DT Volume 121, Issue 20 friday, september 25, 2020
the
pandemic blues cynthia trevino and rocky higine
/ the daily texan staff
PERMANENT STAFF Editor-in-Chief Emily Caldwell
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Managing Editor Megan Menchaca
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Comics Editor Barbra Daly Assoc. Comics Editor Rocky Higine Senior Comics Artists Dan Martinez, Destiny Alexander, Cynthia Trevino Social Media Editor Hal Riley Assoc. Social Media Editor Katya Bandouil Senior Social Media Staffers Benjamin Cohen, Nuzha Zuberi Audio Editor Harper Carlton
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Opinion Illustrators Riya Anand
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opinion
UT must make serious changes to the way it handles COVID-19 in residence halls.
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life & arts
RAs get creative in building community while enforcing COVID-19 guidelines.
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MAIN TELEPHONE
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Rewrite Not Reclaim movement has created a petition to replace “The Eyes of Texas.”
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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
sports
Joshua Moore makes the most of his return to football after his suspension in 2019.
Emily Caldwell (512) 232-2212 editor@dailytexanonline.com
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Megan Menchaca (512) 232-2217 managingeditor@thedailytexan.com
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Contents:
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UT graduation rates top 70%, boosted by Black, Hispanic, first-gen gains
BUSINESS & ADVERTISING (512) 471-8590 advertise@texasstudentmedia.com Director Gerald Johnson Business/ Operations Manager Frank Serpas III Advertising Manager Emily Cohen Assistant Advertising Manager
By Andrew Zhang @andrewczhang
UT graduation rates for 2020 hit record highs, with the four-year graduation rate at 72.2% and the six-year graduation rate at 87.6%, according to a Tuesday press release. These metrics increased from 69.8% and 85.6% in 2019 respectively. The University credited the steady increase in graduation rates since 2011 to long-term efforts in student success and recruiting, according to the release. The release said success was especially notable among Black, Hispanic, first-generation and Pell Grant-eligible students. Student Success Initiatives was started to improve 2012 graduation rates, when the four-year graduation rate was 52.5%. Rachelle Hernandez, senior vice provost for enrollment management and student success, said Student Success Initiatives has collaborated with UT colleges and schools since 2013 to improve these numbers with the help of resources such as 360 Connections and the Graduation Help Desk. “Students start at UT knowing there are dedicated structures in place that they can turn to for anything they might need, whether that’s the advice of a peer or help register for classes,” Hernandez said in an email. For fall 2020, the number of Black undergraduates rose to 5.5%, setting a new record for the University. The
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number of Hispanic undergraduates also rose to 26.1%, qualifying the University for consideration as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, according to the press release. “I’m especially gratified to see that Black and Hispanic students are choosing to come to UT in higher numbers than ever before,” President Jay Hartzell said in the press release. “These are encouraging signs — but there is clearly more work to do.” The class of 2024 set three record highs, with the number of Black students at 6.1%, the number of Hispanic students at 28.6% and the number of first-generation students at 25.5%. Psychology freshman Dania Turner said as a Black and first-generation college student, hearing about the
record highs made her more hopeful about attending UT. Turner also said she thinks these numbers will encourage more minority students to apply to UT. “It made me feel good knowing that people like me are being accepted into a prestigious and world class university like UT,” Turner said in a Twitter message. “It’s helping push the narrative that Black and first-gen students are just as capable as the majority (white and non-first-generation students) that goes to UT.” Turner said she hopes Black students will eventually comprise at least 20% of the UT student population. The University enrolled 8,459 students in its freshman class this year — one of its largest entering classes.
/ the daily texan staff UT has averaged 7,900 students in freshman classes the past decade. UT received a record number of 57,241 applicants for the freshman fall class, according to the release. For the freshman classes entering 2017, 2018 and 2019, UT received 51,033, 50,575 and 53,525 applications respectively, according to UT’s Common Data Set Report from each year. “Overall international enrollment dropped from 5,089 to 4,173, part of a national trend related to COVID-19 and travel restrictions,” the release said. “Despite having 916 fewer international students, overall university enrollment dropped by only 609 students, to 50,481, a decline of 1.2% from 2019.”
