Vol. 65, Issue 1

THE PAISANO

Independent Student Newspaper for the University of Texas at San Antonio Community

/PaisanoOnline /ThePaisano @ThePaisano @PaisanoMedia

50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade spurs demonsrations on both sides

Pro-choice protest held in downtown

By Gauri Raje News Editor

On the eve of Roe v. Wade’s 50th anniversary, the San Antonio March for Life took place at the Main Plaza in downtown San Antonio. The event occurred six months after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.

Chants of “Texas is pro-life” were repeated as the event began with a prayer from the chairman for San Antonio March for Life and followed by the National Anthem. The chairman also called on the crowd to “defeat” the San Antonio Justice Charter, which includes decriminalization of abortion.

The first speaker at the event was senior Galaxy Acton, the president of Students for Life at UTSA.

“We love participating in any pro-life march and also any counter-protest because it’s important for everyone to know that the prolife generation is here — we’re not silent, and there’s a good amount of us,” Acton said.

At the event, Acton spoke about what it is like to be a prolife student facing harassment for her beliefs. Acton elaborated on one such experience which was met with a lukewarm response from UTSA admin.

“Regarding this incident of [oncampus harassment], it’s been reported … [we were both present] at the meetings to give our side, provide the evidence, everything, just for us to be told … ‘You’re still out tabling. Obviously, you don’t feel [threatened], obviously, you don’t feel harassed,’” Acton said. “And, you know, that’s hurtful because, at the end of the day, we’ve been saying, ‘Parents need us, and I’m not gonna be quiet because I’m being yelled at or ‘cause I’m being called names.’ Someone needs me.”

According to Acton, Students for Life America has been helping the oncampus chapter. The former has sent a letter to UTSA regarding the incident, to which a response is still pending.

“[It also hurts the pro-life movement] because we’ve had people say, ‘I don’t wanna join because of the hate that you receive.’ We’ve had people leave because of mental health reasons, because of this,” Acton added.

Access to abortion, as it stands now, is prohibited in the state of Texas. This

includes a ban on all abortions past the six-week mark and a trigger law that makes performing an abortion a felony punishable by up to life in prison.

Similar bans have been enacted in other states across the U.S.

Pedro Björn Ovin Suarez, vice president for Students for Life at UTSA, responded to the notion that, given this near-total abortion ban, America as a country is headed in a backward direction. Suarez said that the pro-life movement “realizes that abortion is a violent and traumatic experience both for the pre-born obviously and for the mother as well.”

“When people say that we’re going back to past times, I really don’t think so,” Suarez said.

By Gauri Raje News Editor

the effects of the Supreme Court ruling last year.

One of the first speakers at the event was Vanessa Canauhtli, a member of Mujeres Marcharán and Autonomous Brown Berets De San Anto. Canauhtli emphasized the fact that the Democratic party “does not have the power to legalize abortion in Texas.”

“What they need is a mass mobilization of people just like you — people committed to the everyday work of connecting people of all backgrounds [who] struggle under the brutality of white supremacy, capitalism and patriarchy,” Canauhtli said. “An alternative power structure, so huge, so loud and well supported that they cannot ignore us and they have to hear our demands.”

Canauhtli also highlighted the importance of demanding the right to abortion and putting pressure on the government, adding that activism is not an easy

participate in an abortion rights protest. The protest was a part of several of its kind held in cities around Texas, including Austin, Houston, Dallas and Waco, collectively termed “Texas Day of Action.” The event in San Antonio was hosted by Mujeres Marcharán, Sueños Sin Fronteras, AVOW, R.E.D. Moon Project and the Party for Socialism and Liberation.

In September of 2021, a law banning abortions after the six-week mark was enacted in Texas. The law also allowed private citizens to sue abortion providers and anyone who helps a pregnant individual get an abortion. After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in August of last year, the state’s trigger law, which made performing an abortion a felony punishable by up to life in prison, also went into effect.

The event, which took place on Sunday, Jan. 22, featured speakers from organizations and individuals that have been actively fighting for the right to legal abortion in the state of Texas following the aforementioned ban and

“There are risks, there are friends and loved ones who will leave, but in their place, you will gain comrades, and a comrade is a true partner in struggle, who sees the same light in you and brings you new joy,” Canauhtli said. “It is with this spirit which will guide us through these dark, dystopian times.”

Read the full article at paisano-online.com

New $91.8 million facility home to UTSA’s School of Data Science

By Gauri Raje News Editor

On Jan. 9, 2023, UTSA inaugurated San Pedro I, which houses the new School of Data Science and the National Security Collaboration Center. The new building, located at 506 Dolorosa St., is a part of the university’s larger efforts to expand its downtown presence.

IBM describes data science as a discipline that “combines math and statistics, specialized programming, advanced analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning with specific subject matter expertise to uncover actionable insights hidden in an organization’s data.”

Despite being a relatively new field, data science is one of the fastest-growing industry in the nation. The U.S. Bureau

of Labor Statistics lists the job outlook for the field as being “much faster than average,” with a projected growth of 36 percent from 2021 to 2031.

Given the growth of data science and its increasing importance, President Eighmy highlighted the unique

the university has an obligation to advance equity, develop the workforce of the future and drive the economy of San Antonio and Texas as a whole.

Canauhtli’s speech was followed by chants of “legalize abortion once and for all.”

The crowd then welcomed the next speaker of the event, Rockie Gonzalez, who serves as deputy director at the Austin Justice Coalition. Gonzalez also co-founded the Frontera Fund, which is an abortion fund serving the Rio Grande Valley and is the founder of the R.E.D. Moon project.

Read the full article at paisano-online.com

Engagement in UTSA’s film and media program led by student urgency

government, university, industry and national security ecosystem here in San Antonio at the opening ceremony.

Eighmy went on to state that

“San Pedro I is so much more than a new building; it’s a testament to UTSA’s commitment to serve San Antonio, especially our Downtown community, around these incredible national security and data science ecosystems that we have here in San Antonio,” Eighmy said. “We have the opportunity to educate and prepare the next generation of data science leaders … especially from the equity lens that is core to who we are at UTSA...”

By Mason Hickok Editor-in-Chief

It started in a GroupMe

In the days leading up to the start of the fall 2022 semester, students in the forthcoming film and media program were hard at work to start a club. Finally, in mid-October, the Entertainment and Film Club formally held its first meeting.

Club president Noah Reyes described how students were communicating in the Film and Media GroupMe about wanting to start a club as soon as possible.

The group went to Student Activities and began the logistical process of registering a student organization.

“We just kind of came together and put all [of] our ideas together,” Reyes said. “[We] assigned our positions based on what we think would work the best, and we tried to

enforce what would become the Entertainment and Film Club.”

Reyes hopes that people joining the club can find a sense of community and diversity.

“[We hope] other people bring their own experiences and own knowledge to the table, and we can learn from each other,” Reyes said. “And who knows, somebody may find their future career, which could set them on a really good path in life.”

To learn and to create

Vice President Emily Flores described what the early days of the club looked like and the conversations with the officers on what structure the club should take.

