Vol. 66, Issue 3

Chi

Alpha comes

under fire for sexual assault allegations

UTSA Dean of Students urges students to report

By Jessica

Chi Alpha Campus Ministries recently came under fire in the media after Texas A&M’s student newspaper, The Battalion, revealed the organization’s connection to registered sex offender Daniel Savala in May. Chi Alpha has ministries on 276 campuses nationwide, including at UTSA.

Savala was arrested in June in Houston by the U.S. Marshal’s Lone Star Fugitive Task Force, acting on a Waco Police Department Warrant. His arrest was connected to the arrest of the former minister of the Baylor chapter of Chi Alpha, Chris Hundl, which occurred less than two weeks earlier. Both individuals were charged with the continuous sexual abuse of a child.

Following Hundl’s arrest, Baylor University suspended all Chi Alpha campus operations based on “potential violations of university event planning and registration guidelines.”

concerns

In July, William Robinson, a pastor working for the Chi Alpha chapter in Corpus Christi, was charged with a firstdegree felony of the continuous sexual abuse of a child. He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Statement from Chi Alpha Campus Ministries

When The Paisano asked Chi Alpha Campus Ministries for a comment on the allegations, they stated that the safety of the people they serve and their ministry environments is their top priority and that they “take seriously any allegations of threats to that safety.”

“When the allegations associated with Daniel Savala first surfaced, the South Texas District Council of the Assemblies of God (STXAG) immediately appointed a special committee from the South Texas District Executive Presbytery to investigate these serious allegations and STXAG retained the law firm, Foley & Lardner LLP, to conduct a thorough investigation,” Jerry Gibson, a local church specialist for Chi Alpha, said. “UTSA Chi Alpha has been cooperating with those efforts and participating in the investigation.”

Gibson explained that “the UTSA Chi Alpha Director was also placed on leave and relieved of his responsibilities with UTSA Chi Alpha pending the completion of the investigation” and that they are in the process of identifying an interim director.

the Equal Opportunity Services (EOS) and Title IX Office at www.utsa.edu/eos/ title-ix/. The EOS and Title IX website also offers resources for victims of sexual violence.

“It’s really important to understand that as information comes to the university, we take it very seriously and everything is investigated thoroughly,” Izbrand said.

In sharing more about the process that takes place when UTSA receives a concern about a student organization, Robinson explained “if [the complaint] is against an organization, it will go to Student Activities, and the Student Activities team will investigate.” Complaints against an individual are investigated by the Student Conduct and Community Standards Office.

Robinson further stated that these offices “work in combination to follow up to see if there are any code violations,” looking for additional information and witnesses if necessary. “There is no wrong door approach for students to report these types of incidents,” she said. “If they reach out to Student Conduct, or if they reach out to the UTSA Police Department, we all work together as a team.”

Former member creates public forum for victims

Ron Bloomingkemper, a member of the Chi Alpha chapter at Sam Houston State University in the mid-1990s, helped create a public forum for victims of sexual and spiritual abuse by Savala called “XA and the Lion’s Den.”

Bloomingkemper shared several resources that connect UTSA’s Chi Alpha chapter to Savala and his teachings, including an archived website from 2013 that endorses Savala’s personal website. He also shared several screenshots showing that Savala was in communication with Chi Alpha leaders at UTSA in the early 2010s, including a photo that he believes was Savala on the UTSA campus. Bloomingkemper also connected The Paisano with individuals who were involved in the chapter around this time.

A Dallas law firm representing Savala’s alleged victims, Scheef & Stone, LLP, sent a letter in April to the Texas A&M University System, Texas State University System, University of Houston System, University of Texas System and Rice University explaining Savala’s involvement with Chi Alpha and the campuses with Chi Alpha chapters. The letter demands that the recipients take immediate action to address Chi Alpha’s “ongoing formal or informal relationships with Daniel Savala before more people get the letter, attorney Mitch Little asserts that “if Chi Alpha’s ongoing disregard for its students continues and requires expulsion of the organization from every single campus, so be it.” from former members from UTSA of these individuals is Lindsay, a former UTSA student who requested that only her first name be used. Lindsay began attending Chi Alpha meetings in 2010, during her sophomore year at UTSA. “What drew me in was the familiarity of organized religion and the desperate need to find a place to belong,” Lindsay said. She explained that her first year as a member was great, but she began noticing changes in the behaviors of the leaders and pastors when she became a small-group

next few years, Salgado developed a close relationship with Savala and often consulted him for guidance, unaware that he was a registered sex offender.

In 2013, while visiting Savala’s home in Houston, Salgado confessed some of his struggles with pornography. He recounted how Savala related to his struggles and said that he does not consider them to be a sin. “In my mind [at the time], it’s like ‘wow, you can still be at the highest level, still have these struggles and still serve God,’” Salgado said.

“There is no wrong door approach for students to report these types of incidents. If they reach out to Student Conduct, or if they reach out to the UTSA Police Department, we all work together as a team.”

Ministries, UTSA campus pastor Johnny Hauck was placed on leave pending the results of their investigation. On the Chi Alpha Campus Ministry website, Hauck is currently listed as the point of contact for the UTSA Chi Alpha Chapter. Another former member of UTSA’s Chi Alpha chapter, Kieran Salgado, was introduced to Savala in 2011 by a UTSA campus missionary. Over the

Salgado alleges that Savala then invited the student into his backyard sauna, where he required all visitors to remove their clothing before entering. Salgado recalls not being too phased by this, as he claims the UTSA Chi Alpha chapter often promoted the phrase “nudity is unity,” and instances like this were not uncommon, he said. Salgado, who filed a police report this year, alleges that Savala spoke about and touched the student’s genitals in an attempt to “normalize” nudity and sexuality while in the sauna. says he brought the incident to a trusted figure within Chi Alpha, but that the outcome of this interaction caused him to not formally report the incident for a decade. He transferred from UTSA to UT Arlington, and then to Texas Christian Salgado has since processed the assault, he recounts how distraught he was at the time. “I was all teary-eyed, thinking ‘Was this all real?’ Like, I thought I met God. I trusted the people who led me to God, and then this happens, and in my mind, there’s no way anybody would recalls how Savala referred to himself as a “traveling evangelist” in order to evade investigation from the churches and campuses he was working with. “He would use the excuse that he didn’t want to tie his name to an organization, but really, it’s because they would find him out,” Salgado said. “He doesn’t work, he gets money from people like me for his advice, for his wisdom, for his bible knowledge.”

In Chi Alpha’s statement to The Paisano, Gibson also said that STXAG has established an email, reports@stxag.org, for anyone to report information regarding the allegations against Savala and assist in their investigations.

Reporting process at UTSA

Chi Alpha

McLaren News Editor

Dustin Vickers/The Paisano

“It’s really important to understand that as information comes to the university, we take it very seriously and everything is investigated thoroughly.”

FDA approves first OTC birth control

By Izabella Ali Bocas Contributor

The FDA recently approved Opill, an oral contraceptive, for over-the-counter use. The switch was approved in July 2023 and will be available to consumers starting in 2024.

