other hand, some high-level bureaucrats and scientists have a powerful incentive to embrace the issue in order to increase their power and obtain additional funding.

Find it hard to believe?

Much of the impetus for the Kyoto Protocol came from the findings of a panel created in the early 1990s by the United Nations. That’s the same altruistic international body that twisted the oil-for-food program into its own personal oil-for-riches program, earning high-level administrators millions. Furthermore, earlier this year, Patrick Moore, the co-founder of Greenpeace, stated, “The environmental movement has lost its way, favoring political correctness over factual accuracy, stooping to scare tactics to garner support.”

This isn’t the first time mainstream scientists and our leaders have failed us. For

centuries, the medical community touted the benefits of bloodletting. For years, the commanding generals in World War I insisted that the best strategy to dislodge the German machine gun emplacements was to charge right at them. I’m not sure how our generation got on the wrong path, but I think I know where we can find the exit.

History has repeatedly shown that American scientists can achieve monumental objectives when challenged to do so. Think about the moon shot or the Manhattan Project. The Apollo project had a relatively reasonable price tag of $175 billion and the latter cost only $200 billion (both in today’s dollars).

It seems to me that a sensible solution would be to take funds that are being allocated to study and combat global warming and instead apply our creativity and resources towards developing alternative energy resources. Such an endeavor could result in tremendous advances that reduce pollution in general and could also increase geopolitical stability by enabling us to sever our necrotic umbilical cord to the Middle East.

Our children deserve a solution bigger than one-tenth of one degree — they need a solution to the energy crisis.

Borghesi is a finance and economics assistant professor.

Political future calls for Texas’ attention As summer fades While little was into fall, students’ known initially minds are filled about Roberts, with anticipation of what has come out the coming school about him since year. This is entirely then — in spite natural, as we often of considerable attempt — somestonewalling by JAMES A. BAKER times blindly — to the Bush adminprognosticate on the istration — is Star Columnist future in the hopes of enough to give a better world. With anyone who cares this in mind, I would like to about a democratic society offer a preview of the upcompause. Meanwhile, the same ing political season here in Republicans who constantly Texas and around the country. scream at Democrats about Our first political milestone “supporting the troops” (by is Labor Day weekend, which not exercising their First heralds the return of ConAmendment rights) have gress to Capitol Hill. On the shafted the soldiers once again agenda are the nomination by ignoring their needs in of “Manchurian Candidate” order to appease a gun lobby Judge John Roberts to replace so drunk with power, they Sandra Day O’Connor on the want to deprive businesses Supreme Court, a defenselike ConocoPhillips of their spending measure that got private property rights. This shoved aside before the August is also the same Congress break so that Congress could that recently passed energy pander to the National Rifle legislation, which gave a huge Association and how best gift to oil and gas companies, to (not) deal with rising gas that comes directly from the prices. pockets of consumers. So no,

Editor In Chief..................David Michael Cohen, stareditor@txstate.edu Managing Editor..................................Joe Ruiz, staropinion@txstate.edu News Editor......................................Kirsten Crow, starnews@txstate.edu Assistant News Editor.................Ashley Richards, ar1225@txstate.edu Trends Editor..............Christina Gomez, starentertainment@txstate.edu Photo Editor...........................Courtney Addison, starphoto@txstate.edu Sports Editor...................................Miguel Peña, starsports@txstate.edu

Copy Desk Chief.......................Siobhan Chapman, sc1108@txstate.edu Design Editor.......................................Matt Rael, stardesign@txstate.edu Systems Administrator.............Chris Jeane, starsysadmin@txstate.edu Webmaster.............................Ben Stendahl, starwebadmin@txstate.edu Art Director.......................................Marisa Leeder, ml1131@txstate.edu Advertising Coordinator......................Jodie Claes, starad1@txstate.edu Account Executive......................Richard Para, Jr., rp1060@txstate.edu

the current government is no friend of the little guy.

Eventually, September will pass into October; that’s when things get interesting. Iraqis, theoretically, will go to the polls in a bid to ratify their new constitution, which, given the wording of the current draft, stands to turn Iraq into an ideological clone of Iran.

Freedom is on the march, indeed.

Additionally, the grand jury that has been empanelled to look into the Valerie Plame affair is supposed to come to an end, and special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald will have to make a decision at that point about what to do next. However, there are reports that the testimonies of both Karl Rove and I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby have been inconsistent, while those of Time magazine reporter Matthew Cooper and NBC reporter Tim Russert are completely consistent. I suspect that we may be seeing a series of indictments come out of the special prosecutor’s

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

office at that time, especially given Fitzgerald’s dislike of being lied to. Expect things to get rather dicey for President No Accountability at that point.

And while that political circus is going on, we head into November, at which time Texans are expected to go to the polls in droves to vote on an amendment to the Texas constitution outlawing gay marriage. Will Texans vote to stay in the 21st century, or will we become the latest state to implement the “Christian” version of sharia law? Only time will tell.

After Texas decides whether or not to regress to the 13th century, there isn’t much of consequence left in the 2005 political season, other than another round of whining from the American Inquisition about the lack of nativity scenes on every square inch of American soil. From there, it’s off to the 2006 races.

Baker is a computer science graduate student.