“We talked about our motto [and] what we wanted the club to look like,” Flores said. “People wanted to learn, and they also wanted to create; so we came up with ‘to learn and to create.’”

President Taylor Eighmy speaks at the opneing of San Pedro I

UTSA Courtesy Photo

the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, pro-choice citizens from

Pro-life movement takes to the street s

Dustin Vickers/The Paisano

“We love participating in any pro-life march and also any counter-protest because it’s important for people to know that the pro-life generation is here ...”

“There are risks, there are friends and loved ones who will leave, but in their place, you will gain com- rades, and a comrade is a true partner in struggle...”

UTSA

Last week, The UTSA College of Liberal and Fine Arts (COLFA) hosted a grand opening and open house for their new Student Success Center, created to provide students with a one-stop-shop for academic and professional resources. Some of the resources available include workshops, internships, conferences and even peer mentoring. It is located in the Mckinney Humanities Building (MH 376) on the main campus. Students can RSVP on RowdyLink.

The University Career Center (UCC) has launched the Iris Booth, a 20-squarefoot headshot booth with professional lighting and studio equipment for students, faculty and alumni to use at no charge. The photo booth is located on the second floor of the Student Union in front of the University Career Center (SU 2.02.04) and is open during regular Student Union hours.

Texas

Two weeks ago, Texas prisoners around the state began a hunger strike in protest of the state’s harsh solitary confinement procedures. However, as of last Thursday, the number of prisoners who were still participating in the strike dropped to 38. In November, prison officials reported more than 500 prisoners who had been in solitary confinement for at least a decade.

U.S.

The family of the 6-year-old who shot his first-grade teacher in Newport News, Va., has publicly spoken about the incident for the first time. On Thursday, the parents released a statement that said their son has an “acute disability” and was under a care plan that required parental accompaniment at school. The parents, who claim the week of the shooting was the first time their son was at school unsupervised, say they “will regret [their] absence on this day for the rest of [their] lives.” They claim the firearm was “secured,” although they did not specify where or how.

World

Earlier this month, Australian park ranger Kylee Gray discovered an enormous, record-breaking toad — dubbed “Toadzilla” — while on patrol in the Conway National Park rainforest in Queensland. The six-pound amphibian is a cane toad, an invasive species that poses a threat to Australia’s natural ecosystem. The previous record for the largest toad was set in Sweden at 5.8 pounds.

Video games owned by U.S. developer Blizzard — including World of Warcraft, Overwatch and Hearthstone — will no longer be available in China as of midnight local time on Tuesday. The games are scheduled to go offline on Chinese networks due to a disagreement between the developer and their local partner, NetEase. According to Blizzard, they are exploring alternative partners and have saved all user data in the event that Blizzard’s Chinese servers become available once again.

State of the City— Week of 01/24/2023

By Jessica McLaren Assistant News Editor

The city of Cibolo, which resides just outside the northeast border of San Antonio, will be getting its first H-E-B grocery store this week. The 110,000- square-foot store will include H-E-B Curbside, home delivery and a drive-thru pharmacy. This location will also include the new H-E-B Brand store, which features H-E-B merchandise such as stickers, coffee mugs and clothing.

The Cibolo store, located at 850 FM 1103, will open its doors to customers at 6 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 25.

Harlandale Independent School District (HISD), which services schools in the southside of San Antonio, is considering changing its attendance policies to require just four days of school each week. According to an interview with HISD spokesperson Mariana Veraza, the proposal was initiated in an effort to retain and recruit educators. The current proposition is to require that students attend school Tuesday through Friday for an extra 20 minutes to account for the lost instructional day. Schools in the district would also start a week early, on Aug. 8, and end a week later, on June 6. If passed, the new policy will go into effect for the 2023-2024 school year, making HISD the first school district in Bexar County to enact a four-day school week.

In November, Walgreens and CVS pharmacies announced they would provide five billion dollars in settlements to local governments affected by the opioid crisis. Attorney General Ken Paxton shared that $276 million of the settlement with CVS had been allocated for Texas, including both Bexar County and San Antonio, respectively. This month, $2.2

“... Let’s keep our educated workforce here in San Antonio, serving our friends and partners.”

UTSA is one of five schools in the nation with a school of data science. It is the only Hispanic Serving Institution to have an entire school dedicated to the discipline. During his opening speech, President Eighmy took a moment to thank all the individuals who were instrumental in making San Pedro I a reality, many of whom attended Monday’s opening ceremony.

Graham Weston, the founder of Rackspace, also took to the podium to reiterate the importance of San Pedro I and the new school in making San Antonio a hub for data science.

“There are days where change happens in a big way and today’s one of those days, and you’re here for that,” Weston said. “This is going to be one of

million of the settlement money was received by the county and was used to purchase 2,000 doses — 20 months worth — of Narcan for Bexar County deputies. According to Sheriff Javier Salazar, 51 deputies saved lives last year by using the nasal spray to reverse an overdose. Bexar County has allocated more than $33.6 million towards opioid-related programs such as crisis intervention and housing programs. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, you can call the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for a referral to a treatment or a support center.

Last week, a building materials store in Leicester, England, ranked the Alamodome as the ninth ugliest building in the United States, just after the Thompson Center in Chicago, Il. The study, which analyzed design-related tweets about various ‘ugly’ buildings around the world, labeled the J. Edgar Hoover Building in Washington D.C. as the ugliest building in the U.S. and the Scottish Parliament Building in Edinburgh, Scotland as the ugliest in the world.

The Dollar Tree, located off of Culebra and Zarzamora, has reportedly installed noise machines to deter solicitors from hanging around outside of the store after hours. According to a manager, the machine was added for safety reasons, as the staff consists of mostly women. After the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) received a noise complaint regarding the high-pitched ring, a district manager told them that the sound is within city ordinances and thus the machine is legal. SAPD informed the person who placed the complaint that this may be an issue for the city council.

the best places and one of the biggest places that data scientists will be found. They’ll be born right here, within this 100 square feet … UT San Antonio is already renowned around the world for its cybersecurity, but

Flores described that, at its core, the club believes in working together.

“There [are] a lot of things that I think we all bring and we all get to do together,” Flores said. “This club is a perfect example of students just coming together and building something beautiful.”

Students can expect activities all semester from the Entertainment and Film Club.

The club meets in room 3.01.28 in the McKinney Humanities building on the Main Campus. Considered the “film production hub,” there are several adjoining rooms, including their equipment space.

The club meets two days a week. Monday meetings consist of a workshop or lesson, and Wednesday is an opportunity for students to exercise what they had previously learned.

“Wednesdays are definitely my favorite days; they are production days,” Reyes said. “I feel the most peace when I am working on something.”

The fact that the club met twice a week during their first semester was impressive. But, for Club Advisor and Film/ Media Program Director Dr. Paul Ardoin, it came down to urgency from the students.

“They have just done an incredible amount in one semester,” Dr. Ardoin said.

“They meet twice a week, which is bonkers compared to most clubs. They teach each other things … and they make films together.”

The splitting of the meetings mirrors the film and media program’s different focuses for prospective students. There are courses for those interested in history and theory, while there are also courses for those interested in hands-on production.

