THE PAISANO
Hurricane Milton creates political storm Special Election Edition | Voters guide inside
By Kara Lee Graphic Editor
Election season and hurricane season always find a way to overlap on the calendar, and this year, they are creating quite a storm in the political landscape. As hurricanes hinder voting access, some voters have turned to the courts to seek extensions for voter registration deadlines in light of these natural disasters.
Hurricane Milton struck Florida as a Category 3 storm near Siesta Key, a barrier island known for its white sand beaches along the Gulf Coast. The storm moved across Florida toward the Atlantic Ocean, downing power lines, uprooting trees and flooding neighborhoods. Before making landfall, it also created threatening tornadoes.
Anthropogenic notably intensified Hurricane Milton, increasing its rainfall by 20% to 30% and its wind speeds by approximately 10%, according to scientists in a recent flash study. Researchers from World Weather Attribution indicated that without climate change, a hurricane like Milton would likely have been classified as a Category 2 storm, which is not considered as severe as a Category 3.
Hurricane Milton began as a tropical depression in the Gulf of Mexico on Saturday, Oct. 5. It quickly intensified into a tropical storm before transforming into a Category 5 hurricane between Sunday, Oct. 6, and Monday, Oct 7. The central pressure dropped below 900 mbar, driven by the unusually high sea surface temperatures in the Gulf. On Oct. 7, Climate Central issued an alert as Hurricane Milton continued its rapid intensification, with winds increasing by 120 mph in 33 hours. This intensification was fueled by the abnormally warm
changing polling locations for inperson voting due to the hurricane’s impact. Adjustments to the electoral process may be necessary following Hurricane Milton.
Florida has a long history of accommodating such events, given the frequency of hurricanes in the region.
problem that may worsen due to Hurricane Milton.
“It’s possible that mail ballots could be lost, whether in transit to voters or returned by them. They could also be damaged, especially in high winds and flooding,” said David Becker, executive director of the Center for Election
San Antonio deploys disaster relief to Florida
By Trinity Hewtty Contributor
Hurricane Milton finally made landfall on the evening of Oct. 9 in the Tampa Bay area of Florida, heading past the state’s east coast before dispersing over the Atlantic.
Initially reported as an impending Category 5 hurricane, within twenty-four hours, Hurricane Milton weakened to a Category 3 before arriving on the shores of Florida. About 17 casualties in total have been reported. Six fatalities confirmed in St. Lucie County were revealed to be caused by tornadoes that developed as part of the storm. Another 11 deaths were in the surrounding areas of St. Petersburg, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota and Orange counties as a result of Hurricane Milton.
As of Saturday, Oct. 12, an estimated 1.4 million homes and businesses are still without power. The gas shortage continues, too with about 29% of gas stations being out of commission in Florida. The damages caused by the multiple outbreaks of tornadoes and Hurricane Milton are expected to cost billions of dollars in repairs. An estimated 150 homes were reported to be destroyed, as photos circulating online showed a 500 ft. construction crane being
impaled into a building and the roof of the Tropicana Bay baseball stadium being ripped into shreds.
Non-profit organizations, such as Active Hope, are working with the government and other private entities to assist Floridians with food, house repairs and supplies. Meanwhile, search and rescue teams are continuing in their pursuit of survivors stranded in the debris and flood waters in the Pasco, Pinellas and Hillsborough counties. Over 6,500 National Guardsmen, 500 high-water vehicles and a dozen watercraft from 12 states are assembled in the recovery process, as announced by the Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Major General Pat Ryder.
San Antonio intends to support these disaster relief efforts by deploying the SA Fire Department, CPS Energy and the American Red Cross. Around 16 San Antonio Fire Department members and 11 individuals from CPS Energy have traveled to Florida to assist in the aftermath of the hurricane. On Wednesday, the SA Red Cross declared an urgency for volunteers who can travel to Florida. They held two training sessions this past week on Wednesday, Oct. 10, and Saturday, Oct. 12, intending to teach volunteers the necessary skills to help emergency shelters and survivors of the hurricane.
The executive director of the Red Cross Greater San Antonio Chapter, Dr. Daniel Martinez also stated they needed assistance in, “Everything from spiritual care, mental health care to working a shelter to providing meals. All that is wrapped up into these academies in a fast track so that anyone who wants to volunteer can deploy right away.” Martinez emphasized the need for volunteers as he anticipates the recovery process will be ongoing until March due to the catastrophe from both Hurricane Milton and Helene.
Innovation and Research. such cases, voters can request replacement mail-in ballots or choose to vote in person.
Hurricane Helene also caused significant damage to voting infrastructure, particularly in the areas where Florida’s Panhandle meets its peninsula. Polling locations could face further challenges from Hurricane Milton, especially in the Tampa Bay
Hurricane Helene, Governor DeSantis issued an executive order granting flexibility for election officials in the 13 hardest-hit counties. This order allows for changes to early voting and Election Day polling places and makes it easier for residents to request mail-in ballots to be sent to addresses different from their registered ones.
order also includes provisions to prevent a potential shortage of poll workers by waiving training requirements for experienced workers and permitting poll workers to travel
federal judge recently denied a request to reopen voter registration after considering arguments from both sides. The plaintiffs, including the Florida chapters of the League of Women Voters and the NAACP, are deliberating whether to appeal the decision. They argue that thousands may have missed the registration deadline due to the aftermath of Hurricane Helene or preparations for Hurricane Milton.
Stalking, sexual assault, theft
By Luna Infante Interim Marketing Manager
In compliance with the Clery Act, UTSA keeps a daily crime log for all on-campus crimes. The log summarizes the case’s date, time, location, incident and current status. The crimes detailed below are taken directly from the crime log, showcasing the trends premiered from Oct. 4 to Oct. 9.
Stalking
On Friday, Oct. 4, a report was made on campus at 10:30 a.m. regarding stalking. The case was closed only minutes later at 10:37 a.m.
Harassment
Later on Friday, harassment took place in the North Paseo Building. The case’s status remains unreported.
Criminal Mischief
On Saturday, Oct. 5, criminal mischief was reported at University Oaks Phase 1. The incident occurred at midnight, with damages amounting to $100-$749.99. Criminal mischief was reported again on Monday, Oct. 7 and Tuesday, Oct. 8. Monday’s incident occurred in the Ximenes Ave Lot, with damages amounting to $100-$749.99. Tuesday’s incident occurred in University Oaks, with damages amounting to less than $100. All cases remain active.
Burglary and Sexual Assault
On Sunday, Oct. 6, a burglary and sexual assault occurred at University Oaks Phase 1 in a residential facility. The incidents occurred between 4:19 a.m. and 4:45 a.m. The case remains active.
