1/19/20- Bi Weekly Issue

Monday, January 20, 2020

The Independent Student Newspaper of Sam Houston State University

Students Dedicated to Professional Journalism Volume 132 | Issue 1

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@HoustonianNews

@houstoniannews

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Huntsville Hotspot: Backstage at Old Town Theatre

BY KELSON JENNINGS Contributing Reporter Huntsville’s Old Town Theatre, also known as the J. Philip Gibbs, Jr. Centre for the Performing Arts, is a historical non-profit community theatre that is located in the heart of downtown Huntsville. The theatre is currently led by the President of the Friends of the Old Town Theatre Lauren Edwards.

“The theatre was started by my parents, and I want to honor them by continuing the theatre, also honoring the Huntsville community and providing opportunities to let people perform and express themselves at the theatre,” Edwards said.

The Friends of Old Town Theatre was first organized in 1997 with the intent for the restoration and reopening of Huntsville’s Old Town Theatre.

The theatre back in its early

years served as a downtown movie theater. Today, the theatre serves as a host of performances for the Huntsville local community.

Old Town Theatre also provides opportunities to theatre students at SHSU through the Law, Engagement and Politics (L.E.A.P) Center. The Old Town Theatre has also open up its doors to host SHSU’s Film Festival in the spring and is currently working with Project Sunshine for a future event.

Along with its many projects, the theatre has recently partnered up with C2 Entertainment. Clay Coursey and his wife Christine, run C2 Entertainment and help bring in even more music and artists into the theatre. C2 Entertainment has also helped install new stage lights and sound for the old theatre.

“We really want to help and support community services like Old Town Theatre, it is

rich with history, and we really just want to see it shine and be a community spotlight.” Clay Coursey said.

One of the upcoming events that C2 Entertainment has helped the Old Town Theatre bring is the Jan. 25 event featuring Cody Canada and The Departed. C2 Entertainment has more events planned throughout the year on the Old Town Theatre website, such as performances by Gene Watson and even Johnny Lee. For more information about the Old Town Theatre and its upcoming performances, visit www.oldtowntheatre-huntsville.org.

What’s the news?

Campus

What’s the real value of an SHSU parking permit?

We did the math so you don’t have to. p. 3

Community According to Huntsville’s city manager, construction on the highway is expected to go on for the next seven p. 5 years.

Chelsey Norton

The Houstonian | bit.ly/SHSUCampusNews | Monday, January 20, 2020

Page 2

campus news

LSC Renovation Aims at Refreshed New Look

BY MASON STORRS Assistant EIC/Campus News Editor Big changes are in store for the Lowman Student Center this spring as phase two of construction on the building continues.

Phase one of the project started in June 2017. This phase, that was focused on expansion, added 80,000 square feet of additional space to the LSC building.

Phase two of the updates started in March 2019 with the goal of renovating the existing facility.

Director of the LSC Rob Webber said that students, faculty and staff should expect to see refreshed spaces on all three levels of the building.

“I think what’s great about the renovation is it will complement what the expansion has provid-

ed to the students, faculty and staff of Sam Houston, and that is a fresh sort of new dynamic and energized space,” Webber said. “The fabrics, finishes, paint schemes, everything that people have come to appreciate and enjoy about the expansion, you’re going to see that on the renovated side of the facility.”

The renovation will also bring new meeting rooms, updated technology in existing meeting rooms, an updated bookstore with lounge space, a new convenience store, a Starbucks and a new stairwell in the center of the existing facility.

“New meeting space, new lounge space, new vendors, lots of new things, but just I think overall a refreshed building that will feel very much like it belongs with the expansion, and I think what’s most exciting is it’s

the building that our students deserve,” Webber said. “It’s a refreshed, exciting, dynamic, energized space and I think our students need that and deserve that kind of environment.”

Webber said that to this point updates have been met with excitement from the campus community.

“I think from students, faculty or staff we’re hearing really positive things,” Webber said.

“We’re hearing really good things about the space, and I think the proof is in the pudding. If you walk the building, if you look at how our students are engaging with the space, I think that’s all the proof that you need to know that we’ve done a good job.”

The project is expected to be complete by May of this year.

