January 23 2014

VOLUME 103, ISSUE 47

www.UniversityStar.com

THURSDAY

JANUARY 23, 2014

Defending the First Amendment since 1911

VIDEO | UniversityStar.com

SPORTS | B2

The Texas State Gymnastics Club competes nationally without the guidance of a coach, and still manages to be a nationally-ranked team.

Season series split: Women’s basketball scored 33 points in the final 12 minutes of Wednesday’s game against the Trojans, but went on to lose 77–70.

CITY

Gas leak on North LBJ causes traffic diversion A gas leak occurred Wednesday morning on North LBJ Drive and lasted for five hours.

The leak was reported at 11:30 a.m. after construction workers hit a two-inch polyethylene natural gas pipe , said Jeff Clark, SMFD battalion chief. The construction workers reported the leak to the fire department and the gas department, he said.

Residents in the area surrounding the leak were notified, and some voluntarily

evacuated their homes, according to Clark.

The area was cleared, and traffic flow was diverted from North LBJ Drive to Chestnut Street via Younger Street off North LBJ, Clark said. Traffic later returned to normal after the leak was contained, he said.

The gas leak was shut off at 4:30 p.m., according to Clark.

—Report compiled by Nicole Barrios, assistant news editor

Madelynne Scales | Assistant Photo Editor Bridgett Phillips, education junior, expresses concerns Jan. 22 to Matthew Lewis, city planner, regarding the proposed mixed-use project on Edward Gary and Huchison. The city held a meeting at LBJ Museum of San Marcos for public input on the project.

CITY

Citizens voice concerns on development

4,500 2 79 282

Numbers courtesy of request for SmartCode warrant filed Nov. 27, 2013

square feet of retail

Austin Humphreys | Photo Editor A gas leak occurred on North LBJ Drive Jan. 22 after construction workers hit a two-inch natural gas pipe. The leak was contained around 4:30 p.m.

parking levels

FACULTY SENATE

living units

beds

By Taylor Tompkins News Editor

Q

uestions and concerns from residents regarding a proposed development in downtown San Marcos were addressed Wednesday to help city officials determine whether or not to approve the project.

The Hutchison Mixed Use Redevelopment project proposed

by Carson Properties would house 4,500 square feet of retail, two levels of parking, a community center and 79 living units containing 282 beds. The project would be four stories taller than allowed under city regulations, and would require a waiver from the Planning and Zoning Commission. The commissioners postponed their decision on the project last week to allow for resident input and feedback, some of which was heard during Wednesday’s Coffee Talk session.

John David Carson, the developer behind the project, and City

Courtesy of Carson Properties

Planner Matthew Lewis spoke with residents at the Coffee Talk.

While some residents showed support for the project, others voiced concerns about the nature of the living space in the development, the size of the project and the precedent it would set in the downtown area.

There’s a lot of rumors going around. We just want to share facts about the case.”

—Matthew Lewis, city planner

The Hutchison Mixed Use Redevelopment project would house 4,000 square feet of retail space, two levels of parking, a community center and by-theroom living units. The development would be constructed on the land currently occupied by Triple Crown, Cedars Mediterranean Restaurant and Eskimo Hut. The size of the complex was a point of concern for some residents. Questions were posed

about whether the new development would stand out in the downtown area.

Carson said the proposed development is not as large as Vistas San Marcos, and only covers a couple of acres, Carson said.

Everything on campus is on a hill and is “significantly” higher than his proposed project, Carson said.

“The university just built a parking garage in walking distance that’s seven stories tall,” Carson said. “We’re working on some views for Planning and Zoning next Tuesday (to) show this project and the scale.”

Multiple residents were concerned that the apartments in the project would be rented by-theroom. Some residents suggested the site would be better suited for condominiums.

Resident Stan Ault said he owns property close to the proposed development site. He said his property would probably be the most

See DEVELOPMENT, Page 2

Senators recommend benefits for faculty in recognized marriages

By Kelsey Bradshaw News Reporter

Faculty Senate members discussed equal benefits for stateapproved employee marriages at their Wednesday meeting.

The faculty senators voted 6–0 in favor of providing spousal benefits for faculty members whose marriages are recognized by the federal government. Three senators abstained.

The senators plan on bringing their endorsement to the Board of Regents and possibly to President Denise Trauth.

During their previous meeting, the senators decided to draft two statements to gather the opinions of their individual departments and then regroup.

One statement said the Faculty Senate supported spousal benefits for faculty members in mar-

riages recognized by the federal government, and the other said all university benefits would be available for employees if the senate supported it, said Susan Weill, journalism and mass communication senator.

Weill was one of the senators who chose not to bring the statement to the faculty in their department. She said there was no real method for conducting a vote successfully.

Instead, Weill suggested the senators vote on the issue and bring it to the Board of Regents and Trauth.

“If the president (knows) how the Faculty Senate feels about it, it gives her a platform or information if someone asks, ‘Well, how does your faculty feel?’” Weill said.

Although Faculty Senate is

See SENATE, Page 2

TUITION

University sees first positive net revenue since state funding cuts

By Rebecca Banks News Reporter

Texas State’s revenue from state appropriations and student tuition and fees is greater than its expenses for the first time since the legislature cut funding to universities beginning in 2003, according to administrators.

