11 11 2009

Defending the First Amendment since 1911

www.UniversityStar.com

Cemetery turns 100

Volume 99, Issue 31

WEDNESDAY

NOV

11

Community members came out to commemorate the San Pedro Cemetery’s centennial and remember those who are buried there. See story page 5, and exclusive video at UniversityStar.com

Remembering

Fort Hood honors its fallen

By Bianca Davis News Reporter There were few dry eyes at the memorial held at Fort Hood to honor the victims of Thursday’s shooting.

President Obama spoke to a somber crowd estimated to be 15,000 Tuesday afternoon.

The president assumed the office of consoler-in-chief, as he told families and friends of those killed in Thursday’s tragedy.

“Your loved ones endure through the life of our nation,” Obama said. “Their memory will be honored in the places they lived and by the people they touched. Their lives’ work is our security and the freedom that we all too often take for granted.”

The audience was not solely soldiers. Friends, spouses, children and civilians stood together to honor and pay tribute to those who gave their lives in the tragedy. The masses gathered in a field enclosed by metal shipping freights.

Pictures of the 12 soldiers and one civilian, who fell prey to the violence, sat atop wooden pedestals in front of the platform from which speakers addressed the crowd. Each framed picture was accompanied with a pair of boots, in which a rifle was placed point down, topped with a helmet.

Pfc. Jessie Ponce, 25 of Red Bluff, Calif., arrived to the memorial site at 5 a.m., unloaded vans and carried in items for the display.

“Once I figured out what they were, I was like ‘Whoa — these are the pictures’” Ponce said. “It was disturbing in an upsetting way.”

Ponce said her days since the shooting have been filled with blank thoughts.

“I have my moments, I try not to think about it,” she said. “But sometimes when you’re alone, and it’s quiet — it hits you.”

Obama momentarily brought to life the memories of the fallen, describing each individually and telling his or her story. Together, the 13 individuals leave behind a total of 19 children. One soldier, Pvt. Francheska Velez, was pregnant with her first child when she was killed.

“This is a time of war, yet these Americans did not die on a foreign field of battle,” Obama said. “They were killed here, on American soil, in the heart of this great state, and the heart of this great American community. This is the fact that makes the tragedy even more painful, even more incomprehensible.”

Ponce described the sequence of events after she learned of the attack Thursday with clarity. She recalled listening to the radio with her company while in lockdown.

Ponce said describing her feelings was too complex for words.

“It’s indescribable honestly — it’s more emotions really.” said Ponce, whose

It’s not over yet The race for Place 5 continues

By Amanda Venable Editor in Chief The two standing candidates for Place 5 City Council are headed to a runoff after anticipated overseas ballots did not arrive.

Ryan Thomason and Lisa Maria Coppoletta awaited the results of expected out-of-thecountry ballots Monday, which held the potential to determine the elections’ fate.

“We had three ballots that were received that came from outside of our country, but none of them were from the jurisdiction of San Marcos,” said Joyce Cowan, Hays County elections administrator. “The outcome is not changed as far as the City of San Marcos.”

A runoff election will likely take place Dec. 15, pending City Council members’ approval of the designated date at their

Tuesday meeting.

Thomason missed winning the race by 0.1 percent of the votes Election Day. This is not the first year a local City Council race has been narrow.

Councilmember Gaylord Bose clinched Place 2 by three votes in 2006 against Jude Prather, public administration senior and current ASG veterans’ liaison. Mayor Susan Narvaiz took a nine-vote lead over opponent Dave Newman in last year’s election.

Coppoletta and Thomason are familiar with City Council elections. Coppoletta, Texas State adviser, lost to incumbent Councilmember Chris Jones, Place 4, in 2008 by approximately 12 percent of the votes.

Thomason, homebuilder, made a run against incumbent Counsee PLACE 5, page 3

Sara Strick/Star photos REMEMBERANCE: (top) Teresa Gaines, 2, daughter of Fort Hood soldier Chris Gaines, explores her surroundings at the Tuesday memorial service. (middle) President Barack Obama addressed the troops and civilians with words of encouragement and dignity. (bottom) Soldiers watched and mourned as the President spoke.

see FORT HOOD, page 3

Liaison pushes for war memorial

By Amanda Givens News Reporter A statue honoring veterans could share the Texas State campus with LBJ and the university mascot.

Jude Prather, ASG veteran liaison and public administration senior, returned in August from serving in Iraq. Prather is now fighting for another cause.

He is pushing for a memorial to be placed in the garden of World Wars I and II, and Korea and Vietnam Wars next to Flowers Hall.

Prather said the memorial will honor the sacrifices of those who served and are serving in the global War on Terror.

Student service fees funded the LBJ and bobcat statues, and Prather said he would like for a statue honoring veterans to be funded the same way.

Prather said Joanne Smith, vice president of Student Affairs, said they will not use service fees to pay for the memorial.

“A memorial such as the one I am proposing would bring the sacrifice we don’t see for us to have as a daily reminder,” Prather said. “It is difficult for me to believe a memorial cannot be funded when there have been aesthetic improvements

to the exterior of the university.”

Smith said it is policy for memorials to be coordinated through the University Advancement Office, and the LBJ and bobcat statues were exceptions to the rule.

“The LBJ statue was in commemoration of the centennial celebration,” Smith said. “The Boko statue was voted on by students because of Texas State’s Drive to FBS status.”

Smith said the bobcat statue cost approximately $75,000 to make. She could not remember how much the LBJ statue cost, but said it was more than the bobcat.

Smith said certain procedures must be followed when asking for funding for projects such as memorials or statues.

“I think it is important we appreciate the sacrifices our veterans have made for the United States,” Smith said. “My concerns with Prather’s proposal are where it is going to be located and who will be funding it.”

Prather said every project has its merits, but the newly proposed memorial would be meaningful to ROTC and veterans at Texas State. Prather said the deadly shootings at Fort Hood only solidify the reasons why Texas State needs the war

memorial.

“We are hoping people are not going to have to write checks for this memorial to happen,” Prather said. “With Texas State being located within a 100-mile reach of San Antonio and Fort Hood, we need to make Texas State known in the veteran community as the best school to attend.”

Prather said he has been in contact with a local funeral home, and they could make the memorial for approximately $4,000.

Prather was not sure how much it would cost to place in the garden.

Prather said the memorial would not honor only one person, but many. Former ROTC 2nd Lt. Andrews, who was killed Sept. 4, 2009 in Afghanistan, would be one of the honored. Lt. Andrews’ wife is expected to give birth in December to a second child.

Kaylyn Kizer, management sophomore, said she does not support tuition money being used on a memorial.

“Unless it was on a donation basis or an optional fee, I probably wouldn’t want it,” Kizer said.

Erica Denson, interdisciplinary studies sophomore, said she would enjoy havsee MEMORIAL, page 3

Public officials voice opinions on Saturday’s health care vote

By Dj Nutter News Reporter U.S. Congressman Lloyd Doggett rallied supporters at the Texas State College Democrats health reform day Tuesday at Christ Chapel. The event followed the universal health care bill passed by the House Saturday.