Hannah Trojan THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING. Phase two of the Lowman Student Center renovations is slated to be complete by May. The new space will have new meeting rooms, lounging areas and more.

SHSU Receives Yellow Light Speech Code Rating

BY SHARON RAISSI Editor-in-Chief The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) is an organization that offers a database called a Speech Code Rating System, which denotes FIRE’s opinion on the legitimacy of institution’s policies. Their mission is to “defend and sustain the individual rights of students and faculty members at America’s colleges and universities.”

In an evaluation last year

by FIRE, Sam Houston State University received a statement rating of yellow.

FIRE categorizes campus policies on a stoplight scale from green to red. The yellow light denotes an institution that’s “policies restrict a more

Residence Life Handbook: limited amount of protected Windows: “Students who expression or, by virtue of their place items in windows that the vague wording, could too easily University determines to be be used to restrict protected offensive and/or obscene will expression.” be asked to remove the items Several of SHSU’s policies immediately and may were evaluated and some were be subject to given a green light in disciplinary categories like Publiaction. The cations of Student UniverGroups, Residence sity Life Handbook: reserves Harassment/ the Bullying, the right to Code of Student enter a Conduct and stuDiscipline, and dent’s the Racial Harassroom/ ment Policy. The apartcampus as a whole ment to remains at a yellow remove light. FIRE took items that issue with a few Courtesy of thefire.org are found different policies offensive cited below:

and/or obscene if the student is not present during the discovery.”

IT-03: Acceptable Use Policy: “All individuals are accountable for their actions relating to SHSU information technology resources. Direct violations include the following: …Using SHSU information technology resources for political gain.”

Student Guidelines: Code of Student Conduct and Discipline: “Harassment where the individual threatens or bullies, in person, by telephone, electronically, in writing, or by other means, to take unlawful action against any person and by this action intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly annoys or alarms the recipient.”

Student Guidelines: Posting and Distribution of Printed Materials: “Students and

officially recognized student organizations may post printed material on designated campus bulletin boards with stamped approval of the Department of Leadership Initiatives… Posted materials must identify campus affiliate, sponsoring organization, or individual student.”

Dean of Students: Expressive Activity- Get Informed: “Harassment is conduct sufficiently severe, pervasive, or persistent that the conduct creates a hostile environment substantially impairing a person’s access to university programs or activities.”

FIRE does not explicitly say why these excerpts are problematic, but they are listed at www. thefire.org/schools/sam-houston-state-university.

The Houstonian | bit.ly/SHSUCampusNews | Monday, January 20, 2020

campus news

Page 3

The Houstonian | bit.ly/HuntsvilleNews | Monday, January 20, 2020

Page 4

community news

Here’s the Beef: Editors Pick the Best Burger in Town My pick for the best burger place will be Mr. Hamburger. Good food for an affordable price with a nice 50’s theme to it. Whether you want a burger with all the meat you can handle or with some great guacamole, this is the place for all who love the classic food done right.

While Huntsville stands out to me as a haven of good hamburgers, I have to go with Humphrey’s as my favorite. If you can pair huge juicy burgers and several topping options with great people and TouchTunes jukebox playlists that will keep you singing along all night, what’s not to like?

JACOB COURTNEY

MASON STORRS

Campus News Editor

My 1st choice for burgers in Huntsville is Mr. Hamburger. Anyone can enjoy the classic diner atmosphere with burgers that fill the stomach with original American cooking.

As someone who grew up in a foreign country, this is what I imagined all American diners would be like.

Community News Editor

Sports Editor

ARIOLE JONES

Arts & Entertainment Editor

AMANDA RAASKA

TYLER JOSEFSEN

SHARON RAISSI

Opinions Editor

This might seem basic, but I’m nominating Whataburger’s Breakfast Burger (minus the creamy pepper sauce).

Hashbrowns, check.

Egg, check.

Bacon, check.

Burger, check.

Who doesn’t love a burger you can eat in the morning?

Editor-in-Chief

This is actually my least favorite but only option in Huntsville: Five Guys. The flavor is really nice and the fact that you can put anything on it and it still tastes good is great. My biggest issue is that they wrap the burgers in foil so it gets all soggy and wet and I like my buns moist but not THAT moist.

