THE PAISANO
Robbery charge permanently benches football duo
The State of Texas vs. Nick Booker Brown and Corey Lucius
By Haley Aguayo Sports Editor
Junior defensive lineman Nicholas Ryan “Nick Booker” Brown and freshman inside linebacker Corey Lucius were both arrested in June and charged with two counts of aggravated robbery, a first-degree felony. According to the Express News, both men were involved in a robbery concerning a PlayStation 5.
The arrests were made four days apart. Brown was arrested by the San Antonio Police Department following an incident involving a tow truck and his mother’s car. According to court records, Lucius was taken into custody by the University of Texas Police Department after a member of the UTSA athletics department informed UTSAPD of Lucius’ whereabouts in the university’s Roadrunner Athletics Center of Excellence facility.
UTSA formally dismissed Booker and Lucius a week before the football team was scheduled to begin their preseason. On August 24, Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Lisa Campos and football head coach Jeff Traylor released a joint statement to announce the dismissal of Booker and Lucius.
“Nick Booker-Brown and Corey Lucius Jr. are no longer members of the UTSA football program. We have high expectations of conduct for all of our student-athletes, coaches and staff, and we will never compromise on those
expectations. We are looking forward to the start of preseason practice on July 31 with an excellent group of young men in our football program.”
In his two years at UTSA, Brown earned Honorable Mention All-Conference USA performer at defensive end during his 2022 season and recorded three tackles and one sack while playing in UTSA’s first bowl game at Scooter’s Coffee Frisco Bowl against Marshall. Lucius is a graduate of Tampa Bay Tech High School and this would have been his first collegiate season off the bench with UTSA.
According to court records, both men were bonded out by the same bond company, A-Action Bail Bonds #2. Both men were released with bail set at $75,000 each. They were released under full house arrest as a condition of their bond. The athletes were sentenced to full house arrest and home confinement, and placed under electronic monitoring. They were also released on bail under the agreement not to possess any firearms or associate in any way with the two people who pressed charges against them.
After attending a pre-indictment hearing on June 22, Lucius has begun his pretrial supervision, and the court has waived his GPS fees. Following his arrest, Brown has started his pretrial supervision, amended his bond conditions and has had his GPS removed. Lucius and Brown are awaiting an official indictment by a grand jury.
Committing a felony violates the UTSA student code of conduct, even if committing a felony took place off campus.
Boy! More burgers on the boulevard
By Mathew Moses Staff Writer
On Aug. 20, Burger Boy opened their newest location in a prime location right on UTSA Blvd. off of the I-10 Frontage road. The date for the grand opening was revealed via their Instagram, and came alongside an announcement of special prizes and giveaways during the opening ceremony.
The first 20 guests, with 10 in the lobby and 10 in the drive-thru respectively, would receive a $50 gift card. Those who missed the cutoff would be eligible to receive merchandise such as shirts, hats and stickers.
Joe Valadez, the general manager of the new chain location and UTSA alumnus, spoke about the momentum they’ve received within the first week of opening.
“We’re experiencing high traffic right now with our lunch hours going into our dinner hours as well. We have [customers] from UTSA students to families to car dealership employees, pretty much everybody all around a 10-mile radius is kind of coming to visit for our lunch and for dinner.”
The new building sporting its traditional orange and blue, opened its doors at 10:30 a.m. to a long line and eager crowd. While many arrived just before opening, some had queued for hours at the busy intersection off I-10, reminiscent of iPhone releases and Black Friday frenzies.
“We are [hopeful]; we are very fund-raising driven and we’re very community based; we look forward to those fundraisers. That way the community knows that we’re able to support them, and they support us.”
Joe Valadez mentioned that prospective groups are able to reach out to the Marketing Director Justin Jurado at his email – Jjurado@burgerboysa.com
“Just shoot him an email and we’re able to set something up from Monday through Thursday.”
As the ninth location of the San Antonio native chain, the general manager shared his experience exposing newcomers to the brand.
“Absolutely, I think at least three times a day there’s someone who has not eaten Burger Boy at all. It’s their first time here. So I think it’s a great spot for even UTSA students who are coming from different parts of Texas.”
When asked about any hopes of collaborating with UTSA or any student organizations on campus, Valadez said
Burger Boy on UTSA Boulevard proudly employs students from all over the state, the majority of which are half. Most of them are UTSA and most of them are Alamo Colleges and some of them are high as well.”
He goes on to emphasize the impact local employers like Burger Boy have on new residents to San Antonio.
“I know most of our employees are from the 956 area, Brownsville. It’s their first time, their first year here, and for them to work at Burger Boy San Antonio, kind of a local original, it’s good to have that exposure, especially for people who aren’t from San Antonio.”
new site is located at 5622 UTSA Boulevard, San Antonio, TX, 78249 and is open 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10:30 a.m. to 12 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. fast food chain’s menu offers many special combos at affordable rates like the signature
“Working Man” meal which includes a double burger with a large fries and drink, all for less than $10. The iconic crinkle cut fries of the local franchise also pair well with any of the wide variety of shakes to choose from such as original favorites like Vanilla and Strawberry or more off the wall flavors like Big Red, Fruity Pebbles or their famous Dreamsicle Shake.
“As long as we’re following our processes and procedures, we’re able to give a hot, fresh meal to each customer.”
The code of conduct states that “a student is expected and required to obey federal, state, and local laws; to comply with the Regents’ “Rules and Regulations,” University rules and regulations — including this Policy — and directives issued by an administrative official of the System or the University of Texas at San Antonio in the course of their authorized duties; and to observe standards of conduct appropriate for an academic institution.”
It also states that “any conduct which constitutes a violation of a federal, state, or local law regardless of whether the conduct takes place on or off Campus or results in the imposition of the penalty prescribed by the federal, state, or local law; possession or use of firearms, imitation firearms, explosives, ammunition, hazardous chemicals, or weapons as defined by state or federal law on Campus or other University premises in accordance with the designated exclusionary zones determined by the President of the University as outlined in the Campus Carry Policy, or on any property or in any building or facility owned or controlled by the U.T. System is strictly prohibited unless authorized by the Dean of Students and by federal, state, or local laws.”
This is not the first time two UTSA football players have been arrested and charged with aggravated robbery related to the same incident. In 2012, Toyin Dada and Adefemi Adekeye faced similar charges and were initially suspended from the team before being dismissed from the team.
Local lawyer dead in murder-suicide
By Analiyah Olivarez Contributor
The life of a well-known San Antonio lawyer ended on Aug. 21 after what officials deem a murder-suicide. The 61-year-old Jerry Hernandez and 52-year-old Sonia Patricia Hernandez were found dead in their luxurious Cinnamon Oak home just six miles from the University Campus due to multiple gunshot wounds. The death of Jerry Hernandez was caused by several bullets at the hands of his wife, who eventually took her own life.
Many community members have spoken out on behalf of the couple, primarily the San Antonio law community. Jerry Hernandez was born and raised on the Southside of San Antonio, graduating from the University of Texas at Austin before pursuing law school in California. Jerry Hernandez was a well-known lawyer for the local Davis Law Firm company with a career spanning over 32 years as a top personal injury attorney.
The firm itself has spoken out, sharing its condolences.
