Vol. 65, Issue 4

University implements TikTok ban per Gov. Abbott’s directive

By Jessica McLaren Assistant News Editor

UTSA has banned the use of TikTok on university networks following Governor Greg Abbott’s directive from early December, which mandated a ban on TikTok for all government-issued devices. Local news reports, which emerged on Jan. 18, revealed UTSA’s plan to ban the social media site.

“Per Governor Abbott’s directive to all state agencies, TikTok has been removed from state [and] universityissued phones and devices,” Joe Izbrand, UTSA’s chief communications officer, said in a statement to The Paisano.

“Technical controls were put in place during the winter break that restrict individuals with personal devices from using UTSA networks to con-

nect to and use the platform.”

TikTok is a video-sharing app that belongs to the Chinese tech company ByteDance Ltd. Since its launch in 2016, it has amassed over 85 million monthly U.S. users. The app uses algorithms based on user-generated data to track user habits and provide personalized content.

According to a press release from the Office of the Texas Governor, Abbott’s decision to ban TikTok was made in response to the growing security concerns regarding the app’s harvesting of user data. Texas is among at least 26 other states that have enacted measures to limit or restrict the use of TikTok on government devices and networks.

In a letter addressed to Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and Speaker Dade Phelan, Abbott further explains that TikTok collects vast

Najim center to expand to Downtown Campus

amounts of user-generated data that could compromise sensitive information and critical infrastructure in the United States. Moreover, as outlined in the letter, Chinese companies such as ByteDance are not legally obligated to protect this data, as China’s National Intelligence Law requires them to assist in the country’s intelligence efforts, including data sharing.

Beyond UTSA, several schools in Texas have acted in accordance with Abbott’s directive, including Texas State University, Alamo Colleges and the entire UT system. On the other hand, officials at private universities such as the University of the Incarnate Word, Our Lady of the Lake University and Trinity University have shared they have no current plans to block access to the social media app.

University College launches healthcare management degree this spring

By Gauri Raje News Editor

UTSA is offering a multidisciplinary studies degree program in healthcare management for the first time this semester. The new B.S. degree program offered by the University College incorporates three areas of focus — healthcare administration, public policy and data analysis and community health.

Pearson defines healthcare management as a field that “encompasses the efforts involved in planning, directing, and coordinating nonclinical activities within healthcare systems, organizations, and networks.”

Consistent with this definition, the university’s official website states the new program aims to “create a comprehensive experience, leaving students primed to successfully transition into a leadership role in the public or private sector that serve the healthcare industry.”

The projected job outlook for medical and health services managers from 20212031, as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, is 28% as compared to the average growth rate of five percent for all occupations.

Dr. Rebecca Schroeder, assistant dean of curriculum and programs at the University College, explained that the new program was created due to a combina-

tion of job market research and student demand.

“Within HCaP, students had really been showing interest in healthcare management type program[s],” Schroeder said.

“Whenever we are researching different areas that we may want to [use] to create a niche area, we always are looking for [the top job markets] that are

By Gauri Raje News Editor

Harvey Najim, a UTSA Campaign Leadership Council member, has committed two million dollars for the expansion of the Najim Center for Innovation and Career Advancement to the university’s downtown campus.

“[Najim’s] most recent gift in December, $2 million, will provide more students with handson learning experiences that make them even more competitive,” Cié Gee, associate vice provost for career-engaged learning, said. “The funds will be used to support our Najim strategists — students working on real-world projects with our industry partners — and students involved in Najim’s personal and professional development programs such as “Innovate Yourself in 3D” and “Identity, Equity, and Connection.”

“UTSA already has strong relationships with a significant network of great businesses and organizations in downtown San Antonio, and we look forward

to forging new partnerships as our efforts expand,” Gee added. Established in 2019 after a three million dollar gift from Najim, the center is a part of the university’s career-engaged learning division. The center “gives undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to gain real-world, paid experience in the workforce,” Gee explained.

At the core of the center’s philosophy is the concept of project-based learning. The center defines this as a “teaching method in which students gain knowledge and skills by working for an extended period of time to investigate and respond to an authentic, engaging and complex question, problem or challenge.”

Since its opening, the center has given students the opportunity to participate in its Najim Strategist project, which allows students to “serve as consultants to an organization to aid in issues, challenges or opportunities they are currently facing.”

See Center on Page 2

expanding right now,” Schroder added. “And we look and see [if we have something that] our students could capitalize on to

propel them in that arena.”

Dr. Rhonda BeLue, associate dean for community engagement and partnerships at the College for Health, Community and Policy (HCaP), explained that the multidisciplinary studies degree in healthcare management is just a stepping stone for a full bachelor’s degree in the discipline. If approved, a bachelor’s degree in healthcare management would help prepare students for graduate-level degrees in the field. BeLue hopes the separate bachelor’s degree — a collaboration between HCaP and the Alvarez College of Business — will be approved by 2024.

“So the ultimate goal was really to have a bachelor’s [degree in healthcare management] and just along the road [as] kind of a placeholder is the [multidisciplinary studies degree],” BeLue said.

Furthermore, the fate of the multidisciplinary studies degree in healthcare management when its corresponding independent bachelor’s degree is offered is still being discussed.

In the meantime, the new degree in healthcare management joins the list of six other focused programs under the multidisciplinary degree program that offer enrolled students the opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Science degree.

See Managment on Page 2

Participation in strategic plan refresh encouraged through four ways

By Gauri Raje News Editor

Last week, President Eighmy notified students via email of ways in which they can provide feedback to the university’s strategic plan refresh process, which was announced by the university in November last year. The plan will serve as a midpoint assessment of the university’s 10-year strategic plan.

The strategic plan was launched in 2017 when President Eighmy joined the university. It includes three “strategic destinations” or goals and several initiative categories.

“UTSA’s strategic plan was never intended to be a static vision. The refresh allows us to build on our momentum of success, celebrate our achievements to date, apply our lessons learned, adapt to a changing higher education landscape (indeed, a post-pandemic world), and align our resources to con-

tinue our trajectory of transformation,” the plan’s official website reads.

According to the university’s official FAQ webpage for the strategic refresh process, “the refresh process is our opportunity as a UTSA community to take stock of what we have accomplished in the last five years, affirm which pieces are currently working well, and make revisions that will enable us to continue our trajectory of success.”

As a part of this refresh process, President Eighmy held a town hall on Nov. 28, 2022. Furthermore, Eighmy has appointed Provost Kimberly Andrews Espy to chair the Strategic Planning Refresh Steering Committee. The committee includes university leaders along with members of the faculty senate, staff senate and SGA.

See Refresh on Page 2

UTSA Courtesy Photo

Strategists pose with Najim during a team presentations.

Jonathan Porter/The Paisano

Dr. Rebecca Schroeder (pictured above) explained that the degree launch was a combination of student demand and job market analysis. UTSA Courtesy Photo

UTSA

The city of San Antonio proclaimed February 10 as “UTSA 210 Day” to celebrate the “rapid rise” of UTSA Athletics’ programs. The announcement was celebrated at an event on Friday, Feb. 10, that was attended by Mayor Ron Nirenberg, UTSA’s Athletics Director Lisa Campos, UTSA Vice President for University Relations Teresa Niño, UTSA Cheer, UTSA Athletics coaches and Rowdy.