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

Copyright August 31, 2005. All copy, photographs and graphics appearing in The University Star are the exclusive property of The University Star and may not be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the editor in chief.

TRENDS THE UNIVERSITY STAR

trendythoughts

What is your most embarassing “first day of class” moment?

“I set off the fire alarm the first day in the dorm. These people were knocking on a door, and I saw it said ‘fire exit,’ but I opened it anway and it went off for like an hour.”

– Amanda Jobe undecided freshman

Wednesday, August 31, 2005 - Page 7

“In high school, me and my best friend were passing a very personal note, and it ended up being read in class. It was something that the abstinence teachers would have been very appalled by.”

“I was in class, and I’m sick, and I started having a coughing attack, and I ran out of class, so I never went back because I was embarrassed because I slammed the door.”

– Jessi Greer undecided sophomore

– Brittany Peavy biology sophomore Compiled by Kyle Bradshaw and Ashley Richards

Trends Contact — Christina Gomez, starentertainment@txstate.edu

FALL TELEVISION PREVIEW TV shows for the new season sure to please any viewer Rescue Me Stars: Denis Leary, Daniel Sunjata, Diane Farr FX Airs: Tuesdays at 9 p.m.

Rescue Me chronicles the crew of Ladder 62, New York firefighters coping with the stresses of their job post-9/11. Nominated for two Emmy awards including “Outstanding Direction for a Drama Series” and “Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series,” Rescue Me is drawing critical praise for its hard-hitting issues, impressive acting ability and dark satire. Leary, as coarse firefighter Tommy Gavin, showcases an impressive acting talent mixed in with his trademark stand-up comedic timing. The show deals with topics that range from alcoholism and divorce to Alzheimer’s disease and homosexuality.

Photo courtesy of FX Nip/Tuck Season 3 premiere airs on Sept. 20.

Nip/Tuck Stars: Dylan Walsh, Julian McMahon FX Airs: Saturdays at 9 p.m.

The show that hails itself as disturbingly perfect is back for a third season on Sept. 20. Starring Walsh and McMahon as high-powered plastic surgeons in Miami, Nip/Tuck explores the depth of vanity without becoming preachy. Picking up on Season 2’s explosive cliffhanger, where the “Carver” attacked McMahon’s character, he is going to have to answer to his womanizing ways. Also being reintroduced is the character Ava, the postoperative transsexual played by Famke Janssen, and her relationship with Walsh’s son Matt (John Hensley).

Photo courtesy of FX As always, expect to see off-thewall requests for surgery (like Rescue Me, starring Denis cutting a deeper “love line” into Leary, follows a house of the palm of a psychic.)

New York City firefighters.

���������������������������� ������������������������������ ����������������������������� ������������������������������ ����������������������������������� ������������������������������� ����������������������������� ������� ����������������������� ���������� ��������

It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia Stars: Charlie Day, Kaitlin Olson, Rob McElhenney, Glenn Howerton FX Airs: Tuesdays at 10 p.m.

ting issues like underage drinking, finding a date to the prom (when you’re 28) or just faking cancer to attract women, the show will have even the most straight-laced person cracking a smile at its irreverent humor.

Joining the likes of Curb Your Enthusiasm and Arrested Development, It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia is a wickedly dark comedy set primarily in an Irish pub. The improvisations and off-the-wall, quick-witted banter keep the minimalist comedy alive. Tackling hard-hit-

Family Guy Stars: Seth MacFarlane, Seth Green, Mila Kunis FOX Airs: Sundays at 8 p.m.

My Super Sweet Sixteen MTV Airs: Mondays at 9:30 p.m.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be spoiled, filthy rich and have parents ready and able to buy your love? My Super Sweet Sixteen exposes the ills of society and the next generation of potential voters by showcasing the Sweet Sixteen parties of girls across America. A guilty pleasure to many, enjoy as these ladies throw tantrums, snub their friends and boss around their folks, all in the name of having a birthday party. Complete with helicopter arrivals, multiple wardrobe changes and squeals of,

Following in the irreverent tradition of The Simpsons, Family Guy has become a cult phenomenon.

As a dysfunctional nuclear family, Seth MacFarlane provides the voices for the bumbling patriarch Peter Griffin, the alcoholic beagle Brian and the talking gePhoto courtesy of MTV nius baby MTV’s hit, My Super Sweet Photo courtesy of FOX Stewie. Set Sixteen, follows girls preparin quiet Set in suburban Quahog, Rhode Island, Family ing for their 16th birthdays.

Guy’s irreverant style has made it a cult classic. Q u a h o g , Johnny Carino’s Starof Cafe Photo Lone courtesy FOX 1st & 3rd 1st and 3rd Set inSaturdays suburban Quahog, Maine, Wednesdays - 3:30 irreverant4style - 10:30of Family9 Guy’s comedy has made it a cult DEFENSIVE DRIVINGclasTICKETsic.

DISMISSAL & INSURANCE DISCOUNT

$35.00

Ryan’s - New Braunfels

2nd and 4th Saturdays 9 - 3:30

DriveSafe of Texas

���������� ����������

Rhode Island, the show is sure to please the goofball in all of us.

CP315-C1116

830-935-4037

Includes

Meal

“I love you Daddy!” it’s enough to make anyone get hooked to a show — and maybe slightly queasy.