“We were deeply saddened to learn of the sudden passing of our colleague, Jerry Hernandez, and our deepest sympathies are with the Hernandez family during this incredibly difficult time,” stated Davis Law Firm in an article. Rudy Vasquez, ex-colleague of Jerry Hernandez, has shared his thoughts, describing the San Antonio native as a fighter in the courtroom and always willing to help others.
Many neighbors and friends have spoken out on behalf of the couple stating, “they were a lovely family.” Although the neighbors are not family, they feel and share their condolences with the surviving kin.
The Hernandezes are survived by their two cherished daughters, who are unnamed. In response to the many news officials, the eldest daughter has pleaded for privacy and respect for her and her little sister.
Armin Suljovic/ The Paisano
Political cli mate : A summer in review
By Noah Hernandez Staff Writer
Over the course of a mere three months, the political landscape of America has been ravaged by an ongoing slew of governmental upheavals, all culminating into what is now one of the most divisive and sharply contested election seasons this generation has seen. Compiled here is a list of the most critical events that have occurred while school has been out of session.
Trump’s New York hush money trial, May 30
Former President Donald J Trump was found unanimously guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records in an attempt to conceal a hush money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels, making him the first former or sitting US President to be charged with a felony. This concluded the ongoing Daniels saga, both making history and severely damaging Trump’s campaign.
Hunter Biden conviction, June 11
Hunter Biden was convicted of three felonies for lying to a federally licensed gun dealer, making a false claim on his application regarding his drug usage, and having possessed the weapon illegally for eleven days. While sentencing is still under deliberation, the Biden family has decided to file an appeal and “continue to vigorously pursue all the legal challenges available.”
CNN’s presidential debate, June 27
The first and last political debate between Trump and incumbent Biden was held at CNN studios in Atlanta. The debate was vicious from the start, with neither candidate pulling any punches. Personal attacks were levied against the other ruthlessly while each debater took their stances, often with varying degrees of truth. With a shaky and hoarse voice reportedly due to a cold, Biden continually trailed off in his thoughts, often leading to incomprehensible statements. Despite his strong finish, these incidents led many democrats to raise concerns about his age in earnest, with several governors calling for Biden to leave the race in the coming days.
Supreme Court immunity trial, July 1
The Supreme Court ruled on the case Trump Vs. United States in a landmark decision, officially providing immunity for presidents acting in an official capacity within their “core constitutional powers.” Yet the decision has been considered ambiguous and raises questions as to whether the former president can be prosecuted for certain acts relating to the January 6 U.S. Capitol Attack. Protestors gathered outside the Supreme Court during the ruling, with many voices arguing against the decision.
Biden’s ABC Interview, July 7
Biden held a 22-minute interview with Goerge Stephanopoulos on ABC to combat growing fears about his age and viability as both a candidate and president. While no major blunders were made as seen in the CNN debate just a week and a half prior, his performance was unable to stop dissent from his own party and strengthened many democratic leaders’ call for his removal from the race.
Trump assassination attempt, July 13
Trump was the target of an assassination attempt and was shot at and injured at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The assailant, Thomas Crooks, was neutralized by Secret Service agents 42 seconds after the first shot was fired but had managed to hit three others, with one fatally wounded and later declared dead. The former President had narrowly avoided a similar fate and was reported to be “fine,” following the attack. Support flooded in for Trump from both sides of the aisle, with a similar theme of peace and unity. With this support also came questions about how this could have happened in the first place, eventually culminating in the resignation of Secret Service director Kimberly Cheatle. At this time there is still no clear motive for the attack.
Trump names J.D. Vance as running mate and accepts RNC nomination, July 15
Only two days after his assassination attempt, Trump chose “Hillbilly Elegy” author J.D. Vance to be his vice-presidential pick. The Ohio senator had reportedly been chosen after “lengthy deliberation and thought,” despite his previous status as a “never Trumper,” and accepted his nomination at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
Trump followed suit and was officially elected to be the 2024 Republican presidential candidate, calling for unity in his acceptance speech, stating that he is “running to be president for all of America, not half of America.”
Biden’s Withdrawal from Election, July 21
On July 21, Biden announced the end of his campaign for the 2024 election cycle, severely changing the political landscape and positioning Kamala Harris to be the next democratic nominee. This comes on the heels of an increasingly tenuous time for the Biden administration, which seemed unable to combat the strong sentiment that he was not fit to serve another four years and growing backlash for his handling of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Kamala Harris announces her campaign, July 21
Riding the shock waves of Biden’s stepping down, Harris announced her own bid for the presidency, receiving the incumbent’s endorsement. While facing a difficult battle so late in the race, Harris is set to become the Democratic party’s primary choice for their nomination and has been positively accepted by the general democratic populace.
Harris names Tim Walz as running mate, August 6
Harris officially named Tim Walz as her vicepresidential pick for this year’s election season. The choice came just 16 days after her campaign announcement, marking an incredibly quick turnaround, but one that could prove fruitful due to Walz’s record of winning in historically Trumpvoting districts. The former Minnesota governor seemed enthusiastic about his nomination, writing “I’m all in” on X.
Harris and Walz accept democratic nomination at 2024 DNC, August 23
At the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Harris and Walz formally accepted their democratic nomination for this election season, marking an end to the four-day convention. Harris accepted her nomination in a show of unity, stating “On behalf of every American, regardless of party, race, gender or the language your grandmother speaks… I accept your nomination for… president.” She was joined on stage by her close family members, and aimed attacks at her opponent, calling Trump “an unserious man” and asking the room to “imagine Donald Trump with no guardrails,” referencing the recent Supreme Court immunity decision. Robert Francis Kennedy Jr suspends his campaign and endorses Trump, August 23 Independent candidate Robert Francis Kennedy Jr. formally suspends his campaign for president and endorses Republican nominee Trump. Kennedy cited Trump’s stance on the war in Ukraine, free speech, and what he believes to be the “war on our children.” The former candidate also described his lack of a clear path to the Whitehouse a main contributing factor, stating that he “cannot in good conscience ask my staff and volunteers to keep working.” This was not met with support inside the Kennedy family, with several members of his family describing the move as “a betrayal,” and may cause damage to the Trump campaign as it is being contested as to whether Kennedy can remove his name from the ballot in certain states.
With what is shaping up to be an incredibly eventful season, be sure to keep updated on any new developments at the Paisano-online.com and in our weekly newspaper.
SGA announces general election timeline
By Jake Mireles Editor-in-Chief
The UTSA Student Government Association (SGA) kicked off the start of the Fall 2024 semester by hosting a meetand-greet event and announcing the timeline for the Fall 2024 General Election process.
On Thursday, Aug 29. SGA hosted the Meet Your Reps event at the H-E-B Student Union in the Denman Ballroom. Many of the elected student representatives from the various grade levels and colleges were present for the event, providing a platform for their constituents to
run for a position in SGA must file before 11:59 p.m on Sep. 9. According to SGA’s Instagram, any individual seeking to run for a position must attend one candidate seminar session, and must pass academic and disciplinary reviews before they will be approved to be on the official ballot. Additionally, those seeking to run for a senator seat may not campaign until their campaign materials have been reviewed and cleared by SGA. More information regarding filing for the Fall 2024 General Election can be found on SGA’s Rowdylink page. SGA’s first general assembly of the Fall 2024 semester will be held
Stalking, assault, possession
By Anika Engler Contributor
In compliance with the Clery Act, UTSA keeps a public daily crime log that houses 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 that premiered during the first week of the Fall 2024 semester.