State of the City

“Hormonal contraception can regulate hormone imbalance, reduce the severity of menstrual bleeding and pain and reduce the risk of certain cancers,” said Wellbeing Education Coordinator Jamie Singh.

“Hormonal contraception may not be for everyone, but for those who do need it, over-thecounter birth control is a major victory.”

Opill is the first contraceptive approved within the United States that does not require a prescription. It has been 50 years since the drug was initially approved by the FDA for prescription uses. Throughout those 50 years, the manufacturers have been working towards expanding the drug’s accessibility to include over-the-counter options.

Opill contains a hormone called progestin, which reduces the chance of unwanted pregnancies. However, it is not an emergency contraceptive, nor does it protect against STDs since the drug works as a preventative measure or regulation of a hormonal imbalance.

Oral contraceptives can be taken for multiple reasons, not just to prevent pregnancy.

Over six million pregnancies happen in the United States every year, and approximately half are unintended. “One of the biggest barriers to contraception access is being broken with the introduction of overthe-counter birth control,” Singh said. Having Opill available in convenience stores, grocery stores and online stores makes contraceptives more ac cessible.

Opill must be taken at the same time each day to be effective. Other medications can also lower the effectiveness of the contraceptive. Individuals who have pre-existing health conditions or who take other medications should contact their physicians before taking Opill to ensure that Opill will be beneficial. While taking the medication some individuals can experience irregular periods and change in length of cycle.

In speaking about Opill and its many uses, Singh emphasized how access to contraception is one of the most important preventative health measures one can use. “Now women can take another step in

Week of 9/12/23

By Amber Serio Staff Writer

Not subscribed to local news, but still want to stay upto-date on the happenings around town? Look no further. Highlighting notable stories from external San Antonio news sources, State of the City summarizes the most captivating news headlines of the week. This week’s topics range from the first cold front of the season to a youth orchestra concert.

Cold front will ease the triple-digit weather

San Antonio’s record-breaking summer heat is finally being eased by the first cold front of the season. The tripledigit temperatures will carry out until the weekend before they finally begin to decline to the low 90s on Tuesday and Wednesday. San Antonio will see the greatest impact of the front on Thursday and Friday, as the temperatures are expected to drop to the high 80s.

Parents of 5 found after being kidnapped

A San Antonio couple that was kidnapped from their home has been reunited with their five children. Two arrests have been made, but there is a third suspect that has not been found. The intruders, Felipe Valdez and Xhavier Martinez, are both facing aggravated kidnapping charges.

Youth Orchestras of San Antonio to perform with international students

There will be high school students from 12 different countries visiting San Antonio tomorrow to perform in a collaborative concert with students from the Youth Orchestras of San Antonio. The purpose of the concert is to show that things like music and art can bring people together despite linguistic and cultural barriers. The concert is free and will be conducted at 7 p.m. on Sept. 13 at St. Philip’s College.

Bexar County sees decline in COVID-19 cases

SGA kicks off the semester with first General Assembly

By Kara Lee Graphic Editor

The Student Government Association (SGA) kicked off its first general meeting of the Fall 2023 semester on Thursday. The meeting began with an update from SGA Speaker of Senate Karli Robertson, who introduced the executive and legislative members. No new business plans were announced, and the executive branch explained that they would not be going over any future ideas since it was their first general assembly of the semester.

The assembly then opened the floor for any senators to share their concerns or ideas about the UTSA campus. The senators had nothing to share, so President Zachary Nepote announced they would be jumping into icebreakers so they could get familiar with the crowd. Once the icebreakers were concluded, the legislative branch introduced themselves and their initiatives formally.

First up was Academic Affairs, whose proposed ideas included a scantron giveaway and handson Canvas tech support. The next committee chair was Business Affairs. The main initiatives discussed were solving housing problems, pedestrian corridors and composting on campus.

Lastly, Student Affairs shared initiatives that would focus on replenishing menstrual products in campus bathrooms, Student Union partnerships and cultural events.

This general assembly provided an introduction to SGA and allowed students to meet the new legislature members and hear their ideas for the semester. The association’s second general assembly will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 21 at the Harris-Travis Room (2.202 and 2.212), and all UTSA students are welcome to attend.

Condom Collective aims to help students across campuses

By Kara Lee Graphic Editor

The Condom Collective, started by the activist network Advocates for Youth, selects 1,000 students every year to help them increase access to contraceptives on college campuses. Applications for this year’s Condom Collective will on Sunday.

According Advocates for Youth believe that young people “should have access to the tools they need to protect their health – including access to condoms, contraception, and services.” The network’s vision is to break down the stigma around sexuality and help transform policies, programs and systems to access sexual health for the youth.

The Condom Collective is a youth-led grassroots movement to make condoms available to students who need them and educate the youth on the value of condoms and how vital their use is. Each semester, the Condom Collective selects 1,000 college students between the ages

of 18 and 29 to receive 500 condoms to give out to anyone who needs them. Students can also indicate on the application that they would like to receive training in sexual health, contraceptive

for Youth understands that there are many injustices like poverty, homophobia, transphobia, ageism, racism and sexism that can further push sexual health disparities. The organization plans to fight these injustices by working in environments where they engage, empower and mobilize the youth to become advocates and fight for better health systems.

for Youth has a presence on 1,200 different campuses in the U.S. and over 120 countries worldwide. They want to support change in cultural and political environments to further for the Condom Collective close on Sept. 17 at midnight. Visit advocatesforyouth. org/campaigns/the-condom-collective/ to apply.

As of last week, the total reported cases of COVID-19 in Bexar County have dropped. This marks the first decline since the week of July 3, as there have been 26 fewer cases recorded. The decline offers a sense of relief for San Antonio, as the city suffered a summer surge of COVID-19 that resulted in cases skyrocketing by 710% between June 27 and Aug. 28.

Death of unhoused man due to heat ignites protests

The death of 56-year-old Albert Garcia has gathered the attention of protestors seeking to advocate for the unhoused community in San Antonio. Garcia lived under a West Side highway ramp and died due to heat exposure. His death has sparked a fire in advocates as they gathered outside of San Antonio city offices Friday morning, demanding something be done to protect the city’s unhoused population from the summer heat.

Boss Tea now open on Main Campus

By Kaitlyn J. Grace Staff Writer

Boss Tea, a popular boba tea cafe, is now open on UTSA’s main campus in the Science and Engineering Building, offering numerous menu options.

Students continue to flock to the new establishment, proving the cafe will be the go-to spot for refreshing drinks on campus.

UTSA’s dining page reads, “Your new favorite dining location is NOW OPEN at the Science and Engineering Building! Boss Tea is serving an assortment of refreshing teas, boba drinks, lattes and more!”

Aside from boba tea, customers are also able to order other drinks such as coffee, matcha, milk teas and UTSA Specials “Rowdy” and “Meep Meep.” Students also have the option of different types of boba or other toppings, such as strawberry popping boba, mango star jelly and Oreo crumbs among others.

