The Daily Texan 2022-04-29

DT VOLUME 122, ISSUE 67 FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2022

Conservative-funded institute signals UT’s priorities

abriella corker

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Lucas Gordon gains comfort in Sunday starting role with mentorship from Tanner Witt.

UT offers temporary positions to Ukrainian scholars

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West Campus Starbucks workers plan to protest management’s reaction to their unionization.

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By Madeline Duncan @maddunc

UT is offering eight paid faculty positions to Ukrainian scholars who are displaced or unable to return home as a consequence of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Texas Global is partnering with the Center for Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies to offer temporary positions in various colleges at the University. Mary Neuburger, director of the Center for Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies, said opening up faculty spots is a good way for UT to support Ukrainians displaced by the war.

“Pretty much all of (the scholars) are from eastern Ukraine, where they’re completely unable to return because it’s under occupation or their universities don’t exist … anymore because they’ve been bombedout,” Neuburger said.

Yuriy Loboda, lead researcher at the National Defense University of Ukraine, said he is applying for a position with UT for both safety and financial security.

“All our pupils (are) out on the battlefront, so we have no one to teach,” Loboda said. “My family has left Ukraine since then, and I have to support them.”

Due to a ban preventing men ages 18 to 60 from leaving Ukraine for military purposes, Loboda said he has to wait and see if he can leave before accepting a

/ the daily texan staff

position at UT. “This week, it will be clear if I will be permitted to cross the Ukrainian border,” Loboda said.

The positions are temporary, one-year positions for the 2022-23 term. Neuburger said she hopes these positions allow Ukrainian scholars to continue their careers and eventually return to Ukraine.

Margaret Luévano, director of international student and scholar services, said it is up to individual departments to determine who is the best fit to work in their open positions.

The new positions are funded through the Office of the Vice President for Research, Texas Global and the individual departments at UT that will hire the scholars, Neuburger said.

Laurie Young, the director of special initiatives at Texas Global, said hosting Ukrainian scholars will help build international bonds.

“This is why we do what we do, these real connections that are made from these intercultural experiences,” Young said.

Neuburger said she plans to support the scholars in every aspect of the transition to Austin.

“We’re planning on helping them find housing, (and) if they have children, making sure they’re in a good school district, telling them the details of, ‘This is how you sign your kids up for school,’” Neuburger said. “We want to create a community for them with people that invite them to events and things like that.”

The Texan strives to present all information fairly, accurately and completely. If we have made an error, let us know about it. E-mail managingeditor@thedailytexan.com.

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FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2022

WEST CAMPUS

West Campus Starbucks increases employee discipline; employees claim union-busting

By Morgan Severson @morgan_severson

Starbucks employees at the West 24th and Nueces Street location in West Campus plan to protest outside of the store this Saturday at 4 p.m. following a shift in their treatment by management after they announced their intent to unionize in March.

The National Labor Relations Board is currently suing the Starbucks Corp. for union retaliation at stores across the country. Organizing employees at the 24th Street store said their grievances include a reduction in labor and store hours, increased discipline and presence of management in the store and the store no longer validating public employee parking for work. Organizing employee Lillian K. Allen said these factors make the store difficult to work at.

“It’s very much death by a thousand cuts, but it is definitely union -busting,” Allen said. “There’s no other rational explanation for why a company … like Starbucks, which prides itself on being this (place) where people feel welcomed and seen and cherished, (would) to try to make it absolutely miserable for their employees to be there in every way possible.”

Current store hours are 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., but Allen said employees were told their hours were reduced to make up for the cost of catastrophe pay during the freeze in February.

“I have some thoughts and opinions about the math on that, given that the person who is stationed on register can generally sell about enough product in half an hour to cover their own paycheck for the day,” Allen said.

Starbucks district manager Susan Smith Nixon referred The Daily Texan to Starbucks’ press team for comment.

“We always schedule what we believe the store needs based on customer behaviors,” a Starbucks spokesperson said. “That may mean a change in the hours available, but to say we are cutting hours wouldn’t be accurate.”

Amanda Garcia, a sociology sophomore and Starbucks employee, said the store managers have also increased their disciplinary actions for the employees, specifically regarding punctuality. Garcia said before employees announced their plans to unionize, management did not heavily enforce timeliness given complicated student schedules, but a shift occurred after the announcement.

