On and Off

ON AND OFF Lessons from Football p.3 Injuries in Sports p.9 Athletic Wear p.15 Growth in Gaming p.25 Tech in Esports p.27

Exclusive interview with Univeristy of Texas former football player

Lance Gunn

FA L L 2 0 1 9 E D I T I O N

from the Dear Reader, This magazine was specifically designed for those who foster a competitive streak and love to get that extra edge. If this doesn’t apply to you, we still encourage you to keep on reading, with the hope that you will be able to find something else you enjoy.

In many sports-related magazines, television shows, and other forms of media, a lot of focus is placed on the game itself, from MVPs to thrilling plays. However, not many people consider the factors that go into actually making any of this happen. What about the uniforms the players wear? Or the health factors they must consider if they want to continue pursuing their athletic goals? On and Off covers the minute details that will hopefully give you insight into the unsung aspects of the sporting world.

As a group, we thought that we had nothing in common aside from attending the Liberal Arts and Science Academy (LASA), with hobbies ranging from shopping to gaming, but it turns out that we actually did share a common thread: sports.

Although sports may seem simple in theory, there are many processes that influence the players, as well as the game. The first half of this magazine highlights the lessons that athletics can teach, necessary safety factors, and the world of design centered around physical activity, however, in a technology driven world, gameplay isn’t solely limited to the stadium anymore. Esports are on the rise, and are a unique way for people to participate in the more strategic side of competition.

We spent months utilizing various computer programs, editing and reediting our writing, and meticulously researching so that we could present you with the knowledge you need to fully understand a topic we all adore. Many of the technical aspects could be exceptionally difficult to master, and proved to be quite frustrating at times, but we are happy to say we conquered these challenges and are now able to provide you with a product that showcases our collective efforts.

In particular, we feel our easy to understand layout and fun graphics help to make this an enjoyable read. Whether you are scoring a goal or completing that final level, we hope that this magazine will help you to perform to your very best, both on and off the field.

Sincerely,

a

Front cover, Inside cover, Letter from the Editors, and Table of Contents

by Richa Kalari and Jordan Birnbaum

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American Past Times > 7

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One Team, One Mission//sports feature > 3

Meet The Editors > 1

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Special Thanks > 33

People Playing Video Games > 31

To Play or Not to Play//esports feature > 27

Let’s Take Control > 25

Anyone’s Game//esports feature > 21

If the Shoe Fits > 19

From Start to Finish//fashion feature > 15

The R.I.C.E Method > 14

First-Aid Kit Essential > 13

One Goal at a Time//sport injuries feature > 9

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Photos courtesy of Lance Gunn, Madeleine Novinger, Riot Games, Dr. Stacie Cherie Morris. Photos by Richa Kalari, Wilson Nasi, Jordan Birnbaum.

Meet

the Editors

A E T As an accomplished student athlete who is abnormally tall, Richa is known for her constant obsession with TikTok. You will most likely find her in some sort of nerdy school club with her friends, representing her high school, LASA. She also knows the most random facts ever, so if you ever needs to identify a rock just give her a call. She’s been playing volleyball since fourth grade after experimenting with almost every other sport a 10-year-old could play. She didn’t know she even liked graphic design until this class, but she now utilizes the skills she learned to make stickers that she sells online. Richa also had way too much fun creating graphics and designing pages, than she should’ve.

In the future, Richa hopes to advance her technology skills as well as learn as many different skills as she can.

Ever since she can remember, Jordan has adored making artwork, so she was very excited to work on the visual aspects of this magazine. Additionally, she enjoyed getting to know all of the fellow LASA students in her group throughout the creation process, even if they could be very loud at times. In her free time, she loves to hike, hang out with friends, and play with her two dogs, Steve and Lupita. Her favorite spot in the world has to be Florissant, a small mountain town in Colorado, that has the most incredible views she has ever seen. Because of her love for the outdoors, she has summited seven 14,000 foot mountains, and plans to climb more in the summers to come. When she isn’t pursuing any of these activities, you can probably find her eating an absurd amount of food while watching cartoons with her 9 year old brother.

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Whenever Wilson isn’t playing video games, he is either hanging out with his friends, playing guitar, or catching up on his sleep. On top of this, he loves to listen to music and joke around at his school, LASA. He spends the majority of his time in or around his house. Wilson was most excited to finally showcase his knowledge of video games. If you ever need to find him, be sure to follow the sound of strange noises and Minecraft sound effects. Most importantly, he would like to let all readers know that his dog is superior to all other dogs, and that is non-negotiable.

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Jon has had way too much fun at his school, LASA, from trivial insides jokes and playing a wide variety of video games with his very intelligent friends. His life basically consists of all of the above and enjoys banging on piano keys as a hobby. Unhealthy doses of time on video streaming sites does not reduce his homework or his stress, and his teammates, who are always trolling his games, makes him sigh at the state of video games. When Jon entered Ezine, he learned much about being on task and working for an extended period of time with teammates. Jon is well rounded in all aspects of his life and feels confident going into his future as he hopes to continue his state of joy.

As a person who knows way too much about clothes, Emerson can tell you pretty much anything about shoes. He enjoys playing video games and watching TV, whenever he’s not busy finishing his homework assigned by the teachers at his high school, LASA. When he is not being lazy, he is either playing basketball, lacrosse, or jumping on a trampoline.

He also likes to play with his crazy pug Enzo and cook with his dad. His favorite food has to be his grandma’s chicken noodle soup. Even though school takes up most of his time, he still enjoys learning new things and being challenged.