If one wishes to forgo toppings entirely, some drinks on the menu

do not come with boba, which is indicated by the lack of a gray star next to the menu item.

Since its opening on Sept. 5, students have given it their stamp of approval. “I think this is the best decision they’ve ever made,” Sampriti Selvam, an environmental science major said. “Every drink I’ve tried so far has been a hit.”

It should be noted that because of Boss Tea’s popularity, long lines are expected to form, which often result in significant wait times. Students should plan in advance to go when they do not have class or are in a rush.

“I can tell it’s really popular, the line’s super long,” political science major Diego Elias said.

Boss Tea is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday and is closed during the weekend. Prices vary depending on the drink and the amount of toppings chosen, but they mainly range from $5.50 to $7.50. For more information, as well as a full look at the menu, visit the UTSA dining page.

Kaitlyn Grace/The Paisano

Dustin Vickers/The Paisano

“One of the biggest barriers toaccesscontraception is being broken with the introduction of over-the-counter birth control.”

KaraLee/The Paisano

Courtesy of UTSA SGA

Do Roadrunners need protection from Chi Alpha?

UTSA investigates allegations of abuse

At any college campus, student organizations are an integral part of bringing the student body together. They serve as a great resource for new students to find like-minded individuals with common interests. However, across the nation, one student organization has continued to maintain a significant presence despite numerous allegations of abuse prompting investigations.

Chi Alpha, a campus ministry organization with chapters on college campuses nationwide, aims to “reconcile students to Christ, equipping them through Spirit-Filled communities of prayer, worship, fellowship, discipleship and mission to transform the university, the marketplace and the world.”

Despite this seemingly benevolent mission, multiple former members of Chi Alpha have come forward about what they allege is the organization’s toxic environment.

A report compiled by Texas A&M’s student newspaper, The Battalion, found that the Texas A&M

chapter of Chi Alpha was associated with Daniel Savala, who was charged with “11 counts of sexual abuse of a minor and pleaded guilty to one” and has been a registered sex offender since 2012. Savala was found to have ties to chapters all across the state, prompting multiple colleges to suspend Chi Alpha from practicing on campus.

Despite these details coming to light, Chi Alpha continues to prosper at UTSA. The Paisano spoke to two former UTSA Chi Alpha chapter members who claimed the chapter had ties to Savala. In a comment regarding the allegations against Chi Alpha, UTSA told The Paisano that “Savala has no connection with [UTSA’s Chi Alpha chapter].” Additionally, UTSA campus pastor Johnny Hauck was placed on leave pending an ongoing internal investigation.

Chi Alpha is an organization fraught with allegations of sexual abuse and spiritual manipulation. However, you can still find them tabling on campus and can still

sign up for their social events on RowdyLink. This is a severe disservice to the student body; UTSA needs to suspend Chi Alpha from campus and ensure that Roadrunners are not continually exposed to this organization until the university concludes its investigation. Students can report any instances of misconduct by Chi Alpha to the Dean of Students at www.utsa.edu/students/dean-of-students/. Equal Opportunity Services and Title IX reporting can be done at www.utsa.edu/eos/title-ix/.

Stop Texas’ new age of oppression Online education gets a failing grade

Commentary

By Abraham Roman Staff Writer

Commentary

By Carley Martin Staff Writer

On Sept. 1, 2023, 774 new bills were set to be made into law in Texas. One of these bills is Senate Bill 14, which would make it impossible for the transgender youth of Texas to access genderaffirming care. SB14 would also effectively make it lawful for doctors to be stripped of their licenses for providing this lifesaving care to their patients. However, physicians and family members of transgender children sued the state of Texas before the bill was able to be made into law on the first.

Maria Cantú Hexsel, 53rd District Court Judge, granted a temporary injunction, but the attorney general’s office appealed to the Texas Supreme Court, ultimately pausing Cantú Hexsel’s decision. Plaintiffs attempted to get the Texas Supreme Court to temporarily block the law, but they were unsuccessful. Many of the negative statements made by right-

wing politicians regarding genderaffirming care are not rooted in facts but rather used as scare tactics to frighten people and bring them to their side. While lawmakers and politicians advocating for this bill claim that they are protecting children, the majority of the scientific community does not back their claims.

Major medical organizations such as the American Medical Association, American Psychiatric Association and the World Medical Association are all in agreement that gender-affirming care is greatly beneficial and medically necessary for transgender individuals. There is also an overwhelming amount of evidence from scientific studies that show gender-affirming care greatly decreases the chance of suicide in trans youth. A recent study that was published in the New England Journal of Medicine spanning two years and involving 315 transgender people showed staggeringly positive results in the mental health of those receiving

gender-affirming care. This study was not the exception. The real question is: If science does not back their claims, why are Republicans still making these laws?

The answer is simple. These politicians and lawmakers do not agree with people living a different lifestyle than theirs and are using their power to condemn these people for daring to be different. They are taking these people’s rights away and greatly decreasing their quality of life just because they do not like them. This is not only unconstitutional but also morally wrong. For the party that claims to value freedom more than anything else, it is a shock that they should try to forbid others from living freely in their identities. With ideologies of the GOP strongly centered around the ideas of our founding fathers and the Declaration of Independence, the unalienable rights — life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness — should be extended to our trans brothers and sisters.

Don’t pad the facts, UTSA needs more period products

Commentary

By Izabella Ali Bocas

Contributor

Nearly every bathroom on the UTSA main campus has a big silver dispenser labeled “empty.”

These dispensers hold no other purpose but to have menstrual hygiene products, yet they always seem to be empty. Within the Main Campus, there are stations that are supposed to have menstrual products; however, the only place that ever seems to have any is the Student Union, and any other location seems to be empty.

In the event that an individual was to start their period and does

not have any menstrual products, and these machines are empty, what is there to do?

Even in the Rowdy stores around campus, there is a lack of menstrual products. While there are existing sanitary products in some buildings, they are only present in six out of the 29 buildings at UTSA. No distribution locations are being advertised to the students on the Downtown Campus either.

UTSA has shown an interest for growth when providing menstrual hygiene products to students. A big step towards making these products available to students was when PERIOD and the UTSA Student Government Association partnered

to stock restrooms with hygiene products in March. This seemed like a great step towards supplying menstrual products, but when all advertised distribution locations are empty, their effectiveness cannot even be measured.

Menstrual products are expensive; however, one could assume with the high cost of tuition that those funds would go back to the students. UTSA has started to take a step towards more accessible menstrual products, but that step is moving in slow motion. The discussion towards implementing and expanding these programs seems to be dwindling the longer the conversations continue.