Texas

A Texas man whose son fatally shot three teenagers has been convicted of capital murder. During the trial, prosecutors alleged that the man, Richard Acosta Jr., drove his son to and from the Garland gas station convenience store where the shooting occurred. CBS News reports that Accosta testified he was unaware his son was in possession of a gun. Furthermore, Acosta’s son disappeared after the incident and remains at large.

A shelter-in-place order was issued for certain Harris County residents after an anhydrous ammonia leak has been lifted. CNN reports that the order was issued in response to a leak at a Katy warehouse and asked nearby residents to stay indoors due to potential health risks.

U.S.

U.S. military forces shot down another unidentified object over Lake Huron. It appears to be the same object as the one previously detected over Montana, NPR reports. The object was shot down by an F-16 fighter jet missile at President Biden’s direction and military leadership recommendations.

A Chicago woman who fraudulently obtained the identities of dozens of dead people and used the information to steal over $45,000 of government funds has been sentenced to over five years in prison. The New York Times reports that Katrina Pierce acquired more than 36 death certificates of murder victims from Illinois by pretending to be related to them. Using personal information in the documents, the woman filed for tax refunds and pandemic stimulus payments.

Over 40 million Americans are at risk of experiencing storms due to the possibility of a severe weather outbreak this week, ABC News reports. This includes winds and tornadoes in the area from the Gulf to the Great Lakes and heavy snow in the Pacific Northwest. The earliest effects of this change in weather are expected to be seen on Monday and will continue until Thursday evening.

World

Emergency crews located an unexploded World War II era bomb in Great Yarmouth, U.K. The discovery prompted evacuations, and army specialists attempted to disarm the bomb when it detonated.

According to reporting by the BBC, Norflok’s assistant chief constable stated that all personnel involved had been accounted for after the incident. Furthermore, most roads in the area are now open, and residents also have permission to return home.

State of the City—

Week of 02/14/2022

SGA opens election filings for spring cycle

By Gauri Raje News Editor

Student Government Association’s (SGA) election filings for the spring semester will begin at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 14. The process will take place via RowdyLink. Candidate seminar sessions will be held virtually at 1 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 17, and in the HEB SU (1.214) at 3 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 20 and at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 23.

Filing will be open till 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 27.

By Lauren Hernandez Staff Writer

Recently, a San Antonio justice and public policy reform organization received enough signatures for a charter that will decriminalize marijuana and abortion while also banning specific police actions such as no-knock warrants and the use of chokeholds. The San Antonio Justice Charter received over 38,000 signatures and will be on the ballot on May 6.

The San Antonio Stockshow and Rodeo came to town on Thursday, Feb. 9, and will be held at the AT&T Center and Freeman Coliseum through Feb. 26. Last week, the rodeo featured bareback riding, steer wrestling, mutton bustin’, team roping, barrel racing and bull riding among other events. Artists such as Jake Owen, Carly Pearce and Midland took the stage.

On Wednesday, Feb. 8, a Boerne resident won $20 million from a Texas Lottery scratch-off ticket. A day after this, a San Antonio resident won $1 million from a scratchoff ticket. According to MySA, the odds of winning a prize are one in 3.41, and this was the fourth out of eight top prizes to be claimed from the $1,000,000 Crossword game.

Several residents were displaced in an apartment complex on the 3400 block of Fredericksburg Road after a fire started at around 8 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11. The apartment that caught fire was listed as vacant. After an investigation, firefighters stated that it was apparent that someone

Students that are a part of the program are referred to as “Najim Strategists.” Other opportunities include two competitions, one in the fall and one in the spring.

Furthermore, the center offers various programs, including “Innovate Yourself in 3D” and “Identity, Equity and Connection.” Both programs are scheduled for the fall semester and offer selected students a $500 stipend. On the other hand, spring programs are more career focused.

The new Najim Center will be located in the San Pedro II building, the most recent addition to the university’s downtown campus footprint that was

was living there. Although the fire was extinguished quickly, a first-floor apartment and a second-floor unit currently have significant smoke damage.

Just before midnight on Saturday, Feb. 11, an altercation occurred at a local Twin Peaks restaurant on the 100 block of SW Loop 410. A man and his friends, all intoxicated, were escorted off the property by an off-duty police officer that was working security at the restaurant. The man grabbed the officer’s taser before running away. After a short pursuit, the man tased the officer, and the latter subsequently returned fire. According to the SAPD, the man was in critical condition and the officer was taken to a hospital as a precaution. The SAPD Shooting Team is leading this active investigation.

On the morning of Sunday, Feb. 12, fire crews arrived at a trailer home completely engulfed in flames. An individual was trapped inside, and rescue attempts were delayed due to the intensity of the fire. When the flames subdued enough for firefighters to enter the home, they found the individual deceased inside. Two residents sustained severe burn injuries, and three deputies were treated for smoke inhalation and burn injuries. A firefighter was also injured on the scene and received treatment on-site. This is an ongoing investigation conducted by the Bexar County Fire Marshal’s Office and the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office.

Continued Management

Similarly, four Bachelor of Arts-focused programs are also offered by the University College. Students who enroll in these programs, or what Schroder describes as “niche areas,” need to follow a “prescribed list of courses.”

The University College also offers customizable B.A. options under the multidisciplinary studies degree program. This option allows students to be more flexible and choose three focus areas from the existing majors or minor degrees and available certificate options at UTSA.

“That way, they can create something that was truly modeled around what they [want] their marketable skills to look like whenever they [graduate from] UTSA,” Schroeder said.

While the healthcare management degree falls under one of the focused programs, Schroder explained that students still have some room to customize.

The admission process for the multidisciplinary studies degree program does not differ from that of other degrees at UTSA; however, students admitted into the program have to take an introductory class as part of the degree plan.

Campaigning begins at 8 a.m. on Monday, March 6. Offices that are open for the organization’s spring election cycle include president, vice president, treasurer, college senators, class senators and elections committee members. Students will be able to file for all open positions. The elections for the Spring 2023 semester will also take place online via RowdyLink. For information, you can reach SGA at sga@utsa.edu or via Twitter or Instagram (@utsasga).

Regarding the above-mentioned focused multidisciplinary studies degree programs like the B.S. in healthcare management, collaborations between the concerned colleges are important. The University College serves as a bridge in formulating plans for these degree programs.

“We identify something or even sometimes, colleges have come to us and said, ‘Hey, we are kind of interested in this. What would you think?’ Because it would need to be a collaboration among a bunch of different colleges,” Schroder said. “So, that’s really where [the University College comes in] … we are able to then coordinate with the different colleges [and] start those discussions and create something that is multidisciplinary and allows us to really capture what we are wanting to focus on but not within the constraints of just one college.”

announced in November 2022.

“Our focus has been to reach as many students as possible on the Main Campus by way of intentional personal and professional development and project-based learning,” Erica Clark, associate director of innovation and career advancement, said. “With this new gift, the Najim Center’s downtown expansion will provide even more opportunities for students to engage with the downtown ecosystem and surrounding San Antonio areas.”

More information about the center and its services can be found at https://provost.utsa. edu/career/najim/.

“[The course] allows us to have that one-on-one time with the students and make sure that they are customizing things in a way that will benefit them in the long run because whenever you are talking about students, specifically [from underrepresented populations] like [in an] HSI, you want to make sure that they have clear guided pathways,” Schroeder said. “So we did not want them to just get in there, get into the degree program [and] be kind of floundering. So, that’s our one-on-one time with them.”

