Monday, October 7, 2019
The Independent Student Newspaper of Sam Houston State University
Students Dedicated to Professional Journalism Volume 131 | Issue 4
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Special Edition: How to Stay Sane During Midterms NAMASTE. Looking for a healthy way to relax? Yoga is right around the corner at Rec Sports and might just be the answer you’re looking for. Learn more on p. 2.
Health & Wellness
DISTRACTIONS. Midterms are quickly approaching, but there is no need to panic. Studying is usually the hardest part. Check out tips about how to stay on topic on p. 5.
FAIR-EST OF THEM ALL. Fair on the Square is a great tradition in the Huntsville community. Check out all the best views with our photo story on p. 7.
LIGHT IT UP. Check out all the colorful sights of the annual Fire Fest. Our pictures will make you feel like you were really there! See the photo story on p. 9.
CLOSE CALL. SHSU football continued its dominance of rival SFA in the Battle of the Piney Woods with a 31-20 victory, but it was not easy. Read the full recap on p. 12.
Opinions
News
Arts & Entertainment
Sports
The Houstonian | bit.ly/SHSUCampusNews | Monday, October 7, 2019
Health & wellness
Namaste in Rec Class: Q&A with Rec Center Yoga Teacher BY RACHAEL FORBES Contributing Reporter Recreational Sports at Sam Houston State University plays a significant role in the health and wellness of students, staff and faculty involved within the college. The purpose of Recreational Sports is to assist the college community with a wide variety of skills such as relaxation and socialization with other people. These skills develop while meeting a person’s competitive and recreational needs. A major part of these activities are fitness classes where
Rachael Forbes BEND DON’ T BREAK. A look behind-the-scenes of one of Rec Sports’ popular classes.
students can try an array of different workouts and training styles. One class that has been successful is yoga with Samarah Zamora. Yoga is defined as a system of physical postures, breathing techniques and sometimes meditation used for relaxation. At 7:15 p.m., Zamora’s class is filled with students looking to better themselves through yoga. After class, she took some time for an interview. Q: How do you set the mood for students in your class to make them feel comfortable? A: As a Rec employee, we like to encourage everyone to come get active and get involved. Through that, all of our group fitness classes are catered towards beginners, intermediate and even sometimes advanced people. We actually did that by how we changed the group fitness passes. So now in class I can see who all started out as a beginner and how much they have the progressed. We cater to the individual, so you’ll always feel welcomed. Q: What do you want or hope people will take from this yoga class? A: In my yoga classes, especially, people come to relax. It’s really just a class where people can get either a lot of relaxation, or a good workout. Some people just come for the meditation portion of it. Overall, I just hope people get what they specifically came for. Q: Why should people be interested in taking classes here at the Rec Center? A: A lot of people think the group fitness classes are only for beginners or maybe they’re not inclined to do them because they know how to do their own
workout. They’re really fun to do with partners and the group system. I’ve personally seen some really good friendships come from these classes. Not only is it a really good workout, but you get to meet a lot of new people in the process. It’s also very time friendly. I like to encourage people who are a little bit timid to take classes, to go in full-force. We’re not here to judge you, were here to help and make you comfortable. Q: Besides yoga, what are some other Rec classes or activities students should take here? A: All of our group fitness classes are there to encourage everyone. We have dance classes, strength team classes, the weight room and many other options you can choose from. Another great activity is the lovely rock wall. Even if it’s not something you’re used to or know a lot about, anything at the Rec Center is great to get involved.