Arrested Development Stars: Jason Bateman, David Cross, Jeffrey Tambor Fox Airs: Mondays at 7 p.m.

Arrested Development is the best show you’ve probably never seen.

In fact, I’d bet money you haven’t even heard Photo courtesy FOX of it. De- Jason Batespite win- man and Jeffery ning an Tambor try to E m m y for best save the feuding comedy in Bluth Family in 2004 and Arrested Devels c o r i n g opment.

11 more nominations this year, the show was dangerously close to cancellation during its second season and was cut down to only 18 See TV Guide, page 8

3000 REGIONAL WHENEVER MINUTES®

Includes long distance & roaming in Texas & Louisiana.

ONLY

49.99 per month

$

FREE PHONE ASK FOR DETAILS 1503B Aquarena Springs Dr. 512-878-4316 (Across from Mamacita’s) NOW OPEN SUNDAYS Noon to 6 p.m.

Additional restrictions apply; see printed materials and T-Mobile’s Terms and Conditions, viewable at www.t-mobile.com, for details. Limited time offer and subject to change without notice. T-Mobile is a registered trademark of Deutsche Telekom AG. © 2005 T-Mobile USA, Inc.

We are STILL running GREAT specials!

Call 353-2234 for yourself or your friend today!

TRENDS

Wednesday, August 31, 2005

TV GUIDE: Check out fall’s lineup CONTINUED from page 7

episodes. Luckily, the Bluth Family has survived to see its third season, which begins on Sept. 19 on FOX. Jason Bateman won a Golden Globe earlier this year for his role as Michael Bluth, the lone “normal” one in the most dysfunctional family since The Royal Tenenbaums.

The Office Stars: Steve Carell, Rainn Wilson NBC Airs: Tuesdays at 8:30 p.m.

He may be the 40-year-old virgin, but on The Office, Steve Carell plays Michael Scott, the pompous boss of the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company. Carell’s zaniness knows no bounds, and the show acts as a wide-open palette for his offbeat improvisations. Filmed as a faux documentary mocking the daily life of cubicle workers, the show is a surprisingly worthy knock-off of the British version created by Stephan Merchant and Ricky Gervais. In its second season, The Office now belongs solely to Carell, who will surely be splitting time between the show and his now-budding film career.

It’s difficult to figure out why Jason Lee, whose fine film résumé includes Almost Famous, Chasing Amy and Mallrats, would want to venture into sitcom television. And it’s even harder to figure out why he would choose such a weakly thought-out show as My Name is Earl, which debuts on Sept. 20 on NBC. Nevertheless, Lee plays Earl, a loser who wins the lottery and decides to use his good fortune to correct his past wrongs. How exactly Earl plans to do this is unclear, but the chances of it being funny are slim. Seriously, Jason, shouldn’t Kevin Smith be working on another slacker-comedy film for you to be in?

Distinctive Voices

For a Strutter, practice makes perfect — well, almost Photo courtesy of NBC In his television debut, Jason Lee plays lottery winner Earl in My Name is Earl.

Commander In Chief Stars: Geena Davis, Donald Sutherland ABC Airs:Tuesdays at 8 p.m.

Photo courtesy of NBC Steve Carell is a loud, obnoxious boss in The Office.

My Name is Earl Stars Jason Lee NBC Airs: Tuesdays at 8 p.m.

Page 8 - The University Star

In an obvious attempt to revitalize her sluggish acting career, Geena Davis stars as Vice President Mackenzie Allen in Commander In Chief, debuting Sept. 27 on ABC. When the president dies, Allen is told by the president’s Photo courtesy of ABC Chief of Staff Jim Gardener As Mackenzie Allen, Geena (Harry Lennix) Davis succeeds the presithat the party dency in Commander in does not want Chief. her to succeed the presidency. The party would much rather see Speaker of the House Nathan Templeton (Sutherland) in the oval office. However, Allen decides to take the presidency anyway, and I’m sure a bunch of West Wing-like drama follows afterward, just don’t expect it to be very original.

— Christina Gomez and Kyle Bradshaw

July 27, 2005

Aug. 21, 2005

CAMP

THE AFTERMATH OF CAMP

Camp. Different things come to mind for different people when ABBY MINICA it comes to the Entertainment Columnist ambiguous term of “camp,” but to this Texas State Strutter, two words come to mind: hard work. Our annual, two-week long Strutter Camp begins in about a week (mmm, I can smell the IcyHot now), and I wouldn’t be honest if I said I wasn’t a little scared. Now don’t get me wrong, there’s a fair share of fun times to be had at Strutter Camp, but those who make it through swear it’s pretty much the toughest two weeks of the entire year. Why is it so tough? Well, let me just paint you a little picture: waking up early to make yourself presentable for practice, running before practice, vigorous stretching, endless crunches, being instructed on the perfect kick technique, kicking, turns, kicking, leaps, kicking, quickly learning several different styled dances, memorizing those dances, practicing in spare time, tryouts, various activities, lectures on manners and being a lady, working on the “new baby” skit, more practicing — and really I could go on. Camp actually can be the time when several girls realize the Strutters organization is not for them. Yet as I sit here writing this, I feel that little fire in me creeping up, that same fire that’s kept me burning all throughout my drill team years, that part of me that loves a challenge. Now let’s hope I have enough stamina to be humming that same tune by August.