“The problem is, frankly, we do not have a dependable 60-vote majority (for round two in the Senate) to stop a filibuster,” Doggett said.

The House of Representatives passed the proposed health care bill by five votes,

NEWS

220 to 215.

“Although we won one round, one very important round no one could do before, the Senate and the Conference Committee prove to be very difficult rounds ahead of us,” Doggett said in front of the crowd of Texas State students.

Doggett said the dissenting opinion continues efforts to change the language of the bill as it makes its way to the Senate.

“Some of (the opposition) has already weakened a lot more than I would prefer in the House version,” Doggett said.

He said Texas State students will benefit from the bill, which allows “young Ameri-

OPINIONS

pages 1-3

page 4

Wonder World expansion project comes to an end

Main Point: Thank you veterans for your service to the nation

cans” to remain on their parents’ insurance until age 27. Doggett said the bill places a necessary cap on the costs in which insurance companies can force their patients to pay out of pocket. The bill eliminates insurance company policies in which they limit patient coverage based on pre-existing conditions.

Doggett said health care costs have been in an upward spiral because “fewer and fewer dollars” are allocated to health care sectors of the economy.

“Back when Hillary Clinton was trying to get this health insurance proposal through in the 1990s, 95 cents of every dollar we

TRENDS pages 5-6

Hays County Food Bank needs volunteers for holiday meals

paid actually went (toward health care),” Doggett said. “Today it’s about 80 cents, and it’s on a trend to go down substantially below that. That is upside down (if we are to lower costs).”

Doggett said he supported the bill because it “brings national competition” to the health sector. “(Eventually people) can visit a Web site much as you would to make a decision on Travelocity where you choose between flights, except you’d be comparing (insurance companies),” Doggett said.

Phil Sladek, libertarian and general see HEALTH CARE, page 3

SPORTS page 8

Mishak Rivas is fourth on Bobcat offense in rushing yards

Today’s Weather

78°/49° Sunny Precipitation: 0% Humidity: 58% UV: 5 Moderate Wind: NNE 9 mph

Page Two

2 - The University Star

ON THIS

DAY IN

HISTORY

1620: Forty-one Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower, anchored off Massachusetts, signed a compact calling for a “body politick.”

1831: Former slave Nat Turner, who had led a violent insurrection, was executed in Jerusalem, Va. 1889: Washington became the 42nd state.

1918: Fighting in World War I came to an end with the signing of an armistice between the Allies and Germany.

1921: President Warren G. Harding dedicated the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery.

1965: Rhodesia proclaimed its independence from Britain.

1972: The U.S. Army turned over its base at Long Binh to the South Vietnamese army, symbolizing the end of direct U.S. military involvement in the Vietnam War. 1998: Israel’s Cabinet narrowly ratified a land-forpeace agreement with the Palestinians.

2000: Republicans went to court, seeking an order to block manual recounts from continuing in Florida’s presidential election.

— Courtesy of New York Times

STARS OF TEXAS STATE Alberto Giordano, associate professor in the geography department, has received a grant from the National Science Foundation to study the darkest chapter of World War II: the Holocaust. He is co-leading a multinational research team in the first systematic examination of the geography of Holocaust, which involved the killing of an estimated 6 million people by the Nazi regime.

— Courtesy of University Marketing

Texas State University – San Marcos is a member of the Texas State University System

CRIME

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

BLOTTER Nov. 1, 2:31 a.m.

Information Report/Blanco Hall A police officer was dispatched to the location for a suspicious person call.

Upon further investigation, four nonstudents were issued criminal trespass warnings.

Nov. 1, 2:55 a.m.

Driving While Intoxicated/ Sessom Drive (East) A police officer made contact with a vehicle for a routine traffic stop. Upon further investigation, a nonstudent was arrested for driving while intoxicated and transported to Hays County Law Enforcement Center and is awaiting a court date.

Nov. 1, 7:26 p.m.

Possession of Marijuana/ Speck Street While on patrol, a police officer noticed two individuals engaging in suspicious activity. Upon further investigation, a student and nonstudent were arrested for possession of marijuana. Both were transported to Hays County Law Enforcement Center and are awaiting a court date.

Nov. 2, 9:00 a.m.

Failure to Comply-Striking Unattended Vehicle/ Cogeneration Plant A student reported to a police officer her vehicle was damaged while legally parked. The case is under investigation.

— Courtesy of University Police Department

Jake Marx/Star photo WE LOVE MUSIC: Texas State students enjoy a performance by Buzz ‘n Bangs Wednesday in the at LBJ Student Center amphitheater on during the KTSW Lunchbox.

Texas State hosts Celebration of the People Powwow Embracing the history, art and traditions of Native American cultures, the fifth annual Celebration of the People Powwow will be held Nov. 18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the LBJ Student Center amphitheatre.

Kate Koebbe, Native American Student Association president, said people attending this year’s event will have the opportunity to view and witness a wide variety of activities including southern drum, powwow dancing, flute playing, Aztec dancing, native vendors, artwork, Nokota horses, storytelling, native food and more.

“This year’s celebration will include an arts festival showcasing crafts and artwork of NASA members as well as professional artists,” Koebbe said.

Eric Slocombe is a featured artist whose

work will be showcased at the event.

Slocombe’s artwork is prominent in private collections throughout the region. His bronze sculpture of Chief Placido adorns the San Marcos city park. His work has been exhibited at the Southeastern Wildlife Expo, was named Outstanding New Artist by the Dallas Safari Club and participated in the 2008 Nature Works Show in Tulsa, Okla.

Koebbe said beyond artists and vendors, attendees to the powwow can gain a greater appreciation of Native American traditions. The Celebration of the People Powwow, she said, presents a variety of tribal heritages and cultures.

“There is a lot of student interest in this event,” Koebbe said. “Hundreds of people will develop a broader understanding of

native culture and maybe even reconnect with their own past even if it’s in a very small way.”

Groups represented at the event will include: Kiowa, Apache, Comanche, Lakota, Dakota, Choctaw, Paiute, Chickasaw, Sans Arc, Caddo, Delaware, Zuni, Huron, Navajo, Cherokee, Hawaiian, Aztec, Cree, Creek and Mohegan.

Sponsors of the event include: the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs, Underrepresented Student Advisory Council, Student Organizations Council, Coca Cola, Four Winds Intertribal Society, Inc., Multicultural Programming Committee, the history department and the Cornucopia.

— Courtesy of University News Service

News

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Place 5

continued from page

cilmember John Thomaides, Place 6, in 2006, losing by approximately 1,200 votes.

Thomason said he is confident entering the runoff.

“I have been kind of casually working on the game plan, I still don’t have a formula for it,” Thomason said. “The only thing we know is fewer people show up to vote during a runoff.”

If Thomason is correct, fewer

Memorial

1

than the 8 percent of registered voters in San Marcos who came out to the polls Election Day will vote in the runoff.