Garcia and Allen both said employees at the store had to re-review and re-sign the rules and documents the employees received when they were first hired. Starting March 31, managers said they would recommit to enforcing company policy because they did not previously enforce rules as heavily due to the pandemic, Allen said.

Before this, Garcia said employees had a five-minute grace period to clock-in.

“They made us watch this new video, saying that there is no grace period, so even if you’re a minute or two minutes late, that is basis to be written up,” Garcia said. “That’s what happened with one of our partners who was fired. She was just a couple minutes late.”

The fired employee declined requests to comment.

The Starbucks press team said employees are disciplined equally, regardless of their interest in unionizing.

“A partner’s interest in union representation does not exempt them from the standards we’ve put in place to protect partners, customers and the communities that we serve,” the Starbucks spokesperson said.

Organizers submitted union cards and a petition on March 11 to the National Labor Relations Board to hold an election for the store to officially unionize, but employees have not yet received ballots to vote, Allen said.

Garcia said two or three employees have put in their two-week notices because of the way management is treating employees. Garcia said she fears more employees quitting or being fired will affect their vote to unionize.

“Sometimes the situations (at Starbucks) aren’t ideal, (but) again, I want to emphasize that’s why we’re unionizing,” Garcia said. “It’s not because we hate Starbucks or we hate our job, it’s because we love our job. We love our coworkers, and that’s why we want to unionize, because we want to make it a better place to work at.”

sophie stoeger

/ the daily texan staff

Employees claim union-busting tactics are being used at the Starbucks at 24th and Nueces Street, the first location in Austin to pursue unionization.

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Editor-In-Chief | @TEXANOPINION FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2022

COLUMN

OPINION

So-called “Liberty Institute”

By Sanika Nayak Editor-in-Chief

ne of the simultaneous perks and pitfalls of this job has been the ability to gather information about the University from a new perspective.

As editor-in-chief of the Texan, I’ve had the privilege of connecting with the UT community and the many student organizers dedicated to improving the campus. At the same time, I’ve seen that there are too many issues at this University, and the work of fixing them too often falls on student advocacy.

There are countless ways that UT administration could create a more safe, inclusive and equitable environment, but one of the most impactful methods is with money. Initiatives to improve campus life almost always require funding, and we need to dedicate more money to the Counseling and Mental Health Center, UT Outpost, ethnic studies departments, raising student wages, ensuring affordable housing — the list is endless.

Instead, University officials are pouring $6 million into adding a conservatively-minded institute on campus.

It’s much more than alarming. This decision, and the support it garnered from donors, the lieutenant governor and UT President Jay Hartzell, is a signal of the University’s priorities. Though the University tries to operate under a progressive guise, it’s these underlying priorities that we, the students, can’t afford to forget.

There’s little to no information from the University itself regarding this institute.

Initially coined “The Liberty Institute,” the center now has no set name and is in its early stages of being designed. After inquiring about the institute, I received an emailed statement through UT communications from William Inboden, associate professor at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs

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.

and chair of ​​the search committee for the new institute’s executive director.

“As part of UT’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, we are continually seeking to expand the diversity of backgrounds and views among our faculty and students, and to create an open and intellectually inclusive environment in which a broad range of ideas can be expressed and debated in our shared search for truth,” Inboden said in the email.

“We hope this institute will attract world-renowned scholars and offer unique educational opportunities and experiences for all of our students who choose to participate.”

Diversity and inclusion aren’t buzzwords to veil potentially harmful sentiments.

It’s interesting that UT’s commitment to “diversity and inclusion” often seems to stop short of supporting students of color, yet is quickly used to justify the addition of conservative values to campus. Expanding viewpoints can’t be classified as diversity and inclusion if they’re harmful towards marginalized groups, which conservative ideals tend to be. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who is working to launch the center, recently denounced critical race theory. It’s difficult to believe that an institution under his support would be committed to inclusive thinking, or what kind of “world-renowned scholars” it would attract.

Inboden’s statement went on to tout a “need to expand curricular offerings in interdisciplinary programs, prepare our students for the competitive employment market and promote more viewpoint diversity on campus.” No part of the statement addressed my question about the center’s propensity to propagate harm.

The sentiments behind this institute are detrimental; they have no place on this campus and shouldn’t be supported by the University merely to add opposing viewpoints.

It’s incredibly irresponsible to classify conservative values as adding to diversity — the ideas in this system are built to support cisgender white males. The notion that we need to foster debate over ideas that have histori-

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abriella corker

/ the daily texan staff

cally contributed to oppression is a damaging rhetoric that the University has consciously chosen to adopt.