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The Houstonian | bit.ly/SHSUCampusNews | Monday, October 7, 2019
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Health & wellness
Testing Accommodations: SHSU Offers On-Campus Help BY BRITTANI SAMUELS
Contributing Reporter “The mission of the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) is to promote full and equal access on the part of students with disabilities to educational and extracurricular programs and activities at SHSU.” That is the mission statement of the Services for Students with Disabilities at Sam Houston State University. The SSD provides accommodations and amenities to students with disabilities, such as adaptive technology, alternative textbooks, sign language interpreters and private testing rooms. “For any accommodations, a student would need to present documentation to our office of his or her disability,” Director of SSD and Accommodation Counselor Kelley Osborn said. “Submitting the documentation of the disability to us is just one step in the process, the student must also schedule an intake
appointment with an accommodation counselor in our office.” There are testing rooms in the disability services building that utilize multiple forms of technology to assist students. The SSD testing rooms provide adaptive software to help aid students during testing, such as a software that magnifies the computer desktop, a screen reading software that reads to students and video magnifiers that students can use to enlarge the text of the exam. The staff members of disability services personally accommodate students by providing extended time on exams, a quieter testing area, alternative textbooks for students with a reading disability and sign language interpretation for deaf students. Many students with disabilities take their course exams in the SSD testing room, but the SSD office often approves accommodations for many of the standardized tests that are given at the SHSU testing center. “We evaluate many of those
requests, and we work closely with the testing center for accommodations like the CLEP test,” Osborn said. The SSD aims to give students with disabilities the opportunity to reach their full potential, according to their webpage. “We’re not unique, colleges across the country are required to provide similar services,” Osborn said. Licensed staff members like Kelley Osborn, M.A., L.P.C., are there to support and students with disabilities. For more information on SSD, contact their office at (936) 2943512.
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Love Safely: Know the Types of Abuse in a Relationship BY AMANDA J. RAASKA
Community News Editor College is home to new beginnings– with students starting to date and create relationships that can leave long lasting memories. October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which is designed to raise awareness for people who are experiencing abuse in their lives and homes. Abuse comes in all shapes and sizes, because each case of abuse and every person is different. The CDC cites four kinds of abuse: physical violence, sexual violence, stalking and psychological aggression. Physical violence is the most immediate one for people to recognize. This kind of abuse happens when one person in the relationship tries to hurt their partner by any type of physical force. If your partner tries to physically hurt you and you did not consent to that pain, it’s a sign of abuse in the relationship. Sexual violence is defined by the CDC as a person forcing their partner into a sexual act even if it’s a non-physical sexual act, like sexting, when the partner does not consent. Relationships do not give your partner the right to your body whenever they desire. Stalking is a hard sign of abuse as it’s the unwanted attention and contact by a person that causes feelings of fear and concern. People may see this as a person trying to show that they
Amanda J. Raaska care, but if a person is making you feel unsafe by even small signs of predatory behavior, it may be a sign of abuse. Psychological aggression, according to the CDC, is the verbal and non-verbal communication that is used with an intent to control and harm a person. If your partner uses words or non-verbal acts to undermine your confidence and create negative thoughts and feelings, this is abuse. Stepping back to inspect your own relationship can be hard, but is necessary. From the inside, abusive situations usually aren’t as clear cut as they seem from a distance. Abuse can happen to any gender in a relationship with another person. Learn the different kinds of abuse and protect yourself by seeking help if you feel unsafe or fearful in your relationship. If you would like to speak to someone and get help about an abusive relationship, call or visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.
The Houstonian | bit.ly/HoustonianOpinions | Monday, October 7, 2019
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Opinions
Study Struggles: Staying Focused with an Attention Disorder BY JACOB COURTNEY Opinions Editor
Across the United States, college students are rushing to cram in as much information as possible as midterm exams loom over most of our heads. Many of those students have Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), which makes studying and completing projects much harder than it is for the average person. As someone who has been diagnosed with ADHD this year, has struggled with the symptoms for most of my life and managed to keep an above average GPA, I will share some
wisdom to help those who also struggle with attention issues. One tip that has helped me is a calendar app that gives daily reminders for upcoming tests, readings and projects. I personally use multiple apps, and seeing the notifications pop up reminds me to make room in my day to do a little bit of schoolwork. The use of the apps will build on each other and make it easier to keep adding reminders. Making a schedule can be valuable to your survival in the classroom. Knowing how long you need to do an assignment will prevent you from losing sleep to complete tasks at the last minute. Do not try to do an entire