This argument has caused a rift in the newsroom. I vote for no burgers and world peace. Also the beef industry is highly corrupt. Just wanted to throw that out there.

The Houstonian | bit.ly/HuntsvilleNews | Monday, January 20, 2020

Page 5

community news

City Manager Provides Update on Construction

BY AMANDA J. RAASKA

Community News Editor The City of Huntsville has been working on different construction projects all over the city limits from business to bond projects.

City Manager Aron Kulhavy said the city is doing major renovations on the water system.

The project will improve the water pressure and take care of all of Huntsville’s water needs for the next 10 years through waterline improvements in different locations and a new water tower on Veterans Memorial

Road.

Fire Station 2 will be under construction this year and will keep its location next to The Armory apartments.

City projects are not the only construction in Huntsville. New businesses and apartments are being built around the city.

Some commercial projects that have been approved for construction or have already started construction are Chick-Fil-A, Freddy’s Steakburgers and Pizza Hut. Chick-Fil-A had its project approved, so the city is just waiting for the business to pick up the permits to build. Kulhavy also said Freddy’s Steakburgers should be open within the next

30 days or so.

Residential construction projects around town include Sterling Union, Haven at M and 1400 Cubes. Apartments around Huntsville are only allowed to build where there are no residential neighborhoods. The city makes sure that apartments are livable before move-in by checking parking, sewer, electric, water and that roads can handle the traffic. With the apartments getting taller, the city requires them to have a full sprinkler system throughout the building in case of fires.

Kulhavy also touched on the construction that Interstate 45 has been under. With several

different phases before construction can be completed, citizens of Huntsville will have to be careful driving around the con-

“You can just plan on the interstate being under construction until 2027.”

-City Manager Aron Kulhavy struction on the roads.

“First phase is near comple-

tion, which takes it from the south side of town down to the county line that will wrap up within the next year to 18 months, and then right before that project finishes the next phase will start that will widen the interstate through the City of Huntsville,” Kulhavy said.

“You can just plan on the interstate being under construction until 2027.”

All construction projects and locations can be found at huntsvilletx.gov/projects.

/HoustonianNews @houstoniannews @HoustonianNews

The Houstonian | bit.ly/HoustonianAandE | Monday, January 20, 2020

Page 6

Arts & entertainment

The Media’s Role in the Civil Rights Movement: Television

BY ARIOLE JONES Arts & Entertainment Editor Martin Luther King Jr. Day is when we remember the accomplishments King did for the United States of America.

But here’s something that’s not really talked about: the role of the media in King’s movement.

At the time, it was relatively simple to read and write about injustices in the south, but hard for people to actually believe it or visualize it for the cruelty it actually was. Cameras and television came in as an active medium to clear this gray area for those unable to witness it in person.

Today we can see the heroicness of television with the most popular “I Have a Dream...” speech that still resonates with generations long after.

When we think of King, we

think specifically of this message and his mission to integrate races in the U.S., yet we take technological advances of the time for granted. King made many speeches leading

up to his death with a few of them recorded for television and most ironically, by white men.

Laurens Pierce was a cameraman who recorded many important events in history including the Selma civil rights march and the attempted assassination of an Alabama governor. He later went on to be a camera operator for CBS, continuing his work recording history. His camerawork was among the most important of the century.

What we can assume is that although we were aware of abolitionists and white Americans who were on the side of justice, we can see that media played no role but the role of revelation. Simply put: to bring awareness

to whatever needed it.

Today, we conveniently have the same medium in our hands with the same power as Pierce and even King. Up to this day, the world has been made aware of occurrences in most every nation by us, the people, recording and posting news ourselves. Without the help of media, the civil rights movement may have been prolonged or forgotten

because no one would have known and believed what was going on without seeing it for themselves.

Today, we take the time to remember King and how he shaped the future of our country and how television helped him do so.

Photo Courtesy of ABC News A DREAM ON SCREEN. Martin Luther King Day is celebrated on the third Monday of January each year, with his actual birthday on Jan. 15.

The Houstonian | bit.ly/HoustonianAandE | Monday, January 20, 2020

Page 7

Arts & entertainment

Why Did the Chickens Cross the Road? To Get to SHSU

BY MEGAN SHULER Contributing Reporter Have you ever seen a random chicken on Sam Houston’s campus and wondered why?

