The Paisano Volume 52 Issue 15 by The Paisano

Independent Student Newspaper for the University of Texas at San Antonio

{SINCE 1981}

UTSA Mayor Ivy Taylor will be giving a lecture over pressing issues that impact the community, nation and world on January 26 in the Buena Vista Theater at the Downtown campus at 5:30 pm. The mayor’s talk is part of the College of Public Policy’s Dean’s Distinguished Lecture Series.

Volume 52

Issue 15

January 8 - January 19, 2015

BYE, COACH

Task force disregards Larry Coker resigns. students’, An era ends. faculty calls for gun-free classrooms Caroline Traylor News Editor

@CarolineTraylor news@paisano-online.com After a semester filled with contentious debate, UTSA’s Campus Carry Task Force has released preliminary recommendations for gun-free zones on UTSA campus. Despite protests initiated by UTSA faculty, classrooms did not make the gun-free zone list. Senate Bill 11 legalized the concealed carrying of guns on Texas’s public university campuses; the legislation takes effect Aug. 1, 2016. Under a provision in the law, university presidents were instructed to consult with students and members of the university community to develop policies specific to each public

Texas Texas Public Safety Trooper Brian Encinia was indicted by a Waller County grand jury for a perjury charge related to the arrest of Sandra Bland. Encinia plans to plead “not guilty” to the charge, which could carry a year sentence in jail and a $4,000 fine. The Bland family attorney, Cannon Lambert, says, “Encinia also should have been charged for assault and battery; the Bland family feels toyed with and disrespected.”

U.S.

President Obama announced his plans to use executive action to enact gun control measures including: requiring background checks for all gun sellers, increase the number of FBI employees that run background checks on all gun holders, requiring states to provide information to the government about those disqualified to carry, increased spending on mental health research and “smarter gun technology.”

World After disturbing images of children starving in the city of Madaya went viral, the Syrian government will now allow aid delivery to the besieged city. The city has been blockaded by loyal troops of Syrian president Bashar alAssad and aid has not been delivered to the city since October of 2015.

Science Janet Kelso, Leader of Research at the Max Planck Institute for evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany states that recent data suggests three genes given to humans by the neanderthals may be the root of modern allergies.

UPDATE:

Jakob Lopez Editor-in-Chief

@jakobll news@paisano-online.com The only coach UTSA Football has ever known, Larry Coker, announced his resignation Tuesday, after five seasons. The 67-year-old — and third oldest coach in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) — compiled a 26-32 record at UTSA, and led the start-up program to the (FBS) from the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) and back-to-back

winning seasons in 2012 and 2013. “He was the total package. He is a gentleman; he is a coach, a teacher, a friend, and a mentor… He made history, not just here at UTSA, but on a national level with the start-up of this program,” said UTSA Athletic Director Lynn Hickey of Coker at the press conference addressing his resignation. “No one has ever done anything like this before and I am guessing that no one probably ever will again.” Coker, a national cham-

pionship winner in 2001 with Miami, brought credibility and pedigree to UTSA. UTSA Football had no facilities, no marching band, and no fight song prior to Coker’s hire. Yet six years later, the program sits bowl-eligible in a fledgling football city with three-star recruits and competitive personality. But Coker’s announcement comes at a peculiar time for UTSA Football. See UTSA football, Page 2

Photos courtesy of UTSA Athletics

See Campus Carry, Page 2

UTSA environmental science students research dwindling monarch butterfly population Alex Birnel

News Assistant

@alexbirnel news@paisano-online.com The Monarch Butterfly population of Texas is dwindling significantly. Their decline has been so dramatic that this past year public pressure emanating from the scientific community mounted to classify the butterfly as an “endangered species,” a status entitling the species to federal protection. A team of researchers working at UTSA - including students and environmental science department staff - have received $300,000 in funding from the Texas State Comptroller’s Office to unearth exactly why these beautiful creatures are disappearing. Dubbed “the Monarch Butterfly project,” former UTSA Environmental Science student Julian Chavez – now a staffed researcher on the team – explains the importance behind the study. “There is a lot of focus on the monarch butterfly right now because there has been a huge crash in the monarch’s

population,” Chavez said Linking monarch biology and ecology, Chavez outlines how a changing environment is implicated in the population’s plummet. “Previously, the area they wintered in Mexico was roughly the size of 40 football fields. Now the area that they winter in is more

the milkweed flower across Texas compounds the problem. “The milkweed is the only plant the monarch lays its eggs on and the only plant the caterpillars eat,” Chavez explained. In addition to connecting the two phenomena, the project involves conducting field experi-

like the size of one football field. There are many things that could be causing this.” – said Chavez. At UTSA, the team’s focus is to zoom in on how a shrinking amount of

ments across Texas intended to explore different land management practices and how these practices may affect the prevalence of the milkweed flower. Such land treat-

ments include mowing, cattle grazing and controlled burning. Getting specific, Chavez says the team is also “conducting greenhouse experiments to better understand the nutrient requirements of milkweed, the milkweed patch size preference for monarchs, the species of milkweed the monarch caterpillars prefer to eat and also fire ant predation.” Not only does the research team seek to explain what is occurring with Texas’ monarch butterfly population, but they also plan to include an outreach and educational component to their work. In partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and the Environmental Science Academic Program at UTSA, the group plans to present an outreach program that will include visits to elementary school classrooms and a summer camp. “Our program seeks to engage participants with opportunities for hands-on scientific discovery and inspiration with activities designed around monarch butterflies while focusing on the TEKS set by

The research team’s focus is the decreasing milkweed flower across Texas and its relationship to the monarch butterfly population.

the state,” says Chavez. “There is a gap i n knowledge linking monarchs and the native milkweed they rely on. Our end goal is to fill in that gap. Our goal for the education outreach is to bring basic concepts in monarch biology, ecology, and conservation to students in the San Antonio area.” As far as personal motivation is concerned, Chavez describes returning to his alma mater for research as a “no-brainer.” “When I was given the opportunity to work in the department with these amazing people again, I felt like it was a no brainer. I get to do what I love, with the people I truly care about,” Chavez said. “My goal in life is to leave the world a little better than the way I found it.” For more information on the project visit: http://www. utsa .edu/crts/monarch.

Photos courtesy of Julian Chavez

NEWS

January 8 - January 19, 2015

UTSA Football begins search for new coach, direction continued from page 1 Toiling in mediocrity after yet another losing season, UTSA is without a coach and cohesive identity a month before national signing day — the last day a high school senior can sign a binding National Letter of Intent for a college football school within the NCAA. And worse, after Coker announced his resignation, others followed. The Roadrunners’ defensive coordinator Neal Neathery and operations administrator Shane Elder have both started interviewing for positions at other schools, while safeties coach Perry Eliano has accepted the defensive coordinating position at Bowling Green. But the athletics’ de-

partment believes it will have no trouble filling its now vacant and most prestigious position. “This is a great job. We are not going to have a problem hiring a coach,” reiterated Hickey. “The standard that we have, is that we have the responsibility to hire someone that will give us the same impact and leadership that Larry Coker did… we are going to have a great opportunity and we are going to be able to hire a really good coach.” Coker’s sudden resignation correspondingly evokes questions about the coach’s health. At age 67 and recovering from recent hip replacement surgery, Cok-

er’s health was initially cited as a possible reason

issues is very personal, and it is not appropriate for me

that can wake up at 5 a.m. to go to football practice, is probably o k a y ,” s a i d Hickey at the Jan 5. press confere n c e . Over the next few d a y s , U T S A will negotiate a buyout on Coker’s contract — $1.5 million over three years — and begin the process of finding another identity for Roadrunner Football.