Dark room, bright screen, 2 p.m., but you still have pajamas on and are in bed. You hop onto the third Zoom “class” of the day to use as background noise while you do something else, anything else. When the world falls apart before your eyes, rarely will education find itself at the top of today’s priority list, and while the taste of forgone academic success lingers in your mouth, you just cannot bring yourself to do it anymore. The COVID-19 pandemic took a piece of everyone, whether it be the loss of a loved one, the experience of fighting to survive the pandemic or even just wasted opportunities. Education was not excluded from the detriments that the pandemic caused. Students were forced into a labyrinth of technological adaptation. Technology, a solution promised to us by our seniors, sought to fight against adding education to the list of things lost to the pandemic. The switch to online learning was seen as a hail mary, the untested and obvious solution to the problem that needed urgent fixing, yet its shortfalls became obvious almost immediately. Many teachers struggled while learning to utilize new software, like Google Classroom and Zoom, resulting in inefficient use of said software, and students who already disliked school failed to see a reason to participate in these online lessons when consequences seemed meek.

The switch was drastic and not adequately adjusted to foster an effective shift; educators and students were simply handed a solution and told to figure it out. Online learning was a complete 180 from in-person teaching. Classes went from places of intellectual promotion to intervals of

staring blankly at a screen. A reliance grew to utilize boring, monotonous “busy work” class programs that were agonizingly premade and computer-graded. The union between students to compete and cooperate, the personality of the instructor that shone through in their teaching and the comfort of eye contact, body language and facial expressions when conversing were all left behind when we switched to online schooling. Undeniably, learning was modified in such a way that absolutely impeded students ability to effectively learn.

Even worse is that access to this lackluster education was not even guaranteed. Like many other systems in place today, the online education format benefited the wealthy. Economicallychallenged students suffered from limited or no internet access, lack of adequate electronics and, at times, no time because they needed to work to even survive through the pandemic. Education during the pandemic only worked to exacerbate economic inequality through a loss of the ability to even access a form of education.

This addresses the question of why online meetings and programs were chosen as the preferred learning modality to switch to. While tech has undoubtedly advanced every facet of our modern living, it is not a cure all. Less technologically reliant forms of schooling, all of which also came with their own shortcomings, had the potential to be offered as more inclusive alternatives, yet many students felt shunned by the fact that they were overlooked by the boards made to protect their education. Education, the promised escape from poverty, came to fall under the same paywall that everything else in life was locked by.

Calli Recore/The Paisano

Kara Lee/The Paisano

OPINION

Taking “dressed to kill” too seriously

By Luna Infante Staff Writer

Most of us have been there, in a position where we want new clothes but cannot afford to splurge on a shopping spree, where our online shopping cart stacks up yet we cannot bring ourselves to spend hundreds on a few pieces. The pressure intensifies during the back-toschool season and even worse on paydays. Even with enough money, it feels wrong to spend so much on clothes. What have most of us turned to as a result?

Fast fashion brands.

Fast fashion can be defined as cheap, trendy clothes that are rapidly produced. Fast fashion copies the pieces most recently seen on celebrities or on the catwalk but are mass-produced and sold for much cheaper. It sounds harmless at first, fashionable clothes for less, what could be the problem? The industry negatively impacts the environment and causes harm to garment workers who are forced to labor in inhumane conditions.

Commentary

When it comes to our planet, fast fashion causes detrimental harm. According to Earth. org, 92 million tons of textile waste is produced yearly. If the trend continues, this number is expected to jump to 134 million tons by 2030. Garment production also requires large amounts of energy. The fashion industry alone is responsible for approximately 8% of global carbon emissions, contributing more than the aviation and shipping sectors combined. It does not stop there –– the fashion industry also contributes to 20% of global wastewater and is the second-largest consumer industry of water. According to Business Insider, it takes approximately 700 gallons of water to make one cotton shirt and 2000 gallons to produce a pair of jeans. The fashion industry is also accountable for water pollution, with textile dyeing being the world’s second-largest water pollutant. The dyeing process uses enough water to fill two million Olympic-sized

swimming pools annually. The fashion industry is causing considerable environmental harm, and most of us are feeding into the problem. While the fashion industry contributes to significant amounts of waste and pollution, the consumption of clothes continues to rise. The world’s consumption of clothes has increased 400% in the last 20 years, while clothing utilization has decreased. Since 2000, the average number of times a clothing item was worn has dropped by 36%. Thanks to the rise and fall of trends, many individuals choose not to repeat items. This could be due to many believing it decreases the value of their choices, or perhaps because they are self-conscious about others remembering their outfits or clothes. The truth is, everybody is too busy worrying about themselves to think about the clothes the people around them are wearing and repeating. It is possible to wear stylish pieces without harming the environment, and without

The Paisano

Editorial Board

Laynie Clark | Editor-in-Chief Editor@paisano-online.com

harming people. Aside from the negative impact fast fashion has on the environment, it causes harm to workers as well.

The fast fashion industry is excruciatingly labor-intensive and extremely inhumane. For fast fashion brands to produce clothes so quickly at such a low cost, the production cost has to remain low as well. This is done by exploiting workers and paying them absurdly low wages despite their hard work and intense hours. Brands get away with this in countries with unstrict, low-standard labor laws. It was reported that between 2012 and 2015, excessive overtime was found in 97% of the 36 garment factories in Bangladesh. In another report, it is stated that garment workers work 14 to 16 hours a day, seven days a week. In severe cases, some laborers are not paid at all, even for overtime, and for some, termination is threatened if they do not comply with working overtime.

Everything but the kitchen sink

By Amber Serio Staff Writer

Whether it is a handwritten note, an article of clothing or a cell phone being thrown onstage, concertgoers have proven they are not afraid of going to extreme measures to express their adoration for their favorite artists. Though, after a string of incidents where this form of praise threatened the safety of multiple artists, the circumstances have music lovers wondering when adoration could be considered too much.

Although throwing objects on stage during concerts is not a new occurrence, it has suddenly become a growing trend over the summer. One recent incident that caught the attention of music lovers and artists occurred at a Bebe Rexha concert in New York City on June 18.

Rexha was in the middle of a performance when she was struck in the face by a phone, resulting in her falling to her

knees before being escorted off-stage to receive medical attention. The artist later took to social media to assure fans that she was okay but that the incident did cause her to need stitches.

Country music singer Kelsea Ballerini experienced a similar instance while performing in Boise, Idaho, on June 28 when a fan threw a bracelet that hit her in the eye. Ballerini was mid-performance and had to step away for an intermission to recollect herself. After reappearing, she explained what happened to the fans in attendance and then expressed the dangers of throwing objects during a live performance, mentioning that she wants her concerts to be a safe place for everyone.

These two instances truly do not encapsulate the frequency of how much these encounters have been occurring within the live music world. Other artists that have experienced some form of concert interruption at the hands of fans throwing things onstage or making irrational decisions include

Harry Styles, Ava Max, Drake, Latto — the list goes on. Why are concertgoers doing this to their supposed favorite artists? Why would a person pay money to see someone they musically idolize just to disrespect their performance and put their safety at risk?

Some believe the incidents are coming from fans seeking fame on social media; more specifically, those who have thrown their phones during concerts in the hopes that the artist will use their phone to capture the moment.