In December 2022, the steering committee worked to “prime” students, staff and faculty for the process. As a result, this semester, faculty, staff and students will have four opportunities to share their input and feedback about the refresh; this includes an anonymous campus survey in February, a listening session hosted by respective vice presidents or deans between March and April. There will also be an opportunity to review and share reactions to summaries from the listening sessions from March to May and an opportunity to review and provide input on the Steering Committee’s evolving drafts from May to July.

Over the spring and summer, this feedback will be considered and used to draft revisions

“We have a lot of students that are interested in jobs in healthcare [and] other than being [a] physician or a clinical provider … healthcare management is a great career,” BeLue said. “It is a necessary career, and it is a growing field … it is a nice opportunity for those that are interested in … the intersection of management and health but do not necessarily want to be a clinical provider.”

More information about admission to the healthcare management multidisciplinary studies program can be found at https://future.utsa. edu/programs/undergraduate/ healthcare-management/ while information about the multidisciplinary studies program, including focused programs offered, can be found at https:// www.utsa.edu/uc/mdst/.

to the strategic plan, and the final recommendations will be submitted to President Eighmy.

The revised plan is scheduled to be presented to the UT Board of Regents in November of 2023, one year after the refresh was announced.

“Your voices remain critical to the refresh process,” Eighmy said in his email. “Thank you in advance for the time and thoughtfulness I know you will put into these feedback opportunities.”

More information about the strategic plan can be found at https://www.utsa.edu/strategicplan/.

To learn more about the refresh process, visit https:// www.utsa.edu/strategicplan/ strategic-plan-refresh/.

Chloe Williams/The Paisano

Inaction after tremors leads to unrest OPINION

Editorial

On Monday, Feb. 6, 2023, Turkey’s Gaziantep province, along with regions of northern Syria, was struck by a massive 7.8 magnitude earthquake. As the death toll continues to rise, with the latest estimate being over 28,000 as reported by the BBC, criticism of Turkey’s government and its response to the disaster have also become more prominent. The total destruction caused by this devastating earthquake has made recovery efforts extremely difficult, with entire blocks of apartments and commercial buildings being reduced to rubble; however, this is not the first time destruction of this magnitude has struck Turkey. Their government has taken steps that should have ensured a swift and coordinated response to the disaster, yet they have presented quite the opposite.

In 1999, an earthquake of a similar magnitude struck Turkey causing traumatic levels of death and destruction in the affected regions. According to an article from NPR, following the devastating earthquake, the Turkish government levied a new “earthquake tax” to store excess funds to ease financial

The Line: utopia or

dystopia?

Commentary

By Luna Infante Staff Writer

Imagine a city that runs on 100% renewable energy, a city where cars are not needed because everything you need is at your fingertips, merely five minutes away from your front door. Imagine futuristic architecture and technology, a “world-class quality of life.” Welcome to The Line, located in Saudi Arabia’s utopian dream city, Neom.

The Line is to run 170 kilometers long and 200 meters wide, 500 meters above sea level, eventually meant to accommodate 9 million citizens. This region will be confined between two long mirrored walls, with its communities sorted into three dimensions. Homes, schools, offices and parks are to be layered on top of one another, making these amenities all within a five-minute walking distance from each other. With a concept so earth-shattering, there has been a variety of reactions from the public. Many see it as an unlikely reality, many see it as a bright new future, while others see it as a dystopian nightmare.

Although this project’s infrastructure, architecture and vision are impressive, many worry about what such a futuristic place would be like in terms of surveillance. Because of the technological advancements The Line would bring, it is expected to see huge steps forward in surveillance, which many believe is cause for concern. Because although surveillance is useful for improving security and safety, it can also be used as an invasion of privacy. We already experience this today, and it is not hard to imagine how severe it would be in a place like this. It is especially frightening to imagine this in a country with stringent laws, such as Saudi Arabia, where homosexuality is outlawed and women’s rights are extremely limited.

Aside from the anxiety The Line causes in terms of dystopia, there is an even darker side to the project many people are failing to see. There has been controversy surrounding the creation of the city of Neom. Construction for The Line has already begun; however, the land on which The Line is being built is currently home to many, including members of the ancient Huwaitat tribe...

attempt to offer their citizens some semblance of restitution, Turkish government officials began detaining “dozens of contractors they blamed for some of the building collapses in Monday’s devastating earthquake, as anger swelled over the government’s slow rescue effort,” according to the New York Times.

Kara Lee/The Paisano

tensions that come with massive natural disaster recovery efforts should the nation ever endure a similar tragedy. Yet, when the time came for these funds to be utilized, the government’s response was still less than ideal. Instead, these taxes were used to fund state-sponsored highway construction projects managed by “associates of [President] Erdogan and his coalition government.” This has become yet another cautionary tale of government mismanagement, and the citizens of Turkey are understandably upset. In an

As Americans, it is easy to detach ourselves from the death, destruction and pain that the citizens of Turkey are enduring following this disaster; however, we must ensure that this level of government mismanagement does not reach our shores. In an age where natural disasters are becoming increasingly common, we must be able to look towards our government for strength and stability in times of crisis. It is also equally important that we come together as an international community to assist Turkey with relief efforts in their time of need.

You can find an extensive list of earthquake relief funds that will help those affected in Turkey and Syria at https://www.forbes.com/advisor/personalfinance/earthquake-relief-heres-how-to-donate-toturkey-and-syria/.

Goodman/The Paisano

The positives of AI programs

Op-Ed

By Dr. Mary Dixson Professor of Instruction Department of Communication

If you are a reader of newspapers, a listener of podcasts or a social media user, you may have heard of Artificial Intelligence (AI) programs like ChatGPT and DALL-E 2 from OpenAI. These programs can conduct research, write and even create artistic images based on human prompts. I have personally used them for annotated bibliographies and creating images for presentations. In my teaching, I have allowed students to use ChatGPT for drafting research proposals and comparing speeches created by a real person and the AI. While these programs offer many opportunities for users, there are also some cautions that should be taken into consideration.

First, the opportunities. If you find yourself stuck without a paper topic or speech idea, ChatGPT generates ideas quickly. You will need to refine your prompts, change your parameters and edit the output, but it can be a great lever to get you out of a writing funk. Another useful feature comes from its significant search power. It excels at finding quick

you initiate a project that you can refine and shape to your vision. They can review your writing for style, tone and grammar. Now, the cautions. First, your prompt matters. The prompt is the information you put into the program to generate the product. To use these tools to their full potential, you will need to learn more about how to give them the right commands. The more specific you are, the better the result. This takes a bit of practice.

Second, while AI can give you a foundation for your work, it has significant limits. It cannot generate new knowledge. It cannot conduct independent research. It cannot think critically. Its writing is often repetitive and clunky. You will need to do your own refining to achieve the best results. In full disclosure, I put this Op-Ed into the ChatGPT program and was not overwhelmed by its suggested edits. It deleted the entire next paragraph about its output errors.

Third, AI is fallible. I have seen it make both major and minor mistakes with sources, definitions and basic information on several topics. It wrote a 1,000-word essay on a concept that it defined incorrectly and cited sources that did not exist. In the end, it is up to you to check its work for accuracy and correct the mistakes.

Finally, AI should never be used to plagiarize or cheat. If you want to use an AI like ChatGPT to initiate or support your work, talk with your instructor to discuss parameters. What will you use it to do? How will you distinguish its work from yours? How will you meet the requirements of the assignment? The work assigned to you has an educational purpose, so involving faculty in any AI use is an important first step.