The origin of how the chickens came to campus is a mystery to most.

“The chickens were just left here on the grounds of the museum,” Director of the Sam Houston Memorial Museum Mac Woodward said.

The first two chickens that originated on the site were named Chico and Sweetie.

“They were one of the first ones that used to come out and sit on the rail,” Woodward said.

The chickens and the muse-

um workers developed a bond between them throughout the years. Visitors can see the chickens around the grounds of the museum and on campus, and it seems locals have grown accustomed to their presence in town.

The chickens’ home is at the museum, but the chickens do not belong to the museum.

Regardless of ownership, the museum staff takes care of them daily.

The groundskeeper feeds them once a day, but visitors also enjoy buying feed to give it to them. The museum is not just a historical site; it is also home to beloved wildlife that has become a staple of the city.

The community chickens were popular enough to even

have a book written about them. “The Story of the Sam Houston Chickens” tells a story of the chicken’s journey to the grounds of the museum.

The Spring 2017 Priority One public relations class, led by Mass Communicates Warner Endowed Professor Peter Roussel, published the book with artwork by art student Victoria Gillis.

All the money that comes from the book sales goes towards scholarships to the mass communication and arts students.

Chickens crossing the road to campus makes the community realize the most enjoyable things in life are simple.

The chickens are one of the things that makes this campus unique.

Houston Public Media

Editor-in-Chief

Sharon Raissi

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

Run Sheet Manager

Kia Seastrunk

Digital Director

Jordan Smith

Advertising Graphics

Emily Guerra

Social Engagement Director

Alexis Berkey

Business Manager

Paty Mason

Graphic Designer

Faculty Advisor

Debbi Hatton

Photographers

Ashley Defrancis Elizabeth Machuca Jesus Perez Hannah Trojan

The Houstonian is the independent student newspaper of Sam Houston State University. Serving the campus and community since 1913, The Houstonian prides itself on upholding professional journalistic standards while providing students from a diverse array of backgrounds opportunities to learn and grow.

Completely student-run, The Houstonian welcomes staffers and submissions from any SHSU student regardless of major. All opinions published reflect only the thoughts of the author unless otherwise stated, and do not necessarily align with the views of the publication.

A voice for the campus of SHSU, The Houstonian is an award-winning addition to the Mass Communication department, housed in the Dan Rather Communications Building room 210.

Please contact The Houstonian office with any corrections if we publish something in error. We strive to maintain the highest journalistic values, and we welcome critiques in hopes of continuing to better the publication at large. Please send emails to our Editor-in-Chief, Sharon Raissi, at smr075@shsu.edu, call our office phone at 936-294-1505 or stop by our office during the week.

Please submit any letters to the editor to smr075@shsu.edu, or drop them in the box on our office door. Every letter will be reviewed for publication and subject to grammar and AP style edits. Anyone interested in paid employment with The Houstonian can keep an eye on Jobs4Kats or stop by the office to inquire.

The Houstonian prints every other Monday during the school year, and continually updates its multimedia content. Print dates for the Spring 2020 semester are Jan. 20, Feb. 3, Feb. 17, March 2, March 23, April 6 and April 20.

The Houstonian | bit.ly/HoustonianOpinions | Monday, January 20, 2020

Page 8

Opinions

Switching Lanes: How to Succeed at a New Years Resolution

BY JACOB COURTNEY Opinions Editor

The new year is a wonderful time for realization. The new beginning for the world at large makes even the most depressed believe they can change themselves for the better.

Then defeats mount up and interest in self-improvement is soon gone. Last week’s strong commitments become ‘I’ll get to it later,’ then never happens.

The problem here is having high hopes that lead to poor results. According to Finders. com 86.9% of millennials said they would make New Year’s resolutions in 2020, and 54.4% of them believed that their resolutions were doable.

However, according to U.S. News and World Report, 80% of New Year’s resolutions don’t succeed. The percentages are almost identical.

The goal here is not to get scared at the challenges ahead

but to find out what will result in the mindset to put you into being part of the 20% that do succeed.

Everyone expects too much to change too fast. People love it when a new something comes easy and fast, with little effort required.

