BY ts UTSA studen R FO ts UTSA studen
Vol. 55 Issue 7 February 21 February 28, 2017 /PaisanoOnline
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Qualities for the next UTSA president
Opinion Pg.4
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Baseball returns to UTSA
Artpace sneak preview
Arts & Life Pg.8
ROMO RESPONDS
Sports Pg.9
Students React: Romo’s administrative leave
Ethan Pham, The Paisano
“I look forward to a speedy resolution and the clearing of my name.” Samuel De Leon, Isaac Serna & Caroline Traylor News Team
@ThePaisano news@paisano-online.com UTSA President Ricardo Romo has been placed on administrative leave effective immediately pending a review of allegations related to his conduct. University of Texas System Chancellor William McRaven announced the action in an email on Tuesday afternoon. The UT System also appointed Pedro Reyes PhD, a special assistant to the chancellor and education policy professor at UT Austin, to serve as
UTSA’s active president. President Romo issued a statement through his attorney in response to the decision. On Feb. 16, “UTSA has informed me that it is conducting an investigation on a complaint brought by an employee against the University and me personally. In accordance with University policy, I was requested to and I wholeheartedly agreed to be placed on administrative leave with pay pending this investigation. “I have retained Ricardo Cedillo and the firm of Davis, Cedillo & Mendoza to coordinate my investigative efforts with those of the University and
I look forward to a speedy resolution and the clearing of my name. “The outpouring of community support has been humbling and overwhelming, and my family and I will be forever grateful for the prayers and love being sent our way.” Jennifer LaCosteCaputo, executive director of media relations and external communications at UT System, said Romo’s issued statement was made independently and that the UT System had no further comment other than the announcement Chancellor William McRaven made earlier in the week. No details have been released on the allegations
related to Romo’s conduct. Joe Izbrand, UTSA associate vice president for communications & marketing, chief communications officer said, “we are not going to be able to provide any additional comment.” “It’s important to remember, especially at times like these, that UTSA is more than any one individual,” SGA President Andrew Hubbard said. “We are a community of thousands of students and thousands more alumni and supporters. Together, we have made many
See Reyes, page 3
Accelerating San Antonio via bullet train Jeremiah Hobbs Staff Writer
@ThePaisano news@paisano-online.com Travel from San Antonio to Austin via the Texas Eagle Amtrak passenger train currently takes two and a half hours. The same trip could take fifteen minutes and cost only ten dollars. Local leaders, such as mayoral candidate Councilman Ron Nirenberg, propose a bullet train that could make that vision a reality. Having a “light rail”— a speed train that travels 200 mph—is an exciting prospect for San Antonio. UTSA student Amanda Martinez expressed enthusiasm for a speed
train. “I think it’s a very interesting concept. I have relatives in Austin myself, so having a speed rail may mean I can see them more often without having to pay my own gas,” Martinez said. Martinez had read about bullet trains in Japan and thinks the idea is fantastic. “The idea of having a train almost like that in my hometown is just invigorating. It’s certainly something I would love to experience for myself. I think it’s an exciting idea.” San Antonians voted against the speed train in 2000. However, the idea for a speed rail didn’t disappear with the downvotes.
In Feb. 2015, UnionPacific pulled out of negotiations for use of its track paralleling Interstate 35 through South and Central Texas, crippling the production of the San Antonio/Austin bullet train and its speed rail. Dr. David Hagy of Texas Central Railway gave a talk about a bullet train at UTSA Downtown. Texas Central went under a different name a few years ago called Lone Star Rail. This company is the same one that tried to create a San Antonio/Austin speed rail. Texas Central’s current project is a privately developed speed train
Tristan Ipock, The Paisano
San Antonio residents await their chance to ride a speed rail.
called the Texas Bullet Train, running between Houston and North Texas, with a stop in the Brazos Valley. Travel time for these two regions will be 90 minutes.
He says a major obstacle is private property. Having a bullet train travel beside a highway “passing up people going 200 mph when they were sitting in traffic...would have been
great advertisement for the train.”
See Immigrant, page 3
2 NEWS February 21 - February 28, 2017 Numbers of graduate students increases Dr. Hagy presents the Samiya Khan
Contributing writer
@ThePaisano news@paisano-online.com Statistics released by the UTSA Office of Institutional Research last week show that more students are pursuing graduate degrees this spring than in previous years. 4,400 UTSA students are pursuing postbaccalaureate or graduate degrees this spring, compared to the 4,100 students pursuing such degrees in Spring 2016. For many international students, the graduate programs at UTSA offer an exciting opportunity to further one’s career development. “The style of teaching in the U.S. is completely different than the style of
teaching in India.” Swathi Shivakumar, a Masters student in computer science said, “In India, there is a greater emphasis on memorization, but the consequence is that students are often spoon fed answers. In the U.S. and at UTSA, the professors test our critical thinking skills and show us how we can implement computer science in our future careers.” Prasanthi Akella, a recent masters graduate in computer science at UTSA furthers that UTSA offers not only a multitude of research opportunities, but also financial support for international students. Akella said, “If you are doing well in your studies, then your tuition fee can be waived up to 60 percent. This is immensely helpful
because international tuition is very high and is oftentimes one of the main reasons that people overseas decide not to pursue graduate study in the U.S.” An example of a department that has grown is the communication department. Dr. Seok Kang, a graduate advisor for the department of communication stated that he has noticed an “increase in graduate application” and credits the rise in graduate students also to the VIP program, a program that streamlines the process of graduate admission by allowing UTSA faculty to sponsor eligible UTSA seniors for admission into the graduate school. When looking at overall enrollment, including
4,400 UTSA students pursue post baccalaureate or graduate degrees this spring.
Ethan Pham, The Paisano
undergraduate enrollment, there are about 500 more students enrolled in the spring semester this year than there were a year ago. The majority of these students are majoring in degrees offered by the College of Liberal and Fine Arts. Jeanne C. Reesman, Ph.D, a Jack & Laura Richmond Endowed Faculty Fellow, former Graduate Dean and Director of English, Classics, Philosophy and Communication credits the rise in students majoring in COLFA subjects to UTSA’s expansion. “We have more programs now; we are certainly seeking out and hiring top faculty researchers; we have gained in endowments; our national and international ‘footprint’ is growing”. Dr. Reesman also offers crucial advice to undergraduates interested in pursuing graduate degrees. She stated, “I would first advise the student to talk to his or her professors about schools and programs. Second, scour prospective school’s website. See if you can talk to a graduate advisor, and ask about the money, how long it lasts, and what are your precise requirements and duties. Ask about their record in job placement.”
status of Texas Bullet Train
Courtesy of Nicole Chavez Keynote speaker, Dr. Hagy has over 20 years of experience managing projects and formulating policy.
continued from page 1 The train is primarily funded by Central Japan Railway Company and consists of Japanese technology. Texas Central
“We are shooting ourselves in the foot if we simply allow San Antonio businesses and neighbors to be stuck in traffic all day.” -Ron Nirenberg
District 8 Councilman
Railway has been seeking additional investors since 2012 but has not been successful in getting the funds needed for construction. Dr. Hagy reminds his audience, “We’re not publically subsidized.” Councilman Nirenberg has openly expressed his desire for a bullet train between San Antonio and Austin, saying, “we are shooting ourselves in the foot if we simply allow San Antonio businesses and neighbors to be stuck in traffic all day. I refuse to just sit here and allow that to happen. So we’re looking at any alternatives.” One of these alternatives he promotes is the bullet train. Perhaps in the next few years Texas will be much quicker to navigate.
