VOLUME 103, ISSUE 28
www.UniversityStar.com
THURSDAY
OCTOBER 24, 2013
Defending the First Amendment since 1911
VIDEO | UniversityStar.com
SPORTS | B7
The Soap Box Derby is a Homecoming tradition in which organizations build and race soap box cars in hopes of becoming this year’s champions.
MASS COMM WEEK
Tumblr manager advises students on social media By Michelle Balagia News Reporter
A manager from the social media company Tumblr gave students advice about crafting a professional online presence via Skype interview Wednesday as part of Mass Comm Week. Annie Werner, product marketing and community manager at Tumblr, said she has been working there for three years and has held many different job titles. She said within technology-based fields, every professional needs to be flexible and able to do more than one specific task. Werner said she originally set out to be a journalist, but
I was representing myself online, and that definitely played into my success with Tumblr.” Werner said her professional career began with writing and blogging. After writing for her college newspaper and blogging for Village Voice in New York, Werner eventually found herself applying to work for Tumblr. Through her experience with Tumblr, she has gained knowledge about how people should represent themselves online and how they should professionally promote their personal brands, she said. “You want your online presence to reflect who you are as a person and not just
Madelynne Scales | Staff Photographer Jon Zmikly, adjunct lecturer with the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Skypes with Annie Werner, product marketing and community manager at Tumblr, Oct. 23 for Mass Comm Week.
once she started looking for a job she realized there were more opportunities within the technology field. “My online presence played a huge role in my professional development,” Werner said. “I would always try to think about how
who you are to your friends, but you want it to represent the best of the best of you,” Werner said. “Everything on social media is kind of diluted already, so you want to make sure everything you
See TUMBLR, A2
John Parker played football at Southwest Texas State in the late ‘60s and still holds four school records.
First-time freshman enrollment by gender
3,000 3,145
2,000
2,658
2,537
1,801
1,714
1,000
GROWTH
2011
2,036
2012
2013
Female enrollment sees increase By Megan Carthel Special to the Star
A
lthough the freshman female population at Texas State saw a slight increase for the third straight year this fall, the overall female and male populations have remained largely static, resulting in low male retention rates. The freshman female population percentage has slightly increased since 2010, raising one percent this fall from the previous one. The freshman male population dropped from 40.7 percent of the overall student population in 2010 to 39.3 percent this fall. Texas State’s overall student population ratios have remained fairly static over the past year, with a .2 percent decrease in men and .2 increase in women from 2012 to this fall. However, women who attend Texas State are more likely to graduate and have better retention rates, according to Joe Meyer, director of Institutional Research. “Even if (males and females) became equal parts of enrollment, 5050, you’d still expect females to earn more degrees ultimately because they’re more likely to stick around and finish out their degree,” Meyer
said. In fall 2010, Texas State had an 81.4 percent retention rate for females and 74.8 percent for males, said Joanne Smith, vice president of Student Affairs. Traditionally, female students at universities across the state, including Texas State, have higher retention rates and graduation rates than males, Meyer said. In addition, women generally have higher GPAs than males at Texas State. “The strongest predictor of retention and ultimate graduation is academic performance,” Meyer said. “So, if you’re making good grades, your chances of being retained and ultimately graduating are much, much better than if you’re making poor grades.” Smith said since there has been concern about the retention of the male population, programs have been created to help men with academics. Student Affairs holds “First Fridays,” meetings that allow male students to get together and discuss “what is going on,” Smith said. There is also the Male Initiative Committee, a meeting of administrators to discuss what can be done to help men graduate, she said. “We continually try to understand what are those factors that are creat-
ing those (gender) gaps,” Smith said. It is important for males to have men as role models to help them understand the importance of retention rates, Smith said. Traditionally, Texas State has been a teacher’s university, Smith said. She said the population difference “makes sense” if you look at it from a teacher education standpoint. The ratios of males to females at Texas State are on par with the rest of the country, Smith said. However, numbers from universities around the state have lower female percentages than those at Texas State this fall. The University of Texas at San Antonio has a larger male population, with men comprising 51.4 percent of the fall 2013 population and 48.6 percent women. Meredith Fox, senior management analyst for Texas A&M, said the institution’s enrollment profile was finalized Oct. 22 and 55.2 percent of the overall student population at Texas A&M is composed of women, with the remaining 44.8 percent being men. According to University of Texas’ Office of Information Management and Analysis, 50.7 percent of the population is female and 49.3 percent is male.
FACULTY SENATE
Officials to determine allocation of leftover budget funds By Nicole Barrios News Reporter
University officials are determining how to allocate leftover revenue after basic budget needs were met in designing the fiscal year 2014 budget this month. There is a certain amount of funding available to “potentially” be spent on new things, after factoring in money for faculty and staff raises, funds to cover increases in utility costs, benefits and insurance costs, said Provost Eugene Bourgeois. He said administrators are waiting to receive the finalized number of credit hours taken by students this semester to deter-
mine the amount of tuition money received and subsequently determine the uncommitted amount of funds. According to the Texas State Budget Allocations report, 20 percent of the fiscal year 2014 operating budget will be spent on staff salaries, 22 percent on faculty salaries, 23 percent on other operating costs, 12 percent on benefits, 11 percent on capital improvements, 6 percent on utilities and 6 percent on financial aid. According to the presentation, 53 percent of the university’s operating budget revenue will come from tuition and registration fees. Bourgeois said some of the left-
over funds will go toward academic department operating expenses. He said another portion of funds will allow the university “to be able to hire and pay for” new adjunct faculty including lecturers, senior lecturers, clinical assistant professors and others. Bourgeois said President’s Cabinet administrators will discuss how to spend the rest of the amount of money leftover or “uncommitted.” He said they may add funding for new staff positions, add more money to fund faculty and staff merit raises or have an option to set aside funds for tenured and tenure-track faculty positions. He said setting aside addi-
tional funds to hire new graduate assistants is another option. Some of the extra funds may be used to cover the summer instructional salary needs. Lastly, they may put funds into “other research expenditures,” he said. Academic Affairs wishes to use leftover money to increase the salaries of graduate assistants, which have not seen a raise in the last four or five years, Bourgeois said. Graduate instructional assistants receive $10,152 for a nine-month employment, he said. “(President Denise Trauth and I) have been hearing from academic departments that, outside of faculty and staff raises, prob-
ably the most consistent plea for new funds would be to use them to address the graduate assistant salary issue,” Bourgeois said. Michael Hennessy, dean of the college of Liberal Arts, said new staff positions, new faculty to cover enrollment growth and increasing graduate assistant salaries are his priorities for the leftover funds. “(Increasing graduate assistant salaries is) important because it enables us to recruit top quality students and get more graduate students here,” Hennessy said. “That’s a priority because it strengthens our research reputa-
See BUDGET, A2
UNIVERSITY
Program adopts changes to expand community outreach efforts By Jorge A. Vela
Special to the Star
The Discover Texas State program will expand next year from a one-day event to a series in hopes of improving community outreach, according to university administrators. The amendments to the program were recommended by a task force committee created to oversee the program’s effectiveness this semester. According to the committee’s report, the San Marcos community is not large enough to support a one-day event to acclimate students and parents to the town. The report indicated the program could not be supported in its original format by academic, support staff, faculty and alumni, who were not
attending in sizeable numbers. The committee consisted of seven members from different areas of the university and used student input from those who participated in Discover Texas State before, said Kim Porterfield, director of Community Relations. “The purpose of Discover Texas State, which is to help people get an opportunity to discover all the stellar and high-level world class programs that are here in Texas State, has not changed, but the way we are delivering it has changed,” Porterfield said. Porterfield said the committee aligned its recommendations for the program with the strategic goals and endeavors of the university. The extension of the program is intended to satisfy the goals of university advancement, alumni relations, community re-
lations and student engagement, she said. “We think this will be more convenient, and we will have different audiences and be able to reach out to more people to tell the story of Texas State,” Porterfield said. The community relations task force committee kept the Downtown San Marcos Wine Walk in the series of next year’s events, according to the committee’s report. The wine walk has proven successful in the past and met the committee’s expectations this year as well, she said. More than 350 Texas State family members are reported to have attended the event this fall. The wine walk consists of 14 stops along The Square where attendees taste different types of wines at participating downtown
businesses, according to the committee’s report. Discover Texas State program officials partnered with the San Marcos Main Street and Downtown Association programs to host the event in recent years, said Main Street Manager Samantha Armbruster. “I think we will continue to partner with Discover Texas State for wine walks each year,” Armbruster said. “If the Family Weekend events grow, from one weekend to multiple weekends throughout the year, I envision us partnering even more and creating some other exciting events.” Armbruster said the new Discover Texas State program format will enhance opportunities to partner for future events, showcasing the community. Porterfield said despite the program changes, the cost of the pro-
gram will stay the same as previous years or eventually decrease, since the events are separate and no emphasis will be placed on a particular day. An estimated cost of the program’s annual budget is $7,000, she said. The program benefits from the support of volunteer staff, the City of San Marcos, and different associations that cooperate with sponsorships to keep many of events free to the public, Porterfield said. Reyna Caraveo, work-study student for Community Relations said he began volunteering for the program last year and currently helps coordinate the event and recruit other volunteers. “(The Discover Texas State program changes are) still pretty new, so were just testing the waters as we go with it,” Caraveo said.