Emerson likes to draw and he is interested in the art behind fashion, so he was excited when he found out that his two favorite things, sports and fashion, were involved in his Ezine.

Meet the Editors | 2

One Team, One Mission Football teaches lessons and skills that translate to every aspect of life Story by Emerson Longi

Lance Gunn (#16) faces off against the University of Texas’ rival, Oklahoma. This rivalry known as on eht emost heated rivalries in college football. Photo courtesy of Lance Gunn.

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ports are a big part of many peoples’ lives, and a lot of athletes cannot imagine where they would be without sports, especially football. Football can bring people together, take them to new places, and teach life long lessons that apply outside of the football world. Football is a great example of this. Many players trained their whole lives because it was their dream to do something different and to change their lives and those of others.

A rough version of American football was invented in 1869, and since then, the sport has evolved and a lot has changed.

Football has become a multibillion dollar business that has spread all over the world. Millions of people watch college and the National Football League. Young kids want to grow up and play in college or even make it to the NFL. The journey a football player takes from childhood to career, can resemble a rollercoaster with both ups and downs. From being drafted to being injured, a player can learn priceless values and lessons. Each athlete has a different journey and learn many lessons along the way. All players come from different backgrounds and take different routes in order to get to the place they want to be. Players practice, go to camps, and fine tune their strengths whenever Page design by Emerson Longi

they have the opportunity, to maybe be noticed by scouts. Mike Rosenthal, former Notre Dame and NFL football player, started playing football at a young age and went through many different processes to reach his goals.

and wanted to make it to the professional level of the sport he loved, so he trained everyday.

Once he made it to his first NFL team, he realized that the college experience was very different from the NFL. “It was way more rewarding getting the scholarship offer in highschool than it was getting an NFL contract because I understood my NFL contract was a business,” Rosenthal said. “It didn’t feel really good. It just felt like: ‘Alright, I’m taking a job’.

Gra phic by

Emerson Longi

“I really had no idea I was good until the summer before my junior year,” Rosenthal said. “I went to a football camp in Wisconsin, played really well there. Really hadn’t played a ton of varsity football, played a couple games as a sophomore, but kind of had no idea. I went there and earned a scholarship offer after the camp.

And once I left the camp I was like ‘Oh man maybe this can be something for me’.

Rosenthal had been playing football for most of his life

Football can present many challenges at the collegiate level as well as at the professional level, many of which can cause many players to end their careers.

Most players stop playing because of health problems, but others like Lance Gunn, former University of Texas All-American and NFL football player, stop playing because of their families.

Sometimes when a player stops playing, it can be for the better because not playing can help others as well as themselves.

“Like most football players, that decision is usually made for you,” “Most people, they don’t leave the game on their own terms, very few get a chance to do that. My dad needed a kidney, so I was actually able to donate a kidney to him, so it just all worked out.” Gunn said.

Sports | 4

Lance Gunn celebrates a touch down in a game against Texas Tech. Photo courtesy of Lance Gunn.

Gunn donated his kidney to his father resulting in the end of his career. Despite this, Gunn said that his career was over either way, and he even said that he played a year longer than he should have. Gunn’s rationale for ending his career was different from Rosenthal’s but they left the game for health reasons.

deteriorated so much that my mental skills couldn’ t overcome that, and I knew I was done,” Rosenthal said. “I was hurt. I got to a point where my job was basically to run through a wall. And you asked me what I was good at, I was good at running through walls. I got to the point where I didn’t want to touch anybody.”

“At some point, it was really my eighth year, my physical skills had

For Bill Sullivan, a former college football player that played at

5 | On and Off | 2019

Vanderbilt for four years, had a different reason for leaving the game, a knee disease called osteochondritis dissecans. It is a very common disease that a lot of football players have and occurs when there is a loss of blood in the bones that make up the knee.

When lots of stress and pressure are put on that area, it deteriorates the bone and causes pain which prohibits athletes to perform.

hic Grap

life, is the team atmosphere that “When I’m doing a presentation, “I’ve had six knee surgeries. And I or doing whatever from a work never red-shirted, and I could have you have to have to win.” standpoint, you never really taken a medical red-shirt.” Sullivan lose that,” Gunn said. said. “But I was close “Once an athlete, always enough to graduating an athlete, no matter if I’m to where I didn’t want to almost 50 now. The same do that. I felt that I had a You interact with people from concepts still apply. Hard good run and I enjoyed working, intelligent, and my time, I got to play all over the country from conscientious, are the 3 all four years in college. every socioeconomic so you characteristics I look for When I was growing when I’m hiring.” up, having a father that really learn to be a part of a played in college and team and you learn to treat Rosenthal is now the Austin some professional, I High School athletic director asked him the same everyone with respect. and head football coach. kind of question: ‘I can’t believe you didn’t Mike Rosenthal, Austin High He also said that he applies what he learned to his new wanna keep playing School Athletic Director career. football’. And he kind of gave the: ‘Yeah, you “Every lesson that I learned know when you’re done’. through life, whether its from And he was exactly [former teammates] Fred Smoot, right. I could feel it and I just didn’t Unlike Sullivan who played four years at Vanderbilt, Rosenthal or Darren Sharper, or my middle want to go do it anymore.” played college and professional school coach, or my high school football. This gave him more coach, if it helped me, I try and Despite all the struggles and experience in the game and also give it to our kids,” Rosenthal said. injuries, players can learn and “If it didn’t help me, I throw it out benefit a lot from playing football. taught him more life lessons. and try and find another way to They can learn lessons, gain social “I love football and I love sports,” help. I think in this day in age, if skills, learn to accept others for Rosenthal said. “You interact with you can teach a kid to show up who they are, learn respect, and people from all over the country on time, you’re really distancing develop many other priceless from every socioeconomic so you yourself from half the people in values. really learn to be a part of a team this world.”