The Santikos partnership

On November 30, 2022, student filmmakers participated in the film festival experience: their projects were put to the big screen. The program’s partnership with the local theater chain Santikos has proved to be an indispensable relationship. A fall screening was held at the Palladium movie theater and showcased films from students

at UTSA, SAY Sí, the Alamo Colleges District and the North East School of the Arts.

Vivien Pachecano, a senior majoring in film and media studies, was one of several UTSA students who showed her first film at the screening. Pachecano, like many students, took film-adjacent courses before the program was officially offered to students last fall. Taking a Digital Video Production course taught by Adam Rocha — the founder of the San Antonio Film Festival — allowed her to make and screen her first short film, “Hong Kong Garden.”

Pachecano believes the partnership between Santikos and the film and media program is critical to student success.

“UTSA and Santikos just want to make students and education its top priority,” Pachecano said. “So giving students the opportunity to have something to look forward to, and have their films screened, is so cathartic in a way.”

Students entering the film program can now see a concept from start to finish through screenwriting and production courses. And, by way of collaboration and networking, that film might end up on the big screen.

To the future

While still in its infancy, the film and media program is already equipping students with a working knowledge of history, production and experience. Recently, MovieMaker.com named San Antonio as a top city to live in and work as a filmmaker. For UTSA students venturing into work postcollege, it is essential to have a foundation. This club and this program are giving students that opportunity.

Reyes believes the second semester will build off the foundation from the first semester.

“If the first semester was student-based, building each other up, [then] the second semester is like the sequel everyone loves.” Reyes said. Check out the Entertainment and Film Club’s Instagram for information on meetings and events.

access

data science is so much bigger — it is a bigger scope, it is a bigger discipline and together with cybersecurity, it becomes so much stronger.”

to highlight the importance of democratizing data in a similar way.

“Data science can help to solve global systemic challenges ... [but] only if done right,” Stewart said. “Just like we saw with the Gutenberg press, [it is important] that we democratize data and data science, that we make it available [and accessible] to all … because when that happens, it creates a pathway for the digitalization of knowledge for everyone.”

“I believe that UTSA and [its] School of Data Science is poised to make an impact, not just in San Antonio but around the world,” Stewart added.

UTSA’s downtown expansion will continue as the focus now switches to the planning of the new $161.2 million Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Careers building, which will be known as San Pedro II.

Photo courtesy of Max Acosta

The new San Pedro I located at 506 Dolorosa St.

The opening ceremony ended with a presentation by the event’s keynote speaker, Dr. Uyi Stewart, chief data and technology officer at data.org. Through his speech, Stewart talked about the unequal

to data that is prevalent in the developing world. He drew on the example of the Gutenberg press and its role in democratizing knowledge

Chloe Williams/The Paisano

UTSA Courtesy Photo

Officers Emily Flores and Ireland Robinson discussing the film, “In the Mood for Love” during a meeting.

Continued San Pedro

Restricting the press restricts democracy OPINION

Editorial

The Texas Legislature, which commenced its biannual session earlier this month, announced that it would continue a measure from the COVID-19 pandemic that protected members of the legislature. The measure was originally enacted in 2021 and barred reporters from attending sessions on the legislature’s floor, according to the Texas Tribune. Originally reported in a tweet by investigative reporter Lauren McGaughy from the Dallas Morning News, McGaughy released a statement she had received from Secretary of the Senate Patsy Spaw.

“There are no changes from last session,” Spaw wrote. “There is no floor seating for the press.” The statement then continues to outline the restrictions placed on the press that were levied during the 2021 legislative session which designates them to sit in the gallery on the third floor, while legislators conduct their business on the second floor.

While this measure was largely understandable during the 2021 legislative session due to the extraneous circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, this devel-

Roe v. Wade lives on

Commentary

By Laynie Clark Managing Editor

In 1973, the United States Supreme Court made a historic ruling in the case of Roe v. Wade, which decriminalized abortion. This ruling protected women and gave them the choice to access a safe and legal abortion. Now, 50 years later, we are back to square one. As the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade is upon us, we are reminded of the disappointing decision that was made in 2022, one that has irrevocably altered the state of women’s rights. The overturning of Roe v. Wade was a violent act against women and their autonomy, and on this anniversary, women are speaking up about it.

Women’s marches are taking place nationwide to express their concern about the controversial decision. In San Antonio, activists organized a pro-choice rally at the federal courthouse to mourn the loss of Roe v. Wade. While it is saddening that so many women need to fight for basic reproductive rights, it is also empowering to know that women will not surrender themselves to the discriminatory agenda of white male government officials. There are already measures in the healthcare system that mitigate those decisions.

According to the Food and Drug Administration, pregnancies can be terminated by mifepristone through a ten-week gestation. The tablet must be prescribed by a healthcare provider that meets the criteria set by the Mifepristone Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy program. The program relies on a trusted patient-to-provider relationship.

While mifepristone is available to Texans, retail services such as CVS and Walgreens must have a prescription from a patient’s healthcare provider. If the patient meets the right criteria, they can receive the prescription for medication abortion by attending a virtual appointment. This is a much more sustainable option than driving to the nearest state where abortion is legal.

What women need now is action, solidarity and safety. While the pills are a very small step in the right direction, we cannot stop there. We must push and advocate for more equality and start making more demands. The overturning of Roe v. Wade was a massive setback for the abortion rights movement, but the solidarity shown on this 50th anniversary is inspiring. The movement is alive and well and will continue to fight for the reproductive rights of women across the nation.

Commentary

By Nate Henneke Staff Writer

TikTok has changed the landscape of social media for the worse. The massive number of users on the platform have provided the Chinese company Bytedance with a surplus of personal data that they can sell to whomever they please. Due to this, Governor Greg Abbott has decided to ban TikTok on all government-owned computers, cell phones and networks in hopes of

opment has come under harsh criticism for remaining in place during the current session. The motives of this move have come into question as well, with the notion that Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick — who is also the President of the Texas Legislature — has come out publicly against other forms of COVID-19 prevention measures, such as vaccination requirements. In a tweet from 2021, Patrick famously stated that “taking the COVID vax is a personal decision [and] should never be

forced upon by the state or a private employer.” Why is the legislature taking measures to ensure their personal safety from reporters while not promoting safety in other public settings?

These measures could very well represent the start of a movement within the legislature to limit the reach and coverage of the press. While the relationship between the press and the legislature is strenuous in nature, citizens everywhere rely on the press to report on the dealings of our representatives. They should not be restricted from conveying that information to the public. Our government should not operate behind closed doors without oversight from the citizens it represents.

As citizens, we cannot idly stand by while our legislature places needless limitations on the press and must demand their discontinuation. You can find the contact information for your local representative’s office at https://house.texas.gov/members/ and https://senate. texas.gov/members.php.