Stalking
A case of stalking took place on Main Campus on Aug. 15, 2022. The incident continued until Dec. 15, 2022, and was reported on Aug. 27, 2024 at 4:19 p.m. The case was cleared by arrest.
Assault
On Aug. 29, a sexual assault offense took place at the Student Union Building. The incident occurred at 1:01 p.m. and was reported to be an instance of dating violence by contact. The case remains active.
Larceny and theft
Theft is the protagonist of this week’s crime log. Nine distinct cases of theft have been reported from Aug. 25 to Aug. 28. These crimes occurred at Chisholm Hall, Facilities Services Building, University Oaks, Chaparral Village, the Central Receiving & Warehouse and the Recreation & Wellness Center on campus. All nine cases remain active.
Resisted arrest On Aug. 26, a person attempted to resist arrest. The incident took place at the Hill Country Place Apartments and was reported at 11:15 p.m. The case has been closed.
Striking unattended vehicle
On Aug. 29, two unattended vehicles were struck where the duty to notify was not completed. The incidents took place at the Bauerle Road Garage and the Brackenridge Ave. Lot 2 and were reported at 12:09 p.m. and 7:27 p.m. Both cases remain active.
Minor driving under the influence
On Aug. 25, a minor was caught driving under the influence of alcohol. The incident took place at the Reserve Apartments and was reported at 4:27 a.m. This case was cleared by an arrest. On Aug. 28, a person was caught driving while intoxicated and was in possession of a dangerous drug. The incident took place at Tobin Ave Garage and was reported at 2:50 a.m. This case was cleared by arrest.
Possession of a controlled substance
On Aug. 26, a person was caught in possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. The incident took place at Resident Lot 5 and was reported at 1:01 a.m. This case remains active.
State of the City Week of 9/3
By Alessandra Avila Assistant News Editor
Not subscribed to local news but still want to stay upto-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 topics range from an upcoming cold front to a shooting at a house party.
A woman dies after being struck by U-Haul
A woman died on the Northeast side, by a moving U-Haul truck. The incident occurred at approximately 8 p.m. near the intersection of Remount and Fratt Road. Police said the 25-year-old female was loading furniture into the U-Haul truck while her mother, the driver inside, was told to back up. The truck started going in reverse, alarming some bystanders nearby when it nearly crashed into the house. Police also stated that the woman was startled by screams and began to panic, while the driver was hitting on an accelerator pedal to throw the U-Haul reverse faster. The victim, who was still loading the truck, was severely injured. The woman was taken to San Antonio Medical Center by emergency responders, where she was later pronounced dead.
UTSA partners with Texas in a friendly competition involving campus food pantries.
UTSA is all hands on deck with their willingness to gather up the community for a “huddle against hunger” competition against Texas State. From Aug. 30 to Sept. 7, both universities will have the chance to see who can receive the most donors to help with each of the food pantries. Although Texas State has a huge rivalry against UTSA, this could impact not only utsa food pantries but also Texas State. The Roadrunner Pantry is open to all students. And while being a college student, groceries can add up. Therefore, the Road Runner Pantry is on campus for kids who struggle with accessing a nutritious meal.
Bleachers collapse at Kendall County Fair leaving multiple hospitalized.
Around eight people were taken to the hospital due to bleachers collapsing; four more people reported having minor injuries. Videos were later released showing no determination as to how they may have collapsed or the leading cause of the accident. However, some spectators witnessed around 15 to 20 people drop due to the occurrence. On Sunday, Sept. 1 the Kendall County Fair released a statement stating that the rodeo will be canceled until further notice. However, the entertainment will still be open and back to regular scheduling. Several children injured after near-death car crash
Six children from the ages of six to eleven were rushed to the hospital after the car’s tire blew out on Interstate 35 and landed in a tree. Police stated that none of the children or the two adults were wearing their seatbelts. None of the nine passengers were ejected from the vehicle. Northbound i-35 from Walters to Frost Bank will be blocked off until further notice to ensure they can fully investigate the scene.
Dustin Vickers/ The Paisano
Vincent Agquiz/ The Paisano
OpiNION
Keep the field crime free
UTSA enforces standards of conduct by dismissing arrested athletes
from the law to even their most standout individuals.
UTSA finds itself under the spotlight as two former football players face criminal charges. Athletes Nick Booker-Brown (23) and Corey Lucius (19) were arrested in June on charges pertaining to incidents that occurred in February. The pair were arrested separately, with both being pursued on charges of aggravated robbery. Although they have not been convicted yet, UTSA swiftly moved to formally dismiss them from the university’s football program.
UTSA’s administration must be commended for both their speed and verdict, as being a part of the university’s football team should not exempt people from the consequences of their actions. Although Lucius was just entering his first year in the team, Brown is a decorated player with a good athletic record in his time at UTSA. However, at a time when all colleges are under pressure to avoid favoring their sports programs, university officials have to prevent the extension of protections
Elon Musk’s mismanagement is driving advertisers away from ‘X’
By Mogbekeleoluwa Shebioba Contributor
Since Elon Musk’s $44 billion acquisition deal of ‘X’ in 2022, the site has been filled with racist and Neo-Nazi rhetoric. It is no surprise that the site has sunk so low, as Musk has been falling down an increasingly hateful rabbit hole for a while now. In 2023, he expressed that the “woke mind virus” had “killed” his daughter, who identifies as transgender. Since then, Musk has been using his website as a platform for hate speech under the guise of free speech.
KaraLee/ThePaisano
Last year, Musk aggressively told advertisers not to advertise on his platform, concluding that they were trying to blackmail him.
Advertisers adhered to his request and pulled away from ‘X’ due to the increasingly pro-Nazi content on the site.
Clearly, Musk had not thought this decision through as he is now suing a group of advertisers, claiming that they cost the company billions of dollars in revenue while violating antitrust laws. It makes sense that advertisers would not want to be associated with a site where their ads can appear next to a post containing hateful speech. What does not make sense is why Musk considers this blackmail.
Furthermore, due to Musk’s incompetence in managing a platform, the value of the company has fallen by 71% since the buyout in 2022. This is likely a result of not only advertisers pulling out of the website but also Musk deciding to change the website’s widely recognized name, “Twitter”, to something blander, “X”. This decision is seemingly nonsensical, as many companies wish they could have the brand recognition that “Twitter” had, with words such as “Tweet” and “Tweeting.” These words have now been replaced with generic statements like “Posts” and “Posting.”
Musk’s terrible management has gotten so bad that the website has been banned in Brazil, due to Musk refusing to ban accounts spreading misinformation as requested by the Supreme Court of Brazil. Musk claimed that it was censorship, and he does not support that. However, his refusal to control the amount of racism, anti-semitism and misinformation on the website, suggests that he does not care what information is put on his platform in the first place.
Musk is continually digging himself and the company into a deeper hole, as they will only lose more money in ad revenue and the website’s reputation continues to plummet.
