NEWS HAYS COUNTY SEES INCREASE IN RABIES PAGE 3
OPINIONS
LIFE & ARTS
HALLOWEEN DRIVING CARRIES RISKS TO PEDESTRIANS
ART SCARED PAINTS THE SQUARE FOR HALLOWEEN
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PAGE 7
TUESDAY
October 27, 2026 VOLUME 115 ISSUE 43
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION JEN NGUYEN | DESIGN EDITOR AIDEN FRITSCHE | MULTIMEDIA EDITOR
SEE HALLOWEEN PAGE 7 CITY
EVENT
1 YEAR LATER:
Spirit Squared blends Día de los Muertos and Halloween By Sofee Reina Life & Arts Contributor
Increased police presence Live cumbia drifted after Halloween shootings through The Square as people By Sidney Orman News Reporter
San Marcos police are maintaining increased patrols on The Square ahead of Halloween, nearly a year after shootings that left one person dead. The San Marcos Police Department is preparing for this weekend as Halloween approaches by increasing their downtown presence with four full time officers staffing the Square to prevent future violence. On Nov. 1, 2025, at 10 p.m. multiple gunshots were fired in the area of Kissing Alley on Hopkins Street. Three people were shot, and two of them were transported to Ascension Seton Hays in Kyle
and the other victim was taken to CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital in San Marcos, where he was pronounced dead. Early on Nov. 2, 2025 officers responded to another shooting at The Outpost apartment complex on Post Road after a fight escalated. Officers found shell casings and blood near the pool, while friends transported an injured person to CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital. Police said the two shootings were unrelated.
SEE POLICE PAGE 2 STAR FILE PHOTO
SMPD blocks off a street for an investigation of a shooting, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, at The Square. The shooting was one of three incidents.
UNIVERSITY
TXST adds new merit scholarship
gathered on the courthouse lawn for Spirit Squared. The second annual Spirit Squared event took place on the Hays County Historic Courthouse Lawn on Oct. 23. The event featured a combination of Halloween and Día de los Muertos traditions, from a community ofrenda and sugar skull art to a showing of “The Addams Family” under the stars. San Marcos Main Street, part of San Marcos’ Economic & Local Business Development Department, organized the event, supported by the Main Street Advisory Board. Josie Falletta, Main Street’s downtown coordinator, wrote in an email to The Star about the importance of diversity to the San Marcos community.
SEE CULTURE PAGE 7
AIDEN FRITSCHE | MULTIMEDIA EDITOR
Los Gatos 512 performs at Spirit Squared, Friday, Oct. 23, at the Hays County Courthouse. Spirit Squared is an annual festival that celebrates Día de los Muertos and Halloween.
SPORTS
By Ca’Myah Robinson News Reporter
Texas State will offer incoming freshmen a new merit scholarship covering first-year attendance costs, with additional funding for research and studying abroad.
SEE MERIT PAGE 2
NATALIE MURRAY | ASSISTANT DESIGN EDITOR
SEE BASKETBALL PAGE 6
NEWS
2
Tuesday, October 27, 2026
The Presidential Scholars Program will begin
Arabella DiChristina | News Editor | starnews@txstate.edu
students with more opportunities while reducing the
FROM FRONT MERIT in fall 2027, selecting up to 24 incoming freshman with three students from each of the university’s eight academic colleges. Eligible applicants must be Texas residents ranked in the top 5% of their high school classes. The application deadline is Dec. 15, 2026. According to Texas State’s One Stop website, the scholarship will cover recipients’ first-year cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, housing and meals, after other financial aid is applied. Recipients can receive $12,500 annually for the following three years, subject to renewal requirements. The program also offers a one-time $1,000 undergraduate research stipend and funding for a study abroad experience. Gary Ray, assistant vice president for enrollment management and senior adviser with Texas State Global, wrote in an email to The Star that the program aims to attract high-achieving students across Texas and support the university’s goal of becoming a preferred institution for students. “The program sends a strong message that highachieving students can receive a premier educational experience at one of Texas’ leading public universities,” Ray wrote. “By providing substantial financial support and access to high-impact learning opportunities, Texas State aims to retain exceptional talent within the state while preparing students to become future leaders in their professions and communities.” According to Texas State’s Facts and Data website, more than 31,000 students receive financial aid each year, with 37% receiving Pell Grants. Ray wrote that the new merit scholarship aims to provide
KALIYAH RILEY | STAR ILLUSTRATOR
financial burden of higher education. The Financial Aid and Scholarships Office and academic colleges will collaborate to review applicants’ essays about their leadership qualities or pivotal experiences of personal growth. According to Ray, the selection process will also consider standardized test scores, academic achievement, service, leadership potential and personal experiences. “The Presidential Scholars Program creates a pathway for students to participate in research, leadership development, and global