In a public statement on her campaign Web site, Coppoletta, who came in second with 26 percent of the votes, said she, too, is up for the challenge.

“I received nearly 5,000 votes just a year ago,” Coppoletta said

continued from page

in the statement. “I am confident in my chances of winning this runoff election as I pledge to continue to fight for people of San Marcos.”

If City Council members approve the Dec. 15 runoff date recommended by the Hays County Elections Office, early voting will be Nov. 30 through Dec. 11.

1

ing the war memorial at Texas State.

“I’d be fine with it as long as our tuition was not raised to make it,” Denson said.

Prather said he is hoping veterans will attend Texas

State because of the Post 9/11 GI Bill and the possible memorial.

“With the Post 9/11 GI Bill, the VA pays your tuition and you’ll get a $1,200 monthly stipend,” Prather said. “I am

Fort Hood

continued from page

barracks are located on the same strip the shooting occurred. “To me this is something I see on TV, something that doesn’t happen down the street from me.”

Monica Goodrich, who lives on base, said she wishes her

deployed husband was with her.

“It was just scary,” Goodrich said. “Nobody’s safe anymore, that’s how it feels. It’s like you have to watch over your shoulder.”

Goodrich said during the

hoping because of our proximity to military bases and amenities that are veteranfriendly, more veterans will call San Marcos and Texas State home.”

1 memorial service her fears were replaced by feelings of remorse and sadness for the families of those who died.

“For those families who have lost a loved one, no words can fill the void that’s been left,” Obama said.

Planners value residents’ input in community development

By Lori Jones News Reporter City development depends on San Marcos residents.

Residents will be able to work with city planners to amend the City Master Plan beginning January.

“We will open community workshops and meetings to gather input from different focus groups, business owners and residents to determine where the community wants to go as a whole,” said Matthew Lewis, assistant director of development services.

The community meetings will be open to all San Marcos residents, including students, Lewis said.

“These kinds of processes really help shape how you live and creates the type of environment you live in,” Lewis said. “The more people who come out and speak on that, the more balanced approach you get to development of the City.”

Low voter turnout has city planners worried there will be low public involvement in amending the Master Plan, Lewis said.

“There is nothing that affects day to day life like local government,” Lewis said.

“Election results reflect a lot of people don’t understand that.”

City planners want residents’ input for aspects of the Master Plan including alternative transportation, water and waste water systems and environmental issues, Lewis said.

“We are going to see how the community feels about adding sustainability modules,” Lewis said. “Green roof systems, lowering emissions, better water management are several environmental efforts to help green the city.”

Lewis said it would be about 18 months until any of the changes would be implemented.

“During the process we will draft plans and go back to the community and show them those plans,” he said. “It’s a very circular process, but we want the development to be appropriate for the community.

Devin Carhurst, 18-year-old resident, said he and his family plan on taking part in the open meetings.

“There are all kinds of things around the city that could be

improved,” Carhurst said. “I think it’s important the people who live here help point them out.”

Carhurst said better publicity of the community meetings would increase public involvement.

“I’ve lived here all my life so I have a better idea of what’s going on,” Carhurst said. “The students at Texas State should be made aware because they live here too and these things affect them.”

Wendy Robles, elementary education senior, said she probably would not attend any community meetings.

“Most students don’t live here so changes that will occur in San Marcos after several years won’t affect them,” Robles said.

Lewis said any residents are encouraged to come because it provides a balanced approach at developing different areas of the city.

“We want to establish a community vision, and determine what it is we want San Marcos to be,” Lewis said. “Texas State students are a big part of this community and a part of that vision.”

The University Star - 3

Health Care

continued from page

1

surgeon in Central Texas for 21 years, spoke at the rally.

“I do not believe universal health care will drop the cost of health care one bit in this country,” Sladek said.

He said extending coverage to all Americans mandates them to prioritize spending money on health insurance versus spending it on entertainment.

“So, Texas State, you may not want to hear this but next Spring Break, when you decide to go down to Padre Island for the week, if you haven’t paid for your health insurance you may not be able to go,” Sladek said.

Sladek said he will ask congressman Doggett to avoid partisanship circulating around the health care debate.

“Even though you listen to the debate and there is a lot of demagoguery and rhetoric and hostile language, there are some good things the Republicans do have,” Sladek said. “(Some of their ideas) should be considered if we’re being honest and

open about what is best for the entire country, not just one party or the other.”

Jaime Bouzard, pastor of Christ Chapel, said he approaches health care reform as a moral issue, rather than solely an economic issue. “(Jesus) showed indiscriminate mercy to all, not just those with the right papers or insurance policies,” Bouzard said.

City Councilmember Chris Jones, Place 4, agreed with Bouzard.

“Our American principle is the preservation of life is first, foremost and paramount to all other rights,” Jones said.

Jones said students have a responsibility and obligation as the next generation “to change this conflicting ideology as it relates to health care.”

City Councilmember John Thomaides, Place 6, spoke at the rally from the position of a small business owner.

Thomaides said he recently called Boston Health to in-

vestigate whether his funds would suffice health coverage for him and his wife. “(They started off by giving me) a list of 10 to 12 reasons why they wouldn’t cover me,” Thomaides said. “I cannot afford health care payments larger than my mortgage, especially just for decent health care.”

Thomaides said he disagrees with the current heath care system.

“I don’t think we could have designed a worse health system in this country if we set out to do so,” he said.

Mandy Domaschk, president of Texas State Democrats, said she is optimistic Senate Democrats will get the 60 votes needed for the bill to be permitted for a floor debate.

“You cannot expect one law to be a panacea for all, though,” Domaschk said.

Protestors were not present at the rally.

By Rachel Nelson News Reporter

open as early as August.

“The drought was bad for a lot of reasons, but it was good for road construction.

We were able to get ahead,” Millecam said.

Mike Sexton, engineer for Kellogg Brown & Root, said bicyclists will benefit from the new road because it includes 10-foot wide shoulders. A mile-long hike and bike trail is also incorporated, he said.

Millecam said the Wonder World expansion costs $26.38 million and is the largest transportation project in San Marcos history in terms of funding. She said voters approved the project in a 1998 bond election.

The Texas Department of Transportation agreed to reimburse the city during the next 10 to 20 years based on the parkway traffic volume.

“The state will pay us back $3 to $6 million per year,” Millecam said.

Narvaiz said the city did not ask the county for a contribution.

Millecam said the parkway will provide visual beauty and convenience to motorists.

“The road is surrounded by park land, it’s a beautiful view, especially when you’re coming from Ranch Road 12,” Millecam said. “It’s really much higher than the Hunter Road area. It’ll be a beautiful drive.”

Sexton said wildflowers will be planted to beautify the project.

“The city has gone the extra

mile to make this more than another piece of asphalt on the road,” Sexton said. “It’s not just a new road. It’s a showcase for the community.”

Millecam said because the parkway runs through an environmentally sensitive area that is mostly designated park land, development will be limited along the road. Preliminary steps were taken because of the nature of the land.