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COPYRIGHT Copyright 2020 Texas Student Media. All articles, photographs and graphics, both in the print and online editions, are the property of Texas Student Media and may not be reproduced or republished in part or in whole without written permission. The Daily Texan, a student newspaper at The University of Texas at Austin, is published by Texas Student Media, 2500 Whitis Ave., Austin, TX 78712. Our work is made possible by support from our advertising partners and donors. To provide individual support, please visit The Daily Texan page at supportstudentvoices.org. To highlight your business, please email advertise@texasstudentmedia.com. The Daily Texan does not publish during academic breaks, most Federal Holidays and exam periods. News contributions will be accepted by telephone (471-4591), or at the editorial office (HSM 2.120). Entire contents copyright 2020 Texas Student Media.
NEWS
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News Editor E M I LY H E R N A N D E Z FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2020 CAMPUS
Petition calls to replace alma mater Student-led movement Rewrite Not Reclaim continues push to remove “The Eyes of Texas” due to the song’s racist history. By Skye Seipp @seippetc
niversity students and alumni started a petition Friday advocating for UT to replace the school alma mater, “The Eyes of Texas,” due to its racist history. It has garnered more than 1,300 signatures as of Thursday evening. The petition is part of a student-led movement called Rewrite Not Reclaim, which posted a video of current and former students discussing the history of “The Eyes of Texas,” why it is offensive and why it should be replaced. “Together, we can rewrite a song that unifies and represents all of us,” the petition said. “The Eyes of Texas” was first sung in 1903 at a minstrel show where white performers sung it in blackface, according to previous reporting by The Daily Texan. The opening verse was a saying by former UT President William Prather, who took inspiration from Confederate general Robert E. Lee, according to his biography by the UT System. Ethan Jones was a participant in the video and does communications for Rewrite Not Reclaim. Jones said the movement is a continuation of various reforms students shared with
the University administration in early June, which included asking UT to replace “The Eyes of Texas.” At the UT System Board of Regents meeting Wednesday, UT President Jay Hartzell said the University is beginning to outline the history of “The Eyes of Texas,” and he hopes to share his plans with the community next week. “University leadership will continue to meet with and listen to student suggestions as the University seeks to own the history and redefine the meaning of ‘The Eyes of Texas,’” University spokesperson J.B. Bird said in an email. Student-athletes and other student organizations have continued boycotting the song throughout the semester, according to previous reporting by the Texan. “We always say, ‘What starts here changes the world,’ and … starting here is being bold and taking those steps to try and get rid of these parts of our history,” said Jones, a business honors and public relations junior. “Not just trying to reclaim but trying something new (and) something that we can all rally behind.” Brianna McBride, a participant in the video and co-director of the Black Presidents Leadership Council, said the council has been meeting with Hartzell since this summer. While McBride said the group was disappointed “The Eyes of Texas” remained, she is happy other reforms were met. McBride said it feels like Hartzell is listening to them, but they will continue demanding change. “We believe in what the University can stand for, and it should stand for better than ‘The Eyes of Texas,’” said McBride, a communications and leadership and government senior. “We’re going to continue to be in this movement until our demands are met.”
patience herbert
Connor O’Neill, who does public relations for Rewrite Not Reclaim, said the petition and the movement began to allow more people to voice their opposition to the song’s continued use. “It’s making a lot of white people uncomfortable because it’s their tradition,” said O’Neill, a Plan II and government senior who is white. “But if your tradition is rooted in racism, how welcoming is that for all of the other people that are around you?” Jones said the UT administration has the opportunity to be at the forefront of change by replacing the song. “I can ensure that if there’s not change made in a timely fashion, that you’re going to lose the love and passion that so many alumni today have because we aren’t in a school that works and serves all students,” Jones said.