learning experiences regardless of financial circumstances,” Ray wrote. The university has other freshman merit scholarships that offer renewal benefits. Madysen Williams, a pre-nursing junior who receives the Texas State Merit Scholarship, said the new program could help motivate students academically. “I think it could motivate students to work harder in school,” Williams wrote in a message to The Star. “Good grades can lead to more financial help and exciting opportunities like studying abroad.” The program also aligns with Texas State’s Run to R1 initiative, which aims to strengthen the university’s research activity and achieve R1 status, the highest Carnegie research classification. The Star previously reported that Texas State was on track toward R1 status following the expansion of its doctoral programs. Director of University Communications and Public Relations Jayme Blaschke wrote in an email to The Star that the program is an investment in students’ futures. “The Presidential Scholars Program is a bold investment in Texas’ highest-achieving students and reinforces Texas State University’s commitment to academic excellence, student success, research and global engagement,” Blaschke wrote. Williams wrote that receiving a merit scholarship has helped ease the financial burden of attending college, allowing her to focus more on her education and other responsibilities. “Financial assistance ... has helped me not have to worry,” Williams wrote. “It allows me to focus more on my education without stressing about tuition and other school-related costs.”
FROM FRONT POLICE
STAR FILE PHOTO
Police lights illuminate the John Coffee Hays statue after three people were shot at The Square, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, at the Hays County Courthouse. The shooting killed one person and injured two.
“Nobody had seen that level of violence in a single Halloween night,” San Marcos Police Chief Stan Standridge said. “We recognized that we had to reallocate very limited resources to begin with.” According to Standridge, SMPD has historically struggled with limited resources due to the training pipeline, where newly hired officers go through an 18-month training process. Because of this long process, SMPD has a functional vacancy that makes it difficult to staff the Downtown Square. Despite those limitations, SMPD reassigned four full-time officers to the downtown bar district following the shootings, according to Standridge. Texas State provided $150,000 in funding towards four full-time officers during its fiscal 2026 budget and another $150,000 for its 2027 fiscal year budget, according to Standridge. The funding supports supplemental staffing and allows
the SMPD to ensure additional patrol coverage, Thursday through Saturday nights. “So it’s a costly thing to do, but we believe that it was a necessary thing to do,” Standridge said. “November of last year, we had the four [officers] assigned downtown [since the Halloween shooting], and I’m happy to report that we’ve had zero homicides since that happened. In fact, violent crime is down.” With support from Texas State, the San Marcos City Council designated four parking spots downtown during peak hours for police vehicles to ensure quicker response times and increase visibility. The city designated the spaces following shootings in 2025 to help reduce crime and improve public safety. These spaces are due to the 2025 shootings and are meant to help reduce crime and improve public safety. Madisyn Angel, anthropology senior, said she witnessed the fatal shooting on Nov. 1, 2025.
“I’ve never actually witnessed someone die and actually see the trauma from that,” Angel said. “It was not fun, and it took a little while to kind of work through.” Since the Nov. 1 shooting, Angel said she has returned to The Square only once, in August. “That was kind of my first time going back out and like actually at night to the Square and going to go do something that college kids do,” Angel said. “I was hyper vigilant. I mean, I don’t think I ever will not be anymore.” Angel said she noticed the increased police presence throughout the Square, which made her visit during August safer. “Everywhere I looked, there was an officer. There was not one street where there was not a police officer standing there, driving, talking to someone, doing something,” Angel said. “That does make me feel a little bit better.” Along with the increased patrols,
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SMPD has worked with downtown bar owners, managers and the staff to strengthen security practices, according to San Marcos Public Safety Communications Specialist Russell Wilde. “The downtown unit has done a ton of things proactively working with businesses,” Wilde said. “They’ve done workshops with bars and their security staffs on how to spot fake IDs. They’ve done how to do security wanding on individuals. All of these establishments have been stepping up their security to make sure things are safer downtown.” As Halloween weekend approaches, Standridge urges anyone going to the Square to have a plan and stay safe. He encourages visitors to go with friends, have a designated driver and leave before bars close at 2 a.m. “My message is pretty simple: let’s have a safe, fun Halloween,” Standridge said.