A2 | The University Star | News | Thursday October 24, 2013
TUMBLR, continued from front have on your social outlets are the cream of the crop of things you would want to share.” Werner said in her Twitter bio, she tells her viewers she will be tweeting about art, culture and politics. She said sometimes she has to go back and delete a tweet if it does not reflect her correctly. Werner then discussed creating a personal brand, a skill stemming from anything that sparks an interest.
“I don’t buy anybody that says they don’t have interests,” Werner said. “Of course you’re interested in something. If you’re interested in pop music, that’s a totally valid industry that exists and that you should explore on a legitimate level. People get PhDs in pop culture.” Werner said students should want their personal brands to be topical and relevant, but they should still be cautious of what
they are posting online. She said posting drunk photos or tweets probably is not a great way to start promoting a student’s personal brand. According to Werner, several people made a name for themselves by being part of the Tumblr community. Brandon Stanton, Humans of New York photographer, originally shot photos and posted them on Tumblr for many years, Werner said.
Stanton’s site features pictures of people in New York with short, blog-like descriptions underneath the photo. Stanton has been featured in The New York Times and multiple magazines, and recently published a book, Werner said. “I had to get a Tumblr for Professor (David) Nolan’s class,” said Marisa Broom, an art senior who was in the audience. “I don’t really post on it more than I have to for class, but I do like it. I like
that it’s easy to use and is making me better with social media.” Werner said social media outlets are there to help young professionals. “I’ve had a Tumblr account for a long time now,” said Zac Gonzales, criminal justice junior. “I’ve never really thought about using it professionally like I have with Twitter. After this (event) I will definitely be changing the way I use Tumblr and how I look at it.”
funds. She said Student Affairs officials would like to address police and security issues by possibly hiring additional guards and address staffing and operational issues in the counseling center. “We’re reviewing different parts
of the campus and trying to see where we need more (security) coverage,” Smith said. “And in the counseling center, we’re just looking at some ways to increase service hours for students.”
BUDGET, continued from front tion nationwide and it allows us to strengthen the quality of our students.” Hennessy said he believes Texas State is “poised to become a better university,” and offering higher graduate assistant salaries will al-
low the university to be more competitive. He said a $1,000 increase in the salaries would be “a good start,” but would be costly because there are about 800 graduate assistants. Bourgeois said ultimately, the
President’s Cabinet will talk about the funds and the vice presidents will bring suggestions for funding priorities within their divisions. Joanne Smith, vice president for Student Affairs, said she has two top priorities for upcoming new
ORGANIZATIONS
Leadership Institute to debut freshman-exclusive program By Alexis De La Garza News Reporter
we motivate people—just different aspects of being a leader.” While the program’s curriculum is still being developed, Leadership Institute Coordinator Ashley Spicer-Runnels said the program will focus on integrity, effective communication, diversity and helping students define their personal leadership styles. The Pathfinder program aims to help students discover who they are and who they want to become as a leader, according to Runnels. “(Pathfinder) will show stu-
dents that their impact matters,” Runnels said. “Every student can make a difference.” The program was developed in part by graduate students, and it will start with small, peer-to-peer groups, Arellano said. She said she wants to foster “a sense of justice and fairness and strong ethics” in freshmen. “Students need to understand and learn the right thing to do,” Arellano said. “One of the reasons I was so passionate about getting this program to Texas State is
The Texas State Leadership Institute will debut a new program tailored to freshman students next semester called Pathfinder. According to Dean of Students Margarita Arellano, the Pathfinder program will aim to teach freshmen the basics of leadership. According to Arellano, only 24 to 75 students will be admitted into the Pathfinder program next semester. The first semester of Pathfinder will serve as a pilot program and will be shaped for years to come, she said. She said the limit Amy Lea S.J. Akers on admitted students will help control the pilot proAttorney at Law gram, and there will be room for growth in the future. “We want to teach stuTheAkersLawFirm.com dents about leadership in general,” Arellano said. “We want to show them what it is, (512) 897-5708 P.O. Box 578 how we run meetings, how **AkersLaw San Marcos, TX 78667
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because schools and careers are putting more and more value on leadership.” While the Pathfinder program is the first to be specifically tailored for freshmen, the Leadership Institute offers many programs geared toward management and mentoring skills, Arellano said. She said the institute holds a leadership conference that 350 students can attend. “We have several programs designed for students who are already strong leaders,” Arellano
said. “We are also adding new programs every year.” Arellano said she helped open the Leadership Institute three and a half years ago. “When I came to Texas State, one of my main interests was leadership development because it completes the college experience and teaches people how to work together,” Arellano said. “We, as a university, have a responsibility to graduate professional people who have life skills and who give back to the community.”
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A4 | The University Star | Thursday October 24, 2013
OPINIONS
UniversityStar.com
THE MAIN POINT
Reporting domestic violence incidents necessary
I
n light of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, awareness and justice must be brought toward those who need help the most— victims of abuse. Forms of domestic violence such as emotional, verbal, physical and psychological abuse may happen in some form each day in the lives of college students. Oftentimes small, everyday negative comments and jabs are brushed off and overlooked in the grand scheme of a relationship. A partner may make excuses for a significant other’s demeaning behavior or blame themselves and feel like they deserve to be treated poorly, but there is no excuse for domestic violence. Domestic violence is defined as behaviors used by one person in a relationship to control the other, according to information from domesticviolence. org. Examples of this form of violence range from small to large instances and include name-calling, putdowns, keeping a partner from contacting their family or friends, stalking, intimidation and sexual assault. While no relationship can ever be “perfect,” it is important for students of all genders and backgrounds to be able to detect patterns of abuse and learn how to reach out for help if they feel uncomfortable or threatened. The numbers do not lie. Women ages 20 to 24 have the greatest risk of becoming domestic violence victims, and 19 percent of all college females will experience some form of dating violence, according to statistics released June 28 by the U.S. Department
of Justice. Although college-aged women are more at risk for these incidents, 15 percent of domestic violence victims nationwide are men, according to the same statistics. Men may also be less likely to report abuse events. The issue of domestic violence on a college campus is impossible to box into one stereotypical type of perpetrator and incident. Odds are, many Texas State students are or have been the victim of domestic violence or know someone else who has. An estimated 960,000 domestic violence incidents take place across the nation each year, and only about 25 percent of these crimes are reported to police officers, according to the same statistics. It is hauntingly apparent thousands of domestic violence victims are afraid to speak up and ask for help. When feelings like love, hate, belittlement, hopelessness and insecurity are mixed together, relationships can become a recipe for potential instances of domestic violence. One of the only ways to combat this issue is to raise awareness among the general public and provide a variety of resources for those in need of help. Some students speak nonchalantly about witnessing incidents like a couple arguing and physically fighting in a nearby parking lot on their way to class. While it may seem like “none of your business,” this is exactly how thousands of domestic violence cases go unreported to police. Students should not be afraid to call university or San Marcos police departments if they wit-
ness or know of any domestic violence incident taking place, no matter how big or how small they feel it is. Anyone who is experiencing domestic violence, looking for resources or questioning any unhealthy aspects of their relationship should call the U.S. National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit the website www.thehotline.org. The confidential phone line and website offer trained experts available 24 hours a day to answer questions and give advice. In addition, a convenient resource for students is the Texas State Counseling Center, which offers one-on-one and group services to aid victims of domestic violence. In the event of an emergency, an incident should be reported to 911. Domestic violence is a serious issue and should not be taken lightly in any instance. No Bobcat should ever feel alone or afraid to report an incident they fell victim to, know about or witnessed. It is highly unlikely domestic violence will ever cease to exist in today’s society, but there are plenty of resources in place to ensure victims are given the justice they deserve. 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.