Embracing the whole message

Commentary

By Jada Thomas Staff Writer

When people reminisce on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., several things come to mind: the bus boycotts, the march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, his “Letter from Birmingham Jail” and most notably, the March on Washington, where he delivered his acclaimed “I Have a Dream” speech. In the decades since King delivered this iconic address on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, citizens and leaders across the country have embraced it as a message calling for peace — one that encourages those of different races to unite against racism and inequality. This very interpretation of King’s speech has caused people to view him as a pacifist — someone who believes violence is unjustifiable — and believe that his message was merely about nonviolence when in reality, it was immensely more radical than that.

Despite his modern day portrayal as a pacifist, King’s ideals and beliefs were practically unheard of during his time, making him significantly more radical than the way history likes to remember him. A work of his that fully displays this progressivism, and is arguably a highlight of his career, is his “Letter from Birmingham Jail.” In the

letter, King condemns white supremacy for the evil that it is and expresses why urgency is the only option to combat it, according to an article from Vox. King also condemns what he refers to as the “white moderate,” stating that their complacency in white supremacy and desire to maintain the status quo was a significant threat to civil liberties and Black advancement. At a time when Black people were expected to accept their inferiority in society, King’s willingness to call out his oppressors and their role in racial injustice was a blatant display of radicalism. However, aside from his Liberal views regarding race relations in America during the 1960s, King also had profound ideas about topics like class and war. According to the previously mentioned Vox article, King was heavily involved in the Poor People’s Campaign in the years leading up to his assassination. The goal of this campaign was to achieve economic justice for impoverished Americans, which was a subject of great passion for King. This is made more evident by the fact that King’s last act before his death was a trip to Memphis to support the sanitation workers’ strike there. Given this, it is clear that King was a champion of economic equality and racial equality, which was also revolutionary for his era.

A final testament to King’s radicalism is the fact that he heavily opposed the war in Vietnam, which set him apart from several of his colleagues at the

time. Throughout the Vietnam War, King repeatedly condemned America’s role in the conflict. In a speech titled “Beyond Vietnam,” King stated, “Now, it should be incandescently clear that no one who has any concern for the integrity and life of America today can ignore the present war. If America’s soul becomes totally poisoned, part of the autopsy must read: Vietnam. It can never be saved so long as it destroys the deepest hopes of men the world over.” King’s anti-war stance was yet another progressive belief he held that has been forgotten in his legacy.

King was assassinated in 1968, and it took 15 years until Martin Luther King Jr. Day became a federal holiday in 1983. His words have been invoked every year since the holiday was established to preach an idea of harmony and love for those who are different from us; however, in order to completely honor King, people need not only champion the watered-down parts of his messages that display him as a pacifist. In order to truly uphold King’s legacy, people must embrace all parts of his message — the anti-racist parts along with the anti-capitalist and anti-war aspects. Only by embracing the entirety of King’s message, of what he believed and fought for, will America’s annual celebration of his life and legacy feel genuine.

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Texas takes on TikTok

increasing security on state networks. While Abbott has made many questionable decisions during his time as Governor of Texas, this decision is the right one. The security of the state’s data is worth more than college students being able to watch the latest dance trend.

Without restrictions, potentially sensitive information can be directly viewed by the Communist Party of China (CCP).

In a quote from Governor Abbott, “the company [TikTok] admitted in a letter to Congress that China-based employees

can have access to U.S. data.” This is a good example of how easily the Chinese government could gain access to the data of U.S. citizens.

Protecting the personal data of both students and faculty from being used by the CCP should be praised. Now that all state schools in Texas have to restrict TikTok, it is clear that this ban should be a nationwide policy. Many Texans think Abbott should be focusing on more pressing problems, like abortion, gun control or the power grid. While those

are good points, preventing “a trove of potentially sensitive information” from falling into the hands of the CCP is crucial to national security.

Increasing the online safety of networks should be near the top of any government’s priority list because if citizens’ data can be harvested by foreign entities, there could be serious consequences. So instead of complaining about how Abbott ruined your favorite pastime in lectures, be thankful China is not looking at all of your personal data.

Kara Lee/The Paisano

Dustin Vickers/The Paisano

OPINION

Is AI art acceptable? The Paisano

Editorial Board

By Sam Wendorf Staff Writer

There has been a recent trend within the art community: art produced by artificial intelligence (AI). Programs like DeepAI and Craiyon can take images or phrases and produce illustrations inspired by the input. For instance, a picture of a person in a messy bedroom can be easily transformed into a prince surrounded by finery by plugging the original picture and a few extra words into one of these programs.

While this can be a helpful tool for people with no experience, it prompts an important question: Is AI-created work truly art?

Most of the art community would agree it is not. Art comes from the heart and soul — there is thought behind every line and every stroke of the brush, and no computer program can match the true masters of the trade. Composition, the width of the brush and the mixing of shades and colors all go into creating masterpieces. Machines cannot understand these techniques or the emotions they might invoke the way humans do, but they are learning to mimic these strategies, and many see this as putting artists and their trade at risk.

However, there is more than one angle to this issue. If AI is used as a tool rather than a replacement, it could have a valuable place in the art industry.

The art community is well known for creating commissions and custom pieces for those who are willing to pay. These can be highly specific, and no program can replace those skilled enough to fill such demands. However, AI can be used as a base or an inspiration. If an artist, especially one who is just starting out, does not know how to draw or paint something or has difficulty coming up with ideas, AI art can be a fantastic place to start. It can provide references that may otherwise be very difficult to find, especially in posing or clothing design. Any beginner artist could speak volumes about the difficulty of finding a perfect reference. AI programs could make that process much easier.

AI artwork can also be of great use to those who cannot afford to commission real artists. Some artists can be very expensive to hire, and many AI art programs are free. For a writer who needs an image of their character or a Dungeons & Dragons enthusiast who needs some way to illustrate their monsters, these can be helpful to fill needs that would otherwise go unanswered.

The problem comes when AI tries to take the place of real artists. Contrary to what many fear, this could not happen. Commissioned artists and physical canvases cannot be replaced.

AI would need to develop enormously to be able to take long, specific commands and produce exactly the right thing. It would need to be even more advanced to accept further input and change what it has already created. This does not take into account the fact that the majority of those who commission artists are glad to support them. The art world is not a selfish

one. On the contrary, it thrives on mutual support. Canvas paintings are also safe from this trend — one would need to build a robot to move the brush, and that is simply not realistic. Screen printing is a process that has already been around for quite a while, and though it can mimic true paintings, in doing so it loses the depth of the work. It is trivial to tell the difference between paint and printing.

The only real threat, at least as it stands now, is to amateur artists who struggle to gain a foothold in the art world. They can be quickly outpaced by AI-generated art. The simplest solution to this would be to require a person to credit the program they used to generate effortless art pieces. Anyone who has interacted with the art community knows how savage it can be to those who break the rules. They protect their own, amateur and master alike. Anyone who tried to pass off AI-generated art as their own would be quickly found out and shut down. Integrity is important to the art community — compromising this virtue can lead to the loss of an entire career.

Some may consider AI art as a threat to the art world; however, if it is used correctly, it may be a great tool for reference, skill development and quick images that require no real talent to produce. Whatever a person believes about the issue, AI art generators are here, and they are not going anywhere now that the trend is gaining traction. The key to managing its development and integration into the art world is regulation and honesty, and the art community is more than a match for that challenge.