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NEWS
3
Arabella DiChristina | News Editor | starnews@txstate.edu
Tuesday, October 27, 2026
County rabies cases rise, officials investigate possible variant By Kyd C. Ledezma News Contributor
Hays County has seen an increase in rabies, with officials suspecting the South-Central Skunk variant of fox rabies. Hays County has seen 37 cases of rabies this year through Oct. 22, almost double the 19 cases in 2025. The surge has been seen in the fox population, with 14 confirmed cases by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) this year, including a fox found at Texas State’s campus on Oct. 14. Rabies is a fatal viral disease that affects the central nervous system of mammals, including humans. The primary carriers of rabies in Central Texas are bats, skunks, raccoons, and foxes. Rabies has a near 100% fatality rate once symptoms begin to show, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In October, there have been five confirmed rabies cases in three foxes, one skunk and one bat within Hays County. This follows a nationwide trend of an increase in rabies since July 2022, according to the CDC. Rodney Rohde, Regents’ professor of medical laboratory science and professor in clinical laboratory science, said the reason for such a large outbreak could be the growth in both fox and human populations in Hays County. “So, when you get all those factors, it’s like a perfect storm,” Rohde said. “And then once that virus does start jumping into, say, a fox population that has grown, you will see an increase in cases.” There have been 14 confirmed rabies cases among foxes in Hays County, according to DSHS. Rohde said residents should steer clear of wild animals in general and
KYLIN ANDERSON | STAR ILLUSTRATOR
look out for signs of rabies such as seizures, extreme aggressiveness and unnatural behavior. He said docile and overly friendly behavior can also be a sign of rabies. “Sometimes if you have animals, for example, that are nighttime animals, like nocturnal animals, they’ll be out during the day, and they’ll be disoriented, or they’ll walk up to you like they don’t fear humans,” Rohde said. “That’s a warning sign.” DSHS wrote in an email to The Star that the current outbreak is from the South-Central Skunk variant and that it is genetically distinct enough to suggest a new variant of fox rabies. CDC has not confirmed this new variant, but further testing is being done to characterize the virus. “According to the CDC, fox outbreaks such as these, which have happened in other states, often burn themselves out,” DSHS wrote. “However, given the number of cases so far and the large fox population in Central Texas, that may not happen in this outbreak if left unaddressed.”
The DSHS plans to expand the Oral Rabies Vaccination Program, a public health and wildlife initiative that distributes edible vaccine baits to wild animals to stop the spread of rabies, throughout Central Texas, including Hays County in the coming years. According to the CDC, treatment is nearly 100% effective in preventing the spread of the disease if administered before symptoms begin to show. Treatment should be sought out immediately after exposure. The City of San Marcos has released statements on Oct. 22 alongside a rabies alert to wash any bites or scratches with soap and water, seek immediate medical assistance, and report any possible exposure. The city is organizing a free rabies vaccine clinic for pets, with a date and location to be announced at a later time, San Marcos’ rabies alert stated. “Anyone who has been bitten, scratched, or otherwise potentially exposed to a rabid animal should promptly contact a health care
provider or public health department for guidance,” the CDC stated in a recent Sept.10 press release. With rabies cases continuing to appear, the CDC urges pet owners to vaccinate their pets for rabies to prevent further spread or the endangerment of others. “There’s just this need for awareness, avoiding all aggressive or strange-behaving animals,” Rohde said. “And if you think you’ve been exposed, you should be talking to your physician or a public health professional.” The DSHS is working with the Hays County Sheriff’s Office and San Marcos Animal Services to investigate the outbreak. For more information on rabies, visit CDC’s website. To report a possible rabid animal, call the Hays County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control Division at (512)-393-7896.
OPINION
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Regina Orozco Lopez Forment | Opinion Editor | staropinion@txstate.edu
Tuesday, October 27, 2026
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.