Others think this may be occurring simply from fans being over-excited and poorly executing a meaningful gesture. According to an article by Today, “David Schmid, a pop culture expert at the University at Buffalo College of Arts and Sciences, said the idea of tossing items on stage historically goes back to the etymology of the word fan. Short for fanatic, it was a term originally associated with religious devotion.”

Regardless of why concertgoers are doing this,

it does not change the fact that it is blatantly bad concert etiquette. No one with an ounce of respect for live music would ever risk provoking detriment on an artist’s musical craft. Concerts are supposed to be a place where artists can showcase their music live so their fans can have fun and connect with each other. Therefore, the fans who think these incidents are unimportant and not something that needs to be diminished are utterly wrong and are jeopardizing the future of live music. The fact of the matter is that throwing things onstage while artists are performing is dangerous, and it needs to stop. If fans continue to interrupt live music performances with their advances, artists could potentially start lessening the amount that they perform or stop performing altogether. If you are a music lover who enjoys going to concerts, ask yourself if you want the future of live music to live on or be ruined by fans with bad concert etiquette.

Standardized tests: An o utdated educational system

Commentary

2.1 million high school seniors sat to take the SAT in 2020. The following year, only 1.5 million were tested. The SAT is one of the most well-known standardized tests for college admissions applications in the United States, however, with the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, many universities made testing optional in light of people being unable to take it. Now, with everything relatively back to normal, we should ask: Should standardized tests be discontinued?

Standardized testing may help to win you recognition among your peers and win you scholarships to avoid

student loan debt, however, it also has an insidious past.

The SAT was developed by the College Board with the help of psychologist Carl Brigham, who had also developed aptitude tests for the U.S. Army to openly discriminate against soldiers by “race and by test scores” during World War I. In addition, people of color (POC) tend to score lower on college admissions tests, therefore creating a gap in college enrollments and completion.

Discrimination does not only target POC it also targets families that are low-income as “students with [a] family income of $100,000 or more are more than twice as likely as students with [a] family income under $50,000 to have

combined SAT test scores of 1400 to 1600.” How does this affect enrollments at Ivy Leagues? It does about what one would expect, with these colleges having a significantly below-average enrollment of Black or African-American students, Hispanic or Latino students and Pell Grant recipients, despite being some of the nation’s wealthiest colleges. They are also the colleges with some of the highest SAT scores.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, a world without standardized testing looked like a dream, and not one under easy reach. Now, over 80% of colleges are going test-optional or score-free for the Fall 2023 semester, including our own campus — for freshman

Chloe Williams | Managing Editor Manager@paisano-online.com

Jessica McLaren | News Editor News@paisano-online.com

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The Editorial is the official opinion of The Paisano editorial board. Commentaries are the opinion of the individual writer.

applicants at least — who went test-optional when the pandemic hit and it currently does not look like it is being repealed. Last academic year, over 1,835 colleges had a testoptional or score-free policy, meaning that only 85 colleges reverted the pandemic-era testing policies, an impressive feat. That list includes both California State University and the entire University of California system, which teaches over 475,000 students. Do standardized tests carry any benefit at all past admission? Surprisingly, past the admissions process they have shown to be beneficial in some areas.

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Arte de San Antonio

By Lauren Hernandez

Assistant Arts & Life Editor

arts & life

Water? I hardly know her

‘Water Ways’: Ruby City’s newest exhibition

“If you had behaved nicely the communists wouldn’t exist,” declared an electronic LED sign hanging on the wall of Ruby City’s newest art exhibition, Water Ways. This sign never relented, scrolling through ominous phrases reflecting upon the instability of the contemporary world, their repetition and movement mimicking the motions of water. Like this LED art installation by New York artist Jenny Holzer, each artwork on display in “Water Ways” ties into the theme of water in increasingly creative ways.

“Water Ways” opened to the public on Sept. 7 and features approximately 50 works ranging from drawings, paintings and prints to sculptures and photographs. These artworks are mostly from the Linda Pace Foundation/Ruby City Collection. The group exhibition was curated by Elyse A. Gonzales, director of Ruby City. Inspired by the newest phase of the San Pedro Creek Culture Park, which is just a walk away from the museum, Gonzales realized “how ubiquitous water is in our lives, how it shapes so much of what we do on an individual and societal level and how ideas, metaphors associated with water can just as easily be found everywhere.”

“Water is an essential part of our lived experiences,” the introduction printed on the wall at the entrance of the exhibit explained. The first prints that you see after this are by San Antoniobased artist Richard “Ricky” Armendariz, and they embody this introduction by depicting an imagined folklore story where the sea is the setting and a whale and fish are the main characters.

Another artwork in this exhibition that beckons you towards it is Luz Maria Sanchez’s “Riverbank.” Created in 2006 during her residency at Artpace San Antonio, an institution founded by Linda Pace, “Riverbank” is made of salvaged clothing, plastic bottles and personal

items found along the banks of the Rio Grande. This artwork stretches across the concrete floor of Ruby City, serving as a metaphor for borders and the violence and uncertainty that they can create.

A canvas by New York artist Jim Hodges is covered in a mosaic of perfectly cut mirrors that reflect the viewer, distorting their image like flowing water. Another sprawling canvas by Joey Fauerso, a San Antonio-born and based artist, portrays the restorative qualities of water in contrasting black and white brushstrokes. Lining a hallway of the museum are small maps that illustrate water sources from around the globe. Another wall is adorned with all of the prints from Robyn O’Neil’s 2009 suite titled “There does come a time when laughs become sighs; we put all to rest, we said our goodbyes.” These lithographs convey a variety of complex human themes such as turmoil and serenity, mirroring the variability of water’s diverse forms and uses.

On Saturday, Sept. 9, Ruby City hosted an opening reception where Gonzales and Mona Hatoum, an artist featured in “Water Ways,” highlighted particular pieces and underlying themes of the new exhibition. Gonzales and Hatoum stood under the abrasive LED sign and next to Hatoum’s “Mobile Home II” installation. This artwork condensed an entire household into an orderly, perpetually moving structure. Domestic items such as suitcases, bedrolls and a table and chair moved on suspended clotheslines with the motion of flowing water. By taking away the walls of a home and replacing them with a cycling movement, Hatoum’s artwork completely transformed the idea of water, encompassing what “Water Ways” is all about. Check out these artworks and so many more, on display at Ruby City for free until July 28, 2024.

National Indoor Plant Week

Lauren Hernandez/The Paisano

10 places to get freebies on your birthday

Spare Change

By Luna Infante Staff Writer

We all love to be spoiled on our birthday, whether it be with gifts, a sweet treat or a delicious drink. Many companies are happy to toast you on your special day. With a simple rewards sign-up, you can indulge in nice gifts for yourself, many times at no cost. Below are 10 places that gift their reward members with birthday freebies. As a tip, it is recommended you activate your free memberships a few days prior to collecting your special treats.

1. Starbucks – One free drink or food item

A classic –– what better than caffeine to start your day? Or perhaps a tea to spice things up. Take the leap and try something new. It is free, after all. You are eligible for one free drink or food item on your birthday if you have Starbucks Rewards, easily accessible through the app or available online.