project at once, even if you are running toward a deadline. Your brain will fight you every step of the way as boredom sets in. Make a small goal that is reachable in a certain amount of time. Reading a section of a chapter or writing five sentences are some examples I use. It is important to take a break limited to the amount of time it takes to refresh your mind. Eat a snack, watch a video, text a friend or find other activities that will not take more than 20 minutes. When you reach a milestone, such as getting caught up with the class, reading or fully understanding a difficult subject, you are likely to be tired. Take a 30 minute break, go on a walk
or beat a level of a video game. This will help you avoid mental exhaustion and refresh you for the next task. Finally keeping the balance between boredom and focusing on the current task is always an issue for those with attention disorders. Playing music or if you are daring, playing a podcast or video in the background is a fine solution. It can be the difference between knowing calculus or setting the textbook on fire in frustration. Remember to keep your eyes on your work and don’t let the sound be too distracting. If you suspect or know that you have an attention disorder, you may want to visit a therapist
or psychiatrist to receive professional help. Ignoring a disruptive health issue just because it is mental is just as dangerous as ignoring a physical disability. Here at Sam Houston State University, we also have access to the Services for Students with Disabilities. When presented with documentation of a disorder, SSD can work with you and your professors to help you focus both in and out of the classroom. They can be found in the Lee Drain North Annex or contacted at (936) 294-3512.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month Spotlights Prevention BY KATHERINE SOOKMA Contributing Writer
According to The World Health Organization, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide. Women of all ages can be diagnosed with breast cancer. The mentality that only older women can get it can prevent some women from conducting self-ex-
aminations or going to see their doctor, leading to cancer going undetected. While there has not been a cure discovered yet, there are plenty of ways to detect and help prevent breast cancer. Self-examination is one of many important things that women can do to help monitor their risk of getting breast cancer. By utilizing resources online, as well as asking a doctor, women can know exactly what to look for when doing a self-exam. Being diagnosed with breast cancer doesn’t necessarily mean a death sentence. With advancements in medical treatments, many women survive breast cancer and go on to live productive lives. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including daily exercise, getting plenty of rest and having a good diet can lower some women’s risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer, according
to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. There are many breast cancer organizations across the country that have a variety of resources and services specifically designed to help women who may not be able to see a doctor. An organization in Texas
called The Rose uses a mobile mammography service to reach women who need breast exams. By going out in the community, more women can be helped and given the opportunity to obtain more regular health screenings. Different ways for people to help spread awareness about
breast cancer include encouraging friends and family members to get an annual exam and mammogram, hosting fundraisers with friends or family or donating money to help fund research or to help women pay for breast cancer services.
The Houstonian | bit.ly/HoustonianOpinions | Monday, October 7, 2019
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Opinions
Tips for the Tired Super Seniors Among Us BY TYLER FEDERICO Contributing Writer
Around this time of year, people begin giving college students tips for their upcoming midterms. These traditional pieces of advice are great for some students, but not for all of them. What about those of us who have been in college for longer than others? We’re not all starry-eyed freshmen here. Some of us are fifth and sixthyear seniors who just want to be finished already. This is a list of study tips for all the super seniors out there who have been disenchanted by the college experience. Tip one: Only study for what you won’t be able to guess. This might seem like common sense, but if you’re really trying to limit how much effort you put into studying, only focus on learning the things that don’t have a high chance of you guessing it correctly. Remember, if your test is multiple choice, you have a 25% chance of guessing correctly right off the bat. Most test questions have at least one answer you’ll know isn’t correct, so immediately that’s a 33.3%
chance of you guessing correctly. This number could jump to 50% if there are two you can immediately rule out. If you’re trying for a C, which, let’s be honest, you are if you’ve been in college as long as me, then 50% of questions having a 50% chance for you to guess them correctly is good enough. Look, I’m not a math person, that’s why I dropped out of a science degree. Speaking of which, if it’s a math test you’re taking, you might want to actually learn all the equations. Tip two: When in doubt, use note cards. Again, you’re probably thinking that this is obvious. Using note cards is a staple of college studying. Well here’s the thing, when you’re just starting to study as you walk to the class where you’re taking the test, do you want to be carrying around a large notebook, loose papers or even a laptop? Of course you don’t. Half the campus is under construction right now. It’s dangerous and irresponsible to be walking around distracted with full hands. Using note cards is much more efficient. Tip 3: Don’t procrastinate.