NEWS UTSA UTSA Senior Spanish lecturer Michael Rushforth incorporates virtual reality in his lessons. Students who are unable to study abroad can virtually travel to Peru, Mexico and other Spanish-speaking countries. When wearing virtual reality headsets, Professor Rushforth asks students to describe what they see with Spanish vocabulary. UTSA supports this virtual experience to help improve learning on cultural experiences and languages in foreign countries.
Texas In the late hours of Feb. 19 and early hours of Feb. 20 (Sunday and Monday), six tornadoes touched down in San Antonio, damaging property. 43 homes were damaged in a residential area five miles north of downtown. About 35 homes were damaged in another residential area 10 miles northeast of downtown.
Spring break scam Danielle Throneberry, The Paisano
It’s that time of the year again! Students are making plans for Spring Break and that means booking the perfect place to stay, but only if it exists! According to the Better Business Bureau (BBB) vacationers should be aware of a common scam involving fabricated Airbnb-style rental listings. Scammers are notorious for contacting potential marks via telephone or online ads, in which they lure their victims into paying upfront by means of wire transfer or credit card. Freshman math major Matthew Garrett said, “I would be weary of booking a place that has no history or reviews. I feel like you have to do a lot of research before investing your time and money into a good vacation
experience.” The BBB has listed several tips to ensure vacationers secure a reliable place to stay this Spring Break. Among these helpful tips are to: conduct extensive research regarding hotels and other places to stay, consider travel insurance to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances, pay by means that include additional protection if complications with reservations arise, inquire about arbitrary fees and be educated about common scams. “Airbnb isn’t something I’m too familiar with,” Junior communication major Jamie Ramirez said, “I would prefer to stick with a traditional hotel. If there was a rumored scam I would be even more reluctant to
Reyes takes over
World In Europe, Prime Minister Theresa May has been authorized to inform the European Union that the United Kingdom has intention to withdraw their membership. Mrs. May states she wishes to invoke Article 50 by the end of March, giving the UK two years to formally leave the European Union. The UK government has asked the House of Lords not to belabor this process as it begins its debates on Brexit.
Science The European Space Agency (ESA) is expected to select the LISA pathfinder and its space mission for operation in June. The LISA pathfinder can detect gravitational waves to detect black holes that are millions of times the mass of our Sun. This data will help in understanding the evolution of the cosmos from the Big Bang. LISA has completed its sensitivity performance required for its key measurement technologies.
consider using Airbnb. Besides, I don’t feel comfortable making transactions online and never coming face-to-face with anyone from the place I’d be staying at.” Ramirez is opting for what she believes to be the safer option; according to the BBB, last year Texans lost nearly $28,800 to travel-related scams. As Spring Break swiftly approaches and plans are being contrived, make sure to be extravigilant to ensure your vacation plans unfold smoothly.
Fire alarm irks Chisholm residents Taiwo Adepoju Staff writer
@ThePaisano news@paisano-online.com
U.S. President Trump has named Lt Gen. HR McMaster as his National Security Advisor, replacing former advisor Lt Gen. Michael Flynn. McMaster served in Iraq and Afghanistan on a government anti-corruption drive. Michael Flynn stepped down from the role after three weeks after he mislead Vice-President Mike Pence about his conversations with the Russian ambassador.
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February 21 - February 28, 2017
Courtesy of the UT System Dr. Pedro Reyes will serve as UTSA’s interim president.
continued from page 1 achievements, and we will continue to move forward as Roadrunners.” Dr. Reyes attended last Thursday’s SGA meeting and the general sentiment expressed was to keep the ship going in the right direction. According to Hubbard who presided over the meeting, Reyes expressed that his role is to serve the university on an interim basis and will stay as long as he’s needed. When SGA members asked Reyes about Tier One, he expressed that he would advance the university’s agenda— and Tier One is an objective. Hubbard also said the presidential search process was, “smooth and moving according to plan.” The Romo news and the search committee to find his replacement are mutually exclusive events Hubbard said. Hubbard is the only student on the16 member committee. According to Board of Regents rules on university presidents (Rule 20201): The president serves without fixed term, subject to the pleasure of the Chancellor, following an opportunity for input by the appropriate Executive Vice Chancellor and subject to the approval of the Board of Regents. When circumstances warrant or require such action, the Chancellor may take interim action
involving a president, including but not limited to suspension or leave of absence, pending approval by the Board. Romo announced his retirement plans in Sept. 2016, and his successor was slated to assume the position Sept. 1, 2017. The search for UTSA’s next president is ongoing amid this investigation. According to Hubbard, the group met earlier this month. The presidential search committee met for the first time Dec. 9, 2016 and is scheduled to meet again in February. Romo has been the university’s longest serving and first Hispanic president. Under his tenure, the university experienced massive growth, including a 68 percent increase in enrollment and the creation of a football team. More than half of UTSA’s alumni have received their degrees since he began as president in 1999. “I have been blessed and grateful to be a student under his leadership. President Romo has led UTSA to new academic heights and will surely be missed,” said Adrian Guajardo, senior sports management major and Mr. UTSA in 2015.
“This was in the evening. It was a close call. I had just gotten out of the shower when the alarm went off,” said Cody Rivas, computer science sophomore major, about one of his experiences with Chisholm Hall’s fire alarms, which go off at odd inopportune times. “One time, an alarm went off at 4 a.m. and I was extremely upset. It caused me to miss my next day of classes and really just led to me to have this stressful and terrible day,” said Joseph Robinson, a freshman business management major, on the sporadic nature of the fire alarms. According to Laura Cantrell, Director of both Chisholm Hall and University Oaks, the fire alarms go off at Chisholm Hall because, “it’s a building wide system and when they go off, there is a reason. Usually, it’s popcorn, popcorn, popcorn and popcorn [for instance, leaving the popcorn in the microwave for too long]. “Very rarely is it a malfunction,” Cantrell said, “with a couple hundred people, if everyone makes one mistake, theoretically,
Tristan Ipock, The Paisano
the fire alarms can go off every day of the year.” Other reasons the alarms go off include burning food, warming up socks in the microwave, smoking in the dorm and not turning on the fan during a hot
“One time, an alarm went off at 4 a.m. ... It caused me to miss my next day of classes and really just led to me to have this stressful and terrible day.” -Joseph Robinson
Freshman business management major steamy shower, according to Cantrell. “I feel like it’s just
because Chisholm Hall is really old and the university spends so much money on getting every other dorm fixed and nice and doesn’t really care about Chisholm,” said Shanda Huntsberry, a freshman English major. Chisholm Hall staff understands that the fire alarms inconvenience their residents. “We want to minimize that as much as possible. Because they go off enough, we don’t do arbitrary fire drills. We don’t need to add to it,” said Cantrell. Although the fire alarms are a nuisance, it is important to remember what the fire alarm is made to do. So the next time the fire alarms at Chisholm Hall go off, follow protocol: get up, go outside and move away from the building.
