December 4, 2018

DEFENDING THE FIRST AMENDMENT SINCE 1911 @universitystar | universitystar.com

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2018

YEAR IN REVIEW

Volume 108, Issue 14

YEAR IN REVIEW Trinity Building 203 Pleasant St. San Marcos, TX 78666 (512) 245 - 3487

2 | Tuesday, December 4, 2018

The University Star

DISCLAIMER: The following grades were decided by the entire editorial board. They do not represent the views of the entire University Star staff. The grades are mostly for entertainment and should be taken lightly.

Editors Editor-in-Chief: Carrington Tatum, stareditor@txstate.edu Managing Editor: Sawyer Click, starmanagingeditor@txstate.edu Associate Managing Editor: Bayley Bogus, starmanagingeditor@txstate.edu News Editor: Sandra Sadek, starnews@txstate.edu Life & Arts Editor: Diana Furman, lifeandarts@txstate.edu Opinions Editor: Zach Ienatsch, staropinion@txstate.edu Sports Editor: Jakob Rodriguez, starsports@txstate.edu Design Editor: Gloria Rivera, stardesign@txstate.edu Multimedia Editor: Cameron Hubbard, starmultimedia@txstate.edu Engagement Editor: Tyler Hernandez, starsengagement@txstate.edu

Advertising Staff

Administration and Transparency Texas State administrators mailed in their efforts this year, missing key marks in transparency. When it comes to upholding the values of Texas State, the administration was routinely slow to denounce racism on campus. And even when the white supremacists responsible for posting racist flyers were caught, the university protected their identities and continues to do so.

Administrators were much quicker to denounce The University Star for printing a controversial column, which University President Denise Trauth initially labeled as racist and abhorrent. Later, at the 2018 fall convocation, Trauth patted herself on the back by saying that she defended The Star's First Amendment rights. In the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, which works closely with The Star, administrators, such as Director Judy Oskam, pressured The Star to allow faculty to unconstitutionally review content prior to its publication.

It's not just The Star. On campus, the Department of Housing and Residential Life has continuously and unconstitutionally stifled resident assistant's free speech. With a policy telling resident assistants to keep quiet, Texas State has reinforced its designation as one of the worst universities in the country for free speech.

This trend of tone-deafness continued throughout the year, as it took an overnight, student-led sit-in protest against deposed Student Government President Connor Clegg at the LBJ Student Center for administrators to recognize the concerns of underrepresented students.

Alongside the protest, students blocked Student Government officials from leaving an on-campus parking garage following a university-held town hall. A month later, during finals week, the University Police Department arrested four students for charges stemming from this demonstration. According to administrators, it was within Trauth's

D+ power to stop these arrests. Hays County District Attorney Wes Mau is awaiting additional evidence from the University Police Department before making any movements on the case.

In mid-May, University Police Chief Jose Banales resigned unexpectedly.

With a sentence-long letter of resignation that states no reason, students have been given no clear explanation as to why the highest-ranking police official on campus left. Administrators replaced the head football coach faster than the police chief, reaffirming the university's commitment to profit-making departments and not students' safety.

In many cases, the administration ended somewhere close to the right side of the issue, but their hesitancy to commit shows a lack of attentiveness and a sense of urgency. A passing administration makes mostly good choices but only when forced, and an A+ administration makes the right choices proactively.

Account Executive: Katy Goerss starad3@txstate.edu Account Executive: Carmel Lujan starad4@txstate.edu Account Executive: Jazmine Barrios starad1@txstate.edu Account Executive: Mykl Miller. starad2@txstate.edu

Full-Time Staff Director: Laura Krantz, laurakrantz@txstate.edu Student Publications Cordinator: Mayra Mejia, mm1894@txstate.edu

Advertise With Us For advertising inquiries, please contact us at advertising@universitystar.com.

512-245-2261

About Us History: The University Star is the student newspaper of Texas State University and is published every Tuesday of the spring and fall and once a month in the summer semesters.

It is distributed on campus and throughout San Marcos at 8 a.m. on publication days with a distribution of 5,000. Printing and distribution is by the New Braunfels HeraldZeitung.