The persistence of punk

Commentary

By Malaki Lingg Assistant Web Editor

Punk is a genre of music that has been around for over four decades. Despite its longevity, many people believe that the genre fizzled out with no chance of regaining its former glory. This belief is far from the truth. Punk is not dead — it is alive and thriving as it continues to inspire new generations of musicians, fans and more.

Punk is not a genre of

music that can be easily defined or categorized. It is a movement that has continued to evolve and adapt over the years, and it continues to do so. Punk is not just about music — it is a cultural phenomenon that encompasses fashion, art and politics. The punk ethos of DIY and antiestablishment aggression is as relevant today as it was in the 1970s. You can still see people adorning their jackets and pants with metal studs, pins and homemade patches.

Punk has also played a significant role in the development of other genres of music, such as alt-rock, emo, pop-punk and grunge. Bands such as

Nirvana, Green Day, The Garden and so many more have all been inspired and influenced by the original punk movement. This expansion and evolution of the genre has allowed the original anti-establishment and leftist ideals of the ‘70s punk movement to be modernized and spread to a broader audience. As time goes on, only more artists will spin their take on the genre, further evolving the ever-expanding movement.

Punk is not limited to a specific location or demographic. Punk has fans and bands from all over the world, from New York City, London, Tokyo and Brisbane. Punk is an all-inclusive genre regard-

Netflix needs to chill

Commentary

By Laynie Clark Managing Editor

Have you heard the news?

Netflix is out, and other streaming platforms are in. While it can be said that Netflix is the platform that jump started the norm of indulging in television at home, the platform has recently faded out into a pool of mediocre content.

Evenings at home used to be spent sitting on the couch, flipping through Netflix to watch our favor-

ite mainstream shows and movies. However, when we now browse through Netflix we run into “Netflix Originals.” What exactly are Netflix Originals? They are commissioned shows produced and distributed only by Netflix — arguably, they have oversaturated the Netflix library.

However, some admirable outliers have skyrocketed in watchability. Shows such as “Squid Game,” “Dark,” “Stranger Things” and more recently, “Wednesday,” have drawn hundreds of hours of viewership. Netflix has even stepped into producing films, with titles such as “Glass Onion: A Knives

Out Mystery,” “Marriage Story” and “The Power of the Dog.”

At best, the vast majority of originals that don’t break the internet are B-grade attempts at a cash grab for the service, therefore crowding an already packed library of content. One could argue that Netflix is filling the space of losing the licensing rights to popular shows like “The Office” or “The Vampire Diaries.” However, most of the originals in the library are mediocre.

As interest in Netflix’s content declines, people have ventured out to other streaming platforms such as Hulu and Amazon Prime

less of age, race, sex, gender, sexuality, religion and socio-economic background.

Punk is not dead — it never has been. It is a genre, and more importantly a movement, that has stood the test of time and continues to inspire globally. Punk is a cultural and political movement that will never be limited by setting or demographic. Its message of DIY, inclusive and anti-establishment attitudes is as relevant in the present as it was in the 1970s. So let us put to rest the notion that punk is dead and celebrate the fact that it is alive and well.

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Business

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Staff

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Diane

Video. While these platforms have their original content, they are not being flooded by them. Instead, these platforms leave space for nostalgic classics in mainstream media that audiences get excited to watch again like “Home Alone” and “The Perks of Being a Wallflower.”

Netflix needs to chill out with the overproduction and marketing of original content that is simply made for the money; the internet will flock to what they want to watch. Focus on developing new, fresh ideas that elevate filmmakers and showrunners.

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ARTS & LIFE

‘A picturesque European village’

By Ismail Hussain Contributor

Rating: 3 stars

UTSA’s Main Campus has quite a storied history, despite its monolithic nature and its relatively young age.

At first glance, the campus seems more functional than aesthetic. The campus was made to accommodate a growing student body, which has now reached over 34,000 ‘Runners. It is a compact campus, notwithstanding the stairs. As such, our somewhat non-aesthetic campus is complemented by the burgeoning student body.

With regards to the specific history of the campus, the John Peace Library, McKinney Humanities, Bosque Street Building, Intercollegiate Athletics Building, Flawn Sciences Building, the Arts Building and the Convocation Center were the first few buildings finished in the early 1970s. The age of these structures is clear since they are arguably the most architecturally similar buildings on campus.

What is obvious for any student, or really anyone who has visited UTSA’s campus, is the Sombrilla’s role as the center of campus. For the architect Milton Babbitt, it was “the nicest non-building” he designed. Babbitt took many cues from historic Spain when designing the campus. A majority of the architectural inspiration came from “a picturesque European village.” In particular, was the density of the campus and how he intended

on having a plaza in the center with various paseos or walkways leading students to it.

O’Neill Ford, a colleague of Babbitt’s and the main architect of the campus, came up with the “hanging sticks.” This is what Babbitt used to refer to as the hanging wooden panels that make up the Sombrilla’s covering. Then there is the fountain, which was almost not built. Ford and Babbitt wanted two fountains. Peter Flawn, the President of UTSA from 1973 to 1977 and the Flawn Building’s namesake, wanted none. He felt that people would think that the university was spending too much money on its building. Eventually, Flawn compromised and allowed one fountain.

Milton Babbitt kept functionalism in mind for the campus when discussing the social context of the popular architecture of brutalism at the time.

Brutalism emerged after World War II, and was based on functionalism and had large buildings. Hence, even Babbitt himself acknowledged the fact that on-campus buildings were “formidable.”

However, notable examples of architectural functionality are the various pillars around campus — they can be seen mostly in the Sombrilla. They have served

Vickers/The Paisano

The UTSA Main Campus also has

plan.

“Landscaping plans call for live oak trees so students can sit in the shade in summer and deciduous red oaks so they can sit in the sun in winter,” the document reads.

In addition, the concrete that the buildings are made of is native to Texas. The beige color of the concrete was chosen as it helped the campus blend into its surroundings. There was a possibility that the concrete would be grey rather than the beige it ended up being — something that the architects were happy about.

It was a shock to see all the history that was involved in making this campus. I am always inspired by “new” campuses — those that were built in the last 50 or so years. They were built with a certain idealism in mind: to be different. Their focus was not necessarily on aesthetics, but on usability for the ease of students. As for UTSA, the architecture’s functionality has been maintained. The campus is walkable — you can easily get to all of the buildings on foot, due to the compact building placement. Cars are limited to parking lots and garages on the outskirts of campus. The most important piece of architecture is the Sombrilla. It has remained the focal point of campus for the last five decades and will likely remain so.

Baked delights at Panadería Jim énez

Jiménez doubles as a café, offering a variety of baked goods such as cookies, donuts and empanadas. The atmosphere is immediately welcoming, with a friendly staff that directs customers to the most popular sweets in the shop.