“Out of all the sports I did, football and you learn to treat everyone with respect, or you’re never going Through injuries and failure, was by far the biggest team to stick around.” football can teach priceless values game, and so what I’ve learned that translate outside the very is that it takes everyone to win,” The lessons and values that competitive world of football.

Sullivan said. “And that’s certainly something that applies in business players get from playing football are also applicable to many real as well, and I see that a lot. I think life situations and jobs. Gunn, who you can learn just as much from a now works as a sales manager for winning locker room as you can a Frito Lay, said that he gained a lot losing locker room. So the thing I from football and that he applies like most about football, and the those skills to his everyday work. thing that is most applicable to m

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Page design by Emerson Longi

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Sports | 6

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A comparison between America’s Favorite Pastimes

5.2 million people play American style football in the United States. 1.65 billion people watch American style football worldwide in person and on TV.

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highschool students took a survey and

5% of

people said they played football

Graphic by Emerson Longi

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65 million people play baseball worldwide and 1.01 billion people watch baseball.

The people that watch, enjoy baseball either in person at a game, or on TV.

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Source: Quora

Sports | 8

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As th in an at c gle pl at ou de fo ayi hle ld cis re ng te ch io ve c ’s an n r. ar ge ee r

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At her local soccer tournament, Madeleine Novinger (center) receives the ball from her teammate, as the opposing team members run to defend Novinger from scoring. Photo courtesy of Madeleine Novinger

M

adeleine Novinger could go back for her shoe, but she decided not to. As she ran further and further, she could see it lying at the start line, slowly getting

smaller and smaller, before it disappeared completely. The 14-year-old’s bare foot hit the ground, crying out at every stride. As she crossed the finish line, the track and soccer player wondered whether she had made the right choice.

Injuries are common obstacles that athletes face at least once in a lifetime. According to Immediate Clinic, approximately 30 million teens and children in the U.S. participate in some organized sports, and more than 3.5 million injuries among these athletes are observed each year. Injuries can range from minor sprains to major fractures, which can potentially ruin an athletes performance permanently. Certain sports such

as football, lacrosse, and soccer all have a higher risk of injury, being contact sports, which could even end up being fatal. Different injuries are commonly associated with certain sports: concussions from football, ankle sprains from basketball, or muscle tears from soccer and lacrosse.

However, in most cases, injuries do not signal the end of an athlete’s career. Athletes can lower the risk they have of getting injured either by seeing a physical therapist, or using at home remedies based on the severity of the injury. For Novinger, continuous injuries along with devastation were no surprise.

“Since I was little, I’ve always been prone to injuries.” Novinger said.

“I’m used to all the procedures now, but it’s still sad to not be able to play along with my teams”.

Novinger plays a variety of sports from track to soccer, but when she found out that she couldn’t play any of them anymore, she was upset. While her teammates are out on the field fine tuning their skills, Novinger is only able to encourage her team from the sideline. One event led to another, which led to

another, and eventually ended up excusing Novinger from all physical activity. It all started with a minor strain in her Achilles, a tendon located near one’s ankle.

Overuse and trauma caused her Achilles to tear, heal, and tear again, causing damage in that area. Running shoeless was thought to have jump-started this chain reaction. In result, Novinger was benched for the rest of her track and soccer seasons, hoping that this would not affect her future playing goals of advancing to the highest teams in her division.

All of her previous experiences getting injured provided Novinger with valuable information that she uses to make sure she prevents this from happening repeatedly.

“I have this leg brace that I had to put on to stretch my Achilles while I was asleep, so every night I pull it up a little more to make it stretch more,” Novinger said. “It’s kind of like a retainer. If you don’t have a daily schedule of putting it on, it eventually becomes uncomfortable, putting your foot into weird positions.”

Health | 10

Dr. Morris dry needles an athlete at a rehabilitation center, to provide relief for some muscular pain and stiffness. Dry needling is a common technique used instead of acupuncture to also increase flexibility.

Photo courtesy of Main Street Hub

Not only did Novinger’s injury affect her daily life, but it also affected her performance in the many sports that she participates in, one of them being soccer.

“Because of my tight Achilles, it’s hard for me to lift my toe up,” Novinger said. “Lifting your toe up is pretty critical when you’re passing the ball. Sometimes my passes aren’t nearly where they should be because my toe cannot be raised up enough.”

Having been injured, Novinger was not given the option to play her 3 different school and club sports, and instead could only cheer her team on from the sidelines.

One of Novinger’s teammates, Alexandria Kelly, was also affected by the losses the team faced after her injury.

“Madeline was a key player to the team because of her speed, agility, and skilled footwork,” Kelly said. “Without her playing forward they had to move the whole lineup around making people play positions they didn’t always play.”

On top of the extra precautions Novinger took, she made sure to see a physical therapist every 11 | On and Off | 2019

At her training facility, Morris stretches out an athlete’s leg after a long run, ensuring that the athlete is ready for another day of working out.