Copyright: Copyright Tuesday, December 4, 2018. 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.

Deadlines: Letters to the Editor or any contributed articles are due on Monday the week prior to publication.

Corrections: Any errors that are in the pages of The University Star and are brought to our attention will be corrected as soon as possible.

Visit The Star at universitystar.com

Student Government From the top of the year, Student Government garnered national attention for all the wrong reasons.

D

Deposed Student Government President Connor Clegg first brought the spotlight to Texas State with racist and sexist social media posts. This, tagged along with myriad other concerns, were the catalyst for student-composed articles of impeachment. After Clegg’s escaped trial, a heated overnight sit-in protest, on-campus student arrests and intervention from university administrators, Clegg was forcefully removed from office with less than a week left in his term.

His successor, the resigned President Brooklyn Boreing, fueled the fire with her own turmoils, which

Stairs

included a hefty accusation from former Student Government Sen. Eli Miller that she failed to report a $3,000 donation from Turning Point USA, a conservative non-profit organization. TPUSA admittedly targets student elections across the U.S. The University Star uncovered ties between TPUSA and Texas State’s Student Government that dated back to Andrew Homann’s term as president in 2016-17. For Boreing, she resigned during the second week of the school year, claiming “it has come to the point where the truth does not matter.”

On top of the wish-wash of Student Government presidents, the student-elected representatives have been ineffective at enforcing legislation. In April, The University Star reported that 23 legislative pieces went missing under Clegg.

Now, Student Government is under the Becerra-Castillo era with President Ruben Becerra Jr. at the helm. Much of his term has been spent trying to fill empty Senate seats and Cabinet positions, through Student Government has done some work to revamp its website to promote transparency.

Sculpted calves are just one of our Bobcat's shining attributes. Thanks to Texas State's insufferable hills and stairs, legs across campus are reaping the benefits.

While seemingly sculpted by Michaelangelo himself, the calves come at far too high a price. Students hiking across campus are gasping for breath as they wipe sweat from their brows. Legs are shaking, the sun beats down, dehydration begins to set in. The trials of the one-mile walk to classes are threatening Bobcats everywhere.

Texas State's stairs and hills have violated their civic duty by unilaterally deciding every day is leg day.

Students have also been victim to the stair's embarrassment-thirsty clutches. At least once a week, a student's dignity has been wrenched from their cold, cold hands as they fall down or stumble on the stairs.

F

Greek Life Greek Life has a long history of parties filled with heavy drinking, and it seems as though students fall victim to the culture far too often.

Soon enough, Texas State was hit when Matthew Ellis died in November 2017.

Ellis was found unresponsive in his apartment following a night with his fraternity Phi Kappa Psi. His death marked the start of an extensive change in Greek Life policies and a four-month-long suspension.

A task force was assembled to ensure another accident of the same sort didn’t find its way back on campus.

Greek Life was officially reinstated March 1, 2018. Several new policies were put in place, including recruitment procedures allowing upperclassmen to rush in the fall and underclassmen having to wait until the spring semester.

The office also changed their official name to Fraternity and Sorority Life, claiming

the name change was part of a larger movement across the country to make Greek Life organizations more inclusive.

The Office of Fraternity and Sorority has picked itself back up from the many incidents that marked its organizations over the last few years. Although there are still improvements that could be made to ensure a safer environment for pledges and members, the dedication to growth is noted.

B

The University Star

Tuesday, December 4, 2018 | 3

YEAR IN REVIEW

4 | Tuesday, December 4, 2018

The University Star

FEBUARY

Student claims Spirit Airlines forced her to flush emotional support hamster down the toilet Belen Aldecosea, criminal justice sophomore, claimed Spirit Airlines forced her to flush her emotional support hamster down the toilet on Nov. 21 2017.

Aldecosea claimed Spirit Airlines informed her she could take her hamster on board prior to the flight. Upon arrival, she was told differently.

Aldecosea said a Spirit Airlines employee suggested she either let the hamster free outdoors or flush it down a toilet. Aldecosea chose the latter.