By Regina Robert Staff Writer

Netflix is executing its own downfall with its most recent plan to stop subscribers from password sharing. Password sharing “occurs when a user gives their login credentials to someone else for shared access under one account.” The streaming giant has spent the last couple of years finding solutions to their password-sharing “problem.” These solutions and plans have not been well received by the public, and subscribers continue to find loopholes around them.

In their latest lame attempt to counter password sharing, CNN reported that Netflix would make users set a “primary location” to ensure that only members of that household are users of the account and must be updating the location monthly; however, Netflix did mention that subscribers would still be able to access their accounts remotely, but only temporarily. Meaning that, most likely, after a few hours of usage, Netflix could automatically sign out from the device, and the user would have to log back in, therefore, creating a cycle of annoyance towards Netflix. A cycle that will infuriate its users, especially those that don’t live in one primary location most of the year, like college students and people whose jobs require them to travel . This new policy will affect students who are far away from home and still use their parents’ Netflix accounts. In addition, the constant signing-in will drive users away from wanting to pay a monthly subscription — an issue the streaming service has faced since it lost around one million subscribers in the first half of 2022.

information on complex topics or useful data for a research paper. For those who want to delve into creative territory but who struggle with storytelling, painting or poetry, the AI programs can help

Like search engines, calculators or grammar programs, AI programs like ChatGPT can become valuable tools, but they cannot replace the creativity, critical thinking and personal experiences that make your work unique and your learning experiences worthwhile.

While this could be Netflix’s plan for increasing their profit and number of subscribers, they are affecting a demographic that does not have the economic means to pay for their own subscriptions. Netflix is trying not to lose money, but their ideas are pushing their subscribers’ money into the open pockets of HBO, Disney+ and other rising streaming services. Netflix’s ideas are ricocheting and severely wounding them, which could ultimately lead to their death.

“For those who want to delve into creative territory but who struggle with storytelling, painting, or poetry, the AI programs can help you initiate a project that you can refine and shape to your vision.”

Netflix is digging its own grave

Storm

OPINION

Kpop’s increased global presence

Commentary

The Paisano

Editorial Board

Mason Hickok | Editor-in-Chief Editor@paisano-online.com

By Misty Olawumni Staff Writer

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word “K-pop?” You might imagine popular groups BTS and BLACKPINK and their wide-reaching audience of devoted fans. Both have made history with their accomplishments, with Blackpink becoming the first Asian act to headline Coachella and BTS becoming the first K-pop group to receive a Grammy nomination in a top four category. While both are breaking records as they go, focusing on just BTS and Blackpink does not give a complete picture of the K-pop industry and the increased global presence of Korean cultural exports. Instead, a closer look at the appeal of K-pop may reveal how and why it is such a global phenomenon.

Dubbed “Hallyu” or “Korean Wave,” the prominence of South Korean pop culture is spearheading globalization — the increasing connectedness and interdependence of world cultures and economies. Everything from Korean drama shows like “Squid Game” to movies like “Parasite” and Korean cosmetics has captured the attention of millions worldwide, but K-pop is even more widespread. According to Forbes, in 2021, the music sector of the Korean economy was the world’s sixth most profitable, despite only accounting for less than 10% of global output.

Commentary

Much of this growth can be attributed to K-pop idol music as, according to Vox, K-pop ballooned into a $5 billion industry by 2018. But what makes it so profitable?

K-pop is not just a music genre. Instead, it is an entertainment vessel with a ton of preparation and resources behind it. With a meticulous training system in place and reality survival competition shows, companies can be cutthroat as they look to develop a group. They are likely intense because they are investing millions in crafting groups that will earn acclaim in the industry and turn a profit. Once picked, training can take upwards of a couple of months to a decade. To build hype, companies typically demonstrate the abilities of their members every step of the way through teasers before their debut. Unfortunately, a debut is not always guaranteed. Even when a group is ready to debut after years of training, the cord can still get cut, as seen with Trainee A in 2022. The effort to create iconic idols is exhaustive but can often prove to be worth it due to the level of attention a company can gain. One advantage of this new influence is the potential consumers who could become lifelong customers by joining a fanbase.

Fans latch onto K-pop idol groups for a variety of reasons. These groups often fill a void left by mainstream boy bands and girl groups like One Direction and the Spice Girls, providing the same vibe with a twist. K-pop is a spectacle full of intensive choreography, striking aesthetics and a collage of sounds, which create breathtaking moments for fans to enjoy. In addition, variety shows serve as a source of enter-

tainment outside of performances, displaying idols’ personalities when they are off stage by placing them in funny situations. As a result, new listeners develop a stronger connection to the group.

Another reason for the rise in K-pop’s popularity is the variety of genres and cultural fusion. Despite the name, K-pop draws influence from many genres, including hiphop, R&B, rock and EDM. The adoption of different styles can be seen in ensembles’ discographies as they experiment, producing songs that have English sprinkled in between Korean lyrics. This diversity allows casual listeners to find a group whose concept — the theme of an album or group, they enjoy. As a group establishes its presence through performances, variety shows and discography, a community begins to form, with fans weaving their membership into their identity. Despite language differences, international listeners continue to listen as the lyrical content does not matter. What matters is the emotions K-pop provides. Whether K-pop reaches the heights of mainstream appeal in countries like the U.S. remains to be seen. One thing is for sure, though, for K-pop fans the idols they follow open a whole new world of expression, giving them new experiences through performances and concepts. The music and atmosphere transcend language barriers, helping fans of different backgrounds find confidence in themselves through formed relationships with each other and their idols. In the words of TWICE in their song “Moonlight Sunrise,” “I guarantee I got ya.”

Change the narrative of sex work

illegal and can result in a large fine or jail time.

Laynie Clark | Managing Editor Manager@paisano-online.com and Gauri Raje | News Editor News@paisano-online.com

Jake Mireles | Opinion Editor Opinion@paisano-online.com

Riley Carroll | Arts & Life Editor Arts@paisano-online.com

Luke Lawhorn | Sports Editor Sports@paisano-online.com

Chloe Williams | Web and Social Editor Web@paisano-online.com and Socialmedia@paisano-online.com

Dustin Vickers | Photo Editor Photo@paisano-online.com

Grace Robinson | Graphic Editor Graphic@paisano-online.com

Marcela Montufar Soria | Multimedia Editor Multimedia@paisano-online.com

Jenna Taylor | Magazine Editor Magazine@paisano-online.com

Genevieve Vega | Distribution Manager Distribution@paisano-online.com

Luke DeMario | Buisness Manager Buisness@paisano-online.com

Staff

In an economy where college is not the only path to financial success, people have started opening up about their unconventional methods of making money. One of those methods is sex work, or prostitution. Sex work can be identified as the “negotiation and performance of sexual services for remuneration.”

Many influencers have taken the stereotype of sex work and turned it from degrading to empowering, by explaining how sex work gives them control over what happens to their bodies. Unfortunately, prohibition laws make it so prostitution is

The American Civil Liberties Union says the criminalization of sex work prevents workers from accessing health care services, feeds an out-of-control mass incarceration system and further marginalizes some of society’s most vulnerable groups. In addition, this encourages violence against sex workers and makes them less likely to report said violence. While this may seem like a minor issue, it is actually quite large because the criminalization of sex work increases vulnerability to exploitation and health risks.