Trouble down at the ‘Pink Pony Club’
Commentary
By Rachel Nikodym
Contributor
It is easy to romanticize fame. A crowd of thousands cheering, and the glitz and glam of being a star. What Roan could not romanticize was the reality of fame. Being followed around in public, self proclaimed “super fans” stalking her and calling her family. These are just a handful of things Roan has been exposed to since her sudden rise to fame, and she is beyond tired of it.
In a now viral TikTok post, Roan spoke out, begging fans to treat her like a regular person and leave her alone. The internet’s reaction was brutal enough to encourage her to post a written statement on Instagram, which went viral again after fans criticized her for comparing herself to women being harassed in the street. Now that she has canceled her Paris and Amsterdam shows in favor of performing at the VMAs, fans feel left behind more than ever, solidifying that the world has seemingly turned against Roan.
Many people claim that Roan is not built for fame as opposed to better equipped artists like Sabrina Carpenter, who grew up in the spotlight, and arguably had slower rises to stardom. Since the comparisons first started, fans online have been posting videos of Sabrina interacting with fans as a means to criticize Roan’s position. This situation has raised many questions in regards to celebrities: Is anyone built for fame, or do they just cope with it? Do celebrities owe fans anything, even when they are not on stage? Have parasocial relationships become too normalized?
Many people have pointed out that Roan’s fears are validated from recent
This case is not the first UTSA has seen in which their athletes are arrested and subsequently suspended, nor are they the only university where these kinds of instances happen. However, administrations are not always so final with their verdicts and have, at times, welcomed arrested students back into the fold. Joshua Cephus was charged with a DWI after a car crash in 2022 and was able to resume his football career.
Regardless of the outcome of the cases against Brown and Lucius, their dismissal from the football program by the university shows a dedication to maintain the demanding standards of conduct and achievement pressed upon all students, faculty and staff. To best present themselves as upright and fair institutions, all universities must strive to implement no tolerance policies towards crime and endeavor to lay down consequences equally to any offenders affiliated with them.
Tips, taxes, and Ted Cruz
Commentary By Jasmine Williams Copyediting Coordinator
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) has taken on a seemingly strong pro-worker stance with the introduction of his “No Tax on Tips” Act on June 20. The bill aims to make tips tax exempt, meaning any cash, check or credit and debit card charges that are filed as tipped wages are 100% tax deductible.
At face value, this is a fantastic bill that aims to keep more money in the pockets of the working class. Everyone knows how heavily service workers rely on tips to get by, and here comes Cruz taking matters into his own hands to ensure that these workers get to keep their hard earned money. This bill is a great way for him to garner bipartisan support for his campaign. It shows that he is a competent and capable senator that is devoted to doing what is best for the people… right?
Tipped employees make up a whopping 2.5% of all occupations, and a staggering 37% do not make enough to have to pay federal income taxes. What tipped employees need is not a tax cut; they need to make more money. Federally, when an employee makes more than $30 a month in tips, they meet the definition of a tipped employee and their minimum wage drops from $7.25 an hour to $2.13.
The $30 parameter can be adjusted by each state. Vermont, Pennsylvania and Maine have theirs set to $120, $135 and $175 respectively. Texas has theirs set to $20. Thanks, Cruz. Way to look out for your fellow Texans.
If Cruz was sincere about being pro-worker, then he would at least raise tipped employee minimum wage to match that of non-tipped employees. If he was genuine about wanting to “help families deal with the historic inflation caused by the Biden administration,” then he would advocate for raising the federal minimum wage so that it did not amount to $15,080 annually, a mere $20 above the poverty line of $15,060.
“Cruz wants people to think that the bare minimum pro-
worker
Orion Tuck/The Paisano
history where stars were killed by overarching fans. The most common examples being Selena QuintanillaPérez, shot dead by the president of her fan club, and Christina Grimmie, who was shot by an obsessive fan during an otherwise casual meet and greet. While people are upset that Roan chose to cancel her shows in favor of the VMAs, it is easy to understand why an artist would choose an award show with millions tuning in as opposed to much smaller shows in cities she can always return to. Is the comfort of fans worth more than a possibly once in a lifetime opportunity? Yes, it is true that Roan should not expect the best parts of stardom without its worst parts. But she is not wrong to say that the parasocial relationship between celebrities and fans has been normal for far too long.
The belief that an artist owes their fans more than the products they choose to provide is a popular one.
When fans trauma dump to celebrities, it is their job to react positively and say just the right things. When fans obsess over these stars day and night, and memorize every little detail of their life, it is wrong for the celebrity to ostracize such a huge fan. And yet, these fans that spend their hard earned paychecks on tickets and merchandise and post fan content to all her songs are undeniably a factor in her success. While it is fair to say that Roan should have worded her statements kinder, it is also true that as a human being, Roan has a right to have boundaries, and want to be a normal girl who can go outside without being surrounded. Roan has a right to not feel like some animal being gawked at in a zoo; she has a right to want to be left alone when she is walking through the streets. She has a right to feel normal. Even if fans feel as if she is nothing close to regular, she is still just a human being, and being a star does not change that.
legislation he
puts
forward is the best thing this country can afford to do.”
The main argument against raising the minimum wage is that it will be harmful to small businesses as some may not make enough to afford to pay their employees $10 or $15 an hour. However, states like Montana, Ohio and Minnesota make exceptions to minimum wage requirements for businesses who earn less than $110,000, $385,000 and $500,000 in annual gross sales, receipts and revenue respectively. Cruz wants people to think that the bare minimum pro-worker legislation he puts forward is the best thing this country can afford to do. He gets cheap talking points for debates and campaign ads, he secures easy votes in his next election and he gets thousands of dollars in donations from industry groups like the Texas Restaurant Association who rejoice in the fact that restaurants can continue to get away with paying their employees meager wages. Marketing is what makes millionaires out of snake oil salesmen. Do not fall for their false promises and do not settle for half-baked solutions. Vote, petition and protest until lawmakers carry out the will of the people.
Write to Cruz or schedule a meeting with him at cruz.senate.gov/contact.
Vincent Agquiz/The Paisano
What the brick?! Lego builds a sustainable future
By Khoi Nguyen Commentary
Among issues, like war, famine and inequality, many would agree that climate change leads the charge of worrisome headlines. Generally, online discussions single out corporations as key contributors behind climate change. This made it even more surprising when Lego, the world’s largest toy manufacturer by sales, announced it would be replacing the oils used in its plastics for more sustainable materials by 2026 and absorbing costs arising from the change.
anticipating higher prices citing, “global economic challenges of increased raw material and operating costs.” They also mentioned having “absorbed these costs to keep pricing stable.”
Kara Lee/The Paisano
“With a family-owner committed to sustainability, it is a privilege that we can pay extra for the raw materials without having to charge customers extra,” Lego CEO Niels Christiansen told Reuters.
This is not the first time Lego has absorbed the increasing raw material and operation costs. With 2022’s pandemic-induced inflation peak, LEGO issued a statement June 2022
Lego’s decision to absorb raw material and operation costs reflects society’s commitment to activism today. In a time when consumers demand transparency and responsibility just as much as they do goods and services, Lego’s actions mark an agreement towards a sustainable future, and what’s more, others are following. According to Reuters, Hasbro has yet to set targets for plastic use but has begun incorporating plant-based or recycled materials into toys, and Mattel plans to use recycled, recyclable or bio-based plastics across all its products by 2030.