/ the daily texan staff
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Editor-In-Chief E M I LY C A L D W E L L FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2020
OPINION
EDITORIAL
‘It was honestly so scary for me’ On-campus residents languish under UT’s limited COVID-19 notification policies. By The Daily Texan Editorial Board
n Sept. 9, Emily’s suitemate told her and Emily’s roommate that she had tested positive for COVID-19. The hours afterward were filled with confusion, stress and radio silence from UT as Emily and her roommate scrambled to get tested. It wasn’t until Sept. 10 at noon that UT sent out a general email informing students someone on their floor had COVID-19. By then, Emily’s roommate had already tested positive. Emily and her roommate, who both live in Jester West Residence Hall, asked us not to print their full names to avoid any potential retribution. Their stories indicate just how faulty UT’s COVID-19 prevention measures can be. UT has made it incredibly stressful to live on campus. With a lack of clear
communication, on-campus residents are often forced to rely on rumors and other confused students for information. To better protect students, UT must make operational and procedural changes to the way it deals with COVID-19 in dorms. “It was honestly so scary for me because I didn’t know what to do or who I was supposed to contact,” Emily’s roommate said. “I was just sitting in my dorm room in shock with Emily.” When a student who lives in a residence hall tests positive, University Housing and Dining only notifies students who live on that same wing or floor. Residents on other floors have no idea when someone in their building tests positive. Susan Hochman, associate director for assessment, communication and data informatics for University Health Services and the Counseling and Mental Health Center, said federal, state and local laws prevent UHD from notifying the whole building. “We are subject to HIPAA and FERPA and also Austin Public Health (laws),” Hochman said. “UT works with Austin Public Health to determine what is the appropriate level of detail that meets that minimum necessary with respect to the goal of preventing transmission of
LEGALESE | Opinions expressed in The Daily Texan are those of the editor, the Editorial Board or the writer of the article. They are not necessarily those of the UT administration, the Board of Regents or the Texas Student Media Board of Operating Trustees.
the disease.” Hochman said if UT were to release information about positive cases to the entire dorm building, they would violate legal guidelines because the whole dorm “is beyond what would be considered the minimum necessary (to inform) from a public health standpoint.” This lack of communication undoubtedly contributes to the paranoia and anxiety some students feel while living communally. “I feel like since we’re all going up and down the same elevators, going to the same dining halls, we should all know what’s up on other floors,” said Christian Bear, an applied learning and development freshman and Jester West resident. Hochman also said UT wanted to avoid alarm fatigue to prevent students from becoming indifferent to important information. But students are stressed and overwhelmed by UHD’s lack of guidance on what to do when they come in contact with someone who has tested positive. Notifications about positive cases are not the only problem. UT has provided only one real educational resource for students navigating life on campus while COVID-19 rages on: the required “Staying Healthy in A Changing Environment” module.
SUBMIT A FIRING LINE | Email your Firing Lines to editor@dailytexanonline.com. Letters must be more than 100 and fewer than 300 words. The Texan reserves the right to edit all submissions for brevity, clarity and liability.
riya anand
To better protect students, UT must make operational and procedural changes to the way it deals with COVID-19 in dorms.” However, these modules only feature vague suggestions, such as “Seek medical attention immediately by calling 911 if you have serious symptoms,” and provide limited information on UT-specific procedures.
According to the general floorwide email Emily received, UHD said it had made “every effort to notify primary close contacts (those exposed for 15 minutes or more at a distance of less than 6 feet)” of the resident who had tested positive. Even though they shared a small bathroom with their suitemate, Emily said she and her roommate never received any direct communication from UT that they had come in close contact with someone who tested positive. “We really didn’t know what to do, who to call (or) what procedures to
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follow if someone near us got COVID-19,” Emily’s roommate said. “I wish that UT would’ve given us the information so we could know what to do and do it quickly.” We wrote this editorial to shed light on how UT’s current procedures negatively impact students living on campus. Although we understand there are legal obstacles, this is no excuse for UT’s refusal to revise its COVID-19 procedures. As we continue to see students in campus residence halls contract the virus, UT must fill in the gaps — before even more students test positive.