The story broke in Feb. 2018 once Aldecosea came forward stating she was considering filing a lawsuit against Spirit for conveying mistaken information that ul-

timately pushed her to flush her hamster down the toilet.

According to USA Today, Spirit Airlines stated the employee made no such suggestion. Aldecosea now has a new replacement rodent. It is unknown if the lawsuit was filed.

F

Senior lecturer’s classroom comedy conquers the Twittersphere

A

Over the past year, Brian Cooper, geography senior lecturer, has blown up on Twitter. His satirical jokes and relatable humor have made him a staple both on and off campus.

In Feb. his Twitter began to gain traction. One of his tweets asking for gluten-free tide pods received over 400

likes. He took the attention in stride and began tweeting helpful advice for college students.

Cooper utilizes the account to "take out (his) mental garbage." He tweets jokes almost daily. He now has over 7,000 followers on Twitter. Students can follow him at @ BrianCooperGeo.

MARCH

Remembering alumnus Anthony Stephan House

SMPD’s new hire works his tail off

Mar. 2, Texas State Alumnus Anthony Stephan House became the first victim of the Austin bombings. One morning, he opened a suspicious package on his front porch that detonated and killed him.

House left behind his eight-year-old daughter. He was the president of his own managing system, House Capital Management LLC. “We are deeply saddened and disturbed by the series of bombings that occurred in Central Texas. Our hearts are with the friends and family of Texas State alumnus Anthony Stephan House and everyone in our community impacted by this tragedy,” Texas State officials said.

According to his friends, House was a humble and well-liked person.

House’s mother’s GoFundMe page raised more than $80,000.

N/A

SMPD Mental Health Unit Officer Joyce Bender, Sheldon's handler, rewards him for his hard work with a treat.

A+ PHOTO BY DIANA FURMAN

In March, SMPD implemented their first therapy dog to assist the community during times of crisis.

Sheldon, the border collie mix, was donated to the police department by Joyce Bender, SMPD mental health unit officer. She suggested therapy dogs to the police department after conduct-

ing research regarding the practice.

SMPD has since then added an additional therapy dog to the mix. Moxie, Sheldon and Bender have worked together to help victims of abuse, assault and tragedy throughout San Marcos.

Follow their journey on Facebook at Therapy Dogs of SMPD.

APRIL

Fortune favors family tradition

Elliot Byrd poses for a photo on set of Wheel of Fortune.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ELLIOT BYRD

On Apr. 3, one student won big, big money on Wheel of Fortune’s College Night.

Elliot Byrd, finance senior, was a contestant on the show last Spring. After watching Wheel of Fortune with his family for years, he auditioned for it. He was selected out of 2 million auditions.

He competed against 19 other college students from across the nation. He rose as the last contestant standing with a $25,800 prize. He then competed in a bonus round which won him an extra $35,000 and allotted him a total of $60,800 in the end.

A-

- was not enough to cover the full price of Texas State tuition

The University Star

Tuesday, December 4, 2018 | 5

JULY

Community steps in to assist fire victims After the tragic July fire at the Iconic Village and Vintage Pad apartments the community stepped in to lend a helping hand to those affected.

200 students were left homeless after the fire and five lost their lives. Students lost pets, clothing and household items to the fire.

Residents were directed to temporary shelter in the San Marcos Activity Center. The Central Texas Medical Center provided meals.

Multiple organizations and businesses, such as Society of Women in Engineering and Mochas and Javas held donation drives and had GoFundMe pages set up to give back to fire victims.

Texas State Crowdfunding raised more than $100,000 in the fire relief fund.

Many different resources were and are still being offered for students recovering from this horrific event.

In times of need, the community stands together.

STAR FILE PHOTO

SEPTEMBER

Professor triumphs despite hardships

OCTOBER

A+

How some students choose to pay the bills Oct 30: A student’s curiosity for the sugar baby life left her traumatized after a man violated her. A vast amount of students are turning to arrangement sites in an unconventional way to pay the bills.

Older, wealthy men, otherwise known as sugar daddies, are on arrangement sites to spend lavishly on young women, who often happen to be college students.