With consumerism and passive advertising on the rise, companies and consumers have become more conscious about what they want to represent. This comes with a sort of responsibility on both sides. For consumers, it is to put their dollars to where their beliefs lay. In the same way that older generations are a critical source for campaign donations,
younger generations participate politically through the businesses they support. We can look to the McDonalds, Starbucks and KFC boycotts in relation to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict to see this.
For companies, to appeal to an increasingly profitable younger demographic, they will have to do the same things their buyers do. In other words, they will have to create content, join forces with influencers, and, what juts out most noticeably from how they have operated in the past, stand for something.
For Lego, a company that has been known to support innovation and learning, taking action and absorbing the costs associated with going green will no doubt resonate with its customer base. Given how positive reception has been, absorbing costs might actually be an investment—reputation and sustainability wise. It is interesting to think how other companies will approach what the 21st century has in store for us. Lego’s actions are commendable, but they are likely to be an exception in companies’ reactions to modern challenges. Despite this, we must continue demanding change and questioning practices. Like Lego bricks themselves, how can we refashion what is already built? What will it cost us? How willing are we to make the pieces line up? It is time we get an answer.
Will Chamberlain, step outside!
By Hanien Abdelmoneim Contributor
Conservative criticism of women consistently falls into the redundant category of traditionalism, making it no surprise that Vice President Kamala Harris has had her suitability for leadership questioned under that ignorant lens. On July 21, Will Chamberlain took the liberty to post his opinion on social media stating, “Really simple, underdiscussed reason why Kamala Harris shouldn’t be President, no children.”
Due to a decline in health and ability, President Joe Biden has stepped down and endorsed Harris as the frontrunner of the democratic party. Already, we are seeing disparagement towards Kamala Harris’ ability to step up to the role.
An outpour of various reactions from both parties followed Chamberlain’s post.
Comments ranged from questioning if he was too antiquated to agreeing with the cruciality of a “family man” leading our country. Although his statements were made in the name of the Republican party, many republicans shared their outrage to this claim and urged him to take it down from the platform. Women all over the country took offense to this assertion and went ahead to point out former presidents who did not have children or were step-parents. Chamberlain furthers his opinion by stating that “Being a stepmother to her husband’s two children ‘doesn’t count,’” which is not only invalidating to blended and adoptive families everywhere but also simply not true. Chamberlain
is not the only one who has boldly declared his outdated opinion of the qualifications of participating in the presidential race. In a 2021 interview, JD Vance, Trump’s 2024 pick for Vice President stated that “The United States was being run by ‘childless cat ladies’ like Vice President Kamala Harris, women who he claimed had no ‘direct stake’ in the country’s future.” Which led her step-children and their biological mother to speak out about Harris’ involvement in their family. They
Help h orses, ban carriages
Commentary By Matthew Moses Staff Writer
As the seventh largest in the country, the city of San Antonio proudly welcomes over 40 million tourists every year. Home to the heritage-rich Alamo and the iconic Riverwalk, San Antonio has much to offer in its lively cultural scene. However, some residents are sad to see a signature tourist attraction leaving the downtown streets of San Antonio.
These carriages have been operational in the City’s center since 1865, providing the people of San Antonio a deep sense of historical importance for well over a century. Under current permitting, only five carriage companies each operate five carriages.
Horse-drawn carriages have been a staple for tourists in many cities for the last 150 years, such as New Orleans, Nashville and Memphis. These carriages offer enjoyable transportation to mustsee spots within cities, while also giving the chance to reminisce on days gone by and take a step-back from the technology filled world that has become our everyday. Many tourists often seek out attractions such as this, but beneath these charming and old fashioned notions lies the cruel reality for the horses. Daily exposure to extreme noise and pollution, constantly surrounded by heavy traffic, no pastures to roam and endless hours spent bearing heavy loads of passengers on hard pavement in the blistering Texas heat. These facts raise serious concerns about
the health and welfare of these beautiful horses, prompting some residents to advocate bringing an end to this practice.
The city of San Antonio’s Transportation and Infrastructure Committee began polling residents in a survey late July to determine the public’s opinion on horse drawn carriages downtown. The results of the survey were shared at the Committee’s meeting on August 16. More than 50,000 people participated, 52% of which are in favor of transitioning to electric carriages while only 30% said they preferred to keep the horse-drawn carriages downtown as is.
The policy proposal to phase out horsedrawn carriages was initially written in 2022 by District 2 Councilmember Jalen McKee-Rodriguez and District 3 Councilmember Phyllis Viagran. However, the proposal had largely gone unnoticed up until this last month.
The American Veterinary Medical Association recommends that horses be periodically maintained on soft surfaces (i.e. pasture), to avoid damage and facilitate circulation within the hoof. However, in most urban settings, horses are not given regular access to pasture for the majority of the year.
Carriage horses, particularly in heavily congested urban settings, spend much of their day breathing exhaust fumes from cars directly in front of them. The horses also spend hours walking through a miasma of oil, road salt and other roadway pollutants. Long-term exposures to these elements lead to many respiratory
go on to detail about her loving nurture and protective nature, and how she has been a constant co-parent for upwards of 10 years. Members of the conservative party who disagree with the democratic choice for runner consequently come with the burden of infinite opinion. Some insinuate that Kamala Harris being a woman comes with certain qualifications to be met, and if failed, she must not be considered. However, many great and accomplished Presidents without children had successful terms that revolutionized our country for the better. Will Chamberlin ignorantly stated that he does not believe that Harris has a stance to be a runner for President due to her absence of biological children. Although she has a loving blended family, this ultimately does not correlate or define her ability to lead this country.
conditions, including bronchitis, rhinitis, inflammatory airway disease and reactive airway disease.
Even still, San Antonio carriage operators sought unsuccessfully to loosen some of the city’s rules prohibiting horsedrawn carriages from running when the temperature is above 95 degrees or when an Air Quality Health Alert has been issued.
After the results of the survey were presented and many council members shared their concerns over the wellbeing of the horses, the owners of the horses were also given a chance to speak.
Stephanie Garcia, the owner of Yellow Rose & H.R.H Carriage Company, spoke to the council committee before the vote on Monday, urging them against banning the industry. “To phase us out or move us out of the downtown area will bankrupt my family,” Garcia said.
Garcia defended her business by stating her horses were perfectly healthy, sharing that they had all been inspected according to city regulations and passed with flying colors.
Despite these testimonies, the City Council’s Transportation and Infrastructure Committee voted unanimously to create a one to three year plan to phase out horse drawn carriages in downtown San Antonio. Council members say that more research is needed to formulate a detailed plan on how to transition from the status quo to a beneficial solution for all parties involved.