Feburary 21- February 28, 2017 4 OPINION Hold up, the Grammy's don't love you like we love you commentary
Jessica Salinas @ylwbird_ Beyoncé’s “Lemonade” was one of the most culturally significant albums of 2016— unparalleled in its social impact. Beyoncé retains her mega-star status while her work speaks meaningfully to minorities and women. “Lemonade” is critically acclaimed and extremely powerful in its relevancy. So the question must be raised: Why didn’t she win 2016 Album of the Year at the 59th Annual Grammy awards? There are many people who consider “Lemonade” too political and too polarizing because it
depicts life from a black woman’s perspective. Perhaps this is the reason many of the 14,000 Grammy voters chose not to vote for “Lemonade,” and opted for Adele’s adult contemporary (and safe) album “25.” There is the inevitable question of race versus a Grammy numbers game. “I don’t think there’s a race problem at all,” Neil Portnow, the Recording Academy president, told Pitchfork. “We don’t, as musicians, listen to music based on gender or race or ethnicity.” People, artists and masses of fans alike, are not convinced by Portnow’s statement. Artists such as Sufjan Stevens and St. Vincent have questioned the validity of Portnow’s insistence that all 14,000 voting members of the Recording Academy listen to nominated albums with blindfolds on. Portnow admits the voting is subjective, but voting members are not to pay attention to sales,
marketing, popularity and charts. The voting members are encouraged to listen to the music. According to Forbes. com, Grammy voters are limited to a specific number of categories they can vote in as an effort to keep them contained to the areas of music they know best. However, four main categories of the Grammys are open to all voters: best new artist, album of the year, song of the year and record of the year. Among these four categories, there is the widest possible breadth of voters. Grammy voters never age out, so there is something to be said for age demographics. Adele’s adult contemporary album would have attracted a wider age demographic. In the past few years, the winners are the safer, apolitical albums with the broadest appeal. For instance, 2016 saw Taylor Swift’s “1989” win over Kendrick Lamar’s “To Pimp a Butterfly”; 2015 saw Beck’s “Morning Phase”
win over Beyoncé’s selftitled album. The 2015 Grammys almost saw a repeat performance of Kanye West’s infamous 2009 VMAs interruption of Taylor Swift. In both instances, West believed Beyoncé should have won. One year with one overlooked album may not be a problem, but this is not the case. We live in an era in which R&B and hiphop music are experiencing a period of massive creativity and commercial success. A black artist has not won album of the year since jazz musician Herbie Hancock in 2008. Black artists such as Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, Frank Ocean, the Weeknd and Pharrell Williams have been shortlisted, but all of these artists have lost out. All of these acts are relatively mainstream. It would be another issue if these artists were marginal acts being passed over for more mainstream acts. Recent winners of album of the year: Mumford & Sons,
Daft Punk, Arcade Fire and Beck all enjoy mainstream success. So the question of race still remains. Portnow looks to the example of Chance the Rapper. The streaming artist won Best New Artist of the Year. Portnow explains Chance the Rapper would not have won in this category if the Academy’s members were not diverse and “with the times.” To be fair, the Academy is attempting to create a more diverse and younger voting body, but there is still work to be done and progress to be made. It is true Adele’s “25” aided the music industry’s traditional business model in selling eight million copies in the first two months of U.S. sales. While Adele was not aiming for a cultural statement to reflect our politically charged climate, “25” remains a safe album. No one was more shocked than Adele when “25” won over “Lemonade.” In a heartfelt speech of
solidarity, Adele praised “Lemonade” as a “soulbaring” and “monumental” album. If Adele, the winning artist, is questioning the results, perhaps the Recording Academy and its voters are going about the process incorrectly. It has been 18 years since a black woman artist won Album of the Year; in 1999, Lauryn Hill won for “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.” “Lemonade” is a reflection of the times; more specifically, the album is a reflection of 2016. It is a politicallycharged, powerful cultural statement. Critically acclaimed for its breadth, the album’s subject matter was resistant to any one genre. Beyoncé was the most musically diverse artist in the album of the year category with rap, R&B, country, pop and rock influences. “Lemonade” is a reflection of the world we live in. What more does Beyoncé have to do to win Album of the Year?
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Photo Poll
The Paisano asked:
“What is the best compliment you have ever received?"
Interviews and Photos by Emi Ferrer Vy Tran Anthropology sophomore
"I was once was told by a guy in my class that I articulate my arguments well.”
Sean Supertanker Project management graduate student Graphic by Chase Otero, The Paisano
commentary
Samuel De Leon @RealSamDeLeon
Current university President Ricardo Romo has taken administrative leave pending a review of his conduct. The presidential search committee continues to search for Romo’s replacement, who is set to start Sept. 1. To help the search committee with the task of creating a shortlist, here are some necessary qualities to continue our university’s success. Experience. Experience in higher education is a necessary quality for the next university president. It is difficult to understand the challenges of the educator without having been an educator in collegiate-level education, this is especially true. Professors are required to handle so much already; from research to a full-time job, these
educators must constantly maintain with a full schedule. If the next president has not experienced these difficulties first-hand, executive communication is more likely to fall on deaf ears. The importance of this quality is reflected in the ability to lead the faculty and rally around the objectives of the next president. Goals. President Romo came to our university in 1999 and made UTSA history as the longest serving president through a set of clearly established goals, such as UTSA earning tier-one status and UTSA becoming a university of first choice. Not all the goals set were actualized, but the idea of a goal is to have something to work towards. The next president needs to be very clear and transparent with the set objectives of the university, whether it is to attract a more diverse student body or raise admission standards, the next president needs to clearly state what they aim to achieve. Understanding. This quality is especially important for two reasons. The next president should understand the goals of the previous president in an effort of continuity. The
next president also needs to understand the concerns of the student body. When understanding the frustrations of the student body, I do not mean the issue of parking. President Romo met with student representatives every month. This ensured communication between the president and the student body, but it was more than that, more than just a channel of communication, these meetings displayed a genuine interest in what students thought about the university. The next president of the university has some big shoes to fill, this is a fact. This does not mean that the next president should feel overwhelmed or intimidated. As a student body, it is in our interest to welcome the next president and work with that person to the best of our abilities. In the meantime, pay close attention to what the Presidential Search Committee makes public and voice your opinion by nominating candidates with the link that the UT System provides to students which included below. https://www.utsystem. edu/board-of-regents/ ut-san-antoniopresident#nominations
"Oh man, that's hard, one time my buddy complimented me on how I pay attention to my style even with my busy schedule."
Karina Chowdhury Public health sophomore "People often tell me that I look very happy. I can never stop smiling."
Diego Cano Kinesiology junior
"One time someone told me that I had my head on right, basically saying that I have my life figured out."
Anfernee Civil engineering freshman "I used to not try in high school, and one time one of my teachers told me that I could be a genius if I actually put the effort in. I took it as a compliment and since then I've really applied myself in college.”