The criminalization of prostitution should be considered a social justice issue because it targets marginalized women, and the LGBTQ+ community that is already facing constant discrimination. Psychology Today explains how “the nature of the sex work industry is largely covert and stigmatized. Criminaliza-

tion policies broadly aim to reduce the perceived individual and societal harms of prostitution by introducing laws and regulations explicitly targeting those engaged in prostitution.” The point being made is that the criminalization of sex work and prostitution is unjust. There should be policies in place to ensure the safety of sex workers, which is why decriminalizing is the best policy for the sex work community and their well-being. The decriminalization of sex work means removing criminal penalties for the buying and selling of sexual acts, specifically those related to prostitution. This would give sex workers more legal protection and reduce their fear of unprotected violence. Sex workers deserve the same rights as any conventional employee; it is unfair to discriminate against anyone based on their line of work.

By Laynie Clark Managing Editor Advisory Board

Diane Abdo | Advisor

Steven Kellman | Advisor Jack Himelblau | Advisor

Stefanie Arias | Advisor

Sandy Norman | Advisor Sofia Garcia | Advisor

John Helton | Advisor Corey Franco | Advisor Imelda Robles | Advisor

By Malaki Lingg Assistant Web Editor

For over a decade, an impossibly intricate social war has been stuck in the American public’s mind. Is it the war on drugs, crime or homelessness?

No, it is the division between the Right and Left TWIX.

In 2012, Mars Inc. — the overarching conglomerate in control of TWIX — began a media campaign stating that Left and Right TWIX were actually different and that there were separate factories for the two. While many believed there was no difference, there is and the Right TWIX is

the better side.

One of the many ads aired discussing the conflict between the two sides told the intricate history associated with the halves of the candy bar.

According to TWIX, the two brothers, Sheamus and Earl — who had invented TWIX — were unveiling their candy, but due to creative conflicts and pent-up tension during the candy’s creation, they had snapped the original bar in half. This action decidedly separated the company into the two distinct right and left sides we know today.

As a result of this conflict, the two chocolatiers split their company in half — much like they had done to the candy bar — and ventured off to found their separate factories. Earl, who would go on to establish Right TWIX, traveled far and wide for the perfect location for his factory. After

doing so, Earl looked to his left to discover his brother Sheamus copying him by choosing a neighboring plot of land. This action displays the integrity of Left TWIX; they had to rely on Right TWIX to find the place to start their business. A shady business tactic committed by a shameful candy. While each factory ended up being beside the other, they had their own distinct characteristics and practices to set them apart from one another. Right TWIX is “crafted with crisp cookie cascaded with chewy, gooey caramel and cloaked in smooth, velvety chocolate.” At the same time, Left TWIX is “created by flowing caramel into crunchy cookie, bathed in creamy chocolate.”

Why would one want to eat a candy bar that is bathed in chocolate?

The Paisano is published by the Paisano Educational Trust, a non-profit, tax exempt, educational organization. The Paisano is operated by members of the Student Newspaper Association, a registered student organization. The Paisano is NOT sponsored, financed or endorsed by UTSA. New issues are published every Tuesday during the fall and spring semesters, excluding holidays and exam periods. The Paisano is distributed on the UTSA Main Campus. 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:

14526 Roadrunner Way Suite 101 San Antonio, TX 78249

Phone: (210) 690-9301

© 2023 The Paisano

The University of Texas at San Antonio’s Handbook of Operating Procedures states in 5.03 that: The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) will not exercise control over the format or content of Student Publications, but will regulate distribution on campus. Student Publications will be free of censorship and advance approval of copy, and their editors and managers are solely responsible for editorial and content policies and decisions. Editors and managers of Student Publications will not be subject to arbitrary suspension/expulsion or removal from their positions within a Registered or Sponsored Student Organization (Student Organization) by the University because of student, faculty, administrative, or public disapproval of editorial policy or content. Student Organizations that distribute Student Publications are afforded the same rights and privileges as Student Organizations that do not distribute Student Publications.

Politically left, TWIX-ically right

ARTS & LIFE

Willie, you are my best friend and I love you so much. You make me laugh and calm me when I am upset. You get me and I am excited to see how we grow together as a couple. Love, Peanut.

You

I thank you for making me smile every day and I always want you to prioritize yourself first.

You’re the sweetest person I have ever met. I love sharing every aspect of my life with you. I hope we get to be together till I become that terrific grandma. See you at dinner like always ;D <3

You

Love strawberries, hate chocolate, and may be awkward.

Who want me? Hector, you are slay.

around

Paisano Grams

My

The Paisano asked UTSA students to write an anonymous letter to their loved ones for Valentine’s Day To

- C

You’re the sweetest person Ii’ have ever meet. I love sharing every aspect of my life with you. I hope we get to be together till I become that terrific grandma. See you at dinner like always ;D <3

By Laynie Clark Managing Editor

this semester be your best semester here. Also, you are all very pretty!!!

Much love, A fellow Roadrunner <3

I love you The Paisano -David von Paumgartten

Hello, you

Finding you in a time [when] I didn’t think I could feel love again was something that felt like it was a gift from God. The genuineness, the wholeness, the kindness I received from you and I hope you received from me will stay with me forever even though my forever does not include you anymore. If you read this and you know you love someone and they love you back, please do not hesitate to fight for them. Let your pride and ego go, because love, true love is something so rare. Spend your valentines with [those] whom you love and enjoy every second of it. Xoxo.

Best GF award goes toooooooo you!!!! - C

Grace, I still get surprised sometimes when I look at you. You are just so beauti- ful in every way possible. Every glance you give me or even random text makes me fall for you even more. I love you so much, happy Valentine’s Day :)

someone if you have to walk the same way home.”

stalker in the disturbingly entertaining TV series “YOU.” Piloted on Lifetime Network, “YOU” received backlash and was presumed to discontinue, until Netflix picked it up for a second season. Since then, “YOU” has accumulated a large fanbase and garnered mass atten tion.

handsome loner with a secret, as he navigates the world of romance; how ever, his idea of romance looks a lot different than the conventional ste reotype. His perception of romance involves a lot of killing, stalking and manipulation. Throughout the seasons, you see Joe meet vari ous women who all seem to die by the end of the season; see a pattern yet? Unfortunately, Joe does not see this pattern. He con vinces himself that everything he does has a purpose and that he is actually a good person who has just made a few mistakes, though I am not sure everyone else would agree.

half: Love Quinn. Love, a seemingly perfect girl played by Victoria Pe dretti, captures Joe’s heart and later reveals that she is exactly like him.

tached to Love and root for her success unhappy fans after Joe supposedly kills brings us to part one of season four, which premiered on Feb. 9. This season takes on a different feel, as Joe gets a taste of his own medicine when brunt of the first five episodes is mainly Joe investigating and uncovering the Love would be the stalker, meaning that she never died and is back for revenge on Joe. Unfortunately, that was not the case. The stalker turned out to be fans were disappointed, they have not lost all hope. The second half of the season will release on March 9, and fans have started conspiring after a teaser trailer was released. The teaser included a short, vague clip that featured Love; this small clip is enough to keep fans going. Now, fans are taking their conspiracies to social media and sharing ideas with others. Many think the clip will just be a hallucination, while others believe it is actually her. What do you think? Leave your conspiracies in the comments of this article at paisano-

Black-owned studio welcomes aspiring artists

By Amber Serio Contributor

San Antonio offers a wide range of diverse Black-owned businesses. Choosing to support a Black-owned business is a simple yet impactful way to contribute to the current fight for racial equality. So, in honor of Black History Month, we are highlighting the successes of a Blackowned business in the city.