EDITORIAL TWITTER | Follow The Daily Texan Editorial Board on Twitter (@TexanOpinion) and receive updates on our latest editorials and columns.
NEWS
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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2020
COVID-19
UT researchers receive funding for COVID-19 antibody test copyright gregory ippolito, and reproduced with permission
By Fiza Kuzhiyil @fiza11k
UT researchers were selected for a grant from the National Institutes of Health for their antibody test to detect the virus that causes COVID-19. Researchers will use the estimated $3.6 million grant over the next five years to study whether COVID-19 immunity will persist with age, said Gregory Ippolito, assistant professor of oncology and a lead researcher on the new test. “It gives us a continued means by which to explore the human immune response to this virus,” Ippolito said. “Even though so much progress has been made, there’s still so much unknown and to be learned.” Ippolito and his colleagues at the Department of Molecular Biosciences created a more accurate antibody test to better determine if a person had previously been
infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. “The antibody test we’ve developed is the gold standard certainly for scientific research,” Ippolito said. Ippolito said the new tests are highly sensitive and quantify the number of antibodies a person has. He said the tests need a viral protein, which another research team led by chemistry associate professor Jason McLellan created. “So, the first groups around the world who created antibody tests are the ones who already were producing the viral protein somehow inhouse,” Ippolito said. Current antibody tests, known as lateral flow assays or LFAs, offer positive or negative results, whereas the new test is able to determine if a person has long-term immunity, Ippolito said. “LFAs are like home pregnancy tests,” Ippolito said. “They can yield a lot of false negatives and also
false positives.” Carly Segura, a rhetoric and writing freshman, took a current antibody test and got binary results. She tested positive for antibodies and negative for COVID-19, meaning she had COVID-19 at some point, but there was no way to know when she contracted it or if she spread it to anyone. “What worried me was the possibility that I could have spread it while I did necessary errands for my family,” Segura said. Segura said the medical professional who administered her test told her she had “permanent immunity.” Segura said she still takes precautions to not contract or spread the virus. “I know that I wouldn’t want my grandmother coming into contact with someone being careless, so why would I be careless knowing someone else may be just as vulnerable as her?” Segura said. “I hope other people carry that mentality, too.”
UT researchers were selected for a grant to improve their COVID-19 antibody tests.
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Projects Editor S A M I S P A R B E R FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2020
PROJECTS
Pandemic weakens mental health UT students say the pandemic has taken a toll on their mental health, reflecting national trends of elevated anxiety and depression. By Meara Isenberg @mearaannee Editor’s note: This story discusses mental health struggles as well as suicide. If you or somebody you know are at risk of selfharm, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides 24-hour support at 1-800-273-8255.