The university’s net revenue is determined by appropriations from the state legislature as well as students’ tuition and fees minus any expenses, said Bill Nance, vice president of Finance and Support Services. Provost Eugene Bourgeois said the university received an estimated increase of

$9.4 million in appropriations last year from the state legislature, expanding the overall budget this fiscal year.

Net revenue funds previously remained at a steady rate over the past 10 years in comparison to the amount of expenses paid by the university due to “dramatic” decreases in state appropriations, Nance said. In 2012, the university’s state appropriation per student was 22 percent less than the Texas average, according to the Texas State University System website.

“So for the last 10 years, I would have to say, fractionally, no, we’ve haven’t kept up just because of that steep decline in legislative ap-

propriation,” Nance said.

However, last year’s legislative session saw the first real increase in the university’s state appropriations since 2003, Nance said. In addition to state appropriations, an increasing number of students paying tuition and fees helps give the university more available funding in its net revenue total.

In fall 2013, the university saw an increase in freshman enrollment compared to the previous year. Approximately 5,181 new freshmen attended Texas State in the fall, while the previous year there were only 4,251, Bourgeois said.

See TUITION, Page 2

Danielle Charles | Staff Photographer Texas State’s net revenue has increased slowly despite steady enrollment growth.

A2 | The University Star | News | Thursday January 23, 2014

DEVELOPMENT, continued from front

COUNTY

Commissioners developing water conservation fund

By Traynor Swanson News Reporter

More residents may be able to collect and store their own rainwater and groundwater if county commissioners approve a new $1 million self-renewing fund.

County commissioner Ray Whisenant, Precinct 4, introduced a draft proposal to establish the Hays County Rainwater Initiative Fund during Tuesday’s commissioners court meeting. The proposal aims to create a self-renewing fund to assist residents with the collection, storage, use and conservation of rainwater and groundwater.

The Hays “RAIN” Fund would provide $1 million over the next five fiscal years.

The money will go toward funding rainwater collection systems that will collect, store, and disinfect water for residents.

The water that is collected can then be used for irrigation purposes, flushing toilets, washing clothes and pressure washing among other uses.

“The impetus for this comes from the fact that conservation is something this county is going to have to be very serious about because in the area we live in, the physical boundaries of Hays County lay within two of the water-planning regions for the State of Texas,” Whisenant said.

The idea behind the self-renewing fund is based on a loan program in which Hays County participated in the 1930s and 1940s. The program allowed people to buy property at a low interest rate with a reasonable payment schedule to repay the funds to the county, Whisenant said.

The RAIN Fund would be based on the same format.

“The problem with groundwater is that it’s a strained resource,” Whisenant said.

“In the last 15 to 20 years, it’s been a finite resource. This initiative would help people if their wells are weak. They can use this loan program to collect, store and use rainwater.”

The benefits of this program will vary depending on where the resident lives, Whisenant said. To some extent, the program is not for everybody, Whisenant said.

“If you’re in the more urban part of the city, you’re likely to have central water planning,” Whisenant said. “But for those who live in the more rural parts of the city, they can collect rainwater for themselves.”

According to Whisenant’s outline of the plan, the proposal seeks to create a Hays County “RAIN” Committee. The commissioners from each of the four precincts would serve as the committee chair and select a citizen, a vendor and a financial representative from their respective precincts to be approved by the vote of the commissioners court.

Commissioner Will Conley, Precinct 3, who has a rainwater harvesting system at one of his businesses, joined Whisenant in support of the rainwater initiative.

If the local government, potentially working with the private sector, can find a way to make buying a rainwater harvesting system appealing and financially realistic for citizens, people will want to participate, Conley said.

David Glenn, a resident of Wimberley, stated his support for the initiative at the court meeting on Tuesday.

Glenn said as an engineer and water advocate, he realizes that rainwater harvesting is 15 to 20 times more efficient than ground and surface water collection. He said rainwater harvesting is economically efficient and will reduce pipeline and distribution infrastructure.

“I urge the court to consider this proposal in an expedient fashion,” Glenn said.

The commissioner’s court will bring back an extended proposal within the next four to six weeks that will include more of the process to develop the fund and a refinement of the goals.

A decision about the plan should be reached in the next 10 to 12 months, in time for the 2016 fiscal year, Whisenant said.

SENATE, continued from front barred from lobbying on political issues, the senators want to have at least made an effort even if Trauth does not want their stance on the matter, said Theodore Hindson, political science senator.

The issue of equal benefits for governmentrecognized marriages goes beyond the power of the Faculty Senate. It is a “constitutional issue,” said Michel Conroy, art and design senator and faculty senate chair.

“This is not an issue controlled by the Board of Regents,” Conroy said.

Although the vote appeared to be symbolic, the senators felt it was better to take a stance on the issue instead of doing nothing at all.

“I move that the Texas

State University Faculty Senate supports spousal benefits for faculty members whose marriages are recognized by the federal government,” Weill said.

negatively impacted by the project, and that it will be impossible to see the sun from his back window.