From Seeking Arrangement’s latest data from 2018, Texas State ranked seventh among universities with the highest number of sugar babies in the U.S. Approximately 2% of adult females in the U.S. are sugar babies, and the average monthly allowance is $2,200.

Everyone’s experience as a sugar baby is different but when money is tight, safety should nevertheless be a priority.

N/A

Community comes together to plan the revival of a historic African-American church Alba Melgar lived in El Salvador until the Salvadoran Civil War in the 1980s.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ALBA MELGAR

Sept: Spanish senior lecturer Alba Melgar is an El Salvador native where she had two children and was a school teacher. During the Salvadoran Civil War in the '80s, teachers were being prosecuted for educating the youth.

She was forced to leave the country to save her family from the danger the government posed on them.

Melgar spoke no English when going to America and had limited job options. She cleaned houses for over 20 years before getting her bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at age 53.

Every semester, Melgar shares her hardships with her students so they may persevere.

“I think I survive in every single person that touches my life, and I think I will continue living in my students because every one of my students is a projection of myself,” Melgar said.

A+

The Old First Baptist Church sits empty Oct. 9 on the corner of Mitchell Street and Martin Luther King Drive.

PHOTO BYMAY OLVERA

In Oct. the Old First Baptist Church had an untold fate, and the new owners and community came together to save the church.

Advocates for the revitalization of the church from Calaboose African American History Museum, San Marcos Cinema Club, Splash Coworking and San Marcos Main Street program worked alongside to nominate the building for a grant from the National Geographic. The top 11 of the 20 proj-

ects nominated were to receive a grant to kickstart the restoration process.

The church was able to be saved by making it into the top 11 and gaining about $150,000 in grant money.

The church was originally built in 1868 but was burned down by the Klu Klux Klan shortly after opening. It was rebuilt in its current location in 1908.

It was once a place for the NAACP to meet.

The church’s preservation centers

around honoring the rich history, while simultaneously turning it into a space where a new community can thrive.

A+

YEAR ROUND

Squirrels on Campus Squirrels are our watchful gaurdians, but the tax they charge is far too high.

They take our sanity and our fries.

The Texas State ground squirrels have harbored an adoration for their biped, sleep-deprived colleagues. As students trek to class, the ground squirrels squirrel about among fallen leaves and acorns.

The small rodents offer cuteness and joy as they hop from tree to tree.

However, the squirrels are gaining confidence and taking advantage of their rent-free, college lives. They have begun to harass humans for food and drink.

Upon many occasions they have been sighted plotting the seizure of dining halls, mapping out their conquest.

Sources say the squirrels have marked Jones as their next take-over.

Current administrators have been un-

able to intervene as the student handbook says nothing about rodents conquest for food. It actually says nothing about rodents at all.

Although they may attempt to steal students' food, Texas State remains grateful for the squirrels. Staff and students are always glad to have them in place of chipmunks as chipmunks are known to be vengeful crooks and terrible singers.

B+

YEAR IN REVIEW

6 | Tuesday, December 4, 2018

The University Star

2018 columns that define good opinions writing, columns that missed the mark 2018 was a landmark year for the opinions section at The University Star.

Columnists brought the hot takes and the receipts when key issues affected this campus and community. Since transitioning to local content only in August, this has only grown. Below are just a few of this year's columns that did a good job of sharing a position, using logic and citations to back up the claim and starting conversations between students. This is the entire reason this section remains a key component of this publication.

Administrators have no business in student government

Not every column accomplishes what it sets out to do. Sometimes a wellintentioned take doesn't hold up on the evidence provided and sometimes the audience just doesn't care enough to have a meaningful takeaway after reading it. This by no means indicates a columnist is a bad writer or even that the entire column is mediocre. A column sometimes misses the mark despite the best efforts of the writer and the editors who revise it.

Below are a few examples of columns that either did not go far enough, did not argue from the strongest possible stance or just came and went with little change. Every writer has them.

Disney is ruining Star Wars

By Jordan Drake, February 2018

By Jordan Drake, April 2018 During the whirlwind of the spring semester's Student Government controversy, Jordan Drake did an excellent job of defending Student Government independence. While it was more popular with students to throw everything they could to see change in the governing institution, Jordan was right to be wary of the precedent it could set.