“I think the quality of people that are going to apply for this job is going to move to another level, because of Larry Coker.” Lynn Hickey

UTSA Athletics Director

behind his resignation. But Hickey, would not speak to this. “For me to speak to health

to make a comment. He has been a very dynamic person and has always given us a lot of energy; anybody

“I think the quality of people that are going to apply for this job is going to move to another level, because of Larry Coker,” said a tearful Hickey. “Anytime you lose someone of his stature, the next hire is made even better, and you have an opportunity to go to a whole level of coaches that we never would have had 7 or 8 years ago.”

Roy Maas Youth Alternatives is currently accepting applications for Residential Specialists. Please call Janet, 210-340-8077, ext.1112 for more information.

Campus Carry Task Force: Latest report reveals preliminary exclusion zone recommendations

continued from page 1

institution of higher learning. In response to the mandate, UTSA President Ricardo Romo appointed a 17- member task force comprised of faculty, staff and several student representatives to gather input before determining which premises on UTSA’s campus should be designated “gun-free” zones. According to a Dec. 9, 2015, report posted by the Office of the Vice President for Business Affairs during the fall semester, the task force held forums seeking feedback from the community, met seven times, received over 230 emails to the campus carry inbox and kept President Romo updated throughout the process. The task force then recommended designating the following areas as gun free: • Premises providing services to minor children (Child Development & TEAM centers schools’ sponsored activities and university sponsored camps, and the Institute of Texan Cultures) • Patient care (health and counseling centers) • High school, collegiate or professional sporting events • Interscholastic events • On-campus voting sites • Formal proceeding/ hearing rooms (faculty or staff grievance, faculty appeals of tenure, student grievance, disciplinary or dismissal, Student Public government meetings subject to 551 government code. The report also recommends designating labs with combustible, flammable or other dangerous

materials gun-free as well as the Recreation Wellness Center campus locations serving alcohol, and the Testing Center. The Task Force also recommended student residential housing, deemed not a private unit and residential units used during summer camps and orientation, to be gun-free. For a more a complete list of the preliminary exclusion zones visit: utsa.edu/ campuscarry. To the chagrin of some, classrooms are missing from the Task Force’s preliminary recommendation report. According to a survey authored by Dr. Walter Wilson (associate professor of political science) and Dr. Bryan Gervais (assistant professor of political science) and authorized by UTSA’s Faculty Senate, students expressed overwhelming support for designating classrooms as gun-free zones on campus. The study was conducted between Nov. 23 and 25, and all enrolled students were invited to participate via email. Ultimately, 2,822 students participated. According to the survey, Roadrunners indicated by a ratio of 12 to 1 that their educational experience will be hindered rather than enhanced if permit holders are allowed to carry guns in class. Another interesting finding is the divide in opinion by race and gender. While 46 percent of white students and 43 percent of male students indicated that campus carry would make them less safe in classrooms, 66 percent of Latino students, 85 percent of Black students, 74

percent of Asian students, 52 percent of students from other minority groups

gun-free classrooms. The most distressing aspect of the recommendations put

“On such an important issue, it is insulting that the university community should be subjected to what amounts to a bad corporate management practice rather than a true consultation that addresses community concerns.” Walter Wilson, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Political Science, UTSA and 69 percent of female students indicated that campus carry would make them feel less safe in the classroom. The study concludes that these results provide compelling evidence that majorities of UTSA students believe campus carry makes Texas public universities less attractive to prospective students and that “the negative perceived impacts were disproportionately articulated by women and students from minority backgrounds.” Wilson is disappointed but not surprised by the task force’s recommendations, “says that the body as a whole failed to take account of the faculty senate resolution urging that classrooms, labs, studios and other formal research and teaching areas be designated as gun-free zones,” and ignored student opinion that was gathered by the previously mentioned poll showing support for

forth are the methods that they were sought.

“While the law clearly states that university presidents should consult with students, faculty and staff before developing policies, I’m not aware that Dr. Romo ever met with anyone about this issue outside the Task Force,” Wilson said. While the Task Force did hold “listening sessions” on the matter, many had low attendance. “Notes were not taken during public meetings between the Task Force and students, faculty and staff. On such an important issue, it is insulting that the university community should be subjected to what amounts to a bad corporate management practice rather than a true consultation that addresses commu-

nity concerns. We deserve better,” Wilson said. Joe Izbrand, UTSA’s chief communications officer, explained Romo’s position on the issue. “The president is awaiting a final report before making his assessment. The task force is scheduled to meet again in January and could have its recommendations to the president in February.” Task Force Chair and Vice President of Business Affairs Kathy Funk-Baxter also stated that she had nothing new to report and cited the Dec. 9 report (utsa.edu/campuscarry.) Wilson urges students opposed to campus carry to consider joining the new organization, Students for Gun Awareness.

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NEWS

January 8 - January 19, 2015

Texas Zoos Struggle to Limit Guns Under New Laws By Morgan Smith, The Texas Tribune The next battle over gun rights in Texas may take place in an unlikely setting: the zoo. A pair of new gun laws — one allowing license holders to openly carry handguns and another penalizing entities that improperly ban firearms on governmentowned property — are posing a challenge for all institutions funded through private foundations but located on public property. Zoos are walking a particular legal tightrope if they want to keep firearms off their property. Both laws protect existing “gun-free zones,” such as school campuses and courtrooms, and allow private businesses, amusement parks and educational institutions to ban weapons if they choose. While zoos, as frequent destinations for school field trips and family outings, have a strong interest in setting their own firearms policies, they often don’t fall into any of those categories. “It’s being interpreted differently in every city,” said Tim Morrow, executive director of the San Antonio Zoo. “I think it’s really going to come down to the attorney general making a decision.” After consulting local officials, Morrow said his zoo opted to ban visitors from openly carrying handguns, reasoning that, while it

leases land from the city, it qualifies as a private business because it is managed by a separate nonprofit foundation. “This day and age, people are just nervous. We have so many families with small children, and the small children may not understand why someone is at the zoo and walking around with guns while there’s animals,” said Morrow, who added that the zoo will continue to allow license holders to-

carry their handguns if they are concealed. The Houston Zoo is one of three in the state already threatened with possible fines under the new law, which allows members of the public to report entities with potentially illegal handgun policies to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Paxton’s office has received a total of 24 such complaints since the law took effect in September, said spokeswoman Cynthia

Meyer, who confirmed that the Dallas and Fort Worth Zoos are also facing complaints after opting to ban open and concealed weapons. Houston zoo officials argue that their facility was established for educational and conservation purposes, reaches more than 200,0000 children a year through its education initiatives and maintains a 17-person education department, so it qualifies as an “educational