However, Ault said he supports the project because it will be a quality place to live near the campus.

“We’re going to have the growth,” Ault said. “We can’t stop that.”

Other residents at the Coffee Talk who support the project said it will fit into the city’s Master Plan, which aims to place student housing closer to campus.

Student housing is a good fit for the site because the areas north and west of campus are “challenging propositions” and the river is to the east, Carson said.

Lewis said the Coffee Talk public event was successful since it allowed residents to voice their comments and concerns.

“There’s a lot of rumors going around,” Lewis said. “We just want to share facts about the case. The city staff is here to answer the facts, the developer is here to answer the facts and hear factual questions from the community.”

City staff recommended the approval of the development project during the Jan. 14 Planning and Zoning meeting. The proposed development will head back to the Planning and Zoning Commission next Tuesday for a decision on the height of the proposed building.

SENATE, continued from front their stance on the matter, said Theodore Hindson, political science senator.

The issue of equal benefits for government-recognized marriages goes beyond the power of the Faculty Senate. It is a “constitutional issue,” said Michel Conroy, art and design senator and faculty senate chair.

“This is not an issue controlled by the

Board of Regents,” Conroy said.

Although the vote appeared to be symbolic, the senators felt it was better to take a stance on the issue instead of doing nothing at all” “I move that the Texas State University Faculty Senate supports spousal benefits for faculty members whose marriages are recognized by the federal government,” Weill said.

TUITION, continued from front State legislators determine the allocation of increases in the university’s appropriations by calculating the total number of students and enrolled semester credit hours, Bourgeois said. The university also receives more funding from courses in certain subjects, such as science, than liberal arts and graduate classes, he said.

“We probably saw some benefit, some financial gain, from now having more engineering and nursing semester credit hours calculated into our appropriation,” Bourgeois said.

Financial aid plays a factor in Texas State’s expenditures each year.

University officials have put more funding toward financial aid since 2003, Nance said. Institutional funding for financial aid is provided by endowments and the interest generated for money that is spent, said Christopher Murr, director of Financial Aid and Scholarships.

For fiscal year 2014, the university brought in an estimated $273.2 million from tuition and fees and state appro-

priations. This funding is made up of about $44.2 million in tuition ordered by the state in the Texas Education Code, an estimated $143.9 million in tuition determined by the university itself and around $75.7 million in other registration fees, according to the operating budget.

The university’s expenditures total about $265.1 million with about $107.7 million in faculty salaries, $97 million in staff salaries, $29.8 million in utilities and $30.6 million in financial aid for fiscal year 2014.

With $9.4 million in state appropriations factored in, the university’s net revenue for fiscal year 2014 is about $8.1 million.

The president’s cabinet adminstrators discuss how the university’s net revenue will be spent and allocated, Bourgeois said. One priority of the university’s budget is to provide faculty and staff to accomodate enrollment growth and new degree programs, he said.

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A4 | The University Star | Thursday January 23, 2014

OPINIONS

UniversityStar.com

Ryan Jeanes | Star Illustrator

THE MAIN POINT

Springtown ideal for future development As tensions over downtown mixed-use project increase, premium space remains empty

T

ensions over development have long been a source of both conflict and pride in America’s fastest-growing city.

As Texas State’s student population increases every year, so does the dilemma of balancing development and economic opportunity with the area’s fragile environment and small town charm.

The newest threat, as some residents see it, to disrupting this balance is a proposed nine-story mixed-use development that some say will determine the future of development in San Marcos.

As Planning and Zoning commissioners near a decision on the project, the editorial board hopes city officials and developers alike will take a longoverlooked property into consideration for future development—Springtown Shopping Center.

The largely vacant strip mall located off Thorpe Lane and Springtown Way is practically begging to be developed.

According to an Oct. 4, 2012 University Star article, Target, Buy, Bealls and The attention given to the Best J.C. Penney relocommunity’s outcries, no cated in 2009 from 30-acre shopping matter how valid they are, often the area to other parts of obscures positive efforts to the city. Currently, only Bath and Body develop San Marcos. Works, Twin Liquors and RadioShack have storefronts in the center. The land, located in a prime location close to the university and downtown, is not being utilized to its full potential.

The attention given to the community’s outcries, no matter how valid they are, over areas like Sessom Creek and the Buie Tract often obscures positive efforts to develop San Marcos.

The Planning and Zoning Commission

needs to put more effort into finding ways for San Marcos to grow—not stagnate. That being said, developing Springtown would allow for responsible growth that would greatly benefit the local economy and quality of life in San Marcos.

According to the same Star article, a 2009 renovation proposal for Springtown showed the area has the potential to create 451 jobs, $295 million in salaries, $1.7 million in additional taxable sales for the city and $51.74 million in local tax rolls. Since city officials are in possession of these figures, it is unclear why little has been done to attract developers to the area.

The proposed Hutchison Mixed Use Redevelopment project by Carson Properties, which is the current talk of the town, would be a great fit for Springtown.

It has been shown time and time again that San Marcos residents and city officials will fight tooth and nail to stop apartment developers from building on areas that are environmentally sensitive or jeopardize local businesses.