Just as student media prides itself on our independence from the university administration, Student Government should too. Jordan was right to defend the student Supreme Court's initial decision, even if it was contrary to the outcome many had wanted. The opportunity to see this scenario of administration intervention play out again has not presented itself yet, but should it, Jordan's words will be prophetic and once again relevant.

City Councilman invokes Iconic Village fire to justify unethical vote

By May Olvera, August 2018 Columns can start a conversation, but sometimes they can also lead to meaningful change. May's "Back to School" issue column about former City Councilman Scott Gregson's ethics violation eventually led to Gregson being formally reprimanded, with due credit to all individuals who brought the discrepancy to light.

Columns like these also remind stu-

dent readers there's more to this community than Texas State. While it's popular to dogpile Student Government and university administration, local government needs a watchful eye too. The few columns we've run about City Council have all been stellar and it is my hope students will take a more vested interest in the legislation written and voted on by San Marcos City Council in the future.

San Marcos should ban wildlife feeding

By Toni Mac Crossan, September 2018 Toni's science-based columns were always home runs, but this one in particular is incredible because of its intersection with other local communities, meaningful solutions and hard scientific evidence.

Arguing what San Marcos authorities can do to protect the environment from a simple remedy standpoint on a specific issue is down to earth and with logical reason after

logical reason, it's hard to disagree with her assessment.

Changing the environment for the better doesn't have to be a huge, sweeping reform out of nowhere.

Effective measures like banning wildlife feeding can do a lot of good and can be adopted rather quickly by imitating New Braunfels' solution. Many residents might not know that because of their limited understanding of why it's important, hence why Toni's voice in this column is all the more important.

School syllabi underrepresent voices of women, people of color

By Carissa Liz Castillo, October 2018 As a public university, dispensing knowledge and education is a priority for Texas State. Carissa's claim of how this curriculum in literature, history and other reading intensive classes is skewing in a different direction than the demographics of the world and this student body and does so with the reminder that columns start conversations.

I especially think it's an important perspective as Carissa is a woman of

color and has encountered this disconnect personally in many of her classes as an English student. But her reasoning is not that it offends students or hurts feelings, but rather an unrepresented syllabus gives students a subpar education, especially in reading intensive classes.

This column was inspired by an opinions piece in the Los Angeles Times arguing the same point. The local spin makes it more relevant to Texas State and more meaningful for our audience.

Jordan himself still beats himself up about this column. One of his first submissions after joining the publication, this column rooted itself in the (somewhat necessary) criticisms of The Last Jedi and the proposed anthology installments. While not necessarily incorrect, Jordan and I both know he has dozens of other opinions more deserving of his time, effort and space in the paper than this

particular gripe.

Since moving to local only content, columns like these have become rarer and are probably best regulated to personal social media and blogs. But the takeaway columnists and readers should not have is that some pitch ideas shouldn't be shared. Every writer should feel free to ask to write what they care about but this doesn't mean it's good content for The Star.

Any Main Points reminding people to vote

By Carrington Tatum and Zach Ienatsch, March-November 2018 Reminding students they have to head to the polls and cast votes is super boring and a waste of newspaper space. Carrington and I have written several Main Points this year alone doing so. I don't know how many more times we can churn out 500-600 word sermons recommending young people participate in democracy before we accidentally run a word-for-word

recreation of a previous editorial.

However, this does not include the Main Point "Campus early voting window insufficient for midterm student turnout." That Main Point presents new information, a timely crisis and doesn't place the blame on apathetic students. The other Main Points rarely do that. At the very least, these assignments give me a chance to practice imitating Aaron Sorkin's Emmy-award winning dialogue.

Student life is essential to Texas State University

By Patrick Tchakounte, September 2018 There are probably few people on this campus who would argue having clubs and organizations is a bad thing. That's why Patrick's column remains as a no-brainer endorsement of young people having fun, something they don't really need a reminder or permission to continue doing.