The Paisano
Editorial Board
Jake Mireles | Editor-in-Chief Editor@paisano-online.com
Dustin Vickers | Managing Editor Manager@paisano-online.com
Laynie Clark | News Editor News@paisano-online.com
Marcela Montufar Soria | Opinion Editor Opinion@paisano-online.com
Malaki Lingg |
Raul
Armin Suljovic
Instagram: paisanomedia
Twitter: ThePaisano
Linkedin: The Paisano
Pinterest: paisanomedia
Threads: paisanomedia
TikTok: thepaisanoUTSA
Youtube: ThePaisano
The Paisano is published by the Paisano Educational Trust, a non-profit, tax exempt, educational organization.The Paisano is operated by members of the Student Newspaper Association, a registered student organization. The Paisano is NOT sponsored, financed or endorsed by UTSA. New issues are published every Tuesday during the fall and spring semesters,
donations. Advertising inquiries and donations should be directed to: 14526 Roadrunner Way Suite 101 San Antonio, TX 78249 Phone: (210) 690-9301 © 2024 The Paisano The University of Texas at San Antonio’s Handbook of Operating Procedures states in 5.03
The Better Burger
arts & life
Murf’s Better Burger, a Westside
classic
By Logan Martinez Staff Writer
Since its establishment in 1985, Murf’s Better Burger has continued to serve some of the best burgers in the Alamo city. Located on 2922 West Avenue street, the restaurant has become a staple within the city’s West Side, thanks in large part to its affordable prices and delicious food.
“I’ve been coming here for about 30 years now,” says long-time customer Ralph Jimenez. “I can’t even imagine going anywhere else.”
Pulling into the brightly colored yellow and white establishment, customers are immediately hit with a sense of nostalgia and sentimentality.
The homemade drive-thru menu accompanied by their outside benches and far-reaching string lights harken back to a time in which burger joints seemingly ruled the world. The inside of the restaurant further adds to its nostalgic atmosphere, containing soft brown leather booths, vintage food trays and classic styrofoam cups stamped with the iconic Murf’s logo.
Accompanying the memorable
experience is the flavorful yet extremely affordable food Murf’s has to offer. With combo meals starting as low as seven dollars, the restaurant has more than enough cost-effective options for those not looking to spend much on food.
The diner also features its famous half-price Thursday nights, in which everything on the menu is half-price
“Accompanying the memorable experience is the flavorful yet extremely affordable food Murf’s has to offer.”
from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., when the establishment closes. This deal is one almost too good to be true, as customers can purchase a large drink, fry and double cheeseburger all for the price of $4.29. McDonald’s has nothing on this weekly deal.
While Murf’s prices are incredibly cheap, their food remains the exact
Vital vintage
The top five thrift spots in San Antonio
opposite. Packed with flavor, each bite leaves customers wanting more and more as they delve into a delicious Murf burger. Made fresh with every new order, the sandwich balances perfectly with just the right amount of crispiness and greasiness.
Right alongside each sandwich are the crispy and salty fries that come with every meal. While it is easy to occasionally burn the top of the mouth with how hot they are, Murf’s fries are simply one of the best parts of the menu. Served in a crinkle cut style, the fries sit perfectly alongside each tasty burger.
Whether one is simply looking for an inexpensive meal, or on the quest for a great homemade American burger, Murf’s Better Burger is unquestionably the place to go. The restaurant stands as a longstanding San Antonio classic, showcashing the past and history of the historic Westside. Their atmosphere, flavorful food and attractive prices make the restaurant one of the best burger establishments within San Antonio, Texas.
By Daria Tanase Contributor
Whether you are a back to school student looking for a new wardrobe, or just trying to find places to go out with friends, it is nice to know of local vintage clothing stores. Here is our list of the top five vintage and thrift spots to visit in San Antonio.
The Garden Clothing Exchange
If you are looking for Harley Davidson, this is the place for you. They hold a a large collection of Harley Davidson pieces ranging from around $10 to $30, all unique in their own ways. This store’s denim options are vast, as well as their graphic tees. They have some shelves in the back that hold accessories, and there is a changing room so you can try everything on. It has a nice environment, with cool music and friendly employees. Prices are on the cheaper end from others on this list, averaging around $20-$30. Overall, it is a fun place to take friends and do some casual shopping.
Grey Moon Vintage Grey Moon Vintage is a smaller store, being set up inside of a converted van. It is an extremely unique spot to visit, and it feels magical inside. The owners are very inviting and nice, and it is always an enjoyable experience sifting through the racks. The clothing here is more on the pricey side, but there are some $15 racks out front that consist of bold prints and graphic tees. Lots of graphic tee options here, as well as fun patterned tops. There is a changing room in the back of the van if you are wanting to try any pieces on.
Wear House Wear House has a really nice environment, and shares the space with a record store. The clothing itself is more on the pricey end, with costs averaging around $40 per piece.
Pants are around $50, shirts around $30, but you can find exceptions along with a $15
rack out front. There are accessories and shoes for sale which range in price but are fun to check out. There is not a designated fitting room but you are allowed to try things on in the restroom and see how they fit. If you have the money to spend, the clothing is really unique. If not, Wear House is a nice space to explore and hangout.
Thrift Thru + Hype Goods
This is another store that offers a two-inone. Hype Goods is closer to the entrance while the Thrift Thru is in the back, but both stores have their own contributions to the space. Hype Goods is especially nice if you are into video games, as they have a lot of clothing and memorabilia that cater to that. There is a section of the space called the Bodega that offers comic books, stuffed animals, etc. There are skateboards and shoes for sale. Prices for their graphic tees were around $30. The Thrift Thru is in the same building, they also had cheaper prices and more accessories such as jewelry and hair clips. They have a $10 rack and lots of funky tops being sold.
House of Trends
House of Trends carries a variety of items from sweatshirts to dainty tops. They have a lot of denim shorts in a wide range of sizes, so if you need denim shorts, this is a great spot to check out. In this store, prices average around $30, but there are $5 clothing bins making it a more budget friendly space. If you find anything you would like, there is a fitting room in the back. The owner is inviting and it is a clean and cohesive space that makes going through racks easy.
Although this is a small list compared to all that San Antonio has to offer, these stores are some that are fun to explore and have a variety of clothing for any and all styles.
Slacker rock band releases seventh album
By Malaki Lingg Arts & Life Editor Reviews
Deep in the 90’s Duster pioneered a sound that established them as legends in the slowcore genre. Producing their own music on vintage equipment and 8-track cassette recorders, they established themselves with a lo-fi sound that modern musicians could only hope to encapsulate. For years the band was inactive, proving them as a 90’s legend and innovative force of the original lofi and slowcore scene. Time warp twenty years into the future, and the band has returned in full force by touring North America, trending on TikTok and maintaining nearly five million monthly listeners on Spotify alone. With various albums released after returning from hiatus, Duster released their seventh studio album “In Dreams” on Aug. 29. The album features 13 tracks over a 43 minute, seven second runtime.