By Sam Wendorf Contributor

Rating: 4.8 stars

On Fredericksburg Road lies a traditional Mexican bakery called Panadería Jiménez. It is a lovely place tucked amid small shops and theaters. Upon walking in, visitors are greeted by the smell of sweets and bread. The displays are full of colorful conchas and sweet cakes, and a shelf on the wall holds coffee bags and vegan pastries. The decorations are simple but stylish, and the large windows let in lots of natural light, making the place feel spacious and refreshing. It is a wonderful place to seek warmth away from the crisp winter air outside.

The shop, opened in 1969 by the Jiménez family, is the perfect spot to satisfy a sweet tooth. Panadería

According to the staff, the most popular item is their pumpkin empanada. It is a treat perfect for winter, with a lingering taste reminiscent of the holiday season. Equally delicious are the pecan-topped cinnamon rolls, which are a popular choice for older customers. They are perfectly frosted and pack a surprisingly sugary punch.

The conchas are as delightful as one could imagine, with artfully applied colorful frosting, and they can be

bought in both regular and mini sizes. The hojarasca cookies have a wonderful texture, with sugar on top melting perfectly with a touch of cinnamon. The frosted pink cake is delectably moist and can brighten up any celebration. One piece is more than rich enough to fill any dessert craving.

Many more baked goods are offered, including fruit empanadas, savory kolaches and beautifully-frosted cakes. Panadería Jiménez offers online ordering, and special orders can be called in to give parties and special occasions a flavorful centerpiece.

As a cherry on top, the prices at Panadería Jiménez are excellent. I was able to get twice as much as I normally would from other, larger bakeries for the same price — ten items for just over fifteen dollars — and the quality of the Panadería far outpaces more mainstream bakeries, making that price an absolute steal.

All of these treats are made from scratch by the Panadería every day, using old family recipes. Their expertise is clear – these are some of the best pastries I have had. It is obvious why Panadería Jiménez was voted one of the best artisanal bakeries in North America. I wholeheartedly recommend them to anyone looking for a new bakery to frequent. I know I will certainly be going back for more.

Dustin Vickers/The Paisano

an aesthetic and practical purpose in architecture across cultures for millennia. For UTSA, they contain various services and utilities. Babbitt saw the need for an easily expandable campus.

many other small details that must be appreciated. The trees dotted across campus had the students in mind when Babbitt wrote the master

Sam Wendorf/The Paisano

Dustin

“Ford is determined it will have the charm and grace of a picturesque European village”

By Riley Carroll Arts & Life Editor

The diversity in San Antonio’s local music scene is undeniable. Bands range in genres from punk to indie-alternative, offering something for everyone.

ARTS & LIFE

Local band roundup: Aztec Eagles

Eagles to Lexi and Autumn.”

For eight years, the alternative pop-rock band has played original songs and covers as frequently as three times per month at live shows, particularly enjoying Ragnar’s On The Compound and Thirsty Camel

“My favorite songs that we play are ‘Monte Carlo’ because it became such an amazing song with Andrew and Josh,” Ortega shared. “I also love playing ‘Stay’ because Josh kills it at singing and playing drums.”

This week, we dive into a band changing the game of the local scene — Aztec Eagles.

The four members of the band Aztec Eagles include Andrew Hernandez, 28, on lead guitar; Autumn Guzman, 24, on vocals and rhythm guitar; Joshua Smith, 26, specializing in drums while playing guitar and bass on the side and Lexi Ortega, 22,

Not so rotten

Puzzle releases new album “The Rotten Opera”

specializing in vocals and bass guitar.

“Our previous members, Carlos and Conrad, formed Aztec Eagles in 2015,” they shared.

“A little after, we became a trio: Lexi, Conrad and Carlos. Then Lexi brought Autumn in, and [we] became a four-piece. In 2022, Carlos and Conrad decided to part ways and left Aztec

Between their original songs and the covers they play on stage, the band members often switch instruments and roles for an increased sound variety that sticks with the audience.

“I think readers should listen to our band because we offer catchy melodies,” Ortega described. “We leave people humming our songs after they’re done seeing us — we leave good impressions on our viewers and listeners.”

While Aztec Eagles may leave a memorable impression

on the crowds they perform for, one of their favorite memories of their own was opening for The Velveteers.

“They were fantastic, and meeting them was a really good experience,” Smith shared.

away from the somewhat light alt-indie roots that the 2020 EP “Places We Choose Not to Look” set forth.

By Malaki Lingg Assistant Web Editor

Rating: 3.75 stars Fletcher Shears has been incredibly busy over the past few months. Shears released a new album with his twin Wyatt and toured across North America as The Garden, and now has finally released a new album under his solo project, Puzzle. “The Rotten Opera” was released on Jan. 7, 2023.

“The Rotten Opera” is Puzzle’s first full-length album since the 2019 release of “X Hail” and definitely marks a turning point in the artist’s sound. While Shears is no stranger to darker and heavier songs — especially when you consider his work as The Garden — “The Rotten Opera” is his first LP as Puzzle to maintain that aesthetic throughout the entire runtime. This project further consolidates Puzzle’s movement

Tracks such as “love is a place to hide” and “Taller than a Smokestack” are perfect examples of the somber and mellow tone that Shears is trying to project. The piano, synth, mixing and abstract lyricism in these tracks develop the project into something special. While some may dislike the somewhat DIY and somewhat informal approach Shears took when producing the album, it aids in establishing that unique and personal sound that Puzzle has been known for.

While “The Rotten Opera” is a lyrically complex album with varying sounds and samples, it somewhat lacks the charm that earlier projects seemed to have. While that is not necessarily a bad thing, as it follows the natural progression that Shears’ taste has led to, it leaves fans wanting more from the project. Overall, “The Rotten Opera” is a good listen, but it does not beat Puzzle’s earlier works.

“The Rotten Opera” is now streaming on services such as Spotify, YouTube Music and Apple Music as of Jan. 7, 2023.

Tuesday, January 24:

UTSA College of Liberal and Fine Arts will host “COLFA Taco Tuesday” from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the COLFA Student Success Center in the McKinney Humanities Building (MH 376).

Joshua Moncada Zoll will have a “Student Recital” from 5 to 5:30 p.m. at the UTSA Recital Hall.

A “Self Defense Demonstration” will take place from 5:50 to 7:40 p.m. in the Recreation Wellness Center Blue Studio (RWC 2.210).

“Trivia Tuesdays” will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. at Black Potion San Antonio (1900 Fredericksburg Rd., Suite 101).

“UTSA En Vivo” will be performed at 7:30 p.m. by Chelsea Bonagura in the UTSA Recital Hall.

Wednesday, January 25: “Conchas, Coffee, and Consent” will be hosted by UTSA PEACE Center and UTSA Wellbeing Services from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Student Union Window Lounge (SU 1.02.00C).

UTSA Wellbeing Services will host “Anxiety and Depression Toolkit” from 1 to 2 p.m. in the Student Union Magnolia room (SU 2.01.30).

Live band karaoke will take place for ages 21 and up, starting at 9:30 p.m. every Wednesday and Thursday at Picks Bar (4553 N Loop 1604 W Acc Rd. #1101).

“Between Yesterday And Tomorrow: Perspectives From Black Contemporary Artists Of San Antonio” will be part of San Antonio’s “DreamWeek” from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Culture Commons Exhibit Hall (115 Plaza De Armas).