Ideally, every column should be written with the idea anyone can write a column in response from the opposite point of view. Because no one is realistically going to argue against this, it won't start any conversations. However, I should include the disclaimer Patrick is a very inoffensive guy and incredibly intelligent. It's hard not to agree with him and that's the problem.

Academic writing should be more accessible

By James Debbah, November 2018 My only problem with this column is that it's too short. This is a pitch James and I sat on for months before assigning it. Despite James' passion for academia, social stratification and the intersections between the two, I feel like more unpacking and more argument points would've made this column into the full scope of James' interest in the subject.

More explanation would've also helped the audience understand why they should care and what they can do about it. Those two qualities are arguably the most important questions to keep in mind when writing an opinions piece. I know James has those answers, but deadlines can be unforgiving. In hindsight, I should've given him more time, but it's too late to regret publications now.

The University Star

Tuesday, December 4, 2018 | 7

Engagement 1

3

4 5

2

Student center construction Bobcat shuttle needs to be fixed should pause during class time

ILLUSTRATED BY JEFFREY FOLLENDER, OCTOBER

Your webcam FBI agent is more than just a meme

ILLUSTRATED BY JEFFREY FOLLENDER, OCTOBER

Testimony: Working at a strip club does not deserve a stigma

ILLUSTRATED BY JEFFREY FOLLENDER, SEPTEMBER

Coming out should not be trivialized ILLUSTRATED BY KENNEDY SWIFT, FEBRUARY

Respect rivers as rivers, not people

ILLUSTRATED BY KENNEDY SWIFT, JANUARY

ILLUSTRATED BY CAMERON HUBBARD, OCTOBER

YEAR IN REVIEW

8 | Tuesday, December 4, 2018

The University Star

Athletics Department With a losing football team, a hesitancy toward the press, a donor-led movement to fire the athletic director and a history of overshadowing winning programs, the Athletics Department has missed the mark this year.

The donor-spurred #FireTeis movement to dismiss and replace Athletic Director Larry Teis has left a bad taste in the mouths of students, donors and alumni. Alumni were even asked to leave a football game because of a sign that called for the firing of Teis,

even though signs are allowed at games. The mismanagement of the situations has hurt the department and Texas State.

Teis was unavailable at the time for comment on the #FireTeis movement due to prior engagements, however, he offered the following in an email statement: “I get it, I am frustrated also,” Teis said.

“I don’t think anyone thought we would be 1-6 after (seven) games. I would be worried if people did not care. It’s better to have passionate fans than no fans at all.”

The University Star attempted to contact the athletics department and the athletic director for over three weeks, even going as far as to email the athletic director a scripted interview, which garnered no response.

Meanwhile, KTSW 89.9, licensed through Texas State University, is given favorable access to department heads like Teis and University President Denise Trauth. Effectively, the university has employed KTSW's Sports department as a public relations team.

D

Boko Boko the Bobcat was named "cutest mascot" in The University Star editorial board poll. As a mascot and campus ambassador, Boko receives an A+ for dedicating himself to supporting Texas State and Texas State athletics, even when faced with adversity.

On September 22, Texas State faced off against the University of Texas at San Antonio Roadrunners. Facing an unfriendly crowd and talented UTSA team, Boko and the Bobcats battled on and off the field.

In what was supposed to be a friendly mini-game between possessions, the UTSA and Texas State fans, helped by their mascots, played a game of tug-owar. After winning convincingly, the Texas State side celebrated the victory.

When Boko turned his back, Rowdy (UTSA's mascot) struck him hard and fast. Knocking Boko off balance, he collected himself and asserted his dominance over his assailant and despite any injury received in the altercation, Boko continued to rally fans at the game.

A+

Volleyball The Texas State volleyball team finished their season with an overall record of 27-7 and made a historic second-round appearance in the NCAA tournament after a victory over the Rice University Owls.

The University Star's editorial board believes that Texas State athletics was represented well by the team over the season and the young team will be back at Strahan Arean at the University Events Center for another productive season next year.

This freshman class was led by setter Emily DeWalt, who according to an athletic department press release,

A+

was named Setter of the Week for the sixth time on the season Nov. 2.