If there’s one thing people who have been in college for a long time know how to do, it is procrastinate. However, there is a common misconception about procrastinating. People think that procrastinating ultimately saves energy and effort, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. If you procrastinate on a project, you have to spend a lot of energy all at once instead of spending it in halfhearted bursts throughout the semester. If you write two sentences of that term paper due at the end of a semester every week, you’ll probably be done well before it’s due. That way, you’ll have plenty of time in between to not work on it, and it gets done before you have to rush. Besides, I can’t think of anything cooler than a 26-year-old at a college party who slips away to write two sentences of a paper due in five months. These are just some of the tips I can give to my fellow super seniors. Remember, there’s nothing wrong with spending six years in college. Doctors do it, so it’s perfectly fine if you do too.
Elizabeth Machuca
The Houstonian | bit.ly/SHSUCampusNews | Monday, October 7, 2019
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campus news
Army ROTC Sends Cadets to Washington D.C. BY TRISTIN CHUDEJ
Contributing Reporter On Oct. 13 the Bearkat Battalion will send four cadets to run in the Army Ten-Miler in Washington, D.C. The Army Ten-Miler started in 1985 and attracts over 35,000 runners and 900 teams from around the world. The proceeds from the race go to benefit Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation programs for the Army. To date over $7.3 million has been generated for these programs. Each year over 100 ROTC programs participate in the race. This will be the first year that
the Sam Houston State University ROTC program will enter the race. The cadets involved are senior Abraham Padron, senior Prescott King, junior Oscar Edo-Terradas and junior Tristin
Chudej. The cadets will be escorted by Captain Cody Holmes, a cadre member for the ROTC program and previously assigned to the Old Guard in Washington, D.C.
Courtesy of NBC News
Other participants of the race include military, civilians, wheel chair athletes and wounded warrior athletes. “I am eager to see the purity of the American and Army spirit spread out over thousands of people running and cheering,” King said. The race will start Oct. 13 at the Pentagon, passing by landmarks such as the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, the Holocaust Memorial Museum, the Jefferson Memorial and more. “[I’m] thankful for being provided the opportunity to participate in such a huge Army tradition and visit one of the most iconic and historical cities in the country,” Terradas, an interna-
tional student from Spain, said. “I am excited to see how well we are going to do in the race, since all our hard work and training is surely going to pay off.” The SHSU cadets train together four times a week to prepare for the race, running anywhere between six to 10 miles every time. “It is an ecstatic feeling knowing that we are going out to D.C. to represent our school and program,” Padron said. “The training will be well worth it.” The cadets will leave on Oct. 10 so they have time before the race to tour the city.
SHSU Hosts ‘Across the Footlights’ with Hillary Hart BY BRE’ANNA BIVENS
Staff Reporter Students of the Department of Theatre, Musical Theatre and the Department of Mass Communication’s public relations team, Priority One, will host the event “Across the Footlights.” “Across the Footlights” will be a conversational event honoring the role of musical theater in America with featured guest, Hillary Hart. Hart, current executive director of Houston’s nationally acclaimed theater company, Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS), has led an extensive career in serving the arts. Only coming into her position at TUTS in 2017, she has previously served as general manager at the highly renowned Guthrie Theater, a $28 million non-profit regional theater in Minneapolis,
Minnesota. She was also the managing director at the Flat Rock Playhouse in Flat Rock, North Carolina, as well as the general manager at Dallas Theatre Center. Serving as resident stage and production manager for many theaters in New York, going on tours, lecturing at universities and being actively involved in many nationally notarized film organizations, Hart is most elated to open a dialogue with Sam Houston State University students about the art of theater. “The youth and the student mentality is what makes our industry,” Hart said. “That constant questioning, that constant desire for exploration really forces us to hold the mirror up to ourselves and to society, and reveals to us that the youth should very well be a part of this conversation.” Hart believes that musical
theater’s role in America is vital because it brings into existence various artistic disciplines such as dancing, singing, acting and visual arts. This allows for diversity and the plurality of voices to communicate the human experience. Though she wishes to articulate this to the masses who believe that such an art isn’t relatable to them because they aren’t artistically inclined, she hopes that at “Across the Footlights” she will be able to engage with the attendees no matter where they are in their journey. “My hope is that it’s less about me talking at the people who attend and more about me talking with the people who attend,” Hart said. “These are opportunities that I didn’t have a lot of and I’m really hoping that it’s less about learning of my experience and more about what you want to know. I want
to meet people where they are, and wherever you are in your journey in attending this event.” “Across the Footlights” will occur on Friday, Oct. 11 in the
Showcase Theatre. The event will start at 4 p.m., and is free and open to all students, faculty, staff and the general public.