“San Antonio Startup Day” will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Geekdom (110 E Houston St.).

A producer-only farmers market happens every Wednesday from 1 to 6 p.m. at Woodlawn Pointe (702 Donaldson Ave.).

Thursday, January 26:

“Dream Week: Passion With Purpose,” consisting of BBQ, art and live music, will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. at Legacy Park (103 W Houston St.).

The Banquet Table will be handing out free coffee from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in UTSA

Aztec Eagles are still planning their next moves for 2023, but they are sure there is new music on the way.

“We just recorded two more originals that will release next year,” Guzman said.

Aztec Eagles’ original single “Ocean Drive” is available on Spotify. Visit their Instagram @aztec.eagles or LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/azteceagles for more information.

Central Plaza.

There will be a “Plyo Jump Off Competition” from 5 to 8 p.m. in the UTSA Main Campus Recreation Center.

Friday, January 27:

Food trucks and live music will be at “Eat and Play” from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Main Plaza Conservancy (115 N Main Ave.).

The “Morning Mixer On The Rooftop” will be held from 8 to 10 a.m. at Artpace (445 N Main Ave.) and includes free donuts, coffee and art gallery access.

Saturday, January 28:

Kieley Morales will have a “Student Recital” from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the UTSA Recital Hall.

The Bandera Farmer’s Market happens from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every Saturday at Bandera Pointe Shopping Center (11609 W Loop 1604).

As part of the San Antonio “DreamWeek,” there will be a vintage vendor market, “BRICKADELIC - DreamWeek Edition,” at 7 p.m. at The Brick Gallery at Blue Star Arts Complex (108 Blue Star).

The Pearl Farmers Market takes place weekly from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Historic Pearl (312 Pearl Pkwy.).

Sunday, January 29:

Free community yoga will take place from 10 to 11 a.m. at Confluence Park (310 W Mitchell St.).

For the second day, the “Pearl Farmers Market” will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Historic Pearl (312 Pearl Pkwy.).

Monday, January 30:

UTSA Wellbeing Services will provide “Free STI Testing” from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the H-E-B Student Union Harris Room (SU 2.212).

Tuesday, January 31:

There will be a “Downtown Lantern Festival” from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the UTSA Downtown Campus in the Bill Miller Plaza (501 W Cesar E Chavez Blvd.).

Andrew Brownell will perform a “Guest Recital” from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the UTSA Recital Hall.

Riley Carroll/The Paisano

Illustration by Grace Robinson/The Paisano

Photo by Riley Carroll/The Paisano

Arte de San Antonio

“We leave people humming our songs after they’re done seeing us — we leave good impressions on our viewers and listeners.”

By Luke Lawhorn Sports Editor

Spurs multi-year announce ment

San Antonio – On Jan. 18, Spurs Sports & Entertainment (SS&E) announced Victory Capital as the nam ing rights partner for the new Spurs performance center.

Victory Capital Holdings Inc., a San Antonio-based investment managing com pany, reached an agreement with SS&E on a multi-year naming rights partnership for the new facility.

San Antonio Spurs’ CEO R. C. Buford said the new facility will be named Victory Capital Per formance Center, and it will be finished before summer camp in 2023.

“I can’t wait to get over there,” Spurs for ward Keldon Johnson said of the new facility.

The Spurs’ new building is currently under construction at The Rock at La Cantera, located at 15935 La Cantera Parkway. The property, which will include the Spurs training facility, a 22-acre public

Johnson’s 36-point career-high guides Spurs past Nets

By Luke Lawhorn Sports Editor

San Antonio – Keldon Johnson put up a career-high 36 points along with 11 rebounds, snapping a 5-game losing streak and defeating the Brooklyn Nets last Tuesday night.

“This is why I play the game of basketball,” Johnson said. “I feel like I had it going tonight, and this is definitely a big moment and something that I’ll definitely remember.”

What happened?

After blowing a 14-point lead, Johnson and the Spurs withheld a second-half Brooklyn comeback, winning 10698. Nets stars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving were sidelined with injuries, yet the young San Antonio squad sees the win as equal.

“I don’t care,” Spurs coach Greg Popovich said when asked about the two Nets players. “Everybody has people out now and then; I don’t care.”

The Nets defeated the Spurs by 36 points on Jan. 2, though without Durant or Irving, the Brooklyn offense struggled to get going.

The Spurs held the Nets to 15 first-quarter points, a seasonlow for a Spurs opponent. San Antonio also held Brooklyn

park, a research center, an office and a medical and hospitality space, will sit on 45 acres.

The estimated total cost of construction is $510.8 million.

Monitoring Johnson’s injury

Prior to his 36 points, 11 rebounds and four steals on Tuesday night, Johnson had been dealing with a lingering leg injury.

With positive momentum from Tuesday’s win over the Nets, Johnson seems to be monitoring his injury well.

“I’ve been feeling good,” Johnson said. “Just staying on top of treatment, staying with the training staff, just staying on top of it. Still managing everything else.”

The Spurs are 45 games into their 82-game regular season. With just over halfway, it’s critical to head into the home stretch of the season with a healthy roster.

“It’s a long season; we’ll have bumps and bruises. It’s going to be tough, but [I’m] just fighting it the best way I can,” Johnson said.

to just a 28.6 percent shooting percentage in the Simmons made a pair of free throws at the 3:52 mark in the second quarter, giving Brooklyn its first lead in the game.

Sochan was charged with a flagrant one foul for shoving Markieff Morris in the second quarter, creating a scuffle between the two teams. Sochan seemed unbothered by the altercation as he led all scorers with 16 points at the break. think the game got a little heated.” Sochan said There was an altercation between us, but it is what it is; we are all a young rookie, Sochan has already become a problem for defenders. The former ninth-overall pick has picked fights with NBA veterans and All-Stars, showing no tranquility for any opponent. got some nasty in him,” Popovich said.

second half offensive explosion kept the Spurs out front, ending their losing streak and extending the Nets’ losing streak to now three games.

thoughts thought, as usual, our grunt was good,” Popovich said. “We didn’t shoot that well for a good portion of the game, and they kept playing like they always do, so I’m thrilled for them.”

Spurs break NBA’s all-time attendance record against Warriors

By Luke Lawhorn Sports Editor

ships, the San Antonio Spurs returned to the Alamodome on Friday night, in part to celebrate the franchise’s 50th anniversary.

The Spurs fell to the Golden State Warriors 144-113, however, the result of the game did not dictate the emotions from the fans. The Spurs pointed to this game prior to the start of the season as an attempt to break the NBA’s all-time single-game regular-season attendance record.

The Spurs successfully managed to shatter the record, filling the Dome with 68,323 fans.

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, who is currently the longest-tenured coach in the NBA, joined the Spurs in 1996 while the team still called the Alamodome home. Popovich earned his first victory in the Alamodome on Dec. 14, 1996, and was excited to be back in the historic stadium while setting a new league record.

“It is just an exciting moment for everybody. It is nostalgic for everybody. To have that many people in one building, to be able to play in front of them, is pretty damn exciting,” Popovich said.