According to a Jan. 15 University Star article, the proposed development would sit on land currently occupied by Triple Crown, Eskimo Hut and Cedars Mediterranean Restaurant.

It would be wise for developers to look to Springtown as a potential location for new properties rather than tear down local icons and attract the wrath of the San Marcos torch and pitchfork crowd. Springtown is an eyesore no one would be sad to see go, and city officials would likely welcome a mixeduse development in the location with open arms.

Developers typically drop their plans for a project if Planning and Zoning commissioners do not give them ap-

proval to build on the site they have requested. If the Hutchison Mixed Use Redevelopment for some reason does not receive approval, Carson Properties should consider Springtown as a second option.

A strong anchor store such as Costco or Kohl’s would attract smaller businesses to Springtown, potentially repopulating the dead strip mall. Unfortunately, this does not look like a possibility anytime in the near future. The remaining businesses in the shopping center should be given tax incentives to relocate so Springtown can be leveled to make way for something like the Hutchison Mixed Use Redevelopment.

As Texas State San Marcos is becoming an grows, more apartincreasingly attractive city to live, ment complexes will need to be built work and go to school in, and to house students. developers have taken notice.

San Marcos is becoming an increasingly attractive city to live, work and go to school in, and developers have taken notice. This is a fact the community has to live with, like it or not, so it would make sense to start looking for agreeable locations to develop. As residents and developers battle over controversial downtown areas, Springtown waits only a short distance away.

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 Student Media, the School of Journalism and Mass Communication or Texas State University.

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Send any letters, questions, feedback, responses or rants to the editor-in-chief.

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.................................................Caitlin Clark, stareditor@txstate.edu Managing Editor..........................Liza Winkler, starmanagingeditor@txstate.edu Letters..................................................................................starletters@txstate.edu News Editor............................................Taylor Tompkins, starnews@txstate.edu Trends Editor.............................................Amanda Ross, startrends@txstate.edu Opinions Editor..................................Savannah Wingo, staropinion@txstate.edu Photo Editor.......................................Austin Humphreys, starphoto@txstate.edu Sports Editor.......................................Odus Evbagharu, starsports@txstate.edu Copy Desk Chief................................Lesley Warren, starcopychief@txstate.edu Video Editor........................................................Alex Peña, starvideo@txstate.edu

Design Editor.................................................Lee Moran, stardesign@txstate.edu Web Editor.........................................Anthony Garza, starwebeditor@txstate.edu Account Executive.....................................Catie Brossard, starad3@txstate.edu Account Executive.................................Blakely Knowles, starad4@txstate.edu Account Executive.....................................Hannah Wilson, starad5@txstate.edu Media Specialist............................................ Chris Salazar, c.salazar@txstate.edu Advertising Coordinator...........................Kelsey Nuckolls, starad1@txstate.edu Publications Coordinator.......................................Linda Allen, la06@txstate.edu Publications Director...........................Bob Bajackson, stardirector@txstate.edu

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

Copyright Thursday, January 23, 2014. 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.

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The University Star | Opinions | Thursday January 23, 2014 | A5

SELF-EXPRESSION

Piercings should not be stigmatized Imani McGarrell Opinions Columnist Journalism sophomore

iercings are a fun way for students to P express themselves visually and should not be looked down upon in society.

Piercings are as much a form of self-expression as hair color or clothing style and should be treated as such.

Unfortunately, people can often be judgmental when it comes to piercings.

Body modifications such as piercings and gauges are typically frowned upon in

workplace settings and in general public situations.

Case in point, at my high school graduation I was told if I did not remove my nose stud I would not be permitted to walk across the stage. Interestingly enough, I was allowed to wear both my nose stud and double-pierced ears at my actual job in retail.

There are many different types of body modifications available to students looking to spice up their appearance. In addition to the standard ear piercing there are also ear plugs, which involve stretching the ear lobe to larger gauges via a taper.

For those more into facial piercings, there are almost no limits on what can be pierced as long as it is done by a qualified professional. From lips and eyebrows, to truly unique places such as cheeks, the bridge of the nose and even under the eye,

the possibilities for facial piercings are endless.

The most interesting and extreme piercings to me are ones on the body. I knew a girl in high school who got her hips pierced, and it was the coolest and weirdest thing I have ever seen. Every time we went swimming she looked like a metal mermaid hybrid emerging from the water.

There are piercings students can get on the nape and sides of the neck, often referred to as “vampire bites.” Perhaps the strangest of all are corset piercings, which involve two rows of symmetrical piercings on the back intended to have lace weaved through them, much like an actual corset.

Students should make sure a licensed professional does their piercings. I speak from personal experience when I say that. As tempting as it may be for people

to let their boyfriend’s younger sister do their piercings because “she’s done it for her friends a million times, and it will be cheaper this way”—I would advise against it. If an infection sets in, that younger sister is not going to know how to help, and, although it will be horribly embarrassing, that person will likely end up going to see a professional by the name of doctor anyways.

Personally, I am pretty tame when it comes to piercings, but I love how they look on others so I say the more the merrier. However, many students have probably heard that old adage about how getting piercings can affect job availability. Although it shouldn’t, the fact of the matter is sometimes it does and that is certainly something to consider before running off to get one’s dimples pierced.