Larceny and Theft
On Wednesday, Oct. 9, a report was made on campus about theft in the McKinney Humanities Building. The theft occurred at 11:15 a.m., and stolen goods were valued at $100-$749.99. The case remains active.
Mohitha Ravikumar/The Paisano
NEWS
Murders continue on local SA trails
By Alejandra Garza Distribution Manager
A tense atmosphere settled amongst the San Antonio walking community as it was abruptly put to a halt by another investigation into a possible homicide on the North side. On Saturday Oct. 5, an unidentified male body between the ages of 20 and 30 was found dead on a golf cart near Walker Ranch Park. The cart went unnoticed by most as it was hidden behind shrubbery and covered with a tarp. The body was discovered by a San Antonio park police officer patrolling the area. The Bexar County medical examiner has yet to provide the victim’s name or cause of death. Police do suspect foul play may be involved. An investigation is ongoing. This scare comes after Stacey Dramiga, a healthcare worker at Brooke Army Medical Center, was murdered on a local hiking trail weeks prior. There have been multiple efforts to bring to light the importance of safety following this incident. A safety awareness walk has been organized by hiking groups in honor of Dramiga, scheduled at 10 a.m. on Oct. 20 at Comanche Park.
“I think it’s important to highlight that we see this as a community issue, not just hikers and not just
women,” organizer Sara Alexis said. “We are uniting to send a message to the community that this won’t be tolerated.”
UTSA student, Arianna Lira, who is an avid walker, gave her input on both situations: “It’s scary not only as a woman, but also as a mom. I feel San Antonio as a large city is slowly becoming a less enjoyable place to explore,” Lira said. “Walking on trails is my favorite pastime and has become a favorite activity for my family and I.”
“Police recommend starting a trip at least 30 minutes after sunrise and/ or ending it at least 30 minutes before sunset so you don’t walk in the dark,” Public Information Officer Ximena Alvarez said.
SAPD still encourages others who are going to be walking to not do it alone. An individual should always take precautions by knowing the trail beforehand as well as its designated mile markers. This is important in case first responders need to reach somebody.
If an individual is in need of help or in an unsafe situation, reach the nonemergency number at 210-207-7273 or 9-1-1.
What is on the ballot for Bexar County?
By Jackie Cardona Contributor
This election season will not just be about picking a Presidential candidate; Bexar County will have various local and statewide positions up for election. The 2024 election day is just 22 days away on Nov 5. Bexar County residents will have the opportunity to vote in national, state and county general elections.
Presidential Positions:
Kamala Harris (Democratic)
Donald Trump (Republican)
Jill Stein (Green)
Chase Oliver (Libertarian)
U.S. Senate: Colin Allred (Democratic)
Ted Brown (Libertarian)
Ted Cruz (Republican)
U.S. House of Representative
District 20
Joaquin Castro (Democratic)
District 21
Kristin Hook (Democratic) Chip Roy (Republican) Bob King (Libertarian)
District 23
Tony Gonzales (Republican) Santos Limon (Democratic)
District 28
Henry Cuellar (Democratic) Jay Furman (Republican)
District 35
Steven Wright (Republican) Greg Casar (Democratic)
Texas Railroad Commissioner: Christi Craddick (Republican) Katherine Culbert (Democratic) Eddie Espinoza (Green) Hawk Dunlap (Libertarian) Richard McKibbin (WriteIn)
Texas Supreme Court
Place 2: Jimmy Blacklock (Republican)
DaSean Jones (Democratic)
Place 4: John Devine (Republican) Christine Weems (Democratic)
Place 6: Jane Bland (Republican) Bonnie Lee Goldstein (Democratic) David Robertson (Libertarian)
Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
Presiding Judge: David Schenck (Republican)
Holly Taylor (Democratic)
Judge, Place 7: Gina Parker (Republican) Nancy Mulder (Democratic)
Judge, Place 8: Lee Finley (Republican) Chika Anyiam (Democratic)
State Board of Education
District 1 Michael (Travis) Stevens (Republican) Gustavo Reveles (Democratic)
District 3
Marisa Perez-Diaz (Democratic)
Texas State Senator
Donna Campbell (Republican) Merrie Fox
want to stay in-theknow? Read more news on our website.
(Democratic)
Texas State Representatives
District 116
Darryl W Crain (Republican) Trey Martinez Fischer (Democratic)
District 117
Ben Mostyn (Republican) Philip Cortez (Democratic)
District 118
John Lujan (Republican) Kristian Carranza (Democratic)
District 119
Brandon J. Grabble (Republican) Elizabeth “Liz” Campos (Democratic)
District 120
Barbara Gervin-Hawkins (Democratic)
District 121
Marc Lahood (Republican) Laurel Jordan Swift (Democratic)
District 122
Mark Dorazio (Republican) Kevin Geary (Democratic)
District 123
Diego Bernal (Democratic)
District 124
Sylvia Soto (Republican) Josey Garcia (Democratic)
District 125
Ray Lopez (Democratic)
Texas 4th District Court of Appeals
Place 2
Veila Meza (Democratic)
Place 3
Cynthia Marie Chapa (Democratic) Todd McCray (Republican)
Place 4
Luz Elena Chapa (Democratic) Lori Brissette (Republican)
Place 5
Lisa Rodriguez (Democratic) Adrian Spears (Republican)
Place 7
Lori I. Valenzuela, (Republican)
On the ballot, the District Courts, Probate Courts, Bexar County Sheriff, Bexar County Tax assessor, County Commissioners Court, Justice of Peace and County Constable are also up for election. Additionally, six San Antonio Charter Amendments have been proposed: Proposition A, Proposition B, Proposition C, Proposition D, Proposition E and Proposition F.
If you are eligible to vote make sure you create a voting plan and decide where your nearest polling location will be at. If you decide to vote early, early voting will be available from Oct. 21 to Nov. 1. Election Day will be on Nov. 5. Learn about the positions below, make a plan to vote, and take action because local elections are important and make a change in the community you live in.
SA firefighters oppose Prop C
By Matthew Moses Staff Writer
With the Nov. 5 Election fast approaching, the San Antonio Professional Firefighters Association announced their disapproval of Proposition C in a news release on Monday Oct. 7. Proposition C is one of several proposed amendments to the City Charter voters will see on the ballot in November. The amendments include changes to term limits and compensation caps for government officials including the mayor, council members and city manager. Proposition C is set to remove all limits on city managers term and salary. Currently, the city manager is restricted to eight years of service and their salary is capped at no more than 10 times that of the lowest paid full-time city employee. This puts the salary ceiling at about $375,000. The limits have existed since the election in 2018 when the Firefighters Association led a campaign to approve the limits. Nearly 60% of voters approved the change, and then-City Manager Sheryle Sculley resigned shortly after.