A safe Halloween weekend starts behind the wheel By Syghlas Morales Opinion Columnist
Halloween celebrations bring increased risks for pedestrians and drivers, making responsible driving essential. Texas State students must prioritize road safety to protect themselves and others from potentially lifealtering consequences. In 2024, a driver struck 19-year-old Mia Pace as she walked toward a Sigma Chi Halloween party on Ranch Road 12. The collision left Pace critically injured, with multiple broken bones and serious internal injuries. Pace’s experience is a reminder of the dangers pedestrians face on Halloween. A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that pedestrian fatalities were 43% more likely on Halloween evenings than on comparable evenings, one week before and after the holiday. Researchers found the highest pedestrian risk to be around 6 p.m. While this may make Halloween seem scary, Bobcats can make the evening safer by being responsible drivers. Safe Kids Worldwide recommends that drivers take extra precautions like driving slower and reducing distractions in order to decrease the likelihood of pedestrianrelated incidents. However, the best way Bobcats can make Halloween safer for everyone is by avoiding impaired driving. Impaired driving, as
KAI DRAGOMIR | STAR ILLUSTRATOR
described by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), occurs when someone operates a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Impaired driving can devastate victims’ families and communities. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 176 people died in crashes involving alcohol-impaired drivers on Halloween night from 2019 to 2024, including 31 pedestrians. Bobcats have an individual responsibility to plan ahead and completely avoid driving if they’re impaired. Catharina Hoyt, the alternative program specialist for the Texas State University Police Department, said students should plan rides ahead of time before going out. “If you plan to go to parties, ensure that you have a ride home or a designated driver,” Hoyt said. According to the CDC, one of
the best ways of preventing impaired driving is by agreeing on a designated driver to take passengers home. For students needing transportation, Texas State provides several secure transportation options. Bobcat Safe Rides is a free, student-run program co-directed by UPD and the Transportation Security Unified Stakeholders Group (TSUSG). Bobcat Safe Rides operates from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Wednesday, 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. Thursday through Saturday and 8 p.m. to midnight Sunday. The service only picks up students at on-campus locations, with off-campus drop-offs beginning at 10:30 p.m. Students must request rides through the Bobcat Safe Rides app at least 30 minutes before service ends and present a valid Bobcat Card upon pickup. For students who feel unsafe and need urgent transportation, Texas
State Bobcats can get an emergency ride through Code Maroon rides by calling 512-245-2805. This is a 24/7 emergency-only ride service available to all Texas State students. “[Utilizing] stuff like Bobcat Safe Rides or the Code Maroon ride [is very important],” Hoyt said. “If you’re on or off campus and if you’re in a situation where you no longer feel safe and you need a ride out immediately … Code Maroon ride [can] help you get back to campus or back to wherever you need to go [safely].” With all of these options available, students have no excuse. Operating a vehicle when impaired is irresponsible and can easily be avoided. Additionally, when unsafe, resources expand beyond campus, with support from UPD, students can rest assured knowing they have help in their corner. “UPD is always here for our Bobcats, both on and off campus. If you are in need, give us a call. Our non-emergency number [512245-2805] is 24/7 and our 911 [line] for emergencies is always 24/7,” Hoyt said. One irresponsible decision behind the wheel can permanently change someone’s life. This Halloween, Bobcats should plan a safe ride home, remain alert to pedestrians and never drive impaired.
-Syghlas Morales biochemistry sophomore
is
a
Sociology Club: it’s not just a major; it’s a movement By Sociology Club
You exist within the context of everyone who has ever made a decision. Have you ever questioned inequality, why certain cultural norms exist or the impact and causes of social change? Well, sociology has an answer. Sociology is the scientific study of individuals and groups within society. Sociology explores the context of how society is shaped not only by things we can see, but also by our experiences. You, me and all of us make up society. Sociology studies how, as a group, we interact with social institutions, like the family, education or government, to answer society’s most complex questions. At Texas State University, there are 14 students who have encountered and asked these same big questions. We are the Sociology Club, a student-led organization housed in and backed by the Department of Sociology. Michael Whitehawk is the organization’s advisor, the department’s academic advisor and was a club member 20 years ago. The Sociology Club, or Soci Club, is driven by Texas State students who share similar interests and questions about the social world. The Sociology Club creates a community space for students to explore social issues, exchange perspectives and apply sociological insights to everyday life. Sociological thinking, imagination
RAE KNIGHT | STAR PHOTOGRAPHER
The Sociology Club poses, Wednesday, Oct. 14, in Trauth-Huffman Hall. Sociology Club aims to create a conversation about the social issues experienced daily.
and perspectives are applicable to all aspects of life. Whether in a small room or a large lecture hall located in Trauth-Huffman Hall (THH) 209, the question has never changed: Why? Sociology doesn’t tell you what to think; it provides you with a framework of knowledge and tools to navigate your broader conversations and gain a deeper understanding of how our society works. Sociology asks you to be a critical thinker, challenge yourself and most importantly, sharpen your outlook. The Sociology Club has sought to redefine sociology’s presence at Texas State while simultaneously growing awareness of its presence among students. We host semesterly general meetings consisting of student-led presentations that apply a sociological perspective to contemporary social issues, with the purpose of creating an environment for student conversation and engagement.