Think of the children

Freedom comes first

Censorship should not be looked at as taking away an individual’s rights, but rather empowering someone to make appropriate choices while benefiting the masses.

Without censorship affecting the type of programs that can be aired at certain times, parents would have to be hyper-vigilant about allowing their children to watch television. Without this kind of censorship, young children would likely be exposed to sexual and violent content regularly.

If adults wish to watch this kind of content, it is as easy as turning on the TV late at night or renting other titles they want to watch instead.

Censoring content at certain times of the day and night protects children while posing only a minor inconvenience to adult viewers.

Censorship is too often looked at in negative light. By limiting explicit material on television, this gives adults more control of the entertainment they or their children are exposed to. It also ensures those who are triggered by questionable content will not accidentally stumble upon something that could have a negative impact on them.

Censorship does not take away people’s freedoms. Film and television ratings provide parents a quick and accessible way to review the type of content they and their kids consume. If parents do not care about the content their children consume, such media is readily available.

Of course, people may argue bleeping out adult language from a movie shown on television ruins its integrity. However, this is untrue because it is relatively easy for adults to still understand the original words that are being bleeped out, and it is beneficial to kids because they may not understand and be exposed to the profanity.

If television was not censored and films were not rated, it could be difficult for families to find suitable content for their children to watch. Mild media censorship is important in helping parents keep their children from being exposed to questionable material.

Censorship in a democratic society should never be tolerated.

Censorship in essence deems one thing as right while another is wrong—something which is subjective and constantly up for debate. What is deemed “obscene” or “inappropriate” by some may be the complete antithesis to another. Laws regulating subjective ideas like obscenity and inappropriateness should not exist.

The Bill of Rights ensures, with limitations, freedom of speech and freedom of the press. If censorship is sanctioned, the freedoms promised in the First Amendment would all be for nothing. Government agencies would be able to crack down on the press for criticisms deemed “inappropriate.”

In a democracy, this is not ideal. Censorship can quickly come to serve as a catalyst for government propaganda while stifling opposing viewpoints and critiques. Aside from the government, censorship can be problematic to other forms of media such as books and television.

Censoring bodies determine what the public should and should not see and hear, and ultimately decide what they will and will not see and hear. In the U.S., the Federal Communications Commission decides what can and cannot be heard and seen on radio and television.

The FCC shows just how biased blatant censorship can be. The FCC puts indefinite limitations on sexual imagery and blatant sex in general, while at the same time allowing gruesome, violent imagery and action. I do not think it is more harmful for impressionable teens to see a natural part of human activity such as sex rather than violence and murder, but the arbitrary limitations the FCC puts on media deems it so.

Censorship is completely subjective, and the question of what should or should not be censored is constantly up for debate. When government mandated censorship comes into play, however, it is decided for us what we should and should not see, regardless of our own personal beliefs.

When public expression and speech is limited by the government, it never bodes well. A democracy is based on control from the people, not on the control of the people, and this is why censorship as it exists in our country today should be abolished.

University Star

Alexis Aguirre Opinions Columnist Mass communication sophomore

TALK IT OUT censorship

Brandon Sams Opinions Columnist Public relations freshman

University Star

POLL

CARTOON

Are you in favor of the construction of a ninestory mixed-use development proposed by Carson Properties to be built on the land currently occupied by local businesses including Triple Crown, Cedars Mediterranean Restaurant and Eskimo Hut?

YES

NO unsure

Vote online at Facebook.com/UniversityStar

Breanna Baker | Star Illustrator

The University Star | Thursday January 23, 2014 | A6

TRENDS

UniversityStar.com

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Bobcat spirit night

LBJSC Ballroom 4:00 p.m.

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Speed dating

George’s 6:00 p.m.

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Lauren Zuniga Spoken Word lecture

LBJSC Ballroom 4:00 p.m.

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Space Jam movie night

LBJSC Ampitheater 6:00 p.m.

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VOLUME 103, ISSUE 47

www.UniversityStar.com

Defending the First Amendment since 1911

Bobcats split season series after losing to the Trojans 77–70 B2 Texas State seeks redemption in second matchup against the Trojans B2 Sun Belt Standings B5

Bobcat News and Notes B4

Get to Know Michelle Jones, senior runner B3

Kaylan Martin Senior guard

Reid Koenen Senior guard

B2 | The University Star | Sports | Thursday January 23, 2014

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Texas State seeks redemption in second matchup against Arkansas—Little Rock

By Kirk Jones

Sports Reporter @kirk_jones11

The Texas State men’s basketball team looks to avenge a 4 point loss suffered earlier in the season to Arkansas—Little Rock during their second matchup with the team tonight.

The Bobcats were down 60–58 in their last game Jan. 2 against the Trojans with less than 20 seconds left as senior forward Joel Wright drove down the lane. However, Wright was called for a charge, and ensuing free throws by the Trojans put the game out of reach for the Bobcats.

“We’ve come out of practice with a good game plan this week,” said sophomore forward Emani Gant. “I feel if we prepare right we should be able to beat them.”

Texas State was out-rebounded in that game 23–21, and 10 of the Trojans’ rebounds came on the offensive side of the ball.