Breanna Baker | Star Illustrator
HOMECOMING
Homecoming etiquette important for students
Imani McGarrell Opinions Columnist Journalism sophomore
lthough the point of A Homecoming is for students to come together and celebrate,
Bobcats should be conscious of their behavior and make sure they
do not act too wild during the festivities. Homecoming is a weeklong event celebrated at college campuses across the country. During Homecoming, students engage in spirited festivities throughout the week leading up to a football game. Bobcats should make sure to engage in various Homecoming activities held throughout the week. School spirit is the most important aspect, after all. However, students should not get too carried away with the competitive nature of some of the events. The Powderpuff Football game and Soap Box Derby are fun, goodnatured activities for students to participate in. However, that fun can be lost if people take the
competition too far. Light-hearted trash talking and joking around are a part of any game, but when people take it too far or make it personal it is not fun for anyone. Students do not want to be the jerk that ruins the festivities for everyone else. Additionally, it is important students watch how hard they party during Homecoming. Everyone knows Texas State’s former reputation as a ridiculous party school, but that should not define who we are today. Drinking alcohol is often part of the tailgating experience, but there are limits. Students should always exercise caution when consuming alcohol, and especially when in the public eye during an event like Homecoming. Just because
it is Homecoming does not mean students have the license to act like a fool. Being obnoxious and clearly wasted at the Homecoming football game, for example, does not reflect well on Texas State or its students. Texas State alumni are an important aspect of Homecoming as well. Alumni are returning to Texas State to show their school pride, and revisit a place that means and meant a lot to them. Current students should be respectful of that and not behave in a way that is disruptive of alumni activities. Students should make sure to interact with alumni during Homecoming whenever possible. Many Texas State alumni are successful and important profes-
ACADEMICS
Labs necessary for political science classes
Alexis Aguirre Opinions Columnist Journalism freshman
rofessors must find better ways to P teach political science classes instead of giving boring lectures to help students
from other majors fully understand the course material. Political science is part of the core curriculum and is required for every undergraduate student to take for two semesters, regardless of major. Although these classes are basically three-hour snooze fests for most, political science is important in order to teach students about the functions of the political system as framed by the U.S. and Texas constitutions. It is important students receive basic political education so they can contribute to an educated and informed electorate in the future. However, while political science majors may easily understand the puzzling world of politics, others find lectures on the subject excruciatingly painful to sit through, let alone understand. This does nothing to further the goal of achieving an educated and informed electorate. Because of this, Texas State officials need to work toward rearranging the class to fit the needs of students who may find required political science courses difficult. While I understand the reason students need two semesters of political science education, the current course structure is just not working. I am already halfway through my second semester of political
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science. I have retained little to none of the information we have covered in class. Even though I am passing the class, the truth is memorizing test questions is not the same thing as actually learning the material. I can almost guarantee after exams most students immediately forget the majority of what they “learned.” I am a person that feels being well rounded or having knowledge of all types is important. This class is necessary if students want to advance their learning, become valuable contributors to the political system and make a difference. But currently, the majority of students are likely gaining nothing but college credit from political science courses. Students need to be engaged in order to learn, and for this to happen professors need to be passionate about what they are teaching. A baby-faced hipster grad student sighing throughout his lecture, looking like he would rather be crowd surfing at Coachella, is not going to get me excited about the world of politics. Political science classes should come with labs attached. If my “Fundamentals of Human Communication” class was solely lecture-based, chances are I would walk away from that class with a slim-tonothing amount of understanding. Labs create repetition, which forces students to engage and put the lectures into practice. With the combination of lab and lecture, understanding the course comes more naturally than only half-listening while a professor drones on. Labs add an interactive aspect that sticks with students much more effectively than bolded terms in an overpriced textbook. Political science is already a tough subject to crack. Students need a different style of class than pure lecture if professors and university officials ever want political science basics to stick with students. Political science classes should come together with required labs to help engage students more effectively.
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
sionals in their respective fields. Learning from those who came before is always a wise move, but students should not go overboard. Alumni are here to have a nice weekend, not find students a job in their company. Current students should interact with alumni, but should make sure not to annoy graduates simply trying to have a good time. Homecoming is a joyous occasion that only comes once a year. The school spirit and pride current and former students share for Texas State is the essence of what Homecoming is about. Keeping that in mind while participating in the upcoming festivities is an easy way to ensure everyone has the wonderful Homecoming experience they desire.
GOOD HABITS
Students should decrease intake of caffeine for health benefits
Ryan Pittman Opinions Columnist Journalism freshman
exas State students should be aware of T the long-term effects beverages such as soda and coffee can have on their bodies.
Habitual intake of soft drinks can be harmful to the body. Granted, having an occasional soda with a meal every now and then is harmless. Having more than two or three a day, however, can lead to some health risks. Cutting soda out of one’s diet or simply decreasing its intake can significantly improve health. Caffeine is something students should avoid. Like any drug, caffeine has different effects on different people. Increased use of caffeine can cause the body to become dependent on it. Health issues such as headaches, indigestion and insomnia have been associated with prolonged caffeine use. Caffeine consumption can become an addiction. But, like any other addiction, it can be broken with dedication. Coffee and energy drinks are a staple to many college students’ diets. Attending early morning classes running on a few hours of sleep can cause students to consume some sort of pick-me-up. Students who rely on caffeine, however, are endangering themselves. Getting a full night’s rest and eating a balanced breakfast are good alternatives to Red Bull or espresso. Foods such as bananas that
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
are high in potassium are a great natural energy source. All soft drinks, regardless of caffeine content, are loaded with sugar. One can of cola has about the same amount of sugar that one should intake for an entire day. The sugar in soda is known as “added sugar,” which is even worse. Added sugar has no nutritional value and can be harmful to one’s metabolism in the long run. Ongoing studies show a direct link between added sugars and diseases such as obesity, diabetes and heart disease. One of the more terrifying studies on soda shows the effects of ingesting diet soft drinks. Diet soda is artificially sweetened. Although diet soda contains no actual sugar, it can cause more harm than its sweetened counterpart. Artificial sweeteners in diet drinks cannot be broken down by the liver. The liver instead converts it to fat, which builds up around the mid-section and waist. Consistent intake of diet soda can lead to obesity, cell damage and depression. No soft drink is worth the baggage that comes along with it. To be fair, I myself indulge in a soda every now and again— always Dr. Pepper. However, it was only after cutting continuous consumption I noticed some weight loss and a better attitude. Replacing at least every other soft drink with water can significantly affect students’ lives. Students should challenge themselves to decrease their dependence on beverages with a high concentration of added sugar. Paired with a balanced diet and a regular workout regime, decreasing intake of soft drinks and coffee is a great way to shed unwanted pounds and generally improve health. Winter is right around the corner and with it begins a season of laziness. Bobcats need to be strong and diligent to keep up healthy lifestyles to get that beach body ready for spring break.
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, October 24, 2013. 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. The first five issues of each edition of the paper are free. Additional copies of the paper can be purchased at 50¢ per copy. Contact The University Star office at (512) 245-3487 to purchase additional copies.
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The University Star | Thursday October 24, 2013 | A5
TRENDS
UniversityStar.com
GET OUT OF TOWN
a series
about nearby places
this week:
GEORGETOWN By Ernest Macias Trends Reporter
Editor’s note: This is the final story in a series exploring the unique attractions and people of towns in close proximity to San Marcos. Georgetown, known as the “Red Poppy Capital,” is located at the edge of the Hill Country about 60 miles north of San Marcos and
features an eclectic mix of natural treasures, dining extravaganzas and historical architecture. Although Georgetown’s attractions make it an ideal weekend getaway for college students, the city is also home to many retirement communities. Sun City Texas, a large age-restricted housing development reserved for the elderly, is located in the area and houses approximately 14,000 residents. “Although I am aware of the retirement image the town has, we’ve got the visual and musical experience for everyone to enjoy,” said Diane Gaume, owner of Artisans Connect Gallery. “It’s a welcoming mix of cultural experiences.” The natural treasures located in the town like Inner Space Caverns, Blue Hole Regional Park and the Georgetown Challenge Course attracted the
PBS show “The Daytripper.” An entire episode of the travel show was dedicated to the Texas town and its unique natural features. According to Erandine Lewis, a visitor center coordinator, the show’s host was so captivated by the town’s beauty that he relocated himself and his family to Georgetown. “The small town feel and plethora of events Georgetown has to offer is what attracted him,” Lewis said. The town’s most popular event, the Red Poppy Festival, hosts more than 30,000 visitors each April. Held in honor of Georgetown’s ubiquitous red poppy, guests of the festival enjoy food, games, special events and musical performances all celebrating the red flower dotting the landscape each spring. Georgetown’s historical downtown square is considered by
some to be the best collection of Victorian commercial architecture in Texas. There are more than 180 National Registered Historic homes and buildings displaying a mix of past and present in the town, according to the City of Georgetown visitor center. Tourists can often be seen wandering the street, snapping photos of the structures of yesteryear. For the hungry traveling Bobcat, locals praise The Hollow, a French-American fusion eatery,, as one of the best spots in town for fresh farm-to-table fare. “Jacob, the chef at The Hollow, shops every morning for the ingredients he is going to use that day,” Gaume said. “(The town’s) dining selection is evolving and is fascinating.” Just off the town square, El Monumento features a Mexican/ Brazilian-style menu with a bar entirely enclosed in glass.
Southwestern University, the oldest university in Texas, is located in Georgetown. The university was founded in 1840 and is located only half a mile from the historic square. Georgetown is an escape for art and culture experts. In the town, visitors can find unique pieces created by local artists. All Things Kids is an old-fashioned American-made toy and bookstore. The Artisans Connect Gallery hosts and promotes art from more than 50 local artists. The Williamson County Museum and Historic Courthouse provides a learning experience about Georgetown’s history. “Georgetown is not very big—it has a quiet pace, yet it provides a really interesting perspective of things,” said Madison Simmons, senior at Southwestern University.