Courtesy of Scott Treadway OPPORTUNITY AWAITS. The public will have the chance to join in a discussion with current Executive Director of Theatre Under the Stars Hillary Hart.
The Houstonian | bit.ly/HuntsvilleNews | Monday, October 7, 2019
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community news
City Confronted with Lawsuit over Rushed Annexation BY RYAN WELCH
Contributing Reporter The Huntsville City Council voted 7-2 on Tuesday to approve the annexation of over 7,600 acres despite threats of litigation. The city grew by almost 12 square miles from seven different areas, an increase of over 30%. The city council has considered annexation to grow the city for years but decided to act quickly this year after House Bill 347 started moving forward in the Texas Legislature. HB 347
makes annexation virtually impossible without the landowner’s consent. Under HB 347 any city that
Ryan Welch
wanted to annex property without landowner consent must submit and adopt an annexation resolution prior to the effective
date of May 24. The Huntsville City Council adopted Huntsville’s city annexation resolution on May 21, just three days before the bill came into effect. Attorney Bret L. Strong, who represents the landowners opposed to annexation said, “As you are hopefully aware, and hopefully council has advised you, we filed suit against the city to stop this annexation, which we believe is not only illegal, but poorly designated.” Councilmember Paul Davidhizar spoke passionately in support of the city’s annexation plan.
“30% [of Huntsville’s] property inside the city limits is state property,” Davidhizar said. “We have five prisons and a major university. 30% of our property in the city limits, we can’t collect any tax on.” After the city approved the annexation ordinances, Attorney Bret L. Strong said, “We’ll see you in court.” City council meetings are held at 6 p.m. on the first and third Tuesday of the month and all meetings are open to the public.
Fair on the Square Provides Free Fun Downtown
Sharon Raissi
Editor-in-Chief
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Assistant EIC/Campus News Editor Mason Storrs Arts & Entertainment Editor
Ariole Jones
Sports Editor
Tyler Josefsen
Opinions Editor
Jacob Courtney
Community News Editor
Amanda Raaska
Assistant Sports Editor
Colton Foster
Run Sheet Manager
Kia Seastrunk
Digital Director
Jordan Smith
Promotions
Carlos Medina
Social Engagement Director
Alexis Berkey
Staff Reporters
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Graphic Designer
Ashley Defrancis
Photographers
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Advertising Graphics Emily Guerra Business Manager
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Faculty Advisor
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Career & Internship Fair NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL MAJORS
Wednesday, October 16 Johnson Coliseum | 10am-2pm
Platinum level COrporate sponsors: R
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LL 2019
The Houstonian | bit.ly/HoustonianAandE | Monday, October 7, 2019
Arts & entertainment
Review: ‘Joker’ a Wildly Unpleasant Experience, Highly Recommended BY SHARON RAISSI Editor-in-Chief “Joker,” much like the character himself, sparks controversy. After Mark Hamill and Heath Ledger’s iconic performances (and some lesser ones we won’t name here), the title of the Joker is a lot to live up to. That being said, let’s address the elephant in the room before I dive into the actual review. Media buzz about whether the movie glorifies and encourages violence has prompted some to deem the movie an irresponsibly made social commentary. These concerns led to Warner Bros. issuing a formal statement assuring that “neither the fictional character Joker, nor the film, is an endorsement of real-world violence of any kind. It is not the intention of the film, the filmmakers or the studio to hold this character up as a hero.” It is transparently ignorant to deny that glorification of violence is involved in this movie. The movie depicts massive praise for heinous acts. It shows a man who finds confidence through violence and depicts a man climbing his way to icon status, one body at a time. But here’s the thing: we’re living in 2019. People are being killed at staggering rates and “Joker” doesn’t reveal anything the news isn’t already telling us. Art that is controversial is still art, regardless of how people take it. A criminal can claim inspiration from anything and use it as an attempt to justify their actions. People will do exactly what they want to do, regardless of what movies you put out. That being said, let’s move on to the actual movie.