“It goes through the hill country and a recharge zone into the Edwards Aquifer,” Millecam said. “We took precautions and spent a good deal of money on environmental work, archaeological studies and litigations.”

Sexton said he created accommodating designs to prevent pollution from spilling into the Edwards Aquifer, and ditches were re-aligned to avoid cutting down trees.

The city is also rebuilding the intersection at Wonder World Drive and Hunter Road in association with the expansion project.

“It’ll certainly be done in the near future,” Millecam said.

“We expect to have the intersection done by the first of the year, weather permitting, and that can be a big caveat.”

Narvaiz said she eagerly awaits the completion of the new parkway.

“We look forward to opening this project and getting it in the hands of residents who have envisioned it and paid for it,” Narvaiz said.

Wonder World expansion is environmentally friendly The Wonder World Drive expansion project to alleviate heavy traffic areas in San Marcos may be completed sooner than expected, according to city officials.

The four-lane, 3.2-mile divided parkway will connect Interstate-35 to Ranch Road 12.

Construction began on the project in December.

Melissa Millecam, communications director for the city, said it has been on the drawing board for years.

“The parkway will take heavy truck traffic out of neighborhoods and let them go directly to the interstate,” Millecam said. “It will create greater ease of access of the growing population that’s going to western Hays County and relieve congestion in neighborhoods.”

Mayor Susan Narvaiz described the road as “our first premiere gateway into the community.” She said the roadway will decrease emissions, and help the city meets its clean air goals. It will help with the noise and safety concerns associated with heavy traffic.

“We can’t wait to get the traffic out of downtown and onto the roadway,” Narvaiz said.

The project is slated for completion by October, but Millecam said it is running ahead of schedule and could

Opinions

What’s your opinion?

Send your thought to staropinion@txstate.edu Remember to keep it between 400 and 500 words

4 – The University Star

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Our turn to take care of our troops

the main

V

Star Illustration/ Russell Weiss

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.

etran’s Day will be a somber holiday this year.

The shooting at Fort Hood reminded us of the troops’ bravery and heroism.

Veterans are not solely overseas fighting wars we see on television or read about in the newspaper. Men and women in all the branches of the military are at home and abroad working to ensure the rest of us can sleep at night.

Here’s the cold truth about the world — there are people who want to see us wiped from the face of the earth. Some of these people where raised in nations with dictators who are certifiably insane, and think of the United States of America as literally the devil — an evil force to be purged.

So why is it we, as Americans, can continue about our daily lives and not worry about these powerful psychopaths who want to see us go the way of the Roman Empire?

It’s because our fighting forces are without question the finest the world has ever seen. Anyone who is so unfortunate as to be on the opposing end of the American military should realize their folly quickly. They should lay down their arms in surrender or will surely meet their end.

It is for this reason we can continue about our daily lives and enjoy our freedoms. What is truly astounding is these people who go through so much to protect us volunteered for the position.

They sacrifice because they believe in protecting everything that makes living in America so great.

Our fighting forces protect us from those previously mentioned sociopaths who have a Napoleon complex and a nuclear arsenal.

In return, we must protect them.

There are approximately 1,100 veterans at Texas State. These individuals, along with the millions of soldiers who have volunteered to protect our country throughout its history, are worthy of our respect and gratitude.

It is these individuals who have protected our rights to vote, free speech, freedom of religion and other liberties people in this country often take for granted. But it does not come without taking a toll on them.

Veterans return from combat zones with serious mental and physical injuries. Before, in more backward times, people were not allowed to talk about injuries from war. They were viewed as signs of weakness, or the victims were dismissed as unable to handle war.

But these afflictions have hurt more people than anyone realized.

They can happen to anyone and are in no way a sign of weakness or lack of fortitude. Now we know more about these afflictions. The military should spare no expense to ensure the well being of our veterans.

Texas State will be commemorating Veteran’s Day at 10:45 a.m. today in The Quad. It will be a good time to reflect on the soldiers across the world.

So sleep well tonight. You’re taken care of.

Education is a privilege, not instant gratification

By Kaycee Toller Opinions Editor It’s that time of the semester when students have tons of tests, papers, projects and obnoxious e-mails from classmates: “Hey guys i totally didnt go to class 4 a wile! can sum 1 send me all the notes??? lol” Students in big lecture classes are at risk of receiving several of these each day for the sole reason that students are more rude than any adult ever should be.

There is at least one person

who consistently arrives late, leaves early and spends the majority of class time texting or playing Farmville.

These students will invade other students’ inboxes the week of a test or project to beg for help they do not deserve.

People who behave like this need to realize a college education is a privilege people wish they could have.

These students waste the time and resources of hardworking students and professors who understand the value of education.

The university does its best to convert lazy students into

studious individuals. Faculty take attendance grades and require all students take University Seminar to help them realize their grade is affected by willingness to learn.

It’s understandable the university administration wants all of its attendees to succeed, but students should earn this success, rather than expect faculty to bend over backward to accommodate them.

Albert Cheng, business manager of the LBJ Student Center, teaches University Seminar. Cheng believes it is

necessary to show students the resources the university offers them. He teaches them how to get more from their education by taking responsibility for it.

“Some of the students need to learn how to transition from high school to college,” Cheng said. “We have to try to teach them the right attitude about education.”

Cheng suggested students whose attitude does not change from high school to college will not make it through four years of higher education.

Money is a good incentive

for students to work hard for their degree. But for those who do not pay for college themselves, school is a place to party without their parents getting upset.

The university is doing as much as possible to prevent students from going down this path. There is only so much that can be done when the country’s culture despises hard work and praises instant gratification.

This attitude has lowered the value of all students’ education, since faculty have to take time to check attendance and ask students to get off of their

phones and computers.

There is definitely something wrong with our culture when a major university feels the need to require a class that teaches adults how to act their age.

When students can learn to work hard to earn their degrees rather than expect them to be handed over in a silver sippy cup, colleges will once again be seen as respectable institutions instead of extensions of high school.

the possible abuse of legislative authority in response to some noble crusade.

Smoking restrictions should be used to protect individuals’ rights to a safe educational environment. Having experienced unwarranted encounters with secondhand smoke, I completely agree and support any motion toward protecting the students’ population against these unwanted intrusions. Thus, the first goal of any proposal to regulate smoking should be protecting the rights of nonsmokers, not dictating alternative lifestyles.

Secondly, Terrell added, “Smoking on campus is illogical” which is completely ill-founded. A campus-wide ban on smoking would be

illogical considering the university cannot enforce the current restrictions. In addition, it would be restricting Texas State students, faculty and staff, who do smoke.

According to the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) National Center for Health Statistics, 23.5 percent of males smoke and 20.9 percent of females smoke in the United States.

By using the Texas State University Census Day Enrollment Data, one can conclude 22 percent of students smoke which would add up to 6,415 students. In addition, Texas State has 457 acres of land on the main campus alone, providing enough enforcement across campus would also be illogical.

I live at an on-campus apartment complex where alcohol is not allowed outside my balcony, no matter the consumer’s age. Would this ban mean I could not step outside my apartment in order to smoke a cigarette?