The San Antonio Zoo is one of several across Texas struggling to navigate new gun laws in the state. Photo by Billy Hathom

institution” under the law. “Given the mission of the zoo and the presence of hundreds of thousands of children on its campus, it is clear that guns and zoos simply do not mix,” said spokeswoman Jackie Wallace in a prepared statement. Houston attorney Edwin Walker asked the attorney general’s office to weigh in on the zoo’s policy. Walker, who works for the gun owner defense firm Texas Law Shield, also filed a similar complaint against the Dallas Zoo. “That’s obviously an outrageous position,” he said. “They are not regulated by Texas Education Agency, they are not part of any recognized school district or educational system, they do not issue a degree, they do not have degree plans. They are just simply a place where people go to learn things.” In Waco, the Cameron Park Zoo will allow license holders to carry handguns both concealed and openly. Because it is a city run zoo on public property, director Jim Fleshman said it would follow the city’s policies until further clarification from the attorney general. “I would argue that we are educational facilities, so there is some leeway there,” he said. But even if zoos can successfully argue that their programs meet the definition of educational institutions, they may still only be able to bar firearms from areas where

educational instruction occurs, said Nicole Knox, a Dallas based criminal defense lawyer who represents clients who face firearmsrelated charges. Knox said the clearest way for zoos to gain more control over their firearms policies may be through the amusement park exception — an argument the Dallas Zoo has pursued. But that approach involves more than just adding a few amusement rides. An amusement park must be located in a county with a population of more than 1 million and span at least 75 acres of property. Knox said that she expected much of the confusion to be resolved through litigation — partly because lawmakers did not appear to anticipate the challenges the laws would face when put into practice. The history of gun rights in the state may also be a contributing factor, she said. “Because Texas is one of the last states to pass an open carry law, I think gun rights activists are so used to insisting on, fighting for, their gun rights that they have potentially lost sight of the big picture, which is being able to carry in situations where they feel like they need to be able to carry,” she said. “I doubt that any gun rights supporters really want to be able to carry a firearm in a zoo full of small children.”

Central Texas Research Chimps Face Uncertain Future

By Edgar Walters & Shelby Knowles, The Texas Tribune BASTROP — Tucked into the semi-wilderness a few miles north of this Central Texas town, within spitting distance of a federal prison, Nahja, a 25-year old chimpanzee at the Keeling Center for Comparative Medicine and Research, wraps a handful of woolly nesting material around her head into something that resembles a shawl. When a handler calls her name, Nahja stretches out her massive hands and catches an orange — this morning’s treat — tossed from the observation balcony overlooking the 75-foot wide corral where she and the rest of her social group live. At the 381-acre facility, nearly a dozen groups of 9 to 12 chimpanzees wait for their oranges atop raised wooden platforms in the separated corrals that house the research animals. Fruit treats, frequent veterinary checkups, behavioral experiments in which the animals can exchange tokens with scientists for a reward — this is the life of the research chimpanzees who live behind a 16-foot protective fence. But soon that could change. Last month, the National Institutes of Health announced they would no longer support biomedical research on chimpanzees and that all federally owned chimps would be retired to sanctuaries. Animal rights

advocates hailed the move, but it’s left behind feelings of anxiety at the Keeling Center, Texas’ major chimpanzee research facility and one of the largest in the country. “I think it’s a very unfortunate thing,” Christian Abee, the center’s director, said of the NIH announcement. Though his facility has not conducted any biomedical experiments on chimpanzees since 2012, Abee said primate researchers were “continuing to learn from chimpanzees through these observational studies,” which he said would largely end when the animals live in a sanctuary. Roughly four percent of the chimpanzee population at the Keeling Center dies each year, Abee said. The research facility, part of the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, opened in 1975. It also houses monkeys and livestock animals. Scientists associated with the facility have studied cancer, hepatitis, HIV and diabetes, and before biomedical research was ended on the chimps, that included infecting some of the animals with hepatitis. The chimps are set to be moved to Chimp Haven, the federally designated sanctuary near Shreveport, Louisiana, but it remains unclear exactly when that will happen. The sanctuary currently has room for about 50 more animals, and transferring chimpanzees is a “long, arduous process,” said Cathy Willis Spraetz,

Chimp Haven’s president and chief executive. But when they get there, she said, the chimps have access to a setting more similar to a natural habitat. “We have open-air yards that are significantly larger, and then we have three multi-acre, wooded habitats,” Spraetz said. The sanctuary can house roughly 200 chimpanzees. On Nov. 18, NIH director

allowing the chimps to live out their final years where they are — what Abee calls “retirement in place.” About half of the Keeling Center’s chimps are older than 35, elderly enough to be considered geriatric. One of the center’s 35foot wide “primadomes,” geodesic metal domes with latticed wire exteriors, features gently sloping wooden ramps, resembling

Biomedical research at the Keeling Center ended in 2012, but chimpanzees continue to participate in observational studies. Photo by Shelby Knowles

Francis Collins announced the end of federally funded chimpanzee research, saying the country had “reached a tipping point.” All federally owned chimpanzees would be relocated to sanctuaries “with careful consideration of their welfare, including their health and social grouping,” he said. But if you ask the roughly 30 research and veterinary staff who work with chimpanzees at the Keeling campus, those considerations would be best served by

something like a tree house for a person in a wheelchair, or a kind of old-folks’ home for the achiest and most arthritic chimps. Researchers here have published scientific articles about the effectiveness of chimpanzee acupuncture and other specialized geriatric care that Abee says is unavailable elsewhere. For the federal government, paying for the chimps to remain at the Keeling Center is a more costly proposal than sending them to retire at Chimp Haven.

The National Institutes of Health pay about $57 per day for chimpanzees living in Bastrop. At Chimp Haven, they pay roughly $41 per chimp per day. Private fundraising pays for onefourth of the sanctuary’s costs of caring for the animals, Spraetz said. “While cost should not be the primary issue, it is one of the issues,” she said. Abee praised Chimp Haven’s facilities, but he said the stress of moving can take a fatal toll on older, more frail chimpanzees. Of the 13 chimps his facility had transferred this year to Chimp Haven, four died or were euthanized within the first three months, he said. Chimpanzees, an endangered species native to West and Central Africa, can live to 60 years in captivity. “I don’t mean this as a criticism of Chimp Haven, but we uprooted them, took them from their family groups, we moved them cross country, we put them in unfamiliar settings with caregivers who didn’t know them, and four died,” Abee said. “We would not have anticipated those four to die if they had stayed here.” Spraetz said her sanctuary staff worked on “high alert” to protect elderly chimps. “You need to realize that we have close to 200 chimpanzees, the majority of whom are geriatric — they came to us geriatric — and they’ve done just fine,” she said. “It’s been an unfortunate event that several of the Bastrop chimps passed

away, but there were valid reasons for them to have passed away.” Texas’ other chimpanzee research facility, the biomedical research-affiliated Southwest National Primate Research Center in San Antonio, has also expressed trepidation about transferring animals to the Louisiana sanctuary. “Chimpanzees have been a critical animal model for researchers that has led to discoveries and treatments for a number of diseases, including Hepatitis, HIV/ AIDS, Ebola virus and much more,” said Lisa Cruz, a spokeswoman for the Texas Biomedical Research Institute, in a prepared statement. The institute hosts the primate research center. Cruz said the institute would “fully cooperate” with plans to transfer its 20 federally owned chimps to the Shreveport sanctuary. But, she said, the researchers “strongly believe the chimpanzees currently in our care are in the best possible environment, receiving the highest-quality care.” Rachel Haller, a chimp handler at the Keeling Center, said the NIH announcement had given her some concern about job security. But at a facility that has hired grief counselors to help staff mourn the loss of beloved animals, “my No. 1 fear is for the chimps,” she said.