Making a New Year’s resolution is not about making a commitment that comes easy. If the resolution had been that simple, it already would have been done with no need to reflect at all.

It is certain to never happen with that way of thinking as there is no preparation for that most essential step towards reaching that heavenly goal just over the horizon: failure.

The word sends such a chill hurdling down our spines. We imagine a permanent state of not getting any action right.

When the first failure comes, as it often will, the shock drives the average person back to old habits. The safety of the old way of thinking surrounds like a comfortable, suffocating blanket.

Time is also a big factor. The time a new skill or healthier life choice will take to master is mostly unclear.

Many have no idea how to manage our time on this planet.

When hit with that burst of inspiration, there is so much that seems possible that too many commitments are taken on at once.

Lives also rarely start over with the new year. Previous responsibilities to family, friends, work and college still must be balanced.

Goals that were vague in the beginning become even more obscured by the fog of the endless days and weeks that lie ahead.

There is no sustainable way forward, giving way to doubt.

This leads to the biggest type of failure: giving up all together on self-improvement.

The way to get out of this cycle of wishing too big then being devastated when it all falls apart is planning out your time with reasonable goals.

How does one plan to do

anything if small steps are not taken to realize your vision for yourself ?

Imagine a driver yanking the wheel and hoping for the best when moving into a new lane of traffic. Anyone who has taken a driving course can tell that this would lead to the driver wrecking his car more than safely getting to his destination.

Most know a driver who is calm, signals to the other cars around, checks where he or she can fit in and then moves will find more success.

Applying these steps to a New Year’s resolution is easier than one might think.

Take a deep breath and calm down when the frustration starts to build.

Getting emotional at the problem will only lead to even more mistakes and never learning.

Then signal the change that is needed.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Talking to other people you trust will give the best results.

This problem is more common

than you think.

Don’t just keep saying that a change is coming. A driver who keeps signaling for hours on end will just end up annoying everyone else on the road.

There needs to be a plan that can be acted upon.

See where a small new change can fit, maybe one that takes an amount of time as small as 10 to 30 minutes.

When hitting those bumps in the road try not to panic, but to look at the situation. The failure could be because the goal was too big or because you are just inexperienced at it.

Give this new part of your life time to grow, and celebrate every small success with a reward to yourself. Each success will build on the other and before too long the goal will easily come to be.

Life and car rides are similar in that the journey is more important than the destination.

Emily Guerra

The Houstonian | bit.ly/HoustonianOpinions | Monday, January 20, 2020

Opinions

Page 9

Astros Cheating Scandal Damages More Than Careers

BY TYLER JOSEFSEN Sports Editor

Wow. Just wow. A week has passed since Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred severely punished the Houston Astros for their technologically advanced sign stealing scheme in 2017, the year the city of Houston relished in its first World Series championship.

This was a championship that extended beyond just the chalk lines on the field at Minute Maid Park. It uplifted a city that was devastated by Hurricane Harvey and overjoyed a fan base that had been struck with hardship. The World Series trophy that year represented more than athletic triumph. The trophy represented hope.

Now it’s tainted.

First, let’s recap the penalties the league office imposed on the Astros organization on Jan. 13: General Manager Jeff Lunhow and beloved manager A.J. Hinch were both suspended for one year and subsequently fired by owner Jim Crane later that afternoon. The team was fined

Photo Courtesy of Steve Gonzales/Houston Chronicle via AP STRIKING THEMSELVES OUT. The cheating done by Astros players who already had a great record shows that they cared more about ensuring a championship win for themselves than for their fans or the city that the uniforms represent.

There is no issue with any Crane made a difficult decision $5 million. Assistant general that he stood behind fully and manager Brandon Taubman was of the decisions made by the league office. Seeing the report, was best for the organization. also suspended. Perhaps most importantly the team will forfeit listening to interviews, it is clear He presented that decision to Manfred made the right one this the media and fans shortly after their first two round draft picks time. The loss of a manager MLB’s sentencing in a press for the next two years. forces this group of players to conference filled with emotion Baseball fans see that list and face what they did, losing a genand disappointment. These say, “They should be stripped of eral manager forces this orgafeelings are mirrored by the fans their World Series title.” Astros nization to redefine its identity that support his organization. fans see that list and worry this and the loss of draft picks sets a A few things bother me could be the end of the successprecedent to deter future acts of throughout this entire proful dynasty they have enjoyed this kind. cess. First, Astros fans turning since 2015. against their team. This was a mistake made by a group of players consumed by immaturity and pride.