The Bobcats have the best scoring defense in the Sun Belt Conference allowing 66.3 points per game. The team will have to matchup against the sixth leading scorer in the conference, 6-foot-10-inch senior forward Will Neighbour.

Neighbour averages 17.8 points

a game along with 7.2 rebounds per game. Neighbour has the third best field goal percentage shooting 52 percent and averaging 32 minutes of playing time per game. He scored a teamhigh 20 points along with two blocks and two steals in the first matchup against the Bobcats.

“We’ve come out of practice with a good game plan this week. I feel if we prepare right we should be able to beat them.”

—sophomore forward Emani Grant Texas State freshman guard Naiel Smith scored 7 points, bringing down four rebounds, dishing out four assists and stealing the ball three times in the previous matchup against UALR. “We just need to get each other more involved,” Smith said. “We need to listen to coach and run our plays to pick up our offense.”

Smith is third on the team in steals despite only starting two games this season, and first in three-point percentage, shooting 40 percent.

“As a defense, we can get it done.

We’ve been practicing really hard,” Smith said. “We just have some little flows in the offense, but we’ll pick it up.”

UALR sits second in the Sun Belt at 4–2 just behind 5–0 Georgia State.

The Trojans have won games against UT—Arlington and defeated Western Kentucky in overtime.

“I myself need to produce on the offensive side,” Gant said. “And on defense I need to keep up and just help my teammates as much as I can”.

Gant shot 5–8 from the field and scored 11 points last game against UALR. The sophomore looks to rebound after playing only 19 minutes and scoring 2 points against the Mavericks.

“You saw a lot of guys get playing time that don’t normally play,” said Coach Danny Kaspar. “I’m going to continue to do that when I think players are not performing. That includes Joel Wright and Emani Gant who didn’t play a lot of minutes.”

Wright scored 10 points while shooting 3-4 from the field and hitting 4–7 free throws against UALR in the Jan. 2 matchup.

Texas State looks to improve its record against the Trojans as they are currently 1–3 all-time.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Bobcats split season series after losing to Trojans 77–70

By Quixem Ramirez Sports Reporter @quixem

The Texas State women’s basketball team scored 33 points in the final 12 minutes of Wednesday’s game against the Arkansas—Little Rock Trojans, but went on to lose 77–70.

With 59 seconds remaining in the second half, the Bobcats cut the Trojans’ 18-point lead to 2 points. UALR junior forward Taylor Ford converted on a 3-pointer with 33 seconds left, giving the Trojans a 5-point lead. The Tro-

jans forced a turnover on the ensuing possession and closed the game with a victory. Texas State is the third team this season to score 70 or more points against the Trojans’ top-ranked defense.

Ford and UALR junior forward Taylor Gault combined for 34 points and 11 of 24 shooting.

Gault scored a game-high 23 points, her fifth game with at least 20 points in her last six games.

Texas State dropped to seventh in the Sun Belt with a 3–3 conference record after Wednesday’s loss. They are 3–3 all-time against the Trojans, with each loss occurring in Little Rock.

“The team really battled,” said Coach Zenarae Antoine. “UALR has a deep tradition, they have banners hung, and we just fought and battled down the stretch. As a coach, you always want the victory, but we came awfully close.”

The Bobcats missed 17 of 26 shots in the second half, but they compensated with 26 free throw attempts. Senior guard Kaylan Martin, senior center Ashley Ezeh and sophomore guard Ayriel Anderson combined for 15 of 20 shooting from the line.

UALR made 57.7 percent of its shots and outscored the Bobcats

Reynaldo Leaños | Star file photo Men's basketball will take on the University of Arkansas—Little Rock Jan. 23 in the Bobcats’ sixth conference game of the season.

by 8 points in the paint.

“We started getting to the free throw line and being more aggressive,” Antoine said. “We cut into the teeth of their defense and just made it really difficult for them to stop us.”

Senior forward Jasmine Baugus tallied 2 points and seven rebounds in 25 minutes off the bench.

“Jasmine Baugus did a great job from an emotional standpoint,” Antoine said. “You don’t see it in the stat line, but she was all over the place, grabbing rebounds and hustling. She was a really important part of the game.”

The Bobcats head home Saturday to play the Troy Trojans.

Texas State is 5–4 at home and 1–7 on the road.

Troy is averaging 80.1 points per game, the highest mark in the conference. Senior guard Joanna Harden is averaging a conference-

high 25.2 points per game for the Trojans’ 28th-ranked Division I offense.

“When you look at Troy, they have a really dynamic scorer in Joanna Harden,” Antoine said.

“She’s leading the conference in scoring, and she can score in so many ways. It’s tough, as a defense, to stop a dynamic player like her. We just really need to limit her shots as much as possible, and make it difficult for her to score.”

Troy has the lowest-ranked defense in the conference, placing 339 out of 343 Division I teams.

Only three Sun Belt teams have been outscored by more points per game than Troy.

“I expect us to come out and play well,” Antoine said. “Troy is a very tough offensive team, but we are also progressing on offense and showing some nice flashes.

We just need to put it together.”