The first thing I need to get out is how incredible I think Joaquin Phoenix’s portrayal of Arthur Fleck (the Joker) is. It was uncomfortable, but it was genuine. Raking the broken bits of a mentally ill man through the dirty, bloody and rat-infested gutters of Gotham City, we saw the worst parts of the character unfittingly propped up as the centerpiece. I wasn’t going to address this next part, but in the true nature of the movie, let’s make things uncomfortable. Not to get on a soapbox or pretend I’m just so much more educated or caring than my fellow moviegoers, but I was dumbfounded at how many in the theater laughed at the wrong times. This, for obvious reasons, seems weirdly appropriate for the circumstances, while at the same time being a concrete demonstration of the public’s gross intolerance and ignorance of the nastier parts of mental illness— which is a theme of the movie. When things got weird and Fleck’s illness shined through, the silence in the movie was cut by scattered laughter throughout the theater. They thought it was being played for a joke. The inappropriate laughter stopped once Arthur came into his role as the Joker. The more crimes he committed, the more his character warped into an unapologetic murderer, suddenly my fellow audience members weren’t laughing anymore. There was never a moment of triumph, never the briefest bit of levity in the writhing misery of an unpredictable lead character. The plot wraps up with the viewer feeling just as uneasy as when it began. The laughter ceases and everyone goes home.
In the words of the Joker himself, “there is no punchline.” The film artfully forces you to confront violence, social unrest and mental illness head on, yet cowers in the face of scrutiny. Phoenix walked out of an interview when asked about real-world implications of the film and director Todd Phillips repeatedly said the film’s depictions of violence were handled “responsibly.” If there’s a punchline, it’s that the course of this movie was out of their hands the minute it hit the big screen. They’ve created something that I personally feel is a work of art, and now we’re left wondering how deep the gap runs between authorial intent and audience interpretation. This movie is absolutely worth watching, but very deserving of its R rating. If you can stomach the gore of murder and the metaphorical ick of exploiting difficult subjects, grab a ticket and try to find a punchline for yourself.
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Fire Fest Illuminates Piney Woods Rivalry
Elizabeth Machuca Last Thursday, Sam Houston State University students prepared for the annual Battle of the Piney Woods game with a fun-filled pep rally at Fire Fest. The tradition included a firework display, free food and free t-shirts at the very end.
The Houstonian | bit.ly/HuntsvilleSports | Monday, October 7, 2019
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Looking forward
Undergraduate to Graduate School: Navigating the Change Dean of the graduate school discusses tips on how to smoothly make the transition, and how to ensure success in graduate level studies.
BY AMANDA J. RAASKA Community News Editor Sam Houston State University’s graduate school offers 60 master’s level programs and 11 doctoral programs, so students can develop more skills for their chosen career. The first step to graduate school is deciding to go get a master’s degree. The graduate school office (located in the Templeton Building near Elliott Hall) is open for students to come inquire about their potential next step after graduation.
According to Dean of the Graduate School Dr. Ken Hendrickson, a student should think about “when” as they decide whether to get a master’s degree. In some career paths, like medical services, professionals must have a master’s before entering the work force. Other jobs may need a mixture of work experience and then graduate studies. “We want to help by interviewing you and determine if you have a general idea about the graduate study,” Hendrickson said. The office has a designated
graduate program recruiter who helps with GRE prep and can provide information about faculty contacts, financial aid eligibility and what programs are in a career path. The GRE is a standardized test used to determine admissions to master’s and doctoral programs. “Make that exam prep kind of your hobby,” Hendrickson said. “Just practice it and get used to and comfortable with it and reduce the anxiety associated with it.” Once a student has decided to advance towards a master’s, they
must complete the application process. Hendrickson suggests students preparing their applications to graduate school research more about their chosen career paths. “You want to show somebody you have taken time to figure what the pros think about,” Hendrickson said. Taking the time to research the issues and wants of the work force can help with creating cover letters or preparing for interviews in the application process. As a person joins a master’s program, they will see a change
of tone between undergraduate and graduate school. Students work closer to faculty in their department and the overall educational experience is held to a higher standard. “You were held in strict account in certain course skills— like there was very little forgiveness if you were not a top notch writer,” Hendrickson said when reflecting on his own experience as a graduate student. He welcomes every student to come visit the graduate school office and learn more about continuing their education.