Photo courtesy of Main Street Hub

once in a while to facilitate the healing of her Achilles. Dr. Stacie Cherie Morris, a certified physical therapist, warns young athletes to take care of their body while they are recovering “Injuries are just as much mental as they are physical for high level athletes,” Morris said. “Stay strong

If you’re going to eat junk and then you’re going to perform like junk.

Pamela Gagot, personal trainer and get enough sleep. Strength training and getting more than 8 hours of sleep per night together will cut your risk of getting an injury in half - research has proven this!”

Morris became a physical therapist in order to help bridge the gap between rehabbing injuries and getting people back to their sports. Young athletes often find

themselves with no one to go to once they are injured, and Morris especially relates.

“I had been to physical therapy many times and began to realize that there was either pediatric physical therapy for kids with developmental disabilities or there was adult orthopedic physical therapy,” Morris said. “None of the therapists truly knew how to help me as a young elite athlete.”

With there being no inbetween, younger athletes, such as Morris, had to find other ways to rehabilitate their injuries by themselves, often making it worse.

“I’ve seen gymnasts have to sit out for 6 months to a year with low back injuries,” Morris said. “Strength athletes may be able to continue to train around the injuries but they are fearful of doing something wrong and having a flare up so I would say it more so affects people mentally when coming back from injuries.”

Personal trainer, Pamela Gagot, would agree with this statement.

Named one of the best running coaches in Austin, Gagot has experienced and seen all types of injuries herself, and unlike

Pamela Gagot, a personal trainer, laughs out loud after completing her first Olympic Triathlon, on March 26, 2011, in Henderson, Nevada. An Olympic Triathlon consists of a 1500 meter Swim, 40K Bike, and a 10K Run. Photo courtesy of Pamela Gagot

“Because the IT band is really tight in most runners, their knees start hurting them the most,” Gagot said. “That’s only because something else has happened. Not because you have this knee pain, it’s another muscle or another tendon or something is messing with that knee.”

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One of the most common injuries Gagot has seen are knee issues in distance runners and weight lifters.

“A lot of runners or a lot of people think they shouldn’t be really lifting heavy or anything like that,” Gagot said.

“But we seriously need that.

Our bones need that, and our muscles need that.” rtesy of Pamela Gag

“When I decided to be a personal trainer/coach,” Gagot said, “I just knew I had the leadership skills to lead someone in the right direction of making the right choices and to actually teach them how to actually do these movements or how to to take on certain athletic ... ability.”

actually not clinically proven yet.

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Morris, who works with athletes to rehabilitate their injuries, Gagot works with athletes to prevent injuries.

In addition to proper form and technique, nutrition plays an equally important role in preventing and Often, people do not know how to rehabilitating properly run, as it is a skill derived injuries. from practice. Additionally, if athletes do not take extra steps “If you’re going to to take care of their body, they play an 80/20 rule, then become more prone to injuries. if you could stick to that There are certain misconceptions 80% of good nutrition that people think are true, but are and mental health, then

Water splashes over Gagot, as she backstrokes towards the finish line of the first portion of her Olympic Triathlon: swimming.

Photo courtesy of Pamela Gagot

your body is going to be healthy enough to actually … stay strong and stay hydrated,” Gagot said.

One of the biggest sayings Gagot lives by is that you are the food you eat.

“If you’re going to eat junk then you’re going to perform like junk,” Gagot said.

According to Gagot, the final steps an athlete can take to ensure their safety are to have a coach and know that they are both mentally and physically prepared.

“It’s to really pay attention or coach or start reading up on things,” Gagot said. “Ask questions. Always be hungry to learn more.”

For athletes like Novinger, it can take several months to several years until they can play again, and possibly even longer until they fully recover and regain their strength. If the right precautions are taken, then Novinger and other athletes can decrease their chance of becoming injured, ensuring their safety and of those around them.

Health | 12

FIRST AID KIT

ESSEN IALS

eyewash/drops

BANDAGE

EYE DROPS

assorted adhesives

EYE DROPS EYE DROPS

rash cream

FIRST AID

1% Hydrocortisone Cream

PLASTIC STRIPS

MANUAL

crêpe rolled bandages

safety pins led flashlight

Triangular Bandage

Instant

Cold Compress

roller bandages sling Antibiotic Ointment

instant ice pack

ASPIRIN sterile guaze pads Antiseptant Wipes

space blanket

breathing barrier

non-latex gloves

adhesive cloth tape Hydrogen Perxoide

scissors local antiseptic tweezers

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thermometer

Source: American Red Cross

a simple self-care technique for injuries The first signal your body gives when you’re hurt is pain and swelling.

As soon as you are injured, stop what ever activity you are doing and rest as much as possible for at least 2 days.

Doctors recommend putting the least amount of weight on the injury as possible for 24 to 48 hours.

For the first 48 to 72 hours, icing your injury to help reduce the pain and swelling. During this time put an ice pack (covered by a paper towel to prevent frostbite) on the swollen for 15-20 minutes every two to three hours Once the swelling is gone, apply heat to the injury.

Next, wrap the injured/sore area with an elastic bandage to decrease swelling.

Make sure not to wrap it too tightly as it may interrupt the blood flow. If your symptoms do not disappear within 48 to 72 hours, seek professional help.

Finally, be sure to elevate the injured area above the level of your heart, to further minimize swelling, throbbing, and pain. You can do so by putting it on pillows while lying on the sofa, or putting it on a high stool while sitting on a chair.

Design by Richa Kalari Source: University of Michigan

Health | 14

From Start to Finish The process behind athletic wear.