The Senate of College Councils, along with other student entities like Student Government, released their response to the proposed institute last May. Here, they asked Hartzell to rescind his support for the project and instead dedicate funding to other, more impactful initiatives.

Suseth Muñoz, the 2021-22 Senate of Col-

lege Councils vice president, explained that Senate felt that the purpose of this institute allowed for the spread of a state political agenda, while other departments remained underserved.

“We were one of the first groups that (opposed) it,” Muñoz said. “And since then, nothing good has come out of this (institute).

It just tells me that we were on the right side of history there.”

If the University wants to expand curric-

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5

reveals University’s true colors ular offerings, they should fund the ethnic studies departments. To promote interdisciplinary thinking, require students to take more cultural diversity courses. To prove commitment to diversity and inclusion, remove The Eyes of Texas as the school song.

There’s many campus issues that need funding, detailed in our columns, the community response document, and the work of student organizers. But this is nothing new. The UT administration already knows where time, money and energy could be spent — and they’re ignoring it. Instead, according to Inboden’s statement, the University is grateful for the funding the center is receiving, and for all of the state support.

They’re grateful because this is an academic institution that treasures conservative thinking. A university that doesn’t listen to marginalized voices. UT is considered a “liberal” hub in a “liberal” city, but it’s the same University whose donors and alumni expressed racist and bigoted rhetoric over a school song. Though Hartzell may have condemned their sentiments on paper, The Eyes of Texas is played at almost every University event. Hardly any of Black students’ demands have been fulfilled. UT consistently enjoys playing the same game of pretend, and the stakes are always much higher than what we’re led to believe.

“As a student, I am very worried because … the Capitol already has a very big overreach on our education (here), and this is just a donor passion project,” Muñoz said “They want to move the University in a certain way that it’s already (exemplifying). I know that people like to call UT a liberal haven — (but) it’s not. If you are a student of color, you know that.”

Muñoz also pointed out that UT already has a version of this institute on campus: the Salem Center for Policy, “dedicated to helping students and business leaders better understand the costs, benefits and consequences of policy decisions.” The informally named “Liberty Institute” isn’t bringing forth new ideas — it’s simply re-

abriella corker

inforcing those that already exist and empowering conservative students in beliefs that directly contribute to the marginalization of minority students. UT shouldn’t add this new center to campus, but they will. As students, it’s crucial that we stay vigilant about the University’s true priorities.

“Somebody once told me that students are the moral compass of the University,” Muñoz said. “It’s our duty as faculty, staff or students to come together and really ask those hard questions and push back

against any further marginalization at this institution.”

As editor-in-chief, I’ve gotten closer to both the issues and the activism surrounding them. Students are trying hard to organize and advocate for themselves, and in truth, they’re doing what should be the administration’s job. It’s exhausting to continually have to demand better, but the sad reality is that we can’t afford to stop.

Initiatives like this new conservative center prove that we always need to be pay-

/ the daily texan staff

ing attention. We must investigate, insist on transparency and know where money is being spent — and where it’s being withheld. We deserve to understand the ideals and values the University truly prioritizes.

It shouldn’t fall on us, but somehow, it always does.

Nayak is a speech, language, and hearing sciences senior from Austin, Texas. She is the editor-in-chief.

SAVE THE

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FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2022

LIFE&ARTS

CITY

PLANET

AND YOUR COMMUTE! connor downs

/ the daily texan staff

Many historic LGBTQ+ bars on Fourth Street face demolition due to a mixeduse high rise development plan.

LGBTQ+ LGBTQ+bars barsface facedemolition, demolition, community communityreflects reflectson onpossible possibleloss loss

By Sage Dunlap @SageDunlapp

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Last week, Levi Casias visited Coconut Club for the first time to bask in the venue’s large neon sign and reverberating dance music. Though excited, Casias said a sobering realization overshadowed his first visit — the outdoor bar risks demolition from incoming developers.

“Austin is such a welcoming and safe space for queer people,” the radio-television-film junior said. “To have (queer) spaces taken away is just another thing that is hindering the LGBTQ+ community in Texas.”

Earlier this month, private real estate firm Hanover Co. proposed a development plan for a mixed-use high rise from 201 to 213 W. 4th Street. The proposed development would occupy the Fourth Street corner that is home to many historic LGBTQ+ bars, including Oilcan Harry’s, Coconut Club and Neon Grotto.