The season’s success can be credited to upperclassmen who set high standards for younger players, which raised the standard level of play for the team.

Head coach Karen Chisum said this season's success rests heavily on the upperclassmen.

“We have a true all-around team,” Chisum said. “We don’t have the same attack leader every night. You never know who’s going to be leading us.”

Congratulations on a historic season ladies!

Soccer

A-

Football Despite a positive culture shift from recently dismissed head coach Everett Withers, Texas State's football program earned a losing season wrought with disappointments.

Ending the season 3-9, the team improved upon last year's record by one game. Though the team continuously lost, they did host the longest win streak the program has had in three years - a whopping two games.

The Bobcats did garner national attention as a defensive unit with nationally ranked players like redshirt senior tight end Keenen Brown, who had to appeal with the NCAA to play another year. Clock extension from the NCAA in hand, Brown said he plans on coming back next fall.

After firing head coach Everett Withers a week before the season's end, Texas State landed former West Virginia offensive coordinator Jake Spavital. Spatival will take the program to new heights, especially with the hiring of former Ohio State University analyst Bob Stitts.

Texas State's offense is also moved by true freshman Tyler Vitt and sophomore Willie Jones III, both expected to do well under Spavital's tutelage.

D+

The team faced a major rebuilding process as Withers came in, as the team was plagued by a growing drug problem.

“There was a major drug problem when I got here,” Withers said. “We have a better competitive spirit now, we are closer to competing than we have ever been since I have been here.”

Compared to other sports, Texas State's soccer team had a wildly successful season, despite a heartbreaking elimination from the Sun Belt Conference tournament.

The team won the Sun Belt Conference regular season title and achieved an overall record of 115-4 with 8-0-2 in conference play. All five of the Bobcats losses came during away games and the team was undefeated at home.

Senior midfielder Kelly Barbalias said the loss during the tournament hurt, especially when looking at how the team fared in the previous season.

“We’ve been working for this for four years, so falling short of that has been kind of hard, especially last year when we came so close,” Barbalias said. “Being able to capture this moment and capture the win and the title is amazing.”

Despite the season's finish and the team not making the NCAA tournament, the team not only surpassed expectations but the girls' continued work with head coach Kat Conner's ovarian cancer initiative, Goals 2 Cure, means they have furthered Texas State's name off the field as well.

Moving forward, head coach Kat Conner said she sees potential in the upcoming freshman recruits and sees several players on the squad now who are a step away from being offensive threats.

#doctorobvious

The University Star

BOBCAT TRIVIA

1.Who gifted the Fighting Stallions statue to Southwest Teachers State College in 1951? a.George Strait b.President Lyndon B. Johnson c.Anna Hyatt Huntington and Archer Huntington d.Jesse C. Kellam

Tuesday, December 4, 2018 | 10

2. Who donated the Fighting Stallions statue? a.Anna Hyatt Huntington b.George Strait c.President Lyndon B. Johnson d.Jesse C. Kellam

3.Which artist designed the original base for the Fighting Stallions statue? a.Anna Hyatt Huntington b.Jesse C. Kellam c.Buck Winn d.None of the above

4.Where was the granite from the original base shipped from? a.Europe b.Llano c.New York d.Austin

ANSWERS FROM NOV. 27

2. Which school did West Campus first serve as their original campus? b. San Marcos Baptist Academy

3. Which former Texas State president was responsible for the university’s purchase of West Campus? c. Lee H. Smith

4. Which original building(s) are still being used today that were part of the West Campus purchase? d. All of the above

ANSWERS FOR DEC. 4

1.Who gifted the Fighting Stallions statue to Southwest Teachers State College in 1951? c.Anna Hyatt Huntington and Archer Huntington

BOBCAT TRIVIA

4.Where was the granite from the original base shipped from? b.Llano 3.Which artist designed the original base for the Fighting Stallions statue? c.Buck Winn

1. What are some of the current buildings that are located on West Campus? d. All of the above

2. Who donated the Fighting Stallions statue? a.Anna Hyatt Huntington

BOBCAT TRIVIA