4 {The Paisano} Editor-in-Chief: Jakob Lopez

Managing Editor: Mia Cabello

News Editor:

Caroline Traylor

Arts & Life Editor: Brayden Boren

Sports Editor: Brady Phelps

Photo Editor:

Fabian De Soto

Special Issues Editor: Jade Cuevas

Web Editor:

Michael Turnini

Business Manager:

OPINION

January 8 - January 19, 2016

Resignation casts doubt on program’s future Editorial UTSA’s athletic future appears unpromising after Larry Coker’s resignation. The former national champion’s announcement brought forth sweeping change within the six-year old start-up football program. Three assistant senior personnel on Coker’s staff have decided to leave the university and pursue other job opportunities in the

NCAA — leaving UTSA’s football program with no head coach a month before national signing day. When asked about UTSA’s future, Athletic Director and Associate Vice President Lynn Hickey said that Coker’s decision was “based on the commitment and caring that he has for the program.” And, although the former UTSA coach may have

been sincere with his statement, Coker’s announcement leaves UTSA in an awkward and stunted situation, just weeks before the biggest recruitment day of the college football offseason. Despite Coker leading the Roadrunners to an abysmal 3-9 record — and two consecutive losing seasons — the Oklahoman native brought championship

Texas, pro-life is not pro-gun

pedigree and savvy play calling to San Antonio. During Coker’s tenure, his teams set unprecedented records for a start-up program — including the highest-attended game for an NCAA Division I FCS start-up program. And, for the first time in program history, the Roadrunners have an NFL Draft worthy talent in tight end David Morgan II.

No make overs for natural beauty Commentary

Commentary

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{Staff} Kat Joseph, Claudia Jimenez, Annette Barraza, Christopher Breakell, Alex Birnel, Robert Avila, Andrea Velgis, Alyssa Gonzales, Urub Khawaja, Diego Ramirez, Gaige Davila, Marina Vences

{Contributors} Clarisa Cabello, Justice Lovin

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Diane Abdo

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Steven Kellman, Jack Himelblau, Sandy Norman, Stefanie Arias, Diane Abdo The Paisano is published by the Paisano Educational Trust, a nonprofit, 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, excluding holidays and exam periods. The Paisano is distributed on all three UTSA campuses — Main, Downtown and the Institute of Texan Cultures. Additionally, Paisano publications are distributed at a variety of off-campus locations, including Tri-point and a variety of apartment complexes near the UTSA Main Campus. All revenues are generated through advertising and donations. Advertising inquiries and donations should be directed to:

Staff Writer

Illustration by Clarisa Cabello

Mia Cabello

Managing Editor I care about guns and babies. Generally preferring less of the former and more of latter, but personally preferring having both a prudent distance from my university studies. Texas’ traditionally prolife position and its pro-gun stance have always been silently at odds. However, with the passage of open carry and campus carry laws that went and will go into effect the first of this year and this fall respectively, Texas went too far. Implicit in Texas’ pro-gun agenda is an obscene uninterest in human life that is irreconcilable with the Republican majority’s stance on abortion. For years, amid ice blue hell and high water, Texas has remained resolutely prolife, passing firm measures to curb state abortion rates. And it’s worked. In 2011, there were 44 facilities in Texas that performed abortions. As of

Commentary

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ruckus than a full-blown duel during the past state legislative sessions, it’s a campaign with noble roots. But along the way, motives were monetized, as they usually are, and human life — the comprehensive health of citizens — fell from the list of priority. A misguided mentality that in arming themselves civilians can compensate for human weakness, their own and others, has been adopted across the state and the nation; Republican legislative action, unfortunately, has enables it. Life is vulnerable and valuable. More guns in the hands of civilians will not save more lives. Furthermore recent, radical pro-gun measures and a rampant dismissal of common-sense gun reforms raise tensions, highlight social, economic and cultural differences, as well as pressure citizens and force private business owners to choose a side, the right side.

Star Wars stuff, an unessential luxury

14526 Roadrunner Way

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summer 2015, there were 10 facilities in the state that were licensed to perform abortions. During the past three legislative sessions, the state legislature has discontinued state funding to Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers, additionally prohibiting counties from allocating tax-payer funds; passed the Sonogram Law that requires abortion providers to provide a sonogram to women before conducting abortions (women can choose whether or not she wishes to hear the child’s heartbeat); mandated that abortion providers have admitting privileges at a local hospital; banned abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy; and passed a provision that requires women who seek elective abortions to provide a valid government ID to confirm that she is not a minor. And although, considering the overwhelming political climate in Texas, the fight to safeguard the lives of the unborn has been more of a

Justice Lovin

Contributing Writer

editor@paisano-online.com

In just 20 days “Star Wars: the Force Awakens” has become the highest grossing film released in the U.S. and Canada. Domestically, the movie has brought in as much revenue in three weeks as the previous record holder, James Cameron’s “Avatar,” did in its initial 7-month run in theaters. The $760 million that this entails is one thing, but the $5 billion dollars in Star Wars merchandise sales that

Forbes reports is predicted over the next 12 months is something else all together. While quite impressive, one might wonder whether it’s worthwhile. Some things are valuable because they’re useful, such as a free public education (one hopes) or — more reliably — food. Other things have value because of the labor that goes into them, such as a college education (one hopes) or clean, potable water. Star Wars collectables though, and other non-useful consumer products, are like gold or diamonds; their value stems not from any innate quality but from an agreement between individuals at the time of exchange; they’re valuable because they’re valuable— the Kardashians of capital. Never mind the opportunity cost incurred by producing action figures and not something else, never mind that transporting these

toys is terrible for the environment and never mind that most of the toys will wind up in a landfill sooner or later, replaced by toys from whatever blockbuster Disney produces next; the toys are profitable and somehow that makes it all okay. This is nothing new to Disney, having made a self-reported $3.99 billion in revenue from sales of consumer products in 2014. The annual company report, submitted to the New York Stock Exchange states proudly that “one Elsa doll alone generated retail sales of $26 million in the U.S,” However, it’s not just Pixar movies making money for Disney, the corporation also collects revenue from products bearing the names of ESPN, Marvel, Lucas Films and the Disney TV channel —which is to say that Disney has something for everyone, but not necessarily anything

But, despite the success, Coker’s departure casts doubt over the program’s future and direction. UTSA’s decision to part ways with the former national champion leaves a gaping hole in the rising football program. The Roadrunners may have had a losing season — one it can recover from, eventually — but they may not be able to recover and