Now that my second time at Strutter Camp has come and gone, and other than the extreme muscle pains, strains and the anxiety of tryouts looming each night, one idea really has stuck with me. Our director said, “You shouldn’t be here if you’re here for yourself,” and at the time, she was referring to the fact that we are a team, and you have to keep in mind what’s best for the team. Well, I found an even deeper meaning to Mrs. Angell’s words in those two weeks, not to get mushy or anything, but I realized how much my friends on this team mean to me and how much I mean to them. It was those late-night venting sessions, the jokes and laughs around the meals provided by the athletic department (thanks by the way!), and the support given in moments of weakness that kept me going.

So really even if I made every dance (which I don’t), were in the front row (so far, third row) and received no polishing corrections ever (yeah, right) something would still be missing. That’s how I know I’m here for the right reasons. And the finished product of our oh-so-tough two weeks? On Aug. 26, we have our first little showoff called “Meet the Strutters” at Strahan Coliseum and our first two football routines that will be performed at the first two home games. White boots, big “cowgirl” hats, grass stains on tights — football season is a comin’.

We will be following Abby as she high kicks as a Texas State Strutter every Wednesday. For more information on the Strutters, visit www.txstrutters.com

ADCODE: 181H

Share your space, but live on your own.

HP Laptop

Bedding

©2005 Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

All furnishings pictured are from Wal-Mart.

Get everything for your dorm room at Walmart.com and still afford tuition.

Storage

TRENDS

Page 9 - The University Star

Wednesday, August 31, 2005

AN UNDERWATER ADVENTURE Audiences should hibernate until The Cave comes to video The Cave seems awfully familiar. It be due ✯ might to the many The Cave action- and Dir.: Bruce Hunt horror-flick Stars: Cole clichés that Hausser, Morris never allow Chesnut, Piper the film to Perabo feel original.

Rated: PG-13 In the film’s weak narrative, a supposedly unexplored underground cave and river system is discovered, and only one top-notch team of spelunkers can map out the new territory. The divers quickly find that they are not alone down in the cave and are being preyed on by mysterious creatures that look strangely familiar to those in Aliens, except with extra batlike features; they fly and can see in the dark via sonar. In ad-

film review

dition to being stuck in a cave Hunt, chose to forego the horand hunted by the monsters, ror route in favor of action. the wimpy scientist, tough The movie goes from slightly girl, hotshot diver and fear- interesting to extremely borless leader find out that they ing after the creatures are realso need to avoid an infec- vealed. From that point on, tious parasite that transforms it becomes a mild, low-qualits victims in to an alien-like ity horror-slasher romp, with creature. It seems that the people scrambling in all diunlucky team of would-be rections to get away from the heroes might not make it monsters. Botching the slashout alive. Unfortunately, the er genre entirely, the wet suits characters aren’t developed aren’t skimpy enough and the enough to allow the audience bloodbath is mild.

So, if this sounds even halfto care.

Some of the underwater way entertaining to you, I’d scenes are breathtaking, and recommend waiting to see the caves are very realistic, The Cave until it is released but the focus on special ef- on DVD. fects takes away from the movie. The action is filmed — Shawn Pearcy in such close quarters it becomes hard to follow. In any Photo courtesy of Screen Gems Inc. horror movie, less is more, and the suspense should have Mysterious creatures prey on been built by not showing the Cole Hauser and Mark Chestcreatures. First time director nut in The Cave.

✯Star Comics

Can’t get 7 down?

Visit UNIVERSITYSTAR.COM for the solutions and much more.

Catbird by Jeff Cole

Visit our Web site at: www.Universitystar.com

A.W.A.R.E. Always Wanted A Riding Experience Volunteer Training Session Dates: • Sat., Aug. 27 from 11:00 am-1:00 pm • Mon., Aug. 29 from 6:30-8:30 pm • Tues., Aug. 30 from 6:30-8:30 pm • Thurs., Sept. 1 from 6:30-8:30 pm • Wed., Sept. 7 from 6:30-8:30 pm • Sat., Sept. 10 from 11:00 am-1:00 pm

WANTED!

Therapeutic Riding Center needs volunteers to work with horses and special people.

No experience necessary.

www.ktsw.net · 601 University Drive - Old Main Rm. 106

You need to attend only one training session.

For more information or to sign up for a training session, contact: Always Wanted A Riding Experience

at

75-HORSE

1708 Centerpoint Rd. San Marcos East on Centerpoint Rd. 1/2 mile past Outlet Malls

����������� �������������������

���������������������

Wednesday, August 24, 24, 20052005 – Page 10 33 Wednesday, August - Page

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

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

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

Email Classifieds starclassifieds@txstate.edu

FOR RENT

FOR RENT-HOUSES

HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

MISCELLANEOUS

PARADISE ON THE RIVER. 2b/2b furnished Vac. Home. $150 per day $600 weekly 512-754-1851.

ROOMS FOR LEASE off of Sagewood! 3b/3 1/2b/ common living/dining/kitchen/2 car garage/internet access. $400.00mo call today! (512) 913-8028.

RENT OR RENT to own: 3/2 on 1 acre. Fenced. 8 mi from campus. Call for info 512-557-2542.

2BR PRIVATE BATH, LR in 4/2 home in Kyle, furnished/unfurnished, share kitchen, laundry room, no dep., all bills paid, $600.00 512-825-0844.