The University Star | Sports | Thursday January 23, 2014 | B3

able to compete against people and making the team better.

Get to Know Michelle Jones senior runner

By Ishmael Johnson Sports Reporter @Ish_46

IJ: What’s your favorite movie?

MJ: Anchorman, the original one.

It’s just silly.

IJ: What’s your favorite TV show?

MJ: At the moment, Dexter, I started the whole series at the beginning of Christmas break, and I only have five more to go.

Photo Courtesy of Texas State Athletics

IJ: What motivates you?

MJ: Constantly getting better, being

IJ: What’s your favorite Texas State memory?

MJ: There are so many. Because it was so recent, winning conference last year. It was huge, we hadn’t done it in a while, and I got to be a part of one of the teams that did.

IJ: What are your immediate goals after college?

MJ: Either to go to school out in Houston, or staying here. We’ll see.

IJ: What do you want to do in school?

MJ: Further (my) education since I’m looking to get into a medical field. There’s an anesthesiology school out in Houston I’m looking into or even a P.A. (physician’s assistant) school.

IJ: Do you have a favorite pre-meet meal?

MJ: It’s probably just pasta because we always end up going out with some group. It’s not necessarily the

same people, but usually some of the distance people will go out and eat pasta. Even when we’re traveling, it’s just pasta.

IJ: Any rituals?

MJ: I wear the same pair of socks.

One’s a Spiderman sock and the other one has shooting stars on it.

IJ: What are you looking forward to this semester?

MJ: Definitely my classes. I’m really interested in them this semester, getting better in all of my own events in track and then figuring out what I’m going to do next year.

IJ: What’s one goal for the semester?

MJ: To run a 4:50 mile IJ: What’s your favorite spot in San Marcos?

MJ: Probably the river because there are so many things you can do. You can swim, you can lay out, you can play Frisbee, volleyball. You can do anything.

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B4 | The University Star | Sports | Thursday January 23, 2014

Bobcat News and Notes Making the First Mark Junior thrower Darian Brown made the first mark in the Sun Belt Conference Jan.15 by earning Sun Belt Athlete of the Week. Brown set a new Houston Invitational meet record in the weight throw with a distance of 19.25 meters to win the event. The distance he threw was

the farthest in the Sun Belt this season.

In addition to the weight throw, Brown also put up the second farthest distance in the conference in shot put. He threw the shot put 16.82 meters, which was good enough for fourth place at the Houston Invitational.

Recognition on another Court The Intercollegiate Tennis Association has listed Texas State senior tennis player Jessica Kahts as one of the top 16 players in the region in the organization's preseason singles rankings.

Kahts earned the regional ranking after finishing 11-4 in four tournaments last fall. She had a 4-4 record while playing

against players who were regionally ranked at the end of the 2013 season.

A native of Benoni, South Africa, Kahts has an 82-33 overall record in her career and enters the spring with a 40-16 career dual-match record after serving as Texas State's No. 1 singles player each of the last three years.

Madelynne Scales | Star file photo

#NOLABound The #NOLABound Tailgate Tour is coming into town Jan. 25 at Strahan Coliseum, as part of the men and women’s basketball doubleheader against Troy. The tour is to inform fans about the upcoming Sun Belt Conference Tournament held on March 12 through 16 in New Orleans, La. The #NOLABound Tailgate Tour event will be held from 12 to 4 p.m. in the grassy area outside the main entrance of Strahan. The tailgate event, will feature games, social media contests and a homemade jam-

balaya recipe professionally prepared by the “New Orleans Jambalaya Girl” and Kristen Preau, Cook Me Somethin’ Mister! owner. In addition to the tailgate, there will be in-game promotions at both the men and women’s games.

During the women’s game, fans will be given rally towels. During the men’s game, Coach Danny Kaspar mustaches will be featured, which have been popular for fan bases throughout his career.

Retiring Good Ole No. 42 Texas State athletics announced Jan. 16 the jersey of former men’s basketball player Jeff Foster will be retired during halftime of the Feb. 8 game against Louisiana-Lafayette.

Foster played for the Bobcats from 1995-99.

He was a two-time All-Southland Conference honoree, including being on the first team in 1999 . Foster was one of two Bobcats to be named the team’s Most Valuable Player in

1999. As a senior at Texas State, Foster was third in the country in rebounding averaging 11.3 per game. As a sophomore he was a member of the 1997 team that made the NCAA Tournament, one of two appearances in school history. Foster owns the school record for most blocked shots in a career with 111. During his 111game career, Foster started 89 of them and is currently 16th on the all-time scoring list with 1,084 points.

Following Foster’s career at Texas State, he went on to play 13 seasons in the NBA, all with the Indiana Pacers.

He was drafted with the 21st pick in the 1999 NBA Draft by Golden State who traded him to Indiana. Foster is currently third in Indiana Pacers franchise history with 817 games played, behind only Rik Smits and NBA Hall of Famer Reggie Miller.

Photo courtesy of Texas State Athletics

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Basketball Teams get TV Shine KXAN has partnered with Texas State to air seven Bobcat basketball games live from Strahan Coliseum beginning Jan. 25 when the men’s basketball team takes on Troy. The games will air on KBVO and The

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The University Star | Sports | Thursday January 23, 2014 | B5

SUN BELT STANDINGS MEN’S BASKETBALL Team

Pct.