San Marcos, Texas State home to rumored haunted locations By Lindsey Bedford Trends Reporter
Cobwebs hang from a sole flickering light bulb in the old San Marcos Railway Station, casting a murky glow through the gutted interior of the decrepit structure. The deserted building, which routinely finds itself on lists of haunted places, is thought to house the ghost of an elegantly dressed young woman waiting for her husband to arrive on a train that will never come. Both San Marcos and Texas State are rife with stories and rumors of hauntings and paranormal activity. Talk of ghosts and strange happenings can be heard around campus. Campus orientation leaders even lead a tour for freshmen to witness the scary sights for themselves. One of the most well known stories of hauntings at Texas State is housed in Old Main. The Shadowlands, a website chronicling paranormal happenings, said the legend of Old Main is that a Texas State student fell to her death from the third floor of the building as it was being renovated. There have been alleged sightings of the ghostly Bobcat still clutching her books and trying to find her way to class. “I have (been) creeped out on the third floor at night,” said Caitlan Smith , a student assistant in Old Main. Across campus, the legend of a man named Ramsey lingers in the Texas State theatre building. Ramsey apparently hung himself there, according to the
Shadowlands website. Other minor instances of paranormal activity have been reported on campus, including the ghost of a young girl playing in the landscaped area near the university’s English building. “Students have said they see a little girl swinging on the tree by Flowers Hall, but there isn’t a swing there anymore,” said Bryan Avila, manufacturing engineering senior. Arguably the most famous and well-documented haunting in San Marcos, the old Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) house was once a major hot spot for paranormal activity. The building, once located on Belvin Street, was originally built as a school but was soon bought by the Pike fraternity. According to the Texas Haunt Society, Pike pledges were allegedly killed during the fraternity’s secret initiation ritual many years ago . The remaining pledges were then forced to write down the happenings of the night in their pledge books, then burn and nail them to the wall. Explorers from the ghost hunter group Weird U.S. visited the building before it burned down in 2007. The ghost hunters reported seeing the words “I’m sorry” and “help me” scrawled on the counters of the kitchenette as well as bloody handprints appearing and disappearing on the house’s dilapidated walls. Ghost hunters and tourists flocked to the area, particularly in the fall, to see the building before it met its end in 2007 at the hands of two arsonists. The Pike house has been featured in the books “Weird Texas” and “Spirits of the Border.
future in D.C. politics, the international studies major has already made some major moves. Cavazos is ready to let fellow Bobcats in on her tips for success.
By Amanda Ross Trends Editor
Nora Cavazos Graduate student, United Nations intern As one of seven people selected for a coveted internship at the United Nations, Texas State graduate student Nora Cavazos is making a name for herself in politics. From meeting the president of the United States to contemplating a
AR: You’ve been up to a lot in the past few months. What have been some of the highlights? NC: I’m currently in my second year of the Texas State master’s program. I got my undergraduate degree in international studies and am continuing that at the master’s level. Right now, I’m living in New York as an intern for the United Nations, so of course, that’s so exciting for me. AR: How did you secure your internship? NC: I actually applied three times before I got the job. The last time I applied, I sent in all my stuff in December and then didn’t hear back for months. Then, in March, I got a phone call out of nowhere
Star File Photo
Star File Photo
Legend says a student fell to her death from the third floor of Old Main during renovations.
saying I got the position. So, this really isn’t something I just got lucky with. I kept at it and kept at it and didn’t give up and it wound up really paying off for me. AR: The international studies program is really growing at Texas State. What advice would you give to students pursuing this career in terms of setting themselves apart and getting ahead in the field? NC: Definitely get involved in as much as possible, as soon as possible. I know everyone gives that advice, but I think it’s what really helped me get to where I am now. Apply for internships, join the international studies club, participate in Model UN, everything you can. Make contacts. Like I said, I applied for my internship several times before eventually being accepted, so (students) shouldn’t be afraid to fail because success could be right around the corner. And, of course, try to network as you go and get your name out there.
HOMECOMING CALENDAR
OCT. 24 Homecoming Spirit Rally: LBJ Student Center Amphitheater at 5 p.m.
OCT. 25
AR: You met President Obama through your internship recently. How was that experience? NC: It was such an incredible experience. It was a meet-and-greet for all state department employees. I met President Obama and Secretary Kerry and ambassadors. Of course it was brief, but I got to shake his hand and talk to him a little bit. He asked me where I went to school, and I said Texas State. I definitely made sure to include some Bobcat namedropping. AR: You’ve already done so much and experienced some pretty awesome things. What’s next for you? NC: I’ve contemplated that question so many times myself. I guess I’m just trying to go with the flow and take everything as it comes. I think I want to get into politics, either in Washington, D.C. or back in Texas with the legislature there. So many things are up in the air, so I’m really trying to take things as they come.
OCT. 26 Homecoming Tailgate: 8 a.m. at the Strahan Coliseum parking lot
Soap Box Derby: Bobcat Trail (located between Commons and Flowers) at 1 p.m.
Homecoming Golf Tournament: 8 a.m. check-in and 9 a.m. start at the Texas State Golf Course
Distinguished Alumni Celebration: LBJ Student Center Ballroom at 5:30 p.m.
Homecoming 5K: West Campus Fields by the Student Recreation Center at 9 a.m. Homecoming Football Game: Bobcats will play South Alabama at 6 p.m. in Bobcat Stadium
A6 | The University Star | Thursday October 24, 2013
HOMECOMING
UniversityStar.com
Students take part in annual soap box derby By Drew Castillo
Special to the Star
Residence hall staff, Greek life members and student organizations have been gearing up the past few weeks for today’s annual Homecoming Soap Box Derby on Bobcat Trail. The Soapbox Derby, sponsored by the Order of Omega, is a spirit competition in which teams build soap box derby vehicles to race, according to the Order of Omega website. The race begins today at 1 p.m. on Bobcat Trail. Teams compete for trophies and “spark points,” which are awarded at the various Homecoming activities. The team with the highest point average wins the Spark Award, and there will also be a “best overall” trophy. Participants are separated into three categories: small group, mid-size group and large group. The website states in order to race, a vehicle must go through a safety inspection, and the competing organization must sign a liability waiver. Groups are given creative freedom to decorate their cars however they choose. According to the participants of the Bexar Hall soap box team, they chose to make their car out of a shopping cart to reduce air resistance and increase their
speed. “I’ve used a shopping cart before, so I’m not nervous,” said Frank Tallerine, Bexar Hall soap box derby driver. Order of Omega officials had to meet certain safety requirements while planning the event, according to the website. They made plans to install a new ramp at next year’s derby because the current one is only anticipated to last through the end of this year’s race. The officials are in charge of coordinating operations for the event such as keeping Bobcat Trail free of buses and lining the street with hay bales to protect spectators and participants, said Lindsay Medina, Soap Box Derby chair for Order of Omega. “I feel like this is the year that is going to kind of solidify the rest of it for Order of Omega and for our Homecoming traditions,” Medina said. The Order of Omega website states about 30 teams are lined up to race this year, some for the first time. The Golden Key National Honor Society chose to enter the derby this year to become more involved in school traditions and activities. “We’re trying to reach top level standards for our chapter,” said Parker Garam, Golden Key National Honor Society treasurer.
Tyler Gould, finance sophomore, awaits inspection in his car Oct.22.
Kathryn Parker | Staff Photographer
The University Star | Thursday October 24, 2013 | A7
HOMECOMING
UniversityStar.com
Kim Gannon, director of Alumni Relations discussed Homecoming traditions and alumni involvement in the week’s activities.