SHORT TERM CONTRACT, nice area, no pets, walk or ride to campus, 2 lg b/1b, ca/ch, range, refrigerator, WD, $670 plus utilities, 512-738-0304 or 396-1004.

HACKBERRY DUPLEXES 2/1 on bus route, ca/ch, quiet st, fncd/shady yds, carports w/storage, sm pets OK. $530 inc/water & garbage. Also 1/1’s $480. Other duplexes located in Kyle and San Marcos. 268-5032.

3BD/2BA DOUBLE WIDE on 1 acre for sale or rent. 10 minutes from campus. $800 per month. Call 512847-8029.

COUNTRY HOME ON 5 acres, 2bdr/ 2ba, ch/ca, 6 mi from San Marcos, $750 per mo plus deposit, 830-379-9682 or 512-357-6271.

MOTHER’S HELPER needed for infant twin boys. Flexible hours, parttime, must be resposnsible collge student. Contact Dana @ 449-8870.

INTERESTED IN MOWING our lawn for extra monies? If so, call (512) 754-6184 and leave your message.

NOW HIRING ACCOUNT representative at mobiltel wireless. Please call (830)491-8897 or submit resume to jobs@mobiltelwireless.com.

HELP NEEDED FOR a Specialty Tree Care Company. Candidates should be detail-oriented and appreciate demanding outdoor work. Job LocationWimberley. OAK WILT SPECIALISTS OF TEXAS 512-894-4193.

TEKA MARKETING IS now expanding and looking to fill several full & part time positions. Very flexible hours. Casual work environment. For more information call 512-805-0020 NANNY POSITION needed for 3 small children Tuesdays, Thursdays and occasional weekends. Must have references and own transportation. If interested, call 512-858-0275.

PART-TIME ENTRY-level position invoicing & light accounting. Proficient in QuickBooks. At small direct mail company Must be detailed-oriented, creative. Conscientious, and a selfstarter. Must be available 11:00am4:00pm daily. To apply-call 512-3935454 TEACHERS NEEDED: Quality child development center in Kyle. PT 2:306:30 M-F Immediate openings. FT Lead teacher 12-18 mos. Bilingual & experience a plus. 405-3700, 405-3701 fax, www.rockinghorseacademy.com RETAIL SALES-a national woman’s and children’s sportswear company is seeking part-time Sales Associates for our brand new Prime Outlet location.

Contact Heather 407-230-0780 or email jobs@freshproducesportswear.com

BOBCATSNEEDJOBS.COM We need Paid Survey Takers in San Marcos. 100% FREE to join. Click on Surveys.

D&D FARM & RANCH Full-Time Positions: Trailer Dept: Scheduling Services, Selling Truck Accessories & Parts Trailer Technician: Hardware Dept: Purchasing, Selling, & Stocking Outside Sales: Scheduling & Coordinating Deliveries Outside Loaders: Customer Service Apply in Person at: 516 IH 10 E., Seguin TUTOR/NANNY POSITION available in San Marcos for two girls ages 7 and 10 from August 29th until May 19, 2006. Pick up children from school. Assist with homework and monitor progress for an accelerated Christian based academic program. Occassionally transport children to/from extracurricular activities. Position is approximately 15hrs/week (2:45pm to 5:45pm). Flexibility with schedule occassionally necessary. Prefer Interdisplinary Studies/Education Generalist 4-8 major with GPA of 3.0 or greater. Must demonstrate and encourage academic excellence, be punctual/dependable, active, hands-on with kids and enjoy teaching. Non-mokers only. $7+/hr. depending on experience. Bonus oppurtunities available.

Full-time also available for Summer 2006. Call 512-787-7609 for an application. More info on Job4Cats #5123.

Interviewing now.

POST ABORTION SUPPORT/ Recovery Group is set to begin on Sept 6 and will meet for appr 9 wks. The small group is designed to help women who have been affected by abortion move forward with their lives. For hope and healing contact Central Texas Life Care at 396-3020 and ask for Blain or Phyllis. Space is limited so call now for time, location, and other details. All calls are completely confidential.

FOR RENTCONDO/TOWNHOME

$785, 2/2.5 TOWNHOUSE Move in today. 3 blk from TX State, free HBO, Roadrunner, full W/D. For floor plans & prices www.windmilltownhomes.com or 396-4181

FOR RENT-DUPLEX

SAGEWOOD DUPLEXES 3/3.5, w/d, avail now $1100. Call 512-589-8073.

CREST DRIVE DUPLEXES 3b/2 1/2b 2 car garage, cable paid. $850 512-708-9530 or 512-576-6523.

HELP WANTED WANTED: ELECTRICIANS needed for finish out work/ Some parttime until school starts/ Call Ted Breihan Electric 512-396-3300 or come by 118 S Edward Gary-San Marcos.

FALL SEMESTER WORK $12 Base/ appt. Flex schedules around classes, sales/service. No exp. nec, scholarships possible. All ages 17+, conditions apply.

Work in San Marcos, apply in Austin.

Call NOW (512)458-9093. www. workforstudents.com !BARTENDERS WANTED! $300/day potential. No experience necessary.

Training Provided. Age 18+ok. 800965-6520 x 157.