Story by Jordan Birnbaum

Several mannequins stand together, showcasing Nike apparel. The brand Nike has become a household brand for athleticwear. Photo by Jordan Birnbaum

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n speed-related sports, the fit of the clothing can make all the difference, even shaving valuable seconds off of the time.

Not only this, but as of the 2010s, athleticwear has become a common staple in everyday clothing. Whether it’s a pair of sleek black shorts or a patterned pair of leggings, in mainstream fashion athleticwear is not just limited to the field or the gym, as it is now considered a fashion must-have.

sheer number of possibilities for different styles. Many designers have taken ideas such as color blocking or matching tops and bottoms, and incorporated them into their work. A wide variety of materials, from spandex to linen, have made an appearance in the clothing of popular brands even showing up in the same article of clothing, such as nylon leggings paired with mesh panels to allow for breathability.

Designing a piece of clothing is a somewhat arduous process, explained Tom Nolan, former senior vice president of Ralph Lauren, considering the fact that it can take months to come up with a single item, let alone an entire collection. Ideas do not simply spring into the mind of the designer in spontaneous

The fashion industry has seen a rise in the demand for sportsrelated apparel, which has become increasingly versatile and well developed in the past decade.

According to Media Market Magazine, by 2024, it is even expected to reach a global market size of $567 billion. The popularity can be largely attributed to advancements in design that allow for enhanced performance and the general public becoming more health and fitness conscious.

In addition to the beneficial effects of high-quality clothing on achievements within sports, fashion trends have also leaned towards sportswear because of the availability of new types of apparel. Women’s clothing, in particular, is especially prone to changes in trends due to the

A display of yoga pants at the Fabletics store in New York City. Fabletics is a popular athletic wear brand for women. Photo by Jordan Birnbaum

Fashion | 16

strikes of inspiration, but rather develop over time throughout a complicated procedure.

In the case of a popular luxury clothing brand such as Ralph Lauren, it can take almost a year before a shirt reaches the public.

“Before it goes to a customer it has a process of design, then they have to send it to factories to make it, then the factories send it back, and people check to make sure it’s what they wanted,” Nolan said. “It can take nine months to twelve months sometimes.”

F R E S H

Before the 1960s, the creation process was completed by hand, but more effective methods have been developed.

By the 21st century, various technologies have become available and have proven to be valuable assets for the design and physical assembly of clothing. For example, computer aided design (CAD) imagery is used by many designers to create 3D designs.

“They draw them up on computers, and the computers spit out all the dimensions, 17 | On and Off | 2019

and then it goes into something called a ‘bill of material’...which is basically all of the ingredients that go into a shirt...then the

materials, such as cotton, do not present the same issue. However, cotton does absorb moisture, which can leave the wearer feeling

L O O K A mannequin shows off a fresh look in the Nike store in New York City.

Photo by Jordan Birnbaum ingredients go to the factory, and the factory makes it and sends it back,” Nolan said.

soaked after exercising, so it is important to weigh each option.

The materials may vary depending on the product, but there are certain types to look out for. Synthetic fabrics are usually of higher quality, but can foster bacteria growth, which may cause people to stink more as they work out. On the other hand, natural

Yoga instructor Laura Teal is in charge of supplying the shop in Studio Mantra with exercise clothing. In addition to finding ethically sourced brands to sell, she also helps to design the T-shirts and tank tops the studio makes itself.

“With the shirts that we print on, we like them to be mostly cotton because we live in Texas, we want them to be super breathable,” Teal said. “Usually they’ll have a little bit of give to them, so a little bit of a modal fabric is one that we’ll see often, or a little bit of polyester or rayon gives it a little bit of a stretch.”

they have really inclusive sizing.”

On top of Girlfriend Collective, Teal recommends brands such as Prana and Onzie, which make clothing out of durable cloth that will hold up over time, and won’t show signs of wear and tear.

However, despite the high quality and versatility of these products, most sportswear is specialized for certain activities, and should be worn accordingly in order to

Large brands currently dominate the market, and for good reason, Nolan said. In an industry dependent on quality, functional clothing combined with high, steady prices always win out. Additionally, consumers are much Because we live in more inclined to buy from Texas, we want them familiar brands they feel are trustworthy.

super breathable.

Despite this, there are smaller, lesser known brands that also provide well-made products, Teal said. When looking at these companies, it is important to note how the clothing is made and where it comes from, and Teal encourages buyers to purchase from companies that are responsibly sourced. One of the brands she recently started stocking goes by the name of Girlfriend Collective and is relatively new to the athletic wear scene.

“Their model is super cool because all of their products are made out of recycled plastic bottles, and they have a really streamlined cost structure,” Teal said. “They have one pant and it’s sixty-eight dollars across the board, but they have all these beautiful colors, and

to be

Laura Teal, yoga instructor

athletics, where competition is especially fierce, clothing and gear can grant an extra edge to triumph over the opponent. Because of this, it is vital to conduct research before purchasing equipment. Cross Country runner Kelsey Bailey stresses the importance of wearing loose clothing made of synthetic material in order to keep comfortable during a race.

“Clothing can definitely affect how fast your time is, because whenever you’re running track, you’re thinking about all the little things,” Bailey said. “So if you’re wearing uncomfortable clothing, even though it doesn’t seem that big of a deal, it really distracts you from your race, then you’ll start getting off pace, and it can totally ruin your time.”

maximize performance. Aside from the subtle design techniques used to enhance certain abilities, companies will also add more obvious features that make the clothing articles specifically targeted towards a type of exercise.