Thirdly, I would like to highlight a campus-wide ban will not discourage students from smoking. Surprisingly this authoritative approach may have the opposite effect on young students. Smoking is already on the decline because of health awareness and marketing restrictions — not as a result of smoking bans. In addition, nothing discourages a young student from smoking more than a coughing 40-yearold man who looks like he is 50. By keeping designated

smoking areas, students can make their own choices of whether to smoke or not.

However, action is necessary in order to keep nonsmokers safe from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke. Three main steps are needed in order to best address the problem.

First, the university must place better signs indicating not only the non-smoking areas but also the designated smoking areas.

The second would include a more comprehensive zoning method, which is convenient to both smokers and nonsmokers.

Lastly, enforcement is necessary to correct those who choose to violate the smoking restrictions.

These adjustments are sure to protect not only the

nonsmokers’ right to clean air but also the smokers’ right to smoke a cigarette.

I believe the majority of smokers are conscious of the health risks involved to not only themselves but to those around them. However, some smokers are just plain rude and protection for nonsmokers is necessary. By increasing communication between students and properly designating smoking areas, solutions will emerge.

A solution enforced by the legislative arm of ASG would only intrude on the students’ opportunity to properly address and resolve these problems.

—Kaycee Toller is a journalism senior

Letter to the Editor: Smoking ban would not solve violations

By Gil Avila Letter to the Editor

I would like to address the solutions proposed in the Nov. 5 article entitled “Prospective smoking bans in the works,” which discussed the solutions an ASG committee came up with for smoking violations on campus.

The article concluded the best way to address the smoking violations and to increase students’ health is to ban smoking across campus.

I will provide three main reasons why this proposal is invalid and unjust.

Firstly, the legislation’s duty is not to “direct and advise students to healthier lives,” as ASG Sen. Dallen Terrell said.

This statement is a reflection of

The University Star 601 University Drive Trinity Building, Room 101 San Marcos, TX 78666 Phone: (512) 245-3487 Fax: (512) 245-3708

Editor In Chief.........................................................Amanda Venable, stareditor@txstate.edu

Managing Editor...............................................Claire Heathman, starcopychief@txstate.edu

Account Executive.......................................................Marissa Alonzo, starad3@txstate.edu

Letters.....................................................................................................starletters@txstate.edu

Copy Desk Chief...................................................Rikki Saldivar, starcopychief@txstate.edu

Office Manager...............................................Emily Gerngross, starclassifieds@txstate.edu

News Editor........................................................................Allen Reed, starnews@txstate.edu

Web Editor............................................................Scott Thomas, starwebeditor@txstate.edu

Media Specialist.....................................................................Matt Lynch, matty@txstate.edu

Trends Editor...........................................Ashley Dickinson, starentertainment@txstate.edu

Design Editor......................................................Anthony Reynolds, stardesign@txstate.edu

Advertising Coordinator.....................................................Jodie Claes, starad1@txstate.edu

Opinions Editor.............................................................Brett Thorne staropinion@txstate.edu

Art Director...........................................................Michelle Oros, starartdirector@txstate.edu

Publications Coordinator..........................................................Linda Allen, la06@txstate.edu

Photo Editor......................................................................Sara Strick, starphoto@txstate.edu

Sales Manager.................................................................Krystal Slater, starad2@txstate.edu

Publications Director.............................................Bob Bajackson, stardirector@txstate.edu

Sports Editor....................................................................Lisa Carter, starsports@txstate.edu

Marketing................................................................Samantha Manley, sm1299@txstate.edu

Visit The Star at www.UniversityStar.com

— Gil Avila is a history senior

The University Star is the student newspaper of Texas State UniversitySan 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 Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday with a distribution of 8,000. Printing and distribution is by the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung.

Copyright Wednesday, November 11. 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

End of an Era

Aerosmith front man Steven Tyler has left the building and the band. Tyler said he wants to focus on solo work and has already hired a manager.

Aerosmith is not dead yet, according to billboard.com. Guitarist Joe Perry said the band is in the process of searching for a new singer.

The University Star – 5

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Community, students gather at historic cemetery

By Patrick Berger Features Reporter Tucked quietly in the shadow of the traffic of Interstate-35 and the bustle of Tanger Outlet Mall lies a little known piece of San Marcos history.

Texas State anthropology students gathered with community members to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the San Pedro Cemetery, one of the oldest Hispanic cemeteries in the area.

Hispanics were unable to bury their dead in public cemeteries because of segregation in 1909. Prominent local Hispanics collected money and established a mutual aid society to purchase land for creating a cemetery and assisting community members in paying for funeral expenses.

The land was virtually neglected by the community as the country became more racially integrated. Families of the founding members renewed the cemetery as a prominent burial ground for local Mexican American families in the 1960s.

Attendees congregated near the center of the cemetery 2 p.m. Saturday for a commemorative ceremony led by Ana Juarez, associate professor in the department of anthropology. Juarez, mistress of ceremonies, introduced a panel of speakers with connections to the San Pedro Cemetery Association.

Gerron Hite, cemetery preservation coordinator for the Texas Historical Commision,

discussed San Pedro Cemetery’s attempt at induction into the Historic Texas Cemetery Designation Program.

The program stands for recognition and protection for historic cemeteries.

“1,300 cemeteries have applied,” Hite said. “That may seem like a big number, but when you consider there are 50,000 cemeteries in the state, that’s a fairly small number.”

Juarez, academic liaison for the San Pedro Cemetery Association, organized the event with the intention of collecting information about people buried at San Pedro for cultural preservation. Anthropology students were onsite to collect information from family members present at the event.

“We’re taking ethnographic data, which is basically information about people’s culture and family,” said Jain Orr, cultural anthropology sophomore.

Juarez told attendees they hold valuable information for historic preservation and the cultural value of a cemetery is sometimes overlooked.

“As anthropologists, we’re interested in people’s history and culture,” Juarez said. “A cemetery is a wonderful place to learn about it.”

Juarez said she was happy to be part of the project because it would encourage interaction between the university and community.

“For many of you, the university is ‘that place on the hill,’” Juarez told the audience.

“I hope with some of the research we’re doing, we can help bridge that gap.”

CENTURY CELEBRATION: Anthropology students of Texas State and San Marcos residents gathered Saturday to celebrate the 100 anniversary of the San Pedro Cemetery.

Bobby Scheidemann/Star photos

Phone application reduces shopping frustrations

By Thea Setterbo Features Reporter Students looking for a good deal at San Marcos’s Tanger and Prime Outlets might find their search easier with the help of a new phone application.

Software engineer Austin Westfall and business partner Sariah Welch Lopez have developed “Softwhere,” an application for the Blackberry.

The application includes an inclusive mall directory, an option to save the location of a parking spot, notifications of sales at favorite retail stores and information about special events.

The idea hit in 2008 when Westfall was on the hunt for a Father’s Day gift at Barton Creek Mall and nature called.

He noticed how difficult it was to find the directories displaying where the restrooms were located.