Jarrett Gadison is the proud owner of Stop Playing Studios, a music studio on Babcock Road. Stop Playing Studios offers aspiring artists an authentic and positive environment to create music. Gadison’s studio has produced a variety of music genres from Rap, Neosoul, R&B, Gospel, Trap, Swahili and, more recently, Bollywood music. Gadison is truly devoted to providing his clients with a meaningful and attentive process in creating their music. He feels that his business’s authenticity allows it to stand out compared to others.

“I studied quite a few other studios when I was opening the business, just so I could get an idea of what everybody else was bringing to the table,” Gadison stated. “Some sessions [I] worked with some great [music] engineers, [and] some not so great. I realized that it wasn’t personal; it didn’t feel like they cared about my music. They were just

See Studio on Page 6

Arts & Life

Continued Studio

trying to record me, get it done, and if I asked for any changes, it just didn’t seem like they were creatively in the process of doing the job.”

At Stop Playing Studios, Gadison cares about his clients and works to ensure each artist feels heard and valued.

“I like to work with artists and create something new or pinpoint that sound they hear in their head and really make it their own,” Gadison added. He truly strives to bring each artist’s creative vision to life while working in his studio.

Stop Playing Studios was established in 2020, but for Gadison, the dream and purpose behind his business contributed to the making. His journey began when he was just five years old, playing instruments in the comfort of his own home. As the son of a preacher, he grew up involved in the church and its processes. As a result, Gadison’s love for music and singing eventually led to him actively singing for his church. “Once I did that, of course, they put me in choir, band, orchestra, symphony — anything that had to do with music.”

For Gadison, this was just the start of how music began to influence his life and aspirations.

“I’d make beats for all of my friends in high school, and we’d all rap to it and stuff like that,” Gadison said. “And I was literally just trying to find a way to make it a living.”

Though, at the time, making music a career seemed nearly impossible for Gadison.

“I’m from Rockdale, Texas. It’s just on the other side of Austin. [It’s] a very small town, so everything is an hour away. When you’re from a town like that, there [are] no opportunities.”

Though, Gadison did not let this stop him from reaching his goals. He proceeded to join the military, where he served as a medic. In his free time, he continued to work towards establishing his career as a music producer.

“I’ve been recording people ever since that was a thing I knew you could do, but I was in the military, so I just really recorded people for free for a long time so that I could learn how to do it,” Gadison said.

By the time he was out of the military, he already had about fifteen years of experience with music and producing. So, he began doing it professionally, leading to the establishment of Stop Playing Studios.

When asked what Black History Month meant to him as a Black business owner, Gadison once again reflected on his upbringing in Rockdale and how it shaped him. He explained that he grew up directly across the street from what used to be a segregated high school that his grandmother’s sister attended.

“That kind of represented where we came from to me as a child,” said Gadison.

He added that he never let the past affect him negatively but instead used it as motivation in his endeavors as a music producer.

For the future, Gadison wants Stop Playing Studios to expand.

Sources: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29028966/ https://www.healthgrades.com/right-care/hpv-genital-warts/what-percentage-of-people-have-hpv https://www.cdc.gov/std/statistics/prevalence-2020-at-a-glance.htm#:~:text=CDC%20estimates%20 indicate%20about%2020,billion%20in%20healthcare%20costs%20alone

UTSA student finds a balance between education and experience

Angel Diaz volunteered with two local film festivals

“In the next five years, I see us on tours,” Gadison said. “I see us having multiple studios in multiple states.”

He added that he also hopes to one day collaborate with esteemed rapper Rick Ross, whom he feels changed the course of hip hop.

Located at 2450 Babcock Rd Ste 150, Stop Playing Studios truly offers aspiring artists a welcoming and devoted environment to explore their creative processes. They are open from 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. Monday through Thursday, 12 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on Fridays, and 10 a.m. to 12 a.m. on Saturdays. For more information, visit their website at https://www. stopplaying.net.

By Mason Hickok Editor-in-chief

As a second-semester freshman in the Film and Media Program at UTSA, Angel Diaz is balancing their education with valuable experience in the film industry. A native of the Westside, Diaz is committed to the opportunities presented to them by the film program’s reach into San Antonio’s film scene.

Currently, Diaz is volunteering under the leadership of Ada Babino, the founder and director of the San Antonio Black International Film Festival (SABIFF). In addition, Diaz spends their time as a sponsorship coordinator.

“I go over the list with Ada, my director, of local and international businesses that might be interested in either sponsorship, donations or sponsoring Black film students to come to San Antonio from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs),” Diaz said.

Diaz’s journey to working with SABIFF came by way of an email from Paul Ardoin, the film and media program director. Typically, Ardoin will email crew calls, internship and volunteer opportunities, and news relating to the program. Diaz contacted Babino, interviewed and quickly got to work.

“It’s kind of like building a lego box,” Diaz said. “Every week, we add something new [that] we want

‘Fences’ hits Classic Theatre in time for

to bring into the festival. [Then] as we get more sponsorships, we have a budget to work with and then we decide what we want to do with that budget.”

Another intern from the University of Houston works with Diaz, and both students work remotely.

In speaking to the importance of balancing their education with experience, Diaz expressed that the two are closely linked.

“I feel like education and experience is meaningless without each other, I suppose,” Diaz said.

Before their work with SABIFF, Diaz previously worked at the San Antonio Film Festival.

“Even before I started at UTSA, I was already working at SA Film Fest because of UTSA,” Diaz said. “Before I even started my classes, my college career, I was already doing stuff in the industry; that was really helpful. [I’m] very thankful for that.”

In speaking about the future of UTSA’s film program, Diaz hopes to see more opportunities for film students come from UTSA.

By Taylor Alton Contributor

“I would hope to see a little more support from UTSA,” Diaz said. “So, maybe have our department make some things for their advertisement. I think right now we are doing a good job at hosting film events [that] everyone can go to; I think that’s cool.”

Diaz expressed their interest in documentary work and the new Film and Medicine course taught by Guillermina Zabala Suarez.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, SABIFF has utilized a hybrid format for its festival. This year’s festival will take place from Oct. 5 to Oct. 8, 2023, with opening ceremonies occurring at the Carver Community Cultural Center. Babino described that after returning to San Antonio, there was a real need to uplift Black filmmaking.

“We started as a need,” Babino said. “As a desire to elevate, promote, uplift and support Black independent filmmaking. That’s why we started.”

This year’s theme is based on films from HBCUs. Babino hopes that more people can participate in festival preparations in the coming months.

Additional screenings are to occur at St. Philip’s College and online. More information about the festival and how to submit a project can be found on SABIFF’s FilmFreeway page: https://filmfreeway.com/SABIFFSanAntonioBlackInternationalFilmFestival

This past week, The Classic Theatre of San Antonio debuted “Fences” by August Wilson at the Little Carver Civic Center.

Set in 1950s Pittsburg, the play tells the story of Troy Maxon, a Black man who used to be a star in the Negro Baseball League after learning how to play during his time spent in prison. Because of the color of his skin, Troy never made it to the Major Leagues for baseball back in his prime. He now works as a garbage man to support his wife, Rose, and his son, Cory.