Letters to the Editor Policy The University Star welcomes letters from our readers. Letters must be 300 words or fewer to be considered for publication. Writers must include their full name, mailing address, major and academic year designation (for students), phone number and e-mail address when submitting a letter. Submissions that do not include this information cannot be published. This information is seen only by the editors and is used to verify the identify of the letter writer. It is
During meetings, we provide a baseline sociological understanding to better equip and prepare students when engaging in these larger conversations while planting seeds of curiosity. Our general meetings, sociology events and officer positions provide professional and academic development, powerful networking opportunities and a communal space where students can practice, build and apply sociological skill sets. As the Sociology Club, we encourage you to join the conversation.
Tuesday, Oct. 27, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in THH 209 and our final meeting of this semester is on Nov. 18. We can be found on Instagram at sociclubtxst to stay up to date on upcoming meetings, events and opportunities. We hope to see you around. The Sociology Club encourages you to join our efforts to improve our community through sociological principles and powerful conversations.
October is Sociology Month. So far, we’ve hosted several events, including our Open House Brunch, Alumni Panel and guest speaker Dr. Richard York of the University of Oregon. Our next event is a game night hosted by the Sociology Club and the Sociology Graduate Student Association on
Officer Team: Ember Stewart, Madilyn Powers, Landis Hinesly, Cait Lackowski, Brenda Vaughn, Ellie Sitio, Holly Lindsey, Jackson Wootton, Jackson Haig, Lorelei Mayer and Sabrina Nodler.
By, Jennifer Hernandez & Bella Kent (Co-Presidents).
not used for any commercial purpose. Letters become the property of The Star and may be republished in any format. The letter may be edited for length and clarity. An editor will contact the letter writer if their letter is a candidate for publication. The Star will not run letters that are potentially libelous, discriminatory, obscene, threatening or promotional in nature. Letters can be submitted to staropinion@txstate.edu or by mail to Attn: Opinion Editor, The University Star, 601 University Drive, San Marcos, TX, 78666.
GAMES
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Tuesday, Oct 27, 2026
Sophia Gerke & Milla Deur | Creative Services | starcreative@txstate.edu
CROSSWORD
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UNDEAD DANCE! Down: 2. Director of “Night of the Living Dead,” George A. ________. 3. Name of Simon Pegg and Nick Frost’s “Dawn of the Dead” parody, _____ of the Dead. 6. Meryl Streep stars in this 1992 horror comedy film alongside Goldie Hawn and Bruce Willis, ______ Becomes Her.
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Across: 1. Guillermo del Toro’s break out vampire film from 1992. 4. Vampire slayer of fictional California town, Sunnydale. 5. Author of Dracula, Bram _______.
NONOGRAM UNDEAD DANCE!
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6 2 2 Word Scramble (1) Eat, (2) Turf, (3) Claws, (4) Bobcat, (5) Mascot, (6) Football
Crossword (1) Texas, (2) Eileen, (3) Soapbox, (4) Paw, (5) Blue
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LIVE!
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ROTTING GUY
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BODY STORAGE
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BLOOD SUCKER
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SPORTS
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Tuesday, October 27, 2026
Ayden Oredson | Sports Editor | starsports@txstate.edu
FROM FRONT WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
New coach brings new expectations for TXST WBB By Jackson Grettler Sports Reporter
New head coach Chris Kielsmeier is looking to instill a championship culture in San Marcos as Texas State women’s basketball begins a new era in the Pac-12. Following an 11-19 season last year, the Bobcats enter their first season in a new conference seeking a turnaround and their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2003. A proven winner at the helm After former head coach Zenarae Antoine stepped down following 15 seasons at the beginning of March, the Bobcats hired Kielsmeier and made him the program’s ninth head coach. Kielsmeier previously spent nine seasons as head coach at Cleveland State, where he posted a 178-80 record, six 20-win seasons and an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2023. Kielsmeier has won across Division I, II and III, posting a 594-196 overall record with 15 postseason appearances. Despite his decorated career, Kielsmeier said he remains focused on what’s to come.
“I don’t care what I’ve done in the past. I don’t care what this program has done in the past,” Kielsmeier said. “I care about getting on the court and working.” The returners Texas State returned only three players from last season’s squad: junior guard Saniya Burks, junior forward Kyra Anderson and sophomore forward Kaliyah Murphy. Burks led the team in scoring, averaging 14.4 points per game while shooting 31% from three-point range. Anderson was second in scoring with 12.8 points per game and led the Bobcats in rebounding, averaging 8.3 per game. Entering her second season with Texas State, Anderson has spent the offseason working on balancing her aggressive play style with a new sense of control. “I think playing under the staff and with my teammates is getting me more aggressive,” Anderson said. “Learning how to be aggressive, but controlled at the same time.” Recruiting class Kielsmeier’s first recruiting class makes up most of the team, adding nine of the 12 players on the roster.