By Kelsey Bradshaw News Reporter
Kim Gannon Director of Alumni Relations
KB: How are alumni getting involved in Homecoming this year? KG: Our primary activities include our Distinguished Alumni Awards Gala Friday evening of Homecoming, Oct. 25. It’s an evening where we recognize some of our outstanding graduates for their personal and professional accomplishments at the black tie gala that we do in the LBJ Student Center. This year we have five honorees and over 300 people attending. The very first recipient of this award was President Lyndon B. Johnson, so it dates back many years. It’s really a neat tradition for Texas State and we take great pride in all of the individuals who have been recognized. That starts the weekend and then Saturday our primary activity is the alumni tailgate, obviously before the football
game. Several individuals and groups participate in that with us including the TEA association, the original tailgating group, the Bobcat club and several different sponsors we have for the tailgate. Yesterday we had 635 people pre-registered. It’s a lot of fun. Actually, our African American alumni chapter has some special activities going on this weekend. Our Hispanic alumni chapter is planning to be at the tailgate doing special greetings and inviting people to sign up and get involved with our group. Strutters are getting together in the Strutter gallery for a reunion. I know that there are informal reunions or get-togethers that are happening on campus or off campus. It’s a big tradition—we’re very excited. KB: What are you doing differently compared to last year? What is new? KG: I don’t think that there’s anything that would be really recognized by our guests- we’ve made some internal changes that will allow for a smoother flow
of things. We’re actually trying to establish a program that is relatively recognizable, so when our alumni come back to campus they know where we’ll be and know what to expect, and it’s part of their Homecoming experience. We’re trying to create some standards so there is that sense of belonging when people return. KB: I noticed on your website there are different chapters all over the country. Do you get alumni from out of the state involved Homecoming? Which chapter has the most attendees? KG: Most of our alumni actually live in the state of Texas—about 85 percent of them live here. We don’t have an awful lot that come from out of state, but there are some. Actually one of our distinguished alumni this year that we’re recognizing lives in Virginia, so he’s coming from out of state. We don’t actually track the attendees based on the chapter that’s closest to where they live. But most of our alumni live
on the, what we call Interstate Highway 35 corridor. So they live somewhere between Austin and San Antonio. And we have another large pocket of graduates that live in the Houston area. But 85 percent of our alumni are in the state of Texas. KB: Which event are you looking forward to the most? KG: I think the tailgate is great and it’s a lot of fun, but the gala on Friday night is just a really special evening. It’s really heartwarming to hear the stories of how our honorees overcame hurdles in their life. Many are first generation graduates—they studied, they had dreams, they were able to work hard and fulfill those dreams. Now they’re making a huge impact, huge positive impact on their professions and the communities they live in and frankly, in the nation. For me, that’s just really heartwarming to hear individuals talk about those personal experiences. It’s exciting, too.
Homecoming Talent Show highlights students’ skills, abilities ment of students showcasing a variety of abilities such as singing and dancing. Seven awards were given following 15 performances. Alison Lodan came in second place for solos and Hayley Armstrong came in first place. In the group category, Serenity and Third Avenue, both singing groups, came in second and first place respectively, with the latter winning best overall. Ritmo Latino Dance Company came in second place in the movement category, and Harambee came in first place. Jarell Keys opened Chris Motz | Staff Photographer the show with a perforThomas Rawdon, communication design freshmance of a gospel song. man, sings and freestyles for the Homecoming Following Keys were Talent Show. Fifteen entries performed dance and three songs performed music routines for judges at the Evans Liberal Arts by Lodan, Madeline Theater. Brown and Armstrong. To break up the slew By Kelsey Bradshaw of songs, Harambee came out News Reporter and performed a dance routine. Third Avenue’s rendition Texas State hosted its annual of “Shake It Out” by Florence Homecoming Talent Show + The Machine had the crowd Wednesday, featuring an assort- on their feet. The first act con-
cluded with a dance routine performed by Chi Omega. Gregory Tate, co-host and mass communication junior, said homecoming was all about coming together as a university. “At the end of the day, we’re all Bobcats,” Tate said. The intermission featured the Homecoming court, and the finalists for Homecoming queen and king were announced. Breanna Burton, Vanessa Cortez, Angelica Riojas and Anvishman Shaket are finalists for Homecoming Queen. Bobby Buchanan, Juan Franco, Zachary Kruger and Christopher Woodard are finalists for Homecoming King. The King and Queen will be announced at the Homecoming game Saturday. The second half of the show opened with a dance and song combo performed by Alpha Delta Pi. Trey Robins performed an original song, Courtney Shilo performed “Stay” by Rihanna and the band The Know How performed an original song. Cody Freeman sang a mashup of country songs in hopes of finding a girlfriend, Tate said. The Serenity group performed a medley of songs to speak out against bullying. The Forget Me Nots, a two-girl group, pre-
sented an original song to help the audience through breakups, they said. Ritmo Latino Dance Company ended the night with a show-stopping dance routine. Rosemary Emordi, psychology freshman, was a first-time attendee of the talent show and has plans to attend again in the future. “The girl (Armstrong) had so much soul, with the striped dress who sang Hometown Glory— (my) favorite one,” Emordi said.
Andrea Gamez, marketing freshman, loved the performance, “Stay,” sung by Shilo. Police roamed the auditorium escorting people out who did not have the proper wristband required for entry. “Maybe I’ll come back next year,” Gamez said. “It was a challenge with the security.” Although the security was ramped up, the talent show was a good event to celebrate Homecoming week, Emordi said.
Chris Motz | Staff Photographer Ritmo Latino Dance Company performs “Balada” and “Hips Don’t Lie,” the last performance of the night. The group took home second place in the movement category.
What do you most anticipate about Homecoming week?
Edgar Valladares Freshman Criminal Justice Major
Jennifer Galva Freshman Education Major
Ryan Slebodnik Senior Biology Major
Taylor Valley Junior History Major
“Mostly the game. I love football, so I can’t wait for the Homecoming game that would actually be really fun. I can’t wait to dress up for it—I feel like everybody’s going to be coming together for the school, showing their school spirit.”
“I went to Homecoming in high school, so I’m hoping for something different in college.”
“A good time at tailgating. A lot of people, a lot of the fraternities and sororities are about showing up. The alumni are coming too.”
“Parties, probably. Just whatever— tailgating and football and stuff.”
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Football // Bobcats prepare for Saturday’s Homecoming matchup
Samuel Rubbelke, B2
Volleyball // Bobcats face Jaguars, Panthers
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B2 | The University Star | Sports | Thursday October 24, 2013
FOOTBALL
Bobcats prepare for Saturday’s Homecoming matchup By Samuel Rubbelke Sports Reporter @SamuelRubbelke
Star File Photo
Coach Dennis Franchione and the Bobcats will take on South Alabama Saturday at home. Texas State has a 4–3 record after last week's win against Georgia State.
Texas State will look to even its conference record for this season Saturday when the team hosts South Alabama for Homecoming at Bobcat Stadium. The Jaguars recorded a seasonhigh 257 yards on the ground against Kent State last week primarily due to the efforts of junior running backs Jay Jones and Cris Dinham. Jones gained 99 yards while Dinham added 67 during the game. This feat was the highest total for both players during their first year wearing Jaguar jerseys. Junior running back Kendall Houston contributed 43 yards and two touchdowns in the second half. “Their offense is pretty balanced as one of their success points,” said Coach Dennis Franchione. “They’ve got a few more passing yards than rushing yards, but you have to defend both of them. Their (running) backs are good players.” The Bobcats are one of three teams in the conference allowing less than 400 yards of total offense. Texas State has forced 15 turnovers, placing them second in conference play. Opposing offenses have been able to convert
SOCCER
Texas State to face two Arkansas clubs
an average of 36.2 percent on third down conversions against the Bobcats. However, Texas State may have to face South Alabama’s balanced offense without their leading tackler, junior linebacker David Mayo. Mayo injured his leg early in the Georgia State game and did not return. Mayo leads the team with 53 tackles and three interceptions on the season. “As soon as I knew David went down, I knew I had to step up,” said senior linebacker Damion McMiller, who recorded 15 tackles in Mayo’s absence. “The coaches told me big players step up in big games.” Texas State’s offensive focus has been on the ground game, due in part to the development of freshman quarterback Tyler Jones. The defense will look to keep opposing offenses at bay with limited offensive production coming from the Bobcat offense. Texas State ranks last in the Sun Belt for offensive scoring. “Definitely, we do feel the pressure every week,” McMiller said. “At the same time, we’re always there to encourage our offense.” The Bobcats have relied on sophomore running backs Robert Lowe and Chris Nutall. The duo has accounted for 14 touchdowns, 965 rushing yards and average 6.4
yards per carry each. “I’m just focused on helping our team win,” Nutall said. “Rob Lowe and I talk before every game. (I) be like, ‘Rob come on, man. We got to show out, do something for the team.’” Exceeding his career high in the past three games, Lowe set a personal goal to rush for 1,000 yards on the season. With five games left in conference play, Lowe is 381 yards away from his goal. “My goal is to get better every game,” Lowe said. “I know I have the potential, and I can always get better. I feel like I’m in my groove now, and hopefully I can hit (200 yards rushing in a single game).” Texas State enters its Homecoming game against the Jaguars with two redshirt freshmen and three sophomores with starting experience on the offensive line. In addition to the injection of youth, the Bobcats average 315 pounds per lineman while the 2011 group averaged 280 pounds. “We wanted Tyler Jones to not be in a compromised situation,” Franchione said. “We felt we could run the football. Our offensive line had maybe their best game of the year. We left 10 points out there. We had to kick a field goal getting down there and then had the interception. We could have had 7 to 10 more points last game.”