n the months before fall classes began at UT, Santiago, then an incoming freshman, experienced periods of overwhelming stress and anxiety. He said his symptoms often lasted for hours and occurred when he thought about things related to the pandemic, such as how he was going to meet new people on campus while avoiding in-person events and gatherings. “It’s kind of like — I get to my dream school, but I still have to wait maybe a year or even more to experience the connections I wanted to have from the
beginning,” Santiago said. “(You) keep pushing back on those feelings, (but they) find a way to be coming back to you.” As a new semester begins, many UT students like Santiago say the pandemic has taken a toll on their mental health. At UT’s Counseling and Mental Health Center, the number of attended counseling sessions increased by about 38% from last summer to this summer, said Katy Redd, associate director for prevention, development and media relations at the CMHC. “We did have a busier summer at CMHC than we typically would have,” Redd said. “Of course, there’s perhaps a variety of reasons for that. We have been seeing students via telehealth exclusively
cynthia trevino and rocky higine
since mid-March and will continue to do that through the fall.” Stress, anxiety and depression are the most common reasons students come to the CMHC, Redd said. When stress becomes overwhelming, she said one’s performance decreases, making them unable to keep up with regular activities. Lauren Breach, a human development and family sciences sophomore, said being isolated during the pandemic has worsened her diagnosed depression and anxiety. She opted for all online classes this fall and has been staying by herself in an apartment near campus. She said it’s been lonely. “There’s less validation in your life,”
/ the daily texan staff
Breach said. “It’s easy to start feeling like you don’t have a support system, even if you do, because you don’t see them.” Breach said her recent symptoms have made school more difficult. For example, sometimes she finds it hard to wake up for her early Zoom classes. “I have a 9 a.m. class every day, and sometimes, I don’t go to that 9 a.m.,” Breach said. “That’s something I wouldn’t do normally.” Charles Nemeroff, UT psychiatry department chair and professor, said absent a pandemic, depression probably has a 5% to 7% prevalence among college-age individuals. He said anxiety disorders — particularly social anxiety disorder, panic
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7 disorder and generalized anxiety disorder — are also relatively common in the age group. Nemeroff said there are three groups of people who could develop mood or anxiety disorders during the pandemic: people who have previously had these disorders, people who are genetically vulnerable to these disorders but have never had them before, and everyone else. “All of us, whether we’re vulnerable or not, have a tipping point, so given enough stress, all of us can develop mood and anxiety symptoms, if not the disorder,” Nemeroff said. Nemeroff said college students are particularly vulnerable to developing mood and anxiety symptoms right now. Students might experience Zoom fatigue or uncertainty about COVID-19 cases on campus, freshmen will deal with the demands for social distancing on top of other stresses associated with being a new student, and seniors face challenges such as interviewing for jobs over Zoom, he said. Santiago’s stress and anxiety has continued during his time on campus, intruding as he completes schoolwork and meets new people. He’s made a few friends through his roommate while successfully avoiding larger gatherings. But when he spends time with them, the pandemic still weighs on his mind. “The fact that there’s COVID makes it harder,” Santiago said. “Like, ‘Should I be doing it?’ ‘Am I taking care of myself?’ ‘Am I risking other people’s health?’” Sam, a computer science major, said he experienced loneliness similar to Breach’s during the online portion of UT’s spring semester and the summer while he stayed at home with his parents. He’d also been previously diagnosed with anxiety and depression, and his symptoms worsened as he spent most of his time alone in his bedroom — sitting in Zoom calls and checking social media. Sam has since returned to campus and said he plans to meet with a therapist about his recent symptoms. “It’s been kind of hard and tedious to try to find someone that accepts insurance and has time open, but that’s something I feel like I need to do,” Sam said. Nationally, adults in the United States ages 18 to 65+ reported elevated levels of adverse mental health conditions, substance use and suicidal ideation in June, according to a report released in August by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. According to the report, which included findings from a survey of 5,470 adults
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conducted June 24-30, the prevalence of anxiety symptoms was approximately three times those reported in the second quarter of 2019, and prevalence of depression was approximately four times as high. Redd said recommendations for students experiencing mental health issues vary greatly from person to person. She recommends students recognize that normal coping mechanisms may not be available to them right now, unplug from social media or create a more positive athome workspace. “Some of the things that we would always recommend are things like social connections, mindfulness, gratitude,” Redd said. “Those things still work, but I think we have to just be really intentional right now about that.” If a student is struggling, Redd recommends they schedule a 10- to 15-minute chat with the CMHC’s brief assessment and referral team to figure out which of the center’s services or community resources might work best. Breach said she’s been meeting with
/ the daily texan staff
a therapist since before the pandemic, and she recommends others get support during this time. “I really advocate that for anyone,” Breach said. “There’s different levels of mental health struggles, and even if you’re not on that far end of the spectrum, you can still get help.” Editor’s note: Santiago asked that his last name be withheld. Sam’s name has been changed for privacy.