Contouring, ‘Kylie Jenner lips,’ winged eyeliner, smoky eyes: some of the most popular makeup trends of 2015. If a woman can masterfully combine all of these looks then she will achieve what American mainstream society considers stunning. But at the same time, the many marketing campaigns, celebrities and our peers want us to believe that the best kind of beauty is natural beauty. Issue after issue, covers of women’s magazines feature a celebrity who looks flawless rather than natural and publish stories about loosing weight, becoming sexually appealing and applying hot makeup trends. Our society finds women who alter themselves, by makeup or other enhancements, to fit a popular mold are the ones considered attractive. Some men intend to compliment women that they find them more attractive with less makeup on. However well meaning, this type of compliment, especially during this time of women’s empowerment, disregards what a woman prefers and places a man’s preference in higher regard. Other people claim women who wear, what they consider, a lot of make-up are “hiding something,” but ultimately, the decision to wear makeup and how much of it to apply is woman’s choice. That decision depends on how a woman feels she wants to present herself. If she wants to hide something, then she should be able to without judgment or criticism. Covering blemishes is not

anyone needs. There is no need, after all, for Star Wars merchandise to exist, it has no use value and the labor put into it could easily have gone into something else. What there is, however, is a demand for it in a relatively wealthy part of the world. And so while other places go without things they need — useful

a crime. It is hypocritical to tell women that the most attractive look they can posses is a natural one, when they are instructed to primp at a very young age and encouraged to look their best at all times. But even then, if a young woman wears too much makeup then she is likely to be stereotyped, one that usually paints her in a negative light. A report released by Today and AOL shows that women spend, on average, 55 minutes everyday getting ready in the morning. Additionally, in a single makeup-shopping trip, The Beauty Company reports, women spend around $43 — an amount that adds up fast throughout the year. Beauty does not come easy or cheap in modern times. Women are expected to wear makeup on a daily basis, whether they are attending school, going to work or picking something up at the market. It has also become standardized for celebrities, politicians or those working in media. A study conducted by the online dating site Zoosk found that three times as many women who wore makeup were “matched” compared to those who did not. So, the question arises, why are women told that natural beauty is best? Simply wearing a lip color gave women’s a 119 percent “advantage” in being messaged and 65 percent of men are more likely to meet up if the girl is wearing eye-makeup in her profile picture. Clearly, men find women more appealing based on how they get ready in the morning. Obviously, not everyone shares a standardized definition of beauty, style or preference. Many people in happy, healthy relationships were initially attracted to their partners by an allnatural beauty allure or an abundant style of beauty. Makeup doesn’t make a woman more or less beautiful. Women, if you want to wear makeup, wear it. Wear what’s comfortable. Wear as little or as much as you choose.

things like food, water and medicine — we have our Star Wars collectables, mint condition in boxes or forgotten and thrown away. It all comes down to supply and demand; that’s the ideal way of distributing resources, right?

OPINION

January 8 - January 19, 2016

Photo Poll

I’ll just sit here by Christopher Breakell

What is your opinion on the future of UTSA’s football program without it’s Head Coach Larry Coker? Photos and quotes taken by Michael Turnini and Fabian De Soto, The Paisano

“I think it’s going to depend a lot on their record. If UTSA wins, it’s going to be all right. As a coach, Coker lifted the program because he was famous, and he was able to recruit a lot of players. Without him, it’s going to be very hard. It depends on what kind of new coach they get. UTSA has to do a good job selecting someone.” Ovidio Garcia, Alumnus

“I think it’s time for a new start, new beginnings. New students are coming in, and maybe a new coach will bring new opportunities.” Kelsey Krueger, Alumna

Look past ‘the best years of your life’ Commentary

Marina Vences Staff Writer

For most college students, gFor most college students, going home for winter break means reuniting with high school friends and relatives who only visit during the holidays. Students face with the usual questions, “how’s school going?”, “Do you have a significant other, yet?”, and the ever popular but vague, “enjoy it now, because these are the best years of your life.” The idea that the “best years of your life” are over before your twenty-fifth birthday is not only depressing, but proposes that if you are not living your life to the fullest right now or unsatisfied with

your life, you are experiencing college in the wrong way. What this supposition suggests is that unless college students wake up daily to the best day of your life, they are somehow outside the expected norm. While a quick comment or two from a once-a-year-relative or family friend, in most cases, won’t cause extreme mental anguish, this idea may place undue stress on already fragile mental states. According to the American Psychological Association, anxiety and depression are the top two mental issues facing students today, with 41 percent of students having felt “intense anxiety” and 36 percent having felt “depressive symptoms” during their college years. Graduation should be the beginning of a different chapter in a person’s life, not the end of one enjoying it. The idea that “these our the best years of our lives” suggests that it does not get

better from here, and that after college there is nothing to look forward to, which is definitely not true. Instead of focusing on making this upcoming year one of the best years of your life, make it a year to learn a new skill, tell yourself one positive self loving affirmation in the mirror every morning or take time out of your schedule (no matter how busy you are) to mediate or relax in some way every week. Make this a good year. Make 2016 a year for better mental health. Surround yourself with positive people and experiences. Take things one step at a time, whether it is a big project or getting up to go to class. Instead of saying, these are the best years of your life, say that you will go into 2016 and make it a good year. If college hasn’t been total bliss, it’s a chance to change and get better because not even half of your life is over, and more is to come.

Ever ything Politics Crossword by Alex Birnel, The Paisano

“I think UTSA will go out and try to find the best coach possible for UTSA. Hopefully, that will be soon, so the coach can get started with spring training. There’s a lot of good candidates out there, probably even from among the coaching staff.” Curt Svoboda, Alumnus

“The team is really young. They can only go up from here.” Aaron Newcomb, Alumnus

“There’s always room for improvement. Maybe with a new head coach, something different will happen. Whether it’s good or bad, I’m still looking forward to what UTSA has in store. The new coach and staff will influence the team’s performance.” Jeremy Sifuentes, Alumnus

Satire

Cats of UTSA

Inspired by the Humans of New York project, Cats of UTSA is an ambitious, one article entry, that provides a glimpse into the lives of the felines that call our campus their home. All photos were provided by UTSA Roadrunner Cat Coalition. Quotes are provided by the cats themselves. Quotes by Rob Avila, The Paisano

“Most humans don’t realize that’s it’s the simple things in life that matter. Like paper plates. Last Thursday, I found a paper plate near the swimming pool at Chaparral. It was delightful. I played with it for hours.

“

“When you are as famous as me, it’s hard just

to be a regular cat without being picked up and hugged. I like to indulge, enjoy myself, bat cricket with my paws underneath the stairway and chase plastic bags around the café. The fame can get to you. Sometimes I just want to roll in the grass and warm my belly in the sun without being photographed and put on Instagram.