Astros fans and especially baseball fans of other teams need to realize that Houston did not win the World Series solely because of this. The 2017 Houston Astros were good.

They were talented, disciplined baseball players: cheating and trash can banging aside.

But simply being great was not enough for those players.

One of the examples of this sign stealing deception that has gone viral is a video of Evan Gattis batting against Chicago White Sox relief pitcher Danny

Farquhar on Sept. 22, 2017.

With the season almost over, the Astros had the American League West division locked up. In fact, they won the division that season by a jaw-dropping 21 games.

Yet, in the bottom of the eighth inning of a game that realistically did not even matter, Astros players can be heard banging on trash cans in the dugout to signify an off-speed pitch.

In fact, MLB’s report said the team felt a sense of “panic” that their scheme had been discovered. That panicked state shows an understanding that what they were doing was outside the rules of the game. It was pure arrogance.

This is why the scandal is a disappointment. Everything that group of players accomplished that year felt like it was for the city of Houston and for their fans. It turns out it was for the record books. Being good enough wasn’t enough. Winning wasn’t enough. They wanted to dominate opponents.

This is where the championship becomes tainted. It’s never going to be physically stripped away by the league office or scratched out of the record books until it is forgotten. Actually, the problem is the opposite.

The championship will always be remembered. It will be talked about with slight hesitation when any mention of that season and that historical team. It has transitioned from one of the greatest moments in the hearts of Astros fans to one of the most disgusting acts in the eyes of baseball fans.

The sad truth is the Houston Astros were not the only ones punished. Their fan base was too.

The Houstonian | bit.ly/HuntsvilleSports | Monday, January 20, 2020

Page 10

SPORTS

Bearkat Women’s Basketball in Perfect Position with 8-0 Record

BY COLTON FOSTER Sports Reporter

Sam Houston State University women’s basketball is off to a record-breaking start with a perfect 8-0 record against Southland Conference opponents. The Bearkats have seen a massive turn-around under head coach Ravon Justice, outscoring conference foes 657-484 and winning games by an average of 21.6 points.

SHSU not only has the firepower from Justice, but the team has scattered multiple players throughout the conference record books this season. Sophomore forward Amber Leggett currently leads the conference in points scored (263) and is top-20 in total rebounds this year.

Leggett had a career high 26 points against the University of Oklahoma.

“Right now, [Leggett] is one of our captains,” Justice said. “Her role is leadership.

I think the thing that she brings that is irreplaceable right now is just being energetic and making sure she can

get us through some things on the offensive and defensive end.”

The Bearkats also have two players in the top-10 in assists—senior guard Jenniffer Oramas (67) and junior guard Faith Cook (52). Not having a star player is something that has worked well for the Bearkats so far this year. With a different statistical leader in almost every category, it allows for more than one or two standout players to help win a game.

“It keeps us honest,” Justice said. “If somebody doesn’t come and do their job then we’re not very successful. It makes sure that every day we are getting better and practicing.”

Justice took over the team at the beginning of the 201819 season when an impressive turnaround garnered her the SLC Coach of the Year award. Her 16-13 record was the Bearkats’ first winning season since the 2012-13 season. This is also the best start in her career as a head coach.

“It just gives us an opportunity to kind of see how we are progressing as a pro-

Hannah Trojan

gram,” Justice said. “Rather than taking steps back you want to be going in the right direction, and I think that it’s given us an opportunity to keep progressing.”

The Bearkats are averaging 24.8 personal fouls per game. Leggett and junior forward Courtney Cleveland have 61 fouls on the year. In a 95-71 loss to the University of Oklahoma Dec. 15, the Bearkats had a team-high 33 fouls that led to 24 points off of free throws.

“We just have to stop fouling people right now,” Justice said. “It’s just something we

have to get better at.”

With the program heading in a new direction, the team is grinding and coming together with seven different players averaging 20-plus minutes per game.