Sun Belt

Georgia State Arkansas—Little Rock Louisiana—Lafayette Western Kentucky Lousiana—Monroe Arkansas-State UT-Arlington Troy Texas State South Alabama

5-0 4-2 3-2 3-2 3-2 3-3 2-3 2-4 1-4 1-5

Overall Overall Pct. Streak

1.000 .667 .600 .600 .600 .500 .400 .500 .200 .167

12-6 9-9 12-6 11--7 6-7 10-7 7-10 7-9 5-13 7-12

.667 .500 .667 .611 .462 .588 .412 .437 .278 .368

W7 L1 W2 L1 L2 W1 L1 W2 L1 L6

Team

Points Avg/G

Dowell, Reger (UTA) Long, Shawn (Louisiana-Lafayette) Payton, Elfrid (Louisiana-Lafayette) Hunter, R.J. (Georgia State) Harrow, Ryan (Georgia State) Neighbour, Will (UALR) Van Slyke, Kirk (Arkansas State) Price, T.J. (Western Kentucky) Rubit, Augustine (South Alabama) Edwards, Brandon (UTA) Ongwae, Tylor (Louisiana-Monroe) Wright, Joel (Texas State)

Georgia State vs. Louisiana-Lafayette 7:15 p.m. at Lafayette, LA Thursday, Jan. 23 Western Kentucky vs. Louisiana Monroe 7:00 p.m. at Monroe, LA Thursday, Jan. 23 Texas State vs. UALR 7:00 p.m. at Little Rock, ARK Thursday, Jan. 23

324 374 355 343 321 321 295 284 316 282 205 236

21.6 20.8 19.7 19.1 17.8 17.8 17.4 16.7 16.6 16.6 15.8 14.8

Team

Total Avg/G

Long, Shawn (Louisiana- Lafayette) Rubit, Augustine (South Alabama) Edwards, Brandon (UTA) Thomas, Kevin (Troy) Fant, George (Western Kentucky) Ammons, Mychal (South Alabama) Neighbour, Will (UALR) Van Slyke, Kirk (Arkansas State) Washington, Kendrick (Arkansas State) James, Jayon (Louisiana-Monroe) Wright, Joel (Texas State)

191 188 159 152 136 143 130 110 103 83 101

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL Sun Belt

Arkansas State 5-1 Western Kentucky 4-2 Louisiana—Lafayette 3-2 Georgia State 3-2 Arkansas­­­­—Little Rock 4-3 Louisiana-Monroe 3-3 Texas State 3-3 South Alabama 3-3 Troy

2-5 UT-Arlington 0-6

Pct. Overall 0.833 0.667 0.600 0.600 0.571 0.500 0.500 0.500 0.286 0.000

11-7 12-5 10-6 7-10 9-8 7-11 6-11 5-11 6-12 1-16

SCORING

Team

Troy vs. UT-Arlington 8 p.m. at Arlington, TX Thursday, Jan. 23

REBOUNDING

SCORING

Team

UPCOMING GAMES

Pct. Streak 0.611 0.706 0.625 0.412 0.529 0.389 0.353 0.313 0.333 0.059

W1 W1 L1 W2 W1 L2 L2 W1 W2 L6

10.6 9.9 9.4 8.4 7.6 7.5 7.2 6.5 6.4 6.4 6.3

UPCOMING GAMES Troy vs. UT-Arlington 7:30 p.m. at Arlington, TX Wednesday, Jan. 22 Texas State vs. UALR 7 p.m. at Little Rock, ARK Wednesday, Jan. 22 Western Kentucky vs. Louisiana-Monroe 7 p.m. at Monroe, LA Wednesday, Jan. 22 Georgia State vs. Louisiana-Lafayette 6 p.m. at Lafayette, LA Thursday, Jan. 23

REBOUNDING

Points Avg/G

Harden, Joanna (Troy) Gamble, Aundrea (Arkansas State) Gooch, Chastity (Western Kentucky) Simmons, Ashleigh (Louisiana-Monroe) Gault, Taylor (UALR) Ezeh, Ashley (Texas State) Walker, Briana (UTA) Long, Kendra (Georgia State)

454 330 304 260 244 211 234 233

25.2 18.3 17.9 15.3 14.4 14.1 13.8 13.7

Team Gooch, Chastity (Western Kentucky) Robertson, Ronneka (South Alabama) Simmons, Ashleigh (Louisiana-Monroe) Walker, Briana (UTA) Nwanguma, Desherra (UTA) Garrett, Ronita (Troy) O’Bannon, Jalen (Arkansas State) Clark, Kiera (UALR) Mills, Jasmin (Louisiana-Lafayette) Gamble, Aundrea (Arkansas State) Peoples, Erin (Texas State)

Total Avg/G 161 138 135 130 128 134 121 108 100 112 95

9.5 8.6 7.9 7.6 7.5 7.4 6.7 6.4 6.3 6.2 5.6

B6 | The University Star | Advertisement | Thursday January 23, 2014

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