POOL AND SPA company now hiring.

Part time $300-$500 a week. No experience necessary. 512-754-0662.

Do you strive for perfection in customer service?

We’d love to hear from YOU! NOW HIRING DELIVERY DRIVERS, WAIT STAFF & COOKS Full or Part Time FLEXIBLE HOURS • DRIVERS - WITH TIPS YOU COULD EARN $10 - $15 PER HOUR COMPETITIVE WAGES • EDUCATION ASSISTANCE (FULL AND PART TIME) 401K EMPLOYER MATCH • MEDICAL/DENTAL INSURANCE • VACATION MEAL PLAN • ADVANCEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

DRIVERS APPLY TODAY AT: San Marcos Area Pizza Hut location 403-A Guadalupe San Marcos, TX 392-5900 WAIT STAFF & COOKS APPLY TODAY AT: 720 E. Hopkins San Marcos, TX 396-3696

ROOMMATES ONE ROOMMATE. CHARMING 3/1 rock house to share with female.

View. Privacy. $490. 1224 Chestnut.

396-9757.

TWO STUDIOUS FEMALE roommates to share 3/2 house 512-8050299 Share home Plum Creek Kyle 15 min. to campus non-smoker $475 includes all Mark 233-9775.

MALE ROOMMATE WANTED Hillside Ranch Apts. 2 bdr $440 plus utilities/month Cable and Internet FREE $99 deposit Call Ryan 936-443-7236 ROOMMATE NEEDED, 2/1, $235 mo plus half utilities, Verandah Apts, on bus route. Call 979-229-3241.

MISCELLANEOUS TWIN BEDS, NIGHTSTAND, desk, for sale cheap. Will deliver. 512-8477074 MINI-FRIDGE $35, microwave $20, Century-Tel DSL modem $30, 512-6441233.

16’X48” 4 YR old round above ground pool. New 1.5 hp sand pump. Zodiac automatic pool cleaner. Solar cover. $600. 830-627-6838.

MISCELLANEOUS GOT WASHBOARD ABS? Good looks? Hiring male models, ages 18-25, $100 to $250/hr. Call 512-927-2226.

ATHLETIC, OUTGOING men for calendars, greeting cards, etc $75-150/ hr, no exp. needed, (512)684-8296.

MILESTONE WEDDING VIDEOS, Affordable, Professional, Experienced. 512-618-7919

EOE M/F/D/V

TRAVEL SPRING BREAK 2006 with Student Travel Services to Jamaica, Mexico, Bahamas and Florida. Are you connected? Sell Trips, Earn Cash & Travel Free! Call for group discounts. Info/ Reservations 800-648-4849 www. ststravel.com

WANTED WANTED: USED CARS, trucks, motorcycles. Any condition. Running or not. If you have something to sell please call Willis Mitchell.

512-353-4511.

THE UNIVERSITY STAR IS NOW HIRING FOR FALL 2005.With openings in News, Opinions, Entertainment, Sports, Design, Comics, Illustration, Copy Editing and Photograhpy, there is sure to be a place for you. Come by our new location in the Trinity Building to pick up your application or download one at www.UniversityStar.com. You can also attend our Orientation Session on Sunday, September 11 in Old Main 320 at 2:00 p.m.

For more information, contact The University Star at 2453487.

1.833

Place your classified ad via email. Send it to starclassifieds@txstate.edu COLLOQUIUM

®

SUBLEASE PLEASE SUBLEASE MY APT!! 1/1, 625 sq ft available ASAP. Close to Campus! Only $475/month!

512-557-5810

We are looking for eager, self-motivated, and fast paced individuals!

830.609.3337

#1 College Ski & Board Week

BRECKENRIDGE Ski 20 Mountains & 5 Resorts for the Price of 1

Breck, Vail, Beaver Creek, Arapahoe Basin & Keystone

from only

179

$

plus tax

1-800-SKI-WILD 1-800-754-9453

www.ubski.com

The University Star is now hiring!

Launch your career in journalism, advertising or design by building your portfolio at one of the premiere collegiate newspapers in Texas.

Come to our New Employee Orientation on Sunday, Sept. 11, in Old Main Room 320 at 2pm.

Come by The University Star at our new home in the Trinity Building to pick up an application or download one at www.UniversityStar.com For more information, contact The University Star at 245-3487.

Positions available: News Reporter Opinions Columnist Entertainment Writer Sports Reporter Page Designer Comic Artist Illustrator Copy Editor Photographer

Wednesday, August 31, 2005

SPORTS

Key Players: Past and Present Senior: Douglas Sherman / Running Back Hometown: Fort Worth, Texas / (HS) Eastern Hills 1-year Letterman Height: 5’7” Weight: 205

Graduated: Terrel Harris / Running Back Hometown: Kerens, Texas / (HS) Kerens 3-year Letterman Height: 5’11” Weight: 230

Senior: Luke Bomar / Fullback Hometown: Denton, Texas / (HS) Denton 2-year Letterman Height: 6’1” Weight: 250

Graduated: Wade Lightsey / Defensive Back Hometown: San Antonio, Texas / (HS) Converse Judson 2-year Letterman Height: 6’1” Weight: 231

Junior: Justin Wlliams / Wide Receiver Hometown: San Antonio, Texas / (HS) Central Catholic 1-year Letterman Height: 6’2” Weight: 197