OPINION
Feburary 21 - February 28, 2017
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The Paisano UTSA community defines values, not administrators Editor in Chief: Caroline Traylor Managing Editor: Ethan Pham News Editor: Isaac Serna Arts & Life Editor: Raquel Alonzo Sports Editor: Frankie Leal Web Editor: Ricardo Rodriguez Photography Editor: Tristan Ipock Magazine Editor: Jade Cuevas Multimedia Editor: Kat Joseph Editor in Chief Assistant: Ryan Thompson Managing Assistant: Raquel Zuniga News Assistant: Samuel De Leon Arts & Life Assistant: Enrique Bonilla Sports Assistant: Wylie Kuykendall Photography Assistant: Chase Otero Magazine Assistant: Sam Ceballos
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editorial At times of success as well as moments of uncertainty, the UTSA community must embrace its core values: integrity, excellence and respect. In light of President Ricardo Romo’s recent administrative leave, those values are more important than ever. Andrew Hubbard, UTSA Student Government Association President, said, “UTSA is more than
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In a statement, through his attorney Ricardo Cedillo, Romo said he was requested to and he “wholeheartedly agreed” to be placed on administrative leave during this investigation. This voluntary measure is necessary for all parties. Unfortunately, the UT System has shared little information with the student body in the midst of this investigation. As a result, we must be careful what we condone or who we condemn.
Until the UT System discloses more information to the community, especially the community affected most—students, faculty and staff—we have an opportunity to demonstrate what’s special about UTSA. We aren’t defined by the person in the president’s office but by the people weighed down by the books, backpacks and briefcases—whose minds, hands and hearts are invested in this campus.
Leadership can define a community, but a community can define its leadership as well. A call for the clearing of Romo’s name is just as premature as the act of ushering him out the door before the investigation is complete. This ordeal should invite discussion within our community. The result of those discussions will be instrumental in determining the future of UTSA.
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The Lone Star State is The low-hanging fruit of activism not marching alone commentary OP-Ed
STAFF
Chris Herbert, Aidan WatsonMorris, Anelia GomezCordova, Benjamin Shirani, Danielle Throneberry, Abby Sharp, Justice Lovin, Jesus Nieves, Alex Birnel, Taiwo Adepoju, Jeremiah Hobbs, Diego Montoya
any one individual.” That statement encapsulates our response: we maintain our integrity, continue to strive for excellence and respect every member of our community. UTSA students, faculty, alumni and supporters all have a stake in our university, and it’s up to us to define our values. How the community responds to challenges speaks more to our values than to any allegations against UTSA’s top administrator.
US Representative Lloyd Doggett @RepLloydDoggett Standing on the steps of our State Capitol with my two adult daughters, Cathy and Dr. Lisa Doggett, and my third-grade granddaughter, Clara, and in front of 50,000 Texans, I had the privilege of addressing last month’s Women’s March. Meanwhile, my wife Libby, who has just completed her responsibilities for early childhood education in the U.S. Department of Education, participated in the huge Washington D.C. march and rally. What an empowering start to our ongoing fight for social justice. My message to the gathered patriots: We may be the Lone Star State, but we don’t stand alone in standing up for equality and rejecting efforts by Trump and the Trumpets to drag us backward. I reject his anti-immigrant, anti-Mexican, anti-woman agenda. Working together, we can draw strength from one another to resist and overcome the many obstacles. Rather than attend the inauguration, I chose to support local efforts to tell President Trump that respect, like Pennsylvania Avenue, is a two-way street. Instead of uniting our country, his unprecedented, unpresidential actions are further dividing it. By repeatedly taking the lowest road, he shows little respect for our Nation’s highest office. At marches around the world, including San Antonio, it was an inspiration to see so many joining together to express our determination to stand up for what’s right. My San Antonio staff joined the
Mujeres Marcharan at the SA to DC Women’s March Against Hate that advanced from the steps of City Hall to Estella’s restaurant on the West Side. Groups that I have a history of working with, like RAICES, the Mission Democrats, Planned Parenthood, Unite Here, and Fuerza Unida, gathered for this community display of opposition to the dangerous Trump agenda. But this involvement can only be the beginning of our march, not the end. If our involvement ended with these events, we would get nowhere. I am encouraged by the continuation of events and the amount of voices that have joined in opposition to these recent executive orders. My District Director and a UTSA Alum, MaryEllen Veliz, spoke at a recent MOVE San Antonio rally in Main Plaza that was organized by students, many of them from UTSA. One way that I am continuing to work for change is by defending families’ access to affordable health care. Soon after the Women’s March, I hosted a gathering with Congressman Joaquin Castro to encourage residents to sign up for health insurance before the deadline. Meanwhile, several women who work in my Washington office protested President Trump’s unconstitutional, un-American anti-Muslim immigration order. While I will search for any potential areas of agreement with the new Administration, I will never, never back down from defending our values and advancing reasonable alternatives to the policies President Trump has proclaimed. I welcome your comments. You can reach me downtown just off the sidewalk at 217 W. Travis, at one of the many community gatherings in which I participate in or at Lloyd. Doggett@mail.house.gov. If you want to receive email updates from me, you can sign up at https://doggett. house.gov/contact/newsletter.
Enrique Bonilla @Thepaisano In an ongoing struggle between the state and the people during the current Trump presidency, both fascist and anti-fascist groups have taken their views to the streets. Early Feb., a small group of antifascist (antifa) members helped break down barricades, set off fires and help a crowd in the thousands shut down a speech by right-wing extremist Milo Yiannopoulos at UC Berkeley. This perfectly exemplifies two opposing ideologies in Trump’s America. As resistance to fascism is taking on an important role in disassembling organizations that wish to supplant the progress people of color, women, immigrants, indigenous folx and the LGBTQ community have spent decades fighting for, there seems to be a straying away from the progressive narrative. Antifa networks seek to
remove fascism. Fascism is an oppressive ideology that opposes socialism, empowers nationalists and is responsible for some of the most insidious crimes of the 20th century (e.g. the Holocaust). Antifa also extends its strength to the communities most at risk of being oppressed (LGBTQ, POC, women, religious minorities, etc.). While these goals deserve support, antifa seems to have grown a lazy and ignorant tentacle in some recent scenarios of its activism in our state’s capitol this past weekend. In an attempt to eradicate far-right ideologies this past weekend, Austin’s Grizzly Hall was the scene for an antifa attack on concert goers at a Marduk concert. German-based black metal band Marduk has been at the forefront of metal for years now. While I do not care about Marduk and find their brand of black metal boring and plebeian, they have a large fanbase in the realm of heavy metal. Marduk, who write about WWII in a historical context, have often been incorrectly labeled as a Nazi band. Marduk and those who attended the show were harassed by about 15 masked antifa members who shouted “Nazis!” whilst wielding weapons outside the venue. APD
then arrived to mediate the situation and protect those in attendance of the show, which include POC and queer folx. Unfortunately, this type of retaliation has led to promoters dropping some of the band’s events, such as UC Berkeley, where the previously mentioned Milo Yiannopoulos/antifa clash occurred earlier in Feb. out of fear of similar riots. While antifa does hold ideals a society should strive for, situations such as this Marduk incident and the similar situation surrounding the cancellation of Blastfest in Norway (due to similar circumstances) take away credibility from the organization. To be fair, masked antifa vigilantes do not care about credibility or accountability because it is an organization that must work in secrecy in order to destroy fascism. If antifa intends to protect public spaces from far right-wing ideologies, the least they could do is protest an actual Nazi act. I urge these specific antifa members to redirect their energy to smashing true fascism such as the rise of ICE-related deportation cases that have been happening around the nation. Attacking systemic oppression instead of censoring art is more respectable than reaching for the low hanging fruit of activism.