I don’t care what I’ve done in the past. I don’t care what this program has done in the past ... I care about getting on the court and working. Chris Kielsmeier TXST WBB Head Coach
AYDEN OREDSON | SPORTS EDITOR
Texas State sophomore forward Kyra Anderson (33) dribbles against Georgia Southern, Wednesday, Feb. 4, at Strahan Arena. The Eagles beat the Bobcats 61-57.
The class brings height, with two 6-foot-6 centers in Addison Carr and Lucija Milkovic alongside 6-foot-4 forward Hayden Hearst, adding size to a team that previously didn’t feature a single player taller than 6-foot-1. Carr, a freshman who originally committed to Cleveland State and followed Kielsmeier, said his commitment to her development was a major reason she followed him. “He was the first one who had a plan, an idea of who I could be and how I could get there,” Carr said. “I believed that by following him, I would become the best player I could be.” One of the biggest additions to Kielsmeier’s recruiting class is senior point guard Crystal Henderson. Henderson, the 2023-24 Sun Belt Freshman of the Year and a 2025-26 All-Sun Belt Third Team
selection, averaged 16.7 points and 4.1 assists per game last season for Georgia State. Despite the roster overhaul, Henderson said she feels the Bobcats have already developed strong chemistry. “I think the connection when we first got here was just so genuine,” Henderson said. “That’s helped a lot on the court.” A tougher landscape The Bobcats will have to adjust quickly in a new conference as they face the likes of Gonzaga and Colorado State, each of whom made the NCAA Tournament last season. The Bobcats will open the season against Long Island University at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4 at Strahan Arena.
FROM FRONT MEN’S BASKETBALL AYDEN OREDSON | SPORTS EDITOR
Texas State senior guard Mark Drone (4) dribbles against Abilene Christian, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, at Strahan Arena. The Bobcats beat the Wildcats 63-49.
TXST MBB retools roster for Pac-12 debut By Ryan Keilman Sports Reporter
Texas State men’s basketball head coach Terrence Johnson will lead the retooled Bobcats into their first campaign in the rebuilt Pac-12 Conference. Coming off a 19-11 season in 2025-26 and after 13 years competing in the Sun Belt Conference, which saw the ‘Cats win back-to-back regular season conference titles in 2021 and 2022 with one National Invitational Tournament appearance, Texas State will jump into a new conference featuring a schedule of national contenders. “It’s a very exciting time, you look up, you’re playing against Houston in the non-conference, and you turn around, you’re playing Gonzaga, San Diego State and Utah State,” Johnson said. “Some really, really talented teams.” The returners Six Bobcats returned from last year’s squad, including three starters. Guards Mark Drone and Kaden Gumbs will return for their third and fourth seasons with the program, respectively. Last season, Drone averaged 11.5 points per game (PPG) while Gumbs averaged 8.7 PPG. Sophomore forward DJ Hall returns after a steller freshman campaign, earning SBC Freshman of the Year and All-SBC Second Team
honors. Hall was the team’s leading scorer and rebounder last season, scoring 15.6 points per game and 7.7 rebounds per game. “I think the biggest thing is maturity and what I mean by that is DJ Hall is going to go up to the very top of the scouting report now,” Johnson said. “That’s going to be extremely difficult, and it would be for anybody that’s making that kind of leap.” Robert Fields is returning for his sophomore season after providing depth at the center position last season. He averaged five points and 3.7 rebounds per game. “Being able to get the chance to run it back, it was a really good opportunity,” Fields said. “Being in the Pac-12 ... You’re looking forward to play against future pros, [and] that’s what my goal is eventually.” The Pernell twins are also back for their junior seasons. Dimp Pernell and Ky Pernell both had their seasons cut short due to injuries last year. Dimp Pernell averaged 8.8 PPG in 11 games played and Ky Pernell averaged three points in three games played. Fresh faces The Bobcats are welcoming five total transfers; two seniors, two sophomores and one junior. One of the sophomore transfers is KJ Younger, a guard who started all 34 games last year for North Carolina Greensboro while averaging 15.1 PPG and 4.7 rebounds.