2. IHOP – One free stack of pancakes

By Naydine De La Fuente Staff Writer

As the third week of September quickly approaches, we join together to celebrate National Indoor Plant Week, a holiday dedicated to showing our appreciation and knowledge for the plants and nature around us. There are many benefits that are attached to becoming an indoor plant caretaker. Plants provide clean and purified air, relieve stress, reduce noise and serve as stylish decor for your homes while also keeping us more in tune with nature. For this upcoming national holiday, we hope you join in this celebration as we discuss some of the best plant nurseries here in San Antonio, where you can find your next potted friend.

Milberger’s Landscaping & Nursery

Located at 3920 N. Loop 1604 E, Milberger’s Landscaping & Nursery provides people with everything they could possibly need for any gardening or planting task. With a wide selection of plants, individuals can choose from a variety of different options, whether it is fruit trees, seasonal flowers or your everyday run-of-themill house plant. This nursery also hosts various events that people can attend that provide very useful and significant information, such as gardening demonstrations and tips, alongside classes for gardening for both beginners and experienced planters. Aside from it also being a beautiful location to visit, the staff there are delightful and helpful. Check out their website to stay updated on any news and events that they have or just to learn more about the wonderful perks they have to offer for any plant caregiver.

Rainbow Gardens Rainbow Gardens is an amazing nursery to

visit for the upcoming national indoor plant holiday. Having a wide selection that expands over a whopping five acres, there are many plants and other gardening-related items that this nursery has to offer. A perk of visiting this location is being able to visit their charming shop, which is stocked with delightful gardening tools and other novelty items. Their website also provides several helpful tools and sources for fellow gardeners and has a detailed calendar that is filled with various fun events and workshops. Rainbow Gardens prides itself on its interesting garden displays, quality plants, knowledgeable staff and huge inventory. Make sure to pay a visit to Rainbow Gardens at 8516 Bandera Rd. and be amazed by their wonderful displays.

The Garden Center

The Garden Center is a family-owned and operated independent retail nursery that supplies any lawn and gardening needs. At first glance, it may look like an ordinary garden nursery, but there is so much more that this location has to offer. Not only do they source their plants locally, but they also hand-pick the greenery they have in stock. The Garden Center provides quality products for the absolute best price and has trained, friendly employees who give customers the best advice and information when it comes to gardening. They are located at 10682 Bandera Rd., so make sure to pay them a visit in celebration of the upcoming holiday.

If you are a plant lover or want to begin the journey of growing your indoor sanctuary, feel free to visit any of these local nurseries and be immersed in the greenery. You will not be disappointed.

For a delicious birthday breakfast, hop on over to IHOP for some free pancakes. If you are a part of the International Bank of Pancakes rewards program, you are eligible to receive a stack of their tasty and iconic pancakes.

3. Chick-fil-A

Want to satisfy your sweet tooth?

For new members, Chickfil-A provides a birthday treat at no cost, including a chocolate chunk cookie or a brownie. Depending on your membership tier, you could also be eligible for a free dessert variety award, nuggets, a sandwich or an

4. Freebirds free burrito

Care to treat yourself to a tasty lunch after your sweet treats? Time for another food stop before you continue your birthday activities. Freebirds members are able to enjoy a free burrito on their special day.

5. Auntie Anne’s – One free pretzel

Perhaps sweets and burritos are not your thing. If you find yourself at the mall on your birthday –– maybe for a shopping trip your friends or family are treating you to –– take a stop at Auntie Anne’s. Auntie Anne’s offers members a free pretzel on their birthday. What better than a traditional pretzel to snack on when browsing stores at your local mall?

6. Sephora – Free mini gift set

If you want to expand your beauty collection, Sephora’s Beauty Insider members are eligible for a free mini gift set. Your beauty set could include anything from skincare to makeup or fragrances. For VIB or Rouge members, larger, more valuable gift sets are available.

7. Ulta – One free beauty product

Maybe you prefer Ulta to Sephora, if that is the case, with a simple email sign-up, you are eligible to receive a birthday gift anytime during your birthday month, available online or in-store. Each month features a different gift. For September, Ulta offers the Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream.

Caroline Puckett/The Paisano

Arts & Life

The five best records available at the UTSA bookstore

By Ray Rodriguez Contributor

From Target to Best Buy, vinyl records are everywhere, with varying quality. It is hard to wade through the shelves and shelves stacked with “Country Singer/Songwriter #39” to find something actually listenable, and often, you would have to take a trip to one of San Antonio’s many specialty record stores. Luckily, the UTSA bookstore features a selection of records to keep its student body satiated. From the roughly 40 records in their selection, these are some of the ones that stand out amongst the rest. So, whether you are a vinyl veteran looking to expand your collection or a new initiate with a Crosley suitcase turntable in hand, let us take a look at some of my own personal recommendations of great records to enhance your collection.

5. “MTV Unplugged In New York” by Nirvana

The tragedy of Nirvana and Kurt Cobain retroactively turns this intimate recording of one of the band’s final performances into a raw snapshot of the lightning in a bottle that was Nirvana. No one at that level of fame would have the gall to skip all their biggest tunes to cover The Vaselines and the Meat Puppets. There has never been, and likely never will be, another Kurt Cobain.

4. “The Essential Johnny Cash” by Johnny Cash

“Hello, I’m Johnny Cash” is one of the most iconic openings of any song, period. It may not even be the best one on the record. Johnny Cash’s body of work is staggeringly excellent, and you are doing yourself a disservice if you have not heard this compilation. Yes,

every single song on this compilation. They are all great.

3. “Led Zeppelin II” and “Led Zeppelin IV” by Led Zeppelin Led Zeppelin is one of the greatest classic rock bands. “Led Zeppelin II” and “Led Zeppelin IV” are tied in my mind for the best choice for which to pick up from the bookstore, so just choose whichever number you like better. “Led Zeppelin IV” is probably the better experience from front to back, but you just cannot beat the one two-punch of “Whole Lotta Love” and “What Is and What Should Never Be.” And once you finish these, pick up “Houses of the Holy,” the real best Led Zeppelin record.

2. “License to Ill” by Beastie Boys

A perfect definition of the phrase “white boy swag,” Beastie Boys carry their roots as a hardcore band into new territory with their genre-bending debut. This is the perfect record to throw on and spend the next hour screaming along with your friends. The three-track run of

What are UTSA students wearing?

“Girls,” the best worst song ever written, the satirical and misunderstood “Gotta Fight For Your Right (To Party)” and the absolute ripper “No Sleep Till Brooklyn” function as the centerpiece to their fiery debut. Just put it on and scream your head off.

1. “Gold” by ABBA

Twenty of the greatest songs of all time from the greatest pop group of all time. If you are going to buy an album from the bookstore, make it this one. Every single song on here is a masterpiece of vocals, instrumentals, energy and melody. No one does it like ABBA, and no one ever will.

By Marcela Montufar Soria Multimedia Editor

Find out past events from the days of this week; births, deaths and important moments from all corners of the globe and all eras of history.

