MONDAY
FEBRUARY 15 , 2016 VOLUME 105 ISSUE 42
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CONSTRUCTION
Eight17 Lofts bought by Stonemont Financial Group By Madison Morriss SENIOR NEWS REPORTER
SAM KING STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER “Slow Poke” driving down left field at Unicycle Football, in the Golden Crown parking lot Feb. 7.
Unicycle Football: the San Martian sport of choice By Brigeda Hernandez NEWS REPORTER @brigeda_h
The games don’t start with a coin toss—they begin with two players jousting on unicycles. The San Marcos Unicycle Football League features teams with names such as the Gnarwhals and Los Bierdos. Although it is a rough sport, the league plays their games on cement lots, such as the parking lot behind Gold Crown Billiards on San Antonio Street. The spectacle that is the Unicycle Football League features a snarky field marshal, a DJ, and the Unibrawdz, the official cheer team for the league. They are all responsible for boosting morale among the players and the viewers. “This is what church is to
San Marcos,” said Chelsea Dasha, Unibrawdz member more commonly known as Ginger Root of All Evil. “We all worship these people that get up on the unicycle and entertain us, week after week, Sunday after Sunday, year after year.” The Unibrawdz are a central part of the UFL. In addition to keeping spirits high, they are in charge of the finances, paperwork and selling merchandise. When a cyclist kicks a field goal, the Unibrawdz are brought to the field to act as the goal posts. “We don’t cheer for one team more than the other,” said Unibrawd Annalisa Turner, whose moniker is Trash Boots. “We make fun of everyone equally.” The sport draws anywhere from 100 to 600 spectators to over 600 for the league’s
annual Stuporbowl, hosted at the San Marcos Activity Center. The UFL has received attention in the media from various local news crews and CNN. “I’ve heard of other leagues, but I’ve never seen video evidence or talked to anyone anywhere else that has played,” said Nick Leonard, captain of the Blackouts. “I think this is a San Marcos exclusive sport.” Marcus Garland started the league in 2008, which originally consisted of two teams playing in an alleyway by Tantra Coffeehouse. UFL is now in its eleventh season, with eight teams, and attracts rowdy and loyal fans every week. “It’s fun, it’s dangerous and exciting,” said Katinka Pinka, whose husband plays for the Gnarwhals this sea-
STUDENT GOVERNMENT
son. She has been attending games for five years. “It’s a lot of the same people that have been getting together since it started and we all kind of consider each other family.” Unicycle football was a childhood fantasy of Gar-
land’s. He started a juggling club while he was a student at Texas State, and began teaching others in the group how to ride a unicycle. He was able to get 15 people to pitch in for unicycles and that was
See UNICYCLE, Page 2
SAM KING STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Since January 2014, Eight17 Lofts construction has been halted, leaving residents who signed leases in September 2013 without a permanent home. Stonemont Financial Group bought Eight17 in September 2015, and is currently transforming the recentlyhalted construction into the student apartment building, Ella Lofts. “We purchased the former Eight17 and are now transforming it into an incredibly unique project for San Marcos,” said Zack Markwell, Stonemont Financial Group co-founder. “We are very excited to be delivering Ella this summer.” The Ella Lofts construction site is expected to be up and running by Aug. 1. “The property will provide a living environment like nothing else in the market, with a focus on resident service and experience,” Markwell said. “Construction is going great and the property is really coming to life.” The Preiss Company manages student housing properties across the country, including the Ella Lofts. “One thing that sets us apart from the third-party management companies is our residence life program,” said Kasey Munsch, Preiss corporate marketing director. “We do a lot of unique events and one of the main things is making our residences feel like they’re not just choosing an apartment, but a community.”
See ELLA, Page 2
UNIVERSITY
Q&A with Samantha Martinez, Student Government vice presidential candidate
Alma Mater lyric may soon be changed
The Student Government elections are quickly approaching. The University Star spoke with student body vice presidential candidate Samantha Martinez to discuss her campaign.
By Clayton Kelley and Lesly De Leon UNIVERSITY STAR NEWS STAFF @Claytonkelley @leslyd28
Major/classification: Political science sophomore Anna Herod: Why did you decide to run for student body president? Samantha Martinez: Going into Student Government, I’ve always known that I wanted to pursue the higher position. I’m always looking to reach my goals and reach for the next best thing. So, deciding to run for vice president, I feel that I can be the best fit for the position. I’ve definitely worked my way up and I feel like I’ve really learned the ropes of the program works, and
DARYL ONTIVEROS MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Samantha Martinez, political science sophomore, sits down for a Q&A with Anna Herod, news editor of The University Star, Feb. 11.
I’m really passionate about Student Government and giving my all to the school and doing everything I can to make better opportunities and make it a better place for the students.
AH: If elected, what do you hope to accomplish? SM: If elected, I definitely hope to accomplish higher attendance at games. I hope to strengthen the communi-
See MARTINEZ, Page 2
Students may soon notice a slight change in one of Texas State’s staple traditions. Faculty Senate recommended changing a part of the Texas State song, “Alma Mater.” A lyric in the song may be changed from “raising the fallen, cheering the oppressed” to “aiding the oppressed.” President Denise Trauth spoke to the senators at their meeting Wednesday night about the recommendation. “Even changing a tiny part of the Alma Mater requires a lot of consultation,” Trauth said. “There are a lot of stakeholders.” Trauth said the senators
should expand their written proposal, include more historical reasoning for suggesting the change, and share it with various university organizations. Members of organizations such as Student Government, Dean’s Council and the Alumni Association should consider the proposal and send her feedback. “When we hear back from these groups we’re going to have to think about it,” Trauth said. “But I do want to explore this fully. It’s a legitimate request.” The different wording could change the meaning in an important way, said Gene Bourgeois, provost and vice president of Academic Affairs. To “cheer” is not the same as “aid.” The word “cheering” was appropriate in the past, but
things have changed, said Roque Mendez, psychology professor. “This is probably as far as people would go, is to cheer the oppressed,” Mendez said. It wasn’t until 1963 that the first African American students were accepted into the university. It took 60 more years for people to do more than “cheer the oppressed” but to do something, Mendez said. Texas State alumnus former President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Higher Education Act of 1965, he said. “I don’t think it was enough for him to just sit back and cheer,” Mendez said. “He did far more than
See ALMA MATER, Page 2
Let all of campus know about your upcoming nuptials by being included in the Star’s 2016 Bridal issue, hitting stands February 25.
go to universitystar.com for more info