Currently, this area welcomes the queer Austin community with rainbow-painted crosswalks and flying pride flags. If approved by Austin’s Historic Landmark Commission, these plans would drastically transform the block from a beloved Austin landmark to a commercial hub.

When Casias turned 21, he began frequenting Oilcan Harry’s — a Fourth Street resident bar that has provided a safe space for the Austin LGBTQ+ community for the past 32 years.

After growing up in a suburb of San Antonio, Casias said he found relief in moving to a city that took pride in its queer residents.

“The first time I went (to Fourth Street) was shortly after they installed the rainbow walkway,” Casias said. “Me and my friends had wanted to go to a drag show for forever.

(News of the demolition) really made me upset

because Fourth Street is such a safe space for me and other LGBTQ+ individuals.”

Casias said he frequently seeks out parties off campus, primarily on Fourth and Red River Street, because he finds on-campus parties less inclusive of LGBTQ+ students. Casias said he sees the demolition as another obstacle to comfortably going out with friends.

“I have my spaces,” Casias said. “I have Fourth. I have other small organizations where I’m comfortable. I don’t want to have that possibility where I could be in an unsafe space.”

While developers included plans to relocate and preserve Oilcan Harry’s, other bars were not so lucky. Ava Motes, a journalism and Plan II freshman who works at a restaurant across the street from Oilcan Harry’s, said she feels concerned for the job security of her fellow restaurant workers on Fourth Street. In a city that promotes itself as a welcoming place for LGBTQ+ people, Motes said she feels the demolition goes against the principles that Austin promises its residents. “(The development) is catering to a more affluent demographic of the city,” Motes said. “I think a lot of people who belong to that demographic want to live in an urban environment, but they don’t want the realities of urban life.

They don’t want to coexist with … overt queerness around them.”

For many students, Fourth Street offers a safe haven for queer expression. Studio art freshman Olivia Ceasar said she feels that the city of Austin should protect places of solace for the local LGBTQ+ community, but ultimately feels the demolition is out of her hands.

“Whenever you step into Coconut Club, no one is afraid to express who they are,” Ceasar said. “Fourth was my place, and once it’s gone, I don’t know where I’m really going to go.”

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FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2022

LIFE&ARTS

FEATURE

By Kiernan McCormick @ KiernanMcCormi4

On March 2, Tanvi Ingle sat at her desk in the UT COVID-19 Modeling Consortium in the Meyers Lab on campus, handling the everyday duties of her part-time job as an undergraduate research assistant. Suddenly, a large group interrupted her, among them her supervisor Becky Kester, holding an array of rainbow balloons.

To her surprise, Ingle discovered she had won the 2022 Student Employee of the Year Award, an annual title given to a student employee who exemplifies UT’s core values and brings a positive impact to the greater Austin community.

“It seems like many of the research collaborators and mentors had put my name forward,” the biochemistry senior said. “I’m very touched and appreciative that they considered me for this.”

Ingle began working for the UT COVID-19 Modeling Consortium in March 2020. After months of volunteer work, Ingle became a paid employee. Ingle’s work focuses on data science intended to help support public health decision-making during a pandemic. Her most impactful project to date remains a mathematical model that estimates isolation bed needs for people experiencing homelessness in Austin.

For Spencer Fox, associate director of the Consortium, Ingle’s efforts set her apart. He said her dedication to getting the team’s research published in a peer reviewed journal in May 2021 demonstrates her tenacity and diligence as an employee.

“She took (the work) a step further, even after a lot of people

UT research assistant wins Student Employee of the Year

would have said, ‘Our job is done,’” Fox said.

“That type of initiative, independence and drive is (what makes her) really deserving of an award like this.”

Ingle said she initially joined the Consortium because of her interest in clinical informatics, a field which consists of using computational resources to help support community health.

“While everything shut down in the initial stages of the pandemic, I saw (volunteering at the Consortium) as a way to help contribute to the effort of pandemic responses,” Ingle said.

Kester, UT COVID-19 Modeling Consortium’s project manager, said Ingle’s direction and compassion, coupled with the timeliness of her work, set her apart from other UT student employees. “(Ingle’s desire) to make a difference and help out in an international crisis was particularly compelling,” Kester said. “To keep doing the work, show leadership and use her incredible talents to bring that all together puts her in the top three students I’ve ever worked with at UT.” Charmarie Burke, principal HR consultant for student employment, said Ingle was selected out of 83 other students because of her work’s impacts both on campus and in Austin. She said Ingle received a $500 prize, a certificate and an invitation to a luncheon with President Jay Hartzell and other administrators.