Fellow sophomore guard Caleb Steger also joins the Bobcats from Boston College. Steger, a former composite four-star recruit at the time of his commitment per 247Sports out of Jesuit Dallas High School, appeared in 31 games for the Eagles and had minimal playing time but provided some power school experience for Texas State. “I think Caleb can really come in and be a two-way player for us cause I think he has some game that’s been untapped,” Johnson said. The guard position is reinforced by junior Quel’Ron House, coming to San Marcos from Southern Illinois, where he dropped 15.2 PPG last season with the Salukis. Senior forward Paul Djobet will also bring his talents to Texas State. Born in Lille, France, the former three-star spent two seasons with Miami before transferring to Omaha for his junior year, where he averaged 17.5 PPG with a 41.5% three-point percentage. “Djobet is a three-level scorer that, if he’s given the opportunity to shoot open shots, I think he can be really, really good for us,” Johnson said. Senior Ronald Jessamy, coming from Cal State Bakersfield will also add depth at the forward position. Jessamy averaged 13.5 PPG in 23 starts and 31 games for the Roadrunners last season. The Bobcats also signed four
players out of high school, featuring Canadian forward Kole Grandison. Grandison, a three-star prospect who graduated from Overtime Elite in Atlanta, had 14.5 PPG with a 44.2% field goal percentage. Forward Josiah “King” Sanders, rated a four-star out of ESPN, averaged 12.5 PPG at the Tennessee Collegiate Academy. Forward David Abisogun, from Nigeria, and guard Randy Livingston Jr., the son of former 11-year NBA veteran Randy Livingston, round out the freshman class for Johnson. “I think that when it all comes together, you’ll see a really good product,” Johnson said. The Bobcats will compete in a conference with considerable competition, as seven of the Pac-12’s nine teams sit within the top 100 out of all 365 Division I schools in the KenPom rankings. KenPom is a system that evaluates teams on a possessionby-possession basis that analyzes offensive and defensive performances and is used by the NCAA Tournament selection committee. Texas State starts the season ranked right at 100 in KenPom, a significant increase from where they previously started last year at 176. Texas State will open the season against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2, at Strahan Arena.
LIFE & ARTS
7
Tuesday, October 27, 2026
Cady Clements | Life & Arts Editor | starlifeandarts@txstate.edu
FROM FRONT CULTURE “We always strive to host events that are as diverse as our community,” Falletta said. “Combining the celebrations blends traditions and provides something for everyone to enjoy right in the heart of Downtown San Marcos.” The night kicked off with sugar skull face painting that attracted a line of families. The sugar skull imagery is commonly associated with ofrenda offerings. The colorful and detailed skulls act as a way to honor the dead with the beauty of art. Zachary Kelbaugh, a local artist and witch, said the event catered to families by emphasizing inclusivity and diversity in its activities. “Exposure for children and adults to things that they wouldn’t encounter in their day-to-day [is important] ... Coming out and embracing the unexpected brings a lot of learning and novelty to the town,” Kelbaugh said. Additionally, Kelbaugh said that although he isn’t familiar with some of the cultural traditions, community events present a learning opportunity. “There’s such a history of culture in San Marcos ... the different communities around here, they’re so frequently represented. Even if it’s not an event themed around their community, people are showing up and teaching about their stuff,” Kelbaugh said. Local band Los Gatos 512 provided live cumbia, a traditional Latin American music genre and partner dance, for a portion of the night, standing just steps above the
AIDEN FRITSCHE | MULTIMEDIA EDITOR
Honors Advisor & Terry Campus Coordinator Michelle Sotolongo paints a child’s face, Friday, Oct. 23, 2026, at the Hays County Courthouse. Sotolongo was painting kids’ faces as part of Spirit Squared. NATALIE MURRAY | ASSISTANT DESIGN EDITOR
community ofrenda. The event’s music drew in more than just San Marcos residents. Carla Rios, Kyle resident, said that the music in particular drew her to the event, and that she appreciates the opportunity to learn more about others’ traditions. “I kind of learned about Día de los Muertos later in life ... and it brings families together. It gives us time to think about our loved ones who have passed away,” Rios said. The community ofrenda allowed attendees a place to put offerings to honor loved ones or other important figures who have passed. Rios said that the culture she has been exposed
to during events like this have made their way into her home. “[At events] I’ve attended in the past, I brought my nieces to them. We do [ofrendas] at home now, and the parades, and the traditional dancing,” Rios said. Nestor Garcia, San Marcos local, said he had a different experience with the traditions displayed at the event. Halloween costumes, typically associated with trick-or-treating, were the dress of choice for the younger people at the event. Garcia said he was more familiar with the traditions surrounding Día de los Muertos. “I’ve seen [American Halloween traditions] in movies,” Garcia said. “It’s a mix at this event because there is Latin music, the ofrendas,
but there are also people and kids with costumes.” Garcia said that he appreciates the opportunity to get away from work and engage with many different traditions within the community. “It’s an event, a peaceful event, to enjoy time together, to celebrate culture and music and to respect each other,” Garcia said.