It’s kind of like — I get to my dream school, but I still have to wait maybe a year or even more to experience the connections I wanted to have from the beginning.” SANTIAGO
ut freshman
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Life&Arts Editor A R I A N A A R R E D O N D O FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2020 CAMPUS
LIFE&ARTS
RAs foster virtual community Resident assistants navigate added responsibilites in era of social distancing. By Zoe Tzanis @ztzanis
s Amerika T o r r e s w a k e s up in her Jester East Residence Hall room and prepares for her online classes, she sends her residents a happy Monday text. “I hope you have an amazing week,” she types. Behind wooden doors and thin walls, Torres, a public relations junior and oncampus resident assistant, said she does what she can to make her residents smile. “I really want my residents to feel safe and comfortable living here, especially in these difficult times,” Torres said. Torres, a self-proclaimed people person, said she loves getting to know new people. However, in light of social distancing and University Housing and Dining guidelines, she and other RAs have had to get creative with how they foster community in the residence halls. Brandon Jones, UT’s associate director for student learning and development, said while dorm life may look different this year, the RAs’ roles are still very much the same. “Normally, the job of an RA is to focus on building
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community with residents,” Jones said. “They’d have floor or social meetings … walk to class together … go out and eat together. This year, RAs are still working hard at building community — but from a distance. It’s not impossible. It just looks different and requires more creativity.” Accounting graduate student Tara Mehta has been an RA since her sophomore year. She said she’s building community in the San Jacinto
Residence Hall through Zoom social events, daily GroupMe conversations and shared playlists. In the past, Mehta would meet her residents by passing them in the halls. This year, interactions have been almost entirely virtual. “I haven’t really been able to meet with any of them individually except in Zoom breakout rooms,” Mehta said. Mehta said she has tried to bring her residents together
through common interests. “We’ve made a collaborative Spotify playlist where residents can learn about each other’s taste and discover new artists,” Mehta said. “Music is a really good way to bring people together, so we’re using it to try and build these connections. It’s worked out really well so far.” In addition to creating a comfortable environment, RAs are also responsible for enforcing social distancing,
mask-wearing and breaking up gatherings, Jones said. Torres said while it’s difficult, building a strong relationship with residents is what enables her to enforce UHD guidelines most effectively. “If you have that rapport with your residents, they know you, they like you and they don’t want to go against the rules and hurt your feelings,” Torres said. Jones said students may
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be more likely to follow UHD COVID-19 guidelines if the enforcer is a peer. “It’s the RAs’ job to enforce (UHD) policies,” Jones said. “In a normal year, they would still be imposing these guidelines. I actually think that there’s an opportunity for an increased or improved relationship there because students listen to students. You learn better from your peers.”