6
ARTS & LIFE
February 21 - February 28, 2017
Events this week in San Antonio Tuesday 21st Gallery Talk: Museum Highlights Time: 4:30-5:30 p.m. Place: San Antonio Museum of Art Price: Free
Puroslam Poetry Slam
Wednesday 22nd Film Screening: I Am Not Your Negro
Time: 5:30 p.m. Place: Santikos Bijou Price: Free
Faculty Recital: Allyson Dawkins
Time: 10 p.m. Place: The Korova Price: $1
Time: 7:30 p.m. Place: Recital Hall Price: Free
Saturday 25th Ghost Police (Last Show Ever) Time: 9 p.m. Place: The Land between DIY Price: Free
Gallery Opening Exhibition : Diverse Views
Time: 4 p.m. Place: Trebla Art Gallery Price: Free
Thursday 23rd
Time: 8-9:30 p.m. Place: Aerial Horizon Price: Free
The Growlers
PMA Musicale
Time: 8 p.m. Place: Paper Tiger Price: $20
Time: 7:30 p.m. Place: Arts Recital Hall Price: Free
Haunter / Uruk / Black Jackal Time: 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Place: Hi-Tones Price: $4
Sunday 26th Improv Jam
Friday 24th
Exhibition Opening: Of Country and Culture Time: 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Place: San Antonio Museum of Art Price: $15-$20
Monday 27th UTSA Lyric Theatre presents Two One Acts Time: 7:30 p.m. Place: Arts Recital Hall Price: Free
Time: 11-4 p.m. Place: Paramour Bar Price: Free
Arts & Life Editor
@raquel_alonzo94 arts@paisano-online.com
choir and the UTSA wind ensemble were on tour this past month, and the UTSA orchestra was selected to perform at this year’s Texas Music Educators Association Convention in San Antonio. “Only one orchestra is selected every year to perform, so this is truly an honor for UTSA and a big step towards advancing us into becomGraphic by Tristan Ipock, The Paisano ing a toptier school for
Taiwo Adepoju Staff Writer
@ThePaisano arts@paisano-online.com Jacques Nicolay, a junior and a mechanical engineering major at UTSA, is one of the many piano players at UTSA who blesses the ears of UTSA students (when he gets the opportunity to) with as they sit, talk and walk near the HEB ballrooms and more recently, in the Ski Lodge. Nicolay had always wanted to do something with his piano playing
“Learning how to play the piano is something you have to work at for a long time,” he said. Nicolay loves playing theme songs from movies on the piano. His favorite piece to hear and play is Pirates of the Caribbean because of the chord progression. “It’s an addicting chord progression,” says Nicolay. He likes the grandiosity of it. He also enjoys putting his own variations to classical pieces such as Canon in D. Although Nicolay loves playing the piano, his career goal isn’t in the field of music. He is a
“Paint Peeling” by Tristan Ipock
Student submissions
Nicole Rowse Staff Writer
@ThePaisano arts@paisano-online.com If you like your babes from all corners of the universe, local artist Mike Fisher has you covered. His new gallery features space babes like Wonder Woman, Deep Space Vixen and Interstellar Megahottie. Inspired by ‘50s, ‘60s, and ‘70s sci-fi influences, Fisher also incorporates hidden characters in his artwork like Spongebob, Patrick Star, and infamous twilight zone props. Red Christmas lights as borders and artworks that require 3-D glasses for full appreciation, Fisher is not shy of gimmickry.
Staff Writer
@ThePaisano arts@paisano-online.com
music,” said senior music marketing major Emily Rubio. This was the first year UTSA had been invited to the TMEA convention and the department was excited to perform. In addition to the accomplishments encountered since the beginning of the semester, the UTSA music department will host the following events over the next few weeks: Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 7:30 p.m. there will be a faculty recital by Allyson Dawkins, who will play the viola, and Robert Brewer will accompany her on piano. Monday, Feb. 27 at
7:30 p.m. Dr. William McCrary will direct the UTSA voice students as they perform operettas in the “UTSA Lyric Theatre presents Two One Acts.” Wednesday, Mar. 1 at 7:30 p.m. students of Dr. Rami El-Farrah will perform the “Saxophone Quartet Concert.” All three events are free, open to the public and will be performed in the Arts Recital Hall. For a list of more events the UTSA music department will be hosting, visit music.utsa.edu and click the events tab. Although the music department has been making incredible advancements in program-
ming, they need support from UTSA students and the community to create a new performing arts center. With a growing program and more students eager to keep the department flourishing, the building needs a little TLC. “We have completely outgrown our facilities, and the lack of nice facilities is drastically hurting our recruiting process,” said Rubio. Students who wish to support the music department in their efforts to gain a new performing arts center can sign the petition at change.org/p/ utsa-music-needs-a-performing-arts-center.
UC piano player on Main Campus plays his heart out skills. “I think I am doing it right now. Some people are able to make money off of it playing at functions and professionally, but me, I just like it for fun. I am not looking to monetize it. I just do it for fun and for the enjoyment of other people,” said Nicolay. Nicolay started playing the piano at the age of 6 or 7. It wasn’t easy and he didn’t enjoy learning, but he became very fond of it, especially when he started playing it by ear (remembering the songs without looking at the music sheets or improvising).
Black Moon Gallery displays interstellar megababes
Carlos Hughes
UTSA music department earns recognition The UTSA music department has been taking steps to create a bigger and better program for music majors. The UTSA concert
mechanical engineering major who hopes to one day make enough money to invest in real estate. His goal is to work no more than ten years as an engineer. He would also love to be a business motivational speaker, motivating people to start a business or invest in real estate. “Real estate would be the way I make my family life better and public speaking would be the way I get all 7 billion people’s lives better. “ Playing the piano for UTSA students has been a great experience for Nicolay: people have clapped
7
February 21 - February 28, 2017
“I’m a little disappointed that SA Current called my exhibit slightly naughty,” Fisher said. “I was aiming for fully naughty.” The Black Moon Gallery at the Blue Star Arts Complex held the Beauties from Beyond collection. Every wall was filled with sexy superheroines taking charge in classic poses holding rayguns. Fisher’s original pieces start off as hand drawn black and white prints, which he uploaded to the computer where they are enlarged, modified and colored. Fisher, who teaches cartooning at the Southwest School of Art and motion graphics at The Art Institute, said, “Cartoons are work. These drawings are
beasts to create.” The whole exhibit could be summarized as retrofuturism meets galactic fantasies, with just a touch of sexy pin-up. Fisher’s fresh take on the classics are invigorating and filled with nostalgia. Every detail is carefully placed to grab the viewer’s attention and invoke curiosity. Fisher’s comic book influence is unmistakable, especially in pieces like Deep Space Vixen, which showcases a busty blonde with one hand on her hip and the other ready with the ray gun. She’s flanked by two green aliens at the ready, simply to rumble, or, perhaps to “satisfy her weird desires.” “Making these drawings takes a lot of time and puts
me in bad mood, so that’s why I have to make sure I am drawing something fun like a gorgeous retro space lady holding an awesome raygun,” said Fisher. As Fisher guided me through his 20+ piece exhibition, it was easy to see how passionate he is about his work. Bouncing from illustration to Nicole Rowse, The Paisano illustration with so Mike Fisher standing next to one of his megababe piece of art. much emphasis and described his initial interest latest exhibit has gained excitement from this one to in similar artworks as “rerecognition and his newly the next, it was hard not to patented “peek-a-booby” sponding to strong visuals.” get excited myself. technology suggests there “It’s taken a long time to Fisher, who started draw- get where I’m at today,” said is no stopping this spaceing and collecting comic Fisher. His hard work has crazed local artist. books at a younger age, definitely paid off. Fisher’s
The Classic Theatre puts on lovely show: The Tempest
Drag Brunch: Foxxy’s Farewell
Tristan Ipock, The Paisano
Raquel E. Alonzo
ARTS & LIFE
for him, given him money, thanked him and complimented him by saying how amazing he is. Dalton Jacobson, a sophomore and business management major at UTSA, is one of Nicolay’s listeners. “I thought it was really cool. It was really enjoyable cause you just don’t really hear that kind of talent or someone of that kind of quality playing all the time, so I thought it was
On Feb. 17, the Classic Theatre of San Antonio had its opening show of its adaptation of William Shakespeare’s play The Tempest. The Tempest tells the story of the magician Prospero, who used to be the Duke of Milan before the title was usurped by his brother Antonio. Prospero lives on an island with his daughter Miranda. One day, a ship out at sea encounters a storm. Miranda learns her father was the one who conjured the storm and eventually all the passengers on the ship end up on the island. The ship’s passengers were Prospero’s usurper brother,
Antonio; Alonso, the king of Naples; Gonzalo, an old Milanese courtier; and Alonso’s court and followers. The production is directed by Mark McCarver. It stars veteran stage actor and founder of the Classic theatre, Allan S. Ross as Prospero. Ross has many acting credits and awards, having won over 20 Alamo Theatre Arts Council awards. High school student Grace Lamberson plays Miranda. Kacey Roye made her debut on the Classic Theatre stage as the spirit Ariel. The production has original music written and performed by John Coker and Kaitlin Muse. The opening show was at full capacity. Those who arrived early enough received free bubbly champagne and scrumptious cupcakes. The Clas-
sic Theatre has a small stage with close seats that provide playgoers with an intimate experience. The stage was set with
Allan Ross as Prospero, Grace Lamberson as Miranda and Hunter Wulff as Ferdinand.