VOLLEYBALL
Bobcats travel to play Jaguars and Panthers this weekend
By Kirk Jones
ups and on a two-game losing streak. The Trojans have scored five goals in those 10 games after being shutout in five of those matchups. “We just need to finish out these two The soccer team is set to play its final games of the regular season at home games with wins,” said sophomore forthis weekend against the Arkansas-Little ward Lynsey Curry. “We are seventh in Rock Trojans and the Arkansas State Red the conference and pulling off two wins would be huge for us.” Wolves. Curry currently leads the team in goals The Bobcats are trying to end a threegame losing streak dating back to the scored with six and is ranked second in Western Kentucky matchup. Two of the the Sun Belt in shots per game with an avthree games since then went into double erage of 4.33. The Bobcats are looking to overtime. In that span, the team has end their season on a winning note playscored three goals compared to their op- ing the third ranked team in the conference, the Arkansas State Red Wolves. ponents’ eight. The Red Wolves are second in confer“We have to find our rhythm,” said Coach Kat Conner. “It showed in spurts ence in shots for points and goals. The in both games. We have to go 90 minutes. team is lead by 5’6” sophomore Loren We have to be willing to go 110 (minutes) Mitchell who leads the Sun Belt in goals if it takes that and be mentally and fully scored with 11. “I think our defense is good enough to aware of what the game demands of us.” The Trojans come to San Marcos with slow them down,” Curry said. “We will try a 4-12 overall record and are 1-6 in con- to absorb the attack and slow them down ference play. Their only conference win to be stronger than them and keep them was against Louisiana-Monroe with a 1-0 from scoring.” Arkansas State is 2-5-1 on the road this victory. Arkansas-Little Rock senior midfielder Paige Mason leads the team with season compared to its 7-1-1 record at four goals. The Trojans currently sit ninth home. The Red Wolves are on a two-game in the conference and face the Bobcats as winning streak scoring six goals between those matches. their season-ending game. “Arkansas State has a similar style ofLittle Rock is 1-9 in their past 10 matchfense as we do,” Conner said. “They just have a little more off-the-ball movement that can be a little bit tricky. Their attack is similar to what Lafayette did with deceptive runs.” Arkansas State’s biggest win this season came when it defeated the numberone ranked team in the Sun Belt, Western Kentucky with a score of 3-0. “Its more of a mental preparation,” Conner said. “Technically and tactically, they know how to do everything. It’s just mentalfree food.shirts.games. ly. How are they going prizes. live music to respond?” With LouisianaMonroe and Arkansas-Little Rock havTH ing three points, the Bobcats have secured strahan parking lot a spot in the Sun Belt tournament with seven points. This weekend’s matchups will determine what seed Texas State can secure in the tournament. Sports Reporter @kirk_jones11
KTSW 89.9 COME COME TAILGATE TAILGATE WITH WITH
THE THE OTHER OTHER SIDE SIDE AT AT THE THE
HOMECOMING HOMECOMING FOOTBALL FOOTBALL GAME GAME
OCT. 26
8AM–6PM
Star File Photo
Texas State will be taking on South Alabama Oct. 25 and Troy Oct. 27 on the road. The Bobcats are 3-4 for away games.
By Bert Santibanez
Assistant Sports Editor @BertSantibanez
The Texas State volleyball team moved to sixth in the Sun Belt Conference standings after defeating Troy and South Alabama last weekend at Strahan Coliseum and will travel to play the same teams on their home courts this weekend. “We learned a lot about (South Alabama) when we played them,” said Coach Karen Chisum. “They didn’t have much of a middle attack. I think they’re going to be working on their middle attack coming into this match, but we definitely found some things that work for us.” Mechell Daniel, South Alabama freshman outside hitter, and freshman outside hitter Jessica Lewis totaled 38 kills against the Bobcats in the previous match, each with 19. Lewis ranks fifth in total kills in the conference, averaging 3.19 per set. Daniel leads the team in kills with 266 on the season, which places her third in the conference within the category. Daniel has a teambest 3.69 kill average on the year. Both Lewis and Daniel totaled more kills than the rest of the Jaguars team, with the remaining players finishing with a combined 18.
Senior right-side hitter Amari Deardorff led the team in kills with 18 in the victory against South Alabama, with a .385 hitting percentage from the court. Deardorff has an average of 15.5 kills in the previous two games. “Practices this week have definitely been tailored knowing both of the teams,” Deardorff said. “We still know they’re going to be tough wins. It was a struggle to beat them at (our) home, so it’s going to be harder to beat them at their house. It would be great to get the wins and start off the second round of conference on a winning note.” Junior setter Caylin Mahoney finished with a doubledouble in the match, gathering 14 digs and recording 39 assists. Mahoney averaged 33 assists and 17 digs against Troy and South Alabama last weekend. Troy dropped to seventh in conference standings after the defeat against the Bobcats. The Trojans are 5-3 at home on the season, beating Georgia Southern and LouisianaMonroe in their two previous home games. The team ranks seventh in the conference in team hitting percentage, averaging .187 from the court. Texas State places fourth in the category, hitting a .208 percentage from the floor. Marija Zelenovic, Troy
junior right-side hitter, generated a double-double against the Bobcats, finishing the match with 12 kills and 14 digs. Zelenovic leads the team in kills, totaling 290 on the year and averaging a .202 hitting percentage. Zelenovic also averages 3.37 kills per set, which ranks her fourth in SBC standings. Blair Winston, Troy sophomore outside hitter, tallied 28 kills in her previous game against UT-Arlington. Winston had 10 kills against Texas State and averaged 19 kills in her previous two games. Senior middle blocker Molly Ahrens totaled a career-high 14 kills against the Trojans. Ahrens averaged 12 kills in her previous matchups against both the Jaguars and Trojans. Freshman outside hitter Shelby Vas Matt produced a double-double against Troy, ending the game with 10 kills and 13 digs. Vas Matt finished the match with a .135 hitting percentage from the court, which accounted for second-best for the team. “We had a little lapse during the season with losing the fifth set,” Vas Matt said. “We definitely don’t want to continue that. We want to become more competitive and come together more during the second half of the season.”
The University Star | Sports | Thursday October 24, 2013 | B3
By the Numbers // Shelby Vas Matt
2
Sun Belt Freshman of the Week awards this season
19
Career-high in points scored in one match. The freshman outside hitter reached this feat against UTArlington Oct. 19.
235
One of four players on the team with 200-plus total points scored for the season.
Get to Know Shelby Vas Matt
freshman outside hitter By Bert Santibanez
Assistant Sports Editor @BertSantibanez
BS: How is it experiencing your first homecoming with your team on the road this year? SVM: Everyone’s really excited about homecoming on campus, but we’re going to be on the road, so we really haven’t taken much part of it much. BS: What does homecoming represent to you? SVM: Back in Oregon, everyone wanted to win their games, so the team is definitely going to want to win our games for homecoming week. BS: If you could take a celebrity on a homecoming date, who would it be? SVM: I would say Stephen Curry. I love the guy. He’s pretty much one of the best basketball players there is. Also, he’s on my favorite NBA team. I’ve always been a big Warriors fan, so over the years, I just started loving him. He’s my favorite. BS: What do you like about his game in particular? SVM: He can shoot the ball really well. He can take over the game, so it’s pretty much Stephen Curry time when he’s on the court. BS: That ability to take over a game, is that something you might want to acquire during your career on the team? SVM: I never thought about that, but yeah, especially when I’m becoming more comfortable with the program, getting older and more experienced as a volleyball player. BS: What is one of the more memorable times you experienced on the team this year? SVM: It would definitely have to be our win against Arkansas. They were a really tough team. Our team really came together in the match. That was one of the most fun games I’ve ever been party of. BS: How did the team react after the win? SVM: Everyone was really excited. If the team was able to beat a great team like that, we definitely can beat others.
Star File Photo
B4 | The University Star | Sports | Thursday October 24, 2013
CAMERON’S CORNER
Bobcats strive to finish remainder of season FOOTBALL
Cameron Cutshall The Bobcat defense has forced 15 turnovers this season, which places Texas State second in the Sun Belt Conference.
The Texas State football team will be attempting to win back-to-back games for the second time this season. The last time the ball club accomplished this feat was when they beat Southern Miss and Prairie View A&M Aug. 31 and Sept. 7.
The Bobcat offense is gaining 314.9 total yards per game. The team currently ranks last in the Sun Belt and 114 out of 123 teams in the NCAA.