“In Dreams” opens with the track “Quiet Eyes,” a song very reminiscent of their debut album “Stratosphere.” The song plays out a melancholic riff, followed by very consistent and
Hop
By Samantha Ysaguirre Multimedia Editor
impressive vocals from the lead, Clay Parton. The track is a perfect example of what you could expect from an early Duster demo, only modern. Further in the album, tracks like “Cosmotransporter” are reminiscent of the space-rock sound from some of the band’s earlier works, like “Transmission Flux.” With each song taking inspiration from the different eras of Duster, “In Dreams” reminisces their previous album, “Remote Echoes,” where it felt like a loose compilation of newly completed demos. Luckily, the album has a cohesiveness of exploring old themes while modernizing them with a significantly higher fidelity sound. While the album had decent tracks and feels like a true Duster album, there is nothing that makes the album stands out. It does not bring any revolutionary concepts to the genre or spin Duster in any new directions — it is simply another slowcore, slacker rock album, and that is fine. There is nothing bad in the album, but for being the release right before their next tour it does leave
Kara Lee/The Paisano
Daria Tanase/The Paisano
SA Gems
Logan Martinez/The Paisano
Logan Martinez/The Paisano
Arts & Life
Five best and five worst films of the summer
By Ray Rodriguez Staff Writer Reviews
In a summer oscillating between historic highs and shattering lows, several notable films were released into what will hopefully be the beginning of a new era in cinema. In eight months, we were graced with some true masterpieces from veteran and newcomer directors alike, while simultaneously being beset on all fronts by the most despicable of corporate interests and artless commercial filmmaking. While it is important to celebrate the triumphs, it is equally important to deride the disasters.
The five worst films of the summer
5. “Alien: Romulus”
The final installment of this summer’s trilogy of disappointing horror pastiche — including “Longlegs” and ”Maxxxine” — “Romulus” essentially runs a twohour greatest hits compilation, ripping beats, lines and distinct frames from its more creative predecessors. “Romulus” does to sci-fi what “Longlegs” did to paranormal detective films and what “Maxxxine” did to giallo, lifelessly parroting the genre’s strongest images while injecting little to no flare of their own. The tragedy of “Romulus” however, is that the production is fantastic, some of the performances are stellar and the cinematography is stunning. Where every film in the Alien franchise felt like a strong thematic swing, even in its lowest moments, Romulus seems content to just play the hits, treading water in a pool built by stronger, bolder directors.
4. “The Crow”
Rupert Sanders’ reviled box office bomb remake of 1994 cult classic “The Crow,” is an insufferable mall goth, hot topic farce. Ugly visuals are smeared without a care onto the screen, the titular hero’s costumes evoke the worst alternative trends of the 2000s and the changes to the original story range from nonsensical to full-blown ridiculousness. It is a really dreadful time, and there is very little of value to wring from any of the film’s 111 minutes. Director of the original film Alex Proyas put it as succinctly as one possibly could, saying in a Facebook post, “I thought the remake was a cynical cash-grab. Not much cash to grab it seems.”
3.“Borderlands”
“Borderlands” is another in a long line of films that were endlessly meddled with, tossed around to different writers, sliced down to make a PG-13 rating and took 10 years to even release. With a generally shoddy core premise, “Borderlands” reasonably was never anticipated to be anything above “mildly entertaining but nonetheless
competent.” It, however, failed at being both of those things, delivering some of the tritest narrative beats and jokes, ones exhausted by every PG-13 family action adventure film released since 2010, and included some really bizarre production mistakes. The film feels incompetent, pedestrian and worse, dull.
2. “It Ends With Us”
What elevates the trashiness of “It Ends With Us” above the typical young adult romance novel adaptations is its lurid tastelessness in the face of incredibly serious subject matter. The film’s portrayal of domestic violence is offensively surface level, never truly exploring the emotional ramifications of the childhood traumas depicted. It simultaneously beats the viewer over the head with its incredibly new and important ideas that “domestic abuse is wrong,” while also refusing to dive into any of the power imbalances that exist in a patriarchal society. This leaves its central protagonist, Blake Lively’s character Lily Blossom Bloom, a vacuous vessel without proper interiority. Its heavy-handed resolution speaks to the film’s aspirations, to pat the viewer on the back and wrap everything up in a nice little bow, as the main character rides off into the sunset, feeling little to no complicated emotions, as most victims of domestic abuse do.
1. “Deadpool and Wolverine”
In a titanic act of drain circling, Deadpool and Wolverine cynically dredges up the bottom of the barrel of comic book movie characters, and plasters them on the screen in Marvel Studios’ latest sickening cameo vomit-fest. Previously a sarcastic, misanthropic mercenary, “Deadpool and Wolverine” renders Deadpool a tailkissing Avengers super fan. It used to be okay for him to mock other movies when they were just that, movies, but now that they are intellectual property, he meets each of the film’s ensemble heroes with the utmost respect and nerdish glee. The jokes no
longer come at the expense of itself or its peers, rather the jokes have devolved into deliriously candid references to popular online fan-casts, and obscenely self-aggrandizing fan service. It is pathetic, devoid of soul, heart or anything that should exist at the core of a work of art. It is a cynical money-grubbing product. It is the same old joke, time and time again, they laugh at you, take your money, and laugh at you again.
Read the five best at
Kara
Lee/The
Paisano
sports
By Haley Aguayo Sports Editor
Paris has successfully hosted the Olympic games for the third time in 100 years. 206 countries and 10,500 athletes to represent them remind us of the unthinkable feats that humans can accomplish. But the Olympic games transcend sports and athletes, it represents global unity. The games are not just about competition but rather a celebration of diversity amongst cultures and the traditions that develop within them. The Olympics serve as a reminder that despite our differences, we are part of one global community united by our shared humanity. This is something that three Roadrunners got to experience for the first time ever this summer.
Diego Aldo Pettorossi, Alanah Yukich and Fatoumata Kabo, who represented their home countries of Italy, Australia and Italy respectively, all qualified and competed in the Paris Olympics track events this summer, though their journey is one that very few athletes, let alone people, will get to experience
in their lifetime, it was not an easy one to take.
Pettorossi began his collegiate career at Angelo State where he and a friend of his ran track. He realized that his skill level was higher than that of his fellow track teammates and decided to bet on himself and enter the transfer portal, from there he ended up at UTSA which is where he met one of his coaches, threetime Olympian Kareem Streete-Thompson, associate head coach of sprints, jumps and relays.
“He really was the first person to say he believed in me,” Pettorossi said. “He said ‘you have no idea where you can go’. It made such an impact on my mindset, I had bigger goals after that.”
The Olympic trials were no new feat for Pettorossi. He attempted to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics back in 2021 but missed the cut by one place, thus his dreams were put on hold, yet he was determined to make his debut appearance in Paris.
“After I realized Tokyo wasn’t going to happen I thought I can definitely aim for Paris,” Pettorossi said. “I was so close already,
I did all the national events and I did a World Championship, I had to start working towards Paris.”
As Pettorossi started working towards his goal of qualifying for the Paris Olympics he also had to stop working in other parts of his life. He quit his job and sold his car so that he would have more time to devote to his training as well as the money to fund it.
“I sold everything, it was very emotional for me,” Pettorossi said. “As an international athlete, I gave so much up to move to the U.S. and live this American dream, but I think it was the right thing to do.”
“When I raced to qualify I needed to wait like a week or two to see the rankings. I was 50th place and only the first 48 qualified for the Olympics. ‘I was like…no no no…’ I didn’t sleep for three days, I couldn’t believe I was going to miss the Olympics by two places, but then two people withdrew, it was meant to be!”
Pettorossi had to travel to different countries in Europe in order to compete in some of the qualifying races such as Madrid and Poland. Though, if he wouldn’t have gone to those
races he would not have made the cut for the Olympics, nor would he have been able to reconnect with his fellow classmate and track athlete, Yukich.
“I was in school with Diego, it was cool to see him at some of the meets leading up to the Olympics,” Yukich said. “We kind of got to be a part of each other’s journey before we actually qualified and then to have us both qualify was really, really cool. And that’s what I love about UTSA, and there’s so many internationals on the team.”