Ingle said she feels lucky to work with a team of people who support her growth as a scientist and individual, and

copyright tanvi ingle, and reproduced with permission

winning the Student Employee of the Year Award acts as a reminder of her gratitude.

“Whenever I look back on this award, I’m always going to remember that it was at UT Austin that I found this amazing group of people who helped nurture my interest in informatics,” Ingle said. “(They) have really inspired me to continue this work in the future.”

UT

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Sports Editor | @TEXANSPORTS FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2022

BASEBALL

LUCAS GORDON RISES TO SUNDAY STARTING PITCHER Lucas Gordon’s relationship with Tanner Witt helps rise to Sunday starting pitcher. aileen vela/ the daily texan file

By Jordan Mitchell @ TheJordanKenzie

oming into this season, sophomore left-handed pitcher Lucas Gordon was just a bullpen guy.

With three preseason All-American pitchers in the weekend rotation, head coach David Pierce slotted the lefthander as the Wednesday starter early in the year against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, seemingly sealing Gordon’s fate as a primary reliever in the 2022 ballclub.

However, sophomore starting pitcher Tanner Witt’s season-ending UCL injury forced Gordon onto the mound and into Texas baseball’s limelight during the March 6 matchupmatchup against UCLA at the Shriners Classic in Houston.

Playing against his hometown team in a professional ballpark, Gordon was ready for the big moment.

“Being from Los Angeles, they’re five minutes away from me. I knew every kid on the team,” Gordon said. “I was super pumped to face them.”

While the southpaw’s first game as the Sunday guy wasn’t perfect, the Los

Angeles product looked California-cool on the mound, winning over Texas fans with his laid-back demeanor and his four hit, one run showing in four innings pitched against the Bruins.

Gordon noted that replacing Witt on the mound was easier with their shared history. In high school, both pitchers played for the 2017 USA Baseball 15U National Team, where the squad was named co-champions of the COPABE Pan American ‘AA’ Championships.

“I’ve known Tanner since I was 14 or 15,” Gordon said.

“We’ve always had a super close relationship, and he just keeps my head up.”

After coming back from Texas’ grueling South Carolina road trip, where the then-No. 1 ranked team dropped the series and lost a match to the College of Charleston, Gordon sought out Witt as a friend and a mentor for help developing a stricter routine.

“Tanner has been very supportive of me — even though (he) is injured, he still goes out on the mound with me,” Gordon said. “He’s really been helping me out and giving me confidence.”

Gordon also worked closely with assistant coach Sean Allen, who helped him become more confident pitching to contact and trusting sophomore catcher Silas Ardoin and the defense to

make plays.

For Gordon, his first weekend start on the mound at UFCU Disch-Falk Field against Incarnate Word marked a turning point in his collegiate baseball career. For seven innings, the lefty commanded the zone with his sharp changeup and his controlled fastball, striking out four and grounding out ten in his first weekend win.

“There’s no pressure, just give yourself a chance to win,” Gordon said. “My defense is great — we’ve been great all season. (I) just go out there, throw strikes and compete.”

Since his start against Incarnate Word a month ago, Gordon developed a new swagger on the hill. The sophomore has not dropped a game for Texas in his five consecutive Sunday starts, recording a 3.00 ERA with 24 strikeouts and one sole home run given up.

Before the Texas Tech series, where Gordon dished out 101 pitches and seven strikeouts to avoid getting swept on the road, the sophomore expressed his excitement about playing as a leader on the team.

“I’m built for it, in my opinion,” Gordon said.

“What I always wanted to do (was) start at Texas.

Getting the opportunity is great.”

Sophomore Lucas Gordon serves a left-handed pitch during a sold out game against TCU on The New York Times Syndication Sales Corporation April 10. The Longhorns won 7 – 3.

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ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE A T F I R S T

I N C A S

D A L A I L A M A L O R N A

Z O O M S I N O N

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M E N S A T O S G L Y Y

S M U G A O N E D O W N D E R S D E I N N A O M E N T O W H A Y S E A L F I T L L S Y O U E R B E S S

E T A L I A

J U S T I F T Y A S A D O R T E T P O

S P A N A E A C U P C K E T S O L T E R A Y S Z O E K E S R U T H O H E D T R I P E H O O H A O P E D S I R S A A D E T N S A

47 Squares, e.g.

51 Acapulco gold 52 “Jeepers!”

54 Corroded 55 Stain 57 1987 sci-fi comedy spoof 59 Ireland’s bestselling solo artist 60 Potentially destructive marine growth 61 Ones in charge: Abbr.