LIFE&ARTS
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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2020
STUDENT LABELHEAD LIFE
West Coast UT students take classes while living next to wildfires By Lauren Castro @laurnncastro
Zayn Cochinwala and his family packed up wedding albums, passports and medicine bottles and set them by the front door of their home in San Jose, California. Wildfires raged only 10 miles away as they prepared for the worst. Biology junior Cochinwala delayed his move back to Austin by a week to make sure his family was prepared to evacuate if needed. As of Tuesday, Cochinwala is back in Austin, and his parents and older sister are still at their home and have not had to evacuate. “I felt guilty going back to Austin when I knew (about) everything going on in California,” Cochinwala said. “While taking classes, it’s always in the back of my head. If I wake up and my parents have sent me a picture of the smoke or my backyard, it’s very stressful knowing that my state is literally on fire.” While Cochinwala is far from the fires, some students are taking classes from their homes in the West, where they experience the fires’ effects firsthand. Sloan Goldman, a human dimensions of organizations
junior, lives 30 miles away from the blaze in Marin County, California. She said she can’t help but see similarities between the fires and COVID-19. “You never think (wildfires are) going to hit where you are, so it doesn’t seem real in the beginning, and then all of a sudden, you’re really in it,” Goldman said. “You feel so helpless because there’s nothing you can do about it.” Goldman said the fires affected her family the most in early September, a few weeks after the initial blaze. “We woke up Wednesday (Sept. 9), and it was straightup orange outside,” Goldman said. “We probably didn’t see the sun until yesterday (Sept. 15).” With COVID-19 restrictions still in place, Cochinwala said living under burnt skies is only worsening the situation. “Last year (during a wildfire), I remember my dad would wear a mask because he has asthma, but this year we already wear a mask because of the pandemic,” Cochinwala said. “It’s kind of funny, I guess, that we’re using them for two purposes.” In Oregon, around 500,000 people have evacuated while computer science junior Samarth Goyal takes classes
over Zoom about two hours away from the flames. Goyal and his family are still feeling the effects. “Until four or five days ago, I woke up in the morning and my entire room was yellow,” Goyal said. “I didn’t understand what was going on. For a second, I thought my eyes were going bad.” Although the wildfires continue to disrupt everyday life, Goyal is trying to stay optimistic. He said this experience has helped him learn how to adapt in natural disasters. “I think coming up with solutions based on how your environment is and being innovative throughout such calamities can also prove to be very helpful,” Goyal said. “A lot of it has to do with thinking on your feet and adjusting based on your environment.” Even though Goyal, Goldman and Cochinwala are each living in different areas, one thing remains the same — they want this to be over. “It’s just like everything is piling on top of each other, and you just gotta wonder when it’s all going to stop and when we’re gonna get back to normal life,” Goldman said.
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Sloan Goldman, a human dimensions of organizations junior, lives under an orange haze in Marin County, California. She said the fires affected her family the most in early September.
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Sports Editor M Y A H T A Y L O R FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2020
SPORTS
FOOTBALL
Making Moore of a second chance After a suspended 2019 season, wide receiver Joshua Moore scored on the first play against UTEP. By Stephen Wagner @stephenwag22
he first play of Texas football’s s e a s o n brought tears to the
eyes of Joshua Moore’s family. Just weeks before the start of the 2019 season, the redshirt sophomore receiver was arrested for carrying a gun without a license and later suspended for the season. But on the first play of the Longhorns’ 2020 season opener against UT-El Paso — Moore’s first game in almost two years — he caught a slant route from senior quarterback Sam Ehlinger and ran 78 yards to the end zone. It was the first time Texas scored on the first play of the season since the Vince Young days. “You may not believe me when I say this, but whenever I scored, my mom and my
sister were sitting in the stands and they actually left the game to go to the restroom and cry,” Moore said in a Sept. 15 teleconference. “I talked to my dad dad after the game. He told me once I scored, he cried. It was such a surreal feeling.
It was good to see that I wasn’t in this by myself, and I not only had a support system from my family but also from the guys on the team.” JOSHUA MOORE wide receiver
angela wang
/ the daily texan file
Wide receiver Joshua Moore tries to elude a Tulsa defender with a stiff arm in a September 2018 game. After a suspension kept him off the field for much of 2019, Moore returned and scored on the first play of the 2020 season against UT-El Paso.
I would definitely rather see a smile on their faces than their faces that they had last year, so I’m blessed and I’m thankful.” Now, suiting up for his first game on the Longhorns’ travel squad since 2018 as the team travels to Texas Tech this weekend, Moore can reflect on his time away from the field and evaluate the things he’s learned — how strong he is, who his real friends are and that he has a great support system. Moore said he’s thankful for his fellow wide receivers who helped him get back on his feet last year, including junior Brennan Eagles and sophomore Al’Vonte Woodard, and he’s excited to be off the practice squad and playing on Saturdays again. “It was good to see that I wasn’t in this by myself, and I not only had a support
system from my family but also from the guys on the team,” Moore said. “And honestly, that made me realize a lot. I’m thankful for them, and I’m just glad I’m here battling with them once again.” Although Moore may have been going through his own mental battle, Ehlinger said he never saw his emotional side. He said Moore controlled his situation and learned from his mistakes. “It’d be very easy after a trial like that, a guy that’s 20, 21 years old, to kind of go in a hole, and he’s done the exact opposite,” Ehlinger said in a Tuesday teleconference. “I think that showed a lot of guys on the team the type of guy he is.” Head coach Tom Herman said Moore just went to practice for 13 weeks, put his head down and worked hard to get back on the playing field.