Sept. 12, 1953: John F. Kennedy married Jacqueline Lee Bouvier.

The former U.S. President and First Lady were married in Newport, Rhode Island in a ceremony with over 800 guests. The two met at a dinner party in May 1952 and were engaged shortly after. The two were married for 10 years until the death of President Kennedy. The couple had four children, two of which died in infancy. Beloved as a young and sociable First Lady, Kennedy was a supporter of the arts and was celebrated as a fashion icon who guided the renovation of the White House. President Kennedy was the first Roman Catholic President, sworn in on Jan. 20, 1961. He was assassinated on Nov. 22, 1963, in Dallas, Texas while on a motorcar parade with his wife, making her a widow at age 34.

Sept. 13, 81: Roman Emperor Titus died.

Titus Vespasianus Augustus was born to Emperor Vespasian on Dec. 30, 39 C.E., and was Emperor of Rome from 79 C.E. until his death at 41 years old in 81 C.E. He is best known as the Conqueror of Jerusalem, which he captured in September 70 C.E. during the First Jewish-Roman War. The war sought to end Jewish resistance to Roman rule in the province of Judea and it was during this siege that the Second Jewish Temple at Jerusalem was destroyed. To honor his victory, the Arch of Titus, still standing today, was put up in the Roman Forum in Rome. Sept. 14, 1901: The 25th President of the United States, William McKinley, died due to assassination.

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By Jada Thomas Staff Writer

One of the best activities for anyone looking to spend time in their own company or to simply get out of the house is to catch a movie at their local theater. However, it can be difficult to know what is showing or what you might be interested in. On top of this, Hollywood studio executives are refusing to pay members of the WGA and SAG-AFTRA fair wages. As a result, many films are not receiving the typical promotion from their actors so some upcoming titles may have escaped your notice. To fix that, below are several of September’s new releases, along with older films that are returning to screens.

New releases

- “The Equalizer”: The latest installment in the action franchise starring Oscar award-winning actor, Denzel Washington, was released on Sept. 1. This film follows Washington’s character, Robert McCall, as he takes on powerful foes to protect those closest to him.

- “The Nun II”: The sequel to “The Nun” (2018) released in theaters on Sept. 8. In this film, the demonic spirit Valak, the Nun, is once again a force to be reckoned with.

“My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3”: The third installment in the “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” franchise hit theaters on Sept. 8. The film follows the Portokalos family as they return to Greece to reunite and mourn the death of Costas “Gus” Portokalos, played by Michael Constantine who passed away in 2021. - “Bottoms”: On Sept. 1, this highly anticipated lesbian teen comedy finally made its way to more theaters across the country, including several here in San Antonio. The film follows Josie and PJ, played by Ayo Edebiri and

Rachel Sennott, as their questionable motivations lead them to start a fight club.

- “A Haunting in Venice”: This film, based on the 1969 novel “Hallowe’en Party” by Agatha Christie, is a sequel to “Death on the Nile” (2022) and “Murder on the Orient Express” (2017), and releases in theaters on Sept. 15. In the movie, despite claiming to be retired, detective Hercule Poirot, played by Kenneth Branagh, is once again tasked with solving a deadly mystery at a séance.

- “Saw X”: The latest installment in the “Saw” franchise makes its way to theaters on Sept. 29. Despite being the 10th film in the franchise, this movie returns to the original timeline, taking place between “Saw” and “Saw II,” and sees the frightening mastermind Jigsaw torment a new lineup of victims he believes have wronged him.

- “Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe”: The film adaptation of the acclaimed novel of the same name by Benjamin Alire Sáenz hit theaters

on Sept. 8. This coming-of-age romance film follows Aristotle and Dante, played by Max Pelayo and Reese Gonzales, as they become fast friends and learn to navigate the complexities of their sexualities as Mexican-American teens.

Returning to screens

- The “Dark Knight” Trilogy: In honor of Batman Day on Sept. 16, several theaters nationwide are putting director Christoper Nolan’s acclaimed trilogy back on their screens. “Batman Begins,” “The Dark Knight” and “The Dark Knight Rises” have grown increasingly beloved by comic book fans since their releases over a decade ago, and those same fans, plus wider audiences, should take this opportunity to witness these great films on the big screen.

- “Barbie”: The ongoing theatrical run of Greta Gerwig’s popular summer blockbuster will find its way to IMAX screens at the end of the month. Beginning Sept. 21, fans can watch “Barbie” in higher quality on one of the biggest screens possible. So, if you are looking to rewatch or have not gotten the chance to see the movie yet, make sure to check this out.

- “Howl’s Moving Castle”: Studio Ghibli fans can look forward to seeing this film in select theaters beginning Sept. 23. Both the English subtitled and dubbed versions will be screened so devoted fans and newcomers to the world of Studio Ghibli can enjoy the film in the original Japanese or in English.

To find theater locations and showtimes for these films, check out Fandango, or the website of a specific theater. If any of the movies above interest you then I hope to see you at the cinema.

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Samantha Ysaguirre/The Paisano

Calli Recore/The Paisano

UTSA rebounds in second game, wins Battle of I-35

By Rylan Renteria

ANTONIO - After a disappointing season opener against the Houston Cougars, the Roadrunners have fought their way back into the win column with a 20-13 win over Texas State on Saturday afternoon at the Alamodome. Quarterback Frank Harris had a bounce-back performance, completing 26 of 37 passes for 214 yards and a touchdown. After a slow start from the UTSA offense, the Roadrunners (1-1) struck late in the first quarter with a 46-yard field goal from kicker Chase Allen. The first touchdown would not come until the second quarter when Vanderbilt transfer Rocko Griffin showed off his electric speed and took it 20 yards to the house to in the second quarter, UTSA fans held their breath as Harris went down twice and was unable to finish out the half. Harris’ backup, Eddie Lee Marburger, came in and had no success trying to run the offense. Texas State capitalized on the change in momentum and scored twice to tie the

Soccer beats A&M Commerce in eighth-straight home win

By Haley Aguayo Staff Writer

UTSA women’s soccer beat A&M Commerce 4-1 on Thursday evening at Park West Soccer Complex. Playing at home was not the only advantage UTSA received on Thursday as Commerce scoring on themselves gave the ‘Runners an opportunity to bounce back from their previous loss and tied games.

From the start, the Roadrunners employed an aggressive offense. UTSA made nine shots against Commerce and put a third of those through the goal in the first half. Commerce only took three shots against UTSA and either missed the goal or were blocked by keeper Jasmine Kessler.

The Roadrunners’ offense was an immediate force to be reckoned with. Right after the first two minutes of the game, Alex Granville scored from the left side of the goal with an assist from Alissa Stewart.

An early goal gave the team the momentum they needed to win after their previous game. “I think it gave us a lot of confidence moving forward. I mean, we wanted to put one away early and I think that we were all on the same page about that. I was lucky enough to be on a very, very good cross,” Granville said.