The previous attendance record of 62,046 took place in 1998 when the Chicago Bulls played the Atlanta Hawks in the Georgia Dome. Warriors coach Steve Kerr had two stints as a player with the Spurs (19992001, 2002-2003) and was a player on the Bulls in the historic game at the Georgia Dome in 1998.

Outside of the nostalgia of the game, Golden State’s bench points led the way for the 31-point victory, as the Warriors also had eight players score in double figures. The reigning league champions also set their season high in points in the evening.

Tre Jones had a team-high 21 points. Though in a losing effort, Jones was pleased with the fans for showing out and making the recordbreaking night possible.

“For the city of San Antonio to come out to support us, going back to the Alamodome again, it speaks to the fans and who they are and the support that we have,” Jones said. “I was talking to the guys in the back, saying, ‘I don’t think any NBA team could be able to do this but San Antonio.’”

Nets Win Percentage .622 rcentage

Courtesy to NBAE/Michael Gonzalez

Courtesy to NBAE/Ron Cortes

Turner wins gold in Flagstaff, Campbell gets second in Houston

By Luke Lawhorn Sports Editor

UTSA track & field split the team into two separate meets on Friday, with the track athletes traveling to Houston while the field athletes flew to Flagstaff, Arizona.

Flagstaff

Jack Turner won the men’s long jump event at the Lumberjack Team Challenge in Flagstaff. Teammate Joel McFarlane finished second, giving UTSA the 1-2 on the podium in the 14-man competition.

Turner scratched on his first attempt but later managed a distance of 7.34 meters (24-1) on his second attempt. The third distance was 6.84m (225.25), though his second leap stood as the event’s furthest, deeming him the winner.

McFarlane had initially led the event, jumping 7.02m (23-0.5) on his first attempt. The Scottish native improved his distance to 7.25m (23-9.5) on his second and third attempts to finish firm at second.

Sigrid Kleive finished sixth in the women’s long jump with a distance of 1.65m (5-5).

Justin Wright was the only running participant in the Lumberjack Team Challenge. Wright would also finish sixth in the 60m hurdles, clocking a time of 8.87 in the prelim, then an 8.74 in the final.

Houston

The majority of the track team bussed down to the Yeoman Fieldhouse in Houston for the Robert Platt Invitational.

Campbell was the highest finisher for the Roadrunners, placing second in the men’s shot put. The UTRGV transfer threw a distance of 16.53m (54-2.75) on his opening throw. Campbell threw fouls on his next four attempts, though his opening distance would keep him in second place for the event.

Angel Robles and Paul Bouey also competed in the shot put event. Robles (16.06m/52-8.25) and Bouey

(15.89m/52-1.75) finished sixth and seventh, respectively.

Distance runner Abby Balli also snagged a podium finish, claiming the bronze in the women’s mile race. Balli clocked a time of 5:03.01, while teammate Madison Henry crossed the finish with a time of 5:09.96, placing her ninth.

Savanah Lopez also participated in the women’s mile, finishing with a time of 5:20.15.

Chuey Hernandez and Michael Paredes competed in the men’s 800m race. Chuey, a Baylor transfer, finished the half-mile in 2:00.26, landing him in 15th place, while Paredes finished with a 2:03.55 in 25th place.

The Roadrunners are also competing in the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Invitation on Saturday in Albuquerque, New Mexico. UTSA will travel back to Houston next weekend for the Houston Invitational.

This week’s matchups

1/26/23

7 p.m. Women’s Basketball vs UNT

8 p.m. Men’s Basketball at UNT

1/27/23

Track & Field/Cross Country at Houston Invitational

11 a.m. Women’s Tennis at UTEP

1/28/23

10 a.m. Women’s Tennis at NM State

1 p.m. Women’s Basketball at Lousiana Tech

3 p.m. Men’s Basketball vs Louisana Tech

1/30/23

Men’s Golf at Sea Best Invitational

1/31/23

Men’s Golf at Sea Best Invitational

UTSA basketball falls to FIU, extends losing streak to six

By Luke Lawhorn Sports Editor

San Antonio – FIU jumped to an early lead against UTSA and never looked back, winning 77-72 on Saturday afternoon in the Convocation Center.

UTSA dropped its third loss of the calendar week, adding to its streak of six losses. The Panthers (9-11, 3-6 CUSA) earned their first road victory of the season.

UTSA goes cold against No. 24 FAU

By Luke Lawhorn Sports Editor

San Antonio – Despite a hot five minute-run from the Roadrunners, UTSA was cold from the floor, losing their fifth straight game to No. 24 FAU 83-64 on Thursday evening in the Convocation Center.

The Owls came into the match as the first-ever ranked opponent to play in the Convocation Center, and their defensive dominance showed in their 19-point victory.

FAU went into halftime up by 16 points. UTSA opened the second half on a 14-4 scoring run, closing the deficit to just six points.

The Owls started getting second chance points, while the Roadrunners began missing shots. FAU went on a 19-0 run opening the door to the 19-point victory.

UTSA (7-13, 1-8 C-USA) has developed a theme of giving up big runs to opponents, often determining the game’s outcomes.

“We got to offset those runs by getting some buckets of our own,” UTSA coach Steve Henson said. “In some of those cases, that’s just not happening.”

UTSA guard Japhet Medor was sidelined in Thursday’s matchup against the Owls, leaving a shortage in the ‘Runners’ offense. Medor suffered a foot sprain in yesterday’s practice.

“He’s had some other foot injuries in the past; this one’s a little different,” Henson said. “The X-Ray came back negative; he just didn’t feel good enough to go.”

Medor is coming off a 30-point game against the overtime loss to Rice on Tuesday.

UTSA managed to get 13 points from each Jacob Germany and DJ Richards. The two combined for 9-of27 from the field.

Jacob Germany led the Roadrunners with 19 points and 13 rebounds, while teammate DJ Richards recorded 18 points and 10 rebounds. The duo became the first pair of UTSA teammates to notch double-doubles in the same game since Erik Czumbel and Dhieu Deing last season.

Isaiah Addo-Ankrah made his return for the ‘Runners, after exiting with an injury against Bethune-Cookman on Dec. 18, contributing 12 points on 4-of-6 from the field and 2-of-4 from three.

After having a one point lead at the first media timeout, the Panthers extended their lead to 12. The Roadrunners closed in on FIU with an 11-0 run, though FIU matched with an 11-2 run leading into halftime, putting them back up by 12.

The Panthers built their lead to 18 points in the second half. After exchanging scoring runs, UTSA closed with back-to-back three-pointers from Addo-Ankrah and Richards in desperation for a comeback, yet fell short 77-72.

The Roadrunners dropped to 1-9 in league play with an overall record of 7-14. UTSA’s leading scorer, Japhet Medor, was sidelined for the second straight game with a foot injury.

UTSA will look to end its losing streak against North Texas at 8 p.m. on Thursday, January 26.

Courtesy of UTSA Athletics/Erik Williams

Andrew Christianson/The Paisano

Stephen Saenz/The Paisano