EVENT
ART ScaREd bRIngs STOREfRONTS on THe SquaRE TO LIfe for HaLlowEen SANTIAGO RIVERO | STAR PHOTOGRAPHER
A young girl brushes her painting onto a window on The Square, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026. The work details a ghost holding out a basket for candy, with the text “Boo!”. By Cady Clements Life and Arts Editor
Paintings of pumpkins and ghosts transformed the storefronts of The Square as students brought their artwork to life one brushstroke at a time. Art Scared, an event hosted by the San Marcos Art League on Oct. 24, allowed students in kindergarten through 12th grade to paint Halloween-themed artwork on storefront windows. Almost 60 students painted for the chance to win gift card prizes, funded by community donors. Nancy Brown, local artist and San Marcos Art Center director, who brought the tradition from her hometown in New York, said the community’s support over the past seven years is what has kept the project thriving. The event began in 2020 and has evolved over the years, according to Brown. She said bringing a creative, community-building event during the COVID-19 pandemic was important to her.
“We had them six-feet apart and we gave them hand sanitizer and masks and all that kind of stuff, just to be really safe,” Brown said. “But the thing is, there were no art classes because there was no school, and this gave them [the opportunity to create art] because we were able, through the support of the community, to raise enough money to give them art supplies.” Students painted zombies and witches with their best art skills across the windows of local diners and shops. Esther Henk, general manager of Cafe on the Square, said the restaurant has participated in the event since it started. “[Art Scared is] a way for downtown to be interactive with school age kids and it is really good to bring different parts of the community together,” Henk said. “It’s fun, it’s festive and it helps the kids get some awareness of downtown and some pride in their work being on display for the public.” Organizers designate painting spaces by taping off rectangles on
the windows of the 14 participating businesses. Henk said the event brings a warmth to the community that she gets more excited for each year. “I love this little tradition and every time I see the little squares taped on the windows, I get so excited,” Henk said. Brown credited the community’s generosity to the event’s success. “When we started out, we hadn’t raised a lot of money, so we would give [the children], bags of candy and Halloween kinds of treats,” Brown said. “And at this point, because of the support of the community, we were able to give them gift cards, pretty good size gift cards.” For Rain Webb, San Marcos Art League volunteer, the event brings a sense of inclusivity for all ages to a college town. Webb said children can have a hard time finding a place to display their art, so this event gives students a way to share their creations with the rest of the community. “I think when it comes to displaying your art when you’re a kid, it can be kind of difficult, even
in San Marcos ... I guess your only chances are like maybe the fair or the art league maybe,” Webb said. “I would say it definitely gives them a place and then everybody who walks downtown gets to enjoy their art.” Brown said her favorite part of the event is seeing children so excited to have a city event centered around them and their creativity. “Dealing with the kids is the best part because they’re so excited and they have so much fun. They’re so enthusiastic, you know?” Brown said.
SNAPS
8
Aiden Fritsche | Multimedia Editor | starmultimedia@txstate.edu
Tuesday, October 27, 2026
ALEX ORTIZ | STAR PHOTOGRAPHER
A dog dressed in an alligator costume walks alongside its owner during the 24th annual Pet Fest, Saturday, Oct. 24, in San Marcos. The event featured pet contests, live entertainment and local vendors. Phi Kappa Tau members dance at Hump Night, Wednesday, Oct. 21 at Sewell Park. Hump Night is a cultural tradition put on by the Pan-Hellenic Council.
AIDEN FRITSCHE | MULTIMEDIA EDITOR
Los Gatos 512 performs at Spirit Squared, Friday, Oct. 23, at the Hays County Courthouse. Spirit Squared celebrates Halloween and Día de los Muertos. Pet Supplies Plus representative Quentin Harrell handles a snake during the 24th annual PetFest on Saturday, Oct. 24, in San Marcos.
RAE KNIGHT | STAR PHOTOGRAPHER
ALEX ORTIZ | STAR PHOTOGRAPHER
Texas State MBA student Riley Singleton hits the blocks of hay at the end of the track, Friday, Oct. 23 on Read Street. The Soap Box Derby is a tradition that’s been around since 1967 SANTIAGO RIVERO | STAR PHOTOGRAPHER
LIBBY ALLEN | STAR PHOTOGRAPHER
Aurorah Mendez sings during TXST’s Got Talent, Monday, Oct. 19, at the LBJ Student Center. TXST’s Got Talent is an annual talent show held during homecoming week.
LAUREN TOURISH | STAR PHOTOGRAPHER
Participants wait at the starting line for Koko’s Glow Run Tuesday, Oct. 20, at West Sports Field. Participants ran to support breast cancer awareness and show TXST school spirit.