“Term limits promote a healthy rotation of leadership and fresh perspectives in our city’s governance. Furthermore, tying the City Manager’s salary boundary to the lowest-paid city employee’s wage underscores our commitment to fair and healthy working conditions for all city employees.” Fire Union President Joe Jones said Monday, “These measures were designed to ensure accountability, fairness, and balance within our city’s administration.”
The proposed charter changes result from months of conversation led by the Charter Review Commission which Mayor
Ron Nirenberg reconstituted in November 2023. The commission was charged with addressing revisions to the Ethics Review Board, council compensation and term limits, city manager tenure and compensation, council redistricting, among other updates to language found in the City Charter.
According to Bryan Gervais, professor of political science at The UTSA and director of UTSA’s Center for Public Opinion Research, the proposed term limit and salary changes are designed to bring the city more in line with larger cities like Houston. For reference, the same position in Dallas gets compensated to the tune of $455,000, and the city manager for Austin now makes just over $470,000.
Mayor Nirenberg and other industry leaders claim the current limits on the city manager’s pay hinder the city’s ability to attract strong candidates for the role. However, a recent poll conducted by UTSA’s Center for Public Opinion Research doesn’t bode well for Prop C. Almost 70% of respondents said they weren’t in favor, while only 17% said they would vote for Prop C. Gervais emphasizes that Proposition C, which would remove the pay ceiling for the city manager, and Proposition E, which would raise the salaries for both the council members and the mayor, have not received much support from residents. According to the survey, San Antonio voters are likely to vote “no” on both propositions come Election Day. “Both of those appear to be under water this time and in danger of not passing in November,” Gervais said.
State of the City Week of 10/15
By Alejandra Garza Distribution Manager
Not subscribed to local news but still want to stay up-to-date on the happenings around town? Look no further. Highlighting notable stories from external San Antonio news sources, State of the City summarizes the most captivating news headlines of the week. This week’s topic ranges from a continued search for an Olmos Park missing woman to Bexar County partisanship over voter registration.
Still in search of Suzanne Clark
Suzanne Clark Simpson and her husband Brad Simpson attended an event at a private social club, The Argyle, on Sunday, Oct. 6. This was the last time anyone would see Suzanne Clark Simpson. According to the arrest affidavit, Brad reported her missing to Olmos Park Police Department on the evening of Monday, Oct. 7. Earlier that day, their child had not been picked up from school, which prompted the school to notify Brad. On Oct. 8, the school staff let police know the child notified them that her parents were “fighting.” The child also told staff that Simpson had a bruise on her elbow.
On Wednesday, Oct. 9 at 12:42 a.m., there was an arrest warrant out for Brad. The charges that were brought against him were assault-family violence and unlawful restraint. At 1:30 a.m., The Kendall County Sheriff’s Office arrested him. Brad has been uncooperative throughout the investigation, as his wife is still missing. Any information regarding Suzanne’s whereabouts can be reported to Detective Hector Ruiz at 210209-2701, Detective Melissa Campbell at 210-219-2702 or Olmos Park Dispatch at 210-822-2000.
Bexar County partisanship
Bexar County Commissioners court has decided to continue to utilize mail voter registration forms. There is still some concern from the Republican Party over the bias and the potential voter fraud the election could face. A contract was created on Sept. 3. with the Civic Government Solutions which allowed the printing and mailing of state voter registration forms to unregistered voters. The purpose of this contract was to make sure all citizens were able to register and vote in the upcoming elections.
“The right to vote is a foundation of democracy, and voter registration is a gateway to civic participation. Bexar County’s nonpartisan effort to provide voter registration applications to targeted eligible citizens is within the authority of the county and consistent with state law,” Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai explained.
Republican Texas state Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a suit that the new program would allow individuals to violate the law. This effort was met with a block by State District Judge Antonia Arteaga because the voter registration forms were already mailed out. Bexar County Chairwoman Monica Alcantara expressed admiration for the contract.
“[The Bexar County Democratic Party] wants everyone to vote, whether you’re a Republican or whether you’re a Democrat. The process should be easy for everyone and made available to everyone,” Alcantara said. Young woman shot to death on the North Side
Galilea Alvarez/The Paisano
OpiNION
The right to vote is not a toy
youth vote actually matters
Editorial
In 1971, the 26th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified under the presidency of Richard Nixon, lowering the national voting age from 21 years to 18 years old. This amendment is one of four in the Constitution pertaining to voting rights, each expanding the civic privilege to more and more Americans.
The push for the 26th Amendment came from the fallout of the Korean and Vietnam wars, with American youths protesting that, if they were old enough to die for their country, they were old enough to vote in its elections.
This desperation to participate in civic duty is increasingly fading amongst youngsters as the years go by, and it is imperative that it is regained.
The youth vote refers to the demographic of 18-29-year-old voters, a significant cohort of citizens that appear to have forgotten or are otherwise willfully ignoring the value of participating in elections.
A study from the Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) found
Kara Lee/The Paisano
that 32 states — including Texas with a 33% drop — have fewer registered youth voters than they did in the 2020 elections. Furthermore, a CBS News Poll showed that only 66% of registered voters under the age of 30 plan to definitely vote in the 2024 election.
A 2021 study by Claire Zhu took a look at the impact of youth voter turnout on past presidential elections, running a series of data analyses that contrasted the number of potential voters and the actual number of voter participants to see how it would affect election results. Zhu concluded that the
The Electoral College is not by the people
Commentary By Matthew Moses Staff Writer
With election season in full swing, many voters have been questioning whether the Electoral College is beneficial for the United States’ democratic elections. Vice Presidential candidate Tim Walz remarked this past week at a fundraiser hosted by California Gov. Gavin Newsom, “I think all of us know the Electoral College needs to go.”
Initially designed to be a compromise between an election by popular vote and an election decided by senators and representatives, the Electoral College was written into the Constitution by the founding fathers. Article II and the 12th Amendment set the stipulations for Electors and the process by which the elections for president and vice president should be conducted. “Each State shall appoint … a Number of Electors, equal to the whole Number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress.”
At first glance, this system seems fairly balanced, with each state receiving its number of House Representatives based on population, plus two for the Senate members. However, when broken down, the proportion of electoral votes to the population in rural states is lower, meaning citizens of those states have more voting power.
Wyoming for example, with a total population of less than 600,000, has three electors. California on the other hand, has around 67 times more people than Wyoming but only receives 54 votes. This means an individual’s vote
counts 3.6 times more in Wyoming than in California.
This disparity between rural and more densely populated states has led to pigeonholing parts of the country as “red” or “blue” rather than the melting pot of values that the United States was once known for. Misconstruing these places for political ideologies does nothing but divide people. A popular vote would remove the labels and stigma surrounding parts of the country and guarantee each vote is valued the same.