Being smart about purchasing athletic clothing can make all the difference in terms of quality.

Whether someone is working out or hanging out, their clothing should allow them to operate to the best of their abilities.

“Sometimes there’s a difference in the waistband, or they’ll put pockets in it so that you can have your phone with your headphones to listen to music while you’re jogging,” Teal said.

“Clothing can make or break your race,” Bailey said. “The smallest differences in the clothing that you choose to wear can seem like big issues when you’re actually working out.”

In the case of high level Fashion | 18

If The Shoe

Fits An athletic shoe dissection

The shoe should hug your foot and grip your heel and the instep behind the ball of your foot.

19 | On and Off | 2019

To account for the spreading of your foot as you run, there should be about one thumb’s width of space between your toe and the end of the shoe.

If you are unsure of your shoe size, it is important to remember that it is better to buy a shoe in a size bigger than a size smaller.

If you are a defensive player, then you should use a cleat that has a mid-profile ankle height. If you are a forward or a winger, then you should use a cleat with a low-profile. ankle.

The studs of the cleat should vary depending on what kind of ground you are playing on. This includes soft ground, firm ground, hard ground, and turf.

Displayed on the left page is a diagram explaining how to pick out a running shoe.

On the right page is a diagram explaining how to pick out a soccor cleat.

There should be about a pinky’s width of space between your toe and the end of the shoe. Even so, the cleat should fit snugly.

Fashion | 20

To Play or Not to Play How gamers choose between Intel and AMD products to enjoy games like League of Legends Story by Jon Tor

A

n aspiring computer gamer is at a store, ready to buy the parts for their new computer.

Everything is precisely planned for the cost efficient gaming machine. Only one more obstacle stands in their way to play games like League of Legends, which is a choice between which brand of CPU they should buy.

As of 2019, Intel and AMD are the two

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most prominent companies that manufacture CPUs (computer processing units), and they are crucial for a computer to function well and enjoyably play video games at high settings. Trends over history show Intel leading in sales over AMD, but they have been catching up, and is about even with Intel with their products, except for artificial intelligence. The rise of technology has made it possible for games such as League of Legends to attain high levels of popularity. The free game employs cosmetics and a large fan base along with a worldwide competitive Esports scene to make

money for the game developers and fuel the gaming economy. Kim Steele, a manager at AMD, has insight into AMD’s marketing strategies.

“At AMD we produce microprocessors and graphic cards that go into devices across all segments,” Steelesaid.”Our three major segments are consumer, channel and commercial.

In our channel market, we target customers who want to

build their own systems to play games.

We work with our partners to develop high performing technology to enhance our customers experience by using our technology. AMD’s technology in some of the most popular consoles such as PlayStation and Xbox.”

Companies in a market are driven by the consumers.

Tech companies like AMD are following that favorable trend in

their decision to make their platforms more user friendly. AMD’s involvement in working with PlayStation and Xbox show that they have been working to create a more affordable and comfortable gaming environment.

“League of Legends runs even on relatively lowspec computers, and that was an intentional choice we made many years ago. Ryan Rigney, Communications lead for League of Legends, said. “We want as many players as possible from all over the world to be able to enjoy the game, even if they can’t afford a supercomputer.”

Rigney explained. If someone wants to buy a computer, one of the factors on what to buy should be the requirements of the games that they may want to play, as technology advances every year and games keep demanding faster and faster hardware.

“Games are like any other hobby,” Rigney said. “If you derive meaning and joy and value from it, you should pursue it. I think games are incredibly important

Luckily, to play a major Esport game like League of Legends, one does not need a good computer, as

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Esports | 22

Riot Games employees enjoy themselves wearing matching hats to bond over teamwork. Photo courtesy of Riot Games

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23 | On and Off | 2019

important aspect of culture in current times. Korea has internet cafes where people gather to play games, Esports are attracting millions of views, and higher living standards combined with advancing technology allows for more players to play better games.

“Up until very recently, our esports teams haven’t actually been a big revenue generator, despite the fact that events like Worlds get nearly 100 million unique viewers,” Rigney said.

“Now we’ve started building relationships with global sponsors like Mastercard, and that’s helping us continue to develop our esports scene into a sustainable ecosystem.”

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for more and more people around the world. For those people, we just want to make games that are worthy of their time and investment.”

p

hic Esports are by Jon attracting Tor more and more viewers every year. An event, like Worlds, or League of Legends World Championship, in just one game can attract as many as 100 million viewers. Getting sponsors, such as Mastercard, takes a large infrastructure and a far outreach.

This is possible because of steps taken by companies like Riot Games and a community of passionate viewers.

“Games matter,” Rigney said.

“They’re a way to relate to other people, to build relationships, to pursue mastery for mastery’s sake. I get to be a small part of a game that hundreds of millions of people have played and enjoyed,

and that feels incredible.”

didn’t put it in a lot of effort to make sure that that that that error doesn’t escape to the to the customers and the one thing about it is that we and I like about Intel because quality is job one right and that really makes a big difference.”

No matter what type of game played, games are becoming a major part of culture, lifestyle, and economy with exciting advancements in technology and a hungry market.

“I think one thing about Intel is that, you would any companies, they learn from past mistakes and don’t allow their mistakes to repeat themselves,” former Intel Manager, My Van Dinh, said.