Dreams & Soul Travel – A Spiritual Toolbox
Free Discussion Series – Includes booklet Weekly Thursday night meetings Feb. 2, 9, 16, & 23 7:00–8:30 p.m. , UC 2.01.30 (Magnolia Room)
Discover how Dreams and Soul Travel can help you spiritually ● Get guidance from dreams ● ignite your creativity to solve problems ● shift your consciousness to experience heavenly realms
Info: Mitziani: rbo233@my.utsa.edu Justin: 832-244-6502 www.Eckankar-Texas.org Sponsored by the Eckankar Student Organization
Photo by Jacques Nicolay
really neat to be able to hear that,” Jacobson said. Playing the piano helps Nicolay bring people joy, think quickly, and keeps him mentally engaged. “If you ever pick up an instrument, it will be really good experience.”
mock bookshelves surrounding the stage and a see-through curtain so the audience could see the actors coming to the
#UTSADash
02.25.17
REGISTER NOW!
UTSA STUDENTS $15 alumni.utsa.edu/diplomadash Early registration pricing ends February 22 @ 12pm
stage. The actors were in full costume, and the play uses many props and set pieces for the actors. Like most Shakespear-
ean comedies, the play has a pleasant ending with Miranda ending up with King Alonso’s son Ferdinand. The play ends with Prospero dropping his magic staff, bringing an end to his reign as sorcerer on the island. The dropping of the staff cued the shut off of the lights and thunderous applause ensued. The Tempest will continue its run until March 12, at The Classic Theatre.
Photo courtesy of The Classic Theatre
8
ARTS & LIFE
February 21 - February 28, 2017
Artpace holds sneak preview: the process, the journey Ryan Thompson
Editor-in-Chief Assistant @ ThePaisano arts@paisano-online.com
San Antonio’s non-profit downtown art gallery, Artpace, has begun its spring season International Artists-in-Residence program. Three artist’s - one international, one national and one Texas-based—are invited to live in San Antonio and create their own original exhibit. Halfway through the residency, Artpace has invited spectators to observe and feel what the artists are feeling through their process of creation. The journey is just as beautiful as the end result—whatever that may be—for these three artists. Robert Hodge is a Houston native and no stranger to creating, jokingly noting his extensive relationship with art dating back to the first grade when he won a blue ribbon rodeo award. Next, was the renowned High School of Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA). Then, Hodge attended the Savannah College of Art and Design. Hodges’ favorite area of history is the 1960’s revolutions and civil rights movements because he finds it’s aided contemporary movements such as the Black Lives Matter movement. There are posters sprawled across the area and books lining the table. Vinyl records of UGK, Solange, 2Pac and more rest in the corners. Hodge’s integration of
music into his art has provided flair that sets him apart from other artists. He once believed in keeping his music and art separate until doing a record in November about Robert Johnson. Now, a work space full of funky Southern jams permeate the space. His work station can be described with two simple words: beautiful and chaotic. Yet, he seems to know exactly where he has left the materials he needs. Hodge can’t keep still for too long. He must have his hands working, and cutting, and creating— stopping only for a few minutes to speak about his vision. Hodge is creating an exhibit full of color (his number one criteria for finding the perfect poster). He wants observers to really feel what is happening, not just see it. Kate Newby hails from Auckland, New Zealand. Even though she has been living in New York for the past five years, her eclectic accent is here to stay. Newby’s particular assigned space has a soothing sentiment to it, and you can’t help but feel that Newby has made this space her own, as she has cracked the cast-iron windows open and set up shop for the next month or so. Newby only creates work on sight, letting the area in which she has visited influenced her creation. Newby’s area is neat and refined, yet it feels industrial with raw materials—coffee grounds, broken rocks and clay neat-
Kate Newby’s table of raw and random materials.
Photo by John Villarreal
Kate Newby’s welcomes spectators into her open and organized creation space.
ly arranged on the table. Newby has created a series of experimental glass pieces. Her electrically fired collection of glassmade ladybugs have even begun to attract real ones. Newby depicts a bird sitting in trees, Grecian ruins and more. Through the inspirations of the mundane and natural she transposes a supernatural work. Halfway through her residency, she has already opened her space up and decided to venture into new projects. The finished project will take us out of the gallery, and into a lived environment; an environment where the observer
can feel just as at home as Newby feels. Her fresh perspective is sure to inspire. Nicholas Frank, a Milwaukee native, aims to impart a message with his exhibit. Propaganda posters litter the ground with double entendres. His piece is a rebellion against conventional language, boundaries and norms. Franks strives to magnify the relationship of the performer and the artist, so he has made a point to intimately converse with almost every one of his observers. He believes that the audience and the performer are equal counterparts. The performer
Robert Hodge begins to set the foundation for his wall of layered posters.
may set out to impose one message, but the audience may interpret one that is completely different. Frank is creating a set of conditions so the audience and the performer will share a meaning. After the 2016 presidential election, division within our country are even more evident. His end goal is to have a 32 foot chain through the middle of his exhibit. The glass boundary is transparent and fragile. Posing the question “Is it there or do we just perceive it to be there?” Once into his exhibit space, people
will be forced to choose one side of the glass chain versus another. This piece is sure to show the wonder of Frank, just as it will incite wonder within yourself. Though they are only halfway through their creative process, it seems as though they have already reached their destination. For theses artists, their process is their journey. The Artpace Spring International Artist-inResidence exhibit will run March 7-May 7. It is open to the public and admission is free.