Olivia Alvarez was quick to follow the tone. Alvarez took a hit that knocked her to the ground and with that, she was awarded a penalty kick. Seconds after the clock passed the three-minute mark, Alvarez had put in the second goal of the game, making the score 2-0.

“We always put our bodies on the line,” Alvarez said. “We know it’s going to be good for the whole team.”

Defender Sabrina Hillyer made a goal after the first 17 minutes of the game. The ball was carried up half the field by several of her teammates before she successfully took the lead and scored.

“To be honest, I saw open space in front of me. I trusted that my teammates were going to look over their shoulder and see me running. I was yelling at them to play it to me because I had so much space in front of me,” Hillyer said. “I felt like I just had to keep my composure and I knew I had time and space on it. So just making a good connection with the ball and picking my head up and taking a look at where the goal was before I hit it.”

The final goal for the ‘Runners in the first half came from an unexpected source, the opposing team.

“When our players are putting so much pressure on their team and so close to their goal, sometimes the other team makes mistakes,” Hillyer said.

Midfielder Jordyn Hyland took a corner kick and got the ball so close to the goal that when Commerce’s keeper and defenders attempted to push out the ball, they actually guided it towards the goal as Commerce scored on themselves. The ‘Runners led 4-0 in the first half.

“I think we put them under so much pressure so it was really us doing the work,” Alvarez said. “They got rattled.”

During the first half, there was no need for the ‘Runners to be on the defense. The game slowed during the second half as Commerce picked up the pace and became more offensive, having even more possession of the ball than they did in the first half.

Former UTSA soccer player Savannah Powell was awarded a free kick for Commerce. Despite the ‘Runners’ efforts to block the goal, the ball ricocheted through a huddle of players and found its way past the goal line for TAMC’s first and final goal of the evening.

Both teams maintained their scores for 30 minutes after the last goal was made. The final score was 4-1. UTSA took a total of 13 shots while A&M Commerce only took six.

“Really proud of the way our team started,” coach Derek Pittman said. “We wanted to start aggressive, we wanted to be on the front foot and create chances as early as we possibly could. We know we are better when we start the game fast and I thought our players did a great job of that in the first half.”

“Disappointed in the second half, we talked about that at halftime,” Pittman continued. “We cannot lower our standards, good teams play to their standard regardless of their opponent and we didn’t do that tonight.”

UTSA has won eight straight home games but lost and tied their last two away games. “We haven’t gotten a win on the road yet and it’s not because we haven’t played well. We have to be able to put 90 minutes together and we need to be able to do that on the road. So we’re looking to be able to do that on Sunday,” Pittman said. “Hopefully that carries us into next week when we start conference play.”

game at 10 going into the break.

Both offenses struggled to move the ball in the second half until Harris found junior college transfer Willie Mccoy for an acrobatic 20-yard touchdown catch. With the lead and a packed Alamodome behind them, the UTSA defense held strong throughout the rest of the afternoon, only allowing a single field goal. Despite star receiver De’corian Clark not playing and Harris fighting through injuries, the Roadrunners were able to scrape by with a 20-13 win.

“There was grit by a lot of people today,” UTSA head coach Jeff Traylor said after the game. Saturday’s win over the Bobcats (1-1) took a whole team effort. Running back Kevorian Barnes rushed for 103 yards on 26 carries, while Tykee Ogle-Kellogg led the UTSA receivers with 78 yards. The defense, led by Trey Moore who totaled three sacks, and the 49,342 fans showed up and rallied around Frank Harris, who is still trying to find his footing early on this season.

The Roadrunners will have a short week to prepare for the visiting Army Black Knights, who gave them a good fight last year at West Point. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. Friday at the Alamodome.

Spurs’ 2023-24 season schedule

By Misty Olawunmi Staff Writer

Last month, the NBA announced the full regularseason schedule for the 202324 season. While there is some familiarity, a distinct change in the form of the new in-season tournament will be sure to excite. With basketball just around the corner, here is what you need to know to keep up with the Spurs this coming NBA season.

Preseason With a start date of Oct. 25 for the season opener at home, it may seem like a ways away. Luckily, before every regular season, the preseason is a glimpse of what is to come in terms of possible lineups. While it does not affect standings for the postseason or draft odds, the importance of preseason cannot be understated.

The Spurs will start on the road against the Oklahoma City Thunder at 7 p.m. CT on Monday, Oct. 9. At 6:30 p.m. CT on Friday, Oct. 13, the team will make their official home debut at the Frost Bank Center, formerly known as the AT&T Center, against the Eastern Conference champions Miami Heat. Afterward, the Spurs will face the Houston Rockets in two home games at 7 p.m. CT on Monday, Oct. 16 and Wednesday, Oct. 18. The Spurs will close the preseason on the road against the Golden State Warriors at 9 p.m. CT on Wednesday, Oct. 20, in San Francisco. Regular Season & InSeason Tournament

To start the season, the Spurs will host the Dallas Mavericks at 8:30 p.m. CT on Wednesday, Oct. 25, in the first of their 19 scheduled nationally televised games. Matchups that will air on ESPN, TNT and NBA TV include the Phoenix Suns, the Warriors, the Thunder, the Sacramento Kings and the Los Angeles Lakers. The Spurs will face the Rockets at home at 7 p.m. CT on Friday, Oct. 27 before traveling to the Crypto. com Arena to play against the Los Angeles Clippers at 8 p.m. CT on Sunday, Oct. 29. Finally, to close the month of October, the Spurs will go

against the Suns at 9 p.m. CT on Halloween at the Footprint Center in a matchup airing on TNT.

Throughout November, the team will match up against the Suns, the Toronto Raptors, the Indiana Pacers and the Knicks before the start of the in-season tournament. The first stage in the tournament is comprised of Group Play games, which the Spurs will have to play four of. Eight teams, the six winning teams and the teams in both conferences with the best record in the games that finished second in their group, will advance to the second stage, the Knockout Rounds. The competition starts for the Spurs at home at 7 p.m. CT on Nov. 10 against the Minnesota Timberwolves before traveling to face the Thunder at 6:30 p.m. CT on Nov. 14 on TNT. Returning home to host the Kings at 6:30 p.m. CT on Nov. 17 on ESPN, the team will close the first round of the NBA’s inaugural tournament on the road against the Warriors at 9 p.m. CT on ESPN.

Some other notable games include San Antonio’s annual Rodeo Road Trip of a ninegame away stretch that starts on Feb. 7, where the team will match up against the Heat, the Brooklyn Nets, the Mavericks, the Kings and the Lakers among other teams. Right before the trip is a stretch of seven home games from Jan. 24 to Feb. 3 against the Thunder, the Portland Trailblazers, the Timberwolves, the Washington Wizards, the Orlando Magic, the New Orleans Pelicans and the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Spurs will also play two home games in Austin at the Moody Center against the Denver Nuggets at 7:30 p.m. CT on Friday, March 15 and at 6 p.m. CT on Sunday, March 17 against the Nets. Finally, the regular season will wrap at 2:30 p.m. CT at home on April 14 against the Detroit Pistons.

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Stephen Saenz/The Paisano