“

Across

2. This woman is the 2016 Green Party candidate 4. This person hosts a satirical political commentary program on HBO 7. This is the wealthiest Presidential candidate 8. This was the name of the multinational gathering that took place in Paris in December 2015 to address Global Climate Change 9. Name of the act repealed by President Bill Clinton that separated commercial banks from investment banks 12. This is the only woman participating in the Republican Primaries 13. This is Hilary Clinton’s campaign manager 15. The presidential candidate who describes himself as a “democratic socialist” 16. This presidential candidate recently expained his strategy to combat ISIS by saying “ I don’t know if sand can glow in the dark, but we’re going to find out.” 17 The movement intended to highlight how black lives are institutionally devalued.

Down

1. This is the name of the movement whose goal it is to raise the national minimum wage to $15 2. This national pro-choice group just endorsed Hilary Clinton for President 5. North Korea recently claimed to have detonated this kind of weapon in a nuclear test 6. This is a five-letter acronym and technical name of the Iran Nuclear Agreement 10. This former presidential candidate and Harvard Law professor intended, if elected, to remain in office as long as it took to pass campaign finance reform and then he would resign 11. The group was awarded the International Press Freedom Award in 2015, from the Committee to Protect Journalists. 14. This was the Afghan province in which a U.S bombing recently destroyed a Doctors Without Borders run hospital

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“My dad was a feral and my mom was a domestic. So I would say I’m the best of both worlds.“

“I did not realize how many other animals I

would meet on campus. Raccoons, skunks, squirrels, we all enjoy the same trash can outside the Chili’s. I did not realize how big the world was.

“

“Some people call me a loner because I run

away when they approach me, hiss if they get too close and hide behind thick shrubbery hoping they don’t see me. I would say that I’m just complicated. I love watching students walk to class with their flashy colorful headphones or rolling quickly on one of those unnecessarily long boards.

“

The Roadrunner Cat Coalition (RRCC) is a volunteer university registered faculty and staff organization at UTSA that care for the feral and stray cats living on UTSA Main Campus. Funded solely by donations, the RRCC provide daily feeding, monitoring and care of all campus cats. All cats featured above currently live on campus. Visit utsacats.com to volunteer, donate and adopt campus cats.

ARTS & LIFE

January 8 - January 19, 2016

Best of 2015, best to come in 2016 ALBUMS

CONCERTS Best of 2015 Taylor Swift’s 1989 Though the country-turned-pop-princess didn’t make a stop in San Antonio, it seemed just about everyone knew someone who splurged on the star filled tour. Best to come in 2016 Adele (November 4-5, 2016) Adele has finally returned, giving Austin a two-night stop on her tour list. If you can still manage to get tickets, buy them. Her voice is worth the price.

Rihanna (Friday, November 4, 2016) Riri has never been one to hold back on anything. Instead of pre-gaming to Rihanna, you can see her perform in Austin. Fall Out Boy (Sunday, March 20, 2016) Coming to San Antonio with their signature high energy, pop punk vibes, Fall Out Boy’s concerts are known to be an event where you will lose yourself in the music.

Best of 2015 Kendrick Lamar’s “To Pimp a Butterfly” Exalted for its jazz/rap listening experience, To Pimp a Butterfly was the highlight of music in 2015. Challenging topics of racism, sex and personal contemplation, Lamar was the epitome of spitting the truth. Best to come in 2016 Rihanna’s “ANTI” (2016) The FourFiveSeconds artist’s highly anticipated album will be dropping soon in 2016. The album paired with a recent concert tour announcement should make 2016 the year of Riri.

SA EVENTS Best of 2015 Adult Swim Drive-In This past year, Adult Swim held a national drive-in tour “featuring things you’ve never seen.” The Alamodome event showed unaired episodes and specials of favorite shows along with exclusive content—all free. Best to come in 2016 Alamo City Comic Con (October 28 – 30, 2016) For its fourth year, Alamo City Comic Con will be hosting the largest comic book and pop culture geek-out of the year. Celebrity guests include David Prowes (aka original Star Wars trilogy’s Darth Vader) and Jason David Frank (Power Ranger’s Tommy Oliver).

Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) South (January 29-31, 2016) The international expo dedicated to the video gaming community is setting up shop in San Antonio for a second year. The three-day event will host panels on the video game industry and a variety of gaming tournaments. Think The Roost on steroids. Fiesta (April 14-24, 2016) The colors, nightlife, food — Fiesta never disappoints (except your wallet, maybe). But even going to one event like NIOSA, Oyster Bake or Fiesta San Fernando is a highlight of every San Antonian’s year.

TV SHOWS Best of 2015 Master of None Aziz Ansari’s Netflix Original tackles everything a 20-something can relate to: dating and relationships, sex, racism and — most surprising of all — parents. The 10-episode season has moments of wit, charm, but an unpredictable amount of heart. Best to come in 2016 The X Files Reboot: The X-Files (January 2016) The science-fiction crime drama that first aired in 1993 and ran for nine seasons will air six new episodes this January. Returning to the show is David Duchovny’s character Fox Mulder, a protagonist who was absent for most of the show’s final season. Fans are eager to see the dynamic

Astronomy in the Park Wednesdays 8 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. McAllister Park 13102 Jones Maltsberger Road Every Wednesday (weather permitting) the San Antonio Astronomical Association sets up telescopes in the Lower Bee Tree Soccer Field for a stargazing party. Beer, Bacon and Bingo Thursdays 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. Alamo Beer Company 415 Burnet Street Every Thursday Alamo Beer Company hosts free bingo with prizes while you enjoy a cold beer and bacon. Super RETRO Saturday: Mario Kart 64 Saturday, January 16 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m Game Over Videogames

between Mulder and his partner Dana Scully after they ended the original series in a loving embrace. House of Cards - Season 4 (March 4, 2016) Frank Underwood is back and is counting on your vote with an unexpected commercial debut during the 2015 Republican debate. Expect more drama, cutthroat politics, and whatever Claire Underwood is plotting. Vinyl (February 14, 2016) The ultimate throwback, Vinyl is centered around a 1970s record company president wading though the expanding rock and roll scene, music business, and everything in between. The HBO show plans to be the epitome of sex, drugs and rock and roll.

11654 Bandera Rd, Ste 103 Game Over Videogames hosts the ultimate Mario Kart 64 tournament. 1st and 2nd place winners will be awarded gift card prizes. Bud Light, Battle of the Bands Saturday, January 23 1 p.m. – 7 p.m. Arneson River Theater 418 Villita St, San Antonio, TX 78205 Local San Antonio Bands will be fighting for the “2016 Official Band of the River Walk” crown in this competition. If you wish to participate, entry form deadline is January 13. Mid-Week All-Vinyl Social Wednesdays 8 p.m. – 12 a.m. La Botanica Vegan Restaurant & Bar 2911 N. Saint Mary’s Street Celebrate hump day by listening to DJ Tech Neek and DJ Epsr spin vinyl and night-long drink specials.

Kanye West’s “Swish” (2016) Kanye is putting his finishing touches on this long-awaited album, going as far as to tweet, “…DON’T ASK ME FOR ANYTHING TILL AFTER I’M FINISHED WITH MY ALBUM.” It should be worth the wait. Animal Collective’s “Painting With” (February 19, 2016) Animal Collective has always been open to experimenting with different sounds. In a recent Pitchfork interview, the band described their upcoming album as having “prehistoric” and “caveman-y” vibes.