Burger Hangover Fest announces this year’s lineup Alex Birnel Staff Writer
@alexbirnel arts@paisano-online.com The fifth annual Paper Tiger hosted Burger Hangover fest is guaranteed to leave us all in its fuzzed-out Lone Star soaked wake. That’s because this time around, the festival’s organizers Nick Ivarra and Osita Anusi Jr. promise in Ivarra’s words a “bigger, badder” experience than in years prior. This is almost impossible to fathom because the success of previous Burger Hangover Fests set the bar
incredibly high. Together, the pair has brought acts like Hinds, Shannon and the Clams, Thee Oh Sees, Jeff the Brotherhood, Diarrhea Planet, Together Pangea, Audacity, Meatbodies, Bully, Bleached, All Dogs and feels like it’s their raison d’être to inflict citywide whiplash. But for all the warranted skepticism about how exactly it could get any bigger and any badder, the two have really outdone themselves this year, because they’ve managed to book the 1970s legendary proto-punk band Television to top the bill. Most known for the barely
disputable genesis of punk album “Marquee Moon,” the band is seminal only playing one Texas date: Burger Hangover fest. This isn’t to outshine the rest of the unassailable Burger Records stocked lineup of 40+ bands on offer that day. Desert Rock psych-band Temples; wallflower angst band Cherry Glazer; shreddy, howl at the moon band Night Beats; and the melancholy skate pair Surf Curse are all among the talent. In Ivarra’s mind, this festival is for everybody. Don’t wanna deal with the week-long dog-pile in
Austin, but still want fun? Come to Burger Hangover. Wanna witness a bit of rock history in person? Come to Burger Hangover and see Television. Wanna meet local vendors of vinyl and food? Hangover fest. “I want it to be San Antonio’s partial answer to SXSW in Austin,” Ivarra said, “and I want it to be locals. Local venues, local vendors, local breweries, local scene, local people.” This has been Ivarra’s guiding philosophy since the festival’s more humble, scaled back beginnings at the old 1011 (now Ventura on Ave B) five years ago. The marriage with Burger Records, a California based rock, psych, garage, pop label, was a natural one. Ivarra drums in the local
pop-rock band the Rich Hands, and they’ve been in Burger’s close orbit since the labels early days. “I was always playing with these bands when they’d come through individually and up in Austin when the label would throw showcases, and I got the idea to bring it here, they were DIY and up for anything.” The ripple effect of the event has helped burgeon local music, too. Fuzzland Productions, the booking vehicle that Ivarra and Anusi use for all the heavy lifting of coordinating shows behind the scenes came about as a natural offshoot of the labor of booking Hangover Fest. The pair brings out Burger affiliated bands all year, and Hangover Fest is the crown jewel of this activity.
“It’s not always easy, it can be expensive (for Osita and I), but it’s fun and it’s worth it.” Hangover Fest is one big party. This year, expect four stages indoors and outdoors and music from noon to two a.m. Last year, 1,000 plus people were hanging out. Beer was thrown, taco plates were dropped; memories made and memories totally obliterated. Ivarra’s instructions are simple: Come out. Hangover Fest is March 19. General Admission all day tickets are $40, and VIP all day tickets are $69. You can follow the event page “Fuzzland Presents: Burger Hangover Fest” on Facebook for promotional information and ticket giveaways.
The Writing CDocumentation enter Spring 2017 Workshops Workshops
Chicago Documentation Style........................Monday, February 6 at 4:00 pm MLA Documentation Style..............................Tuesday, February 7 at 10:00 am APA Documentation Style...............................Monday, February 13 at 4:00 pm APA Documentation Style...............................Thursday, February 16 at 4:00 pm MLA Documentation Style..............................Tuesday, March 28 at 9:00 am MLA Documentation Style..............................Thursday, March 30 at 3:00 pm
Improve Your Writing Workshops
Twenty Most Common Errors: Part 1........Thursday, February 9 at 5:15 pm Summarizing............................................Tuesday, February 21 at 4:00 pm Paraphrasing.......................................Wednesday, February 22 at 4:00 pm Twenty Most Common Errors: Part 2.......Thursday, February 23 at 5:15 pm Synthesizing and Incorporating Borrowed Material.................................... Tuesday, February 28 at 4:00 pm Paragraph Structure..................................Wednesday, March 1 at 4:00 pm Thesis Statements..........................................Tuesday, March 7 at 4:00 pm Concise, Precise, and Clear Sentences.......Wednesday, March 8 at 4:00 pm Twenty Most Common Errors: Part 3..............Thursday, March 9 at 5:15 pm Transitions.....................................................Tuesday, March 21 at 4:00 pm Twenty Most Common Errors: Part 4............Thursday, March 23 at 5:15 pm
Self-Reflective Essay Workshops
Self-Reflective Essay, 1013 Portfolio Project................................................ Tuesday, April 11 at 5:00 pm Self-Reflective Essay, 1023 Portfolio Project................................................ Thursday, April 13 at 5:00 pm Self-Reflective Essay, 1013 Portfolio Project................................................ Wednesday, April 19 at 5:00 pm
All Workshops will be held in The Writing Center Computer Lab JPL 2.01.12C
SPORTS
9
February 21 - February 28, 2017
Play Ball! UTSA baseball returns to the diamond
Frankie Leal Sports Editor @panchitoleal05 sports@paisano-online.com Baseball is back, and it feels sweeter than ever. The smell of freshly cut grass and worn leather surrounded Roadrunner Field this past weekend for the first time since last summer when the players took the field for opening day. UTSA baseball opened their 2017 season with a four-game home series against the Quinnipiac Bobcats. On opening day, Feb. 16, UTSA took an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning after the offense capitalized on a leadoff double by Jesse Baker. However, the Bobcats quickly answered with two runs of their own in the top of the second after second baseman Ryan Nelson hit a bases-clearing double down the right field line. In his first game back after missing all of last season due to injury, center fielder Kevin Markham ripped a solo home run over the left field fence in the bottom of the sixth to cut the Bobcats three run lead to two. “It was a tough night, but it felt great to be back out there with my team again,” said Markham postgame. Markham’s home run was immediately followed by another home run from left fielder Skyler Valentine that got the crowd on their feet, and just like that the Roadrunners held the momentum and cut the lead
Pitcher Zach Murphy rears back to deliver the pitch.
down to just one with the score at 4-3. The Roadrunner’s momentum was quickly squandered as Bobcat DH Liam Scafari blasted a home run to left field extending their lead back to two, but Valentine answered in the eighth inning with his second homer of the game to put the 'Runners back within one. The 'Runners had a chance to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth with a runner on second, but Quinnipiac was able to escape with the victory after Jesse Baker flied out to right for the final out. “Somebody’s got to lose and somebody’s got to win on opening day. We were just a little careless with the baseball, and that was the
difference in the game,” said Coach Jason Marshall regarding his team’s four defensive errors. “It’s not something to be expected throughout the season," said All-American UTSA outfielder Jesse Baker, who also missed the entirety of last season. “We should have and will do better in the future,” he stated. “Those guys that made the errors, that’s just not who they are." In the first game of Saturday’s double header, the fans at the Bird Bath were treated to some offensive fireworks from UTSA. The Roadrunners offense bounced back in a major way as they exploded to score 12 runs in a 12-1 victory over the Bobcats to even out the series.