Sports Columnist @CameronCutshall
utumn is here, the weather is Aproaching. changing and the holidays are apThe Texas State football
team has crossed the halfway point of the season and sits in the latter half of the Sun Belt Conference at 4-3. With only five games remaining in the season, the Bobcats have to win just two more games in order to reach six wins and become bowleligible for the first time in school history. They have already matched the amount of wins the club had last season after winning their first Sun Belt game against Georgia State this past Saturday. While it is good Texas State finally got its first win in the conference, there is reason to be worried about the football team as they head into the last five games. They lost what looked to be a very winnable game against LouisianaMonroe, and although they escaped with a win against the Panthers, the Bobcats appeared to be their equals rather than their superiors. This is cause for alarm at Texas State, because at this point in the season against teams like Georgia State, fans want to see the team that took the field against Wyoming. They had certain ingredients that made the club successful against the Cowboys. These ingredients included a great running game, a terrific defense and excellent leadership displayed by freshman quarterback Tyler Jones. One consistent ingredient throughout this season is the running game consisting of the one-two punch of sophomore running backs Robert Lowe and Chris Nutall. Between the two, both players have combined to rush for just under 1,000 yards on the season and a combined 13 touchdowns. Lowe just rushed for a career-high
177 yards, reaching his fourth game of the season rushing for more than 100 yards. He has been the most valuable and consistent asset to the team this season. Nutall is also a constant force for the offense right behind Lowe, creating a force to be reckoned with in the Sun Belt. The duo forces opposing defenses to bring their a-game when facing the Bobcats. Disregarding the Louisiana-Lafayette game, the Texas State defense, also known as “The Doom Squad,” has been one of the best ingredients with the football team. The defense has looked to be unstoppable against the opposing offenses, especially in the past two conference games. The defense essentially held LouisianaMonroe to a scoreless game until a late-deciding touchdown by the Warhawks. Last weekend against the Panthers, the defense was caught off guard by an early start from Georgia State that gave up a touchdown, then was silenced for the rest of the game. The Doom Squad held the offense to 4 of 15 on third down conversions forcing them to punt 7 times in the game. Still, the missing ingredient in all of this is Jones. Although he played well against Wyoming, Jones has not seemed to get back to the form that made him so successful in the first place. His play and leadership is essential to the success of the team. Granted, he is still young, Jones will only be making his fifth career start this Saturday, and he still has a lot of growth left. Jones, who threw for 196 yards against the Cowboys, has thrown for 180 yards combined since then. While the freshman quarterback has a steady run game to fall back on, it would be nice to see these type of numbers begin to rise. The Bobcats are one-dimensional on the offensive side of the ball, and need to become a more versatile team as they look to finish the season. These ingredients are still cooking, and they still have some time to bake. As the season continues, fans have to wonder if the team that played against Wyoming will ever reappear again. Although only time will tell, one thing is for sure— Bobcat football is hoping to cook something really special, just in time for the holidays.
The University Star | Sports | Thursday October 24, 2013 | B5
WOMEN’S GOLF
Women’s golf travels to San Antonio for Alamo Invitational By Josh Zigrang Sports Reporter @JoshZigrang
Women’s golf coach Mike Akers and his team will compete at the Alamo Invitational in San Antonio Oct. 27, hoping to improve their performance after a last-place finish at the Schooner Fall Classic in Norman, Okla. Missing out on the talents of senior Mara Puisite due to a wrist injury, the Bobcats will bring along junior Lejan Lewthwaite, junior Iman Nordin, sophomore Lora Assad, freshman Ali Cowan and freshman Maty Monzingo. Akers has seen confidence in Lewthwaite following a two-week break from tournament play. The junior, after struggling with her game last year, shot a career low Courtesy of Texas State Athletics of 64 in practice this week Women’s golf will compete in the Alamo Invitational in San Antonio next Sunday.
Ashley Jackson senior defender
Madelynne Scales | Staff Photographer Senior defender Ashley Jackson has played 1000 minutes out of a possible 1350 this season with Texas State soccer.
By Quixem Ramirez Sports Reporter @quixem
Senior defender Ashley Jackson wanted to play basketball as a child, but the YMCA in Plano only offered soccer.
Jackson, who started playing soccer at the age of eight, has not stopped playing since. “It’s been a part of my life forever,” Jackson said. “I’m just used to it. Soccer has really made me want to be better at everything. It’s kept me focused, and it gave me a
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although she has been a top finisher on the team this entire season. “It was her lowest round of her life,” Akers said. “Yesterday she was on fire.” Lewthwaite started the season in Minneapolis, Minn., where she tied for fourth place overall in the threeday event and finished with a final score of 80-72-72 on the par-72 course. The South African native continued her improvements during the Onion Creek Challenge in Austin, finishing first on the squad and earning a 15th place overall finish. “It takes a lot of sacrifice,” Lewthwaite said. “I love sports. It’s just that simple.” Without the help of Puisite, the Bobcats will lose out on a senior golfer who had a strong season last year. Puisite has not been able to finish higher than 18th this season after competing in the
scholarship.” Coach Kat Conner converted Jackson, a forward, into a defender prior to her freshman year. “She was very tenacious and quick,” Conner said. “She played like a forward and outside midfielder, because she was getting around defenders and setting up some good shots. I trained her as a defender because she was very athletic, and she did a really good job, so I kept her there.” Jackson’s first extended taste of Division I soccer occurred in her freshman year. Jackson replaced an injured outside defender and contributed a then career-high 48 minutes in the Bobcats’ 3-2 double overtime victory against Navy. “I proved myself to my teammates and my coaches,” Jackson said. “I played with confidence. It used to be very difficult, going from an offensive mindset to a defensive mindset. Now it’s natural.” Jackson appeared in 15 games in the following two seasons, and Conner challenged her last spring. Freshman defender Taylor Allen and sophomore defender Kristen Champion were vying for her starting job, and Jackson needed to improve during the summer. “I thought it was going be a real battle,” Conner said. “Ashley (Jackson) did a great job staying fit, working on her touch and skill. She came in and won the job in the fall. She showed that she was dedicated to her training.” Jackson worked out every day during the summer and substituted fried foods for healthier grilled versions. “I’m motivated to be the best,”
first event of the season at the Minneapolis meet. “Mara (Puisite) was exempt to go to this tournament,” Akers said. “Hopefully it will help her wrist.” The Alamo Invitational will be Monzingo’s third time participating at the collegiate level. Monzingo finished in the top 25 once this season at the Onion Creek Challenge with a score of 75-79-72 and earned 23rd place. Much like the Norman, Okla. tournament, the course will be packed with players from the best universities in the country. “(The Alamo Invitational) is solid from the top to bottom,” Akers said. “It is the who’s who of Texas women’s golf.” Akers’ team has yet to win any tournaments outright this season, rendering a fifth place finish at Onion Creek as the best outcome.
Jackson said. “I am very critical of myself, because I want to make sure I am performing to the best of my abilities, because it makes easier on my teammates.” Junior defender Michelle Bucy missed six consecutive games after she suffered a concussion in Texas State’s 2-1 victory against Sam Houston State Sept. 13. Jackson inherited a larger role with Bucy sidelined, averaging 73.8 minutes per game in this span. “You have to be aware of your surroundings and respond quickly to different situations,” Jackson said. “I’m more confident this year. I finally feel like a defender, and I
“We have been talking about winning the (Alamo Invitational),” Akers said. “We have worked really hard over the last couple weeks.” The Bobcats will go up against the University of Texas, Baylor, Texas A&M and other accomplished teams in the state at the Alamo Invitational. “We haven’t seen UT in the field this season,” Akers said. “We need to play the best teams to be the best.” The Bobcats will play their rounds against three of the top 25 teams in the nation— A&M sits at 25th place, Oklahoma is ranked 16th and Tennessee stands at 10th place. The last tournament for the Tennessee Lady Volunteers was in Austin, and this was the best tournament in junior AJ Newell’s career. Newell shot a 218 in the 54-hole tournament, going two strokes above par.
understand my role and how to be successful.” Jackson, a marketing major, received an acceptance letter to the Alpha Mu Alpha marketing organization last week. Alpha Mu Alpha accepts the top 15 percent of marketing majors, and she already has a sales marketing internship lined up for next summer after graduation. “Ashley (Jackson) is an unbelievable person,” Conner said. “She’s grounded. Her priorities are straight, and she’s very demanding of herself and others. She’s someone you can really trust, and that’s what makes her so valuable.”
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Reply to: info@eggdonorcenter. com NEED COMMUNITY SERVICE hours? Wanna try gardening? Work on campus. COntact Dr. Tina Cade in the Ag Dept. tc10@txstate.edu UNDECIDED MAJOR? NEED A minor? Do you like to grow plants? Follow your passion. COnsider horticulture! Contact the college of Applied Arts at (512) 245- 3333 or Dr. Cade at tc10@txstate.edu for more information WOMEN’S ONLY CONCEALED HANDGUN LICENSING CLASS November 12 7:30 am-2:30 pm Kyle La Quinta $75 512-633-6064 www.premierchlclass.com 1BR/BA OR 2BR/BA TOWNHOUSE - $639/mo/room The Village on Telluride (Phase1), 201 Telluride Street 6 mo sub-lease (Jan. 1 – Aug 4 2014); usually $689/mo/room, so best deal you’ll find! Fully furnished, largest BR B; Twnhs inclds full size w/d, 42” TV, upgraded high speed internet. Early move-in mid- December available – graduating! Email: jw1793@txstate.edu ASAP!
B6 | The University Star | Sports | Thursday October 24, 2013
JOHN PARKER Texas State Career Records
160 career pass receptions 1st at Texas State and in Lone Star Conference
2,479
receiving yards 1st at Texas State and in Lone Star Conference
19 pass reception touchdowns 2nd at Texas State
82.3 career receiving yards per game
1st at Texas State and in Lone Star Conference
Chris Motz | Staff Photographer
B6 | The University Star | Sports | Thursday October 24, 2013 | B7
Former football player, record holder reflects on career By Quixem Ramirez Sports Reporter @quixem
J
ohn Parker currently works as a parking guard sergeant for Transportation Services, but his ties to the university date back to the late 1960s when he played football for Texas State. Parker held more than five receiving records by the end of his tenure, and still holds four. Parker reflects on the highs and lows of his football career and time at Texas State with The University Star.