FOOD Best of 2015 Brunch Breakfast might be considered the most important meal of the day, but brunch ruled as the meal of champions this past year. Day drinking with mimosas was the weekend hotspot, ruling the social media sphere.

have started to take off. The Amazon subsidiary does not currently offer services in San Antonio, but other companies such as Blue Apron, HelloFresh and NatureBox will do healthy grocery shopping for you. While Blue Apron is a splurge, HelloFresh and NatureBox average around $10 a month.

Best to come in 2016 Artisanal coffee The revival of coffee shops remains strong in San Antonio, making coffee into a culinary experience, rather than a quick pick-me-up. Deciphering the coffee world and what one prefers takes a few trial and errors, but once you get into it, it’s hard to stop.

Kombucha Gross guts are out. Healthy guts are in this year. An ancient Chinese beverage that’s making its way into supermarkets, Kombucha, an effervescent black or green tea, has undergone fermentation and is believed to have many health benefits such as boosting immune systems, improving digestion and even lessening or eliminating symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Food Delivery With the announcement of AmazonFresh back in 2013, food delivery systems

IT O

ADM

MOVIES

Best of 2015 Mad Max Fury Road Considered by many a beautiful masterpiece of fire, dust and Charlize Theron— Mad Max Fury Road was the action movie of the year. Best to come in 2016 Suicide Squad (August 5, 2016) Though Suicide Squad is still a few months away, the hype has been high — namely around Jared Leto as The Joker. The movie centers around a group of supervillians, Task Force X, working for the U.S. government, carrying out dangerous missions in return for reduced prison sentences.

Deadpool (February 12, 2016) Ryan Reynolds takes a crack at being a superhero again as Wade Wilson in Deadpool. The eighth installment of the X-Men series centers around Wilson, who, after an experiment in an effort to cure his cancer, is left with supernatural abilities as he hunts down the man who’s wronged him. Star Wars VIII (December 2016) The Star Wars universe is nowhere near finished. Currently there are few details about the latest installment, but it is bound to be a prominent 2016 movieviewing experience.

Free Movie Night Thursdays @ 7 p.m. Bijou Cinema 4522 Fredericksburg Road San Antonio, TX 78201 Every Thursday, Bijou Cinema has a free moving showing, giving out tickets on a first come, first serve basis. There are only 200, so act fast! Find the movie schedule at www.santikos.com Comedy Open Mic & Showcase Thursdays @ 9:30 p.m Concrete Jungle 1628 S. Presa Street Every Thursday have a laugh at the comedy open mic night in the popular Southtown tiki lounge, Concrete Jungle. Fancy yourself a comedian? Sign up.

in January

SPORTS {Sports Events} Thursday, Jan. 7 Women’s basketball W, 54-52 at home The women’s basketball team earned their first conference win of the season at home against UAB on Thursday. Tesha Smith’s buzzer beater with one tenth of a second remaining clinched the win for the Roadrunners.

Men’s Basketball L, 104-82 at UAB UTSA junior J.R. Harris scored 36 points in the men’s team’s 104-82 road loss to UAB. Harris set a school record by connecting on 10 of 14 three-pointers.

Saturday, Jan. 9 Women’s basketball 2 p.m. (home) vs. Middle Tennessee The women’s team will look to improve their conference record to 2-2 with a win over the Middle Tennessee Lightning. Tipoff is at 2 p.m. at the Convocation Center.

January 8 - January 19, 2016

Coker’s resignation raises questions UTSA FOOTBALL Brady T. Phelps Sports Editor

@bradytphelps sports@paisano-online.com On Tuesday, Jan. 7, UTSA Director of Athletics and Associate Vice President Lynn Hickey held a press conference and announced the resignation of Larry Coker, the university’s first football coach. This news immediately followed reports from Football Scoop that Associate Athletic Director Shane Elder and Defensive Coordinator Neal Neathery will be leaving UTSA to accept jobs at Eastern Michigan University. Just last month, Offensive Coordinator Kevin Brown was relieved of his duties, and special teams coordinator and safeties coach Perry Eliano left to become Bowling Green’s defensive coordinator. The odd timing and manner in which this resignation was made public brings up questions that may only be answered when Coker decides to address the media. First, why isn’t Coker speaking? Hickey was the sole mes-

senger at the press conference, and when inquired about Coker’s absence, she simply replied that it was an emotional time and that it, “was his decision.” What is the reason for Coker’s decision? When asked why Larry Coker resigned from his position and pressed for details, Hickey repeated the same refrain: that there were many factors involved, that Coker thought it was the best thing for the program, and that respecting Coker’s privacy was a priority. “There are a lot of factors that were involved, and I really want to respect his privacy and not get into the details and specifics,” said Hickey. “I can guarantee you that, first of all, it was a very personal decision. It was a very difficult decision. But his decision was based on the commitment and

Lynn Hickey addresses the media to deliver the news of Larry Coker’s resignation.

caring he has for this program.” Jerry Briggs of the San Antonio Express-News reported on Wed, Jan. 6 that Coker underwent hip replacement surgery after the conclusion of the season. Whether or not Coker’s decision is health-related is unclear, but that would certainly explain Hickey’s rattled demeanor and insistence on respecting Coker’s privacy. When did Coker make his decision? Hickey admitted in her press conference that she did not even consider Cok-

Men’s basketball 3 p.m. (away) at Middle Tennessee The men’s team will also be looking for their second conference win when they play Middle Tennessee on the road. A win on Saturday would improve their conference record to 2-2.

Caroline Traylor, The Paisano

er’s resignation a possibility upon the conclusion of the season. And the early December firing of Kevin Brown, former offensive coordinator, suggests that Coker himself thought he would be here to find Brown’s replacement. How long has Hickey known about Coker’s decision, and why did she wait until the news leaked to address the public? “We had this great timeline today,” Hickey stated with a chuckle. “Because there was one little message that got out, it kind of messed up our structure.” What are the expected events that comprise this timeline Hickey mentioned, and why did the public reveal of Coker’s resignation spoil those plans? Where will UTSA football go from here? Hickey did state that UTSA Athletics will use a third-party search firm to help fill the position quickly, as there are two important dates approaching within the month. The first is Jan. 14, when UTSA recruiters are allowed to resume contact with potential signees. The second is Feb. 3, the NCAA’s National Signing Day. Presumably, once the head coaching position is filled, it will be the responsibility of the new hire to fill out his staff. Although Hickey stated that Defensive Coordinator Neal Neathery has not officially left his position at UTSA, it is reasonable to expect that he will move

on to another position elsewhere. Hickey stated confidently that having the position filled in the next 10 to 12 days is within the realm of possibility. “The great asset that we have is that this is a great job. We’re not going to have a problem hiring a coach,” she declared. Hickey seemed sure that the timing of this decision will not be an obstacle to hiring a suitable successor. But what about the money? Will UTSA be ready to pay a premium for a highquality coach? It is unlikely that Hickey stumbles across another high-profile, experienced coach who is willing to work for the money Coker earned last year. According to footballhotseat.com, Coker’s $425,000 salary was tied for fourth-lowest among FBS schools. Former Texas Longhorn quarterback and current Houston Offensive Coordinator Major Applewhite is one example of a name that’s being thrown around as a potential candidate for this position, but UTSA will have to pay up if they want to draw him away from Houston. Even if the timing is not an issue, there is a very real possibility that UTSA struggles to find a strong candidate that fits within their budget. How UTSA handles this regime change will likely have lasting effects on the football program and Hickey’s legacy as a Roadrunner.