“I think the key to it all was this probably before your time, but we, they found a floating point error in the Pentium processor, right? It was uncovered by somebody outside of Intel. And they came to Intel and they said, ‘Hey, we found this error’. And then there was some problems about, there was no admission of an error until this whole error kind of blew up. And so they had to put a lot of measures in place to screen the units and the parts to correct this oh they put a lot of effort into fixing this quote unquote ‘bug’ and they

As the saying goes, you learn from your mistakes. This is true for companies as well. In order

“

very talented people,” Rigney said.

The core values of companies go deeper than making pure profit.

Developers who take pride in their work can be clearly recognized for their passion for their projects.

“Because that you’re part of my team, you work together,” Dinh said. “You have to if you have any difficulty with working together with that guy, work with him. If you have any issues, talk to me about it. Let me know, right, because I’m the manager. Because at the end of the day, it’s a team work. It’s a team.“

Games are like any other hobby. If you derive meaning and joy and value from it, you should pursue it.

Ryan Rigney

The bonds that hold companies together is teamwork. A friendly environment filled with teamwork gives joy to the employees as well as to the products that they make, which the customers enjoy.

“

Because of these core values, the aspiring to improve, a company must computer gamer decided on learn what needs to be better. what they would buy for their In this case, Intel is largely dream computer to play League improving their media response of Legends at 4k resolution and and quality control, which 120 frames per second. Thanks to results in a better experience competition in a market driven for the consumer. by consumers, fairly priced technology allows gamers to play “I’ll say that everything anyone well organized games by caring does at Riot Games is in developers. collaboration with a team of

Esports | 24

Esports

Survey conducted from a collection of 53 ninth graders.

Do people like to watch or play Esports games? Or maybe Both!

9th graders watch games like:

Watching neither

both Playing

Super Smash Bros.

League of Legends Fortnite Rainbow Six Siege Overwatch Rocket League Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

Do people follow Esports?

80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0

25 | On and Off | 2019

66.7% of people say 25.9% of people say

Yes

No

Enthusiasm

9th graders’ favorite Esports are put in the limelight.

Many people interact with Esports for many reasons!

- “When I’m bored and need something to do and sometimes I like watching people play for humor if im watching a funny YouTuber.”

-”looks cool. is fun. make my heart go aaaahahhah.”

-”It’s almost always happening and it’s nonstop action so it’s always reliable too.”

-”Its a fun way to learn about the game from the best players.”

-”I have supported a team for a while, and I think it’s fun to see what professionals can do.”

-”I enjoy seeing all of the strategy and techniques going into top play. I also love to see the various personalities of the community. “ -”I study tactics or pros and use them in game.”

Esports and their professional players gather large amounts of attention on streaming and video publishing websites like Twitch and YouTube.

Esports | 26

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Anyone’s Game 11 01 11 0 0 1 01 01 01 01 11 1 1 1 00 00 011101 00 01 0 1 1 01 101100 0010 01 1 1 0 00 010010 10010 10 1 0 1 0 10 1 0 01100101 10100 001 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 10110 01 01001010 10 0110101 10

The story about the acceptance of video games and why we should appreciate them Story by Wilson Nasi

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ideo games are popular all over the world, with roughly 211 million players in the United States alone. Whether a player is operating a console, mobile device, or personal computer, their device is sending data to servers communicating with millions of other players worldwide enabling players to interact with each other in their games, as well as speak and chat with them. These technologies enable global friendships and vast communities of diverse people who all share a love for gaming.

Only a few of them are considered esports. Esports are still normal videogames, but they’re usually online competitive games that are often organized with teams and leagues. There are many different kinds of devices players can enjoy games from.

Consoles operate on platforms like Xbox, Nintendo, and PlayStation. Personal computers are produced by thousands of brands, and can even be built custom with various-branded parts, while mobile devices are produced by many brands, including Apple, Samsung, and Google.

“Video games are only something I get into when my friends are talking about it too, because then it becomes more than just a game, it becomes a conversation point, where you stay up to date with what’s going on” Keaton Keys, a college student at the

University of Texas said. I only play games now that I will play with other people because I’ve found that the only way that most games are fun to me now is if I do that. If I play alone I’ll probably play for less than half the time that I would if I was playing with a group of people.” He plays online video games recreationally with his friends at school.

Video games are popular because they attract people who want to have fun and relax. Having fun while gaming can release

neurotransmitters, chemical messengers active in the brain, associated with feelings of contentment like oxytocin. Others associated with happiness and good feelings like dopamine and endorphins are also released.

“It definitely helps me destress and stuff, and I really Esports | 28

Video games can also improve brain function in areas that manage decision making and social interaction.

The entertainment involved lets people just relax and block out problems for a few minutes, or hours,

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like to go in there and relax and do what I can do” Seth Hixon, the assistant manager at a gamestop said. “I’ve been playing 2K20 right now because I’m a huge basketball fan and it’s something I really enjoy. It’s definitely a way for me to detox from everything, especially for me to forget my problems and just relax and have fun.”

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01 001 10 010 01 01 1 1 1 1 0 Video Games 10 10 010 01 0 0 connect the world, 1 10 1 1 0 which I like. I feel like 1

He really enjoys the experience of video games, like others all 10 0 over the world. Hixon’s job is 0 0 1 even related to them. He 11 10 101 0 01 10 0 0 sells games in the 101 00 10 01 1

0 1 1 0 depending 1010 00010 0101 10 01 01 0 001010100 1 0 1 1 0 1 01 10 01 01 1 0 0 1 0 1 11001001010100011 0 on how much 0 0 1 00 101 100101010101010010100111010101 01010 0101 011 1 0 0 1 time one plays.