Early on in the play, Cory gets attention from a college football recruiter; however, Troy does not want his son to pursue a path as an athlete because he believes professional sports is not something a Black man can have a successful career in. Having been denied a baseball career, Troy turns down the football recruiter to keep his son from the same fate, much to Cory and Rose’s disappointment. In addition to this conflict for the Maxon family, Troy’s best friend, Bono, reminds Troy that he has been making some poor choices recently. Troy denies this, but ultimately the truth comes out when he is forced to tell Rose about what has been happening.

Continue reading on paisano-online.com

BHM

Grace Robinson/The Paisano

Andrew Christianson/The Paisano

SPORTS

Mario Barrios wins world title in hometown of San Antonio

O’Shaquie Foster upsets Rey Vargas in 12 rounds

By Luke Lawhorn Sports Editor

After over a year of soaking in consecutive losses, San Antonio fighter Mario Barrios is once again a champion.

Barrios, along with Lenier Peró and O’Shaquie Foster, walked away victorious in their title matches.

Lenier Peró vs. Viktor Faust

WBA Fedelatin Heavyweight Title - 10 Rounds

Peró (9-0, 6 KOs) defeated Faust (11-1, 7 KOs); both entered Saturday’s match undefeated.

Peró was declared the winner by knockout in the eighth round.

The two made little contact in the first two rounds. Faust ducked a punch thrown by Peró and managed to connect his left swing to Peró’s face, causing the Florida native to stumble as the third round timer ended.

Faust continued his aggression on Peró in the fourth round. The fighters grazed each other’s heads multiple times.

The score was 48-47 entering the sixth round in favor of Faust.

Midway through the eighth round, Peró landed his right punch on Faust’s left rib cage, then threw his left arm and connected with Faust’s face.

Faust turned his back and put his arms down, appearing to walk towards the rope when Peró got three more hits in, two of which were to Faust’s head.

“It was a very difficult fight,” Peró said after the match. “He’s a great fighter. So we started to build up momentum and started to hit him, and then we finally came ahead in the final round.”

Marios Barrios vs. Jovanie Santiago

WBC Continental Americas

Welterweight Title - 10 Rounds

(27-2, 18 KOs) bounced back after his two consecutive losses from over a year ago, defeating Santiago (14-3-1, 10 KOs) in the eighth round.

The counter right-hand was the deciding factor in the undercard. Barrios landed several hits on Santiago, causing the home crowd to erupt and awarding the hometown fighter his championship.

“My counter right hand is something that we’ve been working on at the gym in Vegas,” Barrios said.

Barrios had Santiago cornered in the third round and was able to lay several blows to the Puerto Rico native.

Again, Barrios had Santiago against the ropes for the majority of the sixth round.

Barrios snuck a punch to Santiago’s face, leading to a barrage of hits on Santiago.

Barrios kept the heat on Santiago in the

UTSA Baseball: Coach Hallmark and Luke Malone preview 2023 season

By Rylan Renteria Contributor

The reigning Conference USA runnerups are back with a vengeance.

In 2022, UTSA baseball finished 19-11 in league play and 38-20 overall, their best season since 2009. The Roadrunners are days away from starting their 2023 sched-

players like outfielder Shane Sirdashney and pitcher Luke Malone are great leaders and will have themselves and the team ready. When asked what it meant to Malone about his preseason all-conference honors, he turned back on the need to improve.

seventh round. Barrios managed to block Santiago’s punch with his left hand, then swung his other to connect with Santiago’s face.

Barrios unleashed a variety of body and face shots at Santiago in the eighth round. Santiago dropped, ruling the Barrios knockout.

“I feel I’m definitely up there with the [welterweight] elite. I still have something to prove. I promised my city a world title, and I got it in 2019, and I will do it again.”

Rey Vargas vs. O’Shaquie Foster

WBC World Super Featherweight

Championship - 12 Rounds

The WBC No. 1 ranked contender in Foster upset the two-division champion Rey Vargas in the final round.

Foster managed to make Vargas stumble and fall to the floor in the second round,

though the two-division champ regained control and continued.

Westcott/SHOWTIME

Vargas avenged himself in the third round with back-to-back headshots on Foster.

Foster led 59-55 midway through the seventh round.

Vargas and Foster bumped into each other after the bell in the 10th round and stared each other down as they walked to their corners.

Foster knocked Vargas to the ground multiple times in the 11th round. Foster appeared to be in control heading into the final round.

With Vargas unable to knock out Foster in the final three minutes, Foster walked away with the upset win.

Frank Harris: ‘People don’t realize how hard it is to be a Black quarterback’

By Haley Aguayo Contributor

For the first time, Super Bowl LVII will have two Black starting quarterbacks (QBs).

It was not until 2017 that all 32 NFL teams had started at least one Black quarterback. Before Super Bowl LVII, there were only eight Black starting QBs to be in the Super Bowl, and not until 1988 was there a starting quarterback that was a Black man. Thirty-five years later, two teams with Black starting quarterbacks met in the Super Bowl. Currently, 11 starting QBs in the NFL are Black.

Texas natives Jalen Hurts of the Philadelphia Eagles and Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs faced each other for the first time since the 2021 season to compete for the Lombardi trophy.

Frank Harris, the starting QB at UTSA, is an essential member of the football team and a leader in the Roadrunner community

Before their defeat at the Cure Bowl, Harris led UTSA to their second consecutive C-USA championship win. A feat that landed UTSA Football at the 23rd spot in AP’s college football rankings for “It’s crazy just to see that,” Harris said. “It’s hard for a Black quarterback to even make it that far, so seeing two of them playing in the Super Bowl at the highest level, it’s pretty special.”

Harris admits he has idolized players such as former Eagles QB Michael Vick. “Seeing that he could go and play at the highest stage. And even today, seeing all these Black quarterbacks in the NFL just helps a lot. It gives you a lot more confidence to go out there to play and “I’ve just loved the sport ever since I was young,” Harris said of football. “My dad would tell me about the position and told me that everyone would try to change my position because I am Black, so he said if I ever got the opportunity to play in a quarterback position, to stick with it. After he told me that, I started to see what he was talking about. Older fans will still say, ‘He can’t throw the ball, he’s this, he’s that, he should change his position.’ We hear a lot of it,”

“People don’t realize how hard it is to be a Black quarterback and all the stereotypes that we get. I know it was hard for

[Mahomes and Hurts], so seeing them play at the highest level is definitely pretty special. It brings a lot of notoriety, being a quarterback and being Black. You can play at the highest level. One of them is going to win in the end, so that’s pretty cool,” Harris said.

As for the two competing NFL quarterbacks, they are also quite aware of their presence in this upcoming game. “I think it’s history. I think it’s something that’s worthy of being noted, and it is history. It’s come a long way. I think it’s only been seven African-American quarterbacks to play in the Super Bowl, so to be the first for something is pretty cool. I know it will be a good one,” Hurts said to ESPN.

“I’ve learned more and more about the history of the Black quarterbacks since I’ve been in this league. The guys that came before me and Jalen set the stage for this, and now I’m just glad we can set the stage for kids that are coming up now,” Mahomes told ESPN.

Mahomes and Hurts may be setting the stage for players worldwide, but they put in the work to get to where they are today.

Mahomes told the Kansas City Star, “Not a lot of people see that when you’re growing up. You don’t get to see that people really have to work hard to become as good as they are. So, for me seeing that as a young age as I’ve grown up has shown me that I have to work just as hard to get to that level.”