“We all have one common goal and that’s to win a ring,” Cook said. “That’s why we always stick together, play every game as a team and get the win.”

As the season continues, the Bearkats will strive to stay undefeated and claim the top spot in the SLC Tournament March 12-15 in Katy.

The Houstonian | bit.ly/HuntsvilleSports | Monday, January 20, 2020

Page 11

SPORTS

A Run Through SHSU History: The Best of the 2010s An exclusive look at Timothy Flanders, the greatest running back in SHSU history

BY TYLER JOSEFSEN Sports Editor With the calendar recently rolling over to 2020, The Houstonian is taking a look back at one of the greatest Sam Houston State University athletes of last decade: star running back Timothy Flanders.

Flanders is highly regarded as the best SHSU running back in school history. A product of Midwest City High School in Oklahoma, he was a staple of the Bearkats’ program from 2010-2013 after redshirting at Kansas State as a true freshman in 2009.

It did not even take a full season for Flanders to open eyes though. His collegiate career started with an instant bang when he exploded for a 31-yard gain against Baylor to begin his SHSU career.

“It was my very first play,” Flanders said in an exclusive interview with The Houstonian.

“That’s crazy. It was the fourth quarter. I cut back and had a big

run. I was pretty excited for it, not going to lie.”

His freshman campaign was nothing short of impressive. His conference-leading 948 yards and 13 touchdowns in 10 games earned him the honor of Southland Conference Freshman of the Year, and that was just the beginning. The accolades and records continued to pile up in the years to come.

Flanders had a career year in 2011. He garnered the SLC Player of the Year award when he led the conference with 109.6 rushing yards per game. He also set single-season conference records that year for touchdowns (24), points (144) and rushing yards (1,644). On Sept. 24, 2011, Flanders had a mind-blowing, record-setting performance in a crazy 48-45 overtime victory on the road at New Mexico when he rushed for five touchdowns in a single game, and as you might expect he was excited to relive that memory.

“Whoo! I remember that,” Flanders said. “The game was going back and forth. We scored,

they scored. We got up, they got up. It was insane.”

He became one of only three athletes to ever win the SLC Player of the Year award in consecutive seasons in 2012 when he had 10 games of over 100 yards on the ground. He also had the longest play of his collegiate career that year with a 71-yard touchdown run in front of almost 7,000 fans at Bowers Stadium on Nov. 3 in a 70-0 blowout of Southeastern Louisiana.

It is impossible to flip through the SHSU record books without seeing his name. He graduated in 2013 with 5,664 yards and 66 touchdowns on 999 carries in his Bearkat career. He also tacked on four receiving touchdowns and 629 yards on 64 career receptions.

“I’m blessed,” Flanders said.

“I’m grateful for everything I accomplished at Sam Houston.”

Flanders holds 34 individual school records including career touchdowns, points and rushing yards. He also owns four single-game records and 23

single-season records. He still owns the Southland Conference records for rushing yards and career touchdowns, as well. His statistics are even more impressive considering he battled through an injury during his senior year.

“I hurt my foot [against] Lamar,” Flanders said. “I played the whole season with metal in my foot. I got an invite to the East/West game… and to the NFL Combine. After the season was over, I was on crutches for six weeks. I was going crazy the whole time. I found ways to stay in shape. That’s about all I could do without putting a lot of weight on my foot.”

Despite the injury setback and the “what could have been” possibilities, Flanders’s steady dominance still earned him a career in the Canadian Football League when he signed with the Calgary Stampeders on Mar. 18, 2015. He bounced around the CFL with the BC Lions and Winnipeg Blue Bombers and even signed NFL contracts with the New Orleans Saints and

Cleveland Browns during his career.

Not everything in Flanders’s life centers around football, however. Family is something he considers extremely important.

“I’m a big family guy,” Flanders said. “That’s where I try to spend my time off the field.

That’s pretty much it. And I try to go fishing as much as I can.”

In a 2016 article, Blue Bombers writer and director of content Ed Tait wrote about Flanders: “His college numbers got him a look, but it’s his personality that helped him get his foot in the professional football door.”

Most recently, the 5-foot, 9-inch, 205-pound back signed with the Ottawa Redblacks as a free agent on Sept. 30, 2019.