Lamar
october 12 at 2pm bowers stadium Bearkat volleyball
october 10 at 6:30 pm johnson coliseum
houston baptist
Bearkat volleyball
Lamar
october 12 at 11:00 am johnson coliseum
Close Call!
Bearkats Overcome Early Struggles, Win 9th Straight Piney Woods 31-20 BY COLTON FOSTER Asst. Sports Editor It is a good thing Kats have nine lives, because the ninth consecutive Battle of the Piney Woods win for Sam Houston State University football did not come easily. Despite a rocky start, the Bearkats claimed the 94th BOTPW 31-20 against their rival the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks at NRG Stadium in Houston in front of 24,008 fans. SHSU’s offense was lethargic in the first quarter—garnering just nine yards on 10 plays. Sophomore quarterback Ty Brock completed an abysmal two passes for a total of six yards and threw one interception. The Bearkat defense also struggled early and gave up 141 first quarter yards and a rushing touchdown. Senior Royce See was the leader on defense, but he could not do it alone for the Kats despite his forced fumble, fumble recovery and pair of clutch interceptions. SFA spent a lot of time in SHSU territory, eventually tacking on a field goal to take a 10-0 lead early in the second quarter. On the Kats’ opening drive of the second quarter, Brock found senior wide receiver Nathan Stewart for SHSU’s first 1st down of the game. After a time out by SFA, a series of miscues forced the Bearkats to punt again.
Hannah Trojan
Having only one play of more than five yards to that point in the game, Brock and the offense needed something big. Momentum shifted on a 50yard catch by Stewart, which set up a one-yard rushing touchdown by sophomore running back Donovan Williams. As the Kats’ defense started to settle in, junior safety KJ Gray came up with an interception that gave the Bearkats the ball back. With time winding down in the first half, the Kats trailed 10-7 and were searching for a way to grab the lead before they hit the locker room. On a firstand-10, head coach KC Keeler went deep into the playbook for some trickery. Brock took the snap and threw it to freshman receiver Noah Smith, who then dropped back and aired it out to freshman receiver Ife Adeyi for a 32-yard touchdown that put SHSU on top 14-10. “I really love coaching this team,” Keeler said. “There’s just such great leadership and character on the team they just keep on playing. We made an agreement together when the game is over, when the season is over, we just want to be able to look eye-to-eye and say we gave it our best shot. These guys don’t panic. That’s
what’s so rewarding about coaching them.” After receiving the second half kick and going three-andout, SHSU caught a break when a muffed punt gave them the ball back on the SFA 21-yard line. Despite the great field position, a penalty forced the Bearkats backward and they ultimately had to punt. Later in the third quarter, Brock threw his second pick of the game only to have See return the favor with his first interception on the next play— helping the SHSU defense limit SFA to 67 total yards that quarter. The fourth quarter was a roller coaster for the Bearkats. They began the final 15 minutes with a first down-and-goal at the SFA three-yard line looking for a touchdown. Good run defense by the Lumberjacks and a fumble by SHSU forced the Kats to settle for a demoralizing field goal despite extending the lead to 17-10. A Jacks’ field goal closed the gap to four, and then potential disaster struck. On first-and-19, Brock threw his third interception of the night that ended up being a 28-yard, go-ahead pick six for SFA with 10:36 left in the game. Staring a 20-17 deficit in the face, SHSU needed a
little more magic to happen as the clock was working against them. With 6:28 left, Brock hit Stewart in stride for a 45-yard touchdown to put the Kats back on top. The defense stepped up to preserve the lead. The next play was a strip sack that was recovered by See. Three plays later, Williams found himself in the endzone for the second time to put the Bearkats up 31-20 with 5:15 left. See quickly became one of the heroes of the game as he came up with his second interception of the night with just over two minutes left to play to put the game on ice. “Man, that was amazing,” See said. “I want to give honor to God because without him I can’t do what I do. Just being out there with the guys for the last ride— they just gave me everything they had, and I gave them everything I had. It was one to remember.” The Kats will be back home Oct. 12 against the Lamar University Cardinals for a 2:00 p.m. kickoff at Bowers Stadium.