Graduated: John Tyson / Wide Receiver Hometown: Houston, Texas / (HS) Klein Forrest 2-year Letterman Height: 6’0” Weight: 173

Senior: Joel Moore / Offensive Linemen Hometown: Katy, Texas / (HS) Katy 3-year Letterman Height: 6’1” Weight: 286

Graduated: Devin Freeman / Wide Receiver Hometown: Tyler, Texas / (HS) Lindale 4-year Letterman Height: 5’8” Weight: 165

The University Star - Page 11

Filling the slots

Preseason Analysis: Depth

By Miguel Peña Sports Editor Gains and losses are the name of the game during the off-season, and the Texas State Football team have had their fair share with 19 returning starters to the team a wealth of experience is the dominant asset for the Bobcats as well as some new players who have yet to show off their skills.

The defense retains the entire starting line anchored by Travis Upshaw at nose guard and Fred Evans at the defensive-tackle position alongside Nate Langford and Nick Clark at the left and right defensive ends.

In the secondary, David Simmons will start at middle linebacker with Jeremy Castillo and Shola Obafemi as the side linebackers. Simmons is a returning All-Southland Conference linebacker and will hold strong as the core of the secondary. The combo will share the workload and make up the difference for the loss of Wade Lightsey who was third in tackles for the 2004 season with 45.5 total behind Castillo’s 52 and Walter Musgrove’s 49.

Derwin Straughter will start at the cornerback spot with Musgrove, both who are returning letterman from the 2004 season.

Backing them up is new transfer student Jamarcus O’Neal from Trinity Valley Junior College, where he intercepted five passes in the 2004 season, and Edmund Pringle who saw his first on-field action in 2004 against Northwestern State Uni-

versity where he garnered one solo tackle and one assist. The team of defensive backs will run without the assistance of Damian Chandler who racked up 33 tackles in 2004, as well as Kenyone Leno and James Nato, with 41 tackles between the two.

Epsilon Williams is a secondyear starter for the Bobcats and will have his third year this year as the starting free safety with Melvin Webber at the strong safety spot.

The Bobcats return 10 offensive players who saw the majority of playing time in 2004.

Buck Koalenz is at the center position and started all 11 games for the Bobcats in 2004.

Backing him up is junior J.D. Machacek who moved over from guard during the off-season.

The starting guards for the Bobcat line are Luke Horder on the right and Joel Moore to the left. Horder was awarded a position on the second team AllSLC for his outstanding play in 2004, and Moore, who made the move to guard from the defensive side will make the move to the starting position and fill in the gap left by Ken McCoy who graduated this past summer.

Under center, Barrick Nealy will return at quarterback.

He finished last year with 84 completions on 143 attempts for 1,202 total yards through the air and 409 on the ground showing his mobility and onfield vision.

In the Bobcat back field, Douglas Sherman will start at running back for the second year in a row as he leads the

team in rushing yards in 2004 with 622 yards on 128 carries.

Daniel Jolly is a new transfer from the University of Colorado and will making up the difference for the loss of Terrell Harris who rushed for 417 yards in 2004 and garnered seven touchdowns on 75 carries.

Luke Bomar will make the move from tight end to the starting fullback position, and as a result, the offensive strategy will look for more run options and a man with good hands in the backfield.

Taking over for Bomar at tight end is a triumvirate of players like Randy Moshier, who started eight games for the Bobcats in his junior year along with Justin Marcellus and Matt Padron.

Streaking down the sidelines or flashing to the middle on the short routes will be Justin Williams, a junior who only saw playing time in three games over the course of the 2004 season claiming 43 yards on only three receptions.

His performance in the Bobcats’ preseason has earned him the starting spot as wide receiver.

Stan Zwinggi will also get on the field at the wide receiver spot after making the move from running back in the spring of 2005 along with Ronnie Miller and Clellan Cooke.

Tyrone Scott will be filling in at the slot position with Dameon Williams.

The Bobcats make their 2005 debut on Saturday against the Delta State Statesmen out of Cleveland, Miss.

The Bailiff show is back:

Starting Thursday at 5 p.m., the David Bailiff radio show will be returning to the air-waves on 1420 KGNB-AM. The show will be sending out it’s signal live from Johnny Carino’s in San Marcos for one hour every Thursday for a chance to get the word from the Texas State head football coach. Fans are invited to attend the broadcast each week for a chance to win give-aways and enjoy some great food.

New Revolution Cycles The official sponsor of the Texas State cycling team.

We want to be your bike shop Texas State!

Senior: Fred Evans / Defensive Tackle Hometown: Chicago, Illinois / (HS) Morgan Park 1-year Letterman Height: 6’5” Weight: 307

Junior: Epsilon Williams / Cornerback Hometown: Dallas, Texas / (HS) W.T. White 2-year Letterman Height: 5’10” Weight: 209

Huge back to school bike sale!!

K2 Interbay only $249.00

www.UniversityStar.com

Kona Smoke was $349.00 Now $299.00 Located at 106A Burleson, Kyle, TX 78640 | Phone: 512.268.3200 or 512.557.0660 Email: info@nrcycles.com | Check out our website at www.nrcycles.com

SPORTS THE UNIVERSITY STAR

Wednesday, August 31, 2005 - Page 12

sports snortsquotes from the sports world

“i’ve heard rumors, so it’s not just me saying this ... Something’s going on because they hit so good at home. The way they hit here, you’d have to raise an eyebrow to figure something is going on. Look at the stats. I’m not just making this up.”