62 Apt 63 San Francisco’s ___ Valley DOWN 1 Where a high school yearbook club may meet, informally 2 Actress Knightley 3 Spoke spaniel?

4 Casual, casually 5 Pensione relative 6 Lemony Snicket antagonist named after a Salinger orphan 7 Placeholder 8 Little rascal 9 Director Welles 10 Σ, in math 11 “I can’t afford NOT to buy it!”

12 Not stress so much?

13 Online hookup 15 Comic partner of Stiller 21 Altogether pretty good

Edited by Will Shortz 1

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PUZZLE BY JOSEPH GREENBAUM

24 Indiana’s state flower

26 Comedian Kevin 28 A call for help

30 The Magic, on scoreboards 31 Kind of cup

32 “America’s Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response” vis-à-vis Amber Alert, e.g.

34 Less gracious when losing, say 35 Pampering, in brief

37 Hebrew letter on a dreidel 38 That’s the point!

40 Figure that determines an air passenger’s status 43 ___ effect 44 Wreck

45 Clan symbol

46 H-1B and B-1, for two 48 Head, in slang

49 “The Bare Necessities” bear 50 Part of a classic breakup line 53 Bamboozle

56 Popeye’s anchor, e.g., for short

58 Not-so-common studio apartment shape

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10

FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2022

SPORTS

BASEBALL

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TEXAS HEAD COACH DAVID PIERCE REFLECTS ON 400TH WIN anthony mireles

/ the daily texan file

Head coach David Pierce stands with a player and makes the “Horns Up” gesture after a game. Pierce recently celebrated his 400th career win as head coach.

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Produced by Moody College of Communication Students & Faculty

By Hunter Dworaczyk @HunterDworaczyk

Baseball has been simple for Texas head coach David Pierce.

Pierce, who picked up his 400th career victory as a head coach Tuesday, said the game allows him to stay in the moment and be at peace.

“After being in the business world, (coaching) really opened my eyes to the fact that I don’t have to search for what I want to do,” Pierce said. “It made it really easy to go through economic issues, struggles or the perspective of life. So it’s been simple for me.”

Pierce has accumulated a career record of 400–216 and is in his 11th season as a head coach. Prior to taking the Texas job in June 2016, he was the head coach at Sam Houston State and Tulane.

When Pierce became Sam Houston’s head coach in 2011, the Bearkats had not won an outright conference championship since 1989. Under Pierce, the Bearkats won three straight conference championships.

Pierce had similar results at Tulane, where he brought the Green Wave its first conference title since 2005 in his second season.

Disregarding the canceled 2020 season and the current unfinished regular season, Pierce has coached teams to six regular season conference championship wins in his nine full seasons as a head coach.

Pierce said that after losing his father at a young age, he was saved by the coaches he used to play for. Pierce said he uses this

personal experience to guide how he interacts with his players, focusing more on relationship building than strictly winning.

“If you do it like that, I think the wins follow suit,” Pierce said. “If you go at it just to win, I think you lose sight of the relationships and the joy of the day-to-day.”

Graduate transfer infielder Skyler Messinger credited the coaching staff for its high expectations during Thursday’s media availability and said he felt at home pretty quickly because of the culture in the Texas locker room.

“The guys and the culture here align well with who I am, and it was really great to come in and have a whole locker room of like-minded individuals,” Messinger said. “I can’t speak enough of the culture here. The working culture has been something that I’ve loved being a part of.”

Pierce often preaches for his players to stay in the moment and think about the next pitch, something that can be hard to do with a top-10 matchup scheduled for the upcoming weekend.

Texas is not denying the importance of this weekend’s series against No. 8 Oklahoma State: the stakes involve the No. 10 Longhorns’ hopes for a Big 12 title and likely their postseason seeding. Yet, redshirt sophomore Douglas Hodo III said the team cannot worry too much about the pressures of playing for its seeding.

“It’s something you have to be aware of but not something you have to dive deep into,” Hodo said. “If you’re consumed by that, you are not playing to win or playing to get better.”

COMICS

B A R B R A D A LY

11

Comics Editor | @TEXANCOMICS FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2022

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