Due in part to the results of the 2016 election, there has been growing support for a direct popular vote among the public. For instance, POLITICO and Morning Consult conducted a poll in March 2019 that found 50% of respondents wanted a switch to the popular vote, with 34% saying they did not. This attitude toward the Electoral College has no doubt been influenced by the fact that two of the last five elections saw the winner of the popular vote lose the Electoral College.
Tim Walz summarized this point of view when he said, “[People] have to feel [that] every vote counts in every place of the country.”
The American Bar Association has also criticized the Electoral College as an “archaic” and “ambiguous” system, with polls indicating that 69% of lawyers favored abolishing it in 1987. Public opinion polls have also shown Americans favor abolishing it by a vast majority: 81% in 1968; and 75% in 1981. Despite all this, the Electoral College continues to thrive.
Low turnout is polling high
Commentary By Dustin Vickers Managing Editor
With one of the most divisive elections on the horizon and the world champing at the bit to see who the next president will be, it is strange to find that those with the most to gain from this election have some of the lowest voter turnout rates.
In the United States, until 1870 and the ratification of the 15th Amendment, only white men could vote in elections. After its passing, this included any man who was a citizen of the United States. The barrier to entry was still high, as people of color who wanted to vote were given literacy tests — which most citizens could not pass — or forced to pay a poll tax that they simply could not afford. 50 years later, the 19th Amendment allowed not only white women but also women of color to vote. Similar to men of color, women of color faced the same threats and issues. The era of voter harassment came to an end with the passing of the Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act almost a hundred years after the first man of color could vote in the U.S. At least, that is how it is presented.
Although there may not be something physically barring entry
to the underrepresented, there has recently been a surge in policies passed by state governments that have made it more difficult to vote — Texas being one of them.
From the last presidential election, there was about a 31% difference between the non-Hispanic white population and the Hispanic population who reported they voted. A difference this drastic suggests there is a systemic problem with our voting system that prevents a majority of an ethnic group from voting.
The gap in the voter turnout between younger voters can be attributed to a lack of knowledge on how to vote, while older voters cannot say the same. However, the reason is out of their control. Years of gerrymandering and marginalization have pushed Hispanics away from politics yet simultaneously made them the center of it. Voter laws only allowing certain forms of ID that many families may not have because of their immigration status further expands that gap.
To vote is a right and privilege so precious many have killed their egos, pride and have given their lives just to exercise that gift. Abstaining from voting is simply not an option our country can afford.
electoral weight of under-30 voters was formidable and that, had more youth voters participated in past presidential elections, the results could have been very different.
Today’s generation of youth voters, the most diverse in American history, faces a crisis of faith in the electoral system and political candidates. Nevertheless, youths need to step up and do their duty. As the generation that will inherit the world from those elected, it is not acceptable that so few show interest in exercising their privilege. The country’s history of voter suppression is so long and putrid that it is an insult to all who fought to expand those rights for the benefiting youths of today to ignorantly watch election day pass without grabbing a ballot.
Whether Democrat, Republican or third-party voters, the youth vote holds weight and has a tangible impact. The Paisano urges UTSA students eligible and registered to vote to follow through on their duty, inform themselves on their candidates and cast their votes in the upcoming November elections.
Permanent residents should be allowed to vote
Commentary By Sofia Mejia Magazine Editor
With the upcoming election right around the corner, citizens everywhere are getting ready to line up or mail in their ballots — the exception being one kind of citizen: a permanent resident. Permanent residency is the legal right to live and work permanently in the United States for a person who has citizenship in another country. Despite the United States benefiting from their labor, the government has deemed them unfit to vote. Permanent citizens should be allowed to vote because they are affected by policy changes in government. Voting is the time to make changes that will affect day-today life. Who are they to take away the voice of permanent residents?
This country was built on immigration and the ideal that voting would be a chance to enact meaningful change in the government that affects the people. It is no surprise that the Constitution does not say non-U.S. citizens cannot vote — it would disqualify the majority of its creators. In fact, “Federal law does not prohibit noncitizens from casting a ballot in state or local elections.” State law is where this unconstitutional act of banning non-U.S. citizens from voting derives from. Although this election impacts the entire country on a federal level, states have banned non-US citizens from being able to vote on this outcome, which exceeds their power.
Some districts have attempted to grant permanent residents suffrage on
a state level — such as Washington which, “Enacted a law to allow noncitizen residents to vote in all nonfederal elections. New York City enacted a law allowing noncitizens to vote in local elections in 2021, but it was ruled unconstitutional by a state judge in 2022.” However, because the ban on voting is on the state level, there is great difficulty in attempting to give the right to vote in federal elections, which is why the federal government should step in and grant suffrage to non-citizens.
Some may argue that if permanent residents want to vote so badly, then they should undergo the process to become U.S. citizens. This argument ignores the difficulties involved in becoming a U.S. citizen. To become a U.S. citizen, the applicant needs to, “Be able to speak, read, and write basic English, have a min. of 5 years of continuous residence in the U.S. prior and Demonstrate an understanding of U.S. government and history.”
The right to vote is just that — a right. It should not come with stipulations. There is an estimate of 12.7 million non-citizens — “14% of the U.S. population which wield $1.3 trillion in spending power.” They contribute to this country’s economy and are affected by its policy just like U.S. citizens, and therefore should be allowed to vote. It is the responsibility of all Americans to use their voting privilege to give permanent residents the chance to have a say in the policies that affect them.
Storm Goodman/The Paisano
The Paisano
By Octavio Flores-Chasnoff Contributor
When Vice President Kamala Harris officially replaced Joe Biden at the top of the ticket for the 2024 election, the enthusiasm among Democrats was palpable. Biden’s disastrous debate performance, coupled with his low favorability ratings and poor polling, caused many on the left to panic, but Harris’ energy and enthusiasm woke young people up from the slumber that Biden’s age had lulled them into.
In the months immediately following her entrance into the race, polls consistently showed Harris closing former president Donald Trump’s lead. Some pundits predicted she would continue to rise, especially after her polling peaked in response to her decisive debate victory over Trump in September. In reality, after a postdebate bounce, she is failing to grow her small lead. New polls show this race to be in a dead heat. Harris has a small lead nationally, but every swing state is within the margin of error. It is anyone’s game.
What has caused Harris’ honeymoon period to end? Many cite the perceived “vagueness” of her campaign as a reason for this lull. While the concerns are valid, she’s being as specific as she can.
For the most part, Harris is running a populist campaign based on putting money back into the pockets of middle-
class Americans through various types of tax credits. She calls this plan the “opportunity economy.”
Her broad economic plan includes many specifics, including a $50,000 tax deduction for small businesses, an expanded child tax credit worth $6,000 for newborns and a $10,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers, coupled with a $25,000 down payment assistance.