Yukich traveled through five countries in 16 days to compete in as many races as she could to qualify for the Olympics. Three of those races were over the course of three days, all in different countries. Pettorossi said that Yukich had kept him in the loop of her race results and he could not believe that she just kept going. Pettorossi recalled Yukich telling him, “I’m doing everything,” and she did.
reading at
Roadrunners survive home opener against Kennesaw State UTSA captures 50th win at home
By Rylan Renteria Assistant Sports Editor
A timely late-game score propelled UTSA football to a win in its season opener, defeating Kennesaw State 28-16 on Saturday afternoon at the Alamodome.
Coming into this game, coach Jeff Traylor refused to announce a starting quarterback. When the time came for the first snap to be taken, it was redshirt sophomore Owen McCown under center for the ‘Runners. While his performance was far from perfect, Traylor was pleased with McCown’s play, with the win being the only thing that mattered in the end.
“I think it was a good game for him,” Traylor said. “He got knocked around, had to run some, had to make some contested throws, they
weren’t all easy.”
The McCown era began on a high note, with the left-handed signal caller executing a near-flawless drive, going 3-4 for 32 yards and capping off said drive with a two-yard touchdown pass to sophomore wide receiver Devin McCuin.
The Kennesaw State offense responded with a six minute drive that resulted in a 48-yard field goal from kicker Austin Welch.
On the ensuing Roadrunner possession, McCown and McCuin continued to develop their synergy, connecting for 31 yards and marching down the field. McCown would call his own number for the score, escaping the pocket and diving into the end zone for a 5-yard rushing touchdown.
The UTSA offense continued their hot start into the second quarter, with running back
By Haley Aguayo Sports Editor
“Gritty” has been coach Derek Pittman’s choice of word to describe other university’s tactics, his coaching philosophy but most of all, his team. There is a good chance that anyone who has spoken to Pittman or heard him speak to others has heard him use his favorite word. Grit is what he tries to instill and convey to the women who play for UTSA’s soccer team and he seemingly succeeds in doing just so.
UTSA’s soccer team has had a steady start to its second season in the American Athletic Conference. With four wins and two losses on their belt, Pittman is getting an idea of what needs to be improved before the team moves on to conference play.
“Definitely excited about the rest of the season, but we know what we did tonight is not good enough to be in the conference,” Pittman said after their win against St. Mary’s.
Following a subpar win against St. Mary’s, Pittman knew that the team had to be more aggressive if they wanted to beat the Cougars and keep winning. Despite their change in tune, the Roadrunners suffered a loss against University of Houston on Thursday but recovered with a win on Sunday during their first ever matchup against Colorado State.
“We’ve got to get better. We’ll pick ourselves up, hopefully build some confidence, watch some film and continue to grow and develop,
and that’s what it’s all about,” Pittman said of how the team will gear up for conference play.
The ‘Runners’ whole approach has changed this year, and there is no better time to work on reshaping a team’s dynamic than when you can approach this time as if it were new, and it nearly is. 14 players have returned from the 23’ season but the team ushers in 16 newcomers this fall, four of which have already scored goals this season. Junior defender Zoë May, junior center back Kameron Kloza, junior forward Izzy Lane and freshman midfielder Bri Carrigan have all proved that betting on themselves and choosing UTSA was the right decision to make for their collegiate career.
New additions to his roster isn’t the only thing Pittman has changed. One of Pittman’s new approaches was opening the season with a new 3-5-2 formation. By positioning three central defenders in front and two attacking wing-backs in front of goal, Pittman has transformed the team to play in a highly defensive manner. The idea behind this tactic is that less field space will be used against UTSA while they look to attack their opponent’s third.
This kind of formation has led to a successful start of the season for the Roadrunners (4-2).
After keeping Colorado State at bay during Sunday’s matchup, UTSA looks to finish strong in its final non-conference match on Sept. 8.
Robert Henry Jr. breaking away for a 61-yard rush, the biggest play of the game for either side. A couple plays later McCown found McCuin in the end zone for the second time in the first half, this time a 4-yard pitch and catch for an easy touchdown.
“He’s a dude. I love him as my quarterback,” McCuin said. “We’re building chemistry as the season goes on.”
After seemingly firing on all cylinders for the first three drives, the UTSA offense proceeded to go the next seven drives without finding the end zone. In the meantime, Kennesaw State put together a couple field goal drives before eventually finding the end zone in the fourth quarter. A 21-3 UTSA advantage had shrunk to a one possession game with just over nine minutes remaining in the half. With momentum now belonging to
Kennesaw State, it was the defense that made a statement for UTSA. With the Owls driving down the field, UTSA defensive back Jimmy Wyrick punched the ball out of Owls’ wide receiver Gabriel Benyard’s hands and into the hands of senior corner Syrus Dumas.
McCown then led his fourth scoring drive of the day, marching down the field and eventually finding redshirt senior Oscar Cardenas for a 3-yard touchdown. The UTSA defense held Kennesaw State scoreless for the final nine minutes of the game. “Our defense was fantastic, they were just dominant,” Traylor said. Next week the Roadrunners will head up I-35 to face the bitter rival Texas State Bobcats, with kickoff set for 3 p.m. Saturday at UFCU Stadium.
What is the Triangle of Toughness?
By Rylan Renteria Assistant Sports Editor
Instilled in the culture at UTSA since the arrival of Jeff Traylor, the “Triangle of Toughness” brand has grown exponentially.
Inside the RACE building, on the teams’ jerseys and on the home sideline at the Alamodome, you’ll find the symbol that represents everything the Roadrunners are about. While the orange triangle’s imagery is synonymous with the program now, how did it come to be and what does it represent exactly?
When Traylor was hired as the head coach of the Roadrunners back in 2020, he introduced the “210 Triangle of Toughness” to the program. Written on the sides of the triangle are the phrases “Selfless Perfect Effort,” “Integrity,” “Passion” and “Mental and Physical Toughness.” These are the values Traylor is building his program on. It’s used to remind his players that above being a Roadrunner on the field, they have to be one off of it as well.
“A brand is when your image and your
identity align,” Traylor said.
In addition to the creation of the symbol, Traylor created a brand-new team jersey system, where all single digit jersey numbers are reserved for players who represent the brand to the highest level. Voted on by the players, the honor is reserved for the best of the best that UTSA has to offer. Notable names that wore single digits are: Tariq Woolen, Zakhari Franklin, Frank Harris, Rashad Wisdom, De’Corian Clark, Trey Moore and Sincere McCormick. All of these young men not only excelled on the field, but off of it as well, and despite their departure from the program, all are still very connected to the team.
In order to build a strong program, it has to be led by strong young men. The importance of the culture that has been set can not be understated, it’s why UTSA continues to grow into a national brand and extend past the city limits of San Antonio, and it’s why the Roadrunners are going to be good, for a very long time.
Rylan Renteria/The Paisano
Rylan Renteria/The Paisano
Courtesy of Alanah Yukich Courtesy of Grana/FIDAL
Happy Hour Tuesday - Friday 3 pm - 7 pm
$2 Margs
$3 Drafts
$4 Wells
$5 1942 & Clase Azul