“I thought if there was something able to tell me right away where things in the mall were, that would be great,” Westfall said.

Westfall and Lopez then

formed the company Sabo Software.

“We’re two entrepreneurminded people who were interested in starting a business,” Westfall said.

Softwhere is free to any user and will be available on www. sabosoftware.com in November.

The application is available for download at the Blackberry App World and includes a directory for the Tanger Outlet Mall. Westfall and Lopez met with representatives for the Prime Outlets Friday to discuss future Softwhere plans.

“The program is very expandable,” Westfall said. “To offer the entire package to users, we think we should include both Tanger and Prime Outlets.”

Softwhere is in the development stages, Westfall and Lopez hope to go nationwide by Jan. 1 to include malls across America in the search database.

The company is looking to expand the application for use on other phones.

“To speed up the process,

we’ve contracted work to adjust the application for different phone platforms,” Lopez said.

Sabo Software hopes to make Softwhere available for the Motorola Droid, Palm Pre, Apple iPhone and other cell phones by January. iPhone users can help test the Softwhere application before it launches by e-mailing Westfall at austin@sabosoftware.com.

The application is funded by the Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) who own malls and rent space to retailers. Westfall and Lopez hope retailers will see Softwhere’s positive impact on sales and encourage the REITs to market the application in other malls.

“We want to help malls and their ability to get the most done with the least amount of effort,” Lopez said. “We want this to be a mutually beneficial relationship.”

Westfall and Lopez plan to leave advertisements out of the application.

“We want the experience to

be easy, smooth and relaxing,” Lopez said.

Taryn Harris, cultural anthropology senior, said the application would help her navigate around the chaos of the stores.

“That (application) sounds awesome,” Harris said. “It would save me a lot of time, particularly when I’m in a

hurry.”

Ben Sullivan, philosophy senior, said he avoids the outlets as much as possible, but the application sounds interesting.

“I think I would be more impressed with that technology than with the outlet malls,” Sullivan said.

The next client on Sabo Software’s list of possibilities is

property bigwig Simon Corporation, though Lopez said it might be a few months before plans for Simon Malls will be discussed.

“Sometimes things take a while in large corporations,” Lopez said. “It’s often harder to coordinate schedules the higher up you go.”

Trends

6 - The University Star

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Local craft makers, artists sell a lifestyle

By Colleen Gaddis Features Reporter When someone asks Julia Rojas about her earrings or bracelets, she does not drop names like Kenneth Cole or Tiffany’s. Instead, she says her own name.

“If someone buys a piece of my jewelry, they can trust they are supporting me and not an industry,” said Rojas, interdisciplinary studies junior. “Instead of going to a big name corporation who have artisans trying to sell a product, I am trying to sell a lifestyle.”

Rojas is in the trend of artists who make and sell jewelry, clothes and other crafts online or at fairs. Individuals use the idea of “upcycling,” or the process of making something new out of something broken or old.

Sara Yeater, studio art junior, has been crafting as long as she can remember, but only recently began selling her necktie celebrity portraits online.

“I think crafting has become more popular recently because the recession has made us better appreciate things without an objective value,” Yeater said. “Younger generations have caught on and are being more creative to solve social problems.”

Katinka Pinka is a San Marcos local who sells handmade goods at local fairs and online.

She finds inspiration from her grandmother’s lifestyle during the Great Depression. Pinka

said her grandmother recycled everything she owned until there was nearly nothing left.

“I watched my grandmother sew clothes for me as I grew up and knew it was something I could do, too,” Pinka said. “I enjoy finding vintage dresses and jewelry that are falling apart, salvaging what I can from them and turning those bits into new and wearable pieces.”

Rojas, Yeater and Pinka all sell their works online at Etsy. com, a Web site where users can buy and sell anything handmade.

Etsy users come from more than 150 countries with thousands of sellers. The Web site provides a place to shop, sell and network with artists.

Web sites such as Threadbanger, Craftster and Burda Style provide services similar to Etsy, but there are plenty of local arenas for artists to sell their crafts. Austin, Wimberly, Gruene and San Marcos contain different arts and crafts fairs throughout the year.

Rojas, like most of her fellow craft artists, does not create for only profit.

“We belong to a generation that, like any generation, has the potential to make big strides globally and domestically,” Rojas said. “I think we are seeing the roots of this in the movement to buy and produce locally, which includes crafts.”

FOOD BANK: San Marcos residents can donate canned goods and give $20 toward a fall Thanksgiving meal.

Bobby Scheidemann/Star photo

Volunteers, donations needed at local food bank for holidays

By Brittany Bemis Assistant Trends Editor Things able to be purchased with $20: Two movie tickets, a new T-shirt or a turkey dinner with all the trimmings for a deserving Hays County family.

Pat Tessaro, Hays County Food Bank Community relations coordinator, said the downturn in the economy has affected the amount of food needed.

“Last year, we served 1,375 local families, and this year we expect to aide about 1,500,” Tessaro said. “It is a pretty simple concept — $20 will give a family a turkey box.”

A Turkey Box includes a 10 to 12 pound turkey, canned corn, canned green beans, canned yams, stuffing mix,

cranberry sauce, onions, potatoes, celery, a loaf of bread and a dessert.

Tessaro said despite the recession, individual donations are holding steady.

“Corporate and business donations have declined, but we think we will still be able to make our goals,” Tessaro said. “We are experiencing an increase in the quantity asking for food. It has increased by 20 percent since last year.”

Tessaro said even when times are tight, people will give what they can when they think of a hungry child.

Kate Shaw, activities coordinator, said volunteers are needed at the Food Bank.

“We need people to work in the office, file papers and drivers to deliver food,” Shaw

said. “If you like to garden, we need people to help work in the community garden.”

Volunteer opportunities range from assisting with writing the newsletter, helping maintain the database or aid with event planning, according to the Hays County Food Bank’s Web site.

Shaw said the upcoming C.R.O.P. Hunger walk, scheduled for Feb. 28, 2010, would be an excellent occasion to get involved.

A C.R.O.P. Hunger Walk is used to raise awareness and funds about local and international hunger needs, according to Church World Services Web site.

Kristine Gates, art senior, said she feels volunteering is important.

“Getting involved in your community is a great way to get to know new people,” Gates said. “The bonus is being able to help out (your community) at the same time.”

Gates said she feels empathy toward those who worry about food.

“I can’t imagine how scary it would be to not know where my next meal is coming from,” Gates said. “I think people should try to help those less fortunate, especially during the holiday season.”

Tessaro said donations can be made via the food bank’s Web site.

Visit www.turkeystacklinghunger.org for more information.