The accusations of vagueness mainly come from Harris’ inability to explain how she will put these policies into place. Of course, tax policy requires approval from Congress, and many wonder if she will get her plan approved. The truth is that she does not know the odds of either, and that is not her fault.
Harris’ promises likely require the Democrats to maintain control in Congress, and no one knows yet how this election will play out. While these campaign promises may require certain things to go the Democrats’ way in November, this truth does not fall on Harris, and it certainly does not make her platform vague.
More people on both sides of the aisle should question Trump’s platform. While his platform attempts to solve many of the same problems Harris’ does, his proposed solution is implausible, dangerous and absurd.
Last week in Colorado, Trump announced “Operation Aurora,” a national mass deportation plan billed
as the Trump-Vance solution to all of our country’s problems. Americans are unable afford a home? To Trump and Vance, that is because the immigrants are buying them all up. Childcare isn’t affordable? In Trump’s mind, immigrants are draining all of our education resources. When he deports all “25 million,” all problems will suddenly go away.
Unfortunately, this plan is built on lies. There are not 25 million illegal immigrants in this country, as Pew Research Center estimates that the number is closer to 12 million. To fulfill his promises, he would have to deport people who are legally in this country. How would he actually carry out this plan? He claims he will deploy federal troops and emboldened law enforcement to do their job, buat would this truly mean? Would law enforcement go around racially profiling our neighbors and then deport those they deem unfit? The cost of carrying out a domestic mass deportation operation would be much higher than the perceived benefits, and the cost to taxpayers would be high, as well.
At this point in the election season, both candidates have laid out their plans for issues, such as housing, childcare and business. While Harris’ plan may not be perfect, it is not vague, and most importantly, it is far better than what Trump has proposed.
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Jake Mireles | Editor-in-Chief Editor@paisano-online.com
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Malaki Lingg | Arts & Life Editor Arts@paisano-online.com
Haley Aguayo | Sports Editor Sports@paisano-online.com
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As the United States faces increasingly catastrophic hurricane seasons year after year due to climate change, the need for improvement to existing infrastructure is greater than ever. This past month, the Gulf and East Coasts saw two hurricanes — Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton — carve paths of destruction through the states of Florida and Tennessee, among others. This has prompted Governor Gregg Abbott to dispatch Texas’ emergency response and recovery resources to the states affected by these disasters.
In a press release from Oct. 7, Abbott announces that “The emergency response resources inbound for Florida have mobilized ahead of impact from Hurricane Milton, while the disaster recovery resources deployed to Tennessee are to support
to assist the impacted states in their recovery efforts represents a strong commitment from Abbott to assist these states in their time of need.
However, while these efforts are noble, it was not long ago that Texas was ravaged by one of the worst hurricanes in recent history; one where the state’s response was lackluster and underwhelming.
In July, Hurricane Beryl swept through the greater Houston area, causing an estimated $1.5 to $4.6 billion in damage according to Houston Public Media. Hurricane Beryl caused extensive damage to Houtson’s power grid. The Houston Landing reported that five days after Beryl made landfall, 1.4 million residents were still without power during one of the hottest periods of the year. Where was Abbott during this disaster? The Governor was traveling abroad, attending an economic development trip to East Asia, drawing lots of public scrutiny.
Critics say that Abbott could have postponed the trip until after Hurricane Beryl passed or shortened the trip once he knew the level of destruction the storm had caused.
However, Abbott
decided to stay, leaving Texas in the hands of Lt. Governor Dan Patrick. Abbott’s decision had an impact, one that does not sit well with the citizens of Houston impacted by Hurricane Beryl. Abbott and Patrick’s lack of coordination was even scrutinized by President Biden, who claimed there was a lack of urgency on the part of Texas in declaring a disaster declaration that would unlock access to vital federal aid and funding for disaster relief.
While we live in an age where technology allows leaders to respond to disasters regardless of where they are, optics matter. Abbott’s commitment to sending Texas resources to assist other states seems noble, until it is compared to his commitment — or lack thereof — to helping the residents of his own state. Texans deserve better.
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arts & life
Mexican Slum Rats and other rodents
Absolutely unbelievable. On Saturday, Mexican Slum Rats with supporting acts En Paz, Israel’s Arcade and Winona Forever played at Paper Tiger, bringing the most staggering show to the venue. The Paisano had the opportunity to speak with the bands before the show, getting a more in-depth insight into how they came to be and what should we expect from their music on stage.
The first band member that was interviewed was Matt Shulman, saxophone player for the Mexican Slum Rats. He was walking with a cane and a red Buccee’s shirt he got the day before, “[My ankle] got rolled in the pit,” he explained. He introduced his bandmates: drummer Raco Mendoza, wearing a blue bandana, bass player Sebastian Felix and guitar player Benjamin Schlesinger. The lead singer Kevin Villalba was nowhere to be seen but they explained that he was asleep before the show, as they were traveling every day on their tour bus and setting up to play gigs those same nights.
En Paz, the opening act, started the gig with vivid instrumentals, hyping up the audience that was starting to arrive at the venue. From afar it was inviting, multiple people asking, “Who are they? They’re so good!” while others were already enjoying the set from the inside, dancing to every song they performed.
Quick questions and answers were exchanged between sets. Chris Ramont, the saxophone player for the next band answered as quickly as he could, agreeing in his flame-graphic shirt that the best cities they have played
at were San Antonio, Chicago, New York and Lincoln in Nebraska. He also mentioned that they all “love meeting people from different cities… but sleeping in the tour bus is my least favorite part about touring.”
Next up was Israel’s Arcade, named after the lead singer Israel Pinedo and a “reference to an arcade in Wayne’s World.” The band’s set was dynamic and full of energy, with the crowd enjoying every second of it. Shulman joined to play saxophone on a song, and the music coming out of Pinedo’s black Epiphone and his bandmate’s yellow Telecaster made people dance along. The drumming of Daniel Ramirez was powerful, leading the stage at times. From Coachella, California in a Spanishspeaking household, Pinedo’s influences to write include Cafe Tacvba and Caifanes. Ramont also mentioned The Strokes as a big influence that can be heard in Pinedo’s vocals. Pinedo spoke with The Paisano briefly before rushing to the stage once again to play a song with MSR. The passion for music was evident in his eyes, and the people were more than excited to watch the show unfold.
Coming from Vancouver, Canada, Winona Forever brought a fun, colorful and cartoony performance to the show. The drummer Alex’s style was reminiscent of Stewart Copeland’s drumming, the band agreed he did but while interviewed he claimed to not know who that was. The bass player Ruby had a Tina Weymouth-esque demeanor, quiet and reserved, but during the performance she played her sticker-filled bass like crazy, dancing synchronized with the guitar player and singers Rowan
and Ben, confirming the Talking Heads reference in a fresh and playful way. The audience was singing along, jumping around, bobbing their heads to the tunes. It was a performance that lightened the mood of the audience; every song was a hit.