“Did he make everything he was supposed to make in terms of being where he was supposed to be for everything that was mandatory? Sure. He did that. But that’s the easy part,” Herman said in a Monday teleconference. “The hard part is doing it with a smile on your face and going down to the scout team for 13 weeks and getting pushed around a little bit by our defense and still coming back stronger and with an even better attitude the next day.” Moore said he appreciates the little things in his college experience even more now that he’s back on the team, and he’s just thankful to be playing football again. “I got what I deserved,” Moore said. “That was my punishment, I did my punishment, now I’m back.”
COMICS
Comics Editor
B A R B R A D A LY
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2020
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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2020
SPORTS
WOMEN’S GOLF
Women’s golf to play first event of fall season By Luke Casola @casolaluke
With hopes of maintaining its success from last year, the Texas women’s golf team will open its fall season at the Schooner Fall Classic in Norman, Oklahoma, this weekend. When spring championships were canceled in March due to the pandemic, the Longhorns were ranked No. 2 in the nation despite failing to capture an event during the shortened spring season. “We just go out there and do the best that we can and not put pressure on ourselves to necessarily follow up what we did last year,” senior Kaitlyn Papp said. “We all know what we’re capable of doing.” Junior Hailee Cooper said the team implemented social distancing guidelines to its offseason practices so
players could go through a normal training routine and feel as prepared as they did in past seasons. “With the craziness the past six months, I feel like we have had a lot of time to just prepare and work on some things that normally in the past we would not have had as much time to do,” Papp said. This season, the team consists of three freshmen compared to only one freshman last season. Although team bonding is difficult due to social distancing guidelines, Cooper said the team was lucky enough to already know the freshmen before the pandemic. “I like to lead by example, whether it’s with academics or school, working out, time management,” Papp said. “I think that’s the best way to lead and welcome the new
freshmen to the team.” Last year, the Longhorns placed first at the Schooner Fall Classic behind Papp’s third-place finish. Sophomore Sophie Guo and junior Sara Kouskova both stood out for Texas, shooting one-over-par and tying for sixteenth overall. Senior Agathe Laisne, Guo and Papp were all named to the ANNIKA Award Preseason Watch List on Thursday. On Sept. 10, Papp competed professionally at LGPA’s ANA Inspiration in Rancho Mirage, California. Although she did not make the cut in Rancho Mirage, she’s ready to go Sunday for the Longhorns. “I want to say last year at one point in our lineup, every single player had played a pro event, which is really cool to be surrounded by,” Cooper said. “And then
(Papp) being able to play at the ANA this year. It’s really fun to just watch her practice, and I’ve learned a lot from being here.” The Schooner Fall Classic will be a 54-hole tournament beginning Sunday and ending Monday. It’s the first of four scheduled tournaments for the fall season. In past seasons, the Longhorns competed in the Schooner Fall Classic after competing in the ANNIKA Intercollegiate, but the ANNIKA Intercollegiate was canceled this year due to the pandemic. “Obviously, the ANNIKA is always packed with a bunch of power teams and everything, but the Big 12 is always packed the same,” Cooper said. “It’s a bunch of really good teams, so it’s exciting because the Schooner is mostly Big 12 teams competing.”
joshua guenther
/ the daily texan file
Texas golfer Hailee Cooper watches after she drives the ball. The women’s golf team opens its season this weekend in Norman, Oklahoma.