Entertainment Calendar Wednesday •Bill Jerram, 6 p.m., The Bayou City Outlaw Band, Bastard Boys, 10 p.m., Triple Crown •Molly Hays, 8 p.m., Riley’s Tavern •Checkered Cab Sessions Revisited, 7 p.m., Gruene Hall •Open Mic with host Tony Taylor, 10:30 p.m., Gray Horse Saloon • Kent Finlays Songwriters Circle, 9:30 p.m., Cheatham Street Warehouse

Saturday •Spank, Stegosaurus Lips 10 p.m., Triple Crown •Omar and The Howlers, 8 p.m., Riley’s Tavern •Warren Hood and The Hoodlums, 1 p.m., Tanya Tucker, 9 p.m., Gruene Hall •Fatcracker, 10:30 p.m., Gray Horse Saloon •Country Music Marathon, 2 p.m., Cheatham Street Warehouse

Thursday •Bruce Smith, 6 p.m., The Couch, Chief Fuzzer, Wargasm, 10 p.m., Triple Crown •Thirsty Thursday with Mike Ethan Messick and Friends, 8 p.m., Riley’s Tavern •Robert Earl Keen, 8 p.m., Gruene Hall •Amber Lucille, 10:30 p.m., Gray Horse Saloon •Honey Browne, 9:30 p.m., Cheatham Street Warehouse

Sunday •Open Mic w/ Glen Allan, 8 p.m., Riley’s Tavern •Gospel Brunch with a Texas twist, 10:30 a.m., Asleep at the Wheel, The Derailers, •Marvin Dykhuis & Chip Dolan, 12 p.m., Van Wilks, 4 p.m. Gruene Hall •Karaoke, 10:30 p.m., Gray Horse Saloon

Friday •RC Banks, 6 p.m., The Blue Hit, Carley Wolf, Danny Malone, 10 p.m., Triple Crown •Joel Hofmann Band, 8 p.m., Riley’s Tavern •Robert Earl Keen, 9 p.m., Gruene Hall •Matt Begley and Bitter Whiskey, 10:30 p.m., Gray Horse Saloon •Texas Renegade, 9:30 p.m., Cheatham Street Warehouse

Monday •Gerry’s Kids 6 p.m., Del Feo, Squid Bucket, Sixs & Eights, 9 p.m., Triple Crown •Free Jukebox, 8 p.m., Riley’s Tavern •Bret Graham, 7 p.m., Gruene Hall •Matt Begley Song Swap, 10:30 p.m., Gray Horse Saloon

diversions

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

The University Star - 7

c ro s s w o rd

sudoku courtesy of McClatchy-Tribune

Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit www.sudoku.org.uk TOday’s sudoku solution

© 11/11/09 The Mepham Group.

Distributed by Tribune Media Services. All rights reserved.

Classifieds Classifieds Contact – starclassifieds@txstate.edu

Announcements

ALCOHOL & Drug Resource Center AA MEETINGS -Tuesday & Thursday 12:30-1:30pm LBJSC 3.4 -Fridays 11am-till noon LBJSC 4.1.

For Rent

208 UHLAND. 2BD/1BA. Renovated and ready to move-in. On the shuttle.

Call Legacy Real Estate (512) 665-3321, legacyrealestate.biz

For Rent—Condos/ Townhomes $810 PRE-LEASE TODAY for 1/9/10.

2BD/2.5BA Townhouse 1,000 sq.ft., 3 blocks from TxState, small, clean & quiet community. Free HBO, free internet, W/D. www.windmilltownhomes.com 2BD/2BA WITH W/D AVAILABLE NOW. $600/mo. Park North, (512) 353-7644.

For Rent—Duplex

611 BRACEWOOD. 2BD/2BA. Renovated and ready to move-in. Call Legacy Real Estate (512) 665-3321, legacyrealestate.biz

519 HUTCHISON. 3BD/3BA CLOSE TO TSU. Full-size W/D included. Call Legacy Real Estate (512) 665-3321, legacyrealestate.biz

NORTH GATE ON LBJ has 1BD/1BA for $675 & a 2BD/2BA for $775.

Both newly remodeled units. Walk to campus. Water/waste water paid.

Visit legacyrealestate.biz and call Joe at (512) 665-3321 for a showing.

!BARTENDING! UP TO $300/DAY. No experience necessary. Training Provided. Age 18+ OK. (800)9656520 ext. 157.

For Rent—Apts

Help Wanted

Help Wanted

ATHLETIC, OUTGOING MEN FOR CALENDARS, GREETING CARDS, ETC. $100-200/hr., up to $1,000/day.

No exp. needed, 512)684-8296.

DRIVER TRAINEES NEEDED! Trucking Companies hiring NOW--No CDL, No Problem! Training available with Roadmaster! Call now!

(866) 659-0565 EARN EXTRA MONEY! Students needed ASAP, earn up to $150/ day being a mystery shopper. No experience required! Call 1 (800) 722-4791.

PART-TIME, NIGHTS AND WEEKENDS. Willing to work around school schedule and starts at $7.50/ hr. Contact Frieda at (512) 393-1969.

STUDENTPAYOUTS.COM Paid survey takers needed in San Marcos. 100% FREE to join. Click on surveys.

rates & policies Cost-25¢ per word (1-6 days); Cost-20¢ per word (7+ days); Deadline-2 business days prior by noon All classified ads must be paid in advance, unless credit is established. Classified ads will be edited for style purposes. We do our best, but please check your classified ad for accuracy. Any corrections to your ad must be made by the second day of publication. As a free service to you, all classified ads will be published on-line on our web site at www.universitystar.com. However, 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.

Help Wanted

TEACHERS NEEDED: Now hiring part-time afternoon teachers.

Experience preferred but not required. Get paid to play. Must be available M-F 2:30-6:30 PM. Quality Child Development Center in Kyle.

(512) 405-3700 or fax (512) 405-3701. www.rockinghorseacademy.com

WANTED FUTURE COACHES FOR LOCAL BOYS SELECT JR. HIGH AND HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL TEAM. Post high school experience preferred, not mandatory. Call Sam at (512) 557-6337 to inquire.

Personals

$5,000 PAID. EGG DONORS. +Exps.

N/Smokers, ages 19-29, SAT>1100/ ACT>24/GPA>3.0 Reply to: info@eggdonorcenter.com

Sublease

SUBLEASE AT THE EDGE. 1BD/1BA, $740 a month, all bills paid except electricity. Call (956) 655-2925.

Sublease

TIRED OF COMMUTING EVERYDAY? Looking to sublease 4BD/4BA apartment within 5 miles of campus at The Edge! For more info., please call (713) 412-6378.

Wanted

NURSE AIDE TRAINING. Registering for classes.

Contact Comfort Connection Nurse Aide Training (512) 392-4663.

Wanted

SEMEN DONORS NEEDED! $150 per specimen, healthy college students age 18-39. For application go to www.123donate.com

The University Star is now accepting applications for Spring 2010. For more information email stareditor@txstate.edu

Sports 8 - The University Star

HALL HONOREES

The 2009 Texas State Athletic Hall of Honor class was announced by the “T” Association Tuesday. Paul Borreson, former basketball player, Bob Hackney, former track and field star and Tim Staksus, former football player, make up this year’s class. The alumni will be officially inducted Nov. 20.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Sports Contact, Lisa Carter – starsports@txstate.edu

‘Kid Flash’ makes name known in Bobcat football

By Keff Ciardello Sports Reporter

At first glance, the 5’6,” 155-pound Mishak Rivas, sophomore wide receiver, does not look like a college football player.