It was time for Granada Hills’ MSR to perform. Kevin Villalba, the Mexican lead singer who named the band and that was nowhere to be seen before the set, rose from mystery and came up on stage. His striking vocals astonished the room, everyone started jumping and screaming out of excitement. Red, blue and green lights were flashing in the venue. The bass player came up on stage with a Buccee’s onesie, being the band’s recent fascination and dubbed as the “Disneyland of gas stations” by Shulman. The drumming of Mendoza was a potent, intense ball of fire, and matched perfectly with Villalbas’s vocals and Shlesinger’s incredible guitar playing. Shulman’s saxophone set the tone of the songs, at times even controlling the crowd to make them jump around once again. Members from the supporting bands came up on stage and not only sang along with the band, but stage-dived multiple times. Suddenly, someone in a rat mascot costume ran up to the crowd, jumped around until he was helped up the stage and stage-dived as well. It was a sight to not be missed. The crowd went absolutely berserk. The bands gave their all and the crowd could not get enough of it, so hopefully they return to play once more.
The not-so live ‘Saturday Night Live’
By Marisela Cruz Contributor
Just over 50 years ago, Saturday Night Live aired for the first time on NBC. On Oct. 11, the film “Saturday Night” showcased the spectacular, head-spinning events that occurred in the 90 minutes before the iconic show first went live. This beautiful portrayal of a historic night in television history carries a high adrenaline atmosphere throughout its runtime.
Starting at 10 p.m. on Oct. 11, 1975, the bustling crew members set up lights as writers finalized scripts. The movie shows the quarterly time stamps of the night passing by as Lorne Michaels and the stars of the show get ready. The audience cannot help but feel stressed and nauseous with the anticipation building up on trying to make it to air at 11:30 pm. There is not a single break from the chaos. This is truly a motion picture that never stops moving.
Since the film is constantly trying to include as much as possible within a two-hour time frame, there are a couple of plot holes within the script that never get resolved. Teasing information about the original cast of SNL and not following through with it seems like an unnecessary addition to the script. Other than that, the constant push
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and pull with Michaels and NBC is amusing to watch. Sarcastic and crass comebacks are so common in the dialogue that they come across as a natural way of conducting business,which is alarming yet entertaining and it works for the rebellious comedians.
A bunch of 20-year-old comedians coming together is a marvel to experience.
The ensemble cast is mind-blowing with their performances. Stars like Kaia Gerber as Jacqueline Carlin and Jon Batiste as Billy Preston showed up and showed out with glamorous 1970’s style. Adding a bit of personal history about Michaels is his ex-wife Rosie Shuster played by Rachel Sennott. Rachel gave a flirty yet reassuring performance running around the set of SNL as the costume designer. The actors did not disappoint when representing the hall of fame stars in this biographical comedy. Corey Michael Smith starring as Chevy Chase was a thrilling and extremely accurate resemblance to the beloved star from the National Lampoon Franchise. Dylan O’Brien as Dan Aykroyd was electrifying and charismatic, bringing light as the comedian easing the tension of the night.
When watching this film, one cannot help but root for the underdog Michaels played by Gabriel LaBelle, a determined yet complicated showman running around the Rockefeller Plaza establishes an intriguing connection with the audience. Certainly a newfound appreciation is discovered when embarking on this journey with Michaels. The producer and creator of one of the longest-running live television shows sets an example to all creators — that with confidence and spontaneity one can cement an idea into reality. This movie has it all from authentic film cinematography to dark comedic prose spoken throughout the movie. There are jaw-dropping moments that make the audience think “Did that really happen?” So many cultural references that one would not expect to be included in the 1970s stars’ dressing rooms. ‘Saturday Night’ is a great movie for the cinephiles obsessed with film history, but really, it is a movie for anyone who appreciates a classic with a whole lot of great comedy.
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By Sarah Quintanilla Staff Writer
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Arts & Life
The fast and the furious : Chicano drift
By Christopher Delgado Staff Writer
“Low Rider” by WAR begins, “George Lopez” — an iconic theme song for a staple of Mexican representation on television. The low rider referenced in the song is itself a hallmark of Chicano culture. The cars themselves act as a work of art with their flashy colors and hydraulic systems. Some feature homages to loved ones lost, religious figures or pop culture icons.
Over at the Low Low Car Show at Cowboys Dance Hall, one can witness the culture of the low rider come to life. Several car clubs have come together to feature their automated vehicles. Cars range from vintage Chevy Chevelles to 2024 Ford F-150s. Amongst the engines and wheels, there is a culture of immortalization.
Rows upon rows of cars sit outside the dance hall. Many of them are bright lime green, deep cherry red, highlighter hot pink or soft-shell blue. As the cars line up, many of the drivers mess around with the hydraulics demonstrating the playful nature of this car meet. In the front of the rows, many of the cars are homages to pop culture icons.
Buick Regal complete with hydraulics and tiny wheels features memorabilia of the film and a Scarface doll. The vehicle is meant to mimic the Buick Regal featured in the 1983 film.
Other pop culture icons featured include Superman, Wonder Woman, Harley Quinn, The Joker, Beetlejuice, the Boogeyman from “A Nightmare Before Christmas” and a car riddled with question marks in dedication to Jim Carrey’s Riddler from “Batman Forever.”
While pop culture gets its fair share of memorialization, many of the vehicles gathered at the show are in dedication to loved ones who have passed. One low rider features an image of two parents in heaven. Along with their image are two roses — an allusion to La Rosa de Guadalupe. La Virgen plays a major role in many of the low riders. Many of the vehicles do not feature grandiose images, but almost all have some reminder of La Virgen — whether a rosary draped upon the rearview mirror or an image attached to the gear shifter. Throughout the rows, the history of
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
By Logan Martinez Staff Writer
Announcing their 2024 slate of inductees, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has once again stirred up controversy within the music world. Though some fans have made a point to condemn the artists being enshrined, it is the Hall’s snub list that has garnered a bulk of the public’s criticism.
Leaving multiple musical icons off the ballot, there has been no greater travesty than the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s snub of the timeless R&B artist Sade. Her lasting influence, remarkable discography and ageless sound have made it nearly impossible to view the artist as anything less than a first ballot hall of famer. Sade’s rejection from the hall is both criminal and shameful, as her music alone has made her one of the most important figures in music history.
Made eligible in 2013, it has become incomprehensible how Sade has not made it into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. An artist with six renowned studio albums, 24 platinum record awards and four Grammys, the icon has consistently set the bar for excellence within the R&B genre. Her greatness has spanned across decades, as she has remained relevant and captivating since her original debut in 1984. Creating her own sound from a mix of jazz and R&B influences, Sade became one of the first to pioneer the soft R&B genre. The artist’s accolades and impact are one that simply cannot be ignored when discussing the
history of music.