— White Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle, who accused the Texas Rangers of signaling pitches to batters using a high-tech light system in center field during Chicago’s 7-5 loss to the Rangers on Monday night. (Source: ESPN.com) Sports Contact — Miguel Peña, starsports@txstate.edu

The Chisum Trail to 600 wins

By Chris Boehm Sports Reporter Unless you read this article, you probably will not know that volleyball coach Karen Chisum is about to join an elite club.

Friday at 11 a.m., Chisum will go for her 600th career win, which would put her alongside only eight other active coaches with as many victories. The Bobcat alumna has been sitting on her 599th win since last year’s Southland Conference win over Stephen F. Austin University. “(600 wins) would just be a tribute to all the student athletes I’ve had, as well as the coaching staff,” Chisum said. “This is not about Karen Chisum.”

Nine months later, the Bobcats are set to open at home against Morgan State University, and Chisum said she is more concerned about being 1-0 in 2005 rather than 600-376-3 over two and a half decades.

“The most important part is it would be our first win of the season,” Chisum said. “We want to get a win under our belts for these kids and just build on it.

I’ve not mentioned (600) once to my players.”

The players reinforced the mentality of their coach.

“We really haven’t talked about it before (The Star) brought it up,” said senior Liz Nwoke. “Like Coach said, the first win of the season is very important, but I am excited about both.”

Chisum’s players seem to take after her humble attitude.

Neither the coach nor the team could decide who is responsible for a 26-year tenure includng four SLC regular season championships, three league playoff trophies and four SLC Coach of

the Year nods.

“It would be great to give her 600th win. She deserves it,” Nwoke said. “I’m happy that I can be a part of it.”

Chisum’s career also includes four NCAA tournament appearances, and her teams have finished in the top three during the regular season in all but five years since Texas State joined the SLC in 1987. She also has coached 42 all-conference players and 28 all-academic winners.

“I think I’ve done a great job through my career recruiting players and hiring a coaching staff. It’s easy to succeed when you believe in something, and I believe in Texas State volleyball,” Chisum said. “I tell my players all the time; if you surround yourself with good people, good things will happen.”

One mark the coach has not reached, or any Texas State team for that matter, is to win three consecutive regular-season titles.

The team sees the three-peat as a way to set itself apart and step out of the shadows of previous teams.

“I know in the past, there’s been hoopla about the 2000 team for beating Texas, but a threepeat would show that we’re our own dynasty,” Ramirez said.

Ramirez and Nwoke were part of the 2003 club; the first of two straight regular seasons when the Bobcats finished atop the league. That year, Chisum also reached 550 wins in an important game in Utah.

“That one was a little different. That win got us into the SLC tournament, but this one will be bigger in the record books,” Nwoke said.

While the importance of number 550 might outweigh a regular season opener against the MSU Bears, the players still

know the magnitude of what their coach is on the verge of achieving.

“It’s good that she’s going to get as much recognition as she is getting,” Ramirez said. “The win total says it all. She’s a great coach, and one of the most humble as well.”

After coaching in the high school ranks, including as an assistant at San Marcos, Chisum received her big break when she replaced Chris Mayhew in 1980 as Texas State’s fourth volleyball coach. She has since built a respected reputation in the sport and is widely known both at the university and in town.

At the end of 2004’s final match at home, the team held a small banquet inside the Maroon and Gold Room open to all fans. Then-senior Stephanie Torregrosa spoke to the group, saying she could not walk through campus with Chisum without countless people stopping to greet the coach.

“I’ve grown and learned and touched a lot of lives; a lot have touched me,” Chisum said. “I don’t look at it as volleyball but as building relationships and touching young people. Anytime you can influence someone on or off the court, that’s what coaching is about. That’s what’s fun.”

Chisum serves on the NCAA and American Volleyball Coaches Association voting committees. She also regularly holds volleyball clinics across the country. The coach has been doing the clinics long enough that incoming freshman Emily Jones, Amy Weigle and Lawrencia Brown are all former campers, as are other athletes she has come across during her career.

“The neat thing is seeing campers go to other places and

watch them develop as volleyball players,” Chisum said.

“A lot of them are nine, 10 or 11 years old at camp, and then you see them five or six years later. They’ll sometimes come up to me, and then I’ll remember them.”

As a tennis and softball player, Chisum said she always knew she wanted to coach when the time came, which turned out to be quite the wait.

“I knew I wanted to be a teacher and coach since I was a 5-year old,” Chisum said. “ But I couldn’t put on a dress and stand up in front of a classroom. That wasn’t what Karen Chisum was about; it was about putting on the shorts and tennis shoes and being active.”

Brynn Leggett/ Star photo

ABOVE: Texas State volleyball head coach Karen Chisum is quickly approaching another milestone in her career as she is one win away from her 600th.

BELOW: Chisum provides words of wisdom to players during fall 2004’s game against UT-Arlington, as she continued to do during the preseason in preparation for 2005.

Andy Ellis/Star file photo

Armando Sanchez/Star photo

Armando Sanchez/Star photo