It is when he is on the field, zipping past defenders with Darren Sproles-like quickness that makes it easy to understand how a player of his stature earned the nickname “Kid Flash.”

“I love the Flash — he’s my favorite superhero,” Rivas said.

“Everybody tells me I’m a kid at heart, so the name works. I wear it (under my eyes) during games.”

Rivas has donned personalized eye black in every game he has played that reads “Kid” on one side and “Flash” on the other. The only game Rivas changed the eye black was Oct. Ben Rondeau/Star photo 31, when he wore “Baby KimPRACTICE MAKES PERFECT: Mishak Rivas, sophomore wide receiver, stays late after practice bo” during the Bobcats’ victory Tuesday evening in preparation for Saturday’s game against McNeese State. over Stephen F. Austin.

Soccer clubs confident going into national championship series

By Dustin Porterfield Sports Reporter

The men’s and women’s club soccer teams will head west to the 2009 National Campus Championship Series national tournament held in Phoenix, Ariz. for the second consecutive year. Both teams qualified for the tournament by winning their respective regional tournaments last weekend in San Antonio.

It was not easy for the women’s team to claim an automatic bid to the tournament, as it played a thriller against Texas Tech in the regional final. The Bobcats faced the Red Raiders for the chance to proceed after defeating Texas and Louisiana State and tying with Baylor.

“It was a really tight game,” said Marissa Harold, vice president of the women’s soccer club. “Everyone was crashing Bobby Sheidemann/Star photo the goal. It got pretty intense and eventually finished in a THE BIG LEAGUE: The Texas State women’s soccer club prepares for nationals at Monday’s practice.

0-0 tie. After nobody scored in (overtime), we had five-on-five Bobcat club soccer is noth- two games were 1-0 victories ness administration senior, penalty kicks. After they missed ing new for Harold who — in over Lamar and Houston. The likes her team’s chances in their first kick, we knew it was her fourth year of playing — men knocked off Baylor 2-1 to the tournament. ours for the taking.” said this team has a solid mix advance after tying Louisiana“The odds are in our favor,” Harold, electronic media of players.

Lafayette 1-1.

Harold said. “We busted our senior, feels the no-pressure “Each year is different,” Har“Our team is clicking right tail all season. We leave everysituation played a positive role old said. “It’s a different caliber now,” said Brett Georgulis, thing on the field. All the hard on the team. of player. But this group has a president of men’s soccer club. work we have put in culmi“We came into regionals as good mix of newcomers and vet- “We have been here before. We nates into how we fare in this an underdog,” Harold said. erans. The veterans are a pretty have a better, deeper squad tournament. I can see us com“Nobody expected us to win talented group this season.” than we did a year ago. We’re ing home with two national the tournament. We knew we The men’s road to the tour- going into this with full inten- championships.” could do it — we just had to go nament was different from the tions of winning.”

The tournament takes place out and execute.” women’s experience. The first Harold, like Georgulis, busi- Nov. 19 to Nov. 21.

“It was a Halloween thing,” Rivas said. “I was watching (UFC) and I saw Kimbo (Slice).

I started growing out my hair and my beard. Before I knew it, I looked like Kimbo (Slice), so I just started saying, ‘I’ll be Kimbo (Slice) for Halloween.’

Everybody started calling me ‘Baby Kimbo,’ so I went with that. It worked. I mean, I scored two touchdowns that game.”

Rivas has returned after missing games and having a slow start because of injury.

He helped jump start the revamped Bobcat offense. Rivas has scored three touchdowns in two games, including two scores against SFA. “The offense has been involving me more and more as the weeks go on,” Rivas said. “(Coaches) have been trying to get me the ball since I’ve been back (from injury). Some defenses would come up with different schemes to stop me but recently, I’ve been getting the

wuu

ball and it’s been opening up our offense.”

Rivas was second on the team with 40 catches for three touchdowns during the Bobcats’ 2008 Southland Conference championship run. He was fourth on the team in rushing with 136 yards.

There have been rumors about Rivas’ unhappiness with the Bobcats since the end of the 2008 season and his desire to transfer to — among other teams — Texas.

“There were some things going on in my life at the time they influenced that, but Coach (Wright) talked to me and we settled things,” Rivas said. “It was mainly a bunch of rumors still. I’m not really coming out and saying what I want to do. I’m just going to take things day by day and whatever happens, happens.

San Marcos is great. I love it here, and I love playing football here.”

JOE

KNOWS

Bobcats strive for title, give bigger sights to others

By Joseph O. Garcia Sports Columnist The Texas State Bobcats have an influence on the BCS national title picture.

That’s right. However miniscule it may be, the Bobcats have an impact on what teams may or may not play in BCS bowl games — even the national championship.

If Texas State keeps winning games, Texas Christian’s stock will rise. The Horned Frogs are No. 4 behind No. 3 Texas, No. 2 Alabama and No. 1 Florida.

The Bobcats traveled to Fort Worth Sept. 19 to compete against TCU. Texas State knew it was in for a challenge and was met with one, losing 56-21.

That said, the 21 points the Bobcats scored against TCU remains the highest total any opponent has tallied on the Horned Frogs thus far this season.

Texas State isn’t the best opponent TCU has faced this season. The Frogs have quality wins against Virginia, Clemson and Brigham Young, all on the road.

However, it does speak volumes about the capabilities of Bradley George and the rest of the Texas State offense.

TCU is making a serious push to be in the BCS national championship game, but Texas State is striving to become Southland Conference champions.

TCU would like nothing more than for all of the opponents they have beaten

to keep winning in order to improve its schedule’s strength. Winning influences the BCS computers and the numbers they crunch.

Strength of schedule is one of the main determinates in the calculation process.

This is evident because Boise State, fellow undefeated BCS buster, has a weaker strength of schedule and is ranked No. 6. The Broncos took a hit this past weekend when Oregon, Boise State’s most quality win, lost to Stanford, 51-42.

OK, so it might be a stretch to say Texas State is a BCS buster. But for TCU, it needs all the help it can get from the computers as it pushes the big boys — Florida, Alabama and Texas — for a spot in the national championship game.

With a slip from any of the top three teams — the Horned Frogs assuming they win their remaining games — could make BCS history and play for a title.

Florida and Alabama will meet in the SEC championship game. If either team loses before then, they might still have a shot at the BCS championship by winning the SEC. TCU can only hope that doesn’t happen.

What it can hope for is a Texas loss, but that doesn’t seem likely, as the Longhorns are past the toughest part of their schedule. Texas has to play in the Big 12 championship game, but to a weaker opponent from the north, such as Kansas State or Nebraska.

Texas State moved back into the top 25 in this week’s NCAA Division I FCS Coaches’ Poll.

As the end of the season nears, Texas State will try to keep winning in hopes of becoming SLC champions. The TCU Horned Frogs will hope they do as well, as their eyes are on a bigger prize.