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Gamestop in Barton Creek mall.

He can engage with customers and fellow gamers, as well as work with what he loves daily.

According to iDTech,

much video games help him stay calm and collected. With schoolwork, parenting, long work days and just stress building up during the day, video games release stress from many people’s workdays. It doesn’t matter how someone is raised, where they come from, or who they are.

Anyone can enjoy any genre of video game.

“Videogames are pretty much my favorite passion that I have...It’s like anything you have that you’re passionate about, especially with online nowadays, that’s the coolest thing. I could have friends like in London, England, friends in India,

29 | On and Off | 2019

it’s definitely, especially with so many people being passionate about video games, something people can relate to.”

Hixon said.

Different people can find common ground in video games.

If two people share a taste in video games, they can connect and talk about it. There are various genres of games, and of those are sports games, racing games, first person shooters, and battle royales are very popular.

Different games let players compete differently through different matchmaking systems and game structures.

“Whenever I don’t care or I don’t feel like trying I’ll play like fortnite or something just because it’s a pretty relaxed battle royale. Like if you can mess up the game, you can just restart. It’s not a big deal.

Where it’s like COD, you’re always concerned about your life, like K/D ratio and stuff like that where I kind of get stressed out if I’m not doing that great in a game,” Keaton said.

Many people play games to destress, but some video games can be more competitive and quick paced. Esports and normal sports have their differences, but esports still require skills.

Fine motor skills, teamwork, and quick reaction time all go into the technicality of the field.

“People who don’t think

competitive online games aren’t sports: I disagree with them highly, just because it does take skill just to do that, especially overwatch. That’s the biggest one that I still follow. Also with Call of Duty it’s unbelievable what they can do. Some of those shots are just like ‘What the hell- that’s definitely skill’” Hixon said.

aren’t interested in what these streamers have to offer, don’t understand the hype and community around the industry.

They don’t understand sitting down and watching other people play video games..

“

Many people watch professional gameplayers for many reasons. These figures play competitive games for a job and provide entertaining commentary for spectators. Of the people who watch video games, a lot of people watch for entertainment, but many also watch for tips and an upper hand in play style and competition. With streamers being so good at what they do, it’s hard not to notice their immense skill and knowledge of the games they play for many hours a day. In order for these pros to stay popular, they must stay competitive, entertaining, and creative than others so they can attract more viewers.

I noticed that to play style would change so often that watching streamers kind of helps you figure out what was working and what wasn’t

“

“I noticed that like to play style would change so often that like watching streamers kind of helps you figure out what was working and what wasn’t” Keaton said.

A lot of people who either don’t play video games or

even provide a lucky few with employment through streaming. They use technology to send information worldwide real time through wires and wireless internet. Different genres of games create different communities made of different people, who all still share their common love for gaming.

Keaton Keys, casual gamer

“It’s like sports. People watch sports. I mean, basketball, football, you can always see people watching that, and to watch videogames, yes we can play it and have contact but you could always say “Why don’t you play basketball instead of watching Lebron James go dunk? if you’re watching someone who’s good at something, that’s entertainment right there,” Hixon said.

“When I can’t see my friends, I can sometimes play video games with them. [online games are] an easy way to stay connected and have fun with people” said Isabella Smith, a casual playstation player and video game enthusiast.

Because she’s grown up in the online game era, she has a large interest in video games.

Though many skeptic adults, parents, and people that don’t understand gaming look down on video games, blame video games as a source of violence, and think they are a waste of time, in some ways, they are correct. Video games can be time consuming, but that time is also being spent releasing stress and exercising one of the most important parts of the human body, the brain. Whether we like it or not, the popularity of video games will only rise with more interested gamers joining the community.

Video games connect people, provide entertainment, and Esports | 30

Let’s Take Control Here’s a closer look at who plays what video games, as well as the various forms of access to this type of entertainment.

But what games?

There are many types and genres of video games. Here we have the most popular among students.

1st Shooter games 2nd Survival games 3rd Action and Adventure

games 4th Role playing games 5th Racing games 6th Others like platformers Strategy games

75%

25%

About 75% of students play videogames on a regular basis. Players enjoy countless genres of games. (see above)

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29.6% of highschool kids enjoy playing videogames every day.

9.3% of students play videogames monthly.

20% of students play games weekly with their occasional free time.

40.7% of kids play video games every few days.

Controls Video game controllers are essential to experiencing a video game. This controller has 2 joysticks, a 4-directioned pad, two start buttons and 4 letter buttons. Inside there are rumble motors to enhance the experience of play as well as wireless recievers to send signals to the game console.

Some players use personal computers rather than commercial consoles. Many of them prefer a keyboard and mouse. Both have their own advantages for specific kinds of games, as well as personal preferences of players.

Esports | 32

special thanks Madeleine Novinger Isha Sheth Alex Kelly Pamela Gagot Dr. Stacie Cherie Morris Pranathi Jammula MainStreetHub Ajay Ramji Kim Steele Ryan Rigney My Van Dinh Mr. and Mrs. Gallun Manu Singhal Jordan Schmidt Samantha Tor Tom Nolan Laura Teal Lily Tisdale Seth Hixon Keaton Keys Lance Dunn Mike Rosenthal Bill Sullivan Kevin Garcia Kelsey Bailey Tyler Hawkins Isabella Smith

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ON AND OFF Jordan Birnbaum Richa Kalari Emerson Longi Wilson Nasi Jon Tor