10-year-old John Parker watched from the stands with wide-eyes as Clemson defeated Texas Christian University 23-7. His mother, Alice Parker, baked him a cake decorated with goal posts and footballs to celebrate the occasion. Seeing Clemson win the first Bluebonnet Bowl championship in front of 55,000 fans is what inspired him to play football. Leinneweber, DStateanny Southwest Texas “I thought he wide receivers
would be good, but not nearly as good as he was.”
coach, also coached the Pasadena High School freshman basketball team in 1964. Parker, a wiry 15-yearold, was the focal point of his offense. Leinneweber said Parker was a talented guard, but rarely utilized his teammates. “He took the ball every chance he could, and he basically didn’t give it to anybody else,” Leinneweber said. “He averaged 25-30 points a game his freshman year. He just did not let anybody else shoot. He was right on the verge of being cocky, but he was still very coachable.” Following his senior year of high school, Parker was interested in attending Southwest Texas State. However, the athletic program could not afford to give him a full scholarship, so Parker accepted New Mexico State’s full scholarship offer instead. Leinneweber still lobbied for Parker, who he said would have made the team if he tried out back in 1968. “I told them that he could just get open and catch the ball,” Leinneweber said. “But they didn’t give him much of a chance because he wasn’t fast. They didn’t realize how quick he was and how excellent his hands were.” Parker spent one year with the New Mexico State freshman football team before returning to San Marcos. Parker claimed a spot on the 1969 roster and averaged 103 receiving yards per game in his sophomore season, a Texas State all-time record. Parker owns the second, third and sixth highest single-season receiving yard seasons at Texas State. “He exceeded my expectations,” Leinneweber said. “He was good at everything he did. He could just turn defensive backs around and put them on their backs. I thought he would be good, but not nearly as good as he was. Then we started using him more than we ever thought we would.”
“It felt like a knife pierced my knee.”
Miller, Southwest BwasillTexas State head coach, not happy. The year was
1969, and the East Texas State Lions had defeated the Bobcats 26-6, the 10th largest defeat in Miller’s 14-year tenure. Miller and his assistant coaches spent the next Sunday grading each individual play. They compiled the numbers into one comprehensive score, and planned a practice they believed would help the younger players while sending a message to their veterans. In the practice that ensuing Monday, known as the “turd bowl,” Miller pitted the first team offense against the first team defense in an intrasquad scrimmage. They would play until Miller decided to end the practice. The coaches did not stop yelling until the practice concluded. “It was pretty brutal,” Parker, a sophomore receiver at the time, said. “They don’t do it anymore for obvious reasons.” At one point during the practice, Parker’s teammate, sophomore defensive back Rick West, lunged at his knees. Parker fell—and he could not get up. “It felt like a knife pierced my knee,” Parker said. Miller instructed the players from across the field to drag Parker off the field so they could continue the practice. “I didn’t have a grudge at all,” Parker said. “Coach Miller apologized to me later. Having the ‘turd bowl’ was just a part of Southwest Texas State at the time.” Miller asked Parker to run a 15-yard pass pattern two weeks later. Parker crumpled to the ground before he could finish the route. He later traveled to Houston and underwent a four-hour surgery to repair the torn cartilage in his right knee. Parker said he lifted weights with his legs and ran stairs for three months to rehabilitate his knee. “I wasn’t the same player again,” Parker said. “I lost my confidence in cutting because all it took was one hit and I was done. I lost some of my talent. But a lot of players have gone through it, so you can’t really whine about it. ” Due to his injury, Parker missed the last game of the 1969 season, a 28-13 loss to Texas A&M Kingsville. Southwest Texas State finished the season 3-6-1. Parker’s chance to play against Kingsville came again in 1971. The Bobcats entered that year’s Lone Star Conference championship game with a 7-1-1 record, and had outscored their opponents by 18.4 points per game prior to their title matchup with the Javelinas. The Javelinas were 10-4 in their previous 14 headto-head contests. They had outscored the Bobcats by 21.3 points per game dating back to 1967. “It was like a UT and A&M game,” Parker said. Parker planted his left foot in the ground and angled his body toward the goal post. Texas A&M Kingsville All-American defensive back Levi Johnson stumbled,
“They hated us, and we hated them.”
Courtesy of John Parker
and Parker was open. Senior quarterback James Duncan did not see him. Parker returned to the huddle before the ensuing play. He wanted to run a flag route because he thought it would catch Johnson off guard. “It was amazing how often the ball was thrown to him,” said Bobby Patton, Southwest Texas State athletic trainer. “He was wide open almost every single time.” Parker planted his right foot and veered in the opposite direction toward the end zone. Johnson was beat again, and Parker’s eighth touchdown of the 1971 season gave the Bobcats a lead entering the second half. “Johnny turned him around in circles,” Leinneweber said. “He scored so many touchdowns that it felt like he wasn’t even there. He caught everything that was thrown to him.” Seventeen thousand people attended the title game, a Lone Star Conference record. The traveling Bobcats contingent, including the band and fans, stormed the field to congratulate their football team. Twelve players in the 1971 Lone Star Conference title game were drafted into the National Football League, including three first-round picks. Johnson, selected as the 75th pick in the 1973 NFL draft, met with Parker following the Bobcats’ 29-24 victory in the Lone Star Conference championship game. “Boy, you have some quick moves,” Johnson told him. Johnson went on to appear in 59 games with the Detroit Lions. Johnson grabbed 21 interceptions in five NFL seasons, returning three for touchdowns.
“Johnny had him turned around in circles.”
“They called him the ‘living legend.’” Bill Wyatt spent one season with the Southwest Texas State football team. Wyatt, a center, met Parker on the football team. The two shared a six-bedroom, three-bathroom apartment with four other Southwest Texas State students after their collegiate careers. Parker and his roommates hosted large parties Saturday nights that sometimes saw 100 guests or more. Former sorority and fraternity members were frequent guests. “They called (Parker) the ‘living legend,’” Wyatt said. “He was such a stud at football. He had so many records, and he was all over the place. Just go back to the 1969-71 yearbooks, and everybody – girls, coaches and students-- they all knew him.”
The San Diego Chargers and Cincinnati Bengals inquired about Parker, the Lone Star Conference’s all-time leader in receptions and touchdowns. They sent a formal letter and a personal letter to Parker’s residence. The Canadian Football League’s Toronto Argonauts also reached out to Parker. Parker said their offer was promising, and the head coach said he was going to sign him. “I just want to play somewhere, and I guess my answer is Canada,” Parker said in a 1972 football column. Toronto withdrew their offer after they signed prospects higher on their list. Parker’s teammates, running back Josh Brown, tackle Dennis Colvin and defensive back Jim Stienke, all reached the NFL. 442 players were selected ahead of Parker in the 1973 NFL Draft. “I think he could’ve made it in the NFL,” Leinneweber said. “Johnny just didn’t fit the mold, so
“I think he could’ve made it in the NFL.”
he didn’t get a chance. If he was still healthy, I definitely think he could’ve definitely played in the NFL.” Southwest Texas State finished 17-12-2 in Parker’s three-year tenure, and he was named to the All-Lone Star Conference First Team in his senior season. The Pasadena native finished with 2,479 receiving yards and160 receptions, both No. 1 all-time marks at Texas State. “Johnny Parker is probably the best receiver I’ve ever coached,” Leinneweber said. “He would turn his butt, and once you threw the football into a crowd of three or four people knocking the crap out of him, he would catch the ball. He was a tough son of a gun.” Patton said the Bobcats’ offense, with several running backs in the backfield, relied on Parker to move the chains in long yardage situations. Parker, the quarterback’s primary safety valve, caught an all-time high 12 passes in a 35-29 loss to Angelo State in 1969. “Johnny was a bit shorter and slower than everybody,” Patton said. “He was our hero. Johnny was a very important part of the team. If we had a third down-and-long, the ball was going to go to Johnny.”
“Johnny Parker is probably the best receiver I’ve ever coached.”
“San Marcos has given me everything.” Parker bounced around jobs following the end of his football career. He worked with the UPS in Houston for a year before landing a job with Gary Job Corp, where he met his wife, Tammie Parker, in April 1984. They have been married since January 1985. “I knew very early that I needed to hurry up and get her,” Parker said. Parker started working with Transportation Services at Texas State in 1987. After 27 years of service, Parker will retire in December 2013. Parker, a guard sergeant, manages reserved parking for events hosted by University President Denise Trauth. “San Marcos is my life,” Parker said. “Once I came here, I didn’t ever want to leave. San Marcos has given me everything – a house, a job and a good life for my family.”
B8 | The University Star | Advertisement | Thursday October 24, 2013