On a list of NBA players with the best defensive efficiency ratings – omitting any player who has played fewer than 15 games – 12 Spurs appear in the top 20. Thanks to some rising stars injecting the team

with energy, the guidance of future Hall of Fame veterans and the tact of the best coaching staff in the NBA, the Spurs are once again quietly proving themselves as the best in the West.

Spurs’ defense dominates December Jeff Huehn, UTSA Athletics

SPORTS COMMENTARY Brady T. Phelps Sports Editor

@bradytphelps sports@paisano-online.com Like all major team sports, basketball analytics are on the rise, and the 2015-16 Spurs are absolute analytical darlings. The traditional method of measuring offensive potency and defensive consistency by points per game is out the window as offensive and defensive ratings have become more common. These stats are often called “efficiency ratings” because they measure scoring and prevention rates rather than point totals, and they have become some of the most useful stats for measuring team proficiency on both sides of the ball. Using raw points per game to indicate offensive or defensive proficiency can be problematic because every team plays at a different pace. Pace is a statistic that represents the number of pos-

sessions per game. Teams with lower pace can be expected to score less because they have less opportunity to score, and vice-versa. Disparities in scoring opportunities due to differences in pace can skew traditional scoring statistics, so offensive ratings provide for better analysis by making pace a non-factor. Offensive efficiency indicates the number of points a team scores per 100 possessions. Defensive efficiency indicates the number of points a team allows per 100 possessions. Net efficiency

is the difference between the two. In December 2015, the Spurs posted a net efficiency of 20.4, a higher rating than any team has earned in a single month over the past 19 years. This stretch of games earned Head Coach Gregg Popovich the commendation of Western Conference Coach of the Month, an honor he claims not to care about even a little bit. Kawhi Leonard, last year’s defensive player of the year, was the Spurs’ best player through December. His 90.6

Rookie center Boban Marjanovic nets against the Washington Wizards.

NBAE/Getty Images

defensive rating led the team in both categories, and now that he’s the league’s most efficient 3-point shooter, he’s a weapon from everywhere in the offensive zone. Another player with an interesting stat line is recent addition Boban Marjanovic, a 7-foot-3 center from Serbia. Marjanovic’s sample size is small because he has averaged only seven minutes per game over 21 games. But so far, his net efficiency is tenth among all NBA players who have played 15 or more games. He has also brought down 25 percent of the total rebounds in his time on the court, a higher percentage than any player in the league. Those stats are likely to level out when he starts playing more minutes, but it’s undeniable that Marjanovic is a dominant player every time he’s on the court. On the season, the Spurs are leading the league with a 95.79 defensive rating, over 5 points better than the next-best team.

Coach Popovich strategizes with small forward Kawhi Leonard. Both player and coach were recognized by the NBA for their performances in December.

NBAE/Getty Images

SPORTS

January 8 - January 19, 2016

Rampage lose 10 straight at home

San Antonio slides to sixth in Pacific Division RAMPAGE HOCKEY

Brady T. Phelps Sports Editor

Side Notes Rockin’ Rantanen On Jan. 5, Rampage rookie Mikko Rantanen captained the Finnish team to a gold medal at the International Ice Hockey Federation’s annual World Junior Championship. It was the Finnish team’s second gold medal in three years in the under-20 category. This year’s tournament was hosted in Helsinki, Finland. Rantanen had 2 goals and 3 assists in 7 games at the tournament. He scored a goal with 2:09 left in regulation of the game and the Finns won 4-3 in overtime Rantanen was honored as the team’s player of the game. When he returns to the AHL this weekend, he will look to continue a sevengame road scoring streak in which he has 12 points. On Jan. 7, Rantanen was chosen to represent the Rampage at the 2016 AHL All-Star Game.

@bradytphelps sports@paisano-online.com When the Fall semester ended, the Rampage were on top of not only the Pacific Division, but also the entire American Hockey League. The Rampage ended November with a .607 winning percentage and 17 out of a possible 28 points (14 gp, 6-3-5). They were fortunate to have earned five extra points in the standings by losing five games in overtime. “Loser Points” — the points teams earn when they lose in overtime — could not salvage December, when the Rampage lost nine of 12 games and earned only seven of a possible 24 points for a win percentage of .292. This slide down the standings has left them in sixth place out of seven in their division. The team ranks dead-last in shots against per game and in the bottom third in both shots for and goals against per game. Their power play, at fourth in the league, is proficient, but their penalty kill is among the league’s worst. These struggles may be new to Spurs Sports and Entertainment, but not to the Colorado Avalanche organization. The hockey statistics community often points to the 2013-14 Avalanche team

as a prime example of unsustainable success. In the spring of 2014 — just one year after finishing last in their division, winning the draft lottery and firing their coach — the Avs finished on top of their division with 52 wins. It seemed like a truly miraculous turnaround. But with the Avs’ sudden success came questions about sustainability. Advanced possession metrics and traditional stats alike suggested that the Avs were plagued by an inability to consistently create and suppress offense. They also benefitted from abnormally high shooting and save percentages that were bound to regress to the mean. Likewise, so far this season, the Rampage have taken roughly six fewer shots per game than they have allowed, which puts them on pace for a negative-400 shot differential. The league average shooting percentage can be used to estimate that this disparity will cost them roughly 40 goals over the course of the season — over half a goal per game. If half a goal per game doesn’t sound significant, consider that only .57 goals per game separated the teams that ranked fifth and 27th in that category last season. There are concerns that the Rampage’s struggles are indicative of structural de-

ficiencies across the whole organization, but Coach Chynoweth doesn’t think the parent club’s deficiencies are the problem. “It’s not a system thing. Right now, we’re weak down the middle – the center ice position – in the sense of winning faceoffs,” Chynoweth explained. “They’re working at it, but right now it’s not good enough.” But parallels can certainly be drawn between the Avalanche and Rampage. Both teams’ inability to suppress offense and create offense of

their own is evident. Perhaps the most troubling aspect of this slump is the Rampage’s inability to win at the AT&T Center; they have not won at home since Nov. 17. They have lost the last 10 games played in their own building while being outscored 36 to 22 and outshot by an average of almost eight shots per game. “I’m sure the fans want to see us get on the road,” quipped Rampage Head Coach Dean Chynoweth when asked about a mid-

KEEP

December road trip. “We haven’t given them anything to cheer about here, which is sad.” Winning at home is especially important for teams in “non-traditional” hockey markets. The Rampage finished seventh last season in average attendance, but at this point in the current season, they sit at 17th in the league. If the Rampage want to return to a spot among the league’s top draws, they need to find their way back into the win column soon.

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