Touted by the Rolling Stone as “pop music’s most stylish star,” Sade is easily one of the most important women in music. Her effortless yet graceful style has made her an almost mythical figure, comparable only to the likes of legends such as Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston and Carole King.
While her music alone is enough to grant Sade a ballot into the Hall of Fame, it is her lasting influence that truly seals the deal. With countless artists such as Alicia Keys, Aaliyah and Drake all crediting the singer as a major inspiration, it is hard to overlook the impact the artist has had within the music community. Though it cannot be certain, it is safe to say that without the groundbreaking music of Sade, the world of R&B would not be what it is today.
The snub is nothing short of a travesty at best. The music, impact and influence of Sade is one that is impossible to ignore when delving into the history of music. Her ability to remain relatively out of the public eye and still command a large following is nothing more than a reflection of her musical excellence.
While it is not the first controversial snub and certainly not the last, it is one that seriously questions the credibility of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Without question, Sade should be enshrined within the Hall of Fame.
The tumultuous GWEEBFEST III
By Hannah Hafke Contributor
weekend, hundreds of hardcore music fans flooded to a baseball field in South San Antonio for the third annual Gweebfest. With an expansive lot of free parking and a jaw-dropping lineup featuring beloved bands from across Texas, Gweebfest III lured in many adorers of alternative music. A large mass of dust filled the air above the field, along with the lungs of attendees, as many sported bandanas to protect themselves from inhalation. After paying a $10 entrance fee and receiving a red wristband, one was open to join the likes of Hatsune Miku, Huggy Wuggy and a hotdog wearing a gas mask in kicking up more dust.
As the sun began to set, Sixshotsindallas, a self-described “pink belt deathcore” band, took the stage and kicked off the event. A pit quickly formed as dozens of people started two-stepping and intensely hurled themselves through the air to the band’s heavy sound. The breakdowns and extreme vocals served as an exhilarating kickoff to the night.
Empty Shell Casing out of Denton played next. Their performance solicited some of the most intense headbanging of the night with their abrasive numetal tone and brutalizing vocals. The band was followed by Larval Therapy, a local grindcore band, who tore up the stage. Their guttural singing bordered on sounding animalistic and the high speed tempo enticed the crowd all around.
Following was the widely adored Bulletsbetweentongues, also out of Denton, who seized the stage instantly with raw intensity. Their hearstalling emocore screams invigorated their passionate audience with emotion as
people began hurling themselves into the crowd from the stage. The lead singer was sharing his microphone with the crowd, who excruciatingly chanted along. At one point, the mic became lost in the crowd as bodies crushed together in passionate expression.
Following this legendary performance was another Denton band, Sinema. High energy with heavy screams, the band’s melancholic lyrics were synchronously sung by the crowd. Directly in front of the stage, a push pit formed with bodies falling into it from the stage.
Heavy riffs and their signature brutal sound made audience members hysterical when the locally renowned deathcore band, VICTIMBLAMED, took the stage. Intense moshing began as the crowd’s energy quickly escalated to the vicious sound when, unfortunately, things took a turn for the worse. Audience members claimed to have seen a fight break out after someone was injured and another drew a knife in defense as tension increased. A shot was fired into the air, allegedly by the owner of the venue, in an attempt to deescalate the situation. However, the shot only incited more panic and resulted in the police being called bringing the emo festival to a quick end.
To say Gweeb was chaotic this year would be an understatement, but hundreds of people came together and appreciated local art. Harmony’s Demise, last on the setlist, was sadly unable to play and many people were left shaken by the night’s striking events. Despite such an unfortunate ending, Gweebfest III proved to be an action-packed, hardcore extravaganza whose story will undoubtedly be remembered by the emo scene for years to come.
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Christopher Delgado/The Paisano
Heartbreak in Houston; UTSA falls to Rice
By Rylan Renteria Assisant Sports Editor
Rice University quarterback E.J. Warner found receiver Matt Sykes in the endzone with four seconds remaining in the game to hang on
Owls (2-4, 1-2 AAC) marched down the field on their final drive and stole the game out of UTSA’s hands.
“This is two weeks in a row that we’ve overcome a fourth quarter deficit, put ourselves in a position to win and didn’t get it done,” coach Jeff Traylor said. “We’re a shell of ourselves honestly.”
a scoreless first quarter, the ‘Runners drew first blood with a 45-yard field goal from sophomore kicker Tate Sandell.
Owls responded less than two minutes later when Warner optioned to call his own number and rushed through the left-side gap for a 5-yard touchdown. The Owls’ two-point attempt was nowas Warner’s first rushing touchdown of his career and the first time the Owls have led over UTSA since 2019. ensuing UTSA drive saw the Roadrunner offense go 75 yards in seven plays. Sophomore quarterback Owen McCown went 5 of 5 through the air,
Donkeys square up against Elephants in 2024 election season
Find out who this year’s candidates are rooting for
By Marcela Montufar Soria Opinion Editor
During their campaigns, it is the job of nominees of all parties to make themselves likable to voters. They achieve this not just through policy, but through their personal lives and interests as well. In a sportsdriven society as the United States, citizens might be interested to know if their candidates cheer for the same sports and teams that they do. Here are the athletic interests of the top Democratic and Republican candidates in 2024.
Donald Trump
Beyond his love of golf, former president Trump has a long history with American sports. A New Yorker, Trump once famously tried to buy the New York Mets in 2011. He has also been a Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees fan since childhood, when he used to collect baseball cards as a hobby.
As for football, the 2024 Republican presidential candidate was the owner of the now-defunct New Jersey Generals in 1984 and 1985. He also expressed interest in buying the Buffalo Bills in 2014.
Kamala
and capped off the drive with a 20-yard screen-pass touchdown to sophomore wide receiver DJ Allen.
As the time expired in the half, Owls’ kicker Enock Gota nailed a 46-yard field goal, making the score 10-9 as the teams hit the locker rooms.
Rice re-took the lead coming out of the half; Warner found running back Dean Connors for a 69-yard passing touchdown.
UTSA responded with a 52-yard field goal from Sandell.
The Owls’ regained possession and drove the length of the field in just over three minutes, finding the endzone with an 8-yard rushing touchdown from Connors and giving themselves a 23-13 lead with 8:01 left in the third quarter.
It would be a full quarter later before the UTSA offense sprung to life.
McCown, going 6 of 8 through the air, led the Roadrunners to their first touchdown drive of the half. McCown found sophomore wide receiver Devin McCuin for a 6-yard score.
After forcing a three-and-out from Rice,
and claims to be a “lifelong Buckeyes fan.” In an appearance on The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show, Vance joked that he hoped his love for the Ohio State Buckeyes did not deter Michigan Wolverines fans from voting for him despite their teams’ century old rivalry.