Harris would agree with that sentiment, knowing exactly what it is like to fight for his position as quarterback.

“It’s a lot of work that goes behind the scenes, and then being Black at the quarterback position, you’ve got to put in extra work because you’re not a typical quarterback,” Harris said.

“I don’t know what it is, the stereotypes people have on us, whether people think we aren’t smart enough or we’re too athletic for a position, but it’s just crazy for people to try to say that as a Black quarterback, ‘they can run the ball well,’ but they never talk about how great of a thrower they are. So seeing that — two Black quarterbacks in the Super Bowl — will hopefully help Black quarterbacks expand to the level that they are at,” Harris said.

Amanda

Dustin Vickers/The Paisano

Get to know UTSA seniors headed into the NFL draft

By Rylan Renteria Contributor

With the recent success of UTSA alumni cornerback Tariq Woolen and guard Spencer Burford, NFL teams are starting to take closer looks at prospects coming out of the 210.

For reference, this article uses Pro Football Focus (PFF) Grades to give context to players’ performances. The grading works on a scale of 0-100, like regular school grading. Here are a few names you should get to know before the draft and breakdowns of them as players.

Dadrian Taylor (Defensive Back/ Linebacker)

Taylor is undoubtedly the most versatile player on this Roadrunner defense. Listed at 5-foot-11, 185 pounds, defensive coordinator Jess Loepp has him playing all over the field, and rightly so. In addition, Taylor possesses elite speed that allows him to be lined up anywhere. In 2022, Taylor missed some time with injury but was still able to total 36 tackles, a sack, a forced

fumble, two fumble recoveries and one interception returned for a touchdown. When evaluating players like Taylor, you have to focus more on his physical tools, such as his speed. Taylor likes to play fast, so he is prone to play action and struggles at times tackling bigger running backs, but with the right coach and some added weight, he can reach his full potential. If Taylor tests out well, I have him going as high as the fifth round.

Ahofitu Maka (Center/Guard)

Ahofitu Maka comes in at a stout 6-foot-3, 325 pounds and plays like it. A mainstay on the UTSA offensive line, Maka has only improved since he first got to UTSA in 2019. In 2022, Maka allowed zero sacks, 17 pressures and committed only four penalties on 873 snaps, earning him a 62.5 grade on the season from PFF. Maka excels as a pass blocker but often struggles in the run game. He was invited to the 2023 NFLPA bowl to showcase his talents for NFL scouts.

In the game, Maka allowed zero sacks, zero QB hits and zero pressures,

earning him an 81.3 passblocking grade. While he struggles with hand placement and one-on-one blocking, with a strong combine performance, Ahofitu Maka could go as early as a late fourth-round pick.

Corey Mayfield Jr. (Corner) At 5-foot-11, 190 pounds, Corey Mayfield Jr. plays a lot larger than he looks. In 2022, Mayfield recorded 44 tackles, two sacks and had five games with over an 80 PFF tackling grade. In coverage, he is just as excellent, only allowing a 52.6 completion percentage when targeted. He also had zero games where he gave up 100 receiving yards. In 2021, Mayfield had his best season earning an 80.5 grade and recording his single-highest game grade ever versus Rice, where he scored a 95. Mayfield, like Maka, received an invite to the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, where he was targeted zero times throughout his time in the game. Although he is a great tackler and consistent cover corner, NFL scouts will underestimate him due to his size. Mayfield is likely to go in the late fifth round or early sixth.

This week’s matchups

2/16/23

7 p.m. MBB at Rice

7 p.m. WBB vs Rice

2/17/23

MTen at HEB Invite

WTen vs Utah Tech

2:30 p.m. Softball vs Abilene

Christian

5 p.m. Softball vs Lamar

6 p.m. Baseball vs Tarleton State

2/18/23

MTen at HEB Invite

Track & Field at C-USA Indoor Championships

10 a.m. WTen at UNLV

1 p.m. WBB at UAB

2 p.m. Baseball vs Tarleton State

2:30 p.m. Softball vs NM State

3 p.m. MBB vs UAB

5 p.m. Softball vs Texas A&M

- Corpus Christi

2 p.m. WTen vs UT Arlington

2/18/23

Track & Field at C-USA Indoor Championships

10 a.m. WTen at Kansas City

12:30 p.m. Softball vs Lamar

1 p.m. Baseball vs Tarleton State

2/19/23

Men’s Golf vs Bayou City Collegiate Classic

6:30 p.m. WBB at North

The legacy of the queen of basketball

By Kylar Royer

The Queen of Basketball, Lusia “Lucy” Harris was a three-time consecutive national champion, Olympian, Hall of Famer and the only African-American woman to be drafted into the NBA.

Harris, who died in January 2022, grew up in Minter City, Mississippi, playing ball with her siblings and neighbors in their yard. As a kid, she would stay up past her bedtime watching players like Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell and her favorite, Oscar Robertson. All Harris wanted to do was shoot the basketball as they had.

In high school, Harris joined the basketball team with no prior experience in the game, but she became a natural. The 6-foot-3 center used her height to her advantage, scoring 40 points in one game, Harris recalls in a New York Times documentary.

In 1972, Title IX was passed, prohibiting sex discrimination in education programs that receive federal financial assistance. Title IX opened the door for women to play at the collegiate level, and Harris grabbed the opportunity. As a result, Hall of Fame coach Margaret Wade put together a team for the first time in school history.

Despite the passage of Title IX, the NCAA was still a men’s league in 1975. The women were left to

compete in the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women. During the time, Delta State had climbed to the national championship game against the undefeated, threetime consecutive national champions, Immaculata. Harris put up the first few points of the game and controlled the paint, ultimately leading to Immaculata’s defeat.

After Delta State’s first national championship win, Harris began to receive much publicity, taking on the title “Queen Lucy.” At the time, the women’s team drew more fans and brought in more money than the men’s team, so they started to travel more.

In the four years of the Delta State women’s basketball program, they were two-time national champions.

In 1976, women’s basketball became an Olympic sport, and Harris cemented history, scoring the game’s first points. During Harris’ senior year at Delta State, the team won their third national championship. Unlike the NCAA, there was no professional league for women. Harris wanted to keep playing, but the WNBA was nonexistent.

Harris ended up marrying her high school sweetheart, George Stewart. Though she was looking to settle down and start a family, Harris received a phone call from the NBA.

It was the New Orleans Jazz on the line with an offer. Harris thought it

was a publicity stunt and did not think she was good enough for the league. “Competing against a woman, yes. It’s a different story competing against a man,” Harris said in the New York Times documentary, “I said no to the NBA.” Harris’ decision not to go to the NBA was not one she regrets. She moved home, got a coaching job where her basketball career started at Amanda Elzy High School and raised her children. Her son, “Christopher is a lawyer, Eddie has a master’s, Christina received a doctorate and Crystal has a doctorate in education, which she received from Delta State. They’re athletes, all of them,” Harris said.

Throughout her basketball career, Harris never read newspaper articles boasting her talent. Even with her success, she was well known for her humble disposition and work ethic. Harris is still the record-holder of the highest career points (2,891) and rebounds (1,662) at Delta State and was the first Black female to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1992. She was escorted by Oscar Robertson, who she idolized. The history of basketball will forever remember the name of Lusia Harris.

Photographer

Stephen Saenz/The Paisano

Andrew Christianson, Jonathan Porter/The Paisano

Dustin Vickers/The Paisano