Markham’s 4-6 day at the plate highlighted the 'Runners '14 hit performance, and it seemed as though the loss on opening day had been a fluke. After a short half-hour break, it was time for game three of the four game series. Markham’s hot bat became even hotter as he was responsible for two RBI’s on three doubles, and Skyler Valentine hit his third home run of the series. Nonetheless, the Runners found themselves down by one in the bottom of the ninth. Markham came up big once again and hit a sacrifice fly to tie the game and send it into extra innings. The game remained scoreless until the 12th inning when Quinnipiac was able to plate a run on a
base hit up the middle that would prove to be the game winner, and the Bobcats took the third game 8-7. Offensive power was the theme for the fourth and final game of the series. Both Quinnipiac and UTSA combined for 22 runs. The game was closely contested until the Bobcats batted around the lineup and scored nine runs in the top of the seventh inning to put them on top 12-4. UTSA stormed back in the bottom of the eighth and scored six runs to cut the lead to only two, but that was as close as they would come. Quinnipiac took the victory 12-10 and won the four-game series 3-1. Despite losing their opening series, the team is very confident about the new season, “I think things are
Tristan Ipock, The Paisano
really looking up for this team,” stated senior out fielder Jesse Baker. UTSA struggled offensively last season without Baker and Markham in the lineup, but having them back for the 2017 season may make a real difference. After lacking power in the lineup last season, UTSA launched nine home runs in four games, which could mean good things to come. “Our goal is to compete for a championship and play in postseason,” said head coach Jason Marshall. UTSA baseball has gotten off to a slow start, but it’s a long season and there’s plenty of time to get settled in before conference play begins. UTSA will host SFAin a three game home series beginning Feb. 24 at the Bird Bath.
Women's basketball suffers fourth straight loss
Crystal Chidomere scrambles for a loose ball.
Frankie Leal Sports Editor @panchitoleal05 sports@paisano-online.com The Roadrunners (1114, 7-7 C-USA) suffered a heartbreaking loss Thursday Feb. 16 against the visiting Rice Owls (15-9, 7-7 C-USA). After a low scoring first quarter, the 'Runners strong defensive showing continued as they held the Owls to a dismal eight points on 20 percent shooting throughout the second quarter. Meanwhile, the Roadrunners offense was sparked by the duo Tesha Smith and Loryn Goodwin as they combined for 15 of the team's 28 first-halfpoints. Goodwin, who would finish the game with 12 points and 7 assists, hit a three-pointer at the buzzer to send the 'Run-
ners into halftime with a sizeable 10-point lead over the Owls. The Owls would not fly away quietly though. As the second-half moved forward, the Owls offense began to click, cutting into UTSA’s lead. After their poor eight-point second quarter, Rice’s offense exploded to score 25 in the third. “We just had to close out on shooters,” said UTSA guard Loryn Goodwin after the game. “We know they can shoot and once they get going, that’s it.” The Owls were down by 14 at one point, but with under three minutes left in the game, Rice’s Nicole Iademarco hit a threepointer to tie the game at 57 apiece. With the Owls on top, 62-61, UTSA center Tesha Smith picked up a technical foul that led the Owls to a four-point lead. The Runners were unable
to recover and fell to Rice 66-61. “After this loss, we really need to pull it together and turn this around,” said Goodwin. “We have to win the next one.” The 'Runners hoped to bounce back on Saturday when they hosted North Texas (11-14, 8-6 C-USA). It was the same story, different day. Once again, UTSA’s defense was strong in the first half and they even held North Texas to their lowest scoring quarter of the season as the Mean Green were only able to muster five points the entire second quarter. Despite the Runners' offense not clicking very well, UTSA still walked into the lockerroom at halftime with a comfortable 26-16 lead. North Texas came back after halftime and cut into UTSA’s lead in the third quarter. At one point, North Texas only trailed
by one with the score at 34-33. However, the Runner’s went on a mini 5-0 run to end the quarter and entered the fourth with a six-point cushion. In the fourth quarter, North Texas went on a 9-2 run to cut UTSA’s lead down to
David Guel, The Paisano
one once again. The 'Runners found themselves desperately clinging to a 43-42 lead with under six minutes to go in the game. The two teams traded blows, and UTSA was able to fend off the Mean Green for nearly
Center Tesha Smith rises up to the rim for a layup.
the remainder of the game. With just seven seconds on the clock, the 'Runners held a 51-48 lead. The game was all but won for the Roadrunners, but North Texas guard Candice Adams had other ideas. Adams sucked the life out of the Convocation Center as she knocked down a three-pointer at the final buzzer to tie the game at 51 and send it into overtime. UTSA was only able to score four points in the overtime period, and North Texas walked away from the Convocation Center with a 58-55 victory, handing the UTSA women’s basketball team their fourth straight loss. With only four games left in the season, UTSA will have to win out in order to finish the season with a winning record. They will be back in action at the Convocation Center Feb. 23 against FIU and Feb. 25 against Florida Atlantic.
David Guel, The Paisano
10
February 21 - February 28, 2017
SPORTS
"I hung up my ballet slippers
and traded them in for golf cleats."
Nikki Long follows through with her drive.
Athlete of the week: Nikki Long
Wylie Kuykendall Sports Assistant @kuykensauce sports@paisano-online.com Helping lead the ‘Runners Women's Golf team to its first tournament win of the season, this Junior economics major is much more than a top-tier athlete in her sport. Nikki Long, born in Fairfield, California, was too busy following her dream of theatre to worry about swinging a 9-iron in her early days. “I auditioned for Mary Poppins,” Long said. “A couple hundred people tried out and I almost made it.”
When her Broadway aspirations faded into the background, her family decided to move to Texas. After moving, Long’s desire to play golf began to take hold. “I hung up my ballet slippers and traded them in for golf cleats." Long said. "The rest is history.” A two-time all-state golfer at Lady Bird Johnson High School, it’s no surprise that the Roadrunner star has succeeded throughout her collegiate golfing career. Long comes from a family of talented individuals in their respective areas. Long’s grandfather played quarterback at San Jose
State, later going on to serve as head coach for a number of DI football teams, including Tulane and UCLA. Her father served in the Air Force and is currently piloting flights for Delta Air Lines while her older sister studied molecular biology at UT Austin. Long herself is an excellent student, graduating summa cum laude from high school. As for post-college life, Long is considering multiple career paths. “I've been studying for the LSAT recently,” she said. The more Long plays, the more it appears law school will have to wait. In 2015, Long qualified
to play in the U.S. Open after her freshman year. The elite tournament took place in South-Central Pennsylvania at the historic Lancaster Country Club. “I found out I was playing it three days before the event. It was a huge blessing,” Long said. “I got a taste of what professional life was like and thought that was something I would want to do.” With her father by her side as her caddy, Long played her first round of professional golf. “I've played so many gorgeous golf courses, but that course has a special place in my heart,” Long said. Whether she decides to
Photo Courtesy of Jeff Huehn / UTSA Athletics
pursue golf professionally or focus on law school depends on how her final season plays out. “It really just depends on how I play,” Long said. For now, Long is more focused
on her team and the special chemistry she and her teammates have going for them this year. “Our main goal is to get a ring, to go out and win the conference championship.”
Photo Courtesy of Jeff Huehn / UTSA Athletics