Tim Walz
The Democratic vice president nominee was a football coach in Mankato West High School before running for congress in 2006. He recently attended a Michigan Wolverines game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers and met with representatives from both teams. He was there to encourage University of Michigan students to vote in the upcoming election.
VP Harris was born in California and cheers for a number of her state’s teams. Although her husband Doug Emhoff is an L.A. Dodgers fan, Harris told ABC that she cheers for the San Francisco Giants, “And you got to be loyal to your teams.” She also supports the San Francisco 49ers football team and the Golden State Warriors for basketball. Recently, she shared in an interview with Howard Stern that she and her family are big fans of Formula 1 racing and that her favorite driver was seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton.
J.D. Vance
Born and raised in Ohio, the Republican nominee for the vice-presidency follows college football
Cruz is currently running for reelection to congress as the Republican nominee for Texas, a post he has held since 2013. In an interview with the Des Moines Register, Cruz said dream job was to be the starting point guard for the Houston Rockets, an NBA professional basketball team that he claims to be a lifelong fan of. Despite his love of sports, some Texan fans would rather he stay away, pointing out how the Houston Astros always seem to lose the games he attends and calling it the Ted Cruz Curse.
Colin Allred
U.S. Representative Allred is currently running for U.S. Senate against Ted Cruz, having gotten into law and politics after retiring from professional football. Allred played for the Baylor Bears as a linebacker in college and then for the Tennessee Titans for four seasons. In September, he released an ad bringing up the Ted Cruz Curse. In it, he brought up missed opportunities by the Astros, the Texas Tech Red Raiders, the Houston Rockets and the Dallas Cowboys, blaming Cruz for the teams’ misfortunes.
By Christian Loustaunau Staff Writer
UTSA struck again. This time, it was a 38yard passing touchdown from McCown to sophomore tight end Houston Thomas. With just one final drive remaining, all the Roadrunners needed was a stop and their comeback would be complete. A pair of defensive pass interference penalties from the ‘Runners stymied their efforts. After suffering just two losses in conference play through the first four years under coach Traylor, UTSA has now lost two consecutive conference games. Rice had not beaten UTSA since 2014 and improved to 4-8 against the ‘Runners all-time in the win. Both quarterbacks on each sideline had stellar performances, combining for 603 passing yards, five touchdowns and zero interceptions. UTSA could not overcome its 16 penalties for 146 yards.
“It’s heartbreaking, for sure,” McCown said.
UTSA will return home to face the Florida Atlantic University Owls at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at the Alamodome.
Jordan Walker
By Izabella Hernandez Staff Writer
Last week, Jordan Walker, forward for UTSA women’s soccer, received the American Athletic Conference’s weekly Honorable Mention after scoring the equalizer goal in a crucial twenty-two second scoring drive against University of North Texas. Walker is in her senior year and in her last season at UTSA.
Originally from Burleson, Texas, Walker began playing soccer at just three years old. She tried out numerous sports including basketball, volleyball and track, but for Walker, soccer is number one in her heart.
“I feel like the biggest thing for me was the physical contact, being able to push people over whenever I lose the ball whereas basketball, whenever you push someone over it‘s a foul,” Walker said. “That was the biggest
thing; it was more competitive and more individually driven but also a team sport.”
Throughout her athletic career, Walker’s parents have been her number one supporters, cheering her on since day one.
“They’ve missed very few games,” Walker said. “Growing up my dad was my club coach so he was at every single game; even if I wasn‘t there, he was there. My parents are always here; they always travel — even away games they’ll be there, conference tournaments — you can always see them in the stands.”
Walker is currently majoring in business management. In her free time, she focuses on her school work or spends time with her dog Dak, a mini Aussie, who will soon be turning a year old.
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Rylan Renteria/The Paisano
Christian Loustaunau/The Paisano
In the history of UTSA athletics, many figures have left lasting marks on the university’s sports programs. From football to basketball, track and softball, each athlete and coach has played a part in building UTSA’s athletic prominence.
Frank Harris, one of the most pivotal figures in UTSA football history, spent seven seasons as quarterback. During that time, he led the team to two Conference USA championships and their first-ever bowl victory, solidifying his place as the most accomplished player in the program’s history. Head coach Jeff Traylor, with Harris as his quarterback, coached UTSA to new heights, transforming the team from a middling program into one with genuine conference championship aspirations. Then there’s Tariq Woolen, whose rise from wide
receiver during his early years with the Roadrunners to a Pro Bowl cornerback for the Seattle Seahawks made him a key symbol of UTSA’s impact on professional sports.
In basketball, Devin Brown became UTSA’s all-time leading scorer before winning an NBA championship with the Spurs. Monica Gibbs earned Southland Conference Player of the Year in 2009 and still holds records in rebounds and assists for women’s basketball. Jessica Rogers became one of UTSA’s greatest hitters in softball, setting records in home runs and RBIs. Track and field stars Tameka Roberts and Roger Soler also made their mark, with Roberts excelling in sprinting and Soler competing in the Olympics. However, when discussing the most important figure in UTSA athletics history, the conversation must focus on Larry Coker, the man who laid the foundation for the football program.
Coker’s journey to UTSA football came at a time when the university was beginning to
dream big about starting a football team. Hired in 2009 as the program’s first head coach, Coker brought not just experience but credibility to a football program that, at that time, did not exist. The challenge before him was monumental. UTSA had no football facilities, no players, and no established schedule. His legacy as the head coach of the Miami Hurricanes, where he won a national championship in 2001, gave him the credibility to command respect as he embarked on this enormous task.
Under Coker, UTSA football took its first breath. By 2011, Coker had built a team from scratch, and in their inaugural season, the Roadrunners finished with an impressive 8-4 record—a remarkable feat for a first-year program. In their debut game, a 31-3 victory over Northeastern State University, UTSA set a record for the highest-attended game for an NCAA Division I FCS start-up program, with 56,743 fans in attendance. That season not only drew huge crowds and ignited excitement
in San Antonio, but it also demonstrated Coker’s ability to turn a fledgling team into a competitive force that set the tone for future growth.
What sets Coker apart as the most important figure in UTSA athletics history isn’t just his role in creating the football program, but the lasting impact of his work. When Coker stepped down from his role in 2016, UTSA
By Morgan Brown Staff Writer
Zumba
The description for this class is “a 45-minute dance party,” and that could not be more accurate. Led by a very energetic, loud, flamboyant instructor, the Zumba class was a welcoming environment
for students to let loose and get their heart rate up. No experience is needed for this class and the moves were easy to get the hang of. Zumba classes are held on Mondays at 6 p.m. in Rowdy Studio. Find
By Aramis Santiago Staff Writer
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Rylan Renteria/The Paisano
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